Document	Document Title
US08344259B2	Connection terminal, package using the same, and electronic apparatus A connection terminal has, on an upper surface of a first dielectric layer, a first line conductor and a first grounding line conductor provided adjacent to both sides of the first line conductor, and has, on an upper surface of a third dielectric layer, a third line conductor and a third grounding line conductor provided adjacent to both sides of the third line conductor. These conductors are connected to a second line conductor and a second grounding line conductor provided adjacent to both sides of the second line conductor, respectively, the second line conductor and the second grounding line conductor being provided on an upper surface of a second dielectric layer. It is possible to obtain the connection terminal having a small size and capable of complying with a high-frequency signal.
US08344258B2	Electric device An electric device, in particular a mechatronic gear, motor, or brake control device in a motor vehicle, includes an electronic component having at least one electric contact surface for electrically contacting the component. A flexible circuit board with a conduction path structure includes at least one contact pad and conduction lines between two flexible, non-conducting films. A respective contact pad of the flexible circuit board is electrically connected, in particular by welding, to a respective contact surface of the component for creating at least one contact point. A sealing element is disposed on a side of the flexible circuit board opposite the component and an internal space is bounded by a wall. The sealing element is pressed against the flexible circuit board at an edge of the wall so that the edge surrounds at least one of the contact points.
US08344255B2	Cable with jacket including a spacer A multi-pair cable having a jacket, including a spacer integrally formed in the jacket. The spacer extends helically about the central axis of the cable. The spacer includes an inner projection that projects radially inward and an outer projection that projects radially outward from the main wall of the jacket. The jacket with the spacer reduces the occurrence of alien crosstalk between adjacent cables.
US08344250B2	Low profile electrical device assembly An electrical device assembly includes an electrical device and a plug connector adapted to be received thereby. The electrical device includes a housing having a rear surface and an aperture in the rear surface. A ground strap is connected to the housing and is adapted to secure the electrical device to an electrical box. A plurality of contact blades are disposed in the electrical device and are accessible through the aperture. One of the contact blades is a ground contact blade. A conductive member extends between the ground contact blade and the ground strap. The plug connector includes a plurality of contact members adapted to engage the plurality of contact blades in the electrical device. A plurality of wires extend outwardly from the plurality of contact members such that the plurality of wires are substantially parallel to the rear surface of the electrical device when the plug connector is connected to the electrical device, thereby providing an electrical device assembly having a low profile.
US08344246B2	Cooling disc for bundles of current carrying cables Aspects of the invention pertain to cooling bundles of power distribution cables or other current carrying cables. Such cables give off heat, especially when carrying high current loads. One or more cooling members are used to secure multiple cables. The cables may be placed about a generally circular shaped member which has a central opening. Receptacles are placed along an outer perimeter of the cooling member to secure the cables. The thickness of each cooling member may vary. When multiple cooling members are used, they may be spaced at least 6 inches apart. The cooling members may be fabricated from a nonconductive material such as PVC.
US08344238B2	Self-cleaning protective coatings for use with photovoltaic cells Systems and materials to improve photovoltaic cell efficiency by implementing a self-cleaning function on photovoltaic cells and on albedo surfaces associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided. Materials for protecting albedo surfaces that surround photovoltaic cell assemblies, thereby maximizing energy input into the photovoltaic cell assemblies, are provided. Materials for self-cleaning photovoltaic cell panels, thereby maintaining their efficiency, are provided. Portable albedo collecting devices associated with photovoltaic cell assemblies are provided.
US08344235B2	Electronic high-hat circuitry system An electronic high-hat circuitry system allows the drummer to manually choose the sounds that an electronic high-hat makes when the drummer's foot is off of the pedal and the high-hat instrument is struck. When the pedal is at or near the top of its travel, a primary circuitry switch disables normal foot-controlled positioning circuitry and enables a secondary circuit that sends a selected positioning signal to a drum module. When the pedal is again pressed down, the primary circuitry switch returns control to the primary, pedal controlled circuit. An optional tertiary circuit allows for the choosing of a different sound when the secondary circuit is activated and the high-hat cymbal is tilted. A control panel is used by the drummer to select the desired high-hat sounds of the secondary and tertiary circuits. Also, high-hat instruments are introduced that have removable foot pedals, or no foot pedal.
US08344230B2	Method for improving the sound of musical instruments The invention relates to a method for improving the sound of acoustic musical instruments by decoupling the part of a musical instrument that is directly responsible for producing the primary sound event from the elements and components that are not directly involved in producing the primary sound event. The limitation of the acoustically active part prevents elements (6, 7) that have primarily static or optical functions or serve to produce variety of playing technique from vibrating or emitting sound, since they may lead to interferences and distortions of the primary sound event. According to the invention, an intermediate layer produced from a material (1) that reduces sound conduction is arranged in the connecting zones between the elements.
US08344226B2	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH728664 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH728664. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH728664, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH728664 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH728664.
US08344216B2	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH681203 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH681203. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH681203, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH681203 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH681203.
US08344214B1	Soybean variety XB08U10 A novel soybean variety, designated XB08U10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB08U10, cells from soybean variety XB08U10, plants of soybean XB08U10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB08U10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB08U10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB08U10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB08U10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB08U10 are further provided.
US08344209B2	Plant regulatory sequences The invention relates to a regulatory sequence which mediates expression of an operably-linked protein encoding a polynucleotide of interest, wherein the protein encoding polynucleotide is transcribed in leaf tissue and not in pollen. The invention also relates to an expression cassette, vector, and transgenic plant comprising the regulatory sequence.
US08344206B2	Viral promoter, truncations thereof, and methods of use The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for a promoter. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequence disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.
US08344205B2	Plants with increased yield This invention relates generally to plant cells and/or plants with increased yield as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild type plant cell by increasing or generating one or more activities of polypeptides associated with the intermediate phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) in plants. In particular, this invention relates to plant cells and/or plants with increased yield as compared to a corresponding non-transformed wild type plant cell by increasing or generating one or more activities of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthases (PRPP synthetase, PRS) The invention also deals with methods of producing and screening for and breeding such plant cells and/or plants.
US08344201B2	Dressing product A dressing product includes a thin film dressing sheet, one first surface of which is coated with an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive hydrocolloid adhesive, which is applicable to an anatomical surface of a human. A carrier system, which provides a support for the dressing sheet, defines a gripping section for handling of the carrier system. The carrier system may include one or more foil members and supporting sheets for facilitating application and for providing a non-touch application system, i.e., a system which may be handled by an operator without the operator touching the dressing sheet or at least the adhesive surface. A protective sheet having an opening for application of a pharmaceutical product to the adhesive prior to application of the dressing sheet is disclosed.
US08344198B2	Process to decrease or eliminate corrosion from the decomposition of halide containing olefin catalysts A processes is provided to inhibit or limit the decomposition of a halide-containing olefin oligomerization catalyst system during recovery of an oligomerization product. The process includes deactivation of an olefin oligomerization catalyst system present in an olefin oligomerization reactor effluent stream by contact with an alcohol under conditions that minimize potential for deactivated catalyst system decomposition. Such conditions include minimization of the water content of the deactivation agent and concentration of the deactivation agent.
US08344197B2	Production of para-xylene by the methylation of benzene and/or toluene In a process for the production of para-xylene, methanol is preheated to a first temperature, an aromatic feedstock comprising toluene and/or benzene is preheated to a second temperature and the preheated methanol and aromatic feedstocks are fed to a reactor at a first methanol to aromatic feedstock molar ratio. The preheated aromatic feedstock is contacted with the preheated methanol under alkylation conditions in the reactor in the presence of a catalyst so that the methanol reacts with the aromatic feedstock to produce an effluent comprising para-xylene. During the reaction, a temperature is measured within the reactor and is compared with a predetermined optimal temperature. The methanol to aromatic feedstock molar ratio is then adjusted in a manner to reduce any difference between the measured and predetermined optimal temperatures in the reactor.
US08344194B2	Process for the conversion of solid particulated biomass materials A process for producing bio-fuel from biomass is disclosed herein. The process includes processing the mean particle diameter of the biomass by mechanical processing to a size ranging from 1 μm to 1000 μm to form particulated biomass. The particulated biomass is mixed with a liquid hydrocarbon to form a suspension, wherein the suspension includes between 1 weight percent to 40 weight percent particulated biomass. The suspension is heated to a temperature between 50° C. and 550° C. The heated suspension is fed into a unit selected from the group consisting of a pyrolysis reactor, a fluid catalytic cracking unit, a delayed coker, a fluid coker, a hydroprocessing unit, and a hydrocracking unit; and then at least a portion of the particulated biomass of the heated suspension is converted into fuel.
US08344191B2	Process for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene The present invention provides a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene represented by the formula CF3CF═CH2, comprising contacting a fluorine-containing propane represented by the formula CF2XCFYCH2Z, wherein X is Cl, Br, or I; one of Y and Z is H, and the other is F, Cl, Br, or I, with at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of chromium oxides, fluorinated chromium oxides, and iron fluorides in a gas phase. According to the process of the invention, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene can be easily produced under economically advantageous conditions.
US08344189B2	Processes for the recovery of fuel-grade ethanol from dilute aqueous streams A method for recovery of fuel-grade ethanol from dilute aqueous ethanol feed in a continuous or batch-wise process includes providing a feed tank containing a dilute aqueous ethanol liquid phase and a vapor phase, removing a portion of the vapor phase from the tank and circulating it through a membrane contactor having an inner lumen and an outer shell, recovering from the membrane contactor a feed phase substantially reduced in ethanol and a solvent phase substantially enriched in ethanol, separating an enriched ethanol phase from the solvent phase, and removing a substantial amount of water from the enriched ethanol phase to produce a fuel-grade ethanol stream. A Venturi nozzle may be used in lieu of the membrane contactor.
US08344183B2	Method for synthesizing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers by ionic liquid catalysis The present invention discloses a method for synthesizing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers by ionic liquid catalysis. The method comprises synthesizing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers by using a functional acidic ionic liquid as catalyst and using methylal and trioxymethylene as reactant under a relative mild reaction condition. The invention has advantages of high catalyst activity and reaction conversion, simple reaction process, high operationability and controllability, as well as good product distribution and high raw material utilization ratio.
US08344182B2	Process for the preparation of (S)-2-amino-1-propanol (L-alaninol) from (S)-1-methoxy-2-propylamine The invention relates to a process for the preparation of (S)-2-amino-1-propanol (L-alaninol) from (S)-1-methoxy-2-propylamine via the hydrochloride of (S)-2-amino-1-propanol and subsequent work-up.
US08344179B2	Reclamation of halide-contaminated formate brines A method of recovering formate from halide-contaminated formate brine that includes mixing a formate recovery solvent and the halide-contaminated formate brine; separating halide contaminants from the formate; and recovering the formate from the formate recovery solvent is disclosed.
US08344178B2	Processes for producing and recovering shikimic acid The present invention generally relates to processes for producing and recovering cyclitolcarboxylic acids such as shikimic acid and quinic acid. In particular, the present invention is directed to processes for producing shikimic acid that comprise contacting glyphosate and an organism that has the common aromatic biosynthetic pathway. The present invention is also directed to recovery of the shikimic acid product from aqueous process streams utilizing membrane separation techniques.
US08344155B2	Chemical compounds Disclosed are compounds of Formula III. Also disclosed are salts of the compounds, pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds or salts, and methods for treating HCV infection by administration of the compounds or salts.
US08344147B2	Process for preparing modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator The present invention relates to processes for preparing solid state forms of N-(4-(7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-oxo-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1, 4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide, including Compound 1 Form A, Compound 1 Form A-HCl, Compound 1 Form B, and Compound 1 Form B-HCl, any combination of these forms, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treatment therewith.
US08344146B2	Inhibitor of DD-peptidase and its use as antibiotic or anticancer drug A new compound is revealed and the strain of Streptomyces sp. producing it, which may be used in the production of drugs (Formula I).
US08344138B2	Triazinedione derivatives as GABAB receptor modulators The present invention provides novel compounds of formula I wherein W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, B, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, E and L are as defined herein; invention compounds are gamma amino butyrique acid receptor-subtype B (“GABAB”) positive allosteric modulators (enhancers), which are useful to provide methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders, including treatment of anxiety, depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia, cognitive disorders, spasticity and skeletal muscle rigidity, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral palsy, neuropathic pain and craving associated with cocaine and nicotine, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorders, urge urinary incontinence, gastroesophageal reflux disease, transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations, functional gastrointestinal disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.
US08344133B2	Neoglycorandomization and digitoxin analogs The present invention provides methods of producing compounds with enhanced desirable properties and diminished side effects as well as the compounds produced by the methods. In preferred embodiments, methods of the present invention use a universal chemical glycosylation method that employs reducing sugars and requires no protection or activation. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides neoglycoside digitoxin analogs that include compounds with significantly enhanced cytotoxic potency toward human cancer cells and tumor-specificity, but are less potent Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors in a human cell line than digitoxin.
US08344128B2	Short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) for oral administration Short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) for oral administration, said siRNA comprising two separate RNA strands that are complementary to each other over at least 15 nucleotides, wherein each strand is 49 nucleotides or less, and wherein at least one of which strands contains at least one chemical modification.
US08344127B2	Organic compositions to treat beta-ENaC-related diseases The present disclosure relates to RNAi agents useful in methods of treating Beta-ENaC-related diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1), Liddle's syndrome, hypertension, alkalosis, hypokalemia, and obesity-associated hypertension, using a therapeutically effective amount of a RNAi agent to Beta-ENaC.
US08344125B2	Modified iRNA agents The invention relates to iRNA agents, which preferably include a monomer in which the ribose moiety has been replaced by a moiety other than ribose. The inclusion of such a monomer can allow for modulation of a property of the iRNA agent into which it is incorporated, e.g., by using the non-ribose moiety as a point to which a ligand or other entity, e.g., a carbohydrate; or a steroid, e.g., cholesterol, which is optionally substituted with at least one carbohydrate. is directly, or indirectly, tethered. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such modified iRNA agents.
US08344120B2	Nucleic acid molecules encoding rage fusion proteins Disclosed are RAGE fusion proteins comprising RAGE polypeptide sequences linked to a second, non-RAGE polypeptide. The RAGE fusion protein may utilize a RAGE polypeptide domain comprising a RAGE ligand binding site and an interdomain linker directly linked to the N-terminus of an immunoglobulin CH2 domain. Also disclosed are RAGE fusion protein formulations and the use of the RAGE fusion proteins and RAGE fusion protein formulations as therapeutics for RAGE-mediated pathologies.
US08344116B2	Polymers and complexes for delivery of nucleic acids to intracellular targets A complex includes a nucleic acid and a cationic polymer with at least one side chain coupled to the nucleic acid. The at least one side chain including an acid degradable amine-bearing ketal or acetal linkage.
US08344108B2	Method and system for corn fractionation Methods and apparatus for processing corn into one or more corn products. Zein is extracted from corn or corn products or by-products with a solvent. The corn-solvent mixture is separated into streams, one of which preferably includes an extract containing at least zein and solvent, and another that contains de-zeined corn solids and adsorbed solvent. The solvent is separated from the zein, and the de-zeined, desolventized corn solids are processed to provide one or more corn products.
US08344106B1	Collagen mixture and method of making the same A collagen mixture having a portion of unhydrolyzed eggshell membrane collagen and Avian collagen.
US08344102B2	Nanoparticle and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent A nanoparticle contains a core including superparamagnetic nanoparticles and having an outer surface, and siloxanyl moieties covalently coupled to the outer surface of the core and having Formula (I): In formula (I): X1 and X2 independently represent methylene, ethylene or propylene; R represents an optionally substituted pyridyl group, or —S—R is a group derived from a targeting ligand containing —SH group and effective to bind specifically with a predetermined targeted cell in an object; n and m independently represent an integer ranging from 1 to 3; and p represents an integer ranging from 9 to 45. The nanoparticles are suitable for use as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.
US08344099B2	Steaming of a polyolefin A method for treating polymer particles with steam in a steaming vessel downstream a polymerization process, the method comprising contacting polymer particles with a counter-current flow of steam, wherein the flow rate of steam entering said steaming vessel is continuously maintained proportional to the production rate of said polymer in said polymerization process and to the gradient between the temperature (Tout) of the polymer exiting said steaming vessel and the temperature (Tin) of the polymer entering said steaming vessel.
US08344093B2	Production method of aliphatic polyester An object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficient continuous production of aliphatic polyester having good quality. The invention relates to a continuous production method of aliphatic polyester, wherein the polyester is obtained through a preparation step of slurry containing aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic diol, an esterification reaction step and a polycondensation reaction step, wherein temperature range of the slurry during the preparation step thereof is from the coagulation point of the aliphatic diol to 80° C., and moisture content in the slurry is from 0.01 to 10% by weight.
US08344092B2	Method for producing bischloroformate compound, polycarbonate oligomer having small number of monomers and solution containing bischloroformate compound A dihydric phenol compound represented by the following formula (2), a phosgene compound, and an aliphatic tertiary amine are mixed together using a hydrophobic organic solvent to produce bischloroformate that is represented by the following formula (1) and has an average number of repeating units (n) of 1.99 or less. In the formulae (1) and (2), Ar is a divalent aromatic group.
US08344086B2	1-butene terpolymers 1-butene/ethylene/propylene terpolymer containing: c) from 4 to 10 wt % of ethylene derived units, and d) from 2 to 10 wt % of propylene derived units; the said terpolymer having the following properties: distribution of molecular weights (Mw/Mn) measured by GPC lower than 3; no melting point detectable at the DSC; melting enthalpy, measured after 10 days of aging at room temperature, from 12 to 20 J/g.
US08344079B2	Molar ratio modifications to larger polyolefin catalysts Disclosed are catalyst systems and methods of making the catalyst systems/supports for the polymerization of an olefin containing a solid titanium catalyst component having a substantially spherical shape and containing an internal electron donor, a support made by contacting substantially equal molar amounts of a magnesium compound and an epoxy compound in the presence of an aprotic solvent and subsequent treatment with a halogenating agent to provide a magnesium based catalyst support. The catalyst system can further contain an organoaluminum compound and an organosilicon compound. Also disclosed are methods of polymerizing or copolymerizing an alpha-olefin. The methods involve contacting an olefin with a catalyst system containing the solid titanium catalyst component.
US08344075B2	Hybrid siloxane polymer, encapsulant obtained from the siloxane polymer, and electronic device including the encapsulant A hybrid siloxane polymer, an encapsulant, and an electronic device, the hybrid siloxane polymer including a linear first siloxane resin including moieties represented by the following Chemical Formulas 1a and 1b, the first siloxane resin including double bonds at both terminal ends thereof, and a second siloxane resin having a reticular structure:
US08344073B2	Functionalization of polyolefins with phenoxy derivatives Provided herein are telechelic polymers and methods for producing the same. In some embodiments, provided herein are compounds having the formula and methods for producing the same.
US08344072B2	Enzymatic preparation of (meth)acrylic esters Process for preparing partial (meth)acrylic esters of polyalcohols having different hydroxyl groups, process for their preparation, and use thereof.
US08344069B2	Low emission polymer composition The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a polyolefin base resin comprising (A) a propylene homopolymer with a MWD of 1.5 to 5.0, and (B) an ethylene copolymer with one or more comonomers selected from alphaolefins with 4 to 12 carbon atoms, having a density of not greater than 920 kg/m3 wherein the polyolefin base resin has a weight ratio of propylene homopolymer (A) to ethylene copolymer (B) from 95:5 to 60:40, the use of such a polymer composition for the manufacture of an injection molded article, an article produced from such a polymer composition, an article with a grained surface structure produced from such a polymer composition showing having a scratch resistance, determined as the difference of the luminance ΔL at a load of 10 N, of not more than 1 and a gloss at an angle of 60° of not more than 2.8%, and the use of a polymer composition for the production of such an article.
US08344065B2	Nanoimprint resist, nanoimprint mold and nanoimprint lithography A nanoimprint resist includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), and a diluent solvent. A method of a nanoimprint lithography is also provided.
US08344062B2	Dispersions of intrinsically conductive polymers A dispersion which contains particles of at least one intrinsically conductive polymer, wherein the particle size is on average (weight) less than 1 μm, and which is characterized in that the dispersant is a liquid at room temperature, and a layer, film or sheet formed from this dispersion has a conductivity of >100 S/cm after removal of the dispersant.
US08344060B2	Dynamic mechanical polymer nanocomposites Polymer nanocomposites exhibit a reversible change in stiffness and strength in response to a stimulus. The polymer nanocomposites include a matrix polymer with a comparably low modulus and strength and nanoparticles that have a comparably high modulus and strength. The particle-particle interactions are switched by the stimulus, to change the overall material's mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, a chemical regulator is used to facilitate changes of the mechanical properties. Methods for inducing modulus changes in polymer nanocomposites are also disclosed.
US08344056B1	Aerosol dispensing systems, methods, and compositions for repairing interior structure surfaces A method of covering an anomaly in a wall substantially to match a pre-existing texture pattern surrounding the anomaly. The method comprises the following steps. A valve is supported on a container assembly to define a main chamber. Contained material comprising wall material concentrate and propellant material is disposed within the main chamber. An actuator relative is arranged relative to the container assembly such that displacement of a button relative to the valve changes the valve from a closed configuration to an open configuration in which a portion of the propellant material is allowed to force the contained material out of the main chamber through the outlet. A first portion of the contained material is applied to the anomaly by directing the outlet at the anomaly and displacing the button. Optionally, a second portion of the contained material may be applied to the base coat by directing the outlet at the base coat and displacing the button. If applied, the second portion of the contained material forms a desired texture pattern on the base coat that substantially matches the pre-existing texture pattern.
US08344051B2	Flameproofed, impact-modified, scratch-resistant polycarbonate moulding compositions with good mechanical properties The present invention relates to flameproofed, impact-modified, scratch-resistant polycarbonate (PC) compositions and molding compositions with surface-modified, calcined kaolin as filler, which have good mechanical properties, good flowability and high chemical resistance. Furthermore, the present application relates to the use of the compositions for the production of moldings.
US08344048B2	Epoxy resin-forming liquid preparation containing inorganic particle There is provided a liquid preparation for forming an epoxy resin having curing properties combining high transparency and high bending strength while maintaining advantageous handling properties as in a liquid state. A liquid preparation for forming an epoxy resin comprising: an A agent; and a B agent; wherein the A agent contains a modified epoxy resin (I) formed from at least one type of compound (i) having in a molecule thereof, at least one functional group of Formula (1): (where R1 and R2 individually represent an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, a heterocyclic group or a halogenated, aminated or nitrated derivative of any of the groups) and a compound (ii) having a glycidyl group in a molecule thereof, and an inorganic particle (II); and the B agent contains a curing agent (III). A liquid preparation for forming an epoxy resin comprising: an A′ agent; and a B′ agent; wherein the A′ agent contains the modified epoxy resin (I); and the B′ agent contains the inorganic particle (II) and the curing agent (III).
US08344040B2	Polyolefin treatment process for uniform crosslinking A process produces a block of polyolefin material with uniform crosslinking, which may be uniform between and within polymer chains in the polyolefin material. Steps include: providing an oven; placing the block into the oven; preheating the block to a uniform temperature above the melting point; further heating the block to a temperature at least 30 degrees Centigrade above the melting point; cooling the block to room temperature under an inert gas; and removing oxidized material from surface of the block. Optional steps include: subjecting the block to radiation before placing the block into the oven; removing the gases from the oven on a continuous or stepwise basis; controlling the purge gas flow out of the oven; and determining a heating time period for the block by subjecting control blocks to the same process and analyzing them after various heating times.
US08344039B2	Three-dimensional pattern forming material There is provided a photo-curable composition that shows the suppression of a residual film formation and a high adhesion thereof to a substrate in a process for forming a three-dimensional pattern by a photo-imprinting method. A photo-curable composition for forming a three-dimensional pattern by a photo-imprinting method, comprises a monomer having a photopolymerizable group; an inorganic fine particle to which a dispersant is added; and a photopolymerization initiator. It is preferred that the inorganic fine particle (e.g., silica) has an average particle diameter of 1 to 1,000 nm, and the dispersant is a silane coupling agent, particularly a silane coupling agent containing an organic group having a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond or an organic group having an epoxy group.
US08344038B2	Radiation curable compositions for food applications A liquid radiation curable composition for inkjet printing includes a photoinitiating system consisting of one or more diffusion hindered photoinitiators selected from the group consisting of non-polymeric di- or multifunctional initiators, oligomeric or polymeric initiators, and polymerizable initiators, and one or more polymerizable co-initiators, wherein at least one of the polymerizable co-initiators is a polymerizable aromatic tertiary amine. Inkjet inks, an inkjet printing process, and packaging materials may include the liquid radiation curable composition.
US08344037B2	Resin composition for cross-linked foam molding, cross-linked foam molded article, and method for production of cross-linked foam molded article A resin composition for cross-linking foam molding having a polymer composition which comprises 100 parts by weight of the following component (A) and 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of the following component (B); a foaming agent; and a cross-linking agent, wherein the component (A) is an ethylene-based polymer satisfying the following conditions (a1) to (a2): (a1) the density is 860 to 935 kg/m3, and (a2) the melt flow rate (MFR) is 0.1 to 10 g/10 minutes, and the component (B) is an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer satisfying the following conditions (b1) to (b3): (b1) the density is 890 to 925 kg/m3, (b2) the intrinsic viscosity [η] determined in a tetralin solution is 4 to 15 dL/g, and (b3) the activation energy of flow (Ea) is less than 50 kJ/mol.
US08344033B2	Particle-stabilised emulsions The invention relates to water-in-oil (W/O) or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions containing an oil phase of at least one water-insoluble constituent; an aqueous phase; pyrogenic silica at the oil-water interface, the pyrogenic silica partially silylated such that non-silylated surface silanol groups remaining are between 95% and 5% of initial silanol groups, the equivalent of 1.7 to 0.1 surface SiOH groups per nm2, a surface energy gamma-s-D of 30 to 80 mJ/m2, and a specific BET surface area between 30 and 500 m2/g; and optionally other substances, such as pigments or preservatives. The inventive emulsions have a mean particle size of the dispersed phase, of between 0.5 μm and 500 μm, and are of low viscosity.
US08344021B2	Administration of coumarin, butylated hydroxyanisole and ethoxyquine for the treatment of canities At least one compound selected from among coumarin and/or derivative thereof, butylated hydroxyanisole, ethoxyquine and mixtures thereof, and admixtures thereof with other active agents selected from among active agents for combating desquamative conditions of the scalp, plant extracts having propigmenting activity and active agents that slow hair loss and/or promote hair regrowth, are useful for preventing and/or limiting and/or stopping the development of canities.
US08344020B2	Use of fusarochromanone and its derivatives in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases A method of photodynamic therapy to treat diseased cells in an animal is generally provided. According to the method, 5-amino-2,2-dimethyl-6-[3′-(R,S)amino-4′-hydroxy-butan-1-one]-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one or an analog thereof is administered to the animal such that the 5-amino-2,2-dimethyl-6-[3′-(R,S)amino-4′-hydroxy-butan-1-one]-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one or an analog thereof accumulates in the diseased cells. Then, the diseased cells containing 5-amino-2,2-dimethyl-6-[3′-(R,S)amino-4′-hydroxy-butan-1-one]-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one or an analog thereof is exposed to light energy (e.g., ultraviolet light).
US08344018B2	Oxindolyl inhibitor compounds A compound of general Formula (I) having histone deacetylase (HDAC) and/or CDK inhibitory activity, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, and a method useful to treat diseases using the compound. (Formula should be inserted here) Formula (I)
US08344014B2	Amino acid compositions An amino acid composition is disclosed. The composition includes: at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of a nitrate, a nitrite, and both; and at least one constituent amino acid selected from the group consisting of Arginine, Agmatine, Beta Alanine, Citrulline, Creatine, Glutamine, L-Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Norvaline, Ornithine, Valine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glycine, Lysine, Methionine, Proline, Tyrosine, and Phenylalanine. Also disclosed are a method for increasing the bioabsorption of Amino Acids in a human or animal and a method for increasing vasodilative characteristics of Amino Acids in a human or animal.
US08344012B2	Compounds, compositions and methods of using same for modulating uric acid levels Described herein are compounds useful in the modulation of blood uric acid levels, formulations containing them and methods of making and using them. In some embodiments, the compounds described herein are used in the treatment or prevention of disorders related to aberrant levels of uric acid.
US08344008B2	Aryl-substituted bridged or fused diamines as modulators of leukotriene A ydrolase Aryl-substituted bridged or fused diamine compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods of using the compounds and the pharmaceutical compositions for leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H or LTA4H) modulation and for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by LTA4H activity, such as allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases, pruritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and prevention of myocardial infarction.
US08344004B2	Cyclic pyridyl-N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides, processes for their preparation and their use as pharmaceuticals The invention relates to cyclic N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides and to their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives showing PPARdelta or PPARdelta and PPARgamma agonist activity.What is described are compounds of the formula I, in which the radicals are as defined, and their physiologically acceptable salts and processes for their preparations. The compounds are suitable for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders as well as of disorders in which insulin resistance is involved and demyelinating and other neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.
US08344002B2	Compound having β-secretase inhibitory activity A novel compound represented by the formula (1) below which has β-secretase inhibitory activity, its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof. wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted 5 to 6 membered mono cyclic aromatic group; R1, R2 and R3 are hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the like, or R2 and R3 may be taken together with the adjacent nitrogen atom and carbon atom respectively to form a 3 to 6 membered ring; R4 is C1-6 alkyl group, C1-6 alkyl group substituted by phenyl, phenylthio, or a hetero ring, or the like; A is represented by the formula below: wherein X and Y are oxygen atom, NH or sulfur atom, Z is hydrogen atom, hydroxy group which may be substituted, amino group, thiol group, or the like; and B is hydroxy group, substituted or unsubstituted amino group, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or aromatic amino group, or the like.
US08343998B2	Triazolothiadiazole inhibitor of c-Met protein kinase The present invention relates to compound 1, which is useful in the inhibition of c-Met protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising Compound 1 and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of proliferative disorders.
US08343996B2	Azaquinolinone derivatives and uses thereof The present invention provides compounds and methods for treating or preventing the development of a disease, disorder, or condition in a subject or patient.
US08343990B2	Substituted cyclopropyl compounds, compositions containing such compounds and methods of treatment Substituted cyclopropyl compounds of formula (I) are disclosed as useful for treating or preventing type 2 diabetes and similar conditions. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates are included as well. The compounds are useful as agonists of the g-protein coupled receptor GPR-119.
US08343989B2	Benzoimidazol-2-yl pyrimidines and pyrazines as modulators of the histamine H4 receptor Benzoimidazol-2-yl pyrimidines and pyrazines, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for H4 receptor activity modulation and for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by H4 receptor activity, including allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and pruritis.
US08343986B2	Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, corresponding preparation processes, pharmaceutical formulations and methods for use as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase enzymes (MMPs).
US08343974B2	Methods and compositions for treating thyroid-related medical conditions with reduced folates The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating thyroid-related medical conditions. Many thyroid-related medical conditions exist that go undiagnosed and untreated. These conditions may be prevented and treated with reduced folates and vitamin B12. Administration of reduced folates and vitamin B12 will prevent or treat cerebrospinal folate deficiency, which is linked to thyroid-related medical conditions. Administration of reduced folates and vitamin B12 will also prevent or treat conditions associated with masked megaloblastic anemia and hypothyroidism, and other conditions brought upon through improper thyroid function. Additionally, it is commonplace to treat many thyroid conditions with anti-thyroid drugs or thyroid stimulating drugs. This practice alone is also responsible for causing, or not beneficially addressing, adverse conditions that can be prevented or treated through the methods and compositions discussed herein.
US08343968B2	Case of renin inhibitors The present invention relates to piperidine-based renin inhibitor compounds having carboxylate or carboxylic acid terminal groups, and their use in treating cardiovascular events and renal insufficiency.
US08343963B2	Sulfamoyl-phenyl-ureido compounds and their use as medicament The present invention relates to novel sulfamoyl-phenyl-ureido compounds having the formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt or derivative thereof which are suitable for the therapy of infections caused by protozoa and in particular uncomplicated or severe malaria caused by plasmodia.
US08343956B2	Process for making a crystalline zilpaterol salt This invention generally relates to processes for making a crystalline zilpaterol salt, particularly zilpaterol hydrochloride. This invention also relates to methods of treatment using a crystalline zilpaterol salt prepared in accordance with this invention to increase the rate of weight gain, improve feed efficiency, and/or increase carcass leanness in livestock, poultry, and fish.
US08343954B2	Compositions and methods for inhibition of the JAK pathway Disclosed are compounds of formula I, compositions containing them, and methods of use for the compounds and compositions in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of the JAK pathway or inhibition of JAK kinases, particularly JAK 2 and JAK3, are therapeutically useful. Also disclosed are methods of making the compounds.
US08343945B2	Carriers, formulations, methods for formulating unstable active agents for external application and uses thereof The present disclosure teaches unique formulations for topical administration of tetracycline antibiotics, in which the tetracycline antibiotics remain stable.
US08343937B2	Methods and compositions for treating flaviviruses and pestiviruses A method and composition for treating a host infected with flavivirus or pestivirus comprising administering an effective flavivirus or pestivirus treatment amount of a described 1′, 2′ or 3′-modified nucleoside or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided.
US08343935B2	Wound and skin care products The invention provides compositions and methods that employ compounds that can stimulate proliferation of fibroblasts or keratinocytes and/or stimulate production of collagen by fibroblasts. These compositions and methods are useful for treating gum- and skin-related conditions.
US08343925B2	Composition for improving brain function and method for improving brain function The present invention provides a composition which may be ingested orally in a small dose for the purpose of improving brain function, and a method for improving brain function. The present invention is a composition for improving brain function, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, Xaa-Pro-Pro (wherein Xaa represents Ile, Leu or Ser).
US08343923B2	Use of notch signaling regulators for modulating osteogenesis The present invention provides methods of treating osteoporosis and other bone disorders by inhibiting Notch signaling.
US08343917B2	Combination of erythropoietin glycoisoforms This invention relates to a combination of erythropoietin glycoisoforms, wherein such glycoisoforms may include a quantity of sialic acid ranging from 4 to 10 molecules of sialic acid per molecule of erythropoietin. The combination of glycoisoforms can be used for the treatment or prevention of sepsis, and used to prepare a pharmaceutical composition including such combination. The invention also encompasses a cell line producing a combination of erythropoietin glycoisoforms, procedures to obtain the cell line, a procedure to produce such a combination of glycoisoforms, and methods of treatment and prevention of sepsis.
US08343916B2	Use of heat-shock protein 27 for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment A method of reducing cholesterol in a subject is provided. The method may be used to decrease serum cholesterol and/or arterial wall cholesterol. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), or a co-factor, variant or analogue thereof. The method may be used to treat, prevent or reverse cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis); to decrease atherosclerotic lesion formation or rupture; to decrease apoptosis within a plaque; to decrease macrophage accumulation; and/or to reverse the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque mass in a subject. Kits and pharmaceutical compositions comprising HSP27 for preventing or treating of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, are also provided.
US08343912B2	Antibiotic compositions for the treatment of gram negative infections Provided herein is an antibacterial compound of the following formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The antibacterial compound has antibacterial properties against a diverse range of gram negative bacteria and reduced toxicity compared to polymyxins such as polymyxin B. Also provided are antibacterial pharmaceutical compositions containing the antibacterial compound, as well as methods for preparing the antibacterial compound.
US08343900B2	Polymers and methods of controlling viscosity The present invention relates to a novel polymer with pendant groups. The invention further provides for a lubricating composition containing said polymer. The invention further provides a method and use of controlling viscosity index by supplying to an oil of lubricating viscosity the polymer with pendant groups.
US08343891B2	Method of improving the properties of urea granules A method of improving the properties of urea granulates, more especially the caking tendency, the dust formation and the foaming tendency in aqueous media, by the addition of an additive to the urea, wherein the additive comprises a carboxylic acid compound with the general formula XY—(Z)—COOH, in which Z is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon with 1-25 carbon atoms and X and Y are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom or a polar organic functional group, and in that the additive is added as a solution in a polar solvent to the urea granulates, which are subsequently dried.
US08343889B2	Thermal transfer sheet It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer sheet which has a high transfer sensitivity in thermal transfer printing to obtain a high density print, has a high sharpness of thermal transfer images, can prevent an abnormal transfer in printing even after being stored at high temperature and high humidity, and can provide a sufficiently satisfactory printed matter.The above object is achieved by a thermal transfer sheet comprising: a substrate; a heat resistant slip layer provided on one side of the substrate; an undercoat layer and a dye layer provided in that order on the other side of the substrate, wherein the undercoat layer is formed by applying and drying a coating liquid which contains, as main components, a water soluble self cross-linking resin and colloidal inorganic pigment ultrafine particles, and cross-linking polymerizing the water soluble self cross-linking resin, or wherein the undercoat layer is formed by using colloidal inorganic pigment ultrafine particles and a copolymer resin of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate as main components.
US08343886B2	Polymerization modifiers A composition comprising a polymerization modifier for the copolymerization of at least one olefin monomer and propylene and a polymerization process using the polymerization modifier.
US08343875B2	Methods of forming an integrated circuit with self-aligned trench formation Methods for forming a semiconductor device include forming self-aligned trenches, in which a first set of trenches is used to align a second set of trenches. Methods taught herein can be used as a pitch doubling technique, and may therefore enhance device integration. Further, employing a very thin CMP stop layer, and recessing surrounding materials by about an equal amount to the thickness of the CMP stop layer, provides improved planarity at the surface of the device.
US08343867B2	Method for main spacer trim-back The embodiments of methods described in this disclosure for trimming back nitride spacers for replacement gates allows the hard mask layers (or hard mask) to protect the polysilicon above the high-K dielectric during trim back process. The process sequence also allows determining the trim-back amount based on the process uniformity (or control) of nitride deposition and nitride etchback (or trimming) processes. Nitride spacer trim-back process integration is critical to avoid creating undesirable consequences, such as silicided polyisicon on top of high-K dielectric described above. The integrated process also allows widening the space between the gate structures to allow formation of silicide with good quality and allow contact plugs to have sufficient contact with the silicide regions. The silicide with good quality and good contact between the contact plugs and the silicide regions increase the yield of contact and allows the contact resistance to be in acceptable and workable ranges.
US08343866B2	Formation of a masking layer on a dielectric region to facilitate formation of a capping layer on electrically conductive regions separated by the dielectric region A masking layer is formed on a dielectric region of an electronic device so that, during subsequent formation of a capping layer on electrically conductive regions the masking layer inhibits formation of capping layer material on the dielectric region. The capping layer can be formed selectively on the electrically conductive regions or non-selectively; in either case, capping layer material formed over the dielectric region can subsequently be removed, thus ensuring that capping layer material is formed only on the electrically conductive regions. Silane-based materials, such as silane-based SAMs, can be used to form the masking layer. The capping layer can be formed of an electrically conductive, a semiconductor material, or an electrically insulative material, and can be formed using any appropriate process, including conventional deposition processes such as electroless deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition.
US08343865B2	Semiconductor device having dual work function metal A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a dummy metal gate layer including work function metals directly on a base insulator, diffusing the work function metals into the base insulator by annealing, removing the dummy metal gate layer by a wet etching, forming a metal gate on the base insulator, and forming a high-k insulator on the metal gate.
US08343864B2	DRAM with schottky barrier FET and MIM trench capacitor A semiconductor circuit and method of fabrication is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor circuit comprises a metal-insulator-metal trench capacitor in a silicon substrate. A field effect transistor is disposed on the silicon substrate adjacent to the metal-insulator-metal trench capacitor, and a silicide region is disposed between the field effect transistor and the metal-insulator-metal trench capacitor. Electrical connectivity between the transistor and capacitor is achieved without the need for a buried strap.
US08343860B1	High C content molecules for C implant The present invention provides molecules with high carbon content for Carbon-containing species implant in semiconductor material. The molecules can be used in various doping techniques such as ion implant, plasma doping or derivates methods.
US08343857B2	Manufacturing method of microcrystalline semiconductor film and manufacturing method of semiconductor device To provide a manufacturing method of a microcrystalline semiconductor film, the manufacturing method comprises the steps of forming a first semiconductor film over a substrate by generating plasma by performing continuous discharge under an atmosphere containing a deposition gas; forming a second semiconductor film over the first semiconductor film by generating plasma by performing pulsed discharge under the atmosphere containing the deposition gas; forming a third semiconductor film over the second semiconductor film by generating plasma by performing continuous discharge under the atmosphere containing the deposition gas; and forming a fourth semiconductor film over the third semiconductor film by generating plasma by performing pulsed discharge under the atmosphere containing the deposition gas.
US08343852B2	Method and structure for dividing a substrate into individual devices A method for obtaining individual dies from a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a device layer, and the device layer in turn includes active regions separated by predefined spacings. Thick metal is selectively formed on backside of the device layer such that thick metal is formed on backside of active regions but not on backside of the predefined spacings. The semiconductor structure is then cut along the predefined spacings to separate the active regions with thick metal on their backside into individual dies.
US08343844B2	Method for manufacturing capacitor of semiconductor device and capacitor of semiconductor device manufactured thereby A method of manufacturing a capacitor of a semiconductor device includes forming a high-k dielectric pattern on a semiconductor substrate, the high-k dielectric pattern having a pillar shape including a hole therein, forming a lower electrode in the hole of the high-k dielectric pattern, locally forming a blocking insulating pattern on an upper surface of the lower electrode, and forming an upper electrode covering the high-k dielectric pattern and the blocking insulating pattern.
US08343840B2	Blocking dielectric engineered charge trapping memory cell with high speed erase A band gap engineered, charge trapping memory cell includes a charge trapping element that is separated from a gate by a blocking layer of metal doped silicon oxide material having a medium dielectric constant, such as aluminum doped silicon oxide, and separated from the semiconductor body including the channel by an engineered tunneling dielectric.
US08343839B2	Scaled equivalent oxide thickness for field effect transistor devices A method for forming a field effect transistor device includes forming an oxide layer on a substrate, forming a dielectric layer on the oxide layer, forming a first TiN layer on the dielectric layer, forming a metallic layer on the first layer, forming a second TiN layer on the metallic layer, removing a portion of the first TiN layer, the metallic layer, and the second TiN layer to expose a portion of the dielectric layer, forming a layer of stoichiometric TiN on the exposed portion of the dielectric layer and the second TiN layer, heating the device, and forming a polysilicon layer on the device.
US08343838B2	Method of reducing dislocation-induced leakage in a strained-layer field-effect transistor by implanting blocking impurity into the strained-layer A structure and method of fabricating a semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) such as a strained Si n-MOSFET where dislocation or crystal defects spanning from source to drain is partially occupied by heavy p-type dopants. Preferably, the strained-layer n-MOSFET includes a Si, SiGe or SiGeC multi-layer structure having, in the region between source and drain, impurity atoms that preferentially occupy the dislocation sites so as to prevent shorting of source and drain via dopant diffusion along the dislocation. Advantageously, devices formed as a result of the invention are immune to dislocation-related failures, and therefore are more robust to processing and material variations. The invention thus relaxes the requirement for reducing the threading dislocation density in SiGe buffers, since the devices will be operable despite the presence of a finite number of dislocations.
US08343837B2	Work function adjustment in a high-k gate electrode structure after transistor fabrication by using lanthanum The work function of a high-k gate electrode structure may be adjusted in a late manufacturing stage on the basis of a lanthanum species in an N-channel transistor, thereby obtaining the desired high work function in combination with a typical conductive barrier material, such as titanium nitride. For this purpose, in some illustrative embodiments, the lanthanum species may be formed directly on the previously provided metal-containing electrode material, while an efficient barrier material may be provided in the P-channel transistor, thereby avoiding undue interaction of the lanthanum species in the P-channel transistor.
US08343836B2	Recessed gate channel with low Vt corner A recessed gate FET device includes a substrate having an upper and lower portions, the lower portion having a reduced concentration of dopant material than the upper portion; a trench-type gate electrode defining a surrounding channel region and having a gate dielectric material layer lining and including a conductive material having a top surface recessed to reduce overlap capacitance with respect to the source and drain diffusion regions formed at an upper substrate surface at either side of the gate electrode. There is optionally formed halo implants at either side of and abutting the gate electrode, each halo implants extending below the source and drain diffusions into the channel region. Additionally, highly doped source and drain extension regions are formed that provide a low resistance path from the source and drain diffusion regions to the channel region.
US08343830B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same There is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including, forming a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a capacitor on the first insulating film, forming a second insulating film covering the capacitor, forming a metal wiring on the second insulating film, forming a first capacitor protective insulating film covering the metal wiring and the second insulating film, forming an insulating sidewall on a side of the metal wiring, forming a third insulating film on the insulating sidewall, forming a hole by etching the third insulating film under a condition that an etching rate of the insulating sidewall would be lower than that of the third insulating film, and forming a conductive plug inside the hole.
US08343828B2	Methods of forming diodes Some embodiments include methods of forming diodes. A stack may be formed over a first conductive material. The stack may include, in ascending order, a sacrificial material, at least one dielectric material, and a second conductive material. Spacers may be formed along opposing sidewalls of the stack, and then an entirety of the sacrificial material may be removed to leave a gap between the first conductive material and the at least one dielectric material. In some embodiments of forming diodes, a layer may be formed over a first conductive material, with the layer containing supports interspersed in sacrificial material. At least one dielectric material may be formed over the layer, and a second conductive material may be formed over the at least one dielectric material. An entirety of the sacrificial material may then be removed.
US08343822B2	Flexible semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same A method for manufacturing a flexible semiconductor device includes (i) forming an insulating film on the upper surface of metal foil, (ii) forming an extraction electrode pattern on the upper surface of the metal foil, (iii) forming a semiconductor layer on the insulating film such that the semiconductor layer is in contact with the extraction electrode pattern, (iv) forming a sealing resin layer on the upper surface of the metal foil such that the sealing resin layer covers the semiconductor layer and the extraction electrode pattern, and (v) forming electrodes by etching the metal foil, the metal foil being used as a support for the insulating film, the extraction electrode pattern, the semiconductor layer, and the sealing resin layer formed in (i) to (iv) and used as a constituent material for the electrodes in (v). The metal foil need not be stripped, and a high-temperature process can be used.
US08343819B2	Extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) integrated circuit with on-chip resistors and method of forming the same An electrical device is provided that in one embodiment includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a semiconductor layer with a thickness of less than 10 nm. A semiconductor device having a raised source region and a raised drain region of a single crystal semiconductor material of a first conductivity is present on a first surface of the semiconductor layer. A resistor composed of the single crystal semiconductor material of the first conductivity is present on a second surface of the semiconductor layer. A method of forming the aforementioned electrical device is also provided.
US08343813B2	Resistive-switching memory elements having improved switching characteristics Resistive-switching memory elements having improved switching characteristics are described, including a memory element having a first electrode and a second electrode, a switching layer between the first electrode and the second electrode comprising hafnium oxide and having a first thickness, and a coupling layer between the switching layer and the second electrode, the coupling layer comprising a material including metal titanium and having a second thickness that is less than 25 percent of the first thickness.
US08343810B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming Fo-WLCSP having conductive layers and conductive vias separated by polymer layers A Fo-WLCSP has a first polymer layer formed around a semiconductor die. First conductive vias are formed through the first polymer layer around a perimeter of the semiconductor die. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first surface of the first polymer layer and electrically connected to the first conductive vias. The first interconnect structure has a second polymer layer and a plurality of second vias formed through the second polymer layer. A second interconnect structure is formed over a second surface of the first polymer layer and electrically connected to the first conductive vias. The second interconnect structure has a third polymer layer and a plurality of third vias formed through the third polymer layer. A semiconductor package can be mounted to the WLCSP in a PoP arrangement. The semiconductor package is electrically connected to the WLCSP through the first interconnect structure or second interconnect structure.
US08343809B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming repassivation layer with reduced opening to contact pad of semiconductor die A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of first semiconductor die. A first conductive layer is formed over an active surface of the die. A first insulating layer is formed over the active surface and first conductive layer. A repassivation layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. A via is formed through the repassivation layer to the first conductive layer. The semiconductor wafer is singulated to separate the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die is mounted to a temporary carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and carrier. The carrier is removed. A second insulating layer is formed over the repassivation layer and encapsulant. A second conductive layer is formed over the repassivation layer and first conductive layer. A third insulating layer is formed over the second conductive layer and second insulating layer. An interconnect structure is formed over the second conductive layer.
US08343808B2	Method of making stackable semiconductor assembly with bump/base/flange heat spreader and build-up circuitry A method of making a stackable semiconductor assembly that includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, an adhesive, a terminal, a plated through-hole and build-up circuitry is disclosed. The heat spreader includes a bump, a base and a flange. The bump defines a cavity. The semiconductor device is mounted on the bump at the cavity, electrically connected to the build-up circuitry and thermally connected to the bump. The bump extends from the base into an opening in the adhesive, the base extends vertically from the bump opposite the cavity and the flange extends laterally from the bump at the cavity entrance. The build-up circuitry provides signal routing for the semiconductor device. The plated through-hole provides signal routing between the build-up circuitry and the terminal. The heat spreader provides heat dissipation for the semiconductor device.
US08343803B2	Lightweight and compact through-silicon via stack package with excellent electrical connections and method for manufacturing the same A through-silicon via stack package contains package units. Each package unit includes a semiconductor chip; a through-silicon via formed in the semiconductor chip; a first metal line formed on an upper surface and contacting a portion of a top surface of the through-silicon via; and a second metal line formed on a lower surface of the semiconductor chip and contacting a second portion of a lower surface of the through-silicon via. When package units are stacked, the second metal line formed on the lower surface of the top package unit and the first metal line formed on the upper surface of the bottom package unit are brought into contact with the upper surface of the through-silicon via of the bottom package unit and the lower surface of the through-silicon via of the top package unit, respectively. The stack package is lightweight and compact, and can form excellent electrical connections.
US08343797B2	Process for preparing a solar cell A process for preparing a solar cell comprising a support, a layer of cadmium sulfide (CdS), a layer of cadmium telluride (CdTe), a layer of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), a conductive metallic layer and optionally a layer of buffer material, the CdS layer and the CdTe layer being deposited by means of a pulsed plasma deposition (PPD) method, a solar cell obtainable by means of the described process being also provided.
US08343784B2	Light emitting diode device, manufacturing method of the light emitting diode device and mounting structure of the light emitting diode device The embodiment of the present invention provides an LED device, a manufacturing method of the LED device and a mounting structure of the LED device. In order to manufacture the LED device with low manufacturing cost through simple process capable of overcoming thermal fatigue due to heat generation, breaking of wire due to mechanical stress, the method comprises etching a wafer; forming a conductive metal layer from an upper surface to a lower surface of the wafer; bonding a light emitting diode chip to the metal layer which is disposed on the upper surface of the wafer; filling a resin into a space over the light emitting diode chip; and forming an electrode pad on the metal layer which is disposed on the lower surface of the wafer.
US08343783B2	LED module and packing method of the same A LED module and a packing method of the same include plural boards defined with a positive line and a negative line. The positive line connects to at least one positive joint, and the negative line connects to at least one negative joint. Some LEDs are respectively disposed on each board, and conducting ends of the LEDs are separately connected to the positive line and the negative line. A number of electronic elements are individually installed on each board, and conducting ends of the electronic elements are separately connected to the positive line and the negative line disposed on the board. A positive guiding line connects to the positive joint of each board, and a negative guiding line connects to the negative joint of each board. The LED module achieved in accordance with above-mentioned construction contributes to the flexibility.
US08343770B2	Analyzer and method for aspirating specimen An analyzer comprising: a specimen container setting portion including a plurality of container holders for holding a plurality of specimen containers of different types; an aspiration section for aspirating the specimen from the specimen container set in the specimen container setting portion; a sensor for detecting the presence of the specimen container set in at least one of the plurality of container holders; and a controller for determining in which of the plurality of container holders the specimen container is set based on the detection result of the sensor, and controlling the operation of the aspiration section, is disclosed. A method for aspirating a specimen is also disclosed.
US08343764B2	Genes encoding glutamine synthetase and uses for plant improvement Transgenic seed for crops with improved traits are provided by trait-improving recombinant DNA in the nucleus of cells of the seed where plants grown from such transgenic seed exhibit one or more improved traits as compared to a control plant. The present invention provides recombinant DNA molecules for expression of a protein, including a recombinant DNA molecule for expression of a glutamine synthetase.
US08343759B2	Mammalian cell line expressing inducible c-Src The present invention is directed to a unique mammalian cell line expressing inducible c-Src, and, particularly, a unique human cell line overexpressing c-Src in an inducible manner.
US08343758B2	Bio-artificial materials with tuneable properties This invention relates to methods for preparing biomaterials by applying multiple cycles of tensile loading to compacted collagen gels in order to fuse the collagen fibrils together within the compacted gels. This produces a biomaterial with improved material properties. Biomaterials produced by such methods may be useful, for example, as tissue equivalent implants, in the repair and/or replacement of damaged tissue in an individual.
US08343757B2	Polynucleotides allowing the expression and secretion of recombinant pseudo-virus containing foreign epitopes, their production, and use This invention provides a new approach to the design of a virus with a defective replication cycle, which can be rescued by wild type virus co-infection, and which expresses foreign antigenic epitopes that contribute to the elimination of virus infected cells and then to viral clearance. The vector of the invention, by expression of epitopes derived from common pathogens, by-passes existing tolerance of virus specific T cell responses. The vector will only replicate in virus infected cells.
US08343752B2	Biological methods for preparing adipic acid The technology relates in part to biological methods for producing adipic acid and engineered microorganisms capable of such production.
US08343751B2	Use of live bacteria for growth promotion in animals The present invention relates to the use of F4+ non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains to promote growth in an animal. The present invention also relates to the use of such strains to homogenize growth among a herd of animals. More specifically, the animal(s) of interest in the present invention are those wherein growth promotion or growth homogenization are desired goals, such as animals reared for meat production. The present invention further relates to a method for promoting growth of an animal as well as a method for homogenizing growth among a herd of animals.
US08343750B2	Ochrobactrum sp. for degrading tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) and its application The invention discloses an Ochrobactrum sp. for degrading TBBPA and its application in environmental remediation. An Ochrobactrum sp. for degrading TBBPA was isolated from the sludge in a high risk area of electronic waste in the invention. The strain is named as Ochrobactrum sp. T, which has been deposited in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) on Oct. 28, 2009 with an accession number of CCTCC M209246. Ochrobactrum sp. T obtained in the invention has high degradation capability to TBBPA in environment. The degradation efficiency of the strain achieves 96.2%. The strain could be applied to degrading TBBPA in environmental remediation.
US08343745B2	Acylglycerol acyltransferase-like protein MGAT-X1 and uses thereof The present invention is directed to a polynucleotide sequence of a novel acylglycerol acyltransferase-like protein MGAT-X1. The invention also provides the human MGAT-X1 associated with the dermatological diseases, urological diseases, muscle-skeleton disorders, hematological diseases, cancer, reproduction disorders, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases or gastroenterological diseases. The invention also provides assays for the identification of compounds useful for the modulation of dermatological diseases, urological diseases, muscle-skeleton disorders, hematological diseases, cancer, reproduction disorders, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases or gastroenterological diseases for treating of such diseases associated with expression of the MGAT-X1. The invention also features compounds which bind to and/or activate or inhibit the activity of MGAT-X1 as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.
US08343744B2	Regio- and enantioselective alkane hydroxylation with modified cytochrome P450 Cytochrome P450 BM-3 from Bacillus megaterium was engineered using a combination of directed evolution and site-directed mutagenesis to hydroxylate linear alkanes regio- and enantioselectively using atmospheric dioxygen as an oxidant. Mutant 9-10A-A328V hydroxylates octane primarily at the 2-position to form S-2-octanol (40% ee). Another mutant, 1-12G, hydroxylates alkanes larger than hexane primarily at the 2-position, but forms R-2-alcohols (40-55% ee). These biocatalysts are highly active for alkane substrates and support thousands of product turnovers. These regio- and enantio-selectivities are retained in whole-cell biotransformations with E. coli, where the engineered P450s can be expressed at high levels and the expensive cofactor is supplied endogenously.
US08343721B2	Methods and kits for nucleic acid amplification Compositions and methods are provided for amplifying nucleic acid molecules. The nucleic acid molecules can be used in various research and diagnostic applications, such as gene expression studies involving nucleic acid microarrays.
US08343720B2	Methods and probes for identifying a nucleotide sequence The present invention provides a method for identifying a set of target nucleotide sequences capable of identifying a member of a group of related nucleotide sequences, the method comprising the step of dividing the nucleotide sequence of each member of the group into a plurality of subsequences, wherein at least two of the subsequences overlap. The method is useful in generating probe sets capable of assigning alleles at HLA or KIR loci.
US08343716B2	Method of forming variable patterns using a reticle A method of forming a variable pattern across a wafer using a reticle forms a plurality of first patterns on the wafer. The first pattern is repeated across the wafer and each first pattern has a first readable element. The method also forms a plurality of second patterns on the wafer. The second patterns is repeated across the wafer and each second pattern has a second readable element. The second patterns are positioned relative to the first patterns by aligning a first second pattern relative to one portion of a corresponding first pattern and then incrementally misaligning each successive second pattern in a row or a column relative to its corresponding first pattern. Thus, each corresponding first readable element and second readable element form a corresponding variable pattern.
US08343713B2	Method for patterning material layer The invention is directed to a method for patterning a material layer. The method comprises steps of providing a material layer. The material layer has a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer successively formed thereon. Then, the second hard mask layer is patterned to form a plurality of openings therein. A patterned photoresist layer is formed to cover the second hard mask layer and the patterned photoresist layer exposes a portion of the openings. The first hard mask layer with the patterned photoresist layer and the patterned second hard mask layer together as a mask. Then, the patterned photoresist layer and the patterned second hard mask layer are removed. The material layer is patterned with the patterned first hard mask layer as a mask.
US08343702B2	Electrophotographic toner and method of preparing electrophotographic toner The disclosure provides an electrophotographic toner and methods for preparing the same, including a first binder resin, a second binder resin, a colorant, a releasing agent, a charge control agent, and an ionomer, wherein the second binder resin is a resin derived biomass.
US08343701B2	Image forming material An image forming material includes a perimidine-substituted squarylium dye that has a structure represented by the following formula (I) and shows diffraction peaks at least at Bragg angles (2θ±0.2°) of 17.7°, 19.9°, 22.1°, 23.2° and 24.9° in its X-ray powder diffraction spectrum measured by irradiation with X rays generated from a Cu target with a wavelength of 1.5405 angstroms:
US08343700B2	Imaging members having stress/strain free layers The presently disclosed embodiments relate in general to electrostatography comprising improved features in the flexible imaging member that enhance function when used in the electrostatographic imaging system. These embodiments pertain, more particularly, to a structurally simplified curl-free flexible electrostatographic imaging member belt containing a stress/strain free ground strip layer and stress/strain free imaging layer(s) to improve dynamic belt cyclic motion quality and extend service life.
US08343688B2	Polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a fastening structure including elastic members A polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with a fuel cell stack assembled by sandwiching a plurality of stacked single cell modules with a plurality of fastening members through a pair of end plates. The fuel cell includes a first elastic member arranged between the fastening member and the end plate and a plurality of second elastic members arranged between the end plate and the end of the fuel cell stack. Each of the second elastic members is arranged on the surface of the end plate corresponding to the electrode portion of a membrane electrode assembly in each of the single cell module, and each of the first elastic members is arranged on the surface of the end plate corresponding to a seal member arrangement region in which the seal member is arranged between the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly and a pair of separator plates in each single cell module.
US08343685B2	Composite material suitable for use as an electrode material in a SOC The present invention relates to composite material suitable for use as an electrode material in a solid oxide cell, said composite material consist of at least two non-miscible mixed ionic and electronic conductors. Further provided is a composite material suitable for use as an electrode material in a solid oxide cell, said composite material being based on (Gd1-xSrx)1-sFe1-yCoyO3-δ or (Ln1-xSrx)1-sFe1-yCioyO3-δ1 (s equal to 0.05 or larger) wherein Ln is a lanthanide element, Sc or Y, said composite material comprising at least two phases which are non-miscible, said composite material being obtainable by the glycine nitrate combustion method. Said composite material may be used for proving an electrode material in the form of at least a two-phase system showing a very low area specific resistance of around 0.1 Ωcm2 at around 600° C.
US08343683B2	Fuel cell stack A fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells each formed by stacking separators and an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly. The electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane provided with a pair of electrodes on the opposite sides thereof. A stacked body formed by stacking the fuel cells is provided with a pair of end plates at the opposite ends thereof in a stacking direction. The end plates are integrally fixed by fastening members with the distance between the end plates maintained. A load measurement mechanism including a plurality of load sensors integrally connected to a connector member is provided between one of the end plates and the stacked body. The one of the end plates is provided with a pressure mechanism. The pressure mechanism presses the load measurement mechanism toward the stacked body to thereby apply a tightening load to the stacked body via the load sensors.
US08343680B2	Fuel cell system A shutoff value provided on the entrance side and exit side of a fuel cell system has a diaphragm. A valve closing-side pressure chamber is provided on the upper face side of the diaphragm, and a valve opening-side pressure chamber is provided on the lower face side of the diaphragm. With the valve closing-side pressure chamber of the shutoff valve pressurized, the pressure in the chamber is maintained by ViS, Vic, and ViO in an electrically non-conducted state. Also, the pressure in the valve opening-side pressure chamber of the shutoff valve is maintained released. By this, force acting in the direction of closing a valving element acts on it through the diaphragm, maintaining the shutoff valve closed.
US08343671B2	Fuel cell system having recycle fuel conduit in fluid communication with fuel cell assembly and carbon dioxide removal unit A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell assembly, a carbon-dioxide-removal unit, an anode exhaust conduit connecting the fuel cell assembly and the carbon-dioxide-removal unit, a fuel source, an oxygen source, a fuel conduit connecting, at least in part, the fuel source with the fuel cell assembly, and a recycle conduit connecting the carbon-dioxide-removal unit with at least one of the fuel cell assembly, the fuel conduit and the fuel source. The fuel cell assembly includes at least one fuel cell, each fuel cell including an anode and a cathode. The carbon-dioxide-removal unit removes carbon dioxide that is in a gas phase. The carbon-dioxide-removal unit includes a carbon-dioxide-removing material. The fuel source and the oxygen source are each independently in fluid communication with the fuel cell assembly. The fuel conduit and the recycle conduit are optionally merged into a single recycle-fuel conduit that extends to the fuel cell assembly. The recycle conduit and/or the recycle-fuel conduit directs essentially all gaseous fluid from the carbon-dioxide-removal unit to the fuel cell assembly.
US08343663B2	Method of preparing positive active material with low carbon content for rechargeable lithium battery The present invention relates to a method of preparing a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery. The positive active material includes a lithium/nickel-based compound wherein primary particles having an average particle diameter ranging from 1 μm to 4 μm are agglomerated to form secondary particles. The positive active material of the present invention has excellent electrochemical performance and outstanding inhibition to swelling at high temperatures.
US08343659B2	Hydrogen absorbing alloy, production method thereof, and secondary battery The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing a phase of a Gd2Co7 type crystal structure, wherein the phase exists at a ratio of 10 weight % or higher in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy and yttrium is contained at a ratio of 2 mol % or more and 10 mol % or less in the entire hydrogen absorbing alloy.
US08343657B2	Negative electrode for lithium secondary battery, method of manufacturing the electrode, and lithium secondary battery In a lithium secondary battery using a negative electrode having a negative electrode mixture layer formed on a surface of a negative electrode current collector, the mixture layer made of a binder and negative electrode active material particles of silicon and/or a silicon alloy, charge-discharge cycle performance is improved without degrading the capacity per unit volume, by making the negative electrode mixture layer sufficiently adhere to the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode has a negative electrode mixture layer composed of a binder and negative electrode active material particles of silicon and/or a silicon alloy. The negative electrode mixture layer is formed on a surface of the negative electrode current collector by sintering. Negative electrode active material particles are partially embedded in the negative electrode current collector.
US08343656B2	Battery electrode production method According to the present invention, formation of a compound material layer is carried out by a method that includes a step of forming a binder solution layer 56 by applying a binder solution 50 containing a binder 54 to a current collector 10, a step of depositing the binder solution layer 56 and a compound material paste layer 46 on the current collector 10 by applying a compound material paste 40 over the binder solution layer 56, and a step of obtaining an electrode in which the compound material layer is formed on the current collector 10 by drying both the binder solution layer 56 and the compound material paste layer 46. Here, the binder solution 56 has a binder solution non-coated region 58 where a surface 12 of the current collector 10 is exposed, and the drying is carried out in a state in which a portion of the compound material paste layer 46 is deposited on the current collector 10 in the binder solution non-coated region 58.
US08343649B2	Electricity storage device with enhanced heat dissipation An electricity storage device has: an enclosed container; an electricity storage unit contained in the enclosed container; a coolant, contained in the enclosed container, for cooling the electricity storage unit; and protrusions that extend into the coolant and conduct the heat of the coolant to a top lid of the enclosed container. The protrusions are formed on the top lid.
US08343643B2	Battery pack including a support frame A battery pack including a support frame. The support frame includes a plurality of recesses for receiving a plurality of battery cells, a first vent, a second vent, a first peripheral support section, a second peripheral support section, and an air passage. The first vent is located on a first distal end of the support frame, the second vent is located on a second distal end of the support frame, and the air passage is located between the first vent and the second vent. The first and second peripheral support sections space apart and securely hold the plurality of battery cells within the battery pack.
US08343637B2	Carbazole derivatives for organic electroluminescent devices The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (1) and to the use thereof in organic electroluminescent devices, in particular as matrix material in phosphorescent devices.
US08343634B2	Triglyceride compositions useful for preparing composite panels and applications thereof Composite panels may be prepared using a moisture resistance additive having a formulation that includes a triglyceride having a saponification value of at least 150 and an iodine value of at least 35. The additive may be used in the form of a water emulsion. The water emulsion may be prepared by dispersing the components of the additive formulation under conditions sufficient to at least partially saponify the triglyceride. The moisture resistance additive can impart resistance to moisture absorption and thickness swelling to composite panels prepared therewith.
US08343630B2	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.
US08343624B2	Durable antireflective film Antireflective films are described having a surface layer comprising a the reaction product of a polymerizable low refractive index composition comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable fluoropolymer and surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. A high refractive index layer is coupled to the low refractive index layer. In one embodiment, the high refractive index layer comprises surface modified inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. The antireflective film is preferably durable, exhibiting a haze of less than 1.0% after 25 wipes with steel wool using a 3.2 cm mandrel and a mass of 1000 grams.
US08343622B2	Flexible high refractive index hardcoat Antireflective films comprising a flexible high refractive index layer that comprises at least 60 wt-% of inorganic nanoparticles, the nanoparticles having a refractive index of at least 1.60, dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. Also described are surface treated nanoparticles.
US08343617B2	Ceramic substrate A Ceramic substrate is provided. The ceramic substrate includes a ceramic main body and a planar buffer layer on the ceramic main body. Further, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic main body CTEm and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the planar buffer layer CTEp satisfy the following mathematical relationship: \|CTEm−CTEp\|≦3×10−6/° C.
US08343616B2	Coating agent, substrate for mounting optical semiconductor element using same, and optical semiconductor device The coating agent of the invention is a coating agent to be used between conductor members, comprising a thermosetting resin, a white pigment, a curing agent and a curing catalyst, the coating agent to be used between conductor members having a white pigment content of 10-85 vol % based on the total solid volume of the coating agent, and a whiteness of at least 75 when the cured product of the coating agent has been allowed to stand at 200° C. for 24 hours.
US08343602B2	Propylene polymers for injection molding applications Use of propylene copolymers with up to 50 wt % of units derived from at least one linear or branched alpha-olefin having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms other than propylene for producing injection-molded coating on a metallic pipe.
US08343589B2	Methods for making environmental barrier coatings and ceramic components having CMAS mitigation capability Methods of making components having calcium magnesium aluminosilicate (CMAS) mitigation capability including providing a component; applying an environmental barrier coating to the component, the environmental barrier coating having a separate CMAS mitigation layer including a CMAS mitigation composition selected from the group consisting of zinc aluminate spinel, alkaline earth zirconates, alkaline earth hafnates, rare earth gallates, beryl, and combinations thereof.
US08343580B2	Organometallic compounds Methods of vapor depositing metal-containing films using certain organometallic compounds containing a carbonyl-containing ligand are disclosed.
US08343578B2	Self-assembled lamellar microdomains and method of alignment A method and associated structure. A substrate is provided. The substrate has an energetically neutral corrugated surface layer. A film is formed on the corrugated surface layer. The film includes a combination of a di-block copolymer and a stiffening compound. The di-block copolymer includes lamellar microdomains of a first polymer block and lamellar microdomains of a second polymer block. The stiffening compound is dissolved within the first polymer block. At least one lamellar microdomain is removed from the film such that an oriented structure remains on the surface layer.
US08343573B2	Method for repairing a component by coating A method for repairing a component such as a turbine blade is provided. At the end of its operating time, the component has, for example, a depletion of aluminium in a region near the surface. The application of a repair layer is provided including particles with an increased proportion of aluminium. A subsequent heat treatment may achieve the effect of equalizing the concentration of aluminium between the repair layer and the region near the surface, and so the aluminium content required for new components is achieved again.
US08343572B2	Composition of electrode material in the form of a coating and a process thereof The present invention is in relation to a composition of electrode material in the form of a coating, said composition represented by formula Mn1-xO/C, wherein Mn1-xO is the monoxide of manganese with x is ≧0 and ≦0.1 and C is carbon. In addition, the invention also provides a process for deposition of aforementioned composition in the form of a nanocomposite coat on the electrode of an electrochemical capacitor in the fields of automobile, aerospace engineering and applications, very large scale integrated circuits (VLSI) technology, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and combinations thereof.
US08343568B2	Stent fixture and method for reducing coating defects A stent fixture for supporting a stent during formation of a coating is provided.
US08343566B2	Preparation of canola protein isolate without heat treatment (“C200Ca”) The supernatant from the deposition of canola protein micellar mass is processed to provide a canola protein isolate which is soluble in an aqueous acidic environment.
US08343557B2	Compositions incorporating agents for reducing cellulite and unaesthetic appearance associated therewith and formulations containing them The present invention relates to synergic compositions incorporating agents for reducing cellulite and unaesthetic appearance associated therewith which comprise a base matrix constituted by conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), grape seed extract, beta-glucan, organic calcium and dry extract of pine bark together with complementary synergic agents of the matrix. The invention also relates to the use of such compositions and formulations containing said compositions.
US08343556B2	Composition for treating and/or preventing periodontal disease A method for treating periodontal disease, which comprises administering an effective amount of a composition to one in need of treatment of periodontal disease, the composition comprising a Sasa extract and an organic acid.
US08343554B2	Formulations for the treatment of arthritis conditions The present invention relates to formulations comprising combinations of analgesic/anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and cartilage-reconstructing agents in particular comprising saligenig, boswellic acid, procyanidins, N-acety-glucosamine and either glucoronic acid or glucoronolactone, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and, more generally, of arthritis conditions.
US08343550B2	Method for making homogeneous spray-dried solid amorphous drug dispersions utilizing modified spray-drying apparatus Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.
US08343549B2	Therapeutic uses of Dunaliella powder A method for treating a disease selected from diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, and a method for reducing triglycerides and/or increasing HDL cholesterol levels in the plasma of a subject. The method comprises administrating to a subject an effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder, optionally together with an activator of nuclear receptors.
US08343545B2	Method of producing microparticles A method of producing microparticles having a median diameter up to 100 μm and the microparticles so produced are described. The method includes the steps of providing a solvent having a bioactive dispersed or dissolved therein and a vehicle dissolved therein, carrying out an emulsification in a non-solvent phase to produce an emulsion containing the bioactive and the vehicle in a solvent phase, and evaporating the solvent to leave the microparticles, wherein a mixture of at least two surfactants is employed to stabilize the emulsion and wherein the mixture has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of up to 8.
US08343542B2	Method for producing an immediately decomposing oral form of administration which releases active ingredients The invention relates to a method for producing an oral form of administration which decomposes immediately and releases active ingredients in the mouth. According to said method, (a) an anionic pharmaceutical active ingredient is intensively mixed with (b) a copolymer consisting of radically polymerized C1-C4 esters of the acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and other (meth)acrylate monomers containing functional tertiary amino groups, and (c) between 5 and 50 wt. %, in relation to (b), of a C12-C22 carboxylic acid in the melted mass; the mixture is solidified and ground to form a powder containing active ingredients having an average particle size of 200 μm or less; and the powder is encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix consisting of pharmaceutically standard adjuvants, on the condition that no more than 3 wt. %, in relation to the copolymer, of emulsifiers with an HLB value of at least 14 must be contained therein. The invention also relates to the powder containing active ingredients and the uses of the same.
US08343535B2	Wound healing dressing and methods of manufacturing the same Disclosed are a hydrogel dressing for covering or treating a wound and a method for preparing the same. The hydrogel dressing includes a matrix structure of a cross-linked mixture, and an elastic sheet coated with an elementary metal or ionic metal embodied in the matrix structure. The mixture comprises a hydrophilic polymer, about 0.5 to about 5 wt % of a photocatalyst agent and at least 80 wt % of water based on the total weight of the mixture.
US08343523B2	Disinfectant with durable activity based on alcohol-soluble quaternary ammonium polymers and copolymers An alcohol- or glycol-soluble, water-insoluble, disinfectant composition and a method of using the same for disinfecting and for providing a prolonged antimicrobial property to a variety of surfaces, including skin. The composition comprises at least one alcohol or glycol and an antimicrobial polymer that is capable of imparting an antimicrobial property to a surface without the use of a metal or a metal-containing compound. The composition is applied to a surface and allowed to evaporate leaving a coating of antimicrobial polymer. Alternatively, the composition is incorporated into or within the substrate.
US08343522B2	Antimicrobial films, sponges and sponge cloths Antimicrobial film based on biopolymers, in particular cellulose and/or protein, or uncoated or coated textile material, and also an antimicrobial sponge or an antimicrobial sponge cloth based on regenerated or precipitated cellulose are provided. The film, the sponge or the sponge cloth is impregnated or coated with at least one α-amino acid ester, the α-amino group of which is acylated with a fatty acid, or the corresponding hydrochloride, and the α-amino acid ester is bound covalently, optionally also ionically, to the film, the sponge or the sponge cloth. The acylated α-amino acid ester is preferably N-lauroyl-L-arginine ethyl ester monohydrochloride (LAECl), N-lauroyl-L-arginine methyl ester monohydrochloride (LAMCl) or N-lauroyl-L-lysine ethyl ester hydrochloride (LLECl). The film is preferably in the form of a flexible tube and is provided as casing for foods, especially sausage products.
US08343521B2	Ethanol-free aqueous perfume composition The present invention relates to an ethanol-free, non-fatty, non-sticky perfumed aqueous cosmetic microemulsion composition, including one or more fragrance materials, a solvent, an aqueous medium, and optionally, one or more surfactants; wherein the solvent in the microemulsion is a vicinal diol such as 1,2-hexanediol.
US08343520B2	Cosmetic composition comprising an ampholytic copolymer The present invention relates to novel cosmetic compositions, more particularly for treating the skin or the hair, comprising an ampholytic artificial copolymer. The invention also relates to the use of the polymer in cosmetic compositions. The polymer comprises units derived from a polycationic monomer and units derived from a monomer of acidic nature.
US08343519B2	Chemical enhancer and method The present invention relates to compositions containing at least one salicylic acid derivative and at least one cosmetic, dermatologic, pharmaceutical, etc. active agent, where the salicylic acid derivative increases, enhances, etc., the efficacy of the active agent, as well as to methods of making and using such compositions. The invention further relates to a method for enhancing the efficacy of active agents with these salicylic acid derivatives.
US08343508B2	Botulinum antitoxin compositions and methods This invention provides botulinum antitoxin compositions and methods of production, and methods of treating animals and humans prophylactically and also those suspected of having contacted botulism toxin. The botulinum antitoxin is prepared by inoculating an animal with a monovalent botulinum toxoid and toxin. The animal's plasma is collected and purified at a high pH by affinity chromatography. The resulting monovalent immunoglobulins are de-speciated by digestion with pepsin. Monovalent antitoxins for all seven botulinum serotypes are then combined to produce a high titered heptavalent botulinum antitoxin composition.
US08343506B2	Chimeric chikungunya virus and uses thereof The present invention discloses a chimeric Chikungunya virus comprising a heterologous alphavirus cDNA fragment and a Chikungunya virus cDNA fragment. The heterologous alphavirus may include but is not limited to Sindbis virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. The present invention also discloses the use of this chimeric Chikungunya virus as vaccines and in serological and diagnostic assays.
US08343498B2	Adjuvant incorporation in immunonanotherapeutics The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface and an immunostimulatory moiety. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory moiety is an adjuvant. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08343496B2	Anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and methods Disclosed are compositions that include anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the immunoconjugates and using the immunoconjugates in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The compositions may be part of a kit for administering the anti-CD74 immunoconjugate compositions in therapeutic and/or diagnostic methods.
US08343488B2	Diagnosis and treatment of human dormancy-related sequellae New methods for diagnosis and treatment of human dormancy syndrome-related sequellae are provided. Human dormancy syndrome (HDS) is characterized by elevated serum ratio of rT3/fT3 compared to a population of normal subjects. HDS includes fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, cancer, autoimmune disease, obesity and related dormancy conditions. Dormancy and HDS-related sequellae are imposed on humans by infection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; or endotoxin)-producing organisms, especially those that are intracellular and those that create antigens that stimulate the TLR pathways. In such instances, the elimination or neutralization of the LPS signal along with the infectious source is required to impact the sequellae of HDS. Treatment includes use of novel and non-obvious doses of antibiotics, optionally including agents that decrease the adverse effects of endotoxin.
US08343484B2	Methods for increasing lactose and fructose digestion The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium.
US08343478B2	Parapoxviruses in combination with other antiviral agents for the treatment of viral diseases The present invention relates to the use of Parapoxviruses in combination with other agents for the treatment of viral diseases, and in particular HIV infections and AIDS. The invention also relates to methods for producing medicaments based on combinations of Parapoxviruses and other antiviral agents, and to such medicaments. In particular, the invention relates to the use of Parapoxviruses in combination with agents of the kind used for antiretroviral therapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
US08343471B2	Nanoparticulate in-situ gels of TPGS, gellan and PVA as vitreous humor substitutes The present technology provides a nanoparticulate in-situ gelling vitreous substitute, which is a liquid at room temperature to aid easy administration, such as e.g. through a small needle incision, and forms a gel within the eye, which is hydrophilic in nature, similar to the natural vitreous. The vitreous substitute formulation may include a water-soluble natural or synthetic polymer and a gelling-agent which are blended together in the presence of a cross linker, to form a gel having the properties of the vitreous humor. The process of cross linking and gelation may occur in-situ. This can be achieved by dispensing to the eye, different components of the vitreous substitute in liquid state, along with the cross linking agent.
US08343469B2	Cationic synthetic polymers with improved solubility and performance in surfactant-based systems and use in personal care and household applications The present invention is related to surfactant-based formulations comprising the polyelectrolytes and blends of such polyelectrolytes with non-cellulosic cationic polysaccharide polymers. The surfactant-based formulations exhibit improved clarity of the resulting formulations, their improved conditioning of keratin substrates, textile substrates, and hard-surface substrates, their improved deposition of dispersed phase materials onto keratin substrates, textile substrates, and hard-surface substrates, their improved lather performance, and their improved rheology in applications such as personal care and household care products and textile applications.
US08343452B2	Acrylic fiber bonded carbon fiber paper as gas diffusion media for fuel cell A gas diffusion media for a fuel cell, such as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, is provided. The gas diffusion media includes carbonizable acrylic pulp fibers instead of conventional phenolic resin as a binder material. The acrylic fibers are mixed with the carbon fiber dispersion during the papermaking step, thus eliminating the phenolic resin impregnation step typically associated with conventional gas diffusion media manufacturing processes. The mat is then cured and carbonized to produce gas diffusion media.
US08343443B2	Fluid processing and transfer using inter-connected multi-chamber device A micro-fluidic device comprises a body. The body defines pneumatic ports, chambers for receiving liquids, and a connecting conduit. Each port is sealed with a seal and is shaped to couple to a pneumatic conduit through the seal. At least some of the chambers each have a top opening and a bottom opening. The top openings are in fluid communication with corresponding ports. The bottom openings are in fluid communication with one another through the connecting conduit, which is above the bottom openings. Selective application of pneumatic pressures to the chambers through the pneumatic conduits can transfer a liquid from one chamber to another through the connecting conduit, for example, for processing bio-samples within the device.
US08343441B2	Method for manufacturing and testing micro fluidic chips Aspects of the invention include methods and devices for manufacturing and testing microfluidic chips having at least one capillary for through-flow of a fluid.
US08343440B2	Cell separating apparatus and cell separating method A cancer cell separating apparatus includes: a flow channel including an antibody fixation area having antibodies which bind specifically to cancer cells fixed thereon, wherein the cancer cells and non-cancer cells are separated using a difference in velocity of movement between the cancer cells and the non-cancer cells in cell slurry introduced into the flow channel.
US08343435B2	Additive effect enhanced hydrogen peroxide disinfection method and apparatus A method which enhances a disinfection process by obtaining an additive effect from energy and byproducts of the decomposition process. Also disclosed are contact lens disinfecting systems, wherein the systems are configured to create the desirable elevated pressure, oxygen saturation and sustained peroxide concentration conditions within a contact lens holding and reaction chamber, in order to enhance disinfection by additive effect. The systems are configured to provide that an elevated pressure is maintained in the reaction chamber before venting occurs.
US08343416B2	Methods and devices for regulating the flow rate and for slowing down non-ferromagnetic, electrically conductive liquids and melts A regulating device regulates the flow rate of non-ferromagnetic, electrically conducting liquids and melt streams through magnetic fields inducing eddy currents in the melt stream. In a preferred embodiment, the regulating device controls the melt stream using at least one stationary magnetic field with a constant polarity, at least one stationary magnetic alternating field or using a multi-poled magnetic travelling field, in such a way that the magnetic field lines transversally penetrate the melt flow across the entire cross section thereof and such that a voltage is induced in the melt stream by the magnetic fields.
US08343412B2	Sealing of inscriptions on plastics The present invention relates to the sealing of inscriptions on plastics which have been produced by means of lasers on the plastic surface.
US08343407B1	Process for overmolding a rigid curved profile The present invention pertains to an overmolding process and apparatus for overmolding nonlinear profiles from rigid or semi-rigid polymeric material. Rigid polymeric materials are melted and overmolded onto an extruded profile, which is received by a mold having a mold cavity and core pin. The mold cavity and core pin have a radial angle of curvature (Rc). In the overmolding process, rigid polymeric material is injected around the core pin and cavity, and the overmolded article is removed from the mold. The core pin is removed from the overmolded article to form a non-linear overmolded article according to the present process and arrangement of parts.
US08343405B2	Method for producing a transparent body that incorporates an object The invention relates to a production method for incorporating an object into a multi-part, transparent casing. According to the method, an object is aligned on a first joint surface of a first casing part and is pressed into said part using a second casing part with a second joint surface. The first joint surface of the first casing part and the second joint surface of the second casing part are then fused by pressure and temperature, forming a region between the casing parts that is devoid of a visible seam.
US08343403B2	Method for making a microporous membrane A method for making a microporous membrane comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes having a hollow interior diameter of 20 Angstroms or less; sonicating the plurality of carbon nanotubes utilizing a solution comprising deionized, distilled water and a surfactant that coats at least one of the plurality of carbon nanotubes; collecting the coated carbon nanotubes; forming a matrix that supports the plurality of carbon nanotubes; embedding the coated carbon nanotubes into the matrix; rinsing the coated nanotubes to remove at least a portion of the surfactant; curing the nanotube-matrix assembly; and cutting the nanotube-matrix assembly to a particular thickness so as to open the ends of the embedded nanotubes. The hollow interiors of the plurality of embedded carbon nanotubes comprise the pores of the microporous membrane.
US08343397B2	Method of forming an in-ear device A method for forming a device (10) that fits into a person's ear canal, that carries sound from a pipe (B) of a speaker assembly (A) into the person's ear canal, and that blocks environmental noise. A first elastomeric material (14) is molded around an elongated core (16) to form a device body (12) with an outer surface that can seal to a person's ear canal. In one method, the first elastomeric material of the body is a soft foamable material and the core is a previously-formed tube (16) of a stiffer second elastomeric material, with the body bonded to the tube by being molded around it, either in a mold cavity or by extrusion through an extrusion head. In another method, the elastomeric material of the body is a non-foam, and the core (96) is a rigid pin that is removed from the earplug body after the earplug body has at least partially solidified.
US08343394B2	Pyrospherelator Crystalline alumina particles are intimately mixed with a gaseous fuel, air and oxygen. The mixture is then ignited in a torch. Such blending of the powder with the combustible gas allows the alumina particles to be immediately heated to above their melting temperature and allows the particles to form into spheres. The spheres are then rapidly cooled to ambient temperature, providing high purity micron-sized polymorphic alumina spheres without the use of additives or special treatment.
US08343392B2	Composite material and production process of dispersant A composite material is constituted by fine nano-oxide particles, a dispersant, and a transparent resin material. The dispersant includes a polymer of vinyl monomer having a binding acidic group. When φ is a dimensionless number defined by an average particle size (nm) of the fine nano-oxide particles divided by nm, the polymer has a degree of polymerization of an integer of 3 or more and 8×φ or less with the proviso that the integer is a numerical value obtained by dropping a decimal fraction. The composite material is produced through a step of obtaining a dispersant comprising a polymer by polymerizing a vinyl monomer having a binding acidic group in the presence of polyamine or in an aqueous dilute dispersion, and a step of mixing the dispersant, fine nano-oxide particles, and a transparent resin material.
US08343390B2	Highly Crystalline lithium transition metal oxides A powderous lithium transition metal oxide having a layered crystal structure Li1+aM1−aO2±bM′kSm with −0.03
US08343388B2	Electrode having porous active coating layer, manufacturing method thereof and electrochemical device containing the same Disclosed are an electrode having a porous active coating layer, a manufacturing method thereof and an electrochemical device containing the same. The electrode having a porous active coating layer according to the present invention may be useful to enhance peeling and scratch resistances of the porous active layer and improve a lamination characteristic toward the porous active layer by introducing a porous active layer onto a porous substrate having pores, the porous active layer having heterogeneity of morphology toward a thickness direction in which a content ratio of the binder polymer/inorganic particles present in a surface layer is higher than that of the binder polymer/inorganic particles present inside the surface layer. Accordingly, the stability and performances of the battery can be improved at the same time since the detachment of the inorganic particles from the porous active layer may be reduced during the assembly process of the electrochemical device.
US08343373B2	Method of aligning nanotubes and wires with an etched feature A method of forming an aligned connection between a nanotube layer and an etched feature is disclosed. An etched feature is formed having a top and a side and optionally a notched feature at the top. A patterned nanotube layer is formed such that the nanotube layer contacts portions of the side and overlaps a portion of the top of the etched feature. The nanotube layer is then covered with an insulating layer. Then a top portion of the insulating layer is removed to expose a top portion of the etched feature.
US08343371B2	Apparatus and method for improving photoresist properties using a quasi-neutral beam The invention can provide apparatus and methods of processing a substrate in real-time using a Quasi-Neutral Beam (Q-NB) curing system to improve the etch resistance of photoresist layer. In addition, the improved photoresist layer can be used to more accurately control gate and/or spacer critical dimensions (CDs), to control gate and/or spacer CD uniformity, and to eliminate line edge roughness (LER) and line width roughness (LWR).
US08343370B2	Method of fabricating a PTFE seal element and a shaft seal assembly therewith A method of fabricating a PTFE seal element and rotary shaft seal assembly therewith. The method includes providing a PTFE seal element and a vacuum chamber having electrodes therein. Next, placing the PTFE seal element on one electrode and drawing a vacuum pressure in the chamber and introducing a first process gas into the chamber. Further, applying a high frequency signal to the electrodes and producing a discharge plasma and etching and chemically modifying a surface of the PTFE seal element with the discharge plasma. Then, purging the vacuum chamber with a second process gas and restoring the vacuum chamber to an atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, rinsing the seal element and applying an adhesion promoter to the etched and chemically modified surface. Lastly, attaching the etched and chemically modified surface of the PTFE seal element to the carrier by molding an elastomeric material between the seal element and the carrier.
US08343367B2	Method for forming continuous channel of the surface of casting roll for the twin roll strip casting process Disclosed is a method of forming a continuous channel for gas discharge in the surface of a casting roll for twin roll strip casting, and particularly, a method of forming a continuous channel for gas discharge on the surface of a casting roll for twin roll strip casting, suitable for the formation of dimples on the surface of a casting roll for a twin roll strip caster, which includes applying a photoresist on the entire surface of a casting roll, conducting patterning on the applied photoresist, developing the surface of the casting roll, subjected to the patterning, and etching the metal surface of the casting roll, exposed in the developing, and which prevents the generation of dents, enables the manufacture of a cast product having no defects, and realizes wide applicability not only to high Mn steel but also to types of casting steel capable of generating dents or similar defects due to a large amount of volatile gas.
US08343364B1	Double hard-mask mill back method of fabricating a near field transducer for energy assisted magnetic recording A method of forming a near field transducer (NFT) for energy assisted magnetic recording is disclosed. A structure comprising an NFT metal layer and a first hardmask layer over the NFT metal layer is provided A first patterned hardmask is formed from the first hardmask layer, the first patterned hardmask disposed over a disk section and a pin section of the NFT to be formed. An etch process is performed on the NFT metal layer via the first patterned hardmask, the etch process forming the NFT having the disk section and the pin section.
US08343354B2	Sulphur removal A process for desulfurizing a process fluid includes contacting a sulphur compound containing feed stream with an absorbent including an iron, copper or nickel compound capable of forming a metal sulphide, a support material, a first binder and a second binder where the first binder is a cement binder and the second binder is a high aspect ratio aluminosilicate clay binder having an aspect ratio >2 and a ratio of the first binder to the second binder is in the range 2:1 to 3:1.
US08343334B2	Pressure cascaded two-stage hydrocracking unit A method and apparatus for hydrocracking an oil feedstock to produce a light oil stream without build-up of heavy polynuclear aromatic (HPNA) hydrocarbons in the recycle stream is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) hydrocracking the oil feedstock with a hydrotreating catalyst in a first reactor to produce an effluent stream; (2) fractionating the effluent stream into first, second and third product streams, wherein the first product stream includes C1-C4, naphtha and diesel boiling in the range of 36-370° C., the second product stream includes hydrocarbon components with an initial nominal boiling point of 370° C. and a final boiling point ranging from 420-480° C., and the third product stream that includes HPNA hydrocarbons and other hydrocarbons boiling above about 420° C. to about 480° C., depending upon the final boiling point of the second product stream; (3) cracking the second product stream in a second reactor; and (4) cracking the third product stream in a third reactor at a higher operational pressure than the second reactor.
US08343329B2	Electrode for hydrogen generation, method for manufacturing the same and electrolysis method using the same The present invention provides an electrode for hydrogen generation of which the hydrogen overvoltage is sufficiently low and which is not affected by poisoning due to iron ions, and furthermore, of which the durability is superior because during operations and stop-and-start control, the hydrogen overvoltage does not rise and exfoliation of the supported material does not occur. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the aforementioned hydrogen generation electrode and an electrolysis method using the electrode for hydrogen generation as a cathode. An electrode for hydrogen generation is used in which a platinum alloy including platinum and one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, copper, silver, and iron, or an amorphous material of a transition metal element and platinum is supported on a conductive base material. This electrode is obtained by coating a metal compound solution including one selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, copper, silver, and iron, and a platinum compound solution which forms an ammine complex; drying; thermally decomposing at a temperature in a range from more than 200° C. to 700° C. or less; and then subjecting to a reduction processing.
US08343327B2	Apparatus and methods for fast chemical electrodeposition for fabrication of solar cells The invention relates generally to electrodeposition apparatus and methods. When depositing films via electrodeposition, where the substrate has an inherent resistivity, for example, sheet resistance in a thin film, methods and apparatus of the invention are used to electrodeposit materials onto the substrate by forming a plurality of ohmic contacts to the substrate surface and thereby overcome the inherent resistance and electrodeposit uniform films. Methods and apparatus of the invention find particular use in solar cell fabrication.
US08343323B2	Determination of particle properties The present invention relates to a method and system for determining particle properties. Such properties may for example be charge, size, drift, etc. The method comprises determining (110) an electric mobility distribution based on detection of individual particles. The latter may be performed for a single particle over time, for a plurality of particles at the same time or in a combination thereof. The method also comprises deriving a particle property based on a periodicity in the electric mobility distribution.
US08343317B2	In situ cleaning of CVD System exhaust Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatuses for forming films using CVD. One or more method and apparatus embodiments include preventing the formation of bonds and/or breaking bonds that permit polymers to form in an exhaust line of a CVD apparatus.
US08343308B2	Ceiling plate and plasma process apparatus A ceiling plate provided at a ceiling portion of a process chamber that may be evacuated to a vacuum is disclosed. The ceiling plate allows microwaves emitted from a slot of a planar antenna member provided along with the ceiling plate to pass through the ceiling plate into the process chamber, and includes plural concave portions provided along a circle on a surface of the ceiling plate, the surface facing toward an inside of the process chamber.
US08343303B2	Composition useful as an adhesive for installing vehicle windows In one embodiment, the invention is an composition comprising: a) one or more isocyanate functional polyether polyurethane prepolymers; and b) one or more prepolymers of one or more polyisocyanates and one or more polyesters wherein the terminal groups on the polyester polyol polyurethane prepolymer are the residue of a monofunctional polyalkylene glycol (hereinafter capped polyester polyurethane prepolymer) or one or more polyester polyols which are capped with the residue of one or more monofunctional isocyanates (hereinafter isocyanate capped polyesters); wherein the composition is a low viscous paste at temperature of from about 40 to about 80° C. and is high viscous paste at a temperature of from about 40° C. or less. In a preferred embodiment the composition further comprises c) one or more catalysts for the reaction of isocyanate moieties with hydroxyl groups. In another embodiment the invention is a method of bonding two or more substrates together which comprise contacting the two or more substrates together with a composition according to this invention disposed along at least a portion of the area wherein the substrates are in contact wherein the composition is a low viscous paste. In a preferred embodiment the composition is heated to about 40° C. to about 80° C. and converted to a low viscous paste prior to contacting it with the one or more substrates.
US08343294B2	Method for enhancing the fatigue life of a structure An apparatus and method adapted to enhance the structural performance of a desired connection and provide a readily perceivable indication of predetermined limitations having being reached prior to actual failure of a connection. A method for enhancing structural performance of a desired structure by preventing fracture propagation.
US08343284B2	Film removing device and film removing method A film removing device includes an approach stage having a flat approach part having a surface substantially flush with the surface of a substrate supported on a support member. The flat approach part faces a first side surface of the substrate at a corner of the substrate where the first side surface and a second side surface of the substrate join. A film removing nozzle spouts a solvent toward a peripheral part of the substrate and sucks a solution while being moved along the second side surface and the approach stage. A gas is spouted into a gap between the flat approach part and the corner of the substrate so that the gas flows through the gap toward the second side surface.
US08343283B2	Cleaning with controlled release of acid The present invention discloses a method for cleaning a substrate comprising contacting the substrate in a cleaning cycle with an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an aqueous diluent and a detergent composition, the detergent composition comprising a glycolic and/or lactic acid oligomer with an average degree of polymerization between 1.8 and 6. Preferably, the substrate is contacted in a rinse cycle with an aqueous rinse which is substantially free of an intentionally added rinse agent or fabric softener.
US08343282B2	Photocatalytic auto-cleaning process of stains The present invention provides a process for photocatalytically treating stains of chilly and turmeric caused on kitchen tiles and platforms by coating a thin film of photocatalyst made of a semiconductor such as titanium dioxide uniformly dispersed in dilute silica sol thereon and using a light source such as a fluorescent lamp to irradiate and photoexcite the photo catalytic thin film by the small amount of UV radiation included in the fluorescent light, resulting in photo decomposition and auto-cleaning of the stains.
US08343274B2	Environmental composition and method for making the same A cement composition is made from a heat activated chemical salt selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, potassium oxide, sodium oxide, and calcium oxide and mixtures thereof. This activated salt is the mixed with hydraulic cement in an amount of 2½ to 3½ parts activated salt to one part hydraulic cement and the resulting mixture of hydraulic cement and activated salt is mixed with water and aggregate. In addition, industrial waste may be added to the mix in minor amounts of 5 to 30 percent.
US08343268B2	Inks with improved performance Inkjet ink formulations and methods using the same, with improved performance, wherein the inks are formulated to work as an ink set with darker inks having a higher dynamic surface tension.
US08343267B2	Gallium formulated ink and methods of making and using same A gallium formulated ink is provided. Also provided are methods of preparing the gallium formulated ink and for using the gallium formulated ink to deposit a Group 1b/gallium/(optional indium)/Group 6a material on a substrate for use in the manufacture of a variety of chalcogenide containing semiconductor materials, such as, thin film transistors (TFTs), light emitting diodes (LEDs); and photoresponsive devices (e.g., electrophotography (e.g., laser printers and copiers), rectifiers, photographic exposure meters and photovoltaic cells) and chalcogenide containing phase change memory materials.
US08343266B2	Filtering device for filtering gaseous fuels in systems for supplying gas to internal combustion engines There is described a filtering device (1) for systems for supplying gas to internal combustion engines, comprising, integrated in the device, sensor means (10, 11, 12) for detecting the pressure and temperature of the gas being injected into the engine as well as the pressure at the inlet manifold of the engine.
US08343265B2	Air cleaner apparatus An air cleaner apparatus includes a lid that covers an opening formed in an air cleaner box is provided with an intake port communicating with the opening. In addition, a regulator is attached to an upper wall portion of the air cleaner box, the intake port is extended to the upper wall portion of the air cleaner box so as to cover the regulator, and the regulator is placed facing inside an intake passage connecting between the intake port and the opening. The air cleaner apparatus so configured provides a sufficient cooling effect, and is excellent in ease of maintenance.
US08343263B2	Vapor storage canister arrangement To a canister assembly to be installed in a vehicle body having a differential device mounted on a rear part thereof without reducing the space above a floor panel while ensuring an adequate adsorption chamber volume. The canister assembly (22) comprises a first adsorption chamber (31) for adsorbing fuel vapor introduced from a fuel tank (8); a second adsorption chamber (32) for adsorbing fuel vapor introduced from the first adsorption chamber; and a chamber communication pipe (46) for communicating the first adsorption chamber with the second adsorption chamber; wherein the first adsorption chamber and second adsorption chamber are provided separately from each other on either side of the differential device.
US08343256B2	Integrated contaminant separator and water-control loop for a fuel reactant stream An integrated contaminant separator and water-control loop (10) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving means (61) within a separator scrubber (58) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to dissolve contaminants from the fuel reactant stream into the water. An accumulator (68) collects the separated contaminant stream, and ion exchange material (69) integrated within the accumulator removes contaminants from the stream. A water-control pump (84) directs flow of a de-contaminated water stream from the accumulator (68) through a water-control loop (78) having a heat exchanger (86) and back onto the scrubber (58) to flow over the packed bed (62). Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange material (69) minimizes cost and maintenance requirements.
US08343252B2	Honeycomb filter A honeycomb filter 20 includes a plurality of porous partition portions 22 forming a plurality of cells 23 serving as channels of fluid and trapping layers 24 that are formed on the partition portions and configured to trap a solid component contained in the fluid. In the honeycomb filter 20, a predetermined trapping region present on the partition portions 22 satisfies that, in an inscribed-circle-diameter distribution obtained by dividing an image of the partition portions captured with an electron microscope into a material region and a plurality of pore regions and by drawing maximum inscribed circles individually inscribed in the pore regions, a median pore diameter D50 is 1 μm or more and 6 μm or less and a median pore diameter D80 is 1 μm or more and 7 μm or less, and an inscribed-circle porosity determined from the inscribed-circle-diameter distribution is 35% or more and 60% or less.
US08343246B2	Separator A separator is provided. The separator in which the flow is conducted using separation elements from an inflow to an outflow in such a manner that at reversal points media separators deposit a separation medium. Depending on the flow through them and the orientation with respect to the acceleration due to gravity, individually shaped separating elements are arranged in such a manner that at least two different paths of the flow along the separating elements in the separator form.
US08343241B2	Process for the conversion of organic material to methane rich fuel gas The present disclosure relates to a process for the conversion of organic material to methane rich gas. In particular, the process comprises heating vaporized organic material in the presence of an excess amount of hydrogen gas and superheated steam to produce a methane rich fuel gas at pressures greater than 0 atmospheres gauge up to about 2 atmosphere gauge.
US08343234B2	Hand prosthesis comprising two drive devices A hand prosthesis includes a chassis and a finger prosthesis articulated to the chassis. A first drive is located in the chassis and is coupled via a force transmission unit to the finger prosthesis for moving the finger prosthesis about a first swiveling axis relative to the chassis. A second drive is located within the finger prosthesis and moves the finger prosthesis about a second swiveling axis relative to the chassis and relative to the first swiveling axis.
US08343232B2	Fortified mesh for tissue repair A mesh to repair a hole in a muscle wall includes a resilient mesh body and fortifying structure such as mesh portions of thicker weave than other portions, or strengthening members that can be engaged with the mesh and then removed from the mesh once the mesh is place over the hole. The same principles can be applied to a plug that is engaged with the mesh for filling the hole.
US08343229B2	Textured bone block implants Implantable pliable bone blocks comprising a solid block of cortical bone characterized by a length, width and thickness, having a first and a second face on opposite sides of the block. The first and second faces have a plurality slot features. The angle of incidence of the slot features of the first face and the x-axis and the angle of incidence of the slot features of the second face and the x-axis (a2) are such that the slots would intersect if they were in the same plane. Methods are provided for making implantable pliable bone blocks.
US08343222B2	Spinal disc prosthesis and instruments Described is an articulating intervertebral disc prosthesis including a first member having a vertebra engaging portion and a bearing surface; a second member having a vertebra engaging portion and a bearing surface, which in use abuts the first member bearing surface to form a first bearing joint, —and motion restraint means adapted to provide ax-ticulation restraint of the bearing joints at predetermined limits of articulation similar to the natural motion restraint of a facet joint; wherein the prosthesis is longitudinally—split into two bodies so that the two bodies can be laterally separated, each body having an articulating bearing joint. Preferably, the second member bearing surface is shaped to include at least a portion of a first substantially circular curve when viewed in a first section, and at least a portion of a second substantially circular curve when viewed in a second section, said first and second curves being of respectively different sizes of circle. Further described is a chisel and a chisel guide for preparing the disc space for implantation.
US08343219B2	Intersomatic cage, intervertebral prosthesis, anchoring device and implantation instruments An intersomatic cage, an intervertebral prosthesis, an anchoring device and an instrument for implantation of the cage or the prosthesis and the anchoring device are provided. An intersomatic cage or an intervertebral prosthesis fit closely to the anchoring device, which includes a body of elongated shape on a longitudinal axis, of curved shape describing, along the longitudinal axis, an arc whose dimensions and radius of curvature are designed in such a manner that the anchoring device may be implanted in the vertebral plate of a vertebra by presenting its longitudinal axis substantially along the plane of the intervertebral space, where the anchoring device is inserted, by use of the instrument, through a slot located in at least one peripheral wall of the cage or on at least one plate of the intervertebral disc prosthesis to penetrate into at least one vertebral plate.
US08343218B2	Methods and compositions for articular repair Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for producing articular repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. In particular, methods for providing articular repair systems. Also provided are articular surface repair systems designed to replace a selected area cartilage, for example, and surgical tools for repairing articular surfaces.
US08343215B2	System and method for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye A method and apparatus for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye is comprised of a lens body, an optic in the lens body configured to produce light interference, and a pinhole-like optical aperture substantially in the center of the optic. The optic may be configured to produce light scattering or composed of a light reflective material. Alternatively, the optic may increase the depth of focus via a combination of light interference, light scattering, light reflection and/or light absorption. The optic may also be configured as a series of concentric circles, a weave, a pattern of particles, or a pattern of curvatures. One method involves screening a patient for an ophthalmic lens using a pinhole screening device in the lens to increase the patient's depth of focus. Another method comprises surgically implanting a mask in the patient's eye to increase the depth of focus.
US08343214B2	Apparatus for the treatment of cataract A method and related apparatus to treat a cataract where the cataractous lens is pierced and the resulting opening is mechanically maintained using a lens system device such as a pinhole device, expandable tubular lens, a stent or similar small diameter device, some of which are capable of supporting a secondary intraocular lens. The resulting passageway or lumen created in the cataractous lens allows visible light to better reach the retina, thus improving vision. This lens system device that can be placed into an in situ cataract provides for a much simpler surgical technique and reduces related pre and post operative procedures and potential complications. Intraocular lenses may also be used in concert with this invention. The apparatus and technique can be applied to humans as well as animals.
US08343207B2	Composite medical textile material and implantable devices made therefrom An implantable composite medical device having a longitudinal length a woven textile portion having yarns interlaced in a woven pattern, a knitted textile portion having yarns interlooped in a knitted pattern. The woven and knitted portions are securably attached to one and the other to provide a composite woven and knitted textile surface along the longitudinal length of the device. The woven portion may have a permeability from about 30 to about 500 ml/min/cm2, and the knitted portion may have a permeability from about 30 to about 15,000 ml/min/cm2. Further, a crimped woven portion with a resiliently longitudinal stretchability from about 10 to about 100 linear percent over its quiescent longitudinal dimension or an uncrimped woven portion with a resiliently longitudinal stretchability of less than about 10 linear percent over its quiescent longitudinal dimension are useful. A knitted portion with a resiliently longitudinal stretchability from about 5 to about 200 linear percent over its quiescent longitudinal dimension is also useful.
US08343201B2	Pedicle screw assembly having a retractable screw tip for facilitating the securement of the pedicle screw assembly to a spinal vertebra A pedicle screw assembly has a retractable screw tip that facilitates the securement of the pedicle screw assembly to a spinal vertebra in a minimally invasive fashion during an orthopedic surgical procedure. The pedicle screw assembly includes a body portion including a head and a shank. The shank includes an outer surface with a thread provided thereon, an end having a cutting tip provided thereon, and a bore extending inwardly from the end and having an internally threaded region provided therein. The pedicle screw assembly also includes a tip portion including a body having a cutting edge and a shank extending from the body. The shank has an externally threaded region provided thereon that cooperates with the internally threaded region of the bore to permit movement of the tip portion relative to the body portion between extended and retracted positions.
US08343199B2	Intramedullary fixation screw, a fixation system, and method of fixation of the subtalar joint An intramedullary screw and fixation system for intraosseous bone fusion of the subtalar joint includes a lag screw member, a reamer for reaming an internal surface of each of the calcaneus and talus medullary canals, and targeting guide assembly for alignment with the subtalar joint. The lag screw member includes an elongated body, a first threaded portion at a first end and a bulbous portion at a second end. The targeting guide assembly receives a cutting blade in an elongated rod for reaming the articulating surfaces of the calcaneus and talus intramedullary canals, where the cutting blade is inserted through a percutaneous incision into the elongated rod.
US08343193B2	Method of supporting and distracting opposing vertebral bodies An apparatus and method is provided for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.
US08343183B2	Self-contained medical applicators for surgical sealants, and methods of use thereof Aspects of the invention relate to an applicator, and methods of use thereof, which can house multiple component formulations in separate material receptacles, which components can then be easily combined at the time of use without assembly by the user. In certain embodiments, a device of the invention can be used for, but is not limited to, applying hydrogel formulations to dura mater, abdominal tissue in hernia repair, tissues near the spine, lung tissue, intestinal tissue, or any of the internal tissues. In certain embodiments, a device of the invention can be configured to apply a spray or a stream of a liquid formulation to a surface. In certain embodiments, a device of the invention can be configured to deliver the formulation through an endoscope or laparoscope.
US08343175B2	Apparatus and methods for forming and securing gastrointestinal tissue folds Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point and moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to, or in line with, a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point, thereby forming the tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold from a vicinity of the second tissue contact point. Adjustable anchor assemblies; as well as anchor delivery systems, shape-lockable guides and methods for endoluminally performing medical procedures, such as gastric reduction, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, resection of lesions, and treatment of bleeding sites; are also provided.
US08343169B2	Surgical instrument A surgical instrument for performing circumcision includes a hollow body having each of an anterior open end and an axially opposed posterior open end. A dome shaped member is attached to or formed integral with the anterior end of the hollow body and has a generally semispherical shape. At least one aperture is formed through a wall of the dome shaped member and is sized to pass urine therethrough. An elongated handle is centered on the longitudinal axis and has a portion thereof positioned adjacent a juncture with one of the anterior end of the hollow body and the apex of the dome shaped member being weaker than any other portion of the body or the generally dome shaped member, whereby a reciprocation of the elongated handle causes the elongated handle to fracture at the juncture and become detached from the hollow body or the generally dome shaped member.
US08343167B2	Thrombectomy system and method Disclosed is a clot and foreign body removal system, including a catheter with at least one lumen. Located within the catheter is a clot capture wire that is connected to a hub at the proximal end. In one embodiment, the clot capture wire includes a coil made out of an elastic or superelastic material, preferably nitinol. The elasticity or superelasticity of the coil allows it to be deformed within the catheter and to then reform its original coil configuration when the coil is moved outside of the catheter lumen. In another embodiment the coil is a biphasic, shape memory coil, which changes shape upon heating, energy application, or passing an electric current. Once the coil configuration has been established, the coil can be used to ensnare and corkscrew a clot or blockage in a vessel. A clot is extracted from the vessel by moving the clot capture coil and catheter proximally until the clot can be removed completely or released into a different vessel that does not perfuse a critical organ. Foreign bodies are similarly captured by deploying the coil distal to the foreign body and moving the clot capture coil proximally until the foreign body is trapped within the coil. By removing the device from the body, the foreign material is also removed.
US08343164B2	Implant insertion tool An apparatus for inserting a spinal implant includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member operatively connected to each other. The first elongate member includes a first jaw member disposed at a distal portion thereof. The first jaw member defines a first longitudinal axis. The second elongate member includes a second jaw member disposed at a distal portion thereof. The second jaw member defines a second longitudinal axis. The first and second elongate members are adapted to move the first and second jaw members between a first position where the first and second longitudinal axes are oriented substantially parallel to each other and a second position where the first and second longitudinal axes are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism adapted to fix a relative position of the first and second elongate members.
US08343163B1	Spinal implant installation device An implant installation device is provided for delivering an implant to a target implantation site including a handle with a first and second arms extending distally therefrom. A translation member extends through the handle such that a distal portion lies between the first arm and second arm while a proximal portion extends beyond the proximal end of the handle. An inserter is coupled at the distal end of the translation member and also lies between the first arm and second arm. With an implant positioned proximate the distal end of the inserter, the distal ends of the arms may be inserted between the pair of vertebrae. The translation member may be operated to drive the inserter distally, which in turn pushes the implant toward the implantation site.
US08343160B2	Pivoting implant holder A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.
US08343158B2	Tool for forming a cavity within a bone A tool (2) for forming a cavity within a bone (6) comprises a shaft (10) and a blade (12) which is pivotally mounted on the shaft towards one end thereof. A rod is fastened to the blade, and can slide within the shaft, to change the pivotal position of the blade relative to the shaft. The tool can include an incremental drive to cause the rod to translate along the shaft when the shaft and rod are rotated.
US08343156B2	Mill head for a bone mill, the mill head including a catch tray A bone mill including a base and a mill head that is removably attached to the base. A cutting disc is rotatably disposed in the mill head. When the mill head is attached to base, the cutting disc is rotated by a motor internal to the base. A plunger mounted to the mill head urges the bone against the cutting disc. The cutting disc and an impingement plate internal to the mill head shear the bone into chips. The chips are discharged from an opening in the mill head into a catch tray removably attached to the mill head.
US08343155B2	Cable button The present disclosure includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including cable button threads, a plurality of cable button apertures, a hex socket, and a hex opening. The present disclosure also includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including a plurality of legs, where a leg includes a protrusion, where the protrusion engages the bone plate, and the cable button defines at least one cable button aperture.
US08343147B2	Electrolytic tissue treatment Disclosed are a method and a device useful for performing cosmetic or medical procedures of an in vivo portion of tissue. The method includes contacting an in vivo portion of tissue with a portion of a pad, substantially saturating the pad with a reactant, contacting the pad with a first electrode so that the first electrode is proximate to the portion of the pad proximate to the in vivo portion of tissue. The method further includes contacting the pad with a second electrode so as to provide an electrical path between the first electrode and the second electrode through the reactant, passing a DC voltage through a circuit including the first electrode, the reactant and the second electrode, thereby forming at least one of: an electrolytic effect, and an electrolytic product of the reactant, proximate to the first electrode.
US08343143B2	Medical devices Medical systems and methods including balloons having nanotubes are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical system includes an elongated shaft, and an expandable balloon carried by the shaft and including nanotubes. The medical system is capable of cooling the balloon to less than about 37° C. In some embodiments, a method includes providing a medical device having an elongated shaft, and an expandable balloon carried by the elongated shaft and including nanotubes; and cooling the balloon to less than about 37° C.
US08343134B2	System and method for transfetal (amnion-chorion) membranes transport The invention provides a system and method for trans-fetal membranes transport. A source of ultrasound sonication is used to deliver ultrasound sonication to fetal membranes to enhance the permeability of the fetal membranes of a gestational sac. In one embodiment, a device is used to collect substances transported from the interior of the gestational sac to the exterior of the gestational sac, such as amniotic or coelomic fluid. In another embodiment a device is used to deliver one or more substances, such as a drug, to an external surface of the fetal membranes.
US08343132B2	Apparatus and methods for injecting high viscosity dermal fillers A method includes inserting a distal end portion of a needle of a medical injector into a skin of a body. An energy source operatively coupled to the medical injector is actuated such that a dermal filler is conveyed from the medical injector into the skin through the distal end portion of the needle. The distal end portion of the needle is moved within the skin during the actuating.
US08343130B2	Needleless injector A needleless injector has a syringe body having an opening at one end, a piston housed within the syringe body for urging a liquid within the syringe body through the opening and a ram for driving the piston. A shock absorbing component is provided for reducing an initial transfer of force from the ram to the piston. The initial rate of pressure increase on the liquid is reduced, thereby controlling the rate of collapse of gas bubbles in the liquid.
US08343127B1	Absorbent articles with garment-like refastenable seams A disposable absorbent article includes a fastening system that can be repeatedly fastened, unfastened and refastened. The refastenable seams formed by the fastening system components provide a garment-like appearance.
US08343118B2	Diaper rash prevention apparatus An apparatus is provided that includes an enclosure with an aperture which is adapted for being placed in communication with an anus for the purpose of directing fecal matter into the enclosure. In one embodiment, the enclosure may include a polyethylene material with a thickness of less than 50 microns. In another embodiment, the enclosure may include an air hole formed therein for remaining open to allow air to escape therefrom upon the receipt of the fecal matter into the enclosure. In still yet another embodiment, the aperture may be circular and the enclosure may include a flexibility sufficient to allow the enclosure to be placed on an intended wearer in any orientation about an axis defined by the aperture.
US08343117B1	Combination cigarette lighter and eye drop device A cigarette lighter device comprising a cigarette lighter component having a top end, a bottom end, and a butane reservoir disposed inside; an eye drop dispenser removably attached to the bottom end of the cigarette lighter component, wherein the eye drop dispenser has a reservoir for storing an eye drop fluid; a connecting tube fluidly connecting the reservoir to an aperture tip disposed at a first end of the eye drop dispenser; wherein the eye drop fluid can be squeezed from the reservoir out of the eye drop dispenser; a removable cap attached to the first end of the eye drop dispenser for temporarily preventing eye drop fluid from unintentionally exiting the eye drop dispenser.
US08343102B2	Fluid driven medical injectors Some injectors of the invention may include a fluid drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid (e.g., liquid, pneumatic, or both) to impart a sequence of forces to drive a delivery device (e.g., a syringe) to deliver a medical fluid (e.g., a contrast agent, a radiopharmaceutical, a drug, or a combination thereof). Some injectors may include a multimedia tube configured to pass a working fluid (e.g., air) and a light signal (e.g., infrared). Some injectors may include a peristaltic drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid.
US08343101B2	Fluid driven medical injectors Some injectors of the invention may include a fluid drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid (e.g., liquid, pneumatic, or both) to impart a sequence of forces to drive a delivery device (e.g., a syringe) to deliver a medical fluid (e.g., a contrast agent, a radiopharmaceutical, a drug, or a combination thereof). Some injectors may include a multimedia tube configured to pass a working fluid (e.g., air) and a light signal (e.g., infrared). Some injectors may include a peristaltic drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid.
US08343097B2	Systems and methods for intravascular cooling Methods and systems for infusing a cooled infusate to a target location in a patient are described. A temperature of the blood and infusate admixture upstream of the catheter as well as at other locations along the catheter may be monitored and a feedback system utilized to control the volume, temperature, and/or infusion rate of the infusate so as to achieve a predetermined temperature at the target location. Control may also be based on the patient's native vessel flow rate. The system may monitor or calculate hematocrit upstream of the catheter and adjust infusion so as to provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood and infusate admixture. The system may also monitor reflux of the infusate past a distal end of the catheter and reduce infusion upon the detection of reflux.
US08343090B2	Gas-enhanced surgical instrument with mechanism for cylinder puncture A surgical instrument for providing an ionized gas to a surgical site includes a receptacle for at least one cylinder of pressurized surgical gas and a frame having a port near the distal end for emitting the surgical gas. A passageway extending between the receptacle and the port delivers the surgical gas to the port. A puncture assembly for rupturing a seal on at least one cylinder to release the surgical gas into the passageway includes at least one bank for storing mechanical energy which may include at least one spring. An actuator is operable to actuate the at least one bank release the mechanical energy. At least one puncture pin is operatively coupled to the at least one bank such that energy released by the at least one bank is effective to move the at least one puncture pin relative to at least one cylinder to rupture the seal.
US08343078B2	Methods for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO2) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate. If the flow rate drops to zero or close to zero, this indicates that the uterine cavity is intact and not perforated. If the flow rate does not drop to zero or close to zero, this indicates that a fluid flow is leaking through a perforation in the uterine cavity into the uterine cavity or escaping around an occlusion balloon that occludes the cervical canal.
US08343076B2	Sensor mounted flexible guidewire A flexible guidewire comprising a hollow tube, having a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having a distal tip, the outer diameter of the distal section gradually decreasing toward the distal tip, the outer diameter of the distal tip being larger than the smallest outer diameter of the distal section, the flexible guidewire further comprising a plug coupled with the distal tip of the hollow tube for creating a non-traumatic tip, and the flexible guidewire further comprising a tubular spring, being place around the distal section of the hollow tube for maintaining the outer diameter of the hollow tube over the length thereof and for supporting compressive loads.
US08343071B2	Biopsy device with aperture orientation and improved tip The invention is directed to a system and device for separating and collecting a tissue specimen from a target site within a patient. The device includes a probe component which is releasably secured to the driver component. The probe component has an elongated tubular section, a penetrating distal tip and a tissue receiving aperture in the distal end of the tubular section proximal to the distal tip, and a tissue cutting member which is slidably disposed within the probe member to cut a tissue specimen drawn into the interior of the device through the aperture by applying a vacuum to the inner lumen of the tissue cutting member. The driver has drive members for operating the elements of the probe component. The tissue penetrating distal tip preferably has a triple concave curvature shape with three curved cutting edges leading to a sharp distal point.
US08343070B2	Reduced profile biopsy device A biopsy device is disclosed that includes a housing maintaining a stylet and a cannula. A control device is operably coupled to operate the stylet and the cannula. A handle operates to modify the device from a loading configuration with an expanded profile to a delivery configuration with a reduced profile.
US08343061B2	Method and apparatus for determining central aortic pressure waveform A method is provided for determining a central aortic pressure waveform. The method includes: measuring two or more peripheral artery pressure waveforms; analyzing the signals so as to extract common features in the measured waveforms; and determining an absolute central aortic pressure waveform based on the common features.
US08343060B2	Biological luminal body evaluating apparatus In a process of varying pressure of a pressure container (24) accommodating a forearm (22) of a subject (20) in a pressure range including negative pressure, a diameter (cross-sectional shape value) (D) of an artery 44 in the forearm (22) accommodated in the pressure container (24) is measured non-invasively by a vascular diameter calculating unit (76). In addition, a display controller (display controlling means) (80) operates to display on a displaying device (16) a variation of an internal pressure (Pc) in the pressure container (24) and a variation of the diameter (D) of the artery (44) varying depending thereon. Based on the diameter (D) of the artery (44) obtained in the high pressure region, the variation of the internal pressure Pc in the pressure container 24 and the variation of the diameter (D) of the artery 44 varying depending thereon i.e. mechanical properties of the artery (44) are displayed on the displaying device (16). The artery (44) can be evaluated accurately based on the mechanical properties.
US08343059B1	Identifying left atrial pressure elevation by means of a respiratory component A signal indicative of left atrial pressure in the heart of a patient is analyzed to identify a signal component that is related to the respiration of the patient. An indication relating to the left atrial pressure may be generated based on the presence, absence, or magnitude of the respiratory component. In some embodiments the indication may be used to indicate high left atrial pressure. In some embodiments the indication may be used to indicate heart failure. In some embodiments the indication may be used in conjunction with verifying the operation of a left atrial pressure sensor. In the event of high left atrial pressure or an incorrect pressure reading an appropriate warning may be generated. In the event of an incorrect pressure reading the left atrial pressure sensor may be recalibrated.
US08343055B2	Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus An FSK modulator 20 applies FSK modulation processing to an RF wave supplied from an RF wave oscillator 22, by means of frequency shift keying (FSK) based on a periodical signal sequence supplied from a pattern generator 24, to thereby generate an FSK continuous wave. The continuous wave output from the FSK modulator 20 is delayed in delay circuits 26I and 26Q and is then supplied, as a reference signal, to each of mixers of a receiving mixer 30. Each of the delay circuits 26I and 26Q delays the continuous wave by a delay amount in accordance with a depth of a target position and outputs a delayed reference signal. Thus, demodulation processing is performed with a correlation between a reception signal from the target position and the reference signal being enhanced, and Doppler information from the target position is selectively extracted by a Doppler information analyzing unit 44.
US08343050B2	Feedback in medical ultrasound imaging for high intensity focused ultrasound Feedback of position is provided for high intensity focused ultrasound. The location of a beam from a HIFU transducer is determined using ultrasound imaging. The ultrasound imaging detects tissue displacement caused by a beam transmitted from the HIFU transducer. The displacement or information derived from the displacement may be used to detect and image the location of the beam. Separate transducers may be used for HIFU and imaging. The user aims the HIFU transmissions with feedback from ultrasound imaging of displacement of tissue.
US08343049B2	Physiological response to posture change In an embodiment, an implantable medical device includes a controller circuit, a posture sensing circuit, and a physiological sensing circuit. The controller circuit senses a change in a physiological signal as a result of a change in posture, and generates a response as a function of that change. In another embodiment, the controller circuit identifies a heart failure condition as a function of the change in the physiological signal.
US08343046B2	Surgical access system and related methods A method for accessing a spinal disc of a lumbar spine of a patient using a surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly. The method can include maintaining an operative corridor along a lateral, trans-psoas path using the retraction assembly.
US08343039B2	Capsule medical device A capsule medical device includes a capsule casing that contains an illumination board, an imaging board, a transmission board, and a control board on which functional components are mounted, and a sheet-like battery that supplies power to the functional components. The sheet-like battery is rolled up to be a pole shape and located between cutout parts of the imaging board, the transmission board, and the control board and the inner wall of the capsule casing.
US08343032B2	Controllable gastric band The invention relates to an adjustable stomach band with a rigid back and a chamber, arranged on the stoma side of the back, for control of stoma constriction by means of introduction or removal of fluid from the chamber. According to the invention, such a stomach band with a preferably automatic setting of the stoma constriction, depending on the food intake, is possible, whereby a second chamber is provided to the stoma side of the back, directly connected to, or cooperating with the first chamber, such that the control of the stoma constriction is achieved by means of displacing the fluid between the chambers or between a reservoir and the stoma-constricting chamber. An auto-regulation can be achieved, whereby a second chamber is embodied as sensor for recording a pressure rise in the stomach and the control of the stoma constriction is achieved depending on the recorded pressure by means of displacement of the fluid from the chamber, or from the reservoir into the stoma-constricting chamber.
US08343027B1	Methods and devices for providing electromagnetic treatment in the presence of a metal-containing implant Methods and devices for providing electromagnetic field treatment to a subject having a metal-containing implant or prosthesis at or near the treatment site. These treatment methods can include calibrating the treatment devices such that the treatment field provided is not distorted or affected by the presence of metal in the target location. Additionally, embodiments of the invention provide for wearable and adjustable electromagnetic treatment devices with reinforcing support members to maintain the structure of flexible metal applicators, which generate the therapeutic electromagnetic field.
US08343018B2	Muscle tension strap A muscle tension strap including a pair of elongated flat bands each formed of substantially non-resilient material. The pair of flat bands are affixed together at a plurality of intermediate points therealong to form a plurality of tandem loops. The plurality of intermediate points at which the pair of elongated flat bands are affixed together are in a range of four to seven. Portions of each flat band adjacent each end are affixed together in overlying relationship to form a final loop with a handle therein and the pair of flat bands have a length in a range of five feet to seven feet.
US08343016B1	Leg-powered treadmill A motor-less leg-powered curved treadmill produced that allows people to walk, jog, run, and sprint without making any adjustments to the treadmill other than shifting the user's center of gravity forward and backwards. A closed loop treadmill belt is formed with a low friction running surface of transverse wooden, plastic or rubber slats attached to each other in a resilient fashion. Since an essential feature of treadmill is the concave shape of the running surface of belt in its respective upper portion, curved and linear arrays of bearings are used to insure that this shape is maintained during actual use. These bearings prevent the lower portion of the treadmill belt from drooping down (i.e.—it must be held taut), to prevent the top portion to be pulled taut into a flat shape between the front and rear pulley rollers.
US08343013B1	Personal exercise device An exercise system may include an exercise device, which may be configured to facilitate personal exercise and quantification thereof. The exercise device may include a housing body configured to receive compressive force during personal exercise. Personal exercise may include an exercise performed by a user involving one or more body parts of the user. The exercise device may include a force sensor carried by the housing body. The forces sensor may be configured to generate an output signal responsive to compressive force being exerted on the housing body. The exercise device may include one or more processors carried by the housing body. The one or more processors may be configured to execute one or more computer program modules to, among other things determine one or more exercise parameters based on the output signal of the force sensor.
US08343012B2	Device and method for exercise prescription, detection of successful performance, reporting, and provision of reward therefore An exercise computer monitors the exercises of a user, especially a child, and provides rewards for exercises done well and regularly, thereby motivating the user. Rewards take the form of video games, cartoons, music, and merchant coupons. The exercise computer also provides encouragement and advice as the user progresses in skill level. Exercises may be prescribed. A record of exercise performance can be produced, to track the user's progress over time. The system and method can readily utilize the current install base of handheld computers and video games pre-existing in the marketplace.
US08343009B2	Power-split wind power generator gearbox A power-distributed wind turbine transmission for transmitting a torque generated by a rotor hub to an output pinion rotating with increased speed compared to the former to drive an electric generator, wherein at least two parallel-connected planetary stages are provided for power-distributed speed increase internal to the transmission, wherein further coupling of the rotor hub is carried out by means of a connection ring element on the input side of the transmission, which is rotatably supported by a large roller bearing at a fixed transmission housing, and which transmits the force flow in a power-distributed manner to the hollow gears of the parallel-connected planetary stages by means of cardan-like decoupling means formed thereon.
US08343001B2	Electric drive An electric drive comprises an electric motor (2) which drives a differential transmission (14) via a spur gear stage (4) and a parking lock gear (5) is arranged on the driveshaft (1) of the electric motor (2).
US08342996B2	Multi-speed transmission with multi-axis transfer Various embodiments of electrically-variable transmissions are provided that have two motor-generators, two planetary gear sets, and two torque-transmitting mechanisms, including a rotating-type clutch and a stationary-type clutch. An input member is connected for common rotation with a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. Carriers of both of the planetary gear sets are connected for common rotation with one another, and with an output member. The first motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set. A drive transfer assembly transfers torque from components establishing the first axis of rotation through components establishing one or two additional axes of rotation to a differential establishing yet another axis of rotation.
US08342995B2	Drive arrangement with open loop hydraulic mechanism operable as a pump or a motor A drive arrangement suitable for driving a final drive comprises a first drive means and a power-splitting gear arrangement. A first hydraulic mechanism is operable either as a pump or a motor. The first hydraulic mechanism is capable of being driven from the first drive means or from the final drive or both concurrently, acting through the gear arrangement. The final drive is drivable through the gear arrangement from the first drive means or the first hydraulic mechanism or both concurrently.
US08342992B2	Driving force transmitting apparatus A drive transmission apparatus for transmitting a driving force to a rotatable member includes a driving source; a drive pulley for receiving a driving force from the driving source; a driven pulley; a belt, extending around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, for transmitting the driving force from the drive pulley to the driven pulley; and a driving gear for receiving a driving force from the driving source. The apparatus also includes a driven gear for receiving the driving force of the driving gear; a drive transmitting shaft, provided with the driven pulley and the driven gear, for transmitting the driving force to the rotatable member; and a drive transmission mechanism, provided between the driven gear and the drive transmitting shaft, for transmitting the driving force in a rotational direction from the driven gear to the drive transmitting shaft when an angular speed of the driven pulley is lower than an angular speed of the driven gear.
US08342990B1	Arrow switched lighted arrow nock assembly This invention relates generally to a nock assembly that is illuminated and more particularly to a nock assembly that has a power source that is removable from the nock assembly for use with an electrically conductive arrow shaft having a nock, illumination member, conductor, and a power source. The illumination member and conductor are in electrical communication with the power source. The power source is in removable engagement with the nock. The principle use is for archers however other applications will benefit from this invention. For example, emergency locators and outdoor lighting displays will benefit from this invention.
US08342989B2	Sporting goods with graphene material A racket may include a frame including at least one prepreg layer. The at least one prepreg layer may include reinforcing fibers. The at least one prepreg layer may also include a matrix at least partially surrounding the reinforcing fibers. The at least one prepreg layer may also include graphene material.
US08342976B2	Gravity slide ride system A rotating hub ride configured to position passenger vehicles at different vehicle radii relative to the hub's axis of rotation. The ride includes curved support arms extending outward from the hub, with a first end coupled to the hub at a lower height than a second end of the arm. A vehicle is attached, via a mounting assembly, to each curved support arm to slide radially inward and outward on the arm in response to forces applied to the vehicle due to rotation of the hub, e.g., at two or more hub rotation rates. The arm or track defines a travel path for radial movement of the vehicle. When hub rotation is halted, the vehicle slides inward on the track to a load position corresponding to a minimum vehicle radius. At increasing hub speeds, the vehicle slides outward to position the vehicle in any of a number of vehicle radii.
US08342972B2	Steering joint An outer joint member (10) and an inner joint member (40) each have a shaft portion (18 and 46) having a male spline formed thereon, and shaft clamps (60) are press-fitted onto the respective shaft portions (18 and 46). Each of the shaft clamps (60) includes: a connection hole (66) that has a female spline formed therein, extends from a first axial end partway toward a second axial end, and has no quench-hardened layer; and a cylindrical portion (64) that has no female spline formed therein and extends from the second axial end partway toward the first axial end. The shaft portions (18 and 46) each have a quench-hardened layer on the outer circumference thereof. The inner diameter of the connection hole (64) at a portion having no female spline formed therein is less than the outer diameters of the shaft portions (18 and 46).
US08342966B2	Wager market creation and management Methods and systems are provided herewith for managing a wagering system. In one exemplary embodiment, a stream of state information of a live sporting event is received in real time. A computer processor determines an initial state and a plurality of possible future states of a first performance parameter of the live sporting event based on the stream of state information. After a beginning of the game and before the start of the event, a probability of occurrence is calculated for at least one of the plurality of possible future states of the first performance parameter based on historical data related to the first performance parameter. The plurality of possible future states are mutually exclusive from one another. During an initial state of the first performance parameter, a signal operative to open a first market for betting on the at least one of the plurality of possible future states is transmitted. The first market comprises betting odds based on the calculated probability of occurrence. After transmitting the signal operative to open the first market, an end of the initial state is determined. Before the end of the initial state, a signal operative to close the first market is transmitted. After transmitting the signal operative to close the first market, an outcome of the first performance parameter is determined based on the received stream of state information. A signal operative to resolve one or more payouts of the first market is transmitted, in which the signal indicates the outcome of the first performance parameter.
US08342952B2	Gaming machine A method for playing a game with a gaming machine includes the steps of: (a) receiving a signal indicating an instruction of starting a game; (b) starting the game; (c) executing the game; (d) displaying a plurality of symbols on a display device; (e) each time a predetermined symbol or a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed on the display device as a result of the game, adding a predetermined point; (f) if the point cumulatively added in step (e) has reached a threshold, performing a lottery to determine a specific combination of symbols; (g) setting an award for the specific combination of symbols that is larger than a normal award; and (h) if the specific combination of symbols is displayed on the display device, paying the larger award.
US08342947B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method for determining an outcome of a secondary game based on one or more events which occur in association with a primary game In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein includes an accumulation sequence and a competition sequence. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes competitor points which determine (i) a competitor's eligibility to participate in the competition sequence and (ii) the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence. In this embodiment, a competitor (which is either representative of an actual player or a virtual, gaming system controlled player) accumulates competitor points during one or more point accumulation sequences which occur in association with designated events. For a subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system determines if a competitor will participate in the triggered competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points. For the subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system further determines the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points.
US08342941B2	Rotor-based gaming device having a secondary award system A game system including a plurality of symbols, a rotor and an award amount. The plurality of symbols include at least one secondary award group of the symbols. A wager is placeable on the secondary award group. The rotor displays the symbols and a plurality of ball landings adjacent to the symbols. A plurality of the symbols are indicatable after multiple spins of the rotor. The game system is operable to provide a secondary award based on the indication of one or more symbols within the secondary award group.
US08342937B2	Multi-station gaming system and method Gaming methods, apparatus, and program products prompt players to move between different gaming machines or player stations included in a gaming system. One preferred method includes receiving a player input at a first player station in a network gaming system. Upon receiving the player input at the first player station, a station changing prompt is produced at the first player station. A multi-station game result for the player is then awarded to the player after the player makes some input at a second player station in the system.
US08342921B2	Aircraft air conditioning system with cyclone dischargers An aircraft air conditioning system includes a cyclone unit positioned proximate to at least one discharger, the unit having an inlet opening, which communicates with a fresh air supply line, an intake opening, through which air is sucked in from the aircraft cabin, and at least one outlet opening, which communicates with the at least one discharger. A first, cyclone flow of only fresh air is produced in the cyclone unit during operation of the aircraft air conditioning system, the first cyclone flow tending to draw cabin air into the cyclone unit via the intake opening for mixture with the fresh air, after which a second cyclone flow of the cabin air and fresh air are expelled through the outlet opening and the at least one discharger.
US08342919B1	Method and apparatus for cutting the second joint of a poultry wing and product therefrom A conveyor with juxtaposed blocks moves along a path of travel, certain of the blocks have recesses which receive second joints of the wings of poultry. The second joints are arranged sidewise to the path of travel of the conveyor, in the recesses and are successively passed beneath a support frame where a hold down plate and knife is reciprocated as the support frame is towed by the conveyor to cut the flesh and skin between the ulna and radius bones and one or both cartilages, which join the ends of the bones. When cutting a cartilage, the bones are urged apart as the cut is made.
US08342917B2	Fish scaling assembly A fish scaling assembly includes at least one assembly blade adapted for engagement and reciprocation by the electric knife handle and a generally wedge-shaped scale removing member carried by the at least one assembly blade.
US08342915B1	Conditioning and cutting apparatus A conditioning and cutting apparatus for a blade is provided. The apparatus may include a cutting board and a conditioning device. The cutting board may include a top cutting surface, a bottom surface disposed in opposition to the top cutting surface, and a peripheral wall extending between the top cutting surface and the bottom surface and defining the perimeter of the cutting board. The cutting board may define a channel therein. The channel may define a recess and an opening thereto. The peripheral wall may define the opening of the channel. The conditioning device may be disposed in the channel. The conditioning device may be configured to interact with the blade as the blade is drawn through the channel.
US08342909B2	Device for machining ophthalmic lenses, the device having a plurality of machining tools placed on a swivel module A device (1) for machining an ophthalmic lens includes a support for the ophthalmic lens and for driving it in rotation about a blocking axis (A1), a machining module (35) that can be swiveled relative to the support and driving the lens in rotation and that is suitable for pivoting about a swivel axis that is not parallel to the blocking axis of the lens, and at least one drill tool mounted to rotate on the machining module about a first axis of rotation. The machining device includes at least one other machining tool mounted to rotate on the machining module about another axis of rotation that is distinct from the first axis of rotation and that is stationary relative to the first axis of rotation.
US08342897B2	Pedal propulsion system A pedal propulsion system for a transportation conveyance comprises a pedal drive assembly having a teethed synchronous drive belt engaged between a drive sprocket and a transfer sprocket. The rotational axes of the transfer sprocket and the drive sprocket are oriented at an angle of up to 90 degrees from one another. The rotation of the transfer sprocket is conveyed to a propeller drive assembly mounted at the rear of a water craft by an elongated rotary shaft and a flexible transmission drive cable to facilitate removable of the propulsion system from the transportation conveyance.
US08342890B2	Low profile electrical connector with two rows of contacts An electrical connector includes a plurality of contacts and an insulative housing. Each contact comprises a retaining portion, a contact portion contact portion and a tail portion, the contacts divided into a first group and a second group. The insulative housing defines a mating face and opposite first and second side faces. The insulative housing defines two rows of mating passageways extending in a first direction running through the mating face. The tail portions of the first group expose to the first side face and the contact portion contact portions of the first group project in one row of said two rows of the mating passageways. The tail portions of the second group expose to the second side face and the contact portion contact portions of the second group project in the other row of said two rows of the mating passageways.
US08342875B2	Board-to-board connector having a sidewall portion with a sloped guide surface with cut out A board-to-board connector comprising a first connector and a second connector is disclosed. The first connector has a first housing. Each first fitting guide portion of the first housing is provided with a protrusive sidewall portion configured to define both sides of each concave guide portion of the first housing to be connected to each side wall portion of the first housing and protrude out from a fitting face of each side wall portion of the first housing. The protrusive sidewall portion is provided with a sloped guide surface formed at an entrance end of each concave guide portion of the first housing to be inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first housing.
US08342872B2	Socket having two plates for holding contact pins and an urging member for urging the plates together A socket for an electrical part to prevent a bad electrical connection with a circuit by preventing a deformation of a tip of a contact pin. The contact pin of the present invention comprises one terminal contacts to a terminal of the electrical part and the other terminal contacts to the circuit. When a tip of the other terminal is pressed to a substrate under a state that first and second holes of first and second holding plates are shifted each other, an upper terminal of the held portion of the other terminal contacts to a lower surface of the second holding plate, and makes the second holding plate to separate from the first holding plate against a spring force of a urging member. At this time, the portion projecting from the lower surface of the first holding plate toward the substrate moves into the first hole.
US08342871B2	Socket connector having a housing with a latching block and a retention plate with a latching arm A socket connector which includes a socket body having a plurality of contacts received therein, and a retention plate pivotally connected to a rear end of the socket body. The socket body has a substantially rectangular structure defining a rear wall, a front wall, and a pair of opposite sidewalls. Each sidewall is formed with a latching block and a pivot adjacent each other. The retention plate has a pair of latching arms in correspondence to the latching blocks and the pivots. The latching arm includes a latching section engageable with the lathing block, a lever section engageable with the pivot, and a handle at a free end thereof.
US08342869B2	Electrical connector having terminal grooves with various widths A circuit board electrical connector to be disposed on a circuit board includes a housing and a plurality of terminals arranged in the housing. The housing includes a receiving space with an upper opening portion to receive a flat conductive member and a housing space with a lower opening portion that communicates with the receiving space. Each of the terminals has a connecting section and a contact section. The circuit board electrical connector has a portion to house a middle section of the terminal between the connecting section and the contact section. The portion is a region includes a range that overlaps at least with the upper opening portion and lower opening portion when viewed from an upper side, and is made wider at a gap between an inner surface of the housing space and the terminal than a gap other than the region.
US08342867B2	Free floating connector engagement and retention system and method for establishing a temporary electrical connection Embodiments of a free-floating connector engagement and retention system are provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a slotted mounting surface, a connector carrier guide, and a connector carrier to receive a connector. The connector carrier may have two threaded holes therein. The connector carrier may be positioned between the connector carrier guide and the slotted mounting surface and may be retained by a set of threaded spring pins that pass through the threaded holes in the connector carrier. The ends of the threaded spring pins may be retained in the slots of the carrier guide and the necks of the threaded spring pins may be retained in slots of the slotted mounting surface. The connector and the connector carrier are free to move within the limits set by the slots of the slotted mounting surface and the slots of the carrier guide.
US08342863B2	Connector and printed circuit board foot pattern for a connector A connector, and printed circuit board foot pattern for a connector which can efficiently transmit a high-speed differential signal are provided. In a connector 1, a contact group 30 includes at least paired adjacent signal contacts SC-SC, and non-paired contacts GC which are placed on both adjacent sides or one adjacent side of the paired signal contacts. The contacts are arranged so that the distance W1 between the paired signal contacts SC-SC is shorter than the distance W2 between adjacent signal and non-paired contacts SC-GC, thereby enhancing the differential coupling force between the paired signal contacts SC-SC.
US08342858B2	Patch panel for use in delivering voice and data to end users A patch panel that comprises a housing exhibiting a front face, in addition to first, second and third connectors. Each second connector corresponds to one of the first connectors, while each third connector also corresponds to one of the first connectors. Each first, second and third connector provides access, via the front face of the housing, to a respective set of terminals disposed at a set of positions relative to the respective connector. Each terminal in a first subset of the terminals to which one of the first connectors provides access is connected to a corresponding terminal to which the corresponding second connector provides access. Each terminal in a second, complementary subset of the terminals to which that same one of the first connectors provides access is connected to a corresponding terminal to which the corresponding third connector provides access.
US08342854B2	Language-based computer generated instructional material A learning system includes a plurality of teacher and student stations for holding one or more learning sessions between a teacher and one or more students. A server serves instructional material for creating a learning environment during the learning session, and a database stores at least one of teacher and student attributes that relate to language ability. In the present invention, the instructional material is a computer generated instructional material that is produced based on the language ability of the student or the teacher.
US08342851B1	Tissue model for testing biopsy needles A tissue model and test method are described. The tissue model can be used to simulate tissue during design and testing of biopsy needle tip configurations. For instance, the tissue model can be used to estimate the force required to penetrate natural breast tissue with a particular needle tip configuration.
US08342848B2	Apparatus for developing and/or augmenting communication skills An apparatus for developing, promoting and/or augmenting communication skills includes an apparatus base dimensioned for positioning relative to a support. The apparatus base defines longitudinal, vertical and orthogonal axes, and a reference plane inclusive of the longitudinal and orthogonal axes. The apparatus base includes a top support surface arranged at a predetermined angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the reference plane. The top support surface has an article retaining element associated therewith. At least one icon containing article having communication media adapted for conveying information is releasably mounted to the article retaining element of the top support surface. The top support surface may be arranged at an angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the reference plane. In one embodiment, the top support surface is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the reference plane.
US08342844B1	Visual aid and process for demonstrating the formation of colors A visual aid and process for demonstrating color formation including a plurality of panels in the form of pages bound in the manner of a book and a plurality of scripts. At least one of the panels includes a transparent window tinted a first color. At least another of the panels includes an image colored with a second color. The panel including the image is adjacent and in overlaid relation to the page including the transparent window and the transparent window is juxtaposed with the image, so as to allow viewing of the image through the transparent window, in an apparent third color. Each of the scripts is associated with a one of the panels, in one-to-one correspondence, and printed in the book so that a script and the associated panel may be perceived contemporaneously for providing information related to the formation of colors.
US08342834B2	Method and apparatus for spinning and crimping a synthetic multifilament yarn A method and an apparatus for spinning and crimping a synthetic multifilament yarn, wherein a filament bundle is spun from a polymer melt and compressed to a yarn plug. The yarn plug is advanced at a cooling speed and cooled within a cooling zone in a moving cooling groove. After cooling, the yarn plug is disentangled to form a crimped yarn, with the latter being wound to a package. To obtain an adequate cooling of the yarn plug and, with that, a stable and highest possible crimp in the yarn, the method of the invention provides for selecting the length of the cooling zone and the cooling speed of the yarn plug such that the yarn plug is cooled in the cooling groove over a period of at least 1 second. To this end, the apparatus of the invention includes a cooling groove, whose width is dimensioned such that the yarn plug can be advanced in meander form in a plurality of superposed layers.
US08342825B2	2 stage rotary compressor The present invention provides a 2 stage rotary compressor (100) including a hermetic container (101), a 2 stage compression assembly provided in the hermetic container, wherein a low pressure compression assembly (120), a middle plate (130) and a high pressure compression assembly (140) are successively stacked from any one of upper and lower portions, a first discharge port (124) for discharging middle pressure refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly (120) a second discharge port (162p) for discharging high pressure refrigerant compressed in the high pressure compression assembly (130) and a third discharge port (172p) positioned at any one of the upper and lower portions of the 2 stage compression assembly to discharge high pressure refrigerant compressed in the 2 stage compression assembly to the hermetic container (101), wherein an area of the third discharge port (172p) is larger than 0.5 times of an area of the first discharge port and smaller than 1.0 times thereof. As a volume flow of refrigerant compressed in the low pressure compression assembly (120) determines a volume flow of refrigerant compressed in the entire 2 stage compression assembly, a size of the third discharge port discharging refrigerant compressed in the 2 stage compression assembly is preferably optimized at a ratio with respect to a size of the first discharge port (127). Therefore, the size of the third discharge port (172p) can be optimized to suppress noise of the compressor.
US08342817B2	Variable displacement vane pump A variable displacement vane pump includes a first and a second fluid pressure chamber (31,32) where the cam ring (4) is made eccentric to the rotor (2) by a pressure difference between the first and the second fluid pressure chamber (31,32), a control valve (21) for controlling a pressure of the first and the second fluid pressure chamber (31,32) so that an eccentric amount of the cam ring (4) is reduced to be small with an increase in a rotation speed of the rotor (2), and a flow amount limiting member (22e) for limiting a discharge flow amount of the operating fluid in the second fluid pressure chamber (32) at the time the eccentric amount of the cam ring (4) to the rotor (2) becomes small by supplying the operating fluid to the first fluid pressure chamber (31) and by discharging the operating fluid from the second fluid pressure chamber (32).
US08342814B2	Debris removal apparatus for a pump and method A pump apparatus includes a gear pump assembly interposed between top and bottom drive gear assemblies, and coupler assemblies interposed between a bottom of the top drive gear assembly and a top of the gear pump assembly, and between a top of the bottom drive gear assembly and a bottom of the gear pump assembly. The drive assemblies rotate a pre-feed auger. A cyclone screen located within a cyclone housing is positioned over a shaft of the pre-feed auger and interposed between a blade of the pre-feed auger and the bottom drive gear assembly. An intake housing is positioned over the blade of the pre-feed auger, and regulates fluid intake into the pump.
US08342813B2	Combined pumping system comprising a getter pump and an ion pump A combined pumping system comprises a getter pump and an ion pump. The getter and ion pumps are mounted on a same flange and are arranged on the same side of the flange at two different points thereof. The flange can be mounted to a vacuum chamber, such that the combined pumping system evacuates the vacuum chamber.
US08342808B2	Cooling fan A cooling fan of the present invention includes: a bottomed cylindrical boss portion; and a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumferential surface of the boss portion, the blades radiating in a radial direction, in which a ring member for connecting the blades with each other is provided on a side radially inner from tips of the blades. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cooling fan capable of preventing the worsening of the noise characteristic and also of enhancing the versatility even if the blades are made thinner.
US08342804B2	Rotor disc and method of balancing A rotor disc, such as one made of a damage intolerant material or other material sensitive to stress concentrations, has at least one balancing assembly which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart sacrificial protrusions projecting between adjacent stress-relieving slots. Selective material removal is permitted from the rotor disc, while managing stress concentrations in the rotor disc created by such material removal, such that the rotor disc may be balanced without detrimentally affecting its service life.
US08342793B2	Active surge control The present invention generally relates to a system for preventing surges in turbine engines and/or rotating compressors. Furthermore, some embodiments comprise sensors for monitoring engine operating characteristics and detecting surge and pre-surge conditions. Some embodiments also include means for adjusting engine operation in response to sensor data. Still other embodiments relate to methods of preventing surges in turbine engines and/or rotating compressors.
US08342788B2	Chiplessly thread-forming screw A chiplessly thread-forming screw has a stem (11) at one end of which a tip (13) is provided and at another end of which a head (14) is provided, and which has a pointed conical section (21) extending from the tip (13) in a direction of the head (14), a cylindrical section (25) arranged between the first pointed section (21) and the head (14), a first cambered section (22) adjoining the pointed conical section (21) in the direction of the head, and a second cambered section (24) arranged between the first cambered section (22) and the cylindrical section (25) and an outer surface (16) of which has a second curvature radius (R2) unequal to the first curvature radius (R1) of the outer surface (12) of the first cambered section (21).
US08342782B2	Drilling tool with dust collector According to the invention, a drilling tool includes: a driving source; a transmission drive unit for transmitting a rotation force of the driving source; and a dust collector for collecting dust produced from a workpiece drilled by the end tool and blowing air against the workpiece, wherein a filtering means for filtering the air mixed with the collected dust and a centrifugal fan for taking in the filtered air and sending out the filtered air in a circumferential direction are provided, the centrifugal fan is disposed in a housing formed with an airflow sending port for sending a part of the air taken in to the dust collector and a discharge port for discharging a rest of the air to an outside, and a distance from the airflow sending port to the discharge port in a forward direction in a direction of rotation of the centrifugal fan is longer than the distance from the airflow sending port to the discharge port.
US08342772B2	Civil engineering machine for spreading material for spreading on soils or base materials A civil engineering machine for spreading material for spreading on soils or base materials, and in particular a civil engineering machine for spreading binders for soil or base material stabilization, has a container for material for spreading to receive the material for spreading and a spreading arrangement having one or more outlet openings for the discharge of the material for spreading. An anti-dust arrangement is arranged below the outlet openings, and is characterized in that there is created below the outlet openings a spreading compartment which is bounded by one or more first anti-dust members and in that there is created an anti-dust space which is bounded by one or more second anti-dust members.
US08342770B2	Coupling device intended to connect first and second elements which are hinged with respect to one another Disclosed is a coupling device (1) intended to connect first and second elements which are articulated with respect to one another, wherein the device includes a compression element (2) designed to allow a compressive force to pass from one element to another in a first state, and a tension element (3) designed to allow a tensile force to pass from one element to another in a second state, the compression element additionally forming a substitution tension element designed to allow a tensile force to pass from one element to another in a third state corresponding to the fracturing of the tension element.
US08342769B2	Pivot socket with cartridge bearing and vehicle steering linkage therewith A pivot socket includes a housing with an inner surface providing a cavity extending between a substantially closed end and an open end. A cartridge bearing is received in the cavity with a spring disposed between the closed end and the cartridge bearing. The cartridge bearing has an inner surface with a cylindrical portion and conical portion converging inwardly from the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion houses a tapered bearing for relative axial movement therewith. A stud having opposite first and second tapered surfaces diverging away from one another is received in the cartridge bearing, with the first tapered surface engaging the tapered bearing for relative sliding movement therewith and the second tapered surface engaging the conical portion of the cartridge bearing for relative sliding movement therewith, thereby causing the relative axial movement between the tapered bearing and the cartridge bearing.
US08342768B1	Sink sprayer attachment apparatus The sink sprayer attachment apparatus is for attachment to an existing hose such as that typically associated with a sink. The spray head fitting is installed on the spray head. Spray head fittings are provided with male and female threads and other forms of attachment to spray heads. The apparatus negates the need for total hose replacement, a feature that saves considerable expense and installation time and effort. The apparatus importantly provides for component disposability, and therefore ideally employs plasticized components and other inexpensive materials.
US08342758B2	Camera device The invention concerns a camera head mount comprising: a strap for encircling the head and means for securing the strap around the head to prevent or hinder slippage of the camera head mount once secured in its mounted position; a camera holding pocket provided on the strap and situated such that when the camera head mount is secured in its mounted position the camera holding pocket is adapted to hold a camera in a forward-facing position against the forehead of the user, the lens of a mounted camera pointing forwards and through a lens aperture provided in the camera holding pocket at the front thereof, the camera holding pocket otherwise being adapted substantially to enclose a camera therein in a mounted and supported position on the forehead of the user.
US08342754B2	Rolling bearing and bearing arrangement comprising a rolling bearing A rolling bearing, which has a shoulder loose or separately mounted shoulder ring aiding assembly capacity in defined structural forms of rolling bearings or which adjusts axial play of rolling bodies in a targeted manner by adapting the separate shoulder rings. A rolling bearing, which has a first and second bearing ring and a plurality of rolling bodies. The bearing rings being are arranged in relation to each other by the rolling bodies such that they can rotate about a common axis. A shoulder body forms an edge for axial arrangement of the rolling body and lies on a front ring supporting surface of one of the bearing rings by a front shoulder supporting surface. The shoulder supporting surface and the ring supporting surface are designed such that the axial position of the edge is modified in the event of a mutual rotation of the shoulder body and bearing ring.
US08342742B2	Thermal calibrating system The invention relates to a temperature calibrating system (1) comprising a thermo siphon, a heat pipe or an equivalent (2) connected between a cooling unit (4) and a temperature calibration unit (3), where the system (1) further comprises an external chamber (8) connected to the heat pipe/thermo siphon or equivalent (2) for controlling the thermal conductivity between the two units and where the temperature of the external chamber (8) is held at a certain temperature, for example ambient temperature or a temperature controlled by external means. The external chamber (8) can be connected to the heat pipe/thermo siphon (2) via a conduit (9) which connection point is placed above liquid level at a evaporating end of the heat pipe/thermo siphon (2) and in that the external chamber (8) is arranged below the connection between the conduit (9) and the heat pipe/thermo siphon (2).
US08342737B2	Vibrational mixer A vibrational mixer (1), in particular a single-path mixer for use in single-path bioreactors (4) with flexible walls, consisting of a mixer shaft (2) that can be set into longitudinal motions by a drive (8), with at least one mixing element (3), wherein at least one channel (13) is arranged in the mixer shaft with an opening to an interior reactor space (6).
US08342729B2	Backlight module A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflecting unit, two light emitting units, and two light absorbing units. The light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and two light incident surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface. The two light incident surfaces are respectively located at two adjacent corners of the light guide plate. The reflecting unit is disposed on the second surface. The two light emitting units are respectively disposed beside the two light incident surfaces. Light beams emitted by the two light emitting units are capable of entering the light guide plate respectively through the two light incident surfaces and being transmitted out of the light guide plate through the first surface. The light absorbing units are disposed between the second surface and the reflecting unit and are respectively adjacent to the two light incident surfaces.
US08342726B2	Vehicle headlight having plural light sources and lenses A vehicle headlamp includes a first light source, at least one second light source and an integrally designed, transparent shaped part. The shaped part includes a first optical structure for orienting light radiated by the first light source and at least one second optical structure for orienting light radiated by the second light source. The first optical structure and the second optical structure each have a continuously curved surface or a continuous, curved surface with an extent of at least in each case half a centimeter, in particular one centimeter, in two orthogonal directions.
US08342718B2	Lighting fixtures having illuminated crystal panels and methods for providing illumination A lighting fixture includes a first support having at least a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first plurality of ornaments such as crystals attached to the first surface of the first support, and an opaque frame disposed around the first support. The opaque frame has a first opening through which the plurality of ornaments are observable. At least one light source is disposed in the frame for directing light onto at least some of the first plurality of ornaments which light is at least one of refracted and reflected from the first plurality of ornaments.
US08342713B2	Lighting system for use in motion picture and video production A method of lighting for use in motion picture and video production including, in various embodiments, the steps: providing lighting modules, each having one or more manual controls for controlling light output characteristics such as the intensity and hue of light produced and each capable of wirelessly communicating with other lighting modules over a wireless data network; interconnecting the lighting modules on the wireless data network; and adjusting the light produced by all lighting modules through adjustments using any one of the networked lighting modules.
US08342710B2	Loupe and lighting assembly for camera sensor dust detection A loupe and lighting assembly for enhancing detection of dust particles on the optical sensor of a digital camera. The assembly is made of a cylindroid hollow-centered main frame body, into which is fixed a loupe lens. A battery housing is joined to the body in order to supply electrical power to a LED array. The LED array is made from a plurality of LED diodes mounted peripherally and around the inside of the cylindroid body, being tilted at an acute angle from the axis orthogonal to the plane of the cylindroid body so that all diodes axially converge toward a single focal point, at a certain distance from the main frame body. The dust particles scattered upon the sensor become clearly visible to an observer looking through the assembly when the dust particles location coincide with the LED common focal point.
US08342701B2	Reflective optical element for use in an EUV system A reflective optical element for use in an EUV system is disclosed. The reflective optical element includes a base body, which is produced at least partly from a substrate material. At least one cooling channel through which a cooling medium can flow is arranged in the base body. A material having a thermal conductivity of greater than 50 W/mK is provided as substrate material. The reflective optical element also includes a polishing layer, which is applied on the substrate material. The polishing layer includes an amorphous material which can be processed via polishing.
US08342694B2	Projection apparatus, method, and program for adjusting a brightness of a light source so that a calculated chromaticity indicating brightness becomes a target chromaticity A projection apparatus includes a plurality of light sources individually emitting light in a plurality of colors, a projection section using light from the light sources to generate images corresponding to respective plural color components of the light source light for each period, to sequentially project the images, a measurement section measuring a brightness of the light sources for each of the plurality of colors, an average brightness calculation section calculating, at each image projection term for the same color component, an average brightness of the brightness measured by the measurement section at the image projection term, and a light source control section adjusting the brightness of the light sources so that an average chromaticity based on the average brightness calculated by the average brightness calculation section and indicating the brightness is equal or approximate to a target chromaticity.
US08342692B2	Projector with heat radiating construction A projector includes a light source unit, a light source side optical system which includes a color wheel and a light guiding unit, a display device, a projection side optical system, a cooling fan, and a projector control unit. An interior of a projector casing is divided into an outlet side spatial compartment which is positioned on an outlet side of the cooling fan and in which the light source unit is disposed and an inlet side spatial compartment which is positioned on an inlet side of the cooling fan. The outlet side spatial compartment is covered thereabove by an upper division board, above which a heat conductive sheet which is formed of an aluminum sheet is disposed. The heat conductive sheet is electrically connected to the projector casing, so that electricity charged in the heat conductive sheet can be discharged.
US08342690B2	Off-state light baffle for digital projection A light modulation assembly for a digital projection apparatus comprising: a solid-state light source that provides an illumination beam; a spatial light modulator having a plurality of tiltable micro-mirrors, each micro-mirror being actuable to tilt with respect to a tilt axis between a first tilt position that provides on-state light and a second tilt position that provides off state light, and wherein the micro-mirrors deflect the illumination beam along an arced path defining a deflection plane as they are tilted between the first tilt position and the second tilt position; and a light baffle disposed alongside the optical axis and in the path of the off state light from the micro-mirrors, the light baffle having a light-trapping surface adapted to absorb the off-state light from the micro-mirrors on the spatial light modulator, the light-trapping surface having a plurality of protruding fins that extend outward from the light-trapping surface at an oblique angle.
US08342687B2	Eye-tracking using a GPU Provided is a method of determining a gaze point of an eye watching a visual display controllable by a display signal. The method comprises generating a display signal using a graphics card in order for the visual display to produce a screen pattern; receiving a signal encoding an image of the eye including a corneo-scleral reflection of the screen pattern; and determining, based on in part the geometry of said reflection, a gaze point of the eye, wherein said determining a gaze point includes utilizing the graphics card as a parallel processor.The image of the eye may be received directly at the graphics card. The graphics card may extract image features in the eye images. Reference illuminators may be used, and the screen pattern may be interlaced with a distinctive reference pattern.Further provided are a gaze-tracking system and a personal computer system adapted to determine a gaze point of a viewer.
US08342677B2	Image recording device and image recording method An image recording device includes a first detecting unit, a recording unit, and a control unit. The first detecting unit detects a position of a perforation pre-formed in a recording sheet. The recording unit records an image on the recording sheet based on printing data. The control unit is configured to imaginarily divide the recording sheet into a first region including a portion where the perforation is pre-formed, and a second region excluding the first region based on the position of the perforation detected by the first detecting unit. The control unit prohibits the recording unit from recording the image on the first region and controls the recording unit to record the image at least partially on the second region.
US08342664B2	Ink cartridge Any of an improved conventional, a refillable, or a continuous ink supply system (CISS) ink delivery apparatus, including a housing comprising one or more walls defining a chamber therein, a structural feature configured during use to detachably engage with a reciprocal receiving portion of a printer device, a fluid dispensing port extending through a first wall of the housing, and a siphon structure comprising a curved fluid-conducting conduit originating at the chamber and extending to the fluid dispensing port. Additionally and/or alternatively with respect to the siphon structure, an improved ink delivery apparatus includes any one or more of an automatically resettable chipset, a detachable cover plate and/or a fluid (gaseous and/or liquid) input port.
US08342661B2	Ink supplying apparatus, inkjet printing apparatus, inkjet printing head, ink supplying method and inkjet printing method An inkjet printing apparatus which can perform cost-down and an improvement on a print quality by simplification of an apparatus construction is realized. For realizing such an apparatus, a gas-liquid separation is achieved by the construction where air bubbles generated in an ejection portion or a reservoir can rise to a liquid surface, and a negative pressure control and at the same time, discharge of the air bubbles are performed by a fan.
US08342650B2	Printhead having polysilsesquioxane coating on ink ejection face A printhead having an ink ejection face coated with a hydrophobic polymeric material. The polymeric material is comprised of a polysilsesquioxane, such as poly(methylsilsesquioxane) or poly(phenylsilsesquioxane). The printhead is compatible with various printhead maintenance operations requiring contact with the ink ejection face.
US08342646B2	Ink jet print head and printing method and apparatus using the same The present invention relates to measures for preventing end deviation that may occur during high-duty printing such as one-pass printing, and in particular, to measures for preventing density unevenness (white stripes) in the case of ink with a low lightness such as black ink. According to the present invention, the amount of black ink ejected through the corresponding ejection ports is set to be larger than that of color ink ejected through the corresponding ejection ports. Two black ink ejection chips each having at least one black ink ejection port row are arranged on the respective sides of a color ink ejection chip.
US08342625B2	Printer ink identification system and method A printer ink identification system including a detector, an excitation source and a controller. The detector is adapted to detect an excitable feature of an ink forming an indicium on an article. The excitation source is adapted to cause excitation of the excitable feature of the ink. The controller is coupled to the detector. The controller is adapted to initiate a predetermined task based, at least partially, upon input from the detector.
US08342621B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a base member where a plurality of recording heads is provided, the recording heads being configured to jet liquid drops onto a recording medium; a carriage configured to elevatably support the base member; and an elevating part configured to elevate the base member relative to the carriage, wherein the elevating part is a plurality of slide cam members provided movably in a horizontal direction.
US08342620B2	Driving device, recording head, and apparatus using the same According to an aspect of the present invention, a high-resolution, small-size, low-cost driving device includes a clock signal generating unit configured to receive a first clock signal of a differential signaling system and generate a second clock signal, an input unit configured to input a data signal which includes first information and second information, a first timing generating unit configured to select an edge of the second clock signal based on the first information and to generate a first signal by counting occurrences of the selected edge a second timing generating unit configured to select edge of the second clock signal based on the second information and to generate a second signal by counting occurrences of the selected edge, a logical circuit configured to generate a pulse signal based on the first and second signals, and a driving element configured to drive a driven element using the pulse signal.
US08342617B2	Automotive hydraulic brake system An automotive hydraulic brake system is provided which exhibits an excellent pressure reduction performance to a low μ road while restraining an intake resistance of a fluid pump. For providing the hydraulic brake system, a gate-in valve is connected to an intake passage that connects a master cylinder to an intake side of the fluid pump. The gate-in valve selectively opens and closes the intake passage in accordance with a mutual relation between a master cylinder pressure and a pressure produced at an intake side of the fluid pump.
US08342615B2	Braking system for motor vehicles A braking system having a master cylinder to which wheel brake circuits (I, II) can be connected, a first piston coupled to a brake pedal, a second piston by means of which the master cylinder is actuated, a third piston actuated by the first piston and connected in a force transmitting fashion to the second piston, a simulation device which gives the driver of the vehicle a pedal sensation, an intermediate space between the second piston and third piston, a pressure generating device which controls the pressure in the intermediate space, a pressure medium reservoir vessel which is under atmospheric pressure and which can be connected hydraulically to the intermediate space, and means for electrically controlling the pressure in the intermediate space.
US08342614B2	Composite rim for a bicycle wheel A composite rim for a bicycle wheel generally includes a radially outer tire-engaging portion, a radially inner spoke-engaging portion and first and second sidewalls. The second sidewall is spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first and second sidewalls extend between the tire engaging and spoke-engaging portions. The rim includes at least one through-hole and a pattern of through-thickness stitching reinforcement at the through-hole. The tire-engaging and spoke-engaging portions and first and second sidewalls form a toroid.
US08342606B2	Multimodal headrest for vehicle seat A seat for a vehicle, that includes a headrest with a headstall for supporting the head of a passenger in the seat, wherein the occupant may or may not wear a protection helmet depending on the circumstances. The headstall can assume at least three stable positions: a first position for the cervical support of the head of the seat passenger in which the headrest provides a cervical support function with or without wearing a helmet; a second position for the occipital support of the head of the seat passenger in which the headrest provides an occipital support function without wearing a helmet; a third position for the occipital support of the head of the seat passenger in which the headrest provides an occipital support function while wearing a helmet.
US08342602B2	Car seat The present invention relates to a car seat. The car seat is a bucket seat having a bottom support section for supporting the bottom of a user, a back support section for supporting the back of the user, a shoulder support section for supporting the shoulders of the user, a head support section for supporting the head of the user, and a left flank support section and a right flank support section for protecting the left and right flank of the user. A substantial part of the bucket seat is constructed from aluminium sheet. The car seat further includes at least one composite reinforcement member which extends along a part of the bucket seat and is mounted to the bucket seat. The at least one composite reinforcement member is manufactured from a composite material. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the car seat.
US08342601B2	Roof for a recreational vehicle A roof for a recreational vehicle may include a roof frame made by bending circular tubes and a roof plate. The roof plate is connected to the roof frame via a roof plate sealing rubber strip and a frame sealing rubber strip. The roof plate sealing rubber strip covers the peripheral edge of the roof plate through a groove formed at one side of the roof plate sealing rubber strip, and the other side of the roof plate sealing rubber strip is inserted into a slot of the top of the frame sealing rubber strip and is clamped by lips on both sides of the slot, and the frame sealing rubber strip is adhered onto the roof frame.
US08342598B2	Structure including a composite panel joint A panel formed by resin infusion from two fiber reinforced resin layers and a separating core is connected to a member such as a metal rail or another panel by an adhesive joint. The panel edge is shaped to define a male portion with a web and two side portions and the rail is channel shaped to match. A layer of adhesive of a thickness not less than 0.03″ or more than 0.10″ covers the base and sides. The tapered shape allows the adhesive located between the web of the panel and the web of the member, between the flange of the panel and the surface of the member and between the flange of the member and the second surface of the panel to be simultaneously compressed without the necessity for any shearing in the adhesive layer.
US08342597B2	Work vehicle equipped with rear monitoring camera apparatus A work vehicle includes a cab, an air conditioner casing, an air conditioner unit and a rear monitoring camera. The air conditioner casing is attached to a rear upper part of the cab and includes a downwardly opened recess on a bottom face thereof. The air conditioner unit is accommodated in the air conditioner casing. The rear monitoring camera includes a main body accommodated in the recess of the air conditioner casing.
US08342595B2	Devices and methods for reducing vehicle drag An apparatus for reducing the drag of a trailer is provided. The apparatus can further include a pair of fairings configured to be positioned on opposite sides of a trailer in front of wheels on the bottom of a trailer, a pair of fairings configured to be positioned on opposite sides of a trailer behind the wheels on the bottom of a trailer, with both pairs of fairings placed and shaped to direct the air smoothly around the wheels and tires and through the center of the trailer. The apparatus can also include a ramp in front of the suspension components, aerodynamically shaped wings on the axles, and a rear diffuser, such components configured to direct air smoothly between the trailer suspension and the ground. The directed high energy air from the apparatus results in a reduced trailer base drag.
US08342593B2	Anti-extremity pinch garnish An anti-extremity pinch garnish for preventing pinching of extremities between a hinged edge portion of a vehicle closure and an adjacent portion of a vehicle body to which the vehicle closure is pivotally mounted includes a first portion secured to the vehicle body adjacent an opening defined therein and a second portion integral with said first portion and configured to obstruct entry of an extremity between the hinged edge portion of the closure and the adjacent portion of the vehicle body.
US08342592B2	Multi link retracting seal surface module A seal module for sealing between a first door and a second door of opposing-hinged doors is moveable between an sealing position for sealing between the first door and the second door, and a withdrawn position longitudinally spaced from one of the first door and the second door to allow for independent pivotable movement of either the first door or the second door. A linkage system including a first swing arm and a second swing arm rotatably interconnects the seal module to the second door, and moves the seal module between the sealing position and the withdrawn position along an arcuate path that is disposed along a plane substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the opposing-hinged doors.
US08342585B1	Drum lifter A drum lifter for lifting and moving empty and full chimed and unchimed drums. The lifter includes a cross member with grippers at each end. The grippers include a cam block with a cam rotatably mounted in the cam block.
US08342580B2	Lock system for a container A locking system includes a carrier member at least one locking member extending from the rod. The carrier member is movable between a first locked position in which the locking member engages a locking receptacle to maintain a container cover in a closed position and a second unlocked position in which the locking member disengages from the locking receptacle and the cover is movable between the closed and open position. The locking system includes a blocking member at a second end of the carrier member. The blocking member is movable between a first engaged position in which the rod abuts a portion of the blocking member and maintains the elongate rod in the first locked position and a second disengaged position in which the rod disengages from the blocking member and a biasing unit urges the rod in the second unlocked position.
US08342578B2	Method and apparatus for connecting a hose to a fitting An application for a clamp guide for joining a flexible hose to a rigid, hollow shaft having at least two beads, the clamp guide has an arced surface for interfacing with a head bead of the at least two beads and two clamp guide arms. Each of the clamp guide arms has at least two bumps and each bump is aligned with one of the beads thereby forming registration areas between each pair of bumps. The arced surface has an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter of the rigid, hollow shaft and the arced surface has an inner circumferential length greater than one half of the circumference of the rigid, hollow shaft.
US08342574B2	Device assisting with the locking of a steering column A device for the assisted locking and unlocking of an adjustable steering column has a fixed cam element secured to a column body, a moving cam element extended by an operating lever, and an articulation system coupled to a central spindle mounted between the elements and passing through the body. The articulation system includes an elastic return member intended to collaborate with two sets of complementary bosses borne respectively by each cam element and delimiting with one another, two end-of-travel stops so that by pivoting the lever, the moving cam element can be made to move between a locked position and an unlocked position via an intermediate position of unstable equilibrium.
US08342573B2	Passenger airbag system The present invention provides a passenger airbag system that can prevent the airbag cushion from pressing the head of an occupant in a child restraint system mounted on the passenger seat.A passenger airbag system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an airbag cushion inflated by gas flowing inside and including a head contact portion that contacts the head of an occupant in a child restraint system mounted on the passenger seat; a strap connected to the head contact portion; and a tether connected to the airbag cushion and pulling the strap such that the head contact portion is depressed, when the airbag cushion inflates.
US08342568B2	Covering element for the interior of a motor vehicle The covering element has a visible face and an invisible face opposite the visible face. It includes a weakening line which is formed on the invisible face and defines a gate zone which is to open under the pressure of the deployment of the airbag when the motor vehicle is subjected to an impact. The weakening line includes a groove which has a given total length and is delimited by a bottom and at least one transverse rib which projects relative to the bottom and closes the groove at least partially. The covering element has a thickness of material between the visible face and the bottom which is between predetermined minimum and maximum limits over most of the total length of the groove. The groove includes at least one zone of lesser strength in which the thickness of material between the visible face and the bottom is less than the minimum limit.
US08342566B1	Shear spring for vehicle suspension A shear spring comprising a base and a V-shaped surface opposite the base adapted to mate with a corresponding V-shaped surface positioned on a side wall of a spring mount, and an elastomeric material positioned between the base and the V-shaped surface, wherein the base includes a first flange extending away from the V-shaped surface and adapted to be positioned outwardly from a first edge of a side wall of a spring module, and wherein the base includes a second flange extending away from the V-shaped surface and adapted to be positioned outwardly from a second edge of the side wall of the spring module, where the first flange and the second flange are positioned in parallel planes.
US08342561B2	Gliding board binding with movable medial or lateral side portion A binding with a medial and/or lateral side portion attached to a binding base and that can pivot or otherwise move about an axis that is generally along a heel-to-toe direction of the binding base. The medial and/or lateral side portions can form part of the binding sidewall and permit a rider to more freely move her feet in medial and/or lateral directions. One or more foot straps may engage with the medial and/or lateral side portions to secure a foot to the binding.
US08342560B2	Coupling lock for a trailer coupling A coupling lock for a trailer coupling. The coupling lock comprises a receptacle (9) in which a coupling element (6) is inserted, an angle measuring device (13, 19) is connected to the receptacle (9), and the angle measuring device (13, 19) is provided for detecting rotation of the receptacle (9), about a rotational axis (18), relative to the coupling element (6). A magnetically adhering body (24) is elastically connected to the receptacle (9) and magnetically connectable to the coupling element (6) for actuating the angle measuring device (13, 19).
US08342557B2	Fifth wheel slider assembly A fifth wheel slider assembly includes a hitch plate with a throat for receiving a king pin of a trailer, and a slider assembly that includes at least one rack member having a first side and a second side and supportable above a vehicle frame. The slider assembly further includes a first portion including a guide plate slidably abutting the second side of the at least one rack member, and an engagement assembly releasably engaging the at least one rack member at incremental points along a length of the at least one rack member, thereby selectively positioning the hitch plate with respect to the at least one rack member, and a second portion including at least one support bracket pivotably supporting the hitch plate, slidably abutting the first side of the at least one rack member, and readily releasably coupled to the first portion of the slider assembly.
US08342554B2	Suspension fork Disclosed is a suspension fork for a two-wheeler with a fork leg comprising a stanchion tube fixed to the frame which immerses in a slide tube in sections, wherein the guiding between the slide tube and the stanchion tube is performed via a bearing arrangement. In accordance with the invention, an additional lubricant volume is provided by means of which a sufficient lubrication of the bearing arrangement is ensured.
US08342546B2	Two-wheeled in-line vehicle with torque generator An in-line, two-wheeled vehicle, with a torque generator operably secured thereto is disclosed. The torque generator generates a defined auxiliary torque about the point-of-contact of the steering wheel, and it is sized to balance the naturally occurring torques arising at slow speeds about the point-of-contact of the steering wheel, thereby improving the stability and control of the vehicle. In one disclosed embodiment, the vehicle is a stand-up riding board. In another disclosed embodiment, the vehicle is a cycle, such as a bicycle or the like. Torque generator structures such as using an elastic member, mechanical linkage, and dampening systems are also disclosed.
US08342540B1	Vehicle implement and suspension limiter A motorized vehicle includes left and right suspensions connected to a frame. The left and right suspensions are moving in predetermined directions. A vehicle implement is pivotally connected to one of a front portion and a rear portion of the frame by at least one arm. The vehicle implement is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The second position is vertically higher than the first position. At least one suspension limiter is operatively connected to the at least one arm. When the vehicle implement is in the first and second positions, the left and right suspensions are free to move in the predetermined directions. When the vehicle implement is in a position intermediate the first and second positions, the at least one suspension limiter restricts movement of the left and right suspensions in at least one of the predetermined directions. A suspension limiter is also provided.
US08342538B2	Gasket-end feature for sealing a T-joint assembly A t-joint assembly includes a gasket having first and second ends, and a substantially elongated body having a profile. The first end includes an enlarged tapered section having a distal tip and a force-transfer surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the body. The assembly also includes a first component having a channel with a profile and a reaction surface configured to respectively complement the profile and accept the force-transfer surface of the gasket. The first component also has a first sealing surface arranged substantially parallel to the reaction surface, and a second sealing surface arranged substantially perpendicular to the reaction surface. The t-joint assembly additionally includes second and third components, each having a sealing surface. Inserting the gasket into the channel and assembling the three components compresses the gasket against the channel, and the tip of the gasket against the reaction surface, to thereby seal the t-joint.
US08342527B2	Five-by five cube puzzle A five-by-five cube puzzle has a central shaft assembly mounted around by center blocks in predetermined numbers, first intermediate blocks, second intermediate blocks, first edge blocks, second edge blocks and corner blocks. Each center shaft of a multi-axis shaft unit of the central shaft assembly is combined with a movable inner shield. An outer shield is mounted on an outside of a corresponding inner shield with a spring and a screw. The inner shields and the outer shields are combined with the first intermediate blocks, second intermediate blocks, first edge blocks, second edge blocks and corner blocks to form the cube puzzle. Based on rotation of those blocks with respect to the relative movement between inner shields and outer shields and sufficient gap among each block and a corresponding inner shield and outer shield, smooth rotation of each block can be achieved without being affected by slightly skew block alignment.
US08342520B2	Medium registration apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same A medium registration apparatus for an image forming apparatus. The registration apparatus includes: a subassembly including a first guide plate that guides a medium along a medium transferring direction, and a side guide disposed adjacent to one side of the first guide plate, in parallel with the medium transferring direction and is a side registration reference; a subassembly moving guide that supports the subassembly, so that the subassembly can move in a direction crossing the medium transferring direction; and a subassembly driver that drives the subassembly. The image forming apparatus includes: the registration apparatus; an image forming part; a reverse roller that reverses a transferring direction of a medium printed on by the image forming part.
US08342516B2	Image reading apparatus and image forming system An image reading apparatus includes an image reader, a document feeder, and a document retainer. A document feeder feeds the document to the image reader, and the image reader reads an image of a document. The document feeder discharges the document onto a stacker after the image of the document has been read. The document feeder is pivotal relative to the image reader. When the document feeder opens relative to the reader at an angle, the document retainer presses the document against the stacker.
US08342515B2	Feeding device and recording apparatus To achieve high conveying accuracy by reducing back tension on a recording medium being conveyed. A feeding device includes a pressure plate on which recording media are loaded; feeding means for feeding the recording media; a regulating member configured to regulate a position of a side edge of the recording media; supporting means for supporting the regulating member, the supporting means having a bottom portion on which the recording media are partially loaded; and moving means for separating the regulating member from the side edge of the recording media. The feeding means starts to feed the recording medium while the position of the side edge of the recording media is being regulated by the regulating member, and the moving means separates the regulating member from the side edge of the recording media after a conveying means starts to convey the recording medium fed by the feeding means.
US08342512B2	Paper sheet pick up device According to one embodiment, a pick up device for paper sheets includes an input unit configured to support a plurality of paper sheets in a stacked manner, a supply mechanism configured to move the placed paper sheets in a stacking direction and supply each paper sheet to an pick up position, a pick up mechanism configured to pick up the paper sheet at the pick up position from the input unit one by one, and a control unit configured to determine a supply speed or a feed amount of the paper sheets by the supply mechanism in accordance with thickness information per unit time of the picked up paper sheets obtained from a thickness detector, and configured to determine whether the supply mechanism is to be operated or stopped based on density information of the paper sheets obtained from a paper sheet sensor.
US08342507B2	Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus A sheet conveying device includes an attraction belt, multiple rollers, a charging device, and a contacting and separating device. The attraction belt is arranged to face the upper surface of a stacked sheet stack. The multiple rollers stretch the attraction belt with tension. The charging device charges a surface of the attraction belt. The contacting and separating device causes the attraction belt to come into contact with and separate from the sheet stack, with different tensions set for the attraction belt at a contact position in contact with the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack and the attraction belt at a separation position separate from the sheet stack.
US08342506B2	Sheet conveyance apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image reading apparatus In a sheet conveyance apparatus, a sponge roller is provided at a joining portion in which a first sheet conveyance path joins a second sheet conveyance path. A leading edge of a sheet or tailing edge of a sheet abuts at the sponge roller when the sheet is conveyed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path. In a projection surface in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction in the second sheet conveyance path, an outer periphery of the sponge roller and an outer periphery of a conveyance roller, which is positioned in a downstream side, are partially overlapped in the second conveyance path. Further the sponge roller is rotatably arranged. With such a configuration, the noise generated in the joining portion can be reduced, and effect to reduce the noise can be continued.
US08342501B2	Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus with a plurality of sheet feed trays There are provided a plurality of sheet feed trays in which sheets are stored, a sheet feeding section which enables a continuous sheet feeding of sheets stored in the above sheet feed tray, and a control section which controls the above sheet feeding section and has an auto tray switch function, and the aforesaid control section obtains information on an amount of sheets stored in the above sheet feed tray, during a continuous sheet feeding from the above sheet feed tray, and judges whether or not the amount of the remaining sheets in the above sheet feed tray satisfies the prescribed condition. In the case where the above prescribed condition is satisfied, the control section stops motion of sheet feeding from the above sheet feed tray while leaving sheets in the above sheet feed tray.
US08342500B2	Sheet conveying apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image reading apparatus An elastic sponge roller is provided at a confluence portion where a first sheet conveyance path joins in a second sheet conveyance path and a leading edge and a rear edge of a sheet are brought into contact with the sponge roller when the sheet is conveyed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path. Further, the sponge roller is connected to drive via a one-way clutch. Such a configuration reduces a sound produced at the confluence portion and prevents the leading edge of the sheet from being bent in colliding with the sponge roller to stabilize the conveyance of the sheet.
US08342495B2	Sports equipment holding device A portable holder for supporting a ski, snowboard, bicycle and firearm during cleaning, maintenance, adjustment, sighting and repair operations at a work station, the holder being adapted to support a portion of the ski, snowboard, bicycle and firearm, the portable holder comprising: a base section adapted to be fixed to the work station in a substantially upright position; a threaded rod mounted to the base section in a substantially vertical orientation; and, one of a support bead and a vise assembly affixed to the upper portion of the threaded rod; wherein the base section contains a substantially vertically orientated threaded aperture allowing the threaded rod to be rotated about its longitudinal axis into the threaded aperture of the base section to permit both mounting of the threaded rod to the base section and height adjustment of the threaded rod relative to the base section; the support head having a base and at least one flange extending upwardly from the base to receive a support tongue of one of a ski and snowboard support, a bicycle bottom bracket shell support, and a gun barrel cradle and means for pivotally connecting and locking at least one flange and the support tongue; at least one flange of the support head having a substantially horizontal aperture formed therein for receiving a bicycle axle in a substantially transverse orientation to the support head.
US08342493B2	Anti-drift turning roll system A turning roll system for rotating a cylindrical workpiece about a workpiece axis comprises a pair of idler rollers cooperating with a pair of drive rollers to support the workpiece. To oppose axial drift of the workpiece, each idler roller is rotatably journalled on a respective idler axle such that the axis of rotation of the idler roller is oriented obliquely relative to a pivot axis of the idler axle. The idler axles may be pivoted about their respective pivot axes to adjust the orientation of the idler roller axes relative to the workpiece to introduce an axially directed force component acting on the workpiece to counter axial drift. Pivoting of the idler axles may be automatically controlled based on a signal generated by a drift sensor arranged to detect axial drift of the workpiece.
US08342492B2	Devices for reducing or eliminating defects in polymer workpieces The present disclosure provides a novel suspension device used in producing a composition, such as, but not limited to, a polyimide composition. The suspension device in its most general form comprises a support element and an attachment element. The attachment element is in communication at one of its ends with the support element and at the other with a workpiece, such as a poly(amic acid) or polyimide workpiece. The suspension device may further comprise additional elements. The suspension device maintains the workpiece in a suspended state during processing so as to reduce or eliminate processing-related defects.
US08342489B1	Handlebar vibration damping assembly A handlebar vibration damping assembly (HVDA) (10) that is used in combination with a conventional two-wheeled vehicle's handlebar (80) assembly having a right grip (82), a left grip (84) and a center section (86). The HVDA (10) is comprised of a weight (12) having a first end (14), a second end (16), an outer surface (18) and a cavity (20) that extends into the second end (16). A spring (22) has a first end (24) and a second end (26), with the first end (24) inserted into the cavity (20) on the weight's second end (16). In order to maintain the HVDA (10) within the handlebar, a bolt (32) having a head (34) and a tip (36) along with an insert (38) having a bore (40), an insert nut (44) and a second nut (48) are utilized. The second end (26) of the spring (22) extends into the insert bore (40). Once the HVDA (10) is securely placed within the handlebar (80) the weight (12) can vibrate in any excitable direction 90-degrees of the centerline of the handlebar and can oscillate at different frequencies.
US08342487B2	Anti-roll leaf spring suspension Vehicle suspension comprising a pair of leaf springs (1) located or locatable on respective opposed side of a vehicle chassis (3) and extending longitudinally thereof, and an anti-roll device (12) which is arranged to extend transversely of the vehicle chassis (3), and means (41, 42, 46) mounting opposed ends (22, 23) of the anti roll device (12) rigidly to respective ones of the pair of opposed leaf springs (1).
US08342486B2	Durable steam injector device A device for the injection and mixing of steam into a fluid stream. The device is intended to be used in a substantially cylindrically-shaped primary conduit having a longitudinal axis and circular cross-section for carrying the fluid stream. The primary conduit is provided with an inlet for accepting the fluid stream and an outlet for discharging the fluid stream along the longitudinal axis. A secondary conduit is joined to the primary conduit for discharging steam within the fluid stream along the longitudinal axis. A biscuit element is provided of sintered tungsten having upstream and downstream circular faces sized to fit within the primary conduit along its interior wall having a geometric center coincident with the longitudinal axis and having a plurality of openings, each having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the primary conduit. Each opening is provided with a mixing element that induces a rotational angular velocity to the fluid stream passing therethrough. Conically-shaped features extend from the circular faces and are centered along the longitudinal axis at the geometric centers thereof.
US08342484B2	Anchor windlass for boats A windlass for a boat pulls in an anchor rode. A chainwheel mounted on a shaft has an annular groove to engage the anchor rode. A flexible retainer with a leaf spring is disposed across the chainwheel annular groove to press the rode into the chainwheel annular groove. The retainer has trunnions that pivot and slide transversely in upper and lower arcuate grooves, toward the slack portion of the rode. A housing is attached to a base and covers the rode for safety. The housing has the upper arcuate groove and an arcuate member has the lower arcuate groove. The base, housing, and arcuate member are aligned with three key members that engage one another. The rode slides on a low friction wear plate attached to the base. A funnel with a mouth facing forward is mounted on the base for directing the rode downward through a nozzle into the boat. A motor drive has an electric motor and a worm gear transmission attached to the shaft lower end for rotating the shaft.
US08342475B2	Mounting bracket and damper system for hanging and use of a punching bag A mounting bracket and dampening assembly for mounting a heavy bag, a first portion of the mounting bracket mounted horizontally in relation to mounting surface, a second portion of the mounting bracket depending downwardly forming a support surface for a securing means for supporting the heavy bag in combination with a dampening means in the form of upper and lower bushings in combination with a rod and spring assembly to lessen the transmission of stress, shock and vibration and to reduce the motion, both lateral and vertical, of the heavy bag.
US08342465B2	Height adjustable column, in particular for tables A height adjustable column, comprising an inner column, an intermediate column having a lower side, an outer column having a lower side, a lifting mechanism having at least a twofold transmission, and a linear actuator. The height adjustable column effects height adjustment by sliding the columns into each other and apart from each other. The linear actuator is dimensioned and arranged such that it protrudes beyond the lower side of the outer column in a state in which the columns are slid into each other.
US08342464B2	Stand A stand having a stand head for holding an object, having a stand column which supports the stand head and stands with its lower end on the ground, having at least one support leg which stands with its free end on the ground and supports the stand column, having a first joint which connects the support legs to the stand column in a movable fashion, such that the inclination of the stand column can be set by means of an adjustment of the first joint, and having a detachable leg locking arrangement which locks the support leg in a defined position relative to the stand column, wherein a counterweight is attached to the lower end of the stand column.
US08342459B2	Wire organizer A wire organizer is disclosed for organizing and restraining individual wires. The wire organizer includes a wire comb capable of transitioning individual wires from a radial arrangement to a side-by-side arrangement for connection to a series of electrical contacts arranged in a closely spaced relation. A cable cuff is also included and is capable of restraining individual wires against a jacket of the cable. The wire comb and cable cuff may each be loaded axially or longitudinally and may be coupled to one another by a bridge.
US08342453B2	System for airborne transport of flammable liquids A system for airborne transport of flammable liquids with an aircraft. A fuel tank and a reservoir, each for storing flammable liquids, are joined to the aircraft. A fuel jettison subsystem is coupled between an interior portion and an exterior of the reservoir to selectably expel fuel from the reservoir to an exterior portion of the aircraft. The fuel jettison subsystem includes a jettison valve opening formed in the reservoir. A lid selectably closes off the opening. A biasing member urges the lid away from the jettison valve opening. A solenoid retains the lid in the jettison valve opening when unactuated and releases the lid when actuated. A jettison linkage is coupled to the solenoid, the jettison linkage being operable to actuate the solenoid. The t lid is urged away from the jettison valve opening by the biasing member when the t solenoid is actuated by the jettison linkage.
US08342438B2	Spinning reel spool support structure A retainer member has a retainer portion, a through hole, and non-circular cross section. A bearing section is disposed on an outer periphery of the retainer portion. The through hole has a circular axial cross section and an inner periphery, which is axially penetrated by a non-circular portion of a spool shaft from back to front. The non-circular cross-sectional portion is formed by cutting out a front end of the retainer portion by machining. The non-circular cross-sectional portion has a non-circular axial cross section that engages the non-circular portion of the spool shaft.
US08342435B2	Hammer mill hammer A method of avoiding hammer rod-hole deformation in a hammer mill. Conventional hammers are fitted with a bearing structure that reduces wear while permitting the hammer to pivot about multiple axes. An optional, integral spacer provides spacing between adjacent hammers.
US08342432B2	Electrostatic atomizer and its cleaning method An electrostatic atomizer 30 has a removably attachable canister 24. Once a paint bag 2 housed in the canister 24 exhausts, it is replaced by a new canister 24. Paint in a paint bag 2 is driven out by a mono pump 35 located in a pump segment 23 of the electrostatic atomizer 20. The mono pump 35 has a helical shaft 36 inside a paint feed tube 31. The mono pump 35 is driven by a servomotor via an insulating drive shaft 38. Paint in the paint bag 2 is drawn up when the helical shaft 36 rotates, and it is delivered to a bell cup 21 through the feed tube 31. Quantity of paint atomized by the bell cup 21 and interruption of the atomization are controlled by controlling the rotation of the mono pump 35.
US08342429B2	Sanitary outlet fitting A sanitary outlet fitting with a liquid guide which opens into an outlet fitting, in the region of which an insertable cartridge is provided. The liquid guide is matched in at least the mouth region of the outlet fitting to the insertable cartridge. The insertable cartridge is held in the outlet fitting by a sleeve-shaped intermediate holder, which is held in the outlet fitting in a radially sealed manner. A peripheral edge region on the admission side of the insertable cartridge is held in an axially sealed manner in the outlet fitting. The insertable cartridge is inserted with the aid of the intermediate holder supporting it into the outlet fitting to a depth such that the insertable cartridge is held securely. Accordingly, the insertable cartridge is scaled axially in its peripheral region on the admission side. The intermediate holder can also be held in a radially sealed manner in the outlet fitting to prevent undesired creepage.
US08342422B2	Drink container straw A drink straw container includes a hollow, elongated body that has a first end, a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The body has a frangible seal at the first end and a one-way valve located adjacent the second end that permits passage of fluids only from the second end toward the first end. The elongated body securely encloses a predetermined quantity of a consumable liquid. The inner and outer walls extend below the one-way valve to protect the valve from contacting a container surface. The lower end of the body may have a sealing membrane and a sliding puncture device to pierce the membrane. The straw may have an inner tube with a series of penetrating apertures for combining the consumable liquid with a mixing beverage. The straw may have a manually operated valve and a diameter reducing choke at the lower end of the straw.
US08342419B2	Prefabricated stand for hydronic systems A stand assembly for hydronic circulation systems includes a fixed back portion. A selectively movable platform portion is connected to the back portion. The stand assembly is selectively movable between a folded shipping position and an unfolded installation position by selectively moving the platform portion.
US08342418B2	Thermo-valve The present invention is to provide a thermo-valve which can be operated with no unnecessary work to fill fluid easily and without fail into a circuit having the fluid flow therethrough at the time of a high temperature range. The thermo-valve comprises a valve housing 21, and a center guide shaft 27 movable to assume a valve movement limitation position GP1 in which a valve member 31 is retained to a second operation position BP2 to open a specific port, and a valve movement allowance position in which the valve member 31 is allowed to displace, the center guide shaft 27 and the valve housing 21 allowing a bimetal ring 51 to be disposed therebetween, and the bimetal ring being deformed to retain the center guide shaft 27 to the valve movement limitation position GP1 at the initial stage until the temperature of oil in the valve housing 21 firstly reaches the high temperature range, and to release the center guide shaft 27 from the valve movement limitation position GP1 when the temperature of the oil in the valve housing 21 reaches the high temperature range.
US08342408B2	Device and system for processing image data representing bar codes A device for processing image data relating to bar codes is described. In one embodiment a bar code verification device is provided having an ergonomic form factor characterized by a domed hand held trigger and a viewing window. The verification device may be disposed in a network that includes a host processor system and other bar code reading devices which may include other bar code verification devices. Processing circuitry for processing image signals corresponding to printed bar codes may be partially disposed within the hand held verification device and partially disposed within a host processor system spaced apart from and associated with the hand held verification device. The hand held verification device may be in wireless communication with the host processor system to which it is associated. The bar code verification system may include signal enhancement modules which interpolate constructed pixel values from actual pixel values and which correct for signal degradation resulting from high frequency spatial sampling.
US08342401B2	Code reading apparatus and control method According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes an image capturing section configured to capture an image picked up by an image pickup section; a code reading section configured to detect a code symbol included in the captured image and read code information corresponding to the code symbol; an image comparing section configured to compare, if the code information read this time and code information read before this time and most recently are the same, images related to the reading of the pieces of code information; and an output section configured to output the read code information and, if the images are similar as a result of the comparison of the images, regard the code information read this time as code information read twice and suppress output of the code information.
US08342397B1	Method of transmitting electronic signature during a financial transaction A system operates to carry out financial transfers in response to data read from data bearing records. A cell phone having a camera stores in memory indicia corresponding to account data from a plurality of magnetic stripe cards. A user can operate the phone to select one of the accounts stored in the memory. The memory further includes a scanned user-identifying written signature. The user can use the phone during an item purchase to wirelessly transmit each of an item's identifier captured by the camera, selected account data, and the user signature.
US08342395B1	Card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine may include a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine is operative to authenticate firmware in at least one hardware component of the machine prior to causing the at least one hardware component to carry out a transaction function.
US08342380B2	Variable compression surgical fastener apparatus A surgical fastener applying apparatus includes an anvil section and a cartridge section, where the cartridge section and the anvil section are movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position. The cartridge section has a plurality of retention slots, a plurality of first surgical fasteners and a plurality of second surgical fasteners. The plurality of first surgical fasteners has a first backspan with a first configuration and the plurality of second surgical fasteners has a second backspan with a second different configuration. In addition, when the first configuration applies a first compressive force to tissue and the second configuration applies a second different compressive force to tissue.
US08342377B2	Surgical stapling apparatus A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
US08342370B2	Dosage dispensing canister A one dose at a time, non-pressurized fluid dispensing canister from which the or each dose is dispensed as a result of two surfaces (21, 22) of the canister moving towards one another under the control of the user, wherein the canister incorporates a mechanism which, once a first dose has been dispensed, automatically prevents any further dispensing movement of the surfaces (21, 22) (in the case where the canister is a one-dosage only canister) or (where the canister is a multiple-dosage-dispensing canister) allows such movement only after the two surfaces (21, 22) have first been moved in a direction or directions other than that which alone caused the first dose to be dispensed.
US08342369B2	Pressing structure of soap dispenser capable of adjusting output soap amount The present invention provides a pressing structure of a soap dispenser for adjusting an output amount of the soap by adjusting the distance of a pressing stroke thereof. The pressing structure includes a rejecting member, a driving device, and a moving member, wherein the driving device is connected to the moving member through a transmission mechanism, and the rejecting member includes a connecting portion linked with the moving member, and a pressing plate against a pressing head of a liquid container, characterized in that the rejecting member further includes a retractable portion used for adjusting the vertical distance between the connecting portion and the pressing plate. Accordingly, through adjusting the vertical distance by the retractable portion, the vertical moving distance of a pressing head of a liquid container achieved by the pressing plate can therefore be decided, so as to output a suitable amount of soap.
US08342366B2	Low-profile seed handling system with separate seed bins and turret seed feeder A low-profile particulate handling assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a downstream treating device, such as a seed treater unit. The assembly includes a plurality of juxtaposed particulate bins and a surmounting turret assembly designed to successively deliver particulates to the bins. The particulates within the bins are delivered to the downstream treating device through respective lower outlets each equipped with an adjustable slide gate assembly and a lower, multiple-chute assembly. Preferably, each bin has a top wall which in plan configuration approximates a sector of a circle, planar sidewalls, and downwardly tapered, arcuate sidewall structure leading to the lower outlet; in this fashion, the bins can be grouped with the sidewalls in close adjacency, and with the outlets located to feed into a single inlet of the downstream treating device.
US08342350B2	Containers with anti-slip provisions Embodiments of containers such as bowls can include in outer shell, and an inner shell positioned at least in part within the outer shell. The inner shell can be formed from a material such as stainless steel. The outer shell can be formed from a material such as plastic. An anti-slip provision, such as a strip of elastomeric or other material, can be mounted on the outer shell.
US08342344B2	Method and apparatus for providing a positive pressure in the headspace of a plastic container The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for accommodating the pressure decrease of the fluid in a hot-filled plastic container.
US08342323B2	Waterproof housing structure for portable optical analyzer A waterproof housing structure for portable optical analyzer mainly comprises a hard upper casing, a lower casing and a fastening element. The hard upper casing contains an outer rim and an inner rim. The lower casing contains a hard inner shell and a pliable cap. The hard inner shell has a trapezoidal rim which has a first trapezoidal surface and a second trapezoidal surface lower than the first trapezoidal surface. The pliable cap wraps a portion of outer surface of the hard inner shell, and has an outer edge and an inner edge mating the upper casing. The fastening element fastens the hard upper casing to the lower casing. Thus the two irregular rims and edges can be coupled to prevent liquid permeation. Fabrication and assembly during production or repair and maintenance are simpler. It also improves grasp feeling and anti-slipping effect on the handgrip of the portable optical analyzer.
US08342322B2	Razor bed A razor case, also referred to as a razor saver, may keep a razor blade dry and free or any moisture. The razor saver may include an absorbent liner and one or more absorbent desiccant gel packs for removing moisture from the razor blade. The razor saver may extend the life of the razor blade, typically offering the user up to four times the use from a single blade cartridge. The razor saver may save money while also reducing landfill wastes.
US08342321B2	Toilet brush and holder The present invention relates to a toilet brush (1) and holder (10). The toilet brush (1) comprises a handle (2) and a brush head. The holder (10) comprises a container (11C) configured to hold disinfectant liquid. The holder (10) is configured: to support the toilet brush and bear the weight of the toilet brush in a first position, in which the brush head is spaced apart from liquid in the container; and to support the toilet brush in a second position, in which the brush head is at least partially immersed in liquid in the container. The holder (10) is configured for movement of the toilet brush (1) between the first and second positions by a user.
US08342314B2	Object transfer device and corresponding gripper Object transfer device comprising a frame (3,20,63,58), at least one gripper (6,22,22a,62,57a,57b) having a gripper body (7,25,45) and means of guiding the gripper body with respect to the frame; the gripper being equipped with one or more jaws (8,28a,28b,46) mobile with respect to the gripper body (7,25,45). The gripper comprises a magnetic element (12,32,44,52,56) capable, when it is subjected to a magnetic field greater than an efficiency threshold, of exerting a force on at least one mobile jaw. The frame comprises a control device (24,49,50) of the gripper capable of creating a magnetic field greater than the efficiency threshold in at least one zone (14,15) of the frame dedicated to the operation of the gripper. Said gripper body guide means is designed so that the magnetic element of the gripper is driven in translation along a movement path (13,33) passing through the operation zone (14,15) of the gripper defined by the control device (24,49,50).
US08342312B2	Apparatus for transporting food products to a loading head An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
US08342303B2	Valve apparatus A check valve, a retainer and a washer are secured to a valve body by inserting a pin therethrough and staking a distal end portion of the pin to form a staked portion. A restraining member is interposed between the washer and the staked portion. The fit clearance between the restraining member and the shank of the pin is set smaller than the fit clearance between the check valve, the retainer and the washer on the one hand and the shank of the pin on the other. Thus, when the distal end portion of the pin is staked, the deformation of the shank of the pin is restrained by the restraining member that defines a small clearance between the same and the pin. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the enlargement in diameter of a portion of the pin where the check valve is fitted and hence possible to prevent deformation of the check valve. Thus, stable valve characteristics can be obtained.
US08342302B2	Bicycle damper A damper for a bicycle having a primary unit and a remote unit that, in some arrangements, is substantially entirely outside of the primary unit. The primary unit includes a damper tube, a spring chamber, and a piston rod that supports a main piston. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber. The remote unit comprises a remote fluid chamber and, in some arrangements, an inertial valve within the remote unit. The inertial valve is preferably responsive to terrain-induced forces and preferably not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
US08342297B2	Vehicle braking assembly with reduced squeal The present disclosure relates to a vehicle braking assembly with reduced squeal, having: a brake pad operative to apply a braking force to a brake rotor or drum, the brake pad being subject to vibration during braking; and a damper attached to the pad, configured to force a squeal reducing vibration in the brake pad, the damper including: (i) a first mass; (ii) a second mass connected to the first mass by a first shaft; and (iii) a third mass connected to the first mass by a second shaft.
US08342295B2	Return spring apparatus for a bicycle brake A bicycle brake apparatus comprises a pair of brake arms and a biasing member having a first portion and a second portion. Each brake arm includes a brake arm mounting portion for mounting the brake arm to a bicycle frame member to pivot around a pivot axis of a corresponding pivot axle, a brake pad mounting portion, and a control interface portion. The first portion of the biasing member is operatively coupled to one of the brake arms so that the brake pad mounting portion of that brake arm is biased in a selected direction, and the second portion of the biasing member is coupled to the pivot axle of the other brake arm.
US08342292B2	Address assignment of elevator operating units The invention relates to a method for setting up a number of operating units in a lift system having a number of floors. The operating units are connected in series. A first operating unit is connected to a central controller, and at least one operating unit is provided on each floor. Configuration data with an address data packet is sent from the controller to the operating units. The address data packet has a number of addresses, which permits the fixing of an address for each operating unit. The invention further relates to a lift system for carrying out the method.
US08342290B2	Self cleaning grease lubricated spline A lubrication system for a spline interface (20) includes at least one debris chamber (46) located radially outboard of the spline interface (20) of a first rotating component (16) and a second rotating component (18). Wear debris (44) is urged from the spline interface (20) toward the at least one debris chamber (46) by rotation of the first and second rotating components (16, 18) about a central axis (14). At least one lubricant reservoir (36) contains a volume of lubricant (40), wherein at least a portion of the volume of lubricant (40) flows toward the spline interface (20) in response to the wear debris (44) being urged from the spline interface (20) toward the at least one debris chamber (46).
US08342285B2	Fully decoupled hydraulic torque strut A hydraulic device disposed in a torque strut so as to provide a fully decoupled hydraulic torque strut. A main rubber element vibrates in response to powertrain pitch torque. At high vibration amplitude, high hydraulic damping is provided via a pumping chamber, an inertia track and a bellowed compensation chamber, wherein a decoupler system hydraulically connected to the pumping chamber is passively disabled. At low vibration amplitude, minimal hydraulic damping is provided via the decoupler system which is connected by a decoupler track to the compensation chamber.
US08342282B2	Motorcycle Disclosed is a motorcycle fitted with a canister. A canister (55) is disposed along the body frame (20) at a position outside the body frame and closer to the body frame than the tip end of a tandem step (54R).
US08342280B2	Agricultural vehicle suspension An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
US08342277B2	Mounting arrangement for mounting cooler unit to work machine A mounting arrangement for mounting a cooler unit to a work machine has a traveling device, a machine body frame, an engine and the cooler unit disposed adjacent the engine. The arrangement includes a support deck provided in the machine body frame for supporting the cooler unit, an attachment unit for releasably fixing the cooler unit to the machine body frame and a movement mechanism provided between the cooler unit and the support deck, the movement mechanism allowing the cooler unit to effect a translational movement to change a distance relative to the engine.
US08342272B2	Control algorithm for hybrid electric vehicle A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) manages engine operation in the event of an engine cooling system malfunction by operating the engine with fewer than the total number of engine cylinders, while extracting power, particularly during transient operation, from not only the engine, but also the vehicle's traction motor and battery.
US08342270B2	Omni-directional drive device and omni-directional vehicle using the same The omni-directional drive device comprises a main wheel (2) comprising an endless annular member rotatable around a center of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line, electric motors (5R and 5L) for producing rotative forces around the rotation axis of the main wheel (2) and around the center of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line of the main wheel (2) and an arrangement (rotary members (4R and 4L) fitted with free rollers (3R and 3L)) for converting the rotational forces of the electric motors (5R and 5L) to the rotational forces around the rotation center of the main wheel (2) and around the center (C) of cross section perpendicular to a corresponding tangential line of the main wheel (2).
US08342265B2	Shot blocking using drilling mud A system and method for excavating a subterranean formation, according to which a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors are passed between a drill string to a body member for discharge from the body member to remove at least a portion of the formation. The flow of the suspension between the drill string and the body member is controlled by an ultra shearing drilling mud in order to prevent the impactors from settling near the bottom of the formation.
US08342260B2	Hand-held power tool with spring-loaded handle suspension A portable hand-held power tool (2), especially in the form of a drilling or chisel hammer, includes a drive assembly (8) located in the tool housing (10) for driving a tool spindle (4) along an operational axis (A), a first handle (16) which is rotatable around a first pivotal axis (S1) by a first handle suspension (22), a second handle (20) located on the opposite sides (14.1, 14.2) of the housing which is rotatable around a second pivotal axis (S2) by a second handle suspension (24), and spring elements for retaining the handles (16, 20) in their initial position, with the first and second handle suspensions (22, 24) extending partially circumferentially about the drive assembly (8).
US08342256B2	Foldable farm implement A foldable implement frame is foldable about multiple axes to provide a compactly folded implement. The implement is foldable from a wide, field working position to a relatively narrow position for transport between fields, along roadways, and through field gates or storage doors. The frame is generally comprised of a center frame section that may be hitched to a prime mover, a pair of inner frame sections, and a pair of outer frame sections. The outer frame sections may be folded about their connections to the inner frame sections, and the inner frame sections are foldable about their connections to the central frame section. The central frame section may be rotated to rotate the inner and outer frame sections forward to an upright position, and the inner and outer frame sections may then be folded forward to fold the frame into a narrow position for transport and/or storage.
US08342253B2	Methods and apparatus for tilling soil A method of soil preparation simultaneously ploughs soil and tills soil ploughed in a previous pass. An apparatus for tilling soil provides tilling members mounted for deployment on either side of a tractor. The tilling members on one side of the tractor may be brought into engagement with the soil while tilling members on the other side of the tractor are lifted away from the soil. The tilling members are located to coincide with an adjacent strip of land ploughed in a previous pass of the tractor.
US08342248B2	Apparatus for venting an annular space between a liner and a pipeline of a subsea riser An apparatus for venting an annular space between a liner and a pipeline of a subsea riser used for conveying hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising a permeate recovery device for recovering permeate passing through the liner into the annular space. The permeate recovery device includes a first vent port in a wall of the pipeline at or adjacent a lower region of the pipeline and communicating with a permeate recovery line defining a flow path between the annular space and a permeate collection vessel. A one-way valve is associated with the permeate recovery line for preventing flow from the permeate recovery line into the annular space. A gaseous permeate recovery line connected to a second vent port at an upper region of the pipeline defining a flow of gaseous permeate from the annular space.
US08342246B2	Fracturing systems and methods utilyzing metacritical phase natural gas Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids.
US08342240B2	Method for providing a temporary barrier in a flow pathway A flow conduit may have at least one orifice, which conduit is in the vicinity of a flow source. The source is at least partially covered (and flow blocked by) an optional temporary coating or barrier (e.g. filter cake). The flow pathway between the orifice and the source is temporarily blocked with a degradable material. A delayed degradation material layer is present over or covering the degradable material. The delayed degradation material layer degrades at a rate slower than the degradable barrier. The degradable material and delayed degradation material layer disintegrate (e.g. via time, temperature, a solvent). The degradable material optionally produces a product that removes the temporary coating. The method is useful in one context of recovering hydrocarbons where the flow conduit is the casing or liner of the well and the flow source is a subterranean reservoir where the coating is filter cake.
US08342234B2	Plasma-driven cooling heat sink A plasma-driven cooling device generates and drives a plasma-driven gas flow to cool down electronic devices. The plasma-driven cooling device comprises electrodes, dielectric pieces, and heat sink fins. The voltages applied on the electrodes coupled with dielectric pieces and heat sink fins induce the gas flow, which is used to cool down heat sources. A magnetic circuit may be coupled with plasma-drive gas flow to enhance the cooling.
US08342233B2	Cooling beam with VAV-function via a regulating strip A device for an air handling system in which the cooling beam has a pressure chamber (2), from which the volume flow of the supply air (L1) out to the room is regulated with a regulating strip (6) that is mounted on the surfaces (9) in the pressure chamber and where the flow of the supply air (L1), in the mixing chamber (4), provides an optimal flow pattern of the recirculating air (L2) from the room and where the combined flow of supply air (L1) and recirculating air (L2) acquire well defined flow profiles independent from the volume flow (L1).
US08342230B2	Casting method A molten metal is fed from a distributor provided in a molten metal introduction portion of a casting die to a cavity of the casting die so as to perform a casting operation. A portion of the distributor to be in contact with the molten metal is made of a copper or a copper alloy. The casting is performed while setting a cavity temperature of the casting die in an initial stage of casting to a predetermined temperature and setting a temperature of the distributor in the initial stage of casting to 65° C. or lower.
US08342226B2	Collapsible sunshade A collapsible sunshade according to the present invention has a panel comprising a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member defining a periphery for the panel with an interior space inside of the periphery, a meshed material covering the interior space defined by the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, and a shade fabric having at least a portion thereof removably attached to the panel so that the shade fabric can assume a first position in which the shade fabric completely overlies, in a planar manner, the meshed material, and a second position where the portion of the shade fabric that is removably attached to the panel is disengaged from the panel to expose a portion of the meshed material.
US08342223B2	Method of and apparatus for fitting or removing a motor vehicle tyre A method of and an apparatus for fitting or removing a tire 4 of a vehicle wheel 1, in which at least one fitting or removal tool 5 is guided parallel to the axis 11 of the vehicle wheel 1 and the vehicle wheel 1 is moved controllably perpendicularly to its wheel axis 11 in dependence on a rim contour along which the fitting or removal tool 5 is to be guided at a small spacing.
US08342221B2	Apparatus of jointing cord fabric An apparatus for jointing of cord fabric performed when cord fabric for topping is alternately drawn from two supply positions for continuous supply. When drawing to supply of the cord fabric on one side, a start end portion of the cord fabric on other side is locked to hold by a locking pin of a jointing holder, and is set to a jointing mounting portion in a state where an unvulcanized jointing rubber member is pasted thereto. When a final end of the cord fabric on the one side comes closer, a finish end portion thereof is pasted to the start end portion of the cord fabric held by the holder by interposing the rubber member therebetween. The finish end portion and the start end portion are squeezed for joint from upper and lower sides by press members. Thereafter, the holder is removed, and the cord fabric on the other side is drawn to supply continuously to the cord fabric on the one side.
US08342217B2	Lubricant for run flat tire system Lubricant compositions as well as methods and articles utilizing the lubricant compositions that comprise a polyoxyalkene as a lubricating agent, between 4 wt. % and 7.5 wt. % of silica as a thickening agent and an inorganic thixotropic-enhancing metal compound added in an amount of, for example, at least 20 ppm, by weight or alternatively, between 1 ppm and 2 wt. %. The silica may be fumed silica. Examples of the metal compound include KOH, NaOH, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, CaO, MgO, Mg(OH)2 or combinations thereof. A tire is also included, comprising a radially inner face designed to be opposite a wheel rim on which it is designed to be mounted, wherein the radially inner face is provided with the lubricant composition described above.
US08342211B2	Protective pipe cover and support apparatus A protective pipe cover and support apparatus is disclosed that provides for secure attachment to an underlying surface, such as a concrete, tarmac or stone surface, for example, and which provides for secure retention and support of multiple pipes or other conduits within the pipe cover and protection of the pipes against loads, impacts and/or other forces applied to the pipe cover. The protective pipe cover includes a load bearing cover element with lateral load bearing supports which bear against an underlying surface, a curved outer web extending between the lateral supports, and a central load bearing support extending between the outer web and an underlying surface, and including an anchor for attachment to the surface. The pipe cover also includes a pipe support with multiple pipe retainer clips for resiliently retaining multiple pipes situated between the outer web of the load bearing cover element, and the underlying surface.
US08342209B2	Plug for fluid-transfer coupling device In a fluid-transfer coupling device (5) that connects a plug (70) and a socket (10) to each other to communicate respective flow paths in the socket and the plug with each other, the plug includes, at least, an inner spacer (74) having an inner passage (78) formed to allow a passage of fluid, a plug collar (73) covering the outer circumferential surface of the inner spacer and a flange (75) formed on a proximal end of the plug to connect the plug to a conduit. The plug collar and the flange are made of metal. Consequently, even if the flow rate of the fluid is large, the plug can be firmly supported in the device. The inner spacer is made of a resinous material. In this connection, at least one portion of an outer circumferential portion of the plug may be formed of metal.
US08342207B2	Making a liquid/liquid or gas system in microfluidics The invention relates to a microfluidic device for making a liquid/liquid or gas biphasic system using a first liquid or a gas and a second liquid, non-miscible with each other, the device having a first hydrophobic surface for the second liquid, the first liquid forming a layer (6) on said first hydrophobic surface. The device comprises means for introducing a drop (7) of the second liquid into the layer of first liquid or gas and in contact with said first hydrophobic surface, and means for displacing the drop on said first hydrophobic surface along a determined path, the device having on the path of the drop, at least one wetting defect causing, upon passing of the drop over this defect, failure of the triple line of contact of the drop on the first hydrophobic surface and inclusion of first liquid (8) or gas into the drop.The invention also relates to the associated method.
US08342200B1	Meter yoke vise The present invention comprises a yoke vise that can be secured to the inflow/outflow plumbing to a water meter, facilitating the removal or replacement of the meter and shutoff valve without damage to the plumbing.
US08342192B2	Compact for liquid cosmetics A cosmetic compact (1) comprises a container (9) to hold liquid cosmetics, and a stopper (5) for to the compact (1). The stopper comprises a protrusion (7) that cooperates with a dispensing orifice (8) of the container. The stopper is connected by a hinge (6) to a lid (2) or base (3) of the compact, preferably to the lid. The stopper may thus serve as a latch for the lid of the compact. The hinged connection (6) may be a web integrally formed with the stopper and the adjacent part of the compact, or it may comprise a pin or protrusion.
US08342188B2	Comb A comb (100) includes a spine (4) and, extending from the spine in adjacent, substantially parallel planes, a first outer row of teeth (31), a central row of teeth (33) and a second outer row of teeth (32) opposed to the first outer row of teeth. The teeth (10) of the first and second outer rows of teeth and of the central row of teeth are substantially a same length. Spacing of the teeth of the central row (33) is different from spacing of the teeth of the first and second outer rows (31, 32) with the spacing of the teeth being arranged for the removal of head lice and/or nits and/or head lice eggs and/or fleas from combed hair or fur.
US08342183B2	Devices and methods for treatment of obesity Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a portion of the expandable member is anchored relative to at least one structure in the abdominal cavity, without piercing the stomach. The expandable member is expanded to an expanded configuration in a space in the abdominal cavity to perform at least one of: prevention of expansion of the stomach of the patient into the space; and compression of a portion of the stomach.
US08342181B2	Elbow assembly An elbow assembly for a mask system includes an elbow including a slot and a port, an anti-asphyxia valve adapted to be received within the slot and including a flap portion adapted to selectively close the port depending on the presence of pressurized gas, and a clip member to secure the anti-asphyxia valve to the elbow. The clip member includes a slot that is adapted to interlock with a protrusion provided to the anti-asphyxia valve.
US08342180B2	Filtering face-piece respirator that has expandable mask body A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 contains a filtering structure 18 that is retained in position on the mask body 12 by a support structure 16 that includes a longitudinally-movable, centrally-spaced, transversely-extending member 26 that extends from a first side 22 of the structure 16 to a second side 24 without being joined together by any longitudinally-extending members that hinder movement of the transversely extending member 26 in the longitudinal direction. The transversely-extending members converge towards each other at east side 22, 24 of the mask body 12. A filtering face-piece respirator 10 of this construction can allow the mask body 12 to readily accommodate the motion of a person's jaw. Workers who use this filtering face-piece respirator may find it much easier to talk to other persons when working. A single mask size also may be able to properly fit to faces of various sizes.
US08342174B2	Inhaler for powdery substances, in particular medicinal substances An inhaler for powdery, in particular medical, substances is formed with a suction air channel, which leads to a mouthpiece. The inhaler also has a storage chamber for storing the substance and a linearly moving dosing chamber for apportioning a specified amount of substance from the storage chamber to a transfer point to the suction air flow. The aim of the invention is to obtain a structurally simple solution that makes it possible to eliminate adding an external air flow. To this end, a component of the suction air flow, which is located in the direction of extension of the dosing chamber, empties said dosing chamber.
US08342169B2	Reciprocating solar engine with solar reflectors A reciprocating solar engine includes a) a seesawing platform having a central fulcrum support upon which to reciprocally rotate the platform; b) a first container located on the platform on one side and a second container located on the other side of the platform; c) a solar reflector located adjacent each container; d) a connecting tube connecting the first and second containers; e) an evaporative fluid contained within at least one of the containers; f) a roof above the platform with a window located above each of the containers; g) shutter devices at each of the windows; and b) shutter device controls to activate the shutter devices to present alternating exposure of sunlight and shading at each of the containers to effect reciprocal movement.
US08342164B2	Gemstone production from CVD diamond plate A method of producing gemstones includes obtaining a plate of chemical vapor deposition formed diamond. The plate is cut into a plurality of geometrically optimized preforms. The preforms may be finished and cut into diamond gemstones.
US08342157B2	Checking functionality of fuel tank vapor pressure sensor A vehicle fuel emissions system includes a fuel tank, a tank pressure sensor indicating a pressure differential between the tank and a port communicating with the atmosphere, a pump for selectively producing vacuum in the tank, and a passage connecting the pump and a pressure sensor air reference port external to the system.
US08342149B2	Air intake device for engine An air intake device for an engine is provided that includes a throttle body (1), a throttle valve (5) that has a valve shaft (5a) rotatably supported on the throttle body (1), a throttle drum (8) connected to one end of the throttle valve (5), a throttle sensor (51) connected to the other end of the valve shaft (5a), a bypass (20) bypassing the throttle valve (5), and a bypass valve (25) that opens and closes the bypass (20), a bearing boss (3) supporting one end part, on the throttle drum (8) side, of the valve shaft (5a) being integrally and projecting provided on one side face of the throttle body (1), wherein the bypass (20) is formed so as to surround the bearing boss (3). This enables the air intake device for an engine to be made compact in spite of the bypass being present.
US08342134B2	Vibration dampening bark control device A bark control device for deterring a dog from barking. The bark control device includes a vibration dampening material forming or covering at least a portion of the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material reduces the transfer of vibrations through the bark control device housing by reducing the vibrations to levels undetectable by a bark sensor, by preventing the production of vibrations having characteristics sufficiently similar to a bark, and/or by inhibiting the propagation of such vibrations through the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material of the housing reduces the occurrence of corrections to the dog due to vibrations emanating from a source other than a bark by the dog.
US08342132B2	Pet toy with noise making feature A pet toy includes a plurality of raised features to enhance a dental cleaning action of the animal toy within the animal's mouth. The raised features are provided in groups or sets of linearly extending and uniformly spaced protrusions. The protrusions preferably cover a majority of the outer surface of the pet toy. The distal tips of the protrusions may be roughened in order to enhance dental cleaning. A squeaker may be incorporated within the pet toy by an internal holding pocket that is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element may be used to activate or deactivate the squeaker.
US08342124B2	Apparatus and method for cleaning a milking system A system and method of cleaning a plurality of teat cups (8a-d) includes using a robotic manipulation device (2) to move the plurality of teat cups (8a-d) from a first position to a second position, and cleaning the teat cups (8a-d) at a second position, wherein the robotic manipulation device (2) deposits the teat cups (8a-d) individually, in turn, at the second position.
US08342119B2	Self aligning non contact shadow ring process kit The invention provides a removable first edge ring configured for pin and recess/slot coupling with a second edge ring disposed on the substrate support. In one embodiment, a first edge ring includes a plurality of pins, and a second edge ring includes one or more alignment recesses and one or more alignment slots for mating engagement with the pins. Each of the alignment recesses and alignment slots are at least as wide as the corresponding pins, and each of the alignment slots extends in the radial direction a length that is sufficient to compensate for the difference in thermal expansion between the first edge ring and the second edge ring.
US08342115B2	Device for a sailing boat The invention relates to a device (10) at a cleat (1) for a sailing boat in order to provide detachable locking of the line (3) to a sail, a rig or the like, where the line (3) runs over a sheave (2) on an elevated level and having cleat (1) for locking the line (3) situated at a distance from the deck of the boat. According to the invention, the line (3) is arranged to run over a sheave (2), which is provided with ratchet back stop (5). The line (3) is in that connection arranged to directly co-operate with a movably actuatable mechanism (14), which is arranged to activate the ratchet back stop (5). The mechanism (14) is formed of at least one pivotably mounted main arm (4), and said mechanism (14) is arranged to activate the ratchet back stop (5), the mechanism (14) being arranged to, upon fixed load of the line (3, 3A), which goes down to deck and by means of which the sail (9) is hoisted, actuate the main arm (4) to connect ratchet back stop function (5) on the sheave (2) and in that connection prevent the pulling backwards (7) of the line toward the sail (9).
US08342113B2	Systems and methods for thread handling and/or cutting One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for thread handling (e.g., separating) and/or cutting. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for thread handling (e.g., separating) and/or cutting. In one example, the present invention may be used in connection with sewing machines, embroidery machines, quilting machines and the like.
US08342110B2	Rotary hook for a locksmith sewing machine, comprising means to reduce the noise thereof A rotary hook of a lockstitch sewing machine includes at least one hook body including a cylindrical cavity and a basket freely rotatable in the cylindrical cavity, to which it is constrained by a rib, provided on the outer surface of the basket, which engages in a C-shaped race, provided in the inner wall of the cylindrical cavity of the hook body and delimited by two plane surfaces parallel to each other and by a cylindrical surface perpendicular to the plane ones, suitable to prevent axial and radial translation of the basket in the cylindrical cavity—further includes elements applying to the basket an axial pressure causing the rib of the basket to lean against one of the plane surfaces delimiting the race present in the cylindrical cavity of the hook body. Some of these elements are carried by the lockstitch sewing machine to which the rotary hook belongs.
US08342098B2	Non-lethal wireless stun projectile system for immobilizing a target by neuromuscular disruption A projectile launched from a conventional weapon; upon impact with a human target the projectile attaches to the target and stuns and disables the target by applying a pulsed electrical charge. The electric round is defined as non lethal ammunition directed to incapacitate a human, to prevent him from moving for a short time, to prevent him from committing a crime and to allow authorized personnel to arrest the target. A novel thin film technology transformer and thin film technology battery produce an electrical shock capable of stunning a human being in a device the size of a conventional bullet. The transformer and battery are smaller and lighter than conventional transformers and batteries with similar power output.
US08342096B2	Avalanche triggering system The invention relates to an avalanche triggering system comprising a frame (4) fitted with means of attachment (5) for transporting the system, especially by helicopter with the aid of a cable (3), the frame (4) comprising, at the top, a storage area (6) for at least one gas container (7) designed to form an explosive mixture and, at the bottom, a holding system (8) for holding a plurality of balloons (9), each having an inflation sleeve and each being separated from the others, means (7, 13, 14) for conveying the explosive mixture to the inflation sleeve of a balloon (9), an injection nozzle (12), and means for igniting the explosive mixture, the balloon holding system (8) being mounted movably on the frame (4) to bring the inflation sleeve of each balloon (9) in succession up to the injection nozzle (12) and to the ignition means.
US08342093B2	Fuze for a projectile A fuze for a projectile having a firing chain has an interrupter for interruption of the firing chain. The interrupter is configured to snap from a safe position to an armed position when unlocked. A locking device is disposed to lock the interrupter in the safe position and to unlock the interrupter by way of an unlocking movement. The fuze is rendered compact and reliable in that the unlocking movement of the locking device is an axial movement.
US08342088B2	Pad printing on textile substrates A method for pad printing a pattern on a textile substrate with a pad printing machine, and fabric and apparel so formed from the textile substrate. The method includes the steps of positioning the textile substrate on the printing area of the pad printing machine, transferring a pattern having at least one color from the cliché of the pad printing machine to a printing pad, and transferring the pattern from the printing pad to the textile substrate.
US08342081B2	Barrier submersion cooking pouch and basket A system and method for barrier submersion cooking comprising a thin walled plastic cooking pouch for receiving a food item effectively dimensioned such that when placed into a hot liquid cooking medium a vent remains above a top surface of the liquid cooking medium and a rack for lowering the vessel into the liquid cooking medium to an effective depth such that the food item received by the pouch is below the top surface of the liquid cooking medium and the vent is above the top surface of the liquid cooking medium. The pouch is formed of food grade pliable polymer film having a melt temperature above that of a temperature used in conventional hot oil flying processes, a heat transfer rate of an effective value to substantially instantaneously transfer heat from the liquid cooking medium to create an effective frying temperature upon the food item, and a pliability such that the pouch will collapse on itself when exposed to hydrostatic pressures when submerged within the liquid cooking medium, thereby effectively transferring heat to all food item surfaces.
US08342079B2	Multifunctional soybean milk maker A multifunctional soybean milk maker is provided. The soybean milk maker comprises: a head, a motor, a cup body, a cutter shaft, a cutting tool and a control circuit board. The head caps on the cup body. The motor is fastened and arranged in the head. The head includes an upper cover of the head and a lower cover of the head. The cutter shaft extends downwards to the cup body. The cutting tool is fastened at the front end of the cutter shaft. A connector is set on the lower part of the lower cover of the head. The connector extends into the cup body. A flow-disturbing curved body is set at the lower part of the connector. The flow-disturbing curved body is positioned above the cutting tool.
US08342078B2	Reciprocating-piston pump for feeding a liquid A reciprocating-piston pump having an electromagnetically driveable reciprocating piston, which is mounted with a restoring spring, for feeding a liquid, an impact damper composed of an elastomer for damping an impact of the reciprocating piston at the end of a feed phase, a core flange which is situated opposite the reciprocating piston, with a gap which is dependent on the position of the reciprocating piston being provided between the reciprocating piston and the core flange. The kinetic energy of the reciprocating piston during an early feed interval of a feed phase is absorbed primarily by the restoring spring and the feed of the liquid, and in that the kinetic energy of the reciprocating piston during a late feed interval of a feed phase is absorbed primarily by the hydraulic damping of the liquid present in the gap.
US08342072B2	Linkage for rimmed ammunition A linking system for rimmed ammunition is disclosed. The linking system features individual links that each encompass one ammunition cartridge while having an arcuate lateral arm which encompasses a neighboring link and associated cartridge. A plurality of collet arms secure the cartridge and separate as the cartridge is forced forward in the delinking process. Angular momenta from the feeding motion and the rotational motion of the de-linking assembly combine to rotate a first link away and apart from the next associated link.
US08342071B2	Firearm flash suppressor There is provided a flash suppressor for use with a firearm to attenuate muzzle flash. The flash suppressor can be used in conjunction with attachments, and provides mounting and alignment means therefore. In an embodiment, the flash suppressor comprises: a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a muzzle end, and an exit end; a passage extending through the body and along the longitudinal axis; and a set of apertures. The passage includes: a mount portion for mounting the flash suppressor to the firearm muzzle; a transition portion; an intermediate portion; and a truncated conical portion having a diameter that increases toward the exit end. The transition portion joins the mount portion and the intermediate portion, and the intermediate portion joins the transition portion and the truncated conical portion. The apertures extend through the body of the flash suppressor and into the truncated conical portion, and channel propellant gases.
US08342068B2	Device for longitudinal cutting of a continuous web material, such as corrugated cardboard The device comprises a path for the web material (N) and, along said path, at least one cutting unit (7A). The cutting unit comprises: a plurality of intermediate disk-shaped blades (9A) disposed on one side of the feed path of the material, which can be positioned transversely to the direction of feed and cooperating with a fixed counter-blade (33A) disposed on the opposite side of said path. Also provided are two lateral disk-shaped blades (10A) to cut the trimmings; and a member for transverse positioning of the blades. The two lateral blades each cooperate with a respective movable counter-blade (71A), separate from the fixed counter-blade, which can be positioned transversely to the direction of feed of the web material.
US08342064B2	Ratchetable open-ended wrench The present invention discloses a ratchetable open-ended wrench comprising wrench body and retractable jaw member. The wrench body comprises head with two opposite jaws and a receiving hole. The inner surface of the receiving hole has a sunken slot with an inner circular arc surface. The retractable jaw member is slidably mounted in the sunken slot and has two opposite sides, and one side is directing to the receiving hole and has a second engaging portion. The retractable jaw member and the head are against with an elastic member. The retractable jaw member is able to move from a first position to a second position in the sunken slot, and is able to limit a workpiece to rotate in the receiving hole when at the first position and to allow the workpiece to rotate in the receiving hole when at the second position.
US08342061B2	Wrench adapter A wrench adapter is provided that includes a body that has a base member with a bottom surface and a top surface. The body has a square shaped male drive with a side wall surface. The body has a concave transition surface with an upper end that is flush with the side wall surface so that a smooth transition is present from the side wall surface of the male drive to the concave transition surface across the upper end of the concave transition surface.
US08342057B2	Steering column for vehicle A steering column for a vehicle can increase the entire strength of the steering column while maintaining a supporting force between an outer tube and an inner tube at the time of tightening or releasing an adjusting lever for a tilting or telescopic operation, thereby preventing deformation and breakage of the steering column when a driver operates a steering wheel.
US08342053B2	Operating device for manual transmission apparatus An operating device for a manual transmission apparatus includes: a plurality of operation shafts, supported at a housing to move in an axial direction thereof and selectively engaging one of a plurality of shift gear sets by one of the plurality of the operation shafts being moved in the axial direction thereof; a shift-and-select shaft, supported at the housing, selecting one of the plurality of the operation shafts by rotating in a circumferential direction of the shift-and-select shaft and moving the selected operation shaft in the axial direction of the selected operation shaft by moving in the axial direction of the shift-and-select shaft; an operating portion for manually operating the shift-and-select shaft; and an inertia unit, including an engagement portion, which is engageable with the shift-and-select shaft, pivotably supported at the housing, and pivoting in response to a movement of the shift-and-select shaft in the axial direction thereof.
US08342052B2	Neutral lock mechanism for vehicle shifter A shifter apparatus is associated with a neutral lock lever and includes a detent ball bearing, a shaft seal, a detent spring, and a retention pin. A shaft associated with the neutral lock lever can be inserted into a matching hole configured within or integrated with a shifter housing. The shaft can be rotated if a cammed lobe portion associated with the shaft moves into an inner wall of the shifter housing. The retention pin can be pressed via an end of the neutral lock lever into a groove located on an outside wail of the shifter housing after the neutral lock lever is rotated into position. The retention pin rides inside the groove thereby limiting the rotation of the neutral lock lever. The neutral lock lever locks the shift lever in a neutral position preventing accidental movement of the vehicle in a forward and a reverse direction.
US08342047B1	Ratchet style anti-back device for conveyor dollies An anti-backup device for a power conveyor system is provided and includes a mounting plate, a mounting shaft, a spline cut cog, a multi-position cam, and a bias spring. Both the spline cut cog and the multi-position cam have multiple teeth that engage each other to permit rotation of the multi-position cam in a forward direction and prevent rotation of the multi-position cam in a backward direction.
US08342042B2	Device for collecting chemical compounds and related methods A device for sampling chemical compounds from fixed surfaces and related methods are disclosed. The device may include a vacuum source, a chamber and a sorbent material. The device may utilize vacuum extraction to volatilize the chemical compounds from the fixed surfaces so that they may be sorbed by the sorbent material. The sorbent material may then be analyzed using conventional thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS) instrumentation to determine presence of the chemical compounds. The methods may include detecting release and presence of one or more chemical compounds and determining the efficacy of decontamination. The device may be useful in collection and analysis of a variety of chemical compounds, such as residual chemical warfare agents, chemical attribution signatures and toxic industrial chemicals.
US08342041B2	Tube for separating portions of a sample A method and tube for separating a sample. The tube is configured to separate agglomerated or clumped material or other sample components having over a particular size from other smaller size portions of the sample. For example, blood clots may be separated from serum of a blood sample. The tube includes a chamber with a closed bottom and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom, and a sample inlet branch coupled to the chamber. A slit is positioned between the chamber and the sample inlet branch so that after a sample is placed into the sample inlet branch, a portion of the sample having a size smaller than the slit (e.g., liquid material) passes through the slit and into the chamber, and material in the sample having a size larger than the slit remains in the sample inlet branch.
US08342038B2	Vehicle seat and passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat The submarine phenomenon can be prevented and the accuracy of a passenger's weight measurement is improved. A vehicle seat includes a pair of fixed lower rails fixed on the floor of a passenger compartment, a pair of movable upper rails that are engaged with the fixed lower rails so as to be slidable in a front-and-rear direction with respect to each of the fixed lower rails, a sub frame which is disposed at an upper side of the movable upper rails, load sensors and that lie between the sub frame and the movable upper rails, brackets and which are disposed so as to erect them on each of the movable upper rails, and a submarine pipe 11 which is crossed between the brackets. The submarine pipe is disposed to be slidable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right bracket.
US08342017B1	Methods for fabricating fiber-reinforced plastic test specimen assemblies having weak adhesive bonds A method for repeatably fabricating a test specimen assembly comprising a pair of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) test specimens adhesively bonded together, the bonded joint having respective areas of substantially different, but consistent variable adhesive bond strengths suitable as a calibration standard. The method comprises fabricating a first FRP test specimen having a bonding surface with first and second areas that have substantially different bonded joint performance-governing characteristics and then using adhesive to bond the bonding surface of the first FRP test specimen to the bonding surface of a second FRP test specimen. The different bonded joint performance-governing characteristics are achieved by treating first and second areas of the surface of the first FRP test specimen using different respective surface preparation techniques.
US08342011B2	Method for determining a value representative of the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine A method for determining a value representative of the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, includes the following steps: i. measuring the vibration level (2) of the internal combustion engine with an accelerometer placed on the engine block of the internal combustion engine, ii. integrating a value from the signal (2) provided by the accelerometer in a window (t1, t2) delimited as a function of the position of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, iii. supplying the result of the integration (A1) as a value representative of the pressure, characterized in that the signal (2) provided by the accelerometer in step “i” is integrated while being raised to a power greater than 1 by a predetermined exponent.
US08342009B2	Method for determining steampath efficiency of a steam turbine section with internal leakage A method of more accurately measuring steam turbine efficiency is disclosed in which the sealing steam in the steam turbine is re-routed so that a more accurate measure of steam turbine efficiency can be made. Some of the steam entering a turbine goes into the turbine's end pack and then mixes with the steam that goes through the turbine. Piping is added from one of the end pack line's to the condenser. This added line has a valve, pressure, temperature and flow measuring devices. As the valve is opened, the amount of flow going to the end pack line allowing the end pack steam mix with the steam that goes through the turbine is reduced. As the flow in this line is reduced the measured temperature at the turbine exhaust will also decrease. The amount that the valve is opened is increased until either the exhaust temperature has reached a minimum, or the enthalpy in the pipe changes from the initial enthalpy.
US08342004B2	Gas analyzer An improved gas analyzer for analyzing the concentrations and amounts of one or more different gases in drilling mud returning from a borehole is disclosed. An oil well drilling rig re-circulates the drilling mud by continuously pumping it through a gas separation means. The gas separation means generally includes a fluid stop, a bubble jar and a dririte chamber in order to separate the gases from the drilling mud. A gas sample from these separated gases can be mixed with a carrier gas and are conveyed to gas analyzing means where the concentration of the different hydrocarbon components of the gases in the mud can be continuously measured.
US08342001B2	Crimping/cutting working head for impact wrench A power operated crimping/cutting tool driven by any type of impact wrench, with a crimping or cutting working head, includes a transmission unit, a connection unit, a process indication device and an adjustment device, wherein the transmission unit includes a jaw device and a transmission device, the jaw device is detachable, both the process indication device and the adjustment device are mounted on the transmission unit, the connection unit is sleevedly mounted at the impact wrench. The present invention can replace the jaw device according to different requirements.
US08341996B2	Method and deep-drawing apparatus for the deep drawing of metal sheets A method and a deep-drawing apparatus for the deep drawing of a metal sheet by means of a press, a table, a drawing punch, and also a drawing die and a counterpressure plate interacting with the drawing die, which together form a flow path for the metal sheet, wherein at least one drawing strip movable relative to the counterpressure plate is pushed transversely through the flow path of the metal sheet in order to deflect the metal sheet during a drawing phase (first deflection phase) and the drawing strip, for a stop phase, is pushed by a further short distance transversely through the flow path (F) (second deflection stage), wherein a deflection increased once again inhibits the flow of the metal sheet during the second deflection stage, and wherein the metal sheet is essentially plastically formed at the end of the deep-drawing operation, wherein the degree of deflection required during the first deflection stage is set by means of an interchangeable distance piece which is arranged between the counterpressure plate and the drawing strip and serves as a limit stop. Independently thereof, the degree of deflection required during the second deflection stage can be set by further distance elements which are arranged between the table and the drawing strips.
US08341993B2	Coil spring forming apparatus and coil spring formed thereby A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus.
US08341983B2	Drum-type washing machine A drum type washing machine is provided. The drum type washing machine may include a cabinet, a tub fixed to an inner side of the cabinet, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub, and a driving motor positioned at a rear side of the drum for generating a driving force that rotates the drum. The washing machine may also include a supporting plate to rotatably support a rotational shaft extending between the motor and the drum, and a plurality of supporters connected between the supporting plate and the cabinet. Such an arrangement may increase washing capacity by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing an external size of the cabinet.
US08341977B2	Multifunctional group for a glass items forming machine A rough mold of a machine for forming glass items is provided with a multifunctional group, which has a common support head; a handling device for moving the common head along a first handling axis; and a further handling device for rotating the common head about a second handling axis. The common head being fitted with a mold closing member for sealing the top opening of the rough mold, and at least one further operating member selectable from a funnel-shaped member for guiding at least one glass gob into the rough mold, a blowing member for blowing pressurized air into the rough mold, and one or more members for treating the inner surface of the rough mold.
US08341971B2	Air conditioning control device for vehicle An air conditioning control device for a vehicle has an air conditioner for conditioning air in a vehicle interior, an input receiving unit for receiving inputs of both planned departure time of the vehicle and a target temperature in the vehicle interior, a pre-air-conditioning control unit for starting operation of the air conditioner at an air conditioning start time before the planned departure time so that the temperature in the vehicle interior at the planned departure time becomes the target temperature, and an outdoor air temperature acquisition unit for acquiring outdoor air temperature. The pre-air-conditioning control unit changes the air conditioning operation start time based on the outdoor air temperature acquired by the outdoor air temperature acquisition unit.
US08341964B2	System and method of using a compressed air storage system with a gas turbine A power generation system includes a first compressor, a second compressor, a combustor configured to receive compressed air from the second compressor to produce an exhaust stream, a first turbine, and a power turbine. The first turbine is configured to receive the exhaust stream, generate a rotational power from the exhaust stream, output the rotational power to a second compressor, and output the exhaust stream. The system includes a coupling device configured to couple and decouple the first compressor to/from a second turbine, an electrical generator coupled to an output of the power turbine and configured to output electrical power, and a controller configured to cause the coupling device to mechanically decouple the second turbine from the first compressor, and cause the coupling device to direct compressed air from an air storage cavern to an inlet of the second compressor.
US08341961B2	Solar desalination system A solar desalination system for creation of desalinated water from seawater that produces electricity includes: a) a solar furnace unit including a vessel for receiving and evaporating seawater to create desalinated steam and a solar energy concentrator positioned adjacent the vessel to concentrate solar energy to the vessel; b) input for feeding seawater to the vessel; c) brine output for removal of brine water bottoms from the vessel; d) a riser pipe connected at its bottom to the vessel and extending upwardly from for transporting steam from the vessel to a higher elevation electric power-producing steam turbine generator; f) a drop pipe having a top and a bottom, and being connected at its tops to the steam turbine generator for removal of desalinated water from the steam turbine generator; g) a hydroturbine generator connected to the bottom of the drop pipe for production of electric power with desalinated water from the steam turbine generator; and, h) egress for removal of desalinated water from the hydroturbine generator for subsequent use.
US08341958B2	Shape memory alloy actuated device A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated device capable of stress inducing the SMA to its martensite state to reset the device. The device having at least one SMA wire utilized to move a movable member from a first position to a second position. The device further configured to utilize force from a first source to reset the device when the SMA is at or below the first temperature, and utilize force from at least a second source to reset the device when the SMA is above the first temperature.
US08341954B2	Hydrodynamic coupling A hydrodynamic coupling has an impeller and a turbine wheel that together form a toroidal working chamber. Viewed as an axial section through the hydrodynamic coupling the working chamber has a circular or essentially circular cross-section with a convexity in the axial direction on the circumference in the radially outer area of said turbine wheel and/or in the radially inner area of said impeller.
US08341923B2	Packaging window coverings A method of packing shutter panels including applying foam clips to sides of a shutter panel. The ends of the foam clips extend beyond ends of the shutter panel so that the ends of the foam clips overhang the panel. A plastic covering wrapped around the foam clips and the shutter panel is wrapped tight enough to compress and bend the ends of the foam clips inward toward the panel to form protective corners.
US08341910B2	Insulating floor underlayment A flooring material having a textile pad substructure with a density of greater than 10 pounds per cubic foot is provided. The textile pad has reinforcement and binding fibers. The binding fibers are thermoplastic and are used to bind the reinforcement fibers together. The pad is created by heating and compressing a fibrous textile batt so that it has a density of greater than 13 pounds per cubic foot.
US08341909B2	Profiled rail system The Profiled rail system (1) serves for bridging expansion joints, cavities and as an edging of floor coverings (3). System (1) has at least one web (9) aligned substantially parallel to the floor covering (3), which web (9) engages displaceably in a pocket (10). Pocket (10) is formed by a cover plate (13) overlapping the web (9) and a base plate (14) under the web (9). Pocket (10) is configured in at least two parts (11, 12). The first part (11) forms cover plate (13). The second part (12) forms base plate (14). The first part (11) and the second part (12) are held together. In a first embodiment, a undercut web (20) holds the parts together by a click connection. In a second embodiment, the parts are held together by at least one screw (18).
US08341900B2	Structure for mounting on a building wall frames for holding panels such as photovoltaic panels Structure (1) for mounting, on a building wall, at least one frame (50) consisting of a rectangular framework (51), comprising a carcass (2) made of at least two uprights (3) and at least two crossbars (4) assembled so as to form at least one rectangular underframe (15) adapted for receiving a frame (50), and means for fixing at least one frame on the carcass, each upright (3) having a central core (31) bordered by two side wings (32, 33) comprising recesses (38, 39) for receiving the crossbars (4). Each crossbar (4) has a central core (40) and side wings (41, 42) comprising recesses in line with the uprights (3) at the intersections between the crossbars (4) and the uprights (3) in such a way that the wings of the uprights (3) and the crossbars (4), extending on the inner periphery of the rectangular underframe (15), form a projecting border on which a frame (5) may be fitted. Wall provided with a structure of this type on which panel-holding frames are mounted.
US08341896B2	Modular floor tile with resilient support members Modular floor tiles and modular floors are described herein. A modular floor tile may include a top surface layer, a plurality of edge surfaces, an interlocking mechanism for attachment to adjacent tiles, and a support system. The support system may additionally include a first rigid level and at least one resilient support member disposed under the top surface layer, the at least one resilient support member extending to a distance further from the top surface layer than the first rigid level. The at least one resilient support member may be compressible toward the top surface layer. A modular floor may include a plurality of interlocking tiles connected to one another. A method of forming a modular floor that includes an interlocking modular tile is also disclosed.
US08341892B2	Structure for awnings, arbours and the like A structure for awnings and arbours, comprising a supporting frame, provided with respective front columns, which are designed to support guide beams for a covering canopy and for at least one movable crosspiece, which is in turn associated with an end flap of the covering canopy.At least one collection duct for rainwater being provided with at least one sealing element, in order to prevent the penetration of water, and is also provided with at least one outlet for draining the water, which extends externally from the duct and is substantially faced towards at least one respective hole, which is defined in at least one respective tubular body, which is substantially vertical and is associated with a corresponding front column. The outlet is substantially accommodated within the hole when the crosspiece is in the configuration of maximum advancement towards the front columns and the covering canopy is completely extended.
US08341885B2	Door control system with obstacle detection System for controlling a door enabling driving from an initial position of its travel in a first direction at a speed v1 as far as a final position, said control system comprising a safety function comprising means for keeping a door in operation despite its having suffered an impact against an obstacle situated on its travel and enabling it to continue its initial movement automatically as soon as said obstacle is removed, through a design reconciling a sufficiently high normal speed of movement v1 of the door with the intention to prevent damage both to the obstacle and to the door by reducing the speed to v3
US08341883B2	Sleeve with angular arcuate lower end A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a lower portion and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a pot. The floral sleeve has a lower end having an angular arcuate portion for improving the conformation of the sleeve to the shape of a pot.
US08341875B2	Aquatic snail trap, bait, and method of use thereof A device for trapping and collecting snails in an aquatic environment. The device includes a basin with a lid having a top opening through which snails may enter, a floating screen to keep snails retained, and a standpipe to anchor the device to the bottom of a water body and to serve as a location for the deposit of snail eggs.
US08341874B2	Pest control device with glueboard guide A pest control device uses a replaceable glueboard to immobilize pests attracted to the pest control device. A unique guide is provided to help prevent the adhesive surface of the glueboards from coming into contact with other surfaces of the pest control device during installation and removal of such glueboards.
US08341866B1	Flip attachment adapters, devices, systems and methods for firearms Foldable and flippable adapter devices, apparatus, systems and methods of attaching accessories to firearm rails. Accessories can include fore grips, and lights. Adapters can include a slidable thumb switch for locking a swinging plate with side rails to a main plate, and spring loaded detents for locking the swinging plate in substantially vertical orientations. A folding rail adapter can be substituted for the existing rail system on firearms to allow the rail to be directly attached to the firearm. A flipping rail adapter can have a pivotal lever which supports a folding rail in an open position. Springably biased detent pins allow the lever to lock open. Pushing the lever back will overcome the springs so that the pins can pass out of the detents allowing the folding rail to move to a folded position.

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