A device and a method for making a tire puncture sealant having a higher concentration of propylene glycol are disclosed, wherein the device comprises: a container having a cylindrical space for a mixed solution of rubber latex and a tackifier; a squirter comprising at least one spout for pouring propylene glycol on the surface of the mixed solution in the container at a rate of 0.01 to 1.0 liter/minute per spout; and an agitator for the mixed solution in the container, comprising a stirring blade rotatable in the mixed solution to cause said surface a current speed of the mixed solution in a range between about 1.0 and about 10.0 meter/second during pouring the propylene glycol.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for making a tire puncture sealant having a higher concentration of propylene glycol.
As a puncture repair system for tubeless auto tires, a sealant injected into a tire cavity through a tire valve is a very easy effective means for the type of crown punctures made by small objects such as nails. In general, a puncture sealant includes rubber latex. If water in the rubber latex is frozen, the rubber globules in the emulsion transform into coagulum. Thus, if the puncture sealant is once frozen before use during keeping in the trunk room or the like, it becomes unusable.
It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for making a tire puncture sealant by which it becomes possible to make a tire puncture sealant including propylene glycol in a higher concentration to prevent its freezing without difficulty.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for making a tire puncture sealant having a higher concentration of propylene glycol, comprises
a container having a cylindrical space for a mixed solution of rubber latex and a tackifier,
a squirter comprising at least one spout for pouring propylene glycol on the surface of the mixed solution in the container at a rate of 0.01 to 1.0 liter/minute per spout, and
an agitator for the mixed solution in the container, comprising a stirring blade rotatable in the mixed solution to cause the above-mentioned surface a current speed of the mixed solution in a range between about 1.0 and about 10.0 meter/second during pouring the propylene glycol.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for making a tire puncture sealant having a higher concentration of propylene glycol, comprises
preparing a mixed solution of rubber latex and a tackifier in a cylindrical space of a container,
pouring propylene glycol on the surface of the mixed solution through a spout at a rate of 0.01 to 1.0 liter/minute per spout, and
agitating the mixed solution in the container to cause the above-mentioned surface a current speed of the mixed solution in a range between about 1.0 and about 10.0 meter/second during pouring the propylene glycol.
According to the present invention, a tire puncture sealant comprises rubber latex, a tackifier and propylene glycol C3H8O2 as an antifreezing agent.
The content of the rubber latex is set in a range of from about 40 weight % to about 60 weight % of the overall weight of the puncture sealant. For the rubber latex, natural rubber latex is preferably used for its good sealing effect. Especially, deproteinized natural rubber latex is preferable because the amount of ammonia which is better to be added to prevent decomposition of proteins can be lessened. As a result, the occurrence of corrosion of tire cords and the irritating smell are reduced. Also it is possible to use synthetic rubber latex in combination with natural rubber latex, for example, latex of styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, chloroprene rubber, vinyl pyridine rubber, butyl rubber and the like. In any case, the proportion of rubber solid content in the rubber latex is preferably set in the range of about 50 weight % to about 70 weight % of the overall weight of the rubber latex.
The tackifier is added to improve the adhesion of the rubber globules of the latex to the puncture hole of the tire when the sealant is injected. For the tackifier, terpene resin, phenolic resin, polyvinyl ester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and the like are preferably used. But, especially, terpene resin and phenolic resin are preferably used. The content of the resin tackifier is preferably set in the range of from about 10 weight % to about 30 weight % of the overall weight of the puncture sealant. If the content of the resin tackifier is less than 10 weight %, the puncture sealant becomes decreased in the self-bonding properties, and the sealing itself and the retaining of the sealing effect become insufficient. If the content of the resin tackifier is more than 30 weight %, as the content of the rubber latex decreases relatively to that of the resin tackifier, the sealing power becomes decreases.
Further, the puncture sealant includes a stabilizer. For the stabilizer, a surface active agent, e.g. an anionic surface active agent, ampholytic surface active agent, special carboxylic acid active agent and the like, is used. The content thereof is set in a range of from about 0.4 weight % to about 2.0 weight % of the overall weight of the puncture sealant. By the ion repulsive force of the surface active agent, the rubber globules and the tackifier resin globules are uniformly dispersed in the aqueous solution, and this state can be kept stably over the long term.
According to the present invention, in order to make the freezing point of the puncture sealant below 30 degrees centigrade for example, the content of the propylene glycol is set in the range of about 25 weight % to about 35 weight % of the overall weight of the puncture sealant. Such a higher concentration of propylene glycol also provides another advantage such that the natural rubber globules are prevented from rising to the surface and becoming creamy in the storage container because the propylene glycol has a specific gravity which is close to that of the natural rubber globules.
The puncture sealant is thus a milky aqueous fluid whose viscosity is about 25 cps to about 35 cps in which the rubber globules and the resin tackifier globules are uniformly dispersed in the aqueous solution of propylene glycol by the ion repulsive force of the surface active agent.
Here, propylene glycol is a viscous liquid which is very amalgamative with water. Therefore, if propylene glycol is poured over the rubber latex, then, water in the latex near the interface between the latex and propylene glycol is absorbed, and the density of the rubber globules becomes very high near the interface. As a result, coagulum is very liable to be produced, and such becomes unusable as a puncture sealant.
According to the present invention, therefor, in order to prevent the formation of coagulum of rubber latex, the sealant is manufactured as follows.
First, the rubber latex and tackifier are mixed into a mixed solution. Then, during stirring the mixed solution, the propylene glycol is poured on the surface of the mixed solution whose current speed F at the surface is in the range of from 1.0 to 10.0 meter/second, preferably 2.0 to 7.0 meter/second relatively to spouts for the propylene glycol at a rate of 0.01 to 1.0 liter/minute preferably 0.02 to 0.8 liter/minute per spout.
FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for making the puncture sealant 2 according to the present invention.
The device 1 comprises a container 10, an agitator 20 and a squirter 30.
The container 10 has a cylindrical space 11 that the mixed solution 3 is let into. The cylindrical space 11 has a inside radius R. The bottom thereof is funnel-shaped, and an exhaust 12 being openable and closable by a valve 13 is formed at the center thereof.
The agitator 20 comprises a stirring blade 21 attached to the end of a rotary shaft 22 and put into the cylindrical space 11 at a certain depth, and a driving motor (not shown) connected to the other end of the rotary shaft 22 to rotate the stirring blade 21 at a programmed rotating speed. The stirring blade 21 has the center of rotation (j) at the center (i) of the cylindrical container 10. The length L2 of the blade 11 between the tip and the center, namely, radius is preferably set in a range of from 60 to 90% of the inside radius R of the cylindrical space 11 to facilitate the circulation of the solution and efficient mixing. If the length L2 is less than 60% of the radius R, it becomes difficult to achieve efficient mixing. If the length L2 is more than 90%, the circulation is liable to become insufficient.
The squirter 30 comprises an annular tube 31 provided on the undersurface with the spouts 32, and a feed pipe 33 extending from a tank (not shown) of the propylene glycol is connected to the annular tube 31. The annular tube 31 is supported concentrically with the center (i) of the cylindrical space 11 by a holder 34 secured to the side wall of the container 10. The spouts 32 are each positioned at a height L3 from the surface of the mixed solution 3. The height L3 must be more than 1 cm even when the surface is risen maximally by adding the ingredients. As to the horizontal location, the spouts 32 are each positioned at a distance L1 of from the center line (i) of the cylindrical space 11. Further, the spouts 32 are each positioned at a distance L4 from the surface of the side wall of the cylindrical container 10. The distance L4 must be more than 1 cm. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the spouts 32 are preferably placed in an annular range between 60% and 90% of the inside radius R of the cylindrical space 11.
In this example, the spouts 32 are arranged at regular intervals on a circle K which is concentric with the cylindrical space 11, and the distance (d) between the spouts 32 is set in the range of more than about 50 mm. The above-mentioned distance L1 is the substantially same as the blade length L2. But, these may be different values.
If the height L3 is very low or zero, the concretion of the antifreezing agent adheres around the spouts 32.
If the distance L4 is very short or zero and/or the location of the spouts 32 is beyond the 90% border line of the radius R, then the density of propylene glycol becomes higher along the surface of the side wall than the central part, and accordingly, rubber coagulum is formed and the concretion is liable to adhere on the surface of the side wall. As a result, efficient stirring becomes impossible in the shortest time in use. If the location of the spouts 32 is inside the 60% border line of the radius R, then the formation of rubber coagulum increases as the current speed of the solution is slow and the spreading of the poured propylene glycol is inert.
As previously stated in brief, the mixed solution 3 is first made by mixing the rubber latex and tackifier in the cylindrical container 10.
It is possible to pour the ready-mixed solution 3 into the cylindrical container 10, but in this embodiment, using the cylindrical container 10 and agitator 20, the mixing is made by putting the rubber latex, tackifier, stabilizer and additives therein, and rotating the blade 21 at a certain rotating speed.
Then, during stirring the mixed solution 3 by rotating the stirring blade 21 at a specific rotating speed, propylene glycol is poured as an antifreezing agent, on the surface of the mixed solution 3 swirling about the center (i).
As long as propylene glycol is being poured, the stirring blade 21 is rotated at a relatively high speed by which the current speed F of the mixed solution 3 at the above-mentioned surface (the pour position) becomes in the range of from 1.0 to 10.0 meter/second, preferably 2.0 to 7.0 meter/second relatively to the spouts 32.Depending on the distance between the surface and the stirring blade 21, when the distance is not so far, the rotating speed of the stirring blade 21 can be set such that the speed of the stirring blade 21 at the tip thereof becomes almost the same as the above-mentioned current speed F, namely, in the range of from 1.0 to 10.0 meter/second, preferably 2.0 to 7.0 meter/second. Under this condition, in order to avoid the formation of rubber coagulum, the propylene glycol is poured through the spouts 32 at a relatively slow rate of 0.01 to 1.0 liter/minute preferably 0.02 to 0.8 liter/minute per spout 32. The total pouring rate for all the spouts 32 is however, set in a range of 0.5 to 20 liter/minute in order to speed up the pouring process.
If the speed is lower than 1.0 meter/second and/or the pouring rate is more than 1.0 liter/minute per spout 32, then the rubber coagulum is formed at a higher percentage. If the speed is faster than 10.0 meter/second, the mixed solution 3 spatters and a problem of cavitation tends to arise and a stable efficient stirring is difficult. If the pouring rate is less than 0.01 liter/minute, the pouring time is prolonged and the production efficiency decreases.
Since it is almost impossible to completely prevent the occurrence of a very small coagulum of rubber, after the pouring of propylene glycol has been finished, the stirring is continued for a certain time (for example, five or more minutes per 15 liters) by rotating the blade at a relatively slow speed to intentionally agglutinate very small coagula into relatively large but absolutely small coagula so as to be able to remove them by a filter 14 with relatively large meshes thus whose the resistance to flow is low. (hereinafter, the "post-pouring stirring" for agglutination)
The following Table 1 shows a variation of the total weight of rubber coagulum formed when 1,000 litters of the following puncture sealant was made changing the conditions as set forth in the table. In Table 1, the weight of the formed coagulum which was obtained by filtration subsequent to the ten minute post-pouring stirring, is indicated by a ratio to the total weight of the rubber component in the puncture sealant.
TABLE 1Ex. 1Ex. 2Ref. 1Ex. 3Ex. 4Ex. 5Ex. 6Ref. 2Ex. 7Ex. 8Ref. 3L1 (cm)2535504545454545454545L1/R (%)50701009090909090909090Pouring rate (liter/minute)0.10.10.10.020.20.910.10.10.10.1Blade tip speed (meter/minute)88888880.51.2811Post-pouring stirring time (minte)1010101010101010101010Coagulum10.15188.8.131.52.280.3220.127.116.11)Ingredients of the puncture sealant:Deproteinized natural rubber latex:50 weight %Terpene resin (tackifier):20 weight %Propylene glycol (antifreezing agent):30 weight %2)Specifications of the device 1 used:Capacity of the container 10:1000 litersRadius R of the container 10:50 cmLength L2 of Stirring blade 21:40 cmDiameter of Spout 32: 2 mmNumber of spouts 32:20

Tire puncture sealant and method for making


The present invention provides a sound level meter that may be removably coupled to a saw blade sharpening apparatus to aid in safe, reliable, reproducible and effective saw blade sharpening. The sound level meter is adapted to be removably attached to the saw blade sharpening apparatus and to provide accurate and reliable indication of interference between the saw blade and the saw blade sharpening stones. The sound level meter is capable of detecting interference even in the often noisy operating environment.

Consumer sized rolls of paper products such as paper toweling, bathroom tissue, and the like are frequently prepared by rolling paper stock into relatively wide rolls having a diameter in the range of 4-12 inches. These rolls are referred to as "logs" in the industry, and are subsequently cut into lengths of 4-12 inches to produce a consumer unit of product. In other instances, the stock is folded into elongated bodies having a square cross-section corresponding to folded paper towels. These bodies are also called "logs" and, like the circular cross-section logs, they are subsequently cut into various lengths. In either instance, this cutting is accomplished through the use of large, circular knife edged blades referred to as "log saw blades." These blades have a diameter typically in excess of 2 feet, and are required to have a very sharp edge so as to effectively cut the logs. The paper product dulls the knife edged blades very quickly; hence, they must be sharpened frequently. It is preferable that the sharpening process not require removal of the blade from the log saw apparatus so as to minimize downtime, and it is most preferable that the sharpening operation may be carried out while the blade is in use.
The prior art has implemented a number of systems which operate to contact a moving, circular, knife edged blade with one or more stationary or moving sharpening stones. Commonly employed prior art systems operate to contact the blade with spring-loaded abrasives which push the blade from one direction and pull it from another. These systems however, require the operator to manually adjust sharpening stones while visually inspecting, and listening by ear, to confirm the proper degree of interference between stone and blade. This type of inspection and set-up is difficult in the often noisy mill environment and in presence of various guards and shields that protect the operator from the rotating blade.
Thus, there is a need for a system for setting up and sharpening circular knife edged blades, such as log saw blades, which system eliminates the problems of the prior art. It is further desirable that any such blade sharpening system be amenable to rapid and precise readjustment and may be readjusted consistently by a wide range of users.


A method of fabricating the self-registered cylindrical capacitor of high density Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) cells. A first polysilicon layer which is the storage node of the capacitor is deposited overlaying the entire silicon substrate surface. A dielectric layer is formed overlaying the first polysilicon layer. Then, the dielectric layer and the first polysilicon layer are polished by CMP to form the cylindrical shape capacitor storage nodes. The self-registered cylindrical polysilicon storage nodes are formed by CMP technique without using the extra mask as the conventional method would. The first polysilicon storage nodes are treated by hot phosphoric acid (H.sub.3 PO.sub.4) to form the rugged surface that can tremendously increase the surface area of the capacitor. Therefore, the cylindrical capacitor storage node of the DRAM capacitor of this method has much greater surface area so as to increase the capacitance value of the DRAM capacitor, that can achieve high packing density of the integrated circuit devices.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fabricating the capacitors of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells, and more particularly to the self-registered cylindrical capacitor of high density DRAMs.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
A DRAM cell comprises a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and capacitors which are built in a semiconductor silicon substrate. There is an electrical contact between the source of a MOSFET and the storage node of the adjacent capacitor, forming a memory cell of the DRAM device. A large number of memory cells make up the cell arrays which combine with the peripheral circuit to produce stack DRAMs.
In recent years, the sizes of the MOSFETs and capacitors have become continuously smaller so that the packing densities of these DRAM devices have increased considerably. For example, a number of semiconductor manufacturing companies in the world have already begun mass production of 16 M bit or even 64 M bit DRAMs. As the sizes of the capacitors become smaller, the capacitance values of the capacitors decrease, which reduces the signal to noise ratio of the DRAM circuits, causing performance problem. In order to maintain or even increase the value of the capacitance for smaller size capacitors, increasing the surface area of the polysilicon storage nodes or reducing the thickness of the capacitor dielectric layer is necessary.
Within the prior art, various shapes of capacitor structures have been used to address this issue. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,357 to Taguchi et al. (the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference) provides a method of fabricating a fin structure capacitor electrode. Another U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,091 to Fazen et al. (the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference) develops a process to manufacture a crown stacked capacitor structure. These capacitor structures can increase the surface area of the capacitor storage node, however the processes are too complicated to be practically employed for mass-production.
The present invention discloses a novel method of modifying the capacitor structure of high density DRAMs that further increase the surface area of the capacitor.

Self-registered cylindrical capacitor of high density DRAMs


Privacy preservation for voice over internet protocol calling is disclosed. A request is received to associate with a current or potential call participant a temporary privacy address that is valid for a prescribed period or until the occurrence of a prescribed event or condition. A request is received to process a call using the temporary privacy address. A determination is made as to whether the temporary privacy address is currently valid, and if it is currently valid, the call is processed using the temporary privacy address.

There are occasions when identifying information (for example, a phone number) is required during a business or other interaction. For example, when a seller advertises an item for sale, a method for contacting the seller—such as a phone number—is required and made public to a potential buyer. However, after the item is sold, a seller may no longer want potential buyers and others who may have obtained a phone number or other address made public to facilitate the sale to be able to contact the seller. Similarly, when contacting a business or other destination in order to inquire for product information and/or other purposes, identifying information—such as a phone number as displayed by caller ID—typically is made available to the called party. After the desired product information has been received and/or the desired interaction otherwise completed, in some circumstances it is no longer preferable that the business or other called party be able to contact the caller. Therefore, it would be useful to be able to preserve privacy so that the identifying information, such as a phone number, is able to be used for contact only when it is desirable.


A locating and locking unit for sheet metal parts which are to be assembled by electric spot-welding on a motor-vehicle body, comprising a base platform, for receiving the trolley of a positioning frame equipped with locating and locking devices for the parts to be welded. The base platform can be rotated between a non-operative horizontal position and an inclined position in which the positioning frame can engage the parts to be welded in a welding station along the assembly line. Locating elements are provided for defining the precise position of the positioning frame along two mutually orthogonal axes in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the line and along an axis parallel to the line.

The present invention relates to a locating and locking unit for sheet metal parts which are for assembling on a motor-vehicle body by electric spot-welding.
Plants for assembling motor-vehicle bodies by electric spot-welding are already known, of the type comprising:
a movable positioning frame on one side of the assembly line, parallel to the line and movable between a working position in a welding station and waiting position spaced apart therefrom,
wherein the said positioning frame includes a self-propelled lower trolley running on rails positioned parallel to the assembly line and an upper part free of guides, carrying locating and locking devices for locking the parts to be welded in the correct assembling position, and
a base platform, situated at the side of the line at the welding station, for receiving the positioning frame when this is brought to its working position, the said platform being able to move transversally with respect to the line to bring the positioning frame received thereon to a position closer to the axis of the line for engaging the parts to be welded.
Assembling plants of the above-described type are disclosed in, for example, EP-A-0 642 878 and EP-A-0 835 717, in the name of the same Applicant.
The object of the present invention is to provide a locating and locking unit having the above described features which is simple, reliable and with reduced dimensions, and which is particularly suitable for assembling individual elements or small subgroups on a motor-vehicle body which is being assembled.
To achieve this object, the invention provides a locating and locking unit having the above indicated features and also characterized in that the aforesaid base platform is pivotably mounted on a fixed support structure around an axis parallel to the line.
The base platform can be moved between a substantially horizontal first position, suitable for receiving the trolley of the positioning frame, and a second position, rotated towards the assembly line for engagement of the positioning frame on the parts to be welded, said unit also including motorized means for driving the movement of the base platform, including a crank rotatable on the fixed support structure and carrying a pin that is slidably engaged in a slot made in a bracket of the base platform.
According to an additional feature, the base platform is equipped with a locating element that has a cavity with a V-shaped surface suitable for engaging itself in the aforesaid rotated position of the base platform over the surface of a cylindrical element freely rotatably mounted on the fixed support structure around an axis that is parallel to and slightly offset from the articulation axis of the base platform, for providing a reference for the precise position of the base platform along two orthogonal axes in a plane that is perpendicular to the line.
A further feature of the invention lies in that the said base platform is equipped with a pair of freely rotatable rollers, whose axes are vertical when the platform is in its horizontal position, and suitable for engaging with the two sides of a wedge-shaped element carried by the fixed support structure when the platform is brought into the aforesaid rotated position, for providing a reference for the precise position of the base platform along an axis parallel to the line.
In addition, the aforesaid base platform and/or the aforesaid positioning frame are equipped with engagement elements suitable for cooperating, in the aforesaid rotated position of the base platform, with locking clamps carried by the fixed support structure to stably lock the positioning frame.

Locating and locking unit for welding sheet metal parts of a motor-vehicle body


An anti-personnel projectile launched from a weapon shell required at impact to have a low lethality consequence, in which the projectile is fitted in the shell in a shape characterized by a blunt end in the direction of flight and maintained in this shape by oppositely directed air resistance and propelling forces to obviate a change of shape during flight that might cause a serious injury.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to projectiles used primarily for low lethality antipersonnel end use, as for example for crowd control by a municipality police force, and more particularly relates to improvements for assuring that a projectile in use will have the requisite low lethality consequence upon impact, and thus avoiding unintentional severe injury to any individual.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The need for low lethality projectiles is well known in the art, and additionally can be inferred from the promulgation by the National Institute of Justice of low lethality-qualifying standards exemplified by its standard 0101.03 tests. A known projectile which currently is a low lethality munition of choice consists of a flat bag which is folded in half to fit within a 12 gauge shotgun shell, and after exiting from the muzzle is supposed to unfold into a flat bag shape and impact in this flat bag shape upon a target. As such the kinetic energy is distributed over the area of the bag instead of at a point as in regular ammunition. As a consequence there is less of a possibility of an undesirable penetration while permitting the delivery of a desirable incapacitating impact.
The shape of the above described projectile at impact is not always predictable based solely on its construction as a bag, because the bag can be flat at impact only if it unfolds after exiting from the muzzle. However, on numerous occasions in practice it does not unfold and contacts a target with its folded together side edges and thus, with a shape that can, and often does, inflict serious injury. The inability to predict the projectile shape that will contact the target is believed to occur when several shapes are involved such as, in the case of the above described projectile, i.e., a first shape to accommodate the size dimensions to facilitate being loaded into the 12 gauge shotgun shell, and a second shape to achieve a low lethality consequence upon impact.
Logic dictates that the need to change shapes during flight is a happenstance that perhaps most often will occur but which might not occur on occasion due to the shape-change complication.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Kits and methods detect sucralose or determine sucralose concentration in a sample by using polyclonal or monoclonal anti-sucralose antibodies. An ELISA assay or other immunoassay detects sucralose or determines sucralose concentration in various samples.

Sucralose is a chlorinated molecule resembling table sugar, as evidenced in FIG. 1. Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than table sugar and undergoes minimal breakdown by the human body. This allows users to sweeten their food and drink without any additional calories. Because sucralose is a chlorinated molecule, it may have harmful effects on humans and animals. Sucralose toxicity is a largely unstudied and unquantified field. In addition to studying sucralose's possible toxicity, sucralose can be studied because it is a good marker for wastewater movement and presence. Thus, accurate, cost-effective detection of sucralose is important because it will better allow researchers to understand the molecule's effect on varying ecosystems, as well as monitor the flow of wastewater through water systems. Currently, there is no accurate method of sucralose detection that is inexpensive, portable, or does not require significant sample preparation.
Two of the more common methods of sucralose detection are liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Because sucralose is hydrophilic, samples must be prepared before analysis by GC-MS. While GC-MS has high selectivity and sensitivity, the preparation required to use GC-MS makes it less than ideal for sucralose detection.
While LC-MS does not require the same sample preparation as GC-MS, the equipment associated with LC-MS can be expensive and cost prohibitive. Additionally, LC-MS, like GC-MS, requires large pieces of equipment that cannot be carried into the field. Rather, the conventional techniques require researchers to obtain samples in the field and transport them to a laboratory for analysis. This delay in time prevents researchers from being able to adjust their sample collection in the field based on findings of high or low sucralose.


An agricultural machine comprising:                a motor vehicle that can move in two opposite directions, a direction of travel for work, and a transport direction,        a driver's cabin that can move along the motor vehicle,        at least one central support connected to the lifting device of the motor vehicle and supporting front working units intended to cut standing plant products, the working units that protrude laterally from the motor vehicle being able to be moved by means of the central support into a transport position in which they are positioned longitudinally at least partly above the motor vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine comprising a motor vehicle and several working units intended to cut standing plant products, said working units being connected to said motor vehicle.
2. Discussion of the Background
In the prior art, there is such an agricultural machine comprising a motor vehicle and at least two front working units which protrude laterally in order to cover a wide cutting area and improve the productivity of the machine.
Such mowers have a working width that may reach some ten meters; to move them on the roads, it has been necessary to provide a reduced width transport position in which the working units are pivoted to the vertical.
In this transport configuration, a first problem is posed which is that of the visibility of the road by the driver of the vehicle, the working units being extremely obstructive in this configuration.
A second problem, associated with the positioning of the working units raised and in front of the tractor, is that of the stability of the vehicle particularly on uneven ground. The instability of the vehicle may, in certain unfavorable conditions, cause it to overturn.
In order to cover as large an area as possible in the field, the working units are increasingly long. The folding of said working units around the motor vehicle, into the transport position, in order to comply with the maximum dimension authorized for traveling on the public roads, therefore leads to a serious problem concerning the visibility from the vehicle cabin for driving and to an instability of said vehicle.
In the agricultural machines previously described and in the context of the present invention, the working units placed in front of the motor vehicle may be substantially in line and may be elements only for cutting the products, or cutting elements associated with a device for conditioning cut products, that is therefore machines classified in the categories of mowers or mower-conditioners. Such machines may in addition comprise means for grouping the cut products into windrows in order to make them easier to pick up by means of a forage harvester for example.

Agricultural machine comprising a motor vehicle and several working units intended to cut plant products


Routing information between an origination module and a destination module using a routing architecture. After an origination module (OM) receives information, a packet is transmitted to a routing architecture (RA) for routing to a destination module (DM) designated by the router packet. The RA interprets the router packet and adaptively routes the router packet to the DM so that the router packet is quickly processed by the DM. If the DM's queue is empty and the DM is not processing any other packets, the RA places the router packet in the queue and the DM reads its queue to process the router packet. If there is another router packet being processed by the DM, the RA adapts by placing the router packet in the queue. Once processing of the other router packet is complete, the DM processes the router packet in the queue. If there is already another router packet pending within the DM's queue, the RA adapts by creating another DM in memory to process the router packet. If the router packet is not processed by the DM within a predetermined amount of time, the RA adapts by sending an interrupt to cancel processing within the DM and ensure that the router packet is next to be processed.

One might say that an explosion has rocked the world of information in the form of an ever-increasing amount of recorded and searchable information. To efficiently search for specific information within this ever-increasing amount of information, information retrieval systems have been developed.
Information retrieval systems ("IR system") are systems for finding, organizing, and delivering information. An example of a manual IR system is a reference librarian. A searching party makes use of this manual IR system by asking the librarian to find specific information such as books or other materials. The librarian is then able to understand the request, initiate a search for the information, and send the found information to the searching party. Thus, the librarian acts as the IR system for searching, finding and delivering the found information. Although the librarian is helpful to the searching party, the librarian may not be extremely fast and may unintentionally miss information.
Computerized IR systems can be much more efficient than manual IR systems. A computerized IR system typically applies methods that involve routing messages and files between a user interface and a search engine for a database. The steps in routing requests, messages, and files between the user interface and the search engine may be accomplished by what is conventionally known as a routing architecture of "middleware" code. Typically, such middleware code is relatively straightforward to implement when dealing with a limited number of resources (the user interface and the search engine) within the IR system.
However, as the IR system becomes more heavily used, response time within the IR system may begin to diminish. The availability of the IR system's resources (such as the search engine) may be limited because of fixed or limited access limitations associated with a specific resource. For example, a search engine may only be able to process a fixed number of requests within a specific period of time. The processing of additional requests for the search engine may have to be delayed for an undesirable amount of time while previous requests are processed.
An IR system may be enhanced by providing a variety of input mechanisms (front ends) and output mechanisms (delivery modules). Adding different types of front end modules expands access to an IR system's resources, such as a search engine. For example, the IR system may include multiple types of front end modules for interacting with users via voice or digital data. This allows a user to interact with the IR system via audio input. In addition, a user may interact with the IR system by making a connection between the user's computer and the IR system's computer. Thus, the IR system may be enhanced with the ability to support different formats for information requests.
An IR system may also be enhanced by having multiple delivery modules. A delivery module is a mechanism for delivering search results in a particular format, such as digital data, audio, or facsimile. For example, a facsimile module may provide the results of a search query to a user via a facsimile. A text-to-speech module may provide the results of a search query to a user by processing the results into an audio format which is then played to the user.
Integrating new modules, such as delivery modules and additional front end modules into an IR system can be problematic. One problem faced when integrating such new modules is the lack of a common language. In a typical IR system, routing of messages and files is performed using a customized language between existing modules without the IR system. Adding a new module to the IR system may mean that all of the other modules existing within the IR system may have to be modified to support the new module. In addition, the new module must be able to communicate with each of the existing modules in its own particular manner, format, and syntax. Modifying the new module and each of the other modules within the IR system is then expensive and time consuming. Thus, a typical IR system is generally not very flexible in taking on additional enhancements.
Another problem faced when integrating new modules is that the use profiles for the resources of the IR system may increase and undesirably increase the amount of time it takes to process information by the resources. A use profile is defined as how a given resource within the IR system is used over time. A use profile associated with a given resource has periods of low to nominal usage and peak-time periods of high demand usage. When an IR system is enhanced with multiple front end modules, there is a greater opportunity to have increased demand for use of a given resource. In other words, peak-time usage of the given resource may be greater when compared to an IR system with fewer front end modules. This may undesirably increase the time it takes to process information by the given resource.
Additionally, an IR system having multiple front end modules may generate simultaneous requests for use of a given resource. For example, a voice front end may generate a search request for a search engine at the same time a data front end generates another search request for the search engine. Receiving simultaneous requests to use a given resource provides an often erratic use profile for the given resource. This leads to undesirable and unpredictable response times to process the information within the search requests.
While an IR system may be enhanced by having multiple front end modules and delivery modules, the enhancement may result in increased, undesirable, and unpredictable response times for users of the IR system. Increasing the response time is undesirable because users may become disenchanted with the IR system and discontinue their use of the system. Furthermore, having unpredictable response times is undesirable because users may perceive that something is wrong within the IR system.
In summary, there is a need for a general solution for integrating multiple input, processing, and delivery mechanisms within an IR system via an adaptive routing architecture that (1) maintains a desirable level of response time for users of the IR system, (2) provides a level of abstraction for a common interface between modules of the IR system, (3) is extensible and adaptive for future growth within the IR system, (4) intelligently manages use of the IR system's resources in order to enhance a response time when using the IR system, and (5) adaptively routes information based upon the availability or use profile of resources within the IR system.

Using a routing architecture to route information between an orignation module and a destination module in an information retrieval system


Methods for tracing a packet in a pipeline comprising a set of tables, in an SDN using OpenFlow. The packet comprises a trace bit, and is provided with a TTL value. A first network node indicates to a second network node to have each flow table decrement the TTL value by 1, based upon the trace bit. The first network node initially sets the TTL to be 1, and then sends the packet to a first table in the second network node. The first network node receives the packet, from another table in the set, and for every remaining table, and one table at a time: a) increments the TTL value by 1, and b) repeats the sending, and the receiving, until a last table is reached or a criterion is met. The first network node then indicates a route followed by the packet.

Computer systems in a network may comprise one or more network nodes. A network node may comprise one or more processors which, together with computer program code may perform different functions and actions, a memory, a receiving and a sending port. Network nodes may be comprised in a network, such as a Software-Defined Network (SDN).
Software-Defined Networks
An SDN may be understood as a platform that enables control of an underlying computer network infrastructure, which may include a telecommunications network, and which may often be diverse, comprising multiple switches controlled by a single central entity called SDN controller. SDNs may be understood to facilitate rapid and open innovation at the network layer by providing a programmable network infrastructure. SDN enables to address any changing needs an application, e.g., a business application may have, by providing a programmable centralized control, which may be carried out by a network node known as a controller. The controller in the SDN network may be understood to manage network traffic, and relay information to switches and routers based on the needs an application may have. The application may be run by the controller or may configure the controller. Based on the configuration, the controller may then program the switches. The network traffic may be understood to comprise packets. The SDN may be used in data centers, where packets may be received from Virtual Machines (VMs) hosting a particular type of application, and which in turn may be communicating with other VMs, or other nodes or destinations. A packet may be understood as a series of bytes comprising a header, a payload and optionally a trailer, in that order, and treated as a unit for purposes of processing and forwarding. A packet may be e.g., an Ethernet packet.
In the production SDN based network, dynamic programming of flow control policies may be enabled by an innovative standard, the OpenFlow switching specification, such as that described in https://www.opennetworking.org/images/stories/downloads/sdn-resources/onf-specifications/openflow/openflow-switch-v1.5.0.noipr.pdf.
An OpenFlow Logical Switch, which may be referred to herein simply as a switch, may be understood as a set of OpenFlow resources that may be managed as an entity. Every OpenFlow Logical Switch may be understood to comprise a packet processing pipeline, which may also be simply referred to as a pipeline, containing one or more so-called flow tables. A flow table may be understood as a stage of the pipeline. Each flow table may contain one or more flow entries, where each flow entry may contain match-and-action instructions. According to these instructions, an incoming packet may be checked for a match between one or more match fields in a flow entry and one or more values in a set of fields in the packet, e.g., in a header of the packet. If a match is found, the action instructions may be performed. For example, the packet may be forwarded to another flow table. The pipeline may also comprise one or more group tables. A group table, which may be referred to simply as a group, may be understood as a list of actions, so called action buckets, and some means of choosing one or more of those buckets to apply on a per-packet basis Therefore, in another example, if a match is found, the packet may be forwarded to a group table, and processed accordingly.
The flow tables of an OpenFlow switch may be understood to be numbered in an order they may be traversed by packets, starting at 0, and in ascending order. The order of the flow tables may be understood to be determined on a packet by packet basis, based on one or more requirements of the application the particular packet is related to. The processing of the packet in the pipeline may result in the packet being forwarded to its intended destination device. Pipeline processing may be understood to always start at the first flow table. That is, the packet may first be matched against flow entries of flow table 0. Other flow tables may be used depending on the outcome of the match, and corresponding action, in each table traversed. The resulting order of flow tables and or group tables that may be followed by the packet in the pipeline may be understood as a trace, which may be referred to herein as a route.
Pipelines may be large and complex. When a packet does not go through its intended packet processing path, then troubleshooting may be required to identify the error or errors in the route. This results in a difficult and time consuming troubleshooting process which in turn results in increased latencies, errors, and wasted resources in the network.

First network node, second network node, and methods performed thereby for tracing a packet in a pipeline


Disclosed is a jacket worn on the thumb or finger for abrading a work piece and enhancing the ability of the thumb or finger to tractively grip the work piece. The jacket comprises an elongate sleeve open at one end, a deformable nonplanar region on the sleeve and abrasive elements on the nonplanar region. The abrasive elements include a layer of abrasive material which defines a primary digging edge. The abrasive elements also include an underlying substrate layer stiffer than the deformable nonplanar region.

Often during repair or manufacture operations, it is necessary to manually handle or inspect various component parts of an assembly, these parts frequently being covered by grease, dirt, or coolant and chips from cutting processes. The component parts typically need rust or rough spots removed, or may need scouring to remove undesired material adhered to their surfaces. These parts are typically slippery and difficult to grasp and hold.
My invention is an abrading jacket worn on the finger or thumb of a person handling the component parts. The Jacket has an array of abrasive elements that aid in gripping the aforementioned slippery component parts and in cleaning or polishing such component parts. The array is arranged to facilitate the escape of grease or fluid therefrom during cleaning and polishing processes and to provide a continuous abraded zone on a work surface being rubbed by the jacket.


An illustrative example embodiment of a compressor includes an inlet defining an intake passage, a plurality of lateral inlet guide vanes in the intake passage, and a plurality of medial inlet guide vanes in the intake passage. The lateral guide vanes are selectively oriented to alter an amount of fluid flow through a first, lateral portion of the intake passage. The medial inlet guide vanes are selectively oriented to alter an amount of fluid flow through a second, medial portion of the intake passage.

Compressors are used for a variety of purposes when pressurized fluid or gas is needed. For example, refrigerant circuits utilize pressurized refrigerant to achieve cooling for refrigeration or air conditioning. A variety of compressor configurations have been used in refrigerant circuits.
One challenge associated with some compressors is achieving optimum efficiency during a variety of operating conditions. For example, the compressor may not need to operate at full capacity under so-called part-load conditions. It would be useful to avoid aerodynamic losses in the impeller under such conditions because such losses negatively affect the compressor efficiency and surge margin.


A lighter, more cost-effective roofing system and method, which includes a rain diverting feature for directing rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material and roof deck, is provided. The invention includes a sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes one of a hook and loop fastener and the lower surface is configured to be attached to the roof deck. The present invention further includes a plurality of roofing tiles, each tile having hook and loop fasteners adhered to a back face which extend along the width of the tile at or near the uppermost and lowermost edges. Each rain diverting feature, which is a strip-like device with one surface made up of a plurality of hook portions and an opposing surface made up of a plurality of portions complementary to the hook portions, is positioned between and releasably attached to the hook and loop fasteners located on a side-edge portion of two adjacent tiles and the underlying sheet material, thereby releasably attaching the tiles to each other and to the upper surface of the underlying sheet material. The use of rain diverting devices to direct rainwater and snowmelt away from the underlying sheet material and roof deck allows for single lap tiling and thus less weight on the roof deck. It also allows for shorter tiles to be used, thus saving material cost.

The present invention relates to roofing and more particularly to a lighter, more cost-effective roofing system and method of roofing, which utilizes a rain diverting feature for directing rainwater and snowmelt away from an underlying sheet material and/or roof deck.
As is well known to those skilled in the art, types of roofing tiles include, but are not limited to, asphalt, wood, cement, fiber-cement mixtures, concrete, clay or ceramic material, natural stone such as slate, slate substitutes, rubber slate, other hardwearing materials and metal.
Existing systems for affixing, for example, slate roofing tiles to buildings are expensive in terms of both materials and labor. The current systems include nailing or screwing slate to the roof, using cumbersome hook and rail systems, or using a clamping type track system. Each of these traditional systems are expensive in terms of material and require a considerable amount of labor.
Additionally, nailed and screwed applications can be "over nailed" or "under nailed" referring to the height of the head of the fastener in relation to the face of the slate. Under nailed slate, with heads that protrude above the face of the slate, may break the pieces of slate which overlap them. Over nailed slate, with a head of the nail driven down into the countersink area on the slate, risks breakage. Hook and rail systems can be troublesome if the nailing eye of the hook is missed. Hooks can typically only be applied in a rigidly preset pattern and do not adapt easily to varying field conditions or design changes which may become desirable during installations. Tracked and clamping systems are also very rigid in terms of layout and don't allow variations in the natural material.
Further, the art teaches the arrangement of such natural stone roofing tiles in either a double or triple overlap to reduce or avoid rainwater and snowmelt entering into the separation between adjacent tiles and onto an underlying substrate. As used herein, the term "double overlap" means that the upper tile extends over the tiles two courses or rows down on the roof deck, while the term "triple overlap" means that the upper tile extends over the tiles three rows down.
As will be readily appreciated, double and triple overlap of natural stone roofing tiles increases the deadload on a roof or supporting structure. It also requires the use of tiles of a certain minimum length, which increases material costs.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved system and method of roofing, which addresses the above-noted drawbacks.


The process of welding at least two elements of thermoplastic materials includes the step of heating, for projection on the welding area, a flow of projection gas comprising at least 20% helium, the balance consisting of a neutral gas or a mixture of neutral gases. For welding applications with a welding strand, the projection gas is heated at a temperature between 200.degree. and 350.degree. C. For applications involving the production of filamentary windings, the projection gas is heated at a temperature higher than 1000.degree. C.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns processes for welding at least two elements of thermoplastic material including the step of projecting on the welding zone a neutral projection hot gas.
b) Description of Prior Art
A process of this type is described in the document U.S. Pat. No. 2,220,545.
In practice, for welding processes of this type, there are today two large families of processes:
the processes of welding with torch and with an extrusion welder, carried out with material input and electrical heating. In these manual processes at slow welding speed, the gas which is projected is known to be compressed air;
the processes of welding by production of hot gas with a flame, generally used without material input and for high speed applications (a few meters/minute) essentially for the formation of filamentary windings. As a result of the use of combustible gases and the production of flames, this process should be used in security premises and is not suitable for operations in situ or in environments presenting risks of deflagration.

Process for welding thermoplastic materials with projection of hot gas

L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges


The invention provides kappa receptor antagonists of formula (I), wherein R1-R6 X and Y have any of the meanings given in the specification, as well as compositions comprising them, and methods for their use.

Endogenous opioid peptides are involved in the mediation or modulation of a variety of mammalian physiological processes, many of which are mimicked by opiates or other non-endogenous opioid ligands. Some of the effects that have been suggested include analgesia, tolerance and dependence, appetite, renal function, gastrointestinal motility, gastric secretion, learning and memory, mental illness, epileptic seizures and other neurological disorders, cardiovascular responses, and respiratory depression (see G. T. Shearman et al. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 243, 591-597, 1987).
The fact that the effects of endogenous and exogenous opioids are mediated by at least three different types of opioid receptors raises the possibility that highly selective exogenous opioid agonist or antagonist ligands might have therapeutic applications. Thus, if a ligand acts at a single opioid receptor type or subtype, the potential side effects mediated through other opioid receptor types can be minimized or eliminated.
The selectivities of the prototypical delta (naltrindole, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,586) and kappa (norbinaltorphimine, nor-BNI, U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,200) opioid antagonists have been attributed to the presence of non-peptide xe2x80x9caddress mimicsxe2x80x9d which bear a functional relationship to key motifs in the putative delta and kappa addresses of the endogenous opioid peptides, dynorphin-A and enkephalin, respectively. P. S. Portoghese et al. J. Med. Chem. 1993, 36, 179-180 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,208 reported a series of NTI analogues in which the C5xe2x80x2 position of the indolic benzenoid ring is substituted with an alkyl amidine pendant.
Currently a need exists for kappa receptor antagonists that can be used as therapeutic agents, or as pharmacological tools to further investigate kappa receptor binding, structure, and function.
The invention provides a series of kappa antagonists, which demonstrate highly selective pharmacological antagonism both in vivo and in vitro at the kappa opioid receptor.
Accordingly there is provided a compound of the invention which is a compound of formula (I):
wherein
R1 is (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C5-C7)cycloalkenyl, (C3-C6)cycloalkyl(C1-C6)alkyl, (C5-C7)cycloalkenyl(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl(C1-C6)alkyl, or heteroaryl(C1-C6)alkyl;
R2 is H, OH, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkanoyloxy, NRaRb or SRc;
R3 is H, aryl(C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkanoyl, or (C1-C6)alkylC(xe2x95x90S);
is R4is xe2x95x90O, xe2x95x90S, or xe2x95x90NRd;
Rd is H, CN, CONH2, COCF3, (C1-C6)alkanoyl, (C1-C6)alkyl, or (CH2)pNReRf; or Rd together with R6 is xe2x80x94(CH2)qxe2x80x94 and forms a ring;
p is 1,2,3, or 4;
R5 is NRm;
R6 is H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl(C1-C6)alkyl, heteroaryl(C1-C6)alkyl, NRgRh(C1-C6)alkyl, or C(xe2x95x90NRj)NHRk; or when R4 is xe2x95x90NRd, R6 together with Rd is xe2x80x94(CH2)qxe2x80x94 and forms a ring;
q is2 or 3;
X is O, S, or NY;
Y is H, (C1-C6)alkyl, or aryl(C1-C6)alkyl;
n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;
Raxe2x80x94Rc and Rexe2x80x94Rf are each independently H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkanoyl, or xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90S)(C1-C6)alkyl;
Rg and Rh are each independently H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkanoyl, xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90NH)NRaRb, or xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90S)(C1-C6)alkyl, or Rg and Rh together with the nitrogen to which they are attached are pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino;
Rj and Rk are each independently H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl, (C3-C7)cycloalkyl(C1-C6)alkyl, (C5-C7)cycloalkenylalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl(C1-C6)alkyl, or heteroaryl(C1-C6)alkyl; and
Rm is hydrogen or (C1-C6)alkyl;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;
The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
Additionally, the invention provides a therapeutic method for preventing or treating a pathological condition or symptom in a mammal, such as a human, wherein kappa receptor activity is implicated and antagonism of kappa receptors is desired comprising administering to the mammal, an effective amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
The invention provides a compound of formula I for use in medical therapy (preferably for use in treating conditions wherein antagonism of kappa receptors is indicated, e.g. for appetite suppression, as an antipsychotic, or to treat paralysis due to ischemic spinal cord injury), as well as the use of a compound of formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a pathological condition or symptom in a mammal, such as a human, wherein antagonism of kappa receptors is indicated.
The invention also includes a method for binding a compound of formula I to kappa receptors, in vivo or in vitro, comprising contacting mammalian tissue comprising said receptors with an amount of a compound of formula I effective to bind to said receptors. Tissue comprising ligand bound kappa receptors is useful to measure the receptor selectivity of other potential therapeutic agents, or can be used as a tool to identify potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases or conditions wherein kappa receptor activity is implicated and antagonism of kappa receptors is desired, by contacting said agents with said ligand-receptor complexes, and measuring the extent of displacement of the ligand and/or binding of the agent (for example in a competitive binding assay).


A 360-degree brim from improving the sun protection of a separate headwear. The 360-degree brim may have a pull cord for selectively adjusting the fit of its head opening. The 360-degree brim may have fold lines for moving the 360-degree brim between a plurality of successively smaller folded conditions for storage and ease of access.

The present invention relates to headwear and, more particularly, a headwear accessory providing a 360-degree brim affording sunshade and ultraviolet (UV) protection about a wearer's head and neck.
Many very popular headwear designs, such as the baseball cap, leaves the wearer exposed to damaging UV and high temperatures due to the insufficient breadth of the headwear's brim. Specifically, the common baseball cap currently provides approximately 90-degrees of brim protection from UV/heat sun exposure leaving the wearer's neck, ears and a portion of their face unprotected from the harmful UV and heat exposure due to sunlight.
As can be seen, there is a need for a headwear accessory to provide 360-degrees of sunshade and UV protection about a wearer's head and neck, even if their primary headwear does not. The present invention can be added and removed at the wearer's discretion. In other words, the present invention enables the wearer to convert the "baseball cap" into a hat with 360-degree brim coverage in seconds, providing increased protection from UV and high temperature sun exposure to the wearer's head, ears, face and neck.
The present invention is foldable between one of three folded conditions for easy storage and readily accessibility.
Though the 360-degree supplemental brim embodied by the present invention will work in conjunction with the baseball cap and other headwear, the present invention can be used by itself and still provide many of the same benefits and advantages.


A memory controller provides error correcting code (ECC) capability for a memory. In some implementations, the controller is configured to identify an ECC protection level from a plurality of ECC protection levels for data that is to be stored in the memory device, generate ECC data for the data that is to be stored in the memory device using an ECC corresponding to the identified ECC protection level, store the generated ECC data in the cache, and store the data in the memory device.

A memory device, such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), can include memory cells. Each memory cell can typically store one bit of information by holding or not holding a charge in, for example, a capacitor. The presence or absence of a charge indicates, for example, logic 1 when a charge is stored, and logic 0 when no charge is stored. Electrical disturbance, such as interference from noise or radiation, can change the contents of one or more memory cells or interfere with the circuitry used to read and write data to the memory cells. Furthermore, memory devices are being designed to operate at increasingly higher throughput rates and lower power consumption, which can lead to increasingly higher bit error rates. A bit error can cause corruption of data, security vulnerabilities, or a system crash.
Error correcting code (ECC) can be used to detect and correct bit errors. ECC encodes data by generating ECC data, e.g., redundancy bits or parity bits, that are stored along with the data in a memory device. For example, 8 parity bits can be generated for 32 bits of data or 64 bits of data. An ECC that generates 8 bits of parity for 32 bits of data can usually detect two bit errors and correct one bit error in the 32 bits of data. Similarly, an ECC that generates 8 parity bits for 64 bits of data can usually detect two bit errors and correct one bit error in the 64 bits of data.
Typically, an ECC memory device is used in a system to provide ECC capability. An ECC memory device can include an extra memory chip that is designated for storing ECC information. An ECC memory device can also include an interface that can provide simultaneous access of a data word and its corresponding ECC information. For example, an ECC memory device that can provide 8-bit parity for each 32-bit data word may include a 40-bit wide interface to access a 32-bit data word. Similarly, an ECC memory device that can provide 8-bit parity for each 64-bit data word may include a 72-bit wide interface to access a 64-bit data word.
However, a consumer may desire stronger ECC protection than the ECC protection provided by an ECC memory device. Traditional ECC systems typically provide limited ECC capability because such systems generate and store limited ECC information. For example, a 72-bit ECC memory supports 8-bit parity for a 64-bit data word, which typically provides 1-bit error correction and 2-bit error detection. Traditional ECC systems typically cannot provide ECC capability with two or more bit error correction, which may be needed to protect critical system data when a memory is operating at a very high data rate.
Additionally, a consumer may choose to use a system that does not support an ECC memory device, but may still desire ECC capability. A system that supports an ECC memory device may be associated with higher costs than a system that does not support an ECC memory device. For example, system components, such as motherboards, chipsets, and processors, that support ECC memory devices may be more expensive than system components that do not support ECC memory devices. Even when a system supports an ECC memory device, a consumer may choose to use a non-ECC memory device, but still desire ECC capability. An ECC memory device may be more expensive than a non-ECC memory device because of the extra memory chip and wider interface provided by the ECC memory device to implement ECC functionality.

Generating error correcting code (ECC) data using an ECC corresponding to an identified ECC protection level


A rolling bearing sealing device comprises a first, truncated-cone surface (21) integral with the non-rotating race (11) of the bearing and diverging axially towards the outside of the bearing, and a second truncated-cone surface (23) parallel to the first surface (21). The second surface is integral with the rotating race (16) of the bearing. The first and second surfaces (21, 23) are spaced apart and facing each other so as to determine therebetween a gap (25) of truncated-cone shape having a length (L) and a width (w) such to resist water entering in a chamber (26) communicating with the outside when the bearing is at rest, and expel water centrifuging it out of said chamber as the bearing rotates.

At present there are known sealing devices of the above type in which a rubber gasket being integral with one of the races of the bearing engages in sliding contact the outer cylindrical surface of a bush mounted to the other race of the bearing. The bush is subjected to grinding operations as well as thermal treatment to render said cylindrical surface smooth enough to ensure satisfactory sealing action and not wear out the gasket quickly. These accurate operations involve costs that make it desirable to have other alternative solutions.
Another limit with said known prior art is that this kind of sealing device is not able of providing simultaneously hermetic sealing and a sufficiently low frictional torque. As known, with bearings the greater part of energy consumption is due to the sealing devices. Further, owing to suction effects, while sealing devices are capable of preventing leak of lubricant from the bearing, they are not so efficient in preventing water or other contaminants from entering the bearing, and vice versa.


A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. An alignment layer and a seal pattern are formed to overlap to reduce a width of a bezel, and one or more alignment layer spreading preventing means are formed to prevent a degradation of adhesive strength between the seal pattern and a substrate due to the characteristics of the alignment layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an LCD device in which a bezel is reduced in width, and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As display devices providing more convenient interfaces between human beings and information through visual representation of various types of information have been developed, research into and commercialization of lightweight, thin flat panel displays (FPDs) that may replace cathode ray tubes (CRTs) as existing display devices, has been accelerated.
In the FPD field, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have been commonly used. An LCD device is composed of a liquid crystal panel implementing image information, a driving unit that drives the liquid crystal panel, and a backlight unit that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel.
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a related art LCD device, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-Ii′ in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the related art LCD device 1 is formed by attaching an array substrate 2 and a color filter substrate 3 with a liquid crystal layer (not shown) interposed therebetween.
A plurality of signal lines (not shown) are formed to cross each other in the array substrate 2. Pixels (not shown) are formed in regions formed as the signal lines cross each other, and a plurality of thin film transistors (not shown) are formed in intersections of the signal lines. Also, an alignment layer, namely, a first alignment layer 4a, for aligning liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is formed on the uppermost portion of the array substrate 2.
A plurality of R, G, and B color filters (not shown) corresponding to the pixels of the array substrate 2 are formed on the color filter substrate 3, and black matrices 5 for preventing light leakage are formed in the other remaining regions excluding the pixels. Also, an alignment layer, namely, a second alignment layer 4b, for aligning liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is formed on the upper most portion of the color filter substrate 3.
The array substrate 2 and the color filter substrate 3 face each other with a predetermined gap, and a plurality of column spacers 6 may be formed in order to maintain the gap therebetween.
Here, the array substrate 2 and the color filter substrate 3 are attached by a seal pattern 7 formed on the outer edges thereof, respectively. Also, the column spacer 6 may be formed in a non-display region N/A, as well as in a display region A/A, to allow the two substrates to have the same gap in the center and in the outer edges.
The foregoing LCD device 1 includes the display region A/A in which an image is substantially displayed and the non-display region N/A formed to surround the display region A/A. The non-display region N/A is covered by a bezel.
In this case, a width of the non-display region N/A of the LCD device 1 is increased due to the alignment layers 4a and 4b, the column spacer 6, the seal pattern 7, and the like, and thus, a width of the bezel is also increased.
In other words, the related art LCD device 1 requires an alignment layer margin region D1 in consideration of a spreading phenomenon of the alignment layers 4a and 4b formed on the array substrate 2 and the color filter substrate 3, respectively.
Also, the related art LCD device 1 requires a spacer region D2 due to the presence of the column spacer 6 formed to maintain the same height in the central portions and the outer edges of the two attached substrates.
In addition, the related art LCD device 1 requires a seal pattern region D3 due to the presence of the seal pattern 7 formed to attach the array substrate 2 and the color filter substrate 3. Also, the related art LCD device 1 requires a cutting region D4 for a margin in the event of cutting.
All of the alignment layer margin region D1, the space region D2, the seal pattern region D3, and the cutting region D4 form the non-display region N/A, and thus, the total width (D1+D2+D3+D4) of the bezel is increased. The increase in the width of the bezel increases an overall size of the LCD device 1.

Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof


An apparatus and computing device are described herein. The apparatus includes a chassis cover of a computing device. The apparatus also includes a foam core. Furthermore, the foam core is in contact with a surface of the chassis cover of the computing device.

Computing devices typically include a housing or enclosure that contains the electrical components of the computing device. The housing or enclosure may also be referred to as a chassis. The size and shape of the chassis are typically dictated by the components contained within the chassis. The chassis may also be made using a variety of materials, include steel, plastic, aluminum, magnesium, or continuous fiber reinforced resin consisting of Thermoset Epoxy or Thermoplastic.
The same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and the figures to reference like components and features. Numbers in the 100 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 1; numbers in the 200 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 2; and so on.


Various embodiments describe systems and methods for calibrating gain mismatches and timing errors in and between individual ADC channels of a time-interleaved ADC. In some embodiments, a calibration signal (e.g., a DC signal) can be selectively applied to each ADC channel of a time-interleaved ADC to estimate a gain mismatch of the corresponding ADC channel. The gain mismatch can then be compensated by a gain correction circuit at the digital backend of the time-interleaved ADC. In some embodiments, timing errors between ADC channels of a time-interleaved ADC can be measured by applying a time varying signal to the ADC channels of the time-interleaved ADC. The timing errors can be calibrated by applying a feedback signal to a clock phase generator of the time-interleaved ADC.

With high bandwidth applications (e.g., full band cable and satellite receivers, serial links and short range wireless communications) becoming more and more popular, there is increasing demand for high speed and high performance analog-to-digital convertors (ADCs). An effective way to improve the throughput of an ADC is to place several ADCs that operate at a fraction of the total sample rate of the ADC in a time-interleaved architecture. However, it's a challenge to control and compensate mismatch (e.g., offset, gain, and timing) of the channel ADCs with the time-interleaved architecture.

Calibration of time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter


One embodiment of the present invention relates to a carrying system with an enclosure member and a shoulder attachment system. The shoulder attachment system includes a first and second shoulder strap individually coupled to the external surface of the enclosure member. The bottom ends of the first and second shoulder straps are intercoupled via a coupling member. The coupling member is slidably routed through a sleeve member within the internal region of the enclosure member. The sleeve member includes an internal channel having a cross-sectional shape that substantially matches the cross-sectional shape of the coupling member, thereby minimizing frictional resistance as the coupling member is translated through the sleeve member. The slidable intercoupling between the bottom ends of the first and second shoulder straps with respect to the enclosure member enables articulation of one shoulder strap to be balanced by corresponding articulation of the opposite shoulder strap.

Bags and carrying cases are commonly used to transport items from one location to another. Items may be contained and supported within an internal enclosure during transportation. Most bags also include some form of user attachment system that allows a user to support the bag during transportation. Many types of user attachment systems are designed to be positioned on a user's body in a configuration that both supports the bag but does not require the use of appendages. For example, backpack shoulder straps may be individually looped around each of a user's shoulders to support the backpack in an orientation that does not require the user to hold the backpack in place with their arms. However, each type of user-attachment system possesses particular performance characteristics and limitations that affect the utility of the bag. For example, a single shoulder strap or messenger-style user attachment system is undesirable for exclusive support of a bag with loads of higher weight due to discomfort.
Bags and carrying cases may be further classified according to their overall shape, user-attachment system(s), and material of composition. One subset of carrying cases or bags includes a set of two shoulder straps for individually and simultaneously attaching around both of a user's shoulders. This form of bag is commonly referred to as a backpack. A backpack may also include other user-attachment systems in addition to the shoulder straps, such as waist belts, handles, single shoulder straps, etc. The enclosure portion of a backpack is primarily positioned on the dorsal torso region of the user, and the dual shoulder attachment system includes two straps that circumscribe the ventral side of the shoulders. Therefore, each of the straps encircle one of the user's shoulders respectively. The two shoulder straps are generally adjustable in length to accommodate different user torso shapes. The simultaneous encircling of a user's shoulders transfers the weight of the backpack contents or load to the user's shoulder region without requiring the user to support the enclosure portion in any manner with their hands or lower arms.
One of the problems with existing dual shoulder strap systems is the inability to effectively accommodate for opposing shoulder movements which occur during ambulation and/or incidental torso articulation. For example, when a user laterally leans to one side, the opposing shoulder is naturally raised with respect to the leaning shoulder. Conventional dual shoulder strap systems are rigidly individually coupled to the backpack; therefore, in circumstances such as the one described above, the straps force the user to perform additional work associated with muscular accommodation for the backpack load being tilted in a manner that matches the torso of the user. Over the course of extended use, a user may be forced to perform significant unnecessary work as a result of natural shoulder movements or leaning. In addition, conventional rigid individual coupling of shoulder straps with a heavy backpack load causes instability to the user in certain circumstances.
Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an efficient backpack dual shoulder strap system that accommodates for opposing shoulder articulation while maintaining optimal weight and cost parameters.

Carrying device dual shoulder strap system


A semiconductor light emitting device is fabricated by forming a mask having an opening on a substrate, forming a crystal layer having a tilt crystal plane tilted from the principal plane of the substrate by selective growth from the opening of the mask, and forming, on the crystal layer, a first conductive type layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type layer, which extend within planes parallel to the tilt crystal plane, and removing the mask. The semiconductor light emitting device can be fabricated without increasing fabrication steps while suppressing threading dislocations extending from the substrate side and keeping a desirable crystallinity. The semiconductor light emitting device is also advantageous in that since deposition of polycrystal on the mask is eliminated, an electrode can be easily formed, and that the device structure can be finely cut into chips.

The present invention relates to a light emitting device having a double-hetero structure including a first conductive type layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type layer stacked to each other, and to a method of fabricating the semiconductor light emitting device.
Various types of semiconductor light emitting devices are known. One of these types is configured by forming a low-temperature buffer layer overall on a sapphire substrate, forming an n-side contact layer made from Si-doped GaN on the low-temperature buffer layer, and stacking, on the n-side contact layer, an n-side cladding layer made from Si-doped GaN, an active layer made from Si-doped InGaN, a p-side cladding layer made from Mg-doped AlGaN, and a p-side contact layer made from Mg-doped GaN. Semiconductor light emitting devices having such a configuration have been commercially available in large quantities as blue or green LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) for emission of light of blue or green, specifically, having wavelengths ranging from 450 nm to 530 nm.
In the case of forming a gallium nitride layer for fabricating a semiconductor light emitting device, crystal of gallium nitride is often grown on a sapphire substrate. In particular, a sapphire substrate with the C-plane taken as the principal plane of the substrate is used for growing crystal of gallium nitride thereon. In this case, the plane of the gallium nitride layer formed on the principal plane of the sapphire substrate also has the C-plane, and an active layer and cladding layers sandwiching the active layer, which are formed on planes parallel to the principal plane of the substrate, necessarily extend in planes parallel to the C-plane. The semiconductor light emitting device having such a structure that respective crystal layers are stacked in parallel to the principal plane of the substrate can obtain flatness required to form electrodes by making use of the flatness of the principal plane of the substrate.
The above-described technique for growing crystal of gallium nitride on a sapphire substrate, however, has a disadvantage that dislocations may densely exist in the crystal of gallium nitride due to lattice mismatch between the sapphire substrate and the crystal of gallium nitride grown thereon.
To solve such a disadvantage, an attempt has been made to form a low-temperature buffer layer on a substrate and grow crystal of gallium nitride thereon for suppressing crystal defects of the crystal of gallium nitride.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-312971 discloses a technique of combining the formation of a low-temperature-buffer layer with epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) for reducing crystal defects.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-321910 discloses a semiconductor light emitting device configured by forming a hexagonal prismatic structure having a side plane composed of the (10-10) plane or the (1-100) plane [M-plane] perpendicular to the principal plane of a substrate, and forming a light emission region on the hexagonal prismatic structure in such a manner that the region extends in the direction perpendicular to the principal plane of the substrate. With this configuration, since an active layer and the like forming the light emission region extend in the direction perpendicular to the principal plane of the substrate, it is possible to suppress crystal defects and dislocations due to lattice mismatch with the substrate, and to reduce strain due to difference in thermal expansion coefficient therebetween.
The technique forming the hexagonal prismatic structure extending in the direction perpendicular to the principal plane of a substrate disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-321910, however, has the following problem. In this technique, after being formed by a hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) process, a layer structure is subjected to dry etching for obtaining the side plane composed of the (10-10) plane or the (1-101) plane [M-plane]. In general, such dry etching necessarily damages the crystal plane. Accordingly, this technique has a disadvantage that characteristics of the crystal is degraded by dry etching, although it has an advantage in suppressing threading dislocations extending from the substrate side. Another disadvantage is that since dry etching is additionally performed, the number of steps is increased.
In the case of forming a crystal layer on the C+-plane of a sapphire substrate by selective growth, the crystal growth has a tapered shape surrounded by the (1-101) plane, that is, the S-plane (for example, see Paragraph 0009 in Specification of Japanese Patent No. 2830814). This technique, however, has a disadvantage that a flat plane required to form electrodes is not obtained. Such a structure, therefore, has not been positively used for electronic devices or light emitting devices, and used only as an underlying layer for selective growth of a crystal structure.
To fabricate devices of a type including layers extending within planes parallel to the principal plane of a substrate, it is important to form each flat plane for keeping desirable crystallinity, and therefore, the device structure tends to have electrodes and the like extending in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, in the case of separating the devices from each other, the device structure must be cut into chips by a dicer, with a result that it takes a lot of time to cut the device structure into chips and further it is very difficult to cut the device structure into chips while avoiding electrodes and the like spread in the horizontal direction. Also, since a sapphire substrate and a nitride such as GaN are too hard to cut, dicing of the device structure, that is, the sapphire substrate and the nitride requires a cutting allowance of at least about 20 μm. This makes it even more difficult to cut the device structure into the micro-sized chips.
Light emitting devices of a type, which is configured by forming an active layer made from a gallium nitride based material on a plane parallel to the principal plane of a substrate with the C+-plane taken as the principal plane of the substrate, has the following problem. Since Ga has only one bond to nitrogen atoms on the C+-plane, nitrogen atoms are liable to dissociate from the crystal plane parallel to the C+-plane, thereby failing to increase an effective V/III ratio. As a result, the crystallinity for forming the light emitting device is insufficient to improve the performance thereof.

Semiconductor light emitting device and fabrication method thereof


A bracket structure arranged for mounting to a guard rail portion of a boat member is provided, wherein the bracket is arranged to extend exteriorly of the boat member above the boat deck to position a cooking pot in a spaced relationship relative to the boat for minimizing fire damage to the boat in use of the cooking structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to cooking support structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved boat kettle grill support bracket arranged to mount a kettle grill exteriorly of a boat deck.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,448 to Sandweg indicates a kettle grill support bracket structure having a kettle grill mounted exteriorly of a deck portion and supported to a handrail, wherein the organization fails to provide for the securement of the handrail structure in a manner as indicated in the instant invention.
The kettle grill support structure of the invention is arranged to fixedly secure in a fixed manner a kettle grill preventing its displacement during use and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A method for forming gate oxide layers comprising the steps of providing a silicon substrate; forming a first oxide layer on the substrate; forming a first barrier layer at an interface between the first oxide layer and the substrate; forming a second oxide layer at an interface between the first barrier layer and the substrate; forming a second barrier layer at an interface between the second oxide layer and the substrate; and forming a third oxide layer at an interface between the second barrier layer and the substrate. One of the main characteristics of the invention is that of forming a first barrier layer between the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer, and forming a second barrier layer between the second oxide layer and the third oxide layer. As a result, the present invention is capable of increasing the breakdown voltage, minimising the tunneling effect and decreasing the amount of trapped oxide charges in a gate oxide layer.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing semiconductors. More particularly, the present invention relates to the method for manufacturing gate oxide layers which have a high breakdown voltage, a low tunneling effect and a low oxide trapped charges.
2. Description of Related Art
In the manufacture of semiconductors, the quality of a gate oxide layer has significant effects on the electrical properties of a metal oxide semiconductor transistor. Excessive amounts of defects, impurities or charges in the gate oxide layer can bring down the breakdown voltage and shorten the time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) time. As a result, the reliability and lifetime of a metal oxide semiconductor transistor is shortened. Therefore, caution must be exercised during the manufacture of the gate oxide layer so that proper electrical characteristics are kept. Several sources contribute to the charges that affect the electrical properties of a gate oxide layer, they are: (1) differences in interfacial states; (2) fixed oxide charges in an oxide layer; (3) mobile ionic charges; and (4) oxide trapped charges. The oxide trapped charges are formed in places where electrons or holes are trapped by impurities or unsaturated bonds within the gate oxide layer during manufacturing. Therefore, the oxide trapped charges are distributed randomly. At present, methods to increase the breakdown voltage, minimise the tunneling effect and decrease the oxide trapped charges of a gate oxide layer are still major research topics.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing the progression of manufacturing steps in the production of a gate oxide layer according to a conventional method.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a silicon substrate 10 is first provided. The substrate 10 is placed inside an oxidation furnace, and then oxygen is passed. Next, a preoxidation process is performed by heating the furnace to a temperature of about 750.degree.-850.degree. C. to form a first oxide layer 11 on the substrate 10. Thereafter, the substrate 10 is placed inside an oxidation furnace, and then either nitrous oxide or nitric oxide is passed. In a subsequent step, heating is carried out at a temperature of about 750.degree.-850.degree. C. to form a barrier layer 12 at the interface between the first oxide layer 11 and the substrate 10. The barrier layer 12 can be an oxynitride layer.
Next, in FIG. 1B, the substrate 10 is once again placed inside an oxidation furnace and oxygen is passed. Then, a reoxidation process is carried out at a temperature of about 750.degree.-850.degree. C. to form a second oxide layer 13 at the interface between the barrier layer 12 and the substrate 10.
Finally, subsequent conventional processes for the complete formation of a gate oxide layer are performed. Because the conventional processes are familiar to those skilled in the art, detailed descriptions are omitted here.
The above conventional method of forming a barrier layer 12 between the first oxide layer 11 and the second oxide layer 13 is not too effective in increasing the breakdown voltage, minimising the tunneling effect and decreasing the amount of trapped oxide charges. In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for improving method of forming a gate oxide layer.

Method for manufacturing gate oxide layers


A principal feature of the present invention is to clean a surface of a semiconductor substrate without providing a damaged layer to the surface thereof. A native oxide film formed on the surface of a silicon substrate is etched by plasma employing a gas containing fluorine. The surface of the semiconductor substrate is again subjected to plasma etching by employing a gas containing fluorine in order to remove a surface damaged layer and a fluorocarbon layer formed in the above step of plasma etching. The semiconductor substrate surface is irradiated with ultraviolet rays under a low pressure in order to dissociate and remove fluorine atoms chemically adsorbed to the semiconductor substrate surface upon the latter plasma etching.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method of treating a surface of a semiconductor substrate and, more particularly, to a method of cleaning the surface of the semiconductor substrate without a damaged layer left in the surface thereof. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including such a method of treating the semiconductor substrate surface.
2. Description of the Background Art
A surface of a semiconductor substrate, e.g., a silicon substrate must be cleaned in order to manufacture a highly reliable semiconductor device.
FIGS. 7A-7D are cross-sectional views showing a conventional treating method of a semiconductor substrate surface. (See 1985 Dry Process Symposium.)
Referring to FIG. 7A, a native oxide film 2 is usually formed on a surface of a silicon substrate 1. This native oxide film 2 is removed by a reactive ion etching employing a CHF.sub.3 gas. At this time, with reference to FIG. 7B, a fluorocarbon layer (a polymer layer of CF.sub.x) 3 is formed on the surface of silicon substrate 1. Since the surface of silicon substrate 1 is subjected to plasma irradiation, a surface damaged layer 31 is formed in the surface of silicon substrate 1.
Referring to FIG. 7C, the surface of silicon substrate 1 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in a C1.sub.2 gas atmosphere in order to remove fluorocarbon layer 3. Thus, with reference to FIG. 7D, fluorocarbon layer 3 adhering to the surface of silicon substrate 1 is removed.
In this method, however, although fluorocarbon layer 3 can be removed without native oxide film 2 left, there is a disadvantage that surface damaged layer 31 formed in the surface of silicon substrate 1 cannot be removed.
FIGS. 8A-8D are cross-sectional views showing another conventional example of a treating method of a semiconductor substrate surface.
Referring to FIG. 8A, a native oxide film 2 formed on the surface of a silicon substrate 1 is removed by a reactive ion etching employing a CHF.sub.3 gas or a mixed gas of C.sub.m F.sub.n, H.sub.2 and the like.
At this time, with reference to FIG. 8B, a fluorocarbon layer (a polymer layer of CF.sub.x) 3 is formed on the surface of silicon substrate 1. Since the surface of silicon substrate 1 is subjected to plasma irradiation, a surface damaged layer 31 is formed in the surface of silicon substrate 1. Referring to FIGS. 8C and 8D, the surface of silicon substrate 1 is lightly etched by afterglow discharge employing a mixed gas of CF.sub.4 and O.sub.2 in order to remove fluorocarbon layer 3 and surface damaged layer 31. Conventionally, the surface of the silicon substrate is treated by this method, thereby decreasing an electric resistance of the substrate.
In addition, the foregoing method is applied not only to the step of removing native oxide film 2 but also to a single step for manufacturing a transistor, i.e., the step of selectively etching a silicon oxide film covering the surface of the substrate in order to form sidewall spacers on sidewalls of a gate.
However, with reference to FIG. 8D, the surface treatment method of the above-described latter conventional example has a disadvantage that fluorine remains in the form of an SiF.sub.x layer 4 in the surface of silicon substrate 1.
If such an SiF.sub.x layer 4 exists in the surface of silicon substrate 1, the following problems arise. More specifically, with reference to FIG. 9A, there is a problem that fluorine causes abnormal acceleration of an oxidation reaction in the step of forming a gate oxide film 41 for forming, for example, a transistor, on a silicon substrate 1. That is, when gate oxide film 41 having a film thickness d shown in FIG. 9A is formed on silicon substrate 1, there is a problem that a gate oxide film 41 having an extremely large film thickness d.sub.2 (d.sub.2 >d.sub.1) is obtained as shown in FIG. 9B. If the film thickness of gate oxide film 41 increases, an interface state of the gate oxide film becomes higher, leading to a decrease in gate junction voltage strength. The decrease in gate junction voltage strength causes a degradation in electrical characteristics, resulting in a lower reliability of the semiconductor device.

Method of treating semiconductor substrate surface and method of manufacturing semiconductor device including such treating method