According to an aspect, a semiconductor power module includes a substrate, a semiconductor device coupled to the substrate, a bond wire coupled to the semiconductor device, and a first molding material layer disposed on the substrate. The first molding material layer encapsulates a first portion of the bond wire. The bond wire has a second portion disposed outside of the first molding material layer. The semiconductor power module includes a second molding material layer disposed on the first molding material layer. The second molding material layer encapsulates the second portion of the bond wire. The second molding material layer has a hardness less than a hardness of the second molding material layer.

A transfer molded module is a power module package in which an epoxy material forms the package around the power circuit in a molding process. Another type of package is a case module, which uses a frame potted with a potting material to protect the semiconductor device. However, under some conditions, packages that use a hard potting material (in either a transfer molded module or a case module) as a protection layer may break in a short circuit event of the power semiconductor devices. For example, a short circuit event may cause a flow of high current within a short time resulting in overheating of the semiconductor device and adjoining assembly materials, and potentially the cracking of the substrate.

Semiconductor power module to protect against short circuit event

Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC


The product for hair treatment includes a transparent pressure-resistant aerosol container and a device for making foam from an effective-ingredient containing composition contained in the aerosol container. The effective-ingredient containing composition contained in the transparent aerosol container has two clearly distinguishable liquid phases with a sharply distinct phase boundary. The two liquid phases consist of a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase. The hydrophilic phase includes water or a solvent system containing water and a water-soluble organic solvent, at least one cationic or cationically-active hair care ingredient and at least one organic or inorganic salt. The hydrophobic phase contains a water-insoluble, liquefied propellant gas and at least one water-insoluble, hydrophobic, oily or fatty substance dissolved in the liquefied propellant gas.

The subject matter of the present invention is a product for hair treatment comprising a transparent pressurized container, an effective ingredient containing composition consisting of two clear, liquid phases clearly distinct from each other and a device for forming foam from the composition. The effective-ingredient-containing composition is dispensed from the pressurized container as foam and distributed on the hair. It can be used either as a leave-in-product and remains on the hair or it can be used as a rinse-out product and after a certain acting time it can be removed from the hair.
Hair care compositions, which are dispensed from pressurized containers as foams, are known and are designated as aerosol foams, foam aerosols or as care foams. These products comprise a pressurized container, a foam-generating top or head, an aqueous liquid phase and a liquid propellant gas phase. These products usually require a nontransparent container, for example made from metal or nontransparent plastic, since inhomogeneous, non-cosmetic and unattractively appearing turbid or cloudy masses form streaks at the phase boundary between the liquid propellant gas phase and effective ingredient-containing phase because of the interaction of propellants, effective ingredients, auxiliary ingredients and solvents. Alternatively, or in addition, one or both phases become turbid because of the combination of particular ingredients. However transparent containers are desirable because then it is easy to detect the amount of the composition remaining in the container, i.e. the filling state, whether or not sufficient mixing of the phases has occurred after shaking and, in some cases, whether or not a color of the contents has formed. Generally the transparent products of this kind have greater attractiveness.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressurized transparent hair care product for forming a foam, which is characterized by a distinctive streak-free reversible phase separation between an aqueous effective ingredient-containing phase and a liquid propellant phase, which is observable from the outside after shaking, without impairing the conventional hair care properties of the known conventional foams, or at least without significantly impairing them.
It has been found now that this object is attained in a hair treatment product comprising
(A) a transparent pressure-resistant aerosol container,
(B) a device for forming foam from a composition in the container,
(C) an effective ingredient-containing composition in the container comprising two liquid phases (D) and (E), which composition forms a foam when being dispensed from the container (A) by means of the foam-forming device (B) and in which (c1) both liquid phases are transparent and (c2) both liquid phases are separated from each other by a sharp or distinct phase boundary,
wherein (D) one of the liquid phases is hydrophilic and contains water or a solvent system comprising water and a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein (d1) the hydrophilic phase contains at least one cationic or cationically-active hair care ingredient and (d2) the hydrophilic phase contains at least one inorganic salt or non-polymeric organic salt, in which the cation of the salt is a metal ion or an ammonium ion, and
(E) the second liquid phase is hydrophobic and (e1) contains at least one water-insoluble propellant gas present in liquid form under the pressure conditions existing in the aerosol container and (e2) the hydrophobic phase contains at least one water-insoluble hydrophobic substance dissolved in the liquid propellant gas (e1).
The salt (d2) and the hydrophobic substance (e2) of course each alone improve the sharpness of the phase separation, i.e. they both produce a more distinct phase separation. The desired particularly distinct phase separation is however achieved by a synergistic action when the salt (d2) is added to the hydrophilic phase and the hydrophobic substance (e2) is added to the hydrophobic phase (see the comparative tests in example 6).
The cationic or cationically-active hair care substance (d1) is contained in the composition contained in the product according to the invention preferably in an amount of from 0.05 to 10, especially preferably from 0.1 to 5, percent by weight. The salt (d2) is preferably contained in the composition in an amount of from 0.05 to 2, especially preferably from 0.1 to 1.0, percent by weight.
The oily or fatty substance (e2) is preferably present in the composition in an amount of from 0.5 to 10, especially preferably from 1 to 5 percent by weight. The percentages of or amounts of the various ingredients are based on the total amount of the composition present.
The product according to the invention is packaged in a suitable pressure-tight aerosol container and includes a device for forming foam from the composition contained in the container as an additional component. For example, a commercial aerosol foam-forming head can be used as the device for forming foam from the composition. The container is made from a transparent material, through which the consistency, the filling height and the color of the composition are observable. Also because the container is transparent the extent of the mixing or separation of the two liquid phases is observable. The transparent container can be made from glass or transparent pressure-resistant plastic material. The plastic material is preferable on the basis of cost and weight. Polyethylene terephthalate is especially preferred as the plastic material for the transparent container.
Both liquid phases are clear, within the sense of the present invention, when no turbidity or streaking is detected with the naked eye. The phases are distinctly separated from each other within the sense of the present invention when no boundary layer, but only a phase separation line less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, is observable with the naked eye between the phases.
The hydrophilic phase contains water either as the sole solvent or in a mixture with alcohol. The alcohol ingredient can comprise especially lower univalent alcohols having one to four carbon atoms, which are commonly employed for cosmetic purposes, such as ethanol and isopropanol, or multivalent alcohols with two to six carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, glycerol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol or pentandiol. The water content amounts preferably to 55 to 98% by weight, especially preferably 60 to 95% by weight, and the alcohol content amounts to preferably from 0 to 40, especially preferably 1 to 20, percent by weight, based on the total amount of the composition.
The hydrophilic phase preferably has a pH in a range of from 2 to 7, especially preferably from 4 to 6.5. The pH can be adjusted in the acid range with cosmetically compatible organic or inorganic acids, such as formic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, among others.
The cationic or cationically-active ingredients (d1) are substances, which have substantivity for human hair based on cationic or cationizable groups, especially protonated amine groups or quaternary ammonium groups. The cationic or cationically-active hair care ingredients (d1) are preferably selected from the group consisting of cationic polymers, cationic surfactants, cationic silicon compounds, cationic derivatized proteins, cationic derivatized protein hydrolyzates and betaine with at least one cationic or cationically-active group.
Particularly good hair-care action is obtained when at least one cationic polymer is combined with at least one cationic surfactant. The best action was obtained, when, in addition, at least one cationic silicon compound is contained, especially one diquaternary terminated polydimethylsiloxane.
Suitable cationic surfactants contain quaternary ammonium groups. Suitable cationic surfactants especially include those of the general formula (I):
N(+)R1R2R3R4X(xe2x88x92)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I),
wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently of each other represent aliphatic groups, aromatic groups, alkoxy groups, polyoxyalkylene groups, alkylamido groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, aryl groups or alkaryl groups each with from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, with the proviso that at least one of the groups R1, R2, R3 and R4 has at least eight carbon atoms and wherein X(xe2x88x92) represents an anion, for example a halogen, acetate, phosphate, nitrate or alkyl sulfate, preferably a chloride. The aliphatic groups can also contain cross-linking or other groups, for example additional amino groups, in addition to the carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Particular cationic surfactants, include, for example, alkyldimethylbenzyl chloride or bromide ammonium salts and alkyltrimethylbenzyl chloride or bromide ammonium salts, such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride or bromide, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride or bromide; alkyldimethylhydroxyethylammonium chloride or bromide; dialkyldimethylammonium chloride or bromide, alkylpyridinium salts, such as lauryl pyridinium chloride or cetyl pyridinium chloride; alkylamidoethyltrimethylammonium ether sulfates and compounds with cationic character, such as amine oxides, for example alkylmethylaminoxide or alkylaminoethyldimethylaminoxide. Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride is especially preferred.
The cationic or cationically-active polymers are suitable as hair care or hair-conditioning polymers. Suitable cationic polymers contain preferably quaternary amine groups. The cationic polymers can be homopolymers or copolymers, in which the quaternary nitrogen groups either are located in the polymer chain backbone or preferably as substituents in one or more of the monomers. The ammonium-group-containing monomers can be copolymerized with monomers that do not contain ammonium groups. Suitable cationic monomers include unsaturated radically polymerizable compounds, which have at least one cationic group, especially ammonium-substituted vinyl monomers, for example, trialkylmethacryloxyalkyl ammonium monomers, trialkylacryloxyalkyl ammonium monomers, dialkyldially ammonium monomers and quaternary vinyl ammonium monomers with cyclic, cationic nitrogen-containing groups, such as pyridinium, imidazolium or quaternary pyrrolidones, e.g. alkylvinylimidizolium, alkylvinylpyridinium or alkylvinylpyrrolidone salts. The alkyl groups of these monomers are preferably lower alkyl groups, such as C1- to C7-alkyl groups, especially preferably C1- to C3-alkyl groups.
The monomers containing ammonium groups can be copolymerized with non-cationic monomers. Suitable comonomers include acrylamides, methacrylamides, alkyl- and dialkylacrylamides, alkyl- and dialkylmethacrylamides, alkylacrylates, alkylmethacrylates, vinyl caprolactones, vinyl caprolactams, vinylpyrrolidones, vinyl esters, such as vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, in which the alkyl groups preferably have one to seven carbon atoms, especially one to three carbon atoms.
Suitable polymers with quaternary amine groups are, for example, the polymers having the trade name, Polyquaternium, in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, such as methylvinylimidazolium chloride/vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer (polyquaternium-16) or quaternized vinyl pyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate copolymer (polyquaternium-11) and quaternary silicone polymers or- oligomers, such as silicone polymers with quaternary terminal groups (quaternium-80).
For example, vinyl pyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate methosulfate copolymers, sold under the trademark Gafquat(copyright) 755 N and Gafquat(copyright) 734 of GAF Co., USA, are suitable as a cationic polymer in the composition according to the invention. The Gafquat(copyright) 734 is especially preferred. Other cationic polymers which are suitable include, for example, the copolymer of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and imidazolimine methochloride sold under the trade name LUVIQUAT(copyright) HM 550 by BASF, Germany; the terpolymer of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, sodium acrylate and acrylamide sold by Calgon, USA under the trade name Merquat(copyright) Plus 3300; the terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone, dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and vinyl caprolactam sold under the trademark Gaffix(copyright) VC 713 of ISP, USA; the vinyl pyrrolidone/methacryl-amidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride copolymer sold under the trademark Gafquat(copyright) HS 100 and Gafquat(copyright) 734 of GAF Co.
Suitable cationic polymers, which are derived from natural polymers, include cationic derivatives of polysaccharides, for example cationic derivatives of cellulose, starches or guar. Chitosan and chitosan derivative compounds are also suitable. Suitable cationic polymers also include cationic polysaccharides having the general formula (II):
Gxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94Bxe2x80x94N+R5R6R7Xxe2x88x92xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II),
G is an anhydroglucose group, for example a starch or cellulose anhydroglucose group;
B is a divalent compound group, for example an alkylene, oxyalkylene, polyoxyalkylene or hydroxyalkylene group;
R5, R6 and R7 are, independently of each other, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxyaryl groups with up to 18 carbon atoms respectively, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the R5, R6 and R7 groups is at maximum 20; X is a common counter ion, which has the same significance as in formula I and is preferably chloride. A suitable cationic cellulose polymer is marketed under the trademark Polymer JR(copyright) by Amerchol and has the INCI name, polyquaternium-10. Another suitable cationic cellulose compound has the INCI name, polyquaternium-24 and is marketed under the trademark Polymer LM-(copyright) by Amerchol. A suitable guar derivative compound is marketed under the trademark Jaguar(copyright) R and has the INCI name Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride.
Chitosan, chitosan salts and chitosan derivative compounds are especially preferred as the cationic-active ingredients. Completely or partially deacetylated chitins are used as the chitosan or chitosan derivatives in the compositions according to the invention. Chitin contained in the shell residues from crustaceans is an economical and natural raw material available in large quantities, which is used for making chitosan. The molecular weight of the chitosans varies over a wide range, for example from 20,000 to 5,000,000 g/mol. Low molecular weight chitosans with a molecular weight of from 30,000 to 70,000 g/mol are especially suitable. Preferably the molecular weight however can be over 100,000 g/mol, especially from 200,000 to 700,000 g/mol. The deacetylation degree amounts to preferably from 10 to 99%, especially preferably form 60 to 99%.
A suitable chitosan is, for example, marketed under the trademark Flonac(copyright) by the Kyowa Oil and Fat Firm, Japan. It has a molecular weight of 300,000 to 700,000 g/mol and is 70 to 80% deacetylated. A preferred chitosan salt is chitosan pyrrolidone carboxylate, which is marketed for example under the trademark Kytamer(copyright) PC of the Amerchol firm, U.S.A. The chitosan contained in it has a molecular weight of about 200,000 to 300,000 g/mol and is deacetylated from 70 to 85%. Quaternarized, alkylated or hydroxyalkylated chitosan derivative compounds, such as hydroxyethylchitosan, hydroxypropylchitosan or hydroxybutyl chitosan, are especially suitable.
The chitosans or chitosan derivative compounds are preferably present in neutralized or partially neutralized form. The neutralization degree for the chitosan or the chitosan derivative compounds is preferably at least 50%, especially preferably between 70 and 100%, based on the number of free base groups. In principle all cosmetically compatible inorganic or organic acids can be used as neutralizing agents. These suitable inorganic or organic acids include formic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, hydrochloric acid, among others, of which the pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and the lactic acid are especially preferred.
Those polymers are preferred, which have a sufficient solubility in water or in water/alcohol mixtures, in order to be present in completely dissolved form in the hydrophilic phase according to the invention. The cationic charge density amounts to preferably from 1 to 7 meq/g.
Suitable cation-active silicone compounds preferably have either at least one amino group or at least one ammonium group. Suitable silicone polymers with amino groups are known under the INCI name amodimethicones. These compounds are polydimethylsiloxanes with aminoalkyl groups. The aminoalkyl groups can be terminal groups or side-chain groups. Suitable amino silicones include those of the general formula (III):
R8R9R10Sixe2x80x94(OSiR11R12)xxe2x80x94(OSiR13Q)yOSi R14R15R16xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III),
wherein
R8, R9, R14 and R15 are, independently of each other, the same or different and represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having one to ten carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a hydroxy group, an acetoxy group or an alkoxy group having one to ten carbon atoms; preferably represent an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms, especially preferably represent a methyl group;
R10 and R16 are, independently of each other, the same or different and represent hydrogen, hydroxy, phenyl, acetoxy, an alkyl group having one to ten carbon atoms, a phenyl group, an alkoxy group having one to ten carbon atoms or xe2x80x94(CH2)xe2x80x94NH2 with a=1 to 6; preferably represent an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms, especially preferably represent a methyl group;
wherein R11, R12 and R13 are, independently of each other, the same or different and represent hydrogen, an unsubstituted hydrocarbon group containing from one to twenty carbon atoms, a substituted hydrocarbon group with O and N atom substituents containing from one to twenty carbon atoms; preferably represent an alkyl group containing from one to ten carbon atoms or phenyl; especially preferably an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms, and most preferably represent a methyl group;
Q represents xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Nxe2x80x94R8R9 or xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94Nxe2x80x94R17R18R19, wherein A represents a divalent alkylene compound group having from one to twenty carbon atoms, which may be substituted with O and N atoms as well as OH groups, and R17, R18 and R19, independently of each other, are the same or different and represent hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group having one to twenty two carbon atoms, preferably a phenyl groups or an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms; particularly preferred groups for Q include xe2x80x94(CH2)3xe2x80x94NH2, xe2x80x94(CH2)3xe2x80x94NHCH2CH2NH2, xe2x80x94(CH2)3OCH2CHOHCH2NH2, and xe2x80x94(CH2)3xe2x80x94N(CH2CH2OH)2, xe2x80x94(CH2)3+ and xe2x80x94(CH2)3OCH2CHOHCH2N+(CH3)2R20, wherein R20 represents alkyl groups containing from one to twenty two carbon atoms, which can have OH groups;
X represents a number between 1 and 10,000, preferably between 1 and 1,000; and
Y represents a number between 1 and 500, preferably between 1 and 50.
The molecular weight of aminosilicones preferably is between 500 and 100,000. The amine fraction (meq/g) preferably is in a range of from 0.05 to 2.3, especially preferably from 0.1 to 0.5.
Silicon polymers with two terminal quaternary ammonium groups are particularly preferred. These compounds are known by the INCI name Quaternium-80. Polydimethylsiloxanes with two terminal alkylaminogroups are especially preferred. Suitable quaternary aminosilicones are those compounds of the general formula (IV):
R21R22R23xe2x80x94N+xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94SiR8R9xe2x80x94(OSiR11R12)nxe2x80x94OSiR8R9xe2x80x94Axe2x80x94N+R21R22R23 2Xxe2x88x92xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(IV),
wherein
A has the same significance as in the above formula (III) and is preferably xe2x80x94(CH2)3OCH2CHOHCH2N+(CH3)2R20, wherein R20 represents alkyl groups containing from one to twenty two carbon atoms, which can have OH groups; wherein R8, R9, R11 and R12 have the same significance as in formula (III) above and preferably represent methyl groups;
R21, R22 and R23 represent, independently of each other, an alkyl group having from one to 22 carbon atoms, which can contain hydroxy groups, with the proviso that at least one of the groups contains at least ten carbon atoms and the remaining groups have one to four carbon atoms; n is a number from 10 to 200 and preferably from 10 to 100.
These diquaternary polydimethylsiloxanes are marketed by GOLDSCHMIDT, Germany, under the trademark Abil(copyright) Quat 3270, 3272 and 3274.
Additional suitable cationically-active hair care compounds are cationically modified protein derivative compounds or cationically modified protein hydrolyzates, which are known under the INCI names, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed wheat protein, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed casein, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed collagen, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed keratin, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed silk protein, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed soy protein or hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed casein, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed collagen, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed keratin, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed rice bran protein, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed silk protein, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed soy protein, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed vegetable protein.
Suitable cationically derivatized protein hydrolyzates are mixed substances, which are obtained for example by reaction of alkaline, acidic or enzymatically hydrolyzed proteins with glycidyltrialkylammonium salts or 3-halo-2-hydroxypropyltrialkylammonium salts. Proteins, which act as raw materials for the protein hydrolyzates, can be of animal or plant origin. Conventional starting materials include keratin, collagen, elastin, soya protein, rice protein, milk protein, wheat protein, silk protein or almond protein. The mixed substances arising by hydrolysis have molecular weights in the range of from about 100 to about 50,000 g/mol. Usually the average molecular weight is in a range between about 500 to 1000 g/mol. Preferably the cationic derivatized protein hydrolyzates have one or two long C8- to C22-alkyl chains and correspondingly two or one short C1- to C4-alkyl chains. Compounds, which contain long alkyl chains, are preferred.
The salts used in the product according to the invention are soluble in water or in the aqueous-alcoholic solvent system of the hydrophilic phase. The cations of the salts used in the invention are metal cations or ammonium cations NH4+. Univalent, divalent or trivalent metal cations are especially suitable. The cations of the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, especially sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium as well as aluminum, are preferred. Chloride, bromide, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, carbonate and hydrogen carbonate anions are especially suitable as the anions of the salts of the invention. Chloride, sulfate, phosphate and carbonate are particularly preferred. Organic anions formed by deprotonating monomeric organic acids are also suitable, especially deprotonated carboxylic acids having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, in so far as they are water soluble, for example formate, acetate, propionate, lactate, pantothenate, tartrate, malate, pyrrolidone carboxylate or citrate. Sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, especially in the form of the heptahydrate, ammonium chloride, calcium chloride, zinc sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium aluminum sulfate, calcium pantothenate, sodium lactate and calcium acetate, are particularly preferred salts. Also salt mixture with different cations and anions are possible.
The propellant gases used in the invention are hydrophobic substances, which are gaseous under normal conditions, i.e. at standard pressure (1013 bar) and room temperature (20xc2x0 C.). However they are present in liquid form on filling under pressure and are at least partially insoluble in the hydrophilic phase and thus form a second hydrophobic liquid phase. Hydrocarbons having three to five carbon atoms, such as propane, isobutane, n-butane, isopentane or n-pentane, or their mixtures as well as fluorocarbons, such as F 152 (1,1-difluoroethane) or F 134 (tetrafluoroethane), are especially suitable. Mixtures with hydrophilic, partially water-soluble propellant gases, such as dimethyl ether, may also be used, in so far as they not used as the sole propellant, since otherwise the second phase would not form. Pure dimethyl ether also has the disadvantage that it is not compatible with the especially preferred packaging material, transparent plastic, especially polyethylene terephthalate. The container wall can be softened and become unstable, material can be dissolved from the container wall or the ingredients in the effective-ingredient containing solution can diffuse through the wall in the presence of pure dimethyl ether as the sole propellant. Mixtures of propane and butane and mixtures of propane, butane and dimethyl ether are particularly preferred.
The amount of the propellant gas is selected preferably so that after filling the pressure in the aerosol container is at most 2.7 bar at room temperature (20xc2x0 C.). Typical amounts are from 2 to 30% by weight, preferably 5 to 20% by weight, in relation to the total amount of the composition present.
At least one water-insoluble hydrophobic substance (e2) in which the liquid propellant dissolves is an additional essential ingredient of the hydrophobic phase. This hydrophobic substance (e2) is preferably oily or fatty and selected from the group consisting of plant, animal, synthetic or mineral oils, liquid hydrocarbons, especially liquid aliphatic, saturated hydrocarbons, fatty alcohols, fatty alcohol esters, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, especially esters of fatty acids and monoalcohols as well as fatty acid glyceride esters, fatty alcohol ethers and liquid silicone compounds, especially silicone oils.
The following compounds can be used as mineral oils: paraffinum liquidum, paraffinum perliquidum, paraffinum subliquidum, which predominantly represents a mixture of branched and cyclic alkanes. The aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons can be branched or unbranched. Paraffins and isoparaffins, such as isododecane or cyclic hydrocarbons, such as dioctylcyclohexane, etc, are especially suitable.
Suitable plant oils include jojoba oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, etc. For example, neatsfood oil, cod liver oil, mink oil, tallow oil, fish oil, etc, are suitable as animal oils. Suitable fatty alcohols and fatty acids have preferably from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and can be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for example caprylic acid, oleic acid, isostearic acid, etc and/or the corresponding fatty alcohols. Esters of fatty acids with short-chained alcohols (C1- to C5-alcohols), e.g. isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate or isobutyl palmitate, are suitable as the fatty acid esters. Monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglyerides are also suitable fatty acid esters. Esters of fatty acids and fatty alcohols, such as cetyl- or stearyl isononanoate, myristyl myristate, etc, are also suitable. Suitable fatty alcohol esters also includes esters of C8- to C22-fatty alcohols with organic acids that are not numbered among the fatty acids, e.g. cetyl lactate, myristyl adipate, etc. Suitable fatty alcohol ethers are built up from two fatty alcohols, which are combined by means of an ether group, e.g. dicapryl ether. Silicone compounds, which can be used, include linear polydimethyl siloxane (dimethicone, hexamethylsiloxane, etc.), cyclic dimethylsiloxane (cyclomethicone), silicone waxes, such as cetyl dimethicone, etc. The hydrophobic substances can be used individually or in a mixture with each other.
An especially reduced load on the treated hair is obtained, when the hydrophobic phase contains at least one hydrophobic, liquid easily volatilized ingredient, which is preferably selected from the volatile silicone compounds and volatile hydrocarbon compounds. The use of ingredients dissolved in the liquid is propellant gas from the aforementioned classes of ingredients, which are easily volatilized at room temperature (20xc2x0 C.) or when the hair is heated with hot air is recommended in order to prevent an unwanted loaded appearance of the hair. For that reason at least one easily volatilized silicone compound and/or at least one easily volatilized hydrocarbon is provided in an especially preferred embodiment of the invention. The composition is then preferably free of the more-difficult-to-volatilize hydrophobic ingredients or contains them only in an amount of from 3 or less percent by weight. xe2x80x9cEasily volatilized ingredientsxe2x80x9d means, in the sense of this invention, ingredients, which are volatilized from hair strands soaked in these substances without leaving a residue within 20 minutes at a temperature of 100xc2x0 C. Ingredients are preferred, which have a boiling point under 250xc2x0 C. at standard pressure. xe2x80x9cMore-difficult-to-volatilize ingredientsxe2x80x9d means, within the sense of this invention, ingredients, which are not easily volatized according to the foregoing definition. Suitable easily volatilized ingredients include easily volatilized paraffin compounds, easily volatilized isoparaffin compounds or easily volatilized silicone oils. Branched or unbranched hydrocarbons with 6 to 14 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, such as e.g. decane, dodecane, isododecane or additional isomers and linear or cyclic dimethylpolysiloxanes, such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone, are preferred.
Non-volatile hair care ingredients can also be advantageously present in the hydrophobic phase in dissolved form, for example as waxes, e.g. fruit or vegetable waxes, such as apple wax, ilex resin or also lanolin, paraffin wax, petrolatum (Vaseline(copyright)) or high viscosity silicone compounds and silicone resins.
Both liquid phases may be advantageously colored with different colored ingredients. The mixed color produced by shaking prior to application is an optical indicator for sufficient mixing for application. Oil-soluble colored substances soluble in the hydrophobic phase and insoluble in the hydrophilic phase and water-soluble or water/alcohol mixture soluble substances insoluble in the hydrophilic phase are used for this purpose.
At least one film-forming, nonionic polymer is contained in additional preferred embodiments of the composition according to the invention to improve the hair care properties. The amount used is preferably from 0.05 to 15 percent by weight, especially preferably from 0.5 to 5 percent by weight. Those polymers, which have a sufficient solubility in water or in water/alcohol mixtures, are preferred, so that they are present in the hydrophilic phase in completely dissolved form. The term xe2x80x9cfilm-forming polymerxe2x80x9d means, in the sense of the present invention, those polymers, which are in a position to deposit a polymer film on the hair, when present in 0.01 to 5% by weight in an aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous/alcoholic solution.
Suitable synthetic, nonionic, film-forming hair-fixing polymers include homo-or copolymers, which are built up from at least one of the following monomers: vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl caprolactam, vinyl esters, such as vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, acryl amide, methacryl amide, alkyl- and dialkylacrylamides, alkyl- and dialkylmethacrylamides, alkylacrylates, alkylmethacrylates, propylene glycol or ethylene glycol, wherein the alkyl groups of these monomers preferably have from one to seven carbon atoms, especially preferably from one to three carbon atoms.
Homopolymers of vinyl caprolactam, of vinyl pyrrolidone and of N-vinyl-formamide are suitable for example. Additional suitable synthetic film-forming nonionic hair-fixing polymers include, for example, the copolymerizates of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, terpolymers made from vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate, polyacrylamides, polyvinylalcohols and polyethylene glycols/polypropylene glycol copolymers. Suitable natural film-forming polymers include e.g. cellulose derivative compounds, e.g. hydroxyalkyl cellulose compounds, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose compounds with a molecular weight of e.g. 30,000 to 50,000 g/mol. Polyvinyl pyrrolidones and polyvinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymers are especially preferred.
The compositions of the invention can also contain additional cosmetic additive ingredients commonly used in hair treatment compositions, for example preservatives, emulsifiers, solvating agents, perfume oils, fragrance imparting substances, thickeners, pH buffer substances, care ingredients, such as vegetable and plant extracts, protein and silk hydrolyzates, light protective agents, antioxidants, radical trapping agents, anti-flaking agents, luster-imparting substances, vitamins, softeners, combability-improving ingredients, etc.
An especially preferred embodiment of the active-ingredient-containing composition has the following composition:
(a) from 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight of at least one water-soluble non-ionic film-forming polymer,
(b) from 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight of at least one water-soluble cationic polymer and/or at least one diquaternary polydimethylsiloxane,
(c) from 0.05 to 2.5 percent by weight of at least one water-soluble cationic surfactant,
(d) from 0.05 to 2.0 percent by weight of at least one water-soluble inorganic salt and/or a non-polymeric organic salt, in which the cation of the salt is a metal ion or the ammonium ion,
(e) from 63.0 to 97.25 percent by weight of water or a water/alcohol mixture,
(f) from 0.5 to 5.0 percent by weight of at least one volatile hydrocarbon and/or volatile silicone compound, which are liquids under normal conditions, and
(g) from 2.0 to 20.0% by weight of a propellant ingredient, which is propane, butane, mixtures of propane and butane and mixtures of propane or butane with dimethyl ether, wherein the percentages are based on the total amount of the composition.
The product according to the invention is made by first dissolving the ingredients for the hydrophilic phase in the hydrophilic solvent. The ingredients dissolved in the hydrocarbon phase are metered with the propellant gas prior to filling. Finally the propellant gas is filled into the aerosol container and the aerosol contained is tightly closed.
The product can be a rinse product and also a leave-on-product. The cosmetic composition according to the invention is applied to the hair in a sufficient amount to provide the desired hair care effects according to the amount of the hair and the state of the hair (typically about 3 to 10 g) and is distributed on the hair. After an acting time (e.g. 3 to 6 minutes) it can be rinsed out of the hair. Similarly the composition can also be allowed to remain on the hair, which is dried after the application.
The following examples should serve to illustrate the claimed invention in greater detail.

Clear, two-phase, foam-forming aerosol hair care product


A dumpster handling system is operated to support and move a roll-off dumpster back and forth underneath a point of material discharge for the filling of the dumpster. The system operates to move the dumpster so that the material is deposited at different points into the interior of the dumpster to achieve an even distribution of the load of material throughout the dumpster.

This invention relates generally to a system for the handling of containers such as roll-off dumpsters. The system is particularly adapted for use in a water treatment plant for the collecting and removal of the sludge which is conveyed from a filter press and discharged into the interior of a dumpster positioned beneath the discharging end of the sludge conveyor.
A major problem encountered in water treatment plants of the indicated type is that when the sludge is discharged from the conveyor into a dumpster, the sludge piles up in the dumpster at one location directly underneath the discharging end of the conveyor. One attempted solution to this problem was to move the dumpster in order to get a better distribution of the sludge dispensed therein, such movement being achieved either manually or by means of a truck or other vehicle attached to the dumpster. In addition, an employee would actually get inside the dumpster and rake the sludge deposited in the dumpster back and forth in order to achieve a better distribution thereof. Another proposed solution to the problem was to provide an overhead conveyor system that would discharge the sludge at different points along the length of a stationary dumpster. However, such a conveyor system would be excessively expensive and would, for example, cost as much as $80,000, and require a substantial amount of additional maintenance.


A collapsible bag expander made by bending a patterned cardboard into shape, enabling coupled pairs of hooked portions of border flaps of panels of the patterned cardboard to be respectively secured together by elastic bands so that the bag expander is automatically forced by the spring power of the elastic band to expand and to support the collapsible bag in shape after removable of the collapsible bag from the polybag, which packs the collapsible bag in the collapsed condition.

The present invention relates to a collapsible bag expander, and more particularly to such a collapsible bag expander, which is made of a patterned cardboard, and which expands automatically to support the collapsible bag in shape after removal of the collapsible bag from the packing material.
In order to support a backpack, travel bag, or any of a variety of collapsible bag in shape for exhibition, stuffing paper or like material is commonly used to stuff the bag. However, it is inconvenient to stuffing a collapsible bag with stuffing material. Further, when collapsing the collapsible bag, the stuffing material must be taken away. In order to eliminate these problems, various bag expander means have been developed. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a prior art bag expander for this purpose. This structure of bag expander is comprised of two folding panels and a stretcher connected between the folding panels. The stretcher has two coupling flaps at two distal ends respectively fastened to a respective coupling hole on each folding panel. This structure of bag expander is not satisfactory in function because it tends to be deformed and, the stretcher tends to be forced away from the coupling hole on each folding panel. FIGS. 3 and 4 show another structure of bag expander according to the prior art. This structure of bag expander comprises two symmetrical expander elements or substantially U-shaped cross section coupled together, and spring means fastened to the expander elements to secure the expander elements in the extended position. The expander elements each have two side panels, and coupling means at the side panels. The coupling means at the side panels of one expander element are respectively fastened to the coupling means at the side panels of the other expander element. The spring means are respectively fastened to the coupled coupling means to secure the expander elements in the extended position. Further, the side panels of the expander elemenets can be folded inwards to collapse the bag expander. This structure of bag expander has less industrial value because it is complicated and expansive.
The present invention has been accomplished to provide a bag expander, which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. It is one object of the present invention to provide a bag expander, which is simple and inexpensive. It is another object of the present invention to provide a bag expander, which automatically extends out to support the bag in shape after removal of the bag from the packing material. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bag expander is compirised of a patterned cardboard, which is folded into a three-dimensional configuration to support the bag in shape, and two elastic bands, which secure the patterned cardboard in the folded shape. The patterned cardboard comprises a base panel, the base panel having a top side, a bottom side, and two opposite lateral sides, two opposite side panels extended from the two opposite lateral sides of the base panel, two supporting flaps respectively longitudinally extended from the side panels at a top side, and two coupling flaps respectively transversely extended from two opposite lateral sides of the bottom panel in reversed directions, the side panels each having a hooked portion remote from the supporting flaps, the coupling flaps each having a hooked portion respectively hooked up with the hooked portions of the side panels. The elastic bands are respectively fastened to the coupled hooked portions of the side panels and the coupling flaps to secure the patterned cardboard in the folded shape.

33rd. Fl. (Ocean Tower 2 Bldg.), 75/86-87, Soi Wattana, Sukhumvit 21 Rd. (Asoke), Kwang North Klongtoey, Khet Wattana


A simulator, in particular for simulating thermal batteries, the simulator delivering an output voltage U.sub.bat across output terminals thereof, said output voltage being a function of a current I.sub.out delivered, into a load connected to said terminals, and of an e.m.f. parameter. E.sub.g and of an internal resistance parameter R.sub.g that are determined from simulation profiles that give successive values taken by said parameters under real battery operating conditions during an active life cycle of a given battery. The simulator includes computer equipment delivering the simulation profiles in the form of e.m.f. references C.sub.Eg and internal resistance references C.sub.Rg to a battery simulation card which, in order to generate the output voltage U.sub.bat of the simulator at the output of said voltage programmable power supply feeds said power supply with a battery voltage reference C.sub.Ubat determined on the basis of a measurement of the current delivered by said power supply and on the basis of the e.m.f. reference and the internal resistance reference as received from the computer equipment.

A thermal battery comes in the form of a metal box which is completely sealed, is generally cylindrical, and is fitted on one of its faces with user terminals.
A thermal battery contains the same essential elements as a conventional battery: a metal cathode, a metal anode, and insulating plates impregnated with a depolarizer or electrolyte, and assembled together in cells that are identical. A plurality of such cells are stacked inside the box which is sealed by means of a lid bearing the user terminals and which is secured by crimping and then by welding.
The special feature of a thermal battery lies in that its electrolyte is in the form of a solid, and no electro-motive force (e.m.f.) can be established until the electrolyte has been fused. The electrolyte is fused, i.e. the battery is activated, by igniting disks made of a pyrotechnical composition placed between each adjacent pair of unit cells in the battery, and triggered by an electrical detonator.
This physical special feature of thermal batteries gives rise, in particular, to unusual electrical characteristics such as a very large amount of variation in the two conventional parameters of a battery: namely its e.m.f. and its internal resistance, with this variation taking place over a short period of time, of the order of a few tens to a few hundreds of seconds, between the battery being triggered and the battery coming to the end of its active life.
This very short lifetime during which the thermal battery is active constitutes a severe drawback while developing and testing devices that are designed to run on such batteries. During development and testing, it is necessary to be able to power such devices, sometimes for several hours at a time, and using genuine thermal batteries would give rise to prohibitive costs during testing. In addition, the restrictive safety conditions that accompany the use of such pyrotechnical devices and the difficulties involved in implementing a component of that type make it very difficult, if not impossible, to use a thermal battery during development and testing. Thus, during tests., a manufacturer is reduced to replacing the thermal battery with such test equipment as may be available.
Three types of equipment are presently available for replacing thermal batteries:
A power supply that is constant, using series regulation or a chopper circuit. PA1 A power supply that is programmable over a standardized IEEE 488 bus. PA1 A power supply that is programmable by an analog reference voltage.
Such a power supply provides a steady voltage (i.e. an almost perfect e.m.f., optionally associated with an on/off switch) regardless of the load applied thereto, i.e. regardless of the current delivered, in other words: EQU U.sub.bat =E.sub.ps =Const., t, I.sub.out
Controlled by a computer, a power supply of this type delivers a voltage that is variable as a function of digital control words it receives, as interpreted by the standardized coupler of the apparatus, in which case: EQU U.sub.bat =E.sub.ps =k.sub.1 i, I.sub.out, k.sub.1 i .epsilon.
The reference signal may be provided, for example, by a random signal generator, with the output voltage of the power supply being capable of describing any variable waveform (reference image) that is modifiable at will, but that is still independent of the applied load, in other words: EQU U.sub.bat =E.sub.ps =k.sub.2 C.sub.Eg (t), I.sub.out, k.sub.2 .epsilon.
Regardless of the solution chosen from the above, the voltage delivered is always a nearly perfect e.m.f., even if it does vary over time. Under no circumstances can the current delivered give rise to a change in the output voltage level, and this is not representative of the behavior of a thermal battery.
It is therefore clear that there exists a need for a system that is capable of simulating the behavior of thermal batteries more faithfully so as to facilitate developing equipment that is designed to run on thermal batteries: e.g. power supply converters or control actuators.

Simulator, in particular of thermal batteries

Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle


In order to reduce the manufacturing cost, a flash memory includes a memory cell array formed by a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix shape; a plurality of word lines provided in each column of the memory cell array; a first word line driver that outputs a first voltage group to each of the word lines; and a second word line driver that outputs a second voltage group to each of the word lines together with the first word line driver.

The invention relates to a flash memory and, for example, a flash memory suitable for reducing the manufacturing cost.
In a flash memory, a high voltage has to be applied to a memory cell in order to rewrite data stored in the memory cell. Therefore, a peripheral circuit such as a word line driver for driving a high voltage has to be formed by using a MOS transistor (high breakdown voltage transistor) having a breakdown voltage enough to endure the high voltage.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A strip casting apparatus having a roll shell with a nitrided inner diameter surface mounted on a steel core and method of manufacturing the same. The inner diameter of a steel roll shell may be nitrided by ion or plasma nitriding. The nitriding process can form tight, crack free nitride layer that provides a corrosion resistant barrier and exhibits a surface hardness that is greater than the surface hardness of the steel core and that improves galling resistance while maintaining efficient heat transfer of the roll shell. After nitriding, the roll shell can be shrink fit over a steel core.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a galling and corrosion resistant inner diameter surface in aluminum caster roll shell steels. Particularly, the invention relates to the treatment and final product of the inner diameter surface of a caster roll shell through a nitriding process.
Discussion of the Related Art
Hollow, cylindrical steel roll shells that are used in the strip casting of aluminum (Al) and other lower melting metals are shrink fitted on a cylindrical solid steel core. The core outer diameter surface can be cylindrically grooved to provide a water channel path for cooling of the roll shell. The core hardness has typically been higher than that of the roll shells. The core is typically manufactured by weld overlaying a typical AISI 4130 core with 420 SS (up to 50 to 56 HRc) which can then be machined to generate the cylindrical water channels. An exemplary roll shell-core configuration includes a roll set with two roll shells, each around a core, that act as a die that solidifies the lower temperature metal such as Al. Molten metal, e.g. Al, enters the revolving roll set on one side and emerges as a solid wide thin strip on the exit side.
Because the steel roll shell is shrink fit onto the steel core, the roll shell tends to move slowly on the core during the casting operation. It is important, therefore, that the internal diameter surface of the roll shell has sufficient galling resistance to minimize any metal debris produced by the surface-to-surface grinding movement. In current applications metal debris is generated over time and accumulates in the water channels that may be provided onto the steel core. The debris can restrict and sometimes block the cooling water flow. This can directly affect the uniform heat extraction by the roll shell-core rolls and result in wide variation in Al strip thickness. As a consequence, the further cold rolling reduction of the strip to uniform sheet becomes very difficult if not impossible to accomplish.
Many attempts to reduce galling and debris generation in the core coolant channels have been explored. The most obvious solution has been to increase the interference shrink fit between the roll shell and core so that the slippage which causes the galling and debris generation is greatly reduced. However, this causes earlier generation of outer diameter surface heat checking or cracking as a result of the exceedingly higher circumferential tension stresses. Thus, interference shrink fit can often lead to a reduced service life of the roll set and can also result in early catastrophic failure.
One example of mechanically enhancing the interference shrink fit is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/039875, which is incorporated herein by reference. In this application, a steel core and a copper roll shell are provided with protuberances and indentations oriented at least partially in the direction of the casting roll axis and extending radially for at least 2 μm. Although this process may lead to reduced galling, the rough mechanical bonded surfaces of the core and roll shell can potentially reduce the rate of heat transfer and thus not necessarily improve the overall casting process.
Increasing the hardness of the overall steel roll shell by going to higher carbon steel alloys and alloying to produce high temperature yield strength has been used to develop a greater resistance to heat checking. An example of such approach is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,027, which is incorporated herein by reference. The higher hardness associated with these higher strength roll shells (46 to 48 HRc) is somewhat resistant to galling damage at the roll shell-core interface. However, the results are not ideal and the increased brittleness associated with higher strength alloys results in less shrink fit, which has been known to increase movement at the roll shell-core interface and thus potentially increase the generation of debris. Another disadvantage of using increased hardness roll shell is that it requires more care in handling the roll shells during installation and intermediate surface conditioning to avoid cracking and breakage.
Selected alloy content increases in lower carbon steel roll shells, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,497, which is incorporated herein by reference, has been very effective in reducing the onset of heat checking through high temperature strengthening by alloy carbide and nitride precipitation hardening that also allows for greater shrink fit to reduce roll shell-core movement. However, this approach does not address the problem of galling on the roll shell inner diameter surface because of the slightly lower hardness 44 to 46 HRc. Also, the higher alloy content can reduce the thermal conductivity in the roll shell and its ability to withdraw heat from the incoming molten Al.
Recently, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,892, which is incorporated herein by reference, it has been proposed that the alloy content be decreased even further to promote faster strip production rates by virtue of maximizing heat conductivity in the roll shell. However, again this has come at the cost of slightly lower roll shell hardness levels (42 to 44 HRc) and thus the potential for greater debris generation at the roll shell-core interface.
A commonly used procedure to address the above problems is to add a hard metal coating such as Cr (up to 0.004 in. thick and 58 to 62 Rc) or other hard elements to the inner diameter surface of the roll shell to increase abrasion resistance at the roll shell-core interface. This process, however, is limited to low temperature applications so as not to interfere with the mechanical properties of the roll shell. This limits the process to electrolytic plating as for example described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,332, which is incorporated herein by reference, that describes the procedure and its benefits. Through this coating process, abrasion galling resistance can initially be improved at the roll shell-core interface because the Cr coated steel roll shell can slide more easily over the core during casting. However, it has been shown that the brittle Cr plating often can contain numerous cracks or fissures that can break loose and cause debris buildup in the water channel. Also, the Cr plating can act as a barrier to heat extraction from the Al strip solidification thus slowing down the casting speed.
Another deleterious problem frequently experienced with Cr plating is the onset of galvanic corrosion of the roll shell under these Cr plates. This is caused by the coolant water seeping through the cracks in the Cr plate to the roll shell steel. Because of this effect, cracks can form in the roll shell inner diameter surface. The cracks often can initiate in the roll shells at the crevices where the core edges, at the water channels, meet the roll shell inner diameter surface. The corrosion rate at these crevices that become exposed to the coolant water flowing through the core channels is accelerated by the 100% Cr plated surfaces that drive the corrosion, by the area effect, to the less noble roll shell steel (usually 2% to 4% Cr in typical roll shells). When a roll shell crack is formed it can easily spread by the cyclic stresses during casting from the inner diameter surface roll shell surface outward to the roll shell outer diameter surface. This can lead to the roll shell springing water leaks or to catastrophic failure during the casting operation.
Attempts have been made to minimize the cracking by adding inhibitors to control the pH of the coolant water but have not been very effective because the inhibitors often increase the conductivity of the solution to 300-400 MMHOS/cm or higher, and thus promote galvanic corrosion especially at the core edges-roll shell inner diameter surface crevices.
Attempts have also been made to reduce the conductivity of the coolant water by using de-ionized water. However, this is a very expensive process that is nearly impossible to attain in commercial water coolant systems.

Galling and corrosion resistant inner diameter surface in aluminum caster roll shell steels


Traditionally a user has accessed an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a circuit switched access network such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This advantage is lost in current packet switched access networks where there is no mechanism for a user to select a particular ISP in the access network. The present invention provides a method for a user in a packet switched access network to select a connection facility to a second network, the method comprising, the user prepending the access network address of the connection facility to each data packet sent across the access network by the user, and the access network connection removing the prepended address from each packet prior to sending the packets on to the second network.

The present invention relates to access networks.
Traditionally a user has accessed an Internet service provider (ISP) using a circuit switched access network for example the public switch telephone network (PSTN). In this arrangement the user can select an ISP of choice by dialling the appropriate telephone number; a dedicated physical circuit is then set up via the phone lines and central office switching equipment between the users modem and the ISP.
Recently alternative access networks have become available in which packet switching is used. In a packet switched access network, data to be sent or received is broken down into packets, each of which includes the destination address and the packet sequence. The packets are then transmitted over the network taking any number of routes to reach their destination. At the destination the packets are received and the data retrieved by assembling the packet data in its proper sequence. While packets can take different routes to reach their final destination, a virtual circuit as opposed to a switched circuit, is said to have been formed across the access network between sender and receiver. Examples of packet switched access network enabling technology includes asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), cable modem, the third generation mobile system known as Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), as well as various fixed wireless data networks technology.
Many packet switched access networks are connected to other networks such as the Internet for example by a single connection facility, for example an ISP. It has not been possible for a user to select one facility or ISP over another in packet switched access networks, as has been possible with traditional circuit switched access networks.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of selecting in a packet switched access network an interface to another network.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of selecting in a packet switched access network an ISP to the Internet. In a first aspect the present invention provides a method for a user in a packet switched access network to select a connection facility to a second network, the method comprising:
the user prepending the access network address of said connection to each data packet sent onto the access network by said user;
the access network connection removing said prepended address from each said packet prior to sending said packets onto said second network.
Preferably said second network is the Internet, said access network connection is an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and said data packets are IP packets.
Preferably said access network and said second network use the same data packet header format.
In a second aspect the present invention provides a method of transmitting packets across an access network from a user to a connection facility to a second network, the method comprising:
accepting from said user of said access network data packets prepended with the access network address of said connection facility; and
forwarding said packets to said connection facility.
Preferably said second network is the Internet, said connection facility is an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and said data packets are IP packets.
Preferably said access network and said second network use the same data packet header format.
In a third aspect the present invention provides a method of transmitting packets across an access network from a connection facility to a second network to a user of said access network, the method comprising:
accepting from said facility data packets prepended with the access network address of said user; and
forwarding said packets to said user.
In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a signal comprising an access network data packet for transporting between a user of said network and a destination in a second network to which said access network is connected, said packet comprising an access network address corresponding to a connection facility between said networks.
In a further aspect the present invention provides access network equipment comprising:
means for accepting from a user of said access network data packets prepended with the access network address of a connection facility between said access network and a second network; and
means for forwarding said packets to said connection facility.
In a still further aspect the present invention provides access network equipment comprising:
means for accepting from a connection facility between said access network and a second network data packets prepended with the access network address of a user of said access network; and
means for forwarding said packets to said user.
In a yet further aspect the present invention provides connection facility equipment for connecting an access network with a second network, the equipment comprising:
means for accepting data packets from said access network having the access network address of said connection;
means for removing said address and forwarding said packets onto said second network.
In another aspect the present invention provides connection facility equipment for connecting an access network with a second network, the equipment comprising:
means for accepting data packets from said second network;
means for prepending the address of an access network user to said packet and forwarding said packets onto said access network.


A low volume photographic material processing apparatus, that utilizes a plurality of processing modules, that have a narrow horizontal processing channel. The processing modules may be arranged in either a horizontal or a vertical direction to solve the space constraints and the rigidity of prior photographic processor designs.

The processing of photosensitive material involves a series of steps such as developing, bleaching, fixing, washing, and drying. These steps lend themselves to mechanization by conveying a continuous web of film or cut sheets of film or photographic paper sequentially through a series of stations or tanks, each one containing a different processing liquid appropriate to the process step at that station.
There are various sizes of photographic film processing apparatus, i.e., large photofinishing apparatus and microlabs. A large photofinishing apparatus utilizes tanks that contain approximately 100 liters of each processing solution. A small photofinishing apparatus or microlab utilizes tanks that may contain less than 10 liters of processing solution.

Vertical and horizontal positioning and coupling of automatic tray processor cells


The present invention includes a gaming device having a processor and a display device connected to the processor. In addition to a base game which includes slot, poker, keno or blackjack, the present invention displays at least a set and preferably a plurality of sets of symbols on the display device. The base game, be it slot, poker, keno or blackjack, includes means, connected to the processor, for generating the symbols. Upon generating one of the symbols, the game provides an award associated with the generated symbol. Upon generating the set of symbols, the game provides a progressive award, wherein the progressive award includes at least one award and preferably each of the awards associated with the symbols of the completed set.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a relatively higher success rate progressive gaming device which enables a player to build potential awards as game play continues and which enables the player to realize the potential awards relatively frequently.
Progressive gaming machines have become very popular. Known progressive slot machines contain jackpots that increase every time a player plays the slot machine. An individual progressive slot machine has a self contained jackpot, wherein the jackpot grows with every play. A linked progressive includes two or more slot machines connected to a common jackpot, each of which individually contribute to the jackpot. The machines usually take a percentage of the player""s bet, such as 10%, and add it to the jackpot. The jackpots can reach sizeable amounts such as $1 million before a player hits or wins the jackpot. Such sizeable jackpots are very attractive to players. Furthermore, as the jackpot grows, so does overall payout percentage of the game.
Regardless of the type of progressive, known games typically require the player to play the maximum bet to be eligible to win the progressive jackpot. Even on a single payline dollar machine, the maximum bet can be $5 (max bet on most slot machines is 5 credits per payline). Many players who are not willing to wager such an amount, or consistently willing to wager such an amount, are thus excluded from having an opportunity to win the progressive jackpot and enjoy its associated payout increase. A known progressive slot machine that requires a max bet to enable the player to win a jackpot is a Megabucks(copyright) game by IGT, the assignee of the present invention.
Another known progressive slot machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,820 (hereafter xe2x80x9cthe ""820 patentxe2x80x9d), which issued on Aug. 4, 1998, and which is also assigned to IGT. The ""820 patent discloses that the jackpot can be preset to an amount more than any other progressive award of the associated game. Preferably, however, the top award jackpot is a progressive value that increases as a function of each coin deposited in the machine. The ""820 patent discloses that the player wins the progressive jackpot by successfully entering a bonus game and successfully playing the bonus game.
The ""820 patent also discloses a secondary progressive game, wherein the player obtains letters of a phrase or pieces of a puzzle by randomly generating letter or puzzle piece outcomes. As the player accumulates letters or pieces, the game accumulates a bonus value. If the player completes the phrase or puzzle, the game enables the player to play a second bonus game. In the secondary bonus game, the game designates the number of picks that the player has from a progressive award pool based on the bonus value, e.g., one pick if the bonus value is less than 2000 credits, two picks if the bonus value is between 2000 and 2999, etc.
The secondary game is progressive because if the player walks away from the game before completing the phrase or puzzle, the game, rather than resetting the phrase or puzzle to an initial state, enables the next player to finish the uncompleted phrase or puzzle. The next player also inherits any accumulated bonus value.
Both the jackpot progressive and the secondary game enable a player to build potential awards as game play continues, although the secondary game enables the player to realize the potential awards much more frequently than does the jackpot progressive. The jackpot progressive has a very low success or hit rate and is typically a very high return game. Both types of games and more particularly the secondary game enable the player to supplement wins or offset losses experienced in the base game of the gaming device. In either case, players enjoy progressive and potential award building type games because they add variety to the gaming experience. A need therefore exists to provide a higher success or hit rate progressive gaming device, which enables a player to build potential awards as game play continues, and which enables the player to realize the potential awards relatively frequently.
The gaming device of the present invention provides a set and preferably a plurality of sets of symbols. The base game, be it slot, poker, keno, blackjack or another game randomly generates the symbols during regular base game play. The present invention also preferably includes a value database. A value is associated with each symbol. The association may be predetermined or randomly determined. The value database may alternatively be weighted such that at least one value is more likely to be randomly generated than at least one other value.
Upon generating a complete set of symbols, the game provides a progressive award associated with said set to the player. The progressive award includes at least one of the values and preferably each of the values associated with the symbols of the completed set. The progressive award is most preferably an addition of each of the values for the symbols of the completed set.
The present invention preferably includes a plurality of sets of symbols and a plurality of well known random generation devices for generating the symbols for each set. The random generation devices may include, for example, at least one slot machine reel having a plurality of symbols, a deck of cards or a set of keno numbers.
In one slot machine embodiment, one or more reels include at least one changeable symbol that morphs or changes into one of a plurality of the symbols upon the base game generation of a preset combination of symbols along a payline. In a poker embodiment, the game generates a card upon the base game generation of a preset card combination. In a blackjack embodiment, the game generates a card upon the base game generation of a preset blackjack outcome. In a keno embodiment, the game generates a number upon the base game generation of a preset keno outcome.
The base game generates base game awards as the player plays the game. The player also wins or generates the symbols of the different symbol sets as the player plays the base game. The present invention preferably awards the progressive award of the first completed set of symbols and resets or initializes the completed set or alternatively each of the sets upon the award of the progressive award.
The present invention includes a progressive game, such that a player can generate one symbol and associated value for a set, while the player plays a first game of the present invention. If the player ends the game without completing the set, the player does not win the progressive award. The same or different player can then begin a new game, wherein the new game maintains the previously generated symbol and associated values and can thereafter generate another symbol and value for the set. A third, fourth or fifth game, etc., can accrue symbols and values therefor, whereby the game eventually provides the progressive award, which preferably includes a combination of the values for the symbols, to the player who is playing when the game completes the set.
The progressive game preferably includes a plurality of the symbol sets. Different games of the present invention likely generate symbols and values for different sets. The player who is playing when the game completes the first symbol set wins the progressive award associated with that set.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a progressive gaming device having a base game that generates symbols of a plurality of sets of symbols and provides a progressive award in addition to base game awards upon the first fulfillment of a set of symbols.
It is another advantage to provide a gaming device that generates values in association with generating symbols.
It is a further advantage to provide a progressive game that may be implemented with any primary game such as slot, poker, keno and blackjack.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.


A tree structure and method to organize routing information for processing messages within a network, each message being associated with a search key of “n” bits. The processing determines where to send the message next. The structure has a direct table (DT) of 2x entries for decoding the first “x” bits of the search key, and one or more pattern search control blocks (PSCB's), each having 2m entries for decoding subsequent groups of “m” bits. Each PSCB entry and DT entry includes a pointer to data associated with a specific route, if at this point a specific routing table entry is a potential match to the search key or a pointer to a subsequent PSCB if the end of a search trail is not identified. Each PSCB entry DT entry also indicates that the search has been resolved to the end of the search trail.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional tree structure, as is well known in the prior art, for searching a data structure to match a table entry with a search key associated with a message packet to determine processing steps required to send the message packet to its destination. This example is specifically for a "Longest Prefix Match" lookup as is required for a routing table. The search is started by using the first "X" number of bits (in this case, 16 bits) of a search key of "n" number of bits to index into the direct table 10. Then a Patricia tree structure 12 (bits 16-23) is used to resolve collisions for multiple routes that share the same entry in the direct table by the use of Pattern Search Control Blocks 14. Each Pattern Search Control Block 14 (PSCB) is configured to test one of the remaining untested bits in the search key (IP address). Each PSCB decodes one bit to a "0" or a "1". Note that each PSCB in the path to the route represents a memory access required to complete the search. Thus, one obvious limitation of this approach is the latency of the search which is dominated by these memory accesses. Memory bandwidth also becomes an issue. Eventually, this process will lead to a unique route required for routing packets with the current IP address to their destination. These routes are denoted in the figure with a circle enclosing an "R". Additional circles enclosing a "P" indicate routes that are prefixes of other routes. In these cases, the search must continue past the prefix in order to determine if a longer prefix route exists, but may return to the prefix if no better match is found for the current address.
In this application, different terms, including abbreviations and acronyms, are used. Table I listed below gives a definition of certain of the terms:
TABLE ITerms (including abbreviations and acronyms)TermDefinitionNPANext PSCB addressNBTNext bit to testLCBALeaf control block addressBirdPrefix of a prefix or nested prefixTrail End FlagEnd of search - entry points to a leafSRAMStatic random access memoryDRAMDynamic random access memoryDTDirect tableD . . .DRAM identifierMemMemoryLPMLongest prefix matchPSCBPattern Search Control Block

International Business Machines Corporation


A polyrod antenna fed at an end by a flared notch antenna. The space required to feed the polyrod is reduced, and a broader operating bandwidth is achieved. Gain of the antenna can be increased by increasing the polyrod length. A number of the polyrod antennas can be packed together in an array configuration.

Both polyrod and flared notch antennas are part of a larger family of antennas that exploit length in the endfire direction to achieve gain. A polyrod is a cylindrical shaped polystyrene rod a few wavelengths long. Other materials such as fiberglass may be used instead of polystyrene if desired. When properly excited, the polyrod acts as an endfire aerial. Traditionally, polyrods are fed with waveguide. A matching section is usually included to transition efficiently from the waveguide to the polyrod. As with other endfire antennas, like the flared notch, the gain of the polyrod may be increased by a corresponding increase in its length in the endfire direction, as described in The Antenna Engineering Handbook, H. Jasik, McGraw Hill, 1961, Chapter 16, pp. 16-1 to 16-24.
The waveguide required to feed the polyrod has proven incompatible with some of the proposed applications for the polyrod. One application, adding a polyrod array to the face of a mechanically scanned slot array, would be severely constrained if not impossible to accommodate using the waveguide. Not only would the waveguide feeding the polyrods be a problem because of the aperture blockage but also the feeding network for the waveguides would require more space.
Moreover, the waveguide is bulky and requires matching sections. Secondary to this is that the system, i.e., the polyrod and waveguide, is inherently narrow banded, i.e., limited at the low end by the cut-off frequency of the waveguide.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide a technique for feeding a polyrod antenna which has reduced volume and higher gain and broader operating bandwidth than the conventional waveguide-fed antenna.


A pump for mounting on a receptacle to dispense a substance contained therein, the pump comprising a pushbutton that is movable relative to a pump body between a low position and a high position, and co-operating therewith to define a pump chamber of variable volume, which chamber communicates with a dispenser orifice via a delivery valve including a ball that forms a retaining valve member in a housing of the pushbutton. The pushbutton includes retaining means for the ball that are integrally formed with said housing by molding plastics material.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,962 discloses a pump that includes a pushbutton which is movable relative to a pump body between a low position and a high position and which co-operates therewith to define a pump chamber of variable volume, which chamber communicates with a dispensing orifice via a delivery valve which includes a ball that constitutes a retaining valve member in a housing of the pushbutton.
Such a pump comprises a relatively large number of parts and manufacture thereof is expensive.
There exists a need to have a pump whose manufacturing cost is lower, but without the reduction in cost being made to the detriment of reliability.

Pump with a delivery valve including a ball


Localization of linguistic assets of a virtual space may be facilitated. A first instance (associated with a first locale) and a second instance (associated with a second locale) of the virtual space may be implemented. The first locale may have first linguistic conventions, while the second locale may have second linguistic conventions. The first instance and the second instance may be provided for presentation to a human translator. Editing may be facilitated of a first linguistic asset of the first instance corresponding to a second linguistic asset of the second instance. The first linguistic asset or the second linguistic asset may be editable by the human translator such that the first linguistic asset conforms to one or more of the first linguistic conventions and the second linguistic asset conforms to one or more of the second linguistic conventions.

Localization, in the context of virtual spaces, generally may refer to the preparation of a given virtual space for a specific locale. Localization of linguistic assets may relate to tailoring linguistic assets of a virtual space to linguistic conventions of a particular locale. Straight or literal natural language translation may often be insufficient or yield undesirable results. For example, the opening scene of the 1991 European Sega Mega Drive version of the video game Zero Wing by Toaplan was badly translated from the original Japanese version to "All your base are belong to us". Due to various factors such as, e.g., a translation having a different contextual meaning, a translation being of a different character length, and/or other factors, human translators performing straight translations may often require several iterations to arrive at a desirable result.

Facilitating localization of linguistic assets of a virtual space


In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a bearing compartment sealing system including a bearing for supporting a shaft. A housing encloses the bearing and defines a compartment for holding lubricant therein. At least two seals are located between the shaft and the housing. The at least two seals, the housing, and the shaft collectively enclose the compartment. Only one of the at least two seals is a hydrodynamic seal.

Gas turbine engines typically include a rotor assembly, a compressor, and a turbine. The rotor assembly includes a fan having an array of fan blades extending radially outwardly from a rotor shaft. The rotor shaft, which transfers power and rotary motion from the turbine to both the compressor and the fan, is supported longitudinally using a plurality of bearing assemblies. Known bearing assemblies include one or more rolling elements supported within a paired race. To maintain a rotor critical speed margin, the rotor assembly is typically supported on three bearing assemblies: one thrust bearing assembly and two roller bearing assemblies. The thrust bearing assembly supports the rotor shaft and minimizes axial and radial movement thereof, while the roller bearing assemblies support radial movement of the rotor shaft.
Typically, these bearing assemblies are enclosed within a housing disposed radially around the bearing assembly. The housing forms a compartment or sump that holds a lubricant (e.g., oil) for lubricating the bearing. This lubricant may also be lubricant gears and other seals. Gaps between the housing and the rotor shaft are necessary to permit rotation of the rotor shaft relative to the housing. The bearing sealing system usually includes two such gaps: one on the upstream end and another on the downstream end. In this respect, a seal disposed in each gap prevents the lubricant from escaping the compartment. Known seals include labyrinth or knife-edge seals and carbon seals.
However, the carbon seals may directly contact the moving rotor shaft, which may reduce the wear life of the seals and require dedicated cooling thereof. In this respect, many gas turbines now use hydrodynamic seals, which do not contact the rotating rotor shaft at high speed. Specifically, hydrodynamic carbon seals draw air through the seal and into the compartment, thereby maintaining a gap between the moving components and the stationary components. The pressure of air drawn into the compartment prevents the lubricant from escaping. Nevertheless, the use of two hydrodynamic seals instead of contact seals increases the size, weight, cost, and installation complexity of the bearing compartment sealing system.
Accordingly, a bearing compartment sealing system for a gas turbine engine that can provide improved wear life, reduce the volume of air drawn into the compartment during operation, and eliminate the need for dedicated seal cooling would be welcomed in the technology.

Hydrodynamic seals in bearing compartments of gas turbine engines


A tandem axle vehicle suspension system has a pedestal mounted to a chassis member and extending downwardly to support a trunnion shaft extending the width of the vehicle and between two suspension systems. A compensator is pivotally attached to the trunnion shaft. A fore torque beam and a rear torque beam are pivotally attached to and extend between the compensator and an axle. A central, principal load-bearing elastomer spring is held in position between the upper portions of the torque beams with sandwich type secondary springs extending between the compensator and each torque beam. In one embodiment, a mounting stud extends into the cylindrical opening at each end of the elastomer spring to hold it in position. In an alternate embodiment, fiber block assemblies are mounted to each end of the elastomer spring and opposing U-shaped saddle brackets with arcuate slots capture each end of the spring and permit limited arcuate movement of each end of the spring with respect to its adjacent torque beam.

Tandem axle suspensions are available in the prior art and generally include a pair of heavy duty springs to resist movement of the axles in the vertical direction with respect to the frame of the vehicles. In addition, some suspension systems provide structure to help balance the load between the axles to thereby improve the braking characteristics and wheel contact resulting in a much safer and more comfortable ride. Applicant has designed and patented several of these systems, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,471,165 and 3,632,128, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. These patented suspension systems are highly successful and provide a pair of sandwich type heavy duty load springs which extend between torque beams and a compensator. In at least one of the embodiments of U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,128, a smaller sandwich type spring is mounted between vertical plates projecting upwardly from the torque beams, these springs being of reduced capacity and providing for translation of effective loading from one axle to the other.
Applicant's prior suspension systems are designed and manufactured to operate many hundreds of thousands of miles without any maintenance. However, when it eventually is necessary to perform an overhaul on these suspensions, the main springs must be removed and replaced. The effort required to replace the springs of applicant's prior art suspensions is significantly reduced over that of other prior art suspensions but still requires that the suspension be dismantled from the vehicle and disassembled, and the compensator at least partially disassembled. This procedure is relatively easy to perform and applicant's suspensions are significantly easier to maintain and substitute replacement springs than other prior art suspension systems.
To reduce even the small amount of time required in applicant's previous suspensions, applicant has developed a new suspension system which has a single heavy duty spring member which can be removed and replaced in only a fraction of the time required for other suspensions and which provides the same features of his prior art systems and more. Applicant's new suspension utilizes a central, horizontally disposed, principal load-bearing spring member which extends between two pivotally mounted torque beams. A smaller compensator is mounted to a trunnion shaft and includes a pair of sandwich type elastomer and steel plate springs extending between the compensator and the torque beams to dampen the deflection of the central spring. The capacity of the suspension and the degree of deflection may be adjusted by choosing the stiffness of springs used. Because the central spring is "free-floating" between the two pivotally mounted torque beams, it also helps balance an uneven loading between the axles along with the compensator assembly. An unbalanced load at one axle shifts the central spring and compensator assembly both to distribute the load evenly between the axles.
In a first embodiment, the central spring is mounted between the torque beams by a mounting stud at each torque beam which extends into an axial cylindrical opening extending the length of the spring. The axial opening also provides room for the expansion of the elastomer as it is compressed under load by the torque beams. Each end of the spring is fixed with respect to its adjacent torque beam except for distortion occurring in the elastomeric material. In the second embodiment, the ends of the spring are permitted to "float" or pivot within a limited range. In this embodiment, self lubricating, convex fiber blocks are positioned adjacent each spring end and a matching, concave fiber surface is affixed to each torque beam. Opposing U-shaped saddle brackets with an aligned arcuate slot and stop bolt secure each spring end to its adjacent torque beam so that the spring end may pivot with respect to the torque beam. Movement is limited however by the arcuate slot and stop bolt.
Applicant's principal central spring may be replaced merely by removing a pair of set screw stops, elevating the vehicle chassis and merely lifting the central spring means out from between two mounting studs and replacing it with a new one. The set screw stops prevent unintended removal or cocking of the central spring when the vehicle is jacked up for other purposes. In a second embodiment, two more bolts must be loosened, but it is still possible to replace the single principal spring without disassembling the suspension system, removing it from the vehicle, or even partial disassembly of the compensator.
Thus, applicant's suspension provides for quick and easy removal and replacement of the central, principal load-bearing spring and an increased ability to distribute an unbalanced load equally between the axles.

Suspension system with central elastomer spring


A garment having a liner including a tubular member having an opening at one end and an opening at an opposite end and a non-slip portion disposed proximate one of the openings. A garment having a liner including a tubular member having an upper opening at one end and a lower opening at an opposite end and sides between the upper opening and the lower opening. A non-slip portion disposed proximate the lower opening that adheres to the abdomen of the wearer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to garments that have an inner liner. More particularly, the disclosure relates to garments that have an inner liner that is elasticized to provide a firm fit against the body of the wearer. Still more particularly, the disclosure relates to garments that have an inner liner that is elasticized and has a gripping edge that prevents slipping of the liner against the body of the wearer.
2. Description of Related Art
There exist many styles of outer garment that are designed to be loose fitting and comfortable. Such styles include tunics, tee-shirts, casual dresses and long swimming suit tops. While these garments are loose fitting and comfortable, many women still prefer or require a level of control in the abdominal region beneath such garments that the loose fitting garment necessarily does not provide. Often tee-shirts are worn beneath such garments; however, they are not designed to provide control or shaping of the body beneath the garment.
Accordingly, there is a need for a garment that has a liner that is shaped to provide control and shaping beneath the garment and will not slip against the body of the wearer during movement.


An anticorrosive film which can be formed without causing any substantial environmental pollution, can effectively prevent any corrosion from occurring through pinholes in a corrosive environment, allows the formation of a contact of high reliability maintaining a low contact resistance, and remains stable for a long time on the surface of a substrate having a gold or gold alloy layer without causing any variation in contact resistance, or undergoing any change in outward appearance. The film is formed by bringing the substrate surface into contact with an aqueous solution containing at least one of mercaptobenzothiazole and its derivatives as represented by the following formula at a concentration of 6 to 30 mmol/l. ##STR1##

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a metal plated material having an anticorrosive film and to an aqueous solution for forming the same, and more particularly, to a metal plated material used for a conducting portion of an eletronic part, such as a connector, and an aqueous solution for forming the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various kinds of connectors are used for making connections in an electronic device. The electronic parts, such as connectors, have contacts, and those contacts of which a particularly high level of reliability is required are formed by gold plating owing to the good conductivity and inertness of gold.
Gold is, however, expensive and adds to the cost of making a part or device. Therefore, the gold film is usually formed with a small thickness to enable a reduction of the cost. In accordance with decreasing a thickness, the film has a large number of pinholes. The pinholes are likely to cause the corrosion of the base metal which raises the contact resistance and lowers its reliability.
Various methods have, therefore, been taken to prevent corrosion through pinholes. They include the steps of forming a chromic acid film, dipping or immersing in a solution prepared by dissolving an organic compound having an adsorbing power in an organic solvent containing a halogen, and applying a lubricant oil to cover pinholes.
The chromic acid film has, however, been unsatisfactory in its action for preventing corrosion, since it is a film of an inorganic substance which is easily decomposed in a corrosive environment containing an acid gas. An increase of film thickness has been necessary to achieve an improved result, but has brought about a higher contact resistance and a lower reliability, as well as a problem of environmental pollution.
The problem of environmental pollution associated with solvent use is another disadvantage of prior art methods that employ an organic compound in an organic solvent for imparting anticorrosive properties.
On the other hand, the method has been carried out of applying a contact oil which consists of a lubricant oil by adding with an organic compound for preventing corrosion. It has been effective in a moist environment, but of low effect in a corrosive environment containing an acid gas. A number of reasons exist for which corrosion easily occurs. The compound is not effectively adsorbed to the surface to be protected. The molecules of corrosive gases and water are so small as to pass through an oil layer and reach the surface to be protected. Dust easily adheres to the oil layer and causes the gas and water molecules to be adsorbed to the surface to be protected.
Therefore, it has been necessary to find a method which can prevent corrosion as effectively as, or more effectively than the prior methods as described above without causing any environmental pollution, and without bringing about any appreciable increase in contact resistance. In this connection, there has been proposed a method which uses an aqueous solution of an organic compound having an anticorrosive action for application by dipping or electrolysis (Japanese Patent No. 2,717,062; hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 1).
According to the disclosure of Prior Art 1, an aqueous solution consisting mainly of a mercaptobenzothiazole derivative is electrolyzed by a direct current, while a gold plated material serves as the anode. The gold layer is formed on Nickel. The Nickel is electrolytically oxidized under the pinholes in the gold layer, and its reaction with the mercaptobenzothiazole derivative forms a complex compound which fills and seals the pinholes. The sealing of the pinholes is, however, insufficient for preventing any contact failure.

Method of forming an anticorrosive film for contacts for electronic parts

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd.