In one form, a passenger airbag device is provided including an airbag; a retainer having an opening on a passenger side; a bag ring provided to an inside of the retainer; and the gas generating device; wherein: the retainer further includes a base wall that forms a substantially rectangular outer edge shape; two first peripheral wall portions; and two second peripheral wall portions; and the bag ring comprises: a bottom wall portion configured to hold a peripheral edge portion of the opening of the airbag; a first upright wall having a predetermined first height dimension, that is arranged so as to face the first peripheral wall portion of the retainer; and a second upright wall having a predetermined second height dimension larger than the first height dimension, that is arranged so as to face the second peripheral wall portion of the retainer.

A passenger airbag device which, when an emergency occurs, activates a gas generating device (inflator), inflates an airbag by gas emitted from the gas generating device and restrains the passenger in the passenger seat has been known since the past (for example, refer to JP, A, 2004-001635).
This passenger airbag device comprises a retainer (case) that is fixed to the vehicle body side and retains the inflator on the rear surface side, and a bag protective member that press fits the airbag between itself and the front surface of the retainer, wherein an airbag is folded and housed in the interior of the retainer during normal periods. When an emergency occurs, such as collision or rollover of the automobile, the gas generating device emits the gas, which is then supplied to the interior of the airbag, causing the airbag to inflate and expand due to the pressure thereof.
Further, according to this passenger airbag device, an upright wall of a rectangular shape (substantially square shape from the front view) that surrounds the lateral peripheral surface of the inflator that faces the interior of the airbag is formed on the bag protective member, and is configured to protect the base side of the airbag from the high-temperature, high-pressure gas emitted from the gas emission port formed on the lateral peripheral surface of the inflator.


Techniques are provided to derive a virtual machine workload cost for a data center. At a network management appliance that is in communication with network resources and computing resources used by a plurality of virtual machines executed by the computing resources for providing one or more services, usage metrics are collected from network components of the network resources operating with respect to traffic that passes through the network resources as a result of the plurality of virtual machines executed by the computing resources. The virtual machine workload cost is computed from the usage metrics.

Data centers are used to provide computing services to one or more users such as business entities, etc. The data center comprises a plurality of computing elements such as server computers that run a plurality of virtual machine processes. The output of the virtual machine processes is supplied over network resources to the one or more users.
The data center workload at any given time reflects the amount of resources necessary to provide one or more services. The workload is helpful in adjusting the allocation of resources at any given time and in planning for future resource allocation planning and to determine an appropriate charge back cost to the users. Current workload cost techniques are cumbersome, inaccurate and inflexible.

Data center resource usage and cost determination


The present application describes compositions that include an epitope of a peptide that elicits an immune response in a subject following administration. The compositions described herein include nucleic acids. The present application also describes compositions that include peptides. Also described herein are methods that include administering a composition comprising an epitope of a peptide to a subject in need thereof.

Cancer therapy has conventionally been accomplished by surgical reduction of a tumor mass and subsequent chemo- and/or radiotherapy. This strategy can reduce the tumor and, in less advanced stages, often results in complete remission. Unfortunately, the prognosis for more advanced tumors has changed little over the past 50 years and a significant proportion of cancer-related deaths are caused by subsequent metastases. New prophylactic and therapeutic treatments are needed to combat the increasing occurrence of cancer.
Over 1 million people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year worldwide and more than 700,000 people die of colorectal cancer each year. Preventing the development of colorectal cancer could have significant health and economic benefits for all individuals. Billions of dollars would be saved if people did not need to receive expensive cancer-related surveillance and therapeutic interventions. New approaches for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer are needed.

Cancer vaccine compositions and methods of use thereof


A marble race toy (4) for use with a marble race game (2) of the type in which a marble (6) moves along a tortuous path. The toy alters the path of the marbles rolling through the game along a track (16) and includes a downwardly sloping first portion (10) extending from an entrance (18) and continuous with an upwardly sloping second portion (12). The toy includes a third portion (14) parallel to the second portion. The third portion includes an upper end (28) coupled to the second portion by a U-shaped track portion (34) for generally reversing the direction of the marble, and a lower end (30) which opens into the exit. An escape (36) couples the second and third ends (22, 24) of the first and second track portions to the exit to allow the marble to move through the toy, bypassing the third track portion.

Marble race games, in which a marble rolls along a tortuous path, have been developed and are enjoyable to watch. Modular constructions allow the user to construct different configurations. Children and adults alike are amused as their eyes follow the marble along the tortuous path which they have constructed.
Marble race games using ramps and tubular connectors are well-known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,516 to Wirth discloses a game including only two distinct elements: a connecting tube and a track. The marble drops down the middle of the connecting tube to transfer its movement from one path to another from the top of the course to its bottom. Similarly. U.S. Pat. No. 2,838,870 to Morse discloses identical runways for interengagement of an extended course. The marble travels from the top of the course from one ramp to another until it reaches the bottom.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,038 to Wichman et al has been developed by the assignee of the present application and is incorporated by reference. Wichman et al discloses a variety of marble race toys having different configurations for altering the characteristics of travel as the marble passes through each toy, varying the rolling speeds and lengthening the time it takes for each marble to course through the game. Wichman et al includes a number of modular race toys constructed for connection to one another so that a marble passes from the exit of one marble race toy to the entrance of another, downstream marble race toy. All the marble race toys keep the marble moving at a great enough rolling speed to maintain visual interest and yet increase the amount of time it takes to course the entire route of the game. This is done in many of the individual toys of the Wichman et al patent by extending the path along which the marble rolls, or otherwise increasing the time it takes to traverse an entire marble race toy.
Other marble race toys have been created by the present inventor, including those described in applications entitled "Start Gate Marble Race Toy," U.S. patent application Ser. No. 218,279, and "Jump Chute Marble Race Toy," U.S. patent application Ser. No. 214,239, each filed concurrently herewith and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,440 to Jaffe discloses a marble race game including various curved track sections. Two marbles are placed at the starting area of the marble race game which follow identical mirror-image tracks so that two players can simultaneously race their marbles.


Systems and methods for hydrogen production with carbon capture are provided. A hydrogen containing stream can be divided so that a portion of the stream is processed for separation of CO2. A hydrogen enriched stream formed during separation of CO2 and another portion of the hydrogen containing stream can be processed in a cycling adsorber unit to form a hydrogen product stream. Optionally, the cycling adsorber unit can be operated to form a plurality of tail gas streams. The hydrogen containing stream can be a reformed hydrocarbon stream and/or an input stream previously exposed to a water gas shift catalyst. Optionally, a portion of the reformed hydrocarbon stream can be a reformed biocomponent stream.

Hydrogen is an important resource in the refining of crude oils and other hydrocarbon fractions. Refinery processes, such as hydrotreatment, hydrocracking, and catalytic dewaxing, can be dependent on the availability of hydrogen at a sufficiently high pressure as well as a sufficiently high purity.
Unfortunately, refineries tend to be net consumers of hydrogen. While processes such as reforming can result in generation of additional hydrogen, a typical refinery has greater demand for hydrogen than is available from processes in the refinery that generate hydrogen. External sources of hydrogen can be brought in to a refinery to make up the shortfall. However, such external hydrogen represents an additional (and potentially substantial) refinery cost, so any savings in the amount of external hydrogen consumed is beneficial.
One potential way to reduce the amount of external hydrogen needed can be to improve the use and recovery of hydrogen within a refinery. Refinery processes are typically performed using an excess of hydrogen, so that some hydrogen remains as an effluent or other product that exits a reactor. However, this hydrogen will typically have a higher level of impurities. Purifying and/or pressurizing this recycled hydrogen for use in the refinery can result in significant costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,632,476 describes a method for recovering carbon dioxide from a synthesis gas stream. Synthesis gas can be formed in a synthesis gas reactor, such as a steam reformer. A water gas shift reaction can be used to increase the amount of hydrogen in the synthesis gas. CO2 can be adsorbed from the output gas from the water gas shift reactor using an adsorbent system, such as an amine adsorbent system. After CO2 removal, hydrogen can be extracted from the output gas using a pressure swing adsorption system. Optionally, only a portion of the output from the water gas shift reaction can be diverted to the CO2 adsorbent system.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0117024 describes a process for hydrogen production with co-production and capture of carbon dioxide. A hydrocarbon reforming process can be used to generate a reformed gas stream. The hydrogen in a reformed gas stream can be removed first, such as by using a pressure swing adsorption unit. Carbon dioxide can then be separated from the hydrogen-depleted stream from the pressure swing adsorption unit.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0037521 describes another process for hydrogen and carbon dioxide production. A modified hydrocarbon reforming process is described that can increase the relative amount of CO2 in a high pressure syngas product relative to a lower pressure flue gas generated by the reforming process. The high pressure syngas product can then be sequentially passed through a CO2 recovery unit and a pressure swing adsorption unit for hydrogen recovery.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0011128 describes another process for hydrogen and carbon dioxide production. A hydrocarbon reforming process can be used to generate a stream containing hydrogen. The output from reforming can optionally be exposed to steam and a water shift catalyst to increase the hydrogen and carbon dioxide content of the stream. Hydrogen can then be separated from the stream using a pressure swing adsorption process. The system for the pressure swing adsorber can include multiple beds, with a conduit between beds. The multiple beds can optionally include different types of adsorbent material. For example, one bed can favor adsorption of carbon dioxide while a second bed can favor adsorption of methane. During the purge portion of the cycle of the pressure swing adsorber, the purge streams from the multiple beds can be separated, such as by withdrawing one of the purge streams via the conduit between the beds. The purge stream from the bed with greater methane adsorption can then be recycled as an input for the hydrocarbon reforming.

EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY


A fuel tank supplying device includes: a fuel tank that can accommodate fuel at an interior; a circulation flow path that is connected to an interior of the fuel tank and a fuel refueling port side, and that circulates evaporated fuel vapor that is within the fuel tank to the fuel refueling port side; a variable valve that is provided on the circulation flow path, and adjusts a circulated amount of the evaporated fuel vapor; and air-passage flow path inner diameter changing means that is provided at the variable valve, and that is for changing an inner diameter of a air-passage flow path, through which the evaporated fuel vapor flows, in accordance with internal pressure of the fuel tank, and that, when the internal pressure of the fuel tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, makes the inner diameter of the air-passage flow path smaller.

Technical Field
The technique of the present disclosure relates to a fuel supplying device.
Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. H08-216707 discloses a device having a valve that adjusts the circulated amount of evaporated fuel vapor within a breather pipe that is connected to a fuel tank. The device carries out opening of the valve in accordance with the internal pressure of the fuel tank. This device is structured such that, due to the valve within the breather pipe being opened when the internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes high, the opening surface area through which the evaporated fuel vapor can pass increases, and the circulated amount of evaporated fuel vapor within the breather pipe increases.
In JP-A No. H08-216707, the opening surface area through which the evaporated fuel vapor can pass is adjusted in light of the conditions of prescribed regulations. Therefore, under conditions other than those of the regulations, there is the possibility that the evaporated fuel vapor will be discharged-out from the fuel refueling port into the atmosphere, and there is room for improvement. It has been confirmed that this phenomenon occurs in particular in cases in which the internal pressure of the fuel tank is high.


A seed layer comprises a bottom seed layer portion formed on the bottom of a via opening, a sidewall seed layer portion formed on an upper portion of the sidewall of the via opening and a corner seed layer portion formed between the bottom seed layer portion and the sidewall seed layer portion. The sidewall seed layer portion is of a first thickness. The corner seed layer portion is of a second thickness and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

The semiconductor industry has experienced rapid growth due to continuous improvements in the integration density of a variety of electronic components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.). For the most part, this improvement in integration density has come from repeated reductions in minimum feature size, which allows more components to be integrated into a given area. As the demand for even smaller electronic devices has grown recently, there has grown a need for smaller and more creative packaging techniques of semiconductor dies.
One such creative packaging technique is the fabrication of interconnect structures, e.g., vias and metal lines. A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device may include a variety of semiconductor structures such as transistors, capacitors, resistors and/or the like. One or more conductive layers comprising metal lines are formed over the semiconductor structures and separated by adjacent dielectric layers. Vias are formed in the dielectric layers to provide an electrical connection between adjacent metal lines. In sum, metal lines and vias interconnect the semiconductor structures and provide a conductive channel between the semiconductor structures and the external contacts of the CMOS device.
A metal line and its adjacent via may be formed by using a dual damascene process. According to the fabrication process of a dual damascene structure, a dual damascene opening comprising a via portion and a trench portion is formed within a dielectric layer. The dual damascene opening may be formed by photolithography techniques known in the art. Generally, photolithography involves depositing a photoresist material and then irradiating (exposing) and developing in accordance with a specified pattern to remove a portion of the photoresist material. The remaining photoresist material protects the underlying material from subsequent processing steps, such as etching. The etching process may be a wet or dry, anisotropic or isotropic, etch process, but preferably is an anisotropic dry etch process. After the etching process, the remaining photoresist material may be removed. It should also be noted that the damascene interconnect opening may be formed by one or more alternative process steps (e.g., a via first or a trench first damascene process).
After the dual damascene opening is formed, a barrier layer and a seed layer may be formed along the sidewalls and the bottom of the dual damascene opening. The barrier layer may be formed by suitable fabrication techniques such as various physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques and the like. The seed layer may be formed by using suitable fabrication techniques such as PVD, electroless plating and the like.
Furthermore, an electroplating process may be applied to the dual damascene opening. As a result, the dual damascene opening is filled with a conductive material. The conductive material may comprise copper, although other suitable materials such as aluminum, alloys, tungsten, silver, doped polysilicon, combinations thereof, and/or the like, may alternatively be utilized.
Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generally refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the various embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


Systems and methods that generate or provide overlap displays of multiple sets of data in a manner that advantageously simplifies trend visualization in large sets of data. A 2-dimensional occurrence count array is generated for a plurality of similar data sets. Each element in the array is a number of times a corresponding pair of data values x, y occurs in the plurality of N data sets, wherein each array element corresponds to a discrete interval of x and y data values. Once the array has been generated, a graphical display of overlap density may be generated by comparing a desired percentage of overlap with the value of each array element. Those array elements having values that satisfy the desired percentage of overlap are rendered, as a display object, using one or more colors, shades and/or patterns representing varying degrees of overlap percentage.

The present invention relates generally to data displays, and more particularly to displays of multiple overlapping sets of data.
In many fields, scientists must make sense of and find patterns in large amounts of data. One example of this is in the field of metabolomics, the study of metabolic changes in response to perturbations, such as a drug or disease. Metabolomics blends statistical analysis with analytical chemistry techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS) and chromatography. Predicted to become the center of drug discovery and development, metabolomics may lead to earlier, faster, and more accurate diagnosis for many diseases.
In general, when displaying large amounts of data simultaneously, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to visualize trends in the data using traditional display systems. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a traditional graphical representation of a plurality of IR spectra. Each spectrum is arbitrarily assigned a different unique color. While there is clearly overlap between the different spectra, it is difficult, if not impossible, with this traditional type of stacked data display to visualize the areas of highest overlap among the IR spectra displayed.
Therefore it is desirable to provide systems and methods that overcome the above and other problems. Such systems and methods should provide useful displays of overlapping data, and should allow for flexible manipulation of the data displays to provide enhanced data mining and trend visualization capabilities.

Overlap density (OD) heatmaps and consensus data displays


Techniques are described for creating geospatial elements based on geographical data. In one example, a method for creating geospatial elements based on geographical data includes collecting one or more geographical indicators comprised in a set of operational data, the geographical indicators indicating one or more geographical areas. The method further includes collecting, from a set of geographical data, geospatial data associated with the one or more geographical areas indicated by the one or more geographical indicators. The method further includes generating one or more aggregated geospatial elements based on the one or more geographical indicators and the geospatial data.

Enterprise software systems are typically sophisticated, large-scale systems that support many, e.g., hundreds or thousands, of concurrent users. Examples of enterprise software systems include financial planning systems, budget planning systems, order management systems, inventory management systems, sales force management systems, business intelligence tools, enterprise reporting tools, project and resource management systems, and other enterprise software systems.
Many enterprise performance management and business planning applications require a large base of users to enter data that the software then accumulates into higher level areas of responsibility in the organization. Moreover, once data has been entered, it must be retrieved to be utilized. The system may perform mathematical calculations on the data, combining data submitted by many users. Using the results of these calculations, the system may generate reports for review by higher management. Often these complex systems make use of multidimensional data sources that organize and manipulate the tremendous volume of data using data structures referred to as data cubes. Each data cube, for example, includes a plurality of hierarchical dimensions having levels and members for storing the multidimensional data.
Business intelligence (BI) systems may be used to provide insights into such collections of enterprise data. Many collections of enterprise data include geographical elements. BI systems may be used to display or visualize BI data in a way that involves geographical divisions, with geographical aspects of business data represented in maps. Creating maps and map overlay visualization elements is typically a labor-intensive activity that typically requires an author with specialized Geographic Information System (GIS) training and skills.
Base maps may provide graphical location, place, and satellite images that may be shown in applications and web pages. Overlay images may be placed in superposition with base maps with varying levels of opacity or transparency to show areas such as individual states, provinces, counties, cities, postal codes, municipal districts, or any shapes with definable boundaries that may be expressed as polygon outlines or other shape representations.

Generating business intelligence geospatial elements

International Business Machines Corporation


A frame is articulable between erected and a collapsed states and includes first and second frame supports. Each frame support has a pair of center frame members rotatably coupled about a center joint, each of which is selectively moveable between a first position when the frame is in the erected state and a second position when the frame is in the collapsed state. A purlin assembly has first and second purlin members that are rotatably coupled about a purlin mid-joint. A first end of the purlin assembly is pivotally coupled to the first frame support, and a second end of the purlin assembly is pivotally coupled to the second frame support. The purlin assembly is selectively lockable in an extended position when the frame is in the erected state and is rotatable to a folded position when the frame is in the collapsed state.

Portable shelters are commonly used by the U.S. military and others, and are occupiable for temporarily housing military or other personnel, equipment, and/or supplies, or for providing services such as cooking, dining or medical care. Portable shelters are also used by organizations that provide humanitarian aid throughout the world. Such organizations commonly need to erect portable shelters in areas that have suffered from natural disasters, such as floods, tsunamis, hurricanes and the like. Ideally, these shelters should be designed for storage in a compact configuration that can be easily transported to a new destination for assembly and built for rugged use. Moreover, these shelters should be lightweight to make transportation easier and to make set up and disassembly manageable by a minimum number of people. Preferably, the assembly and disassembly process should be relatively quick and easy and require few hand tools.

California Industrial Facilities Resources, Inc.


Organic/inorganic complex proton conductors are provided which display high proton conductivity over a wide temperature range. Electrodes for fuel cells which include the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors are also provided. The invention also advantageously provides electrolyte membranes for fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors, and fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to organic/inorganic complex proton conductors, fuel cell electrodes including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors, electrolyte membranes for fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors, and fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors.
2. Description of the Related Art
In polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), it is very important to develop proton conductors that conduct protons under non- or low-humidified and high temperature conditions.
In order to obtain polymer electrolyte membranes that operate properly at high temperatures, alternatives to water used in a conventional electrolyte membrane need to be used.
Examples of alternatives include a heterocyclic compound such as imidazole, pyrazole, or benzimidazole.
However, due to the volatility of the heterocyclic compound, the heterocyclic compound needs to be directly fixed to a polymer electrolyte membrane for use in fuel cells at high temperatures in order to maintain the fluidity and flow of protons.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Organic/inorganic complex proton conductor, electrode for fuel cell including organic/inorganic complex proton conductor, electrolyte membrane for fuel cell including organic/inorganic complex proton conductor, and fuel cell including organic/inorganic complex proton conductor


The invention relates to a film leak detector with two films (5, 6) each stretched in a frame (3, 4); in order to attain a simple and stable structuring, it is proposed that each of the frames (3, 4) is comprised of two synthetic material subframes between which the particular film (5, 6) is fastened.

The invention relates to a film leak detector with two films each stretched in a frame. Film leak detectors of this type are known from DE-A-196 42 099.
The present invention is based on the task of structuring a film leak detector of the known type simply and stably as well as improving it with respect to its operation.
This task is solved through the measures listed in the patent claims.


An optoelectronics apparatus selectively drives a light source, and includes four electrically isolated photodetector (PD) segments that detect light that has reflected off an object. Each of the four PD segments produces a corresponding signal, referred to as signals A, B, C and D, indicative of the light detected by the respective PD segment. Circuitry is used to produce a first motion signal indicative of a sum of the signals A plus B minus a sum of the signals C plus D, i.e., the first motion signal is indicative of (A+B)−(C+D). Further circuitry produces a second motion signal indicative of (B+C)−(A+D). Additional circuitry produces a signal and/or data that is indicative of a direction and/or rate of motion of an object, in dependence on the first and second motion signals.

Technologies, such as touch sensitive screens, have allowed users to provide inputs to electronic devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, without requiring the use of a mouse and/or a keyboard. Examples of touch sensitive screens include capacitive sensors, pressure sensitive membranes, beam break techniques with circumferential light sources and sensors, and acoustic ranging techniques. However, these types of interfaces can only provide information to the device regarding the touch event, itself, and thus can be limited in application. In addition, such types of interfaces can be limited in the number of touch events that can be handled over a given amount of time, and can be prone to interpret unintended contacts, such as from a shirt cuff or palm, as touch events.
As an alternative to touch sensitive screens, optical motion and/or gesture recognition sensors have been developed, which can be used to recognize different motions of an object (e.g., a persons finger) within the sense region of the sensor. Typically, such optical sensors rely on multiple spatially dispersed light sources, multiple spatially dispersed light detectors, or both, to enable them to distinguish between motion in one or two directions. For example, one existing sensor includes a photodetector that is flanked on both sides by infrared light emitting diodes (IR-LEDs) spaced several tens of millimeters away from the photodetector to provide sufficient angular resolution, and a third IR-LED that is spaced several tens of millimeters away from the photodetector in a direction orthogonal to the line of the first two IR-LEDs and the photodetector. The IR-LEDs are pulsed one at a time, sequentially, such that the detected reflected light signals can be associated with the correct light source and its known location relative to the photodetector. From the detected reflected light pulses, a gesture recognition algorithm determines the direction and velocity of a target object, such as a user's finger.
A disadvantage of the exemplary optical sensor described above is that it requires at least three spatially dispersed light sources to detect movement in two directions (e.g., the x-direction and the y-direction), or at least two spatially dispersed light sources to detect movement in one direction (e.g., only the x-direction). Accordingly, such a sensor requires a relatively large footprint because of the spatial distances required between the light sources and the photodetector. Additionally, such a sensor requires a relatively large aperture (i.e., window) above the light sources, or requires multiple apertures.
Because these sensors are often included in portable devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, or the like, it would be beneficial to reduce the footprint of such devices. Additionally, it would be beneficial to reduce the number of light sources required for such sensors, e.g., to make it easier to incorporate the sensors into the devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, and the like.

Motion and simple gesture detection using multiple photodetector segments


An adjustable support apparatus for a recreational vehicle permits rapid height adjustment with a spring mechanism of a handle-nut assembly on a threaded rod. A portion of the threaded rod is inserted into the hollow portion of a jackscrew assembly. A tab on the handle-nut assembly includes an over-sized hole intersecting a threaded hole for engaging the threaded rod. An approximate desired height of the support apparatus is accomplished by pushing a tab inward and sliding the handle-nut assembly to a desired position on the threaded rod. A fine adjustment to the desired height, if required, is made by turning the handle nut assembly so that it travels with respect to the threaded rod.

1. Field of Invention
The field of the present invention relates generally to an adjustable support apparatus for a pullout portion of a trailer or RV. The device may be provided with original equipment or as an after-market device.
2. Prior Art
Prior art adjustable supports for the pullout portion of a trailer or RV typically require a substantial effort to properly adjust height. For instance, supports having threaded rods may require ten or more revolutions per inch of adjustment height. There is a need for a rapid-adjustment device to make the vertical support adjustment process faster and easier.

Adjustable slideout support apparatus and method


In a driven pulley used in a variable speed transmission adapted to receive a trapezoidal belt by which power is transmitted from a driving pulley to the driven pulley having a fixed flange, a movable flange and an internal helicoidal spring, there is provided a set of flyweights forced by torsion springs on an annular-conical surface located at the rear of the movable flange. At the minimum rotation speed, the driven pulley generates a high gripping force but as the rotation speed increases, the centrifugal force acting on the flyweights lowers the force exerted by the trapezoidal belt. At a given high rotation speed, the flyweights leave the annular-conical surface and no longer contribute to counterbalancing the radial force exerted by the trapezoidal belt, the helicoidal spring and the internal resultant forces acting alone. The improved driven pulley generates a high initial gripping force while having a reasonably low gripping force at high speed for good efficiency.

Trapezoidal belt variable speed transmissions are commonly used on small vehicles such as snowmobiles, scooters or small cars. Such transmissions comprise a driving pulley, a trapezoidal belt and a driven pulley. The driving pulley is linked to an engine and the driven pulley is usually mechanically connected to ground traction means, such as wheels or tracks.
The main object of using a variable speed transmission is to automatically change the winding diameter of the trapezoidal belt around the driving and the driven pulleys in order to have a maximum torque at low speeds and a reasonable engine rotation speed at high speeds. The sides of the trapezoidal belt are, on each pulley, gripped between two opposite flanges wherein one is fixed and one is movable. At low speeds, the winding diameter of the driving pulley is small and the winding diameter of the driven pulley is maximum. As the rotation speed of the driving pulley increases, the movable flange of the driving pulley gets closer to the fixed flange and thus forces the trapezoidal belt to wind on a greater diameter. Since the length of the trapezoidal belt is not substantially stretchable, the trapezoidal belt exerts a radial force towards the center on the flanges of the driven pulley in addition to the tangential driving force. This radial force constrains the driven pulley to have a smaller winding diameter. Therefore, the movable flange of the driven pulley moves away from the fixed flange until the return force exerted by a spring counterbalances the radial force exerted by the trapezoidal belt. It should be noted at this point that a change in the load also produces a variation of the winding diameter of the pulleys, a greater load inducing a greater winding diameter of the driven pulley.
When the rotation speed of the engine decreases, the winding diameter of the driving pulley decreases and the radial force exerted by the trapezoidal belt decreases, thus allowing the driven pulley to have a greater winding diameter.
An example of such a variable speed transmission is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,330.
One of the drawbacks of conventional variable speed transmissions is that the driven pulley do not always set the trapezoidal belt at the maximum winding diameter when the vehicle is stopped very rapidly from a high speed, especially when an important brake force is applied on the wheels or tracks. The trapezoidal belt will then be stuck somewhere between the high speed position and the initial position. At restart, the ratio between the pulleys will not be optimum and the transmission will not deliver full torque.
The above-mentioned drawback is due to the physical limitations imposed by the use of a spring and cam system in the driven pulley to counterbalance the radial force exerted by the sides of the trapezoidal belt on the flanges. The spring is usually a helicoidal spring and is mounted between the movable flange and a fixed part. The cam is usually mounted around the spring and converts the torque exerted on the movable flange to axial gripping force on the belt.
In an ideal driven pulley, the gripping force on the belt at start is maximum because the belt pull is high to transmit engine torque on a small driver radius. At higher speed, the belt pull is lower and the gripping force must be reduced to maintain good efficiency.
In a conventional driven pulley, the spring and cam system provide a gripping force that reduces as speed increases, as long as the engine supplies power through the transmission. However, during braking, the engine absorbs power through the transmission. This unloads the cam and the gripping force is then supplied mainly by the spring. In this situation, the spring exerts less and less gripping force on the movable flange as it moves closer towards the fixed flange. This low gripping force is usually insufficient to force the belt towards a higher winding diameter during a rapid braking action. To generate enough gripping force, it would require a stronger spring. However, the gripping force would then be too high at high speed, reducing efficiency and increasing belt wear.

Driven pulley with flyweights effective at low speeds


A sensor calibration system includes a sensor having one or more sensing components formed on a substrate. A barcode can also be configured or printed from or on the, such that the barcode contains calibration data associated with a calibration of the sensor and the sensing component(s). One or more barcode readers can be provided which can scan the barcode and reads the calibration data associated with the calibration of the sensor and the sensing components thereof, in order to reduce the need for trimming the sensor while also providing for a reduction in associated manufacturing and production costs. A binning methodology can also be implemented for reducing overall sensor manufacturing costs.

Electronic sensors are employed in a number of different fields of technology. Such sensors may be employed to detect changes in environmental parameters, such as atmospheric pressure, or may be employed to detect changes in forces applied to the object to which they are attached, for example.
One type of sensor that is often utilized in sensor applications is the "flow sensor". An example of a flow sensor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,537, entitled "Liquid Flow Sensor Thermal Interface Methods and Systems", which issue to Richard W. Gehman, et al. on Mar. 29, 2005 and is assigned to Honeywell International Inc. of Morristown, N.J., U.S.A. U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,537, which is incorporated herein by reference that measures the thermal conductivity of a fluid. The sensor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,537 is configured to comprise one or more sensing element associated with a sensor substrate. A heater is generally associated with said sensor wherein said heater provides heat to said fluid. A film component is also provided that isolates said fluid from said heater and said sensor, such that said film component conducts heat in a direction from said heater to said sensor, thereby forming a thermal coupling between said sensor, said heater and said fluid, which permits said sensor to determine a composition of said fluid by measuring thermal conductivity thereof without undesired losses of heat in other directions. The film component can be configured on or in the shape of a tubing or a flow channel.
Other types of sensors include "temperature sensors" and "pressure sensors". An example a pressure and/or temperature sensor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,787, entitled "Surface Acoustic Wave Pressure Sensor with Microstructure Sensing Elements," which issued to James Cook, et al. on Jun. 21, 2005 and is assigned to Honeywell International Inc. of Morristown, N.J., U.S.A. U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,787, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, generally discloses a pressure and temperature sensor system, comprising one or more microstructure temperature-sensing elements formed on a substrate within a hermetically sealed area thereof, wherein such microstructure temperature-sensing elements comprise (Surface Acoustic Wave) SAW temperature-sensing elements. Additionally, one or more microstructure pressure-sensing elements can be located above a sensor diaphragm on the substrate, such that the microstructure pressure-sensing element is formed from a SAW pressure-sensing element. One or more contacts can also be provided, which assist in maintaining the hermetically sealed area and which protrude through the substrate for support and electrical interconnection of the pressure and temperature sensor system.
For satisfactory functioning of a sensor, regardless of the type of sensor utilized, prior calibration of the sensor system or the individual sensors is preferably accomplished in principle for the subsequent accurate measurement of environmental parameters. Calibration can be accomplished in a laboratory-like environment either before or after deployment of the sensors. The various calibration methods usually require controlled movement of the sensors or the objects or environmental conditions detected by the sensor systems. Often it is even desirable to detect a particular parameter, which is then referred to as a calibration field accordingly. To guarantee permanent functional reliability, subsequent repeated checking of the calibration for possible changes is desirable, which may be very complicated.
Sensors of extremely low-cost are typically based on sophisticated but extremely compact components and require new methods of calibration. Traditional sensors are calibrated by laser-trimming of resistors, capacitors, inductors and/or other necessary sensor components. Trimming in this manner, however, increases the overall cost of sensor, and in some cases, may introduce drift due to the heat from laser. RFID provides another technique for calibration and data storage, but in extremely low cost sensor designs, even, for example, 5-10 cents RFID components contribute a great deal to the overall sensor costs.
In manufacturing processes for sensor devices, particularly those, which incorporate substrate and die processing, numerous expensive and time-consuming steps are involved in producing such sensor device assemblies. These steps may include the following: (1) forming a dice on a sensor substrate, (2) testing the dice, (3) cutting dice from the substrate, (4) connecting a die or dice to a lead frame, (5) encapsulating the die or dice, lead frame, connecting wires, and any auxiliary circuitry, (6) performing burn-in and/or providing other stresses to the dice, and (7) testing the sensor device assembly at various stages of processing.
In sensor manufacturing, typically, the term "front-end" refers to the fabrication of sensor devices to the level of completed and tested components. The term "backend" refers to production stages of sensor devices occurring after the front-end and including such sensor device production stages as packaging, burn-in, testing, sorting, marking, and environmental testing.
When tested, a sensor device may have some failure due to various causes including, but not limited to, an internal defect in the die or chip, a bad bonding connection, or a bad connection between a lead finger and a probe or other test device. Failures in a completed sensor device assembly can prevent it from operating as intended. In spite of painstaking attention to detail, failures may be introduced at various levels of production. For example, defects in forming the die or substrate may cause a failure. It has been found, however, that some defects are manifest immediately, while other defects are manifest only after the die has been operated for some period of time.
It is therefore believed that a need exists for reducing sensor production costs by implementing improved calibration methodologies and systems, and also providing for improved sensor manufacturing and binning processes. Such improvements are therefore disclosed herein.


A Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) system with a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field having a field free line, the system including at least one shim magnet configured to modify the magnetic field in a manner to maintain desired magnetic flux distributions during imaging.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a technique allowing for the detection of certain nanoparticles and may be used, for example, in diagnostic imaging applications. Imaging may be facilitated through magnets designed to create a Field-Free Region (FFR). Examples of field free regions include a Field Free Point (FFP) and a Field Free Line (FFL).


A nozzle device includes a nozzle body and at least one second electrode. The nozzle body extends along a longitudinal axis, and has a top surface, a bottom surface for confronting a first electrode of a workpiece, a recess provided in the bottom surface, and a longitudinal channel extending downwardly from the top surface along the longitudinal axis to be in fluid communication with the recess. The longitudinal channel has an upper section and a lower tapered section which is tapered downwardly to form a lower communication port. The least one second electrode is disposed in the recess for being spaced apart from the first electrode.

A jet electroplating process has become widely used in recent years since such process may be rapidly implemented on a selected region (such as a worn or damaged region, a blind hole, a high aspect ratio hole) of a workpiece. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional nozzle 9 for implementing the jet electroplating process may have a supplying channel 90 for supplying an electrolytic solution (not shown) to a first electrode of a workpiece (not shown). The supplying channel 90 may include an upper section 91 and a lower tapered section 92 on which a second electrode (not shown) is mounted. Although the electrolytic solution may be converged by the nozzle 9 to a selected region of the workpiece, the selected region is subjected to a relatively high shear stress and the electrolytic solution may have an uneven electric field distribution between the first and second electrodes. This may adversely affect the plating efficiency and uniformity.


A plastic container used for holding fluid material with an attachable handle is provided. The container includes a body, a plurality of walls, a spout, an attachable handle and a sliding structure. The spout is a hollow, cylindrical portion that extends from an opening in one of the walls. The cylindrical portion is configured to insert or remove the fluid material from the container. The attachable handle includes a rail structure that further includes a pair of non-parallel offset rails and a latch. The latch has a latching surface that is located at the ends of the offset rails farthest from each other. The slide structure includes a generally rectangular projection. The projection further includes a pair of non-parallel offset grooves and a latching surface. The latching surface is located where the grooves are farthest from each other. The offset grooves are adapted to mate with the offset rails and are fully engaged by the offset rails when the latch is engaged with the latching surface.

The present invention relates to the field of molded plastic containers of the type and size requiring a carrying handle. In particular, the present invention relates to a handle molded separately from the container and attached to the container through an interaction of a tapered slide and rail arrangement provided between the container and the handle.
Molded plastic containers which require a carrying handle due to the type, weight or size of the container are typically molded as a one piece structure to include the handle. This has been the accepted way to provide a carrying container with a handle because it simplifies the handling and delivery of containers. Furthermore, the integral handle can be reliably configured to support the respective weight of a container and its designated content. Examples of such containers include plastic gas cans, plastic detergent bottles, plastic paint containers, plastic cleaning product bottles, etc.


A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer fabric including at least one fibre layer formed by airlaying combined with at least one further layer which is formed by different technologies, including carding, spunlacing, meitblowing, spunbonding, or airlaying, or combined with one or more films. The airforming is performed on a separate formerwire which is applied vacuum via a suction box disposed opposite to a formerhead, and where the airformed fibre layer is transferred to a conveyor wire for joining with a further layer. Edge trimming is performed at least on the airformed layer before it is joined with one or more other layers for forming the multi-layered fabric. Scrap from edge trimming and exhaust from the suction box is returned to the formerhead.

The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing a multi-layer fabric, including at least one fibre layer formed by airlaying combined with at least one further layer which is formed by different technologies, e.g. carding, spunlacing, meltblowing, spunbonding, airlaying, or combined with one or more films, and where the airforming is performed on a separate formerwire which is applied vacuum via a suction box disposed opposite to a formerhead, and where the airformed fibre layer is transferred to a conveyor wire for joining with additional layers.
The invention also concerns an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer fabric including at least one fibre layer formed by airlaying combined with at least one further layer which is formed by various technologies, e.g. carding, spunlacing, meltblowing, spunbonding, airlaying or combined with one or more films, and where an airlaying unit including a formerhead and a suction box are associated with a separate formerwire, which apparatus including a conveyor wire upon which a plurality of layers can be combined with the airformed fibre layer, as several layer forming units are associated.
It is prior art to manufacture a fabric with one or more fibre layers which are formed on a formerwire or several succeeding formerwires. The manufacture may occur by using carding units or formerheads.
By making multi-layer fabrics, it is often desirable to combine fibre layers with different properties, so that the finished fabric appears as an integrated product with different properties, e.g. varying density across the thickness of the fabric or varying liquid penetration properties.
By making products with several layers as an integrated product formed by several fibre layers, a problem with attachment form the suction box or boxes disposed under a formerwire will arise. When several formerheads are disposed in succession, the layer thickness at the last formerhead in a sequence of layers will be exposed to very little suction action, since the vacuum effect has difficulty in penetrating through the already formed fabric. Therefore, it is usually necessary to work with differentiated suction boxes under the formerwire in order to establish greater and greater vacuum in the forward direction of the formerwire.
It may also be necessary to reduce the conveying speed of the formerwire for achieving sufficient vacuum effect through the formed fabric. This implies a reduced effect for the apparatus.
In recent years it has become popular to combine different technologies in order to manufacture multi-layer products having different desirable properties, depending on the intended application. It has thus been popular to combine carding, spunlacing, meltblowing, spunbonding and airlaying. In FIG. 1 is shown a typical example of a known plant where a combination of carding, spunbonding, airlaying, carding and spunlacing are used for forming a product which is then rolled up.
By such typical known apparatuses there will thus be used a card that lay a pile of carded fibres. These fibres can have lengths between 30 and 60 millimetres and may be synthetic fibres or natural fibres. The card layer is pre-treated by pre-spunlacing, implying that the establishing of so-called hydroentanglement by a water jet system. Thereby, the fibres are crumpled and imparted strength. However, the product is wet due to the hydroentanglement. Therefore, it is necessary to pass the product through a dryer in order to evaporate the water before the fabric is then transferred to a formerwire on which is mounted an airlaying unit, including a formerhead and a suction box which is disposed opposite to the formerhead at the opposite side of the formerwire.
As alternative to spunlacing and drying in a drying facility, hot calandering or vacuum suction may also be used. By the calandering it becomes possible to provide compression and fixation of the fibres. Typically it becomes possible to lay fibre layers in an amount between 10 and 30 g/m2 upon the carding layer.
By the known process, a multi-layer web may thus be formed. The suction box is thus to suck through the formerwire and the fabric provided thereon. This implies a resistance to be surmounted, requiring greater efficiency in the suction than otherwise needed. It will thus be necessary with a greater vacuum, and greater wear will occur on the formerwire.
It is possible to lay a further carding layer. Alternatively, one may omit the further carding layer, so that a double layer fabric is formed. Subsequently, the multi-layer fabric is passed to spunlacing where a water jet system is used for hydroentanglement or hydroentanglement as was the case with pre-spunlacing. An integrated product will then be formed which is passed through a dryer before rolling up is performed.
If a double-layer structure is formed, it will e.g. be possible to make the fabric with a viscose side and a cellulose side. It will be possible to make a product, where one side is rough and the other side is smooth. However, a dust problem may appear here as compared with a three-layer product, where a carding layer is laid upon the two previously formed layers.
The known apparatus and the known method are disadvantageous in relation to adjustment of width. When the airlaying unit is to be adjusted for regulating the width of the formed web in relation to the width of the one formed by the card, it will usually be necessary to stop the apparatus for performing a width adjustment.
If one desires to trim the edge of the fabric, it is not possible to reuse the scrap from this edge trimming, as it contains long and short fibres.
Furthermore, the known system seems to be disadvantageous, as the suction boxes provided under the formerwire, will receive a mixture of the airlaid fibres and the long fibres from the card. This will typically be a mixture of cellulose fibres and long fibres. This mixture will be extracted in a filter, and it will not be possible to reuse the fibres in the formerhead. We are thus speaking of scrap material. Furthermore, it will also be possible to perform a large dimensioning of filters, moisturisers and suction boxes due to the difference in the need for difference over the fabric/formerwire.
Furthermore, the known systems will also imply drawbacks in the form of waste at the subsequent rolling-up. It will thus be necessary to make the carding layer with a greater width for overlapping the cellulose layer. If the reverse was the case, one would risk clogging of the vacuum drums/suction tables in the spunlacing system. During hydroentanglement, the short cellulose fibres will end in the water cleaning system and obstruct nozzles and filters therein if they are at a position outside the carding layers.
In short it may be said that the known systems for making multi-layer fabrics, where a combination of different technologies were used for the individual layers, are energy demanding and require greater dimensioning of the plant and furthermore may imply reduced capacity for the manufacturing apparatuses.
It is the purpose of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus which enable making a multi-layered product by combining an airformed layer with one or more other webs, and which require limited energy and provides the possibility of reducing waste in the production by extensive recycling of fibre material.
According to the present invention, this is achieved by a method which is peculiar in that edge trimming is performed at least on the airformed layer before it is joined with one or more other layers for forming the multi-layered fabric, and that the scrap from edge trimming and exhaust from the suction box is returned to the formerhead.
An apparatus according to the invention is peculiar in that the airlaying unit includes means for edge trimming of the airformed fibre layer formed on the separate formerwire, and that outlet from the suction box and means for collecting the scrap from edge trimming are connected with the formerhead for returning fibres.
With a method and an apparatus according to the invention, it is possible to achieve high production speeds, even by formation of multi-layered fabrics.
By the present invention it thus becomes possible not only to form an airlaid layer on a particular and suitable formerwire on which may be mounted one or more former units that possibly may be of different types. Furthermore, it is also possible to reduce waste as the scrap from edge trimming of the airformed layer may be returned to the formerhead.
After formation of the airformed fibre layer, this is laid upon a subsequent transport wire, either by being laid upon an already provided layer, or for then to be provided with an already provided layer or for then to be provided with a layer upon it or by performing a combination thereof for forming a multi-layer fabric. The layers with which the airformed layer is combined may be of any type irrespectively of whether they are permeable or not. There may thus be used layers formed by film, tissue, non-woven etc. It is also possible that the further layer or layers appear wet or pre-glued.
When forming certain products from the multi-layer fabric, it may be an advantage to lay the airformed fibre layer on a layer which is wet and pre-spunlaced. The pulp fibres will then absorb liquid whereby it becomes possible to increase the size of the fibres. This process can be an advantage as one may hereby reduce wash-out of the pulp fibres by subsequent spunlacing of the formed multi-layer fabric. The pulp fibres will usually be formed of cellulose fibres. However, the pulp fibres may also include synthetic fibres, including thermobonding fibres. The airformed fibre layer from one or more formerheads may thus be heat treated via an oven if there are provided thermobonding fibres or other types of fibres having properties affected by subjection to heat. It is also possible to moisturise the airformed fibre layer before a subsequent compacting before the airformed layer is transferred to the conveyor wire.
With the system according to the present invention it thus becomes possible to reduce operational costs and at the same time to achieve renewed flexibility for using an apparatus for forming a greater variation of the product without the risk of reducing the efficiency of the apparatus.
According to a further embodiment, the method is peculiar in that the airformed fibre layer is compacted, possibly after prior moisturising, before it is joined with the other layer or layers. Hereby it becomes easier to handle the fibre layer by the subsequent treatment. Furthermore, the compacting may also be used for imparting a desired property to the fibre web.
According to a further embodiment, the method is peculiar in that the airformed fibre layer is sucked from the separate formerwire and is returned to the formerhead at initiation/shutdown of the manufacturing process. The waste is further reduced as not only scrap from edge trimming is reused but also of the material airformed during running-in and slowing down of the production process.
According to a further embodiment, the method is peculiar in that at least one web of a permeable material is laid upon the formerwire for forming an at least double layered fabric on the formerwire. On the formerwire may hereby be formed a double layered fabric. The additional web may optionally be laid before or after the formerhead, as seen in the conveying direction of the formerwire.
According to a further embodiment, the method is peculiar in that the airformed fibre layer is formed at the upper side of an upper run of the formerwire, and that the fibre layer is passed downwards and along the underside of the lower run of the formerwire in order to be laid off on the subsequent conveyor wire together with at least one other web for forming a fabric with at least two layers. A simple method is hereby achieved whereby is produced a fabric in which the airformed fibre layer is laid with the side that has been in contact with the formerwire facing outwards, away from the other web and the conveyor wire.
According to a further embodiment, the method is peculiar in that the individual layers joined on the conveyor wire are integrated by a suitable succeeding process, which e.g. includes hydroentanglement, spunbonding, thermobonding or calandering. It is thus possible to perform more or less integration of the entire fabric or parts thereof by a method which is optimal compared with the properties in the individual layers and compared with the desired properties in the end product.
According to a further embodiment, the method is peculiar in that an individual edge trimming of individual layers is performed before they are joined on the conveyor wire. Waste of material/fibres for all layers is hereby reduced, as scrap from each of the individual edge trimmings is returned for recycling without being mixed together with material/fibres from the other layers.
According to a further embodiment, the apparatus is peculiar in that there is provided a compacting unit, and optionally also a moisturising unit, immediately after the airlaying unit on the separate formerwire. By this apparatus it becomes possible to compact the airformed fibre layer before it is brought together with that layer or the other layers.
According to a further embodiment, the apparatus is peculiar in that a suction unit is provided at the separate formerwire, and that an outlet from that is connected with the formerhead. The suction unit will preferably extend across the width of the web laid by the formerhead. It may be divided into sections for only covering parts of that width. The suction unit maybe used for sucking all fibres during start and stop of the apparatus for returning these to the formerhead and thereby save material.
According to a further embodiment, the apparatus is peculiar in that in connection to the formerhead, a unwinding unit is provided for laying a web on the separate formerwire, so that thereupon is formed an at least double-layered fabric. It is thus possible to adapt the apparatus so that a multi-layered fabric is formed on the formerwire before transfer to the conveyor wire. The apparatus hereby becomes more flexible and may be used for making a wide range of products.
According to a further embodiment, the apparatus is peculiar in that the formerhead used by forming the airformed fibre layer, that at least one formerhead is disposed at the upper side of the upper run of the formerwire, and that a vacuum box is provided between the upper and lower runs of the formerwire so that the fibre layer is passed downwards and along the underside of the lower run of the formerwire in order to be laid off on the subsequent conveyor wire together with at least one other web for forming a fabric with at least two layers. The apparatus may hereby be used for producing a fabric in which the airformed fibre layer is laid with the side having been in contact with the formerwire facing outwards, away from the other web and the conveyor wire.
In the following, identical or corresponding elements repeated in different Figures will be denoted with the same reference number. Thus explanation for each single constructional feature will not be provided in connection with each of the Figures. Instead, an explanation will be given to the points whereby the different embodiments for the apparatus according to the invention are differing from each other.
FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art plant for forming a multi-layer fabric 1. The plant consists of a first card 2 that lays a web of carded fibres which typically are synthetic fibres with lengths between 30 and 60 mm. After the card 2, a spunlacing unit 3 is situated, having a number of water jet units 4. The spunlacing unit 3 includes a conveyor wire 5 upon which the formed carding layer is conveyed during hydroentanglement. Then there is provided a drying unit 6 for evaporating water in the formed carding layer. The drying unit includes a conveyor wire 7 used for conveying the formed carding layer.
After the drying unit 6 there is a calander 8. The calander 8 may be used in general as alternative to spunlacing and the drying unit 6 for achieving calandering simultaneously with hot bonding of the fibres in the formed layer. The layer is then moved over to a formerwire 9 where an airlaying unit 10 is provided which includes a formerhead 11 disposed opposite to suction boxes 12 with the conveyor belt 9 moved there between. An arrow 13 presents the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 9.
After the airlaying unit 10 there is provided a further card 14 for laying a further carding layer that substantially corresponds to the carding layer laid by the card 2. Hereby is formed a three-layered product which subsequently is conveyed to the further spunlacing unit 15 where hydroentanglement occurs with the purpose of integrating the formed multi-layer fabric 1 by using a water jet system 16. The hydroentangled fabric is then passed through a further dryer 17 for lastly being moved to a winding unit 18 for forming a roll 19 of the finished multi-layer fabric.
In the following, explanation to the different embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention will be given.
In FIG. 2 is seen an embodiment where there is provided an airlaying unit 10, including a formerhead 11 and a suction box 12 associated with a formerwire 20. A conveyor wire 21 is provided under the formerwire 20. Suction boxes 22 are provided under the upper run 23 of the conveyor wire 21. The airlaying unit 10 includes edge trimming means 24 which via a return run 25 moves scrap from edge trimming back to the formerhead 11. Correspondingly, there is a return run 26 from the suction box 12 to formerheads 11.
In association with the formerwire 20, immediately after the airlaying unit 10, there is provided moisturising means 27 and a compacting unit 28. Furthermore, at the formerwire 20 there is provided a suction unit 29 which via a return run 30 is connected with the formerhead 11 in order to suck and return fibres at start and stop of a process.
In the shown embodiment there is furthermore provided a unwinding unit 31 which unwinds a layer 32 on the formerwire 20 at a position in front of the formerhead 11. It is noted that the formerwire 20 has a conveying direction according to the arrow 33. The unwinding unit 31 is optional and may be omitted. Alternatively, the unwinding unit 31 may be disposed after the formerhead 11.
According to a further alternative embodiment, unwinders 31 may be provided before as well as after the formerhead 11. It will also be possible to provide several succeeding formerheads 11 above the upper run 34 of the formerwire 20. In such a situation it is preferred that each of the formerheads constitutes a part of separate airlaying units 10 which are associated with their separate edge trimming means 24.
The airformed fibre layer from the formerwire 20 is passed downwards and along the lower run 35 of the formerwire 20. The airformed fibre layer is here joined with a layer 36 coming from an unwinding unit 37. The layer 36 may be formed in different ways, e.g. it may be carded, meltblown, spunblown, airblown or possibly it may be an impervious film. The layer 36 is passed by a gluing station 38 where glue is applied for bonding the layer 36 together with the airformed fibre layer.
In connection with the conveyor wire 21, a blow-down box 39 is provided. This is used for pressing the airformed fibre layer down on the web 36 if this is made of an impervious material.
In connection with the conveyor wire 21 is illustrated a further unwinder 40 from which a further layer 43 of non-woven material, film or similar may be unwound. Associated therewith is also provided a second gluing station 41 that applies glue 42 on the further layer 43 which is unwound from the unwinding station 40. As alternative to the unwinding station 40, a card forming the layer 43 may also be used here. The joined multi-layer fabric 1 is then passed through a drying unit or oven 44 or alternatively a calander 45, after which it is moved to a winding unit 46 for forming a roll 47 of the multi-layer fabric 1.
When starting the manufacturing process, there is started with unwinding the first layer 36 and at the same time, the airlaying unit 10 is started up. At the beginning there will be a running-in until a controllable layer of airformed fibres appears. Therefore, the suction unit 29 is started so that the fibres are returned to the formerhead 11. When the plant has been started and a controlled layer is laid, the suction unit 29 is switched off and the making of the multi-layer unit 10 is initiated. If there is used carding units together with the airlaying unit 10, by commencing carding fibres may also be returned until the carding layer is laid in a controlled way. When a satisfactory layer formation has been established in the carding unit and the airlaying unit, formation of the multi-layer fabric is initiated as suction units are stopped.
At the outlet of each carding unit at the prior art plants, a return run will be located. Until the carding unit has been properly started and forms a controlled layer, all the fibres will be returned. Such a returning of the fibres to the carding layer will also be possible in a plant of which an apparatus according to the invention forms a part.
The products that may be formed may e.g. be wet wipes that consist of two layers with non-woven at the outer sides and a layer formed there between of airformed absorbing fibres. This airformed fibre layer may include bicomponent fibres, monocomponent fibres, cellulose fibres or possible combinations thereof.
It is also possible to make one layer as a film that may act as a top layer, where the second layer was non-woven material, while the centre lay could be an absorbing core. It will thus be possible to form a multi-layer fabric which then can be punched for forming incontinence products or other absorbing products which are provided with an external layer of film and non-woven and a centre core which is absorbing.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 corresponds in principle to the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. When an airformed fibre layer containing bicomponent fibres is made, these may be passed through a calander 48 and/or an oven 49 and a subsequent calander 50. Hereby it becomes possible to provide an airbonded and calandered layer before it is laid upon the conveyor belt 21. The embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will thus be suited for making a product where the airformed fibre layer is a thermally formed product which is bonded in a oven and calandered for finally being cooled down and then laid on the layer 36 on the conveyor wire 21.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, as alternative to unwinding units 37 and 40 there may also be used carding units with and without spunlacing, and fabric formed by meltblowing, spunbonding or other fibre laying methods which also can be with or without hydroentanglement by means of water jets.
In the formerheads 10 different combinations of fibres may also be used in this embodiment. The supply may thus include pulp/cellulose, bicomponent fibres, split fibres, curled fibres, thermoplastic fibres or other fibres which are used by airlaying processes.
FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention. This may be said to be a further development of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 by the provision of a first carding unit 2 and a further carding unit 14 before and after the airlaying unit 10. These further carding units 2, 14 may be compared with the carding units shown in FIG. 1.
In this embodiment, further unwinding units 51, 52 before the carding unit 2 and after the carding unit 14, respectively, have been provided. Furthermore, after each of the two carding units 2, 14, there has been provided a vacuum roller 53 and 54, respectively. The multi-layer fabric formed on the conveyor belt 21 is thus made dry until it comes to the spunlacing unit 15. From the unwinding unit 37, a layer may optionally be passed through the compacter 48 for being joined with the airformed fibre layer or be passed directly to the conveyor belt without passing through the calander 48.
With this apparatus, there is thus formed a multi-layer product 1, which is not pre-spun bonded, as the airformed layer is laid down upon a loose pile from the carding unit 2, and likewise a loose pile will be laid down from the carding unit 14.
Firstly, an integration of the layers by the spunlacing performed in the spunlacing unit 15 occurs. Then the multi-layer fabric is dried and rolled up.
It is possible to use all unwinders, carding units and airforming units in order to form a multi-layer product, or alternatively, just some of the layer forming units may be used, e.g. for forming a two-, three-, four-, five- or six-layered product.
The alternative guiding of the layer from the unwinder 37 can be used for a non-woven layer that includes bicomponent fibres. Such a layer may advantageously be unwound so that it runs through the calander 48 so that the layer is in fact laminated down on the airformed fibre layer coming from the airlaying unit 10. Hereby bonds are established between the non-woven layer and the airformed fibre layer. It may be said that it becomes possible to perform a so-called calandering bonding where a laminate or a bonding is established before the airformed layer is laid down on the conveyor belt 21. By using the unwinding unit 37 and the unwinding unit 31, it is thus possible to form a product with three layers on the formerwire 20.
Furthermore, it is noted that the carding unit 2 is provided with means 55 for edge trimming so that fibres, via a return run 56, is returned to the carding unit. In the same way, the carding unit 14 is provided with means 57 for edge trimming so that fibres via return run 58 are returned to the carding unit 14.
For the sake of completeness it is noted that as alternative to the carding unit there may be applied units for meltblowing, spunbonding or other web forming methods.
For each of the individual layer forming units there may be provided individual edge trimming means that enable material savings by returning of the fibres.
The embodiment according to FIG. 5 corresponds in principle to that shown in FIG. 4.
It differs in that a spunlacing unit 3 and a calander 59 are provided after the carding unit 2. This means that it is possible to use either the calander 59 or the spunlacing unit 3 only for hydroentanglement or calandering the formed layer.
With this apparatus, a wet layer will be formed, and thus it becomes possible to lay the airformed fibre layer on a wet layer. As mentioned before, it has the advantage that the fibres from the airformed layer grow thereby, so that there is no risk of carrying along of the short fibres at the subsequent spunlacing before rolling up of the finished multi-layer fabric.
FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of an apparatus which in principle corresponds to the apparatus shown in FIG. 5. The only difference is the disposition of a calander 60 after the last dryer 17. By such an apparatus it becomes possible to provide the multi-layer fabric 1 with an embossing calandering or to make it a very thin product.
FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the apparatus where the conveyor wire is provided in the form of two succeeding conveyor wires 21′ and 21″, respectively. The airformed layer together with a previously formed layer from the carding unit 2 is passed through the embosser 61. The fabric is produced dry, and firstly a complete integration of the layers in the spunlacing unit 15 is formed. In principle, this corresponds to the principle illustrated in FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 shows the seventh embodiment where the conveyor wire is provided as a formerwire 62. Before the airformed fibre layer from the airlaying unit 10 is moved down on the formerwire 62, a layer is formed by using one or more preceding airlaying units 63. Each of these includes a formerhead 64 and a suction box 65. After these airlaying units 63 there is provided a compacting unit 66 and means 67 for edge trimming and which, via a return run 68, are moving scrap from edge trimming back to the formerheads 64.
With this apparatus it is possible to make a product where a first, or the two first layers, are formed and compacted so that a high density layer is attained. The third layer formed by the airlaying unit 10 may, however, be a low density layer. Such a product may be produced with cellulose and bicomponent fibres and superabsorbents from the formerheads 64. This will be very strongly compacted and is then provided with a liquid distribution layer from the airlaying unit 10, consisting of synthetic fibres and bi-component fibres which are relatively thick and have an open structure. I.e. the product allows that e.g. liquids coming on the top side of the outermost layer, will penetrate very quickly through the liquid distribution layer and down into the absorbing core in such a way that the surface is always felt dry.
By the manufacturing of the product, bonding may be performed in different ways. In FIG. 8 is illustrated a spray unit 69 for applying latex 70 which is dried subsequently in an oven 71. However, a thermobonding process or combination of latex and thermobonding may also be used, depending on the fibres used in the manufacturing process.
As alternative to the airlaying units 63, systems for spunbonding, meltblowing or carding may be used.
FIG. 9 corresponds in principle to FIG. 8. However, unwinding units 31 and 37 known from previous embodiments are here added. Also, here is provided an embosser 61 corresponding to the embosser shown in FIG. 7 at a position between the formerwire 62 and the subsequent conveyor belt 72. A further unwinding unit 73 is shown here, which e.g. can be used for unwinding a non-woven layer 74 which becomes laminated at the underside of the fabric when passed through the embosser 61. Thus it becomes possible to form different combinations of layers in the product. E.g. it will be possible to form a three-layer product with two non-woven layers at each side and a centre layer in the shape of an absorbing core which is formed by the airformed layer.
FIG. 10 shows a ninth embodiment based on a wetlaying process. Here, a head box 75 is used in which fibres are suspended in water so that e.g. 0.5-5% fibre solution appears. Via an outlet 76, this is blown out upon a formerwire 77 where a row of suction boxes 78 for removing water from the wetformed layer is provided. The airlaying unit 10 is disposed above the formerwire 77 in such a way that the formerwire 20 has an upper run running to the right as seen in FIG. 10. The airformed fibre layer is moved at the top side of the formerwire 20 to the area 79 where a blow box 80 is situated. The blow box 80 blows the fibres from the airformed fibre layer down upon the top side of the wetformed layer on the formerwire 77. At its top side, the formerwire 77 is provided with means 81 for edge trimming, and which via a return run 82 conveys fibres back to the head box 75. From the formerwire the multi-layer fabric 1 is conveyed further according to the arrow 83 to subsequent pressing stations and dryers.
With the plant illustrated in FIG. 10 it is possible to use a wetlaying process that is running with very great speed, e.g. up to 1500 m per minute. Hereby, it becomes possible to control the amount of fibres at the top side of the formerwire 77. It is thus not necessary to run so fast with the formerwire 20 upon which the airformed fibre layer is formed. E.g. there may be laid 50 g/m2 on the formerwire 20, and from a relative calculation of the speed differences between the formerwires 20 and 77, it is possible to add greater or lesser amounts of dry fibres to the wet fibre layer.
The suction boxes 78 are used for sucking the dry fibres down against the wet fibre layer. By this apparatus it becomes possible to increase the concentration of dry fibres and hereby to reduce the relative humidity in the fibre web when it leaves the formerwire 77.
It may be an advantage to increase the concentration of dry fibres before the fibre web is conveyed to a subsequent pressing section or drying. Alternatively, it will also be possible to use the apparatus for adding synthetic fibres to the fibre layer. It may also be difficult to add synthetic fibres to a fibre mixture in the head box.
By experience, by a wetlaying process it will only be energy economical to perform vacuum suction until an about 50% dry matter content in the wet fibre layer is attained. After that, for energy economy reasons, drying/pressing is to be used. If a dry matter content of about 50% is attained upon the formerwire 77 immediately before the dry fibres are blown down from the section 79 of the above provided formerwire 20, it will be possible to add dry fibres for increasing the dry fibre concentration to 60-70% before the wet fibre web is led to pressing stations and water evaporation. Then is becomes possible to energy optimise the process as less energy is to be used for water evaporation in relation to the number of kilos produced on the plant.
FIG. 11 illustrates a tenth embodiment including a meltblowing/spunbonding unit 84. The meltblowing/spunbonding unit 84 includes a meltblowing unit 85 which in principle corresponds to an extrusion head including a number of nozzles whereby fibres are formed which are laid directly on a meltblown formerwire 86. The meltblowing/spunbonding unit 84 furthermore includes a suction box 87 disposed opposite the meltblow heads 85 with the formerwire 86 provided therebetween. The apparatus shown in FIG. 11 furthermore includes a formerwire 20 which is designed as shown in FIG. 10, i.e. a formerwire having a section 79 in which is provided a blow box 80 blowing the fibres directly into the fibres that in melted form comes out from the meltblow head 85.
In practice it appears that the fibres from the airformed fibre layer formed on the formerwire 20 can be bonded to the fibres from the meltblow head 85 as long as these are in the melted condition. The formerwire 86 moves the formed fibre product past means 88 for edge trimming which are connected with an outlet 89 that removes the edge trimmings and conveys them back to recycling.
Then the formed multi-layer product is conveyed to finishing treatment units, e.g. a calander 90 as shown in FIG. 11.
It is noted that the speeds on the formerwire 20 for forming the airformed fibre layer and the formerwire 76 for forming the meltblowing layer may be different so that it is possible to perform dosing based on the speed difference as also explained in connection with FIG. 10.
Common to all above explained embodiments it is noted that the airformed fibre layer will usually include cellulose fibres, but as has been the case in connection with certain embodiments it is possible to form the airformed fibre layer by a combination of several fibres and possibly also superabsorbents. Common to all embodiments is the particular formerwire 20 with the airlaying unit 10 which is used for laying the fibres with the various differences desired. Furthermore, the suction unit 29 associated with the formerwire 29 is an important element in the invention. It is thus possible to remove all scrap from edge trimmings and all obsolete or wrongly disposed layers before the web/webs are continued in the process. Since the airlaying process is performed separately, i.e. the fibres sucked from suction boxes and from the suction unit 29 may be returned to the suction head 11 and be reused in the process.
This will not just be an advantage by start and stop of the process but also be an advantage in case of emergency shutdown. If something goes wrong during a production process, it is important to get the airformed fibre layer removed as quickly as possible. Thus situations where a layer is missing later in the process may arise. This may mean that in a spunlace system pure cellulose fibres appear together with a layer of carded fabric. If that is the case there will be great risk of blocking the plant which may imply a breakdown with up to 8-10 hours for the subsequent cleaning.
A substantial advantage by the invention is furthermore that the airformed fibre layer laid on an already formed layer does not make any requirements to whether the formed layer is wet, dry or sticky, or if it is permeable or not. Thus it is possible to lay the airformed fibre layer on any base formed in advance, irrespectively of properties in this previously formed layer, as mentioned by using a blow box enables bringing the fibres in contact with impervious layers for subsequent formation of an integrated multi-layer fabric 1.
Furthermore, it is also to be noted that there is a special advantage by the invention when the layer previously formed is wet. When that is the case, cellulose fibres will be laid upon a wet layer, e.g. a carding layer. When this happens, a certain pressure difference across the two layers will arise. Thus partial interference will arise between the cellulose fibre layer and the carding layer/bottom layer.
The formed product formed from prior art will not form a real stratification, however only a mixture of the bottom layer and the airformed fibre layers. This will at least be the case in the border area between the two layers. This mixing will occur because it is necessary to dry the carded fabric before the airformed fibre layer is laid on the bottom layer. This is not necessary according to the present invention, and the cellulose fibres from the airformed fibre layer will lie upon the wet bottom layer/carded layer.
Hereby the volume of the cellulose fibres will be increased as the cells of the cellulose fibres are filled with water. This implies that a clear separation occurs, providing a clearer stratification with different properties in the bottom layer/carded layer and the airformed fibre layer with cellulose fibres disposed upon it. By subsequent placing a third layer upon the two formed layers, it is thus possible to provide a third layer where the midmost layer is formed as a central layer and not as a partly mixture in the one of the outer layers. This furthermore means that less fibre loss occurs in a subsequent spunlacing unit.
For avoiding loss of fibres, by the prior art it has been common to choose as long fibres as possible and fibres with as few nits as possible. This means that special requirements have been made to the fibre supply. This is not necessary with the method according to the present invention when the fibre layer is formed on a wet web.
Reduced loss of fibres will thus occur by the subsequent spunlacing, contributing to the advantageous material saving. In traditional, combined processes with spunlacing, a fibre loss between 5% and 8% may occur. By using the present invention, it is possible to reduce this loss with ⅓ or more plus the possibility for reducing fibre loss by the airlaying process on the separate formerwire.
The typical cellulose loss will be loss of cellulose fibres which are washed out. These washed out cellulose fibres will normally end in a water cleaning facility where it is necessary to add chemicals for flocculating the cellulose fibres in order to get them to precipitate. Then they may be removed, e.g. by pressing filters. This material will be waste which usually is to be deposited.
The invention is thus not only advantageous by the direct economic saving at the production process but also provides an economic profit through reduced costs for handling waste from the manufacturing process.
Even if not shown above, the apparatus and the plant of which it forms a part will be provided with monitoring means that may monitor operational conditions and use the results of such monitoring for an automatic control of the layer forming units and edge trimming and suction means. Such control and monitoring systems will, however, be possible to design for a skilled in the art in light of the present description of the invention.


A revert alloy is used in the manufacture of a target alloy having a different composition. The weight percent of the elemental constituents of this first alloy and a second or target alloy are obtained, and the ratio of the percentage by weight of each elemental constituent in the first alloy to the second alloy is determined. The lowest ratio is used to determine the amount of the first alloy that is melted and the necessary elemental constituents that are added to the melt to produce the desired composition of the target alloy. The melt is solidified to produce the target alloy.

The present invention relates to converting one metal alloy to another alloy composition. More particularly, the invention relates to converting scrap alloys into a different or target alloy for use as a new material.
Often there is a greater amount of used or scrap alloy of one formulation or composition than of other alloy compositions that are used for other purposes. This difference in the quantity of scrap alloys may be caused, for example, by more of one alloy being sent to scrap than from another alloy. Other times, improved alloys are developed and the prior alloy composition is no longer used or used in lower quantity. Those scrap alloys have, in the past, not been readily reusable. Having the ability to use any scrap alloy to produce other alloys also reduces the number of different alloys needed in inventory, When parts made of an alloy such as a nickel or cobalt superalloy used in turbine blades are taken out of service after the prescribed period of use, thus becoming what is known as "revert" alloy pieces, processes are used to reclaim those alloys because, in some cases, the alloys contain valuable elemental constituents such as rhenium. Even when small amounts of rhenium are used, the material cost of this element can have a major impact on the total cost of the alloy.

Revert blend algorithm and apparatus using the algorithm


A continuous zoom lens arrangement can image MWIR and LWIR spectral bands to a common image plane. Such an exemplary optical system comprises eight infrared imaging lenses that all transmit over the wavelengths 3.5-11.0 microns and form a collocated image plane for the MWIR and LWIR spectral bands. The lens has six stationary lenses, and two lenses that move in an axial fashion. A cold stop inside the dewar can act as the aperture stop of the system and control the stray light from reaching the FPA. The pupil is reimaged from the cold stop to near the first lens of the system to minimize the size of the lens.

With the development of dual band focal plane arrays which image both the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectral bands simultaneously at the same image plane, the development of various types of optical systems has been required. In order to keep the same capabilities as a single band system (i.e., MWIR only), it is necessary to develop similar types of optical systems. One useful type of optical system is a continuous zoom lens arrangement which enables FOV changing from the lenses shortest focal length to its longest focal length, and every focal length in between with good optical performance. This has previously been accomplished in both the MWIR and LWIR spectral bands independently. However, a dual band system requires a more complex optical design because of the need to image both spectral bands at the same image plane even though this is not the natural tendency of the optics. These lenses require significant color correction for each focal length. This is very difficult for systems that require significant focal length changes.
Due to the reduced transmission from the broader spectral band, the fewer optical elements the better in order to reduce ghost images and improve system noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD).

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY


In pre-cast slab gel cassettes, the formation of pathways in which proteins can migrate between the gel and the walls of the cassette to form shadow bands is avoided by the application of a coating of a nonionic amphiphilic polymer to the cassette walls. The coating also prevents the gel from sticking to the walls when the gel is to be removed from the cassette after electrophoresis.

This invention relates to polyacrylamide gels as used in slab gel electrophoresis.
Slab gels are particularly useful for electrophoresis in view of their ability to accommodate multiple sample analyses and the ease with which the electropherograms can be observed and read visually by identifying the locations of the various bands on the gels that correspond to the individual components. Polyacrylamide is a gel material that is widely used in slab gels.
Slab gels are frequently supplied in pre-cast form, retained between two flat transparent plates in a cassette. The plates may be glass or plastic, a common plastic being a polystyrene-acrylonitrile blend. A difficulty with certain pre-cast polyacrylamide gels is that they appear to separate from the cassette plates during storage, leaving a pathway between the gel and one or both of the plates for the sample to migrate. This apparent pathway is detrimental to the electrophoretic analysis since the solute bands in the gel tend to migrate into the pathway and spread, forming shadow bands. A shadow band is a band of protein that results from the migration of protein away from a parent protein band during electrophoresis, the parent protein band being the well-defined band that is formed as a direct result of the electrophoretic separation. Shadow bands reside mostly on the surface of the gel, whereas the parent protein bands extend relatively uniformly through the thickness of the gel. The pathways and shadow bands decrease the shelf life of precast gels and can eventually evolve into a smear of protein on the surface of the gel. The shadow bands are a particular problem in pre-cast gels that have been stored without cooling.
Another problem encountered with polyacrylamide slab gels is a tendency of the gels to stick or adhere to the plates. This presents a difficulty once the separation has been performed and the user attempts to remove the gel from the plate for purposes of staining, photographing or other observation, detection or recordation. Attempts to remove a gel that is sticking to one or both of the plates can result in a damaged gel and a ruined experiment. This problem is especially acute for gels of low concentration and for gels used for isoelectric focusing.
The polymerization reaction to form polyacrylamide is inhibited when dissolved oxygen is present in the gel-forming liquid at or near the gel plate. This is especially true when the gel plates are plastic, such as polystyrene-acrylonitrile, for example. To prevent this inhibition from occurring, a coating of polyvinylidene chloride or polyvinyl dichloride (PVDC) is often applied to the plates prior to contacting the plates with the polyacrylamide gel material. Unfortunately, these coatings produce an effect on the electrophoresis image that appears to be the result of separation between the gel and the plate. These coatings also exacerbate the sticking problem when the gel is an isoelectric focusing gel, for example one with a pH ranging from 5 to 8.
The present invention resides in the discovery that both the occurrence of what appear to be pathways between a polyacrylamide gel and a gel cassette plate and the adherence of the gel to the plate can be prevented by applying a coating of a nonionic amphiphilic polymer to the plate surface before the gel is cast. The coating may be applied directly to the surface of the glass or plastic plate or it may be applied over a polyvinylidene chloride or polyvinyl dichloride coating if such a coating is present. Once the gels are formed over the coating, the gels can be stored for extended periods of time with no extraneous path formation or sticking problem.

Coating of pre-cast electrophoresis slab gels