Document	Document Title
US08450595B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte battery and method for producing the same A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes a battery element, a film-form casing member, and a resin protective layer. The battery element includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The film-form casing member contains the battery element and an electrolyte in an enclosed space thereof. The resin protective layer is formed along the surface of the film-form casing member and has a substantially uniform thickness.
US08450594B2	Method of making an antireflective silica coating, resulting product and photovoltaic device comprising same A low-index silica coating may be made by forming a silica precursor having a radiation curable composition including a radiation curable monomer and/or a photoinitiator, and also including a silica sol comprising a silane and/or a colloidal silica. The silica precursor may be deposited on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate or silicon wafer) to form a coating layer. The coating layer may then be cured via exposure to electromagnetic radiation, such as UV radiation. Then, the cured coating layer may be fired using temperature(s) of from about 550 to 700° C., in forming the low-index silica based coating. The low-index silica based coating may be used as an antireflective (AR) film on a front glass substrate of a photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) in certain example instances.
US08450588B2	Hands-free harmonica mounting system and method of use Provided is a hands-free harmonica mounting system and method of use designed as a live performance tool with several advantages not provided by commercially available hands-free harmonica holding devices. The present system and method allows musicians to play one instrument with their hands such as guitar, drums, keyboards, etc., while simultaneously playing hands-free harmonica through an electrically amplified audio system. It is further designed to facilitate consistent sound input and air trajectories from the harmonica to the microphone to prevent plosives. The system and method also provide fast and secure attachment, removal, and re-attachment of the harmonica to a simple bracket structure that is easily attached and removed from a standard microphone, all without any moving parts and without the use of any tools. The system and method further provide effortless transitions between singing and harmonica playing using a single microphone.
US08450586B2	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH384418 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH384418. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH384418, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH384418 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH384418.
US08450584B1	Maize variety inbred PH1DGV A novel maize variety designated PH1DGV and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1DGV with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1DGV through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1DGV or a locus conversion of PH1DGV with another maize variety.
US08450573B1	Soybean cultivar S110014 A soybean cultivar designated S110014 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S110014, to the plants of soybean cultivar S110014, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S110014, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S110014. 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 S110014. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110014, 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 S110014 with another soybean cultivar.
US08450572B1	Soybean cultivar 14163501 A soybean cultivar designated 14163501 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 14163501, to the plants of soybean cultivar 14163501, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 14163501, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 14163501. 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 14163501. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 14163501, 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 14163501 with another soybean cultivar.
US08450571B1	Soybean variety XBP35007 A novel soybean variety, designated XBP35007 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP35007, cells from soybean variety XBP35007, plants of soybean XBP35007, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP35007. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP35007 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP35007, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP35007, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP35007. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP35007 are further provided.
US08450568B2	Soybean variety A1025240 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1025240. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1025240. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1025240 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1025240 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08450567B2	Soybean variety A1024104 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024104. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024104. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024104 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024104 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08450564B2	Cucumber hybrid macario A hybrid cucumber designated Macario is disclosed that has moderate resistance to powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic virus, and has resistance to cucumber vein yellowing virus and scab and gummosis. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid cucumber Macario, to the plants of hybrid cucumber Macario, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the hybrid Macario with itself or another cucumber plant. The invention further relates to methods for producing a cucumber plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other cucumber lines, cultivars, or hybrids derived from the hybrid cucumber Macario.
US08450553B2	Injection and hemostasis site A pad of elastomeric material having a softness of no more than about durometer 50 Shore 00. The pad may carry adhesive and/or a housing for adhering the pad to a surface, either directly or indirectly through an envelope which surrounds the pad and carries the adhesive. Such a pad exhibits hemostatic and leak prevention properties against needle puncture holes in the skin or the wall of a hollow medical device. Particularly, hemostasis may be prevented with low pressure application of the pad to the skin. The pad may be previously applied to the skin of the patient or a wall of a medical device such as tubing or a solution bag, and the needle may then penetrate both the pad and the skin or medical device wall, to make a resealable puncture with leakage reduction and hemostasis when the needle is withdrawn.
US08450540B2	Compositions produced using an in situ heat treatment process Methods for treating a subsurface formation and compositions produced therefrom are described herein. At least one method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation includes providing heat to the subsurface formation using an in situ heat treatment process. One or more formation particles may be formed during heating of the subsurface formation. Fluid that includes hydrocarbons and the formation particles may be produced from the subsurface formation. The formation particles in the produced fluid may include cenospheres and have an average particle size of at least 0.5 micrometers.
US08450539B2	High shear process for producing micronized waxes A method and system for producing dispersed waxes, including a high shear mechanical device. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a dispersion of wax globules in a carrier liquid in a high shear device prior to implementation in a waxy product. In another instance the system for producing waxy products comprises a high shear device for dispersing wax in a carrier liquid.
US08450537B2	Processes for the production of fluoropropanes and halopropenes A process is disclosed for making CF3CH2CHF2, CF3CH═CHF, and/or CF3CH═CHCl. This process involves reacting at least one starting material selected from the group consisting of halopropenes of the formula CX3CH═CH2 and halopropenes of the formula CX2═CHCH2X, wherein each X is independently F or Cl, with HF and Cl2 in a reaction zone to produce a product mixture comprising HF, HCl, CF3CH2CHF2, CF3CH═CHF and CF3CH═CHCl; and recovering the CF3CH2CHF2, CF3CH═CHF, and/or CF3CH═CHCl from the product mixture. The molar ratio of HF to the total amount of starting materials fed to the reaction zone is at least stoichiometric, and the molar ratio of Cl2 to total amount of starting material fed to the reaction zone is 2:1 or less.
US08450536B2	Methods of higher alcohol synthesis Systems, catalysts, and methods are provided for transforming carbon based material into synthetic mixed alcohol fuel.
US08450534B2	Process for preparing 4-cyclohexyl-2-methyl-2-butanol The present invention relates to a process for preparing 4-cyclohexyl-2-methyl-2-butanol. The process comprises the following steps: a) reaction of styrene with isopropanol at elevated temperature to obtain 4-phenyl-2-methyl-2-butanol, and b) heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation of 4-phenyl-2-methyl-2-butanol over a catalyst suitable for ring hydrogenation of aromatics.
US08450532B2	Compounds useful in the preparation of tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitors Intermediates and synthetic processes for the preparation of substituted phenylalanine-based compounds (e.g., of Formula I) are disclosed:
US08450525B2	Histone deacetylase inhibitors Novel compounds of the general formula (I), having histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibiting enzymatic activity, their derivatives, analogs, tautomeric forms, stereoisomers, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, intermediates, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutical compositions, metabolites and prodrugs thereof. The present invention more particularly provides novel compounds of the general formula (I). Also included is a method for treatment of cancer, psoriasis, proliferative conditions and conditions mediated by HDAC, in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of a novel compound of formula (I).
US08450514B2	Polyether alcohols bearing alkoxysilyl groups by alkoxylation of epoxy-functional alkoxysilances over double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts, and processes for preparation thereof Polyether alcohols having alkoxysilyl groups, the use thereof and a process for their preparation by means of DMC catalysis, characterized in that one or more epoxy-functional alkoxysilanes are added individually or in a mixture with further epoxide compounds and optionally further comonomers, either in block form or in random distribution, onto a chain starter of the formula (VII) R1—H(VII) having at least one reactive hydroxyl group, where R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, optionally branched radical, or a polyether radical of the alkoxy-, arylalkoxy or alkylarylalkoxy group type, in which the carbon chain may be interrupted by oxygen atoms or corresponds to a polyetheralkoxy radical or to a singularly or multiply fused phenolic group.
US08450513B2	Silane compositions for polyester nanocomposites Novel silane compositions have been prepared by reacting a 3-isocyanatopropyl trialkoxysilane with an alcohol or diol having a divalent alkylene or alkylene-ether group. The alcohol or diol has a formula weight less than about 5000. The compositions can be used to modify the surfaces of inorganic oxygen-containing materials, including but not limited to silica, silicates, borosilicates, aluminosilicates, days, and metal oxides. Surface treatment of silica nanoparticles with these compositions improves their improved dispersion in polyester nanocomposites.
US08450512B1	Aminoorgano functional silanes and siloxanes and methods of production Disclosed herein are methods for a simple process to make 3-aminoorgano functional silanes and siloxanes, free from isomers, by the use of commonly available materials. One embodiment of such a method comprises reacting aminoorgano functional silanes with hexamethyldisilazane in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a cyclic gamma-functional aminoorganic silane and beta isomers; separating the cyclic gamma-functional aminoorganic silane and the beta isomers; and converting the separated cyclic gamma-functional aminoorganic silane to pure gamma-aminoalkylsilane or pure aminoorganic siloxane. Also disclosed herein are cyclic derivatives of gamma-functional aminoorganic silanes.
US08450507B2	Integrated method for the preparation of trioxane from formaldehyde An integrated process for preparing trioxane from formaldehyde.
US08450505B2	Polymers bearing pendant pentafluorophenyl ester groups, and methods of synthesis and functionalization thereof A one pot method of preparing cyclic carbonyl compounds comprising an active pendant pentafluorophenyl ester group is disclosed. The cyclic carbonyl compounds can be polymerized by ring opening methods to form ROP polymers comprising repeat units comprising a side chain pentafluorophenyl ester group. Using a suitable nucleophile, the pendant pentafluorophenyl ester group can be selectively transformed into a variety of other functional groups before or after the ring opening polymerization.
US08450500B2	Pyrrole compounds that modulate HSP90 activity The present invention relates to substituted pyrrole compounds and compositions comprising substituted pyrrole compounds. The invention further relates to methods of inhibiting the activity of Hsp90 in a subject in need thereof and methods for treating hyperproliferative disorders, such as cancer, in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a substituted pyrrole compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a compound.
US08450498B2	Ionic liquid epoxy resin monomers Ionic liquid epoxide monomers capable of reacting with cross-linking agents to form polymers with high tensile and adhesive strengths. Ionic liquid epoxide monomers comprising at least one bis(glycidyl) N-substituted nitrogen heterocyclic cation are made from nitrogen heterocycles corresponding to the bis(glycidyl) N-substituted nitrogen heterocyclic cations by a method involving a non-nucleophilic anion, an alkali metal cation, epichlorohydrin, and a strong base.
US08450497B2	Benzimidazole derivatives useful as TRPM8 channel modulators Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula I as follows: wherein R0, R1, R2, R3, R4 and a are defined herein.
US08450492B2	Deuterated benzo[D][1,3]-dioxol derivatives The present invention relates to an isotopologue of Compound 1 substituted with deuterium at the methylene carbon of the benzodioxol ring. The isotopologues of this invention selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and possess unique biopharmaceutical and metabolic properties compared to Compound 1. They may also be used to accurately determine the concentration of Compound 1 in biological fluids and to determine metabolic patterns of Compound 1 and its isotopologues. The invention further provides compositions comprising these deuterated isotopologues and methods of treating diseases and conditions that are responsive to increased neuronal serotonin transmission, alone and in combination with additional agents.
US08450490B2	Bi-functional pyrazolopyridine compounds This invention provides compounds of the formula: wherein X is wherein R1 and R2 together with the phenyl to which they are bound may form a bicyclic, fused heterocyclic ring and all other variables are as defined herein, their use in pulmonary inflammation or bronchoconstriction therapy and compositions comprising and processes for preparing the same are provided.
US08450485B2	Organic compound, benzoxazole derivative, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device using benzoxazole derivative Novel benzoxazole derivatives are provided to reduce driving voltage of light-emitting elements, and to reduce power consumption of light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices, and electronic devices. A benzoxazole derivative represented by the general formula (G1) is provided. Since the benzoxazole derivative represented by the general formula (G1) has an electron-injecting property, the benzoxazole derivative can be suitably used for light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices, and electronic devices.
US08450484B2	TRPV4 antagonists The present invention relates to diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl analogs, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as TRPV4 antagonists.
US08450482B2	Process for the preparation of 4-(3-chloro-2-fluoroanilino)-7-methoxy-6-([1-(N-methylcarbamoymethyl)piperidin-4-yl]oxy)quinazoline Processes for the preparation of 4-(3-chloro-2-fluoroanilino)-7-methoxy-6-{[1-(N-methylcarbamoylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl]oxy}quinazoline, salts thereof, and the intermediates used in the process are described.
US08450458B2	Recombinant TAT-HOXB4H protein for use as a stimulant of hematopoiesis in vivo The present invention relates to a new and nonobvious method of producing the C-terminal histidine tagged TAT-HOXB4 fusion protein (TAT-HOXB4H), providing unexpected benefits of increased yield and stability to allow for in vivo administration of this protein, and pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective ingredient, TAT-HOXB4H, having stimulatory activity on the production of hematopoietic cells. More specifically, recombinant TAT-HOXB4H protein enhances engraftment of bone marrow transplants, hematopoietic reconstruction, bone marrow re-population and number of circulating stem cells, particularly after chemotherapy or irradiation.
US08450456B2	Activating peptide of the synthesis of aquaporins and cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition containing it The present invention concerns a peptide of the general formula (I):R1-(AA)n-X1—X2—X3-Pro-X4—X5—X7-(AA)p-R2, capable of activating the synthesis of proteins of the family of aquaporins.The present invention also concerns a cosmetic, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical composition, comprising a peptide of general formula (I) as active principle. The invention also relates to the use of this new active principle in a cosmetic or nutraceutical composition, intended to improve the moisturizing and the barrier function of the epidermis and intended to stimulate cutaneous regeneration. The invention also relates to the use of this new active principle to realize a pharmaceutical composition, and in particular a dermatological composition, intended to regulate and/or stimulate the activity of the aquaporins and to thus treat the pathological dryness of the skin or mucosa. The invention also relates to a method of cosmetic treatment intended to prevent or combat against dryness of the skin and mucosa, and the manifestations of cutaneous ageing.
US08450449B2	Multi-colored conjugated polymers with highly transmissive oxidized state Embodiments of the invention are directed to random conjugated copolymers comprising a plurality of one or more different donor (D) repeating units and a plurality of at least one acceptor (A) repeating unit. At least one of the D units has a solubilizing substituent, statistically a portion of the A repeating units are separated from each other by only one D units and a plurality of the A unit are adjacent to one the D units having the solubilizing substituents. The random conjugated copolymers are black or colored in the neutral state and highly transmissive in the oxidized state. The random conjugated copolymers have the structure -[(D)xA]n-, where x>1 and n(x+1)≧10 or the structure -[(DA))x-(D′A)y]n-, where D represents one substituted D unit and D′ represents another D units and where x≧1, y≧1 and 2n(x+y)≧10. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to forming the -[(D)xA]n- or -[(DA)x-(D′A)y]n- random conjugated copolymers by condensation polymerizations between monomers containing complementary reactive groups.
US08450448B2	Thermostable biopolyester A biopolyester which is poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) or poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) copolymer and has a reduced calcium content. It has improved thermal stability due to the reduced calcium content.
US08450447B2	Copolyesteramides with decreased perfection of the amide sequence Polyesteramides prepared from decreased perfection diamide diester monomers. The polymers exhibit improved physical properties.
US08450443B2	Antifouling coating composition based on curable polyorganosiloxane polyoxyalkylene copolymers A process to physically deter fouling from a substrate in an aquatic fouling environment, which process comprises forming on the substrate, before exposure to the said environment, a coating composition comprising (i) a curable polyorganosiloxane polyoxyalkylene block copolymer having at least two reactive groups X situated on the copolymer chain and (ii) an organosilicon crosslinking agent and/or a catalyst.
US08450432B2	Polyurethane elastomer composition for electrophotographic printing and electrophotographic printing member using the same The present invention provides a polyurethane elastomer composition for electrophotographic printing, including: a polyester polyol (A) obtained by polycondensing a polyvalent carboxylic acid (A-1) containing sebacic acid as a main component and a polyhydric alcohol (A-2) selected from (I) a linear glycol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, (II) a linear glycol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and a glycol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms with an alkyl side chain and (III) a linear glycol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and 1,6-hexaneglycol; a polyisocyanate compound (B); and a mixture (C) of a short-chain diol and a short-chain triol. The polyurethane elastomer composition for electrophotographic printing has reduced temperature dependency, improved long-term durability and satisfactory mechanical strength. An electrophotographic printing member is also provided.
US08450429B2	Process technology for recovering brominated styrenic polymers from reaction mixtures in which they are formed and/or converting such mixtures into pellets or into granules or pastilles Brominated styrenic polymer is recovered from solution in a vaporizable solvent by converting the solution in a devolatilization extruder into a brominated styrenic polymer melt or flow and a separate vapor phase comprised predominately of vaporizable solvent, recovering the melt or flow from the devolatilization extruder, and allowing or causing the melt or flow to solidify. The solidified brominated styrenic polymer can be subdivided into a powder or pelletized form. Pellets so made have improved hardness and/or crush strength properties along with reduced formation of fines. Brominated anionic styrenic polymer is preferably used in the process.
US08450424B2	Sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture A sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture which, for improved abrasion characteristics with no significant deterioration in rolling resistance and in wet grip, comprises at least one functionalized diene rubber, the functionalization of which is along the polymer chain and/or at the end and enables attachment to fillers, the diene rubber having a glass transition temperature Tg of −110 to −15° C., at least one aliphatic and/or aromatic hydrocarbon resin with a softening point (ring and ball to ASTM E 28) of 50 to 150° C. and a mean molecular weight Mn of 200 to 2000 g/mol, and a polydispersity D=Mw/Mn of 1 to 5, and at least one filler.
US08450423B2	Fluorine-containing elastomer mixture, method for producing same, composition for vulcanizing peroxide, and molded article A fluoroelastomer mixture, including: a peroxide-vulcanizable fluoroelastomer (A) containing an iodine atom; and a peroxide-vulcanizable fluoroelastomer (B) containing an iodine atom. The fluoroelastomer (A) is a copolymer (a1) consisting of 50 to 85 mol % of a vinylidene fluoride unit and 15 to 50 mol % of a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) unit, or a copolymer (a2) consisting of 45 to 85 mol % of a vinylidene fluoride unit, 1 to 30 mol % of a tetrafluoroethylene unit, and 14 to 30 mol % of a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) unit. Further the fluoroelastomer (B) has a fluorine content of 70.0% or more. Also disclosed is a composition for peroxide vulcanization containing the above fluoroelastomer composition (i), a polyfunctional unsaturated compound (ii) and a peroxide (iii), as well as a method for producing the fluoroelastomer mixture.
US08450419B2	Golf ball material, golf ball, and method for preparing golf ball material The invention provides a golf ball material comprising components (A), (B) and (C): (A) a mixture of different masterbatches prepared by separately masterbatching two or more different metal ions (A1) or a masterbatch prepared by simultaneously masterbatching two or more different metal ions in itself (A2), (B) one or more polymer selected from the group consisting of diene polymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers, and (C) one or more polymer having an acid content of from about 0.5 to about 30 wt % and selected from the group consisting of olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers, olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester terpolymers, unsaturated carboxylic anhydride-containing polymers, unsaturated dicarboxylic acid-containing polymers and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid half ester-containing polymers. The invention also provides a method for preparing such a golf ball material, and a golf ball made of the material. The golf ball material has a good thermal stability, flow and processability, making it suitable for injection-molding. Moreover, this material is ideal for producing, without any loss of the rebound resilience of golf ball parts molded from the material, high-performance golf balls having excellent durability, scuff resistance and flexibility.
US08450405B2	Interlayer film for laminated glass and laminated glass The invention provides an interlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass, which are protected against a slump in TL value through attenuation of said coincidence effect and adapted to display an outstanding sound insulation performance over a broad temperature range. An interlayer film for a laminated glass comprising a plasticizer and a polyacetal resin, which is a blend of a polyacetal resin having an average polymerization degree of 1,000 to 3,000 and a polyacetal resin having an average polymerization degree of 3,000 to 5,000, and which has an acetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %. An interlayer film for a laminated glass which shows a temperature dependence of loss tangent in which the lowest-temperature side maximum of loss tangent appears at 30° C. or lower when examined for dynamic viscoelasticity.
US08450395B2	Resin having superior impact strength and color, and method for preparing the same Disclosed is a resin having excellent impact resistance and color, and a method of preparing the same, and more specifically, a resin having the excellent impact resistance and color, and a method of preparing the same, in which the resin includes (a) an occlusion seed consisting of i) a base seed including 99.95 to 99 wt % of alkyl methacrylate and 0.05 to 1 wt % of crosslinker, and ii) a copolymer of aromatic vinyl compound and alkyl acrylate occluding the base seed; (b) a polymer core surrounding the occlusion seed; and (c) a polymer shell surrounding the core, and according to the present invention, it is effective in providing a resin having superior impact strength, transparency, and color, in which the resin can be used as an excellent impact modifier when applying on a polymethylmethacrylate resin, and a method of preparing the same.
US08450389B1	System for solidification of liquid medical waste The invention includes a system for solidification of liquid medical waste for use in connection with a vessel configured to receive an aqueous liquid to be solidified. The system includes an absorbent composition including a plurality of surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles and a plurality of second particles. Additionally, a soluble packet may be included so that the absorbent composition is released upon dissolution of the packet. The invention also includes a liquid solidification system for reducing gel block and a method of solidifying liquid medical waste.
US08450386B2	Use of polyethylene glycol based fluidized polymer suspension in functional systems An aqueous based functional system contains a stable fluid polymer suspension (FPS) thickening agent of a polysaccharide, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and hydrated thickening silica. The functional systems may be formulations of personal care excluding oral care, household care, oil field servicing fluids, Civil Engineering servicing fluids, paper coatings, construction fluids, ceramic glazes, foods, firefighting retardants, mineral processing, aqueous based coatings, building materials, construction, pharmaceuticals, medical care, paper making process, and paper coating. The FPS provides to the functional system comparable or better rheology and viscosity properties as compared to when using similar thickening agents in dry, solid form. A method of preparing the aqueous based functional system is also provided by adding a sufficient amount of a stable FPS that is compatible with the functional system to the system to thicken the functional system.
US08450374B2	Pan-antagonists for the androgen receptor and androgen receptor mutants associated with anti-androgen withdrawal Disclosed herein are novel antagonists of the androgen receptor and androgen receptor mutations associated with clinical failure of currently prescribed anti-androgens and use of said antagonists in the treatment of conditions associated with inappropriate activation of the androgen receptor.
US08450370B2	Production of glycerol-related products from a high temperature reaction Disclosed are processes for producing glycerol related products. One process comprises introducing a biomass and an alkylation reagent to a substantially oxygen free environment, hydrolyzing at a temperature at or above 200° C. one or more lipid glycerides in the biomass, methylating one or more fatty acids in the biomass with methyl groups from the alkylation reagent, wherein the hydrolyzing and methylating occur contemporaneously and separating resulting biodiesel and methylated glycerol-related products from a residue of the biomass by condensation.
US08450366B2	Isobenzofuran analogs of sclerophytin A Isobenzofuran analogs of sclerophytin A are prepared in a highly concise fashion via an aldol-cycloaldol sequence. The analogs exhibit IC50's as low as 1 μM in growth inhibitory studies against KB3 cells using an MTT assay. Preferred analogs have one of the following structural formulas, where R is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group and Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.
US08450363B2	Inhibitors of Jun N-terminal kinase The present disclosure provides inhibitors of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) having a structure according to the following formula: or a salt or solvate thereof, wherein ring A, Ca, Cb, Z, R5, W and Cy are defined herein. The disclosure further provides pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds of the present disclosure and methods of making and using the compounds and compositions of the present disclosure, e.g., in the treatment and prevention of various disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
US08450360B2	Process for preparing dithiine-tetracarboximides The present invention relates to a new process for preparing dithiine-tetracarboximides.
US08450358B2	Enantiomers of spiro-oxindole compounds and their uses as therapeutic agents This invention is directed to the (S)-enantiomer of the compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate or prodrug thereof. This (S)-enantiomer is useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions, such as pain, which are ameliorated or alleviated by the modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels.
US08450354B2	Substituted imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use as β-secretase inhibitors The present invention provides substituted imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and tautomers of any of the foregoing, where such compounds inhibit β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme (BACE), which may be useful in the treatment of diseases in which BACE is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising any of these compounds and the use of any of these compounds and compositions in the treatment of diseases, disorders, or conditions in which BACE is involved.
US08450353B2	Topical compositions containing desthiobiotin and its derivatives and a method of treating skin Topical compositions and methods of use to treat symptoms of reduced skin elasticity are provided comprising desthiobiotin and certain desthiobiotin analogues. These compounds are effective in stimulating LOXL-1 activity and can thus increase elastin remodeling and improve appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin sagging and other symptoms of reduced elastin function.
US08450352B2	Thiazole compounds and their use for inhibiting phosphodiesterase 4, TNF-α, and IL-4 Thiazole compounds for inhibiting the activity of phosphodiesterase 4, the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, and the production of interleukin 4. The compounds of the invention are represented by general formula (1): wherein A is any one of the following groups (i)-(iii): (i) —CH(OH)—B— wherein B is a C1-6 alkylene group; (ii) —COCH(COOR3)-Bb- wherein R3 is a C1-6 alkyl group and Bb is a C1-6 alkylene group; and (iii) -Bc- wherein Bc is a C2-6 alkylene group, and include optical isomers and salts of the compounds.
US08450342B2	Perharidines as CDK inhibitors The invention relates to trisubstituted or tetrasubstituted imidazo[4,5b]pyridines, to their uses as well as to a process for manufacturing them.The compounds of the invention are imidazo[4,5b]pyridines.The first general synthesis of 3,5,7 imidazo[4,5b]pyridines is disclosed in the description.The invention founds application, in particular, in the pharmaceutical field.
US08450334B2	Hepsin inhibitors Compositions and methods are provided for preventing or attenuating cancer progression or blocking metastasis in prostate cancer and other cancers (e.g., ovarian carcinoma, endometrial cancer, renal cell carcinoma) that are characterized by overexpression of the type II cell surface serine protease hepsin, based on the discovery of multiple disclosed compounds having activity as specific hepsin inhibitors.
US08450333B2	Molecules for regulating cell death The present invention provides compounds capable of regulating apoptosis, e.g., via regulating mitochondrial fission or fusion. The present invention also provides methods of screening for compounds capable of regulating apoptosis and methods of treating conditions association with apoptosis.
US08450331B2	Thiophenyl-substituted 2-imino-3-methyl pyrrolo pyrimidinone compounds as BACE-1 inhibitors, compositions, and their use In its many embodiments, the present invention provides certain thiophenyl-substituted 2-imino-3-methyl pyrrolo pyrimidone compounds, including compounds (or tautomers or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof) having the structural Formula (III): wherein R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are each selected independently and as defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds, and methods for their preparation and use in treating pathologies associated with amyloid beta (Aβ) protein, including Alzheimer's Disease, are also disclosed.
US08450329B2	Benzoxazole kinase inhibitors and methods of use The present invention provides chemical entities or compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that are capable of modulating certain protein kinases such as mTor, tyrosine kinases, and/or lipid kinases such as PI3 kinase. For example, the invention provides compounds of Formula: Also provided in the present invention are methods of using such compounds or compositions, and methods of using these compositions to modulate activities of one or more of these kinases, especially for therapeutic applications such as treatment of cancer.
US08450328B2	Triazolo[4,5-D]pyramidine derivatives and their use as purine receptor antagonists Compounds of formula (I) that are capable of acting as purine receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of making the compounds, are disclosed. The compounds and compositions can be used in treating or preventing disorders related to purine receptor hyperfunctioning.
US08450326B2	Multiheteroaryl compounds as inhibitors of H-PGDS and their use for treating prostaglandin D2 mediated diseases Multiheteroaryl compounds, their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and their pharmaceutical use in the prevention and treatment of prostaglandin D2 mediated diseases and conditions that may be modulated by the inhibition of hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (H-PGDS).
US08450298B2	Aminoalcohol lipidoids and uses thereof Aminoalcohol lipidoids are prepared by reacting an amine with an epoxide-terminated compound are described. Methods of preparing aminoalcohol lipidoids from commercially available starting materials are also provided. Aminoalcohol lipidoids may be prepared from racemic or stereochemically pure epoxides. Aminoalcohol lipidoids or salts forms thereof are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the amino moiety of these aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Complexes, micelles, liposomes or particles containing the inventive lipidoids and polynucleotide have been prepared. The inventive lipidoids may also be used in preparing microparticles for drug delivery. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings.
US08450296B2	Methods of use of biomaterial and injectable implant containing biomaterial This invention relates to the use of a biomaterial for the treatment, repair and/or enhancement of bodily tissue insufficiencies of the vocal chords, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, post-operative regions, sexual organs and/or weight supporting areas of the feet as well as other conditions of the bones and joints. The biomaterial for use in the invention may comprise an injectable bioresorbable polysaccharide composition wherein the polysaccharide may be succinochitosan glutamate. This invention also relates to the use of a biomaterial comprising an injectable bioresorbable polysaccharide composition in which resorbable particles may be in suspension, the said particles comprising or consisting essentially of chitin and/or chitosan, which may be free of any additional formulation modifying agents, and a process for manufacturing the same. The invention also includes the use of various medicaments in the biomaterial formulations to enhance the treatment of the affected area of the body.
US08450292B2	Oligonucleotides or their functional homologues, a composition comprising the same and a method of treating B cell neoplasm The invention provides nine oligonuleotides with sequences of SEQ ID NO:1-9 or their functional homologues or a composition comprising the same and a method for treating B cell neoplasm by using the oligonuleotides or their functional homologues or the composition comprising the oligonuleotides. The oligonuleotides induce the apoptosis of B cell neoplastic cells, up-regulate CD40 on B cell neoplastic cells and stimulate the production of IL-10 from B cell neoplastic cells.
US08450288B2	System and method for the pretreatment of the endplates of an intervertebral disc A method for the pre-treatment of an intervertebral disc prior to the introduction of a disc prosthesis or implant includes removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to expose at least a portion of the endplate of an adjacent vertebra to the disc. A fluent treatment material is then injected into the disc space to come into contact with the portion of the endplate. The fluent treatment material is operable to prepare the portion of the endplate to accommodate a disc prosthesis, implant or graft subsequently introduced into the disc space. Different fluent treatment materials are provided that depend upon the condition of the vertebral endplates.
US08450282B2	Anionic polymer, polyion complex and ternary polymer composite using anionic polymer, and pharmaceutical composition There are provided an anionic polymer, a polyion complex, and a ternary polymer composite, each of which is stable in a biological environment and is capable of realizing small RNA delivery without causing any undesired immune response. An anionic polymer according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a main chain which includes repeating units having carboxyl groups; and a side chain which is linked with part of the carboxyl groups in the main chain and is represented by the following formula: -A-B—X where: A represents a residue having one or more aminoethyl bonds; B represents an in vivo cleavable bond; and X represents a small RNA. A polyion complex according to an embodiment of the invention includes the anionic polymer as described above and a cationic polymer. A ternary polymer composite according to an embodiment of the invention includes the polyion complex as described above and a charge conversional polymer.
US08450277B2	Methods for reducing botulinum neurotoxin A toxicity The present invention is based on the identification of synaptic vessel glycoprotein SV2 as the BoNT/A receptor and the further identification of various BoNT/A-binding fragments of SV2. The disclosure here provides new tools for diagnosing and treating botulism.
US08450275B2	TFPI inhibitors and methods of use The invention provides peptides that bind Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI), including TFPI-inhibitory peptides, and compositions thereof. The peptides may be used to inhibit a TFPI, enhance thrombin formation in a clotting factor-deficient subject, increase blood clot formation in a subject, treat a blood coagulation disorder in a subject, purify TFPI, and identify a TFPI-binding compound.
US08450274B2	DKK2 protein and use thereof The present invention provides DKK2 and DKK-Fc fusion protein with angiogesis promoting activity and methods of using the same.
US08450263B2	Detergent compositions for cleaning and fabric care Detergent compositions comprising selected deposition polymers for improved deposition of fabric care benefit agents, such as organosilicones, polyolefin dispersions, polymer latexes, microencapsulated fabric care actives, onto fabrics through the laundering operation.
US08450260B2	Structured aqueous detergent compositions A structured aqueous detergent composition comprising modified cellulose and surfactant characterized in that the composition comprises: a) 0.2 to 10 wt %, preferably 0.4 to 7 wt %, anionic surfactant or zwitterionic surfactant or mixtures thereof, b) 0.5 to 5 wt %, preferably 1 to 2 wt %, dispersed modified cellulose biopolymer, wherein the modification consists of the cellulose having its C6 primary alcohols oxidized to carboxyl moieties (acid/COOH—) on 10 to 70% of the glucose units and substantially all the remainder of the C6 positions occupied by unmodified primary alcohols, c) 0 to 10 wt % non-surfactant electrolyte; d) 0 to 15 wt % other conventional detergent composition additives e) balance water. The invention also provides a method to manufacture the composition.
US08450257B2	Multipurpose, non-corrosive cleaning compositions and methods of use Compositions comprising an alkanesulfonic acid and an organic nitrogenous base, and related methods of use.
US08450256B2	High- and low-viscosity estolide base oils and lubricants Provided herein are compounds of the formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R1, R3, and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein compositions comprising the compounds are characterized by particular combinations of values for estolide number, kinematic viscosity, and pour point. Also provided are compositions containing the compounds and methods of making both the compounds and compositions thereof.
US08450254B2	Solid stick compositions comprising thermosetting plastic The present invention provides a modified solid stick composition comprising a thermosetting plasticizer, a resin, a lubricant, a friction modifier, or a combination thereof. The solid stick compositions may be used for application between two metal surfaces in sliding and rolling-sliding contact such as steel wheel-rail systems including mass transit and freight systems. A method of reducing energy consumption, or controlling friction between a metal surface and a second metal surface by applying the solid stick composition to one or more than one of the metal surfaces, is also provided.
US08450250B2	Drag reduction of asphaltenic crude oils A method of preparing a drag reducing polymer wherein the drag reducing polymer is able to be injected into a pipeline, such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow through the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is injected into a pipeline of liquid hydrocarbon hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon wherein the viscosity of the treated liquid hydrocarbon is not less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. The drag reducing polymer has a solubility parameter within 4 MPa1/2 of the solubility parameter of the liquid hydrocarbon. The drag reducing polymer is also added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
US08450249B2	Drag reduction of asphaltenic crude oils A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26° to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw.
US08450244B2	Mixtures of mustard plant material for the control of pests and methods of making A composition for controlling pests comprising a mixture of plant material obtainable from a mustard plant of the species Sinapis alba and plant material obtainable from a mustard plant of the species Brassica juncea is described.
US08450232B2	Catalysts useful for the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons A catalyst useful for the alkylation or transalkylation of aromatic compounds is disclosed. The catalyst is an acid-treated zeolitic catalyst produced by a process including contacting an acidic zeolitic catalyst comprising surface non-framework aluminum and framework aluminum with an organic dibasic acid at a catalyst to acid weight ratio in the range from about 2:1 to about 20:1 and at a temperature in the range from about 50° C. to about 100° C. to selectively remove at least a portion of the surface non-framework aluminum. The resulting catalyst may have a measured first-order rate constant, kcum, for the alkylation of benzene with propylene to form cumene, of at least 2.0 cm3/s g.
US08450227B2	Ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising silica, methods using the same and ceramic bodies made therefrom The disclosure relates to ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising at least one pore former and inorganic batch components comprising at least one silica source having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods. The disclosure additionally relates to methods for reducing pore size variability in ceramic bodies and/or reducing process variability in making ceramic bodies.
US08450226B2	High temperature glass fiber insulation Disclosed are glass compositions containing Beryllia in addition to various proportions of Silica, Alumina, Calcium, Magnesia, Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Titania, Zirconia, Manganese and/or Phosphorous. Fibers were produced from the disclosed compositions using standard glass processing equipment. These fibers yielded high temperature fibers having low density, high strength, high modulus, excellent glass surfaces requiring very little bonding material to hold the fibers together. Bio solubility is preferably promoted by ensuring that only trace quantities of alumina are present. Fibers having those properties are particularly suitable for producing high temperature glass fiber insulation for use in aircraft and other vehicles.
US08450220B2	Substrate processing apparatus , method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing substrate There are provided a substrate processing apparatus, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a method of manufacturing a substrate, for growing a SiC epitaxial film at a high-temperature condition. The substrate processing apparatus comprises: a reaction chamber; a first gas supply system configured to supply at least a gas containing silicon atoms and a gas containing chlorine atoms, or a gas containing silicon and chlorine atoms; a second gas supply system configured to supply at least a reducing gas; a third gas supply system configured to supply at least a gas containing carbon atoms; a first gas supply nozzle connected to the first gas supply system or the first and third gas supply systems; a second gas supply nozzle connected to the second gas supply system or the second and third gas supply systems; and a controller configured to control the first to third gas supply systems.
US08450217B2	Method for making holes using a fluid jet The method for making a hole in a layer includes the provision of first and second adhesion areas on a surface of a support. The first area has dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the hole. The method includes depositing a layer on the first and second adhesion areas. The material of the layer has an adhesion coefficient to the first area lower than the adhesion coefficient to the second area. The part of layer arranged above the first area is eliminated by a fluid jet.
US08450216B2	Contact etch stop layers of a field effect transistor An exemplary structure for a field effect transistor according to at least one embodiment comprises a substrate comprising a surface; a gate structure comprising sidewalls and a top surface over the substrate; a spacer adjacent to the sidewalls of the gate structure; a first contact etch stop layer over the spacer and extending along the surface of the substrate; an interlayer dielectric layer adjacent to the first contact etch stop layer, wherein a top surface of the interlayer dielectric layer is coplanar with the top surface of the gate structure; and a second contact etch stop layer over the top surface of the gate structure.
US08450213B2	Forming a membrane having curved features Processes for making a membrane having a curved feature are disclosed. Recesses each in the shape of a reversed, truncated pyramid are formed in a planar substrate surface by KOH etching through a mask. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate surface. The oxide layer can be stripped leaving rounded corners between different facets of the recesses in the substrate surface, and the substrate surface can be used as a profile-transferring substrate surface for making a membrane having concave curved features. Alternatively, a handle layer is attached to the oxide layer and the substrate is removed until the backside of the oxide layer becomes exposed. The exposed backside of the oxide layer includes curved portions protruding away from the handle layer, and can provide a profile-transferring substrate surface for making a membrane having convex curved features.
US08450211B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an insulation layer containing an impurity, forming a contact hole by etching the insulation layer, performing a treatment to decrease a concentration of the impurity on a surface of the insulation layer, and rinsing the contact hole.
US08450210B1	Sequential station tool for wet processing of semiconductor wafers Methods and apparatus are provided for processing semiconductor wafers sequentially. Sequential processes employ multi-station processing modules, where particular encompassing wafer processes are divided into sub-processes, each optimized for increasing wafer to wafer uniformity, result quality, and overall wafer throughput. In one example, a copper electroplating module includes separate stations for wetting, initiation, seed layer repair, fill, overburden, reclaim, and rinse.
US08450205B2	Redundancy design with electro-migration immunity and method of manufacture An IC interconnect for high direct current (DC) that is substantially immune to electro-migration (EM) damage, and a method of manufacture of the IC interconnect are provided. A structure includes a cluster-of-via structure at an intersection between inter-level wires. The cluster-of-via structure includes a plurality of vias each of which are filled with a metal and lined with a liner material. At least two adjacent of the vias are in contact with one another and the plurality of vias lowers current loading between the inter-level wires.
US08450198B2	Graphene based switching device having a tunable bandgap A method of implementing bandgap tuning of a graphene-based switching device includes subjecting a bi-layer graphene to an electric field while simultaneously subjecting the bi-layer graphene to an applied strain that reduces an interlayer spacing between the bi-layer graphene, thereby creating a bandgap in the bi-layer graphene.
US08450194B2	Method to modify the shape of a cavity using angled implantation A method of modifying a shape of a cavity in a substrate. The method includes forming one or more cavities on a surface of the substrate between adjacent relief structures. The method also includes directing ions toward the substrate at a non-normal angle of incidence, wherein the ions strike an upper portion of a cavity sidewall, and wherein the ions do not strike a lower portion of the cavity sidewall. The method further includes etching the one or more cavities wherein the upper portion of a cavity sidewall etches more slowly than the lower portion of the sidewall cavity.
US08450193B2	Techniques for temperature-controlled ion implantation Techniques for temperature-controlled ion implantation are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for temperature-controlled ion implantation. The apparatus may comprise a platen to hold a wafer in a single-wafer process chamber during ion implantation, the platen including: a wafer clamping mechanism to secure the wafer onto the platen and to provide a predetermined thermal contact between the wafer and the platen, and one or more heating elements to pre-heat and maintain the platen in a predetermined temperature range above room temperature. The apparatus may also comprise a post-cooling station to cool down the wafer after ion implantation. The apparatus may further comprise a wafer handling assembly to load the wafer onto the pre-heated platen and to remove the wafer from the platen to the post-cooling station.
US08450192B2	Growth of planar, non-polar, group-III nitride films Growth methods for planar, non-polar, Group-III nitride films are described. The resulting films are suitable for subsequent device regrowth by a variety of growth techniques.
US08450190B2	Fabrication of GaN substrate by defect selective passivation Defect selective passivation in semiconductor fabrication for reducing defects.
US08450187B2	Method of cutting semiconductor substrate Multiphoton absorption is generated, so as to form a part which is intended to be cut 9 due to a molten processed region 13 within a silicon wafer 11, and then an adhesive sheet 20 bonded to the silicon wafer 11 is expanded. This cuts the silicon wafer 11 along the part which is intended to be cut 9 with a high precision into semiconductor chips 25. Here, opposing cut sections 25a, 25a of neighboring semiconductor chips 25, 25 are separated from each other from their close contact state, whereby a die-bonding resin layer 23 is also cut along the part which is intended to be cut 9. Therefore, the silicon wafer 11 and die-bonding resin layer 23 can be cut much more efficiently than in the case where the silicon wafer 11 and die-bonding resin layer 23 are cut with a blade without cutting a base 21.
US08450182B2	Method of manufacturing non-volatile semiconductor memory element and method of manufacturing non-volatile semiconductor memory device A method of manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor memory element including a variable resistance element and a non-ohmic element. The variable resistance element includes a first electrode, a variable resistance layer, and a shared electrode. The non-ohmic element includes the shared electrode, a semiconductor or insulator layer, and a second electrode. The method includes: forming the first electrode on a substrate; forming the variable resistance layer on the first electrode; forming the shared electrode by nitriding a front surface of the variable resistance layer; forming the semiconductor or insulator layer on the shared electrode; and forming the second electrode. In the forming of the shared electrode, a front surface of a transition metal oxide is nitrided by a plasma nitriding process to form the shared electrode comprising a transition metal nitride.
US08450176B2	Methods of manufacturing rewriteable three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices Methods of forming nonvolatile memory devices include forming a vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells on a substrate. This is done by forming a vertical stack of spaced-apart gate electrodes on a first sidewall of a vertical silicon active layer and treating a second sidewall of the vertical silicon active layer in order to reduce crystalline defects within the active layer and/or reduce interface trap densities therein. This treating can include exposing the second sidewall with an oxidizing species that converts a surface of the second sidewall into a silicon dioxide passivation layer. A buried insulating pattern may also be formed directly on the silicon dioxide passivation layer.
US08450175B2	Methods of forming a vertical transistor and at least a conductive line electrically coupled therewith Trenches are formed into semiconductive material. Masking material is formed laterally over at least elevationally inner sidewall portions of the trenches. Conductivity modifying impurity is implanted through bases of the trenches into semiconductive material there-below. Such impurity is diffused into the masking material received laterally over the elevationally inner sidewall portions of the trenches and into semiconductive material received between the trenches below a mid-channel portion. An elevationally inner source/drain is formed in the semiconductive material below the mid-channel portion. The inner source/drain portion includes said semiconductive material between the trenches which has the impurity therein. A conductive line is formed laterally over and electrically coupled to at least one of opposing sides of the inner source/drain. A gate is formed elevationally outward of and spaced from the conductive line and laterally adjacent the mid-channel portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08450173B2	Electrical components for microelectronic devices and methods of forming the same Electrical components for microelectronic devices and methods for forming electrical components. One particular embodiment of such a method comprises depositing an underlying layer onto a workpiece, and forming a conductive layer on the underlying layer. The method can continue by disposing a dielectric layer on the conductive layer. The underlying layer is a material that causes the dielectric layer to have a higher dielectric constant than without the underlying layer being present under the conductive layer. For example, the underlying layer can impart a structure or another property to the film stack that causes an otherwise amorphous dielectric layer to crystallize without having to undergo a separate high temperature annealing process after disposing the dielectric layer onto the conductive layer. Several examples of this method are expected to be very useful for forming dielectric layers with high dielectric constants because they avoid using a separate high temperature annealing process.
US08450172B2	Non-insulating stressed material layers in a contact level of semiconductor devices In sophisticated semiconductor devices, non-insulating materials with extremely high internal stress level may be used in the contact level in order to enhance performance of circuit elements, such as field effect transistors, wherein the non-insulating material may be appropriately “encapsulated” by dielectric material. Consequently, a desired high strain level may be obtained on the basis of a reduced layer thickness, while still providing the insulating characteristics required in the contact level.
US08450170B2	Semiconductor memory device and method of forming the same Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of forming the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an active region of which an edge is curved. The semiconductor device includes a gate insulating layer, a floating gate, a gate interlayer dielectric layer and a control gate line on the active region. The semiconductor device includes an oxide pattern having a concave top surface between adjacent floating gates. The control gate may be sufficiently spaced apart from the active region by the oxide pattern. The method can provide a semiconductor device that includes a reoxidation process, an active region having a curved edge and an oxide pattern having a top surface of a curved concave shape.
US08450167B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor devices A method of fabricating semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of gates on a substrate, forming a top layer on a top surface of each gate, forming sidewall spacers on opposite sides of each gate, and forming sacrificial spacers on the sidewall spacers. The method further includes performing a dry etching process on the substrate using the top layer and the sacrificial spacers as a mask to form a recess of a first width in the substrate between two adjacent gates, performing an isotropic wet etching process on the recess to expand the first width to a second width, and performing an orientation selective wet etching process on the recess to shape the rectangular-shaped recess into a Σ-shaped recess.
US08450149B2	Stacked leadframe implementation for DC/DC convertor power module incorporating a stacked controller and stacked leadframe construction methodology Methods and systems are described for enabling the efficient fabrication of small form factor power converter packages and other devices using stacked leadframes.
US08450147B2	Laminating encapsulant film containing phosphor over LEDs A process is described for wavelength conversion of LED light using phosphors. LED dies are tested for correlated color temperature (CCT), and binned according to their color emission. The LEDs in each_bin are mounted on a single submount to form an array of LEDs. Various thin sheets of a flexible encapsulant (e.g., silicone) infused with one or more phosphors are preformed, where each sheet has different color conversion properties. An appropriate sheet is placed over an array of LED mounted on a submount, and the LEDs are energized. The resulting light is measured for CCT. If the CCT is acceptable, the phosphor sheet is permanently laminated onto the LEDs and submount. By selecting a different phosphor sheet for each bin of LEDs, the resulting CCT is very uniform across all bins.
US08450145B2	Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for producing the same A first opening and a second opening are formed at the same time over a first metal wiring and a second metal wiring, respectively which are provided as the same layer on a substrate on which a transistor for selecting a memory cell is formed. Then, a variable resistor and an upper electrode are deposited on a whole surface so as to completely fill the first opening with the upper electrode but not to completely fill the second opening with it. Thereafter, a variable resistive element is formed in the first opening and a via hole to connect to the third metal wiring (bit line), in the second opening, at the same time, by performing back-etching until a surface of the second metal wiring is exposed at a bottom of the second opening.
US08450143B2	Organic semiconductor compositions with nanoparticles A method of fabricating a circuit includes chemically bonding a coating to a plurality of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are dispersed in a medium comprising organic molecules. An organic semiconductor channel is formed that comprises the medium. A plurality of electrodes is formed over the substrate. The electrodes are located to function as two of a gate electrode, a drain electrode, and a source electrode of a field-effect transistor.
US08450130B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor laser Provided is a semiconductor laser, wherein (λa−λw)>15 (nm) and Lt<25 (μm), where λw is the wavelength of light corresponding to the band gap of the active layer disposed at a position within a distance of 2 μm from one end surface in a resonator direction, λa is the wavelength of light corresponding to the band gap of the active layer disposed at a position that is spaced a distance of equal to or more than ( 3/10)L and ≦( 7/10)L from the one end surface in a resonator direction, “L” is the resonator length, and “Lt” is the length of a transition region provided between the position of the active layer with a band gap corresponding to a light wavelength of λw+2 (nm) and the position of the active layer with a band gap corresponding to a light wavelength of λa−2 (nm) in the resonator direction.
US08450129B2	Thin film transistor substrate and manufacturing method thereof A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate is provided in which a sufficiently large contact area between conductive materials is provided in a contact portion and a method of fabricating the TFT substrate. The TFT substrate includes a gate interconnection line formed on an insulating substrate, a gate insulating layer covering the gate interconnection line, a semiconductor layer arranged on the gate insulating layer, a data interconnection line including a data line, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor layer, a first passivation layer formed on the data interconnection line and exposing the drain electrode, a second passivation layer formed on the first passivation film and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode. An outer sidewall of the second passivation layer is positioned inside an outer sidewall of the first passivation layer.
US08450126B2	Semiconductor test pad structures A semiconductor test pad interconnect structure with integrated die-separation protective barriers. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of stacked metal layers each having an electrically conductive test pad separated from other test pads by a dielectric material layer. In one embodiment, at least one metallic via bar is embedded into the interconnect structure and electrically interconnects each of the test pads in the metal layers together. The via bar extends substantially along an entire first side defined by each test pad in some embodiments. In other embodiments, a pair of opposing via bars may be provided that are arranged on opposite sides of a die singulation saw cut line defined in a scribe band on a semiconductor wafer.
US08450119B2	Magnetic tunnel junction patterning using Ta/TaN as hard mask An MTJ MRAM cell is formed by using a reactive ion etch (RIE) to pattern an MTJ stack on which there has been formed a bilayer Ta/TaN hard mask. The hard mask is formed by patterning a masking layer that has been formed by depositing a layer of TaN over a layer of Ta on the MTJ stack. After the stack is patterned, the TaN layer serves at least two advantageous purposes: 1) it protects the Ta layer from oxidation during the etching of the stack and 2) it serves as a surface having excellent adhesion properties for a subsequently deposited dielectric layer.
US08450118B2	Method for detecting binding interactions between membrane proteins and analytes in a homogenous assay Devices and methods for detecting interaction between components associated with lipid membranes and analytes are described herein. In certain methods, a surface of a compartment of a device is coated with a material that attaches to lipid membrane from a sample. An analyte is introduced and interaction is detected, for example, by back scattering interferometry. In another method, a surface is passivated with a material that does not bind a lipid membrane. A sample is introduced that contains a membrane comprising a component for testing and an analyte. Interaction is detected. In a third method, a channel is filled with a first liquid that does not comprise a lipid membrane. A bolus of a second liquid that comprises a membrane comprising a component for testing and an analyte is introduced under laminar flow conditions so that a leading edge of the second liquid does not completely displace the first liquid in a sensing area that is interrogated by optical methods, for example, a laser. Interaction between the analyte and the component is detected.
US08450117B2	Method to detect beryllium by fluorescence A method of determining beryllium or a beryllium compound thereof in a sample is disclosed by measuring fluorescence. This method discloses improved sample preparation methods, particularly for refractory beryllium materials. The method also discloses methods to improve the detection limit of beryllium including use of optical filters with specific characteristics for selecting the emission wavelengths of the fluorescence signal.
US08450116B2	Method of applying a biological specimen to an analytic plate A method applying a biological specimen to an analytic plate by using an applicator device to apply a coating to the analytic plate and adhering the biological sample to the plate. The coating is substantially transparent, translucent or invisible, and is substantially flush with the surface of the analytic plate. The coating is preferably comprised of a polysiloxane, siloxane, silicone, a silane, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof and optionally an acid.
US08450114B2	Method of stabilizing constant-temperature path Provided is an automatic analysis apparatus which can obtain stable analysis results by stabilizing a constant-temperature bath and the temperature of a reaction liquid inside reaction containers. For this purpose, the automatic analysis apparatus (1) comprises: a storage tank (10) for storing a temperature controlling liquid (L1) dispensed into reaction containers (5) using dispensing apparatuses (6) and (7); and a dispensation control section for performing a control for dispensing the temperature controlling liquid (L1) using the dispensing apparatuses into an empty reaction container when there is such an empty reaction container, in which neither a specimen nor a reagent is dispensed, on a reaction table (4), where the temperature controlling liquid is cooled down substantially equal to the dispensed reagent by laying a pipe, which is provided between a cooler and a reagent table (2) for passing the coolant, through the temperature controlling liquid in the storage tank.
US08450111B2	Lipid extraction from microalgae using a single ionic liquid A one-step process for the lysis of microalgae cell walls and separation of the cellular lipids for use in biofuel production by utilizing a hydrophilic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium. The hydrophilic ionic liquid both lyses the microalgae cell walls and forms two immiscible layers, one of which consists of the lipid contents of the lysed cells. After mixture of the hydrophilic ionic liquid with a suspension of microalgae cells, gravity causes a hydrophobic lipid phase to move to a top phase where it is removed from the mixture and purified. The hydrophilic ionic liquid is recycled to lyse new microalgae suspensions.
US08450107B1	Nucleotide-specific recognition sequences for designer TAL effectors The invention relates to methods of altering expression of a genomic locus of interest or specifically targeting a genomic locus of interest in an animal cell, which may involve contacting the genomic locus with a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition that includes a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) binding polypeptide having a N-terminal capping region, a DNA binding domain comprising at least five or more Transcription activator-like effector (TALE) monomers and at least one or more half-monomers specifically ordered to target the genomic locus of interest, and a C-terminal capping region, wherein the polypeptide includes at least one or more effector domains, and wherein the polypeptide is encoded by and translated from a codon optimized nucleic acid molecule so that the polypeptide preferentially binds to the DNA of the genomic locus.
US08450102B2	Device and method for stabilising the flow through a chamber A device 1 with at least one electrode 8 for generating an electrical field in a chamber 7 is disclosed. The device 1 comprises at least one input channel 6 for introducing a fluid into the chamber 7, and at least one output channel 11 for discharging the fluid from the chamber 7. Also disclosed is a method for stabilizing the flow of a fluid through a chamber 7 in which an electrical field is generated and which has at least one input channel 6 for introducing the fluid into the chamber and at least one output channel 11 for discharging the fluid from the chamber 8. To avoid undesirable backflow of the fluid due to gas formation, the average inside diameter of the input channel 6 of device 1 is smaller than the average inside diameter of the output channel 11.
US08450101B2	Reaction chip, reaction method, temperature controlling unit for gene treating apparatus and gene treating apparatus The reaction chip of the present invention has a plurality of recesses 6 constituting a part of a reaction container and a groove constituting a part of a channel formed on at least one of one face of a first base material (resin base material 2) and one face of a second base material (metallic base material) and a notch 15 showing a gradual increase in width and a gradual increase in depth from one face 2d of the base material toward an inner wall surface 6d of the recess is formed on an edge of at least one recess in an extending direction of the groove. One face of the first base material and one face of the second base material are stuck together opposite to each other to form the plurality of reaction containers and the channel.
US08450098B2	Method for introducing nucleic acids into fungal cells The method disclosed herein, relates generally to introducing molecules such as biomolecules (e.g., nucleic acids) into a filamentous fungus. More specifically, the methods disclosed herein relate to introducing one or more nucleic acids into a filamentous fungus.
US08450097B2	Protein-proteophore complexes The application relates to a composition comprising a hyperbranched polymer attached to a core and a biologically active moiety. The biologically active moiety is attached to the core by means of a substantially non-enzymatically cleavable linker L. The composition can be used to deliver the biologically active moiety to its target.
US08450091B2	Perhydrolase providing improved specific activity An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08450090B2	Compositions and methods for promoting fatty acid production in plants The invention relates to methods and products for producing fatty acids by manipulating metabolic function in plants and fungus. The fatty acids generated according to the invention may be useful in the production of biofuels.
US08450083B2	Modified lipids produced from oil-bearing microbial biomass and oils Methods for modifying a microalgal lipid by subjecting the lipid to a chemical reaction are provided, the lipid containing no more than 500 ppm color-generating impurities and obtained from Parachlorella, Prototheca, or Chlorella microalgal strains, or strains having at least 85% nucleotide sequence identity in 23S rRNA sequences to such strains grown under heterotrophic conditions.
US08450080B2	Methods of monitoring metabolic pathways The present invention provides methods and compositions for monitoring cofactors and metabolites of a metabolic pathway of interest. The subject compositions and methods are particularly suited for monitoring the mevalonate pathway in a variety of cells. The invention also provides fermentation methods for the production of isoprenoids.
US08450077B2	Quantitative diagnostic methods using multiple parameters Materials and methods related to diagnosing a clinical condition in a subject, or determining the subject's predisposition to develop the clinical condition, using a multi-parameter system to measure a plurality of parameters and an algorithm to determine a disease score.
US08450056B2	Arrayed imaging reflectometry (AIR) sensor chip comprising virus-like particles suitable for the detection of antiviral immune responses A sensor chip for detecting an immune response against a virus, the sensor chip including a substrate having a surface and a plurality of virus-like particles or capsid fragments bound to discrete locations on the surface of the substrate. Detection devices containing the sensor chip and methods of detecting anti-viral immune responses are also described herein.
US08450052B2	Double patterning strategy for contact hole and trench in photolithography A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first resist pattern on a substrate, the first resist pattern including a plurality of openings therein on the substrate; forming a second resist pattern on the substrate and within the plurality of openings of the first resist pattern, the second resist pattern including at least one opening therein on the substrate; and removing the first resist pattern to uncover the substrate underlying the first resist pattern.
US08450051B2	Use of patterned UV source for photolithography A system and method of exposing photoresist on the surface of the solar cell to light so as to create an appropriate mask is disclosed. A microcavity array is used to expose the photoresist to UV light in a pattern that matches the desired pattern on the solar cell. Microcavity arrays consist of an array of cavities, which may include tens of thousands of cavities. When an appropriate potential is applied to an electrode, a plasma is formed in the activated cavity. If the cavity contains a suitable gaseous environment, these activated cavities will emit light in the near ultraviolet spectrum. By properly configuring the locations of the activated cavities, a UV source may be created that exposes the photoresist in a desired pattern. The desired pattern can be created by selectively activating cavities, disabling certain cavities, or filling certain cavities so that they cannot create a plasma.
US08450046B2	Methods for enhancing photolithography patterning A method for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes: providing a substrate prepared with a photoresist layer; providing a photomask comprising a first and a second pattern having a respective first and second pitch range; providing a composite aperture comprising a first and a second off-axis illumination aperture pattern, the first off-axis aperture pattern having a configuration that improves the process window of the first pitch range and the second off-axis aperture pattern having a configuration that improves the process window for a second pitch range; exposing the photoresist layer on the substrate with radiation from an exposure source through the composite aperture and the photomask; and developing the photoresist layer to pattern the photoresist layer.
US08450044B2	Positive resist composition and method of forming resist pattern A positive resist composition including a resin component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid and an acid-generator component (B), the resin component (A) including a polymeric compound (A1) having a structural unit (a1) containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, a structural unit (a5) containing a base dissociable group an a structural unit (a6) represented by general formula (a6-1) (R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; each of R2 and R3 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group that may contain an oxygen atom at an arbitrary position, or R2 and R3 are bonded together to form an alkylene group; and W represents a cyclic alkylene group that may include an oxygen atom at an arbitrary position).
US08450020B2	In-vehicle algorithm for fuel cell stack health quantification A method for determining the health of fuel cells in a fuel cell stack. The method includes maintaining a constant flow of hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack, shutting off a flow of air to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack when a predetermined concentration of hydrogen in the anode side has been achieved, and identifying a catalyst surface area and a catalyst support surface area for catalyst layers in the fuel cell stack. The method also includes determining the total parasitic current of the fuel cell stack to determine a cross-over parasitic current and a shorting resistance of the fuel cell stack. The method further includes calculating the catalyst surface area and the catalyst support surface area of the catalyst layers and comparing the difference between the identified catalyst surface area and the calculated catalyst surface area to estimate the change in the catalyst surface area.
US08450009B2	Cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery A cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery including a center pin that has a diameter greater than a diameter of a hole formed in the center of an insulating plate to reduce the noise generated by contacting the center pin with the bottom surface of the cylindrical can.
US08450006B2	Rechargeable battery A secondary battery includes a plurality of electrode assemblies disposed in a same direction, each electrode assembly of the plurality of electrode assemblies including a first electrode plate with a first electrode non-coating portion, a second electrode plate with a second electrode non-coating portion, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, a first collector plate contacting the first electrode non-coating portions of the plurality of electrode assemblies, the first collector plate electrically connecting the first electrode non-coating portions to each other in a parallel connection, and a case configured to contain the plurality of electrode assemblies and the first collector plate.
US08450002B2	Electrode assembly including electrode having non-coated portion, method of manufacturing the same, and secondary battery including the same Disclosed are an electrode assembly, a method of manufacturing the same, and a secondary battery including the same. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode coated with a first active material, a second electrode coated with a second active material, and a separator between the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes and the separator are wound into a jelly-roll. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a non-coated portion where an active material is not coated on a roll-starting end or a roll-finishing end of the at least one of the first and second electrodes, the non-coated portion is at a region of a side surface of the at least one electrode, and the region having the non-coated portion does not face an electrode having a different polarity from the at least one of the first and second electrodes with the separator therebetween.
US08450001B2	Flow batter with radial electrolyte distribution An electrochemical flow cell includes a permeable electrode, an impermeable electrode located adjacent to and spaced apart from the permeable electrode and a reaction zone electrolyte flow channel located between a first side of the permeable electrode and a first side of the impermeable electrode. The electrochemical flow cell also includes at least one electrolyte flow channel located adjacent to a second side of the permeable electrode, at least one central electrolyte flow conduit extending through a central portion of the permeable electrode and through a central portion of the impermeable electrode and at least one peripheral electrolyte flow inlet/outlet located in a peripheral portion of the electrochemical cell above or below the permeable electrode.
US08449999B2	Safety battery cell with safety exhaust part corresponding to the electrode lead Disclosed herein is a battery cell constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly is mounted in a battery case made of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer, and the battery case is thermally welded along the edge of a receiving part thereof to form a sealing part, wherein a weak part is formed at a portion of the sealing part (‘an electrode lea correspondence portion’) corresponding to one of electrode leads (a, b) connected to the electrode assembly, e.g., the electrode lead (a) having relatively low flexibility, the weak part being physically deformed, such that internal gas is discharged outside through the weak part, when predetermined pressure is applied to the weak part, and the weak part is not formed at an electrode lead correspondence portion of the other electrode lead (b).
US08449994B2	Turbine engine components A thermal barrier coating is formed over the substrate. A majority of the thermal barrier coating comprises a multi-phase material comprising a polycrystalline material including two or more phases. Each phase forms an individual grain, adjacent individual grains are separated by grain boundaries, each phase comprises an oxide compound, the multi-phase material is formed from three or more constituents, the three or more constituents consist of different materials that are not completely soluble in each other, and the two or more phases are not completely soluble in each other and do not form only one compound.
US08449993B2	Wetting resistant materials and articles made therewith Articles coated with wetting resistant materials are presented. One embodiment is an article comprising a substrate and a coating having low surface connected porosity disposed on the substrate. The coating comprises an oxide, which comprises aluminum, yttrium, and at least one rare earth element according to the following atomic proportions: (RxY1-x)3Al5O12 where x is in the range from about 0.001 to about 0.999, and where R is at least one of the rare earth elements, Y is yttrium, O is oxygen, and Al is aluminum.
US08449990B2	Electroluminescent efficiency An organic light emitting device is provided. The device has an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The emissive layer further includes a molecule of Formula I (shown below) wherein an alkyl substituent at position R′5 results in high efficiency and operational stability in the organic light emitting device.
US08449983B2	Interlayer film for laminated glass, laminated glass, and method of producing interlayer film for laminated glass It is an object of the present invention to provide an interlayer film for laminated glass containing gallium-doped zinc oxide fine particles as heat shielding fine particles and exhibiting a high transparency and an excellent heat shielding performance. The present invention is an interlayer film for laminated glass, which comprises gallium-doped zinc oxide fine particles, a plasticizer, a dispersant, and a thermoplastic resin, wherein the gallium-doped zinc oxide fine particles have a hexagonal crystalline structure and a c-axis crystal lattice constant of 0.5207 nm or more, and a visible light transmittance TV of 70% or more and an infrared transmittance TIR of less than 75% are obtained from measurement by the method according to JIS R 3106 performed on laminated glass obtained by interposing the interlayer film for laminated glass between a pair of 2.5 mm-thick clear glass sheets.
US08449979B2	Molecular aggregate capable of undergoing phase transition by dehydrating condensation and method of phase transition thereof Provided is a bilayer membrane vesicle capable of undergoing a phase transition. The bilayer membrane vesicle includes: (a) a fatty acid salt having 6 to 20 carbon atoms; (b) an alcohol or an amine compound having an aliphatic chain of 6 to 20 carbon atoms; and (c) an artificial synthetic lipid or a phospholipid capable of forming a bilayer membrane. Preferably, this bilayer membrane vesicle further contains (d) a tertiary amine as a component of the membrane. Also provided is a method of inducing a phase transition of a bilayer membrane vesicle, the method including the step of adding a dehydrating condensing agent or a dehydrating condensing agent precursor having the property of accumulating at an interface to the bilayer membrane vesicle. By causing the lipids that form a molecular aggregate to chemically change, it is possible to change the physical property and the morphology of the molecular aggregate and control the timing of phase transitions such as membrane fusion. In the membrane fusion, for example, fusion can occur without leakage of the contents of the bilayer membrane vesicle.
US08449975B2	Electroconductive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus An electroconductive member excellent in durability even when applying direct current voltage over a long period of time is provided. Disclosed is an electroconductive member including an electroconductive mandrel and an electroconductive layer, wherein: the electroconductive layer includes a binder resin and an electroconductive metal oxide particle dispersed in the electroconductive layer; the metal oxide particle has a group represented by the following structural formula (1) on the surface of the metal oxide particle; and the group represented by the following structural formula (1) is introduced by substituting a hydrogen atom of a hydroxyl group as a functional group originating from the metal oxide particle, with the group represented by the following structural formula (1): —R—SO3H.
US08449973B2	Reflective member, light-emitting device using same and illuminating device The present invention relates to a reflective member. The reflective member includes a reflective layer formed to be porous using an inorganic material. The reflective layer has a porosity of 15-43%. The reflective layer is formed by partly combining a plurality of inorganic particles with each other.
US08449972B2	Phyllosilicate composites containing mica Disclosed is a mica paper composite and a process for making the mica paper composite. Articles comprising the mica paper composite are also disclosed.
US08449970B2	Antistatic article, method of making the same, and display device having the same An antistatic article having an antistatic layer disposed on a substrate is disclosed herein. The antistatic layer is formed from a cationic copolymer, a non-cationic (meth)acrylic polymer, and a crosslinking agent. The cationic copolymer consists essentially of a cationic monomer, a hydrophobic monomer, a crosslinkable monomer, and an optional nitrogen-containing monomer. The substrate may comprise an optical film such as a multilayer optical film. Methods for making the antistatic article and display devices containing the antistatic article are also disclosed.
US08449969B2	Security element for security papers and valuable documents The invention relates to a security element for security papers, documents of value, ID cards or the like that is of self-supporting design and has two different security features. The security features are disposed on opposite sides of the security element, at least one the security features being optically variable.
US08449968B2	Cellular cushioning article A cellular cushioning article is described. The cellular cushioning article may be used to wrap items such as fragile items needing protection during storage or shipping. The article includes a polymeric film including discrete first cells projecting from a major surface of the film. The first cells are arranged in rows parallel to each other, such that for two opposing polymeric films with the major surfaces facing each other, the total thickness of the two opposing polymeric films is less than twice the thickness of one polymeric film. The cellular cushioning article can be fan-folded into a stack occupying much less volume as compared to stacks formed by fan-folding known cellular cushioning articles.
US08449959B2	Reinforced polymeric articles Polymeric article reinforced with a reinforcing component. The reinforcing component includes a composition made from at least one polymer and graphene sheets.
US08449958B2	Web with patterned adhesive for forming labels for foam cups A label-wrapped foam cup combines a label in the shape of an annular section with a foam cup having a frusto-conical shape by wrapping the label around a foam cup and securing the label to the foam cup with a patterned adhesive. Text and graphics are printed on a front surface of the labels and a patterned adhesive is printed on a back surface of the labels. The patterned adhesive includes discontinuous deposits of adhesive that bond the label to the foam cup and form corresponding undulations in the front surface of the label. The adhesive pattern can be printed in registry with the text and graphics to provide enhanced visual effects.
US08449953B2	Chiral dopants, liquid crystal matrix and manufacturing method thereof and liquid crystal display An embodiment of the invention provides a chiral dopant having the following formula: wherein X1 and X2 are independently wherein F is fluorine, m is a positive integer from 1 to 8, and n is a positive integer from 1 to 4; Y1 and Y2 are independently —O—, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —C(O)O—, or —CH2O—; and R1, R2 are independently substituted or non-substituted C1-C10 linear alkyl, wherein substituents of the substituted C1-C10 linear alkyl are independently —F, —Cl, —OCF3, —NCS, or —CN, wherein a number of backbone carbon atoms in each of —Y1R1 and —Y2R2 is larger than 3.
US08449949B2	Compositions and methods for creating electronic circuitry The present invention is directed to non-lithographic patterning by laser (or similar-type energy beam) ablation, where the ablation system ultimately results in circuitry features that are relative free from debris induced over-plating defects (debris relating to the ablation process) and fully additive plating induced over-plating defects. Compositions of the invention include a circuit board precursor having an insulating substrate and a cover layer. The insulating substrate is made from a dielectric material and also a metal oxide activatable filler. The cover layer can be sacrificial or non-sacrificial and is used to remediate unwanted debris arising from the ablation process.
US08449947B2	Thermal control nonwoven material A nonwoven textile having reversible enhanced thermal control properties, the material comprising: a bat or web bonded by polymeric binder containing thermal control material within the interior of the bat or web, wherein the thermal control material is dispersed throughout the interior of the polymeric binder, and wherein the thermal control material is substantially entirely within the interior of the nonwoven textile.
US08449945B2	Coating apparatus, coating method and coating-film forming apparatus A coating method, which uses a coating apparatus including a rotatable tray having a recessed portion for accommodating a substrate and rotatable together with the substrate, a nozzle for supplying a coating liquid, and an applicator for spreading the coating liquid, includes the steps of placing a substrate into the recessed portion of the tray, positioning the nozzle over a non-recessed portion of the upper surface of the tray, supplying a coating liquid from the nozzle, and forming a coating liquid pool only on the non-recessed portion of the upper surface of the tray, moving the applicator in a horizontal direction while maintaining a certain distance with respect to the upper surface of the substrate for spreading the coating liquid of the coating liquid pool over the entire upper surface of the substrate, and releasing the substrate from the recessed portion of the tray.
US08449943B2	Composite brake disks and methods for coating A brake disk formed of a light weight ceramic and ceramic composite materials, the brake disk having a coating overlying at least a portion of the brake disk. The brake disk includes parallel surfaces wherein at least a portion of the parallel surfaces are coated with a coating material to increase wear resistance and decrease corrosion. The coating over the brake disk includes multiple layers of the coating material, wherein the coating material includes coating material particles configured to construct a pattern of repetition that is consistent with a lattice structure when applied over the parallel surfaces of the brake disk.
US08449942B2	Methods of curing non-carbon flowable CVD films A method of forming a silicon oxide layer is described. The method may include the steps of mixing a carbon-free silicon-containing precursor with a radical-nitrogen-and/or-hydrogen precursor, and depositing a silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer on a substrate. The conversion of the silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing layer to a silicon-and-oxygen-containing layer is then initiated by a low temperature anneal (a “cure”) in an ozone-containing atmosphere. The conversion of the silicon-and-nitrogen film to silicon oxide in the ozone-containing atmosphere may be incomplete and augmented by a higher temperature anneal in an oxygen-containing environment.
US08449939B2	Crosslinkable, cellulose ester compositions and films formed therefrom New compositions for forming films for use in optical devices are provided. The compositions comprise a cellulose and a crosslinking agent dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. Preferred celluloses are cellulose esters such as cellulose acetates, cellulose triacetates, cellulose acetate phthalates, and cellulose acetate butyrates. Preferred crosslinking agents are triazines such as those derived from melamine and benzoguanamine. The inventive compositions can be used to form, for example, protective and/or compensation films for use in polarizing plates.
US08449938B2	Lactose-free milk product and processes for producing the same Processes for producing lactose-free milk products are disclosed. The processes include separation of the milk components by ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis and recombination of the separated components in an appropriate manner to lactose-free milk products. Lactose-free products prepared from the separated milk components are also disclosed.
US08449933B2	Method for extracting juice from plant material containing terpene glycosides and compositions containing the same Processes for extracting juice from plant material containing terpene glycosides comprising the steps of crushing a plant material comprising terpene glycosides, blanching the crushed plant material in acidified water to obtain a puree, the puree comprising a juice extract and a plant solids residue, separating the juice extract from the plant solids residue, mixing enzymes with the juice extract, and separating the juice extract to obtain a sweet juice.
US08449919B2	Composition and method for preparing alginate nanocapsules The present invention discloses a method for preparing alginate nanocapsules, including the steps of: (a) forming a water-in-oil emulsion including an alginate in water, an oil, and at least one nonionic surfactant; and (b) separating the aqueous phase and oil phase to obtain the semisolid form alginate nanocapsules; and (c) by ionically crosslinking the alginate with calcium ions to obtain a colloidal form of calcium alginate nanocapsules for drug delivery.
US08449906B2	Effervescent compositions comprising phosphonates and methods related thereto The invention provides effervescent composition comprising a bisphosphonate, an acidic compound, an alkaline effervescing component, and optionally an anti-ulcer agent and methods of treating osteoporosis in a mammal using the effervescent compositions.
US08449902B2	Methods for producing biomaterials with variable stiffness This invention relates to the production of biomaterials with variable stiffness by subjecting a gel which varies in at least one dimension to plastic compaction. These biomaterials may be useful, for example, for the directional control or guidance of cells within tissue equivalent implants.
US08449892B2	S. agalactiae antigens I and II The present invention discloses isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a hyperimmune serum reactive antigen or a fragment thereof as well as hyperimmune serum reactive antigens or fragments thereof from S. agalactiae, and methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof.
US08449891B2	Recombinant flagellin protein and preparation and use thereof The present invention provides an optimized recombinant flagellin protein and preparation and use thereof. The protein is with a deletion in the hypervariable region, said hypervariable region is the region from 180 to 400 amino acid of the flagellin protein, and the proteins include FliCΔ190-278, FliCΔ220-320 or FliCΔ180-400. The method of preparing said protein, comprising introducing a deletion into the hypervariable region of the flagellin protein. First constructed the flagellin protein recombinant plasmid, and then used it as template to construct the flagellin deletion cloning, and expressed and purified. The present invention also provides the use of the recombinant flagellin protein as adjuvant. The recombinant flagellin protein in present invention decreases the potential risks it may have, and decreases its antigenicity and immunogenicity and the inflammatory response induced by it, through deleting its main areas of immunogenicity and antigen activity.
US08449889B2	Immuno-molecules containing viral proteins, compositions thereof and methods of using An immuno-molecule which comprises a soluble human MHC class I effector domain; and an antibody targeting domain which is linked to the soluble human MHC class I effector domain, methods of making same and uses thereof.
US08449888B2	Vaccines based on targeting antigen to DCIR expressed on antigen-presenting cells The present invention includes compositions and methods for increasing the effectiveness of antigen presentation using a DCIR-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an antigen is attached that forms an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the antigen is processed and presented by a dendritic cell that has been contacted with the antibody-antigen complex.
US08449886B2	Combination of anti-CTLA4 antibody with tubulin modulating agents for the treatment of proliferative diseases Compositions and methods are disclosed which are useful for the treatment and prevention of proliferative disorders, and which comprise an anti-CTLA4 antagonist with a tubulin modulating agent.
US08449885B2	Anti-VEGF antibodies The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity in a patient's bloodstream or other biological sample can serve as a diagnostic and prognostic index for cancer, diabetes, heart conditions, and other pathologies. Antibody-sandwich ELISA methods and kits for VEGF as an antigen are provided to detect types of VEGF levels in biological samples from animal models and human patients and can be used as a diagnostic/prognostic index.
US08449883B2	Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor The present invention is directed to compositions of matter useful for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same.
US08449872B2	Polymer conjugates of nesiritide peptides The invention provides peptides that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits characteristics that are different from the characteristics of peptide not attached to the water-soluble oligomer.
US08449871B2	Composition comprising novel polyurethanes and cosmetic treatment process The present disclosure relates to novel polyurethanes comprising cationic units, of diisocyanates and of nonionic units derived from polyolefins comprising at least 10 mol % of units comprising at least one residual carbon-carbon double bond.The present disclosure also relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polyurethanes, and also to a cosmetic treatment process, for example for shaping and/or holding the hair, comprising the application of such a composition.
US08449868B2	Preparation of cationic nanoparticles and personal care compositions comprising said nanoparticles The present invention is directed to cationic nanoparticles, methods to make them, and the use of compositions containing said nanoparticles in personal care compositions or formulations. The nanoparticles are useful in personal care applications and impart antimicrobial properties to home and personal care products containing them. These cationic nanoparticles also contribute useful conditioning properties to hair-care and skin-care products.
US08449865B2	Drying process The present invention relates to a method of drying biological and other labile samples so that they can be preserved as a highly viscous liquid. The method involves the steps of preparing a preservation sample by dissolving/suspending an active agent in a solution of a stabilizing agent, subjecting the preservation sample to such temperature and pressure conditions that the preservation sample loses solvent by evaporation without freezing or bubbling to form a foam and removing solvent until the preservation sample dries to form a highly viscous liquid.
US08449864B2	Neurotensin as a marker and therapeutic target for sepsis Sepsis is a complex, incompletely understood and often fatal disorder, typically accompanied by hypotension, that is considered to represent a dysregulated host response to an infection. Neurotensin (NT) is 13-amino-acid peptide that, among its multiple effects, induces hypotension. It is shown herein that plasma concentrations of NT are increased in humans with sepsis and in mice after caecal ligation and puncture (CLP), a model of sepsis. Mast cells can degrade NT through neurotensin receptor 1-and neurolysin-dependent mechanisms, diminishing the hypotensive effects of NT, reducing intraperitoneal NT concentrations, and improving survival. These findings show that mast cells can regulate NT concentrations, and identify NT as a biomarker and therapeutic target in sepsis.
US08449863B2	Stabilized uncoated particles of reversed liquid crystalline phase materials Uncoated particles of reversed cubic phase or reversed hexagonal phase material containing an active disposed within are provided. The uncoated particles have an ionic charge that is sufficient to stabilize them in dispersion in a liquid, e.g. a polar solvent. The active that is disposed within the particles may be, for example, a pharmaceutical or nutriceutical compound.
US08449862B2	Method for producing hydrogen An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing hydrogen by using formic acid as a feedstock, which provides a solution to problems to be solved for the production of hydrogen on an industrial scale, such as problems of production cost, storability and transportability, and also offers improved convenience. The method for producing hydrogen of the present invention is characterized by heating an ionic liquid containing formic acid. The ionic liquid is preferably an ionic liquid in which a counteranion is a formate anion (i.e., formic acid salt). Such an ionic liquid is, as a medium for the production of hydrogen from formic acid as a feedstock, excellent in terms of reaction selectivity (high-purity hydrogen is produced) and reaction velocity.
US08449856B2	Mesoporous silica particles The present invention relates to (1) hollow silica particles including an outer shell portion having a mesoporous structure with an average pore size of from 1 to 10 nm, wherein the silica particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.05 to 10 μm, and 80% or more of the whole silica particles have a particle diameter falling within the range of ±30% of the average particle diameter; (2) composite silica particles including silica particles which include an outer shell portion having a mesoporous structure with an average pore size of from 1 to 10 nm, and have a BET specific surface area of 100 m2/g or more, and a hydrophobic organic compound or a polymeric organic compound incorporated inside of the silica particles; and a process for producing the hollow silica particles.
US08449855B2	Inorganic compounds The invention is related to a boride of a metal of transition group four of the periodic table of the elements, wherein at least 40 wt. % of the particles have a grain size of more than 106 μm, determined by sieve analysis according to ASTM B 214, and these particles consist of grown, monocrystalline grains. The invention also relates to a cermet, wettable powder and a surface coating which contain the boride. The invention further relates to a process to prepare the boride. The invention additionally relates to a process to prepare a cermet or a wettable powder.
US08449847B2	Device and method for handling multi-component mixture Device and method for handling multi-component mixtures, comprising at least two not completely mixable fluid phases. The device comprises an arrangement of at least two high-pressure separators, being operatively connected each with a low-pressure separator. Each high-pressure separator comprises an outlet line for volatile gaseous constituents. Each low-pressure separator is operatively connected to a gas collecting container or shares at least one gas collecting container with a further low-pressure separator. At least one high-pressure separator has at least one outlet connection for gaseous constituents, being connected with a part to the analysis. The device is used in high-throughput research or in combinatory chemistry, preferably for the research of multi-component mixtures produced in experiments with catalyst, or in connection with high-pressure processes.
US08449844B2	Multi-chambered tissue containment system for molecular and histology diagnostics A container for storing a biological sample is disclosed. The container includes a first chamber having a sidewall extending between an open end and a closed end, defining a first chamber interior adapted to receive a sample holder therein. The container also includes a second chamber having a sidewall extending between an open end and a closed end, defining a second chamber interior adapted to subsequently receive the sample holder therein. The second chamber interior is in fluid isolation from the first chamber interior. A removable closure encloses at least one of the open end of the first chamber and the open end of the second chamber while the sample holder is disposed within one of the first chamber interior and the second chamber interior. A first fluid may be disposed within the first chamber interior, and a second different fluid may be disposed within the second chamber interior.
US08449839B2	Liquid waste management system A system for removing liquid waste from an automated diagnostic instrument. The system comprises (a) an accumulator having at least one inlet for waste liquids and at least one outlet for waste liquids; (b) a vacuum sub-system connected to the accumulator, the vacuum sub-system comprising a vacuum pump; and (c) a drain portion for removing waste liquids comprising a peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers. The liquid waste from the automated diagnostic instrument is moved by a pressure differential created by the vacuum pump and the peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers.
US08449837B2	Microfluidic device for high-throughput cellular gradient and dose response studies The ability to form and maintain gradients is essential for the study of response of cells to various stimuli. The invention includes devices and methods for the high-throughput, reproducible formation of gradients for the study of living cells. The invention includes microfluidics device with a test chamber having a depth flanked by flow-through channels having a deeper depth. Flow of two different fluids through the flow-through channels results in the creation of a gradient by diffusion across the test chamber having essentially no flow.
US08449836B2	Fixtures for use in parallel processing bio-chips A holder (10) housing defines a plurality of individual wells (14) sized to retain a substrates such as a bio-chip (20) or microscope slide in a vertical orientation, and to retain a volume of liquid (22) sufficient to immerse the bio-chip. The wells are spaced-apart with an approximately 9 mm pitch and the holder has a form factor approximating an SBS Standard 96-well microplate. The holder configuration is such that it can be manipulated with standard robotic equipment (30), and can be fabricated using injection molding processes.
US08449828B2	Blower type chemical diffusing apparatus, and chemical cartridge and chemical impregnated body used therefor A chemical cartridge for a blower-type chemical diffusing apparatus includes a chemical-impregnated body including an air-permeable and liquid-absorptive sheet impregnated with a chemical, and a retainer receptacle for containing the chemical-impregnated body. The retainer receptacle includes a liquid pool recess formed at a central area thereof such that liquid chemical stored in the liquid pool recess is permeable towards a peripheral area of the sheet.
US08449825B2	High throughput screen The present invention relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane and a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane, a substrate, a high throughput screen, methods for production of the structure membrane and substrate, and a method for screening a large number of test compounds in a short period. More particularly it relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane adhered to a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane capable of adhering with high resistance seals to a substrate such as perforated glass and the ability to form sheets having predominantly an ion channel or transporter of interest, a high throughput screen for determining the effect of test compounds on ion channel or transporter activity, methods for manufacture of the structure, membrane and substrate, and a method for monitoring ion channel or transporter activity in a membrane.
US08449814B2	Systems and methods for melting scrap metal A scrap submergence vessel for melting scrap metal is disclosed. The vessel comprises a front wall comprising an inlet, a back wall (opposite the front wall) comprising an outlet, and a flow direction member that causes molten metal flowing into the inlet to be directed at least partially upward against a portion of the back wall. The movement of molten metal through the vessel creates a downward pull that draws metal scrap placed above or within the vessel downward into the molten metal bath where it melts.
US08449812B2	Process for the production of a titanium silicalite shaped article A process for the production of a titanium silicalite shaped article by: a) preparation of a synthesis gel containing a Si2 source, a Ti2 source, a template compound and water, b) crystallization of the synthesis gel under hydrothermal conditions, c) drying of the titanium silicalite from step b) at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the template compound, d) preparation of a formable mass containing the product from step c), a binder and a paste-forming agent, e) forming of the mass from step d) into a green shaped article, f) optionally drying, and g) calcinations of the green shaped article, as well as a titanium silicalite shaped article obtainable according to this process, and the use of this shaped article as a catalyst in epoxidation or ammoximation reactions.
US08449798B2	High density powdered material liner A die set for forming explosive charge liners from powdered material is provided. The die set comprises a die block defining a basin and a punch shaped to interact with the basin. The die block and the punch are configured to exclude powdered material from a center axis of the basin.
US08449797B2	Method of manufacturing retardation film A method of manufacturing a retardation film includes: a first step of forming, on the same metal master, a main region having several kinds of groove regions having different extending directions of grooves, and a sub region having one kind of groove region having a predetermined extending direction of grooves or several kinds of groove regions having different extending directions of grooves; and a second step of collectively transferring reverse patterns of the main and sub regions on the metal master to a base, and then forming, on a surface of the base, a layer including an alignable material to be aligned in correspondence to irregularity of the surface of the base, thereby forming a patterned retardation region in a site having a reverse pattern of the main region, and forming an alignment mark region in a site having a reverse pattern of the sub region.
US08449796B2	Method of manufacturing light guide and method of manufacturing a radiation detector According to a method of manufacturing a light guide of this invention, a shaping member is provided that covers a molding frame. In a releasing step, when the shaping member is lifted up in a direction apart from the molding frame, the light guide is lifted and pulled out from an aperture of the molding frame accordingly. As a result, there is no need to pull out the light guide by conventionally providing a pressing plug on a bottom of the molding frame and pressing the plug in a direction. In addition, there is no need to perform a grinding process to the light guide.
US08449791B2	Graphene composition having liquid crystalline properties and preparation method thereof The present invention relates to a graphene composition having liquid crystalline properties and a preparation method thereof, and more particularly to a graphene composition wherein graphene having useful electrical properties is uniformly dispersed in a medium, whereby it is chemically and physically stable, exhibits a liquid crystal phase in a wide temperature range and has good compatibility with other compounds, and to a preparation method thereof. In the graphene composition, liquid crystalline properties are imparted to graphene, which can be produced in large amounts and has excellent mechanical, chemical and electrical properties, and thus the graphene composition can provide a chance to apply functional carbon materials in various fields, including nanocomposites, energy storage materials, and photonics.
US08449777B2	Oxidation process A batch process for the treatment of an aqueous solution so that the treated product is more desirable for disposal includes obtaining an influent batch of aqueous solution for treatment, treating the batch of solution by an advanced oxidation process. The advanced oxidation process including causing ozone to be mixed with the solution, maintaining the mixture of solution and ozone at a pressure above atmospheric for a time of at least two seconds. In a preferred embodiment of the process, the process includes continuously recirculating the fluid to be treated, through a recirculation conduit, the recirculation conduit including an ozone injector and the ozone injector is adapted to inject ozone into the aqueous solution as the aqueous solution circulates through an ozone injector. Influent to be treated may be selected from the group including sewage, septage, leachate, ballast or other aqueous solutions where it is desirable to treat the fluid prior to disposal, further treatment, or reuse. The process is carried out to improve a level of disinfection and/or denutrification of the effluent.
US08449766B2	Device for capturing odor and/or taste-generating substances present in water flowing in a network The invention relates to a device (10) for capturing odor- and/or taste-generating substances present in water flowing continuously in a water distribution network via a pipe (12). In characteristic manner, the device comprises: capture means (22) for capturing said substances; at least one chamber (18) containing said capture means (22) and suitable for having network water flow therethrough; and hydraulic link and connection means (14; 42) between said chamber (18) and said pipe (12). The invention is applicable to networks for distributing drinking water.
US08449749B2	In-water discharging apparatus An in-water discharging apparatus is provided. The in-water discharging apparatus may be manufactured with a high voltage electrode formed in one piece with a corresponding electrode, thus facilitating installation and enabling the apparatus to be miniaturized.
US08449746B2	Systems and methods for coupling molecule separation devices to analytical instruments Described is a capillary that interfaces with an analysis system. The capillary comprises a non-conductive tubing and a conductive region proximate to an output end of the non-conductive tubing. The conductive region comprises a plurality of porous regions and non-porous regions positioned about a circumference of the non-conductive tubing. The porous regions separated from each other by the non-porous regions. Advantageously, the arrangement of porous regions provides mechanical stability about the conductive region.
US08449733B2	Hydrogen supplemental system for on-demand hydrogen generation for internal combustion engines A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449720B2	Method of making paper The invention relates to a method of making a paper or paper board, in which method cut pulp is prepared by cutting basic cellulosic fiber pulp at the consistency of at least 25% so that the average fiber length of the basic pulp is decreased by more than 25% and the SR number of the cut pulp is at most 20% higher than that of the basic pulp, and the cut pulp is used as a raw material in the preparation of a stock.
US08449709B2	Method of fabricating fiber reinforced composite structure having stepped surface Fiber reinforced composite structures having curved stepped surfaces are fabricated by laying up plies of fiber reinforced material over a tool having a stepped tool feature. The plies are rotated about a fixed axis as they are laid up to substantially form a fixed axis rosette pattern. The plies are angularly oriented such that at least certain of the plies have fiber orientations other than 0, +45, −45 and 90 degrees. Potential bridging of the fibers over the stepped tool features is reduced or eliminated by cutting slits in the plies in the area of the stepped features, so that the plies can be fully compacted.
US08449706B2	Process for manufacturing deaerating hollow fiber module A process for manufacturing a deaerating hollow fiber module with no core, including the steps of wrapping a sheet containing a multiplicity of hollow fibers around a temporary core; retaining in tubular form the sheet wrapped around the temporary core; and removing the temporary core from the sheet retained in tubular form.
US08449703B2	Predictable bonded rework of composite structures using tailored patches A patch for reworking an inconsistent area in a composite structure includes a composite laminate patch and a layer of adhesive for bonding the laminate patch to the composite structure. The laminate patch has at least first and second regions for releasing strain energy around the inconsistent area respectively at different rates.
US08449700B2	Manufacturing method of a hot-pressed steel plate member Disclosed are a high-strength, high-toughness hot-pressed steel plate member and a manufacturing method therefor. A specified hot-press process is performed on a steel plate member that, with respect to the chemical composition of the steel plate, includes: 0.15 to 0.4 wt % of C; 1.0 to 5.0 wt % of Mn or of a total of Mn and at least one of Cr, Mo, Cu, and Ni; 0.02 to 2.0 wt % of at least any one of Si and Al; and the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities, thus providing the physical properties of a martensite phase average grain diameter of 5 μm or less and a tensile strength of 1200 MPa or higher.
US08449697B2	Wear and corrosion resistant Cu—Ni alloy A silicon bearing, copper-nickel corrosion resistant and gall resistant alloy with the following weight percentage range is disclosed: Ni=10-40; Fe=1-10; Si=0.5-2.5; Mn=3-15; Sn=0-3; Cu=Balance. Embodiments of the alloy may be used in various sliding applications, such as bearings, bushings, gears and guides. The alloy is particularly suited for use in parts used in food processing equipment.
US08449696B2	Rare-earth sintered magnet containing a nitride, rotator containing rare-earth sintered magnet, and reciprocating motor containing rare-earth sintered magnet The present invention relates to a rare-earth sintered magnet 100 containing an R-T-B-based alloy and a nitride of a transition element, while the nitride is distributed preferentially to a surface part. (R, T, and B indicate a rare-earth element, at least one of iron and cobalt, and boron, respectively.)
US08449695B2	Method for making and using chromium III salts A method of preparing an aqueous composition of a chromium III compound, comprising adding hydrogen peroxide to a mixture comprising water and a chromium VI compound in the presence of at least one acid according to the formula H2GF6, in which G is a Group IV-B element. The composition may contain less than 500 ppm of alkali metal ions and less than 200 ppm of halide ions, relative to chromium and may test negative for chromium VI using s-diphenylcarbazide. The composition may be used for treating a metal surface, among other applications.
US08449694B2	Method for producing a surface-decarburised hot-rolled strip Disclosed is a method which allows steel strip to be produced in which high hardness and good formability are combined. The following steps of operation are followed: making the steel strip from the heat-treatable steel, heating the steel strip, when coiled into the open coil, to a decarburising annealing temperature which may be up to 20° C. below the Ac1 temperature of the given heat-treatable steel and which does not exceed the Ac3 temperature of the given heat-treatable steel, annealing the steel strip, in the open coil, in a decarburising atmosphere for a decarburising annealing time of at least 90 minutes, the decarburising gas which forms the decarburising atmosphere flowing through the gaps which exist between the layers of the open coil, accelerated cooling the steel strip, the depth of decarburisation, as measured from the given surface of the steel strip, being limited to a range which is less than a quarter of the thickness of the steel strip.
US08449689B2	Instrument for cleaning an aluminum workpiece A method of conditioning the surface of a work piece, in particular of a litho-strip or litho-sheet, consisting of an aluminum alloy enables an increase in manufacturing speed in surface roughening while maintaining a high quality of the electro-chemical grained surface of the work piece with relative low effort related to facility equipment. The method of conditioning comprises at least the step of degreasing the surface of the work piece with a degreasing medium, wherein the degreasing medium contains at least 1.5 to 3% by weight of a composite of 5-40% sodium tripolyphosphate, 3-10% sodium gluconate, 3-8% of a composite of non-ionic and anionic surfactants and optionally 0.5 to 70% soda, wherein sodium hydroxide is added to the degreasing medium such that the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the aqueous degreasing medium is 0.01 to 5% by weight.
US08449685B2	Automatic sanitation system A cover for a pedicure spa containing an automatic sanitation apparatus is disclosed. When activated, the cover automatically sprays disinfectant in a circular motion from a nozzle on the bottom of the cover. The interior surfaces of the pedicure basin are treated with the disinfectant solution. The pedicure basin is thereby efficiently and thoroughly sanitized.
US08449682B2	Swivel broom A broom comprises a head supporting bristles. A handle is connected to the head at a swivel joint where the swivel joint allows the handle to feely rotate relative to the head. A lock is movable to a locked position to fix the position of the handle relative to the head when the head is in a first position relative to the handle and an unlocked position where the head is free to rotate relative to the handle. A method of operating a broom comprises providing a head supporting bristles connected to a handle at a lockable swivel joint; locking the lockable swivel joint to fix the position of the handle relative to the head in a first position; and unlocking the lockable swivel joint to allow the handle to rotate relative to the head.
US08449679B2	Temperature controlled hot edge ring assembly A temperature-controlled hot edge ring assembly adapted to surround a semiconductor substrate supported in a plasma reaction chamber is provided. A substrate support with an annular support surface surrounds a substrate support surface. A radio-frequency (RF) coupling ring overlies the annular support surface. A lower gasket is between the annular support surface and the RF coupling ring. The lower gasket is thermally and electrically conductive. A hot edge ring overlies the RF coupling ring. The substrate support is adapted to support a substrate such that an outer edge of the substrate overhangs the hot edge ring. An upper thermally conductive medium is between the hot edge ring and the RF coupling ring. The hot edge ring, RF coupling ring and annular support surface can be mechanically clamped. A heating element can be embedded in the RF coupling ring.
US08449673B2	Method and apparatus for producing nanocrystals The present disclosure describes a method and an apparatus for making nanomaterials. In particular, the present innovation provides an apparatus that can be used to produce nanocrystals and/or nanorods of noble metals. The disclosure also provides methods that can be advantageously used to produce gold nanocrystals/nanorods with aspect ratios higher than 4.0.
US08449671B2	Fabrication of SiC substrates with low warp and bow A method of fabricating an SiC single crystal includes (a) physical vapor transport (PVT) growing a SiC single crystal on a seed crystal in the presence of a temperature gradient, wherein an early-to-grow portion of the SiC single crystal is at a lower temperature than a later-to-grow portion of the SiC single crystal. Once grown, the SiC single crystal is annealed in the presence of a reverse temperature gradient, wherein the later-to-grow portion of the SiC single crystal is at a lower temperature than the early-to-grow portion of the SiC single crystal.
US08449666B2	Aqueous dispersions of organosilicon compounds Aqueous dispersions of organosilicon compounds contain: (A) as at least one organosilicon compound, (A1) silanes of the formula RaR2bSi(OR1)4-a-b (I) and/or the partial hydrolysis products thereof and/or (A2) siloxanes containing units R3c(R4O)dSiO(4-c-d)/2 (II) (B) at least one nonionic emulsifier having an HLB value greater than or equal to 12, optionally as a mixture with nonionic emulsifiers having an HLB value of less than 12, (C) at least one cationic surfactant (C1) R9eR6(4-e)N+X− (III) and/or (C2) (D) water. The compositions are especially useful for the hydrophobing impregnation and mass hydrophobing of mineral and organic building materials.
US08449663B2	Wax composition, method for manufacturing, and method for waxing A wax composition is provided according to the invention. The wax composition includes a wax component, a double tail surfactant component, and water. The weight ratio of the wax component to the double tail surfactant component, on a solids basis, is about 0.1 to about 1.25. A foam wax composition and a method for waxing are provided.
US08449660B2	Polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane, method for producing same, and waterproof air-permeable filter A first unsintered sheet made of PTFE having a standard specific gravity of 2.16 or more and a second unsintered sheet made of PTFE having a standard specific gravity of less than 2.16 are laminated, and a pressure is applied to a resulting laminated body so as to obtain a pressure-bonded article. The pressure-bonded article is stretched in a specified direction at a temperature lower than a melting point of PTFE, and then the pressure-bonded article is stretched further in the specified direction at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of PTFE or heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of PTFE. Thereafter, the pressure-bonded article stretched in the specified direction is stretched in a width direction perpendicular to the specified direction at a temperature lower than the melting point of PTFE.
US08449650B2	Gas storage and separation by electric field swing adsorption Gases are stored, separated, and/or concentrated. An electric field is applied across a porous dielectric adsorbent material. A gas component from a gas mixture may be selectively separated inside the energized dielectric. Gas is stored in the energized dielectric for as long as the dielectric is energized. The energized dielectric selectively separates, or concentrates, a gas component of the gas mixture. When the potential is removed, gas from inside the dielectric is released.
US08449648B2	Method for drying a compressed gas Method for drying compressed gas using a dryer with pressure vessels. The method having the steps of guiding a first part of the gas to a cooler via a regulating valve, and of subsequently drying this first part of the gas in the drying pressure vessel; and of heating a second part of the gas so as to regenerate the regenerating pressure vessel. When the temperature in the regenerating pressure vessel rises above an upper limit value, the regulating valve will be gradually moved in the direction of the shut position and, when the temperature in the regenerating pressure vessel drops under a predetermined bottom limit, the regulating valve will be gradually moved in the direction of the entirely open position, which adjustment allows to set the compressed gas at a desired temperature.
US08449647B2	Method of inoculating magnesium on compacted graphite iron, and cylinder block and cylinder head manufactured by using the method A method of inoculating magnesium (Mg) on compacted graphite iron (CGI) comprises: providing a partition having a predetermined height on the bottom of a ladle so as to divide the interior of the ladle into a first space and a second space; laminating an Mg inoculant and a cover in order in the second space; and tapping liquid CGI cast iron onto the first space, whereby the Mg inoculant becomes in contact with the liquid CGI iron after the liquid CGI tapped onto the first space goes over the partition toward the second space and after the cover is melted by the liquid CGI. According to the method, the deviation of density of Mg is minimized, and a secondary inoculating process can thus be omitted.
US08449641B2	Copolyamide powder as a pore former in regenerable ceramic particulate filters A process for producing a regenerable ceramic particulate filter for diesel vehicles is described, wherein a material comprising silicon-containing particles is pyrolyzed in the presence of a polyamide. The resulting particulate filters have a BET surface area of >350 m2/l.
US08449635B2	Abrasive articles and methods for making same The disclosure is directed to an abrasive article. The abrasive article includes a backing having a major surface and a make layer. The make layer is disposed over the major surface of the backing. The make layer includes abrasive grains and a photoinitiator that increases the depth of ultraviolet cure of the make layer by at least about 50% compared to bis(2,4,6-trimethyl benzoyl) phenyl phosphine oxide. The disclosure is also directed to a method for forming the abrasive article.
US08449628B2	Lithium battery and manufacturing method thereof Disclosed are an inexpensive all-solid-state lithium battery and a group of batteries having a small internal resistance. The electrode active material of the battery is formed on the surface of a solid electrolyte (it may be a crystal or a glass material) containing lithium ion such as Li3.4V0.6Si0.4O4 and a Li—Ti—Al—P—O based glass material by exerting ion impact, high voltage application (e.g., about 400 V) and the like on the surface to react it. The resultant battery comprises the solid electrolyte and an electrode active material composed of a decomposition product of the solid electrolyte and provided on at least one side of the solid electrolyte. One obtainable by accumulating a plurality of the batteries serves as a group of batteries.
US08449622B2	Multi-phase osteochondral implantable device An osteochondral implantable device is provided, comprising an upper cap and at least one insert comprising a non-polymeric material in physical contact with the upper cap, said lower insert comprising at least one non-polymeric material, wherein the porosity of the upper cap is greater than the porosity of the insert and the Young's modulus of the upper cap is smaller than the Young's modulus of the insert.
US08449620B2	Artificial joint An artificial joint for implantation in humans and animals, the joint comprising a joint body arranged between two base elements which are adapted to be connected to adjoining bone parts. The two base elements comprise horizontal and vertical retaining members respectively, that hold the joint body between them. The joint body comprises curved surfaces arranged to make sliding contact to corresponding curved surfaces of at least one base element. The joint body this way distributes the applied forces over a large surface to withstand the load initiated by the patient. The joint body is kept in position using pins held by retaining members at the base elements. The angle of motion can be predetermined by the design of the implant body to mimic the movement of a normal finger.
US08449619B2	Hip stem instrument with releasable connection A surgical device includes a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are releasably connected together by cooperating first and second formations. The first formation may be formed on the first portion. The second formation includes a resilient arm which is formed on the second portion and engages the first formation on the first portion. The resilient arm may be integrally formed with the second portion.
US08449618B2	High performance knee prostheses Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can also be specially shaped to achieve similar results, preferably using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.
US08449615B2	Intervertebral implants having hydromagnetic joints An intervertebral implant includes a first part attached to a first vertebrae, the first part including a first magnetic element having a first magnetically charged surface and a first buoyant element coupled with the first magnetic element, and a second part attached to a second vertebrae, the second part including a second magnetic element having a second magnetically charged surface that opposes the first magnetically charged surface of the first magnetic element and a second buoyant element coupled with the second magnetic element. The implant includes a fluid body, such as a liquid or gel, disposed between the first and second parts, whereby the first and second parts are in fluid communication with one another through the fluid body. A flexible enclosure extends between the first and second parts for containing the fluid body therebetween, whereby the first and second parts are moveable relative to one another.
US08449604B2	Adjustable prosthetic valve implant A prosthetic implant for treating a diseased aortic valve is described. The prosthetic implant includes a substantially tubular body configured to be positioned in an aorta of a patient, at or near the patient's aortic valve. The body includes a lumen extending through the body from a proximal end to a distal end of the body; and an adjustable frame surrounding the lumen. The prosthetic implant further includes at least one adjustable element located in or on the body and extending at least partially around a circumference of the lumen. The at least one adjustable element includes a shape memory material and is transformable, in response to application of an activation energy, from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration and second configuration differ in a size of at least one dimension of the at least one adjustable element. The at least one adjustable element may engage at least one of a root of the aorta, an annulus of the aortic valve, and the patient's left ventricle, when the at least one adjustable element is in the second configuration.
US08449603B2	Endoprosthesis coating An endoprosthesis, e.g., a stent (e.g., a drug eluting stent), that includes a porous surface and hollow elements integrated with a coating on the surface and a method of making the same are disclosed.
US08449601B2	Medical devices Medical devices including an organic-inorganic composite material, including methods of making the devices, are disclosed.
US08449596B2	Stent and stent delivery device A stent has a plurality of wavy annular members arranged adjacently to each other in an axial direction of the stent, with the adjacent wavy annular members connected with each other. Each of the wavy annular members has a plurality of one-end side bent portions each having an apex at one-end side of the stent in an axial direction thereof and a plurality of other-end side bent portions each having an apex at the other-end side of the stent in the axial direction thereof. An apex of each of the one-end side bent portions of each wavy annular member penetrates into a space formed between the adjacent other-end side bent portions of one of the adjacent wavy annular members. An apex of each of the other-end side bent portions of each wavy annular member penetrates into a space formed between the adjacent one-end side bent portions of the other of the adjacent wavy annular members. The apex of the one-end side bent portion of each wavy annular member and the apex of the other-end side bent portion of the adjacent wavy annular member curve in an approach direction, thus engaging each other.
US08449593B2	Stent and stent delivery system for side-branch locations in a conduit A method for the placement of medical devices within a body lumen defined by a vessel wall is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a first and second medical device each having a tubular body with a plurality of slits extending through the side wall to form a plurality of sidewall segments, disposing the first medical device within the body lumen . . . initiating radial expansion of the second medical device such that flared second wall segments at least partially cover the slits of the first medical device. Medical devices and a system of medical devices capable of performing the method are also disclosed.
US08449586B2	Method for enhancing cell-mediated immunity Disclosed are a light irradiating device for enhancing cell-mediated immunity and a method using the same. The light irradiating device generates a radiation with a specific peak wavelength at 610±20 nm or 710±30 nm which activates the structure of proteins involved in the activation of T lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity thus effecting immunopotentiation.
US08449585B2	Semi-constrained bone screw A bone screw for attaching a bone plate to bone includes a shank defining a lumen extending at least partially therethrough from a proximal end thereof, a head defining a lumen therethrough, and a rod member. The rod member is configured for insertion through the lumen of the head and into the lumen of the shank. The rod member is fixedly engageable with the shank and moveably coupled to the head such that both the rod member and the shank are moveable with respect to the head.
US08449580B2	Methods and devices for expanding a spinal canal Devices and methods are disclosed for expanding a spinal canal. An implantable device having a shaft with a first cross-sectional dimension distinct from a second cross-sectional dimension can be inserted into an opening in a lamina and rotated 90 degrees to hinge the lamina away from the spinal canal. The implant can have one or more radiused edges, a bulleted tip, one or more lateral extensions for fastening the implantable device to bone, one or more hinged lateral extensions, one or more arcuate protrusions for biting into adjacent bone, an enlarged proximal head to prevent over-insertion, and/or a sleeve disposed therearound to reduce friction. Various embodiments of an insertion apparatus that can be selectively coupled to the implantable device are also disclosed, along with methods of expanding a spinal canal in minimally-invasive procedures using an implantable device and/or an insertion apparatus.
US08449560B2	Devices and methods for placement of partitions within a hollow body organ Devices and methods for tissue acquisition and fixation, or gastroplasty, are described. Generally, the devices of the system may be advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or more plications within the hollow body organ. A tissue treatment device attached to a distal end of a flexible elongated member and has a cartridge member opposite an anvil member. The cartridge member and the anvil member are movable between a closed position and an open position, and a moveable barrier is disposed between the cartridge and anvil members to help acquire a dual fold of tissue. The tissue treatment device can be repositioned to form multiple plications within the organ.
US08449557B2	Vacuum extractor cup for delivery A vacuum extractor cup 2 for vacuum extractor delivery is provided which includes a cup portion 11 formed with a foldable and flexible material such as a sheet made of, for example, a vinyl material and in a cup-like shape with a sucking hole 13 on its bottom side and an extracting hole 14 on its opening side and includes a porous elastic member 12 formed with sponge. An extracting ring portion 16 has elastic force being larger than elastic force of a surrounding wall 15 in the cup portion 11. A convex/concave portion 17 is formed in an inner surface of the surrounding wall 15 in the cup portion 11 and the convex/concave portion 17 serves as a slipping-stop device between the cup portion 11 and porous elastic member 12.
US08449552B2	Surgical drill guide with awl and method of use A drill guide and pin system is provided whereby a drill may be inserted through a drill sleeve into a bone portion to provide a drill bore. For some embodiments, a cooperating pin provides a pin bore which intersects the drill bore at a predetermined angle α and predetermined location relative to at least one of the drill sleeve and/or bore. The pin may have an integral catch so that when a wire is inserted through the drill bore, the catch can pull the wire through the pin bore for use in various surgical techniques. Some embodiments have an articulated arm which can lock in a fixed position in a fixed configuration and have a moveable configuration as well.
US08449550B2	IP precision blade guide A bone resection system for a prosthetic implant having an anterior and posterior outer surface attached to bone has a cutting guide having slotted guide surfaces thereon mountable on the prosthetic implant. The guide surfaces are alignable with the implant outer anterior and posterior surfaces. A saw comprising a housing having spaced apart first and second sides joined by first and second edge surfaces and having a proximal end and a distal end can be inserted into the slotted guide surfaces. A cutting head drive system on the housing drives a cutting head having teeth extending outwardly of the distal end of the housing. A cam element is mounted on the saw housing intermediate the proximal and the distal ends. The cam element has a distal end with a guide arm extending therefrom engagable, during insertion, with the guide surface on the cutting guide. The cam element having a stop surface for engaging a stop surface on the cutting guide to limit blade travel.
US08449541B2	Surgical glove system A surgical system including a surgical glove having support systems such as, but not limited to, lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation. The surgical glove may include one or more lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation positioned on distal ends of fingers of the surgical glove. The support systems may be controlled with switches positioned on the fingers upon which each support system is positioned. The switches may be operable with the thumb on the human hand upon which the surgical glove is attached. The surgical system may also include a surgical gown having a connection system for attaching support conduit to the surgical gown. The surgical system enables a surgeon to have a plurality of support systems immediately available and reduces entanglement problems endemic with conventional systems.
US08449540B2	Electrosurgical pencil with improved controls An electrosurgical pencil is provided and includes an elongated housing having an electrocautery blade supported therein and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil further includes a plurality of activation switches supported on the housing for activating electrocautery blade. Each activation switch is configured and adapted to selectively complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy upon actuation thereof. In use, actuation of at least one of the plurality of activation switches produces a dividing with hemostatic effect at the electrocautery blade. The electrosurgical pencil further includes at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy and controls the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil.
US08449525B2	Dialysis catheter assembly A catheter assembly includes an elongated main body defining two or more longitudinal lumens including distally positioned openings. One or more side-ports are defined in the main body communicating with at least one of the two or more longitudinal lumens. The catheter assembly also includes an inflatable balloon disposed around a portion of the main body. The inflatable balloon includes a distal end disposed substantially adjacent to a proximal side of one or more side-ports. The inflatable balloon in the inflated state is adapted to extend at partially over the one or more side-ports.
US08449514B2	Conductive wound dressings and methods of use Wound treatment dressings comprising combinations of at least one conductive layer, at least one absorbent layer or a moisture regulation layer, and methods of making and methods of use are disclosed for treatment of wounds in humans and animals. The novel dressings aid in healing by helping restore the transepithelial potential of the skin, providing a functional anti-microbial barrier, and allowing for regulation of the moisture content of the wound without disturbing the wound.
US08449510B2	Lid assembly for a medical waste fluid collection and disposal system A medical waste fluid collection and disposal system includes a medical waste fluid collection cart including first and second fluid collection canisters. A valve assembly selectively communicates with the canisters and a valve drive system controls the valve assembly. A liquid level sensor is positioned within each of the canisters. A cart processor communicates with the liquid level sensors and the valve drive system. A cart drain line communicates with the valve assembly and a receptacle, a cart flushing line communicates with the valve assembly and the receptacle and a cart data line and a cart power line communicate with the cart processor and the cart receptacle. A station includes a drain pump that communicates with a drainage system and a station drain line, a flushing pump that communicates with a source of washing liquid and a station flushing line and a station processor in communication with the drain and flushing pumps. A station data line communicates with the station processor. A coupler communicates with the station drain line, flushing line and the station data line and a station power line. The station coupler removably engages the cart receptacle so operation of the cart and station components can be coordinated by the processors for drainage and flushing of the cart canisters.
US08449505B2	Automatically retractable medically safety injector and plunger combination thereof A medically safety injector comprises a needle hub attached by a needle, a hollow barrel for engaging with the needle hub and guiding the needle hub to retract into the hollow barrel, and a plunger combination settled in the hollow barrel. The plunger combination comprises a retractable plunger and a hollow shank partially telescoped with the retractable plunger, wherein at least one raised portion is formed on an outer wall of the retractable plunger and at a telescoping portion for engaging at least one depression formed on an inner wall of the hollow shank so that when the plunger combination continuously receives a pushing force after the medically safety injector is used to perform the injection operation, the retractable plunger can smoothly retract into the hollow shank. Consequently, space in the hollow barrel originally occupied by the retractable plunger or hollow shank is freed for accommodating the retracted needle hub.
US08449501B2	Enteral feeding pump system An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.
US08449497B2	Catheter having an improved balloon-to-catheter bond A balloon catheter assembly includes a first tubular member with a proximal portion and a distal portion and a lumen extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. A balloon has a proximal waist length, a distal waist length and an expandable region therebetween disposed about the distal portion. A tie layer is disposed between the proximal waist length or distal waist length and the first tubular member. The tie layer comprises a polyester polymer and a polyamide polymer.
US08449490B2	Disc shunt delivery with stepped needle A solid stepped needle delivers a disc shunt bridging between muscle and a degenerated disc, drawing blood plasma from muscle into the degenerated disc to alleviate back pain and regenerate the disc. The device further includes pull lines attached to the ends of the disc shunt for withdrawing and repositioning the stepped needle during shunt delivery.
US08449486B2	Back and neck cushion therapy device A back and neck cushion therapy device for wearing, attaching to a backpack, or placing over a chair. The device can include a pouch with a traction device disposed therein. The traction device can include a head, a body, and a lower back traction. Straps can be connected to the pouch, allowing a user to strap the device about the user. The traction device can have various indention load deflections, providing firmness or softness. The traction device can be shearable, allowing the user to cut the traction device to a custom size. The pouch can be fastened to a backpack. A reversible back and neck cushion therapy device can include two pouches with two traction devices, such that a user can select a firm side or a soft side. The reversible back and neck cushion therapy device can be hung over a chair back.
US08449485B2	Cervical collar with cable reel adjustment system A cervical collar having a vertically adjustable chin support, the collar including a chin support adjustably connected to a collar body, a cable reel for adjusting the length of a cable cable, a cable stop connecting between the collar body and the chin support and slidingly positionable along a slot on the collar body and a pulley located on the collar body adjacent to the elongate slot. Adjustment of the length of the cable adjusts the position of the cable stop along the slot and adjusts the vertical position of the chin support relative to the collar body.
US08449480B2	Single use lancet sensor assembly and meter A single-use lancet cartridge for inserting into a multi-use lancet driver assembly includes an elongated lancet housing with an open end, a lancet within the lancet housing and movable between a retracted and resting orientation to a piercing orientation through the open end, and a re-use prevention component incorporated within the lancet cartridge and oriented to cooperatively engage with a driver piston of the multi-use lancet driver assembly only one time thereby preventing the lancet from being moved into a piercing orientation a second time. The single-use lancet cartridge is used that contains the multi-use lancet driver assembly.
US08449468B2	Opto-acoustic imaging devices and methods In one aspect, the invention relates to a probe. The probe includes a sheath, a flexible, bi-directionally rotatable, optical subsystem positioned within the sheath, the optical subsystem comprising a transmission fiber, the optical subsystem capable of transmitting and collecting light of a predetermined range of wavelengths along a first beam having a predetermined beam size. The probe also includes an ultrasound subsystem, the ultrasound subsystem positioned within the sheath and adapted to propagate energy of a predetermined range of frequencies along a second beam having a second predetermined beam size, wherein a portion of the first and second beams overlap a region during a scan.
US08449464B2	Analyte sensor Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.
US08449457B2	Optical head for endoscope An optical head for an endoscope is fitted with an imaging system comprising a solid state imaging sensor and with an illuminating system comprising illuminating means, e.g. LED's. At least one illuminating means is defined by a parameter, which value is different from the value of the same parameter of the remaining illuminating means. Among the parameters are luminous intensity, luminous intensity distribution angle, and direction of the longitudinal axis of the illuminating means.
US08449455B2	Medical system for a plurality of operators to perform an operation of one medical instrument in collaboration A medical system includes: a first operation apparatus used when a first doctor operates a medical instrument; a second operation apparatus that outputs a control instruction signal for controlling a motion of the medical instrument, and is operated by a second doctor; at least one medical action information detection section that detects medical action information based on the motion of the medical instrument when the first doctor operates the medical instrument using the first operation apparatus; a storage apparatus that stores reference information set by the second doctor according to the first doctor for comparing with the medical action information detected by the medical action information detection section; a switching signal generation apparatus that is connected to the second operation apparatus, and switches an output destination of the control instruction signal based on the medical action information detected by the medical action information detection section and the reference information stored in the storage apparatus; and a medical instrument control apparatus that controls the medical instrument according to the control instruction signal of the second operation apparatus outputted from the switching signal generation apparatus.
US08449453B2	Endoscopic image processing apparatus and endoscope system An endoscopic image processing apparatus includes an endoscope information reading section that reads endoscope information that is information relating to an endoscope from the endoscope, a synchronizing signal detecting section that is given an image pickup signal that includes a synchronizing signal outputted by an image pickup device provided in the endoscope from the endoscope, performs detection processing of the synchronizing signal, outputs the detected synchronizing signal when the synchronizing signal can be detected, and generates and outputs a synchronizing signal based on the endoscope information read by the endoscope information reading section when the synchronizing signal cannot be detected, and an image signal generating section that generates an image signal based on the synchronizing signal outputted from the synchronizing signal detecting section and the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup device of the endoscope.
US08449446B2	Female urinary incontinence devices Disclosed is a female urinary incontinence-inhibiting device comprising a flexible torus including at least one slot configured to, under compression, flexibly reduce the outer diameter of the flexible torus, the flexible torus having a diameter configured to inhibit female urinary incontinence when placed in a vagina and a stabilizing element, coupled to the flexible torus, the stabilizing element having a size and position configured to stabilize the flexible torus within the vagina.
US08449438B2	Adjustable standing muscular releasing and stretching exercise device The present invention is an adjustable standing muscular releasing and stretching exercise device for a user. The device has a vertical linear column base, a support handle that can be vertically moved and attached along the linear base, a pair of adjustable releasing rollers on a horizontal bar with a roller connection that is movably connected to the linear base, a horizontal floor base that is attached to and supports the linear base, a raised non-skid foot platform that is attached to and extends over said floor base and an adjustable non-skid calf step perpendicularly and slidably attached to said foot platform.
US08449427B2	Sequential planetary stack transmission system A sequential planetary stack transmission system is provided. The system includes a stack of planetary gear sets, each gear set including a sun gear engageable with a rotatable central shaft, and freely rotatable concentrically about the central input or output shaft when not engaged with the central shaft. A plurality of planet gears engage with the sun gear, and a ring gear engages with the planet gears. The ring gears form a ring gear barrel rotatable as a unit concentrically with respect to the central shaft. A shifting assembly within the hollow central shaft engages sequentially with the sun gears to provide a desired gear ratio. The planetary stack assembly and the shifting assembly are disposed within a case. The system is suitable for a variety of applications, and is particularly suitable for bicycles.
US08449426B2	Continuously variable transmission and automobile drive system A continuously variable transmission includes a one-way clutch, a plurality of linking members, and a variable gear ratio mechanism. The one-way clutch includes an input shaft, a plurality of eccentric discs, a first crank member, a second crank member, an output member, an input member, and an engaging member. The input shaft is rotatable about an input center axial line under the rotational force. The plurality of eccentric discs is disposed around the input center axial line at equal intervals in a circumferential direction.
US08449424B2	Integral electric motor with speed sensor, planetary gearbox and steering means A steerable wheel motor assembly for moving construction lifts and scaffold equipment is disclosed and claimed which includes a spindle bracket configured to be pivotably mounted at an upper end to a steering mechanism for rotation about a vertical axis. The output shaft is supported by a first set of bearings and a second set of bearings with the second set of bearings including a speed and direction sensor integral therewith for detecting the speed and direction of rotation of the output shaft. The sensor outputs to a control system which controls the speed and direction of the equipment. A thrust washer is used to position the output sun gear accurately reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs of the assembly. Use of the thrust washer reduces the cost of machining the output shaft to a high tolerance.
US08449418B2	High-load drive V-belt The present invention aims at improving the shock resistance of a block without lowering the power transmission property or the wear resistance of a belt while suppressing the separation of the contact portion off of the reinforcing member. A high-load drive V-belt B includes: at least one tension band 10 extending in an endless loop; and a plurality of blocks 20 engaged and secured to the tension band 10 at a predetermined pitch in a belt length direction of the tension band 10, wherein the plurality of blocks 20 are each formed by a reinforcing member 27 and a resin on both sides of the reinforcing member 27 in a belt width direction, and each include a contact portion 28 having a contact surface 30 to be in contact with a pulley, and a thickness w of the contact portion 28 in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 30 is set to 1.0 mm or more and 1.8 mm or less.
US08449410B1	Sports grip sensor A sports training device that includes a pressure sensor mounted on the hand grip of a sports implement such as a tennis racket or a golf club. The device utilizes a piezoelectric force sensor to monitor the grip pressure in a circular sensing area located where the palm meets the index finger. The piezoelectric sensor varies its resistance inversely with the force applied and is connected to an operational amplifier that uses a variable resistor to deliver an output voltage proportional to the force applied. This voltage triggers a vibrating motor that alerts the user that an excessive pressure has been applied to the hand grip. The exact amount of pressure for each player and the sports equipment used will vary but can be adjusted to signal when the pressure is too great for the particular use.
US08449407B2	Metal wood club with improved hitting face A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions.
US08449404B2	Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so they may be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft orientation with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include a shaft adapter and a head adapter. The shaft adapter may have an exterior surface extending along a first axis and a bore having a cross-sectional shape along a second axis configured to attach to a shaft member. The second end of the shaft adapter has a cross-sectional shape of a regular polygon. The head adapter has a first end and a second end along a first axis and a bore having a shape of a regular polygon along a second axis that is shaped to receive the second end of the shaft adapter in a plurality of orientations.
US08449386B2	Gaming system having bonus awards entered into tournament features A gaming system for executing multi-mode bonus events comprises a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game and a bonus event, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to (i) detect receipt of a wager from a player of the gaming terminal, (ii) in response to the occurrence of a triggering event, initiate a bonus event, (iii) detect a selection between a standard bonus mode of operation and a tournament bonus mode of operation, (iv) if the standard bonus mode is selected, execute the bonus event on the primary display and provide any awards earned therein to the player, (v) if the tournament bonus mode is selected, execute the bonus event on the primary display and generate a tournament score for the player, and (vi) enter the player's tournament score into at least one tournament.
US08449365B2	System and method of increasing poker tournament pools and number of payout positions A second optional poker tournament fee allows participating players a chance to receive a payout when finishing the poker tournament in one of one or more extra bubble spots. So, if the player finishes close to the conventional bubble position the player may receive a payout if he or she paid the second optional fee. The number of extra spots is based on the number of second optional fees paid. In one version, if no players finish in the extra bubble spots the house collects the second optional fees as profits. In another version, the second optional fees, or a portion thereof, are used to increase the payouts associated with the conventional payout scheme independent of the second optional fees.
US08449358B2	Method and apparatus for removing skin and fat from meat parts An apparatus and method for removing skin and fat from meat parts, includes a toothroll assembly. The toothroll assembly includes a first section having an outer surface, and a second section having an outer surface. The first section is adapted to rotate at a first surface speed, and the second section is adapted to rotate at a second surface speed independently from the first surface speed.
US08449333B2	Battery connecting structure The present invention is to provide a battery connecting structure to prevent a joint between a terminal and an electric wire from getting wet with water. The battery connecting structure includes a plurality of bus bars connecting a plurality of batteries in series by connecting a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the adjacent battery, said batteries overlapped with each other in a manner that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are arranged in the straight line alternately; a plurality of terminals respectively overlapped with each bus bar; a plurality of electric wires respectively connected with each terminal; and a plate receiving them. The plate includes a plurality of first receiving portion for receiving each bus bar and each terminal overlapped with the bus bar, a second receiving portion for receiving the electric wires connected to each terminal, and a plurality of third receiving portion for leading each electric wire connected to each terminal from each first receiving portion to the second receiving portion. Further, a bus bar connecting and a wire connecting portions of each terminal are received in each first receiving portion.
US08449325B2	Connector assembly for corrugated coaxial cable A compression connector for connecting to a coaxial cable is provided. The compression connector is provided in a first state for fitting onto an end of the cable, after which it may be compressed to a second state, thereby joining the connector to the cable to make a coaxial cable assembly. The connector is comprised of a tubular connector body and a compression cap structured to slidably engage the second end of the tubular body. The connector is further internally configured with means for collapsing the first exposed corrugation of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable in the axial direction when the compression cap is compressed onto the tubular connector body.
US08449323B2	Watertight shield connector An object of the present invention is to provide a watertight shield connector able to waterproof successfully without an effect of a parting line, and surely preventing an annular packing or a shield shell from falling out with a plain structure. For attaining the object, there is provided a watertight shield connector 1 including: an insulating connector housing 4 having a terminal attaching portion 9 projected outward from a flange wall 2, and an annular hole 19 disposed around the terminal attaching portion 9; a terminal 10 configured to be inserted into the terminal attaching portion 9 and having a step portion 11a in a middle thereof; a conductive shield shell 6 having a flange plate 5 abutting on the flange wall 2; an annular packing 8 having an annular packing main body 30 attached to the annular hole 19, and a flange-shaped projection 7 disposed on an outer periphery of the packing main body 30 and abutting on the flange plate 5; and a spacer 12 configured to be engaged with the step portion of the terminal and to abut on an outer end wall 8a of the annular packing 8.
US08449311B2	Locking audio plug An audio plug connector device comprising an audio plug body, a connector portion coupled to the audio plug body, and an expanding member extending from the audio plug body, wherein the expanding member radially expands from a first diameter to a second diameter to prevent disengagement from a receptacle is provided. Furthermore, an associated method of locking an audio plug into an audio jack is also provided.
US08449301B2	Systems and methods for assessing a medical ultrasound imaging operator's competency Methods and systems are provided for assessing a medical ultrasound imaging operator's competency. The system includes a console containing a plurality of virtual controls, such as knobs, for simulating a real-life examination of a patient. The images created by the system change dynamically as the different virtual knobs on the console are adjusted. The console provides a certification examination for a medical ultrasound imaging operator. The console also includes a process to assess the medical ultrasound imaging operator's competency. The process determines a plurality of scores in order to assess the competency of the medical ultrasound imaging operator.
US08449293B2	Substrate treatment to reduce pattern roughness A method for patterning a substrate with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation is provided. The method includes contacting a surface of the substrate with at least one surface modification agent that reacts with and bonds to the surface 402 of the substrate 401 to provide a modified surface. A layer of photoresist is formed on the modified surface, followed by exposing the layer of photoresist to a pattern of EUV radiation. The surface modification agent has a general formula: X-L-Z, where X is a leaving group; L is a linkage group including a substituted or un-substituted carbon chain having 1 to 20 carbons, a sulfur moiety, a silicon moiety, or combinations thereof; and Z is at least one of an acid functional group, a photoactive acid generator group or a halide.
US08449288B2	Urea-based mixing process for increasing combustion efficiency and reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) A method for reducing NOx formation, including the steps of: providing a furnace with a plurality of secondary air injection ducts, asymmetrically positioned in an opposing manner; injecting fuel with primary air through a first stage prior to injection of a second air; injecting secondary air and aqueous urea solution through the plurality of reagent injection ducts; controlling the asymmetrical injection to produce a high velocity mass flow and a turbulence resulting in dispersion of the urea solution into the combustion space, thereby providing reduced NOx formation in the combustion process.
US08449287B2	Valve pin for accommodating side loading A valve pin that accommodates side loading for use in a valve-gated nozzle of a hot runner injection molding system is disclosed. The valve pin is operably coupled at a rearward end to an actuating mechanism and includes a shaft that extends through the system such that a forward end thereof engages with a mold gate of a mold cavity. The valve pin shaft has a region forward of the rearward end thereof that accommodates side loading under operating conditions. The region may be a slidable or rotatable interface configured to provide lateral or angular movement between upstream and downstream portions of the valve pin shaft under side loading conditions or may be configured to provide increased flexibility to the valve pin shaft within the region to permit deflection of the valve pin under side loading conditions.
US08449286B2	Injection molding machine An injection molding machine includes a moving platen. The moving platen includes a fixed support and an ejector assembly. The fixed support includes a first and a second adjustment motors, and a first and a second adjustment shafts. The first and second adjustment motors are connected to the first and second adjustment shafts respectively. The ejector assembly includes two guide shells, two drive shafts, two ejector pins, and two guide protrusions. Each guide shell is positioned in the fixed support and receives one drive shaft and one ejector pin. Each drive shaft engages with a corresponding ejector pin and is capable of driving the corresponding ejector pin to move back and forth in the guide shell. Each guide protrusion extends outwards from a corresponding guide shell. Each of the first and second adjustment shafts engages with a corresponding guide protrusion and is capable of moving the corresponding guide protrusion.
US08449282B2	Mold for molding optical fiber connector A mold for molding optical fiber connector includes a core pin, a core mold and a cavity mold. The core pin has insertion portion and a blind hole forming portion. The core mold defines a hole for receiving the insertion portion. The cavity mold attaches to the core mold and cooperatively defines a molding cavity for forming the optical fiber connector. The cavity mold includes a lens forming portion and a support block in the molding cavity. The core pin aligns with the lens forming portion and the blind hole forming portion thereof is exposed in the molding cavity. The support block is configured for holding the blind hole forming portion and maintaining alignment between the core pin and the lens forming portion.
US08449277B2	Vane pump having a passage area ratio between an oil supply passage area and a gas passage area A vane pump in which a lubricating oil from an oil supply pipe 12 is supplied to a pump chamber 2A through an axial direction oil supply hole 11a of an oil supply passage 11, a diameter direction oil supply hole 11b, and an axial direction oil supply groove 11c. A gas passage 13 includes a diameter direction gas hole 13a and an axial direction gas groove 13b, and the diameter direction gas hole 13a is made to communicate with the axial direction gas groove 13b when the diameter direction oil supply hole 11b is made to communicate with the axial direction oil supply groove 11c.
US08449270B2	Hydraulic powertrain system A hydraulic powertrain system is disclosed, in which one possible embodiment provides at least one combustion cylinder, at least one cylinder head, at least one piston. During combustion, pressure moves the piston downwards, where it creates motion in an attached hydraulic cylinder. Fluid in the hydraulic cylinder is then pressurized, where it exits the hydraulic cylinder and is directed to a fluid turbine, where work is extracted from the pressurized fluid.
US08449269B2	Electric pump and electric pump mounting structure An electric pump includes: a second housing and a first housing separated from each other in an axial direction; a stator portion that accommodates an annular coil portion; an outer rotor portion that is rotated based on a magnetic field generated by the coil portion, at a position on the inner side of the housings; and an inner rotor that is rotatably supported by a support shaft portion having an axis that is offset from that of the outer rotor portion, and that has an outer peripheral surface that is engaged with an inner peripheral surface of the outer rotor portion. The second housing is fitted onto the support shaft portion, to which the first housing has been fixed, from one side of the support shaft portion in the axial direction. As a result, the outer rotor portion and the stator portion are clamped between the first housing and the second housing from both sides in the axial direction.
US08449267B2	Pump assembly and fluid metering unit Apparatus for a pump assembly and a fluid metering unit. The pump assembly can include a diaphragm with a portion of a body being molded over a portion of each one of a plurality of pistons. The pump assembly can include a wobble plate, a lower housing, and a spring positioned between the wobble plate and the lower housing. A valve housing can include pumping chambers with side walls that are angled. The fluid metering unit can include a bayonet locking mechanism and/or a seal between a housing and a flow meter. The controller can be calibrated according to the type and/or temperature of the fluid.
US08449263B2	Segmented rotor hub assembly In one aspect, a rotor hub assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor hub assembly may generally comprise an inner hub including a plurality of hub segments assembled together and a hub enclosure including a plurality of enclosure segments assembled together. The hub enclosure may be configured to at least partially enclose the inner hub. In addition, the rotor hub assembly may include a plurality of support members extending between the inner hub and the hub enclosure.
US08449234B2	Blind rivet A blind rivet design has an exposed mandrel portion modified from the conventional and standardized mandrel to reduce amount and cost of materials required to produce the mandrel, while also minimizing costs related to production, use, and spent mandrel disposal, all while still making use of conventional riveting tools for rivet setting and maintaining rivet performance. The blind rivet also facilitates feeding of a shortened spent mandrel through conventional riveting tools and into mandrel collection devices.
US08449227B2	Rotatable tool for chip removing machining as well as a loose top and a basic body therefor A rotatable tool for chip removing machining including a basic body and a loose top; the body includes two torque-transferring drivers and an intermediate bottom in which a rear coupling part of the loose top is receivable, and a center hole that mouths in the intermediate bottom. A centric pin is insertable into the center hole, and a screw is accessible from the outside of the basic body. The coupling part includes a pair of side contact surfaces which cooperate with a pair of side support surfaces on the drivers of the basic body for the transfer of torque and negative axial forces between the coupling part and the drivers.
US08449224B2	Cutting tool and cutting method A cutting tool of the invention is equipped with a cutting insert comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a side surface connected to the upper surface and the lower surface, and an upper surface side cutting edge and a lower surface side cutting edge formed at an intersection portion between the upper surface and the side surface and at an intersection portion between the lower surface and the side surface, respectively; and a holder comprising at a front part thereof an insert pocket to which the cutting insert is attached. The insert pocket comprises a bearing seat surface against which the lower surface of the cutting insert abuts, and is opened into a front surface and a side surface of the holder, respectively. At least one of a first intersection portion lying at an intersection portion between the bearing seat surface of the insert pocket and the front surface of the holder, and a second intersection portion lying at an intersection portion between the bearing seat surface of the insert pocket and the side surface of the holder, lies more outward than the lower surface side cutting edge of the cutting insert. A cutting method using the cutting tool is also provided.
US08449223B2	Cutting tool having a bidirectional adjustment mechanism An adjustment mechanism allows for bidirectional adjustment of the position of a cutting insert retained in a cutting tool by a securing screw. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment screw, a slider, the cutting insert and the securing screw. The rotation of the adjustment screw in opposite senses results in the bidirectional axial adjustment of the position of the cutting insert, while the securing screw is fixed in and retains the cutting insert.
US08449210B2	Drawer mechanism and image forming apparatus equipped with the same A drawer mechanism includes a plate-shaped frame, a first roller and a second roller disposed in a rotatable manner on a surface of the frame at a specific interval, and a rail movable between a first state where the rail is mounted on the surface of the frame and a second state where the rail is pulled out from the frame in a predetermined pull-out direction. Each roller includes a guide peripheral surface formed in an outer peripheral portion in a radial direction and a lower surface opposing the surface of the frame at a specific interval. The rail includes a first pinched portion and a second pinched portion extending linearly in the pull-out direction and pinched between the surface of the frame and one of the lower surfaces and the guide peripheral surfaces of the first roller and the second roller, respectively.
US08449201B2	Element for sealing two parts that can be rotated in relation to one another The invention relates to an element (10) for sealing two parts (2, 3) that can be rotated in relation to one another. Said element comprises at least one first sealing ring (11) consisting of a permanently elastic material, which is fixed to one of the two rotatable parts and comprises at least one sealing lip (21) and at least one second sealing ring (12), which is fixed to the other rotatable part and comprises a strip (19) consisting of another material that runs along its periphery. At least one sealing lip of the first sealing ring lies against said strip.
US08449195B2	Retainer of ball bearing In a grease filled bearing for a machine such as a turbo molecular pump that rotates at high speed, objects are to prevent grease retained in an inner circumferential part of a ball retainer from being forced out to the outside of the bearing due to centrifugal force, thereby achieving extension of the operational life of the bearing, and preventing occurrence of rotational mass unbalance due to the grease forced out. A retainer (1) of a ball bearing includes a main body (1A) having a circular annular shape, and plural circular pockets (1a) for retaining balls (4) therein that extend through the main body (1A) in a radial direction, wherein intermediate parts between adjacent pockets (1a) in an inner circumferential surface of the main body (1A) define recesses (1b) for holding grease.
US08449192B2	Self-lubricating bearing system and motor comprising the same A self-lubricating bearing system, including a sliding bearing (1), an oil-storage groove (2), and lubricating oil (3). The oil-storage groove (2) is disposed in the sliding bearing (1). The lubricating oil (3) is disposed in the oil-storage groove (2). A housing (4) is fit on the sliding bearing (1). The housing (4) extends from front end surface of the sliding bearing (1). The top of the housing (4) bends inwards to form an oil-return barb (5). A retaining ring (9) is disposed on the front end surface of the sliding bearing (1). An oil-return hole (10) is formed between the retaining ring (9) and the sliding bearing (1). The oil-return hole (10) is connected to the oil-storage groove (2).
US08449190B2	Centering mechanisms for turbocharger bearings An turbocharger assembly can include a compressor side ring disposed at least partially in a compressor side annular notch of a bearing, the ring in contact with a bore wall of a housing and the bearing to hinder axial flow of lubricant to a compressor end of the bearing and to reduce variation in a lubricant squeeze film thickness defined by and between the bearing and the bore wall and a turbine side ring disposed at least partially in a turbine side annular notch, the ring in contact with the bore wall and the bearing to hinder axial flow of lubricant to the turbine end of the bearing and to reduce variation in the lubricant squeeze film thickness. Various other springs, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
US08449179B2	Temperature detection system Provided is a temperature detection system which is low in cost. The temperature detection system includes a plurality of temperature detection ICs (10) for detecting an abnormal temperature and a resistor (20). Each of the plurality of temperature detection ICs (10) includes a reference voltage terminal connected to an output terminal of one of the plurality of temperature detection ICs (10) located at a preceding stage. The resistor (20) is provided between an output terminal of one of the plurality of temperature detection ICs (10) located at the final stage and a ground terminal.
US08449178B2	Optical fiber temperature sensor An optical fiber temperature sensor includes an optical transceiver module, a transmission fiber and a sensing head. When the transmission fiber is a polarization maintaining fiber, the sensing head includes a temperature sensing element and a fiber reflector, the temperature sensing element is a section of polarization maintaining fiber. The transmission fiber is fusion spliced with the temperature sensing element, an angle between a polarization axis of the transmission fiber and that of the temperature sensing element is 45 degree at the fusion splicing point. When the transmission fiber is a single-mode fiber, the sensing head includes a polarizer. An angle between a polarization axis of the polarization maintaining fiber connecting the temperature sensing element with the polarizer and that of the polarization maintaining fiber of the temperature sensing element is 45 degree at the fusion splicing point. The present invention is of simple principle and structure, and facilitates manufacturing.
US08449176B2	Automated binary processing of thermographic sequence data A method for processing thermographic data is disclosed including thermally disturbing a specimen of unknown quality, collecting thermal data from said specimen, converting the collected data into a measure of variance and comparing the variance from the sample of unknown quality against the variance of a sample of known quality in order to determine if the quality of the specimen of unknown quality is acceptable.
US08449173B1	Method and system for thermal testing of computing system components Some embodiments provide a system that tests a computing system. During operation, the system monitors a temperature of a component in the computing system while running a series of calibrated workloads on the component. Next, the system analyzes a fluctuation of the temperature resulting from the calibrated workloads to determine a thermal performance of the component. The system then uses the determined thermal performance to improve the reliability of the computing system.
US08449166B2	Image source unit and display device including the same An image source unit that can efficiently provide image light emitted from an image source to an observer is disclosed. The image source unit includes an image source; and an optical sheet that disposed closer to an observer side than the image source. The optical sheet includes an optical functional layer that includes a light-transmitting portion having a trapezoidal cross section; and the low refractive-index portion having a wedge shape cross section. An oblique side of the wedge shape cross section of the low refractive-index portion form an angle of θb with respect to a normal line of the sheet surface.
US08449154B2	Illumination device including a light-emitting module fastened to mount member with a constant orientation A mount member (5) has a contact surface (27a) touching the bottom surface of an LED module (3) and protrusions (5a) protruding from the periphery of the contact surface (27a) in the thickness direction of the LED module (3) and regulating sliding motions thereof. A fixing member (6) made of a resilient, plate-like member comprises an opposing pair of flat portions (43) near the contact surface (27a) of the mount member (5) and flat tabs (44) projecting from the flat portions (43) toward the contact surface (27a) touching the upper surface of a substrate (17). The flat portions (43) of the fixing member (6) are fastened to be lower than the top surface of the substrate (17) of the LED module (3). Thus, elastically deformed areas extending from the fastened parts of the flat portions (43) through the flat tabs (44) press the substrate (17) into the mount member (5).
US08449143B2	Metal base circuit board Provided is a metal base circuit board having a new function of a light reflection in addition to the conventional printed circuit board function for mounting electronic parts. The metal base circuit board has a circuit arranged on a metal plate via an insulation layer. A white film is arranged at least one the insulation layer.
US08449139B1	LED submarine lighting device A LED submarine lighting device includes a light-transmissive lamp tube, a LED substrate mounted inside the light-transmissive lamp and carrying a plurality of LED devices in the top surface thereof for giving off light, a heat conducting bar mounted in the light-transmissive lamp tube and stopped between the bottom surface of the LED substrate and the inside wall of the light-transmissive lamp tube for quick dissipation of waste heat from the LED devices to avoid the serious problem in brightness attenuation, and two end caps respectively fastened to opposing front and rear ends of the light-transmissive lamp tube in a water-tight manner.
US08449136B2	Long-range, handheld searchlight A handheld searchlight for producing a high intensity beam of light output has an elongated housing including a handle portion for gripping by a user. A head has a window opening for transmitting a light beam. There is a mechanical coupling between the housing and the head. A parabolic reflector is mounted in the head facing the window and has an aperture for accommodating a high intensity lamp. The reflector has a longitudinal optical axis. The rotation of the head about the coupling causes movement of the parabolic reflector relative to the lamp along the optical axis thereby changing a spread of the high-intensity light beam. The searchlight further includes a rotatable bezel ring mounted on the head and a filter ring mount connected to the rotatable bezel. An optical filter is mounted in the filter ring mount.
US08449134B2	Solar razor A solar razor is provided with a housing; at least one shaving assembly rotatably mounted on the housing; a solar cell mounted on an outer surface of the housing for converting light directly into electricity; a rechargeable battery disposed in the housing and connected to the solar cell for storing electricity from the solar cell, the rechargeable battery being electrically connected to the shaving assembly; and a switch mounted on the outer surface of the housing and electrically connected to the rechargeable battery, the switch being manually movable between first and second positions. The rechargeable battery disconnects from the at least one shaving assembly when the switch is in the first position. The rechargeable battery connects to the at least one shaving assembly when the switch is in the second position.
US08449129B2	LED-based illumination device with color converting surfaces An illumination module includes a color conversion cavity with a first interior surface having a first wavelength converting material and a second interior surface having a second wavelength converting material. A first LED is configured to receive a first current and to emit light that preferentially illuminates the first interior surface. A second LED is configured to receive a second current and emit light that preferentially illuminates the second interior surface. The first current and the second current are selectable to achieve a range of correlated color temperature (CCT) of light output by the LED based illumination device.
US08449128B2	System and method for a lens and phosphor layer Embodiments disclosed herein provide optical systems utilizing photon conversion materials in conjunction with a light source and an LED. An LED can be positioned in a cavity defined by a base and one or more sidewalls. Phosphors can be disposed on the entrance face of a lens between the entrance face to the lens body and the LED so that light emitted from the LED will be incident on the phosphor and down converted before entering the lens body through the entrance face. The lens can positioned so that the phosphors are separated from the LED by a gap.
US08449122B2	Image marking method and apparatus In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for marking an image projected onto a surface includes capturing a second image from the surface, detecting the existence of a marking point in the second image, and modifying the first image by placing a graphic element at a location corresponding to a location of the marking point in the second image.
US08449117B2	Method and apparatus for wireless image transmission to a projector A method and apparatus is provided in which a digital image is transmitted to a presentation projector resource over a wireless transmission medium using a reduced amount of bandwidth by transmitting a subset of the digital image data. The subset of image data may be a delta subset that represents those areas of the image that have changed since the previous transmission. The subset image data may also be a scalable vector graphics representation of the subset of the digital image. A projector discovery logic selects a suitable projector resource based on the order or signal strength of the discovery replies. A wireless image transmission session is established with the selected projector resource during which the projector is unavailable to other devices. The subset image data may be compressed and transmission coordinated with the projector resource so that the data is sent only when it is ready to be received.
US08449112B2	Ophthalmologic imaging apparatus and ophthalmologic imaging method An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus includes an observation light source configured to generate infrared light for illuminating a subject's eye via an illumination optical system, an imaging unit configured to receive light returned from the subject's eye via an imaging optical system, and an electronic shutter control unit configured to refresh charge generated caused by light received by the imaging unit in response to turning off of the observation light source.
US08449108B2	Method and system for providing evidence of printing in event of print head failure Systems and methods for providing evidence of printing in metering systems even in the event of a print head failure are provided. Along with generating a primary image for an indicium that evidences payment, a secondary image for the indicium, identical to a corresponding portion of the primary image but at a lower density, with physical boundaries that are within the boundaries of the primary image, is also generated. The primary image is printed by a first nozzle array, and the secondary image is printed by a second nozzle array. Because the primary image completely overlaps the secondary image, the secondary image is undetectable if the primary image is properly printed. The secondary image provides evidence of printing of the indicium that can be used to obtain a refund for the indicium in the event that the primary image was not printed due to failure of the first nozzle array.
US08449107B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus according to the invention includes an ink jet recording head that records onto a recording medium; a paper cassette that holds the recording medium in alignment with the vertical direction; an inverting path unit that inverts the transport direction of the recording medium fed out from the paper cassette; and a downstream-side path unit that transports the recording medium from the inverting path unit toward the paper cassette.
US08449106B2	Image recording device and image recording method An image recording device includes a conveying part that conveys a portion of a medium to an image recording area, a recording part that records an image on the medium positioned in the image recording area, a medium support part that supports the medium positioned in the image recording area on a support surface provided with openings of suction holes and that heats the medium, a suction part that suctions the medium supported on the medium support part via the suction holes, and a control part that repeatedly performs a conveying action and a recording action, and that suctions the medium supported on the medium support part after the next conveying action and before the recording action when a period from the previous conveying action until the next conveying action is equal to or greater than a predetermined period that is longer than the period required by the recording action.
US08449104B2	Conveyance apparatus and recording apparatus A conveyance apparatus includes a holding unit configured to hold a roll sheet, a conveyance unit configured to convey the roll sheet in a first direction in which the roll sheet is unrolled and a second direction opposite from the first direction, and a control unit configured to control the drive of the conveyance unit. The amount of drive per unit conveyance distance at the time when the conveyance unit conveys the roll sheet is controlled so as to be larger in the conveyance in the first direction than in the conveyance in the second direction.
US08449103B2	Method and apparatus for high-speed multicolor inkjet printing Versatility and high resolution are imparted to a high-speed printing apparatus by depositing separate colors of inkjet ink, under computer control, directly onto the blanket cylinder(s) for transfer to a printable substrate held on an impression cylinder, thus eliminating the need for printing plates and making it possible to electronically change the image or any part thereof from one impression to the next via a computer program. A plurality of inkjet heads may also successively deposit inks of different consistency directly on one or more blanket rollers under the control of a computer.
US08449101B2	Ink composition and method of producing a processed product of printed matter An active radiation curable ink composition is disclosed. The ink composition includes a compound having a persulfide bond, at least one end of the persulfide bond being bonded to a ring structure directly or via a carbonyl group or a thiocarbonyl group; one or more radical polymerizable compounds; and a photopolymerization initiator.
US08449095B2	Radiation curable solid ink compositions suitable for transfuse printing applications This disclosure is generally directed to curable solid inks, such as radiation-curable solid inks, and their use in forming images, such as through transfuse printing. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to radiation-curable solid inks, such as ultraviolet-light-curable phase-change inks, that comprise curable and non-curable waxes.
US08449087B2	Liquid circulating apparatus, computer-readable medium, and liquid discharging apparatus A liquid circulating apparatus includes a liquid discharging unit for having a nozzle, a supply path, a recovery path, first and second pressure adjusting units, an opening/closing valve and a circulation controlling unit. The circulation controlling unit controls the first and second pressure adjusting units and the opening/closing valve to circulate the liquid by causing a differential pressure between the liquid at a supply side and at a recovery side with respect to the nozzle while the liquid maintains a meniscus in the nozzle. The circulation controlling unit (i) makes a differential pressure between the liquid of the supply path and the recovery path to be lower than the differential pressure in middle of the circulation while the opening/closing valve is closed when the liquid starts circulating, (ii) opens the opening/closing valve, and (iii) changes the differential pressure to the differential pressure in middle of the circulation.
US08449083B2	Multilayer body, piezoelectric element, and liquid ejecting device A multilayer body which includes a low-resistance metal layer having a low electrical resistance, excellent thermal resistance and low surface irregularity is provided. The multilayer body includes a substrate, and a low-resistance metal layer which is formed on the substrate and has a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure of two or more sublayers. The low-resistance metal layer includes a gold-containing layer or sublayer composed of gold and another metal.
US08449082B2	Injection molded mounting substrate The present invention relates to a fluid ejection assembly that includes an injection-molded mounting substrate that is formed by a two-shot injection molding process, wherein a housing portion of the mounting substrate is formed by a first shot molding, and a die-attach portion of the mounting substrate is formed within the housing portion by a second shot molding.
US08449075B2	Ink jet recording head An ink jet recording head comprises a discharge port forming member that forms a discharge port used to discharge ink and a channel forming member that forms an ink channel communicating with the discharge port, at least either one of the channel forming member and the discharge port forming member comprising a substance having fluorine atoms and a rubber member composing a part of an ink passage continuous with the channel, the rubber member being cross-linked by an organic substance.
US08449074B2	Ink jet printing apparatus In an ink jet printing apparatus using many types of inks to execute bidirectional printing, if ejection opening rows for yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are symmetrically arranged, ejection opening rows for a black ink are arranged adjacent to the most inside ejection opening rows for the yellow ink. Thus, a difference in color between forward scanning and backward scanning is determined by a difference in coloring between the black ink and the yellow ink. In this case, a possible color drift attributed to bidirectional printing can be suppressed by selecting the inks so that the difference in coloring between the black ink and the yellow ink is smaller than that between the black ink and the other color inks.
US08449073B2	Wide format printer with printhead carriage connected to ink supply from a single side A wide format printer that has a print zone, a media path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide and extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage with a plurality of printhead mounting sites for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path, the printhead carriage having a long side extending transverse to the paper axis, the long side having access formations for ink conduits and a plurality of interfaces for connection to the ink conduits to supply ink to each of the printhead modules respectively. All ink for the plurality of printhead modules is supplied by ink conduits extending through the access formations on the long side of the printhead carriage.
US08449060B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and flying curve detecting method A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle row including nozzles that eject a liquid on an ejecting target medium. The liquid ejecting head moves with respect to the ejecting target medium in a main scanning direction. Liquid is ejected to form test patterns on the ejecting target medium, in which the minimum interval between a plurality of dots formed by ejecting the liquid in the main scanning direction is set as a reference interval. A dot group is formed, in which one or more dots line up at the reference interval in the main scanning direction. A line part is formed, in which a plurality of the dot groups is formed at an interval larger than the reference interval in the main scanning direction. A plurality of the line parts is formed in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction.
US08449058B2	Method and apparatus to provide variable drop size ejection with low tail mass drops Described herein is a method and apparatus for driving a drop ejection device to produce variable sized drops with multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving a drop ejection device having an actuator includes applying a multi-pulse waveform having at least one drive pulse and at least one break off pulse to the actuator. The method further includes building a drop of a fluid with the at least one drive pulse. The method further includes accelerating the break off of the drop with the at least one break off pulse. The method further includes causing the drop ejection device to eject the drop of a fluid in response to the pulses of the multi-pulse waveform. The break off pulse causes the break off of the drop formed by the at least one drive pulse in order to reduce the tail mass of the drop.
US08449048B2	Redundant hardware architecture for the low-voltage power supply stage of the braking system of a vehicle in which each of the wheels is connected to at least one rotary electric machine An electric braking system is provided for a road vehicle that includes at least two wheels (1) each connected for rotation to at least one rotary electric machine (2), and one electronic wheel control module (23) controlling an electric machine of a corresponding wheel, with each electronic control module enabling a control torque of determined amplitude and sign to be imparted selectively to a corresponding wheel. The electric braking system includes at least two sub-systems (A and B) each including: at least one of the electronic wheel control modules (23), a central electric line (40), and a low-voltage electrical supply stage for supplying electronics for controlling and driving power elements. The low-voltage electrical supply stage includes a first low-voltage electrical supply and at least one second low-voltage electrical supply. The first supply and the second supply are interconnected by a low-voltage electric line (43) that includes a first section (43A) and a second section (43B), with the first and second sections being connected by a device (430) that electrically separates the two sections, and that interrupts an interconnection on demand in an event of one of the two sections experiences an undervoltage or an overcurrent. Each electronic wheel control module (23) of one (A) of the sub-systems is supplied by the first section and each electronic wheel control module (23) of the other (B) of the sub-systems is supplied by the second section.
US08449042B2	Adhesive wheel balance weight and process for producing the same The present invention provides an adhesive wheel balance weight capable of drastically reducing costs from those of conventional ones, and a process for producing the same. In an adhesive wheel balance weight (W) comprising a weight body (P) and an adhesive tape (T) for attaching the weight body (P) to a vehicle wheel, the weight body (P) comprises a folded weight comprising a folded metal plate piece. The folded weight of the present invention can be formed from a relatively inexpensive raw material sheet at a high yield rate. It is preferable that the raw material sheet is a zinc-coated steel sheet, because no rust-proofing aftertreatment is necessary and therefore further cost reduction is achieved, and its environmental burden is small.
US08449031B2	Headrest-mounted entertainment systems In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system includes a screen assembly with a display and a signal generating device. A housing pivotally coupled to the screen assembly can have a lower portion, an upper portion, and a housing cavity sized and shaped to receive the screen assembly. The upper portion can receive at least a portion of the signal generating device. At least a portion of the screen assembly can rotate through an opening in the lower portion. A shell can receive substantially the housing.
US08449030B2	Child safety seat with side impact protection Child safety seats are used for the safe transport of children in vehicles. The child safety seats known from prior art often offer only insufficient protection in the case of a side impact. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a child safety seat that improves the protective effect of the child safety seat in the case of a side impact. This object is solved by a child safety seat with side impact protection according to the invention. Such a child safety seat comprises at least one element absorbing and/or transmitting energy which is arranged and designed to be transferred from a rest position to a functioning position to absorb a laterally impacting energy in the functioning position.
US08449017B2	Aerodynamic skirt resilient member A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover its aerodynamic configuration thereafter, the resilient strut includes a shape variation adapted to change the mechanical strength thereof and also adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the resilient strut to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover its original shape when the load is removed. A kit of resilient struts, a method thereof and a trailer equipped with same are also provided.
US08449015B2	Method of controlling a dual hinged vehicle door A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, where the dual hinged door assembly includes a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within the vehicle's roof such that it pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with the structural roof member, a second door portion hingeably coupled to the first door portion such that it pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the first door portion, a primary drive system providing powered motion for the first door portion about the primary axis, a secondary drive system providing powered motion for the second door portion about the secondary axis, and a controller coupled to the drive systems that provides independent motion control of the first and second door portions via the primary and secondary drive systems.
US08449014B2	Vehicle with cover arrangement for the load body The vehicle according to the invention has an open-top load body defined by end walls and side walls and has a cover arrangement with which the load body is closed in a closed position and opened in an open position, the covering arrangement including at least one roof segment which is pivotable between the closed position and the open position by means of at least one pivoting mechanism. The pivoting mechanism has at least one drive shaft in the region of an upper longitudinal edge of one of the two side walls, to which drive shaft the roof segment is rigidly connected. The pivoting mechanism further includes a rack and pinion drive having a rack, the rack being in operative connection with a pinion rigidly connected to the drive shaft for the purpose of opening and closing the roof segment.
US08449003B2	Door expansion adjusting handle and latch set A door expansion adjusting handle and latch set for mounting on a door. It includes a first handle positioned on a first side of a door having a thickness, a shaft having two ends with one end fixedly connected to the first handle, a second handle positioned on a second side of the door and connected to the other end of the shaft by a nut, the nut permitting the second handle and shaft to rotate relative to each other but preventing the second handle from being removed from the shaft, a latch that is operated by rotating the first handle and/or the second handle, and a coil spring that is interposed between the fixing member and the second handle to bias the first handle and the second handle towards or away from each other. If the thickness of the door increases or decrease, the coil spring will permit the second handle to move closer or further from to the fixing member to accommodate the increase in door thickness.
US08448998B2	Accessory securing mechanism An accessory securing mechanism includes a housing member, a securing member, and elastic members. The housing defines an assembly recess, the assembly recess forms a protrusion to engage a string, the securing member and the elastic member are received in the assembly recess, the elastic member resists the securing member, and the securing member resists the protrusion to secure the string.
US08448995B2	Apparatus and method for supporting a pipe coupling A pipe coupling support having a substantially rigid body with an inner surface formed to mate with at least a portion of the exterior surface of a pipe coupling installed on pipe. In many cases, the exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling will be non-cylindrical. For example, when pipes of differing diameters or pipes manufactured from different materials must be joined with commonly available pliable couplings. In this instance the inner surface of the body of the pipe coupling support may be formed to mate with a majority of or substantially the entire exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling.
US08448978B2	Foldable utility trailer A collapsible foldable utility trailer for the transportation and/or storage of objects, the trailer comprising a supporting chassis frame; suspension for supporting the chassis frame; and a trailer bed retained upon the chassis frame and comprising a plurality of bed sections comprising a first bed section and a second bed section wherein a second planar bed member in the second bed section is hingedly connected between a pair of opposing second bed side walls to a first planar bed member in the first bed section between a pair of opposing first bed side walls so as to allow 90° rotation of the second bed section to effect abutment with the first bed section. A large folding trailer that can be used at full size, or be folded to be used as a short trailer, or folded again for storage.
US08448971B2	Seat anti-theft assembly and method of installing the same There is provided a seat anti-theft assembly for use with a bicycle frame, the seat anti-theft assembly comprising a sleeve having a closed end, an open end and a sleeve chamber extending therebetween, the sleeve being mounted to the bicycle frame; a seat post having a seat end configured for receiving a seat thereon and an opposed engaging end adapted for engaging the sleeve chamber through the open end; a compartment mounted to the bicycle frame, the compartment having therein a compartment cavity in communication with a hollow lower portion of the bicycle frame, the compartment further having an access opening therein sized and shaped to allow access to the compartment cavity; a first stopping member mounted in the sleeve chamber; and a second stopping member associated with the seat post, the second stopping member being configured for cooperating with the first stopping member to allow slidable movement of the seat post along a restricted path of travel.
US08448957B1	Sulky apparatus Sulky apparatus for use behind a self-propelled machine including sulky operator riding apparatus for supporting an operator behind a self-propelled machine that the sulky apparatus is attached to, an upward extending control column adapted to be located near the operator controls for the self-propelled machine, a deployment boom attached to the sulky operator riding apparatus for deploying the sulky operator riding apparatus having a lower portion pivotally attached to the control column for deploying and for retracting the sulky operator riding apparatus to a stored position, and sulky apparatus control apparatus for controlling the operation of the sulky apparatus deployment boom. The control apparatus includes a gas filled cylinder and a chain.
US08448949B2	Sealing assembly with integral sensor A sealing assembly is equipped with life-sensing means in terms of wear (12a, 12b), thermal degradation, physical damage, chemical incompatibility and structural breakdowns within the sealing assembly, and means (22a, b) for transmitting an output of the sensing means to detect a change in the sealing environment or an impending seal failure.
US08448948B1	Vertically arranged arcade game An amusement game such as those found in arcades is disclosed having a housing, player controls, and a playing area surrounded by a transparent housing, the game comprising a vertical array of targets; an actuator movable in X, Y, and Z directions, player controls for moving the actuator in the X and Y directions, means for extending the actuator in the Z direction toward the vertical array of targets, a suction device for adhering the actuator to a target. The actuator moves toward the targets and can remove a target from its position if properly aligned by the player.
US08448947B2	Game, method of play, and stackable members such as cards which may be used for a game In an aspect, the invention is directed to a set of game pieces including a character game piece representing a character and a plurality of parameter impact game pieces. Each of the parameter impact game pieces includes a parameter impact indicator. When a parameter impact game piece is stacked on the character game piece the parameter impact indicator provides a graphic representation of the parameter impact carried out by the parameter impact game piece. When another parameter impact game piece is stacked on the first parameter impact game piece a graphic representation of the total parameter impact carried out by both parameter impact game pieces is provided by permitting the parameter impact indicators from both parameter impact game pieces to be visible to the players. In this way, the parameter impact level incurred by the character can be shown to increase incrementally after subsequent parameter impacts.
US08448944B2	Game machine A prize-displaying apparatus includes a wall, two mounts, two boards, two axles and a motor. The wall includes two apertures defined therein. Each mount includes a horizontal section between two vertical sections. Each vertical section of each mount includes an aperture defined therein. Each board includes a sleeve formed thereon. Each axle is inserted in a related aperture of the wall, the apertures of a related mount and the sleeve of a related board. The motor is operatively connected to one of the axles so that the related board can be pivoted between a supporting position where it supports the other board and a releasing position where it leaves and allows the other board to fall.
US08448939B2	Dispensing value sheet store An apparatus for use with a store for storing value sheets in a stack having at least one variable dimension. In one aspect, the apparatus can include a plate that is adapted to engage the stack for movement therewith in the direction of the variable dimension. The apparatus can also include an indicator that is disposable between a first, operational position and a second, rest position. The plate engages the indicator such that the indicator alternates between the rest position and the operational position in response to crossing of a predetermined position by the plate.
US08448938B2	Medium supplying unit and image forming apparatus having the same A medium supplying unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The medium supplying unit includes a cassette frame to be mounted to or detached from a main body frame, a loading plate to load a printing medium, and is disposed adjacent to the cassette frame to move between a supplying position and a standby position, and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes an engagement unit disposed adjacent to the loading plate and a locking unit, the locking unit including a stationary end extending from the cassette frame, and a free end to lock the engagement unit if the loading plate is positioned in the standby position, and to move the free end in a direction to unlock the engagement unit by applying a pressing force so that the loading plate can move to the supplying position when mounting the cassette frame.
US08448932B2	Inspection apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium Tab positions of tab sheets that are inserted between printed pages while a print job is performed are determined to be correct or incorrect using a control method for controlling an inspection apparatus which is connectable to a printing apparatus. The method includes reading tab sheets conveyed from the printing apparatus, detecting positions of tabs of the tab sheets conveyed from the printing apparatus according to the reading result, and determining whether each of the detected positions is correct or incorrect.
US08448930B2	Pallet system comprising a setup pallet and a setup pallet receptacle A pallet system with a setup pallet (3) for receiving a test component (70) and with a setup pallet receptacle (4) includes a pallet docking plate (64) with a number of pallet media connections (65, 66) on the setup pallet (3), and a receptacle docking unit (10) having a receptacle docking plate (20) with a number of matching receptacle media connections (30, 32) on the setup pallet receptacle (4). The pallet docking plate (64) and/or the receptacle docking plate (20) are/is arranged movably and a movable docking plate (20, 64) can be fed toward the other docking plate (64, 20).
US08448929B2	Riveting screw tack and use thereof for temporarily fixing a boring grid to elements to be assembled The invention relates to a riveting tack (50) to be introduced into coaxial openings of at least two elements to be assembled, and comprising a hollow cylindrical body (51), a rod (53) passing through the hollow body and partially provided with an external thread (52a), a nut (54) mounted on the threaded end (53a), two half-clips (56) fixed to the rod (53) and comprising hooking lips (57) on the ends thereof, and a spacer (58) arranged between the two half-clips (56), the rod/half-clip set being axially mobile along the spacer (58) between a first position wherein the hooking lips (57) are radially close, and a second position wherein the two half-clips (56) are retracted inside the hollow body (51) and radially distanced from each other. The invention is characterized in that the set formed by the half-clips (56) and the spacer (58) is, in the cross-section thereof, in the form of a near-perfect circle having a diameter identical to the inner diameter of the openings.
US08448913B1	Anchor cable release mechanism for a guardrail system A highway guardrail terminal having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of vertical posts. An anchor cable release mechanism having a cable release bracket attached to a W-beam rail element by cable release bolts has an arrangement of tapered slots and elongated openings to quickly release the cable release bracket from the W-beam rail element upon end-on vehicular impact to the terminal. The tapered slots have a geometry which lifts the bracket away from and out of a parallel alignment with the W-beam rail element.
US08448900B2	Semi-levered landing gear and associated method A semi-levered landing gear is provided that includes a shock strut, a truck beam pivotally connected to the shock strut and a semi-levered landing gear mechanism including at least three links configured to angularly orient the truck beam and a truck pitch actuation system operatively connected to at least one of the three links. The landing gear mechanism may be configured to cooperate with an extension of a shock strut by positioning the truck pitch actuator in a retracted position, thereby positioning a forward end of the truck beam in a raised position relative to the aft end of the truck beam. The landing gear mechanism may also be configured to cooperate with a retraction of the shock strut into the wheel well by extending the truck pitch actuator to position a forward end of the truck beam in a lower position relative to the aft end of the truck beam.
US08448899B2	Torque link with shimmy damper A torque link includes a spring-damper system structurally incorporated into the design and functionality of the torque link. The spring portion may take the form of a structurally rigid beam while the damping portion may take the form of a damping mechanism or assembly. The damping mechanism is configured to damp out deformations in the beam and also configured to bottom out and become a structural tension/compression member when the load through the torque link exceeds a threshold load. The method damping may take a number of forms, such as, but not limited to, solid media damping, fluid damping with or without an orifice, a hydraulic or magnetic circuit, coulomb damping, etc.
US08448894B2	Method and apparatus for a mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant The mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant (MASP) provides an improved method and device for the highly efficient collection, storage, transport, and wireless delivery of renewable energy from an airborne platform. This energy can be used to supply electrical power to clients or be used to power directed energy weapons.
US08448889B2	Webbing take-up device In a V-sensor of a webbing take-up device, concave portions are formed in supporting walls of a supporting member having a spring property, and peak ends of a rotating shaft of a sensor pawl gets into the concave portions, and the rotating shaft is thereby supported by the supporting walls. Cone-shaped concave portions come into contact by pressure with the cone-shaped peak ends of the rotating shaft due to the elasticity of the supporting walls, and therefore, when the rotating shaft attempts to be displaced in the axis direction thereof and in a direction orthogonal to the axis direction of the rotating shaft, the elasticity of the supporting walls withstand displacement of the rotating shaft. As a result, occurrence of a rattle of the rotating shaft, that is, the sensor pawl can be prevented or restrained.
US08448885B2	Methods of compounding nanoparticles with a resin Methods of compounding nanoparticles (e.g., surface-modified silica nanoparticles) with a resin (e.g., a curable resin) are described. The methods use continuous wet milling technology and can be used to compound nanoparticles, including highly aggregated and agglomerated surface-modified nanoparticles, into a resin or resin precursor.
US08448882B2	Spreader mount A spreader assembly used to spread a material held in a hopper onto an associated ground surface may include a spreader mount that: (1) has at least three laterally spaced ground contacting surfaces that support the spreader assembly to a ground surface when the spreader assembly is detached from a vehicle; and, (2) remains attached to the spreader assembly when the spreader assembly is attached to the vehicle.
US08448881B2	Fuel injector An apparatus and method for minimizing and/or preventing thermal degradation of fuel in a fuel injector is disclosed. The body of the injector includes a fuel gallery with a contoured scarf formed therein. The scarf is configured to minimize and/or prevent fuel recirculation thus reducing the likelihood that fuel will dwell in an area long enough to sufficient to cause the degradation of the fuel.
US08448874B2	Method for manufacturing a component by etching A method for manufacturing a component by etching, the component including a substrate and an electrically conductive line configuration supported by the substrate, the electrically conductive line configuration being formed by etching away locally an electrically conductive coating supported by the substrate. An etching mask is used to control locally removal and maintenance of the electrically conductive coating by using an etchant and it includes barrier material on at least one main area corresponding to the electrically conductive line configuration to be maintained during etching. The etching mask further includes at least one sub-area comprising barrier material, the sub-area being arranged at a distance from the edge of the main area. Etchant is applied on the component until areas of electrically conductive coating not protected by the main area of the etching mask and until the area of the electrically conductive coating protected by the sub-area of the etching mask has been substantially removed by the etchant.
US08448860B2	System and method for determining asset location in a rack The present invention describes a method of determining the location of an asset comprising the steps of: for each asset tag in the rack, exchanging identity information and location information with at least one tag of a neighboring asset, wherein at least the location information is exchanged along a substantially physically unobstructed path between the asset tag and it's at least one neighboring asset tag; for each asset tag, transmitting the identity information and location information exchanged to a collection unit; and responsive to the information transmitted to the collection unit determining the location of the asset relative to other assets.
US08448853B2	Data medium, identity document and corresponding security-protection method A data medium has at least first and second parts joined together, each having an outer face turned towards the outside and a hidden inner face. At least one of the first and second parts bears, at a certain distance from the outer faces, hidden markings corresponding to personalization data. This first part and preferably the second part of the medium are, at least locally, opaque with respect to through-transmission of laser radiation liable to modify the hidden markings.
US08448852B2	Open system account remote validation for access At each of a plurality of point of sale terminals (POS) of a transit system, for each of a plurality of riders, each seeking access to a facility of the transit system by using a payment device issued by an issuer in a payment system, data is read from the payment device, where the data includes an identifier for an account issued by an issuer. For each such access, a communication including the identifier is addressed to a network address of a system remote from the payment processing system and each of POS terminals. A response to the communication is received including information regarding whether access is granted based upon the identifier being on a list keep by the remote system. If access is granted, the rider is permitted access to the facility and the payment device is unchanged for the fare.
US08448849B1	Automated banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records An automatic banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader for reading user cards, and at least one of a note acceptor and a cash dispenser. The automated banking machine carries out financial transfers related to user accounts based on information read from cards. The automated banking machine provides a printed receipt for transactions conducted. The machine carries out transactions when operatively connected to a source of power and a transaction network. The machine also carries out functions to control the power status of devices in the machine.
US08448848B2	Method and system to monitor hand hygiene compliance A hand hygiene compliance monitoring system includes a portable data reader having a display and a memory, a portal trigger configured to recognize an entrance event in response to a person with the reader entering a room, and a dispenser trigger configured to cause the reader to record a dispensing event in the memory when the person with the reader causes a cleaning dispenser to dispense cleanser. The display shows feedback relating to the person's compliance with hand hygiene requirements.
US08448842B1	Advanced copper bonding (ACB) with ceramic substrate technology An advanced copper bonding with ceramic substrate technology includes the steps of (1) forming a copper film of thickness <1 μm on a ceramic substrate by sputtering deposition under 1.33×10−3 torr and 150° C., (2) plating a copper layer of thickness 10˜50 μm at room temperature, and (3) bonding a copper foil to the ceramic substrate by diffusion bonding under environments of high temperature, vacuum, and negative pressure inertia gas or H2 partial pressure.
US08448841B2	Method for manufacturing a rotor A method for manufacturing a rotor by welding a plurality of elements together is described. The elements have a body with cavities and surfaces to be welded to surfaces of adjacent elements. According to the method, the elements are vertically stacked one above the other to form a pile with facing surfaces to be welded together defining slots. The cavities of adjacent elements define bores that extend within the pile. Then, adjacent elements are welded together within the slots. The bore is purged with an inert gas or mixture during welding. The slots are welded at an upper part of the bore before the slots at a lower part of the bore, and a slot at the upper part of the bore is welded last.
US08448840B2	Methods of joining metallic protective layers In various embodiments, protective layers are bonded to a steel layer and connected by a layer of unmelted metal powder produced by cold spray.
US08448837B2	Method for manufacturing a one-piece annular metal part having a reinforcing insert of composite material A method for manufacturing a one-piece annular metal part having a reinforcing insert of composite material includes forming a blank of the part by superimposing, around a rotating cylindrical mandrel, layers of metal wire and layers of coated fiber, the layers of coated composite fiber being arranged in the blank according to the positioning of the insert in the part; placing the blank in a receiving tool, and applying a hot isostatic pressing treatment to the blank; and extracting the treated blank from the receiving tool and, as required, machining the treated blank to obtain the one-piece annular metal part having a reinforcing insert.
US08448831B2	Stapling and cutting in resectioning for full thickness resection devices A stapling unit for use with an endoscopic stapling system adapted to be advanced along an endoscope to a predetermined location within a body lumen to staple the portion of tissue, as part of an occlusal or full thickness resectioning procedure. The stapling unit comprises a first casing having a distal end, a proximal end and a stapling device mounted thereto adjacent to a first window extending through a periphery of the first casing. The invention includes methods for the stapling, severing and removal of tissue by using the device.
US08448817B2	Method of optimizing dosage-dispensing processes, and dosage-dispensing device In the method of optimizing the dosage-dispensing process of a dosage-dispensing device, an examination takes place prior to a first dosage delivery, whether at least one flow parameter relating to the dosage-dispensing process is stored in the memory module of the dosage-dispensing unit. If a stored flow parameter is found to be present, said flow parameter is called up from the memory module. If no store flow parameter is present, a flow parameter is requested by the user by entering a request, a flow parameter is called up from a central database, or at least one flow parameter is determined by means of the first run of the dosage-dispensing process based on a default setting of the dosage-dispensing program. With the at least one flow parameter, the dosage-dispensing program is directly adapted, at least one run of the dosage-dispensing process is performed with the adapted dosage-dispensing program, and/or the at least one flow parameter is stored in the memory module. As a prerequisite for performing the method according to the invention, a dosage-dispensing device is required which comprises a drive device with a control- and regulation unit operable to execute a dosage-dispensing program, wherein a dosage-dispensing unit can be set in place in, and removed from, the drive device and wherein the dosage-dispensing unit is equipped with at least one memory module.
US08448814B2	Fit structure of a housing Fit structure of a housing formed of first and second halves is provided. The first half has a fit projection piece having a fit tongue at the tip. The second half has a presser part and an engaging piece constituting a fit groove. The fit projection piece, presser part and engaging piece are formed so that the fit tongue is positioned in the inner part of the fit groove along the root of the presser part. The housing further has a nail stuck out in an inward or outward direction of the housing and a nail holder engaged with the nail. The nail and nail holder are located at one and the other of a part of the fit projection piece and a corresponding part of the engaging piece. The part of the fit projection piece is nearer to the root of the fit projection piece than the fit tongue.
US08448808B2	Pressure vessel having improved sealing arrangement In a pressure vessel (1) comprising a resin liner (2) provided with a tubular extension (22) defining a through hole therein for receiving and expelling the gas or liquid, a tubular member (100, 200, 300) fitted in the through hole of the tubular extension, a mouthpiece (4) threaded into the tubular extension, a fiber reinforced resin layer (3) placed around an outer surface of the resin liner, and a valve (60) fitted into the central bore of the tubular member, the valve include a section (62) having a smaller outer diameter than an opposing inner circumferential surface of the tubular member defining a gap between the valve and tubular member, and a resilient seal member (80) is placed in the gap. The tubular member is made of a material such as metallic material which is stiffer than the resin liner. Thereby, the resilient seal member is interposed between the tubular member and valve which are both highly stiff or free from deformation when the interior of the pressure vessel is placed under various pressure conditions so that the sealing performance of the resilient seal member can be ensured under all pressure conditions.
US08448806B2	Low depth crate A crate according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the sides of the base and a pair of end walls extending upward from ends of the base. The end walls each include a pair of spaced apart end columns each having a side flange partially defining a bottle receiving pocket and a lower rib projecting upwardly from the base between the side flanges. A handle extends across the pair of spaced apart columns at each end wall.
US08448804B2	Pivoting cover with a fastening device A cover for a container, in accordance with one embodiment that allows quick and easy access to products within the container. The cover for a container includes a pivot score line transversing the cover thereby forming a front cover portion and a back cover portion. The pivot score line pivotally connects the front cover portion and the back cover portion. The cover also includes a fastening device. The fastening device includes a first fastening component mounted on the front cover portion and a second fastening component mounted on the back cover portion. The first fastening component engages the second fastening component upon pivoting the cover at the pivot score line. Using the present embodiment, products may be repeatedly dispensed from a container quickly and easily.
US08448801B2	Storage device having a cover fitting inner and outer containers A spin lock container comprising a container member having a bottom, an upper annular rim and a substantially continuous side wall extending from the bottom and terminating at the rim, the bottom and side wall defining a first member cavity, the rim including a first member skirt having a plurality of first threads, the plurality of first threads having substantially equidistant engagement points; and a closure member having a peripheral sealing portion and an inner sealing portion, the peripheral sealing portion including a sealing liner and a skirt having a plurality of second threads adapted and positioned to cooperate with the first threads, wherein sealable engagement of the container member and closure member is effectuated when the first and second threads are fully aligned and the inner sealing member is adapted to sealingly engage an inner container member, the inner container member fitting inside the outer container member when the peripheral sealing member is engaged with the outer container member.
US08448793B2	Framed jewelry wall organizer A framed jewelry wall organizer for storing and displaying jewelry is disclosed. This organizer is encased in a decorative frame. The central opening of the frame holds a fabricated clear, hard, plastic sheet with clear, hard, open top, rounded plastic cups on the front side of the sheet. Vacuum forming or injection molding creates this clear plastic sheet with clear cups and makes it one plastic unit. This clear plastic unit is then placed in the frame. A mat or mirror is then sandwiched behind the clear plastic sheet to add design. The mat or mirror can be clearly seen behind the transparent plastic sheet. Finally, a cardboard backing fits behind the mat or mirror and picture frame points are inserted to hold all of the components in the frame. The framed unit will be hung on a wall with picture frame hardware.
US08448780B2	Sheet bundle conveying apparatus and paper sheet handling apparatus In a system, a carrier includes one or more contact members that come into contact with a paper sheet bundle in which one or more paper sheets are stacked, to push the paper sheet bundle, and the paper sheet bundle is conveyed by the carrier along a conveying path. Suppressing unit that suppresses the paper sheet constituting the paper sheet bundle from passing through a gap existing between a constituent member and the contact members to enter on an inner side of the carrier, the constituent member forming a space of the conveying path, the paper sheet bundle pushed by the carrier coming into contact with the constituent member.
US08448777B2	Methods and apparatus for slip sheet metering for indexing product Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) including first and second supports (42A, 42B) each in the form of a thin piece of flexible material. The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106, 206) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the second support (42B) to the sweep conveyor (22) and from the first support (42A) to the second support (42B) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52B) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a metering bar (52A) which prevents unmetered product from tipping downstream. A sweep bar (62a) which collects the product on the sweep conveyor (22).
US08448772B2	Apparatus and method for water bottle return An apparatus and method for receiving a recyclable product is disclosed herein. In one embodiment the apparatus includes: an enclosed structure defining an interior cavity; a bottle return mechanism for determining when a bottle has been received within the interior cavity; and a mechanism coupled to the bottle return mechanism, the mechanism being configured to provide an output when the bottle return mechanism has determined that a bottle has been inserted into the interior cavity.
US08448770B2	Multiplate clutch A multiplate clutch has an assistive cam mechanism comprising a first cam member having a first recess and a second cam member having a first tooth inserted in the first recess, wherein at least one of abutment surfaces of the first recess and the first tooth in a power transmitting state for transmitting power from an input member to an output member comprises a slanted surface for increasing an urging force of a clutch spring upon acceleration in the power transmitting state. The multiplate clutch is prevented from being connected abruptly while sufficiently reducing a load with which to operate the clutch. The angle of intersection between the slanted surfaces and a plane perpendicular to a clutch central axis is set to a range from 80 degrees to 85 degrees.
US08448764B2	Rotation transmission device A rotation transmission device includes an outer ring having an inner periphery and an inner ring mounted inside the outer ring and having an outer periphery. A control retainer and a rotary retainer are disposed between opposed surfaces of the outer ring and the inner ring, and each of the retainers has a flange and bridges provided at the radially outer side of the respective flange and arranged circumferentially alternately with the bridges of the other retainer thereby defining pockets between the adjacent bridges. The control retainer is axially slidably and rotatably supported and the rotary retainer is axially immovably and rotatably supported. An electromagnetic clutch is mounted on a torque transmission shaft and includes an electromagnet having an electromagnetic coil, the electromagnetic clutch being configured to axially move the control retainer when the electromagnetic coil is energized and deenergized.
US08448762B2	Hydraulic brake lever apparatus A hydraulic brake lever apparatus is provided with a brake lever housing, a piston, a mounting structure, a brake lever, a fluid reservoir and a diaphragm. The brake lever housing includes a cylinder having the piston movably disposed within the cylinder. The mounting structure mounts the brake lever housing to a bicycle handlebar. The brake lever pivots relative to the brake lever housing to move the piston within the cylinder. The fluid reservoir fluidly communicates hydraulic fluid with the cylinder via a port. The fluid reservoir has a cylindrical shape and lies in a side by side relationship with the cylinder. The diaphragm is disposed within the fluid reservoir, and includes a substantial arrowhead shaped portion that allows the volume of the diaphragm to change smoothly while ensuring the volume of the hydraulic fluid chamber within the fluid reservoir.
US08448761B2	Valve mechanism for a gas suspension system A valve mechanism for a gas spring suspension system that equalizes the gas between positive and negative gas chambers when the pressure in the negative gas chamber exceeds the pressure in the positive gas chamber. The suspension system includes a tube, a piston assembly slidably displaceable along the tube and a valve mechanism. The piston assembly separates the tube into the positive gas chamber and the negative gas chamber. The valve mechanism is configured to permit gas flow between the positive and negative gas chambers when the gas pressure in the negative gas chamber exceeds the gas pressure in the positive gas chamber.
US08448758B2	Supplementary braking thrust apparatus for brake and supplementary method thereof Disclosed is a supplementary braking thrust apparatus for a brake, comprising a thruster. A push lever of the thruster acts on a brake unit. The supplementary braking thrust apparatus of the brake further comprises a supplementary braking mechanism, and the supplementary braking mechanism acts on a brake arm to realize supplementary braking. Also, disclosed is a supplementary braking method of a brake, comprising the following steps: applying a braking action to the brake arm using the thruster; and applying a further braking action to the brake arm using the supplementary braking mechanism to obtain supplementary braking of the brake.
US08448757B2	Electromechanical friction brake The invention relates to an electromechanical friction brake, for example in the form of a disc brake having an electromechanical actuation device. The electric motor of the actuation device presses a frictional brake lining against a brake disc by means of a reduction gearbox and a ball ramp mechanism. The actuation device is supported by a spring washer that is pretensioned so strongly that when the disc brake is released it acts on a segment with a falling spring characteristic; that is, a spring force exerted by the spring washer on the frictional brake lining increases with increasing tension of the disc brake.
US08448755B2	Disk brake The invention relates to a disk brake with an electromechanical actuator which, for example, has a piezo-element, and with a hydraulic self-energizing device. In order to control the self-energizing effect, the invention provides a valve hydraulically between an auxiliary piston of the self-energizing device and a brake piston of the disk brake with which the brake piston can be hydraulically isolated from the auxiliary piston. This means that the self-energizing effect of the disk brake can be switched off. Using a modulated valve control and/or use of a proportional valve, the level of the self-energizing effect can be controlled or regulated. In order to avoid a blockage, the invention additionally provides a blockage protection valve with which the auxiliary piston or the brake piston can be connected to a hydraulic accumulator at ambient pressure.
US08448750B2	Lubrication system level control A machine lubrication system that includes an assembly for sensing the level of lubricant in the reservoir, the reservoir including a follower that travels axially within the reservoir and substantially conforms to an inner cross-sectional dimension thereof, a magnet being attached to the follower for actuation of a plurality of magnetically actuated switches. The system may include a first and second level sensor, which may be independently connected to one or more power sources, where the first level sensor may be associated with an operator station, and the second level sensor may be associated with a remote indicator.
US08448749B2	Lubricating apparatus for follower bearing A leaf spring (S) and a lubricating member (L) are combined together and then mounted. The lubricating member (L) has a pair of protrusions (9) protruding from one of the two sides thereof to make contact with an outer ring (2) and a pair of wall faces (13) formed on the other side opposite to the pair of protrusions (9). The leaf spring (S) is formed in a mountain-like shape in cross section and provided with a pair of protruding pieces (14) that protrude from bottom edges of the mountain-like shape and respectively make contact with the wall faces (13) of the lubricating member to pinch the wall faces (13).
US08448746B2	Roofer's cushion bridge combination using same A roofer's cushion comprising a tapered block of compliant material, such as closed-cell expanded polystyrene, polyurethane of polyethylene. The block is tapered to compensate to at least some degree to the slope of a roof. A pair of shallow elongate and parallel depressions are formed in the top surface of the block and to accommodate a roofer's knees and lower legs comfortably therein. Additional receptacles of various sizes and locations are provided for tools and materials. A hold-down strap between the depressions uses hook and loop fastener technology to permit a board to be secured to and between two such roofer's cushions to form a ridge structure.
US08448739B2	In-vehicle smell notification system An in-vehicle smell notification system including a vehicle operating computer. A detector is operably connected with the vehicle operating computer and adapted to identify multiple external stimuli. A scent emitter includes multiple scent reservoirs. A controller is operably connected with the detector and the scent emitter and adapted to identify each of the multiple external stimuli and release a predetermined scent from the scent emitter upon identification of a predetermined stimulus.
US08448736B2	Bicycle deriving driving force by motor-generator Disclosed is a bicycle which is a means of short-distance movement favored by men and women of all ages. The present invention is an application of a bicycle having a motor-generator disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2009-035298 that the applicant of the present invention filed. Namely, a motor-generator is mounted on a side of the rear wheel of the bicycle, and a control box and a battery are mounted under the main pipe of the bicycle, and a change-over switch and a change speed switch are mounted on the handle of the bicycle. The present invention makes it possible to charge quickly and effectively via a motor-generator that is operated by the bicycle driving force on a downhill or level ground, and with charging made, the rotary force of the motor-generator is conveyed to the rear wheel to generate electric power, so that electromotive force is produced and stored by itself, and the driving force of the bicycle can be obtained by using the stored electric power. Therefore, it is possible to use the bicycle easily and conveniently for a long time, and it has an effect of much reduced leg fatigue even in the case of moving a long distance.
US08448720B2	Optimized pressure drilling with continuous tubing drill string A method of drilling a wellbore can include drilling the wellbore with a continuous tubing drill string, and sensing at least one parameter with an optical waveguide in the drill string. A well system can include a continuous tubing drill string, and an optical waveguide in the drill string. The optical waveguide may sense at least one parameter distributed along the drill string.
US08448718B2	Modified hand-held tool A method of modifying a hand-held tool which having a stationary handle actuated by a movable handle connected to a movable tool jaw by a connection linkage, the method including removing the moving handle and the stationary handle. A pneumatic actuator with a piston rod is added. The connection linkage is modified to extend between the piston rod and the movable tool jaw. A trigger is added between the pneumatic actuator and a source of pressurized gas.
US08448709B1	Method of killing an uncontrolled oil-gas fountain appeared after an explosion of an offshore oil platform A method for killing an uncontrolled fountain in an oil well following a blowout includes a serial lowering into the well of narrow flow restricting rods, each rod being sufficiently small in diameter to allow its insertion against a high well pressure urging the rods out of the well. Each subsequent rod reduces the cross-sectional area of the well and gradually reduces the flow of fluid discharge out of the well. Once the fountain is sufficiently reduced, the well may be killed using traditional sealing techniques such as pumping cement down the well.
US08448696B2	Coolant de-aeration reservoir A coolant de-aeration system is provided that includes a coolant reservoir, a plurality of de-aeration chambers within the reservoir, a plurality of de-aeration chamber apertures that direct coolant flow through the de-aeration chambers, a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet that share a common coolant flow pathway that allows the majority of coolant to flow directly between the reservoir inlet and the reservoir outlet, and a reservoir inlet aperture that directs a portion of coolant passing along the common coolant flow pathway through the reservoir's de-aeration chambers for de-aeration prior to being returned to the common coolant flow pathway.
US08448691B1	Bearing housing molding apparatus and method This invention teaches an improved apparatus and method to make metal alloy castings, such as subway car undercarriage bearing housings. One embodiment of the invention comprises a core mold assembly unit, wherein the mold unit is filled with molten metal. The core mold assembly units may be further formed of the same material, such as phenolic urethane impregnated sand, which is used to accurately replicate the desired shape of a final desired product.
US08448688B2	Method, apparatus and system for controlling a movable partition Various apparatuses, methods and systems for directionally controlling a movable partition are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include at least one roller assembly coupled to a portion of a movable partition. A roller element of the roller assembly may be configured to maintain contact with an adjacent surface (e.g., a floor) while the partition is displaced along a desired path even though the adjacent surface may exhibit unevenness, undulations or other substantially nonplanar surface features. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to maintain a substantially constant force between the roller element and the adjacent surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to maintain a force between the roller element and the adjacent surface substantially within a specified range. A steering actuator may also be used to select, or change, the orientation of the roller assembly with respect to the partition.
US08448682B2	Tire for heavy vehicles A tire comprising at least two working layers and at least one layer of circumferential reinforcing elements positioned radially between two working crown layers. At least one layer of circumferential reinforcing elements has an axial width greater than 0.5×S, and is made up of two parts separated axially from one another, and, axially between the two parts of the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements, two working crown layers are coupled over an axial width greater than 0.035×S.
US08448680B2	Tyre provided with an expelled-water deflector device Tire having a tread, sidewalls axially and radially extending towards the inside of the tread, the tread having a running surface, intended to be in contact with the ground during running, and axially lateral faces on either side of the tread, this tire having, furthermore, at least on one of the sidewalls and near the tread, a circumferential rib intended to modify the height of expelled water in the transverse direction (corresponding to a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the tire) in the case of the tire running on wet ground. The circumferential rib comprises a deflector device for deflecting the stream of expelled water in the case of the tire running on water-covered ground, this deflector device being formed from a plurality of protuberances projecting from the circumferential rib and being arranged in an oblique direction with respect to the transverse direction. The circumferential rib further includes a plurality of studs for reducing the power of the stream when the tire is running on water-covered ground, these studs being placed between the protuberances of the deflector device.
US08448678B2	Water collection apparatus and method An apparatus and method for passively collecting water in an environment where dew forms are disclosed. The apparatus has a radial body which includes a hydrophobic surface that is supported at a slope of about 10 to 80 degrees from the direction of gravity. The apparatus may also include ridges which increase the surface area of the body thus increasing dew collection and provide shade which reduces the temperature increase of the body when the apparatus is exposed to sunlight. The method includes supporting a hydrophobic radial surface at a slope of about 10 to 80 degrees from the direction of gravity and waiting for dew or condensation to form on the hydrophobic surface and run down the hydrophobic surface to either a reservoir or a beneficiary of the passively collected water, such as the roots of a plant.
US08448675B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring for a restriction in a stage II fuel vapor recovery system Systems and methods for detecting a failure in a Stage II fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. An exemplary failure is a restriction in the vapor recovery system. In one detection system dispensing points may be flagged if it is determined that there has been a series of detected A/L ratios at the respective dispensing point below a first threshold. Further, an estimated ORVR penetration percentage may be determined for each dispensing point. In a second detection system an average A/L ratio for each dispensing point may be determined. The average A/L ratio may be an approximation of the average A/L ratio for non-ORVR transactions.
US08448666B2	Water supply system for a linearly moving sprinkler irrigation system A water supply system is described for supplying water to a linearly moving irrigation system. The water supply system is able to take water from a stationary water supply conduit (either a collapsible conduit or a rigid conduit) and feed it into one end of a feed pipe for the irrigation system. The water supply system includes a pickup shoe which extends into the water supply conduit through a traveling opening in the top side of the conduit. The pickup shoe intercepts substantially all of the water in the supply conduit and pumps it upwardly through the traveling opening to the feed pipe for the irrigation system. The pump is located in the portion of the shoe which extends into the supply conduit.
US08448664B2	Fluid control device with fluid temperature display A fluid control device connected to a water pipe and having a mini water turbine and electrical generator combination for generating electricity by taking advantage of the water flow. The electricity is supplied to a temperature measurement member for measuring temperature of the water flowing through the device. The temperature in the form of electrical signal is sent to an LCD panel and circuit assembly for showing so as to visually alert a person using the tap water.
US08448662B1	High inlet pressure three-stage pressure regulator Two-stage and three-stage regulators having a piston situated in a first stage for substantially reducing high pressures introduced into the regulator. The reduced pressure from the first stage is exerted against a second-stage valve in a two-stage embodiment, and against an additional third-stage valve in a three-stage embodiment, each valve of which includes a plunger-actuated diaphragm that urges an actuator to open a ball valve at a selected pressure to allow fluid to flow out of the regulator at a desired and much-reduced pressure.
US08448622B2	Choke and priming system for an internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine that includes a carburetor having a choke valve and an actuator configured to move the choke valve between a closed choke position and an open choke position. A passageway is configured to direct a pressure pulse from the engine into a fuel chamber of the carburetor. The engine further includes a priming valve at least partially located within the passageway. The priming valve is configured to move between an open primer position that allows the pressure pulse to enter the fuel chamber through the passageway and a closed primer position that substantially restricts the pressure pulse from entering the fuel chamber through the passageway. The priming valve is configured to move between the open primer position and the closed primer position by the actuator when the actuator moves the choke valve between the closed choke position and the open choke position, respectively.
US08448619B2	Offset rocker arm assembly for thrust load applications The bearing for a rocker arm assembly has rolling elements positioned between an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve for supporting the radial load between the support pin and the rocker arm and an inner and outer bearing wall that abut one another and supports the axial load in the assembly.
US08448615B2	Electromagnetic camshaft-adjuster device An electromagnetic camshaft-adjuster device having an armature unit (14, 42) drivable along an axial direction in reaction of a current feed of a stationary inductor unit (10), which for interacting with an adjusting unit (16, 48) causing adjustment of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine is configured with a slide and/or tappet unit, wherein on and/or in the armature unit and/or the adjusting unit, a permanent magnet element (20, 44) is provided and the inductor unit and the armature unit are at least partially received in a housing or supporting unit, and wherein the supporting unit is associated with a configured stationary magnetic field detection element (22, 38) preferably for contactless magnetic interaction with the permanent magnet element, which is configured so that in a current feed condition and a non current feed condition the inductor unit an axial position of the armature unit and/or the adjusting unit can be determined electronically by evaluating a magnetic field detection signal of the magnetic field detection element.
US08448608B2	Tethering device with force-displacement system A tether device includes a tether assembly disposed between two entities maintaining connection between the entities. A resilient element is integrated with the tether assembly. A geometry of the tether assembly and the resilient element create first and second resilient element and tether force-displacement responses when the resilient element and tether assembly are together subjected to at least first and second axial displacement forces. The second axial displacement force is greater than the first axial displacement force. The first force-displacement response, when subjected to the first axial displacement force, is greater than the second force-displacement response when subjected to the second axial displacement force. The geometry can include a tether configured in a serpentine formation in a relaxed position. The serpentine formation straightens taut when the tether is fully extended by the second axial displacement force. The geometry can also include multiple O-rings.
US08448599B2	Device for processing a substrate, method of processing a substrate and method of manufacturing semiconductor device Provided is a substrate processing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which are hard to cause a defect in processing a substrate owing to that a pressure inside a process chamber is not kept constant, and which enable a better processing of a substrate.
US08448591B2	Method and arrangement for attachment and/or disassembly/assembly of a tunnel thruster A method and an assembly/disassembly arrangement for a tunnel thruster unit includes a thruster unit and a tunnel, a first attachment arrangement for fitting of said thruster unit to the tunnel and at least one further attachment arrangement for safe fitting of the thruster unit in the tunnel. A further attachment arrangement is in the form of a first interface device fixedly attached to and protruding from attached to the inside of the tunnel wall and a second interface device fixedly attached to the thruster unit.
US08448590B2	Tunnel rigging A self-supporting rotary rigging and, more specifically, a rigging that has a circular platform adjacent to the deck of the vessel, which makes it possible to control the rotation of the rigging and to install rotary stays and shrouds, which assists in stabilizing the rigging. The rigging is characterized by the existence of a small common boom securely joined to the base platform and to which are fastened the backstay and forestay, all the aforesaid making the rigging very secure and enabling the backstay and forestay to be capable of downward movement. There is a base crosstree, likewise securely connected to the platform, perpendicular to the stays, and to the end thereof are fastened the shrouds, enabling the later to work at a suitable angle. In addition, there is a tunnel across the lower part of the mast, which allows passage from one side of the rigging to the other.
US08448581B2	Table apparatus for a vehicle seat A table apparatus for a vehicle seat comprising a table, having at least one table leaf, and a table support mechanism, wherein the table support mechanism enables translational movement of the table between a substantially horizontal stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the linkage arrangement of the table support mechanism comprises at least one substantially horizontally extending support arm extending from a table support member, the table being mounted upon a distal end of the support arm, the support arm being pivotally connected to the table support member for rotation about a first pivot axis in a substantially horizontal plane about the support member, the table being pivotally connected to said distal end of the support arm for rotation about a second pivot axis in a substantially horizontal plane, linkage means being provided for normally constraining rotational movement of the table about the second pivot axis to follow rotational movement of the support arm about the first pivot axis such that the rearmost table face remains substantially aligned to the user such that the table orientation is maintained substantially parallel to its final deployed position during movement between said stowed and deployed configurations.
US08448580B2	Freight car bogie and freight car The present invention discloses a freight car bogie and a freight car. The freight car bogie comprises two wheel sets, two side frames arranged at outer side of said wheel sets, and a bolster fixedly connected to center position of each of said two side frames, respectively. The freight car bogie further comprises a K-shaped supporting device, wherein said K-shaped supporting device passes through preset holes on two sides of an abdominal region of said bolster; a first upper end and a second upper end, as well as a first lower end and a second lower end of said K-shaped supporting device are elastically connected with said two side frames respectively; and said first upper end and second upper end, and said first lower end and second lower end are respectively symmetrical with respect to a center line of said bolster. The K-shaped supporting device of the present application may not pass through the middle part of the bolster so that a reinforcing rib for bearing vertical load can be disposed on the middle part of the bolster, thereby increasing the anti-lozenge-distortion rigidity of the bogie as well as improving the strength of the bolster for bearing the vertical load.
US08448578B2	Guide roller arrangement for cranes A guide-roller arrangement for gantry cranes (1) has two rotatably mounted axial carriers (21) on which the guide rollers are seated. The guide rollers (11, 12) are mounted on journals which are arranged in the carrier plate (15) in a manner eccentric to the axis of rotation (41) of the axial carrier (21). The selected eccentric position of the journal can be fixed in a formfitting manner with the aid of toothing formations (29, 36) on the axial carrier and on the carrier plate.
US08448568B2	Oven An oven has a first conveyor, a first burner that directs heat toward the first conveyor from above the first conveyor, and a second burner directs heat toward the first conveyor from below the first conveyor. A method includes providing foodstuff on a conveyor, exposing the foodstuff to heat directed toward the foodstuff from above the conveyor, and exposing the foodstuff to heat directed toward the foodstuff from below the conveyor. Another oven has a first conveyor and first conveyor insulators that surround the first conveyor and define a first zone. Another method includes introducing foodstuff to a first conveyor belt within a first insulated zone, introducing heat into the first insulated zone, and retaining a portion of the heat within the first insulated zone. Another oven has an insulated cooking zone that closely envelopes a cooking path and an insulated oven zone that substantially envelopes the cooking zone.
US08448558B2	Ammunition feed system for firearm The present invention is a firearm cartridge feeding system to automatically feed firearm cartridges in a successive order one diameter of a firearm cartridge at a time, to the chamber of a bolt action, semi-automatic, or fully automatic firearm until all firearm cartridges in the system are expended. The firearm cartridges are stored in a tight spiral channel side by side to maximize the use of the peripheral space surrounding the area of a magazine well or feed point of a firearm. The housing or body of the firearm feeding system consists of a multiple segment body or housing. The housing contains a spiral channel, clutch mechanism pocket and a spring drive compartment which supports the storage of firearm cartridges and the arrangement of a drive system for feeding the firearm cartridges to the feed lips.
US08448550B2	Lathe with two workpiece spindles A machining apparatus has a frame and two generally parallel horizontal guides on the frame, one of which extends through at least one loading station and through at least one work station. A slide carrying a pair of spindles each capable of gripping a workpiece is shiftable between positions with the spindles aligned with the stations. A tool holder is shiftable on the other of the guides toward and away from the work station. Respective guides between each of the spindles and the slide allow vertical movement of the spindles on the slide. Actuators shift the slide horizontally on the one guide, shift the tool holder horizontally parallel to the slide on the other guide, and shift the spindles vertically on the slide.
US08448549B2	Tool post of machine tool with elastically deforming tool holder locating device The present invention provides a tool post of a machine tool capable of enhancing the accuracy of positioning a tool. A positioning key 20 is fixed to an attached surface 10c formed on a tool holder 10, and a positioning block 21 fitting to the positioning key 20 is fixed to a holder attaching surface 11c formed on an outer peripheral surface 11a of a turret 11, in which the positioning key 20 is elastically deformed when it is fitted to the positioning block 21, and thereby brought into close contact with the positioning block 21.
US08448548B2	Bolt tightening method, bolt tightening device, bolt supplying method, and bolt supplying device A tightening head (1) is provided with at least two sockets (4i, 4ii) which are alternatively connected to an output shaft of a nut runner (3), a socket replacing mechanism (6) and a bolt supplying mechanism (7). The socket replacing mechanism (6) is provided with a moving mechanism (61) and a posture changing mechanism (64). The moving mechanism (61) moves each socket (4i, 4ii) between a using position where the socket (4i, 4ii) agrees with an axis of the output shaft of the nut runner (3) and a waiting position which is distant from the axis. The posture changing mechanism (64) changes a posture of each socket (4i, 4ii) to an upward posture corresponding to the waiting position and to a tightening posture corresponding to the using position. The bolt supplying mechanism 7 is provided with bolt magazines (8i, 8ii) and bolt holding mechanism (9i, 9ii).During a bolt tightening step is executed by one socket in the using position, the bolt (B) is supplied to the other socket in the waiting position.
US08448543B2	Clamping device for rotary index device for machine tool In a rotary index device for a machine tool, in which the index position of, for example, a circular table is maintained by normally clamping a clamp disc with a clamping mechanism and in which, for example, the circular table is unclamped by an unclamping mechanism when an indexing operation is performed, the clamping mechanism includes a fixing portion, a resiliently deformable supporting portion, and an urging mechanism. The fixing portion is fixed to a housing of the rotary index device for the machine tool. One end of the supporting portion is secured to the fixing portion, and a pressing portion having a face that opposes the clamp disc is secured to the other end of the supporting member. The urging mechanism normally urges the supporting portion towards the clamp disc to realize a state in which the clamp disc is pressed by the pressing portion.
US08448537B2	Rotating lever position holding apparatus A spring includes a coil portion and first and second arms. The coil portion is supported around a support portion of a base member. The first arm includes a projecting portion that slides the engagement projecting portion in association with rotation of the rotating lever and presses the rotating lever in a direction in which the rotating lever abuts a first stopper portion when the rotating lever is in a first position and in which the rotating lever abuts a second stopper portion when the rotating lever is in a second position. The second arm abuts a spring stopper portion of the base member in a state where a load is exerted in a direction in which the coil portion is wound so that an inner circumferential surface of the coil portion is pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the support portion facing the engagement projecting portion.
US08448532B2	Actively cooled vapor preconcentrator An analyte collection system device includes an active area that includes a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The plurality of perforations are arranged to permit passage of an analyte fluid flow through the microscale plate. A heating element is provided for heating the active area, and a thermal distribution layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area. For cooling the active area at or below an ambient temperature, an active cooler is provided.
US08448528B2	Three-piece torque sensor assembly A target magnet assembly configured to be secured to a rotating shaft of a steering gear assembly. The target magnet assembly includes an index hub with a mount and a magnet secured by the mount. The mount includes a tab with a protrusion extending from the tab, a finger, and a stop. The magnet includes an axial retention groove receiving the finger, a top surface abutting the stop, and a radial retention groove receiving the protrusion.
US08448524B2	Magnetic inductive flow meter A magnetic-inductive flow meter is provided that includes a pressure-resistant plastic housing that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and an intermediate measuring unit that has a duct wall and a measurement duct through which the fluid to be measured flows. Two opposite measuring electrodes are arranged in the duct wall and are oriented perpendicular to the magnet poles. Taking into account the maximum admissible pressure for the selected plastic, the duct wall is reduced to a minimum admissible thickness in the region of the magnet poles. An internal reinforcement cage that includes at least two internal transverse bulkheads and at least two internal longitudinal ribs stabilizes the duct wall. An external reinforcement cage that includes at least two first external longitudinal ribs retains and stabilizes the internal reinforcement cage and connects the measuring unit in a tension-proof manner to the inlet port and the outlet port.
US08448519B2	Industrial process transmitter with high static pressure isolation diaphragm coupling A process transmitter for measuring a process variable comprises a sensor module and a static pressure coupling. The sensor module comprises a sensor for measuring a process variable of an industrial process and for generating a sensor signal. The sensor includes a hydraulic fluid inlet within the module. The static pressure coupling is connected to the sensor module and comprises a isolator fitting, a process fluid coupling and an isolation diaphragm. The isolator fitting is inserted into the sensor module and connected to the hydraulic fluid inlet. The process fluid coupling is joined to the isolator fitting. The isolation diaphragm is positioned between the isolator fitting and the process fluid coupling outside of the sensor module.
US08448518B2	Removable wear-plate assembly for acoustic probes Disclosed is a wear plate assembly for NDT/NDI probes which provides sufficient protection for the probe being wrung against test objects, desirable acoustic performance meeting the requirements for versatile ultrasonic inspections while providing a mechanism that allows the transducer to be put into or taken out conveniently. The wear plate protects probes from being pieced, worn or structurally deformed albeit being thinner than a wavelength of the acoustic echoes.
US08448516B2	Apparatus and method for assessing percutaneous implant integrity Provided is an apparatus for assessing interface integrity between a medium and an implant. A first signal is translated from a motion of an impact body during impact with an abutment connected to the implant. In some embodiments, the first signal is filtered using a zero phase shift filter and then used for assessing the interface integrity. Since no phase shift is introduced, the interface integrity is accurately assessed. In another embodiment, the apparatus maintains a system model for impacting the impact body against the abutment. The apparatus analytically determines an interface property by applying a system property that has been determined to the system model. An accurate system model allows for an accurate assessment. According to another broad aspect, there is provided a method of conducting the impact test. According to the method, a person ensures that the impact body impacts against a consistent portion of the abutment.
US08448513B2	Rotary disk gyroscope A rotary disk gyroscope (20) includes a drive mass (28) and a sense mass (32). The sense mass (32) includes a cutout region (46, 48) located proximate an axis of rotation (40). Torsion springs (38), located in the cutout region (46, 48), connect the sense mass (32) to the drive mass (28). The torsion springs (38) enable the sense mass (32) to rotate about the axis of rotation (40) in response to an angular velocity of the gyroscope (20). Spring anchorage structures (30) are also positioned in the cutout region (46, 48), and flexibly couple the drive mass (28) to the substrate (22). In addition, a drive system (68) resides in the cutout region (46, 48) and actuates the drive mass (28) to move with an oscillatory motion. In a dual axis configuration, the gyroscope (20) further includes a rectangular-shaped second sense mass (36) surrounding the disk-shaped drive mass (28).
US08448509B2	Device and method for determination regarding the liquid level in containers A measurement device (3) and a method for determination regarding the liquid level in a container (1) with a wall (2) is described. A force is applied in a point on the wall on the outside of the container (1) and the resulting impulse response is measured and calculated. From the impulse response a determination is made regarding the liquid level in the container.
US08448503B2	Hot-film air-mass meter having a flow separating element A hot-film air-mass meter for measuring an air-mass flow which flows in the main direction of the flow, which can be used, in particular, in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The hot-film air-mass meter comprises a sensor chip having a measuring surface. The air-mass flow flows essentially parallel over one surface of the sensor chip. A flow separating element is mounted upstream from the measuring surface with respect to the main flow direction. The at least one flow separating element is designed in such a way that the air-mass flow is separated from the measuring surface of the sensor chip in at least one separation zone prior to reaching the measuring surface.
US08448501B2	Multiple frequency atomic force microscopy An apparatus and technique for extracting information carried in higher eigenmodes or harmonics of an oscillating cantilever or other oscillating sensors in atomic force microscopy and related MEMs work is described.
US08448493B2	Gas chromatograph-combustion system and method for mass spectrometry A gas chromatograph-combustion apparatus and method are disclosed in which the carrier gas type and flow rate is continuously exchanged to facilitate high speed, high sensitivity compound specific isotope analysis. Samples are injected into a gas chromatograph that uses H2 as the carrier gas. The gas stream exiting the gas chromatograph is passed through a combustion system in which H2 and the samples are combusted, simultaneously and totally, to oxidize the sample to CO2 and/or N2 gas, and to convert H2 gas to water vapor. Water vapor is removed using a water separator. Therefore, combustion serves the dual purpose of preparing the samples for isotopic analysis and converting H2 to water vapor, which can be easily separated out. A second carrier gas may be used to convey the CO2 and N2 to a mass spectrometer where the isotopic composition (e.g. 14C or 15N) is determined.
US08448487B2	Vessel forming station An embodiment of the present invention is a vessel forming station comprising a plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of operation wheels are configured in opposing facing pairs, a plurality of linear drives are interconnected with the plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of linear drives push opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operations to a closed position causing opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels to engage the vessel and perform operations on the vessel, the linear drives pull the plurality of operation wheels to an open position allowing the vessel to be indexed to other operation positions, and a conveyor system positioned between opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operation wheels engages the vessel and indexes the vessel through the plurality of operations.
US08448484B2	Rekeyable lock cylinder A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a plurality of first rack components, a plurality of second rack components and a guide bar having a first surface engaged with the first rack components. The second rack components are movable via contacting against a first matched key which is inserted in a first direction. The guide bar has a second surface, a first side, a second side, and a tool-receiving portion recessed into the first side. The tool-receiving portion is parallel to the first direction, and the first rack components are actuated by the guide bar via acting force applied by the rekeying tool accommodated in the tool-receiving portion therefore enabling the first rack components to move in a transverse direction relative to the first direction and disengaging the first rack components from the second rack components.
US08448478B2	Washing/drying machine Disclosed is the washing/drying machine including a fragrance supplying means for supplying fragrance, and a heat supplying means for supplying heat to promote evaporation of a fragrance source stored in the fragrance supplying means. The washing/drying machine uses heat supplied by the heat supplying means so as to promote evaporation of a fragrance source in the fragrance supplying means, thereby increasing efficiency in fragrance supply.
US08448474B1	Article of footwear incorporating a knitted component with a tongue Articles of footwear may have an upper that includes a knit element and a tongue. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and extends through a throat area of the upper. Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear may include knitting a tongue. The tongue is held on needles of a knitting machine. A first portion of a knit element is formed with the knitting machine while the tongue is held on the needles. The tongue is then joined to the first portion of the knit element. Additionally, a second portion of the knit element is formed with the knitting machine.
US08448471B2	Glass substrate processing device using laser beam A processing device is configured to irradiate a laser beam onto a glass substrate for processing. The processing device has a work table, a laser beam output section, a multi-spot focus section, a rotation drive mechanism, an optical system, and a laser beam scan section. The multi-spot focus section receives a laser beam, and splits and focuses the laser beam inputted therein into a plurality of beam focus spots. The rotation drive mechanism rotates the plurality of beam focus spots about a single center axis that is arranged in a center of the plurality of beam focus spots. The optical system guides the laser beam to the multi-spot focus section. The laser beam scan section moves all the plurality of beam focus spots rotating about the single center axis in a desired direction within a predetermined range of a plane arranged along a surface of the glass substrate.
US08448470B2	Method for manufacturing curved glass sheet and mold employed in the same A method for manufacturing curved glass sheet includes the following steps: providing a mold which includes a first mold core and a second mold core corresponding to the first mold core; providing a raw glass sheet and placing the raw glass sheet on the second mold core; heating the first mold core to a first temperature, and heating the second mold core and the raw glass sheet to a second temperature which is equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature of the glass sheet but higher than the first temperature; closing the mold and hot pressing the first mold core on the glass sheet; opening the mold, and cooling the glass sheet to obtain the curved glass sheet. An annealing step can also be provided to the curved glass sheet. A mold for manufacturing the curved glass sheet is also provided.
US08448455B2	Method for cooling a cryostat configuration during transport and cryostat configuration with transport cooler unit A method for cooling a cryostat configuration (1, 1′) during transport, wherein the cryostat configuration (1) comprises a superconducting magnet coil (2) in a helium tank (8) containing liquid helium (9), which is surrounded by at least one radiation shield (10), wherein the cooling inside the cryostat configuration (1, 1′) in stationary operation is performed entirely without liquid nitrogen by means of a refrigerator, characterized in that during transport, the refrigerator is switched off and instead, liquid nitrogen (6) is conducted from an external nitrogen vessel (4) via a supply tube (7) from the nitrogen vessel (4) to the cryostat configuration (1, 1′) and brought into thermal contact with the radiation shield (10) by means of a thermal contact element (11) in the cryostat configuration (1, 1′). In this way, the consumption of liquid helium during transport can be greatly reduced and the possible transport time of a charged superconducting magnet configuration increased.
US08448438B2	Indirect-fired gas turbine power plant An indirect-fired gas turbine power plant comprises a compressor; a turbine mechanically coupled to the compressor; a furnace; a heat exchanger inside the furnace and fluidly coupled at an inlet end to the compressor and at an outlet end to the turbine; and means for forming a gas barrier around a portion of the heat exchanger to impede combustion products from contacting the heat exchanger. Such means can be a plurality of gas discharge manifolds located around a portion of the heat exchanger. The manifolds can be coupled to heated working gas exhausted by the turbine.
US08448436B2	Tunable impedance load-bearing structures A tunable impedance load bearing structure includes a support comprising an active material configured for supporting a load, wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition, wherein the change in the property is effective to change an impedance characteristic of the support.
US08448435B2	Control of a shape memory alloy actuation arrangement An SMA actuation apparatus comprises: an SMA actuator arranged to drive movement of a movable element; a current supply supplying a drive current; a detection circuit detecting a measure of the resistance of the SMA actuator; and a control unit operative to generate a closed-loop control signal supplied to current supply for controlling the power of the drive current to drive the resistance of the SMA actuator to a target value. The control unit derives: an estimate of a characteristic temperature of the SMA actuation apparatus on the basis of the supplied power, using a thermal model; and a resistance offset on the basis thereof. The closed-loop control signal is generated on the basis of the error between the measure of the resistance of the SMA actuator and the target value of the resistance of the SMA actuator, adjusted by the resistance offset to compensate for variations in resistance.
US08448434B2	Shape memory alloy drive device A shape memory alloy drive device has drive control portion for displacing a shape memory alloy up to a target displacement value by applying a voltage or an electric current to the shape memory alloy by servo control, and also has contact detection portion for detecting a predetermined change in a drive control value, or, for example, a sharp increase in the drive control value, representing the amount of the voltage of the electric current applied by the drive control portion. When detecting a predetermined change, the contact detection portion determines that a movable portion having a lens etc. mounted thereon is in contact with a stationary mechanism. The shape memory alloy drive device further has drive limiting portion which, when the determination described above is made, causes the drive control portion to limit the target displacement value within a predetermined range. This limits an electric current flowing when the movable portion makes contact with the stationary mechanism, preventing overheating and excess stress.
US08448428B2	Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine In an exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine, a NOx selective reduction catalyst for reducing NOx with ammonia that is adsorbed on the NOx selective reduction catalyst is disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine. In the NOx selective reduction catalyst, ammonia in a first adsorption state that is adsorbed at a low temperature and ammonia in a second adsorption state that is adsorbed at a high temperature are present. Because ammonia, which has been in the first adsorption state and which is desorbed from the NOx selective reduction catalyst, tends to be discharged to the atmosphere, a control section that estimates an adsorption amount of ammonia in the first adsorption state is provided in the exhaust gas purification system for the internal combustion engine in order to control the adsorption amount of ammonia in the first adsorption state within a specified level.
US08448423B2	Method and apparatus for controlling operation of a spark-ignition direct-injection engine Operation of a spark ignition, direct injection engine having an aftertreatment system including an oxidation catalyst and a selective catalyst reduction device is described. The method includes controlling to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and retarding spark ignition timing. Engine fueling is then controlled to a lean air/fuel ratio and spark is retarded. The engine is then operated to generate ammonia reductant. Engine operation then comprises operating at a preferred air/fuel ratio and controlling spark ignition timing to a preferred timing.
US08448421B2	HC adsorber with OBD capability A device and process for storing hydrocarbons as part of an exhaust emission control system and diagnosing the state of said device based on the incorporation of reactive metal species within the porous microstructure of the associated hydrocarbon adsorbent.
US08448420B2	Aircraft nacelle that incorporates a device for reversing thrust An aircraft nacelle in which a power plant is arranged delimits a duct for a flow which assists the thrust. The nacelle includes a device for reducing, canceling, or reversing the thrust that includes at least one flap that can have an active position in which it deflects—in the direction of a radial opening—at least a portion of the flow and an at-rest position in which the flap does not interfere with the flow, whereby the wall of the nacelle delimiting the duct includes at least one moving part that can occupy a first position in which it is interposed between the flow to be deflected and the flap and another position in which it releases the flap so as to allow the flap to change position and to move from the at-rest position to the active position.
US08448414B2	Method and apparatus for packaging products, and associated package blank A method for packaging products including the steps of delivering an initial packaging material to a package assembly line; reshaping the initial packaging material into self-supporting initial packages; packaging the products in these initial packages; delivering second packaging material to the package assembly line and packaging the initial packages, filled with the products, in the second packaging material. The initial packaging material is delivered in the form of strip stock which is converted in the package assembly line into individual package blanks; and reshaped into the initial packages. This makes packaging possible in the shortest possible time, with nevertheless high flexibility.
US08448413B2	Method for making reclosable package having an accessible zipper A reclosable package includes a tray, a top sheet, and a fastener. The tray has a well for receiving contents and a peripheral flange surrounding the well. The top sheet is attached to the peripheral flange. The fastener has two interlocking members, one attached to the peripheral flange and the other attached to the top sheet. A tamper-evident feature located on the package prevents access to the fastener and is connected thereto by one or two lines of weaknesses. In one embodiment with one or two lines of weakness in the top sheet, the fastener remains adjacent to the tray's peripheral flange, which is intact after the tamper-evident feature is removed by tearing along these lines of weakness. In a second embodiment with two lines of weakness, the tamper-evident feature, comprised of portions of the peripheral flange and the top sheet, is torn from the package along both lines of weakness.
US08448412B2	Wrapping method A wrapping machine for wrapping a product with a plastic film including a supporting frame with which a ring arrangement is associated that rotates around a wrapping axis of the film and around the product. The supporting frame further supports a carriage arranged for supporting a reel of the film and for supporting a first roller and a second roller for unwinding and stretching the film. A first motor and a second motor are mounted on the supporting frame and coupled, respectively, with the first roller and the second roller.
US08448411B2	Method and machine to group and join articles The present invention concerns a method and a machine to group and join at last two articles by attaching a first packaging to form a packaging unit. The individual packaging units are joined together with an additional second packaging to form a bigger unit. The process is carried out continuously, whereby the packaging units are transposed or not.
US08448404B2	Bond beam rebar positioner A bond beam rebar positioner including a center segment having an undulating form positioned between first and second legs, each of the legs including a first segment arranged perpendicular to a notional straight line longitudinally bisecting the curves of the center segment, a second segment perpendicular to the first segment, parallel to the straight line, and in a direction away from the center segment, and a third segment perpendicular to the second segment, coplanar with the second segment, and perpendicular to a common plane of the center, first and second segments.
US08448402B2	Mechanical locking of building panels Building panels (1, 1′) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system having tongue (30) of magnetic material that could be locked vertically by a magnetic field.
US08448396B2	Laminated insulated timber for building construction A laminated insulated timber is described possessing a laminate essentially composed of plurality of side planks, a top plank and a bottom plank that box in an insulation member. The planks are offset relative to one another to form a tongue and groove arrangement. In this manner, other like laminated insulated timbers join together along the tongue and groove arrangements to interlock and stack, thus forming a structural wall of laminated insulated timbers.
US08448395B2	Wall framing system The invention relates to a wall framing system (1), comprising a channel member (2 and a stud member (6) for interconnection with said channel member (2), the stud member (6) being insertable between side walls (4, 5) of the channel member (2), and comprising locking means or members (10) for fixating the stud member (6) to the channel member (2), where said locking members (10) are arranged to exert a force on inner surfaces (11, 12) of the side walls (8, 9) of the stud member (6) such that, when the locking means (10) are engaged with the stud member (6), outer surfaces (13, 14) of the side walls (8, 9) of the stud member (6) are pressed against inner surfaces (15, 16) of the side walls (4, 5) of the channel member (2) thereby achieving a frictional engagement between the contacting surfaces of the stud member (6) and the channel member (2). The invention also relates to a stud member (6) for use in a wall framing system (1) as described above. The invention further relates to a method for assembling a wall framing system (1) as described above.
US08448391B2	Photovoltaic module with removable wind deflector A photovoltaic (PV) module assembly including a PV module, a deflector, and a clip. The PV module includes a PV device and a frame. A PV laminate is assembled to the frame, and the frame includes a support arm forming a seat. The deflector defines a front face and a rear face, with the clip extending from either the trailing frame member or the rear face of the deflector. In a mounted state, the deflector is nested within the seat and is releasably mounted to the trailing frame member via the clip. In some embodiments, the support arm forms a second seat, with the PV module assembly providing a second mounted state in which the deflector is in a differing orientation/slope, nested within the second seat and releasably mounted to the trailing frame member via the clip.
US08448388B1	Tamper-proof vase A vase assembly includes an outer vase including a top portion having an open top end, a bottom end, at least one sidewall, and an internal cavity, a base portion having a top end connected to the bottom end of the top portion, a bottom end, at least one sidewall, and an internal cavity, and at least one locking component disposed on the base portion. An insert is removably disposed within the internal cavity of the top portion of the outer vase. The insert includes an open top end, a closed bottom end, at least one sidewall, and an internal cavity. A locking mechanism removably secures the insert within the outer vase. The at least one locking component is adapted for securing the outer vase against removal from a support.
US08448383B2	Door drive for a swing door of a passenger transport vehicle The subject of the invention is a door drive for a swing door of a passenger transport vehicle, comprising a rotary post, which is arranged at the vehicle, with at least one pivot arm for arrangement at a door leaf, wherein a motor is arranged in the rotary post and is connected with the rotary post, wherein at least one planetary transmission stage is provided for stepping down the rotational speed of the motor and wherein the pinion cage of the at least one planetary transmission stage comprises a rotary element, particularly a pinion, which is fixable.
US08448382B2	Apparatus for transferring electric power between a closable member and a frame A device for transferring electrical power between a frame and a closable member such as a door includes a first housing and face plate disposed in an opening in the frame and a second housing and face plate disposed in an opening in the closable member edge. The openings are positioned so that when the closable member is closed the openings are aligned. A hollow elbow assembly is rotatably disposed and secured in each hole. A tube having a pivot guide at each end is rotatably and axially slidable in each elbow assembly. A slot in each elbow assembly allows the tube to pivot. A wire bundle in the tube is connectable to wire leads. Boots may be supplied around the tube/elbow assemblies' junctions to exclude water. Thus, the wire bundle is fully contained within a protective, articulated, armored sheath to prevent wear, chafing, breakage, and vandalism.
US08448380B1	Wicknet A wicktube can transfer liquid from one end to the other end by capillary action, and a wickswitch can control this capillary liquid transferring action. Wicktubes are connected together to form a wickhub. A wicknet combines wickhubs, wicktubes, and liquid reservoirs to form a network. Wickconnectors connect the elements of the wicknet. Wicknet and wickswitches can control the liquid supply of the plants in a garden or farm. This liquid supply control can be precise if electronic controller and some sensors are added. It is simple, slow and clean. And it uses only minimum amount of liquid. Plants can be hung on the wall to form a garden on the wall, a hanging garden.
US08448357B2	Coupler Couplers for attaching an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator. Couplers having a first side for attaching the coupler to the excavator arm and a second side onto which the accessory will be coupled. The coupler includes a latch for selectively securing and releasing an attachment pin of the accessory in a jaw, groove, hook or slot in the second side of the coupler. The coupler is fully controllable from within the cab of the excavator and it allows improved security in the securement of the accessory to the coupler, i.e. preventing accidental decouplings, but while still allowing intentional decoupling operations to be carried out without undue burden.
US08448354B2	Single eyelet laces with interlocking aglets and methods of lacing the same A kit including (a) an article having a plurality of pairs of opposing eyelets, including a first pair of opposing eyelets near a top of the article and a second pair of opposing eyelets disposed beneath the first pair of opposing eyelets; (b) a first lace that is threadable through respective eyelets of the first pair of opposing eyelets and fixable at insides of the eyelets, said first lace having (i) a first elastic body; and (ii) one of a stop or openable stop on one end of the first body; and (iii) an openable stop on an opposite end of the first body; and (c) a second lace that is threadable through respective eyelets of the second pair of opposing eyelets and fixable at insides of the eyelets, said second lace having (i) a second elastic body; and (ii) one of a stop or openable stop on one end of the second body; and (iii) an openable stop on an opposite end of the second body; and wherein at least the openable stop on the opposite end of the first body can interlock with the openable stop on the opposite end of the second body with the first and second laces threaded through the first and second pair of eyelets respectively. Also, a method for using the kit.
US08448351B2	Article of footwear with straps An article of footwear with straps is disclosed. The article includes provisions for releasably securing the straps to a sole structure of the article. End portions of the straps are provided with separable portions that can be individually inserted through apertures in the sole structure. In addition, a thong portion includes separable portions that can be individually inserted through an aperture in the sole structure.
US08448350B2	Protective foot covering and dance shoes incorporating same A protective foot cover for use in dance, exercise, or athletic applications using strategically placed thicker protective pieces in ball and toe areas of the foot in connection with an elastic material in the sole structure to allow the foot to move freely and provide less of a barrier between the foot and floor such that a dancer can better sense the floor upon which they dance. The foot cover incorporates strategically placed protective patches that provide support, protection, and comfort to the ball and toe portions of the foot. The patches are spaced from one another so that the footwear is able to move more naturally with the expansion of the foot as pressure is applied to the foot. The foot cover may be used alone, whereby the toe and heel portions of the foot are exposed, or in combination with a dance shoe providing a stretchable sole running from the arch portion to the toe portion of the foot.
US08448348B1	Construction method and apparatus The invention comprises novel apparatuses and methods for positioning and/or for determining the locations of one structural member such as a stud, rafter or joist on another structural member such as a beam during construction.
US08448346B2	Trigger assembly for parts checking jigs and the like A trigger assembly for parts checking jigs and the like has a pivoting trigger arm with a central bearing aperture. A universal base is supported on the jig, and has two pairs of pivot pin apertures located adjacent opposite ends, a U-shaped central channel in the bottom face in which the trigger arm is received, and two laterally spaced gauge bushing apertures in the upper face. A pivot pin extends through the bearing aperture in the trigger arm and one pair of the pivot pin apertures in the base. A spring is mounted in the base and biases the trigger arm to an extended position. A gauge bushing is received in one of the two bushing apertures, such that the trigger arm assembly can be readily reconfigured for placement at various locations on the jig by selective mounting of the trigger arm and the gauge bushing in selected ones of the associated base apertures.
US08448341B2	Bow-sight mount A sight mount is provided and may include a frame, a first bracket slidably supported by the frame, and an arm rotatably attached to the first bracket at a first pivot point and rotatably supported by the frame at a second pivot point. A first adjustment assembly may adjust a distance between the first pivot point and the second pivot point. A second adjustment assembly may include a rotatable wheel to pivot the arm about the second pivot in response to rotation of the wheel relative to the frame to move the first bracket relative to the frame.
US08448335B2	Method of manufacturing a wall structure and a machining tool A method of manufacturing a wall structure includes producing at least one elongated web in a workpiece by feeding a machining tool along the workpiece, wherein the machining tool simultaneously machines a first side surface of the web, a second side surface of the web and a top surface of the web.
US08448334B2	Forming self-healing insulation for magnet wire A process for remediating the insulating properties of magnet wire insulation is described. Magnet wire, used in electric motors and other electrical devices, comprises an electrically-conductive core covered by a thin insulating layer. The insulating layer may be damaged or compromised during manufacture or service. A process for incorporating polymerizable materials, sequestered in microcapsules, within the insulating layer is described. When the insulating layer is subjected to conditions sufficient to compromise its insulating character, the microcapsules fracture and release their contents which then polymerize and re-establish the insulating properties of the layer.
US08448333B2	Method for manufacturing wiring board and method for manufacturing inkjet printhead substrate A method for manufacturing a wiring board includes a first process of preparing a substrate having a hole passing through a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a second process of closing the opening of the hole in the first surface with a wiring member; a third process of supplying a powder conductive material onto the second surface to fill the hole with the conductive material; a fourth process of removing the conductive material that is not charged into the hole from the top of the second surface; and a fifth process of melting the conductive material that fills the hole by heating the conductive material and thereafter solidifying the conductive material.
US08448330B2	Method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head A manufacturing method for a thin-film magnetic head including first and second magnetic layers, a gap layer, a thin-film coil, and a coil insulating layer for insulating neighboring ones of turns of the thin-film coil. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: forming the first magnetic layer; forming the gap layer on the first magnetic layer; forming the second magnetic layer on the gap layer; forming the thin-film coil; and forming the coil insulating layer. The coil insulating layer is formed by stacking a plurality of insulating films formed by chemical vapor deposition.
US08448327B2	Method of manufacturing radiation tomography apparatus A method of manufacturing radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention includes a first spacer joining step of joining a spacer to a radiation detector, and a second spacer joining step of joining both the radiation detectors to each other via the spacer such that clearance between adjacent scintillators corresponds to integral multiples of an arrangement pitch of scintillation counter crystal. Accordingly, the scintillators provided in the radiation tomography apparatus of this invention are arranged more regularly, which achieves enhanced spatial resolution of the radiation tomography apparatus.
US08448325B2	Drawer dishwasher installation kit assembly An installation kit assembly and method permit convenient installation of a drawer dishwasher in a cavity of a kitchen worktop, such that the front of the dishwasher is directed out from the cavity, the cavity having at least one inner wall. The installation kit assembly includes at least one fixation device, having a first part and a second part, which are foldably interconnected, at least one fastener for attaching the first part of the at least one fixation device to the inner wall of the cavity, and at least one second fastener for attaching the second part of the one fixation device to the front of the drawer dishwasher.
US08448311B2	Method of manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrator When a base substrate where through electrodes are formed is anodically bonded to a lid substrate that includes a bonding film formed on the entire lower surface thereof, a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrator includes a superimposing process for superimposing the lid substrate on the base substrate so that a piezoelectric vibrating reed is received in a cavity, after bonding the piezoelectric vibrating reed to the upper surface of the base substrate; a setting process for placing a dummy member, which is made of a material in which ions can be transferred at a bonding temperature, on an electrode plate, and placing the superimposed substrates on the dummy member so that the base substrate faces the dummy member; and an applying process for applying a bonding voltage between the electrode plate and the bonding film after heating the dummy member and the substrates up to the bonding temperature.
US08448304B2	Zipper tooth structure and the zipper composed thereof A zipper (60) which can prevent the teeth disengagement from overbending or twisting force includes pluralities of teeth (1), wherein each tooth (1) comprises of a clamp portion (7) having a slit (2) for receiving a fabric tape, and one side thereof forms a left wall (12) of said tooth (1); a hook portion (3) is extended from another side the clamp portion (7) forming a dimple (8) and a right wall (11) of said tooth (1); a slot (4) parallel to said slit (2) is provided on an outer wall of said hook portion (3); a blocking member (5) parallel to said slot (4) is provided at said dimple (8); and a projected joint member (6) is provided onto said right wall (11) where is close to the slot (4).
US08448300B2	Auxiliary handle An auxiliary handle for a hand-held power tool has a handle piece, a fixation means for fixing the auxiliary handle to the hand-held power tool, a rod with at least one set of teeth, and a guide in which the rod is seated longitudinally movably. A locking mechanism has a pawl, a pivot axis about which the pawl can be rotated between a locking position and a release position, and at least one locking tooth on the pawl that engages in a locked position with the guide, and is pivoted out of the guide in a release position. A spring element initially tensions the pawl into the locking position. A distance of the spring element from the pivot axis is less than a distance of the locking tooth from the pivot axis.
US08448296B2	Side load carrier and balance system for window sashes A carrier assembly can be used to couple a balance assembly with a window sash. The carrier assembly can engage the window sash to transfer a force from the balance assembly to balance a weight of the window sash. The carrier assembly, due to interactions of the window sash with the carrier assembly and the balance assembly with the carrier assembly, can tightly engage the window sash, either directly or through a bracket, to substantially eliminate unselected movement or forces applied from the balance assembly.
US08448290B2	Device for the jointed connection of a wiper blade The invention relates to a device (10) for the jointed connection of a wiper blade (12), having a wiper arm (18), wherein a connector (20) intended to be connected to the wiper blade (12) has a joint part (32) which forms a joint with a joint part (40) on a connector (38) intended to be connected to the wiper arm, and one of the joint parts (40) is a hub (40) open in the longitudinal direction of the associated component (20 or 28), the hub being supported with respect to the other component (38) in the direction opposite (42) the hub opening (42) when in the installed state, wherein the side walls (30, 56) of the connector (20) and of the connector (38) overlap. It is suggested that the side walls (56) of one component (38) has recesses (44) which are open to the wiper strip (14), and plunge into the projections (34) in the wiper blade (12) operating position, such that both components (20, 38) are locked against each other in the longitudinal direction.
US08448286B2	Bristle tufts and toothbrush with bristle tufts A bristle cluster for a toothbrush is provided. The bristle cluster includes a number of bristles of a first type and a number of bristles of a second type. The bristles of the first type have wear characteristics that differ from the wear characteristics of the second type. The bristles of the first type have a wear indicator which causes a color change of the bristles, and the bristles of the second type, upon continuous mechanical stress, undergo a visible mechanical change and the free ends of the bristles of the second type are designed to be capable of being longitudinally fanned out.
US08448285B2	Toothbrush and methods of making and using same The disclosed embodiments relate to a toothbrush and methods of making it. The toothbrush may have an elongated body being composed of a first material and having a head portion and a handle portion, a head composed of a second material and disposed in the head portion of the elongated body, and a plurality of bristles extending from the head forming a bristle brush. The method of making a toothbrush may include molding a head of a first material, inserting the head into an elongated body mold, molding an elongated body having a head portion and a handle portion of a second material onto the head, and inserting bristles into the head. The first material is more rigid than the second material.
US08448284B2	Toothbrush with faceted handle The toothbrush according to the invention is equipped with a handle of which the surface is formed, at least in certain sections, in a facet-like manner by way of multiplicity of planar surface-area elements. The surface-area elements are arranged directly adjacent to one another and form a network of element edges. The multiplicity of surface-area elements reproduce, more or less, an essentially rounded handle form, this ensuring comfortable use of the toothbrush in different rotary positions in relation to its longitudinal axis.
US08448279B2	Ecologically-sound waterway culvert restoration Stabilized, durable stream crossings are built from contained plant growth medium secured to the stream banks, bridge footings installed behind the contained growth medium, and an open-construction bridge deck spanning the footings that permits light and rain water to reach the growth medium on the banks underneath the bridge.
US08448265B2	Glove having micropores An athletic glove for use in handling a ball includes a single layer of elastic material forming a body that generally conforms in shape to a human hand. The body has four finger portions, a thumb portion, and an outer surface including a palmar side and a dorsal side. The palmar side and the dorsal side each include at least one breathable portion including a plurality of randomly disposed micropores. The four finger portions each include at least one longitudinal slit on the palmar side that provide for direct tactile stimulation of a hand through the glove.
US08448262B2	Devices for isolating a portion of a user's body A barrier device is adapted to be worn by a user and provide isolation between the user and an object that is to be contacted by the user. The barrier device comprises a first pocket having a first top surface and a first bottom surface and an opening providing access to a cavity between the first top and bottom surfaces. The barrier device also includes a second pocket having a second top surface and a second bottom surface and an opening providing access to a cavity between the second top and bottom surfaces. A panel interconnects the first bottom surface and the second top surface to connect the first and second pockets, the panel having an adjustable length such that when a user wears the barrier device with one or more fingers in the first pocket and thumb in the second pocket, the panel provides a barrier for the user's palm that is adjustable to accommodate different hand sizes of different users. Furthermore, the barrier device is adapted to be wearable on either the right or left hand of a user. Dispensers for such barrier devices are also provided having a contoured portion adapted to facilitate the application of a barrier device to a user's hand.

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