According to an aspect, a computing device may include a media content handler to obtain media content, a group license manager to determine whether or not the media content is part of a license group, and when the media content is determined as part of the license group, the group license manager may determine whether a master key for the license group was previously received. The group license manager may send, over a network, a license request to a license manager when the master key was not previously received. The group license manager may receive, over the network, a license to permit access to the media content, where the license includes the master key. The computing device may include a key generator to derive a content key based on the master key, and a decryption unit to decrypt the media content using the derived content key.

A license containing one or more content keys may be required to decrypt and playback media content. In some examples, the media content may include video files such as movies. In some examples, a device may be instructed to decrypt a relatively large number of movies, and thus requesting a license for each movie may be a problem due to network limitations and latency issues in the system. Furthermore, in some examples, a single movie may contain an audio track, a standard-definition (SD) video track, and potentially a high-definition (HD) video track, where each track may be encrypted with a different content key. According to conventional license exchange techniques, the device may be repeatedly requesting content keys from a license server, thereby increasing the amount of network traffic (e.g., for each track within each movie, the device may have to send a content identifier and then receive a unique content key). Furthermore, this increased network traffic may create even more of a congestion problem in locations that do not have a reliable network connection.


Compounds of Formula I and their agriculturally suitable salts are disclosed which are useful for controlling undesired vegetation ##STR1## wherein Q is ##STR2## and R.sup.1 through R.sup.7, m, n, p and q are as defined in the disclosure.. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula I and a method for controlling undesired vegetation which involves contacting the vegetation or its environment with an effective amount of a compound of Formula I.

This invention relates to certain thiophene ketones, their agriculturally suitable salts and compositions, and methods of their use for controlling undesirable vegetation.
The control of undesired vegetation is extremely important in achieving high crop efficiency. Achievement of selective control of the growth of weeds especially in such useful crops as rice, soybean, sugar beet, corn (maize), potato, wheat, barley, tomato and plantation crops, among others, is very desirable. Unchecked weed growth in such useful crops can cause significant reduction in productivity and thereby result in increased costs to the consumer. The control of undesired vegetation in noncrop areas is also important. Many products are commercially available for these purposes, but the need continues for new compounds which are more effective, less costly, less toxic, environmentally safer or have different modes of action.
EP 283,261 discloses heterocycles of Formula i as herbicides: ##STR3## wherein X, X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are independently O or S;
R.sup.1 is a monocyclic or fused-bicyclic heterocyclic group optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from oxo, mercapto, halo, nitro, cyano, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, amido, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, mono- or dialkylcarbamoyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, sulfonamido, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino or heterocyclyl; and PA1 Y is, inter alia, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylene. PA1 R.sup.2 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylsulfinyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkylsulfinyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylsulfonyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkylsulfonyl, halogen, cyano or nitro; PA1 R.sup.3 is OR.sup.9, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylsulfinyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkylsulfinyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylsulfonyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkylsulfonyl or halogen; PA1 each R.sup.4 is independently C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylthio or halogen; or when two R.sup.4 are attached to the same carbon atom, then said R.sup.4 pair can be taken together to form --OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--, --SCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 S-- or --SCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 S--, each group optionally substituted with 1-4 CH.sub.3 ; PA1 R.sup.5 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxyalkyl, formyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylaminocarbonyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 dialkylaminocarbonyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylsulfonyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkylsulfonyl; or PA1 R.sup.5 is benzoyl or phenylsulfonyl, each optionally substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, halogen, cyano or nitro; PA1 R.sup.6 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkenyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkynyl; or R.sup.6 is phenyl or benzyl, each optionally substituted on the phenyl ring with C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, halogen, cyano or nitro; PA1 R.sup.7 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl, halogen, cyano or nitro; PA1 R.sup.8 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkenyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkynyl; PA1 R.sup.9 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl, C2-C.sub.6 alkoxyalkyl, formyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylcarbonyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylaminocarbonyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 dialkylaminocarbonyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylsulfonyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkylsulfonyl; or R.sup.9 is benzoyl or phenylsulfonyl, each optionally substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, halogen, cyano or nitro; PA1 m is 1 or2; PA1 n is 0, 1 or 2; and PA1 p and q are each independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; PA1 Preferred 1. Compounds of Formula I above, and agriculturally-suitable salts thereof, wherein: PA1 Preferred 2. Compounds of Preferred 1 wherein: PA1 2-[(5,6-dihydro-3,4,4-trimethyl-4H-thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-2-yl)carbonyl]-1, 3-cyclohexanedione S,S-dioxide; PA1 (5,6-dihydro-3,4,4-trimethyl-4H-thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-2-yl)(1-ethyl-5-hydr oxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methanone S,S-dioxide; PA1 2-[(5,6-dihydro-3-methylspiro[1,3-dioxolane-2,4'-[4H]thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran ]-2-yl)carbonyl]-1,3-cyclohexanedione S,S-dioxide; and PA1 (5,6-dihydro-3-methylspiro[1,3-dioxolane-2,4'-[4H]thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-]2 -yl)(1-ethyl-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methanone S,S-dioxide.
The thiophene ketones of the present invention are not disclosed therein.


Embodiments of the present invention provide an array substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device. The manufacturing method of an array substrate, comprising: forming a gate electrode on a base substrate by a first patterning process, and then depositing a gate insulating layer on the base substrate on which the gate electrode is formed; forming source and drain electrodes on the base substrate obtained after the above step, by a second patterning process; forming an active layer formed of a graphene layer, and a protective layer disposed on the active layer, on the base substrate obtained after the above steps, by a third patterning process; and forming a planarizing layer on the base substrate, obtained after the above steps, by a fourth patterning process, in which the planarizing layer is provided with a through hole through which the source or drain electrode is exposed.

In the last century, metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistor (FET) represented by a silicon transistor has greatly promoted the industrialized development of the FET. Graphene, found by Professor Geim of the University of Manchester in 2004, is a two-dimensional honeycomb-like structure of carbon formed by close packing monolayer carbon atom. An intrinsic electron mobility of the graphene at room temperature can reach 200,000 cm2/Vs, which is 140 times of that of Si (about 1,400 cm2/Vs), 20 times of that of GaAs (about 8,500 cm2/Vs), and 100 times of that of GaN (about 2,000 cm2/Vs). Due to its superior electrical performances, the graphene has significant application value in fields of ultra-high frequency (UHF) and even terahertz electronic devices and supercomputer
Due to characteristics of high migration and high transmittance, the graphene can be adopted as an active layer material of a new generation active matrix display device. However, as the graphene has a relatively fragile structure and tends to be affected by subsequent processes, for instance, being affected by high-energy processes such as magnetron sputtering or being affected by a patterning process using a photoresist (the photoresist contacting the graphene may affect the graphene) and the like, the electrical performances of the graphene can be reduced.

Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display device


A planning device comprising a base foil and a transparent foil hingeably connected to each other along one edge. Both the surface of the transparent foil and the surface of the base foil adjacent to the transparent foil are smooth for repeated, releasable pressure-adherence to each other. Any object having a smooth surface can be repeatedly and releasably pressure-adhered to the smooth surface of the transparent foil. The device preferably comprises a cover foil hingeably connected to the transparent foil along one edge. The surface of the cover foil adjacent to the transparent foil is preferably also smooth so that the cover foil may be repeatedly and releasably pressure-adhered to the transparent foil.

The invention relates to a planning device.
It is known that smooth surfaces may be pressed onto other smooth surfaces, e.g. pliable soft foils, in such a way that they adhere due to self-adhering forces (German patent specifications Nos. 845 441, 1 286 755, 1 179 095) produced by the exclusion of air when the surfaces are pressed together. Planning devices made in this way are so arranged that relatively stiff planning symbols provided with a smooth surface are pressed on to the soft smooth foil which is provided with a base of foam material. If one wants to experiment with it on a drawn representation, e.g. a plan view or diagram, with various arrangement of individual planning elements, one has to press the plan view, plan or the diagram onto the foil.
An older suggestion (patent application No. P 26 24 960.5-52 of June 3, 1976 and published Sept. 29, 1977) provides a planning device of the kind mentioned above. In such device a smooth foil is laminated on a sheet of paper provided with a plan view, plan or a diagram which is to be used for planning. A smooth foil provided with a layer of adhesive is adhered on to the sheet of paper with the plan view, plan or diagram; the planning elements are then pressed onto the smooth foil.
This old suggestion provides a permanent connection of the sheet of paper with the smooth foil, so that the smooth foil may be used only for one sheet of paper and consequently only for one plan etc. This is not disadvantageous in cases when the same plan etc. is to be used all of the time; it is, however, also required that without permanent connection of the smooth foil and the sheet of paper, one should be able to safely plan even in cases where planning should take place only several times for one plan, plan view or diagram. A smooth foil should therefore be usable also for a plurality of plans etc.
The aim of the invention is to devise such a planning device of the aforementioned type in which the same planning device may be used for a plurality of sheets of paper and does not require a permanent connection with the smooth foil.


An exercise apparatus that provides multiple different exercises for a User, including both resistance movements and isometrics. The User interacts with the apparatus by grasping a bar. A resistance mechanism is symmetrically mounted on a second bar and provides infinitely variable resistance to the User, as well as soundproof operation. There is a vertical column that allows infinite positioning of the bars for different bodily exercises, and a bench for support. The User can change the exercise resistance by verbal commands, or the apparatus can vary the exercise resistance in response to the force applied by the User. The apparatus can be operated at locations where electric service is permanently unavailable, or in zero gravity; and the apparatus can be mounted inside a shallow closet and hidden from view. To verify accuracy, the resistance can be calibrated against a known quantity of weight.

There are many types of exercise machines that have been developed, all intended to offer some unique method of exercise for the User, or improved convenience of design or operation. The universe of such devices can generally be split into two different types: those that use actual weights, also known as free weight, to provide the resistance; versus those that do not use actual weights, but instead use some other means such as stretchable cords, pneumatic cylinders, electric brakes, torque bands, or any number of other methods.
There are many exercise machines that have been developed that do not utilize free weights for their resistance force; and the subject invention is in the category of the devices that do not use free weights for exercise resistance.
Previous attempts such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,730,686 and 4,436,303 and 4,257,593 have each presented a multi-functioned exercise apparatus; but these devices do not employ an infinitely adjustable resistance mechanism, symmetrically mounted on a bar.
Other attempts such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,518,163 and 4,828,257 and 4,934,694 and 4,930,770 and U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2009/0247367 A1 have presented exercise apparatuses that can react to the movements of the User while performing exercises; but all these apparatuses rely on the measurement of something other than the actual force applied by the User to the apparatus, to then make adjustments in the exercise resistance or other variables presented to the User.
Additional attempts such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,892,159 B2 and 5,605,524 and 4,728,101 have used various types of vertical columns or vertical screws or vertical rails to provide adjustment for the User of the exercise resistance or vertical height of the apparatus; but these apparatuses do not allow for quick and infinite adjustment of the vertical height of the exercise apparatus, in relation to the User.
Later attempts such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,262 B2 and U.S. Patent Application Publication US 200610189457 A1 have presented an exercise apparatus design that is collapsible, to be stored out of sight in a home; but these apparatuses do not allow for infinite adjustment of the exercise resistance.
As a result of the above, and notwithstanding all the attempts made over many years, there remains a need for an exercise apparatus that will allow for a quick and efficient bodily workout for Users at all levels of physical ability; with infinitely variable resistance and infinitely variable vertical adjustment, that is inherently quiet in its operation, and that can respond to the needs of the User as would otherwise require a human spotter.

Multi function exercise apparatus with resistance mechanism


Inflated fibers of regenerated cellulose and other regenerated structures are formed from ionic liquid/cellulose dope. Fibers so produced may be incorporated into absorbent sheet with other papermaking fibers to provide softness, bulk and absorbency.

Regenerated cellulose is a robust, cost effective material which would likely be more widely used if inflated structures of regenerated cellulose could be readily produced without the drawbacks of prior art methods of making such products.
Regenerated cellulose, sometimes referred to as semi-synthetics or cellulosics, are well-known in the art. Rayon is made by way of the viscose process which involves reacting cellulose with a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide to form soda cellulose followed by reacting the soda cellulose with carbon disulfide to form sodium cellulose xanthate. The sodium cellulose xanthate is dissolved in a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide to give a viscose solution which is aged and then extruded through spinerettes into dilute sulfuric acid, which regenerates the cellulose in the form of continuous filaments. Cellulose acetate and triacetate products are produced from a dope of cellulose acetate dissolved in acetone and/or a chlorinated hydrocarbon. Lyocell products are made from cellulose dissolved in N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO). See U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,221 of McCorsley et al., as well as U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,941 of Johnson. Degradation of the cellulose polymer, reactive chemical species in the dopes, high temperatures, harsh conditions and solvent disposal are significant processing issues with these products, making it extremely difficult to manufacture inflated cellulosic products utilizing conventional cellulosic technology.
Nevertheless, methods of making inflated textile fibers from, for example, viscose rayon, are known in the art. Various methods are reviewed in a 1985 non-wovens symposium paper entitled "The Manufacture, Properties and Uses of Inflated Viscose Rayon Fibers" authored by Woodings et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,605 to Anderer et al. discloses producing inflated rayon fibers from viscose having nitrogen emulsified therein, while GB Patent 244,446 discloses the manufacture of flat ribbon-shaped artificial textile fibers which are more or less hollow from viscose with sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate. Also noted is U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,197 of Bernardin et al. entitled "Inflated Cellulosic Fiber Web Possessing Improved Vertical Wicking Properties". This patent reports that an absorbent web formed from inflated cellulose fibers possesses improved vertical wicking properties compared to a similar web of cellulose fibers. The webs are reported useful for use in forming absorbent products such as diapers and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,557 to Holbrey et al. entitled "Cellulose Matrix Encapsulation and Method" discloses a regenerated cellulose with encapsulated active substance such as dyes or magnetic particles within a matrix of regenerated cellulose prepared from an ionic liquid/cellulose solution. The regenerated cellulose has a molecular weight similar to the original cellulose and is prepared substantially free of substituent groups relative to the starting cellulose. The '557 patent notes in Col. 13 that engineered forms containing impregnated additives with enhanced properties and application can be prepared from ionic liquid solution. Specific additives mentioned include bioactive agents, metal complexants, water insoluble dyes, nanoparticles, photonic agents, UV screens, magnetic particles and dispersions of clays. Note also, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/087,496; Publication No. US 2005/0288484 to Holbrey et al. entitled "Polymer Dissolution and Blend Formation in Ionic Liquids", as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/394,989; Publication No. US 2004/0038031 to Holbrey et al. entitled "Cellulose Matrix Encapsulation and Method".
Calcium carbonate has been used as a filler for making high strength paper. For example, there is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,150 to Middleton et al. a method for attaining high levels of loading of calcium carbonate fillers in the lumens of naturally-derived wood pulp fibers. The pulp is pretreated with a cationic polymer prior to being impregnated with the filler. Different conditions of pH and temperature are specified depending on whether the filler is a precipitated calcium carbonate filler or a ground calcium carbonate. Another method for providing calcium carbonate into a fibrous matrix involves supplying a precursor and then treating impregnated fibers with carbon dioxide. See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/927,890, Publication No. US 2005/0121157 of Doelle et al., as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/543,191, Publication No. US 2006/0113051 of Dolle. Wood pulp fibers are not amenable to inflation with an effervescing agent such as calcium carbonate due to their porosity.
It has been found in accordance with the present invention that inflated cellulose structures are readily formed from an ionic liquid/cellulose dope which has been impregnated with an effervescing agent and regenerated into the desired structure.

Inflated fibers of regenerated cellulose formed from ionic liquid/cellulose dope and related products


The present invention relates to a novel cost efficient luminescent composition comprising particles of a core material which have been coated with a luminescent material that is distributed in the form of a chemically homogeneous layer. The average diameter of the core particle is in the range of from about 0.5 to 20 microns, and the coating corresponds to between about 2 and 30 wt % of the total composition. One aspect the invention relates to a process for preparing the composition which comprises decomposing chelated metal luminescent precursors in solution at a relatively high pH while in the presence of dispersed core particles, thereby coating the core particles with hydrous metal oxides, recovering the coated particles, washing the coated particles substantially free from soluble species, drying and calcining. In another aspect, a hydrous oxide coating is converted to a sulfide coating by treating the hydrous coating with a source of active sulfur. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to adding an acidic solution of metal oxides along with a solution of oxalic acid to a slurry of dispersed core particles which become coated with the metal oxalates, recovering the product, washing the coated particles substantially free from soluble species, drying the oxalate composition. In a further aspect of the invention, the core material and metal oxalate powders can be dry mixed and calcined at a temperature high enough to cause the oxalate to form a phosphor coating over the surface of the core particles.

Luminescent materials or phosphors comprise a host material which together with one or more activators converts absorbed energy into radiant energy. Some of the most widely used host materials are calcium halophosphate, barium magnesium aluminate, magnesium aluminate, strontium chloroapatite, zinc silicate and the oxides, oxysulfides, phosphates, vanadates and silicates of yttrium, gadolinium or lanthanum. Commonly used activators are rare-earth ions such as europium II and III, terbium III, cerium III, and tin II. Conventionally, compounds containing the host and activator materials are mixed together by a mechanical procedure, such as milling or micronizing, and then calcined to produce fine powder phosphors of relatively uniform composition. These powders may be bonded as coatings to the surface of a substrate, typically glass, for use in a variety of applications.
Rare-earth oxide (REO) activated phosphors are used in trichromatic lamps, cathode ray tubes (CRT), color television (CTV), high definition television (HDTV) screens, among others. Many of the rare-earth oxides are very expensive and this has limited their use in a number of applications. For example, conventional three-wavelength fluorescent lamps emit white natural light by correctly blending three narrow spectral bands of blue-violet, red-orange and green. Europium II-activated barium magnesium aluminate or europium II-activated strontium chloroapatite can be used as the blue phosphor, europium III-activated yttrium oxide can be used as the red phosphor and cerium/terbium-activated magnesium aluminate can be used as the green phosphor. Such fluorescent lamps have greater color rendition, a longer useful life, and are more energy efficient in comparison to incandescent lamps. The marketability of these fluorescent lamps has been hindered, however, because of their high cost which is attributable to the necessity of using expensive rare-earth oxides.
Czechoslovakian Patent No. 266,856 B1, to Hajek et al., claims a luminescent composition comprising a silica core, on the surface of which is created a luminescent layer of mixed rare-earth element oxides. Hajek et al, purport that this achieves a reduction in the amount of expensive rare-earth phosphors used while the required light parameters are retained. These compositions are prepared by using a rare-earth salt solution/oxalic acid diethyl ester system to precipitate rare-earth element oxalates onto the surface of activated silica particles, and subsequently calcining the oxalates to obtain an oxide luminophor. The examples in this patent describe coated silica particles in which the rare-earth phosphor layer is between about 60 and 95 wt % of the composition. At the coating thicknesses described in the examples of this patent, only a modest, if any, reduction in the consumption of expensive rare earth elements is achieved.
The disclosure of the above-identified Patent is hereby incorporated by reference.

Luminescent materials prepared by coating luminescent compositions onto substrate particles


A ball joint mounting structure for mounting a ball joint in one of two structural members to be joined together by the ball joint is disclosed. The mounting structure comprises self-caulking engaging means provided by the hollow cylindrical housing of the ball joint and on the cylindrical portion of said one structural member. As the housing is being press fitted into the cylindrical portion, at least one of the ball joint and member plastically deforms to thereby firmly secure the ball joint to the one member.

This invention relates to a mounting structure for ball joints which are adapted to connect between two structural members such as the upper and lower arms of the suspension mechanism in a vehicle, for example and more particularly, to a mounting device for mounting such a ball joint in the lower arm of the above type in a simple and reliable manner. This invention also relates to a method for mounting the ball joint in the lower arm of the vehicular suspension mechanism in a simple and reliable manner.
The ball joint of the above type has a hollow cylindrical housing formed of sheet metal which is adapted to be held in position within the cylindrical portion of the lower arm. Various structures for mounting the ball joint of the above type in the lower arm have been proposed and practically employed and such conventional ball joint mounting devices will now be described referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the accompanying drawings. The ball joint mounting structure of FIG. 1 comprises an annular flange 12 provided adjacent to one or the upper end (as seen in FIG. 1) of the hollow cylindrical housing 11 of a ball joint 10 radially and outwardly extending from the housing 11 and a knurled portion 13 provided in the outer periphery of the housing 11 between the opposite ends of the housing. In mounting the ball joint 10 in one of two structural members to be joined together by the ball joint such as the lower arm 14 of the suspension mechanism of a vehicle, for example, the knurled portion 13 of the ball joint housing 11 is press fitted in the cylindrical portion 15 of the lower arm 14 until the flange 12 abuts against the lower arm cylindrical portion 15.
The ball joint mounting structure of FIG. 2 is substantially similar to the device of FIG. 1 except that the device further includes a snap ring 16 adjacent to the end opposite from the flange 12 which is adapted to be fitted on the cylindrical portion 15 after the ball joint housing 11 has been press fitted in the lower arm 14 in the manner mentioned hereinabove in connection FIG. 1 to thereby hold the ball joint in position within the lower arm.
In the ball joint mounting structure of FIG. 3, in place of the snap ring 16, a threaded portion 17 is formed in the outer periphery of the cylindrical ball joint housing 11 between the opposite ends of the housing and a mating threaded portion 17' is formed in the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 15 of the lower arm 14. In mounting the ball joint 10 in the lower arm 14, the ball joint housing 11 is threaded into the threaded portion 17' of the lower arm 14 to secure the ball joint to the lower arm.
The ball joint mounting structure of FIG. 4 is substantially similar to the device of FIG. 1 except that a weld 18 is formed between the lower edge of the wall of the lower arm cylindrical portion 15 and the end of the ball joint housing 11 opposite from the flange 12 to thereby hold the ball joint 10 in position within the lower arm.
However, the ball joint mounting structure of FIG. 1 has the disadvantage that the ball joint housing 11 easily comes off the lower arm 14 and the ball joint mounting structure of FIG. 2 has the disadvantages that the device requires an additional processing step to provide an annular groove in the ball joint housing 11 for receiving the snap ring 16 and the distance between the groove and flange 12 is required to be precisely determined resulting in an increase in production cost. Furthermore, in the ball joint mounting device of FIG. 2, the housing 11 is required to be subjected to heat-treatment or high frequency induction hardening so that the snap ring receiving groove will have high strength. The ball joint mounting structure of FIG. 3 has the disadvantage that since the housing of the ball joint and the cylindrical portion of the lower arm are provided with threaded portions and the threaded portions are required to be subjected to high frequency induction hardening, the processing of the structure requires a substantial time resulting in an increase in production cost. The ball joint mounting structure of FIG. 4 has the disadvantages that the structure requires a troublesome operation such as welding and if the bearing of the ball joint is formed of synthetic resin, the welding can not be carried out because the high temperature derived from the welding increases the temperature of the ball joint to a substantially high value and causes degeneration of lubricant.


The invention comprises a polymeric microarray support (1) for an optical assay arrangement (2) comprising optical means (3, 4, 6) for detection of light emitted from the support. The microarray support is provided with microfeatures comprising a surface enlarging pattern (5), i.e. grooves having a selected depth (8). The depth is selected such that the sum of the depth and of the variations in the thickness (7) of the support substantially corresponds to the depth of focus of the optical means.

Various fields of research, such as functional genomics, basic life science research, drug discovery and clinical diagnostics, require studying of the molecular mechanisms of a sample, e.g. monitoring of different aspects of oligonucleotides, cDNA or protein interaction. In order to study molecular mechanisms, a microarray-based assay can be used, e.g. an optical assay, such as a fluorescent or a phosphorescent binding assay.
An assay may be performed by a microarray of spots of probe molecules attached to distinct locations on a slide forming a support, the spots of probe molecules providing binding sites for the target molecules of the sample to be analyzed. The diameter of the spots on a microarray support is typically between 50 micrometer and 300 micrometer and normally 100-150 micrometers, and the thickness of the spots are normally only a few micrometer and usually less than 10 micrometer. When a sample, containing e.g. fluorescent-labeled targets, is brought in contact with the spots on the microarray support, the target molecules in the sample is allowed to hybridize with the probe molecules of the spots. In a fluorescent assay, the microarray support is illuminated by an exciting light source and the position and the intensity of the emitted fluorescent light is  detected. The color of the used fluorophore serves as a marker indicating that a reaction has occurred between target molecules of the sample and probe molecules of the spots. The optical means for illuminating the support and detecting the light emitted from the support may include a microarray scanner or a microarray imager.
A scanner comprises a narrowband exciting light source, e.g. a laser, and e.g. a PMT (photomultiplier tube) for detecting emitted light. An imager comprises a wideband exciting light source, e.g. a xenon lamp, wavelength filters to provide monochromatic light, and a detector for the emitted light, e.g. a CCD (Charged-Coupled Device).
In microarray technology, there are several benefits by employing polymeric slides for manufacturing of a microarray support instead of glass slides. One of the benefits is that polymeric slides can have a higher density of surface silanol groups than glass slides, which enhances the number of reactive groups participating in the binding process of the probe to the slide, resulting in a higher surface coverage of binding sites. Additionally, polymers exhibit a wider spectrum of properties and are easier to modify, thereby achieving a higher binding capacity. Also, the non-specific binding on polymer slides is normally lower than on glass slides. Furthermore, a higher degree of immobilization is possible on polymer slides, even without UV-crosslinking or blocking, requiring no prehybridization.
However, a drawback with the use of polymer slides is that a higher background signal occurs from autofluorescence in comparison with glass slides.
Prior art in the field of microarray supports is disclosed in WO 01/94032, describing enlargement of the surface of a support by providing pyramidical or conical indentations therein, achieving  an increased surface available for the probe. Consequently, an increased number of binding sites may be provided, thereby increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. By surface enlarging patterns, an increase of the available surface area by a factor 2 or 3 is easily obtained, in comparison with planar supports.
US 2002/0028451 describes a detection apparatus comprising a polymeric support substrate provided with microstructured grooves, onto which a liquid crystal material is applied. The size of the grooves is selected to cause the liquid crystal material to adopt a uniform orientation, such that the adherence of particles will be optically detectable by causing a disruption of the uniform orientation.
Further prior art relating to polymeric support provided with high-precision microfeatures is disclosed e.g. in EP 0714742.
However, since there is a need for further improvement of microarray-based optical assays, an object of this invention is to provide an improved polymeric microarray support, achieving a further improved performance of optical assays compared to prior art, e.g. regarding the signal-to-noise ratio.

Method of forming polymeric microarray support


It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescent protein, which allows an acceptor for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to appear in a stimulating light-dependent manner, thereby enabling the marking of any given cell organelle, cells, or tissues, with multiple colors. The present invention provides a fluorescent protein which consists of a fused protein of a donor fluorescent protein and an acceptor fluorescent protein, wherein before irradiation with stimulating light, the donor protein is able to emit fluorescence as a result of irradiation of the donor protein with excitation light; and after irradiation with stimulating light, intramolecular FRET occurs between the donor fluorescent protein and the acceptor fluorescent protein as a result of irradiation of the donor protein with excitation light, and the acceptor protein is able to emit fluorescence, and wherein the fluorescence of the donor protein and the fluorescence of the acceptor protein have wavelengths that are different from each other.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) derived from a jellyfish, Aequorea victoria, has many purposes in biological research. Recently, various GFP mutants have been developed using random mutagenesis and semi-rational mutagenesis, wherein a color is changed, a folding property is improved, luminance is enhanced, or pH sensitivity is modified. Fluorescent proteins such as GFP can be fused with other proteins by recombinant DNA techniques to visualize the expression and translocation of the fusion proteins.
One of the most commonly used variants of GFP is yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Among Aequorea-derived GFP mutants, YFP exhibits the fluorescence with the longest wavelength. The molar extinction coefficient (ε) and fluorescence quantum yield (Φ) of most YFPs are 60,000 to 100,000 M−1 cm−1 and 0.6 to 0.8, respectively (Tsien, R. Y. (1998). Ann. Rev. Biochem. 67, 509-544). These values are comparable to those of fluorescent compounds such as fluorescein and rhodamine. Cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) is another example of a GFP mutant. ECFP (enhanced cyan fluorescent protein) is such a CFP which has been known. Furthermore, red fluorescent protein (RFP) has been isolated from sea anemone (Discoma sp.), and among such red fluorescent proteins, DsRed has been known. Thus, four types of fluorescent proteins including green, yellow, cyan and red fluorescent proteins, have been developed one after another, and their spectrum range has been significantly extended.
In addition, using a fluorescent protein whose color is changed by light irradiation, it becomes possible to optically mark specific cells or organs. For such light irradiation-dependent marking of cells, tissues and the like, photoactivatable green fluorescent protein (PA-GFP) (Patterson G H and Lippincott-Schwartz J, Science 297, 1873-1877 (2002)) and Kaede (Ando R et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 12651-12656 (2002)) are used. However, since PA-GFP is characterized in that fluorescence appears from a nonfluorescent state, finding the position of a sample before irradiation with stimulating light is problematic. On the other hand, Kaede changes its color from green to red as a result of irradiation with stimulating light. However, Kaede requires excitation lights that depend on both colors, and thus the operation thereby becomes complicated. Moreover, since Kaede forms a tetramer, it is not suitable to observe dynamics of Kaede fused with any given protein.


An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a conductive member, a bias application device, and a control portion. The image bearing member has a photosensitive layer formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The conductive member is disposed so as to make contact with an inner peripheral surface of the image bearing member and has a dielectric property. The bias application device applies a bias including an alternating current bias to the conductive member. The control portion controls the bias application device. The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a heating-up mode in which an alternating current bias having a peak-to-peak value twice or more as large as a discharge start voltage between the conductive member and the image bearing member is applied to the conductive member to cause the surface of the image bearing member to be heated up.

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus using a photosensitive drum, and relates particularly to a method for removing moisture on a surface of the photosensitive drum.
In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, such as a copy machine, a printer, or a facsimile, a developing agent in powder form (hereinafter, referred to as toner) is mainly used, and, typically, a process is performed in which an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member such as a photosensitive drum is visualized by using the toner in a developing device, and a toner image thus formed is transferred onto a recording medium and then subjected to fixing processing. A photosensitive drum is formed of a cylindrical base member and a photosensitive layer of ten to several tens of μm in thickness formed on a surface of the cylindrical base member. In terms of a main material constituting the photosensitive layer, photosensitive drums can be classified into an organic photosensitive member, a selenium arsenic photosensitive member, an amorphous silicon (hereinafter, abbreviated as a-Si) photosensitive member, and so on.
The organic photosensitive member, though being relatively low-cost, is susceptible to wear and thus requires frequent replacement thereof. Furthermore, the selenium arsenic photosensitive member, though having a long life compared with the organic photosensitive member, is, disadvantageously, a toxic substance and thus is difficult to handle. On the other hand, the a-Si photosensitive member, though being costly compared with the organic photosensitive member, is a harmless substance and thus is easy to handle. In addition, the a-Si photosensitive member has a high hardness and thus has excellent durability (which is five or more times greater than that of the organic photosensitive member), and characteristics thereof as a photosensitive member are hardly degraded even after long-term use, so that a high image quality can be maintained. The a-Si photosensitive member thus makes an excellent image bearing member whose running cost is low and that achieves a high level of environmental safety.
As is known, in an image forming apparatus using a photosensitive drum of any of the above-described types, due to characteristics thereof, depending on conditions of use, so-called image deletion is likely to occur, i.e. a faded image or an image smeared at a periphery thereof is likely to be formed. A factor responsible for the occurrence of image deletion is as follows. That is, when a surface of the photosensitive drum is charged by using a charging device, ozone is generated due to electrical discharge by the charging device. By the ozone thus generated, components contained in the air are decomposed to generate ion products such as NOx and SOx. Being soluble in water, these ion products adhere to the photosensitive drum and penetrate into an about 0.1 μm-thick roughness structure of the surface of the photosensitive drum. This makes it impossible for the ion products to be removed by using a cleaning system used in a general-purpose apparatus, and they take in moisture in the atmospheric air, which leads to a decrease in resistance of the surface of the photosensitive drum. Because of this, a lateral flow of potential occurs at an edge portion of an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, which may result in the occurrence of image deletion. This phenomenon is pronounced particularly in a case of the a-Si photosensitive member, which hardly suffers from surface wear caused by a blade or the like and whose surface has a molecular structure likely to absorb moisture.
Various methods for preventing the occurrence of such image deletion have conventionally been proposed. For example, a method is known in which a heat generating member (heater) is provided inside a photosensitive drum or inside a rubbing member being in contact with the photosensitive drum, and controlled, based on a temperature and a humidity detected by a temperature and humidity sensor in an apparatus, to perform heating to evaporate moisture adhering to a surface of the photosensitive drum, so that the occurrence of image deletion is prevented.
The method in which the heater is disposed inside the photosensitive drum, however, requires that a slider electrode be used to connect the heater to a power source. Due to the presence of this sliding portion that connects the heater to the power source, as a total length of time of rotation of the photosensitive drum increases, a contact fault occurs at the sliding portion, which has been disadvantageous. Furthermore, in these days when there is a growing need for measures directed toward energy saving and environmental protection, it is strongly demanded that power consumption at the time of standby and at the time of normal printing be reduced. Particularly an image forming apparatus of a type having a plurality of drum units, such as a tandem-type full-color image forming apparatus, is large in power consumption, and hence it is not desirable to incorporate a heater therein. Other methods include a method in which heat around a cassette heater or a fixing device is transmitted to a vicinity of a photosensitive drum. This method, however, is not efficient in that a developing device and so on in the vicinity also are undesirably heated.
As a solution to the above, an image forming apparatus is known that sets a weak charging period in which a charging voltage formed only of a direct current voltage or a charging voltage obtained by superimposing an alternating current voltage lower than that used at the time of image formation on a direct current voltage is applied, to a prescribed period before a start or after completion of a regular charging period or between a plurality of regular charging periods, thereby suppressing the generation of by-products of electrical discharge caused by application of a charging bias at a time other than the time of image formation.
Furthermore, an image forming apparatus is known that is capable of executing a moisture removing mode of performing, in order, a first moisture removing step in which, by using a cleaning blade, moisture is removed from a surface of a photosensitive drum, a second moisture removing step in which toner on a developing roller is conveyed toward the photosensitive drum and used to absorb moisture on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the moisture is removed together with the toner, and a third moisture removing step in which moisture on a charging roller and on the surface of the photosensitive drum is removed by application of a voltage to the charging roller.


Zinc diffusion procedures applicable for large scale manufacture of GaAs and GaSb cells used in tandem solar cells having a high energy conversion efficiency. The zinc doping and carrier concentration are restricted to be less than about 10.sup.19 /cm.sup.3 to obtain good light generated carrier collection and hence good short circuit currents. The amount of zinc that is available for diffusion during a drive-in heating step is restricted. Confinement of zinc and arsenic vapors during the heating step may be effected by use of a proximity source wafer or by an encapsulant layer. The zinc diffusion of GaSb is obtained by a homogeneous light diffusion that is followed by a patterned heavy diffusion to give low ohmic contact with the grid lines. Texture etching of the GaSb solar cell is also compatible with this diffusion process.

III-V materials are useful in fabricating semiconductor devices such as heterostructure lasers, light emitting diodes, photovoltaic cells, and the like. In n-type III-V compound semiconductor wafers, a p-type conductivity modifier (e.g. zinc, cadmium, beryllium, or magnesium) is diffused into one wafer face in the presence of an inert ambient carrier gas to form a thin surface region of opposite conductivity, see, for example, Elie U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,707 and Fan et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,622. Zinc in high concentration is frequently used to provide a highly doped contact layer which is an important ingredient for achieving a good ohmic contact with low contact resistance.
Zinc diffusion with high zinc concentrations is extensively used in disordering of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells to fabricate low threshold lasers. The more expensive epitaxy process to form the junction is replaced by zinc diffusion to form GaSb photoactive transducers as disclosed in Fraas et al. application Ser. No. 07/523,710 filed May 14, 1990, now Pat. No. 5,091,018. Attention is directed to that patent and the prior art cited therein as background prior art applicable to this invention.
Conventionally, zinc doping of III-V compound semiconductors is carried out by annealing the compound semiconductor at high temperatures in a "pseudo closed box" system. In the case of GaAs, a typical anneal would be at 600.degree. C. under zinc arsenide and hydrogen ambient as zinc arsenide provides the zinc source and the needed arsenic overpressure to prevent decomposition of the GaAs surface. In the case of GaSb, elemental zinc and elemental antimony have been used to provide zinc diffusion without decomposition of the GaSb surface. Temperature and time determine the surface concentration of the zinc and depth of the emitter junction.
Prior GaAs diffusion techniques provide dopant concentrations well in excess of 10.sup.19 /cm.sup.3. We have found that a lighter dopant concentration is needed for high efficiency solar cells. Dopant concentrations less than about 10.sup.19 /cm.sup.3 are required to preserve minority carrier lifetimes in the solar cell zinc doped layer. Minority carrier lifetimes affect light generated carrier collection and hence short circuit currents.
In our earlier GaSb process, emitter etching has been used to provide a patterned diffusion that gives high energy conversion efficiency. A problem with this process is that cell costs are high because the process cannot be easily scaled up for mass production.


Disclosed are a novel lactone-modified diketene (meth)acrylate compound having an active methylene group in the molecule and a process for the preparation thereof.. The novel lactone-modified diketene(meth)acrylate compound of the present invention can be preferably used as resins for coatings, adhesives, inks, photosensitive materials for photographs, dispersants for pigments, agents for processing fibers, and modifiers for rubbers.. Furthermore, disclosed is a novel (co)polymer which comprises the novel lactone-modified diketene(meth)acrylate compound and, optionally, a polymerizable monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond.. Still further, disclosed is a curable composition which comprises a lactone-modified diketene(meth)acrylate compound and at least one selected from the group consisting of a melamine, an isocyanate, and aldehyde, and an amine.

Hitherto, an acetoxyethyl methacrylate has been well known as a (meth)acrylate having a terminal acetylacetonate group in the molecule.
The acetoxyethyl methacrylate is represented by the following formula (III): ##STR1##
U.S. Pat. No. 3,459,790 describes that the above-described compound (III) can be prepared by the reaction of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with diketene, and the compound can be copolymerized with butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, etc., to obtain an acrylic copolymer having active protons.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,459,790 further describes that the acrylic copolymer can be used as a photosensitive material in the photographic field exhibiting a good dimensional stability and abrasion resistance.
On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,511 describes that the acrylic copolymer can be used in the photographic field as a hydrophilic vehicle for chelating acid dyes or dyeforming materials to provide a metallized dye image.
Still further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) 275356/1986 describes that the acrylic copolymer can be used as a photosensitive resin composition for resist by mixing with a polyacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, and a photo-initiator, etc., Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) 156225/1993 also describes that the acrylic copolymer can be used as one liquid for a two-liquid adhesive by mixing with Epikote 828 which is a typical epi-bis epoxy resin.
Although the acetoxyethyl methacrylate represented by the formula (III) has the property of providing an excellent reactivity as a dispersant for pigments and inks, etc., it must be further improved in flexibility, anti-strippability from a substrate, compatibility with other polymers, and resistance to scratches.
On the other hand, requirements have recently begun to arise in the development of monomers and resins necessitating that they have more excellent characteristics and higher quality from the viewpoint of saving energy, preserving resources, and diversifying applications.
More specifically, there have been proposed monomers or polymers having a higher stability and higher sensitivity in the field of photosensitive materials, and water-based coatings, high-solid coatings, and UV-curable coatings in the field of coatings.
A (meth)acrylic copolymer obtained by the radical copolymerization of acetoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, acrylic acid, styrene, etc., is employed as adhesives or coatings for woodworking by being used together with a curing agent such as amines, for example.
Such adhesives or coatings are insufficient in stress relaxation during adhering and curing, resulting in considerably poor adhesion, however, and the resultant stripping of the coating layer from a substrate.
Furthermore, the copolymer is employed as coatings having weatherability, chemical resistance, water resistance, contamination resistance, and excellent curability by being used together with a curing agent such as isocyanates, melamines, etc.
It is difficult, however, for the copolymer to provide sufficiently flexible coating layers.
As described hereinabove, although the acetoxyethyl methacrylate monomer can be employed in various fields because of its unique reactivity, it has the disadvantages of insufficient flexibility, poor adhesion, abrasion resistance, compatibility with other resins, and stress relaxation, and these advantages must be improved.
In addition, in the case that it is employed as photosensitive material or dispersants for pigments in the form of emulsion, the acetoxyethyl methacrylate monomer is insufficient in its affinity to pigments and compatibility with other resins.
For the purpose of solving the above-mentioned disadvantages, as a result of an intensive investigation, the inventors of this invention have now found that it is possible to solve the problems by modifying a lactone-modified (meth)acrylate compound with diketene.

Lactone-modified diketene(meth)acrylate compound, a process for the preparation thereof, and a (co)polymer


An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a vehicle wheel having a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard bead seat retaining flange includes an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein. The vehicle wheel further includes a wheel cover which covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange. The wheel cover includes an inner cover surface and an outer annular lip which extends into the groove when the wheel cover is installed on the disc. The method for producing the vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the outboard bead seat retaining flange including an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein; (b) providing a wheel cover defining an inner cover surface and an outer cover surface, the wheel cover including an outer annular lip; (c) applying an adhesive to one of the outboard facing wheel surface and the inner cover surface; (d) supporting the wheel and the cover in coaxial relationship relative to one another; (e) selectively moving the wheel and the cover toward one another to enable the adhesive to secure the wheel and the cover together; and (f) subjecting the outer annular lip of the wheel cover to an operation to deform the outer annular lip and cause the outer annular lip to be received into the groove whereby the wheel cover covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange.

This invention relates in general to vehicle wheels and, in particular, to an improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same.
Full or partial vehicle wheel covers of the removable type are well known, and have been used for many years to enhance the styling of conventional, stamped wheel discs. Also, it is known to permanently secure a full or partial wheel cover to a vehicle wheel using an adhesive.
One example of a vehicle wheel with a permanently secured wheel cover is disclosed in German Patent 2,813,412. In the German Patent, the edges of the wheel cover are profiled to be clamped or hooked into fitting grooves provided on the outboard face of the wheel to secure the cover to the wheel. Additionally, the cover can also be glue-joined to the wheel.
Another example of a vehicle wheel having a permanently secured wheel cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,501 to Derleth. In the Derleth patent, a chrome-plated plastic wheel cover includes an outer peripheral flange which overhangs the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the wheel, an inner peripheral flange which seats against an outboard surface of a hub sleeve, and an intermediate portion which is spaced outwardly from the face of the wheel. An expanding adhesive material is applied to me outboard surfaces of the wheel. When the adhesive material is expanded, it is operative to fill the void between the wheel and the wheel cover to permanently secure the wheel cover to the outboard face of the wheel.
A further example of a vehicle wheel having a permanently secured wheel cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,966 to Oakey. In the Oakey patent, a cast aluminum wheel cover is secured to a disc of a steel wheel using a high density structural adhesive.
A yet further example of a vehicle wheel having a permanently secured wheel cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,370 to Beam. In the Beam patent, a chrome-plated stainless steel wheel cover includes an outer peripheral edge which is forced into engagement behind a catch formed in the outer rim flange to hold the wheel cover in place while an adhesive cures.

Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same


Disclosed is an electrocatalyst which comprises an inorganic support and four-element alloy essentially consisting of 10 to 39 atomic percent of platinum, 30 to 5 atomic percent of nickel, 30 to 5 atomic percent of cobalt and 30 to 3 atomic percent of manganese supported on the inorganic support. The electrocatalyst possesses excellent anti-poisoning against carbon monoxide.

The present invention relates to a four-element catalyst employed for various chemical reactions, especially for an electrocatalyst for anode of a fuel cell.
A carbon catalyst supported with element platinum as electrode material has been heretofore widely employed as an electrocatalyst for anode of a fuel cell.
However, as an anode gas of the fuel cell, such a reformed gas as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) is employed in which a carbon monoxide gas (CO) is contained.
Platinum is likely to adsorb the carbon monoxide gas which results in considerable poisoning at a low temperature.
In order to avoid the poisoning, the fuel cell is operated at a temperature more than 190.degree. C. to reduce the influence of the carbon monoxide.
In the fuel cell having the element platinum catalyst, its reaction is conducted at a temperature more than that required inevitably employing disadvantageous various operation conditions encountered in higher temperature reactions. Further, the poisoning cannot be completely avoided even under said conditions resulting in the advance of polarization to invite the lowering of electrode performance.
A fuel cell employing a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) possesses a problem that the poisoning of the element platinum with the carbon monoxide is hardly avoided because of a lower operation temperature due to the weakness of the electrolyte against heat.
In order to overcome these problems, a catalyst comprising a platinum-palladium or a platinum-ruthenium alloy is already known.
However, the improvement attained by employing these catalysts is unsatisfactory and a further improvement is desirably requested.


A system and method for optimized diffusion-weighted imaging is provided. In one aspect, the method includes providing a plurality of constraints for imaging a target at a selected diffusion weighting, and applying an optimization framework to generate an optimized diffusion encoding gradient waveform satisfying the plurality of constraints. The method also includes performing, using the MRI system, a pulse sequence comprising the optimized diffusion encoding gradient waveform to generate diffusion-weighted data, and generating at least one image of the target using the diffusion-weighted data.

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for medical imaging and, in particular, to systems and methods for diffusion-weighted imaging ("DWI").
Any nucleus that possesses a magnetic moment attempts to align itself with the direction of the magnetic field in which it is located. In doing so, however, the nucleus precesses around this direction at a characteristic angular frequency (Larmor frequency), which is dependent on the strength of the magnetic field and on the properties of the specific nuclear species (the gyromagnetic ratio γ of the nucleus). Nuclei which exhibit these phenomena are referred to herein as "spins."
When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field (polarizing field B0), the individual magnetic moments of the spins in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, but precess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. A net magnetic moment Mz is produced in the direction of the polarizing field, but the randomly oriented magnetic components in the perpendicular, or transverse, plane (x-y plane) cancel one another. If, however, the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a transient radiofrequency electromagnetic pulse (excitation field B1) which is in the x-y plane and which is near the Larmor frequency, the net aligned moment, Mz, may be rotated, or "tipped", into the x-y plane to produce a net transverse magnetic moment Mt, which is rotating, or spinning, in the x-y plane at the Larmor frequency. The practical value of this phenomenon resides on signals that are emitted by the excited spins after the pulsed excitation signal B1 is terminated. Depending upon chemically and biologically determined variable parameters such as proton density, longitudinal relaxation time ("T1") describing the recovery of Mz along the polarizing field, and transverse relaxation time ("T2") describing the decay of Mt in the x-y plane, this nuclear magnetic resonance ("NMR") phenomena is exploited to obtain image contrast and concentrations of chemical entities or metabolites using different measurement sequences and by changing imaging parameters.
When utilizing NMR to produce images and chemical spectra, a technique is employed to obtain NMR signals from specific locations in the subject. Typically, the region to be imaged (region of interest) is scanned using a sequence of NMR measurement cycles that vary according to the particular localization method being used. To perform such a scan, it is, of course, necessary to elicit NMR signals from specific locations in the subject. This is accomplished by employing magnetic fields (Gx, Gy, and Gz) which have the same direction as the polarizing field B0, but which have a gradient along the respective x, y and z axes. By controlling the strength of these gradients during each NMR cycle, the spatial distribution of spin excitation can be controlled and the location of the resulting NMR signals can be identified from the Larmor frequencies typical of the local field. The acquisition of the NMR signals is referred to as sampling k-space, and a scan is completed when sufficient NMR cycles are performed to fully or partially sample k-space. The resulting set of received NMR signals are digitized and processed to reconstruct the image using various reconstruction techniques.
To generate an MR anatomic image, gradient pulses are typically applied along the x, y and z-axis directions to localize the spins along the three spatial dimensions, and MR signals are acquired in the presence of one or more readout gradient pulses. An image depicting the spatial distribution of a particular nucleus in a region of interest of the object is then generated, using known post-processing techniques. Typically, the hydrogen nucleus (1H) is imaged, though other MR-detectable nuclei may also be used to generate images.
Diffusion-weighted imaging ("DWI") is an important MM technique that is based on the measurement of random motion of water molecules in tissues and provides directionally dependent microstructural information across a wide range of spatial scales. DWI has been utilized for studying the anatomy of the brain, including neural architecture and brain connectivity, as well as various brain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, mild traumatic brain injury, and so forth. In particular, DWI has been widely used to estimate the apparent diffusion coefficient ("ADC") in the brain, and is considered the clinical gold standard for detection of acute and chronic stroke. DWI has also demonstrated clinical value in the heart and liver, but sensitivity to macroscopic motion (especially cardiac and respiratory bulk motion) frequently contributes to large signal losses that confound measurements in these regions when using conventional methods.
Although some techniques have been developed to try to address macroscopic motion, these are not without shortcomings. For instance, synchronizing the DWI acquisition with physiologic motion has been one approach attempting to mitigate motion artifacts. Particularly in the liver, bulk motion artifacts can be partly reduced by implementing cardiac and respiratory triggering. However, this comes at a significant cost of increased acquisition time. In addition, triggering and respiratory motion compensation (via triggering, breath holds, or navigators) are insufficient to suppress bulk motion artifacts in the heart.
Therefore, there is a need for improved imaging systems and methods sensitive to diffusion that can be performed quickly and are insensitive to macroscopic motion artifacts.

System and method for optimized diffusion-weighted imaging

The Regents of the University of California


A cable splice comprising a metallic sleeve member joining the conductor ends, a layer of adhesive over the sleeve member adjacent insulation and lead sheath, a helically-wrapped insulation layer formed of a thermosetting polymer, an overlapped layer of fabric surrounding the insulation layer, an overlapped layer of lead foil surrounding the fabric layer and extending over the lead sheath a helically-wrapped heat-shrinkable tape layer surrounding the lead foil layer and a heat-shrinkable sleeve surrounding the splice area which resists invasion by corrosive well fluids and consequent corrosive in high pressure gassy wells, and a method for forming said cable splice.

This invention relates to a cable splice for an electrical cable and to a method for making a cable splice. More particularly, this invention relates to a cable splice for use in high temperature, high pressure gassy oil wells adapted to prevent corrosive attack on the conductors by sulfide gases and to a method for making said cable splices.
In general, cable structures employed for oil well service have stranded metallic conductors, usually formed of copper, separately insulated with a material of high dielectric strength, cabled and surrounded by an outer armor. In joining cable sections, a splice is formed between the conductors comprising a metallic member frictionally engaging the conductors which is insulated by a section of insulant surrounding any remaining exposed areas of the conductors and the metallic member. The section of insulant typically is formed by a plurality of layers of insulating tape, which may be further protected and confined by a heat shrinkable sleeve positioned over the splice insulation and extending over the adjacent insulation to seal the splice area.
Where the well cable is to be employed in wells containing corrosive gases, particularly sulfides, invasion of the cable structure by corrosive well fluids under high pressure occurs either by way of pinholes or other defects in the primary insulation of the cable or by gas permeation. The conductors are particularly susceptible to attack and corrosion by the sulfides, which results in destruction of the conductors and a shortened cable life.
One method for preventing sulfide attack on the conductors has been the sheathing of the conductor and insulation with a sulfide-impervious layer such as metallic lead. The lead sheath acts as a barrier to exclude the sulfide-containing fluids from the cable structure. In splicing such lead-sheath conductors, it has been the practice to cover the insulated splice with an outer casing formed of heavy gauge lead sheet. The outer casing is soldered to the lead cable sheath at each end of the splice and along the casing seam to seal the splice area and prevent the invasion of corrosive fluids. In practice, and particularly under field conditions, the forming and soldering of the lead casing is a slow and difficult operation to carry out. Damage to the cable insulation can occur through application of excessive heat during the soldering operation, and forming perfect solder joints under field conditions, is difficult, increasing the possibility of invasion of the splice area by corrosive fluids.
A method for forming a cable splice between lead sheathed conductors which would provide a substantial barrier to the intrusion of well-fluids and which could be carried out rapidly under field conditions would thus be a useful advance in the art.


Polybenzazole polymers may contain perfluorocyclobutane rings to provide a flexible moiety which is stable at high temperatures.

The invention relates to the art of poly(aromatic ether ketone) (PEK) polymers and poly(aromatic ether sulfone) (PES) polymers and copolymers thereof.
PEK polymer and PES polymers (hereinafter collectively referred to as poly(aromatic ethers) ordinarily contain a plurality of repeating mer units represented by either Formula 1(a) or Formula 1(b): ##STR1## wherein each Ar is independently an aromatic group;
each Y is independently a sulfonyl moiety or a carbonyl moiety; PA1 each D is a divalent moiety which is not electron-withdrawing, such as an aromatic group; PA1 each "a" represents a number of repeating aryloxy moieties equal to at least 1; and PA1 each "b" represents a number of repeating mer units averaging greater than 1. PA1 (1) a plurality of aromatic groups (Ar) linked by oxygen atoms; and PA1 (2) an acid group bonded to one of the aromatic groups.
The polymers illustrated in Formula 1(a) are synthesized by the condensation of a plurality of EN-monomers containing:
The polymers illustrated in Formula 1(b) are synthesized by the condensation of NN-monomers, that contain a plurality of aromatic groups (Ar) linked by oxygen atoms, with EE-monomers, that contain two acid groups linked by a divalent organic moiety which is not substantially electron-withdrawing and which shields each acid group from the deactivating influence of the other.
The structure, properties, synthesis and uses of poly(aromatic ethers) and their copolymers are discussed in numerous references such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,264,536; 4,065,437; 4,252,937; 4,474,932; 4,503,168 and 4,794,155; and in Ueda et al., "Synthesis of Polyketones by Direct Polycondensation of Dicarboxylic Acid with Diaryl Compounds Using Phosphorous Pentoxide/Methane Sulfonic Acid as Condensing Agent and Solvent," 5 Makromol. Chem, Rapid Comm. 833 (1985); Ueda, "Synthesis of Poly(Phenylene Ether Sulfone) by Direct Self-Polycondensation of Sodium 4-Phenoxy Benzene Sulfonate Using Phosphorous Pentoxide/Methane Sulfonic Acid as Condensing Agent and Solvent," 6 Makromol. Chem, Rapid. Comm. 271 (1985); Colquhoun, "Synthesis of Polyether Ketones in Trifluoromethane Sulfonic Acid," 25 (2) Polymer Preprints 17-18 & Table II (1984); Colquhoun et al., "Synthesis of Aromatic Polyether Ketones in Trifluoromethane Sulfonic Acid," 29 Polymer 1902 (1988) Dahl et al., Aromatic Poly(Ether Ketones) Having Imide, Amide, Ester, Azo, Quinoxaline, Benzimidazole, Benzoxazole or Benzothiazole Groups and Method of Preparation, PCT Publication 86/02368 (Apr. 24, 1986); Attwood et al., "Synthesis and Properties of Polyaryl Ether Ketones," 20 Poly. Prep. Am. Chem. Soc. 191 (1979); Attwood et al., "Synthesis and Properties of Polyarylether Ketones," 22 Polymer 1096 (1981); and Mullins et al., "The Synthesis and Properties of Poly(Aromatic Ketones)", C27 JMS-Rev. Macromol. Chem Phys. 313 (1987), which are all incorporated herein by reference.
Poly(aromatic ethers) are noted for their high strength, solvent resistance and continuous use temperatures. It would be desirable to obtain a modified poly(aromatic ether) which has a lower glass transition temperature and/or greater chain flexibility without substantially decreasing the strength and temperature stability of the polymer.

Poly(aryl ether) polymers containing perfluorocyclobutane rings


The present invention provides a 2D/3D switchable display device, comprising a backlight module (2) and a liquid crystal panel (1) located on the backlight module (2); the liquid crystal panel (1) comprises a plurality of element images (11) sequentially aligned, and the backlight module (2) comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements (21) corresponding to the plurality of element images (11), and each light-emitting element (21) comprises a middle region (211) in a middle position and a surrounding region (212) at periphery of the middle region (211), and the middle regions (211) of the plurality of light-emitting elements (21) respectively correspond to the plurality of element images (11), and the middle region (211) and the surrounding region (212) are respectively controlled by different circuits to be lightened or dimmed; as the middle region (211) and the surrounding region (212) are lightened at the same time, the display device shows a 2D display mode, and as the middle region (211) is lightened and the surrounding region (212) is dimmed, the display device shows a 3D display mode of two dimensional integral imaging to achieve a switch of 2D/3D display modes.

The Integral Imaging technology is developed from the Integral Photography proposed by the French scientist, M. G. Lippmann in 1908. The basic principle is divided into a collection stage and an image reconstruction stage. The collection stage is to utilize the two dimensional parallax barrier or the two dimensional lens array to record the space scene in the medium behind the two dimensional parallax barrier or the two dimensional lens array. Each of the two dimensional parallax barrier or the two dimensional lens array corresponds to one element image (EI) on the medium behind, and each element image records a part of information of the space scene. The element image array, which is constituted by integrating all the element images records the three dimensional information of the entire space scene. The image reconstruction stage is based on the principle of reversibility of light. The same two dimensional parallax barrier or two dimensional lens array as recording is located in front of the element image array. Accordingly, the original three dimensional space scene is reconstructed before the two dimensional parallax barrier or the two dimensional lens array.
Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an imaging principle diagram of an integral imaging 3D display system. The integral imaging 3D display system comprises a collection system 110 and a display system 120. The collection system 110 comprises a image collection sensor 400 and a first two dimensional parallax barrier 300. The display system 120 comprises a liquid crystal panel 401 and a second two dimensional parallax barrier 301.
In the collection stage, the object 500 is positioned in front of the first two dimensional parallax barrier 300. The lights emitted from the object 500 pass through the plurality of slits of the first two dimensional parallax barrier 300 and are transferred to the image collection sensor 400. The image collection sensor 400 records the lights passing through every slit of the first two dimensional parallax barrier 300 corresponded with an element image of forming the object 500. Ultimately, the image collection sensor 400 obtains the lights passing through all slits of the first two dimensional parallax barrier 300 corresponded with a plurality of element image of forming the object 500, of which the parallaxes are different to construct the element image array. Thus, the information collection to the object 500 is accomplished.
In the image reconstruction stage, the captured element image array is shown on the liquid crystal panel 401, and the second two dimensional parallax barrier 301 which is the same as the first two dimensional parallax barrier 300 is overlapped before or after the liquid crystal panel 401. Accordingly, based on the principle of reversibility of light, the image 501 of the collected object 500 is reconstructed by the second two dimensional parallax barrier 301. The reconstructed image 501 can provide the anaglyphs of different directions, and combine with the parallax combination property of human eyes. People can see the 3D effect of the object 500 without glasses, which is so called the naked eye 3D.
Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of an integral imaging 3D display device according to prior art. The integral imaging 3D display device comprises a liquid crystal panel 100, a backlight module 200 located under the liquid crystal panel 100, and a two dimensional parallax barrier 600 located between the liquid crystal panel 100 and the backlight module 200, wherein the two dimensional parallax barrier 600 also can be located on the liquid crystal panel 100.
After the uniform surface light source provided by the backlight module 200 pass through the two dimensional parallax barrier 600, the different pixels of the liquid crystal panel 100 emit lights toward different directions after the lights shine on the liquid crystal panel 100 because the light possesses directionality. With the reasonable designs to the slit apertures of the two dimensional parallax barrier 600 and the image shown by the liquid crystal panel 100, the observer can see the anaglyphs of different angles in the x direction and the y direction shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the integral imaging display can be achieved.
However, the integral image 3D display device according to prior art can only achieve the 3D effect display but no switch of the 2D/3D display mode is possible. Therefore, there is a need to develop a 2D/3D switchable display device to solve the aforesaid issue.

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


In a piston, a circumferential groove for a piston ring, a knock pin being inserted in a bore set radially relative to the piston ring groove. A head end of the knock pin protrudes into a space defined by the piston ring groove for interposing between ends of a piston ring for preventing turning, or rotation, thereof. Means for preventing mechanical interference between the walls of the piston ring groove and the head end of the knock pin is provided.

1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates generally to a piston. Particularly, to a piston for an internal combustion engine which is provided with a knock pin located in a bore provided in the face of a piston ring groove.
2. Description of The Background Art
Conventionally, pistons for internal combustion engines have been proposed which utilize knock pins for preventing rotational movement of a piston ring. One such conventional piston is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (First Unexamined Publication) 59-215942. This document relates to an aluminum alloy piston provided with a knock pin opening in the bottom of a circumferential piston ring groove. A tail end of the knock pin is fitted into the opening and a head end engages with portions of a piston ring, to prevent turning or rotation of the piston ring.
With this arrangement, factors such as movement of the knock pin within the knock pin bore as well as engine running duration, temperature and piston expansion, cause stress to be applied to the knock pin, particularly to the head end, resulting in repeated springback of the knock pin according to changing operating conditions. This can lead to breakage or deformation of the knock pin.


A device for estimating the loading state of a NOx storage catalytic converter. The device includes a module for determining the oxygen concentration difference between an oxygen concentration present in the exhaust gas upstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter and an oxygen concentration present in the exhaust gas downstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter, and a controller for estimating the loading state of the NOX storage catalytic converter on the basis of said oxygen concentration difference.

NOX storage catalytic converters serve to absorb and store nitrogen oxides (NOX) which may be emitted, in particular, by diesel engines operating in a lean-burn combustion mode. In response to a NOX storage catalytic converter being saturated with nitrogen oxide molecules, an operating phase with a rich air/fuel ratio may be performed for a duration of typically a number of seconds in order to regenerate the NOX storage catalytic converter in what may be known as a regeneration phase. During this phase, the stored nitrogen oxide molecules may be released and converted into components such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapour for example. The frequency with which a regeneration of said type may take place may be dependent on the nitrogen oxide emissions of the internal combustion engine, the storage capacity of the NOX storage catalytic converter, and the temperature of the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine.
Previous approaches for determining the suitable times at which a regeneration of the NOX storage catalytic converter is required encompass the estimation of the NOX loading as a function of the NOX emission rate and the storage capacity of the NOX storage catalytic converter. In such approaches, the NOX emission rate of the internal combustion engine may either directly measured by means of a NOx sensor or is estimated with the aid of a model. In a NOx model of this type, NOX concentrations measured in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine to be listed as a function of the operating state of the internal combustion engine (that is to say the engine speed and engine load), and corrected as a function of the coolant temperature and the composition of the recirculated exhaust gas.
The storage capacity of the NOX storage catalytic converter may be a function of the measured or estimated catalytic converter temperature and the estimated NOX loading. The suitable time for a termination of the regeneration phase in one approach may be determined using a lambda probe arranged downstream. According to another approach, it is also possible to use a model for determining the NOX conversion rate, with the regeneration phase being terminated when the calculated loading falls below a predefined threshold value. In order to realize an on-board diagnostic (OBD) function, a NOx sensor which is arranged downstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter may be used in order to signal when the NOX emissions exceed the prescribed limit values.
Several publications, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,361 B1 and also for example the SAE publication "Thick Film ZrO2 NOX Sensor" by N. Kato et al., publication no. 960334 of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., Reprint from Electronic Engine Controls 1996 (SP-1149), International Congress & Exposition, Detroit (Mich.), 26-29 Feb. 1996, disclose electro-chemical gas sensors which can be used for NOX determination.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of an electro chemical gas sensor, such as described in the above citations. Sensor 1 may include a first chamber 2 connected to a second chamber 3 via a duct which extends through a diffusion barrier layer 4. A constant predetermined oxygen partial pressure is generated in the first chamber 2 by pump electrodes 5 by way of the supply or discharge of oxygen. The gas which is supplied via the duct of the second chamber 3 is reduced by way of electrodes 6. Electrodes 6 are arranged in second chamber 3 and include a catalytic material, so as to generate nitrogen and oxygen, whereupon a pump voltage which is proportional to the NOX concentration is tapped off. In addition, a heating device 7 is provided, to increase the temperature of the chambers or the pump electrodes to approximately 600° C. to 700° C. resulting in more efficient operation, and which can be surrounded for example by an insulating Al2O3 layer.
In one approach, in order to determine the NOX loading of a NOX storage catalytic converter, two NOx sensors may be used, one of which is arranged upstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter and the other of which is arranged downstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter.
However, the inventors have recognized that there may be several issue with such an approach. In particular, using two sensors to determine NOX loading of the NOX storage catalytic converter may result in considerable technical expenditure and corresponding costs with regard to the required provision of the corresponding monitoring device for the loading state.
Thus, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a device for estimating the load state of an emission control device, such as a NOX storage catalytic converter, which permits reliable determination of the state of the device, such as the NOX load, with reduced technical expenditure and a corresponding reduction in cost. Note that the approach may applied to determining other loadings of an emission control device, such as oxygen loading, particulate matter loading, reductant loading, etc.
In one approach described herein, at least some of the above issues may be addressed by a device for estimating the loading state of a NOX storage catalytic converter, comprising: a module for determining the oxygen concentration difference between an oxygen concentration present in the exhaust gas upstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter and an oxygen concentration present in the exhaust gas downstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter, and a controller for estimating the loading state of the NOX storage catalytic converter on the basis of said oxygen concentration difference.
By determining the loading state of the NOX storage catalytic converter directly based on the oxygen concentration difference between an oxygen concentration which is present in the exhaust gas upstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter and an oxygen concentration which is present in the exhaust gas downstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter, the expenditure for actuating, heating, and for processing and evaluating the signals for two separate sensors which measure absolute oxygen concentration at different locations may be condensed to a single module. In this way, a significant reduction in the technical expenditure and associated costs may be obtained.
In addition, the estimation of the loading state of the NOX storage catalytic converter directly on the basis of the oxygen concentration difference has measurement-related advantages as a result of the significant reduction in the absolute measuring error which can be obtained in the case of a difference measurement in comparison to an absolute value determinations. In this way, the accuracy of the determination of the loading state of the NOX storage catalytic converter may be improved.
Further, the present application also contemplates a system for an engine, comprising: a unitary sensor communicating with exhaust gas at at least a first and second position in an exhaust of the engine, the sensor responsive to gas concentrations of the first and second positions; and a controller for adjusting engine operation responsive to the unitary sensor. The controller may adjust fuel injection, air-fuel ratio, estimation of catalyst NOx and/or oxygen loading, diagnostics, etc. The gas concentrations may include NOx, oxygen, etc. Also, the first and second positions may be upstream and downstream of an emission control device, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second positions may be in two separate exhaust conduits coupled to separate engine banks. Still other positions may also be used.

Device for estimating the load state of a NO


A scrap processor includes a rotor supported within a chamber in a housing for rotation relative to the housing. Hammer means on the rotor comminute scrap material in the chamber. A deflector box having first and second deflector portions is connected to the housing. The first deflector portion is a mirror image of the second deflector portion. The housing includes a plurality of castings defining the chamber in which the rotor comminutes the scrap material. The castings extend transverse to the direction of flow of scrap material into the chamber and entirely across the chamber. The castings are identical in size and shape and are interchangeable. The housing is constructed with a first plate means having a slot therein and a second plate means having a projection thereon located in the slot to transfer forces acting on the first plate means to the second plate means.

The present invention relates to a scrap processor that comminutes scrap material, and particularly relates to a scrap processor having a rotor supported in a housing chamber and hammers on the rotor to comminute scrap material in the chamber upon rotation of the rotor.
A prior art scrap processor has a rotor supported within a chamber of a housing for rotation relative to the housing. Hammers on the rotor comminute scrap material in the chamber into scrap pieces. The scrap pieces are thrown radially outwardly of the rotor. A deflector box for deflecting the comminuted scrap pieces from the chamber to an outlet is connected to the housing.
The prior art scrap processor has been subject to a number of problems. First, a part of the housing defining the rotor chamber has been constructed of plates which are butt welded together. These plates are subject to extremely high forces, and this construction has not been entirely satisfactory since repairs are frequently necessary.
The housing of the prior art scrap processor also includes a wall adjacent the inlet to the chamber. The wall prevents scrap pieces from exiting the scrap processor through the inlet. The wall partially defines the chamber in which the rotor comminutes the scrap material. The wall is located where scrap pieces impact against the wall. The wall is lined with a plurality of liners against which the scrap pieces impact. The liners are replaced when they wear out. These liners are usually bolted in place. The scrap processor must be shut down and the liners frequently replaced, resulting in lost operating time for the scrap processor.
The deflector box is also lined with a plurality of liners which the comminuted scrap material impacts against. The liners are bolted to the interior of the deflector box by a plurality of bolts. When the liners wear out, they must be replaced. The scrap processor must be shut down to replace the liners also resulting in lost operating time for the scrap processor.


A boxing glove includes a glove body defining a hand-receiving part for receiving a hand enclosed therein and a wrist-receiving part in communication with the hand-receiving part. The wrist-receiving part has a mouth opposite the hand-receiving part. The wrist-receiving part is configured to allow the hand to pass therethrough between the hand-receiving part and the mouth. The wrist-receiving part is configured to enclose the wrist of the hand when the hand is received in the hand-receiving part. The wrist-receiving part includes a slot defined by a pair of opposed sides which extend from the mouth toward the hand-receiving part. A pneumatic wrap is in contact with the glove body adjacent the pair of opposed sides for urging the opposed sides together when the pneumatic wrap is inflated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to boxing gloves and, more particularly, to boxing gloves which utilize a pneumatic wrap to secure the boxing glove to a hand.
2. Background Art
A conventional boxing glove, shown in FIGS. 1a-2b, is secured to a fighter's hand and wrist by a simple lace-type system which is well known in the art. In use, after each lace is tightened and the lace ends are tied, tape, such as surgical tape, is wrapped around the wrist-receiving part of the glove and the lace to provide both a tighter securing of the glove to the hand and wrist, as well as to ensure the lace remains on or adjacent the glove thereby avoiding a loose lace from potentially striking an opponents face or eye.
During the course of a fight, however, this tape often comes loose, thereby necessitating a temporary stop to the fight to re-secure the tape. This is a problem because the loose tape can be inadvertently flicked into the opponent's face or eye. Moreover, the loose tape may permit a portion of the lace to become separated from the glove, whereby it to can also be inadvertently flicked into the opponents face or eye.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome the above problems and others by providing a boxing glove which can be secured to the hand and wrist of a fighter without lace and/or tape. It is also an object of the present invention to avoid the use of tape with a lace-secured boxing glove by providing a sleeve which can be secured around the wrist-receiving part and lace of the boxing glove to maintain the lace secured against the boxing glove. Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.