Document	Document Title
US08692372B2	Semiconductor device having impurity doped polycrystalline layer including impurity diffusion prevention layer and dynamic random memory device including the semiconductor device Provided are semiconductor devices including a semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer including a contact hole through which the semiconductor substrate is exposed, and a polysilicon layer filling the contact hole. The polysilicon layer is doped with impurities and includes an impurity-diffusion prevention layer. In the semiconductor devices, the impurities included in the polysilicon layer do not diffuse into the insulating layer and the semiconductor substrate due to the impurity-diffusion prevention layers.
US08692370B2	Semiconductor device with copper wire ball-bonded to electrode pad including buffer layer A semiconductor element (10) is secured to an island (7), and a plurality of through-holes (8) are formed in the portion of the island (7), which surrounds the area to which the semiconductor element (10) is secured. Further, the electrode pads of the semiconductor element (10) and leads (4) are electrically connected by copper wires (11). In this structure, the cost of materials is reduced by using the copper wires (11) in comparison with gold wires. Further, a part of a resin package (2) is embedded in through-holes (8), so that the island (7) can be easily supported within the resin package (2).
US08692368B2	Integrated voltage regulator method with embedded passive device(s) A stacked integrated circuit (IC) device includes a semiconductor IC having an active face, and an interconnect structure. The active face receives a regulated voltage from a voltage regulator (MEG). An active portion of the VREG, which supplies the regulated voltage to the semiconductor IC is coupled to the interconnect structure. A packaging substrate includes one or more inductors including a first set of through vias. The first set of through vias are coupled to the interconnect structure and cooperate with the active portion to provide the regulated voltage for the semiconductor IC. The IC also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to the packaging substrate. The PCB includes a second set of through vias coupled to the first set of through vias. The IC also includes one or more conducting paths on the PCB. The conducting path(s) couple together at least two through vias of the second set of through vias.
US08692364B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes an embedding layer in which one or more semiconductor element(s) is embedded and one or more interconnect layers as well as one or more insulation layers on one or both sides of the embedding layer. The embedding layer includes a woven cloth formed by reinforcement fibers. The woven cloth has an opening on its site embedding the semiconductor element. The opening is arranged so that direction of the reinforcement fibers will have a preset angle with respect to a direction of a side of or a tangent to at least a portion of the opening, the preset angle being other than a square angle or a zero angle (parallelism).
US08692361B2	Electric device package comprising a laminate and method of making an electric device package comprising a laminate A system and method for manufacturing an electric device package are disclosed. An embodiment comprises comprising a first carrier contact, a first electric component, the first electric component having a first top surface and a first bottom surface, the first electric component comprising a first component contact disposed on the first top surface, the first bottom surface being connected to the carrier and an connection element comprising a second electric component and an interconnect element, the connection element having a connection element top surface and a connection element bottom surface, wherein the connection element bottom surface comprises a first connection element contact and a second connection element contact, and wherein the first connection element contact is connected to the first component contact and the second connection element contact is connected to the first carrier contact. The packaged device further comprises an encapsulant encapsulating the first electric component.
US08692353B2	Semiconductor structure and method An embodiment is a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure comprises at least two gate structures on a substrate. The gate structures define a recess between the gate structures, and the recess is defined by a depth in a vertical direction. The depth is from a top surface of at least one of the gate structures to below a top surface of the substrate, and the depth extends in an isolation region in the substrate. The semiconductor structure further comprises a filler material in the recess. The filler material has a first thickness in the vertical direction. The semiconductor structure also comprises an inter-layer dielectric layer in the recess and over the filler material. The inter-layer dielectric layer has a second thickness in the vertical direction below the top surface of the at least one of the gate structures. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
US08692344B2	Back side illuminated image sensor architecture, and method of making same An image sensor device that includes a substrate and a plurality of color filters. The substrate includes a plurality of photo detectors (wherein a first portion of the plurality of photo detectors each has a lateral size that is smaller than that of each of a second portion of the plurality of photo detectors) and a plurality of contact pads which are electrically coupled to the photo detectors. The plurality of color filters are each disposed over one of the photo detectors. The plurality of photo detectors are configured to produce electronic signals in response to light incident through the color filters. A third portion of the plurality of photo detectors are laterally disposed between the first and second portions of the photo detectors, and each having a lateral size between those of the first and second portions of the photo detectors.
US08692339B2	Micromechanical component having a rear volume In a method for manufacturing a micromechanical component, a cavity is produced in the substrate from an opening at the rear of a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate. The etching process used for this purpose and the monocrystalline semiconductor substrate used are controlled in such a way that a largely rectangular cavity is formed.
US08692322B2	Flexible Crss adjustment in a SGT MOSFET to smooth waveforms and to avoid EMI in DC-DC application A semiconductor power device comprises a plurality of power transistor cells each having a trenched gate disposed in a gate trench wherein the trenched gate comprising a shielding bottom electrode disposed in a bottom portion of the gate trench electrically insulated from a top gate electrode disposed in a top portion of the gate trench by an inter-electrode insulation layer. At least one of the transistor cells includes the shielding bottom electrode functioning as a source-connecting shielding bottom electrode electrically connected to a source electrode of the semiconductor power device and at least one of the transistor cells having the shielding bottom electrode functioning as a gate-connecting shielding bottom electrode electrically connected to a gate metal of the semiconductor power device.
US08692312B2	Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device is provided. In the method, a laminated body in which a first silicon layer, a first sacrificial layer, a second silicon layer, and a second sacrificial layer are laminated in turn is formed. A first insulating film is formed on the laminated body. A trench is formed in the laminated body and the first insulating film. A third sacrificial layer is formed into the trench. The third sacrificial layer is etched by wet etching to be retreated from a top surface of the third sacrificial layer, thereby etching end faces of the first sacrificial layer and the second sacrificial layer.
US08692311B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method can include selectively implanting an impurity into a underlying layer containing silicon using a mask to form a boron-added region and an etched region. The boron-added region contains boron, and a boron concentration of the etched region is lower than a boron concentration in the boron added region. The method can include forming a pair of holes reaching the etched region in the stacked body including a plurality of layers of electrode layers. The method can include forming a depression part connected to a lower end of each of the pair of holes in the underlying layer by removing the etched region through the holes using an etching solution.
US08692301B2	Nanostructured photodiode The present invention provides a photodiode comprising a p-i-n or pn junction at least partly formed by first and second regions (2) made of semiconductor materials having opposite conductivity type, wherein the p-i-n or pn junction comprises a light absorption region (11) for generation of charge carriers from absorbed light. One section of the p-i-n or pn junction is comprises by one or more nanowires (7) that are spaced apart and arranged to collect charge carriers generated in the light absorption region (11). At least one low doped region (10) made of a low doped or intrinsic semiconductor material provided between the nanowires (7) and one of said first region (1) and said second region (2) enables custom made light absorption region and/or avalanche multiplication region of the active region (9).
US08692295B1	Transistor with InGaAsP collector region and integrated opto-electronic devices employing same A double heterojunction bipolar transistor on a substrate comprises a collector formed of InGaAsP, a base in contact with the collector, an emitter in contact with the base, and electrodes forming separate electrical contacts with each of the collector, base, and emitter, respectively. A device incorporates this transistor and an opto-electronic device optically coupled with the collector of the transistor to interact with light transmitted therethrough.
US08692274B2	Light emitting diode package structure A light-emitting diode (LED) package structure including a carrier substrate, at least one LED chip, an optical element and a thermal-conductive transparent liquid is provided. The LED chip is disposed on the carrier substrate and has an active layer. The optical element is disposed on the substrate and forms a sealed space with the carrier substrate, and the LED chip is disposed in the sealed space. The thermal-conductive transparent liquid fills up the sealed space.
US08692250B2	Thin film transistor array substrate and method for fabricating the same A method for fabricating a TFT array substrate including the following steps is provided. A substrate having a pixel region and a photosensitive region is provided. A first patterned conductive layer is formed on the substrate, wherein the first patterned conductive layer includes a gate electrode disposed in the pixel region and a first electrode disposed in the photosensitive region, and a photosensitive dielectric layer is formed on the first electrode. A gate insulation layer is formed to cover the gate electrode, the photosensitive dielectric layer and the first electrode. A patterned semiconductor layer is formed on the gate insulation layer above the gate electrode. A source electrode and a drain electrode are formed on the patterned semiconductor layer at two sides of the gate electrode, wherein the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode constitute a TFT. A second electrode is formed on the photosensitive dielectric layer.
US08692242B1	Candlelight-like light organic light-emitting device The present invention relates to a candlelight-like light organic light-emitting device, comprising: a first conductive layer, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a first host light-emitting layer, a second host light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a second conductive layer. Particularly, in the present invention, a plurality of candlelight complementary color dyes are doped in the first host light-emitting layer and the second host light-emitting layer for making the first host light-emitting layer and the second host light-emitting layer respectively emit a first light and a second light, such that the first light and the second light are mixed to a candlelight-like light with high color rendering index and low color temperature; therefore the candlelight-like light is suitable for being a reading light or a bedside light, and can facilitate users to read by their eyes under a comfortable condition.
US08692240B2	Photoelectric conversion film, photoelectric conversion device and color image sensor having the photoelectric conversion device A blue color photoelectric conversion film includes: a p-type layer formed by depositing tetracene; a p,n-type layer formed by co-depositing tetracene and naphthalene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (“NTCDA”) on the p-type layer; and an n-type layer formed by depositing NTCDA on the p,n-type layer.
US08692238B2	Semiconductor devices and methods of preparation An organic film-forming polymer has a Tg of at least 70° C. and comprises a backbone comprising recurring units of Structure (A) shown in this application. These organic film-forming polymers can be used as dielectric materials in various devices with improved properties such as improved mobility.
US08692231B2	Functional molecular element and functional molecular device A functional molecular element exhibiting its function under the operation of an electrical field is provided. A compound is used in which a pendant molecule, formed by 4-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl, exhibiting positive dielectric constant anisotropy or a dipole moment along the direction of the long axis of the molecule, is covalently bonded to an electrically conductive linear or film-shaped principal-axis molecule having a conjugated system. The pendant molecule is changed in its orientation on application of an electrical field to change the conformation to switch the electrical conductivity of the electrically conductive principal-axis molecule.
US08692219B2	Method and apparatus for growing a III-nitride layer A method that includes implantation of dopants while a III-nitride body is being grown on a substrate, and an apparatus for the practice of the method.
US08692217B2	Multi-source plasma focused ion beam system The present invention provides a plasma ion beam system that includes multiple gas sources and that can be used for performing multiple operations using different ion species to create or alter submicron features of a work piece. The system preferably uses an inductively coupled, magnetically enhanced ion beam source, suitable in conjunction with probe-forming optics sources to produce ion beams of a wide variety of ions without substantial kinetic energy oscillations induced by the source, thereby permitting formation of a high resolution beam.
US08692215B2	Heated rotary seal and bearing for chilled ion implantation system A workpiece scanning system is provided having a scan arm that rotates about a first axis and a chilled end effector rotatably coupled to the scan arm about a second axis for selectively securing a workpiece. The chilled end effector has a clamping plate and one or more cooling mechanisms for cooling the clamping plate. A bearing is positioned along the second axis and rotatably couples the end effector to the scan arm, and a seal is positioned along the second axis to provide a pressure barrier between an external environment and an internal environment. One or more of the bearing and seal can have a ferrofluid associated therewith. A heater assembly is positioned proximate to the bearing and seal, wherein the heater assembly selectively provides a predetermined amount of heat to the bearing and seal, therein increasing a propensity of the end effector to rotate about the second axis.
US08692203B1	Iodide scintillator for radiation detection The present disclosure discloses, in one arrangement, a single crystalline iodide scintillator material having a composition of the formula AM1−xEuxI3, A3M1−xEuxI5 and AM2(1−x)Eu2xI5, wherein A consists essentially of any alkali metal element (such as Li, Na K, Rb, Cs) or any combination thereof, M consists essentially of Sr, Ca, Ba or any combination thereof, and 0≦x≦1. In another arrangement, the above single crystalline iodide scintillator material can be made by first synthesizing a compound of the above composition and then forming a single crystal from the synthesized compound by, for example, the Vertical Gradient Freeze method. Applications of the iodide scintillator materials include radiation detectors and their use in medical and security imaging.
US08692200B2	Optical proximity sensor with improved dynamic range and sensitivity Various embodiments of an optical proximity sensor and corresponding circuits and methods for measuring small AC signal currents arising from the detection of pulsed AC light signals emitted by a light emitter and reflected from an object to detected in the presence of larger ambient light DC current signals are disclosed. Circuits and corresponding methods are described that improve the dynamic range, sensitivity and detection range of an optical proximity sensor by cancelling the contributions of DC current signals arising from ambient light signals that otherwise would dominate the detected small AC signal currents. The DC signal cancellation occurs in a differential amplifier circuit before small AC signal currents are provided to an analog-to-digital converter. The circuits and methods may be implemented using conventional CMOS design and manufacturing techniques and processes.
US08692195B2	Charged particle radiation device The present invention provides a scanning charged particle beam device including a sample chamber (8) and a detector. The detector has: a function of detecting light at least ranging from the vacuum ultraviolet region to the visible light region, of light (17) having image information which is obtained by a light emission phenomenon of gas scintillation when the sample chamber is controlled to a low vacuum (1 Pa to 3,000 Pa); and a function of detecting ion currents (11, 13) having image information which are obtained by cascade amplification of electrons and gas molecules. Accordingly, it becomes possible to realize a device which can deal with observation of various samples. Further, an optimal configuration of the detection unit is devised, to thereby make it possible to add value to an obtained image and provide users in wide-ranging fields with the observation image. In addition, the detector is made usable in combination with a detector for high vacuum, to thereby make it possible to provide wide-ranging users with the image, irrespective of the vacuum mode.
US08692193B2	Method for inspecting EUV reticle and apparatus thereof A method of inspecting an EUV reticle is proposed, which uses an original design layout information to align the plurality of patterns on an image, which is got by scanning the surface of an EUV reticle, such that the defect can be identified and classified according to the aligned patterns. In the scanning process, a step of conditioning surface charge is followed by a step of inspecting surface of the EUV reticle wherein the step of conditioning surface can neutralize the surface charge and the step of inspecting can obtain an image of the EUV reticle. The method of inspecting an EUV reticle also tuning a retarding electrode to attract more secondary electrons such that the greylevels of different patterns may be shown and the defect can be identified and classified.
US08692192B2	Methods and systems for mass spectrometry The present invention relates generally to mass spectrometry. The present invention relates more particularly to methods and systems for use in mass spectrometric identification of a variety of analytes, including high molecular weight species such as proteins. One embodiment of the invention is a method for analyzing an analyte. The method includes nebulizing a suspension of the analyte in a solvent with a surface acoustic wave transducer; and performing mass spectrometry on the nebulized suspension. The surface acoustic wave transducer can be used, for example, to transfer non-volatile peptides and proteins (as well as other analyztes, such as oligonucleotides and polymers) to the gas phase at atmospheric pressure. Nebulization using surface acoustic waves can be conducted in a discontinuous or pulsed mode, similar to that used in MALDI, or in a continuous mode, as in ESI.
US08692184B1	Material property gauges and related methods for determining a property of a material The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for measuring the density of a material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge includes a nuclear density gauge for measuring the density of a material. A radiation source adapted to emit radiation into a material and a radiation detector operable to produce a signal representing the detected radiation. A first material property calculation function may calculate a value associated with the density of the material based upon the signal produced by the radiation detector. The material property gauge includes an electromagnetic moisture property gauge that determines a moisture property of the material. An electromagnetic field generator may generate an electromagnetic field where the electromagnetic field sweeps through one or more frequencies and penetrates into the material. An electromagnetic sensor may determine a frequency response of the material to the electromagnetic field across the several frequencies.
US08692181B2	Medical imaging equipment and a measuring method for detecting the position of a conveying device of the medical imaging equipment A medical imaging equipment has a conveying device that can be moved at least partially in at least one direction. A position-detecting device has at least one transmitting element which detects a position of the conveying device and emits position-measuring radiation. The position-detecting device has at least one detector element. The position-detecting device has at least one semi-transparent reflector element.
US08692178B2	Photosensitive control system, and method of operating thereof A photosensitive control system includes a light source device configured to provide a directional light beam and a photosensitive device which includes at least one pre-arranged photosensitive unit. Also, the photosensitive control system has a light guide device configured between the light source device and the photosensitive device for guiding the light beam to the at least one photosensitive unit and therefore the photosensitive device produces a sensing signal. In addition, the photosensitive control system includes a controller configured to receive the sensing signal and provide control data in accordance with the sensing signal.
US08692177B2	Solid-state imaging device including analog-to-digital converter and analog-to-digital conversion method A solid-state imaging device includes an imager including pixels arranged in a matrix, and analog to digital (AD) converters, each of which is provided in each pixel column and converts a signal voltage read from one of the pixels located in the column to a digital value. Each of the AD converters includes a comparator and a counter section including a counter circuit, which receives a comparison result of the comparator and includes a first D flip-flop (DFF) for n-bits, and a transfer circuit, which includes a second DFF for n-bits holding and outputting a count value of the counter circuit. The second DFFs provided in the columns are coupled in series to form a transfer section transferring the signal voltage which has been digitally converted.
US08692171B2	Hand launchable unmanned aerial vehicle An unmanned aerial vehicle including a controller operating in a search mode of operation where a receiver of an acquisition sensor searches for a target and causes flight control surfaces to guide the vehicle in a downward spiral path, a terminal mode of operation where the acquisition sensor detects a target and causes flight control surfaces to direct the vehicle toward the target, and an activation mode of operation where a trigger sensor detects a target within a predetermined distance to the vehicle and the controller activates a responder.
US08692169B2	Electrical apparatus having active heat-dissipating element and air circulating system having such electrical apparatus An electrical apparatus includes a casing, a circuit board, a top cover and an active heat-dissipating element. The casing includes a first entrance, a first receptacle, a first sidewall, and a first bottom surface. An air inlet hole is formed in the first bottom surface. A concave region is defined at a junction between the first sidewall and the first bottom surface. An air outlet hole is formed in the concave region. The circuit board is disposed within the first receptacle and has at least one electronic component mounted thereon. The top cover shelters the first entrance. The active heat-dissipating element is disposed within the first receptacle and arranged over the air inlet hole. Ambient air is inhaled into the first receptacle by the active heat-dissipating element and exhausted out of the casing through the air outlet hole, thereby removing heat generated from the electronic component.
US08692164B2	Cooking appliance A cooking appliance for producing flatbreads or other foodstuffs is provided. The cooking appliance includes a base, lower heating assembly, and an upper heating assembly. The lower heating assembly includes a lower cooking surface, and the upper heating assembly includes an upper cooking surface. The upper cooking surface is translatable and rotatable relative to the lower cooking surface. The upper cooking surface is locatable in at least three operative positions relative to the lower cooking surface.
US08692163B2	Electrical heater for injection-molding nozzle An electrical sleeve heater for heating an elongated part has a metallic and tubular casing extending coaxially along an axis with the part and surrounding the part. The casing has a front end is with a radially inwardly open cutout. A electrical heating element set in the casing is energizeable to heat the casing and the part surrounded by the casing. A thermocouple has a sensing tip in the cutout. A retaining body of at most low thermal conductivity is fitted in the cutout, holds the tip out of contact with the metallic casing, and urges the tip radially inward into direct engagement with an outer surface of the part. The retaining body is a molded part, a plate, or a spring of a material with low or negligible thermal conductivity.
US08692155B2	Method of material processing with laser pulses having a large spectral bandwidth and apparatus for carrying out said method A method and device for processing materials with laser pulses having a large spectral bandwidth and a device for carrying out said method. The aim of the invention is to create an easy, flexible method enabling universally applicable processing which can, however, be adapted to specific processing and methodological requirements. According to the invention, one or several spectral parameters of the laser pulses, i.e. the spectral amplitude and/or spectral phase and/or spectral polarization thereof, is/are specifically modified, preferably according to a measuring process variable, in order to process material or during the occurrence of said processing. The invention is used in order to process material with laser pulses having a large spectral bandwidth, particularly femto-second pulses and pico-second pulses.
US08692149B2	Low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage switchgear assembly having a short-circuiting system A switchgear assembly includes a vacuum interrupt chamber and a short-circuiting system arranged in the vacuum interrupt chamber. To enable rapid switching with physically simple means, a vacuum area of the vacuum interrupt chamber in which a fixed contact piece is placed is subdivided via a membrane, which is provided with a breaking line and which can be penetrated by a moving piston system to the contact piece during switching. The switchgear assembly can be utilized in a low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage assembly.
US08692148B1	Method and apparatus for improving performance in container sorting The present invention discloses a container sorting system capable of increased sorting efficiency. The present invention discloses a device in which the distance is shortened between detection and ejection of containers being sorted by reflective infrared radiation, transmission infrared radiation, or both. The present invention also includes a method of operating such device.
US08692144B2	Keyboard A keyboard includes a membrane circuit board, a luminous key, a light-emitting element and a plastic film layer. The luminous key has a keycap with a light-transmissible part. The luminous key is configured for triggering a membrane switch of the membrane circuit board. The light-emitting element is disposed on the membrane circuit board and arranged under the light-transmissible part for emitting a light beam. The plastic film layer is disposed on the membrane circuit board, and includes a convex structure, which is integrally formed with the plastic film layer. The light-emitting element is enclosed by the convex structure. The convex structure has an opening aligned with the light-emitting element. The keyboard of the present invention has enhanced production yield and reduced light leakage.
US08692143B2	Cable interlock between power switches An assembly for mutual mechanical blocking of actuation of a plurality of electrical switches includes a first locking mechanism assigned to a first switch and actuatable by an actuation device of the first switch, the actuation device being configured to transmit via Bowden cables at least one of an OFF position and an ON position of the first switch to a locking device of at least one other locking mechanism assigned to at least one other switch, the locking device including a two-armed rocker having a center portion configured to lock the at least one other switch and having lever arms, each of the lever arms having a respective bore configured to receive: (a) a driving element for a respective Bowden cable so as to provide a mutual locking of three switches, and (b) a fastening pivot pin for rotatable fastening of the two-armed rocker to a mounting plate that accommodates the first locking mechanism, so as to provide a mutual locking of two switches.
US08692142B2	Circuit for determining positions of contacts on capacitive position detecting panel, touch panel module and method for detecting contacts on capacitive position detecting panel The invention provides a circuit for determining positions of contacts on a capacitive position detecting panel. The capacitive position detecting panel includes a plurality of sensing lines and driving lines. The circuit includes a plurality of first amplifiers and second amplifiers. The first amplifiers respectively connect to the sensing lines, and the second amplifiers respectively connect to the driving lines. Input nodes of the first amplifiers are connected to a first input signal source, and input nodes of the second amplifiers are selectively connected to the first input signal source or a second input signal source. When the circuit is operated under a first operation mode, the input nodes of the second amplifiers are connected to the first input signal source; and when the circuit is operated under a second operating mode, the input modes of a plurality of specific second amplifiers are connected to the second input signal source.
US08692133B2	Semiconductor package Provided is a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes an insulation substrate with top and bottom surfaces. The semiconductor package further includes a circuit pattern on the top surface. The circuit pattern includes a first signal conductive pattern and first and second ground conductive patterns. The semiconductor package includes a first insulation film covering the first signal conductive pattern and exposing a first portion of the first ground conductive pattern and a portion of the second ground conductive pattern. The semiconductor package further includes a first conductive member on the first signal conductive pattern and the first and second ground conductive patterns. The first conductive member electrically connects the first and second ground conductive patterns by covering a portion of the first insulation film and coming in contact with the first portion of the first ground conductive pattern and the portion of the second ground conductive pattern.
US08692130B2	Transparent thin plate A transparent thin plate including a transparent substrate in a sheet form, a mesh layer formed on a surface of the transparent substrate and made of an opaque material having a structure wherein an outline of meshes is made of bands that are very thin and have a substantially equal width, and having a light transmittance of 50% or more. The transparent thin plate also includes a colored layer that is arranged in a state in which the colored layer is laminated in a partial area of the mesh layer and on the surface of the mesh layer, and has a color different from that of the opaque material constituting the mesh layer.
US08692121B1	Device for receiving an electrical contact This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus to engage and suspend an electrical contact of a cylindrical and elongated configuration. In accordance with the invention and described is a hollowed out, cylindrical and elongated device having two pair of spaced apart cantilever beams which extend forwardly from a base to a pin receiving end wherein the counter levered beams of each pair are opposing each other and are equally spaced along the entire circumference wherein a pin like cylindrical object engages through the hollowed out portion and urges against the cantilevered beams in a fashion to increase the distance between the opposing beams.
US08692117B2	Durable fine wire electrical conductor suitable for extreme environment applications Durable fine wire electrical conductors are robust, durable, small in profile, and light weight, yet capable of operating under extreme environmental conditions. Formed of a glass, silica, sapphire or crystalline quartz fiber core with a metal coating and one or more polymer layers, a unipolar electrical conductor can have an outer diameter as small as about 300 microns or even smaller. The metal buffer coating may be deposited directly on the glass/silica fiber, or upon an intermediate layer between the glass/silica fiber and metal, consisting of carbon and/or polymer. The resulting metallized glass/silica fibers are extremely durable, can be bent through small radii and will not fatigue even from millions of iterations of flexing. Bipolar electrical conductors can include several insulated metallized glass/silica fibers residing side by side, or can be coaxial with two or more insulated metal conductive paths. An outer protective sheath of a flexible polymer material can be included.
US08692109B2	Solar cell module and method of manufacturing the same, and mobile apparatus with the solar cell module The present invention provides a solar cell module including: a light transmitting plate having light transmittance; solar cells having bonding pads and conductive bumps bonded to the bonding pads; an adhesive film disposed between the light transmitting plate and the solar cells to bond the light transmitting plate and the solar cells; and a conductive pad disposed by being inserted in the adhesive film and surrounding and electrically connecting the conductive bumps of the adjacent solar cells.
US08692092B1	Maize inbred PH1JYB A novel maize variety designated PH1JYB and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1JYB with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1JYB 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 PH1JYB or a locus conversion of PH1JYB with another maize variety.
US08692091B1	Maize hybrid X13B580 A novel maize variety designated X13B580 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13B580 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13B580 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13B580, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13B580. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13B580.
US08692089B1	Maize hybrid X03C220 A novel maize variety designated X03C220 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X03C220 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03C220 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X03C220, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03C220. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03C220.
US08692088B2	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH747326 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH747326. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH747326, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH747326 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH747326.
US08692083B1	Maize variety hybrid X18B731 A novel maize variety designated X18B731 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X18B731 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18B731 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X18B731, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18B731. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18B731.
US08692082B2	Sweet grape tomato The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line CHI 15-2113, tomato line CHD 15-2114 and hybrid tomato variety BX 0154 3756. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line CHI 15-2113, tomato line CHD 15-2114 and hybrid tomato variety BX 0154 3756, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing a plant of tomato line CHI 15-2113, tomato line CHD 15-2114 or hybrid tomato variety BX 0154 3756 with itself or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another line or variety. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of tomato line CHI 15-2113, tomato line CHD 15-2114 or hybrid tomato variety BX 0154 3756, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08692079B1	Soybean variety XBP34007 A novel soybean variety, designated XBP34007 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP34007, cells from soybean variety XBP34007, plants of soybean XBP34007, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP34007. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP34007 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP34007, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP34007, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP34007. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP34007 are further provided.
US08692075B2	Lettuce cultivar Borromini A lettuce cultivar, designated Borromini, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar Borromini, to the plants of lettuce cultivar Borromini and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar Borromini with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Borromini, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Borromini and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar Borromini with another lettuce cultivar.
US08692072B2	Plant transcription factors This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a transcription factor. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the transcription factor, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of accumulated oil in a transformed host cell.
US08692071B2	Drought responsive promoters HVA22e and PLDdelta identified from Arabidopsis thaliana The present invention provides non-coding regulatory element polynucleotide molecules isolated from the At.PLDδ gene or the At.HVA22e gene of Arabidopsis thaliana and useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The invention further discloses compositions, polynucleotide constructs, transformed host cells, transgenic plants and seeds containing the Arabidopsis thaliana regulatory polynucleotide sequences, and methods for preparing and using the same.
US08692065B2	Bacillus thuringiensis gene with lepidopteran activity The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.
US08692064B2	Quantitative trait loci associated with soybean cyst nematode resistance and methods of their use Several QTLs that are genetically linked to resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) are disclosed. These QTLs have been mapped to genomic regions on Chrs. 4, 8, 10, 11, 18, and 20 of soybean, G. max. Candidate genes underlying these QTLs as defined by the flanking markers, as well as genetic markers associated with these QTLs are also disclosed. These markers can be utilized for introgressing SCN resistance into non-resistant soybean germplasm. The unique resistance genes can be introduced into a non-resistant plant by marker-assisted selection (MAS) or by transgenic methods.
US08692058B2	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH900774 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH900774. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH900774, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH900774 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH900774.
US08692048B2	Method for revamping an HF or sulphuric acid alkylation unit The present invention provides a method for revamping an HF or sulphuric acid alkylation unit to an ionic liquid alkylation unit, wherein the HF or sulphuric acid alkylation unit comprise at least: —a reactor unit for contacting catalyst and hydrocarbon reactants; —a separator unit for separating a reactor effluent into a catalyst phase and an alkylate-comprising hydrocarbon phase; —a fractionator unit for fractionating the alkylate-comprising hydrocarbon phase into at least one stream comprising alkylate; and which method includes: —providing a second separator unit suitable for the separation of solids from liquids downstream of the reactor unit suitable to reduce the solids content in at least part of the reactor effluent.
US08692046B2	Process for isomerizing a feed stream including one or more C4-C6 hydrocarbons One exemplary embodiment can be a process for isomerizing a feed stream including one or more C4-C6 hydrocarbons. The process may include contacting the feed stream in an isomerization reaction zone with an isomerization catalyst at isomerization conditions to produce an isomerization zone effluent; passing at least a portion of the isomerization zone effluent to a stabilizer zone and recovering a stabilizer overhead stream, a bottom stream, and a stripper feed stream; passing the stripper feed stream to a stripping zone and separating the stripper feed stream into a stripper overhead stream and a stripper bottom stream; and recycling at least a portion of the stripper bottom stream to a deisopentanizer zone and passing a stream from the deisopentanizer zone to the isomerization reaction zone. Usually, the stabilizer overhead stream includes one or more C5− hydrocarbons, the bottom stream includes at least about 85%, by weight, one or more C6+ hydrocarbons, and a stripper feed stream including at least about 10%, by weight, one or more C5+ hydrocarbons. Often, a stripper overhead stream includes at least about 5%, by weight, one or more C4− hydrocarbons and a stripper bottom stream includes at least about 90%, by weight, one or more C5+ hydrocarbons.
US08692045B2	Processes for producing light olefins A process for producing light olefins is provided. A feedstock enters a pre-reaction zone and contacts a catalyst comprising at least one silicon-aluminophosphate molecular sieve and produces a gas-phase stream; the gas-phase stream and the catalyst enter at least one riser, and the gas-phase stream and the catalyst pass from an outlet of the at least one riser and enter a gas-solid rapid separation zone; the separated gas-phase stream enters a separation section; a first portion of the separated catalyst returns to the pre-reaction zone, and a second portion is regenerated in a regenerator; wherein an inlet of the at least one riser extends into the pre-reaction zone, about 60% to about 90% of the height of the at least one riser passes through a heat exchange zone, and the outlet extends into the gas-solid rapid separation zone.
US08692041B2	Process to produce biofuels from biomass A process for producing biofuels from biomass is provided by removing sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds from the biomass by contacting the biomass with a digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass containing soluble carbohydrates and having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content, based on untreated biomass on a dry mass basis, prior to carrying out aqueous phase reforming and further processing to form a liquid fuel.
US08692040B2	Production of vapour-cracking loads with a high yield of the resulting ethylene, propylene and polymers by hydroprocessing of vegetable oils The invention describes a process for treatment of a feedstock that is obtained from a renewable source that comprises a hydrotreatment stage in the presence of at least one fixed-bed catalyst, whereby said catalyst comprises a hydro-dehydrogenating function and an amorphous substrate, at a temperature of between 50 and 450° C., at a pressure of between 1 MPa and 10 MPa, at an hourly volumetric flow rate of between 0.1 h−1 and 10 h−1, and in the presence of a total quantity of hydrogen that is mixed with the feedstock such that the hydrogen/feedstock ratio is between 50 and 1000 Nm3 of hydrogen/m3 of feedstock, followed by a separation from the hydrotreated effluent that is obtained from stage a) of hydrogen, gases, and at least one liquid hydrocarbon effluent that consists of at least 50% linear n-paraffins, and a steam-cracking of at least one portion of the liquid hydrocarbon effluent that is obtained from stage b).
US08692005B2	Catalyst for esteramine production Provided are methods for decreasing the reaction time between an alkanolamine such as triethanolamine and a fatty acid alkyl ester such as, a triglyceride, a vegetable oil, a methyl ester, an ethyl ester, etc., a fatty acid, or a mixture thereof. The methods utilize a divalent zinc catalyst to facilitate and accelerate an esterification or transesterification reaction between the alkanolamine and the fatty acid, or fatty acid alkyl ester.
US08692004B2	Process for purification of vegetable oils upon withdrawal of solids by centrifugation in the miscella stage Process for purification of vegetable oils upon withdrawal of solids by centrifugation in the miscella stage consists of the industrial extraction of vegetable oils, including the soybean oil by using a solvent, usually a mixture of hydrocarbons, in which the main constituent is hexane. The percolation extractors that operate continuously and in countercurrent provide an optimized extraction and a good performance. The replacement of the traditional miscella purification processes by a process of Centrifugation in the mixture of oil and solvent (miscella) within the process with the removal of solids contained therein, returning it to the extractor results in final products as oil and lecithin of a better quality, also providing a better functioning of the process by avoiding fouling in heat exchangers and distillation of solvent, reducing downtime and lower fuel consumption resulting in lower production costs.
US08692001B2	Sulfonamides for the modulation of PKM2 The invention relates to sulfonamide compounds and methods for activating PKM2. The compounds and methods are useful in treating or preventing a disease or disorder selected from cancer, cell proliferative disorder, inflammatory disorder, metabolic disorder, and immune system disorder.
US08691997B2	Processes for producing 2-chloro-3-trifluoromethylpyridine The present invention provides processes for producing 2-chloro-3-trifluoromethylpyridine which is useful as an intermediate for medicines and agrochemicals, at a high production rate in a high yield. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing 2-chloro-3-trifluoromethylpyridine or a salt thereof comprising allowing 3-trifluoromethylpyridine N-oxide to react with a chlorinating agent; and also relates to a process for producing 2-chloro-3-trifluoromethylpyridine or a salt thereof comprising oxidizing 3-trifluoromethylpyridine to produce 3-trifluoromethylpyridine N-oxide and subsequently allowing the obtained 3-trifluoromethylpyridine N-oxide to react with a chlorinating agent.
US08691996B2	Compound containing pyridine ring and method for producing halogenated picoline derivative and tetrazolyloxime derivative Disclosed is a compound containing a pyridine ring that can be synthesized in an industrially advantageous manner, and is useful as an intermediate for producing tetrazolyloxime derivatives that exhibit fungicidal activity (wherein R0 represents a C1-6 alkoxy group, C1-6 alkoxy-C1-6 alkoxy group or the like, R1 represents a C1-2 alkoxycarbonyl group, acetyl group or the like, Z represents a halogen atom, cyano group or the like, X represents a halogen atom, and n represents an integer of 0 to 3), and industrially advantageous production methods for producing 2-substituted amino-6-halomethylpyridine derivatives and tetrazolyloxime derivatives.
US08691993B2	Piperidinyl naphthylacetic acids The invention is concerned with the compounds of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3 and X are defined in the detailed description and claims. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing and using the compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The compounds of formula I are antagonists or partial agonists at the CRTH2 receptor and may be useful in treating diseases and disorders associated with that receptor such as asthma.
US08691992B2	Octahydro biquinoline compound The present invention relates to an octahydro biquinoline compound. Provided is also a method of separating the octahydro biquinoline compound into enantiomers. The octahydro biquinoline compound is of the general formula (V): In formula (V) R1 is one of H, a protective group and an aliphatic group, with the aliphatic group having a main chain of a length of 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, comprising 0 to about 6 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, Se and Si. R2 and R3 are independent from one another selected from the group consisting of (i) H, (ii) one of an aliphatic, an alicyclic, an aromatic, an arylaliphatic, and an arylalicyclic group comprising 0 to about 6 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, Se and Si, an ester, a carbonate group, a carbamoyl group and a phosphate ester. R4 and R5 are independent from one another H, an aliphatic, an alicyclic, an aromatic, an arylaliphatic or an arylalicyclic group comprising 0 to about 6 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, Se and Si.
US08691989B2	Methods of synthesis of morphinans The disclosure describes morphinan compounds and methods for their synthesis. Preferred methods according to the disclosure allow for large-scale preparation of diastereomerically enriched morphinans. Preferred methods according to the disclosure may also allow for the preparation of diastereomerically enriched morphinans using less time, and/or using fewer reaction steps, and/or providing better yield than previously used methods for preparing morphinans. The methods disclosed herein find utility in synthetic organic chemistry as well as medicinal chemistry.
US08691984B2	Method of storing triallyl isocyanurate The present invention provides a method of storing TAIC in which TAIC is prevented from suffering from freezing and solidification during storage thereof in the winter season. In the method of the present invention, the triallyl isocyanurate is mixed with a silane coupling agent to prepare a composition comprising both thereof, and the resulting composition is stored. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the silane coupling agent is used in an amount of 5 to 30% by weight based on the weight of the triallyl isocyanurate, and γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane is used as the silane coupling agent.
US08691976B2	Carbohydrate composition for flat glucose response A low-glycemic available carbohydrate composition of the invention contains the following components: (i) 5-60 wt. % of one or more monosaccharides selected from monosaccharides other than glucose and fructose, in particular galactose, ribose and mannose; (ii) 15-95 wt. % of oligosaccharides having a length of 2 to 20 anhydromonose units, at least half of which are anhydroglucose units linked by non-α-1,4 bonds; these oligosaccharides preferably comprising disaccharides such as palatinose, isomaltose and trehalose and/or non-α-1,4 linked higher glucose-containing oligosaccharides; (iii) 0-45 wt. % of other available carbohydrates, such as glucose and maltodextrins. This carbohydrate composition can be part of a food composition for the treatment of diabetes, obesitas, insulin resistance, or for postprandial glucose response.
US08691959B2	Plasmids with immunological action Recombinant plasmids usable for the transfection of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are described; such plasmids have a length comprised between 7 and 12 kbases and comprise a sequence encoding the heavy chain of an immunoglobulin; in particular, they may be used: in a process of transfection of prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells (ex vivo) which can be inoculated into higher organisms in order to induce a prophylactic or therapeutic immune response; in a protocol of direct inoculation (in vivo) in higher organisms in genic immunization methodologies with the aim of evoking prophylactic or therapeutic immune responses.
US08691956B2	Monoclonal antibody against human HIG-1 polypeptide This invention relates to a monoclonal antibody against a human HIG-1 polypeptide, the antibody binding to at least one epitope included in the amino acid sequence at positions 1-19 of a human HIG-1 polypeptide; an antibody fragment derived from the antibody; a DNA comprising a base sequence encoding a variable region of the antibody; an expression vector comprising the DNA; a cell line producing the antibody; a reagent for detecting a human HIG-1 polypeptide comprising the antibody or the antibody fragment, and a method for detecting a human HIG-1 polypeptide using the antibody or the antibody fragment.
US08691953B2	Binding compounds for IL-27 Purified genes encoding a cytokine or composite cytokine from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding these molecules are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.
US08691946B2	Methods and compositions for soft tissue repair Compositions and methods for tissue repair are provided including cell binding peptides and growth factor binding peptides. The cell binding peptides bind to one or more of stem cells, fibroblasts, or endothelial cells. The growth factor binding peptides include platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) binding peptides and growth differentiation factor (GDF) binding peptides. The tissue for repair includes tendon, muscle, connective tissue, ligament, cardiac tissue, vascular tissue, or dermis. Implantable devices for tissue repair are provided to which the cell and growth factor binding peptides are attached, such as acellular extracellular matrix having attached binding peptide.
US08691943B2	Antimicrobial activity of chicken NK-2 peptide against apicomplexan protozoa NK-2 synthetic peptide derived from cationic core region of porcine NK-lysin has an antimicrobial and antitumor polypeptide that is considered to play a pivotal role in innate defense immunity. To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of synthetic chicken NK-lysin peptides, we investigated cytolytic activity against apicomplexan parasites like Eimeria sporozoites, Neospora tachyzoites and Cryptosporidum sporozoites. The chicken NK-2 (cNK-2) lytic peptide which corresponds to amino acid residues of porcine NK-2 peptide significantly disrupted Eimeria and Cryptosporidum sporozoites and Neospora tachyzoites. In contrast, no bactericidal activity was observed on E. coli BMH71-18. The cNK-2 lytic peptide is novel antimicrobial agent which can be used to intervene and treat economically costly infections in the animal industry.
US08691934B2	Binder compositions and associated methods Disclosed are formaldehyde-free, thermally-curable, alkaline, aqueous binder compositions, curable to formaldehyde-free, water-insoluble thermoset polyester resins, and uses thereof as binders for non-woven fibers and fiber materials.
US08691932B2	Thermosetting monomers and compositions containing phosphorus and cyanato groups A thermosetting monomer comprising at least two of an aryl-cyanato group and at least two of a phosphorus group.
US08691931B2	Organic electronic devices and polymers, including photovoltaic cells and diketone-based and diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymers Polymers which can be used in p-type materials for organic electronic devices and photovoltaic cells. Compounds, monomers, dimers, trimers, and polymers comprising: wherein A1 and A2 each independently comprise a fused ring system comprising at least two fused rings directly covalently linked to the pyrrole rings. Good photovoltaic efficiency and lifetime can be achieved. The R group can provide solubility, environmental stability, and fine tuning of spectroscopic and/or electronic properties. Different polymer microstructures can be prepared which encourage multiple band gaps and broad and strong absorptions. The carbonyl can interact with adjacent thiophene rings to provide backbone with rigidity, induce planarity, and reduce and/or eliminate intramolecular chain twisting defects.
US08691924B2	Optical-use pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet The present invention provides an optical-use pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, which includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing a polymer formed of one or more monomer ingredients containing, as an indispensable monomer ingredient, a monomer of which homopolymer has a glass transition temperature of not lower than −10° C., said sheet having a moisture content of at least 0.65% by weight after stored in an environment at 60° C. and 95% RH for 120 hours. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is preferably an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.
US08691920B2	Thermosettable composition containing a half ester of a cycloaliphatic diol and a thermoset product therefrom A half ester of an organic polyol made by reacting polyols with anhydrides; a thermosettable composition including (i) the half ester of an organic polyol, (ii) an anhydride, (iii) an epoxide, and (iv) a catalyst; and a thermoset product made from such thermosettable composition. The thermosettable compositions of the present invention are useful in various applications such as casting, potting, and encapsulation, such as electrical and electronics applications, and composites. The thermoset products made from the thermosettable compositions of the present invention have improved mechanical performances, especially toughness and mechanical strength, while maintaining high thermal resistance.
US08691918B2	Stimulus responsive polymers for the purification of biomolecules The present invention provides novel and improved stimulus responsive polymers and methods of using the same for the purification of biomolecules.
US08691914B2	High impact polystyrene with high gloss and high impact strength A high impact polystyrene (HIPS) is made from styrene monomer and 3 to 20 wt % of an elastomeric component phase including polybutadiene rubber and styrene butadiene copolymer. The HIPS has a 60 degree gloss of 90 or more, a Gardner drop of at least 10 in-lb, and an Izod impact strength of 1.8 ft-lb/in or more. The HIPS can have salami morphology with rubber particle size between 1 and 1.3 microns.
US08691910B2	Curable silicone composition A curable silicone composition comprising: an alkenyl-containing organopolysiloxane (A) that contains: a dialkylpolysiloxane (A-1) having on average at least 2 alkenyl groups in one molecule having a 25° C. viscosity in the range of 5,000 to 35,000 mPa·s, and a alkenyl-containing organopolysiloxane resin (A-2) consisting of SiO4/2 units, R12R2SiO1/2 units, and R13SiO1/2 units (where R1 designates alkyl groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R2 designates alkenyl groups) with the content of alkenyl groups ranging from 3.5 to 5.0 mass %, and with the ratio of the sum of the mole numbers of the R12R2SiO1/2 units and R13SiO1/2 units to 1 mole of the SiO4/2 units in the range from 0.5 to 1.4; an organopolysiloxane (B), wherein silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms are in an amount of at least 0.7 mass %; and a hydrosilylation catalyst (C). The composition is capable of forming a flex-resistant highly transparent cured silicone product with non-tacky surface.
US08691907B2	Water-borne primer A water-borne stain blocking primer comprises a) from about 10 to about 30 wt % of a water-dispersible, hydrophobic alkyd resin having an acid number of less, than 40 KOH/g, b) from about 5 to about 30 wt % of a pigment, the pigment having an average aspect ratio of at least 3:3:1; c) from about 0.05 to about 3 wt % of a tannin chelation agent; d) from about 0 to about 20 wt % of a water-dispersible, hydrophobic free-radically polymerized copolymer; e) a hydrophobically modified associative rheology modifier in an amount effective to provide a water-borne primer having an ICI viscosity of from about 0.5 to about 3.0 poise; and a KU viscosity range of from about 80 to about 120 Krebs units; and f) water. The water-borne primer has a VOC content of less than 5%. Methods of preparing and using such water-borne stain blocking primers also are described.
US08691903B2	VOC-free coalescing agent A film-forming composition including a coalescent aid comprising fatty acid esters of ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol having the formula R1COO[(EO)x(PO)y]zH wherein R1CO is a linear saturated aliphatic acyl group, or a combination thereof, having from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, EO is —CH2CH2O—, PO is —CH2CH(CH3)O— or —CH(CH3)CH2O— or a combination thereof, where the acyl radical is bonded to a carbon atom of the EO or PO radical, and x=0 to about 5, y=about 0 to about 5, the sum of x and y is equal or greater than 0.5, z=1 to about 5, and (x+y)z is less than or equal to 6. It is to be understood that x, y, and z are average values for the composition.
US08691891B2	Cement mixture with significantly improved physicochemical and bacteriological properties that contains dopamelanin, precursors thereof, analogues thereof or derivatives thereof, as an additive The present invention refers to a cement composition that contains dopamelanin, its precursors and/or its analogues as an additive in a maximum percentage of 30% of the cement. This additive substitutes water of the capillary nets. The mentioned cement mixture posses a water/cement relation of 0.2 to 0.4, optionally it can contain different sand and gravel proportions. This cement mixture generates strong chemical bonds, and increased scouring resistance, of at least 28% and a higher elastic resistance of the concrete, of at least 50%. Its cracking in early stages is very low or practically null. The present request also refers to the use of dopamelanin and/or its precursors and/or its analogues as an additive of the cement mixture that substitutes the capillary water proportion in the cementant mixture. Just as well the use of dopamelanin and/or its precursors and/or its analogues, in an aqueous solution, in less that 3%, as a concrete setting and curing agent, thus it significantly increases the ductility and scouring resistance of the cement mixture. This is, the novelty cement mixture improves the physicochemical and bacteriological properties of the usual concrete, being of special interest the notable increment related with compression resistance and ductility or relative displacements, suffering less damage in comparison with the mixture containing water. In a meaningful way, it also increases since early stages, the volumetric stability of the concrete, thus it intensifies its scouring resistance, which is inclusive transmitter to the metallic elements immersed in its interior, since certainly it significantly protects them from deterioration.
US08691890B2	Unsaturated polyester resin composition for use in LED reflector, and LED reflector and LED luminaire using said composition Provided are a resin composition for general-purpose LED reflectors, which discolors little through thermal deterioration and is excellent in heat discoloration resistance, which can provide an LED lamp using it and having a long life, which is relatively inexpensive and has good storage stability, and which is excellent in handleability and workability, and an LED reflector and an LED luminaire using the resin composition.The resin composition is a dry-type unsaturated polyester resin composition containing at least an unsaturated polyester resin, a polymerization initiator, an inorganic filler, a white pigment, a release agent and a reinforcing material, wherein the unsaturated polyester resin is within a range of from 14 to 40% by mass relative to the entire amount of the composition, the total amount of the inorganic filler and the white pigment is within a range of from 44 to 74% by mass relative to the entire amount of the composition, and the proportion of the white pigment to the total amount of inorganic filler and the white pigment is at least 30% by mass.
US08691883B2	Aerogel-foam composites An aerogel-foam composite includes an open cell foam and an aerogel matrix polymer disposed in the open cell foam. The aerogel-foam composite has compression strength of about 15 megaPascals (MPa) or more. The open cell foam may be a polyurethane foam including a carbonate group (—OC(O)O—).
US08691882B2	Organic-inorganic hybrid scaffolds with surface-immobilized nano-hydroxyapatite and preparation method thereof Provided are an organic-inorganic hybrid scaffold with surface-immobilized nano-hydroxyapatite, and a method for the fabrication thereof. The scaffold is fabricated by reacting an acid group present on a surface of nano-hydroxyapatite with a primary amine present on a surface of a polymer support in the presence of EDC (1-ethyl-3-dimethylaminopropyl carbodiimide) to immobilize nano-hydroxyapatite onto the surface of the polymer support. The surface of nano-hydroxyapatite is previously grafted with poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate) (PolyEGMP) having phosphonic acid functionality or with a polymer having carboxylic acid functionality.
US08691880B2	Silicone dispersions A non-aqueous silicone emulsion is provided. It comprises a continuous phase of a polar organic liquid containing droplets of an organopolysiloxane dispersed therein. An organic wax, which has a melting point in the range 40 to 100° C. and is sparingly soluble in the polar organic liquid at 25° C., is dispersed in the polar organic liquid continuous phase as a network of interconnected particles which stabilizes the organopolysiloxane droplets in emulsion in the polar organic liquid. A process for the production of the emulsion is also disclosed.
US08691874B2	Treatment of ophthalmic disorders using urea Methods for treating disorders of the eye and/or disorders of a nerve in a human or veterinary patient by delivering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group of; urea, urea derivatives, thiourea, thiourea derivatives, guanidine, guanidine derivatives and compounds having General Formula I as set forth herein. For ophthalmic applications, the compound may be delivered by intravitreal injection such that the compound causes vitreal liquefaction, posterior vitreoretinal detachment and other affects.
US08691868B2	Neprilysin inhibitors In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1-R6, a, b, and Z are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08691863B2	Use of active substance combinations having insecticidal properties for controlling animal pests from the stink bug family The present invention relates to the use of active substance combinations which consist firstly of known cyclic ketoenols and secondly of further known insecticidal active substances, for controlling animal pests from the stink bug family (Pentatomidae).
US08691856B2	Glucagon receptor antagonists, preparation and therapeutic uses The present invention discloses novel compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which have glucagon receptor antagonist or inverse agonist activity, as well as methods for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I) as well as methods of using them to treat diabetic and other glucagon related metabolic disorders, and the like.
US08691850B2	Substituted phenylaminothiazoles and use thereof The present application relates to novel phenylaminothiazole derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, preferably for the treatment and/or prevention of hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders.
US08691842B2	Pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis, containing rebamipide The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis comprising rebamipide as an active ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition may be for oral administration, for example an oral solid dosage form of a tablet or capsule form. The pharmaceutical composition may be formulated into a unit dosage form suitable for orally administering rebamipide in a dose ranging from 0.5 to 50 mg/kg, preferably from 0.6 to 6 mg/kg.
US08691840B2	N-biarylamides The invention relates to N-biarylamides useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of impairments of perception, concentration, learning and/or memory, and to processes for preparing them, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08691834B2	Combinations of pyrimethanil and monoterpenes The present invention relates to combinations of pyrimethanil, or a salt thereof, and a monoterpene, or a salt thereof, which provide an improved biocidal effect. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions comprising a combination of pyrimethanil, or a salt thereof, together with a monoterpene selected from thymol and β-thujaplicin in respective proportions to provide a synergistic biocidal effect. Compositions comprising these combinations are useful for the protection of any living or non-living material, such as crops, plants, fruits, seeds, objects made of wood, thatch or the like, engineering material, biodegradable material and textiles against deterioration due to the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, virusses, and the like.
US08691831B2	Heterocyclic aspartyl protease inhibitors Disclosed are compounds of the formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein each variable in Formula I are as defined in the specification; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting aspartyl protease, and in particular, the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases, and the methods of inhibiting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, plasmepins, cathepsin D and protozoal enzymes. Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases using the compounds of formula I in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor or a muscarinic m1 agonist or m2 antagonist.
US08691822B2	Dihydropteridinone derivatives, preparation process and pharmaceutical use thereof Dihydroperidinone derivatives, preparation process and pharmaceutical use thereof are disclosed. Specially, new dihydroperidinone derivatives represented by general formula (I), wherein each substituent of the general formula (I) is defined as in the description, their preparation process, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives and their use as therapeutical agents, especially as Plk kinase inhibitors are disclosed.
US08691817B2	Sulfonic amide and sulfoximine-substituted diaryl-dihydropyrimidinones and usage thereof The present application relates to novel sulfonamide- or sulfoximine-substituted 1,4-diaryldihydropyrimidin-2-one derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to their use alone or in combination for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases and also to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders of the lung and the cardiovascular system.
US08691805B2	Azetidinyl diamides as monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein Y, Z, R1, and s are defined herein.
US08691795B2	Process for producing sugar chain derivative, structure analysis method, and sugar chain derivative A process for preparing an oligosaccharide derivative from an oligosaccharide mixture, the process being characterized in that the process comprises the steps of (a) introducing a lipophilic group into oligosaccharides of the mixture to obtain a mixture of oligosaccharide derivatives, and (b) treating the oligosaccharide derivative mixture by serotonin affinity column chromatography.
US08691782B2	Single-stranded nucleic acid molecule having nitrogen-containing alicyclic skeleton Provided is a novel nucleic acid molecule that can be produced easily and efficiently and can inhibit the expression of a gene. The nucleic acid molecule is a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule including an expression inhibitory sequence that inhibits expression of a target gene. The single-stranded nucleic acid molecule includes: a region (X); a linker region (Lx); and a region (Xc). The linker region (Lx) is linked between the regions (Xc) and (Xc). The region (Xc) is complementary to the region (X). At least one of the regions (X) and (Xc) includes the expression inhibitory sequence. The linker region (Lx) has a non-nucleotide structure including at least one of a pyrrolidine skeleton and a piperidine skeleton. According to this single-stranded nucleic acid molecule, it is possible to inhibit the expression of the target gene.
US08691775B2	Use of drugs that activate P2Y receptors to enhance synaptogenesis The present invention encompasses compositions and methods that activate P2Y receptors for the increased production of new synapses in the central nervous system. The formulations of the invention may be administered to a healthy subject or to a subject in need thereof to restore synapses.
US08691771B2	Bi-specific fusion proteins for tissue repair Bi-specific fusion proteins with therapeutic uses are provided, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such fusion proteins, and methods for using such fusion proteins to repair damaged tissue. The bi-specific fusion proteins generally comprise: (a) a targeting polypeptide domain that binds to an ischemia-associated molecule; and (b) an activator domain that that detectably modulates the activity of a cellular network.
US08691764B2	Inhibitors of NF-κB activity The present invention provides a method for inhibiting NF-κB activity in a subject, the method comprising providing an agent capable of inducing expression of annexin 1, whereby said agent induces expression of annexin 1 and whereby said induced expression of annexin 1 inhibits NF-κB activity. Also provided are annexin 1 mimetics capable of binding to NF-κB and pharmaceutical compositions of such inducing and mimetic agents.
US08691761B2	Somatostatin receptor 2 antagonists The invention is directed to somatostatin analogs which are receptor antagonists of the somatostatin receptor, including receptor-selective antagonists, especially sst2-selective antagonists. Related compounds and compositions are included, including antagonists complexed with or conjugated to radioactive nuclides. The antagonists of the invention are useful in diagnosing and treating neoplastic and non-neoplastic mammalian diseases; such methods, and kits, are encompassed.
US08691760B2	Peptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and uses thereof Use of an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence being no more than 25 amino acids in length, the amino acid sequence comprising at least one aspartate or a homolog thereof, the peptide having an Insulin-Degrading Enzyme (IDE) inhibitory activity, for the manufacture of a medicament identified for treating a disease selected from the group consisting of diabetes, obesity, hyperglycemia, retinal damage, renal failure, nerve damage, microvascular damage and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is disclosed.
US08691756B2	Macrocycles and their uses The present application describes a method of treating a bacterial infection comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of a defined macrocycle compound.
US08691752B2	Protein product for treatment of infectious diseases and related inflammatory processes The inventors have found that CD6, a member of the Scavenger Receptor Cysteine-Rich (SRSR) superfamily expressed on human lymphocytes binds to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as to other microbial structures. Thus, a CD6 product is useful for the manufacture of a medicament for therapeutic and/or preventive treatment of an infectious disease or of an inflammatory condition related to an infectious disease or to the presence of a product derived from an infectious agent in a mammal including a human. Examples of such inflammatory conditions are systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock.
US08691749B2	Peptide and use thereof The present invention provides a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof effective for treating degenerative disc diseases, treating body organ fibrosis, treating cancer and/or treating glomerulosclerosis, and effective for the inhibition of TGF-beta 1 signaling.
US08691745B2	Fabric conditioners containing bleach and olefinic pro-fragrance A fabric conditioner composition comprising a) a photo-bleach; b) a quaternary ammonium fabric conditioner; and c) an olefinic pro-fragrance.
US08691737B2	Consolidating spacer fluids and methods of use Disclosed are spacer fluids and methods of use in subterranean formations. Embodiments may include use of consolidating spacer fluids in displacement of drilling fluids from a well bore annulus.
US08691735B2	Method of fracturing using boron crosslinkers Fracturing fluid compositions and methods of fracturing subterranean formations using polyboronic compounds as crosslinking agents are provided. The compositions and methods of the present invention allow for lower polymer loadings because achieving higher fracturing fluid viscosities can be achieved using less polymer than in traditional crosslinked systems.
US08691730B2	Rationally designed, synthetic antibody libraries and uses therefor The present invention overcomes the inadequacies inherent in the known methods for generating libraries of antibody-encoding polynucleotides by specifically designing the libraries with directed sequence and length diversity. The libraries are designed to reflect the preimmune repertoire naturally created by the human immune system and are based on rational design informed by examination of publicly available databases of human antibody sequences.
US08691716B2	Electrocatalysts based on mono/plurimetallic carbon nitrides for fuel cells fueled with hydrogen The invention describes the preparation of electrocatalysts, both anodic (aimed at the oxidation of the fuel) and cathodic (aimed at the reduction of the oxygen), based on mono- and plurimetallic carbon nitrides to be used in PEFC (Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells), DMFC (Direct methanol fuel cells) and H2 electrogenerators. The target of the invention is to obtain materials featuring a controlled metal composition based on carbon nitride clusters or on carbon nitride clusters supported on oxide-based ceramic materials. The preparation protocol consists of three steps. In the first the precursor is obtained through reactions of the type: a) sol-gel; b) gel-plastic; c) coagulation-flocculation-precipitation.
US08691715B2	Catalyst compositions for producing high Mz/Mw polyolefins The present invention provides a polymerization process utilizing a dual ansa-metallocene catalyst system. Polymers produced from the polymerization process are also provided, and these polymers have a reverse comonomer distribution, a non-bimodal molecular weight distribution, a ratio of Mw/Mn from about 3 to about 8, and a ratio of Mz/Mw from about 3 to about 6.
US08691699B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and semiconductor device A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes: forming an insulating layer above a substrate; forming a recessed section in the insulating layer; forming, on the insulating layer, a mask pattern having a first opening which exposes the recessed section, and a second opening which is arranged outside the first opening and does not expose the recessed section; forming a first conductive member and a second conductive member by respectively depositing a conductive material in the first opening and the second opening; and polishing and removing the first conductive member and the second conductive member on the upper side of the insulating layer so as to leave the first conductive member in the recessed section.
US08691698B2	Controlled gas mixing for smooth sidewall rapid alternating etch process A method for etching features in a silicon layer disposed below a mask in a plasma processing chamber a plurality of cycles is provided. A deposition phase forming a deposition on the silicon layer in the plasma processing chamber is provided comprising providing a deposition gas into the plasma processing chamber wherein the deposition gas comprises a halogen containing etchant component and a fluorocarbon deposition component, forming the deposition gas into a plasma, which provides a net deposition on the silicon layer, and stopping the flow of the deposition gas. A silicon etch phase is provided, comprising providing a silicon etch gas into the plasma processing chamber that is different than the deposition gas, forming the silicon etch gas into a plasma to etch the silicon layer, and stopping the flow of the silicon etch gas.
US08691694B2	Solderless back contact solar cell module assembly process In order to better and more efficiently assemble back contact solar cells into modules, the cell to cell soldering and other soldered connections are replaced by electro and/or electroless plating. Back contact solar cells, diodes and external leads can be first laminated to the module front glass for support and stability. Conductive materials are deposited selectively to create a plating seed pattern for the entire module circuit. Subsequent plating steps create an integrated cell and module metallization. This avoids stringing and tabbing and the associated soldering steps. This process is easier for mass manufacturing and is advantageous for handling fragile silicon solar cells. Additionally, since highly corrosion resistant metals can be plated, the moisture barrier requirements of the back side materials can be greatly relaxed. This can simplify and reduce the cost of the back side of the module.
US08691688B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor structure A method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a silicon layer; etching the substrate to form a cavity; filling a first conductor in part of the cavity; performing a first thermal treatment on the first conductor; filling a second conductor in the cavity to fill-up the cavity; and performing a second thermal treatment on the first conductor and the second conductor.
US08691687B2	Superfilled metal contact vias for semiconductor devices In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor element having a contact via. In such method, a hole can be formed in a dielectric layer to at least partially expose a region including at least one of semiconductor or conductive material. A seed layer can be deposited over a major surface of the dielectric layer and over a surface within the hole. In one embodiment, the seed layer can include a metal selected from the group consisting of iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium. A layer consisting essentially of cobalt can be electroplated over the seed layer within the hole to form a contact via in electrically conductive communication with the region.
US08691682B2	Semiconductor device and method for forming the same Methods of forming a semiconductor device include forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor structure, forming an opening in the insulation layer, the opening having a sidewall defined by one side of the insulation layer, forming a first metal layer in the opening, at least partially exposing the sidewall of the opening by performing a wet-etching process on the first metal layer, and selectively forming a second metal layer on the etched first metal layer. An average grain size of the first metal layer is smaller than an average grain size of the second metal layer. Related semiconductor devices are also disclosed.
US08691679B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A silicon carbide substrate has a substrate surface. A gate insulating film is provided to cover a part of the substrate surface. A gate electrode covers a part of the gate insulating film. A contact electrode is provided on the substrate surface, adjacent to and in contact with the gate insulating film, and it contains an alloy having Al atoms. Al atoms do not diffuse from the contact electrode into a portion of the gate insulating film lying between the substrate surface and the gate electrode. Thus, in a case where a contact electrode having Al atoms is employed, reliability of the gate insulating film of a semiconductor device can be improved.
US08691675B2	Vapor phase deposition processes for doping silicon A process of doping a silicon layer with dopant atoms generally includes reacting a vapor of a dopant precursor with oxide and/or hydroxide reactive sites present on the silicon layer to form a self assembled monolayer of dopant precursor; hydrolyzing the self assembled monolayer of the dopant precursor with water vapor to form pendant hydroxyl groups on the dopant precursor; capping the self assembled monolayer with an oxide layer; and annealing the silicon layer at a temperature effective to diffuse dopant atoms from the dopant precursor into the silicon layer. Additional monolayers can be formed in a similar manner, thereby providing controlled layer-by-layer vapor phase deposition of the dopant precursor compounds for controlled doping of silicon.
US08691669B2	Vapor deposition reactor for forming thin film A vapor deposition reactor includes a chamber filled with a first material, and at least one reaction module in the chamber. The reaction module may be configured to make a substrate pass the reaction module through a relative motion between the substrate and the reaction module. The reaction module may include an injection unit for injecting a second material to the substrate. A method for forming thin film includes positioning a substrate in a chamber, filling a first material in the chamber, moving the substrate relative to a reaction module in the chamber, and injecting a second material to the substrate while the substrate passes the reaction module.
US08691664B2	Backside process for a substrate A method of forming a semiconductor device is presented. A conductor is embedded within a substrate, wherein the substrate contains a non-conducting material. The backside of the substrate is ground to a thickness wherein at least 1 μm of the non-conducting material remains on the backside covering the conductor embedded within the substrate. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is employed with an undiscerning slurry to the backside of the substrate, thereby planarizing the substrate and exposing the conductive material. A spin wet-etch, with a protective formulation, is employed to remove a thickness y of the non-conducting material from the backside of the substrate, thereby causing the conductive material to uniformly protrude from the backside of the substrate.
US08691662B2	Process for fabricating a silicon-on-insulator structure employing two rapid thermal annealing processes, and related structures A method for fabricating a silicon-on-insulator structure includes forming a first oxide layer on a silicon donor substrate, forming a second oxide layer on a supporting substrate, and forming a weakened zone in the donor substrate. The donor substrate is bonded to the supporting substrate by establishing direct contact between the first oxide layer on the silicon donor substrate and the second oxide layer on the supporting substrate and establishing a direct oxide-to-oxide bond therebetween. The donor substrate is split along the weakened zone to form a silicon-on-insulator structure, and the silicon-on-insulator structure is subjected to two successive rapid thermal annealing processes at temperatures T1 and T2, respectively, wherein T1 is less than or equal to T2, T1 is between 1200° C. and 1300° C., T2 is between 1240° C. and 1300° C., and when T1 is below 1240° C., then T2 is above 1240° C.
US08691658B2	Orientation of an electronic CMOS structure with respect to a buried structure in the case of a bonded and thinned-back stack of semiconductor wafers A method for aligning an electronic CMOS structure with respect to a buried structure in the case of a bonded and thinned back stack of semiconductor wafers. The method for aligning the electronic CMOS structure may include forming alignment marks in the process of fabricating the structure to be buried on a front side, which is used for bonding of the semiconductor wafer, which includes the structure to be buried. The alignment marks may be formed on the edge of the semiconductor wafer. The method for aligning the electronic CMOS structure may include providing a cover wafer with first thinned portions of the wafer thickness provided from the bonding side at positions corresponding to positions of the alignment marks. After the thinning of the cover wafer a plan view of the alignment mark is obtained after the wafer bonding that initially results in a burying of the structures, wherein subsequently the resulting wafer stack is thinned to a certain degree with respect to the cover wafer, thereby making visible the at least one alignment mark, and by means of the alignment mark masks of method steps for fabricating the electronic structure on the surface of the thinned cover wafer are aligned.
US08691650B2	MOSFET with recessed channel film and abrupt junctions MOSFETs and methods for making MOSFETs with a recessed channel and abrupt junctions are disclosed. The method includes creating source and drain extensions while a dummy gate is in place. The source/drain extensions create a diffuse junction with the silicon substrate. The method continues by removing the dummy gate and etching a recess in the silicon substrate. The recess intersects at least a portion of the source and drain junction. Then a channel is formed by growing a silicon film to at least partially fill the recess. The channel has sharp junctions with the source and drains, while the unetched silicon remaining below the channel has diffuse junctions with the source and drain. Thus, a MOSFET with two junction regions, sharp and diffuse, in the same transistor can be created.
US08691642B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor device including forming epitaxial blocking layers by nitridation process A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming gate structures on PMOS and NMOS transistor regions of the semiconductor substrate, forming epitaxial blocking layers on source/drain regions of PMOS and NMOS transistor regions using a nitridation process, then selectively removing one of the epitaxial blocking layers, and using a SEG process to form an epitaxial layer on respective source/drain regions while shielding the other source/drain regions with a remaining epitaxial blocking layer.
US08691641B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided, in which after forming a gate stack and a first spacer thereof, a second spacer and a third spacer are formed; and then an opening is formed between the first spacer and the third spacer by removing the second spacer. The range of the formation for the raised active area 220 is limited by forming an opening 214 between the first spacer 208 and the third spacer 212. The raised active area 220 is formed in the opening 214 in a self-aligned manner, so that a better profile of the raised active area 220 may be achieved and the possible shorts between adjacent devices caused by an unlimited manner may be avoided. Moreover, based on such a manufacturing method, it is easy to make the gate electrode 204 to be flushed with the raised active area 220, and is also easy to implement the dual stress nitride process so as to increase the mobility of the device.
US08691623B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof An object is to provide a semiconductor device of which a manufacturing process is not complicated and by which cost can be suppressed, by forming a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film typified by zinc oxide, and a manufacturing method thereof. For the semiconductor device, a gate electrode is formed over a substrate; a gate insulating film is formed covering the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the gate insulating film; and a first conductive film and a second conductive film are formed over the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film has at least a crystallized region in a channel region.
US08691621B1	Thiol bond formation concurrent with silver nanoparticle ink thermal treatment A method is provided for preparing a printed metal surface for the deposition of an organic semiconductor material. The method provides a substrate with a top surface, and a metal layer is formed overlying the substrate top surface. Simultaneous with a thermal treatment of the metal layer, the metal layer is exposed to a gaseous atmosphere with thiol molecules. In response to exposing the metal layer to the gaseous atmosphere with thiol molecules, the work function of the metal layer is increased. Subsequent to the thermal treatment, an organic semiconductor material is deposited overlying the metal layer. In one aspect, the metal layer is exposed to the gaseous atmosphere with thiol molecules by evaporating a liquid containing thiol molecules in an ambient air atmosphere. Alternatively, a delivery gas is passed through a liquid containing thiol molecules. An organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) and OTFT fabrication process are also provided.
US08691617B2	Method of manufacturing image sensor having backside illumination structure A method of manufacturing an image sensor having a backside illumination (BSI) structure includes forming a wiring unit on a front side of a semiconductor substrate, forming an anti-reflective layer in an active pixel sensor (APS) region on a back side of the semiconductor substrate, a photodiode being between the back and front sides of the semiconductor substrate, forming an etch stopping layer on the anti-reflective layer, forming an interlayer insulating layer on the etch stopping layer, the interlayer insulating layer having an etch selectivity with respect to the etch stopping layer, and etching the interlayer insulating layer in the APS region using the etch stopping layer as an etch stopping point.
US08691613B2	Method for manufacturing photoelectric conversion device A crystalline-based silicon photoelectric conversion device comprises: an intrinsic silicon-based layer and a silicon-based layer of a first conductivity type, on one surface of a single-crystal silicon substrate of the first conductivity type; and an intrinsic silicon-based and a silicon-based layer of an opposite conductivity type, in this order on the other surface of the silicon substrate. At least one of forming the intrinsic silicon-based layer of the first conductivity type layer-side forming the intrinsic silicon-based layer of the opposite conductivity type layer-side includes: forming a first intrinsic silicon-based thin-film layer having a thickness of 1-10 nm on the silicon substrate; plasma-treating the silicon substrate in a gas containing mainly hydrogen; and forming a second intrinsic silicon-based thin-film layer on the first intrinsic silicon-based thin-film.
US08691611B2	Method for creating a micromechanical membrane structure and MEMS component In a method for manufacturing a micromechanical membrane structure, a doped area is created in the front side of a silicon substrate, the depth of which doped area corresponds to the intended membrane thickness, and the lateral extent of which doped area covers at least the intended membrane surface area. In addition, in a DRIE (deep reactive ion etching) process applied to the back side of the silicon substrate, a cavity is created beneath the doped area, which DRIE process is aborted before the cavity reaches the doped area. The cavity is then deepened in a KOH etching process in which the doped substrate area functions as an etch stop, so that the doped substrate area remains as a basic membrane over the cavity.
US08691601B2	Semiconductor device and penetrating electrode testing method Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device, including: a semiconductor substrate; an integrated circuit formed on a first main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a penetrating electrode that penetrates the semiconductor substrate in the thickness direction and has its one end electrically connected to the integrated circuit; a bump electrode formed on a second main surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to another end of the penetrating electrode; and a test pad electrode formed on the second main surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the bump electrode.
US08691597B2	Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including application of a plating voltage An automatic analyzer detects voltage applied across electrodes, and judges whether voltage value falls within set voltage range. When the detected voltage value is lower than minimum value of set voltage range, the analyzer calculates the deficient amount of base solution based on the detected voltage value, controls a valve to supply the deficient amount of base solution, then, performs operation control of the valve so as to keep the prescribed amount of plating solution in plating solution tank, and discharges plating solution. When the detected voltage value is higher than maximum value of set voltage range, the analyzer calculates the excess amount of base solution based on the detected voltage value, controls a valve, and supplies pure water into the tank so that the base solution concentration falls within prescribed range to dilute plating solution, then controls a valve, and discharges plating solution so as to keep prescribed amount.
US08691596B2	Magnetoresistive element and method of manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element manufacturing method is provided. In this magnetoresistive element manufacturing method, a first ferromagnetic layer, tunnel barrier layer, and second ferromagnetic layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A conductive hard mask is formed on the second ferromagnetic layer. The hard mask is patterned. A hard layer is formed on the side surface of the hard mask. The second ferromagnetic layer, tunnel barrier layer, and first ferromagnetic layer are processed by IBE in an oblique direction by using the hard mask and hard layer as masks. The IBE etching rate of the hard layer is lower than that of the hard mask.
US08691587B2	Use of SFRP-3 in the assessment of heart failure Disclosed is a method for assessing heart failure in vitro including the steps of measuring in a sample the concentration of the marker SFRP-3, of optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration determined in for SFRP-3 and the concentration(s) determined for the optionally one or more other marker to the concentration of this marker or these markers as established in a reference population. Also disclosed are the use of SFRP-3 as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising SFRP-3 and a kit for measuring SFRP-3.
US08691586B2	Formation of bilayers of amphipathic molecules A method of forming bilayers of amphipathic molecules uses droplets of aqueous solution in a hydrophobic medium such as oil. A layer of amphipathic molecules such as a lipid is formed around the surfaces of the droplets. This may be achieved by providing the lipid in the oil and leaving the droplets for a time sufficient to form the layer. The droplets are brought into contact with one another so that a bilayer of the amphipathic molecules is formed as an interface between the contacting droplets. The bilayers may be used for a wide range of studies. The technique has numerous advantages including providing a long lifetime for the bilayers, allowing study of small volumes and allowing the construction of chains and networks of droplets with bilayers in between to study complex systems.
US08691585B2	Methods for predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by hCG assay The present invention provides a method of predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by determining the amount of an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of hCG in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated molecular isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated hCG in a sample. The present invention additionally provides an antibody which specifically binds to an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of human chorionic gonadotropin. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.
US08691582B2	Methods and systems for fluid examination and remediation A method for in situ monitoring within a specified environment. The method includes locating a housing in a well, wherein a set of pumps and a plurality of test beds are inserted. Each of the set of pumps are controlled by signals from the control system to push water from each pump into one of the plurality of separate test beds where, after flowing through each of the test beds, effluent flows into an effluent storage device.
US08691581B2	Method of making DNA tag Provided is a method of determining a DNA tag which is a base sequence to be introduced into a genomic DNA sequence of an organism and an introduction site of the DNA tag into the genomic DNA sequence. The method includes: a step (S1) of obtaining a protein coding sequence of the genomic DNA sequence; a step (S2) of determining a region to be treated in the protein coding sequence; a step (S3) of fragmenting the coding sequence in the region to be treated; a step (S4) of subjecting the fragmented coding sequences to a silent mutation; a step (S5) of determining sequences suitable as primers from polynucleotides including the fragmented coding sequences or complementary base sequences thereof; a step (S6) of performing a homology search for the coding sequences thus determined; and a step (S8) of determining the determined coding sequence corresponding to a minimum value of an NMS as the DNA tag, and determining the site of the fragmented coding sequence corresponding to the determined coding sequence in the protein coding sequence as the introduction site.
US08691570B2	Platform of dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination The present invention discloses novel dendritic cell maturation-inducing cytokine cocktails, and methods for inducting type-1 polarized dendritic cells in serum-free conditions which enhance the desirable properties of DC1s generated in serum-supplemented cultures. The invention further discloses methods and systems using IFNγ and other ligands of the IFNγ receptor, in combination with IFNα (or other type I interferons), poly I:C, and other IFNα (and IFNβ) inducers to enhance the IL-12-producing properties of dendritic cells. More specifically, the present invention discloses type-1 polarized dendritic cells that have a unique combination of a fully-mature status and an elevated, instead of “exhausted”, ability to produce IL-12p70. allows for the generation of fully-mature DC1s in serum-free AIM-V medium. The invention discloses systems that use the foregoing products and methods to facilitate the clinical application of DC1-based vaccines and the identification of novel factors involved in the induction of Th1 and CTL responses by DC1.
US08691563B2	IDNA vaccines and methods for using the same Described herein are iDNA vectors and vaccines and methods for using the same. The iDNA generates live attenuated vaccines in eukaryotic cells in vitro or in vivo for pathogenic RNA viruses, particularly yellow fever virus and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. When iDNA is injected into the vaccine recipient, RNA of live attenuated virus is generated by in vivo transcription in the recipient's tissues. This initiates production of progeny attenuated viruses in the tissues of the vaccine recipient, as well as elicitation of an effective immune response protecting against wild-type, non-attenuated virus.
US08691561B2	Thermal treatment apparatus and fluid treatment method with fluidic device A thermal treatment apparatus includes a fluidic device including at least one channel, a first temperature-changing unit that changes the temperature of a fluid in part of the channel, and a second temperature-changing unit that changes the temperature of the fluid in another part of the channel. The temperature changes by the first and second temperature-changing units cause at least any one of the expansion and contraction of the fluid in the respective parts of the channel, and the at least any one of the expansion and contraction of the fluid due to the first temperature-changing unit is offset by the at least any one of the expansion and contraction of the fluid due to the second temperature-changing unit.
US08691556B2	Methods and compositions for vein harvest and autografting The leading cause of graft failure is the subsequent development of intimal hyperplasia, which represents a response to injury that is thought to involve smooth muscle proliferation, migration, phenotypic modulation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Surgical techniques typically employed for vein harvest—stretching the vein, placing the vein in low pH, solutions, and the use of toxic surgical skin markers—are shown here to cause injury. The invention therefore provides for non-toxic surgical markers than also protect against stretch-induced loss of functional viability, along with other additives. Devices and compositions for reducing physical stress or protecting from the effects flowing therefrom, also are provided.
US08691554B2	Modified yeast consuming L-arabinose The present invention relates to a method for producing a L-arabinose utilizing yeast strain for the production of ethanol, whereby a yeast strain is modified by introducing and expressing araA gene (L-arabinose isomerase), araB gene (L-ribulokinase D121-N) and araD gene (L-ribulose-5-P 4-epimerase) and carrying additional mutations in its genome or overexpressing a TAL1 (transaldolase) gene, enabling it to consume L-arabinose, to use it as the only carbon source, and to produce ethanol, as well as a method for producing ethanol using such a modified strain.
US08691549B2	High fidelity restriction endonucleases Compositions and methods are provided for enzymes with altered properties that involve a systematic approach to mutagenesis and a screening assay that permits selection of the desired proteins. Embodiments of the method are particularly suited for modifying specific properties of restriction endonucleases such as star activity. The compositions includes restriction endonucleases with reduced star activity as defined by an overall fidelity index improvement factor.
US08691547B2	Coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase and polynucleotide encoding the same The present invention provides members that produce on a large scale a coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase which has excellent substrate-recognizing ability toward glucose while providing low action on maltose. The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a soluble coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase that catalyzes the oxidation of glucose in the presence of an electron acceptor and has an activity toward maltose of 5% or lower; a polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide; a recombinant vector carrying the polynucleotide; a transformed cell produced using the recombinant vector; a method for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the transformed cell and collecting from the cultivated products a polypeptide that links to FAD to exert the glucose dehydration activity; a method for determination of glucose using the polypeptide; a reagent composition for determination of glucose; and a biosensor.
US08691542B2	Tissue engineering methods and compositions The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to methods and systems for facilitating the growth and differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells for laboratory and therapeutic applications. The cells can be employed alone or in conjunction with unique biologically-compatible scaffold structures to generate differentiated tissues and structures, both in vitro and in vivo. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to methods of forming and using improved tissue engineered scaffolds that can be used as substrates to facilitate the growth and differentiation of cells.
US08691541B2	Biological production of pentose sugars using recombinant cells The invention provides, inter alia, compositions and methods for the biological production of pentose sugars, such as 2-methylerythritol (2-ME), 1-deoxyxylulose (1-DX), and monoacetylated-2-C-methylerythritols, using recombinant cells.
US08691540B2	Butanol dehydrogenase enzyme from the bacterium Achromobacter xylosoxidans From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.
US08691534B2	Preparation of romidepsin The invention provides an improved process for preparing romidepsin. The process involves producing, purifying, or storing romidepsin under conditions that prevent the formation of undesired adducts. Purifying romidepsin at an apparent pH lower than approximately 6.0 (e.g., between an apparent pH of 4.0 and 6.0) has been discovered to prevent the reduction of the disulfide bond of romidepsin and the subsequent formation of dimerized, oligomerized, or polymerized adducts. The invention also provides compositions of monomeric romidepsin free of dimerized, oligomerized, or polymerized adducts.
US08691529B2	Increasing protein production by increasing ABC50 expression or activity The disclosure provides methods and materials for increasing the expression of a protein of interest such as an antibody by a cell ABC50 expression or activity is increased which increases expression of the protein or antibody of interest. The disclosure also provides methods and materials for increasing the sensitivity of a cell to an endoplasmic reticulum stress agent such as Econazole by decreasing the level of ABC50.
US08691523B2	Primitive and proximal hepatic stem cells Hepatic progenitors comprise two populations of human hepatic stem cells, primitive and proximal hepatic stem cells, and two populations of committed progenitors, one for biliary cells and one for hepatocytes. Human primitive hepatic stem cells are a very small fraction of the liver cell population and give rise to proximal hepatic stem cells constituting a much larger fraction of the liver. Human proximal hepatic stem cells give rise to biliary and hepatocyte committed progenitors. Primitive and proximal stem cells are the primary stem cells for the human liver. Human primitive hepatic stem cells may be isolated by immunoselection from human livers or culturing human liver cells under conditions which select for a human primitive hepatic stem cell. Proximal hepatic stem cells may be isolated by immunoselection, or by culturing human liver cells under conditions which include a developmental factor. Proximal hepatic stem cells may also be isolated by culturing colonies comprising a primitive hepatic stem cell under conditions which include a developmental factor. Resulting compositions may be used for treating liver disorders and for producing bioartificial organs.
US08691517B2	Flexible carbohydrate-bearing polymer A sensor for the detection or measurement of a carbohydrate analyte in fluid comprises components of a competitive binding assay the readout of which is a detectable or measurable optical signal retained by a material that permits diffusion of the analyte but not the assay components, the assay components comprising: a carbohydrate binding molecule labelled with one of a proximity based signal generating/modulating moiety pair; and a carbohydrate analogue capable of competing with the analyte for binding to the carbohydrate binding molecule, the carbohydrate analogue being a flexible water-soluble polymer comprising: polymerized or co-polymerised residues of monomer units, the monomer unit residues bearing pendant carbohydrate or carbohydrate mimetic moieties and pendant moieties which are the other of the proximity based signal generating/modulating moiety pair.
US08691516B2	Mutant microorganism producing succinic acid simultaneously using sucrose and glycerol, and method for preparing succinic acid using same The present invention relates to a succinic acid-producing mutant microorganism that is able to utilize sucrose and glycerol simultaneously as carbon sources. More particularly, the present invention relates to a succinic acid-producing mutant microorganism that is able to utilize sucrose and glycerol simultaneously for succinic acid production, the mutant organism being obtained by relieving the mechanism of sucrose-mediated catabolite repression of glycerol in a succinic acid-producing microorganism. As described above, when the succinic acid-producing mutant microorganism is cultured, it utilizes sucrose and glycerol simultaneously so that succinic acid can be produced with high productivity in a maximum yield approaching the theoretical yield while the production of byproducts is minimized. In addition, according to the present invention, various reduced chemicals which have been produced in low yields in conventional methods can be more effectively produced.
US08691513B2	Methods of use for an immunoassay detecting fragment Ba Methods, compositions and kits for detecting the complement Factor B cleavage product Ba in a biological sample are described. These methods, compositions and kits are useful in convenient, reliable and early diagnosis of or ruling out pre-eclampsia in a pregnant human subject.
US08691509B2	Multi-primer amplification method for barcoding of target nucleic acids In certain embodiments, the invention provides amplification methods in which nucleotide tag(s) and a barcode nucleotide sequence are added to target nucleotide sequences. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a microfluidic device that includes a plurality of first input lines and a plurality of second input lines. The microfluidic device also includes a plurality of sets of first chambers and a plurality of sets of second chambers. Each set of first chambers is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of first input lines. Each set of second chambers is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of second input lines. The microfluidic device further includes a plurality of first pump elements in fluid communication with a first portion of the plurality of second input lines and a plurality of second pump elements in fluid communication with a second portion of the plurality of second input lines.
US08691508B2	Concurrent analysis of multiple patient samples using solid phase addressable multiplex test with high signal-to-noise ratio Contemplated systems and methods allow analysis of multiple and distinct patient samples using a labeling scheme that entirely avoids carry-over of a label or reagent to the analytic platform, typically an addressable solid phase. In preferred aspects, a hybridization portion, a fluorophore, and/or a quencher are removed by a 5′-3′-exonuclease activity of a polymerase from a reporter oligonucleotide to so remove the oligonucleotide from the pool of molecules that bind to the solid phase and/or or to provide signal differentiation by removal of a fluorophore or quencher.
US08691506B2	Gene expression profiles being predictive for the response of tumors to pharmaceutically effective compounds The present invention relates to a method for providing a gene expression profile being predictive for the specific response of an individual tumor to a pharmaceutically effective compound, the use thereof, a microarray wherein the nucleotide sequences attached to the substrate consist of nucleotide sequences corresponding to the predictive genes of said gene expression profile, and a diagnostic kit containing said microarray.
US08691501B2	Farnesyltransferase inhibitors for treatment of laminopathies, cellular aging and atherosclerosis Although it can be farnesylated, mutant lamin A expressed in Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome cannot be defarnesylated; the characteristic mutation causes deletion of a cleavage site necessary for binding the protease ZMPSTE24 and effecting defarnesylation. The result is an aberrant farnesylated protein (“progerin”) that alters normal lamin A function as a dominant negative, and assumes its own aberrant function through its association with the nuclear membrane. Retention of farnesylation, and potentially other abnormal properties of progerin and other abnormal lamin gene protein products, produces disease. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) will inhibit formation of progerin, cause a decrease in lamin A protein, and/or an increase prelamin A protein. Decreasing the amount of aberrant protein improves cellular effects caused by and progerin expression. Similarly, treatment with FTIs should improve disease status in progeria and other laminopathies. In addition, elements of atherosclerosis and aging in non-laminopathy individuals will improve after treatment with FTIs.
US08691497B2	Developing treatment method A developing treatment method includes: a treatment solution supplying step of supplying a treatment solution made by diluting a hydrophobizing agent hydrophobizing a resist pattern with hydrofluoroether onto a substrate on which a rinse solution has been supplied after development of the resist pattern; a hydrophobic treatment stabilizing step of stabilizing a hydrophobic treatment of the resist pattern with the supply of the treatment solution stopped and rotation of the substrate almost stopped; and a treatment solution removing step of removing the treatment solution from a top of the substrate on which the treatment solution has been supplied. The hydrophobizing agent is trimethylsilyldimethyl-amine.
US08691492B2	Silane-based compounds and photosensitive resin composition comprising the same The present application relates to a new silane-based compound, a photosensitive resin composition including the same, and a photosensitive material including the same. The photosensitive resin composition including the silane-based compound according to the exemplary embodiment of the present application increases adhesion strength to a substrate, such that a developing property is excellent and there are no surface stains or defects during a subsequent process. Accordingly, a photosensitive material, a color filter and the like having excellent quality may be manufactured by using the photosensitive resin composition according to the exemplary embodiment of the present application.
US08691489B2	Thermal image receiver elements prepared using aqueous formulations A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. as the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 μm and up to and including 5 μm. It comprises a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % of the total dry image receiving layer weight and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.
US08691484B2	Toner and method for producing the same, toner container, developer, image forming apparatus and process cartridge Disclosed is a non-magnetic toner for use in developing electrostatic toner image, wherein the toner is produced by a toner production method that includes: dispersing in an aqueous medium an organic dispersion liquid that comprises in an organic solvent a pigment, a binder resin and/or a binder resin precursor, and a releasing agent; removing the organic solvent to prepare a dispersion slurry in which toner particles are dispersed in the aqueous medium; heating the dispersion slurry to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the releasing agent; and washing the toner particles.
US08691482B2	Powder Coated Carrier The instant disclosure describes methods for preparing latex resins for coated carriers using surfactant partitioning, which resins exhibit both lower ζ potential and greater latex stability, while not adversely affecting particle size, toner charge or other metrics.
US08691479B1	Optical mask for forming pattern An optical mask for forming a pattern is provided. The optical mask includes: a substrate including a light blocking pattern formed on portions of the substrate, wherein the light blocking pattern includes a halftone layer and a light blocking layer formed on the halftone layer, and the halftone layer and the light blocking layer overlap such that at least an edge portion of the halftone layer is exposed. A pitch of the light blocking pattern may about 6 μm, and a transmission ratio of the halftone layer may range from about 10% to about 50%.
US08691475B2	Method for forming fuel cell fluid flow field plate According to embodiments of the invention, a fuel cell fluid flow field plate is provided. The fuel cell fluid flow field plate includes a flexible substrate including a fluid distribution zone having at least one flow channel, a manifold penetrating the flexible substrate and next to the fluid distribution zone, an upward extending portion extending upward at a position near an interface between the manifold and the fluid distribution zone, wherein a bend angle is between the upward extending portion and the fluid distribution zone, and the upward extending portion has at least one through-hole penetrating through the flexible substrate to expose the manifold, and a cover extending portion linking with the upward extending portion and covering a portion of the fluid distribution zone.
US08691471B2	Polymer electrolyte fuel cell and fuel cell stack comprising the same A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes a membrane electrode assembly (5) having a pair of electrodes (4a, 4b) sandwiching a portion of a polymer electrolyte membrane (1) which is inward relative to a peripheral portion thereof, a first separator (6a), and a second separator (6b), the first separator (6a) is provided with a first reaction gas channel (8) on one main surface, the second separator (6b) is provided with a second reaction gas channel (9) on one main surface such that the second reaction gas channel (9) has a second rib portion (12), the first reaction gas channel (8) is formed such that a ratio of a first reaction gas channel width of an upstream portion (18b) to the second rib portion (12) is set larger than a ratio of a first reaction gas channel width of a downstream portion (18c) to the second rib portion (12), and the ratio of the first reaction gas channel width of the upstream portion (18b) to the second rib portion (12) is a predetermined ratio.
US08691451B2	Method for controlling amount of air supplied to fuel cell The present invention provides a method for controlling the amount of air supplied to a fuel cell, which can prevent flooding and membrane dry-out in a fuel cell stack and, at the same time, ensure optimal performance of the fuel cell stack and a humidifier by supplying an optimal amount of air to the fuel cell stack at each operation condition.For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for controlling the amount of air supplied to a fuel cell, the method including measuring the temperature and pressure of humidifier outlet (stack inlet) air, the temperature and pressure of stack outlet air, and the relative humidity of the humidifier outlet (stack inlet) air, and determining the stoichiometric ratio of air or the amount of air supplied to the stack based on the measurement results so as to adjust the relative humidity of the stack outlet air reach a target value.
US08691448B2	Lithium secondary battery with anode containing aqueous binder Provided is a lithium secondary battery comprising an anode, a cathode and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the anode includes an aqueous binder, and the non-aqueous electrolyte contains (a) a cyclic anhydride or a derivative thereof; and (b) any one anion receptor selected from the group consisting of a borane compound, a borate compound and mixtures thereof. According to the present invention, a stable SEI film is formed on the anode, and the life characteristics of the battery are improved by controlling the LiF content in the SEI film.
US08691441B2	Graphene-enhanced cathode materials for lithium batteries A nano graphene-enhanced particulate for use as a lithium battery cathode active material, wherein the particulate is formed of a single or a plurality of graphene sheets and a plurality of fine cathode active material particles with a size smaller than 10 μm (preferably sub-micron or nano-scaled), and the graphene sheets and the particles are mutually bonded or agglomerated into an individual discrete particulate with at least a graphene sheet embracing the cathode active material particles, and wherein the particulate has an electrical conductivity no less than 10−4 S/cm and the graphene is in an amount of from 0.01% to 30% by weight based on the total weight of graphene and the cathode active material combined.
US08691437B2	Method for evaluating positive electrode active material Provided is a method for evaluating a positive electrode active material. The method evaluates the performance of a positive electrode active material comprising a lithium transition metal oxide that contains a manganese-containing transition metal oxide. In this method, the lithium penetration rate into a transition metal site in the lithium transition metal oxide is evaluated based on the intensity ratio P between a first-neighbor Mn—O peak intensity A and a second-neighbor Mn-M peak intensity B in a radial distribution function obtained from EXAFS at the K absorption edge of manganese (Mn). Moreover, the ratio of excess lithium present in the positive electrode active material may also be evaluated based on the excess amount of added lithium Q contained in excess of the stoichiometric ratio of the lithium transition metal oxide and the intensity ratio P.
US08691430B2	Pouch-type lithium secondary battery having a variable tab The pouch-type lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly; a pouch for accommodating the electrode assembly; and a variable tab in electrical connection with one electrode tab of two electrode tabs of the electrode assembly and being parallel to the other electrode tab and being drawn outward from the pouch, wherein the position of the variable tab is adjustable with respect to the electrode tab in electrical connection therewith. Therefore, the present invention is capable of achieving easy positional adjustability of an electrode tab protruding outward from the pouch, during a battery assembly process. In addition, the present invention is capable of taking prompt measures in response to consumer demands by improving the design freedom of a battery pack particularly in a large-area battery.
US08691426B2	Secondary battery having a wall with varying thicknesses A secondary battery including a can having enhanced safety against compression. A secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly; a can containing the electrode assembly and including a plate, and a wall extending from the plate in a first direction to define a cavity and an opening opposite the plate, a portion of the wall being thicker than another portion of the wall; and a cap assembly sealing the electrode assembly in the can.
US08691423B2	Rebuilt rechargeable battery with welded grip A rechargeable power tool battery is rebuilt by replacing its spent cells with an array of replacement cells in which connections are made by conductive connectors, ends of which are clamped by bent-over arms of star-shaped malleable metal grips, the hubs of which are spot welded to cell terminals by the replacement cell supplier. Replacement cells can be supplied in pairs with the positive terminal of one cell of the pair permanently connected to the negative terminal of the other cell of the pair and with the other positive and negative terminals each provided with a spot-welded star-shaped grip.
US08691419B2	Cylindrical secondary battery A cylindrical secondary battery having improved performance in a compression test and a collision test. The cylindrical battery including a ceramic layer coated on at least one of a cathode plate and an anode plate, and a center pin having a wall thickness of 0.05 to 0.1 mm, which is inserted into the center of an electrode assembly of the battery. The ceramic layer can have a thickness of 6.0 μm to 8.0 μm.
US08691417B2	Secondary battery, battery pack and car A secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a metal compound having a lithium ion absorption potential of 0.2V (vs. Li/Li+) or more, a separator and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The separator is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator comprises cellulose fibers and pores having a specific surface area of 5 to 15 m2/g. The separator has a porosity of 55 to 80%, and a pore diameter distribution having a first peak in a pore diameter range of 0.2 μm (inclusive) to 2 μm (exclusive) and a second peak in a pore diameter range of 2 to 30 μm.
US08691415B2	Power storage apparatus A power storage apparatus includes a plurality of power storage elements aligned in one direction; and a pair of restraint members placed at both ends of the plurality of power storage elements in an alignment direction in which the elements are aligned, the restraint members configured to give a restraint force to the plurality of power storage elements. At least one restraint member of the pair of restraint members includes, a protruding portion protruding toward the power storage element adjacent to the restraint member, an end of the protruding portion being in contact with the adjacent power storage element to form a space between the restraint member and the adjacent power storage element; and a shield portion protruding in the alignment direction and preventing a heat exchange medium for use in temperature adjustment of the power storage element from entering into the space.
US08691405B2	Secondary battery with connection portion interconnecting protection module and bare cell A secondary battery, including a bare cell provided with coupling portion, a protection circuit module provided with a circuit board, and connecting member electrically connecting the bare cell to the protection circuit module. The coupling portion has a contact recess. The protection circuit module is adapted to control the charging/discharging of the bare cell. the connecting member has a bare cell connecting portion. The bare cell connecting portion has an insertion portion inserted into the contact recess.
US08691396B2	Galvannealed steel sheet and production method thereof A galvannealed steel sheet obtained by subjecting a base steel sheet to hot-dip galvanization and then alloying the galvanization layer, the base steel sheet being obtained by hot rolling a specified steel. A method for producing the galvannealed steel sheet.
US08691392B2	Junctions comprising molecular bilayers for the use in electronic devices The present invention relates to asymmetric molecular bilayers for the use in the junctions of electronic devices, such as crossbar junctions, comprising the general structure ET-MT( )MB-EB, wherein ET and EB denote a top and a bottom electrode, MT and MB represent functional molecules both forming a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on said top or bottom electrode, and the symbol ( ) denotes a non-covalent interaction between the two monolayers, resulting in a molecular bilayer, sandwiched between the two electrodes. The electrodes are solid state electrodes and stationary with respect to each other. The present invention also relates to a method of producing such assemblies.
US08691385B2	Coated aerogel beads Methods and apparatus for coating particulate material are provided. The apparatus includes a vessel having a top and a bottom, a vertically extending conduit having an inlet in the vessel and an outlet outside of the vessel, a first fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a transfer fluid, a second fluid inlet in the bottom of the vessel for introducing a coating fluid, and a fluid outlet from the vessel. The method includes steps of agitating a material, contacting the material with a coating material, and drying the coating material to produce a coated material. The invention may be adapted to coat aerogel beads, among other materials. A coated aerogel bead and an aerogel-based insulation material are also disclosed.
US08691380B2	Coated article and method for making the same A coated article includes a substrate, an anti-corrosion layer formed on the substrate, a decorative layer formed on the anti-corrosion layer. The substrate is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The anti-corrosion layer is a silicon layer. The coated article has improved corrosion resistance.
US08691379B2	Coated article and method for making the same A coated article includes a substrate, an anti-corrosion layer formed on the substrate and a decorative layer formed on the anti-corrosion layer. The substrate is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The anti-corrosion layer is an aluminum layer. The coated article has improved corrosion resistance.
US08691378B2	Cutting tool The invention relates to a cutting tool having a substrate base body and a single or multi-layered coating attached thereupon, wherein at least one layer of the coating is a metal oxide layer produced in the PVD process or in the CVD process and the metal oxide layer has a grain structure wherein there is structural disorder within a plurality of the existing grains that are characterized in that in electron diffraction images of the grains, point-shaped reflections occur up to a maximum lattice spacing dGRENZ and for lattice spacing greater than dGRENZ no point-shaped reflections occur, but rather a diffuse intensity distribution typical for amorphous structures.
US08691374B2	Multilayer coated wear-resistant member and method for making the same A coated wear-resistant member, as well as a method for making the same, includes a substrate and a coating scheme. The coating scheme has a region of alternating coating sublayers. One coating sublayer is TixAlySi100-x-yN wherein 40 atomic percent≦x≦80 atomic percent; 15 atomic percent≦y≦55 atomic percent; 4 atomic percent≦100−x−y≦15 atomic percent. The other coating sublayer is TipAl100-pN wherein 45 atomic percent≦p≦100 atomic percent. The method for making a coated wear-resistant member includes the steps of providing the substrate, and depositing the region of alternating coating sublayers.
US08691372B2	Articles comprising high melt flow ionomeric compositions A polymeric film or sheet comprising an ionomeric composition comprising ionomeric copolymer of an alpha olefin and about 1 to about 30 wt % of alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons, based on the total weight of the ionomeric copolymer, wherein the carboxylic acid is neutralized to a level of 1 to 100 mol %, with one or more metal ions, based on the total number of moles of carboxylate groups in the ionomeric copolymer, and wherein the ionomeric copolymer has a Melt Index of about 20 to about 300 g/10 min. The ionomeric composition preferably comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of silane coupling agent, organic peroxide, and combinations thereof. In addition, an article comprising an interlayer formed of the polymeric film or sheet and an additional layer selected from the group consisting of glass, other polymeric interlayer sheets, polymeric film layers, and metal films or sheets. Examples of articles include safety windows and solar cells.
US08691371B2	Barrier coating and method A barrier coating for a composite article is provided. The barrier coating includes an organic zone; an inorganic zone; and an interface zone between the organic zone and the inorganic zone.
US08691363B2	Decorative and protective nonslip covering of multiple uses and the production process and composition thereof This invention relates to a nonslip decorative and protective coverings in order to cover and protect distinct surfaces, its composition and the manufacturing process thereof; characterized in that it consists of a foamed cellular film based on dry mixed and calendared suspension resins, defining a smooth textured and decorated upper surface, and a rough lower surface with high adherence; said film consists of a composition of: a) suspension resin of vinyl polychloride and/or copolymer of vinyl chloride; b) plasticizers in order to provide flexibility to the covering; c) other components such as elastomers, Barium/Zinc or tin stabilizers; lubricants, biocides, flame retardants, pigments and charges, in order to facilitate the processing thereof, and d) foaming agents.
US08691360B2	Structures for creating spaces while installing anchor sheet and attachment piece subfloors Structures are described that create spaces while installing anchor sheet and attachment piece subfloors, but which allow for the expansion and contraction of anchor sheets after installation. The structures may be used on either the attachment pieces, anchor sheets or both. In one embodiment, the structure is a deformable margin; in another embodiment, the structure is a pull-away strip.
US08691357B2	Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for optical data recording medium, optical data recording medium, and method and device for reproducing data from optical data recording medium A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 1 for an optical data recording medium D1 from which a signal with a mark length shorter than the resolution limit of an optical system of a reproducing device is capable of being reproduced by reproduction light emitted during reproducing, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 1 having an adhesive transparent resin layer 11 to be disposed on an data recording layer 3 of the optical data recording medium D1, the transparent resin layer 11 having a (meth)acrylate copolymer containing no acidic group as a main component, the transparent resin layer 11 having a storage elastic modulus at 23° C. of 1.5×105 Pa or less and a gel fraction of 68 wt % or more. The transparent resin layer 11 of this pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 1 for an optical data recording medium can be used for producing an optical data recording medium which can reproduce from a mark with a length shorter than the resolution of an optical system of a reproducing device, and which is stable against changes in the external environment when responding to status of use.
US08691354B2	Resin and pipes for transporting water containing chlorine dioxide This invention is related to the preparation of polyethylene pipe resins suitable for transporting hot and cold water containing chlorine dioxide.
US08691353B2	Polarizing plate, method for producing polarizing plate, and liquid crystal display device Disclosed are: a polarizing plate having visibility and viewing angle characteristics; and a liquid crystal display device using the polarizing plate. Specifically disclosed is a polarizing plate which is obtained by sandwiching a polarizer between first and second cellulose ester films. The polarizing plate is characterized in that the first cellulose ester film is formed from a cellulose ester having a total degree of substitution of acyl groups of 2.8-3.0, and the second cellulose ester film is formed from a cellulose ester having a total degree of substitution of acyl groups of 2.0-2.6, and has a retardation value Ro of 30-200 nm and a retardation value Rt of 70-300 nm. The polarizing plate is also characterized in that the first and second cellulose ester films are subjected to a saponification treatment wherein when the saponification condition is expressed as a saponification index M, the saponification index M1 of the first cellulose ester film and the saponification index M2 of the second cellulose ester film satisfy the relation of M1>M2.
US08691332B2	Ultra low-emissivity (ultra low E) silver coating A silver conductive coating possessing infrared absorbing properties is disclosed. The coating is made from a blend of one or more micron size silver powders and/or flakes together with carbon black, inorganic pigment, glass frit, and powdered selenium or bismuth metal. The foregoing dry ingredients are pasted with an organic vehicle, applied to a substrate, and fired at a temperature of up to 1400° F. The coating absorbs infrared radiation beyond the decomposition of carbon black, thus allowing higher firing temperatures and hence shorter firing times.
US08691331B2	Surface modification of hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coatings A hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating system having a reversibly reduced hydrophobicity. A hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating is applied to and is bonded or otherwise strongly adhered to a substrate, such as an optical lens. The coating has sufficient thickness to provide a weakly adhered, excess portion that is mechanically removable. The excess portion of the hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating has a surface that is modified to reduce hydrophobicity, such as by ion bombardment. The hydrophobicity of the coating is restored by mechanical removal of the excess portion of the coating.
US08691328B2	Process for production of aluminum complex comprising sintered porous aluminum body This method for producing an aluminum composite including porous sintered aluminum, includes: mixing aluminum powder with a sintering aid powder containing either one or both of titanium and titanium hydride to obtain a raw aluminum mixed powder; adding and mixing a water-soluble resin binder, water, a plasticizer containing at least one selected from polyhydric alcohols, ethers, and esters, and a water-insoluble hydrocarbon-based organic solvent containing five to eight carbon atoms into the raw aluminum mixed powder to obtain a viscous composition; shape-forming the viscous composition on an aluminum foil or an aluminum plate and causing the viscous composition to foam to obtain a formed object prior to sintering; and heating the formed object prior to sintering in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to obtain an aluminum composite which includes porous sintered aluminum integrally joined onto the aluminum foil or the aluminum plate, wherein when a temperature at which the raw aluminum mixed powder starts to melt is expressed as Tm (° C.), then a temperature T (° C.) of the heating fulfills Tm-10 (° C.)≦T≦685 (° C.).
US08691327B2	Method of manufacturing solid electrolytic capacitor Provided is a method of manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor, including the steps of: forming a capacitor element including an anode body having a dielectric coating film on a surface thereof; impregnating the capacitor element with a polymerization liquid containing a precursor monomer of a conductive polymer and an oxidant; impregnating the capacitor element impregnated with the polymerization liquid with a silane compound or a silane compound containing solution; and forming a conductive polymer layer by polymerizing the precursor monomer after impregnating the capacitor element with the silane compound or the silane compound containing solution.
US08691323B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the application of performance enhancing materials to creping cylinders A method for monitoring and controlling the thickness of coating on a creping cylinder is disclosed. The methodologies involve a coordinated scheme of apparatuses that function to monitor various aspects of a creping cylinder coating so that the thickness of the coating can be determined.
US08691321B2	Bioabsorbable polymeric composition and medical device background A method for fabricating an embodiment of a medical device comprising the steps of: preparing a biodegradable polymeric structure; coating the biodegradable polymeric structure with a polymeric coat including a pharmacological or biological agent; cutting the structure into patterns configured to allow for crimping of the cut structure and expansion of the cut structure after crimping into a deployed configuration.
US08691320B2	Method for coating stents A method for coating a stent can involve a device having a drying zone, a spray zone, and movable member for positioning a stent in the drying zone and another stent in the spray zone. Each stent can be on a support. A force can be applied to the outside surface of a stent to prevent rotation of the stent with respect to the support.
US08691319B2	Large glassy beads The present invention relates to a particulate composition in the form of a large spherical glassy bead having a cross-sectional diameter greater than 5 mm. The bead comprises an encapsulating carrier composition essentially made of fibrous materials, which are both sugarless and non-cariogenic and an encapsulant, such as a flavor material.
US08691315B2	Process for preparing a food composition A process for preparing a food composition that is easily removed from the container by contacting one or more hydrocolloids with water to prepare a colloidal solution, contacting the colloid solution with one or more food ingredients, and allowing the resulting mixture to form a solid mass having a gelatinous texture, and a food composition produced by such process.
US08691312B2	Sweetened consumables comprising rebaudioside A and stevioside as sweetness enhancers and method of enhancing sweetness of consumables Disclosed are sweetened consumables and methods of forming said sweetened consumables that comprise certain sweeteners and at least one sweetness enhancer in a concentration near its sweetness detection threshold. The sweeteners include sucrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, xylose, arabinose, rhamnose, erythritol, xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, inositol, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, neotame, sucralose, saccharine, or combinations thereof. The sweetness enhancer is selected from naringin dihydrochalcone, mogroside V, swingle extract, rubusoside, rubus extract, rebaudioside, and stevioside.
US08691304B2	Isomaltulose in cereal products The present invention relates to cereal products comprising cereals and isomaltulose, methods for their production, and the use of isomaltulose for the production of cereal products.
US08691303B2	Dusted animal food A dusted pet food kibble and a process for dusting a pet food kibble comprising providing a pet food kibble in the form of a core matrix, providing a powder comprising a first component that can comprise an active ingredient, such as Probiotic microorganism particles, and dusting the powder onto the pet food kibble to form a dusted kibble. The dusting can occur substantially free of a binder. An animal feed comprising a kibble in the form of a core dusted with active ingredients.
US08691301B2	Surfactant gas pressurized liquid composition and method and package for delivering A self gassing composition comprising at least one surfactant and a fermentation base including a gas producing organism and at least one sugar is disclosed. Use of a nonionic surfactant in the self gassing composition allows the fermentation base to continue reacting and producing gas. Additionally, a personal care cleansing product and method for storing and delivering an aqueous composition having at least one surfactant and pressurized gas dissolved therein is disclosed. In one aspect, the composition is stored in an internal reservoir in a container such that when a sealing device is removed from a valveless opening, the composition foams and plumes out the opening of the container as the gas dissolved in the composition is released. In addition to the self gassing composition, a pressurized gas may be injected into a surfactant composition to produce the gas pressurized cleaning composition.
US08691290B2	Methods for inhibiting the activation of immune cells A method for killing or substantially eradicating a pathogen in the upper respiratory tract of a mammal is disclosed. The method comprises generating molecular iodine (I2) in situ using an oxidant-reductant reaction with a minimum concentration of at least about 25 ppm of I2 and I2 comprises at least 40% of the total iodine atoms. A method for inhibiting superantigens using molecular iodine is also disclosed.
US08691288B2	Gallium-containing sealant for medical use Chronic rhinosinusitis and other bacterial sinus conditions may be treated by applying a solvating system containing a surfactant to a bacterial biofilm in a nasal or sinus cavity, disrupting the biofilm, and applying a protective layer of a polymeric film-forming medical sealant.
US08691286B2	Sputum dissolving suctioning solution for endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes A composition for dissolving or reducing the viscosity of sputum on a surface of a device includes an effective amount of glycerol and an effective amount of dextran sulfate in a saline solution. The effective amount of glycerol is between about 30-50% and the effective amount of dextran sulfate is between about 10-30%. The composition may further include an antimicrobial agent.
US08691285B2	Anti-microbial applications for acidic composition of matter Methods of using a non-irritant, low pH acidic composition to destroy undesirable microorganisms are described. The methods may be used on food products, food processing equipment, and in aqueous solutions.
US08691281B2	Solid pharmaceutical composition containing 6-oxo-6,7,8,9,10,11-hexahydrocyclohepta (C)chromen-3-yl sulfamate and polymorphs thereof The present invention relates to a solid pharmaceutical composition including the active principle 6-oxo-6,7,8,9,10,11-hexahydrocyclohepta[c]chromen-3-yl sulfamate. The present invention also relates to polymorphs of the 6-oxo-6,7,8,9,10,11-hexahydrocyclohepta[c]chromen-3-yl sulfamate compound.
US08691274B2	Inkjet printing of tissues and cells Provided herein is an apparatus for printing cells which includes an electrospinning device and an inkjet printing device operatively associated therewith. Methods of making a biodegradable scaffold having cells seeded therein are also provided. Methods of forming microparticles containing one or more cells encapsulated by a substrate are also provided, as are methods of forming an array of said microparticles.
US08691273B2	Method for producing hydroxyapatite particles This invention relates generally to a preparation of bone repair compositions, and more special refers to a novel technology in preparing a matrix building polymer i.e. collagen with inclusions of hydroxyapatite particles as biomaterial for medical applications. In this composition that consists of hydroxyapatite particles embedded in a matrix at least 50% nm. Said composition is suitable as bone implant material, dental cement and for applications in wound healing.
US08691272B2	Multilayer tablet A multilayer oral dosage form that provides controlled release of an active compound includes a non-erodible core containing a pharmaceutically active compound and/or a nutritionally active compound, and at least one release-modulating layer laminated to each side of the core layer. The dosage form can be prepared using simple, inexpensive tablet compression techniques.
US08691271B2	Ingestible formulations for transient, noninvasive reduction of gastric volume Provided are ingestible polymeric formulations and oral dosage forms for the reduction of gastric volume in the treatment of overweight and obese patients. The formulation includes an acid-sensitive, gelatin coating over a dehydrated hydrophilic polymer. When ingested, the acid-sensitive coating is quickly dissolved by gastric secretions and the hydrophilic polymer is exposed to the aqueous environment of the gastric milieu. The polymer absorbs water and expands to the point that will not allow the polymer to pass beyond the pyloric valve, and the expanded polymer is therefore trapped in the stomach.
US08691269B2	Controlled degradation of expandable polymers in gastric volume reduction treatment Orally administrable polymer-carrying units for expanding in a stomach of a mammal to fill a space in the stomach, the polymer-carrying units including: a carrier; a plurality of polymer molecules expandable in aqueous solutions, releasably coupled to the carrier; and means for selectively decoupling the polymer molecules from the carrier so that the polymer molecules and carrier are released in the stomach, are provided.
US08691267B2	Adhesive patch A patch comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the backing layer and compounded with a drug and an adhesive base agent, wherein the adhesive base agent comprises styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate-vinyl acetate copolymer and a basic nitrogen-including polymer including a basic nitrogen and having no adhesion property at normal temperature.
US08691257B2	Water soluble laundry bag and receptacle therefor A water soluble bag for containing soiled textiles, said bag having an open end, a closed end, and sides extending therebetween, said bag made of a plastic film having a thickness of at least 1.3 mils, wherein said bag dissolves in water at a temperature of 165° F. in less than about 250 seconds and does not dissolve in water at a temperature of 85° F. in 7 days, and said bag being capable of containing at least 175 lbs. of soiled textiles and having a capacity of at least 50 gallons. Also disclosed is a receptacle for collecting soiled textiles comprising a container and a water soluble bag. Also disclosed is a receptacle for collecting soiled textiles comprising a container, a sling, and a water soluble bag.
US08691254B2	Hydrophilic coating An antimicrobial coating slurry includes about 15.5 wt % of a wetting agent, about 6.0 wt % of an insolubilizer, about 1.1 wt % of a biocide agent, and about 7.8 wt % of an inorganic material that includes lithium oxide and the balance water. The slurry is applied to a heat exchanger surface, cured, and washed to form a hydrophilic coating that includes lithium silicate. The hydrophilic coating provides improved moisture wicking and a reduced dissolution rate of biocide, which is held within a lithium silicate matrix.
US08691250B2	Use of charged surfactants for reducing textile staining by antiperspirants The invention comprises the use of one or more charged surfactants in preparations having an antiperspirant effect for reducing staining in or on clothing and improving improvement the ability of stains to be washed out of the clothing.
US08691249B2	Peeling capsules A cosmetic peeling preparation which comprises a plurality of capsules. A capsule comprises a casing and a filling. The casing material is solid at 25° C. and selected from cosmetically conventional lipids, waxes, emulsifiers, natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and mixtures thereof. The filling comprises an oil or lipid mixture having a viscosity at 25° C. of from 3 to 50,000 mPas and one or more solid substances having an abrasive effect.
US08691243B2	Protein-based Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine Vaccine compositions and methods for protecting a mammalian subject against infection with S. pneumoniae are disclosed. The vaccines and methods comprise an effective amount of one or more Streptococcus pneumoniae cell wall and/or cell membrane proteins and/or immunogenically-active fragments, derivatives or modifications thereof, wherein the proteins are selected from a defined group of proteins associated with age-dependent immunological responses.
US08691235B2	Absorbable crystalline polyether-ester-urethane-based bioactive luminal liner compositions Bioactive hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of an absorbable crystalline amphiphilic polyether-ester-urethane dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.
US08691230B2	Methods for inhibiting hematopoiesis with a hedgehog antagonist This application pertains to methods and compositions that modulate proliferation and/or differentiation of undifferentiated mesodermally-derived cells so as to have an effect on at least one of vascular growth and hematopoiesis.
US08691222B2	NLRR-1 antagonists and uses thereof NLRR-1 antagonists and methods of their use in treating cancer and other disorders are provided.
US08691221B2	Analgesic treatment with prolonged effect Use of an anti-TrkA antibody capable of inhibiting the binding between NGF and TrkA, in particular capable of blocking the biological activity of TrkA, for the preparation of a medicament for treating and/or preventing chronic pain.
US08691219B2	Chromobacterium subtsugae sp. nov. and use for control of insect pests Chromobacterium subtsugae sp. nov., a new species of the genus Chromobacterium which possesses insecticidal activity, is described. The invention also relates to insecticidally-active metabolites obtained from the strain and to insecticidal compositions comprising cultures of the strain and/or supernatants, filtrates, and extracts obtained from the strain, and use thereof to control insect pests.
US08691213B2	Protein free formula The invention relates to the use of composition comprising free amino acids as a sole source of protein, a fatty acid source comprising long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, a carbohydrate source comprising digestible and indigestible carbohydrates, and milk protein free Bifidobacteria for treating a person suffering from (a) colic, congestion, runny nose, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, mucus in stools, rash, eczema, gastroesophageal reflux, eosinophilic esophagitis or asthma; (b) cow's milk allergy and/or food protein intolerance; and/or (c) infections, wherein the indigestible carbohydrate is selected from a milk protein free source and the total composition is essentially free of intact proteins.
US08691207B2	Transplantation of cells expressing markers for photoreceptor cells and retinal ganglion cells induced from Müller stem cells A method for the production of retinal cells, useful in transplantation therapy, comprises: (i) obtaining one or more mammalian adult Müller cells; and (ii) culturing the cells in the presence of an extracellular matrix protein and a growth factor to thereby induce dedifferentiation of the Müller cells into a progenitor phenotype.
US08691202B2	Skin compositions and methods of use thereof Provided are body corrective cosmetic formulations and methods of use thereof.
US08691200B2	Pump-dispenser bottle device containing a polycondensate comprising at least one polyurethane and/or polyurea unit The invention concerns aerosol devices comprising a reservoir containing, in a cosmetically suitable medium, a multiple-block polymer (A) comprising at least a polyurethane and/or polyurea unit and a film-forming polymer (B), the polymers (A) and (B) and the device being selected so as to obtain, at the device outlet, droplets of composition with average diameter less than 80 μm. The invention also concerns a hairstyling or hair-fixing method comprising the use of said devices and their use for making a hairstyling product.
US08691195B2	Peptide having activity of transforming growth factor and production method therefor The present invention relates to a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-mimicking peptide containing a particular amino acid sequence and a composition for preventing or treating TGF-β-effective disorders or conditions using the same. The peptide of the present invention may be much higher stability than natural-occurring TGF-β and improve drawbacks caused by high molecular weight of natural-occurring TGF-β. The peptide of this invention can be advantageously applied to treatment or improvement of TGF-β-effective disorders or conditions and have excellent efficacies on skin whitening and wrinkle improvement.
US08691193B2	Polycondensate, composition, treatment process, and preparation process Polycondensate, composition containing it, especially a nail varnish composition, and process for preparation. The polycondensate may be obtained by reacting: a polyol comprising 3 to 6 hydroxyl groups; a saturated or unsaturated non-aromatic monocarboxylic acid; an aromatic monocarboxylic acid containing 7 to 11 carbon atoms; and a saturated or unsaturated, or even aromatic, linear, branched and/or cyclic polycarboxylic acid, comprising at least two carboxylic groups COOH; and/or a cyclic anhydride of such a polycarboxylic acid.
US08691192B1	Sunscreen compositions having synergistic combination of UV filters The disclosure relates to sunscreen compositions having a synergistic combination of ultraviolet light (UV) filtering agents that provide a high sun protection factor (SPF). Compositions according to the disclosure have high SPF values without requiring high overall amounts of UV filtering agents. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to methods of using the described compositions for protecting keratinous substances such as skin and hair from UV radiation.
US08691182B2	Ammonia flame cracker system, method and apparatus Apparatus, methods and systems reside in the decomposition of ammonia into a hydrogen gas mixture. An ammonia-rich gaseous mixture containing ammonia and oxygen enters into a conduit within which combustion and decomposition of the mixture is initiated, thereby liberating hydrogen. A mixture of gaseous products resulting from the reaction is expelled from the outlet of the conduit, the mixture including non-combusted hydrogen gas, which may then be used for other purposes. In the preferred embodiment, the incoming reactants including ammonia and oxygen are heat exchanged with the outgoing product mixture containing non-combusted hydrogen gas.
US08691174B2	Nitrate salt-based process for manufacture of graphite oxide The present invention relates to a nitrate salt-based process for preparing a graphite oxide. The invention nitrate salt-based process employs starting materials comprising a sulfuric acid, an inorganic nitrate salt, an amount of water, a first amount of chlorate salt, and a graphite.
US08691162B1	Biomedical diagnostic device A biomedical diagnostic device includes a hydrophilic layer, hydrophobic layer, and at least one test pad. The hydrophilic layer includes an exposed introductory portion adapted to introduce a test fluid, and is stacked with the hydrophobic layer with multiple access holes. At least one test pad, each of which includes a distinguishing reaction medium, is disposed in the corresponding holes that extend to contact the hydrophilic layer. The relations within the device are as follows: hydrophilicity of any of the test pads>hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic layer>hydrophilicity of the hydrophobic layer.
US08691153B2	Fluorescence reader A fluorescence reader for an optical assay arrangement includes a polymeric sample substrate having a reaction site-surface and a substrate surface. A light source is arranged to illuminate the reaction site-surface through the substrate surface, and a detector device is arranged to detect fluorescent light emitted from the reaction site-surface and transmitted through the substrate surface, the substrate surface provided, for example, as a light-collecting body to allow fluorescent light rays exceeding a critical emission angle for total internal reflection to escape the substrate and enter the body.
US08691150B2	System for determining a number of unused consumable elements for testing a bodily fluid sample The invention relates to a system for testing a sample of bodily fluid, comprising a carrier band, which carries a plurality of consumable elements, wherein one end of the carrier band is attached to a wind-up device for winding the carrier band, together with used consumable elements, onto a reel for the band transport, and comprising a display for displaying information regarding the supply of yet unused consumable elements of the carrier band. According to the invention, it is provided that information regarding the supply of yet unused consumable elements of the carrier band is obtained from an angle of rotation and from a band transport length by which the carrier band is moved with a rotation of the reel about said angle of rotation.
US08691136B2	Oriented polymer implantable device and process for making same A device is formed by the process into a bone screw or fastener, wherein the head has a degree of polymer alignment and strength, and wherein the shank has a higher degree of polymer alignment and strength. In practice of the present invention, the polymer slug is pressed into the die cavity by the actuation of ram press, causing the slug to conform to the die cavity. Through this process, the polymer molecular orientation is aligned to different degrees, in different zones of the device.
US08691132B2	Heat treatment of thin polymer films Stretch film is treated by passing a web of tackifier-containing, unbloomed thin polymer film through a heater so that the web is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause tackifier bloom prior to the web reaching a next stage in an in-line process. Also, a pattern can be applied to a thin polymer film. An oriented web of thin polymer film is passed across at least one heated roller having the pattern engraved thereon to define face regions and relief regions collectively conforming to the pattern. As the web contacts each roller surface, portions of the web positioned over the relief regions receive less heat than portions of the web positioned over the face regions, thereby causing the respective portions of the web to undergo differential, heat-induced shrinkage which imparts the pattern to the thin polymer film.
US08691130B2	Process of making water-dispersible multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
US08691127B2	Method for producing a composite component by multi-component injection molding The invention relates to processes for the production of a composite component via multicomponent injection molding, where the composite component comprises a main body composed of a thermoplastic and an external layer composed of a foamed thermoplastic. The main body is produced via injection molding and subsequent hardening of the thermoplastic. A mixture of the foamed thermoplastic and a chemical blowing agent is injected onto the main body, subsequently hardened in the same injection mold, and foamed by heating. The composite component is solidified via cooling. The foamed thermoplastic is at least one polyamide whose modulus of elasticity is from 1 MPa to 250 MPa in the entire temperature range from 70° C. to 180° C. The chemical blowing agent is in non-polymerized form.
US08691123B2	Fine processing method, fine processing apparatus, and recording medium with fine processing program recorded thereon According to one embodiment, a fine processing method includes determining a resist amount required for each first region of a pattern formation surface and a total amount of resist. The method include dividing the total amount of resist by a volume of one resist drop to determine the resist drops total number. The method include determining a provisional position for the resist drop of the total number. The method include assigning the each first region to nearest one resist drop, and partitioning again the pattern formation surface into second regions assigned to the each resist drop. The method include determining a divided value by dividing the volume of the one resist drop by the required total amount of resist determined. The method include finalizing a final position of the each resist drop, if a distribution of the divided value in the pattern formation surface falls within a target range.
US08691120B2	Chromene compound A photochromic chromene compound having an indeno(2,1-f)naphtho(1,2-b)pyran structure as its basic skeleton, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group at the 6-position carbon atom of the structure and an electron donor group having a Hammett constant σp of not more than −0.1 at the 7-position carbon atom.
US08691119B2	Thick film paste containing lead-tellurium-lithium-titanium-oxide and its use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices The present invention is directed to an electroconductive thick film paste composition comprising electrically conductive Ag, a second electrically conductive metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Al and mixtures thereof and a lead-tellurium-lithium-titanium-oxide all dispersed in an organic medium. The present invention is further directed to an electrode formed from the thick film paste composition and a semiconductor device and, in particular, a solar cell comprising such an electrode.
US08691117B2	Organic solvent dispersible conductive polymer and method for manufacture thereof Disclosed is a conductive polymer which is easily dispersed in an organic solvent. A method of preparing the conductive polymer adapted to be dispersed in an organic solvent is also provided, which includes chemically polymerizing a monomer using as a dopant anion a phosphate-based compound having solubility in an organic solvent. The conductive polymer capable of being dispersed in various organic solvents can be obtained through a simple preparation process, and thus can be utilized in the fields of applied materials in which the use of conventional water-dispersible conductive polymers is limited.
US08691113B2	Red phosphor, method for producing red phosphor, white light source, illuminating device, and liquid crystal display device A compound is provided containing silicon, aluminum, strontium, europium, nitrogen, and oxygen is used that enables a red phosphor having strong luminous intensity and high luminance to be obtained, and that enables the color gamut of a white LED to be increased with the use of the red phosphor. The red phosphor contains an element A, europium, silicon, aluminum, oxygen, and nitrogen at the atom number ratio of the following formula: [A(m−x)Eux]Si9AlyOnN[12+y−2(n−m)/3]. The element A in the formula is at least one of magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium, and m, x, y, and n in the formula satisfy the relations 3
US08691099B2	Process for fabricating MEMS devices A process for fabricating a MEMS device with movable comb teeth and stationary comb teeth. A single mask is used to define, during a series of processing steps, the location and width of both movable comb teeth and stationary comb teeth so as to assure self alignment of the comb teeth. MEMS devices are fabricated from a single multi-layer semi-conductor structure of semiconductor material and insulator material. In a preferred embodiment the process is employed to provide a MEMS mirror device having a movable structure, a movable frame, a first set of two torsional members, a first set of at least four comb drives, an outer fixed frame structure, a second set of two torsional members, and a second set of at least four comb drives.
US08691095B2	High efficiency water purification system A high efficiency water purification system is provided incorporating recovery of a portion concentrate wastewater associated with the reverse osmosis unit. This reduces the overall volume of concentrate wastewater requiring discharge/disposal by reusing the purified concentrate of a concentrate recovery units as RO feed water. Initial feedwater is pressurized and passed through an RO membrane, and separated into a permeate flow and a concentrate flow. A portion of the higher pressure concentrate is then directed to an additional set of thin film composite membranes (concentrate recovery membranes). The concentrate recovery membranes are arranged in an array such that the concentrate pressure is adequate to provide the force required to drive the concentrate through the recovery system membranes. The permeate produced by the concentrate recovery system is directed back to the feed of the primary RO unit; thereby, reducing the volume of raw feed water required for system operation.
US08691090B2	Coolant conditioning unit comprising a non-return valve Coolant conditioning unit for coolant of an internal combustion engine. The unit includes a cup-shaped housing, a removable cover for closing the housing, a replaceable filter insert arranged in the housing and being detachably connected to the cover, an inlet, an anti-drain valve that is normally open during filtering, and a stop valve arranged in the inlet. The stop valve is held in an open position by the filter insert and closes when the filter insert is removed from the housing and closes before the cover has been completely separated from the housing. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08691084B2	Bitumen upgrading using supercritical fluids The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.
US08691082B2	Two-stage hydroprocessing with common fractionation Two-stage hydroprocessing uses a common dividing wall fractionator. Hydroprocessed effluents from both stages of hydroprocessing are fed to opposite sides of the dividing wall.
US08691081B2	Process for contacting hydrocarbon feed and catalyst A process for distributing a deflecting media into an axial center of a riser to push catalyst outwardly toward the feed injectors ensures better contacting between hydrocarbon feed and catalyst.
US08691074B2	Method for operating a measuring device having at least one probe, which has at least one ion selective electrode A method for operating a measuring device comprising the following steps: providing a first sample of the liquid; ascertaining an updated calibration function by means of a standard addition method, wherein the first sample is supplemented at least once with a standard solution, which has a known concentration of the measured ion; determining a measured value of concentration of the measured ion in the first sample; providing a second sample of the liquid; ascertaining a measured value of concentration of the measured ion in the second sample as a reference measured ion concentration (cref) by means of a reference method; and determining a difference (cdisturb) between the apparent measured ion concentration (capparent) and the reference measured ion concentration (cref) and deriving a correction value (ckorr) therefrom for future measured values of concentration of the measured ion in the liquid, as ascertained with the measuring device.
US08691067B2	Charged entities as locomotive to control motion of polymers through a nanochannel A technique for controlling the motion of one or more charged entities linked to a polymer through a nanochannel is provided. A first reservoir and a second reservoir are connected by the nanochannel. An array of electrodes is positioned along the nanochannel, where fluid fills the first reservoir, the second reservoir, and the nanochannel. A first electrode is in the first reservoir and a second electrode is in the second reservoir. The first and second electrodes are configured to direct the one or more charged entities linked to the polymer into the nanochannel. An array of electrodes is configured to trap the one or more charged entities in the nanochannel responsive to being controlled for trapping. The array of electrodes is configured to move the one or more charged entities along the nanochannel responsive to being controlled for moving.
US08691064B2	Sputter-enhanced evaporative deposition apparatus and method A deposition apparatus includes a deposition source that produces a deposition flow of a deposited material and has an evaporation source with a material to be deposited therein, and a sputtering source that produces sputtering ions directed at the material to be deposited in the evaporation source. A deposition target is in facing relationship to the deposition source. The sputtering source is operated simultaneously with the evaporation source.
US08691058B2	Apparatus for sputtering and a method of fabricating a metallization structure A method of depositing a metallization structure (1) comprises depositing a TaN layer (4) by applying a power supply between an anode and a target in a plurality of pulses to reactively sputter Ta from the target onto the substrate (2) to form a TaN seed layer (4). A Ta layer (5) is deposited onto the TaN seed layer (4) by applying the power supply in a plurality of pulses and applying a high-frequency signal to a pedestal supporting the substrate (2) to generate a self-bias field adjacent to the substrate (2).
US08691057B2	Stress adjustment in reactive sputtering In a dual cathode magnetron, an adjustment circuit is provided between a pair of sputter targets having a coaxial (preferably frusto-conical) relationship to modify the distribution of ion and electron currents flowing from the plasma discharge to a substrate residing within a sputter chamber. A stress adjustment circuit is used to modify the ion bombardment of the growing films on the substrate resulting in a mechanism for control of the stress in the deposited films. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment circuit comprises a variable resistor disposed between an internal shield that acts as a passive anode and a target. The value of the variable resistor influences the plasma discharge current distribution between the split sputter targets and the internal shields, and can effectively be used to adjust the properties of the deposited films.
US08691053B2	Method for processing domestic and industrial organic waste The invention relates to waste processing and to producing hydrocarbons from domestic and industrial organic waste by pyrolysis. The inventive waste processing method involves carrying out the first and second pyrolysis stages, fractionating pyrolysis products and processing each fraction for producing useful products. The second pyrolysis stage is carried out simultaneously with the electromagnetic action produced on the pyrolysis products. The device for carrying out said method comprises a two-sectional pyrolysis reactor. An electromagnetic source is arranged on the second section of the reactor. The output of the second section is connected to a system for dividing the vaporous pyrolysis products. The technical result consists in increasing the waste processing effectiveness and producing solid, liquid and vaporous fuel components.
US08691048B2	Plasma stabilization method and plasma apparatus A plasma technique in which a plasma generation technique frequently used in various fields including a semiconductor manufacturing process is used, and generation of plasma instability (high-speed impedance change of a plasma) can efficiently be suppressed and controlled in order to manufacture stable products. An apparatus includes a processing chamber, a surrounding member disposed around the processing chamber, an RF induction coil disposed outside the dielectric member, and an air-core coil for generating a direct-current magnetic field supplied to the inner space. The surrounding member seals an opening on top of the processing chamber to create an inner space, and the RF induction coil is above the top surface of the surrounding member.
US08691045B2	Positioning device and positioning method for two-sided adhesive tapes A positioning device for positioning a number of two-sided adhesive pieces includes a base, a number of pulling blocks, and a pressing block. The base includes a positioning block defining a number of positioning holes. Each pulling block includes a connecting plate, and a supporting plate protruding out from a top end of the connecting plate. A first surface of each adhesive piece is adhered on a top surface of one of the supporting plate. The connecting plate is received in a corresponding one of the positioning hole. The pressing block is attached to the positioning block. A second surface of each adhesive piece to be adhered to a bottom surface of the pressing block.
US08691036B2	Method of making a reusable hose bundling sleeve A reusable hose bundling sleeve is provided that is made of a tightly-woven nylon material coated with urethane. Strips of hooks and loops are adhered and stitched to opposite ends of opposite sides of the sleeve. The reusable hose is installed by wrapping the sleeve around the hoses or cables such that the strips of hooks and loops align and engage. Notches can be cut along the length of the reusable hose bundling sleeve to allow for shorter hoses or cables within the sleeve to exit. Because of the materials used, the notches will not weaken the fibers and cause fraying. The reusable hose bundling sleeve is removed by separating the strips of hooks and loops and unwrapping the sleeve. The reusable hose bundling sleeve can be installed, removed, and reinstalled quickly and without diminishing durability. Alternatively, the sleeve may be adapted to be secured and/or hanged.
US08691034B2	Method and apparatus for forming a tire component upon an axially tapered surface The present invention includes methods and apparatus (10) for forming a tire component upon an axially tapered building surface (100). In particular embodiments, such methods include the step of providing a mechanical system, the system including a plurality of cutting members (42) and an application surface (64) for transferring material to the axially tapered building surface, the axially tapered surface comprising a surface of revolution that varies radially along a rotational axis of the surface. Particular embodiments may also include translating a sheet of material along a translation path through the mechanical system, and cutting a strip of material from the sheet with one or more of the plurality of cutting members during the step of translating. Particular embodiments may further include mechanically transferring the strip of material from the application surface to the axially tapered building surface, the axially tapered building surface rotating about an axis of rotation during the step of translating.
US08691025B2	Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher A dishwasher is provided that includes a washing space in which the soiled articles can be positioned for cleaning and an operating device that operates during the cleaning operation and is arranged in an opening in a bounding face of the washing space and/or of a container which can be positioned in the washing space. A spray device for spraying cleaning fluid is integrated into the washing space in the operating device.
US08691021B2	Water-bearing household appliance A water-bearing household appliance to which fluid can be supplied during at least one filling step includes at least one drain pump for conveying fluid out of the water-bearing household appliance; and an overfill protection facility to prevent an excessive water level in the water-bearing household appliance. The overfill protection facility is configured to capture at least one operating parameter of the drain pump and after the filling step, in the presence of a malfunction of the drain pump that can be derived from the at least one operating parameter, to prevent execution of a further filling step.
US08691020B2	Washing and cleaning system for container treatment machines of the food industry The invention relates to a container treatment machine, in particular a filling, closing or rinsing unit for containers, such as bottles, cans, barrels, kegs etc., comprising a container feed, a container discharge, at least one feed line for at least one product, and a cleaning device (3) for cleaning the outer surfaces by means of a cleaning fluid (13), characterized in that the cleaning device (3) comprises a robot (4) and a track (5), wherein the track (5) runs around the rotational axis thereof in at least one angular region, wherein the robot (4) is arranged on or at said track (5) and can be driven by means of a linear drive (8).
US08691015B2	Method and system for binding halide-based contaminants A method and apparatus are presented for reducing halide-based contamination within deposited titanium-based thin films. Halide adsorbing materials are utilized within the deposition chamber to remove halides, such as chlorine and chlorides, during the deposition process so that contamination of the titanium-based film is minimized. A method for regenerating the halide adsorbing material is also provided.
US08691010B2	Microfluidic protein crystallography The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.
US08691009B2	Crystal pulling apparatus and method for the production of heavy crystals A pulling apparatus and a method with which especially heavy crystals (5) can be pulled using the Czochralski method utilizing the pulling apparatus. For this purpose the neck (4) of the crystal (5) has an enlargement (10) beneath which extends the support device. This device includes latches (7), which are moved from a resting position into an operating position in which the latches (7) extend beneath the enlargement (10). Each latch (7) is supported on the base body such that it is swivellable about a pivot axis (8) and can assume two stable positions, namely the resting position and the operating position. Each of these positions is defined by a stop on the base body. When the latch rests on the one stop, its center of gravity, viewed from the neck (4), is located on the other side of the pivot axis (8). When the latch rests on the other stop, the center of gravity is located on this side of the pivot axis (8). The actuation of the latches (7) takes place with actuation means disposed stationarily in the apparatus.
US08691004B2	Method of ink-jet recording, pretreatment liquid, ink set, and ink-jet recording apparatus The present invention provides a method of ink-jet recording that includes the steps of pretreating by applying a pretreatment liquid onto a recording medium in advance of ink-jet recording, and recording by ejecting a pigment ink onto the recording medium by an ink-jet method. The pretreatment liquid includes the following components (i) and (ii), and water. Component (i): at least one of succinic acid and acetic acid Component (ii): alkali metal halide
US08691003B2	Composition for indicator with which used for detecting pressure points on denture An indicator is useful for detecting pressure points on a denture. The indicator is made of a composition that easily adheres to oral mucosa, has a proper viscosity in an oral cavity environment, can be properly spread between an oral mucosa surface and a denture base, and easily specifies an affected part. The composition includes a fatty acid ester having a melting point of 30 to 50° C., a water-soluble high polymer, and a metal oxide. Preferably, the fatty acid is 40 to 95% by weight of the composition, the water-soluble high polymer is 1 to 59% by weight of the composition, and the metal oxide is 0.1 to 50% by weight of the composition.
US08690997B2	Two-sided attraction structure, exhibiting or indicating apparatus using same, dust collecting apparatus, and plant growing apparatus A two-sided attraction structure including an electrostatic chuck portion (2) and a power supply portion (5), the electrostatic chuck portion (2) including a dielectric member (3) in a plate-like shape, which is made of an insulating material and has a front side and a back side, and an internal electrode (4) mounted into the dielectric member, the front side and the back side of the dielectric member each serving as an attraction surface when voltage is applied to the internal electrode (4), the power supply portion (5) applying the voltage to the internal electrode, of the electrostatic chuck portion (2), in which the power supply portion (5) includes a solar cell (6) and a voltage boost circuit (7) for boosting power generated by the solar cell (6).
US08690994B2	Liquid degassing membrane contactors, components, systems and related methods In at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to contactors, modules, components, systems, and/or methods of manufacture, and/or methods of use including degassing liquids. In at least particular possibly preferred embodiments, the contactor or module is integrally potted, has planar, disc shaped end caps, and a cylindrical housing or shell receiving and supporting a membrane structure. In at least particular possibly preferred embodiments, each of the planar disc shaped end caps has a central opening therein adapted to receive a liquid end port or nozzle, another opening therein adapted to receive a gas end port or threaded pipe, and is held in place in the housing or shell by at least one retaining element such as a retaining or locking ring. In at least particular possibly preferred embodiments, the integrally potted membrane structure is potted in place in the housing or shell by an inverted potting process involving the use of a removable plunger or plug to recess the potting.
US08690986B2	Method for simultaneously producing iron, coke, and power An alternative ironmaking process for simultaneously producing a highly metalized iron/steel product, coke from coal, an iron/steel product from an iron rich feedstock, and, optionally, energy using heat recovery. The simultaneous process is performed in the environment of a non-recovery or heat recovery coke oven. The iron rich feedstock is layered on top of a coal bed. The iron rich feedstock and coal bed are heated in the presence of a reducing gas to reduce the iron oxides of the iron rich feedstock into the iron/steel product and to devolatilize the coal into coke. After quenching the iron/steel product and coke, the iron/steel product is separated from the coke.
US08690983B1	Method and system for agricultural fertigation An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous introduction of concentrated raw materials into a high-dilution irrigation-water environment whereby the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.
US08690979B2	Dust collection device for concrete cutter A dust collection device for a concrete cutter includes a suction duct disposed on an upstream-most side; a plurality of dust collectors of a cylindrical cyclone system disposed in series downstream of the suction duct; and a plurality of dust collection chambers connected respectively to the plurality of dust collectors and storing individually dust separated in each of the dust collectors. A blower is disposed between any two of the plurality of dust collectors and performs intake and discharge of air by rotation of a built-in fan. A return flow channel communicates the suction duct with the dust collection chamber which is connected via a connection portion to a dust collector disposed on a downstream-most side from among the plurality of dust collectors, or a return flow channel communicates the suction duct with the connection portion.
US08690976B2	Fuel reformer A fuel reformer is provided that is capable of improving endurance and performance. The fuel reformer includes a first burner having a first-burner first end, a first-burner second end, and a first opening formed in the first-burner first end; a second burner surrounding the first burner and having a second-burner second end, a second-burner second end, and a second opening in the second-burner first end, wherein the second-burner second end is coupled to the first-burner second end to communicate a fluid. The reforming reactor is configured to generate heat from the first and second burners, and has a fuel supply including a nozzle unit in the first burner and supplies a second oxidation fuel from the outside to the first burner. A first oxidation fuel is introduced into the first opening and flows through the first burner in a first direction and flows through the second burner in a third direction opposite to the first direction. The nozzle unit discharges the second oxidation fuel in a second direction crossing the first direction.
US08690964B2	Fabric having ultraviolet radiation protection A method for treating a fabric for protection from ultraviolet radiation is disclosed which comprises the steps of dispensing a suspension of zinc oxide particles treated with an acid polymer into a washing machine during a time in which a fabric is being washed in the washing machine and mixing the treated zinc oxide particles and the fabric for the treated zinc oxide particles to bind to the fabric. Other methods for treating a fabric for protection from ultraviolet radiation are also disclosed.
US08690954B2	Tibial bearing component for a knee prosthesis with improved articular characteristics An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing component with articular features which operate to protect adjacent soft tissues of the natural knee, promote and/or accommodate desired articulation with an abutting femoral component, and facilitate expedient and effective implantation by a surgeon.
US08690953B2	Prosthetic implant system incorporating contrast agent The invention relates to an operation system comprising at least one implant and means for the fastening of the implant to a bone, wherein the fastening means include at least one solid spacer, which can be formed of hardened bone cement and is arranged between the implant and the bone in the implanted state, and hardenable liquid bone cement which can be introduced into hollow spaces or intermediate spaces present between the spacer and the implant and/or between the spacer and the bone and wherein the spacer, on the one hand, and the liquid bone cement, on the other hand, are provided with contrast agents chosen in dependence on an imaging observation process or inspection process, in particular an X-ray process, to be used in or after the operation such that the spacer and the liquid cement can be distinguished from the surroundings and from one another on the observation or inspection of their position, in particular in an X-ray.
US08690948B2	Interbody device and plate for spinal stabilization and instruments for positioning same Systems, methods and devices for providing stabilization between first and second vertebrae are provided. More particularly, in one form a system includes an implant configured to be positioned in a disc space between the first and second vertebrae and a freestanding plate for engagement with extradiscal surfaces of the first and second vertebrae. The system also includes an insertion instrument with an engaging portion configured to releasably engage with the implant and the plate such that the implant and plate can be positioned together relative to the first and second vertebrae. In one aspect, an angular orientation of the implant relative to the plate is adjustable when the implant and the plate are engaged by the instrument. In this or another aspect, the implant and plate are held in a contiguous relationship when engaged by the instrument. However, different forms and applications are also envisioned.
US08690941B2	Intraocular lens surgical system and method Various systems, apparatuses, and processes may be used for intraocular lens surgery. In particular implementations, a system for intraocular lens surgery may include an intraocular lens insertion cartridge and an intraocular lens interface adapted to engage an intraocular lens for advancement through the intraocular lens insertion cartridge. The system may also include a bracket that is detachably attached to the intraocular lens insertion cartridge and that facilitates securing the intraocular lens interface relative to the intraocular lens insertion cartridge.
US08690940B2	Method for the treatment of cataract A method and related apparatus to treat a cataract where the cataractous lens is pierced and the resulting opening is mechanically maintained using a lens system device such as a pinhole device, expandable tubular lens, a stent or similar small diameter device, some of which are capable of supporting a secondary intraocular lens. The resulting passageway or lumen created in the cataractous lens allows visible light to better reach the retina, thus improving vision. This lens system device that can be placed into an in situ cataract provides for a much simpler surgical technique and reduces related pre and post operative procedures and potential complications. Intraocular lenses may also be used in concert with this invention. The apparatus and technique can be applied to humans as well as animals.
US08690938B2	Occlusion device combination of stent and mesh with diamond-shaped porosity An occlusion device for implantation within a body vessel is provided with a screen member and an associated support member. The occlusion device is radially expandable from a compressed condition, suitable for inserting the device in an introducer, to a deployed or expanded condition within a vessel. The screen member includes a plurality of substantially diamond-shaped openings in the compressed and expanded conditions. The porosity of the screen member is less than the porosity of the support member in the expanded condition.
US08690934B2	Method, device and system for modulating an activity of brown adipose tissue in a vertebrate subject Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein for treatment of a disease, disorder, or condition in a vertebrate subject. A device is provided that includes one or more passive cooling elements configured to be applied to one or more tissues of a vertebrate subject to modulate at least one activity of brown adipose tissue of the vertebrate subject, wherein at least a portion of the one or more passive cooling elements is configured to be implantable, and wherein the one or more passive cooling elements includes a first portion configured to be in association with the one or more tissues to be cooled, and a second portion configured to be placed in association with one or more tissues adjacent to an external epidermal tissue of the vertebrate subject.
US08690929B2	Orthopedic screw for measuring a parameter of the muscularskeletal system A dual-mode closed-loop measurement system (100) for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a medium (122) is disclosed. A first module comprises an inductor drive circuit (102), an inductor (104), a transducer (106), and a filter (110). A second module housed in a screw (335) comprises an inductor (114) and a transducer (116). The screw (335) is bio-compatible and allows an accurate delivery of the circuit into the muscular-skeletal system. The inductor can be attached and interconnected on a flexible substrate (331) that fits into a cavity in the screw (335). The first and second modules are operatively coupled together. The first module provides energy to power the second module. The second module emits an energy wave into the medium that propagates to the first module. The transit time of energy waves is measured and correlated to the parameter by known relationship.
US08690922B2	Dynamic fixation device and method of use A dynamic fixation device is provided that allows the vertebrae to which it is attached to move in flexion within the normal physiological limits of motion, while also providing structural support that limits the amount of translation motion beyond normal physiological limits. The present invention includes a flexible portion and two ends that are adapted for connection to pedicle screws. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the normal axis of rotation of the vertebrae is substantially duplicated by the dynamic fixation device. The flexible portion of the dynamic fixation device can include a geometric shape and/or a hinge portion.
US08690916B2	Soft tissue attachment system and clip A suture attachment clip and method for assisting in the attachment or re-attachment of soft tissue to bone. The clip generally comprises a head having a shape suitable for allowing the passage of a suture during attachment of soft tissue to bone. One or more clips can be secured to a bone plate through a variety of means, including a snap configuration, a screw configuration, and a bendable prong configuration. The clip can also be continuous with an adjacent clip, thus forming a multi-clip assembly that can either be secured to a bone plate or secured directly to a bone without a bone plate.
US08690907B1	Vascular treatment methods Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measurable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.
US08690904B2	Percutaneous access conduit A tubular conduit is used to access blood vessels or other structures in the human body. The conduit has a distal tip angled to match the angle of entry into the body and an end contour adapted for the surface of the target vessel or organ. The contour may be curved to match the curve on the outer surface of the vessel or organ. The conduit's angled and contoured distal end may be adapted to engage, and align the conduit with, the surface of the vessel or organ. The conduit bears a longitudinal groove along its lower, inner surface. When the conduit is appropriately aligned, the groove may be used to guide a needle tip to the desired location, for example, the mid-line of the vessel or organ.
US08690900B2	Apparatus and method for connecting two elongate body tissues An apparatus for connecting two elongate body tissues is described. A flexible outer surface has a first outer end longitudinally spaced from a second outer end. A flexible inner surface has a first inner end longitudinally spaced from a second inner end. A first end aperture is defined by a flexible connection between the first outer end and the first inner end. The first end aperture is configured to accept a first elongate body tissue. A second end aperture is defined by a flexible connection between the second outer end and the second inner end. The second end aperture is configured to accept a second elongate body tissue. The outer and inner surfaces are configured for relative eversion operative to longitudinally shift an instantaneous midpoint of the apparatus with respect to a reference location on the inner surface. A method of using the apparatus is also provided.
US08690888B2	Modular active spine tool for measuring vertebral load and position of load A spine measurement system includes a plurality of sensored heads, a spinal instrument, and a remote system. The spinal instrument comprises a handle, a shaft, sensored heads, and a module. The sensored heads includes one or more sensors that couple to module and each has a different height. The module includes an electronic assembly for receiving, processing, and sending quantitative data from sensors in sensored heads. The module can be coupled to and removed from handle. Similarly, sensored heads can be coupled to and removed from shaft. A sensored head can be inserted between vertebra and report vertebral conditions such as force, pressure, orientation and edge loading. A GUI of remote system can display a workflow and report load and position of load during the workflow.
US08690886B2	Posterior insertion instrument for an expandable support device An insertion instrument for inserting an expandable support device, where the insertion instrument includes an actuator device operable to rotate a component of an expandable support device to a rotated position, such that the rotation to the rotated position of the expandable support device causes a first longitudinally extending member of the expandable support device to be longitudinally fixed. The insertion instrument also includes a hollow body, where the hollow body includes a removable gear device or a removable screw driver device. The removable gear device is configurable to cause a first longitudinally extending member of expandable support device to longitudinally extend in a direction away from the center of the expandable support device. The removable screw driver device is configurable to insert a screw into the expandable support device to lock the rotated position into place.
US08690885B2	Surgical aiming device A hinged pivoting guide for positioning a femoral tunnel in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction locates a drilling hole for placement that optimally penetrates a minimal depth of soft tissue (skin, muscle, etc.) yet directs drilling into a sufficiently rigid and structurally sound area of the femur. The hinged guide allows placement of an aimer point at a desired drilling exit location on the femur. The hinge is adapted to secure the aimer at a degree of rotation about an axis defined by the hinge rotation, such that the axis passes through the aimer point throughout rotation of the hinge while maintaining the aimer point in line with an insertion guide slideably movable through the aperture in the handle, the aperture defined by an insertion axis extending toward the aimer point such that the aimer point remains disposed at the intersection of the hinge axis and the insertion axis.
US08690875B2	Method and apparatus for preparing bone for a prosthetic device A system (10) for preparing a long bone for a prosthetic, the long bone having a long axis comprises a distal instrument (12) and a proximal instrument (14). The distal instrument (12) is configured to remove bone from a distal portion of bone. The distal instrument (12) has a bone removing portion (16) configured to remove bone along the long axis of the long bone and a shaft (18) extending from the bone removing portion (16) along the long axis of the long bone. The proximal instrument (14) is configured to overlie the shaft (18) of the distal element (12) within the long bone. The distal shaft (18) guides the proximal instrument (14) to prepare the proximal portion of the long bone after the distal instrument (12) has prepared the distal portion of the long bone.
US08690874B2	Composition and process for bone growth and repair A composition for the induction of bone growth is disclosed. The composition includes a substrate, bone growth protein, and sources of calcium and phosphate. The composition is acidic which promotes high activity of the bone growth protein. The calcium and phosphate sources can be provided as an acidic calcium phosphate salt. Also disclosed are methods of the making the composition and methods of using it.
US08690870B2	Irrigated ablation catheter system with pulsatile flow to prevent thrombus The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on an electrode of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the electrode, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The electrode includes passages positioned to allow saline flow out of an inner cavity of the electrode. This fluid flow is pulsatile to increase turbulence, reducing areas of stagnant flow, and produces a desired cooling effect.
US08690868B2	Needle kit and method for microwave ablation, track coagulation, and biopsy A modular biopsy, ablation and track coagulation needle apparatus is disclosed that allows the biopsy needle to be inserted into the delivery needle and removed when not needed, and that allows an inner ablation needle to be introduced and coaxially engaged with the delivery needle to more effectively biopsy a tumor, ablate it and coagulate the track through ablation while reducing blood loss and track seeding. The ablation needle and biopsy needle are adapted to in situ assembly with the delivery needle. In a preferred embodiment, the ablation needle, when engaged with the delivery needle forms a coaxial connector adapted to electrically couple to an ablating source. Methods for biopsying and ablating tumors using the device and coagulating the track upon device removal are also provided.
US08690867B2	Temperature monitoring return electrode An electrosurgical return electrode is disclosed. The return electrode includes a first and second flexible conductive material layers and a material layer disposed between the first and second conductive material layers. The material layer is transitionable between a solid state and a non-solid state, the material layer is also configured to melt upon an increase in temperature beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby increasing conductivity between the first and second conductive material layer.
US08690864B2	System and method for controlling tissue treatment Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for controlling a tissue treatment device using results from a spectroscopic tissue analyzer. One embodiment provides a system that uses a direct signal from a spectroscopic tissue analyzer to control the tissue treatment device. Alternatively, the system may provide an audible feedback signal to a user, allowing the user to choose how to adjust the tissue treatment device. A final embodiment provides a probe that has active sites for treating tissue, and an optical system to convey light to the active sites, allowing an analysis of the tissue parameter at the active sites.
US08690858B2	Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus, including the use of magnetic tools Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.
US08690857B2	Alleviate back pain with lactic acid inhibitors The intervertebral disc is avascular. Nutrients and waste are diffused through adjacent vertebral bodies into the disc. As we age, calcified layers form between the disc and vertebral bodies, blocking diffusion of nutrients, oxygen and pH buffer in blood. Under anaerobic conditions, lactic acid is produced, irritating nerve endings and causing nonspecific pain. In addition, the disc begins to starve and flatten. The weight shifts abnormally from disc to the facet joints causing strain and back pain.Lactic acid inhibitor inhibits production of lactic acid from pyruvate within the disc to reduce or alleviate back pain.
US08690850B2	Stitch bonded fabric with directional stretch character and diaper formed therefrom A diaper wherein at least one of the waist band, side panels, leg cuffs and fastening system landing zone includes a textile material of stitch bonded construction. The textile material includes selectively applied zones of stitches formed from elastomeric yarns with adjacent zones having stitches formed from inelastic yarns. The textile material provides stretch of a desired degree in the cross-machine direction while maintaining substantial dimensional stability in the machine direction.
US08690845B2	System and method for interfacing with a reduced pressure dressing Systems, devices, and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced pressure are presented. In one instance, a reduced-pressure interface includes a conduit housing having a cavity divided by a dividing wall into a reduced-pressure-application region and a pressure-detection region. The reduced-pressure interface further includes a reduced-pressure port disposed within the reduced-pressure-application region, a pressure-detection port disposed within the pressure-detection region, and a base connected to the conduit housing, the base having a manifold-contacting surface. The dividing wall includes a surface substantially coplanar with the manifold-contacting surface.
US08690829B2	Non-magnetic medical infusion device Liquid infusion apparatus includes non-magnetic materials in a pumping structure and drive motor, therefore, and in a controller that supplies drive signals to the motor to facilitate convenient operation in intense magnetic fields without distorting the magnetic fields and without radiating objectionable radio-frequency interference.
US08690823B2	Drug coated balloon catheter The present invention relates to balloon catheters for treating a luminal system of a patient. Specifically, the invention relates to catheters having a flexible membrane positioned at a distal portion of the catheter, the flexible membrane retained in a substantially unexposed conformation prior to deployment. Preferably the flexible membrane is capable of delivering a therapeutic agent to a localized environment when deployed to an exposed conformation.
US08690813B2	Radiation treatment garment—I A radiation treatment garment includes, in some embodiments, a window having a visually-transparent material for viewing alignment tattoos on a wearer. In some other embodiments, the radiation treatment garment includes a support pouch for receiving and supporting a male wearer's external genitalia, wherein the support pouch is configured to support the external genitalia in a position that is anterior and superior to the natural gravity-induced position. In some further embodiments, the radiation treatment garment includes both the window and the support pouch.
US08690805B2	CPR assist device A system for performing chest compression for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The system includes a motor, drive spool and associated couplings which allow for controlling and limiting the movement of the compressing mechanism and includes a control system for controlling the operation and interaction of the various components to provide for optimal automatic operation of the system.
US08690791B2	Apparatus and method to access the bone marrow An apparatus and method for harvesting bone and bone marrow are provided. The apparatus may include a driver operable to be releasably engaged with an intraosseous device. The intraosseous device may include a cannula having a first end operable to penetrate bone and bone marrow and to allow retrieval of portions of bone and/or bone marrow. The cannula may have a second end operable to be releasably engaged with bone marrow sampling equipment. The apparatus may include a removable trocar. The removable trocar may have an inner channel operable to convey portions of bone and/or bone marrow. The removable trocar may have an inner channel and a side port communicating with the inner channel. The removable trocar may have a first end operable to penetrate bone and bone marrow.
US08690786B2	System and method for a non-invasive blood pressure monitor A non-invasive blood pressure system is disclosed herein. The non-invasive blood pressure system includes a pressure transducer configured to obtain pressure data comprising a transient baseline effects component. The non-invasive blood pressure system also includes a processor adapted to receive the pressure data from the pressure transducer. The processor is configured to generate a transient baseline effects model, and to implement the transient baseline effects model to at least partially remove the transient baseline effects component of the pressure data. The removal of the transient baseline effects component from the pressure data eliminates a potential source of error and thereby enables a more accurate blood pressure estimate.
US08690783B2	Ultrasonic transducer assembly An ultrasound transducer assembly includes an acoustic focusing lens and a therapy transducer mounted to a holder member so that the lens is movable relative to the transducer. The lens and the transducer are mounted to the holder member so that the lens is spaced a predetermined distance from the transducer element. A liquid layer having a thickness of the predetermined distance is provided between the lens and the transducer element. A solid backing member is disposed on a side of the transducer element opposite the lens. The backing member is spaced by an additional liquid layer of a predetermined thickness from the transducer element. The focusing depth of the lens-transducer assembly is controllable by transducer operating frequency.
US08690782B2	System for generating multiple beams from a single receive event A system and method for storing imaging information of multiple receive events and/or for generating a plurality of beams from a single receive event are disclosed. A transducer has a plurality of elements and is operable to receive a first acoustic signal from a first receive event and a second acoustic signal from a second receive event. A memory is in communication with the transducer to receive element data from the plurality of elements. The memory is operable in a first section and a second section. The memory is further operable to store first and second imaging data in the first and second sections, respectively. The first and second imaging data is based on the first and second acoustic signals, respectively.
US08690781B2	Coherent image formation for dynamic transmit beamformation Using parallel receive beamformation, sets of data representing locations in at least a common field of view are obtained, each set in response to a transmit with a spatially distinct phase front. The common field of view receive data are time aligned and amplitude weighted for retrospective transmit focusing and retrospective transmit apodization, respectively. A time offset is applied to the receive data for retrospective transmit focusing. The offset is selected to emulate shifting the transmit delay profile to be tangentially intersecting with the dynamic receive delay profile for each location which is the desired transmit delay profile. A weight is applied to the receive data for retrospective transmit apodization. The offset and weighted data representing a same location from different transmit events is coherently combined. The number of sets of data offset, weighted and combined may vary as a function of depth for dynamic transmit beamformation.
US08690780B2	Noninvasive tissue tightening for cosmetic effects Systems and methods for noninvasive tissue tightening are disclosed. Thermal treatment of tissues such as superficial muscular aponeurosis system (SMAS) tissue, muscle, adipose tissue, dermal tissue, and combinations thereof are described. In one aspect, a system is configured for treating tissue through delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth, distribution, temperature, and energy level to achieve a desired cosmetic effect.
US08690770B2	Method and system for determining when to reposition a physiological sensor A sensor may be placed on a patient to obtain physiological measurements. The application of the sensor on the patient may start a timer set to run for a given time interval. If the sensor is repositioned before the interval is expired, the timer is reset. If the time expires without the sensor being repositioned, a caregiver is prompted to reposition the sensor.
US08690769B2	Metabolic energy monitoring system A metabolic energy monitoring system having one or more physiological measurement platforms and displays enabling the calculation and display of energy balance, kilocalorie energy expenditure and kilocalorie intake is described. In preferred embodiments, the system utilizes one or more on-body monitoring platforms to enable measurement of change in body composition and kilocalorie energy expenditure over a period of time thereby enabling a comparator to calculate net energy balance over this period of time and to calculate kilocalorie intake over this same period of time. Such data may then be displayed on a display device in wireless communication with the on-body monitoring platform to provide the user of the system with useful information and guidance in weight management applications.
US08690755B2	Endoscopic positioning system The present invention discloses an endoscope positioning system for maneuvering, orienting and positioning an endoscope relative to an organ within a patient's body during an endoscopic operation. The endoscope positioning system comprises a gripper that reversibly attaches the positioning system to the patient's body while allowing full adjustment of the endoscope in four degrees of freedom.
US08690746B2	Expandable brachytherapy device A brachytherapy device for the provision of brachytherapy is disclosed. The brachytherapy device has at least one source lumen located outside a movable surface of the device. The source lumen may be secured to the movable outer surface in a manner whereby relative movement of the source lumen relative to the movable outer surface is permitted. The brachytherapy device is inserted into a body cavity. After insertion, the movable surface is moved to position the at least one source lumen closer to the tissue boundary of the cavity. One or more sources of radiation are then placed within the at least one source lumen to provide a customizable treatment. Also disclosed are methods for providing brachytherapy via body cavities.
US08690745B2	Fluid transfer for radiation treatment apparatus Techniques and systems for supplying fluid to a rotating gantry portion of a radiation treatment apparatus are disclosed where a first batch fluid is supplied to the rotating gantry when the rotating gantry is stationary a first time, discontinuing the supply when the rotating gantry is rotating, and supplying a second batch of fluid when the rotating gantry is stationary a second time. A storage component on the rotating gantry allows supplied fluid to be stored in the rotating gantry and used to shape a radiation beam and/or cool an ionizing radiation source, for example, while the rotating gantry is rotating. The techniques and systems may also be utilized to discharge a first fluid from the rotating gantry and supply a second fluid to replace the first fluid.
US08690744B2	Method for producing cigarette packs The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for producing packs, in particular cigarette packs, from blanks (11, 44), wherein individual regions of a pack blank (11) are adhesively bonded to one another and, if appropriate, to one or more separate blanks (44) by the pack blank (11) being provided with individual portions of glue (28, 29) by means of a valve or a group of valves (26) and blank regions which are to be adhesively bonded together subsequently being held or pressed on one another, wherein the individual portions of glue (28, 29) are applied to the blank regions by means of the glue valve (27) or the group of glue valves (26), and/or wherein a control and/or regulating device (65) automatically controls and/or regulates the size or quantity of the respectively produced portion of glue (28, 29), which size or quantity is produced by the at least one glue valve (27) during an individual valve opening cycle, as a function of at least one parameter.
US08690743B2	Bearing arrangement and rolling unit for a rolling-mill roll The invention relates to a bearing arrangement and a rolling unit for a rolling-mill roll. The bearing arrangement comprises a bearing housing, a bearing bush (120) rigidly installed in the bearing housing, a journal bush (130) rotatably supported in the bearing bush, a bearing device (140) for the roll journal, and a pressure shoulder ring arranged between the journal bush (130) and the bearing device (140). At least one key (150) is used to connect both the journal bush and the pressure shoulder ring (135) to the roll journal of the rolling mill roll in a rotationally rigid manner. In order to further develop such a known bearing arrangement for a rolling-mill roll and a known rolling unit so that it is easier to remove the bearing arrangement from the roll journal, the bearing arrangement according to the invention has a coupling device between the journal bush (130) and the pressure shoulder ring (135) without or with only low stress.
US08690742B1	Resistance band physical training apparatus and related methods A resistance band physical training apparatus includes a wall station, and a pair of floor stations. The wall station is mounted to a vertical mounting surface, such as a wall, and the floor stations are mounted to a horizontal mounting surface, such as a floor. The wall and floor stations include rods and bars about which resistance bands can be arranged to facilitate the performance of a plurality of exercises.
US08690737B2	Exercise machine A dual mode exercise machine which can work in a stepping mode, or in an elliptical mode, and which has an interlock mechanism which ensures that the machine cannot be placed in a condition in which neither mode is engaged.
US08690728B2	Controlled vehicle launch using a stepped ratio transmission A method for controlling a vehicle powertrain during launch includes controlling slip across a first clutch that transmits engine torque through the first clutch and the current gear while a transmission operates in a current gear other than a launch gear, disengaging the first clutch, engaging the launch gear, and controlling slip across a second clutch that transmits engine torque through the second clutch and the launch gear.
US08690725B2	Engine restart torque spike management system for a hybrid vehicle A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having a traction motor between an engine and a step ratio automatic transmission during a startup of the hybrid vehicle. The method includes performing at least one of adjusting a clutch or an oil pressure to change a transmission tie-up force or downshifting the transmission in response to an actuation rate of a vehicle driver demand.
US08690716B2	Belt-driven conical-pulley transmission and motor vehicle with such a transmission Conical disk pairs of a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission include an axially fixed disk and an axially movable disk that are situated on respective shafts on the input side and the output side and are connectable by an endless torque-transmitting component for transmitting torque. At least one of the shafts has at least one axial bore from which at least one connecting bore extends to the surface of the shaft. The outlet of the connecting bore is in a region that is covered by the movable disk independent of the latter's axial position. An annular chamber formed between the shaft outer surface and a radially inner surface of the axially movable disk can be subjected to hydraulic pressure through the connecting bore. A discharge groove is provided for bleeding air bubbles from the annular chamber.
US08690714B2	Golf ball material and golf ball An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball material producing a high spin rate on approach shots and a low spin rate on driver shots and a golf ball using the same. The present invention provides a golf ball material having a ratio [Shore D/log(bending stiffness)] of Shore D hardness to a logarithm of bending stiffness (kgf/cm2) of 19.0 or more.
US08690713B2	Golf ball core having medium positive hardness gradient and high surface hardness A golf ball includes a single solid core having a surface hardness and a geometric center hardness. The core has an outer diameter of about 1.5 to 1.62 inches. An outer cover layer formed from a polyurea or polyurethane has a first hardness, and an inner cover layer, disposed between the core and the outer cover, has a second hardness greater than the first hardness and within 5 Shore C of the core surface hardness. The geometric center hardness is about 64 to 85 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than 85 Shore C and harder than the geometric center hardness by about 5 to 22 Shore C to define a positive hardness gradient.
US08690709B2	Golf club having two-part head A golf club with a golf club head formed of two distinct parts is presented. The club head includes a lower, ball striking member configured to contact a golf ball. The club head further includes an upper member, connected to the ball striking member at a top surface of the ball striking member. The ball striking member may be formed of a more dense material than the upper portion, thereby lowering the center of gravity of the club to provide improved performance characteristics.
US08690708B1	CG height adjustability by conformal crown weighting A golf club head comprising a crown with an edge support structure and a flexible, conformal weight sized to fit within the edge support structure is disclosed herein. The edge support structure preferably is disposed on an internal surface of the crown so that the conformal weight is invisible when the golf club head is viewed at address. The conformal weight can be removed to adjust the vertical center of gravity of the club head, and preferably is oriented in a front-to-back direction along the club head's X-axis. The conformal weight preferably is composed of a high-density polymeric material with a specific gravity ranging from 1.8 to 4.2.
US08690705B2	Golf clubs and golf club heads having adjustable characteristics A golf club head which may include a golf club head body, a ball striking face and a piezoelectric member in the golf club head, wherein the piezoelectric member is configured to be selectively adjusted by an input provided through a controller operably connected to the piezoelectric member. Further, the piezoelectric member may be capable of having a first configuration to provide the golf club head body with a first attribute and may also be capable of having a second configuration to provide the body with a second attribute in response to the input provided by the controller. Further, the second attribute may be different from the first attribute.
US08690702B2	Golf club A golf club has a reverse flex of 110 to 160 mm. The face portion includes a central thick part, a toe-crown-side thin part on a crown-side and on a toe-side of the central thick part, and a heel-sole-side thin part on a sole-side and on a heel-side of the central thick part. In the front view of the head, a first straight line passing an area centroid of the toe-crown-side thin part and an area centroid of a back surface of the face portion has an angle θA of 10 to 30 degrees, and a second straight line passing an area centroid of the heel-sole-side thin part and the area centroid of the back surface of the face portion has an angle θB of 36 to 40 degrees, each with respect to the horizontal plane.
US08690699B1	Visual aid for golfing A visual aid device to provide a reference line for a golfer. The device has an elongated linear member held by opposing clips adapted for securement to the bill of a golf cap. The elongated member may be a stretchable elastic member or a rigid member to provide a reference line for a putter or wedge, for example, as the golfer addresses and strikes the golf ball. Spaced markings may further be utilized to provide additional visual aids to a golfer and advertising or logos may be applied to the clip members.
US08690694B2	Free fall amusement ride An amusement ride apparatus comprising: a free fall tower having a proximal end hingedly attached to a base platform and a distal end; a lifting assembly connected to the base platform and the free fall tower so that the free fall tower can transition between a loading position and a free fall position; a trolley slideably attached to the free fall tower; a trolley securing assembly attached to the trolley and releasably attached to the distal end of the tower for securing the trolley to the distal end prior to the free fall tower transitioning from the loading position to the free fall position so that the trolley is held at the distal end when the tower is in the free fall position; a braking assembly carried by the base platform for slowing the downward movement of the trolley when the trolley securing member is released; and, a passenger carriage pivotably carried by the trolley allowing the passenger carriage to pivot to maintain a generally upright orientation as the free fall tower transitions from the loading position to the free fall position.
US08690693B2	Method for producing hollow body elements, hollow body element, component, follow-on composite tool for producing hollow body elements The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
US08690688B2	Double damping flywheel with double damping elements A double damping flywheel comprises primary and secondary coaxial members. The members are rotatable relative to one another and coupled by first and second damping elements arranged in series by a connecting web. The first damping element includes at least one curved elastic member running circumferentially between two first seatings. The second damping element includes at least two groups of elastic members, each including at least two straight elastic members arranged in series by an intermediate bearing element. Each of the groups of straight elastic members runs circumferentially between two second seatings. An annular member for phasing the straight elastic members, separate from the connecting web, carries the intermediate bearing element of each group. The difference between the maximum angular displacement between the primary member and the connecting web, and the maximum angular displacement between the secondary member and the connecting web, is less than 30°.
US08690674B2	Storage medium having game program stored thereon and game apparatus In a coordinate detection step, a series of coordinate values each of which indicates a position which is on a display screen and is inputted through a pointing device, are detected at intervals of a unit time. Further, an operation state determination step determines whether or not a player is controlling a first object with the pointing device. When the operation state determination step determines that the player is controlling the first object, the selection determination step determines whether or not an input track of the pointing device forms an enclosed area for enclosing a second object based on the series of coordinate values. When the enclosed area has been formed, the first object and the second object are caused to perform predetermined actions.
US08690672B2	Media reproduction device It is possible to generate a game element in accordance with the customization state of a media reproduction device, which exhibits a uniqueness of user. Provided is a media reproduction device which acquires related attribution information from stored media data, selects an object corresponding to the attribution information from a list, and generates the object during a game.
US08690668B2	Gaming system and method for adjusting the average expected payback associated with a play of a wagering game A gaming system and method which provides a player with a higher average expected payback for making a gaming system wager on a gaming system wagering event in addition to making a primary game wager on a primary game. If the player places the gaming system wager on the gaming system wagering event, the player obtains the chance to win a gaming system award in addition to the player's chance of winning an award based on the outcome of the primary game, wherein the gaming system award is based, at least in part, on the primary game outcome. By placing a gaming system wager on the gaming system wagering event, the overall average expected payback associated with the play of the game increases, without changing the average expected payback of the primary game.
US08690667B2	Clearing bets This disclosure provides a pari-mutuel wagering system that includes a first wagering facility communicably coupled with a network and operable to receive a bet on a wagering event hosted by a second wagering facility. The first wagering facility is further operable to transmit the bet to the second wagering facility via the network. The system further includes a clearinghouse communicably coupled with the network and operable to capture audit information associated with the bet from the network.
US08690661B2	Method and apparatus for gaming machines with a tournament play bonus feature A gaming method and device includes a game, at least one non-qualifying outcome in the game, and at least one qualifying outcome in the game, wherein a player qualifies for a multi-player tournament to be held in the future when the player achieves the at least one qualifying outcome.
US08690655B2	3D sports playbook This document generally describes techniques, methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a three-dimensional (“3D”) sports playbook. Such a playbook may permit someone like a football, basketball, or soccer coach to see a play executed in a classic X's and O's overhead two-dimensional (“2D”) view, and also in a 3D view.
US08690654B2	Game system, game control method, game device, and computer-readable storage medium To run a game in which a life object indicating the value of a life parameter shared by player characters is displayed on a display unit and the life parameter is reduced for an amount equivalent to a damage from which a player character suffers, when at least one of the player character is attacked within an attack invalidation period that starts when one of the player characters is attacked, the life parameter is reduced only for an amount equivalent to the damage that triggers the start of the attack invalidation period.
US08690643B2	Portable drill bit sharpener A hand held, portable drill bit sharpener is provided which may be powered by a standard commercially available electrical power tool. The power tool may be used to actuate the drill bit sharpener by arranging the drive shaft of the sharpener into the power tool chuck. This drive shaft is connected through a gear set to a biased rotating sharpening stone which is pressed against a drill bit tip. The drill bit may be held in the sharpener using a standard keyless drill bit chuck.
US08690639B2	Method of manufacturing eyeglass lens An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an eyeglass lens, which comprises a step of conducting polishing processing of a non-optical surface of a semifinished lens, one surface of which is an optical surface and the other surface of which is the non-optical surface, to create an optical surface. The semifinished lens comprises an acrylic coating on an optical surface of a lens substrate, a surface of the acrylic coating having a contact angle relative to water of equal to or less than 90°, prior to the polishing processing, a protective film is adhered through an adhesive layer of the film to the surface of the acrylic coating, and the polishing processing is conducted by polishing a non-optical surface of the lens substrate in a state where the protective film surface is secured in a block jig.
US08690638B2	Curved plastic object and systems and methods for deburring the same Curved plastic objects and systems and methods for deburring the same are disclosed. The curved plastic object can be the cap or grill of a headphone or earbud.
US08690631B2	Toy building block with embedded integrated circuit A toy building block of a type which may be interconnected with similarly configured blocks has a hollow box-shaped structure having a top with cylindrical stud coupling members, and sides which together with the top define a downwardly opening cavity into which the cylindrical studs of a like configured block may be inserted for frictional interconnection. One or more integrated circuit chips are embedded within the molding material of the block, and leads incorporated within the block studs and sides provide electrical interconnection between blocks when like configured blocks are brought into frictional interengagement. In a described embodiment, components of a digital video recording system are apportioned to different blocks which when interconnected provide the complete system functionality.
US08690625B2	Outboard motor and watercraft including the same An outboard motor includes a left bank and a right bank. An exhaust port in each of the left bank and the right bank is arranged outward relative to a cylinder axis line in an outer motor width direction. A left exhaust pipe is arranged outward relative to a crankcase and the left bank in the outer motor width direction. A right exhaust pipe is arranged outward relative to the crankcase and the right bank in the outer motor width direction. A catalyst is located in each of the left and right exhaust pipes.
US08690618B2	Marine vessel propulsion apparatus A marine vessel propulsion apparatus includes an outboard motor, a transom bracket, a steering shaft, a first mount, a second mount, a tilt bracket, a tilt mechanism, and a steering mechanism. The tilt bracket is attached to a transom via the transom bracket and the steering shaft. The outboard motor is joined to the tilt bracket. The tilt bracket includes a first joint portion joined to the outboard motor via a first mount, a second joint portion joined to the outboard motor via a second mount, and a support portion arranged to support the outboard motor at a height different from heights of the first mount and the second mount.
US08690611B2	ECG electrode connector Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire, provides enhanced ergonomics to the clinician, and may alleviate patient discomfort associated with the attachment and removal of ECG leads. The connector may be engaged and disengaged with little or no force imparted to the patient or the ECG pad, which significantly minimizes the risk of inadvertent dislodgement of the pad. In one embodiment the disclosed connector provides a thumb cam lever which affirmatively engages the press stud to the connector, and provides tactile feedback to the clinician that the connector is properly engaged. In other embodiments, the connector provides a pushbutton to enable the clinician to easily engage and disengage the connector from the ECG stud. The disclosed connectors may also decrease clinician fatigue, and may provide more reliable ECG results.
US08690578B1	Mobile computing weight, diet, nutrition, and exercise tracking system with enhanced feedback and data acquisition functionality An illustrative mobile computing device executing weight, nutrition, health, behavior and exercise application software serves as a simulated combination personal trainer and dietician/nutritionist for the user using comprehensive databases storing personalized health, nutrition and exercise information. A mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, executing such software monitors, tracks and/or adjusts caloric intake, energy expenditure taking into account nutritional information and behavioral factors. The mobile computing device receives food consumption, exercise-related, behavior and other input using speech input and the device's GPS subsystem to ease data entry burden on users and to promote continued long-term usage. The system rewards user goal achievement in an automatic, seamless manner, through, for example, downloading music, books, or other media. In illustrative implementations, the system assists users to make healthy food and exercise choices by using a comprehensive color code system to identify good choices, bad choices and those in between.
US08690568B2	Custom orthodontic appliance forming method and apparatus A system (10) and method by which an orthodontic appliance (25) is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient (12), preferably from a model (20) of the patient's mouth, to produce a three-dimensional digitized model (26) of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. Then a computer (30) calculates the post-treatment positions of the teeth and produces three-dimensional images of the teeth, individually and in their calculated positions. An interactive computer link between the doctor's office (11) and the appliance manufacturing facility (13) allows an orthodontist (14) to control the patient's archform and to modify the suggested computer-determined positions and orientations of the teeth in six degrees of freedom, and to experiment with new positions, extractions, over-corrections and other variations, with the computer recalculating the tooth positions with high precision for the approval of the orthodontist. The appliance is automatically designed according to the final design, which also can be interactively modified and approved by the orthodontist, with the computer recalculating the effects on the treatment as a result of the doctor's changes. Brackets (81) are fabricated as an integrated set, either by cutting slots therein or by building the brackets in layers by, for example, stereo lithography. Three-dimensional custom jigs (87) are automatically made to exactly position the brackets on a patient's teeth.
US08690543B2	Energy conversion apparatus An apparatus includes a device including a pair of electrodes and a channel producing an electro-osmotic flow or electrophoretic flow of a liquid by applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes, and an impedance connected to the pair of electrodes, wherein a voltage resulting from thermal noise is applied to the pair of electrodes by giving a temperature difference between the channel and the impedance, and thermal energy corresponding to the temperature difference is converted into a flow of the liquid, the flow of the liquid being mechanical energy.
US08690542B2	Method and arrangement for soft start up of a pump system A method and arrangement for soft start up of a pump system, that includes a pump for generating a liquid flow, an electrical drive disposed to actuate the pump, and a pressure sensor disposed to measure a liquid pressure at a flow output of the pump. The rate of change of rotation speed of the pump during a start up phase is dependent on a rate of change of measured liquid pressure, wherein the rate of change of the rotation speed is a descending function of the rate of change of the measured liquid pressure.
US08690505B2	Fastener arrangements A fastener arrangement for fastening two or more articles together, the two or more articles having a first length, the fastener arrangement including: a fastener including an elongate clamping member for being received in an aperture of the two or more articles, the elongate clamping member being moveable between a contracted configuration in which the elongate clamping member has a length which is less than the first length and a lengthened configuration in which the elongate clamping member has a length which is greater than the first length, the elongate clamping member being resiliently biased towards the contracted configuration; and an actuator for moving the elongate clamping member, while in the aperture of the two or more articles, from the contracted configuration towards the lengthened configuration to enable the elongate clamping member to protrude through the aperture and to engage the articles in a clamping manner.
US08690492B2	Ball end mill In the tip section of an end mill body, a plurality of end cutting edges are formed. In the outer peripheral section of the end mill body, a plurality of peripheral cutting edges are formed. Some of the plurality of end cutting edges are long end cutting edges. The angle which is formed by the straight line that connects the axis to a peripheral cutting edge continuous with a long end cutting edge and by the straight line that connects the axis to a peripheral cutting edge continuous with the end cutting edge positioned in forward of the long end cutting edge in the end mill rotation direction, is larger than the angle which is formed by the tangent lines at the inner ends of the long end cutting edge and the end cutting edge positioned in forward of the long end cutting edge in the end mill rotation direction.
US08690491B2	Rotary cutting tool A rotary cutting tool has a main body with one or more segments exchangeably fastened to its circumference or internally thereof. The main body and the segment have fitting elements with mutually contacting faces. The exchangeable fastening is effected by a clamping piece, which is dovetailed on two sides and is additionally configured with a taper that wedges in the axial direction. The first dovetail-shaped part of the clamping piece engages in a corresponding recess of the main body and the second dovetail-shaped part of the clamping piece engages in a corresponding recess of the segment.
US08690488B2	Air distribution for an air seeder An air distribution apparatus has a manifold body, and ports defined through walls thereof, with a delivery conduit connected to each port. A port valve is configured to connect and disconnect the delivery conduit to the interior of the manifold body. A supply conduit delivers a product air stream with agricultural products entrained therein to the interior of the manifold body. The supply conduit extends vertically up from the manifold to a curved elbow and then extends horizontally from the elbow. An exhaust orifice is defined in the inner radius of the elbow. When an exhaust valve is open, a selected flow of pressurized air flows from the supply conduit through the exhaust orifice. The port valve and exhaust valve are controlled such that when the port valve closes, the exhaust valve opens. The exhaust air can be directed into the delivery conduits to clear product therefrom.
US08690480B2	Freestanding hybrid riser system A freestanding hybrid riser system (FHRS) and a method of installation which makes it possible to use vessels that are more available on the world market. The invention relates to a top riser assembly (TRA) having multiple, offset connection points such that a first bending moment is applied to the TRA by a buoyant unit, and an opposing bending moment is applied to the TRA by a flexible jumper.
US08690467B2	Dispenser An oval dispenser for stick material suitable for being filled through its base comprises a skeletal platform having a threaded hub, a rim wall, a circular wall intermediate between the hub and the rim defining a filling zone and linked to the hub by at least two spokes and to the rim by at least two spokes, which latter spokes intersect at least one wall and preferably two walls spanning the rim and intermediate between the filling zone and the rim.
US08690465B2	Capless cosmetic applicator A cosmetic applicator for a cosmetic agent includes a capless housing; a seal for sealing the housing from an exterior; a seal opener for opening the seal to prevent damage to the cosmetic agent; and a control for manipulating the seal opener to open the seal and advancing the cosmetic agent is advanced from a stored position to an advanced position beyond the seal.
US08690458B2	Optical connector An optical connector mainly includes a base and a mount. The base has a first slot. The base has a receiving space for arranging the optical component. The mount has an adapting end inserted into the first slot. A connecting port is formed on the adapting end. The base is connected with an external wire through the connecting port. The adapting end has an opening corresponding to the position of a tunnel of the base. Thus, when the external wire is inserted into the connecting port, the optical component can receive an optical signal from the external wire through the tunnel of the base and the opening on the mount.
US08690451B2	Cage for a rolling bearing, comprising guiding means A cage for a rolling bearing which has pocket-shaped recesses for receiving rolling bodies and at least one guiding means for guiding the cage. The at least one guiding means is detachably connected to the cage. Thus, by design, the structure designed for the guiding of the cage is simple, economical and flexible, and suitable for all kinds of different cage shapes and dimensions.
US08690450B2	Machine component and super-finishing method therefor A surface shape of a machining surface of a rotating elastic grindstone is rendered to be a shape appropriate to a to-be-machined surface of a work. With the work being rotated, the rotating elastic grindstone is held in engagement to an end of the to-be-machined surface of the work. The elastic grindstone is moved along a machining trajectory effective to allow the machining surface of the elastic grindstone, which is so formed as to suit to the to-be-machined surface, to follow the to-be-machined surface of the work. The to-be-machined surface of the work so superfinished represents a smooth surface free from any machining trace such as a crossing-angle pattern.
US08690445B2	Rolling bearing arrangement A rolling bearing arrangement, which has at least one angular contact rolling bearing arranged within a housing and at least one lash compensation element that is supported axially in one direction on the housing and is capable of being biased against a bearing ring of the angular contact rolling bearing with the bearing ring being axially movable relative to the housing, and a U-shaped ring which has two radially opposing legs directed in an axial direction. The U-shaped ring rendering the lash compensation element radially immovable by positive engagement while being guided on the bearing ring of the angular contact rolling bearing for axial displacement relative to the bearing ring, and the axial section of the bearing ring projecting axially between the legs of the ring profile.
US08690438B2	Sliding bearing having self-lubricating liner The sliding bearing has a metallic outer ring and a self-lubricating liner formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring. The self-lubricating liner has a self-lubricating resin composition consisting of a mixture of 60 to 80% by weight of polyetherketone-based resin, 10 to 30% by weight of polytetrafluoroethylene, 5 to 15% by weight of carbon fiber and not more than 15% by weight of aramid fiber, total amount of the carbon fiber and the aramid fiber being 10 to 25% by weight. The inner circumferential surface of the outer ring has a surface roughness in terms of center line average roughness not less than Ra 4.0 μm and a surface roughness in terms of maximum height not less than Rmax 30.0 μm; and the outer ring and the self-lubricating liner are unified. A method of producing the bearing is also provided.
US08690431B2	Packaging with lines of weakness The present invention provides a package (10) comprising an outer film layer (32) and at least one inner film layer (34,36), the inner and outer film layers being mutually laminated. The package also comprises a pair of mutually spaced lines of weakness (20) in at least the outer film layer, and means (22) for initiating tearing of the film layers. The lines of weakness and tear initiation means are disposed such that activation of the tear initiation means causes controlled tearing of all the film layers along the lines of weakness. The package is particularly suitable for block products such as chocolate bars.
US08690425B2	Retrofit of a mobile cart Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a digital dual mode mobile x-ray cart from an analog or single mode (e.g., film/CR) mobile x-ray cart. In some exemplary embodiments, a retrofit apparatus does not change interior components or certification of the single mode mobile x-ray imaging system. Further, a single operator switch can be used to initiate x-ray exposure in both operating modes.
US08690422B2	Method for measuring temperature of motor for hybrid electric vehicle The present invention provides a method for measuring the temperature of a motor for a hybrid electric vehicle. In preferred embodiments, the method of the present invention can preferably ensure the stability and reliability of motor control by extending the linearity of a temperature sensor attached to the motor within a required measurement range. The present invention preferably provides a method for measuring the temperature of a motor for a hybrid electric vehicle, in which a required measurement range of motor temperature is divided into high and low temperature ranges and a hardware gain circuit is divided into first and second gain blocks such that the first gain block measures the temperature of the high temperature range and the second gain block measures the temperature of the low temperature range.
US08690420B2	Mechanical watch movement Mechanical watch movement comprising a mechanical chronograph with a regulator organ for regulating the running of the chronograph, characterized in that the regulator organ of the chronograph is placed in an imaginary circle (A) coaxial to the movement and having a radius (r1) smaller than 50% of the maximum outer radius of the movement.
US08690415B2	Optical display element composed of selectively illuminable concentric rings An optical display element (10) made up of selectively illuminatable concentric rings (14) is provided, in which the rings (14) are obtained by the light exit surface (20) of a respective optical waveguide body (18). Each optical waveguide body (18) has a light entry surface (22) which couples light in from an associated light source (24) which is adapted to be selectively activated. The light entry surface (22), as related to the common axis (12), has a larger radial extent than the light exit surface (20). Further, the optical waveguide bodies (18) have directly radially adjacent light-blocking side surfaces (30). Owing to this configuration, it is solely the optical waveguide bodies (18) which determine the geometry of the concentric rings (14). Since the optical waveguide bodies (18) can be manufactured with high precision, the intended close tolerances are obtained. In this way, radial distances between the rings (14) of only approximately 0.2 mm or less can be achieved.
US08690409B2	Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same A backlight assembly includes a light guiding plate and a plurality of first light sources. The light guiding plate includes a light exiting surface through which light can exit, a light guiding surface positioned opposite to the light exiting surface, and a first surface extending between the light guiding surface and the light exiting surface and inclined with respect to the light guiding surface by a first angle. The first angle is an acute angle. The first light sources can generate light, and are disposed under the light guiding plate. These first light sources are disposed adjacent to a first edge connecting the first surface with the light guiding surface.
US08690407B2	Illumination unit and display apparatus using the same An illumination unit includes an LED and a tabular light guide plate having a light emitting surface for emitting light from the LED as planar light, wherein a recessed portion is formed in the opposite surface of the tight emitting surface of the light guide plate, and wherein the LED is provided in the recessed portion so that the optical axis of the LED becomes parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. Further, a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longer direction of the recessed portion, a dimming pattern is provided at a location corresponding to each of a plurality of LED of the light emitting surface of the light guide plate, and the shape or the size of the dimming pattern is varied with a location on the light emitting surface of the light guide plate.
US08690401B2	Lighting or signaling device with a moveable daytime element A lighting and/or signalling device arranged so as to provide at least a first photometric function and a second photometric function, wherein the device comprises at least one moveable element on which at least the first photometric function is installed and the movement of which is subject to the operation of the second photometric function.
US08690399B2	Luminaire having a pivotable LED In a luminaire, comprising a light source (2) having at least one LED and a heat sink (4) for cooling the LED, the light source (2) is arranged pivotably with respect to the heat sink (4), wherein three lever arms (6, 8, 10) that act on the light source (2) are provided and the luminaire is designed such that the light source (2) is pressed against the heat sink (4) by the three lever arms (6, 8, 10). Moreover, a spring element (12), which acts on a first (6) of the three lever arms (6, 8, 10), and an adjusting means (14) for adjusting a second (8) of the three lever arms (6, 8, 10) are provided.
US08690395B2	Efficient light emitting device and method for manufacturing such a device The invention relates to a light emitting device (2) comprising a primary light source (10), a light converting medium (14) and an optical structure (16). The primary light source is disposed on a substrate (11). The light converting medium comprising phosphors (14) is arranged for converting at least a part of the primary light to secondary light (II) of a different wavelength. The light converting medium is in a remote phosphor configuration. The optical structure is arranged for receiving a part of the secondary light (II) from the light converting medium and is configured for redirecting the part of the secondary light in a direction towards the first plane but away for the primary light source (10). By providing an optical structure redirecting the secondary light away from the primary light source, absorption of the secondary light by the primary light source can be substantially reduced or eliminated. The luminous efficacy is improved by redirecting this secondary light in a direction such that it is transmitted from the light emitting device.
US08690394B2	Illuminating device for reducing unevenness in illuminance on an irradiation target face An illuminating device that can reduce illuminance unevenness of an irradiation target face with a simple construction is provided. In a pseudo sunlight illuminating device 1 having a lamp 22 for illuminating an irradiation target face 10A, a transmission light amount adjusting unit 60 for adjusting a transmission light amount so that the illuminance distribution on the irradiation target face 10a is made uniform is provided between the lamp 22 and the irradiation target face 10A, and the transmission light amount adjusting unit 60 is provided with a light transmission plate laminate member 64 which is constructed by stacking light transmission plates 65 which are constant in transmittance in a wavelength range of light to be transmitted and whose number corresponds to an adjustment amount of the transmission light amount so that incident light is reflected at each boundary of the front and back surfaces of each light transmission plate 65.
US08690388B2	Light emitting diode cup light A light emitting diode (LED) cup light includes a base, a substrate, a LED light source and a fixing structure. The base includes a frame and a carrying member. The frame is surroundingly coupled to a periphery of the carrying member. The carrying member has a through hole. The substrate is disposed on the carrying member of the base. The LED light source is disposed on the substrate. The fixing structure presses on substrate and is engaged with a bottom surface of the carrying member of the base through the through hole.
US08690387B2	Lamp module and desk lamp using the same A lamp module is provided. The lamp module includes a main body and a plurality of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the main body. Each light emitting diode emits a light to a illuminated region and form a corresponding light region. The light regions formed on the illuminated region by the light emitted by adjacent light emitting diodes are at least partially overlapped.
US08690372B2	Backlight unit and display apparatus having the same An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a backlight unit having a plurality of light-emitting blocks and a light source driving section. The plurality of light-emitting blocks is arranged in a matrix shape along first and second directions different from each other. Each of the light-emitting blocks includes a light source unit having at least one light-emitting chip to emit light, and a light guiding unit to guide the light. The light source driving section controls the light source unit of the light-emitting blocks to drive the light source unit.
US08690367B2	Door mirror A mirror housing of an electric door mirror is provided with a partition wall for partitioning a mirror accommodating space and a harness accommodating space. The partition wall is provided with an opening portion for exposing a terminal portion of a mirror surface angle adjusting unit to the harness accommodating space. A peripheral edge portion of the opening portion is provided with a claw portion elastically deformed when a connector portion is pushed to the terminal portion and elastically recovered to be opposed to a back face of the connector portion to thereby prevent detachment of the connector portion after connecting the connector portion to the terminal portion. Further, a peripheral edge portion of the opening portion is provided with a guide portion for restricting a movement of the connector portion against an elastic force of the claw portion.
US08690366B2	Vehicle outside mirror device A vehicle outside mirror device according to the present invention is provided with a base 2, a shaft 3, a spring 10, a mirror assembly 4, and a washer 6. An annular line contact portion 50 is provided on an abutment face 35 of the washer 6 that abuts against an abutment face 33 of a mount portion 12 of the mirror assembly 4. As a result, the vehicle outside mirror device according to the present invention can prevent generation of abnormal noise further reliably and a further long period of time by means of the annular line contact portion 50. In addition, an abutment plane 301 of a rotation stop portion is provided at a shaft 3. A linear edge 601 of the rotation stop portion is provided at the washer 6. As a result, according to the vehicle outside mirror device of the present invention, the linear edge 601 of the rotation stop portion of the washer 6 is abutted against the abutment plane 301 of the rotation stop portion of the shaft 3, whereby the washer 6 is fixed to the shaft 3 and then generation of abnormal noise can be prevented further reliably and over a further long period.
US08690362B2	Method of controlling the lighting of a room in accordance with an image projected onto a projection surface The invention describes a method of controlling a lighting of a room (1) in accordance with a still or moving image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s), which method comprises optically measuring a number of characteristic features (f) of the projected image and adjusting the room lighting of the room on the basis of the measured characteristic features (f). Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for controlling the lighting of a room (1) in accordance with an image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s), to a control device (9) for use in such a system, and to a projection screen device (3) for use in such a system. Moreover, the invention relates to a room lighting system (1) for lighting of a room in accordance with an image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s).
US08690359B1	Window well projection system A system for basement window wells that enables internal occupants a view of the surrounding outdoor landscape is herein described, comprising a periscope-type mechanism comprising a pair of mirrors which mount within a window well area. An upper portion of the system comprises a mirror which reflects light and scenery downward. A bottom portion of the system comprises a second minor which projects said light and scenery through a below-grade window portion of a building. A protective transparent plastic cover maintains a watertight construction.
US08690356B2	Video display device and light guide module with a light shielding plate having a plurality of openings A video display device includes a light guide unit for guiding outgoing light from a light source unit to a pixel area of a display device. The light guide unit includes a rod integrator having an input opening through which the outgoing light from the light source unit enters and an output opening provided on a side opposite to the input opening, and a light shielding plate provided between the input opening of the rod integrator and the light source unit. The light shielding plate has a plurality of types of openings for passing the outgoing light from the light source unit to the rod integrator. The light shielding plate is arranged in a state where one of the plurality of types of openings, which has a shape similar to that of the input opening of the rod integrator which is actually mounted, is aligned with the input opening.
US08690348B2	System for adjusting image of beam projector using camera attached remote controller and method thereof Provided is a system for adjusting an image of a beam projector using a camera attached remote controller and a method thereof. The system for adjusting images of a beam projector according to the present invention includes: a remote controller photographing test images projected on a screen and detecting pattern images from the photographed test images and generating control information including at least one parameter necessary to adjust the images through the detected pattern images; and a beam projector receiving the control information for adjusting images from the remote controller and adjusting the input image by using parameters included in the received control information and outputting them to the screen. Therefore, the present invention adjusts colors and geometrical shapes of images at a user's viewpoint, thereby making it possible to improve the satisfaction of user and implement the system in various forms.
US08690347B2	Cooling device and projection device comprising the same A cooling device and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The projection device comprises a lamp and a cooling device. The lamp has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and one of the two sides is the upper side of the lamp. The cooling device comprises a first blower and a second blower. The first blower is adapted to generate a first airflow towards the first side, while the second blower is adapted to generate a second airflow towards the second side.
US08690344B2	Illumination system and projection device having a wheel plate including a wave band transforming area and a reflecting area An illumination system and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The projection device further comprises an imaging system. The illumination system comprises a first light source, a dichroic element and a wheel plate. The dichroic element comprises a first dichroic portion and a second dichroic portion. The first light source provides a first wave band light, which is reflected to the wheel plate by the first dichroic portion. When being projected onto a wave band transforming area of the wheel plate, the first wave band light will be transformed into a second wave band light by the wave band transforming area and then emits through the first dichroic portion and the second dichroic portion. When being projected onto a reflecting area of the wheel plate, the first wave band light will be reflected by the reflecting area to emit through the second dichroic portion.
US08690337B2	Device and method for displaying an image on a VUI screen and also a main projection screen A projector producing an imaginary input plane with high operability is provided. A projector according to an embodiment projects a VUI screen picture onto a desk, and projects a main projection screen picture to a wall. The projector includes a light receiving element. The light receiving element is arranged in a position where light emitted toward the desk (VUI screen picture) and reflected (or scattered) by an object near the desk enters. The projector calculates a position of the object based on light sensing timing by the light receiving element and light scan positions at various points in time. The projector changes a projected screen picture when it determines that object is simultaneously in contact with a plurality of portions of the VUI screen picture and at least one of contact positions moves.
US08690328B1	Methods and devices for ophthalmic optical tomographic image display Embodiments of the present disclosure includes optical tomographic methods and systems for acquiring information based on an image precisely in a short time. In one example, an optical tomographic imaging device may irradiate light on an eye which is the object to be measured via an interferometer 13 using a wavelength scanning-type laser light source 11, and acquire a cross-sectional image. The optical tomographic imaging device may include an object lens 23 at the focus position of the two-axis tilt mirror 22. It may deflect light in the x-axis and y-axis direction using the two-axis tilt mirror 22 and obtain a three-dimensional cross-sectional image without having distortion in the optical axis direction.
US08690327B2	Image capture device for fundus and imaging method This invention discloses an image capture device for fundus and an imaging method thereof. The image capture device includes a lighting module, a splitter, a monochrome image sensor and an image synthesis module. The lighting module emits plurality beams of monochromatic light. The splitter is disposed on a light path of the lighting module. The splitter reflects the plurality beams of the monochromatic light to a fundus of an examinee and forms a plurality of reflecting light respectively through reflection of the fundus. The monochrome image sensor receives the plurality beams of the reflecting light and produces a monochromatic image corresponding to each beam of the monochromatic light. The image synthesis module receives each of the monochromatic images and synthesizes each monochromatic image into a color image. By such arrangements, the invention provides good quality fundus imaging and reduces costs.
US08690307B2	Ink jet ink, ink cartridge, and ink jet recording method An ink jet ink contains a polyurethane polymer and a pigment. The polyurethane polymer has units derived from a polyisocyanate, a polyether polyol having no acid group, and a diol having an acid group. The pigment is dispersed using a polymer other than the polyurethane polymer. The molar ratio of the percentage of the urethane bond in the polyurethane polymer to the percentage of the urea bond in the polyurethane polymer is 85.0/15.0 or more and 100.0/0 or less.
US08690306B2	Ink composition and image forming method An ink composition including: (Component A) a polymerizable compound represented by following Formula (1); (Component B) a monofunctional polymerizable compound having a (meth)acrylamide structure; (Component C) a photopolymerization initiator; (Component D) a colorant; and (Component E) water, wherein in Formula (1), Z represents a polyol residue formed by removing n hydrogen atoms from hydroxyl groups of a trihydric to hexahydric polyol, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and n represents an integer of from 3 to 6.
US08690302B2	Bubble removal for ink jet printing Approaches to remove bubbles from ink in an ink jet printer are described. Bubble removal may be implemented using one or more separator elements configured to separate bubbles of a vapor from ink. Each separator element includes wicking features having dimensions sufficient to allow capillary movement of the ink in the wicking features and to substantially exclude the bubbles from the wicking features. One or more inlets allow passage of the ink that includes the bubbles into the separator element. At least one vapor outlet allows vapor that has been separated from the ink to exit from the separator element. The ink exits from the separator element thought one or more ink outlets.
US08690288B2	Methods for in situ applications of low surface energy materials to printer components In an inkjet printer, a low surface energy material is applied to a printhead face and a drip bib during a printhead maintenance operation. The low surface energy material forms a thin layer on the printhead face and drip bib to resist adhesion of ink to the printhead. The low surface energy material can be a layer of silicone oil.
US08690274B2	Household appliance including glass interior walls A household appliance having a housing defining an interior space. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may include a plurality of internal walls, wherein at least one of the plurality of internal walls is made of a glass material. Further, the interior space may be under a refrigeration condition.
US08690272B2	Home appliance with support leg cover A home appliance supported for floor-standing operation, the home appliance including an appliance body, a support member mounted to the appliance body for supporting the appliance on a support surface, a plurality of projections attached to the appliance body adjacent the support member, a first wall member attached to the plurality of projections and extending downwardly from the appliance body and a second wall member attached to the first wall member with the second wall member being movable relative to first wall member, with the wall members covering a side portion of the support member.
US08690268B2	Laundry treating apparatus A laundry treating apparatus is provided which can be manufactured easily. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet configured to hold laundry therein, a front cover including a door opening to load the laundry in the drum, and at least one panel opening configured to receive a control panel therein.
US08690257B2	Anti-rotation arrow retainer and clip An attachment device for securing a trim cover to foam pad. The attachment device includes an elongated attachment component coupled to the trim cover and a base component disposed within the foam pad. The attachment component includes an outwardly protruding barb and a key pad at a distal end thereof. The base component includes a retaining element having a pair of spaced apart fingers defining a gap there between and a keyway at the bottom of the retaining element between the fingers that is adapted for receiving the key. The key of the attachment component is disposed in the keyway of the retaining element and one of the fingers interacts with the barb to prevent removal of the attachment component from the base component.
US08690256B2	Seat cushion with foamed-in fastening element A seat cushion having a plurality of foamed-in fastening elements in particular for utilization in vehicle seats. The fastening element has a plate-shaped retainer element foamed into the foam body of the seat cushion, and wherein the fastening element has at least one counter-retainer that is not covered by the foam body of the seat cushion, and wherein a stitching wire fastened at the cushion cover can be connected to the counter-retainer in a load-transmitting manner, wherein the counter-retainer is implemented in the type of a fastening web, the two ends thereof being connected to the plate-shaped retainer element.
US08690251B2	Easy-entry seat-back release system for vehicle seat A seatback-motion controller in accordance with the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle seat in a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back mounted for pivotable movement relative to the seat base between an upright use position and a forward-leaning easy-entry position.
US08690249B2	Chair having an adjustable backrest for spinal protection The present invention relates to a chair having an adjustable backrest for spinal protection in that an inside of a backrest structure is provided with an auxiliary backrest for protecting a lumbar vertebrae, and a rack and pinion structure is employed in the backrest and the auxiliary backrest in such a manner that the backrest slides vertically and the auxiliary backrest also slides vertically by the same ratio such that the backrest and the auxiliary backrest can be adjusted appropriately and used flexibly to match the sitting height of the person sitting on the seat, thereby making it possible to provide effective protection to the spinal joints of the waist, back and neck of the user.
US08690246B2	Reclining seat A reclining seat comprising a seat base (10) and a backrest (11), wherein the seat base is mounted on a support structure moveable along at least one guide path (16, 17) whereby the seat base is moveable between upright and reclined use or seating positions and a retracted state, control means being provided for controlling movement of the seat base along said at least one guide path, preferably with infinite adjustment, between said upright and reclined seating positions.
US08690242B1	Back support The present device includes a sacral support for a person sitting in a chair with a seat back. The sacral support includes a rigid base having a bottom surface, a peripheral edge, and a top surface. The top surface includes a plurality of pegs projecting upwardly away therefrom. An elastomeric cushion includes a bottom surface, a peripheral edge, and a convex top surface. The bottom surface of the cushion includes a plurality of apertures adapted to receive the pegs therein. With the cushion engaged with the base at the pegs and apertures thereof, the sacral support may be positioned against the seat back of the chair to produce pressure against the person's sacrum when seated. The sacral support includes a plurality of elastomeric cushions, each cushion having a unique height to be selected as desired by the person. Further, the device includes a mount to be used with backless chairs.
US08690224B2	Pick-up truck box cover A cover assembly for a pick-up truck cargo box includes first and second rails attachable at the sides of the box. A cover has a first resilient hinge strip connecting a first panel to a second panel and allowing the first panel to pivot relative to the second panel. A third panel is attached to the second panel by a second resilient hinge strip, which allows the second panel to pivot relative to the third panel. The panels are supported on the rails. Latches on the panels hold the panels onto the rails. The cover may be opened by sequentially releasing the latches and folding the panels over onto each other.
US08690216B2	Vehicle security partition The vehicle security partition has a barrier that separates the interior compartment of an automotive vehicle into front and rear seating areas in order to inhibit contact between front seating area occupants and rear seating area occupants. A bi-directional recessed housing is part of the barrier which is supported by a frame and provides legroom for the rear seating area occupant while allowing for full rearward adjustment of the driver's seat. The bi-directional recessed housing also includes a recessed area for storing articles in the front seating area.
US08690212B2	Robot hand Embodiments are directed to a robot hand including a frame, a link member moving relative to the frame, a joint unit provided between the frame and the link member, a drive unit supplying power to the joint unit so as to rotate the link member, and a backlash removal unit supplying constant torque to the joint unit, even if a relative position of the link member to the frame is changed as the link member is rotated.
US08690210B1	Computer case shell with handgrip A shell case for use with a pad style computer can have a rotating disc at its bottom. This disc can have a strap which connects to a user's hand to allow the user to rotate and/or hold the computer at a desired position with one hand, thereby allowing the other hand to do other things, such as type on the keypad. Meanwhile the holding hand does not quickly tire out as it is not typically grasping the computer as would often occur without the use of a case.
US08690202B2	Control mechanism A control mechanism has a means for lifting, a lifting cable, and a lifting cable housing. The means for lifting has a control post, and a lift handle attached to a lift body frame about a lift pivot. The lift body frame extends longitudinally perpendicular from the control post. A hydraulic strut extends between an upper lift pivot and a lower lift pivot. A slide rail extends from a roller housing through the slide rail housing. A roller rests between a roller pin and a set pin within the roller housing. A plurality of spacing sliders straddle the slide rail. Removal of one or more of the spacing sliders allows the roller housing and the slide rail to move towards the lift housing member, thereby allowing rotation of the lift body frame and compression of the hydraulic strut.
US08690195B2	Flexible element with integral outer shield and/or inner liner A flexible bellows used in a pipe coupling includes composite convolutions having integral extensions forming one or both of an outer shield or inner liner to enhance performance of the coupling. Embodiments incorporate dampers, hangers and convolution modifications. Various embodiments are disclosed.
US08690183B2	Disposable shopping cart A shopping cart composed of biodegradable elements to allow for reusability and easy disposability. The frame of the cart is comprised of interconnected elements to create a sturdy and durable structure. The basket forms in the interior of the frame and is also composed of biodegradable material. The wheels are connected to the frame through a wheel bolt, and both the wheel and wheel bolt are also composed of biodegradable material.
US08690180B1	Towing adapter A towing adapter can be used during towing of an airplane. The adapter is made of rigid steel with a rubber under-coating and includes two Velcro straps. The device is strapped to two folding struts that are folded down from the wheel assembly of the aircraft. It has a specific angle that keeps the struts at a certain angle with respect to each other, so that struts are accessible to users and is prevented from falling down and injuring someone or causing damage. The device can be easily removed when the towing is finished, and the struts are folded back up onto the plane.
US08690177B2	Front wheel suspension for a motor vehicle A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a carrier coupled to a portion of the vehicle, and a wheel bearing element mounted on the carrier so as to be rotatable about an axis, wherein a first portion of the carrier is rotatably coupled to the portion of the vehicle by a single link.
US08690174B2	Geared motor for an active roll stabilizer A slewing motor for an active roll stabilizer, which can be connected by its drive to one stabilizer half, and which can be connected on the stator side to another stabilizer half of a divided stabilizer. A torsion element, whose rotational rigidity is lower than the rotational rigidity of the stabilizer, is effectively arranged between the drive and the one stabilizer half.
US08690170B2	Body reinforcement and method of manufacturing thereof A reinforced composite material utility cart comprising a body including two side portions interconnecting an upper portion and a bottom portion adapted to secure ground contacting members thereto is provided, at least one of the portions including composite material and a reinforcement therein adapted to distribute a concentrated stress applied on the body to the composite material to prevent or reduce damages to the composite material. A method of manufacturing a reinforced composite panel adapted to be used in the construction of a utility cart adapted to be stowed in a bay of a galley of an airplane and locked in place with a lock disposed next to the bay in a position suitable to retain the utility cart in the bay by interfering with a reinforced edge of the utility cart is also provided.
US08690167B1	Wheeled transport system A wheeled transport system for towing an at least one object comprises, in at least one embodiment, a wheel assembly. The wheel assembly comprises an axle, sized and configured for supporting a rear end of the object, and a pair of wheels rotatably engagable with opposing ends of the axle. A frame is integral with the axle and is sized and configured for slidably receiving therethrough the rear end of the object. An at least one retaining strap is configured for selectively engaging and maintaining the rear end of the object in position between the axle and the frame. A pair of storage axles is integral with the axle, with each being configured for selectively receiving one of the wheels in rotatable engagement therewith. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the wheel assembly is capable of being selectively arranged into one of a deployed state and a stored state.
US08690163B2	Gasket stop A gasket stop and gasket housing apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a gasket stop comprising: a body having: a first surface; and a second surface spaced from and substantially parallel to the first surface; an opening extending from the first surface to the second surface; at least one pillar extending at an acute angle from the first surface; and at least one retaining device having: an upright portion with at least one face; and a projecting portion extending outwardly from the body beyond the at least one face of the upright portion, whereby the at least one pillar and the at least one retaining device pass through a slot in a member such that the projecting portion secures the gasket stop against the member.
US08690162B2	Metal coil propeller shaft seal for watercrafts including deep dive vessels A propeller shaft seal for sealing a propeller shaft in a stern tube, comprising a bi-direction rotational sealing body being fitted within the stern tube and wrapped around the propeller shaft in its axial direction; wherein the bi-direction rotational sealing body comprising two metallic helical coils stacking together in a way that is mirroring each other; wherein the first and second metallic helical coils being constructed from helically coiled metal tapes of varying widths linked together and coiled into rings and with the rings tightly bounded; and wherein at any one time during operation, a rotational direction of the propeller shaft is same as coiling direction of one of the two metallic helical coils but opposite to that of the other of the two metallic helical coils.
US08690152B2	Sheet conveyor, image forming apparatus and image scanning apparatus When a sheet is transported as passed through a first roller pair equipped with a torque limiter and through a second roller pair, a loop formed in the sheet between the first roller pair and the second roller pair is cleared by a method wherein the amount of sheet loop is decreased by driving the second roller pair and disabling the first roller pair and wherein at the time when the sheet loop is decreased to a predetermined amount, a velocity of clearing the loop is lowered by rotating the first roller pair at a lower peripheral velocity than that of the second roller pair.
US08690134B1	Equipment support rack assembly An equipment support rack assembly for holding equipment during the maintenance thereof includes a base with a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall. The perimeter has an aperture to access an interior of the base. A rod is attached to the base and receives a spool of cutting line. A plurality of legs each has a top end and a bottom end. Each of the legs extends upwardly from the upper surface. A platform has a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side is attached to the top ends of each of the legs. The top side has an opening extending through the top and bottom sides. The opening is configured to receive a weed trimmer or to allow access to a bottom side of a lawn mower positioned on the top side.
US08690116B2	Base for a blender A base for a blender housing a motor and including controls for operation of the blender. The base includes an air intake, an air exhaust, and a baffle, wherein the air exhaust and baffle are formed as a part of the bottom of the blender base and act to reduce the sound emitted by the blender. The bottom of the blender base includes an internal cavity defined partially by a support flange where heated air is exhausted. The air is then forced to change directions before exiting through exhaust ports.
US08690105B2	Parachute A parachute can be opened automatically without requiring manual operation. In addition, the parachute is capable of staying balanced during the course of landing. The parachute comprises: a spherical canopy, an air guide member and four assistant canopies. The air guide member is a rotation symmetrical structure with respect to the central axis, each of the cylindrical members is also a rotation symmetrical structure with respect to the assistant central axis, and the assistant canopies are also symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis, so as to maintain the parachute in a stable and balanced state when the parachute is falling.
US08690098B2	Air ejector nozzle tube for an oil heat exchanger of an aircraft engine An ejector nozzle tube, having along its length an essentially constant, essentially oval hollow cross-section, with a leading edge nozzle, having a rounded exterior cross-section, being arranged at a flow leading-edge area of the ejector nozzle tube. The leading edge nozzle includes a plurality of grooves issuing to the top and bottom sides of the ejector nozzle tube and connecting to an interior of the ejector nozzle tube formed by the hollow profile. An aircraft engine has an optimized oil heat exchanger with at least one oil cooler disposed in a trailing-edge area of an aerofoil-type structure, with at least one flow entrance area being provided to supply ambient air to the oil cooler disposed in a flow duct. The ejector nozzle tube can be arranged downstream of the oil cooler in the flow duct.
US08690093B2	Blender blade A blender blade or blade for being mounted to an interior base of a blender container for rotation about a vertical axis is described. The blade includes at least two blade wings, such that it may include four blade wings. The blade includes a body, first transition section, second transition section, first blade wing and second blade wing. Body includes an aperture, wherein the body is located on a first horizontal plane. First and second transition sections extend at downward angles from opposite sides of the body. First blade wing extends outwardly from the first transition section, wherein the first blade wing is located on a second horizontal plane. Second blade wing extends outwardly from the second transition section, wherein the second blade wing is located on a third horizontal plane. The blade is a one-piece blade and can process approximately 6-48 ounces of working medium.
US08690090B2	Post consumer scrap film recycling system A system for processing a supply of post consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The system includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried in a dryer and compacted in a compactor without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product.
US08690089B1	Latch assembly for access door to rotating drum A drum rotation machine includes a working drum mounted for rotation within an enclosure. An access door provides access to the interior of the enclosure, and the access door is moveable between a closed position and an open position. A latch assembly is mounted on the enclosure and is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the latch assembly prevents the access door from moving from the closed position to the open position. In the unlocked position, the latch assembly allows the access door to be moved from the closed position to the open position, and engages an anti-rotation catch on the working drum to prevent rotation of the working drum.
US08690067B2	Smart card comprising an electronic module supported on a card body provided with a means for authenticating the peering of the module with the body A smart card has an electronic module and a card body carrying the module. The smart card includes a card body provided with a cavity and an electronic module having at least one portion presenting thickness that is less than the thickness of the card body. The electronic module is housed in the cavity and is secured to the card body. At least one through hole passes in succession through the portion of the module that presents a thickness that is less than the thickness of the card body, and through the card body.
US08690065B2	Secure storage of a codeword within an integrated circuit The invention discloses an integrated circuit (10) for securely storing a codeword. The value of the codeword is dependent on the mobility (μA, μB, μC) of at least one transistor (TRA, TRB, TRC) of the integrated circuit. The invention further discloses a reader means (15), a method for determining the value of the codeword from the integrated circuit (10), and a method for altering the value of the codeword.
US08690062B1	Storing events in an electronic calendar from a printed source Storing an event from a printed source in an electronic calendar can include a barcoded event ID on the printed source. A printed source can be any non-interactive visual display. The event ID can be in the form of a linear or matrix printed bar code and can include encoded information such as, but not limited to, event time and date, and event location. Optionally, the event ID can also include information such as an event contact name and contact information, as well as a possible event RSVP method and address. The event ID can be in lieu of human readable or commonly typed alphanumeric or special text information. In another embodiment, the event ID can be encrypted requiring an individual to have a decryption key to access the event information. An electronic calendaring application can generate and store an event in an electronic calendar from information encoded in the event ID barcode from a printed source. Additionally, the calendaring application can track the generated and stored event status and dynamically update event information.
US08690060B2	Electronic payment terminal A card reader payment terminal including an electronic circuit including at least one printed circuit board, to which are connected electronic components, including a microcontroller designed to control different peripherals, where the microcontroller is connected to an associated microprocessor, where the card reader payment terminal is configured to receive a smart card comprising the associated microprocessor, where the associated microprocessor comprises a connector compatible with the standardized connector of smart cards for connection with the microcontroller, where the microcontroller and the associated microprocessor operate in parallel for executing a task, and where the associated microprocessor is adapted to calculate a security operation.
US08690048B2	Reinforced container system A reinforced container system comprises a container having a bottom wall, a pair of opposite side walls, a pair of opposite end walls, and opposed pairs of diagonal corner panels interposed between adjacent side and end walls to form an interior space. The bottom wall includes two opposed glue panels each of which is foldably joined to respective longitudinal edges of the bottom wall and each of which attached to the respective side walls. A protective sleeve is configured to detachably attach to the container. The protective sleeve includes two side walls, two end walls and opposed pairs of diagonal corner walls interposed between adjacent side and end walls. The side walls, the end walls and the diagonal corner walls are joined to one another along four vertical hinges to whereby protect the container against tremendous forces and inertia caused by mixing or shaking machinery.
US08690046B2	Self-mating zipper on carton The present disclosure relates to rigid or semi-rigid cartons with zipper-type reclosable elements, particularly self-mating zippers. The cartons can be formed from blanks which have a self-mating zipper on the inside of the carton. Additionally, the zipper can be attached to a flexible film which is, in turn, attached to the package.
US08690035B2	Back strain alleviating fishing pole harness An apparatus wearable on a torso of a user to support and article such as a fishing rod is disclosed. The apparatus includes a primary panel defined by an external side and an internal side that has a contour substantially conforming to the torso. The primary panel is also defined by a central section interposed between a left peripheral section and a right peripheral section, with the central section including at least one open recess that is receptive to the article. The recess is defined by an outline on the primary panel and a depth that extends into the primary panel. The apparatus also includes at least one harness member that cooperates with the primary panel to secure the same to the torso and redirect horizontal forces against the primary panel to a vertical direction. The harness member is engageable to the shoulders of the user.
US08690034B2	Elastic suspension apparatus for beverages The Elastic Suspension Apparatus for Beverages is an elasticized drink holder for use in vehicles. The apparatus expands in width as well as depth to accommodate many sizes of drink containers including 44 oz. and 64 oz. The elasticity of the Elastic Suspension Apparatus for Beverages also allows the drink container to move with the motion of the vehicle, reducing spills and toppling.The ESAB has an uppermost suspense/mounting portion that would be mounted in the upper portion of the vehicle, a lowermost anchor/mounting portion that would be mounted in the lower portion of the vehicle, a main body portion to hold a drink container, and an object with a vacant center that can be adjusted to help stabilize a drink container within the main body portion.
US08690032B2	Holster A firearm holster system is described that includes a body configured to receive a firearm mounted with a firearm accessory. The holster includes an engagement member including two rail interfaces: one for detachably mounting the engagement member to the firearm, and another for detachably mounting a firearm accessory to the engagement member. The body of the holster is adapted to receive and detachably secure the engagement member. The holster can accommodate most standard firearms, and most firearm accessories. The holster includes a lockable lever to secure the engagement member to the body of the holster.
US08690023B2	Dispenser with liquid film blocking capability A dispenser includes a hollow containment body (2) able to be inserted in a bottle and including an orifice (5) for the suction of liquid from the bottle, a ring nut (21), able to be screwed onto the neck of the bottle, including an annular shoulder (22) covering and associated to an annular lip (2d) of the containment body. The dispenser further includes a piston (10) able to slide within the containment body between a raised position and a lowered position, a hollow stem (7) axially able to slide within the containment body, associated inferiorly to the piston and superiorly to a dispensing spout (8) to command the actuation of the piston and dispense fluid contained in the bottle. Also provided is a retaining ring (11) integral with the containment body and inserted therein to guide the stem in its travel within the containment body.
US08690022B2	Button-sliding-type opening/closing device for a cosmetic container The present invention relates to a button-sliding-type opening/closing device for a cosmetic container consisting of a vessel for storing cosmetics in a liquid or gel state, and a discharge pump coupled to a top inner portion of the vessel for discharging cosmetics by applying external pressure thereto, wherein the button-sliding-type opening/closing device comprises: a shoulder (20) coupled to the top portion of the vessel (10); a button body (30) inserted into the shoulder (20) and upwardly and downwardly movable; and a button (40) slidably coupled to a top surface of the button body (30), for opening and closing a cosmetic pumping hole (31) in the button body (30), as well as for preventing the button body (30) from being pressed and actuated.
US08690021B2	Container liner and a method of discharging a container liner The present invention concerns a container liner with an aerate system which reduces the specific bulk density of the powder material inside the liner and thereby improves the flowability of the product. This significantly reduces the unloading time and increases the safety in relation to the discharge process due to a lower response angle and thereby that the required tilting angle of the cargo container is reduced.
US08690017B2	Powder dispensing assembly for a waste container A powder dispenser for a waste disposal system includes a mounting portion that is adapted to be secured to a waste disposal unit, and a container defining an interior space in which a powder such as sodium bicarbonate may be stored. The container is releasably mounted to the underside of a hinged lid member of the waste disposal unit. A directional dispensing system is provided for dispensing powder from the container into a targeted portion of the waste disposal system. The directional dispensing system is constructed and arranged to concentrate initial dispersal of the powder to a single side of the container and includes a dispensing orifice. The dispensing orifice is preferably oriented to limit initial dispersal of the powder within a defined angular range with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid member, and is spaced axially and laterally with respect to the waste disposal unit at distances that facilitate distribution of the powder to desired targeted portions of the waste disposal unit. The container and waste disposal unit also define a venting path so that the powder within the container can also absorb odors within the waste disposal unit.
US08690011B2	Device for emptying a blood product bag Device for emptying a bag containing a frozen blood-derived product, including: a cutting device; an extractor for the product, a hopper for receiving the product, a device for transporting the bag from a receiving area to the plasma extractor, this transporting device including a robotic arm with a gripper which, in turn, includes: two catching arms, each defining at least a distal end and a proximal end, and an actuator, in which the actuator controls a mechanism for modifying the distance separating the distal ends of the gripper arms to catch the bag by its lower surface.
US08690007B2	Blow molded universal lid A lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions.
US08690001B1	Drain pan A drain pan for vehicle axle is adapted for being positioned to a circular margin of a hub. The drain pan includes a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom connecting the front wall and the rear wall therebetween, two lateral walls connecting the front wall and the rear wall therebetween, two cambered walls connecting the bottom and the lateral walls therebetween, and at least one magnetic member. The magnetic member is disposed on an outer surface of the one of the cambered walls. Each cambered wall and the magnetic member contact the circular margin of the hub for positioning the drain pan onto the circular margin by magnetic force. Thereby, the drain pan can be positioned quickly, and the drain pan is able to be utilized on hubs in various sizes.
US08690000B2	Cryogenic tank and space launcher including such a tank A cryogenic tank for a space launcher, comprising a partition and delimiting top and bottom volumes communicating via at least one free central opening formed in the partition, so as, on the one hand, to allow for the flow of liquid by gravity from the top volume to the bottom volume via the central opening or openings and, on the other hand, to prevent the rising of the fluid from the bottom volume to the top volume via the central opening or openings under the action of acceleration forces, the tank also comprising at least one vent forming separate from the central opening or openings and providing fluid communication between the top and bottom volumes, the vent being configured to favor the migration of vapor from the bottom volume to the top volume and to prevent the rising of liquid from the bottom volume to the top volume.
US08689998B2	Liquid container with multiple openings Liquid containers featuring multiple apertures for accessing the contents in one of a number of selected fashions. In one illustrative embodiment, the container is shaped as a bottle, having a body and neck, with a first aperture at the top of the neck. A flat bottom or base opposite the neck features at least one aperture, such as a traditional soda can opening with a scored section and a tab. In some embodiments, the bottom includes multiple apertures of different sizes, allowing for the selection of an aperture of desired size for a particular application. In some embodiments, the entire bottom may function as a removable lid.
US08689994B2	Safety device for a fluid storage tank, related systems and methods A safety device for a fluid storage tank having a first port for filling the tank with fuel oil and a second port for allowing airflow therethrough is disclosed. The safety device includes a tubular body having a first open end and a second open end connectable to the second port, and a flow check valve contained within the tubular body and configured to remain open when air flows through the safety device and configured to close based on a predetermined fluid force of the fuel oil through the safety device. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.
US08689989B2	Drink bottle and lid with button release at back of lid A drink bottle with a removable lid includes an inner lid attached to the mouth of the bottle and an outer lid pivotably mounted on the inner lid. A drink spout extends from the inner lid. The outer lid may be locked into a closed position covering the drink spout. A push button on the inner lid can be operated to release the locked outer lid, permitting the outer lid to open to permit drinking from the drink spout. The push button moves a lid slide that extends opposite to the hinge and contains an extension that engages with a notch in the upper lid to hold the upper lid closed. On actuating the push button, the lid slide is pulled toward the push button and the extension at the other end of the lid slide moves out of engagement of the outer lid, thereby opening the outer lid.
US08689988B2	Bottle cap having removal tracking indicia An indexing cap assembly indexes visual cues or indicia during an open and close cycle so as to help users more easily track container entry as for example with regard to medications so as to ensure proper dosage. The indexing cap assembly basically incorporates six components, including a cover construction, an indexing plate or wheel, a compression coil or spring, a push plate construction, a gear tray or swing plate construction, and an assembly ring. The cover construction and assembly ring are joined together to essentially form or close the cap assembly with the other parts coaxially aligned and operable therebetween. The indexing wheel is rotatively received within the cover construction such that axial displacements of the push plate advance the indexing wheel and indicia upon its upper surface are sequentially revealed by way of the window formed in the cover construction.
US08689986B2	Telescopic crane with self-mounting bracing device and method of mounting a bracing device The invention relates to a system for bracing a telescopic crane, in particular a mobile crane, with a bracing unit which can be mounted on the jib. The bracing unit comprises erectable bracing supports and a holding frame for securing the bracing unit to the jib. The holding frame has a cross-section which is open at the top and allows the jib to be inserted from above the bracing unit The invention also relates to a method of positioning and mounting such a bracing unit on the jib of a telescopic crane.
US08689977B2	Product and method for dispensing and packaging items having complementary components The invention relates to a product and method for dispensing and packaging items comprising at least two nestable complementary components. The complementary components are provided in stacks where each stack comprises a nested portion of each of the complementary components. One stack will have one complementary component located on the top end of the stack and the other complementary component will be present on the bottom end of that stack. As presented for use in a carton, each stack will have a different complementary component on the respective top end of the stack. A user will select a complementary component from each stack to provide a completed item for use. The invention is particularly suited for lidded cups or containers where the cups or containers and lids are packaged together for complementary use.
US08689974B2	Article sorting apparatus An article sorting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a container having a bottom and a longitudinally extending sidewall extending therefrom and a panel positioned proximal the container. The panel includes a cylindrically shaped shoulder extending therefrom and that defines a channel in alignment with the shoulder and that extends through the panel for allowing pass-through of a matched pair of socks. The cylindrically shaped shoulder is configured for receiving an open end of a first sock. A second sock is positioned proximal the first sock and inserted into and through a respective channel and disposed into the container.
US08689961B2	Optimized clutch bearing lubrication path for preloaded hydraulic linkage applications The present invention provides an arrangement of a vehicle with a clutch release bearing and a lubrication path through a bell housing of a transmission.
US08689958B2	Dual-clutch transmission A dual-clutch transmission with individual clutches, which are axially arranged one behind the other and are hydraulically actuated, with one drive-side individual clutch, one gearbox-side individual clutch, one drive-side clutch housing and two cylinder/piston pairs, whereby the first of the individual clutches connects by switch the clutch housing with one of the first gearbox input shafts and the second of the individual clutches connects by switch the clutch housing with one of the second gearbox input shafts, whereby the clutch housing is connected drive-side with a drive shaft and gearbox-side with internally arranged input lamellae supports relating to the single clutches and torque conducted to the dual-clutch transmission via the clutch housing can be conducted to both individual clutches, whereby the clutch housing supports an actuating force from the gearbox-side single clutch and a second support area supports the actuating force from the drive side clutch is provided.
US08689954B2	Vehicle suspension system A vehicle suspension system that inhibits a pressure within a gas chamber from reducing below a threshold value. In one arrangement, the suspension system includes a shock absorber associated with a motorcycle. The shock absorber includes an upper gas chamber that is filled with air. An air pressure adjustment valve operates to supply air into the upper gas chamber from a supply of air outside of the shock absorber when the air pressure in the upper gas chamber becomes smaller than a lower threshold value.
US08689951B2	Torsional vibration damper A torsional vibration damper comprises an outer housing, an inner part that is concentric relative to the outer housing, a plurality of chambers formed between the outer housing and the inner part, which are filled with a damping medium and are connected to one another through overflow channels, and a plurality of leaf spring assemblies that are arranged in the chambers and join the outer housing and the inner part with one another in a torsionally flexible manner. The leaf spring assemblies have machining-induced deflections. Two leaf springs with substantially similar deflections are each arranged within a chamber. The leaf spring pairs may be arranged in a mirror-image array or in parallel to one another. Thus, the manufacturing cost of a torsional vibration damper can be reduced, while its compact outer dimensions can be maintained.
US08689947B2	Disc brake device In a disc brake device, a piston is movably supported to a cylinder portion of a caliper, friction pads are operable to push a disc rotor as the piston moving frontward during pressurization, a seal mechanism arranged at the cylinder portion is operable to return the piston to an initial position during depressurization, and the seal mechanism is constituted with a movable element arranged between the cylinder portion and the piston (15) as being movable frontward in the same direction of the piston, a first seal member elastically arranged between the piston and the movable element to make the movable element accompany the piston, a low elasticity member being compressively deformable with initial pressurization of the piston via the movable element, and a high elasticity member being compressively deformable with pressurization of the piston via the movable element.
US08689943B2	Energy storage on an elevated platform and transfer method A lift truck includes a secondary rechargeable energy storage device on a vertically movable platform that is separate from a primary rechargeable energy storage device on the lift truck's main tractor unit without the use of wires or hoses for transfer of power or controls between the main tractor unit and the platform. The quantity of energy stored in the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is sufficient to power platform electrical loads for a predetermined amount of time until the platform is lowered. When the platform is lowered, the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is recharged by the primary energy storage device.
US08689938B2	Collapsible safety rail system A collapsible safety rail system for providing a portable or permanent protective barrier to provide for fall prevention from elevated or other work areas. Lockable pivot assemblies are located between heavy bases and the end posts of collapsible safety rail assemblies. Removable detent pins are utilized to lock the pivot assemblies to maintain the erected position of the collapsible safety rail assemblies in protective vertical orientation or are removed to allow maneuvering of the collapsible safety rail assemblies to a minimum viewable profile position when not required for personnel protection.
US08689937B2	Cargo lifting device for a ladder A cargo lifting apparatus for use with a ladder includes a lift track coupled to each ladder side rail. Each lift track includes first and second adjacent channels, the first channel defining a longitudinal slot. The apparatus includes a carrier assembly having a back portion, a pair of support members extending perpendicularly and forwardly from the back portion, opposed mounting members configured to be received in a respective first channel slot, and rollers attached to the back portion configured to bear against respective ladder side rails. A motor/brake combination is coupled to a lower rung of the ladder. A pulley assembly includes a lower sprocket operatively coupled to the motor, an upper sprocket, and a cord extending between the sprockets and coupled to the carrier assembly for selectively raising and lowering the carrier assembly when the motor is activated or deactivated.
US08689935B2	Abating low-frequency noise using encapsulated gas bubbles Air bubbles may be used to reduce radiated underwater noise. Two modalities of sound attenuation by air bubbles were shown to provide a reduction in radiated sound: bubble acoustic resonance damping and acoustic impedance mismatching. The bubbles used for acoustic resonance damping were manifested using gas-filled containers coupled to a support, and the acoustic impedance mismatching bubbles were created using a cloud of freely-rising bubbles, which were both used to surround an underwater sound source.
US08689931B2	Ear protector with a sound damping filter, sound damping filter for such an ear protector as well as method for manufacturing a sound damping filter for such an ear protector An ear protector (1) with a sound damping filter (3), comprises a membrane (5). The membrane is composed of a material that permits the transmission of air and water vapor with respect to the ear from the into the outside of the ear protector, the membrane is pre stressed mounted in the filter, enabling a bigger surface and hence bigger air and water transport at same sound attenuation.
US08689929B2	Excitation device and method for downhole seismic testing using the same An excitation device for downhole seismic testing, includes an excitation hammer, a holding arm connected at one end thereof to the excitation hammer to allow the excitation hammer to rotate about the other end thereof, a support post having the other end of the holding arm rotatably coupled to an upper end thereof to support the excitation hammer and the holding arm at a certain height, and an excitation source configured to allow the support post to stand upright on the upper side thereof and which generates a seismic wave when struck by the rotated excitation hammer. The support post is formed at a lower end thereof with a securing section detachably inserted into a groove for the support post formed on the upper side of the excitation source such that the support post, the holding arm, the excitation hammer and the excitation source can be separated from each other.
US08689910B2	Impregnation bit with improved cutting structure and blade geometry A rotary drag bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a bit body having a face extending from a centerline to a gage. A plurality of blades may be disposed on the face, and may generally extend radially outwardly toward the gage. The bit may further include a plurality of discrete impregnated cutting posts, each of which may extend outwardly from an associated blade. Each discrete impregnated cutting post angles generally toward a front edge of the associated blade and generally toward the intended direction of rotation of the bit. The rotary drag bit may further include a plurality of matrix pockets disposed on the blades. The discrete impregnated cutting posts may be housed within corresponding matrix pockets.
US08689900B2	Rotary tool A rotary tool includes an externally operable operation switch; a motor serving as a power source; a power transfer block for transferring the rotation of the motor; a load detection unit for detecting an amount of load of the motor; and a control unit for controlling the motor. The control unit is configured to perform an operation control by which the motor is controlled so that a rotation speed of the motor is increased in proportion to the operation amount of the operation switch and a feedback control by which the rotation speed of the motor is controlled depending on the detection result of the load detection unit. The control unit inhibits the feedback control during the time when the operation amount of the operation switch is equal to or less than a threshold and performing the feedback control only when the operation amount of the operation switch is greater than the threshold.
US08689898B2	Removable loader for all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles A multi-use attachment device that is easily attached to and removed from an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a utility-terrain vehicle (UTV) comprises a lift frame including an inner lift frame, an outer lift frame, a first pivotal axis and a second pivotal axis, and is configured to pivot about the first pivotal axis with a first electrical device, and has a second electrical device mounted on the lift frame to pivot the outer lift frame with respect to the inner lift frame. One end of the multi-use attachment is attached to the ATV/UTV, and the other end is attached to an implement such as a loader bucket, a pallet fork, or a plow blade. Some embodiments of the multi-use attachment use tension devices both for pivoting the lift frame about the first pivotal axis and for pivoting the outer lift frame with respect to the inner lift frame about the second pivotal axis.
US08689894B2	Method and composition for zonal isolation of a well The invention provides a system comprising: a tubular containing a first surface comprising a coating made of a first swellable material coating said first surface, wherein said coating has a second surface and said first swellable material is able to swell in contact with a first fluid on said second surface; and a composition made of a settable material and a second swellable material able to swell in contact with a second fluid. The invention also discloses the method associated with the use of such a system.
US08689887B2	Methods of operating a radial flow valve A radial flow valve is disclosed which includes a plurality of flow openings, a first piston and a second piston, the first and second pistons being independently actuable relative to one another, and a sleeve operatively coupled to the second piston, the sleeve adapted to be positioned so as to cover the plurality of flow openings. A method is also disclosed which includes positioning a radial flow valve in a subterranean well bore having an upper zone pressure and a lower zone pressure, increasing a pressure within the valve to a value above the upper zone pressure to release a first piston within the valve and, after releasing the first piston, reducing the pressure within the valve to a value that is less than the lower zone pressure to thereby cause a second piston within the valve to move and thereby permit fluid flow through the valve.
US08689881B2	Offshore unit and method of installing wellhead platform using the offshore unit An offshore unit includes a hull and/or a deck frame, a mat attached to at least one connecting leg or a spud can attached to each of at least one connecting leg or lower hull attached to at least one connecting means. A wellhead deck is removably attached to the hull and/or deck frame and a sub-sea clamp in conjunction with a caisson or a sub-sea conductor frame is removably attached to the mat or to the at least one connecting leg, where a spud can is attached to each of the at least one connecting leg, or to the lower hull. The offshore unit is relocatable and is a platform or a rig capable of performing drilling, production, construction, accommodation, hook-up and commissioning or a combination of any of these functions thereof. The offshore unit is a self-elevating mobile platform or submersible platform or semi-submersible platform.
US08689879B2	Fluid displacement methods and apparatus for hydrocarbons in subsea production tubing The method for subsea well intervention includes creating a lubricator section within the production tubing of the well. The lubricator section can then be flushed of hydrocarbons facilitating further well intervention from the open water. An intervention device that facilitates flushing production tubing that has equipment, such as electric submersible pumps, is deployed in the wellhead, for example in the valve tree.
US08689872B2	Methods and compositions for controlling formation fines and reducing proppant flow-back Provided herein are methods for controlling the migration of particulates within a portion of a subterranean formation that comprise aqueous tackifying treatment fluids, curable resin compositions, and/or noncurable resin compositions.
US08689867B2	Method and apparatus for pipe-conveyed well logging A well logging instrument deployment device according to this aspect of the invention includes a housing configured to be coupled to a pipe string. A latch disposed in the housing and is configured to retain a well logging instrument in a first longitudinal position inside the pipe string. An actuator is configured to release the latch to enable longitudinal movement of the well logging instrument inside the pipe string. A signal detector is operatively coupled to the actuator and is the configured to detect a command signal for operating the actuator.
US08689866B2	Automated systems and methods for make-up and break-out of tubulars An automated tubular handling system adapted to make-up or break-out tubulars that includes a rotary drive adapted to operatively grip a tubular to be connected to or disconnected from a tubular string, a controller adapted to receive and process data indicative of a rotation, torque, and minimum time value associated with a make-up or a break-out of the tubular string, and a user interface adapted to convey the received data, the predetermined values, or both, of the tubular make-up or break-out to an operator. The controller compares the rotation, torque, and minimum time values to acceptable predetermined values to determine when the make-up or the break-out is complete. Automated methods are also disclosed.
US08689862B2	Tube/pipe spooling device A reel assembly for supplying a continuous composite tubing of a type used in oilfield operations, which reel assembly comprises a stand onto which a spool of continuous composite tubing is lowered and a drive coupling for transmitting rotational force from the stand to the spool. A removable cage is connected with the stand. The continuous composite tubing is arranged around the outer periphery of the spool, in a U-formed housing.
US08689852B2	Magnetic curtain The present invention describes a window covering which is useful for securing to objects having windows without using permanent attachment devices. The window covering preferably contains a plurality of magnets arranged along the upper end and along the lower end. The magnets are arranged so that they are coupleable or securable to a metal part of a window itself or a metal surface which houses the window as well as one or more additional magnets positioned within the window covering.
US08689841B2	Compartmented strap-coiled bags A compartmented bag having a cavity, comprising a coiled strap having at least one compartment thereon, and a fastener about a circumference of the strap linking adjoining coiled edges of the strap.
US08689823B2	Hydro-pneumatic system with pressure limiting valve A hydro-pneumatic system has an air powered motor driving a hydraulic pump with a pressure limiting valve that turns off air flow to the air motor when a hydraulic pressure output by the pump at a sense port of the valve reaches a certain limit. A valve element of the valve has spring, hydraulic and pneumatic sections, with an unbalanced area of the hydraulic section in a sealed pressure chamber of a cartridge that is part of the valve housing. The pneumatic section extends out one end of the cartridge to fill a bore between the air inlet and outlet ports when the pneumatic section is extended, and allow air to pass when it is retracted.
US08689822B2	Pressure regulation in remote zones A pressure control system remotely controls pressure within one or more remote zones, each respectively connected to an enclosure through a conduit, by controlling flow of a fluid into and out of each enclosure. The pressure of the fluid is measured within each enclosure. An estimated pressure within each zone is computed, as a function of the measured pressure in the enclosure and known characteristics of the conduit and the zone. For each zone, an inlet proportional valve and an outlet proportional valve of each enclosure is operated so as to control the input flow rate of the fluid into the respective enclosure and the output flow rate of the fluid out of the enclosure as a function of a pressure set point and the estimated pressure, thereby regulating pressure within the zone in accordance with the pressure set point.
US08689817B2	Welded diaphragm valve A diaphragm valve including a valve body, a diaphragm assembly and an actuator assembly having a housing body that isolates the actuator from the ambient atmosphere. The diaphragm assembly is welded to the valve body to reduce and/or eliminate fluid leakage around the diaphragm assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the housing body for the actuator assembly may be welded to the valve body to reduce fluid leakage. The welding may be performed using ultrasonic welding techniques.
US08689808B2	Applicator including inorganic material An applicator may include an applicator member including an inorganic material. The applicator member may include a core that is different from a twisted core, and projecting applicator elements extending from the core. The applicator member may further include a stem supporting the applicator member. The stem may include a rigid portion and a flexible portion extending between the applicator member and the rigid portion.
US08689801B2	Targeting orthopaedic device landmarks Targeting sensors for use in targeting landmarks of orthopaedic devices. The sensors include a non-cylindrical mounting platform such as a printed circuit board and at least two mounted or printed sensor coils to provide a low profile sensor assembly which can be placed in a predetermined position and orientation on or in an orthopaedic device. The platform has a non-circular cross-section having an aspect ratio of greater than about 1.5:1. The non-circular cross-section of the platform enables the sensor to be placed in a known fixed position within the implant. The sensor coils may be partially or fully embedded in the platform.
US08689796B2	Mouthguard with linear storage configuration A mouthguard has an initial, substantially linear configuration and may be worn in a variety of applications including to protect a person's teeth when the person is engaged in a sports activity such as football, lacrosse, and other contact sports, as well as for concussion protection, user performance enhancement and so forth. The mouthguard includes a first end trough region generally shaped to cooperatively enclose one or more teeth on a first side of a mouth, a second end trough region generally shaped to cooperatively enclose one or more teeth on a second side of the mouth and a connection region spanning between the first end trough region and the second trough region. The connection may include a shaping element for reversibly forming a second, generally non-linear configuration.
US08689788B2	Oxygenation procedures for newborns and devices for use therein The present invention relates to methods and systems for resuscitation of an infant which maintains healthy blood oxygen saturation values in the infant by titration of supplemental oxygen concentrations.
US08689775B2	Compound bow A compound bow comprises a bow handle that a user holds with his or her hand. A pair of bow blades are combined with both ends of the bow handle, of which at least one bow blade is rotatably combined with the bow handle. A pair of pulleys are rotatably combined with respective rear ends of the pair of the bow blades so as to rotate around a rotating axis of each pulley. A bow string extends between the pair of pulleys and is pulled for discharge of an arrow. A blade rotating unit rotates the bow blade and is rotatably combined with the bow handle, in order to adjust or release tension of the bow string by adjusting distance between the pair of the pulleys in the case of controlling the tension of the bow string or disjointing or repairing the bow.
US08689768B2	Apparatus and method for controlling fuel injection of internal combustion engine The present invention relates to a fuel injection control apparatus for controlling fuel injection and a method therefor in an engine having first and second intake passages provided with first and second fuel injection valves, respectively. Fuel injection modes using the two injection valves include an alternative injection mode in which the first and second fuel injection valves are alternately operated every predetermined number of cycles and a combined injection mode in which both the first and second fuel injection valves are used for each cycle. Then, the combined injection mode is selected in a full load range. In a partial load range, the alternative injection mode is selected in a cold state and the combined injection mode is selected after warm-up. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce an equilibrium amount of adhering fuel to an inner wall of an intake passage.
US08689762B2	Cylinder head rocker arm stand repair and process A process for remanufacturing a cylinder head that includes a worn or damaged rocker arm stand adapted to receive a rocker shaft to which at least one rocker arm is mounted, the steps including machining a channel in a surface of the worn or damaged rocker arm stand, securing an insert into the channel, and machining the insert to form a remanufactured inner facing surface. The remanufactured cylinder head includes at least one rocker arm stand that has a machined channel with a remanufactured insert secured therein, the rocker shaft being disposed adjacent the inner facing surface, not the rocker arm stand.
US08689761B2	Exhaust poppet valve and solution heat treatment method of the same A forged exhaust poppet valve and a method of solution heat treating the same are provided. The forged exhaust poppet valve (10) includes a head portion (12) which has a seat portion (14) on the outer periphery thereof and is integral with a diametrically tapered neck portion (16) connected to a stem portion (18). Using a radio-frequency heating apparatus, a solution heat treatment is given to a predetermined transitional region (A) of the neck portion and the stem portion that is exposed to exhaust air during a valve opening period such that the grain size in the region (A) does not exceed ASTM 10, thereby securing a necessary high-temperature creep strength in the region (A) and a necessary hardness (wear resistance) in the seat portion (14) and thereby rendering the exhaust poppet valve highly durable.
US08689758B2	Starter control apparatus An ECU for controlling a starter includes a transistor in addition to transistors, which turn on relays provided for a pinion gear and a motor of the starter, respectively. The transistor is provided in a current path, which connects a line of a battery voltage and a junction between upstream side ends of coils of the relays. The ECU operates the starter by turning on the three transistors, which turn on the relays. It further detects abnormality based on voltages of terminals.
US08689754B2	Assembly for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine An assembly for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower connected by way of a clamp. The follower rests on one end via a cap on a spherical head of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends in a bore of a housing of the support element. The clamp flanks the cap with holding strips along the sides. The inner sides run in a guide zone on the outer shell of the piston. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid that can be conducted between the housing and the piston through at least one passage in the piston to a storage chamber. The guide zone on the piston is also designed as an anti-rotation mechanism therefore. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
US08689753B2	Locking mechanism for variable actuation using a shuttle pin and return spring The roller finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a coupling device that locks both arms. A coupling element allows for changing from locked to unlocked mode. Components of the coupling element include a shuttle pin with a head, a shank and a cutout on which a rod is positioned, a coil spring which surrounds the outside diameter of the shuttle pin shank, and an end cap. By positioning the spring on the shuttle pin shank, a large spring diameter and short spring height can be used which allows for compact packaging. Also, a low spring rate is required.
US08689752B2	Vertical-type air-cooled OHV engine A vertical-type air-cooled OHV engine includes a valve operating system and has a shroud guiding cooling air, which is generated by a cooling fan driven by a crankshaft such that the cooling air flows in an up-down direction with respect to a cylinder head. Intake and exhaust valves are arranged respectively on opposite sides of a vertical plane that is parallel to an axis of the crankshaft and that includes an axis of a cylinder bore. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a vertical-type air-cooled OHV engine capable of evenly cooling both of intake and exhaust valves without changing a route of cooling air.

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