A magnetoresistive device includes an MR element including a metal layer, and an insulating portion made of magnesium oxide and in contact with the MR element. A method of manufacturing the magnetoresistive device includes the step of removing an unwanted magnesium oxide film that is formed by the magnesium oxide in the process of forming the insulating portion. In this step, the unwanted magnesium oxide film is wet etched by using an etchant containing an aqueous ammonia solution.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of etching a magnesium oxide film that is adjacent to a metal layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
With recent improvements in recording density of magnetic recording devices such as magnetic disk drives, there has been a demand for improving the performance of thin-film magnetic heads. Among the thin-film magnetic heads, a composite thin-film magnetic head has been used widely. The composite thin-film magnetic head has such a structure that a read head unit including a magnetoresistive element (hereinafter, also referred to as MR element) for reading and a write head unit including an induction-type electromagnetic transducer for writing are stacked on a substrate. Each thin-film magnetic head has a medium facing surface to face a recording medium.
Examples of MR elements include a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) element utilizing a giant magnetoresistive effect and a tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) element utilizing a tunneling magnetoresistive effect.
Read head units are required to have high sensitivity and high output characteristics. As the read head units that satisfy such requirements, those incorporating spin-valve GMR elements or TMR elements have been mass-produced.
Spin-valve GMR elements and TMR elements each typically include a free layer, a pinned layer, a spacer layer disposed between the free layer and the pinned layer, and an antiferromagnetic layer disposed on a side of the pinned layer opposite from the spacer layer. The free layer is a ferromagnetic layer whose magnetization direction varies in response to a signal magnetic field. The pinned layer is a ferromagnetic layer whose magnetization direction is pinned. The antiferromagnetic layer is to pin the magnetization direction of the pinned layer by means of exchange coupling with the pinned layer. For spin-valve GMR elements, the spacer layer is a nonmagnetic conductive layer. For TMR elements, the spacer layer is a tunnel barrier layer. The tunnel barrier layer is typically formed of an insulating material such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or magnesium oxide (MgO).
Examples of GMR elements include one having a current-in-plane (CIP) structure in which a current for magnetic signal detection (hereinafter referred to as sense current) is fed in a direction parallel to the planes of the layers constituting the GMR element, and one having a current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) structure in which the sense current is fed in a direction intersecting the planes of the layers constituting the GMR element, such as a direction perpendicular to the planes of the layers constituting the GMR element. TMR elements have the CPP structure.
Now, an example of the configuration of a read head unit incorporating an MR element of the CPP structure will be described. The read head unit includes first and second electrodes located at a distance from each other, and an MR element interposed between the first and second electrodes. The MR element has a first surface in contact with the first electrode, a second surface in contact with the second electrode, a front end face located in the medium facing surface, a rear end face opposite to the front end face, and first and second side surfaces opposite to each other in the track width direction. The first and second electrodes are used for feeding a sense current to the MR element. Each of the first and second electrodes may also function as a shield for the MR element.
The read head unit further includes first and second bias magnetic field applying layers located on opposite sides of the MR element in the track width direction, a first insulating film interposed between the first bias magnetic field applying layer and the first side surface of the MR element, a second insulating film interposed between the second bias magnetic field applying layer and the second side surface of the MR element, and an insulating refill layer disposed around the MR element and the first and second bias magnetic field applying layers.
The first and second bias magnetic field applying layers apply to the MR element a bias magnetic field for orienting the magnetization of the free layer in a predetermined direction when no signal magnetic field is applied to the MR element. The first and second bias magnetic field applying layers include respective metal layers each made of a magnetic alloy. The metal layers are exposed in the respective top surfaces of the first and second bias magnetic field applying layers, for example. The insulating refill layer is in contact with the rear end face of the MR element. The insulating refill layer is made of an insulating material. The read heat unit having such a configuration is disclosed in JP-A-2004-199812, for example.
An example of the manufacturing method for the aforementioned read head unit will now be described. In the manufacturing method, first, an MR film that later becomes the MR element is formed on the first electrode. The MR film is composed of a plurality of layers stacked. The uppermost layer of the MR film is typically a metal layer. Then, the MR film is selectively etched using a first mask to provide the MR film with the aforementioned first and second side surfaces. Next, the first and second insulating films and the first and second bias magnetic field applying layers are formed in succession, and the first mask is removed. The MR film is then selectively etched using a second mask to provide the MR film with the aforementioned rear end face. Next, the insulating refill layer is formed and the second mask is removed. The second electrode is then formed on the MR film.
To manufacture a magnetic head including the read head unit described above, components of a plurality of magnetic heads other than the substrates are formed on a single wafer that includes portions to later become the substrates of the plurality of magnetic heads, whereby a substructure including rows of a plurality of pre-head portions is fabricated. The plurality of pre-head portions become individual magnetic heads later. Then, the plurality of pre-head portions are separated from each other by cutting the substructure, and the cut surfaces are polished to form medium facing surfaces. The formation of the medium facing surfaces provides the MR films with the front end faces, thereby making the MR films into MR elements.
In the process of manufacturing the read head unit described above, the insulating material used to form the first and second insulating films and/or the insulating material used to form the insulating refill layer may deposit on the MR film into an unwanted insulating film. If the unwanted insulating film remains on the MR film, there may occur continuity failure between the MR element and the second electrode. It is thus necessary to remove the unwanted insulating film.
For example, wet etching is employed to remove the unwanted insulating film. The wet etching needs to be performed under such a condition that the metal layers adjacent to the unwanted insulating film, that is, the uppermost metal layer of the MR film and the metal layers of the first and second bias magnetic field applying layers, are not etched at all or are hardly etched.
JP-A-2004-199812 discloses removing an unwanted insulating film of Al2O3 by wet etching using tetramethylammonium hydroxide as the etchant.
Here, a case will be contemplated in which the first and second insulating films are formed of magnesium oxide. In this case, the unwanted insulating film is formed by magnesium oxide. Thus, in such a case, a wet etching method is needed that can selectively etch a magnesium oxide film adjacent to a metal layer. However, such a method has not been known.
The inventors of the present application attempted to etch a magnesium oxide film by using tetramethylammonium hydroxide as the etchant, and found, however, that the magnesium oxide film was hardly etched.

Method of etching a magnesium oxide film


A signal portion is extracted from an input signal for each frame having a specific duration to generate a per-frame input signal. The per-frame input signal in a time domain is converted into a per-frame input signal in a frequency domain, thereby generating a spectral pattern. Subband average energy is derived in each of subbands adjacent one another in the spectral pattern. The subband average energy is compared in at least one subband pair of a first subband and a second subband that is a higher frequency band than the first subband, the first and second subbands being consecutive subbands in the spectral pattern. It is determined that the per-frame input signal includes a consonant segment if the subband average energy of the second subband is higher than the subband average energy of the first subband.

The present invention relates to a consonant-segment detection apparatus and a consonant-segment detection method that detect a consonant segment carried by an input signal.
A human voice is classified into a vowel and a consonant or a voiced sound and an unvoiced sound, etc. There are techniques to detect or recognize a human voice using each feature of the voiced and unvoiced sounds, etc.
There are techniques to distinguish between voiced and unvoiced sounds based on zero-crossing detection with counting of the number of times of the change between the positive and negative for frames of an input signal, followed by comparison of the number of times of the change between frames.
When detecting a voice included in an input signal, it is relatively easy to detect a vowel segment in an environment at a relatively high noise level because of higher energy of a vowel than a consonant, whereas it is difficult to detect a consonant segment in such an environment because of lower energy of a consonant so that the feature of the consonant is covered by noises.
In such an environment at a relatively high noise level, the known zero-crossing detection may not always a good scheme for detecting a consonant segment when there is almost no zero crossing due to the change in sound level at sampling points if there is much noise in low frequency bands.

Consonant-segment detection apparatus and consonant-segment detection method


A circuit for use with a limited resolution device such as a stepper motor to convert a high-resolution signal such as from a computer into a high fidelity signal for driving the limited resolution device. The input to the limited resolution device being an average of the integrated difference between the high-resolution signal and a limited resolution signal consistent with the values used for driving the limited resolution device. This average being a high fidelity signal which is substantially the same as the high-resolution signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of signal conversion and relates to generating low-resolution signals that match high-resolution curves with much greater precision than has been heretofore obtained. More particularly, the present invention produces a high fidelity output for use with a low-resolution output device and its associated components so that the output device and its components follow the high resolution curve more accurately.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, when it is desired to drive an output device such as a stepper motor or a digital to analog converter, which has only limited resolution, from a digital source such as a computer which has much greater resolution, it as been the practice to convert the high resolution input signal to the limited resolution of the output device and use the result to drive the output device. When, however, the variation in the signal is of the same order of magnitude as the resolution of the output device, and error may result. For example, the output of a computer is typically 2.sup.16 or 2.sup.32 counts whereas the resolution of a stepper motor is more in the range of 2.sup.8 counts. Taking a signal containing e.g., 65536 counts and reducing it to a signal containing 256 counts produces a drive signal that may not always follow the desired control signal, because of the truncation of the less significant bits of the signal. In FIG. 1 a sine curve, 10, which may be digitally generated by a computer is shown to be relatively high resolution consisting of a large number of very small steps. The conversion of the signal 10 to a low-resolution signal for use in driving and output device such as a stepper motor is shown by curve 12 and it is seen that the only times that the low-resolution signal 12 is accurate is at those points where the two curves cross such as 14, 16 and 18. At all other points the low-resolution curve is not accurate. The inaccuracy is worst at points such as 22, 24 and 26 where the low-resolution curve 12 is furthest away from the desired curve 10.

Apparatus and method for producing high fidelity output with a limited resolution output device


Cationic polymers are obtainable by free-radical copolymerization, of

The present invention relates to cationic polymers obtainable by free-radical copolymerization of
(a) from 50 to 70% by weight of one or more monomers of the formula I
X=O, NR1,
R1=H, C1-C9-alkyl,
R2=tert-butyl,
(b) from 5 to 45% by weight of one or more monomers of the formula II
where n=1 to 3,
(c) from 5 to 40% by weight of a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one amine-containing group,
(d) from 0 to 5% by weight of a polyalkylene oxide-containing silicone derivative,
where up to 40% by weight, based on (a), (b), (c) and (d), of the monomer (a) can be replaced by a monomer of the formula I where R2=C2-C22-alkyl.
In cosmetics, polymers with film-forming properties are used for setting hair, improving its structure and for styling the hair. These hair treatment compositions generally comprise a solution of the film former in an alcohol or a mixture of alcohol and water.
Hair-setting compositions are generally sprayed onto the hair in the form of aqueous-alcoholic solutions. After the solvent has evaporated, the hair is held in the desired shape at the mutual points of contact by the polymer which is left behind. The polymers should on the one hand be sufficiently hydrophilic that they can be washed out of the hair, but on the other hand should be hydrophobic so that the hair treated with the polymers retains its shape and does not become sticky, even at high atmospheric humidity. In order to achieve an as efficient a hair-setting action as possible, it is also desirable to use polymers which have a relatively high molecular weight and a relatively high glass transition temperature (at least 15xc2x0 C.).
A further requirement of hair treatment compositions is to give the hair a natural appearance and shine, e.g. even when the hair concerned is by its very nature thick and/or dark.
A disadvantage of many known hair-setting polymers is the xe2x80x9cflakingxe2x80x9d effect, i.e. a white, dandruff-like residue remains on the hair after combing. This is generally regarded as extremely unpleasant by the users. The xe2x80x9cflakingxe2x80x9d effect is particularly noticeable in people with dark hair and/or particularly thick hair. The possibility of using hair-setting formulations which have this effect is thus significantly impaired particularly in the Asian market. Possible causes of the xe2x80x9cflakingxe2x80x9d effect are considered to be inter alia the chemical structure of the hair-setting polymers used and, in particular, the particle size of the spray.
In addition to the abovementioned properties, hair-setting polymers should therefore preferably have high propellant compatibility in order to permit formulation in spray cans under very high pressure. This applies both to the classical propellant based on propane/butane and also to their replacements, e.g. those based on dimethyl ether.
Cationic hair-setting polymers are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,914,403 and 3,954,960 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,533.
These polymers consist of vinylpyrrolidone, a quaternizable monomer, for example dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and optionally a further monomer.
WO 90/01920, WO 96/19966 and WO 96/20694 describe polymers of vinylpyrrolidone, a quaternizable monomer and up to 49% of a further hydrophobic polymer.
The compatibility of these polymers with the propellant propane/butane is not, however, sufficient for all desired applications. In addition, the products are very sticky as a result of the high VP content and under conditions of high atmospheric humidity lose their setting action.
Anionic polymers with propane/butane compatibility are already known, including polymers based on tert-butyl acrylate and tert-butyl methacrylate.
EP-A-379 082 describes, for example, a hair-setting composition comprising, as film former, a copolymer which comprises, in copolymerized form,
A) from 75 to 99% by weight of tert-butyl (meth)acrylate,
B) from 1 to 25% by weight of (meth)acrylic acid and
C) from 0 to 10% by weight of a further free-radical copolymerizable hydrophobic monomer.
Hair-setting compositions based on this copolymer which comprise only components A) and B) make the hair too hard and have too low a propane/butane compatibility. Copolymers which additionally comprise a monomer C) are in need of improvement as regards their wash-off.
DE-A-43 14 305 describes, like EP-A-379 082, a hair-setting polymer based on tert-butyl (meth)acrylate and (meth)acrylic acid which comprises from 0 to 60% by weight of a C1-C18-alkyl (meth)-acrylate or a mixture thereof with Nxe2x80x94C1xe2x80x94 to C18-alkyl (meth)-acrylamides in copolymerized form. Although in some cases additional monomers with a carbon number greater than 8 lead to better propane/butane compatibility, the wash-off is at the same time significantly impaired.
It is an object of the present invention to provide novel cosmetic compositions, in particular hair treatment compositions, which, in addition to the good setting properties, have high propellant compatibility and essentially do not exhibit a xe2x80x9cflakingxe2x80x9d effect. These compositions should preferably make the hair smooth and soft.
Surprisingly, we have found that this object is achieved by cosmetic compositions which comprise at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible cationic polymer which is obtainable by free-radical polymerization of
(a) from 50 to 70% by weight of one or more monomers of the formula I
X=O, NR1,
R1=H, C1-C8-alkyl,
R2=tert-butyl,
(b) from 5 to 45% by weight of one or more monomers of the formula II
where n=1 to 3,
(c) from 5 to 40% by weight of a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one amine-containing group,
(d) from 0 to 5% by weight of a polyalkylene oxide-containing silicone derivative,
where up to 40% by weight, based on (a), (b), (c) and (d), of the monomer (a) can be replaced by a monomer of the formula I where R2=C2-C22-alkyl.
Preferred monomers (a) are compounds of the formula I in which R1 is H and CH3, and X is 0 and NH; particular preference is given to tert-butyl acrylate, N-tert-butylacrylamide and/or tert-butyl methacrylate.
Monomer I can also consist of mixtures having varying meanings of R1 and X, preference being given to the monomers (a) where X=NR1 only being used in amounts up to 20% by weight, based on (a), (b) and (c).
The monomer (a) is preferably used in amounts of from 51 to 65% by weight, monomer (b) is preferably used in amounts of from 7 to 39% by weight, and monomer (c) is preferably used in amounts of from 10 to 30% by weight.
For the purposes of the present invention, the term xe2x80x9cC2-C22-alkylxe2x80x9d includes straight-chain, branched and cyclic alkyl groups. They are preferably straight-chain alkyl groups and particularly preferably branched alkyl groups.
Preferred monomers of the formula I where R2=C2-C22-alkyl are the following compounds:
n-butyl (meth)acrylate, n-octyl (meth)acrylate, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl (meth)acrylate, ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, n-nonyl (meth)acrylate, n-decyl (meth)acrylate, n-undecyl (meth)acrylate, tridecyl (meth)acrylate, myristyl (meth)acrylate, pentadecyl (meth)acrylate, pamityl (meth)acrylate, heptadecyl (meth)acrylate, nonadecyl (meth)acrylate, arrachinyl (meth)acrylate, behenyl (meth)acrylate, lignocerenyl (meth)acrylate, cerotinyl (meth)acrylate, melissinyl (meth)acrylate, palmitoeinyl (meth)acrylate, oleyl (meth)acrylate, linolyl (meth)acrylate, stearyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate and mixtures thereof and N-tert-butyl(meth)-acrylamide, N-octyl(meth)acrylamide, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl-(meth)acrylamide, ethylhexyl(meth)acrylamide, N-nonyl(meth)-acrylamide, N-decyl(meth)acrylamide, N-undecyl(meth)acrylamide, tridecyl(meth)acrylamide, myristyl(meth)acrylamide, pentadecyl(meth)acrylamide, palmityl(meth)acrylamide, heptadecyl(meth)-acrylamide, nonadecyl(meth)acrylamide, arrachinyl(meth)-acrylamide, behenyl(meth)acrylamide, lignocerenyl(meth)-acrylamide, cerotinyl(meth)acrylamide, melissinyl(meth)-acrylamide, palmitoleinyl(meth)acrylamide, oleyl(meth)acrylamide, linolyl(meth)acrylamide, stearyl(meth)acrylamide, lauryl(meth)-acrylamide and mixtures thereof.
Very particular preference is given to:
n-butyl (meth)acrylate, N-octyl(meth)acrylamide, lauryl (meth)acrylate and stearyl (meth)acrylate, where the term xe2x80x9c(meth)acrylatexe2x80x9d covers methacrylates and acrylates.
Monomers (b) are compounds of the structure II
where n=1 to 3,
preferably vinylpyrrolidone (VP), vinylcaprolactam (VCap) or mixtures thereof.
Some of (II), up to 4% by weight, based on the total (a)+(b)+(c), can be replaced by a hydrophilic nonionic monomer of the structure III
Rxe2x80x2=H, CH3
X=O, NH
m=from 0 to 50
n=from 0 to 50
m+nxe2x89xa75
Rxe2x80x3=H, C1-C22-alkyl or phenyl.
In formula III, Rxe2x80x3 is preferably a hydrogen atom and a C1-4-alkyl group, a methyl group being particularly preferred. Examples of such a (meth)acrylate monomer include hydroxy[lacunal] (meth)-acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate, methoxypolyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, methoxypolypropylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate, ethoxypolyethylene glycol mono(meth)-acrylate, butoxypolyethylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate and phenoxypolyethylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate.
Monomers which are used as monomers (c) are those which have at least one mononethylenically unsaturated group and at least one amine-containing group.
Preferred monomers (c) are compounds represented by the following structure IV
where
Rxe2x80x2=H, CH3
X=O, NH
Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x3, Rxe2x80x3xe2x80x3=are identical or different and can be CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9, tert-C4H9
p=1 to 5
Particularly suitable monomers (c) are:
N,N-dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate
N,N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate
N,N-dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylamide
N,N-dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide.
Very particularly suitable monomers (c) are:
N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate
N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylamide
N,N-dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide.
The monomers (c) are used in amounts of from 5 to 40% by weight, preferably from 10 to 30% by weight.
Suitable silicone derivatives (d) are the compounds known under the INCI name dimethicone copolyols or silicone surfactants, such as, for example, those obtainable under the trade names Abil(copyright) (T. Goldschmidt), Alkasil(copyright) (Rhxc3x4ne-Poulenc), Silicone Polyol Copolymer(copyright) (Genesee), Belsil(copyright) (Wacker), Silwet(copyright) (Witco, Greenwich, Conn., USA) or Dow Corning (Dow Corning). These include compounds with the CAS numbers 64365-23-7; 68937-54-2; 68938-54-5; 68937-55-3.
The monomers of the groups (a) to (d) can in each case be used individually or in a mixture with other monomers from the same group.
The polymers can be prepared by processes of free-radical initiated polymerization known per se, e.g. by solution polymerization, emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, precipitation polymerization, inverse suspension polymerization or inverse emulsion polymerization, without limiting the methods which can be used thereto.
The polymers are advantageously prepared using solution polymerization in solvents such as water, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or mixtures of these solvents. The amounts of monomers and solvents are expediently chosen to give from 30 to 70% by weight strength solutions.
The polymerization is usually carried out at temperatures of from 50 to 140xc2x0 C. and at atmospheric pressure or under autogeneous pressure.
Initiators which can be used for the free-radical polymerization are the water-soluble and water-insoluble peroxo and/or azo compounds customary for this purpose, for example alkai metal or ammonium peroxydisulfates, dibenzoyl peroxide, tert-butyl perpivalate, tert-butyl per-2-ethylhexanoate, di-tert-butyl peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, azobisisobutyronitrile, azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride or 2,2xe2x80x2-azobis(2-methyl-butyronitrile). Also suitable are initiator mixtures or redox initiator systems such as ascorbic acid/iron(II) sulfate/sodium peroxodisulfate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide/sodium sulfite, tert-butyl hydroperoxide/sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate. The initiators can be used in the customary amounts, for example in amounts of from 0.05 to 5% by weight, based on the amount of monomers to be polymerized.
The cosmetic preparations preferably comprise from 0.2 to 20% by weight of the polymer.
The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of the above-described polymers, in which, following the polymerization, which is preferably carried out as a solution polymerization, the resulting polymer is treated directly with hydrogen peroxide and/or activated carbon and/or a volatile vegetable oil (essential oil) at a temperature between 70 and 120xc2x0 C.
Hydrogen peroxide is used here in an amount up to 1% by weight, activated carbon up to 5% by weight and the essential oil up to 1% by weight, in each case based on the polymer solution.
Suitable essential oils are, for example, lavender oil, rose oil, cinnamon oil, almond oil and coconut oil.
This process achieved an improvement in the odor and also the color of the polymer.
The polymers in the cosmetic preparations are preferably either partially or completely neutralized using a monohydric acid or a polyhydric acid or a polycarboxylic acid, or are quaternized in a customary manner using a quaternizing agent (alkyl halide or dialkyl sulfate).
In particular, the polymer is partially or completely neutralized using phosphoric acid or an acid mixture containing phosphoric acid.
Acids which can be used are organic acids, mono-, di-, tricarboxylic acids (e.g. fatty acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid) or mineral acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid, H2SO4, H3PO4).
In order to keep the residual vinyllactam(VP or VCap) content low, the product solutuion, following polymerization, is afterpolymerized using 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)-hexane,(Trigonox 101) at about 130xc2x0 C./3-10 h. This lowers the residual content of vinyllactam monomers to  less than 100 ppm.
The invention also relates to the use of the novel polymers for cosmetic preparations, in particular as setting polymers in hair spray, foam setting compositions, hair mousse, hair gel and shampoos.
Other suitable fields of use are cosmetic skin preparations and nail varnishes.
The novel polymers preferably have a glass transition temperature above 250xc2x0 C. and a K value of from 25 to 70, preferably from 25 to 50 (measured in accordance with Fikentscher).
The invention further relates to cosmetic hair preparations comprising
(a) from 0.2 to 20% by weight of a polymer as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6,
(b) from 0 to 10% by weight of a conventional hair-setting polymer,
(c) from 0 to 1% by weight of a water-dispersible siloxane-containing compound,
(d) from 30 to 99.5% by weight of a solvent or solvent mixture of alcohol, in particular ethanol, and water,
(e) from 0 to 60% by weight of a propellant of dimethyl ether and/or propane/butane,
(f) from 0 to 0.3% by weight of a cosmetically suitable additive.
It is also possible to mix the polymers to be used according to the invention with conventional hair cosmetics polymers if the intention is to achieve particular properties. Examples of conventional hair cosmetics polymers are
cationic (quaternized) polymers, e.g. cationic polyacrylate copolymers based on N-vinyllactams and derivatives thereof (N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylcaprolactam etc.) and customary catonic hair-conditioning polymers, e.g. Luviquat(copyright) (copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazolium methochloride), Luviquat(copyright) Hold (copolymer of quaternized N-vinylimidazole, N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylcaprolactam), Merquat(copyright) (polymer based on dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), Gafquat(copyright) (quaternary polymers produced by reacting polyvinylpyrrolidone with quaternary ammonium compounds), polymer JR (hydroxyethylcellulose containing cationic groups), polyquaternium products (CTFA names), etc.;
nonionic, water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers or oligomers, such as polyvinylcaprolactam, e.g. Luviskol Plus (BASF), or polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers thereof, in particular with vinyl esters, such as vinyl acetate, e.g. Luviskol VA 37 (BASF); polyamides, e.g. those based on itaconic acid and aliphatic diamines;
amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers such as the octylacrylamide-methyl methacrylatexe2x80x94tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylatexe2x80x942-hydroxypropyl methacrylate copolymers, obtainable under the names Amphomor(copyright) (Delft National), and zwitterionic polymers, as disclosed, for example, in German Patent Applications DE 39 29 973, DE 21 50 557, DE 28 17 369 and DE 37 08 451. Acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloridexe2x80x94acrylic acid orxe2x80x94methacylic acid copolymers and alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof are preferred zwitterionic polymers. Other suitable zwitterionic polymers are methacroylethylbetainxe2x80x94methacrylate copolymers, which are obtainable commercially under the name Amersette(copyright) (AMERCHOL);
nonionic, siloxane-containing, water-soluble or dispersible polymers, e.g. polyethersiloxanes, such as Tegopren(copyright) (Goldschmidt) or Belsil(copyright) (Wacker).
The polymers to be used according to the invention are generally suitable as hair-setting polymers having a conditioning action in cosmetic preparations, especially in cosmetic hair preparations such as hair treatments, hair lotions, hair rinses, hair emulsions, fluids for treating hair ends, neutralizing agents for permanent waves, xe2x80x9chot-oil treatmentxe2x80x9d preparations, conditioners, shampoos, setting lotions or hair sprays.
Depending on the field of use, the cosmetic hair preparations can be applied as a spray, foam, gel, gel spray or mousse. Preference is given to the use as a hair spray.
As well as containing the novel polymers and suitable solvents such as water or water/alcohol mixtures, the cosmetic hair preparations can also contain additives which are customary in cosmetics, such as emulsifiers, preservatives, perfume oils, care substances such as panthenol, collagen, vitamins, protein hydrolysates, stabilizers, pH regulators, dyes and other customary additives.
A particularly suitable additive for the polymers according to the invention are fatty acid amides, in particular those with a chain length of C12-C22. Particular preference is given to erucamide and stearamide. The fatty acid amides are used in an amount of up to 0.1% by weight, based on the polymer.
The polymers according to the invention can also be used in cosmetic preparations for protecting and caring for the skin, for example as moisturizing cream or lotion.

Abstract: X=O, NR1,

Abstract: R1=H, C1-C8-alkyl,

Abstract: where n=1 to 3,


The horizontal stabilizer position is provided to the automatic flight control system software where it is passed through a second order Chebychev motion filter to provide horizontal stabilizer rate. A threshold and hysteresis function detects when the motion exceeds 0.08.degree. per second. While the stabilizer motion exceeds the threshold, a displacement detector determines when the stabilizer position has exceeded 1.degree. since the motion was first detected. When the 1.degree. change in position has occurred while the rate was exceeded, a motion flag is transmitted to the warning system. A sign change detector determines when the output of the motion filter changes sign. A holding latch responsive to the stabilizer position and to the threshold and hysteresis function latches the stabilizer position when the 0.08.degree. per second rate is exceeded. The difference between the latched position and the current position is applied to a threshold detector to determine when the difference exceeds the 1.degree. change in position. The sign change detector unlatches the holding latch when the sign of the output of the motion filter changes. The output of the threshold and hysteresis function remains true until the output of the motion filter falls below 0.055.degree. per second.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to control surface motion detection for maneuverable craft, particularly with respect to detecting the motion of the horizontal stabilizer of aircraft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The horizontal stabilizer of modern jet transports is typically utilized in effecting pitch trim of the aircraft. The present day jet transport traditionally includes an automatic flight control system (AFCS) that includes an automatic pitch trim function. In such aircraft, it is necessary to provide the pilot with a warning indication when the rotational rate of the horizontal stabilizer exceeds a predetermined rate through a displacement in excess of a predetermined amount. Typically, the warning system is designed to detect when the horizontal stabilizer has travelled in excess of 1.degree. at a rate of greater than 0.08.degree. per second.
In the prior art, this function is performed in hardware. A shaft angle encoder coupled to the horizontal stabilizer shaft emits pulses as the shaft rotates at a pulse rate in accordance with the rotational rate of the shaft. A counter responsive to the pulses is maintained in a reset state when the pulse rate is less than 0.08.degree. per second. When the pulse rate exceeds 0.08.degree. per second, the reset is released permitting the counter to accumulate the pulses from the encoder. When the pulse count indicates that 1.degree. of motion has occurred since the rate exceeded 0.08.degree. per second, the apparatus effects the stabilizer motion warning. The warning may, for example, be provided to the central aural warning system (CAWS) of the aircraft instrumentation.
Generally, the prior art apparatus performs satisfactorily but requires expensive, bulky and heavy hardware to implement the function. Additionally, installation of the shaft angle encoder is a time consuming and expensive procedure requiring precision alignment. Since the prior art motion warning system is predicated on a mechanical device, the reliability thereof is undesirably low with a concommitant undesirably frequent maintainance schedule.


A dual layer flexible circuit for tape drives is provided that has a flexible substrate with first and second sides. A plurality of write trace pairs are provided on the substrate, with each write trace pair including a first write trace on the first side of the substrate and a second write trace on the second side of the substrate opposing the first write trace. Each first write trace has a width that is narrower than the width of each second write trace, thereby allowing for compensation of misalignment between the trace layers, avoiding variation in the capacitance and inductance of the full circuit.

Magnetic tape drives are typically employed to provide data backup and archival storage for user data records and programs. For digital data storage applications, tape drives typically employ either rotating heads, or non-rotating heads. One form of non-rotating head is the streaming tape drive. In a streaming tape drive, multiple blocks of user data are typically written to tape in a single streaming operation, rather than in a series of start-stop operations of the tape transport. In the streaming tape drive, a magnetic tape head includes at least one write/read element. The head is typically positioned laterally relative to the tape path by a lead screw, which is controllably rotated by, e.g., a stepper motor, or an equivalent arrangement. In this manner, a single transducer element, or several spaced-apart elements, may write to, and read from, a multiplicity of linear tracks defined along the magnetic recording tape.
In order to permit the head to be moved laterally across the tape in order to confront the multiple parallel tape tracks, a flexible head interconnector arrangement is needed to connect the write/read elements of the head to electronic circuitry conventionally mounted on one or more printed circuit boards affixed to the tape drive base or housing. In the past, flexible wires, twisted together into pairs and gathered into a cable, have been employed as tape head interconnects.
Data rates and track densities are increasing. One way to increase the data rate of a magnetic recording system is to increase the write frequency. Another way to increase data rate is to increase the number of parallel write and read elements of the head and data channels of the tape drive so that more tracks are simultaneously written during each tape streaming operation.
A further way to increase track density is to reduce the linear track width and spacing by aligning the write elements/read elements closer together. By employing thin film inductive write elements and magneto-resistive read elements, it is practical to increase the number of data tracks. Since the head carrying the write and read elements must still be displaced laterally relative to the tape path, a flexible interconnect arrangement is needed in order to connect the write and read elements of the movable head to the write and read electronics affixed to the printed circuit board of the drive electronics.
Write system bandwidth is one of the constraints in achieving higher data rates in high-performance tape drives. One approach to improve the write system bandwidth and rise time is to reduce the parasitic inductance and impedance of the write system by using a two-layer flexible circuit design, with write trace pairs stacked on top of each other, using both trace layers of a dual layer flexible circuit. This configuration results in higher capacitance, but much lower inductance compared with the more traditional layout with write trace pairs on the same trace layer. The lower inductance allows for much faster write current rise time response, which enables the higher system bandwidth and transfer rates needed for higher performance tape drive systems.
FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a dual layer flexible circuit employing paired traces on the layers to illustrate a concern with such arrangements. FIG. 3A shows a plurality of write trace pairs formed on a dual layer flexible circuit. Each write trace pair includes a first write trace 50 and an opposing second write trace 52 formed on opposite sides of a substrate 51. The first and second write traces 50, 52 of a write trace pair are of similar dimensions and formed of copper electrodeposited upon the substrate 51, for example. The structure of FIG. 3A depicts an ideal alignment of the first and second write traces 50, 52 in the two layers. In practice, however, the use of paired traces on two layers of a flexible printed circuit can be inhibited by variation in the layer-to-layer alignment of the traces. See, for example, FIG. 3B which depicts an exemplary dual layer flexible circuit with a misalignment of the trace layers. As can be seen, variation in the alignment of the two traces between the layers changes the effective separation between the write traces. This variation in the alignment of the two traces between the layers will produce variations in the capacitances and inductance of the full circuit, which is an undesirable result. In high performance multi-channel tape drives, there will also be multiple pairs of write traces, and layer to layer alignment variation also presents a challenge in maintaining low crosstalk between adjacent pairs of write trace pairs.
One approach to compensate for this alignment issue is to use very wide circuit traces, along with very wide spaces between the traces of adjacent circuits, so that the effect of the layer-to-layer misalignment on capacitance, inductance and crosstalk is minimized. However, this approach results in a much larger overall width for the flexible circuit, presenting cost and mechanical integration challenges.

Low impedance flexible circuit for tape head


A styrene copolymer composition comprising at least one alkyl acrylate and/or at least one alkyl methacrylate wherein the styrene copolymer composition has a bimodal molecular weight distribution. A method of producing a styrene copolymer comprising reacting styrene and at least one alkyl acrylate and/or at least one alkyl methacrylate, wherein the alkyl acrylate comprises an alkyl group having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms and the alkyl methacrylate comprises an alkyl group having equal to or greater than 10 carbon atoms. A method of increasing the molecular weight distribution in a styrene copolymer comprising incorporating at least one alkyl acrylate and/or at least one alkyl methacrylate wherein the styrene copolymer has a polydispersity index equal to or greater than 3.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to the production of polystyrene and more specifically to the production of polystyrene having a broad molecular weight distribution.
2. Background of the Invention
Copolymers of monovinylidene aromatic compounds such as styrene, alpha-methylstyrene and ring-substituted styrene comprise some of the most widely used thermoplastic elastomers. For example, styrene copolymers can be useful for a range of applications including disposable medical products, food packaging, tubing and, point-of-purchase displays. Styrenic copolymers are block copolymers that comprise polystyrenic segments interconnected with a matrix comprising compounds such as polybutadiene or polyisoprene. The polystyrenic segments give hardness or rigidity to the copolymer while the interconnecting matrix provides softness or flexibility.
The molecular weight of a thermoplastic elastomer will generally dictate the resultant physical properties of the thermoplastic. As a rule, the higher the molecular weight, the higher mechanical properties (e.g., tensile, flexural, compressive strength) will be. However, processing of very high molecular weight thermoplastics is quite difficult. For example, the molecular weight (Mw) of commercial polystyrene is typically in the range of 200-350 kDa. This limits the physical properties but ensures good processibility. However, polymers having fractions of high and low molecular weight components would provide materials having both the desired strength (due to the high molecular weight components) and processability (due to the low molecular weight components). Thus a need exists for a styrenic copolymer having a good balance between strength and processability.

Styrene copolymers with a bimodal molecular weight distribution


A torso exercise machine includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; a seat pivotally mounted on the frame; at least one handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame; and a link pivotally interconnected between the seat and the handlebar. The link constrains the seat and the handlebar to pivot in opposite directions relative to the frame. A resistance device may be interconnected between the handlebar and the frame to resist pivoting of the handlebar and the seat toward one another.

The present invention relates to exercise methods and apparatus, and more specifically, to an exercise machine which facilitates exercise of a person""s abdominal muscles and/or back muscles while accommodating the person in a sitting position.
Those skilled in the art recognize the desirability of exercise, as well as the positive influence of fitness products on people""s exercise technique and/or motivation. For example, relatively sophisticated and/or expensive machines have been made for use in clubs, gyms, and the like, to exercise specific muscles or muscle groups. These dedicated machines encourage proper exercise motion and generally provide positive results to people who make use of them. However, because these institutional machines are not available to everyone, a need remains for less complicated and/or less expensive machines which may be acquired for use in the home, but nonetheless provide a satisfactory workout.
The present invention provides torso exercise machines which are relatively simple in construction, easy to operate, and effective in use. Generally speaking, the machines include a frame designed to rest in a stationary position upon a floor surface; a seat pivotally mounted on the frame and defining a seat pivot axis; and at least one handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame and defining a handlebar pivot axis. A biasing device may be interconnected between the frame and at least one of the handlebar and the seat, to assist or resist pivoting of same relative to the frame.
One aspect of the present invention is to interconnect the seat and the handlebar in such a manner that the seat is constrained to pivot relative to the frame as the handlebar pivots relative to the frame, and vice versa. For example, a linkage may be interconnected between the seat and the handlebar to constrain the seat and the handlebar to pivot in opposite directions relative to one another. The linkage may be optionally disengaged, so that the seat and the handlebar may be operated in an independent mode, as well as a dependent mode. With left and right handlebars disposed on opposite sides of the frame, the decoupling of the seat also frees the handlebars for independent movement relative to one another. Additionally, the seat may be locked against pivoting relative to the frame when the handlebars are free to undergo independent movement.
Additional aspects of the present invention are to position the seat pivot axis at a distance apart from the handlebar pivot axis; position the seat pivot axis to extend beneath the seat; position the seat pivot axis to bisect the planform of the seat; position the handlebar pivot axis to extend beneath the seat; position the handlebar pivot axis to extend rearward of the planform of the seat; and/or position the handlebar pivot axis to be lower to the floor than the seat pivot axis. Still more features and/or advantages of the present invention may become apparent from the more detailed description that follows.


According to the invention, recuperation may be optimized for a hydraulically-operated gas exchange valve by provision of two fluid-filled pressure chambers and a movable regulating piston with two active faces each defining one of the pressure chambers. The pressure chambers are each connected to two hydraulic valves of which the first hydraulic valves may be pressurized from a first pressure reservoir and the second hydraulic valves may be connected to a base pressure reservoir. The first hydraulic valves may furthermore be connected to a second pressure reservoir. A control or regulation device switches the valves, from a rest position in a first accelerating phase and a braking phase. The second pressure reservoir is provided as pressure buffer for providing the pressure in the first pressure reservoir and/or for providing pressure for the fuel pump and/or for the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine and/or for providing pressure for a further gas exchange valve in the same or another combustion cylinder of the internal combustion engine.

Fluid-operated valve drives, in particular for gas exchange valves in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, which within the context of this invention encompass both hydraulically and also pneumatically operated valve drives, have long been known. Firstly, said valve drives were used to replace a camshaft-controlled opening of an engine valve, while the closing of the valve continued to be provided by means of a spring mechanism. Such systems are known for example from the German laid-open specification 1,944,177. However, bidirectionally controlled fluid operated valve drives for valve control arrangements have also already long been known in principle, for example from CH 417,219. Here, use is usually made of the principle that an actuating piston has two surfaces which are acted on with pressure and of which one is larger than the other. In CH 417,219, however, it is also proposed that the fluid supply—in this case the oil supply—be controlled by means of a conventional camshaft. Said principle is also inherent in the proposal according to DE 101 439 59 A1, in which however the valve control arrangement operates without a camshaft. In DE 101 439 59 A1, the surface area of at least one of the two active surfaces of the actuating piston should vary along the movement path of said actuating piston. It is also proposed therein that one of two fluid pressure chambers is in each case filled with a fluid and emptied. Said proposal has proven not to be especially advantageous since the valve control arrangement cannot be set up very precisely with a manageable amount of expenditure.
A significant improvement of said concept is known originally from U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,641 A, and proposed in improved form in U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,846 B1, referred to hereinafter as Schechter. It is proposed here that two oppositely arranged active surfaces be acted on in each case with a fluid which is extracted from a common reservoir and controlled by means of supply valves. The outflow valves are provided inter alia for pressure relief. Said system is however very complex and can only be used to a limited extent on account of the complex fluid supply control.
In relation to conventional mechanically driven valve drives, fluid-operated valve drives basically have the disadvantage or the problem of higher energy consumption, since the power of the internal combustion engine is then lost. The known fluid-operated valve drive devices—in particular also the devices known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,857, from U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,528, DE 199,31129, U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,524, WO-A-02/46582 and WO-A-02/066,796—have in common the fact that the problem of increased energy consumption is not solved or is only rudimentarily solved. For example, in WO-A-02/066,796, although it is provided there that a buffer store should absorb pressure fluctuations, the hydraulic fluid from the outlet of the piston for valve control is however conducted into a reservoir, from which said hydraulic fluid must be pumped back up to the working pressure of the hydraulic system by means of a high-pressure pump, which wastes energy. A typical system with increased energy consumption in which the fluid is simply returned into the reservoir is known from WO 2006/121637 A1.
In Schechter, it has already been proposed that not only the acceleration of the fluid-operated valves but rather also the braking for a smooth set-down onto the valve seat be carried out by means of a fluid. It is also already indicated in said document that the energy which can be recovered as a result of the braking—by means of a low-pressure rail in said document—should be used. A first approach for recuperation has thereby already been disclosed. However, in Schechter, the high-pressure rail must still be fully charged with pressure, since the low-pressure rail is connected only to the reservoir. Said inferior type of recuperation likewise has room for improvement.
US 2004/107699 A1 describes a fluid-operated piston drive in which first approaches for recuperation have likewise already been proposed. The type of recuperation proposed therein is entirely suitable for use for example in a forklift truck etc. but, on account of its complexity, would appear to be entirely unsuitable for use for driving an actuating piston for an internal combustion engine, and would not appear to be a model for solving the above-described problem. The rudimentary recuperation as proposed in US 2004/107699 A1 has the particular disadvantage that the recovered pressure must be used as it accumulates.

Hydraulically operated valve actuation and internal combustion engine with such a valve actuation

EMPA Eidgenossische Materialprufungs-und Forschungsanstalt


A golf club head (20) having optimized inertial properties and center of gravity is disclosed. The golf club head (20) preferably has a volume between 300 cubic centimeters and 500 cubic centimeters. The golf club head (20) has a center of gravity located less than 1.7 inches from an exterior surface of a front wall (30). The positioning of the center of gravity of the golf club head (20) and the optimized inertial properties provide the golf club with greater ball spin robustness and better performance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club head designed with optimized inertial properties and center of mass relative through the center of gravity.
2. Description of the Related Art
As driver golf club heads have increased in volume (>300 cubic centimeters) their moments of inertia have also increased, providing greater forgiveness for off-center hits. The conventional method for enlargement of golf club heads was to maximize the spatial distribution of mass in all three orthogonal orientations. Although this approach was effective in increasing the moments of inertia of the golf club heads, it also resulted in the center of gravity of the golf club head being positioned substantially rearward from the front face of the golf club head.
As the center of gravity is positioned further rearward from the front face, deleterious effects result for shots struck off-center from the sweet spot of the golf club head. Increased gear effect is the main cause of the deleterious effects. For heel-ward or toe-ward off-center hits, the increased gear effect can cause increased side-spin, which increases dispersion, reduces distance and reduces robustness of ball flight. For off-center hits above the sweet spot, the increased gear effect causes reduced backspin, which can cause an undesirable trajectory having insufficient carry length or time of flight, which in turn can result in reduced distance and reduced robustness.
In addition, the same conventional golf club head designs are limited with regard to the maximum face area, both physical and practical limitations. The physical limitation is due to the golf club head having insufficient mass to both increase the length and width of the golf club head and also to increase the face size without exceeding the upper range of the preferred total golf club head mass. Such mass distributions are dependent on minimum wall thickness values required to achieve acceptable in-service durability.
The practical limitation is that as the face size is increased, hit locations in certain regions around the face perimeter will yield an unsatisfactory ball flight due to the aforementioned deleterious effects, which are accentuated for larger faces. The deleterious effects increase in a non-linear manner as the distance from the face center increases. Thus the incremental face area gained by increasing face size will be subject to more extreme deleterious effects. This limits the practical length of the club, because probable hit distribution across the surface of the face broadens as the club length increases. As a result a longer club will yield a larger percentage of hits in the perimeter regions of the face where the deleterious effects occur. This offsets the otherwise beneficial effect of increased head speed. As club length increases, head speed increases up to a length of approximately 52 inches, at which point aerodynamic and biomechanical effects offset the length effect.
Further, conventional head designs having a center of gravity positioned substantially rearward from the face are subject to significant dynamic loft effects, which can be undesirable. Dynamic loft increases with head speed, so that golfers with higher head speeds experience more dynamic loft than those with slower swing speeds. This is opposite of what is desired as higher head speeds generally require less loft, otherwise excess backspin will be generated, which negatively affects trajectory and performance.
One invention that addresses center of gravity depth is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,002 to Kajita for a Wood Club Head. The Kajita invention discloses a golf club head with a center of gravity not more than 30 mm (1.18 inches) from the face. However, the Kajita invention does not address a high moment of inertia about the horizontal axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,571 to Vincent, et al., discloses a method of manufacturing a golf club head wherein the walls are obtained by injecting a material such as plastic over an insert affixed to a meltable core. The core has a melt point lower than that of the injectable plastic material so that once the core is removed, an inner volume is maintained to form the inner cavity. The insert may comprise a resistance element for reinforcing the internal portion of the front wall of the shell upon removal of the core where the reinforcement element is comprised of aluminum with a laterally extending portion comprised of steel.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,534 to Peters, et al., discloses a golf club head having upper and lower metal engagement surfaces formed along a single plane interface wherein the metal of the lower surface is heavier and more dense than the metal of the upper surface.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,570,886 and 5,547,427 to Rigal, et al., disclose a golf club head of molded thermoplastic having a striking face defined by an impact-resistant metallic sealing element. The sealing element defines a front wall of the striking surface of the club head and extends upward and along the side of the impact surface to form a neck for attachment of the shaft to the club head. The sealing element preferably being between 2.5 mm and 5 mm in thickness.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,538 to Vincent, et al., discloses a hollow golf club head having a steel shell and a composite striking surface composed of a number of stacked woven webs of fiber.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,986 to Viollaz, et al., discloses a golf club head having a body composed of a series of metal plates and a hitting plate comprised of plastic or composite material wherein the hitting plate is imparted with a forwardly convex shape. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,185 to Viollaz, et al., discloses a hollow golf club head having a body composed of a series of metal plates, a metal support plate being located on the front hitting surface to which a hitting plate comprised of plastic or composite is attached. The metal support plate has a forwardly convex front plate associated with a forwardly convex rear plate of the hitting plate thereby forming a forwardly convex hitting surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,094 to Desboilles, et al., discloses a golf club head having a metal striking face plate wherein the striking face plate is a separate unit attached to the golf club head with a quantity of filler material in the interior portion of the club head.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,088 to Kurahashi discloses a wooden golf club head body reinforced by a mixture of wood-plastic composite material. The wood-plastic composite material being unevenly distributed such that a higher density in the range of between 5 mm and 15 mm lies adjacent to and extends substantially parallel with the front face of the club head.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,047 to Mader discloses a golf club wherein the sole plate, face plate, heel, toe and hosel portions are formed as a unitary cast metal piece and wherein a wood or composite crown is attached to this unitary piece thereby forming a hollow chamber in the club head.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,331 to Lo, et al. discloses a hollow metal golf club head where the metal casing of the head is composed of at least two openings. The head also contains a composite material disposed within the head where a portion of the composite material is located in the openings of the golf club head casing.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,167,387 to Daniel discloses a hollow golf club head wherein the shell body is comprised of metal such as aluminum alloy and the face plate is comprised of a hard wood such as beech, persimmon or the like. The face plate is aligned such that the wood grain presents endwise at the striking plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,306 to Glover discloses a golf club head having a bracket with sole and striking plates formed integrally thereon. At least one of the plates has an embedded elongate tube for securing a removably adjustable weight means.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,798 to Lo discloses a method of manufacturing a composite golf club head using a metal casing to which a laminated member is inserted. A sheet of composite material is subsequently layered over the openings of the laminated member and metal casing to close off the openings in the top of both. An expansible pocket is then inserted into the hollow laminated member comprising sodium nitrite, ammonium chloride and water causing the member to attach integrally to the metal casing when the head is placed into a mold and heated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,249 to Thompson discloses a wood golf club head embodying a laminated upper surface and metallic sole surface having a keel. In order to reinforce the laminations and to keep the body from delaminating upon impact with an unusually hard object, a bolt is inserted through the crown of the club head where it is connected to the sole plate at the keel and tightened to compress the laminations.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,066 to Belmont discloses a wooden golf club head having removably inserted weight adjustment members. The members are parallel to a central vertical axis running from the face section to the rear section of the club head and perpendicular to the crown to toe axis. The weight adjustment members may be held in place by the use of capsules filled with polyurethane resin, which can also be used to form the faceplate. The capsules have openings on a rear surface of the club head with covers to provide access to adjust the weight means.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,750,194 to Clark discloses a wooden golf club head with weight adjustment means. The golf club head includes a tray member with sides and bottom for holding the weight adjustment preferably cast or formed integrally with the heel plate. The heel plate with attached weight member is inserted into the head of the golf club via an opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,811 to Okumoto, et al., discloses a wood type club head body comprised primarily of a synthetic resin and a metallic sole plate. The metallic sole plate has on its surface for bonding with the head body integrally formed members comprising a hosel on the heel side, weights on the toe and rear sides and a beam connecting the weights and hosel. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,107 to Okumoto, et al., discloses a golf club head having an outer shell, preferably comprised of synthetic resin, and metal weight member/s located on the interior of the club head. A foamable material is injected into the hollow interior of the club to form the core. Once the foamable material has been injected and the sole plate is attached, the club head is heated to cause the foamable material to expand thus holding the weight member/s in position in recess/es located in toe, heel and/or back side regions by pushing the weight member into the inner surface of the outer shell.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,685 to Sun discloses a wood type golf club head wherein a female unit is mated with a male unit to form a unitary golf club head. The female unit comprises the upper portion of the golf club head and is preferably composed of plastic, alloy, or wood. The male unit includes the structural portions of sole plate; a face insert consists of the striking plate and weighting elements. The male unit has a substantially greater weight being preferably composed of a light metal alloy. The units are mated or held together by bonding and or mechanical means.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,935 to Katayama discloses a wood golf club head having a striking face wherein the height of the striking face at a toe end of the golf club head is nearly equal to or greater than the height of the striking face at the center of the club head.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,780,625 to Mattern discloses a club head with a rear portion composed of a light-weight metal such as magnesium. U.S. Pat. No. 1,638,916 to Butchart discloses a golf club with a balancing member composed of persimmon or a similar wood material, and a shell-like body composed of aluminum attached to the balancing member.
Anderson, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,024,437, 5,094,383, 5,255,918, 5,261,663 and 5,261,664 disclose a golf club head having a full body composed of a cast metal material and a face insert composed of a hot forged metal material.
Viste, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,624 discloses a golf club head with a cast metal body and a forged steel face insert with grooves on the exterior surface and the interior surface of the face insert and having a thickness of 3 mm.
Rogers, U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,236, discloses an iron club head with a formed metal face plate insert fusion bonded to a cast iron body.
Aizawa, U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,168 discloses a golf club head having a fiber reinforced resin body with a thin metallic film layer.
Yamada, U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,990 discloses a golf club head having a fiber reinforced resin body with a face insert composed of a polycarbonate or like material.
Aizawa et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,968 discloses a golf club head having a fiber reinforced resin body with a beryllium face plate.
The Rules of Golf, established and interpreted by the United States Golf Association ("USGA") and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews, set forth certain requirements for a golf club head. The requirements for a golf club head are found in Rule 4 and Appendix II. Complete descriptions of the Rules of Golf are available on the USGA web page at www.usga.org. Although the Rules of Golf do not expressly state specific parameters for a golf club face, Rule 4-1e prohibits the face from having the effect at impact of a spring with a golf ball. In 1998, the USGA adopted a test procedure pursuant to Rule 4-1e, which measures club face COR. This USGA test procedure, as well as procedures like it, may be used to measure club face COR.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A liquid distributor is provided for receiving and distributing a liquid stream in a mass transfer column. The liquid distributor has a plurality of elongated primary troughs and a plurality of secondary troughs that are positioned adjacent the primary troughs at a location to receive at least some of the individual primary discharge streams from the primary troughs. Splash baffles are spaced a preselected distance from liquid discharge holes in the side walls of the secondary troughs to receive at least some of the individual secondary discharge streams and cause a lateral spreading thereof as the individual second discharge streams descend along the splash baffles and drip from lower edges thereof.

The present invention relates generally to columns in which mass transfer and heat exchange occur and, more particularly, to liquid distributors used in such columns and methods of liquid distribution using such liquid distributors.
As used herein, the term "mass transfer column" refers to a column in which mass transfer and/or heat exchanger occur. Examples of mass transfer columns include distillation, absorption, stripping, and extraction columns.
In mass transfer columns, one or more liquid and/or vapor streams are brought into contact with each other to effect mass transfer and/or heat exchange between the liquid and/or vapor streams. Beds of structured or random packing are normally used in such mass transfer columns to facilitate intimate contact between the liquid and/or vapor streams and thereby enhance the desired mass transfer and/or heat exchange between the streams. In liquid/vapor systems, the liquid stream descends through the bed of packing and the vapor stream ascends through the packing bed. Similarly, in liquid/liquid and vapor/vapor systems, the denser phase descends through the bed and the less dense phase ascends through the bed.
Uniform distribution of the descending liquid stream across the horizontal cross section of the bed of structured or random packing is important in order to maintain a uniform interaction between the liquid stream and the ascending vapor stream. Various types of liquid distributors are used in an attempt to provide a uniform distribution of the liquid stream as it enters the top of the bed of packing material. In one type of liquid distributor, a feed box or parting box receives a liquid stream from an overlying collector or a feed line and distributes it to a number of elongated and parallel troughs that underlie or extend horizontally from the parting box. Spaced-apart holes are formed in the side walls of the troughs to allow liquid to exit the troughs in individual liquid streams. Splash baffles are spaced outwardly from and parallel to the side walls of the troughs so that the individual liquid streams exiting the troughs through the holes are directed onto the splash baffles. The individual liquid streams then descend along and spread across the splash baffles before dripping off the lower edge of the baffles into the bed of packing material. Examples of liquid distributors of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,722,639 and 7,125,004.
When designing the liquid distributors described above, the number and size of the holes in the side walls of the trough is selected based on the anticipated volumetric flow rate of the liquid stream into the troughs. The total open area presented by the holes must be designed to permit a sufficient liquid head to develop within the troughs and thereby generate the necessary force to cause the individual liquid streams to exit the holes with enough momentum to reach the outwardly-spaced splash baffles. When the designed liquid volumetric flow rate is low, the total flow capacity of the holes must be reduced to allow a sufficient liquid head to develop in the troughs. This reduction in flow capacity can be achieved by reducing the size of the holes and/or by increasing the spacing between adjacent holes to reduce the total number of holes. Both of these options create potential disadvantages. If smaller holes are selected, they are more likely to become clogged, thereby creating regions on the splash baffles and in the underling packing that are not wetted by the individual liquid streams. Similarly, if the spacing between the holes is increased, the individual liquid streams may not merge as they descend along and spread across the splash baffles. A need has thus developed for a liquid distributor that overcomes these potential disadvantages.

Distributor in mass transfer column and method of use


An upper thread carried by a vertically reciprocating needle is drawn from a bobbin through a tensioning device, a supply device and a take-up lever. A predetermined amount of the upper thread is first supplied by actuating the supply device, while applying no tension thereto. An additional amount of the upper thread is then supplied by operation of the take-up lever with a predetermined tension being given thereto. The additional amount is detected by a sensor. The supply device includes a one-way clutch for allowing the upper thread to travel in a predetermined direction which, however, may not be conveyed from the needle side when the supply device is made operative. A CPU controls the amount of thread first supplied by the supply device which will always be smaller than an amount actually required for producing a stitch, resulting in an additional amount to be supplied supplemental in cooperation with the tensioning device.

1. Filed of the Invention
This invention relates to a sewing machine in general and more particularly to an upper thread supplying device employed in the sewing machine, especially an electronically controlled sewing machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a sewing machine operation, an upper thread is drawn out of a bobbin mounted in a machine housing to be supplied to a stitching needle. There has recently been provided means for supplying the upper thread, which is actuated in synchronism with reciprocation of the needle to draw a specific amount of the upper thread for producing a stitch, while the upper thread is not tensioned by an upper thread take-up lever. The stitching conditions including a fabric feeding amount, a needle amplitude and a fabric thickness will be inputted to a control unit or CPU, mounted in the machine housing, for theoretically determining an amount of the upper thread required for producing the stitch in accordance with a prescribed program. Such stitching conditions are selected by manipulation of select keys or detected by sensor means before or during the stitching operation.
However, it is often the case that the upper thread amount thus theoretically determined is not coincident with an amount actually required for producing the stitch. Such discrepancy would be caused by other stitching conditions not included in the data to be inputted to CPU for determining the theoretical amount. For example, a friction coefficient of a fabric to be sewn with respect to fabric feeding means or a feed dog will have an influence on fabric feeding efficiency. Should the fabric be made of a slippery material having a small friction coefficient, there would be a discrepancy between the theoretically determined amount and the actually required amount. The fabric thickness would be changed with a pressure applied to the fabric by means of a presser foot. A sliding resistance of the fabric and/or thread employed and expansion of the thread would also be fluctuation factors. These stitching conditions would be difficult to be processed into data and therefore have not been considered in determination of the upper thread amount to be supplied for producing the stitch. Consequently, even if the upper thread amount should be theoretically determined by conventionally inputted data regarding the stitching condition typically including the fabric feeding amount, the needle amplitude and the fabric thickness, there would arise an excessive supply or a shortage of the upper thread due to other stitching conditions not inputted as fluctuation data to CPU, resulting in deformation of the stitch formed on the fabric.

Upper thread supplying device in sewing machine

Janome Sewing Machine Industry Co., Ltd.


The present invention relates to a method of grafting, by covalent bonding, hollow or solid composite capsules onto any type of natural, artificial or synthetic, organic or inorganic, support, the capsules being chemically, physically or physico-chemically modified, so as possibly to improve their affinity with the support and to functionalize them, and then grafted, after the capsules and/or the support have been activated. The invention also relates to the capsules thus modified, to the supports grafted by the capsules, especially fibres and textiles, and also to the use of these grafted supports, especially fibres and textiles, for making up what are called “functional” articles.

Nowadays, the textile industry is experiencing a surge in the field of what is known as "functional" clothing. This clothing is made mainly of textile, natural, artificial or synthetic fibres comprising various active ingredients and enabling the clothing, for example, to store and give out heat, to release fragrances, moisturising and therapeutic agents fairly quickly, or even to trap or retain various organic or inorganic compounds coming into contact with the fibres, etc.
Generally, the active ingredients are encapsulated in microcapsules which are fixed to or associated with the fibres in various manners, for example by inclusion, coating, or even by ionic bonding. These microcapsules may be sensitive, for example, to body heat and/or to the external environment, thus influencing the release of different molecules.
With regard to the method of fixing by inclusion, the capsules are directly enclosed within the fibre. The advantage of this method is that the capsules are permanently fixed in the fibre. The drawback, however, is that this method can only be used for synthetic fibres threaded by extrusion at a low temperature. Also, the encapsulated active ingredient is not easily accessible or diffuses with difficulty through the membrane of the capsule and through the fibre to the surface thereof.
This is why, nowadays, coating technology is generally used to fix capsules onto any type of fibre, in particular onto natural fibres. The capsules are dispersed in a cross-linked polymer which is coated onto the fibres. In this case also, the capsules are permanently fixed and the method may be carried out without difficulty. However, the fibres thus coated with the cross-linked polymer in which the capsules are dispersed are not as pleasant to touch.
Furthermore, in the previous case, the encapsulated active ingredient is not easily accessible or has difficulty diffusing through the membrane of the capsule and through the varnish coating.
Another method also makes use of fixing the capsules, by ionic bonding, onto the fibres. This method utilises the fact that the fibres generally have surface potential. The capsules are synthesised so as to have cationic or anionic functional groups on the external surface of the membrane and are fixed by ionic bonding onto the fibres. In this case also, one advantage is that the method may be carried out in a very simple manner. The major drawback is the very resistance to wetting. After a few washes, almost all the capsules have disappeared from the surface of the fibres.
The latest techniques use the known methods for grafting dyes onto textile fibres, that is to say grafting by way of covalent bonding. Thus, for example, patent application WO 01/06054 discloses an active ingredient contained in a polymer capsule, of which the surface has reactive groups enabling said covalent bonding with the fibre via a binder.
However, the description of this technique is rather general and the examples relate only to cotton fibres, onto which capsules containing an active ingredient are grafted, said capsules being bonded to cotton fibres via a "bridge" formed by a resin having methylol groups.
In these examples, covalent bonding is created between two hydroxyl (—OH) groups with the elimination of a water molecule in the presence of a Lewis acid-type catalyst.
This method has many drawbacks, in particular that of producing water as a by-product and requiring use of a catalyst. Furthermore, the resin having methylol groups is a urea-type resin. These groups may inter-react in an undesirable manner with the polymer capsules, in particular by forming agglomerates of capsules detrimental to a good distribution of the capsules on the fibres.
The applicant has now discovered a method for grafting solid or hollow composite capsules onto fibres, in particular textile fibres, said method also being suitable for grafting said capsules onto any type of support, having directly or latently, or even after pretreatment, functional groups able to form covalent bonds with said capsules.

Capsules with a modified surface for grafting onto fibres

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)


A bicycle trailer hitch or accessory mount uses a trailer tongue or accessory receiving flange on a body with a pin that is rotatably and removably carried in a integrally mounted bicycle frame socket, the body and socket each having a corresponding bearing surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is a bicycle trailer hitch or accessory mount formed and arranged with a receiving aperture integral with a bicycle frame seat stay array.
2. Description of Related Art
Bicycle trailer hitch mounts have been problematic since bicycle trailers appeared commercially several decades ago. New and different bicycle frame geometries have exacerbated difficulties in hitch mount arrangements.
Prior art arrangements have included three basic arrangements, all having slightly different disadvantages.
One alternative is to utilize a clamp loosely carried on a bicycle seat post, the seat post providing a cylindrical pin or post in a substantially vertical axis around which the trailer may rotate. This necessitated either removing a seat post, difficult on a road bike without a quickxe2x80x94quick release, or enabling the unclamping of the clamp mechanism, if it is desired to be removed. Alternatively, a horizontal pin could be disengaged from the trailer, but this has the disadvantage of leaving the clamp on the seat post.
Another alternative is to clamp a bracket of some kind directly to the bicycle frame. Brackets have been used for a variety of allied products, such as racks, child carrying seats, and could be adapted to trailer carrying. These frame mounted brackets have been mounted, for example, using clamps attached to seat stay. These seat stay mounts can be mounted in a high position or in a low position, the low position necessitating a long, bowed or curved trailer tongue to permit movement around a vertical axis to round curves in a road or trail without the trailer fouling the rear wheel.
Accessory mounts for lighter duty accessories follow many of the same principles described above, typically being bolted or clamped to the bicycle frame. Small accessories have also been bolted to brazed-on fittings comprising threaded apertures that receive bolts or machine screws, but these fastenings have typically been limited to small accessories such as water-bottle holders or racks.
Quick release seat post bag clips are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,496,089 and 5,593,126, but these embodiments were either formed integrally with a seat post or clamped to seat rails, not integral with the bicycle frame. These patents are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
All of the clamp-on or bolt-on arrangements share disadvantages of requiring additional fittings, having fasteners prone to vibration or loosening, and providing surplus weight. They also share the difficulty of rapid removal of the hitch arrangement.
The invention is a bicycle trailer hitch or accessory mount with a rotatable and removable pin fitted in a socket integral with the bicycle frame providing great strength with negligible additional weight, yet the hitch or accessory mount itself is readily removable, thereby enabling rapid disconnecting of the trailer and elimination of the added weight of the hitch or accessory mount when the bicycle is desired to be ridden without the trailer.

Bicycle trailer hitch or accessory mount


A remote control toy vehicle system includes a toy vehicle and a remote control. The toy vehicle includes a motor for selectively driving the toy vehicle. The remote control is electrically coupled to the toy vehicle and includes a manually actuatable first control switch for controlling the motor. The remote control also includes a sound producing circuit for selectively producing sounds related to the toy vehicle. Manually actuatable second control switches on the remote control the sounds producible by the sound producing circuitry.

The present invention is directed generally to a sound producing remote control toy vehicle and, in particular, to a motor-driven toy vehicle which is controlled by a remote control which includes a sound producing circuit and speaker system which selectively produces vehicle-related or other created sounds such as action sounds.
Toy vehicles have always been a popular and well-liked toy for children. Each year, toy vehicle manufacturers strive to provide new features and enhancements to toy vehicles which will enhance the play value and desirability thereof, thereby increasing the fun that children will experience with the toy.
From time to time, remote-controlled toy vehicles have been popular. Such toys include motor-driven toy vehicles and a separate remote hand controller which controls the action of the motor in the toy vehicle either through a wire or through radio control signals. Such remote-control systems include such simple remote controls as those that only cause the vehicle to go forward in a straight direction, those that permit control of the motor in forward and reverse directions, and those which permit both movement of the vehicle and steering thereof.
Recently, toy vehicle manufacturers have been incorporating sound producing devices, such as horns or sirens, directly in the toy vehicles which are actuated by pressing buttons or other controls on the toy vehicle itself or by pressing a selected portion of the toy vehicle body. However, when a toy vehicle which produces sound from the toy vehicle is remotely controlled, a child must physically manipulate the toy vehicle or portions thereof to produce sounds, thereby decreasing play value and the concomitant fun involved in playing with such toys.
Accordingly, it is desired to provide a remotely controlled toy vehicle in which a sound producing system is provided directly in the remote control itself to permit a user of the remote control of the toy vehicle to generate vehicle-related sounds from the remote control.

Sound producing remote control toy vehicle


A system and method of determining a magnetic field and magnetic compass calibration is disclosed. One embodiment is a method of determining a magnetic field vector, the method comprising storing, for each of a plurality of sensor orientations, one or more calibration components, determining, for a sensor orientation not included in the plurality of sensor orientations, a magnetic field vector and a gravity vector, iteratively estimating one or more calibration coefficients based on the stored components, the determined magnetic field vector, and the determined gravity vector, wherein the calibration coefficients are updated during each of a plurality of iterations, and determining a sensor-orientation-independent magnetic field vector based on at least one of the calibration coefficients.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosed technology relates to magnetic compasses and their calibration.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Generally, a compass is used to orientate the user with respect to the earth. Such orientation can be used for navigation or to convert measurements into a fixed reference frame. Multiple measurements, once converted into a fixed reference frame, can be compared, combined, or otherwise used together. A magnetic compass often determines the strength of a magnetic field, in geographic coordinates, at the location of the compass. In most cases, the determined magnetic field will be that of the earth. This information can be used to, for example, determine magnetic north. In another application, a magnetic compass simply indicates the direction of magnetic north.
Several challenges exist when calibrating a magnetic compass. For example, the compass may be on a relatively unstable platform, such as a small boat, during the calibration. In general, the quality of the calibration is reduced in highly dynamic conditions, such as when the platform is in motion during the calibration. In one application, the velocity of a given volume of water is desired referenced to a fixed coordinate system, e.g. geographic coordinates. Because the measuring platform may move in relation to this coordinate system (e.g., roll, pitch, yaw, and relative velocity), measurements made by the platform in its own coordinate system can be transformed to the fixed coordinate system.
As another example, local distortions of the earth's magnetic field may be present as a result of nearby magnetic minerals, such as basalt, or from solar activity. Further, magnetic north does not coincide with geographic (polar) north. Local perturbations from the substantially uniform magnetic field of the earth are generally classified as either hard iron effects or soft iron effects. Hard iron effects are measured as an offset from the earth's magnetic field, whereas soft iron effects are measured as a rotation and/or scaling of the earth's magnetic field.
Some magnetic compasses include a magnetometer and an accelerometer. A magnetometer senses and provides information regarding magnetic fields. An accelerometer senses and provides information regarding acceleration. By combining these measurements, the difference between a fixed reference frame, such as the earth, and a local reference frame, such as a vessel, can be determined.
Accordingly, a need exists for improved calibration methods.

System and method of magnetic compass calibration


A garment containing a breathable laminate that is optionally bonded to an outer layer fabric and an optional inner layer fabric. The breathable laminate is constructed from a microporous membrane situated in a face to face relationship with a nanoweb and optionally bonded thereto.

It is well known to incorporate breathable and waterproof membranes into a garment in order to impart breathability to the garment while making it waterproof and therefore more comfortable to the user. For example expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes (ePTFE) have been used for this application.
Over time, soil impingement in the form of body oils and exudates can severely affect membrane performance by blocking the pores in the membrane. Attempts to protect the membrane by coating it with polymers that allow passage of moisture vapor cause a reduction of the breathability of the garment. There is therefore a tradeoff between lifetime and comfort.
The materials of this invention are designed to solve these problems ad provide a soil resistant, highly breathable structure.


Methods and compositions for enhancing the score of an individual in a sport activity are disclosed.

The sport of bowling has existed for over 7,000 years, having been discovered in Egyptian ruins in about 5200 BC. Its popularity has persisted over the years and millions of Americans bowl each year. While typically considered to be a recreational sport, bowling has evolved to be part of the current competitive experience. As such, minor variations in bowling score can have substantial impact on outcome. Factors that can influence performance include underlying physical capacity, skill, past learned techniques, hand-eye coordination, degree of alertness, affective state, motivation, self-efficacy, and accuracy in predicting vector analysis concurrent with physical placement of these vectors (Boyce et al., J. Teaching in Physical Education 16:312-323 (1997)). In addition, the physical surroundings and ambient environment of a bowler is typically a turbulent sensory invasion: a cacophony of sounds from fellow bowlers and pins falling, a kaleidoscopic image of bowlers blurring the peripheral visual field, and an assault on gestation and olfaction by beer and pizza, superimposed upon by the aroma of stale cigarettes and old bowling shoes. Scientific studies of the effect of these factors on the performance of bowlers is sparse.
Baseball is another popular sport that is played by two opposing teams in which a pitcher throws a baseball toward a batter who attempts to hit the ball with a bat. When a ball is hit, the batter runs a course of four bases to score a run. Therefore, it is important for the batter to be proficient and accurate at hitting the baseball. Batters are not given much time to evaluate a pitch and must react quickly to decide whether or not the ball is hittable and within the strike zone (area through which a pitch must pass relative to the batter to count as a strike if not hit) and also hit the ball with power, skill and accuracy. Many training devices and techniques have been developed to aid in training a batter to accurately swing at a baseball. However, such devices and methods are generally overly complicated, cumbersome or difficult to employ.
Ambient aromas have been demonstrated to impact strength, leisure time activities, and cognitive tests involving precise hand-eye coordination (Raudenbush et al., J. Sport and Exercise Psychology 23: 156-160 (2001)). Certain odors have been shown to influence perception on different sensory spheres including perception of age, weight, and external space.
It would be useful to provide a means of enhancing an individual's performance in a sport activity that is non-invasive, convenient, safe, and easy to administer.


A mobile communication device configured for CIoT is provided. The mobile communication device includes a wireless transceiver and a controller. The wireless transceiver performs wireless transmission and reception to and from a service network. The controller transmits, via the wireless transceiver, a request message to the service network for changing a UE usage type, receives a response message comprising a wait timer value from the service network via the wireless transceiver, and does not transmit another request message to the service network for changing the UE usage type before the wait timer expires.

Field of the Application
The application generally relates to wireless communications for Cellular Internet of Things (CIoT), and more particularly, to mobile communication devices, Mobility Management Entities (MMEs), and methods for handling changes of CIoT UE usage type.
Description of the Related Art
Cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) is an emerging technology, linking different communication devices, including sensors and actuators, such as Radio Frequency Identifications (RFID), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and laser scanners, through various wireless technologies, including Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) technology, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology, Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA-2000) technology, Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) technology, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology, Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) technology, and Time-Division LTE (TD-LTE) technology, etc.
Typically, the CIoT technology is used for various purposes related to information collection and analysis, such as monitoring the behavior of persons, things, and/or data through space and time, achieving real-time awareness of the physical environment, assisting human decision making through deep analysis and data visualization, gathering information in diverse settings including natural ecosystems, buildings, and factories and sending the information to one or more server stations. The collected and analyzed information may be used for automation and control, such as automated control of closed systems, control of consumption to optimize resource use across networks, and automated control in an open environment with uncertainty. The emergence of the CIoT technology is promoted by a wide range of applications, including security and surveillance, medical, environmental and weather monitoring, monitoring and control of industrial processes, such as agriculture, smart spaces, and smart cities, among others.
In general, a CIoT User Equipment (UE) may send its usage type to the service network when it is not yet registered with the service network in its current area. Based on the UE usage type and operator policy, the service network may decide which Dedicated Core Network (DCN) the CIoT UE should be redirected to. The basic idea is to separate the data traffic of CIoT UEs from the data traffic of normal UEs, and allow the data traffic to be handled by different core networks. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary core network selection based on the LTE technology.
However, in the conventional design in compliance with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specification TR 23.720, a UE (e.g., a CIoT UE or a normal UE) can only send its usage type to the service network when it is not registered in the current area. That is, once the UE has completed registration, it cannot request a change of its usage type to the service network again in the same area. Thus, it is desirable to have a solution for a UE to initiate a change of its usage type even when it has already completed registration in the current area.

Apparatuses and methods for handling change of user equipment (UE) usage type