Polyphenylene ether (PPE) compositions with good fire and flame-retardant characteristics utilize lower levels of organophosphate fire-retardant, and therefore do not suffer from the drawbacks of previously known fire- and flame-retardant PPE compositions. The compositions include

This application relates to a flame-retarded polyphenylene ether (PPE) compositions and to a method of making same.
PPE is a thermoplastic material with high glass transition temperature, high dimensional stability, low specific gravity, hydrolytic stability and good mechanical performance. This combination of properties allows PPE based formulations to be injected molded into products which are used for high heat applications, for example in the automotive, electrical, and construction industries. For some applications, where increased modulus and strength are required, PPE may be reinforced with glass fibers. However, these reinforced PPE formulations have undesirable flammability characteristics. At high temperature or when exposed to flame, glass-filled PPE tends to burn continuously without extinguishing. Because of this, fire-retarded grades of glass-filled PPE (especially those rated UL94 V0) tend to be formulated using a large amount (for example  greater than 15% by weight for a rating of UL94 V0 at {fraction (1/16)}th inch thickness) of fire-retardant additives such as phosphorus-containing organic compounds. This increases the cost of the product, and also makes it more difficult to formulate glass fiber-reinforced PPE to meet UL94 V0 fire-retardant standards, because the addition of large amounts of phosphorus-containing organic compounds like resorcinol diphosphate plasticizes the composition and significantly reduces the heat deflection temperature of the formulation.
The present invention provides PPE compositions with good fire and flame-retardant characteristics, which utilize lower levels of organophosphate fire-retardant and which therefore do not suffer from the drawbacks of previously known fire- and flame-retardant PPE compositions. The compositions comprise
(a) a polymer component comprising at least 50% by weight of a polyphenylene ether;
(b) glass reinforcing fibers in an amount sufficient to increase the modulus and strength of the polymer component;
(c) a fire retardant component, preferably comprising an organophosphate fire retardant;
(d) an organoclay component in an amount effective to enhance the flame-retardant characteristics of the composition; and
(e) a mineral component. Other conventional additives utilized in formulation of PPE may be included. This composition can be used in the manufacture of injection molded articles such as electronic components, including television internals such as deflection yokes; printer chassis and plastic pallets.
The present invention further provides a method for preparation of a glass-reinforced PPE composition. In accordance with this method, the composition is prepared by compounding a mixture of
(a) a polymer component comprising at least 50% by weight of a polyphenylene ether;
(b) glass reinforcing fibers in an amount sufficient to increase the modulus and strength of the polyphenylene ether matrix;
(c) a fire retardant component, preferably comprising an organophosphate fire retardant;
(d) an organoclay component in an amount effective to enhance the flame-retardant characteristics of the composition; and
(e) a mineral component., as well as optional other components at elevated temperature to provide a homogenous blend of the materials. This compounding is suitably carried out in a screw type extruder at a temperature of 520 to 620xc2x0 F., preferably from 540 to 560xc2x0 F.
The PPE compositions of the present invention comprise a polymer component comprising at least 50% by weight of a polyphenylene ether; glass reinforcing fibers in an amount sufficient to increase the modulus and strength of the polyphenylene ether matrix; an organophosphate fire retardant component; an organoclay component in an amount effective to enhance the flame-retardant characteristics of the composition; and a mineral component. These components act synergistically to provide glass-fiber reinforced PPE with good fire and flame-retardant characteristics, which utilize lower levels of organophosphate fire-retardant and which therefore do not suffer from the drawbacks of previously known fire- and flame-retardant PPE compositions.
This synergism is demonstrated in the results of the tests described below in the Examples which are summarized in Tables 1, 3 and 4. In these tests, samples of glass-fiber reinforced PPE without organoclay and with various loadings of organoclay were prepared by compounding in a twin screw extruder. Some of the compositions were prepared with a mineral component (mica) and others without a mineral component. The samples were then injection molded and tested for flame-out time in accordance with the UL protocol for V0 rating.
The experiments indicated that addition of small amounts of organoclay along with a mineral component to fire-retardant glass-fiber reinforced PPE allowed achievement of enhanced fire-retardant performance and compliance with the UL94 V0 standard. Addition of larger amounts of organoclay, or the addition of small amounts of organoclay in the absence of the mineral component resulted in a deterioration of the fire-retardant performance. Thus, it is clear that there is a critical and synergistic combination of ingredients which leads to the improved characteristics of the compositions of the present invention.
The composition of the invention is made from a polymer component in which various fillers and additives are incorporated. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cpolymer componentxe2x80x9d refers to the combined mass of all organic polymers present in the composition. While the polymer component may be 100% of a polyphenylene ether, it may also include other polymers selected to achieve desired properties in the final composition. Thus, the polymer component of the composition comprises at least 50% by weight of one or more species of polyphenylene ether. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cpolyphenylene etherxe2x80x9d refers to individual polymeric PPE species or to mixtures of polymeric PPE species unless the context indicates otherwise.
PPE useful in the present invention is a polymer having repeat units of the general formula
wherein in the formula, R1, R2, R3, and R4 which may be the same or different each represent a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups and substituted and unsubstituted alkoxy groups. The PPE may be a homopolymer, i.e. the repeat units have the same structural formula, or a copolymer consisting of a combination of two or more types of repeat units where at least one of the R1, R2, R3, and R4 are different for each different repeat unit comprising the copolymer. The polymer is terminated at each end by a monovalent chemical group or atom such as hydrogen, a halogen, a monovalent hydrocarbon radical (saturated, unsaturated or aromatic) or the like. There are no particular restrictions on the method of manufacturing PPE. For example, this may be produced by reacting phenols according to the procedures presented in the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,306,874, 3,257,357, or 3,257,358. Examples of these phenols include 2,6-dimethylphenol, 2,6-diethylphenol, 2,6-dibutylphenol, 2,6-dilaurylphenol, 2,6-dipropylphenol, 2,6-diphenylphenol, 2-methyl-6-ethylphenol, 2-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol, 2-methyl-6-tolyl)phenol, 2-methyl-6-methoxyphenol, 2-methyl-6-butylphenol, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2,3,6-trimethylphenol, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenol, 2,6-diethoxyphenol, etc., but the invention is not limited to these. One may either use a corresponding homopolymer obtained by reacting one of the above substances or a corresponding copolymer obtained by reacting two or more of the above substances and having the different units contained in the above formula. Specific examples of PPE polymers useful in the invention include but are not limited to poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-diethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-methyl-6-ethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-methyl-6-propyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dipropyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, and poly(2-ethyl-6-propyl-1,4-phenylene) ether. Moreover, an example of the PPE copolymer is a copolymer partially containing an alkyl trisubstituted phenol such as 2,3,6-trimethylphenol in the aforementioned polyphenylene ether repeated unit. The PPE resins may also be copolymers having a styrene compound grafted on. An example of such a styrene-compound-grafted polyphenylene ether is a copolymer obtained by graft polymerization of a styrene compound such as styrene, .alpha.-methylstyrene, vinylstyrene, or chlorostyrene onto the aforementioned PPE.
Additional polymeric materials which may be included, individually or in combination, in the polymer component of the invention include crystalline polystyrene which can be added in amounts of 0 to 50% by weight of the polymer component to improve processability, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), which can be added in amounts of 0 to 50% by weight of the polymer component to improve processability and increase impact strength; EPDM and styrene-butadiene block copolymers which can be added in amounts of 0 to 20% by weight of the polymer component to improve the impact properties of the polymer component; and polyamides such as nylon-6,6 and nylon-6 which can be added in amounts of 0 to 50% by weight of the polymer component to improve melt flow and impart increased resistance to organic solvents. The polymeric component may also include a terpene phenol resin (i.e., a copolymer of monoterpenes and phenol such as NIREZ 2150/7042(trademark)) in amounts of 0 to 25% by weight of the polymeric component to provide better flow to the composition. Other polymers that can be blended in the compositions of the invention include polyphenylene sulfides in amounts from 0 to 50% by weight to improve heat deflection temperature and the flow.
Glass fibers suitable for use in the compositions of the invention may be of various lengths appropriate and thicknesses appropriate to the application. Coatings of coupling agents, such as aminosilanes may be employed if desired. The glass fibers are added in an amount sufficient to increase the modulus and the strength of the product by a desired amount, and persons skilled in the art will be able to judge the appropriate levels and type of glass fiber needed to achieve a given result. In general, glass fibers are added in amounts of 5 to 50% by weight.
The fire retardant component of the compositions may be a halogenated fire retardant such as brominated polystyrene. Ecologically-preferred compositions, however, are halogen-free and utilize an organophosphate fire retardant. The organophosphate fire retardant component of the compositions may be any of numerous organophosphorus fire retardants which are known in the art. Specific examples include resorcinol diphosphate, bisphenol A diphosphate, tetraxylyl piperazine diphosphoramide, and the like, e.g. such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,933,386; 4,343,732; 5,455,292 and RE 36,188 herein and herewith specifically incorporated by reference. The amount of organophosphate fire retardant is selected to achieve the desired final level of fire-retardance. Because of the synergistic effects of utilizing the organoclay additives in the compositions of the invention, the amount of organophosphate fire-retardant can be reduced, and will generally be in the range of 5 to 30% by weight.
The organoclay component comprises one or more organoclay materials. As used herein, organoclay is a layered silicate clay, derived from layered minerals, in which organic structures have been chemically incorporated. Illustrative examples of organic structures are trimethyldodecylammonium ion and N,Nxe2x80x2-didodecylimidazolium ion. Since the surfaces of clay layers, which have a lattice-like arrangement, are electrically charged, they are capable of binding organic ions. There is no limitation with respect to the layered minerals employed in this invention other than that they are capable of undergoing an ion exchange with the organic ions. The preferred organoclays are layered minerals that have undergone cation exchange with organo-cations and/or onium compounds. Illustrative of such layered minerals are the kaolinite group and the montmorillonite group. It is also within the scope of this invention to employ minerals of the illite group which can include hydromicas, phengite, brammallite, glaucomite, celadonite and the like. Often, however, the preferred layered minerals include those often referred to as 2:1 layered silicate minerals like muscovite, vermiculite, saponite, hectorite and montmorillonite, wherein montmorillonite is often preferred. The layered minerals described above may be synthetically produced. However, most often they are naturally occurring and commercially available. Organoclays of the type suitable for use in this invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,773,502 and 5,530,052 which are incorporated herein by reference.
The mineral component may be a silicate, such as mica, or regular clay or talc.
Other additives can be included in the compositions of the invention in accordance with conventional practice in the art. For example, stabilizers such as sterically hindered phenols, organic phosphites, diazide oxalates, sterically hindered amines or amine N-oxides may be incorporated. Other exemplary additives include ZnS which functions to deactivate residual copper-based catalyst present in PPE, MgO or ZnO which function as an acid quencher to quench acid generated by the deactivation of residual catalyst, and carbon black or other colorant which functions as a pigment to color the composition.
The invention will now be further described with reference to the following, non-limiting examples.

Fire retardant polyphenylene ether-organoclay composition and method of making same

Abstract: (a) a polymer component containing at least 50% of a polyphenylene ether;

Abstract: (c) a fire retardant component which is preferably an organophosphate fire retardant;

Abstract: (e) a mineral component. Other conventional additives utilized in formulation of PPE may be included. The composition is made by mixing the ingredients and compounding into a composition which is suitable for injection molding. This composition can be used in the manufacture of injection molded articles such as electronic components, including television internals such as deflection yokes; printer chassis and plastic pallets.


Apparatus suitable for employment in the burping of a water bed comprises. a screw thread or bayonet in the burping and/or filling opening of a waterbed having a removable cap, and PA1 air withdrawal means capable of withdrawing air and/or liquid from the waterbed having a cooperating element engageable with the fitting. PA1 removing the cap of the fitting in the filling apparatus of a waterbed without substantial loss of liquid therefrom, PA1 attaching an air withdrawal device to the fitting about the opening from which the cap has been removed, PA1 actuating the air withdrawal device to withdraw air from the bed (with or without lifting of the region of the bag about the fitting to which the apparatus has been attached) and, PA1 detaching the air withdrawal device from the fitting when the fitting is positioned so as to minimize the risk of entry of air into the bag and, thereafter refitting the cap to the fitting.. The method of burping a waterbed comprises

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to means for removing air from a vessel and in particular, although not solely, to means and methods for "burping" a waterbed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the advent of waterbeds there has been an awareness of the need to periodically "burp" the waterbed so as to remove air bubbles therefrom which would otherwise float around on the surface of the water or other liquid within the bag of the waterbed thus giving rise to noise which can be distracting and in some cases even to some measure of discomfort. Traditionally the burping has taken the form of rolling some member along the length of a bed so as to coax air bubbles to a "burping" opening from which a screw cap can normally be removed for the purpose. Almost invariably there is a loss of some liquid which gives rise to the need for mopping up.


A gasket for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a sealing element formed by an extrusion and ironing process in combination with a folding operation. The gasket has a plate that includes a body portion, a flange portion and an aperture. The thickness of the flange portion is reduced to less than that of the body portion by the extrusion and ironing process. The flange portion is then folded back onto a surface of the plate in facing relation to form a stopper seal to act as a primary seal. Optional embossments may then be formed radially and outwardly of the stopper seal so as to form a secondary seal.

It is known to provide metallic gaskets for sealing opposed joint surfaces of a cylinder head and a cylinder block of an engine. Typical gaskets are provided with apertures which cooperate with the combustion chambers, water passages and oil passages in the engine. The apertures are further provided with some kind of sealing element.
Known sealing elements have included a separate sealing layer for the gasket, a welded on shim, or a thermal spray deposit applied to the outer surface of the gasket. Sealing elements of these types involve more materials, more assembly time, and therefore disadvantageously increase production costs.
Other known metallic gaskets include a metal plate having a substantially uniform thickness that has a portion near the apertures folded over onto the metal plate to create an increased thickness sealing surface. Such sealing elements often exhibit performance problems as the fold areas are prone to cracking due to the thickness of the metal plate.
To overcome such problems, one known gasket includes a metal plate that is provided with stepped portions such that the thickness of the plate is varied. The metal plate is folded at the portion of the plate that has a reduced cross-sectional thickness than the remainder of the plate. However, providing the stepped portions on the plate involves an extra machining step, as well as a specialized tooling set up to achieve precise tolerances, thereby serving to drive production costs upward.
Other known gaskets that have folded sealing elements utilize a metal plate with a substantially uniform thickness, but which further includes the addition of annular grooves in a surface of the metal plate. The grooves are positioned at the fold line and at that part at which the free ends of the folded portions are positioned such that the folded free ends do not come into contact with the metal plate. Gaskets of this kind also involve a separate expensive machining step to form the annular rings, thus increasing production costs.
Another known gasket only incorporates sealing beads as the sealing element on the perimeter of the gasket aperture. Sealing beads alone are unsatisfactory because significant compression is necessary to cause the beads to bear against the flanges of the cylinder head and cylinder block to create an adequate seal.
Therefore, there exists a need for a gasket having a minimum number of parts that can be manufactured cost-efficiently without sacrificing sealing effectiveness.

Single layer head gasket with integral stopper and method of making the same


The present invention provides a type I crystal of (E)-2-(7-trifluoromethyl-chroman-4-ylidene)-N-((7R)-7-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)acetamide having excellent TRPV1 antagonistic activity, a drug and a pharmaceutical composition containing this crystal, and a method for producing the crystal. The present invention provides a type I crystal of (E)-2-(7-trifluoromethyl-chroman-4-ylidene)-N-((7R)-7-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)acetamide that is excellent in at least one feature selected from the group consisting of storage stability, photostability and thermodynamic stability, that can be preferably obtained with industrially high reproducibility, yield and purity, and that is useful as a crystal of an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

In studies related to the pain-producing mechanism, a receptor (TRPV1) for capsaicin, which is a main pungent taste component of chili pepper, was cloned in 1997 (Non-Patent Document 1). The TRPV1, which is a receptor that recognizes capsaicin, is widely expressed in primary sensory neurons involved in pain sensation, as well as in afferent sensory fibers including C fiber nerve endings, and many TRP family members have subsequently been cloned.
Members of the TRP family are structurally similar, having 6 transmembrane domains, and the N-terminal and C-terminal ends are located within the cell. TRPV1 allows cations such as a calcium ion and a sodium ion to flow into a cell when stimulated by capsaicin or by acid (pH 6.0 or less), heat (43° C. or more) or high osmotic pressure. Accordingly,
considering the expression sites of the TRPV1 receptor and the action of capsaicin, a marked contribution of the TRPV1 receptor to the excitement of nerve was assumed. Furthermore, contributions of TRPV1 in the living body have also been clarified in many existing reports, and in particular the involvement of TRPV1 in pain is suggested by the fact that thermal hypersensitivity due to neuropathic pain does not occur in mice in which TRPV1 is deleted (TRPV1 knockout mice), the fact that edema is suppressed in a Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induce inflammatory pain model (Non-Patent Document 2), and the fact that the desensitization action of a previously reported TRPV1 agonist produced an analgesic effect in a neuropathic pain model and an inflammatory pain model (Non-Patent Document 3).
Called a capsaicin receptor, TRPV1 is a known target of therapies for treating pain, especially acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain and visceral pain. TRPV1 is stimulated in particular by vanilloids such as capsaicin and by heat, protons and high osmotic pressure, and plays a central role in pain generation. It is also important in numerous other physiological and pathophysiological processes, and has been a target of many studies seeking therapies to treat diseases or disorders such as migraine, depression, neurodegenerative disease, cognitive disorders, anxiety, epilepsy, cough, diarrhea, pruritus, ocular pain, inflammation, cardiovascular system disorders, eating disorders, medication dependence, medication misuse and urinary incontinence and the like for example.
According to Example 71 of WO 2007/010383 (Patent Document 1), a compound (1) having excellent TRPV1 antagonism was obtained as a solid.

Crystal of a heterocyclidene acetamide derivative


A system for monitoring physical assets in a monitored environment. The system includes monitoring devices attached to monitored assets, and configured to collect monitoring data from the monitored assets, a first access point, configured to receive the collected monitoring data from the monitoring devices and to process the collected monitoring data, an Internet of Things (IoT) link established between each of the monitoring devices and the access point, and an IoT communication protocol overlay that enables synchronized uplinks from the monitoring devices to the first access point via the IoT links. The IoT communication protocol overlay governs transmissions of monitoring data by the monitoring devices to the access point. The system further includes a hub/cloud platform configured to receive the processed monitoring data from the first access point, perform data analytics on the processed monitoring data; and provide a user interface that enables a user to monitor the physical assets.

Availability of the status of various physical assets can be beneficial or even essential. For example, it may be useful to track the location of moving items or persons, for various reasons such as to provide security, to optimize certain operations, e.g., in industrial environments or logistic applications, and/or to provide useful instructions to a tracked person. Further, monitoring stationary objects may also be useful. Such a stationary object may be, for example, a sensor that can be queried to obtain information about the environment surrounding the sensor.

Method and system for monitoring physical assets


A tool for removing casement windows comprises a first bar bearing on the interior side of the main frame, a second bar bearing on the exterior vertical surfaces of the building, and apparatus connecting the two bars for controllably pulling the window toward the exterior of the building to free it from a retaining frame embedded in the wall of the building.

1. Field of the Invention
This tool is useful in removing the common steel frame type casement windows, for instance for replacement with more modern window units.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In prior times, a steel frame type of casement window was commonly used in buildings. This window unit generally comprised a steel frame containing glass window panels, one or more of which often had its own steel frame so that it could be opened and closed with a crank or other means.
These generally rectangular casement windows are usually permanently built into the wall opening with the main frame of the casement window being contained at the interior side of the wall by another steel frame of slightly smaller rectangular proportion that is embedded within the building wall. From the interior side, these casement windows are generally contained by the plaster interior sill and wall sides of the window opening. In replacing these casement type windows with windows having more advantageous features for easier cleaning, lower heat loss, etc., it thus is nearly always necessary to force the main frame of the window outward past the frame embedded in the wall. The embedded frame generally has an inside clearance that is slightly smaller than the outside dimensions of the portion of the main frame of the casement window which is held by the embedded frame.
Therefore it is necessary to exert considerable force on the casement window main frame, to force it outward past the embedded frame. The main frame of the casement window is to some extent distorted from this forcing of a portion of the main frame past the embedded frame. Generally the negative clearance between the two is relatively small, the relative proportions having been disigned merely to ensure containing the casement window against the forces usually encountered by a window unit. Thus an elastic distortion is usually sufficient for springing the casement unit outward past the embedded frame that contains it.
The tools that are generally used in this operation include a variety of the most common type of tool. This includes the hammer, chisel, screwdriver, prying bar, etc. These typically result in more than elastic distortion of the casement window, in damage to the interior wall and sill portions adjacent the casement window, and the exterior portions of the exterior wall and sill are also frequently damaged. Use of these basic tools usually requires considerable exertion and repeated attempts to gain the necessary mechanical advantage to force the casement unit outward past the embedded frame.
Use of such tools generally requires, or at least results in, considerable breakage of the glass panels in the casement window unit being removed. This is potentially quite dangerous for the workmen removing the window, and further results in broken glass at the job site.

Tool for removing casement window from building


A process for formulating a ruminant food ration in which the methionine needs of the ruminant are determined, a plurality of natural or synthetic feed ingredients and the nutrient composition of each of said ingredients are identified wherein one of said ingredients is 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid or a salt, amide or ester thereof, and a ration is formulated from the identified feed ingredients to meet the determined methionine needs of the ruminant which comprises one or more grains, a hydroxy analog of methionine, and optionally a bypass fat wherein (i) the hydroxy analog of methionine is selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid and the salts, amides and esters thereof, (ii) the hydroxy analog of methionine is added separately from any bypass fat which is included in the ration, and (iii) the ration is formulated on the basis that at least 20% of the hydroxy analog of methionine is assumed to be available for absorption by the ruminant.

The present invention generally relates to a process for satisfying the nutritional requirements of ruminants for methionine, and more specifically, to a process for meeting those nutritional requirements using the hydroxy analog of methionine (2-hydroxy-4(methylthio)butanoic acid) and its salts, amides and esters.
High producing dairy cows need methionine, lysine and other key essential amino acids to reach their genetic potential for milk production. While amino acids can be added directly to the diets of monogastric animals to overcome nutritional deficiencies, free amino acids are rapidly degraded by rumen bacteria and are of little or no practical benefit in alleviating amino acid deficiencies in ruminants.
Traditionally, undegradable intake protein ("UIP") such as blood meal, fish meal, corn gluten meal and others have been used to provide essential amino acids to ruminants. It is difficult, however, to accurately deliver needed levels of methionine and other essential amino acids without providing excess levels of other non-essential amino acids and, any excess nitrogen which UIP delivers to the rumen must be degraded and eliminated by the animal. Consequently, formulating feeds which satisfy the methionine requirements using UIP sources is not only expensive, it can also affect cow health and productive status.
As an alternative to UIP, attempts have been made to modify or protect methionine in a manner so that it is not susceptible, or at least is less susceptible, to rumen degradation. Various "coatings" for methionine have been proposed which, in theory, enable the rumen protected methionine ("RPM") to clear or "bypass" the rumen without significant destruction by rumen microflora and deliver this key amino acid to the small intestine. Once in the small intestine, the coating dissolves thereby freeing the methionine which is absorbed from the intestine.
The practical application of rumen protected methionine, however, has presented some challenges. For example, some products have limited solubility. For others, pelleting, expander conditioning, mixing, and other normal milling practices fracture the protective coating, making the methionine molecule vulnerable to rumen degradation. Some dairy producers have circumvented this problem by top dressing the rumen protected methionine on final rations. This labor intensive practice, however, does not allow the ingredient to be uniformly distributed in the diet. As a result, cows within a herd may consume different amounts of methionine.
It has been reported that the milk production of dairy cows can be increased by supplementing the diets of the cows with the hydroxy analog of methionine and its salts and esters. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,388,327. Previous attempts to implement this technology, however, were met with unpredictable milk production responses.
More recently, the calcium salt and the free acid forms of the hydroxy analog of methionine have been combined with bypass fats in a dry product for use as an ingredient of a ruminant food ration. As understood, the level of inclusion of the bypass fat/hydroxy analog dry product has been determined using a computer model which matches the nutritional requirements of the ruminant with available feed ingredients. This approach, however, suffers from several disadvantages. Because the two ingredients are combined in a predetermined ratio, the product offers less flexibility in formulating a ration which meets a least cost objective and precludes the possibility of formulating a feed ration which includes the hydroxy analog of methionine but not bypass fat. In addition, the dry form of the product is susceptible to the formation of undesirable dust and to non-uniform mixing with other feed ration ingredients.


A semiconductor integrated circuit including tow input nodes forming a pair; two output nodes configured to output amplification signals in accordance with a difference in signals inputted to the two input nodes; and at least one switching circuit for switching to a specific state in order to detect an input offset voltage of the semiconductor integrated circuit before a signal to be amplified is inputted to the input node; and the amplification signals are outputted for the two output nodes in a state that the input offset voltage of the semiconductor integrated circuit is corrected.

(i) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit for outputting a voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between two data lines (for example, bit lines) and aims at a circuit used for a sense amplification circuit and the like such as an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).
(ii) Related Background Art
In a memory such as an SRAM, data read from a memory cell through a bit line is amplified by a sense amplifier and then outputted.
FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of a conventional sense amplifier. The illustrated sense amplifier includes: a flip flop composed of PMOS transistors Q1 and Q2 and NMOS transistors Q3 and Q4 for latching a voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between a pair of bit lines; an NMOS transistor Q5 for switching whether source terminals of the NMOS transistors Q3 and Q4 are set to a ground voltage; PMOS transistors Q6 and Q7 for switching whether voltages of bit lines BL and BLB are fetched to the flip flop; a PMOS transistor Q8 for equalization; and PMOS transistors Q9 and Q10 for pre-charging.
By turning on the NMOS transistor Q5, a very small voltage difference between a pair of bit lines BL and BLB is amplified by the flip flop and outputted from terminals SA and SAB (nodes S and SB).
Further, when the PMOS transistors Q8, Q9 and Q10 for equalization and pre-charging are in the ON state, the flip flop does not perform the latch operation, and both the nodes S and SB are pre-charged to the high level. When carrying out pre-charging, the NMOS transistor Q5 is turned off so as to prevent a passing electric current from flowing to the flip flop.
The respective transistors Q1 to Q4 composing the flip flop do not necessarily have the same characteristic and it is often the case that these transistors may have different threshold values. Assuming that the threshold values of the PMOS transistor Q1 and the NMOS transistor Q4 are shallow while the threshold values of the PMOS transistor Q2 and the NMOS transistor Q3 are deep, the node S of the flip flop is apt to become the high level, and the node SB tends to become the low level.
At this moment, if the voltage of the bit line BL is lower than that of the bit line BLB and a voltage difference between both the bit lines is small, the flip flop may output a voltage which is in the relationship reversed from the voltage relationship of the bit lines BL and BLB. In general, a minimum voltage difference between a pair of bit lines required for the flip flop to output correct data is called an offset voltage.
The offset voltage of the sense amplifier is determined by fluctuation of the threshold voltages of the transistors composing the sense amplifier. Furthermore, the offset voltage is also influenced by fluctuation of a parasitic capacitance such as wiring resistance or capacitance or asymmetry of a layout. In usual, the offset voltage of the sense amplifier is approximately 50 mV.
The sense amplifier shown in FIG. 15 will now be described in connection with the influence of the offset voltage when the sense amplifier is provided in the SRAM. The capacitance of a pair of the bit lines BL and BLB is approximately 1 pF, and a cell selected by a word line pulls out the electric charge of one of a pair of the bit lines pre-charged to a power supply voltage VDD. As a result, a very small voltage difference appears in a pair of the bit lines, and this voltage difference is amplified by the sense amplifier. At this time, assuming that the offset voltage of the sense amplifier is 50 mv, the time of 0.5 ns is required to give voltage difference of 50 mV to a pair of the bit lines as represented by the following expression (1):
1 pFxc3x9750 mV÷100 xcexcA=0.5 nsxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
This time is a considerably large time for the memory which operates at a high speed, and it is important to reduce the offset voltage of the sense amplifier in order to increase the speed of the memory.
In view of the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit capable of reducing the influence of an offset voltage when amplifying and outputting a voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between first and second data lines.
To achieve this aim, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:
two input nodes forming a pair;
two output nodes configured to output amplification signals in accordance with a difference in signals inputted to said two input nodes; and
at least one switching circuit for switching to a specific state in order to detect an input offset voltage of said semiconductor integrated circuit before a signal to be amplified is inputted to said input node; and
said amplification signals are outputted from said two output nodes on a state that the input offset voltage of said semiconductor integrated circuit is corrected.
Further, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:
first and second transistors having gate terminals being connected to each other and one drain terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
third and fourth transistors having gate terminals being connected to each other and one drain terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
a fifth transistor connected between a connection point of said respective drain terminals of said first and second transistors and a first data line;
a sixth transistor connected between a connection point of said respective drain terminals of said third and fourth transistors and a second data line; and
an offset supply circuit configured to supply an offset voltage to at least one of said first and second data lines before turning on said fifth and sixth transistors in order to cancel out said input offset voltage of said semiconductor integrated circuit,
wherein said connection point of said respective drain terminals of said first and second transistors is connected to said respective gate terminals of said third and fourth transistors, and said respective gate terminals of said first and second transistors are connected to a connection point of the respective drain terminals of the third and fourth transistors.
Furthermore, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:
first and second transistors having gate terminals being connected to each other and one drain terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
third and fourth transistors having gate terminals being connected to each other and one drain terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
a fifth transistor connected between a connection point of said respective drain terminals of said first and second transistors and a first data line;
a sixth transistor connected between a connection point of said respective drain terminals of said third and fourth transistors and a second data line;
a seventh transistor connected between said respective gate terminals of said first and second transistors and said first data line; and
an eighth transistor connected between said respective gate terminals of said third and fourth transistors and said second data line,
wherein said connection point of said respective drain terminals of said first and second transistors is connected to said respective gate terminals of said third and fourth transistors, and said respective gate terminals of said first and second transistors are connected to said respective drain terminals of said third and fourth transistors.
Further, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:
first and second transistors having gate terminals being connected to each other and one drain terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
third and fourth transistors having gate terminals being connected to each other and one drain terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
a fifth transistor connected between a connection point of said respective drain terminals of said first and second transistors and a first data line;
a sixth transistor connected between a connection point of said respective drain terminals of said third and fourth transistors and a second data line;
a seventh transistor connected between said respective gate terminals of said first and second transistors and said first data line; and
an eighth transistor connected between said respective gate terminals of said third and fourth transistors and said second data line,
wherein said connection point of said respective drain terminals of said first and second transistors is connected to said respective gate terminals of said third and fourth transistors, and said respective gate terminals of said first and second transistors are connected to said respective drain terminals of said third and fourth transistors.
Furthermore, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:
first and second transistors having one source terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
third and fourth transistors having one source terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
a fifth transistor connected between source terminals of said second and fourth transistors and a first voltage terminal;
a sixth transistor connected between drain terminals of said first and third transistors and a second voltage terminal;
a seventh transistor connected between drain terminals of said first and third transistors and said first voltage terminal; and
an eighth transistor connected between source terminals of said second and fourth transistors and said second voltage terminal,
wherein a first data line is connected to gate terminals of said first and fourth transistors,
a second data line being connected to gate terminals of said second and third transistors.
In addition, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:
first and second transistors having one source terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
third and fourth transistors having one source terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
a fifth transistor connected between source terminals of said second and fourth transistors and a first voltage terminal;
a sixth transistor connected between drain terminals of said first and third transistors and a second voltage terminal;
a seventh transistor connected between drain terminals of said first and third transistors and said first voltage terminal; and
an eighth transistor connected between source terminals of said second and fourth transistors and said second voltage terminal,
wherein a first data line is connected to gate terminals of said first and fourth transistors,
a second data line being connected to gate terminals of said second and third transistors.
Furthermore, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:
first and second transistors having one source terminal connected to the other drain terminal;
third and fourth transistors having one source terminal connected to the other drain terminal;
a fifth transistor connected between said source terminals of said second and fourth transistors and a first voltage terminal;
a sixth transistor connected between said drain terminals of said first and third transistors and a second voltage terminal;
a seventh transistor connected between said source terminals of said second and fourth transistors and said second voltage terminal;
an eighth transistor having a gate terminal being connected to a gate terminal of said first transistor and having a drain terminal being connected to said source terminal of said first transistor and a gate terminal of said third transistor;
a ninth transistor having a gate terminal being connected to said gate terminal of said third transistor and having a drain terminal being connected to said source terminal of said third transistor and said gate terminal of said first transistor; and
a tenth transistor connected between source terminals of said eighth and ninth transistors and said first voltage terminal,
wherein a first data line is connected to a gate terminal of said second transistor and a second data line is connected to a gate terminal of said fourth transistor.
Furthermore, there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:
first and second transistors having gate terminals being connected to each other and one drain terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
third and fourth transistors having gate terminals being connected to each other and one drain terminal being connected to the other drain terminal;
a fifth transistor connected between a connection point of said both drain terminals of said first and second transistors and a first data line;
a sixth transistor connected between a connection point of said both drain terminals of said third and fourth transistors and a second data line;
a first voltage setting circuit capable of further strongly (further weakly) holding low-level voltages of said both gate terminals of said first and second transistors; and
a second voltage setting circuit capable of further strongly (further weakly) holding low-level voltage of said both gate terminals of said third and fourth transistors,
wherein said connection point of said both drain terminals of said first and second transistors is connected to said respective gate terminals of said third and fourth transistors, and said respective gate terminals of said first and second transistors are connected to said connection point of said both drain terminals of said third and fourth transistors.
According to the present invention, since an amplification signal in accordance with a difference between signals inputted to the two input nodes is outputted with a detected input offset voltage being corrected, the amplification signal is not affected by the input offset voltage.
Moreover, an offset voltage caused due to fluctuation of threshold voltages of the first to fourth transistors composing the flip flop is detected, and the voltages of the first and second data lines are corrected so as to cancel out the offset voltage. Therefore, the influence of the offset voltage can be reduced when amplifying and outputting a voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between the first and second data lines.

Semiconductor integrated circuit capable of adjusting input offset voltage


An electronic device includes a charging unit that charges a battery using power from an external power source, an authentication unit that performs authentication to determine whether the battery is a predetermined battery, a detection unit that detects a voltage of the battery, and a control unit that causes the charging unit to charge the battery with a current not more than a first current value until the voltage of the battery reaches a first predetermined value and causes the authentication unit to operate on power from the battery when the voltage of the battery reaches the first predetermined value. When the voltage of the battery has reached the first predetermined value, the control unit causes the authentication unit to authenticate the battery.

Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention generally relate to an electronic device which operates on a chargeable battery and a method of controlling the electronic device.
Description of the Related Art
An electronic device which operates on a chargeable battery places importance on the safety of the battery. For example, before starting charging the battery, the electronic device takes safety measures such as authenticating the battery.
When charging the battery in a fully discharged state while an authentication circuit on the battery side does not function, the electronic device cannot activate even its internal circuit because of low voltage. In this case, the electronic device uses an external power source to charge the battery to a level at which the device can activate the internal circuit, thereby making the external power source activate the internal circuit to perform authentication. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-273219 discloses a technique of performing authentication using an internal circuit operating on an external power source when an authentication circuit on the battery side is made to function by preliminary charging.
When, however, a battery is authenticated using power supplied from an unidentified external power source, the authentication of the battery cannot be sometimes normally completed depending on the power supply capability of the external power source and responsiveness to the variation in load of the external power source.

Electronic device and method of controlling electronic device


Systems and methods for controlling access to electronic collaboration content data associated with a plurality of organizations. The system includes one or more databases storing the electronic collaboration content data. An identity aggregator receives a request for access to the electronic collaboration content data from an individual's client device and determines an internal user identifier of the individual, that represents an aggregate identity of the individual corresponding to at least one of organizational identities or external identities. A content access manager maps the internal user identifier to content permissions associated with the individual across each organization that is associated with the individual and the external content services associated with the individual. The content access manager permits access by the client device to at least a portion of the electronic data stored among the databases across each organization associated with the individual and based on the individual's content permissions.

Effective social network collaboration in complex networked environments may be challenging. Collaboration may include communication across hierarchical levels of an organization as well as across organizational boundaries. However, the amount of communications produced by even a single organization may be intractable for an individual or even a team to manage. The problem may be exacerbated when individuals from multiple organizations collaborate. Thus, communications may be filtered in order for the communications to support effective collaborations.
Effective collaboration may also depend upon a limited circle of contributors that are able to access and produce shared content. Some members of a collaboration circle may be part of the same organization. However, generally, collaboration circles may span multiple organizations and/or different hierarchy levels.
Organizations typically rely upon stand-alone (i.e., siloed) networks to support collaboration of their members. However, stand-alone networks intrinsically limit communication. In practice, to work around this limitation, only some collaboration occurs in these stand-alone systems. Instead, much of the communication occurs through other mediums such as emails, phone calls, and other messaging platforms. The value of the collaboration that takes place in this ad-hoc fashion may be vastly diminished, because the artifacts of the collaboration may not be coherent, archived, or searchable. Furthermore, access to this content may not be easily managed by the collaborating organizations.
There is a need for systems capable of managing content access and sharing across organizations, while still protecting the content from unauthorized access. There is also a need for systems capable of providing searchable content and ongoing collaboration artifacts to the appropriate individuals in a collaboration circle.

Methods of enabling inter-organizational and public social collaboration


An apparatus, method, and system are provided to accept a delivery through an opening such as a window in a wall of a package that is transported by any aerial vehicle such as a drone or other similar device. The system is completely installed on the inside of the building and extends out through the portal to receive the package from the aerial vehicle. Once the package has been transferred to this system from the aerial vehicle, it moves the package into the building through the same opening and sufficiently distances itself and the package from the opening so that the window or portal can close. The package is then placed on the floor in front of the window or portal and the apparatus moves the package to a position that allows for a space to place another package following a future delivery.

Drone delivery is presently a nascent service that promises to transport a package from a variety of sources directly to a customer's location. In a vast number of cases that desired destination is the customer's home or place of business. Today that service is executed manually by a delivery person and incurs the overhead of the transportation vehicles, such as trucks, to move the person and packages, as well as the cost of employing the person executing the driving and manual delivery. In many cases the customer is not available to receive the package and an attempt must be made at a later time, thereby increasing the cost of the delivery.
Drone delivery offers the promise of reducing the logistical cost for a class of packages under a certain size and weight threshold. Yet, because existing drone delivery processes do not convey a person to execute the final step in the delivery process—that of ringing the doorbell and handing the package to the customer—drone delivery systems target areas near a person's home where the package could be either landed or lowered via a tether. Most existing systems or proposed systems offer no mitigation of potential theft if the customer is not present to receive the package. Additionally, in cases of inclement weather the package may remain outside for an excessive period of time, potentially resulting in damage to its contents. Any drone delivery device that does not protect the package from inclement weather poses a significant liability to the shipping entity. Additionally, if the contents of the package have a desirable aroma the unattended package could be damaged by an animal in pursuit of its contents. It is for these and potentially other undesirable reasons that the promise of drone delivery may not be realized unless a more secure and controlled means is made available to accept the package.
In the case where a customer lives in a city, and especially if they live in a multi-tenant building with moderate foot traffic, the only existing secure location for a drone to deliver a package may be on the roof. The promise of drone delivery may be highly constrained if every delivery requires that the customer climb to the roof to retrieve their package. This is especially true in the cases were the building is both high and requires ascending a staircase to access the roof. In the cases were the multi-tenant roof is not designed to be accessed from within, that delivery channel may be unavailable. Additionally, an elderly person should not be expected to ascend stairs or a ladder each time a package arrives. Aside from entering through an open door, the only other portal to transport a package into the interior of a building may be through the window.

Window-based delivery apparatus for packages conveyed by drones


Disclosed are novel 1-galactose derivatives having a carbon- or nitrogen-containing aglycon linkage. The disclosed compounds inhibit binding of toxins, such as heat-labile enterotoxin or cholera toxin, to their receptors either in vitro or in vivo. The disclosed compounds also inhibit binding of enterovirulent organisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungi, and the like), such as Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, to their cell surface receptors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to novel 1-galactose derivatives having a carbon- or nitrogen-containing aglycon linkage. The compounds of this invention inhibit binding of toxins, such as heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) or cholera toxin (CT), to their receptors either in vitro or in vivo. Additionally, the compounds of this invention inhibit binding enterovirulent organisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungi, and the like) such as Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, to their cell surface receptors.
References
The following publications, patents and patent applications are cited in this application as superscript numbers:
.sup.1 Spangler, B. D., "Structure and Function of Cholera Toxin and Related Escherichia coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin", Microbiological Reviews, 56(4): 622-647 (1992). .sup.2 Hol, W. G. J., et al., "Structure and Function of E. coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin and Cholera Toxin B Pentamer", Bacterial Toxins and Virulence Factors in Disease, Ed. by J. Moss et al., Marcel Dekker, Inc. (1995). .sup.3 Williams (ed.), Synthesis of Optically Active .alpha.-Amino Acids, Pergamon Press (1989). .sup.4 Evans et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 112: 4011-4030 (1990). .sup.5 Pu et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 56: 1280-1283 (1991). .sup.6 Williams et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 113: 9276-9286 (1991). .sup.7 Maarten H. D. Postema, "Recent Developments in the Synthesis of C- Glycosides" Tetrahedron, Vol. 48, No. 40, pp. 8545-8599 (1992). .sup.8 O. R. Martin et al., J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, 5188-5190. .sup.9 L. Petrus et al., Chem zvesti 1982, 36, 103. .sup.10 A. Fortsch et al., Carbohydr. Res. 1987, 164, 391. .sup.11 Y. Araki et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1987, 28, 5853. .sup.12 B. Giese et al., Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. Engl. 1986, 25, 450. .sup.13 Norberg et al., Carbohydr. Res. 1988, 183, 71. .sup.14 R. M. Williams et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1983, 27, 2715. .sup.15 A. O. Stewart et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1985, 107, 4289. .sup.16 D. S. Brown et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1989, 45, 4293. .sup.17 K. Narasaka et al., Chem. Lett. 1987, 2139. .sup.18 S. Murata et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1982, 25, 2601. .sup.19 T. Mukaiyama et al., Carbohydr. Res. 1987, 171, 71. .sup.20 M. Shimizu et al., Chem. Lett. 1984, 1531. .sup.21 M. G. Hoffman et al., Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1985, 2403. .sup.22 P. Allevi et al., J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1987, 101. .sup.23 Kagen et al., Synlett, 1990, 643-650. .sup.24 U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,858, issued December 3, 1996, to R. M. Ippolito et al. .sup.25 M. Dubois et al., Anal. Chem., 28, (1979) 350-356. .sup.26 U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,401, issued January 30, 1979, to R. Lemieux et al. .sup.27 H. H. Westal et al., "Methods of Enzymology," 34(b), 64 (1974). .sup.28 Svennerholm, A-M. et al., Current Microbiology, 1: 19-23 (1978).
All of the above publications, patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.
2. State of the Art
Toxins produced by organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi and other organisms, are known to cause a number of animal and human diseases, including many diarrheal diseases. For example, heat-labile enterotoxin ("LT"), secreted by certain enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, has been identified as one of the causative agents of bacterial-induced traveller's diarrhea..sup.1 Additionally, cholera toxin ("CT"), produced by Vibrio cholerae, has been identified as the causative agent of the severe diarrheal disease, cholera..sup.1
Heat-labile enterotoxin and cholera toxin are known to bind to oligosaccharide receptors on host cells as an initial step in the pathological development of the associated disease condition..sup.2 Specifically, both LT and CT are known to bind to ganglioside G.sub.M1, a glycosphingolipid situated in the outer leaflet of the host cell membrane..sup.2 G.sub.M1 has a characteristic pentasaccharide structure, i.e., Gal(.beta.1.fwdarw.3)GalNAc(.beta.1.fwdarw.4){NeuAc(.alpha.2.fwdarw.3)}Gal (.beta.1-.fwdarw.4)Glc, on its surface which serves as a receptor for LT and CT. LT is also known to bind to other gangliosides, such as ganglioside G.sub.D1b.
Additionally, many virulent organisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungi, and the like) including enterovirulent organisms bind to cell surface receptors as part of the disease process. For example, bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli can directly bind to cell surface receptors forming a colony at the point of attachment. Such binding is detrimental because it permits expressed toxin to immediately interact with the cell surface.
In order to ameliorate or prevent the noxious or deleterious effects caused by toxins and organisms, it would be highly desirable to be able to inhibit the binding of the toxin or the organism to its corresponding cell surface receptor. The present invention provides novel 1-galactose derivatives which effectively inhibit such binding.


In a method of determining an exposure amount, image data is fetched, and an image is divided into a plurality of regions by binarization or another technique, a shape pattern representing a contour of the head of a human figure is detected, and a face candidate region is set in accordance with the detected pattern. Next, a shape pattern representing a contour of the face of the human figure, a shape pattern representing an internal structure of the face of the human figure, and a shape pattern representing a contour of the body of the human figure are detected respectively. The consistency of a face candidate region is determined consecutively by the detected patterns, and a region having the highest probability of being a region corresponding to the face of the human figure is determined. The above processing is carried out a plurality of times while a threshold for binarization and parameters for controlling the relative fineness of the division of the image are varied. The data on the finally determined facial region is outputted as a result of determination.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of determining an exposure amount and a method of extracting a figure, and more particularly to a method of determining an exposure amount by deciding a region corresponding to the face of a human figure which is present in an original image and determining an exposure amount such that the decided region is printed in an appropriate color, and to a method of extracting a figure so as to extract from an image a region in which a figure to be extracted is present.
2. Description of the Related Art
The portion which attracts the most attention of viewers when appreciating a portrait photograph is the face of the human figure. Therefore, when an original image of a human figure recorded on a film or the like is printed onto a photographic printing paper or the like, it is necessary to determine an exposure amount such that the color of the face of the human figure is printed in an appropriate color.
For this reason, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 80242/1988 the present applicant has proposed the following method of determining an exposure amount: On the basis of the experiential rule that a portrait photograph has a high probability of a human figure being located in a substantially central portion of the image, the film image is divided into a plurality of regions which are predetermined in a fixed manner, and each region is weighted so that the weight of the region located in a substantially central portion of the image becomes heavy. A weighted mean value of the densities of three colors in each region is calculated, and an exposure amount is determined on the basis of the weighted mean value. With this method, there has been a problem in that although if the human figure is actually located in the vicinity of the substantially central portion of the image, it is possible to obtain an exposure amount for printing the human figure in an appropriate color, if the human figure is located at a position far removed from the central portion of the image, it is impossible to obtain an appropriate exposure amount.
In addition, the present applicant has proposed the following technique (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 346332/1992): A color original image is divided into a multiplicity of pixels, and each pixel is separated into three colors and is photometrically measured. A histogram concerning hue values (and saturation values) is prepared on the basis of the data obtained by photometry, and the histogram thus prepared is divided into the respective rectangles. A determination is made as to which of the divided rectangles the pixels belong, so as to classify the pixels into groups corresponding to the divided rectangles. The color original image is divided into a plurality of regions for each group (so-called clustering), a region corresponding to the face of a human figure among the plurality of regions is estimated, and an exposure amount is determined on the basis of the photometric data of the estimated region.
Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 160993/1994 discloses techniques in which, in order to improve the accuracy of extracting a region corresponding to the face of a human figure, a region contiguous to outer edges of the image is determined as being a background region, and is excluded, and an extracted region is formed as line graphics, and a determination is made as to whether or not the extracted region is a region corresponding to the face of a human figure, on the basis of the shape of a neighboring region located in the vicinity of the extracted region as well as the shape of the extracted region.
With the above-described techniques, however, if a skin-colored region, such as the ground and the trunk of a tree, is present in the original image, and the hue and saturation of the skin-colored region are similar to the hue and saturation of the region corresponding to the face of the human figure in the original image, there is a possibility of such a skin-colored region being erroneously determined as being a region corresponding to the face of a human figure. In addition, if this skin-colored region is contiguous to a region corresponding to the face of a human figure, the skin-colored region cannot be separated from the region corresponding to the face of a human figure, thereby making it impossible to separate the original image into proper ranges of regions. With the above-described prior art, there has been a problem in that since processing is carried out on the premise that one of the divided regions is a region corresponding to the face of a human figure, if the original image cannot be divided into proper ranges of regions, the region corresponding to the face of a human figure is erroneously determined, thereby making it impossible to obtain an exposure amount for printing the face of the human figure appropriately.
Further, the above-described problem of the erroneous determination of the region to be extracted in the event that the original image cannot be divided into proper ranges of regions applies not only to the extraction of the region corresponding to the face of a human figure, but also to the case in which a region where a particular figure is present is extracted from the image. In other words, there has been a problem in that even if the color and the like of a particular figure to be extracted are known in advance, the region where the particular figure is present cannot be extracted properly in cases where a region whose hue and saturation are similar to those of the particular figure is present in the image, or such a region is contiguous to a region corresponding to the particular figure.

Method of determining an exposure amount using optical recognition of facial features


A device and a method for controlling a high side DC/DC converter (HDC) of a hybrid vehicle are provided. The switching frequency of the HDC is variably adjusted based on situations of temperatures of an inductor and an IGBT switching element, which constitute the HDC, to maintain a balance between the temperatures of the inductor and the IGBT switching element. Accordingly, temperatures of the inductor and the IGBT switching element are detected, and the switching frequency of the HDC is variably adjusted based on a situation for each temperature of each element to maintain a balance between the temperatures of the inductor and the IGBT switching element, thereby improving the utilization rate of the IGBT switching element.

(a) Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a high side direct current/direct current (DC/DC) converter of a hybrid vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a high side DC/DC converter of a hybrid vehicle, in which the switching frequency of the high side DC/DC converter is variably adjusted based on temperatures of an inductor and an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switching element, which constitute the high side DC/DC converter, thereby maintaining a balance between the temperatures of the inductor and the IGBT switching element.
(b) Background Art
To maximize the efficiency of a drive motor of an eco-friendly vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a method of driving a motor is changed from a method of driving a motor by directly converting a voltage of a high-voltage battery using an inverter to a method of driving a motor using an inverter by primarily increasing energy of a high-voltage battery using a high side DC/DC converter. Accordingly, a high side DC/DC converter (hereinafter, referred to as a HDC) for primarily increasing a voltage of a high-voltage battery and applying the increased voltage to an inverter is mounted within a plug-in hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, etc., of which demand has recently been increased. The HDC is configured with several types of semiconductor elements such as an inductor and an IGBT to increase the operating voltage of a drive motor.
Referring to FIG. 1, the HDC is a boost circuit disposed between a high-voltage battery 10 and an inverter 30 for motor drive control. The HDC includes an inductor 22 connected to an output terminal of the high-voltage battery 10, and an upper IGBT switching element 24 and a lower IGBT switching element 26, which switch current flowing through the inductor 22.
The HDC 20 operates as a boost converter when a driving voltage is supplied to a motor through the inductor 22, and operates as a buck converter for charging the high-voltage battery 10 when regenerative braking is performed. The switching operation of the HDC 20 is performed by applying PWM signals inverted to each other to gates of the respective upper and lower IGBT switching elements 24 and 26.
In particular, switching loss occurs in switching on/off operations of the upper and lower IGBT switching elements. When the motor is driven, switching loss occurs in the lower IGBT switching element. When regenerative braking is performed, the switching loss occurs in the upper IGBT switching element. The switching loss increases as the switching frequency of the HDC increases. Further, the amount of loss occurring in driving of the IGBT switching element of the HDC increases the temperature of the IGBT switching element. As the amount of loss occurring in the IGBT switching element increases, the number of IGBT switching elements to be driven should increase. Furthermore, unit cost increases by the increased number of IGBT switching elements.
Meanwhile, accordingly the related art, a method of decreasing a switching frequency is used as the method reducing the amount of switching loss occurring in the IGBT switching element. When the switching frequency is decreased, the amplitude of ripple current of the inductor increases, which causes the inductor to generate heat.

Device and method for controlling a high side DC/DC converter of a hybrid vehicle


A universal combination cordless phone/remote control device for simultaneously answering incoming phone calls, messages, texts, etc., while operating a television and peripheral equipment includes a remote control side for controlling and operating the television and peripheral equipment and a cordless phone side for controlling various standard telephonic operations with both the remote control side and the cordless phone side including electrical charging contacts that engage charging contacts located on the upper surface of a portable lightweight charging cradle when the control device is placed upon the charging cradle for electrical charging.

Electronic devices and equipment are ubiquitous in modern life. From household cooking appliances to lighting fixtures and all manner of electronic entertainment devices, the modern world depends on such devices and equipment for entertainment, sustenance, and energy. Prior generations controlled these devices in a discrete manner wherein each device had its own switch, outlet, control panel, or on/off button. However, as the electronics has improved, and as demands for convenience and comfort have grown, there have been numerous improvements and modifications to such control systems. Some of the improvements include putting more than one device on the same circuit and combining the operation and control of more than one electronic device on one control device. Moreover, with the enormous increase in the variety of home entertainment devices, from HD TV's to CD/DVD players to the range of video games, control devices have acquired a multi-faceted scope. It is certainly more economical to reduce the number of control devices both to save in batteries and to reduce the hassle of always hunting down and locating the right control device for the appropriate piece of equipment. Although cell phones now dominate the landscape, POTS (plain old-fashioned telephone service) still remain in many homes and businesses, and it would be desirable to integrate a phone with the television remote control so that the individual would have control of the two primary components—television and telephone—incorporated into one device. The prior art discloses a number of different devices and systems that attempt to incorporate these features.
For example, the Pope patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,624) discloses a system that includes a base unit, a handset, and a number of electronic appliances (tv, cable, cd, etc,) wherein the control codes are stored in the base unit and accessed by the control panel of the handset to operate the particular electronic appliance.
The Hayes, Jr. et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,448 B1) discloses a method and apparatus for effectuating unidirectional and bidirectional communication directly between a mobile telephone and another device without the use of a mobile telephone system to carry the communication.
The Bates et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,964 B1) discloses a combination cordless telephone and remote control for entertainment equipment.
The Pettit patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,933 B1) discloses a teleremote device that includes a cordless or cellular telephone in combination with a remote controller for a television or other electrical appliance.
The Mui et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,042,366 B1) discloses a remote control that is sold with various audio-visual equipment and which is used to control other types of electrical devices such as toy and home appliances.
The Abdelal patent (U.S. design Pat. No. D488,145 S) discloses a design for a cordless phone and remote control with a base.
Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above-described devices and systems, there remains a need for a combination device that makes the operation of a telephone or a universal remote easier and labor saving.

Combination universal telephone and remote control device


Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes: loading a substrate into a process vessel; performing a process to form an oxide, nitride, or oxynitride film on the substrate by alternately repeating: (a) forming a layer containing an element on the substrate by supplying and exhausting first and second source gases containing the element into and from the process vessel; and (b) changing the layer containing the element into an oxide, nitride, or oxynitride layer by supplying and exhausting reaction gas different from the first and second source gases into and from the process vessel; and unloading the substrate from the process vessel. The first source gas is more reactive than the second source gas, and an amount of the first source gas supplied into the process vessel is set to be less than that of the second source gas supplied into the process vessel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a method of processing a substrate and a substrate processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A flash memory includes an electron accumulation region (floating gate) surrounded by an insulating film and operates in a manner such that information is written in the flash memory by exchanging electrons through a thin tunnel oxide film and the stored information is retained for a long time by holding electrons using the insulating capacity of the thin tunnel oxide layer. Such a flash memory is required to retain the stored information for a long time, for example, even 10 years, without requiring any external operation, and thus stricter requirements are imposed on an insulating film surrounding a charge accumulation region which is called a floating gate. A stacked structure of oxide film (SiO2)/nitride film (Si3N4)/oxide film (SiO2), which is generally called "ONO" structure, is used as an interlayer insulating film between a floating gate and a control gate configured to control the operation of a memory cell, and it is expected that the ONO structure has high leak current characteristics.
In a conventional art, SiO2 insulating films of an ONO stacked structure are formed at a high temperature close to 800° C. by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, for example, using SiH2Cl2 gas and N2O gas. However, as the structure of a device becomes finer, the capacitance of a nitride film of an ONO stacked film is decreased, and thus the use of a high dielectric constant film instead of a nitride film is considered to guarantee capacitance. A SiO2 insulating film on a high dielectric constant film is required to be formed at a temperature lower than a temperature at which the high dielectric constant film is formed so as to prevent crystallization of the high dielectric constant film.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-178309
When a SiO2 insulating film is formed, if the film-forming temperature is low, the growth rate of the film (film-forming rate) tends to decrease. Therefore, inorganic or organic sources which are highly reactive and are easily adsorbed on a substrate are used. However, since such sources are less available and expensive as compared with conventional source materials, if semiconductor devices are formed by using such sources, the prices of the semiconductor devices may be increased. In addition, if such sources are used, it is difficult to guarantee the thickness uniformity of an insulating film.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, method of processing substrate and substrate processing apparatus


An apparatus for fabricating a plastic insulator having helical-shaped shields or screens, these shields radially protruding from an insulator rod. Two oppositely rotating rolls coact to form an infeed gap for the material forming the shields which is infed in a kneadable condition in transverse direction to the rolls. According to a first embodiment drive means serve to rotate the rolls about their axes and the insulator rod about its lengthwise axis. Means provide relative mutual movement of the pair of rolls and the insulator rod in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the insulator rod or parallel thereto, in order to simultaneously form the shield and apply the same to the insulator rod. According to a further embodiment both of the rolls have peripheral grooves and these rolls, with the exception of such peripheral grooves, bear against one another at their outer surfaces, and drive means serve for rotating the rolls for forming a shield or screen rod.

The present invention relates to a new and improved construction of apparatus for fabricating a plastic insulator equipped with helical-shaped screens or shields, these shields radially protruding from an insulator rod.
At overhead lines for the transmission of voltages greater than 220 kV, for instance in a range of 500 to 700 kV, there are required insulators of several meters length and there arise tensile loads of at least 10 tons. For reasons of fabrication porcelain insulators can only be manufactured with a length of maximum about 2 meters. Therefore, for the previously mentioned transmission voltages there are required plastic insulators. These plastic insulators are presently composed of different elements. Typically, for instance, there is employed an insulator rod of desired length as a support element, upon which there is applied, according to different techniques, a protective device against weather or atmospheric conditions which is formed of "TEFLON" or silicon rubber. The insulator rod consists of a glass fiber-synthetic resin mixture. The previously mentioned weather protective device constitutes a protective coating which is provided with a number of shields or screens located along the insulator rod and surrounding the same. These shields therefore radially protrude from the insulator rod and fulfil the purpose of deflecting rain, in order to increase the leakage path along the insulator. As mentioned, the weather protective device and the screens can be applied in different ways to the insulator rod. Thus, it is known to slip over the insulator rod tubular-shaped sleeves containing thereat flange-like mounted screens or shields and to adhesively bond such with the insulator rod. However, each sleeve which is slipped over the insulator rod also can support a number of shields. It is also possible to individually attach the shields or screens at the insulator rod, after such has previously been covered with a protective coating or layer.
The previously mentioned fabrication procedures require a discontinuous manufacturing process. If individual sleeves are used, then they must be fabricated individually or in groups in presses while working at high pressures and temperatures. Plastic insulators of this type are known to the art from French Pat. application No. 2,363,170. An improvement in the plastic insulators can already be obtained if there is realized a continuous manufacturing procedure. Such improved plastic insulator is known to the art from German Pat. No. 1,190,072. Yet, this lastmentioned patent does not disclose how it is possible to economically fabricate such plastic insulator.

Apparatus for manufacturing a plastic insulator equipped with helical-shaped shields


A method and an apparatus of controlling a User Interfaces (UIs) using a touch screen are provided. The method includes displaying a menu item in a basic setting menu that is preset in a user device, the menu item being used to select rearrangement of UIs arranged in a display area of the touch screen in a user-touchable partial area, and displaying a rearranged screen displaying the UIs rearranged in the user-touchable partial area, upon sensing of a user touch input selecting the rearrangement of the UIs.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a touch screen that provides a User Interface (UI). More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus of controlling a UI to increase user convenience.
2. Description of the Related Art:
Digital portable terminals, such as smart phones, tablet Personal Computers (PCs), e-book readers, and the like have rapidly gained popularity and their roles, uses and functions have changed. Smart phones, which are being widely used, function additionally as an information processor like a personal information manager, in addition to the role of a personal portable communication device. Accordingly, an object-oriented information input means is used for a digital portable terminal in order to enhance user convenience. For example, the digital portable terminal is equipped with a touch screen to allow a user to input necessary information conveniently and to process the input information. Previously, a user may be inconvenienced when the user selects and inputs information on the touch screen of a digital portable terminal because of the different sizes of the touch screens. In this context, the different sizes of the touch screens are developed and widely equipped for digital portable terminals. Thus, for example, if a larger touch screen relatively in a digital portable terminal is difficult to touch by one-hand users.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a limitation of a larger touch screen in a digital portable terminal, in terms of a touchable area according to the related art.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIG. 1B illustrates a larger touch screen 100b in a smart phone than a touch screen 100a in a related-art smart phone illustrated in FIG. 1A. A part of the touch screen 100b in the smart phone illustrated in FIG. 1B may be untouchable or inaccessible for touching by a user according to the use environment of an input means because the touch screen 100b is relatively large. For example, the user's hand may be used as the input means of the smart phone. For the convenience of description, a user that manipulates a digital portable terminal with one hand is referred to as a 'one-hand user'. To use a smart phone, a one-hand user should first hold the smart phone. Specifically, the user holds the smart phone with the other four fingers of one hand except for the thumb. Then, the one-hand user inputs information to the smart phone, mainly with a thumb 105.
In FIG. 1A, the one-hand user may reach the entire display area of the touch screen 100a of the related-art smart phone with the thumb 105 to manipulate the touch screen 100a. On the other hand, the manipulation area is confined to a part of the touch screen 100b larger than the touch screen 100a and thus there are areas beyond reach of the thumb 105, i.e. areas that cannot be touched by the thumb 105 or areas above which the thumb 105 cannot be placed, on the touch screen 100b.
In general, UIs are arranged in an array having grids at predetermined intervals on the touch screen or UIs are confined to a specific position on the touch screen in order to receive a user input.
Therefore, if the one-hand user uses the relatively large touch screen 100b, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, a manipulation range available to the one-hand user is limited to a part of the touch screen 100b. In addition, if the touch screen 100b provides UIs in a typical grid structure or UIs beyond the manipulation range, the UI convenience of the one-hand user may further be decreased.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present invention.

Method and apparatus of controlling user interface using touch screen


A printed wiring board including a first solder mask covering a portion of a first conductor pad. The inner perimeter of the first solder mask extends radially inward of the outer perimeter of the first conductor pad so that a portion of the first connector pad proximate its outer perimeter is covered by the first solder mask. The inner perimeter of the first solder mask is radially outward of the inner perimeter of the first connector pad so that a portion of the first connector pad proximate the inner perimeter of the first connector pad is left exposed. In addition, the printed wiring board may include a second solder mask that covers a portion of a second connector pad. The second solder mask configured with respect to the second connector pad similar to that of the first solder mask with respect to the first connector pad. Alternatively, or in addition to the second connector pad, the printed wiring board may include a conductor path of which at least a portion is covered by a second solder mask. The outer perimeter of the second solder mask is radially outward of the outer perimeter of the conductor pad. Accordingly, the outer perimeters of the solder masks define an exposed area therebetween which is not covered by solder mask. This solder mask configuration increases the distance between exposed metal areas and the roughness of the surface of the backplane therebetween. As a result, the PWB is more resistant to voltage breakdown.

For the purposes of the present disclosure the term "exposed" is defined with respect to an area that is substantially free from solder mask.
During the manufacture of a printed wiring board (PWB), a liquid permanent epoxy solder mask (also called "solder resist"), which remains on the board when in use, such as conformal liquid photoimageable or screen printed mask, is generally used to protect the circuitry and provide insulation. Specifically, the solder mask serves several purposes including: 1) preventing shorts during assembly; 2) preventing shorts between conductors and metal components; 3) protecting against high voltage breakdown; and 4) protecting conductors from oxidation, contamination and mechanical damage. Solder mask is typically applied to areas of the PWB between adjacent through-hole component pads, surface-mount component lands, or vias (used to connect between PWB layers), or a combination thereof, which have exposed metal lands. FIG. 1 shows two through-hole connector pads of a prior art PWB 10 with an area 13 (denoted by hatch marks) between the two connector pads that is covered with solder mask. Adjacent connector pads 12a, 12b are delimited by an inner perimeter 16a, 16b, defined by connector-pin holes 11a, 11b, respectively, and an outer perimeter 15a, 15b. The connector pads 12a, 12b are "exposed", that is, the pads are not protected or covered by solder mask. Therefore, the solder mask surrounds each connector pad, and extends between adjacent connector pads, except for a relatively narrow exposed clearance area 14a, 14b proximate the outer perimeter 15a, 15b of the respective connector pad.
In some cases the spacing "d" between exposed metal surfaces, such as connectors, is dictated by the technology chosen for the product. For example, a through-hole connector system may be selected based on cost, density and electrical performance parameters. As a result, the distance "d" between exposed metal surfaces is often fixed. Signals routed through such connectors may be exposed to relatively high transient or continuous voltages. If the distance "d" is relatively small then a relatively high voltage may result in arcing between the two adjacent exposed metal surfaces, which can destroy the solder mask and cause charring or a resistive fault, thereby rendering the PWB ineffective. Arcing may occur even with relatively small increases in voltage using this PWB configuration because of the relatively short distance "d" between the exposed metal surfaces and the relatively smooth surface of the solder mask coating of the PWB between the two exposed metal surfaces.
It is therefore desirable to improve the voltage breakdown performance by increasing the distance between exposed metal surfaces and increasing the roughness of the surface of the PWB therebetween.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a printed wiring board includes a first conductor pad. The inner perimeter of the first conductor pad substantially surrounds a first hole extending through the board. A first solder mask overlies a portion of the first conductor pad and extends radially outward thereof. An inner perimeter of the first solder mask is radially inward of an outer perimeter of the first conductor pad so that a portion of the first conductor pad proximate its outer perimeter is covered by the first solder mask. Furthermore, the inner perimeter of the first solder mask is radially outward of the inner perimeter of the first conductor pad so that a portion of the first conductor pad proximate its inner perimeter is left exposed.
In addition, the printed wiring board in accordance with the present invention may include a second conductor pad disposed proximate but separate from the first conductor pad. The inner perimeter of the second conductor pad substantially surrounds a second hole extending through the board. A second solder mask overlies a portion of the second conductor pad and extends radially outward thereof. The second solder mask is arranged with its inner perimeter radially inward of the outer perimeter of the second conductor pad so that a portion of the second conductor pad proximate its outer perimeter is covered by the second solder mask. Furthermore, the inner perimeter of the second solder mask is radially outward of the inner perimeter of the second conductor pad so that a portion of the second conductor pad proximate its inner perimeter is left exposed.
In addition to, or instead of, a second conductor pad, the printed wiring board in accordance with the present invention may include a conductor path and second solder mask covering at least a portion of the conductor path so that the outer perimeter of the second solder mask extends radially outward of the outer perimeter of the conductor path. It is also noted that when the PWB includes a second conductor pad and/or conductor path the solder mask outer perimeters are separated to define an exposed area therebetween.
Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing the printed wiring board described in the preceding paragraphs. A first solder mask is applied to a portion of the first conductor pad. The outer perimeter of the first solder mask extends radially outward relative to the outer perimeter of the first conductor pad, and the inner perimeter of the first solder mask extends radially outward relative to the inner perimeter of the first conductor pad. In addition, a second mask may be applied to a second conductor pad in a similar manner and/or a second solder mask may be applied to a conductor path.

Solder mask configuration for a printed wiring board with improved breakdown voltage performance


Apparatus and method for cleaning conveyor systems, particularly for removing dust and other contaminants from optical processing equipment. A rigid or flexible sheet is coated on one or both faces with a tacky elastomer which is preferably a silicone. The sheet is moved over or through the conveyor system in place of a conveyed article, so that contaminants adhere to the elastomer and are ultimately removed from the conveyor along with the cleaning sheet. The invention is particularly applicable to cleaning conveyors transporting photographs and photo-tools, and to cleaning reprographic equipment incorporating paper transport rollers, eg photocopiers, facsimile machines, and desk-top printers.

This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method for cleaning conveying elements of conveyor systems, and more particularly but not exclusively relates to the cleaning of conveyor rollers.
This invention has particular application to the cleaning of the rollers of a roller conveyor system in order to remove dust or other contaminants from the conveyor rollers which otherwise would be transferred on to articles or materials being conveyed by the rollers. When transporting items such as photographs or photo-tools along a roller conveyor, it is essential that contaminants from the conveyor rollers are not transferred on to the roller-contacted surfaces of the photographs or photo-tools, thereby to prevent the contaminants adversely affecting the optical properties of the items which would otherwise result in defective and products. A known procedure for cleaning conveyor rollers comprises manually wiping the rollers with a cloth, but this procedure necessitates gaining adequate access to the rollers, which may require, for example, that equipment incorporating the rollers be at least partially dismantled. At the very least, prior art conveyor cleaning procedures extensively disrupt normal productive operations.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method for cleaning conveying elements of conveyor systems which obviates or mitigates the disadvantages of the prior art.