A dispenser cap for discharging measured amounts of contents from a container includes a first peripheral skirt having upper and lower portions, the lower portion serving to secure the cap to a container. The upper skirt portion at least partially defines a dispensing chamber primarily in the upper portion of the first peripheral skirt, as further defined by a weir panel, the weir panel configured to provide a weir opening between the upper and lower cap skirt portions. A top for the cap includes a second peripheral skirt telescoped over and secured to the first peripheral skirt, wherein the first and second peripheral skirts have alignable first and second respective discharge apertures formed therein. The first discharge aperture in the first peripheral skirt is diametrically opposed to the weir opening so that additional container contents are not spilled into the dispensing chamber during dispensing of the measured amount.

The present invention relates generally to dispensing containers, and more specifically, to dispensing cap constructions enabling accurately measured amounts of the container contents to be dispensed from the cap.
Dispensing containers are, of course, well known and are used in many different industries for many different purposes. One such use is in the food industry, and a specific example includes jars and other similar containers which contain solid foods (such as spices) in particulate, granular or powder-like form. Typically, a measuring spoon or separate measuring cup is utilized in conjunction with the jar or container when accurate amounts are to be obtained.
Another example relates to liquid detergent dispensers where the cap is designed with a built-in cup, which can be used upon removal and inversion of the cap.
The present invention eliminates the need for measuring spoons or cups, and/or the requirement for removal of the cap before using it as a measuring device by providing a hollow cap with its own measuring chamber. While the incorporation of a measuring function into a container/cap construction for the discharge of desired amounts of the container contents is not new (see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,802,284; 2,804,103; 3,860,111; 4,613,057 and 4,635,828), the present invention provides improved and simplified structures for accomplishing this result. This continuation-in-part application discloses additional embodiments of a dispensing cap which are particularly useful with liquid detergents and/or other somewhat viscous liquids.
In a first exemplary embodiment of the invention in accordance with this continuation-in-part application, a transparent plastic cap is provided which includes a top and a depending skirt, wherein the top is rotatable relative to the skirt. The skirt is divided into upper and lower portions by an internal partition or weir panel which also defines a weir opening lying on one side of a centerline extending across the cap. The weir panel, in combination with the skirt and the rotatable top, combine to form a measuring chamber into which a desired amount of container contents may be poured via the weir opening.
The rotatable top of the cap is formed with its own depending skirt which terminates at a radially inwardly directed annular rib which is adapted to seat within an annular groove in the upper skirt portion of the cap. In this way, the top may be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the cap. The top skirt and the upper end of the cap skirt are provided with discharge apertures which may be aligned via rotation of the top. At the same time, in diametrically opposed locations, the top skirt and the cap skirt are provided with vent apertures which may be aligned simultaneously with the discharge apertures. By this construction, the container contents which have been poured into the measuring chamber can be discharged from the cap by alignment of the respective discharge apertures in the skirt and top as described above.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the weir panel which defines in part the volumetric measuring chamber, may be inclined from the weir opening upwardly towards the discharge aperture to facilitate discharge of the measured amount.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a shaft extends from the top of the cap downwardly to a bearing recess within the weir panel. Attached to the shaft, there is a paddle having a size and shape sufficient to cover the weir aperture. This paddle is located in diametrically opposed relationship to the discharge aperture in the top skirt. By this arrangement, the weir aperture will be closed when the discharge aperture is open, and vice versa. It will be appreciated that by closing the weir opening or aperture, any undesirable addition of container contents in the dispensing or measuring chamber is precluded during dispensing of the measured amount.
It is another feature of this invention, that a detent and groove arrangement be provided where the discharge apertures in the top skirt and the cap skirt align to provide a good indication of alignment to the user.
In still other exemplary embodiments of the invention, a unique slide gate is utilized for the purpose of opening and closing the dispensing aperture within the cap. This slide gate functions in much the same manner as the rotatable top skirt described above, but is designed to reciprocate axially within a slot provided in the cap skirt as described in further detail hereinbelow.
Thus, in its broader aspects, the present invention relates to a dispenser cap for discharging measured amounts of contents from a container comprising a first peripheral skirt having upper and lower portions, the lower portion provided with interior surface means for securing the cap to a container, the upper portion at least partially defining a dispensing chamber, wherein the upper and lower portions of the first peripheral skirt are separated by a weir panel, the weir panel configured to provide a weir opening between the upper and lower portions; and a top including a second peripheral skirt telescoped over and secured to the first peripheral skirt, wherein the first and second peripheral skirts have alignable first and second respective discharge apertures formed therein, the first discharge aperture in the first peripheral skirt diametrically opposed to the weir opening.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a container and dispensing cap assembly for discharging measured amounts of contents from the container, the assembly comprising a container having an open upper end; a dispenser cap removably secured to the open upper end, the dispenser cap formed with a dispensing chamber therein, the chamber having a first opening at a lower end thereof to permit a measured amount of contents of the container to pass into the chamber, the chamber having a second opening at an upper end thereof to permit the measured amount to be discharged from the cap, wherein rotatable means are provided for opening and closing the second opening.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a dispenser cap for discharging measured amounts of contents from a container comprising a top wall and a peripheral skirt depending from the top wall, the depending skirt having upper and lower portions, the lower portion provided with means for securing the cap to a container, the upper portion defining a dispensing chamber, wherein the upper and lower portions are separated by a weir panel, the weir panel configured to provide a weir opening between the upper and lower portions, and wherein a discharge aperture is provided in the upper skirt portion diametrically opposed to the weir opening and further wherein axially reciprocating means are provided for opening and closing the dispensing aperture.
The invention as described herein provides a simple, easy-to-use and low cost dispensing cap which enables a user to dispense measured amounts of container contents from the cap without the need for additional utensils, and without having to first remove the cap.
Other advantages of the subject invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.


A vertical transistor (10) has a substrate (12) and a control electrode conductive layer (18), which functions as a control or gate electrode. A sidewall dielectric layer (22) is formed laterally adjacent the control electrode conductive layer (18) and overlying the substrate (12). The conductive layer (18) at least partially surrounds a channel region (30). A vertical conductive region is formed within a device opening wherein a bottom portion of the conductive region is a first current electrode (28). A middle portion of the vertical conductive region is the channel region (30). A top portion of the vertical conductive region is a second current electrode (34).

Planar transistors are often used to fabricate integrated circuits. A planar transistor has a diffused source electrode and a drain electrode separated by a channel region. Overlying the channel region is a gate electrode that is separated from the channel region by a gate oxide. Planar transistors, although used and useful in many integrated circuit applications, are substrate area intensive and consume a large amount of substrate per transistor. In addition, with integrated circuit geometries decreasing into sub-micron ranges, planar transistors have various disadvantages. At smaller geometries and thinner gate oxide thicknesses, well documented problems such as hot carrier injection, leakage currents, isolation, short channel behavior, and channel length variations are major problems in planar transistors.
To overcome some of the disadvantages described above for planar transistors, elevated source and drain transistors, lightly doped drain (LDD) transistors, and other improvements were developed. Although the improvements reduced some of the disadvantages listed above, the improvements had some undesirable characteristics. The primary undesirable characteristic is the fact that the improved transistors were, in most cases, as area intensive or more area intensive than the planar transistor.
Various approaches have been used to try to reduce transistor surface area and increase transistor packing density while at the same time reducing some of the adverse effects described above. The surrounding gate transistor (SGT) was developed wherein a spacer gate and planar diffusions are used to form a transistor. The SGT reduced some of the disadvantages that affect planar transistors and reduced surface area due to a vertically positioned spacer gate. Topography problems and the geometry of the SGT usually result in source and drain contacts that are difficult to achieve and are difficult to consistently produce using sub-micron technology. In addition, doping of source regions, drain regions, and channel regions via implants can be difficult due to geometry and may require special processing.
In order to further increase circuit density, the thin film transistor (TFT) has been developed, especially for memory applications. Although small memory cell areas can result via the use of TFTs, TFTs are highly resistive and therefore not adequate for all applications.

Dynamic memory device having a vertical transistor


This invention relates to an immunoassay for carcinoembryonic antigen in plasma or sera. Heat-treating the plasma or serum provides a supernatant which is incubated with a solid support having carcinoembryonic antigen antibody adsorbed thereto. Subsequently, the solid support is incubated with a labeled carcinoembryonic antigen antibody. The labeled antibody on the solid support is measured and compared to standards.

This invention relates to assaying the level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in specimens such as sera or plasma. CEA is recognized as a cancer related antigen and its measurement has been used as a marker in diagnosing cancer.
Methods for measuring the level of CEA in sera or plasma have been described in the prior art [Thomson, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.) 64 (1969) 161; Hansen, et al., Clin. Res. 19 (1971) 143 and Lo Gerfo, et al., New England J. Med. 285 (1971) 138]. Generally, three different immunoassay approaches for measuring the level of CEA present in a specimen of sera or plasma have been described in the prior art. In one approach the plasma is pretreated with perchloric acid solvent in order to separate CEA from interferring proteineous material in the plasma. This approach employs a long time dialysis procedure (about 24 hours), followed by an immunoassay method utilizing 50% saturated ammonium sulfate or zirconyl phosphate gel.
In the second approach, no pretreatment of plasma or sera is used. Instead the plasma is subjected to a double antibody treatment [Egan, et al., Immunochem. 9 (1972) 289]. This approach suffers the disadvantage of requiring a long time period (two or three days) to complete the assay.
The third appraoch [Hirai, H., Cancer Res., 37 (1977) 2267] involves a procedure which uses a paper disc solid phase radioimmunoassay technique. This approach makes use of the so-called sandwich immunoassay technique [solid support-antibody-antigen-labeled antibody: Catt, K. and Tregar, G., Science, 158 (1967) 1570]. In this technique serum or plasma is heat-treated for ten minutes at 85 degrees centigrade in an acetate buffer at pH 5.0. Thereafter, the supernatant is separated and then incubated for approximately five hours with a paper disc to which antibody against CEA (anti-CEA) has been covalently attached. Subsequently, .sup.125 I labeled anti-CEA is added and incubated for approximately 20 hours. The results from use of this approach are obtained after approximately 25 hours.
Unexpectedly it has been found that substituting solid supports having CEA antibody adsorbed thereto for paper disc having CEA antibody covalently bound thereto provides a more sensitive immunoassay. The time for the assay using CEA antibody adsorbed solid support is about one fifth that of the procedure using a paper disc.

Antibody adsorbed support method for carcinoembryonic antigen assay


Disclosed is a strip of bandaging material having Velcro(copyright) strips at either end on opposite sides of the material. An absorbent pad is fixed near one end and on the side opposite the Velcro(copyright) strip. On the side opposite the absorbent pad, an S hook is provided with one end fastened to the material and the other end free. The absorbent pad is located over the wound and the longer end of material is wound around the extremity and fixed in place with the Velcro(copyright) stripe at the near end of the material. The remaining material is passed through the hook and pulled back in order to apply pressure to the wound and reduce blood loss. The remainder of the material is wrapped around the extremity and secured in place with the Velcro(copyright) strip on the far end.

1. Field of the Invention
The current compression bandages that are employed to give first aid to trauma wounds are awkward and difficult to adequately tighten securely over the wound. For traumas that are aggressively bleeding, this tightening is necessary.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Past tightening devices that are attached to trauma bandages do not allow a large force to be placed on the tightening device. In addition, the past bandages needed hand tied knots to fasten the bandage to the wound, resulting in loosening of the bandage on the trauma.
The compression bandage with tightening means is based on the use of a elastic bandage roll that has a absorbent pad attached near one end, each end of the elastic roll having male Velcro(copyright) strips (the trademark for one type of hook and loop fastener system having the male or micro-hook characteristics) to allow closure, in the initial and final application, and a metal hook attached through the elastic roll and absorbent pad attached thereto. The application of the absorbent pad to a trauma seals that wound, the initial Velcro(copyright) strip allowing placement of the pad on the wound. The elastic roll, after wrapping once around the extremity, is engaged into the hook sewn into the elastic bandage and absorbent pad. The elastic bandage is then pulled against the hook to give compression to the pad and the wound. The elastic strip is then stretched and wound around the wound, with the Velcro(copyright) strip at the end used to finish fasten. This invention allows an individual to place a bandage on a wound and, with one hand if necessary, put a high degree of compression on the wound, easily fastening and securing.

Compression bandage with tightening means


A light-emitting diode including a semiconductor epitaxial layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode is provided. The semiconductor epitaxial layer includes a first-type doped semiconductor layer, a second-type doped semiconductor layer, and a quantum well layer. A recessed portion is formed in the semiconductor epitaxial layer. The recessed portion separates the second-type doped semiconductor layer, the quantum well layer, and a portion of the first-type doped semiconductor layer and defines a first region and a second region on the semiconductor epitaxial layer. The first electrode is located in the first region and electrically connected to at least a portion of the first-type doped semiconductor layer and at least a portion of the second-type doped semiconductor layer. The second electrode is located in the second region and electrically connected to the second-type doped semiconductor layer.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a light-emitting device, and more particularly, to a light-emitting diode (LED) and a manufacturing method thereof.
Description of Related Art
As semiconductor techniques advance, the current light-emitting diode now has characteristics such as high brightness and high color rendering properties. Moreover, the light-emitting diode has advantages such as power saving, small size, low voltage drive, and no mercury, and therefore the light-emitting diode is extensively applied in areas such as display and illumination.
However, at this development stage of the LED, how to increase the luminous efficiency of the LED is one of the focuses in the field of LED. In general, the luminous efficiency of the LED is related to the uniformity of current distribution on the LED surface. Specifically, when a known LED is to be operated, a driving voltage is provided to two electrodes to drive electrons and electron holes to flow between the two electrodes, and to recombine the two in a quantum well layer to emit photons. Since the current (or electron flow) of an external input enters the quantum well layer along the path of smallest resistance, the resistance of the current (or electron flow) is related to the locations of the electrodes. For instance, the current (or electron flow) moves to the portion of the quantum well layer closest to the corresponding electrode from the portion of the electrode closest to the quantum well layer. Due to the above characteristics, the current on the surface of the LED cannot readily achieve uniform distribution, such that the phenomenon of nonuniform current distribution occurs in the light-emitting region. As a result, the overall luminous efficiency of the LED is poor. Therefore, how to solve the issue is an important topic for those skilled in the art.

Light emitting diode and manufacture method thereof


A curved display includes a first substrate and a second substrate in a stacked configuration. The first substrate includes pixel electrodes that are arranged in a matrix and electrical lines that extend in a first direction. The second substrate includes light shielding portions that extend in the first direction. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a curved display that includes attaching a first substrate to a second substrate in a stacked configuration and bending the first substrate and the second substrate to be curved.

An electronic display device provides a plurality of tiny individual pixels that form the displayed image. The electronic display device may include one or more display panels that form the pixels in the displayed image. A panel may include pixels that each filter light to form the pixels of the displayed image. The display panel may include at least two substrates. Previously, electronic display devices were formed to be flat. However, newer electronic display devices are being designed to have a curved display surface.

Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.


A thermographic recording element having at least one image forming layer contains an organic silver salt, a reducing agent, and optionally, a photosensitive silver halide. The element further contains a substituted alkene derivative of specific structure and preferably a specific hydrazine derivative. The element can be processed in a fully dry basis to produce images having high Dmax and gradation and free of black pepper.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a thermographic recording element and more particularly, to a photothermographic recording element suited for the manufacture of graphic printing plates.
2. Prior Art
Photothermographic materials which are processed by a photothermographic process to form photographic images are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,152,904 and 3,457,075, D. Morgan and B. Shely, xe2x80x9cThermally Processed Silver Systemsxe2x80x9d in xe2x80x9cImaging Processes and Materials,xe2x80x9d Neblette, 8th Ed., Sturge, V. Walworth and A. Shepp Ed., page 2, 1969.
These photothermographic materials generally contain a reducible silver source (e.g., organic silver salt), a catalytic amount of a photocatalyst (e.g., silver halide), a toner for controlling the tone of silver, and a reducing agent, typically dispersed in a binder matrix. Photothermographic materials are stable at room temperature. When they are heated at an elevated temperature (e.g., 80xc2x0 C. or higher) after exposure, redox reaction takes place between the reducible silver source (functioning as an oxidizing agent) and the reducing agent to form silver. This redox reaction is promoted by the catalysis of a latent image produced by exposure. Silver formed by reaction of the organic silver salt in exposed regions provides black images in contrast to unexposed regions, forming an image.
Such photothermographic materials have been used as microphotographic and radiographic photosensitive materials. However, only a few have been used as a graphic printing photosensitive material because the image quality is poor for the printing purpose as demonstrated by low maximum density (Dmax) and soft gradation.
With the recent advance of lasers and light-emitting diodes, scanners and image setters having an oscillation wavelength of 600 to 800 nm find widespread use. There is a strong desire to have a high contrast photosensitive material which has so high sensitivity and Dmax that it may comply with such output devices. The demand for simple dry processing is also increasing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,958 discloses that a photothermographic element comprising a polyhydroxybenzene combined with a hydroxylamine, reductone or hydrazine has high image quality discrimination and resolution. This combination of reducing agents, however, was found to incur an increase of fog.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,695 discloses a heat-developable photothermographic element comprising an organic silver salt, a silver halide, a hindered phenol, and a certain hydrazine derivative. These hydrazine derivatives were found still insufficient to accomplish a maximum ultimate density or ultrahigh contrast.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,515 discloses the use of acrylonitriles as the co-developer. The hydrazine compounds used therein fail to achieve a fully satisfactory high contrast while the occurrence of black peppers was ascertained.
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermographic recording element having a high sensitivity and high Dmax and free of black peppers. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing plate-forming photosensitive element which can be processed in a fully dry basis without a need for wet processing and produce images of quality.
According to the invention, there is provided a thermographic recording element having at least one image forming layer. The element contains an organic silver salt, a reducing agent, and at least one of substituted alkene derivatives of the general formulae (1) through (14).
In formulae (1) through (14), W is an electron attractive group, D is an electron donative group, and H is hydrogen. The groups represented by W or D attached to the same carbon atom, taken together, may form a cyclic structure. The compound may assume either a trans or a cis structure when both trans and cis structures are possible with respect to W or D. Two W groups in formula (14) form a cyclic structure.
In one preferred embodiment, the thermographic recording element further contains a hydrazine derivative of the general formula (I).
In formula (I), R2 is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic group, R1 is hydrogen or a block group, G1 is xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COCOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90S)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94SOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94PO(R3)xe2x80x94 or iminomethylene group, R3 is selected from the same range as defined for R1 and may be different from R1, A1 and A2 are independently hydrogen, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl or acyl groups, at least one of A1 and A2 is hydrogen, and letter m1 is equal to 0 or 1, with the proviso that R1 is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic group when m1 is 0.
In one preferred embodiment, the thermographic recording element further contains a photosensitive silver halide so that the element may be photosensitive. That is, a photothermographic (or photosensitive, heat-developable) recording element is provided.
The thermographic (or heat-developable) recording element of the invention has at least one image forming layer and contains an organic silver salt and a reducing agent. Preferably it further contains a photosensitive silver halide whereby the invention constitutes a photo-thermographic (or photosensitive, heat-developable) recording element. According to the feature of the Invention, the element further contains substituted alkene derivatives of the general formulae (1) through (14). The inclusion of such substituted alkene derivatives not only provides the thermographic recording element with a high Dmax, high sensitivity, and fully high contrast, but is also effective for suppressing the occurrence of black peppers.
These advantages are enhanced by further adding a hydrazine derivative of the general formula (I).
First, the substituted alkene derivatives of the general formulae (1) through (14) are described in detail.
In formulae (1) through (14), W is an electron attractive group, D is an electron donative group, and H is a hydrogen atom. The groups represented by W or D attached to the same carbon atom, taken together, may form a cyclic structure. When both trans and cis structures are possible with respect to W or D, the compound may assume either a trans or a cis structure. Two W groups in formula (14) form a cyclic structure.
In formulae (1) through (14), the electron attractive groups represented by W include halogen atoms, cyano groups, nitro groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, acyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, aryloxycarbonyl groups, alkylsulfonyl groups, arylsulfonyl groups, carbamoyl groups, carbonamide groups, sulfamoyl groups, sulfonamide groups, trifluoromethyl groups, trichloromethyl groups, phosphoryl groups, carboxy groups (or salts thereof), sulfo groups (or salts thereof), heterocyclic groups, imino groups, and phenyl groups having such electron attractive groups as a substituent. These groups may have substituents, examples of which include halogen atoms (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine atoms), alkyl groups (including aralkyl, cycloalkyl and active methine groups), alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heterocyclic groups, quaternized nitrogen atom-containing heterocyclic groups (such as pyridinio), acyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, aryloxycarbonyl groups, carbamoyl groups, carboxy groups or salts thereof, sulfonylcarbamoyl groups, acylcarbamoyl groups, sulfamoylcarbamoyl groups, carbazoyl groups, oxalyl groups, oxamoyl groups, cyano groups, thiocarbamoyl groups, hydroxy groups, alkoxy groups (including groups containing recurring ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy units), aryloxy groups, heterocyclic oxy groups, acyloxy groups, (alkoxy or aryloxy) carbonyloxy groups, carbamoyloxy groups, sulfonyloxy groups, amino groups, (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) amino groups, N-substituted nitrogenous heterocyclic groups, acylamino groups, sulfonamide groups, ureido groups, thioureido groups, imide groups, (alkoxy or aryloxy) carbonylamino groups, sulfamoylamino groups, semicarbazide groups, thiosemicarbazide groups, hydrazino groups, quaternary ammonio groups, oxamoylamino groups, (alkyl or aryl) sulfonylureido groups, acylureido groups, acylsulfamoylamino groups, nitro groups, mercapto groups, (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) thio groups, (alkyl or aryl) sulfonyl groups, (alkyl or aryl) sulfinyl groups, sulfo groups or salts thereof, sulfamoyl groups, acylsulfamoyl groups, sulfonylsulfamoyl groups or salts thereof, and phosphoramide or phosphate structure-bearing groups. These substituents may be further replaced by other substituents selected from the foregoing examples.
The preferred electron attractive groups are those having 0 to 16 carbon atoms in total, especially 0 to 12 carbon atoms in total, for example, cyano, nitro, alkenyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl, trifluoromethyl, phosphoryl groups, heterocyclic groups (5- and 6-membered heterocyclic groups which may have a benzene or naphthalene ring fused thereto), and phenyl groups having any electron attractive group as a substituent. It is noted that the heterocyclic groups in formulae (3) and (7) are non-aromatic heterocyclic groups.
In formulae (1) through (14), the electron donative groups represented by D include hydroxy groups (or salts thereof), mercapto groups (or salts thereof), alkoxy groups, aryloxy groups, heterocyclic oxy groups, alkylthio groups, arylthio groups, heterocyclic thio groups, amino groups, alkylamino groups, arylamino groups, heterocyclic amino groups, and phenyl groups having such electron donative groups as a substituent. These groups may have substituents, examples of which are the same as described for W.
The preferred electron donative groups are hydroxy groups (or salts thereof), mercapto groups (or salts thereof), alkoxy groups, alkylthio groups, arylthio groups, amino groups, alkylamino groups, arylamino groups, and phenyl groups having any electron donative group as a substituent.
Examples of the ring formed by W and D include saturated or unsaturated, carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings which may have a 4- to 6-membered ring fused thereto. Also the ring may be a cyclic ketone. The heterocyclic ring preferably contains at least one atom of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, more preferably one or two such hetero atoms.
Preferred among the compounds of formulae (1) through (14) are those of formulae (1), (2), (3), (5), (7), (8), (10), (11), (12), (13), and (14). More preferred are the compounds of formulae (1), (2), (3), (5), (7), (8), (10), (11), (12), and (14).
Illustrative, non-limiting, examples of the compounds of formulae (1) through (14) are given below.
The compounds according to the invention can be readily synthesized by well-known methods and are also commercially available from chemical manufacturers.
These compounds may be used alone or in admixture of two or more. The amount of the compound(s) added is preferably 1xc3x9710xe2x88x926 to 1 mol, more preferably 1xc3x9710xe2x88x925 to 5xc3x9710xe2x88x921 mol, and most preferably 2xc3x9710xe2x88x925 to 2xc3x9710xe2x88x921 mol per mol of silver. The compound may be added to an image forming layer or any other layer on the image forming layer side of a support, and preferably to the image forming layer or a layer disposed adjacent thereto.
In the practice of the invention, the substituted alkene derivative is used as solution in water or a suitable organic solvent. Suitable solvents include alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, and fluorinated alcohols), ketones (e.g., acetone and methyl ethyl ketone), dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide and methyl cellosolve.
A well-known emulsifying dispersion method is used for dissolving the substituted alkene derivative with the aid of an oil such as dibutyl phthalate, tricresyl phosphate, glyceryl triacetate or diethyl phthalate or an auxiliary solvent such as ethyl acetate or cyclohexanone whereby an emulsified dispersion is mechanically prepared. Alternatively, a method known as a solid dispersion method is used for dispersing the substituted alkene derivative in powder form in water in a ball mill, colloidal mill or ultrasonic mixer.
In the preferred embodiment, the thermographic recording element of the invention contains a hydrazine derivative of the general formula (I).
Herein R2 is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic group. R1 is hydrogen or a block group. G1 is xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COCOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90S)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94SOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94PO(R3)xe2x80x94 or iminomethylene group. R3 is selected from the same range as defined for R1 and may be different from R1. A1 and A2 are both hydrogen, or one of A1 and A2 is hydrogen and the other is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl or substituted or unsubstituted acyl group. Letter m1 is equal to 0 or 1. R1 is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic group when m1 is 0.
In formula (I), the aliphatic groups represented by R2 are preferably substituted or unsubstituted, normal, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms.
In formula (I), the aromatic groups represented by R2 are preferably monocyclic or fused ring aryl groups, for example, phenyl and naphthyl groups derived from benzene and naphthalene rings. The heterocyclic groups represented by R2 are preferably monocyclic or fused ring, saturated or unsaturated, aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclic groups while the heterocycles in these groups include pyridine, pyrimidine, imidazole, pyrazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, benzimidazole, thiazole, benzothiazole, piperidine, triazine, morpholine, and piperazine rings.
Aryl, alkyl and aromatic heterocyclic groups are most preferred as R2.
The group represented by R2 may have a substituent. Exemplary substituents include halogen atoms (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine), alkyl groups (inclusive of aralkyl, cycloalkyl and active methine groups), alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heterocyclic groups, heterocyclic groups containing a quaternized nitrogen atom (e.g., pyridinio), acyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, aryloxycarbonyl groups, carbamoyl groups, carboxy groups or salts thereof, sulfonylcarbamoyl groups, acylcarbamoyl groups, sulfamoylcarbamoyl groups, carbazoyl groups, oxalyl groups, oxamoyl groups, cyano groups, thiocarbamoyl groups, hydroxy groups, alkoxy groups (inclusive of groups having recurring ethylenoxy or propylenoxy units), aryloxy groups, heterocyclic oxy groups, acyloxy groups, (alkoxy or aryloxy)carbonyloxy groups, carbamoyloxy groups, sulfonyloxy groups, amino groups, (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) amino groups, N-substituted nitrogenous heterocyclic groups, acylamino groups, sulfon-amide groups, ureido groups, thioureido groups, imide groups, (alkoxy or aryloxy)carbonylamino groups, sulfamoyl-amino groups, semicarbazide groups, thiosemicarbazide groups, hydrazino groups, quaternary ammonio groups, oxamoylamino groups, (alkyl or aryl)sulfonylureido groups, acylureido groups, acylsulfamoylamino groups, nitro groups, mercapto groups, (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) thio groups, (alkyl or aryl)sulfonyl groups, (alkyl or aryl)sulfinyl groups, sulfo groups or salts thereof, sulfamoyl groups, acylsulfamoyl groups, sulfonylsulfamoyl groups or salts thereof, and groups containing a phosphoramide or phosphoric ester structure. These substituents may be further substituted with such a substituent.
Preferred substituents that R2 may have include, where R2 is an aromatic or heterocyclic group, alkyl (inclusive of active methylene), aralkyl, heterocyclic, substituted amino, acylamino, sulfonamide, ureido, sulfamoylamino, imide, thioureido, phosphoramide, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, carboxy (inclusive of salts thereof), (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) thio, sulfo (inclusive of salts thereof), sulfamoyl, halogen, cyano, and nitro groups.
Where R2 is an aliphatic group, preferred substituents include alkyl, aryl, heterocyclic, amino, acylamino, sulfonamide, ureido, sulfamoylamino, imide, thioureido, phosphoramide, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, carboxy (inclusive of salts thereof), (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) thio, sulfo (inclusive of salts thereof), sulfamoyl, halogen, cyano, and nitro groups.
In formula (I), R1 is hydrogen or a block group. Examples of the block group include aliphatic groups (e.g., alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups), aromatic groups (monocyclic or fused ring aryl groups), heterocyclic groups, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino and hydrazino groups.
The alkyl groups represented by R1 are preferably substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, for example, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, 2-carboxytetrafluoroethyl, pyridiniomethyl, difluoromethoxymethyl, difluorocarboxymethyl, 3-hydroxy-propyl, hydroxymethyl, 3-methanesulfonamidopropyl, benzenesulfonamidomethyl, trifluoroacetylmethyl, dimethyl-aminomethyl, phenylsulfonylmethyl, o-hydroxybenzyl, methoxymethyl, phenoxymethyl, 4-ethylphenoxymethyl, phenylthiomethyl, t-butyl, dicyanomethyl, diphenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl, methoxycarbonyldiphenylmethyl, cyano-diphenylmethyl, and methylthiodiphenylmethyl groups. The alkenyl groups are preferably those having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, for example, vinyl, 2-ethoxycarbonylvinyl, and 2-trifluoro-2-methoxycarbonylvinyl groups. The alkynyl groups are preferably those having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, for example, ethynyl and 2-methoxycarbonylethynyl groups. The aryl groups are preferably monocyclic or fused ring aryl groups, especially those containing a benzene ring, for example, phenyl, perfluorophenyl, 3,5-dichlorophenyl, 2-methanesulfonamidophenyl, 2-carbamoylphenyl, 4,5-dicyano-phenyl, 2-hydroxymethylphenyl, 2,6-dichloro-4-cyanophenyl, and 2-chloro-5-octylsulfamoylphenyl groups.
The heterocyclic groups represented by R1 are preferably 5- and 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated, monocyclic or fused ring, heterocyclic groups containing at least one of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms, for example, morpholino, piperidino (N-substituted), imidazolyl, indazolyl (e.g., 4-nitroindazolyl), pyrazolyl, triazolyl, benzimidazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyridyl, pyridinio (e.g., N-methyl-3-pyridinio), quinolinio, quinolyl, hydantoyl and imidazolidinyl groups.
The alkoxy groups are preferably those having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, for example, methoxy, 2-hydroxyethoxy, benzyloxy, and t-butoxy groups. The aryloxy groups are preferably substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy groups. The amino groups are preferably unsubstituted amino, alkylamino having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, arylamino, and saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amino groups (inclusive of nitrogenous heterocyclic amino groups containing a quaternized nitrogen atom). Examples of the amino group include 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-ylamino, propylamino, 2-hydroxyethylamino, anilino, o-hydroxyanilino, 5-benzo-triazolylamino, and N-benzyl-3-pyridinioamino groups. The hydrazino groups are preferably substituted or unsubstituted hydrazino groups and substituted or unsubstituted phenylhydrazino groups (e.g., 4-benzenesulfonamidophenyl-hydrazino).
The groups represented by R1 may be substituted ones, with examples of the substituent being as exemplified for the substituent on R2.
In formula (I), R1 may be such a group as to induce cyclization reaction to cleave a G1xe2x80x94R1 moiety from the remaining molecule to generate a cyclic structure containing the atoms of the xe2x80x94G1xe2x80x94R1 moiety. Such examples are described in JP-A 29751/1988, for example.
The hydrazine derivative of formula (I) may have incorporated therein a group capable of adsorbing to silver halide. Such adsorptive groups include alkylthio, arylthio, thiourea, thioamide, mercapto heterocyclic and triazole groups as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,385,108 and 4,459,347, JP-A 195233/1984, 200231/1984, 201045/1984, 201046/1984, 201047/1984, 201048/1984, 201049/1984, 170733/1986, 270744/1986, 948/1987, 234244/1988, 234245/1988, and 234246/1988. These adsorptive groups to silver halide may take the form of precursors. Such precursors are exemplified by the groups described in JP-A 285344/1990.
R1 and R2 in formula (I) may have incorporated therein a ballast group or polymer commonly used in immobile photographic additives such as couplers. The ballast group is a group having at least 8 carbon atoms and relatively inert with respect to photographic properties. It may be selected from, for example, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, phenyl, alkylphenyl, phenoxy, and alkylphenoxy groups. The polymer is exemplified in JP-A 100530/1989, for example.
R1 or R2 in formula (I) may have a plurality of hydrazino groups as a substituent. In this case, the compounds of formula (I) are polymeric with respect to hydrazino group. Exemplary polymeric compounds are described in JP-A 86134/1989, 16938/1992, 197091/1993, WO 95-32452 and 95-32453, Japanese Patent Application Nos. 351132/1995, 351269/1995, 351168/1995, 351287/1995, and 351279/1995.
R1 or R2 in formula (I) may contain a cationic group (e.g., a group containing a quaternary ammonio group and a nitrogenous heterocyclic group containing a quaternized nitrogen atom), a group containing recurring ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy units, an (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) thio group, or a group which is dissociable with a base (e.g., carboxy, sulfo, acylsulfamoyl, and carbamoylsulfamoyl). Exemplary compounds containing such a group are described in, for example, in JP-A 234471/1995, 333466/1993, 19032/1994, 19031/1994, 45761/1993, 259240/1991, 5610/1995, and 244348/1995, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,994,365 and 4,988,604, and German Patent No. 4006032.
In formula (I), each of A1 and A2 is a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl- or arylsulfonyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms (preferably a phenylsulfonyl group or a phenylsulfonyl group substituted such that the sum of Hammette""s substituent constants may be xe2x88x920.5 or more), or a substituted or unsubstituted acyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms (preferably a benzoyl group, a benzoyl group substituted such that the sum of Hammette""s substituent constants may be xe2x88x920.5 or more, or a linear, branched or cyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, aliphatic acyl group wherein the substituent is selected from a halogen atom, ether group, sulfonamide group, carbonamide group, hydroxyl group, carboxy group and sulfo group). Most preferably, both A1 and A2 are hydrogen atoms.
The preferable range of the hydrazine derivatives of the general formula (I) is described.
In formula (I), R2 is preferably phenyl, substituted alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms or aromatic heterocyclic groups.
Where R2 represents phenyl or aromatic heterocyclic groups, preferred substituents thereon include nitro, cyano, alkoxy, alkyl, acylamino, ureido, sulfonamide, thioureido, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl, sulfonyl, carboxy (or salts thereof), sulfo (or salts thereof), alkoxycarbonyl, and chloro groups.
Where R2 represents substituted alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, it is more preferably substituted methyl groups, and further preferably di- or tri-substituted methyl groups. Exemplary preferred substituents on these methyl groups include methyl, phenyl, cyano, (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) thio, alkoxy, aryloxy, chloro, heterocyclic, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl, amino, acylamino, and sulfonamide groups, and especially, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl groups.
Where R2 represents substituted methyl groups, preferred examples thereof are t-butyl, dicyanomethyl, dicyanophenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl (trityl), diphenyl-methyl, methoxycarbonyldiphenylmethyl, cyanodiphenylmethyl, methylthiodiphenylmethyl, cyclopropyldiphenylmethyl groups, with trityl being most preferred.
Where R2 represents heterocyclic groups, preferred examples thereof are pyridine, quinoline, pyrimidine, triazine, benzthiazole, benzimidazole, and thiophene rings.
Most preferably, R2 in formula (I) represents substituted phenyl groups.
In formula (I), m1 is equal to 0 or 1. When m1 is 0, R1 represents aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic groups. When m1 is 0, R1 more preferably represents phenyl groups, substituted alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms or alkenyl groups. Of these, the preferred ranges of the phenyl groups and the substituted alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms are the same as the preferred range of R2. Where R1 represents alkenyl groups, they are preferably vinyl groups, more preferably vinyl groups having one or two substituents selected from cyano, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, nitro, trifluoromethyl and carbamoyl groups. Exemplary are 2,2-dicyanovinyl, 2-cyano-2-methoxycarbonylvinyl, and 2-acetyl-2-ethoxycarbonylvinyl groups.
Preferably m1 is equal to 1.
Where R2 is a phenyl or aromatic heterocyclic group and G1 is xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, the groups represented by R1 are preferably selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heterocyclic groups, more preferably from hydrogen, alkyl and aryl groups, and most preferably from hydrogen atoms and alkyl groups. Where R1 represents alkyl groups, preferred substituents thereon are halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, hydroxy, sulfonamide, amino, acylamino, and carboxy groups.
Where R2 is a substituted methyl group and G1 is xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, the groups represented by R1 are preferably selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heterocyclic, alkoxy, and amino groups (including unsubstituted amino, alkylamino, arylamino and heterocyclic amino groups), more preferably from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heterocyclic, alkoxy, alkylamino, arylamio and heterocyclic amino groups. Where G1 is xe2x80x94COCOxe2x80x94, independent of R2, R1 is preferably selected from alkoxy, aryloxy, and amino groups, more preferably from substituted amino groups, specifically alkylamino, arylamino and saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amino groups.
Where G1 is xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94, independent of R2, R1 is preferably selected from alkyl, aryl and substituted amino groups.
In formula (I), G1 is preferably xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94COCOxe2x80x94, and most preferably xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94.
Illustrative, non-limiting, examples of the compound represented by formula (I) are given below.
The compounds of formula (I) may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.
In addition to the above-described ones, the following hydrazine derivatives are also preferable for use in the practice of the invention. If desired, any of the following hydrazine derivatives may be used in combination with the hydrazine derivatives of formula (I). The hydrazine derivatives which are used herein can be synthesized by various methods as described in the following patents.
Exemplary hydrazine derivatives which can be used herein include the compounds of the chemical formula [1] in JP-B 77138/1994, more specifically the compounds described on pages 3 and 4 of the same; the compounds of the general formula (I) in JP-B 93082/1994, more specifically compound Nos. 1 to 38 described on pages 8 to 18 of the same; the compounds of the general formulae (4), (5) and (6) in JP-A 230497/1994, more specifically compounds 4-1 to 4-10 described on pages 25 and 26, compounds 5-1 to 5-42 described on pages 28 to 36, and compounds 6-1 to 6-7 described on pages 39 and 40 of the same; the compounds of the general formulae (1) and (2) in JP-A 289520/1994, more specifically compounds 1-1 to 1-17 and 2-1 described on pages 5 to 7 of the same; the compounds of the chemical formulae [2] and [3] in JP-A 313936/1994, more specifically the compounds described on pages 6 to 19 of the same; the compounds of the chemical formula [1] in JP-A 313951/1994, more specifically the compounds described on pages 3 to 5 of the same; the compounds of the general formula (I) in JP-A 5610/1995, more specifically compounds I-1 to I-38 described on pages 5 to 10 of the same; the compounds of the general formula (II) in JP-A 77783/1995, more specifically compounds II-1 to II-102 described on pages 10 to 27 of the same; the compounds of the general formulae (H) and (Ha) in JP-A 104426/1995, more specifically compounds H-1 to H-44 described on pages 8 to 15 of the same; the compounds having an anionic group in proximity to a hydrazine group or a nonionic group capable of forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the hydrogen atom of hydrazine described in EP 713131A, especially compounds of the general formulae (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F), more specifically compounds N-1 to N-30 described therein; and the compounds of the general formula (1) in EP 713131A, more specifically compounds D-1 to D-55 described therein.
Also useful are the hydrazine derivatives described in xe2x80x9cKnown Technology,xe2x80x9d Aztech K.K., Mar. 22, 1991, pages 25-34 and Compounds D-2 and D-39 described in JP-A 86354/1987, pages 6-7.
In the practice of the invention, the hydrazine nucleating agent is used as solution in water or a suitable organic solvent. Suitable solvents include alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, and fluorinated alcohols), ketones (e.g., acetone and methyl ethyl ketone), dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide and methyl cellosolve.
A well-known emulsifying dispersion method is used for dissolving the hydrazine derivative with the aid of an oil such as dibutyl phthalate, tricresyl phosphate, glyceryl triacetate or diethyl phthalate or an auxiliary solvent such as ethyl acetate or cyclohexanone whereby an emulsified dispersion is mechanically prepared. Alternatively, a method known as a solid dispersion method is used for dispersing the hydrazine derivative in powder form in water in a ball mill, colloidal mill or ultrasonic mixer.
The hydrazine nucleating agent may be added to an image forming layer or any other layer on the image forming layer side of a support, and preferably to the image forming layer or a layer disposed adjacent thereto.
The hydrazine nucleating agent is preferably used in an amount of 1xc3x9710xe2x88x926 mol to 1 mol, more preferably 1xc3x97105 mol to 5xc3x9710xe2x88x921 mol, and most preferably 2xc3x9710xe2x88x925 mol to 2xc3x9710xe2x88x921 mol per mol of silver.
In the thermographic recording element of the invention, a nucleation promoter may be added in combination with the hydrazine derivative. The nucleation promoter used herein includes amine derivatives, onium salts, disulfide derivatives, and hydroxylamine derivatives.
Examples of the nucleation promoter are shown below.
Other useful examples of the nucleation promoter include the compounds described in JP-A 77783/1995, page 48, lines 2-37, more specifically Compounds A-1 to A-73 described on pages 49-58 of the same; the compounds of the chemical formulae [21], [22] and [23] described in JP-A 84331/1995, more specifically the compounds described on pages 6-8 of the same; the compounds of the general formulae [Na] and [Nb] described in JP-A 104426/1995, more specifically Compounds Na-1 to Na-22 and Nb-1 to Nb-12 described on pages 16-20 of the same; the compounds of the general formulae (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) described in JP-A 37817/1995, more specifically Compounds 1-1 to 1-19, Compounds 2-1 to 2-22, Compounds 3-1 to 3-36, Compounds 4-1 to 4-5, Compounds 5-1 to 5-41, Compounds 6-1 to 6-58 and Compounds 7-1 to 7-38 described therein; and the nucleation promoters described in Japanese Patent Application No. 70908/1996.
The nucleation promoter is preferably used in an amount of 1xc3x9710xe2x88x926 mol to 2xc3x9710xe2x88x922 mol, more preferably 1xc3x9710xe2x88x925 mol to 2xc3x9710xe2x88x922 mol, and most preferably 2xc3x9710xe2x88x925 to 1xc3x9710xe2x88x922 mol per mol of silver.
The thermographic recording element of the invention contains a reducing agent. In one embodiment of the invention, a compound of the following general formula (A) is contained as the reducing agent in the thermographic recording element.
Herein, R is hydrogen or alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms such as xe2x80x94C4H9 and 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl, Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 are alkyl groups having 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl and n-butyl.
Illustrative, non-limiting examples of the compound of formula (A) are given below.
The compound of formula (A) is preferably used in an amount of 1xc3x9710xe2x88x922 to 10 mol, more preferably 1xc3x9710xe2x88x922 to 1.5 mol per mol of silver.
In another embodiment of the invention, compounds of the following general formulae (R-I), (R-II), (R-III) and (R-IV) are contained as the reducing agent in the thermographic recording element.
In formula (R-III), Z forms a cyclic structure represented by the following formula (Z-1) or (Z-2).
In formula (R-IV), Z forms a cyclic structure represented by the following formula (Z-3) or (Z-4).
In formulae (R-I) and (R-II), each of L1 and L2 is a group xe2x80x94CHxe2x80x94(R6)xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x80x94(R6xe2x80x2)xe2x80x94 or a sulfur atom, and n is a natural number.
Herein, R1 to R5, R6, R7 to R10, R1xe2x80x2 to R5, R6xe2x80x2, R11 to R13, R11xe2x80x2 to R13xe2x80x2, R21 to R26, R21xe2x80x2 to R24xe2x80x2 are hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, aryl groups, aralkyl groups, halogen atoms, amino groups or substituents represented by xe2x80x94OA, with the proviso that at least one of R1 to R5, at least one of R1xe2x80x2 to R5xe2x80x2, and at least one of R7 to R10 each are a group represented by xe2x80x94OA. In formula (R-II), L1 is a sulfur atom where at least one of R1 to R5 and at least one of R1xe2x80x2 to R5xe2x80x2 are groups represented by xe2x80x94OA. Also, a plurality of substituents in each of R1 to R5, R7 to R10, R1xe2x80x2 to R5xe2x80x2, R11 to R13, R11xe2x80x2 to R13xe2x80x2, R21 to R26, R21xe2x80x2 to R24xe2x80x2, taken together, may form a ring.
A and Axe2x80x2 each are a hydrogen atom, alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, acyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, aryl group, phosphate group or sulfonyl group.
R1 to R5, R7 to R10, R1xe2x80x2 to R5xe2x80x2, R11 to R13, R11xe2x80x2 to R13xe2x80x2, R21 to R26, R21xe2x80x2 to R24xe2x80x2, A and Axe2x80x2 may be substituted groups while typical examples of the substituent include alkyl groups (including active methine groups), nitro groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heterocyclic ring-containing groups, groups containing a quaternized nitrogen atom-containing heterocyclic ring (e.g., pyridinio group), hydroxy groups, alkoxy groups (including groups containing recurring ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy units), aryloxy groups, acyloxy groups, acyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, aryloxycarbonyl groups, carbamoyl groups, urethane groups, carboxyl groups, imido groups, amino groups, carbonamide groups, sulfonamide groups, ureido groups, thioureido groups, sulfamoylamino groups, semicarbazide groups, thiosemicarbazide groups, hydrazino-containing groups, quaternary ammonio-containing groups, mercapto groups, (alkyl, aryl or heterocyclic) thio groups, (alkyl or aryl) sulfonyl groups, (alkyl or aryl) sulfinyl groups, sulfo groups, sulfamoyl groups, acylsulfamoyl groups, (alkyl or aryl) sulfonylureido groups, (alkyl or aryl) sulfonylcarbamoyl groups, halogen atoms, cyano groups, phosphoramide groups, phosphate structure-containing groups, acylurea structure-bearing groups, selenium or tellurium atom-containing groups, and tertiary or quaternary sulfonium structure-bearing groups. These substituents may be further substituted, with preferred examples of the further substituent being the same as the foregoing substituents.
Illustrative, non-limiting, examples of the compounds represented by formulae (R-I), (R-II), (R-III) and (R-IV) are given below.
TMB: 1,3,3-trimethylbutyl group
CPen: cyclopentyl group
CHex: cyclohexyl group
The reducing agents represented by the general formulae (R-I) to (R-IV) are preferably used in amounts of 1xc3x9710xe2x88x923 to 10 mol, more preferably 1xc3x9710xe2x88x922 to 1.5 mol per mol of silver.
The compounds of formula (A) and the compounds of formulae (R-I) to (R-IV) may be used alone or in admixture. When they are used in admixture, the auxiliary reducing agent and the main reducing agent are preferably used in a molar ratio between 1/1000 and 1/1, more preferably between 1/100 and 1/1.
The thermographic recording element according to the invention is processed by a heat development process to form photographic images. As described in the preamble, photothermographic elements which constitute one embodiment of the invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,152,904 and 3,457,075, D. Morgan and B. Shely, xe2x80x9cThermally Processed Silver Systemsxe2x80x9d in xe2x80x9cImaging Processes and Materials,xe2x80x9d Neblette, 8th Ed., Sturge, V. Walworth and A. Shepp Ed., page 2, 1969.
The thermographic recording element of the invention which forms photographic images through heat development preferably contains a reducible silver source (e.g., organic silver salt), a catalytic amount of a photocatalyst (e.g., silver halide), a toner for controlling the tone of silver, and a reducing agent, typically dispersed in a binder (typically organic binder) matrix. Although the photothermographic material is stable at room temperature, it is developed merely by heating at an elevated temperature (e.g., 80xc2x0 C. or higher) after exposure, that is, without a need for a processing solution. Upon heating, redox reaction takes place between the reducible silver source (functioning as an oxidizing agent) and the reducing agent to form silver. This redox reaction is promoted by the catalysis of a latent image produced by exposure. Silver formed by reaction of the organic silver salt in exposed regions provides black images in contrast to unexposed regions, forming an image.
The thermographic recording element of the invention has at least one image forming layer, typically a photo-sensitive layer, on a support. It is acceptable to form only an image forming layer such as a photosensitive layer on a support although it is preferred to form at least one image protective layer such as a non-photosensitive layer on the image forming layer such as the photosensitive layer.
In the photothermographic elements which constitute the preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to control the quantity or wavelength distribution of light transmitted to the photosensitive layer, a filter layer may be formed on the same side as or on the opposite side to the photo-sensitive layer, or a dyestuff or pigment may be contained in the photosensitive layer. The dyestuff used to this end is preferably selected from the compounds described in Japanese Patent Application No. 11184/1995.
The photosensitive layer serving as the image forming layer may consist of two or more strata. Also a combination of high/low sensitivity strata or low/high sensitivity strata may be used for the adjustment of gradation.
Various additives may be added to any of the image forming layer (typically photosensitive layer), non-image-forming layer (typically non-photosensitive layer), and other layers.
In the thermographic recording element of the invention, various additives such as surfactants, antioxidants, stabilizers, plasticizers, UV absorbers, and coating aids may be used.
A binder is used to hold such additives. It is preferably transparent or semi-transparent and generally colorless. Exemplary binders are naturally occurring polymers, synthetic resins, polymers and copolymers, and other film-forming media, for example, gelatin, gum arabic, poly(vinyl alcohol), hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polylvinyl pyrrolidone), casein, starch, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methyl methacrylate), polyvinyl chloride, poly(methacrylic acid), copoly(styrene-maleic anhydride), copoly(styrene-acrylonitrile), copoly(styrene-butadiene), poly(vinyl acetals) (e.g., poly(vinyl formal) and poly(vinyl butyral)), polyesters, polyurethanes, phenoxy resins, poly(vinylidene chloride), polyepoxides, polycarbonates, poly(vinyl acetate), cellulose esters, and polyamides. The binder may be dispersed in water, organic solvent or emulsion to form a dispersion which is coated to form a layer.
At least one layer of the image-forming layers used herein may be an image forming layer wherein a polymer latex constitutes more than 50% by weight of the entire binder. This image forming layer is sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9cinventive image-forming layerxe2x80x9d and the polymer latex used. as the binder therefor is referred to as xe2x80x9cinventive polymer latex,xe2x80x9d hereinafter. The term xe2x80x9cpolymer latexxe2x80x9d used herein is a dispersion of a microparticulate water-insoluble hydrophobic polymer in a water-soluble dispersing medium. With respect to the dispersed state, a polymer emulsified in a dispersing medium, an emulsion polymerized polymer, a micelle dispersion, and a polymer having a hydrophilic structure in a part of its molecule so that the molecular chain itself is dispersed on a molecular basis are included. With respect to the polymer latex, reference is made to Okuda and Inagaki Ed., xe2x80x9cSynthetic Resin Emulsion,xe2x80x9d Kobunshi Kankokai, 1978; Sugimura, Kataoka, Suzuki and Kasahara Ed., xe2x80x9cApplication of Synthetic Latex,xe2x80x9d Kobunshi Kankokai, 1993; and Muroi, xe2x80x9cChemistry of Synthetic Latex,xe2x80x9d Kobunshi Kankokai, 1970. Dispersed particles should preferably have a mean particle size of about 1 to 50,000 nm, more preferably about 5 to 1,000 nm. No particular limit is imposed on the particle size distribution of dispersed particles, and the dispersion may have either a wide particle size distribution or a monodisperse particle size distribution.
The inventive polymer latex used herein may be either a latex of the conventional uniform structure or a latex of the so-called core/shell type. In the latter case, better results are sometimes obtained when the core and the shell have different glass transition temperatures.
The inventive polymer latex should preferably have a minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) of about xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. to 90xc2x0 C., more preferably about 0xc2x0 C. to 70xc2x0 C. A film-forming aid may be added in order to control the minimum film-forming temperature. The film-forming aid is also referred to as a plasticizer and includes organic compounds (typically organic solvents) for lowering the minimum film-forming temperature of a polymer latex. It is described in Muroi, xe2x80x9cChemistry of Synthetic Latex,xe2x80x9d Kobunshi Kankokai, 1970.
Polymers used in the inventive polymer latex according to the invention include acrylic resins, vinyl acetate resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, rubbery resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinylidene chloride resins, polyolefin resins, and copolymers thereof. The polymer may be linear or branched or crosslinked. The polymer may be either a homopolymer or a copolymer having two or more monomers polymerized together. The copolymer may be either a random copolymer or a block copolymer. The polymer preferably has a number average molecule weight Mn of about 5,000 to about 1,000,000, more preferably about 10,000 to about 100,000. Polymers with a too lower molecular weight would generally provide a low film strength after coating whereas polymers with a too higher molecular weight are difficult to form films.
The polymer of the inventive polymer latex should preferably have an equilibrium moisture content at 25xc2x0 C. and RH 60% of up to 2% by weight, more preferably up to 1% by weight. The lower limit of equilibrium moisture content is not critical although it is preferably 0.01% by weight, more preferably 0.03% by weight. With respect to the definition and measurement of equilibrium moisture content, reference should be made to xe2x80x9cPolymer Engineering Series No. 14, Polymer Material Test Methods,xe2x80x9d Edited by Japanese Polymer Society, Chijin Shokan Publishing K.K., for example.
Illustrative examples of the polymer latex which can be used as the binder in the image-forming layer of the thermo-graphic image recording element of the invention include latices of methyl methacrylate/ethyl acrylate/methacrylic acid copolymers, latices of methyl methacrylate/2-ethylhexyl acrylate/styrene/acrylic acid copolymers, latices of styrene/butadiene/acrylic acid copolymers, latices of styrene/butadiene/divinyl benzene/methacrylic acid copolymers, latices of methyl methacrylate/vinyl chloride/acrylic acid copolymers, and latices of vinylidene chloride/ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile/methacrylic acid copolymers. These polymers or polymer latices are commercially available. Exemplary acrylic resins are Sebian A-4635, 46583 and 4601 (Daicell Chemical Industry K.K.) and Nipol LX811, 814, 820, 821 and 857 (Nippon Zeon K.K.). Exemplary polyester resins are FINETEX ES650, 611, 675, and 850 (Dai-Nippon Ink Chemical K.K.) and WD-size and WMS (Eastman Chemical Products, Inc.). Exemplary polyurethane resins are HYDRAN AP10, 20, 30 and 40 (Dai-Nippon Ink Chemical K.K.). Exemplary rubbery resins are LACSTAR 7310K, 3307B, 4700H and 7132C (Dai-Nippon Ink Chemical K.K.) and Nipol LX416, 410, 438C and 2507 (Nippon Zeon K.K.). Exemplary vinyl chloride resins are G351 and G576 (Nippon Zeon K.K.). Exemplary vinylidene chloride resins are L502 and L513 (Asahi Chemicals K.K.). Exemplary olefin resins are Chemipearl S120 and SA100 (Mitsui Petro-Chemical K.K.). These polymers may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.
In the inventive image-forming layer, the polymer latex described above is preferably used in an amount of at least 50% by weight, especially at least 70% by weight, of the entire binder. In the inventive image-forming layer, a hydrophilic polymer may be added in an amount of less than 50% by weight of the entire binder. Such hydrophilic polymers are gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. The amount of the hydrophilic polymer added is preferably less than 30% by weight of the entire binder in the image-forming layer.
The inventive image-forming layer is preferably formed by applying an aqueous coating solution followed by drying. By the term xe2x80x9caqueousxe2x80x9d, it is meant that water accounts for at least 30% by weight of the solvent or dispersing medium of the coating solution. The component other than water of the coating solution may be a water-miscible organic solvent such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, dimethylformamide or ethyl acetate. Exemplary solvent compositions include water, a 90/10 or 70/30 mixture of water/methanol, a 90/10 mixture of water/ethanol, a 90/10 mixture of water/isopropanol, a 95/5 mixture of water/dimethyl-formamide, a 80/15/5 or 90/5/5 mixture of water/methanol/dimethylformamide, all expressed in a weight ratio. The method described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,695 is also useful.
In the inventive image-forming layer, the total amount of binder is preferably 0.2 to 30 g/m2, more preferably 1 to 15 g/m2 per layer. To the image forming layer, crosslinking agents for crosslinking, surfactants for ease of application, and other addenda may be added.
Addition of toners is quite desirable. Preferred toners are disclosed in Research Disclosure No. 17029. Exemplary toners include imides such as phthalimide; cyclic imides such as succinimide, pyrazoline-5-ones, quinazolinone, 3-phenyl-2-pyrazoline-5-one, 1-phenylurazol, quinazoline and 2,4-thiazolizinedione; naphthalimides such as N-hydroxy-1,8-naphthalimide; cobalt complexes such as cobalt hexamine trifluoroacetate; mercaptans such as 3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole; N-(aminomethyl)aryldicarboxyimides such as N-(dimethylaminomethyl)phthalimide; combinations of a blocked pyrazole, an isothiuronium derivative and a certain optical bleaching agent such as a combination of N,Nxe2x80x2-hexamethylenebis(1-carbamoyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole), 1,8-(3,6-dioxaoctane)bis(isothiuroniumtrifluoroacetate) and 2-tribromomethylsulfonyl-benzothiazole; merocyanine dyes such as 3-ethyl-5-{(3-ethyl-2-benzothiazolinylidene)-1-methylethylidene}-2-thio-2,4-oxazolidinedione; phthalazinones, phthalazinone derivatives or metal salts thereof such as 4-(1-naphthyl)phthalazinone, 6-chloro-phthalazinone, 5,7-dimethyloxyphthalazinone and 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione; combinations of phthalazinones with sulfinic acid derivatives such as a combination of 6-chlorophthalazinone with sodium benzenesulfinate and a combination of 8-methylphthalazinone with sodium p-trisulfonate; combinations of phthalazines with phthalic acid; combinations of phthalazines (inclusive of phthalazine adducts) with maleic anhydride and at least one of phthalic acid, 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and o-phenylenic acid derivative and anhydrides thereof (e.g., phthalic acid, 4-methylphthalic acid, 4-nitrophthalic acid, and tetrachloro-phthalic anhydride); quinazolinediones, benzoxazine, and naphthoxazine derivatives; benzoxazine-2,4-diones such as 1,3-benzoxazine-2,4-dione; pyrimidine and asym-triazines such as 2,4-dihydroxypyrimidine; and tetraazapentalene derivatives such as 3,6-dimercapto-1,4-diphenyl-1H,4H-2,3a,5,6a-tetraazapentalene. Phthalazones are preferred toners.
The silver halide which is useful as a catalytic amount of photocatalyst in the photothermographic element according to the preferred embodiment of the invention may be selected from photosensitive silver halides such as silver bromide, silver iodide, silver chloride, silver chlorobromide, silver iodobromide, and silver chloroiodobromide, with an iodide ion being preferably contained. The silver halide may be added to the image forming layer by any desired method whereupon the silver halide is disposed close to the reducible silver source. In general, the silver halide is preferably contained in an amount of 0.75 to 30% by weight based on the reducible silver source. The silver halide may be prepared by converting a silver soap moiety through reaction with a halide ion, or by preforming silver halide and adding it upon generation of a soap, or a combination of these methods. The latter method is preferred.
The reducible silver source is preferably selected from silver salts of organic and hetero-organic acids containing a reducible silver ion source, especially silver salts of long chain aliphatic carboxylic acids having 10 to 30 carbon atoms, especially 15 to 25 carbon atoms. Also preferred are complexes of organic or inorganic silver salts with ligands having an overall stability constant to silver ion in the range of 4.0 to 10.0. Preferred examples of the silver salt are described in Research Disclosure Nos. 17029 and 29963. Included are silver salts of organic acids (e.g., gallic acid, oxalic acid, behenic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, and lauric acid); silver salts of carboxyalkylthio-ureas (e.g., 1-(3-carboxypropyl)thiourea and 1-(3-carboxy-propyl)-3,3-dimethylthiourea); silver complexes of polymeric reaction products of aldehydes and hydroxy-substituted aromatic carboxylic acids (exemplary aldehydes are formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and butylaldehyde and exemplary hydroxy-substituted acids are salicylic acid, benzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and 5,5-thiodisalicylic acid); silver salts or complexes of thioenes (e.g., 3-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-4-hydroxymethyl-4-(thiazoline-2-thioene and 3-carboxymethyl-4-thiazoline-2-thioene); silver complexes or salts of nitrogenous acids such as imidazoles, pyrazoles, urazoles, 1,2,4-thiazoles, 1H-tetrazoles, 3-amino-5-benzyl-thio-1,2,4-triazoles, and benzotriazoles; silver salts of saccharin and 5-chlorosalicylaldoxime; and silver salts of mercaptides. The preferred silver source is silver behenate. The reducible silver source is preferably used in an amount of up to 3 g/m2, more preferably up to 2 g/m2 of silver. The lower limit is usually 0.1 g/m2, though not critical.
An antifoggant may be contained in the thermographic recording element according to the invention. The most effective antifoggant was mercury ion. Use of a mercury compound as the antifoggant in photosensitive material is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,903. Mercury compounds, however, are undesirable from the ecological aspect. Preferred in this regard are non-mercury antifoggants as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,546,075 and 4,452,885 and JP-A 57234/1984.
Especially preferred non-mercury antifoggants are compounds as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,874,946 and 4,756,999 and heterocyclic compounds having at least one substituent represented by xe2x80x94C(X1) (X2) (X3) wherein X1 and X2 are halogen atoms such as F, Cl, Br, and I, and X3 is hydrogen or halogen. Preferred examples of the antifoggant are shown below.
More preferred antifoggants are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,523, British Patent Application Nos. 92221383.4, 9300147.7 and 9311790.1.
In the photothermographic material according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, there may be used sensitizing dyes as disclosed in JP-A 159841/1988, 140335/1985, 231437/1988, 259651/1988, 304242/1988, and 15245/1988, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,639,414, 4,740,455, 4,741,966, 4,751,175, and 4,835,096.
Useful sensitizing dyes which can be used herein are described in Research Disclosure, Item 17643 IV-A (December 1978, page 23), ibid., Item 1831 X (August 1978, page 437) and the references cited therein.
It is advantageous to select a sensitizing dye having appropriate spectral sensitivity to the spectral properties of a particular light source of various scanners. Exemplary sensitizing dyes include (A) simple merocyanines as described in JP-A 162247/1985 and 48653/1990, U.S. Pat. No. 2,161,331, W. German Patent No. 936,071, and Japanese Patent Application No. 189532/1991 for argon laser light sources; (B) tri-nucleus cyanine dyes as described in JP-A 62425/1975, 18726/1979 and 102229/1984 and merocyanines as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 103272/1994 for Hexe2x80x94Ne laser light sources; (C) thiacarbocyanines as described in JP-B 42172/1973, 9609/1976, 39818/1980, JP-A 284343/1987 and 105135/1990 for LED light sources and red semiconductor laser light sources; and (D) tricarbocyanines as described in JP-A 191032/1984 and 80841/1985 and 4-quinoline nucleus-containing dicarbocyanines as described in JP-A 192242/1984 and 67242/1991 (as represented by formulae (IIIa) and (IIIb) therein) for infrared semiconductor laser light sources.
These sensitizing dyes may be used alone or in admixture of two or more. A combination of sensitizing dyes is often used for the purpose of supersensitization. In addition to the sensitizing dye, the emulsion may contain a dye which itself has no spectral sensitization function or a compound which does not substantially absorb visible light, but is capable of supersensitization.
For exposure of the photothermographic material of the invention, an Ar laser (488 nm), Hexe2x80x94Ne laser (633 nm), red semiconductor laser (670 nm), and infrared semiconductor laser (780 nm and 830 nm) are preferably used.
A dyestuff-containing layer may be included as an anti-halation layer in the photothermographic material of the invention. For Ar laser, Hexe2x80x94Ne laser, and red semiconductor laser light sources, a dyestuff is preferably added so as to provide an absorbance of at least 0.3, more preferably at least 0.8 at an exposure wavelength in the range of 400 to 750 nm. For infrared semiconductor laser light sources, a dyestuff is preferably added so as to provide an absorbance of at least 0.3, more preferably at least 0.8 at an exposure wavelength in the range of 750 to 1500 nm. The dyestuffs may be used alone or in admixture of two or more. The dyestuff may be added to a dyestuff layer disposed on the same side as the photosensitive layer adjacent to the support or a dyestuff layer disposed on the support opposite to the photosensitive layer.
Various supports are used in the invention. Useful supports are paper, synthetic paper, synthetic resin-laminated paper (exemplary synthetic resins being polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene), plastic films (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyimide, nylon, and cellulose triacetate), metal sheets (e.g., aluminum, aluminum alloys, zinc, iron and copper), paper sheets and plastic films having such metals laminated or evaporated thereon.
When plastic film is passed through a thermographic processor, the film experiences dimensional shrinkage or expansion. When the thermographic recording element is intended for printing purposes, this dimensional shrinkage or expansion gives rise to a serious problem against precision multi-color printing. Therefore, the invention favors the use of a film experiencing a minimal dimensional change. Exemplary materials are styrene polymers having a syndiotactic structure and heat-treated polyethylene. Also useful are materials having a high glass transition temperature, for example, polyether ethyl ketone, poly-styrene, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, and polyarylate.


A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a fan drive gear system coupled to drive the fan about an engine central axis, a compressor section including a first compressor and a second compressor and a turbine section. The turbine section includes a first turbine coupled to drive a first spool. The first spool is coupled at a first axial position to a compressor hub that is coupled to drive the first compressor. The first spool is also coupled at a second, different axial position to a fan drive input shaft that is coupled to drive the fan drive gear system. The turbine section also includes a second turbine coupled through a second spool to drive the second compressor. A sensor probe is operable to determine a rotational speed of the first spool. The sensor probe is located at a third axial position that is axially forward of the first axial position and axially aft of the second axial position.

This disclosure relates to gas turbine engines and, more particularly, to the location of a speed sensor probe in a gas turbine engine.
A typical turbofan engine includes a compressor section and a turbine section that is coupled to drive the compressor section and a fan of the engine. In a two-spool engine design, a high pressure turbine is coupled through a high spool to drive a high pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine is coupled through a low spool to drive a low pressure compressor. Typically, a probe is mounted in the engine to determine the speed of at least one of the spools. One challenge in determining the location of the probe in the engine includes packaging concerns with regard to the engine architecture. Another challenge is to mount the speed sensor probe in a location that can detect or mitigate certain engine events can cause an over-speed condition.

Speed sensor probe location in gas turbine engine


A rechargeable lithium battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode including a positive current collector, a first separator on the positive electrode, a negative electrode including a negative current collector on the first separator, and a second separator on the negative electrode. The positive current collector and the negative current collector each have respective uncoated regions at two sides thereof. The first separator includes a first substrate including a polyolefin-based resin particle, and a coating layer on a side of the first substrate the coating layer being an inorganic layer or an organic layer. The second separator includes a second substrate including a polyolefin-based resin particle, and an outermost region and/or a central region of the electrode assembly includes one of the uncoated regions of the positive current collector, the first separator, one of the uncoated regions of the negative current collector and the second separator.

1. Field
Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a rechargeable lithium battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
A rechargeable lithium battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
The separator includes micropores through which lithium ions move, and the separator electrically insulates the positive electrode and the negative electrode from each other. The separator prevents (or reduces) overheating of a battery, by way of a shut-down function, when the battery temperature is above a predetermined (or set) temperature.
However, such a separator has a limit in that it does not sufficiently perform both the insulation of the positive electrode and the negative electrode from each other and the shut-down function to reduce overheating of the battery.


This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling brand detection in audiovisual media. The techniques detect a brand exposed within audiovisual media, such as a name or logo for a product or service, and based on this brand, present a brand advertisement or enable selection of an interactive experience that is associated with the brand. By so doing, marketers enable viewers to quickly and easily learn more about the product or service.

Many audiovisual media programs, such as television and movies, expose products and services to viewers. A comedy program, for example, may include a scene showing a cleaning service named "Happy Helpers." A movie may include a car chase prominently displaying two sports cars made by well-known manufacturers.
If a viewer wishes to learn more about the cleaning service or one of the sports cars he or she may pause the program or wait until the program is over and then research the service or car. The viewer, however, may not wish to pause the program (or be unable to pause it) or may forget the name of the car or service prior to researching them. And, even if the viewer does not mind pausing the program or remembers the name, performing the search can be time-consuming or fail to provide the desired information.
Furthermore, many marketers of products and services wish to provide opportunities for viewers to learn more about products and services exposed during audiovisual media. Many current methods, however, enable marketers to present advertisements related to a product or service within an audiovisual program only if these marketers make arrangements with a local or national provider of the program many weeks or months prior to the program being presented. In many other cases marketers are simply unable to present advertisements related to a product or service within a program due to being unaware that the product or service will be exposed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A combustor of a jet engine includes a fuel injector, an igniter for igniting a gas mixture of air and fuel, and a flame holder. The igniter is disposed in the flame holder. After an activation of the igniter, the igniter disappears, and a space after the disappearance functions as a flame-holding space.

As a jet engine of a flying body to be flying faster than a speed of sound, a turbojet engine (including a turbofan engine etc.), a ramjet engine and a scramjet engine are known. These are jet engines, and in particular in the ramjet engine and the scramjet engine, a speed of air taken therein depends strongly on a flight speed.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic cross-sectional views schematically indicating a configuration of a jet engine combustor. The combustor includes a fuel injector and an igniter. The fuel injector is formed in a wall of the combustor. The fuel injector injects fuel toward a space 150. The igniter emits flame toward a space 150 (FIG. 1). The flame generated by the igniter ignites a gas mixture of a mainstream of air and the fuel. Flame generated by the ignition of the gas mixture propagates to a flame holder, and the flame is kept in the flame holder. The flame kept in the flame holder burns the gas mixture of the mainstream of air and the fuel (FIG. 2). Then, combustion gas is discharged from a nozzle arranged rearward of the combustor, and the jet engine obtains thrust.
As a method for igniting the gas mixture, a method of installing a small type solid rocket motor igniter in a deep recess etc. formed in a wall surface of the combustor and igniting the gas mixture using the flame generated by the igniter is known (FIG. 1). In igniting, for vigorously emitting the flame generated by the igniter toward the space as well as for increasing a filling ratio of the solid fuel, a shape having deep configuration is adopted as a shape of the recess for installing the igniter. In general, when a maximum length of the recess along a direction of the mainstream of the air is defined as a length l, and a maximum depth of the recess is defined as a depth d, the length l and the depth d are set such that l<d is satisfied.
The flame generated by the igniter propagates along a direction indicated by an arrow 160 by burning the gas mixture. Then, the propagated flame is kept in the flame holder.
As a flame holding mechanism, a method of forming a low speed region of the gas mixture using a shallow depression etc. formed in the wall surface of the combustor and keeping the flame using the low speed region is known (FIG. 2). In general, when a maximum length of the depression along the direction of the mainstream of the air is defined as a length L, and a maximum depth of the depression is defined as a depth D, the length L and the depth D are set such that L>D is satisfied.
As a related technology, in Japanese Patent Literature JP H06-060597 B2, a method of igniting for a combustor and keeping flame is disclosed.

Combustor, jet engine, flying body, and operation method of jet engine


An eye movement analysis system projects imaging light to an eyeball for a time duration short enough so as not to create blurring. Image data is then recorded onto a recording medium. The image data is then read out of the recording medium and used to calculate positional data concerning the eyeball's present location. At a later time, image data of the eyeball is again recorded in the recording medium and read out to calculate positional data concerning the eyeball's new location. The two sets of positional data are used to calculate eye movement data for use in diagnosing the causes of vertigo and/or disequilibrium.

For diagnosis of patients with vertigo and/or disequilibrium, it is important to analyze eye movements in terms not only of the horizontal and vertical components but also of the torsional component as well. However, generally practiced electronystagmography (ENG) permits analyses of only the horizontal and vertical components of eye movements.
Other conventional methods of measuring eye movements include high-velocity photography and video monitoring. The high-velocity photography method takes pictures of iris striations (positions of the eyeball not at the eyeball center) of an eyeball using a high-velocity camera, develops the pictures, and then sequentially measures striation movements relative to the center of a pupil by applying a scale to each printed picture, so that the torsional angle and velocity of the eyeball are calculated.
The video monitoring method, on the other hand, reproduces iris striation movements imaged by a video camera on a monitoring unit, sequentially measures the movement of striations relative to the center of a pupil by applying a scale on the monitoring unit on a single field or frame basis, so that the torsional angle and velocity of the eyeball are calculated.
Also known is a method of measuring the torsional component of eye movements by tracing an eyeground pattern, instead of tracing the movement of iris striations, using the high-velocity photography and the video monitoring method.
The high-velocity photography method requires that after having taken pictures, the film be developed and printed, thereby entailing much time and labor. Also, a cumbersome operation of applying a scale to each printed picture must be undergone.
The video monitoring method also requires that eye movements be measured by applying a scale to each image visualized on the monitoring unit and then calculated, thereby being time-consuming in measurement as in the high-velocity photography.
Thus, neither the high-velocity photography nor the video monitoring method can produce measurement results quickly, and it is for this reason that they have not been suitable for clinical applications.
In the technique for measuring eye movements by tracing an eyeground pattern, movement of the center of the pupil or contraction of the pupil hides and blinds the eyeground pattern. Thus, this technique is more difficult compared to the techniques for tracing the iris striations.


Gate level netlists used for timing analysis in integrated circuit design are reduced using a timing shell generator while preserving critical information for timing analysis. After verification of timings, the gate level netlist is convened into a shell containing block boundary information. The function of the shell generator is to delete internal cells meeting a set of criteria. The result is a shell netlist containing a subset of the original netlist. Thus, the design cycle time involved and computing time and resources needed in ASIC development for chips using circuits represented by timing shell netlists are decreased by substituting design verification at the top level of large hierarchical netlists or large flat netlists by bottom up verification procedures using timing shells.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to design tools used in development of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology; and more particularly to techniques involved in performing timing analysis on circuit designs used in ASICs.
2. Description of Related Art
The development of ASICs is based on designs including basic circuit cells selected from a library which spans the spectrum from simple glue logic elements to more complex logic blocks to complex system level core circuits. One part of the design and production methodology used for this kind of development involves timing validation for the designed system. Timing validation for the system is a complex technical issue when the number of basic building blocks on an integrated circuit becomes large. With current designs commonly involving more than a million usable gates, the timing validation of such systems can utilize significant amounts of processor time and memory, and require complex computer systems.
Development and verification tools used in ASIC design usually implement a hardware description language such as VERILOG or VHDL.
These tools are provided by major electronic design automation vendors. Such design tools provide the functions necessary to take a design specified in the hardware description language from a design at the netlist level to working silicon. The functions include timing analysis tools, floor planning tools, layout tools, packaging tools, and more.
In the ASIC industry, timing analysis has been done based on data structures known as netlists. There are a number of industry standard formats for such netlists including the Netlist Description Format (NDL), the Electronic Data Interchange Format (EDIF), and VERILOG format. The netlist comprises a list of basic cells used in the design of the system, specifying interconnection among the cells. Connections between or among cells are known as nets. A circuit path through a system comprises a number of cells and the interconnecting nets for the circuit path.
In the prior art, a full timing gate level simulation is executed based on an entire netlist. This can be quite time consuming as mentioned above. Also, it requires that the designer of any particular circuit unit being incorporated into a larger system level integration make the netlist available for use by people designing with the circuit unit. This is undesirable because it can amount to a publication of information which would otherwise be maintained as a company trade secret.
Accordingly, in order to make timing analysis more efficient, and to protect the investment of circuit developers in the ASIC field, it is desirable to provide an alternative to the full netlist description of certain circuit blocks, which can nonetheless be used by customers for timing analysis.

Timing shell generation through netlist reduction