Document	Document Title
US08217471B2	System and method for metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor System and method for metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor. In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a field effect transistor (FET), which includes a substrate material, the substrate material being characterized by a first conductivity type, the substrate material including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the third portion being positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The FET also includes a source portion positioned within the first portion, the source portion being characterized by a second conductivity type, the second conductivity type being opposite of the first conductivity type. A first drain portion is positioned within second portion and characterized by the second conductivity type and a first doping concentration. A second drain portion is positioned within the second portion and is characterized by the second conductivity type and a second doping concentration, the second doping concentration being different from the first doping concentration.
US08217469B2	Contact implement structure for high density design The present disclosure provides a device in an integrated circuit. The device includes an active region in a semiconductor substrate; an isolation region adjacent the active region; a gate disposed on the active region and extending to the isolation region in a first direction; and a gate contact disposed within the isolation region, having a portion directly overlying and contacting the gate, and having a geometry horizontally extending to a first dimension in the first direction and a second dimension in a second direction approximately perpendicular to the first direction. The first dimension is greater than the second dimension.
US08217463B2	Methods for protecting gate stacks during fabrication of semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices fabricated from such methods Methods for protecting gate stacks during fabrication of semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices fabricated from such methods are provided. Methods for fabricating a semiconductor device include providing a semiconductor substrate having an active region and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region. Epitaxial layer is formed on the active region to define a lateral overhang portion in a divot at the active region/STI region interface. A gate stack is formed having a first gate stack-forming layer overlying the semiconductor substrate. First gate stack-forming layer includes a non-conformal layer of metal gate-forming material which is directionally deposited to form a thinned break portion just below the lateral overhang portion. After the step of forming the gate stack, a first portion of the non-conformal layer is in the gate stack and a second portion is exposed. The thinned break portion at least partially isolates the first and second portions during subsequent etch chemistries.
US08217461B1	ESD protection circuit A multi-fingered gate transistor is disclosed that is formed in a substrate of one conductivity type overlying a well of a second conductivity type. Ohmic contact to the well is made by an implanted region of the second conductivity type that circumscribes the multi-fingered gate transistor. Ohmic contact to the substrate is made by four taps located on four sides of the multi-fingered gate structure between the gate structure and the well contact. Floating wells are located on opposite sides of the gate structure between two of the substrate taps and the ends of the gates to isolate these substrate taps and force current flow in the substrate under the multifingered gate transistor to be substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the gate fingers extend. This increases the potential difference between these substrate regions and adjacent source regions in the multi-fingered gate transistor, thereby aiding the triggering of the parasitic bipolar transistors under adjacent gate fingers into a high current state. This also reduces the differences among the potentials in the substrate under the different source regions and thus improves the uniformity of turn-on of the parasitic bipolar transistors. As a result, it is not necessary to maintain as great a distance from the isolated substrate taps as in prior art devices. Moreover, because the floating wells significantly improve the performance of the ESD protection structure, some of this performance improvement may be exchanged for decreases in the size of the protection structure.
US08217457B1	Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device for use with multiple I/O standards In one aspect, the present invention comprises an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit comprising a plurality of input circuits in which each input circuit comprises a first PMOS and a first NMOS transistor connected in series between a power supply and ground and first and second inverters connected to the gates of the first PMOS and NMOS transistors. Each inverter connected to the gate of the first NMOS transistor comprises a second NMOS transistor connected between that gate and ground and the ratio of the width of the gate of the second NMOS transistor to the width of the gate of the first NMOS transistor of each of the input circuits is substantially the same. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-fingered gate transistor is formed in a first well of one conductivity type that is surrounded by a second well of the same conductivity type from which it is separated by a shallow trench isolation and a portion of the substrate. The second well is used as a tap for the first well with a significant increase in the resistance of the substrate current path. A process for forming this structure is a further aspect of the invention.
US08217456B1	Low capacitance hi-K dual work function metal gate body-contacted field effect transistor Disclosed herein is a field effect transistor (FET), device including a FET, and a method of making the same. In embodiments of the disclosure, a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate is provided. The SOI substrate includes a body having a first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate, the body including a first body region connecting a second body region to a third body region; and a source and a drain, each having a second conductivity type, disposed on opposite sides of the first body region. A first gate electrode having a second work function is disposed above the first body region; and a second gate electrode having a first work function disposed above the second and third body regions. A first gate dielectric layer may be disposed vertically between the first body region and the first gate electrode, and a second gate dielectric layer may be disposed vertically between the second and third body regions and the second gate electrode. The first and second gate electrodes have different work functions.
US08217455B2	Semiconductor-on-insulator device structures with a body-to-substrate connection for enhanced electrostatic discharge protection, and design structures for such semiconductor-on-insulator device structures Semiconductor-on-insulator device structures with enhanced electrostatic discharge protection, and design structures for an integrated circuit with device structures exhibiting enhanced electrostatic discharge protection. A device is formed in a body region of a device layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, which is bounded by an inner peripheral sidewall of an annular dielectric-filled isolation structure that extends from a top surface of the device layer to the insulating layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. An annular conductive interconnect extends through the body region and the insulating layer to connect the body region with the bulk wafer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The annular conductive interconnect is disposed inside the inner peripheral sidewall of the isolation structure, which annularly encircles the body region.
US08217449B2	Semiconductor device and method for forming the same A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including an active area defined by an device isolation region, a buried gate formed on both side walls of a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate, and a storage node contact which is buried between the buried gates, and is connected to the active region of a middle portion of the trench and the device isolation region.
US08217445B2	SONOS memory device using an amorphous memory node material A SONOS memory device, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a substrate and a multifunctional device formed on the substrate. The multifunctional device performs both switching and data storing functions. The multifunctional device includes first and second impurities areas, a channel formed between the first and second impurities areas, and a stacked material formed on the channel for data storage. The stacked material for data storage is formed by sequentially stacking a tunneling oxide layer, a memory node layer in which data is stored, a blocking layer, and an electrode layer.
US08217442B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of first conductive patterns, a second conductive pattern having a top surface of which stepwisely or gradually decreases in height in a direction from a side facing the first conductive pattern toward an opposite side, a first insulation film formed over the plurality of first conductive patterns and the second conductive pattern, and a third conductive pattern formed over the first insulation film.
US08217438B2	Spin memory and spin FET A spin memory includes a magneto-resistance element having a first ferromagnetic layer in which a magnetization direction is pinned, a second ferromagnetic layer in which a magnetization direction changes, and a first nonmagnetic layer between the first and second ferromagnetic layers, a lower electrode and an upper electrode extending in a direction between 45 degrees and 90 degrees relative to an axis of hard magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer, and sandwiching the magneto-resistance element at one end in a longitudinal direction, a switching element connected to another end in a longitudinal direction of the lower electrode, and a bit line connected to another end in a longitudinal direction of the upper electrode, wherein writing is carried out by supplying spin-polarized electrons to the second ferromagnetic layer and applying a magnetic field from the lower electrode and the upper electrode to the second ferromagnetic layer.
US08217437B2	Image sensor with compact pixel layout Solid-state image sensors, specifically image sensor pixels, which have three or four transistors, high sensitivity, low noise, and low dark current, are provided. The pixels have separate active regions for active components, row-shared photodiodes and may also contain a capacitor to adjust the sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range. The low dark current is achieved by using pinned photodiodes.
US08217429B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a first well region 3a; a second well region 3b; a first active region 21a surrounded by an isolation region 2; a second active region 21b surrounded by the isolation regions 2 and 2B; a first MIS transistor MP2 of a second conductivity type formed on the first active region 21a; and including a source/drain region formed of a Si mixed crystal layer buried in a recess; a second MIS transistor MN2 of a first conductivity type formed on the second active region 21b; and an isolation MIS transistor DP2 of the second conductivity type formed on the first active region 21a. The source/drain region of the first MIS transistor is not in contact with the isolation region 2 located at an end of the first active region 21a in a gate length direction.
US08217420B2	Power semiconductor device According to one embodiment, a power semiconductor device includes an IGBT region, first and second electrodes, and a first conductivity-type second semiconductor layer. The region functions as an IGBT element. The first electrode is formed in a surface of a second conductivity-type collector layer opposite to a first conductivity-type first semiconductor layer in the region. The second electrode is connected onto a first conductivity-type emitter layer and a second conductivity-type base layer in a surface of the first conductivity-type base layer and insulated from a gate electrode in the region. The first conductivity-type second semiconductor layer extends from the surface of the first conductivity-type base layer to the first conductivity-type first semiconductor layer around the IGBT region, and connected to the first electrode.
US08217410B2	Hybrid vertical cavity light emitting sources Vertical cavity light emitting sources that utilize patterned membranes as reflectors are provided. The vertical cavity light emitting sources have a stacked structure that includes an active region disposed between an upper reflector and a lower reflector. The active region, upper reflector and lower reflector can be fabricated from single or multi-layered thin films of solid states materials (“membranes”) that can be separately processed and then stacked to form a vertical cavity light emitting source.
US08217407B2	Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same A method of manufacturing a light emitting device, including the steps of: (A) sequentially forming a first compound semiconductor layer of a first conduction type, an active layer, and a second compound semiconductor layer of a second conduction type different from said first conduction type, over a substrate; and (B) exposing a part of said first compound semiconductor layer, forming a first electrode over said exposed part of said first compound semiconductor layer and forming a second electrode over said second compound semiconductor layer, wherein said method further includes, subsequent to said step (B), the step of: (C) covering at least said exposed part of said first compound semiconductor layer, an exposed part of said active layer, an exposed part of said second compound semiconductor layer, and a part of said second electrode with an SOG layer.
US08217383B2	High hole mobility p-channel Ge transistor structure on Si substrate The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for implementing a high hole mobility p-channel Germanium (“Ge”) transistor structure on a Silicon (“Si”) substrate. One exemplary apparatus may include a buffer layer including a GaAs nucleation layer, a first GaAs buffer layer, and a second GaAs buffer layer. The exemplary apparatus may further include a bottom barrier on the second GaAs buffer layer and having a band gap greater than 1.1 eV, a Ge active channel layer on the bottom barrier and having a valence band offset relative to the bottom barrier that is greater than 0.3 eV, and an AlAs top barrier on the Ge active channel layer wherein the AlAs top barrier has a band gap greater than 1.1 eV. Of course, many alternatives, variations and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US08217379B2	Arsenic-containing variable resistance materials A variable resistance material for memory applications. The material includes a base Ge—Sb—Te composition and further includes As-doping. The materials were included in variable resistance memory devices. Incorporation of As in the variable resistance composition led to a significant increase in the operational life of the device and, unexpectedly, did not reduce the programming speed of the device. In one embodiment, the composition includes at atomic concentration of Ge in the range from 7%-13%, an atomic concentration of Sb in the range from 50%-70%, an atomic concentration of Te in the range from 20%-30%, and an atomic concentration of As in the range from 2%-15%.
US08217375B2	Integrated pod optical bench design In an integrated gimbal and High-Powered Multiband Laser (HPMBL) for use in an infrared countermeasure apparatus in a pod mounted on an aircraft, the improvement comprises an optical bench that connects the optical path between side-by-side mounted gimbal and high power laser; and a kinematic mounting system that prevents optical bench bending.
US08217370B2	Luminescent glass element, producing method thereof and luminescing method thereof The present invention relates to a luminescent glass element comprising a luminescent glass substrate, which a metal layer is positioned on a surface thereof. The metal layer is provided with a metal microstructure. The luminescent glass substrate has composite oxides represented as the following formula: aM2O.bY2O3.cSiO2.dTm2O3, wherein M represents alkali metal element, a, b, c and d are, by mol part, 25-60, 1-30, 20-70 and 0.001-10 respectively. The present invention also provides a producing method of the luminescent glass element and a luminescing method thereof. The metal layer is positioned on the luminescent glass substrate, thereby improving luminescence efficiency of the luminescent glass substrate. The luminescent glass element can be used in luminescent devices with ultrahigh brightness or high-speed operation.
US08217366B2	Carbon ion generating device and tumor treatment apparatus using the same Provided are a carbon ion generating device and a tumor treatment apparatus using the same. The carbon ion generating device includes a carbon nanostructure, a carbon emitting structure, an ionizing structure, and an accelerator. The carbon emitting structure is configured to induce an emission of carbon atoms from one end of the carbon nanostructure. The ionizing structure is configured to ionize the emitted carbon atoms. The accelerator is configured to accelerate the ionized carbon atoms.
US08217363B2	Scanning electron microscope A scanning electron microscope can discriminate secondary particles in a desired energy region by band-pass and detect the secondary particles with a high yield point. Even when a lens 23 is disposed on an electron source side of an objective lens 18, and a primary electron beam forms any optical system on the electron gun side of the lens, the lens operates the primary electron beam to be converged to a convergent point 24 that is a specific position. A detection ExB 16 that supplies a field that affects the locus of the secondary particles that are generated from a specimen 2 is disposed at the convergent point 24 of the primary electron beam so as to lead only the secondary particles in a specific energy range to a detection unit 13. Because a position to which the field that affects the locus of the secondary particles is supplied is the convergent point of the primary electron beam 19, it is possible to lead only the secondary particles of the desired energy to the detection unit without enlarging the aberration of the primary electron beam 19 and also to effectively conduct the band-pass discrimination of the energy. As a result, the signal electrons according to an observation object can be discriminated and detected.
US08217356B2	Radiation detector including elongated elements A detector includes a housing defining a cavity; a scintillator material disposed within the cavity and having a front face, a rear face, and a side face; a reflective material disposed between the housing and the side face of the scintillator material; and a tolerance ring disposed between the housing and the reflective material.
US08217355B1	Self-commissioning NDIR gas sensors Two detectors of the same kind, each having an identical neutral band-pass filter to the target gas, are installed next to Signal channel and Reference channel detectors as pairs in an AB designed NDIR gas sensor layout, which are called Standard Signal channel detector and Standard Reference channel detector. “Standard” GAMMA is the ratio of Standard signal channel detector output over that of Standard Reference channel detector. “Standard” GAMMA is independent of the measurement Physics of NDIR gas sensors, is dependent only upon the performance characteristics of the sensor component and is also independent of the presence of any amount of target gas in the sample chamber. Consequently, “Standard” GAMMA can be used to proportionally correct and update GAMMA of the sensor as its components age over time thereby rendering such an AB designed NDIR gas sensor self-commissioning or staying accurate over time after initial calibration.
US08217352B2	Ponderomotive phase plate for transmission electron microscopes A ponderomotive phase plate system and method for controllably producing highly tunable phase contrast transfer functions in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) for high resolution and biological phase contrast imaging. The system and method includes a laser source and a beam transport system to produce a focused laser crossover as a phase plate, so that a ponderomotive potential of the focused laser crossover produces a scattering-angle-dependent phase shift in the electrons of the post-sample electron beam corresponding to a desired phase contrast transfer function.
US08217351B2	Pattern inspection method and pattern inspection system A pattern data examination method and system capable of accurately and speedily examining a circuit pattern without failing to extract pattern contour data are provided. While pattern comparison is ordinarily made by using a secondary electron image, a contour of a pattern element is extracted by using a backscattered electron image said to be suitable for observation and examination of a three dimensional configuration of a pattern element, and pattern inspection is executed by using the extracted contour of the pattern element. More specifically, pattern inspection is executed by comparing a contour of a pattern element with design data such as CAD data to measure a difference between the contour and the data, and by computing, for example, the size of the circuit pattern element from the contour of a pattern. From two or more backscattered electron images formed by detecting backscattered electrons at two or more different spatial positions, pattern contour data contained in the backscattered electron images may be obtained.
US08217346B2	Optical microscope An optical microscope for optically measuring a sample (30) includes: a fluorescent thin membrane (13) which at least partly contains fluorescent substance and on which the sample (30) is placed; an electron source (11) for generating an electron beam; an electron lens (12) for focusing the electron beam generated by the electron source (11) in such a manner as to excite a minute light source having a wavelength shorter than a visible light wavelength from the fluorescent thin membrane (13) so as to irradiate the fluorescent thin membrane (13) with the electron beam, and further, scanning the focused electron beam; and an optical detector (22) for detecting a measurement light beam which is generated in the minute light source and acts on the sample (30).
US08217345B2	Interface between differential mobility analyzer and mass spectrometer Various embodiments are described herein for an apparatus that can be used to interface a Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA) with a Mass Spectrometer (MS). The apparatus includes first and second plates with first and second apertures respectively, and an interface region in between the first and second plates. During use, the first aperture receives mobility separated ions from the DMA, the interface region receives a gas flow to prevent gas outflow from the DMA toward the MS, and the first and second plates are configured to receive voltages to generate an electric field there between to guide the mobility separated ions from the first aperture to the second aperture, which then provides the mobility separated ions to the MS.
US08217343B2	Device and method using microplasma array for ionizing samples for mass spectrometry A device includes a first substrate having a principal surface having a plurality of sample sites having a corresponding sample; a second substrate having a principal surface facing and spaced apart from the principal surface of the first substrate, the second substrate having a plurality of ultraviolet emission sites corresponding to the sample sites of the first substrate, each of the ultraviolet emission sites being spaced apart from and facing a corresponding one of the sample sites of the first substrate, each of the ultraviolet emission sites being configured to emit ultraviolet light to a corresponding one of the sample sites on the first substrate, and to ionize at least a portion of a sample provided at each sample site; and an ion extraction device configured to extract ions from a gap between the first substrate and the structure.
US08217329B2	Microminiaturized projection module having an image processing unit for transforming each of image signals into a modulating signal and a direction signal for projecting image onto object A microminiaturized projection module for projecting an image onto an object is disclosed in the present invention. The module includes a number of light units each for providing red, green, and blue beams; an image processing unit for receiving the image, dividing the image into n×m image signals, and transforming each of the image signals into a modulating signal and a direction signal, where n and in are integrals not less than 2, respectively; a number of modulation units for modulating the beams from one light unit according to the modulating signal received from the image processing unit and sending out the modulated beams simultaneously; and an array of n×m mirrors for projecting the modulated beams to form the image onto the object according to the direction signal received from the image processing unit. The invention has advantages that can reduce modulation speed, undergo slight shock and be free from raster pinch effect.
US08217328B2	Low noise pixel readout circuit with high conversion gain A pixel circuit of a CMOS image sensor is disclosed. At least two transfer transistors are configured to transfer integrated light signals of corresponding photodetectors to a first node. A reset transistor is configured to reset the first node to a predetermined reset voltage of a second node, and a source follower is configured to buffer the integrated light signals. In one embodiment, a capacitor is further connected between the first node and the second node to minimize influence of the effective capacitance including capacitance of a floating diffusion region and parasitic capacitance due to the photodetector and the transfer transistor.
US08217327B2	Apparatus and method of obtaining depth image An apparatus for obtaining a depth image. A first ray emission unit emits a first emission ray, a second ray emission unit emits a second emission ray, a receiving unit receives a first reflection ray associated with the first emission ray and a second reflection ray associated with the second emission ray, and a processing unit calculates a depth value corresponding to a first pixel, based on an electric charge provided from the first pixel of the receiving unit.
US08217322B2	Temperature responsive back bias control for integrated circuit The present invention provides a thermostatic biasing controller for use with an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the thermostatic biasing controller includes a temperature sensing unit configured to determine an operating temperature of the integrated circuit. Additionally, the thermostatic biasing controller also includes a voltage controlling unit coupled to the temperature sensing unit and configured to provide a back-bias voltage corresponding to the operating temperature based on reducing a quiescent current of the integrated circuit.
US08217312B2	Method and device for heating a fluid Method for heating a fluid, in particular a fluid which is not electrical conductive, where a rotor body (10) which is arranged in a chamber for absorption of the fluid, is rotated with a generally vertical shaft (11). A voltage is applied to a rod shaped electrode (16) which is arranged centrally in a rotor chamber (12) and to an electrode at the bottom (13) of the rotor chamber, for creation of a flame arc, so that a flow of the fluid passing the flame arc is created. The length (L) of the flame arc is held generally stable, preferably constant by controlling the position of the rod shaped electrode (16). The fluid is made enter the rotor chamber (12) so that it is kept outside the flame arc, and that the fluid is provided to flow through the rotor chamber (12).
US08217299B2	Arc recovery without over-voltage for plasma chamber power supplies using a shunt switch A system and method for over-voltage protection is described. In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes an output port configured to deliver power to a plasma chamber to ignite a plasma. The apparatus also includes a shunt switch in parallel with the output port and a processor configured to receive an indicator of an arc in the plasma. The processor is configured to close the shunt switch for a period of time to divert current away from the arc. The processor is also configured to trigger a pulse of the shunt switch to limit a voltage of an increasing voltage condition associated with the arc.
US08217298B2	Method and system for fabricating an aspherical orthopaedic prosthetic component A method and apparatus for fabricating an aspherical orthopaedic prosthetic component includes rotating the orthopaedic prosthetic component and operating an electrical discharge machining cutting tool (EDM) to move a wire electrode of the EDM along a number of arcuate cutting paths. A spark is generated between the wire electrode and the orthopaedic prosthetic component to remove a portion of the orthopaedic prosthetic component.
US08217294B2	Method and device for sorting flat mail items A method is specified for sorting flat mail items, which allows sorting according to delivery order to be carried out swiftly and reliably. With the method a first sorting pass is carried out in a first segment with at least N storage modules of a sorting device and a second sorting pass is then carried out in a second segment with at least N storage modules of the sorting device. The overflow items, which are assigned to a storage module that has been closed because it is full, are deposited into one of the other storage modules in the first sorting pass and are included in the sorting process of the second sorting pass.
US08217289B2	Keyboard and key structure thereof A keyboard and key structure thereof includes a keycap, an elastic element, a supporting element, a base and a frame. The elastic element is located below the keycap. The supporting element has a supporting part, a connecting part and an end part, wherein the supporting part supports the keycap and the connecting part connects the supporting part and the end part. The base supports the elastic element. The frame secures the end part on the base. A keyboard includes a plurality of key structures.
US08217280B2	Circuit board, electronic device and method for manufacturing the same A circuit board includes a substrate, a circuit pattern and a through electrode. The circuit pattern is disposed on one side of the substrate in a thickness direction thereof. The through electrode is filled in a through-hole formed in the substrate with one end connected to the circuit pattern. The circuit pattern and the through electrode each have an area containing a noble metal component (e.g., Au component) and are connected to each other therethrough.
US08217272B2	Apparatus and method for embedding components in small-form-factor, system-on-packages According to various aspects of the present disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a small form factor mobile platform including a system-on-package architecture, the system-on-package architecture arranged as a stack of layers including: a first layer having a first conformable material; a second layer having a second conformable material; a third layer having a third material; and one or more electronic components embedded within the stack of layers, wherein the first conformable material, the second conformable material, or both are configured to allow high frequency signal routing.
US08217269B2	Electrical microfilament to circuit interface Devices and methods for electrical interconnection for microelectronic circuits are disclosed. One method of electrical interconnection includes forming a bundle of microfilaments, wherein at least two of the microfilaments include electrically conductive portions extending along their lengths. The method can also include bonding the microfilaments to corresponding bond pads of a microelectronic circuit substrate to form electrical connections between the electrically conductive portions and the corresponding bond pads. A microelectronic circuit can include a bundle of microfilaments bonded to corresponding bond pads to make electrical connection between corresponding bonds pads and electrically-conductive portions of the microfilaments.
US08217265B2	Electrical connection parts An electrical connection part having a resin case including a window, a plurality of bus bars, at least one of which includes a buried portion buried in the resin case, an exposed portion extending from and at an angle with an end of the buried portion, and exposed from the window, and a retention reinforcing portion extending from the end in a direction along which the buried portion extends.
US08217264B2	Electrical outlet covering accessory movable between positions concealing and allowing access to the outlet An improved electrical outlet access control accessory mounts in a wall to provide access to and concealment for an outlet mounted in aligned juxtaposition thereto. The accessory has a cover that can be manually rotated between closed and open positions, providing respectively concealment for or access to an outlet within. When closed the cover is flush or nearly so, with the surrounding wall. A retention mechanism holds the cover in the closed position until manually pressed inwards, after which the cover is rotatable to the open position.
US08217254B2	Digital instrument with physical resonator In an implementation of this invention, a stringed musical instrument has a resonator comprised of a bridge and a soundboard. Vibrations from the strings are transmitted through the bridge to the soundboard. A plurality of sensors are attached to or embedded in the soundboard. The sensors measure primarily the vibrations of the soundboard, rather than primarily the vibrations of the strings. Preferably, three or more sensors are used. Piezoelectric sensors sample vibrations in the soundboard. The resonator includes a printed circuit board that amplifies the signal from each sensor separately. Also, a signal processing device that is “onboard” the musical instrument processes the separate input signals to create one output signal. The resonator may be easily removed, enabling resonators to be interchanged. Also, the physical characteristics of a particular resonator, such as its mass or its boundary condition, may be adjusted, thereby changing the acoustic qualities of the soundboard.
US08217253B1	Electric instrument music control device with multi-axis position sensors An electric instrument music control device is provided having at least two multi-axis position sensors. One sensor is a reference multi-axis position sensor retained in a fixed position the reference multi-axis position sensor having at least one axis held in a fixed position. Another sensor is a moveable multi-axis position sensor rotatable about at least one axis corresponding to the at least one axis of the reference multi-axis position sensor, wherein the moveable multi-axis position sensor is in communication with the reference multi-axis position sensor. The device may include a processor that processes the differentiation between the angular position of the at least one axis of the reference multi-axis position sensor and the at least one axis of the moveable multi-axis position sensor, wherein the angular differentiation correlates to a music effect of an electric instrument.
US08217252B2	System and method for controlling play of digital audio equipment An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source.
US08217246B2	Sliding chord producing device for a guitar and method of use The present invention is a sliding chord producing device and method of use for a user playing a guitar with a neck, a plurality of strings and a plurality of frets. The device has a generally tubular metal handle with two metal support rods that can be grasped by the user that are perpendicularly attached to the handle. There is also a vertical generally tubular metal slide and a diagonal generally tubular metal slide that are in movable contact with the neck, the strings and the frets that are perpendicularly attached to the handle by the support rods at a fixed angle forming the device. The device can also be made of glass.
US08217245B1	Guitar A guitar including a sound box having a headward end and a tailward end, the sound box having a back, a sound board, and a side wall spanning between the back and the sound board, the back, the sound board, and the side wall each having inner and outer surfaces; a neck fixedly attached to and extending headwardly from the sound box's headward end, the neck having a distal end; a head stock fixedly attached to the neck's distal end; a bridge and saddle combination fixedly attached to the sound board; a channeled string anchoring block operatively positioned within the sound box and at the sound box's tailward end; and a sound hole opening the sound box, the sound hole being positioned between the bridge and saddle combination and the channeled string anchoring block.
US08217244B2	String-bridge interface system and method A string-bridge interface system includes a plurality of string-bridge interface units to provide coupling between strings of a musical instrument and one or more sound bridges of the musical instrument, which are further coupled to the sound board of the musical instrument. Such coupling provided by the string-bridge interface units allows for reduced loading of the sound board and more direct routing of the strings.
US08217243B2	Plants and seeds of corn variety CV022631 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV022631. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV022631, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV022631 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV022631 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV022631.
US08217239B1	Soybean cultivar 09114187 A soybean cultivar designated 09114187 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 09114187, to the plants of soybean cultivar 09114187, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 09114187, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 09114187. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 09114187. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 09114187, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 09114187 with another soybean cultivar.
US08217233B1	Soybean variety XBP31006 A novel soybean variety, designated XBP31006 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP31006, cells from soybean variety XBP31006, plants of soybean XBP31006, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP31006. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP31006 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP31006, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP31006. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP31006 are further provided.
US08217232B2	Soybean cultivar S100003 A soybean cultivar designated S100003 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S100003, to the plants of soybean S100003, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S100003, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S100003 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S100003, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100003, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S100003 with another soybean cultivar.
US08217230B2	Soybean variety A1016122 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016122. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016122. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016122 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016122 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08217225B2	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.
US08217224B2	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.
US08217219B2	Anatomically conforming vaginal insert A vaginal insert formed from a composition that, prior to introduction to the vagina, has the physical properties of a liquid, semi-soft gel, paste, foam, or viscous material so that it can be effectively delivered to the vaginal canal. After introduction into the vagina, the composition will expand and/or solidify into a semi-solid or solid structure to substantially fill the entire “H” shaped space of the vagina and a portion of the rugal folds along the length of the vaginal canal. Upon solidifying, the composition defines an insert that, in one embodiment, is suitable for use as a tampon and, in another embodiment, is suitable for use as an incontinence device.
US08217217B2	Absorbent article having a dehydration indicator A wearable article comprising a dehydration indicator adapted to measure a urine ionic strength correlated to a specific gravity of the wearer's urine and provide a visible signal when the urine ionic strength reaches a value corresponding to a predetermined threshold of the specific gravity. The wearable article may be a disposable absorbent article. The dehydration indicator may also be comprised in an insert for use with a wearable article. The dehydration indicator may provide qualitative or quantitative information about the ionic strength of the wearer's urine.
US08217211B2	Process for producing liquid hydrocarbon by pyrolysis of biomass in presence of hydrogen from a carbon-free energy source In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing liquid hydrocarbons from biomass is provided. The method comprises pyrolizing the biomass with hydrogen (H2) to form bio-oil. The bio-oil comprises alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, aromatics, hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof. The H2 is formed from a carbon-free energy source.
US08217210B2	Integrated gasification—pyrolysis process A method for producing liquid hydrocarbons from biomass includes hydropyrolizing biomass with a gaseous exhaust stream formed from one of gasification and reforming of carbon containing moiety (CCM). The gaseous exhaust stream includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
US08217196B2	Process for producing α-fluoro-β-amino acids By reacting a β-hydroxy-α-amino acid with sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) in the presence of an organic base, it is possible to produce an α-fluoro-β-amino acid of the formula [2]. By using a C8-12 tertiary amine having two or more alkyl groups of C3 or higher, and especially diisopropylethylamine, as the organic base, by-production of quantery ammonium salts is effectively suppressed. By applying the production process of the present invention, it is possible to very easily produce (2R)-3-(dibenzylamino)-2-fluoropropionic acid methyl ester, which is extremely important as a pharmaceutical intermediate, with high positional selectivity even on an industrial scale.
US08217193B2	Modified fatty acid esters and method of preparation thereof A process for the preparation of new polyols and polyesters from a natural oil or other unsaturated fatty acid esters is described. The process involves ozone cleavage of double bonds in the fatty acid chains of the oils along with coupling of a hydroxylated compound such as a mono-alcohol, a diol, or a polyol to the cleaved ends of the molecules resulting from the cleavage with a base. The resulting polyols and polyesters are as intermediates for polymers.
US08217184B2	Process for producing optically active cis-silyl olefin oxide compound The present invention provides an efficient production method of an optically active cis-silylolefin oxide compound useful as an intermediate for various compounds. A production method of an optically active cis-silylolefin oxide compound by subjecting an optically active cis-silylolefin compound to an asymmetric oxidation with a high enantioselectivity and a high chemical yield by utilizing as a catalyst, an optically active titanium complex of Formula (1), Formula (2): or the like.
US08217180B2	Method for preparing 5-haloalkyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole derivatives Disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 wherein R1 is CHX2, CX3, CX2CHX2 or CX2CX3; each X is independently Cl or F; Z is optionally substituted phenyl; and Q is phenyl or 1-naphthalenyl, each optionally substituted as defined in the disclosure; comprising contacting a compound of Formula 2 with hydroxylamine in the presence of a base. The present invention also relates to novel compounds of Formula 2, useful as starting materials for the aforedescribed method.
US08217179B2	Preparation method of phenylcarboxamides A preparation method of phenylcarboxamides of formula (I), the reaction scheme of which is as follows: wherein the groups are defined in the description. In this method, 3-halo-1-(3-chloro-2-pyridinyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid esters (V) as the raw materials are hydrolyzed to obtain carboxylic acids of formula (IV) under a basic condition, and carboxylic acids (IV) are simultaneously acyl halogenated and oxidated to get acyl halide of formula (III), and then without the presence of a acid binging agent, acyl chlorides (III) are reacted with substituted anilines (II) to get phenylcarboxamides of formula (I) in high yield.
US08217175B2	Preparation of oxymorphone from oripavine An improved method for the preparation of oxymorphone from oripavine is provided. Oripavine is oxidized to form 14-hydroxymorphinone after which the oxidation reaction is quenched to prevent the formation of 1-1′-dimer side products. The 14-hydroxymorphinone is then reduced, typically by catalytic hydrogenation to form oxymorphone. The inventive method disclosed is further applicable to the production of morphinan derivatives.
US08217174B2	Method of preparing montelukast and intermediates used therein The present invention relates to a method for preparing montelukast, an inhibitor against leukotrienes, and an intermediate used therein. According to the inventive method, high-purity montelukast or its sodium salt can be prepared in a high yield.
US08217173B2	Fluoride-releasing compositions Chelating monomers and fluoride-releasing compositions are disclosed that may be incorporated into dental composite restorative materials, dental bonding agents or other dental materials, to produce materials with high fluoride release rates, and high fluoride recharge capability. Such dental restorative materials may help reduce the level of dental caries in patients, particularly the level of caries occurring on the margins of the restorative materials.
US08217170B2	Process for the preparation of tertiary N-allyl sterically hindered amines The instant invention discloses a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula (I), wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1, which process comprises reacting a sterically hindered amine of the formula (II), wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of the formula (III) wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1, in the presence of a catalyst. The compounds of the formula (I) are useful as stabilizers for protecting organic materials, in particular synthetic polymers, reprographic materials or coating materials against oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation.
US08217169B2	Coupling agents for peptide synthesis The present invention is directed to compounds of the formula: or salts thereof or N-oxides and their use in peptide synthesis.
US08217156B2	Solid forms of (2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-2-(4-chloro-3-(4-ethoxybenzyl)phenyl)-6-(methylthio)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol and methods of their use Solid forms of anhydrous (2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-2-(4-chloro-3-(4-ethoxybenzyl)phenyl)-6-(methylthio)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol are disclosed, in addition to methods of their use in the treatment of various diseases and disorders.
US08217155B2	Metabolites and derivatives of ambrisentan The invention relates to derivatives and metabolites of ambrisentan, including compounds of general Formula (I) or salts, hydrates, solvates, racemates, or optical isomers thereof, wherein R1 is —OH or —OCH3; R2 is —H, lower alkyl (e.g. C1-C4 alkyl) or glycosidyl; and R3 and R4 are independently —CH3, —C(O)H or —CH2OR6, wherein R6 is —H or a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
US08217154B2	Activated sialic acid derivatives for protein derivatisation and conjugation Derivatives of PSAs are synthesized, in which a reducing and/or non-reducing end terminal sialic acid unit is transformed into a N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) group. The derivatives may be reacted with substrates, for instance substrates containing amine or hydrazine groups, to form non-cross-linked/crosslinked polysialylated compounds. The substrates may, for instance, be therapeutically useful drugs, peptides or proteins or drug delivery systems.
US08217153B2	Methods and systems for isolating target molecules from complex solutions by column-chromatography using wash solutions containing organic solvents Various system and method embodiments of the present invention are directed to separating target molecules from complex solutions by affinity column chromatography using organic-solvent-containing eluants. In one embodiment of the present invention, an eluant containing an organic-solvent is used, at a first pH, to remove non-target solutes and suspended entities from an affinity chromatography column. The pH of the eluant is then changed to a second pH, and the organic-solvent-containing eluant is used to elute target molecules from the affinity column chromatography.
US08217150B2	Toxin detection method According to the present invention, an antibody against a Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin contained in Staphylococcus aureus, a method and a kit for detecting the toxin with the use of the antibody, and a pharmaceutical composition containing an antibody against a Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin for treating PVL infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus containing PVL are provided. Also, an antibody which is capable of binding to Panton-Valentine leukocidin F and has no cross-reactivity to LukD and/or HlgB and an antibody which is capable of binding to Panton-Valentine leukocidin S and has no cross-reactivity to at least one of LukE, HlgC, and HlgA are provided.
US08217137B2	Fullerene-based amino acids The present invention is directed to a series of new compounds, combining the unique properties of fullerenes and bio-active amino acid residues, and to methods for making such compounds. The present invention is directed toward fullerene-based amino acids, and to amino acid residues, peptide chains, proteins, and polypeptides made from such fullerene-based amino acids. The present invention is further directed to amino acid residues, peptide chains, proteins, and polypeptides comprising such fullerene-based amino acids and into which such fullerene-based amino acids have been incorporated. Exemplary compounds have been prepared, and these compounds have been characterized and confirmed with infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), etc. These new compounds, which are additions to the existing amino acid residue family, may potentially possess useful pharmaceutical application and may provide a new platform for further exploration in cancer therapy, and peptide and protein engineering.
US08217134B2	Controlled release of biologically active compounds The present invention relates to biodegradable polymers (e.g., polyesters and polyester amides) derived from functionalized biologically active compounds that can provide site specific delivery of bioactive compounds upon biodegradation in a controlled manner.
US08217132B2	Silicone rubber composition A silicone rubber composition, which comprises 100 parts by weight of a vinyl group-introduced methylfluoroalkylvinyl-based silicone rubber obtained by copolymerization of a dimethylsiloxane copolymerization unit as the main component with 5-50% by mole of a methylfluoroalkylsiloxane copolymerization unit, and 0.2-8 parts by weight of an organic peroxide. When silica is used as a filler, it is desirable to use a surfactant for silica, and water at the same time. The present silicone rubber composition can give distinguished low-temperature characteristics and blister resistance, and thus can be used for seal materials directed to high-pressure hydrogen gas storage tanks, for example, to storage under 70 MPa, and particularly as suitable vulcanization-molding materials for O-rings, packings, gaskets, oil seals, valves, etc. High-pressure gases for storage are not limited only to hydrogen gas, but also to oxygen gas, nitrogen gas, helium gas, etc. likewise.
US08217128B2	Farnesene interpolymers Farnesene interpolymer comprises units derived from a farnesene (e.g., α-farnesene or β-farnesene) and units derived from at least one vinyl monomer. The farnesene interpolymer can be prepared by copolymerizing the farnesene and at least one vinyl monomer in the presence of a catalyst. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism. In other embodiments, the at least one vinyl monomer is ethylene, an α-olefin, or a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl halide, vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylamide or methacrylamide, or a combination thereof.
US08217121B2	Aromatic hydrogenated polymers containing fluorine Aromatic hydrogenated polymers comprising perfluoropolyether (PFPE) chains bonded to the aromatic rings to form sequences randomly distributed in the polymer structure, having the formula (I): (T1-CF2O—Rf—CF2)n-T3 in which: n is an integer from 1 to 10; T1 is an aromatic group of the backbone of the hydrogenated polymer, or alternatively condensed aromatic groups; T3 may be equal to T1, or alternatively a functional group —COOH or —COF; Rf is a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain, in which the starting hydrogenated aromatic polymers are obtained by polycondensation, stepwise polyaddition or polyaddition of cyclic monomers in which the ring is formed by at least 3 atoms.
US08217117B2	Optical film An optical film having at least one layer formed of a polyolefin based resin composition containing 8 to 30 wt % of a component (A) defined below and 92 to 70 wt % of a component (B) defined below, with the proviso that the total of the component (A) and the component (B) is 100 wt %: component (A): an olefin based polymer with which neither a crystal fusion peak having a crystal fusion heat of 30 J/g or more nor a crystallization peak having a crystallization heat of 30 J/g or more to be observed in the range of −50 to 200° C. is observed in a differential scanning calorimetry measurement according to JIS K 7122; and component (B): a propylene based polymer with which a crystal fusion peak having a crystal fusion heat larger than 30 J/g or a crystallization peak having a crystallization heat larger than 30 J/g to be observed in the range of −50 to 200° C. is observed in a differential scanning calorimetry measurement according to JIS K 7122.
US08217116B2	Polypropylene composition for buried structures The present disclosure describes a polypropylene resin composition useful for the preparation of buried structures such as corrugated, non-pressure pipe.
US08217113B2	Crosslinkable compositions based on organosilicon compounds Condensation crosslinkable compositions based on organosilicon compounds contain at least one heterocyclic compound A[CR12SiRa(OR2)3-a]x which contains at least one heteroatom from main groups 3 or 5 and is bonded to CR12 through one of these heteroatoms.
US08217108B2	Polymeric composite including nanoparticle filler Disclosed is a novel polymeric composite including a nanoparticle filler and method for the production thereof. More particularly, the present invention provides a novel halloysite nanoparticle filler which has the generally cylindrical or tubular (e.g. rolled scroll-like shape), in which the mean outer diameter of the filler particle is typically less than about 500 nm. The filler is effectively employed in a polymer composite in which the advantages of the tubular nanoparticle filler are provided (e.g., reinforcement, flame retardant, chemical agent elution, etc.) with improved or equivalent mechanical performance of the composite (e.g., strength and ductility).
US08217106B2	Optical diffusible material In the present invention, ceramic particles are used as an optical diffusible filler. The present invention provides an optical diffusible material containing ceramic particles, wherein the ceramic particles satisfy the following requirements (I) and (II): (I) the total amount of Al2O3 or MgO and SiO2 is 80% by weight or more; and (II) the weight ratio of Al2O3 or MgO to SiO2 ((Al2O3 or MgO)/SiO2) is 0.1 to 15.
US08217104B2	Highly transparent and tough-stiff styrene-butadiene block copolymer mixtures A mixture which comprises a) from 25 to 75% by weight of a block copolymer A which comprises at least one hard block S composed of vinylaromatic monomers and comprises one or more soft blocks BA in each case composed of from 0 to 5% by weight of vinylaromatic monomers and from 95 to 100% by weight of dienes, where the proportion by weight of the hard blocks S in the block copolymer A is from 65 to 90% by weight; b) from 5 to 25% by weight of a block copolymer B which comprises at least one hard block S composed of vinylaromatic monomers and comprises one or more copolymer blocks (B/S)B in each case composed of from 20 to 60% by weight of vinylaromatic monomers and from 80 to 40% by weight of dienes, where the proportion by weight of the hard blocks S in the block copolymer B is from 25 to 70% by weight; c) from 0 to 70% by weight of polystyrene or of a block copolymer C other than A and B, and d) from 0 to 6% by weight of a plasticizer D, where the entirety of components A) to D) gives 100% by weight, and use for transparent thermoforming foils or transparent injection-molded items.
US08217097B2	Aqueous ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and ink jet recording apparatus The invention provides an aqueous ink comprising a polymer having hydroxyl groups and a pigment, which can provide images excellent in scratch resistance and highlighter resistance and can inhibit the seeping out phenomenon of the polymer and the deterioration of storage stability and ejection characteristics even when it is stored for a long period of time. The aqueous ink comprises a polymer having hydroxyl groups and a pigment, wherein a proportion of a content of a polymer that is not adsorbed on the pigment out of the polymer having hydroxyl groups to the content of the pigment in the ink is 2.0 mass % or more, and a content (mass %) of the polymer that is not adsorbed on the pigment out of the polymer having hydroxyl groups is 0.20 mass % or less based on the total mass of the ink.
US08217096B2	Photocurable pressure-sensitive adhesive composition The present invention provides a photocurable pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which has sufficient adhesion before being irradiated with light, and after being irradiated with light, keeps a sufficient pot life and has a short cure-completion time at a room temperature. A cured product produced from the composition has high adhesion force to adherends difficult to be attached, and excellent durability. The photocurable pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprises a crosslinking compound (A) that is crosslinkable by the action of a base, a photobase generator (B) which becomes active upon light irradiation to generate a base, and a tackifying component (C).
US08217095B2	Active energy ray-curable ink-jet printing ink The object of the present invention is to provide an active energy ray-curable ink-jet printing ink, including: a coloring agent; a compound having an ethylenic double bond; and a photo-polymerization initiator, wherein the photo-polymerization initiator includes a compound represented by general formula (1): (wherein A represents any one of —O—, —CH2—, —CH(CH3)—, and —C(CH3)2—; and each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a trimethylsilyl group), and an α-aminoketone-based compound and/or an acyl phosphine oxide-based compound, and 40% by mass or more of the compound represented by general formula (1) is included with respect to the total photo-polymerization initiator.
US08217088B2	Use of nanoporous polymer foams as thermal insulation materials By reaction of one or more epoxy resins with an amphiphilic epoxy resin hardener in water in a phase inversion polymerization, nanoporous polymer foams are obtained. These foams are suitable as thermal insulation materials.
US08217084B2	Medicinal products incorporating bound organosulfur groups Nutraceutical and dietary supplement formulations for delivering bioavailable thiols to a host, comprising certain organosulfur radicals, such as the allyl mercapto radical, bound to larger molecules such as proteins, resulting in the formation in the host's body of various allium-related compounds such as allicin. The formulations are produced by treating an ingestible material comprising a cysteine-containing protein with a thiol, disulfide, mixed disulfide, thiosufinate or mixed thiosulfinate so as to cause thiol residues to become disulfide bonded to cysteines contained in the protein.
US08217083B2	Mesalamine suppository The present invention relates to a mesalamine rectal suppository designed to provide improved comfort of use. One embodiment of the invention is a mesalamine rectal suppository comprising mesalamine and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the drug load of the suppository ranges from 35% to 50%. Another embodiment of the invention is a mesalamine rectal suppository comprising from about 850 to about 1150 mg mesalamine and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the total weight of the suppository ranges from about 2250 to about 2700 mg. Another embodiment of the invention is a mesalamine rectal suppository comprising from about 400 to about 600 mg mesalamine and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the total weight of the suppository ranges from about 870 to about 1715 mg. Yet another embodiment of the invention is a mesalamine rectal suppository comprising mesalamine having a tap density ranging from about 600 to about 800 g/L (as measured by USP <616>) and a hard fat having an ascending melting point of 32 to 35.5° C. Methods of preparing and methods of treatment with mesalamine suppositories are also provided. The invention further provides a method of determining a dissolution parameter (such as dissolution rate) of a mesalamine rectal suppository, such as a 1 g mesalamine suppository, by measuring its dissolution with USP Apparatus #2 at 40° C. and a paddle rotation speed of 125 rpm in 0.2 M phosphate buffer at a pH of 7.5.
US08217082B2	Reduced irritant enema for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) The present invention comprises packaged enemas for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), having substantially pure 5-ASA as the active ingredient, with a liquid carrier medium having a material avoidance of bowel irritant substances, such as anti-oxidants for the 5-ASA active ingredient, including such sulfites as potassium metabisulfite, for example, and contained within a sealed and substantially oxygen-free barrier package, which may preferably be formed of a foil/polymer laminate, and which package contains or otherwise includes an oxygen scavenger, such as a an oxygen scavenging sachet.
US08217078B1	Treatment of pain with topical diclofenac The field involves compositions useful for pain relief, including diclofenac solution and gel formulations, in particular methods of use thereof, articles of manufacture and kits that provide novel preclinical, clinical and other information to users.
US08217075B2	2-amino-2-phenyl-alkanol derivatives, their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them 2-amino-2-phenyl-alkanol ester derivatives of general formula (I) in which: R1 is H, straight or branched 1 to 4C alkyl, straight or branched 2 to 4C alkyl substituted by OH, alkoxy, alkylthio, acyloxy, NH2, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylcarbamoyloxy, alkoxycarbonylamino, ureido or alkylureido, R2 is a —CO—R radical in which R is H, alkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, benzyl or heterocyclylmethyl, or R2 is a —CO—Y—R4 radical for which Y is —O—, —S—, —NH—, -Nalk- for which alk is straight or branched (1 to 4C) alkyl, and R4 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or heterocyclylalkyl, capable of being substituted by one or more halogen atoms or OH radicals, straight or branched (1 to 4C) alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, acylaminoalkylthio, alkoxycarbonyl or acylamino (1 to 4C) straight or branched, or oxo, or capable of being substituted by R5COO— in which R5 is alkyl optionally substituted by benzyloxycarbonylamino, acylamino or by an amino acid residue, or represents an heterocyclyl radical, or R2 is alkyl (2 to 4C) substituted by OH, alkoxy, alkylthio, acyloxy, NH2, alkylamino, dialkylamino optionally forming, with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a 5- or 6-member heterocycle optionally having another heteroatom (O or N), or substituted by alkylcarbamoyloxy, alkoxycarbonylamino, ureido or alkylureido, it being understood that said straight or branched substituted alkyl radical comprises at least 2C between >N—R2 and the substituent; and R3 is alkyl (1 to 4C) straight or branched unless specifically mentioned, alkyl or acyl are straight or branched (1 to 7C), in their R or S forms or their mixtures, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts when these exist.
US08217057B2	Polymorphs of a c-MET/HGFR inhibitor This invention relates to polymorphs of (R)-3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3-fluoro-phenyl)-ethoxy]-5-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamine that are useful in the treatment of abnormal cell growth, such as cancer, in mammals. This invention also relates to compositions including such salts and polymorphs, and to methods of using such compositions in the treatment of abnormal cell growth in mammals, especially humans.
US08217051B2	Spiroindolinone derivatives There are provided compounds of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof wherein X, Y, R1, R2 are as herein described. The compounds have utility as antiproliferative agents, especially, as anticancer agents.
US08217048B2	Inhibitors of serine proteases, particularly HCV NS3-NS4A protease The present invention relates to compounds that inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus NS3-NS4A protease. As such, they act by interfering with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The invention further relates to compositions comprising these compounds either for ex vivo use or for administration to a patient suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a patient by administering a composition comprising a compound of this invention. The invention further relates to processes for preparing these compounds.
US08217035B2	Pyrimidine derivatives used as PI-3-kinase inhibitors Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor compounds (I), their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and prodrugs thereof; compositions of the new compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and uses of the new compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, in the prophylaxis or treatment of proliferative diseases characterized by the abnormal activity of growth factors, protein serine/threonine kinases, and phospholipid kinases.
US08217033B2	Methods and compositions for the delivery of a therapeutic agent The present invention provides a liquid pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic agent and an alkoxy-polyethylene glycol, for example, methoxy-polyethylene glycol, for administration of the therapeutic agent to the mammal. The compositions can be applied to a membrane, for example, a nasal membrane during intranasal administration. The invention also provides methods of administering such compositions to a mammal.
US08217032B2	Selective estrogen receptor modulators for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms The present invention relates to a selective estrogen receptor modulator of formula I or Ia: (I) (Ia); or a pharmaceutical acid addition salt thereof; useful for treating vasomotor symptoms, in particular hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms that affect women around menopause.
US08217030B2	Association of a sinus node if current inhibitor and a beta blocker Association of a sinus node If current inhibitor and a β-blocker and also pharmaceutical compositions containing it.Medicinal products containing the same which are useful in treating angina pectoris, ischaemia, and heart failure.
US08217025B2	Drug screening and treatment methods The invention relates to methods identify or characterize compounds that can be used to treat specified clinical disorders such as hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. Compounds that can be used in these methods include 4α-fluoro-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,7β,17β-triol, 4α-fluoro-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,7α,17β-triol, 4α-fluoro-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3α,7β,17β-triol and 4α-fluoro-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,17β-triol-7-one.
US08217022B2	Analogues of 1,3-bis(4-nitrophenyl)triazenes, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and N-acyl derivatives for tumour treatment The present invention refers to analogues of 1,3-bis(4-nitrophenyl)triazenes, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and N-acyl derivatives for the treatment of different types of tumors. Said compounds show cytotoxicity at very low concentrations (IC50 0.22 to 12.8 μM), and good solubility. These compounds can be used in the treatment of tumor patients as single drugs or in combination with other cytostatics.
US08217018B2	Reversible siRNA-based silencing of mutant and endogenous wild-type huntingtin gene and its application for the treatment of Huntington's disease Isolated double-stranded short interfering nucleic acid molecules inhibiting the expression of endogenous wild-type and exogenous human mutant huntintin genes in cells of a non-human mammal which are expressing both said huntingtin genes, and their application for the treatment of Huntington's disease as well as to study Huntington's disease in rodent models.
US08217003B2	Peptide toxin formulation Procedures are described which use solvents to increase the topical insecticidal activity of toxic insect peptides. These procedures comprise drying the peptides, if needed, followed by the addition of either: 1) a polar organic solvent, with or without water, to a dried peptide, or 2) the addition of polar aprotic solvent or other adjuvant to the dried peptide, followed by the addition of either: 1) a polar organic solvent, with or without water, (where a polar aprotic solvent is added first) or 2) a polar aprotic solvent or other adjuvant to the peptide polar organic solvent (where the polar organic solvent is added first), to the peptide formulation.
US08217000B2	Method for elevating prolactin in mammals Methods for elevating and stabilizing prolactin levels in a mammal including methods of treating disorders and conditions associated with reduced serum levels of prolactin are provided. Also provided are methods of using certain synthetic tetrapeptide amides which are peripherally selective kappa opioid receptor agonists to elevate or stabilize serum prolactin levels.
US08216992B2	Cleaner composition for formed metal articles The present invention discloses an improved cleaning composition for cleaning metal surfaces such as aluminum and aluminum-containing alloys. The cleaning composition of the present invention comprises water and an ethoxylate of an alcohol having Formula R1—OH wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched aliphatic having from 12 to 80 carbon atoms; an inorganic pH adjusting component; and at least one surfactant that is different than the ethoxylate set forth above. The cleaning composition of the present invention also has an average water-break-free percent reduction of less than 50% after 7 days aging of a working composition prepared from the cleaning composition. The present invention also provides a method of cleaning a metal surface with the cleaning composition of the invention.
US08216985B2	Grease composition and grease-enclosed bearing The present invention provides a grease composition capable of effectively preventing a rolling surface of a grease-enclosed bearing from having hydrogen brittleness-caused peeling and the grease-enclosed bearing. The grease composition includes a base grease consisting of a base oil and a thickener and an additive added to the base grease. The additive contains at least an epoxy compound. A mixing ratio of the epoxy compound to 100 parts by weight of the base grease is set to 0.05 to 10 parts by weight. The grease-enclosed bearing using the grease composition includes an inner ring (2) and an outer ring (3); a plurality of rolling elements (4) disposed between the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (3); and a sealing member (6) for covering openings (8a, 8b) disposed at both axial ends of the inner ring (2) and the outer ring (3). The grease composition (7) is enclosed on peripheries of the rolling elements (4).
US08216977B2	High temperature superconductors Compositions are disclosed of a matrix of a high temperature superconductive oxide such as YBCO, with non-superconductive particles distributed in the matrix. The non-superconductive particles comprise at least one rare earth element (RE) and at least one of tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb). Of particular interest are non-superconductive particles of composition RE-Ta3O7 (RTO), where RE is Yb, Er, Gd or Sm, disposed in a YBCO superconductive matrix.
US08216972B1	Acid combination one step reaction process for agricultural use products and associated methods A process for the manufacture of an aqueous composition that is a combination of a fungicide and fertilizer comprising the following steps: (1) dissolving phosphorous acid in phosphoric acid to form a solution of an acid mixture; (2) reacting the acid mixture of step (1) with an aqueous hydroxide solution creating an exothermic reaction under pressure; and, (3) cooling the reaction product to between about 35° C. to about 65° C. The reaction product prepared according to the above process can also be used as a bactericide.
US08216966B2	Composite adsorbent from natural raw material and using the same to remove heavy metal from industrial waste water An adsorbent composition and method of cleaning the industrial waste water using the composite is described. The method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water is done by mixing contaminated water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent composite comprising granules of a mixture of 50.363 wt % kaolin clay, a 4.477 wt % roasted date pits powder, a 5.54 wt % silica powder a 14.99 wt % magnesite powder and a 24.623 wt % water. After reacting the contaminated water and adsorbent composite together for a specific time the water is filtered and was found to contain reduced amount of heavy metals. The cleaned water can further be used for industrial cooling systems or watering gardens.
US08216960B2	Catalysts for fixed bed oxychlorination of ethylene to 1.2-dichloroethane Catalyst for the fixed bed oxychlorination of ethylene to 1,2-dichloroethane in form of hollow cylindrical granules having total pore volume from 0.4 to 0.55 ml/g prevailingly formed of micro and mesopores having diameter between 7 and 50 nm, wherein the mesopores constitute the major component, and the macropores having diameter of more than 50 nm up to 10,000 nm being present by 15-35%.
US08216959B2	Photocatalyst-coated body, coating composition for the same, and process for producing photocatalyst-coated body A photocatalyst-coated body includes a substrate with an organic material as a surface thereof, a photocatalyst layer with interstices between the particles in the layer and an intermediate layer provided between the substrate and the photocatalyst layer. The photocatalyst layer includes photocatalyst particles in a range of 1 part≦x<20 parts by mass, inorganic oxide particles in a range of 70 parts≦y<99 parts by mass, and a dried substance of a hydrolyzable silicone in a range of zero parts≦z<10 parts by mass, provided that a total amount of the photocatalyst particles, the inorganic oxide particles, and the dried substance of the hydrolyzable silicone is 100 parts by mass in terms of silica. The intermediate layer comprising a silicone-modified resin, wherein the silicone-modified resin includes silicon atom in an amount of 0.2% by mass or more and less than 16.5% by mass.
US08216957B2	Catalyst preparation using H2 The invention refers to a process for preparing a Group 2 metal/transition metal olefin polymerization catalyst component in particulate form having improved polymerization properties due to the use of H2 during catalyst component preparation and the use of such catalyst components in a process for polymerizing olefins.
US08216952B2	Fabric treating agent, process for producing fabric, and fabric for vehicle interior materials The object of the present invention is to provide a fabric treating agent to satisfy good sewability required to interior material fabrics for vehicles including automobiles and trains, the good sewability which arises from the trend toward ultrafiner fibers for manufacturing the fabrics, change in fabric structure from weave to knit, and increasing sewing machine speed.The present invention provides the fabric treating agent comprising at least one wax (a) selected from the group consisting of a paraffin wax having a melting point of 60° C. or higher, an oxidized paraffin wax having a melting point of 60° C. or higher, a polyethylene wax having a melting point of 100° C. or higher, and an oxidized polyethylene wax having a melting point of 100° C. or higher; and a nonionic surfactant (b). The present invention also provides a process for producing fabrics applied with the fabric treating agent, and provides vehicle interior material fabrics.
US08216926B2	Method of producing a partly or completely semi-insulating or p-type doped ZnO substrate, substrates obtained, and electronic, electro-optic or optoelectronic devices comprising them Method of producing a partly or completely semi-insulating or p-type doped ZnO substrate from an n-type doped ZnO substrate, in which the n-type doped ZnO substrate is brought into contact with an anhydrous molten salt chosen from anhydrous molten sodium nitrate, lithium nitrate, potassium nitrate and rubidium nitrate. Partly or completely semi-insulating or p-type doped ZnO substrate, said substrate being in particular in the form of a thin layer, film or in the form of nanowires; and said substrate being doped at the same time by an element chosen from Na, Li, K and Rb; by N; and by O; it being furthermore possible for ZnO or GaN to be epitaxially grown on this substrate. Electronic, optoelectronic or electro-optic device such as a light-emitting diode (LED) comprising this substrate.
US08216925B2	Transistor structure having a trench drain A semiconductor device is formed having a trench adjacent to a current carrying region of the device. The trench is formed having a depth greater than the depth of a tub region of the device. Increasing the trench depth moves a region of higher field strength from the tub region to a region along the trench. The region along the trench does not have a junction and may withstand the higher field strength.
US08216917B2	Method for fabricating a semiconductor on insulator type substrate A method for fabricating a substrate of the semiconductor on insulator type by forming an epitaxial layer of semiconducting material on a donor substrate having oxygen precipitates with a density of less than 1010/cm3 or a mean size of less than 500 nm, forming an oxide layer on either a donor or receiver substrate, implanting atomic species in the donor substrate to form a weakened zone in the epitaxial layer, bonding the donor and receiver substrates together, with the oxide layer present at the bonding interface, fracturing the donor substrate in the weakened zone to transfer a layer of the donor substrate to the receiver substrate with the transferred layer including the epitaxial layer, and recycling the remainder of the donor substrate to form a receiver substrate for fabrication of a second semiconductor on insulator type substrate.
US08216913B2	Strain modulation in active areas by controlled incorporation of nitrogen at si-SiO2 interface Adding nitrogen to the Si—SiO2 interface at STI sidewalls increases carrier mobility in MOS transistors, but control of the amount of nitrogen has been problematic due to loss of the nitrogen during liner oxide growth. This invention discloses a method of forming STI regions which have a controllable layer of nitrogen atoms at the STI sidewall interface. Nitridation is performed on the STI sidewalls by exposure to a nitrogen-containing plasma, by exposure to NH3 gas at high temperatures, or by deposition of a nitrogen-containing thin film. Nitrogen is maintained at a level of 1.0·1015 to 3.0·1015 atoms/cm2, preferably 2.0·1015 to 2.4·1015 atoms/cm2, at the interface after growth of a liner oxide by adding nitrogen-containing gases to an oxidation ambient. The density of nitrogen is adjusted to maximize stress in a transistor adjacent to the STI regions. An IC fabricated according to the inventive method is also disclosed.
US08216911B2	Methods for etching doped oxides in the manufacture of microfeature devices Methods for selectively etching doped oxides in the manufacture of microfeature devices are disclosed herein. An embodiment of one such method for etching material on a microfeature workpiece includes providing a microfeature workpiece including a doped oxide layer and a nitride layer adjacent to the doped oxide layer. The method include selectively etching the doped oxide layer with an etchant comprising DI:HF and an acid to provide a pH of the etchant such that the etchant includes (a) a selectivity of phosphosilicate glass (PSG) to nitride of greater than 250:1, and (b) an etch rate through PSG of greater than 9,000 Å/minute.
US08216900B2	Nonvolatile memory device, method of manufacturing the nonvolatile memory device, and method of manufacturing flat panel display device provided with the nonvolatile memory device Provided are a nonvolatile memory device, a method of manufacturing the nonvolatile memory device, and a method of manufacturing a flat panel display device provided therein with the nonvolatile memory device. According to an embodiment, an amorphous silicon layer is formed on a substrate, and then annealed by using an Excimer laser to form a crystallized silicon layer. A nitrogen plasma treatment is performed for the crystallized silicon layer to planarize an upper surface of the crystallized silicon layer. An ONO layer is formed on the nitrogen plasma-treated crystallized silicon layer. A metal layer is formed on the ONO layer. The metal layer, the ONO layer and the nitrogen plasma-treated crystallized silicon layer are patterned.
US08216896B2	Method of forming STI regions in electronic devices The invention relates to a method of manufacturing integrated circuits and in particular to the step of forming shallow trench isolation (STI) zones. The method according to the present invention leads to electronic devices and to integrated circuits having reduced narrow width effect and edge leakage. This is achieved by performing an extra implantation step near the edge of the STI zone, after formation of the STI zones.
US08216887B2	Semiconductor chip package with stiffener frame and configured lid Various semiconductor chip packages and methods of assembling and making the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes coupling a stiffener frame to a first side of a substrate. The stiffener frame has a central opening to accommodate a semiconductor chip and an outer edge surface. A semiconductor chip is coupled to the first side in the opening. A lid is coupled to the stiffener frame with an adhesive. The lid has a first edge surface set back from the outer edge surface of the stiffener frame. The adhesive is set back from the outer edge surface of the stiffener frame.
US08216877B2	Phase-change memory and fabrication method thereof A phase-change memory is provided. The phase-change memory comprises a substrate. A first electrode is formed on the substrate. A circular or linear phase-change layer is electrically connected to the first electrode. A second electrode formed on the phase-change layer and electrically connected to the phase-change layer, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises phase-change material.
US08216872B1	Method of integrating light-trapping layer to thin-film solar cell A light-trapping layer is integrated into a thin-film solar cell. It is integrated as a light-inlet layer, an intermediate layer or a shaded layer with nano-particles embedded in a transparent or non-transparent conductive film. Thus, light stays longer in an absorption layer with photocurrent increased; defects of interface between the absorption layer and the nano-material are decreased; anti-reflective effect to inlet light is enhanced; and a good integrity and a good reliability for long-time light-shining are obtained.
US08216871B2	Method for thin film thermoelectric module fabrication Methods of fabrication of a thermoelectric module from thin film thermoelectric material are disclosed. In general, a thin film thermoelectric module is fabricated by first forming an N-type thin film thermoelectric material layer and one or more metallization layers on a substrate. The one or more metallization layers and the N-type thin film thermoelectric material layer are etched to form a number of N-type thermoelectric material legs. A first electrode assembly is then bonded to a first portion of the N-type thermoelectric material legs, and the first electrode assembly including the first portion of the N-type thermoelectric material legs is removed from the substrate. In a similar manner, a second electrode assembly is bonded to a first portion of a number of P-type thermoelectric material legs. The first and second electrode assemblies are then bonded using a flip-chip bonding process to complete the fabrication of the thermoelectric module.
US08216868B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor laser A substrate product is formed, and the substrate product includes a first region, a second region, a protrusion structure, and first and second scribe marks. The first region includes sections arranged in first and second axes to form an array, and the second region is provided adjacent to the array. The protrusion structure is provided in the second region; the first and second scribe marks are provided in the second region; the first and second scribe marks extend along first and second reference lines, respectively; and the first and second reference lines define boundary of the sections. After sandwiching the substrate product between films, a first cleavage of the substrate product is performed along the first scribe mark to form a first laser bar and another substrate product, and a second cleavage of the other substrate product is performed along the second scribe mark to form a second laser bar and still another substrate product. Each section includes a laser stripe extending in the direction of the first axis, the substrate product includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor laminate for the semiconductor laser provided on the semiconductor substrate. The protrusion structure is provided on the first reference line.
US08216862B2	Forming and training processes for resistance-change memory cell During the manufacture of a set of non-volatile resistance-switching memory elements, a forming process is performed in which a voltage is applied over forming period until a conductive filament is formed in a resistance-switching layer. A heat source at a temperature of 50° C. to 150° C. is applied to expedite the forming process while reducing the required magnitude of the applied voltage. Manufacturing time and reliability are improved. After the forming process, an expedited training process can be performed in which a fixed number of cycles of voltage pulses are applied without verifying the memory elements. Subsequently, the memory elements are verified by determining their read current in an evaluation. Another fixed number of cycles of voltage pulses is applied without verifying the memory elements, if the memory elements do not pass the evaluation.
US08216860B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor device A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming an interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; depositing a first soft magnetic thin film on the interlayer insulating film through sputtering using a target containing at least one of Fe, Co, Ni, or alloys thereof, the target further containing at least one of Ti, Hf, or B, the sputtering being performed using an N2 reactive gas; forming a metal film on the first soft magnetic thin film; depositing a second soft magnetic thin film on the metal film through sputtering using the same or another target containing at least one of Fe, Co, Ni, or alloys thereof, the target further containing at least one of Ti, Hf, or B, the sputtering being performed using an N2 reactive gas; and patterning to form an inductor.
US08216853B2	Immunoassay device with improved sample closure An apparatus and method for sealing a fluid sample collection device, comprising: loading a fluid sample collection device with a fluid sample, said device comprising a housing having at least one substantially planar surface that includes an orifice in fluid communication with an internal fluid sample holding chamber which terminates at an internal capillary stop; and slidably moving a sealing element over at least a portion of said substantially planar surface in a way that displaces any excess fluid sample away from the orifice, seals the fluid sample within said holding chamber, and inhibits the fluid sample from prematurely breaking through the internal capillary stop.
US08216838B2	Method for efficient production of monocyte-derived multipotent cell (MOMC) It is to provide a practical method for producing efficiently a large amount of MOMC, which is a multipotent cell which is very suitable for cell transplantation for organ regeneration. It was found that by culturing peripheral blood monocytes in vitro on fibronectin in the presence of SDF-1, MOMC can be produced more efficiently, and the present invention has been completed. Specifically, it is a method for producing MOMC by culturing in vitro peripheral blood monocytes expressing CD14 on fibronectin, wherein the in vitro culture is performed in the presence of SDF-1.
US08216830B2	Culture apparatus A culture apparatus includes a culture chamber in which culture is cultured, a shelf plate included in the culture chamber, on which the culture is placed, and shelf rests in a left-and-right pair configured to support the shelf plate and a plurality of shelf supports configured to support the shelf rests. The shelf rests each include one piece supporting the shelf plate and the other piece supported by the shelf supports. The shelf rests are in an L-shape in a cross-sectional manner whose angle between the one piece and the other piece is an acute angle. The one piece is in line contact with a lower face of the shelf plate at an end of the one piece extending obliquely upward from a side face of the culture chamber toward the inside of the culture chamber. The culture chamber is supplied with sterilizing gas to be sterilized.
US08216828B2	Assembly of cell culture vessels A cell culture apparatus includes a cell culture chamber formed by a first major surface, an opposing second major surface spaced apart from the first major surface, and a first side wall around the first chamber and extending between the first and second major surfaces. A portion of the first sidewall proximate the first major surface comprises an infrared absorbent material, and a portion the first sidewall proximate the second major surface is formed from substantially non-infrared absorbent material. The first major surface is formed by a gas permeable polymeric film that is impermeable to cell culture liquid.
US08216823B2	Transport media A transport media, particularly for fastidious microorganisms, has a concentration of activated charcoal less than 10 grams per liter of water. This maintains viability of the microorganisms while permitting Gram interpretation of the specimen.
US08216814B2	Microorganisms for the production of adipic acid and other compounds The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in the respective adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway. The invention additionally provides a method for producing adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam. The method can include culturing an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam producing microbial organism, where the microbial organism expresses at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount to produce the respective product, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam.
US08216813B2	Process for enzymatically preparing carboxylic esters Process for enzymatically synthesizing carboxylic esters, characterized in that mixing and discharge of the water of reaction are effected by introducing a gas while achieving low effectiveness ratios EV.
US08216797B2	Pathogen detection biosensor The invention described herein provides methods for the detection of target particles, such as pathogens, soluble antigens, nucleic acids, toxins, chemicals, plant pathogens, blood borne pathogens, bacteria, viruses and the like. Also described is an emittor cell comprising a receptor, wherein the receptor can be an antibody or an Fc receptor, and an emittor molecule for the detection of a target particle in a sample wherein the target particle to be detected is bound by one or more receptors on the emittor cell. Also provided are optoelectronic sensor devices for detecting a target particle in a sample, including in a plurality of samples.
US08216782B2	PTTG1 as a biomarker for cancer treatment The present invention relates to the use of pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) as a biomarker for diagnosing cancer as well as for determining cancer treatment responsiveness. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer by inhibiting the expression of PTTG1, and administering a therapeutically effective amount of Aurora kinase inhibitor, HDAC inhibitor and/or ROS-generating agent.
US08216780B2	Method for enhanced sensitivity in bacteriophage-based diagnostic assays A method of determining the presence or absence of a target microorganism in a sample to be tested, the method comprising: (a) combining with the sample an amount of bacteriophage capable of attaching to the target microorganism to create a bacteriophage-exposed sample; (b) providing conditions to the bacteriophage-exposed sample sufficient to allow the bacteriophage to attach to the target microorganism while inhibiting phage replication in a potentially cross-reactive, non-target microorganism; and (c) assaying the bacteriophage-exposed sample to detect the presence or absence of a bacteriophage marker to determine the presence or absence of the target microorganism; wherein the amount of the bacteriophage is between 10% to 70% of the threshold number of bacteriophage that the assay can detect, or between 1×106 pfu/mL and 7×106 pfu/mL.
US08216775B2	Anti-reflection film forming material, and method for forming resist pattern using the same The anti-reflection film forming material according to the present invention includes (a) a water soluble resin having a vinyl acetate constituent unit, and (b) a compound having a constituent unit represented by the following general formula. Wherein, R1 and R2 represent a direct bond or a methylene chain; R3 and R4 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a group represented by —(CH2)n—O—R5—R6; and at least one of R3 and R4 is a group represented by —(CH2)n—O—R5—R6, wherein: R5 represents a direct bond or an alkylene chain having 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may be interrupted with —O—; R6 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in which a portion or all hydrogen atoms are substituted with a fluorine atom; and n represents an integer of 0 to 10. Wherein, the total number of carbon atoms present in R1 and R2 is 1 or 2.
US08216773B1	Broadband plasma light sources for substrate processing Broadband radiation may be generated by supplying a gas mixture containing hydrogen and/or deuterium and/or helium and/or neon to an enclosure, generating a plasma inside the enclosure with the gas mixture. Broadband radiation generated as a result of the plasma discharge to a substrate may be optically coupled to a substrate located outside the enclosure.
US08216763B2	Photosensitive resin composition and method of forming pattern A photosensitive resin composition which has a quenching function and satisfactory long-term stability and which, in particular, can be prevented from suffering sensitivity abnormality caused by change with time during storage (change from given sensitivity); and a method of forming a pattern from the composition. The resist composition contains a base resin comprising, as the main component, a silicon-containing polymer which is a siloxane or silsesquioxane polymer or the like, the composition containing, as a quencher, a specific sulfonium compound in place of a nitrogenous compound.
US08216762B2	Method for manufacturing array board for display device An array for a display device is formed by adhering a positive dry film resist, which has a positive photoresist resin layer over a supporting film, to a substrate such that the photoresist resin layer adheres on a surface of the substrate. The supporting film is then released from the photoresist resin layer adhered to the surface of the substrate, the layer is exposed to light; and the positive type photoresist layer is developed to remove exposed regions.
US08216761B2	Method of producing polymerized toner Disclosed is a method for producing a polymerized toner. In the method, a mixture of colloidal silica as an aqueous dispersant and a polyvinylpyrrolidone is used during suspension polymerization. The amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone/colloidal silica aggregates having a diameter smaller than 100 nm is also limited to 1% by weight or less, based on the total weight of all aggregates. A polymerized toner produced by the method has a volume average particle diameter (dv) of 5 to 10 μm and a volume average particle diameter/number average particle diameter ratio (dv/dp) of 1.5 or less. The polymerized toner is consumed in a small amount during printing. According to the method, the formation of emulsion particles having a size smaller than 0.5 μm is inhibited.
US08216752B2	Organic photoreceptor and image forming apparatus An objective is to provide an organic photoreceptor exhibiting high sensitivity, suitable for exposure to a semiconductor laser having an emission wavelength of 350-500 nm or a light emitting diode, with which generation of memory images as well as image defects caused by very small charge leakage is inhibited, and also to provide an image forming apparatus fitted with the organic photoreceptor. Also disclosed is an organic photoreceptor possessing a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer provided on a conductive support, wherein the charge generation layer contains particles made of a condensed polycyclic pigment, having an average major axis length of 500 nm or less, an average aspect ratio of 2.5-5.0, and an aspect ratio variation coefficient of 16% or less.
US08216745B2	Half-tone mask, half-tone mask blank and method for manufacturing half-tone mask A halftone mask increasing the versatility of an etching stopper layer. The half tone mask (10) is provided with a transparent portion (TA) using a glass substrate (S), a first semi-transparent portion (HA) including a first semi-transparent layer (11) formed on the glass substrate, and a light shield portion (PA) including a first semi-transparent portion, a light shield layer (13) superimposed above the first semi-transparent layer, and an etching stopper layer (12) formed between the first semi-transparent layer and the light shield layer. The first semi-transparent layer and the light shield layer are each formed from Cr or at least one selected from the group consisting of an oxide, nitride, carbide, oxynitride, oxycarbide, carbonitride, and oxycarbonitride of Cr. The etching stopper layer includes a first element of at least one selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, and Co and a second element of at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Ti, Nb, Ta, Hf, and Zr.
US08216741B2	Method for generating an electric power with use of a fuel cell and a fuel cell A fuel cell capable of operating under a high temperature environment and under a low humidity environment and a method for generating an electric power with use of the fuel cell. The fuel cell comprises an electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode, and an cathode electrode. In each of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, a catalyst is held on a catalyst support, and an electrolyte covers the catalyst and the catalyst support. The cathode electrolyte is composed of SnO2, NH3, H2O, and H3PO4. A molar ratio X represented by X═NH3/SnO2 is not less than 0.2 and not more than 5, and a molar ratio Y represented by Y═P/Sn is not less than 1.6 and not more than 3.
US08216730B2	Fuel cell system There is disclosed a fuel cell system capable of appropriately performing the impedance measurement and scavenging control of a fuel cell during the stop of the fuel cell system. According to the present embodiment, in the fuel cell system including a control section which monitors and controls the state of a fuel cell, the control section stops the supply of a fuel gas to the fuel cell, then executes scavenging process to discharge, from the system, a water content in the fuel cell, and intermittently measures the impedance of the fuel cell during the scavenging process of the fuel cell, and the control section is characterized in that the fuel gas is intermittently supplied to the fuel cell during the scavenging process of the fuel cell.
US08216727B2	Aromatic hydrocarbon based proton exchange membrane and direct methanol fuel cell using same A proton exchange membrane is obtained which can give an excellent power generation characteristic when the membrane is applied to, in particular, a fuel cell wherein high-concentration methanol is used as a fuel. In the aromatic hydrocarbon based proton exchange membrane of the invention, the ion exchange capacity is set into the range of 0.6 to 1.3 meq/g. Moreover, the area swelling rate for a 30% by mass methanol aqueous solution at 40° C. is set into the range of 2 to 30%. Preferably, a sulfonic acid group is bonded to an aromatic ring of the aromatic hydrocarbon based polymer contained in the aromatic hydrocarbon based proton exchange film. Preferably, the aromatic hydrocarbon based polymer is a polyarylene ether based polymer.
US08216725B2	Electrolyte for batteries and battery packs Electrolyte for lithium secondary batteries and battery packs includes a lithium salt, a non-aqueous solvent, and an additive. The additive includes two or more members selected from the group consisting of substances A, B and C, wherein A includes one or more fused ring compounds and fused heterocyclic compounds, B includes an alkoxy aromatic compound, and C includes halogenated borane-based salt.
US08216714B2	Battery pack Disclosed herein is a battery pack including: a plurality of cylindrical battery cells arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of layers; a partition member for partitioning the battery cells; and a casing for containing the battery cells partitioned by the partition member; wherein the material thickness of the casing is set to be larger than the material thickness of the partition member.
US08216697B2	OLED with fluoranthene-macrocyclic materials The present invention relates to an OLED device including a cathode, an anode, and having therebetween a light-emitting layer, further including, between the cathode and the light emitting layer, a first layer containing a fluoranthene-macrocyclic compound. The fluoranthene-macrocyclic compound includes a fluoranthene nucleus having the 7,10-positions connected by a linking group. The fluoranthene nucleus can be further substituted, provided substituents in the 8- and 9-positions cannot combine to form a five-membered ring group. The OLED device includes at least one layer, between the light-emitting layer and the cathode, containing an alkali metal material. It provides improvement in features such as efficiency and drive voltage.
US08216693B2	Brazing sheet of aluminum alloy A brazing sheet of aluminum alloy composed of a core material and a first brazing filler metal covering one surface of the core material. The core material contains as an essential component 0.2-1.0 mass % of Cu and as optional components at least one species of no more than 1.5 mass % of Si, no more than 1.8 mass % of Mn, no more than 0.35 mass % of Ti, and no more than 0.5 mass % of Mg, with the remainder being Al and inevitable impurities. The first brazing filler metal has a liquid phase ratio (X %) at 600° C. and a thickness (Y μm) such that X and Y satisfy the following relationship: (1) 30≦X≦80, (2) Y≧25, and (3) 1000≦X×Y≦24000. The brazing sheet provides good brazeability and maintains high corrosion resistance after brazing on the surface cladded with the brazing filler metal.
US08216692B2	Slide member A slide member including a base material; an intermediate layer consisting of Ag or Ag-based alloy and an additive element of a first quantity formed over the base material; and an overlay comprising Bi or Bi-based alloy and the additive element of a second quantity formed over the intermediate layer, wherein the additive element consists of a low melting point metal, the first quantity being five times or greater than the second quantity.
US08216684B2	Method for bonding members, composite film and use thereof The bonding method of the present invention is a method of bonding a member (a) having a layer (a1) comprising an organic polymer (A), and a member (b) containing a compound (B) having specific functional groups, wherein the bonding method comprises bonding the member (a) and the member (b) via a layer comprising an inorganic compound (C) having a nitrogen atom and a hydrogen atom, which is at least partly provided on the outermost surface of the member (a).The composite film of the present invention is, firstly, a composite film formed with a laminate having a layer (a1) comprising an organic polymer (A) and a layer (c1) comprising an inorganic compound (C) having a nitrogen atom and a hydrogen atom; secondly, a composite film formed with a laminate having the layer (a1), the layer (c1) and a layer (b1) comprising an adhesive resin (B1) disposed in this order, wherein the layer (c1) and the layer (b1) are directly laminated; and thirdly, a composite film formed with a laminate having the layer (a1), the layer (c1), and a transparent conductive layer (d1) disposed in this order, wherein one outermost surface or both outermost surfaces of the composite film are partially formed with the layer (c1).
US08216680B2	Transparent composite conductors having high work function There is provided a transparent composite conductor. The composite conductor has a first layer that includes a transparent conductive material and a second layer that includes a fluorinated acid polymer.
US08216676B2	Composite precursor for aluminum-containing lithium transition metal oxide and process for preparation of the same The present invention provides a powdery composite precursor, which comprises a core of a lithium transition metal oxide, and an aluminum hydroxide-based precipitate layer coated on the surface of the core, and a process to prepare the composite precursor. The preparation process comprises the formation of a water based slurry by dispersing lithium transition metal oxide powder in water, and a precipitation reaction of an aluminum salt solution with a base solution where the lithium transition metal particles act as seed particles, whereby a mechanically stable precipitate layer of homogeneous thickness can be achieved. The composite precursor can be converted into aluminum-containing, e.g., aluminum-doped, lithium transition metal oxide suitable for a cathode active material of lithium rechargeable battery by heat treatment.
US08216662B2	Glass-ceramic plate and method for making same A glass-ceramic plate intended in particular to cover heating elements, and having at least one bevel 35 mm or more wide, a method of manufacturing the plate, and a cooking appliance including the plate.
US08216656B2	Disc master, disc master manufacturing method, stamper, disc substrate, optical disc, and optical disc manufacturing method In a process of manufacturing a disc master, a stamper, a disc substrate, and an optical disc, separation performance between the stamper and the disc substrate and maintenance of satisfactory signal characteristics after the optical disc is manufactured are taken into consideration in the step of manufacturing the disc master. In the disc master, a boundary portion between a recessed portion and a non-recessed portion includes a small protrusion which protrudes from a flat surface of the non-recessed portion. The shape of the disc master is inversely transferred to the stamper, and the shape of the stamper is inversely transferred to the disc substrate. The separation performance is improved and the signal characteristics are maintained due to the shape of the boundary portion.
US08216652B1	Composition and method for manufacturing chlorosulfonated polyethylene latex and articles Composition and method for manufacturing coagulable chlorosulfonated polyethylene latex and articles are disclosed. Chlorosulfonated polyethylene solid rubber is converted to chlorosulfonated polyethylene latex that can produce strong elastic dry film. Sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate is used as an emulsifier to provide stable emulsion of ionic chlorosulfonated polyethylene latex. Anioinc ammonium salt of alginic acid solution is used as a creaming agent to provide effective creaming function and produce high yield, stable, coagulable ionic chlorosulfonated polyethylene latex. Epoxy resin, sulfur, zinc oxide, rubber accelerators and polymeric hindered phenol antioxidant are used to prepare chlorosulfonated polyethylene latex compositions for making high strength chlorosulfonated polyethylene articles.
US08216649B2	Liquid crystal aligning agent, method of producing a liquid crystal alignment film and liquid crystal display device The present invention relates to a liquid crystal aligning agent which contains a reaction product of at least one selected from the group consisting of a polysiloxane having a structure represented by the following formula (S-1), a hydrolysate thereof and a condensate of the hydrolysate and a compound represented by the following formula (1): (YI in the formula (S-1) is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, R in the formula (1) is a group having an alkyl group with 4 to 20 carbon atoms, a fluoroalkyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, or a group having 17 to 51 carbon atoms and a steroid skeleton, and XI in the formula (S-1) and Z in the formula (1) are reacted with each other to form a bond group for bonding the silicon atom in the formula (S-1) to R in the formula (1)).
US08216635B2	Method of forming metal wiring and metal wiring formed using the same Disclosed are a method of forming metal wiring and metal wiring formed using the same. The method includes printing wiring using an ink composition including metallic nanoparticles and dispersants maintaining dispersion of the metallic nanoparticles, performing a first firing process of firing the wiring under vacuum or in an inert atmosphere to suppress grain growth, and performing a second firing process of firing the wiring with the vacuum or inert atmosphere released, to accelerate grain growth. The method of forming metal wiring induces abnormal grain growth by rapidly removing dispersants, capable of inducing the growth of metallic nanoparticles, at a temperature at which the growth force of the metallic nanoparticles is high, in the process of firing the metallic nanoparticles. Accordingly, the metal wiring has a coarse-grained structure containing metallic particles with a large average particle size, and the electrical and mechanical characteristics thereof can be enhanced.
US08216627B2	Plant waste bio-product pomace extract concentrates and processes of producing same A processes is provide herein for converting waste bio-product pomace to useful bio-product extracts. The process includes the steps of forming a mixture of water as a solvent and a specified quantity of the waste bio-product pomace. Then optionally adding a suitable quantity of citric acid to the water/waste bio-product mixture. Then heating waste bio-product pomace/water mixture to an elevated temperature below the boiling point of water. Then optionally adding a suitable quantity of sodium metabisulfite to the heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture Then stirring heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture for a suitable time to disperse the waste bio-product uniformly in the water solvent. Then cooling the stirred, heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture to a suitable lower temperature at a rate of about 60° C. per hour. Then removing solids from the stirred waste bio-product pomace/water mixture. Then clarifying the cooled stirred water/waste bio-product mixture. Then concentrating the clarifying cooled stirred waste bio-product pomace/water mixture under the influence of a suitable vacuum and at a suitable increased temperature until the concentrate has a BRIX of about 20 to about 22. This provides a concentrated useful bio-product comprising antioxidant-enriched liquids comprised of the natural elements extracted from said waste bio-products.
US08216624B2	Aerated food products An aerated food product is provided which includes hydrophobin. Also provided is the use of a hydrophobin in a method of inhibiting bubble coarsening in aerated food products.
US08216619B2	Stable and bioavailable compositions of isomers of carotenoids for skin and hair The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a stable composition enriched in cis-lycopene (z-isomers) by prolonged heating in solvents of tomatoes, parts of tomatoes, derivative thereof or tomato extracts in solvents.
US08216615B2	Pawpaw and peach derived composition There is provided a process for making a composition suitable for topical application comprising the steps of a) heating at least one fruit and/or vegetable pulp to up to a temperature in the range of about 40° C. to 100° C.; b) mixing between 1 and 40% w/w of a mild base with the heated fruit and/or vegetable pulp. There is also provided a fruit and/or vegetable derived composition suitable for topical application prepared by the above process. There is further provided a fruit and/or vegetable derived composition comprising at least one fruit and/or vegetable-derived pulp and a mild base, said composition having a pH in the range of about 7.5 to about 9.5.
US08216595B2	Powerful vaccine composition comprising lipopeptide and poly I:C as an adjuvant The present invention relates to an adjuvant comprising a lipopeptide and poly I:C. When the adjuvant of the present invention is used, the level of antigen specific antibody induction is synergistically increased and Th1 type immune response is also induced. Therefore, the adjuvant of the present invention can be very effectively used as an adjuvant in the formulation of preventive and therapeutic vaccines for viral or parasitic infection and cancer.
US08216587B1	Method of vaccination The present invention provides a method of expressing an antigenic molecule or a part thereof on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell, said method comprising introducing a molecule into the cell cytosol by photochemical internalisation, wherein said molecule, or a part thereof, is subsequently presented on the surface of said cell. Methods of vaccination comprising this method, together with compositions comprising said cells and uses involving said cells expressing antigenic molecules are also provided.
US08216585B2	Targeted particles and methods of using the same Drug delivery compositions and methods of delivering compounds into a cell or into an individual are disclosed. Vaccines and methods of immunizing individuals are disclosed. Compositions for drug delivery including gene therapy and methods of treating individuals using such compositions are disclosed.
US08216584B2	Imaging, diagnosis and treatment of disease The present invention relates to endothelial cell-specific genes and encoded polypeptides and materials and uses thereof in the imaging, diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the vascular endothelium.
US08216581B2	Compositions, methods and kits relating to anti-platelet autoantibodies and inhibitors thereof The present invention relates to novel methods of identifying and producing an anti-platelet autoantibody. More preferably, the invention relates to identification and production of a human monoclonal anti-platelet autoantibody. Moreover, the invention relates to methods for treating or alleviating a disease, disorder or condition mediated by an anti-platelet autoantibody specifically binding with a platelet, or a component thereof, such as, but not limited to, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, among others. Preferably, the antibody is an unglycosylated H44L4 Fab.
US08216574B2	Engineering Fc antibody regions to confer effector function The present invention relates to molecules having a variant Fc region, wherein said variant Fc region comprises at least one amino acid modification relative to a wild-type Fc region. These modified molecules confer an effector function to a molecule, where the parent molecule does not detectably exhibit this effector function. In particular, the molecules of the invention have an increased effector cell function mediated by a FcγR, such as, but not limited to, ADCC. In one embodiment, the variant Fc region binds FcγRIIIA and/or FcγRIIA with a greater affinity, relative to a comparable molecule comprising the wild-type Fc region. The molecules of the invention have particular utility in treatment, prevention or management of a disease or disorder, such as cancer, in a sub-population of patients, wherein the target antigen is expressed at low levels in the target cell population, in particular, in patients refractory to treatment with an existing therapeutic antibody due to the low level of target antigen expression on the cancer or associated cells.
US08216571B2	Fully human anti-VEGF antibodies and methods of using Disclosed herein are fully human antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind human VEGF and inhibit VEGF binding to VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, and therefore inhibit VEGF signaling. The antibodies and antigen-binding fragments disclosed herein may be used, for example, to treat angiogenesis and conditions associated with angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro.
US08216570B2	TES7 and antibodies that bind thereto The invention provides the identification and characterization of a disease and cancer-associated antigen, TES7. The invention also provides a family of monoclonal antibodies that bind to antigen TES7, methods of diagnosing and treating various human cancers and diseases with TES7.
US08216567B2	Therapeutic ribonucleases The present invention relates to the use of ribonucleases (RNases) in the treatment or prevention of disease.
US08216565B2	GP100-specific T cell receptors and related materials and methods of use The invention provides human cells, particularly human T cells, comprising a murine T Cell Receptor (TCR) having antigen specificity for the cancer antigen gp100. Isolated or purified TCRs having antigenic specificity for amino acids 154-162 of gp100 (SEQ ID NO: 1), as well as related polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof, conjugates, and pharmaceutical compositions, are further provided. The invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a host comprising the use of the inventive materials described herein.
US08216561B2	Polyacrylamide hydrogel for the treatment of incontinence and vesicouretal reflex The present invention relates to a bio-stable hydrogel for use in the treatment and prevention of incontinence and vesicouretal reflux. The hydrogel is obtainable by combining acrylamide and methylene bis-acrylamide in amounts to provide about 0.5 to 25% by weight polyacrylamide, based on the total weight of the hydrogel.
US08216560B2	Ion binding polymers and uses thereof The present invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of ion imbalances. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising potassium binding polymers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of use of the polymeric and pharmaceutical compositions for therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefits are disclosed herein. Examples of these methods include the treatment of hyperkalemia, such as hyperkalemia caused by renal failure and/or the use of hyperkalemia causing drugs.
US08216559B2	Deodorant fiber and fibrous article and product made thereof A deodorant fiber comprises a thermoplastic resin containing 0.1 to 10 weight %, with respect to the weight of said fiber, of a complex oxide comprising oxides of at least two metals selected from the divalent or trivalent metals, and coated with 0.1 to 5 weight %, with respect to the weight of said fiber, of an agent comprising a surfactant composition comprising 20-80 weight % of the component A and 80-20 weight % of the component B and/or the component C. The A is at least one compound selected from a group consisting of betaine amphoteric compounds, carbonyl compounds and vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymers. The B is a nonionic surfactant comprising at least one substance selected from a group consisting of nonionic surfactants based on alkylene oxide adducts and nonionic surfactants based on polyvalent alcohols. The component C is an anionic surfactant comprising at least one substance selected from a group consisting of carbonates, sulfonates, sulfate ester salts and phosphate ester salts.
US08216558B2	Polymer coating of cells Polymers and methods of making them are described. The polymers may be used to coat living cells. The polymer-coated cells are useful in cell therapy applications.
US08216548B2	Radiofluorination methods The invention relates to conjugates of formula (V) or (VI), their use as radiopharmaceuticals, processes for their preparation, and synthetic intermediates used in such processes.
US08216543B2	Methods of making water treatment compositions Methods of making unique water treatment compositions are provided. In one embodiment, a method of making a doped metal oxide or hydroxide for treating water comprises: disposing a metal precursor solution and a dopant precursor solution in a reaction vessel comprising water to form a slurry; and precipitating the doped metal oxide or hydroxide from the slurry.
US08216540B2	Method for making carbon nanotube film The present invention relates to a method for making a carbon nanotube film. The method includes the following steps. An array of carbon nanotubes is formed on a substrate. The array of carbon nanotubes is pressed by a pressure head to form a carbon nanotube film having properties identical in all directions parallel to a surface of the carbon nanotube film.
US08216539B2	Cascading purification The present invention provides a method of purifying a material using a cascading dissolution and washing process. The dissolution and washing processes can contain single or multiple stages. Water and dissolving chemicals are recycled through the process towards the beginning of the process.
US08216537B2	Silicon-germanium hydrides and methods for making and using same The present invention provides novel silicon-germanium hydride compounds, methods for their synthesis, methods for their deposition, and semiconductor structures made using the novel compounds.
US08216532B1	Methods of recovering rare earth elements Processes described include reacting a fresh or spent catalyst, or sorbent, with a solution containing an extracting agent (such as an acid or a base). Preferably, the catalyst contains both alumina and a molecular sieve (or a sorbent), and the reaction is performed under relatively mild conditions such that the majority of the base material does not dissolve into the solution. Thus, the catalyst can be re-used, and in certain instances the performance of the catalyst even improves, with or without re-incorporating certain of the metals back into the catalyst. Additionally, metals contained in the catalyst, such as Na, Mg, Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, V, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Zn Sb, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pb, or their equivalent oxides, can be removed from the catalyst. Some of the metals that are removed are relatively valuable (such as the rare earth elements of La, Ce, Pr and Nd).
US08216530B2	Reagent tube A reagent tube configured with a stellated shaped pattern, on its bottom interior surface, configured to facilitate complete or near-complete withdrawal of fluid from the tube, via a pipette tip. The reagent tube may be used for transporting reagents and for carrying out processing operations on biological samples with the reagents, such as preparing polynucleotides extracted from the sample for amplification.
US08216495B2	Preparation method for solid dispersions A method of preparation of a solid dispersion of a polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (PVA-PEG graft co-polymer), such as Kollicoat IR with a BCS Class II drug or a BCS Class IV drug, whereby the method comprises: a) dissolving the polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (PVA-PEG graft co-polymer) separately in a water/first alcohol mixture; and b) dissolving the BCS Class II drug or a BCS Class IV drug, in a mixture of a second alcohol with a non alcoholic organic solvent in which the compound has an high solubility; and c) mixing the both solutions to obtain a third solution with a total amount of solved solid of 1 to 15 g per 100 ml, and optionally having an acid, including inorganic acids including hydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid; sulfuric; nitric; phosphoric and the like acids; or organic acids including acetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, methane-sulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic, p-aminosalicylic, palmoic and the like acids in the mixture of both the solutions to achieve an acid pH; and d) spray drying the third solution.
US08216494B2	Method for making mold A method for making a mold, the method includes steps of: providing a substrate and a retaining member, the retaining member being made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and being ring-shaped; engaging the substrate with the retaining member; disposing viscous liquid polydimethyl siloxane containing material on the substrate within the retaining member; rotating the retaining member and the substrate to cause the polydimethyl siloxane containing material to spread out on the substrate and form a polydimethyl siloxane containing layer; press-molding the polydimethyl siloxane containing layer using a stamper to form one or more molding portions on the polydimethyl siloxane containing layer; solidifying the polydimethyl siloxane containing layer with the one or more molding portions; separating the stamper from the polydimethyl siloxane containing layer; and separating the substrate from the retaining member to obtain a mold.
US08216492B2	Conductive masterbatches and conductive monofilaments The present invention relates to a polyester matrix powder comprising a polybutylene terephthalate, a homogeneously dispersed carbon nanotube powder, a dispersant and a chain extender; to a conductive masterbatch with homogeneous and smooth surface; to a process for the preparation of the conductive masterbatch; to a conductive monofilament prepared from the conductive masterbatch; to a process for the preparation of the conductive monofilament; and to a fabric article prepared from the monofilament. The present invention is characterized in the preparation of carbon nanotube-containing fiber materials with higher conductivity and the improvement of the spinning property of the conductive masterbatches to avoid blocking and yarn breakage during the spinning process.
US08216471B2	Integrated bioreactor and method of using the same for treatment of highly concentrated organic wastewater An integrated bioreactor and its applications as well as a method for treatment of highly-concentrated organic wastewater using the same. The integrated bioreactor with a concentric columnar structure includes an inner layer and an outer layer, in which the inner layer is an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and the outer layer is a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR). The effluent of the MBBR is recycled into UASB via a reflux pump mounted between a water tank and the integrated bioreactor. A water outlet of the UASB is arranged with an on-line pH monitor and a mechanical agitation device is arranged on the top of a bottom water distributor. The bioreactor is low in cost, features friendly maintenance, stable operation, and high degree of automation, and can be applied under low temperature.
US08216463B1	Refrigerator water filter cartridge with leakage indicator A water filter cartridge particularly suited for a water filtration system incorporated into refrigerators includes an outer housing, a water filtration media inside the housing, and a cap affixed to an end of the housing to thereby enclose the filtration media. A portion of the cap defines a large cylindrical cavity having a channel formed therein which is positioned so that an O-ring provides a substantially water-tight seal when the filter cartridge is in an operative position in a manifold. The O-ring prevents water from otherwise flowing through the channel and externally of the water filtration system. Under normal water pressure the water filtration system will immediately visually exhibit a substantial leak if the filter cartridge is coupled to the manifold of the water filtration system in the operative position without the O-ring being positioned in the large cylindrical cavity.
US08216453B2	Grate cover apparatus The present invention relates to a temporary grate cover apparatus for placement over a storm water grate to filter sediment and trash from entering the storm drain during a construction project.
US08216449B2	Bubble separation to remove haze and improve filterability of lube base stocks Provided is a bubble generating process used to treat dewaxed lube base stocks to improve their filterability, hazy appearance or both. In one form, the process for improving at least one of haze appearance and filterability of a dewaxed lubricating oil basestock contained in a storage vessel includes contacting the lubricating oil basestock with gas bubbles passed through a gas distribution grid for a time sufficient to form a mixture of froth and gas treated basestock, allowing the mixture of froth and gas treated basestock to settle for a time sufficient to form a froth layer and a gas treated basestock layer, and separating the froth layer from the gas treated basestock layer, wherein a basestock having improved haze, improved filterability or both may be isolated from the gas treated basestock layer.
US08216441B2	Electrophoretic solar cell metallization process and apparatus Embodiments of the invention provide a novel apparatus and methods for forming a contact structure having metal lines formed using an electrophoretic deposition process. A substrate having a conductive or semiconductive layer is covered with an insulating layer and patterned to expose the conductive or semiconductive layer. The substrate is exposed to a processing medium comprising charged particles immersed in a dielectric fluid. An electric field is optionally applied. The charged particles deposit onto the exposed portions of the substrate and are then solidified in a reflow process.
US08216438B2	Copper anode or phosphorous-containing copper anode, method of electroplating copper on semiconductor wafer, and semiconductor wafer with low particle adhesion Provided is a copper anode or a phosphorous-containing copper anode for use in performing electroplating copper on a semiconductor wafer, wherein purity of the copper anode or the phosphorous-containing copper anode excluding phosphorous is 99.99 wt % or higher, and silicon as an impurity is 10 wtppm or less. Additionally provided is an electroplating copper method capable of effectively preventing the adhesion of particles on a plating object, particularly onto a semiconductor wafer during electroplating copper, a phosphorous-containing copper anode for use in such electroplating copper, and a semiconductor wafer comprising a copper layer with low particle adhesion formed by the foregoing copper electroplating.
US08216434B2	MEMS vascular sensor A micromachined sensor for measuring vascular parameters, such as fluid shear stress, includes a substrate having a front-side surface, and a backside surface opposite the front-side surface. The sensor includes a diaphragm overlying a cavity etched within the substrate, and a heat sensing element disposed on the front-side surface of the substrate and on top of the cavity and the diaphragm. The heat sensing element is electrically couplable to electrode leads formed on the backside surface of the substrate. The sensor includes an electronic system connected to the backside surface and configured to measure a change in heat convection from the sensing element to surrounding fluid when the sensing element is heated by applying an electric current thereto, and further configured to derive from the change in heat convection vascular parameters such as the shear stress of fluid flowing past the sensing element.
US08216433B2	Plasma generator and method of generating plasma using the same A plasma generator in which the variation of the impedance in the cavity before and after plasma is ignited is less and hardly affected by the shape of the cavity, and the ignitability of the plasma is improved and a method of generating plasma using the plasma generator are provided. The plasma generator comprises a nonconductive gas flow pipe (1) for introducing a gas (9) for generating plasma and discharging it into the atmosphere and a conductive antenna pipe (2) surrounding the gas flow pipe. A microwave (7) is applied to the antenna pipe to change the gas in the gas flow pipe into plasma. The plasma generator is characterized in that a slit (3) with a predetermined length is formed in the antenna pipe (2) along the axial direction of the gas flow pipe. Preferably, the plasma generator is characterized in that the length of the slit is an integral multiple of the half-wave length of the applied microwave.
US08216429B2	Detection of distillation column flooding A method comprises sensing a differential pressure signal, filtering the differential pressure signal, generating a flooding indicator as a function of the filtered differential pressure signal, and indicating the onset of flooding. The differential pressure signal is sensed along a distillation flow path. The filtered differential pressure signal is responsive to a phase inversion along the flow path, and the flooding indicator is responsive to an onset of a flooding condition, based on the phase inversion. The onset of the flooding condition is indicated based on a change in the flooding indicator.
US08216420B2	Plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus for generating highly-uniform and stable plasma. In an apparatus for generating plasma by using a μ wave, concerning a method for rotating the μ wave in terms of time, a plurality of (larger than two and smaller than four) waveguides are used, then forming an angle between the respective waveguides, and setting a phase difference between respective electric fields therein. This configuration allows introduction of the circularly polarized wave into a processing chamber. At this time, there are provided configuration components such as a waveguide locating method, a unit therefor, a μ-wave merging box, and a reflective-wave control unit using a reflection control chamber.
US08216409B2	Methods for making a housingless hollow fiber filtration apparatus The invention provides a method of manufacturing a housingless hollow fiber filtration apparatus using batch, continuous, and semi-continuous processes. Also provided is manufacturing methods to increase rigidity of the apparatus.
US08216404B1	Process for crystalline explosives containing halogenated wax binders A process for manufacture of explosive formulations containing a halogenated wax binder, involving dilution of the halogenated wax in a non-aqueous lacquer, slurring the explosive in an aqueous solution and applying heat and vacuum to yield a granular explosive which provides complete coating to avoid hot spots and is quickly pressable at lower temperature and pressure.
US08216385B2	System and method for cleaning a grinding machine A grinding machine cleaning system and method provides a range of human safe products that can easily be introduced into the grinding chamber and cycled through the equipment. Some of the products include corn cobs, walnut shells, pecan shells, nuts, rice, dried corn kernels, corn meal, barley, wheat, bulgur, and other grain, fiber, legume, nut, bark, and shell products in varying shapes and sizes. Organic products have largely been considered ideal. However, inorganic materials also my be used with equal effect.
US08216383B2	Methods and composition for cleaning a heat transfer system having an aluminum component Disclosed herein is a method and treatment system for rapid cleaning and protecting of automotive cooling systems containing controlled atmosphere brazed aluminum heat exchangers. The method and treatment system can optionally include a conditioning (passivating) step. The treatment system can comprise three different parts: (1) cleaner or cleaning solution; (2) conditioner or conditioning solution; and (3) compatible CAB aluminum protective heat transfer fluid.
US08216378B2	Reaction tube and heat processing apparatus for a semiconductor process A reaction tube for a semiconductor process for performing a heat process on a plurality of target objects stacked at intervals under a vacuum state is integrally made of an electrically insulating and heat-resistant material. The reaction tube includes a cylindrical sidewall that has a load port at a lower end for loading and unloading the target objects to and from the reaction tube, and a circular ceiling wall that closes an upper end of the sidewall and has a flat inner surface extending in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the sidewall. The ceiling wall has an annular groove formed in a peripheral region of an outer surface along the sidewall.
US08216374B2	Gas coupler for substrate processing chamber A gas coupler is capable of conducting gas between a gas component, gas source and substrate processing chamber. The gas coupler comprises a metal block comprising a gas component seating surface having a plurality of gas component coupling ports. The block also has a plurality of sidewalls at right angles to the gas component seating surface, each sidewall comprising a counterbored gas orifice. A plurality of right-angled internal passageways are each connected to a gas component coupling port. Each internal passageway terminates at counterbored gas orifice on a different sidewall surface so that each gas component coupling port is fluidly connected to a different sidewall.
US08216372B2	Apparatus for growing high quality silicon single crystal ingot and growing method using the same The invention relates to an apparatus and method for growing a high quality Si single crystal ingot and a Si single crystal ingot and wafer produced thereby. The growth apparatus controls the oxygen concentration of the Si single crystal ingot to various values thereby producing the Si single crystal ingot with high productivity and extremely controlled growth defects.
US08216363B2	Continuous antisolvent crystallization process and system using plug flow reactors A process and system for continuous crystallization of a compound using antisolvent addition in which a solution is prepared with an organic compound and a solvent. An antisolvent is added to the solution in a continuous plug flow system comprising at least one process module. The antisolvent can be added in multiple addition points such that the overall amount of antisolvent added to the continuous plug flow reactor remains fixed. The multiple addition point technique provides every process module with an equal volume of antisolvent. Finally, crystals are recovered from the slurry upon exiting the system. Preferably, the mean crystal size is less than 100 μm.
US08216353B2	Ink-jet ink and ink-jet recording method An ink-jet ink comprising at least water, a water-soluble solvent, a radically polymerizable compound, and a photoinitiator, wherein the photoinitiator is a benzyl ketal compound incorporating a pendent water-soluble group via an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
US08216350B2	Dryer for air suspension for vehicle A dryer for an air suspension for a vehicle, includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, a desiccant disposed between first and second filters within the housing, and a guide member including a shielding cylinder portion and a plate portion having plural communication holes, wherein the guide member is disposed between the inlet port and the first filter positioned closer to the inlet port, supports the first filter and the desiccant and guides a fluid to the desiccant, the shielding cylinder portion includes an opening and forms a flow passage for guiding the fluid, the fluid is guided to the desiccant from the inlet port via the shielding cylinder portion, and the flow passage and the communication holes, so that the fluid is dried by the desiccant and is then discharged from the dryer as a dry air to the air suspension for the vehicle.
US08216349B2	Evaporative emissions filter An evaporative emissions filter for an engine air induction system. The evaporative emissions filter includes a hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member disposed within the air induction system outside the direct air flow path. A mechanism is provided for mounting the evaporative emissions filter within the air induction system. Hydrocarbon vapors present in the air induction system after engine shut-down are substantially retained in the adsorbent member until air flows through the air induction system after the engine starts.
US08216345B2	Gasification apparatus and method A gasification system is disclosed having a combustion or reaction vessel, a scrubber housing, and a filter housing. A carbonaceous fuel is partially combusted in the reaction vessel to generate a combustible gas. An improved ash support and removal system reduces clogging and other problems in the reaction vessel. The combustible gas passes through the scrubber housing to remove matter such as tar and oil, and the scrubbed gas passes through a hybrid blower to the filter housing. Wood chips are used in the filter housing to provide a relatively clean, dry gas. Wastewater and other waste products from the scrubber housing and filter housing are captured and returned to the reaction vessel.
US08216341B2	System and method for locating sparks in electrostatic precipitators A system includes an electrostatic precipitator, an electromagnetic sensor and a processor to locate spark locations. The electromagnetic sensor is used at various locations of the electrostatic precipitator to obtain data and process the same for locating sparks in electrostatic precipitators.
US08216330B2	Powered air cleaning system and air cleaning method A powered air cleaning system has a flow path extending through the system from an inlet to an outlet. A motor-driven fan is located along the flow path to draw particulate debris laden air into the inlet and rotate it about an axis to form a rotating flow that stratifies the debris laden air with the heaviest particles in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow. An ejector port ejects particulate debris laden air from the stratified rotating flow in the system. At least one de-swirl component located within the rotating flow aerodynamically redirects clean air from the innermost orbits of the stratified rotating flow toward the outlet to provide a positive airflow pressure out of the outlet. The system has a variable speed fan motor and an integrated controller for adjusting the speed of the motor and thereby the flow rate of clean air through the outlet of the system. The controller receives a signal that is a function of airflow requirements of a device supplied with clean air by the system. The system can be mounted above or below a hood housing an engine to be supplied with clean air.
US08216328B2	Ceria material and method of forming same A particulate material comprising cerium oxide particles having a secondary particle size distribution in a range of 80 nm to 199 nm and a density of at least 6.6 g/cm3.
US08216315B2	Trial intervertebral distraction spacers An orthopedic spacer device comprising a spacer body having an external surface that includes at least two relative angle designation marks such that a rotational angle of the spacer body relative to a known reference is determinable.
US08216306B2	Ocular auto-focusing lenses The present invention relates to an ocular, variable-focus lens, and in particular, to an ocular, fluid-focussed, accommodating lens having first and second fluids which are in contact over a meniscus of changeable shape, for the restoration or improvement of vision in a patient.
US08216305B2	Systems and methods for implanting and examining intraocular lens Systems and methods for designing and implanting a customized intra-ocular lens (IOL) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an eye analysis module that analyzes a patient's eye and generates biometric information relating to the eye. The system also includes eye modeling and optimization modules to generate an optimized IOL model based upon the biometric information and other inputted parameters representative of patient preferences. The system further includes a manufacturing module configured manufacture the customized IOL based on the optimized IOL model. In addition, the system can include an intra-operative real time analyzer configured to measure and display topography and aberrometry information related to a patient's eye for assisting in proper implantation of the IOL.
US08216303B2	Apparatus and method for treating a regurgitant heart valve An apparatus is provided for treating regurgitation of blood flow through a diseased heart valve. The apparatus includes an annular support member and at least one posterior leaflet support member. The annular support member has an anterior end portion, a posterior end portion, and oppositely disposed first and second intermediate portions extending between the end portions. The at least one posterior leaflet support member is securely connected to the annular support member and is dimensioned to extend across a portion of a free edge of a posterior valve leaflet. The posterior leaflet support member comprises an arcuate center portion integrally formed with and extending between first and second end portions. The arcuate center portion has a concave shape relative to the anterior end portion. At least one of the first and second end portions is securely attached to the posterior end portion.
US08216298B2	Branch vessel graft method and delivery system A primary and branch graft deployment delivery system (70) comprises a primary graft (72) having a branch port opening or member (75), a retractable primary sheath containing the primary graft, an outer tube (60) within the retractable primary sheath and within the primary graft, an inner tube (61) within the outer tube, a cap (54 or 71) coupled to the inner tube and configured to retain at least a portion of a proximal area (73) of the primary graft in a radially compressed configuration. The system further comprises a branch graft (89) advanceable through the branch graft port member and further comprising a snap connector member (90) associated with the branch graft, the snap connector member being configured to frictionally engage the port member, the engagement of the snap connector to the port member forms a connection between the proximal end of the branch graft and the primary graft.
US08216285B2	Anterior cervical plate with independent spring-loaded locking slides for each screw An anterior cervical plate and method includes a plurality of retaining slots comprising a first and second hole each adapted to permit bone retaining members to pass partially therethrough; and a platform separating the first hole from the second hole. The plate further comprises a pair of locking slides matingly adjacent to one another and adapted to rest on the platform and retain the bone retaining members in the plurality of retaining slots, wherein each the locking slide comprises a deflectable flange; and a lip positioned on an opposite side of the deflectable flange, wherein a first locking slide of the pair of locking slides is positioned in an opposite orientation relative to a second locking slide of the pair of locking slides. The deflectable flange of the first locking slide is aligned adjacent to the deflectable flange of the second locking slide.
US08216282B2	System and method for wire-guided pedicle screw stabilization of spinal vertebrae An improved system and method for positioning screws and rods to immobilize bones is provided. Specifically, the system and method is optimal for performing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and other interbody fusions in the spine. The system involves pedicle screws detachably connected to wires that guide rods down to the screws. The wires are strong, narrow, flexible, adjustable in tension, and easily disconnected from the screws after rod placement via a process such as cutting, radiating, burning, dissolving, etc. The use of wires to place the rods avoids the conventional bulky tower apparatuses of the prior art while at the same time enhancing the accuracy of placement. One of the preferred methods involves relying upon the natural lordotic curvature of the spine and the narrow diameter of the wires to insert many elements through a single minimally invasive incision.
US08216258B2	Medical clamp and method of use A design of a medical clamp is provided that offers improved retention to and gripping of a patient's appendages through an open ended tubular design. The inside of the clamp has a taper approximating human dimensions. The interior has a reticulated surface for enhanced gripability. The exterior is ribbed for patient gripability and air circulation. A condom catheter retention ring is provided along the outer top periphery. The clamp is of a split design with matingly engageable hinge halves held together with a roll pin and forced into its tubular configuration by a spring that pushes against wing extensions projecting from each clamp half. A thumb screw spans the space between the two halves and allows adjustment of the spring pressure as well as defining the closed diameter of the clamp.
US08216255B2	Endoscopic clip applier actuator A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.
US08216253B2	Apparatus for manipulating and securing tissue Apparatus for manipulating and securing tissue are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizing members can be adapted to become angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member. Moreover, one or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle assembly connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body.
US08216243B2	Headless compression screw with integrated reduction-compression instrument A bone screw is provided having first and second threaded portions of different diameter separated by a middle portion that is unthreaded so that the bone screw may be inserted into a pair of adjacent bone fragments and used to compress the fragments together by driving the screw into a hole drilled in the fragments. An installation tool is also disclosed for threadably engaging one end of the bone screw and is used to initially drive the screw into the bone hole. Thereafter, a screwdriver may be inserted through the tool and into engagement with a recess in the bone screw and may be used to drive the screw fully into the bone and to separate the bone screw from the installation tool. A method of installation is further provided.
US08216242B2	Modular patella instrument A patella clamp has a first part including a reference surface engageable with the anterior surface of a patella. The first part includes a stop surface spaced from the reference surface. A second clamping part is provided which is moveable with respect to the first clamping part. A cutting element coupled to the first clamping part is moveable with respect to the first part. The cutting element includes a shaft with an adjustable collar mounted on the shaft for movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and cutting element. The adjustable collar on the shaft is engageable with a stop surface on the first part for spacing the cutting element a desired distance from the reference surface. A pair of gages are provided for selectively setting the position of the adjustable collar with respect to either the amount of patella bone being removed or the amount of patella bone remaining.
US08216239B2	Device for bone fixation A bone fixation device includes an intramedullary pin having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal tip configured and dimensioned for insertion into a medullary canal of a bone and a bone plate disposed at the proximal end of the intramedullary pin, wherein the bone plate includes an angled tab configured and dimensioned to have a center of gravity lying on a radius of a cross-sectional area of the intramedullary pin taken orthogonally to the intramedullary pin's longitudinal axis.
US08216235B2	Liquid infusion apparatus for radiofrequency tissue ablation An apparatus for delivering electrical energy includes a tubular member having a pair of opposing members extendable from the distal end of the tubular member, the opposing members being directable towards one another for engaging tissue between inner surfaces of the opposing members, the opposing members having one or more electrodes for delivering electrical energy to tissue engaged between the opposing members. One or more hollow needles extend from an inner surface of at least one opposing member, the hollow needles configured to deliver conductive fluid from a lumen into tissue penetrated by the needles.
US08216232B2	Ablation probe with echogenic insulative sheath Tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and an electrically insulative outer sheath disposed on the probe shaft. The sheath is at least partially composed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and another material comprising condensed-phase particles interspersed throughout the PEEK to increase the echogenicity of the outer sheath. The durability of the PEEK allows the sheath to be formed as thinly as possible, thereby minimizing the diameter of the ablation probe, while the inclusion of condensed-phase particles within the PEEK does not significantly degrade the durability of the sheath.
US08216228B2	Apparatus and methods for arrhythmia treatment based on spectral mapping during sinus rhythm Apparatus, methods, and computer-readable media herein described, depicted and claimed are applied for curative ablation to achieve the inactivation or destruction of fibrillar myocardium of so-called AF nests or other arrhythmogenic foci within the myocardial substrate. In addition, fibrillar myocardium may be identified and mapped by spectral analysis and phase study of the tissue during sinus rhythm. The procedure may be performed by transseptal puncture using only one catheter for ablation and mapping. The apparatus, methods, and computer-readable media may be used to localize the application targets even during an arrhythmia.
US08216227B2	Power-stage antenna integrated system with junction member Disclosed is a microwave antenna assembly for applying microwave energy. The assembly includes a proximal portion having an inner conductor, an outer conductor, a DC power and a DC neutral each extending therethrough the antenna has a distal radiating section and a proximal radiating section and a junction member. The junction member includes a longitudinal thickness and is disposed between the proximal radiating section and the distal radiating section. The junction member further includes a microwave signal amplifier configured to receive a microwave signal at a first power level from the inner and outer conductor and a DC power signal from the DC power and DC neutral. The microwave signal amplifier amplifies the microwave signal from a first power level to a second power level greater than the first power level.
US08216225B2	Irrigated ablation electrode assembly having a polygonal electrode An irrigated ablation electrode assembly includes a substantially polygonal shaped electrode. The electrode assembly includes a proximal portion having an outer body portion including an outer distal end surface and an inner cavity within the outer body portion. The proximal portion of the electrode assembly further includes at least one passageway for fluid that extends from the inner cavity of the proximal member to the outer distal end surface of the proximal member. The electrode assembly further includes a distal portion defined by a substantially polygonal shaped body. Irrigation fluid flows from the inner cavity of the proximal portion through the passageway and out an orifice provided on the outer distal end surface of the proximal portion. The fluid that exits the passageway flows substantially parallel to the distal portion, therein improving the irrigation of the electrode.
US08216224B2	Tissue surface treatment apparatus and method A method of controlling ablation volume depth includes providing a treatment apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing having a proximal and distal end including a tissue contacting surface. The housing defines an interior with an energy delivery device positionable in the interior. The energy delivery device includes at least one electrode with a tissue penetrating distal end and is configured to be advanced from the interior into a target tissue site to define an ablation volume. An advancement device is coupled to the energy delivery device and is configured to advance the at least one electrode. The at least one electrode is advanced to a selected deployment depth beneath a tissue surface while avoiding a critical structure. Energy is delivered from the energy delivery device. An ablation volume is created at a controlled depth below the tissue surface responsive to the deployment depth while minimizing injury to the critical structure.
US08216216B2	Ablation devices with sensor structures A cardiac ablation device, including a steerable catheter (10) and an expandable ablation element (18) incorporating one or more balloons (20, 22) at the distal end of the catheter, has a continuous passageway (28, 30) extending through it from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal side of the expandable ablation element. A probe (72) carrying electrodes is introduced through this passageway and deploys, under the influence of its own resilience, to a structure incorporating a loop (82) which is automatically aligned with the axis of the expandable ablation device, so that minimal manipulation is required to place the sensor probe.
US08216213B2	Application of blend zones, depth reduction, and transition zones to ablation shapes Methods, devices, and systems for reprofiling a surface of a cornea of an eye ablate a portion of the cornea to create an ablation zone with an optically correct central optical zone disposed in a central portion of the cornea, and a blend zone disposed peripherally to the central optical zone and at least partially within an optical zone of the eye. The blend zone can have an optical power that gradually diminishes with increasing radius from the central optical zone.
US08216211B2	Holding device for medical instruments A medical instrument holding device for holding instrument of different axial cross sections comprising a holding site unit, comprising a plurality of holding sites at predefined holding angles around an axis, the holding sites comprising different holding sizes for holding parts of instruments of different axial cross sections; and a coupling unit constituted to define a plurality of coupling angles around the axis with respect to a device support, the coupling unit being constituted to block rotational movement around the axis and to allow coupling of the holding site unit to the device support only at the plurality of coupling angles, when coupled to the device support.
US08216207B2	Medicament admixing system A system for mixing or reconstituting a drug contained in a first container with a diluent or fluid contained in a second container. The second container has a port docking assembly for engaging the first container. The first container is rotatable and axially slidable within the port docking assembly. The port docking assembly has an actuator to urge a stopper fluidly sealing the first container into the interior of the first container. The port docking assembly further includes a movable plug constructed to fluidly seal the second container in a first, docked position and to provide access to the interior of the second container in a second, activated position, whereby fluid communication between the first and second containers is provided when the first and second containers are in the second, activated position.
US08216200B2	Disposable absorbent article with disposal tab An absorbent article is provided for personal wear about a wearer's waist. The article includes a pair of front side panels attached to the front waist region and a pair of back side panels attached to the back waist region, and is configurable from a wear configuration to a disposal configuration in which the article is generally compacted for disposal. The article also includes a disposal tab having an attachment region with an attachment width and a tab region with a gripping width, the attachment region attached to one of the front or back side panels, the tab region being attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article, wherein the attachment width is substantially equal to the gripping width.
US08216191B2	Hemodialysis use adjunctive device A hemodialysis use adjunctive device comprises an artificial blood vessel to be transplanted in the body at a location between an artery and a vein, a T-shaped tubular body comprising a straight tube portion and a stem portion and interposed in the artificial blood vessel, and an access tube provided at one end portion thereof with a jack having a pair of needles. A throttling unit is provided in the straight tube portion and is arranged so that it can be located between the pair of needles of the jack projecting from the stem portion to the straight tube portion when the jack of the access tube is connected to the stem portion of the tubular body. This arrangement can provide the result that while hemodialysis can be performed properly, internal membrane thickening of the vein and the resulting stricture or obstruction of the same can be prevented.
US08216183B2	Heating device A heating device (1) is described for a container (7) of a liquid pharmaceutical product having a viscosity of 50-500 cP at 4° C. and contained within a glass container. The device (1) comprises a substantially rigid, thin-walled housing (2) defining an openable chamber for receiving the container (7), a heat source (6) in the chamber comprising a hermetically sealed package containing a super-cooled metal salt fluid or liquid and an actuator (14) for activating the super-cooled metal salt to produce heat, wherein the ratio of the volume of the metal salt to the intended volume of the product is no more than 1:1.
US08216172B2	Method of performing hemofiltration A multi-part substitution infusion fluid for an extracorporeal blood treatment and methods for using same are provided. Generally, the multi-part substitution fluid comprises a first solution composed of electrolytes but without divalent cations and a second solution comprising divalent cations. Another embodiment includes a third solution comprising a matching citrate/citric acid anticoagulant. The described methods of using the multi-part substitution infusion fluids significantly reduce risks associated with various extracorporeal blood treatments.
US08216170B2	Orthopedic device A spacer element for use in an orthopedic or prosthetic device includes an apertured fabric layer having first and second fabric layers. A discrete and continuous web-like frictional layer is laminated onto the first fabric layer and has greater frictional properties than the fabric layer. The frictional layer has a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern in direct correspondence to a pattern of the first surface layer apertures. A compressible material layer has opposed first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface is secured to the second surface layer. The compressible material layer has a first compression molded region with reduced thickness and increased density relative to a second region of the compressible material having a predetermined thickness.
US08216168B2	Orthotic device spanning elbow An orthotic for mounting on a user's arm comprises an upper cuff that is removeably attachable to the user's arm at a point above the elbow joint. A lower cuff is removeably attachable to the user's arm at a point below the elbow joint, and is rotationally fixed to the forearm. At least one flexible elongated member having a first end that is releasably coupled to the upper cuff and an opposite second end that is releasably coupled to the lower cuff. The upper cuff and the lower cuff are configured to move in more than one plane with respect to one another.
US08216167B2	Cervical-thoracic orthotic with cervical collar An orthosis comprises a cervical portion that holds a head in place relative to a thoracic portion worn by a wearer. The orthosis has an intermediate portion disposed intermediate the cervical and thoracic portions. The orthosis also has a first adjustment region that provides at least 15° of relative movement between the cervical and intermediate portions, and a second adjustment region that provides at least 15° of relative movement between the thoracic and intermediate portions. First and second adjustment regions allow the orthosis to comfortably accommodate differently proportioned wearers, and each comprises one or more locking devices to prevent undesired movement of the cervical and thoracic portions relative to the intermediate portion.
US08216164B2	Orthotic device responsive to atmospheric pressure change and method An orthotic such as a knee, ankle, elbow or wrist brace is provided. The orthotic includes one or more compression devices that adjust the amount of compressive force applied to a body part based upon fluctuations in atmospheric pressure. One embodiment of the invention incorporates one or more inflatable air bladders connected to an air pump and an atmospheric pressure sensor. The brace places the inflatable air bladder proximate a joint where it can be inflated to provide compressive support for the joint. The invention also comprises a method for adjusting the compressive force applied to a body part based upon fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.
US08216155B2	Bodily fluid sampling systems, methods, and devices A fluid sampling system is disclosed comprising a fluid drawing device, a fluid sampling device, and an analysis device. The fluid drawing device can be used to draw bodily fluid into a sample port of an IV tube. The fluid sampling device can be used to access the sample port to obtain a fluid sample. The fluid sampling device can include a test strip housing for receiving a test strip therein. Extending from an end of the test strip housing is a blunt cannula that can be inserted into the sample port to obtain the fluid sample and communicate the fluid sample to the test strip. The test strip housing is configured to allow the one end of the test strip to be received within an analysis device to facilitate analysis of the fluid sample.
US08216154B2	Tissue penetration device A method of lancing the tissue of a patient provides a tissue penetration element with a tip configured to penetrate tissue. The tissue penetration element is disposed in proximity to the tissue of the patient. A lancing cycle is initiated. The lancing cycle advances the tip into the tissue during a penetration stroke and displaces the tissue penetration element proximally over a withdrawal stroke. Tissue data is acquired based on an interaction between the tissue penetration element and the tissue during at least a portion of the lancing cycle.
US08216150B2	Ultrasound probe The present invention provides an ultrasound probe in which bend of a tip part is fixed only in a state that it is not bent in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which ultrasonic waves are emitted from an ultrasound generation source. To be specific, the ultrasound probe includes: a rod-like tip part inserted into a body cavity; an ultrasound emitting part placed at the tip part to emit ultrasonic waves to a subject; a first bending part for bending the tip part in a direction substantially orthogonal to the emission direction; and a fixing part configured to, when the first bending part is not bending the tip part toward any side of the direction orthogonal to the emission direction, lock a rotation member of the first bending part and inhibit the first bending part from bending the tip part in the direction substantially orthogonal to the emission direction.
US08216145B2	Ultrasonic diagonstic apparatus, ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and ultrasonic image processing method Low-resolution image data for recognizing signal components macroscopically is generated, an effective diagnostic component and an ineffective diagnostic component are determined by using the low-resolution image data, and a correction coefficient is decided for every pixel such that the correction coefficient is set to 1 for the effective diagnostic component and the correction coefficient is set to equal to or larger than 0 and smaller than 1 for the ineffective diagnostic component. In addition, correction processing for raising the contrast between the effective diagnostic component and the ineffective diagnostic component by multiplying each pixel value of original image data by a corresponding correction coefficient is executed.
US08216141B2	Ultrasound system and method for forming BC-mode image A BC-mode image with an improved frame rate in an ultrasound system is formed. A transmit/receive unit forms first and second receive signals responsive to first and second control signals. An image processing unit is configured to form a B-mode image and a C-mode image based the first and second receive signals and to combine them to form a BC-mode image. The control signal generates a third control signal for a B-mode scan along scan lines, which are not within the color box to form third receive signals. The control unit repeatedly generates the second and third control signals. The image processing unit is further operable to form a B-mode image based on the third receive signals and the second signals.
US08216134B2	Implantable optical sensor and method for manufacture An implantable medical device is manufactured with a hermetically sealed housing and a modular assembly enclosed within the housing. The modular assembly includes a circuit board, an electronic component mounted on a top surface of the circuit board, and a wall formed having an outer surface and an inner surface separated by a top edge and a bottom edge, the wall bottom edge positioned against the circuit board such that the wall encircles the electronic component coupled to the circuit board. The wall top edge is coupled to the housing a ferrule in one embodiment.
US08216133B2	Doppler retractor A surgical retractor comprises an arm having a first end and a second end. A blade has an outer surface and a contact surface. The blade is fixed to at least one of the first end and the second end of the arm. A transducer is disposed on the contact surface of the blade. A Doppler ultrasound sensor is in electrical communication with the transducer. The transducer transmits signals to the Doppler ultrasound sensor that can be used to calculate blood flow rate proximate to a surgical site where the surgical retractor is being used.
US08216127B2	Endoscope and a method of manufacturing the same The present invention is directed to an endoscope that comprises a telescope, an imaging means, an image sensor for converting optical images produced by the imaging means to electrical signals, and a circuit board for receiving and outputting the electrical signals, the imaging means, image sensor and circuit board being located in the telescope. In some embodiments, the endoscope includes a connector that electrically connects the image sensor and the circuit board to form a first assembly.
US08216123B2	Implantable middle ear hearing device having tubular vibration transducer to drive round window An implantable middle ear hearing device having a tubular vibration transducer to drive a round window is designed to input sound to a round window opposite an oval window in an inner ear. The tubular vibration transducer has a unique structure that does not attenuate the magnitude of a signal, particularly, in a high frequency band. Sound delivery effect is much higher than those of conventional schemes. It is also possible to minimize difficulties associated with and problems resulting from the operation, which the conventional methods would have. Further, the transducer can have a relatively less compact than ossicle contact type transducers, and thus be easily fabricated. The hearing device can be applied to a sensorineural hearing loss patient with the ossicle damaged. Moreover, since sound is directly transmitted without through the ear drum and the ossicle, high efficiency sound delivery is achievable and hearing loss compensation are easy.
US08216122B2	Method and apparatus for pumping blood At least one aspect of the invention is directed to a pump system for pumping blood though a body passageway. The pump system includes a distal section having at least one inlet to receive blood, a pumping section in fluid communication with the distal section to receive blood from the distal section, and a pump constructed and arranged to be positioned within the pumping section to draw blood into the pumping section in a first phase of operation and to pump blood out of the at least one outlet valve in a second phase of operation. The pump system may be configured such that the at least one inlet is in fluid communication with the pumping section in both the first phase of operation and the second phase of operation. At least one other aspect of the invention is directed to a pump system for pumping blood from one of the right atrium and the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
US08216105B2	Differential apparatus for vehicle and assembling method thereof A differential apparatus for a vehicle includes pinion gear supporting portions 10, 11 rotatably supporting pinion gears 3, 4 by an outer surface of each of the gear collar portions 3B, 4B sliding thereon. Gear portions of the pinion gears 3, 4, having portions with the side gears 5R, 5L, are not included in the supported portion supported by the differential case 2 and are positioned nearer to the rotational axis of the differential case 2 than the gear collar portions 3B, 4B.
US08216104B2	Gear set and nutation gear set A first gear set includes an input member that serves as a first gear and an inner ring that serves as a second gear. A first end of the inner ring is inclined with respect to the input member and is in mesh with the input member. The input member has a plurality of retention grooves that are formed in an input member body and a plurality of pins that are retained in the respective retention grooves and that respectively constitute teeth of the input member. The first end has a plurality of tooth grooves that are engageable with the pins. A resultant force of forces applied to each pin from the retention groove and the tooth groove urges the pin toward the retention groove.
US08216103B1	Bidirectional drive for producing unidirectional vehicle movement A mechanical drive uses two rotational clutches mounted in spaced apart positions on a common axle. Two sun gears are engaged respectively with the rotational clutches. A set of planet gears is engaged, with at least one of the planet gears meshed with each one of the sun gears. An internal tooth ring gear is meshed with at least two of the planet gears, wherein one of the planet gears is directed to each one of the sun gears. The planet gears are configured so that motion of the ring gear is transmitted to the two sun gears in opposing rotational senses and the rotational clutches are oriented for locking when under opposite rotational motions, whereby, reciprocating cyclic motion of the ring gear is transmitted to the common axle as continuous rotation in a singe rotational sense.
US08216099B2	Continuous variable transmission deice with high and low shift transmission pulley trains The invention is disclosed by that a high shift transmission pulley train is installed between the input shaft and the output shaft of the continuous variable transmission device, and a clutching device is installed between the output shaft and the driven pulley of the high shift transmission pulley train as well as that a low shift transmission pulley train matching with an unidirectional transmission device is installed between the input shaft and the output shaft of the continuous variable transmission device.
US08216097B2	Detachable trackable arrow nock A detachable, trackable arrow nock, comprising a proximal end for detachably coupling to a hollow distal end of an arrow shaft, a distal end for receiving a bow string, a plurality of fins for engaging the hide of an animal to prevent the nock from penetrating the hide, an electronic tracking device, and an anchor tethered to the nock, wherein the anchor is positioned within the hollow distal end of the arrow shaft when the proximal end of the nock is coupled to the distal end of the arrow shaft. As the arrow shaft moves through the animal, the nock is operable to detach from the arrow shaft when the fins engage the hide of the animal and the anchor is operable to engage internal tissues of the animal to secure the nock to the animal.
US08216094B2	Barrier ball game The present invention provides for a playing surface which should be substantially rectangular in nature and oriented at the height of a standardized table, the playing surface having an adjustable transverse angular divider or barrier bisecting the playing area and side deflector walls extending upwardly from the lateral sides of the playing surface, the game being played by propelling a perforated hollow ball from one side of the playing surface to the other by means of paddles, the playing surface, transverse barrier, and side walls all being part of the playing surface.
US08216091B2	Sliding impulse device A structure motivated by an impulse to slide over a surface, including: an impulse-receiving portion for receiving the impulse, the impulse-receiving portion defining a section of a generally semi-hemispherical structure and produced from a foam material patterned to represent at least a portion of a sports ball; and a sliding portion, coupled to the impulse-receiving portion, for sliding contact with the surface on a contact surface of the sliding portion responsive to the impulse the contact surface having a generally planar smooth surface having a periphery surrounded by an extension of the impulse receiving portion, wherein a tumbling of a coupled combination of the impulse-receiving portion and the sliding portion is inhibited by shifting a center of gravity downward by a greater weighting of the sliding portion relative to the impulse-receiving portion.
US08216089B2	Golf club head This invention provides a golf club head including a face member. The face member includes a face portion forming a face, and a crown extending portion extending backward from the upper edge of the face portion. The width of the crown extending portion in a face to back direction at the toe side is larger than that in the face to back direction at the heel side.
US08216085B2	Golf club A golf club 2 includes a shaft 6, a tip member provided at a tip part of the shaft 6, and a rear end member attached to a rear end part of the shaft 6. The tip member includes a head 4. The rear end member includes a grip 8 and a weight member 20. The golf club has a club length of 1143 mm or more. A value of [W2/W1] is no less than 0.23 and no more than 0.32 when a weight of the tip member is W1 (g) and a weight of the rear end member is W2 (g). The weight member 20 is provided on a rear side relative to a tip position of the grip. The weight member 20 has a specific gravity larger than that of the shaft 6. The golf club 2 is a wood type golf club. Examples of materials for the weight member 20 include brass, a tungsten nickel alloy, an aluminum alloy, a tungsten alloy, a stainless alloy, stainless steel, and the like.
US08216072B2	Local environment based wagering A system and method are disclosed for providing location-based wagering. In one embodiment, wagerable data associated with a location of a first user is identified. The wagerable data may be any type of data on which a wager may be based. Then, a wager recommendation is generated based on the wagerable data and returned to the first user. The first user defines a wager, and the wager is published to one or more second users located in proximity to the first user. Each of the one or more second users is enabled to accept the wager if desired. In addition, one or more winners and one or more losers of the wager may be identified and payout may then be effected.
US08216071B2	Method and apparatus for software delivery and management A method and apparatus for software delivery and management includes receiving an electronic catalog identifying one or more game titles, displaying at least a subset of the identified game titles within a graphical user interface (GUI), receiving an indication from a user selecting one of the game titles displayed within the GUI, and displaying information corresponding to the selected one of the game titles in association with at least one of a first offer to preview a partially enabled game program corresponding to the selected one of the game titles and a second offer to purchase a fully enabled version of the game program corresponding to the selected one of the game titles.
US08216067B2	Detection device capable of accurately reading dots on dice A detection device is used in a gaming machine that detects numbers of dots on a plurality of dice having wireless tags. The detection device reads the wireless tags which are embedded on each face of the dice by a reader having an antenna. The antenna of the reader includes a first antenna portion disposed substantially in a central portion of a field that supports the dice, and formed in a substantially circular shape, and a plurality of second antenna portions disposed so as to superimpose a detection area of the first antenna portion, and having a detection area larger than the first antenna portion. The first antenna portion and the plurality of the second antenna portions are disposed so as to have a portion of detection areas mutually superimposed on a playing board.
US08216048B2	Gaming apparatus Gaming apparatus including a plurality of gaming machines (2) for providing respective players with a respective primary game and for providing primary game information to a gaming server (11) in communication with each of the gaming machines. The gaming server is responsive to the primary game information for providing a secondary game in which prizes are allocated to gaming machines selected from among the plurality of gaming machines, the probability of a prize being allocated to a gaming machine being dependent upon gaming activity at that gaming machine. The value of any prize allocated to a gaming machine is also dependent upon gaming activity at that gaming machine.
US08216042B2	Method for card game betting based on burn cards A method of poker side betting based on burn cards is disclosed. The method enhances enjoyment of a poker game and increases house revenue, without slowing or detracting from the game itself. Before a poker round is dealt, players make bets predicting the identity of a burn card poker hand that will be produced by combining the burn cards of the poker round. After the round is played, the burn cards are revealed. Winnings are distributed for all bets that meet specified winning requirements. Bets can be placed into a side pot to be distributed among winners, or placed directly against the house according to house-established odds. In preferred embodiments, bets are made electronically via touch screens and locked before play begins, the burn cards are electronically scanned after play of the round and displayed on the touch screens, and winnings are distributed electronically.
US08216037B2	Game device, game device control method, and information storage medium A game device executes a sport game. When a second team keeps the moving object, a first control unit controls the position of a player character belonging to a first team, based on both of either the position of a player character keeping the moving object or the position of the moving object, and the position of a predetermined area correlated to a first team, and a second control unit controls the position of the player character belonging to the first team, based on only one of either the position of the player character keeping the moving object or the position of the moving object, and the position of the predetermined area. In the case where a predetermined condition is satisfied, a control switching unit causes the second control unit to carry out the above-described control, instead of the first control unit.
US08216031B2	Euthanasia of poultry Euthanasia of birds is carried out by locating a tool on the neck of the bird and crushing the neck between two co-operating members each having a front face for engaging the neck which is sufficiently blunt to prevent cutting of the skin of the neck during the crushing action so as to prevent escape of blood from the neck with the members being held separated at an end of the crushing action to prevent severing of the neck. The members can be driven together for example by hand pressure or on a frame by a foot lever or can be provided as a pair of counter-rotating wheels.
US08216027B2	Apparatus for applying a finish to a metal surface and method of apparatus construction An apparatus for applying a lightly scratched surface to a metal sample comprises a motor, a disk, a frame, a motion guidance unit, and a plurality of springs. The motor may provide a rotational motion to the disk which includes abrasive elements configured to create a plurality of microscopic scratches on the surface of the metal sample. The frame may include a bottom wall with an opening in which the motor is positioned. The motion guidance unit may retain the frame and guide the motion of the motor across the surface of the metal sample. The plurality of springs may couple the motor to the bottom wall of the frame in order to suspend the motor within the opening of the bottom wall and to allow lateral motion of the motor and the disk while the motor is rotating.
US08216024B2	Spectacle lens edging method A lens holder (16) is attached to a processing target lens (2) such that a holder center (O) coincides with a processing center position (21) of the lens. An axial deviation measuring mark (81a, 81b) is displayed on the processing target lens (2) to coincide with a reference position mark (80a, 80b) of the lens holder (16), and the circumferential surface of the processing target lens (2) undergoes primary processing. After primary processing, the axial deviation of the processing target lens (2) is measured from the reference position mark (80a, 80b) and axial deviation measuring mark (81a, 81b). When axial deviation exists, the lens holder (16) is removed from the processing target lens (2) and the processing target lens (2) is held again, so that the axial deviation is corrected. After that, the processing target lens (2) undergoes secondary processing.
US08216023B2	Suspension-styled brassiere primarily for minimization of intra-breast wrinkling A brassiere for minimizing the effects of wrinkling having two cups for the wearer's breasts and a central space therebetween, having a pouch wovenly positioned in the central space, the pouch having a suspension-styled stitching assembly for articulating the cups and hence the women's breasts in a structural and weight supported manner such that when the wearer is in a supine position the breasts are disinclined to sag; an aperture for receiving one or more articles; and a rear aperture such that the rear aperture leaves skin in the décolletage open for contact with one or more articles. The articles are selected from the group consisting of wickable stuffing material, foam material, memory-styled foam material, medicant, transdermal patch, and squeezable tubular assembly.
US08216010B2	Outboard motor An outboard motor includes an engine and a catalyst. The engine includes a cylinder and a cylinder head. The engine includes an exhaust port, a catalyst housing portion, a first exhaust passage, and a passage defining member. The exhaust port is provided in the cylinder head. The catalyst housing portion is provided at a side portion of the cylinder head. The first exhaust passage is arranged to guide exhaust discharged from the exhaust port into an interior of the catalyst housing portion. The passage defining member defines a second exhaust passage. The second exhaust passage is arranged such that exhaust that has passed through the interior of the catalyst housing portion flows into the second exhaust passage. The catalyst is held by the engine in a state in which at least a portion of the catalyst is housed in the interior of the catalyst housing portion.
US08216009B1	Tilt and trim device for an outboard motor A tilt and trim device for an outboard motor comprising a transom mounting portion with a transom plate and a motor mounting portion with a motor plate. The tilt and trim device having an upper and a lower hydraulic cylinder mounting bracket. A hydraulic cylinder being operatively coupled to a hydraulic pump and hydraulic pump control. The hydraulic cylinder having an upper fluid line and a lower fluid line, with a hydraulic cylinder having a piston contained therein. The hydraulic cylinder having a hydraulic line fluid restrictor.
US08216007B2	Methods and arrangements for rapid trim adjustment Methods and arrangements to rapidly adjust the trim of a watercraft are disclosed. More specifically, embodiments comprise a sensor to quickly detect changes in the trim angle of a watercraft and a driver adapted to effect rapid changes in the trim angle. For example, many embodiments include large hydraulic pumps and hydraulic connections to adjust the angle of a trim adjuster such as the angle of trim tabs, an outboard motor, or a stern drive. Some embodiments implement high torque electric motors or high capacity pneumatic systems. The drivers may, for example, effect changes in the angle of the trim adjuster within two seconds. In one embodiment, the driver may effect a change in the trim angle within one second or less.
US08216001B2	Connector assembly having adjacent differential signal pairs offset or of different polarity A connector for connecting a first printed circuit board with a second printed circuit board that comprises a first column of differential signal pair launches offset from a second column of differential signal pair launches on the first printed circuit board so that each differential signal pair in the first column is closest to a launch of a first polarity in a corresponding differential signal pair in the second column on the first circuit board, a first column of differential signal pair launches offset from a second column of differential signal pair launches on the second printed circuit board so that each differential signal pair in the first column is closest to a launch of a second polarity, opposite the first polarity, in a corresponding signal pair in the second column on the second circuit board, and a connector electrically connecting the first column of differential signal pair launches on the first printed circuit board to the first column of differential signal pair launches on the second printed circuit board and electrically connecting the second column of differential signal pair launches on the first printed circuit board to the second column of differential signal pair launches on the second printed circuit board.
US08215994B2	Card edge connector having less resonance A card edge connector for use with a daughter board, and comprises an insulative elongated housing extending along a longitudinal direction, and defining opposite first and second side walls and a central slot formed therebetween for receiving the daughter board therein, a plurality of contacts each defining a retention portion retained in the housing, a resilient contact portion extending into the central slot from an upper portion of the retention portion for contacting with the daughter board, and a solder tail extending out of the housing form a lower portion of the retention portion. Wherein the contacts include a first row of contacts disposed in the first side wall, and a second row of contacts disposed in the second side wall. The first row of contacts have at least two adjacent grounding contacts electrically connected with each other during the contact portions of the contacts are contacting with the daughter board.
US08215983B2	Electronic device An electronic device comprises a casing. The casing has a groove formed along the periphery of the casing and designed to receive a connection cable having a flat cross-section therein, in such a manner that no part of the received connection cable protrudes beyond the brims of the groove; and a retainer adapted to retain a first connector attached to one end of the connection cable while the connection cable is being received in the groove. The design affords improved external appearance and ease of handling in relation to the connection cable of the electronic device.
US08215977B2	Electrical plug-and-socket connector with locking means In a plug-and-socket connector with a locking means having an unlocking ring, it is proposed according to the invention that the first connector element be provided in its end section with an external circumambient groove, in which the unlocking ring is rotatably guided, which ring has pockets distributed across its periphery for the catch projections of catch hooks fixed in the second connector element. The second connector element has a window-like cut-out through which the unlocking ring is accessible and can be turned in the locked state.
US08215972B2	Anti-tamper adapter with a mechanism to block a release mechanism of a plug Apparatuses, devices, systems, and methods are provided for prevention of tampering with cables and associated systems. In one aspect, an anti-tamper adapter is provided that can inhibit or prohibit cable tampering for existing cables. The provided embodiments can economically and flexibly facilitate cable tamper prevention in a wide array of cable technologies.
US08215961B2	Cognitive training using visual sweeps A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of an older participant by requiring the participant to differentiate between rapidly presented visual stimuli. First and second visual sweeps are provided for visual presentation to the participant, e.g., spatial frequency or orientation sweeps. At least two visual sweeps are visually presented to the participant utilizing the first visual sweep, the second visual sweep, or a combination. The participant is required to indicate an order in which the at least two visual sweeps were presented. A determination is made regarding whether the participant indicated the order of the visual sweeps correctly. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition. The duration of the sweeps may be adjusted based on the correctness/incorrectness of the participant's response according to a maximum likelihood procedure. Assessments may be made during the exercise.
US08215960B2	Water and sodium hypochlorite indicating endodontic monitoring devices Water and aqueous sodium hypochlorite indicating endodontic monitoring devices include a cone-shaped water absorptive material and color changing system applied thereto that selectively changes to different colors when exposed to either water or aqueous sodium hypochlorite within a root canal chamber. The devices include a pH changing material, pH indicator, and pH insensitive dye. The dye imparts an initial color when the device is dry. The pH changing material and pH indicator react with water to yield a second color. In the presence of aqueous sodium hypochlorite, the device changes to a third color different from the initial color and second color as a result of bleaching the dye and/or pH indicator. Color changing devices are manufactured by applying an aqueous solution that includes a pH changing material and dye to a water absorptive cone, drying the cone, applying an anhydrous pH indicator solution, and then drying the cone again.
US08215952B2	Burner having variable output structure A burner having a variable output structure includes a flame-hole plate having a plurality of flame holes located on a surface of the flame-hole plate. The plurality of flame holes are exposed to a combustion chamber. Further, the burner can include a flame hole adjusting unit configured to change an output of the burner by adjusting a size of each of the plurality of flame holes according to a load required in a combustion device.
US08215947B2	Molding die A molding die includes a fixed die, a movable die movable toward and away from the fixed die, a first slide core slidable in sliding engagement with the fixed die, and a second slide core having a presser for pressing the first slide core when the second slide core is held in pressing contact with the first slide core. The fixed die, the movable die, the first slide core, and the second slide core jointly define a cavity for molding a product. The presser includes a reactive force plate for producing reactive forces against the pressure of a molten material introduced into the cavity.
US08215942B2	Mold with ejection mechanism A mold comprises a core plate receiving a core insert, a cavity plate receiving a cavity insert and an ejection mechanism configured to eject the core insert. The core insert defines a first molding surface and the cavity insert defines a second molding surface cooperating with the first molding surface. The ejection mechanism includes a top plate; a sleeve fastening to the core plate and an ejection member to eject the core. The ejection member including an ejection rod and an ejection head slidably received in the sleeve. The ejection rod includes a main rod fastened to the top plate, a connecting body, and an engaging body. The ejection head includes an ejection portion and an engaging portion defining an engaging hole, a slot, and an opening, wherein the connecting body extends through the slot causing the engaging body to engage with the engaging hole.
US08215940B2	Layer multiplying apparatus Apparatus for multiplying layers in a composite polymer stream includes an intermediate section having open conduits sandwiched between housing sections that close the conduits. The conduits have respective first stages separated by a first blade extending to a first face, and respective second stages separated by a second blade extending to a second face. The first stages separate the stream into sub-streams and compress and shift the sub-streams in a first dimension, whereas the second stages shift the sub-streams in a second dimension. In order to maintain a constant cross-sectional area of the sub-streams, the housing sections may be provided with complementary open channels. The apparatus can be used to multiply layers which are side-by-side or one-over-another by changing orientation in the direction of flow.
US08215935B2	Multiple rotor fluid transfer engine A fluid transfer engine employs a case with a cylindrical inner wall having an operating radius extending from a case axis. A main rotor is carried within the case and incorporates a lobe with a major radius equal to and concentric with the operating radius of the case, the main rotor having a minor radius defining a body. Two peripheral rotors are diametrically opposed with respect to the case axis and rotate within rotor chambers extending from the case. Each peripheral rotor has a radius equal to the minor radius and a center of rotation located at twice the minor radius from the case axis. Each of the peripheral rotors rotates in uniform circular motion with the main rotor in sealing contact with the body and incorporates a sculpted recess for receiving the lobe of the main rotor.
US08215933B2	Scroll compressor and refrigerating machine having the same A scroll compressor and a refrigerating machine including the same are provided. In the scroll compressor, an oil supply hole formed in an orbiting scroll guides oil from a space between a frame and the orbiting scroll to a space between a fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll, and an oil supply groove formed at the fixed scroll maintains communication with the oil supply hole, thereby rapidly supplying oil to a bearing surface between the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll before the oil is introduced into a back pressure chamber. This enhances compressor efficiency by effectively preventing frictional losses and refrigerant leakage in such a compressor, and enhances energy efficiency for a refrigerating machine using such a compressor.
US08215931B2	Safety switch on a peristaltic pump A peristaltic pump is provided that is configured to facilitate safe maintenance of the pump. The pump can comprise a pump body having a pump head and a head cover and a safety switch mechanism. The safety switch mechanism can comprise one or more sensors that allow the pump to detect whether the head cover is in an open or closed position. When the pump is powered-on, the pump can be configured to enter a maintenance mode when the safety switch detects that the head cover is in the open position.
US08215926B2	Scroll compressor counterweight with cooling flow directing surface A sealed compressor includes a housing for receiving a compressor pump unit and an electric motor. The electric motor drives a driveshaft. The driveshaft extends to drive an element within the compressor pump unit to compress a fluid. The motor includes a rotor spaced from a portion of the housing by a gap. The driveshaft drives a counterweight, which has a radially outermost portion extending radially outwardly beyond a radially innermost portion of the stator. The radially outermost portion of the counterweight has an angled face to drive fluid into the gap.
US08215914B2	Compliant seal for rotor slot A compliant seal assembly for sealing a gap between a dovetail tab of a bucket and a slot of a rotor. The compliant sealing assembly may include a sealing groove positioned about the slot and a compliant seal positioned about the sealing groove. The compliant seal is forced into the gap and about the dovetail tab when the bucket rotates.
US08215912B2	Wind turbine generator There is provided a wind turbine generator that includes an improved grease supply and discharge system of lubricant oil used in a blade rotating ring bearing of a wind turbine blade, and can reliably recover discharged grease. The wind turbine generator includes a pitch control mechanism that can adjust a pitch angle of the wind turbine blade via the blade rotating ring bearing provided between the wind turbine blade and a rotor head, a grease supply and discharge device is provided in the rotor head, and the grease supply and discharge device includes a grease supply device that pumps lubricant oil in a supplied grease tank with a grease supply pump and supplies the lubricant oil to the blade rotating ring bearing, and a grease discharge device that forcibly sucks and recovers the discharged grease from the blade rotating ring bearing.
US08215911B2	Wind power plant with lightning protection arrangement A wind power plant (1) having a lightning protection arrangement comprises a plurality of blades (2) extending radially outwards from a hub (3) and together with said hub forming the rotor. An electrically conductive lightning protection means (4) is arranged between two adjacent blades (2).
US08215909B2	Turbine blade A turbine blade comprising a plurality of ribs arranged one after the other in a cooling channel extending along a leading edge is provided. The plurality of ribs is split into pairs of ribs formed by two ribs arranged in the form of a skating step.
US08215902B2	Scalable high pressure compressor variable vane actuation arm A variable vane arm has a hook portion comprising a radially inner leg connected to a radially outer leg by an arcuate connection, and an actuation lever extending from the hook portion. The hook portion and actuation lever are formed from a singular piece of material.
US08215898B2	Turbine unit for refrigerating/cooling air cycle A compressor rotor 6a and a turbine rotor 7a are respectively attached at either end of the main shaft 13 so that the compressor rotor 6a is driven by the power generated by the turbine rotor 7a. The main shaft 13 is supported by rolling contact bearings 15 and 16 relative to the radial direction. The thrust force applied to the main shaft 13 is supported by electromagnets 17. A sensor 18 is provided to detect the thrust force which affects the main shaft 13 through air within the compressor 6 and the expansion turbine 7. In the sensor 18, sensor elements having the properties changeable in accordance with a pressing force and capable to electrically detect the change in the properties are arranged in a circumferential direction of the main shaft. The sensor 18 detects the thrust force from the output of the sensor elements.
US08215890B2	Semiconductor wafer robot alignment system and method A method and system for aligning robotic wafer transfer systems provides a wafer cassette having one or more wafer slots having portions covered with an electrically conductive material and a sensor that is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive material. When a wafer is loaded into a wafer cassette such as may be contained within a wafer transfer module such as a FOUP, an indication of position is delivered to the sensor which detects the alignment and indicates if the loaded wafer undesirably contacts either or both of the opposed grooves that form the wafer slot of the wafer cassette. An indication of the wafer's position may be provided from the sensor to a controller that delivers a signal for aligning the wafer transfer blade of the wafer transfer robot responsive to the signal indicative of position.
US08215887B2	Pipe-handling apparatus and methods A pipe-handling apparatus adapted to move pipe to and from a drilling floor of a drilling rig including a ramp extendable between a main support structure and the drilling floor, a pipe carrier mounted on the main support structure configured to move between lower and elevated positions over the ramp, a lift arm including a first end and a second end and being pivotally connected at its first end adjacent the far end of the carrier and operable below the carrier to lift and support the carrier's far end to an elevated position, a track on the main support structure for supporting the carrier and the lift arm, and a drive system that pivots or moves the lift arm up about a track stop to lift the far end of the carrier and moves the near end up and over the ramp.
US08215881B2	Rotary cutting tool and method for manufacturing such a rotary cutting tool A rotary cutting tool is provided which is less likely to cause chips to get stuck, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. The rotary cutting tool includes a body having a relief surface (6) and a rake face (7) which is connected to the relief surface (6). An oxide film (9) is formed on the rake face (7) by oxidizing the surface of the body, and a hard film (8) is formed on the relief surface (6) and the oxide film (9), The hard film (8) is made of a metal carbide, a metal nitride, a metal carbonitride, or a solid solution thereof.
US08215879B2	Coated cutting insert Coated cemented carbide inserts (cutting tools), particularly useful for wet or dry machining of steels and stainless steels, are disclosed. The cutting tool insert is characterized by a cemented carbide substrate and a coating formed from an about 0.5 to 5 μm thick innermost layer of (Ti,Al)N and an about 1 to 5 μm thick layer of (Al,Cr)2O3.
US08215878B2	Indirect cooling of a rotary cutting tool An indirect cooling system for a rotating cutting tool uses a cryogenic coolant that is delivered to a cavity formed on the back surface of the cutting element, providing cooling near the cutting edge of the element. Because the total flow rate of the working fluid is low (less than 0.08 Liters/min/cutting edge), the fluid can be safely vented to atmosphere from the cavity, and as a result, no specialized coolant recovery or ventilation equipment is needed. The cavity may be formed with fins to enhance the heat transfer between the cutting element and the coolant, and coolant may additionally be sprayed directly onto the exterior surface of the element to cool the tool-chip interface. The indirect cooling system may be used for hard to machine metals and composites, as well as the machining of conventional materials without the use of traditional cutting fluids.
US08215861B2	Packaging and applicator device The present invention relates to a packaging and applicator device, comprising: a reservoir containing at least one composition for application; a support that is secured to the reservoir during application and/or when the device is in a closed configuration; and a non-porous membrane that is carried by the support, that has at least one dispenser orifice passing therethrough for dispensing the composition, and that is externally covered, at least in part, by flocking; the membrane co-operating with the support and/or with the reservoir to define an inside space containing the composition; the membrane being flexible and/or mounted on the support and/or on the reservoir in such a manner as to present the possibility of being deformed and/or of being displaced relative to the support and/or to the reservoir, resulting in a reduction in the volume of the inside space of at least 0.1 mL.
US08215860B2	Cosmetic storage type applicator In the cosmetic storage type applicator having a structure for supplying a cosmetic to an applying part from the interior of a barrel cylinder, a cap removably attached to the front part of the barrel cylinder for covering the applying part and plastic mouthpiece is provided; an inner sleeve having a tapered inside diameter toward the front end is arranged inside the body of cap and integrally formed with the cap body; and the inner peripheral surfaces and from the inner sleeve to the cap body are formed with a smooth surface without any step.
US08215858B2	Toggling cosmetic lacquer dispenser and delivery A toggling dispenser is disclosed with a reservoir capable of containing substances and an integrally placed applicator which, at the user's election, enters and exits the dispenser by shifting or shaking the dispenser. While inside the dispenser, an amount of contained substance collects on the applicator so that when the applicator exits the enclosure, the collected substance may be delivered to a target via contact with the applicator.
US08215856B1	Corn buttering apparatus A corn buttering apparatus includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall is attached to and extends between the top and bottom walls. The perimeter wall has a break therein to divide the housing into a first section and a second section. The top wall has an elongated trough therein. The trough extends into an outer surface of the top wall. The top wall has a plurality of drain openings therein extending through the top wall. Each of the drain openings is positioned within the trough. A container is mounted on the housing and is in fluid communication with the trough. The container is configured to receive butter that can be melted and drained through the drainage openings to fall onto a cob of corn positioned within the housing.
US08215847B2	Communications connectors and methods of using the same Communications connectors communicatively and physically join a plurality of network elements. Communications connectors are substantially flangeless so as to provide a substantially continuous surface between the connector and network elements joined thereto. Communications connectors may include or be modified with a grounding surface or a seating member. Communications connectors include a variety of communicative contact surfaces and joining mechanisms, including those compatible with known 7/16 DIN connections. Methods include installing network elements to connection interfaces on connectors without the use of a flange or other exterior part. Methods optionally include applying an adhesive to connection interfaces to provide a breakable, locked connection between network elements and connectors.
US08215845B2	Tandem stack angular contact bearing for rotary wing aircraft A tandem set of angular contact ball bearings each having an inner ring, an outer ring and balls therebetween, wherein each bearing contains balls that are spaced from each other by slug ball separators. A rotary wing aircraft rotor head assembly includes a rotor head member, a plurality of spindles attached to the head member at equal interval around the center of the head member, and a stack of ball bearings mounted on each spindle. Each bearing has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of balls between the inner ring and the outer ring, and slug ball separators between adjacent balls, and there is a mounting collar on the ball bearings.
US08215841B2	Bearing assembly for use in earth drilling A bearing assembly has an outer housing, and an inner mandrel extending into outer housing. Radial bearing sleeves are positioned between the inner mandrel and the outer housing at both of ends of the outer housing. A thrust bearing assembly is positioned within the interior cavity of the outer housing, and includes a fixed bearing carrier fixed to the inner mandrel, first and second floating bearings carriers, and first and second pressure responsive fillers. Floating bearing carriers support hard face bearings that engage hard face bearings on the fixed bearing carrier to withstand axial loads. Pressure responsive fillers permit the floating bearing carriers limited angular adjustment in relation to the fixed bearing carrier to maintain their respective at least one hard face bearing in face to face relation notwithstanding deflections within required radial bearing tolerance.
US08215835B2	Temperature-stabilized medicinal storage systems Systems include one or more medicinal storage containers. For example, an integrally thermally sealed medicinal storage container may include one or more segments of at least one ultra efficient insulation material, the one or more segments having one or more surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining at least one storage region, one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one or more segments form at least one integrally thermally sealed medicinal storage region, one or more thermal variant units, and at least one selectively-operable thermal conduction unit.
US08215834B2	Optical fiber based polymer core sensor An optical fiber based polymer core sensor includes an optical fiber having a core and an end having a cured polymer core affixed to the core of the optical fiber. The cured polymer core extends outward from the end of the optical fiber and has a diameter approximately equal to the core of the optical fiber. Note the cured polymer core can be substantially cylindrical, tapered or geometrically shaped. The optical fiber based polymer core sensor can be used to measure a temperature, measure a strain, measure a distance, measure a refractive index, detect or measure an analyte, detect a toxin, detect a biological agent, monitor a chemical process, or a combination thereof.
US08215827B2	Chronograph timepiece When it is judged that a chronograph second counter and a chronograph minute counter have measured a maximum measurement time, a maximum measurement control unit controls a drive pulse generation circuit so as to drive and stop a motor such that chronograph hand stops at predetermined positions. When, in this state, a restarting operation is performed on a start/stop button, a normal chronograph measurement operation is restarted. At this time, a mechanical structure has been restored to a reset state, so that even at the time of restarting after the measurement of the maximum measurement time, the load at the starting operation is the same as that of the normal operation, thus generating no sense of incongruity.
US08215820B2	LED night-light An LED night-light includes a housing with a threaded, cylindrical opening having an interior surface adapted to receive a threaded end of a light bulb. First and second prongs are supported in parallel by the housing. The prongs have interior ends extending into an interior of the housing and exterior ends extending out of the housing such that the exterior ends are configured to engage an electrical outlet. A disk is received in and supported by a groove in the interior surface. A light-emitting diode (LED) is mounted on the disk. The night-light further includes a circuit board including an LED driver circuit electrically connected to the LED. The driver circuit energizes the LED when the first and second prongs are plugged into an electrical outlet connected to a power source.
US08215812B2	LED vehicle cornering lamp The invention discloses a LED vehicle cornering lamp, including a metal lamp holder, wherein the metal lamp holder is equipped with inward cavity, and in the bottom of the cavity has a sloping bench for the installation of the luminous body, which is to turn the luminous body into the lateral directions during steering maneuvers; a LED luminous body at least, which is installed in the sloping bench inside the cavity of the metal lamp holder, wherein the luminous body connects with a controller while the controller controls the make-and-break of the LED luminous body; a reflector corresponding to the luminous body, wherein the reflector collects the light from the LED luminous body and lightens the lateral direction of the vehicle after reflection; a transparent protection cover, wherein the protection cover is liquid-tight assorted with the metal lamp holder port. The LED vehicle cornering lamp of the invention could be easily installed in the front of the vehicle, and lighten the road of lateral directions by using the auxiliary lamp installed in forward direction by the sloping bench inside the metal lamp holder, so as to decrease the blind area when changing directions during the night and enhance the safety when driving at night; furthermore, the utility mode has merits with simple structure, low cost and is suitable to be universalized in all vehicles.
US08215804B2	Outdoor lighting device An outdoor lighting device includes a housing, at least one power supply device and at least one arrayed lighting unit. The housing has a surface forming at least one reflection zone and he reflection zone includes a lens. The power supply device is arranged inside the housing and has a grounding terminal connected to the housing. The power supply device receives and converts an alternate current power into an output of direct current power. The arrayed lighting unit includes plural arrays of lighting elements and a light-transmitting protection layer. The arrayed lighting unit is arranged inside the housing at a location corresponding to the lens and is connected to the power supply device, whereby the power supply device provides the arrayed lighting unit with the direct current power to energize the arrayed lighting unit to give off light that is reflected by the reflection zone. As such, an outdoor lighting device containing therein an arrayed lighting unit and an internal built-in power supply device is formed.
US08215802B2	Multiple-tier omnidirectional solid-state emission source Multiple-tier omnidirectional solid-state emission source capable of dispersing light in flexible distributions or custom-intensity distributions which throw more light forward, to the side alternatively, or in all directions. This optical light control requires multiple-surface manipulation of the directions of the light energy bundles emerging from solid-state light sources. Producing uniform light up to 325 degrees in the vertical direction through the combined implementation of multi-stage light guiding for remote source elongation and multiple-tiers of TIR, refraction, and scatter for remote source emission and control. Combining the efficient light production of an LED chip with that of a directly coupled optic results in high efficiency custom distribution to direct light where required. The optical light manipulator consists of a dielectric or reflector collector section, spline light-pipe section used to clear the cross-sectional area of a thermal dissipation device and a section which either externally, internally, or combinatorially feeds multiple-tier TIR/refractor elements.
US08215795B2	Under-shelf lighting system A lighting assembly (9) for a standard in-store display shelf (2). The standard shelf is mounted on a standard in-store shelf bracket (4), having in-store header mounting hardware (6), which standard in-store display shelf (2) includes a conventional metal spring clip (10) for mounting a standard light fixture. The lighting assembly has a mount (11) for spring mounting to clip (10). The mount has rails (16-19), which form a pair of board channels (19A-B). A circuit board (20) slide mounts into the board channels. The circuit board serves as a mount for an array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
US08215787B2	Organic light emitting diode products A plurality of organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices can be spatially distributed to form various lighting systems and luminaires. The lighting systems can be configured to readily replace conventional light bulbs or tubular fluorescent lamps. A networked lighting system including a plurality of OLED devices can have a variable light field based on a feedback.
US08215786B2	Flexible perimeter lighting apparatus An elongated flexible lighting system according to the present invention comprises an array of light sources that are illuminated by electric power. It further comprises an elongated translucent extrusion of flexible material. The array of light sources is integral to the extrusion with said extrusion transmitting and dispersing the light from the array such that the lighting system gives the appearance that the array of light sources is a continuous light source. The elongated lighting system can be used for many different applications including, but not limited to, the lighting of structural features and illumination of sign features.
US08215783B2	LED lamp An LED lamp includes a lamp support and a light-source module mounted on the lamp support. The lamp support includes a main post and a branch post extending from the main post. The main post is tubular and defines a first airflow tunnel inside the main post. The branch post is tubular and defines a second airflow tunnel inside the branch post, and the second airflow tunnel is directly communicated with the outer environment. The first and second airflow tunnels are communicated with each other. The light-source module is located at a position through which an airflow from the first and second airflow tunnels of the main post and the branch post flows.
US08215778B2	Projector apparatus The invention provides a projector apparatus incorporating a prism optical system of positive refracting power working for size reductions, which apparatus comprises a display device 1, a prism optical system 3 that has positive refracting power and is adapted to enlarge and project an image on the display device, and a stop 4 located on a projection side thereof. The prism optical system 3 comprises an internal reflecting surface 12 concave on the image display plane 2 side, a combined optical surface 11 to transmit a light beam from the image display plane 2 and reflect a light beam reflected off at the internal reflecting surface 12, and an exit surface 13 through which a light beam entering the prism optical system 3 leaves. A light beam coming out of the image display plane 2 enters the prism optical system 3 from the combined optical surface 11, is then reflected off at the internal reflecting surface 12, and then leaves the exit surface 13, arriving at an image 5 to be projected through the stop 5. This light beam satisfies a specific condition in terms of a length fB, as calculated on an air basis, from the combined optical surface 11 of the prism optical system 3 to the image display plane 2.
US08215777B2	Light guide module and projection apparatus having the same A projection apparatus and a light guide module for use in the projection apparatus are provided. The projector apparatus comprises an illumination mechanism, at least one digital micromirror device (DMD), and a light guide module, wherein the light guide module includes a plurality of interfaces. The illumination mechanism provides a light beam which travels through the plurality of interfaces of the light guide module along a first axis without any rotation. The light beam orderly performs total internal reflections on each of the interfaces of the light guide module. Accordingly, the light beam travels to the at least one DMD, and then the light beam is reflected along a second axis.
US08215776B2	Line illumination apparatus using laser arrays An illumination apparatus forms, onto a linear array light modulator, a line of illumination that extends in a linear direction. The illumination apparatus has a first laser array with laser emitters for forming a first linear beam array and a second laser array with laser emitters for forming a second linear beam array. An array combiner aligns at least the first and second linear beam arrays in the linear direction and directs the first and second linear beam arrays along a propagation path to form a mixed illumination. At least first and second cylindrical lens elements having power in the linear direction relay the mixed illumination from the propagation path toward the linear array light modulator. At least third and fourth cylindrical lens elements having power in the cross-array direction that is orthogonal to the linear direction focus the mixed illumination onto the linear array light modulator.
US08215765B2	Ink jet recording apparatus To print an excellent image formed without distortion or image failure by mitigating irregularities, inclination, or the like of an installation floor surface. In an ink jet recording apparatus including an ink jet recording apparatus main body and a leg portion, a deformation absorbing member is interposed in a joint portion between the ink jet recording apparatus main body and the leg portion. Therefore, even if there are the irregularities, the inclination, or the like on a floor surface to which the ink jet recording apparatus is installed, it is possible to ensure leveling of a print surface in the ink jet recording apparatus main body, thereby being capable of obtaining the excellent image without the distortion or the image failure.
US08215759B2	Clear fluid patterning on paper media Methods and means for imaging on paper media are provided. A data file of an image to be printed is analyzed. A pattern for a clear fluid is determined according to the analysis. The pattern of clear fluid is applied to a paper media traveling in a particular direction, wherein the pattern is generally elongated along the direction of travel. The pattern of clear fluid is defined by a maximum width that is generally equal to the maximum width of the image to be formed. One or more colored inks are applied such that the image is formed and is supported by the paper media. The paper media exhibits reduced cockle as a result of the pattern of clear fluid.
US08215758B2	Damper device, damper unit, liquid jetting apparatus, and method of manufacturing damper device A damper device includes a storage chamber storing a liquid, and formed: of a substrate; a pair of supporting portions which are arranged to face each other in a predetermined facing direction, which project from the substrate, and peripheral portions of which have shapes substantially same with each other; and a film which is flexible and which has a sheet shape. The film is connected to the peripheral portions of the pair of supporting portions, and the storage chamber is formed as a space having a curved surface defined by the film. Accordingly, there is provided a damper device which is capable of stably exhibiting high damper performance, and in which the layout of channels which are connected to the damper device is simple.
US08215752B2	Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus Provided is a liquid ejecting head including a plurality of substrates that are at least partially bonded to one another with adhesives and form a liquid passage in which a liquid flows. The liquid passage includes a pressure-generating chamber that communicates to a nozzle opening through which the liquid is ejected. The adhesive being exposed to a wall surface of the passage on the upstream side of the pressure-generating chamber is composed of a first adhesive, and the adhesive being exposed to a wall surface of the downstream-side passage including the pressure-generating chamber is composed of a second adhesive. The second adhesive has affinity with the liquid higher than that of the first adhesive.
US08215748B2	Ink-jet recording device and ink-jet recording method An ink-jet recording device capable of recording an image with no conspicuous joint line between bands each being formed by multiple horizontal scanning. A band having a width corresponding to a predetermined amount M of movement is formed by (n+1)-times record scanning. The ink-jet recording device has a controller which allows a second group of nozzles to perform recording at the time of the (n+l)+lth horizontal scanning and beyond where the relations L=Mx(n+l)+a and M>a are satisfied, where L is a row length of all the nozzles of a recording head and α is a low length of a second group of nozzles and allocate recording data to each of the nozzles so that the border in the region recorded by the horizontal scanning on the upstream side of the relative vertical scanning direction may be formed within the width of the band formed by the first to (n+l)-th horizontal scanning.
US08215729B2	Appliance cabinet and method of assembling same An appliance cabinet, such as a laundry treating appliance cabinet, having a chassis and a cover removably mounted to the chassis, and a labyrinth coupler connecting the cover and the chassis, wherein the coupler is physically configured to define a path requiring a specific sequence of movements between the cover and the chassis to couple or uncouple the cover from the chassis.
US08215726B1	Apparatus and method for seamless rigid countertop The method of construction of seamless countertops of the present invention enables the user to advantageously combine cabinet making with metalworking and powder coating to produce novel seamless countertops. The improved countertops are constructed by making a template of the countertop to create a countertop pattern. Discrete metallic sheets are then shaped according to the countertop pattern and joined together by welding to form a metal core. The metal core is then smoothed and powder coated to form a unitary, seamless countertop.
US08215721B2	Parking brake control device The parking brake control device sets a lock control target tension TTAR to a value which depends on the brake fluid pressure (i.e. M/C pressure), wherein the lock control target tension TTAR is used as a threshold determining whether the condition for terminating a lock control is satisfied or not. This operation is aimed for compensating the decrease of the tension applied to the brake cable which occurs caused by the service brake when the service brake is operating and does not occur when the service brake is not operating. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the service brake from causing a problem in which the lock control is terminated while a desired brake force is not achieved at the EPB.
US08215719B2	Rotatable cutting tool with through coolant A rotatable cutting tool for use in impinging earth strata such as, for example, asphaltic roadway material, coal deposits, mineral formations and the like. The rotatable cutting tool includes a cutting tool body having a through coolant channel and a two-piece head portion, e.g., the head portion of the cutting tool body having a base portion and a nose portion with a hard tip cutting insert affixed to the nose portion. The through coolant provides for cooling the hard tip cutting insert during operation of the cutting tool. In addition, the through coolant also provides for suppressing dust created by the rotatable cutting tool during operation.
US08215717B2	Dump trailer A towable dump trailer is provided. The towable dump trailer comprises a first, second and third frame. The first frame comprises one or more sets of wheels. The second frame is attached to the tow vehicle and can be displaced horizontally relative to the first frame by the towing vehicle moving rearward or forward. The third frame provides a support frame for the trailer bed. The dump trailer is operated by immobilizing the first frame and causing the second frame to move horizontally relative to the first frame. This horizontal displacement causes the third frame to pivot as a result of one or more pivoting arms translating the horizontal movement to pivotal movement. The dump trailer can be configured to provide a dumping action by either forward or rearward horizontal displacement of the second frame relative to the first frame.
US08215713B2	Child booster seat with a height-adjustable armrest A child booster seat includes a seat base, and an armrest support coupled to the seat base and formed with an installation space that opens upward. The armrest support has a wall confronting the installation space and formed with a plurality of restraining parts located at different heights of the armrest support. The child booster seat further includes an armrest assembly including a latching component having a tongue board that extends into the installation space and that is movable vertically within the installation space and a stop piece that projects from the tongue board for engaging selectively the restraining parts, and an armrest component coupled to the tongue board and vertically co-movable with the tongue board relative to the armrest support.
US08215709B2	Vehicle seat having active head restraint system A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
US08215701B1	Automotive vehicle door seal An automobile vehicle including a vehicle body having a passage receiving a door. A plurality of sealing elements are located between the door and the vehicle body. A first sealing element having a resilient surface portion and a relatively more rigid body portion shaped to engage a body flange is provided to seal an upper region of the passage. A second sealing element comprising a resilient section and a mating section adapted to mate with a door panel is provided and cooperates with the vehicle body to seal the lower region of the passage.
US08215699B2	Mounting structure of side-impact-resistant resin-made shock absorbing member A mounting structure between a door trim and a door panel is provided and includes at least a shock absorbing member and movement restricting members. The shock absorbing member includes a cross-shaped rib including four ribs coupled into a cross shape and arranged perpendicular to the door trim, an outer wall portion coupled to a side edge of at least one of the ribs and has a contact edge in contact with the door trim, and a mounting bearing projecting from the contact edge along the door trim and configured to be fixed to the door trim together with the cross-shaped rib and the outer wall portion. The movement restricting members restrict the ribs from moving relative to the door trim at side impact.
US08215694B2	ATV having arrangement for a passenger An ATV includes a removable passenger seat. The passenger seat is selectively added or removed from the ATV by way of a latch assembly. The passenger seat is supported by a pivot support link and a suspension coupling. The pivot support link and suspension coupling may be positioned rearward of a straddle-type seat for a driver. The entire pivot support link can be attached to the ATV in a dampened manner by way of the suspension coupling. The suspension coupling is comprised of at least one element acting in a linear direction and moving in at least a partially vertical travel component. The positioning of the suspension coupling provides greater vertical clearance, and therefore, maximum vertical stroke.
US08215690B2	Pick-up style utility vehicle with expandable cargo bed A pick-up style utility vehicle including a front seat, a rear seat and a cargo bed in order from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle, and a screen for partitioning the cargo bed and ride space on the front side of the cargo bed. The cargo bed has at least a stationary bottom plate and an expansion bottom plate, and is changeable between an expanded state where the cargo bed is expanded forward into the ride space and a non-expanded state where the cargo bed does not occupy the ride space. Also, the expansion bottom plate is pivotable on a horizontal shaft in the right and left direction relative to the stationary bottom plate and the screen.
US08215681B2	Jewelry loom A jewelry loom for assisting in jewelry knotting comprising: a base; a knotting bow, where said knotting bow extends vertically from the base; a hook, where the hook extends downwardly from a top end of the bow; and a plurality of advancement knobs along the length of the bow. In the one particular embodiment, the bow extends from the base at an angle. The base may also include a cleat, where the cleat is used as a further mounting piece for the twines during the knotting process. The bow may also include a connecting wedge, where the wedge slides into a receiving slot in the base.
US08215678B2	Connector for a pipe and bonding means for use therein A pipe connector having two connector elements each arranged for interconnection and connection to a respective pipe, a retaining member for maintaining interconnection of the connector elements and a ring member arranged for capture by the retaining member and biased into contact with both connector elements of the pipe connector, the ring member being formed as a single piece of electrically conductive material so as to provide electrical bonding directly between the two connector elements of the pipe connector.
US08215677B2	Arrangement structure for canister of saddle type vehicle An arrangement structure is provided for a canister of a saddle type vehicle wherein a canister can be arranged closely to a fuel tank to simplify a pipe arrangement structure. A fuel tank disposed forward of an engine is structured such that a tank upper half and a tank lower half of a concave shape formed by pressing are joined together at joining flanges. The joining flanges are disposed on a vehicle body such that a front portion thereof is positioned on the upper side. A rear inclined wall, which is inclined toward a rear upper direction such that it forms a substantially right angle to the joining flange, is provided at a rear portion of the tank lower half. A canister is disposed in a dead space below the rear inclined wall.
US08215675B2	Restraint system for a seat belt device A restraint system (14) for a seat belt (22) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The restraint system (14) comprises one or more pneumatic ports (42, 44) for actuating the restraint system (14) from a first position to a second position. The restraint system (14) also comprises one or more pyrotechnic ports (52, 54) for actuating the restraint system (14) from either the first position or the second position to a third position.
US08215673B2	Perceived jack position drift compensation method and apparatus A controller commands a jack drive to extend and retract a jack leg relative to a jack base along a stroke having retraction and extension limits. The controller updates a perceived present leg position value in response to position change signals from a position change sensor. The controller occasionally applies compensation factors to the perceived present leg position value in the extension direction. The controller resets the perceived present leg position value whenever the jack leg reaches the retraction limit.
US08215660B2	Convertible toe strap A convertible toe strap for securing a toe area of a snowboarding boot is selectively and repeatedly convertible between different restraining configurations. The convertible toe strap includes a first configuration where one of toe lift or forward movement is resisted and a second configuration where both toe lift and forward movement is resisted.
US08215654B1	Linear to rotary drive system for bicycles and similar vehicles A drive system for a bicycle includes first and second drive sprockets, with respective one-way clutches. The drive sprockets are mounted on opposite ends of the bike's drive shaft. First and second idler pulleys are mounted on an upper pulley shaft. The upper pulley shaft mounts on the bike's frame above the rotary drive shaft and at a right angle thereto. A chain is mounted on the drive sprockets and the idler pulleys. A first pedal is attached to the chain between the first drive sprocket and the first idler pulley. A second pedal is attached to the chain between the second linear drive sprocket and the first linear driven idler pulley. First and second linear chain guides are mounted on opposite sides of the frame and disposed next to the chain for guiding portions of the chain and the pedals as they are moved up and down on the bicycle.
US08215651B2	Stroller part assembly for a reversible handle stroller A stroller part assembly includes: a seat support frame; an armrest secured to the seat support frame and defining an inner space; a handle pivoted to the seat support frame so as to be rotatable about an axis relative to the seat support frame; and a lock mechanism including first and second interlocking members disposed in the inner space and secured to the armrest, and a third interlocking member mounted movably on the handle and engageable with the first and second interlocking members.
US08215649B2	Drill chuck The invention relates to a drill chuck with a chuck body (1) that can be connected to a drill spindle and in which jaws (3) are arranged that engage into the screwthread of a rotatably guided threaded ring (6), furthermore with a locking mechanism for the threaded ring (6) consisting of a coaxial annular array of locking recesses (9) and of at least one locking member (10) that is engaged in the locking position under the force of a locking spring in the locking recesses (9). The drill chuck furthermore comprises a coaxial tightening ring (15) that can rotate between first abutments (16) in a limited manner opposite the threaded ring (6) and comprises a latch (17) forming two latching positions (18) for the tightening ring (15) in the circumferential direction. A locking ring (21) that can rotate with end stops (19) between second abutments (20, 20′) of the tightening ring (15) in a limited manner is provided for adjusting the locking member (10) between the locking position and the release position corresponding to the position of the locking member (10) disengaged from the locking recesses (9), and the second abutment (20′), that is the front one in the direction of rotation (12) corresponding to the opening of the drill chuck, rests in the locking position on the end stop (19). The latch (17) is formed between the locking ring (21) and the threaded ring (6).
US08215647B2	Journal seal for rolling bearings A journal seal for rolling bearings, wherein the journal seal includes a ring-shaped sealing body, which is rotatably fixed to a roller journal with the bearing surface coaxially oriented in relation to the bearing axis and with at least two spaced webs facing away from the bearing axis. The webs being directly or indirectly in contact with an annular projection. A reinforcing element for that reinforces the sealing body. The reinforcing element has a width that is greater than the outer distance of the two webs.
US08215640B2	Gaming machine that randomly determines oscillation mode of table for rolling dice A gaming machine starts a unit game, extracts one set of oscillation pattern data from memory at random when the unit game is started, and performs control to oscillate a playing unit based on the one set of the oscillation pattern data thus extracted.
US08215636B2	Printing medium transferring device and image forming apparatus having the same A printing medium transferring device and an image forming apparatus having the same, which are capable of stably conveying a printing medium supplied to a printing engine while ensuring a manual feeding path for the printing medium includes a conveyer roller which conveys a printing medium to the printing engine, a plurality of printing medium pressing devices which include pressing rollers installed along an outer circumference of the conveyer roller such that the printing medium is pressed in a normal direction of a surface of the conveyer roller, and a releasing device which allows at least one pressing roller to be moved apart from the conveyer roller in order to provide a manual feeding function.
US08215635B2	Manual sheet feeder and image forming apparatus provided with the same A sheet feeder has a tray on which a sheet to be fed is to be placed. A lift plate is at a feeding end of the tray and has a first end at an upstream side in a feeding direction connected rotatably to the tray. The lift plate is displaceable between a feeding posture where a second end at a downstream side in the feeding direction is lifted up and a retracted posture where the second end is lower than in the feeding posture due to its own weight. A biasing member gives a biasing force to an elevating member in a direction to lift the lift plate to the feeding posture. A lowering mechanism gives a pressing force against the force of the biasing member to lower the lift plate to the retracted posture.
US08215634B2	Paper sheet processing device Provided is a paper sheet processing device having a paper currency receiving section which can be attached to and detached from a frame and can receive a paper currency, the pressing plate which is, in the paper currency receiving section, moved between a pressing position for pressing a paper currency and an initial position for permitting conveyance of the paper currency into the paper currency receiving section, a detection member which can move as the pressing plate moves, a sensor which detects movement of the detection member by detecting movement of the pressing plate to the pressing position, and a movement mechanism which, when the paper currency receiving section is detached from the frame, moves the detection member so that the detection member can be detected by the sensor.
US08215630B2	Device preventing punching and stapling at same location An image forming apparatus, used with a post-processing apparatus performing a punching process and a stapling process allowing setting of position and number of staples, includes: a detecting device detecting a request in the post-processing unit based on request information input from a user; and a control device connected to receive an output of the detecting device and to control the post-processing apparatus, controlling the post-processing apparatus such that if the detecting device detects requests for the punching process and the stapling process on the same recording paper, manner of staple-binding of the recording paper is set to tentative binding.
US08215629B2	System and method for producing and arranging sheet material for use in a mailpiece inserter A system and method for producing printed sheet material for use in a mailpiece inserter. The system comprises an input module for supplying the printed sheet material associated with a mailpiece fabrication job of the mailpiece inserter and a transfer module adapted to receive the printed sheet material from the input module and dispense the printed sheet material. An output module is adapted to receive the printed sheet material from the transfer module and convey the printed sheet material along the transport deck. A processor is operatively coupled to a mail run data file of the mailpiece fabrication job for controlling the input, transfer and output modules to stack the printed sheet material in accordance with the mail run data file. In the method, the output module includes at least two transport decks which may be repositioned such that one of the transport decks receives/stacks the printed sheet material in a manner which is best suited for subsequent use by the mailpiece inserter.
US08215628B2	Folding roller control for sheet processing apparatus/method A sheet processing apparatus includes: a sheet processing apparatus control unit; a folding motor, a rotating direction of which is controlled by the sheet processing apparatus control unit; a low-speed gear train configured to be driven when the folding motor normally rotates; a high-speed gear train configured to be driven when the folding motor reversely rotates; and a saddle-folding driving roller configured to be driven by a gear train selected from the low-speed gear train and the high-speed gear train. When the number of recording media to be saddle-stapled or saddle-folded exceeds predetermined numbers respectively set for the saddle stapling and the saddle folding, the sheet processing apparatus control unit drives the saddle-folding driving roller at low speed. When the number of recording media to be saddle-stapled or saddle-folded does not exceed the predetermined numbers, the sheet processing apparatus control unit drives the saddle-folding driving roller at high speed.
US08215627B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet processing apparatus that performs bookbinding processing on a folded sheet bundle, includes a holding portion configured to hold a folded sheet bundle, and a pressing member configured to press a folded spinal portion of the sheet bundle held by the holding portion. At least one of the holding portion and the pressing member can move in a direction to approach each other along a surface of the sheet held by the holding portion to press the folded spinal portion of the sheet bundle.
US08215625B2	Key blank selector A key blank selector has a base, a template and a clamp. The base defines a chamber and a platform having a recess communicating with the chamber. The template is soft and pliable corresponds to and is detachably mounted in the recess of the platform. The clamp is detachably mounted around the platform of the base to hold and position the template in the recess and has an opening formed corresponding to the chamber of the base. A mother key is positioned perpendicularly on and force applied to pierce through the template and form a figure corresponding to a cross sectional profile of the mother key in the template; therefore, facilitating key blank selection and preventing misjudgment.
US08215614B2	Two position actuator impact limiter A valve actuator for controlling a valve is provided. The valve actuator includes a torque transfer arrangement interposed between a return spring and a drive gear, the drive gear being biased by loading provided by the return spring. A drive coupling is interposed between the drive gear and the return spring and transfers load of the return spring to the drive gear. A torque transfer arrangement between the drive gear and drive coupling permits limited relative angular movement of the drive coupling relative to the drive gear.
US08215588B2	Steering unit for free flying, confined wing element The invention relates to a steering unit for a wind propulsion system, the steering unit comprising a first fixed attachment means for securing a first end of a tractive cable the second end of which is secured to a device or a vehicle to which a tractive force shall be transferred, a second attachment means for attaching a number of tractive lines, the second end of which being secured to an aerodynamic wing element, a mechanical support frame connecting the first attachment means to the second attachment means for transferring a tractive force. The invention aims at providing such a steering unit with improved design for better maneuverability and stability. According to the invention the second attachment means of the improved steering unit comprise at least one upper fixed attachment point, a left moveable attachment point, a right moveable attachment point, and steering actuator means for varying the distance between the upper fixed attachment point and the left moveable attachment point and for varying the distance between the upper fixed attachment point and the right moveable attachment point.
US08215585B2	Impact resistant core Impact resistant cores and methods of manufacturing such impact resistant cores are provided. Additionally, components made using the impact resistant cores are provided. A particular impact resistant core includes a composite structure of at least one non-woven sheet including poly p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole fiber and a binding resin.
US08215582B2	Aircraft fuselage interior An aircraft fuselage interior comprises a side wall that extends in a direction along the length of the fuselage and includes an upper section that slopes inwardly. In one embodiment, the side wall comprises a multiplicity of visible elongate features, such as sloping lines, arranged along the length of the side wall. Each elongate feature extends from a lower portion to an upper portion and slopes relative to a notional line defined by the intersection of the interior surface of the side wall and a plane whose normal axis is parallel to the length of the fuselage. When viewed by a seated passenger, the sloping elongate features may cause the side wall to appear to have a degree of inward sloping less than the actual degree of inward sloping. The fuselage interior may therefore appear larger than it is.
US08215578B2	Device for maintaining a yarn in a spooler A winder including a frame. The frame includes at least one spindle configured to support at least one package, the spindle rotating about a first axis approximately perpendicular to the diameter of the package so as to draw and wind at least one strand in the form of a package, and at least one positioning and guiding device configured to position and guide at least the strand on the rotating spindle. A keeper is configured to keep the strand in contact with the positioning and guiding device.
US08215573B2	Automotive gasoline solenoid double pole direct injector A direct fuel injector (10) includes a body (12) having a passage between inlet and outlet ends. A seat (16) is at the outlet end and a closure member (28) is associated with the seat. A needle member (30) is associated with the closure member and is movable with respect to a pole piece (35) between a first, closed position and a second, open position. A spring (42) biases the needle member to the first position. An armature (32) is free-floating with respect to the needle member. An intermediate pole structure (38) is coupled with the needle member and is disposed between the pole piece and the armature and is decoupled there-from. An armature stop (40) is coupled to the needle member and is spaced from the intermediate pole structure. An electromagnetic coil (46) is associated with the pole piece, intermediate pole structure and armature. The injector reduces bounce of the needle assembly.
US08215566B2	System for imaging and decoding coded data pattern using redundantly-encoded orientation A system includes a substrate having a coded data pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coded data pattern encodes a plurality of Reed-Solomon symbols defining tag data and an orientation of a layout of the tag data. An optically imaging sensing device configured for imaging part of the coded data pattern; determining the orientation of the layout of the tag data; and decoding the tag data contained in the imaged part of the coded data pattern.
US08215560B2	Real-time card balance on card plastic A system, method and prepaid payment card configured to display a current card balance on the prepaid payment card. The prepaid payment card receives a balance request from a button on the card. After retrieving the current card balance encoded on the prepaid payment card, the card displays the current card balance. Remote terminals may be configured to support the real-time display of a balance on a prepaid payment card by writing the current balance to the card after a payment transaction has occurred.
US08215556B2	Color barcode producing, reading and/or reproducing method and apparatus A color barcode can record much more amount of information than black white barcode. However, the problem of the color barcode is that it is easy to lose integrity or authenticity in printing and copy generation. This invention provides an apparatus and a method to keep the integrity or authenticity of the color barcode. Such is accomplished by the color information portion of the color barcode representing the color information about what colors are used for color tiles of data portion of the color barcode and an apparatus and a method for producing and reproducing such color barcode.
US08215549B2	Automatic remote acquisition system for determining the configuration of an installation There is described an automatic remote acquisition system for determining the configuration of an installation having a number of devices, which are divided into standard devices grouped by cabinets, and into non-standard devices, and are each defined by a respective number of elementary units. The remote acquisition system has a number of passive transponders, each associated with a respective elementary unit to memorize respective identification data of the elementary unit; a number of active transponders, each associated with a respective non-standard device to memorize at least the identification data of the respective number of elementary units; and, for the passive transponders, a number of control units, each mounted in a respective cabinet to acquire the identification data, memorized in the respective passive transponders, of the elementary units of the standard devices in the cabinet.
US08215545B2	Controlling device and method for controlling an apparatus A controlling device that controls an apparatus includes a display unit configured to display an image representing a certain scene included in content that is being played back by the apparatus; and an obtaining unit configured to obtain image data of the image from an apparatus that is providing the content.
US08215544B2	Receipt printing processing method and receipt printing processing system When a customer places a special order that changes the content of a product or processing thereof (non-standard order information), a receipt printing processing method and system also produces a special order seal in connection with printing the sales receipt. The receipt printing processing system has a receipt printer and a label printer that is in communication with the receipt printer. When the system receives transaction processing data generated by a POS register used to take orders, a control unit determines if non-standard order information is contained in the transaction processing data. If so, the control unit controls the generation of seal printing data for printing a special order seal, along with controlling the processing of receipt data and the printing of the receipt.
US08215543B2	Methods for filling prescriptions to fulfill a customer order Methods for filling prescriptions in a customer order. Each of the products is marked with a product barcode containing information relating to a contained pharmaceutical. Prior to loading into a machine, each of the products is free of markings relating to patient prescriptions in the customer order. The method includes using the machine to read the product barcode on each of the products loaded into the machine. In response to reading the product barcode on each of the products, at least some of the products are labeled with information relating to a respective one of the prescriptions.
US08215538B2	Double postcard pressure seal form construction An intermediate for a postcard mailer is disclosed. An example intermediate includes a quadrate sheet of paper having parallel top and bottom edges, parallel first and second side edges perpendicular to the top edge and first and second faces. The intermediate also includes at least first, second and third fold lines parallel to said top and bottom edges dividing said sheet into at least first, second, third, and fourth panels, said first and fourth panels being substantially the same size and said second and third panels being substantially the same size. In addition, there are first adhesive areas provided on the second face of at least one of said first and fourth panels, and on the second face of at least one of and second and third panels for substantially permanently adhering mutually facing portions of said first and fourth panels and mutually facing portions of said second and third panels together as respective first and second postcard plies when said sheet is double V-folded about said fold lines, wherein said first through fourth panels are each substantially free from lines of weakness within their respective perimeters.
US08215537B2	Expandable holder The pad holder is constructed with an expandable pocket to receive a pad of paper or the like and with a fold over front ply to retain the pad of paper in place. A pad of paper may be retained wholly within the pocket while the front ply is secured to the pocket to retain the pad in a secure condition. In another embodiment, the expandable holder is formed to receive photo prints.
US08215533B2	Rotary knife cutting systems A rotary cutting system for use with a surgical stapling device. The rotary cutting system generally includes a knife blade and a mainspring for imparting rotary motion to the circular knife blade. A hammer member is provided and is configured and adapted to engage the knife blade.
US08215532B2	Tissue stop for surgical instrument A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a stop member is disclosed. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The first jaw member includes an upper tissue-contacting surface and a lower shelf portion. The shelf portion includes a groove disposed therein. The stop member is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and is pivotable with respect to the first jaw member between a first position, a significant portion of the stop member being positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second position where a lower portion of the stop member being positioned at least partially within the groove.
US08215531B2	Surgical stapling instrument having a medical substance dispenser In various embodiments, an assembly of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing, a cutting member relatively movable with respect to the housing, and an agent cartridge connected to the housing. The agent cartridge houses a medical agent. The assembly is configured to deliver the medical agent proximate a cutting surface of the cutting member.
US08215530B2	Surgical instrument with indicator A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion and an indicator. A firing trigger is movable between first and second positions. The head portion includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The indicator is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and is movable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of the anvil assembly towards its approximated position. The indicator is movable between the second position and a third position in response to firing of the instrument.
US08215518B2	Temperature-stabilized storage containers with directed access Systems include one or more storage containers. A container may include one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, and an access region, including at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a discrete quantity of material from the at least one storage region.
US08215517B2	Compressed gas cylinder having conductive polymeric foot ring A compressed gas cylinder assembly is disclosed which includes a metallic cylinder body having an upper end portion with handles and a flow control valve, and a lower end portion with a convex surface from which depends a lower support ring. A non-conductive annular collar surrounds the lower support ring of the cylinder body, and a conductive foot ring connects the annular collar to the lower support ring of the cylinder body, providing a conductive path to ground for the metallic cylinder body.
US08215512B2	Cap for a consumable liquid container A cap for a consumable liquid container, the cap comprising a seal made of a flexible material and having a top section with a depressibJe portion and a flange portion at least partially surrounding the depressible portion for overlspping the spout of the cap and a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the top section; wherein the seal is in closed position where the depressible portion is above the flange portion and the flange portion has a portion covering the spout for hampering the outward flow of the consumable liquid through the spout, and wherein, upon pressure of a user on the depressible portion, the depressible portion is moved downwardly such that the flange portion is above the depressible portion and frees the spout for allowing unimpeded passage of the consumable liquid outwards from the interior of the container.
US08215506B2	Flip top closure assembly for a bottle A flip top closure assembly for a bottle Includes a base portion affixed onto a neck of the bottle and a cap portion connected to the base portion The base portion Includes a peripheral skirt for engagement with the bottle and a wall extending inwardly from atop the skirt The wall has a generally diamond-shaped opening therein that defines a pour opening A pouring lip extends upwardly from the skirt The pouring lip and a portion of the wall define a pouring spout adjacent a first apex of the pour opening At least a portion of the pouring spout extends outwardly past an outermost periphery of a side wall of the bottle The cap portion includes a substantially planar flip top hingedly connected to the base portion adjacent to a second apex of the pour opening.
US08215496B2	Polynorbornene pervaporation membrane films, preparation and use thereof Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide forming polynorbornenes useful for forming pervaporation membranes, the membranes themselves and methods of making such membranes.
US08215486B2	Package of stacked paper products bearing coordinated images A package of two or more stacks of paper sheet products, such as paper napkins or paper towels is disclosed. Each of the paper sheet products is printed with at least a first motif image and a second motif image. An uppermost paper sheet product of one of the stacks displays the first motif image and an uppermost paper sheet product of another of the stacks displays the second motif image. The napkins may be folded in each stack such that the exposed image of each napkin in a given stack alternates between the first motif image and the second motif image. The first and second images may be motif images that are thematically related to one another, in that both the motif images are primarily associated with the same event, holiday, season or special occasion.
US08215485B2	Display and storage container A container comprises a clamshell-like shape. The container includes a hinge positioned low on a viewing face and opens high on the rear end. The interior of the container is shaped so as to present its contents at a desirable viewing angle, the container intended to provide an unobstructed view through the viewing face. The container may comprise a closing mechanism at the rear end to hold the container closed. The container can contain products for sale, including cookies, slices of pound cake, other baked goods, and other products.
US08215481B1	Container closure for retaining an additive material A container closure is disclosed for retaining an additive material to mix with a container material within a container. The container closure comprises a reservoir having a sleeve and a plunger for retaining the additive material. A resilient seal is located at a first end of the sleeve and a frangible wall is located at a second end of the sleeve. The plunger is slidably received within the sleeve with the resilient seal interacting between the sleeve and the plunger. A severable member coacts between the base and the plunger for spacing a plunger projection from the frangible wall. The severable member is removable for enabling the plunger to be moved into a depressed position to fracture the frangible wall to permit the additive material to enter the container.
US08215477B2	Archimedes screw for use in conveyors, compactors and the like The archimedes screw (1) for use in conveyors, compactors and the like, comprises a shaft (2) on which a helix (3) is coupled, which screw rotates internally of a containing structure, wherein the archimedes screw (1) comprises a plurality of sections (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d . . . 4n) which can be threaded coaxially and solidly in rotation on a central shaft which defines the shaft (2) of the archimedes screw, each of which plurality of sections exhibits different constructional and functional characteristics from other of the plurality of sections.
US08215476B2	Correlator for introducing vehicle tires into a conveyer of a vehicle washing system Described is a correlator for introducing vehicle tires into a conveyor of a vehicle washing system. The correlator includes a frame with two laterally and freely rotatable belts. A set of angled curb rails resides over one of the belts to direct the vehicle's tires into a set of guide rails. As a roller pushes the rear tire of the vehicle onto the belts, the angled curb rails provide a lateral force to the tires. Because the belts are free-rolling, they are capable of rotating to move the tire laterally and shift the position of the vehicle to align the vehicle with the conveyor.
US08215472B2	Banknote handling machine A banknote handling machine has a taking-in unit that takes in banknotes one by one, a transport unit that transports the banknote taken in by the taking-in unit, a transport state detection unit that detects the transport state of the banknote taken in by the taking-in unit, a recognition unit that recognizes a kind of the banknote transported by the transport unit, first to third stacking units including stackers in which the banknotes transported by the transport unit are stacked, and a control unit that determines an abnormally transported banknote based on the detection result of the transport state detection unit and determines a specific normal banknote, an abnormal banknote, or a non-specific banknote based on the recognition result of the recognition unit, the control unit controlling the transport unit to transport the banknote determined as the specific normal banknote to the first stacking unit, to transport the banknote determined as the abnormal banknote to the second stacking unit, and to transport the banknote determined as the abnormally transported banknote or the non-specific banknote to the third stacking unit.
US08215471B2	Mechanical brake A mechanical brake having an axial shifting mechanism arranged on an input drive shaft and an axial shifting mechanism arranged on an output drive shaft. The two axial shifting mechanisms are so embodied that their shifting directions are opposed and that, upon introduction of a torque via the input drive shaft and/or the output drive shaft, the axial shifting mechanism associated with the input drive shaft has precedence over the axial shifting mechanism associated with the output drive shaft.
US08215470B2	Starting device A starting device includes a housing; an output side member; a clutch mechanism; a working oil passage that supplies working oil to a hydraulic chamber of the clutch mechanism from an oil pressure source side; and a lubricating oil passage including a supply oil passage that supplies lubricating oil to the housing from the oil pressure source side and a return oil passage for returning the lubricating oil to the oil pressure source side from the housing, wherein the working oil passage and the lubricating oil passage are formed to overlap at least partially in an axial direction.
US08215466B2	Power feeding apparatus for slidable structural body A power feeding apparatus for a slidable structural body includes a link arm which is provided on one of the slidable structural body and a fixed structural body so as to be pivotally moved in a harness surplus length-absorbing direction of a wire harness, a harness holding portion provided on a distal end side of the link arm, and a harness fixing portion provided on the other of the slidable structural body and the fixed structural body. The link arm is formed so as to be expanded and contracted in a longitudinal direction of the link arm. The wire harness is installed to extend from the harness holding portion to the harness fixing portion.
US08215459B2	Cable operated drum brakes A cable operated drum brake has an internal brake operating lever with a quick-attach device for an operating cable. A cable attachment tube projects from a backplate of the brake and the operating cable has an inner cable with a latching formation on the end thereof and a cable outer sleeve. An end portion of the operating cable is slideable towards the backplate within the tube up to a first position at which further movement towards the backplate is stopped by contact between an abutment on the tube and a cooperating abutment on the cable outer sleeve. When the latching formation has moved past the quick-attach device, the cable is then subsequently moveable away from the backplate within the tube to a second position in which the latching formation is fully engaged with the quick-attach device. A fastener maintains the latching formation engaged with the quick-attach device during subsequent operation.
US08215458B2	Fixedly connected pad retaining spring for a brake pad A system for retaining a back plate of a disc brake pad is described. The system includes an elongated resilient element for applying a force to the back plate, a base of the resilient element extending along an edge of the back plate, contacting the edge along a majority of its length, legs of the resilient element, extending from the base, generating the force applied to the back plate by the base when deformed by a compression element, and retaining elements for preventing axial displacement of ends of the resilient element, and lateral slipping of the resilient element.
US08215452B2	Extendable ladder for trailer, motor home, or other vehicle The invention relates to an extendable ladder configured to extend a second ladder segment relative to a first ladder segment. The ladder includes a first ladder segment, a second ladder segment, and at least two slider cups. When the ladder is mounted to a surface, the ladder can be moved from a generally vertical orientation to an angled orientation of between greater than 60 degrees and approximately 90 degrees away from the horizontal reference. The ladder may be mounted to one or more of a vehicle, a building, and a piece of equipment. The vehicle may be one or more of a trailer, recreational vehicle, truck, and bus.
US08215449B2	Muffler system for noise abatement and ice control A method of controlling a discharge of an exhaust gas from a pneumatic device includes directing the exhaust gas from an exhaust port of the pneumatic device into proximity with a heated portion of the pneumatic device, expanding the exhaust gas in proximity with the heated portion of the pneumatic device to heat the exhaust gas, and discharging the exhaust gas to atmosphere.
US08215448B2	Sound damper for vehicle compressed air systems A sound damper for compressed air systems of vehicles includes a housing, an insulator and at least one web. The housing has an air inlet and an air outlet. The insulator is located in the housing, and the web is located in the housing such that it protrudes at least partially into the insulator. Air that flows through the housing from the air inlet to the air outlet is conducted by the web into the insulator.
US08215442B2	Rear mount structure of engine A seat front member and a seat rear member are connected to each other through left and right seat rails. The seat front member and the seat rear member are disposed on an upper surface of a floor panel. An outer end of a bracket is joined to an inner side of a side frame and an upper end of the bracket is joined to the under surface of the floor panel. The bracket is disposed on a region wherein, the bracket is sandwiched between the seat front member and the seat rear member. A lower surface of the bracket is disposed a higher distance from the ground than a lower surface of the side frame. A rear mount member is rigidly coupled to a lower surface of the bracket and a lower surface thereof is disposed at a higher distance from the ground than the side frame.
US08215436B2	Hybrid trailer system A system and related method for a regenerative braking system on a towed vehicle, such as a trailer or semi-trailer. The system provides power and braking to the respective trailer wheels, as needed, to help stabilize the trailer. Power is regenerated during braking. While batteries may be used to store the energy, the system also may use capacitive storage units, which charge and discharge large amounts of energy at a fast rate. A multiple-axis sensor system in conjunction with wheel sensors, load sensors, and proportional control of the brakes and motor power to the axles and wheels, is used to achieve superior load stabilization. The invention can be easily retrofit into new or used trailers, and is self-contained with low maintenance.
US08215428B2	Power configuration system for fuel cell hybrid vehicle and method for controlling the same The present invention provides a power configuration system for a fuel cell hybrid vehicle and a method for controlling the same, in which a second blocking diode is installed in a main bus terminal at an output terminal of a fuel cell (in front of a first blocking diode) separately from the existing first blocking diode installed in the main bus terminal, the positions of high voltage components for driving the fuel cell are changed from the rear of the first blocking diode to the front of the first blocking diode, and the operations of the high voltage components are appropriately controlled during regenerative braking such that the voltage of the fuel cell may be maintained below that of the supercapacitor.
US08215422B2	Emergency utility vehicle An off-road emergency vehicle includes an operator compartment with an environmentally controlled atmosphere and wireless communication devices. The modified, extended all-terrain vehicle frame supports an enclosed equipment compartment having a top and sides. The equipment compartment is large enough to enclose a full-length stretcher for someone in need of care in an off-road area. The equipment compartment also contains a bench for an emergency technician and storage. The vehicle includes a secondary power source used to supply power to the lighting system and equipment of the equipment compartment.
US08215417B2	Method, device and system for drilling rig modification A method, device and system for augmenting a traditional drilling or workover rig with automated operational, monitoring and reporting systems. The automation system comprises integratable components of various automated operational systems, combined in a device easily adapted to install into the operational area of a drilling or workover rig, wherein the automated operational systems are dynamically selectable either or both locally or remotely.
US08215416B2	Device for assisting in actuating a tool The application relates to a device for assisting in actuating a tool comprising two arms that are movable in rotation around an axis between an open position in which the arms are separated from each other, and a closed position in which the arms are close to each other, the device further comprising a cable at one end part of which is associated with one of the arms, the other end part of the cable being disposed in a cable tensioner, the tensioner being associated with the other arm, the device further comprising actuating the tensioner between an open position in which the cable is unwound, the arms being in an open position, and a closed position in which the cable is wound so as to move the arms into their closed position.
US08215412B2	Fire fighting method and apparatus deployed after flame collapse for extinguishing “smiley face” Method and apparatus for extinguishing industrial tank fires of flammable/combustible liquid including achieving flame collapse, and subsequent to flame collapse achieving collapse of a remaining “smiley face”.
US08215410B2	Apparatus and method for electrical packer feedthrough An apparatus for providing electrical power through a downhole packer comprises a riser nipple engagingly insertable in a passage in the packer; a sleeve surrounding a portion of the riser nipple and slidingly moveable between a cable assembly position and an operational position enabling connection of a cable extending through the packer and the sleeve to an electrical connector; and a retaining nut engageable with the riser nipple capturing the sleeve in the operational position when the retaining nut is engaged with the riser nipple.
US08215407B2	Apparatus for fluidizing formation fines settling in production well The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the occurrences of lateral wellbores being occluded by fines such as sand and silt. More specifically, the invention relates to discharging a portion of the output of an electrical submersible pump through nozzles that pass through the sidewalls of tubing, the tubing being located in the lateral wellbore.
US08215394B2	Control line patch A control or other line with a hole downhole can be repaired by pumping a device that is driven by pressure delivered behind a leading seal. The device advances until the leading seal passes the opening in the line where its forward movement is stopped. Upstream of the opening a fluid activated seal is energized so that seals now straddle the opening in the wall. A passage that extends between the seals is opened by blowing a rupture disc with internal pressure to once again give access to the downhole tool through the passage that has external seals to straddle the hole in the tubing wall. Normal operation of the downhole tool can then resume.
US08215391B2	Coiled tubing deployed single phase fluid sampling apparatus and method for use of same A coiled tubing deployed fluid sampler (50) for collecting a single phase fluid sample from a well. The fluid sampler (50) is actuated to establish fluid communication between an interior (56) and an exterior of the fluid sampler (50) such that a fluid sample is obtained from the well in a chamber (92) of the fluid sampler (50). The fluid pressure in the coiled tubing string is then increased, which pressurizes the fluid sample in the chamber (92). Thereafter, the coiled tubing and the fluid sampler (50) are retrieved to the surface with the pressurized fluid sample remaining above its saturation pressure during collection and retrieval to the surface.
US08215386B2	Downhole tool releasing mechanism A downhole tool releasing mechanism which includes a collet for releasably engaging a mandrel of a downhole tool. A retaining band is circumferentially disposed about the fingers of the collet for maintaining engagement of the collet and the mandrel prior to application of a predetermined axially directed force on the releasing mechanism. Upon application of such a force the collet fingers expand, breaking the shear band, the mandrel is released and the downhole tool is disengaged.
US08215373B2	Coating composition which adsorbs adourous and harmful substances and is intended for the box casting of metals The invention relates to a casting mould for the casting of metals, wherein a layer consisting of a material which absorbs harmful substances on at least sections of gas outlet surfaces of the casting mold, in particular the top side thereof. The invention also relates to a coating composition, to a process for producing the casting mold and to the use thereof for casting of metals.
US08215368B2	Releasable tassel A covering for an architectural opening and a method of arranging at least one movement cord includes a cover extending between an uppermost member and a lowermost member, an active end of the at least one movement cord being attached to the lowermost member and extending from the lowermost member to the uppermost member and the at least one movement cord extending, as the loose length, from the uppermost member to a distal end.
US08215358B2	Steam corrugator system A system is configured to process steam. The system includes a steam supply line, a corrugator system, a heat sink, and one or more return lines. The corrugator system includes two corrugating rolls. The corrugating rolls each have a plurality of bores formed therethrough. The bores extend substantially longitudinally through the corrugating rolls. The heat sink is configured to draw steam through the corrugator system. The one or more return lines are in fluid communication with one or both of the corrugator system or the heat sink. The one or more return lines are configured to receive condensate communicated from one or both of the corrugator system or the heat sink. A steam trap assembly may also be positioned between the heat sink and a return line. The steam trap assembly may include a steam trap and a bypass line that is operable to selectively bypass the steam trap.
US08215356B2	Tire with composite ply structure and envelope turnup A tire and method of building a tire is described wherein the tire has a carcass having a pair of sidewall plies and a bridge ply, each ply being reinforced with cords, the sidewall plies each having a first end which is received between the bridge ply and a belt reinforcing structure; wherein each sidewall ply extends axially outward along the sidewall and extending radially inwardly to the bead core and folded from a position axially outside the bead core to a position axially inside and around the bead core to an axially inner turnup end; said bridge ply having ends which overlap with a respective inner turnup end of said sidewall ply.
US08215347B2	Apparatus and methods for controlled debarking of wood An apparatus for determining one or more optimal operating parameters for debarking wood is provided. The apparatus has a scraper and an actuator configured to adjust the position of the scraper toward a sample portion of the wood to scrape a surface of the sample portion of the wood with a scraping force. The apparatus also has a force sensor operatively associated with the scraper for detecting the scraping force. A light source impinges light on a scraped surface of the sample portion. A light detector detects a light image defined by light from the light source reflected by the scraped surface. A controller is operatively associated with the force sensor and the light detector. The controller has processing means to determine the one or more optimal operating parameters based on signals relating to the scraping force and signals relating to the light image. The one or more optimal operating parameters are relevant to debarking wood proximal to the sample portion.
US08215344B2	Bottom fillable bottles and systems for charging the same A bottle assembly is provided having a body portion defining a cavity therein, a top lid assembly connectable to the body portion, which includes a selectively deployable and retractable spout, a spout bottom lid; and a resilient tube having a lumen therethrough, wherein the lumen is occluded when the spout is retracted and the resilient tube is kinked, and wherein the lumen is opened when the spout is deployed and the resilient tube is not kinked; a trigger assembly for selectively moving the spout between a deployed and a retracted condition; and a bottom lid assembly selectively connectable to a bottom end of the body portion, the bottom lid assembly including a valve assembly to open and close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion.
US08215335B2	Automatic fluid flow control device A fluid control device for a fluid supply includes a housing (31) defining a fluid supply channel (34) with a fluid inlet (35) for coupling to a fluid supply and a fluid outlet (36) for coupling to an appliance. The housing additionally defines a chamber (44) with an inlet (40) for coupling to an overflow and an outlet (41) for coupling to a drain. A valve (55) is located in the fluid supply channel (34) and is moveable from a first open position to a second closed position where fluid flow through the channel (34) is substantially restricted. An actuator (52) is provided in the chamber (44) and is moveable from a first position to a second position. The valve (55) and actuator (44) are magnetically coupled to one another such that movement of the actuator (44) from the first position to the second position causes the valve (55) to move from the open position to the closed position.
US08215334B2	Coupling assembly for plumbing fitting A control handle assembly for a plumbing fitting has a first control member having a bore and a ledge within the bore extending radially inward to an inner dimension, and a second control member having a mounting post with a ledge extending radially outward to an outer dimension. A deformable clip is captured by the control members between the ledges and has a radial outer dimension greater than the inner and outer dimensions of the ledges so as to rotatably couple the control members.A spout coupling assembly has a lower adaptor defining a lower passageway for housing a diverter and an upper adaptor coupled to the lower adaptor defining an upper passageway. An annular recess is formed in the upper adaptor and a collar is axially restrained in the annular recess. A spout is coupled to the collar so that the spout and collar rotate simultaneously.
US08215310B2	Implant for treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse An implant suitable for treatment of treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse and/or pelvic floor reconstruction. The implant comprises a vaginal support member substantially sized or shaped to the portion of the vaginal wall to be supported and at least two extension portions projecting from the support member, wherein at least one extension portion has fixation means for anchoring the extension portion into pelvic paravaginal fibro-fatty issue without being faxed into defined structural tissues. A method of treating treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse and/or pelvic floor reconstruction using the implant is also provided.
US08215308B2	Sealing nasal devices for use while sleeping Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided.
US08215306B2	Respiratory access port assembly with push button lock and method of use A respiratory access assembly inctudes a distal pJate having one port and cuff and an axially aligned proximal plate including a first port and first cuff and a second port and second cuff. The distal plate is configured to move relative to the proximal plate. The respiratory access assembly includes an actuator, which has a plurality of predetermined positions. When the actuator is positioned in a movement-enabling position, it permits movement of the plates while simultaneously blocking the first port of the proximal plate. When the actuator is positioned in a first or second locked (open) position, it locks the plates together and aligns the port of the distal plate with the respective first or second port of the proximal plate and un-blocks the first port of the proximal plale so that an object, such as a suction catheter, may be positioned through the aligned ports. When the actuator is positioned in the third locked (closed) position, it locks the plates together such that the port of the distal plate is positioned between the first port and the second port or the proximal plate and all ports are out of alignment with each other, such that all ports are blocked by a portion of one plate so that no object is moveable through any of the ports. A method of using a respiratory access assembly is provided.
US08215301B2	Nose cannula heated/humidified gas delivery system A low flow heated/humidified respiratory gas delivery system, especially useful for low flow rates as preferred in the treatment of neonate and other such patients, wherein the respiratory gas is heated and humidified as desired for delivery to the patient and the temperature is monitored at the point of delivery to the patient.
US08215298B2	Solar module system of the parabolic concentrator type A solar module system includes a self-supporting structure and at least one solar module element or reflector element which can be arranged on the support structure. The support structure includes a plurality of juxtaposed support profiles in the form of self-supporting hollow chamber profiles, which have front parabolic concentrator reflector functional surfaces and solar module functional surfaces on the side facing away from the front. The system is used e.g. for photovoltaic systems outdoors or on buildings.
US08215297B2	Folding side table A folding table for a grill includes a table portion configured to extend into an operative position and configured to be placed in a protective stowed position to protect the grill. The folding table further includes an upper cross support pivotally connected to the table portion and an attachment portion configured to be connected to the grill. The attachment portion is pivotally connected to the support.
US08215293B2	System and method for controlling a supercharged engine with inlet and port throttle A method and system for controlling an engine with a supercharger includes a bypass valve control module controlling a bypass valve for the supercharger having a bypass flow area in response to a desired manifold absolute pressure, an inlet valve control module controlling an inlet throttle for a supercharger in response to a bypass flow area and a port throttle control module controlling a port throttle in response to the desired mass airflow.
US08215292B2	Internal combustion engine and working cycle Method of operating an internal combustion engine, including, at least, compressing and cooling air outside an engine chamber, supplying cooled, pressurized air to an intake port associated with the chamber, and, during each engine cycle: opening the intake port, allowing cooled, pressurized air to flow through the intake port and into the chamber during at least a portion of the intake stroke; maintaining open the intake port during the portion of the intake stroke and beyond the end of the intake stroke and into the compression stroke and during a majority portion of the compression stroke; closing the intake port at a point during travel of the piston to capture in the chamber a cooled compressed charge of the cooled, pressurized air; controllably delivering fuel into the chamber after the cooled compressed charge is captured within the chamber; and igniting a fuel and air mixture within the chamber.
US08215291B2	Method and system for fuel vapor control A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system.
US08215288B2	Control system and method for controlling an engine in response to detecting an out of range pressure signal A method and control module for operating an engine that includes a pressure range determination module that determines a pressure value for a pressure sensor in a fuel rail is out of range. A fuel rail pressure estimate module that determines a predicted pressure value. An engine control module that operates the engine using the predicted pressure value.
US08215287B2	Fuel supply apparatus for engine and injector for the same A fuel supply apparatus for an engine may include a plurality of common rails that stores fuel under relatively different pressures, and at least an injector that is connected to the common rails to be independently supplied with the fuel and selectively inject the fuel in any one of the connected common rails.
US08215286B2	Electronic control system for carburetor An electronic control system for a carburetor, includes: a transmission device linked to a valve; an electric actuator for driving the valve; and an electronic control unit for controlling operation of the electric actuator, the electric actuator being disposed between the transmission device and the electronic control unit, The transmission device, the electric actuator and the electronic control unit are housed and held in a casing mounted on the carburetor. A ventilation apparatus which places an interior of the casing in communication with an outside atmosphere relative to the carburetor is connected to the casing.
US08215275B2	Single lobe deactivating rocker arm A deactivating rocker arm for use with a cam having at least one no-lift safety lobe is provided. Safety lobe contacting surfaces on the rocker arm are configured for contact with safety lobes during abnormal operation of the rocker arm. When the rocker arm is deactivated, the safety lobe contacting surfaces may come into contact with safety lobes when excessive pump-up of a lash adjuster brings the rocker arm undesirably close to the rotating cam. This contact limits the range of motion of the rocker arm during certain instances of abnormal operation, promoting more effective transition between deactivated and activated states and preventing damaging contact between the rocker arm and the cam lobe.
US08215274B2	Hydraulic control system for engine cam phasing A hydraulic control system to provide an oil or pressurized fluid supply to a variable cam phasing system in an engine is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a valve housing attachable to a front cover assembly of the engine; a first valve installed in the housing; and an inlet passage defined by the front cover assembly hydraulically communicating with the first valve in the housing to carry pressurized fluid from a fluid source to the first valve. A first and a second outlet passage defined by the housing hydraulically communicates with the first valve to allow the pressurized fluid to flow to the cam phasing system, thereby variably moving a camshaft assembly operatively connected to the cam phasing system.
US08215271B2	Hydraulic unit for a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine with hydraulically variable gas-exchange valve train A hydraulic unit (5) is provided for a cylinder head (2) of an internal combustion engine with a hydraulically variable valve train (1). In the hydraulic unit, a high-pressure chamber (11), a medium-pressure chamber (12), and a low-pressure chamber (16) used as the hydraulic medium reservoir are formed. The low-pressure chamber communicates via a throttle point (17, 17′, 17″, 17′″) with the medium-pressure chamber, and the throttle point is formed by a displaceable valve body (19, 19′, 19″, 19′″) and has through-flow cross sections of different sizes according to a position of the valve body.
US08215269B2	Two-stroke engine A two-stroke engine has a scavenging port for introduction of a working gas containing fuel, into a combustion chamber, and an exhaust port for discharge of gas in the combustion chamber therefrom, in which a piston connected to a crankshaft through a connecting rod reciprocates in the combustion chamber with rotary drive of the crankshaft, to control opening and closing of the scavenging port and the exhaust port, in which as the piston moves from a top dead center to a bottom dead center, the exhaust port and the scavenging port open in the order named, and in which as the piston moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, the scavenging port and the exhaust port close in the order named.
US08215262B2	Cluster tool architecture for processing a substrate Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, a cluster tool for processing a substrate includes a first processing rack, a first robot assembly and a second robot assembly operable to transfer substrates to substrate processing chambers in the first processing rack, and a horizontal motion assembly. The horizontal motion assembly includes one or more walls that form an interior region in which a motor is enclosed. The one or more walls defining an elongated opening through which a robot support interface travels, the robot support interface supporting a robot of the horizontal motion assembly.
US08215260B2	Rotary electric machine-manufacturing apparatus and method of manufacturing the same A rotary electric machine-manufacturing apparatus utilized to implement a process of infiltrating varnish into wire-wound coils of a rotary electric machine, and of curing the varnish, an apparatus includes a rotator 2 supporting a work S attached with the wire-wound coils Sc and rotating the work; and a high-frequency power supply device supplying electric power to the wire-wound coils. It is thus possible to support and heat up the work without having devices that surround the work S, thereby positioning a varnish dropping-infiltrating device 6 appropriately. Further, there is no need to change a stage as conventional heat-up processes with an oven or a hot blast-circulating furnace did, and an entire process from pre-drying to curing can be implemented at a single stage.
US08215248B2	Double acting cylinder for tufting machine gate apparatus A gated looper apparatus has an array of individually mounted pressurizable air cylinders with piston rods acting in communication with looper gates. The air cylinders are designed to be responsive to pneumatic pressure to extend and retract the associated piston rods.
US08215244B2	Plastic pallet A pallet has a top deck member and a bottom deck member. The top deck member has an upper surface, and a lower surface defined by a plurality of first cross-rib members. The bottom deck member has an upper portion and runners extending downwardly therefrom in a unitary construction. The upper portion has an upper surface defined by a plurality of second cross-rib members which correspond to the first cross-rib members and securely attached to mount the top and bottom decks to each other. The runners have a lower surface and extend transversely across the pallet in a parallel orientation, and also have a plurality of upright members and support members extending between the upright members and integrally formed therewith in a unitary construction. The plurality of second cross-rib members extend generally vertically from the top deck to the lower surface of the runners.
US08215243B2	Rack for a test cell A rack for a test cell, with vertical posts and horizontal crossbars, wherein the crossbars are connected with their end sections to the posts. The posts and the crossbars have the form of box sections that are open towards the outside, are arranged in a spatial grid, and are connected with each other. The posts as well as the crossbars have passages that are associated with each other and that serve as passages for lines that are installed in the rack.
US08215242B2	Portable lap tray A portable and environmentally-friendly lap tray to support items for a seated individual includes a storage surface surrounded by retaining walls. The lap tray includes hinged support wings on the bottom surface to extend between a user's legs. The wings are set apart from one another in an ergonomically preferable position to allow any person to comfortably use the lap tray when seated. Alternatively, the lap tray may be used as a stand. The lap tray may be personalized or customized for particular events with various indicia and add-ons.
US08215241B2	Vertical linear actuator mechanism A vertical linear actuator mechanism for positioning a load at a desired elevation above a support surface is described. The vertical linear actuator mechanism in one aspect thereof comprises an electric motor having a drivable shaft. The drivable shaft is coupled to a linear extendable mechanism having a load connector at a top end thereof. A potentiometer detects the position of the load connector relative to the support surface and provides position signals to a motor controller circuit which monitors the position of the load connector and controls the operation of the electric motor. In another aspect thereof the vertical linear actuator is comprised by a pair of gas spring cylinders interconnected together. The vertical linear actuator mechanism is secured inside a telescopic pedestal and extends and retracts the pedestal.
US08215240B2	Bimodal container chassis The disclosure provides a bimodal container chassis of differing lengths in a gooseneck type as well as a flat beam type for supporting ISO and domestic containers and other cargo during highway as well as railway transit. The bimodal container chassis has a front end equipped with a king-pin for connecting to a tractor and a rear end equipped with braking and suspension components, axles, wheels and tires, which make the bimodal container chassis suitable for road transport. The bimodal container chassis has front and rear ends for connecting, and thereby suspending, the bimodal container chassis including but not limited to its payload between two rail bogies, which make the bimodal container chassis suitable for rail transit. The bimodal container chassis is constructed of sufficient strength and stiffness to withstand in-train forces of 400,000 pounds tension and compression, yet the bimodal container chassis is constructed of reasonable weight for being competitive and complying with bridge laws as well as other highway regulations.
US08215239B2	Aerodynamic pseudocontainer for reducing drag associated with stacked intermodal containers Disclosed is an aerodynamic pseudocontainer for a train. The pseudocontainer is configured to be stacked atop an intermodal container in a lead container car at a lead end of the train, so that its aerodynamic configuration reduces drag when the train is in motion, thereby reducing fuel costs and emissions. The pseudocontainer may have connectors on its bottom so that when it is placed on top of the intermodal container, locking devices may be used for attachment.
US08215235B2	Breaching apparatus for use with explosive charges The present invention is a flexible, fillable and/or inflatable breach bag with a planar body and at least one fillable bladder for use in breaching locked or barricaded doors or penetrating surfaces with explosive charges. The breach bag may conform to a variety of shapes, depending on the application. The bag generally includes a panel of flexible material having at least two material layers, including a plurality of seams joining at least two of the material layers to form at least one bladder between the material layers for the selective of fill material, generally in the field. The bladders include fluid inlets providing fluid access to said bladder for filling said bladder with fill material. Additionally, the bags include means to suspend the breach bag against structures to be breached.
US08215228B2	Liquid flow control and beverage preparation for a refrigerator Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
US08215226B2	Negative pressure booster In the negative pressure booster, when in operation, a reaction disc (35) deflects due to the reaction from an output shaft (34) and pushes a pin (28) backward, and the pin (28) pushes a vacuum valve seat member (21) backward via an arm (25). Thereafter, the vacuum valve seat member (21) pushes up a valve body (15) backward via a vacuum valve portion (17), and an atmosphere valve portion (16) moves backward relative to a valve body (4). The stroke of an input shaft (11) is shortened by an amount an atmosphere valve (20) and a vacuum valve (23) have moved backward. As the valve body (15) is pushed up backward, further, a balance position for the atmosphere valve (20) and the vacuum valve (23) shifts backward depending upon the output (input). Therefore, the stroke of the input member is shortened at the time of producing a large output.
US08215223B2	Ceramic components, ceramic component systems, and ceramic armour systems Several ceramic armor systems are provided herein. One such system is a ceramic armor system for personnel. Such system includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of the ceramic plate. A backing is bonded to the exposed face of the shock-absorbing layer. A second such system is a ceramic armor system for vehicles. Such system also includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic plate has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of the ceramic plate. The assembly of the front spall layer, the ceramic plate, and the shock-absorbing layer is bolted to the hull of a vehicle, preferably with an air-gap, or alternatively without an air-gap.
US08215218B2	Sandwich holder and knife guide A sandwich holder and knife guide for cutting a sandwich in half while maintaining the ingredients in place includes a base, a pair of upwardly extending parallel walls with an aligned slit in each of the walls for guiding a knife through a sandwich, a transparent dome with a slit aligned with the slits in the walls, a knife, a support frame, a pair of stainless steel tapes disposed on opposite sides of the slits and each of the tapes extending across the support frame in a parallel relationship with the slits and one end of each of the tapes is coiled upon a retractable coil for maintaining the tapes under tension so that the tapes when extended and placed on top of the sandwich retain the sandwich and its fillings in place when the sandwich is cut in half.
US08215215B2	Protective cover structure of a desk sawing machine A protective cover structure of a desk sawing machine includes a chopper board, a cover, two first side boards and two second side boards. The cover is disposed at an upper end of the chopper board. The two first side boards respectively disposed at two sides of the cover. One end of each of the first side boards is pivotally connected to the cover. The two second side boards respectively connected to another end of each of the first side boards. The first side boards and the second side boards can be operated independently to enhance shelter. The desk sawing machine can keep off the sawdust when cutting, providing a protective effect to the equipment and the user.
US08215213B1	Workpiece supporting assembly A workpiece supporting assembly, having a body member with an internal workpiece channel and a plurality of body openings communicating with the internal workpiece channel, supports a workpiece within the workpiece channel so that end portions of the workpiece extend from the body openings. The body member has a plurality of arbors, each arbor having a longitudinal axis that is coincident with a datum axis of one of the extending workpiece portions. A turning machine grips one arbor at a time and rotates the body member about the selected longitudinal axis for machining the extended workpiece portion.
US08215212B2	On-vehicle brake lathe with indirect drive An on-vehicle disk brake lathe has a motor connected to a right-angle gearbox mounted to a body of the lathe, the gearbox in turn driving a spindle shaft through a flexible drive linkage such as a belt or chain. The spindle shaft extends parallel to a gearbox output shaft, and both are normal to an axis of rotation of the motor. The flexible drive linkage can be tensioned by adjustably mounting the gearbox to the lathe body or by use of an adjustably positioned tensioning element. A cover can enclose the flexible drive linkage. The separate gearbox allows the use of durable bearings for the spindle shaft, and allows these bearings to be spaced apart to provide a high degree of stability. The modular structure of the resulting lathe simplifies fabrication and repair, and allows use of a modular body for the lathe.
US08215210B2	Method of machining a face of an ophthalmic lens that is prism-ballasted at the centre The invention relates to a method of machining a face (3) of an ophthalmic lens (1) with a main machining step in which the position of a machining tool (8) is synchronised with the angular position of the ophthalmic lens (1) which is rotated around an axis of rotation (4) that is transverse to the face (3), in order to provide the face with a machined surface that is asymmetrical in relation to the axis of rotation (4) of the ophthalmic lens (1); and a complementary machining step in which a recess (22) is machined around the axis of rotation (4) of the lens (1).
US08215209B2	Screw driving member A screw driving member of the present invention is driven by a power tool to turn a nut with a polygonal head and a slot on its top. The screw driving member includes a shaft, a driver head and a biasing device. The shaft has an axial hole and a fitting hole. The driver head is inserted into the axial hole of the shaft for reciprocation but rotation. The biasing device urges the driver head to have a coupling end out of the shaft. In engagement of the nut, the coupling end enters the slot of the nut, and then the driver head will be turned automatically that the coupling end may fully enter the slot. At the same time, the shaft is turned also that the fitting hole may be engaged with the head of the nut when the screw driving member is pressed downward.
US08215207B2	Ratchet wrench A ratchet wrench includes a driving end including a ratchet member, two pawls releasably and selectively engaging with the ratchet member for setting the ratchet wrench in two operation modes, and a switching mechanism disposed between the pawls. The switching mechanism includes limits urging the respective pawls such that one limit engages with one pawl to urge it to disengage from the ratchet member while the other limit disengages from the other pawl to allow it to engage with the ratchet member in one operation mode, and the other limit engages with the other pawl to urge it to disengage from the ratchet member while the one limit disengages from the one pawl to allow it to engage with the ratchet member in another operation mode. Additionally, the pawls are prevented from being mis-shifted by the switching mechanism.
US08215204B2	Customizable modular handle structure for sports equipment A handle structure for sports equipment bars (B) particularly handlebars of cycles, motor cycles or the like. The structure (1) has a main tubular body (2) which defines a longitudinal axis (X), and has an outer surface (6) susceptible of being grasped by a user and an inner surface (7) designed to be operably mounted to the bar (B). A first device (3) axially locks the main body (2) to the bar (B). The tubular body (2) has a plurality of modular annular elements (10, 10′, 10″) designed for mutual coaxial connection along the longitudinal axis (X) for adjusting the overall length (L) of the body (2) to each user's needs. A sports implement incorporating such structure is also provided.
US08215197B2	Device for actuating a gearwheel, which is designed as a loose wheel, of a transmission device A device for actuating a gearwheel of a transmission device. The gearwheel rotates on a shaft and can be shifted by way an engagement mechanism that includes at least one actuator that is arranged at least partially inside the shaft. The actuator can be actuated by a pressure medium to fix the gearwheel to the shaft. The actuation force required for engaging or disengaging the gearwheel can come from within the shaft. The actuator is a piston-cylinder unit which is either rotationally fixed to the shaft or rotationally fixed relative the shaft. When the actuator is rotationally fixed relative to the shaft, the active connection between the actuator and the gearwheel, which is to be shifted, includes a drive decoupling unit between the actuator and the shaft.
US08215195B2	Engine starter An electromagnetic controller includes an exciting coil unit that is provided with a coil main body and an exciting piece that is positioned at a tip end side of the coil main body so as to be magnetized according to an excitation of the coil main body; and a plunger that is disposed in a ring-shaped space formed at an inner diameter side of the exciting coil unit so as to be movable in the ring-shaped space in an axial center direction, the plunger being displaceable from a non-acting position to an acting position at a tip end side under an attracting force based on magnetization of the exciting piece, wherein an urging member is provided at the inner diameter side of the exciting coil unit so as to urge the plunger to a side of the non-acting position according to demagnetization of the exciting piece.
US08215194B2	Starter In a starter with which a pinion movable body with which a pinion gear and a one-way clutch were united moves on an output shaft, a holder is attached to the one-way clutch. A seal component having the shape of a ring is provided so that an end of an outer circumference of the seal component is fixed to a nose part of a housing and an end of an inner circumference of the seal component slidably contacts an outer circumferential surface of the holder. The holder is provided so that relative rotation to the one-way clutch is possible. Since the holder doesn't rotate relative to the housing, wear of a seal component is reduced compared with the case where the seal component contacts the one-way clutch which rapidly rotates whereby the sealability preventing a foreign substance or water from infiltrating into the inside of the starter can be maintained.
US08215187B2	Torque detection device A torque detection device includes an enclosure, at least one torque-strain bar, at least one adaptor, a coupler, at least one strain gauge, and a torque display unit. The torque-strain bar is enclosed by the enclosure and has opposite ends respectively forming coupling terminals for coupling with the adaptor and the coupler in either direction. The adaptor is connectable to a torque device, such as a hand tool, an electric tool, or a pneumatic tool. The coupler is connectable to a tool piece, such as a wrench socket. The strain gauge is directly mounted to the torque-strain bar to detect the value of a torque applied thereto and to convert the torque value into a torque value signal, which can be outputted in either wired or wireless manner. The torque display unit is mounted to the enclosure and receives the torque value signal from the stain gauge, whereby the torque display unit may perform displaying of torque value, alarming, and storage according to the torque value signal.
US08215172B2	Device and method for determining the dynamic elastic modulus of a material The invention relates to the determination of the dynamic elastic modulus of a material, such as a material comprising a mineral binder like cement, or gypsum, or the like, or a polymer, or ceramic, preferably mortar or concrete, in particular shotcrete, using sound, preferably ultrasound waves which penetrate the material and are continuously measured and analyzed. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus, to a measuring device, and to a method for determining the dynamic elastic modulus of a material using the apparatus.
US08215165B2	Torso simulator for ballistics testing A device for simulating the torso of an animal or human to determine projectile performance is provided, comprising a support frame; and a plurality of selectively removable simulant inserts, including a hide simulant insert, a muscle simulant insert, a bone simulant insert, and one or more internal organ simulant insert, and wherein the simulant inserts are placed within the support frame in a predetermined order specific to the type of animal or human being simulated. The support frame includes a mounting device to secure the support frame to a ground surface, and a base adapted to orient the support frame at a selectable angle relative to a projectile path. The support frame further includes a locking device adapted to secure the simulant inserts to the support frame. In a preferred embodiment, the locking device includes a fastener slidably disposed within a slot formed in the support frame, and an extended member adapted to contact one of the simulant inserts.
US08215159B2	Inspection of holes A method of inspecting a hole defined by a component situated within an engine, the engine including a chamber configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply, wherein the component is in flow communication with the fluid supply via the chamber, the method includes the steps of: (i) delivering a test fluid via the chamber to the component to induce flow of the test fluid through the hole; (ii) deploying a sensor panel adjacent to the component in a path of test fluid issuing from the hole, the sensor panel being sensitive to impingement of the test fluid; and (iii) assessing a condition of the hole depending on a response of the sensor panel at a location corresponding to the hole.
US08215157B2	System and method for measuring liquid viscosity in a fluid delivery system The present invention includes systems and methods for determining the viscosity of a fluid within a fluid flow path. Such method may comprise flowing fluid through the fluid flow path and past a fixed flow restriction therein. The method may also comprise first sensing of a fluid pressure within the fluid flow path at a selected location upstream of the flow restriction. The method may also include limiting fluid flow in the fluid flow path upstream of such selected location. The method may further comprise second sensing of a fluid pressure within the fluid flow path at such selected location after such limiting. Such method includes determining the viscosity of the fluid based, at least in part, on any pressure difference from such first and second sensing.
US08215150B2	Instrument docking station with non-destructive sensor analysis capabilities A docking station for use with gas sensors includes limited test and diagnostic circuitry directed to specific characteristics of selected detectors. Where a family of detectors is to be evaluated, a universal interface for that family can be included. A single port can be used for multiple different detectors irrespective of specific detector characteristics.
US08215147B2	Hot stamping die apparatus A hot forming die that includes a first die and a second die. The first die has a first die structure that is formed of a tool steel. The first die structure has a first die surface and a plurality of first cooling apertures. The first die surface has a complex shape. The first cooling apertures are spaced apart from the die surface by a first predetermined distance. The second die has a second die surface. The first and second die surfaces cooperate to form a die cavity. Related methods for forming a hot forming die and for hot forming a workpiece are also provided.
US08215140B1	Entry lock An entry lock for keeping an automatically locking or closing from closing or locking has a latch body assembly with a left arm assembly and an adjustable right arm assembly capable of being secured to opposing sides of the door while the latch body housing is locked or secured to an edge of the door. The lock is released by a standard handcuff key, carried by most law officers.
US08215136B2	Laundry machine having multiple laundry treatment devices A multiple laundry machine is provided. The multiple laundry machine may include multiple washing spaces capable of separately washing relatively small amounts of laundry in each. The multiple laundry machine may include a casing, and a plurality of individual laundry machines arranged in the casing. Each of the individual laundry machines provided in the casing may conduct washing operations in a different manner so as to provide washing capability of different sizes and types of loads.
US08215135B2	Appliance latch with power failure unlock A lock for a washing machine or the like provides fast actuation through a solenoid driven bolt that remains stably in the locked position after power is no longer applied to the solenoid. The possibility of power failure preventing subsequent access to the washing machine is avoided through the use of a slower actuation time, thermal actuator storing sufficient energy to unlock the bolt after a time delay when power is lost.
US08215132B2	Article of footwear having a flat knit upper construction or other upper construction Flat knitting allows production of textile structures (e.g., for use in footwear uppers) of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided. Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures (e.g., in footwear construction). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product.
US08215123B2	Compact grille cabinet for room air-conditioners This invention relates to an improved compact grille cabinet for room air conditioners operable in normal and extreme climatic conditions with optimized efficiency mode comprising of: an insulated box chiller (B) with louvers, the insulated box being mounted on a window air conditioner; a hinge (C) allowing partial opening of the cabinet at angles up to 180° (120 and 130); an additional lid (A) opening upwards to accommodate an ice box compartment (210) or a tubular grille storing a liquid; an additional outlet (D) consisting of a small grilled aperture; an electronic control panel (E) adaptable with various programme modes indicating different temperatures of the cabinet and controlling the variable opening of the cabinet according to temperature to be maintained in a room; and a means to maintain opening angles of louvers proportional to the angle of the cabinet door to operate the air-conditioning device in a refrigerating, heating or air-conditioning mode facilitating heat exchange between ice tray, cooled stored matter in the cabinet and air entering the conditioner and air of the room.
US08215100B2	Regeneration device having external check valve An exhaust treatment device for a combustion system is disclosed. The exhaust treatment device may have a housing, and an injector disposed within the housing to deliver an injection fluid into a flow of exhaust. The exhaust treatment device may also have at least one fluid supply passage that is disposed within the housing and being in fluid communication with the injector to supply the injector with injection fluid. The exhaust treatment device may further have at least one purge passage disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the injector to supply the injector with a purge fluid. The exhaust treatment device may additionally have a first valve element that is mounted to the housing and disposed at an entrance of the at least one purge passage The first valve element may be configured to provide a unidirectional flow of purge fluid to the at least one purge passage.
US08215093B2	Sliver for spinning, method for producing the same, and spun yarn and fiber product using the same A sliver for spinning having a deodorizing and/or heat-generating moisture absorption function is provided, where a sliver for spinning formed as a bundle, in which staple fibers are aligned in one direction, is irradiated with an electron beam to provide an activating group and/or produce a radical on a surface of the fibers, and a compound including an ethylenic unsaturated double bond is chemically bonded to the surface of the fibers. A spun yarn of the invention is a spun yarn having a deodorizing and/or heat-generating moisture absorption function, including the above-described sliver for spinning that has been spun, or including the above-described sliver for spinning and a sliver other than the sliver for spinning that have been blended and spun. A fiber product of the invention has a deodorizing and/or heat-generating moisture absorption function, including the above-described spun yarn.
US08215085B2	Methods of preparing web material for production of receptacles for food or other products The disclosure relates to a method of preparing a web of flexible material for production of receptacles for packaging. The method comprises the steps of feeding a web of flexible material past a succession of stations in which operations are carried out on the web including defining blanks for receptacles having walls and tabs by creating fold lines in the web, and then laminating a film of heat-sealable plastics materials to a face of the web of the flexible material. The film of heat-sealable plastics provides a heat-sealable surface on the web for bonding tabs of each blank together to form seams between adjacent walls whereby the blanks, when severed from the web, can be erected to form receptacles having openings to receive items to be packaged.
US08215083B2	Insulation board with air/rain barrier covering and water-repellent covering A previously formed unitary building exterior envelope product is provided, comprising: a mineral fiber insulation board including a binder having a hydrophobic agent and is resistant to liquid water-penetration and has first and second major surfaces, an exterior facing material, which resists air infiltration and liquid water penetration, laminated to the first major surface, the exterior facing material being permeable to water vapor, and a continuous interior facing laminated to the second major surface, so that the second major surface is resistant to liquid water-penetration and is permeable to water vapor. The section of product is mounted to an exterior side of a plurality of framing members of an exterior wall of a building, so that the interior facing faces the framing members. An exterior layer is mounted to the framing members using a connection device that passes through the section of product, with the facing material facing the exterior layer.
US08215074B2	Pattern formation employing self-assembled material In one embodiment, Hexagonal tiles encompassing a large are divided into three groups, each containing ⅓ of all hexagonal tiles that are disjoined among one another. Openings for the hexagonal tiles in each group are formed in a template layer, and a set of self-assembling block copolymers is applied and patterned within each opening. This process is repeated three times to encompass all three groups, resulting in a self-aligned pattern extending over a wide area. In another embodiment, the large area is divided into rectangular tiles of two non-overlapping and complementary groups. Each rectangular area has a width less than the range of order of self-assembling block copolymers. Self-assembled self-aligned line and space structures are formed in each group in a sequential manner so that a line and space pattern is formed over a large area extending beyond the range of order.
US08215071B2	Integrated composition shingle PV system An integrated composition shingle PV system is interengageable with composition shingles, the composition shingles being arranged in overlapping rows on an inclined support surface. The system comprises a carrier mountable on the support surface. The carrier has flashing along its peripheral edge. The rear flashing is positionable under a first row of overlapping rows of composition shingles. The left side and right side flashing are interengageable with second and third rows of overlapping rows of composition shingles. The front flashing is positionable on top of another row of overlapping rows of composite shingles. A PV laminate is secured to and supported by the carrier.
US08215069B2	Swimming pool system with reinforced composite structural components A swimming pool assembly having a plurality of side wall panels certain adjacent ones of which have juxtaposed apertured edge flanges joined together by compression plates each having planar blade and a first plurality of pre-alignment fasteners extending away from the plane of the blade through aligned apertures in each juxtaposed flange and engaging a flange plate surface opposite the blade to temporarily align the side wall panels. Each compression plate further includes a second plurality of alignment towers passing through additional aligned apertures in each juxtaposed flange terminating in wedge receiving slots. Wedges, upon being forced into respective slots, clamp the flanges tightly together. Adjacent panel flanges may further include FML flat surfaces oriented to compensate for panel flange draft angle whereby adjacent panels when clamped together present generally coplanar pool surfaces.
US08215068B2	Method and apparatus for increasing the energy dissipation of structural elements According to one embodiment, the energy dissipation of a structural element is increased by inserting one or more resisting elements into the structural element at any time during or after construction of the structural element. The continuous resisting elements are rigidly attached to the structural at one end and connected to the structural element by and through a damping material over at least a portion of its length. When a dynamic force is applied to the structural elements, such as may result from wind or earthquakes, there will be a strain in the structure, in a direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the resisting elements. In this way, the forces and deformations within the structure will result in a relative motion between the structural element and resisting element, a substantial portion of which is ultimately transmitted by and through the damping material layer. In transmitting such a force and movement through the damping material layer, a portion of the energy associated with such force and movement is dissipated.
US08215064B2	Shower vanity A shower vanity for use with a wall having spaced apart framing members. The vanity includes a housing dimensioned to be recessed between two adjacent framing members in the wall and the housing is attached to the framing members by fasteners. The housing includes an open front forming a cavity dimensioned to contain bathing products. Two mirrored doors are slidably mounted to the housing which cover the housing front when closed and provide access to the bathing products when opened.
US08215060B2	Window regulator A window regulator includes a carrier. The carrier includes a holding section and is capable slide along a guide rail with the holding section slidably contacting on the guide rail. The carrier supports a window panel. A brake mechanism is provided on the carrier. The brake mechanism prevents the window panel (the carrier) from self-weight drop by slidably contacting onto the guide rail by an urging force thereof. According to the window regulator, good down operations of the window panel can be maintained even if a slidably contacting portion(s) of the holding section that holds the guide rail becomes worn.
US08215055B2	Protective guard for use with vegetation An apparatus for covering or protecting vegetation, in particular landscaping. The apparatus includes an elongated sheet of material having an upper edge and a lower edge. Spaced along the length of the elongated sheet are a plurality of stake pockets extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongated sheet. The stake pockets receiving a stake used to secure the cover to a surface, typically the ground. Accordingly, the elongated sheet surrounds or is placed adjacent to the landscaping and the stakes are either inserted into the stake pockets or attached to the sheet using the stake pockets and correspondingly hold the elongated sheet upright and in place. In addition, a plurality of eyelets on the elongated sheet can be used to both hang decorations and anchor the elongated sheet to the ground surface.
US08215049B2	Vehicle gun stabilization platform device A weapon stabilization platform assembly employing the action of the devices' telescoping tubular horizontal width adjustment attaching to the vertical roll over posts of a recreational off road 4×4, off road UTV, or other utility vehicle or frame vehicle by the nut and bolt compression of two bracket couplings or other attaching appliances fixed at the opposing end of each of the telescoping tubes. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of telescoping tubes being an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve that is sized to permit it to move horizontally in telescopic relationship to the outer sleeve, both sleeves being harbored within an anti-vibration foam cushion, being then sheathed within a protective fabric sleeve. Each tube end connecting by nut and bolt compression to axial end bracket couplings, and the bracket couplings becoming then fixed to the vertical roll over posts of a UTV or other frame by nut and bolt horizontal end compression or other locking attachment device, allowing the military, civilian, or handicapped user a vibration eliminating or reducing horizontal weapon aiming and shooting, camera or other device rest.
US08215048B2	Weapon control device A weapon control device is provided and is coupled within a weapon for controlling accessories and auxiliary components. The weapon control device includes a processor and a connector operably engaging a selector switch of a weapon. The processor receives a signal from the connector in response to movement of the selector switch. The weapon control device further includes one of a transmitter and a transceiver, wherein one of the transmitter and transceiver send a signal in response to the processor receiving a signal from the connector. The weapon control device further includes a weapon accessory, wherein the weapon accessory is activated in response to the signal sent by one of the transmitter and transceiver.
US08215041B2	Structural assembly with a tied, flexurally deformed panel An assembly includes a flexurally deformed panel, which is connected to a membrane tie by a linear connector and is tied by the membrane tie to form a geometrically stable pre-stressed structure. More than one panel may be flexurally deformed and tied together in an assembly and more than one membrane tie may be present within an assembly. Panels are typically semi-rigid sheet materials, for example metal sheets, plastic sheets, or sheets of composite materials, such as glass or carbon fibre reinforced plastics or resins. Membrane tie members are typically flexible, for example plastic films, fabrics or nets or arrays of rods or cables. The assemblies have many different geometric forms and many different practical applications. Assemblies may be relatively large, for example demountable and reusable shelters or flat-pack point-of-purchase display assemblies, or may be relatively small, for example a photograph or postcard display system.
US08215040B2	Method of advertising in a restroom A method for advertising in a restroom is shown and described. The method includes the use of a three-dimensional advertisement article which may attach to a wall above a urinal and at least partly cover the urinal. The advertisement article may resemble a container, perhaps a bottle or can, for a product, which may be beer or a soft drink, being advertised.
US08215032B2	Article of footwear having an upper with a structured intermediate layer An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to sole structure and the upper is formed from three layers: a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is formed from a polymer material and molded to the first layer, but the second layer may alternately be molded to the third layer. The third layer is joined with at least one of the first layer and the second layer such that the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer.
US08215029B2	Drying apparatus and method of using the same Exemplary mobile drying containers and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, the mobile drying container includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall having a gate, an interior bottom, an upper volume and a lower volume separated by a ventilated floor supported by support members, wheels positioned below the lower volume, and one or more support legs positioned below the lower volume to provide support between the mobile drying container and the ground. The upper volume holds the crop to be dried, and the gate of the second end wall is operable to open and provide a path to dump or remove the crop. The lower volume is operable to receive a flow of air from an opening to assist with the drying of the crop. The present invention also encompasses other embodiments and methods.
US08215028B2	Slurrification process A system for slurrifying drill cuttings including a cuttings dryer, a pump, and a transfer line fluidly connecting the cuttings dryer and the pump, the transfer line having a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid. Furthermore, the system for slurrifying drill cuttings including a storage vessel fluidly connected to the pump for storing a slurry. Additionally, a method for slurrifying drill cuttings including drying drill cuttings in a cuttings drying to produce dry cuttings and combining a fluid with the dry cuttings to produce a slurry. Furthermore, the method includes mixing the slurry and the dry cuttings in a mixing pump and transferring the slurry to a storage vessel.
US08215021B2	Tool including a locking mechanism Aspects of the disclosure include a tool. The tool may include a working portion, e.g. a blade, and a holding portion, e.g., a blade holder, wherein the blade and the blade holder are coupled in such a manner that the blade may be positioned in a plurality of configurations with respect to the blade holder. The blade and blade holder may include one or more of an engagement element and/or engagement element receiver that are configured for being coupled together in such a manner that the blade is substantially prevented from moving relative to the blade holder. The blade and/or blade holder may include a plurality of engagement elements and corresponding engagement element receivers such that the blade is capable of being moved incrementally with respect to the blade holder. Also provided are methods of using the tool as well as specialized packaging for offering the tool for sale.
US08215016B2	Liquid discharging apparatus and production method therefor There is provided a production method for a liquid discharging apparatus including a liquid discharging head having a discharging port configured to discharge liquid, and a thermoplastic support portion having a liquid supply passage configured to supply the liquid to the liquid discharging head. The production method includes a preparation step of preparing the liquid discharging head and the support portion, a heating step of heating the liquid discharging head, an approach step of moving the liquid discharging head close to the support portion and melting the support portion by applying radiant heat from the liquid discharging head to the support portion, and a pressing step of pressing the liquid discharging head against the support portion so that the melted support portion forms a wall portion to contact an outer peripheral portion of the liquid discharging head.
US08215012B2	Thermal contact arrangement A method of manufacturing a thermal contact arrangement. The method including the operations of providing a thermal conductor and forming a first zone having a first roughness on a first portion of a first exterior surface of the thermal conductor. The method further including the operation of forming a second zone having a second roughness on a second portion of the first exterior surface of the thermal conductor. The second portion is unique from the first portion and formed from a part of the thermal contact arrangement other than the first portion and the second roughness is rougher than the first roughness.
US08214996B2	Surgical needle swage tool In a method of attaching a suture to a needle barrel, a first compression stroke compresses the radially-defined top of the barrel against a suture in the bore of the barrel while restraining the bottom and sides of the barrel against deformation. A second compression stroke compresses the bottom of the barrel against the suture while restraining the sides against deformation. In another method, the top and bottom are compressed concurrently while the sides are restrained against deformation. An apparatus for attaching a suture to a needle barrel includes two die sets, each including a die with a groove therein. In one die set, the groove protects the bottom and sides of the barrel from deformation while the top is compressed. In the other die set, the groove protects the sides of the barrel from deformation while the bottom is compressed.
US08214994B2	Method for separation by cracking, and cracking unit A method for separating a bearing channel of a housing by cracking. The bearing covers of the bearing channel are separated from the housing by cracking by means of a cracking mandrel. The steps include clamping the housing at the top thereof so that the bearing channel is downwardly oriented, i.e., towards a supporting or clamping surface of the housing and supporting the bearing cover during separation by cracking by means of a counter bracket.
US08214984B2	Method for producing a multilayer component A method for producing a multilayer component is described. A stack of green foils, to which inner electrodes including palladium oxide are applied, is sintered. The sintered stack is provided with a silver paste on two or more sides for outer electrodes that are burned into the sintered stack in a further temperature step.
US08214982B2	Method of fabricating piezoelectric vibrating pieces To carry out frequency adjustment easily, accurately and efficiently without being influenced by a size of a piezoelectric vibrating piece and achieve low cost formation and promotion of maintenance performance, there is provided a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece which is a method of fabricating a piezoelectric vibrating piece having a piezoelectric vibrating plate 11, a pair of exciting electrodes 12, 13, and a pair of mount electrodes 15, 16 by utilizing a wafer S, the method including an outer shape forming step of forming a frame portion S1 at a wafer and forming a plurality of piezoelectric plates at the frame portion to be connected thereto by way of a connecting portion 11a, an electrode forming step of forming pairs of exciting electrodes and pairs of mount electrodes respectively at the plurality of piezoelectric plates and forming a common electrode S2 respectively electrically connected to a plurality of the pairs of mount electrodes 15 on one side by way of the connecting portion, a frequency adjusting step of adjusting a frequency of the piezoelectric plate by applying a drive voltage between the common electrode and the mount electrode 16 on other side, and a cutting step of fragmenting the plurality of piezoelectric plates.
US08214981B2	Method and apparatus for Z-direction reinforcement of composite laminates A method and apparatus for Z-direction reinforcement of composite laminates is disclosed. Discrete fibers are pulled through a fiber composite preform in the Z-direction by barbed needles.
US08214975B2	Adjustable length litter strap assembly A litter strap that is easily adjustable to any length while simultaneously secure under tension includes an elongate strap extending between first and second parts of a two-piece buckle. The strap may be threaded through one of the buckle parts and manually slidable therethrough for adjusting a length of the litter strap assembly. A flexible pinch guard may be affixed to the strap so that the pinch guard substantially overlaps the first buckle part when the buckle parts are decoupled and may be wider than the strap and sized to substantially overlap the first and second buckle parts when the buckle parts are coupled. A keeper loop may encircle a middle portion of the strap and be slidable therealong and a pull tab may extend from the keeper loop to facilitate adjusting a position of the keeper loop along the middle portion.
US08214971B2	Door equalizer support and handhold A pneumatic door closer with a protective external telescoping cylinder and angled handhold. Such a closer is generally outfitted with a structural tubular support that follows the telescoping and collapsing of the closer's piston and that has sufficient stiffness to limit the stresses imposed on the piston throughout its extension. The support provides a resistance to perpendicular force. Moreover, when the piston is collapsed within the exterior chamber, the support pivots to the exterior chamber with bushing(s) fixed to the end of the support that travel along the length of the exterior column as the closer telescopes or collapses, to permit continued smooth sliding motion throughout the extension stroke.
US08214968B2	Vacuum accessory tool A vacuum accessory tool comprises a nozzle body that forms a suction nozzle and that has an electrical element comprising one or a combination of an illumination element adapted to illuminate a surface to be cleaned, an ion generator or ozone generator to purify a surface to be cleaned and eliminate odors. The tool can further include a power generator for supplying power to the electrical element. The illumination element can further emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum to illuminate stains on the surface to the cleaned.

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