US07642355B2
The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein a, b, c, p, W, A, X1, R1, R2, R3, R6, R7, and R8 are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula I are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat pulmonary disorders.
US07642353B2
Crystalline aripiprazole Form B can be formed by crystallizing from a solvent selected from 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile or a combination thereof.
US07642350B2
This invention relates to purine derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to compositions containing them and to their use.The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R9, R9a and Y are defined in the description. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of purine derivatives in the treatment of a variety of viral infections and immune or inflammatory disorders, including those in which the modulation, in particular agonism, of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) is implicated. Accordingly, the compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of infectious disease such as Hepatitis (e.g. HCV, HBV), genetically related viral infections, inflammatory diseases such as asthma and arthritis, and cancer.
US07642340B2
The present invention relates to the use of simulation technology to rationally optimize the locations and sizes of attached polymeric moieties for modification of therapeutic proteins and the proteins generated from this method.
US07642334B2
The invention relates to a polycarbonate diol, comprising an organic residue derived from a diol component represented by formula (1), wherein n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 4, and the norbornane structure or the cyclopentane structure may be substituted with a halogen group or a hydrocarbon group. The polycarbonate diol according to the present invention can give a polyurethane resin having excellent heat resistance and flexibility in a well-balanced manner and reliability in long-term insulating properties under high temperature/high humidity conditions.
US07642329B2
A macromer based novel copolymer comprising an acrylate or methacrylate ester of low molecular weight oligomeric lactide copolymerized with basic monomer is provided. These copolymers show unusual dissolution behavior in that they are soluble over a wide range of pH from 1.8 to 7.4. This unexpected solubility behavior can be exploited to develop pharmaceutical dosage forms.
US07642308B2
Chain-extended nanonylon is made from the reaction of oligomeric nanonylon and chain-extending agents. Such chain-extended nanonylon contains concentrations of organoclay exceeding 10 weight percent. High concentrations of organoclay permit the chain-extended nanonylon to be used as either a concentrate or a compound that provides good barrier properties for thermoplastic articles made from the chain-extended nanonylon.
US07642302B2
A process for preparing a modified asphalt binder composition, the process comprising mixing asphalt, an unsaturated polymer, and phosphorus pentasulfide to form a modified asphalt composition.
US07642290B2
The present invention provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating, immuno-allergical diseases, autoimmune diseases, and organ or tissue rejection following transplantation.
US07642287B2
The invention provides novel omega-3 oil solutions of one or more statins. These solutions are readily bioavailable. Notably, because the solutions of the invention contain an omega-3 oil as the major ingredient, they not only provide an antihypercholesterolemic effect due to the statin active ingredient, they also provide recommended daily dosages of omega-3 oils (i.e., approximately 1 gram of omega-3 oil per day), or a portion thereof. The invention also provides novel salts of one or more statins.
US07642285B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating the communication and virulence of quorum sensing bacteria. In various exemplary embodiments, the invention provides a combinatorial library of quorum sensing compounds including synthetic analogs of naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) analogs, and methods of synthesizing and using these compounds.
US07642278B2
Organic compounds having the structure I are provided where the variables have the values described herein. A method of inhibiting c-ABL in a patient includes administering an effective amount of a compound of structure I, a tautomer of the compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the tautomer to the patient.
US07642273B2
A class of novel non-steroidal compounds are provided which are useful in treating diseases associated with modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity including obesity, diabetes, inflammatory and immune diseases, and have the structure of formula (I) or (II): including a stereoisomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where Q is selected from N, O, and S; Y is aryl or heteroaryl; Z is H, C2-6alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halo, or alkoxy; and A, B, R, Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating obesity, diabetes and inflammatory or immune associated diseases comprising said compounds.
US07642260B2
Disclosed are compounds which inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic protein family members, compositions containing the compounds and uses of the compounds for preparing medicaments for treating diseases during which occurs expression one or more than one of an anti-apoptotic protein family member.
US07642252B2
The invention relates to compositions and methods useful in treating or preventing angiogenic disease. The invention provides for compositions comprising cephalotaxine alkaloids as antiangiogenic agents for treatment of a host with an angiogenic disease or for prophylactic treatment of a host to inhibit the onset or progression of an angiogenic disease.
US07642249B2
The present invention is directed to dihydrogen phosphate salt 2-(3-{6-[2-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-ethylamino]-2-methoxy-pyrimidin-4-yl}-phenyl)-2-methyl-propionic acid of Formula (III), a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (III), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and a method of treating a patient suffering from a PGD2-mediated disorder including, but not limited to, allergic disease (such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma and food allergy), systemic mastocytosis, disorders accompanied by systemic mast cell activation, anaphylaxis shock, bronchoconstriction, bronchitis, urticaria, eczema, diseases accompanied by itch (such as atopic dermatitis and urticaria), diseases (such as cataract, retinal detachment, inflammation, infection and sleeping disorders) which is generated secondarily as a result of behavior accompanied by itch (such as scratching and beating), inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, ischemic reperfusion injury, cerebrovascular accident, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, pleurisy, ulcerative colitis and the like, by administering to said patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound of Formula (III).
US07642243B2
This invention provides a new therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis. Specifically, it provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis, or an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte, comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient; or a method for inhibiting arthritis or for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte by activating GC-B; or a method for screening an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte or an agent capable of treating arthritis using the GC-B activity as an indication.
US07642233B2
The present disclosure relates to the use of AHSP to stabilize the α subunit of rHb. AHSP may be co-expressed with the hemoglobin genes. AHSP stabilization may be used to increase the production of intact rHb in various systems, such as E. coli, other microorganisms, or animal erythroid cells. This intact rHb may then be used as part of a blood substitute product.
US07642227B2
Cleansing compositions for cleaning and/or disinfecting surfaces such as hard surfaces are provided.
US07642224B2
An aqueous, concentrated neutral detergent composition for use in cleaning medical instruments and metal components (parts, tools, utensils, vessels, equipment, and surfaces) having scale control and corrosion inhibition properties when diluted to about 1/40 ounce per gallon to about 1/10 ounce per gallon in potable water. In addition, the concentrate may be applied directly to metal surfaces, such as stainless steel, to remove rust and other stains, without causing any additional corrosion or other damage to the metal surface.
US07642221B2
The invention relates to novel substituted thien-3-yl-sulphonylamino(thio)carbonyl-triazolin(ethi)ones of the general formula (I) in which Q1, Q2, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each as defined in the description, and to salts of the compounds according to formula (I), to processes and to novel intermediates for their preparation and to their use as herbicides.
US07642215B2
A shelter coating comprising a photocatalyst capable of generating singlet oxygen from ambient air. The shelter coating may optionally include a singlet oxygen scavenger.
US07642213B2
Compositions and methods for the manufacture of electrodes for fuel cells. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for the manufacture of anodes and cathodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells. The methods can utilize direct-write tools to deposit ink compositions and form functional layers of a membrane electrode assembly having controlled properties and enhanced performance.
US07642212B2
Stable catalyst carrier impregnating solutions can be prepared using a component of a Group VIB metal, e.g., molybdenum, at high concentration, a component of a Group VIII metal, e.g., nickel, at low concentration, and a phosphorous component, e.g., phosphoric acid, at a low concentration, provided that the Group VIII metal is in a substantially water-insoluble form and a particular sequence of addition of the components is followed, even when a substantially water-insoluble form of the Group VIB component is used. The resulting stabilized impregnating solution can be supplemented with additional Group VIII metal in water-soluble form to achieve increased levels of such metal in the final catalyst. Furthermore, uncalcined catalyst carriers impregnated with the stable solution and subsequently shaped, dried and calcined, have unexpectedly improved performance when used in the hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks. High conversion can be achieved at reduced levels of sediment, especially in comparison to standard commercial catalysts.
US07642199B2
A method of producing a silica or silica-like coating by forming a precursor formulation from oligomeric organosilicate. The precursor formulation is coated on a substrate as a continuous liquid phase. The precursor formulation is then cured in an ammoniacal atmosphere to produce a continuous, interconnected, nano-porous silica network.
US07642198B2
A method for evaluating crystal defects of a silicon wafer comprising: etching a surface of the silicon wafer by immersing the wafer in an etching solution; and observing etch pits formed on the etched surface of the wafer, wherein the silicon wafer of which crystal defects are evaluated has low electrical resistivity of 1 Ω·cm or less, and the etching solution is a mixture of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid and water further including iodine or iodide, in which a volume ratio of nitric acid in the etching solution is the largest among volume ratios of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid and water, and the etching solution is adjusted to have an etching rate of 100 nm/min or less for the silicon wafer. Thereby, there is provided a method for evaluating crystal defects of a silicon wafer with low electrical resistivity by using a chromium-free etching solution without toxic chromium with high capability of detecting defects.
US07642196B2
Various methods for selectively etching metal-containing materials (such as, for example, metal nitrides, which can include, for example, titanium nitride) relative to one or more of silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and doped silicon oxides in high aspect ratio structures with high etch rates. The etching can utilize hydrogen peroxide in combination with ozone, ammonium hydroxide, tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and/or a persulfate. The invention can also utilize ozone in combination with hydrogen peroxide, and/or in combination with one or more of ammonium hydroxide, tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide and a persulfate. The invention can also utilize ozone, hydrogen peroxide and HCl, with or without persulfate. The invention can also utilize hydrogen peroxide and a phosphate, either alone, or in combination with a persulfate.
US07642194B2
A method of etching for forming a groove in a SOI substrate includes a forming step, in which a mixed gas plasma is formed by using a mixed gas of a fluorinate gas and an oxygenic gas, and an applying step, in which a high-frequency bias is intermittently applied to the SOI substrate. In the applying step, the high-frequency bias is a temporally modulated high-frequency electricity. According to the method of etching, a yielding rate and a productivity can be improved.
US07642173B2
A via for connecting metallization layers of chips bonded in a face-to-face configuration is provided, as well as methods of fabricating the via. The via may function as an interconnection of metallization layers in three-dimensional, stacked, integrated circuits, and may enable high density, low-resistance interconnection formation.
US07642169B2
Embodiments relate to a bipolar junction transistor and a method for manufacturing the same. An oxide pattern may be formed on a P type semiconductor substrate. A low-density N type collector area may be formed in the semiconductor substrate. First spacers may be formed at sidewalls of the oxide pattern, and a low-density P type base area may be formed in the semiconductor substrate. Second spacers may be formed on sidewalls of the first spacers. A high-density N type emitter area may be formed in the low-density P type base area between the second spacers, and a high-density N type collector area may be formed in the semiconductor substrate at an outside of the first spacers. The bipolar junction transistor may be realized through a self-aligned scheme using dual nitride spacers. A base width between the emitter area and the low-density collector area may be narrowed by the width of the second spacer.
US07642165B2
A semiconductor device having a field effect transistor (FET) with enhanced performance by reduction of electrical contact resistance of electrodes and resistance of the electrodes per se is disclosed. The FET includes an n-type FET having a channel region formed in a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode insulatively overlying the channel region, and a pair of source and drain electrodes which are formed at both ends of the channel region. The source/drain electrodes are made of silicide of a first metal. An interface layer that contains a second metal is formed in the interface between the substrate and the first metal. The second metal is smaller in work function than silicide of the first metal, and the second metal silicide is less in work function than the first metal silicide. A fabrication method of the semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US07642164B1
A method for providing self aligned contacts for a trench power MOSFET is disclosed. The method includes, etching trenches in a substrate through a mask of silicon nitride deposited on an oxide layer, forming a gate oxide layer on the walls of the trenches, applying polysilicon to fill the trenches and to cover the surface of the mask of silicon nitride, removing the polysilicon from the surface of the mask of silicon nitride and applying a photoresist mask to cover a location of a gate bus. The method further includes recessing polysilicon plugs formed in trenches that are located in the active area to form recesses above the polysilicon plugs, filling recesses formed above the polysilicon plugs formed in trenches that are located in the active area with an insulator, applying a fourth photo resist mask to define contact windows that are opened in the nitride layer, and selectively etching the silicon nitride film and leaving flat surfaced oxide buttons covering the trenches that are located in the active area. Moreover, electric contact trenches are defined using self-aligned spacer operations, and a fifth photo resist mask is applied to pattern metal contacts that reach the semiconductor device active areas.
US07642157B2
Methods for forming the lower electrode of a capacitor in a semiconductor circuit, and the capacitors formed by such methods are provided. The lower electrode is fabricated by forming a texturizing underlayer and then depositing a conductive material thereover. In one embodiment of a method of forming the lower electrode, the texturizing layer is formed by depositing a polymeric material comprising a hydrocarbon block and a silicon-containing block, over the insulative layer of a container, and then subsequently converting the polymeric film to relief or porous nanostructures by exposure to UV radiation and ozone, resulting in a textured porous or relief silicon oxycarbide film. A conductive material is then deposited over the texturizing layer resulting in a lower electrode have an upper roughened surface. In another embodiment of a method of forming the lower electrode, the texturizing underlayer is formed by depositing overlying first and second conductive metal layers and annealing the metal layers to form surface dislocations, preferably structured as a periodic network. A conductive metal is then deposited in gaseous phase, and agglomerates onto the surface dislocations of the texturizing layer, forming nanostructures in the form of island clusters. The capacitor is completed by depositing a dielectric layer over the formed lower electrode, and forming an upper capacitor electrode over the dielectric layer. The capacitors are particularly useful in fabricating DRAM cells.
US07642154B2
A biCMOS device including a bipolar transistor and a Polysilicon/Insulator/Polysilicon (PIP) capacitor is disclosed. A biCMOS device may have a relatively low series resistance at a bipolar transistor. A bipolar transistor may have a desirable amplification rate.
US07642140B2
CMOS integrated circuit devices include an electrically insulating layer and an unstrained silicon active layer on the electrically insulating layer. An insulated gate electrode is also provided on a surface of the unstrained silicon active layer. A Si1-xGex layer is also disposed between the electrically insulating layer and the unstrained silicon active layer. The Si1-xGex layer forms a first junction with the unstrained silicon active layer and has a graded concentration of Ge therein that decreases monotonically in a first direction extending from a peak level towards the surface of the unstrained silicon active layer. The peak Ge concentration level is greater than x=0.15 and the concentration of Ge in the Si1-xGex layer varies from the peak level to a level less than about x=0.1 at the first junction. The concentration of Ge at the first junction may be abrupt. More preferably, the concentration of Ge in the Si1-xGex layer varies from the peak level where 0.2
US07642139B2
A production method for a semiconductor device, including the steps of: forming a semiconductor layer of the first conductivity on the semiconductor substrate; forming a trench in the semiconductor layer, the trench penetrating through the semiconductor layer to reach the semiconductor substrate; filling a filling material in a predetermined bottom portion of the trench, so that a filling material portion is provided in the bottom portion of the trench up to a predetermined upper surface position which is shallower than an interface between the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor layer; and, after the filling step, introducing an impurity of the second conductivity into a portion of the semiconductor layer exposed to an interior side wall of the trench.
US07642131B2
An integrated circuit module, decoupling capacitor assembly and method are disclosed. The integrated circuit module includes a substrate and integrated circuit die mounted on the substrate and having die pads and an exposed surface opposite from the substrate. A plurality of substrate bonding pads are positioned on the substrate adjacent the integrated circuit die. A decoupling capacitor assembly is mounted on each integrated circuit die and includes a capacitor carrier secured onto the exposed surface of the integrated circuit die and a decoupling capacitor carried by the capacitor carrier. A wire bond extends from the decoupling capacitor assembly to a die pad and from a die pad to a substrate bonding pad.
US07642128B1
A semiconductor device is made by forming a first conductive layer over a carrier. The first conductive layer has a first area electrically isolated from a second area of the first conductive layer. A conductive pillar is formed over the first area of the first conductive layer. A semiconductor die or component is mounted to the second area of the first conductive layer. A first encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and around the conductive pillar. A first interconnect structure is formed over the first encapsulant. The first interconnect structure is electrically connected to the conductive pillar. The carrier is removed. A portion of the first conductive layer is removed. The remaining portion of the first conductive layer includes an interconnect line and UBM pad. A second interconnect structure is formed over a remaining portion of the first conductive layer is removed.
US07642125B2
An array of “mushroom” style phase change memory cells is manufactured by forming a separation layer over an array of contacts, forming an isolation layer on the separation layer and forming an array of memory element openings in the isolation layer using a lithographic process. Etch masks are formed within the memory element openings by a process that compensates for variation in the size of the memory element openings that results from the lithographic process. The etch masks are used to etch through the separation layer to define an array of electrode openings. Electrode material is deposited within the electrode openings; and memory elements are formed within the memory element openings. The memory elements and bottom electrodes are self-aligned.
US07642121B2
A method is disclosed for fabricating an LED The method includes providing an LED chip having an epitaxial region comprising at least a p-type layer and an n-type layer, an ohmic contact formed on at least one of the p-type layer or the n-type layer, and a bond pad formed on the ohmic contact. The bond pad has a total volume less than about 3×10−5 mm3. The LED chip is bonded to a submount via thermocompression or thermosonic bonding.
US07642116B1
The loss of photogenerated electrons to surface electron-hole recombination sites is minimized by utilizing a first p-type surface region to form a depletion region that functions as a first barrier that repels photogenerated electrons from the surface recombination sites, and a second p-type surface region that provides a substantial change in the dopant concentration.
US07642115B2
A method for forming a transducer including the step of providing a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer including first and second semiconductor layers separated by an electrically insulating layer. The method further includes depositing or growing a piezoelectric film or piezoresistive film on the wafer, depositing or growing an electrically conductive material on the piezoelectric or piezoresistive film to form at least one electrode, and depositing or growing a bonding layer including an electrical connection portion that is located on or is electrically coupled to the electrode. The method further includes the step of providing a ceramic substrate having a bonding layer located thereon, the bonding layer including an electrical connection portion and being patterned in a manner to generally match the bonding layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer. The method also includes causing the bonding layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer and the bonding layer of the substrate to bond together to thereby mechanically and electrically couple the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer and the substrate to form the transducer, wherein the electrical connection portions of the bonding layers of the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer and the substrate are fluidly isolated from the surrounding environment by the bonding layers.
US07642112B2
A method of manufacturing a bonded substrate stack includes a bonding surface processing step of processing at least one of first and second substrates each containing silicon and having a bonding surface, and a bonding step of bonding the bonding surface of the first substrate and the bonding surface of the second substrate. The bonding surface processing step includes an OH group increasing step of increasing OH groups on the bonding surfaces, and a moisture content decreasing step of heating the bonding surfaces where the OH groups have been increased at a temperature falling within a range of 50° C. to 200° C. to decrease moisture contents of the bonding surfaces.
US07642111B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other having a pixel region; a color filter layer on the first substrate corresponding to the pixel region; a planarization layer on the color filter layer having a groove; a common electrode on the planarization layer; a pixel electrode on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the common electrode and the pixel electrode.
US07642109B2
A method of making an OLED device, including providing a substrate having a first electrode and a conductive bus line provided over the substrate and organic EL media provided over the first electrode and over the conductive bus line; forming a radiation absorbing structure associated with the conductive bus line; exposing the radiation absorbing structure to radiation to produce heat sufficient to ablate a portion of the organic EL media thereby forming an opening in the organic EL media; and forming a second electrode over the organic EL media, and through the opening in the organic EL media thereby forming an electrical connection between the second electrode to the conductive bus line.
US07642101B2
A semiconductor device is fabricated to include one or more sets of calibration patterns used to measure line pitch and line focus.
US07642098B2
A film and method of preparing a film. The film is made of at least one of ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic material. An elongated slot is included in the material and is operable to control the domain structure of the material. The depth of the elongated slot is the same as the thickness of the film and the width of the elongated slot is greater than an exchange length of the material. The slot is free from contact with any side of the film.
US07642092B2
A method of generating cultured chondrocytes/endochondral bone cells is provided. The method comprising isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue, and culturing the isolated chondrocytes. A method of isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue is further provided. The method comprises isolating mandibular condyle tissue from a mammal and treating the mandibular condyle tissue so as to selectively remove fibroblast-like cells and/or myocytes therefrom, the modified mandibular condyle tissue including chondrocytes, and selectively collecting the chondrocytes from the modified mandibular condyle tissue.
US07642090B2
Systems and methods for the generation of compost are provided. In one embodiment, the system for generating compost comprises a positively aerated floor, a semi gas and liquid impermeable compost cover sized to cover a compost biomass pile placed on the positively aerated floor, and a suction system positioned under or substantially close to the compost cover and generally near a top of the compost biomass pile, wherein the floor comprises a plurality of channels connected to at least one gas flow pipe installed below or above grade, wherein gas drawn by suction system at the top of the biomass compost pile maintains a negative pressure across the compost cover, thereby generating suction between the compost cover and the top of the compost biomass pile, and wherein the compost cover directs substantially all of the gas flow towards the suction system.
US07642087B2
An chromatography kit is described, a representative one of which includes: an examination container one end of which has an inlet for receiving a sample, and an chromatography examination strip used by inserting from the inlet into the examination container wherein the examination container comprises a prevention part for preventing from the adherence of the examination strip on the inner wall of the examination container.
US07642081B2
To provide a microorganism and an ingredient thereof that contribute to prevention and treatment of immune diseases including allergy, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., large-intestinal ulcer), a method of effectively selecting the microorganism, and a method of efficiently inducing immunoregulatory cells that play an important role on maintaining immunological homeostasis using the microorganism or the ingredient thereof. The present invention provides a Lactococcus and an ingredient thereof which induce production of IL-10 from mammalian dendritic or spleen cells, a method of obtaining the microorganism or the ingredient thereof by co-culturing a microorganism such as Lactococcus strains with mammalian dendritic or spleen cells to select a microbial cell having a high IL-10 production ability, a method of selecting the microorganism or the ingredient thereof by co-culturing an intestinal epithelial cell with a microorganism such as the lactic acid bacteria and selecting the cells on the basis of a caspase-1 activity and the ability of inducing the production of IL-18, and a food product or material and an animal feeding stuff or medical and pharmaceutical products which contain the lactic acid bacteria as an effective ingredient.
US07642070B2
A full-length cDNA encoding novel proteins involved in the control of cell proliferation (human Gros1-L and S) was successfully isolated from the human testis cDNA libraries. A full-length cDNA encoding the mouse homologues of the human Gros1 (mouse Gros1-L and S) was also isolated. The colony forming activity of cells exogenously expressing Gros1-L was significantly reduced, while that of cells expressing Gros1 antisense RNA was significantly increased.
US07642062B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, preventing and improving the condition and aesthetic appearance of skin, particularly, treating, preventing, ameliorating, reducing and/or eliminating fine lines and/or wrinkles of skin, where the compositions include natural plant constituents, or synthetic equivalents thereof, which inhibit or decrease expression of C-reactive protein expression, production or secretion, thereby reducing, inhibiting, or ameliorating dermatological signs of aging. The compositions of the invention may be topically applied to the skin, or are delivered by directed means to a site in need thereof, in an amount effective in improving the condition and aesthetic appearance of skin.
US07642057B2
A novel method for detecting chromosome aberrations is disclosed. More specifically, chromosome aberrations are detected by in situ hybridisation using at least two sets of hybridisation probes, at least one set comprising one or more peptide nucleic acid probes capable of hybridising to specific nucleic acid sequences related to a potential aberration in a chromosome, and at least one set comprising two or more peptide nucleic acid probes capable of hybridising to specific nucleic acid sequences related to another potential aberration in a chromosome. In particular, the method may be used for detecting chromosome aberrations in the form of breakpoints.
US07642049B2
The invention provides a novel in vitro method for identifying HIV-1 protease inhibitors with reduced potential for inducing metabolic abnormalities. The invention further provides diagnostic methods for identifying patients who may be at risk of developing metabolic abnormalities subsequent to the administration of an HIV-1 protease inhibitor. The invention also provides novel polynucleotides associated with the incidence of HIV-1 protease inhibitor induced metabolic abnormalities. The invention also provides polynucleotide fragments corresponding to the genomic and/or coding regions of these polynucleotides which comprise at least one polymorphic locus per fragment. Allele-specific primers and probes which hybridize to these regions, and/or which comprise at least one polymorphic locus are also provided. The polynucleotides, primers, and probes of the present invention are useful in phenotype correlations, medicine, and genetic analysis. The invention further relates to diagnostic methods for using these novel polynucleotides in the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of HIV-1 protease inhibitor induced metabolic abnormalities.
US07642048B2
The assays, methods, tools and systems discussed herein represent an improved and unified system for monitoring the progression of an individual patient malignancy. The assays, methods, tools and systems discussed herein represent an improved and unified system for monitoring and for identifying cellular and secreted markers, for screening cells to detect phenotypic and genotypic drift and for predicting chemotherapeutic response of patient tumor cells to at least one therapeutic agent. The assays, methods, tools and systems discussed herein also represent an improved and unified system for monitoring and for screening multiple pharmaceutical agents for efficacy and long term effect as to a specific patient.
US07642045B2
A novel cytosolic 58 kd phosphoprotein induced during bone marrow stem cell (BM) differentiation into dendritic cells (DC) during in vitro cultivation with the cytokine GM-CSF by addition of antisera to an 82 kd BM cell surface protein generating cultivatable dendritic progenitor cells (DP). Genes, methods for preparing them as well as early DP have been provided. Potential uses/advantages lie in the study of BM differentiation and innate immunity due to stimulatory/inhibitory DC, contribution of (BM) and DP to inflammation during infection and carcinogenesis, tumor promotion/regression, identification of BM-derived blood cells, T-cell activation/regulation/tolerance and inflammation.
US07642042B2
Polymer, top coating layer, top coating composition and immersion lithography process using the same
A polymer, a top coating layer, a top coating composition and an immersion lithography process using the same are disclosed. The top coating layer polymer may include a deuterated carboxyl group having a desired acidity such that the top coating layer polymer may be insoluble with water and a photoresist, and soluble in a developer. The polymer may be included in a top coating layer and a top coating composition.
US07642040B2
Providing a fabrication method of a periodic domain inversion structure. A nonlinear optical ferroelectric material substrate is provided. A photoresist layer is formed on the upper and the lower surface of the substrate, and periodic gratings formed by interference of two laser beams are employed to expose the photoresist layer on the upper surface. Meanwhile, the two laser beams pass through the substrate, so the periodic gratings are used to expose the photoresist layer on the lower surface. A development process is performed to form a periodic photoresist pattern on the two surfaces of the substrate. A conductive layer is formed above the substrate for covering the photoresist pattern and the surface of the exposed substrate. The photoresist pattern and a portion of the conductive layer thereon are removed by lift-off. A voltage is applied to the substrate via the remaining conductive layer to polarize parts of the substrate.
US07642029B2
A flexible imaging member which does not require the use of an anti-curl back coating is disclosed herein. The flexible imaging member has a layer comprising two charge transport molecules dispersed in a film-forming polymer binder and an overcoat layer. The first charge transport molecule is a biphenyl amine, terphenyl diamine, or bis(triarylamine) stilbene. The second charge transport molecule is a bis(triarylamine), tri-p-tolylamine, or triphenylamine. The weight ratio of second charge transport molecule to first charge transport molecule is from about 90:10 to about 66:34. Trifluoro acetic acid is also added to the layer containing the charge transport material.
US07642026B2
The invention provides an electrophotographic photoreceptor that includes a cylindrical support, and a charge-generating layer and a charge-transporting layer on the cylindrical support, wherein a content per unit volume of a charge-generating material in the charge-generating layer increases from a center portion in an axial direction of the cylindrical support towards both end portions thereof, and a thickness of the charge-generating layer in an axial direction of the cylindrical support is 95% or more and 105% or less relative to an average thickness of the charge-generating layer.
US07642024B2
An image-forming apparatus comprises: an image carrier; a charging unit; a latent image forming unit; a developing unit that uses a toner maintaining a non-color-developing state when provided with coloring information through exposure to light; a coloring information providing unit that provides the toner image with coloring information by exposing the toner image to light having a predetermined wavelength determined depending on the color not to be developed based on color component information of image data; a transfer unit; a fixing unit; a color-developing unit that develops a color of the toner image provided with the coloring information; and a control unit that controls the coloring information providing unit to expose a background region on the image carrier to light having a predetermined wavelength for preventing color development of the toner.
US07642022B2
The present invention provides a parameter determination method of determining an optical parameter and a process parameter by using an optical simulator which calculates a resist image to be formed on a resist applied on a substrate, based on the optical parameter of an exposure apparatus which transfers a pattern of a mask onto the substrate, and a process simulator which calculates a process image to be formed on the substrate, based on the process parameter representing information concerning the resist and information concerning a process to be performed on the resist.
US07642021B2
The present application is directed to a method for determining photolithography focus errors during production of a device. The method comprises providing a substrate and forming a photoresist pattern on the substrate. The photoresist pattern comprises a device pattern and one or more blocking scheme patterns. The process further comprises performing a device manufacturing process using the photoresist pattern as a mask to form sensor windows on the substrate. One or more focus error sensors are formed in the sensor windows. Focus errors are determined using the focus error sensors. Other embodiments of the present application are directed to wafers comprising one or more focus error sensors positioned in sensor windows.
US07642019B2
Systems and methods are provided for detecting focus variation in a lithographic process using photomasks having test patterns adapted to print test features with critical dimensions that can be measured and analyzed to determine magnitude and direction of defocus from a best focus position of an exposure tool during the lithographic process.
US07642018B2
A photosensitive resin composition includes (a) a polymer mainly composed of a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (I); (b) a dissolution accelerator for a developing solution; and (c) a solvent: wherein R1 is a trivalent or tetravalent organic group, R2 is a bivalent organic group, R is a monovalent organic group having a carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond or a group represented by O−M+ (M+ represents a hydrogen ion or a cation composed of hydrogen and a compound having the carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond) in which the compound having the carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond is ionically bonded, at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond is contained in all repeating units, m is an integer of 2 or more, and n is 1 or 2.
US07642016B2
A phase metrology pattern for attenuating phase masks. The phase error of this pattern can be determined to high accuracy by aerial image measurements. This pattern can be used to create an optical phase standard for calibrating phase metrology equipment for attenuated phase masks, or as a witness pattern on a product mask to verify the phase accuracy of that mask. The pattern includes an effective line to space ratio and can be tested using a microscope or stepper system or can be measured directly using a detector for the 0 order diffraction measurement.
US07642007B2
The battery pack has a battery, output terminals to bring out the battery electrodes, and a molding holder to connect to the battery as well as retain the output terminals. The battery pack is molded with at least the battery, the molding holder, and its connecting region inserted into a molded plastic resin region. The molded plastic resin region exposes output terminal surfaces, and also joins the battery, output terminals, and molding holder as a single unit.
US07642006B2
A secondary battery module includes a unit battery pack having a plurality of unit batteries arranged at predetermined intervals, and a housing having the unit battery pack disposed in the housing. A heat transfer medium for controlling temperature of the plurality of unit batteries circulates in the housing. A first dispersion plate is fixedly disposed in the housing so as to be adjacent to the unit battery pack, and distributes the heat transfer medium between the plurality of unit batteries. A second dispersion plate is slidably disposed on the first dispersion plate, and distributes the heat transfer medium between the plurality of unit batteries.
US07642003B2
Disclosed herein is a heat exchange system that controls the temperature of a medium- or large-sized battery pack including a plurality of unit cells. The heat exchange system includes a sealed type housing surrounding the outer surface of the battery pack such that a predetermined flow channel, through which a heat exchange medium flows, is defined between the housing and the battery pack, a driving fan mounted in the housing for driving the heat exchange medium to flow, and a heat exchange unit mounted at one side of the housing for controlling the temperature of the heat exchange medium. In the heat exchange system according to the present invention, the heat exchange medium, for example, air is not introduced from the outside of the battery system, but is circulated in the battery system by the heat exchange unit. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of accomplishing the reduction in size of the battery system, reducing influences caused by external conditions, decreasing noise, and effectively controlling the optimum operating temperature of the battery pack.
US07641984B2
The present invention is directed to composite metal foams comprising hollow metallic spheres and a solid metal matrix. The composite metal foams show high strength, particularly in comparison to previous metal foams, while maintaining a favorable strength to density ratio. The composite metal foams can be prepared by various techniques, such as powder metallurgy and casting.
US07641979B2
The present invention is in the field of thermoplastic polymeric compositions, and, specifically, the present invention is in the field of poly(vinyl butyral) formation, storage, and use in multiple layer glazing panel interlayers, among other uses.
US07641973B2
A conductive layer of a conductive member for an image-forming apparatus is composed of a conductive polymer composition containing an ionic-conductive addition salt. The conductive polymer composition has a continuous phase and one or more uncontinuous phases including at least one first uncontinuous phase. The continuous phase and the uncontinuous phase form a sea-island structure. A salt capable of dissociating into cations and anions is unevenly distributed to the first uncontinuous phase. A polymer composing the first uncontinuous phase has a higher degree of affinity for the salt capable of dissociating into cations and anions than a polymer composing the continuous phase to prevent the salt (or the cations, the anions) from shifting out of the first uncontinuous phase or out of the polymer composition. The conductive polymer composition can contain melamine cyanurate so that it is flame-retardant.
US07641958B2
An improved, polymeric surgical membrane, which can be used in a variety of surgical procedures, such as sutured and sutureless duraplasty procedures. For sutureless applications, a textured, discontinuous, outer polymer layer is provided which encourages rapid incorporation and anchoring into surrounding tissue. In cooperation with the discontinuous first layer, a second elastomeric layer provides elasticity and resilience. A third barrier layer is provided to essentially eliminate adhesions and irritation to surrounding tissue. In those applications requiring anchoring sutures, the second elastomeric layer “self-seals” against the sutures, essentially eliminating the leakage of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other fluids. In addition, the composite structure of the present invention has a high degree of suture retention strength is polymeric with a high degree of biocompatibility, is thin and very flexible.
US07641956B2
The honeycomb structure is an aggregate type honeycomb formed from a plurality of cells assembled together side by side laterally and cell walls isolating adjacent ones of the cells from each other by joining with a sealant layer (adhesive layer) or integral type honeycomb monolith, and a sealant layer (coating layer) provided on the outer surface of the aggregate type honeycomb or the integral type honeycomb monolith. The sealant layer (adhesive layer) or a sealant layer (coating layer) formed on the outer surface of aggregate type honeycomb or the integral type honeycomb monolith contains oxide particles, inorganic binder and a coloring agent.
US07641950B2
This invention relates to a polyester/polyamide blend having an excellent gas barrier property. More particularly, the present invention relates to combinations of a polyethylene terephthalate polymer and a polyamide polymer having an excellent gas barrier property and short oxygen scavenging induction periods, where the polyamide polymer has a C:A terminal group concentration ratio of 2:1 or more and a C+A terminal group concentration of at least 0.17 meq/g of polyamide polymer, wherein C represents a cumulative total of a terminal carboxyl group concentration and a terminal hydrocarbyl group concentration expressed in meq/g of polyamide, and A represents a terminal amine group concentration expressed in meq/g of polyamide.
US07641946B2
An adhesive film prevents static charge on peeling generated when removed from an adherend and also improves adhesion between a base material and an adhesive layer, where an under coat layer containing an organometallic is formed on the base material and then an adhesive layer is formed on the base material. Alternatively, an adhesive film showing high adhesion with a glass substrate, and including an antistatic layer, which prevents static charge on peeling generated when the surface protective film is removed, and improves adhesion between a base material and an adhesive layer, where the adhesive film includes a base material, an adhesive layer made of a water dispersible adhesive including, and an antistatic layer, containing a water soluble or water dispersible conductive material, interposed between them, and the adhesive film is stuck onto an image display device.
US07641945B2
An electrode for an electrical-discharge surface-treatment method is molded with a metallic powder or a metallic compound powder having an average grain diameter of 6 micrometers to 10 micrometers. A coat on a surface of a workpiece is formed with a material constituting the electrode or a substance that is generated by a reaction of the material due to a pulse-like electrical discharge. The coat is built up with a material containing metal as a main constituent under conditions of a width of a current pulse for the pulse-like electrical discharge in a range of 50 microseconds to 500 microseconds and a peak of the current pulse equal to or less than 30 amperes.
US07641943B2
A coating method is provided for forming a liquid-repellent coat on a predetermined partial region of an inner surface of each through-hole of a nozzle plate. The nozzle plate is provided in an ink-jet head of an ink-jet printer. The coating method comprises the steps of: forming a coat preform on a region including the partial region of the inner surface; supplying a mask material having ultraviolet ray absorbability into the coated through-hole; irradiating ultraviolet rays onto the base material to partially decompose and remove the coat preform on the inner surface; and removing the mask material in the through-hole to obtain the nozzle plate partially coated with the liquid-repellent coat. The coat preform removal is conducted through the use of attenuation of the ultraviolet rays by means of the mask material or through the combined use of the ultraviolet ray attenuation and the presence/absence of the mask material.
US07641935B2
The present invention is method of liquid crystal alignment for a flexible LCD with micro-grooves comprising: coating a thermoplastic material onto a conductive film; heat embossing a plurality of micro-grooves formed by a mold, wherein the surface of said mold forms said plurality of micro-grooves; and aligning said plurality of micro-grooves with an aligning wall and grooves. The present invention also adds a plurality of liquid alignment technology in roll-to-toll micro cell LCD processes. The plurality of liquid alignment technology lets the micro cells of the LCD from without aligning with an alignment LCD mode (such as TN, VA or horizontal alignment) and achieves a better contrast and display quality.
US07641924B2
A nutritional composition for controlling blood sugar level comprising a protein, a lipid and a carbohydrate, wherein energy percentages supplied by the protein, lipid and carbohydrate are 10 to 25%, 20 to 35% and 40 to 60%, respectively; and oleic acid in the lipid energy percentage is 60 to 90% and palatinose and/or trehalulose in the carbohydrate energy percentage is 60 to 100%. The composition is useful as an oral or tube feeding nutrient for nutritional management or blood sugar level control of patients suffering from diabetes and glucose intolerance, or for obesity prevention, a therapeutic diet, a diet for diabetic patients at home, an obesity preventive diet or a food with health claims.
US07641920B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for maintaining or enhancing feeding characteristics of post-receiving stressed animals using a saponin composition. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for increasing feed intake of an animal after a post-receiving stressful event comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising saponins to the animal. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for increasing weight gain of an animal after a post-receiving stressful event comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising saponins to the animal.
US07641918B2
A method for specifically removing or isolating plasmin(ogen) or plasmin in presence of fibrinogen from a mixture containing plasmin(ogen) or plasmin by contacting the mixture with a rigid amino acid wherein the amino group of the amino acid and the carboxylic group of the amino acid are about 6-8 Angstroms, preferably about 7 Angstroms apart and the rigid amino acid is covalently bound to the support via the amino group of the amino acid.
US07641913B2
An isolated Steinernematid nematode of the species Steinernema scarabaei (ATCC accession No. PTA-6988) is provided which is entomopathogenic to the larvae of scarab beetles, e.g., Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), oriental beetles (Exomala (=Anomala) orientalis), European chafer (Rhizotrogus majalis), Asiatic garden beetle (Maladera castanea), masked chafers (Cyclocephala spp.), and May/June beetles (Phyllophagaspp). A biopesticide composition is provided which comprises an insecticidally effective amount of Steinernema scarabaei. Biopesticide compositions are described which, in addition to Steinernema scarabaei, further comprise at least one neonicotinoid insecticide, e.g., imidacloprid. Methods are provided for controlling the larvae of at least one species of scarab beetle comprising applying a biopesticide composition to the locus of the larvae wherein the composition comprises an insecticidally effective amount of an isolated entomopathogenic nematode of the species Steinernema scarabaei.
US07641907B2
The invention relates to live attenuated VDV1 (VERO-Derived Dengue serotype 1 virus) strains which have been derived from the wild-type dengue-1 strain 16007 by passaging on PDK and sanitization on Vero cells. The invention further relates to a vaccine composition which comprises a VDV1 strain.
US07641905B2
Novel genes designated and set forth in FIG. 2 and their respective encoded proteins, and variants thereof, are described wherein a gene of the invention exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers such as those listed in Table I. Consequently, of gene products of a gene of FIG. 2 provide diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic targets for cancer. A gene of FIG. 2 or fragment thereof, its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with a gene product of FIG. 2 can be used in active or passive immunization.
US07641898B2
A system and method for dispersing living cells onto an area of a subject lacking normal, healthy skin, such as an open wound surface, to form three dimensional epithelial tissue is provided. The cells are dispersed using an air-jet sprayer after being suspended in a soluble media such as dextran. The cells may be dispersed directly onto the area or onto a tissue scaffold or synthetic substance that promotes wound healing.
US07641893B2
Liquid hemostatic coating materials comprise a cyanoacrylate monomer and a solvent system comprising a volatile, non-reactive liquid that is non-stinging and non-irritating to a user. The material forms a coating or bandage in the form of a film that when applied and adhered to a surface or to the skin of a user inhibits the application surface from adhering to another surface.
US07641888B2
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and method of manufacturing an apparatus; all to produce hydrogen gas, particularly synthesis gas. Preferred embodiments of the invention include an alpha alumina membrane which has been treated with a TiO2 wash coat on one side and has an active gamma alumina layer on an opposite side. A metal catalyst, preferably rhodium, is deposited within the pores of the alumina. Oxygen travels through the membrane and is activated before contacting methane on the other side of the membrane and forming synthesis gas through partial oxidation of the methane. Embodiments of the invention have a number of benefits including the high conversion rate of oxygen (100%), the separate feed streams of methane and oxygen which allow for optimal ratios to be used without danger of explosion, and the opportunity to vary the feed rates without changing the products formed. Normally gaseous hydrocarbons recovered from remote oil wells (e.g. offshore oil wells) can thus be converted to synthesis gas and then to normally liquid hydrocarbons via a Fischer-Tropsch type reaction. The normally liquid hydrocarbons are easier to transport away from the remote oil well than normally gaseous hydrocarbons.
US07641885B2
The present invention relates to a method for making a carbon nanotube film. The method includes the steps of: (a) forming an array of carbon nanotubes on a substrate; and (b) press the array of carbon nanotubes using a compressing apparatus, thereby forming a carbon nanotube film.
US07641883B2
The separation of carbon nanotubes into metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes is made to be possible simultaneously with the dispersion of the carbon nanotubes by using viologen.
US07641882B2
The fullerenic structures include fullerenes having molecular weights less than that of C60 with the exception of C36 and fullerenes having molecular weights greater than C60. Examples include fullerenes C50, C58, C130, and C176. Fullerenic structure chemically bonded to a carbon surface is also disclosed along with a method for tethering fullerenes to a carbon material. The method includes adding functionalized fullerene to a liquid suspension containing carbon material, drying the suspension to produce a powder, and heat treating the powder.
US07641880B2
In the direct production of GaN by the metathesis of Li3N and GaCl3 or GaBr3 or GaI3, the reaction rate and yields can be greatly enhanced by including diethyl ether in the reaction system.
US07641879B2
The invention provides new methods for the synthesis of isotopically enriched metal borohydrides, metal tetrahydroundecaborate salts, and decaborane from isotopically enriched 10B-boric acid or 11B-boric acid. The invention is particularly useful for synthesis of isotopically enriched sodium or lithium borohydride, MB11H14 (where M is Li, Na, K, or alkylammonium), and decaborane.
US07641873B2
By providing a single house (21) which incorporates an elongated probe (22) receiving zone interconnected to a pump member (55), a plurality of automated valves (51-54), a disinfectant dispensing chamber (20), a water supply (41), and a control system for automatically cycling each of the components to achieve the desired result, a fully automated disinfection system (20) for transesophageal ultrasonic probes is achieved. In accordance with the present invention, a simple, easily employed, convenient, fully integrated system (20) is attained for quickly and easily receiving the transesophageal ultrasonic probe in its entirety, supporting the electronic bearing head portion independently from the disinfection portion, and automatically performing various disinfection and rinse cycles for providing a completely disinfected ultrasonic probe member ready for use.
US07641872B2
In the apparatus for producing trichlorosilane in which metal silicon powder supplied into the reactor is reacted with hydrogen chloride gas while being fluidized by the gas, thereby taking out trichlorosilane generated by the reaction from the upper part of the reactor, and a plurality of gas flow controlling members are installed at the internal space of the reactor along the vertical direction.
US07641859B2
An air displacement pipette has a tubular pipette tip with an upper section surrounding a locking chamber, and a body section leading from the upper section and tapering downwardly to a reduced diameter end. A tubular mounting shaft on the pipette has a distal end configured and dimensioned for axial insertion into the locking chamber of the pipette tip. Coacting surfaces on the distal end of the mounting shaft and the upper section of the pipette tip establish an axially interengaged relationship between the pipette tip and the mounting shaft in response to insertion of the distal end of the mounting shaft into the locking chamber. A sleeve is axially shiftable on the mounting shaft between a retracted position accommodating the establishment of the axially interengaged relationship, and an advanced position disrupting the axially interengaged relationship to thereby accommodate axial ejection of the pipette tip from the mounting shaft.
US07641853B2
An intravenous oxygenator for enriching blood with oxygen, said oxygenator having a bundle of fibers, said fibers being each connected to a gas supply means through a first connection and to a gas evacuation means through a second connection, with the fiber bundle being twisted during operation by relative rotation of the first connections of the fibers relative to the second connections of the fibers about a longitudinal axis of the oxygenator. Further, an intravenous oxygenator for insertion into a vein, the connections being respectively connected to a first and to a second fiber holder and being displaceable along a longitudinal axis of the oxygenator, with the fiber holders being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of the oxygenator. Such a constellation permits particularly efficient gas exchange.
US07641843B2
The invention describes a method for producing a decorative ornamental part, eg a control key, having a symbol in relief that is defined by a clearance gap free as far as possible of webs and connections in the frame of the control key, wherein the decorative ornamental part is back-injected with a plastic melt by the plastic injection moulding process. In order to obtain a surface on the visible side of the inner part which is free of traces of clamping and retaining it is proposed: that the production method consists of a cutting operation to produce the clearance gap, that the stamping punch carrying out the cutting operation remains as a place-holder in the cut contour of the clearance gap during the injection operation, and that the subsequent injection operation producing a bond ensures the exact connection of the contour of the cut free inner part to the frame of the ornamental part.
US07641841B2
A method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The method includes placing a golf ball precursor product with a cover comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane material and a dendritic polymer in a solution containing an isocyanate functionality reactive material. The precursor product is then removed and heated to remove solvent to prepare the precursor product for finishing.
US07641826B2
Process and apparatus for non-invasive measuring of binder mix loading of glass fibers for monitoring production of construction insulation product, such as roofing and wall insulation. The process utilizes visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy; and, is particularly advantageous when utilized in an on-line production processing following binder mix loading of glass fibers and prior to curing treatment of the binder mix loaded glass fibers. Such spectroscopic analyses can be carried out on a static or moving support substrate. The blend is then conveyed to and through curing treatment to form insulation product. The blend is exposed to VIS-NIR radiant energy, and a radiant energy sensor collects resulting data as to absorption following penetration of the VIS-NIR radiant energy. The spectroscopic instrumentation is calibrated to determine to facilitate accuracy; and, can be used to verify load following curing. The amount of binder mix, in the binder mix/fiber blend, is adjusted if the blend is outside of desired loading specifications.
US07641815B2
Luminescent materials and the use of such materials in anti-counterfeiting, inventory, photovoltaic, and other applications are described herein. In one embodiment, a luminescent material has the formula: [AaBbXxX′x′X″x″][dopants], wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group IA; B is selected from at least one of elements of Group VA, elements of Group IB, elements of Group IIB, elements of Group IIIB, elements of Group IVB, and elements of Group VB; X, X′, and X″ are independently selected from at least one of elements of Group VIIB; the dopants include electron acceptors and electron donors; a is in the range of 1 to 9; b is in the range of 1 to 5; and x, x′, and x″ have a sum in the range of 1 to 9. The luminescent material exhibits photoluminescence having: (a) a quantum efficiency of at least 20 percent; (b) a spectral width no greater than 100 nm at Full Width at Half Maximum; and (c) a peak emission wavelength in the near infrared range.
US07641814B2
Disclosed is a single layer or multilayer polymeric structures that comprise a liquid crystalline polymer barrier resin. Such films have improved optical clarity and lower surface roughness measurements, without sacrificing desired barrier properties. These structures are useful for many packaging applications including pouches and bags and lidding applications.
US07641813B2
Disclosed is an antifreeze composition comprising a) a water soluble liquid alcohol freezing point depressant, b) a triazine based compound of formula I, c) a mixture of tolutriazole compounds of formulae II and III, d) 2-ethylhexanoic acid or alkali metal salts thereof, e) heptanoic acid or alkali metal salts thereof and f) water, where the compounds of formula I are where Z is a C1-C11 alkylene group, X is hydrogen or an alkali metal, R1 and R2, independently are hydrogen or methyl, R3 is a group —NR4R5 where R4 is C1-C12 alkyl or -Z-COOX and R5 is hydrogen or C1-C12 alkyl; and where the compounds of formulae II and III are
US07641807B2
Process for the manufacture of tetraalkylammonium tetrafluoroborate-containing electrolyte compositions characterized in that said process comprises step (i): (i) mixing of at least one tetraalkylammonium halide with at least one metal tetrafluoroborate in at least one organic solvent, which is partially or completely miscible with water.
US07641802B2
In a micronanobubble reaction vessel 3 of wastewater treatment equipment, wastewater containing organic matter is treated with micronanobubbles. Thereafter, the wastewater is introduced into an aeration tank 7. Part of organic matter in the wastewater is oxidized in the micronanobubble reaction vessel 3 by micronanobubble treatment prior to treatment with activity of microorganisms enhanced in the aeration tank 7. After organic matter load is thus reduced, the treatment water is introduced into the aeration tank 7, in which microorganisms exist in high concentration due to submerged membranes 17, so that the organic matter in wastewater can be effectively treated. This makes it possible to accomplish miniaturization of the aeration tank 7, reduction in scale of the whole equipment and therefore reduction in initial cost. Also, a photocatalyst tank 22 is provided downstream of the aeration tank 7, so that a minute amount of organic matter unaffected by the microbial treatment alone can be oxidized at high-level by using a photocatalyst plate 24.
US07641797B2
A method for treating a formaldehyde-containing waste liquid, which is formed as a byproduct in a plant for the production of hydrocarbons or oxygen-containing compounds, containing the steps of: subjecting formaldehyde in the liquid to chemical treatment; and treating the resulting waste liquid, while being aerated, by using a membrane bioreactor that is composed of a microorganism or enzyme and a separation membrane.
US07641795B2
A membrane contactor includes a housing, a stack of membrane mats, and a cap. The housing has a closed end and an open end. The closed end includes an outlet port. The cap is united to the open end and includes an inlet port. A stack of membrane mats is within the housing stacked substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Each membrane mat has a plurality of hollow fiber members. A potting material bonds the membrane mats to each other and simultaneously bonds one end of the stack to the closed end and bonds the other end of the stack to the cap. The potting material forms an internal chamber and at least one external chamber within the housing. The hollow fiber members extend through the potting material from the internal chamber into the external chambers. The inlet port and the outlet port are in communication with the internal chamber. At least one side port is in communication with the external chambers.
US07641794B2
A flexible blood filter allowing smooth flow of a liquid and being excellent in separation resistance, pressure resistance and centrifugation resistance. The blood processing filter, includes a first filter element for removing aggregates from blood, a second filter element for removing leukocytes provided in the downstream of the first filter element, and a third filter element having gas permeability of 3 to 40 cc/cm2/sec per thickness of 1 cm provided between the second filter element and the outlet port. The filter contains a seal zone at a peripheral section which contains five layers including a layer of molten material and layers of molten material mixed with filter element material.
US07641784B2
There is disclosed means for quickly solving instability of sensor sensitivity performances found in an initial stage and stabilizing the sensor sensitivity performances, when immersing a chemical sensor kept under a dry state in a buffer solution used as a storage liquid and applying a measurement bias between a working electrode and a reference electrode to make first use of the chemical sensor for measurement in which the chemical sensor is used. To make the first use of the chemical sensor, after immersing the chemical sensor kept under a dry state in the buffer solution used as the storage liquid, a first initial treatment bias having the same direction as that of the measurement bias and possessing an absolute value larger than that of the measurement bias is applied between the working electrode and the reference electrode for a first initial treatment time. Subsequently, the bias is changed to a second initial treatment bias which is the same as the measurement bias, and the second initial treatment bias is applied for a second initial treatment time. When such a two-step initial treatment operation is carried out, the stabilized sensor sensitivity performance is achieved.
US07641777B2
A connector for establishing electrical connection between a testing device and a test strip with a biological fluid thereon includes a contact pad on the test strip, and one or more contact wires in the testing device. When the strip is inserted into the testing device, the end of the strip engages with a bight in the contact wire, pushing the contact wire in a direction normal to the direction of insertion. The movement of the contact wire forces a second portion of the wire against a part of the housing, thereby deforming the wire and moving another portion of the wire toward the contact pad. Some embodiments of the invention include 4, 6, 8, 15, or more contacts, which may be situated so as to receive the end of the test strip substantially simultaneously, or may be staggered in 2, 3, or more rows to spread out the resistance to movement presented.
US07641775B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrolytic metal foil, which includes an electrolytic cell containing electrolyte; an upper drum installed in an upper portion of the electrolytic cell to be rotatable and to which a negative potential is applied; a lower drum soaked in the electrolyte of the electrolytic cell and installed to be rotatable together with the upper drum; a cathode belt mounted around outer circumferences of the upper and lower drums to move along an endless track and electrically connected to the upper drum so that the negative potential is applied thereto; and an anode unit installed to form a space from a metal electroplating surface of the cathode belt soaked in the electrolytic cell so that a positive potential is applied thereto, the anode unit having a slit for supplying the electrolytic to the space. This apparatus may increase a production rate of electrolytic metal foils.
US07641760B2
A method of thermal adherend release, wherein a part of adherends adherent to a heat-peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet having a heat-expandable layer containing a foaming agent are selectively released from the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet by partly heating the heat-peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, wherein the method comprises previously heating a sticking site of an adherend to be released at a temperature at which the heat-expandable layer of the heat-peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet does not expand and then heating the sticking site of the adherend in the heat-peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet at a temperature at which the heat-expandable layer expands to thereby selectively releasing the adherend.
US07641752B2
A mechanism for laying a strip on a receiving surface rotating about a first axis. The mechanism includes a laying head moving along a second axis oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the surface and along a third axis oriented parallel to a radial direction passing through the point of contact between the receiving surface and a strip applicator of the laying head. The laying head is rotatable about a front axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the second and third axes and passing through the contact point. the laying includes a device for estimating the value of the of the angle α formed by a tangent to the transverse profile of the surface and the second axis. The movements of the laying head are determined by the value of the angle α in such a way as to displace the laying head in a direction parallel to the tangent following the transverse profile of the receiving surface.
US07641748B2
A highly energy-producing compound which can be used, for example, as an explosive, propellant, oxidant and the like, and which includes an alkyne unit in which at least one hydrogen atom has been replaced by a trinitromethyl-C(NO2)3 group.
US07641744B2
A method for superfinishing a high density carbide steel component using chemically accelerated finishing is provided. The high density carbide steel component is vibrated in a vessel containing a plurality of media, with active chemistry being added to the vessel at a low flow rate. An active chemistry composition is also provided, consisting of one or more conversion coating agents having preferably a phosphate radical, and one or more chelating agents preferably including citric acid.
US07641740B2
A wash cylinder or chamber for an automated cleaning station to clean an object or a person's body part includes nozzles on the interior of the cylinder, the nozzles of one embodiment comprising an increasing roll angle providing a novel spray pattern. Additionally, embodiments of the invention include fluid guidance and conveyance structures, angled nozzles, sealing structures, finger guards, nozzle ribs, wash chamber seating mechanisms and drains, and nozzle inlays having a plurality of nozzles. Also disclosed are methods of washing an object or body part using a wash cylinder or chamber and methods of assembling a wash cylinder or chamber.
US07641739B2
The invention is directed to a friction stir welding tool cleaning method and apparatus for fixed and retractable pin tools. The method and apparatus use a heating component, a temperature indicator component, a controller component, and a rotatable tool cleaner component for cleaning fixed pin tools. An additional bore cleaner component is used for cleaning retractable pin tools. Heat is applied to a friction stir welding tool having a surface with weld process residue material until the process residue material is sufficiently plasticized, and then the tool cleaner component is applied to the heated tool to remove the plasticized residue on the pin and shoulder surfaces of the tool, and for retractable pin tools, the bore cleaner component is applied to the heated tool to remove the plasticized residue in the tool bore.
US07641732B2
Described herein is the use of new cementitious mortars with a high degree of fluidity and short consolidation times in the production of cementitious products by means of pouring in foundry moulds. The mortars used contain water, a fast-setting cement, fluidifiers and/or superfluidifiers, setting regulators, and aggregates having a specific granulometric distribution. The aggregates are made up of two fractions with different grain size such that the ratio between the characteristic grain diameters of the two fractions is comprised between 2.2 and 3.2. The new mortars thus obtained have values of fluidity 2-3 times higher than those of mortars produced with traditional aggregates. The mortars thus produced are particularly suitable for filling, in a homogeneous way and without any application of vibration, foundry earth moulds; solidification in the moulds takes place in a short time and leads to the formation of products, including ones of a complex shape, with precise outlines and having good mechanical characteristics.
US07641727B2
A production method of an electronic device comprising the steps of forming a stacked body by stacking green sheets and electrode layers having a predetermined pattern and firing the stacked body. Before forming the stacked body, a blank pattern layer is formed on a space portion of the electrode layer having a predetermined pattern. The electrode level difference absorbing print paste for forming the blank pattern layer includes at least ceramic powder and a binder resin, and a polymerization degree of the binder resin is made equal to or more than that of a binder resin included in slurry for forming the green sheet. The binder resin of the electrode level difference absorbing print paste includes polyvinyl butyral resin with a polymerization degree of 1400 or more, a butyralation degree of 64 to 74 mol % and an acetalization degree of 66 to 74 mol %.
US07641719B2
The gas separation apparatus comprises a flexible wall which is maintained in a placed position on an upper end of an adsorbant material; the volume between the wall and an upper dome communicates with one of inner and outer chambers on both sides of the adsorbant (4). The invention can be used to separate air components.
US07641707B2
A refrigerator having an air-cleaner is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body with a predetermined storage space defined therein, and an air-cleaner including a case fixed to the main body and having at least an inlet and outlet, a decor panel that linearly reciprocates to selectively open and close the outlet, a filter device that filters air sucked through the inlet, a blower that sucks air through the inlet and discharges the air filtered in the filter device through the outlet, and an anion generator that generates anions which are discharged along with the air through the outlet. The air-cleaner is securely mounted to the upper surface of the refrigerator.
US07641691B2
A bioactive/biodegradable nucleus implant for repairing degenerated intervertebral discs that is inflated inside the nucleus space after the degenerated nucleus has been removed to re-pressurize the nuclear space within the intervertebral disc. The implant is inflated with a high molecular weight fluid, gel or combination of fluid and elastomer, preferably an under-hydrated HA hydrogel/growth factor mixture with or without host cells. The implant includes an internal, integral, self-sealing valve that allows one-way filling of the implant after it is placed within the disc, and is made from a material that allows fibrous in growth thereby stabilizing the implant. A variety of substances can be incorporated into the implant to promote healing, prevent infection, or arrest pain.
US07641686B2
An implantable prosthetic valve having a stentless support structure. The valve has a tubular annular support structure with a first inflatable ring at a proximal end, a second inflatable ring at a distal end, and an inflatable intermediate support in between the first and second inflatable rings. There is at least one moveable occluder that controls the flow of blood through the tubular support structure. The tubular support structure can be filled with inflation media in the first inflatable ring, the second inflatable ring and inflatable intermediate support structure to convert the tubular support structure from a collapsed configuration to a patent tubular configuration.
US07641680B2
An implantable endoluminal device that is fabricated from materials that present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of an monolithic material deposited into a monolayer and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods.
US07641671B2
A closing assembly for a clamping device having first and second jaw members includes a closing mechanism connected between the first and second jaw members, the jaws extending distally from the closing mechanism; and a member for applying a separating force to the first and second jaw members proximally of the closing mechanism, whereby the first and second jaw members can be maintained substantially parallel during closing. The clamp has a very strong clamping force.
US07641670B2
A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.
US07641654B2
Instrumentation for implanting an intervertebral disc replacement device includes at least one retaining clip comprising a body member having a first side, a hook flange extending from the body member for clipping retention of the first side of the body member against the flange of the intervertebral disc replacement device and at least one lateral flange extending from the body member, partially received over a portion of the bone screw to prevent the bone screw from backing out of the at least one bone screw hole. The invention also comprises a prepackaged, sterile retaining clip assembly for an intervertebral disc replacement device, comprising an applicator having first and second applicator arms, each of the first and second applicator arms extending in substantially the same direction out from a common bending elbow for retaining one or more retaining clips.
US07641650B2
The device according to the invention ensures accurate and in particular sensitive navigation of the probe, which can be inserted into a body, despite the fact that the remote control uses simple means, by means of a movement (MR;MB;MP) corresponding intuitively to the navigation of a probe using the control device (1). Intuitive operation can be converted in particular using an inventive U-shaped embodiment of the control device (1). Sensitive controllability can be increased by transmitting the mechanical interaction between the probe and an environment under examination to the control device (1) and thus directly to the operating hand (3) by means of inventive feedback.
US07641645B2
The present systems combines a drug delivery catheter and a dilator apparatus for use in lysing of clots wherein an internal dilator has a central lumen and an outer catheter is arranged coaxially about said internal dilator. An annular space for fluid passage is sealingly formed between an outer wall of the internal dilator and an inner wall of the outer infusion catheter. Apertures are located in the outer wall of the outer catheter for distributing fluid from the annular space. The internal dilator has a tip element and the outer catheter has an end opening so that together the end opening is occluded by the tip element which protrudes beyond the outer catheter when the outer catheter is arranged coaxially about the internal dilator and additionally the internal dilator is removable from the outer catheter to enable the introduction of a larger guide wire for further medical procedures.
US07641644B2
Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.
US07641629B2
An electric breast pump is disclosed as including a hood to be fitted over a breast of a user, a chamber in fluid communication with the hood member via a one-way valve, a pump motor operatively associated with a pump diaphragm movable to draw air from the hood into the chamber via the valve, in which the chamber has an opening and a lid which is operatively associated with the motor, in which the lid is movable between a first position to close the opening and a second position in which the opening is open, and in which the lid is at the first position when the motor is in operation and is at the second position when the motor is not in operation. The breast pump also includes sensors for detecting the passing of milk, and a microcontroller for calculating the rate of flow of milk on the basis of data received from the sensors.
US07641627B2
A drainage apparatus and method to reduce intraocular pressure in an eyeball that includes an anterior chamber having aqueous humor disposed therein, a cornea and a surrounding marginal limbus by which the cornea is continuous with a scleral layer and a conjunctival layer disposed on an exposed surface of the eyeball and under eyelids, the apparatus comprising an inlet assembly configured to be disposed at the anterior chamber of the eyeball, an outlet assembly configured to be disposed at the external surface of the eyeball, a tube extending between the inlet and outlet assemblies and configured to promote fluid communication between the inlet and outlet assemblies, and a control means disposed within the outlet assembly for controlling a flow of aqueous humor through the tube from the anterior chamber of the eyeball to the external surface of the eyeball, and for preventing bacterial infiltration into the anterior chamber.
US07641625B2
A post amputation limb protection to be applied to newly or recently amputated transtibial, transradial or transfemoral residual limbs comprises an inner soft liner for placement on and around the limb above the end of the stump, an end pad for placement over the stump, a shell for placement over the end pad and inner soft liner, medial and lateral struts for placement along the length of the limb over the inner soft liner, attachment structures on the various components and strap closures for securing the components to the limb, and a waist belt and suspensor, for attachment to the assembly to keep the assembly in place.
US07641622B2
A guide wire includes an elongated flexible wire body and a tubular member disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of a portion of the wire body on the distal end side. The tubular member includes a lamination portion having an inner layer and an outer layer made of a resin material, and a reinforcing member disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and formed by winding a wire material spirally. The reinforcing member reinforces the lamination portion.
US07641621B2
A medical device includes a coil having a longitudinal axis and a radial axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, formed from a wire. The wire includes a cross-section with a centroid, a moment of inertia with respect to an axis running through the centroid and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil, and a moment of inertia with respect to an axis running through the centroid and parallel to the radial axis of the coil. The moment of inertia with respect to an axis running through the centroid and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil is greater than the moment of inertia with respect to an axis running through the centroid and parallel to the radial axis of the coil.
US07641615B2
The invention relates to a method for removing oscillatory artefacts caused by pressure waves in a fluid-filled trans-luminal catheter from invasive blood pressure measurement data, including the steps of setting up a model for the measurement data, fitting the model to the measurement data, identifying the model components, representing the oscillatory artefact, and removing the oscillatory artefact from the measurement data. The invention also relates to a respective device for acquiring and correcting invasive blood pressure measurement data.
US07641611B2
A tamper proof transdermal alcohol content monitoring device is made up of analog and digital sides which are securely attached to the human subject to be monitored. The analog side has a sampling circuit which draws a measured insensible skin perspiration sample from the skin of the subject and measured with an electrochemical fuel cell. A distance measurement of the device from the skin of the subject and temperature of the sample are monitored along with the transdermal alcohol content, and converted to digital signals which are transmitted to a modem when the monitor is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring station. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring station to a supervising agency. The supervising agency may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.
US07641610B2
An endoscope electric connection device accommodated within a scope connector for connecting an electronic endoscope and an external apparatus, the device including a first band having a first contact portion to which a signal line of a transmission cable for transmitting an image signal from an image pickup unit of the electronic endoscope is connected and a second contact portion to which a ground line of the transmission cable is connected, a second band having a third contact portion connecting to a connector for electrically connecting to the external apparatus and having flexibility, and a transmitting portion provided in the first band and second band for electrically connecting the first contact portion and second contact portion to the third contact portion, wherein the transmitting portion can keep electric connection between the first contact portion and second contact portion and the third contact portion even with the second band bent.
US07641609B2
In an endoscope device 1 in accordance with the present invention, a navigation screen 51 is displayed. The navigation screen 51 includes: an endoscopic live image display area 52 in which a live image produced by a bronchoscope 2 is displayed; a VBS image display area 53 in which a VBS image is displayed; and a thumbnail VBS image area 54 in which images constructed by reducing VBS images that represent all branch points on a route are displayed as thumbnail VBS images representing branch points. Consequently, an endoscope can be reliably navigated to reach a target region using guide images that represent actual branch positions.
US07641607B2
A packaging machine having a folding apparatus for closing an end of an end loaded carton that includes leading and trailing side end flaps. The packaging machine includes a carton conveyor for transporting a carton in a flow direction along a carton path. The folding apparatus includes a lug assembly that has at least one folding lug that travels along an endless lug path. The folding lug travels in the flow direction and in parallel to the carton path along at least a portion of the lug path such that the folding lug can operate in concert with separation guide and a combination guide to fold the leading and trailing side end flaps in the desired sequence.
US07641606B2
A sheet conveyance roller, having an axis; a rotational member that is provided at the outer peripheral part of the axis capable of rotating in accordance with rotation of the axis, and conveys the sheet abutting against the outer peripheral part upon rotation; and an IC tag having a storage function and a wireless communication function. Then, at least part of the IC tag is embedded in the rotational member.
US07641605B2
Methods and apparatus for back exercise are provided. An exercise bench apparatus includes a beam positioned at an incline with respect to the horizontal, a seat member coupled to the beam wherein the seat member is configured to be positioned at a selectable position along the beam, a knee brace coupled to the beam, the knee brace configured to be positioned at a selectable position along the beam, and a stabilizer arm rotatable with respect to the beam and configured to be rotated away from a user in a first position, the stabilizer arm configured to engage the user in a second position such that a pelvic region of the user is substantially immobilized.
US07641603B2
The present invention pertains to an exercising apparatus comprising a coupling mechanism and a synchronizing mechanism. The coupling mechanism is a rack assembly that includes two elongated bars extending longitudinally within the deck of the apparatus. The elongated bars receive a vertical arm of a platform when inserted through longitudinal slots of the deck. Each end of the elongated bar terminate with a wheel for rolling on a respective trough. The elongated bars further including vertical teeth disposed on the inner surface of each elongated bar for engaging the synchronizing mechanism. A pinion assembly includes a central wheel that rotates about a vertical axis. The external teeth of the central wheel are thereafter meshed with the vertical teeth of the elongated bars to provide synchronous movement as the elongated bars reciprocate.
US07641594B2
A cooling system for a trampoline includes an enclosure assembly and a sprinkling system. The enclosure assembly includes a frame and a net. The enclosure assembly is configured to couple to the trampoline and extend upwardly therefrom. The frame includes a plurality of supports spaced about an outer periphery of the trampoline. The net is configured to couple to the plurality of supports such that the net substantially circumscribes the trampoline. The sprinkling system is coupled to at least one of the frame sub-assembly or the net. The cooling system includes a plurality of discharge openings positioned a height above the trampoline for spraying cooling fluid radially inward above the trampoline. The plurality of discharge openings are configured to be coupled in flow communication with a source of cooling fluid.
US07641585B2
A rear-drive vehicle having a self-locking differential; a regulating device for regulating the lock percentage of the differential; a number of sensors for real-time detecting dynamic parameters of the vehicle; and a central control unit for controlling the regulating device to regulate the lock percentage of the differential as a function of the dynamic parameters of the vehicle.
US07641577B2
A tensioner for imparting tension to a chain having a body, a resilient chain guide element, at least one blade spring, and at least one bracket. The body of the tensioner has a surface with a profile of the path of a new chain and a groove found longitudinally along the length of the surface. The resilient chain guide element, on the surface of the body has a chain contact surface and two ends wrapped around the ends of the body, with the chain guide being sufficiently larger than the body, such that the chain contact surface is capable of being biased away from the body. The blade spring is present in the groove with its end in the containments means of the groove, biasing the chain guide out and away from the body.
US07641566B2
A golf exercise device is disclosed that can be used for stretching the shoulder and back muscles. The device expands to a length that allows the user to place the device behind the user's head and grasp each end with the user's hands. The device collapses to a size small enough to easily fit into a golf bag. The center portion of the device is padded for comfort while the user is stretching. Clips can also be included to secure the device to the external portion of the golf bag. The device can hold golf balls in one end, and a net for retrieving golf balls from water hazards in the other. Zippered pockets can be attached to the device to hold personal items such as mobile phones, PDA's, sunglasses, car keys, or the like. Net-type bags with drawstring closures can also be included with the device.
US07641562B2
A boot for a universal shaft coupling, by which an improvement of an assembling workability can be expected, and an improvement of a sealing performance can be expected. The boot for the universal shaft coupling is formed by a rubber elastic body, and separated portions (22) are formed linearly along a generatrix. A fastener pair (26) is arranged in both sides of the separated portions (22) so as to form a seal portion. The fastener pair (26) is constituted by an occluding portion (32) formed in one end edge of the separated portion (22) and provided with a bulge locking portion (32a) in a leading end, and an occluded portion (34) formed in another end edge of the separated portion (22) and provided with an occluding groove (33) occluding with the bulge locking portion (32a). A guide fin (36) is provided in an inner side of the occluding groove (33) on a separated portion end surface (22b) in a side forming the occluded portion of the separated portion (22), in a side of a crest portion (28) of a bellows portion (24). The guide fin (36) is provided a guide surface (40) at a position partly overlapping the occluding portion (32) at a time of facing to the occluding portion (32).
US07641556B2
A gaming machine shock prevention device having a door hingedly coupled to a cabinet of the gaming machine, a gaming machine display positioned between the cabinet and the door, the gaming machine display hingedly coupled to the cabinet, and at least one spring, a first end of the spring coupled to the gaming machine display and a second end of the spring coupled to a cabinet interior, wherein the gaming machine display and door are moveable between a first position which defines the cabinet interior and a second position which exposes the cabinet interior, wherein compression of the at least one spring reduces shock to the gaming machine display when moved to the first position, and wherein opening the door to the second position releases the at least one spring to move the gaming machine display to the second position.
US07641555B2
An automated method of configuring a gaming machine using a storage medium such as a paper ticket containing gaming machine configuration parameter data. The storage medium is read by a gaming machine peripheral device, such as a bill validator, which transmits the data to the gaming machine's central processing unit. The central processing unit stores and implements the new configuration parameters. The storage medium is encoded with a machine-readable indicium such as a bar code, a two-dimensional bar code, or any other format including magnetic storage, holograms, etc. An alternate embodiment uses a computer in communication with the gaming machine's central processing unit to download configuration parameters by electronically simulating the gaming machine's pushbutton controls.
US07641551B2
A game apparatus stores input positions detected by the input device at predetermined time intervals, in order of detection, into a memory of the game apparatus. Next, a trail vector indicating at least a portion of a trail drawn by the player on the input surface is calculated from the input positions. Further, a reference vector whose starting point is a predetermined position on the input surface and whose ending point is a position determined by the trail vector is calculated. An action of a player's character is determined based on an angle between the trail vector and the reference vector.
US07641550B2
A game device 1 that executes a game program stored in a storage medium of the present invention detects and stores coordinates on a game image corresponding to an input while the input by the player is detected. Then, based on an input locus having a predetermined shape shown by the stored coordinates, a direction shown by the input locus is calculated. When the direction is calculated, the game device determines whether or not a coordinate of a starting point is included in a predetermined range 35 that is based on coordinates showing a position in which the player object 32 is displayed in the game image. When it is determined that the coordinate of the starting point is included in the predetermined range 35, the player object 32 performs a moving action in the calculated direction. When it is determined that the coordinate of the starting point is not included in the predetermined range 35, the player object 32 performs a kicking action in the calculated direction.
US07641536B2
Wings attached to form the back panels of a brassiere are provided with the male and female fastener elements in the form of patches by ultrasonic welding of the patches to the diecut fabric wings. The male and female fastener elements are preferably of the snap type hook and eye plastic fastener elements which can be injection molded or ultrasonically bonded to the patches.
US07641531B2
Provided is an organic light-emitting device capable of cutting an organic light-emitting device panel while suppressing peeling and crack of a sealing layer in a step of cutting the organic light-emitting device panel in which an inorganic sealing layer is formed. The organic light-emitting device includes a substrate having an end portion which includes a divided portion formed by division of the substrate, and an inorganic sealing layer having an end portion including a divided portion formed by division of the inorganic sealing layer, wherein the divided portion of the inorganic sealing layer is positioned on an inner side of a plane of the organic light-emitting device than the divided portion of the substrate.
US07641528B2
The system is an enclosed, oil filled, shaft and thrust bearing assembly which includes an oil pump to circulate the oil throughout the system. The thrust bearing assembly allows the thrust to be directed to the shafts mounting system rather than through the vessels main propulsion engines and isolators thereby reducing vibration and noise emissions. In addition the elimination of thrust loading transmitted directly to the propulsion engines reduces wear and tear on the engine mounts, isolators and engine support structures. The non rotating casing of the shaft assembly allows clean water to flow to the propeller which allows more delivered horsepower to be used by the propeller.
US07641525B2
A method for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and first and second trim deflectors comprises generating at least a first set of actuator control signals and a second set of actuator control signals. The first set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second steering nozzles, and the second set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second trim deflectors. The acts of generating and coupling the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals result in inducing any of a net yawing force, a net rolling force, and a net trimming force to the marine vessel without inducing any other substantial forces to the marine vessel by controlling the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim deflectors. Also disclosed is a system for controlling a marine vessel.
US07641520B2
The present invention is directed to a linear connector assembly comprising a plug connector (22) and a receptacle connector (24). The plug connector (22) includes an elongated member (26), and an electrical contact (72) disposed about a portion of the elongated member. The receptacle connector (24) includes a wall defining a cavity (44) dimensioned to sealingly receive the elongated member, and an electrical contact having a surface disposed in the wall for electrical connection with the plug contact. The electrical contacts of the plug connector (22) and the receptacle connector (24) have spherical surface portions whereby a spherical interlace between the electrical contacts is formed upon make-up and reduces voltage drops between the contacts.
US07641518B2
A modified standard SATA data connector is provided with a power supply circuit. The connector includes male and female data connectors. A male signal interface has seven male data connection pins, consisting of four data, a power supply, and two ground pins, the power supply pin replacing one of three original ground pins and connecting with a power line of a circuit board. A corresponding female signal interface has seven female data connection pins consisting of four data, a power receiving, and two ground pins. While the female and male data connectors are engaged, power can be supplied from the power line of the circuit board to an applied device connected with the female data connector via the power supplying and receiving pins. Thus, the SATA data connector can work without an external SATA power cable, and the volume of the cable can be reduced.
US07641512B2
An electronic device including a circuit board, a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing is provided. The circuit board has at least one connector on at least a first side of the circuit board. The first housing and the second housing are connected and form a containing space and an opening. The circuit board is disposed in the containing space and the first side thereof is at the opening. In addition, the third housing covers the opening and has at least one connector hole. Furthermore, the connector is at the connector hole. The housings of the electronic device are easy to be assembled and maintained and the cost of replacement is low.
US07641500B2
This invention relates to an improved power connector that has a housing comprising a plurality of slots that are each for receiving a receptacle contact. Preferably, the housing has a plurality of quick-disconnect contacts each disposed in one of the housing slots. Further, a cover, may be coupled to the housing, and the housing may comprise a top portion and a bottom portion. A strain relief member, may be disposed between the cover top and bottom portions. A plurality of cables extend through the channels disposed in the strain relief members and are attached to the housing quick disconnects. A latching spring assembly that may comprise two latching springs is coupled to the housing and attaches the power cable connector to a receptacle connector, such as a right-angle or straight board connector.
US07641493B1
A waterproof tightening structure for a signal connecter includes a bolt sleeve bored with a through insert hole provided inside with an annular stop edge formed with an annular holding groove and a first engage surface. A tightening connecter is inserted in the insert hole, and has a flange resisting the stop edge of the bolt sleeve and its second engage surface loosely fixed with the first engage surface. A fixing outer sleeve is secured with the annular projection of the tightening connecter. An elastic waterproof washer is received in an annular recess between the annular projection and the second engage surface and resisted by both the annular holding groove of the bolt sleeve and the front end of the fixing outer sleeve. Thus, the waterproof washer is closely and elastically held by the bolt sleeve, the tightening connecter and the fixing outer sleeve, able to block off moisture.
US07641488B2
A connecting configuration for a flexible wired circuit board includes a first terminal member, a second terminal member, and a flexible wired circuit board having a conductive pattern for electrically connecting the first terminal member and the second terminal member. The first terminal member and the second terminal member are provided such that at least one of the terminal members is linearly movable to be adjacent to and apart from the other terminal member. The flexible wired circuit board is provided to be wound or twisted in the middle of the moving direction.
US07641485B2
Locking projections (31) formed on resiliently deformable resilient arms (30) hold a lever (20) at an initial position by engaging locking recesses (18). Resilient escaping portions (19), on which the locking projections (31) slide in the process of rotating the lever (20) between an assembled position and the initial position, are resiliently deformable in directions away from the locking projections (31). Upon rotating the lever (20) from the assembled position to the initial position after the lever (20) is assembled with a first housing (10), both the resilient arms (30) and the resilient escaping portions (19) are resiliently deformed. Thus, as compared with the case where only the resilient arms (30) are resiliently deformed, degrees of resilient deformation of the resilient arms (30) are reduced, wherefore deformations of the locking projections (31) to be crushed can be suppressed.
US07641479B2
A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
US07641471B2
A piezoelectric type of lighter, with a flame generation device (30), including a gas jet release mechanism (36) and a piezoelectric mechanism for generation of a spark (50), characterized in that the lighter includes two actuators (32, 34) which are displaced following a pivoting movement under the action of a force applied by a user, between a first position called rest position and a second position called the active position, whereby at least one of the actuators, called the first actuator, can be displaced independently of the second actuator and acts on at least one of the mechanisms, called the first mechanism. The lighter can produce a flame from the lighter when the two actuators have been pivoted.
US07641468B2
An imprint apparatus and method employ an effective pressure in imprint lithography. The imprint apparatus includes a compressible chamber that encloses an imprint mold having a mold pattern and a sample to be imprinted. The chamber is compressed to imprint the mold pattern on the sample. The mold is pressed against the sample with the effective pressure. The effective pressure is controlled by a selected ratio of a cavity area of the chamber to a contact area between the mold and the sample.
US07641467B2
An imprint lithography apparatus includes an imprint template operably connected to an imprint actuator. The imprint actuator is actuatable to displace the template along an imprint axis to bring the template into contact with an imprintable medium. The template is connected to the actuator via a bearing configured to permit substantially unrestricted displacement of the actuator relative to the template along an axis substantially perpendicular to the imprint axis during release of the template from the imprintable medium.
US07641465B2
A rotor for a rotary tablet press, which has an upper and a lower punch guiding for upper and lower punches, which co-operate with bores of a die plate which is arranged between the upper and the lower punch guiding, wherein the punches have shafts, which are sealedly axially movable in guiding bores of the punch guidings by means of a sealing arrangement, and wherein means act between the shafts and the guiding bores which prevent a rotation of the pressing punches in the punch guidings, characterised in that the shafts have an out of round profile in the cross section, and the cross section of the guiding bores is complementary.
US07641448B2
There is described a method and a system for cleaning an ink chamber (1) of a printing unit. The system includes a storage tank (10) which via a high-pressure pump (9) is connected with a hydrophore (2). In the hydrophore a high pressure is built up, and the hydrophore is connected with cleaning nozzles (40) via a valve (5). Thus it becomes possible to inject a shot of cleaning liquid into the chamber by switching the valves (5). The cleaning nozzles are preferably designed as a mushroom-shaped plug (40) with a stem (41) which is mounted in the chamber wall and which has a circular domed top (43) of elastic, resilient material. When injecting cleaning liquid, the elastic plug will spray cleaning liquid out into the chamber, and after shutting off the pressure, there will be a self-closing effect.
US07641443B2
An assembling member and a heat-dissipating module having the assembling member are proposed. The assembling member connects a fan having at least a receiving space and a plurality of first positioning portions to an electronic host housing having a plurality of first fixing portions. The assembling member includes a main body for being accommodated into the receiving space, a plurality of first coupling portions for coupling with the first positioning portions, an elastic portion disposed at one side of the main body, and a plurality of first engaging portions for engaging with the first fixing portions. The first engaging portions are connected to the elastic portions, such that the first engaging portions can be urged by the elastic portions of the assembling member to engage with the first fixing portions. The heat-dissipating module of the present invention is easy to assemble and disassemble, has simple structure and low cost.
US07641440B2
A CMC wall (22) with a front surface (21) heated (24) by a working fluid in a gas turbine. A back CMC surface (23) is coated with a layer (42) of a thermally conductive material to accelerate heat transfer in the plane of the CMC wall (22), reducing thermal gradients (32-40) on the back CMC surface (23) caused by cold spots (32) resulting from impingement cooling flows (26). The conductive material (42) may have a coefficient of thermal conductivity at least 10 times greater than that of the CMC material (22), to provide a minimal thickness conductive layer (42). This reduces thermal gradient stresses within the CMC material (22), and minimizes differential thermal expansion stresses between the CMC material (22) and the thin conductive layer (42).
US07641432B2
A fastener assembly includes a row of fasteners having a head, a tip, and a portion of a shank coated with a polymer composition. The polymer composition includes a polymer material such as polyurethane and metal particles. The polymer composition is used to provide improved corrosion and ultraviolet radiation resistance when used with naturally corrosive or pressure preservative treated wood. The fastener assembly is coated with the polymer composition by vacuum coating a dispersion of the polymer composition in a solvent such as water and removing the solvent.
US07641427B2
An insert (10) for a sandwich component (30) having a honeycomb core (31) has an inner hollow-cylindrical sleeve (12). To improve the force-transmitting ability between the insert (10) and the sandwich component (30), the insert (10) further has an outer sleeve (16) which is connected to the inner sleeve (12) by means of a plurality of radial webs (18) forming a plurality of axial chambers (20). Introduction of a push-in part (32) into the chambers (20), cause the anchor elements to exit, with their pointed end (24) in front, through exit openings (28) radially out of the chambers (20).
US07641424B1
A non-pneumatic clamp and drilling system with a cabinet having a work surface with a drill bit opening. A fence rests on the work surface to guide a side surface of a workpiece. A clamp is secured to the cabinet. The clamp includes clamp pad positioned above the work surface. A drill with a collet is movably secured to the cabinet beneath and at an acute angle to the work surface. The collet can hold a drill bit such that the longitudinal axis of the drill bit is parallel to the acute angle. A handle is operatively coupled to the clamp and the drill to simultaneously move the drill collet along the longitudinal axis and move the clamp pad. By manually moving the handle, the workpiece can be secured by the clamp pad and fence when the drill collet moves toward the drill bit opening in the work surface.
US07641423B2
A device for chip removing machining includes first and second parts coupled together, wherein one of the parts includes a cutting edge. A coupling between the first and second parts includes two interacting surfaces and a clamp for forcing the surfaces together. The surfaces are profiled with male and female members, respectively, that are intercoupled to establish a form locking of the first and second parts against each other. The first and second parts are provided with central holes for receiving the clamp. The male and female members are configured to define only a single position of intercoupling.
US07641421B2
An offshore vessel suitable for laying a pipeline on the seabed, having a pipeline-laying installation of the S-lay type. The offshore vessel has one or more connecting stations disposed on a working deck. The connecting stations are for connecting pipeline sections in a substantially horizontal orientation. A stinger engages on a first side of a hull secured to offshore vessel at an engagement point and protrudes outside the hull, and forms a downwardly directed support for pipeline moving towards the seabed. A hoisting crane is disposed on the first side of the hull, comprising a substantially hollow vertical column comprising a top, a foot, and a body disposed between the foot and the body.
US07641420B2
A towable, residential sealcoating apparatus and related methods for applying sealcoat to a residential, asphalt driveway. The towable, residential sealcoating apparatus can include a towable implement having a mounting frame, a sealcoat reservoir, a distribution manifold and an applicator member. The sealcoat reservoir can supply sealcoat to the distribution manifold and applicator member at the direction of a supply valve accessible to an operator on a tow vehicle. The applicator member can be vertically adjustable from an upward transport disposition to a downward application disposition. The distribution manifold is operably removable so as to allow for cleaning of the distribution manifold following completion of the sealcoating process.
US07641417B2
A tire deflation device includes (1) a component having a plurality of bores, (2) a plurality of spikes removably insertable into the plurality of bores and (3) a keeper within each among the plurality of bores, the keeper being configured to contact a sidewall surface of a spike among the plurality of spikes and to exert force upon the sidewall surface. In an embodiment, the tire deflation device includes (a) a component including a bore in a material, the bore including a receiving region, a sidewall surface and a base surface, (b) a channel extending from the sidewall surface into the material, (c) a keeper having a first section housed within the channel and a second section which extends past the sidewall surface into the receiving region, and (d) a spike removably insertable into the bore.
US07641414B1
Asymmetrical joint systems, structures having interlocking joints, methods of fabricating asymmetric joint systems and methods for fabricating structures having interlocking joints. In a preferred embodiment, the invention a joint system comprising an asymmetrical mortise into which an asymmetrical tenon fits. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a quadrilateral structure that incorporates a diamond-shaped bracing system. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a quadrilateral structure that incorporates a rotational lockdown component.
US07641411B2
An applicator device comprising a casing and an application element wherein the application element is displaceable with respect to the casing against a return force.
US07641410B2
A cleaning brush with a dispenser for cleaning product. The cleaning product is stored in a cavity, and is dispensed by pressing on a flexible membrane on one side of the cavity. When thus depressed, the cleaning product is extruded through holes in the head into the region of the bases of bristles on the front side of the brush. The toothbrush is ergonomically shaped in a concave spoon like shape to fit a user's hand more comfortably. The brush may include a cover which has a general appearance of a fountain pen to facilitate an in obtrusive carrying of the brush.
US07641407B2
A printer for printing character information on an optical disk using an ink cartridge. The printer comprises a printer cover for opening/closing a cartridge receiving section into which the ink cartridge will be loaded. When the ink cartridge is loaded into the cartridge receiving section, the cover is closed and then the optical disk is inserted into the printer. Then, printing is started. The cover is engaged with the printer body in a closed state. The cover is disengaged by operating an operation button. When the optical disk is inserted into the printer body, an inlet cover is pushed by the optical disk so as to be upstanding. This causes a lock member to protrude so as to engage with the operation button, thereby locking the operation button and hence rendering the cover unopenable.
US07641405B2
A substrate processing apparatus arranged adjacent to an exposure device includes a processing section that subjects a substrate to processing and an interface provided adjacent to one end of the processing section configured to transfer and receive the substrate between the processing section and the exposure device. The processing section includes a photosensitive film formation unit configured to form a photosensitive film composed of a photosensitive material on the substrate that has not been subjected to exposure processing by the exposure device, a top surface and edge cleaning unit configured to clean a top surface and an edge of the substrate, and a development unit configured to subject the substrate to development processing after the exposure processing by the exposure device.
US07641403B2
A camera module includes a holder provided with a lens unit and displaceable along an optical axis; a coil formed from a wound wire having lead wires; a yoke and magnets for providing a magnetic field to the coil; a flexible printed circuit board for supplying an electrical current to the lead wires; and upper and lower leaf springs for supporting the holder displaceably along the optical axis. Each of the upper and lower springs includes an outer annular portion and an inner annular portion, and coupled by bridge portions. Part of the flexible printed circuit board is formed into a tongue part arranged in a space between a bridge portion of the lower leaf spring and the lead wires to prevent contact with the lead wires.
US07641398B2
An apparatus for holding a first fiber optic connector and a second fiber optic connector includes a housing configured to secure the first fiber optic connector and the second fiber optic connector at a first end and a strain relief boot connected to a second end of the housing. The housing and the strain relief boot are configured to form a passageway to receive a fiber optic cable that is connected to both the first fiber optic connector and the second fiber optic connector.
US07641395B2
A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
US07641388B2
A temperature sensor includes a temperature sensor element, a housing and a supporting member. The temperature sensor element detects a temperature of media. The housing accommodates a terminal electrically connected to an outside circuit. The terminal is connected to the temperature sensor element through a lead having a strength insufficient for supporting the temperature sensor element. The supporting member accommodates the lead. The supporting member is made of a hot-melt adhesive, and connected to a part of the housing.
US07641384B2
To enable the reduction in working efforts by hand by performing control a drying operation by appropriately selecting dry conditions depending on the connection mode of the cooling device, and removal of moisture and the like without fail. The thermal analysis system uses a heater and a cooling device to raise and decrease the temperature inside the purge box. In the drying method for the thermal analysis system, the drying operation is performed by: previously setting dry conditions depending on the connection mode of the cooling device; starting control of an opening time dry process upon activation of the thermal analysis system; supplying a predetermined amount of dry gas into the purge box in accordance with the dry conditions corresponding to the selected connection mode of the cooling device with the cooling device kept off; and making the temperature control module control the temperature of the dry gas.
US07641381B2
A mechanical oscillator system comprising a balance wheel and a spiral or helicoidal balance spring for use in horological mechanisms or other precision instruments. The balance spring is made of a non-magnetic composite, polymer, carbon or ceramic material, preferably a composite material of carbon fibres in a polymer, carbon or ceramic matrix, and the balance wheel is made from a non-magnetic ceramic. The values of the thermal expansion coefficients for the balance spring and balance wheel are similar, very small and stable over a wide temperature range. The expansion coefficients in the axial sense of the spring and of the balance wheel are of opposite sign and they compensate one another. The density of these materials is smaller than that of the currently used metals. Through this combination of materials it is possible to obtain significant advantages and a higher level of accuracy and stability compared with metal oscillator systems.
US07641377B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a display device with high withstand mechanical-shock property, and improve quality of the product by controlling occurrence of display defects such as uneven luminance. The display device includes a light guiding plate 1 being provided a light source 5 on an upright surface 1b, optical sheets 2 being provided at a side of light emitting surface of said light guiding plate, a light source supporting member being provided for supporting said light source and a frame 4 having a protrusion 4a for supporting said light guiding plate from the upright surface 1b of said light guiding plate 1. Furthermore, a projection is formed at optical sheets, and cut-out, which includes the projection therebetween, is provided at the frame 4.
US07641374B2
A backlight module includes a light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light-receiving surface next to a light source, a light-emitting surface, and a light-reflecting surface oppose to the light-emitting surface. A plurality of notches are formed on the light-reflecting surface, and each notch has a first inner surface facing the light source and a second inner surface back to the light source and opposite to the first inner surface. The inclination angle of the first inner surface with respect to the light-reflecting surface is no more than 35 degrees.
US07641359B2
A flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tail cap, a head assembly, and a miniature lamp bulb holder and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel. One-way valves may be positioned at seal locations in association with passageways to allow venting of overpressure within the interior volume of the flashlight.
US07641358B1
A portable rechargeable lantern capable of use in an explosive environment includes light emitting diode light source, fault tolerant circuitry, a rechargeable battery and a charging circuit that receives power from an external charger via an induction coil. Formed within a sealed housing, the induction coil charging system eliminates external metal contacts, thereby eliminating a potential ignition source during charging operations. Fault tolerant circuitry and a cool-running light emitting diode light source eliminate potential ignition sources due to breakage or fault conditions. Mating surfaces between the lantern and its charger cradle facilitate aligning the charging induction coils.
US07641351B2
A novel lighting balloon apparatus is provided for various indoor and outdoor lighting applications. The lighting balloon apparatus is comprised of a unique rectangular-shaped balloon envelope body constructed from a medium weight laminate of polyester film weaved into polyester fabric using an adhesive containing an antimicrobial additive and an ultraviolet inhibitor. The rectangular-shaped body of the balloon envelope provides a means for controlling the emission of light by allowing for the accommodation of lightweight taffeta panels without compromising control. The lighting balloon apparatus is further configured to accommodate multiple lighting sources, as well as applicable mixtures thereof. The various lighting sources that may be employed are securely coupled to a harness assembly suspended within the body center of the balloon envelope structure, which is sealed with a helium tight cap system and coupled to a relay bypass system for regulating multiple lighting source socket arrangements.
US07641334B1
The ear protection apparatus is provided as ear protection with various means of attachment to existing eyeglasses and also as ear protection including eyeglasses. Various embodiments provide multiple means for multiply adjustable positioning of the ear protection. Multiple plane adjustments are provided, with flex tubes with memory comprising a part of those adjustments. Refined earplug design provides for relaxed fit to a variety of ear sizes and shapes.
US07641333B2
An eyewear assembly includes an outer first frame, at least one outer first lens, an inner second frame, and at least one inner second lens. The assembly includes a mechanism for holding the first frame and first lens in front of a user's face. The second frame has a mechanism for attachment to the first frame, to hold the second frame between the user's eyes and the first lens. The at least one second lens is carried by the second frame. The second frame includes a first frame portion that mounts the second lens and a second frame portion overmolded onto the first frame portion defining portions of the outside surface area of the second frame. The first frame portion is of a relatively hard material and the second frame portion is of a relatively soft material. A shock-absorbing pad can be fit between the first and second frames.
US07641329B2
The conveyance control device includes a detector that detects the conveyance distance of an object by a conveyance device, a section determiner that determines to which section within an object a reference point of the object belongs, and a target setter, based on a determination result of the section determiner, sets the target conveyance speed corresponding to the section to which the reference point belongs. Based on a detection result of the detector, the operation amount calculation sequentially calculates the operation amount of the conveyance device. The conveyance controller provides a control signal corresponding to the operation amount calculated by the operation amount calculator for the conveyance device and makes the conveyance device convey the object to move a reference point of the object from the conveyance start point to the conveyance destination at a speed corresponding to the target conveyance speed.
US07641312B2
A liquid ejecting head of the present invention has a nozzle plate including a nozzle substrate composed of a non-conductive material in which nozzle openings pass through the nozzle substrate and a conductive film formed to cover at least a part of the inner peripheral wall surface of the nozzle opening. The film forming area where the conductive film is formed includes the moving range of a meniscus moving on the inner peripheral wall surface of the nozzle opening in accordance with the ejection operation of liquid drops from the nozzle opening. According to the present invention, even if a non-conductive nozzle plate is used, a charge can be injected smoothly into liquid drops without causing problems of deterioration of the image quality due to electrophoresis and of defective ejection due to foreign substances and gas generated by electrolysis.
US07641307B2
A maintenance device used for cleaning a print head of an ink cartridge includes a housing including a stopper, and a wiper holder installed inside the housing in a rotatable manner. The wiper holder includes a gear. The maintenance device further includes a wiper fixed on the wiper holder, and a sled installed on the housing in a slidable manner. The sled includes a rack geared with the gear of the wiper holder for driving the wiper holder to rotate when a carrier of the ink cartridge pushes the sled. The maintenance device further includes a lock lever pivoted to the sled for wedging the stopper so as to fix the sled, and a first elastic component connected to the housing and the sled for pulling the sled when the lock lever departs from the stopper.
US07641303B2
A drop emitting apparatus including a manifold, a viscoelastic structure acoustically coupled to the manifold, and a plurality of drop generators fluidically coupled to the manifold.
US07641302B2
An apparatus and method of compensating for defective nozzles. Accordingly, in an image forming apparatus having inkjet nozzles (i.e., an inkjet printer), image quality deterioration due to defective nozzles (i.e., nozzles that cannot discharge ink) may be compensated for by replacing data after moving a printer head to an optimum position. Image quality deterioration due to defective nozzles may also be compensated by replacing data to be printed after moving at he printer head to the optimum position.
US07641291B2
A method for controlling the braking system of a motor vehicle in which, in order to prevent the vehicle from rolling away after a stopping action, a first braking force value is established at at least one wheel of the vehicle, independently of the driver, and is held for a predefined limited holding time; a transverse variable characterizing a transverse motion of the vehicle is ascertained; and as a function of the transverse variable, a release of the braking force is accomplished even before the predefined holding time has elapsed.
US07641286B2
A plough guide trough for plough guides of chain-drawn coal ploughs, comprising two superposed chain guide ducts separated by an integrally cast sliding spacer member, with a top guide strip, a bottom guide beam and a bottom slideway for guiding the plough. The top chain guide duct is covered by a front wall comprising the guide strip and merging into the guide beam and a slot lead-through for a plough guiding hook or plough knife is formed between the guide beam and the slideway. Pockets in the front wall receive a toggle coupling for neighboring plough guide troughs, wherein the front wall, the guide strips, the guide beam, the pockets and a back wall comprising the slideway form a one-piece casting extending over the length of the plough guide trough.
US07641285B2
A small, four wheeled, stable utility vehicle (S4WSUV) for hauling and dumping material, articles or containers and especially adapted to operate in tight areas is disclosed. The S4WSUV has two widely spaced free turning swivel wheels and two widely spaced, independently driven rear wheels, a pivoting platform connected to a lifting mechanism for pivoting the platform to dump the material, etc. to a side of the S4WSUV. An engine drives a power source that can be a hydrostatic system, an electrical system or a mechanical system for motors driving the rear wheels. Optional features include a cantilever mounted seat assembly, foot and/or hand controls for steering, container mounts on the platform or a platform frame for securing one or more containers of various types and sizes and attachments for attaching one or more pieces of equipment for functions other than hauling and dumping.
US07641276B1
A frame structure for a foldable chair comprises a front interconnecting supporting unit, a rear interconnecting supporting unit, a lateral interconnecting supporting unit, an armrest unit, a seat supporting unit, an armrest unit, and a transverse supporting rod. The front interconnecting supporting unit is installed with a front leg unit, a crisscrossed supporting unit. The rear interconnecting supporting unit comprises a rear leg unit, an arc-shaped supporting unit of which one end of each section is curved in shape. Each of the lateral interconnecting supporting unit includes two board members pivotally crisscrossed connected with each other between the front and rear leg unit. Beneath the armrest unit, a gliding rod is extending along thereof and a connecting joint is protruding there from. The transverse supporting rod is formed with a connecting plate, a rod and a connecting joint.
US07641274B2
An arrangement for closing an opening of a vehicle and a corresponding manufacturing method, in which a shattering protection element (30, 30A, 30B) is fixed to a pane or to a functional element (60) fixed at the pane. The pane and the shattering protection element are connected via a permanently elastic adhesive connection (12) to the vehicle body or to a holding element (18) connected to the vehicle body.
US07641259B2
In a rain shelter control system for vehicular doorways, an electronic key ECU causes exterior signal transmitters to periodically transmit request signals. When a portable device receives the request signal in an arrival range of the request signals, the portable device generates a response signal responsive to the request signal. When a receiver receives the response signal from the portable device, the electronic key ECU operates to automatically open any of rain shelters near the portable device, so that a holder of the portable device and passengers fold their umbrellas under the opened rain shelters, so that they can get into a vehicle without being exposed to rain. Besides, the electronic key ECU operates to automatically open the rain shelter when they get off the vehicle.
US07641257B2
A seating arrangement is provided in a vehicle to enable a wheelchair occupier to be carried safely in the vehicle, whilst having only a minimal effect on the total number of passengers that can be carried. The seating arrangement includes two adjacent seats, one adjacent the side of the vehicle and the other adjacent the aisle of the vehicle. The seat adjacent the side of the vehicle can be moved from a first position to a second position in which a clear space exists on the side of the second seat which is remote from the aisle. The second seat has a seat squab which is moveable to a position in which the seat squab does not obstruct the space in front of the back-rest of the seat, and the second seat is moveable laterally towards the side of the vehicle and axially of the vehicle.
US07641249B2
An apparatus for mounting a roof rack including a roof garnish and a bracket for mounting a roof rack, in which the roof garnish and the roof rack mounting apparatus can be separately mounted on a vehicle panel. Due to a simple construction, the roof rack mounting apparatus can be conveniently operated and the mounting costs and time thereof can be reduced.
US07641248B2
Two tweezers which folds and unfolds relative to each other is connected by a central connector which allows the rotation of the tweezers without one tweezers rubbing into the other tweezers. Each tweezers has a tweezer head section extending to a base section. The base sections have an external base cover serving as handles for the tweezers. A cover shields the tweezer heads of the two tweezers. A spring assisted locator pin inserts and retracts from a hole as the tweezers positions back and forth from a folding position to an unfolding position.
US07641242B2
A chromatography and fluidic device with connections capable of automated component changing, diagnostic leak and current sensing. The chromatography-electrospray device contains a chromatography column, a pre-column, a spray emitter, or other fluidic component imbedded within one or more inserts. The inserts are robotically placed in receiving hardware, and a “plug and play” compression fitting connection mechanism makes the fluidic seals in an automated fashion. A plurality of sensors capable of detecting leaks is situated in the device near leak-prone regions. The electrospray emitter has a current sensing electrode in proximity of the electrospray region, capable of detecting the electrospray current. In conjunction with an electronics system, these sensors allow for system and component diagnostics. The diagnostic information may then be used for manual or automated system repair.
US07641230B2
Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatus for inflating airbags. In one embodiment, an initiator is deployed to open an exit gas port, through which the airbag is inflated. The airbag is primarily inflated via gas from a first gas chamber and is substantially maintained in an inflated state for a predetermined period of time primarily via gas from a second gas chamber. In one embodiment, an airbag inflator is provided which comprises a first gas chamber, a second gas chamber, and an intermediate chamber assembly. The intermediate chamber assembly comprises a first gas port positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first gas chamber and a second gas port positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second gas chamber. The inflator is configured to allow a greater flow rate of gas through the first gas port upon deployment than through the second gas port.
US07641227B2
An expansion guiding apparatus of an airbag includes a connector connected to the airbag and to a pillar trim. When the airbag expands, it pulls the connector, which folds the pillar trim. The connector may include direction-change pins and a wire extending from the airbag to the direction-change pins to the pillar trim, sequentially, and attached to the airbag and the pillar trim. The wire may include a hook with a notch, attaching the wire to the pillar trim. Alternatively, the connector may include a rotating bar, rotatable about a hinge on the inner panel, and a wire extending from the airbag to the rotating bar to the pillar trim, sequentially, and attached to the airbag and the pillar trim. The wire may include a hook with a notch, attaching the wire to the rotating bar. The pillar trim may include a hinge, a notch, or a soft material part.
US07641226B2
A side airbag module for use in a motor vehicle. The module includes a gas generator attached to a folded airbag. The folded airbag unfolds into an interior of the motor vehicle when the gas generator is activated. A large guide fin is disposed within an interior of the airbag such that the airbag is disposed around the guide fin. The guide fin is connected to a component attached to the motor vehicle.
US07641224B2
A vehicle occupant restraint systems including an airbag which has a first airbag chamber and a second airbag chamber or, more generally, a first partial region and a second partial region. The first and the second airbag chambers are connected to each other so that, as a function of the internal pressures present, gas from the first airbag chamber can flow into the second airbag chamber and gas from the second airbag chamber can flow into the first airbag chamber. The second airbag chamber may include an elastic wall, so that, upon a loading of the first airbag chamber, gas flows into the second airbag chamber and, in the process, elastically expands the second airbag chamber.
US07641223B2
A supplemental inflatable restraint system (SIR) is provided for use with a vehicle having a passenger compartment with an instrument panel at a forward end therein. The SIR includes a cavity having an opening formed in a lower portion of the instrument panel. An inflatable cushion is operable to transition through the opening from a non-expanded state, in which the cushion is inside the cavity, to an expanded state, in which the cushion is substantially outside the cavity. A fluid dispensing apparatus is operable to regulate transition of the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state. A hush panel is attached to the lower portion of the instrument panel such that the panel is not visible to a vehicle occupant seated upright and adjacent thereto. The hush panel is configured to cover the opening, and is characterized by the absence of an outer surface with an appearance finish.
US07641213B1
A training wheel assembly for a bicycle includes an upright support bracket mounted on a frame, a first pivot arm pivotally mounted on the support bracket, a training wheel rotatably mounted on the first pivot arm, a second pivot arm pivotally mounted on the support bracket, and an adjusting mechanism mounted between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm to adjust a movable allowance or relative position between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm. Thus, each of the training wheels is movable upward to leave the ground or downward to contact the ground so that the user needs not to remove the training wheels from the frame of the bicycle when not in used, thereby facilitating the user operating the training wheel assembly.
US07641210B2
A hand-operated assembly that supplies secondary drive power and steering control to a secondary drive wheel of a wheel chair. The assembly comprises a handle that is controlled with one hand and a linkage rod that extends from the handle to an eccentric arm fitted to a one-way clutch assembly at a secondary drive wheel support axle. Reciprocating up-down, pivoting movements of the handle over a range Y′ in the Y axis directs a linkage rod to rotate an eccentric arm fitted to a one-way clutch and a drive axle of a small diameter, secondary drive wheel. Independent 360° rotation of the handle about a second, horizontal or Z axis steers the secondary drive wheel. A portion Y′ of the range of handle motion directs a flange at the linkage arm to engage a brake piece that contacts the secondary drive wheel. Large diameter, hand driven, primary drive wheels are separately available to the user for effecting normal chair conveyance.
US07641209B2
A conversion assembly for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to a front-wheel-drive vehicle, wherein said assembly comprises rear suspension mountings for fixing to the structure of the vehicle in place of an existing rear suspension such that a portion of a floorpan of the vehicle of sufficient width to accommodate the width of a wheelchair can be lowered between said rear suspension mountings. A method of converting a front-wheel-drive vehicle to enable or improve wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle, the method including the steps of removing an existing rear suspension from the vehicle, installing rear suspension mountings to the vehicle, one at each side of the structure of the vehicle, and lowering a portion of the floorpan of the vehicle between said rear suspension mountings.
US07641206B2
The purpose of this invention is to provide a material-moving device suitable for loading, unloading, and transporting at least one item thereon by a single person. The material-moving device includes a platform portion for holding at least one item thereon, at least two pairs of wheels rotatably attached to the platform portion in a manner that enables the front perimeter edge to pivot for easy loading and unloading the items onto the platform portion. The device also includes an elongated handle attached to the platform and an auxiliary handle movably attached to elongated handle in a manner effective to allow a single user to control the pivotal movement of the material-moving device while simultaneously gripping at least one item being loaded or unloaded onto said platform portion.
US07641198B2
An improvement to two groups of wagering games with at least one player hand and a dealer hand. In one group, the gaming pieces in a hand are divided into two or more sub-hands. In the other group the games include a Reverse Bet and/or a Push Bet. Games may be in both groups. In the improved versions of these games, at least one type of wager has a minimum hand value, known as a qualifier. When a pre-specified hand has that hand value or higher, one method of settling wagers is used. Otherwise, a different method is used for settling at least one type of wager. Introducing this qualifier allows a casino to adjust the advantage for the dealer, making several desirable options practical for these games.
US07641195B2
The sheet conveying apparatus includes a first member configured to convey a sheet along a predetermined conveying path while holding the sheet, a second member configured to convey a sheet along the predetermined conveying path while holding the sheet, and a changing unit configured to change a first state in which the first member and the second member convey the same sheet along the predetermined conveying path and a second state in which the first member and the second member convey different sheets in the predetermined conveying path according to a length of a sheet along the predetermined conveying path.
US07641192B2
A sheet feeder including: (a) a pair of feed rollers operable to have a plurality of successive rotational motions, so as to be rotated by a predetermined amount in each one of the successive rotational motions, for thereby causing a sheet nipped between the pair of feed rollers, to be fed along a feed path by a desired distance as a result of the each one of the successive rotational motions; (b) a back-tension applier disposed in the feed path, and configured to apply a back tension to the sheet that is fed along the feed path; and (c) a motion controller configured to control the successive rotational motions of the feed rollers, and to command the feed rollers to be rotated by a compensated amount that includes a supplementary amount in addition to the predetermined amount, in each of at least one of the successive rotational motions. Also disclosed is a process of feeding a sheet, by using the sheet feeder.
US07641188B2
Sheets fed out of a cassette supporting the sheets by a pickup roller are separated and fed by a sheet separation feeding unit having a feed roller and a separating roller which is rotatable in a direction opposite to a sheet feeding direction. A charge eliminating mechanism for eliminating charges of the separating roller is arranged on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction in a separation nip portion between the feed roller and the separating roller.
US07641181B2
The present invention relates to a vibration control or vehicular suspension system. In one embodiment, the system uses a liquid spring filled with a compressible liquid. In such an embodiment, a suspension system, in addition to being able to change stiffness and damping properties, has the ability to level a vehicle or other structure or device to a desired height and compensate the level height for the addition or subtraction of load. Further, the liquid spring can provide either spring force or both spring and damping forces.
US07641177B2
Force transfer assemblies are provided for transferring forces from tensionable members to receiving structures. The assemblies may include nested thimbles that transfer respective forces from respective tensionable members to receiving structures such as cylindrical members. An outer thimble may transfer force from an outer tensioned member to a receiving structure without causing compression of an inner tensioned member. For example, the outer thimble may transfer forces by way of the inner thimble or to a boss of the receiving structure. Forces from a tensioned member or assembly of tensioned members may be distributed along a cylindrical member by a thimble having a convex bearing surface or by spaced thimbles disposed along the cylindrical member.
US07641163B2
An improved adjustable mounting system for mounting a flat panel display to a surface. A mounting bracket is configured to attach to the surface, while an adapter bracket is operatively connected to the mounting bracket and is configured to operatively connect to the flat panel display. At least one carrier mechanism operatively connects the mounting bracket and the adapter bracket, the first carrier mechanism positioned with a set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces to couple the adapter bracket to the mounting bracket. When the flat panel display is operatively connected to the adapter bracket and the mounting bracket is attached to the surface, the flat panel display is generally selectively rotatably positionable about an axis substantially parallel to the surface as a result of the interaction of the first carrier mechanism with the set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces.
US07641156B2
The present invention is a portable stand that generally comprises of an upper telescopic pipe, a lower telescopic pipe that is movably inserted into the upper telescopic pipe to form a longitudinal shaft, a plurality of expandable legs at the bottom of the longitudinal shaft with a leaf spring mechanism, a round plate holder, a bottle holder, a v-shaped plate holder, a flower vase, umbrella stand, a box for magnetic compass or LED light, a knickknack pouch and a beverage holder. The longitudinal shaft of the portable stand is adjusted for a desired height. A controller knob is slid up and down, to fold and expand the expandable legs at the bottom of the longitudinal shaft to a desired angle. Various attachments are attached onto the longitudinal shaft depending on the need.
US07641153B2
Methods and apparatus for suppressing noise. The present invention provides a method that includes directing a laser at a first volume of gas and directing microwave radiation to a second volume. The method includes selecting the location of the second volume so that it is overrun by a shockwave system of a supersonic vehicle. Preferably, the directing of the radiation is from a vehicle that flies at high altitude and is of practical length (e.g., 100-400 feet or more). The radiation may be pulsed and steered. The present invention also provides a system including a laser and microwave antenna for controlling the noise of a supersonic vehicle. The laser is directed at a first volume while the antenna is pointed at a second volume that envelops the first volume. The location of the second volume is such that it will be overrun by the shockwave system of the vehicle.
US07641150B2
Disclosed is a space propulsion device capable of continuous operation using a solid propellant having high density and excellent handleability. The solid propellant-based space propulsion device comprises solid-propellant support means for supporting a solid propellant, a solid-propellant attachment surface for permitting the solid propellant to be attached thereon, solid-propellant feed means for feeding the solid propellant to an attachment position on the solid-propellant attachment surface, adhesion-energy supply means for heatingly melting or sublimating the solid propellant in the attachment position to adherently attach the solid propellant onto the solid-propellant attachment surface, solid-propellant transfer means for transferring the solid propellant to a release position for releasing the solid propellant, and propulsive-energy supply means for energizing the transferred solid propellant to release the solid propellant from the solid-propellant attachment surface at the release position, as a propulsive jet, while accelerating the solid propellant in a direction approximately perpendicular to the solid-propellant attachment surface. The solid-propellant transfer means is designed to move the solid-propellant attachment surface in such a manner that a area of the solid-propellant attachment surface for adherently holding the solid propellant is returned to a position adjacent to an end of the solid propellant in a repetitive manner.
US07641149B2
In one embodiment of a multi-exit evacuation slide for an aircraft, an inflatable evacuation slide for emergency evacuation includes two coupled inflatable portions. The first inflatable portion, which includes a first inclined sliding surface, is configured to provide downward egress from an over-wing exit. Similarly, the second inflatable portion, which includes a second inclined surface, is likewise configured to provide downward egress from a non over-wing exit. In particular embodiments, the inflatable portions are configured to be deployed from a storage location proximate the over-wing and non over-wing exits. In other embodiments, at least one of the first and second inflatable portions includes a lateral area for horizontal movement. In alternative embodiments, the inflatable evacuation slide further includes a divider rail disposed between the first inflatable portion and the second inflatable portion.
US07641145B2
An apparatus for use in moving a control surface during operation of an aircraft includes a flexible drive shaft to be connected with an actuator assembly by a coupling assembly. Operation of the actuator assembly operates a force transmission apparatus to move a control surface on an aircraft. The coupling assembly includes an input member connected with the flexible drive shaft and an output member which may be connected with the actuator assembly. A plurality of balls interconnect the input and output members and are rotatable to accommodate relative movement between the input and output members.
US07641127B2
A track system is made by setting a longitudinally extending row of concrete high-pressure injection piles in grown soil and then positioning atop the piles a succession of sleeper frames each including a pair of longitudinally extending rigid concrete beams held together transversely by a rigid steel structure. A longitudinally extending body of concrete is then cast between the beams around the steel frame. Finally longitudinally extending rails are fastened atop the beams.
US07641126B2
A thermostat system having dedicated informational regions in a display and associated buttons or softkeys for sequential operation. The system may maximize utilization of a sectioned display and buttons for system navigation. The informational, selection and/or action design takes into consideration operational button groupings for straightforward comfort settings as well as editing of the clock, day-of-week, schedules, and so forth. Sections, regions or areas of the display may indicate immediate button operations. The changeable information in the regions associated with the softkeys or buttons may provide sequential operation of the thermostat system. The system may have multiple schedules and setpoints for heating and cooling comfort setting flexibility. A combining of individual schedules may be automatically selected. Also, there may be a system switch mode, for example, between heat and cool, where the schedules may be individually edited. Scheduling may be informational and/or action item and option key driven.
US07641114B2
A system including first and second IC cards and a host device adopts a communication mode in which the host device communicates with the first IC card only, and the first IC card communicates with the second IC card. The host device acquires inherent information encrypted by the first and second IC cards via the first IC card, decrypts the inherent information encrypted by the first and second IC cards, and collates the decrypted information with the inherent information to thereby authenticate the first and second IC cards.
US07641111B2
The present disclosure relates generally to the authentication of contactless payments attempted by a device having embedded contactless payment functionality. In particular, the disclosure is directed to systems and methods that utilize authentication schemes that already exist on a device in which the contactless payment functionality is embedded. One example of such authentication schemes is the use of password protection to lock or unlock the device in which the contactless payment functionality is embedded. Using the password protection functionality may provide varying levels of authentication protection based on the desires of the user. A number of exemplary uses of such a method and apparatus are disclosed herein.
US07641109B2
The present invention provides systems and methods to initiate, facilitate, process and/or perform money transfers. One such method includes establishing a money transfer record (310) and receiving, from a vendor location, a money transfer activation request (320) associated with the money transfer record. The method includes receiving a fulfillment request (330) associated with the money transfer record, collecting a customer data set, and authorizing a money transfer (340) associated with the money transfer record. The money transfer is facilitated by the creation of a money transfer record, which may occur prior to the money transfer activation request. The customer then can initiate the money transfer while at the vendor location using, for example, money transfer cards available for purchase from the vendor.
US07641108B2
A device for assisting a user to perform a transaction on a machine is described. The device receives data that specifies a transaction mode to use for processing an image and accesses a knowledge base to provide data to configure the device for the transaction mode, the data including data specific to the transaction mode. The device receives an image or images of a portion of a machine that the user will use to perform the transaction and processes the image or images to identify a pattern of controls on the machine and to detect the presence of a user-controlled pointing item over controls on the machine. The device announces to the user the name or function of the control closest to an end of the user-controlled pointing item.
US07641102B1
A private viewing case includes a rear wall that extends upward from a support surface and has an orthogonally extending bottom flange formed therewith that is removably fastened to the support surface. First and second coextensive stabilizing arms have a rear end attached to oppositely seated top rear wall edges and are orthogonally registered therewith. First and second privacy panels are abutted to exterior sides of the stabilizing arms and extend downwardly therefrom in such a manner that an inner space defined therebetween, and have rear edges adjoining the rear wall. A dome-shaped top cover is pivotally connected to the rear wall, has a front edge traversing between the stabilizing arms, and includes a polarizing filter that eliminates light from passing therethrough, preventing bystanders from seeing through the cover. The user's card is seated beneath the top cover and between the privacy panels thus prohibiting bystanders from acquiring sight thereof.
US07641084B1
An adjustable clothes hanger includes a hollow body provided with a chamber formed therein, first and second arms conjoined to the body and disposed exterior of the chamber, and a mechanism for slidably and linearly displacing the first and second arms along respective linear paths in such a manner that the first and second arms simultaneously extend and retract along opposed flanges of the body. The device further includes first and second hooks partially seated within the chamber and disposed along the flanges. Each of such first and second hooks has top ends terminating outwardly from the chamber and traversing respective travel paths of the first and second arms when the primary and secondary dials are rotated in corresponding directions such that the first and second arms are engaged and stopped from traveling therebeyond.
US07641082B2
An applicator for dry particulate matter has an operating module body having a handle and trigger. The applicator lacks a back-pack and particulate matter is instead stored in a flexible tube. A flow path in the body is partially blocked and fully opened by a battery operated reciprocating gate valve that can be operated by the trigger on the body's handle. The tube is long enough to pass around a user's neck when the operating module is held by a hand of the user's extended arm, so that the free end can be manipulated by the user's other hand. A microprocessor in the body is adapted to regulate the operation of the gate valve to adjust the quantity of particulate matter dispensed according to user inputs.
US07641077B2
Certain pump dispensers, for example foam dispensers, are specially adapted for inverted use. One feature especially useful in a foam dispenser having both an air cylinder and a liquid cylinder with respective pistons is an intake conduit arrangement to increase the clearance of liquid from the container. An intermediate shell fits over the upright liquid cylinder body and carries an inlet valve positively urged upward to the closed position to prevent leaking. A conduit shell fits over the intermediate shell and creates an intake conduit extending down the side of the liquid cylinder to an intake opening lower down the pump body.
US07641070B2
The improved low cost Spill-Resistant Cup for storing and dispensing liquids resists spilling when shaken or vibrated suddenly. The improved cup has a scoop-like-baffle and a push tab that separates the body of the cup with the mouthpiece of the cover. An opening is created when the push tab is pressed and the push tab springs back to close the opening when the pressure is released. When the improved cup is tilted and the tab pushed down for pouring, such that the liquid level inside the storage chamber of the cup chamber is higher than the liquid level at the opening, no liquid pours out of the cup. The liquid starts to flow out of the mouth opening after the cup is tilted beyond a start-to-pour angle. The start-to-pour angle is reached when the cup is tilted permitting the outside air to pass through the opening of the scoop-like-baffle and into the storage chamber.
US07641068B2
A cryogenic storage tank having an insulated inner vessel disposed within an outer vessel. A common-access tube or conduit is used to route the various fluid flow lines into the interior of the inner vessel. The use of a common-access tube reduces the number of obstructions that the insulation must accommodate and facilitates the production of the storage tank.
US07641063B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide structure that can be installed within a warehouse-type rack to convert the rack for use as a merchandise and display rack. In this manner, warehouse-type racks can be provided with a greater degree of adjustability to accommodate a larger number of shelving and product storage and display configurations. The structure installed within a warehouse-type rack can include secondary uprights connected to secondary front-rear stretchers. Preferably, the connections between the secondary uprights and the secondary front-rear stretchers are adjustable so that the secondary uprights can be secured in different positions within the warehouse-type rack. In some embodiments, the secondary uprights can be secured in different front-rear positions in the rack and/or can be secured in different vertical positions with respect to the secondary front-rear stretchers.
US07641058B2
An airbrush hanging work station and brackets that will hang a multiple number of airbrushes and related airbrushing components, materials and art supplies. This device hangs to a wall or bench by a variety of methods such as magnetically, bolt on, or with a bench clamp. It has a plurality of airbrush hanging attachments that attach to its side walls and front walls, or these airbrush hanging attachments can be individually mounted to a wall or surface and used individually. These airbrush hanger brackets will hang most airbrushes regardless of the varying shapes, sizes and dimensions of different airbrushes due to the unique adjusting components and shape of the airbrush hangers' design.
US07641056B2
An embodiment of an organizer for a desk or other horizontal surface having an extending portion includes an elongated base assembly having a clamping member and a cover member for attaching to the extending portion, at least one fastening device for attaching the clamping member to the surface and for attaching the cover member to the clamping member, a pair of vertical supports adapted to be attached to the cover member and each support including a plurality of holes, and a plurality of horizontal accessory supporting rods extending from the slots in one of the vertical supports to the corresponding holes in the other vertical support.
US07641053B2
A method and apparatus for separating material, particularly excavated material is presented. The method and apparatus utilize a releasable and interchangeable screen assembly which is positioned on top of a frame having a slanted grate. The screen assembly includes bar members which traverse the top of the screen and inverted hook members attached to a top surface of the bar members to enable an equipment bucket to engage the inverted hook members in order to lift and move the screen assembly.
US07641052B2
The present invention is directed toward a display package for an animated doll or similar toy product that facilitates demonstration of the toy's animated features. The display package provides an enclosure that houses the doll. The doll includes an animation mechanism that drives a portion of the toy from a first position to a second position. The display package may include a moveable display panel mounted within the enclosure. The display panel is selectively engaged by the toy when the animation mechanism is engaged. The display package may further include an attachment that stabilizes the display panel. In addition, the display package may include a support member that supports the toy within the package and permits the animation mechanism to move the doll from a first display position to a second display position.
US07641049B1
A self-warming sanitary wipe apparatus comprising a container with lid, stepped lip, and seal across the lip. The container further comprises an indented outlet with overlapping leaves which prevent air incursion into the container. Specifically interactively folded wipes are housed within the container and are dispensed progressively from the outlet. The wipes are saturated with an emollient, a disinfectant, and a warming gel. The warming get provides and exothermic reaction when exposed to air, thereby self-warming the wipes.
US07641045B2
A top plate conveyor device, in which vibrations and noises are reduced, and the structure is simple and the production assembly and handling are easy. Top plates 110 are removably provided on a rubber toothed belt 120 by engagement members 111 provided on the back surfaces of the top plates 110, and engagement members 111 include sandwiching portions 112 which sandwich the toothed belt 120 from both outer sides in the width direction and terminate in pawl portions 113, which snap-connect the top plates to the toothed belt 120.
US07641027B2
A brake disc of the type comprising a braking band, a connecting portion and connecting spokes made in a single piece. In said disc at least one spoke exhibits an active section reduction that is sufficient to prevent vibrations and whistling during the braking phase. The disc, according to the present invention, is not subject to vibrations and possesses a limited gyroscopic effect and mass.
US07641025B2
A disc brake is provided, especially for utility vehicles, that comprises a caliper that overlaps a brake disc, a brake application device disposed in the caliper that applies the brake and at least one adjustment device comprising an electrical drive. The disc brake is further provided with a mechanical device that blocks the adjustment device driven by an electromotor against an augmentation of the release play that exceeds a threshold value caused by the electromotor drive.
US07641021B2
A hand-actuated operating device for an operator's control unit for an industrial truck, having a stationary, raised rest for the ball of the thumb that is disposed laterally beside and in front of the standing or sitting operator, including an upper support area on which the ball of the thumb of the operator's hand is adapted to be placed from top, a forward surface facing away from the operator and a surface facing the operator, wherein the forward and backward surfaces are dimensioned so to allow the support for the ball of the thumb to be gripped between the fingers and a proximal portion of the ball that faces the wrist, a portion located in front of the forward surface which is lowered with respect to the support area is disposed such as to allow the fingers of the hand resting on the support area to be placed at an angle, and at least one control element for a function of the industrial truck is disposed on the end of the lowered portion that is located opposite the support area so as to enable its actuation by at least one finger.
US07641014B2
A method and system of controlling the traction of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle. One method includes determining a stability status of the vehicle, identifying a driving style of a driver of the vehicle, generating a first drive slip target, generating a second drive slip target, determining an engine torque produced by an engine of the vehicle, determining whether the engine torque is sufficient to support an application of the first and second drive slip targets, and generating at least one torque signal. The at least one torque signal is configured to alter an amount of torque that is applied to the front and rear axles of the vehicle according to the first and second drive slip targets, respectively.
US07641011B2
A pallet jack includes a frame and a pair of outwardly projecting load prongs connected to the frame. The proximal ends of the prongs are connected to a horizontal member on the rear of the frame by brackets that keep the prongs out of the frame proper. A threaded rod is mounted horizontally on the horizontal member and is threaded into the proximal end of each prong, with the two ends of the threaded rod having opposite hand threads. The threaded rod is rotated by a user turning a crank mounted on top of the frame and connected to the adjustment threaded rod by a chain drive, allowing the width between the prongs to be adjusted inwardly or outwardly.
US07641010B2
An in-wheel motor includes a motor generating motive power, a planetary gear arranged toward a wheel disc relative to the motor to reduce an output of the motor, and a shaft arranged toward the wheel disc relative to the planetary gear and connected to a planetary carrier. Shaft is connected to a constant velocity joint transmitting the motive power to wheel disc.
US07641008B2
Described is a utility vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor, with a front axle (3), which can be driven by a drive element of a first multi-disc clutch (11), connected in a driven manner to the drive train (2) and a power take-off shaft (4) which can be driven by the drive train (2) at speed proportionately to the speed of the vehicle over the ground (ground speed power take-off).In order to keep expenditure low on the control of the disc clutch (11) and the power take-off shaft (4), it is proposed that the power take-off shaft can be driven at a speed proportional to the speed of the vehicle over the ground by a second multi-disc clutch (12) which has a drive element connected in a driven manner to the drive train (2), and that both multi-disc clutches (11, 12) are actuated in common.
US07641007B2
The blade ratio of an articulated work vehicle with multiple tracks is adjusted by shifting a load from the weight of the vehicle toward the front or rear of one or more of the tracks. The load may be shifted through the actuation of a hydraulic cylinder that applies a biasing load between a frame on which a track frame is mounted and a front or rear portion of the track frame.
US07641001B2
A tool for boring has an axle for drivingly linking at a first end to a portable rotatable machine. At a second end, the axle has a shaft-receiving bore into which a nose shaft is inserted. The nose has a cutting tip and a flight cutter that aligns with a flight on the axle. An insulator is electrically interposed between the cutting tip and the nose shaft, thereby electrically insulating the nose shaft from the cutting tip. The flight cutter performs the high-wear cutting at the leading edge of the flight, thereby causing the flight to merely remove the soil or other particulate from the hole being formed.
US07640992B2
A throttle valve (10), in particular for injecting a fluid into a geological formation, is described, which comprises a valve body (10) having a piston chamber (11), an annular piston (20) having a fluid channel (21), which extends from a high-pressure side (H) to a low-pressure side (L) of the throttle valve, with the annular piston (20) being displaceable within the piston chamber (11) and the fluid channel (21) being transmissive or closed depending on the position of the annular piston (20) in the piston chamber (11), and a cover plate (12) which is provided on the high-pressure side of the valve body (10) and through which the fluid channel (21) protrudes from the high-pressure side piston chamber (11), wherein the fluid channel (21) is closed in axial direction with a sealing disk (22) which can be rested tightly on the cover plate (12) on the high-pressure side, and the fluid channel (21) has a radial throttle opening (23) adjacent to the sealing disk (22). A fluid injection device having such a throttle valve is also described.
US07640987B2
Some embodiments of a supply tube system for use in a wellbore may have multiple tubes, a number of which can be readily coupled to a downhole steam generator or other heated-fluid generator device. In certain embodiments, the system may include a connector that simplifies the process of coupling the supply tube system to the steam generator and provides for fluid communication between each supply conduit and the associated input port of the steam generator.
US07640986B2
A perforating gun has a gun carrier extending in a longitudinal direction and a loading tube located within the gun carrier. The loading tube extends in the longitudinal direction and a shape charge is supported by the loading tube. The shape charge has a casing, an explosive, and a liner, the casing opening in a first direction and having a centerline extending in the first direction, the first direction being essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A liquid implant is located adjacent to the shape charge in the first direction and intersecting the centerline.
US07640981B2
A scale inhibition method comprising: (a) injecting a dispersion of seed particles of an insoluble mineral salt in an aqueous medium into a formation through an injection well wherein the seed particles have an equivalent spherical diameter of 100% less than 100 nm, preferably 100% less than 50 nm, more preferably 100% less than 25 nm and the aqueous medium has dissolved therein precipitate precursor ions that form a precipitate of the insoluble mineral salt when contacted with resident ions in the formation; (b) allowing the dispersion to percolate through the subterranean formation towards production well and producing the dispersion from the production well; and (c) controllably precipitating the insoluble mineral salt onto the seed particles so as to reduce the deposition of the insoluble mineral salt onto the walls of the porous formation and/or onto the surface in the production well and/or onto the surface downstream of the production well.
US07640978B2
A method for stimulating methane production from a carbonaceous material is described. The methods may include the step of contacting the material with cells of a methanogenic consortium under anaerobic conditions to form a reaction mixture. The method may also include maintaining anaerobic conditions for a time sufficient to permit methanogenesis, and collecting methane from anaerobic water or head space of the reaction mixture.
US07640969B2
According to the invention, in order to prevent a film from forming which obstructs the transfer of heat in heat exchanger pipes, the heat exchanger pipe comprises an external side which is adjacent to the external surface and which is impinged upon by a steam medium, and an inner side which is adjacent to an inner surface and which is impinged upon by a coolant, such that the outer surface is provided with a first layer which reduces the adhesion of the steam on the outer surface and/or the inner surface is provided with a second layer which reduces the adhesion of a coolant to the inner surface and which is embodied as a biocidal layer. The invention relates to a heat exchanger and to the use thereof.
US07640954B2
An obturating assembly includes a body having an aperture for passage to the pipe of a fuel supply spout of predetermined outer diameter and an obturator moveable with respect to the body, able to assume an obturating position in which it conceals the passage aperture and a freeing position in which it does not conceal it, the obturator being driven towards the freeing position by that spout when it meets the obturator during a thrusting movement of the spout into the head. In accordance with the invention, the passage aperture is provided in an oblique wall or wall portion, with the angular offset between the orientation of said obturator in the obturating position and the transverse orientation being at least equal to 20°.
US07640948B2
A machining method for an integrated piping plate, for example, composed of a plurality of plates joined together, and in which an instrument and a component constituting an apparatus, or the instrument, or the component are or is disposed on one surface or both surfaces of the integrated piping plate, and the instrument and the component, or the instrument, or the component are or is connected by fluid channel grooves formed in joining surfaces of the plates, and communication holes formed in the plates. The machining method welds the joining surfaces of the plates around the entire periphery of the fluid channel grooves, for example, by an FSW welding machine, to join the plates. Compared with joining of the plates by an adhesive, the machining method can increase the durability of the plate joining portion and increase pressure resistance. Also, the method can increase work efficiency and further downsize the integrated piping plate.
US07640945B2
A oneway valve for an automatically inflatable air cushion includes a valve body having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, a valve seat mounted in the valve body and formed with a plurality of conducting holes connected to the air inlet port and the air outlet port, and a valve stem movably mounted in the air inlet port and movable to seal the conducting holes. Thus, the oneway valve prevents the air from leaking from the air cushion during the inflation process and prevents the air from entering the air cushion during the deflation process, so that the air cushion is inflated and deflated completely and exactly.
US07640926B2
A pneumatic assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a bolt slidable between an open and a closed position. The bolt preferably provides a firing mechanism for the paintball gun by permitting compressed gas to flow through the bolt to fire the paintball gun when the bolt is closed but preventing the transfer of compressed gas through the bolt when the bolt is open. This can be accomplished, for instance, by arranging a sealing member in communication with a surface of the bolt. A port is also preferably arranged through a lateral sidewall of the bolt at a predetermined location. The bolt preferably slides in relation to the sealing member such that when the bolt is open, the sealing member prevents compressed gas from flowing into the forward end of the bolt, but when the bolt is closed, compressed gas is permitted to flow into the forward end of the bolt to launch a paintball. The bolt is preferably controlled by using a control valve such as a three-way solenoid valve to operate a pneumatic piston. The piston can include a larger surface area on one end of the piston to selectively receive a supply of compressed gas from the solenoid valve and a smaller surface area receiving a constant supply of compressed gas. A single supply port in the pneumatic cylinder can be used to supply compressed gas to both the pneumatic piston and the compressed gas storage chamber. A supply of compressed gas to the compressed gas storage area can be cut off during firing to improve gas efficiency.
US07640924B2
A feeding mechanism for ball bullets from a bin to a holder. The mechanism contains a bin 1 and additional reservoir 2 which in a lower part communicate. A vibrator 3 is placed in the lower part of the bin 1 and the additional reservoir 2. The vibrator 3 is formed of two plates 4 and 5 of L-shape that oscillate on the axis 6 due to spring 7 and cam 8, which is rotated by the electric drive 9. A feeding screw mechanism is disposed in the lower part of the bin 1 and the additional reservoir 2, the mechanism comprising a screw 10 with a helical spring. The base 12 is connected to cam 8 through a friction coupling 13. The cam 8 gains rotation from the electric drive 9 through the gearing 14. The bin 1 with additional reservoir 2 communicates with the holder 16 through the channel 15.
US07640923B1
A hidden sensor structure for a paintball gun is to secure a loader unit on a hopper of a barrel. A loader is used to hold against the loader unit. The loader unit has arcuate slots to receive resilient stoppers therein, with studs protruding from the resilient stoppers to extend into the hopper. A sensor has an emission end, a receiving end, and a socket. The sensor is coupled to the loader unit from the bottom of the barrel, with the emission end and the receiving end inserting into two troughs formed on two sides of the load unit and the socket engaging with a fixture of the loader unit.
US07640919B1
A fuel system is disclosed. The fuel system has a first pump supplying fuel at a first pressure. The fuel system also has a fuel filter fluidly connected downstream of the first pump. The fuel system further has a second pump receiving fuel at a second pressure and fluidly connected downstream of the fuel filter. The fuel system additionally has a first passage fluidly connecting an outlet of the first pump to an inlet of the first pump. The fuel system also has a valve located within the first passage and configured to selectively allow fuel flow through the first passage. The fuel system further has a second passage fluidly connecting an inlet of the second pump to the valve, wherein the second pressure acts on the valve to affect fuel at the first pressure to flow to the inlet of the first pump via the first passage when the second pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure.
US07640908B2
An intake manifold (1) is disclosed suitable for use with an internal combustion engine. The manifold (1) comprises a set of runners (1,2,3,4), a conical-shaped chamber (7) and a conical-shaped distribution body (8) affixed concentrically within the chamber (7). The chamber (7) has one end (9) affixed to an air intake/throttle body. The other end (10) of the chamber (7) is connected to each of the runners (1,2,3,4) such that the end (10) is evenly divided into four quadrants each quadrant being of the same cross-sectional area. The order of connection of the runners (1,2,3,4) to the end (10) is in the firing order of the cylinders 1 3 4 2. The volume of each runner (1,2,3,4) is identical. The respective ends of the runners (1,2,3,4) immediately adjacent the end (10) of the chamber are curved towards the inlet valve of the respective cylinders they serve. The internal conical distribution body (8) is affixed within the chamber (7) such that its broader end (11) evenly overlaps the runners (1,2,3,4) at their junction with the end (10) and is positioned at, or closely to, that end (10). The body (8) may be movable axially within the chamber (7).
US07640900B2
The present invention relates to a variable valve operating device and makes it possible to inhibit friction during driving force transmission and provide high durability through the use of a compact configuration.A first roller 170, which comes into contact with a drive cam surface 124 of a camshaft 120, has a larger diameter than a second roller 172, which comes into contact with a slide surface 156 of a swing member 150. A coupling shaft 174 couples the first roller 170 to the second roller 172 so that the rollers 170, 172 can rotate independently. The slide surface 156 is curved toward the drive cam surface 124.
US07640876B2
A fill tube and sensor assembly has a single electronic sensor to detect the level of product in a hopper of an agricultural implement relative to a fill line. The electronic sensor can be positioned at various heights relative to the fill tube to provide variability in the height of the fill line. The sensor provides a full level signal until product is drawn from the fill tube. Once the product is dispensed from the fill tube and into the general interior volume of the hopper, the single sensor provides an empty level signal that can be used to alert an operator of a diminished product supply or control operation of the farm implement.
US07640874B2
A combination fertilizer and seeding Implement includes a front section of disk type fertilizer openers and a rear section of frame mounted seed openers. The fertilizer openers are connected by drawbars to a rockshaft which is vertically adjustable to accommodate different ranges of operating depths of the frame mounted tools. Shank depth is set by frame height, and the vertical adjustability of the rockshaft facilitates a wide range of frame operating heights for different tool depths while maintaining optimum disk opener drawbar angles.
US07640871B2
The system used to form slabs on large surfaces includes a grid structure comprised of vertical braces, support bolsters, primary beams and cross beams, all of which rest on the bolsters, with the cross beams closing the grid and providing a stiffness to the structure that allows assembly of the entire grid structure and the later positioning of the formwork panels. The bolsters provide support so that the beams can descend to a stripping position allowing to recover, before the concrete sets, both the beams and the panels. The longitudinal beams are provided with supports for the panels, constructed such that they allow the panels to hang vertically during the stripping operation. The cross beams end at a profile made of rubber or the like providing a means for sealing the grid, as well as for absorbing any possible clearances originated during the assembly of the panels.
US07640862B2
A roller coaster includes a cab that is rotatable between position for loading and unloading of passenger(s) and a position for riding the roller coaster. The cab includes a sliding pad mechanism, which is slidable on station entry and/or exit cams to move the cab between the two positions. In the position for loading and unloading the passenger(s), the cab is arranged so that the passenger(s) are non-parallel to a track of the roller coaster, and in the position for riding, the cab is arranged so that the passenger(s) are substantially parallel to the track.
US07640857B2
A tool for use in a wellbore has an activation assembly, which has a support structure and a reactive layer on the support structure. The reactive layer is formed of a pyrotechnic material. The activation assembly also includes an electrically conductive protective layer covering the reactive layer to protect the reactive layer from electrical discharge. The tool further includes a component to be activated by the activation assembly.
US07640855B2
Disclosed is a clamping device (02) for fastening a plate (03) to the periphery of a cylinder (01). Said clamping device (02) comprises a first clamping element (04), a pivotally mounted second clamping element (06), a spring part (07), and a bracing element that is embodied as a pivotable spindle (08) and is movable between a clamping position in which the bracing element maintains the plate in a clamped state between the clamping elements and a released position in which the clamping elements release the plate. The spindle (08) is mounted in a groove so as to be displaceable, is fixed in an intermediate space between the spring part (07) and the second clamping element (06), and is pressed against the second clamping element by means of the spring part in the clamping position.
US07640839B2
A cartridge for propelling a pair of wire-tethered contact darts for disabling a remote target with an electrical discharge. The cartridge comprises two bores each having one wire-tethered dart in front of an electrically activated pyrotechnic. A cartridge contains two separated straight bores, which each launch a single dart assemblage with a single primer of standard manufacture. A single 200 large rifle primer can launch a single dart assemblage reasonably accurately to 30 feet from the cartridge. Each assemblage is deflected to a predicted angle of flight when it collides with a center hinged cover as it exits the cartridge. This arrangement allows for longer flight distances and tighter, but still effective, dart spreads throughout the travel.
US07640833B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a molding body having at least one groove thereon. The method is performed by rotating a workpiece, allowing a tip to contact with an outer peripheral or an inner peripheral face, so as to form the groove in accordance with a shape of an outer edge of the tip, and shifting a position of the tip along a direction orthogonal relative to a rake face of the tip without changing a direction of the rake face thereof, so as to form another groove having a different angle from that of the shape of the outer edge of the tip.
US07640832B2
The present invention relates to automotive vehicle brake lathes configured for resurfacing brake rotor components, and in particular, to an improved on-car brake lathe apparatus and a method for compensating for runout between an on-car brake lathe and a vehicle wheel hub to which the on-car brake lathe is secured for a brake rotor resurfacing operation.
US07640831B1
A pop tab remover apparatus and method of use having a fork and can support combination as a head which allow for easy removal of a tab from a soda, beer, or other type of can. The apparatus and method of use allows a user to easily place the fork between a tab and a can, seat or mate the can support near or at the top of the can, squeeze the handles and remove the tab with a “pop” like report. Unlike the prior art, the present art removes a can tab in a fraction of a second which aids in the efficient recycling of tabs.
US07640827B2
Driving torque outputted from a motor portion is transmitted to a worm from a motor shaft, further to a helical gear from the worm, and is taken out to the outside from an output shaft which rotates together with the helical gear with a fixed shaft fixed to a gear box as a center. This fixed shaft is constructed in a hollow and cylindrical shape having an opening in which one end portion thereof has been opened, and a ceiling surface in which the other end portion thereof has been closed, and one end portion of this fixed shaft is subjected to dislocation preventive work, and is fixed to a gear box made of resin by pressing-in or insert molding. The other end portion of the fixed shaft is formed with the dislocation preventive structure of the output shaft and the helical gear installed to the fixed shaft.
US07640821B2
A circulating member for a ball screw is disposed on a nut, the nut is formed with Gothic type threads, and the circulating member of the ball screw is formed with return path for enabling the balls to circulate. The connecting ports at both ends of the return path for connecting the threads of the nut are shaped in Gothic style, thus eliminating the level difference and consequently preventing the balls from being struck and jammed.
US07640820B1
A ball screw assembly has an axially extending screw with an external helical groove and a nut with a through bore for receipt of the screw. The through bore has an internal helical groove adapted for cooperation with the external helical groove to define a ball raceway. A plurality of load bearing balls is disposed in the raceway for rolling contact with the internal and external grooves. A spacer is disposed between adjacent ones of the load bearing balls to prevent the balls from contacting one another. Each of the spacers has at least three pairs of diametrically opposite concave dimples adapted for contact with the load bearing balls at separate times from one another.
US07640815B2
A magnetostriction type torque sensor is provided which includes magnetic property change material which is provided on a shaft and whose magnetic property changes in accordance with torque applied to the shaft, an excitation signal generator which generates an excitation signal whose voltage is converted into a predetermined voltage through a switching element, a plurality of detection coils to which the excitation signal generator applies the excitation signal, and which plurality of detection coils outputs voltage, which changes in accordance with change in the magnetic property of the magnetic property change material, between connection points between the detection coils, and an operational state monitor which monitors an operational state of the switching element.
US07640813B2
A process for operating a Coriolis mass flow rate measurement device, with at least one measurement tube (10) through which a medium flows and which is subjected to vibration excitation that leads to resulting vibrations of the measurement tube (10), a first indicator quantity being used for detection of a multiphase flow. For detection of the multiphase flow, an additional, second indicator quantity that is independent of the first indicator quantity is used. Thus, a process for operating a Coriolis mass flow rate measurement device (1) is attained with which the detection of multiphase flows, especially of two-phase flows, is reliably possible without the need to make assumptions regarding the properties of the individual phases of the flowing medium.
US07640807B2
A semiconductor sensor of the present invention is capable of preventing a diaphragm portion of the sensor from being damaged if a weight collides against a semiconductor integrated circuit substrate of the sensor and is further capable of preventing the diaphragm portion from being bent significantly even when a semiconductor sensor element of the sensor is disposed inside a distorted or deformed casing. A rear surface of the semiconductor integrated circuit substrate 7 is joined onto a wall surface of the casing 9 that defines a receiving chamber of the casing. A support portion of the semiconductor sensor element is joined onto a front surface 7a of the semiconductor integrated circuit substrate 7. A shock absorbing layer is formed on the front surface 7a of the semiconductor integrated circuit substrate 7 at least on a part thereof facing the weight 3 of the semiconductor sensor element 7, for suppressing the bouncing of the weight 3 when the weight 3 collides against the semiconductor integrated circuit substrate 7.
US07640801B2
An electronics insert arrangement for a measuring device includes an electronics insert and an electronics module. The electronics insert includes a first attachment device and a first interface. The electronics module includes a second attachment device and a second interface. For coupling the electronics module to the electronics insert, the first attachment device and the second attachment device can be brought to engage each other such that a space between the first interface and the second interface remains essentially constant when the electronics insert moves. The electronics insert is equipped to carry out processes of a first functionality, and the electronics module is equipped to carry out processes of a second functionality.
US07640794B2
As one example, a method of operating an engine system including a first air intake passage branch including a first compression device and a second air intake passage branch including a second compression device, wherein each of the first branch and the second branch are fluidly coupled to at least a combustion chamber the engine via a common intake passage, a first sensor arranged along the first branch and at least a second sensor arranged along the common intake passage, wherein the first sensor is a mass airflow sensor and wherein the second branch does not include a mass airflow sensor. The method comprises increasing the mass airflow through the first branch relative to the mass airflow through the second branch when an amount of decrease in the mass airflow through the first branch is more than half an amount of a corresponding decrease in the combined mass airflow.
US07640792B2
A storm water run-off percolation rate test system includes a turbid water generator having a silt or sediment source providing silt into a mixing tank. A pipeline carries turbid water from the mixing tank to a test pit or test site. A flow meter measures the amount of turbid water moved into the test pit. Detectors detect a water level in the test pit. A controller automatically controls the turbid water generator and flow of turbid water into the test pit, and records data on the amount of turbid water provided into the test pit over time, to determine a percolation rate. In a method for determining a percolation rate, turbid water is created and used in the percolation rate testing, to more accurately simulate run-off.
US07640784B2
A dissolved oxygen measurement system, and a method for calibrating a dissolved oxygen analyzer are provided. The method includes directing a pressurized cleaning fluid, having a known oxygen content, upon a sensing surface of a dissolved oxygen sensor disposed in a fluid. Then, the analyzer waits until the dissolved oxygen sensor response to the pressurized cleaning fluid is relatively stable, and stores a calibration value relative to the dissolved oxygen sensor response to the pressurized cleaning fluid. A dissolved oxygen measurement system is also provided. The system includes a dissolved oxygen sensor disposed in a fluid and a first source of a first compressed cleaning fluid that has a first dissolved oxygen content. A dissolved oxygen analyzer is coupled to the dissolved oxygen sensor and to the first valve and is configured to obtain a first calibration value related to the first dissolved oxygen content.
US07640782B2
A method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor used to sense the concentration of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP). A concentration of liquid hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution is determined and correlated with a corresponding concentration of vaporized hydrogen peroxide indicative of an “actual” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration. An error value is determined by comparing the “actual” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration to a “measured” vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration, indicated by the sensor being calibrated. The error value is used to properly calibrate the sensor.
US07640779B2
A hemming apparatus (1) includes a holder unit (2), a lower die (3) on which the holder unit (2) is installed, and an upper die (4) which is installed on the lower die (3) vertically movably. The holder unit (2) includes a base (5) secured to the lower die (3) by means of bolts or the like; a working tool holder (7) which is rotatably supported on the base (5) so that a hemming punch (6) can be disposed at a nonworking position and a working position; and a resilient means (8) for resiliently urging the working tool holder (7) so as to dispose the hemming punch (6) at the nonworking position.
US07640769B1
A portable storage apparatus for biologicals has plural temperature-controlled compartments, each compartment having specially arranged shelves and sample trays or carousel bins. The device also has door-ajar annunciators and a built-in self-contained rechargeable power supply. Portability is enhanced by an optional free-standing roller base.
US07640765B2
A portable cooling device has a vacuum bottle, a pump, an outflow pipe, a thermal exchanger and a return pipe. The vacuum bottle holds a coolant and has an outer casing and a vacuum flask. The outer casing has a chamber. The vacuum flask is mounted in the chamber. The pump is mounted on the vacuum bottle to pump the coolant out of the vacuum bottle. The outflow pipe connects to the pump. The thermal exchanger connects to the outflow pipe, is filled by the coolant and is placed adjacent to a person to lower his body temperature. The return pipe connects between the thermal exchanger and the vacuum bottle to form a flow circle. Consequently, the portable cooling device efficiently cools the body temperature. Moreover, having the vacuum bottle to hold and insulate the coolant elongates effective cooling time of the cooling device.
US07640764B2
A portable cooling system providing a controlled rate of cooling. The system includes a cool water device, a remote switching unit, and a thermal pad. The cool water device includes a coolant storage chamber separated from a pumping chamber by a baffle. The pumping chamber includes a pump and a discharge line with a flow restrictor for the fluid being returned from the thermal pad. In one embodiment, the remote switching unit actuates the portable cooling system and includes a timer feature for shutting down the system after a predetermined time. In another embodiment, the switching unit actuates a controller that sends a pulse stream to the pump to control the cooling water flow rate. The thermal pad includes fluid conduits that distribute the cooling water over the surface of the pad. In various embodiments, the thermal pad is a flat pad, a bonnet-shaped pad, and a cap-shaped pad.
US07640760B2
In a method for controlling temperature using a sensor network, the sensors of the sensor network are commissioned and one of a plurality of control schemes for operating a primary actuator configured to vary temperatures of the sensors based upon energy utilization requirements of the plurality of control schemes is selected. In addition, the selected one of the plurality of control schemes is implemented to vary the temperatures detected by the sensors.
US07640756B2
An integrated industrial plant includes various systems, all of which use a cryogenic liquid obtained from a common source. One system includes a fermentation unit, in which cold air, chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid, absorbs excess heat generated by the fermentation. Another system is a lyophilization unit, in which a refrigeration step is performed through the use of air that has been chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid. Another system is a device for freezing discrete samples of biological products, the samples being frozen by partial immersion in the cryogenic liquid. The invention substantially reduces the use of electric power, and provides systems which operate economically and reliably.
US07640742B2
A device for monitoring the level of a supply reservoir, in particular of a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, comprising a float that has a magnet for actuating a switch or a sensor. The float has a multipart design comprising a first part and a second float part and the magnet is encased and arranged between the two float parts.
US07640741B2
In an auto image stabilization system, a driving member formed as a wire of shape memory alloy (SMA) is retained by a projection of an image capturing unit. A distance Lb from the rotation center of an elastic deforming part to center of gravity (point of application) of the image capturing unit is longer than a distance La from the rotation center of the elastic deforming part to the projection (power point). In the configuration, equivalent mass (apparent mass) of the image capturing unit becomes (Lb/La) times, and it causes deterioration in response. Consequently, the driving member having an ellipse-shaped section in which a value obtained by dividing the width in the longer direction of the section by the width in the shorter direction is 1.3 or larger is employed. As a result, heat dissipation of the driving member increases, so that response in the SMA actuator can be properly improved.
US07640740B2
A high efficient stirling engine with excellent thermal efficiency, which can increase the heating temperature of a high temperature section, is obtained by preventing the heat from being lost in a member connecting the high temperature section and a low temperature section.The high temperature section 5 and the member (a regenerator housing 16) connecting the high temperature section and the low temperature section are formed to have a split configuration by using different materials for the each, in which the high temperature section 5 is formed of a heat resistant/high heat conductive material having high heat resistance property and high heat conductivity, the regenerator housing 16 connecting the high temperature section 5 and the low temperature section 7 is formed of a heat resistant/low heat conductive material having low heat conductivity, and the both are bonded integrally to each other to obtain an integral sealed structure.
US07640738B1
A module for use in connection with a dual pump apparatus, where each pump is hydraulically connected to a separate hydraulic motor. The module may include motors and/or an engine for ease of installation in a vehicle, providing flexibility for different applications. Various brackets, stabilizers and other elements are provided to assist in securing the module to the vehicle.
US07640734B2
A turbine hub has a through-hole extending through it in the axial direction. This through-hole is provided such that a portion of a thrust bearing covers part of the through-hole when the thrust bearing has been properly assembled onto the turbine hub, which enables assembly of the thrust bearing to be checked by the relative position relationship between the through-hole and the thrust bearing. If a portion of the thrust bearing does not cover part of the through-hole, it can be determined that either the thrust bearing is not assembled or that it has not been assembled properly.
US07640728B2
In an exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine (1) equipped with independent exhaust passages (2a, 2b) provided one for each cylinder group (1a, 1b) with a catalyst (3a, 3b) having a NOx trapping ability being arranged in each exhaust passage, the present invention is intended to provide a technique that can independently control the flow rates of exhaust gases flowing into the respective catalysts. To this end, the exhaust gas purification apparatus according to the present invention provides a communication passage (4) connecting mutually portions of said exhaust passages (2a, 2b) at upstream of said catalysts (3a, 3b), an upstream side switching valve (5) openning and closing said upstream side communication passage (4), a plurality of flow rate regulation valves (6a, 6b) being arranged at downstream of connecting portions of said exhaust passages with said upstream side communication passage, respectively, and a control section (9) controlling said upstream side switching valve (5) and said respective flow rate regulation valves (6a, 6b) in accordance with the states of said respective catalysts (3a, 3b). When the NOx trapping ability of one of the plurality of catalysts (3a, 3b) is regenerated, the control section (9) opens the upstream side switching valve (5), fully closes one flow rate regulation valve (6a, 6b) in one of the exhaust passages (2a, 2b) in which the one catalyst (3a, 3b) is arranged, and operates a reducing agent addition valve (7a, 7b) in such a manner that the reducing agent arrives at the one catalyst (3a, 3b) when the actual degree of opening of the one flow rate regulation valve (6a, 6b) becomes fully closed.
US07640726B2
There is provided an injector assembly having two or more oxidizer manifolds and/or two or more fuel manifolds for delivery of liquid propellants to a combustion chamber such that combustion instability is reduced or eliminated during throttling. Delivery of the oxidizer to the oxidizer manifolds is controlled by an oxidizer valve, which may comprise an integral valve. The oxidizer passes from the oxidizer manifolds into the oxidizer element and then into the combustion chamber. The multiple oxidizer manifolds allow the oxidizer to be provided through selective openings of the oxidizer element thus reducing the change in pressure drop across the oxidizer element to thereby reduce or eliminate combustion instability and other problems. Additionally, the injector assembly may also include a lift-off seal or a filler fluid source to fill any temporarily unused oxidizer manifolds with an oxidizer or filler fluid.
US07640724B2
A steam cycle power plant (10) is provided that may include a steam source generating steam (40), a steam turbine (24) receiving the generated steam and discharging an exhaust steam, a condenser (44) receiving the exhaust steam and an atomizer (60) for injecting water into the exhaust steam downstream of the steam turbine (24) and upstream of a cooling surface of the condenser (44) effective to reduce a backpressure on the steam turbine (24) and improve a heat rate of the steam turbine (24). The atomizer (60) may include a plurality of symmetrical spaced fluid connections (70) and a plurality of atomizing nozzles (62) affixed proximate at least one exhaust end of the steam turbine (24). The power plant (10) may be a combined cycle power plant including a heat recovery steam generator (40) and a gas turbine engine (12).
US07640708B2
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US07640707B2
A fastening clip configured to secure a first panel to a second panel may include a base supporting a plurality of resilient beams, and a plurality of tangs outwardly extending from an outer surface of each of the resilient beams. The plurality of tangs are configured to securely engage the first and/or second panels. The fastening clip may also include stabilizing flaps on either side.
US07640705B2
A thin decorative thermosetting laminate of postforming quality is glued to a longitudinal carrier to form a floor strip. The laminate has a thermosetting resin as well as hard particles impregnated therein to increase the abrasion resistance of the laminate. The carrier generally has a cross section of a dilatation, transition or a finishing profile, depending on the intended use of the floor strip. The floor strip has a tab portion on a surface that engages a channel on a floor tile or a reducer. The tab portion locks the floor strip into place and prevents movement of the floor tile or the reducer with respect to the floor strip.
US07640703B2
A demountable and reusable canopy is provided comprising a number of vertical supports, located along an area to be covered, each including a footer which mounts an insert tube below the finish grade of the ground and a post having a hollow interior shaped to receive an exposed portion of the insert tube. A beam is secured to the vertical supports by self-tapping screws which extend into screw cases formed in the posts, and adjacent beams mount decking sections to form the completed canopy.
US07640702B2
According to the invention, a system for supporting a floor structure from a central structure is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of receptacles and a plurality of support members. Each of the receptacles may be located within a corner of an exterior perimeter of the central structure. Each of the receptacles may also at least partially define a cavity which may open to two different sides of the central structure. Each of the support members may be configured to pass through the cavity of at least one of the receptacles. Furthermore, each of the support members may be configured to be supported by at least one of the receptacles, and extend outward from two different sides of the central structure. The support members may further be configured to support the floor structure on two different sides of the central structure.
US07640698B2
An emergency vehicle shelter designed for women, senior citizens, and/or individuals with limited disabilities in mind; including an inflatable unit configured for nested engagement with a vehicle for covering the vehicle's upper and outer surfaces. The unit may be inflated by a remotely activated inflation unit. Provision is made in the unit member to allow a vehicle operator to reenter the vehicle for shelter from inclement weather.
US07640690B2
A stock interface can be slipped onto and attached to a standard CAR buffer tube. The stock interface provides structures for attaching a butt stock and stock interface attachments such as an ergonomic attachment, a container attachment, and a power attachment. Small arms ergonomics can be improved by providing a better cheek weld via an ergonomic attachment. Container attachments provide storage. Power attachments provide electrical power for items such as electronic sighting systems, lasers, lights, or any of the other electronic devices attached to a small arm.
US07640686B2
The creaser accessory device includes first and second plates pivotally connected to a lever arm that can be operated by a user to pivot the plates away from each other to receive a portion of a garment, and toward each other to press the portion of the garment such as to form a crease in the garment. The typically have apertures therethrough to allow steam from a hand held steam generating device removably coupled to the creaser accessory device to pass through the apertures to heat the portion of the garment when received in the creaser accessory device.
US07640683B2
A method and apparatus for using satellite positioning systems to more precisely locate the position of a portion of an attachment on an earthmoving machine is disclosed. More specifically, satellite positioning system antennas are mounted to an arm or other point relative to the arm of an illustrative excavator. A reference point relative to these antennas is used to determine the precise location of a portion of an attachment to the excavator, such as the prongs of a bucket. In one embodiment, an angle sensor or inclinometer is used to ascertain the position of the prongs when the bucket is scooped. In another embodiment, an angle sensor or inclinometer is used to measure the tilt of the body of the excavator, such as would occur when the excavator is resting on a sloped surface.
US07640648B1
Methods of fabricating a magnetic flux channel for a transverse wound electric motor by forming a ring of plural adjacent molded magnetic flux channel pole pieces and a second ring of opposite pole pieces. The two rings are mated such that each pole piece mates with an opposite pole piece to form magnetic flux channels and a c-shaped recess forms a winding channel for a transverse phase winding. After mating, the rings are bonded together to form a stator assembly of the transversely wound electric motor. The two rings may be approximately identical, or the two rings may be different as long as they mate to form the plural molded magnetic flux channels and the transverse phase winding channel. The molds may be designed to form the outer surface of a stator assembly. Molds of adjacent phases may be combined back-to-back to reduce part count and increase mechanical strength.
US07640639B2
A quick connect coupling assembly has a first and second component, and a locking assembly structured to retain the components in an attached orientation with one another. The locking assembly includes a plurality of locking elements each having a locking arm with a locking member mounted to a distal end, wherein the locking members are maintained in an outwardly extending orientation by a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may comprise magnetic biasing elements attached to each oppositely disposed locking element, the magnetic biasing elements structured to create a repulsive magnetic force between one another. The quick connect coupling assembly also includes a release mechanism to permit the locking members to be temporarily disposed into a retracted orientation, thereby permitting the first and second components to be detached from one another.
US07640636B2
An ornamental device includes a first member adapted to be coupled to a personal item. The first member has a first end having a sidewall. A second member is releasably engagable with the first member, and is provided with a recess that receives the first end of the first member when the first and second members are engaged. The second member has a flange that contacts the sidewall of the first member substantially along a width of the sidewall when the first and second members are engaged. The first and second members are magnetically coupled, such that the magnetic interaction, and the interaction of the flange with the sidewall, secures a decorative second member to a personal item in a selected location.
US07640629B2
A mobile terminal including a first body, a second body having a display unit and arranged to overlap the first body in a closed state, and a hinge module connecting the second body to the first body such that the second body is rotatable around a first axis generally perpendicular to the first body. The hinge module being configured to allow a portion of the second body to be elevated so as to be slantingly arranged with respect to the first body in an open state.
US07640620B2
A retractable hose extension for a vacuum having an expandable hose within a containment structure, a first coupling at the first end of the hose and in the first end of the containment structure for connecting the hose to a vacuum, a valve at the second end of the hose, and either a door or other releasable retention device for the hose. Preferably, the valve is an iris valve. Two fixed embodiment and one portable embodiment exist. The first fixed embodiment is inserted within a wall. The second fixed embodiment is rotatably attached to a tube contained within or running below a ceiling and extending from a vacuum system.
US07640616B2
A mop head wringing mechanism comprises a first sleeve having a helical-shaped spline extending at least partially around an external face thereof and a second sleeve is slideably engaged over the first sleeve. The second sleeve has a spline engaging portion in constrained engagement with the helical-shaped spline of the first sleeve whereby translation of the second sleeve with respect to the first sleeve causes rotation of the second sleeve with respect to the first sleeve. A slip member is substantially constrained from lateral movement with respect to the second sleeve and is engaged with the second sleeve for enabling rotation of the second sleeve relative to the slip member. A control member is coupled to the slip member such that movement of the control member causes the second sleeve to translate from an at-rest position to a displaced position thereby rotating the second sleeve with respect to the first sleeve.
US07640615B2
An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush includes a handle having an electric motor, a head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The head has first end disposed adjacent to the neck and a second end opposite the first end. The head has a first bristle holder with a plurality of bristles disposed therein and a second bristle holder having a plurality of bristles disposed therein. The first bristle holder is located at the second end of said head. A rotating shaft is operatively connected to the electric motor and to the first moving bristle holder to reciprocate the first moving bristle holder in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the head.
US07640598B1
An infant caregiver's padded pillow garment has a single shoulder strap on one side. An outer breathable water resistant cover shields an inner memory foam pad. Teething items and toys on tethers are removably clipped to an edge of the garment. The garment covers the upper front torso and shoulders for holding the infant to cushion the infant's head banging the caregiver's bones. The garment folds in half vertically along a stitched vertical fold line and flips over to the back of the caregiver with the strap over the front for normal activity without holding the infant. The padding conforms to the shape of the caregiver's body from thick over the boney body portions tapering to thin over the upper breast.
