Document	Document Title
US08164095B2	Semiconductor device wherein a property of a first semiconductor layer is different from a property of a second semiconductor layer It is an object to provide a semiconductor device which has a large size and operates at high speed. A top gate transistor which includes a semiconductor layer of single-crystal and a bottom gate transistor which includes a semiconductor layer of amorphous silicon (microcrystalline silicon) are formed over the same substrate. Then, gate electrodes of each transistor are formed with the same layer, and source and drain electrodes are also formed with the same layer. Thus, manufacturing steps are reduced. In other words, two types of transistors can be manufactured by adding only a few steps to the manufacturing process of a bottom gate transistor.
US08164091B2	Multi-purpose poly edge test structure Multi-purpose poly edge test structure. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a test structure. The test structure includes a doped silicon substrate, the doped silicon substrate being grounded, the doped silicon substrate including a first gate structure and a second gate structure, the first and second gate structures overlaying the doped silicon substrate. The test structure also includes a first conducting pad being electrically coupled to the first gate structure. The test structure also includes a second conducting pad being electrically coupled to the second gate structure.
US08164087B2	Organic semiconductor compositions with nanoparticles A composition, comprising a medium of organic molecules, a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in the medium, and a coating chemically bonded to a surface of the nanoparticles, wherein the composition is a semiconducting solid.
US08164082B2	Spin-bus for information transfer in quantum computing A spin bus quantum computing architecture includes a spin bus formed of multiple strongly coupled and always on qubits that define a string of spin qubits. A plurality of information bearing qubits are disposed adjacent a qubit of the spin bus. Electrodes are formed to the information bearing qubits and the spin bus qubits to allow control of the establishment and breaking of coupling between qubits to allow control of the establishment and breaking of coupling between each information bearing qubit and the spin bus qubit adjacent to it. The spin bus architecture allows rapid and reliable long-range coupling of qubits.
US08164067B2	Arrangement and method for the contrast improvement in a charged particle beam device for inspecting a specimen It is provided a charged particle beam device for inspecting a specimen, comprising a charged particle beam source adapted to generate a primary charged particle beam; an objective lens device adapted to direct the primary charged particle beam onto the specimen; and a detector device comprising one or more charged particle detectors adapted to detect a secondary charged particle beam generated by the primary charged particle beam at the specimen and passing through the objective lens device, the secondary charged particle beam comprising a first group of secondary charged particles starting from the specimen with high starting angles and a second group of secondary charged particles starting from the specimen with low starting angles; wherein at least one of the charged particle detectors is adapted to detect depending on the starting angles one group of the first and the second groups of secondary charged particles.
US08164066B2	Magnetic lens, method for focusing charged particles and charged particle energy analyzer The invention provides a magnetic lens for generating a magnetic imaging field to focus charged particles emitted from a sample, the lens comprising a central pole piece and an outer pole piece disposed about the central pole piece, wherein the lens comprises a magnetic moveable element for movement relative to at least one of the pole pieces, whereby a focal length of the lens is variable by said movement of the magnetic moveable element, thereby enabling a zoom facility for changing the magnification of an image. The movement of the moveable element preferably changes the magnetic circuit between the pole pieces. Also provided is a method of focusing charged particles emitted from a sample and a charged particle energy analyzer, such as an imaging photoelectron spectroscopy system.
US08164061B2	Method and apparatus for a universal infrared analyzer A universal infrared analyzer that includes a tunable optical filter capable of being tuned to one of a selectable set of wavelengths of radiation by a controller accessing a database of a plurality of function specific settings and function specific signatures. The plurality of function specific settings includes settings for al least one of intruder detection, chemical detection, structural integrity detection, medical applications detection, and gas detection. The analyzer also includes a user input interface, for manually selecting one of the function specific settings and one of the function specific signatures. The controller tunes the tunable optical filter to one of the selectable set of wavelengths of radiation based upon the selected one of the function specific settings and a focal plane array generates a signature based upon a target detected by the focal plane array.
US08164059B2	In-chamber electron detector A secondary particle detector 302 for a charged particle beam system 300 includes a scintillator 304 and a transducer 312, such as a photomultiplier tube, positioned within a vacuum chamber 107. Unlike prior art Everhart-Thornley detectors, the photomultiplier is positioned within the vacuum chamber, which improves detection by eliminating optical couplings and provides flexibility in positioning the detector.
US08164052B2	Mass spectrometer A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an Electron Transfer Dissociation cell (1). Positive analyte ions are fragmented into fragment ions upon colliding with singly charged negative reagent ions with the cell (1). The cell comprises a plurality of ring electrodes (1) which form a spherical trapping volume. Ions experience negligible RF heating over the majority, of the trapping volume which enables the kinetic energy of the analyte and reagent ions to be reduced to just above thermal temperatures. An Electron Transfer Dissociation cell (1) having an enhanced sensitivity is thereby provided. Fragment ions created within the cell (1) may be cooled and may be transmitted onwardly to an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser enabling a significant improvement in the resolution of the mass analyser to be obtained.
US08164050B2	Multi-channel source assembly for downhole spectroscopy A multi-channel source assembly for downhole spectroscopy has individual sources that generate optical signals across a spectral range of wavelengths. A combining assembly optically combines the generated signals into a combined signal and a routing assembly that splits the combined signal into a reference channel and a measurement channel. Control circuitry electrically coupled to the sources modulates each of the sources at unique or independent frequencies during operation.
US08164048B2	Nuclear gauges and methods of configuration and calibration of nuclear gauges Nuclear gauges and method of configuration and methods of calibrations of the nuclear gauges are provided. The nuclear gauges are used in measuring the density and/or moisture of construction-related materials. The nuclear gauge can include a gauge housing having a vertical cavity therethrough and at least one radiation detector located within the housing. The nuclear gauge can include a vertically moveable source rod and a radiation source operatively positioned within a distal end of the source rod.
US08164033B2	Stage, substrate processing apparatus, plasma processing apparatus, control method for stage, control method for plasma processing apparatus, and storage media A stage onto which is electrostatically attracted a substrate to be processed in a substrate processing apparatus, which enables the semiconductor device yield to be improved. A temperature measuring apparatus 200 measures a temperature of the substrate to be processed. A temperature control unit 400 carries out temperature adjustment on the substrate to be processed such as to become equal to a target temperature based on a preset parameter. A temperature control unit 400 controls the temperature of the substrate to be processed by controlling the temperature adjustment by the temperature control unit 400 based on a measured temperature measured by the temperature measuring apparatus 200.
US08164023B2	Method for making backlight module frame An exemplary method for making backlight module frame includes: providing a plurality of metallic sheets cooperatively defining a frame shape, and a positioning device comprising a worktable and a plurality of positioning portions defined at corners of the worktable, wherein each metallic sheet comprises a first positioning protrusion corresponding to the positioning portions, positioning the metallic sheets on the worktable of the positioning device with the first positioning protrusions of the metallic sheets engaging with the positioning portions of the positioning device, welding the metallic sheets together to form a semi-manufactured frame, and pressing the semi-manufactured frame to form a backlight module frame.
US08164016B2	Switching apparatus The invention relates to a switching apparatus (10) for switching a load on and off, in particular a motor or the like in a vehicle, having a housing (20), an operating element (30), a switching element (40), wherein the switching element (40) can be activated by the operating element (30), and at least one switching signal for a control unit can be produced by means of the switching element (40), and the operating element (30) has a symbol element (50). The invention provides for a first optical waveguide element (60) to carry a first light (71) from at least one first light source (70) such that the symbol element (50) is uniformly illuminated.
US08164009B2	Control knob which operates multiple systems A control knob capable of operating multiple systems has a first rotational body and a second rotational body coaxially arranged, and a shaft connected to the second rotational body. Opposite the shaft, a movable body is moved axially in response to rotation of the first rotational body. Engaging units have concaves or convexes, for example, similar to teeth. The engaging units are provided on the shaft or the movable body. An engaged unit is elastically biased toward one of the engaging units, and engages the concaves or convexes. In use, the control knob may be configured to permit selection of a function by rotation of the first rotational body, and to permit adjustment of the function by rotation of the second rotational body.
US08164007B2	Conductive elastomeric seal and method of fabricating the same Method for fabricating a conductive elastomeric seal, which includes a set of springs plated with an electrically conductive material. Initially, the set of springs can be held in a z-axis position in a mold cavity shaped like a seal. A liquid elastomer can be injected into the mold cavity in such a manner that the elastomer can be over molded around and through coils of each spring. Finally, the elastomer seal with the springs can be removed from the mold cavity, when the elastomer is cured. Ends of each spring can be kept free from the elastomer during over-molding such that the elastomeric seal can provide an electrical contact with a pressure sensor die and electrical leads molded into a sensor housing. Such a conductive elastomeric seal can prevent a die-edge shorting with the sense die in order to achieve long-term sensor reliability and performance.
US08164004B2	Embedded circuit structure and fabricating process of the same A fabricating process for an embedded circuit structure is provided. A through hole is formed in a core panel and penetrates the core panel. Two indent patterns are respectively formed on two opposite surfaces of the core panel. A conductive material is electroplated into the through hole and the indent patterns, so as to form a conductive channel in the through hole and two circuit patterns in the indent patterns respectively. Portions of the circuit patterns, which exceed the indent patterns respectively, are removed for planarizing the circuit patterns to be level with the two surfaces of the core panel respectively.
US08164000B2	Flexible printed circuit boards including carbon nanotube bundles A flexible printed circuit board base film for flexible printed circuit boards includes a sheet of flexible polymer matrix and a number of carbon nanotube bundles embedded in the polymer matrix. Each of the nanotubes bundles are spaced apart from each other. The flexible polymer matrix includes a first surface and a second surface. Due to the high thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes, heat can be efficiently conducted from the first surface to the second surface of the flexible printed circuit board base film. The present invention also provides a flexible laminate made from the flexible printed circuit board base film and a flexible printed circuit boards made from the flexible laminate.
US08163994B2	Fixing structure for electrical junction box and cassette A fixing structure for an electrical junction box and a cassette, the fixing structure being adapted to fix the cassette on a side wall outer surface of the electrical junction box. A locking portion is provided on an outer surface of the cassette. A rib plate that extends in a vertical direction and projects downward adjacent to the locking portion to come into contact with the side wall outer surface. A counterpart locking portion to be locked on the locking portion is provided on the side wall outer surface. An engaging stepped-portion receives a lower end of the rib plate. When the locking portion and the counterpart locking portion are coupled to and locked on one another, the rib plate comes into contact with the side wall outer surface, and a lower end of the rib plate comes into contact with the engaging stepped-portion to restrict rotation of the cassette.
US08163993B2	Apparatus, method, and system for grounding support structures using an integrated grounding electrode Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for grounding outdoor light poles, as well as other structures, which may be exposed to lightning or other adverse electrical effects and may require a low impedance path to ground. Inventive aspects include a combination of apparatus integral to the pole or other structure and installation considerations whereby the ease of installation, reduction of onsite installation error, and reduction of impedance may be tailored to each installation. An apparatus can include a pre-installed earth grounding electrode at the lower end of the pole or structure to be inserted into the earth. A method can include installing an earth grounding electrode to/on/in a lower end of a pole or structure prior to insertion into the earth.
US08163987B1	Vibrato string retainer bracket The present invention provides a bracket, which can be easily installed to a vibrato device having a string bar with projecting string pins. The bracket facilitates re-stringing the strings through slots which are conveniently placed and readily accessible to the installer.
US08163979B2	Antifungal plant proteins and methods of their use DNA constructions that provide for production of potent antifungal proteins in transgenic plants and transformed yeast cells are described. Methods of using the DNA constructs to produce transgenic plants that inhibit growth of plant pathogenic fungi are also disclosed. The use of transformed yeast cells containing the DNA constructs to produce the antifungal proteins and methods of isolating the antifungal proteins are also described.
US08163978B2	Generation of plants with altered protein, fiber, or oil content The present invention is directed to plants that display an improved oil quantity phenotype or an improved meal quality phenotype due to altered expression of an IMQ nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with an improved oil quantity phenotype or improved meal quality phenotype.
US08163964B2	Processes for producing pentafluoropropenes and certain azeotropes comprising HF and certain halopropenes of the formula C3 HClF4 A process is disclosed for making CF3CF═CHF or a mixture thereof with CF2═CFCHF2. The process involves (i) contacting CH2ClCF2CF3, and optionally CH2FCF2CClF2, in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of dehydrofluorination catalyst to produce CHCl═CFCF3, and, if CH2FCF2CClF2 is present, CHF═CFCClF2; (ii) contacting CHCl═CFCF3, and CHF═CFCClF2, if any, formed in (i) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) in a reaction zone, optionally in the presence of a fluorination catalyst, to produce a product mixture comprising CHF═CFCF3, and, if CHF═CFCClF2 is present, CF2═CFCHF2; and (iii) recovering CF3CF═CHF, or a mixture thereof with CF2═CFCHF2, from the product mixture formed in (ii); and optionally (iv) separating at least a portion of any CF3CF═CHF in the product mixture formed in (ii) from the CF2═CFCHF2 in the product mixture formed in (ii). Also disclosed is an azeotropic composition involving CHCl═CFCF3, CHF═CFCClF2 and HF.
US08163963B2	Process for continuous hydrogenation or hydrogenating amination A process is described for continuously hydrogenating unsaturated compounds, in which particles of a first hydrogenation catalyst are suspended in a liquid phase in which an unsaturated compound is dissolved, the liquid phase, in the presence of a hydrogenous gas at a first partial hydrogen pressure and at a first temperature, is conducted through a packed bubble column reactor in cocurrent counter to the direction of gravity, the effluent from the bubble column reactor is sent to a gas-liquid separation, the liquid phase is sent to a crossfiltration to obtain a retentate and a filtrate, the retentate is recycled into the bubble column reactor and the filtrate, in the presence of a hydrogenous gas at a second partial hydrogen pressure and at a second temperature, is passed over a bed of a second hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the second partial hydrogen pressure is at least 10 bar higher than the first partial hydrogen pressure.
US08163961B2	Process for the preparation of monomers for polybenzimidazole materials Complexes of 2,3,5,6-tetraaminotoluene with an aromatic diacid are prepared by reaction with a divalent salt of the aromatic diacid while maintaining the pH of the reaction solution between 3 and 10. The resulting complexes are suitable for making high molecular weight polybenzimidazole polymers for high-performance fibers.
US08163956B2	Inhibitors of GLYT1 transporters A compound of the formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Ar, A, n and m are defined herein, is disclosed as a GlyT1 inhibitor; pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound of the formula (I) are also disclosed as are their use in medicine, for example in the treatment of schizophrenia.
US08163951B2	Method for producing quaternary ammonium compounds The present invention relates to a process for preparing quaternary ammonium compounds, which comprises reacting compounds comprising an sp3-hybridized nitrogen atom with a dialkyl sulfate or trialkyl phosphate and subjecting the resulting ammonium compound to an anion exchange.
US08163945B2	Extraction of oil from food wastes Raw material such as food waste is scanned by a metal detector (11) and objects or containments removed, the food waste is then ground or macerated by a disintegrator (13), and passed to a live steam kettle (14), then passed to an in-line heater (15) wherein it is raised to and maintained at 80% for 20 minutes. The product is pumped to a three-phase decanter centrifuge (16) where it is separated into solids, water waste and tallow (oily product). The latter is pumped to storage tank (20), using a centrifugal pump (21), while water waste is discharged to effluent while solids are discharged to a container (18).
US08163942B2	Salt of (2S, 3S)-3-[[(1S)-1-isobutoxymethyl-3-methylbutyl]carbamoyl]oxirane-2-carboxylic acid The invention relates to purification of (2S,3S)-3-[[(1S)-1-isobutoxymethyl-3-methylbutyl]carbamoyl]oxirane-2-carboxylic acid [hereinafter, referred to as the carboxylic acid] using the salt of the carboxylic acid with an organic amine selected from the group consisting of piperazine, adamantane amines and others. The invention also relates to providing crystalline sodium salt of the carboxylic acid. The sodium salt is usable as a material for preparing medicaments and improved in storage stability, and has the following characteristics: DSC: exothermic peak observed at a temperature in the range of 170 to 175° C. with weight decrease; and characteristic absorption bands of infrared absorption spectrum (KBr tablet): 3255, 2950, 2860, 1670, 1630, 1550, 1460, 1435, 1395, 1365, 1310, 1260, 1110, 890 cm−1.
US08163936B2	Treatment of CRTH2-mediated diseases and conditions The present invention provides indole derivatives that antagonize prostaglandin D2, and that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases mediated by prostaglandin D2.
US08163934B2	Ultraviolet light absorbing ketones of 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole The invention relates to ultraviolet light absorbing compounds, their preparation and uses as protective agents and stabilizers in coatings, plastics and topically applied products. The compounds are ketone derivatives of 2-(2-hydroxyphenol)benzotriazole of formula I, where R1 is hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom, or a straight-chain or branched lower alkyl or lower alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 is an unsubtituted or substituted aryl group or an unsubstituted or substituted straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a cycloaliphatic group having 5 to 6 carbon atoms; and R3 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkylaryl group or alkoxyl or phenyl or phenyl substituted with alkyl, cycloalkyl, carboalkoxy, chlorine or arylalkyl groups.
US08163927B2	Azabicyclo [3.1.0] hexane derivatives as modulators of dopamine D3 receptors The present invention relates to certain azabicyclic compounds of formula (I)′: wherein the several groups are defined herein and are modulators of dopamine D3 receptors, e.g. to treat drug dependency, as antipsychotic agents, to treat obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders, or premature ejaculation.
US08163921B2	Hepatitis C virus inhibitors Hepatitis C virus inhibitors having the general formula are disclosed. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds to inhibit HCV are also disclosed.
US08163918B2	Azaindazole compounds as CCR1 receptor antagonists Disclosed are compounds of the formula (I), useful for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are mediated or sustained through the activity of CCR1 including autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Also disclosed are intermediates thereof, and methods of making and methods of using same.
US08163914B2	Acetamide and carboxamide derivatives of azaadamantane and methods of use thereof The invention relates to compounds that are acetamide and carboxamide derivatives of azaadamantane, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions.
US08163910B2	Amide-substituted xanthene dyes The present invention provides amide-substituted xanthene fluorescent dyes and reagent for the introduction of phosphonate or sulfo groups into the fluorescent dyes.
US08163909B2	Substituted hydroxyethyl amine compounds as beta-secretase modulators and methods of use The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I or Formula II wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, B, R3, R4, R5 and W of Formula I, and R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R2a, R3, R4, R5, A1, A2, A3, A4, W, X, Z, m and n of Formula II are defined herein. The invention also provides compounds of Formula III, sub-Formulas II-A-II-D, sub-Formulas III-A-III-D and Formula IV. The invention further includes use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of disorders and conditions related to the activity of beta-secretase protein. Such disorders include, for example, AD, cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas I, II, III, IV and sub-formulas thereof, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of Formulas I, II, III, IV and sub-formulas thereof.
US08163906B2	Dihydroquinone and dihydronaphthridine inhibitors of JNK Compounds of formula I are effective modulators of JNK: wherein X is CR11 or N; Y is —C(O)R3, 5-membered heteroaryl, or 5-membered heterocyclyl; Z is phenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl, and is substituted with R1 and R2; R1 and R2 are each independently H, halo, CN, lower alkyl, or —Y1—Y2—Y3—R8, or R1 and R2 together form —O(CH2)nO—, where n is 1 or 2; Y1 is —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)NR9—, —NR9C(O)—, —S—, —SO2—, or a bond; Y2 is cycloalkylene, heterocycloalkylene, lower alkylene or a bond; Y3 is —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)NR9—, —NR9C(O)—, —SO2—, or a bond; R8 is H, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or —NR9R10, wherein R8 other than H is optionally substituted with lower alkyl, halo, —CF3, or —OH; R9 and R10 are each independently H or lower alkyl; R3 is OH, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, (lower alkoxy)-lower alkoxy, or —NR9R10; R4 is lower alkyl, phenyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or heteroaryl, and is optionally substituted with lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo, nitro, amino, cyano, or halo-lower alkyl; R5 and R6 are each independently H, halo, cyano, lower alkyl, —CF3, lower alkoxy, —OCHF2, —NO2, or —NR9R10; R7 is H, F, Cl, methyl, or OH; R11 is H, lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, or phenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08163900B2	Seven-membered heterocyclic carbenes and their metal complexes Disclosed are carbenes of the general formula: and including salts thereof, and metal complexes thereof. The carbenes are useful in any reaction where carbenes and carbene-metal complexes are used. The carbenes disclosed herein are particularly useful in asymmetric catalysis.
US08163898B2	4-sulfonylpiperidine derivatives [PROBLEMS]To provide compounds useful as preventives or remedies for circulatory diseases, nervous diseases, metabolic diseases, reproductive system diseases, and digestive diseases.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS]Compounds represented by the general formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein R1 is C1-6 alkyl, C3-8 cycloalkyl, or the like; R2 is phenyl, heteroaryl, or the like; Q is N or CH; and M1, M2, M3 and M4 are each independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, or alternatively M1 together with M2 or M3 forms —CH2-CH2- or the like, or M4 together with M2 or M3 forms —CH2-CH2- or the like, with the proviso that M1, M2, M3, and M4 are such that one —CH2- or —CH2-CH2- group is formed thereamong.
US08163894B2	DNA for eukaryotic expression of CymR The invention relates to a new “gene-switch” (cumate-inducible switch) for mammalian cells, having a mammalian promoter which has a TATA element and is linked to the coding sequence of CymR. This switch is as useful in the development of expression systems and cell-based assays for functional genomics as in the generation of viral vectors for gene therapy.
US08163892B2	Oncolytic virus replicating selectively in tumor cells By using a virus having a gene sequence comprising a telomerase promoter and an E1 gene (preferably a sequence comprising E1A gene, IRES sequence and E1B gene) or by using an anticancer agent comprising the virus, the virus replicates in cancer cells to thereby produce an efficient anticancer effect.
US08163882B2	Polypeptide variants with altered effector function The present invention concerns polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region. More particularly, the present invention concerns Fc region-containing polypeptides that have altered effector function as a consequence of one or more amino acid modifications in the Fc region thereof.
US08163881B2	Immunoglobulin molecules with improved characteristics The present invention provides for IgG1 molecules with improved characteristics. In particular, substitution mutations are provided that, in combination, facilitate improved placental transfer, improved serum half-life and improved FcRn binding. Substitution mutations are also provided, that in combination, can be used to block FcRn function and thereby increase the clearance rates of other (endogenous or exogenous) IgGs, block placental transport of IgGs and have increased affinity/reduced pH dependence for FcRn binding.
US08163879B2	Fusion molecules and IL-15 variants The instant invention provides soluble fusion protein complexes and IL-15 variants that have therapeutic and diagnostic use, and methods for making the such proteins. The instant invention additionally provides methods of stimulating or suppressing immune responses in a mammal using the fusion protein complexes and IL-15 variants of the invention.
US08163872B2	Purification of glycopeptides A novel and improved method for purification of glycopeptides, especially glycopeptide antibiotics. The method comprises contacting a solution of the glycopeptide to an ion exchange chromatography material. The product of this method has a surprisingly high purity.
US08163861B2	Beta-amino ester compounds and uses thereof Hair treatment compositions are disclosed comprising a β-amino ester compound in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, such as a spray or cream. In embodiments, the compounds include a polybutadiene moiety. Methods of treating hair with the compositions to impart volume, texture and definition are also disclosed.
US08163859B2	Copolymer comprising alkene, acrylate and unsaturated organic acid, and method for preparing the same The present invention provides a copolymer that includes at least one alkene monomer, at least one acrylate monomer and at least one the unsaturated organic acid monomer having one or more double bonds, and a method of manufacturing the same.
US08163858B2	Copolymers for barriers A polyvinylidene difluoride copolymer with a fluoroolefin selected from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, 2-chloro-pentafluoropropene, hexafluoropropylene, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-trifluoromethylpropene and a mixture thereof, wherein the stoichiometry of the co-monomers defines the barrier properties of the copolymer. Such polymers include moisture barrier copolymers and oxygen barrier copolymer. Processes for preparing such moisture barrier copolymers and oxygen barrier copolymers are also provided.
US08163855B2	Method for bulk polymerization A method for polymerizing conjugated diene monomer into polydienes, the method comprising: polymerizing conjugated diene monomer within a liquid-phase polymerization mixture that includes conjugated diene monomer, a lanthanide-based catalyst system, dicyclopentadiene or substituted dicyclopentadiene, and optionally organic solvent, with the proviso that the organic solvent, if present, is less than about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture.
US08163853B2	Metallocene-substituted pyridyl amines, their metal complexes, and processes for production and use thereof This invention relates to new transition metal complexes for use in olefin polymerization and oligomerization. The active complex is a pyridine amide having a metallocenyl substituent as part of the ligand structure. The invention also relates to novel precursors for the ligand systems of such complexes obtained from metallocenyl-substituted pyridine compounds through sequences involving addition-condensation or lithium-halogen exchange (with subsequent metathesis) reactions.
US08163844B2	Methacrylic resin composition, resin modifier, and molded article A methacrylic resin composition in which a star block copolymer (B) in the form of particles is dispersed in a matrix (A) composed of a methacrylic resin comprising not less than 50% by mass of a methyl methacrylate unit. The methacrylic resin composition is obtained by bulk-polymerizing or solution-polymerizing 100 parts by mass of a monomer mixture (A′) containing 50 to 100% by mass of methyl methacrylate and 0 to 50% by mass of other vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the methyl methacrylate, in the presence of 1 to 80 parts by mass of the star block copolymer (B) comprising a polymer block (a) composed of a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester unit and a polymer block (b) composed of a conjugated diene compound unit, until the polymerization conversion of the monomer reaches 70% by mass or more.
US08163842B2	Transparent composite material and process for producing the same This invention relates to a method for producing a transparent composite material comprising a first step of subjecting a synthetic smectite having a number average particle diameter of from 10 to 300 nm and an aspect ratio of from 10 to 300 to organizing treatment with an organic quaternary ammonium salt and/or an organic quaternary phosphonium salt; a second step of mixing the synthetic smectite subjected to organizing treatment and a curable resin to prepare a resin composition containing the synthetic smectite in an amount of 10 to 40 mass %; a third step of curing the resin composition to obtain a cured product; and a forth step of removing the organic volatile components remaining in the cured product. According to the method, a transparent composite material which is flexible and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion can be obtained which is reduced in outgassing at high temperature under vacuum as in vapor deposition of a conductive thin film.
US08163836B2	Adhesive composition and adhesive film An adhesive composition which is reduced in gas generation upon heating (has low hygroscopicity), has high alkali resistance, has heat resistance of 200° C. or higher, and can be easily removed with a stripping liquid; and an adhesive film made with the adhesive composition. The adhesive composition is prepared using, at least as a major ingredient, an acrylic polymer produced from (a) styrene, (b) a (meth)acrylic ester monomer containing a cyclic skeleton, and (c) an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer. The adhesive film has an adhesive composition layer formed from this adhesive composition.
US08163832B2	Aqueous emulsion and uses thereof The invention is to provide: an aqueous emulsion which is excellent in emulsion polymerization stability when produced, and is excellent in mechanical stability, freezing stability, stability to long-term standing at high temperatures, water resistance adhesive property, and redispersibility; and a redispersible resin and adhesive where the aqueous emulsion is used. The invention relates to an aqueous emulsion comprising a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin (A) comprising a 1,2-diol component in a side chain and having an average degree of polymerization of 50 to 2,500 and a polymer (B) comprising at least one unsaturated monomer selected from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a diene-based monomer.
US08163827B2	White light diffusing thermoplastic composition The invention relates to a translucent, white, light-diffusing thermoplastic composition containing both white pigment and refractive index-matched particles. The blend of pigment and particles provides a synergistic effect, resulting in a very high luminous transmission and good diffusion properties.
US08163818B2	Coloured aqueous polymer dispersions, and production and use of same The invention relates to a colored polymer dispersion containing, as main ingredients: (a) a colored polymer produced by polymerization of monomer A with monomer B, monomer A being a pigment B which is coated with a polymerizable wax D wherein the polymerizable function is an ethylenically unsaturated group, monomer B being a ethylenically unsaturated compound; (b) at least one non-ionic surface-active additive E based on polyethers and/or polyglycerines; (c) at least one anionic surface-active additive F based on sulfonates, sulfates, phosphonates, phosphates or carboxylates; and (d) water.
US08163813B2	Photocurable composition and method for producing molded product with fine pattern To provide a photocurable composition from which a cured product excellent in mold release characteristics and mechanical strength can be obtained, and a method for producing a molded product excellent in durability, with a fine pattern having a reverse pattern of a mold precisely transferred on its surface.A photocurable composition 20 comprising from 15 to 60 mass % of a compound (A) which is an aromatic compound having at least two rings or an alicyclic compound having at least two rings and which has two (meth)acryloyloxy groups, from 5 to 40 mass % of a compound (B) having a fluorine atom and having at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond (excluding the compound (A)), from 10 to 55 mass % of a compound (C) having one (meth)acryloyloxy group (excluding the compound (B)) and from 1 to 12 mass % of a photopolymerization initiator (D) (provided that (A)+(B)+(C)+(D)=100 mass %) is used.
US08163806B2	Controlled release of biologically active compounds from multi-armed oligomers The present invention relates to the discovery of biodegradable multi-armed oligomers wherein the end groups of these oligomers have been functionalized with biologically active molecules. The resultant multi-armed oligomers end-functionalized with biologically active molecules have a controllable degradation profile. The hydrolytic degradation of oligomers of the present invention releases the biologically active compound as such with no change in native chemical structure.
US08163797B2	Method of treating with stable pravastatin formulation The present invention provides oral pravastatin formulations comprising a physical mixture of pravastatin and at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient, wherein the composition for at least 6 months after its preparation is stable and has a pH of greater than about 7 to less than 9, as well as methods for the preparation and use of these stable formulations.
US08163791B2	Imidazole derivatives that induce apoptosis and their therapeutic uses The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising compound for induction of apoptosis, a method for inducing cancer cell apoptosis, a method to suppress lymphocyte activation, a method to improve intracellular trafficking of misfolded mutants and a screening method to identify additional compounds useful for inducing apoptosis, and more specifically, it relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising imidazole derivatives as active gradients for induction of apoptosis to treat various diseases including cancers and immune-related diseases, the method of inducing apoptosis by treating cancer cells with the pharmaceutical composition, the method of inactivating human lymphocytes by treating lymphocytes with the pharmaceutical composition, the method of improving intracellular trafficking of misfolded mutants by treating cells containing the mutants with the pharmaceutical composition, and the screening method for identifying additional compound useful for inducing apoptosis, wherein cells are incubated with the said pharmaceutical composition and detected.
US08163786B2	Preparation of a lead-free primary explosive Embodiments of the present subject matter provide a compound and material that may be used as a lead-free primary explosive. An embodiment of the present subject matter provides the compound copper(I) nitrotetrazolate. Certain embodiments of the present subject matter provide methods for preparing lead-free primary explosives. The method includes: providing a cupric salt; providing water; providing a 5-nitrotetrazolate salt; combining the cupric salt, water and 5-nitrotetrazolate salt to form a mixture, heating the mixture, adding a reducing agent and stirring with continued heating. The method may also include providing cupric chloride, sodium 5-nitrotetrazolate and sodium ascorbate. Certain embodiments of the present subject matter also provide methods for preparing copper(I) nitrotetrazolate. The method includes: providing cupric salt; providing water; providing 5-nitrotetrazolate salt; combining the cupric salt, water and 5-nitrotetrazolate salt to form a mixture, heating the mixture, adding a reducing agent and stirring with continued heating. The method may also include providing cupric chloride, sodium 5-nitrotetrazolate and sodium ascorbate.
US08163784B2	Biocidal compositions The present invention relates to biocidal compositions comprising at least one biocidal active substance and at least one solvent from the group of polyglycol monobutyl ethers, and to their use as preservatives and disinfectants. More specifically, the invention provides compositions comprising a) at least one biocidal active substance b) at least one solvent according to the formula I R—(O—CH2—CH2)x—O—H (I) in which R is a linear or branched butyl group and x is a number from 3 to 10.
US08163780B2	Nicotine receptor agonists in stem cell and progenitor cell recruitment The present invention features methods for recruitment of bone marrow-derived stem cells (e.g., endothelial cell precursors, hematopoietic stem cells) by administration of nicotine or other nicotine receptor agonist. The methods of the invention can be used in, for example, treatment of conditions amenable to treatment by recruitment of bone marrow-derived stem cells (e.g., neutropenia).
US08163779B2	Glucokinase activators Compounds of the following formula are provided for use with glucokinase: wherein the variables are as defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprising such compounds; methods and intermediates useful for making the compounds; and methods of using said compounds.
US08163775B2	Allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors The present invention relates to new compounds of formula (I) wherein A, B, P, Q, W, R1 and R2 are defined in the description; invention compounds are useful in the prevention or treatment of central nervous system disorders as well as other disorders modulated by mGluR5 receptors.
US08163774B2	Amide-substituted 8-N-benzimidazoles, method for the production thereof, and use of the same as medicaments The present invention comprises the use of amino-substituted 8-N-benzimidazoles compounds of formula I wherein R3, R4-R5, R11 and R20-R21 are hereinafter defined which display a therapeutically utilizable blood sugar-lowering action. These compounds are intended to be particularly suitable in the treatment of diabetes.
US08163773B2	Organic compounds The invention relates to 3,5-substituted piperidine compounds, these compounds for use in the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of a warm-blooded animal, especially for the treatment of a disease (=disorder) that depends on activity of renin; the use of a compound of that class for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of a disease that depends on activity of renin; the use of a compound of that class in the treatment of a disease that depends on activity of renin; pharmaceutical formulations comprising a 3,5-substituted piperidine compound, and/or a method of treatment comprising administering a 3,5-substituted piperidine compound, a method for the manufacture of a 3,5-substituted piperidine compound, and novel intermediates and partial steps for its synthesis. The preferred compounds (which can also be present as salts) have the formula I wherein R1, R2, T, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification.
US08163769B2	Antibacterial compounds Antibacterials having formula (I) and salts, prodrugs, and salts of prodrugs thereof, processes for making the compounds and intermediates used in the processes, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial infections using the compounds are disclosed.
US08163767B2	Heterocyclic Janus Kinase 3 inhibitors The invention relates to compound of the formula (I) or its salt, wherein —R1, —R2, —R3, —R4, —R5, -M-, —X— and —Y═ are as defined in the description, their use of as, medicament, the process for their preparation and use for the treatment of JAK3 mediated diseases.
US08163766B2	Beta-secretase modulators and methods of use The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein A, B, R3, R4, R5, i and j are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, methods of use for these compounds, including treatment of AD and related diseases, by administering the compound(s) of Formula I, or compositions including them, to a subject. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formulas II and III, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention.
US08163764B2	Skincare methods Disclosed are compositions and methods for skincare, e.g., reducing skin wrinkles and for treating skin disorders.
US08163763B2	Pyrimidine compounds, compositions and methods of use Disclosed are compounds of Formula I, including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful in modulating PIKK related kinase signaling, e.g., mTOR, and for the treatment of diseases (e.g., cancer) that are mediated at least in part by the dysregulation of the PIKK signaling pathway (e.g., mTOR).
US08163760B2	Use of pyridopyrimidine compounds in the treatment of gliomas The present invention relates generally to therapeutic agents, formulations comprising them and their use in the treatment, amelioration and/or prophylaxis of glioma brain tumors and related conditions. The therapeutic agent comprises two fused 6-membered rings with at least a nitrogen at position 1 and a hydroxyl at position 8.
US08163756B2	Enzyme modulators and treatments Novel compounds and methods of using those compounds for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, hyperproliferative diseases, cancer, and diseases characterized by hyper-vascularization are provided. In a preferred embodiment, modulation of the activation state of p38 kinase protein, abl kinase protein, ber-abl kinase protein, braf kinase protein, VEGFR kinase protein, or PDGFR kinase protein comprises the step of contacting said kinase protein with the novel compounds.
US08163750B2	Fluorene derivatives, compositions containing the same and use thereof as inhibitors of the protein chaperone HSP 90 The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R2′, L, Het, p and p′ are as defined herein, compositions containing them, and their use as medicinal products.
US08163748B2	s-Triazine compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and method of using the same Novel s-triazine compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, where microbial infection is either a direct cause or a related condition.
US08163747B2	Acid addition salts, hydrates and polymorphs of 5-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-isopropyl-phenyl)-4-(4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide and formulations comprising these forms The present invention relates to new salt forms of 5-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-isopropyl-phenyl)-4-(4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide, in particular the mesylate, hydrochloride, tartrate, phosphate and hemi fumarate salt thereof; to crystalline forms of such salts; to polymorphs of 5-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-isopropyl-phenyl)-4-(4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide; to hydrates and polymorphs of the new salt forms mentioned above; to the use of the new salt forms mentioned above for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disorder mediated by Hsp90; to a method for treating a disorder mediated by Hsp90 using the new salt forms; to formulations comprising such salt forms, in particular aqueous solutions suitable for intravenous administration; and to amber glass containers being filled with such formulations.
US08163745B2	HIV inhibiting 5-(hydroxymethylene and aminomethylene) substituted pyrimidines This invention concerns 5-(hydroxymethylene and aminomethylene)pyrimidine derivatives having HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) replication inhibiting properties, to the preparation thereof and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds.
US08163744B2	Tetrahydro-isoquinolin-1-ones for the treatment of cancer The present invention provides a compound selected from compounds of formula I as ligand binding to the HDM2 protein, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation, and having therapeutic utility in cancer therapy. Compounds of formula (I) can be used as therapeutics for treating stroke, myocardial infarction, ischemia, multi-organ failure, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's Disease, injury from ischemic events, heart valvular degenerative disease Moreover, compounds of formula (I) can be used to decrease the side effects from cytotoxic cancer agents and to treat viral infections.
US08163743B2	4-carboxamide indazole derivatives useful as inhibitors of PI3-kinases The invention is directed to certain novel compounds. Specifically, the invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof. The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of P13-kinase activity.
US08163739B2	2-arylthiazole-4-carboxamide derivatives, their preparation and use as pharmaceuticals The present invention relates to 2-arylthiazole-4-carboxamide derivatives of the formula (I), the use thereof as medicament for the treatment of various disorders, and processes for the preparation thereof
US08163736B2	Cytotoxic agents comprising new tomaymycin derivatives The present invention is related to new tomaymycin derivatives, their process of preparation and their therapeutic uses.
US08163728B2	Pyrazoles The present invention is concerned with isoxazole-pyrazoles of formula I, having affinity and selectivity for GABA A α5 receptor, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as therapeutics. The active compounds of the present invention are useful as cognitive enhancer or for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
US08163725B1	Gel compositions and methods of use Improved topical gel compositions for the treatment of skin disorders are described. The gel compositions contain carbomer and methylparaben, and are substantially free of methylparaben crystalline particles after an extended period of storage.
US08163723B2	Combination of azelastine and steroids A pharmaceutical product or formulation, which comprises azelastine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or physiologically functional derivative thereof, and a steroid, or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt, solvate or physiologically functional derivative thereof, preferably the product or formulation being in a form suitable for nasal or ocular administration.
US08163707B2	4′-allene-substituted nucleoside derivatives The present invention discloses compounds of formula (I), or its β-L enantiomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, stereoisomer, tautomer, solvate, prodrug, or combination thereof: which inhibit, preventing or treating abnormal cellular proliferation and/or a viral infection, particularly by HIV, HCV or HBV. Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the replication cycle of a virus and are also useful as antiviral agents, or interfere with host cellular biochemical process and are also useful as antiproliferative agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from viral infection and/or cell proliferation. The invention also relates to methods of treating a viral infection and/or cell proliferation in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention. The present invention relates to novel antiviral/anti-proliferative compounds represented herein above, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infection in a subject in need of such therapy with said compounds.
US08163704B2	Glycoside derivatives and uses thereof This invention relates to compounds represented by formula (I): wherein the variables are defined as herein above, which are useful for treating diseases and conditions mediated by the sodium D-glucose co-transporter (SGLT), e.g. diabetes. The invention also provides methods of treating such diseases and conditions, and compositions etc. for their treatment.
US08163700B2	Inhibitors of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) activity for regulating neural growth and regeneration The present invention relates generally to products, compositions and methods useful for promoting neural repair and regeneration. The products and compositions of this invention include myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) derivatives that are inhibitors of endogenous MAG (e.g., mutant MAG proteins) and Nogo Receptor (NgR) binding inhibitors that are peptides derived from MAG, Nogo and OMgp that can bind to NgR and block NgR signaling. Peptides that can bind and activate NgR signaling are also provided. Inhibitory MAG derivatives and NgR binding inhibitors are useful for blocking the inhibition of neural regeneration mediated by proteins such as MAG, Nogo and/or OMgp in the nervous system. These inhibitors are also useful for treating neural degeneration associated with injuries, disorders or diseases.
US08163699B2	Method for the treatment of valvular disease A method for treating valvular stenosis. The method involves the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a reverse lipid (in particular cholesterol) transport agonist to a mammal. Most preferred is an Apolipoprotein A-1 mimetic peptide/phospholipid complex, the peptide of which is defined by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 1.
US08163692B2	Protection against and treatment of ionizing radiation Methods of preparing a proteoliposome comprise the step of contacting a liposome with an effective portion of RalBP1 to create a proteoliposome. RalBP1 is effective for the protection and treatment of mammals and the environment against the accumulation of toxic compounds, and prevents accumulation of one or more toxic compounds, reduces the concentration of toxic compounds, and protects against further contamination with one or more toxic compounds. In addition, RalBP1 is effective for the protection and treatment of mammals against the effects of ionizing radiation.
US08163691B2	Compositions and methods for identifying agents which modulate PTEN function and PI-3 kinase pathways Methods are provided for the identification, biochemical characterization and therapeutic use of agents which impact PTEN, p53, PI-kinase and AKT mediated cellular signaling.
US08163680B2	Method of demulsing a natural gas dehydrator Provided is a method of inhibiting the formation of emulsions in a natural gas dehydrator by lubricating the upstream compressors and natural gas engines with a lubricating oil comprising an effective amount of one or more demulsifiers. Provided is also a method of lubricating the upstream compressors and natural gas engines with the same oil compositions.
US08163678B2	Enhanced oil recovery surfactant formulation and method of making the same The present invention is directed to an enhanced oil recovery formulation which comprises: (a) an alkylaromatic sulfonate; (b) an isomerized olefin sulfonate (c) a solvent; (d) a passivator; and (e) a polymer.
US08163674B2	Agricultural chemical composition in granular form The present invention provides a granulated pesticidal composition comprising a pesticidal active ingredient, a lignosulfonate surfactant with a degree of sulfonation of at least 2.0, and a sulfate or phosphate salt of a polyoxyalkylene arylphenyl ether. The composition is highly dispersible in water and allows stable long-term maintenance of its properties observed immediately after preparation.
US08163673B2	Non-foaming organic surfactants as additives for tank mixture preparations in crop protection Use of special non-foaming alkoxylated alcohols alone or their mixture with polysiloxanes as tank mixture additive for crop protection composition formulations.
US08163669B2	Fuel reformer catalyst and absorbent materials Materials that are useful for absorption enhanced reforming (AER) of a fuel, including absorbent materials and catalyst materials and methods for using the materials. The materials can be fabricated by spray processing. The use of the materials in AER can produce a H2 product gas having a high H2 content and a low level of carbon oxides.
US08163667B2	Transmitting optical element with low foreign-element contamination A transmitting optical element of polycrystalline material that includes crystallites of magnesium spinel MgAl2O4 or lutetium-aluminum garnet Lu3Al5O12, wherein the polycrystalline material includes an average total concentration of foreign element contamination caused by Y, Sc, Co, Ni, Zr, Mo, Sn and/or Nb of less than 50 ppm, preferably of less than 20 ppm, and more preferably of less than 15 ppm.
US08163664B2	Fiberglass products for reducing the flammability of mattresses Glass fiber products used to reduce the flammability of mattresses and upholstery are provided. In one embodiment, a veil formed of glass fibers, comfort enhancing fibers, and optionally a combination of synthetic fibers is positioned on the bottom of a mattress to provide fire resistance or prevention. The binder composition used to form the veil may include a binder with a low glass transition temperature and a flame retardant additive. In a second embodiment, a glass veil is utilized in a fire retarding composite formed of an encapsulating layer, a fire retarding veil, and a backing layer. Preferably, all of the fibers in the veil are glass fibers. The fire retarding composite is positioned on the mattress with the encapsulating layer against the cushioning material, the backing layer facing externally, and the veil sandwiched between the encapsulating layer and the backing layer. A fire retarding insulation product is also provided.
US08163661B2	Luminescence measurement system Disclosed is a luminescence measuring method which can produce a luminous intensity depending on the amount of a substance to be measured even when the substance occurs in a biological sample in an amount equal to or more than a given amount, and which can achieve quantitative measurement. The method is characterized by includes preparing a biological sample containing a luminescence-associated protein which is can react with a substance occurring in the biological sample in amount equal to or more than a given amount and which has a Km value equal to or higher than a predetermined value so that the luminous intensity can be quantified depending on the amount of the substance, measuring the luminescence intensity emitted from the biological sample, and outputting a result of the measurement on a regions and/or part of the biological sample.
US08163660B2	SONOS type stacks for nonvolatile change trap memory devices and methods to form the same A method for fabricating a nonvolatile charge trap memory device is described. The method includes forming a first oxide layer on a surface of a substrate. The first oxide layer is exposed to a first decoupled plasma nitridation process having a first bias. Subsequently, a charge-trapping layer is formed on the first oxide layer. The charge-trapping layer is exposed to an oxidation process and then to a second decoupled plasma nitridation process having a second, different, bias.
US08163656B2	Process for adjusting the size and shape of nanostructures In accordance with the invention, a lateral dimension of a microscale device on a substrate is reduced or adjusted by the steps of providing the device with a soft or softened exposed surface; placing a guiding plate adjacent the soft or softened exposed surface; and pressing the guiding plate onto the exposed surface. Under pressure, the soft material flows laterally between the guiding plate and the substrate. Such pressure induced flow can reduce the lateral dimension of line spacing or the size of holes and increase the size of mesas. The same process also can repair defects such as line edge roughness and sloped sidewalls. This process will be referred to herein as pressed self-perfection by liquefaction or P-SPEL.
US08163642B1	Package substrate with dual material build-up layers Multi-layered, organic build-up semiconductor package substrates have build-up layers with layers of both fibrous organic dielectric material and non-fibrous organic dielectric material. Non-fibrous dielectric material layers are positioned below the signal metal layers and fibrous dielectric material layers are positioned below the power/ground plane metal layers. The package substrate combines in a single package substrate the advantages of rigidity, strength and relatively low CTE of a fibrous material with the capacity of a non-fibrous material to achieve fine resolution signal metal lines.
US08163641B2	System for modifying small structures A charge transfer mechanism is used to locally deposit or remove material for a small structure. A local electrochemical cell is created without having to immerse the entire work piece in a bath. The charge transfer mechanism can be used together with a charged particle beam or laser system to modify small structures, such as integrated circuits or micro-electromechanical system. The charge transfer process can be performed in air or, in some embodiments, in a vacuum chamber.
US08163631B2	Methods for discretized processing and process sequence integration of regions of a substrate The present invention provides methods and systems for discretized, combinatorial processing of regions of a substrate such as for the discovery, implementation, optimization, and qualification of new materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes used in integrated circuit fabrication. A substrate having an array of differentially processed regions thereon is processed by delivering materials to or modifying regions of the substrate.
US08163627B2	Method of forming isolation layer of semiconductor device A method of forming an isolation layer of a semiconductor device is disclosed herein, the method comprising the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate in which a tunnel insulating layer and a charge storage layer are formed on an active area and a trench is formed on an isolation area; forming a first insulating layer for filling a lower portion of the trench; forming a porous second insulating layer on the first insulating layer for filling a space between the charge storage layers; forming a third insulating layer on a side wall of the trench and the second insulating layer, the third insulating layer having a density higher than that of the second insulating layer; and forming a porous fourth insulating layer for filling the trench.
US08163619B2	Fabrication of semiconductor structure having asymmetric field-effect transistor with tailored pocket portion along source/drain zone An asymmetric insulated-gate field effect transistor (100U or 102U) is provided along an upper surface of a semiconductor body so as to have first and second source/drain zones (240 and 242 or 280 and 282) laterally separated by a channel zone (244 or 284) of the transistor's body material. A gate electrode (262 or 302) overlies a gate dielectric layer (260 or 300) above the channel zone. A pocket portion (250 or 290) of the body material more heavily doped than laterally adjacent material of the body material extends along largely only the first of the S/D zones and into the channel zone. The vertical dopant profile of the pocket portion is tailored to reach a plurality of local maxima at respective locations (PH-1-PH-3-NH-3) spaced apart from one another. This typically enables the transistor to have reduced current leakage.
US08163606B2	Method of manufacturing liquid crystal display device A method of manufacturing an LCD device is disclosed. The LCD device manufacturing method includes: forming first and second active patterns on P-channel and N-channel thin film transistor formation regions of a substrate using a first masking process, respectively; forming a first gate electrode on the P-channel thin film transistor formation region of the substrate using a second masking process; forming a second gate electrode on the N-channel thin film transistor formation region of the substrate using a third masking process; forming first contact holes partially exposing the respective N and P source regions and second contact holes partially exposing the respective N and P drain regions, using a fourth masking process; forming N and P source electrodes connected to the N and P source regions, and N and P drain electrodes connected to the N and P drain regions, using a fifth masking process; simultaneously forming third contact holes and a common electrode using a sixth masking process; forming fourth contact holes, which expose the respective N and P drain electrodes, using a seventh masking process; and forming a pixel electrode using a eighth masking process.
US08163605B2	Production method for semiconductor device It is intended to provide an SGT production method capable of obtaining a structure for reducing a resistance of a source, drain and gate, a desired gate length, desired source and drain configurations and a desired diameter of a pillar-shaped semiconductor to be obtained. The method comprises the steps of: forming a pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a second-conductive-type semiconductor layer underneath the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a dummy gate dielectric film and a dummy gate electrode around the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a first dielectric film on an upper region of a sidewall of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer and in contact with a top of the gate electrode, through a gate dielectric film; forming a first dielectric film on a sidewall of the gate electrode; forming a second-conductive-type semiconductor layer in an upper portion of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a second-conductive-type semiconductor layer in an upper portion of the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; forming a metal-semiconductor compound on each of the second-conductive-type semiconductor layers formed in the upper portion of and underneath the pillar-shaped first-conductive-type semiconductor layer; removing the dummy gate dielectric film and the dummy gate electrode and forming a high-k gate dielectric film and a metal gate electrode.
US08163601B2	Chip-exposed semiconductor device and its packaging method A method of making a chip-exposed semiconductor package comprising the steps of: plating a plurality of electrode on a front face of each chip on a wafer; grinding a backside of the wafer and depositing a back metal then separating each chips; mounting the chips with the plating electrodes adhering onto a front face of a plurality of paddle of a leadframe; adhering a tape on the back metal and encapsulating with a molding compound; removing the tape and sawing through the leadframe and the molding compound to form a plurality of packaged semiconductor devices.
US08163597B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming no-flow underfill material around vertical interconnect structure A semiconductor device is made by forming a conductive layer over a first sacrificial carrier. A solder bump is formed over the conductive layer. A no-flow underfill material is deposited over the first carrier, conductive layer, and solder bump. A semiconductor die or component is compressed into the no-flow underfill material to electrically contact the conductive layer. A surface of the no-flow underfill material and first solder bump is planarized. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first surface of the no-flow underfill material. The first interconnect structure is electrically connected to the solder bump. A second sacrificial carrier is mounted over the first interconnect structure. A second interconnect structure is formed over a second side of the no-flow underfill material. The second interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first solder bump. The semiconductor devices can be stacked and electrically connected through the solder bump.
US08163591B2	Backside illuminated image sensor A backside illuminated image sensor includes a photodiode, formed below the top surface of a semiconductor substrate, for receiving light illuminated from the backside of the semiconductor substrate to generate photoelectric charges, a reflecting gate, formed on the photodiode over the front upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, for reflecting light illuminated from the backside of the substrate and receiving a bias to control a depletion region of the photodiode, and a transfer gate for transferring photoelectric charges from the photodiode to a sensing node of a pixel.
US08163588B2	Manufacturing method of a photoelectric conversion device A manufacturing method of a photoelectric conversion device included a first step of forming a gate electrode, a second step of forming a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a third step of forming an insulation film, and a fourth step of forming a protection region of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite conductivity type to the first conductivity type, by implanting ions in the semiconductor region using the gate electrode of the transfer transistor and a portion covering a side face of the gate electrode of the transfer transistor of the insulation film as a mask in a state in which the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode of the transfer transistor are covered by the insulation film, and causing a portion of the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type from which the protection region is removed to be the charge accumulation region.
US08163579B2	Method of manufacturing substrate for forming device, and method of manufacturing nitride-based semiconductor laser diode Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor laser diode. The method includes the steps of: preparing a GaN substrate having an a-plane or m-plane GaN layer formed thereon; forming a plurality of laser diode structures on the GaN layer; etching the GaN substrate such that a cutting reference line is formed in a groove shape along the crystal surface of the a-plane or m-plane, not a main plane; and cutting the GaN substrate along the cutting reference line so as to form a mirror surface of the semiconductor laser diode, the mirror surface coinciding with the crystal surface of the a-plane or m-plane, not the main plane.
US08163577B2	Methods of forming light emitting devices having current reducing structures A light emitting device includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and an active region between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. A non-transparent feature, such as a wire bond pad, is on the p-type semiconductor layer or on the n-type semiconductor layer opposite the p-type semiconductor layer, and a reduced conductivity region is in the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer and is aligned with the non-transparent feature. The reduced conductivity region may extend from a surface of the p-type semiconductor layer opposite the n-type semiconductor layer towards the active region and/or from a surface of the n-type semiconductor layer opposite the p-type semiconductor layer towards the active region.
US08163574B2	System and method for sensing voltage in medium-to-high voltage applications A system and method for measuring voltage of a medium to high voltage line conductor is disclosed. The system includes an electrical insulator having a surface and an edge, the surface having an opening therein to allow passage of a line conductor therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. The system also includes first and second electrodes positioned about the opening on the surface of the electrical insulator and spaced apart from one another to provide a common capacitive divider signal indicative of a voltage potential of the line conductor.
US08163570B2	Method of initiating molecular bonding A method of initiating molecular bonding, comprising bringing one face of a first wafer to face one face of a second wafer and initiating a point of contact between the two facing faces. The point of contact is initiated by application to one of the two wafers, for example, using a bearing element of a tool, of a mechanical pressure in the range from 0.1 MPa to 33.3 MPa.
US08163562B2	Photon reducing agents for fluorescence assays The present invention provides a method for reducing undesirable light emission from a sample using at least one photon producing agent and at least one photon reducing agent (e.g. dye-based photon reducing agents). The present invention further provides a method for reducing undesirable light emission from a sample (e.g., a biochemical or cellular sample) with at least one photon producing agent and at least one collisional quencher. The present invention also provides a method for reducing undesirable light emission from a sample (e.g., a biochemical or cellular sample) with at least one photon producing agent and at least one quencher, such as an electronic quencher. The present invention also provides a system and method of screening test chemicals in fluorescent assays using photon reducing agents. The present invention also provides compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits for practicing these methods.
US08163556B2	Method of cell culture observation, carbon substrate for cell culture observation, and method for manufacture thereof The invention provides a substrate suitable for cell culture observation and a method of observation using the same. Crystalline carbon such as a graphite powder is mixed into a thermosetting resin such as a furan resin, and the mixture is molded in the shape of a sheet and carbonized to produce a carbon substrate; then, a cell is made to adhere to the carbon substrate, and the cell is caused to proliferate on the carbon substrate and observed using a microscope.
US08163555B2	Disposable tubing set for use with a cell expansion apparatus and method for sterile sampling A disposable apparatus for cell expansion, having at least one bioreactor. The bioreactor has a cellular growth area and a supply area, the cellular growth area being separated from said supply area by a membrane. A fluid recirculation path in fluid communication with the cellular growth area allows for hermetically removing a sample containing cellular matter. This may comprise an elongated tube, or a plurality of parallel tube segments. The parallel tube segments have inflow ends and outflow ends, and the inflow ends are joined at a first common juncture and the outflow ends are joined at a second common juncture. The common junctures may comprise valves.
US08163551B2	Methods and compositions for making antibodies and antibody derivatives with reduced core fucosylation The invention provides methods and compositions for preparing antibodies and antibody derivatives with reduced core fucosylation.
US08163544B2	Methods and compositions for increasing tissue tropism of recombinant adenoviral vectors Methods are provide to allow for the preparation of adenoviral vectors with altered tropism. Compositions comprising such vectors and methods of use thereof also are provided.
US08163543B2	AAV vectors produced in insect cells The present invention relates to the production of adeno-associated viral vectors in insect cells. The insect cells therefore comprise a first nucleotide sequence encoding the adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid proteins, whereby the initiation codon for translation of the AAV VP1 capsid protein is a non-ATG, suboptimal initiation codon. The insect cell further comprises a second nucleotide sequence comprising at least one AAV inverted terminal repeat (ITR) nucleotide sequence; a third nucleotide sequence comprising a Rep52 or a Rep40 coding sequence operably linked to expression control sequences for expression in an insect cell; and, a fourth nucleotide sequence comprising a Rep78 or a Rep68 coding sequence operably linked to expression control sequences for expression in an insect cell. The invention further relates to adeno-associated viral vectors with an altered ratio of the viral capsid proteins that provides improved infectivity of the viral particles.
US08163534B2	Estrogenic substance degradable microorganism and use thereof A microorganism capable of degrading an estrogenic substance contained in wastewater and the like; a method for the simple and effective degradation of an estrogenic substance contained in domestic wastewater, wastewater discharged from a livestock farm, or the like by using the microorganism; and an apparatus for achieving the degradation are provided. An estrogenic substance-degrading microorganism which belongs to the genus Pseudaminobacter, Gordonia, Nocardia, Zoogloea, Pandoraea, Cryptococcus or Trichosporon and has an ability to degrade an estrogenic substance; a method for the degration of an estrogenic substance by using the microorganism; and an apparatus for achieving the degradation are provided.
US08163530B2	Nucleic acids encoding respiratory syncytial virus subgroup B strain 9320 The complete polynucleotide sequence of the human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup B strain 9320 genome is provided. Proteins encoded by this polynucleotide sequence are also provided. Isolated or recombinant RSV (e.g., attenuated recombinant RSV), nucleic acids, and polypeptides, e.g., comprising mutations in the attachment protein G, are also provided, as are immunogenic compositions comprising such isolated or recombinant RSV, nucleic acids, and polypeptides. Related methods are also described.
US08163526B2	Ethanol production A method for increasing production of ethanol in an ethanologenic cell using an autoinducer molecule, for example, AI-2.
US08163517B2	Organic material production system using biomass material and method An organic material production system using biomass material includes: a hydrothermal decomposition apparatus (13) that causes the biomass material (11) and hot compressed water (12) to countercurrently contact with each other and undergo hydrothermal decomposition, and that transfers a lignin component and a hemicellulose component into the hot compressed water, so as to separate the lignin component and the hemicellulose component from a biomass solid residue; a cellulose enzymatic saccharification device (17) that treats, with an enzyme, cellulose in the biomass solid residue, so as to enzymatically saccharify the cellulose to a first sugar solution containing hexose; an alcohol fermenter (18) that produces alcohols by fermentation using the obtained first sugar solution; a sulfuric acid decomposition device (33) that decomposes, with sulfuric acid, the hemicellulose component in hot water (30) discharged from the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus, which contains the eluted lignin component and the eluted hemicellulose component, so as to decompose the hemicellulose component to a second sugar solution containing pentose; and a second alcohol fermenter (34) that produces, using the second sugar solution containing pentose, alcohols by fermentation.
US08163513B2	Method for determining the total clotting activity of a blood or plasma sample The invention relates to a method for determining the total clotting activity of a blood or plasma sample, characterized in that a highly specific, reversible thrombin inhibitor is added to a blood or plasma sample in a defined amount, the clotting of the blood or plasma sample is induced and, after a defined period of time, the consumed amount of the added thrombin inhibitor is determined in a per se known manner, as well as to a kit for obtaining information about the state of coagulation of a blood sample.
US08163502B2	Method for predicting the risk of disease based on lectin binding Provided are methods, test devices, and diagnostic kits for predicting, assessing, and diagnosing the risk of a disease using salivary analysis. The methods comprise providing a whole (unfractionated) saliva sample from a subject; contacting an aliquot of the saliva with two or more lectins under conditions that allow the two or more lectins to bind to a lectin-binding component of the saliva; detecting the amount of bound lectin; and comparing the amount of bound lectin to the amount known to bind a saliva sample from a control patient, to predict the risk of a disease in the subject. Also provided are methods for reducing the risk of a disease and a method for assessing the risk of the disease at a defined level.
US08163501B2	Methods of assessing Crohn's disease patient phenotype by I2 serologic response The invention provides a method of diagnosing or predicting susceptibility to a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease in a subject having Crohn's disease by determining the presence or absence of IgA anti-I2 antibodies in the subject, where the presence of the IgA anti-I2 antibodies indicates that the subject has a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease. In one embodiment, a method of the invention is practiced by further determining the presence or absence in the subject of a NOD2 variant, anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), IgA anti-OmpC antibodies, or perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA). The methods of the invention can be used to diagnose or predict susceptibility to a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease, for example, a fibrostenotic subtype, a subtype characterized by the need for small bowel surgery, or a subtype characterized by the absence of features of ulcerative colitis.
US08163498B2	Method for determination of molecular weight of hyaluronic acid A method of measuring a molecular weight of hyaluronic acid, comprising at least reacting hyaluronic acid in a sample containing the hyaluronic acid with a hyaluronic acid-binding protein to measure an amount of the hyaluronic acid-binding protein that is bound to the hyaluronic acid in the sample or a value that reflects the amount.
US08163491B2	Selective 5′ ligation tagging of RNA The present invention provides novel compositions, kits and methods employing RNA 5′ polyphosphatases, RNA 5′ monophosphatases, capping enzymes, decapping enzymes, nucleic acid pyrophosphatases and RNA ligases, as well as other enzymes, for selective 5′ ligation tagging of desired classes of RNA molecules that differ with respect to particular chemical moieties on their 5′ ends. The 5′tagged RNA molecules can be used for synthesis of tagged first-stand cDNA, double-stranded cDNA, and sense or antisense RNA for a variety of uses.
US08163490B2	Method of analyzing methylated DNA The present invention provides a method of analyzing methylated DNA, comprising steps of: (A) treating a DNA-containing sample with a restriction enzyme to obtain a sample containing a DNA fragment; (B) concentrating methylated DNA contained in the sample obtained in step (A) to obtain a methylated DNA concentrate; (C) subjecting the methylated DNA concentrate obtained in step (B) and a primer set to nucleic acid amplification reaction, wherein the primer set performs the nucleic acid amplification reaction in step (C) by using a template DNA which does not have a CpG site; (D) detecting an amplification product obtained in step (C); (E) judging whether the methylated DNA concentrate obtained in step (B) is appropriate as a sample for detection of methylated DNA, on the basis of the detection result of the amplification product in step (D); and (F) analyzing the methylated DNA contained in the methylated DNA concentrate.
US08163488B2	Methods and nucleic acids for analysis of colon proliferative disorders The invention provides methods, nucleic acids and kits for detecting colon cell proliferative disorders. The invention discloses genomic sequences the methylation patterns of which have utility for the improved detection of and differentiation between said class of disorders, thereby enabling the improved diagnosis and treatment of patients.
US08163474B2	NS1-NP diagnostics of influenza virus infection The present application describes methods for assessing influenza infection, including prognosis. An assay that determines the amount of the NS1 and NP proteins of influenza virus shows enhanced sensitivity and reliability compared to either antigen alone. Many formats employ pan-specific antibodies (i.e., that react with all or at least with multiple strains within an influenza type).
US08163469B2	Coating and developing apparatus, coating and developing method, and storage medium A coating and developing apparatus has: a treatment block-including a water repellent module performing water repellent treatment on a substrate, a coating module, and a developing module; a substrate side-surface portion water repellent module for performing water repellent treatment on a side surface of a substrate; and a control unit controlling operations of the modules to execute steps of performing water repellent treatment at least on a side surface portion of a substrate and performing a first resist coating on an entire surface of the substrate; performing a first development after a first liquid-immersion exposure is performed; performing a second resist coating on the entire surface, and performing a second development after a second liquid-immersion exposure is performed, and further to execute a step of performing water repellent treatment on the side surface portion of the substrate after the first development and before the second exposure is performed.
US08163468B2	Method of reducing photoresist defects during fabrication of a semiconductor device Reducing or eliminating watermark-type defects during semiconductor device fabrication are described and can comprise treating photoresist using one of several embodiments. In some embodiments, the propensity for defect formation is reduced/eliminated by conditioning the photoresist surface through the application and removal of a sacrificial overcoat. In other embodiments, existing defects are reduced/eliminated by exposing the photoresist surface to a defect-stripping material during post-develop processing.
US08163465B2	Ablatable elements for making flexographic printing plates Flexographic printing plates and other relief images can be formed from a laser-ablatable element having a laser-ablatable layer that is from about 300 to about 4,000 μm in thickness. The laser-ablatable layer includes a film-forming material that is a laser-laser-ablatable material or the film-forming material has dispersed therein a laser-ablatable material. The laser-ablatable material is a polymeric material that when heated to 300° C. at a rate of 10° C./minute, loses at least 60% of its mass to form at least one predominant low molecular weight product. The laser-ablatable material also comprises at least 0.01 weight % of a depolymerization catalyst that is a Lewis acid or organometallic based catalyst. The element can be imaged by ablation at an energy of at least 1 J/cm2 to provide a relief image.
US08163464B2	Propanoates and processes for preparing the same A process for preparing proponates which comprises the steps of (i) supplying a solution of methanol containing 4-hydroxyphenylmethylcarbinol, (ii) subjecting said solution to an acid catalyzed displacement reaction for a sufficient period of time and under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure to convert substantially all of said carbinol to 4-hydroxyphenylmethylcarbinol methyl ether in solution, (iii) replacing the methanol in said ether containing solution with a second solvent and (iv) reacting the ether containing ethyl lactate solution with a suitable acid catalyst for a sufficient period of time and under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure to form said propanoates. New compositions of matter which comprise the propanoates, prepared in the above manner, have application in the electronic chemicals market such as in a photoresist composition.
US08163463B2	Photoresist composition, method of forming pattern using the photoresist composition and inkjet print head A photoresist composition including an oxetane-containing compound represented by Formula 1 or 2, an oxirane-containing compound represented by Formula 3 or 4, a photoinitiator, and a solvent, a method of forming a pattern using the photoresist composition, and an inkjet print head including a polymerization product of the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition provides a polymerization product which resists formation of cracks due to an inner stress, and has excellent heat tolerance, excellent chemical resistance, excellent adhesiveness, and excellent durability.
US08163460B2	Underlayer coating forming composition for lithography containing polysilane compound There is provided an underlayer coating for lithography that is used in lithography process of the manufacture of semiconductor devices, that can be used as a hardmask, and that causes no intermixing with photoresists; and a composition for forming the underlayer coating.The composition comprises a polysilane compound, a crosslinkable compound, a crosslinking catalyst and a solvent. The polysilane compound is preferably a polysilane compound having a bond between silicons at the main chain.
US08163450B2	Toner, and image forming apparatus and image forming method using the toner A toner including toner particles; and external additives including a fatty acid metal salt having an average primary particle diameter of from 0.5 to 1.5 μm; a positively chargeable particulate inorganic material; and a negatively chargeable particulate inorganic material. An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor bearing an electrostatic image, and a center feed developing device configured to develop the electrostatic image with a developer including the toner to form a toner image, and a transfer device configured to transfer the toner image onto a receiving material preferably fed at a speed of from 500 to 1700 mm/s. An image forming method including forming an electrostatic image, developing the electrostatic image with the center feed developing device using the toner to form a toner image, and transferring the toner image onto a receiving material preferably fed at a speed of from 500 to 1700 mm/s.
US08163448B2	Determination method, exposure method, device fabrication method, and storage medium The present invention provides a method of determining a structure of an antireflection coating formed on a substrate as an exposure target of an exposure apparatus, the method comprising steps of calculating, an intensity distribution of light diffracted by an original, based on information of an effective light source formed on a pupil plane of a projection optical system, and information of an original pattern, extracting diffracted light having an intensity of not less than a threshold from the intensity distribution calculated in the calculating step, and determining the structure of the antireflection coating, formed on the substrate, such that a reflectance of the antireflection coating falls within a target range when an incident angle of the diffracted light, which has the intensity of not less than the threshold and is extracted in the extracting step, on the antireflection coating formed on the substrate is an input.
US08163446B2	Method for manufacturing photomask using self-assembled molecule layer A method for fabricating a photomask using a self-assembled molecule layer, comprising: forming, on a transparent substrate, a stacked structure of a phase shift pattern and a light shielding pattern over the phase shift pattern, the stacked structure exposing a portion of a surface of the transparent substrate; exposing the phase shift pattern and a portion of the surface of the transparent substrate by removing a portion of the light shielding pattern; forming a self-assembled molecule layer allowing movement of electrons on the exposed surface of the transparent substrate; measuring a critical dimension of the phase shift pattern formed with the self-assembled molecule layer; neutralizing electrons applied during the measurement of the critical dimension with the self-assembled molecule layer allowing movement of electrons; and removing the self-assembled molecule layer.
US08163444B2	Mask for crystallizing a semiconductor layer and method of crystallizing a semiconductor layer using the same A mask for crystallizing a semiconductor layer includes a plurality of first main-slit portions, a plurality of second main-slit portions, upper slit portion and lower slit portion. The first main-slit portions extend along an inclined direction with respect to a first direction. The second main-slit portions are spaced apart from the first main-slit portions. The upper slit portion is disposed on the first main-slit portions along a second direction to be parallel to the first main-slit portions, and extends partway over the second main-slit portions to be longer than the first main-slit portions. The lower slit portion is disposed under the second main-slit portions along the second direction to be parallel to the second main-slit portions, and extends partway under the first main-slit portions to be longer than the second main-slit portions.
US08163442B2	Method for manufacturing catalyst-coated membrane using mask Disclosed are a method for manufacturing a catalyst-coated membrane, the catalyst-coated membrane manufactured by the method, and a fuel cell including the catalyst-coated membrane manufactured by the method. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a mask including a masking film layer and a first adhesive layer laminated on the masking film layer, and having patterns in which portions corresponding to the portions of an electrolyte membrane to be coated with catalyst are removed; (b) attaching the mask on one surface or both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; (c) coating catalyst ink on the electrolyte membrane through the patterns of the mask so as to form a catalyst layer; and (d) removing the masking film layer and the first adhesive layer.
US08163437B2	Anode with ceramic additives for molten carbonate fuel cell A molten carbonate fuel cell anode comprising a porous anode body, which comprises a nickel-based alloy and at least one ceramic additive dispersed throughout the anode body. The amount of the ceramic additive in the anode body is between 5 and 50% by volume. The nickel-based alloy is Ni—Cr or Ni—Al, and the ceramic additive is one of CeO2, yttrium doped ceria, yttrium doped zirconia, TiO2, Li2TiO3, LiAlO2 and La0.8Sr0.2CoO3.
US08163435B2	Porous body and production method A porous body which has a density of from 40 to 70%, is formed from an Fe-based alloy and contains from 0.01 to 2% by weight of mixed oxide with at least one oxidic compound of one or more metals from the group consisting of Y, Sc, rare earth metals and at least one further oxidic compound of one or more metals from the group consisting of Ti, Al, Cr. The porous body displays no after-shrinkage even at operating temperatures of 900° C., it has very good corrosion resistance and it is particularly suitable as a support substrate for use in high-temperature fuel cells.
US08163432B2	Fuel cell The present invention provides a fuel cell capable of inhibiting desiccation and flooding of a membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cell has a laminated body having a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane sandwiched by an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer. A pair of separators sandwiches the laminated body, and between at least one separator and the laminated body, inlet and outlet passages are formed. The inlet passage is blocked at a downstream end of the reaction gas supplied to the laminated body and the outlet passage is blocked at an upstream end of the reaction gas having passed through the laminated body. The inlet passage and the outlet passage are arranged separately from each other. The depth of the upstream region of the inlet passage is larger than that of the downstream region of the inlet passage.
US08163426B2	Polysiloxane-based compound for electrolyte of lithium secondary battery, organic electrolyte solution including the polysiloxane-based compound, and lithium battery using the solution An additive for an electrolyte of a lithium secondary battery, the additive including a polysiloxane-based compound represented by Formula 1 below: In formula 1 R1, R2, R3, A1, A2, l, m, n, o and p are as described in the detailed description of the present invention.
US08163422B2	Electrochemical device There is provided an electrochemical device provided with an electrolytic solution comprising (I) a solvent for dissolving an electrolyte salt comprising (A) a fluorine-containing ether represented by the formula (1): Rf1—O—Rf2 wherein Rf1 and Rf2 are the same or different and each is a fluorine-containing alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, (B) a cyclic carbonate, and (C) a chain carbonate being compatible with both of the fluorine-containing ether (A) and the cyclic carbonate (B), and (II) an electrolyte salt, in which the solvent (I) for dissolving an electrolyte salt comprises 30 to 60% by volume of the fluorine-containing ether (A), 3 to 40% by volume of the cyclic carbonate (B) and 10 to 67% by volume of the chain carbonate (C) based on the whole solvent (I), and when the electrochemical device is provided with such an electrolytic solution, no phase separation occurs even at low temperature, flame retardancy and heat resistance are excellent, solubility of an electrolyte salt is high, discharge capacity is large, and charge and discharge cycle characteristics are satisfactory.
US08163419B2	Battery pack A battery pack comprises a plurality of battery modules and a holding spacer which holds the battery module. A plurality of projections are provided on the holding spacer. The projections contact the battery module to hold the battery module and form a flow path for a coolant. A heat generating structure is embedded in the holding spacer or inserted into a hollow section of the holding spacer. In a cold climate, electricity is applied to the heat generating structure, to heat the battery module.
US08163414B2	Electrical device having a battery pack with an easy attachment and release mechanism An electrical device has a device body defining a cavity for receiving a battery pack, the battery pack has an arm and a sleeve that at least partially surrounds the arm, and the sleeve is rotatable relative to the arm around an axis of rotation.
US08163408B2	Battery with pressure relief channel A battery having an outer casing and an anode/cathode assembly within that casing, wherein the anode/cathode assembly includes plural anodes and cathodes and electrolyte therebetween. The battery has a pressure relief feature associated with the casing and a channel preservation element sufficiently rigid to preserve at least one gas passageway to the pressure relief feature under conditions of anode/cathode assembly warpage. Thus the gas in the passageway will not become impeded by anode/cathode assembly warpage.
US08163407B2	Method for controlling sodium-sulfur battery In a method for controlling a sodium-sulfur battery, a time of correcting or resetting a depth of discharge of the sodium-sulfur battery is determined within a predetermined period based on weather information, and the depth of discharge of the sodium-sulfur battery is corrected or reset in the determined time. According to this sodium-sulfur battery control method, the depth of discharge of the sodium-sulfur battery can be accurately managed in a small-scale interconnected system.
US08163404B2	Chlorine, fluorine and lithium co-doped transparent conductive films and methods for fabricating the same A chlorine, fluorine and lithium co-doped transparent conductive film is provided, including chlorine, fluorine and lithium co-doped tin oxides, wherein the chlorine, fluorine and lithium co-doped tin oxides have a chlorine ion doping concentration not greater than 5 atom %, a fluorine ion doping concentration not greater than 5 atom %, and a lithium ion doping concentration not greater than 5 atom %.
US08163401B2	Component having a coating system The invention relates to a component having a coating system, which comprises at least one bonding coat applied directly onto the component and at least one thermal barrier coat formed on the bonding coat, the bonding coat comprising from 22 to 36 wt. % Cr, from 15 to 30 wt. % Ni, at most 55 ppm Al, and Fe as a basis.
US08163400B2	Plated article having metal thin film formed by electroless plating, and manufacturing method thereof The present invention provides a plated article that has a thin seed layer having a uniform thickness, formed by electroless plating and allowing formation of ultrafine wiring, and that avoids the complicated formation of a bilayer of a barrier layer and a catalytic metal layer prior to forming the seed layer. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the plated article. The plated article has an alloy thin film formed on a substrate and containing a catalytically active metal (A) for electroless plating and a metal (B) capable of undergoing displacement plating with a metal ion contained in an electroless plating solution, and a metal thin film formed on the alloy thin film by electroless displacement and reduction plating. The alloy thin film of the catalytically active metal (A) and the metal (B) capable of displacement plating has a composition comprising 5at% to 40at% of the metal (A). The metal thin film formed by electroless displacement and reduction plating is a metal thin film having a thickness no greater than 10 nm and a resistivity no greater than 10 μΩ·cm. Preferably, the metal (B) has a barrier function with respect to a metal of the metal thin film.
US08163395B2	Method for coating metals Process for coating metallic surfaces with a copolymer of olefins and/or dienes, acidic monomers and, optionally, further monomers, the metal surfaces being contaminated with oil and/or grease, and the contamination not being removed prior to coating. Metallic surface obtainable by means of the process.
US08163394B2	Aluminum foil and method of manufacturing the same Provided is an aluminum foil according to the present invention including: a primer coated layer (13) which is formed by depositing a primer coating liquid on a non-glossy surface of the aluminum foil (11), and drying the primer coating liquid deposited on the non-glossy surface of the aluminum foil at temperature of 20 to 110° C. to then cool the same at temperature of 0 to 20° C.; a mid-coat layer (15) which is formed by depositing the mid-coating liquid on the upper portion of the primer coated layer (13); and a two-coat layer (17) which is formed by depositing the coating liquid on the upper portion of the mid-coat layer (15), and plasticizing the coating liquid deposited on the upper portion of the mid-coat layer for three to five minutes at temperature of 60 to 430° C.
US08163393B2	Anti-dazzling optical laminate An anti-dazzling laminate which is an optical laminate comprising a light transparent base material and an anti-dazzling layer provided on the light transparent base material. The outermost surface of the anti-dazzling layer has a concavoconvex shape, and the optical laminate satisfies the following requirements: Ha is more than 0% and less than 8%, Hi is more than 0% and not more than 6%, and Hi/Ha is not less than 0.013 and less than 0.8, wherein Ha represents the whole haze value of the optical laminate; and Hi represents the internal haze value of the optical laminate.
US08163391B2	Surface treated steel sheet A surface treated steel sheet has a surface treatment film including a metallic compound containing titanium, a metallic compound containing magnesium, a cationic urethane resin having at least one cationic functional group selected from primary to tertiary amino groups and quaternary ammonium bases, and a cationic phenol polycondensate which is a polycondensate of a phenol compound with an aldehyde and has a cationic functional group, wherein the titanium content in the surface treatment film is in the range of 1 mass % to 4 mass % based on a total solid content; the magnesium content in the surface treatment film is in the range of 0.2 mass % to 2 mass % based on a total solid content; the cationic urethane resin content in the surface treatment film is in the range of 20 mass % to 35 mass % based on a total solid content; the cationic phenol polycondensate content in the surface treatment film is in the range of 25 mass % to 40 mass % based on a total solid content; and the mass ratio of the cationic urethane resin to the cationic phenol polycondensate is in the range of 33.3:66.7 to 49:51.
US08163379B2	Sandwich structure The present invention provides a sandwich structure with a core element in honeycomb form and outer layers with carbon fiber and glass fiber layers, the glass fiber layers being applied to the outer sides of the sandwich structure.
US08163374B2	Formation of close-packed sphere arrays in V-shaped grooves The present invention relates to the self-assembly of a spherical-morphology block copolymer into V-shaped grooves of a substrate. Although spherical morphology block copolymers typically form a body-centered cubic system (bcc) sphere array in bulk, the V-shaped grooves promote the formation of a face-centered cubic system (fcc) sphere array that is well ordered. In one embodiment, the (111) planes of the fcc sphere array are parallel to the angled side walls of the V-shaped groove. The (100) plane of the fcc sphere array is parallel to the top surface of the substrate, and may show a square symmetry among adjacent spheres. This square symmetry is unlike the hexagonal symmetry seen in monolayers of spherical domains and is a useful geometry for lithography applications, especially those used in semiconductor applications.
US08163367B2	Water absorbing mat A water absorbing mat includes a base having an internal space open to a top; a squeezing unit disposed in the internal space and comprising a plurality of water bladders having a plurality of legs; and a water absorbing unit disposed on the water bladders and formed of a predetermined water absorbing material such as pile threads or foam.
US08163362B2	Line of sight hose cover A multilayer hose cover for a hose, such as a high-pressure hose, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the hose cover comprises at least three layers that are interwoven together using weft yarn. In these embodiments, the hose cover includes an outer sheath, a middle sheath, and an inner sheath interwoven together by weft yarn in such a way that the layers reinforce one another and are configured to contain the energy associated with a hose burst.
US08163361B2	Pliable plastic film and container using the same A pliable plastic film according to the present invention comprises a heat sealable sealing layer, wherein the sealing layer is made of a mixture of a propylene-α-olefin random copolymer having a crystalline melting point Tm of 135 to 145° C. and a polypropylene (PP) homopolymer having a crystalline melting point Tm of higher than 160° C.
US08163359B2	Retardation film, and polarizing plate and liquid crystal display comprising the same Disclosed are a retardation film including a polymer resin; and an optically anisotropic compound having a silicon group, and a polarizing plate including the retardation film. Also, disclosed is a liquid crystal display including the retardation film and/or the polarizing plate.
US08163358B2	Surface modification of contact lenses A method of increasing the hydrophilicity of a polymer surface, such as a contact lens surface, includes exposing the polymer substrate to a first plasma under conditions selected to generate free radicals on the surface of the polymer substrate. The method also includes reacting an organic compound with the free radicals on the surface of the polymer substrate to thereby form an organic coating. The method further includes exposing the organic coating to a second plasma under conditions selected to oxidize the organic coating to thereby form a hydrophilic layer at the substrate surface. The hydrophilic layer can have a contact angle with respect to water that is less than about 50°.
US08163357B2	Scratch-resistant coatings with improved adhesion to inorganic thin film coatings A scratch-resistant coating comprising a polymer including a functionalized polysilsesquioxane. The scratch-resistant coating is exposed to oxidizing conditions (e.g., ozone or ultraviolet light) that modify the surface chemistry of the coating to enhance adhesion to inorganic thin film coatings, such as antireflective coatings.
US08163356B2	Products A laboratory consumable having a polymeric coating, coating formed by exposing said consumable to pulsed plasma for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the laboratory consumable, said plasma comprising a compound of formula (I) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification. Consumables of this type show significantly reduced liquid sample retention, maximum sample recovery and ultra non-binding properties, as well as oil and water-repellency.
US08163353B2	Fabrication of copper-based anodes via atmosphoric plasma spraying techniques A fuel electrode anode (18) for a solid oxide fuel cell is made by presenting a solid oxide fuel cell having an electrolyte surface (15), mixing copper powder with solid oxide electrolyte in a mixing step (24, 44) to provide a spray feedstock (30,50) which is fed into a plasma jet (32, 52) of a plasma torch to melt the spray feed stock and propel it onto an electrolyte surface (34, 54) where the spray feed stock flattens into lamellae layer upon solidification, where the layer (38, 59) is an anode coating with greater than 35 vol. % based on solids volume.
US08163349B2	Methods for applying a washcoat and heat treating a ceramic honeycomb, and treated articles A method for treating a microcracked, ceramic substrate is provided that obviates the need for filling the microcracks of the substrate via a passivation step prior to sintering a layer of washcoat to the surfaces of the substrate that may either contain a catalyst, or provide a support layer for a catalyst subsequently applied. In the first step of the method, a slurry of particles of a washcoating composition is applied over the surface of the substrate such that particles of the composition are lodged into microcracks of the substrate. Next, the substrate is heat treated to between about 700° C. and 1300° C. The method is particularly applicable to ceramic honeycomb structures used as catalytic converters in automotive exhaust systems.
US08163344B2	Method for the formation of doped boron A chemically doped boron coating is applied by chemical vapor deposition to a silicon carbide fiber and the coated fiber then is exposed to magnesium vapor to convert the doped boron to doped magnesium diboride and a resultant superconductor.
US08163343B2	Method of forming an aluminum oxide layer Methods of forming aluminum oxide layers on substrates are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes depositing an aluminum oxide seed layer on the substrate using a first process having a first deposition rate. The method further includes depositing a bulk aluminum oxide layer atop the seed layer using a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process having a second deposition rate greater than the first deposition rate.
US08163339B2	Edge densification for film boiling process A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving densification of porous substrate using a film boiling process. In particular, the disclosed method and apparatus permit more complete densification of a substrate (i.e., densification closer to the surface of the substrate) by providing a sort of barrier that reduces cooling of the surface of the substrate being densified caused by contact with the relatively cool boiling liquid precursor of the densifying material, such as carbon. In particular, contact between the substrate and the liquid precursor is reduced using one or both of physical barriers (such as a mesh material) or structures that promote the formation of an insulating gaseous layer between the substrate and the liquid precursor (such as a plate closely spaced apart from the surface of the porous substrate).
US08163334B2	Method and apparatus for applying electrode mixture paste A method for applying an electrode mixture paste includes unwinding a core material wound in a coil shape; applying an electrode mixture paste to both sides of the core material; adjusting an application amount of the electrode mixture paste; drying a paste-coated sheet with the electrode mixture paste applied to the both sides thereof; and winding the paste-coated sheet in a coil shape. The electrode mixture paste is circulated and supplied by a circulation means having a storage function and a stirring function. The application method can achieve stable application accuracy even when a paste-coated sheet is continuously produced using a plurality of lots of electrode mixture pastes containing different types of powders having a large difference in the specific gravity.
US08163326B2	Implantable or insertable medical devices visible under magnetic resonance imaging Disclosed is an implantable or insertable medical device comprising (a) a substrate and (b) a hydrogel polymer coating at a least a portion of the surface of the substrate, wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render the medical device visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) upon insertion or implantation of the medical device into a patient. Also disclosed is the use of such a hydrogel coated implantable or insertable medical device in a medical procedure, wherein during or after insertion or implantation of the medical device in a patient, the position of the medical device is viewed under MRI. The use of a hydrogel polymer for coating a medical device wherein the hydrogel polymer is adapted to render a medical device coated with the hydrogel polymer visible under MRI and a hydrogel polymer adapted to render a medical device coated therewith visible under MRI are also disclosed.
US08163317B2	Method There is provided a process for the prevention and/or reduction of Maillard reaction in a foodstuff containing (i) a protein, a peptide or an amino acid and (ii) a reducing sugar, the process comprising contacting the foodstuff with an enzyme capable of oxidising a reducing group of the sugar.
US08163316B2	Yogurt with a two-phase structure and method for production thereof The invention relates to a yogurt with a two-phase structure, comprising fat globules connected to a mixed system of protein material and fatty material and globules of free fat into which a flavor preparation can be incorporated. The invention further relates to a yogurt with a two-phase structure into which a chocolate preparation or a vanilla preparation containing chocolate chips has been incorporated and, furthermore, a method for production of such a yogurt with a two-phase structure.
US08163312B2	Herbal formulation for prevention and treatment of diabetes and associated complications An herbal formulation for prevention and treatment of Diabetes and associated complications comprising extracts from selected Indian medicinal herbs. The invention has associate formulations for different diabetes related complications, which are individually useful in clinical requirements such as improving renal health and preventing renal diseases, preventing diabetic retinopathy and prevention and treatment for oxidative damage to heart and blood vessels. The invention is versatile and can be processed into extracts/concentrates and further pharmacologically modified to tablets or capsules or granules or syrups or herbal health drink or inhalable herbal medicinal preparations or ocular preparations or transdermal absorbable preparations such as ointments/gels or injectable medicine.
US08163308B2	Homeopathy-based formulation A formulation comprising a potentized mixture of triturated Lichen planus tissue with histamine in the ratio of about 1:2 to about 2:1 in a vehicle, where the ratio of the mixture to the vehicle, can be varied from 1:99 to 50:50.
US08163305B2	Targeted cross-linked nanoparticles and their use in vivo gene delivery The in vivo delivery of nucleic acids is targeted by delivery of the nucleic acid in a complex with cross-linked nanoparticles; where the nanoparticles comprise cross-linked neutral amphipathic molecules, cationic amphipathic molecules and targeting amphipathic molecules. Optionally the cationic and targeting amphipathic molecules are also cross-linked. A targeting moiety present on the targeting amphipathic molecule provides for selective delivery of the complex to a predetermined target site, e.g. blood vessels, endothelial cells, tumor cells, liver cells, and the like.
US08163303B2	Nutritional composition for the treatment of pressure ulcers The invention pertains to a method of treating or preventing pressure ulcers, comprising enterally administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising proteins, carbohydrates, fats, arginine or equivalents thereof, ascorbic acid equivalents and a-tocopherol equivalents, wherein arginine or equivalents thereof is administered in a daily amount of 3-15 g, ascorbic acid equivalents are administered in a daily amount of 180-840 mg and a-tocopherol equivalents are administered in a daily amount of 50-400 mg.
US08163299B2	Stabilized pharmaceutical product Use of an adsorbent and a sealed package (e.g. an overwrap) to protect a pharmaceutical product in a solid state in the presence of a reducing sugar.
US08163284B2	Methods of treating TSLP-related inflammatory disorders The present disclosure provides compositions and methods relating to antigen binding proteins which bind to human thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), including antibodies. In particular embodiments, the disclosure provides fully human, humanized and chimeric anti-TSLP antibodies and derivatives of such antibodies. The disclosure further provides nucleic acids encoding such antibodies and antibody fragments and derivatives, and methods of making and using such antibodies including methods of treating and preventing TSLP-related inflammatory and fibrotic disorders.
US08163282B2	Monoclonal antibody capable of binding to heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor Medicaments for treating diseases related to HB-EGF escalation are in demand. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment thereof which binds to a cell membrane-bound HB-EGF, a membrane type HB-EGF and a secretory HB-EGF.
US08163281B2	Treatment of drug-related side effect and tissue damage by targeting the CD24-HMGB1-Siglec10 axis The present technology provides methods and compositions for the treatment of tissue-damage related immune dysregulation by administering a composition comprising one or more of CD24; CD24 fragments, variants and derivatives, CD24Fc fusion proteins; HMBG1-binding proteins, binding proteins to HMBG1 Box B; antagonists of HMGB1, polyclonal, monoclonal, recombinant, chimeric, humanized scFv antibodies and antibody fragments to HMGB1 or fragments of HMGB1 and antibodies that bind and suppress the activity of HMGB1 Box B; Siglec 10 agonists such as anti-Siglec 10 antibodies; and combinations thereof to a patient.
US08163277B2	Kits for treating dysfunction of cardiac muscle Kits are described for the treatment of acute or chronic dysfunction of cardiac muscle. The kit includes a platelet-rich plasma composition with a pH adjusting agent and a catheter or syringe for delivery of the platelet-rich plasma composition to dysfunctional cardiac muscle. The kit may also include a syringe for withdrawing blood from a patient and a centrifuge device to obtain platelet-rich plasma.
US08163276B2	Systems and methods for isolating and using clinically safe adipose derived regenerative cells Systems and methods are described that are used to separate cells from a wide variety of tissues. In particular, automated systems and methods are described that separate regenerative cells, e.g., stem and/or progenitor cells, from adipose tissue. The systems and methods described herein provide rapid and reliable methods of separating and concentrating regenerative cells suitable for re-infusion into a subject.
US08163275B2	Multi-lineage progenitor cells Fetal blood multi-lineage progenitor cells that are capable of a wide spectrum of transdifferentiation are described.
US08163274B2	Personal care products containing high refractive index esters and methods of preparing the same The invention includes personal care compositions and methods of preparing these personal care compositions that include incorporation of a polyol polyester that is the reaction product of an aliphatic polyol that does not contain an ether group, and benzoic acid, wherein the resultant polyol polyester has a refractive index at 25° C. of greater than about 1.5. The aliphatic polyol may have two to three carbon atoms. Alternatively, the invention includes personal care compositions and methods of preparing personal care compositions including incorporating a polyol polyester into a personal care formulation. The polyol polyester is represented by formula (I): wherein R is an aliphatic alkyl group that does not contain an ether group and has a refractive index of greater than about 1.5 at 25° C. Also described are methods of preparing personal care compositions comprising a first phase and a second phase, wherein the second phase contains any of the polyol polyesters described above.
US08163270B2	Methods of diagnosing and treating migraine The present invention provides methods of diagnosing migraine attacks and determining predisposition of an individual to the development of migraine based on sodium level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or brain extracellular fluid. The invention also provides methods of treating migraine, wherein the individual is selected for treatment based in the individual's sodium level in the CSF and/or brain extracellular fluid. The CSF sodium level may be based on the sodium concentration in the saliva.
US08163257B2	Fluid dispenser A cartridge (10) for dispensing a reagent contained in a reagent reservoir (32). The reservoir (32) is in fluid communication with a deformable dispense tube (26) that is a least partially compressible, in use, to dispense a volume of reagent from the tube (26). The reservoir (32) defines an enclosed gas space (46) above the reagent, and the cartridge (10) includes a gas vent (40) that, in use, admits gas to the gas space (46) in response to dispense of reagent from the tube (26) that serves to control the reservoir pressure as the reservoir (32) is depleted by subsequent dispensing of reagent. A dispenser employing the cartridge (10) and a method of dispensing a volume of reagent are also disclosed.
US08163256B2	Pipette tip mounting and ejection assembly and associated pipette tip An air displacement pipette has a tubular pipette tip with an upper section surrounding a locking chamber, and a body section leading from the upper section and tapering downwardly to a reduced diameter end. A tubular mounting shaft on the pipette has a distal end configured and dimensioned for axial insertion into the locking chamber of the pipette tip. Coacting surfaces on the distal end of the mounting shaft and the upper section of the pipette tip establish an axially interengaged relationship between the pipette tip and the mounting shaft in response to insertion of the distal end of the mounting shaft into the locking chamber. A sleeve is axially shiftable on the mounting shaft between a retracted position accommodating the establishment of the axially interengaged relationship, and an advanced position disrupting the axially interengaged relationship to thereby accommodate axial ejection of the pipette tip from the mounting shaft.
US08163252B2	Kit for taking biopsies, autopsies, excisions, and resections and methods thereof The present invention relates to a kit for taking biopsies, resections, excisions, and/or autopsies. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods of taking biopsies resections, excisions, and/or autopsies using the kit of the present invention. The kits and methods of the present invention allow for fewer errors, decreased turn around time and/or more rapid processing due to a cassette and specimen numbering system that is simplified and superior over that which has been previously disclosed in the prior art. The kit of the present invention comprises one or more tissue cassettes, and optionally one or more bottles of formalin and optionally, other components.
US08163250B2	Holding sealing material, method for rolling holding sealing material, and exhaust gas purifying apparatus A holding sealing material includes a mat including an inorganic fibrous material. In a plan view, the mat has a basic quadrangular shape consisting of long sides extending in a longitudinal direction and short sides substantially perpendicular to the long sides. The mat has a recessed portion at one of the short sides and a projected portion at another of the short sides, whereby the projected and recessed portions should fit to each other when the mat is rolled around a periphery of a member to be wrapped. In a cross-sectional view, the projected portion is a quadrangle and the recessed portion is a gap between two quadrangles. At least one corner portion of the projected portion is cut out on a side of the member to be wrapped or another corner portion of the quadrangle of the projected or recessed portions is cut out.
US08163245B2	Microfluidics system for mixing at least two starting materials A microfluidics system for mixing at least two starting materials having a prescribed number of parallel and identical mixing or reaction branches, in which a number of supply ducts corresponding to the number of starting materials open into a mixing or reaction channel. Each of the supply ducts includes an intake line for each starting material, an injection pump for each supply duct and a valve circuit between each intake line for a starting material, where the supply ducts for a respective starting material and a respective injection pump are provided to each respective supply duct. The valve circuit is configured to connect the injection pumps to the suction line in a first valve position, shut off the injection pumps in a second valve position, and to connect the injection pumps to the associated inlet channels in a third valve position. Each of the injection pumps, which are connected to each valve circuit, have a common drive. All mixing or reaction branches connected in parallel can thus be supplied with the same volumetric flow of starting material.
US08163233B2	Martensitic stainless steel for welded structures A martensitic stainless steel for welded structures including by mass %, C: 0.001 to 0.05%, Si: 0.05 to 1%, Mn: 0.05 to 2%, P: 0.03% or less, REM: 0.0005 to 0.1%, Cr: 8 to 16%, Ni: 0.1 to 9% and sol. Al: 0.001 to 0.1%; and further including one or more elements selected from among Ti: 0.005 to 0.5%, Zr: 0.005 to 0.5%, Hf: 0.005 to 0.5%, V: 0.005 to 0.5% and Nb: 0.005 to 0.5%; and O: 0.005% or less, N: 0.1% or less, with the balance being Fe and impurities; and the P and REM content satisfies: P≦0.6×REM. This steel possesses excellent SCC (stress corrosion cracking) resistance in welded sections in Sweet environments.
US08163224B2	Manufacturing method of three-dimensionally shaped object An equipment for metal-laser sintering process includes a powder layer forming unit, an irradiation unit which irradiates light beams, a correction target on which a correction mark serving as a fiducial in correction of the irradiation points of the light beams is formed, and an imaging camera which takes an image of the correction mark. The correction target is formed of a material which is melted by irradiation of light beam so as to be formed a through hole. The correction target is disposed on the substrate and the light beams are irradiated to penetrate the correction target so that the correction mark is formed. Subsequently, the imaging camera takes an image of the correction mark and the location of the correction mark is measured, and thus, correction of the irradiation points is performed. Since the correction mark is formed to be a through hole, contrast becomes clear so that location of the correction mark can be measured easily, and the correction of the irradiation points of the light beams can be performed easily.
US08163215B2	Method of forming regenerated carbohydrates with solvent systems based on molten ionic liquids A solution system for biopolymers in the form of carbohydrates based on a molten ionic liquid, additives optionally being contained in the solution system, is described. This solution system contains a protic solvent or a mixture of several protic solvents, and in the case where the protic solvent is solely water, this is present in the solution system in an amount of more than about 5 wt. %. Carbohydrates can be incorporated into the solution system, in particular in the form of starch, cellulose and derivatives thereof, and it can then be used for regeneration of the carbohydrates contained therein. A particularly advantageous process for the preparation of the solution system containing the carbohydrates and for the preparation of regenerated carbohydrates, in particular in the form of regenerated cellulose fibers, is moreover described. The invention accordingly also provides such spun fibers as are distinguished in that they are non-fibrillating. The invention offers in particular economic advantages over the systems of the prior art.
US08163213B2	Method of reducing crimp in woven sailcloth A method of reducing crimp in woven sailcloth comprising applying heat to warp yarn or fill yarn prior to the yarns being woven into fabric and a method of making a sail comprising assembling panels of sailcloth comprising warp yarns and fill yarns, wherein at least one panel of sailcloth is prepared by applying heat to the warp yarn or the fill yarn prior to the yarns being weaved into fabric.
US08163212B2	Process for producing pellet of ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer The present invention provides a process for producing pellet of EVOH comprising the steps of introducing an EVOH solution containing alcohol into an apparatus, contacting the solution with water in the apparatus to let out the alcohol with water and then letting out an EVOH hydrous composition from the above-mentioned apparatus (step 1); cutting the EVOH hydrous composition let out therefrom to obtain EVOH hydrous composition pellets (step 2); introducing the obtained EVOH hydrous composition pellets into a dryer to reduce a water content thereof (step 3); melt-kneading the pellets, whose water content is reduced, in an extruder (step 4); and cutting EVOH discharged from the extruder to obtain the pellet of EVOH (step 5). Thus, the EVOH hydrous composition obtained by removing alcohol without deteriorating the environment can be efficiently dried, and pellets having less thermal degradation in drying and a uniform shape can be obtained.
US08163209B2	Method and apparatus for controlling the geometry of a composite component A method of controlling the geometry of a composite component (3). The method comprises applying pressure to the component with a pressure transmitter (6), and during said application of pressure: heating the component; measuring the position of the pressure transmitter to produce a feedback signal; and moving the pressure transmitter in response to a change in the feedback signal.
US08163196B2	Azeotrope-like compositions comprising 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene An azeotrope-like mixture consisting essentially of chlorotrifluoropropene and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a C1-C3 alcohol, a C5-C6 hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, methylal, methyl acetone, water, nitromethane, and combinations thereof.
US08163188B2	Article with PHEMA lift-off layer and method therefor A method of forming a patterned functional layer on a substrate using a poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) lift-off layer is described. The method can be used with substrates that would not tolerate the organic solvents required for processing of known poly(methyl methacrylate) lift-off layers. When used in combination with known nanoimprint lithography and step-and-flash imprint lithography techniques, the method can be used to generate patterned functional structures with dimensions as small as five nanometers.
US08163186B2	Method of manufacturing magnetic head, and magnetic head sub-structure A method of manufacturing magnetic heads comprises the step of: fabricating a magnetic head substructure by forming a plurality of components of the magnetic heads on a single substrate, wherein a plurality of rows of pre-head portions that will be the respective magnetic heads later are aligned in the substructure; and fabricating the magnetic heads by separating the pre-head portions from one another through cutting the substructure. In the step of fabricating the substructure, a plurality of indicators are formed, each of the indicators serving as a reference for indicating the location of a region ABS in which the medium facing surfaces of the magnetic heads are to be formed.
US08163184B2	Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components An apparatus is disclosed that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.
US08163183B2	Magnetic particle parallel processing apparatus permitting repeated use of container and method of magnetic particle parallel processing permitting repeated use of container To provide a magnetic particle parallel processing apparatus permitting repeated use of a container, and a method of magnetic particle parallel processing permitting repeated use of a container, with which the rate of repeated use of a container is enhanced to thereby achieve a saving in the working space and a saving in the working time. The apparatus comprises: at least one reaction container; a liquid disposal tank; a reagent etc. feeder with at least one flow channel for feeding at least one type of liquid selected from the group consisting of two or more types of solutions and a magnetic particle suspension according to the processing content, at a given amount and at a given timing, to the reaction container; and a magnetic separator which has at least one processing nozzle with a distal end insertable into the reaction container and the liquid disposal tank, for sucking and discharging a liquid through the distal end, and which also has a magnetic means capable of applying a magnetic field to the interior of the distal end to thereby attract magnetic particles contained in the liquid inside the distal end to the inner wall thereof to effect separation of the magnetic particles, and canceling the magnetic field to thereby release the attracted magnetic particles and re-suspend the same in a liquid.
US08163181B2	Apparatus and method for treating FGD blowdown or similar liquids A process has steps of one or more of aerobic treatment to remove COD and nitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to denitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to remove selenium and anaerobic treatment to remove heavy metals and sulphur. The process may be used to treat, for example, FGD blow down water. The process may further include one or more of (a) membrane separation of the waste stream upstream of the anoxic digestion to remove selenium, (b) dilution upstream of the biological treatment step, (c) physical/chemical pretreatment upstream of the biological processes or dilution step to remove TSS and soften the waste stream, or (d) ammonia stripping upstream of the biological treatment steps or dilutions step. These processes may be provided in a variety of suspended growth or fixed film reactors, for example a membrane bioreactor or a fixed film reactor having a GAC bed. Processes for biological treatment of inorganic compounds in a fixed medium reactor is described including steps of one or more of maintaining desired ORP levels, optionally by controlling nutrient addition, and removing solids or gas bubbles from the medium bed.
US08163180B2	Process and installation for anaerobic treatment of material having high solids concentration The invention relates to a process for anaerobic treatment of material having a solids concentration greater than 15% in a digester in the form of a sealed tank (1) equipped with means (2) for supplying material to be treated and means (3) for discharging digested material and also vertical homogenization means (6) in the form of injectors for injecting a gaseous fluid into the bottom (7) of the tank (1). Through distribution in the tank (1) of the material supply means (2) relative to the discharge means (3) and using vertical homogenization means (6) that guarantee the homogeneity of the material treated by vertical sectors (8) in the tank, conferred on the material in the tank (1) is a forced unidirectional circulation that is uniform throughout the entire cross section of this tank, and along one substantially horizontal component, between said supply means (2) and said discharge means (3). The invention also relates to an installation for implementing such a process.
US08163168B2	Process for flexible vacuum gas oil conversion The present invention relates to a process for the selective conversion of hydrocarbon feed having a Conradson Carbon Residue content of 0 to 6 wt %, based on the hydrocarbon feed. The hydrocarbon feed is treated in a two-step process. The first is thermal conversion and the second is catalytic cracking of the products of the thermal conversion. The present invention results in a process for increasing the distillate production from a hydrocarbon feedstream for a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The resulting product slate from the present invention can be further varied by changing the conditions in the thermal and catalytic cracking steps as well as by changing the catalyst in the cracking step.
US08163165B2	Gas sensor with a microporous electrolyte layer The present invention relates to electrochemical sensors for determining gaseous analytes in an aqueous measuring medium, to a process for producing such sensors, and to a process for determining gaseous analytes dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium using the electrochemical sensors. The electrolyte layer of the sensors comprises at least one particulate material and at least one binder which together form a porous, non-swellable framework structure, wherein the pores in this framework structure are configured to absorb a liquid electrolyte or contain the liquid electrolyte.
US08163161B2	Gas sensor and method for detecting particles in a gas flow A gas sensor for detecting particles in a gas stream has a first electrochemical pump cell, which has a measuring chamber in which a first electrode is disposed to pump particles between the first measuring chamber and the gas stream. Furthermore, a second electrochemical pump cell is provided, which has a second measuring chamber in which a second electrode is disposed so as to pump particles. The second measuring chamber is connected to the gas stream via an absorber medium for absorption of the particles to be detected. This makes it possible to absorb the particles to be detected in a first operating mode using the absorber medium, and to desorb the absorbed particles in a second operating mode, and to detect the quantity of the desorbed particles. Thus, the gas sensor is able to take even low concentrations into account, and short-term measuring errors do not have such a serious effect.
US08163156B2	Method for vacuum-compression micro plasma oxidation The inventive method and device for vacuum-compression micro plasma oxidation relate to electrochemical processing of metal, in particular to micro plasma treatment in electrolyte solutions. The aim of said invention is to develop a method for obtaining qualitatively homogeneous coatings by micro-plasma oxidation on large-sized parts, including irregular shaped parts, or simultaneously on a great number of small parts. The second aim of the invention is to design a device for processing parts, having an extended surface area, by using low-power supplies. The inventive method for vacuum-compression micro-plasma oxidation of parts consists in dipping a processable part into an electrolyte solution pre-filled in a sealed container, in generating micro-plasma discharges on the surface of said part and, subsequently, in forming a coating, wherein the micro-plasma discharges are formed in low-pressure conditions above the electrolyte solution. The device for carrying out said method comprises means for forming vacuum in the electrolyte-containing container and additional means for pumping air.
US08163152B1	Method and apparatus for high speed carbohydrate analysis A cost-effective multi-channel capillary gel-electrophoresis system for highly efficient, high speed, high throughput, carbohydrate analysis. In one aspect of the present invention, a high-performance capillary electrophoresis analyzer system has been optimized for carbohydrate analysis application. The system uses a multiplexed/time-staggered fluorescence type detection mechanism, with an integrated fiber optic array-based technology and a novel disposable gel-cartridge. Twelve carbohydrate samples are automatically injected, electrophoretically separated, detected and analyzed simultaneously by using a multiple usage and disposable multi-capillary gel-cartridge. Using commercially available labeling agent such as APTS (representing 8-Aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, trisodium salt) as an indicator, the capillary electrophoresis-based carbohydrate system/analyzer provides high resolving power in 2-15 minutes of separations. The system can hold a total of 96 samples, which can be automatically analyzed within 30-60 minutes. This affordable fiber optic based fluorescence detection system can be used in laboratories for high speed carbohydrate sequencing & screening applications.
US08163147B2	Subsystems and methods for use in patch clamp systems Subsystems and methods for use in patch clamp systems are provided. For example, in certain embodiments, compensation circuitry is used to compensate for non-idealities present in the patch clamp system. The accuracy of this compensation may be verified by employing, for example, circuitry that models the patch clamp system.
US08163143B2	Al-Ni-La-Si system Al-based alloy sputtering target and process for producing the same The present invention relates to an Al—Ni—La—Si system Al-based alloy sputtering target including Ni, La and Si, in which, when a section from (¼)t to (¾)t (t: thickness) in a cross section vertical to a plane of the sputtering target is observed with a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 2000 times, (1) a total area of an Al—Ni system intermetallic compound having an average particle diameter of 0.3 μm to 3 μm with respect to a total area of the entire Al—Ni system intermetallic compound is 70% or more in terms of an area fraction, the Al—Ni system intermetallic compound being mainly composed of Al and Ni; and (2) a total area of an Al—Ni—La—Si system intermetallic compound having an average particle diameter of 0.2 μm to 2 μm with respect to a total area of the entire Al—Ni—La—Si system intermetallic compound is 70% or more in terms of an area fraction, the Al—Ni—La—Si system intermetallic compound being mainly composed of Al, Ni, La, and Si.
US08163138B2	Method for processing effluent from chloromethylation of vinyl aromatic polymers A method for processing effluent from a chloromethylation of a vinyl aromatic polymer wherein the effluent includes catalyst and volatile organics, and wherein the method includes the steps of: 1) deactivating at least a portion of the catalyst; 2) distilling the effluent; 3) adding caustic to the effluent; and 4) distilling the effluent.
US08163136B2	Energy saving papermaking forming apparatus system, and method for lowering consistency of fiber suspension The present invention is directed to an apparatus used in the formation of paper. More specifically the present invention is directed to an apparatus, system, and method for lowering the consistency or degree of density of fiber suspension on the forming table, and improving the quality and physical properties of the paper formed thereon.
US08163127B2	Process for manufacturing a packaging material A process for manufacturing a packaging material with at least two films (12,16) or foils bonded together via at least one adhesive layer (13) to form a multi-layer laminate (10) is such that at least one adhesive layer is an electron-beam-curable adhesive and the laminate (10) is radiated with electrons in order to cure the adhesive. The laminate is particularly suitable for manufacturing pouch-type forms of packaging, in particular for snack foods. The production of laminate using electron-beam-curable adhesive results in a significant reduction in throughput time and in a reduction of solvent emissions by replacing solvent-based adhesives with electron-beam-curable adhesives.
US08163126B2	Film sticking device, film sticking method, and electronic paper manufacturing method Disclosed is a film sticking device that sticks a first film substrate and a second film substrate together on a curved-surface shape. The film sticking device includes a mold having a curved attachment surface formed into a desired curved-surface shape; an attracting and holding unit capable of relatively moving on the curved attachment surface and having plural vacuum chambers on which an attracting surface for attracting and holding the second film substrate is provided; and a suctioning unit capable of separately applying suction processing to the plural vacuum chambers. The suctioning unit starts, as the attracting and holding unit moves, the suction processing of the vacuum chamber corresponding to a position opposing the second film substrate and sequentially stops, as the second film substrate is stuck to the first film substrate, the suction processing of the vacuum chamber corresponding to the stuck second film substrate.
US08163117B2	Producing method of ball for ball game A producing method of ball for ball game including a ball cover and a bladder is disclosed. The method includes steps of (a) inflating a bladder and providing a web layer by coating at least a thread on an outer surface of the bladder thereafter, (b) fabricating a plurality of panels in a predetermined shape, (c) sewing the plurality of panels edge to edge together excluding a portion thereof by a sewing machine to form a ball cover including an inlet opening, (d) inserting the bladder obtained at step (a) into the ball cover obtained at step (c) through the inlet opening, (e) sewing the inlet opening of the ball cover, and (j) inflating the ball for ball game to a predetermined pressure within a shaping mold.
US08163115B2	Method, system and article for producing a mailpiece envelope having improved seal integrity A method, system and article for producing an envelope having improved seal integrity. The method comprises the steps of disposing at least one material at the interface of the adhesive seal between the flap and the body portion of the envelope, which material exhibits a characteristic property when combined with an activating agent. The envelope is then sealed by closing the flap onto the body portion of the envelope such that the activating agent combines with the material along the sealing interface. The sealing interface is inspected to determine whether the material exhibits the characteristic property thereby confirming that a seal has been produced between the flap and body portion of the envelope. The system and article are directed to the various modules of a mailpiece fabrication system employed to produce the mailpiece including an inspection module for confirming that a seal has been formed.
US08163109B1	High-density hafnium-based metallic glass alloys that include six or more elements A class of high-density bulk metallic glass hafnium-based alloys, having copper, nickel, aluminum, tin, and titanium or niobium as alloying elements is disclosed. This class includes alloys having higher densities and a higher reduced glass-transition temperature than other known refractory metallic glass alloys.
US08163099B2	Method and apparatus for reducing deposits in petroleum pipes Examples of methods and apparatus for reducing deposits from a petroleum flow line may include a pipe capable of being attached to a petroleum flow line. The pipe may have a pipe axis that defines a direction for fluid flow in the petroleum flow line. The apparatus may also include a first and a second field winding circumferentially disposed around the pipe, and an electric wave generator adapted to electrically communicate an electric wave to the first field winding and the second field winding. In response to the electric wave, the first and the second field windings are adapted to produce magnetic fields having a first magnetic axis a second magnetic axis, respectively. The first magnetic axis may be noncollinear with respect to the second magnetic axis, and at least the first magnetic axis may be noncollinear with respect to the pipe axis.
US08163096B2	Rollover car wash for large vehicles A car wash system for large vehicles, such as trucks and busses, in which the arrival of a vehicle initiates a process of directing hot water from a supply tank through a relatively long supply line to a spray system. Water standing in the supply line is prevented for a time from going to the spray nozzles and, instead, is directed back to the source. This allows the temperature in the line to reach a predetermined desired value before washing is started. Water is recirculated at a faster rater than it is dispensed once the desired temperature has been reached.
US08163081B2	Composite materials using novel reinforcements The present invention relates to materials used for building products, construction projects, structural objects, mechanical devices and other materials applications. Specifically, the invention concerns composite materials made with reinforcing elements in a binder matrix material. A method of strengthening materials is described that uses high volumes of reinforcing elements, which can be easily dispersed and uniformly distributed, consisting of large diameter fibers, miniature rods or other similar geometric shapes with a diameter or thickness between 0.05 mm and 20 mm where the reinforcements are incorporated either as short, randomly distributed elements or long, continuous aligned arrays.
US08163075B2	Inks comprising modified pigments and methods for making and using the same An ink composition that includes a self-dispersing pigment that has about 0.02 to about 1.0 mMoles of S and about 0.2 to about 2.0 mMoles of active hydrogen per gram of pigment, water, and an organic solvent. A method of making an ink composition that includes sulfonating a pigment, subsequently oxidizing the pigment to produce a modified pigment, and incorporating the modified pigment into an ink.
US08163068B2	Apparatus and process for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon. The apparatus can include: a first drier and a second drier adapted to receive a fluid including at least one reactant; and a reaction zone communicating with the first drier to receive the fluid including at least one reactant and with the second drier to receive the regenerant. Generally, the first drier operates at a first condition to dry the fluid including at least one reactant and the second drier operates at a second condition during regeneration with a regenerant. The regenerant can pass through a fluid tapering device for regulating the flow of the regenerant to the reaction zone.
US08163059B2	Coating oil comprising by-products from the manufacture of fatty acid alkyl esters and/or biodiesel A coating oil composition and methods of using the composition for dust control is provided. The coating oil comprises utilizing a by-product from the manufacture of biodiesel and/or fatty alkyl esters, wherein the by-product comprises C6-C24 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, C6-C24 saturated and unsaturated fatty acid salts, methyl esters, ethyl esters and combinations thereof.
US08163049B2	Fluoride-modified silica sols for chemical mechanical planarization A chemical-mechanical planarization composition containing surface-modified abrasive particles such as silica where at least a portion of the surface of the particles has bound thereto a surface-modifying aluminum-containing stabilizer and fluoride that is used to polish semiconductor substrates. The use of a CMP slurry containing surface-modifying aluminum-containing stabilizer and fluoride bound to a silica abrasive provides high metal polishing rates relative to the removal rate of a dielectric.
US08163048B2	Catalyst-loaded coal compositions, methods of making and use The present invention relates to catalyst-loaded coal compositions having a moisture content of less than about 6 wt %, a process for the preparation of catalyst-loaded coal compositions, and an integrated process for the gasification of the catalyst-loaded coal compositions. The catalyst-loaded coal compositions can be prepared by a diffusive catalyst loading process that provides for a highly dispersed catalyst that is predominantly associated with the coal matrix, such as by ion-exchange.
US08163042B2	Hydrocarbon fuel compositions The present invention relates to a hydrocarbon fuel composition comprising (i) at least 99% by weight of a base gas; and (ii) additives comprising (a) 2 to 50 ppm organometallic compound; and (b) 100 to 5000 ppm aniline or substituted aniline and 100 to 5000 ppm toluidine. The present invention discloses addition of an additive or additive mixture to base fuel preferably, liquefied petroleum gas. The addition of additive mixture not only improves the properties of the base fuel for use as torch gas for cutting and welding application, but also reduces the consumption of both fuel and oxygen for cutting applications.
US08163033B2	Prosthetic device for cartilage repair A prosthetic device for repairing or replacing cartilage or cartilage-like tissue is described. The prosthetic device comprises at least one layer of highly oriented fibers, a base component and a stabilization area provided in between. Said fibers are aligned to more than 50% in a direction perpendicular to the base component.
US08163026B2	Interbody implant An interbody implant (20) includes first and second members (22, 24) that are configured to allow the members (22, 24) to be inserted into a disc space separately and then connected together in the disc space to form the interbody implant (20). This allows for a larger interbody implant (20) because the combined size of the members (22, 24) can exceed the size of an access opening into the disc space, with each of the members (22, 24) being sized to pass separately through the access opening before being connected together in the disc space.
US08163025B2	Disc prosthesis for cervical vertebrae A disc prosthesis for vertebrae is provided. The disc prosthesis comprises a first plate, a first insert, a second plate, and a second insert. The first plate comprises a first active face and a first anchor face. The second plate comprises a second active face and a second anchor face. The first anchor face is configured to anchor the first plate to a first vertebra. The second anchor face is configured to anchor the second plate to a second vertebra. The first plate comprises a cavity for receiving the first insert. The cavity comprises a concave spherical cap. The second plate comprises an opening that connects the second active face to the second anchor face. The second insert comprises a fastener portion, said fastener portion is friction fit in the opening.
US08163014B2	Conformable prostheses for implanting two-piece heart valves and methods for using them A heart valve assembly includes an annular prosthesis and a valve prosthesis. The annular prosthesis includes an annular ring for dilating tissue within a biological annulus and a conformable sewing cuff extending radially from the annular member. The valve prosthesis includes a frame and a valve component. The annular ring is introduced into the biological annulus to dilate tissue surrounding the biological annulus and the sewing cuff conforms to tissue above the biological annulus. Fasteners are directed through the sewing cuff to secure the annular prosthesis to the biological annulus. The annular prosthesis may include a baleen element for biasing fabric on the annular ring outwardly to enhance sealing against the biological annulus. A valve prosthesis is then advanced into the sinus cavity, and secured relative to the annular prosthesis. The sewing cuff may enhance a seal between the valve prosthesis and annular prosthesis.
US08162998B2	Bone screw The invention concerns a bone screw having a distal end and a proximal end, which has the distinguishing features a shaft with a core diameter “k” and having an external thread with an external diameter “d”. The external diameter “d” of the thread or the core diameter “k” of the shaft tapers in a middle region of the shaft from a larger dimension “d2” or “k2” respectively towards the proximal end to a smaller dimension “d1” or “k1”, respectively, where “d1” and “k1” do not equal zero. Further, the shaft is provided with a concentrically disposed, radially expandable sleeve, and the sleeve being positioned on the part of the shaft which has the smaller external diameter “d1”. The bone screw may be introduced into a transverse borehole of a medullary pin. The medullary pin is provided with a continuous cannulation, which extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the medullary pin and has an external diameter DN and a wall thickness WN. The transverse borehole may have a diameter DB, which is larger than d2 as well as larger than dB-L5. In one embodiment, diameter DB may be approximately 90% of the diameter dB-L3 of the sleeve. The sleeve may be inserted completely into the transverse borehole and, with the flange, is in contact with the wall of a facet of the transverse borehole.
US08162994B2	Posterior stabilization system with isolated, dual dampener systems Dynamic posterior stabilization systems and methods of stabilizing vertebrae are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include bone fasteners and a dampener system. The bone fasteners may be secured to the vertebrae, and the dampener system may be attached to the bone fasteners. The dampener system may include a first dampener set and a second dampener set positioned on an elongated member. The first dampener set may be compressed and provides resistance to movement of the first bone fastener towards the second bone fastener. The second dampener set may be compressed and provide resistance to movement of the first bone fastener away from the second bone fastener.
US08162987B2	Modular spine treatment kit for dynamic stabilization and motion preservation of the spine A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
US08162981B2	Method and apparatus for spinal facet fusion A spinal facet fusion implant comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongated body having a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis; and at least one stabilizer extending radially outwardly from the elongated body in the secondary axis; wherein the elongated body has a length along the primary axis which is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint; and further wherein the at least one stabilizer has a width which is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint.
US08162977B2	Method for joining implants The present invention provides a method of securing a suture. The method includes providing a retainer having first and second sections. The first section has a central post, and the second section has a central bore dimensioned to receive the central post. The method also includes moving a suture through a passage in the first section, wrapping the suture around the central post, and moving the suture through a channel of the second section. The method further includes interconnecting the first and second sections with the central post positioned in the central bore and with the suture disposed between the first and second sections. Moreover, the method includes bonding the first and second sections together to secure the suture relative to the retainer.
US08162967B1	Method and apparatus for coring and reaming of bone A method and apparatus for providing an implant of autogenous bone. Generally, the implant may be taken from a selected bone portion and implanted into another selected bone portion within during a procedure. The method may be used in conjunction with soft tissue reinsertion or attachment to the selected implant site.
US08162962B2	Knot setter A surgical knot setter includes an elongated shaft having a long axis and proximal and distal portions. A tip is provided at the distal end of the shaft. The tip has a loop with an interior loop opening and a gate opening for permitting ingress and egress of a suture into the loop opening. The loop is laterally offset from the long axis and distal to the distal end of the shaft, such that the loop is laterally and longitudinally offset from the distal end of the shaft. A closure is provided for selectively opening and closing the gate opening between open and closed positions to selectively permit or prevent the suture from passing through the gate opening. An actuator moves the closure between the open and closed positions. A method for tying suture knots is also disclosed.
US08162961B2	Medical devices and methods for cutting and suturing biological tissue Medical devices for cutting and suturing biological tissue generally include a shaft and first and second guide members each including a first portion coupled to the shaft at a first location and a second portion coupled to the shaft at a second location. The first portions are movable along the shaft relative to the second portions, and the first and second guide members define an arcuate profile and are configured to flex in response to such movement. When used to cut tissue, the medical device may further include a blade positioned between the first and second guide members. When used to suture tissue, one or more suture guides may be provided on the first guide member for directing a suture needle through tissue proximate the first guide member. Methods of repairing and replacing a meniscus using the medical devices are also provided.
US08162957B2	Tissue processing system A tissue processing system includes a series of blades arranged in parallel to form a tissue processor. The blades may be adjusted to create a spaced between each blade in the range of 250-1000 microns. A slicer is included to remove a donor tissue to be processed by the processor. The processor is rotatable 90 degrees so as to create uniform micrografts of tissue for transplanting to a recipient site. An extractor is included to remove tissue particles from the processor after they have been cut into an appropriate size. A cutting block may be provided to ensure uniform thickness of cuts of the donor tissue.
US08162954B2	Uterine manipulators Universal laparoscopic uterine manipulators/dilators with variable intra-uterine length to match the length of the uterus in order to avoid any risk of perforation and to provide excellent pelvic exposure irrespective of uterine size, shape and position. Moreover, semirigid/semi-flexible dilators are less likely to form false passages in the cervix and the body of the uterus as they follow the natural track of the cervical canal.
US08162952B2	Percutaneous instrument assembly An instrument for multi-level percutaneous spinal procedures. The instrument can include a curved rack having length adapted for at least substantially spanning first and second vertebrae and one or more intermediate vertebrae between the first and second vertebrae. The instrument can include first and second towers correspondingly engageable with the first and second vertebrae, and one or more intermediate towers engageable with the intermediate vertebrae. Further, the instrument can include first and second arms adapted for movably connecting the first and second towers to the rack, and one or more intermediate arms adapted for movably connecting the intermediate tower to the rack.
US08162945B2	Drill bit and method for producing a drill bit A drill bit including a shaft which has a pyramidal shaped end defining a drill tip with a plurality of edges defining the pyramidal shape.One or more recesses are provided for directing away debris produced while drilling, the at least one recess having a first portion extending along the shaft and a second portion having a first portion extending along the shaft and a second portion which extends along the drill tip; wherein the. The second portion which extends along the drill tip. The second portion of the at least one recess extends along an edge of the drill tip.
US08162937B2	High volume fluid seal for electrosurgical handpiece A fluid resistant seal connector for an electrosurgical handpiece includes a housing adapted to be supported within an electrosurgical handpiece. The housing includes opposing half sections each having an inner peripheral surface. The fluid resistant seal further includes a first seal adapted to engage an activation circuit of the handpiece and at least one second seal adapted to engage an electrosurgical supply wire in a fluid-tight relationship therewith. At least one of the first and second seals is configured to complement the inner peripheral surface of the housing.
US08162936B2	Controlling coagulum formation Some embodiments of a medical instrument can be configured to reduce the formation of coagulum by delivering a negative charge bias to conductive surfaces that interface with blood or bodily tissue during a medical procedure. The application of the negative charge at the instrument-blood interface can reduce the fibrinogen deposition and the formation of coagulum because fibrinogen molecules in general are negatively charged at neutral pH levels. In addition, some embodiments of the instrument may be configured to irrigate the instrument-blood interface with RGD/ClfA peptides, a bicarbonate solution (or other high pH solution), or both to further repel the fibrinogen and thereby inhibit the formation of coagulum. Accordingly, some embodiments of the medical instrument can substantially reduce the risks of thromboembolism during particular medical procedures.
US08162931B2	Thermal capsulotomy tool and system A system and tool for performing a capsulotomy procedure. The system includes an air pressure unit providing pressurized airflow, a capsulotomy and movement control unit providing electrical current and movement control, and a capsulotomy tool including a main housing, and an extendable-retractable burning element coupled to the main housing. The tool is in connection with the capsulotomy and movement control unit for providing electrical current to the burning element and movement control for extending and retracting the burning element. When the burning element is in a flattened, retracted configuration, the tip of the tool can be inserted through a relatively small corneal incision. Once in the anterior chamber, the burning element is switched to a circular, extended configuration, so as to allow performance of a capsulotomy by applying an electrical pulse to the burning element.
US08162930B2	Method and the device for cryogenic therapy applied on the whole body of a patient The present invention relates to methods and devices for carrying out cryogenic therapy, particularly on the whole body of a patient, wherein the patient is exposed to gases cooled to cryogenic temperature. The process is performed by introducing the patient into the interior of a treatment cabin and exposing the body to cold air deposited into the cabin space.
US08162924B2	System, devices, and methods including actively-controllable superoxide water generating systems Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively-controllable disinfecting implantable device configured to, for example, treat or prevent an infection in a biological subject.
US08162922B2	CUI-tagged catheter devices and system A hand-held scanner appliance is employed to capture and display status of various types of catheter devices that have been inserted in hospital patients. The nurse scans his or her staff ID coded device, then scans the patient's ID wrist bracelets, and scans a catheter-unique identification coded tag on the catheter device. When the nurse performs a catheter insertion, and the catheter is scanned, a data entry is recorded with the patient identity, presence of catheter, and time of insertion. An intelligent rules engine computes the target removal time for the catheter device, which is also displayed. An alert for each catheterization occurs prior to the target removal time. The appliance is synchronized to the hospital server, and the catheterization status of the hospital patients is displayed for the medical practitioner. This process aids in preventing hospital-acquired infections.
US08162920B2	Magnetic navigation of medical devices in magnetic fields A method of turning a medical device with the assistance of an externally applied magnetic field, in a direction with a component in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the externally applied magnetic field. The method includes applying first torque to the distal end of the medical device by creating magnetic moment at the distal end of the medical device, and applying a second torque to the distal end of the medical device. The second torque may be created by creating a second magnetic moment at the distal end of the device spaced from the first, by using an electrostrictive device, by using a stylette inserted into the device, by using a fluid-driven shaped tube, or otherwise.
US08162911B2	Compact folded absorbent article A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a relatively shorter, lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76) which is contiguous with and interposed between the first end-section (72) and the second end-section (72a). The article includes a liquid permeable topsheet layer (26), and a backsheet layer (28) which is operatively connected to the topsheet layer (26). At least a portion of the first end-section (72) has been folded along or otherwise includes a first end-fold-region (58) which is substantially convex along a topsheet-side of the article (20). Additionally, the first end-fold-region (58) is substantially concave along a backsheet-side of the article. At least a portion of the second end-section (72a) has been folded along or otherwise includes a second end-fold-region (62) which is substantially convex along the topsheet-side of the article (20).
US08162908B2	Devices for treatment of damaged tissue Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. Maintenance and control of the sub atmospheric pressure exerted may be provided by such devices while minimizing discomfort to the user. The devices may be configured to be worn inconspicuously underneath clothing.
US08162907B2	Method and apparatus for bridging from a dressing in negative pressure wound therapy A method of bridging from a wound dressing to a wound port for negative pressure wound therapy includes positioning an elongate wick between a wound and a remote location with respect to the wound. The elongate wick includes a three-dimensional spacer fabric having an upper fabric layer spaced from a lower fabric layer by an intermediate layer of pile threads. The elongate wick is covered with a flexible wick cover such that an enclosure is formed around the elongate wick. A substantially fluid-tight seal is established between a first end of the elongate wick cover and the wound dressing such that a reservoir is defined over the wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained. A substantially fluid-tight seal is established between a second end of the elongate wick cover and a fluid port configured for connection to a source of negative pressure.
US08162898B1	Venipuncture base plate assembly and method of using same A venipuncture base plate assembly includes an adapter and a patient interface platform. The adapter has a substantially flat retention clip and a platform coupled to the retention clip with two or more posts mounted on it. The patient interface platform includes a base pad having a bottom surface coated with an adhesive substance and a base unit coupled to the base pad. The base unit includes a base plate and a retainer mounted on the base plate that supports the adapter at two or more variable angles relative to the base plate.
US08162884B2	Apparatus for introducing catheters or needles into a body part A template, to be provided at some distance from the skin, provided with multiple guide holes for needles or catheters of which one or more can anchor in the prostate. The template is provided with a locking mechanism so that, after placement, the anchored needles keep all needles in their original places. The above-described method of fixedly positioning a treatment template prevents the needles from moving due to swelling of the tissue in the prostate, which causes the irradiation source, which is later provided in the needles, to improperly irradiate the area.
US08162875B2	Diluent/medication mixing syringe assembly A diluent/medication mixing syringe assembly is described which includes a cannula which extends through a syringe plunger assembly into a reservoir of the syringe assembly. The cannula facilitates injection of a diluent, medication or other fluid into the fluid reservoir of the syringe assembly immediately prior to use for mixing with a medication in the reservoir. In one embodiment, a mixing element is secured to a distal end of the cannula within the reservoir to improve mixing efficiency.
US08162872B2	Tampon applicator with ridges and multiple petals The present invention provides an improved tampon applicator having a grip area which provides the user better gripping ability. The grip area may be an area between two ridges on the outer tube of the applicator. In the alternative or in addition to the ridges, the grip area may be a raised pattern which is raised by a distance of between about 0.10 mm and about 0.75 mm. The present invention also provides an improved petal design for a tampon applicator. In this embodiment of the present invention, the petals are separated from each other on all sides by a non-linear gap and the gap is not parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tampon applicator.
US08162868B2	Arch support wrap An orthopedic device to provide support and cushioning to the foot to alleviate plantar fasciitis, fallen arches, heel pain, bunions, and other conditions.
US08162857B2	Limb movement monitoring system A limb movement monitoring system, comprising a motion sensor, a garment comprising spatially addressable photonic textiles and spatially resolving pressure-sensitive textiles and furthermore a muscular activity sensor, a processing unit processing the data from the sensors and issuing illumination commands to the spatially addressable photonic textiles and a database. There is furthermore a process for monitoring limb movement by the system.
US08162849B2	MRI biopsy targeting cube with gripping arms A biopsy system comprises a control module, a localization assembly, a biopsy device, and a targeting cube. The biopsy device and/or other associated components are configured to selectively couple with a targeting cube that selectively couples with a grid plate having apertures for receiving the targeting cube. The targeting cube comprises a body defined by faces. The targeting cube further comprises guide holes that originate and terminate at the faces and pass through the body of the targeting cube to provide passageways through the targeting cube. To securely and removably fit the targeting cube within a grid plate aperture, the targeting cube also comprises a pair of gripping arms. The gripping arms extend from two opposing faces of the cube and snap fit around the walls of the grid plate to secure the targeting cube in position. The arms are resiliently biased to engage the grid plate.
US08162843B2	Method for measuring cardiac output via an extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support circuit A method for determining cardiac output in conjunction with flow through an extracorporeal circuit, wherein flow through an arterial line of the extracorporeal circuit is temporarily reversed and an indicator is passed through the cardiopulmonary circuit. A dilution curve is measured in the arterial line of the extracorporeal circuit during the reversed flow, and cardiac output is determined corresponding to the measured dilution curve.
US08162836B2	System and method for characterizing tissue based upon split spectrum analysis of backscattered ultrasound A system and method are disclosed that facilitate characterizing vascular plaque tissue based upon spectral analysis of intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. In particular, split spectrum analysis of an integrated backscatter parameter introduces a spectral resolution component to parameterization of received intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. The resulting parameter values for each of multiple bands within a larger frequency band supported by an ultrasound system are applied to plaque tissue characterization criteria to render a plaque tissue characterization corresponding to the corresponding ultrasound echo signal segments.
US08162830B2	Analyte monitoring device and methods of use An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08162826B2	Laryngoscopes and rechargeable illumination units for use therewith Laryngoscope handles including a handle shell having a pair of opposite semi-cylindrical metal or plastic handgrip support members permanently joined together to form a tubular handgrip support and a non-metal sleeve-like handgrip encircling the handgrip support. Rechargeable illumination units for use with laryngoscopes and including a light transmissive end cap diffusely glowing on interior illumination by a least one user indication light source for providing at least one visual user indication regarding the operability of an illumination unit.
US08162822B2	Endoscopy device with integrated RFID and external network capability A unit of equipment designed for use in endoscopic surgery includes radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry and a network interface. The RFID circuitry can be used to store information of various types, such as component usage tracking information, user preferences, usage logs, error logs, device settings, etc. The network interface allows the unit to communicate over an external network with a remote server. Information, such as information stored in the RFID circuitry or in a separate memory, may be sent over the network to a desired destination, such as a server operated by the manufacturer of the equipment.
US08162820B2	Stereovideoscope and method of using the same A system and method for acquiring measurements of a portion of a patient's anatomy are provided. For example, the system includes a stereovideoscope including a scope coupled to a flexible tubing and configured to be positioned within the patient's body. The scope includes a plurality of stereoscopic lenses configured to capture data indicative of the portion of the patient's anatomy, and the flexible tubing includes a biocompatible material. In addition, the system includes a processing element that is in communication with the stereovideoscope and that is configured to generate an image based on the captured data in order to acquire at least one geometrical measurement indicative of the portion of the patient's upper airway and to determine a probabilty of the patient's response to a tongue-base treatment based on the at least one geometrical meaurement.
US08162816B2	System for implanting an implant and method thereof A system for implanting an implant and method thereof is disclosed. In general overview, the system includes an implant, an envelope enclosing the implant, a delivery assembly and an attachment piece for attaching the envelope or implant to the delivery assembly. The envelope may include a drug coating, positioning aids, and means to ease envelope removal. In one embodiment, the delivery assembly is employed for implant and/or envelope delivery inside the patient's body. In another embodiment, the delivery assembly and an attachment piece are employed to deliver the implant or the envelope inside the patient's body.
US08162811B2	System for producing a cross-folded sheet material A cross-fold system for use in combination with a device for folding sheet material and includes a rigid guide structure having a stationary reaction surface for supporting and guiding folded sheet material along a feed path between a sheet feed mechanism and a tensioning mechanism. Furthermore, the cross-fold system includes a paper break assembly disposed between the sheet feed mechanism and the tensioning mechanism. The paper break assembly, furthermore, includes an abrasion bar disposed transversely of the feed path and in opposed relation to the rigid guide. Moreover, the paper break assembly is repositionable from an active position to an inactive position such that, in the active position, the abrasion bar pressingly engages the sheet material against the stationary reaction surface of the guide assembly, and, in the inactive position, the abrasion bar permits the sheet material to pass to the tensioning mechanism without engaging the sheet material. When the paper break assembly is in the active position, the tensioning mechanism is operative to pull the folded sheet material across the abrading bar to yield the adhesive bond between the reinforcing fibers of the sheet material. As such, a subsequent cross-fold of the folded sheet material is facilitated.
US08162809B1	Portable exercise device This exercise device of the present invention is a comfortable, portable, flexible, travel friendly, light weight device that a user can use in a variety of situations or locations, without being confined to a gym or home. It is also practical for a user who is confined to a wheel-chair or a bed, as the user can exercise and stretch while seated and/or lying down. With the exercise device of the present invention, a user has the ability to exercise and/or stretch in a multiple of different ways, working multiple areas of the physique.
US08162793B2	Planetary gearset A planetary gearset (2) consisting of a planetary gear carrier (4) that holds planetary gears (5) with a first and a second carrier plate (4b, 7), each having respective bores (4d, 7a) to receive planetary gear bolts (6) that can be fixed axially. It is proposed that the planetary gear carrier is connected in a rotationally fixed manner by the second carrier plate to a torque-transmitting component (8) of an adjacent shift element (3).
US08162790B2	Rolling ball type two-stage low speed changer device In a rolling ball type two-stage low speed changer device 1, empirical formulas are obtained as a relationship between number of first, second, third and fourth lobes z1, z2, z3, z4 of a hypo-based groove 6 (8) and an epi-based groove 7 (9). The relationship is represented by z1>z2, z3>z4, z1−z2=2, z3−z4=2 and z3=n×z2×½ (n: integer), and enables to a precise and smooth rotational transmission without inviting differential slippage and incurring an irregular rotation and uneven torque transmission on an output shaft 16 within the practical usage, and reducing a thickness dimension to render a whole structure compact, achieving a high transmission efficiency without inviting a backlash, and attaining a high torque transmission with low noise.
US08162786B2	Assembly means for a tensioning system The invention relates to a traction mechanism drive (1) of an internal combustion engine, which comprises an output member (2) and also a drive member (3) in which the associated belt pulleys (5, 7) are connected via a traction mechanism (6). In this case, the pivotably arranged drive member (3) is supported via a spring means (9) which can pivot, in conjunction with a deflection lever (13), between an assembly position (17) and an operating position (18).
US08162785B2	Continuously variable conical pulley transmission with traction mechanism belt A continuously variable conical pulley transmission having pairs of conical pulleys which are rotationally fixedly arranged on drive input and drive output shafts and of which in each case one is fixed to the shaft and one is axially movable, and between which a traction mechanism belt for power transmission circulates. In order that it is not necessary to provide otherwise unutilized regions of the conical pulley surfaces to allow for corresponding wear, it is proposed that a stop for limiting the transmission ratio, which stop acts substantially in the radial direction on the traction mechanism belt, be provided in at least one conical pulley pair. It is intended in particular that the peripheral surface of the drive input shaft serves as a stop. It is also proposed that a chain as a traction mechanism belt be correspondingly matched to a device of said type by virtue of the contour of the links of said chain being matched to the contour of the drive input shaft.
US08162784B1	Survival tool and system A survival tool and system for use in hunting or camping may be provided in a compact and easy to carry package. The tool system may include a substantially rigid base with an outer edge and a substantially flat face. A relief may be provided in the substantially rigid base defining one or more edged tools in the substantially flat face. Applying pressure to the edged tool may cause the tool to separate from the substantially rigid base. The edged tools may be in the shape of an arrowhead or other utility element. One or more secondary tools may be incorporated into the outer edge, including a knife blade, a saw blade, an arrow scraper, a flat scraper and a bow rail. An elastic element may be fastened to the base and used to launch a projectile such as an arrow. One or more bases may be sized to fit in a common sized “tin” or similar in size to a dog tag and may be carried around the neck of a user. A sheath may also be provided to cover one or more of the outer edges.
US08162780B2	Training device for hitting a ball A training device for hitting a ball includes a spiral pipe and a base. The spiral pipe is composed of a plurality of dual-awl ring members connected together to form an adjustable pipe. The spiral pipe includes a top pipe at an upper end thereof to connect with a socket, a bottom pipe and a positioning sleeve at a lower end thereof to connect with a through hole and a stepped hole of the base. The base is in the shape of a home plate. The base has the through hole at a central portion thereof and the stepped trough underneath the through hole. The base includes at least two plates having relative connecting surfaces which are formed with notches and protrusions to engage with each other. The protrusions are engaged with the notches for assembling the two plates to become one-piece. The bottom pipe is inserted in the through hole with the first stop ring to be blocked on the through hole. The positioning sleeve is inserted in the stepped trough with the second stop ring being secured in the stepped trough. The first stop ring and the second stop ring are secured in the middle of the base such that the spiral pipe is mounted on the base. The socket is fitted on the top pipe to complete the assembly of the present invention.
US08162771B2	Method for practicing a billiard shot A method for practicing a billiard shot includes defining a position for each particular one billiard ball within the plurality of billiard balls on the surface of the billiard table, using a defined device having a defined body, selectively securing each device to the surface of the billiard table with each ball within the cavity of the corresponding device in its first position, taking a first billiard shot, replacing each of the two or more billiard balls to their first position on the surface of the billiard table, and taking a second billiard shot including the replaced two or more billiard balls.
US08162761B2	Low interface noise rotary shaft tips A rotary shaft having ends with a surface layer or raised portions made of a compressible, preferably elastic, material, the ends including the surface layer or raised portions being covered with relatively thin walled durable plastic tubing.
US08162759B2	Network game system, network game program, network game apparatus, and network game control method A player can be prevented from successively using an object that affects the outcome of a match in a network competition game executed among a plurality of clients via a network. An object is selected at the end of a match event of competition game by a client on the basis of action frequency of an object that has participated in a match event. Next, a notification about the object selected at this point is sent to a server and the object is managed in the server as an object that can not appear in a new match event. A notification about the object being managed in the server is sent to the client if a new match event is to be executed in the client. At this point, the client executes a process for selecting an object from among a plurality of objects excluding the notified object.
US08162751B2	Gaming machine with color changing cabinet A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming machine cabinet having one or more colorable or color-changeable exterior sections. The color-changeable exterior sections comprise a translucent material that glows or shines when light is diffused through the material. Sections that are color-changeable include those sections that are visually dominant or affect the overall appearance of the gaming machine. A multi-color lighting assembly having one or more multi-color light sources is present. The multi-color lighting assembly may be operated to direct light having a predetermined color or sequence of colors. The light causes the color-changeable exterior sections to project the predetermined color or sequence of colors, thereby changing the overall appearance of the gaming machine. The predetermined color or sequence of colors may be selected randomly, or they may be based on the outcome of the wagering game.
US08162744B2	Gaming machine executing effects using symbols and control method thereof A gaming machine of the present invention performs an effect of rotating an image displayed in each display block having a second specific symbol rearranged therein in a direction so as to turn a display screen of a display over to the other side after scroll-displaying a specific character image to the display in a direction from one side of a symbol display region toward the opposite side, and also changing the second specific symbol rearranged in the each display block into a first specific symbol, when the first specific symbol and the second specific symbol have been rearranged in the symbol display region and also when it has been determined to display the specific character image; and offers an award in accordance with the number of first specific symbols arranged in the symbol display region as a result thereof.
US08162743B2	Elimination games for gaming machines A disclosed gaming machine presents an elimination game to a player playing the gaming machine. The elimination game may be played on a stand-alone gaming machine or may be played on a group of gaming machines linked together. The elimination game is played by plurality of entities where each entity may comprise one or more virtual players or real players. The real players may pay a participation fee to play the elimination game. During the elimination game, the entities play one or more games that are provided as part of the elimination game. For example, video slot games and video poker games may be used for the game play in the elimination game. One or more elimination tests may be applied to the entities using results from the game play. When conditions used in the elimination tests are met for one of the entities, the entity is removed from the elimination game before reaching the finish of the elimination game. The last remaining entity that avoids elimination and reaches the finish of the elimination receives an award.
US08162740B2	Wagering game with associated outcomes A gaming machine (10) for conducting a wagering game comprises a value input device (16) for receiving a wager from a player and a display (26) for displaying a first plurality of locations in a first formation and a second plurality of locations in a second formation. The second plurality of locations is associated with the first plurality of locations. A processor is operative to select at least one first location from the first plurality of locations to yield a first outcome, select at least one second location from the second plurality of locations to yield a second outcome, combine the first and second outcomes to yield a combined outcome, and provide an award based on the combined outcome.
US08162738B2	Lottery/online gaming bet administration system and method Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a system and method for electronic lottery and or online gaming bet placement and management employing Radio Frequency Identification technology. The system and method both employ use of a plurality of passive RFID tags. Each tag comprises stored data. The data may include a read-only memory area and a writable memory area. The system and method also utilize a data storage medium under the operative control of a lottery/gaming administrator. The data storage medium contains data associated with a plurality of gambling accounts. The data may include personal information and payout information. Each gambling account is associated with at least one RFID tag via the unique read-only tag number stored therein.
US08162736B2	Progressive jackpot system A method for playing a game of chance includes distributing game cards from a set of game cards to a plurality of players, each of the game cards in the set displaying at least one game face which includes a set of indicia selected from a pool of indicia. A game of chance is played in which the players match indicia randomly called from the pool of indicia with the indicia in the respective game face. A game face is identified in which a set of the called indicia form a first configuration on a game card from the plurality of distributed game cards. A jackpot level is determined from a plurality of possible jackpot levels based at least in part on a comparison of at least one of the indicia displayed on the identified game face with at least one jackpot number. A game face with a winning game configuration is identified and a determination made as to whether the game face with the winning game configuration qualifies for a jackpot award at the determined level, based at least in part on one of the indicia of the winning game face.
US08162734B2	Card gaming machine A card gaming machine including: an extraction unit for extracting at least a card from among a plurality of the cards with a predetermined kinds of symbols drawn thereon; a display unit for displaying an image of the cards extracted by the extraction unit and dealt to a player as the cards in player's hand; and a control unit for producing image effect on the display unit in response to the deal situation of the cards in player's hand displayed as an image by the display unit.
US08162732B1	Display device, system and methods for a craps table A device, system and method for display for a craps table. In one example, a display may include a display portion operable to display a representation of data relating to a current die pair rolled by a shooter; and a display portion operable to display a representation of data relating to previous die pairs rolled. In one example, the representation of the data relating to the current die pair includes a graphic representation of the face of each die of the current die pair. A display may also include a display portion operable to display an indicator of a current point value of the craps game. Other features and embodiments are disclosed herein.
US08162731B2	Game device, game system and game program [Problems] Unfair operation of “hand-push” is effectively handled.[Means for Solving Problems]It is judged whether a pressure continues for not less than a predetermined time or not, that is, it is judged whether there is possibility of hand-push or not. When the pressure continues for not less than a predetermined time, it is decided that there is a possibility of hand-push.
US08162728B2	Dual-pore structure polishing pad The polishing pad is useful for polishing at least one of magnetic, optical and semiconductor substrates. A porous polishing layer includes a dual porosity structure within a polyurethane matrix. The dual porosity structure has a primary set of pores having pore walls with a thickness of 15 to 55 μm and a storage modulus of 10 to 60 MPa measured at 25° C. In addition, pore walls contain a secondary set of pores having an average pore size of 5 to 30 μm. The porous polishing layer is either fixed to a polymeric film or sheet substrate or formed into a woven or non-woven structure to form the polishing pad.
US08162721B2	Surface grinding machine, spindle device and surface grinding method In through-feed grinding workpieces by grinding stones rotating around the axes of spindles, the spindles are tiltably held by elastic holding means around tilt axes substantially orthogonal to the direction of exit and entrance of the workpieces with respect to the grinding stones. When a grinding loads are imposed on the entrance sides of the grinding stones, the spindles are tilted by offset loads around the tilt axes against the force of urging means in such a manner that the axial displacement and the exit displacement of the grinding stone due to the offset load are substantially the same. The grinding stones are reset around the tilt axes by the elastic holding means immediately before the end of processing at which time the axial displacement is smaller. This makes it possible to reduce the number of defectively ground articles coming from the through-feed grinding and reduce the wear in the grinding stones.
US08162718B2	Bra pad A bra pad includes a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, a silicone gel layer and a cloth layer. The silicone gel layer is formed in a concave shape. On the edge of the silicone gel layers is attached to TPU films and the cloth layers. The silicone gel layers is semi-secured on the edge of the cloth layers to form the bar pad structure. Between the silicone gel layer and the TPU film, there is formed a first space and between the silicone gel layer and the cloth layer, there is formed a second space. The present bra pad employs the silicone gel material layer to enhance the softness and comfort. With the first and second space between the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, the silicone gel layer, and the cloth layer, the bra pad has effective breathing capability and heat-dissipating capability.
US08162716B2	Vehicle track set A toy vehicle track set. The track set includes toy roads sized for toy vehicles. The track set allows a toy vehicle to be raised and lowered to different elevations using one or more different mechanisms.
US08162710B2	Method for producing plasma display panel with a bright display and a low operating voltage A method for producing a plasma display panel, the method including preparing a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel being a panel wherein a first electrode, a first dielectric layer and a protective layer are formed on a first substrate, and the rear panel being a panel wherein a second electrode, a second dielectric layer, a partition wall and a phosphor layer are formed on a second substrate; and opposing the front and rear panels with each other, and sealing the front and rear panels along their peripheries by a sealing material wherein the protective layer is heated to a temperature ranging from 1600° C. to 3600° C. before the sealing of the front and rear panels.
US08162709B2	Paddle having a lever for generating sound A paddle suitable for use with a kayak or like watercraft, the paddle comprising: (a) a tubular shaft extending from a first blade located at a first end to a second blade located at a second end; (b) a sleeve mounted on the tubular shaft, the sleeve having an outer surface; and (c) a lever extending along a curvature from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end being pivotably mounted to the sleeve, the lever comprising a lengthwise extending chamber having an opening provided on an upper wall of the lever and a closed end located remote from the opening and wherein the chamber communicates with a passage extending towards an entry located at the distal end, the lever being movable between a first position, wherein the lever is located proximate the outer surface of the sleeve, and a second position, wherein the distal end of the lever is accessible by the mouth of a user for allowing the user to blow in the entry for generating an airstream within the passage and the chamber such that sound is produced when the airstream emerges from the opening.
US08162700B2	Connection block mounting frame A connection block mounting frame and method of use are disclosed. In one example, a connection block mounting frame includes a block mounting interface on a front end of the connection block mounting frame, the block mounting interface including a plurality of block mounting locations each configured to receive a connection block. The connection block mounting frame includes a mounting surface on a back side of the connection block mounting frame and including a plurality of mounting locations and a plurality of cable routing openings. The connection block mounting frame further includes a second surface on a back side of the connection block mounting frame offset from the mounting surface and forming a cable routing path along the back side and external to the connection block mounting frame.
US08162695B2	Electrical connector having improved common mode choke An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (10) and a terminal module (20) received in the insulative housing. The terminal module includes a daughter board (21), a choke group, a number of mating terminals (24) mounted on a first side of the daughter board, and a connecting module (22) mounted on a second side the daughter board and having a number of connecting terminals (221). The choke group has a number of transformer chokes (23) mounted to the second side of the daughter board, and a number of surface mount device chokes (25) adapted for being applied in automatic manufacture and mounted the second side of the daughter board.
US08162694B2	Connector A connector includes a shell provided as a cylindrical shape having an opened front side; a first insulator arranged in the shell; a second insulator arranged in the shell to be parallel to the first insulator; a first contact provided to be arranged in the first insulator; a second contact provided to be arranged in the second insulator; and a partition section arranged in the shell in a state of projecting from an outside of the shell to an inside of the shell so as to partition a hollow in the shell to a first region in which the first insulator exists and a second region in which the second insulator exists as viewed from the front side of the shell, the partition section being provided to be movable to the outside of the shell.
US08162685B2	Socket connector having a locking member to restrict upward and downward movement of a fastened portion of a load lever A socket connector mounted on a mother board includes a socket body with a plurality of contacts received therein, a load plate rotatable with respect to the socket body and capable of being located in a closed position above the socket body, a load lever engaged with the load plate to lock the load plate in the closed position, and a locking member. The load lever has a fastened portion engaged with locking member. The locking member has a supporting portion below the fastened portion for preventing the load lever from touching the mother board and a latching portion above the fastened portion for preventing the load lever from upwardly escaping away from the locking member.
US08162682B1	Power adapter combination The invention provides a power adapter combination including an adapter body and an adapter plug. The adapter body comprises a first casing having an inner space and a receiving recess structure with one side opened through the inner space, a circuit board disposed in the inner space, and a pair of connection terminals electrically connected with the circuit board and partially extending into the receiving recess structure. The adapter plug is detachably engaged into the receiving recess structure and comprises a second casing having a pair of slots thereon and a rear wall having a pair of holes, a bottom plate adapted to be assembled with the second casing, a pair of contact pins of which each has one pivoted end, is placed in one of the slots and is enabled to extend out of said one slot by rotation, and a pair of electrode structures mounted on the bottom plate and electrically connected with the contact pins, respectively. Each electrode structure has a half-pipe portion, wherein the pair of connection terminals are allowed to pass through the pair of holes of the rear wall of the second casing to electrically plug into the pair of half-pipe portions, respectively.
US08162672B2	High power receptacle connector A high power receptacle connector has a first insulating housing, a second insulating housing, a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a shell. The second insulating housing is mounted on the first insulating housing and has a cylinder. The first terminal is cylindrical, surrounds the cylinder and has multiple first resilient contacting tabs and a reinforcing ring formed on front ends of the first resilient contacting tabs. The second terminal is cylindrical and mounted around the cylinder and has multiple radially protruding second resilient contacting tabs. The second resilient contacting tabs increase the contacting areas, reduce the resistance of the terminals and further improve the power of the high power receptacle connector and stably hold an external plug connector.
US08162669B1	Ultrasound training assembly An ultrasound training assembly includes a tubular member that has a first end, a second end and a perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends. The perimeter wall has an aperture therein. A model representing an ultrasound probe includes a grip and a head attached together. The head has a distal edge with respect to the grip. The distal edge is elongated. An elongated member is attached to the distal edge and has a longitudinal axis orientated perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the model extending through the distal edge and a free end of the grip. The elongated member is spaced from the distal edge a distance between 0.5 inches and 2 inches. The elongated member is placed in the tubular member through the aperture to represent a vein which would be seen by an ultrasound probe represented by the model.
US08162665B2	Single-part, light-curable, self-adhering dental restorative composition and method of using the same A dental restorative composition comprises: (A) polymerizable monomer(s) selected from hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate phosphate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate phosphate, phenyl (meth)acryloxyethyl phosphate, and a combination thereof; (B) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 100-250, at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; (C) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 270-900, at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and no acidic functional group; (D) photo-initiator(s); and (E) filler(s) each having a mean particle size of more than 0.005 microns and less than 70 microns. The weight ratio of (A+B):(C) ranges from 30:70 to 90:10, and the composition has a shear bond strength of at least 10MPa to both dentin and enamel after being light-cured.
US08162664B2	Lithium silicate materials Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength.
US08162661B2	Ultrasonic crown and bridge remover A dental tool having a pair of releasably and pivotably connected opposing jaw members. A biasing mechanism connected to at least one of the jaw members biases the jaw members toward a proximate rest position. A separating mechanism is connected to at least one jaw member for separating the jaw members. An ultrasonic vibrator is connected to the jaw members for vibrating them. A fastening device may be used to connect the pair of opposing jaw members.
US08162658B2	Injection molding die There is provided an injection die characterized in that the injection die is separated into at least two pieces, that a cavity for frame is formed between the separated dies, that the cavity for frame is provided with an additional cavity via a coupling hole, and that the coupling hole communicating with the additional cavity is provided at a confluence point of a resin in melted condition of the cavity for frame, at around a gate, at around a cavity for a fixing component, or at around a cavity for frame of which thickness is deep.
US08162653B2	Pasta machine for domestic use with improved cover The item in subject is a pasta machine for domestic use, in which the surfaces of the various parts of the housing are composed of a microporous layer of aluminum oxide and completed with sealing of the micropores for hydration thus obtaining a micro-roughness with nonstick properties enabling the working of moist pasta.
US08162651B2	Apparatus for continuous production of foam sheets Foam sheets are continuously produced by metering foam particles, which are free of any added binder or adhesive, from a storage location onto a moving conveyor at a controlled volumetric rate so as to continuously form a layer of the particles on the conveyor, heating the layer of particles to a temperature sufficient to render the particles tacky such that the particles adhere to one another so as to form a substantially integral sheet, compressing the sheet with a compression device that applies pressure on the advancing sheet so as to compress the sheet to a smaller thickness and enhance the integrity of the sheet; and cooling the compressed sheet.
US08162650B2	Filling apparatus for a rotary tablet press A filling apparatus for a rotary tablet press, which itself being arranged stationarily is associated to a circulating die plate of a rotor of the tablet press, with a filling chamber, which features an upper inlet opening for powder-shaped compression material and a filling opening aligned with die bores of the die plate, and with a conveying means in the filling chamber driven by a drive motor, wherein the filling chamber is circular, one single disc-shaped filling wheel is rotatably mounted around a vertical axis in the filling chamber, which has plural wings on the perimeter, spaced apart in the perimeter direction, which sweep over the filling opening upon rotation of the filling wheel, and the inlet opening is arranged in a distance above the filling wheel, preferably approximately centered with the axis of the filling wheel.
US08162649B2	Device for eliminating oversize pellets from balling disks Device for eliminating oversize pellets from balling disks, includes a plow-like tool defined by a series of cylindrical rods that are coplanar and parallel to each other and incorporated into a horizontal plate, whose medial portion incorporates a vertical tubular arm that protrudes vertically and upwards to pass axially through and be selectively and adjustably attached to a vertical sleeve that is incorporated in a distal portion of an extensible arm, which composes a trussed structure that is adjacently attached to a balling disk and protrudes over its area of operation.
US08162640B2	Mold heating/cooling structure A mold heating/cooling structure for a mold configured with a die base and an insert, comprising: a heat insulating layer, disposed surrounding a die impression of the die base for insulating the heat conduction between the die base and the insert; a magnetic powder layer, disposed against the heat insulating layer; a coil, being disposed on the magnetic powder layer in a manner that it is circling from the outside in toward the center of the magnetic powder layer; and a cooling plate, configured with a plurality of second fluid channels provided fro a fluid to flow therein. With the aforesaid structure, the insert can be heated directly by the coil the it is subject to a high-frequency current, and the heated coil as well as the insert can be cool down with high efficiency as soon as the fluid is fed into the second fluid channels.
US08162638B2	Method and system for forming vertical pre-cast concrete structures The apparatus may include moveable partitions that may be positioned in a side-by-side arrangement. The partitions may be moveable with respect to each other to facilitate installation of liners and reinforcing material and the removal of the concrete structures from the apparatus after the concrete has hardened. Cavities may be defined between the partitions for receiving concrete to form panels for use in barriers, walls and other structures. Removable liners may be temporarily secured to the partitions in a manner that does not comprise the integrity of the liners. Further, the liners may be secured to the partitions utilizing a combination of mechanical and magnetic coupling. The liners may also include a molded portion for forming surface treatments in the panels. Removable bulkheads placed into the cavities allow the dimensions of the cavities to be variable to thereby permit the formation of panels of different dimensions using the same partitions.
US08162637B2	Rotary machine having frusto-conical elements A system for enabling fluid flow is provided which includes a plurality of frusto-conical elements and central and outer spherical shells which enclose the frusto-conical elements. The elements are constrained between the central and outer spherical shells, and an input and an output allow fluid flow into and out of the system. The geometry of the frusto-conical elements and their alignment within the system allows the formation of chambers between adjacent elements and their central and outer shells. The elements are free to roll about one another within the system in a synchronized manner. This synchronized rolling is results in a cyclical change in volume of those chambers.
US08162635B2	Low vibration pump A liquid pump is provided in which pulsations can be properly absorbed even if the pump is driven at a high frequency. A pulsation absorbing unit for absorbing pulsation includes a pulsation absorbing housing disposed on a pump housing member, a second diaphragm attached to the pulsation absorbing housing member and defining a pulsation absorbing chamber communicating with a liquid outlet passage of a liquid pump unit, and a disc spring for biasing the second diaphragm toward the pulsation absorbing chamber.
US08162633B2	Volumetric fluidics pump with translating shaft path A pump for moving a fluid through a fluidics system includes a surface and channel disposed along at least a portion of the surface. The pump also includes a driving mechanism having a rotatable shaft and a plurality of haptics operably coupled to the shaft. A closed portion is formed in the channel as the channel is compressed between the surface and at least one of the haptics, the closed portion having a thickness between the surface the haptic. The pump additionally has a circular path and a shaft path. The haptics are completely disposed inside the circular path and traversing the circular path during operation of the driving mechanism. The shaft path is traversed by shaft during operation of the driving mechanism, such at least one of the haptics is always in contact with the channel. The surface has a radius of curvature in the vicinity of the closed potion that is greater than the sum of a radius of the circular path and the thickness of the closed portion.
US08162632B2	Fluid pump A pump is disclosed, having a pumping chamber in the rotor. The rotor is rotatable between first, second, third and fourth positions. When the rotor is in the first position, an inlet cam assembly displaces a piston to draw fluid into the pumping chamber via a first housing inlet. When the rotor is in the second position, an outlet cam assembly displaces the piston to expel fluid out of the pumping chamber via a first housing outlet. When the rotor is in the third position, the inlet cam lobe assembly displaces the piston to draw fluid into the pumping chamber via a second housing inlet. When the rotor is in the fourth position, the outlet cam assembly displaces the piston to expel fluid out of the pumping chamber via a second housing outlet. A method of pumping fluid is also disclosed.
US08162631B2	Floating pinion bearing for a reciprocating pump A reciprocating pump assembly includes a power frame that houses a crankshaft. The crankshaft is mechanically connected to a large gear or bull gear on each end that is in mechanical engagement with a small gear or pinion bearing. A bearing housing is integrally formed as part of the power frame with an increased width and a constant inner diameter. A pinion bearing assembly, having an inner race, an outer race, and spherical bearings is placed around the shaft of the pinion bearing. The pinion is installed in the reciprocating pump assembly such that the bearing assembly rests on the bearing housing, which is integrally formed as part of the power frame. The bearing assembly is free to float in the bearing housing and provides for some lateral movement of the shaft and bearing assembly during operation of the reciprocating pump assembly.
US08162614B2	Workpiece, and also a welding method for the manufacture of a workpiece The invention relates to a workpiece (1), in particular a rotor disc, an impeller or guide wheel for a turbine, for a pump or for a compressor, including a base body (2) with a guide vane (3), wherein the guide vane (3) is welded in notch-free manner to the base body (2) and/or to a cover part (4). Furthermore, the invention relates to a welding method for the manufacture of a workpiece (1).
US08162612B2	Stamped stator assemblies and methods for assemblying stamped stator assemblies A stator for a torque converter, including a pump side blade plate with a first outer circumferential portion and a turbine side blade plate with a second outer circumferential portion in contact with the first outer circumferential portion. One of the first or second outer circumferential portions includes an axially extending lip with a plurality of notches and the other of the first or second outer circumferential portions includes a plurality of radially outward protrusions disposed in the plurality of notches and the lip includes a plurality of at least partially radially inward protrusions in contact with other of the first or second outer circumferential portions and exerting force on the other of the first or second outer circumferential portions to urge the pump and turbine side plates together.
US08162611B2	Controllable pitch propeller with electrical power generation A propeller system includes a rotor hub which supports a multiple of propeller blades. An electrical generator is mounted between a gearbox and the rotor hub to generate electrical power to drive a pitch change system within the rotor hub.
US08162605B2	Gas turbine engine case A case for a gas turbine engine includes a single-piece case that includes a combustor case portion and a turbine case portion that is integrally formed with the combustor case portion as one piece. In one example, the single-piece case includes a transition duct/mid-turbine frame case portion is integrally formed with the combustor and turbine case portions.
US08162601B2	Surface treatment method and repair method A method for forming a dense coating on a limited region of a subject body is disclosed. The method is composed of the steps of: applying one selected from the group of a compressed body of a powder of a metal and a sintered compressed body of a powder of a metal to a working electrode; executing discharge deposition to deposit a first coating from the working electrode on the subject body by applying the subject body as a workpiece of the discharge deposition; executing discharge deposition to deposit a second coating from the working electrode on the first coating by applying the subject body as a workpiece of the discharge deposition; and heating the subject body in one selected from the group of a vacuum, an air and an oxidizing atmosphere so as to densify the second coating or oxidizing the second coating at least in part to generate a solid lubricant substance.
US08162597B2	Stage of variable-pitch vanes for a turbomachine A stage of variable-pitch vanes for a turbomachine is disclosed. The vanes include internal pivots engaged in corresponding housings of a sectorized internal ring. Each ring sector includes axial orifices for mounting two pins for the radial retention of the ring sector on the internal pivot of a vane. Each pin includes an immobilization device cooperating by shape coupling with a complementary immobilization device of the other pin in order to rotationally immobilize these pins in the orifices in the ring sectors.
US08162595B2	Mitigating mechanical vibrations caused by a fan in a computer system One embodiment provides a system that mitigates vibrations caused by cooling fans in a computer system. More specifically, the system includes a cooling fan mechanically coupled to the chassis of the computer system, wherein vibrations generated by the cooling fan are coupled to the chassis. The system also includes an actuation mechanism that creates a relative displacement between the cooling fan and the chassis when a control signal is applied to the actuation mechanism. The system additionally includes a detection mechanism which detects the relative displacement and generates a feedback signal which represents the relative displacement. The system further includes a control signal generation mechanism which converts the feedback signal into the control signal, which is subsequently applied to the actuation mechanism. When the control signal is applied to the actuation mechanism, the relative displacement between the cooling fan and the chassis vibrationally decouples the cooling fan from the chassis.
US08162593B2	Inter-turbine casing with cooling circuit, and turbofan comprising it An inter-turbine casing for a turbofan is disclosed. The casing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and an intermediate ring between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner and intermediate rings have respective openings for the passage of cooling air. The casing includes at least one sealing device, arranged between the outer ring and the intermediate ring, with a base, provided with at least one orifice for the passage of cooling air, and a peripheral skirt which is able to be compressed and expanded elastically. The base bears against the outer ring and the peripheral skirt bears against the intermediate ring.
US08162591B2	Multistage compressor for a gas turbine, comprising discharge ports and injection ports to stabilize the compressor flow A multistage compressor for a gas turbine, having a compressor housing, guide vanes, impeller vanes, a hub area, discharge ports, and injection ports for stabilizing the compressor flow, wherein the discharge ports are situated at least one stage downstream from the injection ports, the injection ports being fashioned as nozzles, and the geometry of these nozzles is designed such that the flow speed of the injected air stream is significantly greater than the speed of the flow in a critical cross-section.
US08162588B2	Rotor and nozzle assembly for a radial turbine and method of operation A rotor for a radial flow turbine has an impulse chamber (51) having an inlet defined in a circumferential surface of the rotor and a reaction chamber (62) having an outlet defined in the circumferential surface of the rotor. The impulse chamber is in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, and the reaction chamber outlet is axially displaced from the impulse chamber inlet.
US08162587B2	Method and system for supplying portable gas cylinders A method of supplying a portable medical gas system is provided. The disclosed method includes preparing a portable medical gas system, the portable medical gas system including a cylinder adapted to be filled with medical gas and a gas dispensing valve. The portable medical gas system is place in a specialized container having a configuration adapted to hold the portable medical gas system only when the cylinder of portable medical gas system is unused state or empty state. The portable medical gas system is delivered to the customer, and returned as an empty cylinder via commercial carrier. Upon receipt of the empty or spent portable medical gas system, another portable medical gas system filled with medical gas is sent to the customer. In one embodiment, the portable medical gas system includes a single-use flow control valve which ensures the cylinder is empty after its initial use.
US08162584B2	Method and apparatus for semiconductor wafer alignment The invention provides, in some aspects, a wafer alignment system comprising an image acquisition device, an illumination source, a rotatable wafer platform, and an image processor that includes functionality for mapping coordinates in an image of an article (such as a wafer) on the platform to a “world” frame of reference at each of a plurality of angles of rotation of the platform.
US08162580B2	Anti-theft fastener The anti-theft fastener has a shearing head, a shaft and a fastening element. The shearing head has at least one shearing tab. The shaft is threaded and connected the shearing head. The fastening element is mounted around the shearing head and has an outer surface having a countersink and at least one shearing recess. The countersink is formed in the outer surface around the connecting hole. The at least one shearing recess is formed in countersink, and corresponds to the at least one shearing tab, and each shearing recess has at least one shearing surface, whereby the at least one shearing tab is broken off by the shearing surface of the fastening element.
US08162571B2	Bulk component feeder A bulk component feeder includes a conveying channel 42 through which the electronic components P are conveyed, a ventilation channel 43 that is formed along the conveying channel 42, and a partition 44 by which postures of the electronic components P conveyed through the conveying channel 42 are maintained and by which the conveying channel 42 is separated from the ventilation channel 43. The conveying channel 42 communicates with the ventilation channel 43 through an upper part 45 of the partition 44. It is possible to increase a size of an air channel A which acts as a flow channel for airflow and through which the electronic components P are conveyed with no respect to sizes of the electronic components P, thus, a desirable conveying speed is assured even though the conveyed electronic components P are micro-components.
US08162560B2	Quick-fixing element A quick-fixing element mounted on a guide rail and configured to receive at least one horizontally running rod of a grid side part. The rod includes an angled end region. The quick-fixing element includes a first clip retaining section constructed to partially engage around the rod at a predetermined position along a length of the rod. The quick-fixing element also includes a second clip retaining section configured to partially engage around the rod at the angled end region.
US08162559B2	Connector for panels or panel-like components A connector is provided for connecting a first panel to a second panel with the first panel having one edge thereof fixed relative to a surface of the second panel and the two panels extending transversely, typically at right angles, to each other. The connector includes an anchor unit for cooperation with an aperture through the first panel inwardly of the one edge thereof and a nut captive relative to the anchor unit for receiving a fastener passing through the second panel for urging the anchor unit towards the second panel. The anchor unit includes a first component and a second component each of which has a generally planar base with one or more attachment lugs receiving the fastener. The peripheral edge of the base, in each case, is shaped so that the base covers and obscures the aperture with a flat abutment edge engaging the second panel.
US08162553B2	Cassettte locking and ejecting arrangement A label printer comprising a cassette-receiving bay, said cassette-receiving bay having a base, a top opening opposite the base, a locking mechanism, and an ejector mechanism extending from said base, said ejector mechanism having an ejector part having an upper surface for cooperation with a cassette, said ejector part being movable in a first direction towards said base and biased in a second direction towards said top opening such that a force on the ejector part directed towards said base causes the ejector part to move in the first direction and wherein said ejector part is biased to move in said second direction when the force is removed, said ejector mechanism being arranged whereby when a cassette is inserted into the cassette receiving bay, said ejector part extends through an opening in a base of the cassette.
US08162552B2	Ramped-key keyboard for a handheld mobile communication device Wireless handheld mobile communication device and keyboard therefore having a keyfield including a plurality of depressible keys arranged in rows that are distributed about a vertical centerline (Vc) of the keyboard. Each of the depressible keys has a top engagement surface of which an upper inboard portion is raised relative a lower outboard portion thereof. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys is ramped from the lower outboard portion toward the upper inboard portion. Each top engagement surface is generally crest shaped, with the apex of the crest running generally diagonally across the respective key with the rest of the top engagement surface falling away from the crest toward the upper outboard portion and the lower inboard portion of the key. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys terminates at an upper edge thereof in an elevated ridge down from which the balance of the respective top engagement surface slopes.
US08162545B2	Hub unit A hub unit is equipped with an inner member having an inner ring raceway formed on its outer peripheral face, an outer member having an outer ring raceway formed on its inner peripheral face, and a plurality of rolling elements provided between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway. At least one of the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway has a rolling contact zone on which an induction-hardened layer is formed. The hardened layer has a depth of about 1.5 to 1.9 mm at a distance of 1 mm inward from each end of the hardened layer.
US08162535B2	Method for monitoring the state of a tube for a coating in a system of pipes or ducts A method for monitoring a status of a sleeve for lining a system of pipes or conduits, the sleeve being impregnated with a curable resin, includes the steps of providing the sleeve, disposing at least one fiber optic sensor in thermally conductive contact with the sleeve, and generating, using the at least one fiber optic sensor, a positionally resolved thermographic image representative of a temperature of the sleeve as a function of position and time
US08162527B2	Backlight module and the method for manufacturing the same A backlight module and a manufacture method thereof are provided. The backlight module includes a frame body and an optical plate. The frame body includes a first material frame and a second material frame, and the second material frame is embedded in the first material frame and the strength of the second material frame is higher than that of the first material frame. The first material frame enwraps part of the second material frame to form at least one connection part, and the optical plate is disposed in the frame body and is connected with at least one connection part.
US08162523B1	Vehicle light with LED running light frame structure A vehicle light with LED running light frame structure comprises a light cover frame and at least a soft LED light bar; at least a groove having pluralities of through holes at its bottom is provided at an appropriate position at the interior of the light cover frame; by way of provision of the soft LED light bar of a number as that of the grooves at the light cover frame, the luminous chips of the soft LED light bar can aim at the through holes at the groove; the opening of the groove is provided with a two-side adhesive tape for fastening to the vehicle light base after the electric cord extended from the soft LED light bar is connected to the vehicle powder, thereby accomplishing an electric running light.
US08162516B2	LED reading lamp An LED reading lamp includes a base, a supporting bracket fixed on the base, a heat sink mounted on the supporting bracket and an LED module mounted on a bottom surface of the heat sink. The supporting bracket has a vertical part vertically fixed on the base and a horizontal part extending horizontally from an upper end of the vertical part. The horizontal part defines an opening therein. The heat sink is placed on a top surface of the supporting bracket and located over the opening. The LED module is received in the opening of the horizontal part.
US08162510B2	LED chip package structure with multifunctional integrated chips and a method for making the same A LED chip package structure with multifunctional integrated chips includes a substrate unit, a light-emitting unit, a chip unit, and a package colloid unit. The light-emitting unit has a plurality of LED chips electrically arranged on the substrate unit. The chip unit is electrically arranged on the substrate unit, and the chip unit is arranged between the light-emitting unit and a power source. The package colloid unit covers the LED chips. The package colloid unit is a strip fluorescent colloid corresponding to the LED chips.
US08162494B2	Surface deformation actuation structure A structure such as an electronically deformable mirror contains a deformable membrane, an array of actuators located facing the membrane, each actuator being arranged to actuate local displacement of the membrane perpendicular to its surface. The actuators and the membrane are connected via an array of actuating connections. The actuating connections substantially transmit movement perpendicular to the second surface, but leave planar displacement and/or local rotation of the second surface substantially free. Preferably, the actuators contain an array of soft magnetic islands on a soft magnetic base plane, with actuator coils running around the islands and a system of sort magnetic walls on the base plane to separate the coils. The walls support a soft magnetic resilient surface that extend over of the islands and serve to drive the actuating connections. Preferably the base plane is supported on an array of rod shaped connection elements, leaving space to permit air to circulate between the support structures and the support plate.
US08162489B2	Video projection system A roll bar for protecting a projection mirror is attached so as to avoid exerting an external force to the projection mirror portion, direct thereto upon a turnover the projection apparatus. Further, in the case of no attachment of the roll bar for protecting the projection mirror portion, the projector apparatus is prevented from being started. Further, when the projector apparatus is carried away, the roller bar for protecting the projection mirror serves as a handle.
US08162485B2	Intermediate image formation optical system, image formation device, and methods thereof An image projection device performing pixel shift in synchronization with sequential updating of image data is disclosed that is able to start and stop pixel shift operations within a period of updating the image frames while maintaining brightness of the image. The image projection device has an intermediate image formation optical system including a light valve able to update an image frame in a line-sequential manner, a pixel shift unit to shift the light path of a light beam from the light valve so as to shift a position of an image formed on the light valve, and an intermediate image formation unit arranged on the light path between the light valve and the pixel shift unit for forming an intermediate image of the image on the light valve at a position of the pixel shift unit.
US08162483B2	Hierarchical light intensity control in light projector In a light projection system, potentially hierarchical levels of light intensity control ensure proper laser-light output intensity, color channel intensity, white point, left/right image intensity balancing, or combinations thereof. The light projection system can include a light intensity sensor in an image path, in a light-source subsystem light-dump path, in a light-modulation subsystem light-dump path, in a position to measure light leaked from optical components, or combinations thereof.
US08162476B2	Contact lens A contact lens includes at least two focal lengths, a single lower bearing surface capable of allowing the lens to be translated relative to an eye, and an area placed in the lower portion of the lens, the area having an outer face connected to a remainder of the outer face of the lens via a recess and the area having an inner face indistinguishable from the rest of an inner face of the lens, where the recess defines the lower bearing surface, and where the area is thin with an average thickness of the same order of magnitude as a thickness of an upper edge of said lens.
US08162473B2	Image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus includes a recording head, first and second rollers, an endless conveyor belt wound around the first and second rollers to convey a recording medium from the first to the second roller, a first adsorber giving adsorptivity for the recording medium toward an outer surface of the conveyor belt at least in a region thereof opposed to the recording head, a third roller disposed at a position opposite to the first roller across the second roller, and an endless separation belt wound around the second and third rollers. An outer surface of the endless separation belt has adsorptivity lower than the adsorptivity given by the first adsorber. The endless separation belt receives the recording medium from the conveyor belt and conveys the recording medium from the second roller to the third roller while supporting the recording medium on the surface thereof.
US08162467B2	Method for the univocal marking of materials, and ink for carrying out the same Described herein is a method for unique marking of various materials that can be obtained using an ink formulated with micronized microparticles and/or microencapsulated microdrops of various nature dispersed in a suitable vehicle; said ink, once applied to each individual product, forms an original and distinctive map.
US08162462B2	Check valve unit for solid ink reservoir system A check valve unit is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of melted ink from a source and a receiving unit, which may be a printhead system. The check valve unit includes a plurality of ball elements trapped between upper and lower housings defining a like plurality of inlet and discharge passageways. The passageways are configured to optimize flow of melted ink through the unit during charging of the secondary reservoir. The check valve unit is scalable as to size and number of reservoirs for a particular application. The unit further incorporates features that simplify the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining optimal performance.
US08162456B2	Fluid container, recycling method of fluid container, method for piercing cover film of fluid container, piercing jig, and method for manufacturing fluid container A piercing method for forming an opening in a cover film welded to an ink cartridge in such a manner as to cover first and second ink inlet holes is provided. The method includes: forming a cut in the cover film in such a manner as to provide a cut piece supported in a cantilever manner in a covering area of the cover film that covers the first and second ink inlet hole; and forming the opening in the cover film by causing the cut piece to hang down in the first and second ink inlet holes.
US08162455B2	Discharge device The back pressure of an ink tank is controlled. A porous body is arranged inside the ink tank, the lower end of the porous body contacts an ink, and the ink ascends inside the porous body due to a capillary force. The upper end of the porous body is not immersed in the ink, and a maximum ascending force acts upon the ink stored in the ink tank. Therefore, the ink does not leak from a discharge head located lower than the ink tank. Further, because the ink is accumulated under the porous body and the amount of the ink contacting the porous body is small, components of the ink are less susceptible to deterioration.
US08162446B2	Print head The present invention provides a print head that allows the characteristics of ejected ink to be adjusted for each ejection port in spite of a variation in the distance from an ink supply port to the heating element. In the print head according to the present invention, the area of the heating element decreases with increasing distance from the ink supply port and increases with decreasing distance from the ink supply port. The heating element is shaped like a rectangle that is longer in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the plurality of ejection ports are arranged than in the direction in which the plurality of ejection ports are arranged. The aspect ratio of the heating element depends on the length of an ink channel through which ink is introduced into the bubbling chamber.
US08162445B2	Ink jet printing head An ink jet printing head is attachable to/detachable from an ink jet printing apparatus and includes an electric wiring member formed of a TAB tape to which terminals are provided, and has a wiring exposed through an end section of the electric wiring member, the terminals accepting signals by making contact with a connection portion on the part of the apparatus when the head is attached to the apparatus. An opening is provided in a supporting member which supports the electric wiring member, the opening extending in a direction traversing an area where the electric wiring member is supported. Thereby, movement of liquid, such as water and ink, to the end section is blocked, the liquid moving through a gap between a back surface of the electric wiring member and a surface of the supporting member.
US08162444B2	Printing head and manufacturing method of printing head There is provided a printing head which improves durability and increases reliability by reducing stress occurring in a bonding part between an electrode pad and an inner lead at cooling. The electrode pad and the inner lead are electrically connected in such a manner that in the bonding portions between the electrode pad and a stud bump, only a part of contacting portions between the electrode and the stud bump is bonded.
US08162441B2	Ink-cartridge loading/unloading apparatus The present invention relates to an ink-cartridge loading/unloading apparatus used in various devices onto which an ink-cartridge is capable of minimizing damage of a flexible printed wiring board of the ink-cartridge. The ink-cartridge loading/unloading apparatus according to the present invention comprises a vertically extending main body having a support portion; a mounting part connected to the front surface of the main body; and a coupling part connecting the main body and the mounting part. A metal coupling bar or a magnetic substance inserted in a coupling bar is attached to an electromagnet provided in a side of the main body, whereby the mounting part is coupled to the main body. The mounting part is released from a coupled state by pressing a button bar with an external force, and an elastic means is further provided between the mounting part and the main body.
US08162434B2	Cap and ink-jet head protection assembly A head cap for protecting an ink ejecting face of an ink-jet head may be provided with a plate member. The plate member may be opposed to the ink ejecting face. The head cap may include a flexible, continuous lip, which projects from one surface of the plate member. Recesses may be formed in the one surface of the plate member. Through-holes may be formed through the bottom walls of the recesses, respectively. Films may further be used where each covers the associated through-hole and is joined partially to a circumferential edge portion of the associated recess.
US08162433B2	System and method for scheduling ink jet recovery in an ink jet printer A method enables an ink jet image generating system to select an operational mode in response to detection of a missing ink jet. The method includes generating a digital image of an ink image on an image receiving member of an ink jet image generating system, detecting missing inkjets in a printhead of an ink jet image generating system from the digital image of the ink image on the image receiving member, and selecting an operational mode for the ink jet image generating system in response to the detection of at least one missing ink jet.
US08162427B2	Image forming apparatus and maintenance method The image forming apparatus includes: a recording medium conveyance device which includes air flow channels and a recording medium holding region on which a recording medium is held, a surface of the recording medium holding region having openings in connection with the air flow channels, the recording medium conveyance device conveying the recording medium in a prescribed conveyance direction while holding the recording medium on the recording medium holding region by suction; a suction device which performs air suction through the openings to perform holding of the recording medium on the recording medium holding region by suction when the recording medium is disposed on the recording medium holding region; an image forming device which performs image formation onto the recording medium held on the recording medium holding region by the suction device; a discharging device which performs air discharge through the openings when no recording medium is disposed on the recording medium holding region; and an air switching device which performs switching between the air suction and the air discharge.
US08162425B2	Image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus improves the operating efficiency while preventing trouble due to the contact of a recording medium with a discharging surface of a recording head. A distance sensor for detecting the distance of the leading edge of a sheet from a conveying surface is provided upstream from the inkjet head in the conveying direction of the sheet. A gap control unit controls a frame moving mechanism to move the inkjet head up so that a gap between the discharging surface and the conveying surface increases when the distance detected by the distance sensor is above a first distance, and the gap distance may be increased by different amounts depending on the distance detected by the distance sensor. A discharging control unit controls the inkjet head to discharge ink droplets after the gap is increased.
US08162423B2	Inkjet recording method and apparatus The inkjet recording method includes: a treatment liquid deposition step of depositing a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent onto a surface of a coating layer of a coated paper having a base paper layer and the coating layer coating the base paper layer; and an ink deposition step of depositing ink onto the surface of the coating layer on which the treatment liquid has been deposited. In the ink deposition step, the ink is deposited onto the surface of the coating layer in a state where an effective pH of the aggregating agent on the surface of the coating layer is not lower than 1.67 and not higher than 7.0, and an effective pH of the aggregating agent in the coating layer is not lower than 0.1 and not higher than 1.7.
US08162422B2	Refrigerator Provided is a refrigerator including a plurality of drawers that partitions a space of a storage chamber and can be selectively withdrawn. In this refrigerator, a user can efficiently utilize the storage space of the storage chamber, and a desired drawer can be opened to easily store and dispense foods.
US08162417B2	Modular UPS A modular UPS system is provided wherein UPS systems may be constructed using a number of different frame components. In one example, a core UPS frame is provided that can accept different combinations of power and battery modules, and an extension frame is provided that can be combined with the core frame to provide a larger UPS system. According to one example, both the core and extension frame types may be used in either a standalone or rack-mounted configuration. Another aspect relates to packaging of UPS components such that the UPS frame need not include serviceable items. In another aspect, a rail system is provided that allows for easier installation of heavy components into rack-mount systems.
US08162414B2	Door for structure for presenting and displaying goods A door for merchandise display cabinets that show refrigerated or frozen merchandise, features a vertical opening for accessing the merchandise space, is subdivided into compartments arranged vertically on top of each other, and its front part that is accessible by the customer can be closed with transparent doors and be moved horizontally. These doors have been executed as frameless insulating glass planes on which swivel bolts have been directly arranged on the insulating glass pane.
US08162407B2	Spoked wheel The invention relates to a spoked wheel that includes a peripheral rim, a central hub, and individual connecting spokes between the rim and the hub, the spokes being taut. The wheel includes an arrangement for adjusting the tension of at least some of the spokes, and the spokes are taut with an initial tension Ti corresponding to a normal tension value Tn which is reduced by a value corresponding to a compression force R that can be supported by each spoke. For a rear wheel, the spokes supporting the compression forces are those arranged on the side opposite freewheel.
US08162406B2	Multi-piece vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same A method for producing a multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system comprises the steps of: (a) providing a wheel having a wheel disc defining and axis and an outboard facing wheel surface; (b) providing a first outer wheel cover formed from a metal material, the first outer wheel cover covering at least a portion of the an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the wheel disc; (c) providing a second inner wheel cover formed from a plastic material, the second inner wheel cover covering at least a substantial portion of the outboard facing wheel surface of the wheel disc; (d) providing an insert formed from a foam material and which generally corresponds to at least the shape of a space which formed between the outboard facing wheel surface and the inboard surface of the second wheel cover; (e) securing the first and second inner wheel covers together by at least an interference fit therewith; and (f) permanently securing the assembled wheel covers of step (e), the insert and the wheel to one another by adhesive to produce the multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system.
US08162388B2	Multiple tube body side construction for automobiles A body side construction for an automotive vehicle is formed from multiple tubular members arranged to maximize the strength of the body side members while minimizing the amount of material utilized in the manufacture of the body side members and, thus reducing the cost of manufacture of the automobile. The body side members are formed from tubular members preferably manufactured through a hydroforming process. The tubular members extend from the front pillar to the rear pillar and can vary in number and in size as appropriate for the load being carried by the body side members. The tubular members can also be used to transition from the body side portion of the automobile to the roof structure to provide an integrated frame assembly. The formation of the body side members from multiple tubular members also creates an internal reinforcement web to further enhance the strength of the section.
US08162386B2	Cab for construction machine A cab for a construction machine includes hinges that swingably mount the door to the wall. Each of the hinges includes a first member secured to a first cut-out portion of the wall, a second member secured to a second cut-out portion of the door, an interposed member interposed between the first and second members, and first and second pivot shafts pivotally respectively coupling the first and second members to the interposed member. The cab further includes first and second stoppers that regulate first and second angles of the interposed member with respect to the first and second members, respectively, and a bolt member arranged in the second stopper to move in its axial direction to adjust the second angle. An imaginary surface corresponding to an outermost part of each of the hinges is substantially coplanar with exterior surfaces of the wall and the door, when the door is closed.
US08162380B2	Aerodynamic structure for vehicle An aerodynamic device for a vehicle that can effectively adjust airflow within a wheel house is obtained. A fixed aerodynamic stabilizer device 10 is formed at a vehicle body longitudinal direction rear side of a rotational axis of a front wheel 15 within a wheel house 16, as a step having an airflow collision groove wall that faces downward in a vehicle body vertical direction. This fixed aerodynamic stabilizer device 10 suppresses flowing-in, into the wheel house 16, of airflow F that is generated accompanying the front wheel 15 rotating in a direction of arrow R.
US08162370B2	Protection device for a vehicle interior A protection device of this type includes a flexible sheetlike structure which is mounted movably between a compactly stored inoperative position and at least one at least partially extended functional position and is provided at the end thereof which is in front in the extension direction with a planar and dimensionally stable contour part which extends substantially over an entire width of the sheetlike structure.Control kinematics are assigned to a movement end region of the contour part shortly before the extended end position is reached, the control kinematics shifting the contour part forwards in the extension direction by an additional extension distance.
US08162350B1	Gas generator Gas generator devices and related assemblies are provided that include adjacently disposed ignition and gas generant chambers. Within the gas generant chamber, a quantity of gas generant material is contained within one or more containers having a perforated side wall and oppositely disposed first and second end walls. The first end wall is perforated and disposed adjacent the ignition chamber to allow communication of at least a portion of the ignition products therethrough and into contact with gas generant material therein contained to ignite the gas generant material to produce a product gas. The second end wall is perforated to allow gas flow communication of the product gas therethrough for discharge from the gas generator.
US08162332B2	Device for adjusting the camber and/or the toe of wheels of wheel suspensions The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of a driven wheel of a wheel suspension, in particular for motor vehicles, with a wheel carrier on which the wheel is pivoted, the wheel carrier being divided into a carrier part which holds the wheel a guide part which is connected to the wheel suspension and into two pivotal parts which are arranged in between, which can be rotated to one another as well as to the carrier part and to the guide part around axes of rotation, and which interact with control surfaces which face one another and which are inclined by a defined angle to the axis of rotation, and a wheel drive shaft which is guided by the carrier part and guide part and by the pivotal parts. According to the invention, the carrier part has a hub section which surrounds the wheel drive shaft and which extends to the guide part, and around which the two pivoted part are situated, and that between the hub section and the guide part an inner sealing element is connected which seals an annular gap between the hub section and the guide part.
US08162327B2	Metal seals for weld-deformed high temperature pneumatic ducting joints A single-ply sheet metal seal ring with a convoluted, V/E-shaped cross-section having planar-circumferential flexibility is shown to be more capable of conforming to the sealing face contours of warped, weld-deformed flanges than thin layer, multiple-ply seals developed to replace earlier E-shaped seals for this purpose. The basis of the improved flexibility of the new seal lies mainly in the discovery of geometric relationships that permit a reduction in the thickness of the sheet material employed in the construction of the seal while maintaining its pressure containing capabilities.
US08162325B2	Multipart packing ring A multipart packing ring for sealing a piston rod of a compressor includes ring segments and sealing segments which are alternatingly arranged to form a ring. The ring segments include a curved main part and an axial shoulder and the sealing segments include a curved main part and an axial projection. The circumferential ends of the main part of the ring segments and the circumferential ends of the axial projection of the sealing elements face one another and define first wear gaps there-between.
US08162324B2	Compliant plate seal with an annular ring for turbomachinery and methods of assembling the same A method of assembling a turbomachine that includes a rotor and a stationary component is provided. The method includes coupling a housing to the stationary component using at least one biasing member, wherein the housing extending circumferentially about the rotor. The method also includes coupling at least one annular ring to the housing, and coupling a plurality of plate members to the housing such that the at least one annular ring extends from the housing towards the rotor and partially through the plurality of plate members.
US08162319B2	Method for advancing and retracting a target An omnidirectional target system includes a target movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an actuation mechanism for moving the target to the extended position, the target and the actuation mechanism being releaseable so that the target can be moved back into the retracted position despite movement of the actuation mechanism.
US08162311B2	Placing table and liquid body discharge device A placing table includes a placing surface on which a substrate is placed; a suction unit which sucks the substrate to the placing surface; a separation unit which separates the substrate from the placing surface; and a rotation unit, being a part of the placing surface and rotating about a vertical axis with respect to the placing surface. In the table, the suction unit sucks the substrate to the placing surface at the rotation unit and the separation unit separates the substrate from a part of the placing surface excluding the rotation unit if the rotation unit is rotated.
US08162307B2	Sheet processing apparatus In a sheet processing apparatus that, for example, sorts or staples sheets after image formation, when preceding finishing is not completed on a processing tray, a third sheet fed anew into a waiting tray of a sheet placing member configuring a sheet waiting unit, which temporarily puts a sheet conveyed thereto on standby, is stacked to be shifted such that leading ends of second and third sheets are located further on a conveying direction upstream side than a leading end of a first sheet. Consequently, longitudinal alignment in the processing tray after that is surely performed.
US08162306B2	Sheet aligning apparatus, sheet processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus A sheet aligning apparatus includes an alignment surface formed in a planar shape and that presses an end of a sheet to move and align the sheet; and a holding unit that holds the end of the sheet at a position contacting the alignment surface in a state that a curled end of the sheet contacts the alignment surface and the sheet is thus pressed.
US08162298B2	Method for vaporizing liquid material capable of vaporizing liquid material at low temperature and vaporizer using the same A vaporizer is provided with a vaporizing chamber heated by heaters; a primary filter positioned in a bottom end portion of the vaporizing chamber and heated by the heater; a liquid material supply portion for dropping down a flow-controlled liquid material from upper portion of the vaporizing chamber toward the primary filter; a carrier gas guiding passage for guiding a carrier gas into the underside of the primary filter; and a material delivering passage for discharging a mixed gas including the carrier gas and a vaporized liquid material from the top of the vaporizing chamber. The liquid material dropped down onto the primary filter is partially vaporized, while the rest thereof is atomized by being subjected to bubbling effect provided by the carrier gas flowing from underneath.
US08162293B2	Device for applying cooling mist and dry air to individuals An apparatus and method are disclosed for cooling one or more exercising or resting individuals by applying a water mist and dry air. The apparatus can be free standing, fixed to the walls or ceiling, or attached to an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. The mist and dry air can be applied together or separately, simultaneously or alternately, with varying timing and intensity. In some embodiments, the mist and dry air are manually controlled or operate according to the passage of time. In other embodiments the need for cooling is determined by one or more physiological parameters measured by sensors directed toward or attached to an individual, or embedded in an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. Still other embodiments estimate the heating of the individual by measuring the amount of work performed or the rate of energy expenditure.
US08162288B2	Composite valve A valve utilizes a composite two-piece housing to provide a low cost, high strength, light weight alternative to conventional metal and plastic valves adaptable for corrosive and non-corrosive environments. The valve includes a valve body defined by a first body half coupled to a second body half. A valve disk assembly is disposed between the first and second body halves. The disk assembly includes a valve disk, a valve stem and a valve seal. The disk stem is positioned within the valve disk along a central axis of the disk such that when the disk is rotated about the valve stem, the valve is opened or closed. The valve seal includes a primary portion lining an interior surface formed by the first and second body halves to engage an outer surface of the disk. The seal also includes a secondary portion disposed within and between the first and second body halves. The primary and secondary sealing portions configured to retain position within the housing and in sealing engagement with the disk.
US08162285B2	Nozzle safety training device A safety device includes a first loop arranged around a handle of a nozzle. via a first strip of material. A second strip of material extends across the second A second loop is arranged around a body of the nozzle and adjoins the first loop loop. A first strip of material includes a fastener for creating a third loop that prevents a bale of the nozzle from being opened. The safety device may include a visual indicator arranged at a free end of the first strip of material for indicating that a firefighting crew maintaining the nozzle has passed inspection and the type of agent the fire hose expels.
US08162280B2	Adjustable joint An adjustable joint for a flat object is disclosed. The adjustable joint includes an extending portion connected to the flat object, a fixed portion, and a resilient portion connected to the extending portion and the fixed portion. The resilient portion includes a joint member connecting the extending portion and the fixed portion, a latching member received in the joint member and latching the extending portion, an operating lever rotatably connected to the joint member and configured for adjusting the tightness of the extending portion and, a connecting member connecting the latching member and the operating lever, wherein when the operating lever is rotated, the connecting member drives the latching member to grasp or release the extending portion.
US08162278B2	Mount structure A mount structure includes a base and a bearer. The base has a slot, and at least one combining block is disposed protruding from the slot. The bearer has a bearing portion and a combining portion. The bearing portion is connected to a display, and the combining portion is installed in the slot through hooks, buckles, latches, screws, or other combining methods, such that the bearer is fixed on the base. Moreover, the combining portion is provided with reinforcing ribs for enhancing the structural strength of the bearer.
US08162275B2	Gallon paint can, paint brush, and scraper/wire brush holder for D-rung style extension ladders A gallon paint can, brush, and scraper/wire brush holder for use with hollow D-rung ladders. The device includes an annular support member defining a recess into which a can, typically a standard one gallon paint can, or other container can be placed. The can, brush and scraper/wire brush are secured and prevented from falling through the recess of the ladder rung. Attached to the device is a rung insert member, comprising a smooth or ribbed tube with Neoprene washer inserts which can be inserted through the hollow rung in a snug fit, allowing the can to self-level by operation of gravity.
US08162266B2	Electrical power transfer assembly An assembly for an aircraft including a first structure mounted to a second structure, and a power transfer assembly electrically connecting the first and second structures. The first structure is movable relative to the second structure between a retracted and an extended position. The power transfer assembly includes a housing, a spool mounted for rotation relative to the housing and biased to rotate in a first direction, and an electrical cable adapted to be wound around the spool when the spool rotates, such that movement of the first structure from its retracted to its extended position causes the cable to be unwound from the spool by rotation of the spool in a second direction opposite the first. Also, a method of electrically connecting the first and second structures. The invention may be applied to an aircraft wing to electrically connect a leading edge slat to a fixed airfoil portion.
US08162263B2	Payload quick release for an aerial system A payload quick release mechanism for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. This mechanism is affixed to a structure on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and allows for quick attachment and removal of a payload from the unmanned aerial vehicle. The attachment device includes a body with a perimeter and a plurality of arms that extend from the body perimeter. Each arm includes an indented section, within which a tab extending from the payload top may be placed. When the payload tab rests within the indented section, the payload is prevented from translation and is attached to the mechanism.
US08162261B2	Self contained power system for controllable refueling drogues According to an embodiment, an aerial refueling drogue has a coupling having a channel formed there through. One end of the coupling is attached to a hose. A power generator unit is positioned in the channel of the coupling.
US08162246B2	Multiple safety element torque limiter A displaceable drive ball safety element type torque limiter is installed in a variable speed AC motor drive crusher mill drive which can include a selective operable locking brake to hold the crusher components stationary during maintenance operations.
US08162243B2	Fiber feeder A device for breaking up compressed masses of fibers into pieces of fiber and transporting the pieces of fiber, comprising: an intake chute; a plurality of break-up implements mounted on a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted within the intake chute; a plurality of devices with protrusions, where the plurality of devices are mounted on a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted within the intake chute; and a transportation device. A compressed mass of fibers may be placed within the intake chute, the compressed mass of fibers may come into contact with the plurality of break-up implements, the compressed mass of fibers may be broken into large pieces of fiber by the break-up implements, the larger pieces of fiber may come into contact with the plurality of devices, the larger pieces of fiber may be broken into small pieces of fiber by the devices, and the small pieces of fiber may fall onto the transportation device.
US08162241B2	Apparatus and method for collecting and crushing seashells on a beach A seashell collecting and crushing apparatus includes a collection device having a hollow body and an inlet for introducing seashells into the hollow body. A fan assembly is operable to provide a suction airstream for drawing seashells into the hollow body. A crusher is positioned to receive seashells from an outlet of the collection device and pulverize the seashells received from the collection device into a fine particulate matter releasable through an outlet of the crusher. The fan assembly and the crusher are driven by a common driving arrangement. A method includes using the apparatus for removing seashells from the beach using the suction airstream to introduce seashells through the inlet into the hollow body, separating the seashells entering the hollow body from the suction airstream, pulverizing the seashells into a fine particulate matter using the crusher and exhausting the fine particulate matter through the outlet of the crusher.
US08162235B2	Irrigation device An irrigation sprinkler is provided having a housing and a riser assembly for the distribution of irrigation water that includes a wiper seal to prevent bypass flow. The sprinkler includes a first flow path that delivers water to a nozzle for irrigation and a second flow path that delivers water to a cavity between the riser assembly and the housing. The water in the cavity is substantially prevented from exiting the cavity because of an annular wiper blade and a secondary sealing blade that substantially contact the riser assembly through the riser assembly's reciprocal movement between retracted and elevated positions. The water in the cavity is additionally prevented from exiting the cavity due to a primary sealing blade that substantially contacts the riser assembly for a limited period of time when the riser assembly is in the elevated position. By limiting the period of time in which the primary sealing blade contacts the riser assembly, the primary sealing blade experiences less friction and seal degradation during reciprocation.
US08162228B2	RFID tag printer and printer Data is transferred from an operating device to a printer for printing with a simple operation. It is determined whether or not a printer ID received by a RFID tag for a printer of a printer via radio communication from a mobile terminal matches a printer ID of the printer of itself, and when the printer ID matches, printing data received by the RFID tag for a printer via radio communication from the mobile terminal is stored in a memory part of the RFID tag for a printer and then, the printing data is transmitted to a printer main body through a reader from the RFID tag for a printer and printed by a print head of the printer main body.
US08162222B2	System and method for identifying erasures in a 2D symbol One embodiment of a method for identifying a codeword as an erasure in a Quick Response code (QR code) captured by a bar code reader includes, identifying the scrambling mask used for encoding the data in the QR code. A location of the codeword in the QR code corresponds with a portion of the scrambling mask. The codeword comprises multiple codeword bits and the portion of the scrambling mask comprises multiple mask bits. The method further includes, generating an unscrambled codeword by performing a logical operation between each of the multiple codeword bits and each of the multiple mask bits, generating a reference matrix by applying the scrambling mask to a uniform matrix, and/or comparing the unscrambled codeword with the reference matrix to determine whether the codeword is the erasure.
US08162219B2	System and method for logo identification and verification A system for automatically identifying a logo or trademark applied to a device and verifying that the logo or trademark is acceptably identifies a compatible device. The system uses an optical imager to capture optical images of the target device and a microcontroller interconnected to the imager for processing the optical image to extract image information and verify that the contents of the image reflect the appropriate manufacturer or supplied indicia required by a host device. The decision reached by the microcontroller may be provided externally to a host device, thereby precluding or allowing use of the device, or provided directly to a user via know means, such as a visual display or audible output.
US08162210B2	Water and drink mix vending machine A liquid and drink mix vending machine can vend both potable water and as an additional purchase option drink mixes (e.g., flavored drink mixes). The vending machine can include a liquid vending system and a drink mix vending system. The liquid vending system can vend different amounts of water, which can be delivered to a container provided by a user. The drink mix vending system can vend a variety of drink mixes, including drink mixes of different concentrations for a given quantity of water.
US08162204B2	Pocket folder and blank for making same The pocket folder has a closed pocket on the back section with each side of the closed pocket being freely expandable. Flaps that form the ends of the closed pocket are separated by a fold line into two contiguous parts that are hinged to each other to allow expansion of the pocket. The pocket folder is fabricated from a one-piece blank of any suitable material such as paper, paperboard or plastic and has score lines on at least the back section to permit expansion when materials are inserted into the closed pocket.
US08162203B1	Spherical solder reflow method The present disclosure relates to methods of making solder balls having a uniform size. More particularly, the disclosure relates to improved solder ball formation processes that prevent or reduce bridging/merging of two or more solder balls during reflow. The processes of the instant disclosure are desirable because they do not require a sifting step to obtain uniformly-sized solder balls.
US08162199B2	Mold shave apparatus and injection molded soldering process An apparatus for the removal of excess solder or contaminant, which are encountered on the surfaces of injection mold prior to the transfer of a solder on a silicon wafer. More particularly, there is provided an apparatus for the removal of excess solder, which may be present on a mold surface, without removing any solder, which is located in cavities formed in the mold, and wherein the solder is applied through an injection molded soldering process.
US08162195B2	Trigger valve controlling device for pneumatic nail gun A trigger valve controlling device for a pneumatic nail gun includes a main air passageway, a valve sleeve and a main air valve opening. The valve sleeve separates the main air passageway into a front passageway, a middle chamber and a rear passageway. After hitting nails, a high pressure air in the trigger valve controlling device is capable of driving a hitting bar of the pneumatic nail gun to move upward to reset.
US08162190B2	Ergonomic lift mechanism for a truck box A lifting mechanism for a toolbox contained in a truck box is provided. The lifting mechanism may include an outer truck box having a cover, an inner toolbox, and a tray that supports the inner box. A connecting link is coupled to the cover and to the tray for guiding the inner box between an elevated position and a lowered position. A lift assist, such as a gas spring, is coupled to the cover for lifting the inner box when the cover is opened and lowering the inner box when the cover is closed. In another embodiment, the lifting mechanism may comprise an L-shaped slotted link mounted to the cover and to the tray for guiding the inner box between the elevated position and the lowered position.
US08162187B2	Apparatus for supporting trousers, particularly usable during the finishing operations in ironing trousers An apparatus for supporting trousers, particularly usable during the finishing operations in ironing trousers, includes a bearing structure, a fastening device on the bearing structure and to which, in one work configuration, at least one trouser support element can be connected, with the trousers having at least one end removable from the support element and extending along a substantially vertical direction, and automatic removal device for removing the support element from the trousers.
US08162183B2	Dispensing device for media The invention relates to a dispensing device for a preferably liquid or pulverulent medium, preferably for a pharmaceutical medium, having a housing, a media store for accommodating the medium, a dispensing opening for discharging the medium, and an actuating handle which, by relative movement in relation to the housing, can bring about a dispensing operation. The housing has a removable protective covering by which the actuating handle or the dispensing opening is covered in a storage state, wherein, in the storage state, the protective covering is connected to the housing by a coupling device, and the coupling device can be uncoupled by engagement of at least one functional portion of the dispensing device, it being possible for the functional portion to be moved in relation to the housing and the protective covering.
US08162176B2	Method and apparatuses for providing a selectable beverage Methods and apparatuses for providing a selectable beverage from a post-mix beverage dispenser are provided. In one embodiment, the method for providing a beverage having a separately selected color from a post-mix beverage dispensing system comprises: (a) providing at least two beverage bases for dispense from the post-mix beverage dispensing system; (b) separately storing at least two colorants in the post-mix beverage dispensing system; (c) receiving a request for a selected beverage base and the separately selected color with a computer processor; and (d) in response to the selection of the selected beverage base and the separately selected color, automatically dispensing through a single faucet of the post-mix beverage dispensing system, continuously in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, the selected beverage base and at least one of the colorants to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.
US08162172B2	Depression for feeding ball-shaped bodies and a device for the stacking and distribution of a defined number of ball-shaped bodies A method and device for the removal of balls from a supply is disclosed. The device has a horizontal plate having one or a plurality of circular orifices of identical size in the form of transcurrent orifices running vertically from the upper side to the lower side. The plate on its upper side exhibits a depression around each orifice, in conjunction with which the base of the depression are curved, the periphery of the depression exhibits an elliptical, oval or spindle-shaped form at the level of the surface of the plate, the mid-point of the orifice in each case lies on the mid-point of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the periphery of the depression, and the base of the depression is inclined towards the mid-point of the orifice along the longitudinal axis.
US08162165B2	Pail and closure A pail having a cylindrical sidewall with an upper margin defining an opening generally equal to the sidewall diameter, a thread projecting outwardly from the sidewall below the upper margin, and at least one flange projecting outwardly from the sidewall below the thread, each flange including one or more radial projections and portions on either side of the radial projections extending outward from the sidewall at least as far as the radial projections. A cover having a central portion received within the opening, a mating portion extending outward from the central potion to engage the sidewall upper margin, a downwardly projecting rim including at least one inwardly directed thread to engage the thread projecting outwardly from the pail sidewall, and at least one tab integrally coupled to the downwardly projecting rim including one or more apertures corresponding to the plurality of radial projections, each tab being biased for displacement from an outwardly displaced disengaged position toward a more inward position with the radial projections being received in the apertures to lock the cover onto the top of the pail to enclose any contents of the pail, each tab including a lower edge extending sufficiently below the apertures to provide a grip allowing a manual outward force to be applied to disengage the tab apertures from the flange radial projections.
US08162158B2	Slide through shelf A slide through shelf is provided. A slide through shelf is illustrated mounted to a vertical retail wall. A slide through shelf as disclosed allows a user to selectably position the slide through shelf's supports in an infinite number of configurations. The slide through shelf may be quickly assembled to accommodate different types of loading and may be adjusted to provide customized product partitioning.
US08162153B2	High loft spunbonded web Herein are disclosed high loft spunbonded webs that are substantially free of crimped fibers and gap-formed fibers. The webs exhibit a solidity of from less than 8.0% to about 4.0% and a ratio of Effective Fiber Diameter to Actual Fiber Diameter of at least 1.40. Also disclosed are methods of making such webs.
US08162152B2	Blood filter device and method of manufacturing the same A blood filter device includes: a housing that includes a dome 2 provided with a blood inlet, a filter retaining portion 3 that is positioned below the dome, and a bottom portion 4 provided with a blood outlet; and a filter 8 that is mounted in a cavity of the filter retaining portion and partitions a cavity of the housing into a dome side and a bottom portion side. A sheet-like filter member 8a of the filter forms a plurality of pleats, and ridgelines of the respective pleats traverse the filter retaining portion in parallel respectively. The blood filter device further includes an annular holder 9 intervening between the filter retaining portion and the filter, a annular rib substrate 10 that is disposed facing the ridgelines of the pleats in an outer peripheral region of the filter and has a plurality of ribs inserted respectively between the ridgelines of the plurality of pleats; and a bonding resin 11 that is charged into outer peripheral portions of the filter including the annular holder and the annular rib substrate, and bonds the outer peripheral portion of the filter to the filter retaining portion. Gaps are ensured between the plurality of pleats of the filter, and thus air bubbles can be removed easily.
US08162147B1	Box for transporting A box for transporting is suitable for preserving a plurality of substrates. The box for transporting includes a box body and at least one partition plate. The box body has a bottom part and a plurality of first sidewalls. A plurality of first bumps arranged in array is disposed on the bottom part, and the first bumps define a plurality of supporting regions. The first sidewalls are connected to the bottom part, and a plurality of major grooves is disposed in inner surfaces of the first sidewalls, wherein a first preserving space is surrounded by the bottom part and the first sidewalls. The partition plate is leant against the supporting regions and inlayed into the major grooves, so as to divide the first preserving space into a plurality of preserving sub-spaces.
US08162144B2	Child resistant and senior friendly container There is provided a child-resistant container having a top and bottom hingedly connected together, first, second and third cooperative locking devices on both the upper and lower members, the locking devices being operative such that a first locking device can be operated to permit a limited unlocking between the two members at which time the second and third locking devices must be operated to fully open the container. A double locking action on two of the locking devices is illustrated as well as an arrangement for dispensing a product from a blister pack within the container.
US08162134B2	Conveyor belt A conveyor belt, in particular for a pasteurizer, with a conveyor surface and with support rollers, which are arranged beneath the conveyor surface and support it on a carrier. In order to improve the protection of the conveyor belt against glass breakage without having to significantly increase the drive power, that the conveyor surface is formed from metal.
US08162132B2	Deflection apparatus for a conveying system A deflection apparatus for a conveying system has a central body with a roller body which circulates around the central body, wherein the roller body has a multiplicity of rollers which are guided with play and roll in a roller track of the central body wherein the deflection apparatus forms an independent structural unit which can be assembled, dismantled and transported as a unit, and thus can be installed as an independent structural unit in order to deflect a conveying means in a conveying system. The deflection apparatus is preferably configured in a lightweight design, having rollers made from plastic and the central body made from plastic or aluminum.
US08162123B2	Friction plate for wet-type multiplate clutch A friction plate for a wet-type multiplate clutch is provided with a core plate and friction linings bonded on opposite sides of the core plate, respectively. Each of the friction linings is composed of plural segment pieces each have at least one first oil groove and at least one second oil groove. The first oil groove opens to a radially-inner side of its corresponding segment piece and has a closed end portion located in a radially-intermediate part of the corresponding segment piece. The second oil groove opens to a radially-outer side of the corresponding segment piece and has a closed end portion located in another radially-intermediate part of the corresponding segment piece. Each segment piece is provided with at least one press-formed oil groove as one of the first and second oil grooves and at least one punched-out oil groove as the other one of the first and second oil grooves.
US08162106B2	Ball screw lubricative sealing device The invention provides a ball screw lubricative sealing device having a simplified lubrication mechanism. It is attachable to an installed standard ball screw nut, capable of retaining larger amount of lubricant and long supply of lubricant to the contacting screw parts, and further includes a sealing function. It includes: generally cylindrical case members having attachment part to be attached to both ends of a screw nut, respectively; plural thin seal plates made of lubricating oil impregnated felt-like fiber material which is a three-dimensionally crosslinked plastic fiber and resilient rubber members, and having a hole each and fitted inside said case member in such a state that they circumferentially overlap with each other, the hole having a shape corresponding to a lateral cross-sectional shape of a screw groove of ball screw shaft; and a plastic wiper fitted with a space from the thin seal plates inside each of the case member.
US08162101B2	Ram intake unit having a sound absorbing structure A ram intake unit mounted on a front portion of a frame structure of a motorcycle includes an acoustic material disposed along an inner wall of a ram air intake duct for absorbing induction noises, which duct forms an induction system through which an incoming wind can be introduced towards a motorcycle combustion engine, and a holder disposed inwardly of the acoustic material for securing the acoustic material to the ram air intake duct.
US08162100B2	Firearm sound suppressor A suppressor for a firearm is provided, wherein the suppressor can be selectively oriented relative to the firearm. The suppressor has an elongate body, a piston assembly and a cam assembly. A piston of the piston assembly can be fixedly attached to the barrel of a firearm. An indexing ring is radially fixed relative to the piston. The cam lever is selectively movable between a second position, in which the indexing ring is fixed relative to the elongate body, and a first position, in which the indexing ring can rotate relative to the elongate body.
US08162092B2	Friction drive vehicle In a frictional drive vehicle, a load acting on the vehicle such as the weight of a rider is converted into a force that urges two frictionally engaging parts (3L, 3R, 25) toward each other. Thereby, the contact pressure between the two frictionally engaging parts is maintained at an optimum level under all conditions. A weight of a rider may be transmitted to a drive member that frictionally engages a main wheel via a four-link parallel link mechanism (40, 50).
US08162091B2	System for mounting a box or bag to a vehicle A vehicle comprising a frame having a front portion and a rear portion. An engine is supported by the frame. At least two wheels are connected to the frame, and at least one of the at least two wheels is operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle. A steering assembly is supported by the frame and is operatively connected to at least one of the at least two wheels to steer the vehicle. Intermediate brackets are connected to the rear portion of the frame. A rack has rack brackets. At least one of the rack brackets is removably connected to the intermediate brackets for removably connecting the rack to the rear portion of the frame. The rack is adapted to attach at least one of a cargo box and a bag to the vehicle. A kit for mounting a cargo box to a vehicle is also described.
US08162087B2	Construction machine A top cover (17) is provided at an upper position of a supporting structure (12) of heat exchange device (11), and an upper opening (20C) is configured to be provided in a detachable type cover (20) for constituting this top cover (17) at a position corresponding to a clearance (16) between a radiator (13) and an intercooler (15) which overlap in the flowing direction (A) of cooling air. Accordingly, when a cooling fan (7B) is rotatively driven, the upper opening (20C) allows cool cooling air to flow into the supporting structure (12) and to be supplied to the radiator (13) through the clearance (16) between the radiator (13) and the intercooler (15). As a result, only the radiator (13) which overlaps with the intercooler (15) can be efficiently cooled by the cool cooling air from the upper opening (20C).
US08162086B2	Variable pitch radiator fan control system A control system for a variable pitch radiator fan is disclosed. The control system is capable of varying the blade pitch of the radiator fan from a normal position to a full reverse position. The control system can change the blade pitch based on a number of factors, including vehicle speed. In systems with a plurality of fans, the control system is also capable of independently controlling the blade pitch of each of the fans. In systems with multiple fans, the control system can produce a circulation mode.
US08162084B2	Hybrid drive device A hybrid drive device includes an input member connected to an engine; an output member connected to a wheel; a first rotating electrical machine; a second rotating electrical machine connected to the output member; and a differential gear device including at least four rotational elements. The input member, the output member, and the first rotating electrical machine are respectively connected to different rotational elements of the differential gear device. The output member is capable of selectively connecting to one of two rotational elements of the differential gear device to which neither the input member nor the first rotating electrical machine is connected.
US08162074B2	Ergonomic hand-held power tool and methods of use An ergonomically enhanced electric power tool is disclosed that incorporates a new type of user grip and control system. This grip and control system is housed in a substantially rigid control-housing sheath, which provides enhanced leverage and control over the drilling process while reducing stress on the user's hand, wrist, and arm. The tool motor is disposed substantially in parallel with the user's wrist, but on a different plane, and eliminates the traditional “pistol” type of power-tool grip. The control-housing sheath contains a grip-controller assembly that allows the user to control most major drill operations within the gauntlet-like control-housing sheath. The inventive concepts described can be applied to myriad hand-held power tools, and a detailed example for a power drill is provided.
US08162070B2	Hydraulic shock dissipation for implement bounce To dissipate hydraulic shock created by the bouncing of an implement mounted on a wheeled vehicle, such as a towed tillage implement or the bucket of a vehicle, such as a wheel loader, an electronic control valve, which supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator that raises and lowers the implement, is actively controlled by an electronic controller. As the vehicle with an implement is transported at higher speeds, the implement tends to bounce creating pressure spikes in the hydraulic system that raises and lowers the implement. The pressure spikes are dissipated by actively generating random or cancelling hydraulic pulses in the hydraulic system.
US08162063B2	Dual gradient drilling ship Dual gradient drilling may be performed by anchoring drilling tubulars from a drilling ship on the seabed. The drilling tubulars may include an inline pump for pumping mud through another set of tubulars that actually drill the well. Then dual gradient drilling may be instituted by controlling the pressure by controlling the operation of the pump.
US08162062B1	Offshore well intervention lift frame and method An improved motion compensator device that includes a compensated framework for various types of well intervention operations where a stable work area is required that is stationary to the sea bed and equipment in the annulus. The device is intended for use on offshore drilling vessels that are primarily either moored or dynamically positioned and therefore subject to the motions created by the sea. The device is designed to compensate for the vertical motion of the rig by means of two steel frame assemblies, pneumatic compensating cylinders, and a load and motion transfer apparatus.
US08162061B2	Subsea inflatable bridge plug inflation system A remotely operated submersible vehicle (ROV) is used to carry a bridge plug down to a sub sea well. The ROV is operated from a surface vessel or platform and is outfitted with a submersible hydraulic pump and a manipulator arm. Additionally, the ROV is provided with a carrying rack which can support a well closure assembly made up of an inflatable bridge plug and an affixed hydraulic running tool. The bridge plug and running tool are placed into the carrying rack and operably interconnected with the hydraulic pump so that the plug element can be selectively inflated by the pump.
US08162059B2	Induction heaters used to heat subsurface formations A heating system for a subsurface formation includes an elongated electrical conductor located in the subsurface formation. The electrical conductor extends between at least a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A ferromagnetic conductor at least partially surrounds and at least partially extends lengthwise around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor, when energized with time-varying electrical current, induces sufficient electrical current flow in the ferromagnetic conductor such that the ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats to a temperature of at least about 300° C.
US08162058B1	Slag compositions and methods of use Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations. Methods and compositions that include a latex strength enhancer for enhancing the compressive strength of slag compositions.
US08162051B2	Downhole tool delivery system with self activating perforation gun An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
US08162050B2	Use of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) in well treatments A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in a wellbore composition, pumping the wellbore composition into the wellbore at a flow rate, determining velocities of the MEMS sensors along a length of the wellbore, and determining an approximate cross-sectional area profile of the wellbore along the length of the wellbore from at least the velocities of the MEMS sensors and the fluid flow rate. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in a wellbore composition, pumping the wellbore composition into the wellbore, determining positions of the MEMS sensors relative to one or more known positions along a length of the wellbore, and determining an approximate cross-sectional area profile of the wellbore along the length of the wellbore from at least the determined positions of the MEMS sensors.
US08162049B2	Injection-backflow technique for measuring fracture surface area adjacent to a wellbore An injection backflow method for measuring fracture surface area adjacent to a wellbore measures an initial temperature profile along the length of a wellbore. A tracer composition is injected into the wellbore at an initial concentration. The tracer composition includes a reactive tracer and a secondary tracer that is less reactive than the reactive tracer. The tracer composition diffuses within subterranean reservoir for a time. A secondary tracer concentration and a reactive tracer concentration are measured as a function of time. A reservoir fracture surface area is calculated using a reservoir fluid flow model.
US08162043B2	In situ method and system for extraction of oil from shale A process for retorting and extracting sub-surface hydrocarbons. The process comprises drilling an energy delivery well extending from the surface to a location proximate a bottom of the hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are heated from the bottom to form a retort, the retort extending along a portion of the energy delivery well. A vapor tube is extended to a location proximate the retort, the vapor tube having an entrance corresponding to the region of the retort along the energy delivery well that is nearest the surface exit.
US08162036B2	Heat pipe structure and flattened heat pipe structure A heat pipe structure including a pipe body and a working substance is provided. The pipe body has two closed ends opposite to each other, an inner surface, a compressed portion, and an expanded portion. The inner surface and the two closed ends form a cavity. The compressed portion includes a plurality of first grooves formed at the inner surface. Any one of the first grooves includes a first width. The expanded portion includes a plurality of second grooves formed at the inner surface. Any one of the second grooves includes a second width, and the first width is approximately equal to the second width. The working substance is contained in the cavity.
US08162032B2	Process and plant for manufacturing steel plates without interruption Process and related plant for manufacturing steel plates with thickness <100 mm and width of up to 4000 mm from a continuous casting step for slabs, comprising a liquid core reduction step, without interruptions until completion of a finishing rolling step with high reduction ratios in at least one stand. The average temperature when entering the rolling step is ≧1200° C., but can be reduced for unalloyed or low alloyed steel greatest.
US08162023B2	Film transfer apparatus with variable film web guidance An apparatus for film transfer includes at least one printing press and at least one transfer film supply roller, a transfer film guiding device for guiding the transfer film web from the transfer film supply roller to a transfer nip. In order to ensure a variable film transfer in different printing units of the printing press, up to now the transfer film supply roller is moved with a film module into the region of the desired printing unit. In order to make a variable film transfer possible without complicated moving, the guiding device has web guiding elements at least in the region of the at least one printing press and the web guiding elements are enabled to selectively guide the transfer film web to different positions on the at least one printing press, such as to possible potential transfer nips.
US08162005B2	Durable frit composition and composites and devices comprised thereof A zirconium- and alumina-containing silicate glass suitable for use as a frit with refractory materials such as alumina is disclosed, the silicate glass comprising a glass composition in mole percent (mol %) of: 2
US08162001B2	Shower faucet having a second rotating element for pre-setting water temperature A mixing valve has a first rotating element connected to a valve stem for use as a valve handle, and a second rotating element for pre-setting the valve handle at a desired water temperature position. After pre-setting, user can turn the valve handle directly to the desired temperature position without trial and error.
US08161997B2	Multipurpose flow module The present invention relates to a multipurpose flow module comprising flow plates and/or heat exchanger plates stacked together, which flow plate having a flow channel and one or more connection ports. To each flow plate or heat exchanger plate one or more barrier plates may be attached. The present invention further relates to a method for extraction, for reaction, for mixing, or combinations thereof in the multipurpose flow module, and to uses of the multipurpose flow module.
US08161988B2	Central shaft control structure of self-opening/closing umbrella A central shaft control structure is provided for a self-opening/closing umbrella and is arranged in a handle of the umbrella for self-opening/closing of the umbrella, including a safety device composed of a reversal prevention wheel having a toothed surface, an operation bar comprising a pawl, and a barrel fit over the operation bar. The reversal prevention wheel comprises a safety rope wrapped therearound and having an end fixed to a third central shaft segment. When errors occur in the course of compression in closing the umbrella, the central shaft that is being compressed can be held in position, so that instantaneous spring back of the central shaft caused by an umbrella opening spring that is in a compressed condition can be prevented to ensure safety of operation and control of the self-opening/closing umbrella.
US08161985B2	Method and apparatus for cleaning articles used in the production of semiconductors An apparatus and a method serve for cleaning articles used in the production of semiconductors, such as wafers, containers for transporting wafers (known as FOUPs), LCD substrates and photomasks. The articles are cleaned in a treatment chamber by means of a liquid and subsequently dried. A drying gas, such as air, is circulated within the treatment chamber and a condensation dryer is provided for extracting moisture from the gas.
US08161982B2	Hair ornament A hair ornament includes a body having an engagement section to be in contact with hair of a user. The engagement section includes a row of plates arranged along a length direction of the body. Two of the row of plates adjacent to each other are connected by a connecting member having first and second ends. The first end of each connecting member is pivotably connected to one of two adjacent plates. The second end of each connecting member is pivotably connected to the other of the two adjacent plates. A spacing between two adjacent plates is adjustable by pivoting the two adjacent plates to adjust an overall length of the body in the length direction of the body.
US08161976B2	Systems and methods for applying a selected treatment agent into contact with tissue Systems and methods that treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract by applying one or more treatment agents to tissue at or near the region where abnormal neurological symptoms or abnormal tissue conditions exist. The treatment agent is selected to either disrupt the abnormal nerve pathways and/or to alleviate the abnormal tissue conditions. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or as a neoadjuvent or adjuvant treatment modality.
US08161974B2	Hearing protection apparatus with incorporated eyewear An apparatus for providing hearing protection to a wearer includes an incorporated set of eyewear having an eyewear frame. In one version, a pair of ear muffler tubes are coupled to the supporting members of the frame or made integral therewith, the muffler tubes each extending to the entrance of the ear canal of a person to reduce the level of ambient noise in the ear canal and includes at least one muffler tube of appropriate dimensions sufficient to isolate the ear canal from ambient air that substantially reduces the acoustic impedance at the entrance of the ear canal over a wide range of audible sound frequencies. A connecting tube for attachment to the ear canal is coupled to the ear muffler tube.
US08161971B2	Nasal and oral patient interface A patient interface for communicating fluids to and/or from a patient's nasal cavity and/or oral cavity is disclosed. In addition, a patient interface for fluid and physiological function monitoring proximate to the patient's nasal cavity and/or oral cavity is disclosed. An apnea monitor and a method for monitoring apnea are also disclosed.
US08161964B2	Direct accumulation tank for heating water with solar energy A direct accumulation tank, defining a closed volume (2), comprising an inlet (3) for filling the tank with a fluid, and an outlet (4) for emptying the tank of the fluid, and exhibiting an upper surface (Ia) exposed to solar rays. The upper surface (Ia) exhibits a plurality of reliefs (5, . . . 5n) for defining a greater surface extension exposed to the solar rays.
US08161961B2	Gas-heated laundry dryer having a heating device A gas-heated laundry dryer having a heating device. The heating device includes a gas burner, a valve with a gas nozzle configured to supply primary air for formation of a flame and a tubular heating channel configured to enclose the flame. The tubular heating channel includes an inlet opening configured to receive secondary air as combustion air and an outlet opening configured to receive tertiary air mixable with hot gases of the burner. The outlet opening is connected to a process air duct of the laundry dryer. An annular baffle member is disposed in the outlet opening of the heating channel and configured to center, by the secondary and tertiary air, at least one of the flame and a hot air stream in the channel.
US08161959B1	Wood burning furnace A wood burning furnace providing, in sequential connection, an air box, a fire box with a wood storage box/primary combustion chamber and a secondary combustion chamber separated by an ash grate, a heat exchanger, an exhaust manifold, and a smoke stack. The air box has an input port attached to an intake air blower. The air box also has two dampers, a thermostatically controlled first damper providing controlled access to an updraft exhaust pipe connected to the smoke stack. The second damper provides controlled access to the wood storage box/primary combustion chamber.
US08161954B2	Fuel supply control apparatus A fuel supply control apparatus for an engine includes an alcohol concentration detector and an engine temperature detector. The apparatus increases an amount of fuel supplied to the engine as the detected alcohol concentration becomes higher. The apparatus increases the amount of fuel as the engine temperature becomes lower and as the alcohol concentration becomes higher. The apparatus feed-back corrects the amount of fuel by using a correction value such that an actual air-fuel ratio becomes a theoretical air fuel ratio. The apparatus determines that water is mixed with fuel when the correction value during a cold operational state indicates leaner than the lean value of the correction value used during a warm operational state. The apparatus reduces the increased amount of fuel when water is mixed with fuel.
US08161947B2	Pressure boosting system for at least one fuel injector The invention relates to a pressure boosting system for at least one fuel injector of a high pressure injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a hydraulic pressure booster that is actuated by a control valve. The hydraulic pressure booster is configured with a pressure boosting piston, which comprises a first pressure booster piston part having a first diameter and a second pressure booster piston part having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The pressure booster piston is disposed within a hydraulic reservoir chamber, onto which pressure is applied, together with the first pressure booster piston part having the greater diameter, wherein the accumulator chamber in turn is configured within a base body. The base body has a piston guide body for at least one of the pressure booster piston parts. The piston guide body is at least partially surrounded by an annular space, which is part of the hydraulic accumulator chamber.
US08161937B2	Air intake device of engine An air intake device of an engine includes a throttle body provided in an intake passage of an engine, a bypass passage arranged to connect an upstream side and a downstream side of a throttle valve disposed in the throttle body, an idle number-of-revolutions control device that is disposed in the bypass passage and that controls the quantity of air passing through the bypass passage and flowing into the downstream side of the throttle valve according to the state of the engine, and a water collection portion that is disposed on the upstream side of the idle number-of-revolutions control device in the bypass passage and that is constructed so as to include a space portion connecting with the bypass passage. This structure enables smooth operation of the idle number-of-revolutions control device and prevents damage thereto caused by water in a bypass passage.
US08161933B2	Starter arrangement for an internal combustion engine A starter arrangement for an internal combustion engine the arrangement including a starter motor having a pinion gear coupled to an output shaft, the pinion gear being arranged in constant engagement with a corresponding crank gear of a crank wheel located between an engine block and a flywheel of the engine. The crank wheel is operatively coupled to a crankshaft of the engine via a one-way clutch unit loosely fitted to an end of the crankshaft, the crankshaft including a circumferential slot carrying a clip ring. The one-way clutch unit including a tube shaped hub loosely fitted to an end of the crankshaft, the axial movement of the one-way hub is fixed via a clip-ring in co-operation with a first axially delimiting member and a second axially delimiting member at least partially enclosed by the hub.
US08161930B2	Camshaft for a variable lift valve train of an internal combustion engine A camshaft (1) is provided for a stroke-variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine with a carrier shaft (2) and a cam part (3) that is arranged locked in rotation and movable in the axial direction on the carrier shaft and that is assembled from a cam carrier (4) and a sleeve (5). The cam carrier has a cam group (7, 8) of directly adjacent cams (9, 10, 11, 12) with different cam strokes and an adapter end (6) on which the sleeve is mounted. The sleeve has a setting groove (17) in the form of a groove that extends across an extent of the sleeve and that is used for the specification of an axial setting groove track for an activation pin (18) moving the cam part on the carrier shaft. The setting groove is produced in the sleeve through non-metal-cutting shaping of sheet-metal material.
US08161920B2	Heat storage apparatus and engine including the same In the cylinder block of an engine including a heat storage apparatus, a water jacket is formed between a cylinder bore wall that forms a cylinder bore and a cylinder block outer wall. An actuator is installed on the cylinder block outer wall. A container is housed in the water jacket. A coolant temperature sensor is installed on the upper portion of the container. An ECU determines the state of a heat storage agent in the container and the state of the container, based on information on the temperature of coolant determined by the coolant temperature sensor.
US08161918B2	Water heater A storage-type water heater includes a tank enclosing a volume of water, the tank having an upper portion and a lower portion, a chamber adjacent the lower portion of the tank and adapted to at least partially enclose a source of a heated fluid, and a helical tube heat exchanger at least partially enclosed within the tank and fluidly connected to the chamber. The helical tube directs the heated fluid from the lower portion to the upper portion of the tank and promotes heat exchange between the water in the tank and the heated fluid flowing therethrough.
US08161913B1	Hound walker system Couplable first and second hemispheres form a hollow spherical chamber. An opening in one of the hemispheres has a door movable between a closed and an open position. The top of a base is in a concave configuration with a radius of curvature essentially equal to the radius of curvature of the spherical chamber and forms a recipient surface for receiving and rotatably supporting the spherical chamber. An animal within the spherical chamber may walk and run in place for exercising in a relatively restricted space.
US08161906B2	Clamped showerhead electrode assembly An electrode assembly for a plasma reaction chamber used in semiconductor substrate processing. The assembly includes an upper showerhead electrode which includes an inner electrode mechanically attached to a backing plate by a clamp ring and an outer electrode attached to the backing plate by a series of spaced apart cam locks. A guard ring surrounds the backing plate and is movable to positions at which openings in the guard ring align with openings in the backing plate so that the cam locks can be rotated with a tool to release cam pins extending upward from the upper face of the outer electrode. To compensate for differential thermal expansion, the clamp ring can include expansion joins at spaced locations which allow the clamp ring to absorb thermal stresses.
US08161904B2	Direct coating solid dosage forms using powdered materials The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dry coating solid dosage forms. The method includes the steps of placing solid dosage forms in a rotatable, electrically grounded housing, and spraying a film forming polymer powder composition into the housing during rotation thereof to form a polymer coating on the solid dosage forms, the polymer powder composition being sprayed using an electrostatic spray gun, and curing the coated solid dosage forms.
US08161901B1	Slicing and spread-applicating apparatus An apparatus for slicing and applying a spread packaged in a container onto a food item. The apparatus includes an applicating station for applying a pre-selected quantity of the spread onto the food item as the food item is moved therethrough. The apparatus further includes a pumping station in fluid communication with the applicating station for transporting the spread from the container to the applicating station. In one preferred embodiment, a loaf of bread is first sliced and thereafter split open about a hinge extending along the length of the loaf. A spread, e.g., a garlic/butter mixture, is then applied to the exposed bread surface.
US08161897B2	Knee lever for sewing machine A knee lever a lever including a lever detachably attached to an attachment provided on a bed of a sewing machine; a knee rest mounted on the lever and operated by knee contact, with the lever being attached to the attachment; an adjustment mechanism allowing adjustment in position of knee contact of the knee rest; wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an engagement portion provided at the lever, and an engagement subject provided at the knee rest and being disengagably engaged with the engagement portion to switch a mounting position of the knee rest relative to the lever.
US08161891B2	Expandable table An expandable table that has a frame, at least one leg supporting the frame, first and second top portions movably connected or interconnected to the frame, an intermediate top portion movably connected or interconnected to the frame, and a movement mechanism connected or interconnected to the frame. The movement mechanism is configured to cause the first and second top portions to move along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The movement mechanism is also configured to cause the intermediate top portion to move normal to said longitudinal axis of a plane of movement of said first and second top portions.
US08161887B2	System for moving and stabilising a mobile base The system for moving and stabilizing (1) moves and stabilizes a mobile base (10), which is part of a robotic unit (100) for handling which is designed to move objects in an automated shop or an automated warehouse (200). The system (1) comprises: a linear guide element (5), which guides the mobile base (10) along operating trajectories; at least one rotatable shunting element (6), arranged at an end of the guide element (5) and designed to connect two or more guide elements (5) to one another, in order to shunt the mobile base (10) among various linear guides (5), or to enable the mobile base (10) to re-engage with the linear guide (5), with a modified orientation thereto; traction and positional control organs (20), arranged in a lower part of the mobile base (10) and designed to guide the mobile base along the guide elements (5) and shunting elements (6); stabilizer organs (30), arranged peripherally in the lower part of the mobile base (10) and destined to stabilize a position thereof during operations of handling of objects by the robotic unit (100). The mobile base (10) and the shunting element (6) are controlled by a computerised control unit, which manages the operations on the basis of the operating requirements of the automated shop or store (100).
US08161886B2	Short magnum shotshell cartridge and firing assembly A sabot-retaining shotshell cartridge and firing assembly including a barrel or barrel insert for firing the sabot-retaining shotshell cartridge. The shotshell cartridge includes a cylindrical hull, a sub-caliber projectile, a propellant charge, and a sabot. A central pathway or thin membrane is defined within the base of the sabot between the sub-caliber projectile and propellant charge. The barrel or barrel insert for firing the cartridge includes a transitional area between chamber and sub-caliber rifled bore to retain sabot in the cartridge. Upon cartridge firing, propellant gases flow through central portion of sabot base propelling projectile out of the sabot and into sub-caliber rifled bore.
US08161878B2	Safety and arming unit for a projectile A safety and arming unit for a fuze of a projectile has a rotor for interruption of a firing chain. The rotor can rotate from a safe position to an armed position. In order to allow the safety and arming unit to be designed to be physically compact and such that it can be assembled easily, it is proposed that it has a first and a second rotor safety device which each engage in the rotor in order to block rotor rotation to the armed position, wherein the first rotor safety device is designed to carry out a release movement by virtue of its inertia during a launch acceleration of the projectile, and the second rotor safety device has a pyrotechnic charge for producing a release movement.
US08161872B2	Automated juice extractor An automatic juicer turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a clutch and gearing assembly connected to a motor. A center column assembly rotates and advances the juicing cone. The juicing cone, strainer, and a bowl release and catch the juice. The center column includes an outer column fixed to the base, a rotating drive shaft driven by the motor but not advancing vertically, and a driven shaft which rotates with the drive shaft and advances and retreats vertically. The bowl is fixed to the base. The strainer advances vertically with juicing cone but does not rotate. The juicing cone is attached to the driven shaft and rotates and advances vertically, thereby releasing juice from the fruit. Knife edges on the bottom of the juicing cone scrape pulp from the strainer to prevent clogging.
US08161871B2	Puffing apparatus for producing cereal crackers and methods thereof An apparatus for making puffed food products from starch-containing raw materials. The apparatus has a baking and molding chamber defined by several heatable mold elements. The mold elements are individually actuated by direct hydraulic drive systems. The hydraulic power for these drive systems is selectively derived from a common oil pressure supply system which provides continuously high oil pressure to the direct hydraulic drive system for each mold element. The apparatus also has an improved feed system enabling the supply of raw material into the mold cavity such that no material gets spilled and each mold receives an accurate predetermined quantity of raw material.
US08161870B2	Heating cooker A heating cooker includes a steam generator for generating steam for heating cooking, a removable water tank for storing water to be supplied to the steam generator, a pump 35 for supplying water from the water tank to the steam generator, a drain valve 70 for draining water within the steam generator into the water tank, a first timer TM1 which starts counting when water is supplied to the steam generator by the pump 35, and an operation panel 11 including a notification section for notifying of draining the water within the water tank. When the first timer TM1 has counted over a first specified time, the control unit 80 makes the operation panel 11 notify of draining the water within the water tank.
US08161864B1	Firearm gas piston operating system A gas piston operating system for an autoloading firearm. The gas piston system may include a barrel having a longitudinally-extending bullet pathway, a gas block defining a piston bore, a passageway fluidly connecting the bore with the bullet pathway for diverting combustion gas from the pathway to the bore upon discharging the firearm, and a piston slidably disposed in the bore for reciprocating movement. In one embodiment, the piston includes a head having an axially-extending protrusion projecting towards the passageway. The protrusion is configured for slidable insertion into the passageway. The piston is movable from a first actuation position in which the protrusion is inserted into the passageway to a second actuation position in which the protrusion is at least partially withdrawn from the passageway. The protrusion acts to pretension a mechanical linkage between the piston and a reciprocating bolt assembly.
US08161860B2	Rotary cutter and rotary cutting apparatus provided with the rotary cutter A rotary cutter for a rotary cutting apparatus. The rotary cutter includes a shaft and a mantle having at least one cutting member. The shaft is non-rotatable, and the mantle is rotatably mounted to the shaft and can be removed therefrom in an axial direction. The shaft is adapted to be rigidly mounted in a frame part, wherein the mantle is rotatably arranged relative to the shaft. The shaft may be in the form of a single piece, or a pair of axially spaced shaft portions.
US08161850B2	Indexable cutting inserts and methods for producing the same A method of making a cutting insert includes: (i) forming a blank having a substrate and superhard material, the substrate having more than 4 pockets, the superhard material disposed within the pockets; (ii) removing cutting tips from the blank by cutting the blank along cutting lines; (iii) providing a cutting insert body having a plurality of cavities for receiving a corresponding number of cutting tips; (iv) inserting a cutting tip into each of the plurality of cavities; and (v) brazing the cutting tips to the cutting insert body. A related cutting insert includes: a cutting insert body having a plurality of cavities formed therein; a plurality of cutting tips, each of the plurality of cutting tips disposed in a respective cavity, the cutting tips having a geometry that provides a mechanical retention or lock when inserted into the cavities of the cutting insert body, the cutting tips further being brazed in the cutting insert body.
US08161842B2	Apparatus for generating hysteresis of electronic accelerator pedal for a vehicle An apparatus for generating hysteresis of an electronic accelerator pedal for a vehicle is provided, which includes a pedal arm that is pivotably connected to a housing; a friction block that is provided to be in contact with an inner wall of the housing; a friction block hole that is formed through the friction block to fit the fitting protrusion and has an elliptical shape in the longitudinal direction of the pedal arm such that the friction block fitted on the fitting protrusion slides on the bottom of the friction block mounting groove; a spring seat that is provided to be seated on the friction block; and an inner spring and an outer spring each of which one end is supported against the upper inner surface of the housing and the other is supported by the spring seat.
US08161841B2	Cable operating mechanism A cable operating mechanism basically has a fixed member, a wire take-up member, an operating lever and a movement transmission arrangement. The wire takeup member is rotatably mounted with respect to the fixed member in first and second rotational directions with the second rotational direction being opposite the first rotational direction. The operating lever is pivotally mounted in the first rotational direction with respect to the fixed member. The movement transmission arrangement is operatively coupling the operating lever to the wire takeup member to transmit pivotal movement of the operating lever to rotational movement the wire takeup member such that the wire takeup member has a greater amount of angular displacement than an angular displacement of the operating lever in response to pivotal movement of the operating lever in the first rotational direction.
US08161836B2	Multi-step transmission A multi-step transmission having at least a reverse drive gear, several forward drive gears, a main shaft (1) and two counter shafts. The power flow in forward drive can be split up and be distributed to both counter shafts and further transferred to the main shaft (1). The forward drive gears each include two counter shaft gears and one idle gear which is supported on the main shaft (1). In contrast, only one of the two counter shafts (2) is assigned and associated with a reverse gear (3) such that the flow of power, in a reverse drive gear (3), is transferred through a single counter shaft (2).
US08161833B2	Power take-off for an agricultural vehicle A power take-off device for an agricultural vehicle, in particular a tractor, wherein an input shaft is connected to a first and, selectively, a second output shaft by moving a sleeve-type selector between three selection positions, in the first of which, the input shaft is connected angularly to the first output shaft to rotate the first output shaft at a first speed, and in the second and third of which, the input shaft is connected angularly to the second output shaft to rotate the second output shaft at a second speed and a third speed, different from the second speed.
US08161826B1	Elastically stretchable fabric force sensor arrays and methods of making Force or pressure transducer arrays have elastically stretchable electrically conductive polymer threads disposed in parallel rows and columns that contact at intersections thereof a piezoresistive material which has an electrical resistivity which varies inversely with pressure or force exerted thereon to form a matrix array of force or pressure sensor elements. The threads are fixed to a single one or pair of flexible elastically stretchable substrate sheets made of thin sheets of an insulating polymer such as PVC, or for greater elasticity and conformability to irregularly-shaped objects such as human body parts, an elastically stretchable fabric such as LYCRA or SPANDEX. Elastic stretchability of the sensor arrays is optionally enhanced by disposing either or both row and column conductive threads in sinuously curved, serpentine paths rather than straight lines.
US08161817B2	Linear array ultrasound transducer with microbeamformer An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a two dimensional array arranged in multiple patches of multiple transducer elements. Each patch of transducer elements is coupled to a group of microbeamformer delay lines having outputs coupled to a channel of a system beamformer, which beamforms the partially summed beams of each patch into a final beamformed signal. The outputs from multiple patches which are not simultaneously used in the active receive aperture are coupled to a common beamformer channel, enabling the number of patches of the array to exceed the number of channels of the system beamformer without the use of multiplexers.
US08161811B2	Flow sensors having nanoscale coating for corrosion resistance A corrosion resistant flow sensor apparatus includes a flow sensor including a micromachinable substrate mounted on a package substrate that includes electrically conductive traces and substrate bond pads. The flow sensor includes a MEMS sensing structure for sensing a mass flow parameter and sensor bond pads coupled to the sensing structure. The sensor bond pads include a top metal layer on a metal diffusion barrier layer including a metal diffusion barrier layer sidewall. Bond wires couple the sensor bond pads to the substrate bond pads. A housing including sides and a top portion is around the flow sensor and includes a flow channel having an inlet and an outlet. A multi-layer corrosion protection coating includes a nm scale adhesion layer and a self assembled monolayer (SAM) is on the adhesion layer. The protection coating covers the sensor bond pads including the metal diffusion barrier layer sidewall.
US08161809B2	Brake wear measurement apparatus and method A brake wear measurement apparatus for use on a brake assembly equipped with a wear pin having a plunger slidably mounted in the plunger sleeve having a first end and second end and wherein when the brake wear measurement apparatus is placed over the wear pin, the wear pin contacts the plunger first end, and moves the plunger within the plunger sleeve to a retracted position corresponding to a retraction distance delta, and wherein the retraction distance delta corresponds to a wear pin exposed height indicating an amount of brake wear. A locking mechanism for locking the plunger in the retracted position may be provided. A brake wear correlation program whereby the input of a brake part number, a plunger retraction distance delta, and a number of performed landings will result in an output of an estimated number of remaining landings may also be provided.
US08161807B2	Devices for detecting accumulation amount of particulates A device for detecting particulates includes: a filter; a filter container; an upstream pipe; a downstream pipe; an upstream detecting unit; and a downstream detecting unit. The upstream detecting unit has a branch flow route for receiving gas from the upstream pipe, a trapping portion, a transmitting portion for transmitting an electromagnetic wave to the trapping portion, and a receiving portion for receiving an electromagnetic wave from the trapping portion. The downstream detecting unit has a branch flow route for receiving gas from the downstream pipe, a trapping portion, a transmitting portion for transmitting an electromagnetic wave to the trapping portion, and a receiving portion for receiving an electromagnetic wave from the trapping portion. The amount of the particulates trapped in the filter is detected based on a difference between detection values of the mass of the particulates trapped in the upstream and downstream trapping portions.
US08161801B2	Method of determining the viscosity of a fluid A method is used to determine the viscosity of a fluid. The method includes arranging a body (11) in a fluid-leading channel, with which vortices form in the flow direction (10) therebehind, which are detected with regard to measurement technology. Also, the flow speed in the channel, at which vortices arise for the first time or barely just continue to exist, is determined, and this speed is used as a measure for the viscosity of the through-flowing fluid.
US08161795B2	Thermal gas sensor A physical gas sensor of thermal type capable of determining the concentrations of a gas mixture even in the presence of humidity by measuring the thermal diffusivity and conductivity includes a cell with thermal conductivity whose frequency response to the gases is known, in particular in respect of humidity, delivering a signal Vm representative of the concentration of the gas. This cell is excited by a pulsed signal so that a processing can be carried out at different analysis frequencies: at low frequency and at higher frequency. The output signals from the two processing chains are combined in the circuit (60) so as to provide the levels of concentration of the gas and the concentration of the water vapour. The signals obtained may also be re-combined together with components of the signal Vm of various passbands.
US08161792B2	Method and apparatus for assessing the gentleness of brushes A method and apparatus for assessing the abrasiveness of a brush is provided. The method includes providing a destructible article, providing a brush, such as for example a toothbrush, brushing the destructible article with the toothbrush, examining the destructible article after brushing with the toothbrush and determining the abrasive quality of the toothbrush as a function of the appearance of the destructible article. The apparatus for determining the abrasiveness of a toothbrush includes a holder for retaining a toothbrush having a head and a neck, a support for holding a destructible article, a mechanism for moving the head of the toothbrush against the destructible article in a brushing fashion, and a biasing member for applying a selected brushing force between the head of the toothbrush and the destructible article.
US08161777B2	Washing machine with a removable basket A washing machine with a removable basket that comprises a fixing structure of the tank that has a frame (10) provided with orthogonal projections (11) on the base, including springs (30) on the upper edges and shock-absorbers (40) on the lower edges; a tank (20) that has, in the intermediary region of the surface, a ring (201) that connects the springs (30), said tank (20) having the base provided with a bearing (21) fixed, on the external extremity, onto a moving pulley (22) actuated by a motor (23), the motor and an electric pump being fixed at the base of the tank (20); a structure for supporting the basket (50) is arranged in the inner portion of the tank (20), said supporting structure (50) having a set of arms that follow the shape of the tank (20), with the arms being centrally joined on an axis (51) attachable to the bearing (21) of the tank (20) and attached directly to the mechanical set of the washing machine, and a removable basket (60) arranged in the inner portion of the tank (20) and fixed, on the supporting structure, (50) into the furrows (61) arranged on the external surface of said removable basket (60).
US08161776B2	Laundry treatment machine and door switch thereof A laundry treatment machine and a door switch thereof are provided. The door switch includes a switch housing unit, which is a predetermined distance apart from a cabinet. Thus, water flown along the cabinet may be able to be discharged through the space between the cabinet and the switch housing unit. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the infiltration of water into the switch housing unit and to improve the durability and the safety of the door switch.
US08161773B2	Chip breakers for orthopaedic reamers An orthopaedic reamer, including a generally hemispherical shell rotatable about an axis having a plurality of tongues. Each tongue partially defines a corresponding C-shaped opening with a substantially constant width. Each tongue includes a cutting segment. The cutting segment includes at least one notch and a plurality of cutting teeth. Adjacent cutting teeth are separated by a corresponding notch. Each notch of each tongue has a corresponding cutting tooth of another tongue overlapping a cutting position of the notch during rotation of the orthopaedic reamer about the axis.
US08161772B2	Method for the production of an optical component made from quartz glass In a conventional method for the production of an optical component made from quartz glass, a coaxial arrangement with a core rod, surrounded by a quartz glass envelope tube comprising an evacuable inner drilling, is introduced in the vertical direction into a heating zone, softened therein by sections and, with formation of a drawing bulb, elongated to give the quartz glass component. According to the invention, a simple and cheap method based on the above, permitting the production of high-grade optical components by elongation of a coaxial arrangement of core rod and an enveloping tube with great economy, may be achieved, whereby a core rod is used, comprising at least two separate core rods arranged one above the other in the inner drilling and the weight of an upper core rod section is taken by a mounting or support region of the enveloping tube, provided above the drawing bulb.
US08161769B2	Refrigerated chest for rapidly quenching beverages and visually identifying when such beverages reach target temperature The cooling chest for rapidly quenching beverages includes a quench tray for holding containers of beverage. The quench tray is lowered into salt-water or other cooling liquid which is cooled by a refrigeration unit. A processing device determines the temperature of the beverages within the containers within the quench tray and further activates a mechanism for removing the quench tray from the water or cooling liquid when the desired temperature is reached. The processing device can also activate the mechanism for removing the quench tray from the water or cooling liquid when the upper lid or access doors are opened.
US08161763B2	Method for controlling a compressor and a control valve of a refrigerator A refrigerator control method is disclosed which ensures efficient operation of a compressor. To control a refrigerator including a compressor, a first evaporator and a second evaporator connected to the compressor, and a refrigerant control valve that controls introduction of a refrigerant into the first evaporator and the second evaporator, the refrigerator control method includes operating the compressor, and controlling the opening and closing of the refrigerant control valve, to reduce not only consumption of electricity by the compressor, but also a pressure difference between an entrance and an exit of the compressor upon starting of the compressor.
US08161762B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator includes a housing including a cooling compartment and a machine compartment, a refrigeration cycle provided in the housing and including a compressor, a condenser, a decompressor, and an evaporator which provide a refrigerant path, a refrigerant provided in the refrigeration cycle and flowing in the refrigerant path, and a blower for cooling the condenser. The condenser includes a pipe and a fin mounted on the pipe. The pipe is formed to have a helical shape with gaps. The helical shape has an inner space, a first opening, and a second opening opposite to the first opening. The inner space has a substantially cylindrical shape between the first opening and the second opening. The first opening faces the blower. A flow resistance between the second opening and the inner space is larger than a flow resistance between the gaps of the helical shape and the inner space. The refrigerator prevents the pipe of the condenser from being broken, accordingly preventing leakage of the refrigerant due to the breaking.
US08161742B2	Electro-hydraulic actuator mounting An electro-hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic pump, an electric motor operatively connected to the hydraulic pump and operable for driving the pump, an actuator moveable in response to fluid flow from the pump, and a housing for the pump, electric motor and actuator. The housing has a base member that is adapted to be modified into various configurations for forming an attachment interface for mounting of the electro-hydraulic actuator.
US08161734B2	Exhaust gas purification device An exhaust gas purification device includes an exhaust pipe defining an exhaust passage, a first SOX adsorption portion having a first SOX adsorption material provided in the exhaust passage, a second SOX adsorption portion having a second SOX adsorption material provided in the exhaust passage, and a NOX catalyst provided downstream of the first SOX adsorption portion and the second SOX adsorption portion in the exhaust passage. The first SOX adsorption material is configured to adsorb SOX in the combustion gas at a temperature lower than a first set temperature. The second SOX adsorption material is configured to store SOX in the combustion gas at a temperature equal to or higher than a second set temperature, and the stored SOX can be kept at a temperature lower than the second set temperature. Therefore, the exhaust gas purification device can adsorb SOX in the exhaust gas with high efficiency.
US08161729B2	Exhaust purification system for internal combustion engine and control method of the exhaust purification system An exhaust purification system for an internal combustion engine has a hydrogen concentration sensor (2) disposed upstream of a catalytic converter (1) in the engine exhaust system to detect a hydrogen concentration in the exhaust gas. An optimum combustion air-fuel ratio is then estimated based on the detected hydrogen concentration.
US08161724B2	Hybrid biomass process with reheat cycle Methods and systems for the generation of electrical energy through the combination of steam flows produced from different fuel sources. Steam produced from processing of a biomass fuel source is combined with steam produced from the processing of natural gas or fossil fuel and routed through a steam turbine generator to produce electrical energy. The steam is preferably reheated after partial processing in the steam turbine generator and then recirculated for further processing in the steam turbine generators. Following extraction of all available energy from the steam, the steam is condensed to water, the feedwater is then reheated and pumped to the boilers of both energy sources for conversion into steam.
US08161723B2	Chain link Chain link comprising two side limbs at both ends joint by curved end portions. The chain Link comprises at least one endless band of fiber material wound along the perimeter of the chain link. The fiber material follows the longitudinal direction of the limbs and the curvature of the end-portions. In a chain made of interlocking chain links of this type, all tensile loads are absorbed by the fiber material, whereas the bearing load due to interlink contact, plus the link shear and bonding stresses near the contact points are absorbed by the end portions.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10