Document	Document Title
US08461720B2	Wireless energy transfer using conducting surfaces to shape fields and reduce loss In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a method and system comprising a source resonator optionally coupled to an energy source and a second resonator located a distance from the source resonator, where the source resonator and the second resonator are coupled to provide near-field wireless energy transfer among the source resonator and the second resonator and where the field of at least one of the source resonator and the second resonator is shaped using a conducting surface to avoid a loss-inducing object.
US08461718B2	Photovoltaic array systems, methods, and devices with bidirectional converter Devices, systems and methods for operating, monitoring and diagnosing photovoltaic arrays used for solar energy collection. The system preferably includes capabilities for monitoring or diagnosing an array, under some circumstances, by using a bidirectional power converter not only to convert the DC output of the array to output power under some conditions, but also, for diagnostic operations, applying a back-converted DC voltage to the array.
US08461716B2	Photovoltaic power generating device, and controlling method A photovoltaic power generating device comprising a current collecting box side detector for detecting a ground fault in each of the photovoltaic strings, a switch disposed in correspondence to each of the photovoltaic strings and interposed between the photovoltaic string and a connecting cable, a current collecting box including a control unit providing an on/off control of the switch according to the detection result from the detector, a detector for detecting a ground fault in a connecting cable between the current collecting box and the power conditioner, a switch interposed between the connecting cable and the inverter, and a power conditioner having a control unit providing an on/off control of the switch according to the detection result from the detector.
US08461713B2	Adaptive control ducted compound wind turbine A high efficiency, adaptive control, compound ducted wind turbine capable of providing higher efficiency in energy extraction from a fluid. Performance of efficiency expressed as coefficient of performance (Cp) in accordance with the Lanchester-Betz-Joukowski limits is sustainable and significantly higher than an un-ducted, mono-propeller wind turbine of comparable diameter.
US08461705B2	Faucet hydroelectric generator According to one embodiment, a faucet hydroelectric generator includes: a cylinder portion including a supply water inflow port and a supply water outflow port and having a supply water flow channel formed therein; a bucket having a rotation center axis generally parallel to the supply water flow channel, and including a bucket blade provided in the supply water flow channel so as to be rotatable about the rotation center axis; a magnet rotatable integrally with the bucket; a coil configured to generate electromotive force by rotation of the magnet; a nozzle portion including a plurality of injection ports configured to cause incoming water flowing parallel to the rotation center axis to be squirted in a plane generally perpendicular to the rotation center axis from radially outside the bucket blade toward the bucket blade; and a lid provided at an upstream end of the bucket blade and configured to rotate integrally with the bucket blade. The lid includes a thrust reducer configured to reduce a thrust force applied to the bucket.
US08461699B2	Positive-type photosensitive resin composition, method for producing resist pattern, semiconductor device, and electronic device The positive tone photosensitive composition of the invention comprises an alkali-soluble resin having a phenolic hydroxyl group, a compound producing an acid by light, a thermal crosslinking agent and an acrylic resin. It is possible to provide a positive tone photosensitive composition that can be developed with an aqueous alkali solution, has sufficiently high sensitivity and resolution, and can form a resist pattern with excellent adhesiveness and thermal shock resistance.
US08461693B2	Substrate arrangement In an embodiment, a substrate arrangement is provided. The substrate arrangement may include a semiconductor substrate including a first contact portion and a second contact portion on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is arranged such that the first contact portion and the second contact portion face each other. The substrate arrangement may further include an electrical connector configured to connect the first contact portion and the second contact portion.
US08461669B2	Integrated power converter package with die stacking An integrated circuit for implementing a switch-mode power converter is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises at least a first semiconductor die having an electrically quiet surface, a second semiconductor die for controlling the operation of said first semiconductor die stacked on said first semiconductor die having said electrically quiet surface and a lead frame structure for supporting said first semiconductor die and electrically coupling said first and second semiconductor dies to external circuitry.
US08461666B2	Gallium nitride-based semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A gallium nitride-based semiconductor device includes a composite substrate and a gallium nitride layer. The composite substrate includes a silicon substrate and a filler. The silicon substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first surface defines a number of grooves therein. The filler is filled into the number of grooves on the first surface of the silicon substrate. A thermal expansion coefficient of the filler is bigger than that of the silicon substrate. The gallium nitride layer is formed on the second surface of the silicon substrate.
US08461659B2	Solid state imaging apparatus According to one embodiment, in the upper laminated structure, first layers and second layers are alternately laminated, the first layer and the second layer having different refractive indices. In the lower laminated structure, first layers and second layers are alternately laminated, the first layer and the second layer having different refractive indices. The upper laminated structure and the lower laminated structure are equal in number of layers laminated therein. Each of the lowermost layer of the upper laminated structure and the uppermost layer of the lower laminated structure are configured by the first layer. The upper laminated structure and the lower laminated structure are configured to be asymmetric to each other such that, within some layer sets out of a plurality of layer sets each including two layers disposed at corresponding positions in the upper and lower laminated layers, one layer of the two layers in each layer set of the some layer sets is thinner than the other layer.
US08461645B2	Power semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a vertical power semiconductor chip including a semiconductor layer. A first terminal is at a first side of the semiconductor layer and a second terminal is at a second side of the semiconductor layer opposite the first side along a first direction. A drift zone is within the semiconductor layer between the first terminal and the second terminal. The drift zone has, in a central part, a compressive stress of at least 100 MPa along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The central part extends from 40% to 60% of an overall extension of the drift zone along the first direction and into a depth of the semiconductor layer of at least 10 μm with respect to at least one of the first side and the second side of the semiconductor layer.
US08461638B2	Non-volatile semiconductor memory device A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes: a charge accumulation layer (CAL) on a substrate; a memory gate formed onto the substrate through the CAL; a first side gate formed through a first insulating film on a first side of the memory gate; a second side gate formed through a second insulating film on a second side opposite to the first side; a first impurity implantation region (IIR1) in the substrate adjacent the first side gate; a second impurity implantation region (IIR2) formed in the substrate on a side of the second side gate; and a channel region between IIR1 and IIR2. The channel region includes a first region corresponding to a boundary between the CAL and the substrate; a select side region between the first region and IIR1; and an assist side region between the first region and IIR2. The select side region is longer than the assist side region.
US08461636B2	Ferroic sensor having tini-film field-effect transistor and ferroic layer applied to substrate A ferroic component is described, comprising a ferroic layer (10) arranged between two electrodes (12,13), a thin-film field-effect transistor (4) whose gate electrode (3) forms one of the two electrodes (12, 13) of the ferroic layer (10) which is joined to the gate electrode (3) via an intermediate layer (11) acting as a bonding agent, and a substrate that is used as a support. In order to obtain a flexible component it is proposed that the thin-film field-effect transistor (4) on the one hand and the ferroic layer (10) which consists of an internally charged cellular polymer on the other hand are applied to the substrate which is arranged as a flexible plastic film (1), optionally by interposing an insulating layer (2) therebetween.
US08461635B2	DEPFET transistor having a large dynamic range The invention relates to a DEPFET transistor (1) for detecting a radio-generated signal charge (2) and for generating an electronic output signal in a manner dependent on the detected signal charge (2) according to a predetermined characteristic curve. The invention provides for the characteristic curve to have a degressive characteristic curve profile in order to combine a high measurement sensitivity in the case of small signal charges (2) with a large measurement range through to large signal charges (2).
US08461633B2	Thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof A thin film transistor includes a substrate; a gate electrode on the substrate; a gate insulating layer covering the gate electrode; a semiconductor layer corresponding to the gate electrode on the gate insulating layer; a protective layer covering the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer and having a source contact hole and a drain contact hole exposing a portion of the semiconductor layer; and a source electrode and a drain electrode on the protective layer and coupled to the semiconductor layer through the source contact hole and the drain contact hole, respectively, wherein the semiconductor layer has a source offset groove at a portion corresponding to the source contact hole of the protective layer.
US08461631B2	Composite contact for semiconductor device A composite contact for a semiconductor device is provided. The composite contact includes a DC conducting electrode that is attached to a semiconductor layer in the device, and a capacitive electrode that is partially over the DC conducting electrode and extends beyond the DC conducting electrode. The composite contact provides a combined resistive-capacitive coupling to the semiconductor layer. As a result, a contact impedance is reduced when the corresponding semiconductor device is operated at high frequencies.
US08461617B2	Semiconductor light emitting element and semiconductor light emitting device Provided is a semiconductor light emitting element wherein generation of an open failure of the light emitting device can be eliminated by ensuring a current pathway when disconnection is generated in a transparent electrode layer. A semiconductor light emitting element (10) is provided with: a first semiconductor layer (12) on a substrate (11); a light emitting layer (13) on the first semiconductor layer (12); a second semiconductor layer (14) on the light emitting layer (13); an insulator layer (15) provided with a hole portion (19) in a partial region on the second semiconductor layer (14); a transparent electrode layer (16) covering the upper surface of the insulator layer (15) and the second semiconductor layer (14) without covering the hole portion (19); and a second pad electrode (18) brought into contact with the second semiconductor layer (14) through the hole portion (19) and faces the insulator layer (15) with the transparent electrode layer (16) therebetween. Contact resistance between the second pad electrode (18) and the second semiconductor layer (14) is set larger than that between the transparent electrode layer (16) and the second semiconductor layer (14).
US08461615B2	Semiconductor light emitting device According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a stacked structural body, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The stacked structural body includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, and a light emitting portion. The stacked structural body has a first major surface on a side of the second semiconductor layer. The first electrode is provided on the first semiconductor. The second electrode is provided on the second semiconductor layer. The first electrode includes a first pad portion and a first extending portion that extends from the first pad portion along a first extending direction. The first extending portion includes a first width-increasing portion. A width of the first width-increasing portion along a direction orthogonal to the first extending direction is increased from the first pad portion toward an end of the first extending portion.
US08461612B2	Light-emitting device and lighting device Provided is a light-emitting device having a structure in which a high refractive index component is provided between a solid light-emitting element and air, has an uneven structure on a surface in contact with air, and can be reused. The light-emitting device includes a substrate having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher and a light-transmitting property, a solid light-emitting element including a light-emitting region having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher on one surface of the substrate, and a component having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher and a light-transmitting property on the other surface of the substrate, wherein the component includes an uneven structure on a surface in contact with air and is connected to the substrate via a liquid having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher and a light-transmitting property.
US08461609B2	Light emitting device package A light emitting device package is provided. The light emitting device package may include a housing including a cavity, a light emitting device disposed within the cavity, a filler filled in the cavity in order to seal the light emitting device, a fluorescent layer disposed on the filler, and an optical filter being disposed within the filler and transmitting light with a particular wavelength.
US08461608B2	Light converting construction Light converting constructions are disclosed. The light converting construction includes a phosphor slab that has a first index of refraction for converting at least a portion of light at a first wavelength to light at a longer second wavelength; and a structured layer that is disposed on the phosphor slab and has a second index of refraction that is smaller than the first index of refraction. The structured layer includes a plurality of structures that are disposed directly on the phosphor slab and a plurality of openings that expose the phosphor slab. The light converting construction further includes a structured overcoat that is disposed directly on at least a portion of the structured layer and a portion of the phosphor slab in the plurality of openings. The structured overcoat has a third index of refraction that is greater than the second index of refraction.
US08461593B2	Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same A display apparatus includes a thin film transistor provided on a substrate and a pixel electrically coupled to the thin film transistor. The thin film transistor includes a semiconductor layer on the substrate, a first insulating layer on the semiconductor layer and having a first contact hole and a second contact hole, a source electrode on the first insulating layer and making contact with the semiconductor layer through the first contact hole, a drain electrode on the first insulating layer and making contact with the semiconductor layer through the second contact hole, a gate electrode between the source electrode and the drain electrode and having a stacked structure including a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, and a second insulating layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode and covering the gate electrode.
US08461586B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be retained even when power is not supplied, and does not have a limitation on the number of write cycles. The semiconductor device includes a memory cell including a first transistor, a second transistor, and an insulating layer placed between a source region or a drain region of the first transistor and a channel formation region of the second transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor are provided to at least partly overlap with each other. The insulating layer and a gate insulating layer of the second transistor satisfy the following formula: (ta/tb)×(∈ra/∈rb)<0.1, where ta represents the thickness of the gate insulating layer, tb represents the thickness of the insulating layer, ∈ra represents the dielectric constant of the gate insulating layer, and ∈rb represents the dielectric constant of the insulating layer.
US08461576B2	Organic light-emitting diode and light source device including same An organic light-emitting diode in accordance with the present invention includes: a reflective electrode; an organic layer formed on the reflective electrode; a transparent electrode formed on the organic layer; a transparent resin layer formed on the transparent electrode; and an encapsulation glass formed on the transparent resin layer. The organic layer includes a light-emitting point. Cone- or pyramid-shaped transparent resin structures are provided in the transparent resin layer in such a manner that each of the cone- or pyramid-shaped transparent resin structures splays from the transparent resin layer toward the encapsulation glass in a normal direction of the encapsulation glass. A refractive index of the transparent resin layer is 1.3 times or more to 1.6 times or less as high as that of the cone- or pyramid-shaped transparent resin structures.
US08461575B2	Organic light-emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same An organic light-emitting display device and a method of manufacturing the same, the organic light-emitting display device including: a substrate; a display unit disposed on the substrate; a sealing substrate disposed facing the display unit; a sealant adhering the substrate to the sealing substrate; and a getter formed on surfaces of the substrate, the sealing substrate, and the sealant that face a space formed inside the display device.
US08461563B2	Resistance change memory According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes a memory cell unit. The memory cell unit is configured to stack a resistance change element and a diode element having non-ohmic properties, and the diode element is configured to stack in order to a semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, a semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type, and a semiconductor layer having the first conductivity type from the first interconnect layer side. An area density of dopant impurities in the semiconductor layer having the second conductivity type is larger than a sum total of area densities of dopant impurities in the two semiconductor layers having the first conductivity type, and smaller than double an area density of an electric flux number associated with a threshold electric field of an interband tunneling current of a material includes the semiconductor layer having the second conductivity type.
US08461553B2	Masked ion implant with fast-slow scan An improved method of producing solar cells utilizes a mask which is fixed relative to an ion beam in an ion implanter. The ion beam is directed through a plurality of apertures in the mask toward a substrate. The substrate is moved at different speeds such that the substrate is exposed to an ion dose rate when the substrate is moved at a first scan rate and to a second ion dose rate when the substrate is moved at a second scan rate. By modifying the scan rate, various dose rates may be implanted on the substrate at corresponding substrate locations. This allows ion implantation to be used to provide precise doping profiles advantageous for manufacturing solar cells.
US08461550B2	Electron beam sterilizer Plastic containers fed by an article feeder housed in a shield chamber are sterilized by being irradiated with an electron beam that is radiated from an irradiation window of an electron beam irradiation unit which is coupled to an opening of the shield chamber. In a maintenance mode, an adjustment irradiation box is detachably mounted on the electron beam irradiation unit in covering relation to the irradiation window of the electron beam irradiation unit. The adjustment irradiation box houses therein an electron beam receiver for receiving the electron beam radiated from the irradiation window, a cooling mechanism for cooling the electron beam receiver, and an exhaust mechanism for discharging an atmosphere in the adjustment irradiation box.
US08461549B2	Multi-needle multi-parallel nanospray ionization source for mass spectrometry An electrospray ion source for a mass spectrometer for generating ions of an analyte from a sample comprising the analyte dissolved in a liquid solvent comprises: an electrode receiving the sample and comprising at least a first plurality of protrusions protruding from a base, each protrusion of the at least a first plurality of protrusions having a respective tip; and a voltage source, wherein, in operation of the electrospray ion source, the sample is caused to move, in the presence of a gas or air, from the base to each protrusion tip along a respective protrusion exterior so as to form a respective stream of charged particles emitted towards an ion inlet aperture of the mass spectrometer under application of voltage applied to the electrode from the voltage source.
US08461548B2	Ion beam irradiation device and method for suppressing ion beam divergence To improve an efficiency of utilizing electrons and efficiently suppress an ion beam spread by a space charge effect while eliminating a need for a special magnetic pole structure by effectively using a space in the vicinity of a magnet, there are provided an ion source, a collimating magnet and a plurality of electron sources, wherein the electron sources are arranged in a magnetic field gradient region formed on an ion beam upstream side or ion beam downstream side of the collimating magnet and arranged outside a region passed by the ion beam, and an irradiation direction of the electrons is directed to supply the electrons to the magnetic field gradient region.
US08461545B2	Radiographic imaging device and radiographic imaging system using the same This invention provides a radiographic imaging device, having: a scintilator layer which converts transmitted radiation incident with emission of radiation to an imaging target to light; a first organic photoelectric conversion layer which is continuous and converts a first light containing the maximum peak wavelength from the scintilator layer to a charge; an insulating substrate having a storage capacitor and a thin film transistor for reading the charge generating in the first organic photoelectric conversion layer for each image detection pixel; a second organic photoelectric conversion layer which converts a second light from the scintilator layer to a charge; and a radiation dose detection circuit for reading the charge generating in the second organic photoelectric conversion layer for each radiation dose detection pixel and a radiographic imaging system using the same.
US08461538B2	Method and apparatus for emission guided radiation therapy An apparatus comprising a radiation source, coincident positron emission detectors configured to detect coincident positron annihilation emissions originating within a coordinate system, and a controller coupled to the radiation source and the coincident positron emission detectors, the controller configured to identify coincident positron annihilation emission paths intersecting one or more volumes in the coordinate system and align the radiation source along an identified coincident positron annihilation emission path.
US08461534B1	Detection of buried explosives A system and method are described for capturing and analyzing gamma rays from neutron excitation of a region in 3-space being analyzed for explosives. A processor analyzes the results, determining whether underground explosives are present in a particular region of the ground. In one embodiment, one gamma ray energy band is used to infer an amount of silicon in the region, while another indicates the combined amount of silicon and nitrogen. The concentration of nitrogen in the region is inferred and used to trigger an “explosive found” or a “no explosive found” signal. In other embodiments, the system or method uses inferences about other elemental constituents of the ground being examined, sometimes taking as input analyzes from prior scans, and providing output indicating the likelihood of the presence of explosives in the region.
US08461532B2	Refraction assisted illumination for imaging An illumination source may be directed towards a surface of an object comprising subsurface features, wherein the illumination from the source is directed at a first angle relative to the normal of the surface. The object may have a portion between the subsurface features and the surface, the portion having an index of refraction that is greater than the index of refraction of a surrounding medium that surrounds the object. An imaging device may be placed with an objective lens. The first angle may be larger than an acceptance angle of the objective lens. In some embodiments, multiple illumination beams may be generated by one or more illumination sources. The beams may be rotated relative to one another about the normal of the surface. Also, in some embodiments, multiple images may be taken with the objective of the imaging device at different positions rotated off of the normal. The multiple images may be combined to generate a composite image.
US08461529B2	Variable waveband infrared imager A waveband imager includes an imaging pixel that utilizes photon tunneling with a thermally actuated bimorph structure to convert infrared radiation to visible radiation. Infrared radiation passes through a transparent substrate and is absorbed by a bimorph structure formed with a pixel plate. The absorption generates heat which deflects the bimorph structure and pixel plate towards the substrate and into an evanescent electric field generated by light propagating through the substrate. Penetration of the bimorph structure and pixel plate into the evanescent electric field allows a portion of the visible wavelengths propagating through the substrate to tunnel through the substrate, bimorph structure, and/or pixel plate as visible radiation that is proportional to the intensity of the incident infrared radiation. This converted visible radiation may be superimposed over visible wavelengths passed through the imaging pixel.
US08461528B2	Image recording apparatus and control method thereof Disclosed is an image recording apparatus comprising a temperature sensing module, a detecting module, an image capture module and a control unit. The control unit acquires an appropriate high threshold and an appropriate low threshold corresponding to an ambient temperature sensed by a temperature sensing module. The control unit outputs a high threshold voltage and a low threshold voltage to the detecting module for adjusting the sensitivity of the image recording apparatus to suit a variable ambient temperature properly.
US08461523B2	Ionizer for vapor analysis decoupling the ionization region from the analyzer A method and apparatus are described to increase the efficiency with which a sample vapor is ionized prior to being introduced into an analyzer. Excellent contact between the vapor and the charging agent is achieved in the ionization chamber with a perforated impaction plate. As a result, some desired fraction of the gas going into, or coming out of the analyzer can be controlled independently from the flow of sample through the ionization chamber. Furthermore, penetration into the ionization chamber of the desired fraction of the gas is minimized by controlling the dimensions of the perforated impaction plate. Ions formed in the ionization chamber are driven partly by electric fields through the perforated impaction plate into the analyzer. As a result, most of the gas sampled into the analyzer carries ionized vapors, even when the sample flow is very small, and even when the analyzer uses counterflow gas.
US08461518B2	Method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus This invention has one object to provide a method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus that allows reliable collection of calibration data with a wide detector ring. In order to achieve this purpose, in the method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention, the number of coincidence events is obtained while the phantom that emits annihilation gamma-ray pairs moves as to pass through an inner hole of the detector ring. Such configuration dose not need the phantom having a width equal or larger than the detector ring, and may realize reliable collection of calibration data. Moreover, it may be considered that annihilation gamma-ray pairs have been emitted in uniform property without depending on positions of the detector ring. As a result, calibration data that is more suitable for removal of a image artifact may be obtained.
US08461514B1	Optical spectrum modulated position sensor having a controller with at least one fiber optic line A high resolution fiber optic position sensor system including a remote sensor head connected by a pair of optical fibers to an electronic controller unit. The sensor is an electronically passive device that utilizes optical signals only that senses the angular absolute position over the full 360° rotation with a sensing resolution of 13 bit (8196). The sensor modulates the optical signal based on the exact position of the sensor disk. This modulated optical signal is analyzed in the controller and translated into the position signal. Because the sensor head is electrically passive it can be deployed in an EMI/RFI intense environment. Further, it is immune to lightening strikes and can also be located many hundred meters away from the control unit without creating undesirable ground loops.
US08461510B2	Occupancy sensor and ambient light control An occupancy sensor is provided with a separable override unit which can selectively override the operation of the occupancy sensor at designated times and for selected time intervals. The occupancy sensor includes a light sensor for actuating the occupancy sensor and a light assembly when the ambient light is below a predetermined level and to deactivate the occupancy sensor when the ambient light is above a threshold level to prevent the light assembly from being actuated when the light level is sufficient to avoid the need for actuating the light assembly. The override unit is removably attached to the occupancy sensor and is provided with a light source, such as an LED. The override unit is coupled to the occupancy sensor to emit light to actuate the light sensor of the occupancy sensor, thereby controlling the operation of the occupancy sensor, such as by preventing the occupancy sensor from being actuated regardless of the light level in the surrounding areas. The occupancy sensor includes a cavity on a top surface for receiving the override unit. The light sensor of the occupancy sensor is positioned in the cavity. The LED on the override unit in on an end that is inserted into the cavity to align with the light sensor. A control unit is operatively connected to one or more override units for selectively controlling the normal operation of the occupancy sensor.
US08461500B2	Microwave oven A microwave oven is provided. A component generating relatively high temperature heat and a component generating a relatively low temperature heat are cooled by airflow divided and provided by a cooling part, thereby improving operation reliability and durability of a product.
US08461491B2	Support for an electrical heating device, electrical heating device and manufacturing method An electrical heating device has an integrally manufactured support made from an insulating material. A depressed path is provided for the introduction of a coiled round heating element into the support. In the bottom side of the support, additional depressions are made in support and pass into the depressed path and form undercuts. In the area of the undercuts the heating element is flattened in the path and thereby pressed into the undercuts and consequently can be no longer moved out of said path.
US08461488B2	Oven Present embodiments provide an oven. The oven includes a cavity receiving food; a convection assembly provided in plurality, each convection assembly including a heater that heats the food, and a fan blowing air heated by the heater toward the food; and at least one covering member covering at least one of the fans, wherein the fans have respective shafts that are different in height from a bottom surface of the cavity.
US08461487B2	Apparatus for purifying metallurgical silicon for solar cells A system for forming high quality silicon material, e.g., polysilicon. In a specific embodiment, the melted material comprises a silicon material and an impurity, e.g., phosphorous species. The system includes a crucible having an interior region. In a specific embodiment, the crucible is made of a suitable material such as a quartz material or others. The quartz material is capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 1400 Degrees Celsius for processing silicon. In a specific embodiment, the crucible is configured in an upright position and has an open region to expose a melted material. In a specific embodiment, the present system has an energy source. Such energy source may be an arc heater or other suitable heating device, including multiple heating devices, which may be the same or different. The arc heater is configured above the open region and spaced by a gap between the exposed melted material and a muzzle region of the arc heater to cause formation of a determined temperature profile within a vicinity of a center region of the exposed melted material while maintaining outer regions of the melted material at a temperature below a melting point of the quartz material of the crucible. In a specific embodiment, the system produces a melted material comprising a resulting phosphorous species of 0.1 ppm and less, which is purified silicon.
US08461483B2	Engine driven welding power supplies with two piece shaft An engine driven welding system includes two power generators, each having a rotor and a stator. Each rotor is mounted on a respective drive shaft, with one of the drive shafts being driven by the engine and the other drive shaft being releasably coupled to the engine driven drive shaft. This provides a modular type construction of the welding system, in that the outboard power generator can be selected or changed as needed for a particular application. The coupled drive shafts are supported by two bearing assemblies. Also disclosed as additional features for any welding system power supply is a removable plate having one or more connectors releasably attached thereto for facilitating installation of an electrical component for a welding system power supply; and also a power switch having a member that restricts rotational movement of the switch.
US08461470B2	Method of measuring degradation condition of output mirror in laser oscillator and laser machining apparatus In a laser machining apparatus that performs machining by a laser beam (4) emitted from a laser oscillator (1), the laser machining apparatus herein provided includes an aperture (5) placed in a light path of the laser beam (4) emitted from the laser oscillator (1) so as to block a perimeter portion of the laser beam (4) and to transmit a middle portion thereof, and a beam-power measurement sensor (6) for measuring beam power of a laser beam (20) transmitted through the aperture (5), whereby it utilizes that beam power of the laser beam transmitted through the aperture (5) significantly changes (the more degraded, the more the beam power rises) due to a degradation condition of an output mirror (2) when the output mirror in the laser oscillator (1) becomes in high thermal loading condition due to the laser beam with high beam power, so that the degradation condition of the output mirror (2) is determined.
US08461463B2	Composite module A composite module is obtained which enables high-density mounting of components without increasing its size. A composite module includes a main substrate which is a multilayer circuit board, a sub-substrate mounted on a lower surface of the main substrate, a sealing layer arranged on the lower surface of the main substrate to cover the sub-substrate, the sealing layer defining a mount surface arranged to be mounted on a mount board, and terminal electrodes disposed on the mount surface. The terminal electrodes include at least one first terminal electrode drawn directly from the main substrate and at least one second terminal electrode drawn directly from the sub-substrate.
US08461458B2	Card structure, socket structure, and assembly structure thereof A card structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a connector. The first substrate includes a base surface, wherein at least one electronic part region and a terminal region are disposed on the base surface. The second substrate is disposed on the base surface and is coupled to the terminal region of the first substrate. The connector is disposed on the base surface to juxtapose the second substrate. The connector includes a connecting surface, a contact unit, and a plurality of contact regions disposed on the connecting surface and coupled to the contact unit and the terminal region, such that the plurality of contact regions are coupled to the second substrate via the terminal region of the first substrate.
US08461448B2	Solar cell module The present invention pertains to a solar cell module comprising at least one photovoltaic element encapsulated between a front layer on its light receiving surface side and a back layer, said front layer comprising at least one layer comprising a tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) polymer [polymer (F)], said polymer (F) comprising: recurring units derived from TFE; and from 15 to 25% wt of recurring units derived from at least one perfluoromonomer [monomer (CM)] chosen among: (i) perfluoroalkylvinylethers complying with formula CF2═CFORf1, in which Rf1 is a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl, e.g. —CF3, —C2F5, —C3F7; and/or (ii) perfluoro-oxyalkylvinylethers complying with formula CF2═CFOX0, in which X0 is a C1-C12 perfluorooxyalkyl having one or more ether groups, like perfluoro-2-propoxy-propyl; and (iii) mixtures thereof. Still objects of the invention are a process for the manufacture of the solar cell module as above defined and its use for producing current to external sources, e.g. for powering a fixed-wing aircraft.
US08461439B2	Musical instruments A musical instrument such as a trombone is manufactured by moulding from polymeric material. The instrument has a moulded body section which has an internal bore through which air is blown by the player. The internal diameter of the bore has a restriction formed thereon so that the diameter of the bore tapers along the section for tuning or tonal adjustment of the instrument.
US08461438B2	Harp stand and methods of use thereof A harp support assembly is provided for supporting a portion of a harp. The harp support assembly includes a rod, a base assembly and a harp support member. The rod has a first and a second end. The base assembly is positioned near the first end of the rod, The base assembly has a plurality of legs spread apart and positioned on a surface. The harp support member is positioned near the second end of the rod. The harp support member has at least one support arm providing a harp receiving space to receive the harp.
US08461432B1	Maize variety inbred PH1DMK A novel maize variety designated PH1DMK and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1DMK with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1DMK 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 PH1DMK or a locus conversion of PH1DMK with another maize variety.
US08461430B1	Inbred corn line OOA25LY An inbred corn line, designated OOA25LY, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line OOA25LY, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line OOA25LY with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line OOA25LY with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line OOA25LY, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line OOA25LY and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08461428B1	Inbred corn line SRS10 An inbred corn line, designated SRS10, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line SRS10, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line SRS10 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line SRS10 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line SRS10, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line SRS10 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08461426B2	Plants and seeds of sorghum variety GSV958220 According to the invention, there is provided plants and plant parts of the variety designated GSV958220. The invention also relates to methods for using a GSV958220 plant to produce various plants and plant parts.
US08461425B1	Soybean cultivar 14454401 A soybean cultivar designated 14454401 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 14454401, to the plants of soybean cultivar 14454401, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 14454401, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 14454401. 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 14454401. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 14454401, 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 14454401 with another soybean cultivar.
US08461424B2	Soybean cultivar S080178 A soybean cultivar designated S080178 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S080178, to the plants of soybean S080178, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S080178 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S080178 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S080178, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S080178 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S080178 with another soybean cultivar.
US08461422B2	DIG-5 insecticidal Cry toxins DIG-5 Cry toxins, polynucleotides encoding such toxins, use of such toxins to control pests, and transgenic plants that produce such toxins are disclosed.
US08461421B2	Toxin genes and methods for their use Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:61-121 and 133-141, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1-60, 124-132, and 142-283, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US08461420B2	Alfalfa variety 05N16PY A novel alfalfa variety designated 05N16PY and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant that comprise crossing alfalfa variety 05N16PY with another alfalfa plant. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 05N16PY through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the alfalfa seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Alfalfa seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing alfalfa variety 05N16PY or a trait conversion of 05N16PY with another alfalfa plant or population. Alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 05N16PY, methods for producing other alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 05N16PY and the alfalfa populations and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US08461402B2	Isomerization of 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene The present invention involves methods for isomerization of 1234zc. Also provided are methods for managing 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene produced as a byproduct in a process for synthesizing trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from 245fa, wherein 1234zc is converted into trans/cis-1234ze with the help of a catalyst in the absence of HF and in an isomerization reactor, or is converted into 1234zc and/or 245fa with the help of a catalyst in the presence of HF in a separate reactor or preferably in the same reactor of 245fa dehydrofluorination.
US08461389B2	Psycho-pharmaceuticals The invention provides a selective Sigma 1 or Dopamine D3 receptor agonist or a 5HT2c receptor ligand for use in the treatment of symptoms of anxiety and/or depression associated with an affective disorder and/or symptoms associated with cognitive impairment disorder. Particularly useful are diphenhydramine derivatives of Formula (I) and particularly (2-[(4-butylsulfanylphenyl)-phenyl-methyl]sulfanyl-N,N-dimethyl-ethanamin) (Captodiamine).
US08461387B2	Preparation of nitrones A method for producing a nitrone of formula (I) wherein R is a branched alkyl group having from four to thirty carbon atoms; R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently are hydrogen or alkyl groups having from one to six carbon atoms from an imine having formula (II)
US08461383B2	Process for starting up a separating process for purifying removal of acrylic acid crystals from a suspension S of crystals thereof in mother liquor A process for starting up a separating process for purifying removal of acrylic acid crystals from a suspension S of crystals thereof in mother liquor with a hydraulic wash column which has a crystal melt circuit including crystal melt space, and a process space and a distributor space which are separated by an end with passages connecting the two spaces, in which the crystal bed is formed for the first time by first filling the crystal melt circuit and, at least partly, the process space with an acrylic acid-comprising startup liquid whose acrylic acid crystal formation temperature is less than or equal to the temperature of the suspension S increased by 15° C., and then continuing the filling of the wash column with the suspension S and optionally with control liquor until the difference between the pressure in the crystal melt space and the pressure in the distributor space falls suddenly, the arithmetic mean of the total waste liquor flow flowing through the filters of the filter tubes of the wash column until this time, based on the area of all filters, being not more than 80 m3/(m2·h).
US08461374B2	Method for producing hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate Disclosed is a method for producing a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate having high production efficiency and placing little burden on a production system. The method for producing a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate comprises a reaction step of reacting (meth)acrylic acid with an alkylene oxide in a reactor while stirring a liquid containing (meth)acrylic acid and the alkylene oxide with a stirrer to obtain a reaction liquid containing a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, and thereafter a deaeration step of reducing a pressure in the reactor while stirring the reaction liquid with the stirrer to vaporize and remove an unreacted alkylene oxide in the reaction liquid, a number of stirring revolutions of the stirrer in the deaeration step being reduced to 30 to 85% of a number of stirring revolutions of the stirrer in the reaction step.
US08461372B2	Amino acid derivatives and absorbable polymers therefrom The present invention relates to the discovery of new class of hydrolysable amino acid derivatives and absorbable polyester amides, polyamides, polyepoxides, polyureas and polyurethanes prepared therefrom. The resultant absorbable polymers are useful for drug delivery, tissue engineering, tissue adhesives, adhesion prevention, bone wax formulations, medical device coatings, stents, stent coatings, highly porous foams, reticulated foams, wound care, cardiovascular applications, orthopedic devices, surface modifying agents and other implantable medical devices. In addition, these absorbable polymers should have a controlled degradation profile.
US08461370B2	Process for producing 3-(2-cyano-1-propenyl)-2,2- dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid or salt thereof A process for producing comprising reacting a 3-formyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate and propionitrile in the presence of a base to obtain 3-(2-cyano-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid or its salt.
US08461365B2	Metallocene complex and polymerization method of olefin A metallocene complex by which high uptake efficiency of ethylene and/or α-olefin can be obtained compared with the conventional metallocene catalyst, and robber component having high molecular weight can be polymerized, and polymerization method of olefin. Metallocene complex (metallocene complex having furyl or thienyl group in which substituent exists at 5-position of indenyl ring, and substituent may exist at 2-position of indenyl ring, and the like) represented by the general formula [II], the catalyst for olefin polymerization characterized by comprising said metallocene complex, and polymerization method of olefin characterized that polymerization or copolymerization of olefin is carried out using said polymerization catalyst for olefin, and the like.
US08461359B2	Short synthetic pathway for 1,6:2,3-dianhydro-β-D-mannopyranose The invention relates to a method for preparing 1,6:2,3-dianhydro-β-D-mannopyranose and is characterized in that it includes a step of cyclizing the compound B, where R is an activating agent, in the presence of a base selected from among ammonium hydroxides and mineral bases.
US08461358B2	Fluorescent probe for measuring protease A compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof (R1 represents hydrogen atom, or a substituent; R2 to R7 represent hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom; R8 and R9 represent hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group; X represents a C1-C3 alkylene group; and R10 represents an acyl group), which promptly causes a structural change from a non-fluorescent closed ring structure to a strongly fluorescent open ring structure by hydrolysis of an acyl group, and is useful as a fluorescent probe for measuring a protease showing superior suitability for quantification.
US08461357B2	Expeditious synthesis of gibberellin A5 and esters thereof An expeditious synthesis of gibberellin A5 (GA5) esters is presented, from which GA5 may be prepared. The synthesis offers an inexpensive route of few steps to these compounds, starting from gibberellin A3 (GA3) esters in the presence of a metal hydride.
US08461354B2	Organic thin film transistors comprising thienyl oligomers and their use as gaseous phase sensors This invention pertains to gaseous analytes sensor devices comprising organic thin film transistor and, in particular, sensors able to perform the enantiomeric discrimination of gaseous analytes.
US08461349B2	Fungicidal active substance combinations containing trifloxystrobin What are described are novel active compound combinations comprising a known oxime ether derivative (trifloxystrobin) and imidacloprid, which combinations are highly suitable for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and insects.
US08461344B2	Polymorph forms of (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-[3-(5-isopropdxypyridin)yl]-4-penten-2-amine Polymorph forms of (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-[3-(5-isopropoxypyridin)yl]-4-penten-2-amine p-hydroxybenzoate, and methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical composition containing said polymorph(s) and use, are disclosed. The polymorphs can be administered to patients susceptible to or suffering from conditions and disorders, such as central nervous system disorders, to treat and/or prevent such disorders.
US08461334B2	Process for resolving zopiclone The present invention provides a process for the preparation of the dextrorotatory isomer of zopiclone (eszopiclone). The present invention also provides eszopiclone di-p-anisolyl-L-tartrate and eszopiclone diacetyl-L-tartrate, which are useful as intermediates in a process for preparing eszopiclone.
US08461333B2	Salts of prodrugs of piperazine and substituted piperidine antiviral agents This invention provides for prodrug Compounds I, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their use in treating HIV infection. wherein: X is C or N with the proviso that when X is N, R1 does not exist; W is C or N with the proviso that when W is N, R2 does not exist; V is C; E is hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and Y is selected from the group consisting of Also, this invention provides for intermediate Compounds II useful in making prodrug Compounds I. wherein: L and M are independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, trialkylsilyl, -2,2,2-trichloroethoxy and 2-trimethylsilylethoxy.
US08461326B2	SiRNA targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to CTGF.
US08461321B2	Nucleic acids encoding a deletion variant of uPAR This invention relates to the production of specific antibodies for the detection of human tumor associated urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) deletion variants in biological samples as well as to their diagnostic and therapeutic application.
US08461319B2	Poly-n-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG/dPNAG)-binding peptides and methods of use thereof The present invention relates to peptides, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically to poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), such as Staphylococcal PNAG, in acetylated, partially acetylated and/or fully deacetylated form. The invention further provides methods for using these peptides in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy of infections by bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Some antibodies of the invention enhance opsonophagocytic killing and in vivo protection against bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Compositions of these peptides, including pharmaceutical compositions, are also provided, as are functionally equivalent variants of such peptides.
US08461314B2	Nucleic acid sequences for biosynthesis of non-MccJ25-related lariat peptides A nucleic acid sequence is provided, encoding at least one of a precursor of a lariat peptide, a processing factor of a lariat peptide, and an export factor of a lariat peptide, wherein the lariat peptide is a non-MccJ25 lariat peptide according to general structural formula (I) Also provided are biosynthesis systems useful for the synthesis of peptides according to formula (I), and methods of detecting and identifying nucleic acid sequences encoding the disclosed proteins.
US08461313B2	Conjugates and compositions for cellular delivery This invention features conjugates, compositions, methods of synthesis, and applications thereof, including folate derived conjugates of nucleosides, nucleotides, non-nucleosides, and nucleic acids including enzymatic nucleic acids and antisense nucleic acid molecules.
US08461308B2	Monoclonal antibodies against prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) lacking in fucosyl residues The invention pertains to anti-PSMA antibodies that lack fucosyl residues. The antibodies of the invention exhibit increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity as compared to the fucosylated form of the antibodies. The invention also provides host cells that express the anti-PSMA antibodies that lack fucosyl residues, wherein the host cells are deficient for a fucosyl transferase. Methods of using the antibodies to inhibit the growth of PSMA+ cells, such as tumor cells, are also provided.
US08461307B2	Antagonistic human LIGHT-specific human monoclonal antibodies Provided herein are antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an hLIGHT polypeptide; isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies; vectors and host cells comprising nucleic acids encoding the antibodies; methods of making the antibodies; and a method of treating a hLIGHT-mediated disease in a subject comprising administering to the subject the antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the anti-hLIGHT antibodies provided herein will ameliorate, neutralize or otherwise inhibit hLIGHT biological activity in vivo (e.g., the hLIGHT-mediated production or secretion of CCL20, IL-8 or RANTES from a cell expressing a hLIGHT receptor). Also provided herein is a method for the detection of hLIGHT in a sample as well as a method for ameliorating, neutralizing or otherwise inhibiting hLIGHT activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hLIGHT activity is detrimental.
US08461299B2	Peptide capable of binding to immunoglobulin Disclosed are: a peptide capable of binding to an immunoglobulin; a fusion protein of the peptide; nucleic acids encoding the peptide and the fusion protein, respectively; production methods for the peptide and the fusion protein, respectively; a composition and a means for binding an immunoglobulin; a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of a disease induced by the binding between C1q and an immunoglobulin, which comprises a peptide capable of binding to the immunoglobulin or a fusion protein of the peptide; and others.
US08461290B2	Monomers issued from renewable resources and process for polymerising them This invention relates to the synthesis of polycarbonates prepared from carbonate monomers derived from the biomass in the presence of a system comprising an organometallic transfer agent and alcohol. It also relates to the polymers resulting from these cyclic compounds.
US08461289B2	Bioresorbable polymers synthesized from monomer analogs of natural metabolites New bioresorbable polymers are synthesized from monomer analogs of natural metabolites In particular, polymers are polymerized from analogs of amino acids that contribute advantageous synthesis, processing and material properties to the polymers prepared therefrom, including particularly advantageous degradation profiles.
US08461283B2	Room-temperature vulcanizable organopolysiloxane compound to give an elastomer and novel organopolysiloxane polycondensation catalysts The present invention relates to an organopolysiloxane composition that can be vulcanized at room temperature into an elastomer that is crosslinked by polycondensation and that does not contain alkyltin-based catalysts and also to novel organopolysiloxane polycondensation catalysts.
US08461278B2	Process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein heated water-absorbing polymer particles are remoisturized and cooled in a high-speed mixer.
US08461271B2	Graft copolymer, thermoplastic resin composition comprising the graft copolymer, and those production method Provided is a production process for a graft copolymer or a thermoplastic resin composition containing the above graft copolymer, which comprises graft-polymerizing 100 parts by mass of a combination of 20 to 100% by mass of a reactive polyolefin and 0 to 80% by mass of a polyolefin other than the reactive polyolefin with 0.2 to 300 parts by mass of at least one specific monomer under the presence of a radical initiator and which is useful as a sealant, a modifier for polyolefins, a surface treating agent, a primer treating agent, a coating agent component and the like.
US08461270B2	Olefin/aromatic vinyl copolymer, process for production thereof, resin compositions containing the copolymer, and stretched products of the copolymer The present invention relates to such a copolymer comprising an olefin and an aromatic vinyl compound that has a syndiotactic structure, high block property and a wide molecular weight distribution. Specifically, it relates to a copolymer comprising an olefin and an aromatic vinyl compound, in which a content of the aromatic vinyl compound is from 1 to 99% by mol; a molecular distribution is 1.7 or more; a signal based on an (olefin-aromatic vinyl compound-olefin) linkage as a node of the copolymer, a signal based on an (aromatic vinyl compound-aromatic vinyl compound-olefin) linkage, a signal based on an (aromatic vinyl compound-aromatic vinyl compound-aromatic vinyl compound) linkage as a block linkage of the aromatic vinyl compound, and a signal based on an (olefin-olefin-olefin) linkage as a block linkage of the olefin are present; an index showing block property of the aromatic vinyl compound component is from 30 to 100%; and a stereoregularity of a repeating unit chain constituted by the aromatic vinyl compound is 80% by mol or more, a method for producing the same, a resin composition, and a stretched product.
US08461266B2	Cable and polymer composition comprising a multimodal ethylene copolymer The present invention relates to a cable comprising a conductor surrounded by one or more layers, wherein at least one layer comprises a polymer composition comprising a multimodal copolymer of ethylene with one or more comonomers, to a process for producing the cable and to a polymer composition suitable as a cable layer material.
US08461262B2	Polylactic acid fibers A biodegradable fiber that is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains polylactic acid, a plasticizer, and a compatibilizer is provided. The compatibilizer includes a polymer that is modified with a polar compound that is compatible with the plasticizer and a non-polar component provided by the polymer backbone that is compatible with polylactic acid. Such functionalized polymers may thus stabilize each of the polymer phases and reduce plasticizer migration. By reducing the plasticizer migration, the composition may remain ductile and soft. Further, addition of the functionalized polymer may also promote improved bonding and initiate crystallization faster than conventional polylactic acid fibers. The polar compound includes an organic acid, an anhydride of an organic acid, an amide of an organic acid, or a combination thereof. Such compounds are believed to be more compatible with the generally acidic nature of the polylactic acid fibers.
US08461261B2	Engineering plastic resin composition containing graft copolymer Provided is a resin composition containing a resin component prepared by blending a graft copolymer with an engineering plastic, wherein the above graft copolymer is a graft copolymer satisfying (a) to (e) shown below: (a) a graft rate is 1 to 150% by mass, (b) a weight average molecular weight measured by GPC is 500 to 400000, (c) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) is 1.5 to 4, (d) a main chain is a polymerization chain containing 1 to 100% by mass of a monomer unit having a functional group interacting with the engineering plastic and (e) a side chain is a homopolymerization chain of a single kind selected from α-olefins having 3 to 28 carbon atoms or a copolymerization chain of two or more kinds selected therefrom or a copolymerization chain comprising an α-olefin unit having 3 to 28 carbon atoms and an ethylene unit which accounts for 50% by mass or less, and a mesopentad ratio [mmmm] of the polymerization chain is 30 to 80 mole %.
US08461256B2	Low VOC aqueous compositions of acrylic-urethane block copolymers The present invention provides compositions that enable excellent hardness and UV resistance in coating applications, the compositions containing one or more acrylic-urethane block copolymer having as copolymerized units one or more acrylic monomer, which acrylic monomers are polymerized into a polyurethane backbone polymer. The compositions may be ambient curable. The invention also provides methods to obtain such acrylic-urethane block copolymers, which methods include the incorporation of an initiating species into the polyurethane backbone polymer, and subsequent polymerization of acrylic monomers in the presence of both the initiating species attached to the polyurethane polymer and a reducing agent.
US08461246B2	Mixture of conjugated diene—vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon copolymers and adhesive composition having the same The present invention provides a mixture of conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon copolymers and an adhesive having the same. The mixture of conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon copolymers comprises 10 to 45 wt. % of a conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon di-block copolymer, 10 to 45 wt. % of a conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon tapered di-block copolymer and 10 to 80 wt. % of a conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic multi-block copolymer.
US08461245B2	Copolymers for treating construction aggregates The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
US08461242B2	Liquid composition To provide a liquid composition containing a fluoropolymer having sulfonic acid functional groups, which rarely corrodes a metal and has good handling efficiency, which liquid composition comprises a fluoropolymer having sulfonic acid functional groups and a solvent, wherein the solvent contains a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric alcohol. The content of the fluoropolymer is preferably from 5 to 50 mass % in the liquid composition (100 mass %), and the content of the polyhydric alcohol is preferably from 5 to 50 mass % in the solvent (100 mass %).
US08461241B2	Air springs and vulcanizable compositions for preparing the same An air spring having an airsleeve, wherein at least one layer of said airsleeve includes the vulcanization product of a vulcanizable composition including an elastomer and a non-ionic surfactant.
US08461233B2	Fiber for fiber cement and resulting product A fiber-cement product which includes a treated cellulose wood pulp fiber. The fiber is treated with fibrillated carboxymethyl cellulose or a carboxyethyl cellulose and poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium)chloride. The fiber can be bleached or partially bleached, refined or unrefined or a mixture of refined and unrefined fiber.
US08461220B2	Process and system for reducing the olefin content of a fischer-tropsch product stream A method is provided for converting synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbon mixtures useful as distillate fuel and/or lube base oil containing no greater than about 25 wt % olefins and containing no greater than about 5 wt % C21+ normal paraffins. The synthesis gas is contacted with a synthesis gas conversion catalyst comprising a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis component and an acidic component in an upstream catalyst bed thereby producing a wax-free liquid containing a paraffin component and an olefin component. The olefin component is saturated by contacting the liquid with an olefin saturation catalyst in a downstream catalyst bed.
US08461218B2	Rendering petroleum oil as an environmentally carbon dioxide neutral source material for fuels, derived products and as a regenerative carbon source The invention provides a method for rendering petroleum oil as an essentially environmentally carbon dioxide-neutral fuel and source material. Carbon dioxide produced from petroleum oil combustion is captured, purified, combined with steam and light hydrocarbon fractions, or with hydrogen, and reacted under reaction conditions sufficient to form methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which can be used as fuel or feedstock for derived synthetic hydrocarbons and products.
US08461216B2	Process for the co-production of superheated steam and methane A process for the co-production of superheated steam and methane includes reacting a gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a series of methanation regions to produce a product gas containing methane The gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen flows, in passing through the series of methanation regions, successively through at least a first internally cooled methanation region and a second internally cooled methanation region, cooling the first and second internally cooled methanation region with water, which water is vaporized in the first internally cooled methanation region to produce steam and which steam is subsequently superheated in the second internally cooled methanation region to produce superheated steam The internally cooled methanation regions include tubes filled with a methanation catalyst and a space surrounding the tubes The gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen and/or product gas flows through the tubes and the water flows through the space surrounding the tubes.
US08461213B2	Thickeners based on polyurethane Thickeners, which are based on an aqueous preparation of nonionic water-dispersible or water-soluble polyurethanes, it being possible to produce these polyurethanes by reacting (a) one or more hydrophilic polyols (a) which contain, per molecule, at least two OH groups and at least two functional groups which are selected from the functions —O— (ether groups) and —COO— (ester groups), where the molecular weight of these hydrophilic compounds is at least 300, (b) one or more compounds of the formula (I), in which R is a CH3—CH(CH3)— (CH2—CH(CH3))2— group or a C15H31-m group (where m=0, 2, 4 or 6), Y is hydrogen or a methyl group and n is a number in the range from 0 to 10, and (c) one or more at least difunctional isocyanates, in which the compounds a), b) and c) are reacted with one another in the equivalent ratios OHa):OHb):NCOc) of 1:(1+x):2(1+y), with the provisos that the following conditions apply: x is a number in the range from 0.05 to 1.2, y is a number in the range from (0.2 to 1.05)x, and equivalent ratio NCOc)>(OHa)+OHb)) are characterized by excellent thickening effect, in particular for aqueous dispersions.
US08461207B2	Phloroglucinol derivatives having selectin ligand activity Pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound of the formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which is useful in a medicine wherein the symbols and substituents have the following meaning —X— is e.g. and Y being e.g. or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters or amides and prodrugs can be applied to modulate the in-vitro and in-vivo binding processes mediated by E-, P- or selectin binding.
US08461204B2	Cysteinyl compounds, compositions and methods of use Among other things, the present invention provides novel compounds capable of effectively inhibiting inflammatory responses that are mediated by G-proteins or GPCRs in neutrophils, macrophages and platelets. In particular, the compounds of the present invention act as inhibitors of edema, inhibitors of erythema and inhibitors of MPO (myeloperoxidase), pharmaceutical compositions containing the same compounds and the use thereof for the treatment of diseases that may benefit from edema, erythema and MPO inhibition, such as inflammation (acute or chronic), asthma, autoimmune diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis and small airways disease, etc.), inflammatory responses of the immune system, skin diseases (e.g., reducing acute skin irritation for patients suffering from rosacea, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis), irritable bowel syndrome (e.g., Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis, etc.), and central nervous system disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease).
US08461201B2	Trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoid derivatives The invention features methods for the preparation of naturally occurring trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoids and their structural analogs. The invention further provides new derivatives and analogs of trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoids that can be prepared according to these methods. The invention also provides compositions and methods using trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoid derivatives for the prevention, amelioration and treatment of a variety of diseases or conditions associated with inflammation or inflammatory response, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, or abnormal cell proliferation or cancer.
US08461197B2	4-hydroxybutyric acid analogs This invention relates to novel derivatives of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and prodrugs thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the foregoing. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating narcolepsy, fibromyalgia, other disorders or conditions that are beneficially treated by improving nocturnal sleep or by administering sodium oxybate.
US08461193B2	Substituted pyrrolo-pyrazole derivatives active as kinase inhibitors Substituted pyrrolo-pyrazole derivatives of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as defined in the specification, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed; the compounds of the invention may be useful in therapy in the treatment of diseases associated with dysregulated protein kinase activity, like cancer.
US08461186B2	Use of N-piperidine derivatives for the treatment of neurodegenerative pathologies The present invention relates to chemical compounds, to pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions, and to the use of such compositions for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative pathologies and syndromes such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, lesions due to ischaemia and reperfusion, traumatic brain lesions, neuropathy due to HIV, Down's syndrome, diabetic polyneuropathy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, prion disease, late dyskinesia, tauopathy and demyelinating pathologies, and other life-threatening pathologies such as cardiac/renal/pulmonary/hepatic/intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, shock, toxicity due to drugs and radiation (radiotherapy and radiation protection), inflammatory conditions, atherosclerosis, aging, hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, epilepsy, and rheumatoid arthritis, all of which are known to be associated with an excess production of reactive free radicals. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions containing antioxidant cyclic (bis)-hydroxylamines derived from N-piperidine as pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention and treatment of pathologies in man and in animals.
US08461180B2	Inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus replication Compounds of formula (I): wherein c, X, Y, R2, R4 and R5 are defined herein, are useful as inhibitors of HIV replication.
US08461179B1	Dihydronaphthyridines and related compounds useful as kinase inhibitors for the treatment of proliferative diseases The invention relates to dihydronaphthyridines and related compounds; compositions comprising an effective amount of a dihydronaphthyridine or a related compound; and methods for treating or preventing proliferative diseases comprising the administration of an effective amount of a dihydronaphthyridine or a related compound.
US08461174B2	Treatment for cutaneous metastases The present invention provides methods for treating cutaneous metastases. In one aspect, the method can include identifying a treatment area that comprises one or more lesions containing metastatic cells; and administering an IRM compound to the treatment area in an amount effective for treating the lesion. In another aspect, the method can include identifying a treatment area that comprises one or more lesions containing metastatic cells; and administering a TLR7 agonist to the treatment area in an amount effective for treating the lesion. In another aspect, the method can include identifying a treatment area that comprises one or more lesions containing metastatic cells; and administering a TLR8 agonist to the treatment area in an amount effective for treating the lesion.
US08461173B2	Rapid release mini-tablets provide analgesia in laboratory animals Pellets containing an analgesic uniformly dispersed in a lipid carrier such as cholesterol mixed with fatty acid esters, can be used to provide long term pain relief. 5 mg cholesterol-tryglyceride-buprenorphine pellets released the majority of drug in 24-48 hours after implant and provide clinically significant plasma levels of analgesia in mice for 3-9 days. Blood levels of analgesia peak at day-1 and are substantially complete by day-5 depending on the level of buprenorphine. These results demonstrate that post surgical implants provide clinically significant levels of analgesia in the 24-48 hour period following surgery and thus obviate the time consuming, expensive, and high-risk need to inject mice post surgery. The pellets are safe and easy to use. Placed in the surgical wound at the end of surgery, they provide 2-3 days of analgesia and obviate the need for subsequent handling of the animal for pain therapy. The implants have no detectable effect on mouse behavior, hematology, or liver chemistry. The unexpected release kinetics of the 5 mg pellet provides an ideal implant for post surgical analgesia. These implants solve a significant problem facing scientists who use rodents in research and abide by international of animal welfare.
US08461151B2	Aryl-/heteroaryl-cyclohexenyl-tetraazabenzo[e]azulenes The present invention is concerned with aryl-/heteroaryl-cyclohexenyl-tetraazabenzo[e]azulenes of formula I wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as described herein. The invention further provides methods for the manufacture of such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds according to the invention act as V1a receptor modulators, and in particular as V1a receptor antagonists, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as medicaments. The active compounds of the present invention are useful as therapeutics acting peripherally and centrally in the conditions of dysmenorrhea, male or female sexual dysfunction, hypertension, chronic heart failure, inappropriate secretion of vasopressin, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, anxiety, depressive disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, autistic spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and aggressive behavior.
US08461146B2	Pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of premature ejaculation The present invention provides an oral pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of premature ejaculation, and the composition provides the effective and excellent treatment of premature ejaculation as well as reduced side effects like nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, sedation effect, awakening effect, and weight-loss etc.
US08461144B2	Substituted isoquinoline and isoquinolinone derivatives A method for the treatment or prevention in a mammal of a disease associated with Rho-kinase and/or Rho-kinase mediated phosphorylation of myosin light chain phosphatase comprising administering to the mammal in need thereof at least one compound of the formula (I).
US08461133B2	Inclusion complexes containing an active substance, a cyclodextrin and an agent for interaction The invention relates to a method for preparing a soluble inclusion complex comprising one or several active substances which are hardly soluble in an aqueous medium and are included in one or several host molecules, characterised in that it comprises the following succesive stages: (a) one or several active substances are brought into contact with one or several host molecules; (b) initiation of a molecular diffusion stage by bringing a dense pressurized fluid into contact with the mixture obtained in stage (a) in a static mode in the presence of one or several diffusing agents; (c) recovery of the active substance- host molecule molecular complex thus formed; (d) initiation of a stage wherein an interaction agent is added to and mixed with the active substance host molecule molecular complex; (e) recovery of the soluble inclusion compound thus formed. The invention also relates to the soluble inclusion compound which can be obtained by said method, particularly a piroxicam-cyclodextrin-arginine compound.
US08461125B2	Compositions and methods to treat asthma The present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of asthma. The compositions can be, for example, siRNA directed to CD23. The invention also provides a method of treating asthma with a formulation for in vivo delivery of a CD23 siRNA to inhibit IgE binding in a patient.
US08461105B2	Polymer-based sustained release device This invention relates to compositions for the sustained release of biologically active polypeptides, and methods of forming and using said compositions, for the sustained release of biologically active polypeptides. The sustained release compositions of this invention comprise a biocompatible polymer having dispersed therein, a biologically active polypeptide and a sugar.
US08461101B2	Targeting PAX2 for the treatment of breast cancer The present application provides methods of prevention and/or treatment of breast cancer in a subject by inhibiting expression of PAX2. In the cancer treatment methods disclosed, the method of inhibiting expression of PAX2 can be by administration of a nucleic acid encoding an siRNA for PAX2. A method of treating cancer in a subject by administering DEFB1 is also provided. Similarly, provided is a method of treating cancer in a subject by increasing expression of DEFB1 in the subject.
US08461090B2	Personal care composition in the form of an article having a porous, dissolvable solid structure The present invention relates to a dissolvable article in the form of a porous dissolvable solid structure, comprising from about 23% to about 75% surfactant; wherein the surfactant has an average ethoxylate/alkyl ratio of from about 0.001 to about 0.45; from about 10% to about 50% water soluble polymer; and from about 1% to about 15% plasticizer; and wherein the article has a density of from about 0.05 g/cm3 to about 0.25 g/cm3.
US08461085B2	Bioherbicide from Festuca spp The present invention relates to methods of using m-tyrosine compounds from Festuca species for inhibiting weed growth and enhancing growth of non-weed plants. The present invention also relates to methods of identifying plants having herbicidal properties.
US08461081B2	Herbicidal compositions containing glyphosate The invention relates to biocide compositions, comprising (a) at least one dialkylamide based on oleic and/or linoleic acid, and (b) at least one biocide. The compositions exhibit an improved stability even if stored at temperatures between 5° and 40° C. for an extended period.
US08461066B2	Nonwoven from bulked filament tow A nonwoven material has a plurality of randomly oriented and bulked crimped filaments, a plurality of point bonds interconnecting said crimped filaments into a fixed, 3-dimensional structure, and either a surface portion of said fixed, 3-dimensional structure having a greater density than an inner portion of said 3-dimensional structure or an external surface of said fixed, 3-dimensional structure being substantially free of any protruding filaments. The nonwoven material is made by: bulking a filament tow, fixing the bulked tow into a 3-dimensional structure, and calendering the 3-dimensional structure.
US08461060B2	Method and apparatus providing air-gap insulation between adjacent conductors using nanoparticles A semiconductor device and a method of forming it are disclosed in which at least two adjacent conductors have an air-gap insulator between them which is covered by nanoparticles of insulating material being a size which prevent the nanoparticles from substantially entering into the air-gap.
US08461055B2	Process for preparing cleaned surfaces of strained silicon The present invention relates to a method of treating wafers comprising at least one surface layer of silicon-germanium (SiGe) and a layer of strained silicon (sSi) in contact with the SiGe layer, the sSi layer being exposed by etching of the SiGe layer, the method comprising the steps of: (a) a first selective etch of the SiGe layer, optionally followed by an oxidative cleaning step; (b) a rinsing step using deionized water; (c) drying; and (d) a second selective etch step. The present invention relates to a wafer comprising at least one surface layer of strained silicon (sSi), the at least one surface layer of sSi having a thickness of at least 5 nm and at most 100 μm and having at most 200 defects per wafer.
US08461053B2	Self-aligned NAND flash select-gate wordlines for spacer double patterning A method for double patterning is disclosed. In one embodiment the formation a pair of select gate wordlines on either side of a plurality of core wordlines begins by placing a spacer pattern around edges of a photoresist pattern is disclosed. The photoresist pattern is stripped away leaving the spacer pattern. A trim mask is placed over a portion of the spacer pattern. Portions of the spacer pattern are etched away that are not covered by the trim mask. The trim mask is removed, wherein first remaining portions of the spacer pattern define a plurality of core wordlines. A pad mask is placed such that the pad mask and second remaining portions of the spacer pattern define a select gate wordline on either side of the plurality of core wordlines. Finally at least one pattern transfer layer is etched through using the mad mask and the first and second remaining portions of the spacer pattern to etch the select gate wordlines and the plurality of core wordlines into a poly silicon layer.
US08461041B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an insulating film of a silicon compound-group insulation film; forming an opening in the insulation film, applying an active energy beam in an atmosphere containing hydrocarbon gas to form a barrier layer of a crystalline SiC, and forming an interconnection structure of copper in the opening with the barrier layer formed in.
US08461037B2	Method for fabricating interconnections with carbon nanotubes A method for fabricating interconnections with carbon nanotubes of the present invention comprises the following steps: forming a dual-layer that contains a catalytic layer and an upper covering layer on the periphery of a hole connecting with a substrate; and growing carbon nanotubes on the catalytic layer with the upper covering layer covering the carbon nanotubes. The present invention grows the carbon nanotubes between the catalytic layer and the upper covering layer. The upper covering layer protects the catalytic layer from being oxidized and thus enhances the growth of the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are respectively connected with the lower substrate and an upper conductive wire via the catalytic layer and the upper covering layer, which results in a lower contact resistance. Moreover, the upper covering layer also functions as a metal-diffusion barrier layer to prevent metal from spreading to other materials via diffusion or other approaches.
US08461024B2	Methods and apparatus for thinning, testing and singulating a semiconductor wafer A wafer translator is provided with a patterned layer of wafer bonding thermoset plastic and is removably attached with a wafer so as to form a wafer/wafer translator pair. The wafer translator acts as a mechanical support during a thinning process as well as during a wafer dicing operation. The singulated integrated circuits are then removed from the wafer translator. In some embodiments, wafer level testing of the integrated circuits on the wafer is performed subsequent to the wafer thinning process but before the wafer and wafer translator are separated. In other embodiments, wafer level testing of the integrated circuits on the wafer is performed subsequent to the wafer dicing operation but before the diced wafer and wafer translator are separated.
US08461020B2	Device processing method In a device processing method, a laser beam is applied to a wafer along division lines from the back side of the wafer, thereby forming a division start point inside the wafer along the division lines at a depth not reaching the finished thickness of each device. A protective member is attached to the front side of the wafer before or after performing the division start points are formed. An external force is applied through the protective member to the wafer, thereby dividing the wafer along the division lines to obtain the individual devices. The back side of the wafer is ground to remove the modified layers, and a silicon nitride film is formed on at least the side surface of each device. The silicon nitride film has a gettering effect and is formed on the side surface of each device, which surface is formed by a cleavage plane.
US08461012B2	Device with ground plane for high frequency signal transmission and method therefor A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an isolation region in a semiconductor substrate; forming a conductive layer over the isolation region; forming a first dielectric layer over the conductive layer; forming a plurality of conductive vias extending through the first dielectric layer to the conductive layer and electrically contacting the conductive layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; and forming a conductive ground plane in the second dielectric layer. Each of the plurality of conductive vias is in electrical contact with the conductive ground plane, and the conductive ground plane includes an opening, wherein the opening is located directly over the conductive layer. At least one interconnect layer may be formed over the second dielectric layer and may include a transmission line which transmits a signal having a frequency of at least 30 gigahertz.
US08461011B2	Method for fabricating a back contact solar cell The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a back electrode-type solar cell. The method for manufacturing a back electrode-type solar cell disclosed herein includes: A method for manufacturing a back electrode-type solar cell, comprising: preparing an n-type crystalline silicon substrate; forming a thermal diffusion control film on a front surface, a back surface and a side surface of the substrate; forming a p-type impurity region by implanting p-type impurity ions onto the back surface of the substrate; patterning the thermal diffusion control film so that the back surface of the substrate is selectively exposed; and forming a high-concentration back field layer (n+) at an exposed region of the back surface of the substrate and a low-concentration front field layer (n−) at the front surface of the substrate by performing a thermal diffusion process, and forming a p+ emitter region by activating the p-type impurity region.
US08461010B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same In conventional processes, a recombination rate of minority carrier accumulated between a diffusion layer of an anode and a diffusion layer of a cathode cannot be enhanced. An interlayer insulating film 20 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 10. An opening 22 (first opening), an opening 24 (second opening) and an opening 26 are formed in the interlayer insulating film 20. The opening 22 and the opening 26 are formed above respective the p-type diffusion layer 16 and the n-type diffusion layer 18. The opening 24 is formed above the gap region that is a region between the p-type diffusion layer 16 and the n-type diffusion layer 18. A contact plug 32, a contact plug 34 and a contact plug 36 are embedded in the opening 22, the opening 24 and the opening 26 respectively. Both regions of the semiconductor substrate 10 located under the opening 22 among and located under the opening 24 are doped with an impurity.
US08461000B2	Method of making ultrahigh density vertical NAND memory device Monolithic, three dimensional NAND strings include a semiconductor channel, at least one end portion of the semiconductor channel extending substantially perpendicular to a major surface of a substrate, a plurality of control gate electrodes having a strip shape extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the substrate, the blocking dielectric comprising a plurality of blocking dielectric segments, a plurality of discrete charge storage segments, and a tunnel dielectric located between each one of the plurality of the discrete charge storage segments and the semiconductor channel.
US08460998B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor device A method of fabricating a semiconductor device including forming a charge storage layer, and forming a first tunnel insulating layer covering the charge storage layer, the forming of the first tunnel insulating layer including heat treating the charge storage layer.
US08460994B2	Bipolar semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor crystal includes a recombination-inhibiting semiconductor layer (17) of a second conductive type that is disposed in the vicinity of the surface between a base contact region (16) and emitter regions (14) and that separates the semiconductor surface having a large number of surface states from the portion that primarily conducts the positive hole electric current and the electron current. Recombination is inhibited, and the current amplification factor is thereby improved and the ON voltage reduced.
US08460985B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor for transistor and method of manufacturing the transistor A method of manufacturing a semiconductor for a transistor that includes forming a precursor layer by coating a surface of an insulation substrate with a precursor solution for an oxide semiconductor, forming an oxide semiconductor by oxidizing a portion of the precursor layer, and removing a remaining precursor layer except for the oxide semiconductor.
US08460971B2	Semiconductor device packaging structure and packaging method Exemplary semiconductor device packaging structure and packaging method are provided. The packaging method uses an adhesive layer to bond multiple wafer pieces onto a first surface of a carrier substrate, each adjacent two of the wafer pieces having a gap formed therebetween for exposing a part of the adhesive layer. A packaging layer is filled in each of the gaps. At least one through silicon via is formed each of the wafer pieces to expose a bonding pad formed on an active surface of the wafer pieces. Redistribution circuit layers are formed on back surfaces of the respective wafer pieces and filled into the through silicon vias for electrical connection with the bonding pads. A sawing process is performed to saw starting from each of the packaging layers to a second surface of the carrier substrate, and thereby multiple semiconductor device packaging structures are obtained.
US08460967B2	Integrated antennas in wafer level package A semiconductor module comprises components in one wafer level package. The module comprises an integrated circuit (IC) chip embedded within a package molding compound. The package comprises a molding compound package layer coupled to an interface layer for integrating an antenna structure and a bonding interconnect structure to the IC chip. The bonding interconnect structure comprises three dimensional interconnects. The antenna structure and bonding interconnect structure are coupled to the IC chip and integrated within the interface layer in the same wafer fabrication process.
US08460966B2	Thin film transistor and method for fabricating thin film transistor A thin film transistor, which has a first passivation layer and a second passivation layer to maintain high reliability while preventing hydrogen from being induced to a semiconductor layer, and a method for fabricating the thin film transistor are provided. The method includes providing a substrate including an insulation substrate, forming a gate electrode on the substrate, forming a gate insulation layer on the substrate and the gate electrode, forming a semiconductor layer on the gate insulation layer, forming source/drain electrodes on the semiconductor layer to expose a portion of a top portion of the semiconductor layer, forming a first passivation layer to cover exposed top portions of the gate insulation layer, the semiconductor layer and the source/drain electrodes, and forming a second passivation layer on the first passivation layer, wherein the forming of the second passivation layer comprises performing deposition at a higher temperature than the forming of the first passivation layer.
US08460959B2	Fast thermal annealing of GaN LEDs Methods of performing fast thermal annealing in forming GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are disclosed, as are GaN LEDs formed using fast thermal annealing having a time duration of 10 seconds or faster. An exemplary method includes forming a GaN multilayer structure having a n-GaN layer and a p-GaN layer that sandwich an active layer. The method includes performing fast thermal annealing of the p-GaN layer using either a laser or a flash lamp. The method further includes forming a transparent conducting layer atop the GaN multilayer structure, and adding a p-contact to the transparent conducting layer and a n-contact to the n-GaN layer. The resultant GaN LEDs have enhanced output power, lower turn-on voltage and reduced series resistance.
US08460957B2	Optical semiconductor device, method for manufacturing optical semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing optical semiconductor apparatus A method for manufacturing a high quality optical semiconductor device includes: (a) preparing a growth substrate; (b) forming a semiconductor layer on the growth substrate; (c) forming a metal support made of copper on the semiconductor layer by plating; (d) separating the growth substrate from the semiconductor layer to remove the growth substrate; and (e) carrying out a thermal treatment in order to even density distributions of crystal grains and voids in the copper forming the metal support.
US08460956B2	Method for fabricating a thin film transistor substrate A method for fabricating a thin film transistor substrate includes: (a) forming a gate electrode on a substrate using a first photoresist layer; (b) forming an insulating film, an active semiconductor layer, a doped semiconductor layer, an ohmic contact metal film, a passivation film, and a second photoresist layer on the substrate to cover the gate electrode; (c) disposing a multi-tone mask over the second photoresist layer, followed by performing a lithography process to form the second photoresist layer into a patterned photoresist, which has different thicknesses at a location corresponding in position to the gate electrode and on two opposite sides of the location; and (d) performing etching using the patterned photoresist.
US08460955B2	Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same The present invention provides a thin film transistor having high performance in a liquid crystal display, and a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention that includes: forming a gate line including a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the gate line; forming a data line including a source electrode and a drain electrode facing the source electrode on the gate insulating layer; forming a partition defining a pixel area and having an opening region exposing the gate insulating layer on the gate electrode, the source electrode and the drain electrode on the gate line, and the data line and the drain electrode; forming a semiconductor in the opening region; forming a color filter in the pixel area defined by the partition; and forming a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode on the color filter.
US08460939B2	Method for producing purified hematinic iron-saccharidic complex and product produced A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species (AHS) present in iron-saccharidic compositions, including AHS such as sodium ferric gluconate complex, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function. The method separates the AHS from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilizes the separated AHS. Separation of the AHS permits its analytical quantification, further concentration, purification and/or lyophilization as well as preparation of new and useful products and pharmaceutical compositions, including those useful for the treatment of humans and animals.
US08460926B2	Aqueous solution for cell preservation To provide an aqueous solution for cell preservation which is free of a natural animal-derived component such as a basal medium or serum. An aqueous preservation solution showing a high cell survival rate was obtained by removing a natural animal-derived component such as a basal medium or serum and controlling other components and their concentrations.
US08460925B2	Methods for culturing mammalian taste cells The invention provides methods of culturing mammalian taste cells, including taste receptor cells. Cells are maintained for a duration of up to three months and longer while maintaining molecular and functional characteristics of mature taste cells. The cells are cultured on coated cell culture vessels and, from first replacement of medium onwards, the medium is replaced in intervals of at least 5 days. The invention further provides isolation and culturing methods of taste cells wherein the time that the cells are exposed to isolation solution and proteolytic enzymes is minimized and the cells are cultured in coated culture vessels with the medium replaced in intervals of at least 5 days from first replacement onwards. The invention further provides cultured taste cells, transfection and assay methods, and taste cell assay buffers with an osmolarity of about 300-320 and pH of about 7.0-7.3.
US08460917B2	Lactobacillus strains Novel Lactobacilli strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus strain Lba EB01 (Lba EB01), Lactobacillus paracasei strain Lbp PB01 (Lbp PB01), Lactobacillus acidophilus strain Lba EB02, Lactobacillus plantarum strain Lbpl PB02, Lactobacillus stain Lbxx EB03 and Lactobacillus strain Lbxx PB03, and strains with essentially the same advantageous properties which alone or in combination can be used as probiotics or together with a prebiotic as a synbiotic. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions, dairy products, functional foods, nutraceutical and products for personal care comprising the strains alone or in combination, as well as use of the strain for prevention or treatment of vaginal infections, urogenital infections and gastrointestinal diseases.
US08460916B2	TS-23 alpha-amylase variants with altered properties Described are variants (mutants) of a parent alpha-amylase having alpha-amylase activity and exhibiting altered properties relative to the parent alpha-amylase, and methods of use, thereof.
US08460914B2	Decreasing potential iatrogenic risks associated with vaccines and vaccine antigens Influenza viruses for use in preparing human vaccines have traditionally been grown on embryonated hen eggs, although more modern techniques grow the virus in mammalian cell culture e.g. on Vero, MDCK or PER.C6 cell lines. The inventor has realised that the conditions used for influenza virus culture can increase the risk that pathogens other than influenza virus may grow in the cell lines and have identified specific contamination risks. Suitable tests can thus be performed during manufacture in order to ensure safety and avoid iatrogenic infections.
US08460903B2	Method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family A method for producing an L-amino acid is described using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, wherein the bacterium contains a protein which is able to confer resistance to growth inhibition by L-cysteine.
US08460899B2	Methods for identifying nucleic acid ligands The present invention generally relates to methods for identifying nucleic acid ligands of a target molecule. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for identifying a nucleic acid ligand of a target molecule from a candidate mixture of nucleic acids, including contacting at least one target molecule with a candidate mixture of nucleic acids, in which the nucleic acids have different affinities for the target molecule, and separating in a single step nucleic acids that bind the target molecule with greatest affinity from nucleic acids that bind the target molecule with a lesser affinity and nucleic acids that do not bind the target molecule, thereby identifying the nucleic acid ligand of the target molecule.
US08460893B2	Recombinant microorganism expressing a secY gene and method of use thereof The object of the invention is to provide a microorganism which enhances productivity of cellulase and is useful for industrial production of cellulase, and to provide a method for producing cellulase by use of the microorganism. The present invention provides a recombinant microorganism produced by transferring a gene encoding cellulase to a parental microorganism which has been genetically modified so as to overexpress a Bacillus subtilis secY gene or a gene corresponding thereto.
US08460890B2	Detection and measurement of blood-feeding activity This invention provides compositions and methods for detection of hematophagous ectoparasitic activity in an enclosure or area. The compositions comprise a reagent or reagents which are reactive against antigens or markers as they appear in the excrement or other ectoparasitic materials. Such markers or antigens may be produced by the ectoparasite itself or may have been introduced into the ectoparasite because of its blood feeding activity. The method of the present invention comprises collecting from the enclosure or area, a sample comprising environmental dust or materials and subjecting the sample to tests for detecting the presence of hematophagous ectoparasitic markers, host markers or both.
US08460879B2	Methods and arrays for target analyte detection and determination of target analyte concentration in solution Arrays of single molecules and methods of producing an array of single molecules are described. Arrays with defined volumes between 10 attoliters and 50 picoliters enable single molecule detection and quantitation.
US08460878B2	Methods and arrays for detecting cells and cellular components in small defined volumes Arrays of single cells and methods of producing an array of single cells are described. Arrays with defined volumes between 10 attoliters and 50 picoliters enable single cell capture, detection and quantitation.
US08460869B2	Methods and compositions to detect nucleic acids in a biological sample Methods of the invention separate a target nucleic acid from a sample by using at least one capture probe oligonucleotide that contains a target-complementary region and a member of a specific binding pair that attaches the target nucleic acid to an immobilized probe on a capture support, thus forming a capture hybrid that is separated from other sample components before the target nucleic acid is released from the capture support and hybridized to a detection probe to form a detection hybrid that produces a detectable signal that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample. Compositions for practicing the methods of the invention include a capture probe oligonucleotide made up a target-complementary region sequence and a covalently linked capture region sequence that includes a member of a specific binding pair.
US08460865B2	Multiplex decoding of array sensors with microspheres The invention relates to compositions and methods for multiplex decoding of microsphere array sensors.
US08460862B2	Enzyme substrates for visualizing acidic organelles The present invention relates to the visualization of acidic organelles based upon organelle enzyme activity. The organelle substrates of the invention are specific for enzyme activity of the organelle and label these organelles, such as lysosomes, rendering them visible and easily observed. Substrates of the present invention include substrates that produce a fluorescent signal. The fluorogenic acidic organelle enzyme substrates of this invention are designed to provide high fluorescence at low pH values and are derivatized to permit membrane permeation through both outer and organelle membranes of intact cells and can be used for staining cells at very low concentrations. They can be used for monitoring enzyme activity in cells at very low concentrations and are not toxic to living cells or tissues.
US08460860B2	Cancellous bone treated with collagenase and essentially free of blood cells A bone implant comprising cancellous bone that is essentially free of blood cells, and which has been treated with at least a loosening agent, such as collagenase and/or a digestive enzyme, for a time and at a concentration to loosen the osteogenic cells in the cancellous bone matrix. The osteogenic cells in the matrix are viable cells. The treatment of the cancellous bone with at least one loosening agent enables the osteogenic cells to be more available for carrying our their osteogenic function and to provide for an increased rate of bone formation.
US08460859B2	Tissue preservation and fixation method This invention relates, e.g., to a composition that, at room temperature, when contacted with a sample comprising phosphoproteins, can fix and stabilize cellular phosphoproteins, preserve cellular morphology, and allow the sample to be frozen to generate a cryostat frozen section suitable for molecular analysis. The composition comprises (1) a fixative that is effective to fix the phosphoproteins, and that has a sufficient water content to be soluble for a stabilizer and/or a permeability enhancing agent); (2) a stabilizer, comprising (a) a kinase inhibitor and (b) a phosphatase inhibitor and, optionally, (c) a protease (e.g., proteinase) inhibitor; and (3) a permeability enhancing agent (e.g. PEG). Methods are described for preserving phosphoproteins, using such a composition. Also described are endogenous surrogate markers for monitoring protein degradation, including the loss of posttranslational modifications (such as phosphorylation), e.g. the following removal of a cell or tissue from a subject; and exogenous molecular sentinels (e.g. phosphoproteins attached to magnetic nanoparticles) that allow one to evaluate the processing history of a cellular or tissue population sample.
US08460856B2	Material and method for photolithography A photosensitive material for use in semiconductor manufacture comprises a copolymer that includes a plurality of photoresist chains and a plurality of hydrophobic chains, each hydrophobic chain attached to the end of one of the photoresist chains. The copolymer in response to externally applied energy will self-assemble to a photoresist layer and a hydrophobic layer.
US08460848B2	Solvent-free bio-based emulsion Solvent-free extrusion processes are disclosed that are suitable for forming high bio-based polyester latexes that may be utilized in forming a toner, as well as other commercial products.
US08460845B2	Cyan toner Provided is a cyan toner which, while being a capsule-type toner having excellent low-temperature fixability, has excellent offset resistance and charging performance and can obtain high-quality images. A cyan toner having at least a resin (a) having a polyester as a main component, a colorant, and a wax, in which glass transition temperatures (° C.) Tg(0.5) and Tg(4.0) obtained at a rate of temperature increase of 0.5° C./min or 4.0° C./min satisfy 40.0≦Tg(0.5)≦60.0 and 2.0≦Tg(4.0)−Tg(0.5)≦10.0, and wherein, when the concentration of the cyan toner in an ethyl acetate dispersion is Cc1 (mg/ml), and the light absorbance at a wavelength of 712 nm of the dispersion is A(ethyl acetate)712, A(ethyl acetate)712/Cc1<0.15 is satisfied, and wherein, when the concentration of the cyan toner in a chloroform solution is Cc2 (mg/ml), and the light absorbance at a wavelength of 712 nm of the solution is A(chloroform)712, 2.00
US08460843B2	Method for finishing surface of preliminary polished glass substrate A glass substrate obtained by a method including measuring flatness of a glass substrate surface and measuring concentration distribution of dopant in the substrate. Processing conditions of the surface are set up for each site of the substrate based on results from the measuring the flatness and the measuring the distribution, and the finishing is carried out while keeping an angle formed by normal line of the substrate and incident beam onto the surface at from 30 to 89°. The surface is subjected to second finishing for improving an RMS in a high spatial frequency region. The surface after the second finishing satisfies the requirements: an RMS slope in the region that 5 μm<λ (spatial wavelength)<1 mm is not more than 0.5 mRad and an RMS slope in the region that 250 nm<λ (spatial wavelength)<5 μm is not more than 0.6 mRad.
US08460826B2	Lithium-iron disulfide cell design A lithium-iron disulfide electrochemical cell design is disclosed, relying on judicious selection of the electrolyte, a thicker lithium anode and a cathode with specific characteristics selected to cooperate with the electrolyte. The resulting cell has a reduced interfacial surface area between the anode and the cathode but, surprisingly, maintains excellent high drain rate capacity.
US08460824B2	Lithium-iron disulfide cell design The invention relates to electrochemical cells having a jellyroll electrode assembly that includes a lithium-based negative electrode, a positive electrode with a coating comprising greater than about 94 wt. % of iron disulfide.
US08460817B2	Method for manufacture of battery pouch terminals A manufacturing method for battery pouches enables the subsequent welding together of a stack of battery terminals with an interconnect member to form a battery pack. According to the method, a plurality of pouches containing energy storage medium and having positive terminals and negative terminals extending therefrom are supported side by side in a pouch supporting fixture and lids are lowered to clamp the pouches against movement. The terminals are clamped against movement by clamping the terminals at the bases thereof. Then, the end portions of the terminals are bent by die mechanisms to provide an offset shape in each terminal by which when the pouches are stacked adjacent one another, the positive terminals will contact one another and the negative terminals will contact one another. The clamping and bending are performed in a way that prevents the flow of electrical current between the positive and negative terminals.
US08460812B2	Lithium secondary battery A lithium secondary battery obtained by the present invention has a negative electrode sheet 20 in which the theoretical capacities of the negative active material per unit area are equalized in a negative active material layer 24b on the outer circumference side and a negative active material layer 24a on the inner circumference side of a negative electrode collector 22, and at least one of the following conditions is met with respect to at least part of a bent section 85, which is bent toward the inside of a wound electrode body 80: (1) the percentage content of binder of the outer negative active material layer 24b is smaller than the percentage content of binder of the inner negative active material layer 24a; and (2) the density of the outer negative active material layer 24b is smaller than the density of the inner negative active material layer 24a.
US08460811B2	Prismatic sealed secondary battery In a prismatic sealed secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of positive electrode substrate exposed portions and negative electrode substrate exposed portions of an electrode assembly is split into two groups, and therebetween are disposed intermediate members that are made of a resin material and hold one or more connecting conductive members. The two split substrate exposed portions are electrically connected to collector members and to at least one of the connecting conductive members by resistance-welding. Voids are formed in resin material portions of the intermediate members that are located around the resistance-welded portions of the connecting conductive members. Therefore, lowered resistance between the substrate exposed portions and the collector members and stabilized quality of the welds are realized and the manufacturing yield of the prismatic sealed secondary battery is improved.
US08460807B2	Modular battery design A battery pack is described. One embodiment of the battery pack includes a pair of end frames, the end frames having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the end frames having a detent on at least one of the sides of the end frames to receive a clamp; a frame positioned between the pair of end frames, the frame having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the frame having a ridge on at least one of the sides of the frame; a plurality of battery cells positioned in the frame and the pair of end frames, the plurality of battery cells electrically connected to each other at the top of the frame; and at least one cooling fin positioned between the battery cells. Methods of repairing battery packs are also described.
US08460803B2	Hard coating layer and method for forming the same Disclosed is a crystalline hard coating layer having no cracks, which exhibits both high hardness and excellent wear resistance at the same time. A method for forming the hard coating layer is also disclosed. A crystalline hard coating layer (3) coating a substrate (2) is formed by a PVD method, and contains Si and C as essential components, while containing an element M (which is one or more elements selected from among group 3A elements, group 4A elements, group 5A elements, group 6A elements, B, Al and Ru) and N as optional components. The crystalline hard coating layer (3) has the following composition: SixC1-x-y-zNyMz (where 0.4≦x≦0.6, 0≦y≦0.1, and 0≦z≦0.2).
US08460801B2	Quinoxaline derivatives and their use in organic light-emitting diode device The present invention relates to novel quinoxaline derivatives and their use in an organic light-emitting diode device. The quinoxaline derivative is of luminescence and rigidity, can increase glass transition temperature (Tg) and has better thermal stability, and thus can be used as a hole transporting layer, a host or guest of an emitting layer or an electron transporting layer of an organic light-emitting diode device.
US08460800B2	High-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in bending workability Disclosed is a cold-rolled steel sheet having a specific steel composition and having a composite steel structure including a ferrite structure and a martensite-containing second phase. In a surface region of the steel sheet from the surface to a depth one-tenth the gage, the number density of n-ary groups of inclusions determined by specific n-th determinations is 120 or less per 100 cm2 of a rolling plane, in which the distance in steel sheet rolling direction between outermost surfaces of two outermost particles of the group of inclusions is 80 μm or more. Also disclosed is a cold-rolled steel sheet having a specific steel composition and having a steel structure of a martensite single-phase structure. In the surface region, the number density of groups of inclusions, in which the distance between the outermost surfaces is 100 μm or more, is 120 or less per 100 cm2 of a rolling plane.
US08460798B2	Wood member for musical instrument and method of manufacturing the same, as well as soundboard manufacturing system and method A wood member for a musical instrument, which is capable of preventing occurrence of damage, such as cracking, to thereby ensure smooth and stable operation of the musical instrument and maintain excellent appearance of the same over a long time period. The wood member has compressive internal stress remaining at least in an outer peripheral portion thereof by being subjected to heating processing, cooling processing, and moisture conditioning processing, in advance. A wood workpiece as a workpiece for the wood member is heated at a predetermined temperature, and the heated wood workpiece is cooled. The cooled wood workpiece is subjected to moisture conditioning such that compressive internal stress is generated at least in an outer peripheral portion of the wood workpiece.
US08460795B2	Curable film-forming compositions demonstrating burnish resistance and low gloss The present invention is directed to curable film-forming compositions comprising: a) a curing agent; and b) a film-forming material comprising a fluoropolymer, a polymer having functional groups, and a plurality of particles comprising fillers and/or nanoscale particles having an average particle size ranging from 1 to less than 1000 nanometers prior to incorporation into the composition; wherein 20 to 30 percent by weight of the film-forming material of b) comprises the fluoropolymer. In certain embodiments, after application to a substrate as a coating and after curing, the cured composition demonstrates burnish resistance and an 85° gloss of less than 50. Multi-component composite coating compositions are also provided.
US08460794B2	Self-aligned wafer bonding A wafer article includes a substrate, two or more hydrophilic areas disposed on the substrate, hydrophobic areas surrounding the hydrophilic areas, and a eutectic bonding material disposed on the substrate. A wafer apparatus including two wafers having complimentary hydrophilic regions and eutectic bonding material is disclosed and a method of forming a bonded wafer articles is disclosed.
US08460789B1	Disposable protective cover for a foot-receiving surface A disposable protective barrier for a foot-receiving surface of a platform scale or other similar device. The barrier is typically rectangular or square and formed from paper or a paper composite. The upper surface of the barrier may bear indicia, either decorative or functional, for example indicia indicating proper foot placement on the scale. The protective barriers may be packaged in pads using a “low-tack”, reusable, pressure sensitive adhesive positioned on the lower surface of the protective barrier such that it engages a portion of the upper surface of the platform scale thereby preventing slippage of the disposable protective barrier. The paper or other material from which the barrier may be formed may also be treated with a germicide, antifungal, or some other protective substances to further protect the feet of persons placing their feet on the barrier. In other embodiments, a fragrance component may be added to the barrier.
US08460786B2	Embossed fibrous structures Embossed fibrous structures that exhibit a Dry Burst of greater than 270 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and more particularly to embossed fibrous structures that exhibit a Dry Burst of greater than 270 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and a Total Dry Tensile of less than 2375 g/76.2 mm and/or a Geometric Mean Total Dry Tensile of less than 1130 g/76.2 mm as measured according to the Tensile Strength Test Method are provided.
US08460776B2	Fire resistant encapsulated fiberglass products Fiberglass-based materials and fire retardant compositions are described, wherein the fiberglass materials and the fire retardant compositions are encapsulated in a plastic cover. Methods for making encapsulated fiberglass articles are also described.
US08460767B2	Compressible decorative paper impregnating agent which can be printed by the inkjet method The invention relates to a decorative paper impregnate which can be pressed into a laminate for decorative coating materials, which is impregnated with an impregnating resin and provided with an ink receiving layer and which after drying has a residual moisture of at least 3.5% and a flow of more than 0.4%.
US08460760B2	Coating a perforated surface An example method of coating a surface includes rotating a sprayer about an axis and directing spray away from the axis using the sprayer. The method coats a surface with the spray. The method moves a fluid through apertures established in the surface to limit movement of spray into apertures. The apertures are configured to direct the fluid toward the axis.
US08460758B2	Process for the preparation of a crosslinker composition This invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a crosslinker composition, comprising the steps of providing a mixture of an aliphatic alcohol A having at least one hydroxyl group and from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, with at least one multifunctional aldehyde C having at least two aldehyde groups —CHO to form a mixture AC, heating the mixture AC to convert at least a part of the multifunctional aldehyde C to its hemiacetal or to its acetal to form a mixture (AC)′, adding to the mixture (AC)′ least one cyclic urea U or the educts to produce the said cyclic urea U in situ, which cyclic urea U has at least one unsubstituted >NH group, and reacting the mixture thus obtained to form a chemical bond between the nitrogen atom of the at least one unsubstituted >NH group of the at least one cyclic urea U5 and the carbon atom of the least one aldehyde group —CHO of the multifunctional aldehyde C, and coating compositions comprising the said crosslinker composition.
US08460755B2	Extrusion-based additive manufacturing process with part annealing A method for building a three-dimensional part, the method comprising providing a printed three-dimensional part and support structure, where the support structure comprises at least two polymers having different glass transition temperatures. The method also comprises annealing the three-dimensional part.
US08460754B2	Needle coating and in-line curing of a coated workpiece A method for coating a work piece with resin including applying a controlled volume of liquid resin to the work piece with an applicator and allowing consecutive streams of resin to meld together to form a self leveling surface. The resin can be actively or passively cured. The work piece can be planar or cylindrical.
US08460752B2	High-throughput CVD system The use of deposition modules groups for each CVD deposition position including at least two deposition modules, together with a Motion Control System that controls and confines the motion of said deposition modules, enables a quick deposition module exchange at the deposition locations of On-Line or Off-Line CVD coating system. This results in a high volume large area CVD coating system that can increase the commercial viability of a given CVD system design through production throughput increases, production cost reductions, overall higher process flexibility and/or improved film quality.
US08460749B2	Binder for electrode of non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, electrode, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery The present invention provides a binder for an electrode of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a copolymer, wherein the copolymer contains 0.0005˜0.05 moles of group of an acid having nitrogen family element or chalcogen element or 0.0005˜0.05 moles of group of salts of the acid per 100 g of the copolymer. The binder exhibits excellent dispersion of an active material for an electrode. The invention also provides an electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, in which the active material layer formed by the composition for an electrode containing the above binder and the active material for an electrode is adhered to the current collector, in which the active material for an electrode is densely-filled, and which exhibits excellent surface smoothness.
US08460747B2	Large-area transparent conductive coatings including alloyed carbon nanotubes and nanowire composites, and methods of making the same Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to large-area transparent conductive coatings (TCCs) including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanowire composites, and methods of making the same. The σdc/σopt ratio of such thin films may be improved via stable chemical doping and/or alloying of CNT-based films. The doping and/or alloying may be implemented in a large area coating system, e.g., on glass and/or other substrates. In certain example embodiments, a CNT film may be deposited and then doped via chemical functionalization and/or alloyed with silver and/or palladium. Both p-type and n-type dopants may be used in different embodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments, silver and/or other nanowires may be provided, e.g., to further decrease sheet resistance. Certain example embodiments may provide coatings that approach, meet, or exceed 90% visible transmission and 90 ohms/square target metrics.
US08460743B2	Coating process for ophthalmic lenses The present invention generally relates to a method for coating ophthalmic lenses, preferably contact lenses, more preferably silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method for forming a coating comprising a polyionic material on a contact lens, preferably a silicone hydrogel contact lens, directly in the primary package and maintaining the coated contact lens within said primary package until insertion of the coated contact lens in the eye of the contact lens user.
US08460741B2	Process for the preparation of a canola protein isolate A novel canola protein isolate with predominantly of 2S canola protein and having equal to better solubility properties and improved clarity properties, has an increased proportion of 2S canola protein and a decreased proportion of 7S canola protein. The novel canola protein isolate is formed by heat treatment or isoelectric precipitation of aqueous supernatant from canola protein micelle formation and precipitation, to effect precipitation of 7S protein which is sedimented and removed. Alternatively, the novel canola protein isolate may be derived from a selective membrane procedure in which an aqueous canola protein solution containing 12S, 7S and 2S canola proteins is subjected to a first selective membrane technique to retain 12S and 7S canola proteins in a retentate, which is dried to provide a canola protein isolate with predominantly 7S canola protein, and to permit 2S canola protein to pass through the membrane. The permeate is subjected to a second selective membrane technique to retain 2S canola protein and to permit low molecular weight contaminants to pass through the membrane, and the retentate from the latter membrane technique is dried.
US08460737B2	Edible products with low content of saturated and trans unsaturated fats The present invention relates to a structured, fat continuous edible product, wherein the edible product contains, expressed on total product basis, a) less than 30 wt. % of saturated fatty acids, b) between 20 and 100 wt. % of a triglyceride composition c) between 0 and 80 wt % of a filler material d) less than 15 wt. % of water wherein the triglyceride composition contains with respect to the weight of the triglyceride composition e) less than 45 wt. % of saturated fatty acids, f) less than 10 wt. % of trans unsaturated fatty acids g) at least 8 wt. % of SUS triglycerides, wherein S is a C16-18 saturated fatty acid, U is unsaturated fatty acid having at least 18 C atoms, h) less than 15 wt. % of S3, i) at least 90 wt. % of C8-18 fatty acids, j) at least 75 wt. % of C18 fatty acids including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, k) has an SFC at 20° C. of between 5 and 50%. The present invention also relates to the use of this structured product in the preparation of fat continuous as well as non-fat continuous products.
US08460732B2	Method of preparing a nutritional composition A method of preparing a single serving of a nutritional composition comprising introducing water into a disposable capsule (30) containing a unit dose of the composition in concentrated form so as to reconstitute the concentrated composition and operate opening means contained within the capsule to permit draining of the resulting liquid directly from the capsule (30) into a receiving vessel. The method allows individual servings of nutritional compositions such as infant formulas to be prepared with substantially reduced or even eliminated risk of cross contamination from previously prepared servings.
US08460730B2	Method for manufacturing wrapped food products, as well as conveyor system for carrying out said method A method for manufacturing food products, such as mousse products, includes the steps of: providing a transport conveyor having a transport surface, providing a molding conveyor having molding apertures therein, the molding apertures being positioned above the transport surface, making the transport surface of the transport conveyor and the molding apertures of the molding conveyor move in unison from an input end towards an output end, positioning a mold within a molding aperture of the molding conveyor and on top of the transport surface of the transport conveyor near the input end, applying a food substance within the mold, removing the products including the mold and the food substance from the molding apertures near the output end.
US08460727B2	Chia-based fatty acids food product, rich in omega-3, with good stability A food product with Chia vegetable oil as a source of essential fatty acids, obtained by a simple and effective micro-encapsulation method using spray drying under special conditions. The product is highly soluble and oxidatively stable (by micro-encapsulation), odorless and flavorless, and can be used in food preparations or can be ingested alone.
US08460721B2	Active ingredient that stimulates the proliferation and/or activity of fibroblasts The invention relates to a novel active ingredient that stimulates the proliferation and/or the activity of fibroblasts and also to its applications in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical, in particular dermatological, field. In particular, the active ingredient according to the invention comprises a combination of at least one Hibiscus Abelmoschus extract and a soy extract containing at least peptides.
US08460714B2	Purified amniotic membrane compositions and methods of use Compositions having a combination of specific biological components have been found to exert a number of useful effects in mammalian cells, including modulating TGF β signaling, apoptosis, and proliferation of mammalian cells, as well as decreasing inflammation in mice. These components can be obtained commercially, or can be prepared from biological tissues such as placental tissues. Placental amniotic membrane (AM) preparations described herein include AM pieces, AM extracts, AM jelly, AM stroma, and mixtures of these compositions with additional components. The compositions can be used to treat various diseases, such as wound healing, inflammation and angiogenesis-related diseases.
US08460701B2	Synergistic antimicrobial preparations containing chlorite and hydrogen peroxide An anti-microbial preservative for use in ophthalmic and dermatologic products. The preservative includes from about 0.005 wt. % to about 0.20 wt. % chlorite compound and from about 0.005 wt. % to about 0.05 wt. % peroxy compound. Additionally, the preservative does not generate chlorine dioxide within the pH range of 5.0-8.8. Also included are an antimicrobial ophthalmic and dermatologic compositions for direct application onto an eye or skin of a living being including from about 0.005 wt. % to about 0.20 wt. % chlorite compound and from about 0.005 wt. % to about 0.05 wt. % peroxy compound. Also included are methods for treating dryness of the eyes and skin disorders (e.g., wounds, burns, infections, ulcerations, psoriasis, etc.) and for disinfecting and cleansing contact lenses while in place upon an eye by applying the composition to the eye or to the contact lens.
US08460698B2	Composite article suitable for use as a wound dressing A composite article comprises a fluid transport layer having first and second surfaces and a hydrophobic layer applied to the first surface of the fluid transport layer. When the composite article is used as a wound dressing, the first surface of the fluid transport layer provides a skin-facing surface. The hydrophobic layer comprises a plurality of discontinuities, and at least a portion of the discontinuities have a dimension sufficient to permit the passage of fluid through the hydrophobic layer and into the fluid transport layer.
US08460694B2	Solvent/polymer solutions as suspension vehicles A nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle that is capable of suspending an active agent. The nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle includes at least one solvent and at least one polymer and is formulated to exhibit phase separation upon contact with an aqueous environment. The at least one solvent may be selected from the group consisting of benzyl benzoate, decanol, ethyl hexyl lactate, and mixtures thereof and the at least one polymer may be selected from the group consisting of a polyester, pyrrolidone, ester of an unsaturated alcohol, ether of an unsaturated alcohol, polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the at least one solvent is benzyl benzoate and the at least one polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone. A stable, nonaqueous suspension formulation that includes the nonaqueous, single-phase vehicle and an active agent, and a method of forming the same, are also disclosed.
US08460693B2	Intraluminal device with a coating containing synthetic fish oil and a therapeutic agent The invention relates to an intraluminal device, in particular an intraluminal prosthesis, shunt, catheter or local drug delivery device. In order to increase the bio-compatibility of this device, it is provided with at least one coating. The coating contains a therapeutic agent which is comprised in a matrix that sticks to the intraluminal device. Instead of being formed by a little bio-compatible polymer, the matrix is formed by a bio-compatible oil or fat, such as cod-liver oil or olive oil. Preferably, the bio-compatible oil or fat further comprises alfa-tocopherol.
US08460684B2	Nuclease inhibitors and methods for their use A class of anionic oligomers and polymers that function for inhibition of nucleases, particularly RNase. Specific inhibitors include mixtures of oligomers of vinyl sulfate. Methods for inhibition or inactivation of one or more nucleases in vitro which comprises the step of contacting the one or more nucleases in a biological medium with one or more of the anionic oligomeric or polymeric inhibitors of this invention. Kits for carrying out a biological procedure, biological reaction and/or a biological assay containing one or more inhibitors of this invention. The use of oligomers and/or polymers of this invention as additives in buffers or reagents. The inhibitors of the invention can also be attached to surfaces to provide for removal of nucleases from media, solutions or other liquids in contact with the solid.
US08460680B2	Polyvalent chimeric rubella virus-based vaccines A chimeric viral particle that comprises a RV fusion gene is disclosed. The RV fusion gene comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a RV that is devoid of RV E1 protein, and a second nucleotide sequence that linked in translation frame to the first nucleotide sequence and encodes a humoral immunogenic viral protein. The chimeric viral particle is free of RV E1 protein-encoding gene. A virus packaging cell that generates the chimeric viral particle comprising a RV fusion gene and an isolated expression vector comprising a RV fusion gene linked in translation frame to a promoter are also disclosed.
US08460679B2	Glycolipid adjuvant compositions This invention relates to compositions and methods of preparing stable adjuvant diluent stock solutions and final adjuvant solutions comprising glycolipids, weak acids, alcohols, nonionic surfactants and buffers.
US08460675B2	Viral chemokine-antigen fusion proteins The present invention relates to a vaccine for increasing the immunogenicity of a tumor antigen thus allowing treatment of cancer, as well as a vaccine that increases the immunogenicity of a viral antigen, thus allowing treatment of viral infection, including immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In particular, the present invention provides a fusion protein comprising a viral chemokine fused to either a tumor antigen or viral antigen which is administered as either a protein or nucleic acid vaccine to elicit an immune response effective in treating cancer or effective in treating or preventing viral infection.
US08460674B2	HSV-1 epitopes and methods for using same The invention provides HSV antigens and epitopes that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.
US08460671B2	Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of influenza The present invention provides novel human anti-influenza antibodies and related compositions and methods. These antibodies are used in the diagnosis and treatment of influenza infection.
US08460668B2	Interferon alpha receptor I antibodies and their use The present invention provides isolated human monoclonal antibodies that bind to IFNAR-1 and that are capable of inhibiting the biological activity of Type I interferons. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting Type I interferon-mediated disorders using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating autoimmune disorders, transplant rejection or Graft Versus Host Disease using the antibodies of the invention.
US08460658B2	Method of treating cancer and/or cellular proliferative conditions and agents targeting hyaluronan anabolism useful for same The present invention relates generally to the modulation of hyaluronan (HA) synthesis and degradation. The present invention further contemplates modulation of cellular proliferation, useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of inflammatory disorders including hyperproliferative conditions, such as but not limited to, cancer and psoriasis. The present invention is directed to compounds, agents, pharmaceutically active agents, medicaments, therapeutics, actives, drugs and the like which specifically target a portion of HAS which is accessible to the extracellular environment in malignant or inflammatory or proliferative cells but which portion is not accessible to the external environment in “normal” cells. A “normal” cell in this instance is a non-malignant, inflammatory or proliferative cell.
US08460652B2	Topical skin care formulations A topical anti-aging skin care formulation comprising an effective amount of a benzoquinone, such as CoQ10, plus a synergistic pair of stabilizers and a synergistic pair of whiteners. The stabilizers are octyl salicylate and octyl methoxycinnamate. The whiteners are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. When proper amounts of these ingredients are used in an aqueous based emulsion formulation, the product will be initially white, and will remain white for an extended period of time.
US08460647B2	Pre-ligand assembly domain of the IL-17 receptor The invention provides isolated Pre-Ligand Assembly Domain (PLAD) polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence of a domain (e.g., a Fibronectin Ill-like domain) of an IL-17 Receptor (IL-17R) family member, wherein the PLAD polypeptide inhibits multimerization of a receptor complex comprising an IL-17R family member. Also provided are isolated PLAD-binding polypeptides, e.g., antibodies and avimers, which specifically bind to a PLAD polypeptide described herein. Related chimeric proteins, conjugates, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells are provided herein. Further provided are methods of treating an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, methods of inhibiting IL-17-mediated signal transduction, methods of inhibiting IL-17 ligand binding, methods of inhibiting multimerization of IL-17R complexes, and methods of inhibiting the production of at least one cytokine, chemokine, matrix metalloproteinase, or other molecule associated with IL-17 signal transduction are provided.
US08460640B2	Narcotic drug formulations with decreased abuse potential The present application relates to novel narcotic formulations having a decreased injection abuse potential In a representative embodiment, the formulation comprises methadone hydrochloride (6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenylheptan-3-one, a synthetic opiod), meglumine, cellulose, lactose, and magnesium stearate The application further illustrates methods for making the contemplated formulations.
US08460639B2	Probe for a hair cell, and labelling method for a hair cell using the probe for a hair cell Provided are a novel probe for a hair cell for clearly identifying various conditions of a hair cell, and a labelling method for a hair cell using the probe for a hair cell, more particularly, a probe for a hair cell containing, as an active agent, a staining compound represented by the general formula (I)
US08460638B2	Method of imaging with fluorescent microspheres A method of fluorescence imaging is disclosed that uses a non-labeled fluorescent microsphere comprising a primary amine polymer, wherein the microsphere does not contain an additional fluorescent substance, and wherein at least one primary amine group in the primary amine polymer has the structure of —N═R—, in which R is a residue after the reaction of an aldehyde-type cross-linking substance, and the other primary amine groups have the structure of —NH2. The fluorescence color of the microspheres can be adjusted by selecting different aldehyde-type cross-linking substances or combinations, and the fluorescence intensity of the microspheres can be controlled not only by the addition of the aldehyde-type cross-linking substances and the time of the cross-linking reaction, but also by adjusting the diameters of the microspheres.
US08460632B2	Method of manufacturing quantum dot A method of manufacturing a quantum dot, the method including: mixing of a Group II precursor and a Group III precursor in a solvent to prepare a first mixture; heating the first mixture at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C.; adding a Group V precursor and a Group VI precursor to the first mixture while maintaining the first mixture at the temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C. to prepare a second mixture; and maintaining the second mixture at the temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C. to form a quantum dot.
US08460631B2	Processing of manganous sulphate/dithionate liquors derived from manganese resource material The process concerns hydrometallurgical processing of manganese sulphate and manganese dithionate containing liquors and recovery of water therefrom. Sodium sulphate and/or sodium dithionate containing liquors are derived from manganese sulphate and manganese dithionate containing liquids, which are then cooled to produce crystals of sodium sulphate decahydrate and sodium dithionate dehydrate. The sodium sulphate decahydrate and sodium dithionate dehydrate crystals are then heated to a temperature sufficient to decompose the sodium sulphate decahydrate crystals to form anhydrous sodium sulphate crystals, sodium dithionate hydrate crystals and water, after which water is removed from the sodium sulphate and sodium dithionate hydrate crystal. The sodium sulphate and sodium dithionate dehydrate crystals are then heated to form anhydrous sodium sulphate, sulfur dioxide and water or steam. The anhydrous sodium sulphate is then separated from the sulfur dioxide and water.
US08460627B2	Apparatus and process for decomposing dinitrogen monoxide in an adiabatic fixed bed reactor A device and method for the decomposition of laughing gas including a gas inlet for supplying a laughing-gas-bearing gas; a first heat-exchanger for the exchange of heat between an exhaust and the laughing-gas-bearing gas; a heating device for occasional heating of the laughing-gas-bearing gas and a fixed-bed reactor in which a catalyst is included in order to decompose the laughing gas. The device also includes a gas outlet, through which exhaust leaving the fixed-bed reactor can be taken away through the heat exchanger. The device may be used to implement a method where the catalyst for decomposition of laughing gas is maintained at temperatures below 800° C. and in which the fixed-bed reactor is arranged as an adiabatic reactor.
US08460626B2	Compositions based on cerium oxide, zirconium oxide and, optionally, another rare earth oxide, having a specific raised surface at 1100° C, method for the production and use thereof as a catalyst The inventive composition, according to a first embodiment, consists essentially of a cerium oxide and a zirconium oxide in an atomic ratio Ce/Zr of at least 1. According to a second embodiment, said composition is based on cerium oxide, zirconium oxide with an atomic ratio Ce/Zr of at least 1 and at least one rare earth oxide other than cerium. After calcination at 1100° C., said composition has a specific surface of at least 9 m2/g in the second embodiment. The inventive composition can be used as a catalyst especially for the treatment of waste gases from internal combustion engines.
US08460621B2	Temperature transfer stand A portable temperature transfer stand for holding thermo-conductive laboratory devices transferring thermal energy to laboratory devices is provided as well as its methods of use. The temperature transfer stand comprises at least one supporting structure (foot) and a stable stage, both comprising a thermal conductive material. The supporting structure is in direct contact with the stage which is in direct contact with a laboratory device.
US08460620B2	Specimen collection container assembly A specimen collection container includes inner and outer tubes. The inner tube includes a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior. The sidewall includes an inner surface and an outer surface having at least one annular protrusion extending therefrom. The inner tube includes at least one funnel portion adjacent the top end for directing a specimen into the inner tube interior, and an annular ring disposed about a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall adjacent the top end. The outer tube includes a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an annular recess adapted to receive a portion of the annular protrusion therein. The inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and a portion of the top end of the outer tube abuts the annular ring.
US08460613B2	Uniform electrical field dielectric barrier discharge reactor A uniform electrical field dielectric barrier discharge reactor consists of an electrode unit, a dielectric catalyst container and an insulative housing. Each electrode plate of the electrode unit includes an insulative plane frame structure, and discharge needles evenly distributed on the insulative plane frame structure. The dielectric catalyst container is a hollow solid member internally coated with a metallic catalyst coating layer. The flow directing plate is made of a conducting substrate, having two opposite sides thereof covered by a metallic catalyst coating layer. The invention is practical for use in an air purifier, fluid sterilizer or waste water treatment equipment.
US08460605B2	Decontaminant dispenser suitable for use as a projectile The disclosed invention relates to a decontaminant dispenser which may be used as a projectile. The invention also relates to a decontamination process using the decontaminant dispenser. The decontaminant dispenser may be thrown by hand, launched as an artillery shell or the payload for a missile, or dropped by an airplane into the area to be decontaminated. The dispenser may be placed in the area to be decontaminated. The decontaminant dispenser may be ruggedized for use in hostile environments such as those that may be anticipated for military applications.
US08460594B2	Injection molding method An injection molding method includes: providing a mold core which defines a mold cavity, depositing a lubrication layer on an inner surface of the mold cavity, injecting plastic material into the mold cavity, and molding the plastic material into the plastic element.
US08460593B2	Article of footwear with mesh on outsole and insert An article of footwear including a mesh disposed on the outsole and an insert of the outsole is disclosed. The outsole includes tread elements that extend farther from the outsole than the mesh, providing protection to the mesh. Additionally, the mesh on the insert preferably helps reduce hyperextension of the front of the insert and the article of footwear.
US08460591B2	Porous membranes and methods of making the same The instant disclosure relates to porous membranes and methods of making the same. An example of the method includes exposing a polymeric film (including a polymer and i) a gel-forming polymer, ii) ceramic particles, or iii) combinations of i and ii) established on a carrier belt to a non-solvent or a slightly miscible solvent of a polymer in the polymeric film, thereby inducing formation of a porous structure in the polymeric film. The method further includes transporting the polymeric film on the carrier belt into a bath of a non-solvent or a slightly miscible solvent of the polymer for a predetermined time thereby finalizing the formation of the porous structure and forming the porous membrane. The porous membrane is removed from the non-solvent or slightly miscible solvent bath.
US08460590B2	Process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes providing at least one extruder, metering and feeding at least one elastomer, at least one filler, and ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one extruder, mixing and dispersing the at least one filler and the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder, and extruding a resulting elastomeric composition. The at least one extruder includes the housing and at least one screw rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing includes at least one feed opening and a discharge opening. At least one of the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers includes a subdivided product including one or more minor ingredients dispersed in at least one thermoplastic binding agent. An apparatus for continuously producing the elastomeric composition is also disclosed.
US08460584B2	Carboxylic acid stabilized silver nanoparticles and process for producing same Processes for producing carboxylic acid-stabilized silver nanoparticles are disclosed. The processes comprise (a) forming a suspension of silver salt particles in a carboxylic acid; (b) forming a solution of an organohydrazine and a first organic solvent; (c) heating the suspension; (d) adding the solution to the suspension to form a mixture; and (e) reacting the mixture to form carboxylic acid-stabilized silver nanoparticles.
US08460581B2	Imidazole derivatives and their use of dopants for doping organic semiconductor matrix material The present invention relates to imidazole derivatives and their use as dopants for doping an organic semiconductor matrix material, organic semiconductor materials and electronic or optoelectronic structural elements.
US08460575B2	Formulation for generating nitrogen gas The invention is directed to a solid, porous material, suitable for generating nitrogen gas, said material having a porosity of 20 to 75 vol. %, and a composition comprising, based on the weight of the material of 60 to 90 wt. % of sodium azide, 0.1 to 20 wt. % of an inert chemical coolant based on at least one inorganic salt having a heat capacity of at least 1400 J/K/kg, 0.1 to 20 wt. % of modifying agent selected from metal oxides and metal carbonates, and a binder, selected from the group consisting of at least one alkali metal silicate, preferably waterglass, or a poly-tetrazole, in an amount of between 3 and 15 wt. %.
US08460572B2	Aircraft anti-icing fluids formulated with nanocrystalline cellulose An aircraft anti-icing composition is provided comprising a freezing point depressant and a thickener comprising nanocrystalline cellulose. A thickening composition is also provided comprising nanocrystalline cellulose. Also taught is the use of nanocrystalline cellulose in the manufacture of an anti-icing composition and the use of nanocrystalline cellulose in a thickening composition.
US08460570B2	Floating foam for fire fighting Foams and methods of using foams for fighting fires in confined areas (i.e., mine shafts) are provided. In one embodiment, a foam for extinguishing a fire is provided. The foam includes a surfactant; a non-flammable liquid; and an inert gas having a density substantially less than air. Preferably, the density of the foam is substantially less than the density of air. The light foam will allow a basic form of directional control of the foam because the light foam will float towards the ceiling of a cavern or mine shaft. This offers fire fighters several options in extinguishing an underground fire.
US08460567B2	Method and system for etching a MEM device A method and system for etching a substrate is described and, in particular, a method for etching large, high aspect ratio features, such as those in micro-electromechanical devices (MEMs), is also described. The method comprises disposing a substrate in a processing system, forming plasma having a substantial population of negatively-charged ions, and etching one or more features in the substrate using the negative ion population.
US08460565B2	Process for fabricating patterned magnetic recording device A method of fabricating a patterned magnetic recording medium, comprises steps of: (a) providing a layer stack including an uppermost non-magnetic interlayer; (b) forming a resist layer on the interlayer; (c) forming a first pattern comprising a first group of recesses extending through the resist layer and exposing a first group of spaced apart surface portions of the interlayer; (d) filling the first group of recesses with a layer of a hard mask material; (e) selectively removing the resist layer to form a second pattern comprising a second group of recesses extending through the hard mask layer and exposing a second group of spaced apart surface portions of the interlayer; and (f) filling the second group of recesses with a layer of a magnetically hard material forming a magnetic recording layer.
US08460552B2	Method and device for the detection of disruptions of the blood flow in an extracorporeal blood circuit A method and device that identify impairments of the blood flow in an extra-corporeal blood circuit during extracorporeal treatment of the blood using an extracorporeal haemodialysis device, where the phase angle of at least one harmonic oscillation of an oscillating pressure signal that propagates in the extracorporeal blood circuit is determined. Impairments of the blood flow are detected in the extracorporeal blood circuit based on a characteristic modification of the phase angle of at least one harmonic oscillation of the pressure signal. A temporal modification of the phase angle may be compared with a predefined threshold value and an impairment is detected if the value of the modification of the phase angle is greater than the predefined threshold value. The method and device permit an early identification of a coagulation of the blood that flows through the haemodialysis unit, so that countermeasures can be initiated promptly.
US08460543B2	Portable water purifiers and methods of purifying A portable water purifier for purifying a liquid to a safe form acceptable for drinking may be provided. The portable water purifier may include a container configured to hold the liquid, a filtering mechanism connected to the container configured to filter out dirt or sediment floc from the liquid, and a transport mechanism in communication with the filtering mechanism configured to transport the liquid into the filtering mechanism. The portable water purifier may also include a mixer inside the container configured to disperse a chemical disinfectant or a flocculating agent tablet within a liquid, for instance water.
US08460540B2	Hydrocracking catalyst and process using insitu produced Y-fauajasite A hydrocracking catalyst comprising zeolite crystallized as a layer on the surface of a porous alumina-containing matrix, said zeolite-layered matrix arranged in a configuration to provide macropores in which the zeolite layer is provided on the walls of the macropores. Hydrogenating metals can be incorporated into the catalyst.
US08460533B2	Indium compositions Indium compositions including hydrogen suppressor compounds and methods of electrochemically depositing indium metal from the compositions onto substrates are disclosed. Articles made with the indium compositions are also disclosed.
US08460532B2	Deionization and desalination using electrostatic ion pumping The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.
US08460524B2	System and methods of chemistry patterning for a multiple well biosensor Methods and systems for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a blood sample and, more particularly, to methods of chemistry patterning reagent layers for multiple well biosensors. A first capillary is first configured to receive a dispensed reagent layer such that the reagent layer is distributed in a substantially uniform manner within the first capillary. The first capillary may also configured to isolate the first capillary from other capillaries present in the biosensor. After the reagent layer has been dispensed and dried, the first capillary may then be reconfigured to allow the first capillary to receive a blood sample.
US08460523B2	Analysis instrument The present invention relates to an analytical tool (X1) to be mounted to an analytical apparatus (1) which includes a plurality of terminals (11, 12) and an analysis circuit (13). The analytical tool includes a plurality of electrodes (21, 22) coming into contact with the plurality of terminals (11, 12) when mounted to the analytical apparatus (1). In the analytical tool (X1), at least one (12) of the electrodes (21, 22) serves as a disturbing-noise countermeasure electrode to which disturbing noise is more likely to come in comparison with the other electrodes (11) than the above-mentioned electrode (12).
US08460521B2	Sputtering cathode having a non-bonded semiconducting target A sputtering cathode is generally provided. The sputtering cathode can include a semiconducting target (e.g., a cadmium sulfide target, a cadmium tin oxide target, etc.) defining a sputtering surface and a back surface opposite to the sputtering surface. A backing plate can be positioned facing the back surface of the target and non-bonded to the back surface of the target. A non-bonding attachment mechanism can removably hold the target within the sputtering cathode such that the back surface is facing the backing plate during sputtering.
US08460512B2	Paper with improved stiffness and bulk and method for making same The invention provides a three layered reprographic paper having improved strength, stiffness and curl resistance properties, and a method for making same. The paper has a central core layer made largely of cellulose and bulked with a bulking agent such as a diamide salt. A starch-based metered size press coating is pressed on both sides of the core layer, wherein the starch has a high solid content. The coating forms a three layered paper having an I-beam arrangement with high strength outer layers surrounding a low density core.
US08460508B2	Synchronous pulse plasma etching equipment and method of fabricating a semiconductor device Synchronous pulse plasma etching equipment includes a first electrode and one or more second electrodes configured to generate plasma in a plasma etching chamber. A first radio frequency power output unit is configured to apply a first radio frequency power having a first frequency and a first duty ratio to the first electrode, and to output a control signal including information about a phase of the first radio frequency power. At least one second radio frequency power output unit is configured to apply a second radio frequency power having a second frequency and a second duty ratio to a corresponding second electrode among the second electrodes. The second radio frequency power output unit is configured to control the second radio frequency power to be synchronized with the first radio frequency power or to have a phase difference from the first radio frequency power in response to the control signal.
US08460505B2	Ski having a mounting aid for a binding, process for the manufacture of such a ski, and corresponding mounting aid Ski or similar device for sliding on snow having a mounting aid for a binding (28) or for components thereof, which aid is mounted on the top face (32) of the ski and is especially in the form of a binding plate (10), wherein the mounting aid or binding plate (10) is durably connected to the top face (32) of the ski in such a manner that ski (23) and mounting aid or binding plate (10) form an integral constructional unit in terms of the mechanical properties.
US08460504B2	Method of forming partition assembly having floor parent welded to partitions A method of manufacturing a non-disassembling partition assembly comprises providing a partition matrix made up of intersecting first and second slotted partitions. The partitions may be made by folding over a partition blank and securing a foam portion of the folded partition blank to itself. The foam may be heated before being cooled under pressure to secure opposed plies of the partition together. The partition assembly is held together by a floor parent welded to the intersecting partitions. The floor has a lower outer skin and a foam layer to which the partitions are parent welded.
US08460498B2	Method for sublimation coating A method and apparatus are provided for of applying a sublimation transfer to a coffee cup having a handle connected at two locations to the cup. A sublimation transfer is placed around the container with a dye image an outer surface of the cup and extending beneath the handle. An elastic clamp wraps around the cup and sublimation transfer and extends beneath the handle to press the dye layer against the cup beneath the handle. The clamp has an elongated opening near one end of the clamp and the opening is placed over the handle to fasten the clamp to the cup. The wrapped cup and sublimation transfer is placed on a conveyor oven for sublimation heating, with the clamp being removed for reuse after the sublimation transfer of the dye layer onto the cup is completed.
US08460497B2	Coatings derived from polyester crosslinked with melamine formaldehyde A coating composition is based on a polyester mixed with an alkyl-etherified melamine formaldehyde. The coating composition is partially cured in a first stage to provide a thermoformable partially cured, tack-free, non-blocking, coating layer, followed by application to generally a contoured substrate and thermoforming to conform thereto. The contoured partially cured coating layer is then heat cured to form a cured coating. A hydroxyl-terminated polyoxetane containing repeat units derived from oxetane monomers having one or two pendent —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf groups, wherein Rf is partially or fully fluorinated, can be esterified with polyester-forming reactants to form a fluorinated polyoxetane-modified polyester.
US08460496B2	Method and system for producing corrugated material A method and system for automatically changing the flute size in a corrugation process without stopping or slowing the overall corrugation process utilizing a first single-faced web having a first flute size and a second single-faced web having a second flute size. The first single-faced web is conveyed along a track into a double backer forming a first corrugated material. When a flute change sequence is initiated, the single-faced web is cut using a pressurized stream of water such that the single-faced web disengages with the double backer. Generally simultaneously, the second single-faced web is introduced into the double backer using an air jet, wherein a second corrugated material is formed.
US08460493B2	Evacuation and port sealing techniques for vacuum insulating glass units, and/or vacuum oven for accomplishing the same Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to evacuation and sealing techniques for VIG units, and/or multi-chamber vacuum ovens for accomplishing the same. In certain example embodiments, a VIG assembly is inserted into a multi-chamber apparatus to successively reduce the chamber pressure and thus the pressure between substrates comprising the VIG assembly until a final evacuation pressure is reached. Once the final evacuation pressure is reached, a pump-out port or tube of the VIG assembly is sealed forming a VIG unit while the VIG assembly is still in the vacuum chamber. After sealing, chamber pressures are gradually increased to atmospheric while the gap between the substrates of the VIG unit remains at a pressure less than atmospheric which is close to the final evacuation pressure.
US08460486B1	Percussion primer composition and systems incorporating same A percussion primer composition that comprises an explosive and a sensitizer, the explosive being a moderately insensitive explosive having an impact sensitivity in the range from about 0.3 kp m to about 0.75 kp m. The moderately insensitive explosive may comprise CL-20, PETN, RDX, HMX, or mixtures thereof. The sensitizer may comprise aluminum, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, melamine, styrene, lithium aluminum hydride, or mixtures thereof. In some instances, the percussion primer composition may comprise the moderately insensitive explosive precipitated onto the sensitizer. The percussion primer composition may contain an oxidizer, which in certain situations comprises a conventional oxidizer or a bismuth compound. The bismuth compound is bismuth trioxide, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth tetroxide, bismuth sulfide, or mixtures thereof. A gun cartridge and other primer-containing ordnance assemblies employing the percussion primer composition are also disclosed. Methods of forming the sensitized explosive and the percussion primer are also disclosed.
US08460485B2	Method of forming fine grains of Co-Cr-Mo alloy with nitrogen addition and Co-Cr-Mo alloy with nitrogen addition A Co—Cr—Mo alloy with nitrogen addition composed of 26 to 35% by weight of Cr, 2 to 8% by weight of Mo, 0.1 to 0.3% by weight of N, and balance of Co is subjected to solution treatment and then subjected to isothermal aging treatment holding the alloy at 670 to 830° C. for a predetermined period of time to form a multi-phase structure composed of an ε-phase and a Cr nitride by means of an isothermal aging effect. After cooling, the alloy subjected to reverse transformation treatment in which the alloy is heated at a temperature range of 870 to 1100° C. for reverse transformation to a single γ-phase from the multi-phase structure composed of an ε-phase and a Cr nitride.
US08460484B2	Method of making a shaped object with regions of different ductility A shaped part with different microstructures is made by continuously conveying a succession of hardenable steel blanks having first and second regions through a furnace such that the blanks reach an outlet of the furnace each with both of the respective first and second regions heated to an austenitization temperature. Then the blanks are positioned with the second regions thereof in a chamber of a holding unit and the first regions outside the chamber, and, while holding the second regions in the chamber and the first regions outside the chamber the second regions are heated and maintained at the austenitization temperature and the first regions are cooled with air to a temperature at which their microstructures become ferritic-pearlitic. Thereafter the blanks are transferred from the holding unit to a press where they are hardened and finish shaped.
US08460472B2	Method for glycosylating and separating plant fiber material The invention relates to a method for hydrolyzing a plant fiber material and producing and separating a saccharide including glucose. The method of the invention includes a hydrolysis process of using a cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state to hydrolyze cellulose contained in the plant fiber material and produce glucose. In the hydrolysis process, the cluster acid catalyst and a first amount of the plant fiber material that increases a viscosity of the cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state when added to the cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state are heated and mixed, and a second amount of the plant fiber material is then further added when the decrease in viscosity of the heated mixture occurs.
US08460470B2	Vapor phase deposition apparatus and support table A vapor phase deposition apparatus includes a chamber, a support table arranged in the chamber, and having a first support unit which is in contact with a back side surface of a substrate and on which the substrate is placed and a second support unit which is connected to the first support unit to support the first support unit, a heat source arranged at a position having a distance from a back side surface of the substrate, the distance being larger than a distance between back side surface of the support table and the heat source, and which heats the substrate, a first flow path configured to supply a gas to form a film into the chamber, and a second flow path configured to exhaust the gas from the chamber.
US08460468B2	Device for doping, deposition or oxidation of semiconductor material at low pressure A device for doping, deposition or oxidation of semiconductor material at low pressure in a process tube, is provided with a tube closure as well as devices for supplying and discharging process gases and for generating a negative pressure in the process tube. A closure of the process chamber that is gas tight with respect to the process gases and the vacuum tight seal of the end of the tube closure are spatially separated from each other in relation to the atmosphere and are arranged on a same side of the process tube in such a manner that a bottom of a stopper, sealing the process chamber, rests against a sealing rim of the process tube and the tube closure end is sealed vacuum tight by a collar, which is attached to the process tube and against which a door rests sealingly.
US08460466B2	Exhaust for CVD reactor A chemical vapor deposition reactor and a method of wafer processing are provided. The reactor includes a reaction chamber having an interior, a gas inlet manifold communicating with the interior of the chamber, an exhaust system including an exhaust manifold having a passage and one or more ports, and one or more cleaning elements mounted within the chamber. The gas inlet manifold can admit process gasses to form a deposit on substrates held within the interior. The passage can communicate with the interior of the chamber through the one or more ports. The one or more cleaning elements are movable between (i) a run position in which the cleaning elements are remote from the one or more ports and (ii) a cleaning position in which the one or more cleaning elements are engaged in the one or more ports.
US08460463B2	Silicon wafer and method for producing the same A silicon wafer is produced through the steps of forming a silicon ingot by a CZ method with an interstitial oxygen concentration of not more than 7.0×1017 atoms/cm3 and with a diameter of a COP occurring region not more than a diameter of a crystal, slicing a wafer from the silicon ingot after doping the silicon ingot with phosphorus, forming a polysilicon layer or a strained layer on one main surface of the wafer, and mirror polishing the other main surface of the wafer.
US08460456B2	Infrared reflecting black pigment, paint and resin composition The present invention relates to an infrared reflecting black pigment which comprises a composite oxide containing Fe, Co and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, Zn, Sn, Zr, Si and Cu; has an average plate surface diameter of 0.02 to 5.0 μm, a blackness (L* value) of not more than 30, an average reflectance of not more than 10% in a visible light wavelength range of 250 to 780 nm and an average reflectance of not less than 35% in an infrared wavelength range of 780 to 2500 nm. There is provided an infrared reflecting black pigment which is capable of producing a heat-shielding paint containing no harmful elements and exhibiting an excellent infrared reflecting property.
US08460450B2	Rapid drying, water-based ink-jet ink The present invention is drawn to ink compositions and methods for ink-jet recording. The ink-jet ink can comprise water and at least 20 wt % solids. The solids can include pigment particulates and silica particulates dispersed in the ink-jet ink, as well as solid humectant substantially dissolved in the ink-jet ink. The pigment particulates, silica particulates, and solid humectant substantially remain with a dried image that is printed using the ink-jet ink of the present invention.
US08460448B2	Printing ink dryer and printing ink using the same The present invention provides a printing ink dryer including a fatty acid manganese salt (A) and an aminoalcohol (B) represented by general formula (1) below. The printing ink dryer exhibits drying performance equivalent to or higher than the excellent drying performance possessed by cobalt metal carboxylates with using a smaller amount of a cobalt metal soap concerned about the influences on human bodies or without using the cobalt metal soap. In the formula, R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, X1 and X2 each independently represent an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and Y represents —NR3—, wherein R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an oxygen atom.
US08460445B2	Corrosion protection coatings The present invention relates to new coating materials for corrosion control.
US08460443B2	Portable dust collector A portable dust collector comprises a rectangular box-shaped housing containing a rectangular box shaped filter chamber having a dust collection volume in a lower portion thereof and providing plenums for operative gas circulation in a compact environment. The filter chamber shares a portion of the floor with the housing and has a pair of internal parallel sidewalls spaced inwardly from the outside sidewalls of the housing. The internal sidewalls define a plurality of filter chamber dirty gas inlets located just under an apertured cell plate from which the filters hang. The system is provided with a pulse jet cleaning system located in the clean air plenum above the cell plate.
US08460440B2	Beverage production device A beverage production device comprises a beverage production chamber designed to have a liquid interact with a beverage ingredient contained in a capsule, a liquid supply member for supplying liquid to the beverage production chamber, a heating member provided in the liquid supply member for heating the liquid, and an air separating compartment provided in the liquid supply member after the heating member for separating any air or other gas contained in the liquid. The air separating compartment comprises an inlet for introducing liquid into the air separating compartment, a member for breaking the kinetic energy of the liquid introduced through the inlet, a liquid outlet for evacuating liquid from the air separating compartment, and an air outlet for evacuating air from the air separating compartment.
US08460433B2	Clean corona gas ionization Clean corona gas ionization by separating contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions includes establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and flowing in a downstream direction, establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent at least a substantial portion of the byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream, and applying an electric field to the plasma region sufficient to induce at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream.
US08460421B2	Velocity stack mounted air filter assembly The air filter assembly or “air box” includes a flat base tray mounted to velocity stacks and a detachable filter box. The base tray includes a number of pliable mounting shoes, which are seated within openings formed in the base tray. The mounting shoes are formed or molded of a pliable synthetic rubber and are configured to have a number of ports through which the velocity stacks extend. Each stack port is defined by a bowl shaped depression that diverges into an annular collar. The base tray is mounted to the velocity stacks by hose clamps that compress the annular collars of the mounting shoes around the stacks. The detachable filter box is held to the base tray by six quick release latches.
US08460416B2	Oil separating device, especially for crankcase venting in an internal combustion engine An oil separating device is provided with a first and a second separator element that are arranged parallel to one another and are positioned in a separate first and a second flow path, respectively. The oil/air stream to be cleaned is alternatingly introduced into the first flow path with the first separator element or into the second flow path provided with the second separator element.
US08460412B2	Method for producing energy using an alkali metal A method is disclosed for producing energy from the controlled reaction of an alkali metal with water. The method comprises forcing a liquefied alkali metal through a filter that separates the liquid alkali metal into alkali metal droplets. The alkali metal droplets comprise small enough particles that the alkali metal droplets completely react in water to produce heat, steam, an alkaline hydroxide and hydrogen gas before the alkali metal droplets reach the surface of the water. The filter separates the alkali metal droplets at a sufficient distance to avoid recombining of the alkali metal droplets. The alkaline hydroxide is reduced to an alkali metal and water which can be reused in the system.
US08460407B2	Form of coal particles The invention provides a micronized form of coal particles with improved characteristics for porosity, hydration and preservation of pristine surfaces. The coal of the invention can burn at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and also has improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.
US08460399B2	Weak acid based concrete stain The present invention provides compositions and methods which are adapted to impart color to concrete or mineral substrate surfaces. Specifically, the present invention relates to a composition and methods adapted to treat concrete surfaces which have the advantage of using a non-corrosive acid-based solution.
US08460397B2	Oxidative dyeing compositions comprising an 1-hexyl/heptyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole and a pyridine and derivatives thereof A composition for the oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers, comprising (A) a 1-hexyl/heptyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole compound of the general formula (I), its physiologically compatible water-soluble salt, or mixtures thereof; (B) a pyridine compound of the general formula (II), its physiologically compatible water-soluble salt, or mixtures thereof; and (C) an oxidizing agent. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are as defined herein and a=1 or 2.
US08460392B2	Knee prosthesis having cross-compatible dome and anatomic patella components An orthopaedic implant assembly includes a plurality of dome patella components and a plurality of anatomic patella components. Each of the dome patella components and the anatomic patella components is interchangeable with a plurality of femoral components.
US08460391B2	Modular femoral components for knee arthroplasty A femoral knee prosthesis system for resurfacing a resected articular surface at the distal end of a femur includes a femoral component adapted to mate with the resected articular surface; and an attachment member. The interior surface of the femoral component is configured to connect to the first attachment member when the femoral component is mated on the resected articular surface of the femur and when the first attachment member is passed through the medial side or the lateral side of the resected articular surface. The femoral component is available in one-piece and two-piece systems. Mating femoral components (e.g., tapered or with lips that interlock with grooves) are also disclosed.
US08460390B2	System and method for replicating orthopaedic implant orientation A trial implant system includes a stem component and an articulating component forming part of a joint of a patient. A trial mounting assembly mounts the articulating component to the stem component at variable relative angular positions. The trial mounting assembly includes an expandable ball portion and an expansion element configured to expand the ball portion upon rotation of the expansion element. In an expanded state, the ball portion contacts a cavity within the stem at three points of contact to fix the center of rotation of the ball portion at a pre-determined location within the stem. The stem cavity defines an inwardly projecting circumferential lip that bears against ball portion as it expands to ensure the three-point contact.
US08460388B2	Spinal interbody device A spinal interbody device is provided having a cage and an anchor. The cage includes a center portion with a first surface and a second surface. A first arm and a second arm extend from the center portion with the first arm having a pair of first projections and the second arm having a pair of second projections. The pair of first projections and the pair of second projections are disposed on opposing sides of an open side. The anchor includes a blade that is movable between a first position and a second position. The blade is disposed to engage the first surface and deflect as the anchor is moved from the first position to the second position. Wherein the blade is at least partially disposed between one of the pair of first projections and the center portion when the anchor is in the second position.
US08460387B2	Intervertebral implant and face plate combination An intervertebral implant assembly includes an implant member and a retention member. The implant member includes a body portion and an attaching portion. The body portion includes first and second surfaces adapted to engage first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. The attaching portion defines a first guide portion that leads into the first surface. The retention member is detachably coupled to the attaching portion of the implant member. In particular, the attaching portion of the implant member is at least partially disposed in the retention member. The retention member defines an access bore configured and dimensioned to receive a bone screw therein. The access bore is in communication with the first guide portion, whereby when the bone screw is inserted through the access bore the bone screw is directed to the first vertebral body through the first guide portion.
US08460376B2	Intraocular lens An intraocular lens (10) is configured so that it can be incorporated into the capsule of an eye and its refractive power can be modified by the application of electrical voltages.
US08460374B2	Mask configured to maintain nutrient transport without producing visible diffraction patterns A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
US08460373B2	Method for implanting a heart valve within an annulus of a patient A method for implanting a heart valve assembly includes a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus, a second valve prosthesis, and a multi-lobed connection adapter to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the adapter is arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation. During use, the first annular prosthesis is implanted into the annulus, and the second valve prosthesis is inserted into the annulus. The adapter secures the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.
US08460371B2	Method and apparatus for performing catheter-based annuloplasty using local plications The present invention relates to minimally invasive methods and apparatus for performing annuloplasty. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for performing annuloplasty includes creating a first plication in the tissue near a mitral valve of a heart, using at least a first plication element, and creating a second plication in the tissue near the mitral valve such that the second plication is substantially coupled to the first plication. In another aspect, an apparatus for performing annuloplasty includes a distal catheter portion having a sidewall defining a lumen, anchor delivery structure disposed in the lumen, and al least one anchor supported on the anchor delivery structure. The anchor delivery structure is movable from a first position wherein the anchor is disposed within the lumen, to a second position wherein the anchor is moved through an opening.
US08460366B2	Transcatheter heart valve with micro-anchors Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for treating defective heart valve are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a transcatheter heart valve is disclosed that includes an expandable shape memory stent and a valve member supported by the stent. A plurality of micro-anchors can be disposed along an outer surface of the stent for engaging native tissue. The transcatheter heart valve can be configured to be advanced into a dilated valve annulus via a balloon catheter. The balloon can be inflated to expand the transcatheter heart valve from a collapsed diameter to an over-expanded diameter such that the micro-anchors engage tissue along the surrounding valve annulus. After engaging the tissue, the balloon can be deflated and the shape memory stent can retract or recoil toward its predetermined recoil diameter. As the stent recoils, the surrounding tissue is pulled inward by the stent such that the diameter of the valve annulus is reduced.
US08460362B2	Bioabsorbable polymeric medical device In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.
US08460359B2	Exchangeable delivery system with distal protection Medical device delivery systems that include a distal protection feature are provided. A distal tip member that includes a distal protection device and a mounting region for a self-expandable, intraluminal medical device is slidably disposed within a passageway defined by a tubular member.
US08460356B2	Devices and methods for vestibular and/or cranial nerve stimulation An in-ear stimulator for administering thermal stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) an earpiece configured to be insertable into the ear canal of said subject, the earpiece having an outer surface and an internal cavity formed therein, the internal cavity having an inner surface; and (b) at least one thermoelectric device thermally coupled to the earpiece internal cavity inner surface.
US08460349B2	Bone screw A device for manipulating bone fragments includes a bone screw includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The shaft includes a first end having a first threaded portion with a first core diameter, a first external diameter and a first pitch. The shaft includes a second end having a second threaded portion with a second core diameter, a second external diameter and a second pitch. The second end further has a tool engaging surface, wherein the first external diameter is no greater than the second core diameter, the first and second pitches are substantially equal, and a non-threaded middle segment between the first and second threaded portions, an outer diameter of the middle segment being smaller than the first core diameter, and wherein the shaft includes a cannulation extending therethrough disposed coaxial with the screw longitudinal axis. An installation instrument includes first and second ends, a longitudinal axis, and a bore extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis, the bore in communication with the first end of the instrument, wherein the bore has threads along at least a portion of a length thereof, the threads configured to mate with the second threaded portion of the bone screw so that rotating the installation instrument rotates the bone screw to drive the screw into a bone.
US08460344B2	Bone plate A bone plate for fixation of proximal humerus fractures comprises an elongated shaft portion having a first width and a head portion connected to the shaft portion having a second width greater than the first width. The head portion and the shaft portion define a common longitudinal axis. At least one first screw hole may be located in the head portion, and at least one second screw hole may be located in the shaft portion. At least one of the first and second holes is configured to engage a head of a bone screw to form an angularly stable connection with the bone screw.
US08460337B2	Selectable handle biasing Devices and related methods are disclosed that generally relate to surgical devices provided for use in various surgical procedures. In some embodiments, the surgical devices can include a handle housing and an elongate shaft having opposed jaws disposed at a distal end thereof. The handle housing can have a handle portion and a trigger configured to pivot relative to the handle portion to open and close the opposed jaws. A biasing switch can generally be disposed in and/or on the handle housing and can be selectively movable between a first configuration in which the opposed jaws are biased to an open position, and a second configuration in which the opposed jaws are biased to a closed position.
US08460333B2	Balloon catheter having metal balloon and method of making same A metal balloon catheter having a main tubular body, a metal balloon proximate a distal end of the main tubular body, a central annulus extending along an entire longitudinal aspect of the catheter for accommodating a guidewire therethrough and an inflation annulus adjacent the central annulus which extends along the longitudinal axis of the main tubular body and terminates in fluid flow communication with an inflation chamber of the metal balloon. The metal balloon catheter may be either unitary integral metal catheter in which the main tubular body and the balloon are fabricated of metal, or it may consist of a polymeric main tubular body and a metal balloon.
US08460322B2	Suture passer systems and methods for tongue or other tissue suspension and compression Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.
US08460316B2	Systems and methods for endoluminal valve creation A method of manipulating tissue at a vessel includes advancing a device distally relative to an opening at an interior surface of the vessel, and into a first wall portion of a vessel until an entirety of the device is within the wall of the vessel, the device having a distal end, a proximal end, and a cutting element coupled to the proximal end, and using the cutting element to increase a size of the opening by retracting the device proximally.
US08460315B2	Insertion tool system for an electrode array A device used for inserting an electrode array into a cochlea of a subject. Particularly, the device is adapted for the insertion of electrode arrays having an elongate carrier member and a removable means extending through the carrier member. The device includes a handle, an elongate positioning member mounted to the handle, an actuator member movable relative to the elongate positioning member, and at least one anchor member connected to the actuator member and engageable with the removable means. On insertion of the electrode array into a subject's cochlea, the actuator member can be moved relative to the elongate positioning member to withdraw the removable means from the carrier member.
US08460312B2	System and method for treating ischemic stroke A thromboembolic removal system for treating ischemic stroke, including a guide and occlusion catheter, a delivery and aspiration catheter, an aspiration pump, a thromboembolic receiver, and a thromboembolic separator.
US08460309B2	Suture anchor inserter An inserter for inserting a suture anchor into bone. The inserter has external markings that uniquely identify the orientations and the relative longitudinal positions of at least two suture passages through a suture anchor releasably engaged with the inserter. The markings assist a surgeon in determining a preferred placement and orientation of the anchor at an operative site during a surgical procedure.
US08460297B2	Drill bit assembly for bone tissue including depth limiting feature A drill assembly for creating a bore in living bone comprises a drill bit, a collet-nose drill stop, a collet sleeve, a collet body, a concealment collar, a retaining spring, and a plurality of retaining balls. The drill bit inserts into the collet body and is retained in the collet body by the plurality of retaining balls. The collet-nose drill stop extends over a portion of the drill bit to limit the depth of the bore formed by the drill bit. The collet body has a drive shank and a connection region. The connection region of the collet body is adapted to receive a portion of the drill bit. The plurality of retaining balls are adapted to longitudinally secure the drill bit to the collet body.
US08460295B2	Systems and methods for sternum repair The invention provides systems and methods for sternum repair. A sternum repair device may include a central body, which may include a plurality of bands and buckles, such that a band extends from the central body and is received by a buckle component. The band may wrap around the sternum and the device may be tightened to keep the separate sternum pieces together.
US08460283B1	Low temperature plasma generator A plasma generator having a dielectric body; a first end wall and a second end wall attached or coupled to each end of the dielectric body to define a cavity within the dielectric body, and wherein the second end wall includes at least one discharge aperture formed therein; at least one gas inlet formed proximate the first end of the dielectric body; at least one anode located within the cavity of the dielectric body, wherein the at least one anode includes at least one anode aperture; at least one hollow discharge nozzle associated with each discharge aperture, and extending from the second end wall to a nozzle aperture, such that when a generated plasma is produced, the generated plasma flows through each discharge aperture, each associated discharge nozzles, and each associated nozzle aperture; and at least one cathode formed at least substantially around a portion of each discharge nozzle.
US08460279B2	Ophthalmic laser apparatus An ophthalmic laser apparatus includes components for providing a first pulsed laser beam (140) having beam properties matched to the ablation of corneal material and for providing a second pulsed laser beam (290) having beam properties matched to the making of an incision in the ocular tissue. The components include separate laser-sources (110, 130) for generating the two laser beams and also a plurality of optical elements which guide the two laser beams on separate beam paths to a respective beam exit location and focus them to a focal point situated outside the beam exit location. In accordance with the invention, the optical elements include an optical waveguide (250) serving for guidance of the second laser beam, at least the two laser-sources being accommodated in a common housing (340) and the optical waveguide extending within the housing at least over a part of its length.
US08460278B2	Eye therapy system A system includes a conducting element that conducts energy from an energy source to apply therapy to an eye. The system includes a covering configured to be removably attached to the conducting element. The covering has an interface surface that is positionable at an eye. At least a portion of the interface surface includes one or more dielectric materials. Energy is deliverable to the eye through the interface surface. In one aspect, the covering provides an electrical insulator to minimize the concentration of electrical current in the area of contact with the eye. In another aspect, the covering allows the eye to be cooled during the application of energy without directly applying coolant to the eye. In another aspect, the covering includes a dielectric layer that may provide varying impedances that allow different patterns for energy delivery. In another aspect, the sheath promotes hygienic use of the conducting element.
US08460261B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article in which a plurality of absorbent components is layered, and the absorbent component on top is peeled off after use. The article is configured to inhibit twisting or wrinkling during use. In the absorbent article, the upper absorbent component is layered on the skin-facing surface of the bottom absorbent component and peelably bonded by the temporal adhesive member. The bottom absorbent component has higher flexural rigidity than the upper absorbent component, and the compression recovery rate of the bottom absorbent component is also set so as to be higher than that of the upper absorbent component. It is thereby possible to prevent the bottom absorbent component from twisting and wrinkling when the upper absorbent component is placed against the discharge area, and after the upper absorbent component is peeled off, the volume of the bottom absorbent component is restored, and comfort during contact thereof with the discharge area is improved.
US08460238B2	Drug delivery catheter with soluble balloon coating containing releasable microspheres and delivery method A drug delivery catheter and method for delivering microcapsules or microspheres containing a drug, pharmacological or other bioactive agent includes a balloon catheter having a coating on the balloon of a soluble biocompatible polymer containing a plurality of microcapsules or microspheres containing a drug or other agent. The balloon is porous to allow it to be inflated with a solvent fluid that passes through the porous wall of the balloon and dissolves the polymer, releasing the microspheres.
US08460235B2	Dispensing assembly for two components with double syringe and mixer A dispensing assembly for two components including a double syringe, a mixer, and a transfer device interposed between the double syringe and the mixer. The transfer device (3) includes a transfer unit with a transfer tube having a mixer at one end and a coupling area with an inlet portion at the other end. The coupling area is provided with coupling means which cooperate with coupling means on the double syringe. At least around the coupling area of the transfer unit, a support is arranged which is attachable to the double syringe.
US08460229B2	Systems, devices, and methods including catheters having components that are actively controllable between transmissive and reflective states Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively-controllable disinfecting implantable device configured to, for example, treat or prevent an infection in a biological subject.
US08460225B2	Weight shifting apparatus for an orthopedic sling An apparatus for laterally constraining the shoulder strap of an arm supporting orthopedic sling includes an armband for encircling and attaching to the well arm of the wearer and an anchor strap interconnected between the armband and the shoulder strap for pulling the shoulder strap laterally away from the wearer's neck and holding that strap such that the weight of the supported arm is borne at least primarily by the shoulder rather than the neck.
US08460222B2	Forearm rotation mechanism and orthesis which includes such a mechanism Rotation mechanism for a forearm which includes a moving stay (2) which supports a wrist, which includes at least one guide track in the form of an arc of a circle, a fixed stay (4) which supports the rear end of a forearm, rods (12) that are rigid lengthwise which link the moving stay (2) and the fixed stay (4) and which allow the moving stay (2) and fixed stay (4) to rotate around a longitudinal axis (Z), by means of articulated links which can rotate (14), and a strut (6) rigidly linked at one of its ends to the fixed stay (4), and linked at its other end to a roller-bearing, whose rollers are in rolling contact with the guide track of the moving stay (2), and which cause the moving stay (2) to pivot around a longitudinal axis (Z), where the direction of said longitudinal axis (Z) passes through the centre of the arc of the circle of the guide track and through the centre of a circle defined by the ends of rods linked to the fixed stay.
US08460216B2	Systems and methods of analyzing vibrations imparted to tissues and teeth Systems and methods are disclosed for performing dental diagnostics by inducing vibrations in a first dental object using a vibratory transducer; picking up at a receiver vibrations transmitted by the vibratory transducers; capturing vibrations from an second dental object and comparing the captured vibrations against a database of known dental characteristics; and generating a dental diagnostic.
US08460214B2	Vascular guidewire system and method A vascular guidewire system includes a tubular member which at least partially encloses a core wire. A first or distal gripper is connected with a handle to grip a proximal end portion of the tubular member. A second or proximal gripper is disposed in the handle and grips a proximal end portion of the core wire. A first or distal motor is disposed in the handle and is operable to rotate the core wire relative to the outer tubular member. A second or proximal motor is disposed in the handle and is operable to move the first or distal motor longitudinally relative to the handle to thereby move the core wire longitudinally relative to the outer tubular member. The second or proximal motor is disposed in a coaxial relationship with the first or distal motor. Rotational and/or longitudinally directed forces may be manually applied to the handle to move the tubular member and core wire relative to a patient's body.
US08460211B2	Vacuum assisted lancing system with bidirectional mechanism and method for blood extraction with minimal pain A lancing system can include a device body having a lancing end and a free end, a lancing shaft having an actuating end, a stop coupled to the body, a lancing spring coupled to the lancing shaft, a main shaft having an actuating end, and a shaft coupler having at least two separable portions for removably coupling the lancing shaft to the main shaft, wherein a first portion is coupled to the actuating end of the lancing shaft and a second portion is coupled to the actuating end of the main shaft. A method of extracting blood can include coupling the actuating end of the main shaft to the actuating end of the lancing shaft, moving the lancing shaft toward the free end of the device body, stopping the lancing shaft, uncoupling the actuating ends, and moving the lancing shaft toward a surface to be lanced.
US08460207B2	Surgical biopsy system with remote control for selecting an operational mode A surgical biopsy system is provided for removing at least one tissue sample from a surgical patient. The surgical biopsy system comprises an elongated, hollow piercer and a cutter rotatably and axially positionable relative to the piercer. The piercer has a lateral port for receiving the tissue sample into the piercer. The surgical biopsy system further comprises a power transmission source operatively connected to the cutter for rotating and translating the cutter, a control unit, and a display mounted in a display frame for showing an operator a plurality of operational modes of the surgical biopsy system. The surgical biopsy system further comprises at least one control button operatively connected to the control unit by a circuit and remotely located from the control unit. The operator may actuate the control button(s) to select any one of the operational modes and the selected operational mode is visually identifiable on the display.
US08460206B2	Multi-orientation targeting set for MRI biopsy device A biopsy device targeting set includes a vertical member, a carriage that is vertically movable along the vertical member, and a cradle coupled with the carriage. The cradle has a pair of substantially perpendicular mounting arms. Each mounting arm has a recess that may receive a rail of the carriage, such that the cradle may be mounted to the same rail in different orientations. Each mounting arm also has a biopsy device mounting feature, which may be a recess or a rail. The biopsy device mounting feature is configured to engage with a complementary feature of a biopsy device, such that a biopsy device may be mounted to either mounting arm. A z-stop feature is operable to selectively restrict longitudinal motion along either or both of the biopsy device mounting features. The targeting set may be used with a biopsy device in an MRI environment.
US08460204B2	Biopsy device with inner cutting member The invention is directed to devices and methods for separating and collecting a tissue specimen from a patient's target site. The device includes a probe member with a penetrating distal tip and a tissue receiving aperture, and a tissue cutting member which is rotatable disposed within the probe member to cut a tissue specimen drawn into the interior of the device through the aperture. The longitudinal edges of the aperture are preferably sharpened to engage the cutting edges of the tissue cutting member. Vacuum may be provided in the inner lumen of the cutting member to transport tissue therethrough. Rotation, rotational oscillation and/or longitudinal reciprocation of the tissue cutting member is effective to separate a tissue specimen from surrounding tissue. An accessing cannula having an tissue receiving aperture may be concentrically disposed within the probe member and about the tissue cutting member. The tissue cutting edge of the tissue cutting member preferably is longitudinally oriented and may have a cutting angle less than 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tissue cutting member.
US08460202B2	Method of measuring cardiac related parameters non-invasively via the lung during spontaneous and controlled ventilation An apparatus to measure cardiac output (Q) and other parameters such as alveolar ventilation (VA), minute CO2 elimination from the lung (VCO2), minute oxygen consumption (VO2), oxygenated mixed venous partial pressure of CO2, (PvCO2-oxy), true mixed venous partial pressure of CO2(PvCO2), PaCO2, mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), pulmonary shunt, and anatomical dead space, consisting of: a) a breathing circuit with characteristics that: i. on exhalation, exhaled gas is kept substantially separate from inhaled gas; ii. on inhalation, when VE is greater than FGS flow, the subject inhales FGS first and then inhales a gas that is substantially SGS, for the balance of inhalation; b) gas sensor means for monitoring gas concentrations at the patient-circuit interface c) a first gas set (FGS), and a second gas set (SGS), said second gas set which may comprise previously exhaled gases or exogenous gases or both d) a gas flow control means for controlling the rate of FGS flow into the breathing circuit e) means to identify phase of breathing, said means may consist of pressure sensors or analysis of signal generated by gas sensors or other means known to those skilled in the art; f) machine intelligence consisting of a computer or logic circuit capable of controlling the gas flow control means, receiving the output of the gas sensor means and means to identify phase of breathing, and performing the calculations for measuring cardiac output and other parameters as outlined in the disclosure.
US08460198B2	Implant transmitter A monitoring system is provided that enables the monitoring of a heart in a living organism by continuously measuring both pressure and volume in a chamber of the heart, preferably the left ventricle (LV). The pressure and volume measurements are acquired using a single sensing tip and are communicated to a transmitting device to be wirelessly transmitted to a receiving device, wherein they are used to monitor the heart. The system may also incorporate a temperature measurement that can be transmitted with the volume and pressure measurement to provide further data for monitoring. The system may also extract an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal from the volume measurement. This allows the monitoring of up to four signals that can be used to determine the beat by beat state of cardiac output and any changes caused by disease or therapy. In addition to a compact design, the system may also incorporate an energy saving timing scheme that reduces the power required per acquisition cycle and thus increases the operational lifetime of the transmitting device.
US08460184B2	Airway management The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate improving visualization associated with intubation. A dynamically articulating laryngoscope blade can be controlled to configure to normal anatomic variants and pathologic abnormalities to facilitate placing of an endotracheal tube into a patient's trachea. Further, cameras can be integrated into and/or mounted upon the dynamically articulating laryngoscope blade. The cameras can enable stereoscopic visualization of the laryngeal aperture allowing for depth perception. Moreover, the cameras can be moved independently of the blade allowing for optimal viewing of the laryngeal opening.
US08460177B2	Capsule medical device guidance system and method for guiding capsule medical device A system and method for guiding a capsule medical device. The method includes: changing, by a control unit, a gradient distribution of a gradient magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator in a vertical direction, the magnetic field generator generating at least the gradient magnetic field in the vertical direction to guide a capsule medical device that includes a magnetic-field responding unit; detecting, by a position detector, a position of the capsule medical device in the vertical direction based on a gradient distribution of the gradient magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator, a physical parameter of the capsule medical device, and a physical parameter of a liquid when the capsule medical device starts to move; and setting, by the control unit, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator based on the detected position of the capsule medical device in the vertical direction.
US08460168B2	Transseptal cannula device, coaxial balloon delivery device, and methods of using the same A transseptal cannula having a flexible cannula body, a left atrial anchor coupled to the distal end of the flexible cannula body, and a right atrial anchor operable to be attached to the left atrial anchor in vivo. The left and right atrial anchors are implanted and deployed separately. Delivery of the transseptal cannula to a heart tissue can include a low profile coaxial balloon catheter comprising a tube body including an inner member and an outer member surrounding the inner member and thereby creating an inflation channel between the inner and outer members, a hub coupled to the proximal portion of the tube body and including a fluid space in fluid communication with the inflation channel; and a balloon coupled to the distal portion of the tube body, wherein the balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation channel. The hub of the coaxial balloon catheter is constructed with a low profile so that other surgical devices can be directed over the coaxial hub without deflating and removing the balloon.
US08460158B2	Transmission control devices and systems, and methods of assembly and use thereof Features for varying speeds available and/or range of operation of transmissions are provided for use in high performance, increased efficiency, and/or other applications. Increased performance and/or efficiency may be obtained by using additional speeds or gear ranges to maintain drivetrain operation within maximum power and/or efficiency bands of internal combustion engine operation.
US08460143B2	Gear-based continuously variable transmission systems and methods thereof A continuously variable transmission system and a method of making a continuously variable transmission system is described. The present invention includes a gear set having at least a sun gear, one or more planetary gears, and a planetary gear carrier arm on which the one or more planetary gears are mounted for rotational movement. The sun gear and the one or more planetary gears are mounted for rotational engagement and movement with respect to each other, and one of the sun gears and the planetary gear carrier arm couples to an input shaft and another portion of the gear set couples to an output shaft to receive feedback. A rotary coupling unit having an input rotationally coupled to at least one of the one of the sun gears and the planetary gear carrier arm and an output that rotationally couples to the output shaft is also provided.
US08460142B2	Electrically-variable transmission Various embodiments of electrically-variable transmissions have first and second motor-generators, first and second planetary gear sets, and two torque-transmitting mechanisms, including a rotating-type torque-transmitting mechanism and a stationary-type torque-transmitting mechanism. An input member is connected for common rotation with a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. Carrier members of both of the planetary gear sets are connected for common rotation with one another, and with an output member, via one or more radial-extending hub members and an axial-extending member or shaft. The first motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The second motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set. In each embodiment, the various components of the transmission are positioned relative to one another to minimize the number and/or size of interconnecting shafts and shells.
US08460138B2	V-belt continuously variable transmission for small vehicle, and straddle-type vehicle To place an electric motor, which composes a groove width adjustment mechanism, away from a heat source so that the electric motor can be cooled actively, and to improve both the protection and the maintainability of the electric motor.A primary sheave 113 and a secondary sheave 123 each forming a V-groove with a variable width for receiving a belt are provided. A case 105 for housing the primary sheave 113 and the secondary sheave 123 is formed with an opening 110 for sucking and exhausting air into and out of the case 105. An electric motor 140 for driving a groove width adjustment mechanism 141 for the V-groove of the primary sheave 113 is disposed in an airflow path outside the case 105.
US08460124B2	Colored golf ball In a golf ball composed of a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a coat of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, the outermost layer of the cover or the coat of paint is colored with a fluorescent pigment. The ball has a color tone, at a measurement area diameter of 5 mm in a method of measuring the color of a reflecting object according to JIS Z-8722, which satisfies specific conditions in the Lab color system. The ball is endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and luxury, and an excellent weather resistance.
US08460123B1	Golf club head with a compression-molded, thin-walled aft-body A multiple-material golf club and a method for forming said golf club is disclosed herein. The multiple-material golf club preferably is a driver that has a metal face cup and a thin-walled, compression molded, composite aft body with precise IML and OML geometry. The molding composite used to form the compression molded aft body preferably comprises a plurality of randomly oriented carbon fiber bundles and a thermoset matrix material.
US08460118B2	Shaft assembly for a gas turbine engine A shaft assembly includes a shaft, a nut, a nut lock ring and a tubular nut support ring. The shaft includes a nut base mounted on the shaft, and a plurality of protrusions that extend radially out from the nut base. Adjacent protrusions are circumferentially separated by a gap. The nut lock ring includes a tubular ring base connected axially between a plurality of first lock tabs and a plurality of second lock tabs. The ring base is disposed on the nut base. Each first lock tab extends radially inward through a respective one of the notches. Each second lock tab extends axially through a respective one of the gaps. The nut support ring is disposed on the ring base.
US08460099B2	Integrating chat and wagering games A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining a player account logged on to a wagering game network, determining a chat session initiated by the player account via the wagering game network; and determining wagering game news events to present via a gaming chat console for the chat session. The operations can also include automatically adjusting presentation requirements for the wagering game news events based on quantifiable player factors. In some embodiments, the operations can also include presenting an interactive game bot via the gaming chat console as a social contact, receiving textual chat game commands communicated to the interactive game bot, and controlling a wagering game via the textual chat game commands. In some embodiments, the operations can also include following chat activity for the selected chat social-contact groups and integrating chat activity with client applications and devices.
US08460090B1	Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing an estimated emotional state of a player based on the occurrence of one or more designated events The present disclosure provides gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods providing an estimated emotional state of a player based on the occurrence of one or more designated events. When a player initiates a gaming session, the gaming system estimates the player's emotional state and generates estimated emotional state data that represents that estimation of the player's emotional state. For each of one or more designated events that occurs, the gaming system updates the player's estimated emotional state using an expected emotional response to that designated event. More specifically, the gaming system updates the player's estimated emotional state data using expected emotional response data representing the expected emotional response to that designated event. If one or more triggering conditions associated with the player's estimated emotional state is satisfied during the gaming session, the gaming system modifies one or more functions, aspects, or features of the gaming system.
US08460085B2	System and method for providing a roulette game based on financial market indicators A system comprises a client operable to communicate a bet regarding a spin of a virtual roulette wheel. The system further comprises a controller communicably coupled to the client and operable to determine a result of the spin of the virtual roulette wheel, the result based at least in part upon one or more digits of at least one financial market indicator at a configurable point in time. The system is further operable to determine an outcome of the bet based at least in part on the determined result.
US08460083B2	Gaming terminal with multi-level progressive jackpot A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game and having a special payout. The gaming terminal includes a basic game having a randomly selected outcome. The gaming terminal includes a side-wager option. In response to a player not choosing the side-wager option, the gaming terminal provides the player with a first probability greater than zero of achieving a special-payout outcome. In response to the player choosing the side-wager option, the gaming terminal provides the player with a second probability of achieving the special-payout outcome. The second probability is greater than the first probability.
US08460077B2	Two-player game of skill where each player tries to press while the other player is pressing A two-Player game comprising the steps of first determining whether or not a Player is Pressing his or her Actuator, and if so, changing the state of the Indicator(s) to show the first Player is Pressing. Second determining whether or not the opposing Player presses while the first Player is pressing, and, if so, awarding a point to the opposing Player and adding it to Memory. Third, after a point is scored, comparing the scoring Player's cumulative score stored in Memory with a predetermined number of points necessary to win. If the scoring Player has not reached the predetermined number of points necessary to win, Indicating a point scored and resuming the game. If the scoring Player has reached the predetermined number of points necessary to win, Indicating that the scoring Player has won.
US08460071B2	Hand held sharpening device This invention is a manual sharpening device for knife blades that creates a micro-serrated edge on the cutting edge of a knife (microscopic saw). There are two types of knife blades on the world market: plain (flat cutting surface) and serrated (undulated cutting surface, also known as saw knives). Each has a wide range of shapes and sizes for various applications. This sharpening tool allows the user to create a cutting edge on any knife that combines the effects of the plain and serrated edge and thereby expands the potential applications of any knife.
US08460066B2	Grinding machine A grinding machine includes a pair of workpiece support devices (12, 13), which clamp and rotate a workpiece (W), on a bed (11). A pair of saddles (14) is provided on the bed (11) in such a way as to be movable along the rotational axis of the workpiece (W). Grindstone heads (16) provided with rotating grindstones (16c) and drive mechanisms (16d) are supported on the saddles (14) in such a way as to be movable in a direction that perpendicularly intersects the movement direction of the saddles (14). There is provided a partition structure (20) which consists of a fixed cover (21) and a extendable cover (22), and serves to partition a machining region (T) for the purpose of sealing off the same so that the clamping portions (12a, 13a) and the rotating grindstones (16c) of both of the workpiece support devices (12, 13) will be located inside the machining region (T), and that bearing sections (12b, 13b) and driving sections (12c, 13c) of both of the workpiece support devices (12, 13), as well as bearing sections (16b) and driving sections (16d) of both of the grindstone heads (16), will be located outside the machining region (T).
US08460064B2	Method of dressing barrel worm-shaped tool, dressing apparatus, and internal-gear grinding machine In a method of dressing a barrel worm-shaped tool, a disc-shaped disc dresser (13) meshes with a barrel worm-shaped grinding wheel (12) having its diameter gradually increasing from the two end portions in the axial direction thereof towards the middle portion thereof and used to grind an internal gear (11). The barrel worm-shaped grinding wheel (12) rotates around a tool-rotating shaft (B) disposed at a predetermined shaft angle (A1) with a vertical work-rotating shaft (C1) for the internal gear (11). The disc dresser (13) rotates around a dresser-rotating shaft (D), the disc dresser (13) being disposed at an angle equal to a helix angle of the internal gear (11). While the barrel worm-shaped grinding wheel (12) and the disc dresser (13) mesh with each other and are rotating, the barrel worm-shaped grinding wheel (12) and the disc dresser (13) revolve relative to each other within a horizontal plane.
US08460057B2	Computer-implemented process control in chemical mechanical polishing A computer-implemented method for process control in chemical mechanical polishing in which an initial pre-polishing thickness of a substrate is measured at a metrology station, a parameter of an endpoint algorithm is determined from the initial thickness of the substrate, a substrates is polished at a polishing station, and polishing stops when an endpoint criterion is detected using the endpoint algorithm.
US08460052B2	System and method for toy adoption and marketing A computer system provides a virtual world. The computer system includes a server subsystem serving virtual world data, via a communication network, and receives data and/or commands. A registration subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, verifies information from a toy, registers the toy, and determines a quantity of toys registered by a user who is registering the toy. The verifying includes determining the validity of the information. A virtual world providing subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, provides the virtual world data, which produces data that presents the virtual world. The virtual world data includes a virtual toy representing the toy and a reward provided to the user for registering the toy. The reward is based on the quantity of toys previously registered by the user, such that the reward received for registering the toy is different than another reward previously received by the user for registering another toy.
US08460044B2	Spark plug electrode and method of making A method of manufacturing a center electrode for a spark plug, the method including the steps of: resistance welding a sphere of a noble metal to a center electrode of a spark plug to provide a center electrode with an electrode tip that has a tip portion of a first configuration, the first configuration having a first height and a first width; and shaping the tip portion after the sphere is welded to the center electrode by a process wherein the tip portion will have a second configuration having a second height and a second width, the second height being greater than the first height and the second width being less than the first width wherein a peripheral edge of the noble metal is flush with a peripheral edge of the material it is secured to.
US08460040B2	Outboard motor control device and marine vessel including the same An outboard motor control device is arranged to control a plurality of outboard motors. The outboard motor control device includes a malfunction determination unit arranged to determine whether any of the outboard motors is malfunctioning in turning angle control, a turning angle control stop unit arranged to stop turning angle control of an outboard motor determined as malfunctioning in turning angle control by the malfunction determination unit, a turning angle range limitation unit arranged to limit a turning angle range of other normally functioning outboard motor according to a turning angle of the outboard motor malfunctioning in turning angle control, and a turning angle control unit arranged to perform turning angle control of the normally functioning outboard motor in the turning angle range limited by the turning angle range limitation unit.
US08460038B2	Modular terminal and modular terminal block A modular terminal having a terminal housing, a busbar, and two terminal elements for connecting two conductors to the busbar. Two functional slots are formed at both connecting ends in the terminal housing. The first functional slot provides a first connection possibility for a first test socket or a test plug, and, the second functional slot provides a second connection possibility for a fixed link or a jumper. In order to be able to mount the testing and switching equipment in a simple and flexible manner in the modular terminal, an additional third functional slot is formed at both connecting ends in the terminal housing, a third connection possibility corresponding to the third functional slot is formed at both connecting ends in the busbar, and the connection possibilities in the busbar are openings into which test sockets, test plugs, fixed links, or jumpers can be alternatively plugged.
US08460037B2	Connector unit and display device having the same A connector unit is connectable to a printed circuit board (“PCB”) and includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first connector body having a receiving hole at one side, and a first terminal part disposed inside the receiving hole. The second connector includes a second connector body, and first and second fixing protrusions. The second connector body has a second terminal part formed at a first side. The second terminal part is inserted in the receiving hole, and is electrically connected to the first terminal part. First and second fixing protrusions are disposed at top and bottom surfaces of the second connector body, and are fixed to upper and lower edges of the receiving hole.
US08460036B1	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes an electrically insulative holder member, a signal module formed of a circuit board with recessed holes, circuit lines, electrical contacts and via-holes and metal contact terminals and metal mounting terminals, and a metal shield. The metal contact terminals have rear soldering end portions thereof respectively soldered to respective circuit lines, front contact portions thereof positioned in front ends of the recessed holes of the circuit board and middle suspension arms thereof connected between the rear soldering end portions and the front contact portions below the recessed holes and elastically deformable to prevent damage. The circuit lines electrically connect the 5 pcs of electrical contacts and the 4 pcs of metal contact terminals to the 9 pcs of via-holes. The surface area of each circuit line may be modified to adjust impedance for reducing interference.
US08460030B2	Connector with detachable module A connector includes a main body and a detachable module. The main body has an insulation base and a plurality of pin header slots. The rear surface of the insulation base is provided with a plurality of troughs. The pin header slots are disposed in the troughs. Each pin header slot extends toward the top surface of the insulation base. The detachable module includes a circuit board, an integrated circuit and a plurality of pin headers both electrically connected to the circuit board. When the detachable module is assembled with the main body in such a manner that the pin headers are electrically connected to the pin header slots, a mother board connected to the main body can perform the functions of the integrated circuit of the detachable module.
US08460026B2	Circuit element coupling devices and methods for flexible and other circuits Embodiments relate to coupling and/or holding devices for electrically and/or mechanically contacting circuit elements, such as power sources, sensors, transducers and other devices. In one embodiment, a coupling device comprises a substrate having at least one printed conductive element and at least one fold, flap, slit, slot, perforation or other alteration configured to encourage contact between a circuit element, such as a battery, sensor, transducer or other element, and the at least one printed conductive element.
US08460019B2	Card connector with separable card tray A card connector includes a shell having an entrance formed at a front end thereof, at least one terminal set, a card tray having a lateral portion, an ejecting assembly composed of a heart-shaped guide groove formed at the lateral portion, a guide member having two ends, one of which is pivoted to the shell and the other has an interference portion for interference with the guide groove, and a springy member mounted inside the shell and working on the card tray; and a springy biasing member mounted to shell and applying the resilience to the guide groove. The lateral portion includes an extension groove having two ends, one of which communicates with the guide groove and the other extends rearward to be an open end. When the card tray is inserted into the shell through the entrance, the open end allows the interference portion to enter the extension groove.
US08459999B2	Phonics education apparatus and method A phonics education apparatus, comprising a first word-constructing member (12) and a second word-constructing member (14). The first member has a first plurality of word fragments (20), each of which is plainly identified by indicia (16). The second member has a second plurality of word fragments (22), each of which is also plainly identified by indicia (18). The indicia of each of the second plurality of fragments is different from each other and matches the indicia of at least one of the first plurality of fragments. The matching indicia signify that a word is to be formed from the word fragments identified by the matching indicia. Either or both of the members are movable, enabling any word fragment of the first plurality of fragments to be paired with any word fragment of the second plurality of fragments. Accordingly, the formation of words is guided by the indicia of the word fragments. The indicia are preferably colors.
US08459997B2	Shooting simulation system and method A shooting simulation system and method. The system includes a plurality of firearms. Each firearm is held by a separate player and includes a man-worn computer, an optical system associated with the firearm for capturing an image. The image provides information on a trajectory of a simulated bullet fired from a shooting firearm. The system determines if the captured image is a hit or a miss of targeted player and informs a man-worn computer of the targeted player of a hit by the shooting firearm. The determination if the captured image is a hit or miss and identity of the targeted player may include utilizing various types of information, such as the location of the shooting firearm and the targeted player, orientation of the shooting firearm, trajectory of the projected ammunition of the shooting firearm, terrain data and atmospheric conditions.
US08459994B2	Immediate implant system An implant system including a substructure, a suprastructure, abutments and an implant. The suprastructure is preferably fabricated of a light polymerized resin material having reinforcements such as fibers or fillers. The suprastructure is fabricated before the substructure. The use of resin materials that exhibit less shrinkage and the fact that the process begins with the suprastructure fabrication prevents distortion of the prosthesis when the suprastructure is bonded to the substructure and placed in the patient's mouth. Additionally, the method involved in making this implant system provides a prosthesis that is available to the patient almost immediately after surgery.
US08459992B2	Prophy angle and adapter with latch A dental system comprises a dental prophy angle and an adapter. The prophy angle includes a housing and a latch mechanism. The adapter is configured to drive the prophy angle. The latch mechanism includes a lever and a first latch element, which are both defined by a pair of opposing U-shaped slots within the housing, such that free ends of one of the pair of opposing U-shaped slots are disposed between free ends of the other of the pair of opposing U-shaped slots. The adapter includes a nose having a second latch element and a depression proximate to the second latch element. Upon the first latch element mating with the second latch element, the depression is positioned adjacent the lever.
US08459990B2	Dental apparatus and method for dentures A dental apparatus and method of use for producing edentulous dentures, each including a lower dental tray having a removable modular contact plate with an upwardly extending shoulder surrounding a tapered opening, a ball nut retained in the tapered opening, and a post adjustably secured to the ball nut. A modular striking plate may be removably attached to an upper dental tray or an integrated striking sector on a bottom surface of the upper dental tray is utilized to accurately obtain an established occlusal vertical and centric relation positions. The contact plate and striking plate are each configured as snap-in components to the respective trays. Additionally, the contact plate may be utilized as a spacer between the dental trays once the post and ball nut are removed. Finally, the contact plate and striking plate may be removed for functional positioning and esthetic blue printing measurements.
US08459986B2	Oxygen to expand burner combustion capability A burner at which fuel cannot be combusted with air as the only source of oxygen for combustion in a stable flame at the burner when the feed rate of the fuel is too low, when the fuel is fed at too high an air-to-fuel mass ratio, when the fuel contains too high an amount of inert matter, or when the specific energy content of the fuel is too low, is modified by supplying oxidant containing more than 21 vol. % oxygen into the base of a flame at the burner, whereupon such fuels can be combusted at the burner.
US08459983B2	Hot-runner system having carbon nanotubes A hot-runner system for use with an injection molding system, the hot-runner system including a hot-runner component, a material; and carbon nanotubes being combined with the material. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed, at least in part, in the material and the material includes a metal alloy. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the metal alloy, so that the metal alloy and the carbon nanotubes are combined to form a CNT-metal composite material.
US08459981B2	Quantitative powder-providing module The present invention is related to a quantitative powder-providing module, adaptive to a 3D prototyping mechanism, at least includes: a powder-providing tank, which is used for storing a constructive powder and having a powder-dropping opening; and a powder-propelling roller located inside the powder-providing tank and having a plurality of recesses for receiving the constructive powder; when one of the plurality of recesses corresponds to the powder-dropping opening, the constructive powder received in the corresponding recess is output through the powder-dropping opening; wherein each of the plurality of recesses has plural sections, and the amount of powder received in each of the plural sections of the recess is increased from the center of the recess, toward the two sides of the recess.
US08459972B2	Bi-rotational hydraulic motor with optional case drain A bi-rotational hydraulic motor having a selectively pluggable case drain with check valves incorporated into the thrust plate allowing excess lubrication fluid to pass from the bearings into the outlet port of the motor.
US08459965B2	Production tubing member with auxiliary conduit A tubing member for use in well operations comprises a solid core extruded casing surrounding a production tubing passage arranged to receive produced fluids from a well therethrough and one or more auxiliary conduits arranged for communicate with well equipment. The casing is rectangular in cross section having a pair of opposed flat sides which can be wound onto a spool such that the flat sides are parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool. A longitudinal extending central axis of the production tubing and of each auxiliary conduit are situated spaced apart from one another along a common diametrical axis arranged to be parallel to the flat sides of the casing and the spool axis. The unitary casing provides good protection for electrical lines, hydraulic lines and other communication lines in the conduits alongside production tubing in a low cost and easy to manufacture tubing member.
US08459950B2	Contra-rotating propeller unit, method for assembly thereof, method for transportation thereof, and method for mounting thereof on mother ship The object is to facilitate the installation of a contra-rotating propeller on a mother ship. Disclosed is a contra-rotating propeller unit in which a predetermined part on the rear side of an inner shaft (12) is supported by a contra-rotating rear bearing (36) provided in a boss (13a) of a front propeller (13), and which includes an inner fixing tool (50) detachably attached to a tip of an outer shaft (11) to temporarily support a predetermined part on the front side of the inner shaft (12), and a contra-rotating thrust bearing (40) provided in the boss (13a) of the front propeller (13) to receive the thrust load from the outer shaft (11) to transmit the thrust load to the inner shaft (12).
US08459948B2	Retractable composite rotor blade assembly A retractable rotor blade for a flying vehicle includes an interlink assembly having interconnected link base subassemblies, a helical ribbon assembly reinforcing the interlink assembly, and a flexible and elastic sleeve that covers the interlink and helical ribbon assemblies in extended and retracted states of the rotor blade. Each link base subassembly has a damper for dampening movement of the interlink assembly during extension and retraction of the rotor blade, a pair of retractable links by which the link base subassembly is interconnected with another of the link base subassemblies, a link hub, and a pair of locking arms housed in the link hub for locking the rotor blade in the extended state. The helical ribbon assembly has sequentially overlapped ribbons helically wound around the interlink assembly. The flexible and elastic sleeve has a flexible and elastic skin and elastic ribs for imparting rigidity to the flexible and elastic skin.
US08459941B2	Mechanical joint for a gas turbine engine A mechanical joint for a gas turbine engine includes:(a) an annular first component having an annular, radially-extending first flange; (b) an annular second component having an annular, radially-extending second flange abutting the first flange; (c) a plurality of generally radially-extending radial channels passing through at least one of the first and second flanges; (d) a plurality of generally axially-extending channels extending through the first flange and communicating with respective ones of the radial channels; and (e) a plurality of fasteners clamping the first and second flanges together.
US08459940B2	Blower housing of hydrogen recirculation device of fuel cell vehicle A blower housing of a hydrogen recirculation device for a fuel cell vehicle includes a plurality of cooling pins installed on a perimeter of a housing body installed in a fuel processing system of the recirculation device. The cooling pins are arranged in parallel with air flow, thereby reducing a temperature deviation and the highest temperature point.
US08459932B2	Bearing device of gas turbine power generation equipment and gas turbine power generation equipment A bearing device of a gas turbine power generation equipment provides damping vibration of a shaft and lubricates and cools the bearing main body. The bearing devices have sleeves provided on the outer circumference sides of the bearing main bodies and bearing housings holding the respective sleeves via O-rings while each forming an annular clearance passage between each of the outer circumferences of the sleeves and a corresponding one of the bearing housings. The bearing housing has a feed-water hole communicating with the clearance passage and adapted to feed water thereto. The sleeve has a lead water hole communicating with the clearance passage and is adapted to lead water to the bearing main body, and a discharge hole which communicates with the clearance passage and is adapted to discharge water therefrom.
US08459928B2	Conveyor robot A conveyor robot (10) includes a main body (12), a first arm (18), and a second arm (16). The first arm (18) is designed to be reciprocable between a wafer cassette and a position above the main body (12). The first arm (18) is provided with a first hand (182) having a plurality of gripping portions designed to grip a wafer. The second arm (16) is designed to be reciprocable between a position above the main body (12) and a wafer stage. The second arm (16) is provided with a second hand (162) having a plurality of gripping portions designed to grip the wafer from a different angle than do the gripping portions of the first hand (182). The gripping portions of the first hand (182) and those of the second hand (162) are positioned at equal height.
US08459927B2	Vertical lift arm device A skid steer loader having an operator compartment attached to a frame. Lift assemblies are movably mounted to the frame and are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. As the lift assemblies are moved between the retracted position and the extended position, joining plates, first links and second links are positioned behind the operator compartment to provide a better field of vision for the operator.
US08459926B2	Article handling apparatus An article handling apparatus for gripping and moving an article such as a large tire or other vehicular component of a mining, earthmoving or like vehicle. The article handling apparatus includes a base frame for movement of the apparatus over a substrate surface, and a handling frame for gripping the article, such as a tire. The apparatus has a pair of moveable arm members on the base frame, and a pair of moveable arm members on the handling frame. The apparatus can be compactly stored by contraction of the arms, can be manipulated through tight spaces, and is extremely stable while handling large and heavy articles.
US08459925B2	Tiltloader for transferring cargo A device and method for moving tilt frame and transfer bed portions of a cargo transfer system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention may include a table and a pin secured to the transfer bed. The table may pivot on a horizontal axis allowing the transfer bed to be placed in a horizontal orientation during inclination of the tilt frame. The table may also pivot on a vertical axis so that the transfer bed may swing side-to-side, and may also pivot on a z-axis enabling the transfer bed to roll side-to-side relative to the table. An adjustable carriage with independently movable stabilizer legs may be used to level the transfer bed on uneven ground. The tilt frame may also include an extendable boom and a retractable roller system to facilitate loading and unloading of material such as flat rack platforms and pallets.
US08459914B2	Lashing strap hook load securing system In a lashing strap hook load securing system for securing a load on a load platform, the load platform has first and second pockets each having an open top and bottom and an end wall at sides of the platform. A lashing strap is provided with an associated strap winch for placement over the load on the load platform. First and second lashing strap hooks are provided, each lashing strap hook having a hook portion merging into a lashing strap retaining portion. The hook portion is shaped for engagement with an upper edge of the end wall of the respective pocket and comprises an outer bridging surface having a width at least equal to a width of the lashing strap and bounded at side edges by first and second respective guide surfaces extending above the outer bridging surface. The hook retaining portion comprises first and second retaining elements spaced apart to define a slot therebetween. The second retaining element is at an end of the retaining portion and the first retaining element is inwardly of the second retaining element. The first and second retaining elements and the slot are dimensioned to receive an end of the lashing strap threaded around each of the first and second retaining elements and inserted through the slot. With the hook having its retaining portion in a longitudinally extending vertical alignment, the lashing strap passes over and onto the bridging surface to assist in retaining the hook portion on the upper edge of the pocket.
US08459912B2	Tie-down hook A hook for a tie-down strap to secure a load on a trailer having a rail engaged by the hook. The hook has first and second panel portions, the first panel portion being secured to the strap. A transition connects the first and second panel portions, and a distal end portion of the second panel portion forms a return segment extending into the space between the panel portions. In use, the first and second panels are disposed along opposite surfaces of the rail. The transition spans one edge of the rail and the return spans an opposite edge of the rail.
US08459911B1	Cargo locking mechanisms and structures Locking mechanisms and assemblies for securing cargo to a transportation platform without requiring the use of strapping or equivalent. Advantageously, the locking mechanism may be integrated into a container such that each container may be interlocked with an underlying and/or overlying container. Autolocking variations to the locking mechanism provide a more automated, secure and less labor intensive way to secure cargo.
US08459897B1	Fragmented slab lifting apparatus and method A slab jack assembly for raising a fragmented slab from between sections of a concrete slab from which the fragmented slab is cut comprises a planar support positionable on top of the fragmented slab. Jacks are mounted on opposite sides of the planar support to engage an upper surface of the concrete slab. Securement pins mounted on the planar support are insertable into holes bored in the plurality of fragments in the fragmented slab and expandable within the holes to secure the fragments to the planar support. The first and second jacks are then operable to lift the planar support and fragments upward relative to the concrete slab.
US08459877B2	Optical fiber handler for a fiber optic connection termination system An optical fiber handler for optical connector termination systems and other devices are disclosed herein. The optical fiber handler attaches to the optical fiber or cable and cooperates with other components for preparing the optical fiber and/or making the optical connection, thereby providing a simple, reliable, and easy termination for the optical fiber. For instance, the handler may cooperate with one or more of the following a strip tool, strip/clean tool, cleave tool for preparing the end of the optical fiber(s), and/or a mechanical splice connector for making the optical connection. Additionally, after the optical fiber handler is attached to the mechanical splice connector it may be easily removed by the craft if necessary to reposition and reterminated the mechanical splice.
US08459874B2	Assembly and method for mounting a pump bearing in/on plastic coolant pump housings The assembly includes a pump bearing ring that is fitted with at least one bearing groove and is disposed in/on a bearing seat of a plastic coolant pump housing with an axial bearing collar, and several positioning webs which are located on the bearing seat. Separate adhesive grooves are placed between the positioning webs and the bearing collar. The adhesive grooves are provided with liquid-tight walls in four of the axial directions, an opening in the direction of the pump bearing ring, and slot-shaped adhesive pockets in the area of the outer edge of the pump bearing. A method for mounting a pump bearing in/on a plastic coolant pump housing includes steps of spreading adhesive on a bearing ring, pressing the bearing ring into/onto the bearing seat, and inductively heating the pump bearing in the plastic coolant pump housing.
US08459871B2	Shipping bag and method of making a reinforced selvage A flexible shipping bag is comprised of at least one panel having edges. The panel is formed of weft and warp filaments and has a central region of predetermined full thickness and a selvage forming at least one of the respective edges and of a lesser thickness. The warp filaments in the central region are thicker than the warp filaments in the selvage.
US08459860B2	Light flux controlling member, light-emitting device and lighting device A light flux controlling member capable of uniformly illuminating an illumination-target surface arranged approximately in parallel with an optical axis of a light-emitting device and reducing the weight of an lighting device is provided. An light flux controlling member is arranged on an edge side of an illumination-target member together with a light-emitting device (10) to emit light from the light-emitting device (10) from an output surface (14) after causing the light to enter from an input surface (15). The input surface (14) includes a first input surface (18) arranged to be positioned on an optical axis L1 of the light-emitting device (10) approximately parallel to the illumination-target surface and a second input surface (20) positioned to enclose the first input surface (18). The input surface (14) and the output surface (15) are formed in such a way that the light emitted from the output surface (15) via the first input surface (18) with the maximum angle from the optical axis L1 has a larger angle from the optical axis L1 than the light emitted from the output surface (15) via the second input surface (20) with the maximum angle from the optical axis L1.
US08459857B2	Planar light source device and display apparatus using the same A planar light source device comprising: a plurality of point light; a light guide plate including an incident surface, wherein the light spread out into a planar shape and the light guide plate emits the light from an emitting surface; and a frame including an opening, wherein the frame has a protrusion that is provided on a light source side of a peripheral end portion of the emitting surface of the light guide plate, wherein the point light sources are arranged at the light source side, wherein the protrusion has difference widths parallel to the emitting surface, and wherein a width of a portion of the protrusion, which corresponds to the position where the point of the point light source is arranged, is wider than a width of a portion of the protrusion, which corresponds to a position between the point light sources.
US08459846B2	Heat-dissipating downlight lamp holder A heat-dissipating downlight lamp holder has a lamp holding unit, multiple fins and a bottom board. The fins are mounted on a periphery of the lamp holding unit to effectively dissipate heat of a light bulb mounted in the lamp holding unit out of the lamp holder. The bottom board located underneath the lamp holding unit has multiple air inlets formed through the bottom board to let cold air under the lamp holder enter the lamp holding unit through the air inlets. By convection, heat dissipated from the fins is carried away from the downlight, thereby effectively reducing heat accumulated by the light bulb and preventing the light bulb from being damaged by high heat.
US08459841B2	Lamp assembly A lamp assembly is provided, including a light source, a thermal module, a connecting member, and an adapter electrically connected to the light source. The thermal module includes a first thermal member and a second thermal member. The first and second thermal members respectively have a plurality of first and second fins which are arranged in a staggered manner. The second thermal member forms a plurality of through holes for heat dissipation. The light source is disposed on the second thermal member, and the connecting member connects the thermal module with the adapter.
US08459834B2	LED lighting bar The LED lighting bar includes a first conductive wire (10), a second conductive wire (20) parallel to the first conductive wire (10), an insulator (30), at least one LED (40) and a fixing frame (50, 50′). The insulator (30) has an upper layer (31, 31′) and a lower layer (32, 32′), which cover the first conductive wire (10) and the second conductive wire (20), wherein the upper layer (31, 31′) is provided with a penetrating trough (310, 310′) for exposing a first connecting section (11) of the first conductive wire (10) and a second connecting section (21) of the second conductive wire (20). The at least one LED (40) electrically connects on a first electrode (41) of the first connecting section (11) and a second electrode (42) of the second connecting section (21). The fixing frame (50, 50′) is around the at least one LED (40) for fastening.
US08459825B2	Aesthetic device for providing of electrical power to external electronic devices A novel aesthetic device is disclosed for providing of electrical power to external electronic devices. The aesthetic device is formed from an elongated band having a first end and a second end at opposites ends thereof and an engagement mechanism disposed proximate the second end of the elongated band for engaging of the elongated band proximate the first end. A plurality of rechargeable battery cells embedded within the elongated band for at least one of providing of electrical energy therefrom and for storing of electrical energy therein. A control circuit coupled with the plurality of rechargeable battery cells and a device connector coupled with the control circuit and the plurality of rechargeable battery cells for at least one of providing of electrical energy to an external electronic device for powering thereof and for receiving of electrical from an external electronic device for recharging of the plurality of rechargeable battery cells.
US08459823B1	Screen enclosure lighting system A screen enclosure lighting system includes a housing mounted to the framework of the enclosure. The housing has a base for supporting a light source. The housing also includes a back portion attached to the base and supporting a top cover above the base. A curved window interconnects the base, the back portion and the top covering for projecting light from the light source through of an angle of approximately 180°. Exterior electrical wiring interconnects the light fixtures to an alternating current source.
US08459822B1	Multiple laser sighting and illumination systems for firearms Laser sighting systems for firearms are disclosed. The laser sighting systems are configured to project a peripheral pattern on a target the area of which is substantially representative of the spread of projectile(s) fired from the firearm.
US08459819B2	Illuminated beverage dispensing devices A bar gun having a configurable display is disclosed. The bar gun includes a housing portion having an internal cavity. A mixing mechanism is disposed in the internal cavity and is in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid lines. A spout having an opening is in fluid communication with the mixing mechanism to discharge fluid received from the mixing mechanism. The configurable display is coupled with the housing. The configurable display can include a display window and an illumination source configured to emit illumination to back light the display window. The configurable display can also include an electronic display.
US08459815B2	Stage lighting lamp unit and stage lighting system including such unit A stage lighting lamp unit includes a processor for receiving control data from a remote console. Beam orientation data for the lamp unit is passed to the lamp in the form of the x, y and z co-ordinates of a point in space through which the beam is to pass. The processor divides the required lamp travel into a number of stages dependent on execution duration data sent with the position data, and calculates, for each stage, a new value for pan and tilt angles for the lamp. These values are passed to pan and tilt controlling co-processors which control servo-motors for pan and tilt operation. The lamp unit also incorporates a rotatable shutter for interrupting the lamp beam when required. The shutters of all the lamps in a system can be instructed from the remote console to open and close in synchronism, thereby providing a stroboscopic effect.
US08459810B2	Adjustable rear view mirror An adjustable rear view mirror includes a mounting seat, and a connecting unit including a rotating seat that is rotatably connected to the mounting seat by a first adjusting member on which a first washer is sleeved, and that has a supporting wall unit. A supporting rod has a pivot end pivotably connected to the supporting wall unit by a second adjusting member on which a second washer is sleeved, and an opposite supporting end connected to a rear view mirror body. The first and second washers are coated with PTFE coatings for reducing resistance to rotation of the rotating seat relative to the mounting seat and rotation of the supporting rod relative to the supporting wall unit.
US08459809B2	Exterior mirror element with auxiliary reflector portion An exterior mirror reflective element includes a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The mirror reflective element has a principal reflector portion and an auxiliary reflector portion, with the auxiliary reflector portion having a curved recess established at the second surface of the glass substrate. The curved recess has a cross-dimension size that may be less than about 80 millimeters and a radius of curvature that may be less than about 1,000 millimeters and a maximum recess depth that may be in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters. A metallic reflector is established at the curved recess and a principal mirror reflector is established at the principal reflector portion. The mirror reflective element may be an electrochromic mirror reflective element, or may be a fixed reflectance non-electro-optic mirror reflective element.
US08459792B2	Method and systems for measuring interpupillary distance The proposed innovation provides methods and systems for measuring the interpupillary distance. The proposed innovation provides a fitting pad (102) having two detection points (104 and 106). The fitting pad is placed on the forehead of the user and an image is captured. The image is uploaded and pupil distance calculator software locates the fitting detection points and calculates the distance in pixels of the left and right X, Y coordinates. The software creates an image scale by dividing the pixel counts between the detection points. The software automatically locates the X, Y coordinates between the center of the left and right pupils and calculates the distance in pixels. The resulting pixel distance divided by the image scale provides the interpupillary distance in millimeter. In embodiments, segment height is calculated based upon an image imported by the user and the combined scaled images of the user and the frame.
US08459789B2	Ink-jet recording apparatus including internal light source An ink jet recording apparatus which jets an ink onto a recording medium to record an image, includes: a housing which has an opening at an upper portion thereof; a carriage which reciprocates in the housing and carries an ink cartridge containing the ink and a recording head for jetting the ink; a tray, at least a portion of which is provided in the housing and on which the recording medium recorded by the ink jetted from the recording head is discharged; a cover which is provided on the upper portion of the housing and opens/closes the opening; and a light source which is provided so that both a carriage area in which the carriage is positioned when the ink cartridge is replaced and a discharge area, of the tray, in which the recording medium is discharged are irradiated with a light from the light source.
US08459781B2	Inkjet head and method of manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, an inkjet head comprises a main body which is adhered onto a substrate with an adhesive layer. The substrate includes inflow parts that are opened to a mounting surface. Side surfaces of the main body, internal surfaces of the grooves, an end part of the adhesive layer, and the mounting surface are covered with a conductive layer. The conductive layer is provided with insulating patterns. The insulating patterns run between the grooves and extending to the mounting surface.
US08459777B2	Feed mechanism for wide format printer A feed mechanism for a wide format printer is provided having a supply spool for supplying media web to a printhead, a take-up spool for receiving the web after printing, a take-up motor connected to the take-up spool, a take-up control system for controlling the take-up motor torque, a drive roller system positioned between the supply and take-up spools, a drive motor connected to the drive roller system, and a braking motor connected to the supply spool for generating tension in the web between the supply spool and the drive roller system. The take-up, drive and braking motors are separate motors and are separately connected to the take-up spool, drive roller system and supply spool, respectively. The web fed from the drive roller system to the take-up spool is maintained under substantially constant tension by regulating the torque of the take-up motor using the take-up control system.
US08459773B2	Inkjet printer with dot alignment vision system Image processing of printed patterns of arrays of dots generated by an array of inkjet heads uses a vision system, including an HD color camera that can be a fixed focus or include autofocus and zoom capabilities. Pattern recognition techniques are used to analyze as many patterns as necessary to perform multiple alignment functions, such as dot size, shape, and integrity; unidirectional, bidirectional, and step alignments; physical position and straightness of jet packs; flatness of platen or media belt; mapping imperfections in rods and rails of guiding systems; and checking jet alignments from a reference jet to all other jet packs. From such image analysis, correction values are generated that are used to effect manual or automatic adjustment of the inkjet heads physical position, voltage, temperature, and firing pulse timing and/or duration; and to position the printed dots fired from the nozzles in the inkjet heads in the appropriate position.
US08459771B2	Printing device and printing method A printing device includes a printing section that deposits printing matter onto a printing medium, a printing control section that controls the printing section so as to cause there to be printed on the same printing medium a first image that is based on acquired print data and a second image that extends in a width direction of the printing medium. The printing device further includes width-setting section that sets the length of the second image in the width direction to a length dependent on the size of the first image.
US08459768B2	High frequency droplet ejection device and method In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method for driving a droplet ejection device having an actuator, including applying a multipulse waveform that includes two or more drive pulses to the actuator to cause the droplet ejection device to eject a single droplet of a fluid, wherein a frequency of the drive pulses is greater than a natural frequency, fj, of the droplet ejection device.
US08459766B2	Print apparatus and control method thereof A first rotator is provided on an upstream side of the carriage that holds a print head and a second rotator is provided on a downstream side of the carriage. The print head is allowed to move to a maintenance unit in a first state in which a sheet is in contact with both the first rotator and the second rotator during printing. The print head is not allowed to move to the maintenance unit in a second state in which the sheet is in contact with either one of the first rotator and the second rotator and the sheet is not in contact with the other rotator during printing.
US08459762B2	Recording apparatus and recording method A recording apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer member; a supply unit that supplies a curable liquid onto the intermediate transfer member, the curable liquid including at least one curable material that is cured by an external stimulus and a liquid absorbing material; a first temperature information acquisition unit that acquires temperature information related to the curable liquid; a temperature regulation unit that regulates the temperature of the curable liquid supplied onto the intermediate transfer member; an ink application unit that applies ink onto a curable liquid layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; a transfer unit that brings the curable liquid layer onto which the ink has been applied into contact with a recording medium, and transfers the curable liquid layer from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium; and a stimulus application unit that applies a stimulus for curing the curable liquid layer to the curable liquid layer.
US08459760B2	Apparatus and method for printing on articles having a non-planar surface A method for printing on an article having a non-planar surface in an embodiment includes obtaining coordinates or a geometry for a non-planar surface of an article; determining a tangent orientation for a print head in three dimensions; and using the tangent orientation and positioning the print head relative to the non-planar surface of the article. Embodiments of apparatus for printing on articles having non-planar surfaces are also disclosed.
US08459758B2	Drawer slide auto-close dampening system with reset feature A drawer slide with an auto close dampening system with reset feature is disclosed. The drawer slide may incorporate a stationary slide member attached to a frame of the drawer and a pin in fixed relative position to a drawer box of the drawer. A carriage is attached to the stationary slide member and has an actuator that is releasably engageable with the pin. The actuator works in conjunction with the pin to automatically close the drawer box to the closed position. During malfunction, the actuator is drawn back to a retracted position so that the auto close mechanism no longer automatically closes the drawer box when the drawer box is traversed to the closed position. The actuator includes a ramp so that the pin may be pushed over the ramp and engage back with the actuator to reset the auto close mechanism.
US08459757B2	Furniture drive A furniture drive for a pull-out guide system, for driving at least one guide rail of the pull-out guide system, has an electric motor arranged in a housing. The housing has a cup-like portion in which the electric motor is arranged, and has an abutment part for abutment against a wall of a basic furniture structure on which the pull-out guide system is, or can be, fitted. Therefore, in the fitted state of the furniture drive, the electric motor can be arranged in a recess in the wall of the basic furniture structure.
US08459756B2	Adjustable blanking panel Adjustable blanking panels for use with equipment racks and enclosures to cover or fill in vacant sections of the rack or enclosure, to prevent the circular flow and reentry of high temperature air into the intake of electrical and computer equipment. The adjustable blanking panels include a generally rectangular base frame that defines opposing left and right side channels, and a generally rectangular shield that is adapted to be inserted into the side channels and slide relative to the base frame, to adjust the height of the panel to the size of the vacant section. The adjustable blanking panel may further include a lip that may be used to raise or lower the shield.
US08459753B2	Electromechanical brake force booster The invention relates to an electromechanical brake force booster for a hydraulic vehicle brake system. The invention proposes that the brake force booster be formed with two restoring springs, one of which acts on an electromechanical actuator and the other of which restoring springs acts on a pedal rod. In the event of failure of the electromechanical actuator, only the other spring, which preferably has a relatively low spring force, must be compressed using muscle force. The force loss in the event of actuation exclusively by muscle force is reduced.
US08459752B2	System for wheel cladding affixment A system for permanently securing wheel cladding to a wheel having a rim with a rim flange is provided. An annular affixment ring includes an outer periphery which seats within an undercut formed in the rim flange. A plurality of arcuate flanges extend from the inner face of the cladding and abut the inner periphery of the ring to maintain the outer periphery of the ring within the undercut. The ring includes axial apertures and the inner face of the cladding includes retention tabs having enlarged fluked ends which extend into the apertures to anchor the cladding to the ring. The ring can be constructed of one piece or formed of interfitting arcuate segments which are interlocked in end to end relationship.
US08459750B2	Anchoring device and method for fixation of a launching unit for highwall mining The invention relates to an anchoring device (1) for fixation of a launching unit (50) for highwall mining. The invention also relates to a cylindrical body (2) for use in such an anchoring device. Moreover, the invention relates to a launching unit (50) provided with at least one anchoring device (1) and to methods of fixation and relocation of a launching unit (50). The invention provides an increased stability of launching units (50) for highwall mining.
US08459746B2	Adjustable armrest structure for a chair An adjustable armrest structure for a chair is an adjusting assembly fixed to bottom ends of two armrests on two sides of the chair and includes a body, two side rails, and a movable member. The body includes a guiding slot formed on a bottom end thereof to fit a screwing element and to engage with the movable member. The guiding slot of the body includes a plurality of arcuate recesses arranged around the two sides thereof to fit two projections fixed on two sides of a guide member respectively. An actuating member includes a bore disposed thereon and is fixed to the guide member. The screwing element is inserted through the bore of the actuating member and an orifice of the guide member. A screw segment of the screwing element is screwed with the aperture of the movable member.
US08459742B2	Seating unit for aircraft A seating unit for an aircraft including at least one seat and a pivoting device for pivoting the seat around a vertical axis, wherein each seat includes: a plate on which the seat is pivotably assembled; a platform configured to fasten onto rails for accommodating the seat; a translatory movement device for a translatory movement of the plate in relation to the platform along a horizontal direction; and an immobilization device for immobilizing the plate relative to the platform in the translatory movement of the plate, and immobilizing the seat in relation to the plate in a rotary movement of the seat.
US08459733B2	Rocking-reclining seating unit with power actuator A rocking and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a rocker mechanism attached with the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the rocker mechanism configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to experience a longitudinally-directed rocking motion relative to the base unit; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism. The actuating unit is configured to move the chair between an upright position, an intermediate TV position, and a fully reclined position.
US08459732B2	Power actuated rocking furniture mechanism A rocking furniture member having an electrically powered actuation mechanism includes a frame and an actuation mechanism connected to the frame. The actuation mechanism includes an extendable and retractable leg rest assembly. A drive assembly connected to the actuation mechanism having an electric motor operates to move the leg rest assembly between a retracted position and any of a plurality of extended positions inclusive including a fully extended position by a command provided by an occupant of the furniture member. A rotation member connecting the actuation mechanism to the frame permits an occupant induced rocking motion of the actuation mechanism with respect to the frame at least when the leg rest assembly is in the retracted position.
US08459728B2	Vehicle front portion structure Left and right front side frames are disposed on left and right side of vehicle front portion, respectively, and extend in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body. The left and right front side frames each include a lower branching frame having an inclined part inclined downward from a front part of a motor room toward a vehicle floor, and an upper branching frame branching from the lower branching frame, disposed above the inclined part of the lower branching frame, and including a bent part. The upper branching frame is supported by a plurality of support columns connected to frames disposed around the motor room.
US08459726B2	Multi-cornered strengthening members A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle comprises an eight-cornered cross section including sides and corners. The sides comprise four straight sides and four curved sides. A length of each straight side ranges from about 10 mm to about 200 mm and a length of each curved side is about 10 mm to about 200 mm.
US08459722B2	Double-opening door device for vehicles A long door, particularly for a four-passenger cope vehicle, is provided to allow passengers in the back seat to get in or out while the passengers in the front seat remain seated. An intermediate member stands between a door and a car body. A first connection member in which the door and the intermediate member are connected to enable rotational or horizontal motion, and a second connection member in which the intermediate member and the car body are detachably connected are provided. A control drives the second connection member located at the front or back end of the door when the front or back part of the door is opened, so that the connection between the intermediate member and the car body is released and the remaining second connection member, the intermediate member connected to that member, and the first connection member cooperate to support the weight of the door.
US08459719B2	Roof construction of a motor vehicle A roof construction for a motor vehicle has a roll bar and a roof element which, in a closed position, is accommodated between the roll bar and a windshield and, in an open position, is accommodated behind the roll bar and can be shifted from the open position into the closed position and vice versa beyond the roll bar via an opening and closing mechanism. The roof constructing further has a covering which covers the roll bar on the outside in the open position of the roof element and in the closed position of the roof element. Vertical extending side parts of the covering can be shifted relative to the roll bar during the shifting of the roof element. A transverse part of the covering extends substantially in a horizontal direction and is fastened to the roll bar so as not to be able to be shifted relative thereto.
US08459718B2	Carpet system A carpet assembly having a piece of carpet with a backside, the backside having a plurality of contours and a generally rigid backside reinforcement panel attached to the backside of the piece of carpet. The backside reinforcement panel can have a shape conforming to and covering at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of contours and provides for the piece carpet to maintain its contoured shape for extended periods of time.
US08459701B2	Differential pressure-controlled locking mechanism A differential pressure-controlled locking mechanism (10) comprises a housing (12), as well as a first pressure chamber (14) which is arranged in the housing (12) and which is connectable to a first ambient zone. A second pressure chamber, arranged in the housing (12), is connectable to a second ambient zone and is separated from the first pressure chamber (14) by a mobile separating device (18). The separating device (18) is in an inactive position when the pressure in the first pressure chamber (14) is equal to the pressure in the second pressure chamber. Conversely, the separating device (18) is movable from its inactive position into a differential pressure position when a predetermined differential pressure acts on the separating device (18). An actuation element (22), which is held in a first position by the separating device (18) when the separating device (18) is in its inactive position, is movable into a second position when the mobile separating device (18) is in its differential pressure position. A latch (32) is held in a locking position when the actuation element (22) is in its first position, and is movable into an unlocking position when the actuation element (22) is in its second position.
US08459700B2	Wet disconnect system with post disconnection pressure integrity A wet disconnect system with post disconnection pressure integrity includes a bridge tube. One or more seals on the bridge tube that seal the bridge tube to one or more conductors passing through the bridge tube. A defeatable seal/anchor at the bridge tube sealing an outside surface of the bridge tube to an inside surface of a separate structure. The defeatable seal/anchor being defeatable upon application of an axial load above a threshold.
US08459699B1	Coupling system including a safety fastener device A coupling system including a coupling for fastening to one end of a pipe via a fastening connection; and a sleeve surrounding the fastening connection is disclosed. The sleeve includes a first end for welding to the pipe, and a hook-forming second end for co-operating with the coupling in such a manner that the hook is suitable for providing fastening between the coupling and the pipe in the event of the fastening connection being damaged.
US08459685B2	Detachable gooseneck for heavy haul trailers A removable gooseneck hitch assembly transitions between an afterward position for hitching to a low bed trailer deck and a forward position by a pivoting arm that moves the forward end of the gooseneck an arcuate path. The invention minimizes the opportunity for debris to interfere with the sliding track assemblies known in the prior art. The assembly provides three degrees of freedom for the gooseneck in low bed mode and restricts the degrees of freedom in vehicle towing mode. A locking member for securing a low bed trailer hitch is also disclosed.
US08459679B2	Pivot mechanism for scooters, tricycles and the like A pivot mechanism includes a base member configured to be coupled to a first element and a generally cylindrical rotating member configured to be coupled to a second element. An elongate pin extends through the base member and rotating member and defines a pivot axis. The rotating member is capable of rotating relative to the base member about the pivot axis. The elongate pin is movable in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis between a secured position and a release position. In the secured position, the rotating member is prevented from rotating relative to the base member, and in the release position, the rotating member is permitted to rotate relative to the base member. The pivot mechanism may be incorporated into a scooter or a tricycle to provide different configurations thereof.
US08459673B2	Track rod A track rod for laterally locating an axle assembly with respect to a vehicle frame. The disclosed track rod is especially useful for large off highway vehicles. The track rod includes a first end piece pivotally connected to a vehicle structure such as a frame and a second end piece pivotally connected to a vehicle axle, one of the end pieces includes a housing having a fixed, force-receiving member The housing is adapted to receive a first elastomenc member located in a juxtaposed position with respect to one side of the fixed member A floating plate slidably received in the housing is located in a juxtaposed position with respect to the first elastomenc member The other end piece includes a portion receivable by the housing. A second elastomenc member is positioned between the end piece portion and the fixed member.
US08459672B1	Cable steering linkage A steering cable arrangement wherein front wheel steering drums turn at different rates to keep the axes of the front wheels intersecting with the axis of the rear wheels at a single point. The cable path between the two drums is altered by the steering cables being threaded around sheaves on an arm whose position is controlled by a cam follower following a cam slot in at least one of the drums.
US08459668B2	Skateboard A skateboard is provided which includes a front board and a rear board that are connected at a predetermined distance and casters fixed to the bottoms of the boards, in which a hollow cover body is fitted in assembly holes and of housings and formed beneath the bottoms of the front board and the rear board, a first propeller shaft fitted in the assembly hole at the front board and a second propeller shaft fitted in the assembly board at the rear board are inserted in the hollow cover body in contact with each other by cam-shaped joint portions, and the first and second propeller shafts horizontally and elastically expand/contract in rolling motion of the front board and the rear board.
US08459655B2	Sealing device A sealing device (1) having: a slide ring (2) and a back ring (3). The sealing device (1) is configured to seal an annular gap between a housing having a shaft hole, and a shaft inserted through the shaft hole. The slide ring (2) has: a through-cut (22), comprising a circumferential cut (22A), and axial cuts (22B) extending from both ends of the circumferential cut, along the axial direction; and multiple parting lines (23A, 23B) formed on a surface of the slide ring (2). The parting lines (23A, 23B) are arranged so that the parting lines (23A, 23B) are not overlapped with the circumferential cut (22A) exposed at the junction surface of the slide ring (2) with the back ring (3), throughout the lengthwise direction of the circumferential cut.
US08459652B2	Brush seal for a turbo-machine A brush seal for a turbo-machine for sealing a gap between a rotating and a stationary component is disclosed. Elastically flexible bristles are arranged in a plurality of rows that are adjacent to each other. A film or a disk is arranged between at least two rows of bristles, the film or the disk extending in the longitudinal direction of said bristles.
US08459650B2	Blackjack side-bet A game of Blackjack may include a mid-game side-bet that the dealer will go bust. The side-bet offered may be placed against any dealer face-up card—Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, or King. The payoff may vary depending upon the dealer face-up card and paid in accordance with a pay table. The bet may be paid when the dealer hits their hand and exceeds the total of 21, therefore going bust. The bet may lose when the dealer receives a standing hand of 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21. The side-bet may be made once the dealer's face-up card has been determined. The side-bet may be asked for at one time similar to an insurance bet or as each player acts on their individual hands.
US08459642B2	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus, comprising: a conveying portion conveying a sheet; a shutter member having an abutting surface for abutting the sheet to correct skew feeding; a biasing member for biasing the shutter member to position at a first position where the leading end abuts against the abutting surface; and a support mechanism which movably supports the shutter member to move in an order of the first position, a second position to which the shutter member moves by the sheet against biasing from the biasing member, and a third position where the shutter member abuts the sheet and stands by to move to the first position when a trailing end of the sheet passes the shutter member, while keeping the abutting surface facing upstream.
US08459638B2	Active decurler adjustment using electrically conductive pressure rollers A system and method for decurling a sheet medium including a first penetrating roller and a second elastomeric roller mounted substantially parallel. A pressure-sensitive electrically conductive material has properties that vary with its state of compression. An actuator is operative for moving the first penetrating roller and the second elastomeric roller in a direction towards each other, to penetrate the body of the second elastomeric roller with the body of the first penetrating roller. The pressure-sensitive electrically conductive material is subject to pressure by the penetration of the first penetrating roller into the second elastomeric roller. A pair of electrical terminals applies an electrical charge across the pressure-sensitive electrically conductive material. In further embodiments, an electrical property is substantially continuously measured and the depth of penetration is substantially continuously controlled based upon closed-loop feedback of the substantially continuously measuring.
US08459622B2	Noncontact positioning of a workpiece An apparatus and associated method for orienting a workpiece during processing. A fixture supports the workpiece adjacent a noncontacting biaser. At least one of the fixture and the biaser are selectively movable in a first direction with respect to the other. The biaser directs a first magnetic force capable of moving the workpiece relative to the fixture in a different second direction without physical contact between the biaser and the workpiece during a travel path segment of movement between the fixture and the biaser. The biaser further directs a second magnetic force capable of moving the workpiece relative to the fixture in a third direction, that is different than the second direction, without physical contact between the biaser and the workpiece during a subportion of the travel path segment of movement between the fixture and the biaser.
US08459620B2	Shock absorber There is described a shock absorber strut for a bicycle, comprising a piston (12), a cylinder (13) and a resilient element (20) positioned within the cylinder. The piston extends out of one end of the cylinder, and the other end of the cylinder is closed by a casing made up of two housing halves. Mounting bushings are integrally formed in the housing halves and on the piston end, respectively, for fixing the shock absorber to a bicycle frame. The piston (12) can be withdrawn from the cylinder (13) by a simple tension, without the use of tools.
US08459615B2	Winch assembly The present invention is directed to apparatus for a winch assembly. The winch assembly may be secured to a towing trailer and arranged to assist in loading and unloading cargo from the trailer. The winch assembly may include mechanisms, systems, and features to make the winch assembly easy to assemble and use, increase the service life of the winch assembly, and improve the consistency of the performance of the winch assembly. Embodiments of a winch assembly disclosed include novel drive systems, novel ratchet and pawl systems, novel systems for guiding a winch strap, novel systems for securing the winch assembly to a towing trailer, and a novel frame member for a winch assembly.
US08459609B2	Butterfly valve assembly incorporating a unitary shaft and butterfly plate valve element A butterfly valve assembly includes a unitary flow body and a unitary valve element. The unitary valve element is rotationally mounted within the flow body and includes a rotationally mounted shaft and a butterfly plate that is formed integral to the shaft. The butterfly valve assembly can withstand the maximum drive torque supplied from an associated actuator, while at the same time meeting a desired level of flow performance, and allows the unitary valve element to be installed up through the pilot bore.
US08459598B2	Pipe hanger A pipe hanger may include a suspending portion with a body and two flanges that extend outwardly from the body and are positional onto projections of a support structure to suspend the pipe hanger from the support structure without the use of fasteners.
US08459597B2	Integral suction device with acoustic panel An inlet flow control system disposed within a nacelle includes a panel on an inner surface of that nacelle. The panel includes a noise attenuation layer that dissipates noise energy. A vacuum source generates a pressure differential across the noise attenuation layer for drawing airflow through the panel and away from an inner surface of the nacelle.
US08459590B2	Landing gear strut extender A mechanism for increasing the ride height of aircraft by selectively increasing the hydraulic fluid content within landing gear struts. By increasing the hydraulic fluid volume within a strut, the strut is lengthened without adversely affecting its spring rate while the ability to withdraw fluid from a strut maintains the ability of the strut to absorb the impact of landing. The mechanism is readily retrofitable to existing landing gear systems to accommodate more efficient under the wing intake designs and to reduce the likelihood of FOD during taxiing at minimal cost and with very a minimal increase in the aircraft weight.
US08459586B2	Process for rewinding a web material The present invention provides for a method for rewinding a web material. The method comprises the steps of: (1) Disposing the web material on a winding spindle, the winding spindle being operatively associated with a winding turret; (2) Cooperatively engaging a contact roll with the winding spindle when the web material is disposed therebetween, the contact roll being operatively associated with the winding turret; and, (3) Adjusting the position of the contact roll upon said winding turret relative to the winding spindle as the web material is being disposed upon the winding spindle.
US08459585B1	Wire transport system with improved racking resistance A transport system may be provided for transporting spools of flexible material, such as wire or tubing, about a construction site and for dispensing the material from a spool rotatingly mounted on an angled support of the transport system. The angled support may form an acute angle at its lower end with a central member of a mobile assembly and an acute angle at its upper end and a central member of an upper assembly, so that the angled support and central members are vertically coplanar along a longitudinal centerline of the transport system. In this manner, more spools of material may be carried between the extents of the central members than would be possible if the angled supports were perpendicular to the central members. Furthermore, the angled supports may resist racking forces resulting from longitudinal movement of the system and from resistance to dispensing of material from the spools.
US08459584B2	Belt tensioner for a belt retractor Described is a belt tensioner for a seat belt having a belt retractor, a tensioner pinion (4) non-rotatably connected to the belt retractor, a tube (2) having a pyrotechnical gas generator arranged therein, and a plurality of mass bodies (6) driven by the pressure generated by the gas generator. The mass bodies (6) engage with the tensioner pinion (4) in a force transmitting manner and drive the belt retractor in the winding direction. A first and a second section (2a, 2b) of the tube (2) run parallel to each other. A third section (2c) with a curved course that projects out of the plane (E) connects the first and second sections, thereby creating a space (7) between the first, second and third sections (2a, 2b, 2c), for accommodating at least one of the mass bodies (6a, 6b).
US08459583B2	Seat belt retractor A seat belt retractor (10) is provided with: a spindle (12) around which a seat belt (B) is wound; a torsion bar (17) disposed in a cavity (27) of the spindle (12), an axial end portion of the torsion bar (17) being attached to an axial end portion of the spindle (12); a first pretensioner (16) that is attached to the spindle (12) at least during a collision so as to cause the spindle (12) to rotate in a retraction direction using a gas pressure; and a second pretensioner (18) that is attached to another axial end portion of the torsion bar (17) at least during a collision so as to cause the spindle (12) to rotate in the retraction direction via the torsion bar (17) using the gas pressure.
US08459579B2	Method of making hydrophilic fluoropolymer material A fluoropolymer material exhibiting an increased hydrophilicity prepared by processing the material in a jet mill.
US08459569B2	Integrated heating system An integrated heating unit operates in a first heating mode, in which the heat of combustion gases is transferred to return air, and a second heat recovery mode, in which the heat of exhaust air is transferred to fresh air. The heating unit of the present invention utilizes the same heat exchanging unit and fans to transfer the heat from the combustion gases to the return air and to transfer heat from the exhaust air to the fresh air. The exhaust air is recovered from a select group of rooms, e.g. kitchens and bathrooms. A secondary heater can also be provided in the integrated unit in the form of a fireplace for providing an alternate or an additional source of the combustion gases.
US08459546B1	ATM transaction authorization based on user location verification An automated banking machine transaction request is authorized based on a determined location of an authorized user relative to the machine. Identification of an authorized machine user is linked to a remotely locatable item (e.g., a cell phone) of the authorized user. A banking machine receiving the user identification causes the location of the cell phone to be determined. A comparison is then made of the cell phone location and the banking machine location. If the locations correspond, then the current machine user is recognized as the authorized user and machine transactions are permitted. If the locations do not correspond, then the current user is denied transactions at the banking machine. The security arrangement helps prevent an unauthorized person from using a fraudulent card to access a financial account.
US08459545B1	Image-based point-of-sale mobile settlement system Methods and systems for facilitating image-based payment transactions through the exchange of encoded images between devices connected to a communication network. The encoded images represent different parts of a contract and may be tiled to form a unique image-based mosaic that includes information to complete and validate a payment transaction.
US08459544B2	Parental controls Various techniques are provided for establishing financial transaction rules to control one or more subsidiary financial accounts. In one embodiment, a financial account management application stored on a processor-based device may provide an interface for defining financial transaction rules to be applied to a subsidiary account. The financial transaction rules may be based upon transaction amounts, aggregate spending amounts over a period, merchant categories, specific merchants, geographic locations, or the like. The device may update the financial transaction rules associated with a subsidiary account by communicating the rules to an appropriate financial server. Accordingly, transactions made using the subsidiary account by a subsidiary account holder may be evaluated against the defined rules, wherein an appropriate control action is carried out if a financial transaction rule is violated.
US08459541B2	Method of protecting an individual's privacy when providing service based on electronic tag A technology for providing a service based on an electronic tag. A personalized service provider issues a new code that replaces a code recorded on an electronic tag which is attached to a product purchased by a purchaser, sets a privacy policy of the purchaser, authenticates the new code and purchaser information, and provides a service associated with the product in a limited manner according to the set privacy policy when a person who accesses the personalized service provider is not the purchaser of the product.
US08459539B2	Secure deposit box and method of construction thereof A secure deposit box and method of construction thereof are presented. An inner door is affixed to a top inner surface of a housing and movable on a top edge around a sphere of rotation defined by a bottom edge. An outer door is affixed to a front side of the housing and moveable on a bottom edge. A connecting member is attached on one end to a side edge of the inner door and on the other end to a corresponding side edge of the outer door. An inner panel is fixedly attached to the bottom edge of the outer door, moveable on a proximal edge in the same direction as the outer and inner door, and has a distal edge defining a sphere of rotation which is distinct from the sphere of rotation for the inner door. No overlap exists between the inner door and the inner panel.
US08459535B2	Carton with divider A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one divider panel is in the interior of the carton. The divider panel is attached to at least one of the panels. A dispenser is for allowing access to the articles in the carton. The dispenser is for separating the carton into a first portion and a second portion. At least one of the first portion and the second portion is at least partially closed by the at least one divider panel.
US08459528B2	Assembly for head welding The assembly is intended for application to manufacturing of tubes, bottles, boxes. Characterized by improved quality of the weld and low reject percentage. It has a mandrel (1), on which there is a head (3) and a tube body (2), put over in a typical manner, as well as a cooling element, coaxial with the mandrel (1), and a nozzle D, coaxial with the mandrel. Said nozzle contains two parts—internal 7 and external (8)—which form channel (9) for feeding heating gas HG. The assembly consists of only one work station. The cooling element is also forming element OFE and consists of cooling metal ring 4, located in forming metal ring (6). There is heat-insulating ring (5) between the latter and the cooling metal ring (4). In the position of heating, said heat-insulating ring (5) is positioned around the end of the tube body (2). The heat-insulating ring (5) is of solid-state material or gas of low thermal conduction.
US08459521B2	Powered surgical stapling device platform The present disclosure provides for a surgical instrument which includes a housing and an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is pivotally coupled to the cartridge assembly to be movable from a first actuation position to at least one other second actuation position. The surgical instrument further includes a firing rod having a shaft defining a second longitudinal axis, the shaft having a cam member which is in mechanical cooperation with the anvil assembly and is configured to move the anvil assembly from the first actuation position to the at least one other second actuation position upon rotation of the firing rod about the second longitudinal axis.
US08459511B2	Valve A valve (100) comprising a tubular body (110) closed at a proximal end (111) and open at a distal end (112), outer sealing surfaces (120, 130) provided at the proximal and distal ends for sealing against an inner surface of a tube, the body comprising a flexibly mounted leg (150) between the proximal and distal ends, the leg configured to flex outwards from the body on engagement of the open distal end with a spigot so as to open a fluid flow path through the body.
US08459504B2	Food dispensing mouthpiece An apparatus comprising a fitment, a neck portion, and a mouthpiece. In various embodiments, the fitment may be configured to attach the apparatus substantially permanently with a flexible pouch containing edible material. In one embodiment, the fitment may include a first hole configured to provide an exit point for the edible material from the flexible pouch. In various embodiments, the neck portion may be configured to connect the fitment and a mouthpiece portion. In one embodiment, the neck portion may include a channel configured to transmit the edible material from the hole of the fitment to the mouthpiece. In various embodiments, the mouthpiece may be configured to facilitate eating of the edible material. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece may include a concave portion configured to hold the edible material, and a second hole configured to transmit the edible material from the neck portion to the concave portion.
US08459492B2	Ice trap for straw This invention improves the cooling effect of ice in a drinking cup and economizes on the amount of ice used. The invention comprises a truncated cone with the widest base at the bottom, and with a hole at its apex, the hole being large enough to allow a straw to pass through. It also comprises a mechanism located at the apex of the cone, which holds the straw in place. This cone structure prevents ice cubes, which are normally buoyant, from floating up to the surface of the liquid. Instead, the cone forces the ice to congregate near the straw inlet thereby cooling the liquid entering the straw.
US08459491B2	Hot beverage container assembly and insert An insert assembly is outfitted upon a lidded beverage container for enabling the user to transfer heat from a relatively hot assembly-contained beverage so as to prevent scalding prior to consumption. The insert assembly comprises a damming structure and a rim-engaging structure. The damming structure is formed from a semi-rigid material and is sized and shaped for receipt within the upper rim perimeter of a container structure. The rim-engaging structure is formed from a flexible material and extends outwardly from the beverage-damming structure. The rim-engaging structure is received intermediate the upper container rim and a lid for defining beverage-containing and beverage-cooling compartments. The insert structure comprises first and second apertures for outletting beverage and inletting air intermediate the beverage-containing and beverage-cooling compartments. The beverage-cooling compartment receives heat from the beverage received therewithin and thereby enables the beverage to cool before being outlet via a primary outlet of a lid.
US08459490B1	Easy grip mixing bowls A baking and mixing bowl includes: a bowl, having a depression in the bowl, adapted to allow the user's fingers to grip the bottom of the bowl.
US08459482B2	Foldable storage case A foldable storage case comprises a one-piece, waterproof container. The container comprises a body, a bottom, and a cover, where the body, the bottom, and the cover form an interior space therebetween. The body comprises a plurality of body panels, the bottom comprises a plurality of bottom panels, and the cover comprises a plurality of cover panels. A plurality of removable fasteners is used to fasten together the body panels and the bottom panels. Further, each cover panel includes a projection adapted to be received by a receiving area of at least one of the body panels. When the cover is folded such that two or more projections are disposed adjacent each other within the receiving area, the projections and the receiving area interfere with each other, detachably securing the cover panels in place.
US08459479B2	Plastic container having enhanced crush resistance and pouring stability A molded plastic container is shaped so as to resist deformation as a result of compressive forces that may be applied by the consumer during use. The container includes a pair of recessed grip portions that are molded into forward and rearward sides of the container and an outer handle portion. Reinforcing ribs are integrally molded into the forward and rearward sidewalls of the container in areas that are substantially adjacent to the recessed grip portions in order to provide additional crush resistance as the container is squeezed. Additionally, a torsional reinforcement rib is integrated into an upper side portion of the container in order to resist deformation of the container and the pouring opening of the container during pouring. The torsional reinforcement rib is integral with the two reinforcing ribs, which provides additional strength and pouring stability to the container.
US08459472B2	Keyed twist-lock hook assembly for aperture board An aperture board assembly includes a panel having an array of apertures, a modular array of receivers attached to the panel, and hook assemblies for detachably engaging the receivers. The modular array is attached to the panel so that each receiver is substantially aligned with a corresponding aperture in the panel. Each hook assembly passes at least partially through an aperture in the panel and into a receiver aligned with the aperture. Each receiver in the modular array includes spring clips that are equally spaced apart around a perimeter of the receiver. Each spring clip includes a pair of opposing spring fingers disposed in a spring clip aperture. Each pair of opposing spring fingers detachably engage the hook assembly as the hook assembly is rotated with respect to the receiver.
US08459467B2	SOFC cathode and method for cofired cells and stacks A solid oxide fuel cell includes an anode layer, an electrolyte layer over a surface of the anode layer, and a cathode layer over a surface of the electrolyte layer. The cathode layer includes a cathode bulk layer, a porous cathode functional layer at an electrolyte, an intermediate cathode layer partitioning the cathode bulk layer and the porous cathode functional layer, the porous intermediate cathode layer having a porosity greater than that of the cathode bulk layer. The solid oxide fuel cells can be combined to form subassemblies that are bonded together to form solid oxide fuel cell assemblies.
US08459461B2	Waste recycling method A waste recycling method for tracking targeted waste from collection to recycling. The method utilizes wireless electronically tagged plastic bags containing the targeted waste or material to be recycled.
US08459458B2	Disposable rigid container for pharmaceutical compositions A disposable rigid package containing pharmaceutical compositions which protects tablets, capsules, soft shell pills against hard transporting conditions and undesired rupture. The package allows for personal transportation, e.g. in a pocket, and it is easy and convenient to open for people of all level of ability and dexterity. Its design allows for transport as standard mail withstanding temperature fluctuation, vibrations and shocks, mechanical pressure and variation in atmospheric pressure which may occur during transport.
US08459457B2	Package of folded disposable absorbent pants The package includes a housing portion having a transparent window region. A plurality of disposable absorbent pants is disposed within the housing portion. Each pant defines a waistband region which abuts a waist end. Each waistband region comprises a front waistband portion and a back waistband portion. Each pant further defines a crotch region which abuts a crotch end. At least a first pant is folded and positioned such that at least a portion of the waistband region of the first pant is visible through the transparent window region. Specified portions of the first pant may be obscured by an opaque border region. The first pant may include a back-label indicator that is visible through the transparent window region. A second pant may also be visible through the transparent window region.
US08459456B2	Sanitary candle covers for cakes and cupcakes A sanitary cake cover with a removable candle deck, which protects the contents of the cake from contamination during blowing out of celebratory candles. The transparent cake covers with a removable candle deck, which does not pierce the cake being decorated by lighted celebratory candles. The cake cover can be used without the candle deck. The sanitary cake cover is impervious to assault by normal airborne contaminants, such as dust and dirt as well from contaminated expelled breath during the act of blowing out candles. A separate removable candle deck which can be attached to or nestled securely atop the cover is removable to enable the container to be used for other food items without the obstruction of candle recesses. The flat top of either a round, rectangular or other shaped cover has a peripheral top ridge forming a flat central recess of dimensions to fit the flat candle deck.
US08459446B2	Suture packaging and methods related thereto Suture packaging and methods of use related thereto, wherein sutures are stored in suture packaging (100) having a panel (102) with apertures (104), needle parks (106, 500) removably or fixedly and selectively inserted into the apertures, and wrapping pegs (108, 400) removably or fixedly and selectively inserted into the apertures. The suture package can further comprise a tab (716) and a tab slot (718) for closing the package.
US08459443B2	Recirculation bin for drill tailings having deflector means, and a drill tailings handling apparatus A recirculation bin, a drill tailings handling apparatus, and a method of handling drill tailings is disclosed. The recirculation bin has a moveable plate member, which advantageously may be positioned, when excess tailings are being delivered to the recirculation bin, to deflect such excess tailings into a second containment bin, for subsequent re-delivery to the recirculation bin when capacity to process such drill tailings is then available. The handling apparatus contemplates a second container, which is disposed immediately adjacent the recirculation bin, to receive deflected tailings, and is open at one end thereof to permit entry of a front-end loader therein, and thereby permit excess tailings deflected into the second container to be scooped up and delivered to the recirculation bin, when the moveable plate member is positioned to then allow the recirculation bin to accept such delivery, at a time when processing capability for such drill tailings is available. A method for handling drill tailings is further disclosed.
US08459442B2	Article transport facility An inter-travel-paths transport device transports articles between a first article transfer location and a second article transfer location. It extends in a space upwardly of the article processing devices and connects the first and second article transfer locations. A first transport device transfers an article to or from an article transferring point by vertically moving its holding portion and of transferring an article to or from the first article transfer location by slidingly moving the holding portion at a position which overlaps with the first travel path portion. A second movement slide transport device vertically transfers an article to or from an article transferring point in the same manner with respect to the second travel path portion.
US08459431B2	Housing member for clutch mechanism A housing member for a friction clutch and a method for making it. The housing member is made for use with two differently sized fan members. Two annular raised mounting pilot surfaces are provided, one of which is machine finished for mounting one of the two fan members. Two sets of fan member mounting holes are also provided, one set of which is used to mount one of the two fan members thereon.
US08459426B2	Synchronizing device for transmission A synchronizing device for transmission having a clutch hub disposed to a shaft and a clutch hub groove formed thereto, a sleeve splined and connected to an external side of the clutch hub for being capable of moving along axial direction of the shaft, a blocking key disposed to the clutch hub groove, and a clutch gear disposed coaxial to the shaft, may include a blocker ring disposed to slidably touch a cone portion formed to the clutch gear, wherein a blocking key receiving portion for supporting the blocking key may be formed to the blocker ring.
US08459424B2	Freewheel clutch A freewheel clutch which has rollers arranged between an inner and outer ring. One of the rings has ramps that interact with the rollers. Each roller is spring-loaded against a ramp by a leaf spring. Each spring is held on a web of a cage by a U-shaped section that encompasses the web. The spring has a securing section connected to the U-shaped section that extends tangentially, limits mobility of a roller in a first radial direction, and is connected to a U-bottom of the U-shaped section. An end section of a U-leg facing away from the U-bottom is bent from the U-leg, forming a second securing section, which limits mobility of the roller in the second radial direction. An extension of the end section facing the U-bottom engages the web such that the spring is held on the web radially by the U-bottom and extension of the end section.
US08459419B2	Fluid pressure shock absorber A fluid pressure shock absorber comprises a cylinder 3 disposed in a tube 2 and having a base supported by the tube 2 and a head member 31 fitted onto a tip of the cylinder 3. A hole 2b is formed in the tube 2 facing the head member 31. A ring-shaped stopper member 101 is screwed onto an outer circumference of the head member 31. A pin member 102 held by the head member 31 and biased in a radial direction by a snap ring 103 penetrates the hole 2b, thereby making connection of the tube 2 and the cylinder 3 easy.
US08459417B2	Shock-absorber for aircraft landing gear The invention relates to a shock-absorber for aircraft landing gear, the shock-absorber having two elements mounted to slide telescopically one in the other and defining an internal volume that is filled with hydraulic fluid and with gas, the internal volume being separated into at least two chambers by a separation including at least one throttling orifice through which the hydraulic fluid passes from one chamber to the other while the shock-absorber is being compressed. According to the invention, the separation includes at least one degassing orifice to enable gas to be transferred from one chamber to the other when the landing gear is in the deployed position, the degassing orifice being offset vertically relative to the throttling orifice so as to be located above it when the landing gear is in the deployed position.
US08459416B2	Quick-release apparatus for a bicycle hydraulic caliper brake An apparatus for a bicycle brake comprises a housing with a first piston bore, a first piston disposed in the first piston bore, and a first piston rod fixedly attached to the first piston and extending from the first piston toward the outside of the housing. The first piston rod includes a first brake arm coupling portion for coupling to a first brake arm, and an adjustment mechanism adjusts a distance of the first brake arm coupling portion relative to the piston.
US08459415B2	Elevator motion profile control including non-instantaneous transition between jerk values An exemplary device for controlling an elevator car motion profile includes a controller (64) that is programmed to cause an associated elevator car (62) to move with a motion profile that includes a plurality of jerk values (78, 82, 86, 90, 96, 100). The controller (64) is programmed to cause at least one transition (84, 88, 94, 98) between two of the jerk values to be at a non-instantaneous transition rate.
US08459413B2	Lubrication system with prolonged loss of lubricant operation A lubrication system includes an external pump system which pumps air out of the housing and develop negative pressure therein in response to a loss of lubrication condition. The negative pressure operates as an air lock to minimize or prevent lubricating oil loss from the housing while an internal lubrication system continues to distribute lubricating oil—which although now increasing in temperature—still operates to lubricate the gearbox components. For further ballistic tolerance, the housing is a compound housing that reduces or closes the penetration and further minimizes lubricating oil and negative pressure loss. The housing may be still further hardened by an armor layer.
US08459411B2	Foot lock ascender for ascending along a rope A foot lock ascender for ascending along a rope including a swivelling gate and attachment portion including at least a first passage for a first strap to pass through and to be adjusted, and at least a second passage for a second strap to pass through. The first strap is inclined by a predefined angle with respect to the throat, the angle is between 40° and 75° so as to keep the bottom of the throat parallel to the path of the rope when ascending.
US08459407B2	Sound attenuation systems and methods Methods and devices for increasing the sound attenuation properties of a noise suppression device are provided. Various embodiments include sound-attenuating cavities with improved sound capturing openings. In some embodiments, the sound capturing openings include holes surrounded by projections. In other embodiments, the sound capturing openings include angled slats. Embodiments also include sound capturing devices that include the improved sound capturing openings, such as silencers, vent hoods, barrier walls, air exchanges, and air intake and exhaust ducts.
US08459406B1	Mounting apparatus for firearm sound suppressor In one example, a method of aligning a firearm sound suppressor includes inserting a front portion of a body of an adapter into a socket of the firearm sound suppressor. The method also includes sliding a tab of the adapter into a slot disposed in an interior surface of the socket to rotationally align the firearm sound suppressor relative to a firearm. The method also includes contacting a plug of the adapter against the interior surface in a complimentary engagement. The plug is provided by a frusto-conical external surface of a rear portion of the body. The tab extends from the plug. Other embodiments are also contemplated.
US08459397B2	Work vehicle having drive wheels A work vehicle having drive wheels includes: an engine having an output shaft oriented in a transverse direction of a vehicle body; a transmission having an input shaft oriented in the transverse direction, which includes a transmission case arranged next to the engine in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body; and a CVT which extends between a lateral side of the engine and a lateral side of the transmission case and is configured to transmit a driving force from the output shaft to the input shaft. A connecting plate is configured to connect an upper part of the engine and an upper part of the transmission case and has a cover part. An electric component is disposed in a space defined by the engine, the transmission case and the connecting plate and is covered by the cover part from above.
US08459383B1	Spherical drive system A spherical drive system for a vehicle providing movement in multiple directions. The spherical drive system can be maneuvered either by a system of driven omnidirectional wheels or by an electromagnetic field. One embodiment includes two pairs of omnidirectional drive wheels working in complement to each other providing multi-directional movement by way of electronic motors which are wired to a controller. A spherical tire will reside within the shell and will be in direct contact with the omnidirectional drive and stabilizer wheels. The spherical tire will work in tandem with the omnidirectional drive and stabilizer wheels moving the vehicle in the appropriate direction. Another embodiment is driven by an electromagnetic field created with magnets placed inside the spherical wheel and electromagnets placed on an outer shell. The electromagnetic field will drive the spherical wheel moving the vehicle in the appropriate direction.
US08459378B2	Hybrid drill bit A bit body is configured at its upper extent for connection into a drillstring. At least one fixed blade extends downwardly from the bit body, and has a radially outermost gage surface. A plurality of fixed cutting elements is secured to the fixed blade, preferably in a row at its rotationally leading edge. At least one bit leg is secured to the bit body and a rolling cutter is mounted for rotation on the bit leg. At least one stabilizer pad is disposed between the bit leg and the fixed blade, the stabilizer pad extending radially outward to substantially the gage surface. The radially outermost gage surface of each blade can extend axially downward parallel to the bit axis or angled (non-parallel), spirally or helically, relative to the bit axis.
US08459365B1	Apparatus for creating bidirectional rotary force or motion in a downhole device and method for using same A downhole bidirectional apparatus, including a first engagement section; a second engagement section having a rotary device; a third engagement section; and a rotary source having a first rotary member and a second rotary member, the first rotary member disposed about the second rotary member, the first rotary member connected to a first gripping member and the second rotary member connected with a second gripping member, wherein the rotary device is rotatable in a first rotational direction when the second gripping member is engaged with the third engagement section and the first gripping member is rotatably engaged with the second engagement section, and wherein the rotary device is rotatable in a second rotational direction when the second gripping member is engaged with the second engagement section and the first gripping member is engaged with the first engagement section.
US08459362B2	System, device, and method of installation of a pump below a formation isolation valve Systems, devices, and methods of producing a fluid include a pump assembly that operates to increase the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid. The pump assembly is located in a well completion below a formation isolation valve. The pump assembly releasably connects to a polished bore receptacle in the well completion.
US08459360B2	Di-functional surfactants for enhanced oil recovery The present invention describes the synthesis and use of cleavable di-functional anionic surfactants for enhanced oil recovery applications and/or the use of sacrificial surfactants.
US08459346B2	Bottom set downhole plug A plug for isolating a wellbore. The plug can include a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is formed from one or more composite materials and adapted to receive a setting tool through the first end thereof, at least one malleable element disposed about the body, at least one slip disposed about the body, at least one conical member disposed about the body, and one or more shearable threads disposed on an inner surface of the body, adjacent the second end thereof, wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to receive at least a portion of a setting tool that enters the body through the first end thereof, and wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to engage the setting tool when disposed through the body and adapted to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force.
US08459345B2	Extended reach whipstock A whipstock assembly includes a pivotable deflector movable from a retracted to a deployed position. In the deployed position, the deflector is capable of guiding a tubular member away from the whipstock.
US08459336B2	Heat dissipation device with guiding line and soldered heat pipe A heat dissipation device with guiding line and soldered heat pipe includes a heat pipe and a heat sink. The heat pipe includes a condenser section and an evaporator section. The condenser section has a planar outer surface. The heat sink includes a supporting surface contacting the outer surface of the condenser section. A guiding line is defined in the supporting surface for spreading solder therealong. The guiding line has a width smaller than a width of the outer surface of the condenser section. The condenser section of the heat pipe is mounted on the supporting surface of the heat sink along the guiding line and firmly connected to the heat sink by the solder.
US08459335B2	Heat sink having heat-dissipating fins of large area and method for manufacturing the same A heat-dissipating fin of a large area is made of a metallic sheet and has a fin body. An outer edge of one side of the fin body extends to form a sheet-like expanding portion. The expanding portion is bent and overlapped on the fin body to obtain the heat-dissipating fin. A heat sink includes a plurality of heat-dissipating fins and a heat-conducting element, which is formed by means of penetrating the respective heat-dissipating fins with a condensing section of the heat-conducting element.
US08459324B2	Intermittent cutting transferring device An intermittent cutting transferring device configured to cut a first web into individual sheets and to intermittently transfer the individual sheets onto a second web being continuously fed includes an upper blade roll with a blade and a lower blade roll with an anvil element. Each of the individual sheets cut from the first web is arranged to be guided and transferred onto the second web while the first web is being sucked onto an outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll by the suction through suction holes formed in a first region on an outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll. The first region defined as a suction region includes a plurality of the suction holes and a non-suction region does not include the suction holes. The suction region and the non-suction region are provided alternately in a roll rotating direction.
US08459314B2	Battery spill containment trays, battery spill containment systems, and methods of battery spill containment Battery spill containment trays, battery spill containment systems, and methods of battery spill containment are provided. A spill containment system includes a tray mountable on a rack and including a support surface for supporting a device thereon; and an absorbent member removably installed on the tray below the support surface and configured to absorb a spilled substance of the device.
US08459304B2	Air intake module of water feeding apparatus An air intake module of a water feeding apparatus is provided, which includes a body and a valve, and the body includes a water inlet channel and a water outlet channel. An air intake hole runs through the body outward from a joint between the water inlet channel and the water outlet channel, and the valve is disposed at the joint. With the change of a cross-sectional area of the joint, a phenomenon of a high flow rate and a low pressure occurs to force the valve plate open, and air is sucked in mixed with the water flow. When a back pressure of the water flow is larger than an atmospheric pressure outside, the valve plate is forced to close the air intake hole, so as to avoid leakage of the water flow and prevent the air intake hole from being clogged by impurities.
US08459294B2	Double-seat valve, the seats of which can be cleaned The invention relates to a double-seat valve including closing elements (3,4) which can be transferred independently of one another by a respective partial lift gap-wide into a seat cleaning position for purposes of flushing their coaxial seat surfaces (2a, 2b), the second closing element (4) by a second partial lift (T2) which acts in the same direction as the opening motion and the first closing element (3) by a first partial lift (T1) which acts in the direction opposite the opening motion travelling into its respective seat cleaning position. The second closing element (4) in its closed position has a stop face (4f) forming a second circumferential edge (U2). A deflection surface (4d) discharges in a front face (4e) of a recess (4b) which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second closing element (4). The deflection surface (4d) has a contour (K) which runs without bends.
US08459292B2	Cassette system integrated apparatus A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes.
US08459265B2	Unitary structured multi-tier drape A drape having a pair of elongated sheets connected at distal ends to define a skirt, with opposing side walls in a first portion of the elongated sheets having a first width and in a second portion having a different width so the drape has a stair-step structure, with a paper and plastic laminated first and second tier panels attached to the elongated sheets in spaced-relation and a central panel attached therebetween, for covering a tiered surgical operating table.
US08459264B2	Airway pad The present invention pertains to a method for aligning both the cervical spine and the airway of a child by elevating the spine of the child to allow some clearance for the head of the child to rest on a lower plane. In a preferred embodiment, the extent of maturity of the child is first estimated by measuring the length of the child or some portion of the child. Finally, a pad is provided which is height adjustable which can be used in the method of the present invention to elevate the spine of the child.
US08459263B2	Pressure activated device and breathing system A pressure activated device for controlling the supply of a gas and a breathing system for underwater use incorporating the device are provided. The device comprises an input port (64) for connection to a pressurised gas supply, an output port (66), a chamber (62) and a pressure monitoring port (66). Flow control means are provided for selectively opening a fluid path (65) outside the chamber between the input port and the output port when the ambient pressure is higher than the pressure in the chamber by a more predetermined amount. Reset means (80) selectively open a fluid path (84, 92) between the pressure monitoring port and the chamber, when the pressure at the pressure monitoring port is higher than the ambient pressure by more than a predetermined amount. The device may be used to control the supply of diluent gas to an underwater breathing system, or to maintain the volume of a flexible enclosure substantially constant, irrespective of variations in the ambient pressure.
US08459262B2	Manual ventilation with electronically controlled APL valve A breathing apparatus for ventilating the lungs of a patient with breathing gas, has: a breathing circuit configuration; a mechanical ventilation system; a manual ventilation system provided with a manual ventilation bag; a manual ventilation valve for enabling manual ventilation of breathing gas from the breathing circuit; a pressure sensor devised to detect the pressure level in the breathing circuit; an electronically controlled expiration valve (40) that in a mechanical ventilation mode is controlled to control the pressure level in the breathing circuit according to a first set of predetermined control rules adapted to mechanical ventilation mode requirements; said electronically controlled expiration valve in a manual ventilation mode being coupled to enable ventilation of breathing gas from the breathing circuit by means of the manual ventilation system according to a second set of predetermined control rules adapted to manual ventilation mode requirements. In a method for controlling a breathing apparatus, an electronic expiration valve is controlled during the mechanical ventilation mode as well as during the manual ventilation mode of the apparatus. The control of the expiration valve can be implemented by means of a software product for the breathing apparatus embodying programming instructions as control rules, which, when executed in the apparatus, enable control of the expiration valve during manual ventilation.
US08459258B2	Method and apparatus to attain and maintain target end tidal gas concentrations In a first aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for inducing or maintaining a target end tidal concentration of a gas in a subject comprising a breathing circuit, a source of gas flow into the circuit, means for controlling the rate of the source of gas flow into the circuit and means for controlling the concentration of gases in the source gas flow independently from each other. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of preparing an apparatus for inducing or maintaining a target end tidal concentration of a gas X in a subject comprising selecting a rate of a source gas flow into a breathing circuit, selecting the concentration of at least one constituent gas of a component gas making up the source gas to a level corresponding to the end tidal concentration of the gas X, whereby the apparatus is adapted to administer a source gas having a first gas composition.
US08459257B2	Medicament inhalation delivery devices and methods for using the same A medicament delivery device for administering a medicament to a user includes a medicament reservoir and an entrance port and an exit port each disposed adjacent the reservoir. A gas chamber disposed adjacent the entrance port. The device includes a pressurizing mechanism operable to pressurize said gas chamber to at least a prescribed pressure. A first frangible membrane extends across the entrance port and separates the reservoir from the gas chamber. A second frangible membrane extends across the exit port. When the pressurizing mechanism is attached, at least one of the first and second membranes is responsive to the prescribed pressure in the gas chamber to burst to allow gas to flow through the entrance port and the reservoir and to carry the medicament through the exit port.
US08459255B2	Respiratory muscle training device A respiratory muscle training device includes a chamber (1) containing a variable orifice valve assembly (3). An inlet (9) is provided at a first side of the valve assembly permitting air to be inhaled into the chamber, and an outlet (11) is provided at a second side of the valve assembly permitting air that has passed through the valve assembly to be inhaled by a user. A pressure sensor (7) determines a pressure differential across the valve assembly. Means is provided for determining the opening area of the valve assembly, and control means (15, 47, 49) is provided for varying the orifice of the valve assembly in dependence upon a pressure differential determined by the pressure sensor and upon an opening area of the valve assembly.
US08459248B2	Solar fluid heating and cooling system A solar water heating and cooling system including a solar energy collection assembly having a heat absorbing element, a heat exchanger and a shield. The system also includes a cooling assembly, the cooling assembly is integral with the shield. The system has a check valve in fluid communication with the solar collection assembly and the cooling assembly, and a fluid pump in fluid communication with the solar energy collection assembly. A working fluid is disposed within the solar energy collection assembly, the cooling assembly, the check valve and the fluid pump. A cooling loop is defined by the solar energy collection assembly, the cooling assembly and the check valve. When the fluid pump is off, the working fluid circulates through the cooling loop, but when the fluid pump is on, the working fluid circulates through a heating loop that is defined by the solar energy collection assembly and the fluid pump.
US08459236B2	Fuel supply system for motorcycle The motorcycle includes a power unit having an output shaft in a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, a fuel injection system mounted to the power unit, the fuel tank, the fuel pump unit by which a fuel in the fuel tank is supplied to the fuel injection system through a fuel passage, the fuel filter device connected to the fuel passage on the downstream side relative to the fuel pump unit, and a shock absorber provided in a vertically oriented state on the front side of a rear wheel. The fuel supply system for the motorcycle includes the fuel pump unit being disposed outside the fuel tank, on the rear side of the output shaft and on the front side of the rear cushion, and the fuel filter device is disposed on the upper side of the crankcase.
US08459232B2	Injection system, and method for the production of an injection system An injection system for injecting fuel has an actuator, a pilot valve with a valve mushroom, and a supply throttle. The control chamber encompasses a control piston, a first discharge throttle, a first sealing edge for forming a first sealing seat along with the valve mushroom, a second sealing edge of a piston chamber with a valve piston, the second sealing edge forming a second sealing seat along with the valve piston during a maximum actuator working lift for sealing the piston chamber and the valve chamber from each other; and a second discharge throttle connecting the piston chamber to the low-pressure zone between the first and the second sealing edge, wherein d1>d2>d3, d1 are the minimum diameter of the first discharge throttle, d2 being the minimum diameter of the second discharge throttle, and d3 being the minimum diameter of the supply throttle.
US08459229B2	Piston bowl with spray jet targets A piston for a direct injection engine is provided, the piston having a bowl at an upper end, the bowl forming a portion of a combustion chamber. The bowl includes an inner surface that defines a volume configured to receive a fuel-air mixture, the inner surface of the bowl including at least one surface feature that forms at least one edge portion as a target for the fuel spray, the edge portion defined by two or more surface portions. The surface feature may protrude from the inner surface of the bowl or may be recessed into the inner surface. Such surface features may reduce soot and improve fuel-air mixing.
US08459219B2	Variable valve device A variable valve device includes: a drive shaft (1) that rotates in synchronization with a crankshaft of an engine; a drive cam (13) provided on the drive shaft (1); a rocker cam (6) pivotally supported on the drive shaft (1); an engine valve that is driven to open and close by the rocker cam (6); a rocker shaft (7) disposed parallel to the drive shaft (1); a rocker arm (3) pivotally supported on the rocker shaft (7); a first link (4) that links the rocker arm (3) and the drive cam (13); a second link (5) that links the rocker arm (3) and the rocker cam (6); and a rocker shaft position modifying means (27) for modifying an operating angle and a lift of the engine valve by varying a position of the rocker shaft (7) relative to the drive shaft (1), wherein the position of the rocker shaft (7) relative to the drive shaft (1) is modified such that within a predetermined operating angle range of the engine valve, a variation of a maximum lift of the engine valve accompanying control of the operating angle is suppressed in comparison with a case in which the operating angle is modified outside of the predetermined operating angle range.
US08459217B2	Scavenging cover and two-cycle engine Since a throttle hole for narrowing a scavenging passage is provided on a partition for closing the scavenging passage, the throttle hole of a desired size can be drilled at a desired location on the partition after preparing the scavenging cover having no throttle hole on the partition. Accordingly, the size and location of the throttle hole can be easily changed in conducting a test for finding the most appropriate size and location of the throttle hole, so that the most appropriate size and location of the throttle hole can be easily found.
US08459210B2	Non-choking harness for pet A non-choking harness for a pet which evenly distributes stress throughout the chest area and away from the neck area of the pet when the leash is pulled to prevent choking. A center portion of the body part substantially covers the chest area of the pet. The two neck ends are configured to wrap around a neck of the pet and the two torso ends are configured to wrap around a torso of the pet. The adjustable strap removably connects a first torso end to a second torso end, and adjusts the size of the torso opening to provide a comfortable fit. The connection part is configured to removably connect to the two neck ends, removably connect to the adjustable strap; and to adjust the size of the neck opening. The non-choking harness completely opens up for easy access in fitting the pet.
US08459208B2	Enhanced pet carrier A detachable pet carrier for housing a pet that allows the pet to rest on one or more of its interior surfaces. The pet carrier may include a roof that provides shelter for the rest area in the pet carrier's deployed configuration. The pet carrier may also include one or more bolsters on one or more of its interior surfaces to better define the boundaries of the rest area in the pet carrier's deployed configuration. The pet carrier may also include one or more pockets on its interior and or exterior surfaces.
US08459201B2	Droplet applying device, droplet applying method, liquid crystal display panel manufacturing apparatus, and liquid crystal display panel manufacturing method A droplet applying device (2) includes: application heads (2d) configured to eject an application liquid as multiple droplets toward to-be-coated subjects (K1, K2); a moving mechanism (2c) configured to move each of the to-be-coated subjects (K1, K2) and the application heads (2d) relative to each other; and a rotating mechanism (2b) configured to rotate the to-be-coated subjects (K1, K2) in a plane intersecting with an ejecting direction in which the multiple droplets are ejected.
US08459197B2	Apparatus to track movement of a skier Apparatus mountable to a boat tower or pylon used to tow a skier, water boarder, tuber or rafter including an elongated arm pivotally mounted to the boat tower or pylon, a tow rope post fixed to the arm and including a tether guide ring through which a tow rope may be threaded and a mounting member to which one end of the tow rope may be secured. The apparatus will also include a sensor that detects the change in position of the tow rope post from a predetermined fixed position caused by the lateral movement of the person being towed. The elongated arm may have speaker and/or light mounts to fix speakers and/or lights to the elongated arm in a position to track the movements of the towed person and may further include a securing means to fix the elongated arm in a given position.
US08459191B2	Laptop computer desk A laptop computer desk.
US08459189B1	Table display and shipping platform convertible apparatus A pair of platform assemblies, each having a pair of bracket assemblies being parallel and symmetrically arranged to an underside of a platform. Each bracket assembly is sized and shaped to receive and store a pair of legs during shipping. In a shipping configuration, the platform assemblies are abutted and joined along a mating edge. The pair of legs is inserted into each bracket assembly providing support to the formed shipping platform. A series of leg-receiving apertures are formed in each bracket assembly for insertion of a shoulder of each leg to convert the platform into a table. A brace and locking system can be integrated to reinforce the leg subassembly interface and support. A series of table configurations can be joined to increase the display table width or length as desired.
US08459178B2	Tea brewing and dispensing system and method An automatically controllable commercial system for brewing a consistently high quality cold brewed beverage from a supply of purified water, optionally sweetening the brewed beverage, and dispensing the cold brewed beverage is provided. The system of the present invention includes automatically controllable integrated components for purifying the water supplied to brew the beverage and for maintaining the system in a sanitary condition that can be serviced on site or from a remote location. The present invention further provides an automated, commercial scale method for brewing tea from real tea leaves and naturally sweetening the tea to produce cold sweet tea with the high quality taste of homemade sweet tea.
US08459177B2	Coffee machine comprising a height-adjustable spout A coffee machine, especially an espresso machine, comprising a brew chamber provided with at least one coffee outlet, a height-adjustable spout for ejecting coffee, and an impact surface arranged upstream of said spout. The aim of the invention is to ensure that, despite the fact that the height of the spout can be adjusted, the coffee produced is of a consistently high quality. To this end, the impact surface is arranged at a fixed distance from the coffee outlet, coffee passing through said outlet hitting the impact surface and being guided to the spout from the impact surface.
US08459173B2	Bidirectional hydraulic system for operating table A bidirectional hydraulic system for operating table is disclosed, which has a switch valve connecting a bidirectional hydraulic pumping device with movable units of an operating table. The switch valve is driven by a motor, and has a valve block defining at least three outbound valve positions on the valve block's top surface, which is parallel to the inside bottom of the base, which the valve block is attached to, and thereof for controlling oil inlet and oil outlet. The switch valve switches among the outbound valve positions for respectively forming oil passages between the bidirectional hydraulic pumping device and hydraulic cylinders of the movable units.

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