An emulation aerosol sucker includes a battery assembly, an atomizer assembly and a cigarette bottle assembly. An external thread electrode is located in one end of battery assembly. An internal thread electrode is located in one end of atomizer assembly. Said battery assembly and said atomizer assembly are connected by the screwthread electrode. Said cigarette bottle assembly is inserted into the other end of said atomizer assembly and both form one cigarette type or cigar type body.

Today when it is known that "smoking is harmful to your health", there are still one billion people smoking cigarettes, and this figure is increasing every year. Although smoking causes serious respiratory system diseases and cancers, it is still difficult for smokers to completely quit smoking.
Nicotine is the active ingredient of a cigarette. During smoking, nicotine produces a lot of tar mist as the cigarette burns. The tar mist accesses the smoker's pulmonary alveolus and is quickly absorbed into the blood. Nicotine thus acts on the receptors of the smoker's central nervous system.
Nicotine is a micromolecular alkaloid, which is basically harmless to human bodies within a small dosage. Plus, the half life period of nicotine is extremely short in blood. Tar, on the other hand, is the major harmful substance in tobacco. Tobacco tar may include several thousands of ingredients, dozens of which are carcinogenic substances. Furthermore, it has been shown that second hand smoking is even more harmful to non-smokers.
Some cigarette substitutes do not contain harmful tar but do contain relatively pure nicotine. Such products include the "Cigarette Patch", "Nicotine Gargle", "Aerosol Packed in the High Pressure Tank with Propellant", "Nicotine Chewing Gum". These products are not as harmful as tar, but they are absorbed very slowly. As a result, the peak concentration of nicotine cannot be effectively established in blood, and the smokers are not satisfied in full. In addition, the substitutes do not satisfy the smokers "smoking" habit of repetitively inhaling and exhaling. Therefore, the substitute products are not effective as cigarette substitutes to quit smoking.


An electrical connector system comprising an engaging device (34, 18) for engaging the fitting section (32) with the receiving section (16); and a releasing device (24, 19) for releasing the engaging means. The engaging device comprises a circumferential groove (33) provided in the fitting section (32); a resiliently expandable member (34) provided in the circumferential groove; a pressure portion (19) provided on a front inside of the receiving section (16) for abutment with the resiliently expandable member (34) upon plugging operation; and an engaging groove (18) provided in an inside of the receiving section for engagement with the resiliently expandable member (34).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to a push-pull type electrical connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 8 shows part of a conventional push-pull type electrical connector. A connector 50 comprises a housing body 51 having a front tubular section 52. A sleeve 54 is biased forwardly by a coil spring 53 along the tubular section 52. Circumferential projections 55 and 56 are provided at the front end and an end portion of the tubular section 52. A circumferential projection 57 is provided on the inside middle portion of the sleeve 54 to determine the most forward position of the sleeve 54 which is biased by the coil spring 53 and define an annular space 59 between the sleeve 54 and the tubular section 52. A circumferential recess 58 is provided on the inside front end of the sleeve 54 at a position corresponding to the circumferential projection 55 of the tubular section 52.
Another connector 60 comprises a housing body 61 having an outer tubular section 62 to form an annular receiving space 63 for receiving the tubular section 52 of the connector 50 while the outer tubular section 62 enters the annular space 59. The outer tubular section 62 has a pair of axial slits and a circumferential slit 64 to form a cantilevered flexible arm 65 which has an inward projection 66 at the front free end.
When the connector 60 is plugged into the connector 50 in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 8, the outer tubular section 62 enters the annular space 59 of the connector 50. The inward projection 66 of the flexible arm 65 is pushed outwardly by the circumferential projection 55 to flex the flexible arm 65, which pushes rearwardly the sleeve 54 at the shoulder of the circumferential recess 58 against the bias of the coil spring 53. When the inward projection 66 passes over and engages with the circumferential projection 55, the flexible arm 65 returns to the normal position. Then, the sleeve 54 returns to the front position so that even if the flexible arm 65 receives an external force in the radial direction, it cannot be flexed outwardly owing to the sleeve 54, thus locking the plugging of the connectors.
To separate the connectors, the sleeve 54 is pulled rearwardly against the coil spring 53 while the other connector 60 is pulled out of the connector 50.
However, the conventional connectors are too long in the plugging direction and difficult to handle. The flexible arm 65 of the other connector 60 must be sufficiently flexible to provide a predetermined amount of flexure. In order to assure engagement between the connectors 50 and 60, the engaging projections 55 and 66 must be large. In order that the inward projection 66 passes the circumferential projection 55, the flexible arm 65 must be long, leading to the long connectors 60 and 50.
Upon plugging, the sleeve 54 of the connector 50 must retreat to a large extent, which means that the operator cannot work by holding both the connectors 50 and 60 because if the operator holds the sleeve 54, the sleeve cannot retreat.


A technique for managing data storage places a data object in a first logical extent within a logical address space of a storage system and places a set of attributes assigned to that data object in a second logical extent within the same logical address space of the storage system. In response to a request to generate a second version of the data object, such as a snap, clone, or replica, for example, the first and second logical extents are duplicated atomically, thereby preserving a second version of the attributes along with the second version of the data object.

Data storage systems are arrangements of hardware and software that include one or more storage processors coupled to arrays of non-volatile storage devices, such as magnetic disk drives, electronic flash drives, and/or optical drives, for example. The storage processors service storage requests, arriving from host machines ("hosts"), which specify files or other data elements to be written, read, created, or deleted, for example. Software running on the storage processors manages incoming storage requests and performs various data processing tasks to organize and secure the data elements stored in the non-volatile storage devices.
Data storage systems commonly organize data in the form of data objects, such as LUNs (Logical UNits), file systems, and/or virtual machine volumes (e.g., VVOLs, as available from VMware, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif.). The data objects are accessible to host computers connecting to the data storage systems and/or by host applications running locally on the data storage systems. Data storage systems commonly support data services for data objects, such as the ability to generate snapshots (i.e., point-in-time versions of data objects, also referred to herein as "snaps") and clones (full copies of data objects), as well as the ability to perform replication. As is known, replication involves synchronously or asynchronously creating a unique copy of a data object, either locally or at a remote location.
Data storage systems often allow host applications and/or other software constructs to assign attributes to data objects. Such attributes may assist the host applications and/or software constructs in using the data objects. A data storage system may store attributes of data objects locally, e.g., in a persistent database within the data storage system.

Atomically managing data objects and assigned attributes


A connector member includes a coupler portion having a wall including a first end that extends to a second end that defines a connection zone. The wall includes an outer surface. A mounting portion is provided at the first end. The mounting portion includes one or more cantilevered beam elements that extend along the wall spaced from the outer surface. A locking member extends about the coupler portion between the one or more cantilevered beam elements and the outer surface of the wall. The locking member is configured and disposed to limit deflection of the one or more cantilevered beam elements to prevent removal of the connector member from a substrate.

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of connectors and, more particularly, to a connector member having a locking element.
Many systems include connectors in one form or another. The connectors provide an interface between the system and an associated system. The connectors provide an attachment point for a cable, a conduit or the like. For example, computers include a variety of connectors that are configured to receive cables that provide an interface with various peripheral devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor and the like. Other systems, such as motor vehicle engines, include a variety of connectors that receive various interface cables. The cables provide communication links between engine systems and motor vehicle controllers, monitors, sensors, and the like.
In some cases, connectors are mounted to a housing using various types of mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, and nuts. In other cases, the connector will include a threaded end that engages with a threaded fastener. More specifically, the connector is installed through one surface of the housing and the threaded fastener is installed and tightened against another, opposing surface of the housing. In still other cases, connectors are mounted to a housing through built-in resilient connectors such as cantilevered beam snap features. Cantilevered beam snap features generally include a streamlined snap member that facilitates insertion of the connector into an opening. Once seated, the cantilevered beam snap pivots and the snap feature engages with the housing to prevent removal.

Connector member including a locking element


Provided is a system and method for searching for a target key in a database, the method including populating a hash-offset table of a sorted key table with hash-offset table entries, the hash-offset table entries having a hash-value corresponding to a respective key, and a hash offset, sorting the hash-offset table entries based on the hash-values, searching for a target hash-value of the hash-values corresponding to a target key in the hash-offset table, locating a target key-value pair corresponding to the target key based on the target hash-value, and saving a location of the target key-value pair.

Searching for and retrieving a random key in a table in a key-value (KV) store may result in critical overhead. Such overhead is generally due to the search utilizing multiple key comparisons. Accordingly, some key searching techniques may generally uses a large number of CPU cycles associated with the various key comparisons. Therefore, it may be useful to more efficiently and effectively define a table's data structure.


A gateway apparatus relays communication between first and second servers provided in a data center and an external communication apparatus located outside the data center. A control apparatus obtains an observation result obtained by observing a communication amount being an amount of data transmitted/received per unit time for each of virtual machines operating in the first and second servers in association with a transmission source and a destination of the data. When the first number of hops is smaller than the second number of hops, the control apparatus controls an arrangement of the virtual machines so that the virtual machine whose communication amount with the external communication apparatus is larger is more likely to be placated in the first server.

In recent years, the cloud computing using a network and a virtual machine (VM) is becoming popular. A plurality of servers may be placed in a data center used for the cloud computing, and the virtual machine operates in the server. The virtual machine transmits/receives data used for executing an application and execution results of the application to/from other virtual machines and servers. For this reason, communication may be carried out between a plurality of virtual machines in a data center. Furthermore, there may be a case in which a virtual machine operating on a server placed in a data center A communicates with a virtual machine operating on a server placed in a data center B that is different from the data center A.
As a related technique, a system in which virtual machines that provides service are gathered in a server included in a prescribed rack in a server room has been invented. This system seeks to save power with the change of the arrangement of the virtual machines by stopping the rack with no operating server and by stopping the processing of the equipment in the room for the rack.

Communication method and communication apparatus


A system and method is provided for providing, maintaining and accessing recording announcements in a telecommunications system. In the preferred embodiment, the system comprises at least one central office coupled to a telecommunication network. An announcement service node comprising a data schema and an application for accessing the data schema is coupled to the telecommunications network. The announcement service node is accessible by one or more central offices coupled to the telecommunications network. A storage mass is coupled to the announcement service node for storing recorded announcements.

Numerous businesses use recorded announcements to convey information to their customers via a communications network. The use of recorded announcements is widespread and rapidly growing in today's global economy. For example, most, if not all, telecommunication companies use hundreds of recorded announcements to notify callers of call status, service status, available services, employment opportunities, account balances and the like. Similarly, banking services use thousands of recorded announcements to inform customers of, for example, account status, lending opportunities, payment options, credit rates, billings and various other services. Most establishments use recorded announcements to route calls, receive automated purchase information, generate sales, perform sales promotions and provide other automated customer services. Polling services use recorded announcements to respond to calls, issue questions to callers and generate responses to data input by callers. Hospitals, governmental agencies and other large entities often employ recorded announcements both internally and externally for applications with callers. As yet another example, many airline services use hundreds of recorded announcements to inform passengers of flight status, ticket information and the like. The travel services industry is another business sector that utilizes systems with recorded announcements. Most travel agencies, car rental services, hotels and the like handle transactions with recorded announcements. Many companies use "in-house" communication systems with "pick up" phones that play announcements when a user picks up the telephone (e.g., a car rental agency, hotel or the like, with a "pick up" telephone at a front desk or reception counter).
Most telecommunication systems employ one or more central offices (CO) on a network. Typically, each CO has recorded announcement equipment coupled to a switch network via a series of trunks. A trigger somewhere in the network is used to identify which recorded announcement(s) is (are) required for a communication on the network. The switch network routes incoming calls to a trunk. Each trunk is associated with one or more recorded announcements on the recorded announcement equipment. With existing systems and methods, recorded announcements are loaded on the recorded announcement equipment according to the needs of each central office. In most cases, at least a portion of the announcements that are available at one central office is common to two or more central offices on a network. For example, the announcements for a particular central office may be common to all of the telephone subscribers serviced on a local access transport area (LATA).
Currently, when new recorded announcements become available, or existing recorded announcements require maintenance and the like, work assignments must be made to update announcements in one or more of the central offices that use those announcements. When this occurs, using known systems, an announcement tape must be loaded in each central office. This arrangement is often time consuming and costly. For example, maintaining recorded announcements at numerous locations imposes significant labor efforts to assign and maintain announcements in each central office.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture of known systems. In this example, subscribers of a telephone service provider access specific recorded announcements coupled to trunks in a central office 100. For example, caller 101 dials a code, e.g., "1+" or "800", that causes a trigger in hub 110 or alternatively in the central office 100, to initiate a query for a recorded announcement from recorded announcement equipment 150. Similarly, another caller 102 dials a defined service number and hub 110, recognizing this number, routes the call to an automated attendant function at central office 100. Finally, based on a sudden service outage for cellular calls in a certain region, cellular telephone caller 103 is identified as a cellular call by the network and routed to central office 100 via mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) 120 to receive service information, i.e., recorded announcements concerning the sudden service outage.
Thus, users (e.g., 101, 102, 103 . . . n) are connected to a central office 100 through a router 110, a distributing frame 115 and into a switch network 130. In this example, user 101 has dialed a number that requires a recorded announcement from the central office 100. A processor (not shown) recognizes that a user 101 requires a recorded announcement and connects the line through the switch network 130 to a trunk circuit 140 that is in communication with recorded announcement equipment 150. In most arrangements, the recorded announcement equipment is coupled directly to the switch. Typically, this architecture is repeated in one or more central offices throughout a network. Of course, the number and sizes of the central offices will vary, depending upon the size of the overall system, and other considerations.
Under most current situations, recorded announcements are loaded on recorded announcement equipment 150 by the use of a standard conventional audiocassette tapes 153. In some instances, recorded announcements are loaded onto, for example, a lap top personal computer 157 and then loaded onto recorded announcement equipment 150 via a cable 155.
Typically, for each recorded announcement there is an assigned trunk, or a path, to switch network 130. This configuration varies somewhat from one switch type to another. However, in the simplest terms, each announcement requires a trunk or path from the recorded announcement equipment 150 to the switch network 130. In switching systems such as the Lucent 1AESS™ and 5ESS™ switches, for example, most of the recorded announcement equipment interfaces with the switch network via an analog trunk circuit. The recorded announcement equipment in these switching systems has a channel for each announcement. This means that each channel is wired to a trunk circuit that also connects to the switch network. Accordingly, when an announcement must be added or changed at a central office, it is first loaded on the recorded announcement equipment 150 and then a trunk is wired into the switch network. The latest vintage of recorded announcement equipment that is used in 5ESS™ switching systems uses a 24-channel T-carrier interface. In this arrangement, all 24 channels of each recorded announcement unit are wired to a T-carrier system that then connects to the switch network. No additional wiring of channels is needed at the time when announcements are added or changed. However, these systems require loading of the announcements and occasional maintenance.
Typically in each central office, or perhaps in one location for a group of central offices, sets of tapes are maintained so that if for some reason one or more of the announcements becomes corrupted, announcements can be re-recorded from the tape(s) onto the recording announcement equipment 150. Similarly, when new services are added that involve recorded announcements, new tapes are made and delivered to the respective central offices so that they can be loaded onto the appropriate equipment at those central offices.
The recorded announcement equipment in Nortel Networks DMS™ and Siemens EWSD™ switching systems is similar to the latest vintage in 5ESS™ systems in that the equipment connects to the switching network via a multi-channel link. No additional wiring is needed in the DMS™ and EWSD™ switching systems after the equipment is installed. However, these systems also require loading of the announcements and occasional maintenance.
Accordingly, using known systems, inventories of recorded announcements must be maintained for one or more central offices. Furthermore, care must be maintained to ensure consistency of the recorded announcements at all central offices. Another problem is that it is difficult to match recording levels across multiple devices at multiple central offices.
Accordingly, a need exists for a system and a method for requesting, provisioning and maintaining recorded announcements and related equipment for one or more central offices.

System and method for providing recorded messages on a communications network


A set of protective sleeves comprising two or more protective sleeves for training dogs for military law enforcement, security, protection and sport purposes, comprising sleeves with similar construction and appearance; each sleeve offering a different level of resistance to compression. The sleeves have one-piece handles that are contoured to fit the trainer""s hand and can be mounted in a plurality of different orientations and locations. The sleeves have one-piece end caps with ledges for attachment to the sleeve and holes to provide ventilation. Different variations of leaf springs can be used in each sleeve to set the level of resistance to compression of the sleeve. Each sleeve in the set cannot be visually distinguished from the other sleeves by the dog in advance of the training, and each sleeve has similar construction so that it is necessary for the trainer to become adept at handling only one type of sleeve.

Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the art of using a protective sleeve on one arm to train dogs for military, law enforcement, security, protection and sport purposes, and more particularly to a set of protective sleeves for use in training dogs for the purpose of promoting the dog""s athletic ability and helping the dog develop a firm, full-grip bite.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One method for training dogs for military, law-enforcement, security, protection and sport purposes is to teach the dog to bite by using a protective sleeve. The protective sleeve is generally comprised of a lower forearm section covering the wearer""s forearm, hinged near the elbow area to an upper section covering the wearer""s upper arm. In actual use, a removable padded cuff encases the lower section, the elbow, and a portion of the upper section. The trainer wears the protective sleeve on one arm and attempts to provoke the dog to encourage the dog to bite the sleeve.
It is customary for young dogs or dogs with no prior bite-training to begin their training by using sleeves that are relatively easy for the dog to compress with its mouth, without the dog having to exert a lot of force with the bite. As the dog""s training progresses, it is desirable to continue the dog""s training with a sleeve that requires the dog to use more force in the bite to compress the sleeve. The age, maturity and development of the individual dog determine the appropriate sleeve type and the sleeve with the appropriate level of resistance to compression to be used for training.
As the dog""s age, maturity and skills increase, it is desirable to continue the dog""s training using sleeves that require increasing levels of force to be exerted by the dog""s bite in order to compress the sleeve. This manner of training, similar to all types of athletic and weight training, helps develop the full athletic ability and bite strength of the dog.
Heretofore, the sleeves used for training puppies and young dogs to bite were relatively easy for the dog to bite and compress. As the dog""s skill increased, the trainer would begin using sleeves that would require the dog to exert more force with the bite in order to compress the sleeve. These sleeves which offered increased resistance to compression were heavier and different in appearance from the sleeves which offered less resistance to compression. After several training sessions with different types of sleeves, the dog would typically learn to visually distinguish the type of sleeve being used. This had the undesirable effect that the dog would visually recognize a xe2x80x9csoftxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9chardxe2x80x9d sleeve and anticipate the feel of the bite surface in advance.
Another disadvantage of using different types of sleeves in order to increase the force of the dog""s bite is that the various types of sleeves were constructed differently and ranged in weight from light to heavy. The heavier-weight sleeves were in part a result of attempting to increase the resistance of the sleeve by adding extra materials to the sleeve to increase the rigidity. Various constructions resulted in bulky sleeves which were difficult to handle with precise, fluid motions. Thus, the trainer had to develop training skills and become proficient at using numerous different types of sleeves; the different constructions caused each type of sleeve to move differently, requiring the trainer to develop distinct skills and muscle movements to control and properly present each different sleeve to the dog. Additionally, the heavier sleeves usually increased fatigue for the trainer.
Another disadvantage of the prior art sleeves is that it has been common for the part of the sleeve covering the forearm of the trainer to fatigue to the repeated compression of the sleeve from dog bites.
During training, the trainer supports and controls the sleeve by grasping a handle mounted inside the lower section of the sleeve. Sleeves of the prior art typically had handles made of hard, straight material such that the handle was not comfortable to grip. The handle designs were typically bulky in construction and materials and contributed to the overall weight of the protective sleeve.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,197, issued to Schmid, is directed to a sleeve that is shaped to correspond to the shape of the trainer""s forearm and hand. A bite bar is secured to an exterior surface of the sleeve and has a substantially wedge-shaped cross section. A cover is arranged over the sleeve and the bite bar for grasping by the dog. The bite bar is adjustable on the sleeve to achieve different presentation angles for different wearers. The training device provides improved comfort and improved responsiveness due to the contoured shape of the training device sleeve.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,196 issued to Reinfandt is directed to a protective sleeve to be worn by the trainer comprising a plurality of layers of ballistic type nylon and nylon mesh material respectively to provide protection from canine tooth penetration and consequent injury to the trainer. Adjustable single-handed fastener means are also provided to facilitate mounting of the apparatus on the wearer""s arm. The sleeve does not have a hinge at the elbow area, but is formed in one piece so as to extend from slightly above the wrist to the armpit.
While the patents referenced hereinabove generally disclose protective sleeves for canine training, each discloses a particular construction of sleeves to be used for a particular type and level of training; none discloses a set of sleeves to be used for training a dog at all levels. Accordingly, it has been deemed desirable to develop a set of sleeves such that each sleeve offers a different level of resistance to compression, to be used depending on the level of the dog""s training and the dog""s ability to bite; each sleeve is similar in appearance so the dog will be unaware of the type of sleeve being used, and unable to anticipate the xe2x80x9cfeelxe2x80x9d of the bite surface or the amount of force necessary to compress the sleeve; each sleeve is similar in construction and weight such that the trainer using the sleeve is required to develop proficiency at using one type and weight sleeve instead of many; and such that the sleeve forearm of each sleeve is reinforced at the elbow area to prevent frequent breakdown at the hinge area. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved set of protective sleeves as set forth by the present invention.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of protective sleeves now present in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a set of protective sleeves to be used for training dogs at all levels of ability, maturity and age for military, law enforcement, security, protection and sporting purposes as described in the following specifications.
In training dogs for military, law enforcement, security, protection and sporting purposes, a protective sleeve is worn on either the right or left arm of the trainer to help reduce the risk of injury to the trainer while teaching the dog to bite the sleeve. The protective sleeve comprises a lower sleeve that covers the forearm of the trainer, attached by means of a hinge to an upper sleeve that covers the upper arm of the trainer. The protective sleeve assembly is encased with a protective cover during use.
During canine training, the trainer inserts his or her arm inside the protective sleeve and supports and controls the sleeve by grasping a handle that is secured inside the lower sleeve. The handle according to the present invention is a one-piece molded design that is light weight, is contoured to fit the shape of the trainer""s hand, and has extensions at each end for attaching said handle to the inside of the lower sleeve section.
An end cap covers the opening at the end of the lower sleeve. The end cap according to the present invention is a one-piece molded design that is light weight, has holes to provide ventilation in the sleeve, and provides reinforcement to improve durability of the sleeve by helping maintain the shape of the lower sleeve over time.
A distinct feature of the present invention is the leaf spring that adds reinforcement to the lower sleeve, requiring the dog to exert more force when biting the sleeve. The amount of force necessary for the dog to exert in order to compress the lower sleeve is controlled by varying the leaf spring properties, such as the shape, size, material, thickness, location and other properties.
The leaf spring enables a trainer to use a number of different protective sleeves of the present invention, with each having a different leaf spring and thus each requiring a different force from the dog to compress the sleeve while maintaining the similar appearance and construction of each sleeve. The dog cannot visually distinguish the different protective sleeves and therefore cannot anticipate the xe2x80x9cfeelxe2x80x9d of the bite and will not develop the unfavorable habit of always exerting the same amount of force. The leaf spring also provides reinforcement to help maintain the shape of the lower sleeve over time.
These and other objects, features and advantages shall become apparent after consideration of the description and drawings set forth herein. All such objects, features and advantages are contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention even though not specifically set forth herein.

Set of protective sleeves for canine training


The present invention relates to a radiofrequency (RF) hyperthermia device for personalized treatment and diagnosis using capacitive coupling and without dipole antenna comprising a radiofrequency source, an amplifier, a sensor and a modulation signal input/generator, wherein the radiofrequency source produces a source signal which is modulated by the modulation signal input/generator using the phase information generated by homeostasis of the target to generate a modulated source signal, the modulated source signal is amplified by the amplifier and directed to a target, and the sensor detects the phase information generated by homeostasis of the target to provide a feedback signal, wherein the feedback signal modulates the source signal to generate a personalized modulated signal. This radiofrequency (RF) hyperthermia device is designed for personalized treatment and diagnosis of a target such as a patient or a malignant or tumorous area within a patient.

Life is based on energetically open systems, where the environmental conditions determine it as equilibrium. The living equilibrium is the homeostasis. The actual homeostatic state is definitely "constant" despite its energetically open status. The normal healthy state of any living system is in homeostasis, which is not static, but dynamically changes in time, forming a relatively stable state. This relative stability makes it possible to recognize the various individuals despite the fact that millions of their cells actually vanish and millions of those are reborn. The homeostasis is controlled by numerous negative feedback loops, creating both the micro- and macro-structures in dynamic equilibrium. This "vibrating" equilibrium is controlled by oppositely effective physiologic feedback signal-pairs in various time-scales. This forms the actual state definitely "constant" despite its energetically open status (see FIG. 1). The system and its control are complex; they are not only simple sums of their subsystems.
Objective of the present invention is to provide an RF hyperthermia device for personalized treatment and diagnosis based on phase information obtained from homeostasis.
This objective is solved by the teaching of the independent claims. Further advantageous features and embodiments are evident from the description, the examples and the dependent claims.


A reusable pad for the absorption, dispersion and retention of a liquid comprises an interior layer of hydrophobic material for receiving the liquid, a median layer consisting of a non-woven web of carded and cross-laid viscose rayon fibres and an outer layer of substantially waterproof polyurethane film. The fibres of the median layer have a cross-section of substantially rigid multilimbed configuration. The web is stitchbonded to form a cohesive layer for dispersing and absorbing the liquid. The web is stitchbonded with a thread under medium tension whereby uniform absorption characteristics are retained throughout said web. The interior layer, median layer and outer layer are joined to form a pad of unitary construction and capable of being washed for reuse.

In recent years, the conventional cotton or flannel diapers have been replaced by disposable diapers. These disposable diapers not only avoid the problem of having to be washed after soiling, but many of the newer disposable diapers exhibited improved fluid adsorption and dispersion characteristics over the conventional cloth diaper.
Intense competition in the marketing of disposable diapers has resulted in a diaper product that not only has greater fluid absorbency and dispersion than earlier products but is also capable of holding the wetness within the interior of the diaper layers for prolonged periods of time so that the inner surface worn next to the skin continues to feel dry. Such "stay dry" diapers allow the wearer to go for longer periods between changes.
One drawback of disposable diapers is that they are not readily biodegradable. The increase in their popularity in recent years has resulted in an overload at garbage and landfill sites to the point where they contribute to serious environmental problems.
Disposable diapers or incontinence pads from hospital wards are treated as infectious wastes and must De disposed of at the special landfill sites set aside for such purposes, thereby adding to the critical space shortage at such sites. On the other hand, if the disposable diapers are incinerated, the combustion of the inner pulp layer or the impermeable layer may release dangerous toxins into the atmosphere.
It is estimated that approximately 85% of Canadian babies now wear disposable diapers. In the City of Toronto alone, this is a market of some 43 million disposable diapers per year. In addition to disposal problems. these diapers consume a large quantity of our natural resources. It is estimated that up to 1.8 trees per year are destroyed for each child who relies on disposable diapers throughout the child's training period. By using the diaper of the present invention instead of disposable diapers over a 2 1/2 year period, a child would use approximately 108 reusable diapers as compared to some 7400 disposable diapers if such reusable diapers were used exclusively during this training period.
The applicant's reusable diaper has further ecological advantages in that at the end of its functional life, the diaper can be stripped apart and the viscose rayon fibres that constitute the median layer can be recycled to form up to 50% of a new median layer composition for such diapers.
Furthermore, the wetted reusable diaper does not have to be soaked in a diaper pail before laundering, as the absorbent median layer holds the liquid and its accompanying odour within the diaper. In the case of solid waste, the diaper can include a tissue liner which can be made of degradable fibrous tissue. This is laid on the interior layer of the diaper and can easily be separated and discharged into the sewer system. Alternatively, a liner of open weave synthetic fibres such as polyester can be used to retain the waste and this can be reused after removal from the diaper and rinsing out the solids.
While attempts are being made to produce biodegradable disposable diapers, such attempts have achieved only limited success. The disposable diaper components do not break down in the oxygen and sunlight starved environment of a landfill site. In view of these shortcomings, it is vital to provide an improved reusable diaper product.
Diapers of multilayered cotton or cotton and synthetic fabric blends show improved absorbency over the original cotton type diapers but tend to be thick and heavy. They also become soggy with every void. These thick multilayered cotton diapers also tend to take an unduly long time to dry after washing, which adds to power costs and down time for laundering. This is an important consideration in hospitals and commercial diaper services that have a large diaper turnaround.
Cotton reusable diapers must be presoaked before laundering in order to prevent the odours associated with a soiled diaper from permeating. Since the diapers have been soaking, they must be spun to remove the excess water prior to laundering.
Some cotton reusable diapers include a "stay dry liner" worn next to the skin so that fluid can pass through the liner and into the multilayered cotton portion. By passing the fluid through the fabric that contacts the wearer's skin, the wearer avoids the wet feeling that comes from a wetted cotton diaper. Although such linings feel dry to the touch, they do not absorb any fluid. Therefore if the cotton portion does not fully absorb the fluid the liner will not prevent the excess fluid from flowing back from the cotton portion to the wearer's skin. This effect is known as "wet back".
Impermeable pants may be worn on the outside of the multilayered cotton diaper to prevent any wetting of an outside garment that might be included on the wearer. This, of course, adds to the bulk of the diaper as well as its cost and may also require fasteners for holding the pant in place.
In view of these problems, it is imperative that a washable and reusable diaper be produced that has the comfort, appearance and absorption qualities comparable to those found in disposable diapers. The diaper of the present invention was found to be capable of being used for up to 250 washes as compared to the cotton diaper having a stay-dry liner which tends to mat and deform after about 40 washes.
Reusable diapers of the prior art may be tailored or form fitted, but generally are so designed that one size is made to fit all wearers, with the result that they often do not fit very well. Such reusable diapers are generally secured about the wearer using a fastening means such as pins, snaps or hook and loop fasteners such as Velro.RTM.. Much time and effort is needed to fold and fasten such diapers with pins. Since snaps are anchored at specific points on the diaper, they do not allow adjustment for a custom fit.
Pins must be removed from the diaper prior to washing to prevent clogging of the washing machine and the rusting of the metal safety pins. The hooks and loops of Velcro.RTM. fasteners become clogged with lint during washing and the Velro.RTM. fasteners may adhere to one another or to other diapers thereby balling and entangling the laundry load together. Hence, reusable diapers having Velro.RTM. fasteners are unsuitable and inappropriate for hospital, institutional and commercial use.
Incontinence bed pads, which actually serve as open diapers on a bed, usually consist of cotton or polyester or blends thereof and require an impermeable sheet underneath. Again, these lack sufficient absorption to keep the bed patient dry when the patient's skin contacts the upper surface of the pad.
Adult type reusable incontinence pads and diapers usually comprise blended combinations of cotton, polyester and rayon. These are produced using a needlepunch method to prepare the absorbent layer. However, they have been found to lack sufficient absorbency to keep the voided fluid from contacting the wearer's skin. Such commercially available incontinence pads claim to be able to withstand up to 200 washes but have been tested in industrial wash cycles and found to be limited to about 75 wash cycles before the pads become unusable because of the impermeable layer begins breaking down or the stitching becomes damaged or the material becomes frayed.


A smoking apparatus is provided. The smoking apparatus includes an outer casing, a grinder housed within the outer casing, configured to grind a raw material into a ground material, an oven housed within the outer casing, configured to heat the ground material, releasing smoke, and a ventilation compartment housed within the outer casing, configured to transport the smoke to an opening on the outer casing, enabling the smoke to exit the outer casing.

When preparing to smoke various types of plant material, there are multiple devices that may be required before the material can be smoked. These materials may include a grinder for grinding the plant material, a heater for heating the plant material to produce smoke, and inhalation devices for inhaling the smoke.
Having to use these multiple devices causes the smokers to carry excess materials and also increases the complexities involved in smoking. For at least these reasons, an apparatus is needed that incorporates these devices into a single apparatus that is easy to store, transport, and use.
Examples of related art are described below:
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0319009 generally describes devices and methods for grinding, storing, and dispensing plant materials such as herbs, flowers, plants, seeds, and leaves, including legal cannabis, coffee, tea, and tobacco, and methods of manufacturing such devices. A modular grinder that can be assembled into multiple configurations and grinds, stores, and dispenses ground plant material is provided. Methods of grinding, storing, and dispensing plant material that employ the modular grinder are provided.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0368554 generally describes an integrated grinding and storage system for optimizing and enhancing plant performance for plant-based medical therapies and related uses of cannabis including an apparatus for grinding that includes a head operable to be removably attached to a receptacle or container. The head includes a magnet, an upper, inner grinding element, a lower grinding element, a shaft, and a neck sleeve. The upper, inner grinding element is in communication with the lower grinding element within the head. The grinding elements are operable to rotate relative to each other. The shaft extends between the upper and lower sections and magnetically couples with the grinding elements and orients them in relation to one another. The head may be manually or electrically activated.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018/0014576 generally describes pellet substrates configured for use with a vapor delivery device to vaporize and deliver an aerosol to a user that include porous, substantially inert activated carbon and activated alumina pellets that have generally spherical, semi-spherical and/or rounded shapes. The pellet substrates are formed by mixing the pellets together with a liquid solution of an aerosol former admixed with flavoring and/or nicotine, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract such that the liquid solution is absorbed into and/or adsorbed onto the porous structure of the pellets with or without the addition of heat. The pellets may be coated with an inert dry powder, such as calcium carbonate, to better adhere the liquid solution to the porous surfaces of the pellets. Alternatively, or in addition, the pellets may be coated with a liquid solution of a cellulose gum, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and distilled water to reduce fracturing, cracking, chipping and dusting of the pellet substrates.
International Patent Publication No. WO2018/029536 generally describes systems, methods and apparatuses for vaporizing all or substantially all plant matter, liquid and/or other material to be vaporized are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention comprise a vaporization chamber sealed except for at least two conduits, heating element, a first conduit coupled to a source of fully or almost fully oxygenated gas, a heating element capable of heating the vaporization chamber to a temperature above a combustion temperature, a second conduit configured to transport vaporization gases and vaporized elements out of the vaporization chamber and at least one valve positioned in the second conduit preventing the flow of atmospheric air into the vaporization chamber. In some instances, the first gas substantially clears the vaporization chamber of atmospheric air prior to reaching combustion temperature. A second gas containing oxygen may be intermixed with the vaporization gases and vaporized elements proximal to the combustion chamber.
None of the art described above addresses all of the issues that the present invention does.

All-in-one grinder, heater, and inhalation apparatus


Polypeptides that bind to viral hemagglotinin are disclosed and methods for their use in treating or limiting influenza infection, and diagnosing influenza infection.

Influenza virus is a member of Orthomyxoviridae family. There are three subtypes of influenza viruses designated A, B, and C. The influenza virion contains a segmented negative-sense RNA genome, encoding, among other proteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Influenza virus infection is initiated by the attachment of the virion surface HA protein to a sialic acid-containing cellular receptor (glycoproteins and glycolipids). The NA protein mediates processing of the sialic acid receptor, and virus penetration into the cell depends on HA-dependent receptor-mediated endocytosis. So fair, chemical analogs of the receptor have not been successful as viral-entry blockers. Current treatment options include therapeutic antibodies, small-molecules drugs and vaccination. These therapies allow protection against circulating subtypes, but may not protect against newly emerging strains. Hence, general or quickly adaptable solutions for cheap treatment options represent a constant need. Additionally, in order to rapidly diagnose early whether a patient indeed suffers from influenza, sensitive diagnostics are desirable, as treatment at the onset of the infection have been shown to be more efficient. Influenza presents a serious public-health challenge and new therapies are needed to combat viruses that are resistant to existing antivirals or escape neutralization by the immune system.
Small (4-12 kDa) binding proteins have the potential to bridge the gap between monoclonal antibodies and small molecule drugs, with advantages of stability and chemical synthesis over monoclonal antibodies, and in selectivity and designability over small molecules. Directed evolution has been used starting from naturally occurring small protein scaffolds to generate new binding proteins. While powerful, such approaches have limitations: they cannot modify the overall shape of the starting scaffold protein(s), they can only sample a very small fraction of sequence space, and naturally occurring disulfide mini-proteins can be difficult to express. Computational protein design has the potential to overcome these limitations by efficiently sampling both shape and sequence space on a much larger scale, and generating readily producible proteins, as recently demonstrated by the design of stapled mini protein scaffolds with a wide range of shapes. Despite this potential, the high cost to synthesize genes for each designed protein has generally limited testing to small numbers (tens) of designs for an one application, which is too few to systematically explore the capability of this approach and to provide feedback to improve the computational model.

De novo designed hemagglutinin binding proteins


According to an example embodiment, a display driving integrated circuit (IC) includes a timing controller and a plurality of source drivers. The timing controller is configured to output a plurality of signals to the plurality of source drivers, and at least one of the timing controller and the plurality of source drivers operates in a power down mode in at least one of an initializing period, a data transmission period, and a vertical blank period. According to an example embodiment, a mode conversion method used in a display driving IC includes switching between a normal mode to a power down mode in response to a standby control signal. The power down mode is implemented on at least one of a timing controller and a plurality of source drivers included in the display driving IC in at least one of an initializing period, a data transmission period, and a vertical blank period.

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts relate to a mode conversion method, and a display driving integrated circuit (IC) and an image processing system using the method.
A display driving system includes a timing controller, a display driving IC, and a panel. The display driving IC includes a source driver and a gate driver used to drive picture elements of a panel that reproduces an image signal, and may also include a timing controller. A timing controller converts input image information into a signal for a display driving IC and transmits the same to the display driving IC.

Mode conversion method, and display driving integrated circuit and image processing system using the method


In a motor vehicle having motor vehicle exterior lighting devices and an operator control device, the following lighting modes of the motor vehicle exterior lighting devices can be set: deactivated, parking light, daytime running light, forwarding lighting, and automatic mode in which the motor vehicle exterior lighting devices are operated by an automatic forward light controller. The operator control device further has a single monostable operator control element by which the lighting modes can be set; or the operator control device has a monostable operator control element by which the deactivated, parking light, daytime running light and forward lighting lighting modes can be set. The operator control device has a pushbutton key or a toggle lever by which the automatic mode can be set.

Described below is a lighting system for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle having a lighting system.
For safety reasons it is desirable that a lighting device of a motor vehicle, specifically, in particular, vehicle headlights of the motor vehicle are automatically switched on in the case of weak daylight, for example a light intensity of less than 1000 lux, or even when it is dark. Furthermore, for reasons of energy efficiency it is desirable that in the case of strong daylight, for example a light intensity of more than 7000 lux, a dipped headlight is switched off automatically.
US 2007/0276551 A1 presents a method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle in which the lighting device of the motor vehicle is operated by an automatic forward lighting controller of the motor vehicle if the lighting device has been placed in an automatic mode. There is provision here that the lighting device is in turn placed in a manual mode as soon as the ignition of the motor vehicle has been deactivated.
DE 10 2012 015 062 A1 also presents a method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle. As soon as actuation of a pushbutton key has been sensed, a context of the motor vehicle is sensed and a lighting state of the lighting device is set as a function of the actuation of the pushbutton element and of the sensed context of the vehicle. The term context of the vehicle is to be understood here as meaning the circumstances of the vehicle, for example the position of the vehicle, ambient brightness and/or information about an operating state of the vehicle.
DE 10 2004 022 813 A1 presents a method for operating a motor vehicle headlight. The dipped headlight is switched on when an input signal which indicates a state of a switched-on ignition is present, an input signal which indicates a stationary state of the vehicle is present, and when further predetermined input signals are present.

Lighting system for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle having a lighting system


Systems and methods for a liquid delivery system for a race vehicle to provide the driver of the race vehicle with readily available cool fluids are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to an insulated shell system mounted in the race vehicle which holds a bottle of fluid within the shell. Another embodiment is directed to an insulated pouch mounted in the race vehicle which has a collapsible fluid bladder, a gas bladder and a gel pack within the pouch. Each embodiment has tubing which connects to a valve near the driver""s mouth.

The present invention is directed to an in-car hydration system. In particular, the present invention is directed to systems for storing a beverage, such as an isotonic sports drink, in a vehicle, keeping it cool, and permitting easy and quick access to the drink by the driver of the vehicle. More specifically, the system is for use in a race car or truck for use by the driver during the race.
Hydration of a race car driver is extremely important. During a race, a race car driver wears a protective suit and helmet. There is no air conditioning in a race car. Further, many races are run in summer and/or in the Southern U.S.A. As a result, the race car driver experiences a large amount of fluid loss during the race. In order for the driver to be able to successfully finish the race, he or she will need to replenish the fluids lost or suffer a serious case of dehydration, cramps or both. Furthermore, in order to not only finish the race but to receive the maximum hydration benefit, the driver needs to replace the electrolytes (sodium and potassium) lost throughout the race.
Additionally, a race car is traveling at speeds approaching and often exceeding 200 mph. Since the race track is shared by upwards of 30 cars, it is important that the driver keep his hands on the steering wheel and stick shift and his feet on the gas pedal, clutch and brake and that there be a minimal use of his hands or feet for other activities, such as drinking fluids.
Present systems used in race cars, such as in NASCAR races, include water bottles, mounted thermos with flexible tubing used like a straw, or a fluid bag in a pouch with flexible tubing used like a straw, such as a system available from BSR racing products. These systems, however, suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, using a water bottle forces the driver to remove a hand from the controls in order to grasp and drink from the water bottle. Further, such a movement distracts the driver""s attention from driving, not only hurting his performance during the race but also threatening his safety and those around him. The other systems provide similar distractions. Because of the districting nature of these systems, the driver may choose not to drink, resulting in dehydration and poor performance.
In addition, it would be beneficial if the replacement fluid was maintained cold throughout the race. A driver is much more likely to drink more fluid, and stay better hydrated, if the fluid is cold. Additionally, the liquids should be available to the driver any time he desires a drink. Because of the inadequate systems in place, more often than not, drivers only drink during caution laps or pit stops.
Furthermore, because the weight of the race car is so strictly regulated and controlled, it is important that the hydration system be as light as possible and not weigh much more than the fluid itself.
There are numerous patents directed to systems, devices and methods for dispensing liquids to humans. Many of these include designs for hands-free operation. Most of these have designs which are specifically directed to a particular application, such as for example, on a bicycle or for running. Very few are directed to use in a car or more specifically are designed to withstand the rigors and demands of auto or truck racing.
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for overcoming these drawbacks and meeting these objections in order to provide a driver of a race vehicle with cool liquids anytime he desires, without compromising his or her driving.
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for delivering liquid to a driver of a race vehicle.
One embodiment of the present invention is a hydration system to be located within the race vehicle and which includes a shell with inner and outer walls and freezer gel in between. A bottle of liquid is placed within the shell. The shell has a lid to keep the bottle in the shell. Tubing is coupled to the bottle in the shell and is used to transfer the liquid from the bottle to a valve in close proximity to the driver, preferably near the driver""s mouth. The fluid is then available to the driver through the valve anytime he desires. Preferably, the shell is held or mounted onto the race vehicle.
In one alternative of this embodiment, a modified cap with multiple ports with disconnectors in the cap is placed on the bottle. The bottle is then placed in the shell. The ports mate with ports in the shell allowing circulation of the fluid in and out of the bottle. A pump can be connected to the tubing to move the liquid from the bottle to the valve. When the bottle of liquid with the modified cap is placed in the shell and the pump activated, the liquid within the bottle is able to flow from the bottle, through the cap and tubing to the valve and back to the bottle. As a result, the liquid is available to the driver as desired.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a hydration system having an insulated pouch to be mounted within and preferably on the race vehicle. The insulated pouch holds a reservoir which includes a collapsible bladder for holding a liquid and a gas bladder for holding pressurized gas to apply pressure against the bladder of liquid. At least one gel pack for keeping the liquid cool is located either in the insulated pouch, in the reservoir or in both. Tubing is used to connect the collapsible bladder to a valve near the driver""s mouth. The pressurized gas in the gas bladder puts pressure on the collapsible bladder and will force the liquid out of the collapsible bladder through the tubing to the valve when the driver wishes to drink. A bite valve can be used by the driver to activate the system.
In a preferred embodiment, the fluid used in each of the above embodiments is an isotonic sports drink.
Methods using these embodiments are also contemplated in this invention.
The present invention provides either a hands-free hydration system wherein the driver can drink fluids during the race without having to remove his hands from the controls of the car or a system which requires minimal use of the driver""s hands or feet. The present invention also provides a hydration system which allows the driver to drink fluids without taking his eyes off the track or road.
The present invention also provides a system wherein the fluids within the system will be maintained cool for the duration of the race.
The present invention also provides a system in which little weight beyond the fluid is added to the race vehicle.
The present invention is not limited to race cars but can also be used, for example, in race trucks.


A screw-type resin injection apparatus for injection molding which includes a cylinder element having a cylinder chamber for receiving resin therein, and having, at an end portion, a nozzle for injecting the resin. A screw element is arranged within the cylinder chamber in a manner allowing rotation and axial movement. A rotary drive shaft is connected to the screw element telescopically so as to be capable of transmitting a torque. The rotary drive shaft is rotatively driven by a motor. A fluid pressure cylinder unit is arranged laterally of the cylinder element in parallel relation thereto. The fluid pressure cylinder unit is rotatably engaged with the screw element to drive the screw axially. Preferably, the screw element is provided with a mixing screw portion which has a screw groove small in pitch and large in lead angle and an axial groove extending axially.

The present invention relates to screw-type resin injection apparatuses for injection molding and, more particularly, to a screw-type resin injection apparatus for use in an in-line screw-type injection molding system.
An in-line screw-type injection molding system has a screw-type resin injection apparatus for injecting and filling resin (resinous material) into a cavity in a forming mold. Generally, the screw-type resin injection apparatus comprises an injection cylinder element defining therein an injection cylinder chamber and having, at one end thereof, a resin injection nozzle, an injection screw arranged within the injection cylinder chamber in a manner allowing rotation and axial movement, rotatively driving means such as a hydraulic motor, a motor or the like for rotatively driving the injection screw, and a hydraulic injection cylinder unit for axially driving the injection screw. The screw-type resin injection apparatus is arranged as follows. That is, tile injection screw is rotatively driven about its own central axis by the rotatively drive means, whereby the resin is taken into the injection cylinder chamber by a screw pump action. The injection screw is forwardly driven axially by the injection cylinder unit, whereby the resin taken into the injection cylinder chamber is injected toward tile cavity in the forming mold by the resin injection nozzle.
In a conventional screw-type resin injection apparatus, a hydraulic injection cylinder unit for axially driving the injection screw is arranged in series relation to the injection cylinder element, axially of or on the same axis of the injection cylinder element, at a rearward end of the injection cylinder element. For this reason, an entire or overall axial length of the screw-type resin injection apparatus is lengthened in accordance with a requisite amount of axial movement of the injection screw. This obstructs miniaturization design of the screw-type resin injection apparatus, and largely obstacles compactification of the screw-type resin injection apparatus.
Further, generally, an injection screw used in the above-described in-line screw-type injection molding system has a screw-pump acting portion for executing a screw pump action, and a compound portion arranged forwardly more than the screw pump and gradually increasing as a diameter (minor diameter) of a bottom of a screw groove advances forwardly. A resinous material fed by the screw pump acting portion by rotation is kneaded while being compressed at the component portion.
The injection screw arranged as described above is suitable for injection molding of thermoplastic resin, but is not developed for a resinous material having a low viscosity. The injection screw tends merely to compress and mix the resinous material under a single stream or flow in the process of feeding the resinous material by the screw. For this reason, there cannot so be produced an excellent kneading action. This creates a problem in injection molding of a bi-liquid mixing resinous material such as silicon LIM. Particularly, there cannot be produced sufficient kneadability in injection molding of a resinous material of a low viscosity and bi-liquid mixing resin having a large viscosity difference.
Necessity occurs to lengthen an axial length of the injection screw, in order to increase the kneadability. However, extension of the axial length of the injection screw causes large-sizing of the in-line screw-type injection molding system.
Moreover, in the conventional injection screw, compression of the resinous material is executed in a compound portion so that the compound portion acts as a resistance of rotation of the injection screw. This increases the rotational resistance of the injection screw. In addition thereto, in a case where supply of the resinous material such as liquid resin having a low viscosity with respect to the screw portion is required to be forcibly executed by the use of a pressing or forcing unit, an increase in a required material supplying pressure is caused so that the necessity occurs in which the material supply pressure of the pressing unit is raised more than the resinous-material compressing pressure of the compound portion.
Further, it has been considered that, in order to improve the kneadability of the resinous material, a weir is provided at an intermediate portion of the injection screw to divide the injection screw into a plurality of zones in an axial direction.
This, however, also imparts a large or high resistance to the flow of the resinous material, to cause an increase in the required material supply pressure. Furthermore, the weir impedes the flow of the cleaning liquid at cleaning to deteriorate the cleanability within the injection cylinder chamber. Thus, washing away of the resinous material is not executed excellently.
In the injection molding of the bi-liquid mixing resin such as silicon LIM, there is a case where a static mixing mechanism is utilized, not relying upon an in-line screw, in order to mixing of the resinous material.
In a case of the static mixing mechanism, however, a long mixing head for mixing and a high material supply pressure are required because of the static divided mixing. If the resinous material is high in viscosity, a further high material supply pressure is required. Furthermore, there are disadvantage that mixing of a resinous material having a viscosity difference is difficult, and the injection molding apparatus is large-sized. Moreover, in a case of the static mixing mechanism, there is a limit or restriction that the resinous material must be one having a long pot life, because residence time in the mixing zone for the resinous material is long. Further, also in the static mixing mechanism, mixing of the bi-liquid mixing resin having a large viscosity difference is not sufficiently executed.
By the way, it has already been proposed that a gasket forming groove is formed in a Joining or Junction surface portion of the various articles, an uncured liquid gasket agent is filled in the gasket forming groove after assembling, and sealing is executed at the junction surface portion. The sealing of this kind is effectively applied to sealing of the junction surface portion of the various composition or constitutional elements in engines for vehicles or automobiles, electric equipments or instruments, general industrial machines and the like. Particularly, in the engines for vehicles, the sealing is applied to many locations, such as sealing of a junction surface portion between an engine block and a cylinder head cover, the junction surface portion between a transmission case and the engine block, the junction surface portion between an pan and the engine block, the junction surface portion between a timing gear cover and the engine block, the junction surface portion between an oil pump housing and the engine block, the Junction surface portion between a water pump outlet and an engine block, the Junction surface portion between constitutional parts of the differential gear case, and the like.
Conventionally, there has been an injection apparatus, as an apparatus for filling a liquid gasket agent into the gasket forming groove which is formed at the junction surface portion of the article. The injection apparatus is arranged such that the injection apparatus has a force feed pump and a liquid gasket agent supply hose connected to the force feed pump, wherein the liquid gasket agent is fed into the gasket forming groove from the nozzle at the forward end of the hose, through the liquid gasket agent supply hose by the force feed pump. This injection apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. HEI 2-203082.
In the injection apparatus arranged as described above, it is required that the nozzle at the forward end of the hose is detachably connected to and coupled to an injection port for the liquid gasket agent with respect to the gasket forming groove. This connection and coupling is executed by the fact that a male thread is formed on an outer periphery of the nozzle, a female thread is formed in an inner periphery of the injection port, and the male and female threads are screw-Joined to each other. This, however, is deteriorate in operability, and automatization is made difficult in a manufacturing line. Also in this case, the liquid gasket agent forcibly fed by the forcible feed pump reaches the gasket forming groove through the liquid gasket agent supply hose. Accordingly, a pressure loss is large or high, and there can only be produced an injection pressure of approximately a few tens Kgf/cm.sup.2. For this reason, in a case where a liquid gasket agent high in viscosity is injected, necessity occurs that an exhaust port is provided in addition to the injection port, and air within the gasket forming groove is sucked or drawn from the exhaust port by a vacuum pump, to assist fluidity of the liquid gasket agent within the gasket forming groove. If this necessity is not satisfied, the liquid gasket agent does not prevail over the entire gasket forming groove as a whole. Thus, a healthy or sound gasket is not formed.
Further, in the injection apparatus arranged as described above, a liquid gasket agent having rapid hardness such as a double-liquid reaction type cannot be used, because of avoidance of hardness of the liquid gasket agent in the liquid gasket agent supply hose, and a liquid gasket agent capable of being used is limited to a single-liquid liquid gasket agent such as a solvent volatile type and a humidity hardened type. However, these liquid gasket agents are isolated or cut off from outdoor air in the closed gasket forming groove and, accordingly, long time is required for hardening. This will cause reduction of productive efficiency. Furthermore, in addition thereto, a liquid gasket agent of heat hardening type can be used. This case, however, hardening of the liquid gasket agent in the gasket forming groove requires considerably long time also in this case, in order to lengthen a service life under a normal temperature.

Screw-type resin injection apparatus for injection molding


A light scanning apparatus that scans a scanned face with a light beam includes an adjusting unit that adjusts the position of a light spot of the light beam formed on the scanned face, and a compensating unit that compensates the light intensity of the light beam at the scanned face due to change caused by the adjustment of the position of the light spot. Accordingly, the light scanning apparatus can reduce or eliminate the deviation in exposure between scan lines of the multi-beam scan method and the deviation in exposure between photosensitive bodies of the tandem type image forming apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a light scanning apparatus, a light scanning method, and an image forming apparatus.
The present invention relates more particularly to a light scanning apparatus (multi-beam scanning apparatus) that simultaneously scans a face (scanned face) with a plurality of light beams emitted by a light source(s), and to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, digital copier, a laser facsimile, and a laser plotter using the light scanning apparatus to write images.
2. Description of the Related Art
Light scanning apparatuses are used for laser printers, digital copiers, facsimile machines, and laser plotters, for example. The light scanning apparatus conventionally uses one light beam (single beam scanning method), but the light scanning apparatus that uses a plurality of light beams to simultaneously scan a single scanned face (multi beam scanning method) is being studied intensively.
Tandem type image forming apparatuses with a plurality of photosensitive media that can form color images are also being studied as well as image forming apparatuses with a single photosensitive medium. The tandem type image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of drum-shaped or belt-shaped photoconductive photosensitive bodies along the path of a medium to which toner images are transferred. The toner images formed on the plurality of photosensitive bodies are transferred to the common medium (recording sheet) and synthesized into color images. The tandem type image forming apparatuses of the multi-beam scanning method are being studied too.
A scan line is the trace of the light spot scanning the scanned face. The ideal scan line is a line straight in the main scan directions, but the actual scan line is curved and/or tilts even if the light scanning apparatus is precisely assembled. Since the tilted scan line can be regarded as an aspect of the curved scan line, the curved scan line includes the tilt scan line in the following description.
In the case that a monochrome image is formed with the single beam scan method, even if the scan line is slightly curved, the curvature causes few problems since the slight curvature is not visible.
In the case that a scanned face is scanned with the multi-beam scan method, if all the scan lines curve in the same manner, the curvature causes few problems.
However, if the distances between a plurality of scan lines (scan line pitch) differ, the curvature does matter. If the scan line pitch within an image varies in the sub scan directions, the image is distorted or the density of the image is not uniform. The distortion of the image and the non-uniformity of the image density degrade the quality of the image substantially.
If the curvature of the scan lines is not uniform in a color image formed by a tandem type image forming apparatus, the curvature results in an unevenness in color, density, and hue.
In the case of the multi-beam scanning method, the scan pitch changes over time however precisely the light scanning apparatus is initially adjusted. In the case of the tandem type image forming apparatus, the change over time in the curvature of the scan lines is inevitable even if the curvature is equalized at the initial stage.
Especially, if a resin lens is provided in the light path from the light source to the scanned face, the resin lens may deform due to changes in temperature and/or humidity. Accordingly, the scan line pitch in a photosensitive body may change, and the curvature of the scan lines of different photosensitive bodies may differ.
The scan line pitch and the scan line curvature can be compensated by adjusting the light spot position on the scanned face in the sub-scan directions. There are various methods to adjust the light spot position.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 9-189873 discloses an invention in which the scan line pitch of the multi-beam scanning method is adjusted at high precision by reflecting light beams emitted by light sources with a galvanic mirror on the light path to a light deflecting unit and adjusting the angle of the galvanic mirror to move the light spot position on the scanned face in the sub-scan directions.
The above invention also proposes to compensate the scan line curvature and the scan line pitch by adjusting the light spot position in the sub-scan directions on the scanned face with a liquid crystal element.
The above methods effectively adjust the scan line pitch and compensate the scan line curvature, but inherit a side effect in that the adjustment of the light spot position also changes the light intensity of the light spot.
In the case of the invention described in Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 9-189873, if an aperture for shaping the light beam is provided between the galvanic mirror and the scanned face, the light beam adjusted in the sub-scan directions by the galvanic mirror may be partially blocked by the aperture, and consequently, the light intensity of the light spot may be reduced.
In the case that the liquid crystal element is used, a change in deflecting angle causes a change in the transmissivity of the liquid crystal element, and results in a change in the light intensity of the light spot.
In the case of the multi-beam scanning method, for example, if the light intensity of the light spots varies between the scan lines, especially the quality of half-tone images often degrades substantially. In the case of forming color images of the tandem type, if the exposure of the photosensitive bodies differs from one body to another due to the inequality of the light intensity of the light spots, the hue of the color images changes, and accordingly, the color reproducibility is degraded.
One of the methods to increase the writing speed at which the light scanning apparatus forms images is to increase the rotative speed of a polygon mirror that is a deflecting unit. This method has a limit in applicability due to the durability, noise, and vibration of a motor that rotates the polygon mirror and the limit in the modulation speed of the laser. To solve the above problems, a proposal is made for a light scanning apparatus that writes a plurality of lines simultaneously using a plurality of light beams (see Japanese Patent Laid-open Applications No. 2000-227563, 10-215351, and 9-189873, for example).
A multi-beam semiconductor laser is, for example, a semiconductor laser array in a package that emits a plurality of light beams. Such a multi-beam semiconductor laser can be used as a light source unit of the light scanning apparatus (multi-beam scanning apparatus). In the case of the semiconductor laser array, however, it is difficult to increase the number of channels due to the limitations of fabrication processes, to remove thermal and electrical crosstalk, and to shorten the wavelength of the light beam. The cost of the semiconductor laser array is still high.
On the other hand, single beam semiconductor lasers are used for general purposes in various industrial fields since short wavelength types are readily available and production cost thereof is low. Many proposals have been made for multi-beam scanning apparatuses that use the single beam semiconductor lasers or the above multi-beam semiconductor lasers as the light source and generate a plurality of light beams using a beam generating unit.
In the case that a plurality of light beams are generated using the beam generating unit, compared with the case in which the semiconductor laser array is used as the light source unit, the beam spot arrangement (scan line pitch) on the scanned face often changes due to environmental and timewise (elapsed time) change.
Accordingly, a method of compensating the beam spot arrangement on the scanned face by providing an electrically driven liquid crystal element in a light source unit or just after the light source unit, and deflecting the light beam in response to the electrical signal by a micro angle (from several minutes to several tens of minutes) is proposed (see Japanese Patent Laid-open Applications No. 2000-3110 and 2000-47214).
A description is made of the liquid crystal below.
The liquid crystal element used as the light path deflecting element includes a nematic liquid crystal layer of homogenous molecular arrangement sandwiched by two glass substrates. Inside of the glass substrates are formed transparent electrodes made of metal oxide. Generally, a uniform electrode is formed over the entire surface of a glass substrate (bottom face, for example) to form an electrical ground plane, and a patterned electrode that provides electric field distribution to the liquid crystal layer is formed on the other glass substrate (top face, for example). When an alternating voltage (rectangular pulses of several kilo Hertz, for example) is applied to the liquid crystal layer, nematic liquid crystal molecules having birefringence (a difference in refractive index along the long axis and the short axis of the molecules) are tilted along the electric field. The liquid crystal layer is equivalent to a medium having a locally different refractive index distribution in response to the electric field distribution for a single color light having a linear polarization parallel to the liquid crystal molecule (the direction of the long axis). Accordingly, the light transmitting through the liquid crystal layer is spatially modulated in its wave surface or phase depending on the in-plane distribution of the applied voltage.
The electro-optic property of the liquid crystal element depends on the elasticity and the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal used and the initial orientation angle of liquid crystal molecules without the application of voltage. The electro-optic property of a liquid crystal element with a small initial orientation angle (5 degrees or less) exhibits a steep rise (threshold) in a low voltage region. As the voltage increases, the electro-optic property becomes linear, then converges into a constant. The electro-optic property of a liquid crystal element with a large initial orientation angle has no threshold. The curve in the low voltage region can be approximated with a second order polynomial.
A proposal is made on the pattern of electrodes in which many long and narrow stripe-shaped electrodes are provided and a predetermined voltage is applied to each electrode. This structure is characterized in realizing a high speed response, a high spatial resolution, and degrees of freedom in the wave surface modulation (any complex wave surface modulation as well as the functions of beam deflection and lenses).
In the case that the light path deflecting element is constructed by the liquid crystal element, the linear region of the electro-optical property of liquid crystal and ladder shaped electrodes are used. The stripe-shaped long and narrow transparent electrodes of the current exposure technique having width and pitch depending on the resolution (about 1 μm) are formed in the beam exposing region. Both ends of the stripe-shaped electrodes are connected to gradient potential electrodes expanding horizontally on the outside. The electrodes are structured in such a manner that a plurality of ladder-type electrodes are arranged. The number (width) of bound long and narrow electrodes is determined by the maximum beam deflecting angle required in the region.
In the case that two different voltages selected from the linear region of the electro-optical property are applied to respective ends of the gradient potential electrode spreading in the crosswise directions, a blaze type phase profile is obtained and becomes equivalent to a micro prism array. The deflecting of the light beam perpendicularly incident on the liquid crystal layer is possible by controlling the applied voltage, and consequently the blaze angle.
In the case that the liquid crystal element is used as a light path deflecting element, as described above, it is necessary to provide an electric field distribution to the liquid crystal layer and to form a linear refractive index distribution (refractive index gradient). On the other hand, in the case that a large beam deflecting angle (maximum deflecting angle) is desired, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer needs to be increased. There is no spherical spacer material to be distributed in the liquid crystal layer for general use. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer for liquid crystal monitors is usually 5 μm. In the case that a liquid crystal layer with thickness of more than 10 μm, for example, needs to be secured, one needs to use low-grade spacer material with high diameter deviation. As a result, it is difficult to keep uniform thickness of the liquid crystal layer, and to sustain the linearity of the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer, for example.
A tandem type full-color image forming apparatus is provided with four photosensitive body drums corresponding to cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) disposed along the transportation surface of a intermediate transfer belt. A light scanning apparatus correspondingly provided for each photosensitive body drum scans the photosensitive body drum. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photosensitive body drum, and is made visible with a toner of corresponding color. The toner images are sequentially transferred to a sheet of paper carried by the intermediate transferring belt, and a multi-color image is formed.
The scanning unit of the above light scanning apparatus is usually a polygon mirror rotated by a motor at a predetermined rotative speed. The light scanning apparatus includes a line cycle signal generating unit. The line cycle signal generating unit detects the laser beam from the scanning unit at a predetermined position, and generates a line sync signal. The laser beam is modulated by the image signal in synchronization with this line sync signal, and the image is written line by line. An intermediate transfer reference signal generating unit detects a mark on the intermediate transfer body at a predetermined position, and generates an intermediate transfer reference signal. An image forming operation of each color to form a toner image of the color on the photosensitive body drum is executed in synchronization with the intermediate transfer reference signal.
In such a color image forming apparatus, since the intermediate transfer reference signal and the line sync signal are not in synchronization, the phases of the intermediate transfer reference signal and the line sync signal greatly deviate as the number of the laser beams increases. Since the starting positions at which the images are written in the sub-scan directions deviate, the position of the toner image of each color deviates from the others, which results in the degrading of the multi-color images.
To solve this problem, a proposal is made on a color image forming apparatus characterized by a compensating unit that adjusts the starting position at which the image of each color is formed in the sub-scan directions and compensates for the color image deviation by switching the laser beams that first write the images on the photosensitive body drum depending on the phase relationship of the intermediate transfer reference signal and the line sync signal (see Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 10-239939).
However, the order in which the laser beams start writing changes randomly depending on the phase difference between the mark signal and the sync detection signal attached to the intermediate transfer belt. Accordingly, even in the case that the difference between the power of the plurality of laser beams is very small, the light energy exposing the photosensitive body drum of each color varies, even though the image of the color is the same. Accordingly, the color of the image becomes unbalanced (see Japanese Patent Laid-open Applications No. 2002-72606 and No. 2002-72607). According to an experiment, the color variation caused by a power deviation of 2% is already visible. The color variation is especially apparent in the case of reproducing grey color.
On the other hand, the image forming speed of such a color image forming apparatus needs to be improved. It is necessary to increase the rotative speed of the polygon mirror that is a scanning unit of the light scanning apparatus and/or to increase the frequency of the image signal in order to satisfy the need. However, if the rotative speed of the scanning unit and the frequency of the image signal are increased, the durability, noise, and vibration of the motor driving the polygon mirror and the modulation speed of the semiconductor laser cause problems. Accordingly, a multi-beam scanning apparatus is proposed that simultaneously scans a plurality of light beams and writes a plurality of lines.
The multi-beam semiconductor laser such as the semiconductor laser array that has a plurality of radiation points (radiation channels) in a package can be used for the multi-beam light source apparatus that emits a plurality of laser beams. However, it is difficult to increase the number of channels due to the restrictions of fabrication processes, to remove thermal and electrical crosstalk between channels, and to fabricate the semiconductor laser array that emits light beams of short wave length. Multi-beam semiconductor lasers having such desired features are expensive.
Light source apparatuses and multi-beam scanning apparatuses that are provided with single-beam semiconductor lasers as the light sources and generate a plurality of laser beams using a beam generating unit are also usable. The plurality of laser beams generated by the beam generating unit are often affected by environmental and changes over time. The arrangement of beam spots on the scanned face (beam pitch) consequently changes. To solve this problem, a method is proposed in which an electrically driven liquid crystal element is provided to compensate the beam pitch.
However, the liquid crystal element to adjust the light beam positions of the plurality of light beams on the scanned face causes deviation in intensity of the plurality of light beams. This deviation may result in the degrading in quality of images formed by the color image forming apparatus.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Light scanning apparatus having a liquid crystal deflector and image forming apparatus using the same


An equipment attachment adapter apparatus may comprise a base frame and a throat structure on the base frame that defines a throat extending through the apparatus with an entry and exit. The throat structure may comprise a floor wall having an upper surface defining a lower boundary of the throat, a first side wall and a second side wall positioned on opposite sides of the throat, and an upper wall positioned above the floor wall. In some embodiments, the upper surface of the floor wall is curved from the entry toward the exit. In some embodiments, the throat is relatively larger toward the entry and relatively smaller toward the exit. In some embodiments, a feed roll is rotatably mounted on the base frame at least partially in the throat with chevron-shaped teeth.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to attachment adapters for equipment, and more particularly pertains to a new equipment attachment adapter with enhanced crop material flow features that enhance material flow through the adapter between an implement and agricultural equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Agricultural equipment attachments often can be adapted, through the use of a suitable adapter, for use on other types of equipment than the equipment on which the attachment were originally designed to be mounted. Adapters for mounting the attachment of one manufacturer's design to the equipment of another manufacturer's design have been produced. For example, adapters have been designed for mounting grain harvesting head units or attachments of one manufacturer on forage harvester equipment of another manufacturer.
However, such adapters, while highly useful, can create problems in the movement of crop materials between the implement and the equipment, and in these respects, the equipment attachment adapter according to the present disclosure substantially avoids the problems associated with the known approaches to attachment adapters.


Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide an MES processor for acquisition and processing of myoelectric signals from muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination. The MES processor is sized and configured to be implanted subcutaneous a tissue region. The MES processor includes an electrically conductive case of a laser welded titanium material. Control circuitry is located within the case, the control circuitry including a rechargeable power source, a receive coil for receiving an RF magnetic field to recharge the power source, and a microcontroller for control of the MES processor. Improved assemblies, systems, and methods also provide an acquisition and processing system for sensing myoelectric signals from muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination. The acquisition and processing system provides at least one electrically conductive surface, a lead connected to the electrically conductive surface, and an MES processor electrically connected to the lead.

The body generates electrical signals or impulses that produce contraction of tissue fibers. These electrical impulses are commonly referred to as myoelectric signals or MES. Myoelectric signals have frequencies ranging from a few hertz to about 300 Hz, and voltages ranging from approximately 10 microvolts to 1 millivolt. MES is most often associated with skeletal muscles that control voluntary movements, although MES also includes electrical signals within nerves or central nervous system tissue.
A variety of devices are available for acquisition and processing of myoelectric signals. These electrical signals are often used as instruction signals for control devices. As an example, acquisition and processing of myoelectric signals has been used to provide instruction signals to control systems that control mechanical movements of a prosthetic limb of its user. Or, the controller may direct other devices to provide electrical signals to muscles and/or nerves where the body is no longer able to generate an appropriate electronic signal.
These instruction signals are first generated by contraction of the user's own remaining muscles and are acquired from these muscles through a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes may be placed either on the external surface of the skin, or may be surgically implanted. A myoelectrically-controlled prosthesis uses these instruction signals (the electrical impulses) to operate a motor in a mechanical hand, work hook, or elbow, for example.
While existing devices, systems, and methods can provide adequate acquisition and processing of myoelectric signals, many limitations and issues still remain. For example, existing acquisition and processing systems are often external the body and therefore create a degree of nuisance and can degrade the quality of life of the user.
It is time that devices, systems, and methods for acquisition and processing of myoelectric signals address not only specific prosthetic or therapeutic objections, but also address the quality of life issues of prosthetic users.

Implantable system and methods for acquisition and processing of electrical signals from muscles and/or nerves and/or central nervous system tissue


Provided is a method for handling a fabric failure. A module intercepts a signal indicating a failure of a path in a fabric providing a connection to a shared device. The module generates an interrupt to a device driver in an operating system providing an interface to the shared device that is inaccessible due to the path failure. The device driver requests information from the module on a status of a plurality of devices that are not accessible due to the path failure and receives information indicating the inaccessible device. The device driver reconfigures to discontinue use of the inaccessible device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method, system, and program for handling a fabric failure.
2. Description of the Related Art
In certain computing environments, multiple host systems may communicate with a control unit, such as an IBM Enterprise Storage Server (ESS)®, for data in a storage device managed by the ESS receiving the request, providing access to storage devices, such as interconnected hard disk drives through one or more logical paths. (IBM and ESS are registered trademarks of IBM). The interconnected drives may be configured as a Direct Access Storage Device (DASD), Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), Just a Bunch of Disks (JBOD), etc. The control unit may include duplicate and redundant processing complexes, also known as clusters, to allow for failover to a surviving cluster in case one fails. The clusters may access shared devices.

International Business Machines Corporation