The removal of manufacturing oils from a pre-potted, wound bundle of hollow fibers used in dialysis equipment, is rapidly accomplished by subjecting the fiber assembly to centrifugal forces acting longitudinally of the fibers. Wicking pads may be used at the outer ends of the fibers during the centrifuging step if desired to counteract the capillary action of the fibers. Following the centrifuging, the fibers are repeatedly immersed, in a vertical direction, in a solvent into which any oil trapped in the pores of the fiber walls diffuses. The repeated rise and fall of the solvent in the fiber lumen continually re-introduces fresh solvent into the lumen to leach oil out of the pores at a rapid rate.. In the same manner, moisture is then removed from the fibers by alternately evacuating the fiber lumens in a vacuum chamber and refilling them with warm, very dry air to rapidly remove any moisture contained in the cellulose of the fibers.

In the manufacture of blood dialysis cartridges or similar mass transfer equipment, it is necessary to remove from the semipermeable hollow fibers which carry the blood to be dialyzed, the organic oils introduced into the fibers during their manufacture as a perservative. Normallly, this is done by soaking the fibers or flushing them with an appropriate solvent at a convenient step in the cartridge assembly process. For reasons related to the nature of the material and to the dimensional parameters involved, eight to ten washes are normally required to bring the oil content of fibers down to clinically acceptable levels. This procedure is quite time-consuming and expensive. In addition, it is wasteful of solvent and, with certain solvents, tends to attack the glycerin in the fiber walls which give the fibers their essential permeability characteristics.
It has also been found that when fiber ends, in the course of manufacturing a cartridge, are potted in polyurethane to form a manifold, sealing problems between the polyurethane and the fiber walls arise more because of the moisture content of the highly hygroscopic cellulose fibers than because of oil residues on the fiber walls. Due to the heat sensitivity of the fibers used in blood dialyzers, process temperatures of 50.degree. C. or above are not allowed. This rules out conventional oven-drying methods.

Method for cleaning and drying hollow fibers


The invention is directed to an electrochemical measuring cell for measuring ammonia or hydrazine and includes at least a measuring electrode and a counter electrode in an electrolyte. The measuring cell provides a signal increase having a shorter response time and an improved signal stability. For this purpose, the electrolyte is an aqueous solution of a hygroscopic salt of an alkali metal or earth alkali metal such as calcium nitrate or lithium nitrate or a mixture of both salts.

An electrochemical measuring cell of this kind is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,505 and includes a pH-electrode as a measuring electrode which is used to measure hydrogen ions. This potentiometric measurement of an ammonia concentration requires a long time duration for a completed measuring reaction. The long time duration is needed for the adjustment of an equilibrium. In this time duration, the NH.sub.3 to be detected and the water content of the electrolyte conjointly form NH.sub.4 OH which, in turn, dissociates into NH.sub.4.sup.+ ions and OH.sup.- ions. The slow step determining the speed for this reaction is the adjustment of the equilibrium with the gas space or the adjustment of the equilibrium at the glass membrane.
The glass electrode required for the pH-measurement changes in the characteristic of the glass membrane in the course of its use so that drift phenomena occur. A stable reference potential is necessary for carrying out the pH-measurement and a displacement of this reference potential in the course of use likewise leads to drift phenomena. The known measuring cell responds to all gases influencing the pH-value of the electrolyte so that its selectivity for measurements in corresponding gas mixtures is not adequate.

Electrochemical measuring cell for determining ammonia or hydrazine in a measuring sample


In the field of library science wherein literary, artistic and shelved collections of various materials are descriptively classified by rows of catalog cards maintained upright in open top, pullout drawers, a rigid, inexpensive, light weight, V-shaped, suspendible separator, provided with an upwardly open, finger-clearing mouth, has a handle integral with its rectangular, transparent, rearmost leg for ease of insertion in a chosen drawer between a pair of pre-selected cards, operating to maintain the two cards tilted in opposite directions such that the card engaged by the transparent leg therebehind is conveniently held at a proper, rearwardly tilted angle for full, unobstructed viewing through the transparent leg of the call number and other data on the front face of the rearwardly tilted card, thereby freeing the hands of the user for rapid, accurate copying of all or portions of such data as may be desired without risk of losing his place. A central notch across the apex or bight of the separator clears the card-retaining rod of the drawer such that the transversely arcuate bight of the inserted separator rests on the bottom of the drawer.

Descriptive classification of collections such as reading and reference materials, accessible from shelving and other storage facilities involves the widespread use of corresponding synopses, including titles, authors and call numbers on groups of individual cards readily available for thumbing and careful selection of preferred items. Normally each series of cards is arranged in a row resting on one edge and contained in boxes or open-top drawers but, because of what might be called "the domino" effect, they tend to tilt, causing one to lose his place much the same as the way in which the pages of a book flip over when not carefully held or anchored.
Thus, the aggravating problem of attempting to awkwardly copy from a preselected card, while at the same time, keeping the card in full view. Exasperated, the searcher inserts a pencil, a piece of paper or other item, none of which ever seems to be readily available and, usually, without successfully spreading the cards sufficiently or preventing blockage from view of that which is to be copied.

Transparent separator for a row of index cards or the like

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A novel Maillard reaction inhibitor containing at least one compound represented by formula (1) and the salts thereof; methods for producing the compounds of formula (1) and the salts thereof; a composition for inhibiting the Maillard reaction in living body comprising at least one compound of formula (1) and the salts thereof; and a method for inhibiting the Maillard reaction in living body by administration of a compound of formula (1') or a salt thereof are disclosed.

The Maillard reaction is a reaction which starts in a living body with an attack by a nucleophilic reaction with a free amino group present in a protein on an aldehyde group of a reducing sugar such as glucose to form a Schiff base which is called aldimine. Then, aldimine successively causes a rearrangement to form a more stable Amadori compound (non-enzymatic glycation). The Amadori compound further causes a series of reaction with other proteinous amino groups, thereby to form a brown fluorescent material and to cause a crosslinking between proteins. Historically, Maillard reported in 1912 that a mixed solution of an amino acid and a reducing sugar, when heated, is colored into brown (L. C. Maillard, Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol., 72, 599 (1912)) and, since then the reaction is called Maillard reaction. At that time, Maillard already suggested that the reaction could occur in a living body.
In 1968, Rabber et al found that hemoglobin A.sub.1C which is a very small fraction of hemoglobin is increased in the blood of diabetic patients (S. Rabber et al., Clin. Chim. Acta., 22, 296 (1968)] and further, it was found that the hemoglobin A.sub.1C was formed by bonding glucose to the N terminal valine of the hemoglobin .beta.-chain in the form of an Anadori rearrangement (V. J. Stevens, H. Vlassara, A Abati & A. Cerami, J. Biol. Chem., 252, 2998 (1977)), etc., and the occurrence of a non-enzymatic glycation in a living body was proved.
Recently, it has been confirmed that various bioproteins may undergo the Millard reaction. For example, it is reported that the amount of hemoglobin subjected to a glycation is increased thrice in a diabetic [E. C. Abraham et al, J. Lab. Clin. Med., 102, 187 (1983)].
Also, it is reported that the amount of glycation is increased in the serum albumin of diabetic patients (R. Dolhofer and O. H. Wieland, Diabetes, 29, 417 (1980)). Also, it is reported that fluorescence is increased in the skin collagen obtained from diabetic patients (Vincent M. Monnier et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 81, 583 (1984)).
The non-enzymatic glycation is a phenomenon observed in a healthy person, but the accumulation of the brown fluorescent material is a protein having a delayed metabolic turnover rate and is markedly observed in aging and a diabetic state of increasing a blood sugar value. The reason therefor has been reported by Patrick et al that an accumulated amount of the Maillard reaction product is determined by a blood sugar value, the metabolic turnover rate of the target protein thereof, etc. (J. S. Patrick, S. R. Thorpe and J. W. Baynes, Journal of Gerontology, 45, 1, B18-23 (1990)).
The correlation between such a Maillard reaction product and various cause of diseases relating to diabetes and aging has been discussed. For example, it is reported that, when a serum protein which has been subjected to glycation is intravenously administered to mice for 12 weeks, a typical renal disorder in diabetes is caused (B. A. McVerry et al, The Lancet, 5, 738 (1980)). It is also considered that the non-enzymatic glycation of a nervous myelin protein takes part in one of the causes of the diabetic nervous disorder (V. M. Monnier et al, Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 11, 431 (1982)).
An eyeball lens crystalline is a specific protein causing no metabolic turnover after being biosynthesized, and Cerami et al found that, when the crystalline undergoes the glycation, a colorless crosslinked compound having a disulfide linkage and a colored crosslinked compound having a fluorescence are formed (V. M. Monnier & A. Cerami, Science, 211, 491 (1981) and V. M. Monnier & A. Cerami, Biochim. Biophys. Acta., 760, 97 (1983)). When the crystalline undergoes glycation, polymerization, insolubilization, increase in fluorescence, and coloring in brown occur, closely similar to the change of the eyeball lens with aging (S. H. Chiou et al, J. Biol. Chem., 256, 5176 (1981)).
Collagen and elastin which are proteins constituting connective tissues are proteins showing very slow metabolic turnover and a combined product with glucose has been found in a renal glomerules base membrane, a skin, a tendon, etc. (V. M. Monnier et al, "Maillard Reaction in Food", Prog. Food Nutr. Sci., 5, 315, Pergamon Press, London). Brownlee et al showed that, in a diabetic rat, crosslinking of collagen increases in the wall of the blood vessel, thereby to accumulate a fluorescent material, and also that such a crosslinking occurs by a non-enzymatic mechanism (M. Brownlee et al., Science, 232, 1629 (1989)). The relation with hardening of the arterial wall has been also considered (H. Rosenburn et al, Biochem. Biophys., Res. Commun., 91, 498 (1979)).
As described above, it is considered that the Maillard reaction in a living body takes part in various diseases relating to diabetes and aging.


A process is disclosed for manufacturing solid fuel which includes the steps of mixing a biomass, a heavy hydrocarbon and a sorbent to form a hydrocarbon-biomass slurry, the biomass being characterized by a particle size and distribution of about 50% between about 250-2000 .mu.m and about 50% less than about 250 .mu.m, and more preferably as follows:. ______________________________________ distribution particle size ______________________________________ 10-20% 1250-2000 .mu.m 10-20% 500-1250 .mu.m 10-20% 250-500 .mu.m balance .ltoreq.250 .mu.m ______________________________________. compacting the slurry to form a solid fuel agglomerate; and baking the agglomerate so as to form a solid fuel briquette having a resistance to compression of at least about 22 kg/cm.sup.2. The mixing step includes the step of mixing the biomass, hydrocarbon and sorbent in the following proportions, by weight: ______________________________________ biomass 50-70%; hydrocarbon 30-45%; and sorbent 5-10%. ______________________________________. Mixing is preferably carried out at a temperature of between about 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. Compacting is preferably carried out at a temperature of between about 200.degree. to 250.degree. C. and a pressure of between about 1000 to 1500 psig. Baking is preferably carried out under anaerobic conditions at a temperature of between about 320.degree. to 400.degree. C. for a time of between about 15 to 90 minutes.

The invention relates to the field of solid fuels and, more particularly, to a process for manufacturing a solid fuel from a biomass and heavy crude oil, which solid fuel exhibits improved compression resistance and low density.
Solid fuels made from biomass and heavy crude oil are advantageous in that they make use of heavy and extra heavy crude oil and industrial and urban waste products to provide a useful solid fuel product.
Heavy crude oil exists in large supply. Large reserves are known to exist in various locations in Canada, Europe, Mexico, U.S.A., and Venezuela. For example, the Orinoco River Belt in Venezuela holds enough heavy and extra heavy crude oil to supply world energy needs for years. These heavy and extra heavy crude oils are very viscous, however, and are therefore difficult to transport through conventional means. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the centers of demand for energy are generally located at points distant from the source of such heavy crude oil reserves. It is therefore apparent that an economical method of transport for such heavy crude oil is desirable.
Solid fuels are one answer to this problem. These fuels are frequently manufactured so as to incorporate heavy crude oil with biomass material. Such biomass material is generally otherwise classified as industrial or urban waste. Thus, solid fuels provide a use for such waste material and also provide a vehicle allowing heavy crude oil to be economically transported through conventional means.
Several methods for manufacturing such solid fuels are known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,615, to Lonchamp, et al, UK Patent Application No. GB 2,137,653 A, and French Patent No. 2,561,253. These patents disclose methods for mixing high viscosity oil with organic material to obtain solid fuels. Solid fuels manufactured according to these teachings do not exhibit acceptable resistance to compression. High resistance to compression is desirable, however, in order to provide a solid fuel which will withstand compression concomitant with transportation over long distances. It is also desirable for such solid fuels to have a low density, and a high resistance to erosion during transportation and handling of the solid fuel.
It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a process for manufacturing a solid fuel which has a high resistance to compression, a low density, and a high resistance to erosion.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a process for manufacturing a solid fuel which utilizes heavy and extra heavy crude oil and industrial and urban waste materials as biomass, so as to provide a useful utilization of both resources.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon a consideration of the following disclosure.


Provided is a job plan display system capable of displaying a job plan on a product, and displaying a thumbnail as image information on the product on a display area of the job plan based on design data of the product, allowing an appropriate thumbnail to be displayed while suppressing an increase in system load. The job plan display system is configured to determine whether or not to display or update the thumbnail on a display area of the job plan based on at least one of intention of a designer who created the design data, such intention being assigned to the design data of the product, a predetermined update time, progress information on the design data created and a relationship between a changing part of the design data when the design data is changed and viewpoint coordinates when creating the thumbnail.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a job plan display system, and relates to a job plan display system to display a job plan of a NC (Numerical Control) job by a NC machine tool in a manufacturing process of production facilities, for example.
Background Art
Conventionally production facilities to manufacture various components such as motors, batteries, and semiconductors used for vehicles or the like are manufactured by preparing a plurality of components of the production facility using NC machine tools individually and assembling such a plurality of components.
In recent years, to manufacture these components of production facilities, a plurality of NC machine tools are disposed along a plurality of processing lines, and the operating state of these NC machine tools disposed along the processing lines are collectively controlled by a central computer (Direct Numerical Control (DNC)), so as to shorten the lead time to manufacture the production facilities and suppress their manufacturing cost. Management data of the plurality of NC machine tools under the DNC, such as the processing state, is displayed simultaneously on a screen of the central computer, allowing a supervisor, an operator or the like to check the processing state of the NC machine tools at one time.
In such a production facility manufacturing process, it is requested to display a job plan created for each NC machine tool under the DNC on a screen so as to allow a supervisor, an operator or the like to understand the job target and the job content of each NC machine tool easily and speedily from the screen, and Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technique to respond to such a request.
The conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is to create a reference process table which tabulates each reference process necessary for manufacturing each component and a condition determining table which describes a condition determining expression for determining whether or not each reference process is generated using an external function, extract a factor to be a job factor from at least CAD information, component information and job information, decide job content to be generated by comparing the reference processes read from the reference process table with the extracted factor, arrange the reference processes, read the condition determining table into a process generation determining unit making a different decision for each process, determine the presence or not of the process generation by the condition determining expression to automatically set a manufacturing process, and then create a component thumbnail as image information.


This invention relates to a power supply circuit wherein first transistors, resistors, ann sscood rajsitoos itt a polarity opposite to that of said first transistors are series-connected between the power supply side and the output side. In one embodiment, the circuit is provided as a semiconductor integrated circuit wherein first transistor elements, diffusion resistor elements, and second transistor elements with a polarity opposite to that of said first transistor elements are respectively formed on a common semiconductor substrate together with interconnects.

In the past, for a high voltage withstanding display driver (a circuit in which many current outputs are required), a constant-current supply with a circuit structure as shown in FIG. 5 may be considered. As shown in the figure, on the side of a power supply 3 (V.sub.EE), the respective emitters of (high potential withstanding) PNP switching transistors Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3 . . . and Q.sub.34 are connected in common, and the bases of the switching transistors Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3 . . . and Q.sub.34 are respectively connected to switches 51, 52, 53 . . . and 84. (This circuit diagram shows a state in which the switches are ON, i.e., the state that the base voltage is OV, for example). Collectors of the switching transistors Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3 . . . and Q.sub.34 are respectively connected through resistors R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 . . . and R.sub.34 to respective output terminals T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3 . . . and T.sub. 34. Each of Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, Z.sub.3 . . . and Z.sub.34 in the figure represents a load impedance (e.g., picture element of plasma display), and 5 (V.sub.CC) indicates a negative power supply.
Referring to a circuit unit 101 (also to 102, 103 . . . and 134) which are the parts shown by a broken line in this circuit diagram, the resistance value of the resistor R.sub.1 is increased to increase the voltage drop due to the resistor R.sub.1 (assuming that the current flowing R.sub.1 is I.sub.0, R.sub.1.I.sub.0), thereby controlling a change in the power supply 3 and an output current change due to a change in the load impedance Z.sub.1. That is, with a change in the power supply 3 as .DELTA.V.sub.EE, a change in the output voltage V.sub.CC due to a change in the load impedance Z.sub.1 as .DELTA.V.sub.CC, and a change in the load impedance Z.sub.1 as .DELTA.Z.sub.1, we obtain ##EQU1## (where R.sub.1 >>Z.sub.1 +.DELTA.Z.sub.1 ; I.sub.O R.sub.1 >>.DELTA.V.sub.EE ; and I.sub.O R.sub.1 >>.DELTA.V.sub.CC). Therefore, with R.sub.1 as being large (I.sub.O R.sub.1 >>.DELTA.V.sub.EE, I.sub.O R.sub.1 >>.DELTA.V.sub.CC), I.sub.O can be almost constant.
However, in a circuit which requires many current outputs (a power supply circuit having 34 current outputs consisting of circuits 101, 102, 103 . . . and 134 shown by broken lines in FIG. 5), since there are many resistors like R.sub.1 (e.g., 34 resistors R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 . . . and R.sub.34) with large resistance values described above, the voltage drop due to the resistance becomes large, wasting power. There is a problem that this amounts for a large portion of power consumption in the above entire display driver. There is also a problem that it is difficult to form many resistors with large resistance values in a semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) with high precision (without dispersion in the resistance value), (that is, it is difficult to output a constant-current).
An object of the invention is to provide a power supply circuit and a semiconductor integrated circuit device using it wherein power consumption is reduced and dispersion of output current is small.

Power supply circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit device using it


A pneumatically operated feeder for punch presses and the like and having a feed slide that is adapted to be moved automatically through successive feed and index strokes. Instead of using a limit switch type device for sensing for the physical presence of the feed slide when the latter has reached the end of an operative stroke thereof, an improved control means is provided to identify the completion of such an operative stroke and to thereby cause said feed slide automatically to initiate its next operative stroke. When pressure fluid is applied to the main fluid motor of the feeder in order to produce say an index stroke of the feed slide the effective fluid pressure in said motor will not normally reach line pressure until after completion of said index stroke. Recognizing this operating condition exists in the feeder pressure sensitive means are provided for so identifying the completion of said index stroke, and valve means responsive to the operation of said pressure sensitive means are provided for causing said feed slide automatically to initiate a feed stroke after completion of said index stroke.

In certain conventional type pneumatic punch press feeders control circuits have been used to automatically trigger a feed stroke of the feed slide in response the completion of an index stroke thereof and vice versa; however these control circuits utilize limit switches for sensing for the physical presence of the feed slide when the latter has arrived at the end of one or both of said strokes. One of the difficulties associated with this type of sensing arrangement is that the limit switch means must be positionally adjustable for accommodating different positional limits desired for the end of one or both of said strokes as is required where different feed stroke lengths of the feeder are desired. This condition necessitates not only an adjustable mounting for the limit switch type sensing means but also requires that the circuit connections between said adjustable limit switch sensing means and the remaining portions of the control system be flexible or otherwise adjustable so as to accommodate the said adjustable positionment of one or both of said limit switch means. These requirements can cause practical set-up difficulties, particularly where the sensing means must be installed near an extreme longitudinal end of the feeder and loose and cumbersome circuit tubing and/or other control interconnections must be maintained therewith to accommodate the remote and required adjustable positionment of said sensing means.
The principle object of the present invention is to provide a novel pressure sensing arrangement for controlling the automatic reversal of operative movement of the feed slide in a pneumatically operated punch press feeder.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pneumatic feeder having control means for controlling the automatic initiation of the next operative stroke of the feed slide thereof whereby no positional adjustment is required for said control means for different feed stroke lengths of said feeder.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pneumatically operated feeder for punch presses and the like having a reciprocable feed slide and wherein the effective fluid pressure in the fluid motor for actuating the feed slide is sensed in order to determine when one operative stroke of the feed slide has been completed and to initiate a signal in response thereto so as to cause initiation of the next operative stroke of said feed slide.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel single feed slide type pneumatic feeder having an improved control means which when operated is adapted to cause the feed slide to automatically partake of a plurality of successive feed strokes.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the disclosure progresses.

Pneumatic stock feeder for punch presses and the like


Method and apparatus for making hollow catheter tubes or tubing from silicone rubber in which silicone rubber X-ray opaque flexible thread is introduced into a wall of the tubing during the extrusion of the tubing. The flexible thread enters the extruded silicone rubber in the extruding die close to the outer diameter of the tube at a line where the extruded silicone material changes from a varying to a constant cross-section. The apparatus is constructed to locate the terminating forward end of the tube through which the silicone thread passes at a line at the entrance to the constant cross-sectional area. The extruded tubing with the thread in one wall thereof is then cured into a final product.

The invention is directed to tubes for use as catheter tubes or the like of varying shapes and sizes which are ordinarily employed by medical personnel to drain fluids from body cavities or to distend body passages. It is desirable to know the location of the tube within the body. Elastomeric material such as silicone rubber is extruded to form the tube and simultaneously a silicone X-ray opaque thread is introduced into one wall of the tube as the latter is extruded which readily is exposed when the tube is located in a body and is X-rayed. The method and apparatus produces an extremely effective working catheter tube or the like.


An outer garment having means affixed to the shoulders for removably securing a knapsack at either the front, the rear, or knapsacks at both the front and rear of the garment is disclosed. A pair of shoulder straps, each extending over one of the shoulders of the garment from the front to the rear, has free ends adapted to secure and remove the knapsack or knapsacks, the securing means comprising a loop connecting the strap to a ring. The knapsack is equipped with a pair of hook-type snap fasteners, such as a snap hook, arrnaged on the knapsack to permit attaching to the rings at the ends of the shoulder straps on the front of the garment, or the rings at the end of the shoulder straps at the rear of the garment. Alternatively, two knapsacks so equipped can be so attached, one at the front and one at the rear.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an outer garment, such as a jacekt or coat, the garment having a pair of shoulder straps permanently affixed to the outside of the garment and extending from the front to the rear. The arrangement of parts and details of construction provide a decorative as well as functional garment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Outer garments with shoulder straps for supporting accessories or attachments are known. Silin, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,970,316, shows a removable school bag supportable at the back of a jacket by shoulder straps attached to the jacket. Sherman, in U.S. Pat. No. 939,871, discloses a coat supporting a pocket attachment by means of straps passing over the shoulders of the coat and securing the attachment wrapped around the wearer, the attachments passing over the shoulders of the garment and securing the attachment at both the front and rear. Kirschenbaum, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,304,574, shows a knapsack jacket with the knapsack built into the back of the jacekt.
Other patents showing the state of the prior art are the following:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,426,024, Aug. 15, 1922, Thureson; 1,839,143, Dec. 29, 1931, Ellis; 2,652,567, Sept. 22, 1953, Fisher; 3,682,358, Aug. 8, 1972, Richey.
All these garments fail to provide a garment for conveniently attaching and removing a knapsack by means of a permanently attached shoulder strap. Furthermore, many of the garments shown in the prior art lack decorative appeal, or they fail to allow for comfortable support of a detachable knapsack. In addition, none of the prior art references cited above provides for a knapsack attachable and detachable either on the back, front, or both the back and front of a garment, thereby obviating the convenience obtainable from such an arrangement.

Garment with shoulder attached supporting straps


A serial communication system includes transmission line and at least one slave device. The at least one slave device comprises an active pull-down element coupled to the transmission line to pull a voltage on the transmission line low during transmission, an active pull-up element coupled to the transmission line to pull the voltage on the transmission line high during or after transmission, and a communication circuit configured to transmit data onto the transmission line according to a SENT protocol by activating the pull-down element and the pull-up element.

The Singled Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT) protocol is a one-wire, serial communication protocol used in a variety of applications. The SENT protocol relies on a passive pull-up mechanism (such as a pull-up resistor) to maintain the one-wire bus at a logic-high voltage level. To transmit data, devices communicating on the bus typically drive the bus low, then release the bus and allow the pull-up resistor to pull the bus high. The rise-time of a low-to high transition on the bus may be a function of the supply voltage, the value of the pull-up resistor (which can vary from 10 kΩ to 55 kΩ according to the SENT specification), any protective devices (active or passive), and any capacitance (parasitic or otherwise) coupled to the bus.

Serial communication system with active driver


The present disclosure describes a syringe assembly including a syringe and a tamper evident cap disposed over a Luer connection of the syringe, the tamper evident cap having a main body that defines a proximal end defining an opening, a distal end opposite the proximal end along the axial direction, an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface that defines a passage to receive a tip cap and the Luer connection, where the tamper evident cap is spaced from the tip cap. The main body further defines a frangible connection between the proximal and distal ends of the main body. The frangible connection can break under a force applied to the distal end of the tamper evident cap such that the proximal end of the tamper evident cap remains engaged with the syringe when the frangible connection breaks.

Syringe assemblies are used to hold, transport, and deliver materials. For example, syringes are often utilized in medical environments to administer one or more medicinal materials. Syringe assemblies may differ in size, and their specific dimensions are dictated by the desired application and the specific material to be administered. In some instances, syringes may be pre-filled with one or more materials that are then dispensed from the syringe and combined with other elements.
Many industrial applications require mechanisms that prevent tampering with a particular product. This is especially the case with syringes used in the medical profession, where it is important for medical staff and patients to be aware of any tampering with the syringe or the material contained therein. Existing technology for detecting and preventing tampering is often cumbersome, difficult to use, increases risks of injury to the user, and increase the likelihood of contaminating the patient or the medical environment. Further, the addition of a tampering device can often require changes to be made to the manufacturing process of a syringe or its constituent components, which increases associated production costs and complexity of manufacturing.
Therefore, there is a need for a tamper evident cap configured to be used with syringes having preexisting designs that are filled with a material.


A process for preparing an epoxy impregnated laminate having an adhesive surface conductive to electroless plating wherein the adhesive surface is applied from a transfer sheet as a substantially uncured phenolic thermosetting resin/nitrile rubber polymer adhesive layer which is thereafter cured by subjecting the laminate to heat and pressure curing conditions.

This invention relates to a process for preparing insulating substrates, more specifically electrically insulating substrates suitable for preparing printed circuits by electroless deposition techniques.
It is widely known to utilize substrates comprised of a plurality of fibrous sheets or webs impregnated with thermosettable resin, most usually epoxy resin, as a base on which to form a firmly adherent metal layer or pattern by electroless deposition in order to form printed circuit boards. In the art, prior to electroless deposition or preparatory steps therefor (e.g., etching, seeding or the like), the substrate is subjected to heat and pressure conditions to cure the thermosettable resin and thus form a cured integral laminate onto and/or in which printed circuit patterns are to be formed.
Hereinafter, the above-described type of thermosettable resin impreganted fibrous material, prior to the curing step, will be referred to as an "insulating substrate." After the curing step, the material is referred to as a "cured insulating substrate."
In the prior art, difficulties have been encountered in forming a strong bond between the surface of the cured insulating substrate and an electroless deposited metal layer. Peel strength on the order of 8-10 pounds/square inch or higher is desired but difficult to achieve. One approach in the prior art to improve the bonding strength between a surface of a cured insulating material and an electrolessly deposited metal thereon has been the application of an intermediate adhesive layer prior to electroless metal coating or precursor steps thereof. The prior art describes the application of the adhesive in at least a partially cured state from a transfer base material to the surface of the insulating substrate and thereafter removing the transfer base material and laminating the coated insulating substrate in a conventional manner to form a cured insulating substrate. If the adhesive was not completely cured prior to the transfer operation, curing is completed under the heat and pressure conditions of lamination, say 1,000-1,500 psi at 340.degree. F. for 45 minutes for phenolic impregnated substrate and 200-275 psi at 340.degree. F. for 1/4-1/2 hour for epoxy impregnated substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,041 by Polichette et al. discloses a transfer sheet process where a metal foil or plastic transfer sheet is coated with an adhesive composition whch is partially hardened to the "B" stage to produce a solvent-free, non-tacky, not completely hardened surface. Adhesives comprising nitrile rubber/thermosetting phenolic resin are contemplated. The adhesive surface of the transfer material is brought into contact with the surface of an insulating substrate. After subjecting the laminate to the conventional heat and pressure conditions, the transfer base material is removed, e.g., by peeling and then electroless metal plating is carried out.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,925,138 and 4,001,460 by Shaul et al. disclose processes which in certain embodiments appear to be similar to Polichette et al., except that the adhesive is substantially fully cured on the transfer base material prior to lamination.
The transfer base material of the prior art can be paper, plastic sheeting, metal foil and the like. Most usually, the transfer base material is selected so that it can be peeled off of the laminate after consolidation by heat and pressure. However, with the use of metal foil transfer base materials, a release agent of some type is preferred to aid peeling, or the metal foil could be etched (dissolved) away after consolidation. See the Shaul et al. patents and U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,701 to Fasbender et al. Also, see the Fasbender et al. patent concerning at least some degree of preliminary hardening, i.e., preliminary condensation in the case of hardening by the condensation mechanism, of the adhesive on the transfer base or carrier material prior to lamination with the insulating substrate.
MacDermid, Inc. of Waterbury, Conn., markets products under the trade name Pladd II.RTM.. One of these products is believed to be a metal foil carrying a cured resin. The product is designed for application to a substrate for printed circuit boards. The foil is to be etched away after a laminating cycle.

Process for preparing epoxy laminates for additive plating

International Business Machines Corporation


A varnish composition is provided comprising a hydrophilic oral care agent, such as a peroxide material, dispersed in a solution of a film-forming hydrophobic polymer in a non-polar solvent. The solvent is selected so as to be a good solvent for the polymer and to be susceptible to evaporation. The composition can be applied as a single layer varnish, preferably a whitening varnish. E.g., the dispersed hydrophilic peroxide material is an aqueous peroxide solution, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, whereby the dispersion is an emulsion.

Oral care agents can be applied to teeth via varnish compositions that release the agents into the teeth. Such release takes place either via water present in the formulation, or as moisture from the teeth ingresses through the inner surface of the varnish. The use of varnish compositions as a carrier for oral care agents, brings about several advantages. Particularly, applying a liquid varnish composition onto the teeth can be done easily. This is, e.g., by painting or other spreading techniques such as by using a syringe, brush, or spatula.
A particular advantage is that dental trays, or other invasive application devices, can be avoided, as a varnish composition can be painted or otherwise be manually spread onto the teeth. This is of benefit in a professional care environment, but also allows patients or users to apply such oral care composition by themselves.
However, wetting of the outer surface of the varnish can cause the oral care agents to leak into the mouth (e.g., towards the lips) in addition to into the teeth, thereby reducing the amount of oral care agent delivered to the teeth. The varnish composition may also be soft and easily washed away, thereby not allowing an effective amount of the oral care agent to be delivered to the teeth. The deposited varnish composition may also have a rough surface that can irritate the lips and other soft tissues. Furthermore, the deposited composition may have an undesirable appearance in terms of a rough surface, poor colour, and/or undesirable reflectance properties.
The foregoing issues are recognized in the art. In US 2005/0249677 A1 reference is made to a bleaching method that involves painting a bleaching composition directly onto a person's teeth. It is thereby mentioned that a perceived advantage of paint-on bleaching is that it eliminates the need for a dental tray, but that the main disadvantage of a paint-on bleaching composition is that it remains directly exposed to the person's saliva and disruptive forces found in a person's mouth. In the reference, it is foreseen to apply a dental bleaching composition onto the teeth, applying a protective composition on or adjacent to gingival tissue, and placing a moisture-resistant barrier layer over the tooth surface to be bleached. The barrier layer is a shaped device, e.g., in the form of a dental tray, sheet, strip, or patch. Therewith, i.e., by providing a shaped device to be placed in the mouth, the reference largely reduces, if not altogether diminishes, the advantages associated with applying the oral care agent via a composition that can be painted onto the teeth.
Further, a dual layer whitening varnish is available under the trade name Philips Zoom QuickPro product. This is typically used in a short, five-minute dental office procedure. The product is based on a two-layer technology with a 20% hydrogen peroxide whitening varnish followed by a sealant layer that dries in seconds and locks the hydrogen peroxide layer into place. Whilst this product provides a considerable advancement in teeth whitening technology, it would be desired for some applications, e.g. to further facilitate domestic use, to provide a single layer varnish.
It is desired to provide a system and method are which can overcome some of the problems with systems as existing prior to the aforementioned QuickPro product, such as having a reduced leakage rate of an oral care agent into a mouth, but which is fully based on a varnish-type composition. I.e., a system is sought that is entirely based on compositions that can be easily applied onto tooth surfaces as a fluid, and which are thereafter cured.


A chemical analyzing apparatus comprises a reaction cell holder which holds a plurality of reaction cells that are supplied with samples and reagents at a predetermined position, a measurer for measuring characteristics of the sample, a plurality of reagent containers, a liquid deliverer provided below each of the plurality of reagent containers, one or more sound wave generators provided outside the reaction cells, and storage containers for storing cleansing liquid with different contamination states. The cleansing liquid with different contamination states is reused according to the contamination levels of the reaction cells.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a chemical analyzing apparatus that determines the kind and concentration of a substance dissolved in a liquid and more particularly to a chemical analyzing apparatus that analyzes components of humor and water.
Among conventional chemical analyzing apparatus is a chemical analyzing apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,433. This chemical analyzing apparatus comprises a calorimetric unit for analyzing and determining protein and enzyme contained in blood and components of urine and an ion analyzing unit for analyzing ions in blood. This chemical analyzing apparatus has a processing rate of several hundred tests per hour and, in a large type, 9000 tests or more per hour. The colorimetric unit in particular has a large number of reaction containers or cells placed on a circumference of a turntable mounted on the upper surface of an apparatus body and performs overlap processing to mix, react and measure samples successively.
This apparatus comprises: an automatic sample/reagent supply mechanism for supplying samples and reagents to reaction cells; a holder for holding several tens of kinds of reagent containers; an automatic agitation mechanism for agitating the samples and reagents in the reaction cells; a measuring device for measuring characteristics of the samples during or after reaction; an automatic cleansing mechanism for drawing by suction and discharging the samples after characteristic measurements are made and for washing the reaction cells; an automatic cleansing mechanism for washing the automatic sample/reagent supply mechanism; and a controller for controlling the operations of these mechanisms and devices.
There are several tens of kinds of colorimetric test items and, even in normal assays, each sample is tested for at least about ten kinds of inspection items. Conventional reagent supply mechanisms use a reagent pipetting mechanism. The reagent pipetting mechanism comprises mainly a nozzle for drawing reagent into it and holding the reagent there, a mechanism for moving the nozzle three-dimensionally, and a suction/delivery control pump for drawing and discharging the reagent into and out of the nozzle.
To transmit the suction/delivery operation of the pump to the nozzle with good response, pure water (hereinafter referred to as system water) is filled in a pipe between the pump and the nozzle. The system water and the reagent are separated by air to avoid their mixing. This air layer is formed by drawing air into the nozzle before drawing the reagent into it.
The supply of reagent is performed in the following manner. First, the nozzle is dipped into a reagent container by a three-dimensional transfer mechanism to draw by suction a specified amount of reagent into it. The nozzle is moved away from the reagent container and placed over a reaction cell into which the reagent is discharged. After the reagent is discharged, the interior and exterior of the nozzle is washed with cleansing liquid in a nozzle washing bath to avoid contaminating the next reagent. Because the path which the nozzle of the reagent pipetting mechanism travels is fixed, a holder for holding the reagent containers is provided below the path of the nozzle.
Another example of the conventional technology is an automatic analyzing apparatus described in JP-A-63-131066. This example is similar to the above-described conventional technology in terms of sampling, mixing and reaction, photometry, and the washing of reaction cells but differs from it in the reagent supply method.
With a reduction in apparatus size taken as the first objective, this conventional technology arranges the reagent container holder above the reaction cell holder so that the reaction cells and the reagent containers overlap at two predetermined points. Hence, the delivery of reagent into the reaction cell is done by a piston formed integral with the side surface of each reagent container. The piston is actuated by a piston rod actuator provided at a reagent delivery position.
At the delivery position, the piston rod actuator for the reagent container is temporarily connected to the piston rod. Next, the piston rod is pulled up to draw the reagent from the reagent container into the piston. When it reaches the upper limit of its stroke, the piston rod meshes with a gear that rotates the piston through 180 degrees. At this time, the rotation of the piston closes a hole which was open to draw in the reagent, and opens a hole connecting to a delivery port. As the piston rod is driven down, the reagent in the piston is discharged through the hole into the reaction cell.
The above-mentioned conventional technology has the following three drawbacks.
First, the reduction in the size of the apparatus and in the space required is not sufficient. Second, contamination between different reagents cannot be prevented completely. Third, the amount of pure water used is large, requiring a pure water making device outside the apparatus and periodical replacement of the filter and other components, which in turn necessitates additional costs and installation space. These problems are described in detail as follows.
The reason that the reduction in size and space is difficult in the conventional technologies will be explained. The first conventional technology described above picks up a sample and a reagent by the pipetting mechanism, which requires all elements associated with the operations, such as sampling, washing, suction and discharge, to be arranged on a plane beneath the movement locus of the pipetter nozzle. To avoid interference among elements, a certain degree of space is required. Furthermore, the fact that these two-dimensionally arranged elements are large in numbers and kinds also contributes to hindering a reduction in size.
A similar problem also exists as to the reduction in a space around the agitation mechanism. The conventional technology performs stirring with spatulas and thus requires a cleansing device for spatulas. It is also necessary to install the cleansing device so that it does not interfere with the movement locus of the spatulas, making the space reduction difficult. Because the reagent pipetting mechanism and the agitation mechanism using spatulas are employed, there are limitations to the relative positions among the elements, which makes it impossible to adopt a compact arrangement, rendering the size reduction difficult.
The second conventional technology crosses the reagent holder and the reaction cell holder to realize a certain degree of size reduction. With the agitation mechanism, however, the situation is no better than the first conventional technology and, when the apparatus is considered as a whole, the size reduction is not satisfactory.
Next, the problem of mutual contamination will be described. The mutual contaminations occur because different samples and reagents are handled by a common supply means.
The first conventional technology has a sampling mechanism that draws in and discharges, or pipettes, samples successively with a single nozzle. Further, the mutual contamination is also likely to occur in the reagent pipetting mechanism that pipettes several tens of reagents with a single nozzle and in the agitation mechanism that stirs the samples and reagents in the reaction cells.
The reaction cells can be thoroughly washed clean because after photometry they are washed with a cleansing liquid a plurality of times. As to the sample and reagent nozzles and the agitation mechanism, because they are washed in as short a duration of time as one cycle, thorough cleansing is difficult. In the case of biochemistry in particular, mutual contaminations by residual reagents have a significantly greater effect on the result of assay than residual samples.
Therefore, the essential point is the prevention of mutual contamination from the nozzle of the reagent pipetting mechanism and the spatulas of the agitation mechanism. In the second conventional technology a reagent delivery pump is provided for each reagent cell to prevent the mutual contamination by the reagent supply system. However, the agitation mechanism employs a conventional mechanism using spatulas and still has a problem of mutual contamination.
The next problem to be solved is a reduction in the amount of pure water used and simplification of associated facilities. The pure water is used mostly as a cleansing liquid as described in the explanation of the second problem. Hence, reducing the amount of cleansing liquid will result in a significant reduction in the amount of pure water used. With the conventional technologies, however, a large amount of cleansing liquid needs to be used to prevent the mutual contamination. The nozzles of the sampling mechanism and the reagent pipetting mechanism and the spatulas of the agitation mechanism, in particular, are washed with an increased flow of cleansing liquid in order to improve the cleansing capability and thereby complete the washing operation in a short period of time.
The necessity to ensure the required analyzing performance does not allow the cleansing liquid to be reduced in amount. The required amount of pure water at present is several tens of liters per hour. To meet this requirement a pure water making device of filter type is installed separately outside the apparatus and connected through water piping to the apparatus. The pure water making device and its associated piping require additional space and costs the user additional initial investments. Maintaining the pure water making device requires periodical replacement of expensive filters, which is a substantial burden for the user.


A system for keyless locking of a firearm against discharge is provided, which includes a casing configured for removable insert into a barrel of the firearm, and an extension rod disposed in longitudinally displaceable manner therein. The extension rod is provided with first and second ends and an intermediate portion extending longitudinally therebetween. A locking component supported by the casing is displaceable responsive to the extension rod between locked and unlocked positions. A powered driver coupled to the extension rod for selectively drives the displacement thereof responsive to user activation. The locking component in the locked position protrudes transversely beyond the casing for retentively engaging an inner surface of the firearm to prevent removal of the casing from its barrel, and in the unlocked position is retracted to maintain clearance from the inner surface of the firearm to permit removal of the casing from the barrel of the firearm.

The present invention relates to the field of locks, and in particular to a system and method for establishing a keyless gun lock for firearms, unlocking access to such gun lock, and managing password access thereto.
Firearms are widely usually used in military, police departments, and other public security contexts. Due to the lethality and intrinsic dangers of firearms, the use of firearms needs to be strictly regulated and controlled to avoid abusive uses posing threats to human life. Conventional measures for managing and controlling guns have included gun lock devices for locking the firearms to avoid unauthorized use of the firearm, so that the use of the gun is tightly restricted.
A conventional gun lock is a lock device used for firearm management. Existing mechanical gun locks generally use a key to unlock and lock the given device. A key is not only prone to be deformed or even broken from repetitive use, the key itself has poor anti-theft properties and may be easily lost, and thereby raise its own safety concerns. In an emergency situation, for instance, a lock could not be readily unlocked without the key being not readily available. This would hinder proper authorized operation of the firearm. Also, a mechanical gun lock is not easy to operate in a dark environment.
Moreover, some conventional gun locks operate by locking the trigger of the firearm. The unlocking operation requires removal of an unlocking device, which may be complicated and time consuming. When the firearm is needed for use in an emergency, the complicated unlocking operation would hinder proper authorized operation of the firearm.
There is therefore a need for a gun lock for firearms that is secure yet simple to unlock. There is a need for such a gun lock for firearms that does not require restraining engagement of the firearms' moving parts and obviates the need for physical key for unlocking access.

System and method for keyless firearm lock


A coupling for supporting an extension of a front fork in a head tube of a bicycle includes a bowl engaged in an upper portion of the head tube and includes a tapered surface. A ring element engages between the tapered surface of the upper bowl and the extension. A barrel engages on the ring element and a disc engages on the barrel. A fixed device engages in the extension with a bolt between the disc and the fixing device for pressing the barrel downward in order to press the ring element in place.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coupling, and more particularly to a coupling for supporting a front fork in the head tube of a bicycle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A typical arrangement for fixing a handle stem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,301 to Katayama, filed Jun. 30, 1978, entitled "HANDLE STEM FIXING DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE". In this fixing device, an outer thread should be formed on the upper end of the front fork such that the top ball race, the top ball head cup and the nut can be threadedly engaged on the upper end of the front fork. Before the handle stem is engaged in the front fork, the ball race and the head cup should be threaded onto the front fork such that the handle stem can be fixed in place. It is inconvenient to thread the ball race and the head cup. In addition, if the handle stem is caused to rotate relative to the front fork when, for example, the bicycle falls down to the ground, it is difficult to adjust and to correct the relative position between the handle stem and the front fork, the handle stem and the front fork should be unthreaded such that the handle stem can be adjusted and fixed in the correct position.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional handle stem fixing devices.

Coupling for supporting a front fork in the head tube of a bicycle

Mei Shan Village, Hou Li Hsiang, Taichung Hsien


A system and method for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The system preferably has a fuel vapor collection canister, a purge valve, an isolation valve, a fuel tank, and a vent valve. The fuel vapor collection canister includes a supply port and a discharge port. The purge valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port of the purge valve is in fluid communication with the discharge port of the fuel vapor collection canister. The isolation valve includes a housing, a valve body, and a seal. The housing has a first port in fluid communication with the supply port of the fuel vapor collection canister, a second port, and a fuel vapor flow path that extends between the first and second ports. The valve body is movable with respect to the housing along an axis between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration permits substantially unrestricted fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports, and the second configuration substantially prevents fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports. The seal, which is located at an interface between the housing and the valve body, includes an annular lip that projects obliquely toward the axis in the first configuration. The fuel tank is in fluid communication with the second port of the isolation valve. Thus, the fuel tank can be isolated from the fuel vapor collection canister while purging the fuel vapor collection canister. The vent valve controls ambient fluid flow with respect to the fuel vapor collection canister

This disclosure generally relates to a system and method for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel such that a fuel tank can be isolated from a fuel vapor collection canister while purging the fuel vapor collection canister.
It is believed that prior to legislation requiring vehicles to store hydrocarbon vapors that are generated when refueling a vehicle, a simple orifice structure was used to maintain a positive pressure in a fuel tank to retard vapor generation. It is believed that such orifice structures could no longer be used with the advent of requirements controlling on-board refueling. It is believed that, on some vehicles, the orifice structure was simply deleted, and on other vehicles, the orifice structure was replaced with a diaphragm-actuated pressure relief valve. It is believed that these diaphragm-actuated valves suffer from a number of disadvantages including that the calibration (i.e., pressure blow-off level) changes with temperature and age.
It is believed that it is necessary on some vehicles to maintain an elevated pressure in the fuel tank to suppress the rate of fuel vapor generation and to minimize hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere. It is believed that under hot ambient temperature conditions or when the fuel is agitated, e.g., when a vehicle is operated on a bumpy road, the amount of fuel vapor generated can exceed the amount of fuel vapor that can be purged by the engine. It is believed that a carbon canister can become hydrocarbon saturated if these conditions occur and are maintained for an extended period. It is believed that such a hydrocarbon saturated carbon canister is unable to absorb the additional fuel vapors that occur during vehicle refueling, and that hydrocarbon vapors are released into the atmosphere. A legislated standard has been set for the permissible level of free hydrocarbons that may be released. A so-called xe2x80x9cshed testxe2x80x9d is used to measure the emission of the free hydrocarbons for determining compliance with the legislated standard.
It is believed that there is needed to provide a valve that overcomes the drawbacks of orifice structures and diaphragm-actuated pressure relief valves.
The present invention provides a system for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The system includes a fuel vapor collection canister, a purge valve, an isolation valve, a fuel tank, and a vent valve. The fuel vapor collection canister includes a supply port and a discharge port. The purge valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port of the purge valve is in fluid communication with the discharge port of the fuel vapor collection canister. The isolation valve includes a housing, a valve body, and a seal. The housing has a first port in fluid communication with the supply port of the fuel vapor collection canister, a second port, and a fuel vapor flow path that extends between the first and second ports. The valve body is movable with respect to the housing along an axis between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration permits substantially unrestricted fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports, and the second configuration substantially prevents fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports. The seal, which is located at an interface between the housing and the valve body, includes an annular lip that projects obliquely toward the axis in the first configuration. The fuel tank is in fluid communication with the second port of the isolation valve. The vent valve controls ambient fluid flow with respect to the fuel vapor collection canister.
The present invention also provides a system for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The system includes a fuel vapor collection canister, a purge valve, a fuel tank, means for isolating the fuel tank from the purge valve, and a vent valve. The fuel vapor collection canister includes a supply port and a discharge port. And the purge valve includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port of the purge valve is in fluid communication with the discharge port of the fuel vapor collection canister. The vent valve controls ambient fluid flow with respect to the fuel vapor collection canister.
The present invention also provides a method for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The volatile fuel is stored in a fuel tank and is combusted in an internal combustion engine. The method includes accumulating fuel vapor in a fuel vapor collection canister; providing an isolation valve in a first conduit, providing a purge valve in a second conduit, providing a vent valve that controls ambient fluid flow with respect to the fuel vapor collection canister, and isolating the fuel tank from the fuel vapor collection canister while purging the fuel vapor collection canister. The first conduit provides fuel vapor communication between the fuel tank and the fuel vapor collection canister. The second conduit provides fuel vapor communication between the fuel vapor collection canister and the internal combustion engine. The isolating includes the isolation valve substantially preventing fuel vapor flow through the first conduit and the vent valve permitting ambient fluid flow in to the fuel vapor collection canister. And the purging includes the purge valve permitting generally unrestricted fuel vapor flow through the second conduit.

Evaporative emission control system including a fuel tank isolation valve and a canister vent valve


A mechanical linkage for a power machine includes first and second horizontal shafts extending sideways along respective first and second axes. First and second links are operably coupled to the respective first and second horizontal shafts. The links convert actuation of operator input devices of the power machine into rotation of the horizontal shafts about their axes. First and second valve actuators convert rotation of the respective first and second horizontal shafts into actuation of respective first and second spools in a hydraulic valve of the power machine.

This disclosure is directed toward power machines. More particularly, this disclosure is directed toward a mechanical linkage between operator input devices and a hydraulic control valve of a power machine. For example, the mechanical linkage may be on an excavator and the control valve may control various functions on the machine, including drive and steering, work elements, and the like.
Power machines, for the purposes of this disclosure, include any type of machine that generates power for the purpose of accomplishing a particular task or a variety of tasks. One type of power machine is a work vehicle. Work vehicles are generally self-propelled vehicles that have a work device, such as a lift arm (although some work vehicles can have other work devices) that can be manipulated to perform a work function. Work vehicles include excavators, loaders, utility vehicles, tractors, and trenchers, to name a few examples.
Prior art linkages between operator input devices (e.g., joysticks, control levers, foot pedals) and a hydraulic control valve include hydraulic conduits, cables, electrical wires, and mechanical linkages.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Mechanical linkage for control of power machine

Mn{acute over ({hacek over (i)}s)}ek pod Brdy


The invention provides an impact beam assembly and method for making the same. The method includes (a) deforming a tubular beam to provide an arcuate channel that extends inwardly from one end of the beam and that has a depth which decreases with increasing distance from the end of the beam, and (b) securing the beam to a mounting fixture near the deformed end of the beam. An arcuate channel and mounting fixture can also be provided at the other end of the impact beam. The arcuate channel provides a tapered profile to the end or ends of the impact beam, while preserving much of the beam's inherent tube strength.

Door impact beams are reinforcing members located within the side doors of automotive vehicles. Their primary purpose is to enhance the impact resistance of the side doors, thereby helping to preserve the general integrity of the automobile in the event of a collision of an object with the broadside of the automobile. The impact beams are located within the door and extend along the length of the door. The ends of the beams are often secured to mounting fixtures which connect the beams to a supporting structure within the door. The beam and its mounting fixtures together constitute the beam assembly.
Impact beams have been made in a variety of cross-sectional shapes, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,734, issued May 23, 1978 to S. Inami et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,166, issued Aug. 4, 1987 to V. L. Kanodia, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,562, issued Dec. 18, 1990 to J. S. Wycech. As shown in the latter of these patents, the impact beam can have a tubular conformation.
In some instances one or both end portions of the impact beam are formed to have a reduced profile. This has been done to provide an appropriately shaped surface to secure the impact beam to the supporting structure within the door. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,427, issued Jan. 24, 1992 to P. Sturrus et al., as well as the aforementioned patent to Wycech. Alternatively, this is sometimes done because the clearance provided within the door for the ends of the impact beam assembly (i.e., the mounting fixtures and end portions of the impact beam) is not enough to accept the full width of the beam. In these instances, the profile of the end portions of the impact beams must be reduced to match the clearance provided.
One way in which the profile of the end portions of the impact beams have been reduced is to remove material, whether by cutting, grinding, or some other means. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,390, issued Nov. 24, 1987 to G. H. Palentyn et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,159, issued Jun. 2, 1992 to T. J. Horling et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,694, issued Jun. 23, 1992 to R. J. DePierre et al. A second way has been to flatten part or all of the end portion of the impact beam.
One problem associated with reducing the profile of the impact beams at their end portions is that the overall strength and, particularly important, the tensile strength of the impact beam may be reduced. Also, extreme deformation of the end portions can result in cracking of the impact beam under the vibratory conditions to which the impact beam may be exposed, thereby further reducing the strength of the impact beam. Thus, it would be desirable to have an impact beam assembly construction that provides an end portion having a reduced profile with sufficient structural integrity such that the beam assembly remains suitable for its intended purpose.

Impact beam assembly method and apparatus

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A motion vector coding unit 117 executes processing including a neighboring block specification step (S100) of specifying a neighboring block which is located in the neighborhood of a current block; a judgment step (Steps S102, S104) of judging whether or not the neighboring block has been coded using a motion vector of another block; a prediction step (S106, S108) of deriving a predictive motion vector of the current block using a motion vector calculated from the motion vector of the other block as a motion vector of the neighboring block; and a coding step (S110) of coding the motion vector of the current block using the predictive motion vector.

In the age of multimedia which integrally handles audio, video and other information, existing information media, i.e., newspapers, magazines, televisions, radios, telephones and other means through which information is conveyed to people, have recently come to be included in the scope of multimedia. Generally, multimedia refers to something that is represented by associating not only characters, but also graphics, voices, and especially pictures and the like together, but in order to include the aforementioned existing information media in the scope of multimedia, it appears as a prerequisite to represent such information in digital form.
However, when calculating the amount of information contained in each of the aforementioned information media as the amount of digital information, while the amount of information per character is 1˜2 bytes, the amount of information to be required for voice is 64 Kbits or over per second (telephone quality), and 100 Mbits or over per second for moving pictures (current television reception quality), and it is not realistic for the aforementioned information media to handle such an enormous amount of information as it is in digital form. For example, although video phones are already in actual use via Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) which offers a transmission speed of 64 Kbps/s˜1.5 Mbps/s, it is not practical to transmit video shot by television cameras directly through ISDN.
Against this backdrop, information compression techniques have become required, and moving picture compression techniques compliant with H.261 and H.263 standards internationally standardized by ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector) are employed for video phones, for example (See, for example, Information technology—Coding of audio-visual objects—Part 2: video (ISO/IEC 14496-2), pp. 146-148, 1999. 12. 1). Moreover, according to information compression techniques compliant with the MPEG-1 standard, it is possible to store picture information in an ordinary music CD (compact disc) together with sound information.
Here, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) is an international standard on compression of moving picture signals, and MPEG-1 is a standard for compressing television signal information approximately into one hundredth so that moving picture signals can be transmitted at a rate of 1.5 Mbps. Furthermore, since transmission speed within the scope of the MPEG-1 standard is limited primarily to about 1.5 Mbps, MPEG-2, which was standardized with a view to satisfy requirements for further improved picture quality, allows data transmission of moving picture signals at a rate of 2˜15 Mbps. Furthermore, MPEG-4 which achieves a higher compression ratio than that of MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, allows coding, decoding and operation in an object unit, and realizes a new function required for the multimedia age, has been standardized by the working group (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11) which has been engaged in the standardization of MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. MPEG-4 was initially aimed at standardization of a coding method for a low bit rate, but now it is extended to standardization of a more versatile coding method for moving pictures further including interlace images and higher bit rates.
In the above-mentioned moving picture coding, the amount of information is compressed by exploiting redundancies in the spatial and temporal directions. Here, inter picture prediction coding is used as a method of using the temporal redundancies. In the inter picture prediction coding, a picture is coded using a temporarily forward or backward picture as a reference picture. The motion (a motion vector) of the current picture to be coded from the reference picture is estimated, and the difference between the picture obtained by the motion compensation and the current picture is calculated. Then, the spatial redundancies are eliminated from this difference, so as to compress the information amount of the moving picture.
In a moving picture coding method in compliance with MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.26L or the like, a picture which is not inter picture prediction coded, namely, which is intra picture coded, is called an I-picture. Here, a picture means a single coding unit including both a frame and a field. Also, a picture which is inter picture prediction coded with reference to one picture is called a P-picture, and a picture which is inter picture prediction coded with reference to two previously processed pictures is called a B-picture.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a predictive relation between pictures in the above-mentioned moving picture coding method.
In FIG. 1, a vertical line indicates one picture, with a picture type (I, P or B) indicated at the lower right thereof. Also, FIG. 1 indicates that a picture pointed by an arrow is inter picture prediction coded using a picture located at the other end of the arrowhead as a reference picture. For example, a B-picture which is the second from the left is coded using the first I-picture and the fourth P-picture as reference pictures.
In the moving picture coding method in compliance with MPEG-4, H.26L or the like, a coding mode called direct mode can be selected for coding a B-picture.
An inter picture prediction coding method in direct mode will be explained with reference to FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is an illustration for explaining the inter picture prediction coding method in direct mode.
It is now assumed that a block C in a picture B3 is coded in direct mode. In this case, a motion vector MVp of a block X in a reference picture (a picture P4 that is a backward reference picture, in this case) which has been coded immediately before the picture B3 is exploited, where the block X is co-located with the block C. The motion vector MVp is a motion vector which was used when the block X was coded, and refers to a picture P1. The block C is bi-directionally predicted from the reference pictures, namely, the picture P1 and the picture P4, using motion vectors parallel to the motion vector MVp. The motion vectors used for coding the block C are, in this case, a motion vector MVFc for the picture P1 and a motion vector MVBc for the picture P4.
In the moving picture coding method in compliance with MPEG-4, H.26L or the like, a difference between a predictive value obtained from motion vectors of neighboring blocks and a motion vector of a current block to be coded is coded for coding the motion vector. In the following description, a "predictive value" indicates a predictive value of a motion vector. Since motion vectors of neighboring blocks have similar direction and motion in many cases, the amount of coding the motion vector can be reduced by coding the difference from the predictive value obtained from the motion vectors of the neighboring blocks.
Here, a motion vector coding method in MPEG-4 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3A-3D.
FIGS. 3A-D are illustrations for explaining a method for coding a motion vector MV of a current block A to be coded in MPEG-4.
In FIGS. 3A-3D, blocks indicated by a thick line are macroblocks of 16×16 pixels, and there exist 4 blocks of 8×8 pixels in each macroblock. Here, it is assumed that a motion vector is obtained at a level of a block of 8×8 pixels.
As shown in FIG. 3A, as for a current block A located at the upper left in a macroblock, a difference between a predictive value and a motion vector MV of the current block A is coded, where the predictive value is calculated from a motion vector MVb of a neighboring block B to the left of the current block A, a motion vector MVc of a neighboring block C just above the current block A and a motion vector MVd of a neighboring block D above and to the right of the current block A.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3B, as for a current block A located at the upper right in a macroblock, a difference between a predictive value and a motion vector MV of the current block A is coded, where the predictive value is calculated from a motion vector MVb of a neighboring block B to the left of the current block A, a motion vector MVc of a neighboring block C just above the current block A and a motion vector MVd of a neighboring block D above and to the right of the current block A.
As shown in FIG. 3C, as for a current block A located at the lower left in a macroblock, a difference between a predictive value and a motion vector MV of the current block A is coded, where the predictive value is calculated from a motion vector MVb of a neighboring block B to the left of the current block A, a motion vector MVc of a neighboring block C just above the current block A and a motion vector MVd of a neighboring block D above and to the right of the current block A.
As shown in FIG. 3D, as for a current block A located at the lower right in a macroblock, a difference between a predictive value and a motion vector MV of the current block A is coded, where the predictive value is calculated from a motion vector MVb of a neighboring block B to the left of the current block A, a motion vector MVc of a neighboring block C above and to the left of the current block A and a motion vector MVd of a neighboring block D just above the current block A. Here, the predictive value is calculated using the medians obtained from the horizontal and vertical components of these three motion vectors MVb, MVc and MVd respectively.
Next, a motion vector coding method in H.26L which has been developed for standardization will be explained with reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is an illustration for explaining a method for coding a motion vector MV of a current block A in H.26L.
A current block A is a block of 4×4 pixels, 8×8 pixels or 16×16 pixels, and a motion vector of this current block A is coded using a motion vector of a neighboring block B including a pixel b located to the left of the current block A, a motion vector of a neighboring block C including a pixel c located just above the current block A and a motion vector of a neighboring block D including a pixel d located above and to the right of the current block A. Note that the sizes of the neighboring blocks B, C and D are not limited to those as shown in FIG. 4 by dotted lines.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of coding the motion vector MV of the current block A using the motion vectors of the neighboring blocks as mentioned above.
First, the neighboring block which refers to the picture that the current block A refers to is specified out of the neighboring blocks B, C and D (Step S502), and the number of specified neighboring blocks is determined (Step S504).
When the number of the neighboring blocks determined in Step S504 is 1, the motion vector of that neighboring block which refers to the same picture is considered to be a predictive value of the motion vector MV of the current block A (Step S506).
When the number of the neighboring blocks determined in Step S505 is another value other than 1, the motion vector of the neighboring block which refers to another picture other than the picture that the current block A refers to, out of the neighboring blocks B, C and D, is considered to be 0 (Step S507). And the median of the motion vectors of the neighboring blocks B, C and D is considered to be a predictive value of the motion vector of the current block A (Step S508).
Using the predictive value derived in Step S506 or Step S508 in this manner, the difference between the predictive value and the motion vector MV of the current block A is calculated and the difference is coded (Step S510).
As described above, in the motion vector coding methods in compliance with MPEG-4 and H.26L, motion vectors of neighboring blocks are exploited when coding a motion vector of a current block to be coded.
However, there are cases where motion vectors of neighboring blocks are not coded. For example, they are cases where a neighboring block is intra picture coded, a B-picture is coded in direct mode, and a P-picture is coded in skip mode. In these cases, the neighboring blocks are coded using the motion vectors of other blocks except when they are intra picture coded, namely, the neighboring blocks are coded using their own motion vectors based on the result of motion estimation.
So, according to the above-mentioned traditional motion vector coding method, a motion vector of a current block is coded as follows: When there exists one neighboring block, out of three neighboring blocks, which has no motion vector based on the above result of motion estimation and has been coded using motion vectors of other blocks, the motion vector of that neighboring block is considered to be 0. When there exist two such neighboring blocks, the motion vector of the remaining one neighboring block is used as a predictive value. And when there exist three neighboring blocks, the motion vector is coded considering a predictive value to be 0.
However, in direct mode or skip mode, motion compensation is actually performed as is the case where a motion vector of a neighboring block itself is used based on the estimation result, although the motion vector information is not coded. As a result, in the above traditional method, if a neighboring block is coded in direct mode or skip mode, the motion vector of the neighboring block is not used as a candidate for a predictive value. So, there is a problem of causing an inaccurate predictive value of a motion vector when coding the motion vector, and thus causing lower coding efficiency.
The present invention is conceived to solve this problem, and the object thereof is to provide a motion vector coding method and a motion vector decoding method for obtaining a more accurate predictive value for higher coding efficiency.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Motion vector coding method and motion vector decoding method


A filter having a thin metal flanged embedded within an open wall portion of a transparent plastic housing. The metal flange is permanently and non-detachably embedded within the wall and connected to a filter cover plate to create a fluid-tight seal. The resulting transparent spin-on filter allows a user to visually inspect the condition of the circulating fluid and filter without removing the filter from an operating system.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to filters and more particularly to fluid filters.
2. Description of the Background Art
A typical spin-on filter has a painted metal outer housing with a threaded nipple centered in the base of the filter. In operation, pressurized fluid flows into the filter through multiple radially spaced apertures at the base of the filter. The fluid then flows through the filter media and into a center tube, and is then circulated out of the filter through the threaded nipple and back to the engine or host connecting apparatus.
The prior art also includes filter designs with plastic housings, and at least one filter design with a transparent plastic housing. However, these filters are difficult to manufacture and have significant structural and reliability issues associated with the filter's crimped plastic-to-metal interface.


An improved audio-output device coupleable to a computer system, in which a DSP operating under software control emulates a common command interface. The command interface has a set of registers that are made available to the CPU for reading and writing, even if there are no such physical registers available in the device. The DSP also performs tasks in addition to audio-output, even though the audio-output device is required to respond immediately to commands from the CPU. The audio-output device has a DSP for interpreting and executing commands received from the CPU, a local memory for storing data input to or output from the DSP, a bus-interface (BIF) element for coupling the DSP and memory to a system bus, and a direct memory access (DMA) element for transferring data between the local memory and the system bus. The local memory has an emulation region for emulating a set of named registers the CPU may read from and write into according to the command interface, and a communication region for transmitting messages between the CPU and the DSP. The emulation region is indicated by a base register and a set of offset values, and has a dynamically allocated set of registers for emulating the set of named registers the CPU may read from and write into.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to sound board emulation using a digital signal processor.
2. Description of Related Art
There has been a great deal of market demand for audio and video output from computer systems, particularly in the case of personal computer systems known as "PC"s. This has led to the availability of hardware devices for producing audio output in response to commands from a central processing unit (CPU). Such a device may be commonly integrated into a computer system by implementing it on an add-in board, and by coupling the add-in board to a system bus, such as the industry-standard architecture (ISA) or extended ISA (EISA) bus. When coupled to the system bus, the board may be commanded by the CPU, under control of software for producing and playing audio output.
One product for producing audio output is the "Sound Blaster" product, available from Creative Technology, Inc., of Milpitas, Calif. This product, and the interface by which the CPU may command it, has become popular with some segments of the personal computer industry, and its command interface is also commonly used by other devices.
It is desirable for makers of audio-output boards to have the same command interface. Makers of hardware and software for personal computer systems may rely, and will certainly prefer, that any audio-output board have the same command interface. Designer may also wish to avoid multiple versions of a product (designed for compatibility with more than one product's command interface), and may therefore provide a product which uses only one command interface.
One aspect of this common command interface is that it specifies certain named registers that the CPU may access on the audio-output board, either to read values from or to write values into. While this may be an acceptable way for the CPU to command the audio-output board, it is desirable that an audio-output board does not require actual physical registers to implement this aspect of the command interface. For example, an implementation in which these registers are simulated by other physical means may be less expensive, faster, or more easily upgraded.
It is also desirable that an audio-output board does not require an implementation using dedicated hardware for the functions it provides, and may instead be implemented using a digital signal processor (DSP) operating under software control. However, the common command interface described above generally requires that the audio-output board must be immediately responsive to commands from the CPU. This generally requires that the DSP must spend its time watching and waiting for, and responding to, the CPU, and that its additional computing power is therefore wasted.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved audio-output device.

Audio output device having digital signal processor for responding to commands issued by processor by emulating designated functions according to common command interface


An intraocular lens implant including a telescope body defining an optical path for light to pass therethrough, a positive lens and a negative lens attached to the telescope body, and mounting structure connected to the telescope body for mounting the implant in an eye, wherein the lenses abut against each other, and a distance between the positive lens and the negative lens is fixed and determined by the lenses abutting against each other.

The present invention relates generally to intraocular lens (IOL) implants and particularly to a telescopic intraocular lens with novel, compact structure.
Intraocular lens (IOL) inserts comprising telescopes are known. Representative examples of telescopic IOLs include applicant/assignee""s U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,354,335; 5,391,202; 5,814,103; 5,876,442; 5,928,283; 6,007,579 and 6,066,171, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Telescopic IOLs may be classified as Galilean, reverse Galilean, or telediopter. Galilean intraocular inserts have a positive (converging) lens at the anterior side of the eye and a negative (diverging) lens at the posterior side. Conversely, reverse Galilean intraocular inserts have a negative (diverging) lens at the anterior side of the eye and a positive (converging) lens at the posterior side.
Galilean telescopic IOLs are designed to correct problems stemming from central field defects, such as those caused by macular degeneration (e.g., atrophic or exudative), chorioretinitis of the macula, central serous chorioretinopathy, or ischemia, for example. Reverse Galilean telescopic IOLs are designed to correct problems stemming from peripheral field defects, such as those caused by retinitis pigmentosa, primary or metastatic central nervous system tumors or glaucoma, for example.
The present invention seeks to provide further improvements to telescopic IOLs. In one aspect of the present invention, the distance between the positive lens and negative lens is fixed and determined by the structure of the lenses abutting against each other. This novel structure saves on assembly and manufacturing costs.
In another aspect of the present invention, the lenses may be provided with different coatings for superior performance. For example, a yellow coating may be provided to improve night vision. A UV coating may be provided to protect against UV by day. A spectral coating may be provided to improve contrast. An anti-reflective coating may be provided to reduce reflections on the IOL.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the anterior and/or posterior faces of the IOL may be slanted with respect to a longitudinal axis (i.e., the anterior-posterior axis). This means that either the anterior or posterior faces (or both) are prismatic. Such a structure allows for xe2x80x9cdialingxe2x80x9d the IOL, i.e., rotating the IOL about the longitudinal axis in order to adjust the alignment of the IOL to suit the particular patient. Additionally or alternatively, the IOL is provided with a magnet, and a magnetic tool can be used to dial the IOL non-invasively by attracting the IOL magnet and appropriately turning the IOL.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the IOL has a truncated cone shape, with one of the lenses being smaller in diameter than the other. Such a structure saves on material, volume and weight, and permits inserting the IOL with a smaller incision.
In another aspect of the present invention, the lenses of the IOL are packaged as separate xe2x80x9ccapsulesxe2x80x9d or housings which are aligned and joined, such as by bonding or snap-fitting together.
Different kinds of lenses may be used in the present invention, such as hologramic, graded index, diffractive, binary, multiorder diffractive, harmonic diffractive, Fresnel, spheric and aspheric.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular lens implant including a telescope body defining an optical path for light to pass therethrough, a positive lens and a negative lens attached to the telescope body, and mounting structure connected to the telescope body for mounting the implant in an eye, wherein the lenses abut against each other, and a distance between the positive lens and the negative lens is fixed and determined by the lenses abutting against each other.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the lenses is coated with at least one of a yellow coating, a UV coating, a spectral coating, and an anti-reflective coating.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the telescope body has an anterior face, a posterior face and a longitudinal axis, and at least one of the anterior and posterior faces are slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the telescope body.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a magnet is mounted on a portion of the implant. Preferably a magnetic tool is provided to attract the magnet from outside an eye in which the implant is installable.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the telescope body has a truncated cone shape with one end having a greater diameter than an opposite end thereof.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention one of the lenses is smaller than the other, and the smaller of the lenses is positioned near the smaller diameter end of the truncated cone shaped telescope body.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the lenses includes at least one of a diffractive lens, a binary lens, a multiorder diffractive lens, a harmonic diffractive lens, a Fresnel lens, a spheric lens and an aspheric lens.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular lens implant including a positive lens mounted in a first housing, a negative lens mounted in a second housing, the first and second housings being aligned and joined together to define an optical path for light to pass therethrough, and mounting structure connected to at least one of the first and second housings for mounting the implant in an eye.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first and second housings are bonded together. Alternatively, the first and second housings are snap-fit together.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular lens implant including a telescope body defining an optical path for light to pass therethrough, the telescope body having end caps which substantially seal the telescope body, at least one lens attached inside the telescope body, and an air bubble substantially sealed inside the telescope body between the at least one lens and one of the end caps.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a plurality of the lenses are attached inside the telescope body, and at least one other air bubble is substantially sealed inside the telescope body between the lenses. Preferably the telescope body is made of glass.

Visioncare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc.