A photoconductive recording material containing a support and a charge generating layer (CGL) in contiguous relationship (contact) with a charge transporting layer (CTL), containing a n-charge transporting material (n-CTM), wherein the binder of said charge generating layer (CGL) is made insoluble in methylene chloride by crosslinking, and said binder is composed essentially of one or more polymeric reaction products of at least one epoxy resin with at least one polyamide resin having amino groups and being called herein polyaminoamide resin.

In electrophotography photoconductive materials are used to form a latent electrostatic charge image that is developable with finely divided coloring material, called toner.
The developed image can then be permanently affixed to the photoconductive recording material, e.g. a photoconductive zinc oxide-binder layer, or transferred from the photoconductor layer, e.g. a selenium or selenium alloy layer, onto a receptor material, e.g. plain paper and fixed thereon. In electrophotographic copying and printing systems with toner transfer to a receptor material the photoconductive recording material is reusable. In order to permit rapid multiple printing or copying, a photoconductor layer has to be used that rapidly loses its charge on photo-exposure and also rapidly regains its insulating state after the exposure to receive again a sufficiently high electrostatic charge for a next image formation. The failure of a material to return completely to its relatively insulating state prior to succeeding charging/imaging steps is commonly known in the art as "fatigue".
The fatigue phenomenon has been used as a guide in the selection of commercially useful photoconductive materials, since the fatigue of the photoconductive layer limits the copying rates achievable.
A further important property which determines the suitability of a particular photoconductive material for electrophotographic copying is its photosensitivity, which must be sufficiently high for use in copying apparatuses operating with the fairly low intensity light reflected from the original. Commercial usefulness also requires that the photoconductive layer has a spectral sensitivity that matches the spectral intensity distribution of the light source e.g. a laser or a lamp. This enables, in the case of a white light source, all the colors to be reproduced in balance.
Known photoconductive recording materials exist in different configurations with one or more "active" layers coated on a conducting substrate and include optionally an outermost protective layer. By "active" layer is meant a layer that plays a role in the formation of the electrostatic charge image. Such a layer may be the layer responsible for charge carrier generation, charge carrier transport or both. Such layers may have a homogeneous structure or heterogeneous structure.
Examples of active layers in said photoconductive recording material having a homogeneous structure are layers made of vacuum-deposited photoconductive selenium, doped silicon, selenium alloys and homogeneous photoconducting polymer coatings, e.g. of poly(vinylcarbazole) or polymeric binder(s) molecularly doped with an electron (negative charge carrier) transporting compound or a hole (positive charge carrier) transporting compound such as particular hydrazones, amines and heteroaromatic compounds sensitized by a dissolved dye, so that in said layers both charge carrier generation and charge carrier transport take place.
Examples of active layers in said photoconductive recording material having a heterogeneous structure are layers of one or more photosensitive organic or inorganic charge generating pigment particles dispersed in a polymer binder or polymer binder mixture in the presence optionally of (a) molecularly dispersed charge transport compound(s), so that the recording layer may exhibit only charge carrier generation properties or both charge carrier generation and charge transport properties.
According to an embodiment that may offer photoconductive recording materials with particularly low fatigue a charge generating and charge transporting layer are combined in contiguous relationship. Layers which serve only for the charge transport of charge generated in an adjacent charge generating layer are e.g. plasma-deposited inorganic layers, photoconducting polymer layers, e.g. on the basis of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) or layers made of low molecular weight organic compounds molecularly distributed in a polymer binder or binder mixture.
Useful charge carrier generating pigments (CGM's) belong to one of the following classes:
a) perylimides, e.g. C.I. 71130 (C.I.=Color Index) described in DBP 2 237 539; PA1 b) polynuclear quinones, e.g. anthanthrones such as C.I. 59 300 described in DBP 2 237 678; PA1 c) quinacridones, e.g. C.I. 46 500 described in DBP 2 237 679; PA1 d) naphthalene 1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acid derived pigments including the perinones, e.g. Orange GR, C.I. 71 105 described in DBP 2 239 923; PA1 e) tetrabenzoporphyrins and tetranaphthaloporphyrins, e.g. H.sub.2 -phthalocyanine in X-crystal form (X-H.sub.2 Pc) described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,357,989, metal phthalocyanines, e.g. CuPc C.I. 74 160 described in DBP 2 239 924, indium phthalocyanine described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,312 and tetrabenzoporphyrins described in EP 428 214A; and naphthalocyanines having siloxy groups bonded to the central metal silicon described in published EP-A 243,205; PA1 f) indigo- and thioindigo dyes, e.g. Pigment Red 88, C.I. 73 312 described in DBP 2 237 680; PA1 g) benzothioxanthene derivatives as described e.g. in Deutsches Auslegungsschrift (DAS) 2 355 075; PA1 h) perylene 3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid derived pigments including condensation products with o-diamines as described e.g. in DAS 2 314 051; PA1 i) polyazo-pigments including bisazo-, trisazo- and tetrakisazo-pigments, e.g. Chlordiane Blue C.I. 21 180 described in DAS 2 635 887, trisazo-pigments, e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,421 and bisazo-pigments described in Deutsches Offenlegungsschrift (DOS) 2 919 791, DOS 3 026 653 and DOS 3 032 117; PA1 j) squarylium dyes as described e.g. in DAS 2 401 220; PA1 k) polymethine dyes; PA1 l) dyes containing quinazoline groups, e.g. as described in GB-P 1,416,602 according to the following general formula: ##STR1## in which R and R.sup.1 are either identical or different and denote hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, nitro or hydroxyl or together denote a fused aromatic ring system; PA1 m) triarylmethane dyes; and PA1 n) dyes containing 1.5-diamino-anthraquinone groups, PA1 o) inorganic photoconducting pigments e.g. Se, Se alloys, As.sub.2 Se.sub.3, TiO.sub.2, ZnO, CdS, etc. PA1 a) dicyanomethylene and cyano alkoxycarbonylmethylene condensates with aromatic ketones such as 9-dicyanomethylene-2,4,7-trinitro-fluorenone (DTF); 1-dicyanomethylene-indan-1-ones as described in published European application 0 537 808 with the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, X and Y have the meaning described in said published European application; compounds with the formula: ##STR3## wherein A is a spacer linkage selected from the group consisting of an alkylene group, including a substituted alkylene group, a bivalent aromatic group including a substituted bivalent aromatic group; S is sulfur, and B is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, including a substituted alkyl group, an aryl group including a substituted aryl group as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,054, and 4-dicyanomethylene 1,1-dioxo-thiopyran-4-one derivatives as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,481 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,813 e.g. ##STR4## b) derivatives of malononitrile dimers as described in EP-A 0,534,004; c) nitrated fluorenones such as 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone and 2,4,5,7-tetranitrofluorenone; PA1 d) substituted 9-dicyanomethylene fluorene compounds as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,132; PA1 e) 1,1,2-tricyanoethylene derivatives. PA1 i) interfacial mixing between the CGL and the CTL resulting in CGM-doping of the CTL and CTM-doping of the CGL causing charge trapping; PA1 ii) charge trapping in the CGL; PA1 iii) poor charge transport in the CGL; PA1 iv) poor charge transport blocking properties in the absence of a blocking layer.
Organic charge carrier transporting substances may be either polymeric or non-polymeric materials.
Preferred non-polymeric materials for negative charge transport are:
The choice of binder for the charge generating layer (CGL) for a given charge generating pigment (CGM) and a given charge transport layer (CTL) has a strong influence on the electro-optical properties of the photoreceptors. One or more of the following phenomena can have a negative influence on the electro-optical properties of the photoconductive recording material:
Interfacial mixing between the CGL and the CTL can be avoided by using a CGL-binder or binders, which is/are insoluble in the solvent used for dissolving the CTL-binders in which CTM's exhibit optimum charge transport properties is limited as is the range of solvents in which efficient CTM's are soluble. The range of solvents in which both CTL-binders and CTM's are soluble is extremely narrow and often limited to chlorohydrocarbons such as methylene chloride. Methylene chloride is an extremely powerful solvent and the range of CGL-binders which is totally insoluble in methylene chloride is extremely limited, unless the CGL-binder is crosslinked in a subsequent hardening process.
Hardening is considered here as a treatment which renders the binder of a charge generating layer of the photoconductive recording material insoluble in methylene chloride.

Photoconductive recording material having a crosslinked binder system


A Short Range Connectivity Server (SRCS) is provided to manage transport connections. The SRCS is a standalone server that runs multiple service controllers using OBEX over Bluetooth and USB. The SRCS manages all transports enabling a transport plug in strategy to be adopted. This architecture provides a generic management mechanism to create and manage the transport layer connections. Modular design components enable Bluetooth and USB application development to be undertaken without requiring knowledge of the details of the individual transport protocols. This results in a completely transparent mechanism for application development regardless of transport. The SRCS is in charge of the higher layer services controllers. Additionally, a Service Controller framework is provided for Object Exchange Protocol (OBEX) related services.

With the increasing use of the Internet, cellular telephones, and other mobile communications devices, the need for interconnectivity and interoperability of these devices has also increased. As a result of this growth, problems have arisen related to limited bandwidth as well as interconnectivity issues between "wired" and "unwired" devices. Solutions to these problems have included the development of the Universal Serial Bus standard, developed by the USB Promoter group in 1995, and the Bluetooth™ protocol (Bluetooth is a Trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.).
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) specification is a standardized peripheral connection developed by computer and telecommunication industry members for attaching peripherals to computers. USB makes plugging in peripheral devices easier with plug and play. It is nearly 100 times faster than the original serial port it was designed to replace, and it supports multiple device connectivity.
USB allows expandability of a PC's capabilities via an external port. Since USB supports multiple peripheral devices simultaneously, it allows users to run numerous devices such as printers, scanners, digital cameras and speakers from a single PC. USB also allows for automatic device detection and installation. USB's quick proliferation as the replacement for the serial port and other PC ports for I/O devices such as digital joysticks, phones, scanners and digital cameras has accelerated the production and availability of such devices. In addition, virtually every new PC today has one or more USB ports, quickly moving the installed base of USB-capable PCs to the range of hundreds of millions.
Data is exchanged between the host PC and the peripheral through a USB hub using data transfer types such as control, bulk, interrupt, and isochronous. Data transfers can be either unidirectional or bi-directional. Control transfers are used to configure a peripheral device to the host when the device is first attached to the USB network. Bulk transfers are used to move large amounts of data to peripherals, such as printers and scanners. Interrupt data transfers are used when a peripheral device specifies and controls the rate at which the data is moved over the network. Isochronous transfers are used to move data such as voice, audio, and video at real-time speeds.
The Bluetooth™ (BT) protocol has resulted from the National Telecommunications Act opening new public access to the ultra high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) bands. As a direct consequence, wireless local area networking is rapidly evolving as the communications standard for small and mobile corporations and other organizations. An important aspect of these new wireless networks is the integration of household (and business office) appliances, laptop computers, and personal communications service (PCS) devices. This technology, called BT, seamlessly connects each intelligent appliance in a household or an office within a "piconet" (implying a very small) wireless network.
BT is an embedded, low-power, short-range, radio-frequency (RF) technology, although it can also be IR media-based with moderate bandwidth. BT is particularly attractive for exchanging data between personal devices such as cellular phones, radios, pagers, personal digital assistants, computers, video and still cameras, audio players, and local area networks (LANs).
With an operating range of 10 meters or less, the reach of BT exceeds the current range of IR, but falls far short of other types of wireless networks. BT is implemented at 2.4 GHz in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band.
The BT architecture integrates a combination of hardware and software into the networking device. The hardware is an embeddable module, or a module residing on a card, which interfaces with the host device. It interfaces on one side with the host and on the other side with another BT device via its RF or IR transceiver. On the host side, there are four currently identified interfaces: the universal serial bus (USB), the PC card (or PCMCIA), and two serial interfaces, UART and RS232. All of these have established standards that define the physical logical interaction. However, the higher level interaction between the BT device and the host is defined in unique BT protocols and profiles.
A BT profile describes how the technology is used (i.e. how different parts of the specification can be used to fulfill a desired function for a BT device). A profile can be described as a vertical slice through the protocol stack. It defines options in each protocol that are mandatory for the profile. It also defines parameter ranges for each protocol. The profile concept is used to decrease the risk of interoperability problems between different manufacturers' products. These profiles do not normally define any additions to the BT specification, which is why new profiles can be added where desired. The underlying BT technology is the same, only the specific way that it is used is defined and clarified.
There are 13 "profiles" described in version 1.1 of the BT specification. These profiles are general behaviors through which BT units communicate with other units. The 13 original profiles constitute the basis for the user models and their profiles. The profiles also provide the foundation for future user models and profiles.
Referring to FIG. 1, the profiles include the Generic Access Profile (GAP) 110, which defines how two Bluetooth units discover and establish a connection with each other. GAP ensures that any two Bluetooth units, regardless of manufacture and application, can exchange information via BT in order to discover what type of applications the units support. The Service Discovery Application Profile (SDAP) 115 defines the investigation of services available to a BT unit. This application interfaces the Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) that sends and receives service inquiries to and from other Bluetooth units. The SDAP 115 is dependent on the GAP 110, i.e. SDAP re-uses parts of the GAP.
The Cordless Telephony Profile 120 defines how BT can be used as a wireless phone. It describes how a BT adapted cellular phone should switch to BT wireless phone-function when it comes within reach of a BT base station. The Intercom Profile 125 connects with the cordless telephony profile 120. It defines how two BT equipped cellular phones in the same network should be able to communicate directly with each other, without using the public telephone network.
The Serial Port Profile 130 defines how to set-up virtual serial ports on two devices and connect these with BT. The Headset Profile 135 defines how a BT-headset should communicate with headsets or computers. The Dial-up Networking (DUN) Profile 140 defines how a modem-connection over the public telephone network can be linked to a BT equipped terminal, such as a laptop, BT equipped modem or BT equipped cellular phone. The Fax Profile 145 is similar to the Dial-up Networking Profile 140, except that it interfaces a fax. The LAN Access Profile 150 defines interconnections between BT equipped terminals and LANs (and on to Internet).
The Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP) 155 defines the set of protocols and procedures to be used by applications handling object exchanges. Several usage models are based on this profile, e.g. File Transfer and Synchronization. The Object Exchange Protocol (OBEX)-standard is used.
The Object Push Profile 160 is used in conjunction with the Generic Object Exchange Profile 155 to send and receive small objects. The File Transfer Profile 165 is used in conjunction with the Generic Object Exchange Profile 155 to transfer files between two BT units. The Synchronization Profile 170 is used in conjunction with the Generic Object Exchange Profile 155 to enable synchronization of calendar and address information between computers.
The Symbian operating system (OS) is an open, standard operating system licensed by mobile phone manufacturers. It is designed for the specific requirements of data-enabled 2 G, 2.5 G and 3 G mobile phones. Symbian OS includes a multi-tasking kernel, integrated telephony support, communications protocols, data management, advanced graphics support, a low-level graphical user interface framework and a variety of application engines.
Symbian OS is specifically designed for portable, battery-powered mobile phones. Some of the features that make Symbian OS ideal for developing communications software include a flexible client-server based architecture and programming system to support compact but powerful software on wireless information devices, instant access to user data using an effective multi-tasking kernel at the lowest-level, and a very easy user interface framework at the highest level and adaptability to different device types and different underlying communication technology.
Symbian OS provides a core of application programming interfaces (APIs) that are common to all Symbian OS phones. Components of Symbian OS include a suite of application engines, OBEX for exchanging objects such as appointments and business cards; integrated APIs for data management, text, clipboard and graphics; communication protocols including wide-area networking stacks including TCP/IP and WAP, personal area networking (PAN) support including infrared (IrDA), Bluetooth and USB; data synchronization including over-the-air (OTA) synchronization support using Synchronization Mark-up Language (SyncML); PC-based synchronization over serial, Bluetooth, Infrared and USB; a PC Connectivity framework providing the ability to transfer files and synchronize personal information management (PIM) data.
The BT profiles were the initial drivers for Symbian OS BT implementation. In the Symbian OS BT architecture, core stack functionality is implemented by two components, a Host Controller Interface (HCI.DLL) and the Bluetooth protocol module (BT.PRT). The BT protocol module encapsulates the BT Logical Link Control and Adaptation Layer Protocol (L2CAP) and RFComm layers. The RFCOMM protocol provides emulation of serial ports over the L2CAP protocol. As a Symbian OS protocol module, it provides a sockets API to these protocols. BT.PRT furthermore spawns distinct BT Manager and Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) server threads. The SDP server handles SDP queries and responses. Serial port emulation is supported by the BT comm server module (BTCOMM.CSY) which provides a number of virtual serial ports for different legacy services running over RFCOMM socket functionality.
Within the foregoing innovations, it can be noted that each transport medium has its own application implementation. Thus, the system is not well optimized. The USB acts as a serial bus and does not define any application profiles.

USB application adopting bluetooth profile with a sharing implementation


A system for use in the treatment of contaminated fluid is provided. The system includes a source from which contaminated fluid may be introduced into the system, and a reservoir for an adsorbent material designed to remove contaminants from the fluid. The system also includes a reactor within which the adsorbent material and the contaminated fluid may be accommodated for treatment. A separation device may further be included for removing spent adsorbent materials from the system. A method for treating contaminated fluid is also provided.

Produced fluid, such as water, from offshore oil platforms can contain toxic heavy metals, for instance, mercury. In the Gulf of Mexico, mercury levels rarely exceed 100 parts per billion (ppb). However, in the Gulf of Thailand, the average concentration of mercury in produced water can range from about 200 ppb to about 2,000 ppb.
Discharge of mercury into the marine environment in U.S. territorial waters is currently regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act via the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit process. According to environmental standards under 40 CFR §131.36 for marine environment, limits include about 1800 ppb for acute exposure and about 25 ppb for chronic exposure. International standards for mercury discharges in produced water, on the other hand, range from about 5 ppb in Thailand to about 300 ppb in the North Sea.
Produced water often contains oil that was removed with the water during the bulk oil/water separation process. As an example, the produced water from the North Sea fields contains about 15-30 parts per million (ppm) dispersed oil with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX); naphthalene, phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene (NPD), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), phenol, and organic acid concentrations ranging from about 0.06 ppm to about 760 ppm. Additionally, these produced waters contain toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and copper in concentrations ranging from less than about 0.1 ppb to about 82 ppb. The presence of a complex mix of constituents coupled with a high concentration of dissolved salts can present a challenge for heavy metal removal using currently available conventional technologies.
In particular, existing technologies for metal and mercury removal from diluted wastewater include activated carbon adsorption, sulfur-impregnated activated carbon, microemulsion liquid membranes, ion exchange, and colloid precipitate flotation. These technologies may not be suitable for water treatment because of poor metal loading (e.g., metal uptake less than 20% of the mass of the adsorber material) and selectivity, (interference from other abundant ions in groundwater). In addition, mercury may be present in species other than elemental. So the method must be able to remove these other species, such as methyl mercury etc. Furthermore, they lack stability for metal-laden products so that they are not disposable directly as a permanent waste form. As a result, secondary treatment is required to dispose or stabilize the separated mercury or the mercury-laden products. Mercury removal from non-aqueous sludge, adsorbed liquids, or partially- or fully-stabilized sludges, and mercury-contaminated soil is difficult because (1) the non-aqueous nature of some wastes prevents the easy access of leaching agents, (2) some waste streams with large volumes make the thermal desorption process expensive, and (3) the treatment of some waste streams are technically difficult because of the nature of the wastes.
Mercury removal from offgas in vitrifiers and in mercury thermal desorption processes is usually accomplished through active carbon adsorption. However, the carbon-based adsorbents are only effective enough to remove 75 to 99.9% of the mercury with a loading capacity equivalent to 1-20% of the mass of the adsorber material. A last step, mercury amalgamation using expensive gold, usually is needed to achieve the EPA air release standard. A carbon bed usually is used later in the offgas system, where the temperature is generally lower than 250° F. In the sulfur impregnated carbon process, mercury is adsorbed to the carbon, which is much weaker than the covalent bond formed with, for instance, surface functionalized mesoporous material. As a result, the adsorbed mercury needs secondary stabilization because the mercury-laden carbon does not have the desired long-term chemical durability due to the weak bonding between the mercury and active carbon. In addition, a large portion of the pores in the activated carbon are large enough for the entry of microbes to solubilize the adsorbed mercury-sulfur compounds. The mercury loading is limited to about 0.2 g/g of the materials.
The microemulsion liquid membrane technique uses an oleic acid microemulsion liquid membrane containing sulfuric acid as the internal phase to reduce the wastewater mercury concentration from about 460 ppm to about 0.84 ppm. However, it involves multiple steps of extraction, stripping, demulsification, and recovery of mercury by electrolysis and uses large volumes of organic solvents. The liquid membrane swelling has a negative impact on extraction efficiency.
The slow kinetics of the metal-ion exchanger reaction requires long contacting times. This process also generates large volumes of organic secondary wastes. One ion exchange process utilizes Duolite™ GT-73 ion exchange organic resin to reduce the mercury level in wastewater from about 2 ppm to below about 10 ppb. Oxidation of the resin results in substantially reduced resin life and an inability to reduce the mercury level to below the permitted level of less than about 0.1 ppb. The mercury loading is also limited because the high binding capacity of most soils to mercury cations makes the ion-exchange process ineffective, especially when the large amounts of Ca2+ from soil saturate the cation capacity of the ion exchanger. In addition, the mercury-laden organic resin does not have the ability to resist microbe attack. Thus, mercury can be released into the environment if it is disposed of as a waste form. In addition to interference from other cations in the solution besides the mercury-containing ions, the ion exchange process is simply not effective in removing neutral mercury compounds, such as HgCl2, Hg(OH)2, and organic mercury species, such as methylmercury, which is the most toxic form of mercury. This ion-exchange process is also not effective in removing mercury from non-aqueous solutions and adsorbing liquids.
The reported removal of metal from water by colloid precipitate flotation reduces mercury concentration from about 160 ppb to about 1.6 ppb. This process involves the addition of HCl to adjust the wastewater to pH 1, addition of Na2S and oleic acid solutions to the wastewater, and removal of colloids from the wastewater. In this process, the treated wastewater is potentially contaminated with the Na2S, oleic acid, and HCl. The separated mercury needs further treatment to be stabilized as a permanent waste form.
Acidic halide solution leaching and oxidative extractions can also be used in mobilizing mercury in soils. For example KI/I2 solutions enhance dissolution of mercury by oxidization and complexation. Other oxidative extractants based on hypochlorite solutions have also been used in mobilizing mercury from solid wastes. Nevertheless, no effective treatment technology has been developed for removing the mercury contained in these wastes. Since leaching technologies rely upon a solubilization process wherein the solubilized target (e.g. mercury) reaches a dissolution/precipitation equilibrium between the solution and solid wastes, further dissolution of the contaminants from the solid wastes is prevented once equilibrium is reached. In addition, soils are usually a good target ion absorber that inhibits the transfer of the target ion from soils to solution.
The removal of mercury from nonaqueous liquids, adsorbed liquids, soils, or partially-or-fully-stabilized sludge at prototypic process rates has been lacking. This is mainly because the mercury contaminants in actual wastes are much more complicated than the mercury systems addressed by many laboratory-scale tests that are usually developed based on some simple mercury salts. The actual mercury contaminants in any actual wastes almost always contain inorganic mercury (e.g., divalent cation Hg2+, monovalent Hg22+, and neutral compounds such as HgCl2, Hg[OH]2,); organic mercury, such as methylmercury (e.g., CH3 HgCH3 or CH3 Hg+) as a result of enzymatic reaction in the sludge; and metallic mercury, because of reduction. Since many laboratory technologies are developed for only one form of mercury, demonstrations using actual wastes have not been successful.
Other metals that are of interest for remediation and industrial separations include but are not limited to silver, lead, uranium, plutonium, neptunium, americium, cadmium and combinations thereof. Present methods of separation include but are not limited to ion exchangers, precipitation, membrane separations, and combinations thereof. These methods usually have the disadvantages of low efficiencies, complex procedures, and high operation costs.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system and method that can be used to remove heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, and lead from complex waste fluids, such as produced water, in a significant amount and in a cost effective manner.

Systems and methods for flow-through treatment of contaminated fluids


This invention pertains to a shoulder restraint having a series of pockets therein that is wrapped around the user's shoulder to apply hot or cold packs to the affected area. This restraint comprises a main body portion and two extensions, one short and one long, extending from the same side of the main body portion. Each extension is secured to the main body portion (after being wrapped around the user's body part) by closure means that comprise the "hook" portion of a typical hook and loop closure system. The pockets are closed in a similar manner to retain the hot or cold packs therein, and to provide a means to remove and/or replace these packs without the need to remove the restraint.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to medical devices in general, and more particularly to a flexible wrap for restraining a shoulder, or another anatomical part of a user, in a relatively stable position while also providing a means for applying either a heat pack or a cold pack to that region of the body.
2. General Background
The medical field contains numerous examples of flexible restraints for body parts ranging from a simple strip bandages to more complicated devices designed for a specific body part. As can be imagined, the more complicated the design, the less utilitarian it becomes, in some cases requiring a separate device for the right and the left (or the front and the back) body part. Another drawback to the more specific designs of restraints is the fact that they must come in a variety of sizes to accommodate men, women and children and their respective ectomorphic, mesomorphic and endomorphic body sizes and/or shapes.
In the past, shoulder restraints have ranged from multiple wraps of gauze to a full upper body cast or plaster, depending upon the degree of movement permitted. Regardless of the type specified, each of them required a considerable amount of time to secure or install in place, and they oftentimes required the assistance of another person for proper fit. This becomes a burden when the wrap needs to be frequently removed for inspection, change of dressing, or application of medicine purposes. These wraps also fail to provide a means for securing a heating source or a chilling source against the affected area, much less enable these sources to be replaced in a timely and efficient manner.
It is thus an object of this invention to provide a shoulder restraint that can be quickly installed, adjusted and removed as needed. Another object of this invention is to enable this installation/removal to be accomplished by user, without the need for assistance. Still another object of this invention is to provide a means for securing a heat source or a chilling source against the affected area without the need to remove the wrap when the source must be removed and/or recharged. A further object of this invention is to provide a shoulder restraint that can be used on either shoulder and on both men and women despite their body size or category. Yet another object is to enable the user to quickly adjust the amount or restraint provided by the wrap to accommodate a variety of needs or requirements. These and other objects will become obvious upon further inspection.


An electrostatographic printing machine and apparatus that utilizes a two layer roll charger for contact charging of photoreceptors. The charger includes a liquid retentive foam layer fitted over an electrically conductive shaft. The shaft can be solid or porous, the later requiring a separate liquid reservoir. The second layer is a thin liquid permeable member, over the foam layer, which transmits water at a slow, but controlled rate during the rotation of the roller. The roller may rotate synchronously with the photoreceptor or be allowed to slip on the photoreceptor surface to improve uniformity and contact. The membrane increases life by controlling the runout of liquid from the repository. Also, the present invention permits charging over photoreceptor pinholes.

Generally, the process of electrostatographic reproduction is initiated by exposing a light image of an original document to a substantially uniformly charged photoreceptive member. Exposing the charged photoreceptive member to a light image discharges the photoconductive surface thereof in areas corresponding to non-image areas in the original document, while maintaining the charge on image areas to create an electrostatic latent image of the original. The original is subsequently developed into a visible image by a process in which a charged developing material is deposited onto the photoconductive surface of the photoreceptor such that the developing material is attracted to the charged image areas on the photoconductive surface. Thereafter, the developing material is transferred from the photoreceptive member to a copy sheet or some other image support substrate to which the image may be permanently affixed for producing a reproduction of the original document. In a final step in the process, the photoconductive surface of the photoreceptive member is cleaned to remove any residual developing material therefrom in preparation for successive imaging cycles.
The above described electrostatographic reproduction process is well known and is useful for light lens copying from an original, as well as for printing applications involving electronically generated or stored originals. Analogous processes also exist in other printing applications such as, for example, digital laser printing where a latent image is formed on the photoconductive surface via a modulated laser beam, or ionographic printing and reproduction where charge is deposited on a charge retentive surface in response to electronically generated or stored images.
Various devices and apparatus have been proposed for use in electrostatographic applications to apply an electrostatic charge or a charge potential to a photoconductive surface prior to the formation of a light image thereon. Typically, corona generating devices are utilized, wherein a suspended electrode comprising one or more fine conductive elements is biased at a high electric potential, causing ionization of surrounding air which results in deposition of an electric charge on an adjacent surface. An example of such a corona generating device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,836,725 to R. G. Vyverberg, wherein a conductive corona electrode in the form of an elongated wire is partially surrounded by a conductive shield. The corona electrode is provided with a DC voltage, while the conductive shield is usually electrically grounded. A dielectric surface to be charged is spaced from the wire on the side opposite the shield and is mounted on a grounded substrate. Alternatively, the corona device may be biased in a manner taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,879,395, wherein an AC corona generating potential is applied to the conductive wire electrode and a DC potential is applied to a conductive shield partially surrounding the electrode. This DC potential regulates the flow of ions from the electrode to the surface to be charged. Because of this DC potential, the charge rate can be adjusted, making this biasing system ideal for self regulating systems. Other biasing arrangements are known in the prior art and will not be discussed in great detail herein.
In addition to charging the imaging surface of an electrostatographic system prior to exposure, corona generating devices, so-called corotrons, can be used in the transfer of an electrostatic toner image from a photoreceptor to a transfer substrate, in tacking and detacking paper to or from the imaging member by neutralizing charge on the paper, and, generally, in conditioning the imaging surface prior to, during, and after the deposition of toner thereon to improve the quality of the xerographic output copy.
Several problems have historically been associated with corona generating devices as described hereinabove. The most notable problem centers around the inability of such corona devices to provide a uniform charge density along the entire length of the corona generating electrode, resulting in a corresponding variation in the magnitude of charge deposited on associated portions of the adjacent surface to be charged. Other problems include the use of very high voltages (6000-8000 V) requiring the use of special insulation, maintenance of corotron wires, low charging efficiency, the need for erase lamps and lamp shields and the like, arcing caused by non-uniformities between the coronode and the surface being charged, vibration and sagging of corona generating wires, contamination of corona wires, and, in general, inconsistent charging performance due to the effects of humidity and airborne chemical contaminants on corona devices. More importantly, corona devices generate ozone, resulting in well-documented health and environmental hazards. Corona charging devices also generate oxides of nitrogen which eventually desorb from the corotron and oxidize various machine components, thereby adversely effecting the quality of the final output print.
Various approaches and solutions to the problems inherent to the use of suspended wire corona generating charge devices have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,723 to Sarid et al. shows a dielectric coated coronode uniformly supported along its length on a conductive shield or on an insulating substrate. That patent shows a corona discharge electrode including a conductive wire coated with a relatively thick dielectric material, preferably glass or an inorganic dielectric, in contact with or spaced closely to a conductive shield electrode. U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,970 discloses a bare wire coronode attached directly to the outside of a glass coated secondary electrode. U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,447 discloses an ion modulating electrode that has a plurality of apertures capable of enhancing or blocking the passage of ion flow through the apertures. In addition, alternatives to corona generating charging systems have been developed. For example, roller charging systems, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,912,586 to Gundlach; 3,043,684 to Mayer; 3,398,336 to Martel et al., have been disclosed and discussed in numerous articles of technical literature.
The present invention relates to a device for charging photoconductive imaging members by ionic conduction through a fluid media, wherein corona generating devices together with their known disadvantages can be avoided. The following disclosures may be relevant to various aspects of the present invention and may be briefly summarized as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,626 to Facci et al. discloses an apparatus for applying an electrical charge to a charge retentive surface by transporting ions through an ionically conductive liquid and transferring the ions to the member to be charged across the liquid/charge retentive surface interface. The ionically conductive liquid is contacted with the charge retentive surface for depositing ions onto the charge retentive surface via a wetted donor blade supported within a conductive housing, wherein the housing is coupled to an electrical power supply for applying an electrical potential to the ionically conductive liquid. In one specific embodiment, the charging apparatus includes a support blade for urging the donor blade into contact with the charge retentive surface and a wiping blade for wiping any liquid from the surface of the charge retentive surface as may have been transferred to the surface at the donor blade/charge retentive surface interface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,505 to Lewis discloses an apparatus for applying an electrical charge to a charge retentive surface by transporting ions through an ionically conductive liquid and transferring the ions to the member to be charged across the liquid/charge retentive surface interface. The ionically conductive liquid is contacted with the charge retentive surface for depositing ions onto the charge retentive surface via a wetted donor blade supported within a mechanically sealable housing adapted to permit movement of the wetted donor blade from an operative position in contact with the charge retentive surface, to a nonoperative position stored within the housing to prevent loss of the tonically conductive liquid in its liquid or vapor form so as to extend the functional life of the apparatus. In one specific embodiment, a wiper blade may be provided for removing any liquid droplets from the surface of the photoreceptor as may have been transferred at the donor blade/charge retentive surface interface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,523 to Facci et al. discloses a device for applying an electrical charge to a charge retentive surface by transporting ions in a fluid media and transferring the ions to the member to be charged across the fluid media/charge retentive surface interface. The fluid media is positioned in contact with a charge retentive surface for depositing ions onto the charge retentive surface. In one specific embodiment, the fluid media is a ferrofluid material wherein a magnet is utilized to control the position of the fluid media, which, in turn, can be utilized to selectively control the activation of the charging process.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,890 to DeBolt et al. discloses a fuser apparatus for heat fusing toner images to a print substrate that has a fuser roll and a pressure roll forming a fusing nip therebetween, a system to deliver liquid release agent to the fuser roll including a movable web having a first side and a second side supported between a web supply roll and a web take-up roll, a housing supporting the supply roll and take-up roll is on one side of the fuser roll and the other is on the movable web is in contact with the fuser roll along a path parallel to its longitudinal axis. The movable web is impregnated with a liquid release agent and the movable web, supply roll and take-up roll are reversibly mounted in the housing to deliver liquid release agent to the fuser roll initially from the first side of the movable web followed by reversing the location of the supply roll and take-up roll in the support housing so that the second side of the impregnated web is in contact with the fuser roll to deliver release agent. The movable web is urged into delivery engagement with the fuser roll by an open celled foam pinch roll impregnated with liquid release agent.

Roll charger with semi-permeable membrane for liquid charging


A mop wringer includes a base and a plurality of sides which can define a channel having a uniform or substantially uniform cross-section along its longitudinal extent, and one or more openings in the base and/or sides by which fluid can drain from the wringer. One of the sides is a pivotable guide element which is pivotable relative to the other sides on axle elements which are spaced from and which are between in use uppermost and lowermost ends of the said pivotable guide element. The in use pivotable guide element provides a wider opening for insertion of a mophead into the channel, but does not pivot to squeeze the mophead.

The use of mops is extremely common and widespread. A mop typically comprises a shaft or handle and a mophead engaged with one end of the shaft or handle. The body of the mophead usually supports some form of material which is designed to absorb and, at least partially, retain fluid to aid cleaning of a surface.
The fundamental problem with the absorbent material support by a mophead is that it can at times be difficult and troublesome to adequately extract enough fluid held therein to allow for a reasonable recharging of the absorbent material during further usage or in preparation for storage after use.
To attempt to overcome this problem, wringers, typically incorporating a sieve, have been developed which enable the absorbent material to be wrung or squeezed between the mophead and one or more surfaces of the wringer when the mophead is placed therein. In the case when the wringer comprises a sieve, as the mophead is manually forced downwards into the sieve, retained fluid is expelled from the absorbent material and drains out of the sieve through openings in its surfaces.
The main drawback is that a significant amount of fluid can still be retained by the absorbent material after this wringing or squeezing process. A user, therefore, typically has to perform the wringing or squeezing process more than once in order to expel an amount of fluid from the absorbent material which is sufficient for it to be worthwhile continuing the job or task in hand.
The present invention seeks to overcome this problem.


The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for washing vehicles. According to the invention, wax is sprayed to the surface of a vehicle during high-pressure washing of the vehicle. This improves the drying result, and allows the wax to be applied efficiently to the vehicle surface. The washing operation is simple and rapid.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for washing vehicles, said method comprising washing a vehicle with an apparatus comprising a frame, said frame and the vehicle to be washed moving in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is washed with a high pressure water jet, waxed, and dried.
The invention further relates to an apparatus for washing vehicles, said apparatus comprising a frame, said frame and the vehicle to be washed being arranged to move in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and spray nozzles arranged to spray high-pressure water for cleaning the vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
A brushless vehicle washing apparatus, i.e. a washing apparatus in which a vehicle is washed by water jets directed to it, typically operates as described in the following paragraph.
The first step comprises preliminary washing, in which a detergent is sprayed to the surface of the vehicle. The following step comprises high-pressure washing, in which high-pressure water jets are directed to the vehicle for cleaning it and for rinsing off the detergent. Subsequently the vehicle is rinsed with low-pressure water, to which wax can be added, and finally the vehicle is dried. Such a method and apparatus are disclosed, for example, in Fl 924 420. The washing may also comprise other steps according to the need. It is possible to add wax, for example, in several steps, depending on whether hot wax and/or rinsing aid is used. In all these cases the problem is, however, that the wax easily remains on the surface of the water which exists on the vehicle. The wax does not relieve the surface tension of the water and thus does not make sufficiently close contact with the surface of the vehicle, which diminishes the efficiency of the wax. Separate steps for applying wax complicate the washing programme and make the washing operation rather long.

Method and apparatus for washing vehicles


A process for making metallized vias in diamond substrates is disclosed. The process involves laser-drilling a plurality of holes in a CVD diamond substrate and depositing tungsten, or a similar refractory metal, in the holes by low pressure CVD to provide substantially void-free metallized vias. Diamond substrates having metallized vias are also disclosed. The structures are useful for making multichip modules for high clock rate computers.

The multi-chip module (MCM) approach for achieving very high densities is of particular interest for high performance, high clock rate digital systems, where signal latency due to interchip interconnect line lengths can prove a major limitation. The increasing speeds of digital integrated circuits can only be realized in increased system speeds if the signal interconnect delays can be correspondingly reduced. Such a reduction of signal propagation delays is achieved principally through the reduction in signal line lengths, such as through dense packaging of bare dies in multi-chip modules. However, due to the substantial areas of IC dies (typically 1 cm. on a side) the interconnect distances between dies in a 2-dimensional (2-D) array can be very substantial when the number of dies is large.
Three-dimensional MCM packaging permits very high density packaging. The advantage of a 3-D array is dramatic: whereas a given die has only 8 nearest neighbors in 2-D, in 3-D (assuming a 1.5 cm. X-Y pitch and a 2.5 mm. Z pitch) 116 dies may be reached with essentially the same signal interconnect length. If these 117 chips had to be spread out horizontally, the delay between chips would represent a significant performance compromise for system clock rates in the 50-100 MHz range, and would virtually preclude operation at rates above 250 MHz. With 3-D packaging, rates of nearly 1 GHz are theoretically possible.
The problem of 3-D architecture is that as IC chips are operated at higher frequencies, their power dissipations tend to increase proportionally. As the chips are packed closely in MCM packaging, the power density levels give rise to severe problems with waste heat.
Eden, in Proceedings of the International Symposium on Hybrid Microelectronics (1991), has pointed out that the key problem in 3-D packaging is achieving the vertical interconnects between boards with high density in a practical, demountable, reworkable fashion, while at the same time getting out of the "cube" (the completed 3-D interconnected system) the heat resulting from the substantial power dissipation from all of the high speed IC's operating in a small volume. If the problems could be solved, a 10 cm. by 10 cm. cube computer could provide all the logic of a 16-processor Cray3.TM. supercomputer. Diamond substrates with metallized vias show promise of providing the solution.
Table I shows the thermal conductivities of some materials that, on the basis of their mechanical properties, could be considered as possible substrates for mounting dies.
TABLE I ______________________________________ Thermal Conductivity, Material W/m-.degree.C. ______________________________________ Diamond: Natural 2000 CVD 500-1600 Beryllia, BeO 223 AlN 70-230 Alumina, 99% 29 GaAs 45 Silicon 149 Kovar .RTM. (FeNiCo) 17 Molybdenum 146 Aluminum 237 Copper 396 Silver 428 Diamond-Epoxy 8.7 Silver-Epoxy 5.8 Polyimide 0.2 ______________________________________
There are no electrical insulators that come within a factor of eight of diamond's thermal conductivity, which is more than four times that of copper. Natural diamond is too expensive at present to be commercially useful, but chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond is becoming commercially viable.
The ability to produce high density packing of active and passive components on diamond substrates is greatly limited, however, if there is no technique to pattern and interconnect traces on both sides of the diamond. In other ceramic substrates such as alumina this can be easily accomplished by co-firing the ceramics with metal traces. With CVD diamond this cannot be done because diamond does not sinter at any reasonable temperatures. Thus a technique to fabricate metallized vias in CVD diamond is needed. Ideally the vias would have a high electrical conductivity, the metal would completely fill the hole so that packaging could be hermetically sealed and the metal would adhere well to the diamond.
The present invention provides diamond substrates having tightly adherent metal vias. Said vias are, for the most part, essentially free of voids and flush with the two faces of the diamond.

Process for making metallized vias in diamond substrates


A moveable graphical user interface object is provided. The moveable graphical user interface object is moveable within a bounded graphical region. A current location of the moveable graphical user interface object in the bounded graphical region corresponds to an indicated direction of concentrated airflow. For example, the moveable graphical user interface object is used to control airflow direction of a HVAC air vent.

Climate within a vehicle can be controlled using a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that delivers temperature controlled air via air vents. Traditionally the configuration and direction of air delivered from air vents has been controlled with physical buttons and/or knobs. The required space and design constraints of these physical buttons and knobs often limit the functional and aesthetic design of other features of the vehicle. For example, without these physical buttons and knobs, the size and design of the dashboard can be improved, allowing increased vehicle cabin space and improved outward visibility. Additionally, mechanical switches are prone to mechanical failure and the reduction or elimination of switches may improve reliability and reduce manufacturing cost/complexity.


This vehicle includes a vehicle-mounted component mounted below a rear floor panel and an electric power reception device mounted below the rear floor panel and including an electric power reception portion receiving electric power in a non-contact manner from an electric power transmission device including an externally provided electric power transmission portion, and the vehicle-mounted component is arranged flush with and around the electric power reception device.

A hybrid vehicle, an electric car, and the like in which drive wheels are driven with electric power from a battery or the like have recently attracted attention in consideration of environments.
In particular in recent years, for an electrically powered vehicle incorporating a battery as above, wireless charging with which a battery can be charged in a non-contact manner without using a plug or the like has attracted attention. Recently, various charging schemes have been proposed also for non-contact charging schemes.
For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-070048 (PTD 1), Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-288889 (PTD 2), and Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-098257 (PTD 3) are directed to an electric power transmission system using a non-contact charging scheme.
In these electric power transmission systems, an electric power reception device is mounted on a vehicle side. In order to actually place an electric power reception portion on a vehicle, it is necessary to take into account leakage of electromagnetic waves from the electric power reception device. In addition, since the electric power reception device should be mounted in a limited space in a vehicle, arrangement relation between the electric power reception device and a vehicle-mounted component arranged on a vehicle side should be considered.


A virtual memory unit has a plurality of directory and buffer store levels for storing page descriptor information. The memory directories and a least recently used (LRU) device constructed from the same type of standard cache address directory part include parity error detection circuits. The virtual memory unit further includes a state machine for defining sequential states used in generating control signals for directing the memory unit's operation in translating virtual addresses into physical addresses. Programmable control circuits which generate the required input data and control signals applied to the directories and LRU device for reading and updating their contents further include the retry facilities which, in response to certain types of error situations, alter state machine sequencing to again try the virtual to physical address translation with a fresh copy and the LRU replacement operations in a way to improve robustness.

1. Field of Use
The present invention relates to data processing systems and, in particular, to cache memory systems.
2. Prior Art
It is known to provide parity check circuits for detecting errors in the addresses and information read from the directory or cache store during a read cycle of operation to generate signals which simulate a condition that the requested information was not stored in cache store although it was stored and read out. This causes a backing store cycle of operation to be initiated for read out of a correct version of the actual requested information from a backing store containing error detection and correction (EDAC) circuits. This system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,236 which issued on Apr. 11, 1978.
While the above system improves the reliability of the information being provided, it presumes that the states of the cache address directory circuits are faulty. In other words, it is not very fault tolerant.
Faults are generally classified in terms of their duration, nature and extent. The duration of a fault can be transient, intermittent or permanent. A transient fault, often the result of external disturbances, exists for a finite length of time and is nonrecurring. Thus, the ability to retry or recover from such transient faults becomes important for a system to be fault tolerant.
This is particularly important in cases where the cache unit is utilized as part of a virtual memory unit, responsible for translating virtual addresses into physical addresses. Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a virtual memory unit which is more resilient to various types of error conditions.
It is a further, more specific object of the present invention to provide a virtual memory unit which incorporates resiliency features without increasing the complexity of the unit.

Virtual memory unit utilizing set associative memory structure and state machine control sequencing with selective retry


A system and method are provided for the non-thermal destruction of hazardous waste material using an electrodeless inductively coupled RF plasma torch. The waste material is combined with a controllable source of free electrons, and the RF plasma torch is used to excite the free electrons, raising their temperature to 3000.degree. C. or more. The electrons are maintained at this temperature for a sufficient time to enable the free electrons to dissociate the waste material as a result of collisions and ultraviolet radiation generated in situ by electron-molecule collisions. The source of free electrons is preferably an inert gas such as argon, which may be used as both the waste material carrier gas and the torch gas.

This invention relates to the destruction of hazardous waste and, more particularly, to the destruction of hazardous waste using an electrodeless radio frequency (RF) inductively coupled plasma torch.
A major problem facing modern society is the disposal of toxic waste materials in a manner which minimizes harmful effects on the environment. An ideal waste disposal system is one which is capable of reducing hazardous waste to compounds suitable for environmental disposal. Such suitability is, of course, defined in terms of acceptable levels of pollution as determined by a variety of regulatory agencies.
Traditionally, hazardous waste disposal has taken the form of direct burial in land fills, or thermal processing of the waste, followed by burial of the solid residue, and release to the atmosphere of the volatile residue. None of these approaches have proven acceptable, due to the fact that the materials released to the environment remain as unacceptable sources of pollution.
A number of attempts have been made in the prior art to destroy waste material using direct current (DC) arc discharge type plasma torches. One such attempt is disclosed in Boday, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,706. This reference teaches the use of a DC arc discharge plasma torch in combination with an oxidizing agent for the thermochemical decomposition of certain types of waste material. The torch gas is air, and the waste material in vapor form is introduced along with oxygen downstream of the plasma arc generator, where it is heated by the torch gas.
In Faldt, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,443, there is disclosed the use of an arc discharge plasma torch to thermally decompose waste material. Waste material in the form of solid particles must be introduced downstream of the arc to avoid fouling of the torch as a result of particle adherence. Oxidizing agents such as oxygen and air are mixed with the waste either before, during or after the waste is heated by the torch gas. Sufficient oxidizing agents are required for the complete oxidation decomposition of the waste material.
In Barton, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,877, there is disclosed the use of a DC arc plasma burner for the pyrolytic decomposition of waste. An organic fluid is used to start and stabilize the plasma arc, and annular electromagnetic field coils are used to collimate the plasma, and a high pressure air supply is used to spin the arc. Provisions are made for feeding waste material downstream of the arc electrodes to prevent interference with the formation or generation of the plasma arc. The reference teaches away from the use of an inert gas to initiate or sustain the plasma, on the basis that such a burner is only suitable for low temperature applications. A reaction chamber following the burner is used to combine gas and particulate matter, which is quenched and neutralized with an alkaline spray. A mechanical scrubber is used to separate gases, which are withdrawn using an exhaust fan.
Chang, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,001, discloses what is described as an improvement over the above-discussed system of Barton, et al. The improvement is the use of water or methanol in place of a miscible mixture of a solvent of MEK and methanol for combining with waste materials comprising PCBs prior to introduction into the DC arc type plasma torch, and the use of pure oxygen instead of air as the torch gas. The object of these changes is to increase the waste processing rate. Also disclosed is the use of a solid separator which employs a partial vacuum to separate carryover gases.
The prior art plasma waste decomposition systems suffer from a variety of shortcomings which have prevented their widespread use in commercial applications. One shortcoming results from the fact that the waste material generally cannot be introduced directly into the plasma arc because such introduction causes contamination of the arc electrodes and subsequent erratic operation of the arc. Thus, the waste material is introduced downstream of the arc an is indirectly heated by the torch gas. This technique shortens the high temperature residence time of the waste material, resulting in incomplete decomposition.
Further, the performance of the arc is highly sensitive to the waste and carrier gas flow rate. Thus, the flow rates must be confined within narrow limits, leading to difficulties in controlling and maintaining system performance. Arc electrode erosion with use further complicates the maintenance, operation, stability and safety of the system. Small scale operation of DC arc plasmas is also very inefficient due in part to the minimum gas flow rate and electric power requirements needed to strike and sustain the arc. Scaling the prior art systems for operation at different waste throughput levels and with a variety of waste materials has proven to be difficult, requiring major system configuration changes which are expensive to accomplish.
Additionally, the need for organic, oxidizing, and/or reducing agents to be combined with the waste material in the prior art systems often results in highly undesirable compounds in the waste residue.
In summary, none of the prior art systems have provided a method of reducing hazardous waste to compounds suitable for environmental disposal.

Electrodeless plasma torch apparatus and methods for the dissociation of hazardous waste


Disclosed is a method of curing inflammatory acne by applying a carbon lotion onto a face covered with acne, irradiating the applied carbon lotion with a laser pulse having a pulse width of microsecond, and irradiating the applied carbon lotion with a laser pulse having a pulse width of nanosecond to sterilize acne bacilli and open skin pores clogged with sebum, thereby entirely treating the inflammatory acne. The method includes applying the carbon lotion onto epidermis to be cured and pores, irradiating the carbon lotion with a laser pulse to heat and burst the applied carbon lotion. With the method, the inflammatory acne is simply cured without scar.

It is known that the onset of acne is generally caused by the following four reasons: 1) excessive production of sebum; 2) excessive cell division of follicular epithelium and thus blocking of pores; 3) production of inflammation due to proliferation of Pro-pionibacterium acne (P.acne) and generation of prefatty acid; and 4) inflammation of follicle and its surrounding area. A major factor affecting the pathogeny mechanism comprises climate or weather, season, modification of gene or hormone, skin wastes, and others.
The onset causes of the acne will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the surrounding area of a pore, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating inflammatory acne developed around the pore.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, if a sebum 4 is excessively secreted from a sebum gland 2, the sebum 4 is not smoothly discharged from the sebum gland 2, and thus is accumulated in a pore 8. The prefatty acid generated by Propionibacterium acne which is proliferated in the pore 8 stimulates the skin around the pore, which can cause inflammation in the wall of a hair follicle and an area around the pore.
With the inflammation, a stratum corneum S1 is abnormally proliferated around the pore 8, and edema caused by the inflammation 10 blocks the pore 8 to further obstruct the smooth discharge of the sebum. Hence, symptoms of acne are developed on the skin. In the drawings, reference numeral S2 denotes an epidermal layer, S3 denotes a dermal layer, and 9 denotes a hair root.
The acne treatment generally takes aim at one or some of four pathogeny mechanisms as described above.
The acne developed by the above reasons is generally cured by the following conventional methods:
1) a method of dosing a patient with drugs such as antibiotics, retinoids, or steroid;
2) a method of using an external application; and
3) a surgical method such as comedo extraction, chemical peeling, or the like.
However, the conventional methods have a limited effect, and give rise to several side effects.
In particular, in case of the chemical peeling in which a chemical drug is applied onto the epidermis to peel off the epidermal layer, the clogged pores are opened to allow the sebum to be smoothly discharged, and the inflamed tissues are eliminated from the skin. However, experienced operators are required, and it is not possible to precisely control a penetrated depth when the drugs are applied, thereby possibly giving rise to side effects, for example, scar or hyper-pigmentation caused by excessive peeling of the epidermal layer. Although a laser having a wavelength of about 400 nm or intense pulsed light is used to cure the acne, because it cannot open the clogged pores, a desired curing effect is not expected. Any method cannot effectively treat the acne to date.

Method of curing inflammatory acne by using carbon lotion and pulsed laser


A structural panel comprised of a plurality of distinct layers of cylindrical foam elements each covered with a fiber-reinforced composite material. The cylindrical foam elements are arranged in layers such that the elements of adjacent layers are arranged non-parallel to one another. A pair of facesheets are secured to opposing surfaces of the cylindrical foam elements. The structural panel is high in strength, structural stiffness, and yet relatively low in weight, and is suitable for a variety of aerospace and other applications.

Sandwich panel construction for structural panels typically provides high flexural stiffness and strength, and thus is used extensively in the aerospace industry, as well as various other industries. Sandwich panels are typically made with many different facesheet materials, and generally with either a foam or honeycomb core material which is sandwiched between the facesheets. Foam by itself, however, does not have an especially high level of strength and/or stiffness. Honeycomb cores, while being generally stronger than foam, can be subject to water collection. Honeycomb core materials also have other drawbacks related to consistent producibility, the ability to easily inspect such material, as well as other issues. In addition, both foam and honeycomb core types may occasionally suffer from low peel strength such that the facesheets secured to either the foam or honeycomb core tend to prematurely disbond (i.e., separate) from the foam or honeycomb core material.
Relatively low foam core strength and stiffness may be mitigated through the use of higher density foam materials. However, a weight penalty is incurred with this approach. In the aerospace industry, honeycomb core panels must be inspected regularly to identify water ingression. When water ingression is found, repair can be time consuming and costly. Low peel strength may also prevent the use of sandwich panels altogether in certain applications or, alternatively, require that higher weight, stiffened panel designs be employed.
Therefore, there is a need for a structural panel comprised of a sandwich-type construction which is structurally strong, relatively light in weight, that can be easily inspected, easily produced, and does not suffer from the various other drawbacks of traditional foam or honeycomb core structural panels.

Sandwich type construction structural panel having foam tube core


This invention provides an electric fuel pump tester that allows a technician to simulate the real-life operation of the electrical system of the vehicle, i.e., when the fuel pump is installed. The present invention provides a tester that includes a load that is similar to that of an installed fuel pump. In this manner, a technician may monitor simulated real-life operation of the vehicle's electrical system.

A common issue encountered when attempting to diagnose a problem with the operation of a vehicle's electric fuel pump is that the technician is unable to accurately and completely test the electrical operation of the fuel system. Typically, in order to test the electric operation a technician will uninstall the fuel pump from the vehicle and test the voltage at the fuel pump electrical connection on the vehicle wire harness. The standard operating voltage of an electrical fuel pump is approximately 12 Volts DC. If the technician checks the voltage at the electrical connection and it measures approximately 12 Volts DC, the technician will believe that the electrical system of the vehicle is operating properly and, thus, assume the fuel pump is defective. However, the fuel pump wire harness may measure at approximately 12 Volts DC in an unloaded state and still be defective. In some cases, a technician will replace a fuel pump in a vehicle multiple times before realizing that the electrical system of the vehicle may be the root cause of the problem.


There is provided a ceiling baffle system having at least one ceiling support member and at least one baffle extending transversely relative to the at least one support member. The baffle has a baffle body portion with a baffle upper edge portion. At least one receiving slot extends from the upper edge into the body and receives the ceiling support member therewithin for coupling and suspending the baffle from the ceiling support member. At least one spacer extends parallel relative to the support member and has a spacer member body portion and a spacer member lower edge portion. At least one baffle retaining slot extends from the lower edge portion into the spacer member body portion. The baffle retaining slot receives at least the upper edge portion of the baffle to position, angularly orient and retain the baffle relative to the spacer member.

Modern office and business floorplans often feature large contiguous spaces, with numerous acoustically reflective surfaces such as window walls, large displays, workstation furniture, and so forth. Without acoustic treatment, such spaces may easily suffer from reverberation, uncontrolled background noise, and reduced levels of speech intelligibility. These effects diminish worker comfort and productivity.
Acoustic treatments are available to lessen the amount of reflected sound along with its undesirable effects. One popular treatment option has been to hang series of panels, often called baffles, made from acoustically absorbent material from the ceiling or walls. These aid in controlling unwanted acoustic reflections and are usually designed and manufactured to have an aesthetically agreeable appearance.
The ceiling baffle systems known in the art generally require intermediate transverse supports, or additional hardware such as clips, hooks, hangers, and fasteners for proper installation. The spacing or positioning of the baffles must also be manually measured, which can be inconsistent and require further additional fixing hardware. These additional elements not only necessitate the additional material cost for their manufacture, but also the increased labor cost of their preparation and installation.
Additionally, such baffle systems are frequently installed as retro-fits, being attached to, or below, an existing suspended ceiling. This may require modification to the existing suspended ceiling supports, or may not offer the desired aesthetic result with the baffles hanging below a differently finished ceiling.
It is therefore desirable to have a ceiling baffle system which may easily be retro-fitted onto a new or existing suspended ceiling support structure, whereby the individual baffle elements may be spaced apart or aligned as desired, without the need for on-site measurement, intermediate support members, or hardware.


Carrier stock for machine application to substantially identical cans of a newer type having an end with a chime of a relatively small diameter, a cylindrical side wall of a relatively large diameter, and a generally frusto-conical wall between the cylindrical wall and the chime is formed from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material and has integrally joined band segments defining can-receiving apertures. These include generally longitudinal outer segments, each having inner and outer edges associated with one such aperture. When the stock is unstressed, two lateral portions of the inner edge are concave, two lateral portions of the outer edge are convex, and a central portion of the outer edge is concave. A central region between the lateral portions may have an integrally joined tear-open tab. Certain generally transverse segments, which join inner segments, may have curved edges when the stock is unstressed.

Carrier stock as exemplified in Weaver et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,117 is employed commonly for machine application, typically with machines described in Braun U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,682 or other similar jaw and drum machines, to substantially identical cans, such as beverage cans utilized commonly to contain beer and soft drinks. Such cans have annular chimes at their upper ends, cylindrical side walls, and frusto-conical walls between the chimes and the side walls. Such stock is formed, as by die-cutting, from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material, such as low density polyethylene.
Such stock has integrally joined band segments defining can-receiving apertures in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. The band segments include generally longitudinal outer segments with each outer segment partly bounding the can-receiving apertures in an outer row.
In the carrier stock illustrated and described in the aforenoted patent, the band segments also include inner segments partly bounding the can-receiving apertures, along with transversely extending segments joining the inner segments. When such stock is applied effectively, the band segments defining the can-receiving apertures grip the frusto-conical walls of the cans tightly and engage the lower edges of the chimes.
Can manufacturers have in the past introduced cans having smaller chime diameters, as compared to the diameters of the side walls. Cans of this type are known as "necked-in" cans. The newest version of these necked-in cans further and drastically reduces the ratio of the chime diameter and the side wall diameter.
In a necked-in can of a newer type, the frusto-conical wall between the chime and the side wall defines a conical angle greater than approximately 28.degree., and in some instances as great as approximately 37.degree.. When the frusto-conical wall defines such a large angle relative to the can axis, it is difficult to apply carrier stock as exemplified in the aforenoted Weaver et al. patent effectively, since the band segments defining the can-receiving apertures have an undesirable tendency to slide up the cans and to rest on the cans above the lower edges of the chimes. This tendency is enhanced due to the jaw application system mentioned above.
Thus, there is a need, to which this invention is addressed, for carrier stock that can be effectively applied to cans of the newer, further necked-in type.

Carrier stock with outer band segments having concave edge portions


A method for automatically monitoring and alerting a fuel leak downstream of an engine fuel flow meter in an aircraft is provided. The method uses existing engine sensor data to input into a predetermined parameter model to predict the nominal fuel flow, and also compares fuel flow between a left engine and a right engine.

1) Field of the Invention
A fuel flow monitoring and alerting method for use with aircraft is provided. More particularly, an automatic engine fuel flow monitoring and alerting fuel leak detection method for use with aircraft is provided.
2) Description of Related Art
Fuel status and fuel consumption rates are of critical importance in the operation of aircraft engines. A precise indication of fuel supply allows pilots and flight crew to make informed decisions relating to flight plans and modifications thereof during the course of aircraft travel. Fuel leaks are a concern for aircraft on long haul missions. There have been incidents of fuel leaks that go undetected by the flight crew until effects of the leak are pronounced, such as missing fuel, and the leak is at a critical level. The flight crew must monitor numerous parameters in order to identify a fuel leak. Such close monitoring may not be practical for a long haul mission due to the pilot's or flight crew's workload. Pilot and flight crew monitoring is limited by various human factors such as fatigue and vigilance in monitoring. Known alert methods and devices on aircraft exist for detecting a tank leak or a leak upstream of the engine fuel flow meter. However, there are no known alerting methods for detecting and indicating a possible leak downstream of the fuel flow meter. The area downstream of the fuel flow meter is typically considered the fuel lines between the fuel flow meter and the fuel spray nozzles/combustor. Moreover, known fuel flow monitoring and alerting methods typically do not alert the pilot or flight crew of a fuel leak problem until it is too late to adequately solve the problem. Known fuel flow monitoring and alert methods for detecting a tank leak are typically annunciated with "Insufficient Fuel" displayed to the pilot or flight crew on the cockpit instrumentation display. Known fuel flow monitoring and alert methods for fuel leaks upstream of the fuel flow meter are typically annunciated with "Fuel Disagree" displayed to the pilot or flight crew on the cockpit instrumentation display. These alerts are often not annunciated until the problem has reached a critical level. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved automatic engine fuel flow monitoring and alerting fuel leak detection method for use with aircraft that does not have the problems associated with known systems and devices.

Automatic engine fuel flow monitoring and alerting fuel leak detection method


An optical element unit including an optical element and an optical element holder is disclosed. The optical element holder includes a holding element and coupling elements. The holding element holds the optical element and is made of a ceramic material. The elastic coupling elements are attached to the holding element and contact the optical element. The elastic coupling elements provide deformation decoupling between the holding element and the optical element.

Typically, the optical systems used in the context of fabricating microelectronic devices such as semiconductor devices include a plurality of optical elements, such as lenses and mirrors etc., in the light path of the optical system. Those optical elements usually cooperate in an exposure process to transfer an image formed on a mask, reticle or the like onto a substrate such as a wafer. The optical elements are usually combined in one or more functionally distinct optical element groups. These distinct optical element groups may be held by distinct optical exposure units. Such optical exposure units are often built from a stack of optical element modules holding one or more optical elements. These optical element modules usually include an external generally ring shaped support device supporting one or more optical element holders each, in turn, holding an optical element. Generally, such optical element holders are made of metal, such as steel or the like.
Optical element groups including at least mainly refractive optical elements, such as lenses, mostly have a straight common axis of symmetry of the optical elements usually referred to as the optical axis. Moreover, the optical exposure units holding such optical element groups often have an elongated substantially tubular design due to which they are typically referred to as lens barrels.


A measuring vessel for containment of liquids to be tested such as blood, blood plasma or the like includes a rectangular well with an inlet opening at one end thereof and with another funnel-shaped end which is connected to a tubular member closed by a cylindrical bottom with an inwardly projecting central pin to define a track for a spherical body for allowing determination of the coagulation behavior of the liquid. The tubular member includes at least two parallel side faces which extend over nearly the entire length of the tubular member. A footing is fixed to the tubular member in elongation of each broadside of the well for enabling a secure placement of the measuring vessel.

The present invention refers to a measuring or graduated vessel for receiving liquids to be tested such as blood, blood plasma or the like.
German patent specification DE-PS 29 37 195 discloses a measuring vessel with a circular bottom provided with a projecting central limiter pin and forming a track for a spherical body by which the coagulation behavior of blood can be mechanically determined in a very precise manner. In addition to this analytical process, photometric analysis is used to carry out certain measurements of blood, blood plasma or the like. In order to conduct a proper photometric analysis, it is necessary to enable an unobstructed passage of light emitted from a light source through the wall of the measuring vessel. The cylindrical configuration of the conventional measuring vessel is, however, unsuitable for photometric measurement as the curvature of the wall deflects incident light rays, leading to inaccurate results.
In addition, the conventional measuring vessel conflicts with an automatic analyzing process. Especially in connection with a photometric analysis, the cylindrical configuration of the measuring vessel complicates an exact positioning of the measuring vessel relative to the light source. This, however, is a precondition for an unobjectionable measurement. Apart from complicating the automatic feed and positioning of the measuring vessel, the cylindrical configuration also conflicts with an optimal utilization of the available storage space in a storage box which generally contains a plurality of measuring vessels and is transported in its entirety to a consumer for automatic withdrawal of a measuring vessel. In order to enable accommodation of a greatest possible number of measuring vessels, it necessarily follows that the existing space of the storage box should be utilized in an optimum manner. Evidently, the cylindrical configuration of the measuring vessels is in conflict with such a demand.


A shaft lock for interconnection of an elongate tubular lacrosse handle and a plastic lacrosse head. The shaft lock comprises an elastomeric insert compression-fitted inside the handle. The insert has a compressible body portion which, in an uncompressed form generally conforms to the interior walls of the handle and is defined by a plurality of co-planar ribs that span the interior walls of the handle. A hard screw-anchor is embedded within the elastomer insert, and the insert is anchored inside the handle by at least one screw threaded through the handle into the screw-anchor from top-to-bottom, the screw(s) engaging the screw anchor and compressing it against the elastomeric insert. The threaded engagement of the screw(s) through the wall of the handle and into the screw-anchor compresses the elastomeric insert, maintaining a constant tension against the screw(s) and against the interior walls of the handle. This avoids loosening and/or dislodgement as a result of impact or vibration, and resists the threads of the screw from stripping either the handle wall(s) or the insert as a result of torque or other stress.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sports equipment and, more particularly, to an improved shaft lock for interconnection between the handle and head of a lacrosse stick.
2. Description of the Background
In 1970, the introduction of double-wall, synthetic lacrosse heads revolutionized the game of lacrosse. In comparison to the traditional wooden single-wall heads, the synthetic heads imparted a lightness, maneuverability, and flexibility never-before experienced by lacrosse players. These performance advantages greatly enhanced players' skills such as throwing, catching, cradling, and scooping, and brought the sport of lacrosse to new levels of speed and excitement.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional molded-head lacrosse stick. As shown, a typical lacrosse stick includes a handle or shaft 20 (dashed lines) and a double-wall synthetic head 10. Head 10 includes a generally V-shaped frame having two sidewalls 14A, 14B joined by a socket 11 at the end narrow end of the "V" for receiving and seating the shaft 20. A transverse wall (or "scoop") 16 joins the sidewalk 14A, 14B at the open end of the "V." Webbing is woven between the sidewails 14A, 14B, scoop 16 and stop member 18 to form a pocket. The "double-wall" descriptor applied to the head 10 refers to the act that it has two sidewalls as opposed to the single sidewall found in traditional wooden lacrosse sticks in which the pocket is completed by a woven gut wall in place of a second, wooden sidewall. The shaft 20 joins the narrow end of the head 10 and is received in socket 11, which includes a stop member 18 defined by a closed-ended socket, and an outer throat 12 supported by extensions of the sidewalls. The throat 12 and stop member 18 are integrally joined to form one unitary socket 11. Typically, a screw or other fastener 22 placed through stop member 18 secures the shaft 20 to head 10. The traditional double-wall head 10 is a monolithic structure that is injection-molded from synthetic materials such as nylon, urethane and polycarbonate as known in the art.
FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional injection molded goalie head comprising the same components as a field player's lacrosse stick illustrated in FIG. 1 but having a different overall shape due to its generally larger dimensions.
The typical features of a lacrosse stick are shown generally in Tucker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,495, Crawford et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,984, and Tucker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,947, which are all incorporated by reference herein.
The traditional double-wall synthetic head is an injection-molded, monolithic structure. Examples of suitable synthetic materials well known in the art include nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), amorphous polar plastics (e.g., polycarbonate (PC)), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), modified polyethylene terphthalate (PETG), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), semicrystalline polar plastics (e.g., polyester PET and PBT), polyamide Nylon 6 and Nylon 66), urethane, polyketone, polybutylene terephalate, acetals (e.g., Delrin™ by DuPont), acrylic, acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrite (ASA), metallocene ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) (e.g., Nordel™ by DuPont), and composites. When first introduced, these materials were clearly superior to wood, offering players improved handling and durability. For example, a lacrosse head constructed of DuPont™ ZYTEL ST 801 nylon resin is able to withstand the bending and harsh impacts inherent to competition far better than a traditional wooden stick. As another example, a polycarbonate head, though having a flexibility similar to wood, is more structurally durable than wood and much lighter and, therefore, easier to maneuver when attached to a handle.
Ever since the plastic head was incorporated on competition lacrosse sticks in the 1970s the plastic head has been attached to the handle with a simple screw connection, e.g., a "self-tapping" screw through the plastic head and handle (self-tapping screws cut their own threads).
The durability of that connection has long been an issue for several reasons. Repeatedly removing and re-assembling the components will eventually strip the hole and prevent stable assembly. In addition, the stresses on competition lacrosse sticks during play weakens the conventional connection inevitably to the point where the head sometimes loosens or even dislodges from the handle during play. Loosening/dislodgement can occur as the screw unscrews as a result of vibration, or as a result of the threads of the screw stripping from torque or other stress when no other forces are brought to bear to prevent these occurrences. The problem has grown acute due to the increasing use of lighter and thinner-walled handles. The thread engagement is often limited to two or fewer threads, causing excessive stress and instability of the head/handle connection. Stripping and loosening of the head/handle connection results. Further, when the handle is impacted, as frequently occurs during competitive play, the walls can compress or expand and the screw threads can strip. To combat these issues, players often resort to taping over the head/handle connection, but tape adds weight and is only a temporary fix at best. Finally, like all athletes, lacrosse players are bigger and stronger than they have ever been, so pressures on the screw connection are increasing from the increased torque applied by stronger players.
Previous efforts to solve the head/handle connection problem have been ineffective. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,549 to Sykora discloses a non-resilient plug-like insert with a magnet for insertion into the handle. But the Sykora insert adds excessive weight and does not remain securely in position. Other advertised inserts devised for this same purpose have been of different constructions from the device disclosed by the Applicant and due to those constructions fail to satisfy the need for a more robust interconnection for the handle and head of a lacrosse stick to avoid loosening and head rattle.
References in this application to "competitive play", "competitive sticks" and the like refer to lacrosse games and sticks that are subject to a governing body set of rules and regulations, such as the NCAA for men's lacrosse, US Lacrosse for women's lacrosse, the National Federation of State High School Association for much of high school lacrosse and variations adopted by individual private school and recreational leagues. Such terms do not refer to articles that have some or all of the basic components of lacrosse sticks (e.g. STX "Fiddle STX") but which due to their overall size, durability, etc. are not intended for use in competitive play.

Shaft lock for interconnection between lacrosse stick handle and head