A method of extracting fibers from decorticated plant bast skin involves pre-treating decorticated plant bast skin of a fiber plant with an aqueous solution containing trisodium citrate having a pH in a range of about 8-14 at a temperature of about 90° C. or less; and subsequently treating recovered fibers with a protease at alkaline pH.

Historically, hemp fibers have been used in the textile industry. However, recent breakthroughs in composite materials allowed renewable fibers, for example those from hemp, to replace glass fibers as strengtheners in composite materials. Therefore, the development of procedures to extract hemp fibers without damaging their integrity will facilitate their use in both the textile industry and in biocomposites. Such procedures would preferably be energy-efficient and would avoid the use of hazardous and/or non-biodegradable agents.
In the stem of fiber plants, such as hemp, flax and jute, a bark-like layer containing bast fibers surrounds a woody core or the stemwood. Decortication, either manually or mechanically, is a process that can divide the hemp stem into a hemp "bark" and a hemp "stem wood" fraction. The "stem wood" fraction can be utilized for chemical pulping. (Kortekaas 1998). "Bark" is used to describe all the outer tissues of the stem, including the bast fibers. The bast fibers or fiber bundles are surrounded by pectin or other gumming materials.
Plant fibers, are made of polysaccharides, mainly cellulose. This is different from animal fibers such as silks from silkworm and spiders, wool from sheep or other furry livestock, that are made of protein.
Isolation of plant fiber from the decorticated bark is required before any industrial application. Extraction primarily involves degumming, a removal of pectin from the fiber. Pectin is a polysaccharide which is a polymer of galacturonic acid. Pectin is not soluble in water or acid. However, it can be removed by strong alkaline solutions like caustic soda (concentrated sodium hydroxide).
General methods for isolation of clean fibers include dew retting, water retting, and chemical and enzymatic processes, with various modification. It involves the loosening or removal of the glue that holds the fibers together. The traditional methods are water- or dew-retting. In dew retting, stalks are allowed them to lie in the field after cutting. In some areas of the world, hemp is water-retted by placing bundles of stalks in ponds or streams. These two retting (limited rotting) methods depend on digestion of pectin by enzymes secreted by natural microbes. The water retting process has the disadvantage of polluting the waterway or streams. The dew-retting requires two to six weeks or more to complete, and very much affected by the weather with no guaranty of favorable conditions.
Enzyme retting involves the action of the enzyme pectinase with or without other enzymes like xylanase and/or cellulase. However, the practical application of such enzymes for isolation of hemp fiber remains in experimental stage.
Today the common industrial procedure is chemical retting which involves violent, hazardous chemicals like soda ash, caustic soda and oxalic acid, often at high temperature of 160° C. at pressures of several atmospheres.
Various retting processes are known in the art. Clarke et al. (Clarke 2002) describes a process of removing pectin or gummy materials from decorticated bast skin to yield individual fibers by placement of the bast skin (with or without soaking in an enzyme solution in a pretreatment process) into a closed gas-impermeable container such as plastic bag. The enzyme-producing microbes natural to the bast skin, will thrive on the initial nutrients released by the enzyme pretreatment and will finish the retting process in this closed environment. Clarke also describes an alternative pre-treatment process involving chemicals instead of enzymes, and this includes caustic soda, soda ash, sodium silicate, oxalic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).
Thus, there is a need for a milder and efficient process for isolating hemp fibers that involves environmentally-friendly and/or biodegradable agents. There is also a question of whether pectin being the only target for degumming. The removal of gumming matters other than the primary target, pectin, may offer the opportunity to yield finer and softer fibers of hemp.
Sung et al. (Sung 2007) taught that pre-treatment of the decorticated hemp bast skin with an aqueous solution containing di-sodium citrate, trisodium citrate or a mixture thereof having a pH of from about 6-13 at a temperature of about 90° C. or less, facilitates the subsequent extraction of fiber with the enzyme pectinase.
The hemp stem consists of both bast fiber (bark) and woody core (stemwood). The major components of these two parts are cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and lignin (see Table 1) (Garcia-Jaldon 1998).
TABLE 1Chemical analysis of hemp partsBast fiber (%)Woody core (%)Cellulose5548Hemicellulose1612Pectin186Lignin428Wax + Fat11Ash42Protein23
In terms of chemical composition, the major differences between the bast fiber (bark) and the woody core (stemwood) are the amount of pectin (18% vs. 6%) and lignin (4% vs. 28%). The large amount of lignin in "stemwood" gives it rigidity. In the case of bast fiber (bark), the lack of lignin is compensated by pectin to glue the individual long fibers and fiber bundles together. Therefor, most research into the liberation of the long fiber from bark has been focused on hydrolysis of pectin, the major gumming component, through the application of the enzyme pectinase.
In comparison, the amount of protein is very small in the bast fiber (2% in bast fiber, Table 1). However, part of this seemingly unimportant protein is structural proteins like "extensin", responsible for the protein matrix which contributes to the structural integrity of the plant itself. Application of protease to the bark may degrade the protein matrix, resulting in the release of non-fiber material or debris physically or chemically associated to the plant protein. As a result of such treatment, fiber may be released or separated.
Pokora et al. taught delignification of refiner mechanical wood pulps to facilitate biopulping, by use of protease at acidic pH (Pokora 1994). Pokora et al. taught that the proteases were used to delignify the wood by the wood protein "extensin". "Extensin" is a cross-linked protein which is suspected of being bound to lignin and functions as a supporting skeleton on a cellular level. Since Pokora et al. is directed to the removal of lignin in mechanical wood pulps, it is not relevant to the isolation of the long fiber from "bark" which contains little lignin (Table 1).
Dorado et al. have taught the use of protease at neutral pH to remove lignin specifically from hemp "stemwood" through a pretreatment with protease (Dorado 2001). Similarly this is not relevant to the extraction of long fiber from bark.
Protease is commonly used in the purification of natural fibers of animal origins, like wool and silk. These fibers are also of protein origin, thus fundamentally different from the plant fibers which are of polysaccharides.
Protease has also been applied in the "bioscouring" of cotton fibers which has various layers of non-cellulosic materials including protein/nitrogenous substances. Cotton when harvested is "cotton boll", which is a soft fluffy ball of already separated individual fibers. The removal of non-cellulosic materials from the surface of individual cotton fibers enhances wettability and ease of dyeing (Karapinar 2004). This is not for application in the separation or extraction of fiber from bark or bast skin of fiber plants. Bark or bast skin of fiber plants such as hemp or flax bark is quite different from cotton boll. Bark or bast skin is a sheet containing individual fibers all glued (or gummed) together into bundle, and then into a sheet. No individual fiber is visible at this stage. Although protein makes a small part of fiber plants, structural proteins like "extensin" interlock separated microfibrils (fine fibers) to reinforce the architecture. Other proteins may also be inserted to cross-link extensin, forming a network between fibers.
Instead of application of a single enzyme, purification of plant fibers may be done with commercial liquid enzyme mixtures produced directly through the culture of the fungus Aspergillus niger, including Novo SP249 (Akkawi 1990), or Pektopol PT-400 (Pektowin, Poland) (Sedelnik 2004; Sedelnik 2006). The decorticated fiber bark has to be treated with a bath containing this fungal enzyme mixture for as long as 24 to 36 hr. As expected, these natural enzyme mixtures obtained via culture of Aspergillus contain a wide-spectrum of its normal enzymes, including polygalacturonase, pectinase, cellulases, beta-glucanase, hemicellulases, xylanases, arabinase and protease in various amounts (Massiot 1989; Steinke 1991).
The abovementioned commercial enzyme mixtures (Novo SP249 and Pektopol), produced directly through the culture of fungus Aspergillus, are only suitable for application at acid pH with optimal pH range of 4-6 (Akkawi 1990; Sedelnik 2006; Steinke 1991). Towards neutral pH, the Aspergillus enzymes lose activity rapidly.
As to the effect of long treatment time on plant fiber at acidic (low) pH, Jaskowski (Jaskowski 1984) teaches that acidic treatment solutions at pH below 4.5 can promote acidic hydrolysis of plant fiber, which is primarily cellulose, and that significant degradation of decorticated bast fiber happens if the fiber remains in such treatment solutions for longer than 1 hr. Since treatment with fungal enzyme mixtures as described above lasts 24 hr or longer, damage to the integrity of the purified fiber is a matter of concern.


A tooth structure of a rotary saw blade includes a plurality of teeth arranged circumferentially on the peripheral portion of a disc-like base plate. Each of the teeth is trapezoidal in side view. The top surface of each of the teeth is generally rectangular or exposed to the outside, while the remaining surfaces are coated with ultra-hard abrasive grains.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tooth structure of a rotary saw blade particularly used for cutting hard and brittle material such as glass, precious stones, tiles and bricks and to a method of forming the tooth structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A typical prior art saw blade design is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown therein, the rotary saw blade includes a disc-like base plate 1 and a plurality of teeth 2 formed on the peripheral portion of the base plate 1. The teeth 2 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction. On the entire surface of each of the teeth 2, diamond grains 3 of about No. 120 U.S. mesh are electrically deposited so as to form a toothed portion 4.
However, in the above conventional construction of the toothed portion, diamond grains 3a are deposited on the top surface 2a of each tooth 2 to cut a work. Therefore, as is apparent from the characteristic line b shown in FIG. 12, the cutting performance of the diamond grains 3a gradually degrades as they are worn.
Consequently, as shown in FIG. 12, the cutting performance is considerably degraded in the case that the diamond grains 3a have been worn out and the top surfaces of the toothed portion 4 become flat and smooth.
Thus, in the conventional construction, the diameter of the diamond grain is relatively small, and the state of wear of the diamond grains 3a cannot be recognized by visual observation. Further, the duration of life of the rotary saw blade is difficult to be recognized since its cutting performance gradually degrades. Therefore, the conventional construction has the drawbacks in that the users tend to miss the time of exchange or to misunderstand the blade for a defective one.
The above drawbacks are important factors for traders who rent such rotary saw blades.

Tooth structure of rotary saw blade and method of forming the same


A cordless screwdriver, having a housing (12, 18) with a pistol grip (14) with an ON/OFF button (26) and a rechargeable battery (40) inserted into it, in particular fixedly and with charging contact tongues (37) associated with the battery (40), is made safer and more convenient by providing that by means of the toggle switch (26), extending in elongated fashion over the inside of the pistol grip (14) and in particular pivotably supported, a plurality of power circuits of the cordless screwdriver (10) are interruptable and closable over the actuation stroke of the toggle switch successively independently of one another.

The present invention is based on a cordless screwdriver.
Cordless screwdrivers are already available in the power class between 2.4 V and 3.6 V, as known for instance from European Patent Disclosure 1 066 930. They usually have a plurality of NiCd cells as energy storing means; an ON/OFF button with a short toggle switch and without continuously variable speed governing, and a switch for switchover from counterclockwise to clockwise operation; a gear, in particular a planetary gear, that steps down the motor rpm; and a motor with a standard diameter of 27.5 mm. There are both rodlike and pistol-shaped versions as well as versions with an adjustable-angle handle. For charging, these devices are connected to the charger either via a plug—in a way similar to a cell phone or electric shaver—or via a mount with contacts, into which contacts the rechargeable battery can be placed for charging. The mounts can be secured to a wall, for instance, to make handling while charging easier.
For charging, the charging mode for the charger and for the electrical connection must be brought about, but this does not automatically happen after every use. As a result, the device is often not ready for use precisely when it is needed, and the well-known memory effect is a further disadvantage NiCd cells discharge after a certain length of time without outputting power, and even unused cordless screwdrivers become partly discharged after a short time. If they are charged when they are partly discharged, then because of the memory effect, after the charging operation, only the difference of the newly charged amount—and hence reduced power—is available.
A further disadvantage of the known cordless screwdrivers is their voluminous size because of large structural components, such as the gear, switch system, and the rechargeable battery in the form of NiCd cells, whose ⅘ sub-C size when located in the pistol grip is an impairment to ergonomics and utility, since narrow, angled places where screwing is to be done cannot be reached.
In known cordless screwdrivers with electrical secondary functions, such as a built-in work light, these functions have until now been switched on and off either separately with their own switch or actuating element or synchronously with the switch for the primary function, that is, the motor switch. If the secondary function can be switched separately, then there is the advantage that the light can be switched on as needed, for instance, and does not consume current constantly during operation of the power tool. A disadvantage is that for that purpose, a separate actuating element must first be operated. If by mistake this element is not switched off, the battery discharges unintentionally. This risk does not exist when the secondary function is switched synchronously with the primary function. In that case, however, the secondary function cannot be activated independently of the primary function, as is advantageous for instance with a work light of a screwdriver.


A process manufactures an exhaust gas treatment device including a tubular circumferential wall (14) elongated along a longitudinal axis (L) with two axial end areas, an exhaust gas treatment unit (52) arranged in the circumferential wall and a closing element (20, 38) connected to the circumferential wall at the two axial end areas. The exhaust gas treatment unit is held at the circumferential wall by a supporting material layer (54) enclosing the exhaust gas treatment unit and supporting same in relation to the circumferential wall. The process includes arranging a first of the two closing elements at one of the axial end areas of the circumferential wall, pushing the exhaust gas treatment unit enclosed by the supporting material layer into the circumferential wall from the other axial end area (18), and arranging a second of the closing elements at the other axial end area of the circumferential wall.

Such exhaust gas treatment devices comprise, in general, a tubular housing, which is provided by a circumferential wall and into which a particle filter, enclosed by a layer of a fiber material holding the exhaust gas treatment device at the circumferential wall, is pushed. Generally funnel-shaped closing elements, via which the exhaust gas treatment device can be connected to other system areas of an exhaust system, for example, exhaust pipes, are provided at both axial ends of the circumferential wall.

Process for manufacturing an exhaust gas treatment device


Conventional detergents for lithography which contain a surfactant as an active ingredient should have a reduced surfactant concentration because heightened surfactant concentrations result in dissolution of the resin component of a photoresist composition and hence in a dimensional change of a resist pattern. However, the conventional detergents have had a drawback that such a low concentration unavoidably reduces the ability to inhibit pattern falling and defect occurrence. A detergent for lithography is provided which is an aqueous solution containing (A) at least one member selected among nitrogenous cationic surfactants and nitrogenous ampholytic surfactants and (B) an anionic surfactant. This detergent retains a low surface tension even when it has a low concentration. It is effective in inhibiting pattern falling and defect occurrence. It can also inhibit resist patterns from fluctuating in dimension.

Along with the trend in recent years toward compactness and high integration of semiconductor devices, the light sources for the fine working thereof are also under a trend of gradual shift to shorter wavelength ones from traditional UV light having a long wavelength such as the g-line (436 nm), the i-line (365 nm) and the like to the KrF excimer laser (248 nm) capable of forming a resist pattern of higher pattern resolution, leading to the current ArF excimer laser (193 nm) and further electron beams such as EB, EUV and the like shifter as a major current while developments of the process and resist materials are under progress at a high pace in order to comply with these short-wavelength light sources.
Conventional photoresists are required to have: for instance, improved sensitivity, pattern resolution, heat resistance, focusing depth latitude, cross sectional profile of a resist pattern, aging stability resulting in the deterioration of the shape of the resist pattern due to contamination with amine and the like in a period between light exposure and post-exposure baking (PEB) and substrate dependency which changes are caused in the cross sectional profile of the resist pattern depending on various coating films on the silicon wafer such as insulating films including silicon nitride (SiN) films, semiconductor films including polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) films and metallic films including titanium nitride (TiN) films. These requirements have been solved to some extent, but a defect which is a particularly important issue has problems remaining unsolved.
The defect means a mismatch between a resist pattern and the photomask pattern, which is detected when a resist pattern after having been developed is examined with a surface defect observation instrument, for instance, the mismatch like a difference between shapes of the patterns, occurrence of scums and contaminants, irregular coloring and coalescence between the patterns. The yield of the semiconductor devices decreases as the number of defects increases so that, even though the resist has the adequate resist characteristics as described above, defects make it difficult for the semiconductor devices to be effectively mass produced, while the problems thereof remain unsolved.
Besides, in recent years, it has become essential to solve the problems including resist pattern falling as a particular problem in the formation of resist patterns under the trends toward ultra-fineness and high aspect ratio. The resist pattern falling occurs under a surface tension which takes place in the step of drying of a rinse solution.
In addition, the aforementioned lithographic cleaning solution for effects of decreasing defects and suppressing resist pattern falling as the objects is further required to be capable of non-uniformity of the pattern width (LWR) and fine ruggedness appearing on the side walls of the pattern (LEW) and to be capable of improving the size changes in the undesirable variations in the dimensions of the resist pattern per se. The requirement is for a lithographic cleaning solution capable of satisfying all of these necessary characteristics.
Incidentally, in order to improve the properties of the thus obtained resist pattern, the cleaning solutions for lithography currently under use in the rinse steps to follow the development treatment include mixtures of isopropyl alcohol and water or isopropyl alcohol and Freon (JP5-299336A), aqueous solutions containing an anionic surfactant (JP2002-323773A), organic treatment solutions containing fluorine (JP2003-178943A and JP2003-178944A), a nonionic surfactant-containing rinse solution for lithography having water and ethyleneoxy group and free from any fluorine atom (JP2004-184648A) and others as the known ones.
However, mixtures of isopropyl alcohol and water or Freon are not so effective as desirable in the defect-decreasing effects. The aqueous solutions containing a surfactant are not also suitable for preventing pattern falling and decreasing the defects since the concentration of surfactant therein should be low in order to suppress the dissolution of the resinous ingredient in the photoresist while, such a limited concentration of the surfactant leads to the increased surface tension as a disadvantage.
On the other hand, there is a proposal for decreasing the defects to improve the positive-working resist composition used for the formation of patterns (JP2002-148816A) but this measure is not practicable because modification of the components of the photoresist composition must be preceded by a modification of the process per se for the supply of the components of the photoresist composition.
Further, a method is known (JP2001-23893A) for coating, in the course of resist-pattern forming, with a defect treating agent having a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group or, namely, with a surfactant but this method has shortages that the top portion of the resist pattern is rounded to degrade the orthogonality of the cross section and, in addition, film thickness reduction of the resist layer is caused by this treatment. Besides, a developer solution is usually supplied through a collective pipeline throughout the development treatment so that, in a semiconductor manufacturing plant wherein various resists should be used, it is necessary to exchange the treatment agent to be used corresponding to the respective resist, and to clean the device and the pipeline after each run. Consequently, this method is unsuitable.
Furthermore, there are known a method for decreasing the defects in the developing step of photolithography by using a developer solution containing a nonionic surfactant and an organic base free from metallic ions as a principal ingredient (JP2001-159824A) and a method for decreasing the defects by conducting a treatment prior to the post-exposure baking treatment by using an aqueous solution of pH 3.5 or lower containing a low-volatile aromatic sulfonic acid and having a molecular weight of at least 200 (JP2002-323774A) but no satisfactory results can still be reached.
On the other hand, a method of using a composition of a rinsing agent containing a nitrogen-containing compound with a molecular weight of 45 to 10000, which has an amino group or an imino group, and a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms in the molecule, so as to inhibit falling and damage on a resist pattern occurring in a rinsing step and a drying step (JP11-295902A) is also known, but the defect-decreasing effect mentioned above can not be obtained with such a composition of a rinsing agent. Besides, a rinse solution containing an ethylene oxide-based or propylene oxide-based activator (JP2004-184648A) is known, but the aforementioned effects of decreasing defects and inhibiting pattern falling can not be obtained because the hydrophilic group has weak interaction with water.

Detergent for lithography and method of forming resist pattern with the same


A hub includes an axle. Each end of the axle has an annular groove and a longitudinal groove. A dust cap, two bearings and a cone are provided on each end of the axle. A clamping ring has a key extending inwards for engaging with the longitudinal groove of the axle. The clamping ring is tapered from an outer peripheral edge toward a center so that the clamping ring is resilient. A lock ring is engaged with each annular groove. The clamping rings stably retain the axle in place so that the axle do not move laterally.

The present invention relates to a hub, and more particularly to a hub of a bicycle.
The hub of a bicycle which is now in use is shown in FIG. 4. The hub comprises generally an axle A rotatably provided therein. The axle A has an annular flange F formed on each end portion thereof. Two dust caps D are threadedly connected to both ends of a hub shell (not shown). A bearing B is provided between each annular flange F and a respective dust cap D. A sealing ring L is provided around each end portion of the axle A close to the dust cap D. A lateral movement of the axle A is limited by the dust caps D only. When cycling, the dust caps D may be unthreaded and become loose due to vibration, shock or the like. Therefore, the wheels of the bicycle may rotate with a swinging motion or rocking motion.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional hub of bicycles.

Mei Shan Tsun, Hou Li Hsiang, Taichung Hsien


One object is to provide a server device that enables accurate expectation of cost required to acquire a desired game content. In accordance with one aspect, a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a game to one or more players via a network. This server device includes a won game content selecting unit configured to select one or more game contents as first won game contents from the game contents contained in a first deck allocated to a first player of the one or more players, an owned game content information storage unit configured to store the one or more won game contents in association with the first player identification information, and an updating unit configured to update the first deck by clearing the one or more first won game contents from the first deck.

So-called online games have become popular, wherein a game server provides game data to clients via a network and the clients perform game functions based on the provided game data. In an online card game, which is a sort of online game, a player is provided with game contents such as character cards and items used in the game. An example of such a card game is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-187143. Also, a method of selecting a game content to be provided to a player is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-93165 (the "'165 Publication"). In the game disclosed in the '165 Publication, each game content is associated with a winning probability and one or more game contents to be provided to a player are selected based on the winning probability in response to an acquisition request (purchase request) for one or more game contents from the player.
Cards with low winning probabilities are sometimes called "rare cards." Many games are designed such that rare cards can be used to progress the games advantageously. Therefore, many players seek rare cards in the games. In many cases, players have to make a multiple of acquisition requests (or lottery requests) for game contents before obtaining rare cards with low winning probabilities.
In many on-line card games, an acquisition request for a game content can be made at the expense of in-game points. Therefore, as the more acquisition requests are made to acquire a rare card, the more costs such as in-game points are consumed before obtaining a desired rare card. Since a game content to be provided to a player is selected from a certain population based on winning probabilities, the number of acquisition requests required to obtain a rare card can be known based only on stochastic prediction by a player. The actual costs required does not necessarily agree with stochastic prediction (player's expectation). Rather, in many cases, the actual cost deviates from the expected value to some extent. Thus, where a game content to be provided to a player is selected from a certain population based on winning probabilities, players cannot make an accurate prediction of costs required to obtain a desired game content.


The present invention provides a negative dye-containing curable composition comprising at least (A) an alkali-soluble binder, (B) an organic solvent-soluble dye, (C) a photopolymerization initiator, (D) a radical-polymerizable monomer and (E) an organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent-soluble dye (B) comprises at least one kind of azomethine-type dye represented by the following formula (I) and at least one kind of tetraazaporphyrin-type dye represented by the following formula (A), and the photopolymerization initiator (C) is an oxime-type compound,

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a negative dye-containing curable composition suitable for forming colored images constituting color filters used for liquid crystal display elements (CVD), solid state image pickup elements (for example, CCD and CMOS) and the like, also to a color filter produced by using the negative dye-containing curable composition and, further, to a method of producing the color filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
As methods of producing a color filter used for liquid crystal display elements and solid state image pick-up elements, a dyeing method, a printing method, an electrodepositing method and a pigment dispersion method are known.
In the pigment dispersion method, the color filter is produced by a photolithographic method using a colored radiation-sensitive composition prepared by dispersing a pigment in any one of various types of photosensitive compositions. The color filter produced by this method is stable with respect to light, heat and the like since the pigment is used. A high positional accuracy can be obtained in this method since patterning is performed by the photolithographic method and, accordingly, this method has widely been used as a method suitable for producing the color filter for a large screen and high fineness color display.
In a case in which the color filter is produced by the pigment dispersion method, the radiation-sensitive composition is first coated onto a glass substrate by using, for example, a spin coater or a roll coater and, then, dried, to thereby form a coating film. Then, colored pixels are obtained by pattern-exposing and developing the thus-formed coating film. The color filter can be obtained by repeating such operation as described above by the number of different colors.
As for the pigment dispersion method, a method which uses a negative photosensitive composition comprising an alkali-soluble resin together with a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerization initiator is proposed in each of, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) Nos. 2-181704, 2-199403, 5-273411 and 7-140654.
On the other hand, the color filter for the solid state image pickup element has been required to be finer in recent years. However, it is difficult to further improve resolution of the color filter according to the conventional pigment dispersion system. This is because the pigment dispersion method is not suitable for an application requiring a fine patterning such as the solid state image pickup element since color unevenness occurs due to coarse pigment particles.
In order to solve the aforementioned problems, a technique using a dye instead of the pigment is proposed in JP-A No. 6-75375. However, a problem arises that a dye-containing curable composition is generally inferior to a pigment-containing curable composition in various types of properties such as light fastness, heat resistance, solubility and coating evenness. Further, in a case in which the dye-containing curable composition is used in forming the color filter for the solid state image pickup element, since a film thickness as thin as 1.5 μm or less is particularly required, it is necessary to incorporate a large amount of dye into the curable composition and such incorporation causes other problems of an insufficient adhesion with the substrate, an insufficient curing and bleaching of the dye in an exposed portion and, then, it becomes extremely difficult to attain a good pattern forming property.

Negative dye-containing curable composition, color filter and method of producing the same

Abstract: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; R2 to R5 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent group, R6 to R7 each represent an alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group, Za and Zb each represent —N═ or —C(R8)═; R8 represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group; M1 represents a metal, and Z1 to Z4 each represent an atomic group forming a 6-membered ring composed of atoms selected from carbon and nitrogen.


A system and method for washing engines and for collecting and treating the waste water from engine washing operations. The system includes a collecting device for collecting waste liquid during a washing operation of the engine and a treatment device for treating waste liquid collected during the washing operation. The system may be advantageously arranged on a mobile cart having a chassis provided with wheels. The mobile cart also includes an adjusting device for adjusting the vertical position of liquid separating and collecting components relative to the engine.

A gas turbine engine installed as an aircraft engine comprises a compressor compressing ambient air, a combustor burning fuel together with the compressed air and a turbine for driving the compressor. The expanding combustion gases drive the turbine and also result in thrust used for propelling the aircraft.
Air breathing machines like jet engines consume large quantities of air. Air contains foreign particles in form of aerosols or larger particles which then enters the engine with the air stream. The majority of the particles will follow the gas path through the engine and exit with the exhaust gases. However, there are particles with properties of sticking on to components in the engine's gas path changing the aerodynamic properties of the engine and more particularly reducing engine performance. Typical contaminants found in the aviation environment are pollen, insects, engine exhaust, leaking engine oil, hydrocarbons coming from industrial activities, salt coming from nearby sea, chemicals coming from aircraft de-icing and airport ground material such as dust.
The contaminants sticking on to components in the engine gas path cause fouling of the engine. The consequence of gas path fouling is an engine operating less efficient. With the reduction in efficiency follows that the engine is less economic to operate and has higher emissions. Fouling will result in more fuel having to be burnt for achieving the same thrust as for the clean engine. Further, an environmental drawback is found with the higher fuel consumption in form of increased carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, more fuel being burnt results in higher temperatures in the engine's combustor. With this follows high temperature exposure to engine hot section components. The higher temperature exposures will shorten the life time of the engine. The higher firing temperature results in increased formation of NOx which is yet another environmental drawback. In summary, the operator of a fouled engine suffers from reduced engine lifetime, unfavourable operating economics and higher emissions. The airline operators have therefore a strong incentive keeping the engine clean.
It has been found that the only reasonable way to combat fouling is to wash the engine. Washing can be practised by directing a water jet from a garden hose towards the engine inlet. However, this method has limited success due to the simple nature of the process. An alternative method is pumping the wash liquid through a manifold with special nozzles directed towards the engine inlet face. The manifold would be temporarily installed on the engine cowl or on the engine shaft bullet during the wash operation. Simultaneously with spraying the washing liquid towards the engine inlet, the engine shaft is cranked by the use of its starter motor. The shaft rotation enhances the wash result by the mechanical movements. The shaft rotation allows the wash liquid to move over greater surface area as well as enhancing liquid penetration into the interior of the engine. The method is proven successful on most gas turbine jet engines types such as turbojets, turboprop, turboshaft and mixed or un-mixed turbofan engines.
A proper wash operation of a gas turbine engine can be confirmed by an observation that the wash liquid exits the engine at the engine outlet. At the engine outlet the wash liquid has become a waste liquid. The waste liquid may leave the engine outlet as a stream of liquid pouring to the ground. Alternatively may the waste liquid be carried with the air stream as fine droplets where the air stream is the result of the rotation of the engine shaft. This air borne liquid can be carried a significant distance before falling to the ground. It is shown from actual wash operations that waste liquid will be spread on a large surface area, typically more than 20 meters downstream of the engine outlet. It is not desired to spread waste liquid on the ground. It is the purpose of this invention to provide a method and apparatus to collect the waste liquid exiting the engine.
The waste liquid exiting the engine at washing consists of the wash liquid entering the engine together with released fouling material, combustion solids, compressor and turbine coating material, and oil and fat products. This waste liquid may be hazardous. As an example, analysis of water collected from actual turbine engine washing operations showed to contain cadmium. The cadmium comes from compressor blade coating material released during washing operation. Cadmium is environmentally very sensitive and can not be allowed to be disposed to the effluent. This waste liquid would have to undergo treatment for separation of hazardous components before being disposed in a sewer.
Gas turbine aircraft engines can be of different types such as turbojets, turboprop, turbo-shaft and mixed or un-mixed turbofan engines. These engines cover a large performance range and may comprise of different design details by different manufactures. Aircrafts types for a defined service may be offered from different aircraft manufacturers thus the design of the aircraft and its engines may vary. Further, the aircraft manufacturer may offer different engine options for the same aircraft type. The large combined possibility of engines on aircraft types and from different aircraft manufacturers result in a practical problem in designing a system for collecting and treating of waste wash liquid that is generally applicable to most winged aircraft. U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,217 to Testman, Jr. discloses an engine wash recovery system that is limited to small and particularly turboprop engines as the container used in the invention is not applicable to the air flows emanating from e.g. large turbo-fan engines.
Collecting waste water from engine washing may be accomplished by hanging canvas like collectors under the engine nacelle. However, any operation resulting in anything being hooked on to an engine has the disadvantage that it may be subject to engine damage

System and devices for collecting and treating waste water from engine washing


A lower spring sheet has receiving portions on a sheet surface that supports a coil spring. Thus the sheet surface and a spring end portion of the coil spring come into contact discretely. The contact positions between the coil spring and the sheet surface maintain unchanged, however a undulated portion the spring end portion may have due to the manufacturing tolerance is extended when the coil spring is compressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spring sheet that supports a coil spring.
2. Description of the Related Art
In many cases, a strut type suspension apparatus is used as the suspension apparatus for such a vehicle as a motor car. An example of the suspension apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. 15.
The suspension apparatus 1 comprises a damper 2 and a coil spring 7. The damper 2, which serves as a strut, extends through the region defined by the coil spring 7. The lower end of the coil spring 7 is supported on a lower spring sheet 4, while the upper end thereof is held down by an upper spring sheet 5. The lower spring sheet 4 is shaped like a funnel and is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the outer casing of the damper 2. The upper spring sheet 5 is shaped as a disk and is fixed to the upper end (i.e., the piston end) of the damper 2 together with an upper mount 6 assembled to a car body. A wheel is attached to the lower portion of the damper 2 by means of a hub carrier.
When the damper 2 contracts, the coil spring 7 is applied with a compressive load by the lower spring sheet 4 and the upper spring sheet 5. Sheet surfaces 4a and 5a of the lower spring sheet 4 and the upper spring sheet 5, which the coil spring 7 come into contact with, are formed in such a manner as to continuously extend in accordance with the shapes of spring end portions 7a and 7b of the coil spring 7. For example, where the spring end portions have no winding pitch amount (i.e., the case where the pitch amount is 0 mm/winding), the sheet surfaces are formed to be flat, as indicated by the thick line xe2x80x9cfxe2x80x9d in FIG. 16. Where the spring end portions have a winding pitch amount, the sheet surfaces are formed to extend spirally at an angle corresponding to the pitch amount of the spring end portions, as indicated by the thick line xe2x80x9csxe2x80x9d in FIG. 17.
For easy assembly of the suspension apparatus 1 into the body of an automobile or the like, the spring sheets 4 and 5 usually support the coil spring 7 so that the central axis xcex1 of the coil spring 7 may be inclined with reference to an axis of actual load application, such as an actual application axis xcex2 of an external force extending between a king pin and the upper end of the damper. In this condition, the damper 2 and the coil spring 7 jointly dampen a shock applied from the front wheels.
However, the pitch amount of the coil spring changes so that the compressed amount varies in accordance with a change in the compressive load. On the other hand, the sheet surfaces 4a and 5a are not deformed in accordance with a change in the pitch amount of the coil spring 7. As a result, the contact areas and contact positions between the spring end portions 7a, 7b and the sheet surfaces 4a, 5a may vary in accordance with changes in the compressive load, which serves to compress the coil spring 7.
In addition, the coil spring 7 inevitably undergoes variations arising from the manufacturing tolerance. In FIGS. 16 and 17, such variations are represented by undulated portions 7c which indicate a phenomenon wherein the coil wire is shifted from its right position in the direction of the central axis xcex1 of the coil spring 7 at the spring end portion 7a, and a pitch tolerance between the spring end portion 7a and the sheet surface 4a.
Where the undulated portions 7c exist, they extend along the sheet surfaces 4a and 5a when the coil spring 7 is compressed. When the displaced portions 7c extend, the contact range (contact area) between the spring end portion 7a and the sheet surface 4a varies. Where the pitch tolerance exists, the contact position between the spring end portion 7a and the sheet surface 4a varies in the process of compressing the coil spring.
When the contact range and positions between the spring end portion 7a and the sheet surface 4a vary, the distribution of the contact reaction applied from the spring sheet 4 to the coil spring 7 is changed. When the distribution of the contact reaction changes, the load axis along which the resultant of loads is exerted on the coil spring 7 changes in direction, accordingly. The coil spring 7 of the suspension apparatus 1 shown, for example, in FIG. 15 is assembled in such a manner that the central axis xcex1 is shifted from the actual application axis xcex2 in which a load is applied actually. Owing to this structure, a change in the direction of the load axis along which the load is exerted on the coil spring 7 affects the balance between the force component applied in the sliding direction of the damper 2 and the force component applied in the direction traversing the sliding direction. Since the force acting in the direction traversing the sliding direction serves as a bending moment with reference to the sliding direction of the damper 2, the sliding resistance of the damper 2 varies. As a result, the dynamic characteristics of the suspension apparatus 1 vary, failing to provide intended performance.
A spring sheet according to the present invention is intended to control the direction of the load axis of the contact reaction applied to the spring end portion of a coil spring, independently of the compressed state of the coil spring.
To this end, the spring sheet according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of receiving portions on its sheet surface, and the receiving portions come into contact with the spring end portion of a coil spring in a discrete fashion.
At specific positions, the spring end portion is locally received by the receiving portions. With this structure, even if the displaced portion extends when the coil spring compresses, it does not undesirably touch the sheet surface. In addition, the coil spring does not contact the sheet surface at undesired portions even if the coil spring has characteristics deviating from design values.
The receiving portions of the spring sheet are located at positions which sandwich the central axis of the coil spring from both sides even when the coil spring is shifted from the central axis of the spring, and at axial positions which permit the load axis of the contact reaction distribution to align with the actual application axis of an external force when the coil spring comes into contact with a projection.
With this structure, even if the coil spring is assembled in such a manner as to be shifted from the actual application axis of an external force, the spring sheet allows the coil spring to generate a reaction force in the direction of the actual application axis, and prevent it from generating a lateral force, which would adversely affect movement along the actual application axis.
In the case of a spring sheet in which the receiving portion on one side is made up of a plurality of sections, the load axis of the coil spring is inclined to align with the actual application axis of an external force exerted on the coil spring.
In the case of a spring sheet can be separated into a spring receiving member on which a sheet surface is formed, and a bracket which supports the spring receiving member, the specifications of the spring sheet can be changed by replacing the spring receiving portion with another. That is, the spring sheet is applicable to suspensions of different specifications by selectively employing different spring receiving members.
In the case of a spring sheet that supports the spring end portion of a coil spring by means of a plurality of receiving portions arranged in the winding direction of the coil spring, the coil spring is supported on the plurality of receiving portions without being adversely affected by the manufacturing tolerances of the coil spring and the spring sheet. Therefore, the load axis of the coil spring can be easily orientated in a desired direction.
The receiving portions of the coil spring are arranged in such a manner that the load axis, which indicates the direction in which the resultant of forces acting between the receiving portions and the coil spring is applied, is made to align with the actual application axis along which a load is exerted on the coil spring.
The receiving portions are arranged along an imaginary plane passing the actual application axis and the central axis of the coil spring and located at positions sandwiching the central axis from both sides. The center of the force the coil spring receives from at least one of the receiving portions on each side is located along the imaginary plane.
Of the receiving portions, at least one receiving portion close to the actual application axis is shifted along the central axis in a direction in which the coil spring is compressed, as compared to at least one receiving portion located away from the actual application axis.

Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


An improved rudder system and pedal system for use in a watercraft such as a kayak. The rudder assembly includes a rudder housing having a push rod operably linked to a rudder blade positioned in the housing. A rudder control cord passes through a fairlead located at the top of the push rod and terminates at the trailing edge of the rudder blade. Upon tensioning of the rudder cord, the push rod acts against a notch in the leading edge of the rudder blade, which causes rotation of the rudder blade in addition to the rotational force on the trailing edge of the rudder blade due to movement of the control cord. A feature of the rudder assembly is the incorporation of a spring element in the rudder blade that provides an extension bias to the rudder blade, and user selectable pre-loading thereof for varying the rotational bias. The pedal system includes a toe control pivotally attached to a foot brace that is slidingly located in a track. A rudder cable arrangement is deflected by rotation of the toe control along the length of the track, thereby permitting actuation of the rudder system independent of the location in the track of the pedal system. A feature of the pedal system is the incorporation of a lockable positioning rod connected to the foot brace at one end and extending past the aft end of the track so that a user can remotely position the foot brace and retain its position. Another feature is the use of a trim control assembly to vary the length of cable between the foot brace and a mechanical ground, thereby permitting the user to remotely select the rudder blade trim, without having to modify the position of the control pedals.

The present invention relates to rudder and steering systems for kayaks, and more particularly to kayaks having rudder systems that include a field replaceable rudder blade that may be remotely and easily raised or lowered during use, and remote rudder adjustment and trim structures associated with an improved pedal system.
Stern mounted rudder assemblies are commonly used on kayaks. In some assemblies, the rudder blade is pivotally connected to a rigid mount attached to the stern of the kayak. The mount and rudder blade are designed so that the rudder blade extends downward into the water at all times during use.
In some assemblies, the rudder blade is attached to a retracting mechanism that enables the user to manually xe2x80x9ckick-upxe2x80x9d or rotate the rudder blade rearward and upward when approaching the shore or submerged hazards. Traditionally, a control line or, cord is passed through a fairlead and terminates at the trailing portion of the rudder blade. The fairlead acts as a fulcrum point so as the line is tensioned and retracted, the blade is brought towards the fulcrum. Such assembles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,575,124, 4,046,093, and 4,319,538.
Given the fixed location of the fairlead, it is often time difficult to initially retract the rudder blade, and once so moving, the velocity of the retracting blade is frequently too fast, thereby subjecting the components to excessive forces and possible breakage. A further deficiency of the prior art is that the amount of force applied to the rudder blade to keep it extended into the water is not adjustable. Quite often it is fixed or not biased.
Another problem with currently designed rudder systems is that when the rudder blade is broken, replacement is time consuming and often requires multiple hand tools since many blades are located in a rudder housing using bolt and nut combinations.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the field to have a rudder assembly that permits a user to remotely retract the rudder blade with minimal force, to be able to field replace a rudder blade without the necessity of tools, and to modify the extension or downward bias of the rudder blade with ease.
Other deficiencies exist in the prior art that relate to the steering aspect of a rudder system. Conventional pedal control systems rely on a xe2x80x9cCxe2x80x9d track in which reciprocates a pedal having a cable or strap attached to the steering bracket or tiller of the rudder system. In these systems, the pedal acts as both a foot brace and as a means to control rudder movement. When equal pressure is applied to both pedals, there is no rudder movement and the pedals become momentarily fixed in position. When unequal pressure is applied to the pedals, there is rudder movement and the pedals move in relation to the applied force.
These systems, however, are cumbersome to adjust when a kayaker attempts to use a kayak having been adjusted for the leg length of the previous user and frequently stick due to accumulation of debris in the lower portion of the track. It often requires that the straps or cables be manually adjusted, often at a location away from the kayaker""s arms and without the aid of length indexes. The result is often that numerous attempts must be made, within the cramped space of the cockpit, to adjust the pedal positions so that they are symmetrical and result in a neutral rudder setting. This task becomes especially difficult and even dangerous if attempted while the kayak is afloat.
Frequently when paddling in a constant direction for a considerable distance, it is desired to counteract a cross wind or current. A kayaker can do this by positioning the rudder in a constant angle relative to the axis of the vessel. A problem with the current rudder steering systems is that no provision is available for establishing a constant rudder position without frequent user input; the kayaker must apply just the right amount of control to the rudder so as to maintain the desired deflection and thus heading.
It therefore is apparent that there is a need to have a trim adjusting means for establishing and maintaining a rudder trim position without frequent intervention or manipulation of the kayak steering assemblies.
An object of the present invention to provide a rotating rudder blade for a kayak.
Another object to provide a rudder system that enables the rudder blade to be easily rotated or retracted with minimal force from a remote location.
A further object is to provide a rudder system that enables the rudder downward or extension force to be adjusted and which enables damaged or broken rudder blades to be easily and quickly replaced without resort to tools.
Still a further object is to provide a pedal adjustment system that allows the kayaker to independently brace his or her legs and actuate the rudder system.
Yet a further object to provide a method and mechanical arrangement for establishing a desired rubber trim position without the need for frequent user adjustment, and to do so quickly and conveniently.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pedal adjustment system that permits a user to conveniently and remotely adjust the location of a pedal residing in a track.
The rudder assembly of the invention comprises a rudder housing having a first and a second side, joined together by a common leading edge. Each side has an inner surface, an outer surface, the mentioned leading edge, and a trailing edge. The two sides are generally spaced apart and parallel to each other so as to receive an upper portion of an inserted rudder blade. Each side also defines a hub hole for receiving a rudder blade shaft.
A key feature of the invention relates to the means by which an inserted rudder blade can be retracted from a downward, extended position to a trailing (horizontal) or fully upward, retracted position. Instead of relying upon a fixed fairlead or fulcrum point, the fairlead or fulcrum point acts on a portion of the rudder blade to cause the same to move relative to the rudder housing. Movement of fulcrum is moderated by two pairs of guide members formed in the sides of the rudder housing. The guide members can take the form of tracks (either a groove defined by the inner surfaces of the rudder sides or a pair of lands extending from the inner surfaces of the sides to define a surface groove) or slots extending the sectional width of the rudder housing sides. The fulcrum is preferably a rod or other rigid member that has guide pins or similar followers located on or in the rod so that each guide pin locates in a respective pair of guide members. In a preferred embodiment, the guide members are slots and the rod has an upper pin and a lower pin, as well as a fairlead at the upper end of the rod to receive a control line or cord.
The rudder blade that may be incorporated with the aforementioned rudder housing defines a rudder shaft hole and has a notch formed in the upper leading edge of the blade. The notch receives the lower end of the rod so that when actuated by the user, compression forces presented to the rod causes movement of the rod, which translates into rotation of the blade as the rod traverses the guide members. In this manner, the control line, which terminates at the trailing edge portion of the blade, not only applies tension to the trailing edge of the blade so as to cause rotational movement of the blade, but also moves the rod, thereby causing rotational movement of the blade as it acts on the leading edge.
Another feature of the invention relates to the field replaceability of the rudder blade. In the present invention, a constant extension or downward biasing force is presented to the rudder blade. This bias is overcome by the user by applying tension to the control line. The bias is preferably accomplished by using a torsion or flat spiral spring. Such springs have an inner tang and an outer tang. The outer tang locates in a portion of the rudder blade and the inner tang engages the rudder shaft, which is rotationally fixed relative to the rudder housing. By pre-loading the spring when the, blade is in the extended, downward position, a restoring bias is created that resists rotation to the trailing position or the fully retracted position.
To avoid interference with the rudder housing by the spring, a cylindrical recess is preferably formed in one side of the rudder blade concentric with the rudder shaft hole to receive the spring. The rudder shaft is formed to engage the inner tang of the spring, and is held rotationally fixed to the rudder housing by means of a plurality of registration pins formed in a flanged hub of the shaft that engage with corresponding registration holes defined by the adjacent rudder housing side. To ensure sufficient engagement between the registration pins of the flanged hub and the registration holes, the pins preferably extend slightly beyond the holes, and avoid contact with the rudder blade due to the presence of an annular groove formed in the blade concentrically about the rudder blade shaft hole. If adjustment of the pre-load spring bias is desired, a greater number of holes are formed as compared to the number of pins, whereby the shaft can be incrementally rotated and engaged with the rudder housing.
The pedal assembly of the invention comprises a track, preferably having an open channel section, in which resides a foot brace to which is pivotally attached a toe control. By providing for separate components to act as a foot brace and toe or rudder control, user leg movement or forces intended to transmit motive forces to the kayak will not unintentionally result in rudder actuation. When rudder actuation is desired, only low effort toe actions are required; the user""s mid-sole and heel remain in contact with the foot brace.
In a preferred embodiment, the toe control acts upon a cable system that is linked at one end to a rudder assembly and to a mechanical ground at a second end. Upon user actuation, the toe control causes the cable to deflect, thereby causing a corresponding tensioning and/or movement of the cable, which results in rudder movement. Because the cable preferably extends the length of the track in which the foot brace and toe control travel, constant cable deflection will occur at any point along the track upon a consistent toe control operation.
The pedal assembly includes further features such as asymmetrical pedal extension and flexion due to an upper cam portion of a foot brace cable guide, and a means for remote location of the foot brace in the track. The later feature is accomplished by linking a rigid linear member or rod at one end to the foot brace and selectively engaging the rod in a portion of the track to temporarily attach the rod to the track or other mechanical ground. Preferably, the rod has a series of lands that create grooves that engage a slot defined in an end piece attached to the track. An ancillary benefit to this configuration is that a user can index the position of the foot brace based upon the number of exposed grooves extending beyond the slot.
While it is possible to accomplish an asymmetrical trim of an attached rudder assembly by placing a length adjusting connector between the cable end and the mechanical ground, another feature of the invention is directed to a symmetrical trim assembly that permits a user to adjust a rudder trim in a single operation. By terminating both cable ends (the ends opposite from the rudder engaging ends) from a pair of pedal assemblies in a rotatable hub, a user can simultaneously take in one cable and pay out the other cable. The trim assembly preferably includes a hub having a generally common location for terminating a pair of cables, and an outer housing defining a pair of cable fairleads. By positioning the hub in the housing so that the termination points are generally away from the pair of fairleads, retraction of one attached cable results in the extension of the opposite cable.
Additional features of the invention relate to multiple mounting possibilities, e.g., pintle mounting or bracket mounting, blade design, and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent upon inspection of the several drawings and following description.

Replaceable, reflecting kayak rudder system with pedal and trim adjusting features


Provided are a pneumatic tire and a manufacturing method of the same capable of improving a separation failure at end portions of an inner liner layer made of either a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition. The pneumatic tire includes an inner liner layer made of either a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by blending a thermoplastic resin component and an elastomer component. The inner liner layer is provided on an inner side of the tire so as to face a tire cavity. A recessed portion is formed in an internal surface area of the tire where an end portion of the inner liner layer is located.

In a conventionally known pneumatic tire, a film that is made of either a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition produced by blending a thermoplastic resin component and an elastomer component is used as an inner liner layer (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The use of such a film has an advantage of making the inner liner layer lighter in weight and of improving the fuel economy.
A film-like inner liner layer made of either a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composition, however, has a higher elastic modulus than an inner liner layer made of rubber. For this reason, such an elastic inner liner layer is likely to be separated at its end portions. Therefore, it has been strongly demanded to take measures against this problem.

Pneumatic tire having inner liner layer end portion in recessed portion


A multi-mode antenna system include at least a first modal antenna and a second modal antenna. The first modal antenna is disposed on a ground plane of a circuit board and configurable in a plurality of different modes. The first modal antenna can include a driven element, at least one parasitic element and an active element configured to adjust a reactance of the at least one parasitic element. The multi-mode antenna system further includes a second modal antenna disposed on the ground plane and configurable in a plurality of different modes. The second modal antenna can include a driven element, at least one parasitic element, and an active element configured to adjust a reactance of the at least one parasitic element. The parasitic element of the second modal antenna is positioned such that adjusting the reactance of the parasitic element affects the radiation pattern associated with the first modal antenna.

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems are being increasingly used in wireless communication, for instance in access points, such as WiFi access points. MIMO systems include two or more antennas, which allows signals to be transmitted or received over two or more paths. Antennas in a MIMO system in some instances preferably have high, and preferably, equal efficiencies along with good isolation and low correlation. However, since the multipath environment in which MIMO systems are employed is constantly changing, performance of the communication link can be affected.


The invention relates to a mouthpiece (100) for illumination of teeth, e.g. for teeth whitening. The mouthpiece is configured with at least two lenses (102a, 102b) shaped to cast asymmetrical light onto the teeth (110). The lenses are arranged one-to-one with associated light sources (101a, 101b). The first and second lenses are arranged to project the received light onto a buccal side (111) of the teeth (110), and each of the first and second lenses has an asymmetrically shaped refraction surface (301) shaped to change an intensity distribution of the received light asymmetrically on opposite sides of an optical axis (121) of the respective light source along the dental arch (201) of the teeth.

Oral care devices such as teeth whitening devices use light for illuminating the teeth. The light can be used for different purposes including teeth whitening in combination with a whitening gel or varnish, plaque or bacteria hygiene by use of disinfecting UV light or other purposes.
WO 2016/066370 A1 discloses a smart lighting system for applying light to teeth in the context of tooth whitening. This particularly concerns teeth that have been provided with a light-curable whitening varnish. The system comprises a light-generating unit, a light-patterning unit, a mouth imaging unit, a mouth image sensing unit, and an image processing and control unit, and is adapted so as to allow the image processing and control unit to adjust the light-patterning unit on the basis of information obtained from the mouth image sensing unit. By doing so, prior to allowing the light-generating unit to emit light, it can be ensured that light emitted to assist tooth whitening, does not affect soft tissue.


Polymers containing natural oil derivatives are generally disclosed. Methods of forming such polymers are also generally disclosed. In some embodiments, the polymer is a polyurethane. In some embodiments, the natural oil derivative is a cross-linking group that links two or more polymer chains together.

Natural oils provide chemical species that differ in structure from those generally obtained from traditional petroleum refining processes. In many instances, natural oils contain multifunctional moieties that contain, among other features, an ester or acid group and an olefinic group. When these natural oils are refined, the products obtained from the refining process can yield unique compositions that can serve as useful building blocks for various chemical uses.
Polyurethanes are a class of polymers having chains of organic units joined by carbamate linkages, but which can include other linkages as well. Polyurethanes can have a wide variety of physical properties, which depend, among other factors, on the combination and arrangement of monomers used to make the polyurethane and on the degree of cross-linking. Further, in some instances, polyurethanes can contain multiple blocks, where certain blocks are hard or rigid while others are soft and flexible. Alteration of the chemical structure, size and/or frequency of these segments in a polyurethane can allow for modification of the properties of the resin. These options can lead to resins having a wide array of different properties. Some of these resins can be thermosetting, while others can be thermoplastic.
Polyurethane foams can be used for a number of different applications. Polyurethane foams may be flexible or rigid, and can be used in a variety of different applications, including, but not limited to, use for foam insulation, use in packaging materials, and use in cushioning. Polyurethanes can also be used as elastomers. Polyurethane elastomers can be solid or porous, with representative applications including, but not limited to, textile fibers, coatings, sealants, adhesives, and resilient pads. Polyurethanes can also be used as thermosetting polymers. Representative applications of polyurethane thermosets include, but are not limited to, abrasion resistant wheels, mechanical parts, and structural materials.
It is desirable to expand the chemical structures present in polyurethanes, so as to expand the useful properties that can be provided by the polymers. For example, properties such as flexibility, toughness, etc. can be improved by incorporating chemical groups that lower the modulus or that can absorb energy, respectively. This expansion of chemical structures may be accomplished through post-polymerization processing, such as reaction with other reagents or blending with other polymers. It is especially desirable, however, to expand the chemical structures by introducing new chemical structures in the monomeric building blocks from which the polymer is formed.
Thus, there is a continuing need to develop new materials that can be incorporated into polymeric materials, such as polyurethanes, so as to develop resins having new and useful properties. Preferably such modified polyurethanes can be formed using conventional synthetic techniques and equipment, without requiring post-polymerization treatment. Preferably the modified polyurethanes can be formed using building blocks that are readily available and inexpensive.

Polymers containing metathesized natural oil derivatives


A user interface enables interactive image matting to be performed on an image The user interface may provide results including an alpha matte as feedback in real time. The user interface may provide interactive tools for selecting a portion of the image, and an unknown region for alpha matte processing may be automatically generated adjacent to the selected region. The user may interactively refine the alpha matte as desired to obtain a satisfactory result.

In image composition, a composite image can be created by combining a portion of a first image with a portion of a second image. For example, a foreground portion of a first image, such as a person or thing, can be lifted from the first image and placed over a second image which serves as a new background in the composite image. In order to combine these image portions correctly an associated matte (e.g., an alpha matte) that contains the coverage information (e.g., the shape of one or more portions being composited) is used to distinguish between the image portions. This technique, referred to as "image matting" or just "matting", is common in still image compositing, video special effects, computer vision and a variety of other graphics and image-manipulation applications.
Well-known matting techniques include blue-screen or green-screen matting in which an alpha matte and foreground portion of an image can be readily separated from the background of the image because the background is a single user-controlled color. In contrast, for natural image matting in which the background is not a single color, the alpha matte, the foreground and the background are estimated and identified using statistical techniques. Further, natural image matting is an intrinsically under-constrained problem due to the number of unknowns in the matting equation. Consequently, separation of the alpha matte, the foreground and the background for a given image using conventional matting techniques can be quite computation intensive.
Further, because image matting is an under-constrained problem, most existing approaches rely on a "trimap" provided with an image or generated from the image that identifies at least some of a definite foreground, a definite background and/or an unknown region. A sufficiently defined trimap can assist in achieving a quality matte by reducing the number of unknown elements. Further, when matting is performed interactively by a user using a user interface, the capability of providing instant feedback to the user can be helpful because the user is able to refine the trimap as the matte is rendered until a satisfactory result is obtained. For example, providing real time feedback to a user can significantly shorten the overall matting process time and reduce user effort since the user is able to quickly identify locations where touchups are desired. Also, a highly responsive system can provide a more fluid user experience and avoid user frustration. Unfortunately, most conventional high quality matting approaches are computationally expensive and unable to provide responses in real time.


The invention provides methods, apparatuses, and compositions for high-throughput amplification sequencing of specific target sequences in one or more samples. In some aspects, barcode-tagged polynucleotides are sequenced simultaneously and sample sources are identified on the basis of barcode sequences. In some aspects, sequencing data are used to determine one or more genotypes at one or more loci comprising a causal genetic variant. In some aspects, systems and methods of detecting genetic variation are provided.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows small-scale, inexpensive genome sequencing with a turnaround time measured in days. However, as NGS is generally performed and understood, all regions of the genome are sequenced with roughly equal probability, meaning that a large amount of genomic sequence is collected and discarded to collect sequence information from the relatively low percentage of areas where function is understood well enough to interpret potential mutations. Generally, purifying from a full-genome sample only those regions one is interested in is conducted as a separate step from sequencing. It is usually a days-long, low efficiency process in the current state of the art.
Direct Targeted Sequencing (DTS) is a modification to the standard sequencing protocol employed by Illumina, Inc. that allows the sequencing substrate (i.e. the flow cell) to become a genomic sequence capture substrate as well. Without adding another instrument to the normal flow of a typical next generation sequencing protocol, the DTS protocol modifies the sequencing surface to capture gDNA from a specially prepared library. The captured library is then sequenced as a normal gDNA library would be. However, modification of the sequencing substrate and accompanying library preparation according to previous suggestions result in inefficiencies, reduced reliability and reproducibility, and waste valuable sample. Improvements to the DTS process are therefore desirable.

System and methods for detecting genetic variation


A modular wireless brewing sensor comprising a processor housing. The processor housing has a power source, a processing means, an antenna and a RF transmitter. A separable probe housing can be coupled to the processor housing. The probe housing can comprise a probe, a fitting, a seal element, and a fitting fastener. A modular wireless brewing sensor can be communicatively connected to a control system that can provide a user real-time feedback on the environmental conditions within a brewing vessel. A brewing system can be used to control other brewing apparatuses, such as a burner or pump upon the environmental conditions exceeding pre-determined thresholds set in the control system by a user.

In the small scale and home brewing industry, it is well known in the art to utilize various types of instruments throughout the brewing process to monitor temperature, specific gravity, and pH. These instruments can include thermometers, thermostats, hydrometers, and pH meters for monitoring the various aspects and controlling the variables in the beer brewing process. During the mashing process of beer making, or more appropriately stated, wort making (unfermented beer), precise control of temperature is vital to provide the desired flavor and level of sweetness and body desired for the finished beer. For example, if certain temperatures are exceeded, specific desirable enzymes may be permanently destroyed thereby changing the desired sugar content of the wort. If certain temperatures are not reached, the level of sweetness may not be developed.
Additionally, several temperature rest periods are commonly utilized in the mashing process to break down proteins, create fermentable and unfermentable sugars, and separate sugars from grains. A dough-in step is used to mix the crushed grains and the water, typically done between about 97° F. and about 113° F. A protein rest of between approximately 113° F. and approximately 132° F. is used to break down proteins. One or more saccharification rests, ranging between about 140° F. and about 162° F., allows enzymes to convert the starch of the grains into fermentable sugars. A "mash-out" is employed to stop the enzyme activity, "lock-in" the sugar profile, and reduce viscosity of the mash. A sparging (rinsing) process is performed to remove the sugars from the remaining grain particles and drained into a boiling vessel for additional processing. After the fermentable sugars have been formed, they are boiled to sterilize the wort, and hops are added to provide bitterness. After boiling, the wort must be quickly cooled to room temperature so that yeast may be added to begin the fermentation process and prevent bacterial contamination from long term exposure of wort to temperatures below about 140° F.
If the wort is mashed at a high temperature (between about 156° F. and about 162° F.), a wort will be created with more unfermentable sugars, resulting in a sweet finished beer. If the wort is mashed at a low temperature (between about 140° F. and about 152° F.), a wort will be created with few unfermentable sugars resulting in a dry finished beer. If the wort is mashed at a medium temperature (between about 152° F. and about 156° F.), a wort will be created with a mix of fermentable and unfermentable sugars resulting in a medium sweetness finished beer. If, after the mashing process, the grains are not heated to between about 164° F. and about 169° F., the starch converting enzymes will not be destroyed and the character of the wort will continue to change. It will also make the removal of the viscous wort from the spent grains more difficult. If the sparge water temperatures are exceeded (above about 175° F.), tannins may be leached out of the grains making the wort objectionably astringent. If the wort is not cooled to the correct temperature, yeast may be damaged, may create undesirable flavors, or encourage bacterial growth.
Similarly, as another example, people who brew their own beer or ferment their own wine can use a hydrometer to find out how much sugar is dissolved in the liquid. Brewers like to be able to take an original gravity reading to allow them to predict the potential alcohol percentage for the beer and then track the specific gravity for the duration of the brewing process to ensure that the gravity level remains consistent from one batch to the other. This can also be useful for knowing when to stop the fermentation process. Another important factor in the brewing process is the pH of the mash. Poor control of mash pH can often lead to undesirable flavors including astringency from excessive tannins. Beer brewed in the proper pH range will have a better overall flavor profile, be well rounded, and taste better. The pH is critical to proper enzymatic action during the mash. If the pH is not in the desired range, the sugar conversion in the mash will be affected along with the fermentability and flavor of the wort and beer.
It is well known in the art to install a thermometer into the boiling and mashing vessels to monitor these temperatures. However, this requires a threaded fitting to be installed on the vessel wall to receive the thermometer. Typically, a hole is drilled in the wall of the vessel and a coupling is welded into the hole. The thermometer can then be installed into this fitting. However, this fitting and welding are expensive and time consuming, particularly for a homemade beer-maker where access to this equipment and skill is limited. "Weldless" adapter kits are commonly available, but are prone to leaks and do not provide sufficient rigidity for a long life. A common design utilizes a pair of o-rings and a thin nut. The o-rings are sandwiched between the wall of the vessel and the nut is placed on the thermometer on the inside of the vessel. It is then tightened to compress the o-rings. However, it is difficult to keep fluids from leaking past the threaded fittings in areas where the o-rings cannot adequately seal.
From the above, it is clear that temperature, pH, and specific gravity monitoring and control is vital to developing a beer matching the brewer's desires. Since there are numerous temperature rests and wide temperature ranges for all the brewing sub processes, it is difficult for the brewer, particularly the novice, to remember and control them precisely and consistently throughout an entire hectic brewing session. Additionally, many current instruments are analog in nature and require notation and manual documentation of these measurements. A need exists for a sensor to be combined with a transceiver configured to communicate to a brewing monitoring and control system to record and trigger certain controls to maintain a desired brewing protocol.
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to overcome these obstacles through improved functionality and design. The enhanced bottle filler assembly has improved on these various drawbacks to ensure easier, safer, and more reliable use in the filling of bottles and other containers.

Wireless modular brewing sensor and brew monitoring system


The present invention discloses an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, comprising: a platform, employed for loading the liquid display panel; a power supplying device, employed for supplying power to the liquid display panel; an ultraviolet light source supply device, employed for providing the ultraviolet light; a light distributing plate, employed for homogenizing the ultraviolet light. The present invention also discloses a method of photolithography process to a liquid display panel. The monomer can plenty reacts without damaging liquid crystal molecules according to the present invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a display apparatus field, and more particularly to an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel and a method thereof.
2. Description of Prior Art
In a traditional manufacture process of a liquid display panel, the liquid crystal molecules on PI (Polymer) surface with a consistent predetermined tilt angle is described below:
Monomer is mixed with liquid crystal molecules and then the liquid display panel is electrified to cause the liquid crystal molecules with a predetermined tilt angle. Ultraviolet light is employed to irradiate the monomer. The monomer is solidified on the PI surface. Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecules on the PI surface are maintained with a certain angle.
In the foregoing technical solution, the liquid crystal molecules and the monomer are mixed together. In the process of utilizing the ultraviolet light to irradiate the monomer, the liquid crystal molecules are also irradiated by the ultraviolet light. The liquid crystal molecules are therefore damaged and lose the properties of the liquid crystal molecules.
The consequences of the damaging the liquid crystal molecules by the ultraviolet light irradiation are very severe. The display quality of the liquid display panel can be terrible. Even the liquid display panel may be abandoned to result in enormous waste. It is seriously disadvantageous to the industrialization of the liquid display panel.
Therefore, an apparatus of photolithography process to a liquid display panel, in which the monomer can plenty react under the irradiation of the ultraviolet light and the damage of the ultraviolet light to the liquid crystal molecules also can be prevented.
Moreover, for meeting demands of photolithography processes to the liquid display panels of different sizes and reducing the power consumption of the photolithography process to the liquid display panel, it is necessary to adjust the area of the photolithography process according to the actual size of the liquid display panel.
Consequently, there is a need to provide a new technical solution to solve the aforesaid problems.

Apparatus of photolithography process to liquid display panel and method thereof

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.