Provided is a process for lithographically patterning a material on a substrate comprising the steps of (a) depositing a radiation sensitive material on the substrate by chemical vapor deposition; (b) selectively exposing the radiation sensitive material to radiation to form a pattern; and (c) developing the pattern using a supercritical fluid (SCF) as a developer. Also disclosed is a microstructure formed by the foregoing process. Also disclosed is a process for lithographically patterning a material on a substrate wherein after steps (a) and (b) above, the pattern is developed using a dry plasma etch. Also disclosed is a microstructure comprising a substrate; and a patterned dielectric layer, wherein the patterned dielectric layer comprises at least one two-dimensional feature having a dimensional tolerance more precise than 7%. Also disclosed is a microelectronic structure comprising a substrate; a plurality of transistors formed on the substrate; and a plurality of conductive features formed within a dielectric pattern, wherein the plurality of conductive features include at least one two-dimensional feature having a dimensional tolerance more precise than 7%.

Current lithographic processes employed by the microelectronics industry have significant environmental, safety and health (ESH) impacts. The fabrication of semiconductor devices uses photoresist to lithographically define features at every mask level. Advanced complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and bipolar integrated circuit (IC) processes can require in excess of twenty-five mask levels. This large number of processing steps results in significant volumes of chemicals being consumed. Wet solutions are used for the application of the photoresist layer and during the development step. Thus, improved resist processing presents a clear need and an opportunity to reduce the ESH impact of microelectronics manufacturing. The present invention fulfills this and other needs.

Electrical device including dielectric layer formed by direct patterning process


A composition comprising a polyester, a brominated flameproofing agent for said polyester and 0.5-20 weight percent, preferably 1-8 weight percent, of an epoxy resin; a process for improving the decomposition behavior of a polyester composition containing a brominated flameproofing agent which comprises adding to said composition an epoxy resin an amount of 0.5 to 20 weight percent.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to polyester compositions containing a brominated flameproofing agent. More especially, this invention relates to an improved polyester composition containing a brominated flameproofing agent wherein the composition contains an epoxy resin. In accordance with the invention, there has been the discovery that by the use of an epoxy resin in such a composition, decomposition behavior of the composition is markedly improved. By improvement of such decomposition behavior, determined by measuring the reduced viscosity of the resultant composition in various forms, there is provided a polyester composition whose end use properties are materially improved. The polyester compositions of the invention include in particular polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polyester compositions, especially those containing as brominated flameproofing agent a brominated poly-p-xylyleneglycol-bisacrylate, e.g., polytetrabromo-p-xylyleneglycol-bisacrylate (TBX-PA).
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The properties of use of polyesters are directly related to their viscosity. The higher the viscosity, the better the rigidity, strength and toughness of the molded articles. In a separate postcondensation operation in the solid phase, the viscosity obtained in the polycondensation is therefore increased further with attendant improvement of the mechanical properties, which in the case of PBT is of considerable importance.
A measure of the viscosity is the so-called reduced viscosity, .eta. red., based on the formula ##EQU1## where .eta..sub.o is the viscosity of the solvent (60 parts by weight of phenol and 40 parts by weight of tetrachloroethane), .eta. is the viscosity of the solution, and c is the concentration of the solution (1 g/100 cc), measured at 25.degree. C.
In many cases, technically polycondensed PBT, for example, will have .eta. red. values ranging from 0.8 to 0.9 dl/g, which can be increased by postcondensation to 2.0 dl/g and higher, depending on the end use. Commercial PBT often has .eta. red. values ranging from 1.3 to 1.6 dl/g. Such a PBT has good mechanical properties, including good flexural strength, impact resistance, and notch impact strength.
Reinforcements, and particularly glass fibers, are added to a large proportion of the polyesters, and especially of PBT, to increase their rigidity. Here, too, a high viscosity will improve the properties of use of injection-molded articles.
Because of the flammability of polyesters, the flameproofing of unreinforced and reinforced polyesters is of great importance. Finely divided flame-retardant additives can be thermoplastically worked into PBT and other polyester granules, optionally together with glass fibers, on a kneader or extruder, for example. This must be done at temperatures ranging from 240.degree. to 300.degree. C. The thermoplastic mixture is extruded into a strand, for example, and the latter is chopped into granules, from which articles are then molded on an injection-molding machine, the processing temperatures employed again ranging from 240.degree. to 300.degree. C.
However, the necessarily high processing temperatures result in decomposition of the polyesters with attendant reduction of the viscosity. Since the best polyesters have the highest viscosity and therefore require the highest processing temperatures, it is precisely the highest-grade polyesters which suffer the most damage through a reduction of the viscosity.
Many additives to the thermoplastic mixtures contribute to a reduction of the viscosity. For example, many lubricants and colorants, and almost all fillers and reinforcements, will intensify the reduction in viscosity. Because they lower the viscosity, the fillers added with a view to improving the properties of the material do not achieve their full effect. The reinforcing effect of glass fibers is also lessened by the reduction in viscosity.
The decomposition of polyesters sets in already during processing in the extruder and is increased by the heavier thermal stresses set up during injection molding. Now in the case of molded articles incorporating flame retardants, such decomposition is particularly deleterious and serious since many flame retardants and their synergists themselves have an adverse effect on the mechanical properties of the molded articles and the reduction in viscosity will further increase embrittlement and may in the end render the molded articles unfit for use.
The simultaneous presence of a plurality of substances promoting decomposition results in enhanced and often additive decomposition effects. Decomposition is particularly pronounced when both reinforcements such as glass fibers and flame retardants are present.
This process is totally undesired since it is directly responsible for an impairment of the properties of use of molded articles so produced. It has therefore been sought, in the case of PBT and other polyesters, to start out with as high a viscosity as possible in order to still have a sufficiently high residual viscosity, and hence adequate properties of use, in the finished molded article. However, limits are imposed on this approach by these three factors:
1. The higher the initial viscosity, the more pronounced the decomposition in thermoplastic processing.
2. Polyesters of very high viscosity are more difficult to process thermoplastically.
3. Postcondensation of polyesters up to very high viscosities reduces the economy of the process.
It has been known from German patent application DOS No. 25 01 988 to add epoxides to both reinforced and unreinforced polyesters so that when hardening and crosslinking agents, referred to as catalysts, are added at the same time in amounts of from 0.03 to 0.5% of the total mixture a lengthening of the chain of the polyester is achieved, and with it compensation for the decomposition.
However, the crosslinking agents have been found to give rise to discoloration, and occasionally embrittlement, at the high processing temperatures of the polyesters.
It has also been known to process similar polyesters incorporating epoxides with certain flame retardants in accordance with German patent application DOS No. 25 02 835, use being made of the aromatic monomeric bromine compounds decabromo diphenyl oxide, hexabromo or octabromo diphenyl together with Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3. While such monomeric flame retardants do not result in particularly pronounced decomposition of polyesters, they are not especially compatible with polyesters and will migrate from molded articles, leaving a coating. These flame retardants will volatilize quickly, especially at elevated temperatures of use, and the original flammability therefore will soon be restored.
On the other hand, polyesters incorporating flame retardants are known from German Pat. No. 25 27 803 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,709 whose polymeric flame retardants do not migrate and whose flame retardancy is permanently preserved even at high temperatures of use.

Flameproofed polyesters of improved viscosity


A method of making an electrochemical cell, and an electrode stack made thereby. The method includes fabrication of a coating onto selected areas of the ends of the stack by a thermal spray coating process in which the coating is applied to one of the electrodes in the stack without the coating contacting the alternate edges of the other electrode in the stack. Suitable conductive strips, compatible with the substrate materials that make up the electrodes of the cell, can be attached to the thermally sprayed coating layers, or can be embedded into the sprayed materials as they are applied to the electrode stack.

In general, this invention is directed to a technique for improving the current collection capability in an electrochemical cell by depositing a connection coating onto the exposed ends of the electrodes in a spirally wound electrochemical cell.
In a typical spirally wound electrochemical cell, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are separated by insulating layers which alternate with the conductive layers. The conductive layers are offset from one another, so that the first conductive layer extends beyond the insulating layers and the second conductive layer in one direction. The second conductive layer extends beyond the insulating layers and first conductive layer in an opposite direction. The layers are then rolled together to form a jelly-roll style electrode stack wherein the first conductive layer forms a positive electrode at one end of the stack, and the second conductive layer forms a negative electrode at a second end of the stack opposite the stack first end.
A first spiral space is defined in the first end of the jelly-roll by the portion of the first conductive sheet which is not layered with either insulation or the second conductive sheet. A second spiral space is defined in the second end of the jelly-roll by the portion of the second conductive sheet which is not layered with either insulation or the first conductive sheet. The electrodes are then connected to terminals of a fluid tight casing for use as a battery. Before the casing is sealed shut, an electrolyte is put into the casing, surrounding the electrodes. The electrolyte aids in the development of an electrical potential difference between the electrodes in the cell.
In the typical electrochemical cell, the electrodes are connected to the terminals of the battery by tabs extending from the electrode sheet itself, or by tap straps. Another method of connection is to edge weld the tabs to the spiral end of the electrodes. These methods, however, suffer the problem of only being capable of carrying a limited amount of current from the cell. The tabs do not connect to a sufficient area of the electrode to carry larger currents associated with bigger batteries. Moreover, welding additional tabs presents problems in manufacture of the batteries, such as limiting the area by which electrolyte can be introduced into the electrode, and increasing the cost as well as production time of the battery.

Current collection through thermally sprayed tabs at the ends of a spirally wound electrochemical cell


A hydraulic drive system for positioning a part such as the electrode of an electrical discharge machine includes a hydraulic cylinder and a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder and separating it into opposite first and second chambers on opposite sides of the piston. A piston rod extends from the piston through one end of the cylinder for connection to a part to be positioned. A reservoir containing hydraulic fluid is mounted on the cylinder, and a pump has an inlet communicating with the reservoir and an outlet connected via passageways to the first and second chambers. Return passageways are provided for returning fluid from the chambers to the reservoir, and valves control fluid flow from the pump to the chambers and back from the chambers to the reservoir in order to drive the piston in opposite directions. The reservoir, pump, valves, and at least part of each connecting passageway are located within a single outer housing.

The present invention relates generally to hydraulic drive systems of the type used for advancing and retracting a ram for controlling positioning of a workpiece or the like, and is particularly concerned with a hydraulic drive assembly for positioning the electrode of an electrical discharge machine.
In a typical hydraulic drive system, a supply of hydraulic fluid is provided from a reservoir to a pump inlet. The pump outlet is connected via input lines to opposite ends of a hydraulic cylinder, with control valves for selectively cutting off the supply of fluid to respective ends of the cylinder. Return lines are provided from each end of the cylinder to the reservoir, with control valves for controlling the connection of the respective ends of the cylinder to the reservoir. A piston in the cylinder moves back and forth in response to the supply of pressurized fluid to opposite ends of the cylinder, and is connected to a ram extending out of the cylinder for positioning a workpiece, machine part, or the like. This is a four way system including four connecting lines and corresponding valves between the pump, cylinder and reservoir, and a connecting line from the reservoir to the pump. Such systems are typically bulky, expensive, and have relatively slow response times.
Hydraulic drive systems of this type have been used in the past for controlling the positioning of an electrode of an electrical discharge machine, for example, although they were not ideal for this purpose in view of their size, expense, and relatively slow operation.
In a typical electrical discharge machine, a power supply or control circuit applies a pulsed waveform between an electrode immersed in a bath of liquid dielectric and a workpiece positioned below the electrode. When the gap between the electrode and workpiece is at an optimum distance, a spark traverses the gap and material is removed from the workpiece. The spark will occur again on the next voltage pulse if the optimum gap is maintained. A servo system is used to maintain the desired gap spacing. The voltage across the gap is detected, and is compared to the optimum voltage corresponding to the desired gap spacing. If the gap voltage is too small, the servo mechanism moves the electrode up. Conversely, if the detected gap voltage is too large, the electrode is moved down. The servo mechanism used is either of the lead screw ram type or a hydraulic system. These have the disadvantage of being relatively slow, and are generally large and expensive machines. A typical hydraulic system will be relatively slow to respond to a control signal to drive the electrode up or down, and is also prohibitively large and expensive for all but very large machine shops.

Hydraulic drive assembly for electrical discharge machine


A side step assembly includes a side bar configured to be coupled to a vehicle and a step. The step is configured to interlock with the side bar such that the step can selectively translate along the side bar while remaining coupled thereto.

A vehicle side step assembly is an accessory that has some popularity among higher profile vehicles. Conventional side step assemblies generally include a side bar coupled to a vehicle. The side bar may have a step positioned near a door of the vehicle to allow for easier ingress and egress to and from the vehicle cabin. Such steps may not be placed in the ideal location for every user. That is, a shorter person may prefer the side step to be at a different location than a taller person.
Accordingly, a need exists for alternative side step assemblies having adjustable step placement.


Access to a motor vehicle is controlled by periodically transmitting an interrogation signal from a control circuit on the vehicle. Upon receiving the interrogation signal, a hand-held remote control transmits a reply signal to the control circuit. The control circuit measures the strength of the reply signal and the activates a first function, such as unlocking a door of the vehicle, when the strength exceeds a first threshold level. Thereafter, when the signal strength exceeds a second threshold level, the control circuit activates a second function, for example enabling the engine to be started. When the signal strength drops below a third threshold activates a third function, such as locking the door.

The present invention relates to system for remotely controlling access to motor vehicles, and more particularly to wireless remote control systems that can be used to unlock vehicle doors, start the engine and operate other functions on the vehicle.
Automobiles have used keys which mechanically operate locks to limit access to the vehicle and starting the engine to only authorized persons. More recently remote keyless entry (RKE) systems have been provided that use a small radio frequency (RF) transmitter, often having the shape of a key ring fob, to access the vehicle. This RF transmitter has a number of push button switches allowing the driver to control different functions of the vehicle, such as lock and unlock the doors, arm a security system or open the trunk. These transmitters also have been proposed to control starting the vehicle engine. When a given push button switch is operated, the transmitter sends an RF signal which carries a digital numerical code and a designation of the function to be performed. A receiver in the vehicle receives the transmitter signal, verifies that the numerical code designates an authorized transmitter for that particular vehicle and if so, signals the vehicle control circuits to perform the prescribed function.
Although the digital numerical code makes it extremely difficult for unauthorized persons to gain access to the motor vehicle, concern has been expressed that someone with a radio receiver and a digital signal analyzer could eavesdrop on the radio transmissions and obtain the security numbers. Particular brands of vehicles use a specific single radio frequency. Thus a thief could xe2x80x9cstake outxe2x80x9d a valuable vehicle to await the return of the driver and learn the transmission necessary to operate the vehicle. Those security numbers then could be utilized to steal that vehicle at a later point in time. Thus, as the technology available to thieves advances, so too must the signal processing employed by the RKE system. Therefore, there exists a need for a more secure radio frequency system that allows keyless entry.
Bidirectional radio frequency communication has been used for some time in cordless telephones. The term xe2x80x9ccordless telephonexe2x80x9d as used in the telecommunication industry, means a telephone comprising a base station and a hand-held transceiver unit. The base station is connected by wires to a terrestrial telephone line serving the owner""s premises. A hand-held transceiver carried by the user communicates by radio frequency signals with the single base station that is up to approximately 300 meters away.
The Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) protocol was developed in the mid-1980""s as a pan-European standard for cordless telephones and has been adapted for use outside the European Union. The DECT standard protocol has been used for simultaneous bidirectional communication between a base station and a hand-held transceiver of cordless telephones. This standard utilizes ten frequencies for communication. The exchange of signals over each frequency is divided into frames 10 each having twenty-four slots as shown in FIG. 1. The twelve slots in the first half 14 of each frame are used for communication from a hand-held transceiver to the associated base station, while the twelve slots in the second frame half 16 are used for communication from the base station and the hand-held transceiver.
When a user desires to use activates the cordless telephone to make an outgoing call, the hand-held transceiver searches for a frequency that has a matching slots in each frame half which are not being used by another cordless telephone system. This is accomplished by the hand-held transceiver listening for digital signals being sent in each slot of the frame at each of the assigned frequencies. When a vacant pair of slots, such as 18 and 19, is found, the hand-held transceiver sends a message initiation signal on the selected frequency during slot 18 in the first half of a message frame.
While the hand-held transceiver is performing these functions, the base station is scanning the ten frequencies and listening during each of the twelve slots in the first half 14 of the message frames at each frequency. When the base station hears a message initiation signal that is addressed to it, i.e. containing the proper identification data, the base station sends a response to the transceiver in the associated slot 19 in the second half of a frame at the same frequency and bidirectional communication is established. A reverse procedure occurs when the base station receives an incoming call via the terrestrial telephone line.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a remote keyless vehicle entry system which does not require manual activation by the user.
Another object is to provide secure mechanism for enabling a driver to start a motor vehicle without a conventional key.
A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for automatically locking the doors upon the driver exiting the motor vehicle.
Still another aspect of the present system allows the vehicle doors and trunk to be unlocked and locked.
These and other objectives are satisfied by a passive keyless access system having a remote control adapted to be carried by the driver. Access to the vehicle is controlled by the remote control transmitting a signal from outside the vehicle to a control circuit on the vehicle. The control circuit measures the strength of the signal and activates a first function of the vehicle when the strength exceeds a first predefined threshold. Thereafter when the strength exceeds a second predefined threshold, the control circuit activates a second vehicle function. For example, the first function can be unlocking a vehicle door and the second function can be enabling the engine to be started. In that example, the first predefined threshold is greater than the second predefined threshold.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, transmission of the signals utilizes the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) protocol. As an optional feature the control circuit can activate a third function of the vehicle when the signal strength drops below a third predefined threshold, the control circuit activates a second function of the vehicle, such as locking the doors as the driver has left the vehicle.


A yarn draw-off pipe for the withdrawal of a yarn, e.g. from a spinning rotor. To achieve easier replaceability of the yarn draw-off pipe, the latter is provided with an inclined surface upon which an elastic element bears to retain the yarn draw-off pipe. The inclined surface is placed in relation to the axis of the holder of the yarn draw-off pipe in such manner that the force of the elastic element exerted radially to the axis produces a force acting in axial direction, so that the yarn draw-off pipe is securely held in its holder.

The instant invention relates to a yarn draw-off pipe, as well to a holder for a yarn draw-off pipe on the housing of a spin box of a rotor spinning machine.
An open-end spinning device in which a draw-off nozzle for the withdrawal of the spun yarn is provided on the cover of the rotor housing and in which a yarn draw-off pipe is connected after the yarn draw-off nozzle is known from EP 0200 092. The yarn draw-off pipe is pressed axially against the yarn draw-off nozzle by means of a spring which bears upon it on its side away from the yarn draw-off nozzle.
A cover of an open-end rotor spinning device equipped with a yarn draw-off nozzle on its side towards the rotor and with an opening on its side away from the rotor into which a yarn draw-off pipe extends, and whereby the yarn can be guided through the draw-off pipe out of the rotor housing, is known from the German patent application P 41 31 665.7. The yarn draw-off pipe is held in its axial position similarly as in EP 0200 092 B1, by means of an elastic element which holds the yarn draw-off pipe with pre-stress in its axial position. The elastic element in this case is made in the form of a leaf spring which can be lifted and swivelled to remove the yarn draw-off pipe. This type of design of a yarn draw-off pipe and its attachment on the rotor cover has the disadvantage that when the yarn draw-off pipe is to be replaced, the leaf spring must first be swivelled away before the yarn draw-off pipe can be removed and replaced by a new one. This a disadvantage insofar as access is difficult through a housing cover to the back of the rotor cover. The operator must therefore lift the spring with one hand and pull out the yarn draw-off pipe or install a new yarn draw-off pipe with the other hand.
The holder of the yarn draw-off pipe is made in the form of a pipe-shaped element in this case, which is attached to a mounting plate to which the cover of the spin box is mounted. The holder extends axially into a bore of the rotor cover and guides the yarn draw-off pipe radially while it is held axially by a leaf spring. The holder for the yarn draw-off pipe may also be mounted on the rotor cover itself or be an integral part thereof as is shown in EP 0200 092 B1.
A yarn draw-off pipe with a surface for the bearing of an elastic element is known from DE-OS 25 38 258. The elastic element is used here to push the yarn draw-off pipe out of its holder. For disassembly, a safety element must be unscrewed for this. In another design the safety element is spring-loaded.

Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG


The present invention relates to flame-retardant thermoplastic resin compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to the thermoplastic resin compositions which comprise a polycarbonate, a styrene containing graft copolymer, a styrene containing copolymer, a mixture of alkyl substituted, preferably t-butyl substituted, monophosphate esters, a phosphate ester compound, and a fluorinated polyolefin, whose stress cracking resistance and flame retardancy are improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to flame-retardant thermoplastic resin compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to the thermoplastic resin compositions which comprise a polycarbonate, a styrene containing graft copolymer, a styrene containing copolymer, a mixture of alkyl substituted, preferably t-butyl substituted, monophosphate esters, a phosphate ester compound, and a fluorinated polyolefin, whose stress cracking resistance and flame retardancy are improved.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Polycarbonate resin compositions are widely used for parts of electrical products and automotive-components because they have a good combination of transparency, high impact strength, and heat resistance. But, polycarbonate resin compositions have poor ocessability during molding process, so polycarbonate resin compositions are usually blended with other resins for improving these properties. For example, a molding composition comprising a polycarbonate resin and a styrenic resin has good processability as well as high notched impact strength.
Furthermore, the polycarbonate molding composition used for parts of home and office appliances should be flame resistant to prevent fires.
To confer flame retardancy to thermoplastic molding compositions, halogen and/or antimony containing-compounds have been incorporated. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,983,658 and 4,883,835, a halogen-containing compound is used as a flame retardant. The halogen-containing compound, however, results in corrosion of the mold itself by the hydrogen halide gases released during a molding process and is fatally harmful due to the toxic gases liberated in the case of fire.
As a method for conferring flame-retardancy without using a halogen-based flame retardant, a method using a phosphate ester-based flame retardant is commonly used. The use of halogen-free phosphate ester compound as flame retardants avoids the problems caused by the corrosive and harmful by-products of halogen-based flame retardants. However, the phosphate ester-based flame retardants have tendency to cause deterioration of heat resistance, occurring of stress crack by volatilization of a flame retardant, and juicing during a molding process.
As a method for overcoming these problems, Japanese Patent Publication No. (Sho)62-25706 describes the use of a mixture of an arylphosphate ester prepared by reacting a phosphorus oxychloride with a divalent phenol and a monovalent phenol, and an oligomeric phosphate ester as a flame retardant. However, in this method, the flame retardant prepared by such method results in the corrosion of the mold itself by a phosphorus oxychloride and a residual metal ion derived from a metal salt used as a catalyst such as aluminum chlorides, magnesium chlorides, and so on.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,061,745 and 5,030,675 describe polymer blends prepared from an aromatic polycarbonate, an ABS graft copolymer, a styrene containing copolymer, a monophosphate ester such as triphenylphosphate(TPP) as flame retardants, and a fluorinated polyolefin. However, the low stress cracking resistance of these molding compositions often restricts the application of non-halogen-PC/ABS in the field of making parts of electronic and electric products, especially thin-walled parts. And heat resistance of these blends also deteriorates substantially.
In order to reduce the occurrence of stress cracking and deterioration of heat resistance by the use of a monophosphate ester, U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,394 describes a polymer mixture comprising an aromatic polycarbonate, a styrene containing copolymer and/or a styrene containing graft copolymer and an oligomeric phosphate as a flame retardant. In this polymer mixture, it is possible to obtain a V-O rating according to UL-94 using by the oligomeric phosphate whose condensation degree is about 1.4. However, if the condensation degree of the oligomeric phosphates exceed 2.8, the flame retardancy of this polymer mixture decreases rapidly to HE rating and stress cracking resistance of the mixture also decreases.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,645 describes flame retardant polycarbonate/ABS molding compounds whose stress cracking resistance is improved by a combination of additives comprising a monomeric phosphorus compound and an oligomeric phosphorus compound as compared with the molding compounds comprising only a monophosphorus compound or an oligomeric phosphorus compound, respectively. However, the heat resistance and stress cracking resistance of these compounds are not sufficient, so an improvement is required.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,404 describes compositions of alkylated triphenyl phosphate esters comprising 1 to 20% by weight trialkylphenyl phosphate, 10 to 50% by, weight dialkylphenyl monophenyl phosphate, 15 to 60% by weight monoalkylphenyl diphenyl phosphate and less than 2% by weight triphenyl phosphate. However, this publication contains no indication of any improvement in stress cracking resistance and flame retardancy of thermoplastic resin compositions by adding these mixtures of triaryl phosphate esters.
The present invention is based on the discovery that flame retardant thermoplastic resin compositions with excellent stress cracking resistance and heat-resistance may be produced by adding flame retardants comprising a phosphate ester and a mixture of alkyl substituted, preferably t-butyl substituted, monophosphate esters of U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,404. The flame retardant thermoplastic resin compositions of this invention have good stress cracking resistance and elevated heat resistancy as compared with the molding compound of U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,645 comprising a monophosphorus compound and an oligomeric phosphorus compound as a flame retardant.
An object of the present invention is to provide a flame-retardant thermoplastic resin composition with excellent stress cracking resistance and improved heat resistance which comprises a polycarbonate, a styrene containing graft copolymer, a styrene containing copolymer, a mixture of alkyl substituted, preferably t-butyl substituted, monophosphate esters, a phosphate ester, and a fluorinated polyolefin.
The present invention relates to thermoplastic resin compositions comprising:
(A) 40 to 95 parts by weight of a halogen-free, thermoplastic polycarbonate;
(B) 5 to 50 parts by weight of a styrene containing graft copolymer prepared by grafting (B-1) onto (B-2)
(B-1) 5 to 95% by weight, based on (B), of a mixture of
(B-1.1) 50 to 100% by weight of styrene, xcex1-methyl styrene, nucleus-substituted styrene, methyl methacrylate or a mixture thereof, and
(B-1.2) 50 to 0% by weight of acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, C1-C8 alkyl methacrylate, C1-C8 alkyl acrylate, maleic anhydride, N-substituted maleimide, or a mixture thereof
(B.2) 95 to 5% by weight, based on (B), of a rubber with a glass transition temperature(Tg) of below xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. and selected from the group consisting of butadiene rubbers, acryl rubbers, ethylene/propylene rubbers, styrene/butadiene rubbers, acrylonitrile/butadiene rubbers, butadiene/styrene rubbers, polyisoprene, EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene terpolyrner) rubbers, polyorganosyloxane, and mixtures thereof;
(C) 0 to 30 parts by weight of a styrene containing copolymer prepared from
(C-1) 50 to 95% by weight of styrene, xcex1-methyl styrene, nucleus-substituted styrene, methyl methacrylate or a mixture thereof, and
(C-2) 50 to 5% by weight of acrylonitrile, C1-C8 alkyl methacrylate, C1-C8 alkyl acrylate, or a mixture thereof,
(D) 5 to 20 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of (A)+(B)+(C), of a mixture comprising
(D-1) 100 to 5% by weight of admixture of alkyl substituted, monophosphate esters of the formula(I)
xe2x80x83in which,
R is an alkyl group selected from t-butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isoamyl, t-amyl and N is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, and
(D-2) 0 to 95% by weight of phosphate esters of the formula (II)
xe2x80x83in which,
R1, R2, R4, and R5 are independently cresyl, phenyl, xylenyl, propylphenyl, butylphenyl, or brominated or chlorinated derivatives thereof,
R3 is an arylene group, and
M is 0 to 5; and
(E) 0 to 2 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of (A)+(B)+(C), of a fluorinated polyolefin polymer.
In addition to the components mentioned hereinbefore, the thermoplastic resin compositions according to the present invention may further contain one or more conventional additives. For example, inorganic fillers such as mica, talc, zeolite, and montmorillonite, pigments, dyes, glass fibers, carbon fibers, thermal stabilizers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, and mold release agents may be added in fabrications as needed.
The thermoplastic resin compositions according to the invention comprise a polycarbonate, a styrene containing graft copolymer, a styrene containing copolymer, a mixture, of alkyl substituted monophosphate esters, a phosphate ester compound and a fluorinated polyolefin polymer.
Hereinafter the detailed description regarding the respective components is provided.
Suitable component (A) thermoplastic halogen-free polycarbonates according to the invention are those generally prepared by reacting diphenols of the following formula ( ) with a phosgene or a carbonic diester.
in which,
A is a single bond, C1-C5 alkylene, C2-C5 alkylidene, C5-C6 cycloalkylidene, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94.
Suitable diphenols of the formula (III) are, for example, 4,4xe2x80x2dihydroxydiphebnyl, 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane, and the like. The most preferred and widely used thermoplastic, halogen-free polycarbonates are aromatic polycarbonates synthesized from 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)propane, called xe2x80x9cBisphenol Axe2x80x9d.
The production of the polycarbonates of component (A) suitable for use in accordance with the invention is known from literature, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,121, and may be carried out in a known manner from diphenols with phosgene using the phase interface process or with phosgene using the homogeneous phase process.
Preferred polycarbonates according to the present invention have an weight average molecular weights (Mw as measured for example by ultracentrifugation or by scattered light measurement) of from 10,000 to 500,000 and preferably from 18,000 to 300,000. Polycarbonates with a certain molecular weight may be obtained by using a monophenol such as phenol, paracresol, or paraisooctylphenol as chain terminator. The polycarbonates suitable for use in accordance with the invention include both homopolycarbonates and copolycarbonates.
In the present invention, the polycarbonate resins(A) comprise a base resin along with styrene containing graft copolymers and styrene containing copolymers.
Styrene containing graft copolymer which may be used according to the invention are those prepared by grafting constituent (B-1) onto (B-2):
(B-1) 5 to 95% by weight, based on (B), of a mixture of
(B-1.1) 50 to 100% by weight of styrene, xcex1-methyl styrene, nucleus-substituted styrene, methyl methacrylate or a mixture thereof and
(B-1.2) 50 to 0% by weight of acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, C1-C8 alkyl methacrylate, C1-C8 alkyl acrylate, maleic anhydride, N-substituted maleimide or a mixture thereof
(B.2) 95 to 5% by weight, based on (B), of a rubber having a glass transition temperature(Tg) of below xe2x88x9210 and selected from the group consisting of butadiene rubbers, acryl rubbers, ethylene/propylene rubbers, styrene/butadiene rubbers, acrylonitrile/butadiene rubbers, butadiene/styrene rubbers, polyisoprene, EPDM rubbers, polyorganosyloxane, and mixtures thereof
Nucleus-substituted styrenes (B-1.1) are nucleus-alkylated styrenes such as, for example, p-methyl styrene. Particularly preferred styrene containing graft copolymer(B) is the so-called ABS resin.
The preferred average particle size of the rubber is from 0.05 to 4 in order to improve the impact strength and the appearance of the moldings.
The styrene containing graft copolymers of component (B) may be prepared according to conventional methods of preparing copolymer, in particular, emulsion, suspension, solution or bulk polymerization. Preferred method for preparing the graft copolymer (B) is emulsion or bulk process.
The styrene containing copolymers of component (C) to be used in accordance with the invention are those prepared from: (1) 50 to 95% by weight of styrene, -methyl styrene, nucleus-substituted styrene, methyl methacrylate or a mixture thereof(C-1), and (2) 50 to 5% by weight of acrylonitrile, C1-C8 alkyl methacrylate, C1-C8 alkyl acrylate, or a mixture thereof(C-2). A specific example of the styrene containing copolymer is SAN(styrene/acrylonitrile) resin, which is prepared by copolymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile. In the copolymerization, 60 to 90% by weight of styrene and 40 to 10% by weight of acrylonitrile are used.
The styrene containing copolymer of component (C) may be prepared by conventional copolymerization processes, in particular, by suspension or bulk polymerization.
(D-1) A Mixture of Alkyl Substituted Monophosphate Esters
The thermoplastic resin compositions according to the present invention contain as a flame retardant a mixture of alkyl substituted monophosphate esters(D-1), and a phosphate ester compound(D-2). Component (D-1) is a mixture of alkyl substituted monophosphate esters of the following formula (I)
in which,
R is an alkyl group selected from t-butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isoamyl, t-amyl, and N is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3,
Preferrably, the component (D-1) is a mixture of alkyl substituted monophosphate esters comprising by weight 1 to 20% trialkylphenyl phosphate(N=3), 10 to 50% dialkylphenyl monophenyl phosphate(N=2), 15 to 60% monoalkylphenyl diphenyl phosphate(N=1) and less than 2% triphenyl phosphate(N=0). The preferred substituent R is t-butyl and isopropyl. The most preferred substituent R is t-butyl. A mixture of the mixed t-butylphenyl phosphate esters and the mixed isopropylphenyl phosphate esters are also preferrable.
(D-2) Phosphate Esters
The phosphate esters according to the invention have the following formula(II).
in which,
R1, R2, R4, and R5 are independently halogen-free phenyl group or C1-C4 alkylated aryl group,
R3 is an arylene group, and
M is 0 to 5.
In the formula, the compound of which M is 0, is a usual monomeric phosphate ester and the compound of which M exceeds 0, is an oligomeric phosphate compound. That is, the phosphate-based flame retardant useful in the thermoplastic resin compositions according to the present invention comprises compounds of the formula (II) having M values from 0 to 5.
Preferred substituents R1, R2, R4, and R5 are independently one of cresyl, phenyl, xylenyl, propylphenyl, butylphenyl, and brominated or chlorinated derivatives thereof R3 is derived from diphenols such as, for example, bisphenol A, resorcinol or hydroquinone. Examples of preferred phosphate esters are a phosphate ester such as triphenyl phosphate, tri(2,6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate, tri(4-methylphenyl) phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, diphenylcresyl phosphate, tri(isopropylphenyl) phosphate, trixylenyl phosphate, xylenyldiphenylphosphate, an oligomeric phosphorus compound thereof, or mixtures of these compounds.
The thermoplastic resin compositions according to the invention contain a mixture of (D-1) and (D-2) as a flame retardant. The weight ratios of (D-1) and (D-2) may be varied within a wide range. The weight ratio of (D-1) to (D-2) is preferably between 100:0 and 5:95, more preferably between 80:20 and 5:95 and the most preferably between 55:45 and 15:85.
Preferred fluorinated polyolefins (E) are polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer, and tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolyemer. These fluorinated polyolefins may be used alone or in admixture with other two or more fluorinated polyolefins. These polymers may be produced by known processes, such as for example, by polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous medium with a free radical forming catalyst.
The use of fluorinated polyolefins decreases flow viscosity of the thermoplastic resin composition and increases coefficient of shrinkage of the composition by forming a fibrillar network during extruding, thereby reducing or preventing the dripping of the melting resin.
The fluorinated polyolefins may be used in powder form or in emulsion form. Fluorinated polyolefins of emulsion form have good dispersibility, but make the preparation process complicated. Therefore, it is desired to use powder form fluorinated polyolefins capable of being dispersed evenly in the total resins and forming fibrillar network.
The fluorinated polyolefin suitable for use in accordance with the invention is polytetrafluoroethylene. Polytetrafluoroethylene with an average particle size of 0.05 to 1,000 xcexcm is suitable for blending.
0 to 2.0 parts by weight of a fluorinated polyolefin polymer, based on 100 parts by weight of the base resin (A)+(B)+(C) is blended.
In addition to the above-mentioned constituents, the thermoplastic resin compositions according to the invention may further contain one or more other conventional additives. For example, inorganic fillers, thermal stabilizers, antioxidants, light stabilizers, plasticizers, pigments, dyes, and mold releasing agents may be added. The content of these conventional additives may be 0 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the base resin (A)+(B)+(C).
The thermoplastic resin compositions are prepared according to the conventional techniques of preparing resin compositions, for example, by mixing together the constituents including the various additives and melt-extruding with extruders in pellet form.
Following are examples which illustrate procedures including the best mode, for practicing the invention. They are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims in any manner whatsoever. All percentages are by weight unless otherwise noted.
The following constituents were used in the examples hereinafter:
(A) Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate of Bisphenol A having a weight average molecular Weight of 20,000 was used.
(B) Styrene-containing Graft Copolymer (ABS)
45 parts by weight of butadiene latex in powder, 36 parts by weight of styrene, 14 parts by weight of acrylonitrile, and 150 parts by weight of deionized water were mixed, and 1.0 parts by weight of potassium oleate, 0.4 parts by weight of cumene hydroperoxide, and 0.3 parts by weight of mercaptan-based chain transfer agent were added to the mixed solution. The resulting solution was kept at 75xc2x0 C. for 5 hours to prepare a graft ABS(g-ABS) latex. To the resulting graft copolymer, 1% sulfuric acid solution was added to prepare ABS resin in powder.
(C) Styrene-containing Copolymer(SAN)
To a mixed solution of 70 parts by weight of styrene, 30 parts by weight of acrylonitrile and 120 parts by weight of deionized water, 0.2 parts by weight of azobisisobutylonitrile and 0.5 parts by weight of tricalcium phosphate were added. SAN copolymer was prepared by suspension polymerization by washing, dehydrating and drying the resultant product. SAN copolymer in powder form was obtained.
(D-1) A mixture of t-butyl substituted monophpsphate esters
A mixture of t-butyl substituted monophosphate esters containing 0.5% by weight of triphenyl phosphate, 33.2% by weight of diphenyl (t-butylphenyl) phosphate, 49.5% by weight of phenyl di(t-butylphenyl) phosphate and 12.5% by weight of tri(t-butylphenyl) phosphate was used.
(D-2 1) Monomeric phosphate ester
Triphenyl phosphate (TPP) of Daihachi Co. of Japan was used.
(D-22) Oligomeric phosphate ester
Resorcinoldiphosphate(RDP) with and average M value of 1.3 in Formula (II) was used.
(E) Fluorinated polyolefin
Polytertrafluoroethylene with an average particle size of 10-50 xcexcm was used.


Drying of wet workpiece, such as a magnetic recording media, following a wet clean process where the wet workpiece is displaced from a liquid volume into a gaseous volume at a pull speed that is dependent on the temperature of the gaseous volume.

Wet cleaning is a frequent and critical operation in the manufacture of a workpiece, such as a magnetic recording media, semiconductor wafer or LCD panel. Wet cleaning generally entails introducing a liquid, aqueous or otherwise, to the surface of the workpiece. Both throughput and cleaning efficiency of a wet clean are important considerations because throughput determines equipment cost/workpiece, which should be minimized while cleaning efficiency determines workpiece yield, which should be maximized.
Wet cleaning generally also entails drying the workpiece. Typically, a drying operation is performed by first submerging the workpiece in a volume of liquid, such as deionized ultrapure water, and then displacing the workpiece from the liquid volume to a gaseous volume to dry the liquid from the surface of the workpiece. FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a magnetic recording media substrate 130 which has been wet cleaned and dried in such a manner during a media fabrication process. A residue stain 131 is depicted on the magnetic recording media substrate 130. Such stains are frequently caused by improper drying which may occur for example when the workpiece is pulled, or withdrawn, from the liquid during the drying operation and the liquid meniscus at the liquid interface breaks poorly and leaves behind a residue.
While it is known that such residue stains are detrimental to workpiece yield, throughput of a dryer can suffer greatly if the pull speed of the workpiece is reduced significantly to reduce ripples in the liquid interface or to otherwise improve other undesirable meniscus behavior in an effort to mitigate yield loss from residue staining. For example, a mere 20 second increase in the dryer process time can translate into a 200 parts/hour throughput reduction.

Temperature dependent pull speeds for drying of a wet cleaned workpiece


A liquid seal valve arrangement is disclosed wherein two liquid seal tanks act in response to a differential pressure to divert a portion of waste gas being directed to a heavily loaded flare to an alternate lightly loaded flare.

It is common practice for refineries to dispose of combustible hydrocarbon containing waste gases by burning the waste gas in a flare. Refineries built to process combustible gases are designed so that the vessels used in the refining process are constructed to withstand normal pressure variations during routine plant operations. However, to prevent rupture of these vessels when actual operating conditions are such that pressures exceed their design pressure limits, safety relief valves are placed on these vessels to vent the high pressure gases. These vented gases can be passed to a flare system where the combustible gases are burned. The high pressure waste gas flow vented to a flare is a primary component of the flare load.
While it is within the capability of one skilled in the art to design a flare stack that will burn combustible gases, such designs generally require that the amount and composition of the waste gases be reasonably constant. In actual refining operations, however, the flow rate of waste gas to a flare is generally not constant, and thus it is often necessary to reduce the flame size and corresponding heat emission from a flare that is highly loaded with waste gases being vented to that flare.
In order to reduce the flame size and/or heat emission from a highly loaded flare stack, it has been proposed to divert a portion of the flow of the waste gas from a highly loaded flare stack to an alternate parallel flare stack that is lightly loaded; however, a simple crossover conduit to connect a heavily loaded flare stack to a lightly loaded flare stack is impractical because an unsealed crossover conduit could result in one flare burner drafting the other flare stack during periods of low flow, thereby creating a backflow by sucking the flames and air back into a flare stack conduit.
In the past it has been proposed to eliminate the backflow condition created by an unsealed crossover conduit between two parallel arranged flare stacks by utilizing pressure controllers which manipulate a butterfly valve in the crossover conduit; however, the control method which manipulates a butterfly valve in the crossover conduit is subject to certain limitations. For example, the waste gas flowing in the crossover conduit could contain contaminants which would foul operation of a butterfly valve and render the utilization of a butterfly valve unreliable. Further, regardless of the contaminants in the waste gas being flared, butterfly valves, especially when used in large sized conduits, are generally unreliable as final control elements. For one example, a butterfly valve requires unequal torque for opening and for closing.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved method and apparatus for diverting a portion of the high pressure waste gas being vented to a flare to an alternate parallel flare if the load of waste gas exceeds a maximum desired load.
It is another object of this invention to provide improved flaring of waste gases by employing liquid seal tanks which are connected to act as valves to effect the diversion of waste gases to an alternate parallel flare stack during periods of high load and which automatically reseals on return to normal loads.
It is a further object of this invention to share a load of waste gas between two parallel arranged flares during periods of high process relief.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for the venting of waste gases to flare stacks which are safe, economical and reliable.


An automated transmission (10) system having a selectable automatic shift initiation mode of operation (D) is provided with manually operated selectors (226/228) for selectively increasing and decreasing the engine speeds (240, 242) at which upshifts and downshifts are implemented in the automatic shift initiation mode of operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fully or partially automated vehicular transmission systems having at least one mode of operation wherein shifts from a currently engaged gear ratio into an automatically selected target gear ratio are automatically initiated at a selected engine speed for a given set of vehicle operating parameters. In particular, the present invention relates to fully or partially automated transmission systems of the above-described type wherein the vehicle driver can manually modify, within limits, the engine speeds, often referred to as shift points or shift profiles, at which shifts will be automatically initiated in the automatic shift initiation mode.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fully and partially automated vehicular transmission systems having at least one automatic shift initiation mode wherein shifts from a currently engaged gear ratio into a selected target gear ratio are automatically initiated at a selected engine speed for a given set of vehicle operating conditions are well known in the prior art. Examples of such transmission may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,060; 4,430,911; 4,648,290; 4,722,248; 5,053,961; 5,053,962 and 5,109,721, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In such prior art automated transmission systems, it is known to define a standard or default set of conditions, including engine speed, or a related parameter usually called shift points and/or shift profiles, at which, in the automatic shift implementation mode, and in the absence of preset conditions, a shift will be automatically implemented. It is also known to sense for the presence of such preset conditions, and to automatically modify the shift points/shift profiles by increasing or decreasing the engine speeds at shifts are automatically implemented in response to sensing the presence of such conditions. By way of example, in response to overtravel depression of the throttle pedal (i.e. "kick down"), upshifts may be delayed by increasing the engine speeds at which upshifts are initiated. For another example, to prevent "hunting", for a period of time after a downshift, the engine speeds at which upshifts are initiated may be increased and/or for a period of time after an upshift, the engine speeds at which downshifts are initiated may be decreased.
Examples of such automatic shift point/shift profile modification may be seen by reference to above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,060, and to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,551,802; 4,569,255 and 4,852,006, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
While the prior art fully or partially automated transmission systems did incorporate control strategies for automatically adjusting automatic shift initiation mode shift points in response to sensing the occurrence or presence of certain preset conditions, such systems are not totally satisfactory as such systems, in the automatic shift initiation mode of operation, do not allow the vehicle driver to manually temporarily modify the shift points, within limits, to achieve a then desired vehicle performance.

Manual modification of automatic mode shift points


An automated surgical instrument provides a housing having a linear drive for moving a cannula toward and away from the housing. The housing may be supported stationarily while the cannula is driven to a predetermined location in the body through an incision. The end of the cannula includes a surgical tool or laparoscope to be positioned within an area undergoing an operation. Surgical tools can be actuated automatically by means of an actuator positioned in the housing and having a linkage extending through a lumen of the cannula to the tool. Both the actuator and the linear drive motor can be controlled by means of switches located on the housing or at another remote location.

In recent years, the use of laparoscopic instruments to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures has become increasingly popular. In such procedures, a device termed a laparoscope, having an elongated substantially tubular member is inserted into the body of the patient through a relatively small incision in the skin. The distal end tube or "cannula" is positioned proximate an area inside the body upon which a surgical procedure is required. The distal end generally includes a lens and, typically, a light source to illuminate the interior of the body. The lens transmits received images from inside the body to a camera located, generally, outside of the body near a proximal end of the cannula. The camera may be interconnected to a video monitor so that a surgeon may view the operation area. Hence, the surgeon may view an interior portion of the body without the need of a large incision to open an area to external viewing.
Several additional laparoscopic instruments, also having elongated tubular cannuli, may be inserted through additional incisions in the skin to positions adjacent the laparoscope's distal end. These instruments may include a number of surgical tools including scissors, graspers and retractors capable of mechanical movement to perform desired surgical operations upon the area. The laparoscope allows the surgeon to view the progress of the instruments and, hence, guide the other laparoscopic instruments to perform the operation.
Conventional surgical procedures in which the surgeon performs the operation through an open incision, using hand tools such as scalpels and forceps, generally inflict significantly more trauma upon the patient and entail a more lengthy recovery time than for the relatively minor incisions necessitated by laparoscopic instruments. Thus, for many types of surgery, the use of laparoscopic instruments is largely preferred.
A disadvantage to the use of laparoscopic instruments, however, has been the need for a substantial number of operators in order to effectively employ the procedure. To date, most Laparoscopes and laparoscopic instruments have been designed strictly for hand-held manual operation. Some laparoscopes have utilized supports to aid in holding them stationarily, but insertion, retraction and readjustment of the cannula has been performed manually. Each instrument usually must be operated by a single staff member and that staff member must maintain the instrument in a proper location throughout the procedure by manually readjusting it as needed. For example, the camera may require frequent re-focusing and re-directing. In addition, instruments having tools that require manipulation must be operated by the user while the user simultaneously holds the laparoscope at an appropriate location which can tax the coordination of the user and quickly fatigue him or her.
The continual manipulation of instruments by hand, therefore, can seriously impede the efficiency of an operating staff, particularly during a long and difficult procedure.
In view of the disadvantages associated with the use of manually operated laparoscopic instruments, this invention has, as one object to provide a laparoscopic instrument that may be operated remotely by the user. This invention also enables more accurate and stable movement of laparoscopic tools relative to an area of operation and allows manipulation of a greater number of laparoscopic instruments by fewer users than manually operated laparoscopic instruments. This invention also reduces operating staff fatigue by automating more of the control and movement functions necessary in laparoscopic surgery.


The inventive molecular transporter compound shows significantly high permeability through a biological membrane such as plasma membrane, nuclear membrane and blood-brain barrier, and accordingly, it can be effectively used in delivering various biologically active molecules, such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel to target cells.

The plasma membrane of a cell separates the cytoplasm of the cell from its outer environment, and it is primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer and proteins embedded in the bilayer or attached to the surface thereof. Normally the plasma membrane functions as a gatekeeper which controls trafficking of essential substances into and out of the cell. However, the cell plasma membrane also functions as a permeability barrier and blocks the passage of many useful therapeutic agents. Generally, hydrophilic molecules, highly charged molecules and macromolecules such as nucleic acid, or genes meet difficulties in crossing the cell membranes. Therefore, there is a need for a reliable means of transporting drugs and macromolecules into cells.
Heretofore, a number of transporter molecules such as lipids, polymers, and dendrimers have been proposed to be capable of escorting target molecules across biological membranes, but because they are not water soluble or biodegradable, they tend to precipitate in the cell to cause toxicity.
Proteins having a PTD (protein transduction domain) that allows protein permeation through the plasma membrane include HIV-1 Tat peptide, Antennapedia (Antp) homeodomain protein, Herpes virus protein VP22, and Nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence.
The above-mentioned protein domain seems to facilitate the permeation across biological membranes without the help of any specific transporter or receptor associated with the cell. Further, they contain a high content of basic amino acid residues such as arginine and lysine. For example, the basic region (i.e., 49-57 a.a.) of the Tat protein, which is a necessary transacting transcriptional activator of HIV virus reproduction, has been reported to play a critical role in the process of the protein permeation through the plasma membrane. A number of studies have reported that various oligopeptides having a multiple arginine residues can be used as molecular transporters.
From these studies, it has been found that oligomers having eight to nine arginine residues show the highest permeability and are most effective in enhancing the transportation of molecules attached thereto across a biological membrane, suggesting that the guanidine group of arginine plays a crucial role in the transportation of molecules attached thereto across a biological membrane.
Wender et al. designed peptoid molecular transporters based on the fact that the biological membrane permeability of a peptide largely depends on the number of the guanidine group in the peptide, the length of the linker chain, and the chirality thereof. It was found that an L-arginine nonamer is 20-times more effective in the transportation across a biological membrane than Tat protein (49-57 a.a.), and a D-arginine nonamer was also much more effective in the uptake by Jurkat cells, as was determined using FACS (P. A. Wender, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97: 13003, 2000). These results suggest that the permeability of peptides having a specific number of guanidine groups is not significantly dependent on by the chirality of the amino acid (U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,663; Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-12809).
However, such polyarginine peptide or related peptoid molecules have the problems of being eliminated by rapid metabolism in the liver and kidney and the tendency that they show in vivo toxicity. Further, a peptide or peptoid having a plurality of guanidine residues can maintain its helical structure only in a basic environment, and this fact suggests that its membrane permeability depends largely on the positively charged guanidinium groups rather then the secondary or tertiary structure thereof.
The present inventors have therefore endeavored to develop molecular transporters prepared by introducing positively charged guanidinium groups to sugar or its analogue having a linear or branched form with a high density of functionality, and have found that such molecular transporters significantly enhance the transportation of various physiologically active molecules attached thereto either covalently or ionically, across a biological membrane.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Molecular transporters based on alditol or inositol and processes for the preparation thereof


A biomosaic polymer is provided. Biologically active materials are bound at surfaces of such polymers polymerized from emulsions containing hydrophobic polymerizable monomers, such biologically active materials, and surface active agents. The biomosaic polymers may be formed into membranes, films, beads, or other structures for a variety of assays, bioseparations, or catalyzed reactions and other uses. A single step polymerization of the emulsion provides significant retention of the biologically active material bound and congregated at surfaces of the polymer.

Special problems are presented in the biochemical reactions used to assay a specific composition in a mixture of materials, separate one material from another, or catalyze a reaction using an enzyme. Frequently, the chemicals or molecules useful for such assays, separations, or reactions are scarce and costly. If such biologically active materials are not attached to a support material by some means, the scarce and costly materials will be lost for further usage, repeat experiments, and the like.
Therefore, in the biochemistry arts, methods involving a sequence of processing steps have been developed to immobilize various biologically active materials to supports where the supports have been formed in the absence of biologically active materials. Generally, such methods of immobilization may be divided into the following categories: covalent bonding or crosslinking of the biologically active material to a support; adsorption onto a support; or inclusion in a polymer matrix wherein the biologically active material is trapped or encapsulated in the lattice of the polymer. (A. Hoffman, Radiat. Phys Chem. 18(1,2), 323-342 (1981)).
However, depending upon the application, immobilization by covalent bonding or crosslinking may damage the biologically active material to the extent that its activity is reduced or lost. (K. Buchholz et al., Meth. Enzymol. 135, 3-30 (1987)). Even if the biologically active material retains its biological activity, experience has shown in production of covalently bonded immobilized materials that the distribution of biologically active materials may not be uniform.
Adsorption of such materials to a surface often results in the loss of activity. Further, adsorption is often a reversible process such that the biologically active material can be lost from the support by equilibration with the reaction media which may cause undesired contamination of the reaction products. (J. Andrade in "Surface and Interfacial Aspects of Biomedical Polymers, Volume II Protein Adsorption", Chapter 1, J. Andrade Ed., Plenum Press, New York (1985)).
Inclusion of the biologically active material by entrapment or encapsulation has previously been a preferred method for enzymes since the method relies upon the physical trapping of a large molecule in a polymer matrix from which it is very slow to escape. (A. Hoffman, referenced above). For materials which interact with the entrapped molecule and which are small enough to diffuse through this matrix, these methods are satisfactory, but for large reaction materials such as large proteins, the matrix prevents enzyme reactions.
Further, entrapment methods conventionally employ gel matrices formed by the polymerization of hydrophilic monomers and crosslinkers to form hydrogels. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,950 and K. O'Driscoll et al., Biotech. Bioeng. 14, 849-850 (1972)). These hydrogels are typically mechanically weak and may not be able to withstand the rigors of repeated usage without breaking up. Thus, the biologically active material and its matrix may be lost during the assay, separation, or reaction.
Encapsulations have been performed using gamma irradiation to polymerize hydrophilic monomers in order to trap enzymes, but such radiation polymerization has required the freezing of the enzyme/monomer mixture to encapsulate the enzymes therein. (I. Kaetsu et al., Radiat. Phys. Chem. 14, 595-602 (1979)). Thus, the immobilization of an enzyme in a hydrophilic matrix by this process requires excessive energy. Further, using gamma radiation of high dosages could destroy the biological activity of the enzyme. (E. Galas et al., Radiochem. Radioanal. Let. 43(6), 355-362 (1980)).
Hydrophobic monomers have also been used to entrap enzymes by polymerization of frozen mixtures or dispersions. These processes result in the preparation of beads as the hydrophobic monomers separate into droplets as the water freezes. (I. Kaetsu et al., Biotech. Bioeng. 21, 863-873 (1979)).
Unfortunately, the prior methods of encapsulation or entrapment of biologically active materials do not allow the immobilized species to bind or react with large molecules while retaining the species within the matrix. Encapsulation or entrapment would not allow for the immobilized species to interact with both large and small molecules.
In other words, most of the methods for direct incorporation of biologically active materials into the support relate to supports such as beads, gels, and particles.
Immobilization of biologically active materials onto the surfaces of membrane supports is known, but the active materials are introduced after membrane formation. (European Patent Office, Publication 0 294 186). This can lead to problems of leakage of the biologically active material, or non-uniform distribution of the biologically active material on the support, or require additional processing steps. Membrane supports are particularly desirable for bioseparations, enzyme-catalyzed reactions and the like.
Conventional processes have also been developed for the preparation of emulsions in the presence of biologically active materials. Such emulsions may be either water in oil (W/O) or oil in water (O/W) or other combinations of hydrophilic/hydrophobic liquids. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,178).
With the use of some surfactants, biologically active materials may be dispersed into an emulsion which qualifies as a microemulsion because of the microscopic extent of dispersion of the oil and water constituents. (P. L. Luisi, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 24(6), 439-528 (1985)). When the oil and water components of the microemulsion are so dispersed that it is not possible to characterize the microemulsion as either a water in oil microemulsion or an oil in water microemulsion, a bicontinuous microemulsion is recognized. (L. E. Scriven, Nature 263, 123 (1976)).
Thus, the water and oil components of the microemulsion are so intermixed that both components are intimately mixed in continuous contact with like material. A suitable analogy for a bicontinuous microemulsion is a water saturated sponge. Both the water and the sponge components are intimately mixed but each is also in continuous contact with its like material.
Previously processes have used microemulsions to prepare polymers and beads. (J. O. Stoffer et al., J. Dispersion Sci. and Technol. 1(4), 393-412 (1980) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,317). However, the polymerization of microemulsions containing biologically active materials has only been used to prepare nanometer-sized particles. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,364). Films and membranes, most desired for biological reactions such as assays, separations and enzyme-catalysis, have not been produced by microemulsion techniques.
Thus, what is needed is a polymer formed having biologically active or reactive sites at its surfaces in order to enable biochemical usage. What is also needed is a method of preparing the polymer using a low cost emulsion method which does not harm the bioreactivity of the biologically active material.

Biomosaic polymer obtained by emulsion polymerization of hydrophobic monomers in the presence of bioactive materials

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


A position sensor for determining the angular position of a steering wheel. The shaft of the steering wheel is connected to a code disk and turn ring of the sensor so that when steering wheel is rotated, the coded disk and turn ring are also rotated. The code disk is a flat circular disk having a series of cut-outs or bits around its perimeter. A light emitting diode shines a light through the cut-outs and is read by a photo detector which determines the angular position of the code disk. The turn ring is fitted on the outside of the code disk and rotates in a hypocycloidic circle so that for every full revolution of the code disk, the turn ring rotates through a smaller angle. The turn ring is placed over a series of Hall sensors to determine the number of revolutions of the code disk.

Traditional power steering mechanisms use hydraulic systems to provide their energy. Unfortunately, hydraulic systems must be constantly powered to function properly, placing a drain on an automobile's power system and lowering its fuel efficiency. Additionally, hydraulic steering systems are generally isolated and do not provide steering wheel position information to other systems in an automobile.
Steering wheel position information can be used to adjust an automobile's suspension system, dampening the automobile's shock absorbers to provide a smoother ride, along with compensating for body pitching and yawing due to turns, acceleration or deceleration. To perform these functions, steering wheel position sensors that give advanced input to the controller for anticipatory responses are necessary. Currently available sensors have several drawbacks including their lack of resolution, accuracy, response time, and durability. Also, their large size and high cost of manufacture limit their use in today's automobiles. There have been some recent inventions attempting to overcome these limitations.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,420,754 and 4,879,508 to Adermo discuss a capacitive type measurement apparatus for making absolute measurements of position. These patents define a large and continuous array of transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes from which a ratio of relationships to both the amount of travel and the energizing wave fundamentals provides a signal relative to the position of travel. The systems disclosed in these patents read a fixed series of points as movement takes place. From a select group of these points a number of differing wavelengths are received for measurement. The signals received are then deciphered to determine the position being read. The deciphering electronics are rather complicated and require a significant number of logic and amplifier elements as well as a microprocessor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,144 to Howbrook discloses a position sensor that uses an array of coils with differing phase shifts applied to them. There is a pickup that receives the signals from one or more of these fixed and defined points dependent of the position and resolves the position from the signals received. The sensor coils are used for an inductive stepped measurement system.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,955,881 to White et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,682 to McCurley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,763 to Konishi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,225 to Gerlach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,915 to Ingraham and U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,791 to Padula disclose a linear measurement system that uses one or more magnets and one or more Hall element sensors to provide a non-contacting position sensor, using magnetic flux and the coupling of such, as the varying property with which sensing occurs. These patents also describe rotary sensors using this technique.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,283 to Cripe discloses a capacitive rotary position sensor in which quadrate signals are coupled by position to produce a phase variance to be compared to a reference signal to produce an analog output representation of the rotary position.

Rapid high resolution position sensor for auto steering


Relating to a sulfide-based solid electrolyte compound for lithium ion batteries which has a cubic argyrodite-type crystal structure, to provide a compound which can suppress a generation amount of hydrogen sulfide when being left to stand in the air and which can maintain high conductivity even when being left to stand in dry air. Proposed is a sulfide-based solid electrolyte compound for lithium ion batteries containing a crystal phase of the cubic argyrodite-type crystal structure and represented by a composition formula (1): Li7−x+yPS6−xClx+y, wherein x and y in the composition formula (1) satisfy 0.05≦y≦0.9 and −3.0x+1.8≦y≦−3.0x+5.7.

A lithium ion battery is a secondary battery having a structure in which lithium dissolves out as ions from a positive electrode at the time of charging and moves to a negative electrode to be stored therein, and conversely, the lithium ions return to the positive electrode from the negative electrode at the time of discharging. Since the lithium ion battery has features such as high energy density and a long life cycle, it is widely used as a power supply for electric appliances such as a video camera, portable electronic devices such as a laptop computer and a mobile telephone, electric tools such as a power tool, and the like. Recently, the lithium ion battery is also applied to a large-sized battery that is mounted in an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and the like.
This kind of a lithium ion battery is constituted of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an ion conducting layer inserted between both of the electrodes. As the ion conducting layer, a separator constituted of a porous film, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, which is filled with a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, is generally used. However, since such an organic electrolytic solution using a flammable organic solvent as a solvent is used as an electrolyte, it is required to improve a structure and material for preventing volatilization or leakage, and also, it is required to install a safety device for suppressing an increase in temperature at the time of a short circuit and to improve the structure and material for preventing a short circuit.
In contrast, an all-solid lithium secondary battery that is constituted by solidifying the whole battery using a solid electrolyte does not use a flammable organic solvent, and thus, it is possible to attempt the simplification of a safety device, and also, the battery can be made excellent in the production cost or productivity. In addition, it is possible to attempt high voltage by laminating the solid electrolyte in a cell in series. Furthermore, for this kind of a solid electrolyte, since elements do not move except Li ions, there are no side reactions by the movement of anion, and thus, it is expected that it leads to improve safety or durability.
Such a solid electrolyte that is used for a battery is required to have high ionic conductivity, and to be chemically or electrochemically stable. For example, lithium halide, lithium nitride, lithium oxyacid salt, or derivatives thereof are known as a candidate of the raw material.
With regard to this kind of a solid electrolyte, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sulfide-based solid electrolyte, in which a high temperature lithium ion conductive compound composed of lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) allows to be in lithium ion conductive sulfide glass represented by a general formula, Li2S—X (wherein X represents at least one sulfide of SiS2, GeS2, and B2S3).
In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a sulfide-based solid electrolyte comprising a lithium ion conductive material that is a composite compound represented by a general formula, Li2S—GeS2—X (wherein X represents at least one of Ga2S3 and ZnS) as a material that is crystalline and exhibits very high ionic conductivity, that is, 6.49×10−5 Scm−1 of the ionic conductivity at room temperature.
Patent Document 3 discloses a lithium ion conductive sulfide ceramic, which is a sulfide ceramic having high lithium ionic conductivity and decomposition voltage, comprising Li2S and P2S5 as a main component, and having compositions of Li2S=82.5 to 92.5 and P2S5=7.5 to 17.5 in mol %, and among them, preferably a composition of Li2S/P2S5=7 (composition formula: Li7PS6) in molar ratio.
Patent Document 4 discloses a lithium ion conductive material that is represented by a chemical formula: Li+(12-n-x)Bn+X2−(6-x)Y−x (wherein Bn+ represents at least one selected from P, As, Ge, Ga, Sb, Si, Sn, Al, In, Ti, V, Nb, and Ta, X2− represents at least one selected from S, Se, and Te, Y− represents at least one selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OCN, SCN, and N3, and 0≦x≦2), and has an argyrodite-type crystal structure.
Patent Document 5 discloses a lithium argyrodite, which is a solid compound capable of being prepared as a single layer in addition to high fluidity of the lithium ion, and is represented by a general formula (I) Li+(12-n-x)Bn+X2−(6-x)Y−x, wherein, in the formula, Bn+ is selected from the group consisting of P, As, Ge, Ga, Sb, Si, Sn, Al, In, Ti, V, Nb, and Ta, X2− is selected from the group consisting of S, Se, and Te, Y− is selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, I, F, CN, OCN, SCN, and N3, and 0≦x≦2.
Patent Document 6 discloses a sulfide-based solid electrolyte, which is a new sulfide-based solid electrolyte capable of significantly enhancing conductivity compared with conventional solid electrolytes, having a framework structure of Li7PS6, and comprising a composition formula: Li7+xP1-ySiyS6 (wherein x is in a range of −0.6 to 0.6 and y is in a range of 0.1 to 0.6) in which a part of P is substituted by Si.

Sulfide-based solid electrolyte for lithium ion cell, and solid electrolyte compound


The present invention provides a viscosity index improver having an excellent viscosity index improving effect, a lubricant composition having excellent low-temperature viscosity in which the viscosity reduction due to long-term use is small, and a method for producing the lubricant composition. A viscosity index improver of the present invention contains a copolymer (A) containing, as monomer units, an alkyl (meth)acrylate (a) whose alkyl group contains 5 or more carbon atoms, and an alkyl (meth)acrylate (b) whose alkyl group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl (meth)acrylate (a) whose alkyl group contains 5 or more carbon atoms has a molar-average carbon number (Q) of 29 or more, and the alkyl (meth)acrylate (b) whose alkyl group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms is contained as a monomer unit in an amount of 38 to 75% by weight based on the weight of the copolymer (A).

Lubricants such as ATF, CVTF, and MTF for transmissions of vehicles exhibit lower viscosity at higher temperatures. This means that the viscosity of these lubricants is highly temperature-dependent.
In practical applications, these lubricants are used in a wide temperature range from lower to higher temperatures. In the temperature range for use of these lubricants, changes in the viscosity of these lubricants are desirably minimized. In other words, higher viscosity indexes are preferred. As a means to improve fuel economy, a lubricant with lower viscosity has been recently used to reduce viscosity resistance. However, a lubricant with lower viscosity causes various problems such as oil leakage and seizure.
Meanwhile, use of a viscosity index improver has been proposed as another means to improve fuel economy. A lubricant having a higher viscosity index has lower viscosity resistance, which leads to improved fuel economy. Thus, it is a common practice to add a viscosity index improver to a lubricant to modify the temperature dependence of the viscosity. Known examples of such viscosity index improvers include methacrylate copolymers (Patent Literatures 1 to 4), an olefin copolymer (Patent Literature 5), and a macromonomer copolymer (Patent Literature 6).
Yet, the viscosity index improving effect of these lubricant compositions is still insufficient. In actual applications, these lubricant compositions exhibit insufficient shear stability after long hour drive and insufficient low-temperature characteristics at start-up.

Viscosity index improver, lubricant composition, and method for manufacturing lubricant composition


It has been discovered that pastes of particulate thermoplastic polymers dispersed in a soft resinous phase can be prepared which heat-set by fusion of the thermoplastic binder. Polyesters and polyamides have been found to be particularly useful. When pigmented or otherwise colored, these formulations have utility as printing inks. When uncolored, they can be used as clear overprint coatings. In addition, these fusible pastes have utility as specialty coatings in adhesives and can be fabricated into self-supporting shapes.

Printing processes require that printing inks be both fluid and capable of subsequent ready conversion to a dry, smudge-resistant film once in place on paper or another substrate. One common type of printing ink consists primarily of a pigment and a binder which are suspended or dissolved in a volatile diluent. The binder serves the purpose of adhering the pigment to the printed substrate. the diluent must subsequently be removed by allowing it to evaporate either at room temperature, or for higher printing speeds, by heating. Large amounts of heat are needed to vaporize the ink diluent, which requires that substantial quantities of fuel be consumed. Since large volumes of air must be drawn over the drying ink film to remove the diluent vapor, frequently much heat is wasted. Further, the evaporation of the ink diluent into the open atmosphere can be a source of pollution. In many instances, it is necessary or desirable to burn off or otherwise remove the solvent vapor from the drying air before discharging it to the atmosphere. Additional fuel is consumed and special equipment must be installed for this purpose.
A second common type of printing ink consists of mixtures containing oleoresinous varnishes and/or drying oils which set by air oxidation. These inks set slowly so it is necessary to take precautions to avoid set-off (transfer) or ink between printed sheets.
Inks may also be formulated which contain drying oils or the like together with some binder and volatile diluent. In the usual printing operation, heat is applied to such an ink immediately after it is printed onto the substrate. At this stage, the diluent is driven off, reducing or minimizing problems of ink set-off. However, the ink is not fully set and rub resistance is inadequate. A subsequent drying stage is necessary in which the drying oil or the like hardens, as by oxidation and/or polymerization.
While it is necessary that a printing ink set rapidly and conveniently after printing, it is equally necessary that it not set or dry on the press. Inks containing volatile components may thicken on the press as the solvent evaporates, making it difficult or impossible to control the printing process. Air oxidizing varnished, drying-oils, and the like, may thicken or gum on the press on exposure to the atmosphere. Such inks are especially inclined to "skin over" when the press is shut down during a run. An ink which is not subject to such changes while on the printing press is said to "stay open".
Ink technologists have sought to achieve inks which set rapidly with a low level of energy input to initiate setting, which do not release polluting materials to the atmosphere, and which stay open to on press, while at the same time meeting the physical and mechanical requirements of the printing process. Much attention has been directed to highly chemically reactive formulations. After printing, such inks are set by polymerization and/or cross-linking which is initiated by heat or radiation. A typical chemically reactive system contains polyfunctional acrylate esters (often in combination with other unsaturated materials), one or more ultraviolet photoinitiators, pigment and a variety of secondary components to control ink physical properties. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,640 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,942, both to Buckwalter. In normal use, such inks are printed on presses equipped with ultraviolet lamps which expose the film on the paper or other substrate immediately after printing. The inks set rapidly and with essentially no emission of polluting materials. Inks based on such highly reactive materials, however, have limited storage stability. The acrylates and other reactive materials in common use have been found to be chemically incompatible with some pigments which are desirable in printing inks. They present toxicity hazards, or are dangerous eye irritants, and are frequently skin sensitizers. When the inks are designed to be set by an ultraviolet light initiated reaction, the ultraviolet radiation itself and the high voltages necessary to power the ultraviolet lamps are additional health and safety hazards.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,213 to Ludlow discloses a heat drying ink vehicle based on polyvinyl chloride plastisols, more particularly finely divided polyvinyl chloride polymer dispersed in liquid plasticizers, all of which have low viscosity and solubility parameters closely matched to polyvinyl chloride, and containing a compatible thermoplastic resinous binder to increase ink cohesion and tack. Further improvements in inks based on polyvinyl chloride and vinyl chloride copolymer plastisols are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,724 to Budzinski. These inks are set by applying heat which causes the liquid plasticizers and polyvinyl chloride or vinyl chloride copolymer to co-dissolve. Thus, such polyvinyl chloride plastisol-based inks are readily heat-settable without significant release of volatile materials to the atmosphere. These inks, however, do not have good press running characteristics. Undesirable build-up of material on the blanket of lithographic offset presses occurs when polyvinyl chloride plastisol inks are used. Further, both Ludlow and Budzinski require the use of at least one plasticizer in such polyvinyl chloride plastisol inks. Such plasticizers may, as Ludlow discloses, damage ordinary natural rubber rolls on printing presses. It is thus necessary that ink rolls of polyurethane rubber or other plasticizer resistant compositions be used.

Heat fusible polyester and polyamide dispersions


Apparatus for monitoring gaseous oxygen concentration that includes an oxygen sensor for providing an electrical sensor signal that varies as a function of oxygen concentration at the sensor. Processor circuitry compares oxygen concentration indicated by the sensor signal to at least one threshold level, and indicates when such oxygen concentration at the sensor departs from such threshold concentration level. The apparatus is calibrated by exposing the sensor to a calibration gas having an oxygen concentration equal to the desired threshold concentration level, and storing in the processor circuitry electrical indicia indicative of operating characteristics of the sensor at such threshold oxygen concentration level. When the apparatus is thereafter employed for monitoring a gas of undetermined oxygen concentration, the operating characteristics of the sensor reflected by the sensor output signal are compared to the prestored indicia for determining when oxygen concentration at the sensor crosses the threshold concentration level.

There are numerous applications in which it is desirable to indicate when gaseous oxygen concentration departs from--i.e., becomes either greater than or less than--one or more predetermined threshold concentration levels. For example, in the home health care environment, it is desirable to monitor the output of an oxygen concentrator to determine when the output oxygen level decreases below a minimum desired limit, such as eighty-five percent oxygen. In other industrial and commercial applications, it is desirable to maintain oxygen concentration between preset lower and upper limits. Current devices for monitoring oxygen concentration are expensive and subject to tampering at the application site. It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for monitoring concentration of oxygen in a test gas and indicating when such concentration departs from one or more preselected threshold levels, which are inexpensive to manufacture and implement, which function reliably over an extended operating life, and/or which can be selectively reprogrammed at the factory or in the field by properly trained and equipped personnel while resisting tampering by unauthorized or untrained personnel.
Apparatus for monitoring gaseous oxygen concentration in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an oxygen sensor for providing an electrical sensor signal that varies as a function of oxygen concentration at the sensor. Processor circuitry compares oxygen concentration indicated by the sensor signal to at least one threshold level, and indicates when such oxygen concentration at the sensor departs from such threshold concentration level. The apparatus is calibrated by exposing the sensor to a calibration gas having an oxygen concentration equal to the desired threshold concentration level, and storing in the processor circuitry electrical indicia indicative of operating characteristics of the sensor at such threshold oxygen concentration level. When the apparatus is thereafter employed for monitoring a gas of undetermined oxygen concentration, the operating characteristics of the sensor reflected by the sensor output signal are compared to the prestored indicia for determining when oxygen concentration at the sensor crosses the threshold concentration level.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor circuitry is microprocessor-based and may be programmed to detect a plurality of oxygen concentration levels by sequentially exposing the sensor to calibration gas at the various oxygen concentration levels, and storing electrical indicia indicative of operation of the sensor at each such calibration level for later comparison to the sensor output during use. Such calibration operation preferably is performed at the time of manufacture, and the indicia of one or more calibration levels is stored in non-volatile memory for subsequent use in the field. The apparatus circuitry and the sensor are mounted on a circuitboard assembly, with the sensor and cardedge electrical contacts disposed along one edge of the board. The board may be plugged into calibration apparatus in which the contacts are connected to calibration control circuitry and the sensor is exposed to test gas at desired oxygen concentration through a manifold in the calibration apparatus. Recalibration in the field is either not possible, or requires special knowledge and equipment only possessed by a trained technician.


A capped electric lamp according to the invention comprises a lamp vessel (10) which is closed in a gastight manner and encloses a light source. The lamp vessel (10) is surrounded by a glass outer envelope (20) which is fastened at an end portion (21) to a housing (40) by means of a coupling member (30), which housing in addition supports a lamp cap (50). The coupling member (30) is made of metal, and the end portion (21) of the outer envelope (20) is fused to the coupling member (30). In the lamp according to the invention, the coupling member (30) is of a simple construction while nevertheless a blown outer envelope (20) can be used.

The invention relates to a capped electric lamp comprising a lamp vessel which is closed in a gastight manner, encloses a light source, and is surrounded by a glass outer envelope which at an end portion is fastened to a housing by means of a coupling member, which housing also supports a lamp cap.
The glass outer envelope of a lamp of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is usually manufactured in a moulding process. The moulding process admits of a comparatively wide freedom as to the shape of the product to be manufactured. The outer envelope may be shaped such that an optimum fastening to the coupling member is possible. The other side of the medal is that an outer envelope of comparatively small wall thickness and thus low weight can be readily manufactured in a blowing process. This renders a blown outer envelope attractive, in particular for compact fluorescent lamps.
A lamp of the kind described in the opening paragraph is known from EP 210 361. The known lamp is a compact fluorescent lamp in which a discharge vessel bent into a compact shape is arranged in the outer envelope. The coupling member, which is made of synthetic resin, is provided with hooks which extend radially outward and are accommodated in the outer envelope. The hooks each grip behind a major constriction of the outer envelope, so that the hooks of the coupling member and the constriction of the outer envelope together form an interlocking connection. An outer bulb having a shape which can also be obtained in a blowing process can suffice in the known lamp. A disadvantage is, however, that the coupling member has a comparatively complicated construction.