A cable trolley adapted to transport a user and allow evacuation of the user at an elevation from a ground level, the cable trolley including a connecting member; a carrier configured for accommodating the user, the carrier comprising an opening configured for access by the user and the connecting member is configured to connect the carrier at a first end of the connecting member to a transport structure at a second end of the connecting member; an elongated member configured to be attached to the connecting member at a first end of the elongated member; and a cable, wherein a first end of the cable is configured to be attached to a second end of the elongated member and a second end of the cable is configured to substantially reach the ground level.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to an aerial trolley. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an aerial trolley having an evacuation aid.
2. Background Art
Cable trolleys are used mainly for purposes of transportation, sight-seeing and access to elevations not possible with ground vehicles. Recent advancements in material science have caused significant developments in the high speed cable type thrill ride technology, e.g., zipline, roller coasters, etc. The construction of a zipline system is typically minimally invasive to its surroundings. A conventional zipline vehicle is not self-propelled but relies on gravity to traverse lengths of cables. Brakes or mechanisms to slow down the vehicle may be available on a zipline vehicle but a primary object of zipline is to take advantage of gravity to propel oneself as fast as possible. As a zipline vehicle is used to transport an individual at high speed, it is typically equipped with a harness for securing an individual or a seat that is not rotatably (about an axis of a horizontal plane) mounted to the overhead trolley. A user of a harness equipped zipline trolley does not have the ability to control the rotation of the user about a vertical axis while a user of a seat equipped zipline does not have the ability to rotate about a vertical axis. In fact, it is undesirable to provide a zipline vehicle having a rotatable seat as a user of the vehicle is required to be orientated in a forward facing manner to anticipate a take-off from or landing at a platform. There is a long-felt and unmet need for an aerial vehicle having a carrier or seat which can be orientated to its user's liking. Trolleys disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,640,626 and 8,640,627 entitling
"Ramp system for bridging flexible cable to rigid rail" and "Traction channel equipped ramp system for bridging flexible cable to rigid rail," respectively, represent the types of vehicles used for traversing cables, ziplines and bridges used to link trees high in a forest canopy.
Conventional trolleys include seats which are incapable of being selectively oriented in a horizontal manner. A user of such trolleys must rotate his/her neck in order to face certain directions. In addition, it may also be impossible to rotate one's neck to face a certain direction, e.g., the rear of the user, especially for a prolonged amount of time. Further, in conjunction with rotating the neck to face a desired direction, such practice may also involve rotating the body. This may cause the weight distribution of the user's body to change unpredictably, making for unstable rides. With the advent of inexpensive point of view (POV) or helmet-mounted cameras, video and recording systems, it is increasingly important to provide trolleys having seats that can be adjusted about a vertical axis to allow for flexible settings of the seat orientation to avoid requiring the user to adjust his point of view to an unnatural direction. Attempts have been made to improve the service life span and comfort of a tram or aerial vehicle. However, none of them discloses an aerial vehicle capable of an orientation adjustable seating.
When a conventional trolley is disabled or otherwise incapable of resuming travel, the user is typically evacuated with a ladder or lift, making the process tedious and nearly impossible if the trolley is situated over rough terrains.
U.S. Pat. No. 788,674 to Riblet (hereinafter Riblet) discloses a bucket clip for aerial wire-rope tramways. A clip is provided to one end of which the buckets are pivotally connected to swing horizontally in the direction in which the bucket is moving, and which is rigidly connected at its opposite end to the traction-rope, and which is provided with a wrist-pin joint at its central portion arranged to permit the bucket to swing vertically at right angles to the axis of the traction-rope and to the direction in which it is moving above and below the horizontal plane about forty-five degrees. The clip of Riblet is a fatigue-reducing mechanism allowing three dimensional movement of the power cable attachment point. Riblet fails to disclose a mechanism for allowing rotation of the bucket around a vertical axis as provided by the present swivel assembly. The bucket of Riblet remains relatively fixed in place. The support wheels and attachment only allow the bucket to pendulum in the direction of travel. The bucket is pulled along by a power cable that must be allowed to pivot or repeated bending at attachment point 13 of Riblet will fatigue the cable and break it quickly. This pivoting mechanism allows the power cable to pull the bucket without stressing/bending the power cable at its attachment point (13 of Riblet). In Riblet, the bucket is not suspended from the pivot and the bucket supports do not allow the bucket to rotate.
Thus, there arises a need for a cable trolley having a means which enables evacuation of its user without undue effort.


An electro-optical driving device for providing a high-quality display that is free from non-uniformities. Subpixels 120a, 120b, and 120c are arranged at the respective intersections of 3m scanning lines 112 that extend in the X direction and n data lines 114 that extend in the Y direction. The subpixels 120a, 120b, and 120c are adjacent in the Y direction and are grouped together as a pixel 120 in a driving operation. In a first mode, the subpixels forming the one pixel are individually turned on and off in response to gray scale data indicating the gray scale of the pixel. In a second mode, the subpixels forming the one pixel are supplied with a common voltage in response to the gray scale data indicating the gray scale of the pixel. In this way, the signal supplied to the data lines is binary regardless of the first mode or the second mode.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a method for driving an electro-optical device presenting a high-quality gray scale display, a driving circuit for driving the electro-optical device, the electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
The electro-optical devices refer to devices that present a display by means of an electro-optical change in an electro-optical material, such as a liquid crystal, an electroluminescence, a phosphor, a gas, etc. For example, a liquid-crystal device employing the liquid crystal can have following construction. Conventional liquid-crystal devices include a matrix of pixel electrodes, an element substrate having switching elements respectively connected to the pixel electrodes, a counter substrate having a counter electrode opposed to the pixel electrodes, and a liquid crystal as an electro-optical material encapsulated between the two substrates.
In this arrangement, a switching element becomes conductive when applied with a scanning signal at an on level through a scanning line. When a pixel electrode is applied with a voltage signal responsive to a gray scale through a data line with the switching element in an on state, the capacitor of a liquid crystal sandwiched between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode stores charge responsive to the voltage signal. Even when the switching element is turned off subsequent to charge storage, the accumulated charge in the liquid crystal is maintained by the capacitance of the liquid crystal itself and a storage capacitor. Each switching element is driven in this way and the stored charge is controlled in response to the gray scale. The orientation state of the liquid crystal changes accordingly, causing a density to change in each pixel, and thereby presenting a gray scale display.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for driving an electro-optical device


A stereoscopic viewer and booklet device for presenting information in two complimenting media, i.e., stereograms accompanied by a booklet containing relevant and interesting information pertaining thereto. The viewer utilizes a split 35mm film having pairs of stereoscopic spaced (corresponding picture) frames. Sprocket holes are provided at regular intervals along the film. The viewer includes a film guide channel having a film take-up archway, adapted to accommodate the film spacing between paired frames to thereby effect alignment of the paired frames with respective lenses of the stereoscope. A centrally disposed thumbwheel is manually actuated to rotate a sprocket wheel for advancing and rewinding the film laterally through the stereoscopic viewer. The sprocket wheel cooperates with the film take-up archway to provide multiple sprocket teeth engagement with the sprocket holes.

The invention relates generally to an improved stereoscopic viewing device. It is particularly directed to the provision of a stereoscopic viewer adapted for using a film strip containing spaced stereograms thereon in cooperation with an attached booklet.
Stereoscopic viewers are known which enable stereograms to be viewed. Typically, the viewer requires either the use of a pair of stereoscopic picture frames mounted or recorded on a film to have a fixed center-to-center spacing equal to a selected interocular distance such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,807,191 issued Sept. 24, 1957 to Rolla T. Flora and 2,889,744 issued June 9, 1959 to Joseph L. Bonanno, or the use of mirror devices for reflecting juxtaposed paired stereoscopic picture frames to the viewing lenses such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,636 issued May 31, 1977 to Giuliano Cecchini. A major disadvantage of these type devices is the associated cost of the film recording technique and/or the (mirror) image reflecting devices.
The following patents represent some of the prior art pertinent to the field of the present invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,590,260 issued Mar. 25, 1952 to G. M. Mast et al; 2,643,577 issued June 30, 1953 to J. N. Williams; 2,573,543 issued Oct. 30, 1951 to J. C. Childs; 2,326,718 issued Aug. 10, 1943 to G. M. Mast; 2,122,649 issued July 5, 1938 to M. Kahn; and 2,667,810 issued Feb. 2, 1954 to J. F. Jaros. These prior art patents are merely typical of the art showing stereoscopic viewers and are not in any way intended to be an all inclusive list of the pertinent patents.
In contrast to the prior art, the present invention provides a stereoscopic viewer which enables the use of a film strip having a pair(s) of stereoscopically recorded spaced picture frames which are brought together to have a center-to-center interocular separation for alignment with the viewing lenses by means of a new and improved film drive and film take-up mechanism, is adapted for ease of use by the operator and involves a minimum of associated parts. A booklet can readily be attached to the viewer which, in written form, provides supplementary information relevant to the stereogram(s).


Non-human animals that have been manipulated so as not to express a functional p19INK4d and p27KIP1 proteins are described. One particular non-human animal exemplified is a p19INK4d-double null, p27KIP1-double null mouse. Such knockout mice exhibit bradykinesia, proprioceptive abnormalities, seizure-like activity, and generally die 14-24 days after birth. In addition, mammalian cells having the p19INK4d-double null, p27KIP1-double null genotype are characterized. Methods of making and using the non-human knockout animals and cells are disclosed.

The present invention is directed towards specific knockout animals and their use as animal models. More specifically, the knockout animals contain a disruption in the genes encoding p19INK4d and p27KIP1. Corresponding cells which are amenable to tissue culture are also part of the invention, as are methods of using such cells, including their use as a potential source of differentiated neuronal cells.
The cell cycle for growing cells can be divided into two periods: (1) the cell division period, when the cell divides and separates, with each daughter cell receiving identical copies of the DNA; and (2) the period of growth, known as the interphase period. For the cell cycle of eucaryotes, the cell division period is labeled the M (mitotic) period. The interphase period in eucaryotes is further divided into three successive phases: G1 (gap 1) phase, which directly follows the M period; S (DNA synthetic) phase, which follows G1; and G2 (gap 2) phase, which follows the S phase, and immediately precedes the M period. During the two gap phases no net change in DNA occurs, though damaged DNA may be repaired. On the other hand, throughout the interphase period there is continued cellular growth and continued synthesis of other cellular components. Towards the end of the G1 phase, the cell passes a restrictive (R) point and becomes committed to duplicate its DNA. At this point, the cell is also committed to divide. During the S phase, the cell replicates DNA. The net result is that during the G2 phase, the cell contains two copies of all of the DNA present in the G1 phase. During the subsequent M period, the cells divide with each daughter cell receiving identical copies of the DNA. Each daughter cell starts the next round of the growth cycle by entering the G1 phase.
The G1 phase represents the interval in which cells respond maximally to extracellular signals, including mitogens, anti-proliferative factors, matrix adhesive substances, and intercellular contacts. Passage through the R point late in G1 phase defines the time at which cells lose their dependency on mitogenic growth factors for their subsequent passage through the cycle and, conversely, become insensitive to anti-proliferative signals induced by compounds such as transforming growth factor, cyclic AMP analogs, and rapamycin. Once past the R point, cells become committed to duplicating their DNA and to undergoing mitosis, as noted above, and the programs governing these processes are largely cell autonomous.
In mammalian cells, a molecular event that temporally coincides with passage through the R point is the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb). In its hypophosphorylated state, Rb prevents the cell from exiting the G1 phase by combining with transcription factors such as E2F to actively repress transcription from promoters containing E2F binding sites. However, hyperphosphorylation of Rb late in G1 phase prevents its interaction with E2F, thus allowing E2F to activate transcription of the same target genes. As many E2F-regulated genes encode proteins that are essential for DNA synthesis, Rb phosphorylation at the R point helps convert cells to a pre-replicative state that anticipates the actual G1/S transition by several hours.
Regulation of the human cell cycle requires the periodic formation, activation, and inactivation of protein kinase complexes that consist of a regulatory xe2x80x9ccyclinxe2x80x9d subunit and a catalytic xe2x80x9ccyclin dependent kinasexe2x80x9d (CDK) subunit. Cell cycle-dependent fluctuations in the levels of many of the cyclin proteins contribute to the activation of these protein kinase complexes. For example, cyclin B participates in the regulation of the G2/M transition by its association with its catalytic subunit, p34cdc2, whereas cyclin A, in complexes with both p34cdc2 and CDK2, is essential for the completion of S-phase and entry into G2-phase. Complexes formed between the D-type cyclins and either CDK4 or CDK6 integrate growth factor signals and the cell cycle, allowing cells to progress through G1-phase. This particular cell cycle pathway is specifically altered during tumorigenesis, presumably due to its role in responses to mitogenic stimulation. Alterations have been identified in many components of this pathway, including the D-type cyclins, CDKs, and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs). Another G1-phase cyclin, cyclin E, in conjunction with its catalytic subunit CDK2, appears to be essential for progression from G1-phase into S-phase and the initiation of DNA replication. Cyclin E and CDK2 do not appear to be directly targeted during tumorigenesis, quite possibly due to their essential nature. [See generally, Sherr, Cell 73:1059-1065 (1993); and Sherr, Cell 79:551-555 (1994)].
A class of novel polypeptides that are collectively known as CDK inhibitors (CKIs) can negatively regulate cyclin/CDK activity by associating with these complexes. These so-called xe2x80x9ccell cycle brakesxe2x80x9d act to inhibit cyclin/CDK complexes by binding specifically to either CDK, (i.e.,the INK4s, see below) or the cyclin/CDK complexes (i.e., KIP1/CIP1, see below). CKI activity and levels are cell cycle regulated allowing these proteins to function as inhibitors of their cognate cyclin/CDK complexes for very limited periods during the cell cycle.
There are two types of CKIs that have been identified, the INK4s, and the CIP/KIPs [Sherr and Roberts, Genes Devel. 9:1149-1163 (1995)]. The INK4 family of inhibitors comprises four members, p16INK4a, p15INK4b, p18INK4c, and p19INK4d, which specifically bind to and inhibit G1-specific CDK4 and CDK6, and thereby prevent phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein and S phase entry. The CIP/KIP family of inhibitors includes p21CIP1, p27KIP1, and p57KIP2, and unlike the INK4 proteins, can inhibit all cyclin/CDK complexes [Harper and Elledge, Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 6:56-64 (1996)]. This apparent redundancy in CDK complex inhibitors has been explained as a method for organisms to govern transitions through the R point in different cell types responding to a plethora of distinct extracellular signals.
Despite their apparent biochemical redundancy, the CKIs are differentially expressed during mammalian (e.g., mouse) development and in adult tissues, showing some overlapping expression patterns. Deletion of a single CKI or in combination with another in the mouse leads to specific phenotypes, but in spite of their reported expression in the central nervous system (CNS) none give rise to a reported phenotype in the brain. For example, mice lacking p57KIP2, die soon after birth and display developmental defects mimicking those observed in human patients with Beckwith-Weideman syndrome [Zhang et al., Nature 387:151-158 (1997); Yan et al., Genes and Development 11: 973-983 (1997)]. Mice lacking p27KIP2 develop organomegaly, neurological conditions i.e., display retinal dysplasia, female sterility, and benign pituitary adenomas [Fero et al., Cell 85:733-744 (1996); Kiyokawa et al., Cell 85:721-732 (1996); Nakayama et al., Cell 85:707-720 (1996)]. However, mice deleted for the other CKIs examined heretofore, do not display apparent phenotypes. Mice lacking p21CIP1 [Deng et al., Cell 82:675-684 (1995)] are developmentally normal and do not develop spontaneous tumors. Mice lacking p18INK4c develop gigantism, widespread organomegaly and pituitary adenomas by 10 months of age [Franklin et al., Genes and Development 12:2899-2911 (1998)], whereas mice lacking both p18INK4c and p27KIP1 develop pituitary adenocarcinomas with an accelerated onset from what is seen in the p18INK4c-double null animals (i.e., animals lacking both p18INK4c alleles) [Franklin et al., Genes and Development 12:2899-2911 (1998)]. Similarly, deletion of p27KIP1 and p57KIP2 leads to aberrant proliferation of these cells due to inhibition of cell cycle exit and differentiation in these tissues. In wild type mice, both p27KIP1 and p57KIP2 are expressed in the lens fiber cells and in placental trophoblasts, [Zhang et al., Genes and Development 12:3162-3167 (1998)].
Development of the central nervous system (CNS) requires proliferation of neuronal and glial cell precursors followed by their subsequent differentiation in a highly coordinated manner. However, despite the obvious need for replacement of neuronal cells in cases of neural injuries and diseases, to date, no such cell source is available. Therefore, there is presently a need for methodology that can provide an avenue for stimulating the growth of neuronal populations. Furthermore, there are relatively few if any animal models for diseases that include symptoms such as bradykinesia. Therefore, there is a need for animal models for this and other neurological maladies and disorders. In addition, like neurons of the CNS, regeneration of sensory cells of the inner ear does not occur following their loss. Methodology for stimulating the proliferation of these cells or their precursors the non-sensory supporting cells of the auditory and vestibular epithelium is needed to treat hearing and balance disorders caused by a loss or malfunction of these cells.
The citation of any reference herein should not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as xe2x80x9cPrior Artxe2x80x9d to the instant application.
The present invention provides non-human animals that have been manipulated to be missing all or essentially all of an activity of one or more specific gene/allele product(s). In a preferred embodiment of this type the non-human animal has been manipulated so as not to express functional p19INK4d and p27KIP1 proteins. Preferably the non-human animal is a mammal. In addition, the present invention provides cells, preferably animal cells, and more preferably mammalian cells that have been manipulated to be missing all or essentially all of an activity of the p19INK4d protein, and to be missing all or essentially all of an activity of the p27KIP1 protein. In a particular embodiment the mammalian cell is a human cell.
The present invention also provides methods of making and using these cells and non-human animals. The present invention further provides methodology for stimulating growth of cells that do not generally proliferate, such as neuronal populations or sensory cells of the inner ear. The neuronal populations can be employed to replenish those lost due to degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer""s disease or Parkinson""s disease, or alternatively lost through catastrophic insults such as during strokes or traumatic injury such as spinal chord injuries. Stimulating the growth of cells in the inner ear that do not otherwise proliferate can be employed to replenish the loss of sensory hair cells lost due to chemotherapy, disease or other ototoxic shock.
In still another aspect of the present invention the cells and non-human animals of the present invention can be used to identify potential modulators of cell growth. In a particular embodiment, modulators of neuronal cell growth are identified. In another embodiment, modulators of the growth of sensory hair cells of the inner ear are identified. All of these modulators are also part of the present invention. Neuronal growth modulators that stimulate neuronal cell growth, for example can also be used to treat degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer""s disease or Parkinson""s disease, or alternatively treat the loss of neuronal cells due to the result of a catastrophic insult such as that which occurs during a stroke or a traumatic injury such as a spinal chord injury. Modulators that stimulate sensory hair cell growth can be used to treat hearing and balance disorders caused by a loss or malfunction of these cells.
The knockout animals and/or corresponding cells of the present invention can be manipulated to be incapable of expressing a functional protein from one or more specified alleles and/or genes by any means known in the art. For example, a knockout animal and/or corresponding cell can be manipulated to comprise a disruption in an endogenous allele(s) and/or gene(s) [e.g., one encoding the p19INK4d protein] thereby preventing the expression of the corresponding functional protein. Alternatively, a knockout animal and/or corresponding cell can be manipulated to comprise a dominant mutant allele. In a particular embodiment of this type nucleic acid(s) encoding one or more CDKs and/or cyclins are constructed to be under the control of a neuron-specific promoter (e.g., the enolase promoter) and are thereby overexpressed in the neuronal cell, and bind all of the free p19INK4d protein and/or p27KIP1 protein. In an alternative embodiment, nucleic acid(s) encoding one or more CDKs and/or cyclins are constructed to be under the control of a sensory or supporting cell specific promoter such as the Math-1 promoter/enhancer or S-100 promoter.
In yet another embodiment, a knockout animal and/or corresponding cell can be treated with one or more antisense nucleic acids for one or more specific gene(s) thereby inhibiting the expression of the specific gene(s). In still another embodiment the gene(s) encoding the specific functional protein(s) can be constructed such that the expression of the protein(s) is under the control of an inducible promoter, and this expression is conditionally repressed. In still another embodiment the cell and/or non-human animal is treated with/administered inhibitory compound(s) that prevent the expression and/or activity of the p19INK4d protein and/or p27KIP1 protein.
Therefore, one aspect of the present invention includes a non-human transgenic knockout animal that comprises a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p19INK4d gene and a heterozygous disruption in its endogenous p27KIP1 gene, such that the homozygous disruption prevents the expression of a functional p19INK4d protein from either endogenous p19INK4d allele and the heterozygous disruption in the endogenous p27KIP1 gene prevents the expression of a functional p27KIP1 protein from at least one endogenous p27KIP1 allele. The male knockout animal of this type relative to the animal with a wild type p19INK4d gene and p27KIP1 gene manifests at least about a 20% to 40% reduction in testicular size. The female knockout animal of this type when mated with the corresponding male knockout animal has the phenotype of bearing male progeny that manifest at least about a 20% to 40% reduction in testicular size relative to the corresponding male having a wild type p19INK4d gene and p27KIP1 gene.
The present invention further provides an isolated cell from such a non-human knockout animal. In a preferred embodiment the non-human transgenic knockout animal is a mammal. In a particular embodiment of this type, the non-human mammalian transgenic knockout animal is a knockout mouse.
The present invention further provides a non-human transgenic knockout animal that has a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p19INK4d gene such that the expression of a functional p19INK4d protein is prevented, and a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p27KIP1 gene such that the expression of a functional p27KIP1 protein is prevented. In a preferred embodiment of this type, the non-human transgenic knockout animal is a mammal. In a particular embodiment of this type, the non-human mammalian transgenic knockout animal is a knockout mouse.
In one embodiment a knockout animal that has a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p19INK4d gene and a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p27KIP1 gene develops one or both of the following characteristics during its lifetime: (i) bradykinesia, and (ii) proprioceptive abnormalities In a particular embodiment of this type the knockout animal exhibits one of these characteristics. In a more preferred embodiment of this type knockout the animal exhibits both of these characteristics. In a particular embodiment of this type, the knockout animal is a knockout mouse that has a life expectancy of between about 14 to about 24 days after birth.
The present invention further provides an isolated cell from a non-human knockout animal that has a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p19INK4d gene and a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p27KIP1 gene. In a particular embodiment of this type, the cell is a neuronal cell that is a member of a subpopulation of neurons. In one such embodiment the cell subpopulation is a normally dormant neuron of the hippocampus, cortex, pons, or hypothalamus. In a preferred embodiment of this type such a cell can continue to proliferate after migrating to its final positions in the brain.
In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a knockout animal that has a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p19INK4d gene such that the expression of a functional p19INK4d protein is prevented, a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p27KIP1 gene such that the expression of a functional p27KIP1 protein is prevented and further comprises a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p57KIP2 gene such that the expression of a functional p57KIP2 proteins also prevented.
Another aspect of the present invention is a cell that has been manipulated to be incapable of expressing a functional p19INK4d protein and has been further manipulated to be incapable of expressing a functional p27KIP1 protein from at least one endogenous p27KIP1 allele. The cell is preferably a mammalian cell. In a still another embodiment, the cell has been manipulated such that it cannot express a functional p27KIP1 protein and is incapable of expressing a functional p19INK4d protein from at least one endogenous p19INK4d allele. In a preferred embodiment the cell has been manipulated such that it can neither express a functional p19INK4d protein nor express a functional p27KIP1 protein. In still another embodiment, a cell that has been manipulated such that it can neither express a functional p19INK4d protein nor express a functional p27KIP1 protein, has been further manipulated to be incapable of expressing a functional p57KIP2 protein from at least one endogenous p57KIP2 allele. In a preferred embodiment of this type the cell has been further manipulated to be incapable of expressing a functional p19INK4d protein, a functional p27KIP1 protein, and a functional p57KIP2 protein.
The mammalian cells of the present invention can be of any cell type including a neural stem cell, a neuronal cell, a glial cell, a hemopoietic stem cell, a B lymphocyte, a T lymphocyte, a natural killer cell, a dendritic cell, a macrophage, a megakaryocyte, a keratinocyte, and a retinal cell. In a preferred embodiment, the mammalian cell is a neuronal cell. In another embodiment, the mammalian cell is a sensory hair cell or non-sensory supporting cell of the inner ear epithelium including the organ of Corti and/or the vestibular system, and/or a stem cell of the auditory or vestibular sensory epithelium. In a preferred embodiment, this type of cell can continue to proliferate after migrating to its final position in the organ of Corti.
The present invention further provides a method for selecting a potential therapeutic agent for use in the treatment of a motor condition/disorder (e.g., one in which bradykinesia is a symptom) and/or proprioceptive, hearing or balance abnormalities. One such embodiment comprises administering a potential therapeutic agent to a non-human knockout animal that can neither express a functional p19INK4d protein nor express a functional p27KIP1 protein, and measuring the response of the knockout animal to the potential therapeutic agent. The response of the knockout animal is then compared to that of an animal that expresses both functional p19INK4d protein and functional p27KIP1 protein. A potential therapeutic agent is selected based on the difference in response observed between the knockout animal in the presence and absence of the potential therapeutic agent relative to that of the animal expressing both functional p19INK4d protein and functional p27KIP1 protein. In a preferred embodiment the non-human transgenic knockout animal is a mammal. In a particular embodiment of this type, the non-human mammalian transgenic knockout animal is a knockout mouse.
The present invention further provides a method of proliferating neuronal cells or sensory and nonsensory cells of the inner ear comprising culturing a neuronal cell, or a sensory or nonsensory cell of the inner ear that can neither express a functional p19INK4d protein nor express a functional p27KIP1 protein. The cells that have been proliferated and/or generated by this method are also part of the present invention. In a particular embodiment of this type, the cell is obtained from a knockout animal that can neither express a functional p19INK4d protein nor express a functional p27KIP1 protein. In a preferred embodiment of this type, the cell is obtained from a knockout animal that comprises a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p19INK4d gene such that the expression of a functional p19INK4d protein is prevented, and a homozygous disruption in its endogenous p27KIP1 gene such that the expression of a functional p27KIP1 protein is prevented.
The present invention also includes a method of proliferating a mammalian cell such as a neuronal cell, or a sensory or nonsensory cell of the inner ear comprising treating the cell with an inhibitor of the expression of the p19INK4d gene and an inhibitor of the expression of the p27KIP1 gene. In another embodiment the method of proliferating a mammalian cell such as a neuronal cell, or a sensory or nonsensory cell of the inner ear comprises treating the cell with an inhibitor of the p19INK4d protein and an inhibitor of the p27KIP1 protein. In still another embodiment the method of proliferating a mammalian cell such as a neuronal cell, or a sensory or nonsensory cell of the inner ear comprises treating the cell with an inhibitor of the expression of the p19INK4d gene and/or an inhibitor of the p19INK4d protein, and an inhibitor of the expression of the p27KIP1 gene and/or an inhibitor of the p27KIP1 protein.
The present invention also provides a method of treating a subject having a hearing or balance disorder. The present invention further provides a method of treating a subject having a neurological degenerative disease such as Alzheimer""s disease or Parkinson""s disease, or one that has suffered a traumatic injury in which neuronal cells are damaged comprising implanting into the subject a neuronal cell of the present invention, which has been proliferated and/or generated by a method of the present invention into the brain of the subject. In a particular embodiment the neuronal cell is implanted into the brain of the subject. In a preferred embodiment the neuronal cell can neither express a functional p19INK4d protein nor express a functional p27KIP1 protein.
In another embodiment, the mammalian cell, such as a neuronal cell or a sensory or nonsensory cell of the inner ear, has been manipulated such that neither a functional p19INK4d protein nor a functional p27KIP1 protein is expressed in a defined culture environment, e.g., by using a specific inducible promoter element that can be repressed in culture. However, the functional proteins are expressed after implanting the cells into a subject animal upon de-repression of the promoter in vivo (e.g., the repressor is not present in vivo). In this manner neuronal cells, for example can be proliferated ex vivo, yet still function identically to the wild type cells i.e., express functional p19INK4d protein and functional p27KIP1 protein, when implanted into the subject. Alternatively, specific inhibitors of the expression and/or activity of the functional p19INK4d protein and functional p27KIP1 protein can be added to the culture medium and removed from the cells prior to implanting them into the subject.
In still another aspect of the present invention are methods of identifying a potential modulator of motor function and/or auditory function or vestibular function. In one such embodiment, the method uses a non-human knockout animal that can neither express a functional p19INK4d protein nor express a functional p27KIP1 protein. In a preferred embodiment the non-human knockout animal is a mammal. In a particular embodiment of this type, the non-human mammalian knockout animal is a knockout mouse. A particular embodiment of this type comprises administering a potential modulator to the non-human knockout animal and measuring the response of the knockout animal to the potential modulator. The response of the knockout animal is then compared with that of an animal having a wild type p19INK4d gene and a wild type p27KIP1 gene. The potential modulator is selected based on the difference in response observed between the knockout animal in the presence and absence of the potential modulator relative to that of the animal having the wild type p19INK4d gene and the wild type p27KIP1 gene. In one such embodiment the life span of the animal is determined. An increase in life span of the knockout animal is indicative that the modulator is an antagonist for the effect due to the INK4d/KIP1 double null mouse. Similarly, the decrease in the magnitude of other characteristics of the INK4d/KIP1 double null mouse such as a reduction of seizures, and or magnitude of bradykinesia, or an increase in relative propriosensing are also indicative that the modulator may be useful for motor function disorders. Similarly, an increase in hearing and vestibular function, as measured by standard techniques such as the auditory brainstem response (ABR), would be indicative of the effectiveness of a specific modulator.
The present invention provides additional methods of selecting a modulator of neuronal cell and/or inner ear sensory epithelium proliferation. One such embodiment comprises administering a potential modulator to a neuronal cell that has been manipulated to be missing all or essentially all of an activity of the p19INK4d protein. The amount of proliferation of the neuronal cell is determined and a modulator is selected when the amount of proliferation determined in the presence of the potential modulator is greater than that determined in the absence of the potential modulator. A related embodiment comprises administering a potential modulator to a neuronal cell that has been manipulated to be missing all or essentially all of an activity of the p27KIP1 protein. The amount of proliferation of the neuronal cell is determined and a modulator is selected when the amount of proliferation determined in the presence of the potential modulator is greater than that determined in the absence of the potential modulator. In this manner inhibitors of both proteins can be individually identified. Such inhibitors can be combined in a pharmaceutical composition along with a physiological carrier to treat neurological degenerative diseases for example.
In still another embodiment the present invention provides methods of selecting a modulator of neuronal cell proliferation using a mammalian cell that can neither express a functional p19INK4d protein nor express a functional p27KIP1 protein. One such embodiment comprises administering a potential modulator to the neuronal cell and determining the amount of proliferation of the neuronal cell. A modulator of neuronal cell proliferation is selected when the amount of proliferation determined in the presence of the potential modulator is different from that determined in the absence of the potential modulator. A modulator is selected as an agonist when the amount of cellular proliferation increases whereas a modulator is selected as an antagonist when the amount of cellular proliferation decreases. Such an antagonist could be useful in preventing detrimental neural growth. All of the modulators identified by the methods of the present invention are also part of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a non-human animal that is incapable of expressing functional p19INK4d and incapable of expressing functional p27KIP1 protein.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-human animal that is capable of serving as an animal model for studying a motor disorders having symptoms that include bradykinesia and/or proprioceptive abnormalities and/or seizures.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mammalian cell that is capable of being used to identify agonists and antagonists of neuronal cell growth.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods of stimulating neuronal cell growth in cell culture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for stimulating growth of neuronal populations that are lost due to degenerative diseases, or due to traumatic injury in a subject animal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of treating subjects in need of neuronal cells by implanting into the subject a neuronal cell that has been manipulated to be incapable of expressing functional p19INK4d and incapable of expressing functional p27KIP1 protein, at least during the period that the cell is cultured ex vivo.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of screening drug libraries for agents that can modulate neuronal cell growth.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be better appreciated by reference to the following drawings and Detailed Description.

Cells that lack p19ink4d and p27kip1 activity and methods of use thereof


A material for a pyrotechnic composition and related pyrotechnic compositions are provided in which the material includes a substituted basic metal nitrate including a reaction product of an acidic organic compound and a basic metal nitrate. A method for enhancing a burn rate of a gas generant composition and a burn rate enhanced gas generant composition including a reaction product of basic metal nitrate and tetrazoles, tetrazole derivatives, and combinations thereof, and a nitrogen-containing co-fuel such as guanidine nitrate are also disclosed. The burn rate enhance gas generant composition may optionally include an additional oxidizer such as basic copper nitrate.

This invention relates generally to a material for use in gas generation such as for forming an inflation gas for inflating inflatable devices such as airbag cushions included in automobile inflatable restraint systems. In particular, the invention relates to a material including a substituted basic metal nitrate compound that includes a reaction product of an acidic organic compound and a basic metal nitrate.
It is generally well known to protect a vehicle occupant using a cushion or bag, e.g., an "airbag cushion" that is inflated or expanded with a gas when a vehicle experiences sudden deceleration, such as in the event of a collision. Such airbag restraint systems normally include: one or more airbag cushions, housed in an uninflated and folded condition to minimize space requirements; one or more crash sensors mounted on or to the frame or body of the vehicle to detect sudden deceleration of the vehicle; an activation system electronically triggered by the crash sensors; and inflator device that produces or supplies a gas to inflate the airbag cushion. In the event of a sudden deceleration of the vehicle, the crash sensors trigger the activation system which in turn triggers the inflator device which begins to inflate the airbag cushion in a matter of milliseconds.
Many types of inflator devices have been disclosed in the art for inflating one or more inflatable restraint system airbag cushions. Generally, such inflator devices may include one or more pyrotechnic compositions such as an igniter composition, the combustion of which may ignite a gas generating compound, or a gas generant composition, the combustion of which provides a gas such as may be used either alone or to supplement a stored and pressurized gas to inflate an associated airbag cushion.
Pyrotechnic compositions such as gas generant compositions commonly utilized in the inflator devices of automobile inflatable restraint systems have previously most typically employed or been based on sodium azide. Such sodium azide-based compositions upon initiation normally produce or form nitrogen gas typically at desirably high gas yields, e.g., greater than 2 moles/100 grams composition. While the use of sodium azide and certain other azide-base pyrotechnic materials meets current industry specifications, guidelines and standards, such use may involve or raise potential concerns such as involving safe and effective handling, supply and disposal of such azide-based pyrotechnic materials.
As a result, the development and use of other suitable pyrotechnic compositions has been pursued. In particular, such efforts have been directed to the development of azide-free pyrotechnic compositions for use in such inflator devices. Much research has gone into the identification and evaluation of non-azide or azide-free pyrotechnic formulations or compositions that provide: a high gas output, typically greater than about 2 moles of gas per 100 grams of pyrotechnic composition; a low combustion temperature such as less than 2000 K; a high burn rate, generally greater than about 0.5 inches per second at 1000 psi; low toxicity of effluent gases; and easily filterable particulate matter. Typically such azide-free formulations are less toxic and therefore easier to dispose of and more accepted by the general public.
Unfortunately, such formulations often have or exhibit burn rates that are generally lower than is desired or optimal to provide efficient and effective inflation of an associated airbag cushion. For some inflator device applications a low burn rate can be compensated for by using small particles of pyrotechnic composition having a relatively large surface area. However, in practice there are limits on the minimum size of pyrotechnic composition particles that can be reproducibly manufactured. Additionally, a higher burn rate than can be achieved with such pyrotechnic compositions may be desired for inflator programs requiring higher performance.
The burn rates of certain pyrotechnic compositions, particularly those including nitrogen-containing fuels, have been enhanced variously through the inclusion of one or more selected additives such as a selected high energy fuel ingredient or by the addition of co-oxidizers such as ammonium and potassium perchlorate. However, use of such materials may add expense to the manufacture of the pyrotechnic compositions such as via increased raw material costs and added process steps. Moreover, certain economic and design considerations such as industry competition has led to a desire for pyrotechnic compositions which are composed of less costly ingredients or materials and which are amenable to processing via more efficient or less costly techniques.
In view of the above, there is a need and a demand for a non-azide or azide-free pyrotechnic material or composition that, while overcoming at least some of the potential problems or shortcomings of azide-based pyrotechnic compositions, may also provide relatively high gas yields as compared to typical azide-based pyrotechnic compositions. There is a further need and a demand for a material that may be utilized in a pyrotechnic composition which provides or results in a sufficient and desirably high burn rate such as a burn rate of greater than about 0.5 inches per second at 1000 psi. There is a still further need or a demand for a pyrotechnic composition including a burn rate enhancing material that may be economically and efficiently manufactured.

Substituted basic metal nitrates in gas generation


A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate having a conductive region on a surface thereof, a semiconductor memory unit, a memory controller, at least one of the semiconductor memory unit and the memory controller being disposed on the substrate, a housing enclosing the substrate, and a heat conduction member in contact with and pressed between the conductive region and a portion of the housing.

An electronic device, e.g., a semiconductor memory device, has a substrate on which electronic components are mounted. Operation of the device causes the electronic components to generate heat. The electronic components may be cooled, for example, by being thermally connected to a heat sink or a housing of the device. Heat generated by the electronic component or the board may cause temperature in a housing thereof to increase.

Semiconductor memory device having a heat conduction member


The present disclosure is directed to the use of non-ion-implanted silicon oxynitride films as resistive elements. Such films have been traditionally used in semiconductor processing as antireflective coatings, but their utility as highly resistive circuit elements has heretofore not been realized. Such films find specific utility when used as the load resistors in a 4-T SRAM cell.

This invention relates generally to the field of semiconductor processing and specifically to the use of silicon oxynitride films as resistive elements.
The four transistor (4-T) SRAM cell, shown schematically in FIG. 1, is a well known architecture that is often preferred over its 6-T counterpart due to its small cell size. The 4-T architecture uses two access transistors T1 and T2 and two storage transistors T3 and T4 that are cross-coupled in a traditional flip-flop-type fashion. This architecture also uses two load resistors R1 and R2 to limit the current draw through the cell. These resistors are usually of a very high resistance (on the order of Giga-ohms/square) and optimally limit the current draw through the cell to a value of about 30-35 pA.
The load resistors are typically fabricated in a second layer of polysilicon (poly 2) and this well-known fabrication process is briefly described here. After formation of the gates of the four transistors in poly 1, an interpoly dielectric, usually a silicon dioxide or xe2x80x9coxidexe2x80x9d for short, is deposited and two contacts per cell are etched therein. These two contacts correspond to points A and B on the circuit schematic of FIG. 1 and each contact is generally made to expose both a portion of the gate of one of the storage transistors and a portion of the diffusion region (i.e., source or drain) of the other storage transistor and one of the access transistors. For example, the contact at point A exposes the gate of storage transistor T3 and one of the diffusion regions of storage transistor T2 and access transistor T4. Thereafter, the poly 2 is deposited. This poly 2 is usually doped with a suitable n-type dopant (usually phosphorus) in situ during its deposition, although it may also be doped after deposition. Thereafter, a portion of the poly 2 is masked to expose the location of the load resistors. These exposed portions of the poly 2 are then subjected to p-type doping (usually arsenic), and then the poly 2 is patterned and etched. The effect is to make an n-p-n structure in the poly 2, a structure which comprises two back-to-back diodes and thus draws the very low levels of current that are required for suitable operation of the cell. See Wolff and Tauber, Silicon Processing for the VLSI Era, Vol. 2 Process Integration, ch. 8, pg. 582 for more background concerning the processing and architecture of a typical 4-T SRAM cell.
Other attempts have been made to fabricate the load resistors not out of polysilicon, but out of a dielectric material. Thus, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,951 to Liang, there is disclosed a vertical resistor 28 inside of the contact 27 in the interpoly oxide 24. The resistor is comprised of an oxide-nitride-oxide stack, an oxide-nitride stack, or a nitride-oxide stack (see FIG. 8). Liang""s resistor is in contact with both the poly 1 gates 26 and the poly 2 25 to thus achieve a 4-T SRAM cell of suitable functionality. However, the fabrication process for Liang""s resistor is complicated and involves the deposition or growth of numerous layers. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,620 to Harrington, there is disclosed a process for making a load resistor out of the gate oxide by ion implanting it with arsenic. Harrington also discloses that silicon oxynitrides (xe2x80x9coxynitridesxe2x80x9d) or silicon nitrides (xe2x80x9cnitridesxe2x80x9d) may also be used. Unfortunately, Harrington""s process requires this extra ion implantation step to render the gate dielectric resistive enough to function properly as a load resistor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,356 to Tanaka is similar to Harrington""s process in that it involves the ion implantation of silicon or phosphorous into the gate dielectric to manufacture the load resistor. These prior art references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all that they teach.
It is evident from foregoing descriptions that the prior art takes several processing steps to form the load resistors. Moreover, it has proven difficult to shrink or scale SRAM cells that employ poly 2 load resistors. It would be advantageous to instead use a film in lieu of the poly 2 of suitable resistance such that that film could merely be deposited and patterned without additional processing such as ion implantation, and which could be easily scaled for use in future technologies.
In view of the foregoing considerations, the present invention is directed to the use of non-ion-implanted resistive silicon oxynitride films as resistive elements. Such films have been traditionally used in semiconductor processing as antireflective coatings, but their utility as highly resistive circuit elements has heretofore not been realized. Such films find specific utility when used as the load resistors in a 4-T SRAM cell.

Use of non-ion-implanted resistive silicon oxynitride films as resistors


The present invention is directed to a system for modulating thermal infrared radiation for a pyroelectric imaging sensor or similar sensor by providing two discs rotating at the same speed, both discs provided adjacent to one another and between a source of radiation and a radiation sensor. Each of the discs is provided with a solid portion and an open portion. Changing the orientation of the solid portions of each the discs with respect to one another would change the sensitivity of the modulation device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an imaging sensor sensitive to thermal infrared radiation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Current imaging systems need to obtain images from static, unchanging scenes. This is the case in most applications, not only in laser profiling. These types of systems require the modulation of the incoming radiation because the sensors, including pyroelectric arrays, only respond if the amount of radiation the sensors xe2x80x9cseexe2x80x9d in successive scans is different. If there is no change (or modulation of radiation) there is no response from the sensor.
This is generally accomplished by rotating a disc in front of the sensor. The disc provides an opening through which input scene radiation is allowed to pass into the sensor for the duration of a complete field of scanning. The remainder of the disc is solid and blocks all radiation for, again, the duration of a complete field of scanning. This provides the necessary difference between two successive scans in order to generate a useful image from the imaging sensor. A typical rotating disc 10 is shown in FIG. 1, provided with a darkened or closed portion 12, as well as an open portion 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the closed portion 12 generally constitutes half of the potential surface area of the rotating disc. However, the percentage of the darkened portion with respect to the opened portion can vary. The disc rotates in a synchronous manner such that, just after an open field of information is read from the imaging sensor, the solid or closed portion 12 of the disc covers that particular area of the sensor. This closing edge of the disc will continue to track the scanning of the imaging sensor for the duration of the entire field. Alternatively, the imaging sensor is re-scanned for each succeeding field of information that has been exposed only to the solid portion of the disc. When this occurs, the opening in the disc will soon arrive, restarting the two field cycle of one open-one closed field of information. This type of disc will provide the maximum sensitivity that the imaging sensor will have to offer.
Generally, any sensor is limited either by its damage threshold, or its useful dynamic range. Typical imaging systems involve the use of an objective lens. These lenses most often also have a variable aperture, namely, an iris. This iris will perform the function of increasing the dynamic range of an imager by decreasing the effective aperture of the lens in use, rather than the unwieldy changing to a lens of smaller aperture.
The laser industry calls for the use of an unobstructed path to an imaging sensor that will handle the laser""s full operating power. Laser information itself is collimated, thereby not requiring an objective lens. This means that an iris is not even an available option for this application. In addition, the imaging system desired cannot use neutral density filters (NDF""s) to reduce the radiation seen by the imaging sensor.
Prior art optical filters or choppers have been described in various U.S. patents, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,165,919, issued to Little; 4,640,580, issued to Schlesinger; 5,255,117, issued to Cushman; and 4,581,515, issued to Egashira.
The patent to Little describes an adjustable optical filter provided with two filter wheel discs. The filter merely acts as an optical iris in that changing the relative position of one of two filter wheels with respect to the second wheel, changes the amount of sunlight that passes through a net opening. This net opening is related to the size of the open area remaining from the two wheels. These filter wheels do not need to spin, nor is there rotation in synchronism with any detector assembly noted. In addition, the patent describes use of a filter material, such as Mylar to help reduce maximum radiation.
The Schlesinger patent discloses the use of two rotating chopper wheels. These wheels are not located close to one another with each wheel required to be located on one side of a focal plane. Therefore, these wheels cannot be synchronized with a detector read-out or changed in phase or the amount of overlap. The purpose of this invention is to produce focus dither in an optical system.
The patent to Cushman discloses an advanced eye or sensor protection in a high-speed variable optical continuation system. This system includes protective shutters 14 and 16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. However, these shutters are not designed to be synchronized with one another to produce or to control the sensitivity of the system.
The patent to Egashira discloses a means for producing laser beam modulation by using rotating discs as choppers. The distribution of power density of the laser beam is altered by opening and closing a passage for the laser beam. Rotatable chopping disc 53, 55, 57 and 59 having circular holes are provided.
None of these patents are directed to a system for increasing the range of radiation illumination that a sensor can be subjected to, without the use of irises or NDF""s, or providing a maximum sensitivity.
The deficiencies of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which is directed to a system for modulating thermal infrared radiation for an imaging sensor. The system increases the range of radiation illumination that a sensor can be subjected to without using irises or NDF""s. Two parallel discs are provided and are disposed in between a radiation source and the sensor. Each disc has an opening which, in the illustrated embodiment, is approximately xc2xd the disc. Maximum sensitivity occurs when the openings in the two discs coincide, as the two discs rotate in synchronization with the scanning format of the imaging sensor. To reduce sensitivity, one disc is offset from the second disc so that its opening does not totally coincide with the opening of the second disc when both discs rotate at the same speed, thereby decreasing the total open area and reducing the amount of radiation received by the sensor. The amount of radiation can be varied from 50/50 to 1/99, or an infinitesimal fraction to provide a large dynamic range of input, thereby enhancing laser beam profiling. Systems that perform this function by adjusting the lens iris are more expensive and more dependent on the specific objective lens used. Systems that perform this function by adding neutral density filters are equally cumbersome to implement. These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered with the drawings.

System for modulating radiation using two rotating discs


Elastic metallized decorative moldings are disclosed composed of a modified polyurethane resin as a substrate coated on the surface thereof with a metallized layer, the polyurethane resin comprising 50-95 parts by weight of a thermoplastic polyurethane resin incorporated with 5-50 parts by weight of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin comprised of at least 75% by weight of an acrylonitrile-styrene component and not more than 25% by weight of a butadiene component. Such elastic metallized decorative moldings are useful as impact-absorbing materials with beautiful appearance for various structures, especially as bumper moldings for motor vehicles.

The present invention relates to elastic metallized decorative moldings composed of a modified polyurethane resin as a substrate coated on the surface thereof with a metallized layer. More particularly, the present invention relates to elastic metallized decorative molded articles useful as impact-absorbing materials in which a metallized layer is coated on the surface of an elastic substrate composed of a specific plastic polyurethane resin modified with an AS or ABS resin in a specific proportion.
In recent years, elastic decorative moldings made of an elastic synthetic resin have been mounted in place of rubber moldings on bumpers and side exterior walls of motor vehicles for the purpose of not only protecting the motor vehicles from damage caused by external impact but also improving aesthetic value in appearance. Accordingly, resinous materials for such elastic decorative resin moldings are naturally required to be excellent in impact-resistance, self-redintegration in shape and size, strength, abrasion resistance and the like properties. As motor vehicles are exposed under severe weathering conditions, the resinous materials are also required, as a matter of course, to be satisfactory in heat-resistance and cold-resistance. From the economical point of view, the resinous materials are further required to be suited for processing by injection molding or extrusion molding operations generally adopted as advantageous means for mass production.
Hitherto used elastic decorative moldings having metallic appearance for motor vehicles are (A) soft polyvinyl chloride moldings provided on the surface thereof with a multi-layer film of polyvinyl fluoride (top protective layer)-aluminum vapor deposited on polyethylene terephthalate (metallized layer)-polyvinyl chloride (undercoat layer) or with a thin layer of stainless steel by the aid of a binder or (B) vulcanized rubber moldings provided on the surface thereof with a thin metal layer by vacuum deposition. However, these prior art products have many drawbacks in practical use. In case of the product (A), disfigurement tends to remain on the surface when the product is significantly deformed, and moreover, either of cold-resistance and heat-resistance of the substrate becomes poor according to the proportion of a plasticizer incorporated into the polyvinyl chloride substrate. In case of the product (B), vacuum deposition of a metal is disturbed considerably by evaporation of processing oils, plasticizers and the like ingredients incorporated into the vulcanized rubber substrate so that the luster of the metal deposited is lost or adhesiveness of the metal film to the substrate becomes extremely poor. For overcoming these drawbacks, an improved process is proposed wherein melamine, alkyd resin or the like paint is applied onto the surface of the rubber substrate to form a migration-preventing layer by which evaporation of ingredients incorporated into the substrate is prevented. However, the products obtained according to this improved process still have shortcomings, in that the metal film is cracked or delaminated on deformation of the products because of poor adhesiveness between the substrate and the migration-preventing layer or poor flexibility of the migration-preventing layer. Thus, polyvinyl chloride, natural and synthetic rubbers are found to be unsatisfactory as the substrate for elastic decorative moldings for motor vehicles.
On the other hand, other elastic resins such as polyurethane alone or as a mixture with ABS or AS resin come into question as the elastic substrate. However, known compositions comprised of polyurethane and ABS or AS resin disclosed in Japanese Patent Publn. Nos. 19492/61 and 659/71 are also found to be unsatisfactory as the substrate for elastic decorative moldings for automobiles since these compositions are extremely poor in at least one of the several severe conditions as required for motor vehicles. Thus, an important key to overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art elastic decorative moldings is to use a special resinous material as substrate which can satisfy all of the above mentioned necessary physical properties. Hence, there is a great demand for development of a new resinous material which satisfies the severe conditions as required for motor vehicles when it is used as substrate for elastic decorative moldings.


Techniques for managing a set of states associated with a capture device are disclosed herein. The capture device may detect and bind to users, and may provide feedback about whether the capture device is bound to, or detecting a user. Techniques are also disclosed wherein virtual ports may be associated with users bound to a capture device and feedback about the state of virtual ports may be provided.

In a typical computing environment, a user has an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick or the like, which may be connected to the computing environment by a cable, wire, wireless connection, or some other means of connection. If control of the computing environment were to be shifted from a connected controller to gesture based control, the user may no longer have a connected device to inform the computing environment of the port with which the user is associated. Further, if multiple users are in a capture area for a gesture based environment, the system must determine which user's gestures to ignore, and who to pay attention to, or who is associated with which port. Finally, if multiple users are simultaneously providing gesture based input to a computing environment, the system may need to distinguish between the multiple users and determine priority or protocol for them.
User experience in a theoretical gesture based control system may present several problems as well. For example, when a computing environment has a set input such as a controller or keyboard, a user can determine that he has a controller connected to a port, that he is pressing keys or buttons and that the system is responding. When control over the computing environment is shifted to gestures of a user, the user may require feedback that will let them know that he is being sensed, that he is bound as a controller to a system, and the like.
Accordingly, systems and methods are needed whereby a computing environment may select a principal user for a computing environment. There is also a need to have methods and systems for signing a user onto or off of a system, allowing handoff or otherwise gaining, losing or shifting control of a computing environment when the control is gesture based.

Binding users to a gesture based system and providing feedback to the users


Disclosed are various embodiments for providing advertisements in association with recorded media items. For example, a broadcast media item is stored in a networked storage system in association with an account of a user for later consumption. At least one marker is located in the broadcast media item that identifies a first advertisement in the broadcast media item. One of a plurality of second advertisements is selected that targets the user to replace the first advertisement. The first advertisement is replaced with the selected one of the second advertisements in the broadcast media item.

People often use digital video recording technology to record broadcast television shows that they cannot watch at the time of broadcasting so that they can watch such shows later. Advertisements in such shows may not be relevant to users and may not allow a user to take action with respect to such advertisements immediately when viewed.


A method of treating a metallic surface which comprises treating a metal-coated steel panel with a nonchromate metallic surface treating agent containing, in each liter thereof, (a-1) a silane coupling agent and/or a hydrolytic condensation product thereof, (a-2) water-dispersible silica in a proportion, and (a-3) a zirconium compound and/or a titanium compound, drying the treated steel panel and coating it with an anticorrosion coating agent containing, in each liter of an aqueous resin solution or dispersion, (b-1) a silane coupling agent and/or a hydrolytic condensation product thereof, (b-2) water-dispersible silica and (b-3) at least one phosphorus-containing ion selected from among phosphate ion, phosphite ion and hypophosphite ion.

The present invention relates to a method for surface treatment of metals, particularly metal-coated steel panels such as zinc-plated, aluminum-plated or tin-plated steel panels.
As the metallic surface treating agent, a chromium-containing surface treating agent such as a chromate system or a phosphate-chromate system has heretofore been used broadly and still in use today. However, in view of the recent trend toward more stringent regulatory control for environmental protection, it is likely that the use of such coating systems will be restricted for fear of the toxicity, particularly carcinogenicity, of chromium. Therefore, development of a rust-preventing agent not containing chromium and yet as effective as the chromating agent in imparting corrosion resistance has been awaited. As disclosed in Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-11-29724, the inventors of the present invention previously developed a nonchromate rust-preventing agent comprising an aqueous resin and, as incorporated therein, a thiocarbonyl group-containing compound, a phosphate ion, and water-dispersible silica. Regrettably, however, this system was found to be deficient in storage stability and somewhat poor in corrosion resistance at thin coating thickness. Meanwhile, with regard to silane coupling agents, an acidic surface treating agent containing two dissimilar silane coupling agents is disclosed in Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-8-73775. However, this system is intended to improve finger-print resistance and overcoat adhesion and is quite deficient in corrosion resistance for use in applications where high corrosion resistance and good processability are required after such metallic surface treatment as in the present invention. Moreover, Japanese Kokai Hei-10-60315 discloses a steel structure surface treating agent, which contains a silane coupling agent having a certain functional group reactive with an aqueous emulsion, but the corrosion resistance required here is only that of a degree satisfying comparatively mild test requirements such as those of wet tests and as far as corrosion resistance is concerned, the system is a far cry from a rust-preventing agent system as provided by the present invention. With the above state of the art by way of background, there has been a standing demand for development of a rust-preventing agent expressing sufficient corrosion resistance and overcoat adhesion at thin coating thickness.
The present invention has for its object to provide a method of treating a metallic surface which is suited for application to metals, particularly zinc-plated steel panels, and despite the absence of chromium therein, is capable of imparting high processability and corrosion resistance to steel panels, and a treated steel panel obtainable by said method.
The method of treating a metallic surface according to the present invention comprises
treating a metal-coated steel panel with a nonchromate metallic surface treating agent containing, in each liter thereof,
(a-1) a silane coupling agent and/or a hydrolytic condensation product thereof in an amount of 0.01 to 100 g/l,
(a-2) water-dispersible silica in a proportion of 0.05 to 100 g/l (solids), and
(a-3) a zirconium compound in an amount of 0.01 to 50 g/l in terms of zirconium ion and/or a titanium compound in an amount of 0.01 to 50 g/l in terms of titanium ion,
drying the treated steel panel and
coating it with an anticorrosion coating agent containing, in each liter of an aqueous resin solution or dispersion,
(b-1) a silane coupling agent and/or a hydrolytic condensation product thereof in an amount of 0.1 to 50 g/l,
(b-2) water-dispersible silica in an amount of 10 to 500 g/l (solids) and
(b-3) at least one phosphorus-containing ion selected from among phosphate ion, phosphite ion and hypophosphite ion in an amount of 0.1 to 10 g/l.
The nonchromate metallic surface treating agent for use in the present invention further contains one or more members selected from among sulfide ion, thiosulfate ion, persulfate ion and a triazinethiol compound in an amount of 0.01 to 100 g/l.
In an alternative mode of practicing the method of treating a metallic surface according to the present invention, said anticorrosion coating agent further contains one or more members selected from among sulfide ion, thiosulfate ion, persulfate ion and a triazinethiol compound in an amount of 0.01 to 100 g/l.
The present invention is further directed to a method of treating a metallic surface
which comprises using an anticorrosion coating agent obtainable by adding said components (b-1) and (b-2) to said aqueous resin solution or dispersion and reacting them at a temperature not less than 50xc2x0 C. and not more than the boiling temperature of the resin composition. This method is most suited for surface treatment of zinc-coated steel panels.
The present invention is further directed to a nonchromate-treated steel panel as obtainable by any of the above methods.
The metallic surface treating agent, which is used in the first place in the present invention, contains a silane coupling agent and/or a hydrolytic condensation product thereof as one of its essential components silane compounds. The hydrolytic condensation product of a silane coupling agent means an oligomer obtainable by hydrolytic polymerization of the silane coupling agent.
The silane coupling agent which can be used as above in the present invention is not particularly restricted but includes the following, among others: vinylmethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinylethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-(1,3-dimethylbutylidene)-3-(triethoxysilyl)-1-propanamine, N,Nxe2x80x2-bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine, N-(.-aminoethyl)-.-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, N-(.-aminoethyl)-.-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, .-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, .-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, . -glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, .-glycidoxy-propyltriethoxysilane, .-glycidoxypropylmethyl-dimethoxysilane, 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl-trimethoxysilane, .-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, .-methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, .-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, .-mercaptopropyl-triethoxysilane and N-[2-(vinylbenzyl-amino)ethyl]-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane.
The particularly preferred silane coupling agent includes vinylmethoxysilane, vinylethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-(1,3-dimethylbutylidene)-3-(triethoxysilyl)-1-propanamine and N,Nxe2x80x2-bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine. These silane coupling agents can be used each alone or in a suitable combination.
In the present invention, said silane compound is caused to be present in a concentration of 0.01 to 100 g/l, preferably 0.5 to 25 g/l, in [each liter of] the metallic surface treating agent. If the concentration of the silane coupling compound is less than 0.01 g/l, the corrosion resistance- and adhesion-enhancing effect of the nonchromate rust-preventive coating agent will be deficient. If the use of the silane coupling compound exceeds 100 g/l, the corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will not be improved any further but rather a cost disadvantage will result.
The metallic surface treating agent of the present invention contains water-dispersible silica. The water-dispersible silica which can be used in the present invention is not particularly restricted but is preferably spherical silica, chainlike silica or aluminum-modified silica, which is lean in sodium and other impurities and weakly basic. The spherical silica includes colloidal silicas such as xe2x80x9cSnowtexNxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cSnowtex UPxe2x80x9d (both manufactured by Nissan Chemical) and fumed silica such as xe2x80x9cAerosilxe2x80x9d (Japan Aerosil); the chain like silica includes silica gel such as xe2x80x9cSnowtex PSxe2x80x9d, (Nissan Chemical); and the aluminum-modified silica includes xe2x80x9cAdeliteAT-20Axe2x80x9d (AsahiDenka), all of which are commercially available.
The water-dispersible silica is caused to be present in a proportion of 0.05 to 100 g/l, preferably 0.5 to 60 g/l, on a solid basis, in each liter of the metallic surface treating agent. If the proportion of water-dispersible silica is less than 0.05 g/l, the corrosion resistance will be insufficient, while the use of silica is in excess of 100 g/l will not be rewarded with any further improvement in corrosion resistance but rather detract from the bath stability of the metallic surface treating agent.
The metallic surface treating agent of the present invention further contains a zirconium compound and/or a titanium compound. The zirconium compound includes ammonium zirconyl carbonate, zirconiumhydrofluoride, ammonium zirconium fluoride, potassium zirconium fluoride, sodium zirconium fluoride, zirconium acetylacetonate, zirconium butoxide-1-butanol solution, zirconium n-propoxide and soon. The titanium compound includes titanium hydrofluoride, ammonium titanium fluoride, potassium titanium oxalate, potassium titanium fluoride, sodium titanium fluoride, titanium isopropoxide, isopropyl titanate, titanium ethoxide, titanium 2-ethyl-1-hexanolate, tetraisopropyl titanate, tetra-n-butyl titanate and so on. These compounds may be used each alone or in a suitable combination.
The above-mentioned zirconium compound and/or titanium compound is caused to be present, in each liter of the metallic surface treating agent of the invention, in a concentration of 0.01 to 50 g/l in terms of zirconium ion or titanium ion. If the concentration of the above compound falls less than 0.01 g/l, corrosion resistance will become insufficient. If it exceeds 50 g/l, no improvement will be realized in overcoat adhesion and, in addition, the bath stability will be rather decreased.
The metallic surface treating agent of the present invention further contains at least one sulfur-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a sulfide, a thiosulfate, a persulfate and a triazinethiol compound, and these compounds contribute to corrosion resistance.
The sulfide mentioned above includes sodium sulfide, ammonium sulfide, manganese sulfide, molybdenum sulfide, iron sulfide and vanadium sulfide, among others.
The thiosulfate includes ammonium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate and potassium thiosulfate, among others.
The persulfate includes ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate and potassium persulfate, among others.
The triazinethiol compound includes 2,4,6-trimercapto-S-triazine, 2-butylamino-4,6-dimercapto-S-triazine, 2,4,6-trimercapto-S-triazine monosodium salt, 2,4,6-trimercapto-S-triazine trisodium salt, 2-anilino-4,6-dimercapto-S-triazine, and 2-anilino-4,6-dimercapto-S-triazine monosodium salt, among others.
These compounds can be used each alone or in a suitable combination.
The concentration of the above sulfur-containing compound(s) in the metallic surface treating agent, per liter of the composition, is 0.01 to 100 g/l in terms of a total amount of sulfide ion, thiosulfate ion, persulfate ion and a triazinethiol compound. If the concentration of said ion(s) is less than 0.01 g/l, the expected corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will not be expressed. On the other hand, if the upper limit of 100 g/l is exceeded, the corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will not be improved any further and rather an economic disadvantage will result.
The metallic surface treating agent according to the present invention may be further supplemented with phosphate ions. Compounds capable of liberating phosphate ions in said metal surface treating agent are used for supplementing the treating agent with phosphate ions. As compounds capable of liberating phosphate ions in said metal surface treating agent, there can be mentioned phosphoric acid; ammonium salts of phosphoric acid, such as triammonium phosphate, diammonium hydrogenphosphate and ammonium dihydrogenphosphate; alkali metal salts of phosphoric acid, such as trisodium phosphate, disodium hydrogenphosphate, sodium dihydrogenphosphate, tripotassium phosphate, etc.; alkaline earth metal salts of phosphoric acid, such as zinc phosphate, magnesium phosphate, etc.; iron phosphate, manganese phosphate, phosphorus molybdate and so on.
The above compounds can be used each alone or in a suitable combination. The addition amount of phosphorus-containing compounds is 0.1 to 10 g/l, preferably 0.25 to 3 g/l, in said metallic surface treating agent. If the amount of phosphorus-containing compounds is less than 0.1 g/l, the corrosion resistance that can be obtained will be insufficient. If the upper limit of 10 g/l is exceeded, the stability of the treating agent tends to deteriorate to an unacceptable level.
The above metallic surface treating agent may further contain other components. As such other components, there can be mentioned tannic acid inclusive of its salt, phytic acid inclusive of its salt, and aqueous resins.
In the method of treating a metallic surface according to the present invention, a metal-coated steel panel, such as a zinc-plated, aluminum-plated and tin-plated steel panel, is first treated with the above metallic surface treating agent. Among metal-coated steel panels, the zinc-coated steel panel is particularly suited to this method. The method of treating a metallic surface may comprise applying said metallic surface treating agent to a substrate metallic surface and drying the coat, or comprise heating such a substrate in advance, applying the metallic surface treating agent of the invention, and allowing the coat to dry by utilizing the residual heat of the substrate.
In both cases, the above drying procedure can be carried out at room temperature to 250xc2x0 C. for 2 seconds to 5 minutes. If the limit of 250xc2x0 C. is exceeded, adhesion and corrosion resistance will be adversely affected. The preferred conditions are 40 to 180xc2x0 C. and 5 seconds to 2 minutes.
In the above method of treating a metallic surface, the amount of deposition of said metallic surface treating agent of the invention is preferably not less than 0.1 mg/m2 as a dry coat thickness. If the dry coat thickness is less than 0.1 mg/m2, the rust-preventive effect will be insufficient. On the other hand, if the dry coat thickness is excessive, it will be uneconomical as an under coat and, in addition, cumbersome procedure-wise. Therefore, the more preferred dry coat thickness is 0.5 to 500 mg/m2, particularly 1 to 250 mg/m2.
In the above method of treating a metallic surface, the mode of use of said metallic surface treating agent of the invention is not particularly restricted. Thus, the routine techniques such as roll coating, shower coating, spray coating, dipping and brush coating can be selectively employed.
In the method of treating a metallic surface according to the present invention, the steel panel subjected to surface treatment with said metallic surface treating agent is further coated with the anticorrosion coating agent and dried. In this anticorrosion coating agent, the following aqueous resin solution or dispersion is employed.
The resin which can be used here includes polyolefin resin, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, alkyd resin, phenolic resin, and other thermosetting resins, and these are preferably crosslinkable resins. The above resins may be used in a suitable combination. Particularly preferred is a polyolefin resin, a polyurethane resin or a system comprising those two kinds of resins.
In the above anticorrosion coating agent, the concentration of the resin is 1.0 to 800 g/l, preferably 50 to 400 g/l, on a solid basis. If the formulating amount of the resin exceeds 800 g/l, generally the viscosity is increased to interfere with coating workability. On the other hand, if the amount of the resin is less than 1.0 g/l, a sufficient resin coat may not be obtained so that the corrosion resistance will not be as high as desired.
This anticorrosion coating agent contains a silane compound. The silane compound maybe the same compound as used in the metallic surface treating agent described hereinbefore. The preferred silane compounds are also the same as those already mentioned.
In the anticorrosion coating agent, the concentration of said silane compound is 0.1 to 50 g/l, preferably 0.3 to 20 g/l. If the amount of the silane compound is less than 0.1 g/l, its corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will not be sufficient. If the use of the silane compound is in excess of 50 g/l, the corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will not be improved any further but rather a cost disadvantage will result.
In the anticorrosion coating agent for use in the present invention, water-dispersible silica and a phosphorus-containing ion are formulated in addition to said silane compound to insure sufficient corrosion resistance.
As the water-dispersible silica, all the water-dispersible silicas mentioned for said metallic surface treating agent of the invention can be employed. The concentration of water-dispersible silica in the anticorrosion coating agent is 10 to 500 g/l, preferably 25 to 300 g/l. If the addition amount of water-dispersible silica is less than 10 g/l, the corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will be insufficient. On the other hand, if the limit of 500 g/l is exceeded, the corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will not be improved any further but rather a cost disadvantage will result.
The preferred phosphorus-containing ion includes phosphate ion, phosphite ion and hypophosphite ion. These ions can be supplied by adding compounds capable of liberating the corresponding phosphorus-containing ions in aqueous solution to the anticorrosion coating agent.
The compound capable of liberating phosphate ion in the anticorrosion coating agent includes phosphoric acid; ammonium salts of phosphoric acid such as triammonium phosphate, diammonium hydrogenphosphate, ammonium dihydrogenphosphate, etc.; alkali metal salts of phosphoric acid, such as trisodium phosphate, disodium hydrogenphosphate, sodium dihydrogenphosphate, tripotassium phosphate, etc.; alkaline earth metal salts of phosphoric acid, such as zinc phosphate, magnesium phosphate, etc.; iron phosphate, manganese phosphate and phosphorus molybdate, among others.
The compound capable of liberating phosphite ion includes phosphorous acid, ammonium phosphite, sodium phosphite, potassium phosphite and so on.
The compound capable of liberating hypophosphite ion includes hypophosphorous acid, sodium hypophosphite, ammonium hypophosphite, potassium hypophosphite and so on. These phosphorus-containing ions can be used each alone or in a combination of two or more species in the anticorrosion coating agent according to the present invention.
The concentration of phosphorus-containing ion in the anticorrosion coating agent is 0.1 to 10 g/l, preferably 0.25 to 3 g/l. If the concentration of phosphorus-containing ion is less than 0.1 g/l, the corrosion resistance will be insufficient. If it exceeds 10 g/l, the anticorrosion coating agent will undergo gelation to reduce the storage stability or cause a cost disadvantage because the corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will not be improved any further.
The anticorrosion coating agent of the present invention may be further supplemented with at least one sulfur-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a sulfide, a thiosulfate, a persulfate and a triazinethiol compound to thereby improve corrosion resistance. As the sulfur-containing compound, any of the sulfur-containing compounds mentioned for said metallic surface treating agent can be used.
The concentration amount of said sulfur-containing compound in the anticorrosion coating agent is 0.01 to 100 g/l, preferably 0.25 to 50 g/l, in terms of the amount of sulfide ion, thiosulfate ion, persulfate ion and/or triazine compound. If the concentration of the sulfur-containing compound is less than 0.01 g/l, the corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will be insufficient. On the other hand, if the upper limit of 100 g/l is exceeded, the corrosion resistance-enhancing effect will not be improved any further but rather a cost disadvantage will result.
The anticorrosion coating agent to be used in the present invention may further contain other substances. As such other substances, there can be mentioned a pigment, a surfactant, a solvent and so on.
The pigment that can be used here includes a variety of color pigments inclusive of inorganic pigments, such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, alumina, kaolin, carbon black, iron oxide, etc., and organic pigments.
In said anticorrosion coating agent, an organic solvent can be formulated for improving the film-forming properties of the resin to thereby yield a more uniform, smooth film. The organic solvent is not particularly restricted as far as it is selected from among the solvents in routine use in coatings, thus including solvents in the alcohol series, ketone series, ester series and ether series, for instance.
In the present invention, said anticorrosion coating agent is coated on a steel panel pretreated with the metallic surface treating agent and dried with a hot air current or, alternatively, said steel panel is heated in advance and the anticorrosion coating agent be then coated on the hot steel panel and allowed to dry by taking advantage of the residual heat of the steel plate.
The heating temperature is 50 to 250xc2x0 C. regardless of which of the above procedures is taken. If the temperature is less than 50xc2x0 C. the evaporation of water will be too slow to provide for a satisfactory film and, hence, a sufficient degree of rust-preventing effect. On the other hand, if 250xc2x0 C. is exceeded, the aqueous resin will undergo pyrolysis so that the salt spray resistance and water resistance will be decreased and the problem of yellowing will also develop. The more preferred heating temperature is 70 to 220xc2x0 C. When the substrate is heated to dry after coating, the drying time is preferably 1 second to 5 minutes.
The coating amount of said anticorrosion coating agent in the practice of the present invention is preferably equivalent to a dry coat thickness of not less than 0.1 .m. If the dry coat thickness is less than 0.1 .m, the rust-preventing effect of the product steel panel will be insufficient. On the other hand, coating to an excessively large dry coat thickness is too expensive for an under coat and inconvenience is felt in coating. Therefore, the more recommendable is 0.1 to 20 .m, with the range of 0.1 to 10 .m being particularly preferred.
The coating technology for said anticorrosion coating agent of the invention is not particularly restricted but includes roll coating, air-spray coating, airless-spray coating and dip coating, among others.
Production of said anticorrosion coating agent according to the present invention can be carried out typically in the following manner. A reaction vessel is charged with the starting materials, i.e. said aqueous resin composition and water-dispersible silica, and the mixture is heated to a temperature not less than 50xc2x0 C., preferably not less than 60 xc2x0C., but not more than the boiling temperature of the resin composition while it is constantly stirred. Then, a predetermined amount of said silane coupling agent is added dropwise over 1 to 8 hours for reaction while the system is stirred at the same temperature. On completion of the reaction, the product is cooled and said phosphorus-containing compound is added. Optionally, said sulfur-containing compound is further added and, where necessary, the mixture is adjusted with water or a solvent to a predetermined solid content, whereby the anticorrosion coating agent is obtained.
In the above production method, if there action temperature is less than 50xc2x0 C., the reaction between the silane compound and the aqueous resin and/or water-dispersible silica will not proceed far enough so that the effect of the invention may not be obtained. On the other hand, if the reaction temperature reaches or exceeds the boiling temperature of the resin composition, the evaporation of water will become undesirably violent. The reaction time need be 1 to 8 hours, and a predetermined amount of said silane compound is added within this time period at a rate of 0.1 g/min to 10 g/min. After completion of dropwise addition, the reaction is further continued for about 2 hours. Usually the reaction conditions may be 3 to 5 hours and 80xc2x0 C.
The method of treating a metallic surface according to the present invention comprises treating a metal-coated steel panel with a metallic surface treating agent containing a silane coupling agent and/or a hydrolytic condensation product thereof, water-dispersible silica, and a zirconium compound and/or a titanium compound and, then, coating it with an anticorrosion coating agent containing a resin, water-dispersible silica and a phosphorus-containing ion. Thus, the present invention provides a method of treating a metallic surface which does not employ chromium and yet is capable of imparting excellent processability and corrosion resistance to a PCM steel plate and a steel plate as obtainable by said method.
In accordance with the present invention, an outstanding rust-preventive effect can be achieved by using, in combination, a resin-free metallic surface treating agent as a primary rust-preventing agent and a resin-containing anticorrosion coating agent as a secondary rust-preventing agent. The suspected mechanism is that as an aqueous solution containing a rust-preventive component alone is applied before application of a resin-containing anticorrosion coating agent, said primary rust-preventing agent is firmly attached in a sufficient amount to the base metal surface to thereby phenomenally enhance the adhesion between the aqueous resin to be applied subsequently and the metal substrate. As a result, even if injuries or other film defects develop in the anticorrosive layer, the firm bond between the rust-preventing agent and the metal surface enables rapid passivation of the metal surface defects by the ionization due to penetrating water to thereby bring about a marked improvement in corrosion resistance. An effect like this can never be provided by a one-coat layer formed with either a metal surface treating agent or a rust-preventing agent-containing resin system.
The steel panel obtainable by the method of the invention has excellent processability and corrosion resistance and, therefore, can be used broadly in such fields as household electrical appliances, computer-related equipment, architectural members, and automotive and other industrial products.