A thermoplastic bottle has a crimped valve cup and a method of manufacturing a thermoplastic bottle includes crimping a valve cup to such a bottle. The thermoplastic bottle and valve cup may be used in a system to dispense aerosol products. At least one protrusion extends from a flange of the bottle to which the valve cup is crimped. Prior to being crimped to the bottle, the valve cup is set to the bottle with an interference fit between a crimping portion of the valve cup and the protrusion. The interference fit prevents shifting of the valve cup from its set position on the bottle prior before the valve cup is crimped.

Field of the Invention
Our invention generally relates to a thermoplastic bottle onto which a structure is crimped, and a method of manufacturing a thermoplastic bottle that includes crimping a structure to the bottle. More specifically, our invention relates to a thermoplastic bottle that includes protrusions extending from a flange adjacent to one end of the bottle, with the protrusions providing for an interference fit with a valve cup prior to the valve cup being crimped to the flange.
Related Art
Systems that are used to dispense liquid and/or gaseous products from a container such as a bottle, and in particular, in systems that are used to dispense aerosol products, a valve mechanism is used to allow selected release of the product from the bottle. The valve mechanism is usually a separately manufactured structure that is attached to the bottle after the bottle structure itself is manufactured. Often, the valve structure includes a valve cup as the portion that is physically attached to the bottle, with the valve cup positioned adjacent to an open end of the bottle. An example of such a valve cup can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,752, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
To attach a valve cup to a bottle, the valve cup can be crimped to a portion of the bottle such as an annular ring that is provided adjacent to an open end of the bottle. The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,752 demonstrates crimping of a valve cup to a bottle. The crimping attachment of a valve cup is usually performed in a two-step process. First, the valve cup is set onto the bottle at one location, in a manufacturing line. The bottle and set valve cup are then moved to a crimping station at another location in the manufacturing line, where the valve cup is crimped to the bottle structure.
Because the setting of the valve cup onto the bottle and the crimping of the valve cup to the bottle ore separate steps, and because the bottle with the set, but not crimped, valve cup is often moved before the crimping operation, a problem sometimes arises in that the valve cup may shift from is initially-set position before the crimping operation occurs, in general the tolerance in the positioning of the valve cup that allows for a successful crimping operation is very small, sometimes on the order of thousandths of an inch. Thus, even a small shift in the valve cup can greatly reduce the effectiveness of the crimped connection between the valve cup and bottle. For aerosol products, when the bottle with an ineffectively crimped valve cup is pressurized, the valve cup can sometimes be completely blown off of the bottle. In less extreme examples, poorly crimped valve cups may allow product to leak from, the bottle.
To stabilize a set, but not crimped, valve cup to a bottle, dimples are sometimes added to the portion of the valve cup that contacts the bottle. The dimples can effectively hold the valve cup in place before the crimping operation, particularly when the bottle is made from a metallic material. Further, the dimples do not damage the relatively-strong metallic bottle structure when the valve cup is crimped.
There is an increasing interest, however, in the use of thermoplastic bottles that dispense aerosol products. As compared to metallic bottles, thermoplastic bottles provide greater flexibly in terms of manufacturing and aesthetic design, recyclability, and thermoplastic bottles are potentially less expensive than metallic bottles. When a valve cup that includes dimples in its crimping portion is crimped to a thermoplastic bottle, the dimples create high stress on the portions of the plastic bottle structure that are contacted by the dimples after crimping. The stress created by the dimples can sometimes crack the thermoplastic bottle structure, rendering the thermoplastic bottle useless for dispensing pressurized products, such as aerosol compositions.

Thermoplastic bottle with valve cup retaining protrusions and method of crimping a valve cup on a thermoplastic bottle


A method for loading a customizable keypress tone package on a desired electronic device includes defining a customizable keypress tone package. The customizable keypress tone package can include one or more customizable keypress tones and can optionally include one or more customizable visual aids. A user requests installation of the defined customizable keypress tone package on the electronic device and the network sends the defined customizable keypress tone package to the electronic device. Once the device receives the package, the device installs the defined customizable keypress tone package on the electronic device.

With the proliferation of mobile communications devices has come an increased demand for new features for mobile communications devices. There is a high demand for mobile communications device features that make the devices more user-friendly, for example, by increasing the ease and accuracy with which common tasks may be performed.
Given the wide use of mobile communications devices in a variety of settings, it is important that features be simple and accurate. For example, hands-free dialing is available for many mobile telephone handsets. This obviates the need to remember telephone numbers and/or to enter commonly-dialed telephone numbers while, for example, driving a motor vehicle.
In general, a mobile communications device (e.g., a mobile telephone) has a keypad. When buttons on the keypad are pressed, the device generates an audio signal. Traditionally, this signal has been a dual-tone multi-frequency signal (hereinafter referred to as a "DTMF tone"). In addition to generating a DTMF tone for dialing purposes, a device may generate a sound to give the user feedback. For example, the device may produce a short click sound to inform the user that a button has been pressed. Often, the feedback provided to the user is the DTMF tone generated for dialing purposes.
While the DTMF tone is easily understood by the telephone networks, humans are not adept at differentiating between the multiple frequency tones generated.
Another common feature of mobile communications devices is a display. The display typically communicates data to a user. The data may include the battery status, various available features and/or menus, contacts, call status, signal strength, combinations thereof, and the like When dialing, text messaging, email, or the like, the display may list the entered characters sequentially so the user can verify that the correct characters have been entered into the device correctly.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Customizable keypress tones and method of installing


Method, systems, and devices for determining instantaneous heat exchange between an airflow and a heat exchange element of an HVAC system are disclosed. In some embodiments, methods and systems include receiving or otherwise obtaining airflow data, temperature and humidity data. The airflow data may be used to calculate the volumetric airflow rate, and the temperature and humidity data may be processed with enthalpy data to determine the change in enthalpy (Δh) of the airflow after encountering a heat exchange element. The instantaneous rate of heat exchange (E) between the airflow and the heat exchange element may then be determined from the volumetric airflow rate and change in enthalpy.

HVAC systems generally receive an air stream and condition the air, which can include changing its temperature and/or humidity, for example. The process invariably consumes energy, and the rate of energy consumption can change all the time due to numerous factors. It is desirable to be able to determine the instantaneous rate of heat exchange, or thermal load, between the air stream and the HVAC system.
Metering the electric power input into the HVAC system is not always feasible, and even when it is, it does not always provide a satisfactory measure of the instantaneous energy dissipation associated with the air itself, especially when the HVAC system has separate components for mechanical control of air flow and for chilling or heating heat exchange elements, or when some of the components are shared across several separate units. At the same time, an accurate determination of instantaneous thermal load can be instrumental in diagnosing waste, improving efficiency and also being able to correctly attribute efficiency gains to their true cause or enabler. A tool that could directly, and reliably, determine the thermal load from the air stream itself, can be a very effective means to diagnose HVAC energy efficiency, identify potential improvements, and confirm the performance and value of such improvements.

Systems, methods and devices for measurement of rate of heat exchange of airflow systems


A recording device and method for recovering a portion of a commercial radio or TV broadcast immediately after listening to it. The device consists of a short term memory media which is used to continuously record the last few minutes of the program being monitored, a control logic module which upon command will cause the material on the short term storage media to be transferred to a long term storage media, and the long term storage media. A timer, or a marker on the short term storage media, is used to terminate the recovery process.

Individuals spend a considerable amount of time listening to radio and TV in their automobiles, homes, and boats, as well as elsewhere with portable devices. Frequently the listener will hear or see a new tune, act, recitation, story, etc., which has sufficient appeal to the listener to cause the listener to think "I wish I had that on tape!" By then of course, the broadcast has moved on to other material or segment, and the content of interest is "lost forever". If the material or segment is a commercially available recording, such as a tune by some recognized artist, then of course the listener can purchase a copy at a later time. But in this case the listener must buy an entire album to obtain a copy of the one piece of interest. It is also an inconvenience to remember the particulars if a new artist is involved, as it is to have to make a shopping trip. If the broadcast is a live program, it can be very difficult to recover a copy later, and in many cases impossible.
One could accomplish the functions of this invention by using two commercially available tape recorders (or one with dual heads), one with a "continuous loop" tape which would serve as the monitor and short term storage media, and one with a regular blank recording tape to serve as long term storage. One could also simply record entire radio or TV programs, and select out desired sections for re-recording later. Neither of these techniques is very convenient, however, as both involve a cumbersome amount of equipment and time. While they are acceptable for home use, perhaps, (in fact the second alternative is regularly used in the home) the inconvenient arrangement generally prohibits their effective use in automobiles and portable situations. Even in the home the time involved in set-up, monitoring, and recopy limits the practice to special situations. A recovery recorder which was simply always monitoring any program observed would facilitate much more convenient and frequent use. No current model automobile audio cassette players are designed to record at all, and no current model portable audio cassette players (including those with dual cassette carriers) or home video recorders are designed to facilitate convenient (hands-off) continuous monitoring with short term storage and automatic transfer to long term storage.

Recovery recorder system, particularly commercial radio/TV broadcast recovery recorder system


In a brakeband, two side bands extend from a connecting portion in one circumferential direction and a middle band located axially between these side bands extends from it in the other circumferential direction. The band ends of the two side bands (located opposite the connecting portion) are widened in the direction of the middle band, while the middle band is narrowed at its circumferentially corresponding band region. This provides a larger cross-section for the welded joint between the respective widened band ends of the two side bands and a circumferentially adjacent thrust piece of the brake actuating device.

The invention relates to a brakeband having two side bands portions which branch off from a central connecting portion in one circumferential direction of the axis of rotation of the brake and a middle band portion located axially between these two side band portions to branch off from it in the other circumferential direction. A thrust piece is located circumferentially adjacent to each of free band ends of the two side band portions, which are located opposite the connecting portion and circumferentially mutually confronting free end faces of the two side band portions and a band end of the adjacent thrust piece are welded to one another. It is considered advantageous that there are no circumferentially overlapping parts at the joints between band end and thrust piece, and that the inner faces of the two parts have a common constructional diameter during the operation of the brake.
In a known brakeband of this general type (U.S. Pat. No. 2,975,870), the two side band portions and the middle band portion each have the same width in the direction of the axis of rotation of the brake, even through the middle band works as the leading brake band end and therefore, because of the known especially high servo effect in a double-wound brakeband, is subjected to substantially higher stress than the two side bands portions together.
In a known brakeband of a different type (German Offenlegungsschrift 3,207,838), the thrust pieces are welded to the respective band ends in a circumferentially overlapping manner. There the thrust piece of the middle band portion is widened in the two directions of the axis of rotation of the brake and is thereby guided axially in corresponding recesses of the two side bands which are narrowed. The band ends of the two side bands are welded to a common thrust piece in an overlapping manner.
In a further known brakeband of a different type (G.B. Patent Specification 647,832), the middle band is twice as wide as each of the side bands. There the thrust pieces are made cuboid and are placed vertically on the outer face of the respective band ends and with their major axis radial to the axis of rotation of the brake.
The object of this instant invention is to make it possible to reduce the stress on the middle band, even when the latter is used as a leading brake band end, by increasing its band cross-section without at the same time having to increase the total width of the brakeband.
This object is achieved in an advantageous way by having the free band ends of side band portions widened in the direction of the axis of rotation of the brake in the axial direction pointing to the middle band and by having the middle band narrowed at its region located adjacent the connecting portion and axially oPposite the widened band end. The invention makes it possible to obtain a substantial widening of the middle band, because a sufficiently large weld-seam cross-section (at the juncture between the thrust piece and the free band ends) is still made available at the free band ends of the side bands, despite the narrowing of these bands necessary for the desired preservation of the total width of the brake band. The invention additionally affords the possibility of achieving a more favorable stress pattern in the connecting portion, at the transition between side bands and middle band, in the event that the brake band is stamped out of a one-part sheet metal pressing in such a way that the connecting portion is in one piece with the bands even in the final state of the brake band. Since the widened band ends are located in that band region of the middle band adjoining the connecting portion, this band region can be narrowed in such a way that the critical stress cross-section in the connecting portion is increased. The stress cross-section is limited by the transition of the axially inner side face of the associated side band into the connecting portion. As a result of the narrowing of the middle band, the transition of the side face of the middle band can be offset circumferentially by a larger amount (in relation to the transition of the said inner side face of the associated side band), which results in an increase of the above-mentioned critical stress cross-section between the said transitions to the connecting portion.
In the brake band according to the invention, the outlay in terms of material is no higher than in a normal two side band brake band.
In the brake band according to the invention, the danger of wear at the widened band ends of the side bands is reduced because the rigidity of these bands at their ends is increased.
Whereas, in the known brake bands described, the connecting portion (holding the middle and side bands together) forms a separate component which is either welded or connected in an articulated manner to the individual bands, in the brake band according to the invention, the connecting portion (together with the three individual bands) can form a one-piece sheet metal pressing, even in the finished state.
Whereas, in the referenced known brake bands, each of the three band ends is welded to a separate thrust piece, in the brake band according to the invention the band ends of the two side bands are welded to a common thrust piece.
In the brake band according to the invention, the middle band can advantageously have a width which is larger than the total width of the two side bands.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. The conveyor includes at least one toolbar and one or more auxiliary components mounted to the toolbar using a snap clamp having a protrusion that mates with a channel on the toolbar.

The invention relates generally to frames for power-driven conveyors and more particularly to belt conveyor frames that are easy to clean.
In the meat, poultry, fruit, and vegetable industries, conveyor belts are used to transport food products. Most conveyor belts are supported along carryways supported by a frame assembly. To meet USDA sanitation requirements, conveyor belt systems must be cleanable. The conveyor carryway and frame are particularly susceptible to the accumulation of fats, dirt, and debris. Complex connections between different components, a large number of components in the frame and carryway, difficult-to-clean crevices and other issues make cleaning conveyor belt systems problematic at times. In addition, current conveyor systems are difficult to assemble and disassemble to replace and-or clean components.
Thus, there is a need for an easy-to-clean, hygienic conveyor belt system.

Cleanable conveyor frame assembly including snap-on components


An extendable tow handle for a luggage article is provided. The tow handle may include at least one tube structure each including first and second tubes, a rotational mechanism, and a hand grip coupled to one of the first and second tubes for gripping the tow handle by a user. The first tube may be slidably received within the second tube and selectively rotatable thereto. The rotational mechanism may be operable to rotate the first tube relative to the second tube. Rotation of the first tube relative to the second tube may cause at least a portion of the first tube to couple with a portion of the second tube to selectively frictionally lock axial movement of the first tube relative to the second tube.

Wheeled luggage articles often include an extendable tow handle to aid in maneuvering a luggage case across a support surface, such as the floor or ground. Typical extendable tow handles are telescopic and include an inner member or tube slidably received within an outer member or tube to adjust the height of a tow handle grip on the distal end of the handle relative the luggage case at preset heights for ease of use by a user. Unfortunately, the clearances and/or locking engagement between the inner and outer tube to allow easy sliding may be such that the tow handle moves or wobbles when manipulated by a user. Additionally, the locking engagement may be difficult to disengage. The preset heights of the tow handle may also be set at undesirable positions, especially for users of taller or shorter stature.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved luggage article, and more specifically an improved extendable tow handle that addresses one or all of the above described problems and/or which more generally offers improvements or an alternative to existing arrangements. Because luggage is price and weight sensitive, creating smooth, efficient, lightweight, and cost effective wheels that perform better in both straight line tracking and also improved quietness is important.
Documents that may be related to the present disclosure in that they include various extendable tow handles include U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,670,072, 7,407,337, 6,761,501, 5,692,856, 5,549,407, 5,622,446, 5,417,511, 5,407,295, 5,011,319, 5,048,998, 4,824,302, 4,653,142, 4,329,076, EP0006258, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,076,437, 3,515,418, and 2,949,692.

Extendable tow handle for a luggage article


An ergonomic input device holder where a portable input device such as a tablet computer is attached to the top side and the user grips the input device holder by a pistol grip handle on the bottom side. The user""s hand is furthermore supported by a pair of wrist supports and the wrist may optionally be strapped in place with straps, The handle and the wrist supports can be rotated to fit both right and left handed users as well as to allow for use in both portrait mode and landscape mode.

Input devices such as portable tablet computers or old fashioned clipboards or paper notebooks when not used on a work surface such as a desk are generally gripped from behind with the non-preferred hand by means of the fingers of the non preferred hand bending around an edge of the input device while the preferred hand is used to operate the tablet computer or to write on the notepad or clipboard. This way of gripping an input device is not ergonomically correct and can cause work injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to people using input devices frequently in this manner. With the rapid spread of portable tablet computers wrist injuries could become more frequent than ever before.
The present invention presents a way to grip an input device such as a portable tablet computer in an ergonomically better way and thereby reduces the physical stresses on the wrist.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,406 to Engstrom et al. discloses an enclosure for an electrical data input apparatus. This enclosure is a housing for raw electronics that have been specially designed to fit the enclosure, it is not an enclosure that a user can attach to any input device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,765 to Swindler et al. discloses a pair of removable hand grips for a portable tablet computer. These hand grips do make the grip of an input device more ergonomic by improving the already existing gripping surfaces of the input device. It improves the grip between the hand and the input device but does not change the ergonomically incorrect angle of the wrist which is the cause of many work injuries.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,082 to Armitage et al. discloses a case for a modular tablet computer system. This enclosure is a housing for raw electronics that have been specially designed to fit the enclosure, it is not an enclosure that a user can attach to any input device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,665 to Clementson et al. discloses a support device for a small palm sized computer. This device improves the ergonomic properties of a palm sized computer by enlarging the gripping and support area. This device does not offer any novel means of gripping, nor does it have any type of side adjustable support edges to fit different size devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,114 to Bourque discloses a carrying device for a portable computer. This device is a computer supporting platform that hangs on straps looped around a user""s neck. While this device solves the problem of an ergonomically incorrect wrist angle it puts the input device in a static position relative to the user which makes it difficult to use in a place such as a vehicle or a tight work space.
European Pat No. EP 0 734 694 A2 to Castellini discloses a dentist tablet with an ergonomic handle. This handle is designed to allow a device with light touch input buttons to be used with one hand gripping the handle while touching the input surfaces of the device with a finger of the gripping hand leaving the other hand free for other work. This concept works for simple push inputs but does not work with a tablet computer type device which requires the more complex operation of an entire input tablet rather than just light touch buttons.
The Ergonomic Input-Device Holder described herein allows for a more ergonomic way to grip an input device and thereby reduces the risk of wrist injuries. An input device is secured to the top side of the Input-Device Holder and the non-preferred hand of the user grips an ergonomic pistol-grip handle on the bottom side of the Input-Device Holder. The user""s hand is further supported by a pair of wrist supports to which the user can strap his wrist for added support and stability.


A security document (1) comprises a paper document substrate (11) and a security element (2) embedded in said document substrate (11). The security element comprises an element substrate (21) and a material (22) sensitive to laser light. The method comprises the step of directing laser light (41) onto the document substrate (11) so as to alter said material (22), so as to provide said security element (2) with a detectable marking (3).

Security documents, including value documents such as banknotes and cheques, and identity documents such as passports and identity cards, are frequently subjected to fraud. In order to increase security and to make forgery more difficult, security documents are frequently provided with so-called security elements, applied onto or inserted into said security documents. The security elements can, for example, provide controlled responses to external stimuli, and/or provide certain visual effects, thereby allowing for the verification of the authenticity of the document into which they have been incorporated.
The configuration, design and composition of a security element is often intended to remain unaltered once it has been incorporated into the security document, for example, applied to or inserted into a substrate of the security document, such as a paper substrate of the security document. Generally, the security element is intended to maintain its properties until the end of the life cycle of the security document, although sometimes alterations may occur due to, for example, wear and tear caused by the use of the document.
Security elements can be in the form of, for example, security threads or strips, luminescent fibres, iridescent strips or planchettes, holographic tags, patches or strips, solid microparticles, reactive chemical agents or printed security inks. It is known to place this kind of elements inside the paper substrate of a document or within the pulp from which the substrate is produced (this is often the case with security threads, strips, fibres, microparticles or reactive chemical agents) or on the surface of the substrate (this is often the case with patches, holographic strips, reactive chemical agents or printed strips). It is known to place security elements at specific positions of a substrate and/or in register with other security features of a substrate (this is frequently the case with security threads and strips, holographic strips, and printed inks), but security elements can also be distributed randomly on or in the substrate (this is often the case with fibres, solid microparticles, and reactive chemical agents).
The incorporation of the security elements into the security document contributes to making forgery more difficult in at least two different ways, namely: due to the difficulty of manufacturing the security elements; due to the difficulty of incorporating the element into the substrate (especially if placed in register with other features). The level of difficulty can be further enhanced if several security elements are incorporated in the same security document, and especially of they are placed very close to each other.
The position in register or the precise positioning of each security element in a substrate makes it possible to incorporate a relatively large amount of security elements in the substrate. On the contrary, when there are substantial tolerances in the positioning of a security element in a substrate, it may be necessary to increase the space between security elements so as to reduce the risk of non-desired interaction or overlapping between security elements; this implies a restriction on the amount of security elements that can be incorporated into and/or onto the substrate of the security document.
A large number of prior art references teach different aspects related to the incorporation of security threads or ribbons into paper substrates.
For example, GB-1095286-A discloses the use of thin security ribbons which are incorporated into a security paper. Said ribbons contain, before their incorporation into the paper, different graphical designs in the form of characters or symbols which can also be visually detected, through the use of lenses or microscopes, once incorporated into the paper.
WO-2004/050991-A1 discloses a method for manufacturing a security paper in which a security thread is partially embedded in such a way that there are areas of the said security thread which remain exposed. The holographic or metallized graphical motifs can thus be seen with the naked eye, in the same way in which they could be seen on the thread before it was inserted into the paper substrate. In addition, it is described that this thread will be positioned at a specific distance from (that is, in register with) a watermark, in order to facilitate the control of the position.
One problem frequently involved with the use of security threads is that the substrate is deformed by the security thread, as the presence of the security thread in the substrate increases the thickness of the substrate locally, as the thickness of the security thread is added to the thickness of the paper as such. This is the reason for why, in bank notes, the position of the security thread often varies between different individual bank notes of the same kind: frequently, the position of the security thread in the bank note, in the cross direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the machine direction, which corresponds to the axial direction of the security thread), can vary several mm if different banknotes are compared. This prevents the increased thickness of the individual banknotes at the location of the security thread to accumulate and produce an excessive bulging of a stack of banknotes comprising a large number of superposed banknotes of the same kind.
However, this implies a difficulty when a certain security feature of a security thread, such as an image, symbol, marking, or other characteristic of the security thread, or the security thread itself, is to be placed in register with a security feature which forms part of the substrate of the document, such as an image, symbol or other mark printed on a paper substrate. For example, if an image printed on a security thread is to be placed in register with an image printed on a substrate into which the thread is to be inserted, this may be difficult or impossible if the position of the security thread is not the same in all substrates, such as, for example, in the paper substrates of a plurality of bank notes.
Also, when substrates for security documents are produced by cutting from a sheet or bobbin of the substrate material already containing the security thread (such as a sheet or web of paper or other cellulose based material), tolerances in the cutting process may affect the position of the security thread within the individual substrate, for example, in relation to the edge of the substrate. That is, if comparing a plurality of cut substrates, the security thread may not always be in the same position in relation to an edge or side of the substrate, for example, in the case of bank notes, typically in relation to one of the shorter sides, which often are parallel with the security thread.
Sometimes, an intended variation in the position of the security thread (for example, as in the case of banknotes, for the purpose of preventing all of the security threads from being exactly superimposed on top of each other when stacking banknotes, so as to prevent the stack from bulging excessively) can add up with a variation due to tolerances in the processes of insertion of the security threads into the substrates and/or cutting of the substrates, thereby giving rise to a substantial variability of the position of the security thread in relation to a reference point of a substrate, such as an edge of the substrate.
That is, to prevent the locally increased thickness of the substrate to accumulate excessively when many substrates are placed on top of each other, and in order to avoid the risk for "non-valid" substrates due to the tolerances in the insertion of the threads and/or cutting of the substrates from a large sheet or band, it is known to vary the position of the security thread in a controlled way within a predetermined interval, so that if comparing a number of substrates, the thread will not always be in the same position within the document (for example, in relation to an edge or side of the substrate or security document): the thread will be placed in a position that can vary within a given range, for example, with +/− a few millimeters from a reference position. However, this varying position of the thread may raise doubts with regard to the validity or authenticity of the document, for example, when a layman examines two banknotes and observes that the security threads are not placed in the same position.
Also, as indicated above, a further problem involved with a lack of register between a security element and a substrate is that it restricts the possibility of adding further security elements, due to the risk of interference between different security elements when they are very near each other of when they overlap each other.
EP-1872965-A1 teaches a security thread, strip or band comprising a cellulose support which can act as a carrier for security elements such as pigments, synthetic elements and/or security fibers, and which can be inserted into a paper substrate, whereby the cellulose substrate of the security strip can be completely integrated in the paper pulp, although without disappearing as an independent element. The fact that both the substrate of the security strip as the paper substrate into which it is integrated, that is, the substrate of the security document, to a substantial extent are made up of cellulose fibres, facilitates the integration between the substrate of the security document (hereinafter also referred to as the "document substrate") and the substrate of the security element (hereinafter also referred to as the "element substrate"). Due to this integration, such a cellulose strip does not contribute to an increase in the thickness of the document substrate in the same way as, for example, a metal or plastic strip. The strip can be provided with detectable symbols or other security features.
A known way of arranging a security feature of a security element in register with a substrate includes forcing, in a controlled manner, the variation of the visual appearance of the security element after it has been applied to the substrate.
For instance, US-2008/0191462-A1 discloses a security document with a paper substrate, having a coating on a portion of its surface. The coating includes a metallic layer which is modified by laser light, thereby marking the coating. This marking can be made in register with markings on the paper outside the coating, as shown in US-2008/0191462-A1. However, a problem with the method is that the marking is carried out on the surface of the document, wherefore the marked portions can easily be subjected to wear and degradation during use of the document, which can lead to doubts about its authenticity. Also, superficial markings can sometimes be subjected to fraudulent alterations.
The use of laser light for producing security features in security documents or elements is well known in the art.
For example, US-2010/0164217 teaches a method for manufacturing a security feature for a security element, a security paper or a data carrier that exhibits a substrate into which at least one through opening and at least one marking in register with the through opening are to be introduced.
US-2010/0272313-A1 teaches a forgery prevention medium that includes a volume hologram layer on which an interference pattern is recorded after being exposed to at least an emitted laser beam; a digital watermarking information layer on which digital watermarking information is recorded; and a substrate film.
WO-2009/106066-A1 discloses a security document including a layer with components sensitive to a laser light source, allowing for laser marking of the document.
JP-2005-279940-A discloses a printable security sheet, comprising a multilayer paper structure with an inner resin layer which can be altered by laser light.
US-2005/0142342-A1 discloses a process to increase the security level of paper documents. Applied to the paper document is a transfer film or laminating film having a laser-sensitive layer, and a laser-induced marking is produced in the laser-sensitive layer, for example, by laser-induced bleaching, laser-induced colour change or laser-induced blackening. It is taught that respective individualization of the document can be effected by way of that laser-induced marking.
US-2008/0187851-A1 discloses the marking of a material with identifier marks. An optical brightener is incorporated in the material, and marking is performed by reducing the brightness of the material at a selected location by directing local heating to this location, the mark thus produced appearing with a darker shade than its environment in ultraviolet light. The marking is based on partial or complete destruction of the brightening effect of the optical brightener under heating. The disclosure is suitable for providing e. g. coated paper and board containing an optical brightener with identifier marks for preventing falsifications.
WO-02/101147-A1 discloses a security thread with an opaque layer on which signs, figures or characters have been generated by means of a laser light, before the insertion of the security thread into a paper substrate.
EP-1291827-B1 and its U.S. counterpart US-2004/0232691-A1 disclose a method for the customization of security documents. They teach laser marking of at least two materials superimposed on a substrate, each of the at least two materials having different resistances to laser. An example is given in FIG. 3, where a first layer of material having a high resistance to laser and a second layer composed of two materials having different resistances are deposited on a banknote, and laser marked with a serial number of the banknote. The banknote also includes the serial number printed in another corner, and additional security elements such as a silver coated strip on which the serial number is provided, and a logo. According to the descriptions, the disclosure also makes it possible to provide a security thread or strip with a marking. The marking can be provided by the thread or strip manufacturer.
EP-2284015-B1 discloses a security element having a reflective layer which, by means of laser radiation, is marked with visually perceptible marks in the shape of patterns, letters, numbers or images.
EP-2271501-B1 teaches laser treatment of security documents involving perforation and simultaneous marking using a laser. A paper substrate has a marking region with a laser sensitive substance, and a security element is present in the marking region. The security element is weakened by laser light in order to generate, simultaneously and at perfect register, weak lines in the security element and marks in the paper substrate by alteration of the sensitive substance.
WO-2013/037473-A1 teaches marking of the front and/or rear surface of a substrate, or of the interior of a substrate, with laser light. The surface of a cylinder which is in contact with the substrate is arranged to take up ablated particles, so that these ablated particles do not adhere to the substrate or a following substrate.
US-2012/0103545-A1 relates to the production of colored markings on a substrate using laser light, and teaches combining a material for forming a colored mark under laser irradiation, and an antitampering agent. The substrate can be a paper substrate used in a security document and/or a security article.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,867-A relates to the production of paper for security documents. A security strip is used that has regions that obstruct drainage more than other regions. The strip can be provided with a pattern by cutting the pattern into the strip by, for example, a laser beam. This cutting takes place prior to the insertion of the strip into the paper. U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,867-A also seems to mention, as a possible material for the strip, some kind of paper. However, in view of how the strip is intended to be inserted, it is not clear how this would be possible in practice: the strip is introduced into the paper furnish, and no reference is made to any means or measures for preventing the strip from disintegrating in this rather hostile surrounding, before reaching the area where the paper is being formed. In this kind of paper making machines, the paper furnish generally includes mostly water, and is rather turbulent in order to make sure that the fibres of the paper will extend into different directions, thereby making the paper reasonably resistant to traction not only in the machine direction.
US-2006/0145468-A1 D4 refers to the production of a security document with at least one tangible marking in the form of a relief structure, produced by laser.

Method of providing a security document with a security feature, and security document

FÁBRICA NACIONAL DE MONEDA Y TIMBRE-REAL CASA DE LA MONEDA


Methods disclosed permit compositing operations to be performed on images using an associated mask even in situations where the image and the mask differ in size. In some embodiments, image and mask data may be specified as a soft mask image in a page description language such as PDF. Scaling operations may be performed on the image, mask, or on both the image and mask when they differ in size. Compositing operations may be performed on the scaled image and/or mask after they have been scaled to the same size. Composting operations in situations where the original mask and image are of the same size are not affected by scaling operations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of printing and in particular, to systems and methods for rendering images in print devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Imaging models such as those provided in Adobe's PDF™ often include the notion of transparency. With opaque objects the topmost object completely obscures the overlapping portions of any underlying object. When imaging models permit transparency, the color of a point on a page may be determined by potentially combining the colors of all objects enclosing the point in a blend-mode according to transparency-model specified compositing rules.
When an object is placed on a page, the object may be composited with a backdrop. Conceptually, the backdrop can be thought of as the result of compositing all previously specified objects. Compositing an object with its backdrop involves blending the objects color with the color of the backdrop at each point. Two parameters, termed shape and opacity determine how an object will be composited with its backdrop. Much like color components, shape and opacity, which vary from 0 to 1, may be specified for each pixel in an object. For opacity, the value 0 implies fully transparent, while 1 implies fully opaque. For shape, 0 indicates that a point lies outside an object with a sharp well-defined edge, while 1 indicates that the point lies inside the object. Values between 0 and 1 may be used in connection with objects with amorphous or soft edges.
The opacity of the object and the opacity of the backdrop determine their respective color contributions to blended and composited colors. Next, the object's shape determines the extent to which the composite color replaces the backdrop color. In some imaging models, one or more consecutive stack objects may be grouped and opacity and shape may be associated with the group thereby affecting blending and compositing operations that pertain to the group as a whole. When the group is composited, the color result of compositing the group may be converted to a luminosity value for each group pixel, which may be associated with the group as a "soft mask". Thus, the soft mask can be used for shape or opacity values pertaining to an object or a group when additional compositing operations are performed. The soft mask is often used for soft clipping, where the shape of an object or group is modified. Soft clipping can produce effects such as a gradual transition, fading etc. between an object and its backdrop. The soft mask is typically stored independently of the object being composited. In many printing applications, however, the print data stream may comprise of an image and a soft mask of differing dimensions. Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods to process print data streams where the dimensions of the image and soft mask are different.

Systems and methods for rendering resizable image including resizable mask


The inventive method concerns a process of transferring resin into reinforcing fiber material used in the manufacture of composite articles. A first step in the method involves positioning at least one layer of the reinforcing fiber material on the surface of an open mold. The reinforcing fiber material typically consists of glass, carbon, linear polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester fibers. Subsequently, a sealant layer is applied in liquid form over the reinforcing fiber material to create an airtight chamber encapsulating the reinforcing fiber material between the sealant layer and the mold. After the sealant layer is allowed to cure, a vacuum pressure is applied to the airtight chamber to draw resin through the reinforcing fiber material. For example, the resin can be an epoxy, polyester or vinyl ester resin. According to one aspect of the invention, prior to the first step of positioning the reinforcing fiber material on the surface of the mold, an optional gel coat layer can be applied to the mold surface.

1. Technical Field
This invention is a process for manufacturing composite articles, and more particularly a process for improving closed vacuum assisted molding techniques used in the fabrication of composite articles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various manufacturing methods are used in the fabrication of composite articles. These various manufacturing methods are broadly classified as closed mold and open mold processes. Closed mold processes can be cost effective when molding relatively small articles, but becomes cost prohibitive when molding large articles, such as boats, because large and intricately matched tooling becomes too expensive. Therefore, most large composite articles are currently manufactured using open molds.
Open mold processing used in the manufacture of composite articles involves the positioning of reinforced fiber material in a single open mold cavity and spraying or flow coating the reinforcements with liquid curable resin. A variation of this method involves chopping fiberglass in front of the resin spray stream. In this case the reinforcements and curable resin are deposited simultaneously in the mold. A significant drawback to open molding techniques is that during the resin deposition stage large amounts of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) are emitted, which is a matter of increasing concern to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Therefore, the use of open molds in the fabrication of composite articles is in danger of extinction unless the emission of HAPs can be significantly reduced. Already, Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standards are being imposed on the industry to curb HAP emissions. A solution for reducing HAPs, which is well known in the art, is to enclose the open mold apparatus within a vacuum bag during resin infusion. This process is sometimes referred to as vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM).
The VARTM process typically requires that the reinforced fiber material be positioned over the surface of an open mold. A vacuum bag comprised of flexible polymeric film material is then placed over the reinforcing fiber material and sealed. Resin is introduced into the interior of the vacuum bag after vacuum pressure is applied to draw the resin through the reinforcing fiber material. Once the resin is fully cured, the vacuum bag must be removed from the molded article and either discarded or reused. A significant advantage to the use of a vacuum bag is that HAPs generated from resin transfer are reduced.
One important factor, which must be carefully monitored when using a vacuum bag in resin transfer molding is the formation of air pocket, voids in the composite. Air pockets can form between the vacuum bag and/or within the reinforced fiber material, causing both structural deficiencies and aesthetic damage to the composite article. Additionally, wrinkles can form on the surface of the vacuum bag and transfer to the surface of the reinforcing fiber material, causing part defects. Although slowing down the evacuation process can reduce the occurrence of air pockets and wrinkles, it also results in reduced production rates, and therefore increased costs. Any air pockets, voids or wrinkles which do form must be manually eliminated via a time-consuming manual smoothing process, which can cause perforation of the vacuum bag or seam separation if not executed properly, and also slows production rates. Any leaks in the bag will cause air to be introduced into the resin stream. This problem causes a quality issue commonly called xe2x80x9cbubble trailsxe2x80x9d. Such defects that are not corrected during the molding process require costly reworking.
Various alternative approaches have been proposed to improve on the composition of the vacuum bag in order to reduce the formation of air pockets and wrinkles and the attendant defects. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,813 to Shepard discloses a pre-formed vacuum bag comprised of a non-porous material having a three-dimensional pattern, which allows the resin to flow through a series of interconnected channels, therefore minimizing the entrapment of air. Significantly it has been found that vacuum bags manufactured in accordance with the aforementioned prior art can be labor-intensive, and therefore costly. First, care must be taken to ensure that the vacuum bag is capable of a controlled collapse during evacuation; otherwise air pockets and wrinkles can form. Moreover, the pre-formed vacuum bag must be carefully constructed such that no tension exists in the non-porous material. Finally, reuse of the bag is discouraged, therefore resulting in unwanted solid waste.
It is also known in the prior art to use a sheet of textured film and tape to form an envelope as an alternative to a costly pre-formed vacuum bag. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,185 to Livesay et al. discloses this technique. One important factor, which must be carefully monitored when employing this method, is that the mold, seal and envelope must be thoroughly checked to ensure that no air leaks are present. Leaks could result in the formation of air pockets, and cause defects in the laminates or HAPS emissions into the atmosphere. Additionally, as with the aforementioned preformed vacuum bag, the textured film and tape are not reusable, therefore generating unwanted solid waste.
A reusable vacuum bag as an alternative to the wasteful non-reusable methods discussed herein is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,488 to Bryant. Significantly, it has been found that reusable vacuum bags can be costly and time-consuming to fabricate. First, costly silicone rubbers capable of withstanding repeated applications must be used. Second, the fabrication of the reusable vacuum bag requires a labor-intensive process involving elaborate piecing and seaming to protect against air leaks. Third, a different reusable vacuum bag must be made to allow for different sizes and shapes of composite articles. Fourth, reusable vacuum bags require regular maintenance such as repairing, cleaning and storing. Finally, the operational life of the reusable vacuum bag is limited, and the vacuum bag must be eventually discarded and replaced.
A recent advancement in vacuum bag molding is to incorporate structural framing members prior to the commencement of resin. This adds to the complexity of the vacuum bag configuration and amplifies the difficulty of placing the bag and ensuring that the bag is completely sealed.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a process for the manufacture of composite articles that can protect against the formation of air pockets; thereby significantly reducing the number of damaged parts. It would also be desirable to provide a process, which can prevent the emission of HAPs, without the high material and labor costs, and the generation of solid waste attendant with the prior art. Finally, it would be desirable to provide a process that would allow the unfinished side of the composite article to have a desired finish, eliminating the need for an additional finish to be applied. Commonly, unsaturated polyester gel coat materials are applied to the unfinished side of the composite article. These finishing materials further add to the HAPS emissions during the manufacturing process.
The inventive method concerns a process of transferring resin into reinforcing fiber material used in the manufacture of composite articles. A first step in the method involves positioning at least one layer of the reinforcing fiber material on the surface of an open mold. The reinforcing fiber material typically consists of glass, carbon, aramid, linear polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester fibers. Subsequently, a sealant layer is applied in liquid form over the reinforcing fiber material to create an airtight chamber encapsulating the reinforcing fiber material between the sealant layer and the mold. After the sealant layer is allowed to cure, a vacuum pressure is applied to the airtight chamber to draw resin through the reinforcing fiber material. For example, the resin can be an epoxy, polyester or vinyl ester resin. According to one aspect of the invention, prior to the first step of positioning the reinforcing fiber material on the surface of the mold, an optional gel coat layer can be applied to the mold surface.
The sealant layer can be applied using a spraying process. For example, a sealant layer spray coated to a thickness of between approximately 5 to 20 mils has been found to provide an acceptable result. The sealant layer is typically comprised of a polyurea or polyurethane elastomeric material.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the polurethane or polyurea formulation can be modified to in order to add enhanced properties, such as improved chemical resistance, moisture resistance, abrasion resistance, ultraviolet light resistance to provide the desired final finish, thereby eliminating the additional step of painting or applying a gel coat.
According to one embodiment, optimal placement of the vacuum and resin ports can be achieved by utilizing a special purpose nozzle assembly designed to pierce the sealant layer for access into the airtight chamber. The inventive method allows for the special purpose nozzle assembly to comprise the vacuum port, the resin port, or both.
Another embodiment for placement of vacuum and resin ports is to place the ports onto the laminate prior to the application of the bag sealant. After placement, the ports can be sealed to the laminate during the application of the bag sealant. After molding, the exposed protruding tip of the port can be optionally cut flush with the laminate surface.
Yet another embodiment is the method of sealing the flange of the mold. The advantage of the sprayable bag here is that overlaps pleats or seams in the bag do not complicate flange sealing. Resin injection and/or vacuum channels can easily be accommodated by using channel details molded into the flange or by placing a manifold system or resin transfer media on the flange prior to the application of the sprayable bag material.

Curable liquid sealant used as vacuum bag in composite manufacturing


An autowinder for use with all weather or underwater cameras includes a sealed generally U-shaped housing having a threaded attachment to a camera body. An internal power source and bidirectional motor are supported within the housing and operatively coupled to the film advance mechanism of the camera by a drive belt system. A generally L-shaped lever is pivotally supported upon the autowinder body exterior and is operated in response to a trigger to actuate the shutter mechanism of the camera. A magnet is supported upon the L-shaped trigger arm and actuates the autowinder function within the housing. Magnetic limit switches are operative to control the direction and extent of motor operation to provide appropriate autowinding action.

In a wide variety of camera environments and uses it is desirable to employ a camera which is sealed or watertight. Perhaps the most popular type of sealed or watertight camera is that generally referred to as underwater cameras. In a sense, however, the term underwater cameras is a misnomer in that while a substantial number of such cameras are used in underwater environments, a significant number are used as all weather cameras in applications or environments in which the cameras are subjected to rain, salt spray or other potentially damaging environments.
In any event while the design of underwater cameras varies somewhat, all generally comprise a unitary sealed body having a film magazine and film transport and advance mechanism enclosed therein. A lens generally comprising a cylindrical shaped member is sealingly secured to the camera body in front of the shutter mechanism. Several user operative controls are coupled to the lens and camera body to provide operation by the user. For example, the lens generally supports rotatable knobs or similar controls operative to provide aperture setting and focus of the lens. Similarly, the camera body supports a film advance lever or winder together with a shutter release mechanism. The latter generally comprises a depressible button positioned on the camera body. To provide successful underwater operation, the entire camera body lens and various controls must in total provide a sealed watertight configuration which protects the film and internal mechanisms of the camera.
In many situations such as those encountered by swimmers and divers, the camera must be operated using divers or swimmers gloves which often render the manipulation of the camera controls difficult. For example, the film advance lever is usually operated by the photographer's thumb in a simple slide motion along the backside of the camera body. However, the presence of gloves renders substantial difficulty in feeling or detecting the proper motion of the advance lever. Similarly, the shutter release button is generally a light touch button and determination of proper operation through gloves is also frequently difficult. In general, the limitation on tactile feedback due to gloves used by an underwater swimmer renders the entire operation of the camera less than comfortable or satisfactory.
In addition to the operational difficulties associated with underwater or all weather cameras, accessories utilized with such cameras are similarly subject to leakage problems. In addition, certain accessories can in fact increase the likelihood of leakage or other damage to the camera. Since many underwater cameras are operated in the ocean as opposed to fresh water bodies, additional problems arise in connection with the camera's moving parts due to the corrosion and salt build up caused by salt water. All of the foregoing combine to render the addition of accessories or enhancements to underwater cameras to be a difficult and demanding task.
One of the most severely felt needs in the underwater camera art is that of providing an acceptable autowinding mechanism which may readily be used in conjunction with a conventional underwater camera.

Autowinder for underwater and all weather camera


The truck has an hydraulic pump for receiving dredged mixture of solids and water from a pumping site and delivering the mixture to the truck body. A fixed partition wall is mounted transversely in the body and divides the body into first and second open compartments. The first compartment receives the mixture from the pump means to enable solids to settle at the bottom of the first compartment and the water rises towards the top of the compartment. The second compartment receives the water which rises in the first compartment and the partition wall. Drain means are selectively operable to effect removal of substantially all water from the second compartment. A one-way valve is located between the first and second compartments and is operable when the body is tilted to permit residual water in the second compartment to flow into the first compartment to effect removal of remaining solid matter from the first compartment by washing it out of the tilted body via the open tailgate.

1. Field of Use
This invention relates generally to apparatus for receiving, draining and disposing of dredged material comprising a mixture of water and sand or silt pumped from an underwater dredging site.
In particular, the apparatus comprises a mobile container which is divided into two compartments by a partition wall or weir and wherein water rising and separating from dredged material pumped into one compartment by a dredged material supply means flows over the weir into the other compartment from which it is then drained and the relatively dry sand or silt remaining in the said one compartment is then transported to a disposal site and removed from the mobile container.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In some underwater dredging operations carried out to clear navigation channels of sand or silt or to remove unwanted build-up near beaches, breakwaters or docksides, dredged material is pumped through a hose from a submerged dredge head into dump trucks on a nearby shore for transport to and disposal at some remote location. Transport of dredged material comprising a mixture of water and sand or silt is uneconomical and it is desirable to separate and dispose of the water before transport.
My U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,058, issued Aug. 8, 1989, and entitled "Dredging Apparatus Having a Diver-Operated Hand-Held Dredge Head for Quasi-Closed Loop System" discloses a dump truck having a conventional dump body containing a large removable filter unit containing a water pump, which unit is temporarily placed within the dump body prior to pumping dredged material into the dump body. After the dredged material pumped into the dump body has been drained of water by means of the pump-operated filter unit, the filter unit is physically removed from the dump body by means of a crane and the dump truck is then driven to some remote location whereat the substantially dry solid particulate matter is dumped from the truck. The foregoing arrangement enables the same pump-operated filter unit to be used in each successive dump truck arriving at the loading site. However, emplacement and removal of the filter unit for each truck requires a crane and involves expenditure of time, labor and money.

Dump truck for receiving draining and disposing of dredged material


The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal panel and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate arranged opposite to the first substrate, and a sealing frame disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal panel further includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a plurality of filling patterns filled in the sealing frame. The filling pattern is made of a piezoelectric material, and a size of the filling pattern is capable to be changed after the first electrode and the second electrode are applied with a voltage to generate an electric field, so as to adjust a height of the liquid crystal panel in a peripheral area thereof.

Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a field of display technology, and specifically relates to a liquid crystal panel and a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal panel.
Description of the Related Art
As the manufacture technology of display develops, the liquid crystal display technology develops rapidly, and has gradually replaced the conventional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display and becomes a mainstream technology for a flat panel display in future. In the field of liquid crystal display technology, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) is widely applied to fields such as television, computer, mobile phone and the like since it has advantages, such as large size, high integration level, powerful function, flexible process, and low cost.
A liquid crystal panel is generally made by assembling an array substrate and a color filter substrate and filling with liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal panel has a display area and a peripheral area, and the array substrate and the color filter substrate are sealed by a seal glue in the peripheral area.
In order to keep a certain assembly thickness of the liquid crystal panel in the peripheral area, silicon sphere or glass fiber is generally incorporated into the seal glue, since the silicon sphere or the glass fiber has a relatively high hardness, and is capable of playing a good supporting effect. However, the size of the silicon sphere and the glass fiber cannot be selected arbitrarily, and thus it causes the assembly thickness of the liquid crystal panel in the peripheral area to be non-uniform, and results in the defect for example peripheral Mura, etc.

Liquid crystal panel and method for manufacturing the same

HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A mud flap is provided for a vehicle which comprises a panel member of rubber having a top mounting end for securement within the wheel well of a vehicle, a bottom free end having a metallic accent plate supported thereon and respective inner and outer sides extending between the ends of the panel member. Means are provided to protect the metallic accent plate from being dented by rocks thrown onto the mud flap from between a pair of dual wheels for which the mud flap is intended to be used. In one embodiment, stiffener members are provided to prevent denting of an accent plate which extends fully across the panel member. In another embodiment, the accent plate is protected from denting by providing a flexible central portion in the mud flap in alignment with the mating surfaces of the dual wheels to allow the mud flap and accent plates supported thereon to return to an unflexed and unbent position after a rock has been thrown against the mud flap.

The present invention relates to a mud flap and more particularly to a mud flap for use with a vehicle having a dual set of wheels.
When supporting a mud flap on a vehicle, the mud flaps are known to be subjected to significant abuse due to rocks and other debris being thrown from the wheels onto the mud flaps. This particularly occurs on mud flaps which are supported in the wheel well of a vehicle supporting coaxial dual wheels therein. The flexing and unflexing of the tires of the dual wheels when rotating act to pick up rocks and other debris which are then thrown rearwardly into the mud flaps. This abuse endured by the mud flaps from such debris is particularly evident on mud flaps having metallic inserts used either for precision mounting of the mud flaps on the vehicle or for aesthetic appearance, as these metallic inserts are often dented and deformed. Deformation also occurs due to wind resistance which acts to bend the portion of the mud flap projecting downwardly and outwardly from the side walls of the vehicle.
According to the present invention there is provided a mud flap for a vehicle comprising:
a panel member having a top mounting end, a bottom free end and respective inner and outer sides extending between the ends;
mounting means for securing the top mounting end of the panel member to the vehicle;
a metallic accent plate spanning partway across the panel member; and
means for resisting deformation of the metallic accent plate.
The means for resisting deformation of the metallic accent plate provides an economical way of using metallic inserts for aesthetics or for precision mounting of the mud flaps without requiring excessively thick or heavy gauges of sheet metal to be used. In one embodiment, stiffener members are provided to prevent denting of an accent plate by strengthening the mud flap. In another embodiment, the accent plate is protected from denting by providing a flexible central portion in the mud flap in alignment with the mating surfaces of the dual wheels to allow the mud flap and accent plates supported thereon to return to an unflexed and unbent position after a rock has been thrown against the mudflap.
In one embodiment, the means for resisting deformation of the metallic accent plate comprises lateral stiffening means for stiffening the panel member in a lateral direction extending between the respective sides of the panel member.
The lateral stiffening means may include providing ribs formed in the metallic accent plate to extend laterally across the plate, orienting fibres of the rubber material forming the panel member to extend primarily in the lateral direction, providing raised ribs formed integrally on the panel member which extend in the lateral direction or providing elongate stiffening members which are embedded in the panel member to extend in the lateral direction.
When providing elongate stiffening members which are embedded in the panel member to extend in the lateral direction, the elongate stiffening members may comprise fibreglass rods. Furthermore, the elongate stiffening members may be embedded within the raised ribs.
Stiffening members may be located adjacent the bottom free end of the panel member to extend in the lateral direction across the panel member. Preferably, these stiffening members are centrally located between respective sides of the panel member for resisting bending due to rocks thrown from between the wheels of a dual wheel set.
Stiffening members may also be located intermediate the ends of the panel member to extend in the lateral direction across the panel member. Preferably, these stiffening members intermediate the ends of the panel member are located adjacent the outer side of the panel member to resist bending against the vehicle body due to wind resistance.
When used for a vehicle having a wheel well with a dual pair of wheels supported therein, the mounting means are preferably arranged to support the panel member within the wheel well rearwardly of the wheels.
In an alternative embodiment, the means for resisting deformation of the metallic accent plate may comprise a flexible central portion of the mud flap adjacent the bottom free end of the panel member permitting the outer side of the panel member to be deflected in relation to the inner side of the panel member.
In this instance, there may be provided a pair of metallic accent plates, each spanning partway across the panel member on opposing sides of the flexible central portion.
When a flexible central portion is provided, the mounting means are preferably arranged to support the panel member within the wheel well with the flexible central portion aligned with an intersection between the pair of wheels.


A hitch module adapted to be coupled to a frame of a work machine or towed assembly. The hitch module includes a carrier assembly having a first plate and a second plate coupled to one another. The first and second plates are spaced from one another by a first distance, where both plates define a pivot axis. A guide assembly defines a longitudinal axis and is pivotally coupled to the carrier assembly about the pivot axis. The guide assembly has a first guide plate and a second guide plate coupled to and spaced by a second distance from one another. A hitch assembly is disposed at least partially between the first and second plate of the carrier assembly and the first and the second guide plate. The hitch link assembly is pivotal about the pivot axis and movable along the longitudinal axis.

Work machines or towed assemblies often have rear hitch modules that provide a coupling location for a plurality of different towed devices. In addition to providing one or more coupling points, the hitch module is coupled to a frame to be sufficiently strong to pull the towed devices under different load conditions. In order to accommodate heavy load conditions, the hitch module is typically fixedly mounted to the frame, i.e., the hitch module does not move substantially relative to the frame. In this configuration, the hitch module must be correctly aligned with the towed device in order to properly couple the hitch module thereto.
Properly aligning the hitch module with the towed device can be difficult because of the weight/positioning of the towed device and because of the location of the hitch module on the work machine or towed assembly.


A hinge knee system includes a tibial assembly having a baseplate component and an axle component. The baseplate component has an opening that extends therein from a proximal end toward a distal end thereof. The axle component has a shaft portion receivable within the opening of the baseplate component and an axle connected to the shaft portion that extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft portion. The system also includes a femoral assembly that includes a distal femoral component. The distal femoral component includes condylar portions and an intercondylar portion disposed between the condylar portions. The intercondylar portion includes a bearing surface that defines a recess configured to rotatably receive the axle for articulation therewith.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total knee replacement is a common orthopedic procedure in which damaged or diseased articular cartilage and/or bone of the knee is replaced with a prosthesis. In a TKA, a surgeon generally selects one of several different categories of total knee prostheses for implantation depending on the needs of the patient. Prior to implantation of such prosthesis, a surgeon generally resects a portion of the patient's native tibia and femur so as to shape these bones to receive the particular prosthesis selected.
A hinged total knee prosthesis is one category of total knee prostheses. Hinge knee prostheses are typically the most constrained category of total knee prostheses as they most significantly limit the total range of motion of a patient's repaired knee. However, because of such constraint, hinge knee prostheses often provide the most stability and are, therefore, most useful to patients' who have severe joint instability caused by bone loss, ligament deficiencies, and the like. In this regard, hinge knee prostheses are often selected for patients undergoing a revision procedure in which a previously implanted prosthesis is replaced. This can be due to significant bone loss or ligament deficiencies at least partially caused by the previous prosthesis. In addition, hinge knee prostheses are also commonly selected for patients who have bone cancer, such as osteosarcoma, of the tibia and/or femur.
Performing a revision procedure to implant a hinge knee prosthesis can differ quite significantly from that of an oncology procedure to do the same. For example, in a revision procedure, a surgeon removes the previously implanted prosthesis exposing bone that had been shaped in a previous procedure. Although significant deformities can be present, the resected bone and bone deformities often do not extend beyond the metaphysis. So whatever bone stock remains is further shaped and bolstered to receive the hinge knee prosthesis.
In contrast, in an oncology procedure, a patient may have a cancerous tumor in the distal femur or proximal tibia. In order to remove such cancer, a significant portion of the patient's bone is removed along with the cancer. In this regard, resection may be performed along the bone's diaphysis thereby removing the entire proximal tibia or distal femur. In addition, the patient often has a healthy, pristine bone opposite that of the malignant bone. Thus, in order to perform the appropriate replacement, the resected malignant bone must be rebuilt and the pristine bone must be shaped to receive the appropriate components.
Despite the differences between revision and oncology TKA procedures there is some commonality between these procedures in that the tibia and femur are typically resected first, and then a hinge knee trial is assembled onto the resected bone to assess patellofemoral kinematics and joint capsule tightness. If adjustments need to be made, the trial is disassembled and further resections are performed, which may result in an iterative process of assembly, disassembly, and resection that tends to raise the joint line. In addition, the assembly and disassembly of the hinge trial, which often requires an axle to be inserted into a femoral component from a lateral or medial side thereof and through a bearing plate disposed between adjacent condylar portions of the femoral component, can be time consuming which can result in increased risk of infection and overall recovery time.
Numerous instruments, such as trials, cutting guides, and the like, have been made available to help perform hinge knee prosthesis implantation for both revision and oncology procedures. However, such instruments often differ significantly to account for the differences between the procedures. Thus, a manufacturer is often required to offer a large assortment of instrumentation that results in significant manufacturing costs.
In addition, such instruments are provided to an operating theater in sets. Such sets themselves are often comprised of numerous instruments. For example, a currently performed hinge knee procedure may require about 24 instrument cases and 28 instrument trays. These instruments may be stored, cleaned, packaged, and shipped by the manufacturer to the healthcare facility in which the procedure is to take place. In some instances, the instruments may be stored and sterilized at the healthcare facility itself. The demands of manufacturing, storing, maintaining, sterilizing, packaging, shipping and tracking such a diverse, complicated and large quantity of instruments can be expensive, particularly in a world that is increasingly demanding cheaper surgical procedures. For example, a set of instruments for performing a TKA procedure may cost about 40,000 USD to manufacture. These instruments may then be placed into circulation. While in circulation, these instruments must be stored, repaired, sterilized, packaged and shipped numerous times over contributing to the overall costs of the instruments. The more instruments provided in each set, the greater the life-cycle costs become, which may reflect back to the cost of the TKA procedure.
Therefore, further improved instruments and consolidation of instruments for use in hinge knee procedures is desired.

Hinge knee preparation instrumentation and associated methods


A dicing die bonding film including a bonding layer; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer adjoining the bonding layer, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a storage modulus of about 400 to about 600 kPa at 25° C. and a peel strength of about 200 to about 350 mN/25 mm with respect to the bonding layer as measured according to KS-A-01107 standard.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a dicing die bonding film, a semiconductor wafer, and a semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a semiconductor manufacturing process, a circuit designed wafer may be back-ground and laminated with a dicing tape or dicing die bonding tape, followed by cutting the wafer into small chips through dicing. Then, the separate chips may be bonded to a substrate, e.g., a PCB or lead frame substrate, through a bonding process. For example, the semiconductor manufacture process may include a back grinding process (in which the wafer is thinned), a mounting process (in which a dicing tape or dicing die bonding tape is mounted on a rear side of the wafer), a dicing process (in which the mounted wafer is cut into, e.g., a uniform size of, pieces), a UV irradiation process (in which UV light is irradiated to the tape), a pick-up process (in which each chip is picked up), and a die bonding process (in which the chip is bonded to a support member). The dicing tape may be attached to the rear side of the wafer in the mounting process, thereby preventing vibration of the wafer, securely supporting the wafer, and reducing or preventing formation of cracks on the chips or on lateral sides of the chips due to a blade used in the dicing process. Further, a dicing film may be expanded in the die bonding process to facilitate pick-up.
The dicing tape may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive dicing tape or a UV-curable dicing tape. The UV-curable dicing tape may be used to make a wafer thin and to pick up various sizes of chips.
When dicing is completed, UV light may be irradiated from a back side of the UV-curable dicing tape to cure an adhesive layer and to decrease interfacial peel strength with respect to the wafer, thereby facilitating a pick-up process of separate chips. In order to package the separate chips after dicing so that electric signals may be applied to the chips, a process of bonding the chips to a substrate, e.g., a PCB or lead frame substrate, may be used. For example, a liquid epoxy resin may be placed onto the substrate, and the separate chips may be attached thereto to be bonded to the substrate. This two-stage process, in which the dicing process uses the dicing tape and the die bonding process uses the liquid epoxy resin, may incur undesirable costs and poor yield.
Methods utilizing a dicing die bonding film may be used. In these methods, an epoxy film may be placed on a film provided as a dicing tape, and pick-up may be conducted between a pressure-sensitive adhesive of the dicing tape and the epoxy film, thereby combining the two-stage process into a single stage process. In this regard, these methods may be advantageous in terms of time and yield.
As multi-layer structure and high integration are realized in a semiconductor process, a wafer may become thinner. When thin wafer chips are picked up, the wafer may bend and the chips may be damaged by minor external impact. Thus, it may be important for equipment adjustment parameters for pick-up of pick-up/die bonding equipment to be in a lower level than in pick-up of an existing thick-film wafer. The equipment adjustment parameters for pick-up of the pick-up/die bonding equipment may include an expanding extent, the number of pins, a pin elevation height, a pin elevation rate, decompression pressure, the kind of collet, and the like. For example, a pin elevation height and a pin elevation rate may be key parameters in adjustment of pick-up, but these two factors may be adjusted within substantially limited ranges for thin chips. When a pin elevation height increases to facilitate pick-up, a thin chip may crack or may be damaged, causing reliability deterioration after packaging. Thus, in order to facilitate pick-up of a thin wafer (having a thickness of 80 μm or less), a dicing tape should have remarkably low peel strength with respect to the wafer after UV curing, as compared with a dicing tape used to pick up a thicker wafer.
For this reason, a UV-curable dicing tape may be considered. However, the UV-curable dicing tape may be unfavorable in terms of long processing time and high costs for a UV process. In order to reduce the processing time and costs, a pressure-sensitive adhesive dicing tape may be considered. However, a pressure-sensitive adhesive dicing tape may cause detachment of a ring frame or creeping of wafer chips during a dicing process when the dicing tape has low adhesive strength to the ring frame.

Dicing die bonding film, semiconductor wafer, and semiconductor device


In a method for producing workpieces of metal having profiled outer and/or inner contours which have any desired shape contours and are or can be profiled in thickness, the workpiece (R) is to be divided in terms of construction into simple part-profiles (4, 7, 13, 14), which are then produced by precision blanking and then fitted together and joined to one another by lamination to form the finished part.

The present invention relates to a method for producing workpieces of metal having outer and/or inner contours which have any desired shape contour and are or can be profiled in thickness.
Workpieces of this kind are usually produced by casting or under high loads as a forging with subsequent mechanical working. Both methods are expensive and forging dies are furthermore for their part subject to high wear. Also suitable is, furthermore, the cutting method, although this is very expensive.
The inventor has set himself the object of developing a process of the type mentioned above by means of which the abovementioned workpieces can be produced with considerably lower production costs and a higher accuracy.

Method for producing workpieces of metal


Disclosed are a light guide (750) and an electronic device including a light guide for coupling ambient light to a light sensor. The light guide (750) that is a structure of light-transmitting material having an elongate shape including a first end (752) for receiving ambient light and a second end (754) for collecting ambient light to transmit to a light sensor. The first end (752) of the light guide has a concave shape and the second end (754) of the light guide also has a concave shape. An electronic device may support the light guide and a light sensor. The concave shape of the second end of the light sensor may disperse light toward the light sensor, rather than tightly focusing the light toward the light sensor. Accordingly, the light sensor may have a sensing area that forms a detection plane so that the detection plane is positioned adjacent to the second end.

The makers of mobile communication devices, including those of cellular telephones, are increasingly adding features and functionality to their devices. For example, most cellular telephones currently include features that are dependent on or operate as a function of ambient light—features such as still and video cameras, one or more display screens with backlighting, and illuminated keypads.
Meanwhile there is also a trend toward smaller mobile communication devices. As these mobile communication devices become more complicated and smaller, more stringent manufacturing tolerances may be required—possibly making manufacture more expensive. Thus, reducing the need for more stringent manufacturing tolerances may provide a cost benefit to the consumer.

Light guide having an elongate shape with dual concave shaped end and electronic device using light guide


An object of the present invention is to produce an oxide film having good surface morphology and crystal quality, by a metal organic chemical vapor deposition using two or more raw material gases of metal organic compounds and oxygen gas. It is used a film forming system having a first supply hole 11A, a second supply hole 11B, a third supply hole 11C and a film forming chamber 7. A first raw material gas “A” containing a first metal organic compound is supplied through the first supply hole 11A into the chamber 7. A second raw material gas “B” containing the second metal organic compound is supplied through the second supply hole 11B into the chamber 7, and oxygen gas “C” is supplied through the third supply hole 11C into the chamber 7. The oxygen gas “D” contacts the first raw material gas “E” before the oxygen gas is mixed with the second raw material gas “F” in the chamber 7.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides a method of producing an oxide film by a metal organic chemical vapor deposition.
2. Related Art Statement
Single crystals of potassium lithium niobate and potassium lithium niobate-potassium lithium tantalate solid solution have attracted much attention as single crystals for a second harmonic generation (SHG) device generating a blue light used for a semiconductor laser. The single crystal mentioned above is capable of generating an ultraviolet ray. By utilizing such a short wave light, the single crystal mentioned above can thereby be applied in various fields such as optical disc memory, DVD laser light source, laser pointer, display, medical science, photo-chemistry and various kinds of light measurements. In addition, since the single crystal mentioned above has a large electro-optic effect, it can be applied for an optical memory device and so on utilizing its photorefractive effect.
On the other hand, a film-forming process by a metal organic chemical vapor deposition is disclosed in "Jpn. J. Appl. Phys." Vol. 38, (1999) pages 5437 to 5441 and Japanese patent publication 8-73222A. According to the process, raw material gases for lithium and niobium and oxygen gas are mixed in a container and the thus mixed gas is then introduced into a reactor to proceed the chemical reaction in the reactor. A film of lithium niobate is thus deposited on a substrate in the reactor.
Further, according to "J. Crystal Growth" 148, (1995), pages 324 to 326, raw materials for lithium and niobium are mixed and the resulting mixed gas is then introduced into a reactor to form a film of lithium niobate.
Japanese patent 3, 253, 295 disclosed a method of producing an oxide superconductor by a metal organic chemical vapor deposition. According to the method, raw material gases for metal elements constituting the oxide superconductor are supplied into a reactor through the corresponding supply holes while each pressure of the gas is controlled. The raw material gases are mixed and reacted in the reactor.

Oxide films, a method of producing the same and structures having the same


A thin membrane structure for stabilizing a spacecraft is provided. The spacecraft has a first end and a second end. The spacecraft has a center of pressure and a center of gravity. The thin membrane structure comprises a module secured to the spacecraft and a structure having a polygonal base and a plurality of triangular side panels meeting in a point opposite the base with the point secured to the module. Prior to deployment, the structure is entirely contained within the module. Subsequent to deployment, the structure expands to a pyramidal shape with the distance between the center of pressure and the center of gravity increasing to a length greater than approximately one-half the length of the spacecraft.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a thin membrane structure and, more particularly, the invention relates to a thin membrane structure that, when deployed, increases the distance between the center of gravity and center of pressure thereby increasing spacecraft stability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Ultra-light weight, large spacecraft structures can be used for a variety of purposes including solar sails, heat shields, communication devices, power generation devices, and the like. The structures must be compatible for deployment, self-deployable, and upon deployment, sufficiently rigid and stable and unfolding to a shape exactly the same as it was before it was folded compactly for deployment in space.
As mentioned, the spacecraft structures can be solar sails propelled by solar pressure can be used for propelling vehicles in space. A requirement for producing such solar sails is that the sail be in the form of a thin membrane that can be fabricated into membranes of a desired area, yet which are strong and lightweight, and capable of long endurance in the space environment. Such membranes or sails should also be constructed so that means for imparting some stiffness to the sail can be applied thereto to facilitate erecting the sail in the space environment.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a thin membrane structure that can be used for multiple purposes including, but not limited to, de-orbit, solar sail, solar cell, etc. Additionally, a need exists for a thin membrane structure that once deployed increases spacecraft stability. Furthermore, there exists a need for a thin membrane structure that moves the center of gravity from the center of pressure and is deployable with other support structures.