There is disclosed a method of inspecting a porous structure, capable of simply inspecting pore characteristics (porosity, average pore diameter, total pore volume) of the porous structure by inspection of a weight of a formed article which was formed, dried and worked into a predetermined dimension without requiring any special device or technique, and capable of easily performing a total inspection. A relation between a pore characteristics of a fired article obtained by firing a formed/dried formed article having a predetermined shape, and a weight of the formed article is measured beforehand, and a standard value of the pore characteristics of the fired article, and a standard value of the weight of the formed article are established. Thereafter, the pore characteristics of the fired article are inspected from the weight of the formed article based on the respective standard values.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of inspecting a porous structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
A ceramic honeycomb structure has been widely used as a dust collecting filter for use in applications such as a pollution preventing environment countermeasure and product recovery from a high-temperature gas in various fields including chemical plants, electric power plants, iron and steel works, and disposal for industrial waste since it has a superior heat resistance and corrosion resistance. For example, a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for capturing particulates discharged from a diesel engine and the like are used under severe conditions such as high temperature and corrosive gas atmosphere, and therefore a ceramic honeycomb structure has been preferably used.
Especially in recent years, from a necessity of enhancing process capability of a dust collecting filter, there has been a demand for a ceramic honeycomb structure having a low pressure loss and a high porosity, and having required levels of an average pore diameter and pore volume in accordance with a dust collection performance as well. As a method of manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb structure (porous honeycomb structure) having a high porosity, a method of manufacturing a porous honeycomb filter has been proposed in which a mixture of a binder (organic binder such as methyl cellulose), a pore forming agent (organic material such as graphite) and the like, in addition to aggregate particle materials such as cordierite forming material and water, are kneaded to form a plastic material having plasticity, and the resultant is dried, and fired (see JP-A-2002-219319).
Moreover, a ceramic filter has been used in order to remove bacteria and particulates of waste contained in sewage for purification. For example, a ceramic porous article is preferably used in a final step for purifying drinking water in a water purification plant. Thus, there has been a demand for a ceramic filter having a high porosity, and the required levels of an average pore diameter and pore volume in accordance with filtering capability in order to enhance a filtering amount even in the purification of the drinking water.
Usually, the pore characteristics of a formed article obtained by extrusion are inspected to assure that a porous structure as a product can satisfy the predetermined levels of the characteristics as to pore (the characteristics as to pore is hereinafter referred to as pore characteristics) inclusive of the porosity, the average pore diameter, the total pore volume and the like of the porous structures produced. In the inspection, sampling inspection has been mainly performed by using measurement methods such as an Archimedes process and mercury press-in porosimeter.
However, in the case of the produced structures obtained by the extrusion, in the sampling inspection, there remains a possibility that the products having defects in the pore characteristics are sent to the users or the next step. For example, in a case where sudden troubles such as changes in subtle forming conditions occur during the extrusion, such as for example, unusual operation state of a kneader, there has been a problem that the products having defects are sent at a relatively high probability to the users or the next step.
Moreover, since the measurement methods using Archimedes process and the mercury press-in porosimeter require not only special devices and techniques but also the laborious procedures and costs, it has been actually difficult to carry out a total inspection.
Furthermore, after the sampling inspection, both end faces of the formed article should be alternately plugged in a checkered pattern flag-like manner. Thus, the plugging is performed in vein as far as the porous structures having defects overlooked due to the sampling inspection are concerned. This has caused cost increases.


A malar implant for mid-face lifts and reconstructions is disclosed. The malar implant is designed to be attached to both bone and soft tissue, and provides both volume and soft tissue lift. A depending tab or lip on the superior edge of the implant attaches to the inferior orbital rim. The implant has a central plateau, which may be gently curved, that includes a number of soft tissue spikes. In one embodiment, the soft tissue spikes have the general shapes of bent isosceles triangular pyramids, thicker at the base than at the tip. The soft tissue spikes may be angled upwardly, toward the superior edge, to reposition and suspend the soft tissues of the mid-face.

1. Field of the Invention
In general, the invention relates to surgical implants, and in particular to a malar implant with dual-plane adhesion.
2. Description of Related Art
The malar fat pads lie just under the skin of the cheeks, over the zygomatic bones and maxilla, and give definition to the cheeks. In a young face, the prominence, position, and volume of the malar fat pads provide much of the classic "youthful" facial appearance. As the face ages, the malar fat pads lose both elasticity and tissue, and the effects of gravity cause them to descend. Aging also causes changes in the underlying bone, and ultimately, a significant difference in the appearance of the mid-face.
Mid-face lifts are surgical procedures used to restore the youthful appearance of the face by, among other things, re-setting the position of the malar fat pads. Traditionally, this has been done endoscopically, by making a number of small incisions in the face, dissecting the facial tissue subperiosteally, and placing sutures strategically to tighten and lift the face. The malar fat pad is generally fastened to the temporalis fascia.
A newer method, called a ribbon lift, is also used. In a ribbon lift, the face may be dissected endoscopically, as described above, or an incision may be made less invasively behind the lower eyelid. A device that has a spiked or tined portion and a connected ribbon portion is inserted into the incision and moved under the malar fat pad. The spiked or tined portion adheres to the tissue of the malar fat pad, and the elongated ribbon connected to it allows the surgeon to pull the malar fat pad into a more desirable position. The surgeon then secures the ribbon in place. The ENDOTINE® MID-FACE ST (MicroAire, Inc., Charlottesville, Va., United States) is one of the better-known mid-face ribbon-type implants. The principles of implants with spikes for soft tissue are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,645,226 and 6,485,503, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. While the ENDOTINE® MID-FACE ST does reposition the soft tissue, it does not add any additional volume to the underlying structures of the mid-face—any appearance of additional volume is created by repositioning the soft tissue.
There are also implants that are intended to add volume to the cheeks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,849, which is incorporated by reference, is one early example of this. The MEDPOR® cheek implant (Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo, Mich., United States) is currently one of the more popular devices. These kinds of implants are not typically secured to the bones, but may adhere to the soft tissue, and do not reposition or suspend the soft tissue of the mid-face.


A solenoid device includes: a first electromagnetic coil; first and second plungers movable according to energization to the first electromagnetic coil; first and second fixed cores facing the first and second plungers, respectively; and a yoke. When the first electromagnetic coil is not energized, first and second gaps are formed between the first and second plungers and the first and second fixed cores, respectively. When the first electromagnetic coil is energized, the magnetic flux flows in a first magnetic circuit, provided by the first plunger, the first fixed core and the yoke, via the first gap, and a second magnetic circuit, provided by the first and second plungers, the first and second fixed cores and the yoke, via the first and second gaps, so that the first and second plungers are attracted toward the first and second fixed cores.

A solenoid device having an electromagnetic coil which generates magnetic flux when current is passed, a plurality of plungers, and a fixed core made of soft magnetic material is known (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-222871).
The solenoid device is constructed to generate magnetic force by passing current to the electromagnetic coil so that the plungers are attracted by the fixed core. A spring member is disposed between the plungers and the fixed core. When passage of current to the electromagnetic coil is stopped, the magnetic force decreases, and the plungers are apart from the fixed core by the elastic force of the spring member. In such a manner, the plungers are moved forward/backward. By the forward/backward operation of the plungers, for example, the solenoid device is used for turning on/off a switch or opening/closing a valve.
There is a solenoid device in which a plurality of plungers is attracted in predetermined order. Such a solenoid device is used for, for example, a circuit which turns on a plurality of switches in predetermined order. The solenoid device is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic coils, and a plunger is disposed in the center of each of the electromagnetic coils. By passing current to each of the electromagnetic coils, the plurality of plungers is attracted separately. The order of attracting the plungers is controlled by a control circuit connected to the electromagnetic coils.
In the conventional solenoid device, however, the electromagnetic coils of the same number as that of the plungers are necessary to attract the plurality of plungers in order, so that the number of the electromagnetic coils increases. It causes a problem that the manufacture cost of the solenoid device tends to be high. Consequently, a solenoid device in which a plurality of plungers can be attracted in predetermined order and whose manufacture cost is low is demanded.


A zirconium alloy containing on weight basis, 0.4-1.2% tin, 0.2-0.4% iron, 0.1-0.6% chromium, not higher than 0.5% of niobium and balance oxygen and zirconium, wherein the sum of weight proportions of tin, iron and chromium is in the range from 0.9 to 1.5%; and a zirconium alloy as above wherein the proportions, expressed by weight %, of tin X.sub.Sn, iron X.sub.Fe, chromium X.sub.Cr, niobium X.sub.Nb and oxygen X.sub.o satisfy the equation EQU 0.18 X.sub.Sn +0.15(X.sub.Fe +X.sub.Cr)+0.13X.sub.Nb +4.72X.sub.o .gtoreq.0.95.

The present invention relates to alloys based on zirconium to be employed for example as construction members in the nuclear reactor of a nuclear power plant etc. and to a method for treating these alloys.
A typical fuel assemply employed in a nuclear power plant has a construction as generally shown in the elevational view of appended FIG. 2 in which a plurality of fuel elements 7, constructed as shown in FIG. 1, in a vertical section are assembled in a form of upright lattice. Nuclear fuels 1 each consisting of a cylindrical sintered product of uranium oxide (denoted hereinafter as pellet) are packed in a sheath tube 2 sealed at both ends with terminal stoppers 4, 5. A coil spring 3 tightens the pellets 1 within the sheath tube 2. A number of the so constructed fuel elements 7 are supported on support gratings 6 and arranged to build up a fuel assembly having an upper nozzle 8, a bottom nozzle 9, a suspending diaphragm spring 10 and a control rod cluster 11.
As the materials for the sheath tube 2 of the fuel element 7 and for the support grating 6, zirconium alloys R60802 or R60804 of UNS (Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys) defined by ASTM B353 (designated hereinafter as Zircaloy 2 and Zircaloy 4 for the former and for the latter respectively) have conventionally been employed, wherein the former is a zirconium alloy containing tin, iron, chromium and nickel each in a small amount.
During running of a nuclear power plant, the outer surfaces of internal construction members in the nuclear reactor are held in contact with the cooling water maintained at high temperature under high pressure so that the materials consisting of zirconium alloys constitutung these members will be subjected to corrosion, namely, a high temperature reaction with hot water or with high temperature steam to form a uniform or lacal oxide cover layer while the hydrogen formed thereby penetrates through the oxide layer and is absorbed in the alloy. Upon progression of such reaction (hereinafter denoted as corrosion) with corresponding thickening of the oxide cover layer and decrease in the virtual thickness of the body of alloy, the mechanical strength of construction members, such as sheath tube 2, support grating 6 and so on, made of zirconium alloy, decreases. In addition, the strength and ductility of zirconium alloy construction members decrease with the increase in the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the alloy, which is formed by the above-mentioned corrosion reaction. Thus, the corrosion of sheath tubes 2 and support gratings 6 may result in a reduction of the performances of these members due to the decrease in the strength and the ductility. In the practice however, the extent of corrosion on the outer surfaces of sheath tubes and support gratings is quite small under the running condition of nuclear power plant of nowadays and, thus, has not reached hitherto any failure in the proper functions of these members.
However, there has been, in fact, a problem, as mentioned above, of possible occurrence of failure in the performances of the members made of zirconium alloys, especially in the case where the fission rate of the nuclear fuel is increased and the retention time of the fuel within the nuclear reactor is extended so as to attain an efficient utilization of the nuclear fuel, due to the progression of the above-mentioned corrosion on the outer surfaces of construction members, such as sheath tubes and support gratings made of zirconium alloys, resulting in a thickening of the zirconium oxide outer layer with corresponding decrease in the virtual thickness of the zirconium alloy body, together with the existing danger of destruction of proper functions of the zirconium alloy construction members by the increase in the amount of hydrogen absorbed in the alloy.
In order to improve the corrosion resistance of zirconium alloys. a countermeasure had been proposed, as disclosed in the Japanese patent application Ser. No. Sho 62-46709, in which the amounts of subsidiary alloy elements tin, iron, chromium and niobium are adjusted adequately. It was reported, in particular, that a marked increase in the corrosion resistance was recognized by reducing the content of tin.
By such an adjustment of the contents of subsidiary alloy elements, however, change in the mechanical properties, such as strength etc., of the alloy material will result also. In particular, by reducing the content of tin, a decrease in the creep strength as compared with that of conventional materials of the sheath tube of fuel element and the support grating will result, so that there occurs a danger of greater decrement in the outer diameter of the fuel element to occur during the operation of the nuclear reactor when using such a material for the sheath tube, whereby a possibility occurs that the sheath tube or the like will be loaded by too high a stress upon an abrupt increase in the output power.

Alloys based on zirconium having proportional amount of tin, iron, chromium and oxygen


A packaged food product includes a container having at least one dough product and a cup within the container. The cup includes at least one sidewall, a plurality of tapered guide members located at spaced circumferential positions about the sidewall, a bottom wall and an upper annular rim. The rim also defines an opening, opposite the bottom wall, leading to an interior storage cavity of the cup. During initial insertion of the cup into a container, first portions of the guide members are progressively pressed against an interior sidewall surface of the container and assure a proper, level alignment of the cup, preventing the cup from tipping during insertion. With further insertion, second portions of the guide members lead to the rim, with the rim having a diameter which assures a tight friction fit, potentially in combination with a cup seal cover, to an inner diameter of the container.

The invention pertains to the art of food production and, particularly, to a packaged food product, as well as a method of packaging the food product. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tubular container for packaging dough products where one or more additional ingredients are provided in a separate region within the tubular container.
Due to the time demands placed on consumers by the everyday activities of modern life, the preparation of food products and meals from scratch has decreased and the popularity of premade or partially premade foods has increased dramatically. One type of food product that has become increasingly popular in premade configurations are dough-based food products such as, for example, developed and undeveloped dough products. These dough products can be stored in either a refrigerated or frozen state for extended periods and are "freshly" prepared in a matter of minutes as desired by the consumer. In some instances, these dough products can represent a substantially final product requiring only a heating or baking step such as, for example, cookies, bread, breadsticks, biscuits, rolls and croissants. Alternatively, these dough products can represent components or building blocks of a final product such as, for example, a pie crust or pizza dough that will be combined with a variety of other ingredients to form the final product. Regardless of whether the dough product itself constitutes a final product or merely a component of the final product, these dough products constitute enormous time savers for the consumer in that the consumer need not prepare the dough products from scratch using base ingredients such as, for example, flour, water, eggs, yeast, salt, sugar and the like.
One popular method for packaging and storing dough products has been to use a can format where the dough product is contained within a cylindrical paperboard body having caps at both ends of the body. In such a container, the can body is torn open by the consumer to expose the can contents and enable the removal of individual dough products without substantial product deformation. Depending upon the dough product, these cans can be constructed to withstand substantial internal pressures. While the can format does work very well for dough products alone, there are some instances in which it is desirable to include additional ingredients with the dough product to complete or enhance enjoyment of the final cooked dough product. Such additional ingredients can include, for example, condiments, fruits, icing, spices, nuts, candies and the like. To accommodate these additional ingredients in a can format, a variety of designs have been utilized for separating the additional ingredients from the dough. Certain known configurations employ the use of separate cups to store the additional ingredients. While cups can be successfully used to separate and store dough products and additional ingredients in a can format, it can be challenging to consistently insert the cups into the cans due to both cup-to-cup and can-to-can size variations. In theory, tighter manufacturing tolerances could be employed. However, this is typically expensive. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide another, more cost-effective way to facilitate the insertion of cups into cans when packaging dough products with additional ingredients.

Packaged food product and method of packaging


A frame for a door or the like has a multiplicity of cross members formed with outer surfaces as supports for finishing panels and having their ends matingly engaged with joints formed by longitudinal sections forming the opposite longitudinal edges of the door and having seats engaging the panels.

It is known that in joinery practice it is possible to make panels, sliding doors, doors and the like of the so-called veneered type, that is, consisting of a series of cross-members produced in various configurations, dimensions and materials, the ends of which terminate in an edgeframe that stiffens the frame thus formed, to which there are then glued flat covering layers such as sheets of plywood, veneers and the like.
Such technique makes it possible to obtain panels of very low weight with a high degree of finish and stability over in the course of time. However, because of the difficulty of implementing such technique, which calls for highly skilled personnel, precision work and careful selection of the materials to be joined, resulting in high costs, the technique has in practice become obsolete.

Assemblable frame for doors, sliding doors and similar of veneered type with prefabricated components and relevant method


A method for recording information using marks formed on a recording medium. The method includes the steps of forming, from the information to be recorded, data corresponding to the marks, inputting the data into one input of an exclusive logic sum circuit, inverting the output signal of the exclusive logical sum circuit in accordance with a random signal and then inputting the inverted output signal to an other input of the exclusive logical sum circuit, and forming the marks on the recording medium in accordance with the output signal of the exclusive logic sum circuit which is based on the signals supplied the one input and the other input of the exclusive logic sum circuit.

The present invention relates to a so-called mark-edge recording in which marks are recorded in certain areas of a recording medium so that their physical property is made different from the other areas to thereby have information associated with both ends of each of the marks.
The present invention is particularly suited to a rewritable high-density information recording method capable of recording information to be repeatedly rewritable. The present invention is also suited to a so-called phase-changing type information recording method in which the physical property of the information recorded areas is made different from the other areas by the phase change of the recorded substance that is caused by changing the temperature of the information recording medium.
A conventional rewritable information recording method is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-63-229625. This method is an optical disk recording method for recording information by modulating the intensity of light.
As shown in FIG. 6, information is recorded in a plurality of sectors 21, each of which has identification information 24 provided at its head in order to indicate the physical position of information. This identification information 24 is used as a reference to be followed by a synchronizing signal portion 22 and an information recorded portion 23 which are recorded as a record unit on the recording medium. At this time, the start position of the record unit is randomly changed in its position at each time of rewriting, thereby increasing the possible number of times of repeated rewriting. In other words, the disk material at the same place within a sector is prevented as much as possible from being deteriorated by repeated rewriting, thereby raising the possible number of times of repeated writing.
FIG. 7 illustrates the relation between the number of times of rewriting and the jitter in the case where the same recording information is repeatedly recorded. Here, the jitter is defined as the standard deviation normalized by a reproduction detection window width, the standard deviation being of the time shift between a reproduction clock and a reproduced data after the same random data is EFM-modulated, recorded repeatedly and then reproduced.
In FIG. 7, a curve 701 was obtained when the start position of the recorded portion is shifted by 2 bytes in the mark-edge recording, a curve 702 when shifted by 30 bytes in the mark-edge recording, a curve 703 when shifted by 2 bytes in the mark-position recording, a curve 704 when shifted by 100 bytes in the mark-edge recording, and a curve 705 when shifted by 30 bytes in the mark-position recording. Here, the mark-position recording is the recording system in which information is recorded in association with the center position of the mark.
From FIG. 7, it will be seen that the increase of jitter after rewriting can be suppressed more, or the possible number of times of rewriting is increased as the amount of the shift of the start position of the recorded area is increased. Here, the minimum mark distance, in the mark-position recording in which data is associated with the center position of the mark, was selected to be 0.9 .mu.m, and the minimum mark distance, in the mark-edge recording in which data is associated with both ends of the mark, was chosen to be 0.6 .mu.m. In addition, the diameter of the recording and reproducing spot was 0.9 .mu.m, and the recording medium used was a GeSbTe-based phase-change recording medium.
However, in the start-position shift system, and particularly in the mark-edge recording, the shift of the start position of the randomly recorded data must be increased to about 100 bytes in order to achieve a practical possible number of times of rewriting, as will be understood from FIG. 7, when the same information is repeatedly rewritten. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of sectors was greatly reduced. In addition, under this great positional shift, the beginning end or last end of recorded information will be superimposed upon other recorded portions. Since the recording characteristics of the beginning end or last end of recorded information are deteriorated probably due to the dissolution or flow of the recorded film, the effect of the change of the recording and production characteristics may be expanded over a wide range by repeated rewriting of these portions.

Information recording method and apparatus


A process for assembly of an integrated device, envisages: providing a first body of semiconductor material integrating at least one electronic circuit and having a top surface; providing a second body of semiconductor material integrating at least one microelectromechanical structure and having a bottom surface; and stacking the second body on the first body with the interposition, between the top surface of the first body and the bottom surface of the second body, of an elastic spacer material. Prior to the stacking step, the step is envisaged of providing, in an integrated manner, at the top surface of the first body a confinement and spacing structure that confines inside it the elastic spacer material and supports the second body at a distance from the first body during the stacking step.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor integrated device assembly process. In particular, the following treatment generally refers, without this implying any loss of generality, to an integrated sensor device and a process of assembling same.
2. Description of the Related Art
As it is known, an integrated sensor device includes one or more dice of semiconductor material (for example silicon), provided in which are electronic circuits (for example, an ASIC—Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and microelectromechanical (MEMS) detection structures, and which are enclosed in a package that has protection and coating functions and provides suitable electrical connections towards the outside world, for example for being welded to a printed circuit board. Common packages are the so-called SO or else SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) packages, or else the BGA (Ball Grid Array) or LGA (Land Grid Array) packages, which offer a small area occupation and high density of the electrical contacts towards the outside world.
In particular, for assembly of an integrated sensor device, the use is known of a solution "stacked" in the vertical direction, whereby a die integrating a MEMS detection structure is coupled on top of, or underneath, a die integrating a corresponding ASIC electronic circuit (designed, for example, to process the electrical quantities and signals transduced by the detection structure). The two dice are, for example, coupled together by interposition of a layer of adhesive material, with assembly techniques generally known as "attachment" techniques.
This stacked solution affords a reduction of the occupation of area of the integrated sensor device in a horizontal direction (parallel, for example, to the surface of the printed circuit board to which the device is coupled), and is hence particularly advantageous in the case of portable applications.

Semiconductor integrated device assembly process


A method for treating an aqueous fluid resulting from a fluorine-containing polymer production step, the method comprising:                separating the aqueous fluid into a solid component and a filtrate using a filter aid.

Fluorine-containing polymers such as fluororesins and fluoroelastomers are produced by homopolymerizing or copolymerizing fluorine-containing monomers. Fluorine-containing polymers are usually produced by emulsion polymerization or suspension polymerization, and a fluorine-containing surfactant is used as an emulsifier. Accordingly, an aqueous fluid such as a waste liquid resulting from a fluorine-containing polymer production step usually contains fluorine-containing compounds such as a fluorine-containing surfactant. Since fluorine-containing compounds in general may be poorly biodegradable. Concerning about the effect on environment, fluorine-containing compounds need to be removed or recovered from a waste liquid or the like to prevent fluorine-containing compounds from being discharged into the surrounding environment. Also, fluorine-containing surfactants in general are expensive and, therefore, are desirably recovered and reused.
Aqueous fluids such as a waste liquid resulting from the fluorine-containing polymer production step may contain, in addition to a fluorine-containing compound such as a fluorine-containing surfactant, solid components such as an uncoagulated or particulate fluorine-containing polymer. Such solid components may adversely affect the process of removing or recovering a fluorine-containing compound, and are thus desirably removed from the aqueous fluid before removing or recovering the fluorine-containing compound.
As a method for treating a waste liquid or the like resulting from a fluorine-containing polymer production step, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for treating wastewater containing fluoropolymer resin waste solids comprising; passing the wastewater through hollow fiber membranes to separate fluoropolymer resin waste solids and produce treated filtrate water; and removing the fluoropolymer resin waste solids from the wastewater.

Method and system for treating aqueous fluid resulting from fluoropolymer production step


Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate managing access control to Closed Subscriber Groups (CSGs) in a wireless communication environment. A user equipment (UE) can store an operator CSG list, which can be read only and controlled by an operator. Further, the operator CSG list can lack synchronization to a CSG subscription for the UE retained in the network. Thus, upon selecting to access a CSG cell associated with a CSG with a corresponding CSG Identifier (ID) included in the operator CSG list of the UE, a reject message that indicates that the UE lacks authorization for the CSG can be received. Moreover, the CSG ID can be stored as a forbidden CSG ID of the UE in a set of forbidden CSG IDs in response to receipt of the reject message when the CSG ID is included in the operator CSG list.

1. Field
The following description relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to managing access control to Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) cells in a wireless communication environment.
2. Background
Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as, for example, voice, data, and so on. Typical wireless communication systems can be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, . . . ). Examples of such multiple-access systems can include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, and the like. Additionally, the systems can conform to specifications such as third generation partnership project (3GPP), 3GPP long term evolution (LTE), ultra mobile broadband (UMB), and/or multi-carrier wireless specifications such as evolution data optimized (EV-DO), one or more revisions thereof, etc.
Generally, wireless multiple-access communication systems can simultaneously support communication for multiple user equipments (UEs). Each UE can communicate with one or more base stations via transmissions on forward and reverse links. The forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from base stations to UEs, and the reverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from UEs to base stations. Further, communications between UEs and base stations can be established via single-input single-output (SISO) systems, multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, and so forth. In addition, UEs can communicate with other UEs (and/or base stations with other base stations) in peer-to-peer wireless network configurations.
Heterogeneous wireless communication systems commonly can include various types of base stations, each of which can be associated with differing cell sizes. For instance, macro cell base stations typically leverage antenna(s) installed on masts, rooftops, other existing structures, or the like. Further, macro cell base stations oftentimes have power outputs on the order of tens of watts, and can provide coverage for large areas. The femto cell base station is another class of base station that has recently emerged. Femto cell base stations are commonly designed for residential or small business environments, and can provide wireless coverage to UEs using a wireless technology (e.g., 3GPP Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or Long Term Evolution (LTE), 1× Evolution-Data Optimized (1×EV-DO), . . . ) to communicate with the UEs and an existing broadband Internet connection (e.g., digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, . . . ) for backhaul. A femto cell base station can also be referred to as a Home Evolved Node B (HeNB), a Home Node B (HNB), a femto cell, or the like. Examples of other types of base stations include pico cell base stations, micro cell base stations, and so forth.
In some scenarios, some femto cell base stations or other base stations in a network can be restricted for access in some manner. For example, different base stations in the network can belong to different Closed Subscriber Groups (CSGs). In various situations, access control issues can arise due to a lack of synchronization between a UE and a network. More particularly, a UE can use some form of list (e.g., whitelist, . . . ) to identify base stations that the UE is allowed to access. The list retained by the UE can be read only and operator controlled. Further, the network can have an equivalent list. A problem can arise if the UE is removed from a CSG. For example, if the UE is removed from a CSG, and the list stored by the UE is not updated before the UE attempts to access a CSG cell from the CSG, then the UE can receive a reject message indicating that the UE lacks authorization for this CSG. Further, since the list stored by the UE is read only, the UE can be unauthorized to change entries in the list stored by the UE, and thus, unable to remove the CSG from such stored list. With the CSG still included in the list stored by the UE, the UE can again attempt to access the CSG cell from the CSG, and again receive a reject message indicating that the UE lacks authorization for this CSG.

Managing access control to closed subscriber groups


A healthy sun-like rays umbrella includes at least one UV blue light emission device and a means for mounting the at least one UV blue light emission device onto at least one stretcher of the umbrella. At least one person using the umbrella will receive the benefits of the at least one UV blue light emission device for a seasonal affective disorder and a more versatile way to increase vitamin D levels.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an umbrella, and more particularly, a healthy sun-like rays umbrella.
The healthy sun-like rays umbrella is a new and improved umbrella that has an integrated UV blue therapy light. The present invention affords a user the ability to receive the benefits of UV blue lights while on the go. Additionally, the healthy sun-like rays umbrella can be used in the conventional manner to shield an individual from rain or excess sun. The present invention can be available to consumers in various forms, including those used while walking, playing golf, relaxing at the beach, or sitting on the back patio. Any individual currently undergoing light therapy for a seasonal affective disorder, or those looking for a more versatile way to increase vitamin D levels, will benefit from using the healthy sun-like rays umbrella.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is a common fact that several illnesses are linked to low levels of vitamin D. Sunlight naturally stimulates the body's production of this vitamin, which is why so many individuals feel the effects of deficiency-related illnesses during the wintertime. Many doctors and therapists recommend that patients try a UV blue light box to simulate the sun's rays and increase the production of vitamin D. Traditional light boxes are not portable and require the user to remain stationary while undergoing treatment. This is not convenient for most consumers. A more efficient option is needed.
Numerous innovations for illuminated umbrellas have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.
A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,922, Issued on Jun. 30, 1992, to Andreasen teaches an illuminated umbrella or parasol, in which there are two coaxial light conductors (not shown) within the umbrella stick. The inner light conductor supplies light to the central region of the cover, to a number of further light conductors in the ribs terminated by light-spreading rib caps, and to a light spreading top spike, while the outer light conductor supplies light to the peripheral region of the cover. Emphasis on the illumination may be switched between the two coaxial light conductors by means of optical means (not shown) in the handle, controlled by a manually slideable button, the handle also containing the requisite batteries, a light bulb and a lens and/or a reflector (not shown), the switching e.g. being achieved by altering the position of the bulb.
A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,536, Issued on Oct. 31, 1995, to Chou et al. teaches an umbrella having a light source mounted inside the umbrella handle and controlled by a slide switch to give off light through a refractor around the umbrella shaft, wherein the umbrella shaft is a transparent, solid, polygonal rod having a refracting area for refracting the light of the light source toward the ribs and umbrella cover of the umbrella.
A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,202, Issued on Feb. 2, 1999, to Murphy teaches a luminous umbrella that uses a high proportion of the light generated by mounting the light bulb high on the shaft such that most of the light from the light bulb is projected on the underside of the umbrella canopy. The underside has a high luminous reflectance and is curved, consequently focusing the light from the light bulb down to illuminate a space immediately around the user. This luminous space widens towards the bottom, thereby providing the widest illumination at the ground where it is most needed. As a result of the light being efficiently focused, the required luminosity of the light bulb is reduced, enabling the umbrella to be powered using an incandescent light bulb and a few 1.5 volt batteries. Alternatively, if it is desired to provide extremely bright illumination, the conventional incandescent bulb may be replaced with a halogen bulb. The batteries still suffice to provide bright illumination by the halogen bulb.
A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,873, Issued on Jan. 29, 2002, to Yang teaches an umbrella with an illumination device. The illumination device has a top illumination assembly on the top end of the shaft, a tip illumination assembly on the free end of each rib and a control assembly to provide electricity to each illumination assembly. The top illumination assembly comprises a transparent connecting tube, a transparent tubular member, an internal wall integrally formed in the tubular member, an LED received in the tubular member and two electrical wires connected to the LED. The tip illumination assembly comprises a transparent tip, a conical hole defined in the tip, an LED and two branch electrical wires connected to the LED. The control assembly comprises a control unit in the shaft, an electrical connecting unit and two main electrical wires connected between the control unit and the electrical connecting unit. By such an arrangement, the illumination device can provide good illumination to increase the safety of using the umbrella.
A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,856, Issued on Dec. 31, 2002, to Lee teaches a beach umbrella with lamps includes mainly a plurality of spreaders and ribs respectively having a C-shaped insert groove opening downward, and a plurality of small lamps fitted in each C-shaped groove as if hidden in the spreaders and the ribs, and a switch fixed on a lower portion of the shank to turn on and off the small lamps so as to facilitate assembly and use of the beach umbrella with lamps. Then the lamps may be lit on and off to shine in the umbrella during nighttime to set forth gracious atmosphere.
A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2004/0007259, Published on 01-15, 2004, to Manolis teaches a fashion umbrella comprising an umbrella shank, a ring around the shank, numerous umbrella ribs connected at the upper end of the shank and extend outwardly to tips, numerous spreaders connected to the ring and extend outwardly in radius configuration and connected to the umbrella ribs. A hollow umbrella handle attached at the lower end of the shank. A battery is housed into hollow handle. Electric wires are housed into the hollow shank and extend to the tips of the umbrella ribs. Numerous light bulbs are mounted on the tips of the ribs, the light bulbs are connected to the battery through the electric wires, an electric switch is provided to turn the light bulbs ON and OFF. A fiber optic system is mounted on the shank under the canopy of the umbrella; a single cable often contains many separate fiber optic filaments, allowing multiple light signals to be transmitted to tips of the ribs of the fashion umbrella.
A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2004/0100791, Published on May 27, 2004, to Bilotti et al. teaches a lighting system for use with a patio umbrella or gazebo. The lighting system has a battery housing or power source, and at least one wire branch, with each wire branch releasably attached to a corresponding one of the ribs of the patio umbrella, or to a portion of a gazebo. A plurality of LED devices are spaced apart along each wire branch, and an interconnecting wire couples the battery housing or the power source to the wire branches.
AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2004/0105252, Published on Jun. 3, 2004, to Lin et al. teaches an illuminating umbrella grip includes a cassette LED illuminating unit detachably mounted in a holder formed on the umbrella grip, with the LED illuminating unit operatively depressed for a constant or flashing illumination; and upon withdrawal of the LED illuminating unit from the umbrella grip, it may be operated to produce illuminating warning signal for safety purpose, or it may be replaced with a fresh LED unit as fully powered.
A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pa. No. 6,752,509, Issued on Jun. 22, 2004, to Lin et al. teaches an illuminating umbrella grip includes a cassette LED illuminating unit detachably mounted in a holder formed on the umbrella grip, with the LED illuminating unit operatively depressed for a constant or flashing illumination; and upon withdrawal of the LED illuminating unit from the umbrella grip, it may be operated to produce illuminating warning signal for safety purpose, or it may be replaced with a fresh LED unit as fully powered.
A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2005/0172986, Published on Aug. 11, 2005, to Lu teaches an umbrella safety and alarm enhancement device, particularly an enhancement device installed on an umbrella to provide electro luminescence lighting or flashing at nighttime, forming a larger lighting rage, giving strong short-wave lighting alarm at night or in a rainy or foggy environment, the short waves of the electro luminescence is free from obstruction by rain or fog. The strong electro luminescence flashing light can be seen from a distance to prevent accidents and ensure pedestrians' safety.
AN ELEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2006/0039133, Published on Feb. 23, 2006, to Wu teaches a light source for an umbrella directly attached to its grip is set forth herein, a light source housing containing a light source, a battery unit, and a light source is engaged to the bottom of the umbrella grip. The battery power is directly supplied to the light source without using the electrical wiring. LED(s), or other high intensity lamps may be employed as the light source. The front portion of the light source housing is formed into a sloped surface serving as a refractor to conduct the light beam downwards and distribute it on the ground under the umbrella so as to assist the umbrella carrier walking at a dark, rainy night securely without the worry of a possible traffic accident.
A TWELFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2007/0047222, Published on Mar. 1, 2007, to Chang teaches an umbrella with light-emitting indicator. The umbrella with light-emitting indicator comprises an umbrella stand, a control circuit and a light-emitting device. The umbrella stand comprises a set of moveable ribs, a piece of umbrella cloth covered on the ribs and an insulative element with a receiving space formed on top end of the umbrella stand. The control circuit is securely installed in the receiving space of the insulative element, wherein the control circuit is connected to a battery and a switch. The light-emitting device is securely fixed onto surface of the umbrella cloth of the umbrella, wherein the light-emitting device is electrically connected to the control circuit.
A THIRTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2007/0189002, Published on Aug. 16, 2007, to Thode teaches an illuminated umbrella including a substantially translucent canopy supported by a plurality of ribs pivotally swingable towards and away from a shaft. Each of the ribs has attached intermediately of its length to one end of a spoke. The other spoke end is pivotally attached to a slidable sleeve on the umbrella shaft. At least one flexible isotropic electroluminescent string light source may be disposed along, and fastened to, at least one of the plurality of ribs. Alternatively, instead of being fastened to the ribs, the flexible isotropic electroluminescent string lights may be disposed in a pattern and attached to the canopy. A power supply disposed on the umbrella supplies power to the flexible isotropic electroluminescent light strings. Power may be supplied to the electroluminescent light strings without requiring the use of a connection socket or plug to the electroluminescent light strings.
A FOURTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2008/0087310, Published on Apr. 17, 2008, to Dahinden teaches a walking-stick umbrella comprises a grip element, a walking stick and a covering. The walking stick is made from an at least partially transparent or light-transmitting material. The grip element contains an energy storage element, a luminous element with which light can be irradiated into the walking stick, and an electronic device with which the luminous element can be automatically controlled.
A FIFTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 7,815,331, Issued on Oct. 19, 2010, to Chronopoulos teaches a lighting apparatus for attachment to an umbrella pole comprising, at least one arm having a first arm section, a second arm section, and a first hinged connection between a first end of the first arm section and a first end of the second arm section, an attachment means having a second hinged connection to a second end of the first arm section and securable to the umbrella pole, a connection means having a third hinged connection to a second end of the second arm section and slideably connected around the umbrella pole, and a lighting means on the at least one arm configured and disposed for illumination underneath the lighting apparatus wherein the hinge means, attachment means and connection means are configured and located to permit the at least one arm to move from an extended position away from the umbrella pole to a closed position substantially parallel to the umbrella pole.
A SIXTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2010/0328924, Published on Dec. 30, 2010, to Nissen teaches a lighted umbrella comprising a handle, a rod fixed on the handle, a structure for bearing a sheltering cover, the structure being fixed to the rod, a ferrule disposed on the rod for fixing the waterproof sheltering cover, the rod comprising at least a first and second hoses of transparent material which are separated by a hollow space, and the handle comprising an electric circuit connected to at least one LED to make the rod luminous.
A SEVENTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,509, issued on Jun. 22, 2004, to Lin et al. teaches an illuminating umbrella grip includes a cassette LED illuminating unit detachably mounted in a holder formed on the umbrella grip, with the LED illuminating unit operatively depressed for a constant or flashing illumination; and upon withdrawal of the LED illuminating unit from the umbrella grip, it may be operated to produce illuminating warning signal for safety purpose, or it may be replaced with a fresh LED unit as fully powered.
A EIGHTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2005/0172986, Published on Aug. 11, 2005, to Lu teaches an umbrella safety and alarm enhancement device, particularly an enhancement device installed on an umbrella to provide electro luminescence lighting or flashing at nighttime, forming a larger lighting rage, giving strong short-wave lighting alarm at night or in a rainy or foggy environment, the short waves of the electro luminescence is free from obstruction by rain or fog. The strong electro luminescence flashing light can be seen from a distance to prevent accidents and ensure pedestrians' safety.
AN NINETEETH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2006/0039133, Published on Feb. 23, 2006, to Wu teaches a light source for an umbrella directly attached to its grip is set forth herein, a light source housing containing a light source, a battery unit, and a light source is engaged to the bottom of the umbrella grip. The battery power is directly supplied to the light source without using the electrical wiring. LED(s), or other high intensity lamps may be employed as the light source. The front portion of the light source housing is formed into a sloped surface serving as a refractor to conduct the light beam downwards and distribute it on the ground under the umbrella so as to assist the umbrella carrier walking at a dark, rainy night securely without the worry of a possible traffic accident.
A TWENTIETH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2006/0118150, Published on Jun. 8, 2006, to Mattuzzi teaches an umbrella fitted with a flashing yellow/amber light at the top of the shaft. When the umbrella is open and the user wishes to hail a taxicab, all they need to do is push a button on the shaft or at the light itself thereby activating the flashing yellow/amber light. This would result in the attraction of awaiting taxicabs. This yellow/amber light could also be retrofitted to existing umbrellas.
A TWENTY-FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2007/0047222, Published on Mar. 1, 2007, to Chang teaches an umbrella with light-emitting indicator. The umbrella with light-emitting indicator comprises an umbrella stand, a control circuit and a light-emitting device. The umbrella stand comprises a set of moveable ribs, a piece of umbrella cloth covered on the ribs and an insulative element with a receiving space formed on top end of the umbrella stand. The control circuit is securely installed in the receiving space of the insulative element, wherein the control circuit is connected to a battery and a switch. The light-emitting device is securely fixed onto surface of the umbrella cloth of the umbrella, wherein the light-emitting device is electrically connected to the control circuit.
A TWENTY-SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2007/0189002, Published on Aug. 16, 2007, to Thode teaches an illuminated umbrella including a substantially translucent canopy supported by a plurality of ribs pivotally swingable towards and away from a shaft. Each of the ribs has attached intermediately of its length to one end of a spoke. The other spoke end is pivotally attached to a slidable sleeve on the umbrella shaft. At least one flexible isotropic electroluminescent string light source may be disposed along, and fastened to, at least one of the plurality of ribs. Alternatively, instead of being fastened to the ribs, the flexible isotropic electroluminescent string lights may be disposed in a pattern and attached to the canopy. A power supply disposed on the umbrella supplies power to the flexible isotropic electroluminescent light strings. Power may be supplied to the electroluminescent light strings without requiring the use of a connection socket or plug to the electroluminescent light strings.
A TWENTY-THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2008/0087310, Published on Apr. 17, 2008, to Dahinden teaches a walking-stick umbrella comprises a grip element, a walking stick and a covering. The walking stick is made from an at least partially transparent or light-transmitting material. The grip element contains an energy storage element, a luminous element with which light can be irradiated into the walking stick, and an electronic device with which the luminous element can be automatically controlled.
A TWENTY-FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2009/0260663, Published on Oct. 22, 2009, to Lewis teaches a safety umbrella for providing visibility for an individual crossing an intersection or walking at night or in dark rainy inclement weather includes a center pole having a cover at its upper end and an opposite hand gripping end that includes a housing and a loop and cap member detachably securable to the housing and the housing holding at least one battery interconnected to an on/off switch and a plurality of wires extending from within the housing through the center pole to the upper end for interconnection to a LED light enclosed within a transparent casing that projects above the cover and which is operable by the on/off switch so that the individual can be made more visible to other individuals and to automotive vehicles and thereby avoiding accidents and injuries to all parties.
A TWENTY-FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 7,815,331, Issued on Oct. 19, 2010, to Chronopoulos teaches a lighting apparatus for attachment to an umbrella pole comprising, at least one arm having a first arm section, a second arm section, and a first hinged connection between a first end of the first arm section and a first end of the second arm section, an attachment means having a second hinged connection to a second end of the first arm section and securable to the umbrella pole, a connection means having a third hinged connection to a second end of the second arm section and slideably connected around the umbrella pole, and a lighting means on the at least one arm configured and disposed for illumination underneath the lighting apparatus wherein the hinge means, attachment means and connection means are configured and located to permit the at least one arm to move from an extended position away from the umbrella pole to a closed position substantially parallel to the umbrella pole.
It is apparent now that numerous innovations for illuminated umbrellas have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


In a touch screen having a flexible outer membrane with a first conducting surface, a backing surface with a second conductive surface, and sensors to detect contact between the first conducting surface and the second conducting surface, the improvement comprising the flexible outer membrane, wherein the flexible outer layer consists of an ultra-thin glass layer, a polymer layer; and an optical adhesive between the ultra-thin glass layer and the polymer layer, the optical adhesive holding the ultra-thin glass layer to the polymer layer.

Of various interfaces available for interacting with a computer system one of the easiest to use and understand is the touch screen. This technology allows a user to simply touch an icon or picture to navigate through the system, display the information the user is seeking, and to enter data. For this reason this technology is widely used in many areas, including bank machines, information kiosks, restaurants, cars, etc.
A number of different methodologies are used to implement touch screen technology, and each has advantages and disadvantages. The three main types of technology used are resistive, capacitive and surface acoustic wave.
Resistive technology uses a flexible membrane that is affixed over a display. The membrane and display each have a conductive layer, and typically the membrane is energized with an electrical potential. When the membrane is touched, it is brought into contact with the conductive layer on the display, and this creates current flow. Various sensors around the display measure the current and a controller can determine, either through an absolute value or through a ratio with the current measured at other sensors, the location of the touch. One example of this technology is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,815 to Gibson et al.
One of the advantages of resistive touch screens is that they can be pressed by either a finger or a stylus. The technology responds to pressure and the pressure can be exerted by anything. This is important in some cases where a user may wish to press the screen with the back of a pen or other stylus, with fingernails or with gloved hands.
A second advantage is that they are sealed and not affected by dirt. Thus they can for example be used in industrial applications where the user's hands may be greasy or dirty. Further, the touchscreen will work irrespective of whether there is dust or grime on the screen or in the area around the periphery of the screen.
This technology will also continue to work even when scratches exist on the outer surface of the membrane.
The main disadvantage of resistive touch screens to date has been the material from which the flexible membrane has been made. The requirement that the membrane be flexible and resistant to breakage has generally meant that polyester films have been used. The problem with these films is that they are easily scratched, torn and melted, and are thus susceptible to vandalism or inadvertent damage. This has generally limited the use of this technology to applications where access to the screens is restricted, and where the general public is not given access to these machines. For example, information kiosks in shopping malls or airports do not typically use resistive touch screens due to the vandalism potential.
A second technology for touch screens is capacitive. In this technology a layer of glass is used as a dielectric, and typically has a sensor grid on its lower surface. The touch of a user creates a change in capacitance that can be measured by the sensor grid, allowing the controller to determine when and where a touch occurs.
The advantage of capacitive touch screens is that their outer layer is glass, and thus more resistant to vandalism and damage.
One disadvantage of capacitive touch screens is that they can be susceptible to electromagnetic interference, and can thus produce false hits. This interference can be caused by a number of things, but most commonly in public locations by cellular telephones and pagers. Due to this potential interference, capacitive touch screen cannot be used in certain applications such as in some military equipment.
A second disadvantage is that the sensitivity of the screen can be affected by dirt and scratches. These change the capacitance that is sensed, and can create false touch signals.
Another disadvantage is that skin must be used to make contact with the display. A stylus, fingernail or gloved hand will not produce a sensed touch. Further, in some cases dry hands may not create a sensed touch.
A third technology that is used is the surface acoustic wave. In this technology ultra-sonic waves are emitted onto the surface of the screen, and microphones situated around the screen detect these waves. The periphery of the screen is generally reflective to the waves. When the screen is touched the waves are affected, and a controller is able to determine the location of the touch based on the information received by the microphones.
The major problem with this technology is that it is susceptible to dust and dirt. Any particle will affect the waves. Further, when these types of screens are cleaned, the dirt may be pushed to the periphery, where it will affect the reflective surface. The result of the dirt is that a touch may be perceived to be in a different location than the actual touch location.
What is therefore needed is a touchscreen technology that is robust, so that it can sense the touch of a finger, gloved hand, or any stylus. Further, the technology is required to be unaffected by dirt and scratches. Also, the outer touch surface must be hard and resistant to vandalism.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An improved intravascular catheter, such as a balloon catheter, and a method for use thereof. The catheter includes an elongate shaft and the improvement includes a close fitting sleeve located around the shaft and movable therealong. The intravascular catheter is adapted to be used with an introducer device, such as a guide catheter, having a hemostatic valve located at a proximal end thereof. The close fitting sleeve is adapted to be positioned at the hemostatic valve so that the hemostatic valve can be sealed upon the sleeve allowing the intravascular catheter shaft to be readily advanced in relation to the hemostatic valve and introducer device while limiting bleeding between the sleeve and the shaft of the intravascular catheter.

This invention relates to an improved intravascular catheter and methods for use thereof.
Intravascular catheterization apparatuses have proven to be useful and efficient for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Intravascular catheterization therapies, such as angioplasty, atherectomy, and laser irradiation, have been developed as alternatives to bypass surgery for treating vascular diseases or other conditions that occlude or reduce the lumen size of portions of a patient's vascular system. In particular, balloon angioplasty has proven to be a useful, and in many circumstances a preferred, treatment for obstructive coronary diseases. Also, intravascular diagnostic catheter apparatuses, for anglographics, ultrasonic imaging, and Doppler blood flow measurements for example, have been developed to measure or image the extent of an occlusion of a vessel, (e.g., stenosis).
These intravascular therapeutic and diagnostic catheter apparatuses have achieved acceptance because of their effectiveness as well as the fact that they can be used through a minor surgical procedure that is relatively non-disruptive to the patient compared to coronary surgery. These intravascular therapeutic and diagnostic apparatuses rely on the positioning of a catheter device into the vascular system of a patient via an incision at an accessible location which may be remote from the site of the occlusion or stenosis. For example, the accessible location may be the femoral artery at the groin. The intravascular device is then advanced through the incision via the femoral artery to the desired coronary distal site.
It is conventional in performing an intravascular coronary angioplasty procedure to use a guide catheter to support the balloon dilation catheter in the artery from the incision site to close to the coronary site. The guide catheter extends from outside the body to the ostium of the coronary vessel and provides a pathway via a lumen therein for the positioning of other intravascular apparatuses, such as the guide wire and the balloon catheter, through the artery to the coronary vessels. At the proximal end of the guide catheter there is a fitting, such as a luer lock, to which a manifold device such as a Y-adapter is connected. The dilation catheter is positioned through one of the ports of the Y-adapter (e.g. the axially oriented port) and into the guide catheter. This port of the Y-adapter through which the dilation catheter extends includes a hemostatic seal valve. The hemostatic seal valve includes a threaded knob that can be tightened down onto an O-ring seal located in a seat of the Y-adapter port. The hemostatic seal valve allows a physician to close the port when a dilation catheter is not in the guide catheter, or to seal the O-ring around the dilation catheter when it is in the guide catheter. Because the guide catheter provides a direct access to the artery, the hemostatic valve reduces or prevents bleeding from the artery both when a dilation catheter is in the artery and when a dilation catheter is not in the artery. Thus, the hemostatic seal valve located in a port of the Y-adapter facilitates intravascular procedures, such as angioplasty.
A difficulty sometimes encountered in the use of the hemostatic seal valve, as described, relates to adjusting the hemostatic valve to allow advancement of a balloon catheter while minimizing bleeding back through the valve. This difficulty is especially encountered when using a dilation catheter having a small diameter shaft. Catheters of this type include some fixed-wire type catheters and catheters having an opening to a proximal end of a guide wire lumen located in a distal portion of the shaft. A fixed-wire type catheter includes a non-removable wire tip located on the distal end of the dilation catheter. This wire tip is used for positioning the fixed-wire dilation catheter into the desired arterial site after it is advanced past the distal end of the guide catheter. The wire tip may be bent or formed with a J-configuration to facilitate steering it --and thus the dilation catheter-- into the desired location.
The dilation catheter is handled and steered from the proximal end. During this steering and positioning, the physician attempts to adjust the hemostatic seal valve so that it is loose enough to allow unimpeded advancement and steering of the dilation catheter from the proximal end for the delicate positioning procedure. If the hemostatic valve is clamped down too tight on the dilation catheter, it can cause considerable friction with the catheter shaft that can impede advancing and steering of the dilation catheter. On the other hand, if the hemostatic valve is too loose, it allows bleeding back through the guide catheter and out the Y-adapter hemostatic valve which is undesirable and which can also impede handling of the equipment. Thus, the physician is presented with an unsatisfactory trade-off between minimizing blood loss and maximizing unimpeded catheter shaft movement. Moreover, adjustment the hemostatic valve to provide an tolerable balance of these considerations can be difficult or tedious and time-consuming during an interventional procedure. Therefore, there is a need for a improvement that facilitates intravascular procedures and facilitates advancement and steering of an intravascular catheter, such as balloon catheter, through a hemostatic valve of a Y-adapter while at the same time minimizing or reducing bleeding back through the guide catheter around the hemostatic valve.

Intravascular catheter with sleeve and method for use thereof


A rich-wait-time threshold value is set based on the NOx discharge amount per unit time discharged from an internal combustion engine. When the elapsed time, i.e. either the elapsed engine operation time since rich control was performed on a lean NOx trap catalyst device, or the elapsed engine operation time since the engine was started, becomes equal to or greater than the rich-wait-time threshold value, a determination that the rich control be started is added as a necessary condition for starting the rich control. Accordingly, an exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine, an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust gas purification method for an internal combustion engine are provided, with which the execution timing of the rich control for recovering the NOx occlusion capacity of the lean NOx trap catalyst device is rendered more appropriate, and thus NOx reduction is performed with little fuel consumption deterioration.

In general, in order to purify purification target components such as hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matters (PM) and the like included in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine such as a Diesel engine, an exhaust gas purification system including an exhaust gas purification apparatus having each of catalyst devices such as an oxidation catalyst device (DOC), a particulate trap device (CSF, SCRF and the like), a selective reduction-type catalyst device (SCR), a lean NOx trap catalyst device (LNT) and the like has been used.
There is an exhaust gas purification system having a lean NOx trap catalyst device in the exhaust gas purification apparatus and configured to purify nitrogen oxides included in an exhaust gas. In the exhaust gas purification system for decreasing NOx, at a state (lean state) where oxygen is excessively included in the exhaust gas, like a lean burn engine and a Diesel engine, NOx is temporarily occluded in the lean NOx trap catalyst device, and when a NOx occlusion amount increases, NOx cannot be all occluded with the lean NOx trap catalyst device and thus a downward slip amount is likely to increase, the exhaust gas is periodically controlled to a rich air-fuel ratio, so that NOx occluded in the lean NOx trap catalyst device is discharged and reduced. The operations of occlusion, discharge and reduction are repeated, so that a NOx conversion efficiency by the lean NOx trap catalyst device is maintained.
In NOx regeneration processing of performing rich reduction of NOx occluded in the lean NOx trap catalyst device, as a trigger for shifting to the rich control, only two threshold values of an occlusion amount threshold value of NOx in the lean NOx trap catalyst device and a NOx concentration threshold value (or a NOx conversion efficiency threshold value), when a NOx concentration sensor is provided in an exhaust passage, are used. That is, when a NOx occlusion amount occluded in the lean NOx trap catalyst device becomes equal to or greater than a preset NOx occlusion amount threshold value and when a NOx concentration detected by the NOx concentration sensor becomes equal to or greater than a preset NOx concentration threshold value (in other words, the NOx conversion efficiency is equal to or less than a preset NOx conversion efficiency threshold value), the control is shifted to the rich control.
In this case, however, since the control is shifted to the rich control, irrespective of an operating pattern of the engine, the control may be shifted to the rich control of the exhaust gas at a timing, which is not always optimal for improvement on the NOx conversion efficiency and fuel consumption. As a result, the NOx conversion efficiency and fuel consumption are not stable.
For example, even when the NOx occlusion amount is equal to or greater than the NOx occlusion amount threshold value and the conversion efficiency is lower than the NOx conversion efficiency threshold value, if the operating state of the engine is a low-speed and low-load state, the NOx discharge amount is low, so that the control is not necessarily required to be shifted to the rich control. However, the control is shifted to the rich control under current control.
Regarding the above problem, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-81335A, an exhaust purification apparatus of an internal combustion engine has been suggested which has a function of narrowing an operation region of a lean air-fuel ratio upon acceleration operation of the engine when a relation between a total NOx discharge amount and a traveling time period of the vehicle lies on a total exhaust amount increase-side higher than a predetermined relation, considering that a regulated value by NOx discharge regulation is a total NOx discharge amount with respect to a predetermined traveling distance, and which is configured to effectively suppress the total NOx discharge amount and to effectively recover NOx occlusion performance by increasing an opportunity of NOx reduction.
In the above exhaust purification apparatus of an internal combustion engine, it is controlled whether or not to allow the lean operation in which the NOx discharge amount increases upon the acceleration operation of the engine. Thereby, when there is a margin in the total discharge amount by the relation between the total NOx discharge amount and the traveling time period of the vehicle, the operation by the lean air-fuel ratio is allowed even during the acceleration operation, so that the fuel consumption is improved and the total NOx discharge amount is managed.

Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine, internal combustion engine, and exhaust gas purification method for internal combustion engine


A drive assembly for a catheter procedure includes a body configured to receive a percutaneous device where the body has a first end and a second end. A distal pinch is configured to releasably engage the percutaneous device. A proximal pinch is positioned on the first end of the body and is configured to releasably engage the percutaneous device. A linear drive mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to move the body and the proximal pinch between a first position and a second position to cause linear movement of the percutaneous device along a longitudinal axis of the percutaneous device. A rotational drive mechanism is coupled to the second end of the body and is configured to rotate the body and the proximal pinch to cause the percutaneous device to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the percutaneous device.

Catheters may be used for many medical procedures, including inserting a guide wire, delivering a stent and delivering and inflating a balloon. Catheterization procedures are commonly performed for diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and vascular systems. The catheterization procedure is generally initiated by inserting a guide wire into a blood vessel in the patient's body. The guide wire is then advanced to the desired location, most commonly in one of the heart vessels or elsewhere in the vascular system. At this point, a catheter is slid over the guide wire into the blood vessel and/or heart. In some procedures, the catheter is a balloon catheter or stent delivery system that when deployed at the site of the lesion allows for increased blood flow through the portion of the coronary artery that is affected by the lesion.
For manual insertion of a guide wire, the physician applies torque and axial push force on the proximal end of a guide wire to effect tip direction and axial advancement at the distal end. Robotic catheter procedure systems have been developed that may be used to aid a physician in performing a catheterization procedure such as a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The physician uses a robotic system to precisely steer a coronary guide wire, balloon catheter or stent delivery system in order to, for example, widen an obstructed artery. In order to perform PCI, the distal tip of a guide wire must be navigated through coronary anatomy past a target lesion. While observing the coronary anatomy using fluoroscopy, the physician manipulates the proximal end of the guide wire in order to direct the distal tip into the appropriate vessels toward the lesion and avoid advancing into side branches. A robotic catheter procedure system includes drive mechanisms to drive various elongated medical devices (e.g., guide wire, guide catheter, working catheter) used in catheterization procedures to provide linear and rotational movement of the elongated medical device.
It would be desirable to provide a device drive for a catheter procedure system that is responsive to user input to manipulate an elongated medical device where the linear and rotary movements are independent.

Device drive for catheter procedure system


An integrated memory has a first and a second mode of operation as well as a first memory area and a second memory area. The first memory area is used to store useful data in both modes of operation. The second memory area is used in the first, but not in the second, mode of operation to store error correction data for the useful data which are to be stored in the first memory area. In the first mode of operation, the memory thus has an error correction function that is deactivated during the second mode of operation.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an integrated memory having an error correction function.
An error correction function for integrated memories (such as dynamic memories, DRAMs) is produced using so-called error correction codes (ECC). In the simplest case, a so-called parity check is carried out. Therefore, for each data word which is to be stored having a number of bits, one or more parity bits are produced and stored in the memory together with the data word. When the data word is read from the memory, the parity bits stored with it are evaluated, as a result of which, depending on the number of parity bits, one or more bit errors can be detected and also corrected, depending on the error correction code used. A simple and widely used error correction code is the Hamming code. Memories equipped with such an error correction function require additional storage space for storing the parity bits.
Hence, there are two types of memories. First, there are memories which are not provided with any error correction function and in which, accordingly, the storage requirement per data word corresponds exactly to the number of bits per data word. Second, there are memories that have an error correction function and have a storage requirement per data word that is increased by the parity bits, but which allow the correction of errors occurring during storage. The former memories are suitable for storing useful data that are insensitive to errors, such as audio data. The latter memories are suitable for applications in which the absence of errors is very important, as is the case of program memories, for example.


In a method and conveyor for conveying a solid material by means of parallel, oblong transfer elements that move back and forth in the direction of transfer, most of the surface of the transfer elements moves in the direction of transfer at the same time and at least part of the surface thereof is inclined towards the center of the conveyor. Pieces of material lying on inclined outermost transfer elements are carried on a lower longitudinal part of the transfer elements, the angle of inclination of the part about the longitudinal axis being smaller than the angle of inclination of the upper part thereof. Thus, the support force exerted by the transfer elements on the pieces lying thereon, and the friction force between them and the pieces lying thereon, increase. At the same time, the support force that is exerted by second transfer elements situated lower with respect to the outermost transfer elements on the pieces lying thereon, and the friction between the second transfer elements and the pieces lying thereon, decrease.

This invention relates to a method of conveying a solid material in pieces or parts, such as logs, chips or bark, with a conveyor using parallel, oblong transfer elements that move back and forth in the direction of transfer, most of the surface of the transfer elements, which are in contact with the material to be conveyed during the motion of transfer, moving in the direction of transfer at the same time and at least part of the surface of the transfer elements being inclined about its longitudinal axis, towards the centre of the conveyor. The invention relates also to a conveyor that is intended for conveying a solid material in pieces or parts, such as logs, chips or bark, and that is composed of parallel, oblong transfer elements that move back and forth in the direction of transfer, most of the surface of the transfer elements, which are in contact with the material to be conveyed, being movable in the direction of transfer at the same time and at least part of the surface of the transfer elements being inclined about its longitudinal axis, towards the centre of the conveyor.
In recent years, an apparatus according to patents FI 83181 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,981 has been developed for the transport of pulp wood, for example, which has proved to be very useful for feeding pulp wood into a barking drum. In the apparatus, the friction force between the pieces to be conveyed is increased by inclining the transfer elements with the result that the pieces do not tend to move backward during the return motion of the transfer elements. The apparatus according to said invention requires, however, a relatively large number of transfer elements. In practice, 6 to 8 transfer elements are needed whose movement has to be accurately controlled to make the apparatus operate in the correct way. Today, the pulp wood feeding devices according to the known invention are usually provided with beam-like, roller-supported transfer elements. This results in a relatively expensive structure comprising a great number of parts.
The conveyor according to the invention is characterised in that the pieces or parts lying on the inclined, outermost transfer elements are carried by means of the lower longitudinal edge of the outermost transfer elements, the angle of inclination of said edge about the longitudinal axis being smaller than the angle of inclination of the upper edge of the outermost transfer elements;
whereby the support force exerted by the outermost transfer elements on the pieces or parts lying thereon, and the friction force between the outermost transfer elements and the pieces or parts lying thereon, increase;
and whereby the support force exerted by second transfer elements situated lower with respect to the outermost transfer elements, on the pieces or parts lying thereon, and the friction between said second transfer elements and the pieces or parts lying thereon, decrease.
The conveyor according to the invention is characterised in that at least in some of the transfer elements, the angle of inclination of the lower part of the transfer elements about the longitudinal axis is smaller than the angle of inclination of the upper pan thereof.
According to the invention, the load exerted on the lateral transfer elements of the conveyor, which usually are inclined at an angle of at least 45xc2x0 towards the centre, is increased by transferring an extra load that results from a change of direction of the packing forces is caused by the loads of said elements to them. The surface of the outermost transfer elements of the conveyor can be bent in such a way that the inclination of the lower edge of the transfer elements is equal to or somewhat greater than the angle at which the following transfer element is inclined towards centre of the conveyor.

Method and apparatus for conveying a solid material


A repair kit intended to be used in repairing (in the form of a plug type device) a hole in various types of wall construction and primarily hollow core doors. This repair device is comprised of a specially designed disk so as not to allow the disk to fall into the wall cavity, and a piece of dowel rod. The disk and dowel rod may be made of a multitude of substances, giving special consideration to factors such as bondable surface area, and weight versus mass. The disk is designed to plug a hole in a wall or door, after following some simple wall or door preparation. The disk is held in place by a bonding material such as, spackle or drywall type taping compounds for wall repairs. When used for the repair of a door, it is best to use a wood glue. Once in place the disk surface is covered with plaster, Spackle, drywall compound or whatever material is appropriate for the surface being repaired. When the compound is dry, the area of repair may be sanded smooth to match the existing wall or door surface, then painted, or texture may be added to the surface prior to painting.

This invention is intended to be used as a wall and door repair kit. The repair kit includes a simple yet specially designed disk, and piece of dowel rod. The kit can easily be used by the average person to repair a hole in a wall or door comprised of most any building material. It is common knowledge that small nail or bolt holes can be repaired (with only one application) by using only Spackle type compound material or the like. Large holes up to possibly one inch in diameter can be repaired by applying small amounts of Spackle type material around the area of the hole in stages, allowing each staged application to dry before applying another. This method could take anywhere from several hours to several days to complete. Even when this method is complete, it is highly doubtful it would last very long. The reason being, the weight of the patch exceeds the bondability of the surface area to which it is bonded. The slightest vibration or pressure against the outside surface could foil the effort. In those cases where a devise which provides pressure against the opposing interior side of the wall, be it crumpled up paper or an inflatable device, the problem is only compounded by that side of the wall providing vibration and/or pressure, causing the bonding material to debond, and consequently become loose and possibly fall into the wall cavity. In either case, becoming unsightly on the previously repaired outside surface of the wall.
Many mechanical and nonmechanical devices of varied designs have been submitted for patents which are intended to be used for repairing walls, and walls and doors. These repairs attempt to be accomplished by means of the devices being inserted into the hole or wall cavity to support a spackling compound type of material patch. Attempts at providing backing for patches in various configurations have also been attempted. These are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,226,893; 3,325,955; 3,583,122; 3,690,084; 3,834,107; 3,874,505; 3,936,988; 3,999,347; 4,062,165; 4,075,809 and 4,620,407. There have been other attempts at providing backing for the patch in the form of an inflatable object placed in the interior of the wall cavity such as is U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,151 which proved to be equally as unsuitable or unstable as the others previously listed. None of these repair designs to my knowledge have ever been successfully manufactured and marketed, and utilized by the general public.


A method of constructing large human-like costume heads such as caricatures of famous people which includes the steps of sculpting a large block of foam into the rough form of a head to form a sculpted human-like head with a facial portion. The outer portion of the foam block is painted using a desired color scheme. A very thin layer of rubber-like material is applied to the foam block outer surface which seals the foam block but which is sufficiently thin to allow deflection of the foam when squeezed and to provide a texture to the foam that can be felt and which resembles a skin like feeling.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to costumes having enlarged caricature heads and/or bodies of foam construction wherein an improved construction provides a lightweight, lifelike and durable costume construction that resists breakage and deterioration.
2. General Background
Costumes are often used in an artistic form that enlarges the head and/or body so that facial and other features, for example, are exaggerated. These types of costumes are commonly used in connection with advertising, plays, shows, sports events and the like.
Advertising often involves the use of costumes which might for example include a caricature, a personification, or other artistic rendition associated with a particular company's product. Frequently, radio stations, television stations and other business organizations use costumes in association with particular promotional events, or with advertising campaigns.
College and professional sports organizations frequently have mascots which are artistic caricatures, or fanciful cartoon-like characters many of which have very disproportionate and/or enlarged heads and or bodies as compared to the human body size and proportions. Costumes often use such personification to transform a company's product (such as a soft drink can) into a life like animated character.
When manufacturing a costume having a very large head portion, it is difficult to make the head very large as compared to typical human head because of the difficulty in supporting the head because of weight and size. Further, when lightweight materials are used in the formation of caricature or costume heads, a problem exists in that the material, while necessarily lightweight, also can be very fragile having a tendency to break, tear, rip or become damaged.
One of the problems of costumes, caricature heads and or puppet heads which are very large is that they can quickly wear and deteriorate if subjected to substantial use. This is true of both paper mache and foam which are commonly used in costume construction.
Some foam is an absorbant cellular material which absorbs liquids such as paint upon contact. Thus it is often difficult to work with foam in the creation of caricature heads, costumes and the like wherein it is desirable to first form the foam into a particular shape and then prevent those shapes from breaking off. For example, appendages of a human's head such as the nose, lips and ears have a tendency to tear or fall off when they are made with a foam material. The use of paints or other material on the foam creates a weight problem. Foam can be absorbent and the foam can soak up anything applied to it rendering the foam saturated and overweight. The foam can fall apart because it has become too heavy if extensive paint/liquids are absorbed.
Several patents have issued which relate to various constructions of costumes, caricatures, dolls and the like.
Early examples of costume patents include U.S. Pat. No. 2,028,206 entitled "Disguise" issued on Jan. 21, 1936 to W. A. Hall; U.S. Pat. No. 2,089,376 entitled "Inanimate Figure and Method of Making Same" issued Aug. 10, 1937 to E. Jacobson; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,124,767 entitled "Disguise Medium" issued on July 26, 1938 to J. W. Dawn.
Various patented constructions of plastic bodies use molds, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,541,192 and 3,852,389.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,541,192 entitled "Method of Producing Plastic Objects Having Smooth Skin Portions and Foamed Interior Portions" issued Nov. 17, 1970 to W. H. Shapero et al., providing a plastic base material having gas-releasing capability, is placed in a mold, which is subjected to a forced internal pressure change to control the timing of the release of the gas (to form the foamed interior portions of an object) while it is treated (as by heating a vinyl plastisol composition in the known rotocasting process) to form a smooth, soft skin and to complete formation of both the skin and interior portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,389 entitled "Method of Making Foam Plastic Bodies Having Lifelike Outer Skins" issued Dec. 3, 1974 to Adler et al., provides a method of making bodies of foamed plastic comprising filling a mold initially with a plastisol having a very small amount of blowing agent which will be activated, heating the mold to form a thin gelled layer of the plastisol covering the inner surface of the mold, then charging the mold with a second plastisol containing a significantly larger amount of blowing agent that will be activated; attaching the mold to a pressure release cap whereby the pressure in the mold can be controlled; then heating the mold at a temperature sufficient to release the blowing agents in the plastisol layers, while controllably releasing the gas from the mold through the pressure release cap. After cooling, the foamed body can then be removed from the mold.
U S. Pat. No. 4,451,933 entitled "Costume Mask Armature" issued June 5, 1984 to Seng et al., provides a universal costume mask armature is disclosed in which a rigid, preferably lattice, infrastructure including skull-shaped cranium and face portion is utilized. The face portion is preferably generally flattened and includes a pair of eye ports. A nose plate between the eye ports forms a continuation of the face and serves to receive and support nose features of a mask mounted on the armature. The face portion also includes a maxilary plate located below the nose plate to receive and support upper lip features of a mask. Use of this armature will enable a very wide range and variety of masks to be interchanged because the construction of the face portion of the armature is designed to support unlimited combinations of nose, eyebrows, beak etc. without regard to their weight or size.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,376 entitled "Animal Simulating Three Dimensional Archery Target and method of Manufacture" issued Jan. 21, 1986 to Croll provides and archery target wherein transversely gathered thermoplastic film is wrapped into the shape of an animal to be simulated, the wrapped shape is covered with thermoplastic sheeting heat sealed to the wrapped film, and the shape is filled with additional transversely gathered plastic film folded upon itself and inserted into the wrapped film shape.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,319 entitled "Image in Three Dimensions With Picture Covering and Forming System" issued Apr. 21, 1987 to Blair provides a three-dimensional image, which can be the face of a person, or other image having: a base, a picture module formed of flexible picture material bearing thereon a picture-making coating which latter is imprinted thereon in duplication from a photograph by known methods. the picture-module being attached to the forward side of the base and such forward side having a shape complementary to the picture coating as is accomplished by the method of this invention which is sculpting the material which makes the forward side of the base while such material is flexible and before heating it, the shaping of the moldable material being done by pressure exerted on and through the module as guided visually by the picture-making coating which latter can be accomplished by human sculpturing skill whereby the picture module is also sculpted into a new shape and complementary to the sculpted base.
The use of injection type molds to create a costume form over and over requires substantial initial expense which can only be justified if numerous costumes of the same configuration are desired. This does not solve the problem of creating custom costume masks, faces, bodies and the like where an inexpensive, workable system is desired to create lifelike and durable costume figures.

Method of constructing human-like costume heads