US07807719B2
There is described compounds of Formulae I, II, III, IV and V. The compounds of Formulae I, II, III, IV and/or V are useful: in therapeutic methods and compositions for modulating cell proliferation, in diagnostic assays and as research tools.
US07807716B2
There is provided novel amino acid ester compounds comprising at least one nitric oxide releasing group and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and novel compositions comprising at least one amino acid ester compound comprising at least one nitric oxide releasing group, and, optionally, at least one nitric oxide donor and/or at least one therapeutic agent. Also provided are compositions for increasing nitric oxide physiological levels in a subject, methods for increasing nitric oxide physiological levels in a subject, methods for improving a subject's muscle strength, athletic performances and/or lean body mass gain and or performance in a subject.
US07807715B2
The present application relates to a pharmaceutical granulate comprising Fesoterodine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizer, which can be selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, xylitol, polydextrose, isomalt, dextrose, and combinations thereof, and is preferably a sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting of xylitol and sorbitol. The granulate is suitable for incorporation into pharmaceutical compositions comprising a gel matrix formed by at least one type of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose into which the Fesoterodine is embedded and, optionally, further excipients. In certain embodiments, the granulate is formed by a process of wet granulation.
US07807714B2
A composition suitable for control of diseases caused by phytopathogens comprising (A) a compound of formula (I) or a tautomer of such a compound; and component (B) and component (C) are pesticides as described in claim 1.
US07807712B2
The present invention provides appropriately substituted chalcones, such as, for example, represented by the structural formula as shown herein below Wherein R1, R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of H, OH, O-alkyl, O-phenyl and O-substituted phenyl; B represents Ar—Z—O or RO; where Z is an alkane having up to 5 carbon atoms; R is substituted propanol amino, wherein substituted amino groups are selected from the group consisting of t-butyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, i-propyl, 4-phenyl piperazine-1-yl, 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazin-1-yl and 3,4-dimethoxy phenethyl; and Ar is thiazolidine-dione methylene phenoxy. The compounds prepared have been demonstrated to exhibit significant antidiabetic effect in various animal models indicating potential for further exploitation.
US07807709B2
The invention relates to the use of (3,4-di-, 3,3,4-tri, 3,4,4-tri- or 3,3,4,4-tetra-)substituted pyrrolidine compounds for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of a disease that depends on activity of renin; the use of a compound of that class in the treatment of a disease that depends on activity of renin; compounds that are part of a subclass of these substituted pyrrolidine compounds for use in the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of a warm-blooded animal, especially for the treatment of a disease (=disorder) that depends on activity of renin; new compounds that are part of a subclass of these substituted pyrrolidine compounds; pharmaceutical formulations comprising said substituted pyrrolidine compounds, and/or a method of treatment comprising administering said substituted pyrrolidine compounds, a method for the manufacture especially of said new substituted pyrrolidine compounds, as well as novel intermediates, starting materials and/or partial steps for their synthesis.
US07807703B2
The invention relates to novel aryl ketones of the formula (I) in which Z represents the groups and A1, A2, A3, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, X, Y, and m are as defined in the disclosure, to their use as pesticides, in particular herbicides, and to processes and intermediates for their preparation.
US07807701B2
A dibenzylamine compound represented by the formula (1) wherein R1 and R2 are each a C1-6 allyl group optionally substituted by halogen atoms and the like; R3, R4 and R5 are each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and the like, or R3 and R4 may form, together with carbon atoms bonded thereto, a homocyclic or heterocyclic ring optionally having substituent(s); A is —N(R7)(R8) and the like; ring B is an aryl group or a heterocyclic residue; R6 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a C1-6 allyl group and the like; n is an integer of 1 to 3, a prodrug thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof show selective and potent CETP inhibitory activity, and therefore, they can be provided as therapeutic or prophylactic agents for hyperlipidemia or arteriosclerosis and the like.
US07807699B2
The invention provides small molecule mimics of the Smac peptide that are dimer- or dimer-like compounds having two amide-containing domains connected by a linker. These compounds are useful to promote apoptosis. The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods to use them to treat conditions including cancer and autoimmune disorders.
US07807681B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds for inhibiting the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), which have high bioavailability and oral administerability, and also to the use thereof as therapeutic active compounds for the treatment of urokinase- or/and urokinase receptor-associated disorders such as, for example, tumors and metastasizing. The invention relates in particular to compounds containing hydroxyamidine or hydroxyguanidine groups.
US07807674B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes and other related disorders and diseases, and may be useful for other diseases such as NASH, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer and other disorders and diseases related thereto.
US07807653B2
The present invention relates to nucleoside diphosphate mimics and nucleoside triphosphate mimics, which contain diphosphate or triphosphate moiety mimics and optionally sugar-modifications and/or base-modifications. The nucleotide mimics of the present invention, in a form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, or a pharmaceutical formulation, are useful as antiviral, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents. The present invention provides a method for the treatment of viral infections, microbial infections, and proliferative disorders. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the present invention optionally in combination with other pharmaceutically active agents.
US07807651B1
Disclosed are methods for treating pain in a subject. The method includes upregulating expression of opioid receptors in the subject's dorsal root ganglion neurons. Also disclosed are methods of treating neuropathic and/or chronic pain in a subject. The method includes upregulating expression of μ-opioid receptors in the subject's large dorsal root ganglion neurons.
US07807622B2
This invention relates generally to a method of preparation of a phyto-percolate that is derived from fresh water mixture including algae. The phyto-percolate is believed to contain an enzyme having proteolytic activity. The invention further relates to the use of the phyto-percolate in a variety of disease states.
US07807609B2
The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down said well, polymeric particles having covalently bound to a polymeric component thereof a well treatment chemical or a precursor thereof, wherein the particles contain covalent bonds scissile in an aqueous environment to release or expose said chemical or precursor.
US07807601B2
A catalyst for the oxidation of an alkane, alkene or mixtures thereof. The catalyst includes a mixed-metal oxide having the formula MoaVbNbcTedSbeOf wherein, when a=1, b=0.01 to 1.0, c=0.01 to 1.0, d=0.01 to 1.0, e=0.01 to 1.0, and f is dependent upon the oxidation state of the other elements, the catalyst further characterized by having at least two crystal phases, the first crystal phase being an orthorhombic M1 phase and the second crystal phase being a pseudo-hexagonal M2 phase, the orthorhombic M1 phase present in an amount between greater than 60 weight percent to less than 90 weight percent. The catalysts disclosed herein exhibit a chemisorption of NH3 of less than about 0.2 mmole per gram of metal oxide.
US07807598B2
A mesostructured material that consists of at least two elementary spherical particles, each of said particles comprising a mesostructured matrix based on aluminum oxide and having a pore size of between 1.5 and 30 nm, an aluminum oxide content that represents more than 46% by weight relative to the mass of said matrix, which has amorphous walls with a thickness of between 1 and 30 nm and whereby said elementary spherical particles have a maximum diameter of 10 μm, is described. Said mesostructured matrix can also contain silicon oxide. Each of the spherical particles of the mesostructured material can also contain zeolitic nanocrystals so as to form a material with a mixed porosity that is both mesostructured and zeolitic in nature. The preparation of said material is also described.
US07807593B2
In one embodiment the invention is an article comprising at least two layers, a first or low crystallinity layer comprising a low crystallinity polymer and a second or high crystallinity layer comprising a high crystallinity polymer. The high crystallinity polymer has a melting point as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that is about the same or within less than 25 C of the melting point of the low crystallinity polymer. The article is elongated at a temperature below the melting point of the low crystallinity polymer in at least one direction to an elongation of at least about 50% of its original length or width, to form a pre-stretched article. Preferably, the high crystallinity layer is capable of undergoing plastic deformation upon the elongation.
US07807592B2
A gypsum wallboard suitable for Level 4 finishing having a coated non-woven first glass fiber mat facing material on one major surface and an optionally coated second glass fiber mat where on the other major surface. The first glass fiber mat has a majority of fibers of a nominal fiber diameter between 8 and 11 microns and a fiber length between ¼ and ¾ inch and has a basis weight between about 1.7 lb./100 ft.2 and about 2.0 lb./100; the second glass fiber mat has a majority of fibers of a nominal fiber diameter of at least 13 microns but no greater than about 16 microns and a fiber length between ¾ and 1 inch and has a basis weight between about 1.8 lb./100 ft.2 and about 2.2 lb./100, and wherein the fibers in both of the non-woven glass fiber mats are bound together with an acrylic-type adhesive binder.
US07807591B2
A nonwoven fibrous web comprising a matrix of continuous meltspun fibers bonded to a coherent self-sustaining form, and separately prepared microfibers dispersed among the meltspun fibers. The microfibers may have median diameters less than one or two micrometers. A method for preparing such a nonwoven fibrous web comprises establishing a stream of continuous oriented meltspun fibers having a longitudinal axis, establishing a stream of meltblown microfibers that exit a meltblowing die at a point near the stream of meltspun fibers, the meltblown stream being aimed to merge with the meltspun stream and having a longitudinal axis that forms an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the meltspun stream, capturing the meltblown fibers in the stream of meltspun fibers, and collecting the merged stream as a web on a collector spaced near the intersection point of the meltspun and meltblown streams.
US07807582B2
The present invention is generally directed to a method of forming contacts for a memory device. In one illustrative embodiment, the method includes forming a layer of insulating material above an active area of a dual bit memory cell, forming a hard mask layer above the layer of insulating material, the hard mask layer having an original thickness, performing at least two partial etching processes on the hard mask layer to thereby define a patterned hard mask layer above the layer of insulating material, wherein each of the partial etching processes is designed to etch through less than the original thickness of the hard mask layer, the hard mask layer having openings formed therein that correspond to a digitline contact and a plurality of storage node contacts for the dual bit memory cell, and performing at least one etching process to form openings in the layer of insulating material for the digitline contact and the plurality of storage node contacts using the patterned hard mask layer as an etch mask.
US07807575B2
A method of forming features on a target layer. The features have a critical dimension that is triple- or quadruple-reduced compared to the critical dimension of portions of a resist layer used as a mask. An intermediate layer is deposited over a target layer and the resist layer is formed over the intermediate layer. After patterning the resist layer, first spacers are formed on sidewalls of remaining portions of the resist layer, masking portions of the intermediate layer. Second spacers are formed on sidewalls of the portions of the intermediate layer. After removing the portions of the intermediate layer, the second spacers are used as a mask to form the features on the target layer. A partially fabricated integrated circuit device is also disclosed.
US07807573B2
Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming an identification mark on a portion of a backside of an individual die of a wafer by utilizing laser assisted CVD, wherein the formation of the identification mark is localized to a focal spot of the laser.
US07807571B2
An example embodiment provides a method of forming a conductive pattern in a semiconductor device. The method includes forming one or more dielectric layers over a first conductive pattern formed on a substrate; forming an opening in the one or more dielectric layers to expose a portion of the first conductive pattern, forming a growth promoting layer over the exposed portion of the first conductive pattern and the one or more dielectric layers, forming a growth inhibiting layer over a portion of the growth promoting layer, and forming the second conductive layer in the opening.
US07807570B1
An embodiment of the invention provides a method of creating local metallization in a semiconductor structure, and the use of local metallization so created in semiconductor structures. In one respect, the method includes forming an insulating layer on top of a semiconductor substrate; creating a plurality of voids inside the insulating layer, with the plurality of voids spanning across a predefined area and being substantially confined within a range of depth below a top surface of the insulating layer; creating at least one via hole in the insulating layer, with the via hole passing through the predefined area; and filling the via hole, and the plurality of voids inside the insulating layer through at least the via hole, with a conductive material to form a local metallization. A semiconductor structure having the local metallization is also provided.
US07807569B2
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a conductive pad formed in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive pattern overlying a peripheral region of the conductive pad. The conductive pattern has an opening to expose another region of the conductive pad. The semiconductor device also includes a conductive contact extending through the opening. The conductive contact is electrically connected to the conductive pad. As a result, manufacturing cost for the semiconductor device may be reduced while manufacturing throughput may be improved.
US07807567B2
The semiconductor device of the present invention includes a first interconnection, a via-plug that is connected to the first interconnection, and a second interconnection that is formed as a single unit with the via-plug. The cross-sectional shape of the via-plug is such that the plug sidewall angle, which indicates the angle of the via-plug sidewall with respect to the surface of the first interconnection, is a positive angle; and moreover, at least two points exist between the base and the top of the via-plug on at least one sidewall of the two sidewalls of the cross-sectional shape of the via-plug at which the plug sidewall angle attains a maximum value. Since shapes that would give rise to the occurrence of concentrations of stress are not formed in the via-plug sidewalls, metal is more effectively embedded in the via-hole, and the incidence of voids is prevented.
US07807560B2
A solder bump forming method of carrying out a reflow treatment over a conductive ball mounted on a plurality of pads, thereby forming a solder bump, includes a metal film forming step of forming a metal film capable of chemically reacting to a tackifying compound on the pads, an organic sticking layer forming step of causing a solution containing the tackifying compound to chemically react to the metal film, thereby forming an organic sticking layer on the metal film, and a conductive ball mounting step of supplying the conductive ball on the pads having the organic sticking layer formed thereon, thereby mounting the conductive ball on the pads through the metal film.
US07807555B2
This disclosure describes an improved process and resulting structure that allows a single masking step to be used to define both the body and the threshold adjustment layer of the body. The method consists of forming a first mask on a surface of a substrate with an opening exposing a first region of the substrate; implanting through the opening a first impurity of a first conductivity type and having a first diffusion coefficient; and implanting through the opening a second impurity of the first conductivity type and having a second diffusion coefficient lower than the first diffusion coefficient. The first and second impurities are then co-diffused to form a body region of a field effect transistor. The remainder of the device is formed.
US07807551B2
In a method for fabricating a flexible pixel array substrate, first, a release layer is formed on a rigid substrate. Next, on the release layer, a polymer film is formed, the adhesive strength between the rigid substrate and the release layer being higher than that between the release layer and the polymer film. The polymer film is formed by spin coating a polymer monomer and performing a curing process to form a polymer layer. Afterwards, a pixel array is formed on the polymer film. The polymer film with the pixel array formed thereon is separated from the rigid substrate.
US07807549B2
A method for bonding at low or room temperature includes steps of surface cleaning and activation by cleaning or etching. One etching process The method may also include removing by-products of interface polymerization to prevent a reverse polymerization reaction to allow room temperature chemical bonding of materials such as silicon, silicon nitride and SiO2. The surfaces to be bonded are polished to a high degree of smoothness and planarity. VSE may use reactive ion etching or wet etching to slightly etch the surfaces being bonded. The surface roughness and planarity are not degraded and may be enhanced by the VSE process. The etched surfaces may be rinsed in solutions such as ammonium hydroxide or ammonium fluoride to promote the formation of desired bonding species on the surfaces.
US07807547B2
A material for bonding a lid wafer to a device wafer, which includes an adhesive substance with rigid particles embedded in the adhesive substance. The rigid particles may be particles or spheres of alumina, silica, or diamond, for example. The adhesive substance may be glass frit, epoxy, glue, cement or solder, for example. When the adhesive is applied and melted, and pressure is applied between the lid wafer and the device wafer, the lid wafer approaches the device wafer until a minimum separation is reached, which is defined by the rigid particles.
US07807545B2
A SIMOX wafer having a BOX layer with a thin film thickness is obtained without a reduction in productivity or deterioration in quality. In a method for manufacturing a SIMOX wafer comprising: a step of forming a first ion-implanted layer in a silicon wafer; a step of forming a second ion-implanted layer that is in an amorphous state; and a high-temperature heat treatment step of maintaining the wafer in an oxygen contained atmosphere at a temperature that is not lower than 1300° C. but less than a silicon melting point for 6 to 36 hours to change the first and the second ion-implanted layers into a BOX layer, a gas containing chlorine that is not less than 0.1 volume % but less than 1.0 volume % is mixed into an atmosphere during temperature elevation in the high-temperature heat treatment.
US07807540B2
An integrated circuit back end capacitor structure includes a first dielectric layer on a substrate, a thin film bottom plate on the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and the bottom plate, and a thin film top plate disposed on the second dielectric layer. The thin film top plate and bottom plate are composed of thin film resistive layers, such as sichrome, which also are utilized to form back end thin film resistors having various properties. Interconnect conductors of a metallization layer contact the top and bottom plates through corresponding vias.
US07807538B2
Method of forming a silicide layer while applying a compressive or tensile strain to impurity layers
A metal insulator semiconductor field effect transistor (MISFET) having a strained channel region is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a low-resistance junction interface. This fabrication method includes the step of forming a gate electrode above a silicon substrate with a gate insulator film being sandwiched therebetween. Then, form a pair of heavily-doped p (p+) type diffusion layers in or on the substrate surface at both sides of the gate electrode to a concentration of 5×1019 atoms/cm3 or more and yet less than or equal to 1×1021 atoms/cm3. Next, silicidize the p+-type layers by reaction with a metal in the state that each layer is applied a compressive strain.
US07807533B2
A memory system is disclosed that includes a set of non-volatile storage elements. Each of the non-volatile storage elements includes source/drain regions at opposite sides of a channel in a substrate and a floating gate stack above the channel. The memory system also includes a set of shield plates positioned between adjacent floating gate stacks and electrically connected to the source/drain regions for reducing coupling between adjacent floating gates. The shield plates are selectively grown on the active areas of the memory without being grown on the inactive areas. In one embodiment, the shield plates are epitaxially grown silicon positioned above the source/drain regions.
US07807532B2
A method for processing semiconductor devices includes providing a semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming a pad oxide layer overlying the substrate and forming a silicon nitride layer overlying the pad oxide layer. The method includes forming a trench region extending through an entirety of a portion of the silicon nitride layer and extends into a depth of the semiconductor substrate. The method also includes filling the trench region with an oxide material. The oxide material extends from a bottom portion of the trench region to an upper surface of the silicon nitride layer. The method includes planarizing the oxide material and selectively removing the silicon nitride layer to form an isolation structure. A polysilicon material is deposited overlying the isolation structure. The polysilicon material is planarized to expose a top portion of the isolation structure and form a first electrode and a second electrode structures separated by a portion of the isolation structure.
US07807518B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor memory device having a capacitor electrode of a MOS capacitor formed in polygon and slanting faces enlarged toward an insulating film are provided therearound. A floating gate electrode is provided which extends from over a channel region of a MOSEFT to over corners of ends on the MOSFET side, of the capacitor electrode and which is opposite to the channel region and the capacitor electrode with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween.
US07807505B2
Methods for wafer-level packaging of microfeature devices and microfeature devices formed using such methods are disclosed herein. A method for packaging microfeature devices in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can include releasably attaching a plurality of first known good microelectronic dies to a carrier substrate in a desired arrangement. In several embodiments, for example, the first dies can be releasably attached to an attachment feature on the carrier substrate. The method can also include attaching one or more second known good microelectronic dies to the individual first dies in a stacked configuration to form a plurality of stacked devices. The method further includes at least partially encapsulating the stacked devices and separating the stacked devices from each other.
US07807498B2
A substrate for fixing an integrated circuit (IC) element comprises: a substrate for fixing an integrated circuit element includes: a plurality of metal posts that are aligned in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction in plan view, each of the plurality of metal posts having a first surface and a second surface facing an opposite direction to the first surface, the plurality of metal posts being configured identically; and a joining section that joins each of the plurality of metal posts together at a portion of each of the plurality of metal posts between the first surface and the second surface.
US07807497B2
Example embodiments may provide phase-change material layers and a method of forming a phase-change material layer and devices using the same by generating a plasma including helium and/or argon in a reaction chamber, forming a first material layer on the object by introducing a first source gas including a first material, forming a first composite material layer on the object by introducing a second source gas including a second material into the reaction chamber, forming a third material layer on the first composite material layer by introducing a third source gas including a third material, and forming a second composite material layer on the first composite material layer by introducing a fourth source gas including a fourth material. Example embodiment phase-change material layers including carbon may be more easily and/or quickly formed at lower temperatures under the helium/argon plasma environment by providing the source gases for various feeding times. Example embodiments may also include memory devices using phase-change memory layers.
US07807493B2
A method for fabricating a CMOS image sensor includes providing a substrate having a sensor array region and a peripheral region defined thereon, forming at least a contact pad on the substrate of the peripheral region, forming a first dielectric layer covering the contact pad on the substrate, performing a first etching process to expose the contact pad and to form a step height, forming an optical shielding layer on the first dielectric layer, forming a plurality of color filters on the first dielectric layer, sequentially forming a planarizing layer and a plurality of micro-lenses on the first dielectric layer.
US07807487B2
A thin film transistor including: an active layer on a substrate, the active layer having at least two unit channels; and source and drain electrodes on the active layer, wherein an interval D between each of the channels is larger than a unit channel width W.
US07807485B2
Provided is a process for producing a surface emitting laser including a surface relief structure provided on laminated semiconductor layers, including the steps of transferring, to a first dielectric film, a first pattern for defining a mesa structure and a second pattern for defining the surface relief structure in the same process; and forming a second dielectric film on the first dielectric film and a surface of the laminated semiconductor layers to which the first pattern and the second pattern have been transferred. Accordingly, a center position of the surface relief structure can be aligned with a center position of a current confinement structure at high precision.
US07807480B2
A test cell for localizing defects includes a first active region, a second active region formed substantially parallel to the first active region, a third active region formed substantially parallel to the first and second active regions, a fourth active region formed between the first and second active regions, and a fifth active region formed between the second and third active regions. The fourth and fifth active regions are formed adjacent to opposite end portions of the second active region. The fourth and fifth active regions are also formed substantially perpendicular to the second active region.
US07807477B2
In an embodiment of the present invention is provided a method of manufacturing a varactor, comprising providing a substrate; positioning a bottom electrode on a surface of the substrate; placing a tunable dielectric material adjacent to and extending over the bottom electrode forming a step and in contact with a top electrode; placing an interconnect layer in contact with the bottom electrode, the tunable dielectric and the top electrode.
US07807475B2
A membrane having a refined surface as well as to a process and an apparatus for producing such a membrane, and which is useful, in particular, for rapid diagnostic tests for identifying specific analytes in liquid media.
US07807473B2
A method of quantitatively measuring the concentration of a chemical species in a sample solution with a sensor film. A hydrogel sensor film is prepared having a chemical composition comprising an indicator that changes its optical property in the ultra-violet, visible or near-infrared spectral range upon being exposed to the chemical species in the sample solution. The film is exposed to a fixed amount of the sample solution. The concentration of the chemical species in the sample solution is quantified using the average absorbance measured from the sensor film.
US07807468B2
Methods of marking pharmaceutical products for use in clinical trials and for determining the origin or authenticity of the marked products are provided that use a variety of natural materials as markers. The natural materials have unique genetically controlled micromorphological structures that can be identified using enhanced visualization techniques. For example, cellulosic plant materials, sporopollenin and diatoms can be used as the natural materials. The natural materials are added to pharmaceutical products at sufficiently low levels so as not to have any significant effect on the products other than serving as markers. Dyes and reactants can be added to the natural materials to provide secondary markers. The markers can be identified in stool samples collected during clinical trials to prove that a particular pharmaceutical product has been ingested by a test subject.
US07807461B2
This invention relates to human adipose tissue-derived multipotent adult stem cells. More particularly, the invention relates to human adipose tissue-derived multipotent stem cells, which can be maintained in an undifferentiated state for a long period of time by forming spheres and have high proliferation rates, as well as methods for isolating and maintaining the adult stem cells, and methods for differentiating the multipotent adult stem cells into nerve cells, fat cells, cartilage cells, osteogenic cells and insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells. Also, the invention relates to cellular therapeutic agents for treating osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes and for forming breast tissue, which contain the differentiated cells or the adult stem cells. Although the multipotent stem cells are adult stem cells, they have the ability to differentiate into osteogenic cells, nerve cells, astrocytes, fat cells, chrondrogenic cells or insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells, and so are effective in treating osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, nerve disease, diabetes, etc. Also, the stem cells form spheres in a serum-free medium containing CORM-2, and thus can be maintained in an undifferentiated state for a long period of time. Also, the stem cells have very high proliferation rates. Accordingly, the stem cells are useful as cellular therapeutic agents.
US07807458B2
Described herein are post natal, multilineage inducible cells (MIAMI cells). In some examples, the cells are isolated from non fractionated, adult (males and females 3 to 72 years old) human bone marrow under cell culture conditions, which are believed to resemble an in vivo niche microenvironment in which primitive multipotent cells exist. MIAMI cells have a unique profile of molecular markers, and can be maintained in vitro (for more than 50 population doublings) without detectable changes in their characteristic molecular profile. MIAMI cells can be differentiated into mesodermal, neuroectodermal, and endodermal cell lineages. Methods of isolating, differentiating and using MIAMI cells are also described.
US07807455B2
The present invention features methods for producing HCV replicons using HCV encoding sequences from different isolates. The featured methods are based on the discovered importance of NS3 amino acid position 470 in conferring cell culture replication activity to different HCV isolates.
US07807450B2
A system that is suitable for extracting plasma from blood received from a blood supply is provided. The system comprises a housing, an inlet opening for receiving the blood, a filtration chamber comprising a membrane, and a plasma compartment. The membrane forms a barrier between the blood and the plasma extracted from the blood, and the plasma compartment collects the plasma extracted from the blood. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plasma flow path compression chamber for pulling plasma across the membrane. In some embodiments, the system comprises a blood flow path compression chamber for facilitating blood flow. Some embodiments of the system further comprise means for measuring plasma and blood analytes using spectroscopic and biosensor techniques.
US07807441B2
A method is disclosed for inducing cell-mediated immunity against cellular antigens. More specifically, the invention provides for a method for inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocyte immunity against weak antigens, notably self-proteins. The method entails that antigen presenting cells are induced to present at least one CTL epitope of the weak antigen and at the same time presenting at least one foreign T-helper lymphocyte epitope. In a preferred embodiment, the antigen is a cancer specific antigen, e.g. PSM, Her2, or FGF8b. The method can be exercised by using traditional polypeptide vaccination, but also by using live attenuated vaccines or nucleic acid vaccination. The invention furthermore provides immunogenic analogues of PSM, Her2 and FGF8b, as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding these analogues. Also vectors and transformed cells are disclosed. The invention also provides for a method for identification of immunogenic analogues of weak or non-immunogenic antigens.
US07807440B2
The present invention relates to a probiotic bacterial strain belonging to the genus Lactobacillus having the ability to colonize the human vagina, or a variant thereof. More specifically the probiotic bacterial strain belongs to a species chosen from the group comprising Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus crispatus, and Lactobacillus gasseri. Further it relates to its use as a medicament, a composition comprising the strain, the composition, e.g., being a food product or a pharmaceutical composition, a hygiene product, a biological pure culture of the strain, and a novel food.
US07807437B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of Hepatitis B variants exhibiting a reduced sensitivity to nucleoside analogues both in vivo and in vitro. More in particular, reverse transcriptase mutant rt I233V is provided. Present invention provides assays and methods for detecting such variant, which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and adjusting patient therapy. A diagnostic kit for detecting the presence of an HBV variant in a biological sample has also been described. Finally, the use of a pharmaceutical composition to cure a subject suffering from a HBV infection, which HBV is resistant to lamuvidine and/or adefovir has been provided, which pharmaceutical composition comprises the nucleoside analogue tenofovir.
US07807433B2
A thermostable glycosidase enzymes derived from various Thermococcus, Staphylothermus and Pyrococcus organisms is disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry and in the textile industry, detergent industry and in the baking industry.
US07807431B2
The present invention is a method for detecting DNA sequence differences including single nucleotide mutations or polymorphisms, one or more nucleotide insertions, and one or more nucleotide deletions. Labeled heteroduplex PCR fragments containing base mismatches are prepared. Endonuclease cleaves the heteroduplex PCR fragments both at the position containing the variation (one or more mismatched bases) and to a lesser extent, at non-variant (perfectly matched) positions. Ligation of the cleavage products with a DNA ligase corrects non-variant cleavages and thus substantially reduces background. This is then followed by a detection step in which the reaction products are detected, and the position of the sequence variations are determined.
US07807421B2
The present invention provides a transformed cell which is transformed by at least one gene of enzymes participating in biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin and a process for the production of a biopterin compound using the same. In accordance with the present invention, the biopterin compound can be produced in large quantities in an industrial advantageous manner from less expensive materials.
US07807420B2
The invention relates to a method for recovering a basic amino acid from the fermentation liquor of a micro-organism strain that produces the basic amino acid. The method comprises the following steps: a) isolation of the micro-organisms from the fermentation liquor and b) separation of the basic amino acid from the aqueous liquor that has been obtained in step a) by the successive charging of a single or multiple stage arrangement of a strongly acidic cation exchanger in the form of a salt with the liquor obtained in step a) and the elution of the basic amino acid. According to the invention, prior to the charging process in step b), the aqueous liquor has a pH value ranging between 4 and 7.5 and at least the first stage of the carbon exchanger arrangement is pre-treated with an aqueous acid in such a way that at the end of said pre-treatment, the pH value at the discharge of the pre-treated cation exchanger ranges between 4.5 and 7.
US07807419B2
Processes for saccharification of pretreated biomass to obtain high concentrations of fermentable sugars are provided. Specifically, a process was developed that uses a fed batch approach with particle size reduction to provide a high dry weight of biomass content enzymatic saccharification reaction, which produces a high sugars concentration hydrolysate, using a low cost reactor system.
US07807412B2
Provided are purified and isolated VEGF-C polypeptides capable of binding to at least one of KDR receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-2) and Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-3); analogs of such peptides that have VEGF-C-like or VEGF-like biological activities or that are VEGF or VEGF-C inhibitors; polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; vectors and host cells that embody the polynucleotides; pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic reagents comprising the polypeptides; and methods of making and using the polypeptides.
US07807401B2
The present invention relates to a reagent for digestion of hemoglobin comprising a buffer, pepsin and a 1,3-dialkyl-imidazolium salt. It also discloses to the use of this reagent in a method for digesting hemoglobin, in a method for detecting HbA1c, and to a sampling tube for collection of a whole blood sample comprising said reagent for digesting hemoglobin.
US07807390B2
The present invention relates to RF-amide peptides and their use for treating, preventing and curing neurological and metabolic medical disorders. The invention also relates to methods for modulating a G-protein coupled receptor and for identifying substances which modulate the receptor.
US07807389B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods related to joint inflammation diseases. Disclosed is the relationship between osteoclasts and inflammatory joint diseases and osteoclast precursor cells.
US07807383B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions related to diagnosing and treating hormone resistant cancers.
US07807379B2
The present invention describes a method for determining whether an individual is likely to suffer from cancer by determining a parameter representing the TIMP-1 concentration in body fluid samples from the individual.
US07807374B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease. In particular, the present invention provides methods for diagnosing, monitoring and treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or chronic inflammatory disease (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus) based on detecting or altering (e.g., altering expression or methylation status of) autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease proteins (e.g., CD70 and CD40L). The present invention also provides kits for detecting methylation status of autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease proteins (e.g., CD70 and CD40L) and for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases.
US07807372B2
Disclosed herein are methods of screening sequence selectivity of oligonucleotide-binding molecules using a gold nanoparticle based colorimetric assay.
US07807363B2
The present invention concerns a method for diagnosing or monitoring elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma in a patient comprising providing a biological sample from the patient and measuring the expression level of a superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2) gene in the biological sample. The present invention also concerns methods for treating glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure in a patient comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of an agent that modulates SOD-2 expression or SOD-2 activity.
US07807355B2
Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating glaucoma are disclosed.
US07807343B2
In accordance with various embodiments, semiconductor devices and methods of forming semiconductor devices having non-rectangular active regions are provided. An exemplary method includes using a first mask to form a plurality of first features over a non-rectangular shaped active region and at least one ghost feature, wherein the plurality of first features extend beyond an edge of the non-rectangular shaped active region. The method further includes using a second mask to remove a portion of the plurality of first features extending beyond the edge of the non-rectangular shaped active region and the at least one ghost feature.
US07807339B2
A patterning method includes depositing a pattern target layer on a surface of a substrate, providing a printing plate with concaves in a first side of a transparent substrate and an opaque layer on the first side except in the concaves of the first sides, filling resins into the concaves of the printing plate, positioning the substrate of the printing plate to correspond to an upper portion of the pattern target layer, and transferring resins of the printing plate onto the pattern target layer by exposing resins to a curing light to harden resins.
US07807334B2
As a substrate having a fine line and capable of suppressing crack generation in the substrate and peeling of the fine line, the invention discloses a configuration in which plural recesses are arranged on the fine line, and particularly a configuration in which the interval of the plural recesses does not exceed 200 μm. There is also disclosed a configuration in which the plural recesses are arranged along a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the fine line.
US07807328B2
The present invention provide a polymer compound whereby the alkali solubility greatly changes before and after exposure in a chemically amplified positive resist, and a photoresist composition including the polymer compound and a resist pattern formation method which can form a fine pattern with high resolution. The photoresist composition and the resist pattern formation method use the polymer compound including at least one substituent group selected from an alcoholic hydroxyl group, a phenolic hydroxyl group, or a carboxyl group as an alkali soluble group (i), wherein the substituent group is protected by an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group (ii) represented by a general formula (1): —CH2—O—R (1) (wherein R represents an organic group containing no more than 20 carbon atoms and at least one hydrophilic group).
US07807325B2
An electrostatic image developing toner is disclosed, comprising a resin and a colorant, wherein the toner contains at least one iminocarboxylic acid or its salt in an amount of from 26 to 388 ppm by mass.
US07807313B2
The invention relates to a compact and portable fuel cell package. The package includes a fuel cell that generates electrical energy. Some packages also include a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel source. Fuel cell packages described herein provide power densities (power per unit volume or mass) at levels not yet seen. One package employs an interconnect disposed at least partially between a fuel cell and a fuel processor. The interconnect forms a structural and plumbing intermediary between the two. Given the portable size of fuel cell packages described herein, the invention is well suited to power portable electronics devices. One portable fuel cell package includes a tether, which allows electrical and detachable coupling to an electronics device.
US07807307B2
A Personal Area Network (PAN) (100) including multiple communication devices (104, 106, 108) is provided. The communication devices are capable of communicating with each other and a connection point. The communication devices derive energy from multiple fuel cells (110, 112, 114). The PAN is capable of distributing fuel to the multiple fuel cells from a common fuel container (116), if the communication devices are attached to the connection point.
US07807303B2
A microbial fuel cell includes a cell housing having first and second chambers. The first chamber is adapted for containing a fluid including a biomass. The second chamber is adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid. A cathode extends into the cell housing second chamber and an anode segment of an electrode assembly extends into the cell housing first chamber. The electrode assembly has multiple, substantially aligned, fibers. The outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment are adapted for receiving a biofilm.
US07807302B2
The direction of flow of purged fuel reactant gas (20) is sensed (38, 39, 44, 53, 54) to ensure it flows outwardly from a fuel cell stack (9) towards the ambient (21). If the purged fuel reactant. gas is not flowing outwardly, a signal (39) causes a controller (26) to open the circuit (35) thereby disconnecting the electrical load (33) from the fuel cell stack.
US07807300B2
A resistance-stabilizing additive to an electrolyte for a battery cell in an implantable medical device is presented. At least one resistance-stabilizing additive is selected from a group comprising an electron withdrawing group, an aromatic diacid salt, an inorganic salt, an aliphatic organic acid, an aromatic diacid, and an aromatic monoacid.
US07807293B2
A battery pack (10) includes a housing (11), a group of cells (12), a board (13), a plurality of second terminals (14), and a cover (15). An opening (16c) is formed in the housing (11). The board (13) has a terminal arranging part (13A). A plurality of the second terminals (14) are arranged on the terminal arranging part (13A) of the board (13). The cover (15) has a plate-like shape, and covers an area of the board (13) which is positioned between the terminal arranging part (13A) and the opening (16c).
US07807292B2
A battery that can secure the sufficient capacity, reduces deviation of the pressure distribution inside a spirally wound electrode body, and shows the superior charge and discharge characteristics is provided. The battery includes: a spirally wound electrode body in which a cathode having a cathode active material layer on a strip-shaped cathode current collector and an anode having an anode active material layer on a strip-shaped anode current collector are layered with a separator in between, and spirally wound in a planular state; and a lead jointed to the cathode current collector or the anode current collector in a center portion of the spirally wound electrode body. An inner circumferential end of the cathode active material layer is provided in a region where the inner circumferential end does not overlap with the lead in a short axis direction of the spirally wound electrode body.
US07807290B2
A battery cell assembly includes a plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell comprises a first end that is positively charged and a second end that is negatively charged. One or more flexible conductors are adapted to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells. A plurality of bands secures the one or more flexible conductors to the plurality of battery cells. The flexible conductors are configured to withstand a current on the order of 300 amps and a minimum temperature of 170° F.
US07807289B2
A battery pack with at least two electrochemical cells, lithium ion cells in particular, has each cell including a positive pole and a negative pole on the end face of the particular cell body, the poles of the cells being electrically connected in series and/or in parallel. A cell connector for electrically connecting the cells is provided on at least two cells, on the end face on the same side relative to their position in the battery pack, the cell connector connecting one pole of the connected cells and extending to a contact region of a circuit board; the cell bodies of the cells are positioned parallel to each other, and the end faces of the cell bodies are located in the same plane.
US07807288B2
A battery cartridge-connecting system for battery modules including bus bars, each of which includes a plate-shaped bar body, coupling parts, and electrical connection parts; a base plate, to which the bus bars are easily mounted; and a printed circuit board (PCB), which is easily coupled to the bus bars and is mounted to the base plate in a compact structure. The present invention also provides a battery module and a medium- or large-sized battery system including the battery cartridge-connecting system.
US07807287B2
Disclosed herein is a multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a first porous layer of a polyethylene, and a second porous layer comprising a polyethylene, and polypropylene having a weight-average molecular weight of 6×105 or more and a fraction having a molecular weight of 1.8×106 or more being 10% or more by mass.
US07807283B2
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a negative electrode including a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer that is formed on a first region of the negative electrode current collector, a negative electrode terminal connected to an edge section of a second region of the negative electrode current collector, a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material layer positioned to face the negative electrode active material layer and the second region, and a stress imparting member which imparts a tensile stress or a shearing stress to the second region.
US07807271B2
The invention is directed to the composition and use of substantially water-soluble amphoteric (co)polymers as co-binders for paper and paperboard coating applications.
US07807270B2
The present invention provides compositions useful as a barrier layer in, for example, packaging products. The compositions generally comprise a blend of (i) a polyester material, preferably an aromatic polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and (ii) a vinyl alcohol material. The blend optionally may further comprise (iii) a polyolefin material (preferably a functionalized polyolefin material, e.g., a BYNEL material); and/or (iv) a polyamide material (preferably an amorphous polyamide material, e.g., a GRIVORY material), that optionally further comprises an oxygen scavenging material. The present invention also provides containers (e.g., containers formed by expansion of preforms) having a multilayered body-forming portion including: a core layer comprising the aforementioned blend, and inner and outer layers of a formable polymer composition. The present invention also provides methods of making such containers.
US07807262B2
A thermally insulative label is provided. The label includes a first layer of material including an insulative coating, and a second layer of shrink material coupled to the first layer wherein the second layer includes graphics.
US07807254B2
A security feature for an identification document comprises a base document layer, including a first image printed with a covert ink, and a personalized image relating to a bearer of the document (such as a facial photo) printed over the first image. The personalized image is printed with an ink that is incompatible with the covert ink such that the first image becomes overt within the personalized image upon printing of the personalized image. This feature creates an interlocking relationship between the covert image, which may be pre-printed prior to personalization on card stock, and personalized information printed over the covert image. Variations of this feature can be made in which the first image is not covert, yet still creates an interlocking relationship due to ink incompatibilities. Further, the second image may depict information other than personal information.
US07807253B2
An inflatable article has a first film bonded to a second film so as to provide between the first film and the second film a plurality of inflatable chambers, each of the inflatable chambers containing a plurality of cells. Each of the cells is connected to at least one adjacent cell by an inflatable connecting channel. The first film is bonded to the second film between adjacent inflatable chambers. The first film and the second film each have at least one formed region corresponding with a location of a cell, with the at least one formed region of the second film being nested into the at least one formed region of the first film. Also disclosed are processes of making the inflatable article.
US07807250B2
A wall-flow honeycomb filter has a monolith body which includes repeating hexagonal unit cells, wherein each hexagonal unit cell has inner cells and outer cells arranged in a hexagonal symmetry, and wherein the inner cells are bordered by the outer cells and the outer cells are of diamond shape.
US07807236B2
The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, characterised in that it comprises one or more compounds of the formula I in which R0, L1, n, A and B have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, furthermore to novel compounds of the formula I, to processes for the preparation thereof, to the use thereof in electronic and electro-optical devices, in particular in LC displays, and to LC displays containing same.
US07807234B2
According to the present invention, plasma oxidation processing and plasma nitridation processing are applied at the same time to the surface of a semiconductor substrate by plasma using a microwave. After forming an insulating film by the plasma oxynitridation processing as described above, the plasma nitridation processing is further applied to the insulating film as necessary. Thereby, it is possible to form the insulating film with an excellent electrical characteristic.
US07807226B2
Light transmission devices, such as lenses and windows for portable electronic devices, are produced using an injection/compression molding technique in which a light transmission device mold includes an integral runner in substantially the same plane and with substantially the same wall thickness as the light transmission device to be produced. The finished light transmission devices are mechanically separated from the molded product. Molding equipment and processes traditionally used to produce information discs can be leveraged to produce light transmission devices. Various processes can be performed to add metallization, coatings, and printing to the light transmission devices.
US07807221B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a composite porous membrane, which has not only excellent filtration capacity, but also excellent adhesion between a porous membrane and a braid and mechanical properties, and a method for producing the composite porous membrane. The present invention relates to a composite porous membrane comprising a braid, and a membrane material; wherein the membrane material comprises a first porous layer comprising a dense layer which is arranged on the outer surface of the braid, and a second porous layer comprising a dense layer which is arranged on the first porous layer, and a method for producing the composite porous membrane.
US07807220B2
A process forming boron coated abrasives, in particular boron coated abrasive particles, which may be used in saw blade segments, grinding wheels and other grit-containing tools. While the process is particularly suited to the coating of abrasive particles, it can be applied to any abrasives for use in grinding, cutting or polishing tools, or to such tools themselves. In the case of abrasive particles, these are mixed with boron and boric acid powder, in a suitable ratio, and furnaced at a temperature between 800 and 1200° C. for a length of time in an inert atmosphere sufficient to coat the particles.
US07807217B2
A method comprises: heating a solution of platinum acetylacetonate, Fe(CO)5, oleic acid, and oleylamine in dichlorobenzene to a reflux temperature, refluxing the solution, and using the solution to deposit FePt nanoparticles. A magnetic storage medium that includes cubic FePt particles is also provided.
US07807216B2
A process to produce dense nanocrystalline composites such as ceramic bodies, coatings and multi-layered devices with uniform microstructure is disclosed. The invention utilizes sol-gel solutions to reduce agglomeration of nanocrystalline powders in the production of “green bodies” or intermediate products. This novel use of sol-gel solutions also reduces grain growth and porosity in products during sintering. In finished products, final grain sizes are typically less than 100 nm with densities of the final products approaching 99.5% of theoretical densities. In addition, sintering temperatures required are lower than those in conventional methods, typically less than 1,100° C. While FIG. 1 shows one application of this novel process, this invention has wide application in the manufacture of many other products, particularly for composite coatings and in the production of nanodevices.
US07807208B2
A trans free hard palm oil fraction, a trans free non hydrogenated hard structural fat and a fat blend using the trans free non hydrogenated hard structural fat and liquid oils suitable for the manufacture of low SAFA (Saturated Fatty Acid) high poly/mono unsaturated margarine and spreads, wherein the trans free non hydrogenated hard structural fat is made from a selectively fractionated non-hydrogenated high melting palm oil fraction which is interesterified with dry fractionated non-hydrogenated lauric fat, such as a palm kernel oil or its fractions, the resultant interesterified fat is obtained with high yield ratios that can be economically and commercially used as trans free non hydrogenated hard structural fat for the aforesaid manufacture.
US07807201B2
An antifungal agent for the prevention and treatment of the fungal diseases caused by the water mould Saprolegnia parasitica includes the natural product sweet flag extract or its essential oil as an active ingredient and, therefore, is eco-friendly and not harmful to fish. In addition to offering effective prevention and inhibition of mould growth, the antifungal agent can replace malachite green, a known carcinogen, in the aquaculture industry.
US07807194B2
The present invention is directed to a homogeneous, thermoreversible gel film comprising a film forming amount of kappa-2 carrageenan, and optionally at least one of a plasticizer, a second film former, a bulking agent, and a pH controlling agent; and processes for the preparation thereof. The present invention is also directed to soft capsules and solid forms containing the gel film, as well as processes for the preparation thereof.
US07807193B2
A method of treating insulin resistance, adult onset diabetes, and metabolic syndrome X and its related complications, in a mammalian subject is accomplished by intravenously administering to a mammalian subject, a therapeutically effective amount of a liposomal suspension of lipoprotein small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) comprising predominantly phospholipids. The liposomal suspension is administered over a period of time, whereby the levels of some or all of blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), Hb-Alc, lipoprotein (a), SGOT and SGPT fall back within the normal range or are significantly reduced.
US07807191B2
This invention is a prosthetic device generally placed on the outside surface of the vessel or graft which then elutes antiproliferative drugs or agents from a drug-eluting matrix material. Methods of perivascular antiproliferative drug administration also are disclosed.
US07807180B2
Methods and compositions for inducing immune responses against poxviruses are disclosed. The compositions include nucleic acids that encode modified vaccinia and variola antigens. Compositions that include recombinant vaccinia and variola polypeptides are also disclosed.
US07807173B2
Peptide-based anti-influenza formulations against influenza are disclosed. The peptides are derived from influenza-based epitopes. The formulations are based on peptide mixtures which may be formulated so that variability is present at particular residues. The formulations can be used to prepare vaccines for preventing influenza, particularly avian influenza.
US07807172B2
The invention provides a method and reagents for determining the presence and/or amount of human thyroglobulin in a biological sample. In one embodiment, the method comprises (a) digesting a biological sample containing proteins to provide peptide fragments; (b) contacting the digested sample with a binding reagent comprising a plurality of antibodies that are capable of binding to at least one thyroglobulin peptide fragment; and (c) determining the presence and/or amount of the thyroglobulin peptide fragments that are bound to the binding reagent. In some embodiments, the binding reagent comprises a plurality of antibodies capable of binding to at least one thyroglobulin peptide fragment set forth in TABLE 1. In some embodiments, the binding regent comprises a plurality of antibodies capable of binding to at least one thyroglobulin peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, and SEQ ID NO:5.
US07807164B2
Ophthalmic formulations of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-specific fusion protein antagonist are provided suitable for intravitreal administration to the eye. The ophthalmic formulations include a stable liquid formulation and a lyophilizable formulation. Preferably, the protein antagonist has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4.
US07807162B2
The present invention relates to improved Nanobodies™ against von Willebrand Factor (vWF), as well as to polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of one or more of such Nanobodies. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to methods for preparing such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such Nanobodies or polypeptides; to compositions comprising such Nanobodies, polypeptides, nucleic acids or host cells; and to uses of such Nanobodies, such polypeptides, such nucleic acids, such host cells or such compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as the prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
US07807160B2
Engineered antibodies to human IL-23p19 are provided, as well as uses thereof, e.g. in treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, and proliferative disorders.
US07807157B2
An antibody capable of recognizing amyloid β while not recognizing amyloid β precursor proteins, and a method for using the same.A monoclonal antibody characterized by being capable of recognizing the N-terminus peptide of amyloid β while not recognizing amyloid β precursor proteins, an amyloid β assay kit, a therapeutic agent of Alzheimer's disease, and a method for treating Alzheimer's disease using the monoclonal antibody.
US07807155B2
An IL-17 binding molecule, in particular an antibody to human IL-17, more preferably a human antibody to human IL-17 is provided, wherein the hypervariable regions of the heavy and light chains have amino acid sequences as defined, for use in the treatment of an IL-17 mediated disease or disorder, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis.
US07807150B2
Slowly polymerizing polysaccharide hydrogels have been demonstrated to be useful as a means of delivering large numbers of isolated cells via injection. The gels promote engraftment and provide three dimensional templates for new cell growth. The resulting tissue is similar in composition and histology to naturally occurring tissue. This method can be used for a variety of reconstructive procedures, including custom molding of cell implants to reconstruct three dimensional tissue defects, as well as implantation of tissues generally.
US07807140B2
Polymeric chelating agents and metal chelates, particularly those of lanthanide metals and more specifically those of Gd(III), useful as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for therapeutic and diagnostic applications as well as clinical and biomedical research applications. The polymeric chelates are generated using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Polymers can have multiple sites for functionalization allowing for the synthesis of multimodal and targeted contrast agents. Hydroxypyridonate (HOPO)-based chelating moieties are integrated into a ROMP-derived polymer. More specifically, the HOPO-based chelating moiety is integrated into a benzonorbornadiene unit that constitutes the backbone of the polymer. The ROMP-derived polymer chelators can comprise multiple metal ions, particularly Gd(III) ions, in polymers of varying lengths to provide a series of agents with controlled relaxivites. Polymer chelates include those that are water-soluble.
US07807138B2
Methods for the measurement and prediction of response to hepatotoxicants and carcinogens through the detection of metabolites in a mammal are provided. The metabolites can be used as biomarkers, including efficacy biomarkers, surrogate biomarkers, and toxicity biomarkers. The methods find use for early prediction of toxicity, target identification/validation, and monitoring of drug efficacy.
US07807133B2
Dimers of avidin and streptavidins (diavidins) are described wherein the linker is suberate, which in turn, is bound to different functional groups (—NH2 o-COOH) of avidin. As compared to avidin, the diavidins have shown the ability to increase the amount of labelled biotin on the target, when used in an in vitro pretargeting test using supported human tenascin, the biotinylated anti-tenascin monoclonal antibody (Mab-B), avidin/diavidin, and biotin-3H. The use of such diavidins is also described in cancer diagnosis and anticancer therapy based on the three-step pretargeted radioimmunotherapy procedure.
US07807127B1
The present invention relates to a carbon nanotube that contains nitrogen based functional groups (such as nitro, nitroso, N-oxide, oxime, hydroxylamine, diazo, azo, and azide) that are covalently attached to lattice carbons of the carbon nanotube, directly or via a chemical linker. The present invention also relates to methods for the preparation of the carbon nanotube from an amino-functionalized carbon nanotube via an amino oxidation reaction. The synthetic methods of the present invention allow the nitrogen based functional groups to be attached selectively to one of two distinct regions of the carbon nanotube, the ends or the sidewall, and thus enable the synthesis of a carbon nanotube having nitrogen based functional groups substantially concentrated on either the ends or the sidewall of the carbon nanotube.
US07807117B2
The present invention addresses a problem with conventional techniques for recycling electrical equipment that have a hardened epoxy resin and electroconductive material where a catalyst is degraded to an extent that it can no longer be reused when water is present in a dissolving system. Moisture, when present in the dissolving system for treating electrical equipment including electroconductive material of aluminum, may react with aluminum to produce an aluminate compound which is transformed into aluminum oxide (alumina) under heating, which, in turn, may cause abnormal temperature rise to melt aluminum. This may be accompanied by formation of hydrogen which can cause danger of explosion. The present invention manages moisture content in a dissolving system by drying an object to be treated with a catalyst and a solvent prior to the dissolving treatment.
US07807110B2
The present invention provides monolithic structural catalysts. The catalysts have a thin wall structure and are advantageous for catalyzing reactions of gaseous fluid or liquid fluid molecules, such as the denitration or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in combustion flue gases. In an embodiment, the honeycomb-like monolithic structural body includes catalytically active outer peripheral walls and a plurality of catalytically active thin-walled inner partition walls, the thin-walled inner partition walls adapted to enhance fluid flow through the monolithic catalytic body and to increase interaction of the fluid molecules with the catalyst body.
US07807100B2
A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by concentrating a germicide via condensation and re-vaporization thereof, exploiting the difference between the vapor pressures of the germicide and its solvent to extract some of the solvent during the condensation process.
US07807087B2
An imprinting apparatus and a method of the same which form a residual film including a uniform thickness all over a substrate. The imprinting apparatus includes a substrate support which supports a substrate which is coated with an imprint resin on an upper surface thereof, an imprint mold arranged on an upper side of the substrate support and which forms a predetermined pattern by molding the imprint resin coated on the substrate, a pressure roller which pressurizes the imprint mold to adhere closely to the substrate, a pressure roller control unit which controls the pressure roller to change a moving velocity and an applied pressure of the pressure roller according to a position of the imprint mold, and a resin curing unit which cures the imprint resin on the substrate.
US07807076B2
An improved process for the preparation of microcapsules consisting essentially of a wall material and a core material in condensing a melamine-formaldehyde precondensate and/or methyl ethers thereof in an aqueous dispersion of a water-insoluble core material and in the presence of an acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer at acidic pH and at a temperature in the range of from 20° to 100° C., and hardening thereafter the melamine-formaldehyde precondensate to form the walls of the microcapsules at an elevated temperature, wherein the core material is dispersed in the precondensate/copolymer solution without initial partial condensation of the precondensate and copolymer and wherein the hydrophobe point of the precondensate and/or its methyl esters is less than 90° C., as well as microcapsules, paper and pressure-sensitive recording material comprising such microcapsules.
US07807075B2
The invention relates to a photochromic polymeric composition comprising a polymer matrix and a photochromic compound which is an adduct comprising a photochromic moiety and at least one pendant oligomer group to provide a rate of fade of the photochromic polymeric composition which is significantly changed when compared with the corresponding composition comprising the photochromic compound without said pendent oligomer.The invention also relates to a photochromic compound which is an adduct comprising a photochromic moiety and at least one pendent oligomer.
US07807070B2
A formulation for depositing a material on a substrate, the formulation comprising the material to be deposited on the substrate dissolved in a solvent system comprising a first solvent component having a relatively high boiling point and which exhibits a relatively low solubility with respect to the material to be deposited, and a second solvent component having a relatively low boiling point and which exhibits a relatively high solubility with respect to the material to be deposited.
US07807068B2
The present invention relates to novel polymerizable compounds, to processes and intermediates for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in liquid-crystal (LC) media and LC displays, especially in LC displays of the PS (polymer-stabilized) and PSA (polymer-sustained alignment) type.
US07807063B2
A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7.5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 0.1 to 5 microns, are made by plasma etching and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.
US07807062B2
A method of imaging and repairing defects on and below the surface of an integrated circuit (IC) is described. The method may be used in areas as small as one micron in diameter, and may remove the topmost material in the small spot, repeating with various layers, until a desired depth is obtained. An energetic beam, such as an electron beam, is directed at a selected surface location. The surface has an added layer of a solid, fluid or gaseous reactive material, such as a directed stream of a fluorocarbon, and the energetic beam disassociates the reactive material in the region of the beam into radicals that chemically attack the surface. After the defect location is exposed, the method uses the energetic beam to etch undesired materials, and deposit various appropriate materials to fill gaps, and restore the IC to an operational condition.
US07807061B2
A method of producing a structure by three-dimensionally processing a flat member includes a preparing, a first forming and a second forming. In the preparing, a substrate is prepared. In the first forming, an etching mask is formed on the substrate. The etching mask has at least two openings, and areas of the two openings are different from each other. In the second forming, at least a part of a three-dimension surface shape of the structure is formed on a surface of the substrate by a dry-etching on the substrate in accordance with the area of the opening of the etching mask.
US07807057B2
Systems and methods are provided for the removal of a contaminate from an aqueous medium using a zeolite-based sorption column. The systems and methods include an optimized relationship between the hydraulic loading, zeolite mesh size, distribution of zeolite mesh sizes and zeolite bed volume expansion to provide a highly effective sorption column that resists clogging while increases capacity.
US07807055B2
Filtration systems may comprise a manifold, a filter, a carriage, and a mounting mechanism. The manifold and the filter may each include an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting. The carriage may support the filter with the fittings of the manifold and filter respectively axially aligned. The mounting mechanism may be arranged between the manifold and the carriage to move the carriage and the filter between a disengaged position in which the filter fittings are spaced from the manifold fittings and an engaged position in which the filter fittings respectively engage the manifold fittings.
US07807049B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting kerogen oil from oil shale without adverse environmental impacts. A first plasma reactor is employed for creating a syngas from a carbon-based fuel. A turbine uses the syngas to produce electricity after the syngas' sensible heat passes through a heat exchanger to heat recycling gases used to pyrolyze the oil shale. A kiln receives the oil shale and heats the oil shale to a temperature at which hydrocarbons from the oil shale are released and captured. The hydrocarbons are sent to a distillation tower to produce a usable fuel. A second plasma reactor vitrifies the spent shale to produce an environmentally inert byproduct. The second plasma reactor is powered by electricity produced by the syngas turbine. Carbon dioxide generated by the process is captured and stored to prevent its release into the environment.
US07807048B2
A tar sand volatilizer system thermally removes petroleum crude oil from tar sands or shale oil. A series of heated augers or thermal screws are used to elevate material temperature gradually using conductive heat transfer. The thermal screws blades and auger case receive a heated fluid. The screws are driven by variable speed drive systems. The unit is sized for any throughput rate desired. Hot clean material discharges into a rotary cooler and re-hydrator unit. The exhaust gases are pulled through a high temperature filter collector for particulate removal. The particulate free petroleum vapor laden hot gas exits the filter house into a multi stage condenser system with water chillers where the vapor temperature is gradually cooled. A microwave upgrader system processes crude oil using catalyst injected microwave technology to produce a diesel like fuel oil in a continuous process stream.
US07807041B2
A method for detecting the presence or absence of a gas bubble in an aqueous liquid is provided comprising providing an amperometric sensor positioned within a measuring chamber, wherein the amperometric sensor is configured to determine the concentration of a gaseous component dissolved in a liquid, the amperometric sensor comprising a sensitive region; positioning the liquid in the measuring chamber; taking at least one first measurement value of the gaseous component from a first portion of the liquid after a predetermined response time, the first portion located in the sensitive region of the sensor; moving the liquid along in the measuring chamber, such that a second portion of the liquid, which had previously been located outside the sensitive region of the amperometric sensor, is positioned in the sensitive region; taking at least one second measurement value of the gaseous component from the second portion of the liquid; and detecting the presence or absence of a gas bubble by comparing the first and second measured values. The gas bubble, if present, is in at least partial contact with the sensitive region of the amperometric sensor.
US07807029B2
There is provided a substantially permanent stainless steel cathode plate (1) suitable for use in electrorefining of metal cathodes, the cathode being composed of a low-nickel duplex steel or a lower grade “304” steel, wherein operational adherence of an electrode-position thereon is enabled by altering various qualities of the cathode surface. There is also provided a method of producing the above duplex or Grade 304 cathode plates, such that the desired operational adherence of the deposit upon the plate is not so strong as to prevent the metal deposit being removed during subsequent handling.
US07807027B2
A plating method and a plating apparatus, which has a plurality of plating units, for plating a substrate. Each of the plating units includes a plating tank for containing a plating solution therein, a water cleaning tank, disposed adjacent to said plating tank for cleaning the substrate with water, a substrate holder for holding the substrate in a vertical orientation, a vertical displacing mechanism for vertically dipping the substrate holder and a substrate held thereby in the plating solution in the plating tank, and a lateral displacing mechanism or a back-and-forth displacing mechanism for moving the substrate holder while holding the substrate in a vertical orientation between the plating tank and the water cleaning tank. The plating unit also includes a loading/unloading station for loading and unloading the substrate, and a transfer device for transferring the substrate between the plating unit and the loading/unloading station.
US07807023B2
Sheet-like products are disclosed containing an additive composition. In accordance with the present disclosure, the additive composition is applied to a creping surface. A base sheet is then pressed against the creping surface for contact with the additive composition. The base sheet is then creped from the creping surface causing the additive composition to transfer to the base sheet. In particular, the additive composition is transferred to the base sheet in amounts greater than about 1% by weight, such as from about 2% to about 50% by weight. The additive composition can comprise, for instance, a thermoplastic polymer resin containing an aqueous dispersion, a lotion, a debonder, a softener, or mixtures thereof.
US07807021B2
In general, the present disclosure is directed to compositions and processes to increase pulp yield, reduce extractives, and reduce scaling in a chemical pulping process. In one particular embodiment, for instance, the present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising a surface active agent, an alkaline mixture, at least one polymer, the polymer having a linear backbone segment having two ends, at least one phosphorus component, the phosphorus component chemically linked along the linear backbone segment of the polymer, and at least one end component, the end component chemically linked to one or both ends of the linear backbone segment of the polymer.
US07807016B2
The invention pertains to a method for bonding a first substrate to a second substrate, including the steps of (a) applying to one or both of the substrates a primer composition that includes an adhesion promoter, which is an adduct prepared by the reaction of at least one aromatic polyisocyanate compound with an active hydrogen moiety of an organofunctional silane (e.g., an aminosilane, a mercapto-silane, or a combination thereof); (b) applying an adhesive to at least one of the substrates; and (c) assembling the two substrates. Another aspect of the invention the adhesion promoter is incorporated into a primer composition that includes a polymeric prepolymer with a free isocyanate content, and more specifically, at least one prepolymer (derived from the reaction of at least one aliphatic polyisocyanate and a polyol), which is at least partially reacted with an amino group of an aminosilane, wherein the aminosilane includes a plurality of alkoxy groups bound to silicon. The invention also contemplates kits that include the primer described herein and at least one adhesive.
US07807011B2
Trapped moisture in the walls of a building structure may result in the building materials prematurely deteriorating unless there is a way for the moisture to escape. A rainscreen drainage mat provides an open cavity for the trapped moisture to escape by evaporation or gravity by draining the moisture out of the wall cavity. The multilayer laminate system includes a weather resistive barrier, drainage mat, and facer material as one application to be used within building structures to prevent moisture damage. In addition, the multilayer laminate system and method is configured to create a water resistive envelope at building material interfaces.
US07807006B2
Multilayer plastic fuel tank, comprising a sulphonated part closing off an opening in the wall of the tank. The sulphonated part was manufactured independently of the tank. Process for manufacturing a tank comprising such a sulphonated part by molding a tank wall by blow molding or compression molding, the wall having an opening, and welding the sulphonated part to the wall of the tank surrounding the opening.
US07806992B2
A hot forged product including hardened areas introduced by partial cooling after hot forging, and unhardened areas, wherein Vickers hardness V1 of the hardened areas on the surface and Vickers hardness V2 of the unhardened areas satisfy the following formula (1): (V1−V2)/V2: 0.1 to 0.8.
US07806991B2
A lamellar high resistance layer having resistivity ten times or higher than that of a mother phase containing iron or cobalt is formed and an oxygen content is controlled to 10 to 10000 ppm so that the reliability and residual magnetic flux density are increased.
US07806988B2
A method of removing a mask and addressing interfacial carbon chemisbored in a semiconductor wafer starts with placing the semiconductor wafer into a dry strip chamber. The dry stripping process is performed to remove the mask on the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is then subjected to a cleaning solution to perform a cleaning process to remove particles on the surface of the semiconductor wafer and to address the interfacial carbon. The cleaning solution being either water containing ozone (O3) and ammonia (NH3), or a solution of hot phosphoric acid (H3PO4).
US07806973B2
A composition suitable for printing onto a fibrous structures and/or absorbent paper products is disclosed. The composition is provided with an ink composition and a silicone composition. The ink composition contains from about 0% to about 50% pigment, from about 0% to about 50% resin, and from about 100% to about 0% water. The silicone composition contains from about 1% to about 75% of silicone, from about 99% to about 25% emulsion, and from about 0% to about 99% water. The composition comprises from about 50% to about 99.75% of the ink composition and from about 0.25% to about 50% of the silicone composition.
US07806967B2
A fuel cell separator is provided with a separator substrate made of metal which has at least one open portion through which a fluid can pass provided in a predetermined position, and a film coating member that coats a predetermined area including the open portion of the separator substrate. A portion of the film coating member that corresponds to at least a peripheral edge portion of the open portion is adhesion treated.
US07806966B2
Compressed Air from an aircraft/rocket engine's compressed air line to its air-conditioning system, or an Auxiliary Air Compressor out-put is used, for energizing a high-speed gas turbine. The very high-speed convoluting air discharge into a vortex cone causes a first separation of the Air gas components, by stratifying into heavier (Argon), medium (Oxygen) and lighter (Nitrogen) components, where in the heavier and lighter components are non-combustible, inert gases and the medium is a combustible gas. The lighter non-combustible component (Nitrogen) exits from the turbine in one direction for storage in the Inert gas tank. The heavier (Argon) and medium (Oxygen) components together move in the opposite direction for having a second stratifying separation downstream in the vortex tube, to separate non-combustible, heavier (Argon) gas from combustible medium (Oxygen) gas components. The combustible, medium (Oxygen) component exits the vortex tube open end, to flow into an Oxygenating storage tank; whereas, the heavier, non-combustible(Argon) gas is piped into the Inert gas storage tank. Both gas storage tank in-flow lines are fitted with non-return valves. The out flow lines from the Inert tank to either Fuel Tank “Ullage” or “OBGIS” areas are fitted with electronic control valves, operated by signals received from fiber-optic Temperature/Pressure/Oxygen concentration Sensors in the Fuel tank “Ullage” or “OBGIS: areas. Likewise, the outflow lines from the Oxygenating tank are fitted with electronc control valves activated by engine “takeoff” or Passenger cabin low oxygen signals, respectively.
US07806963B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for broad spectrum chemical detection. The method includes detecting an ambient temperature and setting a target temperature based on the ambient temperature. The target temperature is a temperature greater than the ambient temperature. The method further includes determining elution data for the target temperature, either by selecting a target temperature at which elution data is available, or by interpolating between available sets of elution data. The method includes setting a preferred target temperature when an external power source is available, when faster sensor response is desired, and when higher resolution data is desired. The method further includes controlling the temperature of gas chromatography (GC) columns within a GC sensor to the target temperature.
US07806959B2
Metallic iron nuggets made by reducing-melt of a material containing a carbonaceous reductant and a metal-oxide-containing material, the metallic iron nuggets comprising at least 94% by mass, hereinafter denoted as “%”, of Fe and 1.0 to 4.5% of C, and having a diameter of 1 to 30 mm are disclosed.
US07806955B2
A gas-liquid separation system and a method thereof are disclosed. The said system comprises a gas-liquid separation conduit and a drain pipe. The drain pipe is curled and one side of the drain pipe connects to the gas-liquid separation conduit and the other side connects to a sewage pipe. According to the U-Tube principle, the gas and the liquid which both are exhausted by a machinery can be separated in the said system and therefore the said system can prevent related processes causing exhaust piping jam.
US07806952B2
Disclosed are apparatus, system, and method for enhancing air purification efficiency regarding a gaseous medium passing through an opening. Included is a high voltage source that creates an effective voltage field across the opening; and at least one charge bleeding element constructed and arranged to maintain an effective voltage field across the opening.
US07806946B2
An additive for hydrocarbon fuels such as LPG, gasoline, and diesel fuel. The additive includes a hydrocarbon mixture, an alkyl amine, and at least one vapor phase inhibitor.
US07806944B2
A fuel composition comprises at least a tetramethylcyclohexane and a fuel component. The tetramethylcyclohexane can be used as a fuel component or as a fuel additive in the fuel composition. The fuel composition may further comprise a conventional fuel component selected from a petroleum-based fuel component such as diesel fuel, jet fuel, kerosene or gasoline; or a coal-based fuel component. Methods of making and using the fuel composition are also disclosed.
US07806943B2
A secondary battery includes an electrode plate group (1) in which a positive electrode plate (2) and a negative electrode plate (3) are wound or stacked with a separator (4) interposed therebetween and a battery case (7) in which the electrode plate group (1) and an electrolyte are contained. At least one of the positive electrode plate (2) and the negative electrode plate (3) includes a porous protective film (28) formed on a surface of an active material layer. In a surface of the at least one of the electrode plates on which the porous protective film (28) is provided, a plurality of grooves (10) are formed, and the grooves (10) are also formed in the surface of the active material so that each of the grooves (10) extends from the surface of the porous protective film (28) to the surface of the active material layer.
US07806941B2
The present disclosure relates to a cosmetic composition for treating keratin fibers, for example human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one organosilicon compound chosen from silanes comprising one, two and three silicon atoms, wherein the at least one organosilicon compound also comprises at least one basic chemical function and at least one group chosen from hydroxyl and hydrolysable groups per molecule; at least one hydrophobic film-forming polymer; at least one pigment; and at least one volatile solvent. The present disclosure also relates to a process for treating keratin fibers, comprising applying to the keratin fibers the compositions according to the present disclosure.
US07806927B2
The invention relates to a prosthetic valve which is endoluminally placeable and comprises a tubular support radially deformable with respect to a main axis (X-X) from an unfolded implanting position to a folded setting position. A flexible plug connected to the tubular support and deformable between a blocking position in which it is transversally stretched and a releasing position in which it is transversally contracted by the action of a flow circulating through said tubular support. The inventive valve also comprises a rigid chord which extends generally along the generatrix of the tubular support and is connected thereto at least at two points which are remote from each other along the axis thereof.
US07806922B2
The vascular graft includes a PTFE tube having non-expanded portions formed from sintering a PTFE green tube extrudate. The non-expanded portions are distributed longitudinally along the PTFE tube. The PTFE tube also has expanded portions formed subsequent to the sintering of the PTFE green tube extrudate. The expanded and non-expanded portions are integral with one another, and alternate with one another along the length of the PTFE tube. The expanded and non-expanded portions each have a respective stiffness, where the stiffness of the non-expanded portion is greater than that of the expanded portion.
US07806919B2
A double walled stent system particularly suited for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract is disclosed having an exterior stent component and an interior stent component. The exterior stent component is secured to the interior stent component in a non-fixed, sliding relationship. The exterior stent component includes a plurality of longitudinally-extending connectors such as straight or sinusoidal bands. The interior stent component has a generally tubular cylindrical body and is centered within the exterior stent component. The stent system has a contracted delivery configuration and a radially expanded configuration for contacting the vessel wall. When deployed, the longitudinally-extending connectors of the exterior stent component come in contact with the vessel wall and fix the stent system to the treatment site. The interior stent component also radially expands but remains centered inside the exterior component and makes little to no contact with the vessel wall.
US07806918B2
The invention is relative to a stent with a tubular support frame consisting of axially successively following, interconnected annular segments which support frame is surrounded on its outside by a thread. The thread ends are guided via a deflection from the outside into support frame, where they are coupled by a connector consisting of a material visible in x-rays. Deflection is realized by two deflection elements in the form of eyelets provided on annular segments. Deflection elements are arranged on the circumference of support frame at an interval from one another and are provided on end-side annular segments, viewed in longitudinal direction of the stent.
US07806915B2
Methods and apparatuses for temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including an induced state of hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette is attached to the circulatory conduits of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within a control unit. The control unit includes a heater/cooler device for providing heated or cooled fluid to a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fluid heat exchange medium circulating to the heat exchange catheter, a user input device, and a processor connected to receive input from various sensors around the body and the system. A temperature control scheme for ramping the body temperature up or down without overshoot is provided.
US07806912B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to bone alignment rod connectors, and more particularly to traverse rod connectors. In one embodiment, the connector includes a housing having an opening configured to accommodate at least one rod, a setscrew assembly configured to secure the at least one rod when the at least one rod is placed in the opening. The setscrew assembly includes a setscrew and at least one circular/spherical object configured to interact with the setscrew when the setscrew is inserted in the housing. Upon insertion of the setscrew, the at least one spherical object is configured to laterally move towards the at least one rod to secure the at least one rod inside the housing.
US07806911B2
A spinous process clamp employs a pair of elongate plates that are positioned on either side of the spinous processes of vertebrae that are to be fused. The plates are joined by fasteners, preferably bolts and nuts. The plates include a recess on the bone facing side of the plate for retaining a bone growth promoting substance. When the bolts and nuts are tightened, the spinous processes are clamped between the plates, thereby pressing the bone growth promoting substance against the bone and encouraging bone growth across the vertebrae fixed by the plates.
US07806903B2
A clipping instrument for an endoscope is provided. The clipping instrument includes a flexible sheath, an operation wire, at least one detachable clip assembly, including a pair of clipping arms and a fastening ring. The clipping arms are configured to be projected forward to open outside the flexible sheath and to be closed to clip onto a treatment object outside the flexible sheath according to movements of the fastening ring. The clipping instrument further includes a sleeve formed to have a plurality of slits and a blade spring piece to be attached to the sleeve. The sleeve includes a plurality of blade springs, each of which is settled in one of the plurality of the slits of the sleeve when the blade spring piece is attached to the sleeve. The plurality of blade springs can resiliently hold the detachable clip assembly in a posture with respect to the flexible sheath.
US07806890B2
A medical device includes a vascular access device with an access port having a septum and a slit. The slit is formed on the inner surface of the body of the septum where the access port receives an access device that is separate from the vascular access device through the slit of the septum. A pivoting member in communication with the access port pivots when the port is accessed by an access device. The medical device may be used to control the volume displacement of a chamber within the medical device by decreasing the volume of the chamber by inserting a substance having a mass into the chamber, pivoting a structure associated with the chamber, and increasing the volume of the chamber simultaneously and commensurately with the mass of the substance inserted into the chamber.
US07806864B2
System for detecting and removing gas bubbles from a vascular infusion line, including a cassette adapted for disposition intermediate the fluid line, the cassette including a flexible tube having an inlet port for connection to a supply side of the fluid line, an outlet port configured for connection to a patient side of the fluid line, and a purge port intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and a base unit adapted to receive the cassette and monitor fluid flow through the tube, the base unit including a sensor to detect the presence of a gas bubble in the fluid flow, a pinch valve adapted to stop the flow of fluid, and a control unit adapted to operate the base unit so that (i) fluid is permitted to flow past the pinch valve when no gas bubble is detected; and (ii) fluid flow is arrested when a gas bubble is detected.
US07806862B2
A regional anesthesia system and a cart for aiding in the placement of a regional anesthesia block without the need of ancillary assistance. The invention includes equipment for use in the performance of a regional anesthesia block which is carried on a cart for transporting and providing a stable foundation for the equipment. The equipment includes a nerve localization means such as ultrasound or a peripheral nerve stimulator for locating a target nerve of a patient, a position assist arm for maintaining the position of the localization means over the target nerve while the operator inserts an anesthetic needle over the target nerve, and an anesthetic infusion device for infusing or aspirating through the anesthesia needle. The infusion device includes an infusion pump controlled by a foot pedal. The system may be easily transported to a patient requiring a regional anesthesia block, and allows the regional anesthesia block to be performed with minimal ancillary assistance.
US07806857B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily excluding an aneurysm or an arterio-venous fistula from a flow path by transluminally disposing a hollow balloon catheter structure within the aneurysm so that its proximal and distal ends extend past the aneurysm while maintaining continuity of the flow path, and then injecting a synthetic molding material or a biological hardening agent into the aneurysm cavity to cause solidification of the volume within the cavity. Once the material within the excluded aneurysm has solidified, the balloon catheter structure is deflated and removed, so that the hardened mass forms a new lining for the organ or vessel, and relieves the weakened tissue of the aneurysm or fistula from further flow-induced stress.
US07806852B1
An apparatus and associated methods are provided to authenticate a patient based on a biometric identifier of the patient before a prescribed dose of medical therapeutic, such as analgesics or other medication, are dispensed to the patient. Authentication takes places by pressing a button and scanning the patient's fingerprint and recording data corresponding to the fingerprint into memory. To receive the medical therapeutic, the patient can have his or her fingerprint read and compared to the stored fingerprint. If there is a match and the programmed limitations are met (e.g., a time interval has elapsed since the last dose), then the medical therapeutic is automatically dispensed to the patient. The system may be integrated with a new patient-controlled medical therapeutic device or the system may be added to an already existing device. Other features and advantages of the example embodiments are described.
US07806847B2
An implant may be used for implantation into tissue of a body. The implant includes an elongated conduit and a loop. The elongated conduit has an interior passageway for conducting fluid. The loop has an interior circumference with a fluid conducting channel formed therein. The channel is interconnected with the interior passageway for delivery of fluid between the channel and the interior passageway.
US07806845B2
This invention provides an apparatus and methods to consistently separate and concentrate selected blood components. The system includes, e.g., a computerized fluid handling system to transfer blood components between a centrifugal blood separation disc, containers and a concentrator.
US07806840B2
Provided is a motor driven massage device comprising a rubbing mechanism comprising two eccentric rubbing sleeves at both ends of a motor shaft, two housings each for enclosing the rubbing sleeve, and two pairs of upper and lower arms each arm having an extended roller; a beating mechanism comprising two beating sleeves at both ends of a motor shaft, and two links each interconnected the beating sleeve and the housing; an angle adjustment mechanism comprising a rotating rod and a gear based linking assembly interconnected the rotating rod and the rubbing mechanism for adjusting an angle of each roller; and two kneading mechanisms at both sides each disposed proximate the housing and the lower arm and comprising two spaced plates and a drive source between the plates for activating the lower arms.
US07806835B2
A biopsy device includes a cannula, a cutter disposed within the cannula, a needle hub having a gear for rotating the cannula, a mechanism for rotating and translating the cutter within the cannula, and a body portion. The cutter rotation and translation mechanism includes a first component that is secured to the cutter and a second component that is secured to the body portion. The body portion includes a tab that is configured to retain the axial position of the cannula and needle hub relative to the body until the tab is depressed or removed. The body is configured to permit the cannula and the needle hub to be pulled axially from the body only after the tab has been depressed or removed. The cutter can then be pulled axially from the body by unscrewing the first component of the cutter rotation and translation mechanism from the second component.
US07806829B2
Catheter navigation is coupled with ultrasound imaging to yield a context map showing the location on a heart of the ultrasonically imaged frame.
US07806826B2
A method for eliminating abnormal blood flow velocities in an ultrasonic imaging system is provided in present invention. The method comprises: receiving signals of blood flow; pre-processing the received signals to generate velocity signs in real time; obtaining a plurality of the velocity signs in a predefined spatial and temporal order, and performing weighted smoothing on the plurality of the velocity signs; determining the direction of blood flow at the pixel to be confirmed according to result of the weighted smoothing. A module for performing above method and a color flow imaging system with such a module are also provided in present invention. The method and apparatus provided by present invention can judge the practical direction of blood flow intelligently by performing spatial-temporal smoothing only on the signs of blood flow velocities, so that the estimation error caused by the system noise, clutter residue, speckle effect and etc. can be corrected.
US07806820B2
An apparatus and method for automatic balancing and inertial damping of vibrations in a rotor are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a rotor drive shaft is adapted to mount a rotor and rotate the rotor. A lower drive shaft connects to a source of rotation. A flexible coupling attaches the rotor drive shaft to the lower drive shaft and transfers a rotational force applied by the source of rotation to the rotor while permitting relative lateral motion between the rotor drive shaft and the lower drive shaft. An inertial coupling is coupled to the rotor drive shaft and provides inertial resistance to the relative lateral motion. A clamping collar is coupled to the inertial coupling to couple the inertial coupling to a chassis and permit the relative lateral motion between the rotor drive shaft and the lower drive shaft.
US07806813B2
An exercise machine in one embodiment includes a frame, a pivot arm, an adapter mounted on the pivot arm to adjust between various adapter positions, and an operator engagement device mounted on the adapter to adjust between various engagement device positions. The adapter is typically telescopically mounted on the pivot arm to extend and retract along a first axis about which the adapter is also rotatable. The engagement device is typically telescopically mounted on the adapter to extend and retract along a second axis which is transverse to the first axis and about which the engagement device is rotatable. The embodiments may include a pivotal connection between the pivot arm and a generally T-shaped handle for positioning the handle and for enhancing the use of the handle. Handle extenders may be included to lengthen a typical T-shaped handle. Unique cable and pulley configurations are also disclosed.
US07806808B2
An athletic apparatus with non-parallel linear sliding tracks includes a frame, a pair of non-parallel linear tracks installed to the frame, a pair of pedal mechanisms slidably installed to the tracks and a pair of rocker arm mechanisms. Each rocker arm mechanism pivoted to a shaft rod of the frame is linked to the pedal mechanism through at least one linking rod and further connected to a damping mechanism which provides a resistance to the rocker arm mechanism. Each pedal mechanism is linked to a steel rope of a linking mechanism so that the pair of the pedal mechanisms can move back and forth against each other alternately along the non-parallel linear tracks. A handle is arranged on a top of each rocker arm mechanism, a user can exercise by holding the handles and treading on the pedal mechanism.
US07806805B2
An exerciser including a movable body carriage mounted on an exerciser frame for movement along tracks provided by the frame. A resilient foot engaging assembly extends from the exerciser frame. The resilient foot engaging assembly is adapted to be engaged by the user's feet to absorb the energy of movement in a first direction and to provide the user with a bouncing movement, which the user may translate into a movement of the movable body carriage in the opposite direction. The resilient foot engaging assembly may be provided as an attachment and retrofitted to existing exercisers. The resilient foot engaging assembly includes a unit mounting frame assembly and an independent usable exercising unit, such as an inflated dome or trampoline unit, removably secured thereon. The exerciser may include a resilient resistance system coupled to the movable body carriage and a set of pull lines with user grips trained over pulleys carried by the exerciser frame. Also disclosed are methods for enabling users to exercise in either one of two different modes.
US07806801B2
A drivetrain of a motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a transmission, and a torque converter with a converter bypass clutch. The drivetrain is controlled such that, during an electric operating mode in which the internal combustion engine is deactivated and the electric motor is activated, and/or during a recuperation operating mode in which the internal combustion engine is deactivated and the electric motor is operated as a generator, the converter bypass clutch is permanently closed, at least between shift processes of the transmission, in order to bypass the torque converter.
US07806792B2
A front derailleur is provided with an auxiliary bicycle shifting component to minimize reduction in downshifting performance when a chain is located on a chain-entry side of a chain guide. The auxiliary bicycle shifting component basically has a fixed part and a chain contact part. The fixed part is used to fix the chain contact part on the chain guide. The chain contact part is disposed on the chain-entry side of an outer plate of a chain guide of the front derailleur, and is configured and arranged to contact with a chain.
US07806784B2
The present invention relates to a golf ball having a solid core of at least one layer, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a paint film on a surface of the cover, wherein at least one cover layer and/or the paint film includes a luster pigment composed of metal oxide-coated alumina flakes. This golf ball has a high commercial value because of its visual impact and high quality feel, and because it achieves a bright, color-saturated effect without the yellow cast typical of conventional golf ball surfaces.
US07806782B2
Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes a slot or rail defined therein; and (c) a weight member at least partially located within the slot or rail. The weight member may be mounted at plural positions along the slot or rail (optionally at least partially within a weight cartridge member provided with the club head body). The weight member also may be movably engaged with the weight cartridge member, slot, rail, and/or other portion of the club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making and using such golf clubs and golf club heads also are described.
US07806781B2
To provide a golf club head in which a sole portion has a high rigidity. A weight material is mounted near a central part of the sole portion in the fore-to-aft direction, and a rib extends in the toe-to-heel direction. Since the sole portion has high rigidity in the toe-to-heel direction, there is less deformation of the head in the toe-to-heel direction when hitting the ball, thereby suppressing the vibration of the sole portion. An elastic body is filled in a recess portion and closely contacted with the weight material, whereby the vibration of the sole portion is absorbed by the elastic body.
US07806779B2
Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described.
US07806776B2
A replaceable cue tip assembly is provided to enable the easy and quick replacement of tip pads of cue sticks. The cue tip assembly includes a tip ferrule that is attachable to a cue stick shaft or to conventional shaft ferrule. It also includes a tip pad holder to which a tip pad is to be fixed. The tip pad holder has a non-threaded conical surface that seats upon a mating non-threaded conical surface of the tip ferrule. The outside diameter of the tip ferrule may be less than local thickness of the cue shaft under certain conditions. Various means of connecting the tip pad holder and the tip ferrule together are disclosed. Cue sticks having the replaceable cue tip assemblies are also disclosed as are tip pad holder tools for use in attaching and removing the tip pad holders.
US07806775B1
A mechanism for spacing a swing from underneath a horizontal climbing ladder of a jungle gym-type swing apparatus. In one implementation, the apparatus is spring biased such that the swing is laterally spaced away from the plane of the horizontal climbing ladder when not in use and, in another implementation, the apparatus fixedly positions the swing away from the plane of the horizontal climbing ladder when not in use.
US07806770B2
A gaming machine includes a cabinet and a main door coupled to the cabinet. The main door and the cabinet define a first interior space when the main door is in a closed position. A mounting assembly is coupled to hinge of the main door. The main display is connected to the mounting assembly, wherein the main display does not move with the main door when the main door is moved from a first closed position to a second opened position, and wherein the main display is movable from a closed position to an open position independent of the main door. The mounting assembly does not require a separate hinge or mounting assembly and moves independently of the main cabinet door. The mounting assembly may be retrofitted to pre-existing gaming cabinets or installed in new gaming cabinets without any additional components thereby reducing retrofitting, manufacturing, and maintenance costs.
US07806763B2
A method according to one or more embodiments of the present invention provides for initiating an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of games, and receiving a first signal including a video representation of the automated session. The method also includes transmitting a second signal including the video representation of the automated session to a player communication device.
US07806749B2
A cosmetic appliance and method of use for temporarily lifting, supporting or smoothing the skin of selected areas of a user's body, including the eyebrows, eyelids, throat, neck, breasts and other areas, and which is not readily apparent once applied, formed in predetermined shapes from thin, generally translucent flexible sheeting to one side of which adhesive has been applied and covered with a peel-away layer.
US07806746B2
A novelty popper toy and its associated method of operation. The popper toy has a head section that is supported on a braided sleeve body. When the popper toy is compressed, the braided sleeve body elastically deforms from an uncompressed state to a compressed state. While in the compressed state, the braided sleeve body stores energy. If the compression force is suddenly released, the braided sleeve body releases its stored energy and pops back into its uncompressed state. As the braided sleeve body returns to its uncompressed state, it rapidly expands, therein providing enough force to propel the entire popper toy into the air. The popper toy can be delayed in its expansion and/or prevented from flying into the air by the addition of a suction cup to the popper toy.
US07806738B2
A power source terminal structure includes an insertion terminal and a docking terminal. The insertion terminal has a main body and a contacting portion. The contacting portion is formed by extending from one end of the main body. The contacting portion is provided with a first protrusion. The docking terminal has a base and two elastic arms. The two elastic arms clamp the main body. The base is provided with a second protrusion opposite perpendicular to the first protrusion. The second protrusion contacts the first protrusion. Via this arrangement, the contact area between the insertion terminal and the docking terminal can be increased, and the reliability of the connector for transmitting the electric current and signals can be increased. Thus, the electric current is more stable.
US07806729B2
A terminal module for assembly into a high-speed electrical connector having a contact receiving first contact pair and second contact pair, the second contact pair being in electrical communication with the first contact pair via a corresponding pair of contact interconnections. The contact interconnections have a substantially identical length of the corresponding pair and are arranged within parallel planes. The module further includes a shielding member arranged and disposed in close proximity to at least three edges of one or more of the first contact pair, the second contact pair and the contact interconnections to provide shielding. A housing member is arranged and disposed to receive backplane contacts via contact receiving apertures. The housing member is engaged with the first contact pair to receive the contacts into the contacts of the first contact pair. A backplane having grounding plate grid is also disclosed.
US07806727B2
The invention relates to a plug connector (10), in particular, for telecommunications and data-systems-technology connections, comprising a housing in which a connector jack (20) is disposed around which a mating face is disposed, wherein the housing has a front section (44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e) and a rear section (42), wherein the mating face (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) is disposed on the front section (44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e), while the connector jack (20) is disposed in the rear section (42) or in the front section (44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e), and wherein the front section (44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e) is disposed on the rear section (42) in a detachably connectable manner.
US07806711B2
An electrically conductive fork includes first and second arm members each having an electrical contact and a pivot portion, the pivot portion configured to receive a portion of a rod, where the first and second arm members are configured to pivot around the rod, and a connector mechanically connecting the first and second arm members in fixed relation to each other prior to insertion of a busbar between the electrical contacts, where the connector is configured to yield to a force imparted on the connector and allow the first and second arm members to pivot around the rod in response to insertion of the busbar between the electrical contacts, and the insertion of the bus bar causes the electrical contacts to separate and pivot the first and second arm members around the rod and impart the force on the connector.
US07806706B2
A system comprises a plug locking assembly and a key. The plug locking assembly comprises a cover for receiving and holding a plug comprising a latch and a latch support surface positionable under the latch. A rotatable cam comprising a stop surface and a slot may carry the latch support surface and may interact with a cam latch comprising an arm. The arm is alternately positionable to abut the stop surface and to lie within the slot. The key may comprise a shaft, a key tab and a limit tab. The key mates with a key receiving member associated with the cover. The limit tab is positioned on a top surface of the shaft and helps prevent over-rotation of the latch support member.
US07806701B2
The electronic card of the present invention enables prevention of failure of an electronic circuit incorporated in the electronic card by establishing an electrostatic shielding unit. A connector has a plurality of contacts and a housing. A container case has a side facing a face of one side of the substrate on which an electronic circuit is imprinted, and a first shell and a second shell of electrically conductive material positioned on a side facing the face of the other side of the substrate, respectively. An opening is established on a front end section relating to insertion and removal of the connector in a housing, and is held in a state in which contacts are exposed internally. An electrostatic shielding unit is of electrically conductive material that is electrically connected to the container case, and is positioned in an exposed state on a surface of the above-mentioned front end section.
US07806696B2
An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g., sheath, catheter and wire), whereby the interface device individually grasps, measures manipulation of and provides force feedback to the nested instruments. In addition, the interface device may be configured to simultaneously accommodate a plurality of independently inserted instruments.
US07806687B2
An occlusal state correction-supporting apparatus, a program therefor, and a recording medium thereof are provided, which can generate necessary, effective information in order to complete the shape of teeth excellently bitten. A shape-extracting means 10 extracts and stores shaped data of an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A position-extracting means 20 extracts and stores absolute coordinate data of reference points. A condition setting and distance-computing means 30 computes the distance between a upper jaw model 100 and a lower jaw model 200 while gradually bringing them close in a perpendicular direction. The condition setting and distance-computing means 30 also sets a condition of occlusal contact point, executes such approach movement again, and computes the distance. A correction area and amount-determining means 40 obtains information through a operator's operation, which indicates that desired occlusal state has been obtained, and determines the correction area and the correction-amount based on the occlusal state of the upper jaw and the lower jaw at that time.
US07806686B2
An apparatus and method for anchoring orthodontic appliances or the like in the mouth wherein anchor screws of different constructions are installed in the bone in different areas of the mouth to insure adequate bone contact and retention. Each of the anchor screws has a threaded portion and a washer portion at the outer end of the threaded portion which is of sufficient width to engage the adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone to provide lateral support for the threaded portion. In some cases, the threaded portion is provided with threads of different sizes and the washer portion is provided with an exterior thread for cutting through gum tissue to enable the washer portion to engage the underlying adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone. Each anchor screw is provided with a lateral bore at the outer end thereof for receiving a ligature or the like therethrough to prevent the anchor screw from falling in the mouth.
US07806683B2
A safety valve supply circuit for the ignition of a gas burner is disclosed. Said safety valve is directly supplied by a flame-detecting thermocouple, and said supply circuit comprises a supply capacitor that is charged from an alternating mains voltage, obtaining from the energy accumulated in said supply capacitor, due to said charging, an input voltage signal that is used to temporarily supply said safety valve in order to maintain it open. Said charging of the supply capacitor is carried out by momentarily activating a supply switch to temporarily connect said supply capacitor to said alternating mains voltage, said supply switch activation occurring concurrently with the activation of the gas burner. Said supply circuit also comprises conditioning means for converting said input voltage signal into an output voltage signal that is directly applied to said safety valve to supply it, and so maintain it open.
US07806679B2
A drawing apparatus is capable of releasing a material, the inner surface of which has been formed into a concavo-convex shape with drawing, from a mold with excellent release performance, even in the case where the concavo-convex part formed in the inner surface of the product is of a shape causing it to get caught in the direction of pulling out of the product against the mold. The mold is formed in a split structure having a concavo-convex surface shape and is contractible in diameter after the forming of the material.
US07806673B2
A nonmetallic pump with a gear pump assembly having an adapter spool mounted to an electric motor. The pump assembly is designed to reduce manufacturing costs and to provide access for many service and maintenance tasks to be performed without breaking any of the pipe connections. The pump assembly also includes a splined shaft system and a lubricating fluid circulation system with spiral grooves located inside a pair of bearings disposed on opposite sides of the gear flights. The assembly also includes a replaceable precision liner that surrounds the gear flights to maintain a tight tolerance for optimal performance of the pump. Also, an O-ring disposed inside the front cover of the assembly provides for operation of the pump over a wide temperature variation with relatively loose manufacturing tolerances.
US07806666B2
A displacement control valve (32) is connected to a variable displacement compressor. An open passage (53) in which a refrigerant gas flows is formed within a rod (31) and a valve body (30) of the displacement control valve (32). Further, an inner circumferential surface of a valve chamber (36) is formed as a guide portion (40) for moving the valve body (30) along an axis (L1) of the valve chamber (36). A valve portion (30a) of the valve body (30) is formed in a circular arc cross sectional shape along a surface of a sphere (K) in which an intermediate point of a length of the guide portion (40) along the axis (L1) of the valve chamber (36) is set to a center (N) on the axis (L1), and a distance from the center (N) to a contact point between a valve seat (36a) and the valve portion (30a) is set to a radius (r).
US07806662B2
The blade retention system comprises an annular sealing plate and a plurality of spaced-apart blade retention tabs having opposite first and second ends and a radially-orientated corrugated profile. The first ends of the tabs are connected to a first side face of the annular sealing plate. Each tab is configured and disposed to be inserted through a bottom portion of a respective one of the blade retention slots when the first side face of the sealing plate is positioned against one of the side faces of the rotor disc and covers an end side of the blade retention slots. The second end of each tab extends beyond the other of the side faces of the rotor disc and is bent to secure the annular sealing plate with reference to the rotor disc.
US07806653B2
A stator vane that may be used in engine assemblies. The stator vane includes an airfoil having a first sidewall and a second sidewall that is coupled to the first sidewall at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. The airfoil extends radially from a root portion to a tip portion. Each of the leading and trailing edges includes at least one lean directional change and a plurality of sweep directional changes that are defined between the root portion and the tip portion.
US07806649B2
A blower comprising: a vane wheel including a pair of grooves, and blades extending in a radial direction of the vane wheel in each groove, and a casing including stationary flow paths facing to the grooves respectively so that the gas urged in the grooves is capable of flowing in a circumferential direction in the stationary flow paths, a guide flow path extending in the axial directions to fluidly communicate with both of the stationary flow paths to enable the gas to flow from one of the stationary flow paths to the other one of the stationary flow paths, an inlet port for introducing the gas into the one of the stationary flow paths facing to the one of the grooves and an outlet port for discharging the gas out of the other one of the stationary flow paths facing to the other one of the grooves.
US07806646B2
A delivery rack system for transporting a dolly. The delivery rack system includes a frame disposed on a plurality of wheels. The frame includes a side rail and first and second transverse rails disposed proximate the side rail. The side rail, the first transverse rail, and second transverse rail cooperate to define a compartment adapted to receive the dolly.
US07806644B2
A tray discharge apparatus which is capable of automatically discharging and storing medicine-filled trays in carts and aligning the carts. The apparatus includes a cart standby portion (13) for putting a cart (8) transported from a cart supply line (48) on standby; and a tray supply portion (14) having a tray shift unit (21) for sequentially storing trays (7) in storage areas (46) of the cart transported from the cart standby portion. The tray supply portion is operable to align the carts with the stored trays relative to a tray discharge line (49) that is juxtaposed to the tray supply line. Also, a cart shift member (15) is provided for moving the cart to the tray supply portion from the cart standby portion.
US07806633B2
A cutting insert includes a top surface; a bottom surface; a plurality of clearance side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces; a cutting edge formed at an intersection between the top surface and at least one of the plurality of clearance side surfaces; and a threaded hole extending from the bottom surface to a predetermined distance from the top surface. The threaded hole is capable of receiving an insert screw for mounting the cutting insert to a cutter body. A cutting tool for mounting the cutting insert to an insert-receiving pocket is also disclosed.
US07806626B2
Disclosed herein is a system and method for computer assisted driving of vehicles. The system disclosed herein provides an array of sensors positioned in the vehicles at strategic points for capturing vibrations and sound induced, when the vehicles move over pavement surfaces marked with predefined patterns of peaks and troughs. The sensors further measure frequencies of these vibrations. An onboard computer on the vehicle matches the captured frequencies and sound against pre-specified frequencies to obtain unique frequency signatures for the segment of the pavement traversed by the vehicle. Navigational data and geographical data associated with the unique frequency signature are used to provide assistance in driving of vehicles.
US07806623B2
An insert for an external fixation has two jaws for clamping a rod-shaped element. The insert includes a locking element and is an angled piece having two free ends, with at least one engagement edge for engagement into the rod-shaped element being provided at its one free end. The insert has a recess or bore for engagement with a locking shaft of the clamp provided at the free end thereof that lies opposite to the free end having the rod engagement edge. The insert is angled so that it may extend through a passageway in one of the jaws and into a cavity formed in the jaw for receiving the rod. The insert rod engaging edges are tapered to bite into the rod to prevent its movement.
US07806621B2
A locking device designed to maintain the connection between a male connecting element and a female connecting element, and assembly including the locking device. The locking device includes a sleeve provided with a female thread designed to interact with a male thread of the female connecting element and indexing means housed in the sleeve and designed to interact with the male connecting element and to be indexed during screwing of the locking device onto the female connecting element. The locking device also includes a compression device mounted so that it sides in the sleeve and is capable of increasing a contact pressure between the indexing means after screwing.
US07806620B1
Corner joint, in particular a corner joint (1) for cabinetwork which is made of hollow molds (2-3), whereby this corner joint (1) has at least one infeed corner piece (4) with two infeed parts (5-6) extending at an angle which extend in the respective far ends of the molds (2-3) to be joined, characterized in that it is provided with supplementary features which increase the resistance of this corner joint (1) and thus of the mitre as a whole against deformation.
US07806619B2
A shaft assembly having a first shaft and a second shaft interconnected by a bipot joint is disclosed. The first shaft and the second shaft are disposed in overlapping spaced relationship. The bipot joint includes a pivot block sandwiched between the first shaft and the second shaft. The pivot defines a mounting surface abutting one of the first and second shafts, and a semi-annular surface opposing the mounting surface and abutting the other of the first shaft and the second shaft. A fastener extends through a bore defined by the first shaft, the pivot block and the second shaft to interconnect the first shaft, the pivot block and the second shaft. The fastener includes a spring to bias the first shaft, the pivot block and the second shaft together, thereby de-lashing the bipot joint.
US07806612B1
The present invention may be used for applying fluids to a convex surface. A handle may be attached to a fluid dispensing assembly that may have a roller applicator assembly attached. The roller applicator assembly may have rollers rotatably disposed on a bracket with two of the rollers positioned at an oblique angle to an intermediate roller. The fluid dispensing assembly may have a body with a first fluid channel in fluid communication with a first fluid container in the handle and a second fluid channel in fluid communication with a second fluid container in the handle, and a piston in each fluid container. The first fluid channel may have an aperture adjacent a first roller and a second aperture adjacent the intermediate roller. The second fluid channel may have an aperture adjacent a second roller and a second aperture adjacent the intermediate roller.
US07806607B2
A drive frame 34 serving as a cylindrical molded article includes a drive frame main body 34a, three first cam grooves 34c, three second cam grooves 34d, three first gate portions 84b, and three high-density regions H. The first gate portions are formed at the end of the cylindrical portion, and are vestiges of gates in injection molding. The high-density regions H are regions in which there is the highest proportion of the axial direction dimension accounted for by the first cam grooves 34c and the second cam grooves 34d with respect to the axial direction dimension of the drive frame main body 34a. The first gate portions 84b are disposed at a location closer to one of two adjacent high-density regions than the other in the circumferential direction of the two adjacent high-density regions H.
US07806605B2
Disclosed herein is a light amount adjustment apparatus, including: a shutter blade and a filter blade each configured to operate in a predetermined direction to adjust the amount of light transmitted through a lens group; a first magnet configured to drive the shutter blade; a first core and a first coil; a second magnet configured to drive the filter blade; and a second core and a second coil. The filter blade has a control portion for controlling and adjusts the amount of light transmitted through the lens group. The filter blade has at least one hole or one cutaway portion formed at a portion of the filter blade other than the control portion.
US07806604B2
Facial detection and tracking systems and methods within a wide field of view are disclosed. A facial detection and tracking system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can include a wide field of view camera for detecting and tracking one or more objects within a wider field of view, and at least one narrower field of view camera for obtaining a higher-resolution image of each object located within a subset space of the wider field of view. The wide field of view camera can be operatively coupled to a computer or other such device that determines the subset space location of the individual within the wider field of view, and then tasks one or more of the narrower field of view cameras covering the subset space location to obtain a high-resolution image of the object.
US07806599B2
An optical fiber interconnect system wherein the adapter employs a push-push interconnect mechanism wherein the adapter employs a spring loaded slider that moves in a single plane in response to a first pushing force to engage the connector with the adapter and a second pushing force to disengage the connector from the adapter so that the connector can be withdrawn from the adapter.The adapter includes an automatic shutter that is opened upon contact by the inserted connector housing with a cam on the lower portion of the shutter, but avoids contact with the ferrule polished end face. Angled latches are provided on the modular contact so as to enable disengagement and removal of the contact from the remainder of the connector assembly from the front thereof.
US07806591B2
An apparatus for aligning a radiation source with an image receiver has a first light source coupled to the radiation source and actuable to direct a first beam of light toward the image receiver and a second light source coupled to the radiation source and actuable to direct a second beam of light toward the image receiver. A reflector element is coupled to the image receiver and is disposed to form, when placed in the path of both first and second light beams, reflected light that indicates the relative alignment of the image receiver to the radiation source. The reflected light may form a pattern indicative of alignment.
US07806586B2
Mechanical transducers such as pressure sensors, resonators or other frequency-reference devices are implemented under conditions characterized by different temperatures. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a combination of materials is implemented for mechanical transducer applications to mitigate temperature-related changes. In one application, a material property mismatch is used to facilitate single-anchor transducer applications, such as for resonators. Another application is directed to a Silicon-Silicon dioxide combination of materials.
US07806582B2
A luminous module for mounting in a household appliance has a housing that is embodied in such a way as to receive a luminous element. The luminous module further contains a first optical wave guide having a light admission surface via which light emitted by the luminous element enters the first optical wave guide, and a light output surface via which the light emerges from the luminous module. The housing is embodied in such a way as to alternatively receive a first luminous element and a second luminous element that is different from the first.
US07806574B2
An LED-based lighting system includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having conductors on a front-side thereof, one or more LEDs mounted with the conductors, and a structural element. The PCB is mounted with the conductors near to the structural element so that heat dissipation from the LEDs is primarily through the conductors and the structural element. A method of dissipating heat generated by an LED-based lighting system includes configuring a PCB with conductors on a front-side of the PCB, such that when one or more LEDs mounted to the conductors generates heat, the heat dissipates from the one or more LEDs to the conductors. The method also includes integrating a structural element such that at least portions of the conductors face the structural element, and the heat dissipates from the conductors to the structural element.
US07806573B2
A headlamp for a vehicle includes a lighting unit and an extension for covering a clearance between a lamp body and the lighting unit in a lighting chamber formed by the lamp body and a cover. The lighting unit includes a light source bulb and a reflector for reflecting a direct light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction. The extension includes a first extension having a bottom side front end taking a substantially dogleg-shaped section in which a bent portion is turned in a forward direction of the vehicle, and a second extension positioned behind the first extension and having a front edge on an internal surface of a bottom side lighting unit positioned below a rear edge of the internal surface of the lighting unit in a bottom side front end of the first extension.
US07806572B2
A headlamp assembly which employs semiconductor light sources includes an optics chamber that is isolated from the surrounding environment to prevent the ingress of water, dirt, or other foreign materials into the optics chamber. At the same time, the headlamp assembly includes a plenum chamber, separated from the optics chamber, and airflow through the plenum chamber provides the necessary cooling for the semiconductor light sources.
US07806552B1
A lighted cooler includes a thermally-insulated cooler body having a cooler body interior, at least one lid carried by the cooler body and closeable over the cooler body interior, a front body panel carried by the cooler body, a transparent light panel carried by the cooler body in spaced-apart relationship with respect to the front body panel, a plurality of lights carried by the front body panel adjacent to the transparent light panel, a power source electrically connected to the plurality of lights and a light control button electrically connected between the power source and the plurality of lights.
US07806543B2
A temperature controlled case is disclosed that includes a housing defining a display area and a first shelf provided within the display area. The temperature controlled case also includes a light system associated with the first shelf. The light system includes a substrate having a first portion and a second portion and a light source provided at the first portion of the substrate and configured to direct light through the substrate towards the second portion for illuminating an area below the first shelf. According to another embodiment, the substrate is a light sheet that cooperates with the light source to provide a distribution of light that varies between the first portion of the light sheet and the second portion of the sheet.
US07806535B2
Described herein are devices that provide projection-type video output in a portable design. The projection-type display devices include a battery that stores electrical energy. The battery increases display device portability and flexible usage by permitting display device operation in locations not serviceable by a fixed power supply. For example, inclusion of a battery extends projector-type display device usage into a car, library, remote environment, or any other setting where fixed power outlets are not readily available or within power cord reach. To increase device endurance from a finite battery power supply, the present invention may also implement one or more hardware designs that reduce power consumption.
US07806533B2
An optical system comprises a first image capture device for capturing an image of an observation area, a first display device, a semi-reflecting plate, a concave mirror disposed facing the first display device, and a second display device for displaying a background image. A light beam is scattered by the first display device through the semi-reflecting plate and then reflected by the mirror and the semi-reflecting plate in order to display an aerial image between the semi-reflecting plate and the observation area. A projector projects a light beam toward one of the display devices. The first image capture device is adapted to capture the image of the observation area via said one display device. A alternating control device alternates capture of an image of the observation area by the first image capture device and projection of the light beam projected by the projector.
US07806529B2
An eye examination apparatus 100 of the present invention comprises, a refractive power measuring section 50 for measuring refractive powers of subject eyes E of a subject in a binocular viewing state, an eye chart presenting section 30 for presenting a subjective measurement eye chart to be observed by the subject, a correcting section 40 for correcting the subject eyes by referring to data on the refractive powers measured with the refractive power measuring section 50 and using the subjective measurement eye chart presented in the eye chart presenting section 30 and an optical characteristics measuring section 10 for subjectively measuring an optical characteristic of the subject eyes E corrected or being corrected with the correcting section 40 in a state where the subject is binocularly viewing the subjective measurement eye chart.
US07806519B2
The invention provides for a refill unit for a printer cartridge having an operatively, negatively pressurized ink reservoir. The refill unit includes an ink bag housed within a docking assembly for docking with the printer cartridge. Also included is a valve actuator shaped and configured to actuate an outlet valve of the ink reservoir into a closed position and thereafter to actuate an inlet valve of the ink reservoir into an open position when the docking assembly docks with the cartridge. The refill unit also includes constrictor actuators engageable with the cartridge and configured to increase pressure in the ink bag during ink flow from the ink bag to the ink reservoir, and to permit a re-establishment of negative pressure in the ink reservoir upon disengagement of the refill unit from the cartridge. Further included is an integrated circuit with a plurality of projecting contacts readable by an integrated circuit reader of the cartridge when the docking assembly is engaged therewith to facilitate verification of suitability of the ink in the ink bag.
US07806517B2
An ink-jet recording head has two kinds of nozzles discharging different volumes of ink-drops. Large nozzles discharging larger ink-drops and small nozzles discharging smaller ink-drops are disposed alternately along a side of a common liquid chamber. The opening area of the large nozzles is larger than that of the small nozzles. Flow paths communicating with the small nozzles are shorter than those communicating with the large nozzles. Since the smaller ink-drops are discharged at higher frequency than the larger ink-drops, printing speed in high-quality recording using mainly the smaller ink-drops is improved.
US07806516B2
An image forming apparatus includes a turning unit that turns the recording medium fed from a fixing unit, which fixes toner transferred to a recording medium and has a heating roller for heating toner, by approximately 90° with respect to a feeding direction of the recording medium, and a discharge roller that discharges the recording medium turned by the turning unit. A circumferential speed of the discharge roller is smaller than a circumferential speed of the heating roller.
US07806515B2
Inkjet printhead with an array of ejection chambers spaced in an array direction, each communicating with an ink orifice, inlet and outlet plenum chambers communicating with the ejection chambers, and inlet and outlet manifolds extending in the array direction and communicating with the plenum chambers through a porous sheet. While there are substantial net ink flows in the array direction in the inlet and the outlet manifolds, there is substantially no net flow in the array direction in the inlet or outlet plenum chamber. Ink pressure is therefore constant over the array of ejection chambers.
US07806507B2
A capping device provided in a liquid ejection apparatus having a liquid ejection head is provided. The liquid ejection head has a nozzle-forming surface in which a nozzle for ejection liquid is formed. The capping device includes a cap, a liquid absorber, and a fixing member. The cap is capable of contacting the liquid ejection head in such a manner as to encompass the nozzle. The liquid absorber is accommodated in the cap. The fixing member fixes the liquid absorber accommodated in the cap to the cap. The fixing member is arranged in the cap such that an upper end of the fixing member is at the same height as or lower than an upper surface of the liquid absorber.
US07806503B2
A printing apparatus and ink discharge failure detection method capable of precisely detecting temperature information corresponding to each nozzle are provided. Temperatures of respective electrothermal transducers (heaters) are measured on the basis of outputs from a plurality of sensors corresponding to the respective heaters. The temperatures of the heaters at a predetermined timing during a printing operation are predicted on the basis of the temperature change profiles of the respective heaters that are generated by energizing the heaters. A plurality of thresholds corresponding to nozzle states are generated on the basis of the predicted temperatures and the driving conditions of an inkjet printhead, and it is controlled to execute temperature measurement at the predetermined timing. A temperature measured under the control is compared with the respective generated thresholds, and the nozzle state is identified on the basis of the comparison results.
US07806496B2
A detector circuit for detecting a malfunction of a circuit due to a low third power supply voltage that has the same amplitude and potential as an input signal is provided. Based on an output signal of the detector circuit, whether an output of a second power supply voltage generation circuit for activating a heater driving circuit is allowed or not is determined. When the third power supply voltage is low and the heater driving circuit operates improperly, no power supply voltage is supplied from the second power supply voltage generation circuit. Since no power supply voltage is supplied to the heater driving circuit, the heater driving circuit does not drive a corresponding heater.
US07806490B1
An appliance elevator includes a lift mechanism mounted to a substantially planar mounting panel at least a portion of which extends beyond the body of the lift mechanism to provide an area by way of which the mounting panel and lift mechanism pre-mounted on the mounting panel can be easily positioned within a piece of furniture and attached to the furniture by way of one or more fasteners such that substantially the entire mechanical load on the lift mechanism when it is in use is transferred to the furniture by way of the mounting panel.
US07806482B2
The present invention provides for a drop-in seat unit as well as a method of manufacturing the drop-in seat unit that does not require the worker to affix one end of the spring to a frame rail and stretch the spring from one of the frame rails to the other frame rail. The ends of the spring are affixed to the frame rails while the springs are in an un-stretched state. Once the plurality of springs is attached to the two frame rails, the rails are mechanically pulled away from each other, thus creating a larger open area between the frame rails and thus extending the springs. Once the rails are properly positioned in this extended state, support members are positioned between the two frame rails and one end of each support member is affixed to each frame rail, traversing the space or gap between the two frame rails. The support members fix the distance between the two frame rails. Once the springs are attached to the two frame rails and the support members are affixed to the two frame rails, the completed drop-in seat unit or seat box assembly is unclamped and released from the manufacturing apparatus and is ready for shipment or use in further construction of the sofa or chair.
US07806478B1
A task chair capable of forward and rearward synchronized movement with a base assembly, a linkage supported by the base assembly to pivot about an axis in relation to the base assembly, a seat assembly pivotally retained relative to the linkage, and a back assembly pivotally retained relative to the linkage. The linkage can include a bracket and a resiliently deflectable assembly retained relative to the bracket. A projection retained by the base assembly can engage the resiliently deflectable assembly whereby the linkage and the seat and back assemblies can pivot in relation to the base assembly. The linkage can have a bracket; a first link pivotally coupled at a first axis relative to the bracket, pivotally coupled at a second pivot axis relative to the seat assembly, pivotally coupled at a third pivot axis relative to the back assembly; and a second link pivotally coupled at a first axis relative to the bracket and at a second axis relative to the back assembly.
US07806461B2
A first substantially transparent window, a tinted window, and a tinted window moving device may be provided in an automobile. The tinted window moving device can be controlled to place the tinted window in a first state or a second state. In the first state the tinted window is substantially aligned with the first substantially transparent window so that in order to see out of the first substantially transparent window, an individual must look through the tinted window also. In the second state the tinted window is not substantially aligned with the first substantially transparent window, so that an individual can see out of the first substantially transparent window without looking through the tinted window also.
US07806455B2
A plastic edge sealing strip (10), which can be inserted between a vehicle window (26) and a cooling water reservoir covering, comprises a spring limb (14) and a main limb (12) between which a detent element (40) of the cooling water reservoir covering can be inserted in an arrested manner, and comprises a contact limb (16) for resting against the inner surface (32) of the vehicle window. The main limb (12) can be adhered in a sealing manner to a narrow side (34) of the vehicle window (26) by mean of a contact hot-melt adhesive (28). The edge sealing strip (10) has a soft metal-like bending behavior that enables a simple mounting by means of an associated mounting head (100).
US07806451B2
A vehicle center console assembly having a bin secured to a floor of the vehicle and revealing an interior bounded in part by first and second extending sides. A pair of support rails extend along inner surfaces of the extending sides in communication with its interior. A first tray is supported upon the rails and adapted to be slidably displaced between forward and rearward locations associated with the bin. A second tray includes side projecting lip edges overlaying the support rails and is adapted to being releasably secured to an exposed edge location of the first tray, such that the second tray is capable of being displaced with the first tray in substantially non-contacting fashion with top surfaces of the support rails.
US07806440B2
A restraint assembly of a type including a seat belt assembly and a side impact air bag assembly. The seat belt assembly and side impact assembly are preferably mounted to a motor vehicle seat. The seat belt assembly includes one or two retractors, preferably each having roto pretensioners. A single gas source is used to actuate retractor pretensioning functions, as well as providing a gas source for initiating the production of inflation gas for the side impact air bag assembly. Preferably, these elements are all mounted to a motor vehicle seat.
US07806437B2
A roll bar assembly is provided that includes a base member configured for mounting on a frame of a vehicle. The roll bar assembly also includes an upper member secured to the base member and an armrest member secured to the upper member. The armrest member includes first and second armrests spaced apart from one another and also includes a connecting portion extending between and interconnecting the first and second armrests. The connecting portion of the armrest member is spaced apart from the base member and the upper member and is configured for mounting on the frame of the vehicle.
US07806433B2
A supplemental inflation part is formed in a portion of an upper-end side inflation section of an airbag, the portion overlapping a B-pillar garnish. The supplemental inflation part has a semicircular shape that forms a push-out part. Folding the push-out part allows the upper-end side inflation section to be inflated largely at the initial stage of deployment of the airbag. Thus, the airbag is pushed toward the passenger compartment with greater force upon its deployment. Therefore, a terminal part of a headliner that covers the folded airbag is largely opened so that the airbag deploys smoothly downward along the side of the vehicle body in the passenger compartment without interference from the top end of the B-pillar garnish.
US07806420B2
The present invention provides a damping system for use with a mechanism such as a steering system wherein one element moves relative to another element. The system includes a variable volume chamber, a collection chamber, and an inertia track providing fluid communication between the two chambers. A fluid is disposed in the chambers and the inertia track. A compliant tuning member is in fluid communication with the variable volume chamber. The damping system is capable of attenuating vibration at chosen frequencies without adding undesired damping at other frequencies. In the preferred embodiment, the damping system is used to attenuate steering wheel torsional vibration without increasing low frequency damping that would deteriorate steering feel.
US07806410B2
A stationary labyrinth seal system includes a seal housing having an annular cavity, a plurality of damping devices, and a retaining ring. The damping devices are positioned within the annular cavity and are maintained within the annular cavity by the retaining ring.
US07806409B1
An electronic dart game allowing players to control and more closely simulate the offensive and defensive strategies of a game of football when compared to other dart games with a football theme. Each player can use remaining time on the clock to advantage, and continue play in first down increments, as long as minimum yardage gains are made in the time intervals allowed. The player starts anew with four darts each time a first down is achieved. Darts can score yard gains, yard losses, passes, fumbles, and interceptions. Punting and field goals can be attempted if clearly indicated in advance of throwing a dart. One distinction from a real football game is that there are no time outs, and players cannot stop the clock. A main computer control chip preferably coordinates the game board and scoring/control board used and maintains all aspects of the game in sequence once play begins.
US07806405B2
A games machine (1) includes a video display screen (10) with a transparent front screen (10) in front and a token passage (14) between display screen and front screen. Tokens or coins may be introduced through one or more token inlets (50, 52) at the top of the token passage and the tokens fall under gravity through the token passage bouncing off a plurality of pins (16). The games machine is arranged to display one or more targets on the video display screen, the targets moving over time, and to record a hit when a token hits a pin or other target area at the time a target is displayed on the screen directly behind the pin or target area.
US07806404B2
Systems and methods for reducing sheet skew in a document processing device are disclosed. A document processing device may include a plurality of nips, a sheet skew measurement system, a feedback controller and an actuator. Each nip may include an idler wheel and a drive wheel. The sheet skew measurement system may be configured to measure sheet skew for a sheet. The feedback controller may be configured to generate a control signal in response to the sheet skew measured by the sheet skew measurement system. The actuator may be configured to adjust a loading force applied to a sheet by an idler wheel for at least one nip in response to the control signal.
US07806403B2
A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet conveying part that conveys sheets; a detection part that outputs a signal according to a position of each sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying part in a lateral direction orthogonal to a conveying direction; a lateral shift part that shifts the conveyed sheet in the lateral direction; and a control part that controls an operation of the lateral shift part based on an output of the detection part. Then, after lateral shift operation is ended by the lateral shift part, detection is performed again by the detection part, and based on a detection result thereof, the control part controls an operation of the lateral shift part so that the conveyed sheet is shifted again in the lateral direction.
US07806399B2
Various apparatus and methods relating to positioning differently sized sheets on a shuttle for printing are disclosed.
US07806396B2
A paper note handling apparatus includes a pay-in and pay-out mouth through which a paper note is paid in or paid out, a conveyance for conveying the paper note, a discrimination part to discriminate authenticity and denomination of the conveyed paper note, a temporary hold part to temporarily hold the paper note, a storing part to store the paper note, and a shifter to shift a position of the paper note in a widthwise direction of conveyance. The shifter rotates in a direction inclined relative to a direction of conveyance of the paper note and comes into contact with the paper note to shift the position of the paper note in the widthwise direction of conveyance.
US07806385B2
The Cableveyor may be able to support its own weight in the direction of gravity since the Cableveyor having the bent portion that connects between the straight-moving unit and the rotating unit is arranged so that it bends in a horizontal plane. As a result, the Cableveyor and the maintenance member do not collide, thus collision noise or dust caused by the collision can be suppressed. Moreover, since the Cableveyor is arranged to the side of the straight axis, the height size of the robot can be suppressed compared with the composition that arranges the Cableveyor on the upper surface of the straight axis.
US07806382B1
A valve assembly comprises a diaphragm valve, a pressure regulator and a solenoid. The pressure regulator is operatively coupled to the diaphragm valve for maintaining a predetermined pressure in water exiting the diaphragm valve despite fluctuations in the pressure of water entering the diaphragm valve. The solenoid is mounted on the pressure regulator so that a plunger axis of the solenoid extends through a coil spring of the pressure regulator. The solenoid is operatively coupled to the diaphragm valve through the pressure regulator for opening and closing the diaphragm valve.
US07806376B2
Disclosed is a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a main body including at least one of an operation part and a display part, a cart including a desk on which the main body is positioned, a front detachable member disposed on the desk and adapted to attach and detach a front portion of the main body to/from the desk, and at least one rear detachable member disposed on the desk and adapted to attach and detach a rear portion of the main body to/from the desk and elastically support the rear portion of the main body.
US07806373B2
A combination model train sensor and signal includes a train proximity sensor, a signal such as red yellow and green signal lights, semaphores, wig-wag signals and the like together with a controller connected to the proximity sensor and the signal and the controller activates the signal appropriately when the proximity sensor indicates the absence of a train, and when the train proximity sensor indicates the presence of a train. A light source, preferably an infrared light source, and a light detector, preferably an infrared light detector, are arranged to reflect and detect from a passing train to indicate its presence. An output connected to the train proximity sensor for producing an output signal when the sensor indicates the presence of a train, which output can be used for controlling a remote signal. An input, responsive to a signal received from a remote sensor, controls the signal and synchronizes two signals.
US07806365B2
Hydrogen powered air vehicles that in some embodiments can fly with very long endurance (10 or more days) at altitudes over 60,000 ft carrying payloads of up to 2,000 pounds. Embodiments may include features such as large wingspan relative to fuselage and an all composite or partial composite structure for light weight and strength. The aircraft of the invention use one or more internal combustion engines adapted for hydrogen combustion, each engine driving propellers. The hydrogen fuel is stored on board in containers, located within the fuselage, as a cryogenic liquid, and is vaporized in a heat exchanger before delivery to the internal combustion engine.
US07806355B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of fishing reels, and in particular, one type of reel described herein is a “bait cast” reel, specifically one designed for the particular styles of fishing commonly referred to as “flippin' and pitchin'”, wherein several improvements over the art are disclosed, including a highly durable and smooth line retainer element on the spool, a line retainer element, and a drag lock system that can be either adjustable or permanent.
US07806354B2
A condiment mill is disclosed having a first sleeve, a second sleeve rotatably attached to the second sleeve, a grinding apparatus operably disposed within the first sleeve and the second sleeve, a sliding cap slidably mounted over the first sleeve and the second sleeve, a cap disposed on the grinding apparatus, and wherein the sliding cap is slidable between a first position to rotate the grinding apparatus for grinding condiments and a second position secured against the cap to provide a seal for the condiment mill.
US07806352B1
A food grater having a housing, a food hopper, a reversible grating barrel removably carried by the housing and disposed at an open end of the hopper for grating food, such as cheese, contained therein, and a detachable end cap covering an open end of the grating barrel for allowing controlled dispensing of the grated food, is disclosed. A press plate configured to fit within the hopper at an open end opposite the grating barrel engages food disposed therein and moves the same into contact with the grating barrel. The detachable end cap includes concentric first and second parts, the first part including a passage defined thereon through which grated food may pass and the second part including at least two distinct areas each having an opening defined thereon, at least one of the first and second parts being movable relative to the other such that the two distinct areas of the second part may be aligned with the passage on the first part.
US07806351B1
A stowable device for ejecting fluids onto the underside and wheel regions of a vehicle includes a base member joined at one end to a handle member such that the angle between the members can be controllably varied and retained at a desired angle. A source of fluid is coupled through flexible tubing terminating in a fluid jet disposed adjacent the base member distal end. The desired angle is determined by a length of cord extending from base to handle member. The exposed cord length is user-controllable by lockably spooling excess cord length into a rotatable spool reservoir attached to the handle member. User-adjustment of the desired angle also determined handle height above ground. Alternatively, the desired angle (and handle height above ground) is user-determined by adjusting effective length of a rigid rod.
US07806337B2
A system manages memory storing data in one or more wireless transceiver devices. A docking station receptacle receives, and makes electrical connection with, a transceiver device used for storing and wirelessly communicating data to a remote location. A docking detector generates a docking signal in response to detecting insertion of a transceiver device into the docking station receptacle. A memory management processor generates a signal for initiating deletion of data from memory in a particular transceiver device inserted in the receptacle in response to a docking signal indicating insertion of the particular transceiver device into the docking station receptacle.
US07806332B2
To provide a semiconductor device capable of securely executing a reading operation to improve a reliability of read data, an IC tag including the semiconductor device, and a control method for the IC tag. A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a power supply voltage generating circuit for generating a power supply voltage based on a received radio signal; a power supply voltage generating circuit for detecting the power supply voltage; a memory area for storing predetermined data; a reading/writing circuit using different operation voltages for reading data from the memory area and writing data to the memory area; and a control circuit for executing a data reading operation for the memory area based on a detected power supply voltage.
US07806330B2
The radio-tag data containing the merchandise management data about an item of merchandise from the radio tag attached to the item of merchandise. It is determined whether a prescribed one of the bytes constituting the radio-tag data is identification data that specifies the merchandise management data. If the prescribed byte is determined to be identification data, a prescribed number of bytes following the prescribed byte are extracted from the radio-tag data. The bytes thus extracted are output as merchandise management data.
US07806329B2
A computer-implemented method of providing targeted video promotional material includes transmitting a promotional item for display on a video terminal, determining whether the promotional item was skipped, and updating a profile corresponding to the promotional item or a viewer of the promotional item based on whether or not the promotional item was skipped.
US07806328B2
In one embodiment, a system, that may be executed as a method, is provided for managing the booking of event tickets inside a single system, regardless of the source of the tickets and how the system of each ticket provider actually works.
US07806325B2
A method, comprising: obtaining a signature from a contactlessly readable tag; decrypting the signature with a key to obtain (i) a candidate identifier and (ii) a scrambling code associated with the signature; and validating the candidate identifier based on at least one of the scrambling code and the signature. Also, a system, comprising: at least one tag reader configured to receive a plurality of signatures released by a respective plurality of tags, including a particular signature released by a particular one of the tags, and to cause decryption of the particular signature with a key to obtain (i) a candidate identifier, and (ii) a scrambling code associated with the signature; and a processing entity configured to effect validation of the candidate identifier based on at least one of the scrambling code and the signature.
US07806319B2
A method and a circuit for protecting an integrated circuit against an extraction of data read from at least one memory, comprising the steps of comparing each data word to be output from the integrated circuit with at least one value stored in this circuit, and generating an error signal in case of an identity between the value and the data waiting to be output.
US07806317B2
An automated banking machine (10) operates responsive to data bearing records. Users of the machine may deliver and receive records including individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine such as notes, checks or other documents. Notes assessed by the machine as being of questionable validity may be marked with a removable mark or otherwise identified.
US07806309B2
An article storage bag is described, having a concealed magnetic closure system and concealed strap adjustment system. The bag presents a clean appearance, without any apparent components for adjusting the carrying strap length.
US07806305B1
The present invention relates to a redesigned food tray that is supported by the user's shoulders. The food tray features a two-part tray system that when folded out resembles a circle. The outer tray of the two-part tray system features two cup holders, and rotates about the center of the two-part tray system. When the outer tray is folded up, the cup holders retract. A bib-like cover attaches to the shoulder straps and prevents food and/or beverages to spill on the end user. The inner tray features a lip, which prevents spill from food and/or beverage to reach the user's lap.
US07806304B2
A narrow wrap of colorful cloth is helically wound end-to-end over a hanger body, including its upstanding central and downwardly sloping shoulder regions, but not covering the hanger swivel hook at the central region. A decorative yarn holds the wrap in place, being first secured near one end to the hanger swivel hook, and then being helically wound over one end shoulder region and out to proximate one hanger end and then being wound back over the shoulder and central regions substantially out to the other hanger end and back then to the central region. The yarn is then tied to the swivel hook. A thin padding preferably covers the hanger to underlie the wrap, but the swivel hook extends through a slit therein to be exposed. The ends of the tubular wrap are folded over and secured by the yarn to hide the hanger ends.
US07806299B2
The present invention relates to a conduit for conducting gasified liquid, which has a flow restrictor arranged in in-line relation therewith. The restrictor itself comprises an at least one aperture (although two or more can be used in series), with each such being adapted to pass the gasified liquid flowing through the conduit and across a pressure drop from a higher-pressure upstream side of the aperture to a lower-pressure downstream side of the aperture. The aperture is operable to moderate the rate of change in pressure over a transitional pressure drop to mitigate the formation of localized pressures below a critical pressure at which off-gassing from the carbonated liquid results in substantial foam formation. The conduit may take the form of a dispensing tube for use in dispensing an alcoholic beverage from a keg, the tube having a flexible wall deformable under the influence of a restricting actuator to control the partial collapse of the wall and thereby form the restrictor. The tube or flow diameter downstream of the restrictor only gradually or slowly increases.
US07806294B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for dispensing flavor doses and beverages. A beverage tower may be provided that has a small footprint and that is capable of dispensing a wide variety of flavor doses and blended beverages. The beverage tower may include a flow control module that controls the flow rate of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower and a switch module that includes a plurality of switches that may be selectively opened and closed to control the flow of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower to a point of dispense. A flavor dose or blended beverage may be dispensed by the beverage tower in accordance with user input that is provided to the beverage tower via a control panel. The user input may specify a desired beverage additive, a desired cup size, and an indication of whether a flavor shot or a blended beverage is desired. Additionally, a user may define and program into the memory of the beverage tower the various flavor doses and blended beverages that are capable of being dispensed by the beverage tower.
US07806287B2
A latch plate slides along a slide plate attached to the body of a refuse container. The latch plate engages a pin on the hinged led of the container to lock it closed. The plates are spring-biased to keep the container locked. The plates must be moved against the spring to open the lid. A rotating handle can move the plates or the lid can be opened by actuating at least two trigger mechanisms. Requiring rotation of a handle or simultaneous actuation of a trigger mechanism make the latch bear resistant.
US07806282B1
A storage unit having a back panel, a top panel attached to the back panel, a bottom panel attached to the back panel, a pair of opposing side panels attached to the back, top and bottom panels so as to define a housing having an interior, and a plurality of shelf members positioned within the interior of the housing and arranged in a vertically oriented fashion. The shelf members are removably mounted to the back panel and opposing side panels. The storage unit further comprises a plurality of divider members removably positioned between (i) each pair of consecutive shelf members, (ii) the top panel and an uppermost shelf member and (iii) the bottom panel and a lowermost shelf member. The divider members define a plurality of compartments. In one embodiment, the compartments function as drawer-receiving spaces wherein each drawer-receiving space is sized for receiving a corresponding drawer. Each divider member can be repositioned to provide compartments of varying sizes.
US07806274B2
The present invention is a filter assembly for vacuum filtration formed of a housing having an upper portion and lower portion, a filter separating the upper from the lower portion of the housing, an inlet formed in the upper housing, an outlet and a vacuum port formed in the lower portion, a gasket arranged at a lowermost surface of the lower portion and the upper portion is having a height sufficient to trap any air that might enter and keep it away from the membrane surface. Preferably, it is of a curved shape, preferably in the form of a dome. Optionally, the upper portion of the housing may also contain a vent, particularly a vent controlled by a valve, for the removal of air periodically from the upper portion, especially when a large incursion of air has occurred.
US07806266B2
A micropore forming system comprising: a microneedle chip having microneedles for forming micropores in a skin of a living body; a chip container for detachably housing the microneedle chip; and a micropore forming device for detachably holding the microneedle chip and for contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip to the skin.
US07806256B2
A plunger caddy assembly includes a plunger and a caddy that receives the plunger. The plunger is selectively rotatable in a first direction relative to the caddy to release the plunger from the caddy. The plunger is selectively rotatable in a second direction relative to the caddy to secure the plunger within the caddy.
US07806255B1
A jewelry display for ease and convenience having a front frame hingedly connected to a rear compartment. The front frame includes a mirror and screen which can be opened for retrieval or storage of jewelry or other small objects on a series of shelves, slots and posts mounted in the rear compartment. A pair of magnets maintains the front frame in a closed posture with the rear compartment. Hooks are also available for jewelry suspension on the front of the frame beneath the screened mirror. When the jewelry display is closed, the mirror in the front frame allows the user to observe the jewelry worn and the screen permits a convenient attachment of jewelry during dressing.
US07806252B2
There is disclosed a conveyor drive roller of the type which may be used for example for supporting and driving a conveyor medium. The conveyor drive roller has a hollow drum which defines a cylindrically shaped rotatable supporting surface, and an internal surface. The hollow drum is rotatably connected to a first and a second support structure. An internal gear assembly is disposed inside of the hollow drum and operably connected to the internal surface of the hollow drum. The second support structure is adapted to permit a rotor of a motor located outside of the hollow drum to releasably couple to the internal gear assembly through the second support structure, so that when the rotor is coupled to the internal gear assembly, through the second support structure, rotation of the rotor is transmitted by the internal gear assembly to the hollow drum to cause rotation of the hollow drum about the first and second support structures.
US07806248B2
A system for validating a coin has a passageway through which the coin passes, in use; an oscillator having a component positioned relative to the passageway for the frequency and amplitude of oscillation of the oscillator to be varied, in use, by passage of the coin along the passageway; a period (or frequency) determining unit for determining the period (or frequency) of an oscillating signal provided by the oscillator when influenced by the coin and for supplying a determined period (or frequency) value; an amplitude determining unit for determining the amplitude of the oscillating signal provided by the oscillator when influenced by the coin and for supplying a determined amplitude value; and an assessing unit for assessing if the determined period (or frequency) and amplitude values lie in a predetermined window of period (or frequency) and amplitude values.
US07806247B2
A coupling element, for example a coupling sleeve (1), having coupling teeth (2) which, over a part (2a) of their length, have a gradually diminishing cross-sectional profile, a so-called back rake. Over the part, the coupling teeth have a portion (7b) nearest the tooth root having a first pressure angle, which portion connects to a portion (7b) extending to the tooth tip and having a greater pressure angle than the former portion.
US07806242B2
A magnetic rail brake device of a rail vehicle comprises at least one braking magnet including a magnet coil body having a plurality of magnetic elements held thereon, and which magnetic elements are movable. The device also comprises at least one fixing strip running parallel to a longitudinal length of the magnetic coil body and directly connected to the magnetic coil body to fix the braking magnet to other components of the magnetic rail brake device.
US07806238B2
An elevator comprises an elevator car and support belts that form a 4:1 suspension for the elevator cabin and that are looped several times beneath the elevator car. Several parallel, flat belts are used and the rollers of at least one fixed roller group that diverts the belts are positioned in such a way that the belt sections of the parallel belts lie vertically above one another in the vicinity of the belt diversion.
US07806229B2
An apparatus and method for attenuating the sound generated by a fan powered terminal unit in an HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) system. The apparatus utilizes internal geometry to minimize noise due to air disturbances and aerodynamic effects within the apparatus.
US07806227B2
A high-performance, full-range speaker includes a front horn having a channel tube located on the inside at the bottom side, a rear cover shell, a holder base defining a sound transmission passage, a speaker unit mounted on the holder base, a control circuit board, an equalizer mounted in the sound transmission passage of the holder base to buffer the gain of the treble of the forward waves produced by the speaker unit and to balance the mid-range, a bass resonator, a rack and first, second, third and fourth resonance chambers in air communication with the channel tube and the bass resonator to eliminate noises and to amplify the bass.
US07806226B2
A stethoscope is provided, comprising: a sound receiving member (12) for receiving sounds, the sound receiving member capable of transmitting sound received thereby; a head set coupled to the sound receiving member to receive sound transmitted by the sound receiving member; means for reducing frictional noise, said means associated with the sound receiving member to reduce noise caused by relative movement between a surface and the sound receiving member of the chestpiece in contact with the surface.
US07806225B2
A plurality of magnetic pole bodies, provided on a stator of a steering motor, are divided into two electrically independent groups. Each group includes i) six magnetic pole bodies that are arranged in succession and ii) a corresponding number of magnetic pole bodies arranged opposing those six magnetic pole bodies. The two groups vibrate only slightly when operating normally. However, if one of the groups fails, vibration of the stator from elastic deformation in an undulating manner in the circumferential direction will increase, thereby alerting the driver of an abnormality in the steering motor. This increases the likelihood of measures being taken promptly to fix the abnormality in the steering motor, thus improving fail-safe performance.
US07806221B2
A vehicle protection system 7 contains an airbag system 8 employing a plurality of sets of airbags 118a-118c external to the vehicle 9. Each set 118a-118c contains one or more airbags 118 wherein the plurality of sets 118a-118c are sequentially operated based on initial collision data, and then based on operating parameters such as pressure differentials over time.
US07806216B2
A vehicle number plate that allows a steering damper to be disposed without impairing the functions of the number plate, and is less susceptible to an effect of cross wind. The vehicle includes a front fork, which suspends a front wheel, disposed steerably on a head pipe on a vehicle body and a steering mechanism including a handlebar mounted on the front fork. The number plate is marked with a competition identification number and is disposed at a front portion of a fork bridge including a top bridge and a bottom bridge to connect left- and right-hand portions of the front fork. In the vehicle, the steering damper is disposed between the head pipe and the bottom bridge. The number plate includes a protruded portion that protrudes forwardly at a center thereof and narrows toward a lower portion, the lower portion covering an area forward of the steering damper.
US07806215B2
A straddle-type three-wheeled vehicle has a frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member, a forward cross member interconnecting a forward portion of the upper frame member with a forward portion of the lower frame member, and a rearward cross member interconnecting a rearward portion of the upper frame member with a rearward portion of the lower frame member. A strut extends diagonally from the forward cross member to the lower frame member. The vehicle has an engine mounted to the frame. An air box of the vehicle has at least a portion thereof disposed above at least a portion of the engine. A fuel tank of the vehicle is disposed rearwardly of the air box.
US07806208B2
A method for controlling movement of an intelligent wheel over a discontinuity in a travel surface. The intelligent wheel has a rotational hub and support disc portion that carries a series of arcuately spaced extendable, weight bearing radial spoke mechanisms that can be controllably extended and retracted in response to the anticipated terrain surface over which the wheel is to travel. The hub of the intelligent wheel carries a microcontroller for a set of obstacle proximity sensors, force and position sensors and an appropriate electrical power supply for operation of spokes and control components.
US07806202B2
In an underbalanced drilling system and method, a change is induced in flowing bottom hole pressure in a wellbore. Data of the surface flow rate of effluent is then measured in response to the induced change. This measured data is obtained using a multi-phase flow meter before a separator of the underbalanced drilling system. Algorithms in computer software analyze the flowing bottomhole pressure and the measured surface flow rate data and determine both permeability and formation pressure for a portion of the wellbore in real-time during the underbalanced drilling operation. Ultimately, portion of the wellbore is characterized with the determined permeability and formation pressure.
US07806200B2
A power tool includes an output member (8) projecting from the tool housing (4), a drive (6) located in the housing for rotating the output member (8), and a slip clutch (22) for transmitting torque from the drive (6) to the output member (8) and including a plurality of clutch elements (24) retained against rotation relative to the housing (4), a plurality of separate spring elements (28) for adjustable preloading the clutch elements (24) against the counter-clutch elements (51) of the control element (18) for retaining the control element (18) against rotation upon application of the torque thereto until threshold of the torque is reached, and a common support element for supporting the spring elements and movable relative to the housing (4).
US07806199B2
A spindle lock of a hand-held combination drill and chisel hammer has a gearbox housing and a countershaft rotatably supported in the gearbox housing about an axis of rotation. A locking plate is provided for selectively releasing and locking a rotational movement of the countershaft. Guide elements are disposed in the gearbox housing, wherein the locking plate is displaceably guided on the guide elements in the gearbox housing in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the countershaft. The guide elements have a guide rail arrangement wherein a part of the guide rail arrangement is provided on the gearbox housing and is integral with the gearbox housing.
US07806188B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for operating an artificial lift well. In one embodiment, the well is operated between an on cycle and an off cycle. Preferably, the off cycle is determined by detecting an increase in the pressure differential between the casing pressure and the tubing pressure. In another embodiment, the well is optimized by measuring the production of the well in one cycle of operation. The measured production is compared to the production of a previous cycle. A controller then optimizes the well based on the increase or decrease of the production from the previous cycle.
US07806184B2
A well tool is operable to receive a flow of fluid. The well tool includes a first hydraulic area on which the fluid acts tending to move a first body to substantially seal against passage of fluid through an aperture. A second, larger hydraulic area is provided on which the fluid acts tending to move a second body. The second body is movable by the fluid acting on the second hydraulic to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture. An energy storing device is provided that is configured to store energy from movement of the second body until at least a specified amount of energy is stored and release the energy when the second body is moved to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture.
US07806164B2
A system and method for tracking and positioning a continuous cast strand in a casting plant. Lateral positions and, optionally, elevational positions of a cast strand are monitored by sensors as casting proceeds and are fed to a computer-based system as corresponding position information where the information is stored as associated data. The computer-based system processes the associated data and generates corresponding control signals which are used to control at least one correcting device to maintain desired orientation of the cast strand as casting proceeds.
US07806163B2
A two-stage cam pin for use in a molding or casting system comprises a head, a first shank portion and a second shank portion. The head secures with a first die half and extends through a transverse axis of the cam pin. The first shank portion extends from the head at a first oblique angle with respect to the transverse axis. The second shank portion extends from the first shank portion to a tip of the cam pin at a second oblique angle with respect to the transverse axis. The first shank portion and the second shank portion each displace the tip laterally from the head to define a stroke.
US07806162B2
A method of forming metal castings includes positioning a first end of a structural member in a first mold cavity and a second end of the structural member in a second mold cavity. The first and second mold cavities are fluidly coupled to a reservoir of molten metal. A main pressure is applied to the molten metal in the reservoir to force the molten metal into the first and second mold cavities. First and second auxiliary pressures are applied to the first and second mold cavities to densify the castings formed in the first and second mold cavities. Another method for casting includes maintaining a main pressure at or less than an initial, mold-filling pressure after the first and second mold cavities have been filled. Additionally, a method for detecting whether a first mold cavity is sufficiently filled with molten metal includes monitoring a moveable element.
US07806150B2
A method for packing and/or mixing particulate materials, e.g., aerogel particles, includes combining materials having different particle sizes and applying a negative pressure differential in the presence of a sound field. A negative pressure differential in the presence of vibration also can be used. The method increases mixing and packing density.
US07806146B2
In order to solve the problem of not having enough space available for a large number of components and keeping the deflection of the electric motor small in a device for controlling the transverse movement of the warp threads of a textile weaving machine, particularly a textile weaving machine with single strand movements, the invention proposes to operatively connect the strands via power transmission elements having different lengths in a staggered or register-like way to an electric motor and to provide the electric motors with a ratio in relation to the strands such that the movement of the electric motors brings about a greater movement of the strands.
US07806138B1
A valve manifold device for coupling a gas operated appliance in fluid communication to gas cylinders, comprising a manifold having at least two inlet ports and an outlet port, at least two inlet valves respectively attached in fluid communication to the inlet ports of the manifold while being releasably attachable in fluid communication to an outlet assembly on the one pound gas cylinders, and an outlet coupling attached in fluid communication to the outlet port of the manifold and releasably attachable, directly or indirectly, in fluid communication to the gas operated appliance. The inlet valves may be check valves having an interior opening that serves as a gas conduit through the valve and into the manifold. The outlet coupling may have an annular outlet collar compatible with a standard POL, Type 1 or 1-20 connector and may include a check valve.
US07806125B2
An inter dental device which is a tooth cleaner and gum massager which cleans the area between anterior and posterior teeth, comprising a handle and a stem and flanges and a tip which is grooved or twisted in a spiral pattern, and the flanges extending from a central stem are arranged in a spiral pattern which is continuous with the spiral pattern of the grooves of the tip. This device also may serve as a delivery device which holds and delivers substances to the area between teeth, and does not remove said substances as the device is withdrawn.
US07806123B2
A modular smoking apparatus includes a plenum having a substantially vertical dry smoke aperture and a wet smoke aperture disposed substantially parallel to the dry smoke aperture. An upper end of a down tube may be inserted into a lower end of the dry smoke aperture and a lower end of an intermediate tube may be inserted into an upper end of the dry smoke aperture. An upper end of the intermediate tube may be inserted into a the lower end of a burner. A lower end of the plenum may be inserted into an upper end of the base. The base may contain a fluid submerging a lower end of the down tube. The intermediate tube, the dry smoke aperture, and the down tube may form a conduit for dry smoke from the burner to the base, and the wet smoke aperture may form a conduit for wet smoke from the base to a hose.
US07806119B2
An airway device for human or animal use comprising an airway tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of which is surrounded by a laryngeal cuff, wherein the cuff is non-inflatable and is pre-formed in a shape such that a face region of the cuff is adapted to fit snugly over the laryngeal inlet of a patient, and wherein the external profile of the tube is substantially uniform between the distal end of the tube where it starts to meet the cuff and the proximal end of the tube, and wherein the face region of the cuff is formed from a material with a Shore hardness on the A scale of between 0 to 30.
US07806116B2
An apparatus for metering the delivery of an aerosol. The apparatus has a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus may also include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region. An atomizer, coupled to the fluid region, is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of the fluid.
US07806110B1
A marine propulsion device is provided with a turbocharger that is located above all, or at least a majority of, the cylinders of an engine. The exhaust gases are directed to one side of the engine and the compressed air is directed to an opposite side of the engine. The turbocharger is located at a rear portion of the engine behind the crankshaft.
US07806102B2
The present invention provides a variable coordination volume type eight-stroke engine for increasing the fuel efficiency in the heavy load operation by regulating the maximum air-pressure in the charge-coordinate-channel and adjusting the initiation timing of the injection-process as the engine load changes; wherein the maximum air-pressure of the charge-coordinate-channel will be regulated with a buffer piston in the range of 25% to 75% of the concurrent maximum combustion pressure of the mastery cylinder.In addition the overall temperature of the master cylinder and the slave cylinder will be reduced in the heavy load condition by injecting a flow of high-density-air at lower temperature in the heavy load operation, thereby achieving better durability and higher fuel efficiency.
US07806098B2
A cylinder sleeve for an internal combustion engine is provided with a flat zone that extends along the entire axial length thereof. The cylinder sleeve is embodied as a rough cast sleeve whose outer surface comprises a rough zone that extends along the entire axial length thereof and consists of a plurality of elevations with undercuts in order to ensure that a sufficient amount of combustion heat generated during operation of the engine is discharged.
US07806097B2
The invention pertains to a device for starting an internal combustion engine for handheld equipment such as chain saws, lawn mowers, lawn trimmers and the like, or for vehicles such as mopeds, boats or miniature aircraft. The starting device features an output element into which a starter torque can be introduced when the starting device is actuated. The output element is functionally connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine in order to introduce a crankshaft torque therein. The functional connection between the output element and the crankshaft introduces variable crankshaft torque into the crankshaft depending on the rotational angle of the crankshaft at a constant starter torque. This advantageously improves force or torque characteristics for largely operating the starter device independently of the compression phase and the expansion phase of the internal combustion engine.
US07806093B2
Engine control is provided for an engine having a crankshaft and at least one camshaft with variable valve timing in a rotation transmitting train between the crankshaft and the camshaft. A first value indicative of a cam angle at a home position at a first time is compared to a second value indicative of a cam angle at the home position at a second, earlier, time. Where a deviation in the compared values is detected that does not exceed a threshold value, the first value is stored for use in a subsequent comparison. Where a deviation in the compared values is detected that does exceed a threshold value, a failure condition is detected and the MIL light is illuminated. In this case, the value stored for comparison is not updated.
US07806087B2
A cat track composed of several track sections when attached end-to-end in other than an endless loop has end caps to retain a ball that rolls freely in the track. Assembled, the sections may be used together with a cat scratcher and/or a cat spa or other animal toy to increase the animal's interest. The sections may be made in different shapes but are capable of being connected end-to-end to define a variety of patterns, either as an endless or open (non-continuous) track.
US07806083B2
A blower system for livestock may include a housing. An air inlet may be located on the housing. One or more deflectors may deflect air from the air inlet such that the flow of deflected air is at least approximately 90 degrees from the flow of the air from the air inlet. The blower system may be portable. The blower system may allow a user to apply the air from the air outlet to livestock.
US07806082B2
The invention described herein provides an induction chamber used to sedate one or more living specimens. The induction chamber comprises at least one gas inlet through which anesthesia gas and oxygen are supplied. To minimize escape of anesthetizing gas is into the ambient room or surroundings, the induction chamber includes a gas outlet or port that draws anesthesia gas. The induction chamber also comprises a device that obstructs gas flow through the gas outlet based on the position of the door. In one chamber design, when the door closes, the gas outlet is blocked. Thus, opening the door to the induction chamber causes anesthesia gas is to be drawn through the outlet while closing the door allows anesthesia gas to collect in the chamber and sedate any specimens located therein.
US07806078B2
A plasma CVD apparatus has a container, and channels composed of introduction grooves and circumferential grooves for different types of gases are formed within the container. The gases introduced through source gas piping, auxiliary gas piping, and cleaning gas piping are equally supplied to a plurality of supply nozzles, a plurality of auxiliary gas supply nozzles, and a plurality of cleaning gas nozzles. The configuration of the container can be simplified without complicating pipings for the gases.
US07806076B2
A developing apparatus for developing a substrate whose surface is coated with a coating solution and then exposed includes a substrate supporting unit for horizontally supporting the substrate, a rotation driving mechanism for rotating the substrate supporting unit forwardly or backwardly with respect to a vertical axis, a developer nozzle, disposed to face a surface of the substrate supported by the substrate supporting unit, having a strip-shaped injection opening extended along a direction extending from a periphery of the substrate toward a central portion thereof, a moving unit for moving the developer nozzle from an outer portion of the substrate toward the central portion thereof, and a controller for controlling operations such that while the substrate is rotated forwardly by the rotation driving mechanism, a developer is supplied through the injection opening to the surface of the substrate by moving the developer nozzle and, then, the substrate is rotated backwardly by the rotation driving mechanism.
US07806075B2
The invention concerns an installation wherein is performed a crosslinking operation for a coating such as an ink or a varnish through ultraviolet radiation or electronic beam, in the presence of a gas mixture with controlled oxygen residual content. The installation comprises a chamber including one or more UV lamps or a source of accelerated electrons, required for performing the crosslinking operation, and is characterized in that it comprises an input device adjacent the chamber comprising at least the following three components, viewed successively by the product moving to be treated: a labyrinth system, means for injecting an inert gas forming a gas knife and a channel.
US07806067B2
Disclosed herein is a thrust fin for ships which recovers lost energy caused by rotational flow generated behind a propeller, and converts it into thrust. The thrust fin of the present invention has a simple shape, enhances propulsive efficiency of the ship, and can be applied to a real ship thanks to the simple installation thereof, to maximize thrust of the ship. The thrust fin is mounted to a front portion of the rudder of the ship such that left and right sides of the thrust fin, which are integrated with each other into a single body, are asymmetrical. A vertical position, at which the thrust fin is mounted to the rudder, is at an optimum position as determined in consideration of the shape of the rudder and hydrodynamic characteristics.
US07806066B1
A device that allows an operator to move steering gear at the same speed as the control device. The invention uses two electric motors with forward and reverse capabilities that are linked to function synchronously by a chain or belt that is carried by sprockets or pulleys on each of the drive motors. A second sprocket or pulley is attached to the facing of one of the drive motor sprockets (pulley). This sprocket (pulley) is linked by a chain or belt to a cable drive system by another sprocket (pulley) that is attached to a cable drive shaft. Activating the drive motors causes a cable be pulled or pushed. The cable, which is attached to the item to be moved, in turn drives this item as desired. These items can include an outboard motor, an out drive for an inboard motor, wheels, valves, etc.
US07806064B2
An exhaust redirect line in communication with an engine exhaust channel of a marine vehicle receiving exhaust gas. A blower unit in the exhaust redirect line directing the exhaust gas through the exhaust redirect line. A mixing chamber in communication with the exhaust redirect line receiving the engine exhaust gas. An injector unit in communication with the mixing chamber introducing a chemical agent, air and water into the mixing chamber to provide a treated exhaust gas. An output vane disposed on an exterior underside of a hull being in communication with the mixing chamber discharging the treated exhaust gas underneath the hull as a foam, whereby the engine exhaust gas is encapsulated and detoxified by the chemical agent in the foam to prevent the exhaust gas from entering the surrounding water and wherein the foam reduces friction between the hull and the surrounding water to improve engine efficiency.
US07806060B2
A pivotable folding utility table includes a table top having a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached thereto. A first pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces pivotally attached to a retaining assembly preferably mounted in relation to the table top. Specifically, the retaining assembly includes a cross-brace member operably disposed through openings formed in the distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces, thus providing a pivotal engagement in relation to the table top. Alternatively, a second retaining assembly including a cross-brace member may be mounted in relation to the table top, wherein the distal end of the first pivotal support brace pivotally engages the first retaining member and the distal end of the second pivotal support brace pivotally engages the second retaining member. In addition, the first and second support pedestals may comprise at least one support leg, wherein each support leg of the first and second support pedestals are laterally offset from each other so as to permit an offset displacement of the support legs when the support pedestals are disposed in a collapsed position.
US07806059B2
A substantially planar body, which can be coupled with elongated members on opposite ends of the planar body forming handles. The planar body has a first side and a second side, where the first side can have an anti-static layer or protrusions, and a layer made of a material to disperse the heat from an object placed on it, and the second side can be made of a material with a low coefficient of friction to allow the body to move across a surface with minimal resistance.
US07806054B2
A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.
US07806053B1
At least some of the segments of a segmented rod projectile are provided with a mechanism that causes them to divert away from the projectile's original line of flight after the segments are separated during flight to the target. That mechanism is illustratively a notched flare. The segments illustratively divert in a predetermined dispersion pattern. In order to ensure that each segment flies in the desired direction after separation, the disclosed projectile includes a mechanism that, just prior to segment separation, arrests spin of the projectile. Thus the segments are essentially non-spinning after separation and thus the desired diversion will not be counteracted by post-separation spin of the segments.
US07806049B2
Components of a kit for creating an artistic work on a lawn include: a container of aerosol paint; a plurality of stakes for anchoring a lawn stencil to a lawn; and a sheet of flexible material in which is defined one or more openings used to apply one or more design elements of the artistic work to the lawn by spraying the aerosol paint through the one or more openings in the lawn stencil when the lawn stencil is anchored to the lawn with the stakes. The components are held in a container having a relatively small form factor that readily accommodates point-of-sale display and purchase at retail stores by consumers.
US07806045B2
An apparatus for producing a bread product including: an input means for entering product variables; a processor for determining a production schedule for producing product; a thawer for thawing or partially thawing substantially planar frozen dough pieces; a moulder for working the thawed or partially thawed dough in accordance with predetermined process steps; and an oven for baking the product; the processor controlling or instructing an operator to control the operation of the thawer, shaper and oven.
US07806040B2
An axial piston hydraulic machine having a housing with a cylinder block with reciprocating pistons disposed therein. The reciprocating pistons are rotatably connected to a swashplate at a first end of the swashplate. At a second end of a swashplate support balls are received and engage the housing. The support balls are located radially from the plurality of reciprocating pistons such that the distance between the axis of rotation of an input shaft and a piston axis of the plurality of pistons is significantly less than the radial distance between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the center points of the support balls, and wherein the pivot axis passing through the center points of the support balls lies in or near the plane passing through the piston/slipper ball joints.
US07806038B2
A building block that can be assembled into structures without requiring special end or corner pieces. The block has top and bottom surfaces that contain a cooperating projection and slot for stacking the blocks. Two end surfaces and two side surfaces complete an enclosed volume. One side and one end surface has at least one interlocking male portion. The other side end surface has at least one cooperating slot portion into which the male portion fits to interlock the blocks.
US07806032B2
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modular saw guard system for a power saw of the type which has a table top, a rotatable circular saw blade that is vertically adjustable relative to the table top, the table top having an opening through which the saw blade can extend, the blade being configured to cut a work piece as the work piece is moved forwardly from a forward position to a rearward position, wherein the system comprises a riving knife mechanism releasably mounted to the saw rearwardly of the blade, and being configured to be adjustable between retracted and extended positions relative to the blade, a blade guard mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, the blade guard mechanism generally covering the blade and being adjustable to enable a work piece to be moved into cutting position by the blade and a kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, the kickback prevention mechanism being configured to engage a work piece as it is being cut by the blade and apply resistance to prevent the work piece from being expelled in the reverse direction.
US07806029B2
A slab shaping system includes a slab shaping device. The slab shaping device includes a cutting device and de-burring device, wherein the cutting device and the de-burring device, respectively cut and de-burr a slab. According to an embodiment, the slab shaping system may include a plurality of spaced apart slab support beams that form at least one slot therebetween. According to an embodiment, the cutting device and de-burring device may be axially-aligned. A method for operating a slab shaping system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of positioning a plurality of slab support beams on a table to form at least one slot; positioning a slab over the slab support beams; positioning a cutting device and de-burring device of a slab shaping device in axial-alignment; and cutting and de-burring the cut in the slab along a length of the at least one slot.
US07806028B2
This invention is directed toward a nutshell cracker and method of use. The nutshell cracker has three or more cracking members, each with a concave cracking surface, a central slot on its top with eyelets on either side. The 3-D design and curvature of the invention make it stylish, sleek, and attractive, and suitable for storage upon a table or kitchen countertop. The cracking members rotate about the connecting member, surrounding the nut on three or more sides, thereby allowing the user to apply less pressure per cracking member to achieve the same overall pressure upon the nutshell as would be applied through use of a traditional nutcracker. Having cracking members on three or more sides also increases the ability of the invention to constrain the nutshell during cracking and decreases the chances that once cracked, the actual nut will squirt out the side and fall on the floor.
US07806019B2
The invention provides a waterproof and dustproof structure of a joint portion of an industrial robot which is inexpensive and does not adversely affect a motion performance of a robot. Accordingly, in a manipulator type robot which has a cable passing hole provided in a part of an outer periphery of a manipulator, and is provided with a cable wired to an inner side and an outer side of the manipulator through the cable passing hole, a mold guide surrounding an outer periphery of one or a plurality of conducting wire passing through an inner portion is provided near the cable passing hole, an inner side of the mold guide is mold treated by a resin filling, and a sealing material is provided in an outer side of the mold guide.
US07806013B2
The invention relates to a regulating mechanism for operating an actuator or connecting element (11, 12) of an automatic transmission. The regulating mechanism has an actuator (3), a regulating mechanism (4), a transmission element (6), and an output element (8, 9). According to the present invention, the actuator (3) is configured as a three phase motor, advantageously as an asynchronous motor. The torque (M) of the actuator (3) is converted into an actuating force (S) in the transmission element (6), which is then applied to a regulated and or connecting element (11, 12).
US07806006B2
Strain gauges are mounted on each crank arm of the bicycle and provide a measure of the torque applied to each crank arm. In a preferred embodiment, strain gauges are mounted on opposite edges of each crank arm, which includes a self-contained power, electrical circuitry, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting the strain measurement information to a main controller. The main controller includes a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data from both the left and right crank arms and external devices. Memory is also included for storing such data for subsequent analysis to determine the individual leg performance of a cyclist during a race or training session.
US07805993B2
An operating method for a Coriolis gyro. Digital read signals are produced that represent a measure of the instantaneous amplitudes/frequencies of the stimulation oscillation/read oscillation of the gyro resonator. Force signals are applied to the resonator. The force signals are controlled as a function of the digital read signals so that the stimulation oscillation/read oscillation assume specific amplitudes/frequencies. The force signals are produced from quantized output signals from a pulse modulator. The modulator is fed with digital stimulation/compensation signals derived from the digital read signals.
US07805992B2
An apparatus and method for packaging and operating a gas sensor for use in high temperature gas environments. A gas sensor can be configured, which includes a sensor element and a housing in which the sensor element is located. A parallel gas path can be configured form said housing, wherein said parallel gas path is based on the natural differential pressure with respect to the velocity of said gas. The parallel gas path is preferably vertical to provide a sufficient friction to soot particles compared to the gas, such that when a partial quantity of said gas reaches said sensor element, said soot particles are avoided by said sensor element.
US07805990B2
For arranging an air mass meter at a flow channel, the flow channel has a housing section with a flange surrounding a receiving opening for the air mass meter. The air mass meter has a socket with a contact surface that is facing the flange. Fasteners are provided that attach the socket on the housing section. The socket and the housing section have elements for positioning the air mass meter free of play relative to a flow direction of a fluid flow that is guided in the flow channel.
US07805989B2
A position measuring system, especially for hydraulic valve, having a pressure tube to accommodate an armature is provided, whereby the pressure tube is manufactured by deep-drawing. As a result, a cost-effective manufacturing process can be employed for the pressure tube. The pressure tube can be firmly attached to a valve housing by means of a holding element and, optionally, an attachment flange.
US07805986B2
A portable exhaust gas flow sensor includes a tube for coupling to an exhaust pipe of a vehicle and having a thin screen or similar flow restricting element to induce a pressure drop based on the exhaust gas flow with an upstream port and a downstream port relative to the flow restricting element connected to a differential pressure transducer. A thermocouple extends through a temperature port to measure exhaust gas temperature flowing through the tube. A processor in communication with the thermocouple and the differential pressure transducer determines the exhaust gas flow based on the differential pressure and the temperature. The flow restricting element includes sufficient spaces to resist formation of condensation and minimize added back pressure while providing an accurately measurable pressure drop for flows ranging from idle to full throttle.
US07805983B2
A method for measuring the number of fine particles in ultrapure water includes subjecting the ultrapure water to internal pressure filtration through a hollow fiber membrane having a skin layer capable of trapping the fine particles in the ultrapure water at least on an inner surface thereof, exposing the inner surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and measuring the number of fine particles on the exposed inner surface.
US07805980B2
A method for detecting a target fluid in a fluid sample comprising a first fluid and the target fluid using photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), comprises a) providing a light source configured to introduce an optical signal having at least one wavelength into the fluid sample; b) modulating the optical signal at a desired modulation frequency such that the optical signal generates an acoustic signal in the fluid sample; c) measuring the acoustic signal in a resonant acoustic detector; and d) using the phase of the acoustic signal to detect the presence of the target fluid.
US07805969B2
A multiple dial lock includes reset dials rotatable around a lock shaft. Each reset dial must be at a specific angular position for a user to unlock the lock or reset the combination. Each reset dial has a magnet. A master key includes sensors, each in communication with one signal. Each of the signals indicates to a user that a respective magnet is adjacent a respective sensor, thus assisting a user in recovering a lost combination. A rotary lock includes a dial which rotates a drive cam, which in turn rotates several wheels to their unlocking positions. One magnet for each wheel is provided on the drive cam. Each magnet communicates with one sensor provided on a master key, which also includes signals, indicating that a respective magnet is adjacent a respective sensor, thus assisting a user in recovering a lost combination.
US07805968B2
An instruction for establishing a network-wide conference circuit in a telecommunication or IP network is transmitted to a switching computer or server in the network. At least one item of routing information with respect to the subscribers or other parties to the conference circuit is stored. An optimized pattern of connections of the conference circuit is calculated in the switching computer or server on the basis of the routing information.
US07805965B2
A drum washing machine allows a plurality of electric wires to be easily secured in a cabinet, in addition to reinforcing strength of a top plate. The drum washing machine includes a cabinet having an opening at an upper portion thereof, a top plate to cover the opening, and a reinforcement placed at a predetermined position of the opening to support and reinforce the top plate. A wire holder is provided at a predetermined portion of the reinforcement to hold the electric wires arranged in the cabinet. The drum washing machine is provided with the reinforcement, which reinforces the strength of the top plate, and allows the electric wires to be easily arranged and held in the cabinet.
US07805960B2
The air conditioning system including at least one sensor of the thermal comfort of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and an apparatus having at least one pair of heat-exchanger units, each designed to increase and reduce said temperature at alternating intervals under the control of the sensor. Each heat-exchanger unit comprises a substrate having the property of absorbing and releasing heat according to the absorption of a gas. The two substrates are set in two hermetic casings in communication with one another through a compressor and a series of valves, which can be actuated so as to transfer the gas alternately from one to another of the two substrates. Each heat exchanger unit also includes an outlet conveyor with an outlet opening to the passenger compartment and another outlet opening towards the outside. The two outlets are controlled by hatches that can be actuated intermittently so as to send hot air or cold air continuously into the passenger compartment.
US07805959B2
The cup holder for a drinking game is a triangular multi-cup beverage tray and freezer pack insert that holds and chills multiple cups in a “billiard ball rack” formation for use in the drinking game “Beer-Pong,” “Beirut,” or variations thereof. The cup holder for a drinking game includes cup pockets, indentations or channels in a triangular row formation (front to back) of one cup, two cups, three cups, etc., which are formed in the freezer pack The cup holding freezer pack fits into the triangular tray for added stability. Rubber or neoprene feet are disposed symmetrically on an underside of the bottom of the tray to provide traction during use. Preferably, the placement and depth of the cup pockets provide for the correct orientation of the cups for optimal playing of the drinking game with standard 16-ounce party cups.
US07805945B2
A highly durable, high-strength thermal shield element is provided for the interior lining of the combustion chamber of a gas turbine. For this purpose, the thermal shield element comprises a base produced from a solidified cast ceramic material into which a plurality of reinforcing elements are integrated, to increase the tensile strength of the thermal shield element.
US07805935B2
In a Stirling engine, a casing houses therein component elements of the Stirling engine, including a high-temperature-side cylinder, a high-temperature-side piston, a connecting rod, a crankshaft, etc. A pressure control device determines whether the pressure of the gas charged in the casing has declined. If the pressure of the gas has declined, the pressure control device drives a pump to pressurize the gas charged in the casing.
US07805934B1
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for generating power. A thermodynamic air engine is configured to convert heat provided in the form of a temperature differential to mechanical energy. The thermodynamic air engine has a working fluid and a displacer adapted to move through the working fluid. The temperature differential is established across the thermodynamic air engine between a first side of the engine and a second side of the engine. The displacer is directly actuated to move the displacer cyclically through the working fluid in accordance with a defined motion pattern.
US07805929B2
A method of controlling ammonia and nitric oxides production for selective catalytic reduction systems is provided. The method may include producing an ammonia-containing gas stream having an ammonia concentration. The method may further include operating an engine to continuously produce a NOx-containing gas stream having a NOx concentration. The ammonia-containing gas stream may be supplied to a first exhaust system location upstream of a selective catalytic reduction catalyst, and the ammonia concentration may be determined at a first time. The NOx-containing gas stream may be supplied to a second exhaust system location upstream of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst, and the NOx concentration may be evaluated at a second time which is later than the first time. The NOx concentration may be adjusted based on the ammonia concentration at the first time.
US07805925B2
A centerbody for the exhaust system of a gas turbine engine having an upstream end mounted within an exhaust duct casing of the exhaust system. The centerbody includes a plurality of ventilation openings defined in a centerbody wall which provide fluid flow communication between an internal cavity and exhaust gas flow surrounding the centerbody, such that ventilating air from within the cavity can exit into the exhaust gas flow.
US07805918B2
A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The reel mower cutting unit may be manual or self-adjusting. In the manual mode, adjustments can be made by engaging and turning an adjustment actuator on the side of the cutting reel with a hand tool such as a socket wrench. In the self-adjustment mode, adjustments can be made by engaging and turning adjustment actuators with an output shaft of an electric motor. The same adjustment actuators are used in both adjustment modes, and the reel cutting unit may be converted between modes by fastening or unfastening electric motor assembly from the unit.
US07805916B2
A work machine for harvesting a cane crop having a lower crop material gathering device, the work machine including a chassis and an upper crop material gathering device coupled to said chassis. The upper crop material gathering device including at least one moving device configured to substantially surround a stalk of a cane crop plant as said at least one moving device moves, and a stalk engaging device positioned proximate to the at least one moving device. The stalk engaging device being configured to pull the stalk from the at least one moving device, thereby stripping grain from a head of the cane crop plant.
US07805913B2
An apparatus and method for creating a vacuum-sealed package comprising the placement of the item to be vacuum packed in a container; sealing the container, placing a portion of the container in contact with a sealable chamber; sealing the chamber, creating holes in the container, evacuating the desired amount of air from the container and creating a seal between the interior of the container and the holes.
US07805908B2
Methods and apparatus for the formation of structures utilizing fill materials capable of hardening, such as concrete. The methods and apparatus may include the employment of enhanced load-bearing capabilities, which may yield substantial efficiencies in time, labor, materials and costs attendant to fill material formation. The methods and apparatus may be particularly suited for use with manufacturing and prefabrication processes.
US07805902B2
A hidden-type fastener for attaching laterally adjacent grooved decking members to an underlying support includes a body with a fastener opening, first and second connection wings, and a flange. The wings extend out from a top edge of the body in opposite directions. Each includes a first portion perpendicular to the body and a second portion oriented at an angle thereto. The flange is perpendicular to the body, and is attached to a bottom edge thereof. In use, the wing opposite the flange is placed in the groove of a first decking member. A connector is secured into the support through the opening, causing the fastener and wing to flex into engagement with the decking member. A second decking member is placed laterally against the first by maneuvering its side groove over the other wing, causing the wing to flex for engagement therewith.
US07805899B2
A high impact, moisture resistant, wall panel system and methods for mounting a high impact, moisture resistant wall panel to an existing structure are disclosed herein. A high impact, moisture resistant wall panel includes an inert substrate composed of a high density inorganic material, wherein the substrate is dimensionally stable, a laminate composed of a substantially rigid polymeric material, and an adhesive for engaging the laminate to the substrate.
US07805893B2
The present invention relates to a preassembled tower section of a wind power plant and a method of transporting a tower section of a wind power plant, the method comprising the steps providing the tower section at a preassembly site, preassembling at least one electronic subsystem of the wind power plant onto the tower section, transporting the preassembled tower section from the preassembly site to an installation site. In effect transport thereof is considerably simplified and a higher degree of modular design and preassembly is achieved.
US07805867B2
A steam generating apparatus (20) is described, comprising a boiler (24) provided with electric heating means (25) and current controlling means (33, 40; 37) for controlling the current in the heating means; the apparatus further comprising at least one temperature sensor (34) and a pressure sensor (35); the apparatus being capable of generating steam at a variable steam output rate; wherein the controlling means (33, 40; 37) are designed, at a relatively low steam output rate setting, to control the current in the heating means on the basis of a temperature measurement signal (T) from the temperature sensor (34), and wherein the controlling means (33, 40; 37) are designed, at a relatively high steam output rate setting, to control the current in the heating means on the basis of pressure.
US07805862B2
A float mechanism for attaching a material-moving implement to an instant transfer connector has a pair of spaced apart substantially vertical supports, each with a substantially vertical slot in an upper region and configured to attach to the instant transfer connector. The slots are slidably engaged by a transfer bar attached to the implement, and a stabilizing structure limits the motion of the transfer bar in the slots. The limited flexibility allows the implement to push material across uneven terrain. Blocks can be employed to disable the flexible action when the implement is employed for loading and dumping material.
US07805845B2
A shaving device that defines an arcuate outer surface to be engaged between a pair of digits. Manipulation between the digits provides precise finger-tip control of the pitch, angle and pressure applied the fixed or replaceable shaving blades.
US07805841B2
A modular power tool incorporates a modular drive system and modular handle set that is reversible for use with both a left hand and right hand configuration. The modular drive system and handle set of the modular power tool of this invention reduces the need for derivative circular saw designs by introducing common components.
US07805836B2
A manufacturing method of an electronic board includes: placing an electronic component including conductive parts on a first insulation layer with the conductive parts facing up as well as providing projections having conductivities on the conductive parts; applying an insulation material by means of a droplet discharging method providing a second insulation layer on an upper surface of the electronic component while dodging the projections, the second insulation layer having a height the projections project out from the layer; providing conductive wirings to be connected to the projections on the second layer; and applying the insulation material around the electronic component by means of the droplet discharging method to provide a third insulation layer having a height generally equal to the second insulation layer.
US07805832B2
The invention provides for a transfer apparatus for transferring a component of integrated circuitry from a receiving location to a delivery location within an integrated circuitry assembly machine. The transfer apparatus includes a support structure that defines a transfer path between said locations, and a component carrier that defines a receiving zone configured to receive the component of integrated circuitry. The transfer apparatus also includes a retaining mechanism arranged on the component carrier to retain the component of integrated circuitry in position in the receiving zone, the retaining mechanism being operable to release the component at the delivery location, as well as a displacement mechanism engaged with the component carrier to displace the component carrier along said transfer path.
US07805830B2
A device comprises a mounting surface configured to mount a head gimbal assembly (HGA), a housing that pivots relative to the mounting surface, and a mechanism coupled to the housing that deflects the HGA when the housing pivots relative to the mounting surface. For example the mechanism may be a pneumatically actuated finger that pulls the HGA towards the housing. The device may be used to load the HGA on a rotating test disc. Once loaded on the test disc, the HGA is supported only by the mounting surface and an air bearing at an interface of a slider of the HGA and the test disc. Embodiments of the invention may provide precise and repeatable positioning of the HGA because dimensional tolerances and vibrations in the mechanism are not transferred to the HGA once it is loaded on the test disc.
US07805823B2
An axial swage alignment tool (11) having a bridge member (27) for axially and rotationally aligning a metal tube (21) and a fitting (31) is disclosed. The bridge member that is temporarily bonded to the exterior surfaces of the metal tube and the fitting. The bridge member eliminates the need to place any material between the metal tube and the fitting either prior to or after the swaging process.
US07805822B2
A process which uses an air jet containing non-abrasive particulate media at a low pressure which selectively removes thermal barrier coatings from components without damaging the metallic substrate. This process selectively removes thermal barrier coatings from the cooling holes of components.
US07805821B2
A method for manufacturing a capacitance sensor comprises the steps of (a) depositing a film to be a diaphragm forming a moving electrode, (b) heating the film to be the diaphragm to a first temperature, and (c) depositing a film to be a plate forming a fixed electrode opposing to the moving electrode. Stresses of the diaphragm and the plate of the capacitance sensor are optimized.
US07805820B2
A thin-film resonator and a method for producing a thin-film component includes, for the purpose of structuring an upper first dielectric layer, a mask that comprises a second dielectric layer facing the upper dielectric layer and a photoresist layer. Initially, the photoresist layer that serves as photomask during the structuring of the second dielectric layer is structured. The structures of the second dielectric layer, together with the structures of the photoresist layer located thereabove, form a mask that is used for structuring the first dielectric layer.
US07805810B2
The present invention is an extremely compact three leaf geared hinge that is adapted to handle heavy loads, tightly fold back onto itself for space conservation, offer extensive freedom of movement in the horizontal plane and provide an extremely smooth operating action with minimal play in torsion as well as in axial or transverse motions. The hinge has three interconnected leaves jointed by hinge pins. The inner and outer leaves each have two fixed gears on their sides that meshingly engage a set of two rotating gears located on the sides of the middle leaf. The inner leaf has a cylindrical leaf and pin arrangement on one end that may be rotatably secured to a rigid member or housing. The free end of the outer leaf may be attached to the load directly or with a device that allows the load to rotate normally about the extended hinge.
US07805801B2
An apparatus for cleaning a rubbing cloth disposed on an alignment roller includes: a first support member to be disposed parallel to the alignment roller; a second support member to be disposed parallel to the alignment roller and spaced apart from the first support member at a predetermined distance; and a cleaning cloth disposed on and extending between the first and second support members. The cleaning cloth cleans the rubbing cloth by rubbing.
US07805798B2
A car wash brush comprises an axial core structure and a plurality of foam plastic media sheets attached to the core structure in angularly spaced relationship to one another. The media sheets are preferably made of closed cell, low absorbtivity foam plastic material between about ⅛ and ½ inch thick and thermoformed into a pleated configuration with a surface pattern of raised and recessed geometric figures. The media sheets are split at least partially into individual pliant fingers.
US07805793B2
Apparatus for facilitating the removal of material deposited at the bottom (6) of a volume of liquid (7) the apparatus including a suction pump assembly (2) associated with a suction head/nozzle (9) mounted to a user handling element (4) and means (24) drivable by the motor for displacing sucked-in water and (8) to a delivery location (11), in such manner that when used in use the pump assembly (2) can be submerged, and wherein the suction pump assembly (2) includes means (40) for enabling controlled air escape from the vicinity of the means (24) for displacing air from of the pump assembly the arrangement being such as to prevent air blockage of and material flow through the pump following raising of the latter of water.
US07805784B2
A patient bed includes a base, a patient support, and an elevation mechanism for raising or lowering the patient support relative to the base. The elevation mechanism comprises a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms, with both the pairs of arms mounted relative to the patient support and the base. The first pair of arms and the second pair of arms have pivot connections at the patient support, with the pivot connections of at least one pair of the pair of arms moving in a sinusoidal path when the patient support is raised or lowered with respect to the base.
US07805774B2
A pair of pants includes two pant legs, with each pant leg having a front pant panel and a back pant panel which are interconnected by two side seams. The front and back pant panels are sized such that one of the side seams has a seam course which, at least in one section is shifted to the back toward a leg back side of a wearer.
US07805772B2
A method and apparatus for gloving a person and a gloving package. The method includes automatically advancing a glove package or packages containing gloves from a storage location to a location where they are accessible to a persons hands so that the person can glove himself or herself without contaminating the gloves. The apparatus comprises of a gloving machine for applying gloves to the hands of a person. The gloving package is comprised of a top and bottom layer and a means for securing glove(s) within the layers.
US07805768B2
A shield protects an outer garment, such as a pair of pants, against visible staining caused by a small amount of liquid, such as urine or lactating milk. The shield includes a multiple layer laminate constructed of an absorptive layer, a soft plastic barrier layer adjoined on one side to said absorptive layer, and a gripping layer on an opposite side of said soft plastic layer adapted to mechanically lock and adhere onto the outer garment. The shield is placed into the zipper fly or crotch area of any male or female pant garment, or inside of a blouse of a lactating woman. The shield provides a healthy safe barrier between the individual and the garment. It remains securely in place and feels cool and comfortable and can be changed easily when needed.
