Document	Document Title
US08071000B2	In mold lamination of decorative products A method of manufacturing decorative plastic composites having a decorative layer, a backing layer and a clear outer layer which provides exceptional “depth of image” is disclosed. Decorative or protective appliqués' having a wide range of decorative patterns may be formed by injection molding a backing layer behind and a clear outer layer on the top surface of a thin foil, film, fabric or veneer.
US08070992B2	Mold cleaning sheet and method of producing semiconductor devices using the same A cleaning sheet (29) is formed with a trough-hole (29a) at a portion corresponding to a cavity of a mold along with a slit (29b) or a flow cavity cut (29c) at every corner at an outer periphery of the through-hole (29a) and is placed between a first mold half and a second mold half of the mold to clean the inside of the mold, thereby improving the cleaning effect of the mold.
US08070990B2	Smoke suppressants The present invention is directed to smoke suppressants based on ammonium octamolybdate chemistry. According to this invention, the precipitation of ammonium octamolybdate in the presence of an inert mineral core produce a novel high surface area ammonium octamolybdate smoke suppressant. The high surface area significantly increases the smoke suppression performance over a standard ammonium octamolybdate. This invention is also directed to a process for making the high surface area ammonium octamolybdate smoke suppressant. The smoke suppressant of this invention is particularly suitable for smoke suppression in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) applications.
US08070988B2	Nano-carbon hybrid structures A stable colloidal suspension of carbon-based nanomaterials in a solvent has a stable colloidal suspension of nanodiamond particles having at least one additional carbon nanomaterials disbursed and agitated into the solvent to produce said suspension. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08070981B2	Method of fabricating silica-titania nanoporous composite powder Provided is a method of fabricating silica-titania nanoporous composite powder by controlling a pore size. In more particular, a method of fabricating silica-titania nanoporous composite powder, using a spraying and heating reactor including an ultrasonic droplet generator and a cylindrical electric furnace, comprises the steps of: generating droplets of a mixture suspension from a colloidal suspension prepared by mixing silica (SiO2) and titania (TiO2) nanopowders and organic template (PSL: polystyrene latex) powder, by the ultrasonic droplet generator of the spray-heating reactor; generating a silica-titania-organic template nanoporous composite powder having pores within the range of 20˜100 nm in size through preparing silica-titania-organic template (SiO2—TiO2-PLS) composite particles and removing the organic template while passing the mixture suspension in the cylindrical electric furnace by a carrier gas; and collecting the generated nanoporous material by a particle collector.
US08070978B2	Refrigerator oil composition There is provided a refrigerating machine oil composition which has a low viscosity, an improved energy saving performance, a good sealability and an excellent loading endurance and, therefore, can be suitably used in various refrigerating application fields, in particular, in closed-system refrigerators. The refrigerating machine oil composition of the present invention comprises a base oil containing a hydrogenated α-olefin oligomer as a main component and having a kinematic viscosity of 1 to 8 mm2/s as measured at 40° C., and is preferably applied to refrigerators having a sliding portion which is made of an engineering plastic material, or provided thereon with an organic coating film or an inorganic coating film.
US08070976B2	Compositions comprising fluoroolefins and uses thereof The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.
US08070973B2	Ridge and mesa optical waveguides Apparatus including: a substrate layer having a substantially planar top surface; an optically conductive peak located and elongated on, and spanning a first thickness measured in a direction generally away from, the top surface; the optically conductive peak having first and second lateral walls each including distal and proximal lateral wall portions, the proximal lateral wall portions intersecting the top surface; and first and second sidewall layers located on the distal lateral wall portions, the sidewall layers not intersecting the top surface and spanning a second thickness that is less than the first thickness measured in the same direction.
US08070968B2	Ultraviolet-curable resin material for pattern transfer and magnetic recording medium manufacturing method using the same According to one embodiment, this invention uses an ultraviolet-curable resin material for pattern transfer containing 80 to 95 wt % of isobornyl acrylate, 1 to 20 wt % of trifunctional acrylate, and 0.5 to 6 wt % of a polymerization initiator.
US08070967B2	Method for manufacturing patterned magnetic recording medium A method for manufacturing a patterned magnetic recording medium that allows processing only required sites with high precision, in a dry etching process during formation of an uneven pattern in an interlayer. The method includes forming sequentially, on a substrate, a soft magnetic layer, an etching stop layer, a seed layer, an interlayer, a hard mask layer and a resist; obtaining a resist pattern by patterning the resist; obtaining a patterned hard mask layer by etching the hard mask layer using the resist pattern as a mask; stripping the resist pattern; obtaining a patterned interlayer by etching the interlayer using the patterned hard mask layer as a mask; stripping the patterned hard mask layer; and forming a magnetic recording layer by forming a perpendicular orientation section on the patterned interlayer, and forming a random orientation section on the seed layer.
US08070953B2	Method for desalinating sea water An object is to provide a fresh water generating method that is capable of efficiently producing purified water, such as fresh water, from unpurified water, such as sea water. Provided is a fresh water generating method for generating fresh water by way of reverse osmosis membrane filtration, which includes mixing sea water with low salt concentration water having a salt concentration lower than sea water to produce mixed water, and subjecting the mixed water prepared by the mixing to reverse osmosis membrane filtration, thereby generating fresh water.
US08070947B2	Permselective membrane module and method for manufacturing the same To provide a method for manufacturing a module having a selectively permeable membrane wherein the surface of the selectively permeable membrane thereof can be washed with good efficiency and further contaminants having been exfoliated from the surface of the membrane by a washing operation can be discharged from the inside of a housing with good efficiency; and the above module having a selectively permeable membrane. A module wherein a selectively permeable membrane is held in a housing and both ends of the above selectively permeable membrane are fixed, the both ends of the above selectively permeable membrane are fixed to an upper holder and an under holder connected by at least one washing tube, and then, the membrane is held in the housing; and a module having a selectively permeable membrane manufactured by the above manufacturing method.
US08070942B2	Suction device for cleaning a bottom surface of a structure of at least 15,000 m3 A suction device is disclosed for thoroughly cleaning the a bottom surface of a structure, covered with a non-porous plastic liner, that contains a body of water larger than 15,000 m3 for recreational use, with color, transparency and cleanness characteristics similar to swimming pools or tropical seas, said device operating by suctioning impurities from the bottom surface by a pumping system of said the structure.
US08070937B2	Systems, methods, and catalysts for producing a crude product Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed. The one or more catalysts may include at least one catalyst having a median pore diameter of at least 230 Å. Methods for producing the catalyst having the median pore size diameter are described.
US08070917B2	Reactive sputtering method A reactive sputtering method for application of a bias voltage to a supporting substrate in formation of a film of a metal compound on the supporting substrate according to a bias sputtering method; wherein a supporting substrate conveyor unit and a cathode that includes a target facing the supporting substrate conveyor unit are provided; the supporting substrate is conveyed between the supporting substrate conveyor unit and the target for formation of a film of a metal compound on the supporting substrate; magnets are provided adjacent to the supporting substrate conveyor unit on a side thereof opposite to that of the supporting substrate, such that a magnetic field is closed and a continuing tunnel part of parallel or nearly parallel arched magnetic force lines forms an oval or a polygon on the supporting substrate, the magnets each having a first magnetic pole of an S pole or an N pole and a second magnetic pole opposite to the first magnetic pole, the second magnetic pole surrounding the first magnetic pole; and in film formation on the supporting substrate, the magnets are rotated inside a drum in an opposite direction to that in which the supporting substrate is conveyed outside of the drum, so as to secure uniform plasma application along the supporting substrate.
US08070914B2	Anionic functional promoter and charge control agent with improved wet to dry tensile strength ratio The invention relates to a composition comprising (a) a functional promoter comprising a water-soluble anionic polymer having a molecular weight of at least about 50,000 daltons and a molecular weight charge index value of at least about 10,000; (b) a cationic surfactant component; such that when the composition treats a fibrous substrate, in conjunction with a cationic strength agent, the treated fibrous substrate exhibits (i) a ratio of wet tensile strength to dry tensile strength ranging from about 1:5 o to about 1:2 and (ii) an increase in a ratio of wet tensile strength to dry tensile strength of at least about 10%, as compared to when the fibrous substrate is treated with the functional promoter and without a surfactant. The invention also relates to a paper product made with such a system, and method for imparting wet strength to a paper product with the functional promoter.
US08070909B2	Feedback control of chemical mechanical polishing device providing manipulation of removal rate profiles A method of controlling surface non-uniformity of a wafer in a polishing operation includes (a) providing a model for a wafer polishing that defines a plurality of regions on a wafer and identifies a wafer material removal rate in a polishing step of a polishing process for each of the regions, wherein the polishing process comprises a plurality of polishing steps, (b) polishing a wafer using a first polishing recipe based upon an incoming wafer thickness profile, (c) determining a wafer thickness profile for the post-polished wafer of step (b), and (d) calculating an updated polishing recipe based upon the wafer thickness profile of step (c) and the model of step (a) to maintain a target wafer thickness profile. The model can information about the tool state to improve the model quality. The method can be used to provide feedback to a plurality of platen stations.
US08070903B1	Molded fabric and methods of manufacture A novel molded fabric is made by bringing a first patterned group of numerous discrete disjoint elements positioned on a first side of a contact boundary extending throughout the thickness of the fabric being molded, together with a second patterned group of numerous discrete disjoint elements, over-lapping the first group of discrete disjoint elements, on the opposite side of the contact boundary, and joining the elements together at their tip portions. Various techniques are disclosed for maintaining separation of overlapping cross-over portions of the thread elements crossing each other during joining the terminal portions together, so that they simulate woven cloth. First and second rolls can carry the elements in molten form within cavities in the roller surfaces or patterns of solid elements within first and second matrices, can be joined together at the nip of the rolls by heat or chemical means to produce substantial savings in fabric manufacture.
US08070894B2	Highly active liquid melts used to form coatings An alloy suitable for coating metal surfaces is provided in which the alloy provides a liquid melt which contains a fraction of dissolved oxide forming additives as deoxidizers. The alloyed combination of elements in the liquid melt resists compound formation thus preserving the chemical activity of the individual elements. In a coating application, the alloy may form a coating that can interact with and remove the oxide or residual oxide coating of the base metal to be coated, i.e., scrub the surface of the metal clean. This results in increased coating bond strength and the ability to bond effectively to normally difficult alloys such as stainless steel, refractory metals (W, Ti, Ta etc.), or aluminum alloys which form protective oxide layers.
US08070890B2	Induction hardened hollow driving shaft The present invention provides an induction-hardened hollow driving shaft that comprises, as a raw material, a steel pipe that contains, by mass %, 0.30 to 0.47% C, 0.5% or less Si, 0.3 to 2.0% Mn, 0.018% or less P, 0.015% or less S, 0.15 to 1.0% Cr, 0.001 to 0.05% Al, 0.005 to 0.05% Ti, 0.004% or less Ca, 0.01% or less N, 0.0005 to 0.005% B and 0.0050% or less O (oxygen) and the balance Fe and impurities and of which Beff defined by an equation (a) or (b) below is 0.0001 or more, wherein a prior austenite grain size number (JIS G0551) after the hardening is 9 or more. Here, in the case of Neff=N−14×Ti/47.9≧0, Beff=B−10.8×(N−14×Ti/47.9)/14 . . . (a), and, in other cases, Beff=B . . . (b). According to the present invention, a hollow driving shaft that is simultaneously provided with excellent cold workability, hardenability, toughness and torsional fatigue strength and can exert stable fatigue lifetime can be obtained and can be widely utilized.
US08070889B2	High-strength steel sheet and galvanized steel sheet having very good balance between hole expansibility and ductility, and also excellent in fatigue resistance, and methods of producing the steel sheets The invention is directed to providing, for application in automobiles, construction materials, household appliances and the like, high-strength sheets excellent in formability properties such as hole expansibility and ductility, and also in fatigue resistance, characterized in comprising, in specified contents expressed in mass %, C, Si, Mn, P, S, Al, N and O and a balance of iron and unavoidable impurities, and having a steel sheet structure composed mainly of ferrite and hard structures, a crystal orientation difference between some ferrite adjacent to hard structures and the hard structures of less than 9°, and a maximum tensile strength of 540 MPa or greater.
US08070885B2	Quenching fluid Quenching fluid composition comprising one or more additives and a saturated base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. “K” expressed in centistokes and a viscosity index “I” wherein I is greater than 120 and K greater than 2 cSt.
US08070872B2	Organic phase change carriers containing nanoparticles, phase change inks including same and methods for making same Disclosed is an organic phase change carrier and a method for forming same, and a phase change ink including same. The organic phase change carrier comprises a colloidal dispersion of nanoparticles exhibiting a substantially uniform distribution of said nanoparticles discretely distributed therewithin, at least one curable monomer; a phase change inducing component, and an initiator. The organic phase change carrier exhibits a substantially uniform distribution of the nanoparticles so that they are discretely distributed therewithin, and are substantially resistant to the aggregation of the nanoparticles distributed therewithin.
US08070864B2	Oxygen concentrator An apparatus to provide an oxygen concentrator that is a pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen concentrator equipped with; at least one adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen relative to oxygen, an air supply device to supply compressed air to the adsorption bed, a flow channel switching device to repeat at a predetermined timing an adsorption step to supply air from the air supply device to the adsorption bed to isolate concentrated oxygen and a desorption step to depressurize the adsorption bed to regenerate the adsorbent therein, and a flow rate setting device to set a volume of concentrated oxygen supplied to a user; comprising an exhaust pipe channel equipped with a leak valve in a flow channel between the air supply device and the adsorption bed to release a part of compressed air that is to be supplied to the adsorption bed into atmosphere.
US08070861B2	Active field polarized media air cleaner Improvements in active field polarized media air cleaner include an aerodynamic front cowling to reduce static air resistance, a rear double hinge to reduce blow by, a resistive center screen permitting the sharing of high voltage power supplies while reducing the tendency to arc and allowing for a higher operational voltage, a dielectric media support frame to produce a more uniform electrostatic field and reduce blow by, while at the same time reducing the tendency to spray corona and/or arc at the edges of the center screen, a substantially flat conductive outer screen to produce a more uniform electrostatic field throughout the filter media and a high-voltage shield to reduce high-voltage arcing and the spraying of corona where the high-voltage probe contacts the center screen.
US08070856B2	Polyamine/alkali salt blends for carbon dioxide removal from gas streams Novel solvents and methods of use for the removal of CO2 from flue gas, natural gas, hydrogen gas, synthesis gas, and other process and waste gas streams are provided. The solvent contains an alkali salt such as potassium carbonate and a polyamine such as piperazine (PZ) where the polyamine concentration is at least 1.5 equivalents/Kg H2O and the alkali salt concentration is at least 0.5 equivalents/Kg H2O. The preferred alkali salt/polyamine ratio is from approximately 1:2 to 2:1, and no additional alcohol is required for solubilizng the PZ. This chemical solvent and method of use provides efficient and effective removal of CO2 from gaseous streams and other sources.
US08070853B2	Apparatus and method of providing concentrated product gas In one aspect, a product gas concentrator is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include: a first process separating absorbable components from a source gaseous mixture, a second process providing concentrated product gas in a continuous output mode, a third process providing concentrated product gas in a pulsed output mode, and a fourth process selectively switching between the continuous and pulsed output modes. In another embodiment, the apparatus may include: a first process pressurizing a source gaseous mixture, a second process separating absorbable components from the pressurized gaseous mixture, a product tank accumulating concentrated product gas for dispensing, an output path, a third process selecting a volume to be dispensed during a predetermined time, a pressure sensor monitoring pressure of the concentrated product gas, and a fourth process controlling flow of the concentrated product gas in response to the selected volume and the monitored pressure.
US08070849B2	Production of ferro-alloys A method for producing a ferro-alloy in an electric arc furnace is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of removing steel from a carbon-containing organic material, and charging the furnace with the carbon-containing organic material product.
US08070848B2	Air filter mounting system and method for fabricating the same An air filter mounting system includes a filter mounting element extending from an air intake, wherein the filter mounting element includes a locking plate, a filter support bolt coupled to and extending outward from the locking plate, a plurality of support legs extending from the air intake, wherein the plurality of support legs coupled to the locking plate, and a retaining nut sized to threadably engage the filter support bolt. The retaining nut includes a handle portion comprising a cavity defined therein, wherein the cavity is sized to receive at least a portion of a fastener therein, and an attachment portion including a threaded bore defined therein, wherein the attachment portion is sized to threadably receive the fastener therein, and wherein the threaded bore is substantially axially aligned with the cavity. The retaining nut includes a sealing skirt extending outward from the attachment portion and includes a flexible sealing surface.
US08070833B2	Triacyglycerol based candle wax A triacylglycerol-based wax includes a triacylglycerol component and a polyol fatty acid partial ester component. The triacylglycerol-based wax may have a melting point of about 54° C. to 63° C., may have an Iodine Value of about 20 to 40, and may have a fatty acid profile including about 50 to 70 wt. % saturated fatty acids. The wax may be suitable for use as a candle.
US08070832B2	Disperse dyes, their preparation and use The invention provides for a dye of the formula (I) where D is the residue of a diazo component; R1 is hydrogen, (C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C4)-alkoxy, hydroxyl, halogen, —NHCHO, —NHCO(C1-C6)-alkyl or —NHSO2 (C1-C6)-alkyl; R2 is hydrogen, (C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C4)-alkoxy or halogen; R3 is hydrogen, (C1-C6)-alkyl, substituted (C1-C6)-alkyl, (C3-C4)-alkenyl or substituted (C3-C4)-alkenyl or R2 and R3 combine to form the radical —CH(CH3)CH2C(CH3)2—, where the carbon atom marked is attached to the phenyl nucleus; R4 is hydrogen or (C1-C6)-alkyl; R5 is hydrogen or (C1-C6)-alkyl; R6 is hydrogen or (C1-C6)-alkyl; X is phenyl, thiophenyl, sulfonylphenyl or phenoxy; n is 0, 1, or 2; and m is 0 or 1. The invention is also related to the process of using the dye and the process of preparing the dye.
US08070819B2	Apparatus and method for anterior intervertebral spinal fixation and fusion A fixation device including a housing, a shaft and a plurality of blades preloaded onto the shaft. The housing includes a leading deep surface, a trailing outer surface, weight bearing sides, and top and bottom surfaces. The shaft runs from the leading deep surface to the trailing outer surface of the housing. The plurality of blades includes at least one first blade having at least one cutting extension in a first orientation about the axis of the shaft and at least one second blade having at least one cutting extension in a second orientation about the axis of the shaft that is opposite to the first orientation. Each cutting extension of the blades has a sharp leading edge, wherein upon clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of each blade of the plurality of blades about the axis of the shaft in a direction in which the at least one cutting extension of each blade is oriented, the at least one cutting extension of each blade will break an endplate of a vertebra, hook into the vertebra and rigidly secure the vertebra to the device to prevent separation of the vertebra from the device during spinal motion.
US08070817B2	Vertebral implant An implant for insertion between a pair of spaced vertebrae has two interfitted parts relatively shiftable along an axis and having outer ends turned axially away from each other and each formed with an axially outwardly directed part-spherical convex surface. Formations such as a screwthread engaged between the parts can axially shift them relative to each other and lock their axial positions relative to each other. Respective L-shaped mounting brackets each have one leg extending transversely across the axis and formed with a part-spherical concave seat complementary to and fitting with a respective one of the part outer ends and another leg extending generally axially outward. The brackets are adapted to be fitted to the vertebrae. Fasteners secure each of the other legs to the respective vertebra.
US08070816B2	Arthroplasty spinal prosthesis and insertion device An arthroplasty spinal prosthesis with first and second vertebra contacting members that are configured for engaging opposing vertebrae An articulation is supportively associated with the contacting members to allow relative pivotal and translational motion therebetween over anterior-posterior and lateral pivotal axes, and over anterior-posterior and lateral translational axes. This motion allows the opposing vertebrae to pivot and translate with respect to each other. The articulation is configured to permit translational movement substantially uncoupled from the pivoting movement.
US08070813B2	Selectively expanding spine cage, hydraulically controllable in three dimensions for vertebral body replacement A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between vertebral bodies to effectively distract the disc space and rigidly fix the spine. Extendible members with multiple interfitting stages permit a relatively large range of distraction capability in a compact package.
US08070809B2	Flush patch for elastomeric implant shell An elastomeric prosthetic implant having a shell and a patch providing a reinforced access region on the shell for introduction of manufacturing implements, such as a gel-filling tool. The shell may cover the entire inner face of the patch, or a substantial part thereof, and a peripheral edge of the patch and the shell cooperate to form a flush interface with no sudden surface steps on both interior and exterior surfaces of the implant. The removal of any surface steps eliminates undesirable tactile discontinuities and stress points that may cause the shell wall to wear or may irritate the surrounding tissues. The prosthetic implant may be a breast implant formed of a silicone elastomer. The patch may be the same material or a liquid silicone rubber, but at least has similar material properties such as elastic modulus, durometer and elongation. The patch may include a channel used for introducing silicone to the mold to form the shell, for venting the mold cavity during the mold process, and/or for introducing the silicone gel into the hollow prosthesis.
US08070805B2	Devices and methods for heart valve treatment Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.
US08070799B2	Instrument and method for in situ deployment of cardiac valve prostheses An instrument for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a plurality of radially expandable portions, at an implantation site, includes a plurality of deployment elements each independently operable to obtain the radial expansion of a radially expandable portion of the valve prosthesis. A method for deploying the cardiac valve prosthesis includes advancing the instrument to an implant site and independently actuating the radially expandable portions.
US08070798B2	Drug eluting medical device and method A drug elution stent includes a stent framework and a drug elution portion disposed on the stent framework. The drug elution portion includes a first sugar layer disposed on the stent framework, at least one therapeutic agent layer disposed on the first sugar layer and a second sugar layer disposed on the at least one therapeutic agent layer. A method of manufacturing a drug elution stent includes the steps of providing a stent having a stent framework and coating at least a portion of the stent framework with a drug elution portion. The drug elution portion includes a first sugar layer disposed on the stent framework, at least one therapeutic agent layer disposed on the first sugar layer and a second sugar layer disposed on the at least one therapeutic agent layer.
US08070797B2	Medical device with a porous surface for delivery of a therapeutic agent The present invention is generally directed to implantable medical devices for delivering therapeutic agents to the body tissue of a patient and methods for making such medical devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to implantable medical devices, such as intravascular stents, having a surface that includes a plurality of cavities and a plurality of pores and a composition disposed in the pores and/or cavities, as well as, implantable medical devices, such as intravascular stents, having a surface that has a coating composition disposed on the surface, wherein the coating composition includes a plurality of cavities and a plurality of pores and another coating composition disposed in the pores and/or cavities.
US08070791B2	Multiple layer embolus removal Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can comprise a three-step progressive treatment process that includes immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis and maceration. The progressive, or modular, treatment can be provided by a system or kit of one or more treatment devices.
US08070783B2	Facet joint replacement Various methods and devices for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy posterior elements, such as the facet joints, the lamina, the posterior ligaments, and/or other features of a patient's spinal column, are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are effective to mimic the natural function of the spine by allowing flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the spine, while substantially restricting posterior-anterior shear and rotation of the spine.
US08070771B1	Ambidextrous locking clamp system An ambidextrous locking clamp system for providing a user the ability to use the right or left hand to engage and disengage a ratcheting means on the clamp. The locking clamp has a hingedly connected first and second elongated member each with a finger engaging member, and a working head. At least two inter-engaging latching members are attached to the first and the second elongated members. The latching members each have a ratcheting head adapted to interact with each other, and are removably or fixedly attached to their respective finger engaging members. At least one of the latching members can have a flexible arm.
US08070763B1	Disposable oral hygiene instrument and methods and packages for same Described are packages and systems for conveniently dispensing tongue cleaning devices. The packages include containers containing a plurality of tongue cleaning devices. The package and devices are arranged in such a fashion that the tongue cleaning devices are presented individually for dispensing from the container. Arrangements for achieving convenient dispensing include strips containing a plurality of tongue cleaning devices attached to one another and wound around a spindle within the container. The strip exits an opening in the container and conveniently presents devices sequentially which can be separated from one another at relatively weak points along the strip and/or using cutting elements on the container. Additional embodiments include a plurality of tongue cleaning devices in a stacked relationship in a container, and presented individually for sequential dispensing from the container. The invention provides packages, articles of manufacture and tongue cleaning devices which can be conveniently stored, used, and transported, and which are readily adapted as disposable items thus avoiding the need for cleaning and storing operations of conventional non-disposable tongue cleaners.
US08070762B2	Atherectomy devices and methods The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.
US08070758B2	Enhanced products and processes for removing cavity tissue Improved devices for removing tissue, for example nasal hair using natural wax. One embodiment uses telescoping tubes and there is wax or glue located in the inner tubes or between the tubes, whereby the tubes are located so that the inner one can extend or retract relative to the outer tube. Following heating the wax or glue for softening purposes, the same is applied to the inner part of the nasal cavity by emplacing the same in a desired naris and through application of force and wax extrusion through a cloth boot or otherwise, in combination with mild external pressure, removal is accomplished.
US08070756B2	Polypectomy device and method of use A polyp removal tool and method of use is disclosed. The tool includes a main body, an elongated hollow conduit fixed to the body, a handle, a cable assembly, a suction assembly and an irrigation system. The handle is used to actuate a snare at the end of a cable for transecting of polypoid tissue. The suction assembly is used in pre-conditioning the tissue for cutting and in polyp retention after cutting. The irrigation system is included for tissue recovery after transection. The tool may include a screen for capture of tissue within the device.
US08070737B2	Seal for controlled evacuation ostomy appliance A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance comprises a membrane that is urged into sealing engagement with a stoma, by the generation of radial tension in the membrane. A tensioning device applies tension, with respect to the stoma, at one or more positions that are (i) outboard of the periphery of the projecting portion of the stoma, and/or (ii) between the level of the peristomal skin and the level of the most projecting part of the stoma. Tension limiting means are disclosed. The membrane may be gas-permeable to allow flatus to be vented.
US08070735B2	Aspiration pump unit The portable aspiration pump unit of the invention, for the aspiration of bodily fluids, has a pump assembly housing (1) with a pump assembly (6) and at least one secretion or fluid collection reservoir (2) detachably connected to this pump assembly housing (1). The pump assembly housing has a front wall (11), a rear wall (10), and a side wall (16) arranged between these two walls, while the front wall and the rear wall each have one wall edge (100, 110) projecting beyond this side wall, and the fluid collection reservoir is held between these wall edges. In this way, the fluid collection reservoir can be secured easily to the pump assembly housing, yet be held firmly and protected inside it. This aspiration pump unit enables a simple and secure replacing of the fluid collection reservoir and affords the patient a heightened mobility.
US08070720B2	Methods for incorporating a drug into an elastomeric medical device A method of manufacturing a drug delivery device includes forming a undercoat on an outer surface of a dipping mandrel, forming a tack coat on an outer surface of the undercoat, depositing granular particles on at least a portion of the tack coat, forming an overcoat on the formed tack coat, trapping the granular particles between the tack coat and the overcoat and removing an outermost portion of the overcoat to expose a portion of the granular particles. A system for treating a vascular condition includes a catheter having an inflation lumen, an elastomeric drug delivery device disposed on the catheter and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, a plurality of expandable pores disposed within an outer layer of the elastomeric drug delivery device and at least one therapeutic agent disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of expandable pores.
US08070716B2	Method and apparatus for minimum negative pressure control, particularly for a breastpump with breastshield pressure control system A breastpump, manual or motorized, that includes a mechanism to regulate pressure change, e.g., vacuum, within a breastshield chamber, including in some cases to a maintained minimum pressure that is less than ambient (atmosphere). The pressure regulator provides control for varying negative pressure between a minimum value and a maximum value (and values in between), or to achieve a specific actually measured negative pressure value within a breastshield.
US08070714B2	Needleless syringe provided with modular reservoir The technical field of the invention is that of needleless pre-filled disposable syringes, operating with a gas generator, and used for intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, of a liquid active principle for therapeutic use in human and veterinary medicine. The inventive needleless syringes use a reservoir (5) consisting of a tube (6) closed by an upstream plug-piston (7) and a downstream plug-piston (8) between which is contained the liquid active principle. Said needleless syringes are characterized in that they are capable of injecting a variable amount of liquid active principle (9) by adapting, through displacement of the downstream plug-piston (8) in the tube (6) the volume included between the two plug-pistons (7,8) to the amount of active principle (9) to be injected.
US08070712B2	Loading system for alignment of fluidics cassette to console An eye treatment system includes an eye treatment probe and a console. The console has a cassette receptacle and a fluid drive system including a first peristaltic drive rotor and a second peristaltic drive rotor. The first and second drive rotors are exposed to the receptacle and are substantially coaxial. The cassette includes a cassette body and a fluid pathway network for coupling the fluid drive system of the console with the probe. The cassette body has cassette positioning surface for fittingly engaging the receptacle. The fluid pathway network has a first resilient tubing segment and a second resilient tubing segment, the first and second tubing segments are configured for peristaltic driving engagement by the first and second rotors, respectively, when the cassette is mounted to the console. Various elements of the cassette are configured for interfacing with the components of the console when the cassette is mounted to the console.
US08070711B2	Thermal management algorithm for phacoemulsification system A control system for managing power supplied to a phacoemulsification hand piece includes a power source that provides power to the hand piece and a controller that controls the power source. The controller calculates a thermal value based on irrigation fluid flow and a power level and decreases the power level in proportion to the calculated thermal value when the calculated thermal value exceeds a threshold thermal value. Irrigation fluid flow can be calculated from irrigation fluid pressure.
US08070704B2	Weight driven neck traction unit and method The neck traction device elongated a user's neck with the application of force on the user's shoulders. One embodiment includes a head pad, a vertically movably head support frame, a pivotally connected linkage member coupled to a shoulder frame element. The shoulder frame and shoulder pads are longitudinally movably mounted and the linked system exerts a longitudinal force on the user's shoulders when the user's head rests on the head pad and depresses the head pad. A biasing mechanism either upwardly supports the head frame or longitudinally limits the extension of the shoulder frame such that when the head is lifted off the head frame, the biasing mechanism raises the head pad and moves back the shoulder frame and pads. Alternatively, a transmission may be used to convert the substantially downward force due to the head weight to a longitudinal force on the shoulder pads.
US08070700B2	Lower extremity enhancer A lower extremity enhancer to be worn by a user includes two leg supports having a plurality of jointed links. Proximal ends of the leg supports are connected to a back frame. Distal ends of the leg supports are connected to two foot links. The leg supports are powered by a plurality of actuators adapted to apply torques to the leg supports in response to movement of the user's legs.
US08070687B2	Apparatus and method for detecting the reproductive status, in particular the oestrus cycle, of a mammal An apparatus for detecting the reproductive status, in particular the oestrus cycle, of a mammal, comprising detecting means (10) to detect a blood amount perfused in a predetermined region of the vagina canal of a mammal, and generating a corresponding main signal (20); the apparatus (1) further comprises a processing unit (40) associated with said detecting means (10) to determine the reproductive status of said mammal depending on said main signal (20). Also disclosed is a method of detecting the reproductive status, in particular the oestrus cycle, of a mammal.
US08070684B2	Method and system for evaluating valvular function A method and apparatus for enhancing evaluation of valvular function in terms of regurgitation is described. The techniques include a method and apparatus for monitoring flow across a valve and evaluating regurgitation through the valve. An ultrasound scanner with Doppler capabilities processes and represents Doppler signal data in a color scale. The Doppler signal data is processed such that different colors are assigned to signals that have different power levels. An ECG signal may be correlated to the Doppler signals to determine systole and diastole periods, then the regurgitation is determined by estimating a peak reverse blood flow based on Doppler signals from blood at systole. The Doppler signals may also be processed so as to determine a cardiac cycle, then regurgitation is determined as the ratio of a reverse blood flow as a percentage of a forward blood flow.
US08070678B2	Detection of restenosis risk in patients receiving a stent by measuring the characteristics of blood clotting including the measurement of maximum thrombin-induced clot strength A method of selecting a stent for implantation in the circulatory system of a human being includes the steps of determining a threshold level of platelet hyper-coaguability (PHC). One marker of PHC is platelet-fibrin mediated clot strength (MA) of blood. MA above a threshold demonstrates a risk of restenosis that is relatively high. In practicing the method, a sample of blood is obtained from a patient who requires implantation of a stent, the blood sample is tested for its platelet-fibrin mediated clot strength, the clot strength of the blood sample is compared with the threshold level; if the blood sample has a clot strength below the threshold level, selecting a bare metal stent, and if the blood sample has a clot strength at or above the threshold level, selecting a drug-eluting stent. The method includes, in a preferred embodiment, use of a viscoelastic monitor to perform the testing step. Other markers of PHC may also be employed such as measurement of thrombin generation and/or platelet reactivity.
US08070671B2	Methods and devices for luminal and sphincter augmentation Devices and methods for augmenting or otherwise enhancing closure of body lumens comprise magnetic or magnetizable components or particles which are implanted in the wall of the lumen. The magnet fields exerted by the components or particles act to close the body lumen with a desired force.
US08070663B2	Blood processing apparatus with optical reference control A density centrifuge blood processing system with automatic two-dimensional optical control of fluid separation by observing fluid characteristics in observation regions. The location of the regions is determined by monitoring an optical reference. Points representing edges of an optical reference are measured and lines are computed through the points. An error measurement is calculated for each line. If the error is too large, the image is abandoned. One of the lines is selected as a referent line. A new line is calculated orthogonal to the referent line. The error function is again computed for the dependant line. If the error exceeds a selected maximum, the frame is discarded. A transformation function translates data points from an (r, s) domain derived from measurements of the edges into an (x, y) domain used to identify pixels in the observation areas.
US08070661B2	Method of making a foldable packing box A method of making a foldable packing box comprising the following steps: step 1, making a pair of side boards with a side board body, two connecting parts foldably connected to the opposite sides of the side board body, and an installation part foldably connected to the side board body; step 2, making a base board, step 2 including: step 2.1, providing a second core board in a predetermined shape with an outer layer paper being pasted at the outer surface of the second core board; step 2.2, spraying paint to the peripheral surface of the second core board; step 2.3, defining a plurality of parallel base board grooves at the inner surface of the second core board according to the size of the predetermined packing box, so as to separately form a plurality of folding lines at the base board; step 3, respectively connecting the installation parts of the side boards to the opposite sides of the base board; step 4, pasting inner layer paper to the inner surface of the second core board; step 5, providing two fixing boards; and step 6, separately fixing the fixing boards to the base board, so as to produce a finished product of the foldable packing box.
US08070627B2	Golf ball with non-circular dimples A golf ball has a substantially spherical outer surface comprised of a plurality of non-circular dimples. The dimples are formed by a plurality of lobes extending from a central hub, wherein each lobe is defined by a curved outer segment. The curved outer segments form at least a portion of the perimeter of the dimple. The dimples are comprised of at least four lobes. The dimples can also be comprised of a plurality of radiating arms emanating from a location proximate the hub of the dimple.
US08070616B2	Method and apparatus for adjusting rider movement on a waterslide amusement device In waterslide amusement devices one or more water jets can be directed along the waterslide surface and used to apply a force to riders using the amusement device. In the present approach the operation of such water jet assemblies is adjusted based on the weight of each rider, so that riders of different weights can negotiate the waterslide amusement device safely and with an appropriate degree of excitement. The rider weight is conveniently measured on the waterslide amusement device, for example, using a load cell assembly, and a signal is sent to a controller to adjust the output of one or more downstream water jet assemblies based on the measured rider weight.
US08070615B2	Methods and systems for water amusement conveyor A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.
US08070614B2	Connecting arrangement between a shaft journal and a joint part A connecting arrangement between a shaft journal, which is mounted so as to be axially fixed with respect to a unit, and a joint part which can be pivotably attached to the shaft journal in a rotationally fixed manner. A shaft nut having an internal thread which can be screwed onto an external thread of the shaft journal, is provided with an additional external thread onto which a further nut can be screwed. The further nut includes first and second thread sections with different pitch directions which produce an axially acting interlocking connection between the further nut, the shaft nut and the joint part.
US08070613B2	Connecting assembly between a shaft journal and a constant velocity joint A connecting assembly for use in the propeller shaft of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The connecting assembly comprises a shaft journal with an annular groove; a constant velocity universal joint with an inner joint part which is connected in a rotationally fixed way to the shaft journal for the purpose of transmitting torque; an axial securing ring for the inner joint part, which axial securing ring is positioned in the annular groove of the shaft journal; and a holding ring which is releasably connected to the inner joint part; wherein, in a mounted condition of the inner joint part, the axial securing ring is axially fixed on the shaft journal between a contact face of the inner joint part and the holding ring connected to the inner joint part.
US08070611B2	Plunging cross-track constant velocity joint A cross-track plunging constant velocity joint assembly includes an inner race having an outer diameter, an axial length, inner ball tracks, and a spline engageable with a first torque transfer member. An outer race has an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and outer ball tracks. The outer race is connectable to a second torque transfer member. A cage having multiple windows is disposed between the inner and outer races. A plurality of balls (N) having a ball diameter are held by the cage within the windows and engage pairs of the inner and outer ball tracks. The balls define a joint pitch circle diameter (PCD). The inner race has a plunge depth within the outer race. The ratio of 1.2≦(outer race outer diameter/outer race inner diameter)≦1.7 is satisfied.
US08070610B2	Repositionable handle assemblies for drop-in-bar gaming machines A “drop-in” style bar top gaming machine that includes a support frame having at least two opposed support walls, and a top panel assembly supporting a display device. The top panel assembly is further configured to cooperate with the support frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, enabling access to the support frame. An illumination assembly is provided for interior illumination of the gaming machine.
US08070609B2	Flexibly configurable button panels for gaming machines Flexibly configurable button panels for electronic devices and dynamic display systems for wager based gaming machines are disclosed. Button panels include a flexible cable, surface mount or other cable connectors spaced along and coupled thereto, and button assemblies coupled thereto via the cable connectors to provide electrical access from buttons to circuit lines. Relative physical locations of buttons are then reconfigurable to form different button panel configurations while the buttons remain coupled to the flexible cable. A dedicated dynamic button panel controller for processing button functions and a button panel identification device having an identification code can also be provided. Buttons can be removably coupled to the cable connectors, and can also include dynamic displays thereupon. Other gaming machine dynamic displays can also be provided. Separate dynamic display controllers can be provided to control dynamic displays directly to alleviate processing burdens on the master gaming controller.
US08070608B2	Geographic data collection using game play A method is disclosed for collecting geographic data during game play. A game scenario includes an activity for the game player to perform. The game player may be given an incentive within the context of the game for performing the activity. The incentive may be of non-monetary, monetary or in-game value. Performing the activity within the context of the game directly or indirectly results in the generation of data that is collected and used for the purpose of updating, adding to or supplementing a geographic database.
US08070604B2	System and method for providing wireless gaming as a service application A gaming system is provided. The gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas.
US08070599B2	Apparatus and methods facilitating the use of financial transactions in a virtual environment This disclosure includes systems which generate a video game or other virtual environment, and institutions and transactions of a financial nature are facilitated by the video game. Some types of financial transactions may be guaranteed, such as by real world financial devices including credit cards.
US08070595B2	Amusement devices and games including means for processing electronic data where ultimate outcome of the game is dependent on relative odds of a card combination and/or where chance is a factor: the monty hall paradox Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases such as long shot bias and favorite bias. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases relating to the Monty Hall paradox. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may include wagering on hands of cards, e.g., poker wagering games.
US08070592B2	System for providing multi-game reel strips A system for varying the symbols used on a mechanical reel strip are disclosed. A reel strip comprises a plurality of symbols, each of the symbols associated with a symbol group. Each of the symbol groups is associated with a symbol group designation position on the reel strip. By varying the designation position on the reel strip, the symbols used with each reel strip can be modified. When multiple mechanical reels are used in a gaming machine, the symbol designating position for each reel strip can be the same as any other reel strip or can vary from any of the other reel strips. As such, an endless number of games and game variations may be created and deployed.
US08070588B1	Cashless slot machine and/or amusement device with special features A slot machine gaming device and method which targets a monetary ticket to operate in selected gaming devices. A video poker game can also provide a player with an improved paytable. The slot machine can also pay a player using a special ticket instead of cash.
US08070586B1	Slot machine and method of use A slot machine and method of conducting a wagering game is disclosed. The slot machine incorporates a topper having a display unit corresponding to each primary game reel. Depending on its current state, the display units turn on and turn off in response to pre-established game indicia aligning along a payline. A payout is awarded when all the display units are turned on simultaneously after a game play.
US08070571B2	Video game controller Improvements relating to a control device for controlling a display of a computer system for use with a video game includes a coordinate control unit for providing information related to a vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device, a game control unit for inputting game control information and a controller for processing the information provided by the coordinate control unit and game control unit. The vertical and horizontal point of view of the user in the video game and/or the vertical and horizontal position of a cursor on the display is determined based on the information related to the vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device. The control device is preferably shaped like a firearm to enhance the realism of the video game, and may include an LCD display mounted on the control device, as the primary display, and may also include an LCD mounted in a sighting device of the control device.
US08070557B2	Method of polishing glass substrate An object of the present invention is to provide a polishing method for diminishing concave defects of a glass substrate used in a reflective mask for EUVL and the like. The invention relates to a method of polishing a glass substrate which comprises polishing a major surface of the glass substrate while feeding a polishing slurry between the glass substrate and a pad surface of a polishing pad, wherein the polishing load of the polishing pad is from 1 to 60 g/cm2. The pad surface of the polishing pact is preferably dressing-processed.
US08070543B1	Inflatable life raft with detachable accessory pouch An inflatable life raft having one or more air channels forming a generally rectangular shaped body when the raft is unfolded and inflated. Valves in fluid communication with the air channels for inflating and deflating the life raft. The inflatable raft includes a waterproof pouch releasably attached to the raft for storing items such as a rope, flare launcher, strobe light, glow sticks, and whistle. An ankle tether couples the life raft to a user, and a plurality of reflectors are attached to the surface of the inflatable life raft. For added convenience, a storage means is integrally constructed with the life raft for storing the folded normally deflated life raft so that the raft can be easily carried and transported. A replaceable gas cylinder, and manual hand pump are operatively coupled to the valves for automatically or manually inflating the life raft.
US08070542B2	Engine exhaust bypass system for ocean vessel A primary exhaust bypass for a water-borne vessel having a seat member and a closure member coupled to the seat member, wherein the seat and closure members are configured to seal against exhaust leakage in the closed position and to allow exhaust leakage in the opened condition, and a locking mechanism, wherein the bypass is configured to open when the vessel lists a predetermined amount. A method of bypassing a blocked primary exhaust system may include establishing a bypass exhaust route, providing a normally-closed bypass mechanism at a distal portion of the bypass exhaust route, and changing the orientation of the bypass mechanism with respect to gravity, which may allow the bypass mechanism to open.
US08070539B2	Water intake grill for personal watercraft A water intake grill for attachment to a water intake port associated with a jet watercraft, the water intake grill comprising a plurality of elongate members mounted to and in between fore and aft mounts. The fore mount comprising a base having an angularly orientated bottom surface for attaching first ends of the elongate members and an angularly orientated top surface for mounting atop thereof a key element having an overall geometric structure suited to fit within a mount socket integral to a forward wall section of the water intake port. The aft mount comprising a horizontally positioned base for accepting thereon at least one spacer and mounting thereto an extension support to support apart therefrom a cross support member for attaching second ends of the elongate members. Each elongate member comprising a teardrop geometric profile that effectively reduces the amount debris into the water intake port while allowing continued passage of water into the water intake port to yield sustained operating performance of the jet watercraft.
US08070537B2	Pad and method of assembly the same to connector A pad includes a retaining portion and a soldering portion. The retaining portion has a through hole running therethrough in a thickness direction of the metal sheet and four side edges perpendicular to the metal sheet. The soldering portion extends from a first side edge of the retaining portion. The whole of the pad is electroplated except two opposite third and forth side edges of the retaining portion which connect with opposite ends of the first side edge.
US08070534B2	Electric connection block The electric connection block includes: a plurality of layers, each layer consisting of a plurality of terminals bent in an L-shape arranged in a line, each terminal having a first end portion for electric connection and a second end portion for connection to a circuit board; an electrically insulating terminal holder including receiving surfaces arranged in a stairs manner, each receiving surface placing a first section of the terminal thereon, and through holes each permitting a second section of the terminal to be inserted therein, the through hole being adjacent to the receiving surface; and a cover which includes hole parts each permitting the first section of the terminal to be inserted therein and joins the terminal holder.
US08070532B1	Electrical connector assembly with anti-mismatching mating connectors An exemplary electrical connector assembly includes an insert connector and a receiving connector. The insert connector includes a first pin and a second pin. The receiving connector defines a first and a second holes corresponding to the first and second pins of the insert connector, respectively. The first hole has a shape and a size matching the first pin, and the second hole has a shape and a size matching the second pin. The first and second pins of the insert connector are respectively extendable into and engagable in the first and second holes of the receiving connector. A transverse cross sectional area of the second pin is larger than that of the first pin, whereby the second pin of the insert connector is prevented from being received in the first through hole of the receiving connector.
US08070529B2	Electrical connector with improved contact structure An electrical connector (100) having an inserting port (102) for receiving a corresponding plug, includes an insulative housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (4) retained in the insulative housing (1). Each contact (4) has a first portion (41) extending horizontally into the inserting port (102), a first bending portion (43) bending downwardly from a rear end of the first portion (41), and a second portion (42) extending downwardly from the first bending portion (43). The contacts (4) are arranged in two groups. The first portions (41) of each contact group (401, 402) are arranged in a row along a transverse direction respectively. The second portions (42) in each contact group (401, 402) are arranged in at least two rows along a front-to-back direction respectively. The first bending portions (43) of the contacts (4) in each contact group are arranged in a line along the transverse direction respectively.
US08070517B2	Electrical connector having an improved spring member for abutting against a metal plate An electrical connector for abutting against a metal plate, comprises an insulative housing defining a main body and a tongue plate extending forwardly from the main body, a plurality of terminals retained in the main body and extending into the tongue plate, a metal shell shielding the insulative housing and comprising an upper wall, a pair of side walls extending downwardly from two lateral sides of the upper wall, and a bottom wall in parallel with the upper wall, and a spring member defining a securing portion fixed to the shell and a resilient resisting portion abutting against the metal plate. The securing portion defines a ceiling plate portion shielding the fingers on the upper wall, and a pair of side plate portions extending downwardly from two lateral sides of the ceiling plate portion and shielding the fingers on the respective side walls.
US08070513B2	Cable assembly with improved wire holding device A cable assembly includes a housing including a main body and a piece of mushy insulation block on the housing, a plurality of contacts receiving in the main body of the housing, and a plurality of cable. Each of the cable includes at least an inner conductor and an outer insulation layer. The inner conductors are soldered to the contacts and the outer insulation layer each has a part fixed in the mushy insulation block of the housing.
US08070512B2	Stacked USB 3.0 connector having a length equal to that of stacked USB 2.0 connector A stacked electrical connector (100) has a mounting face to be mounted on a printed circuit board (80). The stacked electrical connector (100) comprises an insulating housing (20) defining a mating port (220) for mating with a mating plug and a cavity (222) below the mating port (220) in a front face (22), and a stacked USB 3.0 connector (40) received in the cavity (222) of the insulating housing (20). The stacked USB 3.0 connector (40) has two stacked mating ports (425, 427) aligned with the mating port (220) of the insulating housing (20) along the front face (22). The cavity (222) extends rearwardly from the front face (22) a front-to-back length (L) equaling a corresponding length of a stacked USB 2.0 connector.
US08070504B2	Coaxial cable port locking terminator and method of use thereof Disclosed herein is a coaxial cable interface port locking terminator including an outer terminator housing and an inner connector body housed within the outer terminator housing. The coaxial cable interface port locking terminator further includes a ratcheting device in operable communication with the outer terminator housing and the inner connector body, the ratcheting device preventing rotation of the outer terminator housing with respect to the inner connector body when the outer terminator housing is rotated in the first direction, the ratcheting device including at least one separate component from the outer terminator housing and the inner connector body. Furthermore, rotation of the outer terminator housing in a second direction does not cause rotation of the inner connector body in the second direction.
US08070501B2	Electrical connector with arc shield, piston-contact positioner and electric stress graded interface A high-voltage electrical connector includes a strategically placed barrier that acts as an arc shield to reduce the ionization of materials during load break switching, reducing or preventing flashover. An electric stress graded interface design also reduces switching flashover and reduces the fault close energy. Mating features on the piston-contact element and inside the surrounding container accurately guide the piston-contact element as it travels along the container.
US08070494B2	Universal connector and electronic device using the same A connector includes a universal conductor, a first connecting body, and a second connecting body. The first connecting body connects to the conductor, and the second connecting body rotatably connects to the conductor. The present disclosure further discloses an electronic device using the universal connector.
US08070487B2	System and method for positioning teeth Methods and apparatus fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system and computing an occlusion based on interactions in the computer representation of the masticatory system.
US08070481B2	Combustion blower control for modulating furnace A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.
US08070480B2	Method and device for combusting liquid fuels using hydrogen A method and device for combustion of liquid fuels is presented which uses a plurality of rotating hydrogen flames to blast atomize and ignite a mechanically dispersed stream of the liquid fuel. This combustion method and device are particularly suited for heavy oil fuels, such as vegetable oils, which are not well burned using conventional burner technologies. This combustion method involves establishing a zone of combusting hydrogen and projecting a mechanically atomized dispersion of the liquid fuel into and through this zone of combusting hydrogen. The combusting hydrogen partially vaporizes and ignites the liquid fuel while the intense turbulence of the hydrogen combustion zone further disperses any remaining liquid fuel droplets. Once ignited and dispersed, the fuel oil continues to burn as it moves away from the hydrogen combustion zone. Since only a small amount of combusting hydrogen is utilized, the hydrogen can be generated by the electrolysis of water, which produces a 2:1 molar ratio of hydrogen and oxygen, or hydroxy, gas.
US08070473B2	System for building three-dimensional objects containing embedded inserts, and method of use thereof A system for building a three-dimensional object with a layer-based additive technique, the system comprising a controller configured to receive build sequence data for the three-dimensional object, a head assembly in signal communication with the controller and configured to form a plurality of layers of the three-dimensional object based on the build sequence data, and an insert placement apparatus in signal communication with the controller and configured to place at least one insert in the plurality of formed layers based on the build sequence data.
US08070472B2	Apparatus for rolling and forming food dough An apparatus for rolling and forming a food dough includes: a rolling roller configured to roll out a block of food dough placed on a table; and a frame unit having an inner circumferential surface configured to face the rolling roller. The rolling roller is configured to revolve around a revolving axis, and rotate around a rotation axis of the rolling roller. The rolling roller includes a first portion having a substantially conical or frustum shape extending in a rotation axial direction. The frame unit is provided outside of a revolving locus of the first portion of the rolling roller. The inner circumferential surface of the frame unit includes an upper side portion and a lower side portion that is farther from the revolving axis than the upper side portion with respect to the revolving radial direction.
US08070466B2	Seamless capsule manufacturing apparatus In a seamless capsule manufacturing apparatus that ejects a droplet from a nozzle into hardening liquid to manufacture a seamless capsule SC, tube passages which are synthetic resin tubes are provided as flexible sections between pumps and the nozzle. The vibration caused by the pumps is absorbed in the flexible sections and thus is not transmitted to the nozzle, whereby eyes or the like of the seamless capsule caused by vibration noises can be suppressed. Instead of a synthetic resin tube, a vibration absorbing block formed of an elastic member may be attached to the tube passages. Alternatively, a vibration absorbing unit, which is provided with a pad formed of an elastic member and for holding the tube passages, may be provided.
US08070463B2	Rotary reciprocating intensified hydraulic actuator This invention relates generally to a pneumatic, hydraulic or other media driver, rotating-reciprocating cylinder apparatus to be mounted on the proximal end of CNC lathe spindles, vertical or inverted machining centers, hydraulic machining work cells or rotary transfer machines to actuate work holding chucks, work holding fixtures, clamping apparatus or work supports on the distal end of said spindles. More specifically, this invention relates to an actuating system with the capability of boosting the input hydraulic pressure to the holding device by a pre-set multiple up to 5000 psi where the boost pump is integral to and rotates with the clamp cylinder assembly.
US08070454B1	Turbine airfoil with trailing edge A turbine airfoil with a relatively thick TBC applied over the airfoil surface. The airfoil has a surface contour on the trailing edge region with a forward end having a large amount of taper and a rearward end with less taper such that a substantially constant wall thickness is formed in the rearward end. The TBC is applied over the airfoil surface and tapers off at the trailing edge ends on the pressure side and the suction side walls to produce an ideal surface contour on the airfoil. In another embodiment, the airfoil surface includes a tapered section at the trailing edge region, and the TBC is applied over the taper so that an over-coating is formed. The TBC over-coating is then removed and a smooth and ideal surface contour is produced along the airfoil surface. Small raised bumps each having a height of the desired thickness of the TBC to be applied over the respective bump is used to control the finished thickness of the TBC.
US08070448B2	Spacers and turbines Spacers and turbines are provided. In an embodiment, and by way of example only, a spacer includes a strip, a first retention flange, and a second retention flange. The strip has a first edge, a second edge, and an impingement surface, and the impingement surface extends axially along the strip between the first edge and the second edge and is substantially flat. The first retention flange is recessed relative to the impingement surface and extends away from the first edge of the strip. The second retention flange is recessed relative to the impingement surface and extends away from the second edge of the strip.
US08070447B2	Ceiling fan A ceiling fan comprising a disc-like stator provided with a fixed shaft at the center, an annular rotor disposed in proximity to the periphery of the stator, a supporting frame fixed to the rotor and rotatably supported by the fixed shaft; a fan blade fixed to the supporting frame; and a retaining member having one end fixed to the supporting frame together with the fan blade and the other end coupled to the fan blade, wherein the fan blade comprises a root portion fixed to the supporting frame, a blade portion coupled with the retaining member, and an offset portion formed by bending between the root portion and the blade portion, thereby preventing the fan blade from being damaged easily even when it is impressed with a load and ensuring the safety even if the fan blade is broken since the blade portion is held coupled to the rotor side.
US08070441B1	Turbine airfoil with trailing edge cooling channels A turbine airfoil such as a turbine stator vane used in an industrial gas turbine engine, the vane including a trailing edge region having a thin wall cooling channel arrangement of mini cooling channels formed by a series of rows of elongated flow blockers that form the mini cooling channels between adjacent flow blockers. The adjacent row of flow blockers are offset from the each other such that the inlet and the outlet flow of cooling air is discharged directly onto the flow blocker in order to produce impingement cooling. The mini cooling channels have a spacing to hydraulic diameter ratio of less than 4.0 and a mini channel length to hydraulic diameter ratio of 5.0 of less in order to maintain a high flow velocity within the mini channels. In one embodiment, the flow blockers have a progressively decreasing length in the flow direction of the cooling air.
US08070440B2	Cooling channel formed in a wall A wall element having at least one cooling channel formed therein, the wall element presenting an inside surface and an outside surface, the channel comprising a hole and a diffusion portion, the hole opening out at one end in the inside surface, and at the other end in a diffusion portion where it forms an orifice, the diffusion portion flaring around said orifice and being defined by a bottom wall and a side margin. Said bottom wall presents a first plane portion into which the hole opens out, and a second plane portion situated in front of the first plane portion, said first and second plane portions being inclined in the thickness of the wall. The oriented angle of inclination of said first plane portion is less than the positive oriented angle of inclination of said second plane portion.
US08070439B2	Systems and methods for testing a wind turbine pitch control system Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for testing a wind turbine pitch control system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for testing a wind turbine pitch control system is provided. The method can include measuring tangential acceleration (At) of a wind turbine rotor, determining pitch angle of one or more turbine blades, and predicting torque applied to the one or more turbine blades based at least in part on the tangential acceleration (At) and the pitch angle.
US08070431B2	Fully contained retention pin for a turbine nozzle A retention pin for fastening retaining lugs of an outer sidewall, of a turbine nozzle, within a groove between a forward land and an aft land of a retaining ring. The retention pins fit through coaxial holes in the lug and the lands, securing the radial and circumferential location of the nozzles as well as allowing transitional motion. While maintaining limited contact with both the nozzles and the retaining ring they significantly reduce conductive heat transfer from the nozzle to the retaining ring. By positioning the nozzles, they also set the desired nozzle throat areas for targeted turbine performance. The pins have been designed such that the nozzle cannot disengage within the assembly due to the pin backing out of its nominal axial position, and the pin will not fail due to low cycle fatigue, creep, or yielding, all of which prevent nozzle fallout.
US08070430B2	Resinous shroud and manufacturing method of the same A resinous shroud includes a resinous wall portion formed between a portion corresponding to a casing and a portion corresponding to a retaining member in a shroud portion when a resin material is filled from a gate portion. Thereby, a flow of the resin material to the portion corresponding to the casing from a portion corresponding to the gate portion can be dispersed by the resinous wall portion. Alternatively, an extended resinous wall portion may be formed in place of the resinous wall portion. Therefore, welds generated at the casing can be made small, and cambers generated at the casing can be suppressed.
US08070428B2	Airfoil shape for a turbine nozzle An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a table. Wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches, the profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08070426B2	System, method and apparatus for open impeller and diffuser assembly for multi-stage submersible pump A multi-stage submersible pump uses impellers having only one shroud to provide stages with shorter stack lengths to allow more stages per housing and more head pressure per housing. The impellers are biased with wave springs to keep the rotating impeller vanes close to the mating diffusers. The entire stack of impellers is assembled in contact with each other using the wave springs and are always under axial load. The wave springs also take up any tolerance variations in the stack to keep the impellers in proper running position. To keep the impellers in their proper locations, thrust washers formed from hard materials are used between adjacent impellers to avoid erosion thereof.
US08070424B2	Flow control arrangement Provision of flow control arrangements which can be switched from high flow restriction to low flow restriction or vice versa are desirable. It is known to use switched vortex valves comprising a vortex chamber having a diverter portion which jets a through flow into either radial presentation to an outlet or tangential presentation with differential flow restrictions. Typically deflection is through cross flows presented from control ports as determined by mechanically actuated and controlled valves. Sensors are required to determine pressure differentials in order to actuate these moving part valves. By providing association between the control ports and an outlet path along with appropriate configuration and sizing of the flow regulators switching states can be provided through the cross flows presented via the flow regulators between the high and low through flow restriction. The flow regulators generally comprise orifice restrictors, diffusers/venturi arrangements or vortex throttles.
US08070423B2	Fan air flow measurement system A fan air flow measurement sensor comprising a housing having a sensor cap, a thermistor pair disposed within the housing, each thermistor projecting through the sensor cap a predetermined distance above the sensor cap, a flange extending normally from the housing, the flange engagable with a mounting surface, a sensor circuit comprising a multiplexer for controlling each thermistor, and for measuring a condition of each thermistor, and for receiving and transmitting signals, and a cable for connecting the sensor to a multiplexing circuit.
US08070416B2	Flow regulation mechanism for turbocharger compressor A turbocharger (10) for an internal combustion engine includes a compressor (12) having an impellor (16) disposed in a compressor chamber (18). The compressor chamber (18) receives fluid flow. A flow regulation mechanism (30) is disposed in the compressor (12) and includes a diffuser cover (32) and a recirculation gate (36). The diffuser cover (32) is moveably disposed in a diffuser passage (34) from a first position permitting fluid flow through the diffuser passage to a second position at least partially impeding the fluid flow. The recirculation gate (36) is moveably disposed in the compressor chamber (18) from a first position closing a recirculation groove (48) to a second position opening the recirculation groove to fluid communication with the compressor chamber.
US08070407B2	Sheet bundle conveying apparatus, and bookbinding apparatus A sheet bundle conveying device includes a tray device on which sheets are placed and held in a bundle, a sheet bundle conveying path along which a sheet bundle from the tray device is guided to a predetermined processing position, a grip transferring device located on the sheet bundle conveying path for gripping and transferring the sheet bundle from the tray device to a processing position, and a grip controlling device for controlling the grip transferring device. When an apparatus error occurs, the grip transferring device moves the conveyed sheet bundle backward to the collection stage. A grip on the sheet bundle is released on the collection stage after the sheet bundle is returned.
US08070403B2	Screw with breakaway and methods of using the same A fastener with a breakaway and methods of using the same. In one embodiment the fastener is a screw having a head and elongated stem, adapted to be easily manipulated by a user when using the screw as a fastener in a hinge or joint. A means of holding a screw by providing a breakaway tab or non-threaded second portion of the elongated stem which can be used to align and insert the screw into a screw hole in the process of engaging threads in the screw hole with threads of the screw. After engaging the threads in the screw hole, such as after the screw has been essentially completely inserted into the screw hole, the breakaway tab or non-threaded second portion of the elongated stem of the screw may be broken off at a breakaway and discarded.
US08070396B2	Broach tool and a broach insert A broach tool and a broach insert for chip removing machining of metals are provided. The broach tool includes an elongate holder and at least one cutting unit. The holder comprises at least one recess for the receipt of the cutting unit. The broach tool has a feeding direction. The broach tool includes clamping members for each cutting unit. Each clamping member is arranged in front of the cutting unit in the feeding direction. The cutting unit is a replaceable broach insert including a base part and a cutting part. A notch is formed centrally in a rear side surface of the broach insert. The recess includes a rear wall formed with a projection, the cross section of which is U-shaped and includes arms. The arms are arranged to be elastically deformed by the notch.
US08070383B2	Method and composition for modifying soil and dust control A composition for chemical improvement of soil and road base materials including an aqueous solution of a water repellant and an aqueous emulsion of a soil stabilizer and dust retardant is herein disclosed.
US08070369B2	Large diameter optical waveguide splice Techniques and systems suitable for performing low-loss fusion splicing of optical waveguide sections are provided. According to some embodiments, multiple laser beams (from one or more laser) may be utilized to uniformly heat a splice region including portions of the optical waveguide sections to be spliced, which may have different cross-sectional dimensions. According to some embodiments, the relative distance of the optical waveguide sections and/or the power of the multiple laser beams may be varied during splicing operations.
US08070366B1	Optical fiber connector and method An optical fiber connector and a method of forming an optical fiber connector are described where the optical fiber connector has low eccentricity tolerance at each end of the connector. Optical interconnection can be made at both ends of the connector, with the low eccentricity tolerance at each end providing improved light transmission at each interconnection. The connector is formed by using two commercially available, off-the-shelf connector members. Each connector member has a first end with a low eccentricity tolerance and a second end that allows for a fiber optic cable termination. The two connectors are connected together back-to-back, so that the second ends face each other and the first ends are disposed at opposite ends of the connector. The size of the connector can also be easily adjusted to make it shorter or longer.
US08070363B2	Bearing arrangement A bearing arrangement comprises at least one bearing ring and at least one machine part with which the bearing ring is connected. The bearing arrangement is equipped with a device for detecting relative movement between at least one of the bearing rings and one of the machine parts. To facilitate the measurement of creep between one of the bearing rings and one of the machine parts, the device for detecting relative movement is located in or at the machine part and has a contact element which contacts the bearing ring, wherein a sensor element is arranged in or at the device to detect the relative movement between the device and the contact element.
US08070361B2	Linear rail system having preload adjustment mechanism A guide carriage assembly that permits adjustment of a relative position of a bearing device, typically a guide wheel, relative to a carriage body is provided. The guide carriage assembly includes a carriage body, at least one support shaft and a guide wheel mounted to the support shaft. The support shaft provides a locating axis about which the support shaft may rotate when mounted to the carriage body. The support shaft further defines an offset bearing axis about which the guide wheel rotates. The offset relationship between the bearing axis and locating axis permits adjustment of the relative position of the guide wheel, or support surface, and the carriage body by rotating the support shaft about the locating axis. The guide carriage assembly may further including locking structure that applies opposing torques about the locating axis to secure the support shaft, and consequently the guide wheel, in the desired location.
US08070360B2	Motion guide device and method of lubricating the same A motion guide device is provided, which is able to not only lubricate rolling-element rolling surfaces with the use of a technique totally different from conventional lubricating techniques but also maintain a lubricating capability over a long period of time. The motion guide device for use in the vacuum environment a track member (1) having a rolling-element rolling part (1a), a moving member (2) having a rolling-element circulation passage containing a loaded rolling-element rolling part (2a) facing the rolling-element rolling part (1a) and being movable relatively to the track member (2), a plurality of rolling elements (3) placed in along the rolling-element circulation passage, and a lubricant storing member storing lubricant, which member is attached to the moving member (2) without contacting the track member (1). The lubricant storing member is exposed in a space formed between the track member (1) and the moving member. The vaporized lubricant reaches the rolling-element rolling part (1a), loaded rolling-element rolling part (2a), and rolling elements (3), so that these parts and elements can be lubricated.
US08070341B2	Light pipe with uniformly lit appearance A light pipe having substantially uniform brightness along a length thereof is disclosed. The light pipe includes a first end for receiving a plurality of light rays, a reflective portion for directing the received light rays in a pre-determined internal light pattern, wherein the reflective portion includes a plurality of reflective elements, and an emitting portion for emitting the light rays in a pre-determined light distribution pattern.
US08070340B2	Light guiding member and linear light source apparatus A light guiding member in a shape of a rod shape comprises a light receiving portion formed on an end thereof in an axial direction thereof, and a knurled recess portion which extends in the axial direction, is formed on a side face thereof, wherein the knurled recess portion has two or more recesses, a side face of each recess in a light receiving portion side is a reflective surface, the reflective surface of at least one of the recesses having a primary reflective surface and a secondary reflective surface.
US08070332B2	Automatic lighting system with adaptive function An automatic lighting system for a vehicle includes an imaging device, an illumination source and a control. The illumination source is directed generally forwardly with respect to a direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The imaging device captures image data and the control processes the captured image data to detect an object of interest generally forwardly and sidewardly of the vehicle. The control is operable to adjust the illumination source in response to detection of an object of interest. The imaging device may be synchronized with flashing of at least one lighting element of the illumination source to capture image data during a time period that the lighting element is being flashed. The control may adjust the illumination source to direct illumination toward an area encompassing a detected object of interest when the object of interest is detected.
US08070328B1	LED downlight An LED downlight fixture comprises an array of LEDs in thermal connectivity with a heatsink, the array of LEDs positioned adjacent a first aperture of a multi-piece reflector assembly, the multi-piece reflector assembly including a first reflector having the first aperture disposed in an upper portion of the first reflector and an opposed larger second aperture in a lower portion of the first reflector, a second reflector having a first aperture positioned adjacent the second aperture of the first reflector and a second aperture opposite the first aperture of the second reflector and defining a light exit passageway, a diffuser positioned proximal to and extending across the second aperture of the first reflector and the first aperture of the second reflector.
US08070310B2	Window lighting system A window lighting system for a building structure curtain wall is provided with a housing sized to be received upon a structural member, with an opening facing the window. A refracting lens is mounted adjacent the opening. A plurality of longitudinally spaced discrete light sources are positioned in the housing, each oriented towards the refracting lens such that the light is conveyed to the refracting lens and subsequently out of the housing opening for illuminating the window. A lighting system is provided with the housing sized to extend along the window upon a cover of a structural member between a pair of sequential structure members. A lighting system cover is supported by the housing for concealing the light source and providing an ornamental appearance similar to that of the cover of the underlying structural member without obfuscating an ornamental appearance of the window and the structure members.
US08070308B1	Helmet mounted bicycle lights A bicycle light system has front and rear (white and red) lights with mounting brackets to secure on a bicycle helmet. A rechargeable battery is contained in the rear light casing, with an electrical cord extending between the front and rear light casings. The front light casing has controls for both front and rear lights, which can include different power levels and preferably a flash mode for the front light. 360° visibility preferably is provided via the front light, which projects colored light, such as amber, toward the sides. In a preferred embodiment the battery is rechargeable using a micro USB connection, a serial bus configuration widely used for cell phones, so that the battery will ordinarily be rechargeable via a cell phone recharging cable or a connection to a computer. Helmet mountings for the front and rear light casings have a quick-release feature enabling the lights to be easily and quickly removed from the helmet, such as for recharging.
US08070295B2	Optical projection subsystem A projection subsystem includes a light engine that provides a collection lens, a collimator and at least one solid state light emitter. A projection lens assembly receives the image and provides a projection beam having a luminous flux level. The projection subsystem has a portability efficacy.
US08070294B2	Projector A projector having a first lens array with a plurality of first lenses in a plane substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the light beam from a light source that divides the light beam into a plurality of partial light beams, a second lens array having a plurality of second lenses corresponding to the plurality of first lenses, and a polarization converter that is disposed on a light beam emitting-side of the first lens array. A focal position in a first direction of the first lens is set in the vicinity of the second lens array in the optical direction of the light beam irradiated from the first lens. A focal position in the second direction of the first lens is set in the vicinity of the polarization converter in the optical direction of the light beam irradiated from the first lens.
US08070292B2	Viewfinder system for a camera A viewfinder system for a camera, in particular a movie camera, in which there runs a viewfinder beam path that is diverted from a recording beam path for film exposure is provided. The viewfinder system comprising an eyepiece, an eye closure, a shutter for masking out stray light penetrating into the camera via the viewfinder system, and a control device that triggers the shutter and is connected to a sensor. The viewfinder system further comprising a sensor device for contactless detection of an eye or head, located at the eye closure of the viewfinder system, of a person viewing the picture to be recorded through the eyepiece.
US08070291B2	Fundus camera A fundus camera includes an illumination unit which includes an optical element configured to irradiate an eye fundus with visible light from a position conjugate with an anterior eye portion of an eye to be examined, and an imaging unit configured to take an image of the eye fundus with light which is emitted from the illumination unit and reflected from the eye fundus, wherein the illumination unit includes a blue LED chip and a fluorescent member that is excited by light emitted from the blue LED chip and emits fluorescence, and the fluorescent member is irradiated again with a part of the light reflected by the optical element.
US08070287B1	Collapsible eyeglass structure A collapsible eyeglass structure includes a frame bilaterally provided with two temples. The frame has two ends, each having an inner side formed with a through hole. Each through hole has an entrance end with a beveled rim and an opposite end connected to an inwardly expanding receiving space. Each receiving space has a predetermined shape and an upper wall formed with plural teeth. Each temple has a pivotal connecting portion outwardly extended with a post. Each post has a convex tip and is notched so as to be pushed resiliently into the corresponding through hole of the frame. Each post further has an upper periphery formed with a tooth. When the posts are pushed into the receiving spaces in the frame respectively, the tooth of each post meshes with the corresponding teeth in the corresponding receiving space to allow angular adjustment or downward collapse of the temples.
US08070284B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head is adapted to eject liquid toward a target medium. A transporter is adapted to transport a tray on which the target medium is mounted toward a region facing the liquid ejecting head via a transporting path. A tray guide is disposed in a front side of the liquid ejecting apparatus, and having a supporting face adapted to support the tray thereon. The tray guide is movable between a first position connecting the supporting face with the transporting path to allow the transporter to transport the tray to the transporting path and a second position escaping the supporting face from the transporting path. The supporting face is kept being parallel to the transporting path when the tray guide is moved between the first position and the second position.
US08070282B2	Active-energy ray curable ink-jet recording apparatus An active-energy ray curable ink-jet recording apparatus includes: an active-energy ray irradiation source; a plurality of full-line ink-jet heads which eject a liquid functional material that is curable by an active-energy ray, onto a recording medium which is scanned and transported; and a head controller for controlling the heads to form an image on the recording medium, wherein the full-line ink-jet heads include: a head arrangement having adjacent combinations of at least one set of colors in a complementary relationship; and active-energy ray irradiation sources which are placed respectively for each of the combinations on downstream sides of the combinations in the scanning transporting direction.
US08070279B2	Liquid ejection head, liquid cartridge, and image forming apparatus A liquid ejection head including a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of pressurizing liquid chambers, a liquid supply portion, and a filter portion. The plurality of nozzles ejects liquid droplets. The plurality of pressurizing liquid chambers are in fluid communication respectively with the nozzles. The liquid supply portion includes a plurality of individual supply channels and a fluid-communicating portion. The plurality of individual supply channels are in fluid communication respectively with the pressurizing liquid chambers to supply a liquid to the pressurizing liquid chambers. The fluid-communicating portion keeps the plurality of individual supply channels in fluid communication with one another. The filter portion is positioned to face the individual supply channels of the liquid supply portion and filters the liquid supplied to the pressurizing liquid chambers.
US08070275B2	Method for assembling a modular printhead assembly A method for assembling a modular printhead assembly having an ink delivery member and a plurality of printhead modules received in a channel at a predetermined pitch is disclosed. The method includes the steps of flexing the channel apart at a first location to enable receipt of a first printhead module into the channel at the first location, the step of flexing being performed against a pivot point located along a centerline of an underside of the channel; and flexing apart a first capping device to enable pushing of the first capping device over the first printhead module.
US08070266B2	Printhead assembly with ink supply to nozzles through polymer sealing film An inkjet printhead assembly with a printhead integrated circuit formed on a wafer substrate, the printhead integrated circuit having an array of ink ejection nozzles, the array having a first section with nozzles for ejecting ink of a first color, and a second section with nozzles for ejecting ink of a second color. The assembly also having an integrated circuit support structure for mounting in the printer adjacent a media feed path, the integrated circuit support structure having conduits for supplying the printhead integrated circuit with ink of the first color and the second color and, a polymer sealing film between the integrated circuit support structure and the printhead integrated circuit for fixing the printhead integrated circuit to the integrated circuit support structure. The polymer sealing has apertures that allow sealed fluid communication between the conduits of the support structure carrying ink of the first color and the nozzles of the first section and sealed fluid communication between the conduits of the support structure carrying ink of the second color and the nozzles of the second section. No fluid communication exists between the first section of the array and the second section of the array. The printhead integrated circuit has channels for supplying ink to the array of ink ejection nozzles. Each of the channels being divided into channel sections by transverse walls. The apertures in the polymer sealing film are positioned at each of the transverse walls such that each of the apertures supplies ink to both the channel sections either side of one of the transverse walls.
US08070262B2	Print element substrate, printhead, and printing apparatus This invention is directed to allow efficiently transferring data to each print element (heater) and efficiently laying out circuits in an element substrate including plural heater arrays in which different numbers of heaters are arranged. This substrate includes: a first array having a relatively large number of heaters; and a second array which is equal in length to the first array and has a relatively small number of heaters. These arrays are juxtaposed. The substrate further includes plural shift registers equal in number to the heater arrays of the substrate. The shift registers include a shift register which holds some data for driving the heaters of the first heater array, and data for driving the heaters of the second heater array. The shift registers further include a shift register which holds data other than some data for driving the heaters of the first heater array.
US08070258B2	Inkjet head An inkjet head is disclosed. The inkjet head, which include a head body, having one side, in which a nozzle is formed to discharge ink; and a protrusion, formed in one side of the head body, spaced from the nozzle, can form a groove on the surface of a printing target in the printing and then discharge ink in the groove, thereby increasing the aspect ratio of a printed line.
US08070255B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus having a non contact type heater for heating a recording medium on which liquid is ejected via a liquid ejecting head, the heater having a heat generating surface and the heater being arranged in parallel to the liquid ejecting head along a transport direction of the recording medium. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a mist suctioning unit for suctioning floating mist generated by ejection of the liquid. The mist suctioning unit includes a nozzle plate in which nozzle orifices for ejecting the liquid are formed, the nozzle plate being provided on the liquid ejecting head, an electrode member provided at a marginal portion of the heat generating surface, and an electric potential difference generator for generating an electric potential difference between the electrode member and the nozzle plate to electrostatically absorb the mist on the marginal portion of the heat generating surface.
US08070248B2	Image forming apparatus and control method of the same An image forming apparatus performs an image forming operation by driving a ejecting element of a recording head with an ink ejecting drive voltage for ejecting ink, detects a temperature of ink to be flown into the recording head and a temperature of ink to be discharged respectively with a first temperature detection section and a second temperature detection section, and corrects the ink ejecting drive voltage on the basis of a temperature of ink being heat-transferred with the ejecting element, which is estimated with a predetermined conversion formula on the basis of the detected ink temperatures, for controlling an ink amount to be ejected.
US08070246B2	Printing up to edges of printing paper without platen soiling This invention allows images to be printed up to the edges of printing paper while preventing ink droplets from depositing on the platen. Ink droplets Ip are ejected from a print head 28 and printing is started when printing paper P is fed in the sub-scanning direction by upstream paper feed rollers 25a and 25b, and the front edge Pf reaches a position above a downstream slot 26r. Since printing is started when the front edge Pf of printing paper P has reached a position behind nozzle No. 1, images can be printed without forming blank spaces up to the front edge Pf of the printing paper P by causing the nozzles to eject ink droplets Ip irrespective of whether the nozzles are above the printing paper. When images are formed in the vicinity of the front edge Pf of printing paper P, the paper is repeatedly fed in small increments in the sub-scanning direction, and printing is carried out. Adopting this arrangement makes it possible to print images on the front-edge portion of the printing paper when the paper is above the downstream slot 26r.
US08070239B2	Regenerative braking coordination device A regenerative braking coordination device has a braking operating member receiving an input from a driver in the form of an operation amount, an input shaft operable for transmitting the operation amount, and a braking force boosting device operable to generate a hydraulic braking pressure corresponding to the operation amount transmitted by the input shaft. The device further includes a hydraulic pressure braking device to generate a braking force and an operation amount absorber for absorbing the operation amount of the input shaft. The operation amount absorber includes a cylinder, a piston dividing the interior of the cylinder into first and second hydraulic chambers and an orifice connecting the first and second hydraulic chambers. The orifice can be in the piston or in a flow channel.
US08070233B2	Downwards folding seat A folding seat for an aircraft has a backrest, a seat area and an armrest. The seat area is pivotable. When the seat area is pivoted, the armrest is pivotable downwards, the seat area and the armrest being coupled by at least one coupling element in the form of a bevel gear.
US08070224B2	Vehicle entertainment system incorporated within the armrest/console of a vehicle A vehicle entertainment system includes a video system mounted within an automobile armrest/console, the armrest/console including an upper support surface. The video system includes an integrated housing supporting a video monitor and a video source.
US08070211B2	Automatic deploying car cover system for a car equipped with an automatic opening/closing trunk An automatic car cover system, driven by electric motors, for a car, which is equipped with an automatic opening/closing trunk lid, is provided. The automatic car cover system according to current application is comprised of one cover runner, one holster, one holster casing, one guide, one cover sheet, and one cover sheet un-folder. The cover runner is a small electric motor driven vehicle equipped with caterpillars, which are comprised of magnetic plates covered with rubber. The holster pushes out/rewinds the cover runner, the guide, and the cover sheet with un-folder. The holster comes out of and goes into trunk of the car with aid of a line connected to a reverse power motor installed in the holster.
US08070210B2	Truck bed enclosure A positionable truck bed enclosure may be mounted on the gunwales of a pickup truck. The enclosure may comprise side panels mountable on the gunwales and a top hinged along one edge and mounted between the side panels. The top may be hinged intermediate its ends to form first and second sections, and control arms connected to the second section may be used to control the position of the lower edge of the second section as the top is raised and lowered.
US08070209B2	Sun visor A sun visor assembly includes a sun visor in which the corners associated with one of the longer edges are rotatably mounted to an automotive vehicle, one corner of which is fixed and the other corner being removable from a mount affixed to the vehicle. The removable corner has a cutout with a cylindrical pin coupled to the cutout at both ends of the pin. The mount has an arcuate cradle to engage the pin over less than half of its circumference. The opening to gain access to the cradle faces generally downward when installed and the pin is held in the mount by magnetic attraction.
US08070200B2	Apparatus for picking up optical element An apparatus comprises a suction device and two positioning members. The suction device comprises a suction body and a suction nozzle. The suction body is in communication with the suction nozzle and is configured for providing a pressure below atmospheric pressure to make the suction nozzle picking up the optical element. The two positioning members movably mounted on two opposite sides of the suction body and are configured for moving towards each other to move the optical element picked up by the suction nozzle to a predetermined fixed position relative to the suction device.
US08070190B2	Security splicing system of aligned pipes, against the expansion and/or contraction thereof A security splicing system of aligned pipes against an expansion and/or contraction thereof due to variations in temperatures, has a flange unit providing a stability and watertightness of a splice, and including a double flange with two identical fastening elements gripping an outer face of an end area of two previously spliced pipes with a watertight connecting flange, so that an accidental displacement of the watertight connecting flange is prevented in an event that dimensions of the end area of the pipes vary due to an expansion or contraction.
US08070186B2	Printable reflective features formed from multiple inks and processes for making them The invention relates to reflective features formed from multiple inks. In one embodiment, the reflective feature includes a substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having different surface characteristics; a first reflective element disposed on the first region; and a second reflective element disposed on the second region, wherein the first reflective element is more adherent than the second reflective element to the first region. In another embodiment, the reflective feature includes multiple layers formed from different inks exhibiting enhanced reflectivity and/or durability. The invention is also to processes for forming these features, preferably through a direct write printing process.
US08070180B2	Stroller and shopping cart A stroller for carrying a user or multiple users may include a first and second front frame member for supporting a seat or seats and back support member, a first and second back frame member being detachably connected to the first and second front frame member, an expandable base member which connects between the first and second front frame member and the first and second back frame member. The expandable frame member may move between an extended and a retracted position to provide a storage area. The first and second back frame member may include handles, and the first and second front frame members may include an upper section and a lower section. The upper section may pivot with respect to the lower section, and the first and second back frame members may pivot with respect to the extendable base member. The first and second front frame members may pivot with respect to the extendable base member.
US08070179B2	Storage latch for foldable stroller A foldable stroller has a frame assembly that can be moved from an in-use configuration to a folded configuration. A storage latch for the foldable stroller has a catch part carried on a first frame part that extends transversely between left and right frame sides. The storage latch also has a latch part carried on a second frame part that extends transversely between the left and right frame sides, at least one of the latch or catch parts moving from a stowed position to a latching position adjacent the other of the parts as the frame assembly is moved to the folded configuration.
US08070159B2	Switchback mechanism and image forming apparatus In a color printer in which a drive force of a fixed gear that rotates not in both a forward direction and a reverse direction but in either one direction only is transmitted to a discharging unit, a swing gear is attached to a branch guide via a switching link and a transmission link as a link mechanism. When a solenoid mechanism starts driving, the transmission link rotates. In accordance with the rotation of the transmission link, the switching link rotates, so that a switching among a discharge conveying path, a duplex-printing conveying path, and a switchback conveying path by the branch guide and a switching of a rotating direction of a transmission gear can be simultaneously performed.
US08070146B2	Support device for sputtering machine A support device used in sputtering machine includes a chamber housing, a frame, at least one holding device, a first and second driving assemblies. The frame is rotatably mounted in the chamber housing. The holding device is rotatably mounted on the frame. The first driving assembly is received in the chamber housing and includes a first motor mounted on the chamber housing and a first shaft installed on the first motor. The first driving assembly is configured for driving the frame rotating in a plane by the first shaft. The second driving assembly is received in the chamber housing and includes a second motor mounted on the chamber housing and second shaft installed on the second motor. The second shaft adjacently parallels to the first shaft. The second driving assembly is configured for driving the at least one holding device rotating in a plane perpendicular to the rotating plane of the frame.
US08070129B2	Solenoid valve A solenoid valve includes a coil, a yoke, a tubular stator housing, an armature, a valve element, a tubular valve body, and a supporting member. The valve element is displaceable with the armature for opening and closing a flow channel. The tubular valve body is provided inside the stator housing for slidably supporting the valve element. The supporting member is coupled with the stator housing. The valve body includes a flange portion that extends radially outwardly. The flange portion is provided between the stator housing and the supporting member along a longitudinal axis of the valve body. The yoke is coupled with the stator housing.
US08070127B2	Manual override apparatus for linear actuators Apparatus for manual override operation of a linear actuator are described. An example manual override apparatus includes a manual operator having a first coupling on a first side and a second coupling on a second side opposite the first side. A first drive member having external threads is coupled to a housing of an actuator. The first drive member includes a first end to removably receive the first coupling of the manual operator, a second end to selectively engage an actuation member of the actuator, and a bore therethrough along a longitudinal axis of the first drive member. A second drive member disposed in the bore to be rotatably coupled to the first drive member. The second drive member has a first end threadably coupled to an actuator stem of the actuation member and a second end to removably receive the second coupling of the manual operator. Rotation of the first drive member in a first rotational direction via the manual operator moves the actuation member of the actuator in a first linear direction and rotation of the second drive member relative to the first drive member in the first rotational direction via the manual operator causes the actuation member to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.
US08070126B2	Device for actuation of a valve A valve operating device defined by the following features: a slider supported in axially displaceable manner in a housing and linked by an actuation segment to the valve, a first biasing spring configured in the housing and pre-stressing the slider against a first stop, an expansible element configured in the housing and being displaceably supported in approximately coaxial manner relative to the slider between a second and a third stop, a second biasing spring acting on the expansible element and pre-stressing the element against the second stop, the configuration allowing cooperation between the expansible element's drive pin and the slider, a heater associated to the expansible element, a heat dissipating element associated with the expansible element and cooling the expansible element when latter rests against the third stop, the force exerted by the first biasing spring being larger than that of the second biasing spring.
US08070123B2	Adjustable mounting bracket for electronic device A mounting bracket for fixing an electronic device on television set includes a holding portion and a mounting portion. The holding portion includes a holding frame, a rotating frame and a connecting hinge. The mounting portion includes an adjusting strap, a plurality of hook portions, a pair of adjustable buckles, a pair of latch portions, a pair of latching hooks and a pair of adjustable screws. The latching hook can be fixed on the latch portion by inserting the adjusting screw through the round hole and the adjusting slot. The mounting bracket can be mounted on different positions by adjusting a relative position between the holding frame and the rotating frame or by securing the adjusting strap on different position of the buckling portion and by mating the hook portion with the tri-lobed hole.
US08070120B2	Vertical motion pendant arm Embodiments of the invention provide a vertical motion pendant arm for supporting an enclosure at a desired height. The vertical motion pendant arm can include an enclosure mounting assembly, a support mounting assembly, and one or more connectors. The vertical motion pendant arm can also include a drawbridge mechanism having a rotatable worm, a rotatable gear that engages the rotatable worm, one or more drawbridge arms coupled to the rotatable gear, and one or more gas springs coupled to the drawbridge arms and the connectors. The gas springs can provide a counterforce to the enclosure.
US08070107B2	Net structure and methods of making the same A net structure includes a plurality of metal rightwards inclined wires including, in sequence, a first rightwards inclined wire, a second rightwards inclined wire, and an N-th rightwards inclined wire. The net structure further includes a plurality of metal leftwards inclined wires including, in sequence, a first leftwards inclined wire, a second leftwards inclined wire, and an N-th leftwards inclined wire. The first rightwards inclined wires intersects, in sequence, from the first rightwards inclined wire through the N-th rightwards inclined wire at an intersection at which a twine portion is formed. The second rightwards inclined wires intersects, in sequence, from the second rightwards inclined wire through the N-th rightwards inclined wire at an intersection at which a twine portion is formed. The N-th leftwards inclined wire intersects the N-th rightwards inclined wire at an intersection at which a twine portion is formed, thereby forming a net structure with a plurality of hexagonal meshes. The net structure is made by slant weaving.
US08070102B2	Slide door device for aircraft A slide door device for an aircraft includes an upper guide roller at a tip end of an upper arm provided at an upper part of a slide door and a lower guide roller at a tip end of a lower arm provided at a lower part of the slide door that are rollably engaged with an upper guide rail and a lower guide rail that are fixed along an upper edge and a lower edge of a door opening frame formed in a fuselage of an aircraft, respectively. An intermediate guide roller, provided at a tip end of an intermediate arm provided in a door opening, is rollably engaged with an intermediate guide rail that is fixed to an inner surface of the slide door, while smoothly guiding the slide door with the upper guide rail, the lower guide rail, and the intermediate guide rail.
US08070099B2	Aircraft baffle seal Aircraft systems having baffle seals with low coefficients of friction and methods of assembling aircraft systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aircraft system includes: (a) an aircraft baffle; (b) an aircraft cowl separated from the aircraft baffle by a gap, the aircraft cowl having a contact surface; and (c) a flexible aircraft baffle seal extending from the aircraft baffle to the aircraft cowl to seal the gap, the aircraft baffle seal having a contact side for contacting the contact surface of the aircraft cowl, the contact side having a kinetic coefficient of friction that is not more than 0.4, the aircraft baffle seal comprising an elastomer sheet and a laminate, the laminate being the contact side.
US08070092B2	Noise-suppressing strut support system for an unmanned aerial vehicle A strut support system for a ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle to suppress noise comprising: a ducted fan fuselage that defines an opening; an engine that extends longitudinally through the opening in the fuselage; a drive mechanism rotatably mounted to the engine, wherein a fan is mounted on the drive mechanism within a duct defined by the opening; and a plurality of struts extending between the ducted fan fuselage and the engine each comprising a first leg and a second leg joined together by a curvilinear junction, wherein the first leg is attached to the ducted fan fuselage and the second leg is attached to the engine, wherein the plurality of struts are positioned upstream of the fan, wherein the junction between the first leg of each of the plurality of struts and the ducted fan fuselage is outside the highlight of the ducted fan fuselage's leading edge.
US08070084B2	Spider having spider arms with open channel A spider for use with a gyratory crusher. The spider includes spider arms each formed from two spaced flanges joined by a connecting web to define an open channel having an open top end. The configuration of the spider arms increases manufacturability and provides the required strength and rigidity for the spider. The channel formed in each spider arm is covered by a spider arm shield to reduce abrasive wear to the spider arm.
US08070083B2	Method and apparatus for processing logs The present invention relates to a method of processing logs by means of an apparatus comprising a transportation level in the advancing direction (P) of the logs, where they are arranged to be transported in a position perpendicular to their advancing direction (P), and where orifice members going therethrough and extending in the advancing direction (P) of the logs. In the method, at least two support member units spaced from each other are arranged below the transportation level whereby each support member unit comprises at least one elongated support member, which is arranged rotatably parallel to the transportation level and perpendicular to the advancing direction (P) and protruding therefrom, and said axis of rotation each support member unit is adapted so that when rotating, the support members protrude through the orifice members above the transportation level whereby the logs are received in one or more receiving spaces formed between the support members protruding above the transportation level. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing said method.
US08070077B2	Apparatus for dispensing liquid material A method and an apparatus for dispensing liquid material to a substrate comprising a housing having a bore and an inlet for supplying liquid material from a material source to the bore. A nozzle communicates with the inlet and includes a discharge opening for dispensing the liquid material. A movable plunger is mounted for reciprocal movement between a closed and an open position. In the open position, liquid material is dispensed from the discharge opening and in the closed position, liquid material is prevented from being dispensed from the discharge opening. An actuator moves the plunger between the closed and the open position. The plunger has at least one slot extending from the outer periphery toward the center of the plunger.
US08070070B2	Antenna device and radio frequency IC device An antenna device is arranged to transmit or receive a radio frequency communication signal to or from an external device such as a reader/writer, and is arranged such that an antenna resonance circuit including an antenna coil and a capacitor is connected to an additional resonance circuit including an inductor and a capacitor. A radio frequency IC device preferably includes the antenna device and a radio frequency IC. The antenna device is constructed such that a change in characteristics thereof caused by a change in the distance between a radio frequency IC device and a reader/writer is minimized, and the radio frequency IC device performs communication with high reliability.
US08070050B2	Heat conducting apparatus and solder melting method therefor A heat conducting apparatus includes an air guide hood and a heat conducting device. The air guide hood is connected to a hot air supply source for delivering hot air, and includes an air outlet for exit of the hot air. The heat conducting device is disposed at the air outlet of the air guide hood, and includes a contact wall spaced apart from and disposed below the air outlet for contacting a soldered component, and a surrounding wall extending upwardly from the contact wall and connected to the air guide hood. The contact wall and the surrounding wall cooperatively define a space for guiding the hot air. The contact wall conducts the heat to the soldered component so as to melt tin solders between the soldered component and a circuit board, thereby reducing any adverse effect on other electronic components or good chips on the circuit board.
US08070048B2	Method of attaching a solder ball and method of repairing a memory module In a method of attaching a solder ball, a first material is coated on a solder ball. A second material is coated on a pad of a substrate where the solder ball is to be attached to exothermically react with the first material. The solder ball makes contact with the pad such that the first material and the second material exothermically react with each other to release heat to adhere the solder ball to the pad using the heat.
US08070045B1	Curable amine flux composition and method of soldering A curable amine flux composition is provided, comprising, as initial components: a resin component having at least two oxirane groups per molecule; an amine fluxing agent represented by formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted C1-80 alkyl group, an unsubstituted C1-80 alkyl group, a substituted C7-80 arylalkyl group and an unsubstituted C7-80 arylalkyl group; wherein R7 and R8 are independently selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a substituted C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group and a substituted C6-20 aryl group or wherein R7 and R8, together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a C3-20 cycloalkyl ring optionally substituted with a C1-6 alkyl group; wherein R10 and R11 are independently selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a substituted C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group and a substituted C6-20 aryl group or wherein R10 and R11, together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a C3-20 cycloalkyl ring optionally substituted with a C1-6 alkyl group; and, wherein R9 is selected from a hydrogen, a C1-30 alkyl group, a substituted C1-30 alkyl group, a C6-30 aryl group and a substituted C6-30 aryl group; and, optionally, a curing agent. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the curable amine flux composition.
US08070040B2	Single retainer mounted riser A motor vehicle car body framing apparatus for use at a welding station, the apparatus including a gate having a frame structure and a plurality of tooling members carried by the frame structure for use in positioning components of the vehicle body at the welding station for welding. The tooling members are mounted on the frame structure by a plurality of mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket includes a base member mounted on the frame structure and a riser mounted on the base and mounting a respective tooling member. The riser is fixedly mounted on the base by a single central fastener bolt which may include a reduced diameter portion sized to breakaway in response to predetermined impact against the riser. The interface between the riser and the base comprises a plurality of contact points arranged in concentric relation with respect to the fastener bolt. The contact points may comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced balls mounted on the base for coaction with circumferentially spaced grooves defined on the riser. A breakaway bolt assembly replacement kit is also disclosed as well as an arrangement wherein the riser is constituted by an integral extension arm of the tooling member.
US08070038B2	Surgical instrument with pivotable jaw member A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member defines a first axis, which is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first jaw member is pivotable about the first axis. At least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is movable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart and an approximated position.
US08070033B2	Surgical stapling apparatus A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
US08070032B2	Apparatus, system, and method for middle turbinate medializer An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for medializing the middle turbinate following sinus surgery, thus preventing synacheiae, granulation tissue, and other complications of the prior art. The apparatus utilizes a fastening device configured to attach the middle turbinate to the nasal septum, a prong comprising a slender wand portion and a fastening module, and a handle configured to trigger deployment of the fastening means by activating the fastening module. The fastening device may be a staple, rivet, glue, or another similar device.
US08070029B1	Truck bed companion Truck Bed Companion will keep groceries from spilling all over the truck bed, allow contractors to transport tools and sheets of plywood or drywalls with ease, eliminate the need to ties down lawn mowers or gas cans and create separate areas for tool boxes, saws or other necessities.
US08070026B2	Rotating and pivoting belt clip that can be used as a stand A belt clip apparatus is provided that attaches to a case for a portable electronic device (e.g., a music player, video player, cell phone, etc.) that both swivels and pivots on two different axes. Such a clip can attach to an article of clothing and allow the user to view the screen and access the controls of an electronic device without having to first remove the device from the article of clothing. In one embodiment, the apparatus can stand on a flat surface in either an angled portrait or landscape orientation when attached to the case, thereby allowing the user to choose the optimal orientation for accessing the controls or viewing a screen on a portable device mounted within the attached case. The angle formed between the case and the belt clip can be varied so that the user can optimize the viewing angle of the attached portable electronic device.
US08070000B2	Apparatus and method for assembling wind turbines An apparatus for assembling a wind turbine includes a crane boom having a main bearing cable coupled to a component for lifting the component during assembly of the wind turbine, and a control mechanism coupled to the crane boom for controlling the orientation of the wind turbine component during the lift. The control mechanism includes a guide member coupled to the crane boom, a movable member coupled to the guide member and configured to be movable relative to the crane boom, a coupling member configured to couple the movable member to the wind turbine component being lifted by the crane boom, and a drive mechanism configured to actively move the movable member relative to the crane boom independent of the movement of the main bearing cable. A method for assembling a wind turbine includes using the coupling member to change the orientation of the component.
US08069997B2	Portable tool rack A tool rack includes a frame having two sidewalls and two slots are defined through the two sidewalls. A plurality of recesses are defined in the frame and a rod having second recesses is connected between the two sidewalls. A restriction member is connected to the frame and two distal ends of the restriction member are movably engaged with the slots of the frame. The restriction member includes third recesses which are located in alignment with the recesses so that the tools are engaged with the first, second and third recesses. A stop plate extends from a distal end of an inside of each third recess so as to prevent the tools from disengaging from these recesses. When shifting the restriction member, the stop plates are moved away from the recesses so that the tools can be picked out from the tool rack.
US08069995B2	Adjustable tool holder The present invention includes an apparatus and method for holding a tool that includes one or more substantially cylindrical members, wherein each member has a longitudinal channel and a base having one or more planarly spaced substantially cylindrical openings and a longitudinal slot extending along each substantially cylindrical opening, wherein each substantially cylindrical member is secured within one of the cylindrical openings and is free to rotatively engage one or more tools.
US08069993B2	Medicine cart A medicine cart (1) having excellent workability in filling and returning a medicine, comprising an upwardly opening cassette (10) storing a plurality of medicines (15a, 15b, 15c) arranged in a row in an upright state and a pressing member (47) pressing the rearmost medicine (15c) in the cassette (10) forward. An insert guide part (51) is formed at the pressing side end part of the pressing member (47) so that the medicine (15) can be inserted between the pressing member (47) and the rearmost medicine (15c). The pressing side end part of the pressing member (47) having a vertical front surface and an inclined upper surface (51), wherein both the vertical front surface and the upper surface (51) are in the shape of a concave circular arc.
US08069991B2	System and method for liquid filtration with reduced hold-up volume In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a filter device for liquid filtration, the filter device being in fluid communication with a plurality of liquid pathways, at least one pathway of the plurality of liquid pathways having a smallest equivalent fluid flow diameter of the plurality of liquid pathways. The device comprises a filter membrane (108) and a filter core (109) comprising at least one cross hole (110) in fluid communication with the filter membrane, each cross hole having an equivalent fluid flow, diameter. The sum of the equivalent fluid flow diameters of the at least one cross holes does not exceed the smallest equivalent fluid flow diameter of the plurality of liquid pathways.
US08069985B2	Sealed single-dose break-open package A sealed single-dose break-open package (1) having: a first sheet (2) of semirigid plastic material; a second sheet (3) of flexible plastic material superimposed on and sealed to the first sheet (2) of semirigid plastic material to define a sealed pocket (4) containing a dose of a product (5); and an incision (6) formed in the first sheet (2) of semirigid plastic material to guide controlled breakage of the first sheet (2) along the incision (6) and form an outlet opening for the product (5) through the first sheet (2); the incision (6) varies in depth lengthwise to break the first sheet (2) gradually along the incision (6).
US08069983B2	Package for a saw blade A package for a saw blade comprises a housing defining a space for receiving a saw blade. A first cover is attached to the housing at a hinge, and is pivoted at the hinge so as to overlay the saw blade and retain the saw blade in the housing. The cover is dimensioned to extend over less than the entire saw blade. A compartment may be attached to the housing where a security device is located in the compartment. A second cover seals the security element in the compartment. A second cover may be attached to the housing at a second hinge, and pivoted at the second hinge so as to overlay the saw blade and retain the saw blade in the housing. The second cover is dimensioned so as to extend over less than the entire saw blade.
US08069981B2	Hinged lid box for cigarettes A cigarette pack of the hinge-lid box type in which box side walls (24) and lid side walls (25) are correspondingly formed as a polygonal chain from adjoining wall portions (27, 28, 29), and the wall portions (27, 28, 29) are designed with the same width and directed at the same angles to one another and to the front side and rear side of the pack.
US08069979B2	Contact lens package and storage case, holder, and system and method of making and using A reusable holder for contact lens cases includes a base, at least one receptacle formed in the base configured to receive a contact lens case, and a time keeping device formed in the base. The time keeping device may include an indicator for the at least one receptacle that indicates a period of time that has lapsed since the contact lens case currently in the at least one receptacle was placed therein to denote a need to discard the contact lens case and a contact lens associated with the contact lens case.
US08069975B2	Conveyor belt rip detection system The present invention provides a conveyor belt rip detection system with belts having rip detection inserts that can be more easily integrated into conveyor belts at low cost. These rip detection inserts do not adversely affect the durability of the conveyor belt and can be easily replaced in the event of belt damage. This rip detection system also provides a highly reliable early image of belt damage that can facilitate quick repair before extensive belt damage occurs. The present invention more specifically discloses a conveyor belt comprising (1) an elastomeric body having a load carrying surface and a parallel pulley engaging surface; (2) a reinforcement ply disposed within the elastomeric body; and (3) a multitude of rip detection inserts, wherein the rip detection inserts are spaced along the longitudinal length of the conveyor belt, wherein the rip detection inserts contain a multitude of rip detection wires that are comprised of a magnetically permeable material, wherein the rip detection wires are aligned in the rip detection inserts at a bias angle of 15° to 75° from being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the belt, and wherein the rip detection wires are spaced incrementally across the width of the belt.
US08069974B2	Transport device with a monitoring appliance and substrate treatment apparatus In a transport device, which comprises at least one endless conveyor guided around at least two guide rollers, a monitoring appliance for monitoring motion of a guide roller is positioned on at least one of the guide rollers. The monitoring appliance comprises a first contact element disposed on and electrically connected with the guide roller, and a second contact element disposed near the guide roller. The first and second contact elements are arranged relative to one another in such a way that an electrical contact between them occurs with every revolution of the guide roller, such that the electric potential of the guide roller is transmitted to the second contact element. Additionally, a substrate treatment apparatus comprising such transport device is disclosed.
US08069970B2	Transport star wheels A transport star having at least one replaceable mounting part with a first locking element and a mounting part holder with a second locking element, and where one of the two locking elements is locked with the other locking element by rotation. In addition, a transport star having at least one replaceable mounting part that can be locked with a mounting part holder, and where a ring-shaped operating element is provided for locking the mounting part with the mounting part holder. Also, a transport star having at least one mounting part and a mounting part holder on which the mounting part can be positioned in a position predetermined by positioning devices, whereby the lifting of the mounting part can be prevented by the positioning devices.
US08069967B2	Coin sorting device A downstream side of a chute associated with at least one sorting hole is branched into a first chute and a second chute, through which coins ejected from the sorting hole are guided into first and second temporary storages, respectively. A route-switching mechanism is also provided that switches, between the two chutes, a route of the coins ejected from the sorting hole. The following control is conducted for the coins of a denomination to be ejected from the sorting hole. (i) Switching the route of the coins ejected from the sorting hole from the first chute to the second chute in appropriate timing to ensure that the last coin (CN) to be received into the first temporary storage enters the first chute, and (ii) controlling an ejection mechanism to eject, among coins following the last coin, all coins that have reached the ejection mechanism (6a) earlier that the above route-switching operation.
US08069966B2	Coin-sorting device The invention relates to a coin selecting device. The device comprises a body with a series of passages, one of which is disposed facing a coin-receiving area and delimited laterally by two partition walls which each belong to respective adjacent passages. Each of the partition walls is articulated to the body about an axis, such that they can occupy two positions in relation thereto, namely: a position for receiving diverted coins and a rest position. The invention also comprises two controlled actuation devices to actuate to rotate each partition wall selectively to the position for receiving diverted coins, in which its respective passage faces the coin-receiving area, and at least one permanent pushing device for maintaining the partition walls in respective rest positions and/or returning the partition walls to the respective rest positions upon termination of the actuation.
US08069963B2	Variable resistance strut assemblies and articles containing the same Disclosed herein is a strut assembly that comprises a piston that is in slideable communication with a housing. The piston comprises a piston head having a channel in operative communication with a fluid that is disposed in the housing. An elastic member and an active element are disposed in the channel. The active element is in operative communication with the elastic member and is operative to change the shape of the elastic member.
US08069962B1	Electromechanical brake comprising an energy accumulator and a downstream force multiplication unit An electromechanical brake has an element to be braked, at least one friction lining for frictionally engaging with the element, and an electric actuator for displacing the friction lining so that it frictionally engages with the element. A constructively and energetically improved electromechanical brake can be provided by a reversible energy accumulator functionally coupled to the electric actuator which interacts with a force multiplication device such that when the brake is actuated by the actuator, the stored energy is successively supplied to the force multiplication device with increasing actuation travel of the actuator and the device converts the energy in a set manner to an actuation torque that increases with increasing actuation travel of the actuator, the torque being transmitted indirectly or directly onto the friction lining. When the brake is released, a brake-inherent restoring force reacting upon the force multiplication device via the friction lining recharges the energy accumulator.
US08069957B2	Elevator display system providing an indication of an estimated arrival of an elevator car An elevator target floor registration unit, which displays an estimated amount of time until an assigned elevator car arrives, reduces feelings of uneasiness. Various target floor registration units by which a user may register a target floor are installed on respective floors of a building. The target floor registration units are connected to an elevator controller via an interface. The elevator controller: (a) assigns a most suitable elevator car corresponding to a user's target floor registered using the target floor registration unit; (b) computes an expected waiting time for the elevator assigned to arrive at the floor of the aforementioned registration; and (c) sends said pieces of information on the elevator assignment and the expected waiting time to aforementioned target floor registration unit in order to display them.
US08069952B2	Fluid reservoir assembly A fluid reservoir assembly having a pan defining a drain opening and a plug disposed therein is disclosed. The pan includes a pair of ramps disposed on an inner surface thereof adjacent the drain opening. The plug includes a pair of wings in engagement with the ramps. The ramps increase in height relative to the inner surface of the pan along a first direction of rotation about the central axis. The plug is drawn into sealing engagement with an outer surface of the pan by rotating the plug in the first direction of rotation about the central axis thereby moving the wings up the ramps. The pan includes at least one stop to prevent over-rotation of the plug. The ramps define a recess to secure the wings in a closed position.
US08069951B2	Installation structure of oil cooler of vehicular transmission In an oil cooler installation structure for a vehicular transmission, an oil cooler by means of which oil is cooled is provided, oil being delivered between the oil cooler and an internal of a transmission housing, and an oil cooler installation portion is provided in the internal of the transmission housing and in which a first oil passage for supplying oil in the internal of the transmission housing to the oil cooler via a first opening portion opened at an external of the transmission housing and a second oil passage for supplying oil from the oil cooler to the internal of the transmission housing via a second opening portion opened at the external of the transmission housing are formed, the oil cooler being attached onto the oil cooler installation portion to enable a delivery of oil via the first opening portion and the second opening portion.
US08069946B1	Portable sound recording device A portable sound recording device and method comprises a first enclosure having symmetrical halves and a second enclosure having symmetrical halves. The second enclosure is fitted inside the first enclosure such that neither enclosure has direct contact with each other. The symmetrical halves pivot about the device handle. A sound resistant material aligns the inside walls of the second enclosure and the outside walls of the second enclosure. The device eliminates unwanted echoes and allows sound to be clearly captured by an attached microphone or input device.
US08069944B2	Vehicle engine mount The invention relates to an engine mount for mounting an engine on a frame of an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle. The frame has two spaced apart frame elements. Further components of the utility vehicle, such as a gearbox and/or a vehicle axle, can be attached to the frame elements. An outer portion of an engine housing forms a mounting structure through which the engine is mounted on the frame elements, so that no external forces are applied to the engine or to the engine housing. The engine is mounted on the two frame elements using only the mounting structure.
US08069940B2	Method for controlling power flow A method for controlling power sources or energy sinks on an energy accumulator, in particular for a motor vehicle, is disclosed. Conventional systems for power supply to the motor vehicle modules are often excessively used, in particular in utility vehicles when an optimal availability is required. The present method includes measuring parameters characterizing the charge of the accumulator, and transmitting the results of a measurement to a control unit and in generating control signals for the energy sinks or the power sources by a control unit. The method makes it possible to eliminate a frequent cause of a low availability in motor vehicles.
US08069934B2	Drill bits for drilling wells A device including a drill bit is disclosed. The bit preferably comprises lug members, joined by a support member, each lug member includes a through hole, bearings rotatably mounted on the lug members which bearings support cutter members, a sleeve with lubricant mounted upon the support member, a central channel within the sleeve whose lower end can be closed or opened with a reciprocating valve-plate, an annular piston snug-fitting between the sidewalls of sleeve and central channel, which piston has a discharge valve outletting the lubricant through the piston, a spring disposed in the sleeve, rods mounted in the sleeve and inserted through the holes, lubrication channels arranged in the lug members and communicating the lower portion of sleeve with the bearings for lubrication thereof. The rods are coupled to the piston and the valve-plate. Embodiments include shafts supporting the bearings. Some shafts are hollow and have a coolant system.
US08069928B2	Percussion device, drilling machine including such a percussion device and method for controlling such a percussion device A percussive device and method having, inside a machine housing (3), a reciprocally moveable percussive piston (2), the movement of which is controlled by a control valve (5), which is arranged to alternatively connect a chamber to a pressure source and to low pressure in dependence on a signal corresponding to the axial position of the percussive piston, and a valve (16) arranged to allow adjustment of the axial position of the percussive piston at which the signal is transmitted, by opening and blocking of a connection between one or more control channels (10, 11, 12, 13) and the control valve.
US08069927B2	Rear-mounted work implement control system A control system for a rear-mounted work implement on a work machine operable from a forward-facing operator's station located on the work machine is disclosed. The control system includes a surface adjacent to the operator's station, the surface being fixed in a position. A control device is attached to the surface and includes a grip configured to be gripped by an operator. A position of the grip is fixed relative to the surface during use, and the grip is positioned to stabilize an operator when turned in the operator's station to view the work implement. The control device also includes a switching mechanism disposed between the grip and the surface, and being configured to operate the work implement and configured to be actuatable by a hand on the grip.
US08069920B2	Lateral well locator and reentry apparatus and method A down-hole assembly used to locate an existing window in a main cased well bore and guide equipment through the window and into a lateral well bore after removal of a whip stock. The assembly includes a running tool with a convex section detachably connected to a concave section of a guide member. The running tool includes a window locator that locates the window. The guide member includes an inclined or wedge shaped portion for guiding tools or equipment through the window and into the lateral well bore so that remedial work can be carried out.
US08069917B2	Gripper assembly for downhole tools A gripper assembly for anchoring a tool within a downhole passage and for possibly assisting movement of the tool within the passage. The gripper assembly includes an elongated mandrel and flexible toes that can be radially displaced to grip onto the surface of the passage. The toes are displaced by the interaction of a driver slidable on the mandrel and a driver interaction element on the toes. In one embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of rollers and ramps that are longitudinally movable with respect to one another. In another embodiment, the toes are displaced by the interaction of toggles that rotate with respect to the toes.
US08069907B2	Flexible heat pipe A heat pipe for cooling a heat-generating component has a generally planar, sealed flexible body having an evaporator section, a condenser section, and a flexible bellows section. The bellows section is located between the evaporator section and the condenser section along a longitudinal length of the body. A chamber extends from the evaporator section to the condenser section inside the body and contains a working fluid. The bellows section includes internal supports to keep the chamber open during repeated bending of the heat pipe at the bellows section.
US08069905B2	EGR gas cooling device A gas cooling device capable of efficiently cooling a gas such as an EGR gas, etc. is provided. A multiplicity of cooling pipes perpendicularly intersecting a gas flow direction in a gas pipe for a gas such as an EGR gas, etc. are provided to extend through an outer peripheral wall of the gas pipe, a cooling jacket is provided on an outer surface of the gas pipe on both sides of a group of the cooling medium pipes in an axial direction, or on the entire outer surface of the gas pipe, and the gas in the gas pipe is cooled by a cooling medium flowing through the cooling pipes.
US08069895B2	Film-removing device An exemplary film-removing device for removing a protecting film from a workpiece includes a main body and a film-removing mechanism. The film-removing mechanism includes a suspending arm and a roller. The suspending arm has a first end rotatably connected to the main body. The roller is rotatably connected to a second end, opposite to the first end, of the suspending arm. The roller is driven to rotate by movement of the workpiece.
US08069893B2	Cutting mechanism for dry film laminator A cutting mechanism for dry film laminator includes a main base connected to a dry film laminator. The main base has a cutting space defined therein. The main base has two rollers disposed thereon and located beside the cutting space. The two rollers flatly guide a film above the cutting space. A film-carrying device is movably disposed on the main base. The film-carrying device includes a suction member movably disposed thereon. The suction member has at least one annular groove defined therein and corresponding to a shape of a wafer. A cutting device is movably disposed below the main base. The cutting device includes a film cutter movably disposed thereon. The cutting device includes an elevating device disposed thereon for moving the film cutter upward/downward. The cutting device includes a motor disposed thereon for rotating the film cutter.
US08069889B2	Pneumatic tire Protrusions 11 are provided in a buttress portion 20, the protrusions 11 are composed of a center portion 11a extending from the groove bottom 4 of the transverse grooves 2 toward the tire rotational axis and side portions 11b, the center portion 11a and the side portions 11b are integrally formed, the side portions 11b extend from the same cross-sectional height as, that of the center portion toward the tire rotational axis, the protrusions 11 extend at least to a virtual line 22 in which the inner most belt layer 21a is virtually extended to the buttress portion 20, and the width W of the side portions 11b is 7% to 30% of the depth D of the transverse grooves 2, and the thickness L of the protrusions 11 on the virtual line 22 is 1 mm to 10 mm.
US08069887B2	Ice flap device for a refrigerator An ice flap device (10) for a refrigerator comprises a flap unit (14) movable between an open position and a closed position, which unit releases a dispenser aperture for dispensing ice in its open position and blocks the dispenser aperture against dispensing ice in its closed position, as well as a motorized drive mechanism for driving the flap unit (14) between its open and closed position. According to the invention the drive mechanism comprises an a.c. motor (12) as well as a first electrical switch (26), which lies in the supply circuit of the a.c. motor and switches depending on the introduction of a receptacle into an ice dispenser compartment of the refrigerator, and by means of which the a.c. motor (12) can be turned on when the receptacle is introduced into the ice dispenser compartment for a movement of the flap unit (14) from the closed position in the direction of the open position.
US08069876B2	Sealing bush, hydraulic unit, and check valve There is disclosed a sealing bush as well as a hydraulic unit fitted with the sealing bush and a check valve. The sealing bush is made of plastic and has, on an end face, a preferably conical elevation that can be brought into sealing contact with a bearing shoulder.
US08069872B2	Automatic control device of foldable tent The present invention provides an automatic control device of foldable tent connecting to several roof strut sets wherein, said control device is of a central standing base containing a sliding hub, a spring and a tappet roller at inside. Cooperating to an extra force exerting on the central standing base to press it down relative to the roof strut sets, the sliding hub brings the tappet roller continuously to go down and up, by means of the special design between the spring and all the pushing lugs and hook slots of the tappet roller, positioning the sliding hub with the locking pin of the central standing base can be carried out, so that the tent can be opened and kept in open configuration automatically; when repeatedly press down the central standing base relative to the roof strut sets, the tent can be closed.
US08069862B1	Heat-less hair straightening device A hair straightening device and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hair-straightening band includes: an elongated band; a bristle-tipped insert having a plurality of bristles, the bristle-tipped insert disposed within the elongated band; and a plate having a plurality of apertures through which to receive the plurality of bristles, the plate adapted to secure the insert to the elongated band with the plurality of bristles exposed. The hair band is adapted for application to a head of hair with the plurality of bristles facing inwardly toward the hair, rotation upon the hair, and wear upon the hair to straighten the hair. The hair band is heatless and non-electric.
US08069861B2	Method and apparatus for preparing a finished tobacco product including special form casings and sheet configurations A finished tobacco product is formed by a set of pre-rolled sheets. In one embodiment a form casing is used which includes at least two portions—a non-smokable portion along with a container portion which includes tobacco filler material.
US08069857B2	Phototherapy method A method of providing phototherapy to a patient. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation; transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface.
US08069840B2	Injector for injecting fuel into combustion chambers of internal combustion engines The invention relates to an injector for injecting fuel into combustion chambers of internal combustion engines, in particular a common rail injector. The injector has a high-pressure region and a valve element which is axially adjustable between a closed position and an open position in which the flow of fuel is enabled. According to the invention, it is provided that the valve element includes a first partial element and at least one separate second partial element, which partial elements are hydraulically coupled to one another by a coupler chamber. The coupler chamber is hydraulically connected only in one axial direction to the high-pressure region of the injector.
US08069826B2	Surface passivation and the methods for the reduction of fuel thermal degradation deposits In a specific embodiment of this invention, deposits and soot formation in a direct injection engine are reduced by passivating the injectors to within 0.1 mm of the injector nozzle. The fuel used with the inventive injectors comprises fuel-soluble additives.
US08069823B2	Vibration stimulus delivery device Described is a vibration stimulus delivery device for delivering a vibration stimulus to an animal and for maximizing the robustness and intensity of the vibration stimulus. The vibration stimulus delivery device is carried by the animal and includes a housing and a vibration probe. The vibration probe is positioned in direct contact with the skin of the animal and generates a vibration, which, when delivered to the animal, is the vibration stimulus. The vibration probe is coupled to the housing such that the coupling minimizes the inherent vibration dampening effect caused by the weight and mass of the housing. The result is a vibration stimulus delivery device that delivers a more robust and intense vibration stimulus to the animal.
US08069821B1	Animal bathing apparatus The animal bathing apparatus is fully portable and enclosed by its base and hingedly attached case that overlappingly fits atop the base. Other components, when collapsed, fit within and above the base. The folding legs of the apparatus provide for an animal tender to reach within the front round edged cutout to bath an animal while either sitting upon a given chair or standing, without having to bend. An animal is adjustably tethered within the expanded apparatus so that hands of a tender are free for use in bathing. The water dispenser is mounted on a flexible neck and is height adjustable. The ideally rectangular base has an elevated border, with walls that may be transparent.
US08069802B2	Method and apparatus for controlling a marine vessel One embodiment of the invention comprises a method for controlling a marine vessel having a first steerable propulsor, a corresponding first reversing device, a second steerable propulsor and a corresponding second reversing device. The method comprises receiving a first vessel control signal corresponding to a rotational movement and no translational movement command, generating at least a first actuator control signal and a second actuator control signal in response to the first vessel control signal, coupling the first actuator control signal to and controlling the first steerable propulsor and the second steerable propulsor, and coupling the second actuator control signal to and controlling the first reversing device and the second reversing device. The method creates rotational forces on the marine vessel with substantially no translational forces on the marine vessel.
US08069799B2	Thread cutting device for a sewing machine A thread cutting device for a sewing machine with a hook rotatable in a vertical plane includes a drive motor, a fixed knife which has a working-side wall extending towards a thread fetching zone of the sewing machine to terminate at a first cutting edge, and a movable knife which is driven by the drive motor to angularly move between fetching and thread cutting positions in a vertical plane. The movable knife has a lateral edge surface defining a cavity in an intermediate segment thereof to engage lower and upper threads when the movable knife reaches the fetching position. The movable knife has a second cutting edge disposed to press the first cutting edge so as to complete a cutting action.
US08069798B2	Multi diameter gauge wheel An improved depth regulating member comprising: a first portion, the first portion positioned adjacent a furrow forming assembly for engagement with ground surface adjacent a furrow; and a second portion, the second portion positioned adjacent the first portion opposite the surface of the first portion adjacent the furrow forming assembly, wherein the second portion engages and drives residue through the area between adjacent furrow forming assemblies opposite the direction of travel of the furrow forming assembly.
US08069795B1	Grip latch and hinge mechanism for a flip table A flip-type nesting table includes a frame, a tabletop that pivots between an operative position and a storage position and a hinge and latch assembly that controls the movement of the tabletop between the operative position and the storage position. The hinge and latch assembly includes a pair of hinge brackets that each mount to a rear cross-member. Each hinge bracket includes a front latch that engages a front cross-member to hold the tabletop in the operative position. A rear latch is operable to engage the rear cross-member to hold the tabletop in its upright, storage position. The hinge and latch assembly includes a pull handle coupled to a cross bar that can be used to simultaneously move the latch members to allow movement of the tabletop between the usage position and the storage position.
US08069789B2	Connector for electronic detonators Fire, arm, and disarm signals are typically transmitted to electronic detonators via signal transmission lines. Traditionally, such signal transmission lines include wires wherein one end of each wire is soldered directly to printed circuit boards and/or other signal processing components retained within the shell of a detonator. Other ‘modular’ blasting apparatuses of the prior art provide means to connect signal transmission lines to detonators in the field. Signal transmission line/detonator contacts are susceptible to disruption, particularly when the signal transmission lines are subject to inadvertent tugging or tensile forces at the blast site. The present application discloses an electrical connector that enables secure connection between a signal transmission line and any detonator adapted to receive and optionally process electrical signals from the signal transmission line. Specifically, the electrical connector can be affixed to the signal input end of a detonator, and includes at least one bridge element to provide electrical contact between a signal transmission line, and internal electrical component(s) of the detonator.
US08069787B2	Printing couple, printing press, and methods for operating a printing couple A printing group of a printing press includes at least one form cylinder that has at least one axially extending opening on the external surface of the cylinder. That at least one axially extending opening forms a channel in the cylinder and in which channel several printing form end retaining assemblies are provided. These retaining assemblies are provided in the channel on both sides of a center plane which bisects the form cylinder perpendicularly to its axis of rotation. A first one of these retaining assemblies that adjoins the center plane cooperates with a second retaining assembly, located on the other side of the center plane, to both engage the same printing form, in a first mode of operation. In a second mode of operation, the first retaining assembly cooperates with a third retaining assembly, that is located further away from the center plane, and on the same side thereof as the first retaining assembly, to engage a second printing form.
US08069786B2	Printing groups comprising at least two cooperating cylinders and radially movable bearing units Printing groups are each comprised of at least two cooperating cylinders, each of which is mounted in a bearing unit that radially displaces its associated cylinder. At least one of these bearing units is provided with an actuator which is controlled, or regulated by a control unit. An inking unit, which encompasses at least one ink application roller, is provided for each printing group. At least one of the cylinders of the printing group, and an ink application roller of the associated inking unit can optionally be placed against each other. A dampening unit, comprising at least one dampening fluid application roller, is also provided. At least one of the cylinders of the printing group and a dampening fluid application roller of the dampening unit are also optionally placed against each other. The at least one actuator for the bearing unit is remotely controlled and is embodied either as a hydraulic actuator or as a pneumatic actuator.
US08069784B2	Device in a printing unit of a printing machine A device for use in a printing unit of a printing machine, with that printing unit comprising at least one roller of an inking unit or of a dampening unit of the printing unit and with at least one traverse drive for generating an axial traversing stroke of the roller, and also with at least one drive for the moving of the roller in a rotary manner. A magnetic coupling, which is comprised of an inner rotor and an outer rotor, is arranged between the roller and the drive. In order to compensate for the traversing stroke of the roller, the inner rotor and the outer rotor are movable relative to each other in the direction of the axis of rotation of the roller.
US08069780B2	Modular baler plunger A large square baler includes a crop compressing plunger constructed in a modular fashion comprising a main support frame to which right and left plunger end sections and a plurality of identical individual cast plunger middle sections are bolted in side-by-side, spaced relationship to each other, with the space between adjacent sections defining a pathway through which a twine-delivery needle may pass to deliver twine to a knotter assembly when it is desired to secure a formed bale by tying lengths of twine about the bale.
US08069768B2	Method and apparatus for defeating ballistic projectiles A method and apparatus for defeating high-velocity projectiles. A plurality tile are retained in an imbricated pattern row by row such that each disk in a row is in substantially a straight line with the other disks in the row and overlaps a segment of a disk in an adjacent row. The imbricated pattern is then adhered to a flexible, high tensile strength substrate and overlaid by a second high tensile strength layer such that the imbricated pattern is enveloped between the substrate and the second layer. The envelope is then coupled to a soft body armor backing.
US08069766B2	Food dicer A manual food dicer includes a frame equipped with a cross blade and two guiding rails, a carriage movable in translation, and a longitudinal cutting knife equipped with triangular blades, wherein the knife cooperates with positioning mechanism enabling it to be elastically mounted between a working position in which the triangular blades jut out over the upper surface of the frame, and wherein a retracted position in which the triangular blades are retracted, the translation of the carriage causing the knife to move into retracted position.
US08069763B2	Article slicer with integral pick and placer Tomatoes (11) or other articles are placed over moving cutter blades (20) in article openings (46) of an article locator (44) of the article slicer (10). Article pushers (24) move downwardly and have downwardly extending pusher fins (26) for pushing the tomatoes though the cutter blades (20). The article pushers (24) have laterally extending front openings (36) for receiving a high pressure fluid spray for cleaning the fins (26) and cutter blades (20) without disassembling the components of the slicer. The article pushers (24) are carried by a movable support plate (78) between retracted positions behind the cutter blades (20) and extended positions over the cutter blades (20). A pick and placer (76) is carried by the same movable support plate (78) and moves simultaneously in the same lateral directions as the article pushers (24), between positions over the on-coming line of tomatoes (11) on an entrance conveyor (64) and over the cutter blades (20).
US08069758B2	Head section for a rotary cutting device A head section for a rotary cutting device includes a body portion that includes a blade passage defined between a blade entrance opening and a blade exit opening. A blade fastening mechanism is positioned in the blade passage and includes a blade engaging member. The blade engaging member is biased by a biasing mechanism to extend across the blade passage at a blade install position. The blade engaging member is movable against the bias to clear the blade passage. A blade having a mount aperture proximate an insertion end thereof is secured to the body portion when the mount aperture occupies the blade mount position and the blade engaging member extends through the mount aperture. The blade can be installed in and removed from the head section without tools, simply by advancing the blade through the blade passage.
US08069756B2	Apparatus for automatically detecting the position of the cutting tool in the computerized numerically controlled lathe Disclosed is an apparatus for automatically detecting the position of a cutting tool in a computerized numerically controlled lathe which is capable of preventing over-load operation of a driving motor by allowing an arm having a touch sensor mounted thereto to safely stop at a position while the driving motor stops operating. The touch sensor is pivoted by means of a gear assembly driven by the driving motor. When the arm is rotated and reaches a proper position, a worm and a worm wheel of the gear assembly are rotated until a camshaft is brought into contact with a stopper. The arm is moved toward the cutting tool and the cutting tool is brought into contact with the touch sensor in accordance with a program that is preprogramedly input into the computerized numerically controlled lathe.
US08069753B2	Rotary ratchet wrench A hand tool is disclosed. The hand tool has a gripping portion and a distal end with an attachment end disposed thereon. A ratcheting mechanism is combined with the attachment end to provide ratcheting action. A rotatable head is combined with the attachment end and engaged with the ratcheting mechanism. The rotatable head comprises a plurality of sockets and in some embodiments the rotatable head has four sockets of different size spaced thereon.
US08069751B2	E-Z lid lifter The “invention” is a unique device that has but one relevant purpose and that is to engage both regular and large mouthed mason jars that have been vacuum sealed with a “dome lid” (without a ring), thus attached by a user screwing the invention's two tiered body onto the selected mason jar. The top tier of the invention receives a regular mouthed mason jar while the lower tier receives a large mouthed mason jar. Once screwed onto the existing jar the user depresses the appropriate level leaf spring, thus inserting the associated lifting pin underneath the lip of the present dome lid and then, while holding the mechanism inward, the user unscrews the invention's body causing a counterclockwise and upward force on the dome lid via the lifting pin separating the dome lid from the mason jar, opening it.
US08069741B2	Modular split shaft transfer case A split shaft transfer case includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion that are secured together along a plane of engagement to form an enclosure. An input shaft and an output shaft that are each supported for rotation about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the plane of engagement defined by the first and second housing portions. A first operating shaft is supported for rotation about an axis of rotation, and a first operating clutch selectively connects the first operating shaft to the input shaft for rotation therewith. A second operating shaft supported for rotation about an axis of rotation, and a second operating clutch selectively connects the second operating shaft to the input shaft for rotation therewith. The axis of rotation of at least one of the first and second operating shafts is movable relative to the axis of rotation of the input and output shafts.
US08069738B2	Probe The present invention relates to a probe having an elongated main body with a proximal end for attachment to a wall of a duct or volume and a distal end that is disposed on the interior of the duct, such that the main body forms a measurement space through which the fluid is drawn for analysis.
US08069737B2	Force sensing system for a tensioned flexible member A force sensing system comprising a force sensor cell with the necessary electronics to acquire and process various signals. The signals may provide force measurement data for activities performed, for instance, on a weight stack exercise machine.
US08069736B2	Torque sensor The present invention aims at detecting torque with a high degree of precision, by suppressing influences such as disturbance and rotation dependency. An output side cylinder is provided with a reference slit, and an input side cylinder is provided with a first detection slit and a second detection slit, which overlap the reference slit, the overlap amount between the first detection slit and the reference slit changing inversely with the overlap amount between the second detection slit and the reference slit, magnetic flux is applied from the inner side of the input side cylinder by a first drive coil and a second drive coil, a measuring circuit detects a phase difference between a phase of a detection signal for detecting the magnetic flux by a first detection coil provided on a position facing to the first detection slit on the outer side of the output side cylinder, and a phase of a detection signal for detecting the magnetic flux by a second detection coil provided on a position facing to the second detection slit on the outer side of the output side cylinder, and based on the phase difference, a torsion amount of the torsion bar is calculated. The directions of the magnetic flux generated by the first drive coil and second drive coil are opposite to each other.
US08069735B1	Tactile sensor array for soft tissue elasticity imaging A tactile sensor array includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer with a two-phase compressible dielectric material therebetween. A ferroelectret film is used as a dielectric layer. In some embodiments, to improve sensor sensitivity and at the same time provide for high stability and reproducibility of sensor readings, the ferroelectret film is vented to atmosphere via a venting network of channels traversing at least one electrode layer and a curved rigid substrate. In some embodiments, an elastic supporting structure is provided that comprises individual elastic fastening elements connecting all layers of the sensor together. These individual elastic fastening elements are located throughout the layers of the sensor and prevent cross-talk between the individual sensors that may be caused by local shifts of parts of the sensor during use.
US08069732B2	Ultra-miniature multi-hole probes having high frequency, high temperature responses Embodiments of an ultra miniature pressure probe are disclosed. The pressure probe can include a probe body, a plurality of transducer ports, and a plurality of transducers. The probe body can be a longitudinal tubular body having a front conical end. The transducer ports can be disposed about the front end of the body. The transducers can be leadless SOI transducers, each having an active deflection area associated with a semiconductor substrate. Each transducer can be in communication with a header for supporting the transducer. The header can have a thickness substantially less than the probe diameter and can comprise a flange about an edge of the header. Each of the plurality of transducer ports can define an aperture and a counter-bore, wherein each transducer is positionable in an associated transducer port with the flange of the header of the transducer being welded to the counter-bore of the transducer port.
US08069728B2	Apparatus for optimizing system performance and related control methods Focusing on the criterion of “Energy save” or “Quiet noise” or other suitable operating parameter and considering the existing limitation of the operation of the electro-dynamic shaker system, apparatus for optimizing the operating condition of the vibration test system is proposed. The apparatus 100 measures the field current and drive current under the state that the desired vibration is fed to the specimen 20, and calculates the necessary force the shaker 1 should supply. Field current is supposed to be varied, and the necessary drive current is calculated based on the necessary force data. Further, the blower rotation is supposed to be varied, and the total power consumption at the coils and the blower is calculated. Also the temperatures of the field coil 4 and of the drive coil 10 is estimated and checked whether within the limitation. Then the optimal operating condition for the focused criterion is selected.
US08069722B1	Tank gage hatch assembly A tank gage assembly is provided including a tank gage antenna operatively couplable to a tank gage; a cover coupled to the tank gage antenna; a gage hatch flange including an opening and being coupled to the cover and structured to be coupled to a tank; and a hinge having a first hinge member secured to the gage hatch flange, and a second hinge member secured to the cover, the hinge being movable between a first position in which the cover is spaced apart from the opening and a second position in which the antenna and cover substantially cover the opening.
US08069718B2	Thermal flowmeter A simply configured thermal flowmeter can provide high measurement accuracy over a long period of time by suppressing the characteristics degradation due to adhering contaminants. On the surface of a diaphragm part, a heater resistor is formed. Temperature difference sensors through are disposed on the two sides of the heater resistor (upstream and downstream sides in the flow direction of an air stream). The temperature difference sensors are disposed upstream of the heater resistor while the temperature difference sensors are disposed downstream of the heater resistor. Outside the temperature difference sensors, heating temperature sensors are formed. Control is performed so that the temperature of the heating temperature sensors is set higher than the air stream temperature by a certain degree. Therefore, even if contaminants adhere to the sensor device, the temperature of the heating temperature sensors is held constant. Since the temperature difference sensors to detect the flow rate is located between the heating temperature sensors, the temperature change due to the contamination is small. This suppresses the characteristics degradation, making it possible to provide high measurement accuracy over a long period of time.
US08069717B2	Method for diagnosing machine fault by analyzing hydraulic fluid Method for monitoring conditions within a plurality of machines that receive fluid from a common source includes providing a supply line extending from the common source to an inlet at each of the machines. A return line is also provided that extends from an outlet at each of the machines to the common source to return fluid from each of the machines to the common source. A particulate filter is provided at the outlet of each of the machines so that each of the particulate filters will capture the particulates that were added to the fluid in the particular one of the machines with which that filter is associated. The particulate filters are periodically examined to determine the buildup of particulates that were generated within that particular machine. The particulate build up indicates whether or not a machine is in need of repair.
US08069713B2	Method for evaluating the plausibility of a pressure difference value determined across a particle filter In a method for achieving plausibility of a pressure difference value by means of a particle filter, a pressure difference value is allocated to each charging pressure of the internal combustion engine. As a result, the identification of a faulty pressure difference value occurs when the detected pressure difference value is outside a limit range of the detected charging pressure value.
US08069700B2	Effort-saving hand tool An effort-saving hand tool includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a connection shaft, and a third shaft. The first shaft has a first end, a second end, and a pivot point located between the first end and the second end. The second end of the first shaft includes a first loading part. The second shaft has a first end and a second end. The pivot point of the first shaft is pivoted to the first end of the second shaft. The second end of the second shaft includes a second loading part. The connection shaft has a first end pivoted to the first shaft. The third shaft has a slender rear part, a first side, and a second side. The first side of the third shaft is pivoted to the second shaft. The second side of the third shaft is pivoted to a second end of the connection shaft.
US08069694B2	Key device Rotation of a rotating member to a predetermined rotational position is properly regulated by a regulating member even when a thickness of the regulating member in a rotating shaft direction is made smaller. In a steering lock device, a pair of restricting portions formed in a release frame of a release link is disposed at both-sides of a link in front- and rear-direction, so restricts tilt of the link to both-sides in the front- and rear-direction. For this reason, even if thickness of the link in the front- and rear-direction in the vicinity of the shaft is made smaller, when rotation of a cam shaft from an “ACC” position to a “LOCK” position is regulated by the link, tilt of the link to both-sides in the front- and rear-direction can be suppressed, so that the link can properly regulate rotation of the cam shaft from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position.
US08069693B2	Floating J-hooks between two bushings in housing with a single piston A lock mechanism for locking at least one door of a container in a closed position includes first and second members slidably coupled to each other to move relative to each other, a latching mechanism configured to prevent the two members from moving relative to each other in at least one direction when the latching mechanism is in a locked state, and first and second lock members, each of the lock members including a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first and second lock members protrude through the body. The second end of the first lock member is coupled to the first member of the locking mechanism and the second end of the second lock member being coupled to the second member of the locking mechanism. The first ends of the first and second lock members are configured to engage portions of the container to lock the at least one container door in a closed position. The body is sized and disposed to support the first and second lock members to prevent rotation of the first and second lock members about points where the first and second lock members are attached to the first and second members of the latching mechanism. The lock mechanism further includes a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the body. The lock circuit includes a lock controller coupled to the latching mechanism and configured to receive commands related to the operation of the lock mechanism, wherein the lock controller is configured to cause the latching mechanism to be in the locked state in response to the received commands.
US08069690B2	Apparatus and method for fabricating glass bodies using an aerosol delivery system A method of fabricating a glass body that includes a multiplicity of constituents, at least one of which is a dopant (e.g., a rare-earth element) having a low vapor pressure (LVP) precursor comprises the steps of: (a) generating an aerosol from the LVP precursor; (b) separately generating vapors of the other constituents; (c) convecting the aerosol and vapors to deposition system including a substrate; and (d) forming at least one doped layer on a surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the method also includes filtering the aerosol so as to remove aerosol particles outside of a particular range of sizes. Also described is a unique aerosol generator that is particularly useful in generating aerosols of rare-earth dopants. Particular embodiments directed to the fabrication of Yb-doped optical fibers are described.
US08069676B2	Water vapor distillation apparatus, method and system A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid.
US08069674B2	Thermoelectric personal environment appliance A personal environment appliance is disclosed in which a person in a localized area can individually control the ambient conditions of the person's localized area. The control permits highly localized adjustment to suit individual preferences, thereby, reducing the impact of individual environmental preferences on the individuals. In addition to environment conditions, a variety of accessories may be provided such as beverage heaters and/or coolers.
US08069668B2	Method and system for autonomous load sharing A method of autonomously sharing a load between at least two output generation devices, the method including: providing at least two output generation devices, wherein the at least two output generation devices operate autonomously with respect to one another and the at least two output generation devices are in fluid communication with output receiving means adapted to receive output generated by the at least two output generation devices; monitoring output generated by the output generation devices; and cycling each of the at least two devices through an activated mode and a standby mode independently of one another in an automated manner to meet an output demand thereby sharing a load demand between the at least two output generation devices.
US08069667B2	Deaerator apparatus in a superatmospheric condenser system A power generating system comprises a condenser and a deaerator apparatus. The condenser condenses a working fluid into a condensate and operates at an internal pressure above ambient pressure during a normal operating mode. The deaerator apparatus uses steam to remove contaminants from the condensate to bring the condensate to a desirable purity. The deaerator apparatus is deactivated during a typical operating state of the power generating system such that the condensate bypasses the deaerator apparatus. The deaerator apparatus is activated during a non-typical operating state of the power generating system such that the condensate passes into the deaerator apparatus wherein contaminants can be removed from the condensate. The typical operating state of the power generating system occurs when the condensate comprises a desirable purity and the non-typical operating state of the power generating system occurs when the condensate comprises an undesirable purity.
US08069654B2	Optimized rhodium usage in LNT SCR system Rhodium utilization in LNT/SCR-based exhaust after treatment systems for medium and heavy duty trucks is reduced by operating inline fuel reformers in a certain manner. The fuel processors are operated at steam reforming temperatures to produce a reformate-containing exhaust having a hydrogen to CO ratio of at least about 3:2 or at least about 3% hydrogen, This generally involves operating the fuel reformers at temperatures from about 500 to about 625° C. and with an overall fuel to air ratio from about 1.10 to about 1.40. In this manner, regeneration can be efficiently carried out while limiting the catalyst loading of the fuel processors to no more than about 1.0 grams rhodium per liter maximum displacement of the diesel engine and the catalyst loading of the LNTs to no more than about 0.50 grams rhodium per liter maximum displacement of the diesel engine.
US08069652B2	Control apparatus and method for internal combustion engine A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine has an oxygen storage volume computing unit for computing an oxygen storage volume of a catalyst by using a real air/fuel ratio detected by an air/fuel ratio sensor installed on the upstream side of a catalyst, a center air/fuel ratio representing a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and an estimated air flow volume or detecting a flow rate of air flowing into the catalyst. A center air/fuel ratio correcting unit for correcting a center air/fuel ratio based on output of a rear air/fuel ratio sensor provided on the downstream side of the catalyst, and an oxygen storage volume computed by an oxygen storage volume computing unit, and the oxygen storage volume computing unit computes an oxygen storage volume by using a center air/fuel ratio corrected by the center air/fuel ratio correcting unit.
US08069651B2	Machine, engine system and operating method A method of operating an engine system includes compressing intake air, restricting exhaust flow from the engine via a flow restriction device, and supplying compressor air to a compressed air subsystem of the engine during restricting exhaust flow. Supplying of compressor air may occur by selectively actuating a pressure control device to fluidly connect an inlet of a compressed air subsystem with the compressor. An associated machine and engine system include a compressor, a flow restriction device, a compressed air subsystem and a pressure control device to selectively fluidly connect the compressed air subsystem with the compressor when the flow restriction device is in a relatively more closed configuration.
US08069649B2	Exhaust emission purifying apparatus for engine When a concentration measured by a sensor is lower than a predetermined threshold, it is judged that a liquid is any different type of aqueous solution, and also, it is judged whether or not the different type discrimination is adequate. When the discrimination is adequate, the number of different type discriminating times is counted up based on a predetermined counted value, and when the number thereof is equal to or larger than a determination threshold, the different type discrimination is determined. At this time, at least one of the predetermined counted value and the determination threshold is dynamically set based on a liquid level of a reducing agent tank, so that the counting and/or the different type discriminating determination is performed considering convection which is changed according to a level change to thereby discriminate with high precision whether or not the liquid is the different type of aqueous solution.
US08069637B2	Bag sealing system and method A system for sealing thermoplastic film includes one or more bag sealing units, each comprising a lower vacuum platen and a vacuum chamber cover adapted for sealing engagement on the platen to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly includes a sealing bar designed for constant heated operation and a pair of cooling plates which function as heat sinks. The sealing bar assembly is pneumatically reciprocated between a raised, disengaged position and a lowered position with the sealing bar engaging the neck of a bag for hermetically sealing same. The cooling plates clamp the bag neck against a sealing support assembly. A method of sealing a thermoplastic film bag includes the steps of placing a packaging object in a thermoplastic bag and placing the bag on a cradle with the bag neck extending over a bag support assembly. A. vacuum chamber cover is placed on the platen and evacuated to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly melds the thermoplastic to form a sealed area across the bag neck. A cutoff knife blade severs the end of the bag beyond a sealed area, which extends across its neck.
US08069634B2	Lifting system and apparatus for constructing and enclosing wind turbine towers An apparatus and method for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. In one aspect the apparatus generally includes a ginpole that is used to assemble the tower and a lifting frame or truss that is removably secured to a top bay assembly of the tower using the ginpole. The lifting frame or truss is operated using either cables or hydraulic rams and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground followed by the ginpole being lowered to the ground.
US08069630B2	System and method for interlocking support blocks A system and method for forming a filter media support system with multiple locking mechanisms. The support system comprises two or more interlocking rows of support blocks. One or more slides and one or more guides protrude from the side walls of the blocks. Each guide is conformed to receive one slide from a neighboring block, forming a first locking joint. The side walls also comprise one or more nubs and one or more recesses. Each nub is conformed to fit within one recess of a neighboring block, forming a second locking joint. In one embodiment, the method for assembling the support system comprises aligning a slide of a first support block with a guide of a second support block. The slide of the first support block is vertically moved into the guide of the second support block. Force is applied so that the nubs are flexed within the recesses.
US08069629B2	Process for manufacturing insulated siding A siding panel assembly includes an ornamental facing and a first insulation layer made from fibrous insulating material. That fibrous insulating material includes polymer fibers and glass fibers, polymer fibers, natural fibers and mixtures thereof. A method for making the siding panel assembly includes the steps of cutting a groove in and molding a first surface of a sheet of the insulation layer to match in profile a concavity in the ornamental facing and assembling the insulation layer and the ornamental facing.
US08069628B2	Ring furnaces with improved expansion joints and bricks designed to build it The invention relates to ring furnaces of which at least one of the inner partitions is formed by a plurality of bricks made of refractory material including at least a first brick and a second brick placed above or below a third brick and separated from one another by a space of width J, in which the first brick has at least one recess on its assembly face opposite the third brick, the third brick has at least one projection on its assembly face facing the first brick, wherein the projection is inserted into the recess, the dimension E of said recess in the longitudinal direction of the partition is greater than the dimension B of said first projection in the same direction, and said recess is positioned at a determined distance Se from the end face adjacent to said space.
US08069626B2	Sanitary platform utilizing a web bracket This patent pertains to a platform device upon which a person, equipment or both are supported above a ground surface in which the build-up of debris and moisture is impeded. The sanitary platform system is comprised of two or more main rails having square cross-sections that are on diamond and are side-by-side with a space between the main rails; one or more standard web brackets comprised of a plate, two or more tabs and a perimeter defining an opening for receiving a main rail on diamond which are mounted in spaced-apart relation along the length of each of the main rails; two or more vertical legs supporting each of the main rails above the ground surface, and one or more deck plates welded to the tabs of the standard web bracket.
US08069610B2	Adjustable window lifter guide rail A device and method for adjusting a mounting position of a window lifter guide rail of a motor vehicle window, particularly in a frameless motor vehicle door. The device comprises a locking member which includes a lower member, an upper member, and a screw that extends through the locking member. The screw is in engagement with a nut that may be rotated to adjust the mounting position of the guide rail in a vertical direction. The upper and lower members may also be moved relative to one another to adjust the mounting position of the guide rail in a horizontal direction.
US08069602B2	Adjustable dual stage trigger mechanism for semi-automatic weapons A dual stage trigger assembly for a firearm. The trigger assembly comprises a spring loaded lightweight hammer, a spring loaded trigger, a spring loaded disconnector, a spring follower for the disconnector spring and two adjustment screws that allow the user the ability to adjust the sear face of the trigger that is engaged with the hammer in the cocked position and adjust the force imparted to the disconnector by the disconnector spring.
US08069599B2	Double bridged tag A tag comprising: a hang tab body; a hang tab; a ratchet; a cutting channel; a guide channel; and, a tail, the tail comprising teeth and at least one knob. The tail may be fed through the guide channel and the cutting channel into the ratchet, thereby allowing the ratchet to engage the teeth, which in turn prevents the tail from being disengaged from the ratchet, thereby securing the tag to a product. The product may be easily released by severing the portion of the tag in the cutting channel. The cutting channel can also provide a guide which helps to prevent damaging the product as the tag is remove.
US08069595B2	Garment cleanliness indicator The invention is a product that allows one to determine precisely how many times a particular garment has been worn. By removing the guesswork from the “wash-or-wear equation,” the consumer knows the garment is sufficiently clean, and will generally be able to extend the wearing of the garment between cleanings. Use of the invention will result in the conservation of resources in terms of reduced consumption of water, energy, detergent/softeners, and dry cleaning services; it will also increase the life span of garments as well as cleaning/drying appliances.
US08069587B2	Molded insulated shoe footbed and method of making an insulated footbed A shoe footbed 10 made by first molding a shape-retaining layer 12 into a contoured condition. After the shape-retaining layer 12 has been molded, a layer of thermal insulation 14 is placed on top of the molded layer 12. A conforming layer 16 and a fabric top layer 18 may be placed over the thermal insulation 14 and the shape-retaining layer 12. The inventive method of manufacture is particularly suited for making insulated footbeds that contain nonwoven webs of polymeric microfiber because damage to the fibrous web from heat and compression may be avoided.
US08069586B2	Orthopedic foot appliance An orthopedic foot appliance providing optimal and adaptable comfort and shock absorption while at the same time varying degrees of heel support, arch support and motion control depending on the foot type and footwear. The foot appliance consists of a cushioning insole and a re-attachable support piece for attaching and re-attaching to the insole.
US08069569B2	Utility knife A handle for a utility knife includes a housing made up of two or more portions. In one embodiment, a manually operable member for use in releasing the blade is retained to at least one portion of the housing and does not become separated from the housing when the housing is in an open state. In another embodiment, a catch for engaging the blade extends from a support member that is slidably movable within the housing. In another embodiment, the housing is formed of metal and a nose portion is formed of a metal that is more wear resistant than the rest of the housing, in order to improve the durability of the nose portion. In another embodiment, a bail screw is captured on a first housing portion and threadedly engageable with a second housing portion for (i) releasably securing the first and second housing portions in a fully closed state and, in turn, releasably securing a blade within the blade opening, and (ii) manually positioning at least one of the first and second housing portions in at least one intermediate state between the fully closed state and a fully opened state to, in turn, permit the blade to be manually moved through the blade opening.
US08069568B2	Electric hair removal apparatus An electric hair removal apparatus includes a housing adapted to be held in the hand, a guard cap mounted on the housing for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and a control element with which a switch can be activated. The control element is arranged inside an at least locally circular recess of the guard cap. The pivot axis of the guard cap is constructed to be eccentric relative to the recess of the guard cap.
US08069562B2	Method of manufacturing a brush seal for sealing between stationary and rotary components A method of manufacturing a brush seal includes the steps of maintaining a pair of first elongated frames spaced from one another on a fixture; wrapping wire strands about and longitudinally along the pair of frames in multiple longitudinal wire passes forming wire runs; disposing two pairs of first elongated plates between the wire runs at respective locations spaced from one another along the wire runs and at an angle to the wrapped strands with the plates of each of two pairs lying parallel to and in registration with one another; clamping two pairs of second elongated plates at second respective locations along an outside of the wire runs with each pair of the second plates registering with each pair of the first plates, the two pairs of second plates extending generally parallel to the pairs of the first plates; cutting the wrapped strands outside of and beyond the first and second pairs of plates forming two wire strand runs with both ends of each of the runs disposed between and straddled by the first and second pairs of plates; welding the cut strand runs and the pair of plates straddling the both ends of the runs; and cutting the wire strand runs intermediate the welded ends of the strand runs to form two bristle packs from each of runs and from which the bristle packs form the brush seals.
US08069552B2	Method of manufacturing rotor magnet for micro rotary electric machine A method of manufacturing a rotor magnet for a micro rotary electric machine is provided which includes steps of: a process in which a plurality of thick films, each of which is made of nanocomposite texture composed of αFe and R-TM-B where R is either 10 to 20 atomic % Nd or 10 to 20 atomic % Pr, B is 5 to 20 atomic % and TM is either Fe or partly Co-substituted Fe with 0 to 16 atomic %, are formed into a laminated magnet including isotropic nano-crystalline texture which contains αFe and R2TM14B and which has a remanence, Mr, of 0.95 T or more; and a process where the laminated magnet is multi-polar magnetized in-plane of the thick films.
US08069550B2	Method for providing tooth halves with removable tooth tips for an electrical machine In a method for constructing a linear motor, each tooth of a plurality of teeth is provided with two separate tooth halves with removable tooth tips. After removing the tooth tips to expose an open end of the tooth halves, a prewound coil is pushed over the open end of the two tooth halves of each tooth up to an end position, and a magnet is inserted between the two tooth halves of each tooth. The tooth halves have a thickness between the open end and the end position which does not exceed a thickness of the tooth halves at the end position.
US08069537B2	Fastener products and related methods Fastener products and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the fastener products include an elongate strap defining an aperture and a row of projections extending from the elongate strap. A portion of the elongate strap including one or more of the projections can be passed through the aperture to retain the fastener product in a fastened state.
US08069533B2	Coupling device for a baby crib frame structure A coupling device is adapted to be connected foldably to a pair of frame rods of a baby crib frame structure. The coupling device includes a coupling seat, two rod coupling components adapted to be connected respectively to the frame rods and coupled movably to the coupling seat, two locking components connected movably to the coupling seat for preventing and permitting movement of the rod coupling components, and a release unit. The release unit includes a linking component extending between the locking components and formed with two guide holes, a pair of coupling pins extending respectively through and movable respectively along the guide holes and connected respectively to the locking components, and a biasing member. The linking component is movable from an initial position to drive movement of the locking components to permit movement of the rod coupling components, and is biased by the biasing member to the initial position.
US08069531B2	Deck cleaning tool An improved deck cleaning tool includes a rigid blade with a sharply angled front end and adapted to dislodge debris build-up commonly found between planks of outdoor decks is supported by a plate having an aperture connected to a rigid and hollow conduit having a handle at its distal end. The distal end further adapts to couple to a common shop or wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
US08069529B2	Handheld vacuum cleaner A handheld vacuum cleaner including an inlet, an outlet, and a dust cup having an aperture. The dust cup is in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet and is configured to retain debris collected by the handheld vacuum cleaner. A fan is configured to draw air through the inlet and the dust cup and to discharge air through the outlet. A door is adjacent to the dust cup and includes the inlet. The door is movable between an open position to allow a user to empty the debris collected within the dust cup through the aperture of the dust cup and a closed position to inhibit debris from being emptied through the aperture of the dust cup and to allow debris to be collected through the inlet and through the aperture of the dust cup. A biasing member configured to bias the door toward the open position.
US08069525B2	Roller brush and method for production thereof In a process for the production of a roll brush the first step consists of extruding a retaining profile 2 of plastic, which through the fill 3 with bristles forms a strip brush 1 as an intermediate product, the strip brush 1 being subsequently helically wound on a winding mandrel 4 with the adjoining side faces 6,7 of the retaining profiles 2 being glued or fused to form a roll brush.
US08069522B2	In-situ bwr and pwr CRUD flake analysis method and tool The invention provides a method and tool to perform an analysis of CRUD on a nuclear fuel rod. The method recites providing a nuclear fuel rod with a layer of CRUD on an exterior of the fuel rod, scraping the CRUD from the fuel rod with a CRUD scraping tool and collecting CRUD flakes from the CRUD scraping tool. The method also provides for sorting the CRUD flakes into particle fractions, and analyzing the CRUD with a scanning electron microscope, wherein the scraping tool has a blade with a rigidity that is matched to an anticipated CRUD deposit shear strength.
US08069511B1	Powered emergency medical transporter A gurney includes a platform connected to a frame by two pairs of X-connected arms configured to reduce the amount of power required to raise the platform from its lowest position relative to the frame. A voltage doubling circuit is provided to approximately double the voltage applied to the motor to allow the platform to be raised and lowered relatively faster than normal. A rotating shaft in an internally threaded nut moves a cross beam to raise or lower the platform. The nut has interior bearings to reduce the friction between the shaft and the nut. A detent mechanism and a brake structure provide fail-safe locking of the platform at a plurality of heights.
US08069499B2	Helmet shield attaching mechanism, and helmet attached with the same A helmet shield attaching mechanism with which when raising a shield, the shield and/or an anti-fogging auxiliary shield will not catch on a window opening rim member for a head protecting body, in spite that the operation of raising the shield in a fully-closed state is comparatively simple and that the mechanism has a comparatively simple structure. The helmet shield attaching mechanism includes a stationary base member fixing to the head protecting body, a movable base member attaching to the stationary base member so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the stationary base member, and the shield which is pivotally supported by the movable base member. When a substantially upward force acts on the shield which is in a fully-closed state, at least one cam follower provided to the shield or stationary base member relatively follows at least one cam surface formed on the stationary base member or shield, to move the shield forward substantially to the front side.
US08069495B2	Wearable protective barrier with detachable hand and instrument covers A wearable, protective barrier comprising a garment having removably attached covers to protect hands and/or instruments placed therein. The covers can be removably affixed to various locations on the garment that would allow them to be detached from the garment before or after insertion of a hand. Various tabs located on the covers aid in inserting and adjusting the covers on the hand and/or instrument. In a specific embodiment, the covers and/or garment comprise one or more heat sensitive materials, such that some portion of a cover can be temporarily heat-sealed to the garment for later removal. In a further embodiment, the garment and covers are sterile and disposable.
US08069494B2	Puncture and cut resistant material The invention is a garment that is made from an elastic and puncture resistant material that provides protection to the wearer against shark attacks. The garment includes at least one elastic base layer, a plurality of protective elements that overlap each other to form a protective layer, and a fabric layer to join the elastic material and the protective element against each other. The protective elements are rigid, but configured in such a way to maintain flexibility in the overall garment.

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