An automated vial feed system for an automated prescription filling system. The system has a plurality of sensors located above a vial distribution table for controlling the pace of vial delivery to the table. The sensors determine the load of vials on the table and a control system uses the information as feedback to the vial delivery system.

The present invention is directed to the field of automated dispensing systems, more particularly to the transport of objects such as pharmacy bottles/vials through an automated dispensing system. The present invention relates to an automated vial feed system for an automated prescription filling system. The system has a plurality of sensors located above a vial distribution table for controlling the pace of vial delivery to the table. The sensors determine the load of vials on the table and a control system uses the information as feedback to the vial delivery system.
Many health benefit plan providers and retail pharmacies offer their clients the option of obtaining prescription drugs by mail. Mail order pharmacies ship prescription drugs to a client's home so the client is not required to visit a pharmacy to fill a prescription in person. For clients with chronic conditions or other health conditions that require maintenance drugs, a mail order prescription program is an attractive benefit because it is more convenient for the clients and typically less expensive than obtaining prescription drugs at a neighborhood pharmacy.
Most mail order pharmacies use automated systems and dispensing lines to process and ship a high volume of prescriptions on a daily basis. Each prescription medication is typically dispensed into a vial or other container labeled with data from an electronic order that identifies the patient, drug (e.g., by NDC), dosage, and quantity. Each medication is dispensed in its own vial and in many instances, multiple vials are combined into a single package and shipped to a single address for a client with one or more chronic conditions requiring multiple medications. The automated dispensing system, therefore, must be intelligent and capable of determining which vials should be combined into a single package and routing them accordingly. Sensors deployed at many locations along the system detect the prescription information on the bottles along with RFID tag information to intelligently route and divert the vials to the appropriate conveyor or destination. If the vial is to be combined with other vials (multi-vial order), the vials are sorted and grouped together, preferably towards the end of the dispensing line. The vials are ultimately routed to the final location for packaging and mailing to the consumer.
Depending upon how the technology is implemented and deployed within a mail order pharmacy, a substantial number of steps in the fulfillment process may be automated and the need for human intervention minimized. Transporting bottles through the automated dispensing lines in an efficient, timely, accurate, and consistent manner is crucial for filling the high volume of mail order prescriptions.
Product conveyor and accumulation systems are previously known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,575,287 and 6,648,124, describe product conveying and accumulation systems for transporting products from an upstream to downstream location. These systems are comprised of multiple conveyors positioned next to each to move objects from one end of the conveyor to the other end. These systems can also be used with guide rails and object guides to move objects to desired locations or outbound channels. If these outbound channels are full or backed up, the objects are allowed to circulate around the conveyor system until a channel becomes free.
The present invention relates to a new type of automated pharmacy prescription fulfillment system using specifically configured mass flow conveyor tables at predetermined points in the system to route vials to desired destinations within the automated pharmacy system. These mass flow conveyor tables allow vials to move along the conveyors systems in a mass flow rather than a single-file line. These mass flow tables eliminate the need for complex control systems, reduce the need for many diversion mechanisms for diverting vials off single-file conveyor lanes, and reduces the need for many sensors for sensing and balancing vial loads on single-lane conveyors. For example, use of mass flow conveyor tables at certain predetermined points of the automated pharmacy system can be used to accumulate vials and/or to distribute them to outbound conveyor lanes automatically as these outbound lanes become available (or open up). These mass flow conveyor tables can also be configured to provide overflow lanes in case the primary lanes back up.
The present system uses specifically configured mass flow vial conveyor systems at predetermined locations of the automated pharmacy line to fill prescriptions orders in a more effective, faster, and efficient way than traditional conveyor systems using single-file conveyor lines.

Automated vial feed system and method for automated prescription fulfillment


A new class of non-glycosidic and non-peptidic inhibitors of selectins with low molecular weight according to the general formula 1

Selectins are carbohydrate-binding adhesion molecules that, during the process of an immune defense, contribute to an increased adhesion of leukocytes to the vessel endothelium of the inflamed tissue. They are divided into L-(leukocytes), E-(endothelium) and P-(platelets and endothelium) selectin, in accordance with their cells of origin. They initiate the adhesion of leukocytes through their protein structure and their specific molecular binding properties; following a transitional binding of the corresponding ligand, the leukocytes of the flowing blood stream experience a "rolling slowing down" along the wall of the vessel. Subsequently, other adhesion molecules mediate the tight binding of the leukocytes to the endothelium as well as their extravasation, in order to complete their defensive function.
Shortly after their discovery and structural elucidation at the beginning of the 90ties, the selectins became attractive target structures for pharmaceutical research. In addition to their physiological function in the immunological events, also a dysregulation of the expression of selectin during pathological processes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, diabetes mellitus and ischemia/reperfusion, and a participation in the tissue invasion of metastatic cancer cells was observed. This motivated an intensive search for selectin-inhibiting substances.
Selectin-Ligands
For the selectins as described, only a few high-affinity ligands are known. In principle, these represent mucin-like structures, that is, long-stretched glycoproteins, to which many carbohydrate-side chains are glycosidically bound to the serine- or threonine-rich protein matrix thereof as the actual binding epitopes. Through a rapid formation and dissociation of the receptor binding to the highly flexible ligand, the rolling of the cells is mediated in the shearing flow of the vessels. The carbohydrate-epitopes that are essential for the binding are N-acetyllactosamine-based oligosaccharides in specific linkage with fucose and a terminal sialic acid (N-acetyl-neuraminic acid). The tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) is of particular importance as a binding epitope.
Although all selectins bind sLeX with only very low affinity (about 1 mM), yet, no carbohydrates having an improved binding have been found, therefore, the high binding affinity to the natural mucin ligands (about 100 nM) can not be structurally explained. Against this background, sLeX was used as a standard ligand for structure-effect-relationships, in order to characterize the binding properties as well as for the search for selectin-inhibitors.
Modification of the Lead Structure Sialyl Lewis X
Due to the fact that the tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) is able to bind to all three selecting, it functions as central lead substance for the search for selectin inhibiting compounds. Based on the x-ray structural data of the E-selectin (Graves, B. J., et al., Insight into E-selectin/ligand interaction from the crystal structure and mutagenesis of the lec/EGF domains. Nature 367 (1994) 532-538.), and several NMR-examinations of the dissolved sLeX, or sLeX bound to E-selectin (Cooke, R. M., et al. The conformation of the sialyl Lewis x ligand changes upon binding to E-Selectin. Biochemistry 33 (1994) 10591-10596; Kogan, T. P., et al., A single amino acid residue can determine the ligand specificity of E-Selectin. J. Biol. Chem. 270 (1995) 14047-14055.), the structural elements that are essential for the binding of the lectin domain could be identified: the negative charge of the sialic acid, the 2-, 3-, and 4-positioned hydroxy group of the fucose, as well as the 6-positioned hydroxy group of the galactose. Introducing structural modifications while maintaining the structural features as just mentioned, it was tried to obtain selectin inhibitors that exhibit an improved binding. The disadvantages of glycosidic inhibitors are the complex synthesis pathway, the high costs of the starting compounds, the difficult structural elucidation, the hydrolytic instability, and the relatively low binding affinity. For an extensive review of synthetic selectin inhibitors, reference shall be made to Simanek et al. (Simanek, E. E., et al., Selectin-carbohydrate interactions: From natural ligands to designed mimetics. Chem. Rev. 98 (1998) 833-862.).
The simplest synthetic modification of the sLeX consists in a replacement of the negatively charged sialic acid through simpler negatively charged structural elements. Thus, sulfur-, phosphor-, and carboxylic acid-derivatives at the C3 of the galactose have been described. These structural variations resulted in similar binding affinities such as the one for sLeX itself (Ohmoto, H., et al., Studies on selectin blockers 1: Structure activity relationships of Sialyl Lewis x analogs. J. Med. Chem. 39 (1996) 1339-1343.).
A further simplification consists in the substitution of the N-acetylated glucose that does not contribute to the binding, but is merely responsible for the optimal orientation of the overall structure. The substitution of the glucose by alkanedioles or cyclohexanedioles without or with simultaneous substitution of the sialic acid led to derivatives that, in some cases, also exceeded the effectivity of sLeX (Norman, K. E., et al., Sialyl Lewis X (sLex) and an sLex mimetic, CGP69669A, disrupt E-selectin-dependent leukocyte rolling in vivo. Blood 91 (1998) 475-483.). The simultaneous substitution of glucose and galactose gave rigid and stabile fucose-sialic acid-derivatives, which, due to the lack of the galactose-6-hydroxy group, nevertheless, gave no improved effect.
The largest group by number of the sLeX-analogs as tested consists of monosaccharide-compounds, wherein, while maintaining the fucose, the other essential binding epitopes in the molecule were replaced by non-glycosidic structures. Most successful are molecules, wherein specific peptides at the fucose simulate the contribution to the binding of the galactose and the negative sialic acid. Some substances exhibit a similar, in individual cases even a markedly enhanced binding affinity to the selectins, compared with the sLeX (Wong, C. H., et al., Small molecules as structural and functional mimics of sLex tetrasaccharide in selectin inhibition: A remarkable enhancement of inhibition by additional negative charge and for hydrophobic groups. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 119 (1997) 8152-8158.). Starting from sLeX, additional binding epitopes were searched for. It was found through the derivatization of the sLeX, and the computer simulation of the binding at the lectin domain, that a hydrophobic substitution at the glycosidic hydroxy group or at the amine of the glucosamine drastically improved the binding properties. New derivatives with aromatic ring systems at the amine or branched chain fatty acids at the glycosidic residue of the glucosamines, but also simplified sLeX-analogs with fatty acid substitutions were successfully tested (Ramphal, J. Y., et al., Ligand interactions with E-Selectin. Identification of a new site for recognition of N-Acyl Aromatic Glucosamine substituents of Sialyl Lewis x. J. Med. Chem. 39 (1996) 1357-1360.), and partially exhibited a more than 10-fold stronger binding, when compared with sLeX.
Another theory related to the enhancement of the binding is based on the joint cooperation of several singular bonds. This multi-valence hypothesis is also discussed as the underlying and effective principle of the natural selectin ligands. Based on this, several oligo- and polymeric derivatives were synthesized, wherein sLeX-molecules (Renkonen, O., et al., Synthesis of new nanomolar saccharide inhibitors of lymphocyte adhesion: Different polylactosamine backbones present multiple Sialyl Lewis X determinants to L-Selectin in high affinity mode. Glycobiology 7 (1997) 453-461.), or their structurally simplified glycosides (Manning, D. D., et al., Neoglycopolymer inhibitors of the selecting. Tetrahedron 53 (1997) 11937-11952.), are sterically tightly connected through carrier molecules. Despite the partially improved binding parameters, the multi-valence hypothesis is differently discussed. Binding studies using a multimeric, non-covalently fixed sLeX-array in liposomes (Stahn, R., et al., Multivalent sLex ligands of definite structure as inhibitors of E-selectin mediated cell adhesion. Glycobiology 8 (1998) 311-319) or in planar model membranes (Vogel, J., et al., The role of glycolipids in mediating cell adhesion: A flow chamber study. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1372 (1998) 205-215.), support the hypothesis.
Aggravating for a valuing comparison of all selectin inhibitors as synthesized is the fact that different test systems are used in the individual research groups.
Until now, only one selectin inhibiting substance having a glycosidic structure can be found in clinical trials (phase IIa), namely the pan-selectin antagonist bimosiamose (1,6-bis[3-(3-carboxymethylphenyl)-4-(2-alpha-D-mannopyranosyloxy)phenyl]hexane), which exhibits an essentially higher affinity to the selectins compared to sLeX. The Revotar AG is testing bimosiamose for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (Ulbrich H, et al. Leukocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules as targets for therapeutic interventions in inflammatory disease. Trends Pharmacol Sci. (2003) 640-647.).
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide inhibitors of selectin which overcome the disadvantages of inhibitors of selectin that are known in the state of the art, and which, in addition are more stable and synthetically more accessible.
According to the invention, this object is solved by providing compounds of the general formula 1
wherein    n is 0 or 1,    R1 to R6 independently are H, COOH, COOCH3, COOC2H5 or halogen, and    X is C═N—O—(CH2)m—Y or N—C(═O)—(CH2)m—Y,wherein    m is 5 or 6, and    Y is
wherein    R7 is H or O(CH2)9CH3,or derivatives thereof, their diastereomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds.
Thereby, preferred are compounds, that are derived from formula 2, wherein formula 2 is
wherein    R1 is H,    R2 is H, COOH, COOCH3 or halogen,    R3 is H, COOH or COOCH3,    R4 is H,    R5 is H, COOH, COOCH3 or halogen,    R6 is H, and    R7 is H or O(CH2)9CH3,or derivatives thereof, their diastereomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds.
Furthermore preferred are compounds, that are derived from formula 3, wherein formula 3 is
wherein    n is 0 or 1,    R1 is H, COOH or COOCH3,    R2 is H, COOH, COOCH3 or COOC2H5,    R3 is H, COOH or COOCH3,    R4 is H, COOH or COOCH3,    R5 is H, COOH, COOCH3 or COOC2H5,    R6 is H, and    R7 is H or O(CH2)9CH3,or derivatives thereof, their diastereomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these compounds.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by pharmaceutical compositions that comprise at least one compound according to the formulae 1-3, and suitable additives or auxiliary agents. Such suitable additives and auxiliary agents are known to the person of skill and from the state of the art.
In these pharmaceutical compositions, the compounds can be present in form of a depot substance or as a precursor, together with a suitable, pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier substance.
It is preferred that the compounds are present in a pharmaceutical composition in an amount of 0.1 to 1000 mg, more preferred of 1 to 100 mg per dosage unit.
Furthermore, additional selectin inhibitors can be contained in the pharmaceutical compositions. These additional selectin inhibitors can comprise usual selectin inhibitors that are known to the person of skill, such as, for example, sialyl Lewis X (sLeX), a large number of sLeX-analogs, such as, for example, monosaccharide and oligosaccharide-compounds, and glycosidic selectin inhibitors, such as, for example, bimosiamose. Synthetic selectin inhibitors can be used (for this, see also: Simanek, E. E., et al., Selectin-carbohydrate interactions: From natural ligands to designed mimetics. Chem. Rev. 98 (1998) 833-862.).
Preferred forms of the pharmaceutical compositions are tablets, dragees, capsules, droplets, suppositories, preparations for injection or infusion for peroral, rectal or parenteral use. Such administration forms and their production are known to the person of skill.
It is preferred that the compounds are present in a pharmaceutical composition in such an amount that an amount in a concentration range of between 0.1 and 100 μM can be found during a treatment in vivo.
The method according to the invention for the synthesis of a compound according to the formulae 1 to 3 preferably comprises the synthesis from 1-(6-bromohexyloxy)-3,5-didecyloxybenzene and a compound selected from the group of bis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)methanone, N N-bis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)amine, and N-(4-carboxybenzyl)-N-(4-carboxyphenyl)amine.
In doing so, it is preferred that a compound according to formula 2 is synthesized from bis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)methanone (compound 6 in scheme 1) and 1-(6-bromohexyloxy)-3,5-didecyloxybenzene (compound 10 in scheme 1).
It is furthermore preferred that the production of a compound according to formula 3 comprises the synthesis from N,N-bis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)amine (compound 15 a in scheme 2) or N-(4-carboxybenzyl)-N-(4-carboxyphenyl)amine (compound 15 b in scheme 2) and 1-(6-bromohexyloxy)-3,5-didecyloxybenzene (compound 10 in scheme 1).
Preferably, a synthesis of the compounds according to the invention takes place as illustrated in the schemes 1 and 2.
The present invention provides a novel class of non-glycosidic and non-peptidic selectin inhibitors with low molecular weight. These were synthesized as ligands for an inhibition of the selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion in accordance with different strategies (schemes 1 + 2), based on a pharmacophoric model including molecular modeling methods.

aReagents and reaction conditions: (a) i-PrMgCl, THF, 40 min, −30° C. to −20° C.; (b) 4-formylbenzoic acid methylester (16), THF, −20° C.; RT, over night; (c) PCC, CH2Cl2, 24 h, RT; (d) HCl.H2N—OH, EtOH, NaOAc, 24 h, reflux; (e) 1-decanol, gaseous HCl, 3 h, 70° C.; (f) 1,6-dibromohexane, K2CO3, cyclohexanone, 24 h, reflux; (g) NaH, DMF; 10, n-BU4NI, 2 h, RT; (h) 0.5 M NaOH, EtOH/THF, 24 h, RT; (see example 8).

aReagents and reaction conditions: (a) Cu, CuI, K2CO3, n-Bu2O, 4 d, reflux; (b) NaOCH3, CH3OH, 1.5 h, reflux; (c) MeOH, 1 h, reflux; (d) NaBH4, MeOH, 24 h, RT; (e) NaH, n-Bu2O, 2 h, RT; 6-bromohexanoic acid chloride, 4 h, reflux; (f) 9, K2CO3, KI, cyclohexanone, 5 h, reflux; (g) 0.5 M LiOH, THF, 8 h, 5° C., then 16 h, 15° C.; (see example 8).
Subsequently, the compounds as produced according to the invention can be derivatized. Preferred derivatizations comprise the formation of ester-, amide-, and hydroxamic acid-derivatives of the compounds according to the invention.
Preferred members of the compounds that can be derived from the formulae 1-3 comprise the compounds that are shown in the overviews 1 and 2 for the formulae.
Overview 1 for formulaeformula (2)T2 (syn.: 11)R1 = HR2 = COOCH3R3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOCH3R6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T4 (syn.: 1)R1 = HR2 = COOHR3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T8R1 = HR2 = HR3 = COOHR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T9R1 = HR2 = HR3 = COOCH3R4 = HR5 = COOCH3R6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T10R1 = HR2 = ClR3 = HR4 = HR5 = ClR6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T27R1 = HR2 = COOHR3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = H
Overview 2 for formulaeformula (3)T1n = 0R1 = HR2 = COOC2H5R3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOC2H5R6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T3 (syn.: 2a)n = 0R1 = HR2 = COOHR3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T5 (syn.: 20a)n = 0R1 = HR2 = COOCH3R3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOCH3R6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T6n = 0R1 = HR2 = HR3 = COOCH3R4 = HR5 = COOCH3R6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T7n = 0R1 = HR2 = HR3 = COOHR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T17 (syn.: 2b)n = 1R1 = HR2 = COOHR3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T18 (syn.: 20b)n = 1R1 = HR2 = COOCH3R3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOCH3R6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T20n = 1R1 = COOHR2 = HR3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T22n = 1R1 = HR2 = COOCH3R3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOCH3R6 = HR7 = HT23n = 0R1 = HR2 = COOHR3 = HR4 = COOHR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T24n = 1R1 = COOCH3R2 = HR3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOCH3R6 = HR7 = HT25n = 0R1 = HR2 = COOCH3R3 = HR4 = COOCH3R5 = COOCH3R6 = HR7 = O(CH2)9CH3T26n = 1R1 = COOHR2 = HR3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = HT28n = 1R1 = HR2 = COOHR3 = HR4 = HR5 = COOHR6 = HR7 = HT21:4-(N-(6-(3,5-bis(decyloxy)phenoxy)hexyl)-N-(4-carboxyl-phenyl)amino)benzoic acid; C46H67NO7 (T21)
Said 4-[(N-4-carboxyphenyl-N-acyl)amino]benzoic acid-derivatives or 4-[(N-4-carboxyphenyl-N-acyl)imino]benzoic acid-derivatives, respectively, as mimetics of sLeX, have an essentially higher affinity (f ≈6 in the static assay, see example 1) for the selecting, compared to the above-mentioned bimosiamose itself. These mimetics contain functional groups, such as, for example, hydroxy groups and acidic units, in order to mimic fucose and sialic acid, aromatic regions as substitutions for lactosamine, having a defined distance from lipophilic and hydrophilic structural elements.
The results of a static leukocyte-adhesion-assay using compounds T1 to T27 according to the invention (see FIG. 1 as well as example 1) clearly show that the most potent of the compounds according to the invention are carboxylic acids. Thus, different carboxylic acids, each having an amide-, oxime-, and amino-structural element, respectively, were produced and tested. With the exception of T25, all esters only exhibited a weak effect on the reduction of the adhesion. As a comparison: bimosiamose, in a concentration of 600 μM, has about the same potency as T3 in a concentration von 100 μM.
In addition, in a mouse-peritonitis-model, a model of acute inflammation, it could be exemplary shown that the substances according to the invention led to a reduction of the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into the peritoneum (see FIG. 2 and example 7), and thus are anti-inflammatory effective.
Furthermore, in toxicity-assays those structural elements were already identified that could be responsible for a cytotoxicity of the compounds according to the invention (see FIG. 3 and example 6).
The compounds according to the invention that can be derived from the formulae 1 to 3 can be used as medicaments.
In doing so, preferred is the use for the treatment of diseases, wherein the selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion is dysregulated.
Furthermore preferred is the use for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The inflammatory diseases that can be treated according to the invention comprise peritonitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, the treatment of tumorous diseases is possible.
The compounds according to the invention are preferably used as inhibitors of selectin and for an inhibition of the selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion.
In summary, it can be said that the present invention comprises a novel class of non-toxic, in vivo anti-inflammatory effective, non-glycosidic and non-peptidic inhibitors of selectin that do not exhibit the disadvantages of the glycosidic inhibitor complexes, such as 1. the complex synthesis pathway, 2. the high costs of the starting compounds 3. the laborious elucidation of the structure, 4. the hydrolytic instability, and 5. the relatively low binding affinity, and that are furthermore more potent in vitro than the drug bimosiamose which is currently in the clinical phase II.
In the context of the present invention, a "derivative" shall mean a compound, which is derived from one of the general formulae 1, 2 or 3 that, for example, is substituted with several of the residual groups as given above for R1 to R6 and X or Y, as well as mixtures of several of these compounds, which, for example, can be processed into a "personalized" medicament which is adjusted to with respect to the respective disease to be treated and/or the patient on the basis of diagnostic data, or data with respect to the success or progression of the treatment. A derivative shall also include a compound that can be produced in accordance with a synthesis pathway that is different from the one that is (exemplary) mentioned herein. Preferred derivatizations comprise the formation of ester-, amide- and hydroxamic acid-derivatives of the compounds according to the invention.
In the context of the present invention, a "precursor" of a substance shall first mean a substance that, during the administration for the treatment, is modified by the conditions inside the body (e.g. pH in the stomach, or the like) in such a manner, or, after uptake into the body, is metabolized in such a manner that the compounds according to the invention or their derivatives are formed as effective substances.

Non-glycosidic and non-peptidic inhibitors of selectin, and the use thereof

Abstract: is described, as well as methods for their production. These compounds represent a new class of non-toxic, in vivo anti-inflammatory effective inhibitors of selectins, and do not exhibit the disadvantages of the glycosidic inhibitor complexes, and are furthermore more potent in vitro, compared to the known drug bimosiamose. Furthermore, medicaments containing the compounds and their uses in the treatment of diseases are described.


Disclosed are printer vacuum tables, and corresponding systems and methods for their use, in which the printer vacuum tables include multiple zones to apply vacuum, to hold a variety of media types and thicknesses within a given flatness range, to allow high definition printing. The vacuum zones run in the print direction, and each can be controlled for vacuum on and off. In an illustrative embodiment, the vacuum zones include one or more vacuum zones that are fixed with respect to a printer vacuum table surface, and one or more variable vacuum zones that are movable with respect to the printer vacuum table surface. One or more of the vacuum zones can be turned off if the print media does not cover the zone, such as to prevent leakage, and to provide more consistent vacuum hold down, regardless of media size or width.

Media often include non-planar features which can be problematic for printing. For instance, paper, paperboard, corrugated cardboard, and other large media substrates, are often bowed, e.g., in either a convex or concave manner, or can include other non-planar features, in one or more dimensions, with respect to a printer. As well, such media can include other non-uniform irregularities, such as inherent to their manufacture, and/or based on their packaging, distribution, handling, and/or storage. Single-pass printing systems can be used for a wide variety of printing applications. However, in currently available single-pass printing systems, it is not possible to hold a variety of non-planar media types and thicknesses within a given flatness range to allow high definition printing.

Multiple zone printer vacuum tables, systems and methods


A safe and effective process for the oxidation of a primary or secondary alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde or ketone via the reaction of said alcohol with an anhydride solution of a 1,1,1-tri(C2-C4 alkanoyloxy-1,1-dihydro-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one, and a composition useful in this process.

Hypervalent iodine (V) compounds are known to be useful oxidizing agents for the conversion of primary and secondary alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones, e.g. De Munari, S. et al, Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1996, 61, pp. 9272-9279. Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP), 1,1,1-triacetoxy-1,1-dihydro-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one, is often the reagent of choice for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols due to mild reaction conditions (room temperature and either slightly acidic or neutral pH) which are especially suitable for substrates which contain sensitive functional groups. However, DMP explodes violently upon heating under confinement (Chemical and Engineering News, Jul. 16, 1990, p. 3). The hazardous explosive properties of DMP make its use on a manufacturing scale prohibitively dangerous.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a selective and safe oxidation process for the conversion of a primary or secondary alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde or ketone.
It is another object of this invention to provide an oxidation process which affords high product yields.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a composition useful in the process of this invention.
It is a feature of this invention that the oxidizing agent is used in situ, thereby eliminating the need for additional separation or isolation steps.
These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth herein below.
The present invention provides a safe and effective process for the selective oxidation of a primary or secondary alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde or ketone which process reacting said alcohol with a solution containing an anhydride of the formula (RCO)2O and a trialkanoyl periodinane compound of formula I
wherein R is C2-C4 alkyl. Preferably, R is ethyl or n-propyl.
The present invention also provides a composition useful in the process of the invention, which composition comprises a solution of an anhydride of the formula (RCO)2O and a trialkanoyl periodinane compound of formula I dissolved in a suitable solvent, e.g., an aromatic hydrocarbon such as toluene.

Selective oxidation process with enhanced safety


A clock recovery unit is used to recover a clock signal from a transmitted data signal. The clock recovery unit includes a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit and a frequency detection circuit. The frequency detection circuit includes a digital phase tracking circuit (DPTC), which uses a rotational phase shifter to shift phase of a variable clock signal from a voltage controlled oscillator in the PLL circuit, in discrete amounts from 0 to 360 degrees, depending on a digital input code provided by a digital accumulator, which receives up or down count signals from a phase comparator. The shifted variable clock signal is provided to a phase/frequency detector, which provides an output to a glitch suppressor to suppress small phase differences prior to providing the output to the PLL circuit. When the frequency difference between the variable clock signal and the reference clock signal is large, the phase/frequency detector drives the frequency in the correct direction. When the frequency difference is small, the DPTC keeps the phase of the shifted variable clock signal aligned to the phase of the reference clock signal.

The present invention relates generally to a clock recovery unit, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for recovering a clock signal from a transmitted data signal using a clock recovery unit (CRU) that includes a frequency detector.
Data transmission systems generally transmit clocked data. Receiver units generally must determine the clock, both in frequency and in phase, used to generate the clocked data. A clock recovery unit (CRU) based on a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit is typically used to recover a corresponding clock signal from a transmitted data signal. In a PLL circuit, a feedback loop is generally used to adjust a variable clock signal output of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) until the variable clock signal aligns with the transmitted data signal. The variable clock signal aligned with the transmitted data signal is used as a recovered clock signal that corresponds to the transmitted data signal. In other words, the output of the VCO is the recovered clock signal.
The PLL circuit typically includes a phase detector to detect a phase difference between the transmitted data signal and the variable clock signal. The phase difference is used to adjust the output frequency of the VCO to align the variable clock signal to the transmitted data signal, both in phase and in frequency.
Since the recovered clock signal behaves in a periodic manner, when the phase difference between the transmitted data signal and the recovered clock signal becomes too large, the output signal of the phase detector may xe2x80x9cwrap aroundxe2x80x9d to a new value. For example, if the phase detector is capable of generating a phase difference signal representing a phase difference in the range of xe2x88x92180 degrees to +180 degrees, the output signal of the phase detector will increase as the phase difference between the transmitted data signal and the recovered clock signal increases up to +180 degrees.
When the phase difference increases further to more than +180 degrees, the phase detector is typically unable to generate a phase difference signal to represent a phase difference of more than +180 degrees. Instead, a phase wrapping occurs at approximately +180 degrees, and the phase detector generates a phase difference signal that represents a phase difference of approximately xe2x88x92180 degrees. This phase wrapping causes a problem of phase ambiguity around the maximum and minimum phase differences of +180 degrees and xe2x88x92180 degrees, respectively.
The phase wrapping generally does not present a problem once the PLL circuit is locked to the transmitted data signal. This is because the PLL circuit generally holds the phase difference to a very small value close to zero degree, in which case phase wrapping typically does not occur. However, the phase wrapping may present a serious problem before the PLL circuit locks. The PLL circuit may not even be able to lock because of the phase wrapping problem. When phase wrapping occurs, the phase difference signal generated by the phase detector may switch back and forth between nearly maximum and nearly minimum values, and the phase locked loop may not be able to adjust the VCO to generate the variable clock signal with correct frequency.
One solution is use of a narrow band voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that has a tuning range of approximately 1% or less. This limitation in the tuning range typically limits the frequency difference between a data signal and an oscillation frequency of the VCO to be very small. With such small frequency differences, phase wrapping typically does not occur very often, and the PLL circuit generally is able to lock. While this solution is typically effective when a narrow band VCO is used, it is usually impractical since the tuning range of a VCO is generally much larger than 1% of the frequency.
Therefore, a need exists for a clock recovery unit that can solve the wrap around problem while its VCO tuning range is sufficiently large as to be practical for applications using IC designs.
The present invention provides a clock recovery unit (CRU) for recovering a corresponding clock signal from a transmitted data signal. The CRU includes a frequency detection circuit and a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit to detect phase and frequency differences between a reference clock signal and a variable clock signal, and to adjust the variable clock frequency to recover a clock signal that corresponds to the transmitted data signal.
In one embodiment the present invention comprises a clock recovery unit. The clock recovery unit includes a phase locked loop to receive a transmitted data signal and to generate an output clock signal. The clock recovery unit further comprises a frequency detection circuit to receive the output clock signal and a reference clock signal, and to generate an output signal to provide to the phase locked loop, with the phase locked loop using the output signal to establish a phase lock between the transmitted data signal and the output clock signal. In a further embodiment, the clock recovery unit includes a phase difference signal which is proportional to the phase difference between a reference clock signal and a shifted output clock signal, with a frequency detection circuit including a glitch suppressor to suppress the phase difference signal when the width of the phase difference signal is substantially narrow.
These and other aspects of the present invention may be more fully understood through reference to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Clock recovery unit which uses a detected frequency difference signal to help establish phase lock between a transmitted data signal and a recovered clock signal


A construction safety screen (1) has structural capacity to wall predetermined portions of or entire worker-area precipices which include apertures and edges of under-construction buildings and scaffolding against accidental falling. Included are a fastening border (7), fasteners (12, 13, 14, 28, 43), netting apertures (5), netting material (6), visibility coloring and size adaptors. It can be rolled up for light-weight shipping or storage and unrolled easily and conveniently for use and reuse.

This invention relates to safety screens to prevent workers from falling from edges of building-construction precipices that include stair wells, elevator shafts, windows, balconies and from other high edges and openings in buildings under construction and with scaffolding used in performing exterior work thereon.
Safety barriers and nets to prevent workers from falling into stair wells, into elevator shafts, out of windows and from other high portions of buildings under construction or scaffolding are known. None are known, however to have opening-height closure, restraint reliability and cost-effectiveness in a manner taught by this invention.
Examples of most-closely related known but different restraints against accidental falling from construction precipices are described in the following patent documents:
Currently at building precipices, two-by-four boards nailed about forty-two inches high is the most common prevention against accidental falling into stair wells, into elevator shafts, out of windows and from other high portions of buildings under construction. Other known restraints against falling, such as described in the above prior art have not been adopted for effective use in the construction industry. An urgent need remains for effective building-precipice fall protection.
Objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by this invention, therefore, are to provide a construction safety screen which:
closes entire worker-area openings and precipices of construction buildings and scaffolding as appropriate to prevent accidental falling therefrom;
allows working ventilation and visibility;
can be put in place for temporary use and removed quickly and conveniently;
can be stored and reused;
can be customized for construction-precipice features;
is readily visible;
can be positioned inwardly from, in line with or outside of edges of building precipices;
can be tilted outwardly and upwardly to catch individuals who fall from work on or near outsides of buildings;
is reliable, sturdy and long-lasting; and
is cost-effective.
This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with a construction safety screen having structural capacity to screen predetermined portions of or entire worker-area openings and other precipices of under-construction buildings and scaffolding against individuals accidentally falling therefrom. The construction safety screen includes a fastening border, building-structure fasteners, netting apertures, visibility coloring, size adaptors and buckles, base rods, net struts, framework and guys. The net can be rolled up for light-weight shipping or storage and unrolled easily and conveniently for use and reuse.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.


A secure storage assembly apparatus for the delivery of fresh, perishable or environmentally sensitive goods and other goods to a customer's home or business premises while not at home or work and a method of installing same to a structure are disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure and figures herein.

In today's rapidly growing e-commerce environment, it is very common for customers to order food and other goods for delivery to the home or business from retailers who are based far away and/or are local. Shipping delivery carriers, such as UPS, deliver an average of 15 million packages each day to customers worldwide, and online retailers, such as Amazon, ship about 1.8 million packages each day worldwide. Customers worry about package theft when such packages are left unattended at their home or business. Conventional approaches for delivery of goods have failed to solve the issue of in home or work secure delivery of environmentally sensitive goods and other goods to customers' home or work premises. It would thus be desirable to have an improved storage assembly apparatus for the delivery of environmentally sensitive goods and other goods, among other desirable features as described herein, which avoids the disadvantages of conventional storage apparatus.

Secure storage assembly apparatus for delivery of fresh, perishable or environmentally sensitive goods and other goods


A reinforced composite pallet assembly of the sandwich-type having a cellular core which is locally crushed is provided. The assembly includes a pair of substantially flat decks having front, back and side edges. Each of the decks includes a load-bearing skin made of a reinforced thermoplastics material, a grid of reinforcing slats, a cellular core made of a thermoplastics material, and a tine-engaging skin made of a reinforced thermoplastics material. The grid of reinforcing slats is positioned at predetermined places against the tine-engaging skins. The distance between the skins of each deck is reduced during molding of the deck which molding locally crushes the core at the predetermined places. A plurality of supports support the decks at the predetermined places against the reinforcing slats so that tines can lift and support the pallet assembly at the tine-engaging skin. The resulting assembly is ultra light weight, meeting all forecasted government weight restrictions. Other features include molded-in features added as part of the forming process (i.e., pockets, grooves, and/or ribs on retraining walls).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pallet assemblies of sandwich-type composite structure having a cellular core and, in particular, to such pallet assemblies whose structure is reinforced locally.
2. Background Art
Sandwich-type materials having cellular cores have very important characteristics resulting from their being light in weight yet very rigid.
Conventionally, such a panel is constructed by sandwiching a cellular core having low strength characteristics by gluing it or bonding it between two skins, each of which is much thinner than the cellular core but has excellent mechanical characteristics.
The patent document FR 2 711 573 discloses a method of making a panel of sandwich-type composite structure having a cellular core. In that method, said panel is made in a single step by subjecting a preheated stack to cold-pressing in a mold, which stack is made up of at least a first skin made of a stampable reinforced thermoplastics material, of a cellular core made of a thermoplastics material, of a second skin made of a stampable reinforced thermoplastics material, and of a first external covering layer made of a woven or non-woven material, the skins and core being preheated outside the mold to a softening temperature.
Such a method is particularly advantageous because of the fact that it makes it possible, in a single operation, both to generate cohesion between the various layers of the composite structure, and to shape the panel.
The resulting panel conserves all of the mechanical properties imparted by the cellular core sandwich structure.
European patent EP 0 649 736 B1 explains the principle of molding substantially flat parts out of thermoplastic sandwich material (TSM). The part is made in a single stage by pressing in a cold mold, at a pressure in the range of 10 bars to 30 bars, a stack consisting of at least a first top skin layer of stampable reinforced thermoplastics material, a cellular or honeycomb core of thermoplastics material and a second bottom skin layer of stampable reinforced thermoplastics material. The axes of the cells of the cellular core are generally oriented perpendicular to the skin layers. The skin layers and core are previously heated outside the mold to a softening temperature. Such sandwich material is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,782. The cellular core of such material enables the part to be very rigid while being light in weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,630 discloses a molded composite stack including a cellular core for a vehicle and a mold for forming the stack into a vehicular part, such as a floor panel.
Panels of sandwich-type composite structures having a cellular core have strength characteristics sufficient to enable mechanical structures subjected to large stresses to be reinforced structurally without making them too heavy. Such panels are in common use in shipbuilding, aircraft construction, and rail vehicle construction.
However, the non-uniformness of the mechanical stresses to which they are subjected sometimes makes it necessary to form local reinforcing plies at those places in said panels where the mechanical stresses are greatest.
In the field of aircraft construction, sandwich structure composite panels are made that are based on thermosettable resins reinforced with fibers.
In order to impart the desired shapes to the panels, and to maintain the shapes, the fibers and the thermosettable resin (in the form of pre-impregnates) are deposited layer-by-layer in a mold, and are then heated to high temperatures so as to cure (i.e. polymerize) the resin permanently.
The molds used may have a punch and/or machining device integrated into the mold.
Making such locally-reinforced panels consists firstly in defining zones where stresses are concentrated in the resulting panels, such zones being defined either by real testing or by computer simulation, and then in adding reinforcing plies at those places so as to make it possible to withstand such stresses.
The reinforcing plies are one-directional mats or woven fabrics of glass fibers, of carbon fibers, or of natural fibers embedded in a thermosettable resin, with an orientation that is determined by the orientation of the stresses. They are cut out to a pattern using special machines, e.g. water-jet cutting machines.
The reinforcing plies are disposed layer-by-layer in a mold, either manually or by means of a robot, with each ply having its own orientation.
That operation may be referred to as the xe2x80x9claying upxe2x80x9d operation.
Then comes the baking step which is the longest step of the method of making such pieces because the stack of layers must be heated sufficiently to cure the thermosettable resin.
The various layers disposed in the mold are pressed in the mold by evacuating the mold. Such evacuation serves to press the materials against the die or the punch, and to remove surplus resin.
The desired shape is thus obtained with the fibers being impregnated with the resin as well as possible.
That xe2x80x9claminationxe2x80x9d technique, and in particular the xe2x80x9claying upxe2x80x9d operation, is characterized by a very low level of automation, and a large labor input.
Although, by means of the concept of localizing the strength, that technique makes it possible to achieve performance levels that are high for the pieces that are made in that way, it requires rigorous monitoring of quality.
As a result, that technique is very costly and cannot be used at the high production throughputs implemented in many fields such as the automobile industry.
Generally, plastic pallets can be easily molded and are lighter in weight than wooden pallets. Also, such pallets are more mold, bacteria, pest and insect resistant. Furthermore, in general, plastic pallets are more durable than wooden pallets as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,709.
Plastics processing technology has enjoyed significant recent advances, such that traditional high-strength materials such as metals are being replaced with fiber composite materials. These materials are not only light, but also are flexible and durable.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,891,560 and 6,165,604 disclose fiber-reinforced composites prepared from a depolymerizable and repolymerizable polymer having the processing advantages of a thermoset without being brittle. Impregnation of polymer into the fiber bundle is achieved, while still producing a composite with desirable physical properties and high damage tolerance.
One factor that has limited the number of plastic pallets is that plastic pallets require a given amount of relatively expensive plastic material for a desired measure of pallet strength. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,868,080 and 6,199,488 disclose reinforced plastic pallet constructions and assembly methods wherein multiple reinforcing bars are employed. The reinforcing bars preferably comprise composite structural members of fiberglass reinforced thermosetting plastic fabricated from a pultrusion process.
As noted in the above-mentioned ""560 and ""604 patents, although thermoset composites have excellent mechanical properties, they suffer from several disadvantages: thermoset matrices have relatively limited elongation, the thermoset precursors are a source of undesirable volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the composites cannot be reshaped or recycled, and their production rates are limited.
Other factors limiting the use of plastic pallets are the need for expensive equipment, long cycle times and high capital investment.
Consequently, in principle at least, thermoplastic composites would solve many of the problems associated with thermosets. For example, unlike thermosets, thermoplastics can be reshaped, welded, staked, or thermoformed. Furthermore, thermoplastics are generally tougher, more ductile, and have greater elongation than thermosets.
An object of the present invention is to provide a reinforced composite pallet assembly of the cellular core sandwich-type which can be made simply and cheaply, and can be implemented at high throughputs.
In carrying out the above object and other objects of the present invention, a reinforced composite pallet assembly of the sandwich-type having a cellular core is provided. The assembly includes a substantially flat deck having front, back and side edges and including: a) a load-bearing skin made of a reinforced thermoplastics material; b) a grid of reinforcing slats; c) a cellular core made of a thermoplastics material; and d) a tine-engaging skin made of a reinforced thermoplastics material. The grid of reinforcing slats is positioned at predetermined places against the tine-engaging skin, and the distance between the skins is reduced during molding of the deck which molding locally crushes the core at the predetermined places. The assembly further includes at least one support for supporting the deck at the predetermined places against the reinforcing slats so that tines can lift and support the pallet assembly at the tine-engaging skin.
Slats of the grid may be positioned adjacent to the front, back and side edges of the deck, and at least one of the slats may extend from positions adjacent the edges to a center of the deck.
The load-bearing skin may extend downwardly to the tine-engaging skin at the front, back and side edges of the deck so that the core is substantially totally enclosed by the skins and the edges are finished.
The assembly may further include another deck, wherein the at least one support interconnects the decks at their tine-engaging skins, and the assembly may be stackable or rackable.
The load-bearing skin of the another deck may extend upwardly to the tine-engaging skin at the front, back and side edges of the deck so that the core of the another deck is substantially totally enclosed by the skins of the another deck and its edges are finished.
At least one reinforcing slat may be received and retained within a cavity formed between the tine-engaging skin and the at least one support.
A plurality of supports may support the deck, and the reinforcing slats may be received and retained within a plurality of cavities formed between the tine-engaging skin and the plurality of supports.
The skins may be made of a woven fabric or mat of glass fibers and of a thermoplastics material.
The reinforcing slats of the grids may be made of a thermoplastic or a composite material.
The composite may be fiber-reinforced and may include a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic polymer resin.
The resin may be a thermoplastic polyurethane.
The thermoplastics material of the skins may be a polyolefin and preferably polypropylene.
The cellular core of the deck may have an open-celled structure of the tubular or honeycomb cell type, constituted mainly of polyolefin and preferably polypropylene.
A plurality of spaced supports may support the deck adjacent corners and possibly other locations of the deck.
The at least one support may be made of a thermoplastics material, and substantially the entire pallet assembly may be recyclable.
The at least one support may further be a hollow thermoplastic foot and may interconnect the decks at their tine-engaging skins adjacent at least one of the edges.
A plurality of spaced supports may interconnect the decks at their tine-engaging skins adjacent the front, back and side edges of the decks.
The above object and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Reinforced composite pallet assembly of the sandwich-type with a locally crushed cellular core


Execution of tasks on accelerator units is managed. The managing includes multi-level grouping of tasks into groups based on defined criteria, including start time of tasks and/or deadline of tasks. The task groups and possibly individual tasks are mapped to accelerator units to be executed. During execution, redistribution of a task group and/or an individual task may occur to optimize a defined energy profile.

This invention relates, in general, to facilitating processing within a computing environment, and in particular, to managing task execution on accelerators of the computing environment.
Accelerators are used today to increase the processing capabilities of a server. In particular, accelerators coupled to the server are optimized to perform certain functions, enabling those functions to be performed at higher speeds than if those functions were performed by the server. When a function is reached in a program executed by the server, the server sends a request to an accelerator to perform the function. The accelerator performs the function and forwards the result back to the server. The server either performs further processing on the returned result or simply forwards the result to another accelerator, which then performs processing on the result and sends the result back to the server, again.
In production systems, typically all accelerators in a cluster of accelerators are powered up at the same time, even those accelerators that are not currently needed. Further, tasks are typically assigned to accelerators based on a round-robin approach.

International Business Machines Corporation


A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes a plurality of parent regions and sub-regions. The gaming device moves at least one symbol with respect to the sub-regions and enables the player to use his/her skill to stop the symbol and indicate a sub-region within a parent region. Which sub-region the symbol will indicate within such parent region is determined by the gaming device, preferably unbeknownst to the player. The gaming device preferably awards the player with value associated with the sub-region which is indicated by the stopped symbol. This type of game provides players with skill-based activities thereby adding excitement to gaming devices and increasing player entertainment.

Traditional gaming machines, such as slot machines, include a plurality of reels and each reel has upon it a plurality of symbols. When the player pushes a button the reels rotate and where they stop, relative to one another, determines whether or not the player gains value. Other gaming devices include spinning wheels which are divided into a plurality of pie-shaped areas. The wheel rotates with respect to a pointer. Depending upon which area stops at the pointer, the player may or may not gain value. Still other gaming devices involve bonus rounds which are often video-based. The bonus schemes vary from gaming device to gaming device and generally involve a variety of game scenarios.
In gaming devices, unlike arcade games, a player's success is not based upon skill. Gaming devices are programmed or set to randomly pay back a certain percentage. Having a gaming device truly based on skill would open the door to players becoming professionals at such games. Gaming devices of skill would also prejudice unskilled players, and unskilled players would be reluctant to play such games. Even though certain gaming devices such as video poker or blackjack involve certain skill and decision-making, their outcomes ultimately turn upon mathematics and probability. Accordingly, to increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide players with new gaming devices and game schemes wherein the player's success appears to be determined by the player's skill.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Gaming device having a controlled expected payout providing an opportunity for player skill to affect symbol movement


A mechanized device for externally grabbing and rotating the operating capstan of a railroad car bottom discharge gate is disclosed which utilizes a pair of spaced converging, opposed normally open gripper fingers operable between a closed and an open position, operated between a closed and an open position by a reciprocating fluid cylinder and a motor for rotating the gripper mechanism relative to the cylinder to thereby rotate the capstan to operate the gate.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to railroad cars having bottom discharge hopper-type bodies in which the hoppers are closed by horizontally disposed gates that are displaced laterally to open and close by drive systems that include a rack and pinion drive mechanism operated by rotating an associated operating rod using attached capstans. More particularly, the invention relates to a mechanism for externally gripping and rotating the handles or capstans of operating rods of such systems.
II. Related Art
A railroad car hopper discharge unit typically attaches to the bottom of a railroad car hopper and includes straight sidewalls and sloping end walls which terminate in horizontally directed flanges which, in turn, define a rectangular outlet opening. Provision is made for the attachment of gate assemblies for each of the hoppers of a railcar for selective discharge of commodities contained in the car body. The sliding gate discharge system includes a gate that is moved between fully open and fully closed positions by the operation of a rack and pinion system operated by rotating a shaft or operating rod connected to rotate one or more pinion gears, to thereby laterally displace an associated rack and with it the associated gate. Typical systems of the class described are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,450,773; 4,342,267; and 6,363,863.
The gate is operated by a drive mechanism that includes an elongated operating rod which carries one or more pinion gears and which is supported by the frame of the gate assembly, the rotation about its axis which is fixed relative to the gate assembly frame. The rack and pinion, of course, converts the rotary movement of the operating shaft into linear fore and aft movement to operate the hopper gate. Each operating rod extends laterally outward beyond the gate operating assembly and is provided with an operating handle or capstan at one or both ends fixed to the operating rod. Each capstan is provided with shaped outward directed recess adapted to receive a mechanized operating tool adapted to address the handle from track side and rotate the operating shaft utilizing the shaft handle to open and close the gate mechanism.
One particularly prevalent and undesirable problem with such systems has to do with internal wear to the rod handles or capstans themselves. Because debris can accumulate in the rack and pinion systems and because of the generally heavy nature of the equipment, it is often difficult to rotate the operating shafts, particularly in the case of opening gates of loaded cars. Repeated torque often causes the initially square operating recess openings in the capstans (see FIG. 2) to become rounded such that corresponding conventional square shaped mechanized tools are no longer able to operate the gate mechanisms. The operating rods must be operated manually by using bars to address side openings or the capstans must be replaced. Thus, there remains a definite need for an improved system for rotating the operating rods of discharge gate systems of the kind described which prevents eventual stripping of the keyway or other such problems.
By means of the present invention, there is provided a tool for rotating capstans associated with the operating shafts of railroad car discharge gate mechanisms which avoids problems associated with previous devices. The mechanized device of the present invention includes a compact hydraulic gripper mechanism that grabs the outside of the capstan to insure positive rotation without the need for keying a tool into a shaped opening in the laterally directed end of a capstan. The mechanical system of the invention includes a cylinder-operated gripper having a plurality, preferably a pair of spaced, converging, opposed gripping fingers with teeth that converge to grab the outside of the capstan and thereafter the gripper rotates to operate the gate mechanism. The gripper is mounted from one end of a gripping shaft having a hollow or recess at the other end to receive a piston rod associated with a fluid cylinder as an extension of the cylinder rod. The end of the gripper shaft is preferably fixed to the cylinder rod so that both rotate together. The gripper shaft is further mounted within and keyed to a gripper shaft sleeve member mounted within and keyed to rotate with the hollow shaft of a low speed, high-torque hydraulic motor which is used to rotate the gripper and piston relative to the cylinder and which presents a highly efficient compact design.
Spaced gripper default rollers are mounted on a base plate behind respective gripper fingers flanking the gripper shaft such that retraction of the piston rod of the fluid cylinder causes the default rollers to force the gripper fingers to close and extension of the cylinder rod allows them to open. Tension members are provided to hold the gripper fingers open against the default rollers in a normally open posture.
The gripper fingers are designed to enclose any sized capstan from any angle and, of course, have the ability to rotate the capstan in either direction to thereby open or close the discharge gate as desired. In this manner, the reciprocal action of the gripper cylinder opens and closes the gripper fingers and the rotation of the hydraulic motor enables the gripper to rotate a captured device.
The system can also be stopped at any point to enable the partial opening of the discharge gate. The tool assembly is adapted to be mounted on a conventional dolly associated with prior capstan rotating tool systems. The dolly is designed to operate parallel to the railcars along the side of the track located in a grain terminal or other unloading station and includes an extendable platform to move the gripping mechanism laterally to approach a capstan of interest.

Railroad hopper car gate operating system


A micromechanical electromagnetic actuator may have two separate components: a flux-generating portion and a separate movable structure. The flux-generating portion may have a plurality of conductive coils wound around a magnetically permeable material. Each coil generates a magnetic field along its axis, which is different for each of the coils. The adjacent movable structure may include magnetically permeable features, one inlaid in the movable structure and other stationary features which focus the flux produced by the flux-generating mechanism across a gap between the stationary features. By energizing each coil sequentially, a push-pull motion in the actuator may result from the force of the magnetically permeable features. This push-pull actuator may be particularly effective when used as a pumping element in a drug delivery system, or other fluidic pumping system.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are small, generally movable devices which are made using semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication techniques. Because of these batch processing techniques, large numbers of small MEMS devices can be made on a single wafer substrate at low cost with high precision. MEMS devices typically have dimensions on the order of microns, and can thus be used to make very small actuators which are capable of very small and precise movements. Such actuators can make use of any of a number of phenomena to produce motion in the movable member. MEMS actuators are known which use electrostatic, thermal, magnetostatic and piezo electric effects, for example, to produce motion in the movable actuator member.
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques may therefore be used to produce microfabricated piezoelectric actuators. Piezoelectric materials are those which undergo a strain when a voltage is applied, or generate a voltage when a stress is applied. Prior art actuators exist which use piezoelectric materials, and may be used as the pumping mechanism for a microfluidic pump. The piezoelectric microactuator can be made by depositing a stack of piezoelectric layers on a thin diaphragm which defines the pumping chamber. Application of a voltage to the piezoelectric stack results in a deformation of the diaphragm, which draws the fluid into the chamber through an inlet valve. When the voltage is discontinued, the diaphragm returns to its original shape, forcing fluid out of the chamber through an outlet valve. Piezoelectric microactuators generally produce a force perpendicular to the plane of the substrate on which they are deposited, and thus move primarily in this direction. A thorough analysis of the attributes of such a pump is set forth in "Simulation of MEMS Piezoelectric Micropump for Biomedical Applications", which discusses the speed and displacement of such an actuator, and can be accessed at http://www.algor.com/news_pub/tech_white_papers/MEMS_micropump/default.asp.
Lead zirconate titanate, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT), is a common piezoelectric material that can be deposited on silicon wafers by RF sputtering, for example. However, care must be taken to relieve the stresses in the deposited material in order to avoid static deformation, or warpage, of the pumping diaphragm. Alternatively, high performance PZT wafers are also under development; however they are not yet available in sufficiently large (150 mm round) format to facilitate wafer-to-wafer bonding, an essential process for low cost manufacturing. Accordingly, the exemplary piezoelectric micropump discussed above is an idealized case, with zero residual stress, and such pumps tend to be expensive and difficult to fabricate.
This technology has several other drawbacks, the most significant of which are that the piezoelectric actuator has limited throw and requires large actuation voltages. If non-resonant excitation of the above structure is used to actuate the diaphragm, the displacement of the design described above is less than 10 μm for a 200V input. If resonant excitation is used; i.e. a modulated voltage waveform is applied to the device to amplify the displacement, a ten fold increase in the displacement can be achieved; however, it takes about 100 msec to achieve this displacement. The low resonant frequency is a result of the weight of the piezoelectric material and the size of the pumping diaphragm needed to achieve the necessary pumping volume. The mass of the volume of fluid may also play a role in the low resonant frequency. If the pump is operated above this resonant frequency, the displacement is greatly diminished to only about 3 μm at 500 Hz for 200V input.
Furthermore, when used in a pumping device, the piezoelectric device described above has chambers and a layout that do not allow the passage of relatively large particles. For example, particles in excess of about 10 μm will not pass readily through the fluid path, because of the severe turns and small apertures in the path. Vertical pumps such as that described may also be relatively expensive and difficult to fabricate, because the valves are necessarily formed vertically below the diaphragm using other layers. Finally, since the piezoelectric material can only generate a strain in a single direction in response to an applied voltage, the actuator can only deform in one direction, i.e. it can only "push" and cannot "pull".
Accordingly, a need exists for a microactuator capable of delivering small volumes of fluids as well as particulate matter suspended in the fluid stream, and which is inexpensive and easy to fabricate. The microactuator ideally operates at low voltages and is capable of being powered by a small battery.

Microfabicated electromagnetic actuator with push-pull motion


A semiconductor apparatus includes a pattern conversion circuit configured to generate conversion data in response to a monitoring enable signal, pattern select signals and parallel input data; a transmission circuit configured to output the conversion data as serial data in response to a plurality of clocks; a reception circuit configured to output the serial data as parallel output data in synchronization with the plurality of clocks; and a monitoring circuit configured to generate a result signal in response to the plurality of clocks, clock select signals and the serial data.

1. Technical Field
Various embodiments generally relate to a semiconductor integrated circuit, and, more particularly, to a semiconductor apparatus configured to output a result signal indicating whether data is being normally transmitted.
2. Related Art
A semiconductor integrated circuit is configured to transmit and receive signals to and from an external circuit or is configured such that internal circuits transmit and receive signals to and from one another.
In order to increase an operation speed of a semiconductor integrated circuit, when transmitting and receiving signals the semiconductor integrated circuit is configured to synchronously transmit a signal with a clock or receive a signal by using the clock.
Signals to be transmitted and received and a clock should be synchronized at precise timings. When the signals to be transmitted and received and the clock are not synchronized at precise timings, the semiconductor integrated circuit may misoperate by receiving an erroneous signal.
Thus, it is necessary to monitor whether the signals to be transmitted and received and the clock are synchronized at precise timings.


A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes two components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (1), and the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds having a group represented by formula (2) as a partial structure:

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a liquid crystal composition suitable for use in an active matrix (AM) device, and an AM device containing the composition.
2. Related Art
In a liquid crystal display device, classification based on an operating mode of liquid crystals includes phase change (PC), twisted nematic (TN), super twisted nematic (STN), electrically controlled birefringence (ECB), optically compensated bend (OCB), in-plane switching (IPS), vertical alignment (VA), and so forth. Classification based on a driving mode includes a passive matrix (PM) and an active matrix (AM). PM is further classified into static, multiplex and so forth, and AM is classified into a thin film transistor (TFT), a metal insulator metal (MIM) and so forth. TFT is further classified into amorphous silicon and polycrystal silicon. The latter is classified into a high temperature type and a low temperature type according to a production process. Classification based on a light source includes a reflection type utilizing a natural light, a transmission type utilizing a backlight and a semi-transmission type utilizing both the natural light and the backlight.
These devices contain a liquid crystal composition having suitable characteristics. The liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase. General characteristics of the composition should be improved to obtain an AM device having good general characteristics. Table 1 below summarizes a relationship between the general characteristics of the two. The general characteristics of the composition will be explained further based on a commercially available AM device. A temperature range of a nematic phase relates to the temperature range in which the device can be used. A desirable maximum temperature of the nematic phase is approximately 70° C. or more and a desirable minimum temperature is approximately −10° C. or less. The viscosity of the composition relates to the response time of the device. A short response time is desirable for displaying a moving image. Accordingly, a small viscosity of the composition is desirable. A small viscosity at a low temperature is more desirable.
TABLE 1General Characteristics of a Liquid CrystalComposition and an AM DeviceGeneral CharacteristicsNoGeneral Characteristics of a Compositionof an AM Device1Temperature range of a nematic phase isUsable temperaturewiderange is wide2Viscosity is small1Response time is short3Optical anisotropy is suitableContrast ratio is large4Dielectric anisotropy is positively orDriving voltage is lownegatively largeand electric powerconsumption is small5Specific resistance is largeVoltage holding ratio islarge and acontrast ratio is large6It is stable to ultraviolet light and heatService life is long1A liquid crystal composition can be injected into a cell in a short time.
The optical anisotropy of the composition relates to the contrast ratio of the device. A product (Δn·d) of the optical anisotropy (Δn) of the composition and the cell gap (d) of the device is designed to maximize the contrast ratio. A suitable value of the product depends on the kind of operation mode. In a device having a TN mode and so forth, a suitable value is approximately 0.45 μm. In this case, a composition having a large optical anisotropy is desirable for a device having a small cell gap. A large dielectric anisotropy of the composition contributes to a low threshold voltage, a small electric power consumption and a large contrast ratio. Accordingly, a large dielectric anisotropy is desirable. A large specific resistance of the composition contributes to a large voltage holding ratio and a large contrast ratio of the device. Accordingly, a composition having a large specific resistance is desirable at room temperature and also at a high temperature in the initial stage. A composition having a large specific resistance is desirable at room temperature and also at a high temperature after it has been used for a long time. A stability of the composition to an ultraviolet light and heat relates to a service life of the liquid crystal display device. In the case where the stability is high, the device has a long service life. These characteristics are desirable for an AM device used in a liquid crystal projector, a liquid crystal television and so forth.
Conventional compositions are disclosed in the following patent documents. JP S55-023169 A/1980, JP S59-216876 A/1984, JP S60-067587 A/1985, JP H9-291282 A/1997, US 2003/0127627 A and JP 2002-256267.
A desirable AM device is characterized as having a usable temperature range that is wide, a response time that is short, a contrast ratio that is large, a threshold voltage that is low, a voltage holding ratio that is large, a service life that is long, and so forth. Even one millisecond shorter response time is desirable. Thus, the composition having characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to an ultraviolet light, a high stability to heat, and so forth is especially desirable.

Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device

Abstract: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, fluorine, alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons, alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons or alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbons; R4 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons or alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbons; R5, R6, R7 and R8 are each independently alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons; ring A and ring B are each independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene or 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1 and Z2 are each independently a single bond or ethylene; and n and m are each independently 0, 1 or 2, provided that the sum of n and m is 1, 2, 3 or 4.


An aerating system for treating a waste lagoon or some type of wastewater that captures and recirculates air that has been previously pumped into the lagoon via a skirt. The system also utilizes an oxygen source to pump oxygen into the waste lagoon or wastewater that can also be recirculated. A manifold of the system is designed to have intakes for both the recirculated air and for the oxygen source.

The present invention relates to wastewater aeration generally and waste lagoons specifically. By aerating waste lagoons, oxygen is introduced into the water which allows for an aerobic environment. The aeration allows the lagoon to be supplied with required oxygen to metabolizing microorganisms and to provide mixing so that the metabolizing microorganisms come into contact with both dissolved and suspended organic matter.
Presently, mechanical surface aerators can be used to both mix the lagoon water and provide air into the lagoon water. Typically, these types of aerators are tied to shore and float on the surface of the liquid being aerated. The aerators typically include a means for delivering a supply of air down into some distance into the liquid to be treated. The means could be an air pump or the utilization of differences in pressure to move the air in a particular direction. A portion of the air is dissolved in the liquid, while another portion returns to the surface. Depending on the size of the waste lagoon, multiple units can be utilized to treat the liquid. Current aerators do not have the ability to recirculate air that resurfaces around the floating aerator or in locations where the air is added to the wastewater.
It is an object of the invention to provide an aerator with a skirt and a manifold to recirculate air that reaches the surface of the liquid.
It is further an object of the invention to provide an aerator that can be connected to an oxygen source.


Embodiments of the invention provide a knife gate valve for flow along a flow path. The knife gate valve can include a body structure that includes a gate passage, a gate disposed to move within the gate passage between open and closed positions to selectively open or close a fluid aperture, and a gate seat configured to engage a free end and lateral edges of the gate. A transverse element can be formed from resilient material and can extend laterally across the gate passage to form a seal with a first side of the gate and with the gate seat.

Gate valves or knife gate valves are used to control the flow of fluid, such as process fluid, in a pipeline. These valves include a housing having a fluid passageway and a moveable gate for opening or closing the fluid passageway. The gate is configured to slide within a gate passage of a valve body structure. In an open position, the gate is positioned to allow flow through the fluid passageway between inlet and outlet ports of the valve. In a closed position, the gate is positioned to close the fluid passageway and inhibit flow. A gate seat and packing material can be used to form seals along the gate, to prevent flow past the gate, when the gate is closed, and to generally prevent leakage of process fluid from the valve.

Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control US LP


A vehicle including at least one vehicle door having a peripheral are surrounding door gasket wherein a hinge or swivel axis penetrates the vehicle body so that the vehicle door, in such a manner that the vehicle door during opening, is moved in a partial zone toward the interior of the vehicle and in the remaining region in an opposite direction, and with the door gasket is located so that it completely seals the external or outer door gap, formed between the vehicle or outer door and the body, at or in the immediate vicinity of the outer wall of the door.

The present invention relates to a vehicle and, more particularly, to a vehicle with at least one vehicle door and a peripheral or surrounding door gasket or weatherstrip, with the vehicle door including an outer wall and an inner wall, and with the vehicle door being swingable articulated to the vehicle body by at least one hinge whereby the vehicle door, in a closed condition, and the associated vehicle door opening of the body form a cavity extending around the vehicle door, and wherein the swivel axis of the vehicle door passes through the cavity between the vehicle door and the vehicle body in such a manner that a partial zone of an outer wall of the vehicle door, during an opening of the vehicle door, is moved toward an interior of the vehicle and a remaining region of the outer wall of the vehicle door is moved in an opposite direction, with the surrounding door gasket sealing or waterproofing the cavity between the vehicle body and the vehicle door.
Vehicles of this type have been known for a long time. FIGS. 1A, 1B, show, for purposes of explanation, a cross-sectional view of a vehicle door of this type with the corresponding boundary profiles of the body. The vehicle door 11 comprises an outer wall 1 and an inner wall 2 arranged at a spacing with respect to the outer wall. The doors of a vehicle of this type are articulated to the vehicle body so that they can swivel by means of generally respectively two, hinges.
In the closed condition, the vehicle door and the corresponding door opening or cutout of the vehicle body form a cavity 3 having a variable cross section extending around the vehicle door 11, and outer gap generally designated by the reference numeral 4 and an inner gap generally designated by the reference numeral 5; with the corresponding door cutout of the body; this cavity extends around the door 11. The hinges of the vehicle doors of a vehicle pertaining to this kind are normally arranged within the surrounding cavity so that the swivel axis A of the vehicle door passes through the cavity between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. The arrangement of the swivel axis, as seen in the driving direction--behind the foremost edge of the outer door wall has the result that the partial zone of the outer door wall lying in front of the swivel axis is moved, during opening of the vehicle door, toward the interior of the vehicle, while the portion of the outer door wall lying behind the swivel axis executes an opposed swivel motion, i.e. is moved away from the interior of the vehicle.
Since the inner door wall normally exhibits smaller dimensions than the outer door wall and is located, as seen in the driving direction, entirely behind the swivel axis, the inner door wall, during opening of the door, moves uniformly toward the outside. Therefore, in accordance with the state of the art, it is customary to arrange a continuously extending surrounding gasket in the door cutout of the body in such a way that the vehicle door is sealed with respect to the vehicle body along the inner door gap 5 (FIG. 1).
This conventional arrangement of a door gasket for vehicles of this type has the disadvantage that the peripheral cavity formed between the vehicle door and the surrounding door cutout of the vehicle body is not sealed with respect to the outside against penetrating water and dirt which, when vehicle occupants enter the vehicle, are transferred to the occupants' clothing. Furthermore, the surrounding cavity constitutes a resonator for wind noises that can be generated at the outer, open door gap (door gap 4 according to FIG. 1).
It has been known, to lessen these drawbacks, to seal partial zones of the outer door gap by means of additional gaskets mounted to the vehicle body in the peripheral cavity, but these measures cause additional expenses.
U.S. Pat. 3,198,572 discloses a vehicle not of this type, having a door and a peripheral door gasket wherein a peripheral door gasket seals the inner door gap at the front, i.e. in the proximity of the hinge, and seals the outer door gap at the rear, i.e. in the proximity of the lock. In addition to this peripheral door gasket, an additional gasket, not extending continuously, is mounted in the frontal zone for sealing the outer door joint. The provision of this additional, externally located door gasket according to U.S. Pat. 3,198,572 requires an expensive hinge construction wherein the hinge axis is located in front of the forward door edge so that the door during opening is swung toward the outside also in the frontal zone.
Also, vehicles have been known exhibiting hinges lying outside of the outer skin of the vehicle, with a hinge axis extending correspondingly outside of the outermost vehicle contour, the vehicle door thereof having been equipped with a door gasket sealing the outer door gap. In these vehicles, not of the present type, the entire vehicle door including the outer door wall executes, during opening of the door, a uniform swivel motion toward the outside.
It is an object of this invention to structure a vehicle of the present type, with at least one vehicle door and with a surrounding or door gasket, so that the above discussed drawbacks, such as entrance of water and dirt, as well as noises in the surrounding cavity between the vehicle door and the door cutout of the vehicle body, are avoided.
In accordance with advantageous features of the present invention, a vehicle with at least one vehicle door and surrounding door gasket is provided wherein the surrounding door gasket is arranged at the vehicle body or at the vehicle door in such a manner that the outer door gap formed between the outer wall of the vehicle door and the body of the vehicle is completely sealed at or in the immediate vicinity of the other door.
The arrangement of the peripheral door gasket at or in the immediate vicinity of the outer door wall in such a way that the outer door joint is sealed off has the effect that it is impossible for either water or dirt or noises to penetrate into the peripheral cavity between the vehicle door and the vehicle body, in the closed condition of the door.
The continuously extending surrounding gasket can be mounted according to the present invention either to the vehicle body or, preferably, to the vehicle door.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripheral gasket is attached in this arrangement to a mounting web, or fixing rib likewise extending around the door body and fashioned, in particular, as an integral component of the outer door wall. This mounting web or fixing rib is oriented essentially from the vehicle interior toward the outside in the zone of the outer door wall that is moved, during opening of the vehicle door, toward the interior of the vehicle. In the remaining region of the outer door wall lying, as seen in the driving direction, behind the swivel axis and thus performing a swiveling motion toward the outside, the mounting web is correspondingly oriented toward the interior of the vehicle. In the transitional zone between the zone of the outer door wall lying in front of the hinge axis and the door zone lying behind the hinge axis, the direction of the mounting web is constantly rotated by about 180.degree.. In this way, sliding of the door gasket along the contact surface of the gasket at the body is precluded. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the door gasket is, with the vehicle door being closed, in contact with the peripheral contact surface of the body along the entire periphery of the gasket, with uniform contact pressure.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the swivel axis intersects or preferably is tangent on the peripheral door gasket in the transitional zone at two locations, namely, at the upper door contour and the lower door contour. This achieves the result that the door gasket, during opening of the vehicle door, executes at this location a rolling motion with respect to the contact surface of the body.
Preferably, the door gasket is designed to be of one piece as a hollow chamber profile. In this arrangement, the gasket can be composed by gluing from several segments to form a continuous, approximately annular gasket; or it can be manufactured directly by casting or preferably by extrusion in one piece.
The production of the surrounding or peripheral gasket according to this invention by means of an extrusion process is of special advantage, the ends of a corresponding section being joined by cementing (vulcanizing). A one-piece door gasket manufactured in this way by extrusion has an identical cross section at any location.
Preferably, the door gasket is attached by placing it on a correspondingly designed mounting web at the vehicle door, preferably at the outer door wall, by means of a clamping profile insert integrated into the door gasket. The clamping profile insert exhibits, in this arrangement, an approximately U-shaped configuration in cross section.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the door gasket is designed as a hollow chamber profile molding having an approximately annular (oval or circular) cross section. The door gasket can advantageously exhibit at least two sealing lips projecting, especially radially, from the outer contour of the door gasket. This has the effect that the door gasket mounted to the door is in contact with the door cutout of the body along two or more peripheral contact surfaces. This substantially enhances the sealing action.
The vehicle door is preferably designed as a synthetic resin structure; especially for the outer wall, the RRIM (reinforced reaction injection molding) method is preferred. In this embodiment of the invention, the one-piece integration of a peripheral mounting web for the door gasket can be realized in an especially simple way.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the surrounding gasket is attached to the door, the vehicle body has a peripheral contact surface for the gasket. This peripheral contact surface is preferably fashioned, as seen in cross section, to be slightly curved; the radius of this curvature should correspond approximately to the likewise round shape of the surrounding gasket.
However, it is also possible to attach the surrounding gasket to the vehicle body. In this case, a surrounding contact surface for the peripheral gasket is provided at the vehicle door.
In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the provision is made that the surrounding gasket, during closing of the vehicle door, impinges upon the surrounding contact surface at such an angle that the surrounding gasket is pressed essentially without any sliding motion, i.e. without friction with respect to the contact surface, against the latter and is elastically compressed during this step. The surrounding gasket should, in particular, impinge upon the contact surface as perpendicularly as possible, i.e. in the direction of the normal of the surface. This ensures that there will be no friction between the gasket and the contact surface.
Under certain circumstances, a certain sliding friction between the gasket and the contact surface cannot be entirely avoided in the two zones of the door circumference wherein the hinge axis extends in the immediate vicinity of the door gasket, since at these locations the gasket can be constantly in contact with the contact surface even with the door being opened. However, by means of imparting to the contact surface a corresponding configuration, the objective can be attained that, in these regions, there is predominantly a rolling motion between the gasket and the contact surface so that friction is extensively avoided.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, the provision is made to arrange a second sealing surface in addition to the peripheral contact surface at the vehicle body in partial zones or likewise extending all around.
The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the drawings.

Vehicle with vehicle door and door gasket


A braking device, in particular for a motor vehicle, which has a brake disk, a brake caliper fitting around the brake disk, and two brake pads, which rest against the brake disk for the purpose of braking. One of the brake pads can be moved by a motor-driven ball screw which has a threaded spindle and a threaded nut. The ball screw is accommodated within the brake caliper. The threaded nut is connected to a piston which has the brake pad and which is seated on the threaded nut in such a way that it can be tilted relative to the threaded nut, and/or wherein the threaded spindle is mounted on the brake caliper in such a way that it can be tilted relative to the brake caliper.

Braking devices of the type under consideration are used primarily in motor vehicles, for example to provide an electromechanical parking brake. A braking device of this kind is known from DE 198 31 838 B4, for example. The braking device generally comprises a rotating brake disk, around which there fits a brake caliper, a substantially C-shaped metallic component. Provided in the brake caliper are two brake pads, one of which is usually positionally fixed while the other can be moved vertically relative to the brake disk. For this purpose, use is made of a ball screw, which can be driven by means of a motor, which is frequently likewise arranged on the brake caliper or on a housing provided on the latter, the ball screw being coupled motionally to the movable brake pad. In the case of the braking appliance known from DE 198 31 838 B4, the brake pad is connected to the threaded spindle. To apply both brake pads to the brake disk, i.e. for braking, the motor is actuated and the ball screw is moved in such a way that the movable brake pad is pressed onto the brake disk, which for its part is then clamped between the two brake pads. To release the brake, the motor is actuated in the other direction, thereby operating the ball screw in the other direction and moving the movable brake pad out of its braking contact with the brake disk.
With braking appliances of this kind, it has been found to be problematic that the considerable actuating forces involved in pressing the brake pads against the brake disk cause the brake caliper to bend. This bends "open", i.e. the ball screw, which is mounted in a fixed manner on the brake caliper, is effectively supported against the brake disk and bends the brake caliper open if the axial contact force is sufficiently high. This results in an axial offset together with angle errors between the nut and the spindle and any axial and radial bearings. This leads to highly uneven load distribution in the bearings by means of which the ball screw is rotatably mounted on the brake caliper, and this can lead to premature failure.

Braking device, in particular for a motor vehicle