A method, device, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a slot machine game which allows a player to purchase a respin of a reel selected by the player. A cost of the respin is computed and presented to the player. The player can decide to pay the cost and get the respin or decline.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method, device, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a slot machine game which allows a player to purchase a respin of a reel.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,835 discloses a system which initially plays like a standard slot machine game, whereupon completion of the initial spin of the reels a player can select a particular individual symbol(s) in an individual box to respin.
A disadvantage to the above system is that the overall payouts of the slot machine must be reduced in order to accommodate the advantage of allowing a player a re-spin.
Therefore, what is needed is a system which allows a player to re-spin without reducing overall payouts while generating additional revenue for the casino.

Slot machine game that allows player to purchase reel re-spins


An apparatus and method for efficient transitions between operating states in a communication network, includes a preliminary step of having a mobile station in a Dormant or Idle state. A next step includes requiring a data transfer, either to or from the mobile station. A next step includes transitioning the mobile station from the Dormant or Idle to an Active state. A next step includes transferring a bearer path context for the data from a Paging Control Function (PCF) to an RF Bearer Function. This can include creating a tunnel using an Inter-PCF handoff procedure. The result is a direct connection between an RF Bearer Function and an IP Router, without the PCF being in the data path.

3GPP2 packet data standard TIA/EIA/IS835 CDMA 2000 Wireless IP Network Standard, (IS-835) and the IEEE 802.16-2005 standard herein referred to as WiMAX) communication standard, among other packet data communication systems, can specify an Active state and a Dormant (Idle) state for a wireless communication device, such as a mobile station (MS), during a packet data session. In the Active state, the MS is connected to infrastructure equipment via a dedicated RF connection. For example, in IS-835 the infrastructure provides a dedicated connection between a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) and a Packet Control Function (PCF). The PCF is connected to a Packet Data Service Node, which is connected to a packet network. A packet call is moved into the Active state when there is a burst of packet data to transmit. The packet call may transition between the Active state and the Dormant (Idle) state many times, depending on the bursty nature of the data and on the duration of the time period.
In the Dormant state, when the MS is not transmitting or receiving data, the dedicated Radio Frequency (RF) connection and the dedicated connection between the BTS and the PCF are released. The packet call transitions from the Active state to the Dormant state when there has been no data transmission for a predetermined time period. While the packet session is in the Dormant state, bearer data cannot be transmitted, and must be buffered. A network element is responsible for tracking the MS mobility, receiving packet data, and buffering it until the MS becomes active again. For example, the Packet Control Function is only useful when the mobile is Dormant. It keeps the context for the Dormant mobile and maintains a tunnel with the PDSN. When the data starts to flow from the network side, the PDSN forwards the packet to the PCF which causes the PCF to transmit a BS Service request to the MSC. The mobile is then paged and when it responds a traffic channel (TCH) and Selector are assigned to the mobile which then transitions from Dormant to Active state. In short, in order to transmit buffered data to the MS, the call must be assigned a dedicated RF connection, and a dedicated connection between the BTS and the PCF must be re-established. The delay incurred in order to re-establish a dedicated connection between the MS and the PCF (i.e. tunneling and detunneling across the A10 and A8 interfaces) has a negative impact on the quality of the data service. Moreover, during the Active state the PCF acts as nothing more than a conduit for the data between the MS and the PDSN. Thus, the PCF resources are unnecessary when the mobile is Active. A similar process occurs for WiMAX communications.
Current standards impose a high transaction cost on centralized processing elements for the time needed for Dormant (Idle) to Active transitions. The time needed has a potentially negative impact on a subscriber's perception of data service. These problems encourage configurations where the RF connection is maintained for a long period of time after transmission of a data burst, so that a subsequent data burst can immediately be transmitted. However, maintaining a connection for an unnecessarily long period of time is an inefficient use of RF resources. For example, if a channel is maintained for sixty seconds for transmission of a series of bursts of packet data, one channel can offer sixty Busy Hour Call Attempts (one channel*3600/60). If, however, the channel is maintained for only five seconds for transmission of a burst, one channel can offer 720 BHCA (1 channel*3600/5). In the latter case, Dormant to Active transitions (i.e. call attempts) will increase because the channel is maintained for a shorter period of time. In the former case, the long timeout period decreases the effective utilization of the dedicated channel, and increases the number of dedicated channels required to support the packet data service.
One prior art solution, provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,588, introduces a Semi-Dormant state to address this problem. In this reference, for the Dormant state, the network element maintaining the connection to the PDSN is the PCF, and in the Semi-Dormant state, the network element maintaining the connection between to the PDSN is the Selection and Distribution Unit (SDU). In the Dormant state, the SDU is released, with the PCF maintaining the connection to the PDSN. When the MS is in the Semi-Dormant state, the network element maintaining the connection between the BS and the PDSN for the call is the SDU. When a mobile moves from the Active to the Semi-Dormant state, the traffic channel is released but the SDU stays assigned. A path exists between the SDU and the PDSN via the PCF. When the mobile is in the Semi-Dormant state, there are paths between the SDU to the PCF and the PCF to the PDSN. No traffic channel exists over the RF connection. Once the mobile transitions from the Dormant to the Active state, a traffic channel will exist from the MS to the SDU via the BTS. However, this results in the PCF always being present and utilized. The mobile is sent addresses of the serving element and the IP address of both the PCF and SDU are sent to the mobile, so that when the mobile goes Active both the SDU and PCF elements serving that mobile can be quickly identified. This solution, although effective requires a third, Semi-Dormant state to be coordinated, and still requires the PCF in the communication path while the mobile is Active, which wastes RF resources.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for efficient transitions between operating states in a communication network, and in particular for transitioning a wireless communication device between the Dormant state and Active state by efficient connection of RF resources dependent upon whether there is bearer data to transmit.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are typically not depicted or described in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

Efficient transitions between operating states in a communication network


A hinge mechanism includes a shaft (1), a cam (2), a housing (3), an arresting member (6), a cam follower (4), and an elastic member (5). The housing has an open housing end (30), and an opposite partially open housing end (31) including a transverse wall (35). The cam, the cam follower, the elastic member and the arresting member surround the shaft in turn. The cam follower and the elastic member are received in the housing. The cam is partly received in the housing. The transverse wall of the partially open housing end of the housing prevents the cam from sliding further into the housing. The arresting member is disposed adjacent to the open housing end allowing the arresting member sliding into the housing. The cam is rotatable relative to the shaft and non-rotatable relative to the housing, and the cam follower is non-rotatable relative to the shaft.

Portable mobile phones typically have two housings rotatably joined by a type of hinge that allows the housings to fold upon one another. Many such foldable mobile phones have most of the electronics in one housing, called the main housing, and fewer electronics in the other housing, called the cover. Other such foldable mobile phones have all the electronics in the main housing, with the cover serving only to cover a keypad and a display of the main housing. The main housing and the cover are connected together by a hinge mechanism. Generally, the opening or closing of most covers is achieved by means of cams and a spring of the hinge mechanism.
FIG. 8 illustrates a hinge assembly used in a conventional type of foldable mobile phone. The foldable mobile phone 100 includes a main housing 102 and a cover 104. The hinge assembly includes two cams 200, 202, a spring 204, and a pair of posts 106 contained in the main housing 102. A channel 1042 is defined through an end of the cover 104. The cam 202, the spring 204, and the cam 200 are fixed in the channel 1042 in that order. The cams 200, 202 protrude out from the channel 1042 and engage with the posts 106. When the cover 104 is rotated, the cams 200, 202 rotate along with the cover 104, and stop the cover 104 in a position where it maintains an angle of 180° relative to the main housing 102.
However, the hinge assembly includes a variety of individual pieces that must be installed within the foldable mobile phone 100 when the foldable mobile phone 100 is assembled. This does not meet the growing trend for foldable mobile phone manufacturers to use integrated one-piece hinge assemblies that can be quickly and easily press-fitted into foldable mobile phone sub-assemblies during manufacturing. Manufacturing costs associated with non-integrated hinge assemblies are higher than those associated with one-piece hinge assemblies.
What is needed, therefore, is a hinge mechanism which is modularized, easy to install into a foldable electronic device, and low in cost.

Hinge mechanism for foldable electronic device

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A resin impregnated cured in place liner with an integral inner impermeable layer, a method for its manufacture and an apparatus to do this are provided. The liner is formed from a resin impregnable material having an impermeable layer bonded to one surface. The material is formed into tubular shape with the impermeable layer on the outside of the tube about a tubular forming member and continuously everted into the tubular forming device to place the impermeable layer on the inside. An outer impermeable film is placed about the inner tubular layer and may be impregnated with vacuum in the usual manner. Alternatively, the tubular resin impregnable material may be passed through a resin tank and impregnated with a curable resin prior to being wrapped with an outer impermeable layer. The impregnated liner is then suitable for pull-in-and-inflate which can be by steam in view of the integral inner impermeable layer of the liner.

This invention relates to cured in place liners for trenchless rehabilitation of existing conduits and pipelines, and more particularly to a cured in place liner of a resin impregnable material with an integral inner impermeable layer continuously manufactured in desired lengths for trenchless rehabilitation of existing conduits by pulling in and inflating.
It is generally well known that existing conduits and pipelines, particularly underground pipes, such as sanitary sewer pipes, storm sewer pipes, water lines and gas lines that are employed for conducting fluids frequently require repair due to fluid leakage. The leakage may be inward from the environment into the interior or conducting portion of the pipelines. Alternatively, the leakage may be outward from the conducting portion of the pipeline into the surrounding environment. In either case of infiltration or exfultration, it is desirable to avoid this type of leakage.
The leakage in the existing conduit may be due to improper installation of the original pipeline, or deterioration of the pipe itself due to normal aging, or the effects of conveying corrosive or abrasive material. Cracks at, or near pipe joints may be due to environment conditions such as earthquakes, or the movement of large vehicles on the overhead surface, or similar natural or man-made vibrations, or other such causes. Regardless of the cause, such leakages are undesirable and may result in waste of the fluid being conveyed within the pipeline, or result in damage to the surrounding environment and possible creation of dangerous public health hazards. If the leakage continues it can lead to structural failure of the existing conduit due to loss of soil and side support of the conduit.
Because of ever increasing labor and machinery costs, it is increasingly more difficult and less economical to repair underground pipes or portions that may be leaking by digging up the existing pipe and replacing the pipe with a new one. As a result, various methods have been devised for the in place repair or rehabilitation of existing pipelines. These new methods avoid the expense and hazards associated with digging up and replacing the pipe or pipe sections, as well as the significant inconvenience to the public during construction. One of the most successful pipeline repair or trenchless rehabilitation processes that is currently in wide use is called the Insituform® Process. The Insituform Process is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,063, U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,211 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,958, the contents of which are all incorporated herein by reference.
In the standard practice of the Insituform Process an elongated flexible tubular liner of a felt fabric, foam or similar resin impregnable material with an outer impermeable coating that has been impregnated with a thermosetting curable resin is installed within the existing pipeline. In the most widely practiced embodiment of that process, the liner is installed utilizing an eversion process, as described in the '211 and '958 Insituform patents. In the eversion process, radial pressure applied to the interior of an everted liner presses it against and into engagement with the inner surface of the pipeline as the liner unfolds along the length of the pipeline. The Insituform Process is also practiced by pulling a resin impregnated liner into the conduit by a rope or cable and using a separate fluid impermeable inflation bladder or tube that is everted within the liner to cause the liner to cure against the inner wall of the existing pipeline. Such resin impregnated liners are generally referred to as "cured-in-place-pipes" or "CIPP liners" and the installation is referred to a CIPP installation.
Conventional cured in place flexible tubular liners for both the eversion and pull-in-and-inflate CIPP installations have an outer smooth layer of relatively flexible, substantially impermeable polymer coating in its initial state. The outer coating allows a resin to be impregnated into the inner layer of resin impregnable material, such as felt. When everted, this impermeable layer ends up on the inside of the liner with the resin impregnated layer against the wall of the existing pipeline. As the flexible liner is installed in place within the pipeline, the pipeline is pressurized from within, preferably utilizing an eversion fluid, such as water or air to force the liner radially outwardly to engage and conform to the interior surface of the existing pipeline. Cure of the resin is initiated by introduction of hot curing fluid, such as water into the everted liner through a recirculation hose attached to the end of the everting liner. The resin impregnated into the impregnable material then cures to form a hard, tight fitting rigid pipe lining within the existing pipeline. The new liner effectively seals any cracks and repairs any pipe section or pipe joint deterioration in order to prevent further leakage either into or out of the existing pipeline. The cured resin also serves to strengthen the existing pipeline wall so as to provide added structural support for the surrounding environment.
When tubular cured in place liners are installed by the pull-in-and-inflate method, the liner is impregnated with resin in the same manner as in the eversion process and pulled into and positioned within the existing pipeline in a collapsed state. In a typical installation, a downtube, inflation pipe or conduit having an elbow at the lower end is positioned within an existing manhole or access point and an everting bladder is passed through the downtube, opened up and cuffed back over the mouth of the horizontal portion of the elbow and inserted into the collapsed liner. The collapsed liner within the existing conduit is then positioned over and secured to the cuffed back end of the inflation bladder. An everting fluid, such as water, is then fed into the downtube and the water pressure causes the inflation bladder to push out of the horizontal portion of the elbow and cause the collapsed liner to expand against the interior surface of the existing conduit. The eversion of the inflation bladder continues until the bladder reaches and extends into the downstream manhole or second access point. At this time the liner pressed against the interior surface of the existing conduit is allow to cure. Cure is initiated by introduction of hot curing water introduced into the inflation bladder in much the same manner as the recirculation line tied to the end of the everting bladder to cause the resin in the impregnated layer to cure.
After the resin in the liner cures, the inflation bladder may be removed or left in place in the cured liner. Both the pull-in and inflate method as well as the eversion method typically require man-access to restricted manhole space on several occasions during the process. For example, man-access is required to secure the everting liner or bladder to the end of the elbow and insert it into the collapsed liner.
Regardless of how the liner is to be installed a curable thermosetting resin is impregnated into the resin absorbent layers of a liner by a process referred to as "wet out." The wet-out process generally involves injecting resin into resin absorbent layers through an end or an opening formed in the outer impermeable film, drawing a vacuum and passing the impregnated liner through nip rollers as is well known in the lining art. A wide variety of resins may be used, such as polyester, vinyl esters, epoxy resins and the like, which may be modified as desired. It is preferable to utilize a resin which is relatively stable at room temperature, but which cures readily when heated with air, steam or hot water, or subjected to appropriate radiations such as ultra-violet light.
One such procedure for wetting out a liner by vacuum impregnation is described in Insituform U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,012. When the liner has inner and outer impermeable layers, the tubular liner may be supplied flat and slits formed on opposite sides of the flattened liner and resin injected and on both sides as described in the '063 patent. Another apparatus for wetting out at the time of installation while drawing a vacuum at the trailing end of the liner is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,262. The contents of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.
Recent efforts have been made to modify the pull-in and inflate method to utilize air to evert a bladder into the pulled-in liner from a proximal access point. When the everting bladder reaches the distal access point, steam is introduced into the proximal access point to initiate cure of the resin impregnated into the resin impregnable layer. This process offers the advantage of faster cure due to the increased energy carried by the steam as the curing fluid. However, the process still requires eversion of a bladder into the pulled-in impregnated liner. Efforts to avoid this step of everting the bladder into the pulled-in liner include performing the eversion step above ground. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,289, the process includes everting a calibration hose into a flat-lying lining hose above ground prior to pulling the hose assembly into the existing conduit. This process avoids the eversion below grade, but is severely limited into the length of lining that can be laid out above ground prior to pulling-in.
A further suggestion to avoid this eversion is to manufacture a liner having an inner coating and an outer coating so that a curing fluid can be introduced directly into a pulled-in liner. The disadvantages here involves the difficulty faced when trying to impregnate the resin impregnable material disposed between the inner and outer impermeable coatings. The outer coating remains essential for handling the impregnated liner and to allow the liner to be pulled into the existing conduit and the inner coating is desired to all for curing with the steam.
Notwithstanding the modifications to both the eversion and pull-in and inflate trenchless rehabilitation methods, both processes are labor intensive, require an eversion step and suffer from the increased costs associated with this. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a rehabilitation method utilizing pull-in and inflate methodology wherein the liner is manufactured with an inner and outer coatings and readily impregnated so that it can be cured by steam as the curing fluid to take advantage of the energy available to provide an installation method which is faster and more efficient economically than current rehabilitation methods.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Preparation of cured in place liner with integral inner impermeable layer


A method and system for detecting a motion of a target object in a thermal image by removing a shadow by heat of the target object from the thermal image. The motion detecting system includes: a learning unit obtaining at least one of size and brightness of a shadow by heat of a reference object based on characteristics of the shadow by heat of the reference object by temperature; and a detecting unit removing a shadow region of the target object from the thermal image including the target object based on at least one of the size and the brightness of the shadow by heat of the object.

1. Field
Methods and apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to detecting a motion of an object in a thermal image by removing a shadow by heat of the object from the thermal image.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, as needs for image monitoring increase throughout our society, intelligent image analysis technologies, which trace objects, automatically recognize human faces, and sense motions in images have been developed.
The image analysis technologies enable to sense a moving object from image information and analyze a motion of the object, and thus increase efficiency of security and monitoring systems.
Meanwhile, thermal observation devices sense light having a longer wavelength than visible light and display the light as an image. Thus, the thermal observation devices may determine positions and motions of humans and objects even in the dark night.

Method and system for detecting motion capable of removing shadow by heat


An automatic vending machine with a stabilizing support for stocked items of merchandise includes a cabinet, a driving member secured in the cabinet, a helical element, and a pressing member secured to the cabinet. The cabinet includes a bottom plate. The helical element is secured to the driving member and moveable by the driving member. The pressing member is located within the coils of the helical element and runs the length of the helical element to support items of merchandise and reliably deliver an item of merchandise when bought.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to automatic vending machines.
2. Description of Related Art
Automatic vending machines allow customers to buy merchandise twenty four hours a day. When the customer retrieves the merchandise from the automatic vending machine, a helical element in a cabinet is rotated to push the merchandise out of the cabinet. However, a free end of the helical element may be warped or otherwise act to snag or catch on the merchandise, preventing delivery of the merchandise out of the cabinet. Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD.


Bicycle rims that allow tires to be more easily mounted in a tubeless configuration are disclosed. More specifically, a bicycle rim may control the two beads of the tire with separate bead channels for each bead and a center bridge extending between the two bead channels.

Standard tires with tubes have certain advantages. For example, tires with tubes are easier to repair as all that is required is the replacement of a punctured tube; may have the ability to maintain pressure for long periods and usually do not require special adaptation of the rim for sealing. However, utilizing tires with tubes has a number of disadvantages as well. One disadvantage is that such tires may suffer from "pinch flats" in which the tube becomes momentarily pinched between the tire casing and the rim, tearing the tube. This problem is particularly acute for mountain bikes which tend to run tires at lower pressure and over rougher terrain. Another disadvantage is their weight. Tubeless bicycle tires do not suffer pinch flats and can be lighter because of the absence of the tube itself, however, the tubeless arrangement requires a sealed rim, a bead to rim seal and an air impermeable tire. Thus, the configuration of tubeless tires has proved problematic in certain applications.
One example of such an application is when a tubeless tire is used on a bicycle that takes wider tires. This type of bicycle is commonly referred to as a "fat bike". The tire size for these bikes is normally three to five inches wide. Correspondingly, the wheel rims (or just "rims") used for this size tire tend to be between 50 mm to 100 mm wide (and in many cases between 65 mm and 85 mm), and the diameter is mostly the 26 inch designation but there are also 29 inch fat bikes and in the future the expectation is that there will be even more sizes such as 27.5 inch.
In a conventional tubeless tire setup for bicycles, there is a center channel in the rim that the tire beads rest in an uninflated state. During inflation of the tire when a sufficient pressure is reached within the tire bead travels (or "pops") onto a shelf formed in the rim thereby sealing the system, holding the tire in place and allowing it to retain a desired pressure. These conventional designs are, however, inadequate for tires of larger width or in certain cases when trying to inflate the tire with a manual air pump. In the main, this is the case because as the width of the rim and the tire increases, the area between the beads of the tire as it rests on the center channel commensurately increases.
Having a center channel that holds the beads, but that is also sufficiently tight to allow a sufficient pressure to be established such that the tubeless tire "pops" onto the rim ledges is difficult In part, this is because there is a significant variation in the actual diameter of tires from different manufacturers. For example, a 26-inch tire from one manufacturer may be several millimeters larger than a 26-inch tire from another manufacturer. Moreover, there can be significant diameter differences within a single tire due to manufacturing tolerances (e.g., because the bead is warped). Therefore, it can be difficult to produce a tubeless rim that works reliably.
Additionally, such a center channel may be problematic because if there is a deep well in the center of the rim it is difficult to get the beads to "behave" properly. Beads may flex or otherwise move in such a manner that creates a gap between at least one of the beads and the rim so that air escapes and a threshold pressure within the tire that would allow the tire to inflate in a "tubeless" manner (e.g., to get the beads to "pop" onto a retaining shelf) cannot be established. Such gaps are particularly likely to occur when the beads pop over a sharp transition to a retaining shelf.
To attempt to address some of these problems, certain tubeless rims have been designed for user with a particular bead size and shape. Rims of this type are, however, incompatible with any other type of tubeless tire that does adhere to such a bead size and shape.
What is desired then, is a bicycle wheel rim shaped to allow easier inflation of tires when used in a tubeless configuration and that may also be used with a wide variety of tires.


Systems and methods for measuring dysphotopsia are provided. These systems and methods can be used to objectively quantify positive and negative dysphotopsia. One embodiment provides a system and method for determining dysphotopsia that uses a first light source configured to provide light energy to illuminate a model eye, a refractor for refracting the light energy from the first light source and directing it into the model eye, a first electronic light sensor for measuring an amount of light in the model eye; a second light source configured to provide light energy to illuminate the model eye, wherein the light energy from the second light source is introduced at an angle from the first light source; and a second electronic light sensor for measuring the amount of light in the model eye, wherein the second electronic light sensor is capable of taking measurements from various points around the model eye. Data from these measurements can then analyzed to provide an objective measurement of dysphotopsia.

Intraocular lenses (IOL) are typically implanted during cataract surgery where the natural lens is replaced with an IOL. Currently the majority of commercially available IOLs are either circular shaped or plate shaped with an embedded circular optic body in the middle of the plate. Both shapes result in clinically observed light artifacts, generically called dysphotopsia, which may be bothersome to the person with the implanted IOL.
There are two types of dysphotopsia: positive dysphotopsia (PD) and negative dysphotopsia (ND). PD defines unexpected "bright" images such as arcs or rings while ND refers to unexpected "dark" images such as shadows or lines. While PD is determined by light reflected by the edge of the IOL, ND arises from both light refracted by the edge of the IOL as well as light that passes through the eye without encountering the IOL.
Due to the bothersome nature of PD and ND, it would be beneficial if the amount of PD and ND resulting from a particular IOL design could be measured. IOL design modifications could then be made in order to reduce or eliminate PD and/or ND. Currently, in either laboratory or clinic environments, there are no metrics for the objective measurement of PD or ND.
For these and other reasons there is a continuous need for the development of improved devices and techniques aiming to qualitatively and quantitatively measure PD and ND.

System and method for measuring dysphotopsia


A repair device is a device configured to repair a plate-shaped composite material formed by laminating fiber-reinforced resin sheets. The repair device includes a main body portion that covers a portion to be repaired that is formed in an end surface configured to connect plate surfaces of the composite material so as to be recessed from the end surface such that a closed space is formed between the end surface and the main body portion, a securing portion configured to secure the main body portion to the composite material, and a resin supply portion configured to inject a resin into the closed space with a pressure. The main body portion is formed of a member with rigidity that is not deformed due to the pressure from the resin supply portion.

If a plate-shaped composite material, which is formed by laminating fiber-reinforced resin sheets obtained by causing reinforced-fiber to be impregnated with a resin, receives impact on an end portion thereof in a direction that perpendicularly intersects a plate thickness direction, delamination may occur starting from the end portion, and gaps may be generated between layers. In other words, the composite material may be brought into a damaged state. If the composite material is continuously used in the damaged state, there is a probability that the gaps between the layers advance in a direction toward the inside of the composite material, and the composite material cannot provide predetermined strength and rigidity. In order to solve such a problem, there is known a technique for repairing a composite material by causing a resin to flow into gaps generated between layers to fill in the gaps in a case in which a damages such as delamination starting from an end point occurs (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2006-187897, for example).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2006-187897 describes a method for repairing a defective portion of a composite material in which a region in a periphery of an opening portion of a gap defective portion formed in a composite material panel is covered with a bagging film that serves as a covering material, and a sealant is disposed in a periphery of the covered portion, thereby bringing a specific space surrounded by the composite material panel and the bagging film into an air-tight state. According to the method, a vacuum fitting is provided in the bagging film, a suctioning device is connected to the vacuum fitting, and air is evacuated (vacuumed) from the specific space using the suctioning device, and the pressure in the specific space is set to a predetermined vacuum pressure. Then, a resin in a liquid form is caused to flow into the gap defective portion via an opening using the vacuum pressure in the specific space.

Repair device and composite material repair method


A safety device for collecting fluids for laboratory testing is disclosed. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for collecting multiple undiluted blood samples for subsequent laboratory testing wherein the apparatus is provided with a safety overshield which precludes the individual taking the blood sample from sustaining a needle stick injury. The apparatus includes a vacutainer tube retainer to which a safety overshield is attached. The safety overshield has an upwardly projecting peripheral rim which prevents the depositing needle from sliding off the face of the overshield and contacting the hand of the individual holding the vacutainer tube retainer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a safety device for collecting fluids for laboratory testing and, more particularly, to a safety device for collecting undiluted and uncontaminated blood samples for laboratory testing.
2. Discussion of the Invention
The use of hypodermic needles in collecting fluids and more particularly, blood samples, presents a danger of accidental needle sticks to anyone exposed to such needles. This is especially true for the individual taking the fluid or blood sample. After use, the hypodermic needle could be contaminated with a variety of disease-causing agents such as Hepatitis B virus or HIV, the virus which leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). These and other diseases can be transmitted to any person who is poked by a disease contaminated needle. Due to the hectic conditions often present in hospitals, one or more needles can often be found lying about in the presence of patients, blood donors and hospital personnel. Almost daily, reports of accidental needle stick injuries are communicated to the general public. Many times hospital personnel are required to have blood tests run after being punctured by an exposed, previously used needle in which case the costs of these tests are believed to be passed off onto hospital patients in the form of increased medical bills. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the dangers associated with needle stick injuries by eliminating the exposure to contaminated needles.
Often needle stick injuries occur when a nurse, medical technician or phlebotomist attempts to collect multiple samples of blood in separate sterile vials, such as "Vacutainer.RTM.", which is a federally registered trademark of the Becton Dickinson Co., or "Monojet.RTM.", which is a federally registered trademark of Sherwood Medical Industries, blood collection tubings. Multiple samples are often necessary when various tests are to be run or when confirmation tests are required. To eliminate patient discomfort from multiple needle sticks, it is desirable to collect a sufficient amount of blood with a single insertion of a phlebotomy needle.
Vacutainer.RTM. tubings, which are evacuated tubings having needle penetrable stoppers inserted therein, are used to collect the blood samples and prevent the blood samples from becoming contaminated. Typically, when blood is to be collected directly from the patient or blood donor some type of flexible tubing having two juxtaposed hollow needles attached thereto is utilized. Located at one end of this tubing is the phlebotomy needle which is inserted into the individual to draw blood and at a second end is the depositing needle used to penetrate the stopper and deposit blood in the vacutainer tubings. Alternatively, when blood samples are collected into vacutainer tubings from a blood donor bag the flexible tubing usually only has one hollow needle which is attached at the depositing end. Regardless of whether the blood is collected directly from the patient or donor or is being transferred from a blood donor bag the depositing needle must be withdrawn and inserted into multiple numbers of stopper sealed tubings in order to collect multiple samples of blood. This repeated transfer of the depositing needle between fluid collection tubings creates multiple opportunities for needle stick injuries to occur. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the danger of spreading diseases from the patient to the medical professional by precluding the incidence of needle stick injuries during blood sample collection.
Various patents have issued for devices which protect medical professionals from needle stick injuries. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,975 to First et al., discloses a protective shield surrounding a container for a hypodermic needle. Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,667 to Pedicano et al., discloses a disposable safety needle sheath which has a funnel shaped entrance to protect the user's hand and guide the needle into the sleeve. There remains, however, a need for an improved safety device such as that of the present invention.

Safety device for use in collecting fluid samples


A method of forming a vertical metal-air transistor device is provided. The method includes forming a precursor stack with a stack template on the precursor stack on a substrate. The method further includes forming a bottom spacer on the substrate around the precursor stack, and depositing a liner casing on the precursor stack. The method further includes depositing a conductive gate layer on the bottom spacer and liner casing. The method further includes reducing the size of the stack template to form a template post on the precursor stack, and forming a stack cap on the template post and precursor stack.

The present invention generally relates to metal-air-gap transistor devices, and more particularly to vertically aligned metal-air-gap transistor devices.
A Field Effect Transistor (FET) typically has a source, a channel, and a drain, where current flows from the source to the drain, and a gate that controls the flow of current through the device channel. Field Effect Transistors (FETs) can have a variety of different structures, for example, FETs have been fabricated with the source, channel, and drain formed in the substrate material itself, where the current flows horizontally (i.e., in the plane of the substrate).

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


The present invention discloses a bidirectional ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) based on N—ZnO/N—GaN/N—ZnO heterojunction as well as its preparation method. The LED includes: N—ZnO microwires, a N—GaN film, a PMMA protective layer and alloy electrodes; and its preparation method includes the following steps: lay two N—ZnO microwires on the N—GaN film, then spin-coat a PMMA protective layer on the film to fix the N—ZnO microwires until the PMMA protective layer spreads over the N—ZnO microwires, and then place the film on a drying table to solidify the PMMA protective layer; then etch the PMMA protective layer with O2 to expose the N—ZnO microwires, and prepare alloy electrodes on different N—ZnO microwires to construct a N—ZnO/N—GaN/N—ZnO heterojunction to constitute a complete device. The present invention constructs an N/N/N symmetrical structure; the device is composed of N—ZnO and N—GaN, emits light in the ultraviolet region and has a small turn-on voltage.

Zinc oxide has a high exciton binding energy of 60 meV and a wide direct band gap of 3.37 eV. It is a very promising semiconductor material for UV LED, especially laser LED. The p-type doped zinc oxide technology has developed rapidly in recent years, but there are still many difficulties in obtaining highly stable p-type zinc oxide. This hinders the development of zinc oxide-based UV LED and laser LED. In order to solve this problem, P—GaN is introduced to prepare zinc oxide-based UV LED and laser LED, but it still has many problems, such as low carrier concentration and high square resistance. In addition, the electrically pumped excitation spectrum of the N—ZnO/P—GaN heterojunction structure is mostly the visible light emission (˜420 nm) related to defects in P—GaN, and the ultraviolet emission in N—ZnO is always suppressed. From the perspective of process and quality (carrier concentration, carrier mobility, and square resistance), N—GaN outperforms P—GaN, and its preparation process is simple.
The traditional lighting drive circuit is composed of a power factor correction circuit, an AC/DC converter circuit, and an output constant current circuit. If a bidirectional LED is used, only two circuits may be needed. However, the existing bidirectional LED structure has different emission wavelengths and different light intensities under forward bias and reverse bias. The light intensity and wavelength of the LED are the two main factors that affect strobe light, which is harmful to the eyes. Therefore, bidirectional LED now has few applications in the fields of lighting and display.

N-ZnO/N-GaN/N-ZnO heterojunction-based bidirectional ultraviolet light-emitting diode and preparation method therefor


A system and method for an embedded disk controller is provided. The embedded disk controller includes a main processor in communication with a first bus. A second processor communicates with a second bus. An external bus interface controller (“EBC”) located on the embedded disk controller manages a plurality of memory devices external to the system embedded disk controller via an external bus interface and coupled to the first bus and an external bus. Each of the plurality of memory devices has at least one of different timing characteristics and different data widths. The EBC is coupled to the first bus and stores at least one of a segment descriptor register and at least a device range register.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to disk controllers, and more particularly to an embedded disk controller that includes a hard disk controller, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, and a servo controller.
2. Background
Conventional computer systems typically include several functional components. These components may include a central processing unit (CPU), main memory, input/output ("I/O") devices, and disk drives. In conventional systems, the main memory is coupled to the CPU via a system bus or a local memory bus. The main memory is used to provide the CPU access to data and/or program information that is stored in main memory at execution time. Typically, the main memory is composed of random access memory (RAM) circuits. A computer system with the CPU and main memory is often referred to as a host system.
The main memory is typically smaller than disk drives and may be volatile. Programming data is often stored on the disk drive and read into main memory as needed. The disk drives are coupled to the host system via a disk controller that handles complex details of interfacing the disk drives to the host system. Communications between the host system and the disk controller is usually provided using one of a variety of standard I/O bus interfaces.
Typically, a disk drive includes one or more magnetic disks. Each disk typically has a number of concentric rings or tracks on which data is stored. The tracks themselves may be divided into sectors, which are the smallest accessible data units. A positioning head above the appropriate track accesses a sector. An index pulse typically identifies the first sector of a track. The start of each sector is identified with a sector pulse. Typically, the disk drive waits until a desired sector rotates beneath the head before proceeding for a read or write operation. Data is accessed serially, one bit at a time and typically, each disk has its own read/write head.
The disk drive is connected to the disk controller that performs numerous functions, for example, converting digital data to analog head signals, disk formatting, error checking and fixing, logical to physical address mapping and data buffering. To perform the various functions for transferring data, the disk controller includes numerous components.
Typically, the data buffering function is used to transfer data between the host and the disk. Data buffering is needed because the speed at which the disk drive can supply data or accept data from the host is different than the speed at which the host can correspondingly read or supply data. Conventional systems include a buffer memory that is coupled to the disk controller. The buffer memory temporarily stores data that is being read from or written to the disk drive.
Conventionally, when data is read from the disk drive, a host system sends a read command to the disk controller, which stores the read command into the buffer memory. Data is read from the disk drive and stored in the buffer memory. An ECC module determines the errors that occur in the data and appropriately corrects those errors in the buffer memory. Once it is determined that there are no errors, data is transferred from the buffer memory to the host system.
Conventional disk controllers do not have an embedded processor or specific modules that can efficiently perform the complex functions expected from disk controllers.
Conventional disk controllers cannot access plural external memory having different timing characteristics. In addition, conventional controllers do not easily permit use of different bus data width to which external memory is coupled.
Conventional disk controllers do not have a built in module that can track bus activity and hence provide valuable information for de-bugging. In conventional disk controllers, the disk controller must be coupled to an external bus analyzer to debug and/or monitor bus activity. This process is cumbersome and requires additional pins on the disk controller. In addition, conventional monitoring techniques cannot easily isolate components within the disk controller that need to be monitored.
Conventional disk controllers do not have a dedicated module that controls, prioritizes and generates interrupts.
Therefore, what is desired is an embedded disk controller system that can efficiently function in the fast paced, media storage environment.

Method and system for using an external bus controller in embedded disk controllers


A polysaccharide composition for protection of surfaces comprising an aqueous solution of at least two components, the first component (A) being a high molecular weight polysaccharide or a mixture of high molecular weight polysaccharides having an average molecular weight Mw of at least 100 000, and being capable of forming a gel, and the second component (B) being a low molecular weight polysaccharide such as locust bean or guar gum or a mixture of low molecular weight polysaccharides having an average molecular weight Mw of 400-75 000, and being capable of inhibiting gel formation in said composition.

Protective films or coatings comprising polysaccharides are useful in many different applications, such as protection of all types of surfaces from so called graffiti, traffic pollution, bird droppings, etc.
In EP 0 365 584 B1 there is described a contamination removal process based on the use of a solution containing a polysaccharide and a solvent therefore for creating a protective coating on a surface. After being subjected to contamination, the surface can easily be freed from the contamination by treating the coated surface with a liquid, which is capable of re-dissolving the protective coating.
A number of polysaccharides, for example carrageenans and agar, when dissolved in water at an increased temperature form gels, at certain minimum concentrations when the solution is cooled to a lower temperature. It is known that this property may be used to produce polysaccharide films having an improved stability towards water. If a polysaccharide of the gelling type is used alone, the concentration thereof in solution has to be very low in order to obtain a solution thereof that can be applied to a substrate without difficulty, resulting in thin films. If, on the other hand, the concentration is increased to a level which will result in sufficient film thickness from a single application, then gelling will occur prior to application and the application by spraying or the like will constitute a severe problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,545 describes a method for protecting a surface from contamination and for facilitating removal thereof using a solution of at least a first polysaccharide and a second polysaccharide, wherein the second polysaccharide or the mixture of the first and second polysaccharide is capable of gel formation. The first polysaccharide is added to the solution to inhibit gel formation in order to allow a higher polysaccharide concentration in the solution while avoiding premature gel formation. A problem associated with the method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,545 is that the addition of polysaccharides in order to inhibit gel formation generally results in very high viscosity solutions, which impedes application onto substrates using conventional coating techniques, such as spraying.
Therefore, there is a demand for a new polysaccharide composition which produces protective coatings of sufficient thickness, but without the drawbacks of high viscosity and premature gel formation associated with the prior art methods.

Polysaccharide containing composition useful in forming protective film on surfaces selected from concrete, metal, stone, glass, wood, cloth, tissue, weave and paper


An aircraft cabin segment includes at least one longitudinally extending aisle, seats disposed in rows, at least two assemblies of baggage compartments, and ventilation outlets. The seats disposed in rows are transversal relative to the longitudinal aisle. The at least two assemblies of baggage compartments are aligned and positioned overhead. The baggage compartments of each of the two assemblies are aligned in a transversal direction and are positioned above the seats such that bottom surfaces of the baggage compartments form a sinusoidal wave along a longitudinal direction of the aircraft cabin segment. The ventilation outlets are disposed between the two assemblies of the baggage compartments.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an arrangement of seats and of baggage compartments in an aircraft cabin, such as, for example, an airplane.
The invention relates more particularly but not exclusively to the interior arrangement of airplanes operated commercially by airline companies for transportation of passengers on regularly scheduled flights or on charter flights. In such airplanes, the problem always arises of accommodating a large number of passengers while at the same time making them as comfortable as possible.
II. Description of Related Art
In an airliner or similar airplane, the seats are usually disposed in columns and rows, and are all oriented in the same direction. Depending on the width of the cabin and the number of seats disposed abreast in a given row, one to three longitudinal aisles are generally provided for access to the seats.
Baggage compartments for storing baggage are provided in the upper part of the cabin. These baggage compartments are aligned longitudinally above the seats. These baggage compartments extend substantially over the entire length of the aircraft cabin or of a cabin segment disposed between two successive emergency exits. These baggage compartments are generally accessible from the aisles. To access a baggage compartment, a passenger assumes a standing position facing that baggage compartment. He is then turned toward one of the longitudinal walls of the aircraft cabin, in a manner transversal relative to that aircraft.
Such a prior art configuration suffers from several disadvantages. As an example, a first disadvantage is that the space intended for baggage storage is relatively limited. Consequently, each passenger is allowed to carry only a volume of baggage of the currently authorized maximum size with him into the cabin. In this regard, reliance is placed on the fact that, statistically, each passenger will carry a volume of baggage smaller than the maximum authorized volume with him into the cabin.
Another disadvantage is that the baggage compartments are located above the seats and are disposed parallel to the aisle in such a way that when a passenger stands up he risks bumping his head on the baggage compartment situated above him.
Another disadvantage is that the passengers store their baggage while they are standing in the aisle that provides access to the seats. As a result, during boarding in particular, passengers loading their baggage into the baggage compartments obstruct the movement of other passengers who want to reach their seat.
The fact that the columns of baggage compartments extend longitudinally in parallel with the aisle(s) also has little esthetic appeal, because the baggage compartments accentuate the perspective effect created by the aisle(s).
Finally, the current ventilation systems in aircraft do not permit good air circulation. This is obviously detrimental to the good comfort of the passengers.

Arrangement of seats and baggage compartments in an aircraft cabin


A serving board is disclosed for supporting an edible product. The serving board comprises a first board defining a lower surface, an upper surface and a first edge. A second board defines a lower surface, an upper surface and a second edge. A spacing layer extends between the lower surface of the first board and the upper surface of the second board. The spacing layer distances the first board from the second board for defining a chamber. An integrated circuit is positioned in the chamber. An electrical power source is positioned in the chamber and electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. An output device electrically is coupled to the integrated circuit for producing a sensatory output. The first board, the second board and the spacing layer are constructed from a biodegradable material.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to boards and more particularly to a serving board for supporting an edible product.
Background of the Invention
It has become a widely accepted western civilization practice to celebrate any important occasion with a celebration cake. Additionally, singing of festive songs associated with the event, such as the singing of birthday songs, and the adding of lit candles atop a birthday cake has become part of tradition. All of these celebratory elements date back through history to the Roman civilization and in fact fire, and lighted tapers or candles have had a special significance in early pagan rituals.
Modern celebrations generally include icing covered cake with various decorations, commensurate with the event. In order to provide a more festive and decorative atmosphere, more elaborate decorations including sound or music producing devices as well as elaborate lighting configurations have been included in the cake trays, plates or stands. Some of these trays, stands and plates have evolved into fairly complex devices having power supplies, audio, and lighting systems to entertain the celebrants. The complexity of these devices may produce logistics problems since they are required to be returned to their owner and cleaned prior to their next use.
There have been many in the prior art who have attempted to solve these problems with varying degrees of success. None, however completely satisfies the requirements for a complete solution to the aforestated problem. The following U.S. Patents are attempts of the prior art to solve this problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,806 to Sanford discloses a musical greeting card formed from a unitary member having a natural hinge for closing and opening the card. A back cover carries a music box or like element and a front cover carries a resiliency mounted decorative member. The card is maintained closed by communication between the front and back covers in interference fit relation. Upon separating the covers to open the card the music box element is actuated and the decorative member is arranged to pop-up, whereupon the member and a suitable greeting on the bottom of the box are exposed to a viewer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,4787 to Greenblatt discloses a decorative notion or ornament for special occasions of purposes providing both an identifiable theme and melody associated with an occasion to be celebrated or purpose to be noted. Comprising the ornament is a figurine or other identifiable theme constructed with a simulated appearance (if appropriate) long associated with a special purpose occasion or purpose. Assembled plastic sections are interfitted to form an enclosure defining an internal cavity in which a battery operated melody module is contained. The melody module includes a microchip that has been preprogrammed to play a selected melody normally associated with the identifiable theme while a suitable switch is available to actuate, prolong or discontinue playing of the melody.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,604 to Nichols, et al. discloses an illuminated tray for use in darkened restaurants or nightclubs. The tray has a tray housing with a peripheral rim and a flat serving surface recessed within the rim. Spaced apart LEDs are positioned on the tray rim such that the light from the LEDs, when illuminated, is visible from both above and below the tray. Spaced apart batteries for energizing the LEDs are contained within the tray housing and are positioned in a manner that is substantially symmetric with respect to the center of the tray. The tray is thus balanced along any diameter
U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,885 to Trivizki, et al. discloses a serving plate having a base body in which an integrated battery operated musical box is incorporated. The musical box is connected with two electrical leads which are printed on the plate, such that contact is established by a knife when cutting a food product on the plate between the leads.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,478 to Ambrosino discloses a food covering system resembling a decorated cake including a cover with receptacles for holding and providing power to illuminating decorations and/or moving decorations, including electronic candles. In response to a breath sensor sensing a predetermined level of air movement, power to the electronic candles is turned off and secondary illuminating decorations, such as letters arranged in a birthday message, are turned on. In addition to the secondary decorations, music or other sounds may be issued from a speaker embedded in the food cover. The secondary decorations and/or music may be turned on for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the secondary decorations and/or music are on with the electronic candles and remain on, after the candles are "blown out", for a predetermined time.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,659 to Kyle, Jr. discloses a rotating musical serving plate with a serving plate removably attached thereto. A support has a base which is securely attached to a lower distal end of a pedestal. The upper distal end of the pedestal is securely attached to a bearing ring having a plurality of bearing retainers functioning to rotatably restrain a plurality of bearings. A drive has plurality of mounting lugs securely attached around an outside lower distal portion of a perimeter of a drive housing. The drive is securely attached to the base by a plurality of mounting lugs by a fastener. An upper distal end of the drive housing is securely attached to a drive cover. The drive cover at a central portion is securely attached to a drive spindle bearing. The serving plate spindle socket cooperates with a drive fluted adapter to securely removably attach the serving plate spindle socket thereto. An audio device has a case which is securely attached to the base by a fastener. The case has an ON/OFF switch which functions to control the audio device. The case further has a speaker which functions to transmit acoustical energy, the audio device functions to emit speech, music and other sounds appropriate to the product displayed on the serving plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,961 to Knoch discloses a wedding cake layer highlighted by a transparent plastic light assembly illuminated by a string of miniature electric lights. The light assembly supports a cake on a transparent plastic tray in an elevated position. The light assembly has one or more transparent plastic tubes forming pillars which are affixed between a top plate and a bottom plate. The plates have pillar entry holes such that a looped strand of lights may pass from the underside of the bottom plate to the top side of the top plate and be affixed thereto. The cake tray has downwardly extending feet which are received within cylindrical protrusions on the top plate. The cake tray has a peripheral rim through which the illuminated miniature lights are visible. An inverted cake tray is positioned beneath the bottom plate such that the feet of the inverted tray engage downwardly extending protrusions on the bottom plate. An electric cord extends from the lighted stand between the bottom plate and the inverted cake tray to be connected to another similar cake support or to an extension cord for connection to a power supply. The inverted tray may be disposed on a tabletop or on an underlying cake layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,870 to Knoch discloses an illuminated display system or assembly. In particular, the illuminated system is designed to display various food items such as wedding cakes, hors d'oeuvres, buffets, pies, and the like. The assembly includes a plurality of plates and sheets adapted to be engaged to form enclosures for lighting. Lighting is secured to the sheets within the enclosures. The assembly further includes one or more pillars each adapted to engage the plates and to house additional lighting. The invention also includes methods of assembling the display system and methods of displaying and illuminating the various food items.
United States Patent Application 2005/0246928 to Lee discloses an illuminating display device adapted for enhancing amusement for a recipient thereof. More particularly, the device includes a portable case having at least one compartment. The device also includes at least one illuminating source received in the compartment. A stencil is attached to the case for permitting light emitted from the illuminating source to be transmitted therethrough in a predetermined pattern. The device is equipped with a dispersion layer for dispersing light emitted from the illuminating source.
United States Patent Application 2011/0067547 to Willis discloses a musical recording and playback device comprising: a flexible plastic bag enclosure serving as a isolator. An electronic integrated circuit is included for storing a pre-programmed recorded message, and at least one speaker is provided for audibly emitting the pre-programmed recorded message to at least one honored recipient. A portable DC power source with a start button acting as an on/off switch is provided for turning the device on to play a message and/or song. The flexible enclosure isolatably contains the generally planar electronic integrated circuit, the speaker, and the portable DC power source assembly. The musical recording and playback device is associated with a festive cake comestible. A kit for use with the cake and method of use is also disclosed herein.
Although the aforementioned prior art have contributed to the development of the art of celebratory cake trays none of these prior art patents have solved the needs of this art.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved serving board for edible products.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved serving board that is disposable upon completion of use.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved serving board that is easy to cost effectively produce.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed as being merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by modifying the invention within the scope of the invention. Accordingly other objects in a full understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention, the detailed description describing the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


An apparatus for increasing bulk of a foreshortened fibrous web comprises a working surface designed to receive a foreshortened web thereon, a means for adding moisture to at least selected portions of the web thereby relaxing the crepe in the selected portions, and a means for retaining the crepe in the rest of the web. A preferred apparatus comprises a pair of opposite surfaces, at least one of which having expansion conduits therethrough, the web being impressed between the surfaces. A temperature differential is created between the two opposite surfaces, sufficient to drive the moisture added to the selected portions therethrough, thus relaxing the crepe in the selected portions which expand into the expansion conduits, while the crepe is retained in the rest of the web impressed between the two surfaces.

The present invention is related to processes and apparatuses for making strong, soft, absorbent fibrous webs. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with foreshortened fibrous webs.
Fibrous structures, such as paper webs, are produced by a variety of processes. For example, paper webs may be produced according to commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,556,509, issued Sep. 17, 1996 to Trokhan et al.; 5,580,423, issued Dec. 3, 1996 to Ampulski et al.; 5,609,725, issued Mar. 11, 1997 to Phan; 5,629,052, issued May 13, 1997 to Trokhan et al.; 5,637,194, issued Jun. 10, 1997 to Ampulski et al.; and 5,674,663, issued Oct. 7, 1997 to McFarland et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Paper webs may also be made using through-air drying processes as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,514,345, issued Apr. 30, 1985 to Johnson et al.; 4,528,239, issued July 9 to Trokhan, 1985; 4,529,480, issued Jul. 16, 1985 to Trokhan; 4,637,859, issued Jan. 20, 1987 to Trokhan; and 5,334,289, issued Aug. 2, 1994 to Trokhan et al. The disclosures of the foregoing patents are incorporated herein by reference.
Foreshortening of a fibrous webs may be used to increase the web""s caliper, absorbency and softness. Foreshortening refers to reduction in length of a dry web, resulting from application of energy to the web. Typically, during foreshortening, rearrangement of the fibers in the web occurs, accompanied by at least partial disruption of fiber-to-fiber bonds. As a result of foreshortening, micro-folds, commonly called xe2x80x9ccrepexe2x80x9d are formed in the web.
It has been discovered that the increase in caliper, or bulk, of the foreshortened web may further be achieved by relaxing, at least partially, the crepe in the web. It has been further found that the crepe can be relaxed in pre-selected portions of the web such that the rest of the web, not affected by the crepe relaxation, retains the quality of the foreshortened web.
Accordingly, it is a subject of the present invention to provide a novel process for increasing bulk of the foreshortened web by relaxing the web""s crepe in the selected portions of the web. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for increasing bulk of the foreshortened web by relaxing the web""s crepe in the selected portions of the web.
The present invention provides a process and an apparatus for increasing caliper/bulk of a foreshortened fibrous web by causing selected micro-regions, or portions, of the foreshortened web to relax crepe therein, thereby expanding outwardly from the general plan of the web. The process comprises the steps of providing a foreshortened web comprising crepe and having a general plane; and adding moisture to the web or to at least the web""s selected portions, thereby causing relaxation of the crepe in the selected portions and their expansion outwardly from the general plane of the web, while retaining the crepe in the rest of the web. The preferred apparatus comprises two mutually opposite surfaces designed to receive and restrain the foreshortened web therebetween, at least one of the surfaces having a plurality of fluid-permeable expansion conduits therethrough; a means for moistening the web or at least its selected portions corresponding to the expansion conduits when the foreshortened web is disposed between the two surfaces; and a means for creating a temperature differential between the two surfaces such that when the web is restrained between the surfaces, the temperature differential is sufficient to cause the moisture added to the web to move through the web in the direction from one surface toward the other, thereby relaxing crepe in the selected portions of the web and causing the selected portions to expand through the expansion conduits.
A first step of the process of the present invention comprises providing a foreshortened, and preferably fibrous, web. The term xe2x80x9cforeshortenedxe2x80x9d web refers to a web which has been reduced in length, i.e., substantially proportionally contracted along its length, in a machine direction. The first step of providing a fibrous web may be preceded by the steps of forming such a web and then foreshortening the web. The fibrous web suitable for the present invention may be made by any papermaking process known in the art, including, but not limited to, a conventional process and a through-air drying process. The present invention also contemplates the use of the web that has been rewetted prior to being foreshortened. The foreshortened web is generally characterized by a plurality of micro-folds running across the web""s length, which is known in the art as xe2x80x9ccrepe.xe2x80x9d Foreshortening may be accomplished by any method known in the art, for example, by creping, by transferring the web from the first press surface to a slower-moving transfer fabric, or by the combination thereof.
Preferably, the foreshortened web is disposed on a working surface. The preferred working surface has a plurality of fluid-permeable expansion conduits therethrough. One preferred working surface is formed by a belt comprising a (preferably resinous) framework joined to a fluid-permeable reinforcing structure and protruding outwardly from the reinforcing structure, thereby forming the network area. The framework may comprise an essentially continuous and macroscopically monoplanar network area, in which case the plurality of expansion conduits preferably comprises a plurality of discrete orifices, or holes, which are dispersed throughout and encompassed by the continuous network area of the working surface. Alternatively or additionally, the work surface may comprise a plurality of discrete areas formed by discrete protrusions extending from the reinforcing structure, in which case an essentially continuous expansion conduit encompasses the plurality of discrete protrusions.
Preferably, the expansion conduits and/or protrusions are arranged in a pre-selected pattern, and more preferably, the pattern of the arrangement of the expansion conduits and/or protrusions is non-random and repeating. If the patterned working surface comprises discrete areas formed by the individual protrusions, the work surface""s discrete areas may have the discrete expansion conduits therethrough, analogous to the discrete expansion conduits in the continuous work surface. The working surface may comprise a surface of a fluid-permeable platen orxe2x80x94in a preferred continuous processxe2x80x94a fluid-permeable endless belt or band capable of traveling in a machine direction.
The steps of disposing the foreshortened web on the working surface and moistening the web may be performed either sequentially or simultaneously. If the dry foreshortened web is being first disposed on the working surface, the moisture can subsequently be added to the web disposed on the working surface. Various means may be used for moistening the foreshortened web, such as, for example, spraying the web with water or penetrating the web by steam under pressure. A plurality of jets discharging water onto the selected portions of the web according to a pre-determined pattern may also be used. Preferably, the web, or its selected portions, is/are moistened to have a moisture content from about 95% to about 25%, i.e., the web""s preferred fiber-consistency is from about 5% to about 75%. More preferably, the moisture content of the selected portions of the web, after they have been moistened, is from 85% to 35%, i.e., the web""s more preferred fiber-consistency is from about 15% to about 65%.
The moisture may be added primarily to the selected portions of the foreshortened web, i.e., those portions which correspond to the expansion conduits of the working surface, and which are not in direct and immediate contact with the working surface. The moisture is added to the selected portions of the web preferably after or simultaneously with the step of disposing the web on the working surface. The moisture added to the web may comprise such functional papermaking additives as softeners and debonders, including, but not limited to, lotions, perfumes, anti-microbial agents, wet-strength resin, etc.
Under the influence of the moisture added, the web""s selected portions relax the crepe therein and consequently expand outwardly from the general plane of the web, thus increasing bulk of the web. At the same time, the rest of the web, comprising surface-contacting portions which are in direct and immediate contact with the working surface, retains the crepe therein. The resulting web structure comprises, therefore, at least two distinct regions: a region formed by the web""s previously foreshortened portion which has retained the crepe therein, and a region comprising the crepe-relaxed portion having increased (relative to the previously foreshortened portion) caliper. Each of the regions may be substantially continuous, or may comprise a plurality of discrete micro-regions, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the crepe-relaxed portion comprises a plurality of discrete domes outwardly extending from the plane formed by the foreshortened portions of the web. The domes may extend from one side of the web, or from both opposite sides of the web.
One way of retaining crepe in the surface-contacting portions of the foreshortened web comprises adhering the surface-contacting portions to the working surface such as to prevent lateral movement of the surface-contacting portions relative to the working surface with which they are in contact. To accomplish this, the working surface can be treated with an adhesive material, such as, for example, creping adhesive. Alternatively or additionally, the working surface can comprise asperities thereon, preventing the lateral movement of the surface-contacting portions. Other means of creating a sufficient friction between the working surface and the surface-contacting portions of the foreshortened web may be employed to prevent the lateral movement of the surface-contacting portions relative to the working surface.
In the preferred embodiment of the process and the apparatus, a pressing surface, opposite to and facing the working surface, is provided. The pressing surface is a surface adapted to impress the foreshortened web against the working surface. The foreshortened web is constrained, or impressed, between the working and pressing surfaces to the extent necessary to prevent (or contain if desired) expansion of those portions of the web which do not correspond to the expansion conduits. Those portions (defined herein as xe2x80x9csurface-contacting portionsxe2x80x9d) retain the crepe therein, while the selected portions of the web are free to expand through the expansion conduits.
The pressing surface may comprise an essentially flat area, or it may have projected areas. The projected areas may comprise continuous network area, or discrete areas, or a combination thereof. Pressing surface may also have expansion conduits therethrough, similar to those of the working surface. The expansion conduits of the pressing surface can correspond to the expansion conduits of the working surface. In the latter instance, the moisture (water and/or steam) can be delivered to and removed from the web using corresponding expansion conduits of the pressing and working surfaces. The latter embodiment provides an additional benefit of allowing the selected portions expand in both opposite directionsxe2x80x94through the expansion conduits of the working surface and through the expansion conduits of the pressing surface. In another embodiment, the pressing surface""s conduits do not correspond to the working surface""s conduits. In this instance some of the selected portions of the web can expand only through the pressing surface""s conduits, while the other selected portions can expand only through the working surface""s conduits. The last two embodiments of the process and the apparatus allow one to create structured patterned webs.
Preferably, the working surface is associated with a supporting surface such that the working surface having the web thereon is juxtaposed between the pressing surface (contacting the web) and the supporting surface. In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus and the process of the present invention, a temperature differential of at least 50xc2x0 F. is created between the pressing surface and the supporting surface. Preferably, but not necessarily, the pressing surface has a relatively higher temperature, and the supporting surface has a relatively lower temperature. The preferred temperature differential is at least 50xc2x0 F., and the more preferred temperature differential is at least 100xc2x0 F. A preferred temperature of the xe2x80x9ccoldxe2x80x9d surface is less than 212xc2x0 F. The temperature differential drives the moisture added to the web through the web""s selected portions thereby relaxing the crepe in the selected portions and causing the selected portions to expand through the expansion conduits. To accumulate the moisture driven through the web, a fluid-permeable fabric is juxtaposed between the xe2x80x9ccoldxe2x80x9d (preferably working) surface and the xe2x80x9chotxe2x80x9d (preferably supporting) surface. The fabric should have a void volume sufficient to accumulate the moisture condensing thereinto. This process or any other process known in the art may be used to dry the web.
In one preferred embodiment, the pressing surface comprises a surface of a sintered layer capable of retaining sufficient volume of moisture. The preferred sintered layer comprises metal woven belt capable of containing a sufficient volume of moisture therein and to release the moisture under the influence of the temperature differential. The metal is preferred for its superior heat-transfer properties. When the web and the working surface are impressed between the pressing and supporting surfaces, the moisture contained in the sintered layer moves into and through the web and towards the supporting surface. The crepe in the surface-contacting portions of the web, which are sufficiently contained between the pressing surface and the working surface, is not affected (or affected to a lower degree, if desired) by the water driven through the web from the pressing surface towards the supporting surface. The web""s selected areas, which correspond to the expansion conduits of the working surface and/or the pressing surface, are not sufficiently contained between the pressing surface and the working surface, due to the existence of the expansion conduits in both or one of the surfaces. Therefore, the selected portions are not prevented from expanding through the expansion conduits (or prevented to a significantly lower degree relative to the surface-contacting portions). The expanded selected portions of the web form xe2x80x9cdomesxe2x80x9d of a finished product, thereby increasing the bulk or overall caliper of the finished web.
In one of the embodiments of the preferred continuous process of the present invention, each of the pressing surface and the working surface is formed by an endless belt or band traveling in the machine direction. An endless condensation belt (fabric) traveling in the machine direction and capable of receiving a sufficient amount of the condensed moisture is disposed between the supporting surface and the working surface. The moisture which is driven through the selected portions of the web and through the expansion conduits of the working surface condenses into the fabric disposed between the working surface and the supporting surface. A means for collecting and recycling the moisture, well known in the art, may be used in the process of the present invention.
The portions which are impressed between the working surface and the pressing surface may be further densified, if desired. The selected portions of the web corresponding to the expansion conduits are not densified, or densified (if desired) to a lesser degree than the impressed portions are. In the latter instance, a pressure differential may be controlled, on the one handxe2x80x94by the distance between the pressing surface and the corresponding working surface, and on the other handxe2x80x94by the distance between the pressing surface and a surface restricting the expansion of the selected portions.
In the pressing surface comprising projected areas, some of the projected areas may be registered (either in a knob-to-knob pattern, or in a nested pattern, or in a pattern comprising a combination thereof) with the working surface when the web is impressed between the pressing surface and the working surface. The embodiment of the apparatus is contemplated, in which only some of the projected areas of the pressing surface have corresponding projected areas of the working surface. Thus, some of the selected portions of the web may be partially restrained, in the direction perpendicular to the working surface, to a lesser degree relative to the portions impressed between the working surface and the pressing surface. Consequently, it is believed that the selected portions of the web may comprise in the latter instance sub-portions which are relatively unconstrained in the direction perpendicular to the working surface, and sub-portions which are relatively constrained and may be partially impressed (and therefore possibly densified) by the pressing surface""s projected areas corresponding to the expansion conduits of the working surface. Such an arrangement of the working surface and the pressing surface may beneficially produce a web having at least three differential micro-regions: first micro-regions formed by the portions constrained in the direction perpendicular to the working surface and thus substantially retaining the crepe therein; second micro-regions formed by the sub-portions partially-constrained in the direction perpendicular to the working surface and thus having crepe partially relaxed, the second micro-regions partially expanding in the direction perpendicular to the working surface; and the third micro-regions formed by the sub-portions relatively unconstrained in the direction perpendicular to the working surface. having crepe substantially relaxed therein, the third micro-regions expending in the direction perpendicular to the working surface.
The expansion of the selected areas may be assisted by deflecting, under pressure, the moistened selected portions of the web through the expansion conduits. Vacuum or differential pressure can be used as a means for deflecting the selected portions through the expansion conduits. The means for deflecting may also comprise steam or water moving, preferably under pressure, through the selected portions and through the expansion conduits. A combination of steam and water as means for deflecting is also contemplated in the present invention. The pressing surface""s projected areas corresponding to the expansion conduits of the working surface can also comprise the means for deflecting the selected portions of the web. In one exemplary embodiment, the projected areas of the pressing surface correspond to the expansion conduits of the working surface and are in contact with the selected portions of the web. When the web is constrained between the pressing surface and the working surface, the projected areas of the pressing surface push the selected portions of the web through the expansion conduits of the working surface, thereby facilitating the expansion of the selected portions.
xe2x80x9cAngledxe2x80x9d expansion of the selected portions is also contemplated by the present invention. In this instance, the selected portions of the web are caused to expand to form an xe2x80x9cangledxe2x80x9d position relative to the plane of the belt, i.e., the axes of at least some of the domes formed by the selected portions and the working surface form acute angles therebetween. The working surface may comprise a plurality of protuberances, at least some of which are angled relative to the working surface, i.e., the axes of the protuberances and the working surface form acute angles therebetween. Than, the selected portions of the web, while expanding through the expansion conduits, will take the xe2x80x9cangledxe2x80x9d position relative to the working surface, and the final web product will have the xe2x80x9cangledxe2x80x9d continuous domes, i.e., the continuous domes cross-sectional axes of which form acute angles with the general plan of the web.
The web having the crepe relaxed in the selected portions may be re-foreshortened by, for example, adhering the crepe-relaxed and expanded selected portions of the web to the creping surface and then creping therefrom with a doctor blade.

Apparatus for increasing bulk of foreshortened fibrous web


Disclosed is a gel electrolyte for a photosensitive dye and method for manufacturing the same. First, bismaleimide and barbituric acid are dissolved in Brönsted base solution to form a gelling additive. Subsequently, the gelling additive is added into an ionic liquid electrolyte. The liquid electrolyte is then gelled at room temperature to form a gel electrolyte for the photosensitive dye utilized in dye sensitized solar cells. In addition, barbituric acid is further added into the gelling additive to enhance the gelling rate of the ionic liquid electrolyte.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gel electrolyte, and in particular relates to the composition thereof and method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A photovoltaic cell is a photoelectric semiconductor chip that directly generates electric power by sunlight. When the chip is exposed to sunlight, it simultaneously outputs current and voltage. The photovoltaic cell is a so-called solar cell. The solar cell regenerates power in an environmental friendly way, as no harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide, is produced from the power generating process. Referring to material-types thereof, the solar cell can be classified into silicon-based solar cells, dye sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells, and the likes. The most important factor for solar cells is conversion efficiency. Recently, the highest conversion efficiency for silicon-based solar cells is 29% for a single crystal silicon (in laboratory), 24% for a poly crystalline silicon, and 17% for an amorphous silicon.
A dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has recently been disclosed. Different from conventional photovoltaic cells, the top substrate of the DSSC is usually glass or transparent flexible polymer foil. A transparent conductive oxide such as fluorine doped tin oxide (SnO2:F, FTO) or indium tin oxide (ITO) is formed on the glass. A porous layer of about 10 μm, such as nano-porous film composed of TiO2 particles having diameters of about 10 to 20 nm, is formed on the transparent conductive oxide. A dye such as a ruthenium polypyridyl complex is then coated on the above nano-porous film to form the so-called top substrate. The bottom substrate of the DSSC is usually glass or transparent and flexible polymer foil. In addition to the transparent conductive oxide such as an FTO layer on the glass, a platinum layer is coated on the FTO layer to catalyze the reaction of the electrolyte. An electrolyte including iodine compound is injected between the top and bottom substrates. The highest conversion efficiency of the DSSC is only about 10%, however, the process for manufacturing the DSSC is simple. Therefore, the production cost or required power per kilowatt-hour for DSSC is minimal.
A typical electrolyte of the DSSC is a liquid electrolyte with leakage problem. A gel electrolyte is not initially used, because of the difficulty in injecting gel into space between the top and bottom of the substrates. Thus, the liquid electrolyte is added polymerizable monomer and a corresponding initiator, and injected into the top and bottom of the substrates. Subsequently, the electrolyte is heated to polymerize and become gelled. However, this method often damages the photosensitive dye of the DSSC due to requirement for a high polymerization temperature, which decreases device performance.
Accordingly, a suitable gel electrolyte that can be formed under mild conditions in a solar cell is called for to reduce DSSC manufacturing costs.

Gel electrolyte of dye sensitized solar cell and method for manufacturing the same

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A device which provides an exercising person information at any desired period of time about his pulse rate at that instant. The information is given as vocal information, and the device comprises an ECG unit with electrodes adapted to be attached to the human body, one of which forms part of an earphone, filter and amplification means, a speech synthesizer, and means for evaluating instantly the ECG and for giving a vocal indication of the instant pulse rate. The device is of special value for the monitoring of the pulse rate during jogging and similar types of exercise, the information being provided vocally. A preferred embodiment comprises a wireless set and/or tape recorder, with means for dimming the output of such radio or tape while a pulse rate is announced at predetermined intervals.

Physical exercise is related to the pulse rate of the exercising person. In many cases the severity of the effort ought to be adjusted to the pulse rate, which is indicative of the physical effort. There exists portable monitors like respirometers, ECG instruments and the like, and some of these can be worn by an exercising person. The problem is the read-out of the pulse or respiratory rate at any given instant, as certain persons ought not to exceed a certain pulse rate, so as not to over-excert the heart. Devices with a digital presentation of pulse rate are known.
The system of the present invention is in the form of a convenient portable form, easily worn by an exercising person and especially during walking, jogging, etc. While exercising the user can listen to his favorite radio station, cassette, etc. The vocal indications of pulse rate are at predetermined intervals, controlled by the microprocessor and thus preventing "over-exercising", and furthermore one of the earphones serves as electrode, which is an advantage in that it uses the earphone for dual purposes: as earphones and at the same time as electrode, providing strong signals to the ECG device.


A waterproof communication apparatus comprises a core assembly having at least one seam, configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave; and a seamless enclosure enclosing the core assembly, configured to prevent the ingress of atmospheric moisture through the at least one seam into the inside of the core assembly. In one embodiment, the core assembly and the enclosure are made of metallic materials, and a metallurgical bond is formed between the core assembly and the enclosure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a waterproof structure for a communication apparatus, and more particularly, to a communication apparatus having waterproof capability by a seamless enclosure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Outdoor communication apparatuses are affected by different weather conditions, and the most influential of these is wet weather. Therefore, one of the critical design considerations of outdoor communication apparatuses is waterproofing.
Generally, outdoor communication apparatuses are assembled together with several portions, and the seams between the portions, exposed to the outside environment, are passageways that allow the penetration of environmental moisture into the interior of the communication apparatus. Consequently, the success of the waterproofing treatment for communication apparatuses depends on the seam sealing means adopted to prevent the penetration of moisture.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art waterproof structure for a communication device 100. The communication device 100 comprises an upper component 102 and a lower component 104, between which a seam 106 is formed. The seam is sealed with an O-ring 108, which is deformed by fastening the upper component 102 and the lower component 104 using screws 110 and thereby achieves waterproofing capability. However, the O-ring 108, which is in solid form, cannot fill all the cavities on the rough surfaces therebetween. Therefore, the use of an O-ring 108 for waterproofing cannot completely prevent moisture penetration. Moreover, O-rings 108 may degrade over time, and such degradation is a potential cause of waterproofing failure.
FIG. 2 shows another prior art waterproof structure for a communication device 100. In this prior art example, the seam 106 formed between the upper component 102 and the lower component 104 is sealed using an adhesive 202 and is fastened using screws 110 for preventing moisture penetration. Although an adhesive 202 can fill in any irregularities between the two joined surfaces, the adhesive 202 will deteriorate when exposed to weather and UV radiation over time. Such environmental factors weaken its waterproofing capability such that using an adhesive 202 is not a complete solution.
In summary, to date there is no complete solution for protecting outdoor communication apparatuses from the penetration of outside moisture. Under the influences of environmental factors such as drastic long-term climate changes and UV radiation, proper seam sealing is difficult. Therefore, there is still a need for a waterproofing means that can completely prevent outdoor communication apparatuses from the penetration of outside moisture.

Waterproof waveguide assembly having a core assembly with a seam enclosed by a metallic enclosure