A method of testing anti-high temperature performance of a magnetic head comprises applying a second magnetic field with different intensities in a second direction and the changing first magnetic fields in a first direction, and measuring a plurality of second output parameter curves; and judging whether a variation that is beyond an allowable value is presented on the second output parameter curves, thereby screening out a defective magnetic head, therein the first direction is perpendicular to the air bearing surface of the magnetic head, and the second direction is perpendicular to the shielding layers of the magnetic head. The present invention can screen out defective magnetic heads that possess poor anti-high temperature performance without heating the magnetic head and with high precision.

Hard disk drive incorporating rotating magnetic disks is commonly used for storing data in the magnetic media formed on the disk surfaces, and a movable head are generally used to read data from and write date into tracks on the disk surfaces.
Nowadays, the magnetoresistive (MR) read heads are widely used in a popular magnetic head because a MR element with higher sensitivity is included therein. A plurality of performance of a magnetic head must be tested before the magnetic head is used, which includes anti-high temperature performance, dynamic flying height (DFH) performance, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) performance, reliability, stability and the like. For example, a magnetic head with a bad anti-high temperature performance will represent a lot of noise if used under a high temperature condition. And a magnetic head having a bad SNR performance will damage the reading stability of the magnetic head and affect the reading performance finally. Thus, the testing of the performance of the magnetic head is quite important and necessary.
The following method has been used as a conventional method of testing a MR read head. As shown in FIG. 1, the MR read head 10 includes two hard magnets 112, a MR element 114 sandwiched between the two hard magnets 112, and two shielding layers 116 disposed on both sides of the MR element 114 and the hard magnets 112. As known, the resistance of the MR element varies with the changes of an external magnetic field, which results in variation in the output of the MR read head. Thus an operation that applies a magnetic field in a direction 19 that is parallel to the shielding layers 116 and at 0° angle to the air bearing surface 117 (ABS) of the MR read head 10 (hereinafter this is referred to as "common magnetization direction") and measures the output voltage of the MR read 10 head is repeatedly carried out. And the difference between the highest and lowest output voltage is calculated as the variation and used to evaluate whether the output variation is within a certain allowable value. Therefore, the tested magnetic head will be rejected as a defective magnetic head if the output variation is beyond the allowable value.
The above-mentioned method utilizing the common magnetization direction is widely used in the testing of DFH performance, SNR performance, the reliability and the stability of the magnetic head. However, the testing by using the common magnetization is limited since the performance requirement of the magnetic head become higher and higher. Thus, the testing method is limited to a degree. With regard to the anti-high temperature testing, there is little sensitivity responding to the magnetization with the common magnetization direction, however. Thus, methods of testing the anti-high temperature for the magnetic head are still under development.
US patent publication No. 20080049351 A1 discloses a testing method of the anti-high temperature for the magnetic head. As shown in FIG. 2, a heating element 35 is provided on an element formation surface 2101 of the magnetic heads 21, so as to applying heat and stress to the MR element 32 of the magnetic head 21. Concretely, the heating element 35 generates heat when electric current is passed through it. A large internal stress is generated in the MR element 32 due to the thermal expansion of the MR element 32 caused by heat generated by the heating element 35 and the thermal expansion of the material surrounding the MR element 32, in addition to internal distortion inherent in the MR element 32. The level of noise that occurs in an output of the MR element 32 is measured under these conditions to identify whether or not the magnetic head 21 has a potential distortion that can cause noise under high-temperature conditions.
However, since the magnetic head is tested under a plurality of changing high-temperature conditions repeatedly, thus the selection and controlling of the sample temperature need to be precise. If the temperature is too high, there is a potential of damaging the non-defective magnetic head during the testing.
Moreover, this method mentioned above is only suitable for the magnetic head with a heating element equipped therein. The anti-high temperature testing is incapable of being performed in the case that the heating element is failed to be equipped in the magnetic head.
Hence, it is desired to provide an improved method of testing anti-high temperature performance of a magnetic head, and a method of testing the performance of a magnetic head to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Method of testing anti-high temperature performance of a magnetic head and apparatus thereof


A sheet processing device provided with a stacking unit configured to stack thereon one or more conveyed sheets, a staple unit configured to staple a bundle of sheets stacked on the stacking unit, a moving unit configured to move the staple unit to a staple position, and a projecting and retrieving unit configured to project and retrieve the stacking unit in a space overlapped with a motion space for the staple unit to move therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a sheet processing device, an image forming system, and a sheet processing method, and, more particularly, to a sheet processing device and an image forming system with a reduced space portion for a stacking unit, on which sheets are to be stacked when stapling is performed, and a sheet processing method to be performed in a sheet processing device and an image forming system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an electrographic image forming apparatus, there is known a sheet finishing device capable of stapling, with a staple unit, at one or more predetermined positions on the accumulated sheets each of which are ejected from the body of the image forming apparatus and stacked temporarily on a so-called "staple tray". Conventionally, this type of sheet finishing device includes or a device capable of changing a direction of staple needle by rotating horizontally the staple unit in order to staple at one corner or one edge of bundle of sheets disposed on the staple tray inside of the device, a device capable of moving the staple unit along one edge of the bundle of sheets in order to staple plurality positions on the one edge, and the like.
For example, Japanese Patent No. 3399667 discloses a sheet processing device that requires no staple tray for stapling treatment, in order to downsize the device.
Japanese Patent No. 3399667 intends to simplify and downsize the mechanism of the sheet processing device (sheet finishing device) having a staple function. And, for the purpose of continuous stapling operations, the device is provided with a sheet eject tray that moves up and down depending on the stack amount of the sheets thereon, an auxiliary tray disposed between the sheet eject tray and a sheet eject roller to eject the sheet onto the sheet eject tray and movable with respect to the device body in parallel to the sheet conveying direction between a position covering above a portion near the base of the sheet eject tray and a position retrieved from the above position, and a staple unit disposed aside of the auxiliary tray and capable of staple the bundle of sheets while reciprocating in a direction orthogonal to the sheet width direction.
However, the sheet processing device (sheet finishing device) having stapling function for plurality positions needs (i) to maintain a space allowing the movement of the staple unit in the case of two position stapling which requires the movement of the staple unit, and (ii) to maintain a wider space on the tray in order to ensure the accurate function of align roller or jogger fences to align the sheets for the purpose of ensuring the alignment quality of the bundle of sheets stacked on the staple tray. Therefore, the conventional sheet processing device maintains the space allowing the movement of the staple unit and the space for the layout of rollers and fences on the tray. Thereby, it is difficult to downsize this type of conventional sheet processing device. Specifically, it is very difficult to maintain these spaces in the limited space of the inner-body sheet processing device, for example.
On the other hand, the device disclosed by Japanese Patent No. 3399667 realizes the downsizing of the device while maintaining the staple function. However, the device is not configured to allow the movement of the staple unit inward the device to realize the two position stapling. Furthermore, the staple tray is an auxiliary tray capable of projecting toward and retrieving from the sheet eject tray. Thereby, if the area of the staple tray increases, the staple tray covers a space above the sheet eject tray. Specifically, in the case of the inner-body sheet eject tray, the movable range thereof in the vertical direction is limited. As a result, a maximum stack amount on the sheet eject tray reduces in the case of the sheet processing unit employing the fixed tray. On the other hand, if the area of the staple tray reduces, it becomes difficult to satisfy the accuracy in the alignment for stapling, since the alignment roller becomes difficult to be disposed at the optimum position and since the alignment in the width direction by jogger fences becomes almost impossible.
There is a need to present a sheet processing device capable of maintaining a space for the movement of the staple unit, and capable of maintaining a space for the layout on the staple tray to satisfy the alignment accuracy for stapling.

Sheet processing device, image forming system, and sheet processing method


A rear portion structure of a vehicle which can increase the coupling strength between rear side frames and a rear suspension cross member, and can reinforce the rear side frames. The vehicle rear portion structure includes a pair of right and left rear side frames arranged to extend along right and left side portions of a rear portion of a vehicle body, and with kick-up portions. A rear suspension cross member, has attaching portions attached to intermediate portions of the kick-up portions of the rear side frames, and which is arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rear side frames.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rear portion structure of a vehicle and, more particularly, to a rear portion structure of a vehicle, which can increase the coupling strength between rear side frames of a kick-up frame structure and a rear suspension cross member, and can reinforce kick-up portions of the rear side frames.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a frame structure, called a kick-up frame structure, is known. In this structure, a frame is bent upward at a portion where the rear axle is arranged so as to attain a low-floor structure. The kick-up frame structure is applied not only to buses having a frame structure but also to passenger vehicles. Especially in a passenger vehicle, the following technique is known. That is, a pair of right and left rear side frames arranged at the right and left side portions of a rear portion of a vehicle body adopt a kick-up frame structure, and the pair of right and left rear side frames are coupled and fixed through a rear suspension cross member. More specifically, a kick-up portion, which is inclined upward toward the back, is formed on an intermediate portion of each of the right and left rear side frames. The rear suspension cross member is fastened by bolts to the lower surfaces of rear portions of the kick-up portions of the right and left rear side frames using attaching holes formed in the right and left end portions of the rear suspension cross member.
A spare tire storage portion for storing a spare tire is arranged near the rear end portion of a vehicle as a side behind the rear suspension cross member. In addition, a fuel tank is normally arranged below the kick-up portions at the passenger room side as a side in front of the rear suspension cross member. When a vehicle is a rear-wheel drive vehicle or a four-wheel drive vehicle, a differential device or the like is arranged behind the rear suspension cross member. The above-mentioned structure is a popular structure employed in a rear portion structure of a conventional vehicle.


An air conditioner has an electronic dust collector incorporated in its casing. A mounting plate is grounded which, in turn, grounds the casing of the air conditioner. This reduces adsorption of dust to the casing, thereby preventing soiling of the casing with dust or fine particles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air conditioner with electronic dust collector.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hitherto, there has been known an air conditioner which incorporates a deodorant device using an adsorptive catalyst or the like, in addition to the original air conditioning function, in the interior unit to enhance the function (ref. Japanese Patent Publication Unexamined HEI 6-180127). Likewise, there have been attempts to incorporate an electronic dust collector in the interior unit. The electronic dust collector generates a corona discharge by applying a high voltage between a discharge electrode and a dust collection electrode. The corona discharge ionizes fine particles and dust in the surrounding air. The dust collection electrode then adsorbs them. Among such electronic dust collectors, there has been developed a maintenance-free type one in which the dust collection electrode is provided with a heater for self-cleaning so that the dust deposited on the dust collection electrode is burned, and thereby is removed.
However, when such an electronic dust collector is incorporated in the interior unit of the air conditioner, because of the corona discharge, the body or the casing itself is charged with static electricity. This presents the problem that dust is attracted and held in the vicinity of the inside walls, especially near the air intake and outlet ports, and on outside walls of the casing, rather having it collected by the dust collection electrode. This soils these areas.

Air conditioner with electronic dust collector


A male and female coupling member of a device allowing separation of a fuel nozzle from a filling hose, to prevent the entrainment of the nozzle by the vehicle from rupturing the hose or damaging the fuel pump having a detent which is wedged out of engagement by a torque applied to the male member within the female member against the force of a restoring spring because of play between the male and female coupling members.

It is known to provide a device for connecting a fuel nozzle to a filling hose at a filling pump at a refueling station or column and which will enable the separation of the hose from the nozzle without damage of the hose, destruction of the fuel pump or like destructive event, upon a vehicle pulling away from the fuel pump with the nozzle inadvertently left in place.
Prior to the development of such a device, especially where the refueling is unattended, it was not uncommon for the nozzle to be left in the fuel tank passage of the vehicle and for the drive to fail to recognize that fact.
Accordingly, the vehicle could leave the refueling station with the nozzle still in the vehicle filling opening, thereby exerting a force to the hose which could cause the hose to rupture or could even destroy the fuel pump apparatus, create a danger of fire or explosion, or otherwise damage property or injure personnel.
To avoid these problems, a device was developed which could allow the coupling between the nozzle and the fuel hose to pull apart under the circumstances described.
In that device, a female coupling member was connected to the nozzle and a male coupling member was connected to the hose and could fit into the female coupling member. A detent ring within the female coupling member engaged in a recess or groove of the male connecting member and could be cammed out of that groove upon the development of a tension on the coupling device which corresponded to the tension signifying the entrainment of the nozzle with the vehicle.
Generally with automatic nozzles, in the fully seated state of the male coupling member in the female coupling member, a shoulder on the male coupling member abutted an end face of the female member.
The detent ring could be a so-called Seeger ring, i.e. a split ring, which expanded upon being cammed outwardly.
Usually, but not necessarily, the device also included a pivot joint with a pivot axis which remained more or less horizontal during refilling and was transverse to the flow direction. This joint was usually integrated into the female coupling member and enabled a swinging of the nozzle relative to the male coupling member and thus facilitated manipulation of the nozzle.
With filling pumps of the type designed to evacuate vapor, as is increasingly required by law or regulation, the filling hose has as outer hose for the fuel supply and an inner hose for gas evacuation. In female coupling members of this type, a plug coupling is provided for the connection of the inner hose which can pull apart when the detent ring is released from its groove.
In these earlier systems, the detent can effectively release when tension is applied substantially axially between the hose and the nozzle.
In cases, however, when the nozzle is inadvertently left in the fuel tank of a vehicle which pulls away from the filling pump an inclined tension force is generated which applies a torque at the coupling. This torque, in some cases, can cause the male coupling member to jam within the female coupling member and thus prevent the detent from releasing. Should the vehicle travel further, the hose can tear or the fuel pump can be destroyed. The integration of a pivot in the female coupling member does not prevent this damage when axis of the torqued is not parallel to the pivot axis and/or the torque is applied in such manner that the degrees of freedom of the pivot cannot accommodate it.

Device for connecting a fuel nozzle to a filling hose


Hybrid devices, such as optically erasable memory cells and light sensors, and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a device includes a structure capable of converting between a first resistance state and a second resistance state, and a light source configured to convert the structure from the first resistance state to the second resistance state. The structure includes an organic first material and a second material different from the first material.

One example of a hybrid device is a bistable device that contains two or more material compositions. A bistable device is capable of exhibiting two states of different electrical resistances by application of a predetermined voltage, and until the predetermined voltage is applied, the device is capable of retaining its present electrical resistance. This electrical bistability allows a bistable device to be used for switching and memory applications. For example, for memory applications, a memory input can be written to the bistable device by applying a positive voltage to the device to convert the device from a first resistance state (e.g., high resistance) to a second resistance state (e.g., low resistance). The resistance of the device can be measured to determine which state the device is in. To erase the memory input, a negative voltage can be applied to the device to convert the device from the second resistance state to the first resistance state.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a bistable device 20. Device 20 includes a structure 22 and a electrical power source 24 in electrical communication with the structure. Structure 22 includes a first electrode 26 and a second electrode 28 in electrical communication with electrical power source 24 via connections 30, 32, respectively. Between electrodes 26, 28 structure 22 includes a hybrid blend 34 containing particles (e.g., aluminum) in an organic material (e.g., 2-amino-4,5-imidazoledicarbonitrile). In some embodiments, the particles can be in the form of a layer in the organic material. Blend 34 is capable of exhibiting two states of different electrical resistances. For example, the resistance state of blend 34 can be changed from a first resistance state to a second resistance state by applying a predetermined voltage to electrodes 26, 28 via electrical power source 24. To convert from the second resistance state to the first resistance, an opposite, predetermined voltage can be applied. Bistable devices are described, for example, in Yang et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0027849.


The present invention provides: a process in which, when a hydroxyalkyl ester is produced by carrying out a reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst, the contamination of the hydroxyalkyl ester with water can be inhibited to the maximum limit without washing the inside of a production apparatus together with the raw carboxylic acid or the hydroxyalkyl ester as an aimed product, or without carrying out azeotropic distillation with water and an azeotropic solvent. The process comprises a washing step and thereafter a drying step in the interval of from the stop of a production of the hydroxyalkyl ester till the restart of this production, wherein the washing step is a step of washing the inside of a production apparatus with water and/or an aqueous basic solution, and wherein the drying step is a step of drying under reduced pressure and/or hot-air-drying the inside of the production apparatus.

A. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a production process for a hydroxyalkyl ester, which comprises the step of carrying out a reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst.
B. Background Art
A hydroxyalkyl ester has a very strong affinity for water, and therefore it has a nature of being freely miscible with water. This nature is utilized, and water or steam is generally used for washing a production apparatus for the hydroxyalkyl ester. On the other hand, when the hydroxyalkyl ester is once contaminated with water, it is very difficult to separate them because of the above nature. Therefore, a product as produced just after the washing of the production apparatus had a high water content.
In addition, when the product is contaminated with water, the polymerization of the raw carboxylic acid or the hydroxyalkyl ester as an aimed product is promoted, and it causes troubles such as clogging the apparatus. Moreover, the contamination with water not only caused the product purity to low, but also might cause the gelation at the (co)polymerization if a hydroxyalkyl ester having a high water content was used as a raw monomer and it was polymerized alone or copolymerized with other copolymerizable monomers.
As to a method for inhibiting the contamination with water in the above way, the following method is, for example, considered: a method which involves washing the inside of the production apparatus together with the raw carboxylic acid or the hydroxyalkyl ester as the aimed product, or a method which involves carrying out azeotropic distillation with water and an azeotropic solvent, in order to remove the water in the production apparatus after the production is stopped and the inside of the production apparatus is washed with the water. However, these methods have the following problems. When the washing of the inside of the production apparatus is carried out together with the raw carboxylic acid or the hydroxyalkyl ester as the aimed product, there is a problem that: the loss of these valuable raw material and product is caused; and a plenty of the valuable raw material and product is required; and the economically great loss is caused; and beside, the substitution of liquid at a portion where the liquid is collected, such as a nozzle cannot be carried out sufficiently. In addition, when the azeotropic distillation with water and the azeotropic solvent is carried out, there is a problem that: a distillation apparatus, such as a dehydration column is separately required; and the residual azeotropic solvent has to be removed.
An object of the present invention is to provide a process in which, when a hydroxyalkyl ester is produced by carrying out a reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst, the contamination of the hydroxyalkyl ester with water can be inhibited to the minimum limit without washing the inside of a production apparatus together with the raw carboxylic acid or the hydroxyalkyl ester as an aimed product, or without carrying out azeotropic distillation with water and an azeotropic solvent.
The present inventors diligently studied to solve the above-mentioned problems. As a result, they found that: the problems are solved by carrying out a washing step and thereafter a drying step in the interval of from the stop of the production of the hydroxyalkyl ester till the restart of this production, wherein the washing step is a step of washing the inside of a production apparatus with water and/or an aqueous basic solution, and wherein the drying step is a step of drying under reduced pressure and/or hot-air-drying the inside of the production apparatus. Then, the present invention was completed.
Accordingly, a production process for a hydroxyalkyl ester, according to the present invention, comprises the step of carrying out a reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst in order to produce the hydroxyalkyl ester, with the production process being characterized by further comprising a washing step and thereafter a drying step in the interval of from the stop of the production of the hydroxyalkyl ester till the restart of this production, wherein the washing step is a step of washing the inside of a production apparatus with water and/or an aqueous basic solution, and wherein the drying step is a step of drying under reduced pressure and/or hot-air-drying the inside of the production apparatus.
These and other objects and the advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed disclosure.
First of all, the outline of the production process for a hydroxyalkyl ester to which the characteristic production process according to the present invention is favorably applicable is explained.
In the first place, the addition reaction between the carboxylic acid and the alkylene oxide is carried out in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction ratio of this addition reaction is often less than 100%, and the resultant reaction liquid generally includes residues such as unreacted carboxylic acid or alkylene oxide at the end of the reaction. Therefore, the above reaction liquid is fed to a step of removing these unreacted residues of raw materials from the reaction liquid. Then, the purification is carried out by distillation as a subsequent final step with the result that the aimed hydroxyalkyl ester is obtained.
Hereinafter, the process for the addition reaction between the carboxylic acid and the alkylene oxide in the presence of the catalyst is explained.
When the present invention is carried out, as to the amount of the raw materials as charged in the reaction between the carboxylic acid and the alkylene oxide, the amount of the alkylene oxide is favorably not less than 1 mol, more favorably in the range of 1.0 to 5.0 mols, still more favorably 1.0 to 3.0 mols, yet still more favorably 1.0 to 2.0 mols, per 1 mol of the carboxylic acid. In the case where the amount of the alkylene oxide as charged is less than 1.0 mol, there are disadvantages in that the reaction ratio is lowered and by-products are increased. In addition, in the case where the amount of the alkylene oxide as charged is too much, especially more than 5 mols, there are disadvantages in economy.
The carboxylic acid usable in the present invention is not especially limited. Examples thereof include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, benzoic acid, terephthalic acid, trimellitic acid, and pyromellitic acid. Acrylic acid and methacrylic acid are particularly favorable (These are referred as (meth)acrylic acid.).
In addition, the alkylene oxide usable in the present invention is not especially limited, but has favorably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, more favorably 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples thereof include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide. Ethylene oxide or propylene oxide is favorable, and ethylene oxide is particularly favorable.
In the present invention, the reaction between the carboxylic acid and the alkylene oxide in the presence of the catalyst can be carried out according to methods generally used for this kind of reaction.
For example, when the reaction is carried out in a batch manner, it is carried out by introducing the liquid alkylene oxide into the carboxylic acid. When the carboxylic acid is solid, the alkylene oxide is introduced after the carboxylic acid is dissolved in a solvent. Then, the alkylene oxide may be added to the carboxylic acid in a lump, continuously, or intermittently. Then, when it is added continuously or intermittently, as is often the case with this kind of reaction, the reaction is continued still after the addition of the alkylene oxide, in other words, the aging is carried out, and thereby the reaction can be completed. In addition, it is not always necessary to initially add the carboxylic acid at one time, and it can be divided to some portions and then added.
In addition, when the reaction is carried out in a continuous manner, it is carried out by continuously adding the carboxylic acid and the liquid alkylene oxide into a reactor such as a tubular or tank reactor, and by continuously extracting the resultant reaction liquid from the reactor. In this case, the catalyst may continuously be supplied together with the raw materials and then continuously be extracted together with the resultant reaction liquid. In case of the reactor such as a tubular reactor, a solid catalyst may be used in a state of filling the reactor, what is called, in a fixed bed manner. In addition, in case of the tank reactor, a solid catalyst may be used in a state of fluidizing together with the reaction liquid in the reactor, what is called, in a fluidized bed manner. In case of these continuous reactions, the reaction liquid may be circulated partially.
As to the addition of the raw carboxylic acid and the raw alkylene oxide to the reactor, they may be added from separate addition lines respectively. They are beforehand blended in a pipe, a line mixer or a mixing tank before they are added to the reactor, and thereafter they may be added. In addition, when the liquid obtained from the reactor outlet is circulated to the inlet of the reactor, or when the unreacted carboxylic acid or the unreacted alkylene oxide is recovered and recycled, these liquids may be added to the reactor after blending them with the raw carboxylic acid and the raw alkylene oxide. However, when the carboxylic acid and the alkylene oxide are added from separate addition lines, the molar ratio of the carboxylic acid in the reaction liquid is excess in the neighborhood where the carboxylic acid is added. Therefore, the respective raw materials are beforehand blended in such as a pipe before they are added to the reactor, and then they may be added thereto.
The reaction temperature is usually favorably in the range of 40 to 130xc2x0 C., more favorably 50 to 100xc2x0 C. In the case where the reaction temperature is lower than 40xc2x0 C., the reaction proceeds very slowly and it is apart from a practical level. On the other hand, in the case where the reaction temperature is higher than 130xc2x0 C., there are disadvantages in that: the by-products are increased; and when the carboxylic acid as a raw material has an unsaturated double bond, the polymerization of the carboxylic acid or the hydroxyalkyl ester as a product is caused.
In addition, the reaction may be carried out in a solvent for the purpose of mildly carrying out the reaction. As to the solvent, the following conventional solvents can be used: toluene, xylene, heptane, and octane. The pressure in the reaction system depends upon the kinds of raw materials or the mixing ratio, but the reaction is generally carried out under applied pressure.
In addition, when the reaction is carried out, conventional polymerization inhibitors can be used as stabilizers. Examples thereof include: phenol compounds, such as hydroquinone, methylhydroquinone, tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,4-dimethyl-6-tert-butylphenol, hydroquinone monomethyl ether, cresol, and tert-butylcatechol; 1,4-phenylenediamines, such as N-isopropyl-Nxe2x80x2-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-Nxe2x80x2-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, N-(1-methylheptyl)-Nxe2x80x2-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, N,Nxe2x80x2-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, and N,Nxe2x80x2-di-2-naphthyl-1,4-phenylenediamine; amine compounds such as thiodiphenylamine and phenothiazine; copper dialkyldithiocarbamates, such as copper dibutyldithiocarbamate, copper dipropyldithiocarbamate, copper diethyldithiocarbamate, and copper dimethyldithiocarbamate; copper diaryldithiocarbamates, such as copper diphenyldithiocarbamate; nitroso compounds, such as nitrosophenol, N-nitroso diphenylamine, isoamyl nitrite, N-nitroso-cyclohexylhydroxylamine, N-nitroso-N-phenyl-N-hydroxylamine, and their salts; N-oxyl compounds, such as 2,2,4,4-tetramethylazetidine-1-oxyl, 2,2-dimethyl-4,4-dipropylazetidine-1-oxyl, 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl, 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-oxopyrrolidine-1-oxyl, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl, 6-aza-7,7-dimethyl-spiro(4,5)decane-6-oxyl, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-acetoxypiperidine-1-oxyl, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-benzoyloxypiperidine-1-oxyl, and 4,4xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x3-tris-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) phosphate; tetraalkylthiuram disulfides, such as tetrabutylthiuram disulfide, tetrapropylthiuram disulfide, tetraethylthiuram disulfide, and tetramethylthiuram disulfide; and methylene blue. The polymerization inhibitors may be used either alone respectively or in combinations with each other. The amount of the polymerization inhibitor as added is favorably in the range of 0.0001 to 1 weight %, more favorably 0.001 to 0.5 weight %, of the carboxylic acid.
In addition, when the occasion demands, the effect of inhibiting the polymerization is further improved if molecular oxygen is further used together.
In the present invention, the unreacted alkylene oxide and/or the unreacted carboxylic acid may further be recovered and recycled as the raw reaction materials of the hydroxyalkyl ester. In this way, the production costs can further be decreased by recycling the unreacted recovered raw materials as the raw reaction materials.
In the present invention, catalysts as used in the reaction between the carboxylic acid and the alkylene oxide are not especially limited, and conventional catalysts as used in this kind of reaction can be used. Examples thereof include at least one member selected from the group consisting of: chromium compounds such as chromium chloride, chromium acetylacetonate, chromium formate, chromium acetate, chromium acrylate, chromium methacrylate, sodium bichromate, and chromium dibutyldithiocarbamate; iron compounds such as iron powder, ferric chloride, iron formate, iron acetate, iron acrylate, and iron methacrylate; and amines, such as trialkylamine, cyclic amines (e.g. pyridine) and their quaternary ammonium salts, and resins having a basic functional group (e.g. tertiary amino groups, quaternary ammonium salts, and pyridinium groups).
The amount of the catalyst as used for carrying out the present invention is not especially limited, but, when the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst and the reaction is carried out in a batch manner, the catalyst is usually used in the range of 5 to 50 weight %, particularly favorably 10 to 30 weight %, of the raw carboxylic acid. In addition, when the reaction is carried out in a continuous manner and a tank reactor is used in a fluidized bed manner, the catalyst is usually used in the range of 30 to 90 vol %, favorably 50 to 80 vol %, of the volume of the reaction liquid. In addition, when a tubular reactor is used in a fixed bed manner, the liquid including the raw reaction materials is passed through at a liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV: hrxe2x88x921) of 0.05 to 15, favorably 0.2 to 8. On the other hand, when the catalyst is a homogeneous catalyst, the catalyst is usually used in the range of 0.05 to 10 weight %, particularly favorably 0.1 to 3 weight %, of the raw carboxylic acid.
In the present invention, the resultant crude hydroxyalkyl ester may further be purified when the occasion demands. The purification method is not especially limited, but examples thereof include purification by distillation, more particularly, by distillation with conventional distillation columns, or rectifying columns, such as packed columns, bubble-cap columns, or perforated-plate columns. However, the distillation is not especially limited to these columns. In addition, other means of purification can be carried out in addition to the purification by distillation.
As is mentioned in the above way, the production process for a hydroxyalkyl ester, according to the present invention, is characterized by comprising a washing step and thereafter a drying step in the interval of from the stop of the production of the hydroxyalkyl ester till the restart of this production, wherein the washing step is a step of washing the inside of a production apparatus with water and/or an aqueous basic solution, and wherein the drying step is a step of drying under reduced pressure and/or hot-air-drying the inside of the production apparatus.
In the washing step, either the water or the aqueous basic solution is used, or both of them are used together as a washing liquid to wash the inside of the production apparatus.
As is mentioned in the above way, deionized water, distilled water, or tap water can fitly be used as the water or the water in the aqueous basic solution as used for the washing liquid. However, the water may be water including a comparatively large amount of impurities (for example, ejector water produced in the production process for the hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate or other chemical substance, drain water of vapor, or resultant water produced with reaction) in comparison with the above water.
As is mentioned in the above way, deionized water, distilled water, or tap water is used as the water for the washing liquid, and further steam can also be used. Among them, the water favorably has an electric conductivity of not more than 10 mS/m, more favorably not more than 1 mS/m (but 0 is not included), in view of lowering impurities in the water, such as sodium or calcium ion. The water may be used either alone respectively or in combinations with each other.
When at least an aqueous basic solution is used as the washing liquid, it is favorable because there are effects and advantages such that polymerized materials of the raw material or the product as piled in the system can be dissolved and removed.
The aqueous basic solution as used for the washing liquid is an aqueous solution of a basic substance. The basic substance is not especially limited if the basic substance displays basicity when it is dissolved in water, but examples thereof include: oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, and hydrogen carbonates of alkali metals, such as lithium, sodium, potassium, and rubidium; and oxides and hydroxides of alkali earth metals, such as magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium. Among these, oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, and hydrogen carbonates of alkali metals are favorable, and hydroxides are particularly favorable, in view of dissolving and removing the polymerized materials of the raw material or the product as piled in the system. Furthermore, sodium and potassium are favorable as the alkali metal. The basic substance may be used either alone respectively or in combinations with each other.
In the aqueous basic solution, the concentration of the basic substance is not especially limited, but is favorably in the range of 0.1to 40 weight %, more favorably 0.5 to 20 weight %, still more favorably 1 to 10 weight %, relative to the weight of the aqueous basic solution. In the case where the concentration of the basic substance is lower than 0.1 weight %, there are tendencies such that polymerized materials are insufficiently removed when they are piled in the system. In the case where the concentration of the basic substance is higher than 40 weight %, there are tendencies such that it takes much time to wash with a solvent after washing with the aqueous basic solution. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
The aqueous basic solution may be used either alone respectively or in combinations with each other having a different kind and concentration of the basic substance.
To the water or the aqueous basic solution as used for the washing liquid, various additives such as the following surfactants can be added in order to improve the washing effect: alkylene sulfate compounds, benzene sulfonate compounds, sulfosuccinic acid dialkyl ester compounds, amidosulfonate compounds, polyoxyethylene alkylphenol compounds, and polyoxyethylene glycol compounds.
The condition of washing the inside of the production apparatus can freely be selected in consideration for easiness of dissolving solid materials such as polymerized materials or precipitated materials attached to the production apparatus in the washing liquid. However, the washing temperature at the column bottom is, for example, favorably in the range of 50xc2x0 C. to the boiling temperature of the washing liquid including the solid materials such as the polymerized materials or precipitated materials as washed out, more favorably 80xc2x0 C. to the boiling temperature. Particularly, alkali steaming such that the aqueous basic solution is used in a state of boiling is favorable. The washing time is also not especially limited. The effect is generally caused within some hours, but the washing can be carried out until the solid materials such as the polymerized materials or precipitated materials are perfectly peeled or dissolved. The pressure is also not especially limited when the washing is carried out, but the washing is favorably carried out under reduced pressure in order to improve the fluidity of the washing liquid in the production apparatus such as a distillation column. When the washing is carried out under reduced pressure, for example, the effect of washing rear trays of the distillation column is improved, and it leads to shortening the washing time. In order to improve the washing effect under reduced pressure, the reduced pressure degree is favorably in the range of 100 to 1,200 hPa, more favorably 150 to 300 hPa.
For example, whether the washing can be carried out with the washing liquid or not can be confirmed by such as the pressure drop of the distillation column, the coefficient of heat transfer of a heat-exchanger, and checking after dismantlement.
When the washing is carried out with the aqueous basic solution, the aqueous basic solution is generally washed and removed with a solvent. This solvent is not especially limited if it can wash and remove the basic substance included in the aqueous basic solution, but water is particularly favorable from the viewpoint of easy availability and handling. Examples thereof include the water as mentioned in the above way, and the favorable one is also mentioned in the above way.
In addition, the condition of washing with the solvent after washing with the aqueous basic solution is also not especially limited. However, for example, the washing is favorably carried out by adjusting the washing temperature at the column bottom to the range of 20xc2x0 C. to the boiling temperature of the solvent including the aqueous basic solution as washed out in order to improve the washing effect. The washing temperature is more favorably in the range of 50xc2x0 C. to the boiling temperature, still more favorably 80xc2x0 C. to the boiling temperature. The pressure at the washing is also not especially limited, but the washing is favorably carried out under reduced pressure in order to improve the fluidity of the washing liquid in the production apparatus such as a distillation column. When the washing is carried out under reduced pressure, for example, the effect of washing rear trays of the distillation column is improved, and it leads to shortening the washing time. In order to improve the washing effect under reduced pressure, the reduced pressure degree is favorably in the range of 100 to 1,200 hPa, more favorably 150 to 300 hPa.
When the washing is carried out with the water after washing with the aqueous basic solution, the pH of the drainage after the washing is adjusted to not more than 9, favorably to the range of 6 to 8 at 50xc2x0 C. Or when the washing is carried out with the water after washing with the aqueous basic solution, the washing is carried out until the content of the basic substance in the drainage reaches favorably not more than 50 mg/l, more favorably not more than 10 mg/l. When the washing is carried out in this way, the formation of the carboxylic acid by decomposition of the eater can be decreased especially in a purifying step of the hydroxyalkyl ester.
Further more, the washing with a solvent, especially water can beforehand be carried out before washing with the aqueous basic solution. Particularly, when the amount of the polymerized materials to be washed is large, the direct washing with the aqueous basic solution may cause the polymerized materials to swell, and damage to the production apparatus. Therefore, the portion of the polymerized materials soluble in the solvent is beforehand removed, and then the above problem can be prevented.
The condition of washing with the solvent before washing with the aqueous basic solution is also not especially limited. However, for example, the washing is favorably carried out by adjusting the washing temperature at the column bottom to the range of 20xc2x0 C. to the boiling temperature (at the system pressure then) of the solvent including the polymerized materials (soluble portion in the solvent) as washed out in order to improve the washing effect. The washing temperature is more favorably in the range of 50xc2x0 C. to the boiling temperature, particularly favorably 80xc2x0 C. to the boiling temperature. The pressure is also not especially limited when the washing is carried out, but the washing is favorably carried out under reduced pressure in order to improve the fluidity of the washing liquid in the production apparatus such as a distillation column. When the washing is carried out under reduced pressure, for example, the effect of washing rear trays of the distillation column is improved, and it leads to shortening the washing time. In order to improve the washing effect under reduced pressure, the reduced pressure degree is favorably in the range of 100 to 1,200 hPa, more favorably 150 to 300 hPa.
The washing liquid as used for the washing may be recovered and recycled for a new washing step. In this way, the production costs can further be decreased by recycling the recovered washing liquid in the washing step.
In the drying step which is carried out after the washing step, either a drying method under reduced pressure or a hot-air-drying method is used, or both of them are used together as a method for drying the inside of the production apparatus.
When the drying is carried out under reduced pressure, the reduced pressure degree is not especially limited, but it is favorably in the range of 2 to 900 hPa, more favorably 10 to 300 hPa, still more favorably 10 to 100 hPa. In the case where the reduced pressure degree is lower than 2 hPa, it is not economical because a large-scale vacuum apparatus is necessary. In addition, there are tendencies such that it takes much time to reach such a reduced pressure degree. In the case where the reduced pressure degree is higher than 900 hPa, it takes much time to dry. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
When the drying is carried out under reduced pressure, the drying temperature is not especially limited, but it is favorably in the range of 30 to 160xc2x0 C., more favorably 50 to 140xc2x0 C., still more favorably 60 to 130xc2x0 C. In the case where the drying temperature is lower than 30xc2x0 C., there are tendencies such that it takes much time to dry and the reduced pressure degree has to be settled lower. In the case where the drying temperature is higher than 160xc2x0 C., there are tendencies such that it is not economical because a large-scale heating apparatus is necessary. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
When the hot-air-drying is carried out, the temperature of the hot air is not especially limited, but it is favorably in the range of 40 to 160xc2x0 C., more favorably 50 to 150xc2x0 C., still more favorably 60 to 150xc2x0 C. In the case where the temperature of the hot air is lower than 40xc2x0 C., there are tendencies such that it takes much time to dry and it is not economical because a large amount of flowing gas is necessary. In the case where the temperature is higher than 160xc2x0 C., there are tendencies such that it is not economical because a large-scale apparatus is necessary to generate the hot air. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
When the drying is carried out by only drying under reduced pressure, the drying time is not especially limited, but it is favorably in the range of 0.2 to 24 hours, more favorably 0.2 to 15 hours, more favorably 0.2 to 10 hours. In the case where the drying time is shorter than 0.2 hour, there are tendencies such that the drying of the inside of the production apparatus is insufficiently carried out. In the case where the drying time is longer than 24 hours, there are tendencies such that it is not economical because a large amount of energy is necessary to maintain the reduced pressure degree. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
When the drying is carried out by only hot-air-drying, the drying time is not especially limited, but it is favorably in the range of 0.2 to 24 hours, more favorably 0.2 to 15 hours, more favorably 0.2 to 10 hours. In the case where the drying time is shorter than 0.2 hour, there are tendencies such that the drying of the inside of the production apparatus is insufficiently carried out. In the case where the drying time is longer than 24 hours, there are tendencies such that it is not economical because a large amount of energy is necessary to generate the hot air. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
When the drying under reduced pressure and the hot-air-drying are used together as the drying method, the total drying time is not especially limited when they are used, but it is favorably in the range of 0.5 to 24 hours, more favorably 0.5 to 12 hours, more favorably 0.5 to 8 hours. In the case where the drying time is shorter than 0.5 hour, there are tendencies such that the drying of the inside of the production apparatus is insufficiently carried out. In the case where the drying time is longer than 24 hours, there are tendencies such that it is not economical because a large amount of energy is necessary to maintain the reduced pressure degree or to generate the hot air. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
When the drying under reduced pressure and the hot-air-drying are used together as the drying method, the turn of carrying out them is not especially limited, but it is favorable that the drying under reduced pressure is carried out at first and then the hot-air-drying is carried out in view of shortening the drying time.
Incidentally, when the drying under reduced pressure is carried out, and for example, when nozzle portions to settle instruments and connecting portions for piping is insufficiently heated or thermally insulated, water is frozen and then it cannot be removed. Therefore, it is favorable that: in addition to a heating equipment and a thermally insulating equipment for the whole apparatus, the portions where the heating and the thermally insulating is easily and insufficiently carried out have a heating equipment and a thermally insulating equipment for these portions. In addition, it is also favorable to carry out these operations from a viewpoint of efficiently removing water collected in the corner of the inside of the apparatus. The method for heating or thermally insulating is not especially limited, but examples thereof include a method that involves carrying out thermal insulation such as attaching a temperature-keeping material, or a method that involves settling a warm-water tracing or a steam tracing.
In the present invention, a pressurizing blowing step, which involves blowing the inside of the production apparatus with an incondensable and inert gas under applied pressure between the washing step and the drying step, may be carried out when the occasion demands. When the pressurizing blowing step is carried out, there are advantages in that water can also be removed and the contamination of the hydroxyalkyl ester with water can further be decreased, wherein the water is collected in the corner of the inside of the apparatus, such as nozzle portions to settle instruments and connecting portions for piping.
The incondensable and inert gas as used in this pressurizing blowing step is not especially limited, but examples thereof include nitrogen, helium, argon, air, and carbon dioxide. Among these, nitrogen and air are favorable in view of economy and availability. The incondensable and inert gas may be used either alone respectively or in combinations with each other.
The blowing pressure of the above gas is not especially limited, but it is favorably in the range of 0.01 to 1 MPa, more favorably 0.03 to 0.5 MPa, still more favorably 0.05 to 0.3 MPa. In the case where the blowing pressure of the gas is lower than 0.01 MPa, there are tendencies such that water collected in the corner of the inside of the apparatus cannot be removed efficiently. In the case where the pressure is higher than 1 MPa, there are tendencies such that it is not economical because the production apparatus requires much higher pressure durability. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
The temperature of the above gas is not especially limited, but it is favorably in the range of 0 to 90xc2x0 C., more favorably 5 to 70xc2x0 C., still more favorably 5 to 50xc2x0 C. In the case where the temperature of the gas is lower than 0xc2x0 C., there are tendencies such that the residual water of the inside of the production apparatus is frozen and cannot be removed outside of the system. In the case where the temperature is higher than 90xc2x0 C., there are tendencies such that it is not economical because a large amount of energy is necessary to heat the gas. Therefore, there are disadvantages.
When the pressurizing blowing is carried out, it is favorable that its frequency is not once but twice or more in view of shortening the drying time.
The pressurizing blowing method is not especially limited, but the following method is, for example, favorable in view of removing water collected in nozzle portions to settle instruments: a method which involves settling such a valve and a cock for blowing gas at these respective nozzles, and blowing gas by opening these valve and cock.
Incidentally, the above-mentioned washing step and drying step (if necessary, and further the pressurizing blowing step) are carried out in the interval of from the stop of the production of the hydroxyalkyl ester till the restart of the production. However, its frequency of these respective steps is not limited to once but may be twice or more in a period in the interval of from the stop of the production till the restart of the production. For example, a series of operation, which comprises carrying out the washing step and thereafter (if necessary, the pressurizing blowing step is further carried out) carrying out the drying step, is not only carried out once but also may be repeated twice or more.
In addition, the inside of the production apparatus where the above-mentioned washing step and the drying step (if necessary, and further the pressurizing blowing step) are carried out is not especially limited, but examples thereof include the insides of such as a reaction apparatus, a distillation apparatus, a raw material tank, an intermediate tank, a product tank, and a raw-material-recovering apparatus.
(Effects and Advantages of the Invention):
According to the present invention, in a production process for a hydroxyalkyl ester comprising the step of carrying out a reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst in order to produce the hydroxyalkyl ester, the contamination of the hydroxyalkyl ester with water can be inhibited to the minimum limit without washing the inside of a production apparatus together with the raw carboxylic acid or the hydroxyalkyl ester as an aimed product, or without carrying out azeotropic distillation with water and an azeotropic solvent.
Hereinafter, examples and comparative examples of the present invention are more specifically illustrated. However the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Production process for hydroxyalkyl ester


A method and apparatus for input data clock presence detection which utilizes an up/down counter clocked by a reference clock, which operates at a nominal frequency rate half of the nominal rate of the input data clock, and an R/S flip-flop causing the up/down counter to count up when set, and to count down when reset. The R/S flip-flop is cleared by the reference clock and set by the input data clock. The counter is selected to count up to its maximum number and remain there when continuously clocked up. Similarly, when continuously clocked down, the counter reaches its minimum number (zero) and remains there. So long as the input data clock is present and has the correct rate, after each reference clock pulse resets the flip-flop and prepares the counter to count down, there is at least one input data clock that sets the flip-flop and prepares the counter to count up. As a result, each reference clock pulse is counted up, and eventually the counter reaches its maximum number indicating presence of the input data clock. In the absence of the input data clock, the R/S flip-flop remains reset, whereupon the reference clock pulses are counted down, and eventually the counter reaches its minimum indicating the absence of the input data clock. A latch is provided for output of the clock presence signal.

The input video interface of a digital video tape recorder is required to produce several types of signals representative of the timing of the incoming video data. The production of these signals has to continue even if the input data is interrupted or disappears. Several operations of a digital video tape recorder or its input interface should not be performed if the digital video input signal is not present. The digital video signal may be supplied to the input of a digital video tape recorder in form of parallel data which must be accompanied by a clock. Detecting the presence of that clock is preliminary for detecting whether the incoming digital input video data is present.
The typical design of an input data clock presence detector is based on the principle of a retriggerable one shot multivibrator, which time constant is set to be longer than the period of the clock which triggers it. As long as the clock is present, it keeps the multivibrator in its astable state and the detector output in a state corresponding to the clock presence. Disappearance of the clock allows the astable state to expire and the detector output switches to the state corresponding to the absence of the clock. The multivibrator can be implemented as an analog device or a digital circuit. However, the analog version cannot be used inside of a digital application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the digital version requires some other clock (reference clock) operating at a higher rate for clocking the digital one shot.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided data clock presence detector circuit suitable for implementation inside of a digital ASIC, in which only reference clocks at a rate lower than the data clock rate are available.

Input clock presence detector for a digital video input


The present invention relates to a steam head of a cleaner. The present invention includes a steam head including: a body defining an exterior, and a steam generating device provided on the body to generate steam through heating water supplied through a heater, the heater including a radiator of a ceramic material, and a plurality of insulation layers for insulating the radiator, wherein the plurality of insulation layers is formed of one of or a combination of one or more of magnesium oxide (MgO), a slurry-phase insulator, and an insulation film. Thus, through the present invention, a heater's heat radiating performance is improved to facilitate generation of steam.

In general, a steam head for a cleaner removes impurities by discharging steam generated through heating water onto a surface to be cleaned, and for this purpose, a steam generating device is provided on the nozzle of the cleaner to generate steam. Also, a heater is provided within the steam generating device to convert water to steam by using high heat.
When the heater used is a widely used sheath heater, because the portion that comes into contact with water is not ground, its surface is generally insulated with a Teflon coating or a ceramic coating in order to prevent the occurrence of accidents such as electrocution during cleaning with the steam cleaner.
However, the above related art has the following problems.
Because there is the possibility of portions of a heater (included in steam heads of cleaners according to the related art) coated with Teflon coating or ceramic coating being removed through shock or friction during use, in such cases, there is the possibility of a user being electrocuted.
Due to the above problems, there is a need for double insulation of a heater installed and used in a steam cleaner in order to improve safety.
However, when double insulation is provided to improve safety of the above heaters, the insulation layers reduce the amount of heat generated by the heater, thus creating the problem of reduced exothermicity of the heater.


A bottle including a body portion having a dividing wall extending from a base portion to a connection region; a first chamber for holding first content; and a second chamber for holding second content; wherein a height of the dividing wall is greater than an overall height of the body portion, wherein the first chamber is configured to cooperate with a first orifice via a first surface and the second chamber is configured to cooperate with a second orifice via a second surface; and wherein one end of the first surface and one end of the second surface are configured to be adjacent to the connection region of the dividing wall to separate the first content from the second content.

1. Field of the Related Art
The present disclosure relates to bottles, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to bottles having a plurality of chambers that are configured to cooperate with each other to form a single bottle for the separate storage and dispensement of contents.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid storage containers have been provided in numerous shapes and sizes for various liquid commodities. The most ubiquitous liquid storage containers are presently plastic and provide multiple shapes and sizes with mass production capability and recyclable materials. A popular liquid storage container is a drinking bottle. Typically, most individuals utilize a drinking bottle formed of a molded plastic material. The most common type of molded plastic drinking bottle employs a neck portion supporting a removable cap and a chamber connected to the neck portion. These plastic drinking bottles are reasonably durable, are reusable with most liquid drinks of choice, are economical to make and to purchase, and are easy to use (in that an individual can grip the bottle with one hand and take a drink via the outlet means without spilling the liquid).
In particular, sports bottles have become very popular over the years as molded plastic drinking bottles. Sports bottles are containers which generally have a removable lid, are relatively tall and easy to hold and have a cap or lid positioned at the top portion of the sports bottle. Sports bottles have become quite popular given the increased exercise activity of individuals. Sports bottles are convenient because they do not leak and can be readily carried or placed without fear of spilling the liquid contained therein. To use a sports bottle, one simply places the desired liquid in the sport bottle and closes the lid and/or inserts a straw. Thereafter, whenever it is desired to acquire liquid, one merely opens the lid to allow access to the liquid.
Many individuals who exercise are interested in workouts of extended durations, at various levels of intensity. Thus, many individuals have available or even carry several individual bottles of water or other liquids to replenish body liquids lost from sweating. These individuals may particularly seek to take more than one type of drink while maintaining the same exercise pace and without carrying multiple bottles containing different liquids. Thus, many individuals may desire more than one type of drink to replenish body liquids lost from sweating when engaging in one or more intense workout activities, without inadvertently mixing the liquids.
Furthermore, one of the most critical needs facing individuals engaged in sports is the continuous supply or intake of different liquids (e.g., water, sports drinks, energy drinks, protein shakes, etc.) while they exercise. During extended exercise activities, individuals face serious dehydration problems and the loss of competitive capability unless they continuously replenish the fluids lost during such exercise activities. However, the human body requires many different types of vitamins or minerals that cannot all be found in one type of liquid. As a result, once again, individuals may desire more than one type of drink to replenish body liquids lost from sweating when engaging in one or more intense workout activities, without inadvertently mixing the liquids, in order to replenish several types of vitamins and minerals.
Moreover, sports enthusiasts are typically becoming more aware of the benefits of combining the use of electrolyte replacing sports drinks and/or water and/or protein shakes for ultimate performance enhancement and refreshment. Additionally, even children/teenagers often desire to consume more than a single flavor of soft drink or juices or any other type of desirable liquid. Also, adults who consume caffeinated energy drinks frequently purchase bottled water to compliment the energy drink in order to quench their thirst. In other words, such individuals must carry two or more bottles to quench their thirst. Thus, there is a need to provide a bottle that is capable of dispensing more than one type of liquid separately, without inadvertently mixing the liquids.
Consequently, traditional sports bottles present a limitation in that they do not allow an individual to enjoy a plurality of different liquid drinks separately from each other, without mixing the liquids, and at the same time period. Presently, many dual chamber bottle systems lack the ability to effectively provide two or more liquids to an individual without mixing the liquid contents. In addition, another limitation is the fact that an individual must carry a plurality of bottles, each of the plurality of bottles containing different liquids. Moreover, many individuals have a desire to combine the intake of liquids with the intake of solid supplements, such as energy bars, energy gels, vitamin/mineral supplements, etc.
Traditional dual chamber bottles do not provide for effective means of purposely separating two or more liquids or a liquid and a non-liquid desired to be consumed by an individual. In other words, traditional dual chamber bottles allow for inadvertent mixing of liquids, even though the individual desires to consume only one drink at a time. Thus, despite other practitioners' efforts to provide improved systems, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for an improved liquid supply apparatus for use by individuals, such as, but not limited to, individuals engaged in sports or exercise activities.
The present disclosure is intended to overcome the drawbacks of conventional dual chamber bottle systems by exploiting bottle morphology in order to successfully separate liquids without allowing inadvertent mixing of liquids.

Multi-chambered bottles for separating contents and methods of manufacturing the same


A burster for rupturing a casing containing an active explosive or propelt material of an ordnance device to prevent cook-off has an inert and thermally expansible material in an enclosure defined by a wall fixed to the casing so that thermal expansion of the inert material exerts on the wall a force to rupture the casing and vent the active material. The wall may have a stress riser groove to promote rupture at a predetermined location on the casing, and the volume of the inert material at ambient temperature may be less than the volume of the enclosure so that rupturing force is not exerted until a selected venting temperature is approached.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to ammunition, explosive devices, and reaction motor power plants having a casing opened by a safety device when the casing is externally heated so that propellant or explosive within the casing is vented so as to burn rather than deflagrate or detonate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Ordnance items present an extreme hazard in the event of "cook-off" which may be defined as the detonation or deflagration of an active material, such as an explosive or a propellant charge, due to external heating in an accidental fire or the like. This hazard is, typically, minimized by providing a casing, which contains the charge, with an arrangement for opening the casing to vent pressure therein before the casing attains a temperature where cook-off may occur. Such a casing contributing to cook-off may be a wall, as of a rocket motor or penetrating warhead, directly in contact with the active material, but may include structure surrounding the motor or warhead.
Prior art cook-off prevention arrangements include rocket motor casings of reinforced plastic which soften and fail on fast, direct cook-off from exposure to flame before a contained propellant attains cook-off temperature. However, this arrangement is ineffective when the casing is subjected to slow cook-off from indirect heating. Another arrangement utilizes a casing with stress riser grooves which cause the casing to open thereat when the casing is subjected to pressure by an explosive therein initially decomposing from heat. This arrangement is effective with relatively weak casings on both fast, direct cook-off and slow, indirect cook-off. However, with a relatively strong casing for target penetration the stress risers cannot weaken the case sufficiently so that venting either does not occur to prevent cook-off or occurs at such a high pressure that nearby structures are damaged and personnel are injured.
Prior art cook-off prevention arrangements also include a casing provided with an orifice having a closure opened or released by melting or thermal stress. Other prior-art arrangements include a casing vented by thermal stress when one side is heated. This stress may be increase by stiffening and thermally insulating portions of the casing. These arrangements, like the stress riser arrangement, are deficient with strong casings. Further prior art arrangements include explosive or other casing penetrators activated at a temperature approaching cook-off. These latter arrangements are effective but may themselves be a hazard and require initiation devices which are relatively complex and may be adversely affected by long storage.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


In an optical semiconductor device including a semiconductor laminated body including at least a light emitting layer, a first metal body including at least one first metal layer formed on the semiconductor laminated body, a support substrate, a second metal body including at least one second metal layer formed on the support substrate, and at least one adhesive layer formed in a surface side of at least one of the first and second metal bodies, the semiconductor laminated body is coupled to the support substrate by applying a pressure-welding bonding process upon the adhesive layer to form a eutectic alloy layer between the first and second metal bodies. At least one of the first and second metal layers has a triple structure formed by two tight portions and a coarse portion sandwiched by the tight portions.

1. Field
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an optical semiconductor device such as a light emitting diode (LED) and its manufacturing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in a prior art method for manufacturing an optical semiconductor device, at least an n-type semiconductor layer, an active semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer are sequentially and epitaxially grown on a semiconductor growing sapphire substrate to obtain a semiconductor laminated body. Then, two or more different metal layers are sequentially deposited at a definite depositing rate on the p-type semiconductor layer to obtain a first metal laminated body. On the other hand, two or more different metal layers are sequentially deposited on a support substrate to obtain a second metal laminated body. Then, the first metal laminated body is bonded by a wafer pressure-welding bonding process to the second metal laminated body by inserting one or two adhesive layers therebetween. Finally, the growing sapphire substrate for absorbing a visible light component of light emitted from the active semiconductor layer is wholly removed by a laser lift-off process (see: JP2004-266240A and JP2004-281863A).
In the above-described prior art manufacturing method, however, when the metal layers of the first metal laminated body are sequentially deposited at a depositing rate higher than 5 Å/s, for example, in order to decrease the production time, each of the metal layers of the first metal laminated body has a low density portion or a coarse portion. As a result, the contact characteristics between the metal layers of the first metal laminated body would deteriorate, so that the metal layers would be peeled due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient therebetween after the wafer pressure-welding bonding process.
Note that, if metals, whose differences in thermal expansion coefficient are small, are selected as the metal layers of the first metal laminated body, the peeling of the metal layers of the first metal laminated body would be avoided; however, in this case, the freedom of selection of such metals is decreased. That is, each of the metal layers of the first metal laminated body is not only intended to achieve the improvement of adhesion to the support substrate, but also, to achieve the improvement of the ohmic contact characteristic with the other layers and the contact characteristic with a reflective electrode layer, and suppress the diffusion of eutectic alloy in a eutectic alloy forming process. Therefore, since the freedom of selection of the metal layers of the first metal laminated body per se is small, this freedom of selection would be further decreased.
On the other hand, in the above-described prior art manufacturing method, when the metal layers of the first metal laminated body are sequentially deposited at a depositing rate lower than 1 Å/s, for example, each of the metal layers of the first metal laminated body has a high density portion or a tight portion. As a result, the contact characteristics between the metal layers of the first metal laminated body would be improved; however, in this case, a large residual thermal stress would be generated in each of the metal layers due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient therebetween after the wafer pressure-welding bonding process. As a result, the first metal laminated body would be warped, so that the laser in the laser lift-off process would be not focused at the interface between the semiconductor laminated body and the growing sapphire substrate, which could not remove the growing sapphire substrate. Additionally, since the production time would be increased, the manufacturing cost would be increased.
When a first metal body including a single metal layer is provided instead of the above-mentioned first metal laminated body, similar problems would occur. In this case, if the single metal layer has a low density portion or a coarse portion, the contact characteristics between the single metal layer and its upper and lower layers would deteriorate, so that the single metal layer would be peeled due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient therebetween after the wafer pressure-welding bonding process. On the other hand, if the single metal layer has a high density portion or a tight portion, the contact characteristics between the single metal layer and its upper and lower layers would be improved; however, a large residual stress would be generated in the single metal layer due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient therebetween after the wafer pressure-welding bonding process. As a result, the single metal layer would be warped, so that the laser in the laser lift-off process would not be focused at the interface between the semiconductor laminated body and the growing sapphire substrate, which could not remove the growing sapphire substrate. Additionally, the manufacturing cost would be increased.

Manufacturing method for optical semiconductor device having metal body including at least one metal layer having triple structure with coarse portion sandwiched by tight portions of a same material as coarse portion


An apparatus and method for cleansing and applying therapy or prophylaxis to wounds, in which irrigant fluid, which may contain a physiologically active material, and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing. A means for fluid cleansing may also be provided to recirculate fluid back to the dressing. The cleansing means removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The apparatus may also provide means for distributing such materials in a precise and time-controlled manner over the wound bed. It may also contain a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a medical wound dressing for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds, and a method of treating wounds using such apparatus for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds.
It relates in particular to such an apparatus, wound dressing and method that can be easily applied to a wide variety of, but in particular chronic, wounds, to cleanse them of materials that are deleterious to wound healing, whilst retaining, distributing, and/or adding materials that are beneficial in some therapeutic aspect, in particular to wound healing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Aspirating and/or irrigating apparatus therefor are known, and tend to be used to remove wound exudate during wound therapy. In known forms of such wound therapy, the offtake from the wound, especially when in a highly exuding state, is voided to waste, e.g. to a collection bag.
Materials deleterious to wound healing are removed in this way.
However, materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, such as growth factors, extracellular and cell matrix components and fragments thereof, and other physiologically active components of the exudate from a wound are lost to the site where they can be potentially of most benefit, i.e. the wound bed, when such therapy is applied.
Such known forms of wound dressing and aspiration and/or irrigation therapy systems often create a wound environment under the dressing that thus may result in the loss of optimum performance of the body's own tissue healing processes, and slow healing and/or in weak new tissue growth that does not have a strong three-dimensional structure adhering well to and growing from the wound bed. This is a significant disadvantage, in particular in chronic wounds.

Apparatus and method for wound cleansing with actives


An electric power steering device includes a power transmission joint (21) which coaxially couples an output shaft of a steering assist electric motor to an input shaft of a speed reduction mechanism for power transmission. The power transmission joint (21) includes first and second engagement members (41, 42) and an elastic member (43) disposed between the first and second engagement members (41, 42). The elastic member (43) includes an annular main body (44) and a plurality of engagement arms (45) provided at a predetermined interval circumferentially of the main body (44). The engagement arms (45) are engaged with engagement projections (55, 56) of the first and second engagement members (41, 42) circumferentially (X1) of the main body (44). Power transmission faces (46, 460) of the engagement arms (45) include power transmission faces (460) each having a relatively great interference (d1) and power transmission faces (46) each having a relatively small interference (d2).

Automotive electric power steering devices (EPS) employ a speed reduction apparatus. A column-type electric power steering device, for example, is adapted to reduce the rotation speed of an output shaft of an electric motor through a worm shaft and a worm wheel to amplify the output of the electric motor and transmit the output to a steering mechanism, thereby providing torque assist for a steering operation.
In general, a cylindrical joint which connects the output shaft of the electric motor to the worm shaft provides spline-coupling to an end of the worm shaft. The spline-coupled portion has a slight play defined in a rotation direction, so that noise occurs due to rattling attributable to the play.
To cope with this, an electric power steering device is provided in which an output shaft of an electric motor is coupled to a worm shaft via a joint including an elastic member for power transmission (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-145083 disclosed by Japanese Patent Office on May 22, 2002).
The elastic member is disposed between a pair of co-rotatable iron engagement members at opposed ends of the output shaft and the worm shaft with an interference. If the interference is great, it is difficult to fix the elastic member between the engagement members, and a loss torque due to frictional resistance is increased to deteriorate a steering feeling.
On the other hand, if the interference is small, the elastic member is worn during prolonged use, so that gaps are formed between the elastic member and the engagement members. Therefore, the joint has plays defined in a rotation direction due to the gaps. As a result, noise and torque transmission variation occur to deteriorate the steering feeling.
Further, the respective components have different dimensional tolerances, making it very difficult to properly determine the interference.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric power steering device which is easier to assemble, has a relatively small loss torque, and suppresses rattling and noise for a long period of time.


A larger-diameter fin is provided adjacent to a frame, while a smaller-diameter fin is provided adjacent to a protecting cover. The larger-diameter fin and the smaller-diameter fin are arranged parallel to each other in an axial direction with an intervening clearance so that their rectifying elements are disposed at opposite directions each other. The larger-diameter fin is offset outward in a radial direction. The smaller-diameter fin is offset inward in the radial direction. The protecting cover has an axial opening which introduces external air directly to the positive rectifying element. Furthermore, a radial ventilation passage is formed between the larger-diameter fin and the frame so as to pass the central position of the negative rectifying element. An opening, introducing external air directly, is formed at a radial-outer end of the radial ventilation passage.

The present invention relates to a rectifying apparatus for an automotive AC generator.
Increasing an effective capacity in a passenger compartment is an important matter to be realized for recent automotive vehicles. Thus, it is earnestly required to reduce the space of an engine room. Automotive AC generators are one of objects to be downsized. Accordingly, an important subject is to improve the cooling performance of a rectifying apparatus for an automotive AC generator, while maintaining adequate cooling efficiency against deterioration of temperature environment in the engine room or downsizing of the automotive AC generator itself.
For example, FIG. 11 shows a conventional automotive AC generator. According to this conventional automotive AC generator, both of positive and negative fins 101 and 102 mount rectifying elements 100 thereon. These fins 101 and 102 are arranged parallel to each other in an axial direction. A protecting cover 103 has two cooling air inlets 104 opened at predetermined portions near the rectifying elements 100. External air is directly introduced to the rectifying elements. More specifically, the back surfaces of the fins 101 and 102 are cooled by the cooling air.
However, according to the arrangement of the above-described conventional rectifying apparatus, the cooling air is introduced toward the centers of the rectifying elements 100 but directly guided to the back surfaces of the cooling fins 101 and 102. In other words, this arrangement is disadvantageous in that the cooling air cannot be smoothly conveyed to the element mounting surfaces of the cooling fins 101 and 102. Furthermore, the temperature of the cooling air will be increased undesirably when it arrives the rectifying elements 100, because the cooling air is brought into contact with warmed-up members before it reaches the downstream side. Thus, the cooling efficiency is worsened significantly.

Rectifying apparatus for an automotive AC generator


A separate living unit apparatus and kit configured to be positioned within a pre-existing structure including a structural frame supporting a set of side walls, an exterior wall, a set of interior walls, a ceiling and a floor; where the side walls include pre-finished drywall and insulation; where the ceiling includes pre-textured drywall and insulation; and where the floor has a subfloor of treated lumber with insulation and a floor covering including a carpet portion and a hard surface portion; an exterior door where the door is constructed within the exterior wall which separates the living unit from an exterior area; and where the interior walls define separate areas of the living unit, the separate areas including a living area, a bathroom and a kitchen.

The present application generally relates to devices, methods, systems and kits for reversibly converting a non-dwelling portion of a pre-existing structure into a dwelling portion of a pre-existing structure by assembling a living unit within a pre-existing non-dwelling structure.
A wide variety of circumstances can lead to the need for additional living space to be provided within a pre-existing dwelling structure. For example, such needs can arise from a circumstance in which a family member has a need for oversight care but has limited financial means such as an adult child with special needs or is handicapped. In other instances, a friend or family member may require a significant amount of care or oversight or frequent visits, for example, due to an illness, injury, or the effects of aging; however, a degree of independence is desired or needed.
While the construction of an additional living unit within a garage of a pre-existing dwelling structure has been proposed, the solutions described previously have all suffered from a variety of drawbacks, limitations, disadvantages and problems including those respecting quality, efficiency, integrity, cost effectiveness and others. There is a need for further developments in this arena, and the present application provides methods, systems, devices and kits that address this need.

Devices, methods, systems and kits for reversibly converting a non-dwelling portion of a structure into a dwelling portion of a structure


A power supply circuit is provided. The power supply circuit includes an audio codec chip and a voltage absorbing circuit. The audio codec chip has a power input terminal. The power input terminal is connected to a power source terminal. The voltage absorbing circuit is connected between the power source terminal and the power input terminal of the audio codec chip so as to decrease a divided voltage accomplished with a voltage from the power source terminal to low level. A method configured for starting up an audio codec chip on a computer motherboard in a normal manner is also provided.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to power supply circuits and methods, and particularly to a power supply circuit of an audio codec chip and a method for providing power supply to the audio codec chip.
2. Description of Related Art
In computer systems, an audio codec chip is generally arranged on a computer motherboard to provide sound function for the computer. The audio codec chip is connected to a power supply terminal on the motherboard, so as to provide a working voltage for the audio codec chip. When the power supply terminal outputs 3.3 volts (V) to the audio codec chip, the voltage is divided and a small portion goes to a digital/analog signal transforming circuit (DAC) of the audio codec chip. The DAC detects the signal state of the input voltage signal. If the signal input into the DAC is at low level, the audio codec chip will start normal. If the signal input to the DAC is at high level however, then the audio codec chip will malfunction. When the computer motherboard is used with some types of power supply, such as and FSB ATX3000-68PD power supply, the divided voltage provided to the transforming circuit will be 0.9V. For some types of audio codec chip, the 0.9V voltage will be considered high rather than low level and the audio codec chip will malfunction.

Power supply circuit for audio codec chip and method for providing power supply to audio codec chip

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A novel approach for generating and updating rules allows non-technical users to create and modify rules. A rules generation system includes a rules engineer interface, user interfaces and a rules generator. The rules engineer interface is an interface through which a rules engineer, such as rules engineer, may generate templates. Templates contain data that define rule “templates” that in turn specify a rule structure, rule elements that may be chosen by a user, and rule elements that may not be chosen by user. Templates may also define a set of choices, for example values, that user may choose for those rule elements. Templates may also be used to generate user interfaces. The user interfaces guide a user to create or edit rules.

Many decisions made by business enterprises can be represented by one or more business rules. As used herein the term "rule" refers to one or more actions or operations that are performed upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions. Thus, a "business rule" refers to one or more business actions or business operations that are performed upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions. For example, in the context of a financial company that issues credit cards, the process for determining whether to offer a credit card to a particular individual based upon particular financial or demographic information can be represented by one or more business rules.
Business rules are important because they allow business decisions to be automated using computer software. The business logic and conditions defined by business rules are embodied in computer software. Referring to the prior example, it is not uncommon for financial companies to automate, using computer software, the decision about whether a credit card should be offered to a particular individual. Conventionally, these types of computer systems use complex customized software to implement business rules.
A significant problem with using custom software to implement business rules is that the people in business organizations who decide on changes to business rules generally cannot themselves implement those changes in the computer software. When business logic or conditions change, the computer software must be updated to reflect the change. For example, in the context of issuing credit cards, if the minimum salary requirement is changed from X to Y, then the software must be manually updated to reflect the change in the minimum salary requirement from X to Y. Updating computer software generally requires technical expertise that the business people who decide the business rules simply don't have. These people are often financial analysts or high-level managers. Updating the software typically involves changing values in source code or data files and then "rebuilding" the software, which requires recompiling source code to generate object code and then linking the object code with libraries of other object code to generate a new runtime executable.
Some companies use a database system to store condition values so that the condition values can be updated and used by application software without having to rebuild the application software. When condition values are updated, the software retrieves the updated values from the database. This solves the problem of having to rebuild application software when condition values change, but still does not allow business people who define business rules and changes to implement those changes themselves. Furthermore, databases are generally not capable of storing the complex business logic required by business rules. Rather, the business logic must still be embodied in the complex custom software. Hence, changing business logic rules requires updating the custom software, which cannot be done by non-technical personnel.
Based upon the need for non-technical people to be able to update business rules and applications that use the business rules, an approach for updating business rules and applications that use them that does not suffer from limitations of prior approaches is highly desirable.

User selectable approach for generating modifiable rules