A method is disclosed for topical application of compositions containing a chemical additive onto a paper web. The present invention is also directed to paper products formed from the method. In general, the method includes the steps of applying a composition containing a chemical additive onto a first side of a paper web. The paper web is then wound into a roll. During winding, a portion of the composition transfers from the first side of the web to the second side of the web. Thus, both sides of the web become treated with the composition through a single application of the composition to the web.

Consumers use paper tissue products, such as paper towels, facial tissues and bath tissues, for a wide variety of applications. Facial tissues are not only used for nose care but, in addition to other uses, can also be used as a general wiping product. Consequently, there are many different types of tissue products currently commercially available.
In some applications, tissue products are treated with various additives, such as polysiloxane lotions in order to increase the softness of the facial tissue. Adding silicone compositions to a facial tissue can impart improved softness to the tissue while maintaining the tissue""s strength and while reducing the amount of lint produced by the tissue during use.
In the papermaking industry, various manufacturing techniques have been specifically designed to produce paper products which consumers find appealing. Manufacturers have employed various methods to apply chemical additives, such as silicone compositions, to the surface of a paper web. Currently, one method of applying chemicals to the surface of a paper web is the rotogravure printing process. A rotogravure printing process utilizes printing rollers to transfer chemicals onto a substrate. Depending upon the configuration, the rotogravure process can be a direct printing process, an indirect printing process or an offset printing process. Chemical emulsions that are applied to webs using the rotogravure printing process typically require the addition of water, surfactants, and/or solvents in order for the emulsions to be printed onto the substrate. Such additions are not only costly but also increase drying time and add process complexity.
Another method of applying chemical additives to the surface of a tissue web is spray atomization. Spray atomization is the process of combining a chemical with a pressurized gas to form small droplets that are directed onto a substrate, such as paper. One problem posed with atomization processes is that manufacturers often find it difficult to control the amount of chemical that is applied to a paper ply. Thus, a frequent problem with spray atomization techniques is that a large amount of over-spray is generated, which undesirably builds upon machinery as well as the surfaces of equipment and products in the vicinity of the spray atomizer. Furthermore, over-spray wastes the chemical being applied, and comprises a generally inefficient method of applying additives to a tissue web. Additionally, lack of control over the spray atomization technique also affects the uniformity of application to the tissue web.
In view of the above, a need exists in the industry for improving the method for application of chemical additives to the surface of a paper web. Further, when it is necessary or desired to apply an additive to both sides of a paper product, the above-described problems can become exacerbated. As such, a need also exists for a method of applying chemical additives to both sides of a paper web.
In general, the present invention is directed to an improved process for applying compositions to paper webs, such as tissue webs, paper towels and wipers. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an improved process for applying compositions to opposite sides of a paper web in a single process line. The present invention is also directed to improved paper products made from the process.
For example, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a process for applying an additive to a paper web, such as a tissue web, that includes the step of extruding a viscous composition onto a first side of the paper web as the paper web is wound into a roll. The viscous composition can have a viscosity sufficient for the composition to form fibers as the compositions is extruded onto the web. In general, any suitable extrusion device can be used to apply the composition to the web. In one embodiment, for instance, the composition is extruded through a melt blown die and attenuated prior to being applied to the web.
In accordance with the present invention, the web is wound under sufficient tension to cause a portion of the composition that has been applied to the first side of the web to transfer to the second side of the web during continued winding of the web. For instance, in one embodiment, at least 10% by weight of the composition can transfer to the second side of the tissue web, and particularly at least 20% by weight of the composition can transfer the second side of the tissue web. In general, the first side of the web to which the viscous composition is initially applied can be either side of the web. For instance, the first side of the web can be the side of the web facing the center of the formed roll or can be the side of the web facing away from the center of the formed roll.
As described above, the composition being extruded onto the web can be attenuated as the composition exits the die. In one embodiment, for instance, the composition can be attenuated using an airstream that contacts the composition as it is extruded from the die. Of particular advantage, the airstream can also direct the composition on to the web at a location in close proximity to where the web is being wound into a roll. For example, the composition can be applied to the web within about 30xe2x80x2 upstream of where the web is being wound into a roll, and particularly within about 15xe2x80x2 upstream of where the web is being wound into a roll.
In general, any suitable paper web can be treated in accordance with the present invention. For example, the paper web in one embodiment can be uncreped through-air dried sheet. The paper web can have a bulk density of at least 2 cc/g and can have a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 80 gsm. The paper web can contain bulk fibers either alone or in conjunction with synthetic fibers. Further, the web can contain thermomechanical pulp. The paper web can be made from a stratified fiber furnish or it can be made from a homogeneous fiber furnish.
The composition can generally be any material that provides benefits to paper webs. For instance, the composition can be a topical preparation that improves the physical properties of the web, that provides the web with anti-bacterial properties, that provides the web with medicinal properties, or that provides any other type of wellness benefits to a user of the paper web. For instance, the composition can contain an anti-acne agent, an anti-microbial agent, an anti-fungal agent, an antiseptic, an antioxidant, a cosmetic astringent, a drug astringent, an aiological agent, an emollient, an external analgesic, a humectant, a moisturizing agent, a skin conditioning agent, a skin exfoliating agent, a sunscreen agent, a debonder, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the composition is a softener. The softener can be, for instance, a silicone, such as a polysiloxane.
Of particular advantage, the process of the present invention is well-suited to applying relatively high viscous compositions to paper webs. For instance, the composition can have a viscosity of at least 500 cps, particularly 2000 cps and more particularly can have a viscosity of at least 3000 cps. Since the process is capable of handling high viscosity compositions, various chemical additives can be added directly to a paper web without having to dilute the additive with, for instance, water or any other type of dilution agent to form a solution or emulsion.
The amount of the composition that is applied to the paper web depends on the particular application. For example, when applying a softener to a tissue web, the softener can be added in an amount from about 0.25% to about 10% by weight and particularly from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight, based upon the weight of the web. As described above, in one embodiment, the composition is extruded through a melt blown die onto the paper web. The melt blown die can have a plurality of nozzles at a die tip. The nozzles can be arranged in one or more rows along the die tip. The fibers exiting the nozzles can have a diameter of from generally about 5 microns to about 100 microns or greater.

Process for applying a liquid additive to both sides of a tissue web


A method for depositing, by ion beam sputtering, a multilayer reflective coating of a reflective mask blank for EUV lithography on a substrate having a concave defect formed thereon, characterized in that the method comprises carrying out ion beam sputtering so that an absolute value of an angle α formed between a normal line of a substrate and sputtered particles landing on the substrate is maintained so as to satisfy the formula of 35°≦α≦80° while rotating the substrate about a central axis thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for depositing a multilayer film of a mask blank for EUV (Extreme Ultra Violet) lithography by using an ion beam sputtering method, and a method for producing a mask blank for EUV lithography.
2. Discussion of Background
A reflective coating of a mask blank for EUV lithography (hereinbelow, referred to as "EUV mask blank" in Description) is produced by depositing a multilayer reflective coating, wherein Mo layers and Si layers are alternately laminated on a superpolished substrate. In order to fabricate an EUV mask blank at a reasonable cost, such a multilayer reflective coating is required to satisfy the following characteristics:
Being free of a defect having a size of a certain value or above (a size of 32 nm or above in the case of, e.g., a mask used for fabricating semiconductor devices having a circuit line width of 32 nm) in a quality-assured range (142×142 mm square at a central portion in the case of a 6 inch mask).
Having a high reflectivity in a stable and uniform way in the quality-assured range with respect to the wavelength of a light source (normally 13.5 nm)
In a case wherein a fine irregularity exists on a substrate, when an attempt is made to print a desired pattern of a mask on a photosensitive organic film (a so-called photoresist film) on a Si wafer by using an exposing system, a portion of the desired pattern is defective, or an excessive pattern other than the desired pattern is formed in some cases since the periodic structure of a multilayer reflective coating formed on the substrate is perturbed. The perturbation in the periodic structure of a multilayer reflective coating, which is caused by an irregularity existing on a substrate, is called a phase defect, which causes a important problem. It is desired that no irregularity having a size of a certain value or above exist on a substrate. Non-patent documents 1 and 2 describe requirements relating to a defect in an EUV mask and an EUV mask blank. The requirements for the defect are significantly severe. Non-patent document 1 describes that a defect having a size of 50 nm or above is not permissible since the presence of such a defect on a substrate perturbs the structure of a reflective coating to form an unexpected shape in a pattern projected onto a resist on a Si wafer. Additionally, non-patent document 1 describes that the surface roughness of a substrate needs to be less than 0.15 nm in RMS (root-mean-square) in order to prevent the roughness of a line edge from increasing in a pattern projected onto a resist on a Si wafer.
Non-patent document 2 describes that it is not permissible that a defect having a size of 25 nm or above exists on a reticle having a reflective coating, which is used in EUV lithography.
Non-patent document 3 describes what size of defect on a substrate can be printed. Non-patent document 3 describes that there is a possibility that a phase defect modifies a line width of a printed image. A phase defect including a surface bump having a height of 2 nm and a FWHM (full width of half maximum) of 60 nm is a borderline phase defect as to whether the phase defect can be printed or not. This document describes that a defect having such a size causes an impermissible change of 20% in line width (140 nm on a mask) with respect to a line having a width of 35 nm.
Non-patent document 4 describes defect repair for EUVL mask blanks. Non-patent document 4 describes that a defect caused in the vicinity of the bottom of a reflective coating tends to change the phase of reflected light, and that such a defect is called a phase defect. The perturbation in the structure of a reflective coating caused by a phase defect can be reduced by irradiation of an electron beam having a high resolution. An increase in the temperature at an irradiated spot causes a silanization reaction between Mo and Si, leading to volume compaction.
Several techniques have been proposed for satisfying the severe requirements for such a defect stated above. One of the techniques is detect smoothing by use of a secondary ion source, and another one is use of an underlayer. Non-patent document 5 describes the former one, and the patent documents 1 and 2 describe the latter one.
Non-patent document 5 describes a method for smoothing out a thin film by an ion beam given by a secondary ion source, which has been developed for mitigating the effect of minute contaminants on a substrate, and which is called "defect smoothing". In this method, a sputtering method, which is assisted by a primary ion source, is utilized to additionally deposit a Si film having a thickness of 1.4 nm or below, and a sputtering method using a secondary ion source is utilized to remove the deposited Si film by etching. By utilizing this method, foreign particles having a particle size of about 50 nm on a substrate can be smoothed out so as to have a height of 1 nm or below without having an adverse effect on the substrate.
Patent document 1 describes that an underlayer comprising a multilayer film is deposited as a film between a substrate and a reflective coating in order to make a defect size on a substrate as small as possible. This document also describes that the reduction in the defect size can be controlled by surface relaxation during the underlayer growth process using an ion beam sputtering system and by volume contraction of the materials at the multilayer interfaces.
Patent document 2 describes that an underlayer is disposed between a substrate and a reflective coating in order to make a defect size on a substrate as small as possible. The underlayer is disposed by a plurality of sequentially deposited and annealed coatings on the substrate. The annealing process can cause volume contraction of the coating material, mitigating the effect caused by a substrate defect.
Non-patent document 1: SEMI, P37-1102 (2002), "Specification for extreme ultraviolet lithography mask substrate"
Non-patent document 2: SEMI, P38-1102 (2002), "Specification for absorbing film stacks and multilayers on extreme ultraviolet lithography mask blanks"
Non-patent document 3: SPIE, vol. 4889, Alan Stivers., et. al., p. 408-417 (2002), "Evaluation of the Capability of a Multibeam Confocal Inspection System for Inspection of EUVL Mask Blanks"
Non-patent document 4: SPIE, vol. 5037, Stefan P. Hau Riege., et. al., p. 331-338 (2002), "Defect repair for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) mask blanks"
Non-patent document 5: Journal of Microlith., Microfab., and Microsys. 3, 139 (2004), Paul B. Mirkarimi, et. Al., "Developing a viable multilayer coating process for extreme ultraviolet lithography reticles"
Patent document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,635
Patent document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 6,489,066

Method for depositing multi-layer film of mask blank for EUV lithography and method for producing mask blank for EUV lithography


An apparatus and a method for removing snow from a travel surface, including a wear member movably connected to a main blade or wing blade. In some embodiments, a fastener connected to the wear member extends through an aperture in the blade and is biased in a downward direction by a biasing mechanism connected to the blade. The biasing mechanism can include a spring, brackets retaining the spring in position with respect to the blade, and a shaft connected to the fastener and to the spring to exert a biasing force (e.g., a downward force) upon the fastener and therefore upon the wear member. The wear member can pivot about a pivot point while the biasing member biases the wear member against the travel surface.

The present invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods for moving snow, and more particularly to apparatuses and methods for removing snow from travel surfaces.
In the snow removal industry, snow is ordinarily removed from travel surfaces such as roads, runways, driveways, bridges, parking lots, and the like for purposes of safety and improved user travel. Generally, snow is removed with a snowplow, a shovel, a blower, an auger, a broom, or a combination thereof. Despite numerous developments in snow removal technology, several problems still exist with conventional snow removal apparatuses and methods.
There is also a need for a snow removal apparatus which can remove snow from a travel surface with varying cross-sectional elevations. For example, travel surfaces such as roads and runways are often sloped or provided with a crown having a high central elevation and lower outer edges. Generally, the wider the travel surface, the larger the difference between such elevations. Alternatively, travel surfaces can slope inwardly from high outer edges to a central depressed gutter. This type of travel surface shape can serve a number of different purposes, such as to facilitate drainage down the center of the travel surface or to prevent pooling of melted snow, rainwater, runoff, waste, and the like.
Conventional snow removal apparatuses generally remove snow relatively well from areas of the travel surface having the highest elevations. However, conventional snow removal apparatuses generally leave snow on areas of the travel surface having the lowest elevations. In applications in which it is particularly necessary to remove snow from crowned or centrally-depressed travel surfaces (e.g., freeways, highways, airport runways, and taxiways), conventional snow removal apparatuses must often make several passes to remove all or nearly all snow from the travel surface. Alternatively, multiple vehicles are needed to clear snow from the travel surface. Often, even after multiple passes have been made with conventional snow removal apparatuses, snow still remains in areas having the lowest elevations. Therefore, a need exists for a snow removal apparatus capable of removing snow from a travel surface having a varying cross-sectional elevation without necessitating numerous passes and without missing significant quantities of snow.
The cross-sectional shape of a travel surface typically changes along the travel direction (or otherwise along the travel direction of a vehicle clearing snow from the travel surface). For example, a travel surface can have a crown for a distance followed by a relatively horizontal surface without a crown, and/or by a section having a depressed region. Similarly, the travel surface can have bumps, cracks, rumble strips, steps, or other discontinuities which can significantly alter the contours of the travel surface. Additionally, travel surfaces having similar profile shapes often vary in one or more manners (e.g., crown height, slope angle from center, etc.). It is therefore desirable for a snow removal apparatus to be able to adjust to changes in cross sectional elevation of the travel surface. It is also desirable that such adjustment can be made with minimal or no operator input. Because snow removal often takes place in severe operating conditions, automatically adjustable snow removal apparatuses (adjustable from inside or outside of the vehicle) are also preferable.
As discussed above, an important consideration for the design of a snow removal apparatus is the need to remove all or nearly all of the snow from a travel surface. Some travel surfaces (e.g., airport runways and freeways) cannot be used or are dangerous to use unless snow is entirely or nearly entirely removed from the travel surface prior to use. In these applications it may not be sufficient to remove most of the snow from a travel surface, leaving patches of missed snow. These areas of missed snow can be highly dangerous and/or unacceptable and can cause slippery spots on the travel surface. Therefore, airports, freeways, and other similar facilities can be subject to shut-down until snow is entirely or nearly entirely removed from the travel surface. In these cases, delays in removing snow from the travel surface can cost the owners, operators, users, and customers of the travel surfaces significant amounts of lost time and/or money. It is therefore highly desirable to have a snow removal apparatus capable of removing all or nearly all snow from a travel surface or from a given area of a travel surface.
The speed with which a snow removal apparatus removes snow from a travel surface is also an important consideration. Removal of snow is generally a relatively labor intensive operation, and can therefore be fairly expensive and can require skilled operators for satisfactory results.
The ability to store and transport snow removal apparatuses is another important consideration in the design of snow removal apparatuses. Conventionally, snow removal apparatuses are found in increasingly large sizes so that they can remove relatively large amounts of snow in a single pass or in a minimal number of passes. Unfortunately, these relatively large snow removal apparatuses can often be difficult to transport and store. In particular, snowplows are often so wide that it is difficult to store them in garages or other locations. Similarly, these plows can be so large that they present unique issues in transporting such plows on roads and highways. It is therefore desirable for larger snow removal apparatuses to be foldable, collapsible, or to otherwise take a more compact form for storage and transportation.
Another important consideration in the design of snow removal apparatuses is the need to be able to quickly and easily remove the snow removal apparatus from a vehicle and to quickly and easily remount the snow removal apparatus on the vehicle. In the snow removal industry, it is often necessary to remove snow removal apparatuses from vehicles when snowfall is unlikely or when the vehicle is needed for other purposes. Also, when a vehicle is not removing snow, it can be desirable to remove the snow removal apparatus from the vehicle to better preserve the snow removal apparatus and to reduce the weight of the vehicle. The need to remove or remount a snow removal apparatus on a vehicle can occur relatively frequently, particularly when the vehicle is used for snow removal and for other operations such as waste hauling, transportation of material, and the like. For example, snowplows are often coupled to garbage trucks, dump trucks, and other vehicles used for multiple purposes.
Durability is another important design consideration for snow removal apparatuses. Snow removal apparatuses which, push, pull, or throw snow can experience significant and potentially damaging forces. Also, travel surfaces are often paved or covered with gravel, sand, asphalt, concrete, or other similarly abrasive materials. Frequent exposure to these surfaces is likely to damage or to wear away at snow removal apparatuses. Similarly, potholes, rumble strips, speed bumps, and other surface discontinuities can be located on or in a travel surface. Often these discontinuities are hidden under snow or in darkness and are not visible to an operator of the snow removal apparatus. The resulting contact of such elements and features with the snow removal apparatus can damage the snow removal apparatus in some cases. Also, travel surfaces are often covered with corrosive substances such as salt, antifreeze, de-icing solutions, gasoline, oil, and the like. In combination with water, slush, and snow, these substances can cause rust and other corrosion of the snow removal apparatus.
In addition to the above design considerations, snow removal apparatuses that are easy to manufacture, easy to assemble, and inexpensive are highly desirable for obvious reasons. In light of the problems and limitations discussed above, a need exists for a snow removal apparatus which provides good clearing capabilities while being responsive to travel surface changes, discontinuities, and other features, is durable and can withstand harsh operating conditions, can be stored, mounted, and transported relatively easily, and is adjustable to remove all or nearly all snow from a travel surface having a varying cross-sectional elevation. A need also exists for a method by which snow can be quickly and reliably removed from a travel surface and by which a vehicle can be quickly and easily adapted to perform this function. Each preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves one or more of these results.
The present invention employs a number of features addressing problems of many conventional snow removal apparatuses. Some embodiments of the present invention include a main blade, a right wing blade coupled to the right side of the main blade, and a left wing blade coupled to the left side of the main blade. However, in different embodiments, the present invention can include a single wing blade located on either side of the main blade, two or more wing blades rigidly or moveably coupled together without a main blade, or a main blade without wing blades. In embodiments of the present invention having right and left wing blades, the right and left wing blades can be substantially similar in size and shape or can have significantly different sizes and shapes.
The snow removal apparatus of the present invention can have a number of different configurations and orientations commonly used in conventional snowplows, earth moving equipment, farm machinery, and the like. For example, the snow removal apparatus can have any one or more of the following features: a V-shape viewed from above or below the blade, a curled top or upper portion, a relatively flat front side, a bucket or scoop shaped cross-section, an orientation and arrangement in which snow is directed to one side or both sides of a vehicle or to a relatively central point with respect to the vehicle""s path, and a main blade and wing configuration that can be substantially straight and/or can assume other configurations as desired.
In those embodiments having a main blade, the main blade preferably has a front side and a back side. The front side of the main blade is preferably adapted to contact snow and to convey the snow away from a travel surface. Preferably, the back side of the main blade is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle and includes mounting elements, a drive frame, and hardware for this purpose. In this manner, the vehicle can move the snow removal apparatus to a work site, move the snow removal apparatus across a travel surface, and push, pull, or throw snow off of a travel surface by contacting the snow with the main blade.
As mentioned above, some embodiments of the snow removal apparatus have a main blade and a right wing blade and/or a left wing blade. The wing blade(s) are preferably rotatably coupled to the main blade. Most preferably, each wing blade is coupled to the main blade with one or more hinges so that the wing blade(s) can rotate with respect to the main blade about respective axes. In this manner, each wing blade preferably can preferably be folded inwardly and outwardly with respect to the main blade. In this way, the snow removal apparatus can be at least partially collapsed, preferably making transportation and/or storage of the snow removal apparatus less difficult and requiring a smaller storage area. In a similar manner, wing blade(s) can be coupled to the side(s) of the vehicle rather than or in addition to being coupled to a main blade. Preferably, wing blades can be rotated toward the vehicle and/or toward the main blade depending at least in part upon the location and manner of connection of the wing blades. Also, the wing blade preferably has an upper portion and a lower portion located relatively near the travel surface during operation of the snow removal apparatus.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, each wing blade includes at least one elongated aperture, a wear member, a pivot about which the wing blade can rotate, at least one biasing mechanism, and at least one fastener extending through each elongated aperture and holding the wear member and the wing blade together. Preferably, a plurality of elongated apertures are spaced along the wing blades and a plurality of fasteners extend through the elongated apertures, holding the wear members and the wing blades together. A biasing mechanism can be connected to each fastener or to fewer than all of the fasteners, if desired.
The location of each of the elongated apertures is preferably determined at least in part by the particular application of the snow removal apparatus. Preferably, at least one elongated aperture is located near the lower portion of the wing blade and extends through a front side of the wing blade. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the elongated aperture is located near the outer edge of the wing blade, although other locations along the wing blade are possible. Alternatively, in embodiments having a plurality of elongated apertures, the apertures are preferably spaced relatively evenly along the lower portion of the wing blade.
The elongated aperture(s) preferably extend vertically or substantially vertically on the wing blade. In different embodiments, the elongated aperture(s) can also be arcuately shaped or can be angled so that the elongated aperture(s) extend at an angle relative to a vertical plane.
Preferably, the wear member is located adjacent the wing blade and is coupled to the wing blade by the pivot. In particular, the wear member is preferably coupled to the lower portion of the wing blade so that only the wear member contacts the travel surface to remove snow therefrom during operation of the snow removal apparatus. The wear member can be any length, but is preferably similar in length to the wing blade.
The pivot can take a number of different forms, and in some embodiments is a post extending from the wing blade or an element attached to the wing blade. In other embodiments, the pivot is a conventional fastener which rotatably couples the wear member to the wing blade. Also, in some applications of the present invention, the pivot includes additional elements such as one or more bearings or sleeves to reduce friction between the blade and the wear member and/or to prevent the pivot from becoming damaged or worn from rotation of the wear member about the pivot.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pivot rotatably couples one end of the wear member to an inner side of the wing blade. In other embodiments, the pivot is located further from the inner edge of the wing blade, and can even be located on the outer edge of the wing blade.
Preferably, each elongated aperture receives a corresponding one of the fasteners. For purposes of simplicity, only one such fastener and elongated aperture will now be referred to. The fastener of the wing blade assembly preferably cooperates with the pivot to enable movement of the wear member with respect to the wing blade. In this regard, the fastener is preferably rigidly connected to the wear member and extends through the elongated aperture in the wing blade. By this connection, the fastener can travel within the elongated aperture, holding the wing blade and the wear member together while allowing the wear member to rotate about the pivot.
Preferably, the fastener is rigidly connected to the wear member and extends through the elongated aperture in the wing blade. A washer and a nut can be connected to the fastener to more securely hold the wear member and the wing blade together. The washer and nut preferably hold the fastener in the elongated aperture and allow the fastener to slide within the elongated aperture while preventing the wear member and the wing blade from separating.
The wing blade can have any number of elongated apertures adapted to receive any number of fasteners as described above. Preferably however, a number of elongated apertures are spaced along the lower portion of the wing blade and receive a plurality of fasteners to securely fasten the wear member and the wing blade together at a number of different locations.
In some preferred embodiments, the biasing mechanism includes a spring, a shaft extending through the spring, a first bracket, and a second bracket. Preferably, the first and second brackets are connected to the wing blade and to the wear member, respectively, and extend away from a rear side of the wing blade. The second bracket is preferably an L-shaped member with first and second legs. The shaft is preferably rigidly coupled to the first leg of the second bracket and extends through an opening in the first bracket. The spring is preferably retained between the first bracket and a shoulder on the shaft. The first leg of the second bracket is preferably coupled to the above-described fastener (connecting the wing blade to the wear member). Alternatively, the first leg of the second bracket can be coupled to the wear member in other manners.
In operation, the wear member preferably follows the contours and the changing cross-sectional elevations of the travel surface by rotating about the pivot as the wear member is moved along the travel surface. Preferably, the wear member can rotate about the pivot while the fastener slides along the elongated aperture to follow changes in elevation of the travel surface. The biasing mechanism preferably provides a downward force to the wear member to hold the wear member in contact with the travel surface while allowing the wear member to rotate about the pivot and to move upward to adapt to a change in elevation of the travel surface. When the contours of the travel surface change, the downward forces of the biasing mechanism preferably maintains the wear member in engagement with the travel surface. In this manner, the snow removal apparatus can preferably remove all or nearly all of the snow from a given travel surface and can overcome or traverse bumps, rumble strips, potholes, and other similar travel surface discontinuities.
Some preferred embodiments of the present invention have left and right wing blades that are substantially similar to one another, each of which can have the same features and elements described above.
In some embodiments of the present invention, two wear members are movably coupled to a blade, which is itself coupled to a vehicle. A pivot preferably couples the first wear member to the relative center of the blade. Another pivot preferably couples the second wear member to the relative center of the blade. At least two fasteners (and more preferably, several fasteners) can extend through respective elongated apertures in the blade respective distances from the pivots, enabling the wear members to pivot about the pivots while moving vertically by sliding of the fasteners in the elongated apertures in a manner similar to that described above.
Biasing mechanisms can be used to hold the first and second wear members in contact with the travel surface as also described above. The biasing mechanisms are preferably coupled to the blade and to the wear members relatively near the elongated apertures. In some embodiments, the biasing mechanisms are coupled to the blade and to the fasteners in a manner similar to that described above. In other embodiments, two or more biasing mechanisms can be used to hold each of the first and second wear members in contact with the travel surface as described above.
Other features and advantages of the present invention along with the organization and manner of operation thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout.

Snow removal apparatus and method of removing snow


A conveyor belt system provides a continuous flat support surface for a food item that moves the food item through a food preparation device. The conveyor belt system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of spaced apart rods and a plurality of slats that are removably attached to the conveyor belt with a snap on mechanism. The slats also include a lateral connection mechanism for lateral removable attachment to an adjacent slat. The slats are easily assembled and provide enhanced field service and/or replacement capability.

In the food preparation industry often food items are prepared, at least partially, by placing the food items on a conveyor belt that transports the food items into a food preparation device, such as a toaster or oven. Such toasters and ovens may include a heating device, such as a heated platen, and a slowly rotating conveyor belt. The conveyor belt holds the food item in close proximity to the platen while the conveyor belt simultaneously transports the food item through the preparation device. The length of time the food item is exposed to the heated platen may vary based on the length of the platen and the speed of the conveyor belt. Such toasters may process food items continuously as opposed to household toasters that process food items in batch mode, such as two or four pieces of bread at a time. Conveyor toasters are ill-suited for consumer use because of their size, manufacturing cost, power requirements, and the time required to pre-heat the platen to operating temperature. However, conveyor toasters are preferred by restaurants and food services that require high-volume through-put and consistent heating/toasting.
Conveyor toasters generally include a wire conveyor belt. Wire conveyor belts are ideal for material handling, cooking, icing, slicing, breading, cooling, filling, inspecting, and packing of products like breads, rolls, buns, donuts, confections, cakes, pies, pastries, meat, seafood, poultry, and other processed foods. The simple, open design of wire conveyor belts provides efficient operation with minimum maintenance and easy cleanup to meet sanitation requirements. One such known wire conveyor belt is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The wire conveyor belt 10 may include a plurality of spaced metal rods 16 interconnected by coupling "hook" and "loop" connection elements 18, 20 formed at the rod ends of adjacent metal rods 16. The rods 16 may support a food item and the rods 16 may hold the components of the belt together by way of the interconnected hook and loop connection elements 18, 20. Other types of wire conveyor belts may include spaced adjacent metal rods as well. For example, a roller chain conveyor includes spaced metal rods similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
One known conveyor belt, for example, is the wire conveyor belt disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,987,972, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The wire conveyor belt provides a flat support surface, but is relatively expensive to produce and is cumbersome to assemble and relatively difficult to repair or replace in the field. The plates are attached to a first spaced rod at a first end and to a second spaced rod that is adjacent to the first spaced rod at the second end.

Side-by-side snap on slats for a chain conveyor belt and conveyor belt system comprising same


Method and system for generating electrical energy from a volume of water.

Satisfying the world's energy needs is a demanding endeavor. Presently, fossil fuels are responsible for supplying the bulk of these worldwide needs. However, fossil fuel supplies are finite, their consumption often has adverse environmental effects, their cost widely variable and somewhat unpredictable, and independence from them is long considered to be politically advantageous.
Alternative energy sources are being actively sought and developed. Solar and wind energy are attractive alternatives to fossil fuels. Wind farms have been developed and energy from them complements conventional energy supply. The promise of efficient and cost effective solar energy has yet to be realized, although considered to be a future solution to the worldwide energy problem.
Solar radiation, at its maximum produces about 1000 Watts/m2. Solar cells can operate up to 30% efficiency, but typical values of efficiency for the most economical units are about 15-20%. Hence, typical output is about 200 Watts/m2, or about 20,000 μW/cm2 at full solar radiation. Under more typical lighting conditions, the output would be an order of magnitude lower, about 2,000 μW/cm2. Typical photovoltaic output value is about 12,000 μW/cm2 at full sun at the equator during the vernal equinox at midday, which is the absolute peak. More typical values, but still under bright conditions, would be an order of magnitude lower, perhaps 1,200 μW/cm2. The benchmark for commercial photovoltaic cells in fairly bright light is from about 1,000 to about 2,000 μW/cm2.
Despite the advances made in harnessing energy from the sun, a need exists to develop solar energy systems that provide electrical energy in an efficient and cost effective manner. The present invention seeks to fulfill this need and to provide further related advantages.

Method and system for generating electrical energy from water


Novel biological markers indicative of the action of an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drug can be used to evaluate drug efficacy and compare local and systemic drug effects. They can also aid in comparison of different drugs, doses, and delivery routes. The biological markers include cell populations, cell surface antigen expression levels, and soluble factor concentrations. Measurement values of the novel biomarkers were shown to change significantly in allergic, atopic asthmatic, and healthy subjects after administration of prednisone.

The present invention relates generally to treatment of disease in humans and other mammals. More particularly, it relates to biological markers such as cell populations, cell surface antigen expression levels, and soluble factor concentrations that are indicative of the efficacy of treatment of atopic asthma and other inflammatory disorders.
Prednisone is a corticosteroid used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory disorders, including asthma, atopy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn""s disease. While a comprehensive understanding of the action of prednisone and other glucocorticoids (a class of corticosteroids) is lacking, the drugs are known to have broad-ranging anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, including inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators and activation of anti-inflammatory mediators. They affect the growth, differentiation, and function of monocytes and lymphocytes; the distribution of cellular subsets; and the production of cytokines, cellular proteins that are secreted and affect the behavior of other cells. Because the disorders treated by glucocorticoids themselves involve unknown immunological mechanisms, it is unclear which of the many effects of prednisone are most important in inhibiting the inflammatory response.
In addition, because of their broad-ranging systemic effects, prednisone and other glucocorticoids have a large number of side effects, some of them quite serious, which restrict their applicability in many patients, particularly for long-term use. These side effects include weight gain, hyperglycemia, bone thinning, digestive problems, cataracts, susceptibility to infection, hypertension, mood swings, and insomnia. It would be beneficial to have a drug that could provide the desired anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of prednisone without the detrimental side effects. Additionally, localizing the effects to the region of inflammation (e.g., the lungs) would minimize the systemic side effects. In order to do so, however, more information must be obtained about the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids in treating inflammatory disorders.
One very common inflammatory disease that has long been treated with prednisone is asthma, a chronic respiratory syndrome of uncertain etiology. Typical asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These clinical symptoms are thought to result from hyper-responsiveness of the airways and a long-term inflammatory process that causes reversible obstruction of the airways. Many asthma sufferers also suffer from atopy, a hypersensitive allergic response to airborne antigens. The clinical manifestations of atopic asthma arise from the superposition of environmental factors on genetic predispositions that increase the probability of developing the syndrome.
Atopic asthma is an immunologic disease mediated by IgE antibodies and characterized by infiltration of the airways with mast cells, lymphocytes, and eosinophils.
The allergic response results from a hyperactivity of TH2 (type 2 helper) T lymphocytes, triggering the production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13, which enhance antibody production from B cells and induce essential aspects of the allergic response, such as mucosal tissue injury by eosinophils. T cells also support IgE-mediated responses to airborne allergens and orchestrate the recruitment and activation of primary effector cells. Products released by the inflammatory cells accumulated in the airways contribute to the tissue destruction characteristic of asthma.
A large number of studies have been performed, mostly in vitro, to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of glucocorticoids in diseases such as asthma. One hypothesis is that glucocorticoids suppress the activation of cells that produce cytokines to prime eosinophils and induce the migration of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils into the airway. Upon entering a cell, glucocorticoids bind with intracellular glucocorticoid receptors (GR), which are widely distributed among different cell types. The glucocorticoid-receptor complex then enters the cell nucleus and turns on specific genes by binding with DNA and directing the transcription process. In particular, glucocorticoids interact with two transcription factors, activating protein 1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor NF-xcexaB. AP-1 is involved in the regulation of several genes, including those that express adhesion molecules and cytokines, while NF-xcexaB regulates the transcription of genes involved in the inflammatory response. It is estimated that each cell type has ten or more target genes per cell, although they may not all be expressed. It would be highly desirable to develop new glucocorticoids or other drugs that would be more selective moderators of gene expression, leading to a reduction in toxic effects and localization of effects to disease regions.
Current studies on the effect of glucocorticoids on asthma and other inflammatory disorders are performed by measuring the effect of the drug on quantities of cell types, cell surface antigen expression, and soluble factors, both in vivo and in vitro. A number of factors have been shown to be correlated with glucocorticoid use, such as an increase in circulating granulocytes or decrease in number of eosinophils, which are responsible for many of the inflammatory tissue damage effects of asthma. However, while many studies examine IgE levels and related factors, there are few data available with respect to other measurements in vivo, such as cell surface marker expression on granulocytes and lymphocytes, or soluble factors in serum. Available data are also conflicting. For example, variable effects of glucocorticoids on T cell counts have been shown, while B cells are believed to be only minimally affected by glucocorticoids, with redistribution from peripheral blood to other lymphoid compartments being of main importance. There have also been conflicting reports on immunoglobulin levels post glucocorticoid treatment. As is well known to those of skill in the art, the correlation between in vitro and in vivo measurements is tenuous at best, and in vivo measurements must be performed to obtain information that can be used for treatment or diagnostic purposes.
Methods and compositions are currently being developed for alternative treatments of asthma and other inflammatory disorders that minimize side effects. Much of this work is devoted to regulation of the various interleukins. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,839, issued to Levitt et al., discloses methods for treating asthma by regulating the function of the IL-9 receptor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,983, issued to Barrett et al., discloses compounds that bind to the IL-5 receptor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,080, issued to Hebert et al., provides anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibodies for treatment of asthma.
In general, much more information must be obtained before less broad ranging but sufficiently effective anti-inflammatory drugs can be developed for treatment of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases such as asthma. In addition, accurate but simple methods for evaluating drug efficacy are lacking. One of the problems in elucidating both drug action and disease pathogenesis is that appropriate tools are lacking to measure a broad range of applicable immunological components in vivo from a large number of subjects. Thus many studies on the effects of glucocorticoids on cellular responses are performed in vitro or in animal models, neither of which is directly applicable to humans. In addition, the studies tend to examine factors that are already known to be implicated in glucocorticoid action, rather than searching for novel factors that may be useful for indicating the disease progression or treatment efficacy.
There is a need, therefore, for a simple but effective method of gauging the anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive response of candidate drugs for treating asthma, atopy, and other inflammatory diseases. There is also a need for more information about the mechanism by which glucocorticoids inhibit the inflammatory response. Further, there is a need for methods to determine systemic versus local effects of administered drugs.
The present invention addresses these needs by providing novel biological markers (biomarkers) indicative of anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive action of a drug in a subject. These novel biomarkers can be used to assess the anti-inflammatory action of a drug, detect systemic versus local effects of an anti-inflammatory drug, and better understand the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids such as prednisone. The information obtained can aid in selection of an appropriate glucocorticoid, dose, and administration route. Additionally, the information provided by the present invention can help in designing next generation drugs that have strong anti-inflammatory effects but fewer or less significant side effects than existing glucocorticoids.
The inventive biomarkers include cell populations, cell surface antigens, and soluble factors whose measurement values in a biological sample change significantly (either increase or decrease) after an anti-inflammatory drug is administered to the subject from whom the sample is obtained. In particular, these biomarkers include CD89 expression on granulocytes, CD38 expression on CD4 T cells, HLA class II expression on B cells, CD62L expression on B cells, monocyte count, HLA class II expression on monocytes, MMP-3 concentration, and SAA concentration.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for determining whether a candidate drug is effective in treating an inflammatory or autoimmune disease. Specific doses and delivery routes can also be examined. The method is performed by administering the candidate drug to a subject; obtaining a biological sample, such as a blood sample, from the subject; measuring the level of at least one of the inventive biological markers in the biological sample; and comparing the measured level with a standard level. Typically, the standard level is obtained by measuring the same marker or markers in the subject before drug administration. Depending upon the difference between the measured and standard levels, the drug can be considered to have an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive effect. Typical anti-inflammatory diseases treated by the candidate drug include atopy and asthma. If multiple biomarkers are measured, at least one and up to all of the biomarkers must change significantly, in the expected direction, for the drug to be considered anti-inflammatory. Preferably, multiple markers must change for the drug to be considered effective.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a method for detecting a systemic effect of an anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., a glucocorticoid such as prednisone) in a subject. In this method, a biological sample correlated with systemic activity, such as blood or urine, is obtained from the subject. Next, a set of factors including at least one of the inventive biomarkers is measured in the biological sample. The measured values are then compared with standard values, preferably measurements of the same biomarkers taken from the same subject before the drug was administered. Preferably, measurements are also made of a local biological sample, one correlated with local rather than systemic activity, extracted from the same subject. The change in local values after drug can be analyzed to determine whether the drug has local effects in addition to or instead of systemic effects.

Biological markers for evaluating therapeutic treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders


A connecting rod for a variable compression internal combustion engine, the connecting rod including a crank bearing eye for connecting the connecting rod with a crank shaft; a connecting rod bearing eye configured to connect the connecting rod with a cylinder piston of the internal combustion; an eccentrical element adjustment arrangement configured to adjust an effective connecting rod length, wherein the eccentrical element adjustment arrangement includes an eccentrical element that cooperates with an eccentrical element lever, wherein the eccentrical element is configured to receive a wrist pin of the cylinder piston, wherein the eccentrical element adjustment arrangement includes at least one cylinder with a piston that is displaceably supported in a cylinder bore hole and connected with a support rod, wherein the eccentrical element lever includes two eccentrical element lever segments which are connected by at least one connecting bolt to which the support rod is pivotably connected.

In internal combustion engines a high compression ratio has a positive effect upon efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Compression ratio is typically designated as a ratio of an entire cylinder volume before compression divided by a remaining cylinder volume after the compression. In internal combustion engines with external ignition in particular gasoline engines which have a fixed compression ratio, the compression ratio, however, must only be selected up to a level where a so called knocking of the internal combustion engine under full load operations is avoided. However, the compression ratio can be selected with higher values for the much more prevalent partial load operation of the internal combustion engine thus with a low cylinder charge, without the knocking occurring. The important partial load operations of an internal combustion engine can be improved when the compression ratio is variably adjustable. In order to adjust the compression ratio systems with variable connecting rod length are known which actuate an eccentrical element adjustment device of a connecting rod through hydraulic switch valves.
DE10 2013 014 090 A1 describes for example a two piece configuration of an eccentrical element lever whose eccentrical element lever segments are connected by connecting bolts.

Connecting rod for variable compression internal combustion engine


The invention discloses the use of an artificial protein for isolating a nucleosome, the nucleosome comprising a multiple-modified histone protein octamer, wherein the artificial protein comprises a first histone modification binding domain of 50 to 200 amino acids binding to a first histone modification, a second histone modification binding domain of 50 to 200 amino acids binding to a second histone modification, a linker of 5 to 50 amino acids connecting the first and the second histone modification binding domain, and an affinity tag. Further disclosed are a nucleic acid encoding the artificial protein, a host cell comprising the nucleic acid and a kit for isolating a nucleosome, the nucleosome comprising a multiple-modified histone protein octamer. Further disclosed is an in-vitro method for isolating a nucleosome having a first and a second histone modification.

Post-translational modifications of histone proteins, such as methylation and acetylation, play an important role in the regulation of gene expression and other chromatin-associated processes. They may also be involved in various diseases such as autoimmune diseases, developmental disorders and cancer. To date, more than 100 histone modifications are known. They occur in complex patterns, forming the so-called "histone code". With a view to deciphering this code and gain a better understanding of its role in human disease, the identification and characterisation of co-occurring histone modifications is an area of intense research.
The isolation of nucleosomes having multiple co-occurring histone modifications is used to detect the presence of co-occurring histone modifications. It also facilitates their further analysis. Nucleosomes having multiple-modified histone protein octamers can be isolated by consecutive chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays: First, a ChIP assay using an antibody directed to a first histone modification is performed. The precipitated nucleosomes are then eluted and subjected to a second ChIP assay using an antibody directed to a second histone modification. Consecutive ChIP assays are not only time-consuming; they also require a lot of starting material and are technically difficult to perform. Moreover, consecutive ChIP assays have a poor sensitivity and the DNA recovered from the isolated nucleosomes cannot be analysed by next-generation sequencing to date.
Therefore, new tools and methods for isolating nucleosomes having multiple-modified histone protein octamers are needed that overcome the current limitations.

Isolation of nucleosomes having multiple-modified histone protein octamers


An electric wire routing groove portion in which an electric wire is hosed includes a bottom portion; a pair of side wall portions that are erected from the bottom portion and are provided facing each other; and locking pieces that protrude from the side wall portions in directions in which the locking pieces approach each other and are formed with a gap through which the electric wire is passed between distal ends of the locking pieces. The side wall portion includes low edge portions formed on both sides of the locking pieces and provided closer to the bottom portion than a position of the locking piece on a bottom portion side.

The case of the bus bar module includes an electric wire holding structure for routing an electric wire. The electric wire is housed in an electric wire routing groove portion in the electric wire holding structure, so that a routing path is regulated. The electric wire holding structure includes a lid portion that closes an upper part of the electric wire holding structure such that the housed electric wire does not slip out.

Electric wire holding structure and bus bar module


A new and distinct Hemerocallis cultivar of the dormant type named xe2x80x98Just Plum Happyxe2x80x99 is provided. The new cultivar is very floriferous and forms attractive multi-colored blossoms over an extended period of time that commonly beings during mid- to late-June and commonly ends during mid-October in U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 6. The blossoms are bright flesh pink with a dark purple eye and a picotee edge. The new plant readily forms fans and readily forms a number of scapes per fan. The new cultivar is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive colorful ornamentation in the landscape.

Botanical/commercial classification: Hemerocallis hybrida/Daylily.
Varietal denomination: cv. xe2x80x98Just Plum Happyxe2x80x99.
The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Hemerocallis of the dormant type, and hereinafter is referred to by the cultivar name xe2x80x98Just Plum Happyxe2x80x99.
The new cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program which had as its objective the creation of a new Daylily cultivar that is intended for use as attractive ornamentation in the landscape.
The cross that resulted in the production of the new cultivar of the present invention was carried out in a controlled environment during July, 1995, at Bridgeton, N.J., U.S.A. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the new cultivar was the xe2x80x98Strawberry Candyxe2x80x99 cultivar (non-patented in the United States) having strawberry-pink flowers which display a diameter of approximately 10 cm and less than optimum substance.
The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new cultivar was the xe2x80x98Heady Winexe2x80x99 cultivar (non-patented in the United States) having cream with a wine-colored eye zone flowers which display a diameter of approximately 12.5 cm and less than optimum substance. Each parent is registered with the American Hemerocallis Society.
The parentage of the new cultivar can be summarized as follows:
xe2x80x98Strawberry Candyxe2x80x99xc3x97xe2x80x98Heady Winexe2x80x99.
The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and small plantlets were obtained which were physically and biologically different from each other. A number of such plants were transplanted into the field at Bridgeton, N.J., U.S.A. during July, 1996. Selective study during August, 1997 resulted in the identification of a single plant of the new cultivar.
It was found that the new Hemerocallis cultivar of the present invention is of the dormant type and possesses the following combination of characteristics:
(a) forms attractive bright flesh pink flowers with a dark purple eye and a picotee edge having substantial substance and a recurved funnel form,
(b) possesses a long blooming season with multiple repeat blooming,
(c) exhibits a propensity to readily display a plurality of fans, and
(d) readily forms a plurality of scapes per fan over the flowering season.
The Hemerocallisxc3x97xe2x80x98Just Plum Happyxe2x80x99 cultivar resembles some well-known cultivars, such as the xe2x80x98Stella D"" Oroxe2x80x99 cultivar (non-patented in the United States) and the xe2x80x98Happy Returnsxe2x80x99 cultivar (non-patented in the United States) in the sense that it commonly possesses an unusually long and substantially continuous blooming season of up to approximately 90 days in U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zone No. 6. This blooming characteristic sometimes is termed multiple-repeat blooming. Such blooming commonly begins in mid- to late-June and commonly ends during mid-October. This compares to a bloom period of less than about 30 days for over 99 percent of the hybrid Daylilies presently available in the trade.
As indicated, the Hemerocallisxc3x97xe2x80x98Just Plum Happyxe2x80x99 cultivar exhibits attractive multi-colored flowers that readily can be distinguished from the orange-yellow flowers of the xe2x80x98Stella D"" Oroxe2x80x99 cultivar and the medium yellow flowers of the Hemerocallisxc3x97xe2x80x98Happy Returnsxe2x80x99 cultivar. To the best of the knowledge of the originator, the xe2x80x98Just Plum Happyxe2x80x99 cultivar is the first long and substantially continuously blooming Daylily having flowers that exhibit a flesh pink coloration with a dark purple eye and a picotee edge hue.
The new cultivar can form up to 5 or more fans per year. This compares to approximately 6 to 8 fans per year for the xe2x80x98Stella D"" Oroxe2x80x99 cultivar and the xe2x80x98Happy Returnsxe2x80x99 cultivar. Most Daylily cultivars form only approximately 2 to 3 fans per year. Also, the new cultivar commonly forms several scapes per fan during the flowering season, unlike most Daylilies that commonly produce only one scape per fan.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by division was initially carried out on May 10, 1998 at Bridgeton, N.J., U.S.A. At the time of such asexual reproduction, the original plant of the new cultivar consisted of a clump of five fans that were phenotypically identical to each other. More specifically, the clump of the new cultivar was removed from the field and the fans were divided. It has been demonstrated that the characteristics of the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are well retained following this asexual reproduction.
Hemerocallisxc3x97xe2x80x98Just Plum Happyxe2x80x99 has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light, day length, contact with pesticides, etc.
The new cultivar is being marketed beginning in June 2003 while bearing the United States registered HAPPY EVER APPSTER trademark.

Daylily plant named xe2x80x98Just Plum Happyxe2x80x99


An estimate of a threshold value for feature extraction from image data containing noise and quantized into a plurality of quantization levels is made by filtering, such as recursively averaging n adjacent quantization levels and counting the extrema of the result. The recursive averaging is repeated with increasing values of n until only three extrema are present in the filtered data. The estimate of the threshold value is refined by comparing averages or summations of n quantization levels above and below the estimate and altering the estimated threshold value based on a comparison of the averages or summations. By basing both the estimation and refinement processes on the original data and using a value of n which is smaller in the refinement process than in the estimation process, a highly effective threshold value for the feature extraction process is obtained. Adaptive adjustment of n during the estimation process minimizes loss of data as well as computing time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to feature extraction and, more particularly, to automatic setting of a decision threshold in apparatus for bi-level image processing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the manufacture of electrical components or complete circuits of substantial complexity, testing of continuity or other electrical parameters has become an integral part of the manufacturing process. In circumstances where large numbers of such circuits or components are manufactured, it is common to automate the testing process which is carried out at one or more points during the manufacturing process. For this purpose, test probes will often be placed on a specially constructed test jig corresponding to the circuit or component to be tested.
As the size of electrical components and circuits has been reduced in the normal course of developing technology, the density of test points has been increased and the size of test points has been reduced. It is not uncommon for contact and connection points to be many times the size of circuit elements in very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits and the value of the "footprint" occupied by a test point has risen greatly. For this reason, also, it has been necessary to reduce the size of test points in electronic devices and circuits.
The reduction in size of test points requires extremely high accuracy in the construction of a test jig corresponding to the device or test probes of correspondingly small size and high uniformity. Such precision does not present a technical problem. However, in use, the test jig (or individual probes if a test jig is not used) must be positioned to a similar degree of accuracy in two coordinate directions and, possibly, rotation. This positioning accuracy is complicated by the fact that dimensional variations will exist from part to part and the positioning accuracy of the part itself must be accommodated. Further, the speed of automated manufacturing machinery and potential throughput capacities preclude manual positioning operations. Therefore, it is common to automate the positioning process and to use feature recognition techniques to control the positioning of test jigs and probes in automated testing apparatus.
Feature recognition basically involves the sensing of reflected or transmitted radiation, possibly in the visible spectrum, while scanning over an area and detecting contrast between adjacent locations. However, this process is often complicated by the radiation reflective or transmissive properties of the materials used in the fabrication of the device. Rather than sensing radiation levels which will unambiguously indicate the presence or absence of a feature, the radiation levels sensed will more typically constitute a grey scale of values which must be converted to binary values based on a decision threshold value. While contrast can often be enhanced somewhat by choice of radiation wavelength, the setting of a threshold for determination of whether or not a certain sensed level of radiation represents a feature is critical to the operation. Also, the process of feature recognition at high resolution is subject to noise, making the decision threshold level choice particularly critical.
The choice of decision threshold level (hereinafter simply threshold level) is also complicated by the fact that radiation transparency or reflectivity will often vary from part to part and from point to point within a feature (constituting noise) by an amount which is significant when compared to the desired threshold. This implies that a threshold should be established for each part tested. This also implies that the part to part threshold adjustment must be very accurate in order to properly discriminate data from noise. Manual adjustment is precluded for the same reasons that manual positioning of the test jig or probes is not feasible. In fact, in multi-level ceramic (MLC) structures, a positioning accuracy of 6 microns is required at a high rate of speed. In order to avoid limitation of throughput of manufacturing equipment for such devices, it is necessary to accurately carry out feature recognition at a rate of under two seconds per feature recognized. Therefore, to reliably carry out the feature recognition process, the optimization of decision threshold must be carried out in a very small fraction of that interval to allow time for the feature to be recognized from the sensed data and for the positioning of the test probes.
Many arrangements for providing adaptive circuits and automatic setting of threshold levels exist in the electrical arts, in general. However, a particularly difficult problem is encountered in feature recognition. Assuming the sensed signal is slightly greater than the noise, a characteristic histogram plot of frequency of occurrence against signal level will show two maxima, one of which is very high, with a slight minimum between the maxima. The maxima will, of course correspond to the radiation levels sensed for background and features at respective locations on the scanned area. It is common for the other maximum of such a histogram plot to have a very low level which is only slightly greater than the background noise level. The disproportionate height of the peaks of the histogram will vary with the relative areas corresponding to features and background. Since, in at least the area of electronic devices, the feature area will generally correspond to the amount of material used, such as gold, it follows that economy dictates minimization of feature area and the slightness of the minimum of the histogram referred to above relative to the peak corresponding to features is extremely common and noise will be of a comparable level to the smaller maximum in virtually all instances.
While the above difficulties of feature recognition are particularly critical in supporting automated testing applications, feature recognition is often applied to numerous manufacturing processes requiring determination of the precise location of a structure, such as automatic assembly of components and many applications involving servomechanisms and robotics. Accordingly, the ability to optimize a decision threshold is necessary to efficient and accurate operation of a wide range of processes, including motion detection, low-light vision arrangements, medical imaging, land mass mapping, facsimile and copier machines where enhancement of contrast of a spatial image may improve the sensitivity or performance of the process. In view of the variation of noise levels, and the levels of radiation sensed from background and feature areas during feature recognition, it is desirable that threshold levels be adaptively set.

Automatic threshold generation technique

International Business Machines Corporation


An interfolding machine having a framework (1) comprising a first plate (20a) and a second plate (20b), parallel to each other, interconnected by means of beams (15, 25, 26). Each plate (20a or 20b), has a modular structure and comprises at least one lower portion (22a or 22b) and an upper portion (23a or 23b). The upper portions (23a, 23b) of the plates (20a, 20b) are connected by beams (25), whereas the lower portions (22a, 22b) are connected by relative beams (26, 15). The upper portion has a portion (5) removable independently from the framework (1). The removable portion (5) comprises cutting rollers (8), the rollers bringing a cutting tool (10) and folding rollers (9). The web conveying rollers (6, 7), conveying the paper along the direction of process are mounted on the fixed portion (24) of the upper portion (23) of the framework (1).

As is well known, in the industry of paper a variety of types of machines and of processes exist for making paper tissues, paper towels and the like by producing stacks of interfolded sheets of a certain height.
They are obtained by folding the sheets in an "interfolded" way, namely folding into panels by overlapping at the same time a panel of a previous sheet with a panel of a following sheet. In this way, when pulling a sheet from the stack, at the moment of the use also a panel of the following sheet is pulled out, with consequent advantages for certain types of uses. Among the possible interfolding ways, stacks of L, Z or W interfolded sheets are known having 2, 3 and 4 panels, respectively.
Machines are known that use one or more webs of paper, coming from one or more reels, that are cut into sheets and then supplied offset with respect to one another on folding counter-rotating rollers.
More precisely, the webs are cut into sheets by means of cutting rollers that engage with respective blades. In the case of L or W interfolding, the webs are cut so that they form a sequence of offset sheets coming preferably from two different directions. Therefore, the sheets coming from both directions are supplied alternately to the folding rollers so that each sheet coming from a first direction overlaps a portion of a sheet coming from the second direction, and vice versa.
The sheets coming from either directions, in order to be overlapped in the above described way, adhere to the respective folding rollers by means of a vacuum-suction step or by means of a mechanical gripping. Therefore, the downstream portion of each sheet leaves its folding roller at the point of contact between the two rollers, then adhering to the other folding roller, to which the upstream portion of the previous sheet has adhered.
The method for Z interfolding is similar as above described, with the difference being that the overlap between two consecutive sheets occurs just after the cutting step and a sequence of overlapping and offset sheets come to the folding rollers from only one direction.
The interfolded stacking step is accomplished with the aid of folding elements, which in the case of rollers with mechanical folding means, consist of mechanical clamps incorporated in the roller. In case instead of folding rollers with suction system the folding elements consist of folding arms that have an oscillating motion about a pivot and that separate in turn from the respective roller the upstream portion of each sheet joined to the overlapped downstream portion of the following sheet. The folding arms are normally arranged in two rows and operate alternatively with the paired portions of sheets, which adhere to the first or to the second folding roller.
The folding rollers with suction folding means have a plurality of circumferential grooves, into which the ends of said folding arms go without blocking their rotation. At the passage of two overlapped portions of two consecutive sheets, that adhere to a roller and cover an end of the folding arms, the folding arms rotate so that their ends go out the grooves and push the two overlapped portions away from the folding roller, thus folding them onto previously interfolded sheets stacked below.
The folding rollers have a circumference that is normally multiple of the length of the sheets. Therefore, a sheet is added to the stack of interfolded sheets at each respective fraction of turn of the folding rollers.
Downstream from the rollers above described, along the direction of process, a plurality of means for separation is furthermore provided that enters the stack for all or part of its width. This way, a package is separated from a next one, and precisely the packages of a predetermined height are put in turn on a support table that eventually loads them on a conveyor and then moves back for receiving another pack.
As said above, in the interfolding machines the length of the interfolded sheets that form the stack of final product is due to the circumference of the cutting rollers and to the angular distance at which the cutting means are arranged. In other words, the length of cut is fixed and is measured univocally by the circumference of the rollers. In particular, both the folding rollers and the cutting rollers have a circumference multiple to the length of the sheets. For this reason each interfolding machine causes the production of interfolded sheets of a single length, whereby the production process is not flexible. For sheets of different length it is therefore necessary to provide different machines.

MTC-Macchine Trasformazione Carta S.R.L.


A positioning jig has a circular part with a diameter that is identical with a diameter of a semiconductor wafer and knock-pins for connecting a periphery of base plate around an opening in a base plate of a conveying tool for a semiconductor wafer. These knock-pins are respectively provided in four blades protruded from predetermined positions of the circular portion at least three directions. When adjusting the projection positions of supporting plates, the knock-pins are fitted into the opening of the base plate of the conveying tool for the semiconductor wafer. The supporting plates moves so that the knock-pins come into contact with an outer edge of the circular part of the prepared positioning jig. The adjusted supporting plates are then fixed on the base plate. The semiconductor wafer is mounted on the adjusted and fixed supporting plates so that the semiconductor wafer is positioned.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a positioning jig and a method of adjusting a position, which are applicable to a tray (conveying tool) for conveying a semiconductor wafer when mounting the semiconductor wafer to be heated thereon and carrying the semiconductor wafer to a reflow furnace.
2. Description of Related Art
A special-purpose conveying tool has been used during semiconductor manufacturing steps such as a heat treatment step and a conveying line in the past and has conveyed many semiconductor wafers (hereinafter, simply referred to as "wafer" in case of need). The sizes of wafers to be conveyed have been often different from each other in different semiconductor manufacturing steps. Accordingly, each time the size of wafer varies, the conveying tool has been changed.
In order to exclude such a change step of the conveying tool, a conveying tool which can convey wafers having a plurality of sizes has been known (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H06-151550 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. S62-026037). Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H06-151550 has disclosed a wafer fork. In such a wafer fork, holding pins are set in setting holes of a wafer fork body due to diameters of the wafers to be conveyed. This enables the wafers having a plurality of sizes to be conveyed.
Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. S62-026037 has disclosed a wafer-holding table. By such a wafer-holding table, a conveying beam which moves upward or downward and horizontally by means of a vertical cylinder and a horizontal cylinder conveys wafers.
On the wafer-holding table, pins supporting the wafer have at least three species of heights. A group of the pins having the same height is arranged around the same circumference. The groups of the pins which have different heights are arranged around the same circumferences in order of height outward so that the group of pins having the height corresponding to each of the sizes of the wafer can support the wafer having the corresponding size. The wafer is positioned by allowing it to contact the group of pins having a height with next higher level to that of the group of pins supporting the wafer.
FIG. 1 shows another conveying tool 300 of related art for a semiconductor wafer, which is applicable to a case of conveying the wafers having a plurality of sizes. In the conveying tool 300 for the semiconductor wafer shown in FIG. 1, a base plate 31 and conveying guides 32 are fastened by bolts 34 and the like.
The base plate has an opening 35, which has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the wafer W1, at its middle. Three pins 36A, 36B, and 36C for supporting the wafer W1 are arranged around the same circumference on the base plate 31 and three guides 37A, 37B and 37C for preventing misalignment of the wafer W1 are arranged around the same circumference.
Further, three pins 38A, 38B and 38C for supporting the wafer W2 having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the wafer W1 are arranged around the same circumference on the base plate 31 and three guides 39A, 39B and 39C for preventing misalignment of the wafer W2 are arranged around the same circumference.

Positioning jig and method of adjusting position


Methods and systems for electronic commerce are provided in which a buyer requests a merchandise estimate by selecting estimate items registered by a seller, selects one of various estimates suggested by the seller in response to the request, and performs payment for the merchandise. One method for providing electronic commerce includes receiving, from a buyer terminal, an estimate request selecting at least one of a plurality of items from estimate request information registered by a seller terminal, providing at least one estimate to a buyer according to an estimate response from the seller terminal, and receiving an estimate rejection or a purchase request in response to the at least one estimate from the buyer terminal and performing a corresponding process.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a method and system for brokering transactions of merchandise via a medium such as the Internet. Instead of using a simple marketplace operating scheme in which merchandise are delivered by selecting the merchandise and paying a price of the merchandise, a method and system is provided in which a buyer requests an estimate from a seller by selecting estimate items registered by the seller, selects one of various estimates suggested by the seller in response to the request, and performs payment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nowadays, there are many on-line shopping malls that manage electronic commerce, such as by brokering the trading of goods or services on the Internet. The on-line shopping malls enable buyers to conveniently purchase a variety of goods or services registered by sellers from within their own homes.
Brokerage methods currently used in on-line shopping malls include a method by which buyers select and purchase goods or services for which prices and conditions are registered by sellers, and an auction or reverse-auction method. The auction is advantageous to sellers because the auction is won by a highest bidding buyer, and the reverse auction is advantageous to buyers because the reverse auction is won by a lowest bidding seller. Accordingly, the auction is not conducive to transactions at prices and conditions that are advantageous to buyers and thus it is not easy to induce many buyers to bid. Meanwhile, the reverse auction is not conducive to transactions at prices and conditions that are advantageous to sellers and thus it is not easy to induce many sellers to bid.
A combination of the auction and the reverse auction has been used to overcome the shortcomings of both methods. For example, a buyer can negotiate for a different price or conditions than suggested by a seller and purchase merchandise at the resulting price and conditions. When the negotiation is unsuccessful, the buyer can attempt to negotiate with other sellers for purchase of desired merchandise. However, this negotiation-based electronic commerce is limited due to the conflict between a buyer desiring discount and a seller desiring higher price.
In addition, there is also a method in which a plurality of sellers respond to an estimate from a buyer, who selects the sellers one by one for negotiation. However, this estimate bidding scheme creates increased indirect transaction costs for both parties when price and conditions are not smoothly negotiated between a buyer and a seller.
Accordingly, there is a need for an on-line marketplace that allows a buyer and a seller to advantageously use electronic commerce at no extra charge through various appropriate estimates.

Method, medium, and system for returning cash points to a user in response to a purchase request


A heat curable composition is provided which is useful for encapsulating microelectronic devices using a heat curable epoxy composition having a diaryliodonium hexafluoroantimonate salt as a catalyst in combination with an effective amount of a free radical generating aromatic compound as a cocatalyst.

Prior to the present invention, commercially available plastic encapsulants for electronic devices had several serious disadvantages. One disadvantage, for example, was that prior to use, the encapsulant required refrigeration, preferably to 4.degree. C. and protection from moisture during shipment and storage. Unless the encapsulant composition was refrigerated and protected from moisture, it did not provide suitable flow length for filling multicavity molds. Encapsulant molding powders are generally sealed inside several plastic bags and surrounded by dry ice before shipment by the manufacturer. As a result, the material must be allowed several hours to reach room temperature in the absence of moisture before it is used to encapsulate an electronic device to minimize a build-up of water in the powder due to atmospheric condensation.
Although flow length during injection molding is an important consideration for qualifying commercially available curable polymeric materials for device encapsulation, another equally important requirement of the electronic system manufacturers is that after cure, the plastic encapsulated electronic device must have the ability to resist changes in humidity conditions over a wide temperature range. One way to test the resistance of plastic encapsulated electronic devices to high humidity over various temperature ranges, such as experienced in South East Asia, is by using the "HAST" test (highly accelerated stress test) as discussed by L. Gallace et al. in "Reliability of Plastic-Encapsulated Integrated Circuits and Moisture Environments", RCA Review, Vol. 45. (June 1984) pages 249-277. Another version of the HAST is shown by K. Ogawa et al., Automatically Controlled 2-Vessel Pressure-Cooker Test - Equipment IEEE Transactions on Reliability, Vol. R-32, No. 2 (June 1983). The HAST test determines how long circuitry of a plastic encapsulated device will survive while subjected to 18 volts during exposure to 85%RH, 145.degree. C. corresponding to 2.7 atmospheres of steam. The devices are periodically tested with a GenRad model 1731/linear IC tester having internal diagnostics and system calibration.
An additional consideration which must be addressed by encapsulant composition manufacturers for the electronic industry is the cure temperature required for commercially available encapsulants which are usually epoxy resin formulations. It is generally known that presently available encapsulants which are injection molded onto electronic devices require a temperature of at least 180.degree. C. Such temperatures often create excessive stresses at the interface of the cured plastic encapsulant and the electronic device upon cooling.
In order to minimize the cracking of silicon chips resulting from 180.degree. C. plastic encapsulation, silicone resin modified epoxy resins have been used as encapsulants, as shown by K. Kuwata et al., IEEE, 1985 (18-22).
An additional concern of the electronic systems manufacturers is that plastic encapsulated electronic devices requiring soldering often fail because the heat distortion temperature (HDT) of the cured encapsulant is often too low, i.e. between about 200.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. The molded encapsulant can experience a change in shape (distortion), when the device is dipped into a molten solder bath. Temperatures up to 290.degree. C. are sometimes unavoidable in instances where solder fluxes which are often used to facilitate metal contact cannot be tolerated.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide less stressful encapsulating compositions curable at temperatures significantly below 180.degree. C., which have HDTs after cure exceeding 300.degree. C. Encapsulated devices fabricated from such encapsulants would have substantially reduced stress due to decreased thermal expansion. In addition, such encapsulated devices could be made with surface areas exceeding 1/8 sq.in., without cracking. It also would be desirable to have encapsulated electronic devices having greater than a 50% survival rate when subjected to HAST test conditions measuring reliability in moisture environments when compared to current commercial devices.
In copending application Ser. No. 103,153, a significant improvement in the shelf stability of microelectronic device encapsulating compositions was achieved by employing as the cure catalyst, a diaryliodonium hexafluoroantimonate salt and a copper compound as a cocatalyst. The iodonium catalyst was used in combination with a substantially chloride-free epoxy resin and a fused silica filler to provide a superior silicon chip encapsulating composition. The resulting encapsulants are able to provide field electronic devices having HDTs from about 250.degree. C. to 345.degree. C., and reduced incidence of cracking. The encapsulated devices are also found to be able to far exceed the 100 hrs 50% survival rate at about 145.degree. C. under the aforementioned HAST test conditions which represent the current state of the art devices. Although the iodonium salt catalyzed epoxy system provides excellent results, copper acetyl-acetonate, a preferred copper cocatalyst, was found to be nearly insoluble in the resin at ambient temperatures. In addition, at elevated temperatures, the copper cocatalyst was also found to catalyze the decomposition of a brominated epoxy resin which was used in the heat curable encapsulant as a flame retardant. The decomposition of the brominated epoxy resin often results in the formation of bromide ions which are known to catalyze the corrosion of aluminum. The corrosion of the aluminum leads of the encapsulated integrated circuit device can result in reduced performance life.

Encapsulation method, microelectronic devices made therefrom, and heat curable compositions based on epoxy resins, diaryliodonium hexafluroantimonate salts and free radical generators


The present invention provides a system, a computer program and a method of increasing the usable life of a new vehicle including providing a warranty for the life of the new vehicle to a user, providing a maintenance schedule for the new vehicle to the user and repairing a mechanical breakdown of one or more covered parts at an authorized facility with a minimal cost to the user whenever the warranty has not been voided by an occurrence of a trigger event, the new vehicle has been routinely examined by the authorized facility, and all maintenance of the new vehicle specified in the maintenance schedule has been performed at the authorized facility.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with vehicle maintenance, as an example. No matter the type of vehicle: car, truck, SUV, boat or airplane, the level of maintenance can determine its longevity, performance and reliability. Vehicle maintenance is one of the most important aspects of vehicle ownership; however, vehicular maintenance is also one of the most neglected areas of vehicle ownership.
Newer vehicles can accumulate many miles without showing outward signs of wear and tear, thus, creating the misconception that the vehicle is still new and does not need maintenance. For example, many people purchase new vehicles prior to a trip or vacation adding thousands of miles in a matter of months, and then fail to perform an oil change or other maintenance as required as the car is only a few months old.
Additionally, some owners find the high-tech computer-controlled systems of new vehicles confusing or intimidating and put-off maintenance until something goes wrong. Still other owners are under the misconception that new vehicles do not need maintenance. Some people who purchase a new car believe that all they have to do is fill it with gas, change the oil and drive it. Often, the user expects the vehicle to last 5 to 10 years until they trade it for a new car.
Furthermore, engines and transmissions used in new vehicles have improved over their predecessors and the advanced ignition and fuel injection system of newer vehicles have virtually eliminated the traditional tune-up, e.g., adjusting carburetors, installing points and setting the timing. These facts have created the misconception that cars are like washing machines or refrigerators, operating for years with little or no maintenance, and that is simply not the case. These systems must still undergo some form of maintenance to provide reliably operation.
Vehicle maintenance involves a variety of different maintenance procedures including: checking the battery, checking the electrical system, keeping a check on the oil and fluids and changing the oil spark plugs, filters and fluids. Generally, the manufacturer includes a recommended maintenance schedule for specific maintenance items at given times and/or mileages; these maintenance schedule are often listed in the owner's manual. For example, the suggested maintenance intervals of, e.g., every 12,000 miles or 300 hours of engine operation (e.g., tune-up, inspect chassis, brakes steering linkages, suspension, ball joints, replace fluids, change oil, replace the oil filter, check/change differential fluids, change spark plugs, change ignition wires, etc.) for major services and other minor service every 3,000 to 6,000 miles (or hour equivalent) (e.g., change oil and oil filter, inspect fluids, inspect brakes, inspect ball joints, etc.). Furthermore, the manufacturer requires these services are performed at the specific time and an authorized or certified dealership. The adherence to vehicle maintenance can determine its longevity and reliability. Even with the importance of automotive maintenance, it remains one of the most neglected areas of vehicle ownership.
The problem of decreased vehicle lifetime due to noncompliance with scheduled automotive maintenance has been recognized for many years; and while numerous solutions have been proposed, none of them adequately addresses the problem.

Method and system for extending the life of a vehicle