A name that means something to a human can be used to provision multiple channels, multiple times after a one-time association of an binary integer mask bit pattern with the name, or mnemonic. Typically, the one performing the one-time association of the mask pattern with the mnemonic will choose a name that reflects the channel attributes represented by the mask pattern. Thus, rather than remembering a bit pattern for a single attribute, or even the more difficult task of remembering the pattern for multiple attributes, and having to make sure a ‘1’ is placed in a correct bit position among many ‘0’s when entering bit patterns, the one provisioning only enters a mnemonic that textually refers to the attribute, or attributes, to be provisioned for a given channel.

The Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification ("DOCSIS") specifies certain methods and procedures for characterizing a communication channel according to various attributes. For example, a 32-bit type-length value ("TLV") may be received in a configuration file at a cable modem ("CM") during the ranging and registering process with a cable modem termination system ("CMTS"), which communicates with the CM over a hybrid fiber coaxial ("HFC") network. At the CMTS, one or more attribute masks may be stored in a database. Each upstream and downstream communication channel that the CMTS may manage between it and multiple CMs is associated with one or more attribute masks, which are also typically 32-bit integers.
One or more particular bit positions in a channel attribute mask typically correspond to a particular attribute of the channel. For example, the value in the most significant bit in the 32-bit mask may represent whether the channel can bond together with other channels as a single service flow, as described in more detail below. Values in the next two most significant bits may represent whether the channel is a high availability channel and whether the channel is a low latency channel or not. A typical bit assignment is shown in FIG. 1, where bit 0 signifies that a channel can be part of a bonded service, and if the integer value represented by the drawing in FIG. 1 represents a group of channels, bit 0 would signify that the resources over which the service flow will be transmitted is a bonded group of channels. Bit 1 represents that a channel, or bonded group of channels has low latency characteristics used for high quality of service, typically for voice traffic, or other traffic that needs minimum guaranteed bandwidth. Presently, according to DOCSIS, bits 3-15 are reserved for future attributes and bits 16-31, may be used by a user or a cable company operator, which may also be referred to as a multiple services operator ("MSO").
The 32-bit channel attribute mask integers are typically stored at a first database at the CMTS. When the CMTS receives a service flow request from a CM, the CMTS compares a TLV integer received in the service flow request with the attribute masks of all of the available channels it manages. The CMTS assigns the requesting CM to one of the channels that is characterized by the attribute mask, or masks, that represent the attributes that are also represented in the TLV included in the service flow request.
As briefly referred to above, the DOCSIS version 3.0 and ("MULPIv3"), including higher versions ("DOCSIS 3.x+) specification introduced the concept of user-defined attributes. According to MULPIv3, some of these attributes are defined by the standards specification and some are defined by the individual MSO. Attributes are applied, either automatically or through operator provisioning, to each logical upstream or downstream channel of a cable modem termination system ("CMTS") as well as to each set of channels which form a "bonding group." Once attributes are assigned to each resource, a resource being a given channel or group of channels, subsequent service requests can specify attributes which are either desired or not desired with respect to a requested resource.
MULPIv3.0 specifies that the entire set of attributes are reflected within the bits of a single 32-bit unsigned integer value as shown in FIG. 1. MULPIv3.0 defines attributes which the CMTS is expected to manage for bits 0 thru 2 and reserves bits 3-15 for future standards use. Bits 16 thru 31 are open to definition by an individual MSO. One might expect that the attribute encoding schema would probably be different for different MSOs.
While MULPIv3.0 defines the operations to be performed on these attribute masks, it does not specify any support for defining or manipulating individual attributes within the attribute masks themselves. The text of MULPIv3.0 and OSSIv3.0 treat attribute bit masks as unsigned integers—an encoding which is very difficult for a human to work with because of the difficulty in remembering which pattern of 32 ones and zeros represents which attribute, or combination of attributes—especially when the high-order bits are set. Thus, there is a need in the art for a human-friendly method and system for defining the attributes of a channel attribute mask. Further, there is a need in the art for a human-friendly method and system for selecting which attribute masks will define a given channel, or group of channels.

Method and system for using mnemonic symbols to provision channel attributes with an attribute mask


A wrenching tool extension for attaching to a wrenching handle includes a shaft having a drive end adapted for attachment to a wrenching handle and a head receiving end defining an axial bore and further adapted to receive interchangeable heads. A magnetic arm includes a rod and a magnet affixed to one end of the rod. The magnetic arm is axially received in the axial bore and oriented such that the magnet is positioned at the head receiving end of the shaft and is axially translatable in the bore. A side adjustment feature is positioned on an external intermediate surface of the shaft and is mechanically interfaced with the magnetic arm to axially translate the magnetic arm with respect to the shaft.

Mankind has been devising, making, and using tools of one kind or another since before recorded history. Many of these toots are utilized for applying and removing fasteners used for fastening two items together. Fasteners take on many shapes and forms such as clamps, nails, and rivets. However, when a high strength fastener is required, by far the most common fastener is a threaded bolt with a mating threaded nut.
The bolt and nut effectively perform their function as the result of the bolt being received in axially aligned holes in the pieces to be attached one to the other and then threading the nut onto the threaded end of the bolt. The nut is then torqued onto the bolt so that the clamping force generated by the mated pieces creates the necessary frictional force between the mating threads. In order to apply the necessary torque to properly install a bolt and nut fastener, a wrenching tool must be used.
Wrenching tools can be of many types such as those having a handle with a fixed box end or open end affixed at an end of the tool. These ends can be of a fixed size to accept only one size of bolt head or nut, or alternatively, the ends can be adjustable to adapt to multiple bolt head and nut sizes. Such wrenches having heads that are fixed to the handle in a stationary manner must be repeatedly removed and reapplied to the bolt head or nut to achieve the desired torque, and an entire series of wrenches must be available for those with dimensionally fixed ends.
One development in wrenches has been the adoption of a wrenching handle to which a series of differently sized sockets can be attached. In this manner one handle can be utilized for any number of differently sized bolt heads and nuts. Further, ratcheting systems have been incorporated into some wrenching handles so that the socket can be repeatedly and unidirectionally torqued without the socket having to be removed from the bolt head or nut to which it is applied.
Since a large majority of bolts and nuts are fabricated from steel, magnets have been incorporated into tools to assist in keeping the fastener element in engaging contact with the wrenching tool. This is especially helpful where the fastener elements are being applied is areas that are difficult to access with other tools or with the user's hands and fingers. However, some sockets are fabricated as deep well sockets and when mating a relatively short bolt to a nut, the nut or bolt being held by a magnet into the well of the socket may not be able to be mated. Therefore, a wrenching shaft for accepting sockets wherein the shaft has an axially adjustable magnet with a side adjustment mechanism is needed.


Provided are a secondary battery that reduces space restriction during the formation of a protective circuit module (PCM) and improves reliability of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a method of fabricating the secondary battery. The secondary battery includes a battery cell including a cell tab and the PCM. The PCM includes a circuit board, a first terminal, a second terminal, and the PTC device. The circuit board includes an upwardly exposed external terminal. The first terminal is disposed below the circuit board and has one end connected to the cell tab and the extending other end. The second terminal is disposed below the circuit board and has one end connected to the external terminal and the extending other end. The PTC device is disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal and below the circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments relate to a secondary battery and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, rechargeable battery packs include a rechargeable battery cell and a protective circuit module (PCM) for preventing the battery cell from being overcharged or overdischarged. Lithium ion batteries or lithium polymer batteries can be used as the battery cell. The PCM includes a plurality of circuit devices for preventing the battery cell from being overcharged or overdischarged.
The lithium polymer batteries can be complete solid type lithium ion polymer batteries containing no organic electrolyte or lithium ion polymer batteries using a gel type polymer electrolyte containing an organic electrolyte.
In case of the lithium ion polymer batteries, leaking of the electrolyte is reduced or does not occur when compared to lithium ion batteries using liquid electrolyte. Thus, the lithium ion polymer batteries may use a pouch instead of a metal can as a case. The pouch is formed of a metal foil and an insulating layer.

Secondary battery and method of fabricating the same


An electronic watermark embedding device that embeds a graphic pattern representing information in image data includes a signaling feature period changing unit configured to change a period of signaling feature of a graphic pattern, a graphic pattern embedding unit configured to embed the graphic pattern in the image data as a period of the signaling feature changed by the signaling feature period changing unit, and an embedment region detecting unit configured to detect an embedding position where the graphic pattern is embedded from a region of the image data other than a background, whereby the signaling feature period changing unit changes the period of the signaling feature while maintaining the signaling feature when the image data undergo image enlargement or reduction processing, and the graphic pattern embedding unit embeds the graphic pattern in the embedding position on the region of the image data other than the background.

A technique called "electronic watermark" is provided to embed a copyright notice or tracking information of a person who reproduces a copyrighted work in electronic data such as images and sounds.
The technique of the electronic watermark enables embedding the information in an object without being perceived by persons because the information is secretly embedded as a so-called "watermark".
Further, the technique of the electronic watermark enables confirming an unauthorized duplication of a copyrighted work, and tracing leakage of in-company information by detecting the embedment information from the electronic data. As to an electronic medium which may be printed as a document image, it is preferable that the embedment information be detected from not only the electronic data but also a printed paper medium.
Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a method of embedment information among words by horizontally shifting the locations of the words (FIG. 1).
Non-Patent Document 2 discloses a method of enlarging, reducing and rotating a character to embed the information in an electronic document (FIG. 1).
Non-Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 1 disclose a method of embedding a character with information by changing the shape of the character.
Patent Document 7 discloses a method of embedding a watermark by extracting a character image from a document image and forming the character image with a predetermined dot pattern.
Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a method of embedment information in a background of a document image so that information to be embedded is expressed by a specific dot pattern and superimposed onto the background of the document image.
Patent Document 4 discloses, as a method of embedment information in a portion other than a background of a document image, a method of providing a criterion of changing modes of a binary image and a priority order of the modes based on a visual feature of human for the binary image, and inserting the watermarks while sequentially changing the modes from a pixel having a higher priority.
Patent Document 5 discloses a method of dividing a binary image into plural blocks, and changing a pixel value so that residual values obtained from the numbers of black pixels of the blocks divided and a reference value and correspond to watermark information.
Patent Document 6 discloses a method of inserting information into a portion having a predetermined aerial relationship with the edge.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-078006    [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 3628312    [Patent Document 3] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-346032    [Patent Document 4] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2004-289783    [Patent Document 5] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-232698    [Patent Document 6] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2005-524348    [Patent Document 7] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-295606    [Non-Patent Document 1] J. T. Brassil, S. Low, N. F. Maxemchuk, L. O'Gorman, "Electronic marking and identification techniques to discourage document copying", in Proc. IEEE INFOCOM '94, vol. 3, pp. 1278-1287, 1994    [Non-Patent Document 2] Nakamura Yasuhiro, Matsui Kineo, "Embedding Signature into Japanese Printed Documents for Copyright Protection", Information Processing Society of Japan 50th National Convention, vol. 3, pp. 203-204, 1994    [Non-Patent Document 3] Tsujiai Hidekazu, Uetsuji Masayoshi, "Digital Watermark in Lettering Images by Using Character Shape", The transactions of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, vol. 39, pp. 2175-2177, 1999    [Non-Patent Document 4] Inoue Seiki, Yagi Nobuyuki, Hayashi Masaki, Nakasu Eisuke, Mitani Kouji, Okui Masato, Practical Image Processing learning by C language, p. 131-135, Ohmsha, Ltd., 1999

Electronic watermark embedding device, electronic watermark detecting device, and programs therefor


A power-distribution system can detect a transmission-line electrical fault, and the power source can be electrically isolated from the transmission line before a human or equipment is substantially harmed or damaged. A controller on the source side is responsive to one or more sensors that provide a signal indicative of the voltage across the transmitter side of the transmission line. A source-disconnect device operable by the controller electrically isolates the source from the transmission line. A signal-generator circuit is configured to superimpose a higher-wavelength carrier waveform with the source-output waveform on the transmission line. The controller determines the normal impedance of the transmission line from measurement and detects a transmission-line fault, as indicated by a change in carrier waveform reflections or energy content of the carrier waveform and generates a command to open the source-disconnect device upon detection of the fault.

In a typical power-distribution application, power from a central source is distributed through branch circuits to a load device. The branch circuits are equipped with protection devices, such as circuit breakers or fuses. During an electrical fault, such as a short circuit, the protection devices detect an abnormally high level of current and disconnect or interrupt the source from the load before causing damage or fire to the distribution system.
The introduction of the ground fault interrupter (GFI) added electrocution protection to the distribution system by detecting an imbalance between phase currents in a particular branch circuit, indicating that current is flowing through an alternative ground path and possibly in the process of electrocuting an individual.
There are, however, significant shortcomings in traditional distribution protection methods. For example, a fire could still occur from a loose connection. In this case, the series resistance of a live connection increases and heats up to the point of igniting surrounding materials. Alternatively, at sufficiently high voltages, a conductive plasma may form across a small air gap.
The heat build-up from a series fault condition could occur at electrical currents well below the trip point of the branch circuit protection devices. In the case of GFI protection, the GFI circuit can only protect an individual that comes in contact with both a line conductor and a ground point, such as would be the case if an individual touched a live electric conductor with one hand and a sink faucet with the other hand. However, if the individual manages to touch both a live conductor and a return path (such as across the "hot" and neutral conductors of a home outlet) the GFI would not activate, and the person would receive a shock.
There are two primary fault modes to be detected. The first mode is an in-line or series fault where an abnormal resistance is put in series with the path between the source and load. The second fault mode is a cross-line or parallel fault, where, for example, a human or animal touches one or both exposed wires or contacts along the transmission line while it is transporting power.
The requirements for the maximum voltage, current and duration for human contact with an electrical distribution system delivering alternating-current (AC) or direct-current (DC) power are defined in the IEC 60479-1 standard.

Digital electricity using carrier wave change detection


The invention discloses an ejection type safety warning sign for car, having a polyhedral structure for suppressing tumbling in a free state, capable of being restrained into tubular storage state by external force, and automatically releasing as polyhedral structure when external force disappears; polyhedral structure having warning marker on surface. A ejection system comprises: warning sign; launch tube having inner cavity for accommodating warning sign in tubular storage state; pressure tank communicated with end of launch tube; solenoid valve disposed between launch tube and pressure tank; controller connected to solenoid valve; launch tube having piston for pushing warning sign. When sudden situation occurs during driving, driver can press ejection button of warning sign while braking, so that warning sign can be ejected and stays near position of braking. Location of warning sign is at distance from position parking, eliminating take warning sign, promptly alerting rear car, reducing rear-end accidents.

In recent years, with the increase of car ownership, the increase of haze phenomenon and the overload of large trucks, the number of consecutive rear-end collision on expressways has been increasing. The number of consecutive rear-end cars ranges from a dozen to dozens, which cause the consequences of great injuries and deaths at the same time.
A large part of these accidents are caused by the fact that drivers do not have time to place safety warning signs. Through calculation, the average time is no less than three minutes from the driver seeing the emergency situation in front of the driver, taking the braking measures, waiting until the car stops, walking out of the car to the trunk to take the safety warning sign, walking to the safe distance behind the car, to placing the safety warning sign. If the trunk has too much baggage and it is inconvenient to take the safety warning sign, it will last longer. There are even some drivers who are unwilling to get off the bus to place the safety warning sign because of poor safety awareness or bad weather outside the car. The safety warning signs of existing car are required to be picked up manually by the driver and placed at a safe distance to the rear of the car on foot. The disadvantage is that it takes a long time to be placed, and it is impossible to promptly and effectively warn the rear car, thereby increasing the probability of a rear-end collision. The technical solution of the present invention can realize the rapid placement of the safety warning sign, and can effectively alert rear vehicles in time to avoid it in the first time.

Ejection type safety warning sign for car and ejection system thereof

ZHENG ZHOU DELTA MOTOR SERVICES CO., LTD.


Techniques for efficiently capturing, generating and distributing more realistic images and video are provided. Among other aspects of the invention, a system is provided that includes tags that display dynamic image elements on a display with the aid of a physics model. In other aspects, the system selects among available physics models and virtual objects that serve as potential subjects for rendering dynamic image elements, based on system resource costs and resolution standards. In still other aspects, a new image file format contains embedded physical model and virtual object data for rendering images and video.

In the visual arts, a series of related images or reports may be used for a variety of purposes. For example, in the motion picture industry, a series of related images taken at time intervals are later projected to generate the illusion of motion to a viewer. In the field of financial reporting, a series of related images (such as analytical reports) may be required to depict financial changes in a particular industry or company, or changes from one company to another or from one area to another. Regardless of the field, traditionally, a new image of comparable or similar size may be recorded and projected for certain intervals taken.
In the field of photography, the detection and treatment of shapes within an image or series of images has been sought. For example, certain technology by Sony Corporation permits the recognition of human faces and smiles by cameras. Also in the motion picture industry, the projection of background images, further away from a foreground subject, into composite images is possible. This is often accomplished by use of a backdrop color (as in "green-screen" technology) which a system is able to replace with a desired background image, which generally does not interfere with the foreground subject in a recorded composite image including the two.
More recently, augmented reality systems have been developed, which permit the synthesis of computer generated ("CG") images with captured images from photographic sources, with the aid of marker objects recognized by the system which are used as a location point for projecting a computer-generated image. These systems result in the generation of composite images with both real-world and CG elements.
The present invention relates to techniques, systems and methods for more efficiently and more richly capturing, recording, transmitting, projecting and viewing both fixed and dynamic elements, image aspects or components (which terms can be used interchangeably in this application) of related images. The present invention also relates to new image formats, that may not have intervals or gaps and that may not rely on the persistence of vision for the appearance motion.
Generally speaking, images, sound and other sensed phenomena have been captured in digital formats and media, which have had several advantages over analog storage formats and media, including relative immunity to degradation and easy computation by digital computers. However, digital formats have the disadvantage of fixed and uniform stepped intervals, which noticeably reduces the quality of playback, projection and experience, particularly at high frequencies of sound or light waves, because higher frequency waves are thereby expressed with a more incomplete waveform shape than lower frequencies. In response, several digital-to-analog converters have been introduced into the market, which attempt to "smooth" the stepped intervals with interpolated data between the bits of digital data. But digital-to-analog conversion causes data degradation and, in any event, can never accurately restore the original form of the phenomenon recorded.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for improving video and other media playback


The apparatus of the present invention is designed to provide an apparatus for placement and removal of gas containing tanks in various locations for usage or transport. The apparatus includes a transport carriage assembly with wheels for moving thereof and a generally vertical beam with an angularly positioned reinforcing member for strengthening thereof. A parallel swing brace is pivotally connected to the vertical beam and extends outwardly therefrom. A tank retaining bracket assembly is secured to the outermost end of the parallel swing brace. Holding brackets and a foot plate are secured to the parallel swing braces and define a tank holding zone. A strap secures the tank to the retaining bracket. A drive is connected to the parallel swing brace to power movement thereof in a vertical direction either upwardly or downwardly as needed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention deals with the field of utilized to facilitate lifting and handling of gas tanks such as oxygen tanks especially when placement and movement thereof from one position to a position of a different elevation as required. Such devices often include a manual manipulating mechanism or a powered actuator for facilitating this movement.
These devices are commonly utilized for transporting oxygen cylinders into emergency vehicles and for removal therefrom. The present invention includes a unique construction for assuring that the tank and the tank base are firmly secured on the substrate upon which they are desired to be placed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Other patents have been designed for facilitating the handling and transporting of utility tanks such as U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,209 patented Oct. 13, 1931 to C. W. Robbins on an "Industrial Truck"; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,896,249 patented Feb. 7, 1933 to F. B. Russell on a "Carrier"; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,463,967 patented Mar. 8, 1949 to E. C. Hefelfinger on a "Cylinder Carriage"; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,500,055 patented Mar. 7, 1950 to R. W. Baker on a "Combined Truck And Hoist Device"; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,624,483 patented Jan. 6, 1953 to E. E. Ketzel on a "Carrier For Welding Outfits"; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,257 patented Jan. 10, 1956 to R. H. F. Stresau, Jr. on a "Chassis Truck"; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,738,086 patented Mar. 13, 1956 to W. A. Reich on a "Hand Truck For Handling Banana Bunches"; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,147 patented Sep. 8, 1959 to G. E. Davis, Jr. on a "Lifting And Mounting Device For Outboard Motors"; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,905,347 patented Sep. 22, 1959 to F. P. Hopfeld on a "Drum Handling Lift Truck"; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,046 patented Oct. 7, 1969 to G. H. Hess on a "Cart For Gas Cylinders"; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,097 patented Jan. 25, 1972 to R. R. Horowitz and assigned to S&H Industries, Inc. on a "Power-Operated Tailgate With Maximum Rearward Displacement Between Fully Elevated And Fully Lowered Positions"; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,342 patented Aug. 8, 1972 to D. L. Evans on "Lifting Devices"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,070 patented May 3, 1977 to F. J. Shea on a "Mechanical Lift"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,281 patented Nov. 22, 1977 to D. W. Evans and assigned to Towmotor Corporation on a "Mounting Assembly For A Controllably Movable Fluid Tank"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,937 patented Jun. 3, 1980 to N. C. Fawley on a "Carrier For Compressed Gas Cylinders"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,529 patented Sep. 9, 1980 to A. DeShano on a "Delivery Trailer"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,661 patented Mar. 9, 1982 to J. T. Helm and assigned to Dozier Equipment International Company on a "Drum Handling Device For Forklift"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,123 patented Aug. 20, 1985 to W. E. Snyder on a "Hand Truck Apparatus For Elevating And Transporting An Object"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,656 patented Oct. 7, 1986 to J. T. Geraghty, Jr. on a "Cylinder Gripping Attachment For A Fork Lift Truck"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,582 patented Apr. 19, 1988 to J. E. Roberts and assigned to E Manufacturing Company Inc. on a "Tank Carrier And Manipulator"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,056 patented Feb. 28, 1989 to S. Oshima on an "Elevator Device Transportable In A Motor Vehicle"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,381 patented Jul. 10, 1990 to A. L. Rysewyk and assigned to American Telephone and Telegraph Company on a "Mobile Hoist"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,280 patented Apr. 14, 1992 to M. P. Ziaylek et al and assigned to Michael P. Ziaylek on an "Apparatus For Use With An Emergency Vehicle For Storage And Retrieval Of Remotely Located Emergency Devices"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,311 patented Sep. 8, 1992 to F. S. Salvucci and assigned to Anthony Welded Products, Inc. on a "Cylindrical Tank Lift With Four Wheels For Mobility And Stability"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,550 patented May 4, 1993 to M. S. Lehman and assigned to Valley Craft on a "Drum Handler"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,628 patented May 11, 1993 to C. C. Hassell on a "Self-Loading Dolly Mount Apparatus"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,839 patented May 3, 1994 to K. L. Loebker et al on a "Bottled Gas Cart"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,136 patented Aug. 23, 1994 to R. M. MacNeil et al and assigned to Canadian Liquid Air Ltd. on a "Cylinder Cart With Magnetics"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,278 patented Sep. 6, 1994 to H. Emig, Jr. on an "Apparatus For Raising And Moving An Open Ended Container"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,357 patented Sep. 13, 1994 to C. C. Hassell on a "Self-Locking Parallel-Motion Dolly Mount"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,338 patented Nov. 22, 1994 to E. P. Mortensen on a "Lift And Tow Motorcycle Transporter"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,098 patented Aug. 8, 1995 to T. A. Matus and assigned to Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. on a "Gas Cylinder Lifting System"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,357 patented May 21, 1996 to T. Ziaylek, Jr. et al and assigned to Theodore Ziaylek, Jr. and Michael P. Ziaylek on a "Retaining And Retrieval Apparatus For Storage Of A Ladder Upon A Vehicle Shelf Area"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,154 patented Apr. 8, 1997 to A. J. Irons, Jr. et al and assigned to Easy Lift Equipment Co., Inc. on a "Drum Transporter"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,118 patented Aug. 19, 1997 to B. Luca on a "Cylinder Transporter"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,857 patented Aug. 11, 1998 to T. Ziaylek, Jr. et al and assigned to Theodore Ziaylek, Jr. and Michael Paul Ziaylek on an "Automatic Ladder Lowering And Storage Device For Use With An Emergency Vehicle"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,612 patented Nov. 16, 1999 to M. D. Tatro on a "Tank Lifting Device"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,474 patented Aug. 31, 1999 to M. M. Cummins et al and assigned to Drum Runner Material Handling Co. on a "Support For A Cylindrical Container"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,312 patented Jul. 11, 2000 to M. P. Ziaylek et al on a "Tank Handling Apparatus"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,048 patented Jan. 9, 2001 to C. J. Grimes on a "Fire Suppression Agent Storage Container Lifting And Transportation Device"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,048 patented Apr. 9, 2002 to E. A. Womble et al on a "Transport Cart For Elongated Objects"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,248 patented Jun. 18, 2002 to D. E. McGill et al on an "Apparatus For Lifting And Moving An Upright Cylindrical Container"; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,398 patented Apr. 15, 2008 to J. J. O'Connor and assigned to Lincoln Global, Inc. on a "Cart For Welding Operations"; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,543 patented Apr. 22, 2008 to G. Coleman et al and assigned to Itec Manufacturing Ltd. on a "Patient Assist Lift"; and U.S. Publication No. 2002/0076313 published Jun. 20, 2002 to R. Vartanian Sr. on a "Platform Lift"; and U.S. Publication No. 2007/0292249 published Dec. 20, 2007 to M. Wilson and assigned to Itec Manufacturing, Ltd. on a "Compact System For Lifting And Moving Pressurized Tank"; and United States Publication No. 2008/0000486 published Jan. 3, 2008 to M. Wilson and assigned to Itec Manufacturing, Ltd. on "Straps For Restraining A Patient's Arms".

Portable tank lifting and handling apparatus


A light-emitting device (100) includes a substrate (110), a first electrode (120), an auxiliary electrode (124), an insular conductive layer (126), an insulating layer (170), an organic layer (130), and a second electrode (140). The first electrode (120) is formed over the substrate (110), and is formed using a transparent conductive material. The auxiliary electrode (124) is formed over the first electrode (120). The conductive layer (126) is formed over the first electrode (120), and is formed of the same material as that of the auxiliary electrode (124). The insulating layer (170) is formed over a portion of the first electrode (120), and covers the auxiliary electrode (124) and the conductive layer (126). The organic layer (130) is formed over the first electrode (120), and the second electrode (140) is formed over the organic layer (130).

In recent years, there has been progress in the development of light-emitting devices including an organic electroluminescence (EL) element as a light-emitting element. The organic EL element has a configuration in which an organic layer is interposed between a first electrode which is a transparent electrode and a second electrode. A transparent conductive material is higher in resistance than a metal material such as Al. For this reason, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2, an auxiliary electrode constituted of a metal is often formed in the transparent electrode.
In Patent Document 1, examples of materials of the auxiliary electrode include Cu, Ag, and Al. In addition, in Patent Document 2, coating materials obtained by dispersing metal particles in water, alcohol or the like are exemplified as materials of the auxiliary electrode. Here, examples of the metal particles include Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr, and an alloy thereof. Meanwhile, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the auxiliary electrode and the transparent electrode are formed on a substrate in this order.

Light-emitting device with auxiliary electrode and adjacent insular conductive portions


A touchscreen panel unit includes a scrolling determination part configured to determine whether to scroll a displayable region of information to be displayed on a screen based on the positional relationship between the position of a first contact with the screen and the position of a second contact with the screen; a scrolling setting part configured to set the scrolling direction and the scrolling distance of the displayable region based on the position of the first contact and a contact position path starting at the position of the second contact, in response to the scrolling determination part determining that the displayable region is to be scrolled; and a scrolling information output part configured to output information indicating the scrolling direction and the scrolling distance set by the scrolling setting part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-touch compliant touchscreen panel unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
A touchscreen panel unit is an input device whose display surface is touched directly for operating an apparatus. Unlike a keyboard or a mouse, the touchscreen panel unit makes it possible to make inputs by directly touching buttons or a software keyboard displayed on the display screen, thus having the advantage of enabling intuitive operations and making operations easy to understand even for users unfamiliar with the apparatus. A liquid crystal display (LCD) may be used for the touchscreen panel unit.
Further, there is a touchscreen panel unit that can be operated by being touched at multiple points simultaneously. Such a touchscreen panel unit is called a multi-touch touchscreen panel unit. In the multi-touch touchscreen panel unit, it is possible to make an input by simultaneously touching multiple points on the display screen. This enables multiple users to work together by touching a large screen. Further, it is possible to move and rotate an object and to zoom in or out an image by touching the screen simultaneously with multiple fingers.
For related techniques, reference may be made to, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2007-80291, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2007-4762, and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-306247.
The touchscreen panel unit displays externally input information on a display screen. Further, in response to a user touching a predetermined region displayed on the display screen, the touchscreen panel unit detects the touched predetermined region, and outputs information corresponding to the predetermined region. Further, in response to application of pressure to a predetermined region on the display screen with a pen dedicated to touchscreen panels, such as a stylus, or an ordinary pen, the touchscreen panel unit detects the predetermined region and outputs information corresponding to the predetermined region. A user can perform an operation corresponding to a predetermined region displayed on the display by touching the predetermined region.
If information to be displayed does not fit in the display screen, the touchscreen panel unit can specify a displayable partial region of the information to be displayed. By moving the specified displayable partial region, it is possible to display the information to be displayed. For example, the displayable partial region is specified with a scroll bar. The scroll bar is a graphical user interface (GUI) for moving a display region. Generally, the scroll bar includes a horizontal scroll bar for moving the displayable partial region horizontally relative to the display screen and a vertical scroll bar for moving the displayable partial region vertically relative to the display screen. For example, the horizontal scroll bar is provided at the bottom of the displayable partial region and the vertical scroll bar is provided on the right side of the displayable partial region.

Touchscreen panel unit, scrolling control method, and recording medium


A squeezebottle dispenser having an inner flexible bag containing a viscous fluid in fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle. A vent hole is provided in the squeezebottle side wall which is blocked by the user to prevent air from exiting the squeezebottle during squeezing so that air compression within the squeezebottle forces the inner bag to discharge its contents through the dispensing nozzle. When the squeezebottle is released, the vent hole is unblocked in order to vent air into the squeezebottle so that the squeezebottle may return to its unsqueezed shape. The vented air entering an air space located between the squeezebottle and the inner bag replaces the volume of the contents discharged from the inner bag. The addition of a recessed channel, formed between the vent hole and a venting point, which is covered with a compliant film to form an air passage, enables the user to block the vent hole indirectly. When the compliant film is pressed into and against the recessed channel anywhere along the air passage, air cannot escape from inside the squeezebottle, thereby enabling air compression to occur inside the squeezebottle.

Viscous materials, such as toothpaste, are commonly packaged in collapsible tubes which offer the advantages of low cost and ease of use. However, consumer satisfaction with tubes has been limited by their messiness and their poor appearance during use. In addition, tubes can be inconvenient to store because they occupy a large area when laid on their sides.
More recently, mechanical pumps have been introduced with some success because they overcome the negative features of collapsible tubes, and because they occupy less counter and shelf space by virtue of standing upright. However, mechanical pump packages are expensive and they require relatively high forces to dispense viscous products.
The squeezebottle dispenser, disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,165 issued to Van Coney on Jun. 27, 1989, has been well received as an alternative to mechanical pumps and collapsible tubes for dispensing toothpaste. The squeezebottle dispenser of Van Coney is marketed as Neat Squeeze.TM., which is sold by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. The upright Neat Squeeze dispenser has all the benefits of mechanical pumps, yet it is less expensive, less messy, and requires lower forces for dispensing toothpaste.
The toothpaste in the Neat Squeeze dispenser is suspended in a thin flexible bag inside an outer squeezebottle. The upper hall of the flexible bag is secured to the interior of the squeezebottle at the shoulder of the squeezebottle and approximately at the midpoint of the squeezebottle in order to facilitate bag inversion as toothpaste is dispensed. When the squeezebottle is squeezed, the volume of air between the bottle and the toothpaste-filled bag is compressed, thereby driving toothpaste from the bag through a nozzle located at the uppermost end of the squeezebottle.
A suckback valve is located between the nozzle and the flexible bag to substantially prevent air from entering the flexible bag through the nozzle at the conclusion of each dispensing cycle when the squeezebottle is released. An air vent valve, which is closed during dispensing, is provided in the bottom of the squeezebottle to vent air to the inside of the squeezebottle to enable the squeezebottle to expand to its unsqueezed shape after dispensing.
The air vent valve of the Neat Squeeze dispenser is a flap of compliant material spot-bonded inside and around one or more vent holes of the squeezebottle's flat bottom. The vent holes are scaled by the flap when pressure is suddenly developed within the squeezebottle. When the bottle is released and a negative pressure develops as the resilient bottle attempts to return to its unsqueezed shape, the flap lifts and air enters the bottle via the vent holes and the spaces between spot bonds. The flap style vent valve is reliable, but it is also relatively expensive due to the need to handle small pieces of flimsy film during assembly.
Prior an shows simpler resilient squeezebottle dispensers having unrestricted holes in the side walls, which are manually closed by the user when squeezing the bottle. That is, a finger or thumb is placed over the hole during squeezing to prevent air from escaping. When released, the hole serves as a vent to allow air into the bottle. Such vents are inexpensive, but have the disadvantage of requiring the bottle to be held in a certain manner for actuation.
A desirable feature of squeezebottle dispensers having inner bags is refill capability. One approach to refilling is to inject product through an opened or removed suckback valve and into a collapsed bag housed within a squeezebottle. The bag is expanded to its full condition, and the suckback valve is closed or reinstalled after the product injecting tube is removed. However, this refilling approach requires the ability to rapidly vent air from between the squeezebottle and the bag as the bag expands. The flap style vent valve of the Neat Squeeze dispenser will not permit air to rapidly vent from the squeezebottle. A centrally located thumb or finger-covered hole in the bottle side wall will permit air to vent out of a squeezebottle only until the inner bag expands enough to block the hole. Thus, neither of the above-described vent valve alternatives are appropriate for this particular refill approach.
An object of the present invention is to provide a squeezebottle dispenser having a vent valve with the simplicity of an open hole in the squeezebottle side wall combined with the reliability of the more expensive film checkvalve.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a squeezebottle dispenser having a remotely located, normally open to atmosphere, vent valve which will permit refilling the flexible bag while it remains within the squeezebottle.

Squeezebottle dispenser having a channeled vent valve


Ruggedized field terminated optical fiber connector systems comprising a field terminated connector assembly including a drop cable coupled to a connector, the drop cable having a custom length. The ruggedized field terminated connector system may further comprise a rugged front portion configured to slide over at least a portion of the field terminated connector assembly, and a rear connector body configured to couple to the rugged front portion. The rear body has a crimp ring and a grommet is slide into said crimp ring, and secured therein.

Demand for bandwidth by enterprises and individual consumers continues to experience exponential growth. To meet this demand efficiently and economically, data centers have to achieve ultra-high density cabling with low loss budgets. Fiber optics have become the standard cabling medium used by data centers to meet the growing needs for data volume, transmission speeds, and low losses. An optical fiber connector is a mechanical device disposed at an end of an optical fiber, and acts as a connector of optical paths, for example when optical fibers are joined to each other. An optical fiber connector may be coupled with an adapter to connect an optical fiber cable to other optical fiber cables or devices. An adapter generally includes a housing, or portion of a housing, having at least one port which is configured to receive and hold a connector to facilitate the optical connection of one connector to another connector or other device.
In external applications wherein the adapters and connectors may be exposed to weather, such as rain or moisture, the connectors may be ruggedized. However, weatherproof ruggedized optical connection cables are factory made, and only in common lengths, and delivered into the field where they are used to extend optical fiber service from a centralized distribution enclosure to a nearby customer. Accordingly, there is a need for ruggedized optical fiber connectors that may be field terminated.

Field terminated ruggedized fiber optic connector system


A method and modem is provided for communicating data using a plurality of tones. The modem includes an IFFT unit capable of providing a signal comprising a plurality of tones, an interpolator capable of interpolating the signal to produce an interpolated signal, and a tone adder capable of adding a tone having a first preselected frequency and the interpolated signal to produce an output signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to modem communications, and, more particularly, generating tones in a multi-tone modem.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the complexity of online content grows, many users find that typical connections, such as a 28.8 KBPS modem, are simply not fast enough. Even newer modems that allow communication speeds of 56.6 KBPS seem slow in some applications. A common bottleneck in online applications, such as the Internet, is telecommunications bandwidth. Projected demand for additional services, such as video-on-demand, teleconferencing, interactive television, and the like is likely to exacerbate the bandwidth problem.
One telecommunications protocol designed to alleviate the bandwidth problem is described in the asynchronous digital subscriber line (ADSL) standard, ANSI T1.413 Issue 2, entitled, "Interface Between Networks and Customer Installation--Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Metallic Interface, Rev. R6, dated Sep. 26 1997, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
ADSL modems use two competing modulation schemes: discrete multitone (DMT) and carrierless amplitude/phase modulation (CAP). DMT is the standard adopted by the American National Standards Institute.
The technology employed by DMT ADSL modems is termed discrete multi-tone. The standard defines 256 discrete tones. Each tone represents a carrier signal that can be modulated with a digital signal for transmitting data. The specific frequency for a given tone is 4.3125 KHz times the tone number. Tones 1-7 are reserved for voice band and guard band (i.e., tone 1 is the voice band and tones 2-7 are guard bands). Data is not transmitted near the voice band to allow for simultaneous voice and data transmission on a single line. The guard band helps isolate the voice band from the ADSL data bands. Typically, a splitter may be used to isolate any voice band signal from the data tones. Tones 8-32 are used to transmit data upstream (i.e., from the user), and tones 33-256 are used to transmit data downstream (i.e., to the user). Alternatively, all the data tones 8-256 may be used for downstream data, and upstream data present on tones 8-32 would be detected using echo cancellation. Because more tones are used for downstream communication than for upstream communication, the transfer is said to be asymmetric.
Through a training procedure, the modems on both sides of the connection sense and analyze which tones are less affected by impairments in the telephone line. Each tone that is accepted is used to carry information. Accordingly, the maximum capacity is set by the quality of the telephone connection. The maximum data rate defined by the ADSL specification, assuming all tones are used, is about 8 MBPS downstream and about 640 KBPS upstream.
The DMT ADSL modem described above is hereinafter referred to as "full-rate" modem because it utilizes all 256 tones (sometimes referred to as "sub-channels") as defined by the (ANSI) ADSL standard. The standardized DMT system uses the 256 tones in the forward (downstream) direction, where the downstream direction is typically construed as transmissions from a central office (typically owned by the telephone company) to an end-user. FIG. 1 illustrates the bandwidth requirements for a "full-rate" ADSL modem. To support the frequency bandwidth shown in FIG. 1, the "full-rate" ADSL modem must have an analog sampling rate of at least 2.2E+6 samples per second.
The DMT ADSL modem generally utilizes a 512-point Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) for modulation and a 512-point Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for demodulation. When transmitting a signal, the DMT ADSL modem uses a 512-point IFFT to generate an output signal from 256 complex data values. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any two symmetrically located FFT bins form a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) channel. The QAM channel can be modulated by a complex symbol, which means that it is possible to modulate the amplitude and phase of the QAM channel. All QAM channels except the N/2-th (e.g., 512.div.2=256.sup.th) channel can be modulated by a complex symbol, where N is the number of bins or channels of an IFFT unit. The N/2-th channel, which is typically not used by DMT ADSL modems, has a quadrature carrier identical to zero, and thus can be modulated only by a real symbol.
The DMT standard for a full-rate modem requires the generation of several necessary tones for communication. For example, the DMT standard requires generation of a 276 KHz pilot tone as well as a 310.5 KHz tone. The 276 KHz pilot tone is utilized for synchronization between two communicating modems. Because the specific frequency for a given tone is 4.3125 KHz times the tone number, the pilot tone (i.e., 276 KHz) corresponds to the 64.sup.th tone and the 310.5 KHz tone corresponds to the 72.sup.nd tone. The pilot tone is a complex tone, having a magnitude and a phase. The phase of the pilot tone, which is specified as 45 degrees, for example, can be utilized by a receiving DMT ADSL modem to synchronize an incoming signal.
The above described full-rate DMT ADSL modem has a high bandwidth for transmitting data, but is inflexible. All potential installations might not require the same bandwidth. In addition, due to the algorithm processing requirements, storage requirements, power consumption, gate count, analog sample converter rate, and physical size required to support the bandwidth shown in FIG. 1, the modem is costly, which may preclude its use for certain applications. Accordingly, DMT ADSL modems that support smaller bandwidth than full-rate modems are emerging in the market.
A quarter-rate DMT ADSL modem, for example, has a lower bandwidth than the full-rate modem but still uses the DMT scheme to communicate with other modems. A quarter-rate modem has a bandwidth of 276 KHz (1.104 MHz.div.4), and it operates at a sampling rate of 552KHz.
While utilizing lower bandwidth DMT modems has several advantages, there is, however, at least one shortcoming. Lower bandwidth DMT modems sometimes may not be compatible with full-rate DMT modems because of their inability to generate certain tones required by the DMT standard. That is, the lower bandwidth modems may not be capable of generating several necessary tones, such as the 276 KHz pilot tone and the 310.5 KHz tone, which are required by the DMT standard for a full-rate modem.
The 276 KHz and 310.5 KHz tones may not be readily generated in certain lower bandwidth DMT modems for a variety of reasons. For example, in a quarter-rate modem, the FFT has 128 bins (e.g., N=128), which means that channel 64 corresponds to the N/2-th channel. The 64.sup.th channel corresponds to the 276 KHz pilot tone that is required by a full-rate DMT modem and is typically modulated with a known amplitude and phase. However, because the 64.sup.th channel is the N/2 channel in a quarter-rate modem, it has a quadrature carrier that is equal to zero and cannot be modulated by a complex symbol (e.g., no imaginary component), as is required by the DMT standard for full modems. The 310.5 KHz tone, which corresponds to the 72.sup.nd channel, is simply not available in a quarter-rate modem that has a bandwidth of only 276 KHz (i.e., only 64 channels).
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

Method and apparatus for generating tones in a multi-tone modem


The present application relates to a composition, in particular a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, which is in solid form, comprising an oily phase and at least one compound of formula (I) below:

The present invention relates to a solid composition, in particular a solid cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, such as a care, treatment and/or make-up composition for the skin, including the scalp, and/or for the lips of human beings, the said composition comprising a thickened liquid fatty phase and being in particular in the form of a stick or tube of make-up, such as a lipstick.
It is common practice to use a structured, i.e. thickened or gelled, liquid fatty phase in compositions, in particular cosmetic and dermatological compositions, in order to obtain the desired consistency. The thickening of oils (or of phases that are liquid at room temperature) in particular makes it easier to take up the product from its packaging without any significant loss, to limit the diffusion of the product to the local treatment area, to distribute the product uniformly over the local treatment area or to be able to use the product in amounts that are sufficient to obtain the desired cosmetic or dermatological effect. This is especially the case in solid compositions such as deodorants, lip balms and lipsticks, concealer products and cast foundations. This thickening is of prime importance in particular for care, hygiene or make-up compositions such as lipsticks which need to be distributed homogeneously over the local surface to be treated, as well as for hair compositions which need to be spread and distributed uniformly along the keratin fibres and not run down the forehead, the nape of the neck, the face or into the eyes.
To overcome these problems, use is usually made of waxes or fillers. Unfortunately, these waxes and/or fillers have a tendency to make the composition matt and opaque, which is not always desirable, in particular for a lipstick. Specifically, women are always in search of a lipstick in the form of a tube which gives a glossy film; moreover, certain compositions such as lip balms or ointments can be in the form of translucent, or even transparent, sticks.
It is also known practice to thicken oils with polymeric thickeners. Unfortunately, the known thickeners for oils have to be used in large amounts in order to obtain a gel of high viscosity, for example of greater than 1.3 Pa.s. However, too large an amount of thickener can give the composition inadequate cosmetic properties, in particular a sticky feel and a lack of slipperiness, these drawbacks potentially being very inconvenient, or even unacceptable.
Moreover, it is also known practice to gel compositions, in particular cosmetic compositions, using a gelling agent of trialkyl tri(alkylamino-carbonyl)cyclohexane type. These gelling agents make it possible to improve the stability of the compositions comprising them. However, once again, the gels obtained have poor transparency. Furthermore, a large proportion of these gelling agents do not allow oily silicone media to be gelled.
Finally, it is known practice to thicken cosmetic compositions with diamide derivatives, especially in documents JP7/138 555 and JP10/237 034. However, the cosmetic compositions disclosed in the said prior art all comprise a large amount of waxes (beeswax, ozokerite or hexadecanoic acid in particular). The structuring and gelation of the stick therefore does not take place solely due to the diamide compounds, but also due to the waxes. However, using a large amount of waxes has certain drawbacks, especially in terms of the matt effect or opacity of the final composition thus prepared.
Furthermore, it is not possible to incorporate silicone oils in large amount into a composition also comprising conventional waxes.
One object of the present invention is to propose the production of a composition, in particular a cosmetic composition, which is in solid form, and which preferably comprises little or even no waxes, while at the same time being capable, firstly, of retaining good cosmetic properties, and in particular a certain level of translucency, or even transparency, and, secondly, of comprising silicone oils, in particular in large amount.
One subject of the invention is thus a composition, in particular a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, which is in solid form, comprising an oily phase and at least one compound of formula (I) below:
Rxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Rxe2x80x2
in which:
R and Rxe2x80x2, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic, preferably a saturated linear, hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, in particular 6-18 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 14 carbon atoms, more preferably from 11 to 13 carbon atoms and better still 11 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more groups chosen from aryl (xe2x80x94C6H5) ester (xe2x80x94COORxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms), amide (xe2x80x94CONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms), urethane (xe2x80x94OCONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms) and urea (xe2x80x94NHCONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms) groups; and/or optionally containing 1 to 3 hetero atoms chosen from O, S and N; and/or optionally substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms, in particular fluorine atoms, and/or with 1 to 3 hydroxyl radicals, on condition that R and Rxe2x80x2 are other than hydrogen, and
A represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear, cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chain (in the form of a divalent radical) containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, in particular 2 to 12 carbon atoms and preferably from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more groups chosen from aryl (xe2x80x94C6H5), ester (xe2x80x94COORxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms), amide (xe2x80x94CONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms), urethane (xe2x80x94OCONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms) and urea (xe2x80x94NHCONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms) groups; and/or optionally containing 1 to 3 hetero atoms chosen from O, S and N; and/or optionally substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms, in particular fluorine atoms, and/or with 1 to 3 hydroxyl radicals.
Specifically, it is been found that using the compounds of formula (I) makes it possible to structure and thicken liquid (or oily) fatty phases substantially, or even to gel them completely, and thus to obtain stable cosmetic compositions in solid gelled form, which have satisfactory cosmetic properties. These compositions may even be free of waxes while at the same time retaining their rigidity and their good cosmetic properties. Moreover, the liquid fatty phase may be gelled even though it comprises a large amount of silicone oils.
The composition according to the invention has good cosmetic properties: it is not sticky when applied and is slippery and easy to apply. It produces a homogeneous, uniform film which covers well and is comfortable to wear.
Furthermore, the composition may advantageously be clear, transparent or translucent. These terms are understood as having their conventional dictionary definitions. Thus, a translucent composition allows light to pass through without, however, allowing the contours of objects to be clearly distinguished. A transparent composition allows light to pass through easily and allows objects to be distinguished clearly through its thickness.
In general, a transparent composition will have a maximum light transmittance value, irrespective of the wavelength, of between 400 nm and 800 nm, through a 1 cm thick sample, of between 35% and 100% and preferably of at least 50% (see EP 291 334). A translucent composition will have a maximum light transmittance value of between 2% and 35%. The transmittance can be measured by placing a 1 cm thick sample in the light beam of a spectrophotometer working in the wavelengths of the light spectrum.
The composition according to the invention thus comprises at least one compound corresponding to formula (I) below:
Rxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Rxe2x80x2
in which:
R and Rxe2x80x2, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic, preferably a saturated linear, hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, in particular 6-18 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 14 carbon atoms, more preferably from 11 to 13 carbon atoms and better still 11 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more groups chosen from aryl (xe2x80x94C6H5), ester (xe2x80x94COORxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms), amide (xe2x80x94CONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms), urethane (xe2x80x94OCONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms) and urea (xe2x80x94NHCONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms) groups; and/or optionally containing 1 to 3 hetero atoms chosen from O, S and N; and/or optionally substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms, in particular fluorine atoms, and/or with 1 to 3 hydroxyl radicals,
on condition that R and Rxe2x80x2 are other than hydrogen, and
A represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear, cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chain (in the form of a divalent radical) containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, in particular 2 to 12 carbon atoms and preferably from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more groups chosen from aryl (xe2x80x94C6H5), ester (xe2x80x94COORxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms), amide (xe2x80x94CONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms), urethane (xe2x80x94OCONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms) and urea (xe2x80x94NHCONHRxe2x80x3 with Rxe2x80x3 being an alkyl group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms) groups; and/or optionally containing 1 to 3 hetero atoms chosen from O, S and N; and/or optionally substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms, in particular fluorine atoms, and/or with 1 to 3 hydroxyl radicals.
The expression xe2x80x9cunsaturated hydrocarbon-based chainxe2x80x9d means a chain which comprises at least one Cxe2x95x90C double bond or at least one Cxe2x80xa2C triple bond, it being possible, needless to say, for the said chain also to be optionally substituted with one or more groups chosen from aryl, ester, amide, urethane and urea groups; and/or optionally to comprise one or more hetero atoms chosen from O, S and N; and/or to be optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms and/or hydroxyl radicals.
The expression xe2x80x9chydrocarbon-based chain comprising an oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atomxe2x80x9d means in particular a hydrocarbon-based chain comprising a carbonyl (xe2x80x94Cxe2x95x90O), amine (xe2x80x94NH2 or xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94), thiol (xe2x80x94SH), thio ether or ether group.
Advantageously, A represents a divalent radical with a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 4 to 10 carbon atoms.
According to one preferred embodiment of the composition according to the invention, the radicals R and Rxe2x80x2 of the compounds of formula (I) are identical.
The compounds preferably correspond to formula (I) in which:
1/
A represents a saturated or unsaturated, preferably saturated, but non-aromatic, optionally branched hydrocarbon-based ring (in the form of a divalent radical) containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, in particular from 5 to 7 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with the substituents mentioned above and/or optionally comprising one or more hetero atoms and/or optionally substituted with one or more halogens and/or hydroxyl radicals;
R and Rxe2x80x2, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic, preferably a saturated linear, hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 10 to 16 carbon atoms, in particular 10 to 14 carbon atoms or even from 12 to 14 carbon atoms and better still 11 carbon atoms, on condition that R and Rxe2x80x2 are other than hydrogen,
2/
A represents a saturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon-based chain (in the form of a divalent radical) containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, in particular from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with the substituents mentioned above, and/or optionally comprising one or more hetero atoms and/or optionally substituted with one or more halogens and/or hydroxyl radicals;
R and Rxe2x80x2, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain, preferably a saturated linear hydrocarbon-based chain, containing from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, in particular from 11 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably from 11 to 13 carbon atoms and better still 11 carbon atoms, on condition that R and Rxe2x80x2 are other than hydrogen, or alternatively
3/
A represents an aryl or aralkyl ring (in the form of a divalent radical) containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, in particular from 6 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with the substituents mentioned above and/or optionally comprising one or more hetero atoms and/or optionally substituted with one or more halogens and/or hydroxyl radicals;
R and Rxe2x80x2, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain, preferably a saturated linear hydrocarbon-based chain, containing from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, in particular from 10 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably comprising from 11 to 13 carbon atoms and more preferably containing 11 carbon atoms, on condition that R and Rxe2x80x2 are other than hydrogen.
In particular, the radical A can represent a divalent radical of cyclohexylene (in particular 1,2-cyclohexylene, 1,3-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, preferably 1,2-cyclohexylene), ethylene, propylene, isopropylene, butylene, isobutylene, pentylene, hexylene, dodecylene, dodecanylene, benzylene, phenylene, methylphenylene, bis-phenylene or naphthalene type; preferably A may be a divalent radical of cyclohexylene, ethylene, propylene, isopropylene, dodecylene or methylphenylene type.
The radicals R and Rxe2x80x2 may be chosen, independently of each other, from pentyl, hexyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, 3-dodecyloxypropionyl, 3-octadecyloxypropionyl, 3-dodecyloxypentyl, 3-octadecyloxypentyl and 11-hydroxyheptadecyl radicals. Preferably, R and Rxe2x80x2 may be chosen, independently of each other, from decyl, undecyl and dodecyl radicals. R and Rxe2x80x2 are advantageously identical.
When the radical A is cyclic and in particular is a cyclohexylene, the radicals Rxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94 and Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94 may be in an ortho, meta or para position; moreover, these radicals may be in a cis or trans position relative to each other. The compound of formula (I) may moreover comprise a mixture of the cis compound and of the trans compounds (racemic mixture or 1R, 2R or 1S, 2S enantiomers, or mixtures thereof in variable proportion). The stereochemistry of the compound of formula (I) in fact corresponds to the stereochemistry of the diamine of formula H2Nxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94NH2 used during the preparation of the compounds, which preparation is described below.
The compounds of formula (I) are preferably chosen from the compounds corresponding to one of the following formulae:
in which R and Rxe2x80x2 have the same meanings as above.
Among the compounds which may be used in the context of the invention, mention may be made of:
N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(dodecanoyl)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, in particular in trans form (compound of formula (I) with Rxe2x95x90Rxe2x80x2xe2x95x90n-C11H23 and A=1,2-cyclohexylene divalent radical, also known as (2-dodecanoylaminocyclohexyl)-dodecanamide. This compound is described in particular in Hanabusa, K; Angew. Chem., 108, 1997, 17, pages 2086-2088
N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(dodecanoyl)-1,3-diaminocyclohexane, in particular in trans form (compound of formula (I) with Rxe2x95x90Rxe2x80x2xe2x95x90n-C11H23 and A=1,3-cyclohexylene divalent radical, also known as (3-dodecanoylaminocyclohexyl)dodecanamide
N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(dodecanoyl)-1,4-diaminocyclohexane, in particular in trans form (compound of formula (I) with Rxe2x95x90n-C11H23 and A=1,4-cyclohexylene divalent radical, also known as (4-dodecanoylaminocyclohexyl)-dodecanamide)
N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(dodecanoyl)-1,2-ethylenediamine (compound of formula (I) with Rxe2x95x90Rxe2x80x2xe2x95x90n-C11H23 and A=1,2-ethylene divalent radical, also known as (2-dodecanoylaminoethyl)dodecanamide)
N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(dodecanoyl)-1-methyl-1,2-ethylenediamine (compound of formula (I) with Rxe2x95x90Rxe2x80x2xe2x95x90n-C11H23 and A=1-methyl-1,2-ethylene divalent radical, also known as (2-dodecanoylamino-2-methylethyl)dodecanamide)
N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(dodecanoyl)-1,3-diaminopropane (compound of formula (I) with Rxe2x95x90Rxe2x80x2xe2x95x90n-C11H23 and A=1,3-propylene divalent radical, also known as (2-dodecanoylaminopropyl)dodecanamide)
N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(dodecanoyl)-1,12-diaminododecane (compound of formula (I) with Rxe2x95x90Rxe2x80x2xe2x95x90n-C11H23 and A=1,12-dodecylene divalent radical, also known as (2-dodecanoylaminododecyl)dodecanamide)
N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(dodecanoyl)-3,4-diaminotoluene (compound of formula (I) with Rxe2x95x90Rxe2x80x2xe2x95x90n-C11H23 and A=1-methyl-3,4-phenylene divalent radical, also known as (2-dodecanoylamino-4-methylphenyl)dodecanamide).
The compounds of formula (I) can be prepared according to processes that are well known to those skilled in the art.
In particular, they may be obtained by reacting a diamine H2Nxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94NH2 with an acid chloride RCOCl and/or Rxe2x80x2COCl with R and Rxe2x80x2 having the above meaning, but other than a hydrogen atom, in an organic solvent medium which is compatible for carrying out the reaction (1 mol of acid chloride is used per 1 mol of diamine if it is desired to obtain a compound of formula (I) containing only one group R other than a hydrogen atom, or 2 mol of acid chloride RCOCl and/or Rxe2x80x2COCl if it is desired to obtain a compound of formula (II) with R and Rxe2x80x2 other than a hydrogen atom). The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a base capable of neutralizing the formation of the HCl released during the reaction. The diamide formed is extracted from the reaction medium according to the conventional extraction techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art.
The compound of formula (I) is preferably present in the composition in an amount which may readily be determined by a person skilled in the art depending on the desired effect, and which may be between 1% and 40% by weight, for example between 2% and 15% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, and better still between 4% and 12% by weight, or even between 5% and 10% by weight.
It has moreover been observed that even the use of a small amount of compounds of formula (I), for example about 2-6% by weight, can lead to an adequate gelation of the composition according to the invention. This is due to the high thickening power of the compounds of formula I, which enables them to be effective at low concentration, of about 4-8% by weight, whereas it would be necessary to use 10-20% by weight of common gelling agents in order to obtain an equivalent result.
Without being bound by the present explanation, it has been observed that the structuring, or gelation, of oils by means of the compounds of formula (I) may be due to the formation of piles in the form of columns of the molecules of compounds of formula (I), resulting in the formation of a network of fibres or lamellae, consisting of the said compounds of formula (I) and the oils, the said network not scattering light, resulting in a certain level of translucency, or even transparency.
The compounds of formula (I) can be used in particular, alone or as a mixture, in a composition which comprises a physiologically acceptable medium, in particular in a cosmetic composition which thus moreover comprises a cosmetically acceptable medium.
This physiologically acceptable medium, its constituents, their amount, the pharmaceutical form of the composition and the method for preparing it, may be chosen by a person skilled in the art on the basis of his general knowledge depending on the type of composition desired.
Generally, the composition according to the invention comprises, in an oily phase, at least one cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable oil, a fatty substance which is liquid at room temperature (25xc2x0 C.).
These oils can be hydrocarbon-based oils and/or silicone oils and/or fluoro oils. They can be of animal, plant, mineral or synthetic origin.
Mention may be made in particular of:
hydrocarbon-based oils of animal origin such as perhydrosqualene;
hydrocarbon-based plant oils such as liquid triglycerides of fatty acids of 4 to 10 carbon atoms, for instance heptanoic or octanoic acid triglycerides; sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, marrow oil, grapeseed oil, groundnut oil, sweet almond oil, beauty-leaf oil, palm oil, sesame oil, hazelnut oil, apricot oil, macadamia oil, castor oil, avocado oil; caprylic/capric acid triglycerides, for instance those sold by the company Stearineries Dubois or those sold under the names Miglyol 810, 812 and 818 by the company Dynamit Nobel; jojoba oil, karite butter;
linear or branched hydrocarbons of mineral or synthetic origin, such as liquid paraffins and derivatives thereof, petroleum jelly, polydecenes, and hydrogenated polyisobutene such as parleam;
synthetic esters and ethers, in particular of fatty acids, for instance the oils of formula R3COOR4 in which R3 represents a higher fatty acid residue containing from 7 to 29 carbon atoms and R4 represents a hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 3 to 30 carbon atoms, such as, for example, purcellin oil (cetostearyl ocatanoate), isopropyl myristate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, 2-octyldodecyl stearate, 2-octyldodecyl erucate, isostearyl isostearate; hydroxylated esters such as isostearyl lactate, octyl hydroxystearate, octyldodecyl hydroxystearate, diisostearyl malate, triisocetyl citrate, and fatty alkyl heptanoates, octanoates and decanoates; polyol esters, for instance propylene glycol dioctanoate, neopentyl glycol diheptanoate or diethylene glycol diisononanoate; and pentaerythritol esters; tridecyl trimellitate;
fatty alcohols containing from 12 to 26 carbon atoms, for instance octyldodecanol, 2-butyloctanol, 2-hexyldecanol, 2-undecylpentadecanol or oleyl alcohol;
partially hydrocarbon-based and/or silicone-containing fluoro oils;
silicone oils, for instance volatile or non-volatile, linear or cyclic polymethylsiloxanes (PDMSs); alkyldimethicones; silicones modified with aliphatic and/or aromatic groups, which are optionally fluorinated, or with functional groups such as hydroxyl, thiol and/or amine groups; phenylsilicone oils such as polyphenylmethylsiloxanes or phenyltrimethicones;
mixtures thereof.
The oils used can be volatile and/or non-volatile. The term xe2x80x9cvolatile oilxe2x80x9d means an oil which is capable of evaporating at room temperature from a support onto which it has been applied, in other words an oil which has a measurable vapour pressure at 25xc2x0 C. and 1 atmosphere, for example greater than 0 Pa, in particular ranging from 10xe2x88x923 mmHg to 300 mmHg (0.13 Pa to 40,000 Pa).
Mention may be made in particular of volatile silicone oils, such as volatile cyclic or linear silicones, and cyclocopolymers. Mention may also be made of volatile hydrocarbon-based oils such as isoparaffins, and volatile fluoro oils.
In one specific embodiment, the volatile oils can constitute the majority of the oily phase. Thus, they can be present therein in a proportion of at least 50% by weight, in particular at least 75% by weight, or even 100% by weight, of the said oily phase.
In another preferred embodiment, the oily phase may comprise silicone oils, in particular in a large amount of about 40-80% by weight of the oily phase, in particular of about 60-75% by weight; the oily phase may also comprise 100% by weight of silicone oil, while at the same time remaining entirely stable and solid.
The oils can be present in the composition in a proportion of from 5% to 99% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 20% to 75% by weight.
The composition according to the invention is preferably in solid form. This means that, in the absence of mechanical or thermal stimulation (in particular heating), no collapse of the composition is observed when it is outside the container containing it.
The composition has the conventional viscoelastic behaviour of a composition of solid type.
Moreover, the hardness of the composition according to the invention is preferably such that the composition is self-supporting and can disintegrate readily to form a satisfactory deposit on the skin and the lips. This hardness can be between 0.04 N and 3 N, preferably between 0.1 N and 2.5 N and in particular between 0.2 N and 2 N. This hardness can be measured according to a method of penetration of a probe into the said composition and in particular using a texture analyser (for example TA-XT2 from Rheo) equipped with an acrylic cone with an apex angle of 45xc2x0. The hardness measurement is carried out at 22xc2x0 C. at the centre of 5 samples of the said composition, according to the method described in the examples.
This composition advantageously comprises little or even no wax, while at the same time retaining adequate solidity/rigidity/hardness. This means that the composition comprises less than about 5% by weight of wax, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably less than 2% by weight, or even less than 0.5% by weight, of wax. The composition preferentially contains no waxes (i.e. 0%).
For the purposes of the present invention, a wax is a lipophilic fatty compound, which is solid at room temperature (about 25xc2x0 C.), undergoes a reversible solid/liquid change of state, has a melting point of greater than about 40xc2x0 C. which may be up to 200xc2x0 C., and has an anisotropic crystal organization in the solid state.
For the purpose of the present application, the waxes are those generally used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.
They are, in particular, natural waxes of animal, plant or mineral origin, such as beeswax, montan wax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, China wax, flax wax, pine wax, cotton wax, ouricury wax, lignite wax, rice bran wax, sugar cane wax, Japan wax or cork fibre wax.
Mention may also be made of paraffin waxes, microcrystalline waxes, lanolin wax, ozokerites, hydrogenated oils with a melting point of greater than about 40xc2x0 C., for instance hydrogenated jojoba oil, polyethylene waxes derived from the polymerization of ethylene, waxes obtained by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, fatty acid esters and glycerides with a melting point of greater than about 40xc2x0 C., and silicone waxes, for instance alkyl, alkoxy and/or esters of poly(di)methylsiloxane that are solid at 40xc2x0 C.
The composition according to the invention can moreover comprise the constituents usually used in the type of application envisaged.
It can comprise one or more organic solvents chosen in particular from:
ketones that are liquid at room temperature, such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, isophorone, cyclohexanone or acetone;
alcohols that are liquid at room temperature, such as ethanol, isopropanol, diacetone alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol or cyclohexanol;
glycols that are liquid at room temperature, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or pentylene glycol;
propylene glycol ethers that are liquid at room temperature, such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate or dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether;
short-chain esters (containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms in total) such as ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, propyl acetate, n-butyl acetate or isopentyl acetate;
ethers that are liquid at room temperature, such as diethyl ether, dimethyl ether or dichlorodiethyl ether;
alkanes that are liquid at room temperature, such as decane, heptane, dodecane or cyclohexane;
cyclic aromatic compounds that are liquid at room temperature, such as toluene and xylene;
aldehydes that are liquid at room temperature, such as benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
It is also possible to incorporate a hydrophilic phase into the composition according to the invention, in particular in an amount of 0-10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and better still 1-5% by weight, which can comprise hydrophilic active agents and/or hydrophilic gelling agents. It can in particular comprise moisturizers such as glycerol.
The composition advantageously comprises a dyestuff which can be chosen from the lipophilic dyes, hydrophilic dyes, pigments and nacres usually used in cosmetic or dermatological compositions, and mixtures thereof. This dyestuff is generally present in a proportion of from 0.01% to 40% relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 5% to 25% by weight.
Thus, the composition can comprise a particulate phase, which is generally present in a proportion of 0-30% by weight, preferably 0-20% by weight, and which can comprise pigments and/or nacres and/or fillers usually used in cosmetic compositions. The term xe2x80x9cpigmentsxe2x80x9d should be understood as meaning white or coloured, mineral or organic particles intended to colour and/or opacify the composition. The term xe2x80x9cfillersxe2x80x9d should be understood as meaning colourless or white, mineral or synthetic, lamellar or non-lamellar particles intended to give body or rigidity to the composition, and/or softness, a matt effect and uniformity to the make-up result. The term xe2x80x9cnacresxe2x80x9d should be understood as meaning iridescent particles which reflect light.
The pigments can be white or coloured, mineral and/or organic, of micrometric or nanometric size. Mineral pigments which may be mentioned include titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide or cerium dioxide, and also zinc oxide, iron oxide or chromium oxide and ferric blue. Organic pigments which may be mentioned include carbon black and barium, strontium, calcium and aluminium lakes.
Among the nacres which may be envisaged, mention may be made of mica coated with titanium oxide, with iron oxide, with natural pigment or with bismuth oxychloride, and also coloured titanium mica.
The fillers can be mineral or synthetic, and lamellar or non-lamellar. Mention may be made of talc, mica, silica, kaolin, Nylon powder, polyethylene powder, Teflon, starch, titanium mica, natural mother-of-pearl, boron nitride, microspheres such as Expancel (Nobel Industrie), Polytrap (Dow Corning) and silicone resin microbeads (Tospearls from Toshiba, for example).
The composition according to the invention can also comprise any additive usually used in the field under consideration, in particular in cosmetics, such as antioxidants, fragrances, dyes, essential oils, preserving agents, cosmetic active agents, vitamins, essential fatty acids, sphingolipids, self-tanning compounds such as DHA, sunscreens, surfactants and polymers. These additives can be present in the composition in a proportion of 0-10% by weight.
Needless to say, a person skilled in the art will take care to select this or these optional additional compound(s), and/or the amount thereof, such that the advantageous properties of the composition according to the invention are not, or are not substantially, adversely affected by the addition envisaged.
The compositions according to the invention are intended to be applied to the skin of the face and of the body, to mucous membranes and/or to keratin fibres such as the nails, the eyelashes or the hair.
They can be in any envisageable pharmaceutical form, such as a solid or soft oily gel, optionally comprising water; a solid or gelled oil-in-water, water-in-oil or multiple emulsion; a dispersion of oil in water; a multi-phase system and in particular a two-phase system. They can have the appearance of a cream, a salve, a soft paste, an ointment, a cast or moulded solid and in particular a stick.
They can be in particular in the form of a stick or a dish; and in particular in the form of a transparent anhydrous rigid gel, and more especially in the form of a translucent or transparent anhydrous stick.
The gelation of the oil is such that a rigid structure in the form of a tube or a stick can be obtained. When they are coloured, these tubes give, after application, a deposit of homogeneous colour.
These compositions find an application in particular as body hygiene compositions, for example in the form of deodorant sticks; as a hair composition, for example as a styling stick or a make-up stick for the hair; as a make-up composition for the skin of the face or the body or for mucous membranes, for example as a lipstick, a foundation cast as a stick or a dish, a face powder, an eyeshadow, a fixing base to be applied over a conventional lipstick, a concealer stick, a lip gloss, an eyeliner, a mascara or temporary tattoo products; as a care composition for the skin or mucous membranes, for example as a lipcare balm or base, an ointment for the body or a daily care cream; as an antisun composition or a self-tanning composition.
These compositions find a quite special application as transfer-resistant make-up or care compositions, in particular as lipsticks or foundations.
The invention is illustrated in greater detail in the examples which follow.
Method for Measuring the Hardness of the Sticks
The hardness is measured using a TA-XT2 texture analyser (from Rheo), at 22xc2x0 C., using a smooth acrylic cone with an apex angle of 45xc2x0, and a total height which is greater than the penetration distance. The cone penetrates into the sample to a distance of 5 mm, at a speed of 2 mm/s. It is then kept immobile for 300 s, after which it is removed from the sample at a speed of 2 mm/s. The force exerted by the sample on the measuring body is recorded continuously. The maximum force is detected at the end of the penetration phase. This force value reflects the hardness of the sample.
Method for Measuring the Transparency or Translucency of the Sticks
The transparency or translucency is measured by measuring the transmittance, i.e. the percentage of light transmitted through a given sample, in the wavelength range corresponding to the visible range, i.e. between 400 nm and 900 nm.
This transmittance is measured continuously through a sample of thickened oil, placed in a glass cuvette with an optical path length of 1 cm, by difference with a sample termed the reference sample containing the same pure oil.
The measuring instrument is a Perkin-Elmer Lambda UV-Vis spectrophotometer.
The test composition (compound in oil) is heated until it is in the form of a homogeneous fluid, and is poured directly into the measuring cuvette. The cuvette is maintained at room temperature until its contents have cooled. The cuvette is then placed in the machine, the reference cuvette containing pure oil also being placed in the machine.
The transmittance is measured between 400 nm and 900 nm.
Standard Preparation of the Compounds
The compounds of formula (I) for which Rxe2x95x90Rxe2x80x2 may be prepared according to the following 2 processes:
1) First Process:
The diamine and two equivalents of triethylamine are dissolved in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran. Two equivalents of acyl chloride dissolved in THF are added and the reaction mixture is heated to the reflux point of the tetrahydrofuran, while monitoring the disappearance of the acyl chloride by infrared spectroscopy (most typically, two hours).
The solution is filtered from the precipitate, the organic phase is concentrated and a liquid/liquid extraction is performed on the solid compound obtained. The organic phase is subsequently dried and then concentrated, and the solid product obtained is recrystallized.
2) Second Process:
1 mol of diamine H2Nxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94NH2 and 2 mol of tertiary amine such as triethylamine predissolved in the organic solvent S are added to a solution of 2 mol of acid chloride RCOCl in an organic solvent S such as toluene, chloroform or tetrahydrofuran. After addition, the reaction medium is refluxed for the time required for the acid chloride and the diamine to disappear (reaction time from about 2 hours to 24 hours). The addition of the reagents may also be reversed, i.e. the acid chloride may be added to a solution of diamine comprising the tertiary amine in the same relative proportions indicated above. The diamide formed is extracted from the reaction medium according to the extraction techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art.

Cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition in solid form comprising bis-acyl-amides

Abstract: in which R and Rxe2x80x2 represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon-based chain; and A represents a hydrocarbon-based chain.


An air blower comprises a first unit having means for producing compressed air and a reservoir for storing the compressed air and a second unit including a portable storage tank for holding compressed air, and means for releasing the compressed air from the storage tank. Means for charging are provided whereby compressed air in the reservoir of the first unit is transferred to the storage tank of the second unit.

Air blowers and leaf blowers for use in gathering backyard and garden debris are well-known. While several types of leaf blowers are available and in popular use, a typical leaf blower comprises a fuel powered internal combustion engine intended to drive a fan or other means, the fan being attached to a hose and handle whereby air is compressed and driven through the hose to the handle. Air exiting from the handle with force is used to drive the leaves and other garden debris into heaps facilitating leaf collection and disposal thereof.
The internal combustion engine, fuel tank, fan and air compressor in typical blowers would normally be mounted on a frame which can be worn of the back of the user. There is thus the convenience of a portable garden implement which can be easily transported for sweeping and gathering materials to be disposed.
Air blowers have applications not only with respect to collection of garden debris, but may be used in other contexts as well. For example, an air blower may also be used for removing now from roads or scattering a pool of water by blowing an air current into the pool.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,419 (Sato) describes a shoulder supported pneumatic sweeping apparatus. The sweeping apparatus is of the type that can be easily carried by means of a strap worn over the shoulder of the operator, and has a typical application in clearing the surface of a vast playground or a baseball field, removing snow from the roads, or scattering a pool of water by blowing an air current into it. The sweeping apparatus has a centrifugal fan located in a housing, which is driven by an engine. Upon rotation of the fan, an air current is produced and led to an outlet port, which in turn exits into a flexible pipe. An air ejection pipe conveys the air to the outside thereof. The exit or ejection pipe has an operating handle to facilitate the use of the ejecting pipe. The engine in this patent includes a starter, fuel tank, ignition plugs and the like and thus constitutes a standard or conventional internal combustion-type engine which has associated therewith high noise levels, and the emission of polluting hydrocarbon gases, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and other compositions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,073 (Iida) discloses a back-pack type power working machine. This patent addresses an apparent problem in shoulder frame machines, which are relatively heavy and which generate vibration. The back-pack of Iida includes a carrying frame having a main frame section held against the back and side guard sections on each side of the main frame sections. The side guard sections are bent rearward and form a U-shape. A fan, driven by a gasoline engine connected to the fan, is located within the U-shaped frame and damping rubber members serve to prevent or reduce vibration of the fan and engine from being transmitted to the carrying frame and, ultimately, the operator. The working machine of Iida is, otherwise, very similar to the conventional type of sweeping apparatus as described in Sato above, and includes the internal combustion gasoline-driven engine for producing the stream of air. While the working machine is self-contained in that it provides the stream of air as well as the source for producing the stream of air, it is, nevertheless, still very noisy and produces exhaust emissions containing polluting and noxious gases.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,222 (Perry) shows a golf club including putting path cleaning means. The golf putter has a head, for striking the golf ball, and a shaft including a handgrip. Contained within the shaft is a compressed gas cartridge and a discharge nozzle, whereby gas can be discharged from the golf putter. Between the gas cartridge and the discharge nozzle, there is located a pipe for transmitting the compressed air and a valve assembly for controlling the flow. A trigger is provided which opens the otherwise closed valve to permit expulsion of air from the discharge nozzle. The air so discharged is used by the golfer to clear leaves or other objects and provide a debris-free path between the golf ball and the hole.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,932,137 (Jinkerson) shows a lawn cleaner including a platform mounted on wheels. Jinkerson uses compressed air discharged from an air compressor pump to an outlet tube, and a discharge nozzle. The compressor pump is driven by a water cooled motor, which is typically of the gasoline or internal combustion type. To the extent that Jinkerson has any modern applications, it is a self-contained unit, where the internal combustion engine produces substantial noise levels and pollutant emissions.
Other background art shows the use of compressed air guns, and can be seen in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,016,113 Lambert) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,021,603 (Kelley).


A mobile device comprising an environmental sensor and an electrically actuated membrane is described. The electrically actuated membrane may increase the airflow over the environmental sensor which may improve the response of the sensor to changes in the ambient environment around the mobile device.

The present disclosure relates to a mobile device and environmental sensing in a mobile device.
Recent generations of smartphones include accelerometers, gyroscopes, compass, pressure sensor, a light sensor, a temperature sensor, and humidity sensors. Some sensors are used to help improve user-input interfacing, some are used for navigation, and others are used to increase people's awareness about the surrounding environment such as temperature and humidity.