The present invention provides a method for encoding a video signal on the basis of a graph-based separable transform (GBST), the method comprising the steps of: generating an incidence matrix representing a line graph; training a sample covariance matrix for rows and columns from the rows and columns of a residual signal; calculating a graph Laplacian matrix for rows and columns on the basis of the incidence matrix and the sample covariance matrix for rows and columns; and obtaining a GBST by performing eigen decomposition of the graph Laplacian matrix for rows and columns.

Next-generation video content will have features of high spatial resolution, a high frame rate, and high dimensionality of scene representation. Processing such content will result in a tremendous increase in terms of memory storage, a memory access rate, and processing power.
Therefore, there is a need to design a coding tool for processing next-generation video content more efficiently.
In particular, a graph is a data representation form useful for describing information about the relationship between pixels, and a graph-based signal processing method of performing processing by expressing information about the relationship between pixels in a graph form. Such graph-based signal processing may generalize concepts such as sampling, filtering, transform, and the like using a graph in which each signal sample is represented by a vertex, and in which relations of a signal is represented by a graph edge having a positive weight. Thus, a more efficient graph-based signal processing method is required not just in a video compression field, but a variety of application fields.
In addition, many image/video compression standards have adapted a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT). Although the DCT has an advantage of a low complexity, the key problem of using a fixed block transform is that all residual blocks are assumed to have the same statistical properties. However, residual blocks are actually dependent on video content and prediction modes and thus they have very different statistical properties. Therefore, if it is possible to change transforms to fit the statistical properties of the residual blocks, better compression may be performed.

Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding video signal by using graph-based separable transform


The present disclosure provides injectable synthetic and biodegradable polymeric biomaterials that effectively prevent seroma, a common postoperative complication following ablative and reconstructive surgeries. Provided biomaterials include physically crosslinked hydrogels that are thixotropic, display rapid chain relaxation, are easily extruded through narrow gauge needles, biodegrade into inert products, are well tolerated by soft tissues, and effectively prevent seroma in a radical breast mastectomy animal model.

Seromas are a postoperative accumulations of serous fluid and are one of the most common complications in surgery today. Conventional wound management techniques are commonly applied when a seroma becomes a clinical concern. Placement of a seroma catheter or additional drain, as well as repeated or serial drainage of a seroma, may be required. Such complications result in a significant amount of lost income to patients, as well as expenses to insurers and physicians who have to care for these patients that require serial drainage. Such complications also delay wound healing, may entail additional surgical procedures, and ultimately delay the patient's return to work and routine functional activity. Seroma management can also be costly and, further, can place health care workers to additional needle exposure risks and related outcomes.
Several approaches to reduce seroma formation have been investigated. Surgical techniques, such as collapsing the seroma cavity with sutures, do not consistently and adequately eliminate seroma formation (Chilson, supra; Odwyer, P. J., O'Higgins, N. J., James, A. G. (1991); "Effect of closing dead space on incidence of seroma after mastectomy." Surg Gynecol Obstet 172, 55-56; Covency, E. C., O'Dwyer, P. J., Geraghty, J. G., O'Higgins, N. J. (1993) "Effect of closing dead space on seroma formation after mastectomy—a prospective randomized clinical trial." Eur J Sur Oncol 19, 143-146). Other methods, such as sclerotherapy (Tekin, E., Kocdor, M. A., Saydam, S., Bora, S., Harmancioglu, O. (2001) "Seroma prevention by using Corynebacterium parvum in a rat mastectomy model." Eur Surg Res 33, 245-248; Rice, D. C., et al. (2000) "Intraoperative topical tetracycline sclerotherapy following mastectomy: A prospective, randomized trial." J Surg Oncol 73, 224-227), compression dressings (O'hea, B. J., Ho, M. N., Petrek, J. A. (1999) "External compression dressing versus standard dressing after axillary lymphadenectomy." Am J Surg 177, 450-453), and biological adhesives, particularly fibrin glue (Lindsey, W. H., Masterson, T. M., Spotnitz, W. D., Wilhelm, M. C., Morgan, R. F. (1990) "Seroma prevention using fibrin glue in a rat mastectomy model." Arch Surg 125, 305-307; Harada, R. N., Pressler, V. M., McNamara, J. J. (1992) "Fibrin glue reduces seroma formation in the rat after mastectomy." Surg Gynecol Obstet 175, 450-454; Wang, J. Y., et al. (1996) "Seroma prevention in a rat mastectomy model: Use of a light-activated fibrin sealant." Ann Plast Surg 37, 400-405; Sanders, R. P., et al. (1996) "Effect of fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations on mastectomy seroma prevention." J Surg Res 61, 65-70; Carless, P. A., Henry, D. A. (2006) "Systematic review and meta-analysis of the use of fibrin sealant to prevent seroma formation after breast cancer surgery." Brit J Surg 93, 810-819), have not significantly decreased the clinical incidence of seroma formation. The current lack of effective methods available to medical practitioners dealing with seromas highlights the need for new methods for the prevention or treatment of seromas.

Polymer compositions of dihydroxyacetone and uses thereof


There is provided a method of manufacturing an outwardly flanged metal member, by which a metal member having outward flange portions which extend radially outwardly from a plurality of positions along a circumferential direction on an outer peripheral surface can be formed without a flash, or with a reduced amount of a flash. While surrounding a periphery of a metal blank 15 by a stationary die 21 and a movable die 22 and butting a distal face of the movable die 22 and a distal face of the stationary die 21, an axial end face of the blank 15 is plastically deformed by pressing the axial end face with the punch under a warm or hot condition to form the outward flange portions 7a by filling flange molding cavities 32 with a portion of the blank 15.

Wheel support rolling bearing units are used for rotatably supporting a vehicle wheel and a disk or a drum serving as a rotary member for braking on a knuckle serving as a suspension system. FIG. 21 shows an example of a widely known wheel support rolling bearing unit 1 for a driven wheel (in FR and MR vehicles, a front wheel; in an FF vehicle, a rear wheel). In this wheel support rolling bearing unit 1, a hub 3 is rotatably supported in a radially inner side of an outer ring 2 via a plurality of rolling elements 4, 4. When in use, the outer ring 2 is connected and fixed to a knuckle, while a wheel and a braking rotary member are supported on and fixed to the hub 3 respectively. The wheel and the braking rotary member are supported on the knuckle such that they rotatable with respect to the knuckle.
The outer ring 2 includes double-row outer ring raceways 5, 5 which are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 2. On an axially inward portion of an outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 2 (throughout the specification, "inward" with respect to the axial direction implies closer toward the widthwise center of a vehicle body when in use, and "outward" with respect to the axial direction implies closer toward the outside the vehicle body in the width direction when in use), a mounting portion 6 is formed as an outward flange portion.
The hub 3 includes double-row inner ring raceways 8, 8 which are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the hub 3. On a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the hub 3 near an outer end that projects outwardly in the axial direction than the outer ring 2, a support flange 7 is formed as an outward flange portion for supporting and fixing the wheel and the braking rotary member. Between the outer ring raceways 5, 5 of the outer ring 2 and the inner ring raceways 8, 8 of the hub 3, a plurality of rolling elements 4 is arranged in each of the raceways, whereby the hub 3 is rotatably supported on the radially inner side of the outer ring 2.
The hub 3 includes a hub body 9, an inner ring 10 and a nut 11, while the inner ring raceways 8, 8 are formed on an intermediate portion of the hub body 9 and on an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 10. The inner ring 10 is fitted onto a small diameter step portion 12 formed on a portion the hub body 9 near an axially inner end, and is fixed to the hub body 9 by the nut 11. Here, there is also widely known a structure in which the inner ring 10 is fixed to the hub body 9 using a riveting portion formed in the inner end portion of the hub body 9.
A bearing ring with an outward flange, which is a kind of an outwardly flanged metal member such as the outer ring 2 and hub body 9, can be manufactured by executing plastic working on metal material such as carbon steel. This plastic working method is conventionally widely known, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2.
FIG. 22 shows how to manufacture the hub body 9 by plastic working (warm or hot forging). Firstly, a long stock produced by rolling or the like is cut into a given length, thereby obtaining a cylindrical blank 13 shown in FIG. 22(A). Next, according to upsetting in which the blank 13 is compressed in the axial direction, there is provided a first intermediate work 14 of a beer barrel shape shown in FIG. 22(B). Next, according to a rough forming process in which, while the axially half portion of the first intermediate work 14 (in FIG. 22, the lower half portion of the blank 14; that is, the axially inner half portion of the hub body 9 after completed) is pushed into a mold (a die) having a given inner peripheral surface shape, the outside diameter of the axially half portion of the blank 14 is reduced, there is provided a second intermediate work 15 shown in FIG. 22(C). Next, according to a finish forming process in which, in a state where the second intermediate work 15 is set within a mold (a die) having a given inner peripheral surface shape, a punch is pressed against the axially other end face of the second intermediate work 15 (in FIG. 22, the upper end face of the blank 15; that is, the axially outer end face of the hub body 9 after completed) to dent the axially other end face, and also metal material of the second intermediate work 15 is caused to flow outwardly in the radial direction, thereby providing a third intermediate work 16 shown in FIG. 22(D). Since a flash 17 is formed in the surface of the third intermediate work 16 against which the die is butted, the flash 17 is removed by trimming, thereby providing a fourth intermediate work 18 shown in FIG. 22(E). Machining and grinding are carried out on the fourth intermediate work 18, thereby producing the hub body 9.
As the support flange 7 of the thus produced hub body 9, conventionally, there is generally used a disk shaped support flange 7 shown in FIG. 23(A). In the case that a disk shaped support flange 7 is formed according to the finish forming process shown in FIGS. 22(C)→(D), the flash 17 is generated along the entire perimeter of the outer peripheral edge of the support flange 7. Since the width of the flash 17 is narrow and the amount of scrap to be removed in the above-mentioned trimming operation is small, worsening of the yield of the material is limited. Also, a so called flashless working operation, which can prevent a flash, which needs to be removed, from being formed, can be carried out relatively easily.
On the other hand, in recent years, in order that the running performance of a vehicle such as the running comfort and running stability of the vehicle can be enhanced due to the reduced load of a spring, and also in order to reduce the cost of the outwardly flanged metal member due to the reduced cost of the material thereof, as shown in FIG. 23(B), there is proposed a hub body 9a which includes a radial support flange 7a in the outer peripheral surface thereof.
When finish forming process as shown in FIGS. 22(C)→(D) is carried out in order to produce this hub body 9a including a support flange 7a in which a plurality of protrusions 19, 19 are arranged radially, a large flash 17, 17a is formed as shown in FIG. 22(D) and FIG. 24(A). That is, the flash 17, 17a is formed not only in the outer peripheral edge portions of the respective protrusions 19, 19 of the support flange 7a but also between the protrusions 19, 19 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Such a large flash 17, 17a, after execution of the finish forming process, is removed by a trimming operation which is carried out in FIGS. 22(D)→(E) and FIGS. 24(A)→(B), and are then wasted as a scrap piece 20. Even when the scrap pieces 20 are collected together and are reused, the yield of the material is worsened to cause an increase in the cost of the hub body 9a. Therefore, it is not desirable that the amount of scrap pieces 20 increases.
Here, the problem described above is raised not only when producing the hub body 9a having the radial support flange 7a in the outer peripheral surface thereof but also in a case where an outer ring 2 including a non-circular outwardly flanged mounting portion 6 (shown in FIGS. 25(A) and (B)) in the outer peripheral surface thereof is formed by hot forging or by warm forging.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. JP 2006-111070 A    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. JP 2005-83513 A

Method of manufacturing outwardly flanged metal member


A golf club equivalent in driving distance to a standard 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron or 6-iron, where each club varies from the equivalent standard iron club in that the shaft is shorter, the loft angle is decreased, the lie angle is increased, and the club head weight is increased, where the swing weight remains approximately the same and where the club head is a metal club head of the type used for drivers and fairway woods.

This invention relates generally to the field of golf clubs and more particularly to the field of golf clubs having relatively large club heads of the type referred to as metal woods.
As is well known in the industry, golf clubs are specifically constructed to perform certain tasks, with a set of clubs being divisible into three main groups or typesxe2x80x94the clubs known as woods or, more commonly now, metal woods, the clubs known as irons, and a putter. The metal woods are long-shafted, low-lie (lie being the angle of the shaft relative to the ground when the club head is grounded) clubs with large club heads which are relatively heavy and full bodied, typically having a large striking surface backed by a generally rounded body mass. Metal woods are designed to drive the ball the longest distances, the ball being hit from the tee box where the ball is placed onto a tee for striking or from a good lie in the fairway or rough. The metal woods are typically designated as a driver or a numbered wood of either number 1 or 3, although it is known to also produce wood numbers of 5, 7 and even 9. The lower the number, the farther the ball is designed to travel after being struck, with higher number woods producing more lofted and therefore shorter shots. The irons are clubs used for middle and short distance shots, including shots from the tee box for short holes or holes where control is important and shots from the fairway, the rough, waste, sand or grass bunkers. The irons have medium and short shaft lengths relative to the woods, striking surfaces with greater loft so as to hit a higher shot with less roll upon impact, and the club heads are generally blade shaped with higher lie angles. The irons are usually numbered 2 through 9, plus higher lofted and thus shorter hitting irons designated as pitching wedges and sand wedges. The lower the number, the farther the golf ball should travel when struck, with the higher numbered irons and the wedges producing shots with extremely high trajectories and minimal roll. Often the 4-iron and lower are designated as long irons, the 5-iron through the 7-iron are designated as middle irons, and the 8-iron through the wedges are designated as short irons. The final type of golf club is the putter, used on the greens to roll rather than lift the ball. With the irons and woods, the general rule is that long shafts are combined with less lofted club faces in order to promote distance, the long shaft providing greater club head velocity and the low loft (i.e., a striking face closer to perpendicular to the ground) causing a more level ball flight path with maximum roll. For the shorter distance irons, the shafts are kept short to improve control and swing consistency, since maximum club head velocity is not required for the shot, and the loft of the striking face is very high so as to lift the ball and minimize roll after landing.
Playing consistently good golf remains foremost a matter of skill, even with the vast amount of technological advances made relative to golf club design, material of construction, instruction and practice techniques, etc., since the inception of the sport. Designing clubs which maximize distance is important, but designing clubs which maximize control and accuracy is probably of greater overall importance. For most golfers, hitting the irons designated as the 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron and 6-iron pose the most problems in terms of control and consistency, because the shafts are still relatively long in comparison to the higher-control, short-shafted short irons, while the club head weight and body style is lighter and much less forgiving of error than the club head weight and body style of the metal woods. In addition, golf courses are designed such that shots of a distance calling for the 2-iron through 7-iron must often be hit from the rough, waste, sand or grass bunkers when the initial drive from the tee is not accurately played. Because the golf ball may lie in high grass, the club which is designed to provide the correct distance may have a club face with too low of a loft, a shaft too long to allow for a steep angle of attack on the ball, and a club head too light to pass through the rough or sand to extricate the ball, requiring the golfer to use a higher lofted short iron to remove the ball from a bad lie. Because the shorter iron is required in these situations, the ball cannot be driven the desired distance and extra strokes will be required to complete the hole since the golfer is forced to play a shorter shot.
Certain other situations encountered on the golf course demand shots of a type which the standard clubs are not designed to provide. For example, when hitting into a stiff wind or when hitting a shot beneath low tree limbs, the golfer wants to hit a shot with low arc or trajectory. In order to avoid lifting the ball, a longer club with less loft is chosen and the golfer chokes down on the grip to shorten the effective length of the shaft and moves the ball back in his stance. With the ball back in the stance, the swing will be more vertical, imparting more backspin to ball and undesirably causing it to take a higher trajectory. Choking down on the shaft alters the performance characteristic of the club, lowering the swing weight of the club and reducing shaft flex. The lie of the club is now flatter, causing the toe of the club to dig into the ground and push the shot to the right. Another non-standard golf shot is the use of a 3-wood or 5-wood to chip a ball onto a green from the fringe or apron. Here the fairway wood is used like a putter, with the added mass and weight of the club head minimizing friction and resistance from the fringe prior to contact and with the increased loft relative to a putter lifting the ball out of the fringe to travel in the air a short distance before beginning to roll. However, in this instance the shaft of the club is very long, often about 8 inches longer than the putter shaft, and the lie of the club is much too flat relative to the more upright angle of the shaft when the club is used as a putter to provide for a proper lie angle when hitting this shot. If the golfer extends the club head outward to correspond to the proper lie angle designed into the club, the shot is very difficult to properly align.
It is an object of this invention to provide a golf club or set of clubs equivalent to the standard 2-iron 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron and 6-iron with regard to the distance of travel of a golf ball when struck by the particular club, which incorporates desirable characteristics of a metal wood club head into a short shafted club, such that the shorter shaft length provides for increased control and consistency, the greater club head mass and weight provide for easier penetration of the club head through rough or sand, and the combination of all elements provides a set of clubs with the same swing weight as the equivalent standard irons. It is a further object to provide such a club or set of clubs where the club head is constructed as a metal wood head, but with increased weight over club heads found in drivers or fairway woods, where the swing weight is equivalent to the swing weight of the corresponding iron, and where the length of the shaft and lie of the club are equivalent to that of a middle or short iron, which results in a club with a shaft length approximately one inch shorter and a lie approximately 2 to 5 degrees greater than the equivalent iron. It is a further object to provide a golf club which is the equivalent in striking distance to irons but with a metal wood club head, where the metal wood head increases accuracy, because with the center of gravity of the club head moved back from the striking face, the club head has greater resistance to twisting for shots hit off-center, and further because the inherent curvilinear face of the metal wood club head compensates and corrects when the ball is struck off-line and off-center.


The present technology is directed generally to a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a first vertical transistor and a second vertical transistor, and the first vertical transistor is stacked on top of the second vertical transistor. The first vertical transistor is mounted on a lead frame with the source electrode of the first vertical transistor coupled to the lead frame. The second vertical transistor is stacked on the first vertical transistor with the source electrode of the second vertical transistor coupled to the drain electrode of the first vertical transistor.

Vertical power transistors such as vertical metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor ("MOSFET"), vertical junction field effect transistor ("JFET") or field effect transistor ("FET") with integrated Schottky diode are widely used in power management applications. Some power management applications, for example, half-bridge drivers, synchronous buck converters, and synchronous boost converters, include vertical power transistors that are connected in series.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional switching power converter 100 comprising a low side power transistor 101, a high side power transistor 102 and a controller 103. The drain electrode 102D of the high side power transistor 102 is coupled to an input port to receive a power supply VIN. The gate electrode 102G of the high side power transistor 102 and the gate electrode 101G of the low side power transistor 101 are configured to receive gate control signals from the controller 103. The source electrode 102S of the high side power transistor 102 and the drain electrode 101D of the low side power transistor 101 are connected together to form a switching node SW which outputs switching signals. The source electrode 101S of the low side power transistor 101 is connected to ground GND.
In certain high power applications, the high side power transistor 102 and the low side power transistor 101 are implemented as vertical power transistors such as vertical MOSFETs. Vertical power transistors typically comprise a drain electrode on a back surface of the power transistor die, and source and gate electrodes on a top surface of the power transistor die. The high side power transistor 102, the low side power transistor 101 and the controller 103 are typically fabricated on separate semiconductor dies, which are laid on a lead frame structure 104 in the same plane. The drain electrode 102D of the high side power transistor 102 and the drain electrode 101D of the low side power transistor 101 are mounted to separate, isolated pieces of the lead frame structure 104, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
For high-power devices, the lead frame can be used as a heat sink. For ease of integration onto a printed circuit board ("PCB"), the heat sink is usually at ground potential. In the switching power converter 100 shown in FIG. 1 with the conventional packaging strategy shown in FIG. 2, the drain electrode 102D of the high side power transistor 102 and the drain electrode 101D of the low side power transistor 101, which are attached to the lead frame structure 104, are respectively coupled to a constant high voltage and a switching node which switches between high and low voltages. An exposed lead frame at a constant high voltage is less desirable because it adds a high-voltage heat sink area on the PCB. It is even more undesirable for the exposed lead frame to switch between high and low voltages, as the switching transients may cause electro magnetic interference ("EMI"). Also, the conventional packaging strategy as shown in FIG. 2 can result in a large package size because the dies are arranged side-by-side. Also, different semiconductor dies are interconnected by wirebonding, and thus may introduce parasitic resistance and inductance. Furthermore, the presence of multiple exposed lead frame pieces in close proximity to one another complicates the attachment of the co-packaged product to a PCB.

Vertical power transistor die packages and associated methods of manufacturing


The present invention is concerned with an underwater communication device, that is simple in design, in operation, powered solely from the hand against the resistance of a spring or elastic band, is low maintenance, is resistant to accidental sound generation, offers a wide margin of safety, reliability, and enables audible communication. The present invention is concerned with a device containing a housing (3) an acoustic signature generating means (1) to produce an audible sound when struck. A strike element (2) powered by a kinetic energy generating means (4) causing it to impact the acoustic element (1). A gripping attachment (5) attached to strike (2) pulled away from the acoustic signature generating means (1) increasing tension in the kinetic energy generating means (4). Upon gripping attachment (5) release, increased tension of kinetic energy generating means (4) powers strike element (2) to impact acoustic signature generating element (1), creating distinguishable sound.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a signaling device and emergency alert system for environments where verbal communication is impaired or impossible such as underwater.
2. Prior Art
In the underwater environment, swimmers and divers often find it complicated, if not impossible, to verbally communicate. Air tanks used by divers and snorkels used by swimmers are some of the many items used when swimmers or divers are above, at, or below the surface of the water. These devices along with the water itself create a barrier to the swimmer or diver's making audible sounds.
The limited communication ability between swimmers and divers can at times be life-threatening. Therefore, there exists a great need for a simple, workable, handheld, self-powered underwater signaling device that can be heard over other sounds including, but not limited to, the noise made from a diver's regulator or snorkel. The signaling device should produce an audible sound having a characteristic that is unique and distinguishable from other underwater sounds, and in other words, be indicium. The present invention solves a problem that swimmers and divers have had for decades, allowing them to easily signal each other underwater or under speech limiting conditions.
Over the years, numerous types of existing art with respect to underwater communication devices have been developed. However, conventional underwater communication devices have many deficiencies which discourage most swimmers and divers from using them, and therefore, have not gained wide acceptance and use.
A major problem of many conventional communication devices for use underwater is that they have multiple moving components, which generally increases their risk of failure. Swimmers and divers—know that their hobby or profession is high-risk, and therefore, demand maximum reliability from all of their equipment. To increase reliability, an underwater communication device should be simple in design and should employ a minimum number of components that might fail.
Another downfall of most conventional underwater communication devices is that they require significant maintenance to maintain an acceptable level reliability and performance, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,667 to Mahig (1978). To reduce maintenance effort and expense while maximizing reliability, a swimmer or diver would surely prefer an underwater communication device that requires only simple maintenance.
Yet another drawback of some conventional underwater communication devices is that they require a diver to enter an unusual or uncomfortable body position such as reaching one arm behind one's back toward the area of the dive tank, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,351 to Feder (1992); or reaching an arm down to one's calf to obtain a dive knife to bang against one's air tank. An underwater signaling device should be non-obtrusive and should be accessible wherever a swimmer or diver needs it quickly and naturally—preferably near a diver's buoyancy compensator or vest or near a swimmer or diver's torso area.
Still another drawback of many conventional underwater communication devices is that they are so difficult to operate that not all swimmers or divers can easily become proficient in their use. An underwater communication device that would be easy to use and understood by any swimmer or diver would be preferable.
Still yet another discouraging feature of some conventional underwater communication devices is that in order to work they must either replace, or be attached to, a standard scuba gear component, such as the buoyancy compensator or a second-stage air regulator. An underwater communication device that would not require interfering or changing the function of any other piece of scuba gear would be preferable.
Still yet another significant problem of many conventional underwater communication devices is that they require an energy source to function. For example, there are underwater communication devices that require a battery to function. However, batteries are not always reliable and a low or dead battery can cause the device to fail. Replacing or recharging batteries is expensive and not convenient. Air pressure is also used as a power source for underwater communication devices. The air pressure could be generated by a scuba tank or from an air compressor; however, it would reduce air available for breathing or would require a secondary remote air source that would be an inconvenience. A swimmer or diver would prefer an underwater communication device that operates off of a simple hand-held activity powered by the user, not electricity, air pressure, or any other artificial energy source.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,160,760 to Rayner (2000) shows a "pistol grip" type device with a complex set of moving parts that are akin to a trigger mechanism, powered by a spring that strikes at a "bell" when the trigger is depressed by the user. The device has two springs in a sealed chamber, however, sealed chambers may pose a problem at depth due to pressure and possible buoyancy issues. While the device holds merits in the very likelihood that it could possibly accomplish its designated task, many complications seem to be obvious in its design, and possible functionality. Furthermore it is not clear, and many tests indicate, that the dampening effect of water would not permit a distinctively loud and attention grabbing acoustic signature to be produced by such a device. It is also important to add that the complexity of the moving parts and the design, defeat a measure of reliability and resilience that swimmers and divers look for, since the effects of water and salt water and the rough handling the swim and dive equipment typically receives will put any device under a considerable amount of stress. Furthermore the hydrodynamic profile of moving a bell-shaped device through water may cause it to create movement and vibration similar to that of a fishing lure, causing discomfort and distraction for the swimmer or diver.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,734 to Fish (1997) shows an alternate method, in which a sealed tubular device encloses ball bearings or any other matter that when shaken, will emit sound much like a musical device many percussionists use when performing. While simple in design, the device is surprisingly heavy, may display buoyancy issues, and due to obvious "sealed" air space, could result in a collapse of structure or water flooding at depth. The device must be "stored" in a pocket of the vest, or hung from the equipment leaving it free to rattle around randomly. Furthermore the device must be shaken vigorously when used, which is obtrusive to swimmers and divers, and if not cared for continuously, may as previously stated, emit noise randomly. Many swimmers and divers also state that the device does not produce enough of a sound to be effective underwater and have discontinued its use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,351 to Feder (1992) shows a simple rubber loop that has a ball attached to it. This device is slipped over a dive tank while setting up dive equipment, and is used by reaching behind one's back toward the tank and pulling the ball away from the tank then releasing it, causing the ball to strike the tank and produce a desirable acoustic signature. This alternate method, while very simple, presents a new set of challenges to divers in that the device is typically uncomfortable to use, since the diver must unnaturally reach his or her arm back behind their body, which is difficult when wearing full equipment. The device must be re-seated on each new tank as the diver changes out empty air tanks for full ones. Divers need to "feel around" without the benefit of having eyesight behind ones' back to find the ball to activate the device, which can be challenging in an emergency situation. Some divers also use expensive, painted tanks and are vehemently opposed to striking them purposely with any object. Furthermore, the acoustic signature tends to resonate very closely to the diver's ear since the top of dive tanks are closely positioned to a diver's head. Straps and stays that hold the tank in place also may dampen the sound produced by the device.
Other "pneumatic" driven devices that are typically attached to the 2nd stage hose of a diver's air supply equipment have been proposed and some exist, as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,667 to Mahig (1978), U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,510 to Joseph (1989), U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,107 to Hancock (1990), U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,499 to Nordbeck (1991), U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,790 to Stevenson (1991), U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,055 to Johnston (1994), U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,205 to Chen (1999), and U.S. Pat No. 6,578,511 to-Dexter (2003). While most are effective, these devices exhibit considerable drawbacks if the diver unexpectedly encounters a prospective lack of air pressure coming from the dive tank. These devices also are comprised of many metal moving parts that will undoubtedly require maintenance, will suffer exposure and likely corrosion, may have a likelihood of failure after extensive operation, and have been known to reduce the value of many swimmers and divers' recreational experiences by being excessively loud, thereby disturbing the tranquil atmosphere enjoyed and sought after by most swimmers and divers. Many swim and dive leaders have outlawed the use of air-powered devices, alleging that they may be obtrusive and obnoxious.
In conclusion, insofar as I am aware, no hand powered device has been produced that is very convenient and easy to use by beginners, novices and experts alike, has very few moving parts, is very resistant to the stresses of a swimmers or diver's environment and handling, produces an alerting yet unobtrusive acoustic signal only on command, is streamlined and convenient in design, all at once. To summarize, the existing underwater communication devices experience one or more of these disadvantages:
(a) are designed using multiple components that can fail;
(b) require substantial maintenance to obtain an acceptable level of reliability and performance;
(c) require too much thinking or practice to use properly and consistently;
(d) involve the adaptation of a swimmer or diver's gear in order to perform;
(e) require an artificial energy source to perform.
(f) are susceptible to the effects of pressure found underwater, and may fail as a result thereof,


A method in consolidation and drying of paper. A wet web is contacted with superheated steam, whose temperature is 200-600xc2x0 C. for the purpose of reducing, by heat transfer from the superheated stream, the water content of the web by evaporation of a substantial part of the water in the same. The wet web is supported and transported by means of a heat-conductive, gas-impermeable belt whose width is equal to or exceeds the width of the web, and jets of the superheated steam are directed towards the side of the web facing away from the belt.

The present invention relates to a method in consolidation and drying of paper. A wet web is contacted with superheated steam for the purpose of reducing, by heat transfer from the superheated steam, the water content of the web by evaporation of a substantial part of the water.
Drying of a web-shaped material, such as paper, usually occurs by the wet web being contacted with hot surfaces or by blowing a hot gas, preferably air, towards the web.
In cylinder drying machines, the web-shaped material is heated by heated cylinders against which the web-shaped material is pressed by the web tension or by means of a felt or wire. The cylinders are heated by steam being supplied to their interior and condensing when contacting the casing of the cylinders. The condensate is evacuated continuously.
Water is preferably drawn off in free ventilated draws between the cylinders. The ventilation air, or at least the major thereof, is drawn off from the casing which encloses the cylinder drying machine. The amount of ventilation air drawn off is adjusted so that the moisture content of the exhaust air is adjusted towards a desired value, which is as high as possible in consideration of the risk of condensation etc.
Drying of so-called soft tissue occurs also on a single heated cylinder, a so-called yankee drier, in which drying occurs in combination with impingement of hot air or combustion gases.
Drying of paper also occurs completely without contact with a heat-emitting surface in drying machines with a so-called airborne web. In these drying machines, the web floats in a fixed position above or between blow boxes. The air leaving the blow boxes serves to carry the web, heat it and remove evaporated water.
The drying method affects to a very high degree the quality of the paper produced. The quality is also affected by a plurality of other parameters, such as how quick the paper is dried and in which temperature range it is treated.
Another method was already suggested in 1952 by Julian Dungler in U.S. Pat. No. 2,590,849. This method discloses a method for drying of cloth, paper and similar fibrous materials. Instead of using hot air or some other hot gas in drying, jets of superheated steam are directed at high speed towards the goods to be dried.
In conventional drying it is not possible to increase the temperature of the goods to be dried above the wet temperature as long as xe2x80x9cfree waterxe2x80x9d exists. By blowing steam, a bulk temperature corresponding to the current boiling point can be achieved very quickly during simultaneous condensation of part of supplied steam.
At the beginning of a paper drying process, where air at atmospheric pressure is used, a web has a temperature of only 50-60xc2x0 C. whereas, when blowing superheated steam, in steam atmosphere, the web quickly reaches a temperature between 90 and 100xc2x0 C. In addition to a reduction of the space required, this may result in an increased paper quality by the fibres being softer and being more strongly bonded to each other.
The advantages of steam drying appear to be so obvious that it is strange that this method did not gain a considerable market share, but since this has not occurred, there must have been decisive difficulties, so that the advantages did not outweigh these additional problems.
A main object of the present invention is to provide a simple and space-saving method for drying of paper.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a method of drying paper in an oxidation-free atmosphere.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a method for fixed drying of paper.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a method for drying of paper with superheated steam instead of e.g. air, in which expected quality gains can be achieved without increased costs of installation and operation.
The present invention relates to a method in consolidation and drying of paper. A wet web is contacted with superheated steam, whose temperature is 200-600xc2x0 C., for the purpose of reducing, by heat transfer from the super-heated steam, the water content of the web by evaporation of a substantial part of the water in the same.
In the suggested method, the wet web is supported and transported with a heat-conductive, gas-impermeable belt whose width is equal to or exceeds the width of the web and jets of the superheated steam are directed towards the side of the web facing away from the belt.
Properties and quality of a dried web are largely determined by the way of drying it. In addition to the technical conditions that must be taken into consideration, it must also be possible to produce the product economically to allow it to be sold in large volumes on a competitive market.
According to the present invention, a wet paper web is consolidated and dried in an oxidation-free atmosphere by contacting the web with superheated steam, whose temperature is 200-600xc2x0 C. The wet web is supported and transported with a heat-conductive, gas-impermeable belt whose width is equal to or exceeds the width of the web and jets of the superheated steam are directed towards the side of the web facing away from the belt. By heat-conductive belt is here and henceforth meant a belt whose thermal conductivity is so good as to function as a temperature-equalising factor in the contact with the web. The belt is conveniently made of metal, such as stainless steel, but polymers are not excluded. By jets is meant flows with high speed and of essentially arbitrary cross-section, such as circular and elongate.
The method according to the invention aims at providing quicker drying than conventional methods, but all the same affording reasonable time, essentially exceeding the time in, for example, the nip of the impulse drying, for consolidation of the web. Superheated steam is blown towards the web for a period of, for example, 0.5-5 s.
A wire may be arranged between the belt and the web, but preferably the web is in direct contact with the belt. The belt can also be prepared for varying adhesion, and in case of increased adhesion shrinkage in the transverse direction can be prevented.
The drying can occur in a single step by steam of the same temperature being supplied during the entire drying procedure, but it is in many cases advantageous to divide the drying into two or more steps. Then the temperature of the steam in a first step is suitably higher than in one or more subsequent steps.
In two-step drying, for instance the temperature of the steam in the first stage is selected to be between 400 and 600xc2x0 C., preferably between 480 and 540xc2x0 C., and in a second step, for example, a temperature between 300 and 400xc2x0 C. is selected, preferably between 330 and 370xc2x0 C. The speed of impingement should be above 50 m/s, preferably between 80 and 120 m/s in the first step and between 60 and 120 m/s in the second step.
Advantageously the web is preheated to 90-100xc2x0 C. before drying. This can conveniently take place by direct or indirect contact with essentially saturated water vapour. The preheating can be preceded by a treatment which serves to remove the air which is entrained in the wet web. The steam for preheating is suitably taken from the drying machine as evacuated steam from one of the drying steps, in the first place the second step or a later step in a multistage drying machine. The evacuated steam from the first drying step can also advantageously be used for supply to the second step or to a later step etc.
After preheating, the web can advantageously be mechanically dewatered to reduce the water content and simultaneously any remaining air can be evacuated. By this occurring at an increased temperature, the pressing will be more efficient and less water need be evaporated during drying. In this manner, it is also possible to render the wet pressing at the end of the wet end more efficient and thus reduce the investment cost by excluding one or more pairs of rolls. Analogously, it is advantageously possible to incorporate glazing in the drying machine where the web is already surrounded by hot water vapour.
According to a variant of the invention, the drying machine can besides be used as a chemical reactor by chemicals which affect the properties of the paper being supplied together with the vapour or in some other suitable manner in the preheating step and/or in one or more drying steps.

Andritz Technology and Asset Management GMBH


An waterwheel (6) using a spiral pump (1) which is attached to a scoop assembly (3) which runs the air and fluid to a separator tank (9), which then allows the air to an air turbine (15) and the fluid to a hydro turbine (16) will produce pressure which will turn the turbines listed which in turn will rotate an electrical generator producing electricity. This system changes the flow of the river in to rotation movement, which produces pressure, which produces mechanical rotational movement to turn a generator, which generates electricity.

Water power has always been the most successful non polluting power source. Large hydroelectric dams give 95% of the power needs of Canada, 11% of the United States. But large scale water power plants have fallen out of favor in the United States and are becoming harder and harder to build.
This is the latest design that I have created; it is simple and can generate power from the slow (but powerful) flow of a river or ocean.
Creating usable power from the slow movement of rivers and oceans has been tried many times, without economic success. I believe these failures are due to those designs being too complicated and having those complicated parts being immersed in water. Both of these issues raise the cost of building those designs to the point of being economically impractical.
My design makes power off of the flow of a river at very slow speeds, efficiently and with almost no moving/wearable parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,134, the "Loop Pump", is the closest to what I am proposing. It uses a Spiral pump to raise water. Since I am not proposing to use the pressurized air and liquid created by the spiral pump be used to raise water, but to spin prime movers to create electricity, my design is different in its application and includes extra systems to achieve this purpose.


An image processing apparatus for processing image data including: appending information generating unit for receiving image data and generating an appending information based on contents of the image data; correlativity judgment unit for judging correlativity between the received image data and another image data, including the appending information based on the appending information; and correlativity information assignment unit for assigning correlativity information indicating the correlativity to both the received image data and the other image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a computer readable medium storing program. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a computer readable medium storing program for processing an image based on correlativity between images.
2. Description of Related Art
For judging similarity and correlativity between an image data and another image data, an apparatus, such as a fingerprint identification apparatus or the like, has been used. According to the apparatus, the other image data, of which the correlativity with the image is higher than a predetermined reference value, is selected so as to perform user authentication and the like.
However, the apparatus stores the correlativity between one image data and a plurality of other image data in association with only the one image data. Therefore, the information on the correlativity, which has been already judged, is not used efficiently when a part of the plurality of other image data is to be used for another purpose.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable medium storing program


This invention provides, in part, various compositions and methods for protecting the gastrointestinal microbiome from antibiotic disruption from orally administered antibiotics.

The human microbiome is proving to be a vital component in both human health and disease. This is particularly true of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which houses over one thousand distinct bacterial species and an estimated excess of 1×1011microorganisms, and appears to be central in defining human host health status. For example, the microbiome of the GI tract underlies central processes of nutrient capture and metabolism; however, disruption of this microbiome is also believed to be causative of a number of disorders.
Indeed, antibiotics, often a frontline therapy to prevent deleterious effects of microbes on human health, can induce disruption in the microbiome, including in the GI tract, and lead to further disease. For instance, it is often necessary to administer oral antibiotics for the treatment of infections. However, residual oral antibiotics beyond what is needed for eradication of an infection can alter the ecological balance of normal intestinal microbiota in the gut and lead to further disease.
The present inventors previously described a beta-lactamase-based strategy to protect the microbiome from intravenously administered antibiotics. This strategy involves beta-lactamase delivery to the GI tract where it stands guard against intravenous antibiotics that may be excreted into the GI tract through, for instance, hepatobilliary excretion. Importantly, as the beta-lactamase is confined to the GI tract, it does not have systemic effects and therefore does not interfere with the desired anti-microbial effects of the intravenously administered antibiotic. However, this approach is more complicated when a patient is receiving orally administered antibiotics as both the beta-lactamase and the antibiotic directly transit though the GI tract and therefore, there is risk that the beta-lactamase may degrade the antibiotic and, despite protecting the microbiome, eliminate the desired systemic anti-microbial effect.
Therefore, there is a need for agents that prevent microbiome disruption by oral antibiotics while not reducing or eradicating the beneficial anti-infective effects of these antibiotics in a subject.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Microbiome protection from oral antibiotics


An apparatus for rotating a sensing device about a pan axis and a tilt axis may include an enclosure, first and second rotatable dials configured to allow a user to adjust an angular pan orientation and an angular tilt orientation, respectively, of the sensing device. The apparatus may include outer and inner concentric shafts attached to the first dial and the second dial, respectively. The apparatus may also include a frame assembly attached to the outer shaft such that the frame assembly rotates about the pan axis as the first dial is rotated. The frame assembly may include a base configured to rotate about the tilt axis and that supports the sensing device. The frame assembly may also include a pin and gear assembly operatively coupling the base to the inner shaft such that rotation of the second dial rotates the base about the tilt axis.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatuses for rotating a sensing device and, particularly, to apparatuses for rotating a sensing device about a pan axis and a perpendicular tilt axis.
2. Background
A camera, for example, a security camera or a surveillance camera, may be housed within an enclosure. Typically, if a user wishes to change the field of view of an enclosed camera or make fine adjustments to the existing field of view, the user must disassemble the enclosure to gain access to the camera. Once the enclosure is disassembled, the user manually re-adjusts the camera orientation to change the field of view, and then reassembles the enclosure. This process can be time-consuming and increases the risk that the enclosure will be contaminated with an undesirable substance, for example, water or dirt.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that allows for quick and contaminate-free adjustment of a sensing device such as a camera.

Apparatuses for rotating a sensing device

The United States of America as represented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dept. of Justice


A switchgear apparatus comprising a switch mechanism, electrical controls for the switch mechanism, a weatherproof door movable between a closed position and an open position for respectively preventing and affording access to the electrical controls, a housing enclosing the switch mechanism and the electrical controls and including a second door for affording access to the weatherproof door, a third door movable between an open position and a closed position, an operating handle movable between an open position and a closed position, the operating handle being locatable in the open position only when the third door is in the open position, and a mechanism for releasably retaining the second door in the closed position, the mechanism being releasable only when the operating handle is in the open position.

The invention relates to switchgear apparatus, and more particularly to access doors and locks for electronic controls of switchgear apparatus.
Industry standards require that access doors for switchgear electronic controls be locked. Typically, pentahead bolts are used to secure access doors, and padlocks are used to prevent access to the pentahead bolts. This requires a separate pocket to accommodate a padlock or pentahead bolt.
Furthermore, access doors for switchgear electronic controls are usually weatherproof in order to prevent damage to the electronic controls. Access doors are usually weatherproofed by providing some type of seal around the door. Unfortunately, unauthorized attempts to force access doors open usually result in damage to the seal and a loss of weatherproofing.

Switchgear enclosure with improved electronic control access door and lock


A thin-profile, optically efficient lighting device for use with, among other things, flat information displays, includes a combination of three optically coupled light propagating structures, fabricated of electromagnetic flux transmitting materials. The first structure may be a generally elongated optical pipe adapted to receive light from at least one light source such as a light emitting diode. Radiation from additional sources is coupled into the first structure by a second structure which injects the radiation thereinto. Light injected into the first structure is directed into the third structure where it is redirected so that it propagates out of the third structure uniformly and efficiently and in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the third structure. A device can include multiple bodies of any or all three structures.

Various kinds of illuminators are known in the art for illuminating display panels, such as transmissive and reflective liquid crystal displays ("LCDs") as used in cellular phones, PDAs, electronic equipment, desktop and portable computers, as well as keyboards, and instrument panels to name but a few applications. The most recent type of these illuminators is of an "edge coupled" design, which ensures luminance uniformity over a display area with a relatively small device thickness. While luminance uniformity is important, device thickness is of crucial importance in flat panel displays ("FPDs") and the other aforementioned applications.
A front and side view of a prior art flat illumination devices ("FIDs") 10 as shown in FIG. 1A has one or more point-like or extended light sources 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f coupled to one or more edge faces 14a and 14b of a light guiding plate ("LGP") 16 with generally non-uniformly distributed light extraction means. Point-like light sources most typically include light emitting diodes ("LEDs") while typical extended light sources include cold cathode fluorescent lamps ("CCFLs"). Such prior art FIDs suffer from a number of well known drawbacks, namely poor brightness and color uniformity, especially when operating with LEDs, and low output efficiency. Because of these deficiencies, the number of lamps has to be increased, leading in turn to higher power consumption and device cost. The list of drawbacks would not be complete without mentioning the thickness of the device. For all the light emanating from the source to be injected efficiently into an LGP, its thickness should be equal or larger than the source size. This is in particular relevant for LEDs, as most of the flux not entered into an LGP will be lost.
In some applications, there is a further requirement for an additional collimation of the source radiation for a more effective subsequent extraction in an LGP. In this case, as is illustrated in FIG. 1B, an LED 18 is coupled to a collimating section 20 at an edge aperture 22 having an edge aperture width of "Z". Existing backlights for small aperture LCDs for cellular phones have a typical edge width "Z" of between 0.7-1.5 mm and suffer from coupling efficiency losses. Smaller values of Z are particularly beneficial for frontlights for reflective LCDs, since it allows one to achieve a smaller degradation of a displayed image, smaller parallax and less subjectively disturbing perceptual difference between the depth of frontlight and LCD planes. In other common applications, such as keyboards, dashboards and instrument lighting, FIDs frequently cannot be used at all since in addition to much smaller acceptable thickness they should be mechanically flexible to enable key operation and/or ultra compact packaging. As a result of this deficiency, multiple LEDs are used to directly illuminate localized display areas, resulting in high luminance non uniformity, low power efficiency, complicated mounting and elevated cost.
Regardless of the specific application, different types of LCDs have different requirements from an associated radiation management system, such as an LGP. Some of these are described in greater detail below.
Transmissive LCDs
Portable and handheld communication and computing devices are a very attractive market for small and medium LCDs. The market is rapidly expanding, and these applications are a natural fit for LCDs because, among other advantages, they offer the thin profile necessary for creating small devices. However, there are a number of serious problems that must be addressed when using LCDs in these devices, most of which center around the backlight. For transmissive LCDs, the backlight saps much of the battery power because it must be very bright to shine through the strong absorption of the multilayered LCD. Color LCDs are particularly inefficient; efficiency losses due to the requisite polarizers, color filters, and "transparent" electrodes results in a final light transmission of only about 5%. Such low transmission makes the power consumption of color LCDs for most mobile applications prohibitively high. The battery would have to be enormous, or else the device would need new batteries far too frequently. Finally, there is the problem of poor view-ability in that the standard backlit transmissive LCD is nearly unreadable in sunlight. These issues can be addressed with varying results, in a number of ways including changing the method of light modulation and reducing the absorptive losses of the LCD components.
Reflective LCDs.
For reflective LCDs the backlight design also plays a pivotal role. Reflective LCDs can be made in two configurations: outer-surface reflective and inner-surface reflective. Outer-surface reflective devices are constructed similarly to transmissive devices, with the backlight replaced by a reflective surface behind the rear polarizer. While simple, this configuration has the disadvantage of poor contrast and color at a wide viewing angle, because the incident and reflected beams pass through different color filters (leading to both greater absorption of the light and color mixing). There can also be parallax problems associated with having the reflector behind both glass substrates. Outer-surface reflection is widely used in watch and calculator displays (and has been for more than 20 years) and may be acceptable for handheld devices, but the quality is too poor for sophisticated displays such as notebook computers.
A superior construction (although more difficult to fabricate) is the inner-surface reflective device, which incorporates the reflective layer into the bottom electrode. Because the reflection occurs much closer to the color-filter layer, the viewing-angle problems are greatly diminished.
The reflective LCD is a tremendous boon for some mobile devices because it eliminates the need for a backlight. However, reflective LCDs cannot, of course, be used in darkness, which is a requirement for some devices, such as cellular telephones and PDAs. Hence, a hybrid device has evolved, called the transflective LCD. In transflective LCDs, both transmissive and reflective modes are employed; the device has a backlight, but it also makes use of ambient light through reflection. Seiko-Epson Corp. has developed a transflective configuration, which it calls semi-transparent, and which replaces the reflective layer in an outer-surface reflective device with a semitransparent plate having a given reflectance-transmittance ratio, for example 0.7 and 0.3 (if zero absorption is assumed). The backlight partially shines through, and ambient light is partially reflected. Seiko Epson has demonstrated a 6.5-inch thin-film diode transflective LCD. With half-VGA pixel format, the display acts like a transmissive product when the backlight is on and like a reflective product when the backlight is off. Seiko-Epson has also developed a reflective film for the display that has a 10:1 contrast ratio and a 512-color capability; power consumption is reported to be 0.12 watt. Most of the low cost reflective LCDs for portable devices incorporate a similar design using a transflector. However, such a transflector reduces both an effective reflectance of the LCD in a passive mode and an observable luminance in backlit mode in a proportion equal to its reflectance-transmittance ratio.
It would be highly advantageous to remove a transflector and to use a ˜100% reflectance reflector with a similar BRDF (bidirectional reflection distribution function) behind the backlight instead of a presently used white lambertian back reflector. Another apparent alternative is the use of a frontlighting scheme, whereby an illumination device is placed in front of the LCD. However, prior art frontlights employing microprismatic extractors have an inherently low luminous efficacy, large thickness, introduce image distortion and are expensive. In view of these disadvantages, their use has been limited.
Thus, there is a well recognized need for FIDs featuring drastically reduced thickness along with higher output luminous efficacy, greater degree of control over intensity distribution of the extracted radiation, better uniformity, better mechanical flexibility, ease of manufacturing and reduced cost. This need exists regardless of whether the FID is reflective, transmissive or transflective.

Ultra thin radiation management and distribution systems with hybrid optical waveguide


The present invention provides a housingless liquid soap dispenser, comprising: a) an elongated chamber in which liquid soap is contained, wherein the length of the chamber is at least 25 cm and its width or diameter is ranging from 28-45 mm; b) a shoulder protruding laterally from the chamber at an upper end thereof; c) a neck portion extending upwardly from the shoulder; d) a manual pumping device fitted on top of the neck portion and in fluid communication with the chamber; and e) a discharge tube extending from the pumping device for dispensing a dose of liquid soap from the chamber. The shoulder has a slanted profile for enhancing the stability of the dispenser after its installation in removable abutting relation with, but not coupled to, a planar support surface of a countertop or a sink, such that the shoulder rests on top of the support surface while the chamber is inserted by a maximum extent through an aperture formed in the support surface.

Many disposable liquid soap dispensing units are known from the prior art. One type comprises an outlet nozzle located above a countertop or sink and a replaceable reservoir of liquid soap that is releasably connected to the dispensing mechanism below the sink. Such an arrangement is cumbersome while requiring one to bend below the sink in order to replace the reservoir, and is further prone to mechanical failure due to its many moving parts, rendering the dispensing unit useless.
In some prior art liquid soap dispensing units, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,209,377, 5,350,087 and US 2010/0072228, the liquid soap container is disposed above a countertop; however, a fixed member with which the dispensing unit is connected is required, adding to the cost of the dispensing unit.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable and above-counter mountable liquid soap dispenser that can reliably dispense a desired dose of soap.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a liquid soap dispenser that does not require any housing member.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.


A method of providing and/or injecting octreotide acetate to a subject in need thereof includes storing the octreotide acetate in a cartridge of a multi-use multi-dose injector provided with a variable dose setter and actuator. The injector includes a needle configured for subcutaneous administration of the octreotide acetate, the octreotide acetate having a concentration of 2,500 μg/mL. The method further includes providing, on the injector, a plurality of indicia only at prescribed doses of 50 μg, 100 μg, 150 μg and 200 μg settable via the dose setter without indicia between said prescribed doses; and permitting setting of a dose of the octreotide acetate by rotation of the variable dose setter, wherein the injector is configured to provide at least one audible feedback during the rotation.

Octreotide acetate, described chemically as L-cysteinamide, D-phenylalanyl-L-cysteinyl-L-phenylalanyl-D-tryptophyl-L-lysyl-L-threonyl-N-[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)propyl]-, cyclic (2 #7)-disulfide; [R—(R*, R*)] acetate salt, is a long-acting octapeptide with pharmacological actions mimicking those of the natural hormone somatostatin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved parenteral product is available under the brand name of Sandostatin® (made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. of East Hanover, N.J.), which is a clear aqueous preserved solution filled in sterile 5 ml multidose vials in two strengths, 200 μgs/ml and 1000 μgs/ml.
Octreotide acetate is indicated in the treatment of acromegaly, carcinoid tumors and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors (VIPomas). In particular, it is indicated for reduction of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) [somatomedin C] in adult patients with acromegaly who have had an inadequate response to or cannot be treated with surgical resection, pituitary irradiation, and bromocriptine mesylate at maximally tolerated doses. Further, octreotide acetate is indicated in the treatment of severe diarrhea/flushing episodes associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors in adult patients, and the treatment of profuse watery diarrhea associated with VIPomas in adult patients.
The dosage and frequency of administration is varied depending upon the indication, but subcutaneous administration is typically performed at least once daily.

Method of injecting octreotide acetate into the body


An improved LDD CMOS fabrication is disclosed which uses a reduced number of processing steps. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a silicon substrate is provided which has first and second surface regions of opposite conductivity type. First and second silicon gate electrodes overlie the first and second surface regions, respectively. A dopant source layer containing dopant impurities of the first conductivity type is deposited over the first and second gate electrodes. This dopant source layer is patterned to form sidewall spacers at the edges of the first silicon gate electrode. Those sidewall spacers are used in the formation of the LDD structure on the devices formed in the first surface region. After removing the sidewall spacers, the structure is heated to diffuse dopant impurities from the dopant source layer into the second surface region to form source and drain regions of transistors formed in that region. The only lithography step needed in this portion of the process is one to protect the dopant source layer over the second region while sidewall spacers are being formed in the first region.

This invention relates generally to a method for making a CMOS integrated device, and more specifically to a method for fabricating an LDD CMOS device using a minimum of mask steps.
The fabrication of semiconductor devices is becoming an evermore complex process. As the complexity of the devices increases, more and more processing steps are required to fabricate the desired device. Each processing step that is added to the process, however, increases the cost of manufacture and also reduces the yield of the manufactured device. In designing a manufacturing process, therefore, it is desirable to minimize the number of process steps, and especially to minimize the number of lithography masking steps.
The CMOS device structure has now become the most widely used semiconductor device structure. The process for manufacturing CMOS devices inherently has a large number of steps because of the necessity for separately manufacturing both N channel devices and P channel devices. In addition, many CMOS device implementations require an LDD (lightly doped drain) structure which can add further to the number of process steps required. With the objective of providing a manufacturable CMOS process having a minimum number of processing steps, a need existed for a simplified CMOS process.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved LDD CMOS process.
It is a further object of this invention to provided an improved LDD CMOS process with a reduced number of processing steps and especially a reduced number of lithography processing steps.


Mixed waste containing organic constituents and low level radioactive waste is remediated in a circulating fluidized bed combustor. Three separators are used to filter the flue gas and separate fine radioactive material from coarse non-radioactive material thereby concentrating the radioactive portion. A primary separator separates large material such as sand, lime, flyash or unburned fuel particles from the flue gas leaving the furnace of the combustor. The flue gas is then passed to a secondary separator for the collection of finer particles. In turn, the flue gas is passed to a tertiary separator for the collection of the finest particles of the flue gas containing low level radioactive waste. Solids entrained in the primary separator are recycled back into the bed of the combustor through an L-valve. Solids entrained at the secondary separator are also recycled back into the bed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the clean up of hazardous waste sites and in particular to a new and useful method and system for the remediation of low level radioactive mixed wastes in fluidized bed incinerators.
2. Description of the Related Art
Improved disposal and treatment methods are required to clean up hazardous waste sites that have resulted from years of uncontrolled dumping. The preferred approach for disposal of the wastes is through a process that not only destroys the hazardous organic portion of the waste, but also separates the radioactive portion from the nonradioactive portion.

Remediation of low level radioactive mixed waste in a fluidized bed incinerator


It is an object of the present invention to reduce the size of a circuit and the adverse effects of fabrication errors, while increasing yield. Signal light incident on a circuit through input waveguides propagates from the exterior to interior of the circuit while rotating counterclockwise. The signal light passes through a point of inflection in the center of the circuit, subsequently propagate clockwise from the interior to exterior of the circuit, and then exit output waveguides. Two arms constituting a delay circuit and optical couplers can be integrated together at such an interval that they are not coupled together. Therefore, the size of the circuit can be reduced compared to the prior art.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2001-203833 filed Jul. 4, 2001 and 2001-241370 filed Aug. 8, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated hereinto by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a waveguide-type optical signal processing circuit, and more specifically, to a waveguide-type optical signal processing circuit spirally arranged in a lattice-form circuit having optical couplers and delay circuits alternately cascaded together.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various efforts are being made to develop a wavelength division multiplexing systems using a plurality of optical wavelengths in order to increase communication capacity. In such a wavelength division multiplexing system, a lattice-form circuit is widely used. The optical filter is used in a) a wavelength multiplexing circuit that operates in a transmitter to multiplexes optical signals with a plurality of wavelengths, b) a wavelength demuliplexing circuit that operates in a receiver to demultiplexes the signals into different ports, c) an equalizing circuit in an optical amplifier which amplifies attenuated optical signals, d) a dispersion equalizer that equalizes dispersion of a group delay, and the like.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a lattice-form circuit. Signal light incident on input waveguides 103 passes through an optical coupler 101a. Then, one of the signal lights has its phase delayed by a delay circuit 102a. Subsequently, the signal lights are transmitted to an optical coupler 101b, where they are multiplexed so as to interfere with each other. The lattice-form optical filter uses a cascaded configuration of optical couplers and delay circuits to repeatedly multiplex signal lights so that the lights interfere with each other, thereby processing the optical signal.
FIG. 2A shows the entire configuration of a conventional lattice-form circuit. FIG. 2B shows this configuration in further detail. The illustrated lattice-form circuit is a 4-stage lattice-form circuit composed of five optical couplers 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d, and 201e and four delay circuits 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d.
Provided that the optical waveguide has a radius of curvature R and a pitch S and the delay circuits have an optical path length difference xcex94L, the 1st stage delay circuit has a size of (2R+S)xc3x97(R+xcex94L/2), as shown in FIG. 2B. Accordingly, the lattice-form circuit has a size proportional to the number of stages N and which can be expressed as N(2R+S)xc3x97(2R+Lc+xcex94L), as shown in FIG. 2A. Here, Lc denotes the length of an optical coupler. That is, the circuit size increases in proportion to the number of stages according to a proportion constant substantially double the radius of curvature R. Consequently, the number of stages that can be laid out is markedly restricted.
Further, as the number of stages increases, more couplers and delay circuits are arranged at a pitch of (2R+S). As a result, the entire circuit is prone to be affected by a fabrication error in the wafer. Furthermore, if a half waveplate is inserted into a symmetrical axis of each of the arms of each delay circuit, the groove must be diced in proportion to the number of stages, and the half waveplate must be independently inserted into each arm. This operation is inefficient.
In a conventional lattice-form circuit with a large number of stages, the delay circuits are arranged at a pitch substantially double the radius of curvature R. Accordingly, a large circuit size is required, and yield may decrease in connection with the increase in circuit scale. Further, since the entire circuit is prone to be affected by a fabrication error, the characteristics of the circuit may be degraded. Furthermore, the operation of inserting half waveplates is inefficient.
On the other hand, known optical couplers include directional couplers, Y-branches, and MMIs (Multi Mode Interference couplers). The directional coupler is often used for 2 lights interferometer owing to its very small excess loss. Ideally, an optical divider/combiner used in a conventional optical circuit such as an optical switch of a 2 lights interferometer or a Mach-Zehnder interferometer is desired to have a branching ratio of 50%. For example, the optical divider/combiner described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-344629 (1999) has a high yield with a small loss and a branching ratio very close to 50%.
However, the branching ratio required for the optical divider/combiner frequently used in the lattice-form circuit is not limited to 50%. If the branching ratio deviates from the desired value, the characteristics of the optical circuit such as excess loss, optical crosstalk, and dispersion value may be significantly degraded. Thus, the conventional dispersion equalizer uses tunable couplers that control the branching ratio of each optical divider/combiner after the optical circuit has been fabricated. This increases the number of steps required to fabricate the optical circuit as well as chip size and requires a power supply, a control and regulation system, and the like which are used to operate the tunable couplers. Therefore, it has been difficult to implement a practical dispersion equalizer.
As described above, the lattice-form circuit includes a large number of optical couplers, so that if each optical coupler is large, the entire optical circuit may have a large size, the yield of a single wafer may decrease to increase costs, or other problems may occur. The optical coupler is required to reduce a fluctuation in branching ratio, losses, and polarization, as well as its size.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a waveguide-type optical signal processing circuit which has a reduced circuit size, which is unlikely to be affected to be fabrication errors, and which enables a high yield to be achieved.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical coupler that uses directional couplers with a very small excess loss to reduce a variation in branching ratio due to a fabrication error and the polarization dependence of the branching ratio.
To attain these objects, the present invention provides a waveguide-type optical signal processing circuit having lattice-form circuits each comprising optical couplers and delay circuits alternately cascaded together using optical waveguides each composed of a core formed on a substrate to guide signal light and a clad arranged around the core and having a lower refractive index than the core, the delay circuit being connected to the corresponding optical coupler and composed of two arms, the lattice-form circuit comprising an input waveguide connected to the leading optical coupler and an output waveguide connected to the trailing optical coupler connected to the last delay circuit, wherein the series of lattice-form circuits are arranged in a form in which two spirals are combined together on the substrate so as not to cross each other and coupled together in the middle thereof, the optical waveguides, each of which is composed of two arms, are arranged so as to extend halfway around the respective spirals, and an end of the input waveguide which is not connected to the leading optical coupler and an end of the output waveguide which is not connected to the trailing optical coupler extend outward from the spirals.
Further, the optical couplers have a first and second optical waveguides and four directional couplers formed by arranging the first and second optical waveguides close to each other. The optical couplers are configured so as to couple together signal lights with a wavelength xcex which are incident on the first and second optical waveguides or branch a signal light with the wavelength xcex which is incident on the first or second optical waveguide. The optical couplers are configured so that for an optical path length difference xcex94L1 for the first and second optical waveguides between the first and second directional couplers with respect to the signal light incidence side, an optical path length difference xcex94L2 for the first and second optical waveguides between the second and third directional couplers with respect to the signal light incidence side, and an optical path length difference xcex94L3 for the first and second optical waveguides between the third and fourth directional couplers with respect to the signal light incidence side, xcex94L1=xe2x88x92xcex94L3=xcex/4 and |xcex94L2| less than 2xcex.
The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Waveguide-type optical signal processing circuit

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A thin primary cell formed with a combination of a positive current collection layer, a positive active layer, a solid polyelectrolyte layer and a thin metallic film layer which are successively laminated onto an insulating material. Since this thin primary cell employs a solid polyelectrolyte as an electrolyte, it is not only free from liquid leakage but also formable on a film or sheet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film primary cell utilizing a solid polyelectrolyte.
2. Related Art Statement
According to the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), conventional primary cells are broadly classified into three groups: manganese dry cells (JISC8501-1984), alkaline primary cells (JISC8511-1985) and manganese dioxide lithium primary cells (JISC8512-1982). The latter two primary cells have increasingly become universally used in various applications as button- or coin-shaped thin cell power sources for cameras, electronic calculators, IC cards, etc.
Typical electrolytes employed in these prior art primary cells include: zinc chloride used in manganese dry cells; potassium hydroxide used in alkaline primary cells; and organic electrolytes and thionyl chloride used in manganese dioxide lithium primary cells. However, all such primary cells have a serious safety problem because all of the above electrolytes are liquid and therefore susceptable to leakage.
Moreover, primary cells of the types described above are constructed to seal in the liquid electrolyte and the requirement for such liquid seals has limited reduction of thickness of such cells. Because of that limitation, it remains impossible to reduce the thickness of the battery to 0.05 mm or less. A thickness of 0.05 mm or less is desirable in batteries for liquid crystal displays, watches, electronic calculators, IC cards, earphone radios, music box cards, temperature sensors, hearing aids, electronic floats for fishing, electronic thermometers, IC lighters, LEDs, pressure-sensitive buzzers, etc. in which conventional thin cells are employed.
Cells having a solid polymeric electrolyte are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,614 but the thickness of the described cells is in excess of 0.05 mm. Those cells are of a fixed shape and have no flexibility. Accordingly, the scope of their usefulness is limited.


Provided are display panel, method of manufacturing the same, and frit composition used in the display panel. A display panel comprising: a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate and a frit bonding the first substrate and the second substrate together, wherein the frit has an optical density of more than about 0.0683/μm for laser light of any one wavelength in a wavelength range of about 760 to about 860 nm.

1. Field
The present embodiments relate to a display panel including a glass package sealed with a fit, a method of manufacturing the display panel, and a frit composition used in the display panel.
2. Description of the Related Technology
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is a self-luminous display and includes an organic material between two electrodes. The OLED display emits light when injected electrons and holes recombine in the organic material.
Electrodes and an organic layer within an OLED display are readily damaged by interaction with oxygen and moisture that get into the OLED display. Thus, a frit is interposed between glass substrates to seal them and protect internal devices against oxygen and moisture.
To improve the sealing capability of a fit, an effective seal width of the frit should be increased. The effective seal width of the frit depends on how effectively the fit is heated and melted when upper and lower substrates are bonded together.

Display panel, method of manufacturing the same, and FRIT composition used in the display panel


An apparatus for forming a bathtub liner over an existing bathtub comprising a container, a seal, a heating element, and a pressure increasing element. The container defines a cavity. The seal is associated with cavity and is capable of forming a substantially continuous seal with a bathtub liner. The heating element is capable of heating the cavity, and in turn, the liner. The pressure increasing element is capable of increasing the pressure within the cavity, to in turn, force a bathtub liner outwardly, away from the cavity. Upon positioning of the liner and apparatus over an existing bathtub the pressure increasing element will force the liner toward and into contact with the surfaces of the existing bathtub.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to bathtubs, and more particularly, to a bathtub and shower stall liner which can be formed off site at, for example a manufacturing facility, as well as on site without removal of the existing bathtub. It will be understood that while the application will discuss embodiments pertaining to bathtubs, such principles are equally applicable to shower stall liners and other fluid holding members (i.e. a tank or the like).
2. Background Art
Bathtub replacement and/or remodeling has long been known in the art. Due to the costs involved with the replacement of bathtubs, alternatives have been developed. Included in these alternatives is the use of a liner (or cover) which is molded to fit over an existing bathtub thereby eliminating the cost of removing the existing bathtub.
While the use of bathtub liners has provided an attractive alternative to bathtub replacement, there are nevertheless drawbacks. For example, among other problems, due to the differences in bathtub dimensions and designs, one must maintain an inventory of differently dimensioned molds so that a suitable mold exists for each of a variety of bathtubs. Even with a variety of molds, it is often difficult to perfectly match the existing bathtub. In turn, even with a substantial (and costly) inventory of molds, obtaining a good fitting liner can be difficult.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which facilitates the in place molding of a bathtub liner.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method of molding of a bathtub liner.
These and other objectives will become apparent in light of the specification and claims appended hereto.
The invention comprises an apparatus for forming a bathtub liner over an existing bathtub. The apparatus comprises a container, a seal, a heating element and a pressure increasing means. The container defines a cavity. The seal is associated with cavity and is capable of forming a substantially continuous seal with a bathtub liner. The heating element is capable of heating the cavity. The pressure increasing means is capable of increasing pressure within the cavity, to in turn, force a bathtub liner outwardly, away from the cavity. Upon positioning of the liner and apparatus over a existing bathtub, the pressure increasing means will force the liner toward and into eventual partial contact with the surfaces of the existing bathtub.
In a preferred embodiment, the container further comprises a top surface and a plurality of side walls associated with the top surface.
In another embodiment, the container further comprises a compensating. Preferably, the length compensating member includes a width compensating member and a length compensating member. The compensating member may comprise a kit of compensating members which renders the apparatus capable of adjusting to correspond to a bathtub which is between 4 and 6 feet longbetween 30 and 36 inches wide.
In another embodiment, at least a portion of the container comprises a substantially transparent member.
In one embodiment, the plurality side walls define a lower perimeter, the seal member extending about the perimeter defined by the plurality of side walls.
In another embodiment, the heating element comprises a heater member positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the heating element comprises an electric heater being selectively activated.
In one embodiment, the pressure increasing means comprises at least one air compressor in fluid communication with the cavity of the container.
In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a weight associated with the container, to, in turn, enhance the effectiveness of the seal. Preferably, the weight comprises a container having at least one of an inlet and an outlet, the container being capable of storing a predetermined quantity of fluid therein.
The invention likewise comprises a method of forming a bathtub liner. The method includes the steps of providing a suitably sized liner for an existing bathtub, positioning a liner over the existing bathtub, positioning a bathtub forming apparatus over the liner, the apparatus having a cavity, heating the liner to a sufficient temperature to permit deformation; pressurizing the cavity formed by the liner and the bathtub forming apparatus, and, deforming the liner.
In a preferred embodiment, the step of providing a liner comprises the steps of measuring the existing bathtub and sizing the liner to the measurements of the existing bathtub.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of forming a skirt member prior to the step of positioning the liner over the existing bathtub.
In a preferred embodiment, the step of positioning the bathtub liner apparatus comprises at least one of the steps of adjusting the length of the bathtub liner apparatus and adjusting the width of the bathtub liner apparatus.
In one embodiment, the step of heating comprises the steps of activating an electric heating member positioned within the cavity.
In a preferred embodiment, the step of pressurizing the cavity comprises the steps of providing an air compressor, placing the air compressor in fluid communication with the cavity, and, activating the air compressor.
In another preferred embodiment, the step of deforming comprises the step of deforming the liner to substantially follow the contours of the existing bathtub.
In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of positioning a grate within the existing bathtub prior to positioning the liner.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of cooling the liner after the step of deformation.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of depressurizing the cavity.
In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of removing the formed liner, applying an adhering means to at least one of the existing bathtub and the liner, and, replacing the formed liner into position relative to the existing bathtub. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of caulking between the existing area of the bathtub and the liner.
In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of determining the desired positioning of at least one of an overflow opening and a drain on the liner after deformation, and, forming openings through the liner to correspond to the desired positioning of at least one of the overflow opening and drain.

Apparatus and method for forming a bathtub liner


An automated floor assembly machine is provided for attaching longitudinally aligned floor boards to transverse positioned cross-members of a wheeled trailer. The machine comprises a carriage for longitudinal movement relative to the floor boards, a drill mounted on the carriage so that the drill is vertically and laterally movable with respect to the carriage, a fastener driver mounted on the carriage so that the fastener driver is vertically and laterally movable with respect to the carriage, a sensor operably mounted to the carriage so that the transverse mounted cross-members are detectable by the sensor, a drive motor in communication with the carriage for moving the carriage longitudinally along the floor boards into alignment with the cross-members, and a control system having a processor in operative communication with the carriage, the drill, the fastener driver, the sensor, and the drive motor.

The present invention relates to automatic fastening machines and methods, and, more specifically, to an apparatus and method for automatically assembling major subassemblies together.
Large objects, such as highway trailers and aircraft wings, typically comprise multiple major subassemblies fastened together. For example, a highway trailer includes major subassemblies such as a roof, side walls, and floor. The floor may include horizontal cross members connected to opposing side bottom rails. A floor deck is placed over the cross members and attached to the cross members. In the case of a sixty foot long highway trailer, the load demands and shear size of the major subassemblies require numerous points of attachment to ensure structural stability.
A wide variety of machines exist for attaching one major subassembly to another using bolts or rivets. These machines generally include a first unit to drill holes in the subassemblies, a supply of bolts or rivets, and a second unit to secure the bolts or upset the rivets in the subassemblies. Generally, the machines mount on a platform, and the platform moves relative to the subassemblies to position the machine at a desired attachment location.
To increase a trailer's structural integrity, it is preferable to attach the floor deck coincident with the cross beams. In the case of large subassemblies, however, the rivet or screw locations are often not uniformly spaced. For example, in the floor subassembly described above, adjacent cross members may be spaced at differing widths due to the presence of wheel axles, doorways and other design limitations. In addition, manufacturing tolerances result in slight variations in the distance between cross beams on each individual trailer and in the locations of cross beams on other trailers of the same general design and measurement.

Great Dane Limited Partnership c/o CC Industries, Inc.