Document	Document Title
US08440918B2	Assembly of case and electronic components and combination of the assembly and external connectors An assembly includes at least one electronic component, a bus bar electrically connected to the electronic component and having a connection portion, a case receiving both the electronic component and the bus bar and having first and second openings, and a drop prevention member having a drop prevention wall. The connection portion of the bus bar is to be connected with a terminal of an external connector by engaging a first engaging member to be placed inside the case through the first opening and a second engaging member provided in the external connector. In the assembly, there is defined, by the drop prevention wall, the connection portion of the bus bar, and part of the external connector, a confinement space for confining the first engaging member and thereby preventing it from dropping outside the confinement space during establishment of the engagement between the first and second engaging members.
US08440917B2	Method and apparatus to reduce impedance discontinuity in packages A method, system and apparatus for coating plated through holes (PTHs) to reduce impedance discontinuity in electronic packages. PTH vias are imbedded in the core of a printed circuit board comprising a core layer, a plurality of buildup layers, a plurality of micro-vias, and a plurality of traces. Traces electrically interconnect each of the micro-vias to PTH vias, forming an electrically conductive path. PTHs are coated with a magnetic metal material, such as nickel, to increase the internal and external conductance of the PTHs, thereby providing decreased impedance discontinuity of the signals in electronic packages.
US08440910B2	Differential signal transmission cable A differential signal transmission cable has two conductor wires disposed to be parallel with each other, a flat insulating member collectively covering the two conductor wires, the insulating member having flat portions facing to each other in a direction perpendicular to an alignment direction of the two conductor wires to sandwich the two conductor wires, a shield conductor including a metal foil tape and being wound around an outer periphery of the insulating member, a drain wire provided to contact with the shield conductor at a position corresponding to the flat portion, and a jacket jacketing the drain wire and the shield conductor.
US08440906B2	Nanocrystal solar cells processed from solution A photovoltaic device having a first electrode layer, a high resistivity transparent film disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode layer, and an inorganic photoactive layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers, wherein the inorganic photoactive layer is disposed in at least partial electrical contact with the high resistivity transparent film, and in at least partial electrical contact with the second electrode. The photoactive layer has a first inorganic material and a second inorganic material different from the first inorganic material, wherein the first and second inorganic materials exhibit a type II band offset energy profile, and wherein the photoactive layer has a first population of nanostructures of a first inorganic material and a second population of nanostructures of a second inorganic material.
US08440905B2	Copper complex dye sensitized solar cell A dye-sensitized semiconductor includes a semiconductor, and a copper(I) coordination compound comprising 2,9-dialkyl-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonate, on the semiconductor. The dye-sensitized semiconductor may be used as part of a photoanode in a solar cell, which also contains a counter-electrode, and a conductive medium containing a redox-active mediator, in contact with and separating the photoanode and the counter-electrode.
US08440887B1	Maize variety hybrid X8K709 A novel maize variety designated X8K709 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8K709 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8K709 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8K709, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8K709. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8K709.
US08440885B2	Soybean cultivar 08093572 A soybean cultivar designated 08093572 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 08093572, to the plants of soybean cultivar 08093572, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 08093572, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 08093572. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 08093572. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 08093572, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 08093572 with another soybean cultivar.
US08440877B2	Alignment aids for a sensing article Presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone having an attachment zone design scheme, wherein the attachment zone design scheme is visually differentiable from the article design scheme. Also presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone adapted to indicate the proper position for a signaling device.
US08440876B2	Chemical decontamination apparatus and decontamination method therein A chemical decontamination apparatus of the present invention chemically dissolves radioactive substance-containing oxide films formed or adhering on the surface of a decontamination object by using ozone water to conduct decontamination. The chemical decontamination apparatus includes an ozone generating unit for generating ozone gas, an ozone supplying device for supplying the generated ozone gas to an ozone supplying unit in water, and a sintered metal element 37 which is disposed in the ozone supplying unit and to which ozone gas is supplied from the ozone supplying device. The ozone gas supplied to a sintered metal element interior from the ozone supplying device is allowed to flow out of the element into water so as to generate ozone water.
US08440872B2	Process for preparing poly alpha olefins and lubricant basestocks from Fischer-Tropsch liquids A process for preparing poly alpha olefins from a Fisher-Tropsch product. The process comprising the steps of contacting a C5-C18 fraction of an alpha-olefinic hydrocarbon mixture produced from thermal cracking a C16-C40 Fisher-Tropsch product with an oligomerization catalyst under conditions to produce an oligomerized product; and fractionating the oligomerized product to obtain a fractionated product having an average carbon number greater than 30. A process for preparing lubricant base stocks from a Fisher-Tropsch product is also provided.
US08440869B2	Use of ionic liquids containing tricyanomethide anions as solvents for the extraction of alcohols from aqueous solutions The invention relates to a method for the liquid-liquid extraction of alcohols from aqueous solutions using at least one ionic liquid containing a tricyanomethide anion as solvent.
US08440867B1	Process for producing ethanol from syngas The invention provides a method for producing ethanol, the method comprising establishing an atmosphere containing methanol forming catalyst and ethanol forming catalyst; injecting syngas into the atmosphere at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce methanol; and contacting the produced methanol with additional syngas at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce ethanol. The invention also provides an integrated system for producing methanol and ethanol from syngas, the system comprising an atmosphere isolated from the ambient environment; a first catalyst to produce methanol from syngas wherein the first catalyst resides in the atmosphere; a second catalyst to product ethanol from methanol and syngas, wherein the second catalyst resides in the atmosphere; a conduit for introducing syngas to the atmosphere; and a device for removing ethanol from the atmosphere. The exothermicity of the method and system obviates the need for input of additional heat from outside the atmosphere.
US08440866B2	Process for separating ethanol having low acid A process for operating a distillation column to separate an ethanol mixture comprising ethanol and acetic acid where the recovered ethanol comprises less than 700 wppm acetic acid. The operating conditions for the column may vary depending on the fed composition. In particular the process provides energy efficient recovery of ethanol with low concentration acetic acid.
US08440863B2	Preparation of (2R,3R)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-N,N,2-trimethylpentanamine The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of (2R,3R)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-N,N,2-trimethylpentanamine which is an intermediate for the preparation of the analgesic tapentadol.
US08440862B2	Process for preparing β-amino-α-hydroxycarboxamides The present invention is directed to a process for preparing β-amino-α-hydroxycarboxamides. The process works with epoxycarboxamides of the formula 2 which are reacted with ammonia or other amines.
US08440855B2	Process for the production of acetic acid ethylene and vinyl acetate monomer An integrated process for the production of acetic acid, ethylene and vinyl acetate monomer comprising the steps of: (a) evaporating at least part of an ethanol feed stock (b) producing in a first reaction zone a first product stream comprising acetic acid by oxidative or partly oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol feed stock; (c) producing in a second reaction zone a second product stream comprising ethylene from an ethanol feed stock; (d) reacting in a third reaction zone an acetic acid reaction stream containing at least a portion of the acetic acid from the first reaction zone with an ethylene reaction stream containing at least a portion of the ethylene product from the second reaction zone and with oxygen to a third product stream comprising vinyl acetate monomer; (e) passing at least a portion of the third product stream to a distillation section and isolating at least a portion of the vinyl acetate monomer; (f) supplying at least part of reaction heat from the third reaction zone to provide heat for evaporating at least part of the ethanol feed stock in step (a); (g) supplying at least part of reaction heat from the first reaction zone to provide heat for producing the second product stream in the second reaction zone in step (c) and for distilling of the third product stream in the distillation section in step (e).
US08440848B2	Polyorganosiloxane composition, cured product of the composition, and method for producing the composition Disclosed is an organosiloxane composition which can be produced at low cost and is usable for bonding of glasses, metals and resins. The organosiloxane composition can provide a cured product exhibiting excellent heat resistance and cold resistance, while having high strength and high transparency. Specifically disclosed is a polyorganosiloxane composition containing (A) a polyorganosiloxane wherein at least one end of each molecule is modified with a silanol group, and (B) 0.5-4.0 moles of a metal alkoxide per 1 mole of the polyorganosiloxane, wherein the mean molecular weight (Mw) of the polyorganosiloxane according to the mass fraction is not more than 1,000. Also specifically disclosed are a cured product of the composition and a method for producing the composition.
US08440843B2	2, 2-bipyridine ligand, sensitizing dye and dye sensitized solar cell A dye sensitized solar cell, comprising a heteroleptic polypyridil complex of Ru, Os or Fe. The donating ligand has an extended conjugated π-system increasing the light absorbance and keeing the LUMO energy level higher than that of the anchoring ligand. A compacting compound whose molecular structure comprises a terminal group, a hydrophobic part and an anchoring group may be co-adsorbed together with the dye on the semi-conductive metal oxide layer of the photoanode, forming a dense mixed self-assembled monolayer.
US08440834B2	1-phenyl-2-pyridinyl alkyl alcohol compounds as phosphodiesterase inhibitors 1-Phenyl-2-pyridinyl alkyl alcohol compounds are effective as inhibitors of the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme and may be used to prevent and/or treat certain diseases or conditions.
US08440826B2	Light emitting Cu (I) complexes Electroneutral metal complexes of the formula I L Cu A (I) wherein L stands for an, especially bidentate, neutral ligand and A stands for an, especially bidentate, monoanionic ligand binding to Cu by at least one heteroatom selected from N, P, S; or wherein the ligands L and A with the above features are interconnected by at least one chemical bond to form one common tetradentate ligand; or protonated or alkylated forms or salts thereof show good light emitting efficiency in electroluminescent applications.
US08440823B2	Process for the preparation of erlotinib or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof The present invention relates to a process for preparation of erlotinib of Formula I or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The present invention also relates to process for the preparation of erlotinib trifluoroacetate. The present invention also relates to a nove-ICrystalline form of erlotinib trifluoroacetate designated as Form E and process for its preparation. The present invention further relates to process for the preparation of erlotinib hydrochloride from erlotinib trifluoroacetate.
US08440816B2	Branched polymers The present invention is directed to branched reactive water-soluble polymers comprising at least two polymer arms, such as poly(ethylene glycol), attached to a central aliphatic hydrocarbon core molecule through ether linkages. The branched polymers bear at least one functional group for reacting with a biologically active agent to form a biologically active conjugate. The functional group of the branched polymer can be directly attached to the aliphatic hydrocarbon core or via an intervening linkage, such as a heteroatom, -alkylene-, —O-alkylene-O—, -alkylene-O-alkylene-, -aryl-O—, —O-aryl-, (—O-alkylene-)m, or (-alkylene-O—)m linkage, wherein m is 1-10.
US08440812B2	Analogous compounds of 6-thioguanosine triphosphate, their use in medical fields and processes for their preparation The invention relates to analogous compounds of 6-thioguanosine triphosphate of general formula (I). A compound of the general formula (I); wherein the dashed bond in the sugar moiety can be either single or double and wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 or R5, equal or different between each other, have general formula -(Int)m-Ter, wherein m is between 0 and 12 and Int and Ter are Internal and Terminal building blocks, wherein Int is selected from the group consisting of formula (II); and Ter is selected from the group consisting of formula (III). And wherein X represents either carbon or nitrogen atom within aromatic ring, Y represents either oxygen or sulphur atom and an additional group Q, group Qi or groups Qi (Qi indicates that the group or several groups may be bound to any unsaturated moiety of the ring) are selected from the group consisting of —OH, —COOH, —N(CH3)2, —N(CH2—CH3)2\|—CO—CH3, —CO—O—CH3, —O—CH3, —S—CH3, —SO2—CH3, —CN, —NO2 or -Halogen elements, and wherein R5 may be formula (IV) and metal and ammonium salts thereof, wherein n is between O and 5, or oxygen or phosphorus is partially or completely replaced by nitrogen, sulphur, methyleno groups or their derivatives. The invention also concerns the uses of the above mentioned compounds in medical field and the process for their preparation.
US08440809B2	RNA antagonists targeting Hsp27 The present invention relates to oligomer compounds (oligomers), which target Hsp27 mRNA in a cell, leading to reduced expression of Hsp27. Reduction of Hsp27 expression is beneficial for the treatment of certain medical disorders, such as cancer. The invention provides therapeutic compositions comprising oligomers and methods for modulating the expression of Hsp27 using the oligomers, including methods of treatment.
US08440799B2	Methods of purifying anti A β antibodies The present application provides methods of purifying Aβ binding proteins having a Fc region, for example, anti-Aβ antibodies or antibody fusions, by adsorbing the Aβ binding protein to a Fc binding agent, such as, for example, Protein A or Protein G, followed by a wash with a divalent cation salt buffer to remove impurities and subsequent recovery of the adsorbed Aβ binding protein. The present application also features methods of eluting the purified Aβ binding protein as well as the incorporation of the methods within a purification train. Kits comprising components for carrying out the methods and instructions for use are also provided.
US08440795B2	Kunitz-type recombinant inhibitor The present invention presents a Kunitz-type recombinant inhibitor obtained from a gene cloned from a cDNA library of salivary glands of the Amblyomma cajennense, and the inhibitor named Amblyomin-X has molecular mass of 13,500 Da.
US08440793B2	Peptide analogs of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone Provided herein are stable peptide analogs of the native alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) having selectivity for the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Also provided herein are pharmaceutical preparations of the α-MSH peptide analogs, as well as methods of using these analogs in the treatment of medical and veterinary conditions involving MC1R.
US08440791B2	Thimerosal removal device A device for the removal of heavy metals and heavy metal complexes, such as thimerosal, from medications is provided wherein the device comprises a solid support having at least one substantially purified metallothionein protein associated therewith.
US08440764B2	Molding composition with reduced light scattering The present invention relates to a molding composition comprising (A) a copolymer containing at least one α,β-unsaturated monocarbonitrile and at least one aromatic vinyl monomer, (B) a graft rubber with an average particle size of from 100 to 280 nm, composed of at least one α,β-unsaturated monocarboxylic ester, and at least one graft shell composed of at least one aromatic vinyl monomer and of at least one α,β-unsaturated monocarbonitrile, (C) a graft rubber with an average particle size of from 410 to 1000 nm, composed of at least one α,β-unsaturated monocarboxylic ester, and at least one graft shell composed of at least one aromatic vinyl polymer and of at least one α,β-unsaturated monocarbonitrile, and wherein the ratio by weight of component (B) to component (C) is from 3:1 to 1:1. The invention also relates to the process of producing the molding composition and its use.
US08440763B2	Cosmetic composition comprising silicone particles Disclosed herein is a composition comprising concave particles of a silicone material and a fatty phase comprising at least one oil and at least one non-spherical silicone elastomer. The composition may make it possible to obtain a make-up for the skin and/or lips which is non-drying and/or which does not exhibit tightness and/or which is comfortable.
US08440760B2	Methacrylic copolymer, method for preparing the same, and methacrylic resin composition including the same Disclosed herein is a methacrylic copolymer which is a polymer of a monomer mixture comprising about 20 to about 99.9% by weight of a C6-20 aromatic methacrylate, an aliphatic methacrylate, or a combination thereof, and about 0.1 to about 80% by weight of a mono-functional unsaturated monomer. The methacrylic copolymer can have a high refractive index of about 1.495 to about 1.59, and thus when it is blended with polycarbonate resin, it is possible to obtain a methacrylic resin composition having improved compatibility without any other compatibilizer.
US08440756B2	Flame-retardant polyamide resin composition Disclosed is a flame-retardant polyamide resin composition, including: a polyamide (A) containing a diamine unit including 70 mol % or more of a p-xylylenediamine unit and a dicarboxylic acid unit including 70 mol % or more of a linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid unit having 6 to 18 carbon atoms; an organic halogen compound (B) that serves as a flame retardant; an inorganic compound (C) that serves as a flame retardant aid; and an inorganic filler (D), in which the polyamide (A) includes a polyamide having a phosphorus atom concentration of 50 to 1,000 ppm and a YI value of 10 or less in a color difference test in accordance with JIS-K-7105, and a content of the organic halogen compound (B), a content of the inorganic compound (C), and a content of the inorganic filler (D) are 1 to 100 parts by mass, 0.5 to 50 parts by mass, and 0 to 100 parts by mass, respectively, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polyamide (A).
US08440748B2	Thermoplastic resin composition and molded item formed from same Provided is a thermoplastic resin composition comprising 1 to 100 parts by weight of a flame retardant (B) containing any one or more flame retardants (B-1) selected from melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, and melamine polyphosphate and any one or more flame retardants (B-2) selected from piperazine phosphate, piperazine pyrophosphate, and piperazine polyphosphate, based on 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin (A) comprising polylactide resin, wherein, according to transmission electronic microscopy, the major axis of the largest particle of the flame retardant (B) in the composition is not more than 10 μm, and the ratio of the number of particles of the flame retardant (B) having a major axis of not more than 3 μm relative to the number of particles of the flame retardant (B) per an area of 1,000 μm2 is 70% or more.
US08440746B2	One component epoxy structural adhesive composition prepared from renewable resources Curable, one-package, stable adhesive compositions are provided comprising: (a) a resin component comprising a polyepoxide, (b) a polyamine having at least two primary amine, secondary amine, and/or ketimine functional groups; and (c) a curing component comprising dicyandiamide and an accelerator. At least a portion of the polyepoxide in the resin component is reacted with carboxy-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile polymer. The accelerator comprises a reaction product comprising a renewable polyol, a diisocyanate, and a dialkyl monoamine containing alkyl groups with at least two carbon atoms each. The compositions are suitable for use as adhesive compositions over a wide temperature range.
US08440730B2	Method for improved removal of cations by means of chelating resins The present invention relates to a method for improved removal of cations, preferably alkaline earth metals, in particular calcium and barium, from aqueous solutions using chelating resins having aminomethylphosphonic acid groups and iminodimethylphosphonic acid groups having high dynamic absorption capacity for cations at a low residual content of the cations and high regeneration efficiency, and a markedly lengthened loading duration of the chelating resin, to the chelating exchangers themselves, and also to uses thereof.
US08440725B2	Synergistic preparations based on mixtures of glycerol ether with aromatic alcohol for controlling mycobacteria Disinfectant which has activity towards mycobacteria and has (a) 1-(2-ethylhexyl} glycerol ether and (b) one or more aromatic alcohols group including aryloxyalkanols, ethers and arylalkanols.
US08440723B2	Metformin salts of salicylic acid and its congeners The present invention relates to compounds, intermediates used in the preparation of such compounds, processes for the preparation of such compounds of the formula VI and formula VII and such intermediates, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds of the formula VI and such compounds of the formula VII, and the uses of such compounds of the formula VI and such compounds of the formula VII as antidiabetic, pre-antidiabetic, antiobesity and cardioprotective agents.
US08440711B2	2-aryl-2-fluoropropanoic acids and derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions containing them The present invention relates to (R,S) 2-aryl-2-fluoropropanoic acids, their single enantiomers (R) and (S), their derivatives amides and acylsulfonamides and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, which are used in the prevention and treatment of tissue damage due to the exacerbated recruitment of polymorphonucleated neutrophils (PMN leukocytes) at inflammation sites. The present invention provides compounds for use in the treatment of psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, melanoma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bullous pemphigo, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic fibrosis, glomerulonephritis and in the treatment of damages caused by ischemia and reperfusion.
US08440710B2	HSL inhibitors useful in the treatment of diabetes The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The are useful as HSL inhibitors and may, for example, be used in treatment of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and obesity.
US08440708B2	Triazole-substituted arylamides as P2X3 and P2X2/3 antagonists Compounds of the formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein, R1 is optionally substituted triazolyl, and R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using the compounds for treating diseases associated with P2X3 and/or a P2X2/3 receptor antagonists and methods of making the compounds.
US08440707B2	Antagonists of lysophosphatidic acid receptors Described herein are compounds that are antagonists of lysophosphatidic receptor(s). Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well as methods of using such antagonists, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating LPA-dependent or LPA-mediated conditions or diseases.
US08440703B2	Methods of using sustained release aminopyridine compositions A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, including, for example, a composition that can be formulated into a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation, such as a tablet which provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at about 12 hours and the use of the composition to treat various neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis. A method of selecting individuals based on responsiveness to a treatment, including, for example, identifying individuals who responded to treatment with a sustained release fampridine composition.
US08440698B2	3-(4-((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)phenyl)-5-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives as sphingosine-1 phosphate receptors modulators Substituted 3-(4-((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)phenyl)-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives which are useful as sphingosine-1-phosphate modulators and useful for treating a wide variety of disorders associated with modulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08440697B2	Treatment of heart failure The invention relates to perhexiline, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of HfnEF, as well as to a method of treating HfnEF, which comprises administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of perhexiline, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to treat said HFnEF. The invention further relates to a treatment program for treating HFnEF, which involves the co-use or co-administration of perhexiline with one or more other compounds that are advantageous in treating HFnEF or the symptoms thereof.
US08440691B2	Tetrahydroquinolinyl compounds that inhibit vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) receptor and uses thereof Compounds that are antagonists of the VR1 receptor, having formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or salt of a prodrug thereof, wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R7, R8, R9, X, Y, Z, L, n, and m, are as defined herein, and are useful in disorders prevented or ameliorated by inhibiting the VR1 receptor.
US08440689B2	Fused heteroaromatic pyrrolidinones Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein G, L1, L2, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are defined in the specification. This disclosure also relates to materials and methods for preparing compounds of Formula 1, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use for treating disorders, diseases, and conditions involving the immune system and inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis, hematological malignancies, epithelial cancers (i.e., carcinomas), and other disorders, diseases, and conditions for which inhibition of SYK is indicated.
US08440686B2	Nalmefene prodrugs The present invention relates to ester prodrugs of nalmefene of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, chemical processes for preparing these compounds and their use in the treatment of substance abuse disorders such as alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence and impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling and addiction to shopping.
US08440685B1	Method for treatment of neurologic dysfunction A method for treatment of the symptoms of neurologic dysfunctions, including major depression, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and schizophrenia. The patient is administered an amount of a compound that increases the catalytic activity of MAO-A. The effective compound is preferably reserpine, administered in a dosage of less than about 0.03 mg per day. The reserpine may be administered topically or transdermally at a dosage in the range from about 0.002 mg per day to about 0.02 mg per day.
US08440684B2	Polycyclic pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives as -formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor modulators The present invention relates to novel polycyclic pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor.
US08440672B2	Diphenyl substituted alkanes The instant invention provides compounds of Formula I which are 5-lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitors. Compounds of Formula (I) are useful as anti-atherosclerotic, anti-asthmatic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agents.
US08440671B2	Compositions comprising a phoshodiesterase-5 inhibitor and their use in methods of treatment The invention relates generally to novel pharmaceutical methods for the treatment of various conditions. Compositions comprising: at least one phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor in combination with one or more of the following medications: a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; a cholinesterase inhibitor; a dopamine agonist; or a medication suitable to increase the chemical concentrations of the neurotransmitters, selected from amino acids, monoamines, neuropeptides and other agents capable of primary neurotransmission in the synaptic clefts, and their use for treating a neurodegenerative disease in a subject. The invention also relates to: Compositions comprising: at least one phosphodiestersa-5-inhibitor in combination with one or more of the following medications: a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; or a cholinesterase inhibitor, and their use for treating damaged skin in a subject.
US08440665B2	Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase inhibitors The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, R, R1, R2 are as defined above. The compounds have apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (“ASK1”) inhibitory activity, and are thus useful in the treatment of ASK1-mediated conditions, including autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, cardio-renal diseases, including kidney disease, fibrotic diseases, respiratory diseases, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury, acute and chronic liver diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of the compounds of Formula (I), and to methods of preparing the compounds of Formula (I).
US08440662B2	Substituted quinazoline and pyrido-pyrimidine derivatives The present application provides novel substituted quinazoline and pyrido-pyrimidine compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also provided are methods for preparing these compounds. These compounds are useful in co-regulating PI3K and/or mTOR activity by administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the compounds to a patient. By doing so, these compounds are effective in treating conditions associated with the dysregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Advantageously, these compounds perform as dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. A variety of conditions can be treated using these compounds and include diseases which are characterized by inflammation or abnormal cellular proliferation. In one embodiment, the disease is cancer.
US08440651B2	Pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine PI3K delta inhibitor compounds and methods of use Formula I compounds, including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting the delta isoform of PI3K, and for treating disorders mediated by lipid kinases such as inflammation, immunological disorders, and cancer. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08440646B1	Substituted tetracycline compounds for treatment of Bacillus anthracis infections Methods and compositions for the treatment of Bacillus anthracis infections are described.
US08440635B2	Oligonucleotide conjugates Oligonucleotide conjugates, where an oligonucleotide is covalently attached to an aromatic system, are provided. In particular embodiments the oligonucleotide is complementary to the RNA component of human telomerase and is covalently attached to a nucleobase via an optional linker. The conjugates inhibit telomerase enzyme activity.
US08440631B2	Compositions for drug administration The present invention provides compositions and methods and for increasing the bioavailability of therapeutic agents in a subject, as well as compositions and methods for providing migraine pain relief. The compositions include at least one alkyl glycoside and at least one therapeutic agent, such as a 5-HT receptor agonist, wherein the alkylglycoside has an alkyl chain length from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms.
US08440626B2	Antineoplastic peptides The present invention provides antineoplastic peptides of formula I, I R1R2N-CHX-CO-A-B-D-E-(G)S-K wherein R1, R2, X, A, B, D, E, G, K and s have the meanings stated in the description. The compounds have antineoplastic activity.
US08440624B2	Peptide whitening agents and cosmetic compositions comprising the same The present invention relates to novel peptide compounds having the following formula [R1R2N—CH(Ra)—CO]a-(AA1)m-(AA2)b-X1—X2—X3—Y1—Y2—Y3—X4-(AA3)n-[NH—CH(Rb)—COOR3]c. It also pertains to cosmetic and dermatological compositions comprising one or more of these peptide compounds and to their uses in the cosmetic whitening of human skin and for the manufacture of a dermatological preparation intended to depigment human skin.
US08440601B2	Detergent formulations for machine dishwashing comprising hydrophilically modified polycarboxylates A mixed powder or mixed granule for use in detergent formulations for machine dishwashing contains the following components: a) from 10 to 95% by weight of a copolymer of a1) from 50 to 93 mol % of acrylic acid and/or of a water-soluble salt of acrylic acid, a2) from 5 to 30 mol % of methacrylic acid and/or of a water-soluble salt of methacrylic acid, and a3) from 2 to 20 mol % of at least one nonionic monomer, wherein monomers a1) to a3) are copolymerized in a random or block manner, b) from 5 to 80% by weight of a complexing agent selected from the group consisting of a glycine-N,N-diacetic acid derivative and glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid and salts thereof, c) from 0 to 20% by weight of a polyethylene glycol, of a nonionic surfactant or of a mixture thereof.
US08440589B2	Azomethine compound and thermal transfer sheet using coloring matter of the azomethine compound This invention provides an azomethine compound that can realize a good coupling reaction and, at the same time, can significantly reduce the production cost of the azomethine compound, the azomethine compound comprising a pyridine ring bonded through a nitrogen atom to a 1H-pyrazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]triazole ring. The azomethine compound is represented by formula (M-I): wherein R1 represents a phenyl group or a naphthyl group optionally substituted by an alkyl group or a halogen; and R2 and R3 each independently represent a C2-4 (number of carbon atoms) alkyl group.
US08440587B2	Method of producing color change in a web substrate The present invention relates to a method of producing a web substrate comprising an activatable colorant and at least one region comprising a topical additive. The web substrate is exposed to a first external stimulus producing a first activated color region. The first activated color region is subsequently exposed to a second external stimulus producing a second activated color region within the first activated color region. The second external stimulus is induced by application of the topical additive such that the second activated color region coincides with the topical additive region.
US08440586B2	Low pressure drop extruded catalyst filter A batch composition for making a highly porous honeycomb ceramic catalytic filter article, including base inorganic components including a mixture of a nano-zeolite powder, and an inorganic filler, in amounts defined herein; and super additives including: a mixture of at least two pore formers; a binder; and a metal salt, in amounts defined herein. Also disclosed are extruded catalyst filter articles and methods for making the articles.
US08440573B2	Method and apparatus for pattern collapse free wet processing of semiconductor devices A method is provided for processing a wafer used in fabricating semiconductor devices. The method can comprise forming high-aspect ratio features on the wafer, which is followed by wet processing and drying. During drying, pattern collapse can occur. This pattern collapse can be repaired to allow for additional processing of the wafer. In some instance, pattern collapse can be repaired via etching where the etching breaks bonds that can have formed during pattern collapse.
US08440572B2	Si etching method A Si etching method includes: arranging a silicon substrate or a substrate having a silicon layer in a processing chamber; generating a plasma of an etching gas in the processing chamber; and etching the silicon substrate by the plasma. The etching gas is a gaseous mixture including a Br2 gas and one of a Cl2 gas and a chloride gas. The chloride gas has a mass that is higher than that of the Cl2 gas.
US08440571B2	Methods for deposition of silicon carbide and silicon carbonitride films Methods for deposition of silicon carbide films on a substrate surface are provided. The methods include the use of vapor phase carbosilane precursors and may employ plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition processes. The methods may be carried out at temperatures less than 600° C., for example between about 23° C. and about 200° C. or at about 100° C. This silicon carbide layer may then be densified to remove hydrogen content. Additionally, the silicon carbide layer may be exposed to a nitrogen source to provide reactive N—H groups, which can then be used to continue film deposition using other methods. Plasma processing conditions can be used to adjust the carbon, hydrogen and/or nitrogen content of the films.
US08440559B2	Work function adjustment in high-K metal gate electrode structures by selectively removing a barrier layer Generally, the present disclosure is directed work function adjustment in high-k metal gate electrode structures. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes removing a placeholder material of a first gate electrode structure and a second gate electrode structure, and forming a first work function adjusting material layer in the first and second gate electrode structures, wherein the first work function adjusting material layer includes a tantalum nitride layer. The method further includes removing a portion of the first work function adjusting material layer from the second gate electrode structure by using the tantalum nitride layer as an etch stop layer, removing the tantalum nitride layer by performing a wet chemical etch process, and forming a second work function adjusting material layer in the second gate electrode structure and above a non-removed portion of the first work function adjusting material layer in the first gate electrode structure.
US08440557B2	Method for fabricating a semiconductor device by considering the extinction coefficient during etching of an interlayer insulating film The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device by forming an ultraviolet radiation absorbing film of a silicon-rich film above a semiconductor substrate, measuring an extinction coefficient of the ultraviolet radiation absorbing film of a silicon-rich film for ultraviolet radiation, and etching the ultraviolet radiation absorbing film of a silicon-rich film under an etching condition using an oxygen gas flow rate corresponding to the extinction coefficient.
US08440554B1	Through via connected backside embedded circuit features structure and method A method includes forming through vias in a substrate of an array. Nubs of the through vias are exposed from a backside surface of the substrate. A backside passivation layer is applied to enclose the nubs. Laser-ablated artifacts are formed in the backside passivation layer to expose the nubs. Circuit features are formed within the laser-ablated artifacts. By forming the circuit features within the laser-ablated artifacts in the backside passivation layer, the cost of fabricating the array is minimized. More particularly, the number of operations to form the embedded circuit features is minimized thus minimizing fabrication cost of the array.
US08440544B2	CMOS structure and method of manufacture CMOS structures with a replacement substrate and methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. The method includes forming a device on a temporary substrate. The method further includes removing the temporary substrate. The method further includes bonding a permanent electrically insulative substrate to the device with a bonding structure.
US08440542B2	Semiconductor device and structure A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer, the method comprising: providing a base wafer comprising a semiconductor substrate; preparing a first monocrystalline layer comprising semiconductor regions; preparing a second monocrystalline layer comprising semiconductor regions overlying the first monocrystalline layer; and etching portions of said first monocrystalline layer and portions of said second monocrystalline layer as part of forming at least one transistor on said first monocrystalline layer.
US08440540B2	Method for doping a selected portion of a device A method includes forming a protective layer with an opening over a substrate, thereafter implanting a dopant into a substrate region through the opening, the protective layer protecting a different substrate region, and reducing thickness of the protective layer. A different aspect includes etching a substrate to form a recess therein, thereafter implanting a dopant into a substrate region within the recess and through an opening in a protective layer provided over the substrate, and reducing thickness of the protective layer. Another aspect includes forming a protective layer over a substrate, forming photoresist having an opening over the protective layer, etching the protective layer through the opening to expose the substrate, etching the substrate to form a recess in the substrate, implanting a dopant into a substrate portion, the protective layer protecting a different substrate portion thereunder, and etching the protective layer to reduce its thickness.
US08440533B2	Self-aligned contact for replacement metal gate and silicide last processes A high-K/metal gate semiconductor device is provided with larger self-aligned contacts having reduced resistance. Embodiments include forming a first high-k metal gate stack on a substrate between source/drain regions, a second high-k metal gate stack on an STI region, and a first ILD between the metal gate stacks, forming an etch stop layer and a second ILD sequentially over the substrate, with openings in the second ILD over the metal gate stacks, forming spacers on the edges of the openings, forming a third ILD over the second ILD and the spacers, removing the first ILD over the source/drain regions, removing the etch stop layer, the second ILD, and the third ILD over the source/drain regions, adjacent the spacers, and over a portion of the spacers, forming first trenches, removing the third ILD over the second high-k metal gate stack and over a portion of the spacers, forming second trenches, and forming contacts in the first and second trenches.
US08440512B2	Circuits and methods for improved FET matching The present inventions are related to systems and methods for pre-equalizer noise suppression in a data processing system. As an example, a data processing system is discussed that includes: a sample averaging circuit, a selector circuit, an equalizer circuit, and a mark detector circuit. The sample averaging circuit is operable to average corresponding data samples from at least a first read of a codeword and a second read of the codeword to yield an averaged output based at least in part on a framing signal. The selector circuit is operable to select one of the averaged output and the first read of the codeword as a selected output. The equalizer circuit is operable to equalize the selected output to yield an equalized output, and the mark detector circuit is operable to identify a location mark in the equalized output to yield the framing signal.
US08440508B2	Hydrogen barrier for ferroelectric capacitors An integrated circuit containing a FeCap array. The FeCap array is at least partially surrounded on the sides by hydrogen barrier walls and on the top by a hydrogen barrier top plate. A method for at least partially enclosing a FeCap array with hydrogen barrier walls and a hydrogen barrier top plate.
US08440503B1	Methods for performing reflow in bonding processes A method includes placing a cover over a lower package component, wherein the cover comprises an opening aligned to the lower package component. An upper package component is placed over the lower package component. The upper package component is aligned to the opening, and a solder region is dispose between the upper package component and the lower package component. The cover and the upper package component are exposed to a radiation to reflow the solder region.
US08440502B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the semiconductor device An object is to suppress deterioration of element characteristics even when an oxide semiconductor is formed after a gate insulating layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed. A gate electrode layer is formed over a substrate. A gate insulating layer is formed over the gate electrode layer. A source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are formed over the gate insulating layer. Surface treatment is performed on surfaces of the gate insulating layer, the source electrode layer, and the drain electrode layer which are formed over the substrate. After the surface treatment is performed, an oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the gate insulating layer, the source electrode layer, and the drain electrode layer.
US08440501B2	Memory device A memory or switching device includes a mesa and a first electrode conforming to said mesa. The device also includes a second electrode and a phase-change or switching material disposed between said first and second electrodes. The phase-change or switching material is in electrical communication with the first and second electrodes at a first contact region and a second contact region respectively. Also described is a method for making a memory or switching device. The method includes providing a first insulator and configuring the first insulator to provide a mesa. A first conductive layer is provided conforming to the mesa. A phase-change or switching material is provided over a portion of the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer is provided over the phase-change or switching material.
US08440482B2	Transflective liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing method thereof A method for manufacturing a transflective liquid crystal display panel includes providing an array substrate having a plurality of pixel regions, each of the pixel regions includes a device region, a transmission region and a reflection region defined therein; forming a first metal layer on the array substrate; patterning the first metal layer to simultaneously form a gate electrode in the device region and a plurality of metal bumps in the reflection region; forming a first insulating layer having a rough surface and covering the gate electrode and the metal bumps on the array substrate; forming a patterned semiconductor layer on the gate electrode; forming a reflective layer covering the first insulating layer and having a rough surface in the reflection region; and sequentially forming a patterned second insulating layer and a transparent pixel electrode on the array substrate.
US08440478B2	Light emitting device, package, light emitting device manufacturing method, package manufacturing method and package manufacturing die A light emitting device includes a resin molded body having a circular or an oval recessed section at the center suppresses generation of cracks. The device is provided with a light emitting element, a first resin molded body having a plurality of outer surfaces, and a recessed section at the center. First and second leads are electrically connected to the light emitting element, and a second resin molded body is applied in the recessed section. The light emitting element is placed on the first lead, and the surface of the second resin molded resin forms a light emitting surface. A gate notch is formed on an extended line of a normal line on one point on a circular cross-section of the recessed section in the normal line direction.
US08440472B2	Stacking apparatus and method for stacking integrated circuit elements A stacking apparatus that stacks chip assemblies each having a plurality of chips disposed continuously with circuit patterns and electrodes, includes: a plurality of stages each allowed to move arbitrarily, on which the chip assemblies are placed; a storage unit that stores an estimated extent of change in a position of an electrode at each chip, expected to occur as heat is applied to the chip assemblies placed on the plurality of stages during a stacking process; and a control unit that sets positions of the plurality of stages to be assumed relative to each other during the stacking process based upon the estimated extent of change in the position of the electrode at each chip provided from the storage unit and position information indicating positions of individual chips formed at the chip assemblies and controls at least one of the plurality of stages.
US08440471B2	Low-cost non-volatile flash-RAM memory A method of flash-RAM memory includes non-volatile random access memory (RAM) formed on a monolithic die and non-volatile page-mode memory formed on top of the non-volatile RAM, the non-volatile page-mode memory and the non-volatile RAM reside on the monolithic die. The non-volatile RAM is formed of stacks of magnetic memory cells arranged in three-dimensional form for higher density and lower costs.
US08440469B2	System and method for increasing spectroscopic signal A method for increasing a spectroscopic signal in a biological assay is provided. The method includes forming a suspension of magnetically attractable particles. The method also includes introducing a first magnetic field at a first location to draw the magnetically attractable particles towards the first location and form a first agglomeration. The method also includes removing the first magnetic field. The method further includes introducing a second magnetic field at a second location to draw the first agglomeration towards the second location and form a second agglomeration. The method further includes focusing an excitation source on the second agglomeration formed at the second location.
US08440457B2	Method of profiling a cell population The present invention relates to a method of profiling a cell population comprising a step of detecting the presence or absence of at least two biological markers in said cell population, wherein at least one of said markers is a cell surface marker, which is a sialylated N-glycan marker with structure NeuNAcα3Gal, and at least one of said markers is a mRNA marker related to glycoproteins and/or glycosynthase proteins. The invention also relates to method for purification of cord blood cell population and to a complete cell population from cord blood purified by said method.
US08440455B2	Plasmic production and expression of recombinant proteins in cells grown without antibiotics The invention relates to a mutated cell such as a bacteria or yeast in which the thyA gene coding thymidylate synthase includes a nonsense codon, preferably the amber codon, said nonsense codon replacing a codon coding an amino acid and inducing the interruption of thyA gene translation and the auxotrophy of the cell for the thymidine. Advantageously, the endA gene coding the endonuclease 1 and/or the recA gene coding the recombinase is inactivated in said mutated cell. The invention also relates to an expression plasmid including a transgene and a sequence of a suppressing ARM structural gene containing an anticodon that can be paired with the nonsense codon of the thyA gene and is specific of an amino acid capable of restoring the translation of the mutated thyA gene and thereby obtaining a protein of the wild or mutated type having a thymidylate synthase activity. The invention also relates to a method for the multiplication of the expression plasmid.
US08440451B2	Genetically modified yeast species, and fermentation processes using genetically modified yeast Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
US08440450B2	Antibiotic-sensitive lactic acid bacteria strains Many probiotic Bifidobacteriaceacontains an active tetW that renders the cells resistant to tetracycline. This may present a risk of a horizontal transfer of functional antibiotic genes. The present invention relates to a method of obtaining novel tetracycline-sensitive strains of the genus of Bifidobacteriacea (Bifidobacterium sp.). In particular, the present invention relates to novel antibiotic-sensitive strains obtained from antibiotic-resistant probiotic strains and the use of such novel strains for the preparation of a food or feed product or a dosage form comprising viable organisms.
US08440448B2	Composition and method for inhibition of microorganisms Provided are methods of treating a surface of a food processing facility which has a first population of microorganisms disposed thereon. The method includes disposing on the surface a biofilm containing a second population of microorganisms or a population of microorganisms that can form a biofilm onto the surface of the food processing facility. The growth of the second microbial population and the formation of a biofilm comprising these microorganisms can then inhibit the growth of the first population of microorganisms.
US08440435B2	Method for reducing 1,2-diglyceride content of an edible oil The present application provides a method of reducing and/or removing diglyceride from an edible oil, comprising admixing an edible oil with an acyl acceptor substrate and a diglyceride:glycerol acyltransferase, wherein the diglyceride:glycerol acyltransferase is characterized as an enzyme which in an edible oil is capable of transferring an acyl group from a diglyceride to glycerol. The diglyceride:glycerol acyltransferase can comprise the amino acid sequence motif GDSX. The present invention also relates to the use of a diglyceride:glycerol acyltransferase in the manufacture of an edible oil, for reducing and/or removing diglyceride from said edible oil and to the use of said enzyme in the manufacture of a foodstuff comprising an edible oil for improving the crystallization properties of said foodstuff.
US08440434B2	Polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways for the production of monatin and its precursors Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.
US08440427B2	Preparation of protective antigen A polynucleotide sequence is provided comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding recombinant Protective Antigen (rPA).Also provided are expression vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide sequence of the invention, and methods for producing rPA.
US08440419B2	Method and kit for quantitatively determining small, dense LDL cholesterol A method for fractional measurement of small, dense LDL, which is adaptable for an autoanalyzer, and a reagent for measurement, are provided, making it possible to conduct rapid and convenient analysis with good sensitivity without pretreatment of a specimen. The method for quantitatively determining small, dense LDL cholesterol in a sample comprises the steps of: (1) eliminating cholesterol in LDL other than small, dense LDL in the presence of phospholipase; and (2) quantitatively determining cholesterol in lipoproteins remaining in step (1) above.
US08440410B2	Reagents and methods for use in cancer diagnosis, classification and therapy Methods and reagents for classifying tumors and for identifying new tumor classes and subclasses. Methods for correlating tumor class or subclass with therapeutic regimen or outcome, for identifying appropriate (new or known) therapies for particular classes or subclasses, and for predicting outcomes based on class or subclass. New therapeutic agents and methods for the treatment of cancer.
US08440399B2	Dark quenchers for donor-acceptor energy transfer The present invention provides a family of dark quenchers, termed Black Hole Quenchers (“BHQs”), that are efficient quenchers of excited state energy but which are themselves substantially non-fluorescent. Also provided are methods of using the BHQs, probes incorporating the BHQs and methods of using the probes.
US08440395B2	Methods of detecting and treating colon disorders The subject invention pertains to a method of detecting colon disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, based on underexpression of Lipopolysaccharide Responsive Beige-like Anchor (LRBA). Advantageously, the invention may be used to test for inflammatory bowel disease using a blood sample from a subject before a more invasive test for colon disorders is employed. The invention also pertains to methods of treating a colon disorder in a subject in which the colon disorder is detected.
US08440389B2	Stripper solutions effective for back-end-of-line operations Back end of line (BEOL) stripping solutions which can be used in a stripping process that replaces etching resist ashing process are provided. The stripping solutions are useful for fabricating circuits and/or forming electrodes on semiconductor devices for semiconductor integrated circuits with good efficiency and with low and acceptable metal etch rates. Methods for their use are similarly provided. The preferred stripping agents contain a polar aprotic solvent, water, an amine and a quaternary hydroxide that is not tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Further provided are integrated circuit devices and electronic interconnect structures prepared according to these methods.
US08440377B2	Electrophotographic photosensitive member and electrophotographic apparatus An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a substrate, a photoconductive layer, an intermediate layer, and a surface layer sequentially formed. The intermediate layer contains silicon, carbon and hydrogen, and a distribution of a hydrogen ratio, which is a ratio of the number of hydrogen atoms to the number of silicon, carbon and hydrogen atoms, in the intermediate layer has a maximum region. A largest hydrogen atomic ratio in the intermediate layer is larger than a hydrogen atomic ratio in the surface layer, and the hydrogen atomic ratio in the surface layer is 0.30 to 0.45. A distribution of a carbon atomic ratio, which is a ratio of the number of carbon atoms to the number of silicon and carbon atoms, in the intermediate layer has a maximum and a minimum region. A carbon atomic ratio in the maximum region is 0.53 to 0.63, a carbon atomic ratio in the minimum region is 0.47 or more, and the maximum hydrogen region in the intermediate layer is partially superimposed on the minimum carbon region.
US08440376B2	Exposure determining method, method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and computer program product According to one embodiment, a deviation amount distribution of a two-dimensional shape parameter between a mask pattern formed on a mask and a desired mask pattern is acquired as a mask pattern map. Such that a deviation amount of the two-dimensional shape parameter between a pattern on substrate formed when the mask is subjected to exposure shot to form a pattern on a substrate and a desired pattern on substrate fits within a predetermined range, an exposure is determined for each position in the exposure shot in forming the pattern on substrate based on the mask pattern map.
US08440361B2	Monopolar separator with an insulation layer for a fuel cell system A fuel cell system with reduced volume through decreasing the thickness of a stack comprises: a stack which comprises a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies stacked so that the cathode electrodes face each other and the anode electrodes face each other, and separators that are interposed between the membrane electrode assemblies, and which have a flow path passing through from a first face to a second face on a region corresponding to a region where each cathode electrode or anode electrode is formed.
US08440357B2	Fuel cell catalyst regeneration Systems that facilitate operating proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are provided. The systems employ a fuel supply component that supplies fuel to the proton exchange membrane fuel cell; and a regeneration component that provides a reducing agent comprising a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, or a reducing plasma to a cathode catalyst of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell to reduce the cathode catalyst.
US08440344B2	Secondary battery pack A secondary battery pack having a connecting member connecting a secondary battery to a protection circuit module. The secondary battery pack includes at least one secondary battery; a case accommodating the battery; a protection circuit module to protecting the battery; and a connecting member connecting the at least one secondary battery to the protection circuit module. The connecting member includes a first plate having a plurality of conductive patterns spaced apart from one another; and a second plate surrounding the first plate. The second plate has at least one cut-away portion on a bent portion of the first plate.
US08440343B2	Electricity storage system and metal battery case manufacturing method An electricity storage system comprises a plurality of battery cells in which battery elements are accommodated in angular metal battery cases, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected together electrically and are disposed in such a manner as to form spaces between the metal battery cells, and wherein the metal battery cell comprises an angular metallic housing on an external surface of which irregularities are formed and a resin portion which is injection molded integrally on the external surface of the metallic housing.
US08440341B2	Battery pack A battery pack that includes a holder to accommodate bare cells and a lead plate electrically connected to the holder. The lead plate includes female and male coupling members such that the holder is easily assembled with the lead plate and an error occurring when the holder and the lead plate are coupled with each other may be prevented. The lead plate may not separate from the holder after assembling the holder with the lead plate.
US08440337B2	Battery safety system A battery safety system that includes a battery terminal configured for making an electrical connection to the system, an electrical disconnect operable to a disconnected state whereby a battery voltage is electrically isolated from the battery terminal, and a connected state, whereby the battery voltage is electrically coupled to the battery terminal. The battery safety system also includes and a terminal guard movable to an exposed position effective to allow making the electrical connection to the battery terminal, and a protected position effective to prevent electrical contact with the battery terminal other than via the electrical connection. The system is configured to prevent the electrical disconnect from being operated to the connected state if the terminal guard is not at the protected position. The system provides a double action safety interlock that makes the action of connecting and disconnecting battery voltage to and from battery terminals or battery cables separate from the action of covering and uncovering the battery terminals, and so reduces the risk of electrical shock when the battery is being manufactured, installed, serviced, or otherwise handled.
US08440333B2	Fuel cell and electronic apparatus A fuel cell is provided having excellent performance and being capable of achieving a sufficient buffer ability in a high-output operation when an enzyme is immobilized on at least one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode and of sufficiently exhibiting the ability inherent in the enzyme. A biofuel cell includes a structure in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are opposed to each other with an electrolyte layer containing a buffer material provided therebetween, an enzyme being immobilized on at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrolyte layer contains as the buffer material a compound including an imidazole ring. As the compound including an imidazole ring, imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, 2-ethylimidazole, or the like is used.
US08440324B2	Compositions comprising novel copolymers and electronic devices made with such compositions The present invention relates to novel copolymers, compositions comprising novel copolymers, and electronic devices comprising at least one layer containing the copolymer.
US08440312B2	Thermal interface materials and methods for their preparation and use A curable composition contains (A) a polyorganosiloxane base polymer having an average per molecule of at least two aliphatically unsaturated organic groups, optionally (B) a crosslinker having an average per molecule of at least two silicon bonded hydrogen atoms, (C) a catalyst, (D) a thermally conductive filler, and (E) an organic plasticizer. The composition can cure to form a thermally conductive silicone gel or rubber. The thermally conductive silicone rubber is useful as a thermal interface material, in both TIM1 and TIM2 applications. The curable composition may be wet dispensed and then cured in situ in an (opto)electronic device, or the curable composition may be cured to form a pad with or without a support before installation in an (opto)electronic device.
US08440311B2	Silicone composition and process that is useful for improving the tear strength and the combing strength of an inflatable bag for protecting an occupant of a vehicle The general field of the invention is that of airbags. The invention relates to a process for improving the tear strength and the combing strength of coated fabrics intended for uses in the field of inflatable bags using a silicone composition comprising an additive containing a polyorganosiloxane resin (V) and a calcium carbonate. After coating the composition onto the fabric supports and curing, the coated supports not only have optimum adhesion and crease resistance properties, but also have good properties in terms of combing strength and tear strength.
US08440309B2	Crosslinked polymers with the crosslinker as therapeutic for sustained release Crosslinked polymers, methods for their preparation and use, are described in which the crosslinked polymers are formed from at least two polymer precursors, one of which is designed, upon degradation of the crosslinked polymer, to release the second polymer precursor in its original, unmodified chemical form.
US08440307B2	Charging member and method for producing charging member Provided is a charging member in which the hardness of its surface is increased while surface free energy is kept low, the surface is hard to scratch even in long-term use, and a toner or the like is hard to adhere to the surface. The charging member according to the present invention includes a conductive support, a conductive elastic layer, and a surface region containing a cured material of a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein n represents an integer of 0-6, m represents an integer of 0-6, the total of n and m is from 2 to 6, x and y each independently represent an integer of 0-4, and R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.
US08440306B2	Conductive film A conductive film which is excellent in moist heat resistance, conductivity, transparency and coating film strength.The conductive film comprises a base film and a coating layer formed on the base film by curing a composition comprising: (i) a conducting polymer containing a polycationic polythiophene having a recurring unit represented by the following formula (1) as the main constituent and a polyanion (component A): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or bonded together to form an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms which may be substituted arbitrarily; (ii) a water-soluble compound having at least one hydrophilic group selected from the group consisting of oxyethylene group and sulfonate group (component B); and (iii) a crosslinking agent having a glycidyl group (component C), and which has a surface resistance change rate after it is treated at a temperature of 60° C. and a humidity of 90% for 240 hours of 160% or less.
US08440304B2	Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive formulation and articles comprising same Pressure sensitive adhesive formulations of an acrylic polymer grafted with a macromer are particularly well suited for use in the manufacture of impact resistant articles such as impact resistant glass laminates and products comprising such laminates.
US08440296B2	Shear panel building material A shear panel building material that includes a first facing membrane, a core matrix disposed on a face of the first facing membrane, and a semi-rigid or rigid material attached to the core matrix. The core matrix can include microspheres having a size of about 200 microns to about 800 microns, sodium silicate, and ethylene vinyl acetate. In one aspect, the shear panel is substantially free from glue and cement.
US08440290B2	Contact media for evaporative coolers The present invention includes a contact medium for use in an evaporative cooler, comprising a corrugated fibrous sheet material comprising at least a top layer and a bottom layer in contact at one or more regions to form at least two channels between the top layer and the bottom layer for air and fluid flow; and a water insoluble thermoplastic compound that impregnates the corrugated fibrous sheet material. The water insoluble thermoplastic compound may have between 1-35 weight percent PVC; 1-20 weight percent PAN; 1-60 weight percent PMA; 1-20 weight percent PAI; and 2-25 weight percent PBA. For example, the composition may have about 2 weight percent PVC; 18 weight percent PAN; 45 weight percent PMA; 15 weight percent PAI; and 20 weight percent PBA.
US08440276B2	Multidirectionally reinforced shape woven preforms for composite structures The present invention relates to multidirectionally reinforced fiber preforms that conform easily to complex curvatures, such as, composite turbine fan cases, jet engine containment rings, aircraft fuselage frames, aircraft window frames, and flanged rings for attaching nacelles to aircraft engines. The present invention provides multidirectionally reinforced shape woven preforms with improved strength for composite structures that are axisymmetric as well as non-axisymmetric in nature. The invention is a preform used to reinforce a composite structure which includes a contour woven fabric portion, bi-axially braided, tri-axially braided or bias fabric portion, and/or a polar woven fabric portion, and a method of making thereof. The preform may optionally include a three-dimensionally woven portion. The combination of different forms of fabrics allows the preform to be produced without cutting and darting of the individual plies. Eliminating these cuts and darts improves the strength and performance of the resulting structure.
US08440275B2	Microwave cooking packages and methods of making thereof A microwave insulating material includes a dimensionally stable support, a patterned adhesive layer overlying at least a portion of the support, a polymer film layer overlying the patterned adhesive layer, and a plurality of expandable cells disposed between the support and the polymer film layer and defined by the patterned adhesive layer, wherein the expandable cells vary in size. A self-sealing microwave package includes a sheet of insulating material including a first surface, and a thermally activatable adhesive applied to at least a portion of the first surface.
US08440271B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device Providing a liquid crystal composition satisfies at least one of characteristics like a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat or has a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics. Providing an AM device has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition has a negative dielectric anisotropy and contains a specific compound having large negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component, a specific three-ring compound having large optical anisotropy as a second component and a specific two-ring compound having low viscosity as a third component, and a liquid crystal display device contains the composition.
US08440265B2	Water- and heat-resistant scratch-and-sniff coating A scratch-and-sniff coating is provided comprised of a first coating on a substrate having a water- and heat-resistant second coating thereon, the first coating being comprised of a non-encapsulated flavor/fragrance component and a polysaccharide component, and the second coating comprised of a shellac component. The scratch-and-sniff coating is made by forming a first coating comprised of a non-encapsulated flavor/fragrance component and a polysaccharide component and drying the first coating, and forming a water- and heat-resistant shellac-containing second coating on the first coating, and drying the second coating. An encapsulated flavor/fragrance component may optionally be present in the first coating. The scratch-and-sniff coating can be applied to a package for a consumer article.
US08440262B2	Fast film formation water based barrier coating The invention relates to a composition which, when mixed with a polymer composition, allows for the formation of a continuous and cohesive film. The film is characterized in that it provides water, grease and oil resistance, provides a water vapor barrier and can be used as wax replacement treatment and a top coat for flexible packaging, but also on other substrates. This film is formed at a very fast set speed without the need of thermal energy. The composition contains i) a salt of one or more of myristic, palmitic and stearic acid; and preferably also ii) a C9-C18 fatty acid complex of a metal ion, said metal ion having an oxidation state of at least 3. The invention also provides processes and coated substrates.
US08440252B2	Iodized salt and a process for its preparation The invention discloses a novel iodizing agent containing latent elemental iodine and preparation of iodized salt therefrom. The iodizing agent comprises a mixture of iodide and iodate in solution form in 5:1 molar ratio. The said iodizing agent may be prepared cost-effectively through the reaction of pure iodine crystals with a suitable alkali. Iodized salt prepared therefrom is stable in the pH range of 7.0-8.0 whereas it releases the latent elemental iodine under acidic conditions such as that which prevails in the stomach.
US08440249B2	Process for the preparation of an edible dispersion comprising oil and structuring agent The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an edible dispersion comprising oil and structuring agent and one or more of an aqueous phase and/or a solid phase, in which the dispersion is formed by mixing oil, solid structuring agent particles and the aqueous phase and/or the solid phase, wherein the solid structuring agent particles have a microporous structure of submicron size particles.
US08440245B2	Methods for making nutritional compositions comprising curcuminoids Disclosed are nutritional compositions and methods for preparing the compositions, comprising fat, protein, and carbohydrate, including a combination of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, which combination is solubilized in a polar oil having an HLB value of from about 0.7 to about 14 wherein the weight ratio of the bisdemethoxycurcumin to the curcumin is from about 1:1 to about 1:7 and the weight ratio of the bisdemethoxycurcumin to the demethoxycurcumin is from about 1:1 to about 1:2.5. The composition provides a selected ratio of curcuminoids having improved biological activity, bioavailability, and reduced color impact.
US08440236B2	Calcium carbonate granulation Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available.
US08440232B2	Methods of treatment using a gastric retained gabapentin dosage A method of treatment for epilepsy and other disease states is described, which comprises delivery of gabapentin in a gastric retained dosage form.
US08440228B2	Adsorbent for an oral administration, and agent for treating or preventing renal or liver disease An adsorbent for an oral administration, comprising a spherical activated carbon wherein an average particle diameter is 50 to 200 μm, a specific surface area determined by a BET method is 700 m2/g or more, and a bulk density is less than 0.54 g/mL is disclosed. The adsorbent for an oral administration has a high adsorbability, and is capable of adsorbing a large amount of toxins during a retention period in an intestine, and of remarkably increasing an adsorption amount of compounds having a large molecular weight.
US08440227B2	Biodegradable, non-toxic biological adhesive and methods for use in abdominal surgery A biological adhesive formulation comprising dextrin, at least one adhesiveness modifier agent, and at least one antibiotic is suitable for promoting healing of tissue in a patient, for example, to prevent anastomosis of a surgical wound in the digestive system of a patient, and for affixing prosthesis during a hernia operation in a patient and occluding a fistula within a patient.
US08440226B2	Solvent/polymer solutions as suspension vehicles A nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle that is capable of suspending an active agent. The nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle includes at least one solvent and at least one polymer and is formulated to exhibit phase separation upon contact with an aqueous environment. The at least one solvent may be selected from the group consisting of benzyl benzoate, decanol, ethyl hexyl lactate, and mixtures thereof and the at least one polymer may be selected from the group consisting of a polyester, pyrrolidone, ester of an unsaturated alcohol, ether of an unsaturated alcohol, polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the at least one solvent is benzyl benzoate and the at least one polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone. A stable, nonaqueous suspension formulation that includes the nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle and an active agent, and a method of forming the same, are also disclosed.
US08440223B2	Sustained release pharmaceutical compositions comprising quetiapine in non-gellable polymers A sustained release dosage form comprising Quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, polymorphs, solvates, hydrates thereof and one or more non-gellable release controlling polymer and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s). A sustained release dosage form comprising first granulation comprising Quetiapine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, polymorphs, solvates, hydrates thereof and one or more release controlling material; and second granulation comprising one or more release controlling material which is the same or different than the one or more release controlling material of the first granulation and optionally quetiapine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, polymorphs, solvates, hydrates thereof. A method of preparing the sustained release dosage form by first and second granulation followed by milling; blending the said milled granules after second granulation with lubricant followed by compression to form a sustained release dosage form. A sustained release dosage form comprising immediate release core comprising Quetiapine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, polymorphs, solvates, hydrates thereof and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; and sustained release coating comprising one or more non-gellable release controlling material.
US08440222B2	Reservoir system with closed membrane A dermal or transdermal therapeutic system comprising a reservoir that contains at least one active substance, an active substance-permeable membrane which delimits the active-substance reservoir, and a closing layer. The closing layer is impermeable to the active substance at a temperature lying below the skin temperature while being permeable at skin temperature and above.
US08440220B2	Transdermal analgesic systems with reduced abuse potential A transdermal analgesic system having reduced potential for abuse, wherein the system provides for the controlled release of the antagonist at a rate sufficient to provide an abuse limiting release rate ratio of the antagonist to the analgesic when the dosage form is subject to abuse is disclosed.
US08440205B2	Streptococcal C5A peptidase vaccine Novel vaccines for use against β-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization or infection are disclosed. The vaccines contain an immunogenic amount of a variant of streptococcal C5a peptidase (SCP). Also disclosed is a method of protecting a susceptible mammal against β-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization or infection by administering such a vaccine. Enzymatically inactive SCP, and polynucleotides encoding these SCP proteins are further disclosed.
US08440204B2	Subtype of Closteridium botulinum neurotoxin type A and uses thereof A novel subtype of type A botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/A) is disclosed in the application. Methods to purify the neurotoxin as well as uses thereof are also disclosed.
US08440201B2	Stabilized bioactive peptides and methods of identification, synthesis, and use An intracellular selection system allows screening for peptide bioactivity and stability. Randomized recombinant peptides are screened for bioactivity in a tightly regulated expression system, preferably derived from the wild-type lac operon. Bioactive peptides thus identified are inherently protease- and peptidase-resistant. Also provided are bioactive peptides stabilized by a stabilizing group at the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or both. The stabilizing group can be a small stable protein, such as the Rop protein, glutathione sulfotransferase, thioredoxin, maltose binding protein, or glutathione reductase, an α-helical moiety, or one or more proline residues.
US08440197B2	KID3 and KID3 antibodies that bind thereto The invention provides the identification and characterization of disease and cancer-associated epitope, KID3. The invention also provides a family of monoclonal antibodies that bind to KID3, methods of diagnosing and treating various human cancers and diseases that express KID3.
US08440196B1	Treatment for pancreatitis using IL-6 receptor antagonist antibodies A preventive or therapeutic agent for pancreatitis said agent comprising as an active ingredient an interleukin-6 (IL-6) antagonist such as an antibody directed against IL-6 receptor.
US08440190B2	Antibody variants This invention relates to an antibody which is modified version of a therapeutic antibody with affinity for a cell-surface antigen, the antibody having reduced affinity for the antigen compared with the therapeutic antibody as a result of a modification or modifications to the antibody molecule, wherein the antibody is capable of inducing immunological tolerance to the therapeutic antibody. The invention further relates to a method of inducing immunological tolerance to a therapeutic antibody, comprising administering to a patient an antibody which is a modified version of the therapeutic antibody and which has reduced affinity for the antigen as compared with the therapeutic antibody.
US08440186B2	P2X7 epitopes The invention relates to purinergic (P2X) receptors, more specifically to P2X7 receptors, the generation of antibodies and the use of antibodies and immunogens that are capable of selectively binding to a non ATP-binding P2X7 receptor but not to an ATP-binding P2X7 receptor, for the detection and treatment of disease conditions, especially cancer.
US08440183B2	Angiogenin complexes (ANGex) with lipid-based substrates and uses thereof Stabilized angiogenin compositions and methods of preparing stabilized angiogenin compositions by immobilization on a lipid-based substrate, such as a phospholipid or Coenzyme-Q10, are disclosed.
US08440179B2	Agent for reducing visceral fat Provide a visceral fat reducing agent for reducing the diseases and conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome which represents a condition where various risk factors such as those for hypertension, hyperlipemia, glucose tolerance dysfunction, etc., have accumulated, or simply reducing an accumulation of visceral fat, wherein the effective ingredient of said visceral fat reducing agent includes fungus bodies of lactic bacteria, especially lactic bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillus sp. and Lactococcus sp. and/or cultures thereof, while also providing a beverage, food or feed containing said visceral fat reducing agent.
US08440176B2	Covalently grafted pharmaceutically active polymers The invention relates to graftable polymers comprising biologically active agents and the use of such polymers in the manufacture of shaped articles, such as implantable medical devices and catheters. The graftable polymers are covalently grafted to a surface via one or more grafting moieties incorporated into the pharmaceutically-active graftable polymer. The coated articles of the invention can further comprise tie-coats, and the ratio of polymer:tie coat can be used to adjust the rate of drug elution.
US08440175B2	Hair cosmetic composition A hair cosmetic composition which gives a feeling of light-sliding smoothness and a not-heavy feeling of not-unruliness to hair. The hair cosmetic composition contains a both terminally long-chain alkylamino group-modified polyorganosiloxane having a viscosity at 25° C. of 1,000 to 5,000,000 mPas, represented by the formula: MDxD′yM wherein M is a siloxy unit represented by the formula: R1R22SiO0.5, D is a siloxy unit represented by the formula: R22SiO, and D′ is a siloxy unit represented by the formula: R2R3SiO, where R1 is an alkyl group having 12 to 50 carbon atoms, R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R3 is 3-aminopropyl group and/or N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl group, x is a value of 1 to 2,000, and y is a value of 1 to 50.
US08440174B2	Compositions comprising surfactants and alkyloxy-modified silicone The present application relates to organosilicones and compositions such as consumer products comprising such organosilicones, as well as processes for making and using such organosilicones and such compositions. Such compositions comprising such organosilicones are easier to formulate, and provide more economical and superior care benefits when compared to current silicone containing compositions.
US08440173B1	Guar gum containing compounds Disclosed is a compound having the following structure: where X1 though X10 are each independently —H, —OH, or an alkyl group and n is an integer from 2 to 100.
US08440170B2	Orally disintegrating tablets with speckled appearance Orally disintegrating tablets containing colored granules of a water-soluble sugar which give them a speckled appearance are described. The orally disintegrating tablets with speckled appearance are readily and easy identifiable by physicians, nurses and patients.
US08440159B2	Method for extracting ammonium salt and methanol from a liquid obtained from foul condensates in a cellulose pulp mill Desirable chemicals are recovered from a raw material that is formed in substantial amounts during the production of cellulose pulp from renewable lingo-cellulose material. An ammonia/ammonium-containing methanol/water mixture is acidified with an acid that has the ability of forming ammonium salt with the ammonium. The mixture is circulated and passed through an apparatus that has an indirect heat exchanger combined with an storage volume fitted with a gas collection device.
US08440155B2	Flow modulating substrates for early light-off An exhaust gas after-treatment system includes at least first and second substrates. The first substrate has a first region and a second region circumferentially surrounding the first region. The first region of the first substrate has a higher average cell density than the average cell density of the second substrate. The system can also include at least a third substrate.
US08440150B2	Hydrophobic valve The present invention relates to a hydrophobic valve for liquids having an appreciable surface tension comprising magnetic particles, said device comprising at least two planar solid substrates with a functionalized surface each, wherein at least a first solid substrate has a patterned surface comprising at least two hydrophilic areas separated from one another by at least one hydrophobic area, wherein the said two planar substrates are disposed with a distance to one another in a sandwiched, parallel fashion, in such way that said functionalized surfaces are facing one another, said valve further comprising a magnetic actuator.
US08440145B2	Sensing device and method using photo-induced charge movements A device and method which comprises a sensing surface on a membrane, solid surface or electrode, where the sensing surface contains a dye or chromophore chosen in relation to a particular target substance to be detected and quantified. The dye or chromophore is of a type which produces an electrical signal upon illumination. The particular dye or chromophore chosen for a particular target substance is one in which the presence of the target substance causes a change in the electrical signal produced. The presence of the target substance modifies the expected photo-induced charge movements (PICM) produced by the sensing surface upon illumination. The photo-induced charge movements produce signals which are detected by electronic circuits, and the presence and concentration of the target substance is determined by analyzing the difference between the PICM of the target sample versus the PICM of a control sample lacking the target substance.
US08440141B2	Exhaust gas treatment system It is intended to provide an exhaust gas treatment system, which allows for VOC removal at lower temperatures and thereby improves the durability of catalysts and suppresses carbon monoxide generation at the final outlet of the system. The present invention provides a treatment system of an exhaust gas containing a nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and a volatile organic compound comprising: an exhaust gas treatment means for removing the nitrogen oxide by reduction with ammonia and partially oxidizing the VOC to CO; and a CO/VOC removal means for oxidizing the CO and partially unreacted VOC, in this order from the upstream flow of the exhaust gas.
US08440137B2	Au bonding wire for semiconductor device An Au bonding wire for semiconductor device, comprising a wire-shaped Au alloy material consisting of: 3-15 mass ppm of Be, 3-40 mass ppm of Ca, 3-20 mass ppm of La, 3-20 mass ppm of at least one functional element selected from the group of Ce, Eu, Mg, and Si, and the remainder of Au, wherein the diameter of said Au alloy bonding wire is less than 23 microns, wherein said bonding wire has improved roundness of compressed bonded ball and improved fracture stress.
US08440136B2	Steel alloy and tools or components manufactured out of the steel alloy The invention relates to a powder metallurgically manufactured steel with a chemical composition containing, in % by weight: 0.01-2 C, 0.6-10 N, 0.01-3.0 Si, 0.01-10.0 Mn, 16-30 Cr, 0.01-5 Ni, 0.01-5.0 (Mo+W/2), 0.01-9 Co, max. 0.5 S and 0.5-14 (V+Nb/2), where the contents of N on the one hand and of (V+Nb/2) on the other hand are balanced in relation to each other such that the contents of these elements are within an area that is defined by the coordinates A′, B′, G, H, A′, where the coordinates of [N, (V+Nb/2)] are: A′: [0.6,0.5]; B′: [1.6,0.5]; G: [9.8,14.0]; H: [2.6,14.0], and max. 7 of (Ti+Zr+Al), balance essentially only iron and impurities at normal amounts. The steel may be used for tools for injection molding, compression molding and extrusion of components of plastics, and cold working.
US08440132B2	Method for the production of hollow bodies from thermoplastic plastic The invention relates to a method for the production of hollow bodies from thermoplastic plastic. The method comprises the extrusion of at least two sheet-like preforms consisting of thermoplastic plastic, the introduction of the preforms into a preferably multipart molding die with a molding cavity which at least partially defines the contour of the hollow body to be manufactured, and the shaping of the preforms inside the die, using a vacuum and/or gas pressure in the first heat of the material. The method is distinguished in that at least two preforms to be shaped into a hollow body and to be connected are extruded successively, that is to say sequentially, in time and are shaped simultaneously.
US08440129B2	Production of free-standing solid state layers by thermal processing of substrates with a polymer In a method for producing a free-standing solid state layer, a solid state material is provided having at least one surface available for layer formation thereon and a layer of polymer is formed on the available surface. The solid state material and polymer layer are then exposed to a change in local temperature from a first temperature that is no greater than about 300° C. to a second temperature below about room temperature to cause the solid state material to fracture along a plane at a depth in the material, to produce at least one free-standing solid state layer from the solid state material.
US08440124B2	Single screw extruder for dryer bar manufacture Single screw extruder for making a dryer bar.
US08440120B2	Method of using a formable core block for a resin impregnation process A use of a core block for an impregnation process as well as a composite structure comprising such a core block is described. The core block has a first surface and a second surface, and a number of first grooves is formed in the first surface of the core. Furthermore, a number of second grooves is formed in the second surface of the core. The first grooves have a first height (h1) and a bottom, and the first grooves and the second grooves are part of a resin distribution network formed in the core block. The distance (t) between the bottom of the first grooves and the second surface of the core block is of such a size that the core block is flexible along the first grooves. Additionally, the sum of the first height and the second height is larger than the thickness of the core block, and at least one of the first grooves in the first surface of the core block crosses at least one of the second grooves in the second surface of the core block.
US08440110B2	Method for producing metal particle dispersion, conductive ink using metal particle dispersion produced by such method, and conductive coating film Disclosed is a method for producing a metal particle dispersion wherein a metal compound is reduced by using carbodihydrazide represented by the formula (1) below or a polybasic acid polyhydrazide represented by the formula (2) below (wherein R represents an n-valent polybasic acid residue) in a liquid medium. By reducing the metal compound in the presence of a compound having a function preventing discoloration of the metal, there can be obtained a metal particle dispersion having excellent discoloration preventing properties. Metal particles produced by such methods have a uniform particle diameter and are excellent in dispersion stability. By using a conductive resin composition or conductive ink containing a metal particle dispersion obtained by such production methods, there can be formed a conductive coating film, such as a conductive circuit or an electromagnetic layer, having good characteristics.
US08440105B2	Phosphors and white light emitting devices including same A phosphor represented by Formula 1: (A1−(a+b)EuaLnb)1−x(B1−cMnc)2Al(6+b−2x)Si(9−b+2x)O30 Formula 1 wherein A includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba, Ln includes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of a trivalent rare earth metal, B includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Zn, Ge and Co, a is greater than 0 and equal to or less than about 0.5, b is greater than 0 and equal to or less than about 0.25, c is greater than 0 and less than about 0.8, and x is 0 to about 0.2. Also a white light emitting device including the phosphor.
US08440098B2	Conditioning agent for the etching of enamel lesions The invention relates to a composition which comprises 1 to 80% by weight of at least one acid which has a pKa of 2 or less; a protic solvent; a complexing agent for Ca2+ ions; for use as conditioning agent for etching enamel lesions.
US08440091B2	Magnetic recording medium and method of manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium comprises forming a protective film on a ferromagnetic recording layer containing Cobalt (Co) on a substrate and forming a recess in both the protective film and the ferromagnetic recording layer at a part where a nonmagnetic layer is to be formed. The method further comprises removing Co from a part of the recess of the ferromagnetic recording layer to form the nonmagnetic layer that separates magnetic patterns made of the ferromagnetic recording layer containing Co. The nonmagnetic layer has an identical chemical composition as the ferromagnetic recording layer, except for the nonmagnetic layer having a lower Co concentration than the magnetic patterns.
US08440087B2	Thickeners having self-diluting feedwell A thickening tank has a peripheral overflow launder and a centrally disposed feed well. Feedstock slurry is fed to a mixing box which also receives supernatant liquid and is supplemented by flocculated material flowing into the interior of the feed well onto a distributor baffle plate. The supernatant liquid is delivered at a controlled rate from a receiving vessel formed by an upright cylinder provided at its lower end with an impeller of a lift pump which is operated by a controller positioned at the upper end of a vertical drive shaft extending axially through the receiving vessel. The feed well is surrounded by a second launder which is closed at its base and formed with a cup. The lower end of the receiving vessel is spaced from the floor of the cup to draw supernatant liquid exclusively from the second launder rather than from the thickener tank.
US08440082B2	Method and apparatus for the solid-liquid-separation of material mixtures and suspensions Method for the liquid solid separation of material mixtures and suspensions in which the material mixture under pressure is fed into a closed chamber having at least one filter surface and a hydrostatic pressure is generated within said chamber for separating the liquid phase. After separating the liquid phase the chamber is opened and the filter surface together with the filter cake is removed from said chamber. The material mixture firstly is treated by the means of hydrostatic pressure of about up to 0.2 bar, wherein 80 to 90% of the fed volume is removed as filtrate. Thereafter the concentrated remaining volume is drawn off and is further treated in the closed chamber with a pressure of up to 5 bar. By reducing the volume of the chamber finally with a pressure of up to 50 bar the remaining filtrate is separated.
US08440080B2	Portable ozone generator and use thereof for purifying water The present invention relates to a portable device for generating ozone in water, purifying the water and making it drinkable. The device comprises a housing; at least two electrodes, including an anode and a cathode extending from the housing into the water and each having semi-rough or rough surfaces in contact with the water. The device also comprises a power supply operatively connected to the electrodes for generating between them a difference of potential creating a current and the hydrolysis of the water creating ozone that purifies the water. The electrodes may have a plate or a rode and tube configuration with a plurality of holes with rough edges. The roughness of the surfaces and of the edges of the holes leads to a coalescence of tiny hydrogen bubbles into larger hydrogen bubbles. The hydrogen may be also removed by absorption in a conductive material and regenerated for reuse.
US08440078B2	Liquid filter arrangements and methods A filter element includes filter media, first and second end caps, a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap, a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture. A filter assembly includes a filter element, as characterized herein, and including a filter base and a service cover. A method of servicing includes removing an old filter element, operably mounting a new filter element in a filter base including engaging a valve head against a spring member in the filter base, and operably mounting the service cover over the new filter element and filter base.
US08440077B2	Combined degassing and flotation tank A combined degassing and flotation tank for separation of a water influent containing considerable amounts of oil and gas. A rotational flow is created in the tank which forces the lighter components such as oil and gas droplets towards an inner concentric cylindrical wall where they coalesce and rise to the surface of the liquid and are removed via the outlet. The heavier particles are forced down and sink to the lower part where they can be removed as a sludge. The water is discharged via an outlet in the lower part of the tank. The combined degassing and flotation tank is particular suited for use in oil production at sea for removal of oil and gases from water streams before the water is returned to the sea.
US08440068B2	Amino-acid biosensor, fischer-ratio biosensor and health information management system Disclosed is a biosensor capable of measuring a total concentration of plural types of amino acids. An amino-acid biosensor (200) for measuring a total concentration of a plurality of specific amino acids, comprises a measuring electrode (202) which includes as components a mediator and an enzyme which selectively act on the plurality of specific amino acids each serving as a substrate, and a counter electrode (203). The enzyme has a substrate affinity to each of the plurality of specific amino acids. The enzyme is operable to catalyze a reaction in each of the plurality of specific amino acids as a substrate so as to form a reaction product, and the mediator is operable, during amino-acid concentration measurement, to carry electrons between the reaction product and the measuring electrode. The amino-acid biosensor is designed to apply a voltage between the measuring electrode and the counter electrode during the measurement in such a manner that, in an analytical curve representing a relationship between an applied voltage and a current value for each of the plurality of specific amino acids, the applied voltage includes a voltage allowing the variety of the current values for the amino acids at the same applied voltage to fall within a given range.
US08440051B2	Plasma processing chamber for bevel edge processing Chambers for processing a bevel edge of a substrate are provided. One such chamber includes a bottom electrode defined to support a substrate in the chamber. The bottom electrode has a bottom first level for supporting the substrate and a bottom second level near an outer edge of bottom electrode. The bottom second level is defined at a step below the bottom first level. Further included is a top electrode oriented above the bottom electrode. The top electrode having a top first level and a top second level, where the top first level is opposite the bottom first level and the top second level is opposite the bottom second level. The top second level is defined at a step above the top first level. A bottom ring mount oriented at the bottom second level is included. The bottom ring mount includes a first adjuster for moving a bottom permanent magnet toward and away from the top electrode. Further included is a top ring mount oriented at the top second level. The top ring mount includes a second adjuster for moving a top permanent magnet toward and away from the bottom electrode.
US08440048B2	Load lock having secondary isolation chamber A load lock includes a chamber including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a partition between the upper portion and the lower portion, the partition including an opening therethrough. The load lock further includes a first port in communication with the upper portion of the chamber and a second port in communication with the lower portion of the chamber. The load lock includes a rack disposed within the chamber and a workpiece holder mounted on a first surface of the rack, wherein the rack and the workpiece holder are movable by an indexer that is capable of selectively moving wafer slots of the rack into communication with the second port. The indexer can also move the rack into an uppermost position, at which the first surface of the boat and the partition sealingly separate the upper portion and the lower portion to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Auxiliary processing, such as wafer pre-cleaning, or metrology can be conducted in the upper portion.
US08440044B2	Forming method for polymeric laminated wafers comprising different film materials A method of making a polymeric laminated wafer comprising different film materials that are softenable and formable at different softening temperatures corresponding with the film materials.
US08440041B2	Lens pad, lens pad manufacturing method, lens manufacturing method, and adhesive member A lens pad includes a blank, first adhesive layer, and release sheet. The first adhesive layer is formed on one surface of the blank. The release sheet comes into tight contact with the surface of the first adhesive layer to protect this surface. The arithmetic average roughness of the surface of the release sheet on the side of the first adhesive layer is 0.1 μm or less. The surface of the first adhesive layer from which the release sheet is peeled off is attached onto a lens as an edging target. A lens pad, a lens pad manufacturing method, a lens manufacturing method, and an adhesive member are also disclosed.
US08440038B2	Method for making a laminate A method for making a laminate includes: extruding a core layer, and advancing the same along a processing line; advancing upper and lower metal layers, and bending the upper metal layer to form a raised bent structure; laminating the upper and lower metal layers with the core layer by passing through a nip of a pair of laminating rollers, one of which has an embossing groove that is shaped to complement the raised bent structure and that permits the raised bent structure to pass therethrough; and embossing the core layer to protrude into the raised bent structure while the core layer and the upper and lower metal layers are passed through the nip. The upper metal layer is inclined with a tangent line that passes through the nip by an angle of less than 15 degrees when at a position immediately upstream of the nip.
US08440033B2	Method and apparatus for making a filtering unit Disclosed is a method for making a disk-shaped filtering unit. In the method, there is provided a laminate by sandwiching a screen-related substrate between two permeable membrane-related substrates. There is provided a machine with a conveying unit, a hot-pressing unit and a punching unit. The conveying unit is used to convey the laminate. The hot-pressing unit is used to hot-press and weld the laminate dot by dot to bond the substrates along a closed curve eventually, thus making a semi-product of the filtering unit out of a portion of the laminate within the closed curve. There is made a final product of the filtering unit by using the punching unit to punch the semi-product with an aperture.
US08440028B2	Domestic appliance with a self-diagnosing door lock position detection device A domestic appliance having a door and a door position detector. The door position detector detects an open or closed position of the door and provides a respective signal when the door is in the open or closed position. A monitoring circuit may be connected to the door position detector to check the operability of the door position detector.
US08440024B2	Water-bearing household appliance with a periodically operated water inlet valve A water-bearing household appliance such as a dish washing machine or washing machine is provided that has a water supply system, an electrically operable electromagnetic water inlet valve for controlling the water supply, and a control unit operating a control program that controls the water inlet valve. The water inlet valve is controlled for a first time period and it is determined when the first time period is complete whether a predetermined test amount of water has flowed through the water inlet valve. If a predetermined test amount of water has flowed through the water inlet valve, the water inlet valve is operated in a first operation mode. On the other hand, if less than the predetermined test amount of water has flowed through the water inlet valve, the water inlet valve is operated in a second operation mode with a reduced long-term load.
US08440018B2	Apparatus for supplying source and apparatus for deposition thin film having the same The present invention provides an apparatus for supplying a source and an apparatus for depositing a thin film having the same. The apparatus for supplying a source includes a horizontal channel extending in one direction; pumping and transfer ports extending to pass through the horizontal channel, the pumping and transfer ports being spaced apart from each other; a transfer shaft inserted into the horizontal channel to reciprocate therein; and a storage room connected to one side of the pumping port, the storage room storing and supplying a powder source, wherein the transfer shaft comprises at least one transfer hole for allowing the powder source supplied through the pumping port to be filled therein and to be transferred to an external apparatus through the transfer port. As described above, according to the present invention, a powder source filled in a transfer hole is supplied to an external apparatus by reciprocating a transfer shaft, so that the amount of the powder source supplied to the external apparatus can be quantitatively controlled as much as a fixed quantity corresponding to the internal volume of the transfer hole.
US08440007B2	Air filtration systems An air filtration system is described for removing oil and grease entrained in air extracted from the region above a cooker. The system comprises a first mesh screen filter leading to a first chamber, in which two nozzles 10 create two separate continuous water curtains 15a, 15b which overlap when viewed in the direction of the air flow to form a combined curtain extending across the region through which the air passes. The extracted air then passes via a second mesh screen filter 11 into a second chamber 12, identical to the first chamber 9, in which two further nozzles 13 are provided which create two further water curtains 15c, 15d. The water curtains 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d cool and condense vaporized oil and grease within the air, which condensed oil and grease droplets fall with the water into a container. The main bore of each nozzle is of circular cross-section, but a profiled plate causes the resulting water curtain to have a width which is narrow relative to the diameter of the nozzle bore. The water contains dissolved ozone and can also be “grey water”.
US08440004B2	Advanced portable oxygen concentrator A portable oxygen concentrator designed for medical use with a novel housing and internal component design that reduces noise and vibration while increasing durability. The improved design of the portable oxygen concentrator further facilitates easy maintenance and repair over the life of the equipment.
US08439980B2	Shading composition The present invention provides a laundry treatment composition comprising a cationic azine dye.
US08439977B2	Spinal interbody spacer A spinal spacer for engagement between vertebrae includes a body extending between a substantially contoured first end surface and a second end surface to define side surfaces and opposing top and bottom vertebral engaging surfaces substantially symmetrical about a centerline axis. At least one opening defines a hollow inner body and includes first and second intersecting openings extending through the top and bottom vertebral engaging surfaces. The second intersecting opening extends through the side surfaces. The second end surface includes at least one aperture formed therethrough in communication with the hollow inner body. A screw opening is defined through at least one plate insert configured to be removably coupled to the second end surface to substantially align the screw opening with the at least one aperture. The bone screw is configured to be threadingly secured within the at least one plate insert.
US08439970B2	Transapical delivery system for heart valves A delivery system for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus. The system includes a delivery catheter having a steering mechanism thereon for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve to the aortic annulus in an antegrade fashion through an introducer passing into the left ventricle through its apex. The introducer may have a more floppy distal section than a proximal section to reduce trauma to the heart wall. The delivery catheter includes a deflecting segment just proximal to a distal balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation within the annulus. A trigger in a catheter handle may be coupled to a deflection wire that actuates the deflecting segment, while a slider in the handle controls retraction of a valve pusher. A pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized.
US08439969B2	Pre-sized prosthetic chordae implantation system A pre-sized prosthetic chordae assembly includes a male attachment unit and a female securing member. The male attachment unit includes a plurality of pre-sized prosthetic chordae fixedly connected to at least one male attachment member and a papillary muscle penetration member that is connected to and extends substantially axial to the at least one male attachment member. The female securing member is for receiving the papillary penetration member.
US08439968B2	Expandable medical device for delivery of beneficial agent An expandable medical device having a plurality of elongated struts, the plurality of elongated struts being joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter and the plurality of struts each having a strut width in a circumferential direction. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of the strut. A beneficial agent may be loaded into the opening within the strut. The expandable medical device may further include a plurality of ductile hinges formed between the elongated struts, the ductile hinges allowing the cylindrical device to be expanded or compressed from the first diameter to the second diameter by deformation of the ductile hinges.
US08439967B2	Stent/fiber structural combinations A plurality of endoluminal segments axially connected by fiber bridges is disclosed. The endoluminal segments may be superelastic nitinol that is balloon-expandable or self-expanding. The intraluminal segments may possess a textured surface or at least one geometric feature per segment, located at the apex of a strut pair comprising the intraluminal segment, serving as an anchoring point for the fiber bridges. These geometric features may transmit axially compressive loads during deployment from a device such as a catheter, and may be capable of interlocking the endoluminal segments when constrained within a device such as a catheter. The fibers comprising the bridges may be polymeric, silk, collagen, bioabsorbable, or a blend thereof. The fiber network comprising the bridges may be regularly oriented, randomly oriented, localized, or continuous. The intraluminal segments and fiber bridges may be individually impregnated with therapeutic material, or may both be impregnated with therapeutic material.
US08439954B2	Spring-loaded, load sharing polyaxial pedicle screw assembly and method A method includes positioning a load sharing mechanism in between a screw head and a bone fixator component; attaching the screw head to the bone fixator component such that the load sharing mechanism provides tensile resistance to the screw head; securing the bone fixator component in a bone; securing a locking pin in the screw head; engaging the locking pin with the bone fixator component; inserting a longitudinal member in the screw head; and inserting a blocker in the screw head. The method may further comprise positioning a longitudinal member in a slot configured in the screw head.
US08439948B1	Chiropractic table system A chiropractic table system for providing effective treatment of sacroiliac joint pain in a patient. The chiropractic table system generally includes a table with an upper opening, a first support member extending through the upper opening and a second support member extending through the upper opening. The support members engage the hip portion of a patient lying upon the table. The support members are separated thereby separating the sacroiliac joints, then the support members are counter-pivoted with respect to one another thereby torquing the hip portion of the patient and then the support members are quickly lowered a distance to set the hip portion of the patient as desired.
US08439945B2	Methods for biopsying tissue A biopsy incision closure device includes a base having a frame incorporated therein. Together, the base and frame define an opening for performing a biopsy incision when the device is placed over a tissue surface. The base is typically composed of an elastomeric material, and the frame comprises resilient inelastic members which can be used to close the opening in a highly uniform manner with minimum distortion and stress introduced into the tissue edges being drawn together.
US08439944B2	Self-tensioning vascular occlusion device and method for its use Self-tensioning occlusion devices and systems provide percutaneous access and closure of vascular puncture sites. One device includes a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, an occlusion member, and a tensioning member. The occlusion member, for example an expansible member, is disposed on a distal end of the body. The tensioning member, such as a spring or coil, is slidably disposed over the body and proximal to the expansion member. Generally, during application, the tensioning member will be positionable against subcutaneous tissue so as to lodge and anchor the expansible member against the puncture site. In particular, the expansible member allows for sealing of the puncture site while the tensioning member applies and maintains tension to the expansible occluder so that it is seated against the puncture site at a vascular surface.
US08439940B2	Dissection handpiece with aspiration means for reducing the appearance of cellulite A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes. A tool is provided to aspirate excess fluid and tissue from the treatment area.
US08439933B2	Double lumen phacoemulsification needle tip A phacoemulsifcation needle has a central aspiration passageway extending through a needle body. A hollow shell is attached to and covers at least a portion of the needle body, creating an annular space between the inner surface of the shell and the outer surface of the needle body. At least one port is formed through the needle body communicating between the aspiration passageway and the annular space to create a flow path. The openings to the needle body and the shell may be coplanar or may lie in different planes.
US08439932B2	Submuscular plating system The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a fixation procedure. For example, a system is provided that includes a bone plate having a first plurality of apertures and a targeting arm having a second plurality of apertures. Each of the second plurality of apertures of the targeting arm are configured for targeting of a bone fastener to one of first plurality of apertures. An imaginary targeting line extends from a first aperture of the first plurality of apertures to a first aperture of the second plurality of apertures. The system includes a mounting member, which includes a first end secured to the bone plate and a second end secured to the targeting arm. The second end of the mounting member is offset from the first end such that the second end is spaced from the imaginary targeting line.
US08439930B2	Dispensing instrument A delivery device for semi-solid implantable material such as synthetic bone graft substitutes. The device comprises a handle (1), a cylinder (2) extending from the handle and having an outlet at its distal end. A piston (23) is operated by a trigger (5) and is slidable within the cylinder to displace the material from the cylinder. The cylinder has a substantially constant inner diameter along its entire length such that the outlet has substantially the same inner diameter as the rest of the cylinder. When the trigger is fully depressed, a ratchet mechanism (14, 32) is disengaged allowing the piston to be pulled back to a starting position.
US08439924B1	Spinal implant system and method A system includes a sleeve including first and second arms each including an outer ramp and an inward projection, each of the arms defining a cavity. First and second extensions are configured for disposal in the cavities. A fastener includes walls defining an implant cavity and a distal portion. The walls each include first and second end surfaces and a locking cavity. The extensions are configured for translation relative to the sleeve between a first orientation such that the extensions engage the respective ramps to fix the projections with a respective locking cavity in a configuration to capture the fastener with the sleeve and a second orientation such that the extensions move out of engagement with the respective ramps so that the projections are movable out of engagement with the locking cavities to release the fastener from the sleeve. Methods of use are disclosed.
US08439923B2	Poly-axial pedicle screw assembly A clamping body for a pedicle screw assembly has an axial passage extending axially between first and second end portions thereof. The spine rod-receiving channel extends through the first end portion in a traverse direction with respect to the axial passage thereby forming upstanding leg portions of the clamping body and closed end portion of the spine rod-receiving channel. A material thickness reducing relief is provided in an outer surface of each one of the upstanding leg portions at a location between the closed end portion of the spine rod receiving channel and the first end portion of the clamping body whereby the a partial segment of the upstanding leg portions are frangibly detachable. A bridge member is frangibly connected between the upstanding leg portions at the first end portion of the clamping body. The bridge member spans across the spine rod-receiving channel.
US08439920B2	Adapter for a surgical reamer driver An adapter for a surgical reamer driver having one of a crossbar and a crossbridge reamer driver. The adapter includes a base having an interface for connecting with one of the crossbar and crossbridge reamer drivers. The adapter further includes at least one recess on the opposite end of the base opening in an axial direction. The recess is configured to receive a reamer of a style unlike the given style interface. A pair of hooks or tabs resiliently hold the reamer in place in the recesses.
US08439919B2	Implant provided with attachment and hole-insert parts, and a method for producing such an implant An implant (4) is provided with attachment and hole-insert parts (2, 3) with surfaces which have different degrees of finishing and/or degrees of roughness and/or porosities (2f, 2g). Arranged on the surfaces there is at least one dozen (A-B) in which the degree of finishing and/or the degree of roughness and/or the porosity is continuously changed. The changes in porosity in said zones can mirror continuous or discontinuous changes in the bone in question, for example the jaw bone or tooth bone. The continuously changed zones can be obtained with the aid of electrolyte (15) and, connected to the latter, an anode and cathode arrangement (13, 14). When establishing the porosity, it is possible to mask different portions of the respective implant and to control the temperature of the implant.
US08439913B2	Pressure sensing sealing plate An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly has a pair of opposing jaw members. One or more of the jaw members includes a support base, an electrical jaw lead, and a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead. The sealing plate has a stainless steel layer and one or more piezoelectric sensors. The jaw member also includes an insulative plate disposed between the support base and the sealing plate.
US08439911B2	Compact jaw including through bore pivot pin An end effector assembly for use with a forceps includes a pair of jaw members, a knife assembly, and one or more cam assemblies. One or more of the jaw members are moveable relative to the other about a pivot from a first, open position to a second, closed position. One or more of the jaw members include a knife channel. The pivot includes a bore. The knife assembly includes a knife blade and an actuation shaft. The knife blade is disposed distally relative to the pivot. The actuation shaft is configured for slidable translation through the bore to allow selective advancement of the knife blade through the knife channel. The one or more cam assemblies are operably coupled to the one or more moveable jaw members and are actuatable to move the one or more jaw members from the first to second position for grasping tissue therebetween.
US08439907B2	Hemostatic tissue tunnel generator for inserting treatment apparatus into tissue of a patient A catheter for insertion into and treatment of tissue in a patient comprises a radio frequency (RF) electrode having an elongated body that conducts electrical RF energy to a conductive tip. An insulating sleeve surrounds the elongated body. In a first mode of operation, the conductive tip is exposed outside the insulating sleeve and the RF electrode delivers RF energy that erodes the tissue of the patient and creates a tunnel through which the catheter can advance into the tissue of the patient. In a second mode of operation, the insulating sleeve and/or the RF electrode is retracted and a second treatment apparatus treats the tissue.
US08439886B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article adapted to be worn by a user includes a main body section and an absorbent body that has an absorbent member for absorbing fluid, that has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, that is superposed on a face of the main body section on a user side. The absorbent body further has one end section in the longitudinal direction joined to the main body section on a first joined section, and another end section in the longitudinal direction joined to the main body section on a second joined section. A length of the absorbent body between the first joined section and the second joined section is equal to or more than a length of the main body section between the first joined section and the second joined section.
US08439885B2	Disposable diaper having a stool passing opening A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet disposed to cover the upper surface of the absorber and at least partially formed of a liquid permeable material, a back sheet disposed to cover the lower surface of the absorber and formed of a liquid impermeable material, and a skin contact sheet disposed above the top sheet and formed with a stool passing opening capable of passing a stool therethrough. The stool passing opening is formed into such a shape that a posterior region posterior to a centerline in the anteroposterior direction of the stool passing opening is smaller in the opening area than an anterior region anterior to the centerline.
US08439872B2	Apparatus and method for penetration with shaft having a sensor for sensing penetration depth An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.
US08439871B2	Stretch resistant therapeutic device A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08439870B2	Safety needle assembly and methods Embodiments of the present safety needle assembly include a slidable needle shield. Digital pressure applied to a leaf spring retention latch removes a compressive force from a biasing member and automatically moves the needle shield from a ready-to-use configuration to a protected configuration in which the needle shield covers the sharp needle tip. In the protected configuration the needle shield is prevented from sliding proximally along the needle a sufficient distance to expose the needle tip.
US08439861B2	Skin penetrating touch fasteners A skin attachment member having first and second surface with a plurality of skin penetrating elements extending integrally from the first surface of the backing to a distal tip. The skin penetrating elements are sized to avoid contact with nerves below the epidermal skin layer and have a foam disposed between at least some of the skin penetrating elements. A method of using the skin attachment member to deliver a pharmaceutical composition through the skin.
US08439859B2	Catheter device The catheter device comprises a drive shaft connected to a motor, and a rotor mounted on the drive shaft at the distal end section. The rotor has a frame structure which is formed by a screw-like boundary frame and rotor struts extending radially inwards from the boundary frame. The rotor struts are fastened to the drive shaft by their ends opposite the boundary frame. Between the boundary frame and the drive shaft extends an elastic covering. The frame structure is made of an elastic material such that, after forced compression, the rotor unfolds automatically.
US08439858B2	Arterial blood filter An arterial line blood filter for use in extracorporeal blood circuits during heart bypass surgery has, among other components, a housing with a cap portion, a base portion, and a generally cylindrical wall portion. The blood filter has a filter element disposed within the housing. An inlet is positioned at an upward angle with respect to the housing and includes an opening in the generally cylindrical wall portion in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. In some embodiments the position of the inlet limits the pressure drop and prime volume of the filter. According to one embodiment, the cap portion has an upwardly sloping inner surface and there is a vent in the cap portion. The inner surface of the cap portion can have a projection proximate the vent configured to limit immobilization of gaseous microemboli within the inlet chamber.
US08439849B2	Intestinal peristalsis detecting device and system and method thereof An intestinal peristalsis detecting device comprises a radio frequency (RF) signal generator, an antenna, and a mixer. After the RF signal generator sends a pulse signal, the antenna receives the pulse signal and emits a pulse electromagnetic wave to an organism. Thereafter, the antenna receives a response pulse electromagnetic wave reflected from the organism to generate a response pulse signal. The mixer couples with the RF signal generator and the antenna to mix the pulse signal and the response pulse signal.
US08439844B2	Step rate optimization device A step rate optimization device (12). The device includes a timer, a pedometer, an arterial waveform sensor (24), a processor and an indicator (16). The device indicates to the user (10) of a substantially sub-optimal relationship between the user's pulse rate and stride rate when the user's dominant stride rate frequency is at about 2-3 Hz and has a larger amplitude than the component of the user's dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 4-7 Hz and of a substantially optimal relationship between the user's pulse rate and stride rate when the user's dominant stride rate frequency component is at about 4-7 Hz and has a larger amplitude than the component of the user's dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 2-3 Hz.
US08439843B2	Automatic ankle brachial pressure index system An ABPI measurement system includes two cuffs for each ankle and two cuffs for each arm of a patient. Each cuff has chambers. The four cuffs are applied to each limb (or finger or toe), each chamber is inflated simultaneously to a pressure until a Pneumo Arterial Plethysmography (PAPG) signal related to the arterial flow in the limb is detected at the chambers. The chambers are then simultaneously inflated until the PAPG signals are extinguished in each limb, the inflation of chambers continuing for 10 mmHg to 20 mmHg above that pressure. The chambers are then deflated and the pressure at which the PAPG signal returns in the first chamber is recorded for each limb and this value of the pressure is used to calculate the ABPI. The ABPI is displayed or sent to a remote site.
US08439841B2	Method of measuring the thickness of a biological tissue by ultrasounds and device for carrying out such method A method of measuring the thickness of a biological tissue by ultrasounds and a device carrying out such method. The method is implemented with an ultrasound probe that emits ultrasonic pulses within a body under examination and receives echoes generated from structures of the body under examination. The probe includes an array of two or more electro-acoustic transducers and, in combination, means for processing the reception signals and means for orienting one or more lines of sight, along which the emission of the pulses and/or the reception of the echoes is focused, according to different angles with respect to an axis perpendicular to the emitting surface of the probe. The thickness of the biological tissue is calculated by the time interval between the reception of the first echo and the reception of the second echo, which are relevant to the same ultrasonic pulse emitted along at least a line of sight oriented along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the biological tissue, which is defined by the iteration of measurements with the line of sight oriented at different angles and with comparisons between the measured intensity values, the orientation corresponding to the axis perpendicular to the surface of the biological tissue being the one showing the maximum intensity of the first echo.
US08439834B2	Analysis system with user-friendly display element A portable medical system is provided for the purposes of analysis and/or medication, the system having at least one of a medical monitoring device, an analysis device and a medication device. The portable medical system comprises at least one display element comprising at least one organic light-emitting diode display. An optimization device can be provided that comprises a brightness sensor and is configured to optimize the brightness, contrast and/or power consumption of the at least one display element. Furthermore, a monitoring device can be provided which monitors the functionality of the display element. Faults in the display element can be detected in this way, and a corresponding warning can be output to a person using the portable medical system.
US08439825B2	Balloon controller for endoscopic apparatus The present invention provides a balloon controller for an endoscope apparatus having a fluid supply and drawing device which communicates with at least one of a balloon attached to an insertion portion of an endoscope and a balloon attached to an insertion assist implement for guiding the insertion portion when the insertion portion is inserted, and which supplies a fluid to each balloon or draws the fluid from the balloon, the balloon controller comprising: a leakage device provided in tube paths for communication between the balloons and the fluid supply and drawing device, the leakage device being capable of leaking the fluid.
US08439824B2	Apparatus and methods for coronary sinus access Apparatus and methods for locating morphological features within a body cavity using a catheter including proximal and distal ends, a transparent balloon carried on the distal end, and an optical imaging assembly carried on the distal end for imaging through the balloon. The balloon includes a channel extending therethrough to a lumen extending through the catheter. A guidewire or other localization member is received in the lumen that is extendable through the channel. During use, the catheter is inserted into a right atrium of a heart, and the balloon is expanded and placed against the wall of the heart to locate the coronary sinus. Sufficient force is applied to clear blood between the surface and the wall and clear the field of view of the imaging assembly. The catheter is manipulated to locate the coronary sinus, whereupon the localization member is advanced into the coronary sinus.
US08439820B2	Systems and methods for sling delivery and placement The invention, in various embodiments, is directed to systems, devices, and methods relating to pre-pubic approaches to delivering a supportive sling to periurethral tissue of a patient.
US08439807B2	Exercise device with treadles An exercise device employing side-by-side pivotally supported moving surfaces. In one particular example, an exercise device employs a first belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller and an adjacent second belt deployed about a front roller and a rear roller. The rear of the belts in the area of the rear rollers are pivotally secured and the front of the belts in the area of the front roller are adapted to reciprocate in an up and down motion during use. In some implementations, the moving surfaces include an interconnection structure such that a generally downward movement of one surface is coordinated with a generally upward movement of the other surface. In other implementations, the moving surfaces are operably associated with one or more resistance elements that effect the amount of force required to pivot or actuate the moving surfaces.
US08439797B2	Continuously variable transmission A straddle-type vehicle that prevents belt fluttering motion when the vehicle starts. A throttle opening degree sensor that detects an opening degree of a throttle is connected to and outputs to a controller a signal produced when the throttle opening degree switches from a closed state to an open state. When the vehicle starts from a standing state, the controller controls an actuator, according to the signal produced when the throttle opening degree switches from the closed state to the open state, to move a movable flange from a normal position in the standing state in a direction to narrow the groove width of a primary sheave.
US08439796B2	Methods and systems for turbocharger control Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine, the engine including a turbocharger and a transmission. One example method comprises, operating the transmission at a first lower gear with a first boost level, increasing the boost from the first boost level before completing a shift from the first lower gear to a second higher gear, and after completing the shift, operating the transmission at the second higher gear with the increased boost.
US08439794B2	Automatic transmission An automatic transmission includes a first planetary gear set; a second planetary gear set; a third planetary gear set; an input shaft; an output shaft; and five friction elements. A first ring gear is constantly locked. A third carrier is connected with a second ring gear to define a rotating member. The input shaft is constantly connected with a second carrier, and the output shaft is constantly connected with the rotating member. The five friction elements are adapted to selectively connect among the carriers, ring gears and sun gears. Each of at least seven forward speed-ratios and one reverse speed-ratio is achieved by an engaged state of two friction elements selected from the five friction elements.
US08439779B2	Front derailleur A front derailleur that includes a derailleur housing having a tubular clamp and a chain guide coupled to parallelogram arms. A pivotal transfer element transfers the shifting motion through a pull cable to the chain guide. The shifting momentum is supported by a derailleur housing having a support extension extending in a support direction along the bicycle frame beyond the hinge of the tubular clamp. The transfer element is pivotally mounted to the derailleur housing by a pivot pin. The return spring is disposed around the pivot pin and is supported on a spring stop of the derailleur housing. The return spring is partially surrounded by a spring cover, which is integrated into the derailleur housing, all of which is protected from dirt by a second covering. The bores for accepting the adjustment screws, which are inclined relative to the frame tube in order to improve accessibility, are located in the spring cover.
US08439769B2	Metal wood club with improved hitting face A hitting face of a golf club head having a location of longest characteristic time shifted away from the geometric center of the hitting face. The hitting face of the club head has varying thickness, with a thickest portion being at or near the geometric center of the plate-like hitting face. A second thickened portion of the hitting face substantially surrounds the thickest portion. The portions of varying thickness taper therebetween for relatively smooth cross-sectional profiles. The hitting face may further comprise a plurality of indentations at least partially located within the outer intermediate zone of the hitting face, having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the hitting face at the geometric center and tapered portion.
US08439766B1	System and method for enhancing golf A system and method for monitoring and verifying one or more shot events, such as the outcome of the shot, at a selected golf hole located at a golf course. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the invention allows for the awarding of a prize to any player that either hits or comes close to hitting a hole-in-one on a qualifying hole at any time the golf course is open and witnessed, without the need for the player to make any commitment to enter any contest or pre-register before taking the golf shot in order to be eligible. Declared winners may be entitled to claim different types of prizes that have been previously established depending on the level of sponsorship or the difficulty of a specific hole. The prizes need not be offset by insurance, as is typical, but instead are funded by advertisers as paid sponsors of the particular hole. Accordingly, the cost to the owner of the golf course may be borne entirely by advertising (such as signs positioned adjacent the green of the particular hole to which the contest applies) and may further represent an added source of revenue.
US08439765B2	Child swing and jumper apparatus and methods of operating the same Child entertainment apparatus and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example method of operating a child entertainment apparatus includes suspending a seat from a frame and driving the seat for swinging movement by reciprocating an arm slidably coupled to the seat where the seat is free to slide along the arm when the seat swings.
US08439754B2	Impact resistant hand-gripped manual controller A damage resistant manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is made of impact resistant material such as dense foam rubber to resist damage resulting from accidental or intentional impact caused by throwing, dropping, or other insult. Damage resistance entails maintaining the operational integrity of the electronics and the structural integrity of the manual controller.
US08439751B2	Multi-user computer-controlled input system and a method of compressing and processing multiple input data System and method for running a software application, such as a video game for many users. One embodiment of the invention includes a multi-user computer-controlled video gaming system, comprising: at least one display device for displaying video game motion pictures to an audience of at least two users; a plurality of user input devices, at least one for each user, providing user input data to the computer-controlled video gaming system; a processing unit receiving and processing the user input data from the plurality of input devices to generate control input data for a conjointly control of at least one object being displayed in the video game motion pictures; and at least one computing device executing a game software application controlled by said control input data for providing output to the display device to display the video game motion pictures with said at least one conjointly controlled object.
US08439748B2	Gaming device method and apparatus employing modified payouts The invention includes a system and method for a gaming device to determine when to offer a player an opportunity to play using a “jackpot only” pay table. The player may choose to accept the gaming device's offer to switch from using a conventional pay table to using a pay table that only pays top payout amounts. Play with a jackpot only pay table may only require a small wager amount as compared to play with a conventional pay table. Play with a jackpot only pay table may be automated to generate outcomes quickly to allow a player to relatively inexpensively avoid spending time playing a gaming device perceived to be in a “cold period.”
US08439741B2	Simulation of mechanical reels on a gaming machine A spinning reel slot machine has increased versatility, while having reels that are aesthetically similar to traditional mechanical reels. In one embodiment, the slot machine includes a plurality of optical fibers having first ends optically coupled to a surface of an image display device and seconds ends defining a curved display surface for displaying simulated mechanical reels to a player. In another embodiment, one or more of the mechanical reels has a transparent window at a location where a symbol would normally be present. A video display displays a video symbol in the transparent window. In yet a further embodiment, one of the plurality of mechanical reels has a miniature image display located at selected ones of the symbol regions for providing video symbols for the game. In yet further embodiments, a symbol region can produce more than one symbol in response to exposure at certain wavelengths or polarizations of light.
US08439738B2	Electronic lottery system for creating pools of game records from unused records previously distributed A lottery gaming system utilizes one or more distribution groups of game play records. The gaming system preferably distributes a distribution group of game play records to each of a number of assignment components in the gaming system. Various ones of the game play records are assigned from a distribution group in response to game play requests from respective players. The game play records that remain unassigned after a collection condition is met are collected and used to form a new distribution group available for re-distributing to an assignment component in the gaming system.
US08439737B1	Casino game with next round multipliers A player plays a first round of a casino game. If the player achieves a winning outcome on the first round of play, the payouts for the next round of play of the casino game will be increased. The amount of the increase is based on the category of the winning outcome on the first round of play. Each subsequent round of play continues to have increased payouts if the player continues to achieve winning outcomes. When the player has a losing outcome, the payouts revert to the base level. An extra wager may be required from the player to activate this feature during the play of the casino game.
US08439727B1	Drill bit sharpening tool A drill bit sharpening system using a typical bench grinder with a removable table for refurbishing a dull or broken drill bit has a bench grinder with a motor, a sharpening wheel, and a generally planar positioning table. The system has a generally planar rigid sharpening table with a securing means for rigidly attaching to the positioning table in a removable manner. The system has a pivotally mounted positioning component on the table top surface. The positioning component has a generally “L” shaped cross-section in a transverse plane. The positioning component has a centrally located pivoting means for mounting to a sharpening table top surface.
US08439723B2	Chemical mechanical polisher with heater and method A chemical mechanical apparatus comprises a polishing platen, a roller pad assembly capable of advancing a polishing pad across the platen, a substrate carrier to press a substrate against the polishing pad, and a heater to heat the substrate to a temperature sufficiently high to provide a rate of removal of material from the substrate that compensates for the wear of the polishing pad.
US08439711B2	Modular jack with magnetic module od reduced profile An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (11), a terminal module received in the insulative housing and a shielding shell (17) enclosing the insulative housing. The terminal module having an inner circuit board (130) and a number of magnetic coils (132). The inner circuit board defines a groove (1300). Each of magnetic coils includes a core and a number of wires wound on the core and electrically connected with the inner circuit board. Each magnetic coil is at least partially received in the groove to save space for reducing profile of the connector.
US08439706B2	Plug connector with external EMI shielding capability A shielded cable connector takes the form of a plug connector that is terminated to a plurality of wires of a cable. The wires are terminated to an edge card and a premold portion is formed thereover. An exterior shielding braid of the cable is extended over the premold and is formed with the connector housing so that a portion of it is exposed on the exterior of the connector housing. This exposed portion contacts an exterior conductive collar that is supported on the connector housing. The sleeve has a plurality of spring contact arms so as to make electrical shielding contact between the cable braid exposed on the connector housing and an exterior metal guide into which the connector is inserted when mating to an opposing connector.
US08439702B2	High density jack The present disclosure provides for electrical connectors or jack assemblies/housings for use in voice/data communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for modular jack assemblies that include a movable locking member. The present disclosure provides for improved systems/designs for jack assemblies/housings that are easily secured and/or unsecured to or from a jack panel or jack faceplate. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for convenient, low-cost and effective systems and methods for easily securing and/or unsecuring jack assemblies/housings to or from a jack panel/faceplate (e.g., in the field) by utilizing advantageous modular jack assemblies that include a movable locking member, and related assemblies.
US08439697B2	Locking power connector apparatus The present invention relates to the field of electrical power connectors, and in particular power connectors that are used to connect a source of mains power to an item of electrical equipment. A locking panel socket (1) for making an electrical connection with a line plug comprises a socket connection portion (2) having an end face (11) and the end face having a plurality of recesses (10, 10′) for receiving corresponding power pins of a line plug, a plug insertion channel (4) that extends around the socket connection portion (2) and a panel portion (6) that extends around the plug insertion channel (4). The locking panel socket (1) also includes within the socket connection portion a locking mechanism (12) for restraining a power pin of a line plug from being withdrawn from one of the recesses (10′), and a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism (12) to permit the power pin to be withdrawn from the recess. The release mechanism includes an actuation portion (60) and a linking portion (30, 46, 56) that links the actuation portion with the locking mechanism (12). The actuation portion (60) is manually accessible on the panel (6) and the linking portion (30, 46, 56) extends from the actuation portion (60) to the locking mechanism (12).
US08439689B2	Sheet connector having a terminal protruding from a conductive pattern on a substrate to engage a terminal of another connector An FPC plug, which fits with another connector, comprises a substrate part, a conductive pattern on the surface of the substrate part, a cable part and a connecting part connected to an end of the cable part. The connecting part includes a protruding terminal engaging a terminal of the other connector. The terminal is formed integrally with, and protrudes from a surface of, the conductive pattern; and includes a base end part connected to the surface of the conductive pattern, an upper end part having a width at most equal to the width of the base end part, and a side surface part between the upper end and base end parts. The side surface part recedes toward the inner side in the width direction more than the base end and upper end parts, and includes a minimal point at which the width is at a minimum.
US08439688B2	Orthopedic procedures training simulator The orthopedic procedures training simulator (100) is a mannequin (102) having an internal skeletal structure (104) for simulating orthopedic injuries. The interior skeletal structure (104) includes a plurality of skeletal structures, each movable between a first position simulating normal and healthy skeletal structure and a second position simulating an orthopedic injury. Motor tensionable cables joining larger joint structures allow for simulating muscular tension affecting the ability to reduce a dislocation of the joint. Force and positional sensors are disposed within the skeletal structures, and provide information to a computer system (700) to perform and monitor simulation. A computer program reads the sensors, and controls the motor tensionable cables to simulate orthopedic injuries and responses to applied corrective procedures and medications. The program generates pre-procedural x-ray images based on a desired simulation, and post-procedural x-ray images based on information obtained from the sensors both during and after the performance of a procedure.
US08439686B2	Device, system, and method for treating psychiatric disorders Provided are a device, system, and method for treating a patient having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other such psychiatric disorder. An event being recounted by the patient is recorded and a sensory environment of the patient is controlled so as to administer exposure therapy to the patient. Patient mental state may be monitored during administration of the exposure therapy to the patient, and the exposure therapy may be varied in correspondence to the monitored mental state of the patient. In one embodiment, hierarchy assembly means creates a treatment hierarchy based on input from the patient, and hierarchy navigation means navigates within the treatment hierarchy in response to the mental state of the patient.
US08439683B2	Food recognition using visual analysis and speech recognition A method and system for analyzing at least one food item on a food plate is disclosed. A plurality of images of the food plate is received by an image capturing device. A description of the at least one food item on the food plate is received by a recognition device. The description is at least one of a voice description and a text description. At least one processor extracts a list of food items from the description; classifies and segments the at least one food item from the list using color and texture features derived from the plurality of images; and estimates the volume of the classified and segmented at least one food item. The processor is also configured to estimate the caloric content of the at least one food item.
US08439677B2	Maintenance apparatus for medical hand piece The present invention provides a maintenance apparatus for increasing the service life of a medical handpiece. The maintenance apparatus is provided with a first fluid supply which feeds a maintenance fluid to the bearings of a handpiece, capable of rotatably supporting a rotary tool, and a second fluid supply which feeds the maintenance fluid to the chucking structure of the handpiece, capable of detachably holding the rotary tool.
US08439675B2	Method for producing a bone prosthesis or a pre-implant simulation, and equipment used Method for producing a bone prosthesis, comprising forming a surgical guide (1) equipped with at least one artificial prosthesis (150 and with at least a first hole passing through each artificial prosthesis in a predetermined orientation, placing the surgical guide on a model (2), drilling a second hole (16) through the model with the aid of a drill (8) passed through each first hole, the passage of the drill through the corresponding first hole taking place without contact therewith, and guiding the drill in said predetermined orientation with the aid of drill introduction means (10, 11) situated outside said first hole.
US08439671B2	Methods and apparatus for bonding orthodontic appliances using photocurable adhesive material A bonding tray for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances includes a body adapted to fit over at least a portion of the dental arch. One or more orthodontic appliances are releasably connected to the body, and a photocurable adhesive material extends across the base or bonding pad of each appliance for bonding the appliance to a tooth. An outer surface of the body includes at least one receptacle for removably receiving a source of light in order to facilitate curing the photocurable adhesive material.
US08439667B2	Oxygen trim controller tuning during combustion system commissioning A method is provided for tuning an oxygen trim controller during the commissioning of a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system, rather than tuning the oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed.
US08439664B2	Injection molding machine An injection molding machine to prevent a molded piece from being separated from a mold after molds are disassembled from each other includes a first mold, a second mold assembled with the first mold to form a cavity, and a binding device or a pressing device to get a molded piece held in the first mold when the first mold and the second mold are disassembled from each other.
US08439662B2	Vane air motor A vane air motor configured to prevent uneven wear of vanes is provided. The vane air motor has a cylindrical member having a rotor chamber (19) defined by a circular cylindrical inner peripheral surface (11), and a vaned rotor. A plurality of air discharge openings (50) are provided over a predetermined length range in the axial direction of the rotor chamber. Each pair of axially adjacent air discharge openings are spaced from each other and overlap each other as seen in the circumferential direction of the rotor chamber.
US08439648B2	Process water lift station apparatus A lift station containing a tube, an access box connected to the tube, and an inner pipe that is removable, positioned in the tube that can be used to contain and discharge process water. The design aids in construction and maintenance and can detect leaks that can reduce process water contamination of surrounding soil.
US08439645B2	High pressure turbine blade airfoil profile A two-stage high pressure turbine includes a second stage blade having an airfoil with a profile substantially in accordance with at least an intermediate portion of the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 2. The X and Y values are distances, which when smoothly connected by an appropriate continuing curve, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08439642B2	Pump and pump impeller A pump assembly that includes a pump housing defining an inlet for receiving fluid to be pumped and an outlet for discharging fluid. A rotatable impeller operatively coupled to a drive motor includes a plurality of vane structures integrally formed with a shroud. Each vane structure includes a curved, axial vane segment extending axially from the shroud. A compound, multi-step auxiliary vane extends transversely from each axial vane segment. The auxiliary vane or wing includes at least first and second sections, with the second section overlying the first section in a staggered configuration such that the trailing edges of the first and second sections are spaced apart to form a step. The second auxiliary vane section includes an axial surface that also forms a working vane surface for the auxiliary vane.
US08439641B2	Flow driven engine A system for converting between fluid movement, such as wind, and mechanical rotation is disclosed. The system includes a support which is rotatable about a first axis orthogonal to the direction of fluid movement and at least one panel mounted on the support for rotation about a said axis. The panel includes a matrix of flaps (elementary panels) mounted on the panel framework for rotation about a multiple secondary axes; and retaining hardware serving to resist rotation of the said flaps during a first portion of the rotation cycle of the support and permitting the flaps to rotate freely during a second portion of said cycle. The panel provides a driving torque during said first portion of the cycle and moving freely to an orientation of minimum fluid resistance during said second portion.
US08439635B2	Apparatus and method for locking a composite component An apparatus and method for locking a composite component such as blade or vane of a turbine engine is disclosed herein. The disclosed lock can also be used generally to fix the position of composite structures. The lock includes a first locking member including a first structure operable to at least partially fix the first locking member along an axis of a slot for receiving a blade or a vane. The lock also includes a second locking member including a second structure operable to engage the blade or vane. The first and second locking members are slidably engaged with one another along mating ramped surfaces.
US08439634B1	BOAS with cooled sinusoidal shaped grooves A BOAS with a blade tip shroud having rows of sinusoidal shaped grooves on a bottom side, each groove having a row of thin slots extending along the aft side of the groove and opening into the groove, and each thin slot connected to a plurality of metering holes that open into a cooling air supply cavity formed on the top surface of the tip shroud.
US08439618B2	Fastener having controllably variable preload and method of forming same A method of forming a fastener that includes an axial centerline, a seating surface angled with respect to the axial centerline at an angle α and adapted to contact an angled seat of a bore, the smallest diameter of the seating surface being designated a seating diameter, and a threaded connecting portion for engaging a threaded portion of a bore, the threaded connecting portion including a point designated a proximal contact point, the distance from the seating diameter to the proximal contact point in the direction of the axial centerline being the clamped length of the fastener, the method including steps of determining a value for at least a first one of angle α, seating diameter D and clamped length L, solving the equation α=arctan (D/(2L)) to calculate at least a second one of angle α, seating diameter D and clamped length L, and forming a fastener based on the determined and calculated values. Also a fastener and fastener system based on the method.
US08439609B2	Micro-jet cooling of cutting tools A cutting tool includes an insert defining a flank face, a rake face, and a cutting edge between the flank face and rake face. The cutting tool includes micro-nozzles formed in at least one of the tool body and the insert, and aimed at the cutting edge. Each micro-nozzle generates a micro jet of cutting fluid in close proximity to the cutting edge and adjacent to at least one of the flank face and the rake face.
US08439608B2	Shim for a cutting insert and cutting insert-shim assembly with internal coolant delivery A cutting insert-shim assembly that has a cutting insert with a bottom surface and a plurality of interior coolant passages wherein each interior coolant passage has a coolant inlet in the bottom surface of the cutting insert. The shim has a first side surface and a second side surface and contains a cavity, which communicates with the coolant conduit. The cavity defines a first opening in the first side surface and a second opening in the second side surface. When the shim is in a first condition, the first side surface contacts the bottom surface of the cutting insert and the first opening provides a first level of coolant communication to the interior coolant passages in the cutting insert. When the shim is in a second condition, the second side surface contacts the bottom surface of the cutting insert and the second opening provides a second level of coolant communication to the interior coolant passages in the cutting insert.
US08439602B1	Flow control liner system An apparatus is disclosed that includes a ditch liner formed with two opposing walls. A plurality of friction control corrugations is formed in both of the two opposing walls. The apparatus also includes one or more subsurface aprons.
US08439600B2	Portable vibratory concrete float A vibratory device for use with a concrete finishing tool having a float pad is disclosed. The vibratory device has a mounting plate, a housing attached to the mounting plate, a motor, and a power source. The mounting plate is attached to a top side of the float pad. The housing is attached to said mounting plate. The motor is positioned in the housing and is operatively attached to the mounting plate. The power source is positioned in the housing and is in communication with the motor. Optionally, a counterweight is positioned in the housing and is attached to the motor. The actuation of the motor causes the mounting plate and the float pad to vibrate.
US08439590B2	Knuckle protector for a vehicle The invention relates to a protection device (1) for a knuckle joint (21) e.g. for the steering and/or suspension of a vehicle, which comprises an annular flange (2) for securing a thermal screen (3) to the knuckle joint, said screen extending lengthwise substantially perpendicular to the flange (2) and widthwise substantially along the annular periphery of the flange. The screen and the flange are formed as a single part in a metal sheet that is folded in a linking area between the screen and the flange, the screen further including a surface portion in the form of a side tab (6) extending along the annular periphery of the flange, said side tab being separated from the flange by a notch (12) in the metal sheet, in the form of a slot.
US08439589B2	Device for rotatably bearing an aircraft interior fitting component A device for rotatably bearing an aircraft interior fitting component, in particular a lowerable shell of a luggage rack includes a bearing bush as well as a bearing bolt which is adapted to be rotatably accommodated in the bearing bush. The bearing bolt is disposed in a bearing bolt guide such that it is movable between a first and a second position and retainable in at least one position in the bearing bolt guide by a retaining device.
US08439583B2	Transporting a print medium A method for transporting a print medium along a path includes controlling relative rates at which a first drive and a second drive urge the print medium downstream along the path to create a buckle in the print medium. The buckle is formed at a first zone along the path between the first and second drives. With the buckle formed in the print medium, a first operation is performed on the print medium at a second zone along the path upstream from the first zone. At the same time a second operation is performed on the print medium at a third zone downstream along the path from the first zone.
US08439571B2	Sealing arrangement for a bearing A sealing arrangement which has a long or increased service life and high reliability even in soiled or aggressive surroundings. The sealing arrangement for a bearing has a first bearing ring and second bearing, which is rotatable relative to the first bearing ring, and a seal that is arranged in the region of the first bearing ring and that extends in the direction of the bearing periphery. The second bearing ring has a peripheral scaling surface and the seal has at least two peripheral sealing lips that sealingly rest on the sealing surface.
US08439567B1	Disc springs/carrier plate preload assembly A preload assembly for a thrust bearing. The preload assembly includes a carrier plate having a central annular protrusion, wherein the annular protrusion has an inner diameter and an outer diameter; an inner disc spring; an outer disc spring; and a housing having an annular channel for housing the carrier plate, the inner disc spring, and the outer disc spring.
US08439561B2	Fluid distribution apparatus and method facilitating cooling of electronics rack(s) and simulating heated airflow exhaust of electronics rack(s) Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating simulation of heated airflow exhaust of an electronics subsystem, electronics rack or row of electronics racks. The apparatus includes a thermal simulator, which includes an air-moving device and a fluid-to-air heat exchanger. The air-moving device establishes airflow from an air inlet to air outlet side of the thermal simulator tailored to correlate to heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The fluid-to-air heat exchanger heats airflow through the thermal simulator, with temperature of airflow exhausting from the simulator being tailored to correlate to temperature of the heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The apparatus further includes a fluid distribution apparatus, which includes a fluid distribution unit disposed separate from the fluid simulator and providing hot fluid to the fluid-to-air heat exchanger of the thermal simulator.
US08439559B2	Timepiece with multi-functional actuator An analog timepiece includes a casing, a time displaying device, an electronic device received in the casing, a main control unit (MCU) communicated with the time displaying device and the electronic device for selectively controlling an operation of the time displaying device and sad electronic device and a multi-functional actuator. The multi-function actuator includes an actuator button movably provided on the casing to selectively move between an idle position, a time adjustment position and a triggering position, wherein in the idle position, the actuator button disengages with the MCU to allow normal operation of the electronic device, wherein in the time adjustment position, the actuator button is moved from the idle position to allow adjustment of the time displaying device, and wherein in the triggering position, the actuator is moved to engage with the MCU for triggering an operation of the electronic device.
US08439556B2	Synchronous escapement for a timepiece mechanism Escape wheel (1) including a toothed impulse wheel (2) and a toothed release wheel (4) pivoting synchronously about an axis (D1). The toothed release wheel (4) includes moveable gears (5) each with a release tooth (6), radially moveable relative to the axis (D1) and returned to a position of balance by first return device (7), and a locking tooth (8), returned in a first radial direction (S1) towards a stop member by second return device (9). The impulse tooth (6) includes drive device (11) arranged to cooperate, when the impulse tooth moves in a second opposite radial direction (S2), with complementary drive device (12) of the locking tooth (8) for driving the locking tooth in the second direction (S2) and, when the impulse tooth moves in the first direction (S1), to remain at a distance from the complementary drive device (12) without driving the locking tooth (8).
US08439555B2	Tourbillon without the weight of the balance Tourbillon mechanism for a watch having a turning cage mounted in pivoting manner in a first and second cage bearing lodged in fixed elements of the watch; an escapement mobile integral with the cage; and a regulating element in the form of a spiral balance capable of oscillating around a balance staff according to pulses received from the escapement mobile. The balance staff is mounted in pivoting manner in the balance bearings lodged outside the cage. The outer extremity of the spiral hairspring is fastened to the cage through a hairspring stud.
US08439551B2	Backlight assembly and display device having the same A backlight assembly includes a light guide plate guiding light, one or more light sources disposed on a side of the light guide plate and generating and providing the light to the light guide plate, a housing including a bottom portion and sidewall portions which each extend from the bottom portion, and accommodating the light guide plate and the light sources, and a light source cover. The light source cover includes a flat portion which contacts a top surface of the light guide plate, a height-adjusting portion which extends upward or downward from the flat portion to form a stepped shape and has the light sources installed thereunder, and fixing portions which extend from the height-adjusting portion and are fixed to a corresponding one of the sidewall portions. A centerline of the light sources is aligned with a centerline of the light guide plate.
US08439550B2	Frame connecting member and light emitting diode lighting apparatus fabricated by using the same Provided is a frame connecting member for connecting a plurality of frame members to provide a frame of a lighting apparatus. The frame connecting member includes a body, an engaging unit connected to the body, the engaging unit being configured to be coupled to the plurality of the frame members, respectively, and a light leakage prevention unit connected to the body, the light leakage prevention unit being configured to prevent a light emitted from the lighting apparatus from leaking.
US08439547B2	Backlight module An exemplary illuminating apparatus includes a light guiding plate, a light source facing a light input surface of the light guiding plate, and a complementary color element adjacent to the light source. The light source comprises a number of LEDs which emit light with at least two wavelengths. The at least two wavelengths light mix with each other to gain a white light. The complementary color element is configured for receiving light emitted from adjacent, outmost LED and converting the light into white light. The white light is reflected by the complementary color element and emits from the light guiding plate through the light output surface.
US08439535B2	Structure of motorcycle taillight A motorcycle taillight includes a base, a light source unit, and a hood. The base includes a first bulb seat, which receives a primary light source of a light source unit mounted therein. An extension section extends from an underside of the first bulb seat in a direction toward the rear side of the motorcycle. The extension section has an underside to which a second bulb seat is mounted. The second bulb seat is located at a free end of the extension section to receive a license plate light of the light source unit mounted therein. The hood has a shielding section corresponding in position to the second bulb seat of the base. A cover is arranged under the shielding section. As such, the white light that is used to illuminate a license plate cannot be seen from the rear side of the motorcycle.
US08439530B2	Method and apparatus for simulating solar light Described herein is a method and apparatus for simulating solar light to create an ideal testing environment for solar panels and the like. The method and apparatus may also be used to test solar resistance for color fading or resistance to high levels of solar energy. The apparatus generally consists of a plurality of mirrors directed towards a multi-faceted mirror, from which the light beams converge towards a target plane. The light intensity at the target plane is, according to one embodiment, between 100 and 200 suns.
US08439506B2	Reflector mounting structure and projection display device A reflector mounting structure includes a reflector and a fixing member. The reflector includes: a reflecting surface; a reflector body having the reflecting surface formed thereon; a pair of first connecting units provided respectively at an end face of the reflector body and having a substantially spherical first protrusion at an end thereof; and a second connecting unit provided at an end face of the reflector body. The fixing member which supports the reflector includes a pair of first supporting units respectively having a planar contact portion and bringing the contact portion into contact with an end of the first protrusion, and a second supporting unit.A contact-portion vertical distance is set such that the first protrusion moves while rolling with respect to a contact portion when the reflector deforms.
US08439499B2	Method for producing stabilized contact lenses Contact lenses with stabilization zones are designed using mathematical constructs such as Bezier curves and which are subjected to modeling on-eye performance.
US08439471B2	Ink jet recording apparatus, and method for controlling recording head temperature An ink jet recording apparatus for effecting recording using a recording head for ejecting ink, the ink jet recording apparatus including a heating section for heating the recording head, a detecting unit for detecting a temperature of the recording head, a setting unit for setting a target temperature of the recording head, and a controller for controlling the target temperature of the recording head at or above the target temperature. The controller controls the temperature by heating control for heating the recording head and by diffusing control for diffusing the heat supplied by the heating control.
US08439452B2	Paint brush with reinforced ferrule construction A method for making a paint brush includes coupling a plurality of filaments to a handle inside a sleeve with the handle extending out of the sleeve. At least a portion of the handle and the sleeve are coated with a substantially impermeable coating to form a seal around an interface between the sleeve and the handle without covering the plurality of filaments.
US08439449B1	EZ dump lawn vacuum 1. My EZ DUMP lawn vacuum container has a capacity of over 48 bushels or 60 cubic feet of debris which can be backed up to a dump site, blower engine turned off, debris dumped by means of my EZ DUMP interior dump bed system, container closed and blower engine started all within under 3 minutes without leaving the seat of the lawnmower and without pulling any levers or ropes or any other manual means. Since the dump bed is a contained within the container there is no need to remove the flexible blower hose which is connected to the front of the container. The dumping of debris is accomplished with only four moving parts powered by an inexpensive 12 volt lift device. These features make my EZ DUMP lawn vacuum low maintenance and a pleasure to use, even for a 79 year old like me.
US08439448B2	Buckle for center occupant for bench seat with extended travel A 60/40 bench seat is provided allowing for increased sliding travel along a set of tracks to allow for easier ingress and egress of a vehicle passenger accessing the rear of a bench seat. The 60/40 bench seat assembly allows for increased travel along the tracks without adding significant increases in assembly parts, cost, or weight. The 60/40 bench seat assembly is provided including a profile member and a buckle. The 60/40 bench seat assembly is divided into a 40% section seat and a 60% section seat. The 60/40 seat assembly further includes a profile member operable to push down the buckle to allow for increased travel of the 60% seat. The buckle includes a first surface and the profile includes a second surface contacting the buckle first surface thereby pushing the buckle towards a vehicle floor.
US08439447B2	Convertible swing seat A convertible child seat includes a seat frame that presents a seat cavity and an open front to allow cavity ingress and egress by the child. The seat also includes a front restraint shiftably attached to the seat frame and shiftable between a storage position and a child-restraining position. In the storage position, the front restraint extends along the bottom wall so as to be positioned below the seated child and thereby permit cavity ingress and egress through the open front. In the child-restraining position, the front restraint at least partly spans the open front to restrict cavity ingress and egress through the open front.
US08439445B2	Vehicle seat backs In the field of vehicle seats there is a need for an improved vehicle seat back tilt adjustment assembly that allows a user selectively to make small or large adjustments to the inclination of a vehicle seat back. A vehicle seat back tilt adjustment assembly comprises a guide member securable to a vehicle body; and an intermediate mechanism moveably coupled to the guide member. The intermediate mechanism includes first and second locking elements. The first locking element is moveable between a first configuration in which it is engagable with a vehicle seat back to secure the seat back to the intermediate mechanism and a second configuration in which the seat back is disengagable therefrom to allow the seat back to move independently of the intermediate mechanism. The second locking element selectively engages the guide member to secure the position of the intermediate mechanism relative to the guide member.
US08439439B2	Adjustable shoulder belt path for a booster car seat A shoulder belt adjustment mechanism for a booster car seat is described in which the belt guide adjustment is adjustable to one of at least two positions along a linear or nonlinear adjustment axis and wherein each adjustment axis is along a portion of a line formed by an intersection of two planes formed by a vertical splay plane formed by an outer shell of said wings and an angled declination plane formed generally along said lower edges of said wings.
US08439437B2	Seat with heating device A seat with a heating device is provided which realizes a configuration in which the arm, palms and finger tips of a user can easily be warmed when the user uses the seat with the heating device. When the user is seated in a seat with a heating device and feels cold due to it being winter, the user controls a switch to heat the seat, whereby energization of heating elements 3a, 3b, 3c is started which are connected to a power supply via electric wires. When the energization of the heating elements 3a, 3b, 3c is started, heat generated thereby is conducted to skin materials 2a, 2b, 2c and surfaces of the skin materials are warmed. When the user places his or her arm on an armrest portion 5, the arm is warmed via the skin material 2c, whereby the user can feel the sensation of comfortableness.
US08439434B2	Roof panels for an automotive vehicle An automotive vehicle having a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis. The vehicle includes a passenger compartment disposed between the front end and the rear end. A roof overlies the passenger compartment. The roof is comprised of a pair of roof beams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis adjacent opposed sides of the vehicle. A first forward transverse beam extends between the roof beams. A second rearward transverse beam extends between the first and second roof beams. A first removable roof panel closes a space between the first and second transverse beams. A second removable roof panel closes a space rearward of the second transverse beam. The roof panels can be assembled to form a shelf in a storage compartment of the vehicle.
US08439429B2	Coupling structure between front pillar and side sill of automobile Provided is a coupling structure between a front pillar and a side sill of an automobile, which improves the steering stability of the automobile and realizes a high productivity. A reinforcing member 8 is provided inside a front pillar 1 having a closed cross-section so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the automobile. The reinforcing member 8 is coupled to a front pillar outer 2. An end portion of the reinforcing member 8 at the rear side of the automobile is extended toward a side sill 4 to form a reinforcing member extension 8a. The reinforcing member extension 8a is coupled to a side sill outer 5.
US08439427B2	Trailer side rail An improved side rail structure is used to form a portion of a flat bed trailer. The side rail structure is integrally formed as one piece. The side rail structure includes an outer side rail wall which is integrally formed as one piece with a rub rail that projects from the outward surface of the side rail wall.
US08439425B2	Sensor housing A sensor housing which may be used to house a pinch sensor may include: a first portion having a sensor attaching surface and a first connecting member; a second portion that at least partially covers the sensor attaching surface and that has a second connecting member; and, an installation surface that can be used to install the sensor housing onto a vehicle. The second portion may be adjustable with respect to the first portion between: (1) a first condition where the second portion at least partially uncovers the sensor attaching surface and where a sensor can be attached to the sensor attaching surface; and, (2) a second condition where the second portion at least partially covers the sensor and where the second connecting member can be connected to the first connecting member.
US08439424B1	Bracket assembly for modular bows in a tarp system and methods of assembling the same A bracket assembly for securing tarps to a modular bow in a tarp system includes a curved base member that is adapted to be secured to a frame member having adjacent dual channels that extend along an outer surface thereof. A tarp guide is supported on the curved base member. The tarp guide has adjacent dual channels that are separated by a partition. The adjacent dual channels of the tarp guide are adapted to be aligned with the adjacent dual channels of the frame member when the curved base member is secured to the frame member.
US08439414B2	Gripper apparatus and method for containers of different sizes A gripper apparatus for removing and replacing objects such as containers or vials in an array of containers has a gripper head which extends downward from a support arm, a planetary gear assembly mounted in the gripper head including at least three planet gears, and at least one gripping pin extending downward from each planet gear and projecting beyond a lower end of the gripper head. A drive motor drives the planetary gear assembly to rotate the planet gears in opposite directions, moving the pins inward and outward along predetermined paths to grip and carry an object and release the object when in a desired location.
US08439413B2	Gripping device for automatic bottle-topping machines A gripping device for automatic bottle-topping machines comprising an anti-rotation blocking element, mobile between an opening position and a gripping position, a first mechanism, provided for actuation of the anti-rotation blocking element, a first actuation element, operatively connected to the first mechanism a gripping element, mobile between an opening position and a gripping position, a second mechanism, provided for actuation of the gripping element, and a second actuation element, operatively connected to the second mechanism, wherein the anti-rotation blocking element and the gripping element are provided for engaging on a bottle.
US08439410B2	Prehung door jamb insert with security and adjustment features A prehung door jamb assembly is provided that includes a strike plate mounting assembly configured to fasten to a door jamb. The strike plate mounting assembly includes a longitudinal extending support plate, a longitudinal extending second plate, first and second strike plate supports, a spacer, at least one adjustment fastener, and at least one fastener.
US08439407B2	Conduit fitting with pull-up indication A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality.
US08439406B2	Shoulder ring with axial retention A shoulder ring, for installation in a threaded pipe coupling between the installed pin ends of two pipes being connected by the coupling, has opposing end faces and a central opening, and may be lobate or circular in shape. The shoulder ring provides enhanced axial retention within the coupling by incorporating a thread element which engages the internal threads of the coupling to prevent or deter displacement of the ring from the coupling. Alternatively, enhanced axial retention may be provided by means of an interference or interlocking fit that is plastically induced during the ring installation process. The shoulder ring may be of lobate or circular configuration, with the axial retention of lobate embodiments being further enhanced by forces acting radially outward against the coupling due to elastic deformation of the ring during installation. Also disclosed are tools for installing the shoulder rings in a threaded coupling.
US08439404B2	Conduit connection with sensing function Mechanically attached connections for conduits may include a conduit gripping member and first and second connection members. The first and second connection members may be, for example, a nut member and a body member where the connection members cause axial movement of the conduit gripping member to grip and seal the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up. The mechanically attached connection may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a condition or characteristic of at least one of the following: the mechanically attached connection, one or more of the connection members, the fluid contained by the mechanically attached connection, or a combination thereof. The sensing function may be, for example, a sensor that is integrated with at least one of the nut member and the body member.
US08439402B2	Optical structure, in particular for a security document and/or a document of value An optical structure comprising first and second opposite outside faces, at least a first interface comprising a first screen of microreliefs and arranged in such a manner that travel through the first interface from the first outside face towards the second outside face, passes from a first medium having a first refractive index to a second medium having a second refractive index that is greater than the first, and at least one second interface comprising a second screen of microreliefs and arranged in such a manner that travel through the second interface from the first outside face towards the second outside face, passes from a third medium having a third refractive index to a fourth medium having a fourth refractive index less than the third.
US08439397B1	Airbags comprising hingedly affixed non-inflatable support members Airbags including hingedly affixed non-inflatable support members and vehicles including such airbags are disclosed. An airbag includes a body portion, a non-inflatable support member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tether having a support-member-end and an airbag-end. The proximal end of the non-inflatable support member is hingedly affixed to the body portion of the airbag. The support-member-end of the tether is affixed to the distal end of the non-inflatable support member and the airbag-end of the tether is affixed to the body portion of the airbag, thereby tethering the distal end of the non-inflatable support member to the airbag. When the airbag is in a pre-deployment state, the distal end of the non-inflatable support member does not extend beyond a perimeter of the airbag. The non-inflatable support member extends beyond the perimeter of the airbag in a deployed position.
US08439388B1	Universally pivotal tow bar assembly A tow bar assembly for use in connecting a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle wherein the tow bar assembly includes at least a cylindrical knuckle connected to a draw bar that is receivable within a receiver of the towing vehicle and wherein a pair of spaced flanges of a first end of a U-joint coupler are connected to the knuckle so as to pivot about a first pivot axis defined by an elongated central axis of the draw bar and a second pivot axis perpendicular to the first pivot axis and relative to a horizontal plane and where a pair of spaced flanges of a second end of the U-joint coupler are adapted to permit relative motion of the U-joint coupler about a third pivot axis with respect to a hitch mechanism that is adapted to be connected to the towed vehicle.
US08439384B1	Sound generating device A sound generating device for a bicycle has a two-piece clamp secured to the front fork of the bicycle to hold a reed having a base and flexible blade that engages the spokes of the bicycle reed to generate audible sounds. The clamp has first and second flanges that engage opposite sides of the base. A fastener clamps the flanges to the base of the reed and holds the two-piece clamp on the front fork of the bicycle.
US08439376B2	Mobile support assembly A mobile support assembly disposable between a stored orientation and an operative orientation including a frame having a front leg assembly including a pair of front legs, and a rear leg assembly including a pair of rear legs. At least one but preferably each of the front and rear leg assemblies include at least one cross member spanning the corresponding legs thereof. Each cross member is structured to have a variable length so as to effectively vary an overall width of the mobile support assembly and thereby facilitate a compact configuration of the frame when in the stored orientation. Further, at least one of the leg assemblies includes a lower portion wherein the wheels are included, the lower portion disposable into a non-operative storage position that at least partially defines a reduced longitudinal dimension of the frame when in the stored orientation.
US08439372B2	Hydraulic protection of a rolling stabilization system A device for the protection of a rolling stabilization system for motor vehicles, having at least two stabilization devices includes at least one first hydraulically triggerable safety valve for locking at least the first stabilization device.
US08439367B2	Molded deformable shape gasket for molding large gaskets in a deformed shape A gasket is provided including a plurality of corner sections each having a cross-section having a width of at least a first dimension. A plurality of deformable sections are disposed between a pair of the plurality of corner sections, each of the plurality of deformable sections have a plurality of reduced width segments. The plurality of deformable sections have a curved shaped that is deformable to a straight shape in its installed condition, wherein the deformable sections allow the gasket to be formed with a smaller molding footprint than the assembled gasket shape and the plurality of corner sections have a same angled orientation in its installed and un-installed molded positions.
US08439366B2	Gasket design for molding large gaskets in a deformed shape A gasket includes a plurality of corner sections each having a cross-section having a width of at least a first dimension. A plurality of deformable sections are disposed between a pair of the plurality of corner sections, each of the plurality of deformable sections having a cross-section having a width less than the first dimension and having a curved shape that is deformable to a straight shape in its installed condition. The deformable sections allow the gasket to be formed with a smaller molding footprint than the assembled gasket shape and the plurality of corner sections have a same angled orientation in its installed and un-installed positions.
US08439363B2	Dynamic radial shaft seal assembly with combination dust exclusion thrust pad A dynamic radial shaft seal assembly includes an inner wear sleeve having a cylindrical inner wall with a bore sized for receipt about a shaft and an outer running surface. The inner wear sleeve has a flange extending radially outwardly from the running surface. The assembly further includes an outer case having cylindrical outer wall configured for receipt in a housing and a rim extending radially inwardly from the outer wall. An elastomeric body is attached to the rim. The elastomeric body includes a main seal lip configured to engage the outer running surface of the inner wear sleeve and a plurality of thrust pads extending axially from the rim for engagement with the flange. The thrust pads are spaced circumferentially from one another by gaps. The elastomeric body further includes a first dust exclusion lip extending axially from the leg and bridging the gaps.
US08439358B2	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet conveying apparatus, including: a first conveying portion; a second conveying portion arranged downstream of the first conveying portion; a shutter member rotated by the pressure of the sheet and including a plurality of abutment surfaces against which a leading edge of the sheet conveyed by the first conveying portion abuts to correct a skew feed of the sheet; and an urging portion which provides the shutter member with an urging force for positioning one abutment surface at an abutment position at which the leading edge of the sheet abuts against the one abutment surface, the urging portion providing the shutter member with an urging force for rotating the shutter member to position another abutment surface at the abutment position after the leading edge of the sheet is nipped by the second conveying portion.
US08439357B2	Paper transport device and image forming apparatus A paper transport device includes a transport section that transports paper on a first transport path, and reverses a transport direction to transport the paper onto a second transport path, and a detecting section that detects that the paper has arrived at the reversal position, wherein the detecting section includes a first member that is arranged on the first transport path, and changes posture thereof among a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture, a second member that changes posture thereof between a fourth posture and a fifth posture, a detector that detects whether the second member is in the fourth posture or in the fifth posture, and a joint member that couples the first member and the second member together, allows the second member to be in the fourth posture, rotates the second member to the fifth posture, and keeps the second member in the fourth posture.
US08439354B1	Self cleaning nudger roll in a sheet media pick system A fixed cleaning pad is configured and positioned such that that a media feed nudger roll will rub against it periodically to clean it of debris to improve mis-feeding performance.
US08439343B2	Image forming apparatus with cassette configured to store various sizes of sheets An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet including: a housing; a cassette detachably accommodated in the housing and configured to store the sheet; a feeding unit configured to feed the sheet; and an image forming unit configured to form the image on the sheet fed by the feeding unit, wherein the cassette includes: a first wall along the trailing edge, a second wall along the leading edge, a first bottom plate extending from the first wall toward the second wall, a second bottom plate extending from the second wall toward the first wall, and a connecting member configured to set a first state where the first and second bottom plates are connected and a second state where the first and second bottom plates are disconnected, and the first and second bottom plates in the second state are independently withdrawable from the housing.
US08439341B2	Sheet bundle treatment apparatus configured to perform processes on crease of folded sheet bundle A sheet bundle treatment apparatus may include a folding device, a conveying unit, a flattening device, and a control unit. The folding device performs a folding process on a sheet bundle to produce a folded sheet bundle. The conveying unit conveys the folded sheet bundle. The flattening device performs a flattening process to press a folded portion of the sheet bundle from the folded portion toward a fore edge to flatten the folded portion after the conveyance of the sheet bundle. The control unit causes the sheet bundle to be conveyed at a first velocity when the flattening process is not to be performed, and causes the sheet bundle to be conveyed at a second velocity which is slower than the first velocity when the flattening process is to be performed, thereby stopping the sheet bundle at a position where the flattening process is to be performed.
US08439340B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system A finisher includes an intermediate tray that collects sheets to form a sheet bundle, a sheet gripping member that grips one end of the sheet bundle in a conveying direction and a positioning member that grips the other end of the sheet bundle in a conveying direction, a moving portion that moves the sheet gripping member and the positioning member to come close to each other, a pair of folding rollers that folds the sheet bundle while conveying the sheet bundle, a projecting member that projects a part between the one end and the other end of the gripped sheet bundle toward the pair of folding rollers, and a controller that controls the moving portion, such that the sheet gripping member and the positioning member come close to each other in synchronization with an operation of projecting the projecting member toward the sheet bundle.
US08439339B2	Clamp A clamp comprising a slide rail, a fixed arm integrally joined to the slide rail, and a slide arm movable on the slide rail is provided, the slide rail having in the cross section an overall height and an overall width having a ratio to each other, which ranges between 2.55:1 and 2.8:1.
US08439296B2	Aircraft huffer coupling adapter and methods of use An aircraft huffer coupling adapter comprises a flange assembly having one or more attachment members in communication with a flange ring via one or more strut members. The flange assembly is attached with a port end of an inner coupling of a huffer coupling via the one or more attachment members. The flange ring defines an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the huffer coupling, with at least one space between an inner wall of the flange ring and the outer diameter of the air hose coupling arranged to allow airflow therethrough.
US08439295B2	Aircraft engine inlet pivotable barrier filter An inlet barrier filter system for an aircraft engine includes a filter panel (35) including filter media for filtering air prior to intake (15) into the engine. The filter panel has a forward edge (F). The system further includes an actuator for selectively pivoting the panel to form an opening around the panel for allowing air to bypass the filter. The opening is rearward of the forward edge of the filter panel.
US08439289B2	Cheese shredding apparatus A cheese shredding apparatus has a table top with a rolling platform that uses 2 pairs of beveled wheels. A partitioned hopper for containing blocks of cheese. A pair of cutting grids located at opposite ends of a cutting block. A pair of push cube modules. A motor powers the rolling platform by way of a cam which converts a rotational motion from the motor into a linear motion which actuates the back and fro motion of the rolling platform.The beveled wheels roll on a pair of tracks which are held within the table top frame. The beveled wheels maintain a very precise and accurate tracking motion of the rolling platform as they move back and forth as guided by the tracks.
US08439286B2	Paper cleaning device for a shredder A paper clearing device for a shredder includes a frame, a motor, a gear set, a first rotary shaft, and a second rotary shaft. The first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft are mounted with several cutting blades and paper guides. The paper guides on at least one rotary shaft are half paper guides. When paper jams in the shredder, the user only needs to issue a paper back command, which causes the rotary shafts to rotate in a reverse direction, causing paper to back away from the cutting region between the cutting blades and instead pass over the respective shaft with the half paper guides, optionally with the assistance of a paper clearing driver, and through an opening at the back, non-cutting side of the respective shaft to fall into a trash bin from which the jammed paper can be readily removed.
US08439285B2	Adjustable food processor with guide ramp A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a cutting blade. A rotating disk is adjustable relative to the blade assembly to vary the thickness of the food items cut by the blade assembly. A mounting arm is positioned below the cutting blade and has a ramp defined therein. The food processor includes an adjustment assembly operable to move the rotating disk relative to the cutting blade.
US08439283B2	Fluidized bed systems and methods including micro-jet flow Methods and systems for enhancing fluidization of nanoparticle and/or nanoagglomerates are provided. A fluidization chamber is provided with a fluidizing medium directed in a first fluidizing direction, e.g., upward into and through a bed containing a volume of nanoparticles and/or nanopowders. A second source of air/gas flow is provided with respect to the fluidization chamber, the secondary air/gas flow generally being oppositely directed relative to the fluidizing medium. Turbulence created by the secondary gas flow is advantageously effective to aerate the agglomerates and the shear generated by the jet is advantageously effective to break apart nanoagglomerates and/or reduce the tendency for nanoagglomerates to form or reform. A downwardly directed source of secondary gas flow located near the main gas distributor leads to full fluidization of the entire amount of powder in the column. The oppositely directed fluid flow facilitates powder circulation within the fluidization chamber, thereby enhancing fluidization results.
US08439279B2	Stone waterfall with integrated planter and water distribution system A decorative portable natural stone waterfall containing an integrated planter and a water distribution system is disclosed. The waterfall is made of natural stone, but is small enough to be portable. The waterfall contains a planter integrated within the main body of the waterfall which is designed to contain a living plant. There is also a water distribution system that contains a water inlet, a distribution chamber and a multiplicity of water distribution tubing that supplies water to the face of the waterfall. In one configuration there is also a pump and a means for recirculation the water, and in another the water is supplied by an external source. In one configuration the water is supplied to the top section of the waterfall, and in another configuration the water is supplied directly to the face of the waterfall. The invention also consists of a kit comprising the planter with integrated water distribution system, along with stone and mortar for constructing the waterfall.
US08439278B2	Apparatus for producing a mass of water vapor, apparatus for producing, moving and climbing a mass of water vapor, and method of causing artificial stimulation of rain An apparatus for producing a mass of water vapor includes a water film maker and a device which prevents the water film maker from drifting. The water film maker floats on a surface of a water source and absorbs water of the water source by virtue of a capillary mechanism or a moisture-holding ability to make a thin water film on a surface of the water film maker. The thin water film is exposed to sunlight. The water film maker comprises a first hollow body capable of being filled with air, and a sheet having said capillary mechanism or having said moisture-holding ability, said sheet covering said first hollow body. Water in the thin water film is vaporized by sunlight energy to thereby produce a mass of water vapor in the sky.
US08439276B2	Aerodynamic shutter control systems and methods A shutter control system comprises a shutter closing module and a regenerative braking control module. The shutter closing module selectively closes a shutter to decrease aerodynamic drag on the vehicle based on at least one of a brake pedal position, a state of charge of an energy storage device, and a throttle position. The shutter blocks airflow into an engine compartment of the vehicle when closed. The regenerative braking control module controls a motor generator to perform regenerative braking when the shutter is closed.
US08439275B2	Multi-resolution optical codes A machine-readable optical code formed on a substrate includes a first code having a plurality of first elements formed on or in the substrate, the first code specifying first information, wherein one or more of the first elements includes a second code on or in the substrate, the second code including a plurality of second elements specifying second information, and wherein the first code and the second code are machine-readable optical codes.
US08439274B2	Financial card with a per-transaction user definable magnetic strip portion A financial card having a body with a front surface and a back surface and a primary account number associated with a primary account of a user of the financial card, the card including a magnetic strip positioned on the back surface configured for magnetic encoding including the primary account number. The magnetic strip includes a user definable portion for providing a selectable discretionary encoding thereto. The card also includes a user interface having at least one user input device positioned on the body of the financial card. The user interface is configured for receiving input from the user at a time of use of the financial card selecting a particular account indicator from among a plurality of account indicators each of which is associated with the primary account. The user interface is coupled to the user input device and to the user definable portion of the magnetic strip for providing the selectable discretionary encoding to the user definable portion of the magnetic strip responsive to the selected particular account indicator as received by the user interface at the time of use by the user.
US08439273B2	Contactless electronic tag The contactless electronic device (12) comprising a near-field communication antenna (18), a microcircuit (20) connected to the antenna (18) and a magnetic shielding layer (24) arranged so as to extend substantially facing the antenna (18). The antenna (18) and the microcircuit (20) are combined into a module (26) and the device (12) comprises a body (16) comprising and open cavity (30) on one of its faces in which are housed the module and the shielding layer in such a way that the shielding layer closes off the cavity.
US08439266B2	Optical-information-reading apparatus An optical-information-reading apparatus includes an imaging optical system having a varifocal lens that adjusts a focal position, a solid-state image sensing device that images a code symbol, a ranging laser that measures a distance to the code symbol, and a decoder that calculates the distance to the code symbol using the ranging laser. The apparatus controls the varifocal lens based on calculated distance information.
US08439265B2	Camera applications in a handheld device A hand held device containing at least one camera can perform various functions. In some embodiments, digitized images taken with two or more camera lenses having different fixed focal lengths may be combined to emulate a high-resolution optical zoom, and may also permit the device to perform 3D applications. In other embodiments, a device containing a camera may perform as a bar code reader, and may wirelessly transmit and/or visually present a bar code to other devices. Movable optics may permit the same camera to focus on either distant objects or on a close-up bar code.
US08439261B2	Method for producing an electronic object comprising a data transfer stage and the obtained object A method for producing a portable electronic object having contact pads arranged on a plane with a thickness which differs from the thickness of a standard smartcard. The object is electrically connected to data transfer station connectors, by delivering a data transfer station having an electric probe connector and submitting the object to the data transfer station in such a way that the contact pads thereof are accessible to the electric probes in a direction perpendicular to the plane. Objects obtainable include UBS keys or PCMCIA cards or readers.
US08439257B2	User control of the display of matrix codes An electronic device determines to transmit an image including a matrix code to a display, receives input specifying to alter the matrix code, generates an updated image according to the input, and transmits the updated image to the display. The device may alter a size and/or position of the matrix code, a display duration and/or complexity of the matrix code, and so on. The device may generate the matrix code and modify it in response to input, receive different matrix code versions and select a different version in response to input, receive the image including the matrix code and generate a replacement to overlay over the image, and so on Additionally, independent of input, the device may receive an image, detect an included first matrix code, generate a second matrix code based on the first, and generate an updated image by adding the second matrix code to the image.
US08439256B2	Ballistic nomograph for small arms fire A ballistic nomograph for determining a firing solution for small arms fire includes a first member and a second member. Alignment of first indicia on the first member with the first indicia on the second member aligns the value of a range to a target with a first environmental condition to align a first adjustment value with an indicator positioned on the first member to provide a firing solution adjustment to a user. A method of determining a firing solution for a small arm by manually manipulating a ballistic nomograph includes determining environmental conditions and aligning the value of a range to a target with a value of environmental condition. The method also includes visually identifying a firing solution adjustment value that corresponds to the particular combination of the range to the target and environmental condition, and making a firing solution adjustment based on the firing solution adjustment value.
US08439242B2	Fastening machine A fastening machine 1 is provided, which prevents the tip member 131 from wear and improve its durability as well as align a material into which a fastener is to be driven. The fastening machine 1 is provided with a housing 2, a handle 2A extended from the housing 2, a nose 3 extended from the housing 2 and comprising an ejecting mouth 6 to fire a fastener 25 and a tip member 131 arranged at the tip of nose 3 in the direction of ejecting the fastener 25. The tip member 131 is characterized by comprising a super-hard material member 19 in the side facing a material into which a fastener is to be driven and in the side opposite to the direction of extending the handle 2A.
US08439239B2	Mount with anti-rotation feature A mount for motorcycles and other vehicles is provided that resists relative rotational movement at the connection between the mount and the vehicle, and at the connection between the mount and a plate that supports a portable device such as a GPS, toll transponder, radar collector and the like, while permitting disengagement at such connections in response to the application of a force to the mount.
US08439235B2	Automatic ground-coffee dispenser An automatic ground-coffee dispenser with a ground-coffee storage vessel designed to be mounted on an automatic coffee maker. The storage vessel includes rotary serving paddles for transferring a predetermined quantity of ground coffee through an outflow opening formed in the bottom of the storage vessel and a cone-shaped driver with rotary paddles located above the outflow opening turned by a motor about a vertical axis of the storage vessel. The internal wall of the storage vessel includes at least one longitudinal rib projecting into the storage vessel.
US08439225B2	Dispenser or similar discharging container The invention relates to a dispenser or similar discharging container, particularly for lump form food (5), having a housing (1), the bottom side (2) of which determines an installation plane, and having a gate (6) disposed in the housing (1) in a movable fashion that, when activated, is moved with a circumferential region (17) past an edge (8) of the housing (1), characterized in that said dispenser comprises an appendage (9) connected to the gate (6) via at lest one target breaking section (10); upon the activation of said gate, said appendage impacts the edge (8). The dispenser further comprises at least two feet (11) extending downward through the installation plane.
US08439220B2	Cross flange seal for a pressure vessel, especially for a turbomachine casing The invention relates to a pressure vessel for a machine, especially a turbomachine, which comprises at least 3 casing shell sections, wherein the intersection region of the parting joints is sealed off by a plug which in its interior has a system of holes and passages through which a sealing compound is pressed into the region between plug and casing shell sections, so that after its setting, an elastic, leakproof and non-destructively disassemblable sealing of the intersection region of the parting joints is created. The plug can be fastened on the casing shell sections by means of an integrated flange.
US08439219B2	Cap seal for container such as drum, and doubly-sealing apparatus of container such as drum using the same A cap seal and a doubly-sealing apparatus of a container such as a drum using the same, which execute a reliable sealing function of a cap part of the container such as the drum. Double sealing of the cap part of the container such as the drum due to the cap seal is fully performed despite various errors such as the difference in the curling external diameter of the cap part of the container.
US08439207B2	Drapery display hanger The drapery display hanger comprises a plurality of drapery arms and a support surface. The support surface can be easily and reversibly mounted to a pre-existing display fixture without the need for special hardware. The support surface can include brackets having opposing surfaces angled from vertical for ease of installation and protrusions for securing the support surfaces in place once installed. Additionally, the drapery arms can be reversibly attached to the support surface using attachment devices at the end of each arm. The attachment devices may include segments that are inserted into the holes in the support and then secured against the walls of the support for bearing the weight of drapery on the drapery arms. Sliding and pivoting functionality is also provided. The drapery arms are sized so that full-sized draperies can be displayed facing the customer and without compressing the drapery in the display.
US08439199B2	Bedding set organizer and method Provided herein is a linen set organizer with a set of perpendicularly oriented intersecting straps having fastening elements on the distal ends to releasably fasten the straps around a linen set and secure the set and wherein the straps bear identifying indicia for easy identification of the bundled content.
US08439191B1	Cell phone protector case having the combination of an interior soft silicone shell and a hard exterior shell with aligned retaining members A cell phone protector case comprising a combination of an interior soft silicone shell and a first and second hard shell press fit retained on opposite surfaces and sides of the interior soft silicone shell with the hard shell having matching retaining closing member mating flanges.
US08439185B2	Multiple moving wall dry coal extrusion pump A pump for transporting particulate material includes a passageway defined on each side between an inlet and an outlet by a moving wall.
US08439183B2	System and method for trimming wood blocks There is disclosed a system, apparatus and method for preparing wood blocks. The embodiments disclosed may comprise paddle designs, trimming unit designs and methods, scanner unit designs and methods, for use in the trimming of wood blocks. The blocks may be used for finger jointing.
US08439180B2	Conveyor cargo handling system and method of use A conveyor cargo handling system for the synchronized, computerized loading and unloading of cargo containers from a vessel is comprised of at least two conveyor lines. Individually powered conveyor units, idler conveyor units, translate powered conveyor modules (“TPCM”), and rotate powered conveyor modules (“RPCM”), are remotely computer coordinated to operate in concert to safely and efficiently control traffic flow on the container terminal. The system eliminates much of the ground transportation conventionally utilized to move cargo containers to their storage destination.
US08439179B2	Hydraulic control device for hybrid transmission A hydraulic control device for a hybrid transmission is designed such that the cooling and lubrication oil line of the system are in oil communication even before the main oil line pressure reaches the set pressure of the overflow valve, so as to lubricate the transmission as soon as possible. The hybrid transmission design further provides an overpressure protection for the cooler. The hybrid transmission further uses a proportional pressure reducing valve to control the lock-up clutch, thus making for the improvement of its braking performance.
US08439176B2	Coupling When, according to the invention, a coupling is provided between a driving shaft (1) and a hub (6), the shaft (1) being configured with several sets of grooves (2, 3) in which an elastic cord (4) may extend, the cord (4) in the deep track (2) will have a slight or poor engagement with the hub (6), while the cord in the low track (3) will be pressed out into firm engagement with the hub (6).
US08439174B1	Combined suitcase and cushion apparatus The combined suitcase and cushion apparatus provides a typical appearance for a portable suitcase, exteriorly. Within the top section provided by the first closure the second closure allows flap opening to reveal and release the mat. The mat is extendable from the top section to provide a cushioning material disposed above an inflatable chamber. Combining both forgiving resilient features provides a much more comfortable mat. Importantly, the first closure allows selective total separation of the top section. With this feature, the top section can be retained or separated for mat use. The apparatus provides all portability features to which users have become accustomed.
US08439167B2	Spacing control for two elevator cars in a common shaft Lift system (10) with a lower lift cage (K1), an upper lift cage (K2), at least one counterweight (12), and support means (TA, TB) for supporting the lower and upper lift cages (K1, K2). The support means (TB) for supporting the lower lift cage (K1) are led downwardly in the lift shaft (11) laterally along the upper lift cage (K2). Drive means for driving the lower and upper lift cages (K1, K2) are present. Arranged at the upper lift cage (K2) is a first incremental transmitter (I1) which interacts with one of the support means (TB) and supplies information about a change in the spacing (D) between the lower and upper lift cages (K1, K2).
US08439163B2	Ladder safety devices Ladder safety devices including a gutter guard, a ladder extender, a ground spike and a ladder shoe, are described that improve the stability of a ladder placed against a structure with or without guttering. Embodiments of the gutter guard prevent the ladder from contacting the gutter, distribute the ladder's weight to minimize structural damage, avoid ladder-gutter contact resulting in and help to hold the ladder in place. The ladder extender offsets the ladder from the shingles of a roof when gutters are not present. The ground spike and ladder shoe stabilize a ladder placed on a soft or hard surfaces, respectfully.
US08439162B1	Tree mounted ladder assembly A tree mounted ladder assembly provides adjustable spacing between steps to facilitate climbing into a tree. The assembly includes an elongated bar, an upper support coupled to the bar; and a lower support coupled to the bar. A connector is also coupled to the bar and a strap is coupled to the connector. The strap is configured for coupling around a tree to hold the upper support and the lower support against the tree. A plurality of steps is coupled to the bar.
US08439159B1	Exhaust muffler for internal combustion engines A new and improved muffler for use particularly with internal combustion engines which utilizes a tube assembly composed of a plurality of laterally nested perforated and non-perforated tubes in direct supporting lateral engagement with each other wherein the perforations provide direct communication of exhaust gases therebetween and wherein the tube assembly is supported at opposite ends by frustoconical entrance and exit collars, the larger ends of the collars being crimped or otherwise secured thereto providing a sealed connection.
US08439148B2	Suspension-supporting bracket for a vehicle, vehicle body frame with suspension-supporting bracket, and vehicle incorporating same A vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an engine attached to the vehicle body frame, and a power transmission unit for transmitting output from the engine to a wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle body frame includes a plate-shaped suspension-supporting bracket which is integrally connected to front end portions of main frame sections extending in a forward/rearward direction of a vehicle at a lower portion of the vehicle body frame, and also is integrally connected to lower end sides of front frame sections vertically extending at a front portion of the vehicle body frame. The plate-shaped suspension-supporting bracket includes suspension arm-supporting portions formed integrally therewith. The lightweight vehicle body frame reduces total weight of the vehicle and, at the same time, enhances assembling accuracy thereof.
US08439147B2	Motor vehicle The invention relates to a motor vehicle, comprising a body and a drive train, wherein the drive train comprises a front axle (10), a rear axle (13), a drive unit, and a gearbox (20), wherein the drive unit is designed as a hybrid drive having an internal combustion engine (16) and at least one electric machine (17, 18, 19), wherein the internal combustion engine (16) can be supplied with fuel from at least one fuel tank (21), and wherein the or each electric machine (17, 18, 19) can be supplied with electrical energy from at least one electrical energy store (22) in motorized operation, and wherein the or each fuel tank (21) and the or each electrical energy store (22) are positioned in a common section (23) of the body.
US08439145B2	Scooter-type vehicle A scooter-type vehicle can freely set a capacity of a fuel filter without being restricted by swing of a unit-swing type engine. A cross pipe is spanned between a pair of left and right lower frames and a lower end of a down frame is connected to a central portion of the cross pipe. A fuel filter is disposed so that its lower end is higher by distance than the lower end of cross pipe. The fuel filter is disposed between the down frame and the fuel tank. Since the fuel filter is disposed in front of the fuel tank, it is not restricted by the swing of an engine located rearward of the fuel tank. Therefore, a capacity of the fuel filter can freely be set.
US08439143B2	Over bulkhead air intake system A vehicle air intake system includes a grille disposed along a forward end of a vehicle. The grille has one or more inlet apertures for admitting airflow. A bulkhead extends laterally across the vehicle rearwardly of the grille. An intake enclosure having an intake port is disposed over the bulkhead. A bulkhead cover extends from the bulkhead to the grille. The bulkhead cover has louvers defining airflow passages therebetween for allowing the airflow admitted by the grille to pass to the intake port while inhibiting the passage of particles entrained in the airflow.
US08439142B2	Straddle type vehicle Air flowing through a secondary air inducting conduit of a motorcycle is effectively cooled to enhance combustion efficiency of exhaust gas in a catalyzer. A part of the secondary air inducting conduit is exposed to a space behind a front wheel and in front of an engine, and thus acts as a secondary air cooling conduit section for cooling down secondary air flowing through the secondary air inducting conduit.
US08439141B2	Work vehicle having engine and belt-type continuously variable transmission device A work vehicle includes: a muffler which flows exhaust from an engine and extends in a transverse direction so as to allow the exhaust from the engine to flow in the transverse direction; and a CVT case for covering a belt-type CVT positioned frontward of the muffler in a longitudinal direction. The CVT case includes a cooling structure for introducing cooling air from outside, cooling the belt-type CVT, and discharging the cooling air from a discharge part. An exhaust duct includes an inflow opening to be connected to the discharge part for allowing the cooling air to flow into the exhaust duct, and an exhaust opening for allowing the cooling air to flow out rearward. The exhaust opening is elongated in an extending direction of the muffler and oriented in a direction that allows the cooling air flowing out to hit the muffler.
US08439140B1	Energy converter assembly An assembly structured to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy for a wheeled vehicle such as an automobile. A current generating assembly is mounted on the vehicle and an adaptor is connected between and in engaging relation with a vehicle wheel and a tire/rim assembly connected to the vehicle wheel. The adaptor includes a drive portion disposed in an accessible, partially exposed orientation relative to the vehicle wheel. A drive linkage, such as a drive belt, is disposed in driven relation to the drive portion of the adaptor and in driving relation to the current generating assembly. Rotation of the wheel during normal operation of the vehicle results in driving or powering of the current generating assembly and the generation of current to an electronic drive assembly of the vehicle and/or electrically powered components thereof, at least partially through the battery assembly associated with the vehicle.
US08439138B2	Method and apparatus for transporting construction equipment in an enclosed container within the hold of a vessel A method and apparatus for permitting construction equipment, and particularly backhoe loaders, to be transported in the hold of a seagoing vessel within the interior of an enclosed cargo container includes front and rear rollers that temporarily replace the wheels of the equipment and allow it to be driven into and out of the container without any disassembly of the equipment.
US08439135B2	Down-the-hole drill hammer having an extendable drill bit assembly A down-the-hole drill hammer assembly includes a casing, a drill stem, a drilling lug segment and a pilot drill bit is provided. The drill stem is housed within the casing and includes an abutment surface. The drilling lug segment is slidably engaged with a distal end of the drill stem and movable between an initial configuration and an extended configuration. The drilling lug segment includes a proximal end engageable with the abutment surface of the drilling lug segment. The drill stem is movable between first and second positions within the pilot drill bit. In moving to the second position, the drill stem slidingly engages the drilling lug segment and moves the drilling lug segment to the extended configuration.
US08439126B2	Electric tool The invention relates to a hand-guided electric tool having a motor and a pulse width modulator for generating a pulse width modulated signal for operating the motor. A unit is provided for reducing the EMC interferences emitted by the electric tool.
US08439125B2	Apparatus, method and system for deep earth grounding An apparatus and method for deep earth grounding includes positioning a power driver at a site, the power driver comprising a frame and an impact hammer operatively connected to the frame, adjusting placement of the impact hammer, raising the impact hammer, driving 10 foot sectioned grounding rods down into the ground at the site using the hammer, testing resistance, and determining if more additional grounding rods are necessary based on the resistance. A power driver device includes an open frame, guide rails operatively connected to the frame, an impact hammer operatively connected to the guide rails and moveable along the guide rails, and a hand crank assembly operatively connected to the frame and configured for raising the guide rails and the impact hammer up and down along the frame.
US08439124B2	Air inlet for pneumatic power tool A pneumatic power tool with a housing assembly, a pneumatic motor assembly, an output member, and a trigger assembly. The housing assembly has a body, a cap member and a gasket assembly. The body defines a motor cavity and an inlet manifold. The cap member defines an air inlet port. The gasket has a first portion being a band formed of a compressible material and a second portion formed of a porous material. The band of the first portion is sealingly abutted against the body and cap member. The pneumatic motor assembly is received in the motor cavity defined by the body. The output member is driven by the pneumatic motor assembly. The trigger assembly is coupled to the housing assembly and is operable for selectively operating the pneumatic motor assembly. Pressurized air received into the air inlet port is filtered by the second portion of the gasket assembly and flows into the inlet manifold when the pneumatic motor assembly is operated. A related method is also provided.
US08439119B2	Latching mechanism for changing pump size A latching mechanism for selectively disengaging an upper pump from a motor in an ESP. The latching mechanism comprises barbs formed on an upper end of an upper shaft that are engaged by a tool to lift the upper shaft until a lower end of the upper shaft disengages from an upper end of a motor shaft. When the upper pump is disengaged from the motor shaft, only a lower pump is driven by the motor and flow of well fluid is circulated past the disengaged upper pump via a bypass line. The upper pump shaft may reengage the motor shaft if additional lift is required.
US08439111B2	Hydrocarbon recovery process Hydrocarbons are recovered from subterranean formations by waterflooding. The method comprises passing an aqueous displacement fluid via an injection well through a porous and permeable sandstone formation to release oil and recovering said released oil from a production well spaced from said injection well, wherein (a) the sandstone formation comprises at least one mineral having a negative zeta potential under the formation conditions; (b) oil and connate water are present in the pores of the formation; and (c) the fraction of the divalent cation content of the said aqueous displacement fluid to the divalent cation content of said connate water is less than 1.
US08439106B2	Logging system and methodology A technique facilitates the logging of hot, subterranean environments with a variety of logging tools. Logging tools with temperature limit ratings may be employed in environments that would otherwise be detrimental to operation of the logging tool due to the heat. The logging tool may be protected through placement of the tool at a desired location within a non-metallic flask. The logging tool also is surrounded with an insulating material and/or a material with a high heat of fusion disposed within the non-metallic flask to increase the time span for operating the logging tool in the hot, subterranean environment.
US08439103B2	Heat exchanger and method for manufacturing thereof A heat exchanger comprising two sets of medium through-flow channels through which two media can flow in heat-exchanging contact. Walls separating the channels are provided with heat conducting fins arranged on both sides of each wall, wherein a fin on the one side of a wall is in thermal contact with a similar fin on the other side of this wall.
US08439099B1	Dual curtain closure system having uni-directional securing hooks A dual curtain closure system for reversibly covering a portal opening, wherein the upper end of each curtain is attached across an upper margin of the opening and the lower end of each curtain is folded back on itself to form an upwardly opening pocket. Each pocket supports an elongated rod, the ends of which are engaged by opposing channel members defining the lateral margins of the portal opening. The sides of each curtain comprise loop fastening material and the channel members comprise hook fastening material such that the curtains are sealed to the channel members when activated to cover the opening. The hook fastening material has only downwardly facing hooks to prevent curtain hang up and promote proper operation of the closure system.
US08439086B2	Tubular structure A tubular structure having a multi-layer, strength-enhanced first end segment, a multi-layer, strength-enhanced second end segment, and a flexible segment intermediate said multi-layer strength-enhanced first end segment and said multi-layer, strength-enhanced second end segment is provided. Methods for manufacturing tubular structures are also provided.
US08439085B2	Semi-rigid flexible duct A semi-rigid, flexible duct including a pair of coaxial sleeves, namely an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve disposed parallel to and about the inner sleeve and a resilient wound element disposed between the sleeves. Each of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve constitutes an aluminum foil ribbon. The wound element imparts corrugations to the two sleeves, such that the duct is extendible between a compacted configuration suitable for storage and for shipping and an extended configuration suitable for installation in a gas transport arrangement. Both the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are of a predetermined thickness rendering the duct substantially rigid when in an extended configuration and enabling the duct to maintain its substantial rigidity upon extension from a compacted configuration. Optionally, at least one of the sleeves further includes a second, plastic layer bonded to the aluminum foil ribbon layer.
US08439083B2	Apparatus and method for axially transferring fluids to a plurality of components An apparatus for axially transferring fluid may comprise an elongated shaft defining a first fluid passageway axially therethrough and a second fluid passageway from an outer surface thereof to the first fluid passageway. An elongated tube member defines an outer surface that is received within the first fluid passageway and a third fluid passageway axially therethrough. A plurality of axial channels are defined between the tube member and the first fluid passageway or along the tube member separately from the third fluid passageway. At least one of the plurality of axial channels define a first opening near one end thereof that receives fluid from a source of fluid and a second opening axially spaced apart from the first opening and that aligns with the second fluid passageway such that fluid may be transferred by the at least one fluid passageway from the source of fluid through the second fluid passageway.
US08439079B2	Two plate manifold with crossovers A manifold includes first and second plates secured together at an inner face of each plate. A plurality of chambers and passages are in the inner faces of the plates and at least one port on an outer face of each plate connected to one of the chambers and passages. A crossover element in the crossing chamber or passage of the first plate separates a chamber or passage in the first plate from a chamber or passage in the second plate in the area where the chambers or passages cross.
US08439067B2	Kitchen machine comprising means for discharging impurities A kitchen machine having a housing that includes a housing base; a channel molded in a periphery of the housing and running in a direction of the housing base; a housing recess connected to the channel; and a coupling arranged in the housing recess to couple working apparatuses to the kitchen machine, wherein the housing recess includes means to discharge impurities.
US08439057B2	Walking stick A walking stick (10) having a shaft (12) having a first portion (34) and a second portion (36) received within the first portion (34) such that the second portion (36) can slide relative to the first portion (34). A first transverse handle (18) is provided at an upper end of the shaft (12) and a second handle (20) is provided pivotable between a retracted position in which the second handle (20) is generally parallel to the shaft (12) and an extended position in which the second handle (20) extends transversely to the shaft (12). A spring member (48) is provided for biasing the second portion (36) of the shaft (12) to slide outwardly from the first portion (34) and a locking mechanism is provided having a trigger (38) adjacent the first handle (18). The locking mechanism secures the first portion (34) of the shaft (12) relative to the second portion (36) of the shaft (12) and actuation of the trigger (38) releases the locking mechanism such that the second portion (36) of the shaft (12) can slide outwardly from the first portion (34) of the shaft (12) under the force of the spring member (48).
US08439051B2	Method of substrate processing, substrate processing system, and storage medium The present invention provides a substrate processing system in which a processing liquid is supplied to a substrate W from a processing nozzle 50a situated above the substrate W so as to process the substrate W, and which makes it possible to prevent unintended dripping of the processing liquid from the processing nozzle. A substrate processing system 20 comprises a processing nozzle 50a capable of supplying a processing liquid to a substrate to be processed, an arm 54 supporting the processing nozzle, and droplet removing nozzles 60, 62 capable of blowing a gas to the processing nozzle. The arm is movable between a processing position and a waiting position, the processing nozzle being above a substrate when the arm is in the waiting position and being outside a substrate when the arm is in the processing position. The droplet removing nozzles are so situated that they are in the vicinity of the processing nozzle when the arm is in the waiting position.
US08439050B2	Self-dispensing dental floss applicator A self-dispensing dental floss applicator that has a U-shaped elongated housing (1) with two hollow prongs (4a, 4b) set perpendicularly to the body at one end and a larger opposite end to contain the locking mechanism, the dispensing mechanism, the spool (3) of fresh floss and the spool (18 or 21) of used floss. The locking mechanism composed of a casing (5), an axle (9), two lower grip pads (17a, 17b), two upper grip pads (7a, 7b), two strip springs (8a and 8b) and a lever (6) with two eccentric friction parts is used to hold the floss in position thus creating the right tension on the floss. A tension pin (19) containing a screw (20) is provided to increase floss tension if/when needed by the user. Rotating the lever (6) up unlocks the floss. Further repeated rotations of the lever backward action the sliding mechanism containing a rack-and-pinion gear (23 and 21), together with springs 24 and 26, that in turn causes the spool of used floss (21) to rotate. Hence, new fresh floss is spanned between the prongs. In a separate embodiment, the applicator is placed on the electrical base and pressing it down will cause the spool of used floss (18) to rotate, hence pulling new fresh floss between the prongs in a very fast and easy manner. Pushing back the lever (6) to its locked position ensures the floss is tightly locked with the right tension.
US08439049B2	Braided dental floss A dental floss is formed as a strand, including threads braided with each other in a multi-looped manner so that forming knobs connecting adjacent quasi-flat sections that, while being stretched in a straight line, are sequentially disposed and twisted relatively to each other, whose cross-sections can be approximated to a rectangle-like figure having a width and a height greater than the width. The heights of two adjacent quasi-flat sections are disposed at a predetermined angle to each other. Due to particular braiding, the quasi-flat cross-sections and the knob's cross-section encompass different numbers of thread pieces, forming a multi-planar surface with bulges, thereby providing for a unique adhesive property increasing the floss cleaning power, grabbing and removing plaque particles from the tooth surface more efficiently than the conventional ones. It's exemplarily produced by means of adapted overlock machines, of polyester, colored, flavored, un-waxed, waxed, or impregnated with specific therapeutic agents.
US08439047B2	Composite mesoporous/microporous materials and their use in smoking articles for removing certain gas phase constituents from tobacco smoke Cut filler compositions, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a composite mesoporous/microporous material. The composite material is capable of removing at least one constituent from tobacco smoke, preferably selectively. The composite material may also be used for removing at least one constituent from tobacco smoke through sorption and/or catalysis. The composite material comprises channels interconnecting at least one mesoporous region and at least one microporous region. The mesopores of the composite material may further comprise a carbon lining and/or be further functionalized with a surfactant. Alternatively, the composite material may further comprise a metal, a metal oxide, or mixtures thereof.
US08439043B2	Retracting eye drape A retracting eye drape assembly is disclosed for use around a patient's eye to seclude and seal off the operative field during eye surgery. The drape assembly includes a retraction member connected to the drape and configured to engage the patient's eyelid, an extension member connected to the retraction member or to the drape and configured to substantially enclose the patient's eyelid, and a retraction flap configured to secure the patient's eyelid in a substantially retracted position. A method of applying an eye drape assembly is disclosed. After application of the drape to the patient's face, and while the patient's eyelid is closed, the patient's eyelid is engaged by a retraction member connected to the drape and retracted. While retracted, the patient's eyelid is substantially enclosed to seclude the eyelid and eyelashes from the operational area. The secluded eyelid and eyelashes are then secured in a retracted position.
US08439026B1	Mechanical full draw, hold, lock and arrow release device for compound bows The invention comprises a lever support arm tube attached perpendicular at one end to a compound bow and at the other end has an attached pulley assembly. Attached in between is a shoulder rest assembly, a lever arm hinged at the tube and a slip-lock ring. The draw cable attached to a quick release aid holding the bow string passes back around the pulley assembly and passes forward to the lever arm hinged backwards toward the pulley assembly. The archer forces the lever arm forward, pulling the draw cable around the pulley assembly thereby drawing the bow string. The archer engages the slip-lock ring holding the lever arm to maintain the bow string in the full draw position. An arrow is nocked. The archer's left hand aims the bow. The right shoulder supports the invention using the shoulder rest assembly. The right hand pulls the quick release aid trigger.
US08439022B2	Ventilation device for a forced induction internal combustion engine The invention relates to a ventilation device (19) for an internal combustion engine (1) for evacuating blow-by gas from a crankcase (3), comprising a first line (20), which is connected at the one end to the crankcase (3) and at the other end, downstream of a forced induction device (10), to a fresh-gas line (7) and contains a ventilation valve (23), and a second line (21), which is connected at the one end, upstream of the forced induction device (10), to the fresh-gas line (7) and at the other end, between the crankcase (3) and the ventilation valve (23), to the first line (20) and contains a throttle device (23).
US08439015B2	Fuel injection apparatus A fuel injection apparatus including a plurality of throttle bodies, a fuel supply pipe to supply fuel to upstream and downstream side injectors; connecting pipes to connect the fuel supply pipe to the upstream side injectors and the downstream side injectors; upstream side branch passages to supply fuel branched from the fuel supply pipe to the respective upstream side injectors; downstream side branch passages to supply fuel branched from the fuel supply pipe to the respective downstream side injectors; a nip angle of the upstream side injectors is larger than a nip angle of the downstream side branch passages against the intake flow direction of the intake passage; and the nip angle of the downstream side branch passages is larger than a nip angle of the downstream side injectors against the intake flow direction of the intake passage.
US08439014B2	Fuel system diagnosis via fuel pressure switch An engine system for a vehicle and its method of operation are provided. In one embodiment, a control system is configured to indicate a clogging of a fuel filter based on a period of time that a fuel pressure switch remains in a low pressure state. In some embodiments, the control system may respond to an indicated clogging of the fuel system by limiting one or more of fuel pressure, fuel flow rate, and vehicle speed. By limiting the flow rate and/or the pressure at which fuel is delivered to the engine during conditions when the low pressure fuel sub-system is unable to provide sufficient fuel pressure and/or flow, degradation and/or damage to the fuel system, including the high pressure pump, may be reduced or eliminated.
US08439011B2	Method and system for pre-ignition control Methods and systems are provided for addressing cylinder pre-ignition by adjusting a spray angle of fuel injected into a cylinder responsive to an indication of pre-ignition. A spray pattern of fuel injected in the cylinder is varied based on a cylinder pre-ignition count to reduce cylinder wall impingement of injected fuel while improving air-fuel mixing in the cylinder.
US08439006B2	Starter device for starting internal combustion engines The invention relates to a starter device which is used to start internal combustion engines, which comprises an electromagnetic toe-in mechanism (10) and a start-stop-mechanism, which in a stop-phase of the internal combustion engine, even during and/or after stopping the internal combustion engine, a positioned state of the toe-in mechanism (10) is provoked, such that when the internal combustion engine is subsequently started, it is already in the positioned state. According to the invention, a locking device (20), which is used to lock the toe-in mechanism (10) in the positioned state, is embodied in such a manner that it can be controlled such that the electromagnetic toe-in mechanism (10) is maintained in the advanced position during the stop-phase.
US08439004B2	Ball-lift device with screw for a variable compression ratio engine A ball-lift device with screw for a variable compression ratio engine having a hydraulic double-acting control actuator (8) including an upper chamber (121) and a lower chamber (122) and at least one actuator piston (13) connected to a control rack (7) includes: at least two balls (401, 402) or valve elements each resting on a seat (403, 404) and closing off respectively one and the other end of a transfer channel (405) connecting the upper chamber and the lower chamber of the control actuator, the balls acting as a nonreturn valve element when they are held on their seat by a spring (408, 409) in order to allow the hydraulic fluid to pass in only one direction; and lifting element (410) including at least one electric motor (480) designed to rotate at least one screw (481, 482) making it possible to lift from or place on its seat at least one ball.
US08439002B2	Methods and systems for engine control Methods and systems for controlling an engine are provided. In some examples, the method includes transitioning from operating a cylinder with a first number of strokes per combustion cycle to a second, lesser, number of strokes per combustion cycle in response to boost pressure rising above a threshold boost value. For example, the cylinder may transition from four-stroke combustion cycles to two-stroke combustion cycles, and the method may further include generating the increased boost via operation of an electric machine coupled to a turbocharger of the engine. In this way, transitions to the second, lesser, number of strokes may be enhances as sufficient boost can already be present.
US08438993B2	Portable, multi-access container A container for storing or delivering a consumable liquid or semi-solid to an animal, such as a human or domesticated pet, includes a receptacle for holding its contents and two or more openings. At least one opening is an elongated opening formed in the side of the walls of the container to allow lapping or licking of the contents by the animal, when the container is laid on its side. The opening in the walls is covered by a corresponding cover, which is affixed using adhesives, mechanical devices, or a combination thereof. The cover prevents spilling of the contents when in place. The container is manufactured so that the opening in the walls can be opened by manually removing the cover, either partially or completely. The cover may be reattached to the container using a fastening technique or device.
US08438984B2	Embroidery frame An embroidery frame comprises an inner frame, wherein the inner frame is a circular form. The embroidery frame comprises a middle frame configured to be detachably attachable to the inner frame, wherein the middle frame is a circular form, an inside diameter of the middle frame is longer than an outside diameter of the inner frame, and the inner frame is configured to be mountable in the middle frame. The embroidery frame comprises an outer frame configured to rotatably hold the middle frame, wherein the outer frame is a circular form, an inside diameter of the outer frame is longer than an outer outside diameter of the middle frame, and the middle frame is configured to be mountable in the outer frame. The embroidery frame comprises an engaging portion configured to cause the middle frame to engage with the outer frame at a predetermined rotation angle.
US08438978B2	Projectile with a multi-spectral marking plume A training ammunition projectile has a projectile body comprising a head with a frangible ogive designed to burst when the projectile strikes a target. One or more marking agents, disposed in the head for marking the position of the target upon its release when the ogive has burst, include 1) chemi-luminescent components, disposed in separate frangible compartments, which mix and react chemically with each other when the compartments break up on setback, causing the mixed components to luminesce, and/or (2) a low density, fine, dry powder material disposed in the head and designed to create a plume, both for marking the target when the projectile strikes the target. A dry thermal material, disposed in a separate compartment in the head and designed to be exposed to oxygen or air upon setback, due to the initial acceleration and the centrifugal forces, produce an exothermic reaction and emit heat during flight of the projectile, thereby to increase the temperature of the marking agents during flight and provide an Infrared marking signature when the projectile strikes the target.
US08438976B2	Automatic adjustment of printer drum spacing A method is presented for automatically controlling the spacing between printer drums. The printer includes at least two print drums (920.1, 920.2) whose parallel rotation leads to image transfer, either between the drums or onto a printed surface. First the pressure a signal indicative of the pressure between the two print drums is obtained by a measurement unit (930), and then the gap between the drums is automatically adjusted in accordance with the indicator signal by a gap adjuster (940).
US08438973B2	Locking device for columns of moulding presses Locking device for columns (A) of presses with at least one stationary platen and at least one moveable platen (E), comprising, in a containment body (D), a wedge flange (G) firmly fastened to the back of the tightening wedges (B) and able to translate axially, and where after the tightening of said wedges (B) on said column (A), the group formed by the piston (C) acting on said wedges (B), said wedge flange (G), said wedges (B) and said column (A) translates with a maximum stroke (m) limited by a starting or resting position of the wedge flange (G) to an end stop position, determined by the pressing of said wedge flange (G) on the rear plate (D2) of said containment body (D).
US08438969B2	Apparatus and method for dissolving gases in a beverage Disclosed is an apparatus for dissolving gases in a beverage, the apparatus including a product conduit that is fluidly communicable with a product supply and a product dispenser, a gas conduit configured to transport gas from a gas supply to the product conduit, the gas conduit including at least one flow control mechanism; and at least one additional gas conduit configured to transport an additional gas from at least one additional gas supply to the product conduit, the gas conduit including an additional flow control mechanism.
US08438964B1	Gun ports A gun port having a door with spaced-apart plates provides armor against ballistic weapons and explosive blasts. Such a gun port is useful in defense of armored vehicles, armored buildings, and other installations. Sliding or rolling such a gun port door across a gun port opening horizontally on guide rails allows for ease of use by both persons who are left handed or right handed. A door slide sub-assembly is easily mounted or un-mounted from a separate port frame installed in a vehicle or building wall, providing easy repair of the door and door slide sub-assembly, and easier replacement of the port frame.
US08438962B2	Hand operated rifle cartridge loading press affording a repeatable degree of crimping A hand operated press for reloading metal rifle cartridges including indicating means for providing for an operator of the press discrete indications of the different forces that can be manually applied through the drive mechanism during use of the press to crimp the second end of a cartridge against a bullet in the cartridge to allow the operator to use one of those indications to manually apply the same force to form essentially the same degree of crimp of the second ends of identical cartridges against identical bullets in the cartridges.
US08438957B2	Digital beam torque wrench with an electronic sensor A torque wrench includes a main beam having a distal end and a proximal end, a drive element disposed at the distal end of the main beam, a stationary beam having a distal end fixedly secured to the main beam at a first location on the main beam, and having a proximal end, and a displacement sensor assembly disposed at a second location associated with the main beam and with the stationary beam to detect an amount of displacement of the main beam relative to the stationary beam. The displacement sensor assembly includes an actuating element secured to one of the main beam or the stationary beam and a sensor rigidly secured to the other one of the main beam or the stationary beam and responsive to the actuating element. An electronic component is configured to generate a torque measurement based on the generated electrical signal, and store at least one of the generated electrical signal and the torque measurement for a several positions of the main beam relative to the stationary beam.
US08438949B2	Sealed rotator shaft for borescopic inspection A rotator drive connection for a gas turbine engine accessory box has a shaft connected to be driven by a main shaft in a gas turbine engine through a gear train. A first drive connection allows selective drive of the shaft. A biased drive member includes a second drive connection selectively brought into contact with the first drive connection to allow rotation of the main shaft. The biased drive member biases the second drive connection out of contact with the first drive connection. A gas turbine engine accessory box and a method of borescopic inspection are also disclosed and claimed.
US08438948B2	Vehicle drive A vehicle drive including a transmission-engine arrangement with two drive units that are operatable independently of each other and include drive shafts arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and with two transmission units, a respective one of the drive units forming a partial drive train with one of the transmission units, and a respective clutch device being arranged between the drive units and the transmission units within the partial drive trains. The clutch devices of the two partial drive trains are arranged to be offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to be capable of being arranged with an overlap as viewed in the transversal direction of the vehicle.
US08438945B2	Electronic organ type accelerator pedal An electronic organ type accelerator pedal apparatus, may include a pedal housing having a pedal arm receiving space therein and a carrier fitting hole, a pedal pivotally hinged to a hinged portion of the pedal housing, a pedal arm pivotally mounted to an inner surface of the pedal housing, wherein one end portion of the pedal arm is elastically biased by an elastic member and the other end portion of which is pivotally coupled to the pedal through the carrier fitting hole to transfer an activating force of the pedal to the other end portion of the pedal arm, and a damping stopper fixed to the inner surface of the pedal housing in the pedal arm receiving space and selectively engaged with the other end portion of the pedal arm to limit a rotation of the pedal arm when the pedal arm is rotated by the elastic member.
US08438935B2	Smooth bore, chordal transit-time ultrasonic meter and method An apparatus for analyzing fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter having a plurality of transducers. The apparatus includes a flow element having a completely smooth bore through which the fluid flows, and a plurality of cavities, each of the cavities has one of the plurality of transducers disposed in it and which is in communication with the fluid flowing through the bore. An apparatus for analyzing fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter having a plurality of transducers. The apparatus includes a flow element having a bore with an internal diameter and a surface through which fluid flows, a plurality of cavities each of which has an opening in the surface. Each of the cavities has one of the plurality of transducers disposed in it.
US08438928B2	Apparatus and method for non-destructive testing using ultrasonic phased array The present invention is related generally to the field of non-destructive materials testing using ultrasonic devices, more particularly, ultrasonic devices in a phased array and includes a wedge for conducting pitch-catch ultrasonic phase array testing of materials wherein the wedge includes a liquid column and is manufactured with specific angles so as to control the angle at which the ultrasonic waves pass into the wedge and then are refracted when passing from the liquid in the liquid column into the material being analyzed, thus providing a wider range of analysis via sweeping the beams from the wedge than was possible with known wedges.
US08438923B2	MEMS device with opposite polarity spring bimorph A MEMS device has a mass supported at least in part by a spring. Among other things, the spring has first and second layers, and first and a second electrodes. The first and second layers are between the first and second electrodes, and the first and second layers, which are oppositely polarized, form a bimorph.
US08438920B2	Assembly structure of liquid level detecting apparatus and liquid level detecting apparatus An assembly structure of a liquid level detecting apparatus includes a sliding arm having a junction for electrically contacting a resistor and an arm holder attached to the sliding arm. The sliding arm moves according to a liquid level so that the junction slides on the resistor. The sliding arm includes a sliding portion extending in a direction from a base end portion of the sliding arm to the junction, and a pawl portion extending from the base end portion. The arm holder includes a slit into which the pawl portion is inserted and a face on which the sliding portion is mounted. The face is inclined at an angle with respect to an insertion direction of the pawl portion.
US08438909B2	Device and method for detecting an air leak in a tool A device for detecting an air leak in a tool comprises a vacuum bag and a leak detection film disposed along an inside face of the vacuum bag. The leak detection film may include oxygen sensitive material configured to change physical appearance at a location of an air leak in the tool. A breather layer may be interposed between the tool and the leak detection film for facilitating air flow therebetween.
US08438900B2	Electronic phantom and method for electronically controlling a phantom for a quantitative ultrasound device An electronic phantom and method for electronically controlling a phantom for a quantitative ultrasound device are provided. The electronic phantom includes a housing, a first transducer element within the housing configured to receive an ultrasonic signal from a quantitative ultrasound device and a second transducer element within the housing connected to the first transducer element. The second transducer element is configured to transmit a modified ultrasonic sound wave to the quantitative ultrasound device based on the received ultrasonic signal. The first and second transducer elements are positioned in a back to back configuration within the housing.
US08438897B2	Forming device A forming device for cup-shaped hollow bodies, including a machine frame, a drive device, a workpiece turntable and a tool holder, wherein the drive device (15) is designed to provide a rotational step movement and a cyclic linear movement between the workpiece turntable and the tool holder, and wherein the workpiece turntable is assigned at a locking position a first actuating means for triggering a locking movement on the respective workpiece holder and at an unlocking position a second actuating means for triggering an unlocking movement on the respective workpiece holder. A third actuating means is arranged along a curved machining path for the hollow bodies between the locking position and the unlocking position so as to trigger a combined unlocking and locking movement on the respectively associated workpiece holder in order to at least partially unlock, optionally move and then lock once again the hollow body held in the respective workpiece holder during one cycle of the cyclic linear movement of the tool holder.
US08438894B2	Press brake for bending sheets The present invention relates to a bending press comprising an upper table (130) and a lower table (132) placed edge-to-edge in the vertical direction, with one of the tables being movable relative to the other in the vertical direction, and with one of the tables presenting slots (134, 136) that are placed symmetrically relative to the midplane (P′P). Each slot has an open outside end and comprises a first slot portion (135a, 137a) and a second slot portion (135b, 137b) that is situated on the inside relative to the first slot portion and that is connected thereto, the shapes of said slot portions being such that the stiffness of the table portion situated between the slot and the tool fastener is greater between the first slot portion and the tool fastener than between the second slot portion and the tool fastener. At least one element (180) for adjusting the flexing of said table is disposed in the first slot portion.
US08438892B2	Stem slide device A stem slide apparatus comprises a stem slide base (73) with a stem (6) horizontally mounted thereon to press a billet (B) mounted on a container (5), a slide guide member (72, 72a, 72b) mounted on a vertical stem move support member (71) and formed with guide grooves in which the side end portions of the stem slide base are fitted and vertically slid, and a lock means (77a, 77b) arranged on the slide guide member to press the side end portions of the stem slide base. The stem slide apparatus further comprises a drive mechanism (10) having an electric motor (11) to move the slide base in the sliding direction. Therefore the indirect cause of a fire is removed and the maintenance work simplified.
US08438886B2	Device for locking the doors of a showcase The invention provides a showcase having at least two glass doors, a first door being fastened to a front ferrule and a second door being fastened to a rear ferrule, each of the ferrules moving along a respective rail, said locking device comprising a lock for locking the two doors together, wherein the showcase includes a locking device comprising a slider mounted to move in said front ferrule transversely relative thereto, and having a rotor of the lock installed thereon, wherein said rear ferrule includes an opening that comes into line with said rotor in a position for locking the two doors together, and that is suitable for receiving a bolt mounted at the end of said rotor, and wherein said slider includes a relatively flat face plate coming substantially flush with said ferrule in the locked position of said doors.
US08438884B1	Padlock protective cover A protective cover for an outdoor padlock or another lock which secures a hasp to a door, has a base, a housing dimensioned to accommodate the lock and the hasp, and a flexure hinge, preferably a living hinge. When the base of the protective cover is attached to the door protected by the padlock, the housing abuts and presses against the door.
US08438878B2	Control unit of laundry processing apparatus A control unit of a laundry treatment apparatus is provided in which shaking of a knob may be reduced or prevented and a tactile manipulation response of the knob may be improved. The control unit may include a board provided in a control panel of the laundry treatment apparatus, an encoder mounted in the board and having a projected rotation shaft, a supporter mounted in the board or the control panel and having a hollow unit disposed outside the rotation shaft, a knob having a connecting shaft coupled to the rotation shaft, and a bushing mounted in the hollow unit and rotatably supporting at least one of the connecting shaft or the rotation shaft.
US08438874B2	Natural gas liquefaction plant and motive power supply equipment for same Motive power supply equipment for a natural gas liquefaction plant includes gas turbine equipment having a compressor for compressing air, a combustor for generating combustion gases by burning a fuel and the compressed air from the compressor, and a turbine rotated by the combustion gases from the combustor. A low-temperature heat source supply system is provided which, during rated load operation of the gas turbine equipment, supplies carbon dioxide as a cooling medium to the gas turbine equipment in order to cool the gas turbine equipment. The carbon dioxide supplied is generated by separation from the natural gas in the natural gas purification equipment.
US08438872B2	Refrigerator related technology A refrigerator and its operation method are disclosed. Cool air ducts guide cool air from a freezing compartment to an ice compartment that is positioned at a refrigerating compartment door. At least a portion of the cool air ducts are located at a barrier that separates the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.
US08438869B2	Refrigerator with ice making room Disclosed herein is a refrigerator having an ice-making chamber, and the refrigerator may include a refrigerator body and an ice-making chamber, and the ice-making chamber may include an ice-making chamber body one side of which is opened, a connecting duct provided in a first sidewall of the ice-making chamber to be connected to the refrigerator body, an ice-making chamber door provided at a second sidewall of the ice-making chamber to open and close the ice-making chamber, and a protrusion portion formed to be protruded at the first sidewall. Accordingly, the thickness of the ice-making chamber door can be secured without changing a cool air channel of the ice-making chamber, thereby increasing a cooling chamber.
US08438864B2	Transcritical heat pump water heater and method of operation A method for increasing efficiency of a transcritical heat pump water heater system is provided, as well as the corresponding system. The refrigerant, such as CO2, is compressed to a supercritical point and passed through a gas cooler that is wrapped at least partially around a water storage tank, wherein the refrigerant transfers heat to water stored in the tank. The hot water is discharged from the storage tank proximate to a top of the tank, and cold water is introduced into the tank proximate to a bottom of the tank. The supercritical refrigerant is directed to flow through the gas cooler from a top point to a lowermost point in a flow direction such that the refrigerant exits the gas cooler proximate to the bottom of the tank at a location of the coldest water within the storage tank.
US08438862B2	Thermally-protected chamber for a temperature-sensitive consumer electronic device A thermal-protection apparatus disposed in a vehicle cabin or storage compartment includes a housing enveloping a chamber in which a thermally-sensitive consumer electronic device is received, a thermoelectric module mounted in a wall of the housing, and a remote electronic controller and power source coupled to the housing via an electrical cable for activating the thermoelectric module, and optionally the consumer electronic device, in a manner to prevent the temperature in the chamber from exceeding a prescribed maximum operating temperature of the consumer electronic device or falling below a prescribed minimum operating temperature of the consumer electronic device.
US08438858B1	Rotational system for an expendable gas turbine engine A rotational system for a miniature gas turbine engine includes a rotor shaft rotationally mounted to a forward bearing and an aft bearing. The rotor shaft is located axially with a single threaded rotor nut which provides an axial preload maintained by a fixed compressor wheel and spacers. A preload spring provides dynamic compensation for tolerance variation and undesirable axial movement during rotation of the shaft. A permanent magnet generator is mounted to the rotor shaft behind the forward bearing to generate electrical power for the engine and other accessories. The rotor shaft is inertia welded to a turbine wheel to form a cavity which provides a thermally conductive path away from the aft bearing. A seal ring mounted within a groove within the rotor shaft provides a pneumatic seal to further protect the aft bearing from thermal transfer between the turbine section and the compressor section.
US08438857B2	Aircraft engine inlet having zone of deformation An inlet assembly for an aircraft engine nacelle includes an inner barrel, an outer barrel radially spaced from the inner barrel, and a rear support for supporting the outer barrel relative to the inner barrel. The rear support includes at least one radially extending stiffener and at least one energy absorber defining a zone of deformation adjacent the inner barrel. The rear support is deformable in the zone of deformation in response to forces applied during a fan blade-out event to prevent fracture of the rear support.
US08438855B2	Slotted compressor diffuser and related method A compressor diffuser for a gas turbine includes: a compressor diffuser having an upstream end and a downstream end, the downstream end defined by a peripheral annular edge, the annular edge formed with a plurality of substantially axially-oriented slots extending from an opening at the downstream edge in an upstream direction.
US08438851B1	Combustor assembly for use in a turbine engine and methods of assembling same A fuel nozzle assembly for use with a turbine engine is described herein. The fuel nozzle assembly includes a plurality of fuel nozzles positioned within an air plenum defined by a casing. Each of the plurality of fuel nozzles is coupled to a combustion liner defining a combustion chamber. Each of the plurality of fuel nozzles includes a housing that includes an inner surface that defines a cooling fluid plenum and a fuel plenum therein, and a plurality of mixing tubes extending through the housing. Each of the mixing tubes includes an inner surface defining a flow channel extending between the air plenum and the combustion chamber. At least one mixing tube of the plurality of mixing tubes including at least one cooling fluid aperture for channeling a flow of cooling fluid from the cooling fluid plenum to the flow channel.
US08438849B2	Multi-level organic rankine cycle power system A waste heat recovery system includes a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine, in which the high pressure turbine receives high pressure working fluid vapor, the low pressure turbine receives low pressure working fluid vapor and the high pressure turbine also supplies low pressure working fluid vapor to the low pressure turbine. A recuperator receives working fluid vapor from the low pressure turbine. The recuperator produces heated condensate, at least a portion of which is provided to a high pressure vaporizer. The high pressure vaporizer is configured to receive from a high temperature heat source and produces high pressure working vapor used to power the high pressure turbine. The remaining condensed fluid is provided to a low pressure vaporizer which is configured to receive heat from a low-temperature heat source, thereby producing low pressure working fluid vapor used to power the low pressure turbine.
US08438848B2	Engine with turbocharger and EGR An engine includes a variable geometry turbocharger, an EGR valve device, a hydraulic servo drive device that drives the variable geometry turbocharger, a hydraulic servo drive device that drives the EGR valve device, an electronic proportional control valve (EPC valve) that supplies pilot pressure oil to the hydraulic servo drive device, and an electronic proportional control valve (EPC valve) that supplies pilot pressure oil to the hydraulic servo drive device, the EPC valves being attached to the EGR valve device.
US08438844B2	Floatable wave energy converter and a method for improving the efficiency of a floatable wave energy converter A wave energy converter includes a housing having a forward end and an aft end. Three upstanding air chambers are located in the housing and three corresponding water accommodating ducts extend aft from the air chambers and terminate in aft water accommodating openings for accommodating water into and out of the air chambers as the housing oscillates by pitching in response to passing waves. An air accommodating duct communicates with the air chambers through a manifold for accommodating air into and out of the air chambers as the water level falls and rises within the air chambers as the housing oscillates. A self-rectifying turbine in the air accommodating duct powers an electrical generator. A first stabilizing plate extends forwardly and downwardly from the forward end of the housing for controlling the oscillating motion of the housing.
US08438839B2	Exhaust gas stream vortex breaker An exhaust gas treatment system for reducing emissions from an engine includes an exhaust conduit adapted to supply an exhaust stream from an engine to an exhaust treatment device. An injector injects a reagent through an aperture in the conduit into the exhaust stream. A vortex breaker includes a mount having a cylindrical sleeve extending through the aperture as well as a flared tube fixed to and positioned within the cylindrical sleeve. A window extends through an upstream portion of the cylindrical sleeve exposing the flared tube to the exhaust stream. The sleeve includes a downstream aperture in fluid communication with the window.
US08438837B2	Control of an exhaust gas aftertreatment device in a hybrid vehicle The present invention involves a method for maintaining temperature in an exhaust gas treatment device for an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle. The engine has a crankshaft and at least one cylinder. The hybrid vehicle has a fuel storage device and a fuel supply device. An exhaust gas treatment device is located downstream of the cylinder. The method comprises, in an engine off mode, pumping air to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device controlling the fuel supply device so that fuel is allowed to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device. Air flow to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device can be controlled by a throttle in an inlet duct to the engine and/or the fuel supply device to control the combustion and air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas treatment device.
US08438827B2	Block lock for a round link chain The block lock for round link chains includes two approximately L-shaped lock halves connected with each other by pins. Each lock half has a longitudinal leg with a center rib, which faces away from its continuous back portion and separates bearing shells for chain links, and a cross leg arranged on one end of the longitudinal leg. Projections and receiving pockets are provided on the front ends of the longitudinal legs facing away from the cross legs, and receiving pockets and projections matching the projections and receiving pockets on the longitudinal legs are provided on the sides of the cross legs facing the center ribs. The center ribs are mutually offset in the longitudinal direction of the identically constructed lock halves.
US08438826B2	Four strand blackened wire rope The present invention is directed to a wire rope having a blackened finish designed for theatrical productions. The wire rope includes a plurality of strands that have a closed spiral arrangement with each other and are compacted. Each strand includes a center wire spirally surrounded by a plurality of inner wires that are spirally surrounded by a plurality of outer wires so that the outer wires completely encompass the inner wires. The center wire and the inner wires are made from a galvanized material and coated with a lubricant. The outer wires are made from a non-coated steel material. Each strand is compacted so the outer wires create a tight mechanical seal to protect the inner wires. The blackened finish on the wire rope is due to a black oxide coating treatment and provides for low visibility of the wire rope during theatrical performances.
US08438809B2	Wave ripple panel Systems, apparatuses, and methods configured for installing a decorative feature having a wave-like appearance. For example, a system for installing the decorative feature can include one or more mounts configured to attach to a support structure and support one or more decorative panels. The system can also include a plurality of decorative panels configured to be disposed within or supported by the mounts. Each decorative panel can have a concave or convex configuration to produce a wave-like appearance.
US08438804B2	Wall leadthrough for leading a line through a building wall The present invention relates to a wall passage opening for passing a conduit through a through-penetration defining at least one reveal, of a building with a substantially vertical or horizontal orientation, wherein the conduit is covered with an insulation material (10) comprising an insulation shell (16), at least in the region of the passage opening, the diameter of the insulation element substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the passage opening, wherein the insulation shell (16) includes a cavity for accommodating a conduit section (22) having an enlarged outer diameter and wherein the insulation shell (16) is made of mineral fibers, to accommodate the conduit section (22) having the enlarged outer diameter in a quick and easy manner.
US08438803B2	Cable protection sleeve for building framing A sleeve for protecting a utility conduit or conduits passing through a hole in a stud used in building construction. A body portion forms a longitudinally extending hollow trough having side edges, wherein each said side edge portion has overlapable or interlockable fingers. The trough includes a circular side section, with a diameter defining a body width. This circular side section is changeable by compression with either the human hand or a conventional hand-tool to adapt the body width, and thus the sleeve, to coincide with a potential range of stud hole sizes. Engagement of the sleeve in the hole is achievable by placing an inserted end into the hole and pressing a worked end. A stop portion at the worked end stops insertion of the sleeve beyond the stud face, and a retention portion in the sleeve affirmatively retains the sleeve within the hole once thus inserted.
US08438800B2	Support structures on roofs This invention provides support structures on roofs. Such support structure can be used to support a roof load, or a closure structure which closes an aperture in the roof, thus to provide access to the interior of a building through an aperture in the roof. The support structure can support a skylight to provide natural day-lighting, or a smoke vent, or a variety of other loads optionally relating to matter or energy communication between the inside and outside of the building. The support structure includes rails adapted to be supported by adjacent rib elevations on opposite sides of a flat of a roof panel, elevated above the water line of the panel flat. Where the support structure surrounds an aperture, a diverter seals a cut away portion of the rib structure and diverts water through the rib structure and laterally away from the rail and closure structure.
US08438797B2	Outer frame drainage structure of concentrator type solar cell module An outer frame drainage structure of a concentrator type solar cell module, wherein, a drainage element having a predetermined height is disposed between a side board and a frame edge, hereby keeping a drainage slit between said side board and the corresponding frame edge, so that moisture will not remain inside the concentrator type solar cell module, thus the concentrator type solar cell module is able to operate in an optimal light-to-electricity conversion efficiency. In a structure mentioned above, a concave slit is formed through engaging and positioning an extended and bent positioning portion of the side board into a positioning slot of the frame edge, and the concave slit is linked to the drainage slit, thus facilitating exit of moisture and preventing intrusion of foreign objects effectively.
US08438796B2	Photovoltaic roofing elements including tie layer systems, and roofs using them, and methods for making them The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic devices. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products in which a photovoltaic element is joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: an encapsulated photovoltaic element having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top layer material at its top surface and a bottom layer material at its bottom surface; a roofing substrate having a top surface; and a tie layer system disposed between the encapsulated photovoltaic element and the roofing substrate and joining the bottom surface of the encapsulated photovoltaic element to the top surface of the roofing substrate.
US08438791B1	Coupling device for forming a protective building system A modular building removable coupling device for forming an explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant facility. The coupling device can include two hollow square or rectangular tubings having hollow top sides, a sealing means disposed between the tubings, a fastener connecting the tubings, a roof plate secured to each tubing, and a roof cap disposed over the roof plates. The coupling device can include sealing tubes secured to inner sides of the roof cap. A plurality of explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant modules can be connected with a plurality of modular building removable coupling devices to form an explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant facility.
US08438777B2	Repeating live catch animal trap A live catch animal trap has a trap floor positioned above an animal holding cage, a bait station positioned adjacent to the trap floor, and a mechanical trigger mechanism. The trap floor is rotatably moveable between a generally horizontal closed position and a downwardly inclined open position. The trap floor is normally biased toward its closed position by a return spring and/or its center of gravity location relative to its pivot point. The trigger mechanism is arranged to be tripped by an animal standing on the trap floor as the animal attempts to access the bait station. The trigger mechanism has a trip plate connected to a locking element that engages a spring-loaded latch on the trap floor. The trip plate and the locking element are arranged to automatically return the trigger mechanism to an untripped condition as the trap floor returns from its open position to its closed position.
US08438775B2	Foldably segmented weapon sight A weapon sight removably mountable on a weapon provides a plurality of weapon sight segments coupled in end to end linear relation including a front weapon sight segment configured to receive a front sight and a rear weapon sight segment configured to receive a rear sight which disposes the front sight at a fixed distance from the rear sight allowing alignment of the front sight with the rear sight to aim the weapon at a target.
US08438774B2	Pistol cocking assistive device At least one cam lock and an opposing structure form a compression channel for receiving and engaging a pistol slide. When the pistol is moved in a certain direction through the compression channel, the one or more cam locks and opposing structure engage the pistol's slide and translate some of the forward motion force into a compressive force on the sides of the slide. At a point where the compressive force overcomes the force of the main spring of the pistol, the pistol frame driven by the user moves forward relative to the slide, thereby racking the slide of the pistol.
US08438770B2	Firearm handguard system A firearm includes a receiver with a socket defined by a forwardly extending circumferential rim having an inner surface, a barrel extending from the socket of the receiver and terminating in a muzzle, and a cocking lever housing carried above the barrel. A partial tubular body is received over the barrel with a rearward end abutting the receiver at the forwardly extending circumferential rim. A clamp element is carried by the partial tubular body and is movable between a release position and an engaged position in which a clamp end of the clamp element frictionally engages the inner surface of the circumferential rim.
US08438769B1	Weapons foregrip A foregrip for a firearm includes a grip formed to fit in a palm of a hand having a first cavity for receiving an index finger disposed at a forward portion on a first side of the grip and a second cavity for receiving a thumb disposed on a second side of the grip, the first cavity being substantially vertical and the second cavity being substantially horizontal. In a first embodiment, the foregrip further includes a plurality of horizontal grooves for receiving a middle, ring, and little finger disposed at a back portion on the first side of the grip. In a second embodiment, the foregrip further includes a cavity for receiving a ring and little finger disposed at a back portion of said first side of said grip and a notch for receiving a middle finger.
US08438759B2	Vibration damping device and bucket for construction machine A bucket for a construction machine including a side plate (11); a bottom plate (12), at least a portion of which is connected to the side plate (11); and a laminated plate (20) that is attached to an outside of the side plate (11). At least a part (16) of the portion where the side plate (11) and the bottom plate (12) are connected on an inside of the side plate (11) and the bottom plate (12) is reinforced.
US08438755B2	Laundry machine A novel-structure laundry machine that is capable of washing laundry using steam is disclosed. The laundry machine includes a machine body constituting the external appearance thereof, a drum mounted in the machine body for receiving laundry, a steam supply unit mounted in the machine body for generating steam, the steam supply unit being constructed to receive water for steam generation through the water inlet port exposed to the outside while the water inlet port communicates with one side of the machine body, and a primary steam supply part for supplying the steam generated in the steam supply unit into the drum.
US08438750B2	Dryer having a lint filter and a cleaning device A dryer has a drying chamber to receive damp items and a process air duct to feed process air into and extract process air out of the drying chamber. The process air duct has a heat source and a heat sink to heat the process air before the process air enters the drying chamber and to cool the process air after the process air leaves the drying chamber, respectively. A cleaning device has an accumulator for a liquid; a rinsing line connected to the accumulator; a control organ in the rinsing line; a distributor connected to the rinsing line to distribute the liquid conveyed through the rinsing line on a lint filter and to receive the lint caught by the lint filter; and a drain line to drain the liquid with the received lint away from the lint filter and towards the accumulator.
US08438748B1	Caliper mounting accessories Caliper mounts are provided that include a shallow channel for receiving a caliper scale bar, a retainer with a stepped cone washer positioned adjacent one side wall of the channel, and one or more shelves cantilevered over an opposite side wall of the channel. The shelves and retainer cooperate to retain the scale bar of a conventional sliding caliper in the channel. One caliper mount is formed as a rectangular miter slot base configured for insertion into the miter slot of a saw or router table. Another caliper mount is formed as cylindrical housing that incorporates a permanent disc magnet. Container shells and molded platforms adapted to mount a sliding caliper perpendicular to an elongated miter slot are also provided.
US08438744B1	Ruler and method of use A ruler includes a base which has a plurality of one-inch wide measurement stations which include numerical indicia. The numerical indicia can be selectively exposed or covered by an associated pivoting flap. When a measurement is made, the appropriate flap is opened so the numerical indicia can be utilized in making a measurement. The numerical indicia can include both fractional numbers and decimal numbers.
US08438733B2	Method of manufacturing coil spring using helicoid reduction mill A method of manufacturing a coil spring using a helicoid reduction mill includes supplying a coil spring material linearly unrolled by a prestraightener to a surface treatment machine and then short-blasting or scarfing its outer surface to surface-treat the coil spring material; primarily heating the surface-treated coil spring material to a predetermined temperature using a first heater; sequentially supplying and pressurizing the primarily-heated coil spring material in a stepwise fashion such that the coil spring material has the same diameter as that of a coil spring to be manufactured; measuring the diameter and the length of the coil spring material and then cutting the coil spring material to a desired size; secondarily heating the cut coil spring material to a predetermined temperature using a second heater; forming the secondarily heated coil spring material into a coil spring using a coiling machine; and oil-quenching and then tempering the formed coil spring.
US08438732B2	Method of assembling a differential gearset A method of assembling a differential gear set includes installing a first bushing into a carrier, installing a second bushing into the carrier, and inserting a first planet gear into an interior portion of the carrier. The first planet gear includes a first planet gear shaft. A second planet gear including a second planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the carrier. The first and second planet gear shafts are installed into the first and second bushings. A third planet gear including a third planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the carrier and a fourth plant gear including a fourth planet gear shaft is inserted into the interior portion of the housing. The third and fourth planet gear shafts are passed into corresponding bushing receptors in the carrier. Third and fourth bushings are installed on the third and fourth planet gear shafts.
US08438723B2	Electromagnet battery handler A device to transfer a tiny hearing aid battery to the battery compartment of a hearing aid. Pressure on a button at the top creates contact to a single AAA battery, thus energizing an electromagnet which then holds the hearing aid battery. When the pressure at the devices's top button is released, the AAA battery is turned off and the battery is released undisturbed in the hearing aid's battery compartment.
US08438715B1	Methods of installing a snap ring with respect to an anvil of an impact wrench A method of installing a snap ring, having opposed inner and outer diameters, onto an O-ring located in an annular groove of an anvil of an impact wrench includes providing a deformable base formed with an annular seat, seating the snap ring in into the annular seat, and applying the anvil of the impact wrench through the snap ring and into the deformable base applying the snap ring over the anvil and onto the O-ring located in the groove, wherein the anvil interacts with the snap ring in response to applying the anvil into and through the snap ring enlarging inner and outer diameters of the snap ring deforming the annular seat of the base allowing the snap ring to be received over the anvil and onto the O-ring located in the annular groove.
US08438714B2	Joining or fastening components containing a shape memory polymer A releasable connection connects a first component to a second component. The second component includes and is manufactured from a Shape Memory Polymer (SMP), and defines a pocket. The first component includes a portion disposed within the pocket. The pocket is deformed from an initial shape permitting insertion of the portion into the pocket to assembly the releasable connection into a connected shape wherein the pocket is deformed to secure the first component relative to the second component. The pocket is transformed from the initial shape into the connected shape by heating the SMP material of the second component to a switching temperature. Re-heating the SMP second component to the switching temperature returns the pocket back to the initial shape from the connected shape to disassembly the releasable connection.
US08438703B2	Positionable hinge A positionable hinge includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first leaf and a first hinge barrel secured thereto. The first hinge barrel has a first barrel surface. The second section also includes a second leaf and a second hinge barrel secured thereto. Each of the first and second barrel have barrel surfaces at an interface. These barrel surfaces are opposed textured mating surfaces that allow the hinge to be held in place in any desired position.
US08438701B2	Formed hybred floor glide A furniture glide is provided that is mountable on the terminal end of a furniture leg having an outer surface. The furniture glide includes a cup having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity for receiving the furniture leg. Matted material is molded into the outer surface of the cup.
US08438700B2	Dual stage cyclone vacuum cleaner The present disclosure provides a home cleaning appliance including a housing having a nozzle, which includes a main suction opening. An airstream suction source is mounted to the housing and includes a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A cyclone main body is mounted to the housing and communicates with the nozzle main suction opening. The cyclone main body includes a first stage separator and a plurality of second stage separators. A dirt cup is connected to the cyclone main body for collecting dust particles separated by the first stage separator and the plurality of second stage separators. An air manifold is mounted to the first stage separator for fluidly connecting the first stage separator to the plurality of second stage separators.
US08438699B2	Surface treating appliance An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a yoke and a pair of wheels rotatably connected to the yoke, the yoke being shaped so that a section of the yoke lies between the rims of the wheels. A surface treating head is connected to the yoke. The main body is pivotably connected to the yoke for movement about a pivot axis passing between the wheels, and so that a part of the main body is located between the rims of the wheels. As the main body is pivoted about said axis from an upright position to a reclined position, the spacing between said section of the yoke and said part of the main body increases, and so a shield is provided for covering the gap so formed between said section of the yoke and said part of the main body to prevent dirt and dust from passing into the support assembly through the gap.
US08438684B2	Apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface with gyration using at least one laterally offset non-driving rolling member The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a surface which is immersed in a liquid, comprising a hollow body, members which are integral with the hollow body and which come into contact with the immersed surface, a filtration chamber, at least one electric motor which is carried by the hollow body, and a control unit which is configured to control the motor. For at least one movement configuration of the apparatus, at least one non-steering non-driving rolling member in contact with the immersed surface is arranged relative to the instantaneous drive orientation so as to apply a gyration torque of the apparatus only due to such an arrangement.
US08438675B2	Devices and methods for body elevation Devices and methods are presented for elevating seat devices. The device allows a vertical and forward motion of a seat from a first position to a second position. Such motion more resembles a natural body motion during the standing motion. A similar but converse motion is also possible with movement from a standing position to a sitting position.
US08443458B2	Method and device for detecting the opening of a cover enclosing the device An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for tamper detection of electronic devices (110) in closed units which is robust and low cost. The object is achieved by a method in an electronic device (110) for detecting if a cover (100) enclosing the electronic device (110) has been opened. The cover (100) comprises an enclosing assembly (250) which is adapted to fasten the cover (100) into a closed position. The electronic (device 110) comprises a non volatile memory (120). The non volatile memory (120) comprises a stored reference signature associated to the enclosing assembly (250) when the cover (100) was fastened into a closed position. The method comprises the following steps: (Creating 1003) a signature associated to the enclosing assembly (250). Comparing (1004) the created signature with the reference signature. Detecting (1007) that the cover 100 has been opened when the comparing (1004) results in a difference.
US08443456B2	Providing multiple layers of security to file storage by an external storage provider A method that may include detecting, by a processor of a computing device, a network communication regarding transmission of a file to an external storage provider. The method may include causing encryption of the file to obtain an encrypted file, and associating authorization information with the encrypted file. The authorization information may include one or more restrictions on access to the encrypted file. The method may include transmitting the encrypted file to the external storage provider, and intercepting a request for access to the file. The method may include identifying requestor information regarding a requestor associated with the request, and determining, using the requestor information and a portion of the authorization information, that the requestor is authorized to access the encrypted file. The method may include causing decryption of the encrypted file to obtain the original file, and providing, to the requestor, by the processor, access to the original file.
US08443453B2	Ad hoc trust delegation in human based workflow systems using one time access key A method of ad hoc trust delegation in human-based workflow systems using one-time access key is provided herein. The method may include the following steps: generating a unique access key to a workflow system in response to a delegation of trust to one or more users; associating the unique access key with a specified portion of a workflow within the workflow system; embedding the unique access key in a message sent to the one or more users; and providing the one or more users with a one-time access to the workflow system, such that the access is limited to the specified portion of the workflow, in response to applying the unique access key to the workflow system.
US08443430B2	Remote registration for enterprise applications A partner registration module can provide for an automatic registration of partners to a central server. An entire partner registration process can be automated from end to end, providing a unified process for registering partners. The partner registration module can be fully compatible with current registration agents and next generation registration agents.
US08443426B2	Method and system for preventing impersonation of a computer system user A system and method for preventing an administrator impersonating a user from accessing sensitive resources on a target system is provided. The method comprises receiving a first request from a user to change the user's password on a target system to be changed, sending a “change password” request for the user to the target system, storing the user's new password, receiving a second request from the target system on behalf of the user for access to a sensitive resource, wherein the second request contains information about the user's password, and denying the second request if the information about the user's password is not consistent with the user's stored new password.
US08443423B2	Secure information processing Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive from a requesting device, at a memory device, a request to access a memory domain associated with the memory device, and to deny, by the memory device, the request if the memory domain comprises any part of a secure domain, and the requesting device has not asserted a secure transfer indication. Additional operations may include granting the request if the memory domain comprises some part of the secure domain and the requesting device has asserted the secure transfer signal, or if the memory domain comprises only a non-secure domain. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08443422B2	Methods and apparatus for a configurable protection architecture for on-chip systems Various methods and apparatuses of protection mechanism are described. A target intellectual property block may field and service requests from an initiator intellectual property block in a system-on-chip network. The target intellectual property block has an associated protection mechanism with logic configured to restrict access for the requests to the target intellectual property block. The request's access is restricted based on access permissions associated with a region within the target intellectual property block and attributes of the request trying to access that region.
US08443419B2	Method, device, and system for pre-authentication The present invention relates to mobile communications technologies, and discloses a method, device, and system for pre-authentication. A pre-authentication device receives a pre-authentication message that carries a pre-authentication option; determines a Mobile Node (MN) to be pre-authenticated according to the pre-authentication message; sends an authentication request message to an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server to request authentication of the MN; receives an authentication response message that is sent by the AAA server, where the authentication response message carries a pre-authentication key used between a Candidate Authenticator (CA) and the MN; and sends the pre-authentication key to the MN. Through implementation of the present invention, the pre-authentication key is obtained before the MN switches to the CA. In this way, security of communication is enhanced, and delay of switching and authentication is shortened.
US08443416B2	Techniques for secure channel messaging Techniques for secure channel messaging are provided. Resources communicate with one another over temporary and secure communication channels. The channels come in and out of existence or switch between different channels using a variety of information and based on dynamic policy evaluation. In some situations, the channels are randomly generated using a variety of the information. Authorized resources are informed of the channels to use and when to use them for purposes of delivering and receiving messages to communicate.
US08443413B2	Low-latency multichannel video port aggregator A video port aggregator receives plural asynchronous video data streams. Corresponding input buffers generate video data and a status signal. A memory controller writes the video data in corresponding locations within an external memory. A channel triggers the memory controller to read data out of the external memory for transmission to a single video output port when said corresponding status signal indicates receipt of a predetermined portion of data. This read out of the external memory being faster than the writing. The channel sequencer triggers the memory controller to read data out of the external memory video data of a highest priority asynchronous video data stream having a received next portion of data.
US08443411B2	System and method to distribute video-on-demand content Method, system and computer-readable medium to distribute VOD content are disclosed. A method of displaying video content includes accessing an association table for video-on-demand (VOD) content. The association table includes a first segment entry associated with a first video segment of a first length and a second segment entry associated with a second video segment of a second length that is longer than the first length. The first segment entry includes a first multicast group ID and the second segment entry includes a second multicast group ID. The method further includes receiving the first video segment via the first multicast group ID, displaying the received first video segment, and receiving the second video segment via the second multicast group ID within a period of time of displaying the first video segment.
US08443406B2	Ethernet over coaxial coupling system, method and apparatus A device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller to provide low loss connectivity to a plurality of coaxial ports over a broadband range of frequencies in a coaxial network providing Ethernet networking, detune secondary coaxial splitters in the coaxial network that reduces an output-to-output isolation loss among secondary coaxial splitter output ports, and enable re-distribution of modulated radio frequency video signals from a point on the coaxial network to any alternative point on the coaxial network. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08443405B2	Broadcasting service system using mobile communication terminal According to an embodiment of the present Invention, an apparatus includes an audio video contents receiver configured to receive signals and information, a digital signal processor configured to perform demodulating, demultiplexing and decoding of digital video and audio data, and to provide output data, a storage configured to receive and temporarily store the output data from the digital signal processor, a format converter configured to receive the output data from the storage, to perform protocol conversion on the output data, and to provide format-converted output data, and a signal outputter configured to receive the format-converted output data from the format converter, and to control an encoding rate and a transmission rate of the format-converted output data to be outputted to a mobile device that is compatible with a mobile telecommunications network.
US08443401B2	Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
US08443377B2	Parallel processing system running an OS for single processors and method thereof On a parallel processing system by an OS for single processors which operates, on a multiprocessor, an OS for single processors and an existing application to realize parallel processing by the multiprocessor with respect to the application, each processor includes a communication proxy unit which transfers data between tasks spreading over the processors by proxy and the communication proxy unit on a processor in which a task on a transmission side operates holds information about an address, on a processor, of a task on a reception side to receive data transferred from the task on the transmission side as proxy for the task on the reception side.
US08443370B2	Method of assigning resources to fulfill a service request by a programming model abstraction layer at a data center based at least in part on a reference of the requested resource class indicative of an abstract amount of resources An exemplary method includes hosting a service at a data center, the service relying on at least one software component developed according to a programming model and the data center comprising a corresponding programming model abstraction layer that abstracts resources of the data center; receiving a request for the service; and in response to the request, assigning at least some of the resources of the data center to the service to allow for fulfilling the request wherein the programming model abstraction layer performs the assigning based in part on reference to a resource class in the at least one software component, the resource class modifiable to account for changes in one or more resources of the data center. Various other devices, systems and methods are also described.
US08443367B1	Federated management in a distributed environment Methods, systems, and techniques that enable enhanced coordination and management of a plurality of servers cooperatively operating in a cluster of servers. In one implementation, a plurality of enhanced Virtual Desktop Management (VDM) Servers operating in a Federated Virtual Desktop Management (VDM) Cluster are provided. Each of the enhanced VDM Servers active in the Federated VDM Cluster use federated task information pertaining to and derived from various executing federated tasks. However, only a single selected one of the plurality of enhanced VDM Servers is executing a particular one of the federated tasks at a time so that each federated task is continuously running somewhere in the Federated VDM Cluster.
US08443361B2	Systems and methods for tracking a history of changes associated with software packages in a computing system In order to track actions performed by a package manager, a computing system can be configured to include a tagging tool. The tagging tool can be configured to cooperate with the package manager in order to determine and generate a history of the actions performed by the package manager. The history can include a description of the actions, the reasons why the actions were performed, and a list and description of the software programs, files, and software libraries that are affected by the actions.
US08443359B2	Method and system for providing a filter for a router A method and system for providing a standardized set of filters for a router. A set of pre-written filters are provided in a file, and a program is run on a computer to identify one of these pre-written filters as a substitute for a filter that was specifically written for the router. The standardized filter file is then loaded onto the router and the identified substitute filters are used instead of the filter that has been specifically written for the router. Preferably, the computer program is used to identify which one of the pre-written filters of the pre-written filter files most closely matches, according to a predefined test, the filter file written specifically for the router.
US08443357B2	Patching of multi-level data containers storing portions of pre-installed software A computing system provided according to an aspect of the present invention includes a developer system which sends a set of patches along with metadata in a package. The metadata may include hierarchical paths, with each path indicating a corresponding target (file or archive) which is to be replaced to apply the corresponding patch. A patch tool receives the package and applies the patches using the metadata. According to another aspect of the present invention, a patch tool forms a tree structure based on the hierarchical paths in the metadata. In an embodiment, the tree structure is traversed each time to perform a corresponding patching operation (e.g., backup, and replace). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, only the required archives are unarchived while applying the patches. In an embodiment, the patch tool determines the required archives based on the information in the received metadata.
US08443353B2	Apparatus, method, and system for providing a decision mechanism for conditional commits in an atomic region An apparatus and method is described herein for conditionally committing and/or speculative checkpointing transactions, which potentially results in dynamic resizing of transactions. During dynamic optimization of binary code, transactions are inserted to provide memory ordering safeguards, which enables a dynamic optimizer to more aggressively optimize code. And the conditional commit enables efficient execution of the dynamic optimization code, while attempting to prevent transactions from running out of hardware resources. While the speculative checkpoints enable quick and efficient recovery upon abort of a transaction. Processor hardware is adapted to support dynamic resizing of the transactions, such as including decoders that recognize a conditional commit instruction, a speculative checkpoint instruction, or both. And processor hardware is further adapted to perform operations to support conditional commit or speculative checkpointing in response to decoding such instructions.
US08443348B2	Application program interface of a parallel-processing computer system that supports multiple programming languages A runtime system implemented in accordance with the present invention provides an application platform for parallel-processing computer systems. Such a runtime system enables users to leverage the computational power of parallel-processing computer systems to accelerate/optimize numeric and array-intensive computations in their application programs. This enables greatly increased performance of high-performance computing (HPC) applications.
US08443346B2	Server evaluation of client-side script A facility is described for server-side evaluation of client-side script, such as to crawl and index dynamically generated links. In various embodiments, the facility provides an object that emulates a browser object. The provided object exposes a function for performing steps comprising receiving a first link and storing the received first link in a list of links to be processed. The facility receives a second link to be processed, loads a second document identified by the received second link, and assigns the provided object to a global variable so that a script associated with the loaded second document invokes the function exposed by the provided object instead of a function with a similar name that is exposed by the emulated browser object. The function with the similar name exposed by the emulated browser object handles the received first link without storing it in the list of links to be processed.
US08443339B2	Method and/or system for transforming between trees and strings Embodiments of articles, apparatuses, devices and/or systems for manipulating hierarchical sets of data are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a method of transforming one or more trees to one or more corresponding symbol strings according to an association of trees and symbol strings is disclosed. In another embodiment, as another example, a method of transforming between at least a first and at least a second expression is disclosed in which the expressions have a common view that is other than one. Additional embodiments are also described.
US08443321B1	Pessimism removal in the modeling of simultaneous switching noise Methods for determining induced noise on a given victim by a set of aggressor signals are presented, and for identifying the worst case aggressor switching time alignment that causes the worst case victim noise. The method removes circuit analysis pessimism related to simultaneous switching noise (SSN) in a circuit design tool by determining physically impossible combinations of victim-aggressor input/output (I/O) pins in a circuit design and culling out the impossible combinations from the list of possible victim-aggressor combinations. The method further performs a switching window SSN analysis of the circuit design with a common uncertainty removal algorithm taking into consideration the list of possible victim-aggressor combinations, and determines the maximum voltage noise induced on I/O pins of the circuit design. The results of the noise analysis are displayed to the user.
US08443313B2	Circuit design optimization A method comprises generating a first behavioral model of a circuit describing a physical circuit in a first configuration. The first configuration comprises a first master latch, a first fanout path, and a logic cone. The first master latch couples to the first fanout path and is configured to receive a first data input signal. The first fanout path comprises a plurality of output sinks, each coupled to the logic cone. The first behavioral model is modified to generate a second behavioral model describing the physical circuit in a second configuration. The second configuration comprises an error circuit and an abstract latch clone based on the first master latch. A configuration file is generated based on the second behavioral model. The configuration file comprises information representing a plurality of instantiated latch clones based on the abstract latch clone, each configured to couple to the first data input signal and to one or more output sinks of the plurality of output sinks. The second behavioral model and the configuration file are together configured for input to a synthesis tool.
US08443312B2	Method and apparatus for enhancing signal strength for improved generation and placement of model-based sub-resolution assist features (MB-SRAF) Model-Based Sub-Resolution Assist Feature (SRAF) generation process and apparatus are disclosed, in which an SRAF guidance map (SGM) is iteratively optimized to finally output an optimized set of SRAFs as a result of enhanced signal strength obtained by iterations involving SRAF polygons and SGM image. SRAFs generated in a prior round of iteration are incorporated in a mask layout to generate a subsequent set of SRAFs. The iterative process is terminated when a set of SRAF accommodates a desired process window or when a predefined process window criterion is satisfied. Various cost functions, representing various lithographic responses, may be predefined for the optimization process.
US08443308B2	EUV lithography flare calculation and compensation Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography flare calculation and compensation is disclosed herein. A method of calculating flare for a mask for use in EUV lithography includes decomposing the flare power spectrum density (PSD) into a low frequency component and a high frequency component. Further, the method includes receiving a plurality of layouts in a flare map generator. Each of the plurality of layouts corresponds to a chip pattern location on the mask. Moreover, the method includes generating, using the flare map generator, a low frequency flare map for the mask from the low frequency component by using fast Fourier transform (FFT).
US08443299B1	Rendering text in a brew device Methods, systems and program products for hiding the presentation of a first input field that would obscure the presentation of a distinct second input field on a display device. User input directed to the second input field is accepted and provided the first input field instead of to the second input field. The contents of the first input field are copied to the second input field. The presentation of the second input field is updated on the display device to include the copied contents.
US08443294B2	Visual indication of alarms on a ventilator graphical user interface This disclosure describes systems and methods for displaying alarms to a clinician in a ventilatory system. Specifically, embodiments described herein seek to optimize the informative presentation of alarms on a ventilator interface. Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or more selection elements, each selection element indicating a ranked alarm event. The ranking of an alarm event may be determined by alarm level. If two alarm events are associated with the same alarm level, the ranking of the alarm events may be determined by parameter priority. Alarm event ranking is communicated by display in a hierarchical structure. When an alarm event ranking changes, the alarm event may shift up or down the hierarchical structure, depending on whether the ranking increased or decreased.
US08443288B2	Ubiquitous companion agent Methods and apparatus for controlling and interacting with devices across a network using a ubiquitous companion. In one implementation, a ubiquitous companion includes: an agent interface for communicating with an agent residing on a host device accessible to the companion, and accessing host device data indicating one or more capabilities of the host device; a command interface for building one or more agent commands according to the host device data and a request selection received from a user through the host device; an output interface for providing feedback to the user through the host device in a format that is adapted according to the host device data; and a controller for controlling interaction among the agent interface, the command interface, and the output interface.
US08443287B2	Interactive tool for visualizing performance data in real-time to enable adaptive performance optimization and feedback An interactive tool is disclosed for visualizing performance data in real-time to enable adaptive performance optimization for an application running on a massively parallel computer system. The interactive tool may be used to visualize network congestion (and other) performance counters for an application as it runs on the parallel system in real-time. Further, a developer may use the interactive tool to experiment with various tuning options and optimization approaches on-the-fly.
US08443286B2	Document mapped-object placement upon background change Various embodiments illustrated and described herein provide one or more of systems, methods, and software operable to process multilayered documents including form fields. Some embodiments, are operable to process a new or modified background layer image to identify input fields, to match the identified fields with metadata in foreground layer data defining interactive input fields, and to modify the mappings of the input fields defined within the foreground layer of a page description language document as a function of identified input fields in the modified background layer image.
US08443278B2	Identification of tables in an unstructured document Some embodiments provide a method for analyzing an unstructured document that includes a number of glyphs. The method identifies boundaries between sets of glyphs. The method identifies that several of the boundaries form a table. The method defines a tabular structural element based on the table. The tabular structural element includes several cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each of which includes an associated set of glyphs.
US08443275B2	Lossy compression technique for video encoder bandwidth reduction using compression error data A method, system and apparatus of lossy compression technique for video encoder bandwidth reduction using compression error data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes storing an error data from a compression of an original reference data in an off-chip memory, accessing the error data during a motion compensation operation, and performing the motion compensation operation by applying the error data through an algorithm (e.g., determined by the method of storing the error data). The method may include generating a predicted frame in the motion compensation operation using a motion vector and an on-chip video data. In addition, the method may include determining the error data as a difference between a compressed reference data (e.g., is created by compressing the original reference data) and an original reference data (e.g., reconstructed from a prior predicted frame and a decompressed encoder data).
US08443273B2	Data dependent NPML detection and systems thereof According to one embodiment, a data detection system includes a coefficient-and-variance engine for selecting which infinite impulse response (IIR) filter and prediction error variance to process and store at any time, and a maximum-likelihood sequence detector. The coefficient-and-variance engine comprises a filter bank storing a plurality of IIR filters that represent a plurality of data-dependent noise whitening or noise prediction filters; a least-mean square (LMS) engine for adapting each IIR filter to actual noise conditions: a variance hank storing a plurality of prediction error variance values; and a data-dependent prediction error variance computation unit which updates the plurality of prediction error variance values. The maximum-likelihood sequence detector includes a metric computation unit that employs the plurality of IIR filters in the filter bank and the plurality of prediction error variances in the variance bank to adaptively compute detector branch metrics. Other systems and methods are also described in other embodiments.
US08443267B2	Systems and methods for hard decision assisted decoding Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is disclosed that includes a processing loop circuit having a data detector and a soft decision decoder. The data detector provides a detected output, and the soft decision decoder applies a soft decoding algorithm to a derivative of the detected output to yield a soft decision output and a first hard decision output. The systems further include a queuing buffer and a hard decision decoder. The queuing buffer is operable to store the soft decision output, and the hard decision decoder accesses the soft decision output and applies a hard decoding algorithm to yield a second hard decision output. The data detector is operable to perform a data detection on a derivative of the soft decision output if the soft decision decoder and the hard decision decoder fail to converge.
US08443262B2	Adaptive memory scrub rate In one embodiment an example apparatus includes a memory with an error detection system (EDS) that detects an error event in the memory. The error event involves at least one bit in the memory changing state erroneously. The apparatus also includes a scrub logic to scrub the memory and correct memory errors (e.g., bit errors). The apparatus also includes a scrub rate adaptive logic to selectively control a memory scrub frequency associated with the scrub logic where the control is based, at least in part, on a number of error events detected by the EDS during an interval of time. A memory scrub frequency is the rate that a memory is periodically scrubbed to remove errors.
US08443256B2	Method and apparatus for determining a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) for a data message A method of creatine a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code for a data message in a data communications system includes sequentially placing portions of the data message on a bus of width W bits consisting of an integral number N of segments of width S. An initial portion of the message fills n complete segments, where n
US08443252B2	Method and system of relaying data A method and system of relaying data are provided. The data is encoded into a turbo codeword by using a convolutional turbo code encoder, and the turbo codeword is transmitted from a source to a relay and a destination after puncturing by a first puncturing operation. The first punctured turbo codeword which is received in the relay is de-punctured and regenerated in a decoding operation and the regenerated turbo codeword is transmitted from the relay to the destination in punctured form after puncturing by a second puncturing operation. The punctured turbo codewords received from the source and the relay by the destination are totaled together as a totaled single turbo codeword and the totaled single turbo codeword is completely decoded to recover the data.
US08443251B1	Systems and methods for out of order processing in a data retry Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing that includes selectively reporting results out of order or in order.
US08443248B2	Method for decoding data packets in a wireless communication system A method is provided for decoding data packets in wireless communication schemes that use a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request technique, and a receiver for wireless communication that performs such a method. The HARQ memory incorporated in a receiver for wireless communication is minimized to a size which only reserves memory for an average number of erroneous sub-packets. Following decoding, an error check is performed on a per sub-packet basis, and only the softbits of those sub-packets for which decoding errors have been detected are stored in the HARQ memory. Correctly decoded sub-packets are stored in a separate memory. This significantly decreases the size of the HARQ memory required at the receiver which is beneficial in terms of both silicon area and power consumption.
US08443247B2	Methods and systems using window start update for wireless communication HARQ connection Embodiments of the present disclosure allow a HARQ transmitter to provide a receiver an indication of the protocol data units (PDUs) that should not be expected because they are part of a data burst that has been retransmitted a maximum allowable number of times. The indication message may contain a maximum serial number contained in the data burst that has reached the maximum number of retransmissions, or the serial number of a first PDU in the next data burst.
US08443246B1	Control of clock gate cells during scan testing A system and method for detecting transition delay faults decouples the test enable pins of the clock gating cells from other elements in the circuitry. The test enable pins are controlled during test mode by a unique signal, allowing the tester to independently control the clock gating logic of the circuitry. By being able to ungate the clock, the tester can ensure that the two clock pulses needed to check for transition delay faults will always be present.
US08443244B2	Blind and decision directed multi-level channel estimation A read value that is read from a multi-level storage device is received, as are a set of bins having bin ranges. A set of amounts corresponding to the set of bins is received where each amount in the set indicates an amount of read values which fall into the corresponding bin. One or more of the bin ranges is adjusted, including by: in the event there is a first bin range that is less than the received read value, increasing at least the first bin range and in the event there is a second bin range that is greater than the received read value, decreasing at least the second bin range.
US08443242B2	Systems and methods for multiple coding rates in flash devices A system and method for encoding information arriving from a host in order to store the coded information in flash memory, the method comprising encoding information arriving from a host for storage at a flash memory location including generating a number of redundancy bytes, the encoding proceeding at an encoding rate which is a function of the number of redundancy bytes generated, the encoding including determining an effective error rate, including an anticipated rate of expected reading errors, for the flash memory location; and selecting the encoding rate as a function of the effective error rate such that the number of redundancy bytes is sufficient to overcome the anticipated rate of expected reading errors with a predetermined degree of certainty.
US08443241B2	Runtime dynamic performance skew elimination For runtime dynamic performance skew elimination in a computer environment, an exemplary computer environment is configured for calculating a rank heats by utilizing a plurality of fine-grained statistics collected at an extent granularity, including considering bandwidth (BW) and input/outputs per second (IOPS) metrics. An adaptive data placement plan is generated to relocate the data. The data is placed among data storage ranks. The data storage ranks are balanced according to the adaptive data placement plan.
US08443239B2	High resiliency network infrastructure The invention provides a highly resilient network infrastructure that provides connectivity between a main network such as the Internet and a subnetwork such as a server-based (e.g., web server) local area network. In accordance with the invention, a network interface incorporated into a server hosting center provides a resilient architecture that achieves redundancy in each of three different layers of the Open System Interconnect (OSI) stack protocol (i.e., physical interface, data link, and network layers). For every network device that is active as a primary communication tool for a group of subnetworks, the same device is a backup for another group of subnetworks. Based on the same connection-oriented switching technology (e.g., asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) found in high-speed, broadband Internet backbones such as that provided by InternetMCI, the network interface architecture provides a high degree of resiliency, reliability and scalability. In accordance with the invention, interface network routers which provide routing functionality and connectivity between the Internet backbone and the customer subnetworks are fully meshed with those deployed in the Internet backbone. Permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) providing a multitude of logical transmission paths between each hosting center router and every router in the Internet backbone, greatly reduces processing delays of data traffic through the infrastructure as only a single “hop” routing step is required between any external access point on the Internet backbone and a hosting center router.
US08443237B2	Storage apparatus and method for controlling the same using loopback diagnosis to detect failure An objective is to allow a storage apparatus to accurately locate a failure site upon occurrence of a failure. Provided is a storage apparatus 10 including: a controller 11 that performs data input and data output into and from a storage drive 171 in response to a data input/output request sent from an external device 2; and expanders 112, 121 each having a switch circuit 1122 provided with a physical port (Phy 1121). In this storage apparatus 10, the controller 11 performs a loopback diagnosis on the expanders 112, 121, and performs a connection-based diagnosis on a target device by sending a connection frame thereto, the target device being a device detected as having a failure. When a response to the connection frame includes information indicating a failure, the controller 11 disables the physical port to which the target device is coupled, or the physical port of the switch circuit 1121 existing on a path from the controller 11 to the target device.
US08443233B2	Methods and systems for failure isolation and data recovery in a configuration of series-connected semiconductor devices A method of identifying at least one anomalous device in a configuration of series-connected semiconductor devices, comprising: selecting a device in the configuration; sending a command to the selected device, the command for placing the selected device into a recovery mode of operation; attempting to elicit identification data from the selected device while in the recovery mode of operation; if the attempt is successful, selecting a next device in the configuration of series-connected semiconductor devices and repeating the sending and the attempting to elicit; and if the attempt is unsuccessful, concluding that the selected device is an anomalous device. Also, a method of recovering data from a configuration of series-connected semiconductor memory devices having undergone a failure, comprising: placing an operable device of the configuration into a recovery mode of operation; while the operable device is in the recovery mode of operation, retrieving data currently stored by the operable device; and storing the retrieved data in an alternate memory facility.
US08443232B1	Automatic clusterwide fail-back Systems and procedures may be used to coordinate the fail-back of multiple hosts in environments where the hosts share one or more data-storage resources. In one implementation, a procedure for coordinating fail-backs includes monitoring a failed data path to detect a restoration of the data path, polling remaining nodes in response to the restoration, and allowing the first node to resume communications if access has been restored to the remaining nodes.
US08443225B2	Method and apparatus synchronizing integrated circuit clocks Embodiments described herein include a method and system for synchronizing clocks between coupled integrated circuits (ICs) in a computer system. According to an embodiment, a dedicated timing pin is provided on a first IC. The first IC configures a second IC to change a pin assignment, so that the second IC interprets a signal sent on the timing pin by the first IC and received on the reassigned pin as a request to transmit a return signal. The return signal is received on the timing pin. The return signal is used to determine whether timing should be adjusted by the first IC. In an embodiment a clock and data recover (CDR) circuit compares the signal sent to the signal received in order to make the determination. In an embodiment the first IC is a processor-based device, and the second IC is a memory device controlled by the first device.
US08443222B1	VBUS event based USB analysis VBUS or other power event based USB analysis is disclosed. Occurrence of a power related event on a monitored bus, such as an inrush current event, is detected. In some embodiments, a rate at which a power related data is sampled at the hardware protocol analyzer is change automatically in response to the power related event being detected. In some embodiments, a capture of a stream of data packets observed on the monitored bus is triggering automatically in response to the power related event being detected.
US08443217B2	Information processing apparatus, method, and program An information processing apparatus including a baseband signal manager, a determining unit, and a power supply controller is connected to one or more apparatus via an interface. The interface includes a signal channel for transmitting baseband signals and a control channel for bidirectionally transmitting control signals. The baseband signal manager transmits a baseband signal sent from a first apparatus to a second apparatus as-is when the information processing apparatus is in a standby power state. The determining unit determines the power state of the second apparatus on the basis of a control signal sent from the second apparatus. When it is determined by the determining unit that the second apparatus is not powered on, the power supply controller suspends power supply to the baseband signal manager.
US08443215B2	Power booster and electronic system using same A power booster includes a voltage detection circuit, a battery charger, a rechargeable battery, and a transformer circuit. The voltage detection circuit detects a voltage of the input voltage of the power booster. An input of the battery charger is electrically connected to an output of the voltage detection circuit. The rechargeable battery includes an I/O port electrically connected to the battery charger. The transformer circuit includes a first voltage input, a second voltage input, and a voltage output. The first voltage input is electrically connected to the output of the voltage detection circuit. The second voltage input is electrically connected to the I/O port. The voltage output is used for connecting to a mobile electronic device.

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