A television or other signal is received via main and duplicate feeds into respective buffers. Should the main feed suffer interruption or disturbance the output is switched at a switch over to the duplicate feed, but in a staged process. Upon initial detection of disturbances read-out from the main buffer is performed using locally generated timing signals in lieu of timing signals obtained from the incoming signal. If however the disturbance s persist the two buffers are synchronized and switchover performed.

The present invention is concerned with the switching of signals, for example for routing signals to an output from one of two alternative feeds and switching to the other feed in the event of signal disturbance of interruption. It finds particular application in the switching of digital television signals, but may also be applied to other types of signal.

British Telecommunications public limited company


An electron emitter includes a guard electrode 13 on the outer circumferential side of a carbon film structure 10 which is formed on a substrate 7 by plasma CVD method. This guard electrode 13 includes a curved surface portion (a curved surface portion that curves from top toward a side opposite to the film-forming direction) 13a convex in a film-forming direction of the carbon film structure 10. A curvature radius R1 of an outer-circumferential-side portion of the curved surface portion 13a is larger than or equal to a curvature radius R2 of a carbon-film-structure-side portion of the curved surface portion 13a.

A field emission is a phenomenon in which electrons are emitted into a vacuum by means of electric-field concentration. As an electron emitter for generating this field emission, for example, a carbon nanotube has attracted attention. Since this carbon nanotube is extremely narrow and has a high-aspect ratio, the carbon nanotube has a superior field emission characteristic. Hence, the carbon nanotube is thought to be able to produce a field-electron emission element. Accordingly, it has been considered that the carbon nanotube is applied to various field emission devices such as the electron tube and the illuminating system.
The field emission characteristic (IV characteristic) is shown by a curved line representing a relation between a voltage V and a field emission current (emitted current) I when an electric field is emitted from a cold cathode by applying the voltage V between the cold cathode and an anode. This field emission characteristic (IV characteristic) is characterized by a voltage value (threshold value) for starting the field emission, and gradient and shape of the curved line.
As a concrete example of the field emission device, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp can be cited in which the above-mentioned cold cathode is disposed to face an anode provided with a fluorescent material. In the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, electrons are made to be emitted by field emission from the cold cathode by generating a voltage (anode-to-cathode voltage) between the cold cathode and the anode, and these emitted electrons are accelerated and collided to the fluorescent material so as to excite the fluorescent material to become luminous. This luminescence (light emission) of fluorescent material needs a predetermined amount of electron emission. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristic curve having a vertical axis representing an emission current corresponding to an amount of electron emission and a lateral axis representing the anode-to-cathode voltage means an electron emitting performance of the cold cathode. In the case of carbon nanotube, the gradient of the above-mentioned I-V characteristic curve starts to rise moderately. Hence, in the case of carbon nanotube, a voltage V necessary to obtain the emission current value for starting the luminescence (light emission) of fluorescent material is relatively high.
However, since a value of the applied voltage V for obtaining a desired emission current is large; a characteristic of the carbon nanotube itself is changed (deteriorates), and also, a voltage necessary to obtain a certain current becomes high. Therefore, for example, there are a problem that a power-supply facility for this high voltage is required and a problem that a production of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp is affected. Accordingly, it has been awaited to realize a carbon film for cold cathode which provides an I-V characteristic that can obtain an emission current capable of causing the fluorescent material to start to become luminous with a relatively low applied voltage V.
In recent years, a carbon film structure which is formed by dispersing a plurality of acute shapes (i.e., countless number of acute shapes are dispersed) on a surface of substrate, has been developed by the inventor of the present application, etc., instead of the carbon nanotube or the like. Each of the plurality of acute shapes is formed by piling graphene sheets in a multilayer manner to have an inside hollow portion, and has a radius which becomes smaller as its tip approaches. That is, this carbon film structure is constructed by forming a plurality of carbon film aggregation units on the substrate. Each of these carbon film aggregation units includes a stem-shaped carbon film and a branch-shaped carbon film group. This branch-shaped carbon film group is formed to surround the stem-shaped carbon film from the middle of the stem-shaped carbon film to a lower portion of the stem-shaped carbon film. The stem-shaped carbon film is formed with the inside hollow portion by the multi-piled graphene sheets, and is formed in the acute shape reducing its radius toward its tip end (for example, such a structure is disclosed by Patent Documents 1 and 2). An emitter having such a carbon film structure can obtain a desired emission current with a lower applied-voltage as compared with the carbon nanotube and the like, because of the existence of the acicular acute shapes whose radius is reduced toward its tip. Therefore, the emitter having the above-mentioned carbon film structure is thought to be able to provide a field emission device having a superior performance in I-V characteristic.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a film-forming apparatus that uses a plasma CVD method (direct-current plasma film-forming method), as one example of a system for forming the carbon film structure. As shown in FIG. 7, a vacuum film-forming chamber 1 is equipped with a gas introducing system 2 (for example, an introducing system for a gas mixture of a hydrogen gas and a gas containing carbon (e.g., methane gas)) and an evacuating system 3. Inside the vacuum film-forming chamber 1, a cathode 4 (an electrode including an insulation cooling plate 4a for controlling a cathode temperature) and an anode 5 are disposed to face each other. A reference sign 6 denotes a direct-current power source. A negative pole side of the direct-current power source 6 is connected with the cathode 4. A positive pole side of the direct-current power source 6 and the anode 5 are respectively grounded.
As to such a film-forming apparatus, at first, the evacuating system 3 evacuates the vacuum film-forming chamber 1. Then, the gas introducing system 2 introduces the gas (hydrogen gas) and gradually controls a pressure of the vacuum film-forming chamber 1 (for example, to about 30 torr). An electric current is maintained at a desired level (for example, about 2.5 A). Thereby, oxides on the substrate 7 are eliminated.
Next, the gas introducing system 2 introduces the gas mixture into the vacuum film-forming chamber 1 so as to gradually increase the internal pressure of the vacuum film-forming chamber 1, and then, maintains the internal pressure of vacuum film-forming chamber 1 (for example, at about 75 torr). The current of direct-current power source 6 is gradually increased and maintained (for example, at about 6 A).
Accordingly, the temperature of substrate 7 becomes equal to a predetermined temperature (for example, about 900° C. to 1150° C.) by plasma 8 generated on the substrate 7. Thereby, the gas containing carbon which is included in the above-mentioned gas mixture is decomposed so that the carbon film structure (reference sign 10 in an after-mentioned FIG. 8) is formed on a surface of the substrate 7. In the case that the carbon film structure is formed in this manner, a mask (not shown) may be suitably used for the substrate 7.
FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view in the case that an electron emitter including the carbon film structure formed as mentioned above is used as the cold cathode. As shown in FIG. 8, at first, an electrode surface (upper surface in FIG. 8) of cold cathode 9 which is located on the side of carbon film structure 10 and an electrode surface (lower surface in FIG. 8) of anode 11 are disposed to face each other (i.e., the respective electrode surfaces are arranged parallel to each other). Then, when a direct-current power source 12 applies a constant voltage between the both electrodes, tunnel electrons shown by a Fowler-Nordheim formula are emitted from the cold cathode 9 into the anode 11, by a strong electric field formed at the carbon film structure 10 (in particular, at the tip of each acute shape). An electron emission characteristic in this case is shown by FIG. 9. It is preferable that an emission direction of electron is perpendicular to the electrode surface of cold cathode 9.
However, as to the electron emitter including the above-mentioned carbon film structure, a growth direction or a shape (size, thickness and the like) of each acute shape of this carbon film structure is difficult to equalize. In particular, in the case that the carbon film structure is formed by using the mask for the substrate, a relatively thick and dense portion of carbon film structure is formed around the mask (for example in the case of FIG. 8, at an outer circumferential edge portion of the carbon film structure 10).
Therefore, if a field emission device equipped with the cold cathode simply including the above-mentioned carbon film structure is used, the emission direction of electron deviates from the direction perpendicular to the cold cathode surface (i.e., electrons are emitted in various directions so as to be dispersed as shown by broken lines of FIG. 8). Thereby, a region of electron flow between the cold cathode and the anode is expanded. Hence, an electron spot in the anode becomes large and uneven (for example in the case of FIG. 8, the electron spot of the anode 11 is larger than an area of the electrode surface of cold cathode 9 and is inhomogeneous as compared to the electrode surface of cold cathode 9). Accordingly, it is difficult to obtain a high current density, so that a large and stable current is not obtained.
Moreover, in the case of the above-mentioned relatively thick and dense carbon film structure, a localized electric-field concentration is easy to cause. Hence, equipotential surfaces protrude at this region of localized electric-field concentration. Thereby, a large quantity of electrons are emitted to cause a current degradation due to thermal degradation or to cause an electric-discharge phenomenon due to charge-up and subsequent insulation breakdown to structural members existing around the cold cathode.
When trying to attain a desired function (for example, a function as electron-beam source) by applying the above-explained emitter to a field emission device, large-scaled power source and various types of equipments and the like are necessary. Thus, it has been difficult to obtain a practical-level product (for example, a compact and low-cost product).

Electron emitter and field emission device provided with electron emitter

Life Technology Research Institute, Inc.


A weatherproof gravesite picture frame assembly displays photographs, letters, cards, and other flat memorabilia at a gravesite. The assembly has a planar frame, an elongated stake, and an elastomeric collar. The frame has an inner recess for receiving a picture, a slot opening in its top surface for inserting and removing the picture, and a shallow channel along its perimeter. The collar has front and rear flanges and a raised wall that runs along its inner surface and mates with the channel of the frame.

Since prehistoric times, humans have placed memorabilia at the grave sites of their loved ones. In modern times, the memorabilia are often photographs, cards, letters, and other flat items which are herein referred to collectively as "pictures." These items are often placed in picture frames for display and preservation. Conventional picture frames contain a transparent front face, a recess for receiving the picture, and a means for inserting and removing the picture. Most picture frames are designed for display indoors and are not weatherproof. Accordingly, pictures in conventional picture frames at gravesites eventually become ruined by exposure to water unless they are laminated or otherwise weatherproofed before being placed into the picture frame.
Some picture frames contain a more effective seal to protect the pictures from the weather. For example, Runge, U.S. Pat. Appln. No. 2003/0131513, Jul. 17, 2003, discloses a display device having an inner elastomeric seal between the front and rear faces and also having an elastomeric frame with a C-shaped cross section that surrounds the edges of the front and rear faces. The Runge display device is not adapted for use at a gravesite and its sealing system potentially allows water to enter at any point around the perimeter.
Some picture frames display a picture that is permanently sealed. For example, Morvant, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,088, Dec. 13, 1988, discloses a permanent grave marker in which a laminated picture is glued into a frame. These frames are suitable for display outside. However, the picture cannot be changed because of the permanent seal.
Picture frames that are somewhat weatherproof, changeable, and especially adapted for use at a gravesite have also been disclosed. For example, McGovern, U.S. Pat. Appln. Publn. No. 2002/0184798, Dec. 12, 2002, discloses a gravesite marker consisting of a frame on a stake. The frame contains a slot for inserting and removing a picture. The slot is located on the side of the frame if reduced damage from the elements is desired. Regelin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,879, May 31, 2005, discloses a gravesite memory marker also consisting of a frame on a stake. The frame consists of front face and a rear face that are attached together with a hinge. Its sealing system potentially allows water to enter around the complete perimeter except for the hinge.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved picture frame. More particularly, there is a demand for a completely weatherproof interchangeable picture frame that is especially adapted for use at a gravesite.


A portable module for a container forming and filling system. The portable module includes a control module, an operator interface, a pump, connectors, and a transport member. The pump is configured to pump liquid for forming the container and filling the container into a container forming and filling machine. The connectors are for connecting the portable module to the container forming and filling machine. The transport member is for moving the portable module.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.
As a result of environmental and other concerns, plastic containers, more specifically polyester and even more specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers are now being used more than ever to package numerous commodities previously supplied in glass containers. Manufacturers and fillers, as well as consumers, have recognized that PET containers are lightweight, inexpensive, recyclable and manufacturable in large quantities.
Plastic containers have become commonplace in packaging numerous commodities. PET is a crystallizable polymer, meaning that it is available in an amorphous form or a semi-crystalline form. The ability of a PET container to maintain its material integrity relates to the percentage of the PET container in crystalline form, also known as the "crystallinity" of the PET container.
      %                          Crystallinity    =            (                        ρ          -                      ρ            a                                                ρ            c                    -                      ρ            a                              )        ×    100  The following equation defines the percentage of crystallinity as a volume fraction:where ρ is the density of the PET material; ρa is the density of pure amorphous PET material (1.333 g/cc); and ρc is the density of pure crystalline material (1.455 g/cc).
Container manufacturers use mechanical processing and thermal processing to increase the PET polymer crystallinity of a container. Mechanical processing involves orienting the amorphous material to achieve strain hardening. This processing commonly involves stretching a molded PET preform along a longitudinal axis and expanding the PET preform along a transverse or radial axis to form a PET container. The combination promotes what manufacturers define as biaxial orientation of the molecular structure in the container. Manufacturers of PET containers currently use mechanical processing to produce PET containers having approximately 20% crystallinity in the container's sidewall.
Thermal processing involves heating the material (either amorphous or semi-crystalline) to promote crystal growth. On amorphous material, thermal processing of PET material results in a spherulitic morphology that interferes with the transmission of light. In other words, the resulting crystalline material is opaque, and thus, generally undesirable. Used after mechanical processing, however, thermal processing results in higher crystallinity and excellent clarity for those portions of the container having biaxial molecular orientation. The thermal processing of an oriented PET container, which is known as heat setting, typically includes molding a PET preform against a mold heated to a temperature of approximately 250° F.-350° F. (approximately 121° C.-177° C.), and holding the container against the heated mold for approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds. Manufacturers of PET juice bottles, which must be hot-filled at approximately 185° F. (85° C.), currently use heat setting to produce PET bottles having an overall crystallinity in the range of approximately 25%-35%.
Existing container forming and filling machines are suitable for their intended use, but are subject to improvement. For example, existing container forming and filling machines cannot be readily modified to accommodate different manufacturing requirements. Thus, a machine configured for blow molding cannot be readily modified for liquid forming and filling. The present teachings provide for an improved container forming and filling system that can be easily modified to accommodate different manufacturing requirements. The present teachings satisfy numerous long felt needs, provide numerous unexpected results, and provide for numerous additional advantages as set forth herein and as one skilled in the art will recognize.

Portable module for container forming and filling system


The filler of a cigarette rod has a tubular portion made of shredded tobacco and surrounding at least one row of spherical inserts made of aromatic material or aerosol. The tubular portion is made by feeding tobacco shreds against the underside of the horizontal lower reach of a foraminous conveyor belt advancing beneath a suction chamber to accumulate a first layer of shreds. The inserts are delivered to the underside of the first layer and are attracted thereto by suction. A second layer of shredded tobacco is assembled by showering shreds against the underside of the first layer where the second layer underlies the spherical inserts. The thus obtained filler is draped into a web of wrapping material to form a cigarette rod ready to be subdivided into sections of unit or multiple unit length. The spherical inserts are expelled from a revolving receptacle under the action of centrifugal force to form a row which is conveyed toward the underside of and advances with the first layer.

The present invention relates to improvements in methods of and apparatus for making rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. Such articles include plain and filter cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and analogous smokers"" products. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in methods of and apparatus for making a continuous rod wherein a tubular wrapper of cigarette paper or the like surrounds a rod-like filler consisting at least in part of a smokable material. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in methods of and in apparatus for making a continuous rod wherein a tubular wrapper surrounds a rod-like filler containing comminuted smokable material (such as shreds or other fragments of natural, reconstituted and/or substitute tobacco) as well as one or more additives. Typical examples of rod-shaped smokers"" products which can be made in accordance with the method of and in the apparatus of the present invention are plain or filter cigarettes and, therefore, the following disclosure will refer primarily to the making of a rod which can be divided into plain cigarettes; however, it is to be understood that the improved method and apparatus can be resorted to with equal or similar advantage in connection with the making of all or practically all other rod-shaped smokers"" products.
It is already known to contact a rod-like filler of tobacco with an additive prior to draping of the filler into a web of cigarette paper or other suitable wrapping material, i.e., prior to completion of the making of a cigarette rod which is ready to advance through a suitable severing device (known as cutoff) which repeatedly cuts across the leader of the advancing cigarette rod to thus form a file of plain cigarettes of unit length or multiple unit length. Plain cigarettes of unit length are or can be transported directly to a packing machine. Plain cigarettes of multiple unit length are transported to a so-called tipping machine which serves to turn out filter cigarettes.
The aforementioned additive is or can be a liquid additive which is sprayed onto or otherwise contacted with the running rod-like filler of shredded and/or otherwise comminuted natural, reconstituted and/or artificial tobacco. As a rule, a liquid additive can constitute an aerosol or an aromatic substance such as menthol. If the additive is a volatile substance, it is preferably caused to contact the smokable material shortly or immediately prior to draping of the filler into cigarette paper or other suitable wrapping material; this reduces the likelihood of evaporation of high percentages of such substances.
It is also known to make the smokable constituent (i.e the fibrous filler or the fibrous part of the filler) of two or more combustible smoke-generating constituents. Reference may be had, for example, to commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,764 granted Nov. 3, 1987 to Siegfrid Marquardt et al. for xe2x80x9cMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ROD-LIKE FILLERS FROM SEVERAL TYPES OF FIBROUS MATERIALxe2x80x9d.
An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of introducing into the smokable part of a rod-like filler for the making of cigarette rods or the like one or more additives in such a way that each additive is uniformly distributed from end to end of each individual cigarette or an analogous rod-shaped smokers"" product embodying a portion of the filler.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of introducing volatile additives into a rod-like filler which is to form part of a cigarette rod or the like.
A further object of the invention is to prevent evaporation of volatile additives (such as one or more aerosols and/or aromatic substances) prior to confinement of a rod-like filler, which contains such additive(s), in a wrapper of cigarette paper or the like.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a method which renders it possible to alter the quantities of one or more additives per unit length of a rod-like filler which is to form part of a continuous cigarette rod or the like.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method which exhibits the above-enumerated advantages but can be practiced by resorting to relatively simple and inexpensive yet reliable apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel and improved means for manipulating volatile additives which are to influence the characteristics (such as aroma) of rod-shaped smokers"" products.
Another object of the invention is to provide the above outlined apparatus with novel and improved means for feeding and manipulating the combustible tobacco smoke generating constituents of a cigarette rod filler in a plurality of stages preparatory and subsequent to introduction of one or more volatile additives.
An additional object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel and improved means for manipulating encapsulated volatile additives.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a cigarette rod making machine which embodies one or more apparatus of the above outlined character.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is constructed and assembled in such a way that it can reliably confine evaporable liquid additives by guaranteeing that those characteristics of the rod-shaped smokers"" products which are attributable to the presence of one or more additives remain at least substantially unchanged irrespective of the duration of storage prior to actual lighting of the products.
Another object of the invention is to provide rod-shaped smokers"" products which are produced in accordance with the above outlined method.
A further object of the invention is to provide the above outlined apparatus with novel and improved means for manipulating spherical capsules for evaporable additives prior to confinement in comminuted smokable material.
One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a method of making a smokable filler, e.g., a filler which is ready to be draped into a web of cigarette paper or other suitable wrapping material and to be thus converted into a cigarette rod adapted to be subdivided into plain cigarettes of unit length or multiple unit length.
The improved method comprises the steps of building a first flow (e.g., a relatively thin layer) of a smokable first particulate material and advancing the first flow lengthwise in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path wherein the flow has a side which is accessible in a first (upstream) and in a second (downstream) portion of the predetermined path, delivering to the aforementioned side of the advancing first flow particles of a second particulate material in the first (upstream) portion of the predetermined path, applying to the aforementioned side of the advancing first flow a second flow (e.g., a relatively thin layer) containing the first material (i.e., a material which is smokable) and overlying the particles of the second material (the applying step is carried out in the aforementioned second (downstream) portion of the predetermined path), and converting the first and second flows (and the particles of second material between such flows) into a rod-like filler wherein the particles of second material are at least substantially surrounded by the first material.
The first particulate material contains (or can contain) comminuted tobacco, e.g., shredded natural tobacco leaves, shredded and/or otherwise comminuted sheets of reconstituted tobacco and/or fragments of artificial tobacco.
The second particulate material can consist of or contains aromatic substances and/or aerosols. It is presently preferred to employ a second material in the form of spheres or analogous configurations (e.g., lenses, tablets or the like).
The delivering step can include introducing into the first portion of the predetermined path metered quantities of second particulate material per unit length of the rod-like filler, per unit length of the first flow, or per unit of time (e.g., when the first flow is being advanced at a constant speed).
In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, the delivering step can include gathering particles of second particulate material into at least one series (such as an elongated file or row) of advancing particles, and admitting into the first (upstream) portion of the predetermined path successive particles of the at least one series. The just mentioned gathering step can include establishing an accumulation of second particles (i.e., particles of second particulate material) in random distribution (such as in a pile or heap), subjecting the accumulation to the action of centrifugal force to thus propel particles of second particulate material into a substantially circular path, and conveying particles of second particulate material along the substantially circular path toward and into the first (upstream) portion of the predetermined path. The conveying step can include maintaining the particles of second particulate material in an at least substantially horizontal plane. The just described embodiment of the improved method preferably further comprises the step of at least intermittently replenishing the accumulation of such particles to thus maintain the quantity of particles in the accumulation above a predetermined threshold value.
The advancing step can comprise maintaining the first flow in a state of suspension by suction (e.g., at the underside of the horizontal lower reach of an endless foraminous belt which travels along the open underside of a stationary suction chamber). The aforementioned side of the first flow is then the underside of the pneumatically (suctionally) suspended first flow. The delivering step then preferably comprises attracting the particles of second material to the underside of the first flow by suction (i.e., by the expedient of maintaining the first flow in suspended condition), so that the particles of second material share the movement of the first flow along the predetermined path.
Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for making a smokable filler. The apparatus comprises means for building a first flow (such as a relatively thin and relatively narrow layer) of a smokable first particulate (e.g., shredded) material including means for advancing the first flow lengthwise in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path wherein the first flow has a side which is accessible in a first (upstream) as well as in a second (downstream) portion of the predetermined path, means for delivering to the aforementioned side of the advancing first flow particles of a second particulate material in the first (upstream) portion of the predetermined path, means for applying to the aforementioned side of the advancing first flow a second flow (e.g., a second relatively thin and relatively narrow layer) containing the first or an equivalent material and overlying the particles of the second material (the applying means is arranged to supply particles of second material into the second (downstream) portion of the predetermined path), and means for converting the first and second flows (as well as the particles of second material between the two flows) into a rod-like filler wherein the second material is at least substantially surrounded by the first material.
The first material can contain shredded and/or otherwise comminuted tobacco leaf laminae, fragments of tobacco ribs, fragments of sheets of reconstituted tobacco and/or fragments of artificial tobacco.
The delivering means can comprise a suitable receptacle for an accumulation of particles of second material in random distribution, means for conveying at least one series (such as a file or a row) of particles of second material along a second path extending to the first (upstream) portion of the predetermined path, and means for transferring particles of second material from the receptacle into the second path. The transferring means of such apparatus can comprise means for converting a portion of the accumulation of particles of second material in the receptacle into successive increments of the at least one series of particles of second material. The second path can constitute or resemble an at least substantially circular path, and the converting means can comprise means for circulating the accumulation in the receptacle about a predetermined axis to thus subject at least the aforementioned portion of the accumulation to the action of centrifugal force with attendant entry of particles of second material into the second path. The circulating means can comprise means for rotating the receptacle and the particles of second material in the receptacle about an at least substantially vertical axis. The receptacle has at least one outlet for particles of second material, and such at least one outlet is normally remote from the at least substantially vertical axis and is arranged to receive particles of second material under the action of centrifugal force and to admit the thus received particles of second material into at least one inlet of the second path.
The conveying means can be provided with discrete pockets (such as tooth spaces in the marginal portion of a spur gear) for particles of second material.
The receptacle is or can be arranged to rotate about an at least substantially vertical axis and can include a circular bottom wall and an annular sidewall diverging radially of the vertical axis and downwardly toward the bottom wall. The receptacle is provided with at least one outlet for the particles of second material, and such at least one outlet is provided between the bottom wall and the sidewall. For example, the outlet can constitute an arcuate slot. It is preferred to provide the receptacle with an annular array of discrete outlets for particles of second material between a marginal portion of the bottom wall and a bottom portion of the sidewall. At least some of the outlets preferably have elliptical outlines and the major axes of such elliptical outlines are or can be at least substantially tangential to the bottom wall of the receptacle.
It is often preferred to employ in the improved apparatus transferring means which comprises a rotary circular disc having a marginal portion including alternating teeth and tooth spaces. The tooth spaces provide outlets for admission of particles of second material into the second path. The receptacle is rotatable about an at last substantially vertical axis and includes a bottom wall adjacent and located above the disc. The second path extends from the marginal portion of the disc to the first (upstream) portion of the predetermined path. Such apparatus can further comprise a first guide which is located below the disc and a second guide which surrounds the disc and defines with the first guide a means for confining particles of second material in the tooth spaces during a predetermined stage of advancement of particles of the second type with the disc. The guides are preferably stationary and flank the tooth spaces in the direction of the axis of rotation of the disc.
The radius of the bottom wall of the receptacle is or can be smaller than the radius of the disc, and the disc is preferably rotatable about a second axis which is spaced apart from and parallel to the rotational axis of the receptacle. The at least one outlet of the receptacle is arranged to admit particles of second material from the accumulation in the receptacle into the tooth spaces of the disc, and such tooth spaces serve to convey particles of second material from the at least one outlet of the receptacle to the first (upstream) portion of the predetermined path.
The improved apparatus can further comprise means for rotating the receptacle at a first speed, and the advancing means can be arranged to advance the first flow along the predetermined path at a second speed which at least approximates the first speed. Still further, the improved apparatus can comprise means for rotating the receptacle and the disc at different speeds or for rotating the receptacle and the disc at speeds which at least closely approximate each other.
If the first flow is a layer of tobacco shreds having first and second marginal portions which are or can be equidistant (i.e., parallel) to each other, the delivering means can include means for supplying to the aforementioned side of the first flow (layer) particles of second material at least substantially midway between the marginal portions of the first flow.
The delivering means can include means for introducing into the predetermined path metered quantities of particles of second material per unit length of the first flow.
As already mentioned hereinabove, the particles of second material can constitute or resemble spheres. This is often desirable for convenience of mass production of such commodities as well as because such particles can be readily manipulated in the improved apparatus, e.g., to form one or more rows which are advanced lengthwise toward the first (upstream) portion of the predetermined path for convenient and highly predictable introduction into the predetermined path. Moreover, spherical particles or second material can be readily manipulated in order to ensure that each and every successive unit length of the filler can contain identical numbers of particles of second material, i.e., identical percetages of volatile and/or other substances (such as menthol) in each of a short or long series of unit lengths of the finished filler.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to is costruction and the modes of making, assembling and manipulating the same, together with numerous additional important and advantageous features and attributes thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain presently preferred specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Method of making a tobacco rod with embedded additive


Architecture that provides programmatic association of a device (e.g., removable) to a currently logged-in user, and restricts access to the drive only to that particular logged-in user. When active, the architecture detects when devices are added to the system, determines which logged-in user a given device (or devices) should be assigned, modifies the security settings for the device(s), and makes a per-user drive letter mapping to that device such that only the logged-in user can see the mapped device. In the context of serially attachable peripheral devices such as USB (universal serial bus) devices (and IEEE 1394 devices), for example, access can be restricted to a user based on the USB hub into which the device is connected. This prevents the operating system from assigning a global drive letter to a device or device volume (for drives) when the device is added.

There are scenarios where granting all users full control over all removable volumes is disadvantageous. One example of such a scenario is an environment where several users want to simultaneously use a single computer while working independently in discrete user sessions. When multiple removable volumes (e.g., two serial port flash drives and a digital camera) are attached to a computer, by default, all currently logged on users have full access to all of these volumes, thus controlled access is not allowed.


A quick coupling comprising a body with a conical opening and an outside thread, a nut with a central through orifice and a cylindrical counterbore extending the through orifice and tapped over its portion that is remote from the through orifice, and a conical surface connecting the through orifice to the counterbore, the coupling comprising a ring housed in the counterbore of the nut, the ring having a front face directed towards the thread that is fitted with a sealing gasket whose rear face facing towards the coupling surface co-operates therewith to define a radial expansion housing for a split spring washer.

Such means take the place of "cutting ring" couplings for the purpose, in comparison therewith, of improving and simplifying implementation of the coupling and for making the quality of the coupling independent of the skill and know-how of the installer.
To this end, the invention thus provides a quick coupling comprising a body with a conical opening and an outside thread, a nut with a central through orifice and a cylindrical counterbore extending the through orifice and tapped over its portion that is remote from the through orifice, and a conical surface connecting the through orifice to the counterbore, which coupling comprises a ring housed in the counterbore of the nut, the ring having a front face directed towards the thread that is fitted with a sealing gasket whose rear face facing towards the coupling surface co-operates therewith to define a radial expansion housing for a split spring washer. Naturally, this coupling co-operates with a rigid coupling endpiece that may be fitted to the end of a hose or that may be constituted by the end of a rigid tube that is preferably made of metal, the endpiece being provided with an external groove into which the spring washer springs elastically when coupling is implemented. The groove is made beforehand in the endpieces. Nevertheless, it could be made in situ on a tube end, e.g. an end that was previously connected by means of a cutting-ring coupling.


A process and apparatus for cleaning and disinfection of textiles and the air from viruses, bacteria and spores, and also for purifying from dust, pollen, odors, etc. in which the employment of water and various other cleaning agents and disinfectants as well is not required includes a lock or chamberin which living beings are able to stay, and piece-goods and textiles, etc. are able to be treated as well. Therein, airborne aerosols (droplets, particles, dust) as well as aerosols and microbes, respectively, adhering to the clothing or body and to the product, respectively, are to be treated. The basic principle shall also be applicable to rooms (e.g. waiting rooms) or stables and under cleanroom conditions as well. Various aspects of the invention include plasma generation, producing an ion current from the plasma, ozone generation and activation, sterilization, oxidation and decomposition of gaseous components, and separation of microbes and aerosols and decomposition thereof.

The invention relates to a process for textile cleaning and disinfection by means of plasma representing a new way towards a waterless washing machine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a lock or room for inactivating viruses, bacteria and spores, and also for purifying air in the conventional sense such as from dust, pollen, odors or the like.
There are various dangers to health, e. g., caused by polluted air. In addition to gaseous components and aerosols of anthropogenic origin, in particular biological components such as viruses, spores, bacteria or pollen. Viruses and bacteria can be transmitted from contaminated areas through living beings, vehicles or parcels. Recently, virological dangers such as H5N1 (bird flu), influenza or SARS mainly became the focus since there's risk of pandermics. In the normal case, for infection a sufficiently high concentration of the infectious matter is required.
Apart from the indoor air or ambient air, often exhaust gases or waste air carry microorganism strains which are harmful for health and environment. In many cases, the exhaust gases or the waste air are repeatedly charged with aerosols. These can additionally be the carriers of disturbing odors or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC is to be understood as harmful hydrocarbon compounds.
Aerosols is the generic term of solid and liquid particulates. In particular, smaller aerosols in the range of a few nanometers are especially harmful. These impurities often indicated as nanoparticulates are able to uncheckedly enter into the human lungs, or even to immediately be assimilated through the skin. The most known example of such nanoparticulates is the particulate matter in diesel exhaust gases. Further, in the indoor air often harmful substances such as particulates of cigarette smoke, toner of photocopiers or paper dust of copy paper are contained.
Various measures are taken in order to reduce concentrations of microorganism strains in the exhaust gases or waste air. Conventional means such as mechanical separators, mechanical filters, gas washers or combustion are only in a limited use, are too costly or consume too much energy.
Specially for the separation of aerosols, and in particular the removal of macroscopic dust particles from industrial exhaust gases electrostatic filters or even electrostatic precipitators for the purification are known. This process also being referred to as electrical gas scrubbing includes electric charging of dust particles with corona discharge as a standard step. A typical geometry consists of a thin wire which is enclosed by a cylinder spaced from the wire. According to polarity of the wire electrode a distinction is made between negative corona and positive corona. With the negative corona, the electron attachment results in the generation of negative ions attaching to aerosols as the case may be. Sometimes, this process is also described as the ion blow.
The electrostatic precipitators comprise so called collecting electrodes and discharge electrodes with appropriate high-voltage fields between them. The dust particles collected on the collecting electrode are mechanically removed which is disadvantageous in certain applications. Also, the high voltages of several 10 kilovolts required for the electrostatic precipitators are disadvantageous.
In DE 34 20 973 A1 there is proposed a combination including filter mats on which the removed dust can be collected.
In DE 102 45 902 A1 the collecting electrode includes a space into which the particles are able to enter and inside of which no potential difference is prevailing.
In DE 30 04 474 C2 the corona-starting voltage below flashover voltage is superimposed by a pulse voltage having pulse widths ranging from ns to ms.
According to DE 43 39 611 A1, charging of dust particles in the entire volume, a homogeneous collection surface and prevention of electric disruptive discharges shall be achieved in that a segmentation is taking place in the flow direction in which dielectric barrier discharge paths for charging dust particles alternate with "normal" collecting paths having high homogeneous electric fields between metallic electrodes. The dielectric barrier discharge is operated between a dielectric diode and the collecting electrode, thus over the entire cross-section of the gas space. As a result, in this configuration very high voltages (alternating voltages in this case) are required similar to corona discharge, with a greater exhaust passage to achieve a small flow resistance. The common problems continue to exist for the corona portion.
Generally, it is also known that the most different chemical reactions which mainly proceed through very reactive species, so called radicals, can be initiated with plasmas. This has been analyzed and used for various applications of treating exhaust gases or even for plasma-chemical reactors. Then, solutions have been proposed which make use of dielectric barrier discharge for generating appropriate plasmas. Dielectric barrier discharges (hereinafter also DBDs) are characterized in that at least one of the conductive electrodes is provided with a dielectric thus forming an insulated electrode, or in that a dielectric is disposed between the conductive electrodes. The configuration of such arrangements can be multiform. Depending on this configuration and the remaining parameters specific characteristics of the DBD are often achieved. Sometimes, specific designations are used according to such configurations or according to the purpose of application (e.g. ozonizer).
Generally, the DBD can be operated with sinusoidal or square-wave AC voltages ranging from a few Hz up to several hundreds of kHz. Various embodiments of the DBD are known as a discharge configuration. Frequently, with the large-area electrodes, a plurality of small discharge threads also called filaments having a thickness of up to a few of tenths of millimeters and being statistically distributed for the most part are provided. In the transition region toward the insulated electrodes these filaments form spreadings which frequently pass over to surface gliding discharges having a plurality of further thin discharge channels.
Such phenomena of surface gliding discharge are able to be dominant in specific arrangements, so called coplanar discharge arrangements or surface discharge arrangements. It is also known that, in particular in gas fillings with inert gases and in thereof mixtures, respectively, discharge structures can be formed which are not filamented. Besides, various combinations and transient modifications of discharge embodiments are possible.
With reactors assembled according to the prior art in particular, aerosols cannot really be retained and decomposed within the plasma.
According to DE 197 17 890 C1, it is provided for an effective treatment of soot particles to collect particulate matter on a porous filter element and to expose it to the plasma of a DBD. A similar principle is indicated in DE 100 57 862 C1. With this principle, however, the problem of ash deposition and blockage continues to exist.
It is known from WO 2005/028081 and DE 103 44 489 A1, respectively, that a contiguous electrode being structured toward all directions in space is used, wherein insulating material is placed on the elevations thereof. This insulating material forms a delimiting face for the structured electrode. On the other side of the insulating material an additional electrode is mounted. The structured electrode consists of a wire mesh, contiguous or adjacent solids and structures, respectively, made of an electrically conductive material. At the same time, the structured electrode simultaneously functions as a spacer for additional plane surfaces and as a filter element. The discharge representing a specific configuration of a DBD develops in the clearances of the electrode structure and on the surface of the insulating material.
For some applications, the structure provides an excessive back pressure. In addition, the reactions within the plasma are often highly complex since all species generated within the plasma are able to be involved in the reactions.
An arrangement according to DE 198 26 831 A1 is further known wherein the plasma reactor consists of a tubular electrode which is coated with a dielectric barrier on its inner surface. A conductive electrode facing the gas space and made of a wire mesh, for example, is mounted as a counter electrode being in contact with the barrier. With appropriate voltages, it then results in the development of gas discharges within the gap area of the wire screen electrode and the dielectric barrier. Mixing the influent gas and the plasma region is carried out by means of vortex effects in the immediate area of the wire screen electrode.
In DE 196 16 206 A1 gas discharge is mainly generated on the surface of a dielectric wherein the electrode facing toward the gas provides an immediate contact with the dielectric and consists of thin bar stock having a rounded cross-section. Catalytically acting materials are located in a distance of some millimeters toward this electrode facing the gas, and are at the same potential.
With these arrangements, the restricted exchange between the plasma and remaining gas has an adverse effect on many applications and as a result on the plasma-induced reactions within the gas as well. Further, aerosols or soot particles cannot be separated since any filtering or separation is not available. Subsequently, in the plasma of such arrangements the aerosols/soot particles will not successfully be decomposed with it as well.
Applicants have provided an arrangement and method wherein plasma is generated with a dielectric barrier discharge arrangement within a large area region wherein an open structure of the DBD toward the face of the gas space for the influent gas is available. According to the method, ions are extracted from the plasma of DBD and accelerated in an electric field such that an ion blow covering the space for the influent exhaust gas and the waste air, respectively, is generated. In a simple embodiment, the electric field is developed for ion extraction by means of negative pulse voltages of the plasma generating portion of a dielectric barrier discharge. The face of the device opposing this DBD arrangement is at ground potential. Negative ions are accelerated toward the ground potential such that aerosols contained in the gas can be charged and separated. In another embodiment then, in addition to the separation of aerosols, the decomposition thereof within the plasma is also provided. For that, opposite dielectric barrier discharge arrangements are formed. The faces of the DBD arrangements opposing each other toward the gas space for the influent gas are then applied with positive and negative pulse voltages, respectively. In this way, charge carriers as well as charged aerosols drift, depending on the sign of the charge thereof, towards the electrode of the DBD each conducting opposite potential. There, the aerosols are separated and decomposed in the plasma of the respective DBD.
Such systems, in al., generate ozone such that a longer presence of living beings in such rooms or spaces is not possible.
Previous disinfection systems and air purification systems have different operation limits. Systems based on plasmas operate according to the air recirculation principle or the injection principle. Then, the room air including its harmful constituents is essentially treated by reactive species within the reactor portion. In another case, reactive constituents from a plasma unit are added into the room (such as with the disinfection by means of ozone). Such systems are only applicable to some extent, and only gaseous or gasborne constituents can be treated this way. It is also critical to observe treatment times (and so retention time) regarding the disinfection.
A very effective method of disinfection/air purification is provided with UV methods. At the same time, however, direct disinfection is only possible only without exposure of people. Also, recirculation mode and indirect disinfection are possible, but including similar problems as before.
With the routine disinfection including disinfectants, considerable losses of effectiveness at a falling temperature occur such that the pass-through vessels or epidemic or disease mats will be restricted in their effectiveness. Further, these means are not allowed to be directed to unprotected persons.
Cleaning and disinfection of textiles are connected with the employment of water and various cleaning agents and disinfectants as well. This requires a considerable consumption of our water resources resulting in varied water pollutions. Then, expensive sewage treatment processes are necessary.
The object and pollution level as well as the nature of pollution are very different. So, the whole panoply of applications is ranging from simple clothing up to cleanroom drapery, medical textiles or even protection equipment. The nature of pollution shows a still wider range. This extends from simple odor load of clothes beyond the pollution with bio-aerosols (microbes, spores, pollen) up to various other pollutions.
Treatment of textile fabric by means of plasma is known from the patent publications DE 19634725 A1 and DE 3248590 A1. Herein, the surfaces of textiles are treated in such a manner that with later necessary cleaning less power and water are needed. Complete cleaning by means of plasma is not carried out.
In JP 2005224757 A is disclosed a possibility of the surface cleaning of textiles by means of plasma. The plasma cleaning device is to save chemicals and cleansing agents, and comprises an iron having a water tank and plasma electrodes for plasma generating at a standard pressure. The water vapor is guided through the plasma wherein hydroxyl radicals are developed which clean the textiles.
Furthermore, there are devices by means of which the polluted air is disinfected through a UV unit and an ionisation unit. Known devices are described in DE 102005003923 A1 and in DE 102005035951 A1. Basically, with the employment of ultraviolet radiation and use of ozone connected therewith the following reaction mechanisms are known. Molecular oxygen (O2) is decomposed into oxygen radicals. The so developed oxygen radicals react themselves again with molecular oxygen during the formation of ozone. Under the influence of ultraviolet light the ozone being so developed can be decomposed into oxygen radical and molecular oxygen again. The oxygen radical is now available in order to react with water to two hydroxyl radicals or with molecular oxygen to ozone again.
Application for cleaning textiles is not provided herein.

Process for textile cleaning and disinfection by means of plasma and plasma lock

Leibniz-Institut fuer Plasmaforschung und Technologie e.V.


An improved disturbance resistant data storage circuit having a further transistor for each one of a pair of input transistors, the cross-coupled transistors, and the output transistors which are paired therewith.

The present invention relates to circuits for storing representations of data and, more particularly, to such circuits used in monolithic integrated circuits which are subject to transient event disturbances.
There are many uses in digital systems for data storage circuits, i.e. data latches. Such latches are used frequently to store a signal value representing data received at a data input for a duration of time after an enabling signal of a particular logic value has also been received at an enable input. This arrangement is useful, for instance, in permitting subsequent portions of the digital system to operate on a fixed value signal at the output of the latch even though further changes are occurring at the latch data input.
Such data latches are commonly provided in monolithic integrated circuits, along with many further kinds of other circuitry, for purposes of improving performance, reducing size and reducing cost. Monolithic integrated circuit structural features arising in the implementation of such circuits have been shrinking rapidly in size in recent years. Along with this shrinkage, the electrical currents and electrical charges formed during the operation of the integrated circuits based on these features have also been diminishing in value. As a result, charges generated by certain charge generating disturbances, which in larger feature integrated circuits would not be a problem, become sufficiently large to cause difficulties in smaller feature integrated circuits.
In those voltage level state switching circuits, such as logic circuits or memory circuits including such data latch circuits, that are constructed using these smaller integrated circuit structures, such disturbance charges can be sufficient to cause switching from an existing logic state to another at points on the circuit where such charge is generated. The proper operation of the circuit could therefore be disturbed resulting in erroneous logic signals. Typically, such disturbances are local to the region near the disturbance and are temporary; thus, such a disturbance is often termed a "single event upset." Also, though the disturbances may be temporary, results of the disturbance may be stored and are subject to being propagated further in the system which may lead to longer term and more significant effects.
A common source of such charge generating disturbances is particle radiation. Such particles impinging on a monolithic integrated circuit chip will have "interactions" with the semiconductor material lattice structure and electrons along the paths thereof through the integrated circuit semiconductor material. This will result, for the short duration of these interactions, in raising the energy of the electrons involved in the conduction band and leaving corresponding holes in the valence band. Should such electron-hole pairs be generated sufficiently close to a semiconductor pn junction, the electrons and holes so situated are subject to being collected by the action of electric fields in the region resulting from the voltage applied to such junction and because of diffusions toward such junctions. The structure of transistor devices used in a monolithic integrated circuit, and the methods of operating such devices in the circuits using them generally, is such that only reverse-biased pn junctions need to be considered to understand the effects of a radiation particle impinging thereabout.
The electrons and corresponding holes will be separated by the electric fields near the reverse-biased junction with the electrons attracted to the positive voltage side of the junction and the holes being attracted, or repelled, into the portions of the semiconductor material on the other side of the junction. This separation of electrons and holes, in effect, provides a temporary current flow from the positive voltage side of the semiconductor pn junction to the opposite side of the structure, or, in effect, a radiation induced leakage current.
This current will be comprised of an immediate drift current component for electrons and holes which are immediately subject to such electric fields. A further component of this current will be provided by those electrons and holes which subsequently, by diffusion, move to be within the influence of such electric fields. Such current flows have the effect of discharging an n-type conductivity region if that region has been placed at a positive voltage with respect to a p-type conductivity region on the other side of the intervening junction so that this junction is reverse-biased. Such a discharge current reduces the positive voltage of the n-type region. Conversely, such currents tend to charge a p-type conductivity region, if that region has been placed at a negative voltage with respect to an n-type conductivity region on the other side of an intervening semiconductor pn junction to again reverse-bias that junction. Such a charging acts to reduce the negative voltage to thereby reduce the reverse-bias across the junction. Thus, in either situation, the charge generated by an impinging radiation particle would act in a manner to tend to reduce the magnitude of reverse-bias voltages provided across a reverse-biased semiconductor pn junction separating p-type conductivity and n-type conductivity regions suffering such an impingement.
One known data latch is the controlled latch circuit shown in FIG. 1. In that circuit, a pair of input npn bipolar transistors, 10 and 11, are provided with transistor 10 having its base connected to an input terminal, 12, and transistor 11 having its base connected to a further input terminal, 13. Input transistor 10 is paired with a further npn bipolar transistor, 14. Input transistor 11 is also paired with another npn bipolar transistor, 15. The collectors of transistors 10 and 14 are connected to one another and to a load resistor, 16. Similarly, the collectors of transistors 11 and 15 are connected together and to another load resistor, 17. The collectors of transistors 10 and 14 are also connected to the base of an output npn bipolar transistor, 18, for that pair, and again the collectors of transistors 11 and 15 are also connected to an output transistor, 19, for that pair. The other sides of load resistors 16 and 17, and the collectors of transistors 18 and 19, are connected to a terminal means, 20, adapted for connection to a source of relatively positive voltage.
Transistors 14 and 15 are cross-coupled transistors in that the collector of one is connected through an output transistor to the emitter of the other. Thus, the emitter of output transistor 18 is connected to the base of transistor 15, and the base of transistor 18 is connected to the collector transistor 14. Similarly, the emitter output transistor 19 is connected to the base of transistor 14, and the base of transistor -9 is connected to the collector of transistor 15.
Relatively positive voltage, applied to terminal 20, is taken with respect to a further terminal, 21, serving as the reference voltage or ground terminal and adapted for connection to a voltage supply also. A current sink arrangement is connected to terminal 21 formed by a further npn bipolar transistor, 22, and a resistor, 23, connected between the emitter of transistor 22 and terminal 21. The base of transistor 22 is adapted for connection to a reference voltage supplied to a further terminal, 24.
The emitters of the cross-coupled transistors 14 and 15 are also connected to this current sink means at the collector of transistor 22 through a further npn bipolar transistor, 25, having its base connected to a terminal, 27. The emitters of input transistors 10 and 11 are connected to this current sink at the collector of transistor 22 through a further npn bipolar transistor, 26. Supplying a signal to a terminal, 28, and so to the base of transistor 26 connected thereto, sufficient to switch it into "on" condition allows transistor 26 to pass the current drawn by the current sink means containing transistor 22 as supplied by input transistors 10 and 11. This arrangement allows signals at the bases of transistors 10 and 11 to set the logic states at the collectors thereof, and so at the outputs of the cross-coupled circuit involving transistors 14 and -5. Typically, the base of transistor 11 might be connected to a reference voltage and the base of transistor 10 may be connected to a source of logic signals which alternate between two voltage states on either side of the voltage value supplied to the based of transistor 11. Alternatively, complementary logic signals can be provided at the base of input transistors 10 and 11.
Similarly, the supplying of voltage to terminal 27, and so to the base of transistor 25 to switch it into the "on" condition, allows the voltage states established at the collectors of input transistors 10 and 11 to also be established and then maintained in the circuit involving cross-coupled transistors 14 and 15. These maintained states persist until subsequently altered by enablement of transistor 26 and input transistors 10 and 11. Thus, transistors 25 and 26 serve as latch circuit control transistors. The base of transistor 25 may typically be connected to a reference voltage applied to terminal 27 to which it is connected. The base of transistor 26 is shown connected to terminal 28 as a source of logic signals. The signal source for terminal 28 can operate between two voltage levels on either side of a reference voltage supplied to terminal 27. Transistor 26, in the "on" condition, allows establishment of selected voltage states at the collectors of input transistors 10 and 11 by the voltage states provided to the bases thereof, or alternatively by the voltage state and reference voltage applied to these inputs.
Output transistors 18 and 19 are provided to supply current in addition to what could be supplied through resistors 16 and 17, respectively, to operate the bases to which the emitters of these transistors are connected, and, in many instances, to provide the latch circuit outputs. In many situations, however, such additional current supply will not be needed and transistors 18 and 19 will be eliminated from the circuit. In such situation, the connections shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 1 will be provided instead. The resulting latch circuit outputs, 29 and 29', are shown for this latter situation.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, certainly for either transistors 14 or 15, there will always be one transistor in the "off" condition. In a situation where transistor 26 is in the "off" condition and transistor 25 in the "on" condition, the state of transistors 14 and 15 determine what information is being stored in the latch circuit. Thus, one of the transistors in the "on" condition and the other in the "off" condition defines one output logic state, and the opposite situation defines the other.
As indicated above, however, the transistor in the "off" condition, and having its collector-base junction reverse-biased, is subject in a radiation particle impingement situation to suddenly having that collector rapidly drop in voltage if radiation induced charge suddenly accumulates thereon. Such a sharp change in voltage, because of the cross-coupled feedback arrangement, will be propagated through to the base of the opposite transistor with a resulting risk of having the state of the latch circuit with these two cross-coupled transistors change from that logic state that had been present before the collector's sudden voltage drop to the opposite state. Thus, there is desired an improvement to the circuit of FIG. 1 to permit it to maintain logic states therein despite radiation particle impingement on reserve-biased junctions therein.

Disturbance resistant data storage circuit


Apparatus and associated methods relate to a laterally expandable spinal implant configured with pivoting wings adapted to secure the implant when inserted between vertebrae with stabilizing force applied to the vertebrae by shaft-driven wedges coupled with the wings. In an illustrative example, the wings may pivot along a hinge axis to swing outward from the implant central body until they press against vertebral endplates superior and inferior. The hinge may be, for example, disposed longitudinally to the implant central body. In some examples, four wings may be mounted axially in the implant central body. Some embodiments may include shaft-driven wedges coupled with the wings and adapted to force the wedges out laterally from the central body. Various examples may advantageously provide improved post-implant spinal stability, enhanced post-implant bone growth, and increased implant contact area with bone, based on the implant pressing the wings against the endplates as the shaft rotates.

Spinal implants are devices that may be implanted within a spine. Some spinal implants may be surgically inserted within the spine. For example, some spinal implants may be inserted between vertebrae during spinal surgery. Spinal surgery may be performed to alleviate back pain. In some cases, back pain may be severe, and even debilitating. In some scenarios, a medical patient's back pain may be due to damage, disease, or inflammation affecting the vertebrae or intervertebral discs. For example, disabling back pain may arise from disruption of the disc annulus. In some examples, back pain may be a result of instability of the vertebral bodies surrounding a damaged intervertebral disc.
In some cases of severe back pain, mechanical limitation to the movement of vertebrae may be advantageous. In some scenarios, treatment for back pain may require surgical disc removal. For example, damage to intervertebral disc tissue may require surgical removal of the disc nucleus. In some cases, instability of the vertebral bodies that surrounded the removed disc may result. In an illustrative example, persistent inflammation or instability due to a removed disc may result in a recurrence of disabling back pain after surgery. In some cases, the likelihood of back pain recurring after disc removal may be reduced and back pain recurrence mitigated by stabilization of the adjacent vertebral bodies subsequent to disc removal. For example, vertebrae adjacent to the removed disc may be surgically fused with the aid of a fusion device implanted between vertebrae.
Some spinal implant surgery may have time-limited benefits. For example, some spinal implants may subside into the vertebral endplates as time passes after fusion surgery. In some examples, spinal implant subsidence into the vertebral endplates may be a result of limited contact area between the implant and endplates. In an illustrative example, spinal implant subsidence into the adjacent vertebral endplates may result in back pain due to reduced spacing between the vertebral bodies. Some spinal implants limit the vertebral endplate surface area in contact with the implant, which may limit bone growth. Limited bone growth between the fused vertebrae after implantation may result in limited spinal stability. Some spinal implants may be composed from multiple separate components that must be individually assembled together within the intervertebral disc space, making optimal placement of the spinal implant difficult in some scenarios.


A method is described for use when a cache is accessed. Before all valid array entries are validated, a valid array entry is read when a data array entry is accessed. If the valid array entry is a first array value, access to the cache is treated as being invalid and the data array entry is reloaded. If the valid array entry is a second array value, a tag array entry is compared with an address to determine if the data array entry is valid or invalid. A valid control register contains a first control value before all valid array entries are validated and a second control value after all valid array entries are validated. After the second control value is established, reads of the valid array are disabled and the tag array entry is compared with the address to determine if a data array entry is valid or invalid.

One way of implementing a cache relies upon the use of a separate, valid array. A valid array indicates if specific entries within a cache that are valid. Typically, as is known in the prior art, for each access made to a cache, a read is made of the valid array to determine if the cache entry is valid before accepting the entry in the cache. This means that each time the cache is accessed, a separate read of the valid array is required.
As should be apparent, however, once all of the entries in a cache have been validated (i.e., all of the entries in the cache have been determined to be valid), the valid array no longer serves a purpose. Once each of the entries in the cache is validated, further reads of the valid array do not produce any result other than the already-determined fact that all of the entries are valid. As a result, further reads of the valid array consume power unnecessarily. Any further reads of the valid array are merely duplicative of prior processing steps.
As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, reading of the valid array after all of the entries in the cache have been validated adds unnecessarily to the power consumed by the processor. This is considered to be wasteful.
As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the ability to reduce processor time and power consumption is desirable. Less processor time and lower power consumption contribute to a more efficient processor.

Method for achieving power savings by disabling a valid array


A structure and process are provided for converting DC-DC voltages, which allows both buck and boost conversion utilizing a single switched capacitor array. In one embodiment of this invention, the switched capacitor array comprises multiple gain blocks, where the gain blocks are identical and stacked upon each other. The switches and capacitors are configured so that various combinations of series and parallel capacitor connections are possible, and thus both buck and boost conversions are attainable with one switched capacitor array. Other embodiments of the present invention use multiple gain blocks, configured such that the capacitor in each gain block can be connected to ground. As a result, a single charge state for a range of desired gains can be configured for use with a shared or common rest state, i.e., a capacitor configuration which is the same regardless of the desired gain. In the charge state, selected capacitors are configured in series for the desired gain setting, while in the shared rest state, all the capacitors are configured in parallel from the output to the input. Because a shared rest state is used, the correct charge is always transferred at the desired gain with a single switched capacitor array.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to switched capacitor arrays for use in DC-DC converters and more particularly to such arrays which are configurable to provide both buck and boost conversion.
2. Related Art
In electronic circuits, when multiple devices are to be powered by a single power supply, the power supply, operating on a single voltage source, must be able to provide a plurality of supply voltages to the various devices. In other applications, when a constant voltage is required by an electronic device, the power supply must be able to provide a regulated supply voltage from a variable voltage source, such as a battery. In both situations, a DC-DC converter utilizing a switched capacitor array is commonly used to provide the desired supply voltages. A switched capacitor array is generally a circuit of switches and capacitors which are configurable to provide multiple gains. A control unit for turning the switches on and off allows the capacitors to be configured and reconfigured such that select capacitors are charged and discharged to convert an input voltage to a desired output voltage, with the desired gain.
One common type of switched capacitor array is a voltage divider. The voltage divider circuit functions as a DC-DC converter to produce an output voltage which is lower than or equal to the value of the input or primary voltage source. Typical voltage divider arrays use N capacitors to produce different step-down or buck gains (gains .ltoreq.1) by configuring the capacitors in series across a voltage source to charge the capacitors and then configuring the capacitors in parallel to discharge the capacitors into a load capacitor. By alternately charging and discharging capacitors, gains within the gain region of 1/N are possible, i.e., 1/2, 1/3, . . . , 1/N. Even though such circuits have high operating efficiency, they are limited in that the output voltages are confined to integer divisions of the input voltage.
To increase the range of gains, U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,743, entitled "DC-to-DC Voltage Converter" to Suzuki et al., discloses a voltage divider circuit utilizing N capacitors and one main capacitor, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In Suzuki, the N capacitors are connected in parallel with one another and in series with the main capacitor during a charging cycle in which all the capacitors are charged. The N capacitors are then connected in series with one another and in parallel with the main capacitor during a discharging cycle in which the capacitors are discharged. As a result, a voltage divider is obtained which allows gains within the gain region of N/(N+1), i.e., 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, . . . , N/(N+1).
Another type of switched capacitor array is a voltage multiplier, which provides an output supply voltage greater than the input source voltage. Step-up or boost gains (gains >1) are commonly achieved by configuring N capacitors in parallel with a battery during the charge cycle and in series across a load. capacitor during the discharge cycle. Similar to the voltage divider discussed above, such voltage multipliers, which are well known in the art, are limited to gain in the gain region of N, i.e., integer gains of 2, 3, . . . , N.
A voltage multiplier capable of providing non-integer gains is also disclosed in Suzuki et al., incorporated by reference above. The voltage multiplier in Suzuki utilizes N auxiliary capacitors and a main capacitor. The N auxiliary capacitors are configured in series with each other and in parallel with the main capacitor and a battery during the charging cycle to charge the N auxiliary and one main capacitor. During the discharge cycle, the N auxiliary capacitors are configured in parallel with each other and in series with the main capacitor for discharging into a load capacitor. As a result, a voltage multiplier is obtained which allows gains within the gain region of (N+1)/N, i.e., 2, 3/2, 4/3, . . . , (N+1)/N.
Although capable of non-integer voltage division or multiplication, the above-described switched capacitor arrays are incapable of providing both buck and boost conversion, which is desired to increase flexibility and performance in power supplies. For example, different output voltages or a wider range of operating input voltages may be desired. In such cases, a buck-only converter will be unable to supply the necessary power when the input voltage is less than the desired output voltage, and the efficiency of a boost-only converter will be reduced if the input voltage is greater than the desired output voltage.
In Suzuki, incorporated above, a separate non-integer voltage divider circuit and a separate non-integer voltage multiplier circuit are used in a DC-to-DC converter for providing both boost and buck conversions, with each circuit operating independently of the other. However, requiring separate boost and buck arrays necessarily increases the size of the DC-to-DC converter. Another type of buck and boost converter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,614, entitled "Dynamically Configurable Switched Capacitor Power Supply and Method" to Fette et al., which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In contrast to Suzuki, the switched capacitor arrays in Fette are each capable of providing either integer division or integer multiplication, with each array operating jointly for non-integer buck or boost conversion. However, similar to Suzuki, Fette requires two separate switched capacitor arrays to implement such a converter.
Accordingly, a switched capacitor array is desired which is configurable for both buck and boost conversion, resulting in a smaller and less complex voltage converter.

Buck and boost switched capacitor gain stage with optional shared rest state


The present disclosure relates to a method and device for recognizing movement of a tennis racket, the method includes: collecting swing data of the tennis racket; extracting an data segment of an effective swing from the swing data of the tennis racket according to an effective ball hitting position; performing matching calculation between the data segment of the effective swing and preset template data, the preset template data corresponding to types of tennis racket movements; and acquiring a recognition result of the movement of tennis racket according to a result of the matching calculation. The method and device for recognizing movement of the tennis racket can improve the accuracy of the process of matching, avoid miscalculations of types of the swing movement of the tennis racket.

With the development of information and intelligence technology, there is more and more research on intelligent recognizing of the sport of tennis. Existing technology for tracking and recognizing the swing movement of tennis racket mainly includes a recognizing technology based on image video and recognizing technology based on sensors.
The recognizing technology based on image video mainly uses a high-speed camera to capture a mark provided on the tennis ball, thereby obtaining movement information of the tennis racket, and this method depends on analyzing and processing the image and the video. The recognizing technology based on sensors mainly uses an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor or the like to measure parameter information such as the special moving path, the speed and the rotational angle of various types of tennis, and further analyzing the parameters to recognize the racket swing.
However, High-speed cameras are necessary in recognizing technology based on image video, and the high-speed camera is expensive and inconvenient to carry. Accordingly, the recognizing technology based on image video only applies to professional training scenarios, and has high requirements on hardware platform and processing capability, which limits its scope of application.
On the other hand, although there are little limitations on the cost and application of the recognizing technology based on sensors, it is difficult to extract characteristic values of various types of movements due to the fact that the information such as accelerated speed and rotational angle or the like, which serve as the characteristic value, among various racket swing movements are similar, resulting in relatively high complexity and low distinguishability, and in turn resulting in too many errors in recognition result of the movement of tennis racket.

Method and device for recognizing movement of tennis racket

ShenZhen Coollang Cloud Computing Co., LTD


An integrated package is disclosed that is configured for an adhesive dressing having at least one area coated with an adhesive. The integrated package includes first and second packaging elements that, when coupled together, form a sealed volume with the adhesive dressing disposed within the sealed volume. The integrated package has at least one release surface coupled to the first packaging element, wherein a first portion of the release surface is removably coupled to the adhesive of the dressing. When the adhesive dressing is removed from the integrated package, the adhesive of the dressing is exposed without requiring a second step of removing a protective sheet. The release surface may be provided as a coating on the first packaging element or as a surface of a release sheet having an edge captured between the first and second packaging elements.

1. Field
The present invention generally relates to sterile packaging and, in particular, packaging for adhesive surgical coverings.
2. Description of the Related Art
Adhesive dressings are commonly used to cover a wound or other break in the skin. One commonly available example is the adhesive bandage, used by almost everyone to cover cuts and scrapes, that is rectangular with a gauze pad in the middle and adhesive areas on each side. Adhesive dressings are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to allow application over a range of sizes of injury as well as to injuries located in difficult-to-cover areas such as knuckles and finger tips.
In hospitals, adhesive surgical covers are often used to protect an infusion site, i.e. the location where an infusion cannula penetrates the skin and enters a vein. As a patient may receive infusions for an extended period of time, it is important to protect the infusion site against contamination that would lead to an infection of the site. Infusion site covers often have a clear membrane with adhesive applied around the perimeter so that the infusion site itself is visible but is not in contact with the adhesive.
Adhesive covers and dressings are usually provided with one or more release sheets covering the adhesive portions to form a handleable dressing that is commonly sterile packaged between two sheets of paper that are bonded around the edge to form a sterile envelope. The handleable dressing is loose within the sterile envelope.


Compositions and methods to clean contact lenses are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present composition comprises at least at least one enzyme capable of removing debris from a contact lens and at least one disinfectant destroying component capable of destroying a contact lens disinfectant which is incompatible with the at least one enzyme. The composition is structured so that the at least one enzyme is released in a liquid medium containing the contact lens disinfectant at substantially the same time or after the at least one disinfectant destroying component is released in the liquid medium, thereby allowing the at least one enzyme to remove debris from a contact lens in the liquid medium.

This invention relates to cleaning lenses, such as contact lenses. In particular, the invention relates to compositions and methods useful to quickly and effectively enzymatically clean contact lenses.
Contact lenses should be periodically disinfected and cleaned to protect the wearer's eyes from infection and to improve the wearer's comfort. It is often desirable that lens disinfecting be accomplished quickly, e.g., for the convenience of the wearer. However, conventional fast-acting disinfectants that are used with contact lenses have a high potential to cause eye irritation. A disinfectant which can be easily and effectively dissipated after use would be advantageous to reduce the chance of eye irritation.
In addition to being disinfected, the contact lens should be cleaned, e.g., of protein-based debris which accumulates on the lens during use. Such lens cleaning is often done in the presence of one or more enzymes. See, for example, Karageozian U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,296. In many instances, a complete lens maintenance procedure involves first enzymatic cleaning followed by a separate lens disinfecting step. It would be advantageous to provide for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses in a one-step procedure.