A toner binder comprising a crosslinked polyester resin obtained by using 0.1 to 3 mol % of trimellitic acid and 0.1 to 5 mol % of an epi-bis type epoxy in combination as crosslinking components, said binder having a number average molecular weight (Mn) in the chromatogram determined by a gel permeation chromatography on the non-gel portion of the polyester resin, of 2,000 to 4,000, a ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight of 10 to 25 and a (percent gel) of the residue unsoluble in tetrahydrofuran solvent of 1 wt % or less. A toner composition for flash fixing comprising the above-described binder as an essential constituent component. The toner and the toner binder exhibit good fixability and void resistance upon flash fixing and produce little fixing odor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a binder for toner used in flash fixing, a toner, an electrophotographic printing method and an apparatus therefor. More specifically, it relates to a toner exhibiting excellent fixability and void resistance during flashlight irradiation and having reduced fixing odor, an improved binder for the toner, an electrophotographing method using the toner and an apparatus therefor, pertaining to the toner used in the development of an electrostatic image for an electrophotograph and the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Electrophotography has been conventionally known to use such a system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691, where a photoconductive insulator (e.g., a photoconductive drum) is commonly used, a uniform electrostatic charge is applied to the photoconductive insulator, for example, by corona discharge, a light image is irradiated on the photoconductive insulator by various means to form an electrostatic latent image, the latent image is developed and visualized using fine particles called toner and after the toner image is transferred, if desired, to paper or the like, the toner image is fixed onto the recording medium such as paper by means of pressurization, heating, exposure to solvent vapor or irradiation by light to obtain a printed matter.
The toner used for developing the electrostatic latent image is conventionally produced by dispersing a coloring agent such as carbon black in a binder resin comprising a natural or synthetic polymer material and finely granulating the obtained dispersion into particles approximately 5 to 20 .mu.m in size. The toner may be used by itself or as a mixture thereof with a carrier such as an iron powder or glass beads in the development of an electrostatic latent image as the toner. In the case where an iron powder or other ferromagnetic powder is used as the carrier, the development is conducted in such a manner that the developing agent consisting of a toner and a carrier is mixed and stirred in a developing apparatus to charge the toner with frictional electrification, a magnet roll in the developing apparatus is rotated to form a magnetic brush, the magnetic brush is transported to the electrostatic latent image portion on the photoconductive sensitized material by rotation of the magnet roll and only the charged toner is adsorbed to the latent image due to the electrical attraction force. After the development, the developing agent which has reduced in toner density is replenished by new toner to maintain the toner density constant and can be repeatedly used.
On the other hand, the toner powder image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto a recording medium (e.g., paper) by corona transfer or roller transfer. The toner powder image transferred to the recording medium is attached to the paper in the state of powder forming an image, where if it is rubbed, for example, by a finger, the powder image is damaged. In order to fix the toner powder image on the recording medium, the powder image must be melted to fix it to the recording medium and various methods are used therefor. Among these methods, the flash fixing method, as a representative example of a photofixing method, is conducted by flash of light from a discharge tube such as a xenon flash lamp and is characterized as follows:
1) due to non-contact fixing, the resolution of a developed image is not deteriorated, PA1 2) the stand-by time after a power source is turned on is not required and a quick start can be realized, PA1 3) even when jamming of the recording paper is caused in the fixing device due to a system failure, ignition is not caused, and PA1 4) fixing is possible irrespective of material or thickness of the recording paper, such as glued paper, preprinted paper or paper of different thickness. PA1 1) due to non-contact fixing, the resolution of a developed image is not deteriorated, PA1 2) the stand-by time after a power source is turned on is not required and a quick start can be realized, PA1 3) even when jamming of the recording paper is caused in the fixing device due to a system failure, ignition is not caused, and PA1 4) printing is possible irrespective of materials or thickness of the recording paper, such as pasted paper, preprint paper or papers different in thickness. Further, since the toner of the present invention is used, excellent flash fixability and superior void resistance can be achieved and thereby a high-quality fixed image can be obtained.
Fixing the toner to the recording paper by flash fixing occurs through the following procedure. As described above, the toner image adheres to the recording paper as a powder when it is transferred to the recording paper and it is readily damaged by rubbing, for example, with a finger. When the flash of light from a discharge tube such as a xenon flash lamp is irradiated thereto, the toner absorbs the energy of flash light, its temperature is raised and thereby the toner is softened and melted to tightly adhere to the recording paper. At the end of the flash of irradiation, the temperature lowers to solidify the image to form a fixed image, thus accomplishing the fixing, and the fixed image firmly adhered to the recording paper is not damaged even when it is rubbed, for example, with a finger.
It is important in flash fixing that the toner is melted and firmly adheres to the recording paper and therefore, the toner must be thoroughly melted by absorbing energy from the flash of light. The total light energy must include not only the energy for melting the toner but also the heat energy diffusing outside and not contributing to the increase of temperature. Accordingly, if the total light energy given is insufficient, the toner cannot be melted thoroughly and as a result, the fixing obtained is not satisfactory. When the light energy is absorbed by the toner, the toner is melted and its viscoelasticity is abruptly lowered.
The physical properties of the melted toner, such as viscoelasticity and surface tension, vary greatly depending on the material and the melting temperature of the binder resin constituting the toner and if the surface tension of the toner at the time of melting and fixing overpowers the viscoelasticity thereof, the toner aggregates and the toner which was uniformly present on the image portion moves to cause an image drop-out phenomenon called a void (aggregation void) on the fixed image, resulting in a reduction in the image density. Further, if an excess amount of energy is given, the toner boils and the melted toner is blown off by the explosive expansion of gas present in spaces in the toner powder image and the gas generated by the toner decomposition, to generate a void (explosion void) in the fixed image to thereby cause a reduction in the image density.
Accordingly, the toner must not be hardly susceptible to the generation of voids due to aggregation or moving of the toner and in this concern, the use of a binder resin having a low surface tension and a high viscoelasticity is needed so that the viscoelasticity of toner overpowers the surface tension during melting.
As known from the foregoing, in order to have good fixability, in the flash fixing system, the total amount of light energy irradiated must be sufficiently large and the toner used or the binder resin constituting the toner must have physical properties of a low melting point and a low melt viscoelasticity so that it swiftly absorbs the light energy of flash light and melts to permeate the recording medium such as paper. On the other hand, in order to prevent voids, in the flash fixing system, excessive energy must not be applied but the energy must be applied to the toner in such a manner that melt properties (e.g., melting temperature) of the toner are controlled and the toner used needs to have a melt viscoelasticity sufficiently high to prevent movement of the toner causing generation of voids.
The toner for flash fixing must also not generate a bad odor even if it is heated to a high temperature during flash fixing.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a toner and a binder for the toner which have excellent fixability and void resistance in flash fixing and have a low fixing odor.

Toner binder for flash fixing, toner, electrostatic photographic printing method and apparatus therefor


Silicone compositions that are functionalized with 1,2 or 1,3 glycol bearing substituents render antiperspirant salts soluble, partially soluble therein or partially miscible therewith. Such functionalized silicones in conjunction with antiperspirant salts produce clear antiperspirant gel sticks.

Enhanced efficacy aluminum and aluminum-zirconium antiperspirant salts are well known and are described, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,456; U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,528; U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,446, U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,525; U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,534; U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,933; U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,115; U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,677; U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,623; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,751. These enhanced salts are also known to rapidly revert back to their non-enhanced state in solution, particularly at concentrations greater than 20%. Consequently, the enhanced antiperspirant salts are generally only available in powder form.
A number of references describe various ways of making alcohol soluble antiperspirant actives. These references include, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,153; U.S. Pat. No. 3,420,932; U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,130; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,556. In each case concentrated solutions of the antiperspirant active (i.e., in the 40 to 50% range) are employed as a starting material and the product is obtained as a powder, which must then be redissolved in the desired alcohol solution. Such techniques pre-date the availability of enhanced efficacy salts and are not believed to be applicable thereto as they would likely cause reversion to the non-enhanced state. An alcohol soluble complex of aluminum chlorohydrate and propylene glycol may be prepared by spray drying a propylene glycol solution of the aluminum chlorohydrate.
Two methods of making polyhydric alcohol solutions of antiperspirant salts have been described. In one method a powdered antiperspirant salt, which may be an enhanced efficacy salt, is dissolved directly in a polyhydric alcohol, such as propylene glycol. In the other case, the polyhydric alcohol contains about 10 to 20% water and the antiperspirant salt has a water content greater than 10%.
A method of making polyhydric alcohol solutions of antiperspirant salts which are free of unbound water is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,917. In that method, a powdered antiperspirant salt, which may be an enhanced efficacy salt, is dissolved in water (a 50% solution is exemplified), a polyhydric alcohol, such as propylene glycol, is added to the aqueous solution, then all of the water is removed by heating under vacuum. A method of making a propylene glycol solution of an aluminum-zirconium antiperspirant salt neutralized with zinc glycinate has also been described. An aqueous solution of aluminum chlorohydrate is refluxed in the presence of a small amount of propylene glycol, the solution is cooled to 70.degree. C., zirconyl hydroxychloride-gly is added, the solution is cooled to 40.degree. C., then zinc glycinate followed by propylene glycol is added. This solution is then distilled under vacuum to remove water, leaving a 30% by weight solution of antiperspirant active in propylene glycol.
The above-described methods suffer from a number of deficiencies. First, many of them are not efficient because they utilize a powdered material. Isolation of a powdered antiperspirant salt from solution is time consuming and costly. Second, it is believed that these methods will likely result in some loss of efficacy and/or will not provide clear solutions. Antiperspirant salts which have been obtained by spray drying are notoriously difficult to redissolve as clear solutions. Moreover, any method which requires an aqueous salt concentration over 20% will likely suffer some loss in efficacy.

Silicone solvents for antiperspirant salts


A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle comprises a twelve-cornered cross section including sides and corners creating internal angles and external angles. To facilitate a connection between the strengthening member and the automotive component, one of the strengthening member and the automotive component may transition from the twelve-cornered cross section at a first end of the strengthening member to a four-cornered cross section at a second end of the strengthening member. An automotive assembly may include a strengthening member connected to an automotive component via a separate bridge connection member.

It is desirable, for vehicle strengthening members, to maximize impact energy absorption and bending resistance while minimizing mass per unit length of the strengthening member. Impact energy absorption may be maximized, for example, by assuring that the strengthening member compacts substantially along a longitudinal axis of the strengthening member upon experiencing an impact along this axis. Such longitudinal compaction may be referred to as a stable axial crush of the strengthening member.
When a compressive force is exerted on a strengthening member, for example a force due to a front impact load on a vehicle's front rail or other strengthening member in the engine compartment, the strengthening member can crush in a longitudinal direction to absorb the energy of the collision. In addition, when a bending force is exerted on a strengthening member, for example a force due to a side impact load on a vehicle's front side sill, B-pillar or other strengthening member, the strengthening member can bend to absorb the energy of the collision.
Conventional strengthening members rely on increasing the thickness and hardness of corner portions to improve crush strength. However, such increased thickness and hardness increases weight and decreases manufacturing feasibility. It may be desirable to provide a strengthening assembly configured to achieve the same or similar strength increase as provided by the thickened corners, while minimizing mass per unit length of the member, and maintaining a high manufacturing feasibility.
It also may be desirable to provide a strengthening member that can achieve increased energy absorption and a more stable axial collapse when forces such as front and side impact forces are exerted on the strengthening member. Additionally, it may be desirable to provide a strengthening member that possesses improved noise-vibration-harshness performance due to work hardening on its corners.
It also may be desirable to provide structures to connect the strengthening member to another automotive component to promote a stable axial crush. When the other automotive component has a different shape than the strengthening member, it may be difficult to apply welding techniques to connect the strengthening member and the other component due to the variation in shape. This difficulty may result in a connection that is not secure and which causes an unstable axial crush.

Twelve-cornered strengthening member, assemblies including a twelve-cornered strengthening member, and methods of manufacturing and joining the same


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display panel and a display device. In the display panel, by disposing a light source on a lateral side of a first base substrate, using the first base substrate as a light guiding plate, and respectively disposing a metal wire grid and a second metal wire grid on a lateral side of the first base substrate and under the first base substrate, light is emitted upwards. Moreover, a diffuse reflection layer and an optical structure layer are disposed on the first substrate, so that there is no need to dispose a backlight module. Due to no need for a reflective film and a backlight structure, the display panel achieves transparent display.

With the development of display technology, liquid crystal display products are applied in various fields. However, due to structural limitations of a backlight module and a backlight reflective layer in an existing liquid crystal display panel, the existing liquid crystal display panel is relatively thick and cannot achieve transparent display. As shown in FIG. 1, an existing side-in type backlight module includes a reflective film, lattice dots, light-emitting diodes, a light guiding plate, a diffusion sheet and a prism sheet. Due to the existence of the reflective film and the limitation of the backlight structure, the liquid crystal display product composed of the backlight module, the display panel is relatively thick, and the liquid crystal display product cannot achieve a transparent display.
Therefore, the existing liquid crystal display products have technical problems that the backlight module is not transparent, and the backlight module is relatively thick, which results in thick liquid crystal display products and cannot achieve transparent display.

WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A composite material containing carbon and a plastic includes: a) provision of a pulverulent composition with one or more components of amorphous carbon, graphite and mixed forms thereof, b) provision of a liquid binder, c) planar deposition of a layer consisting of the material provided in step a) and local deposition of droplets of material provided in step b) onto this layer and any number of repetitions of step c), the local deposition of the droplets in the successive repetitions of this step being adapted according to the desired shape of the component to be produced, d) at least partial curing or drying of the binder to obtain a green body that has the desired shape of the component, e) impregnation of the green body with a liquid synthetic resin and f) curing of the synthetic resin to produce a synthetic resin matrix.

Sliding bodies are used in all situations in which at least two machines or device parts are faced with the technical problem of achieving as low a frictional resistance as possible, contacting one another at a particular contact pressure, and moving relative to one another. In movements of this kind, the wear that occurs on the frictional surfaces and the frictional heat that is produced thereon should be kept to a minimum. Examples of such applications are shut-off slide valves or rotary slide valves in pumps and compressors, slide bearings, end-face seals, or brushes and shoes for transmitting electric currents. In situations in which it is ensured that the parts moving relative to one another are sufficiently lubricated, it is not difficult to select suitable materials for the parts sliding on one another. However, operating states very often occur in which, as is the case when machines are starting up or coming to a stop, there is a limited period during which there is not sufficient lubrication, or in which operation has to take place without any lubrication at all and dry-running occurs.
For these specific applications, sliding bodies are used that contain self-lubricating substances, such as graphite or molybdenum sulphide. However, the lubricity of the majority of these "dry lubricants" is only sufficient if an additional thin layer of moisture can be formed, which layer draws from the moisture content of the surrounding atmosphere, for example. If this is also no longer the case, as is the case during operation in very dry air, in media that have been dried to a high degree, under a vacuum, at high altitudes or at high temperatures, the requirements are also no longer met by the aforementioned self-lubricating materials and further measures are required.
EP 0 915 129 B1 describes sliding materials which consist of a graphite particle/plastics matrix composite material and are produced by injection moulding. In said document, the surfaces of all of the fillers, i.e. also the graphite particles, in the sliding material body are coated with a resin binder, which also forms the matrix.
The properties that are essential in the applications mentioned, such as thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, are therefore not particularly high.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a component which has improved properties in terms of thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity and which can take on any complex structures, such as cavities, for example cooling channels, and undercuts, but which still meets the requirements of mechanical stability and which can at the same time be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Plastic component comprising a carbon filler


A disposable absorbent article utilized for absorption and containment of urine and other body exudates may incorporate components that may be detached from the article after use to provide disposal options based upon the user's preferences and circumstances, such as flushing down a toilet or septic tank, composting, recycling, or disposing in a landfill. Sanitary grips and sanitary gap may provide sanitary placements to detach the article. Ripping features incorporated along the top liner, back liner, or outer liner enclosure may also be used to detach the article. A removable liner may be detached from the top liner or outer liner enclosure. The absorbent core may be released after the article has been detached. To reduce the risk of clogging the toilet, a membrane may be utilized to create a barrier between the absorbent core and high-absorbency material to obstruct the high-absorbency material from being released and flushed.

Disposable articles for the absorption and containment of urine and other body exudates are generally known in the art. Such disposable articles have found particular utility in the fields of infant care, child care, feminine care, and adult incontinency. Present commercially available disposable articles for such uses are generally unitary and are comprised of a liquid permeable top liner, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top liner and the backsheet. Disposable articles of this type effectively and efficiently absorb and contain urine or other body exudates. Such articles are designed for a single use and are simply discarded after use in a waste receptacle prior to being transported to a landfill. This ease and convenience of disposal has contributed to the increasing popularity of such disposable absorbent articles.
The vast majority of the disposable absorbent articles of the aforementioned type have been designed to be disposed of in solid waste landfills. Such articles are delivered to landfills in their entirety along with fecal waste or urine contained on the used disposable articles. The unitary design of disposable articles has limited disposal options for consumers, and have not generally provided a sanitary means for the disposal of fecal material, such as by flushing the material down the toilet where it can be treated by the sewage system. This results in odor-causing fecal waste and bacteria being stored in the consumer's residence, child care centers, adult assisted living centers, or hospitals, prior to transporting the used disposable articles to the landfill. By directing used disposable articles to landfills, rather than to wastewater treatment facilities, fecal matter and bacteria may contaminate the groundwater in landfills and may spread diseases. Furthermore, the amount of disposable articles that have been discarded in landfills have led to the negative environmental impact that disposable articles have imposed on landfill capacity. The relatively few products that have been designed specifically to be disposed of by flushing, at least partially, suffer from a number of drawbacks.
A disposable article with a flushable insert is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,613,959; 5,458,591; 5,476,457; and 5,405,342 issued to T. H. Roessler et al. These patents disclose a disposable article incorporating a flushable insert positioned between a removable cover and a non-flushable garment shell. The insert includes a carrier sheet with bonded ends to encase absorbent material formed of wood pulp fluff and high-absorbency materials that absorb more than 25 times their weight in water. The garment shell includes a top bodyside liner that is liquid permeable and a liquid impermeable backsheet that are bonded along their entire periphery, with a secondary absorbent body of wood pulp fluff and high-absorbency materials between the top liner and backsheet, and the shell also includes containment flaps, and leg and waist elastic members. The cover is attached using peelable bonds along its periphery to the shell's top liner, and the insert is held in place between the cover and the shell's top liner. After use, the insert is removed to be flushed by breaking the peelable bonds of the cover to pull open the cover, and the remaining portions are not flushed which comprise the garment shell, and instead, are disposed in a landfill, composted or recycled. The patents do not anticipate and do not disclose the garment shell's top liner is torn open. The patents do not anticipate and teach against disposing a gap between an edge of the garment shell's top liner and backsheet for tearing open the garment shell, since the shell's leg and waist elastic members are attached to and positioned between the top liner and backsheet of the shell's edges, which inhibit a gap from being formed between the edges of the top liner and backsheet to tear open the shell.
A disposable article with a flushable absorbent insert is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,466 issued to I. Richardson. This patent discloses a disposable absorbent article that includes a disposable diaper shell consisting of a liquid permeable top liner to a liquid impermeable backsheet that are permanently bound together in facing relation along their entire periphery, which does not include an absorbent core, and instead the diaper shell includes a flushable absorbent insert positioned between the top liner and backsheet. The insert includes an absorbent core encased by a liquid permeable outer liner using a releasable binding, and an adhesive fastening means, which attaches the insert to the backsheet to keep the insert from shifting out of place inside the diaper shell. Alternatively, the insert may be used independently, without the diaper shell, and in combination with a reusable diaper cover with the insert's adhesive fastening means attaching the flushable insert to the reusable diaper cover. After use, pulling tabs on the top liner and perforations are used to detach a removable portion of the top liner, to create an opening along the top liner of the diaper shell. After detaching the removable liner, the insert remains attached to the diaper shell with the fastening means, since the insert is always used with the fastening means. In order to release the insert's absorbent core, peeling tabs are used to open the insert along the insert's releasable binding. The patent does not anticipate and does not disclose that the pulling tabs and the peeling tabs are situated to provide sanitary placements for tearing open the article. The patent does not anticipate and does not disclose that a gap is disposed between an edge of the top liner and the backsheet to tear open the article, since the top liner and backsheet are permanently bound together in facing relation along their entire periphery, and therefore, the patent teaches against having a gap disposed between an edge of the top liner and the backsheet to tear open the article.
A diaper combination of a reusable diaper cover with a flushable insert is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,002,762 to S. Allison-Rogers on Aug. 23, 2011, and sold as gDiapers. The Allison-Rogers patent discloses the same elements as those in U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,466 issued to I. Richardson on Sep. 23, 2003 in the aforementioned reference, such as a flushable insert used in combination with a reusable article, and a fastening means attaching the insert to the reusable article. The Allison-Rogers patent discloses a fastening means for the insert having an elasticized pouch with snap fasteners, Velcro, as well as an adhesive fastening means as used in the Richardson patent. The Richardson patent discloses the flushable insert is designed to be opened after use; however, the Allison-Rogers patent does not anticipate and does not disclose that the flushable insert is opened after use, and does not disclose that the insert includes ripping features.
A diaper combination of a reusable diaper cover with a flushable insert pad is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,662 to A. James. The reusable diaper cover has the same hour glass shape as the insert pad and a fence that is designed to house the pad insert to hold it in place within the reusable diaper cover. The insert pad comprises an absorbent core of fluff pulp and a super-absorbent polymer mix between two out layers of non-woven sheets, and a protruding absorbent dam formed of extra super-absorbent polymer mix filler for leakage containment and absorption. The insert pad has two parallel longitudinal lines of perforation that intersect the absorbent dam. The patent discloses that the insert pad is easily torn into three equal parts along the two parallel longitudinal lines of perforation, and "when torn the entire pad is conveniently flushed not requiring two steps" of "stripping off" the insert pad's outer layers, since "this process is time consuming". The dam also inhibits the outer layers from being detached from the insert; thus, the patent teaches against detaching the outer layers from the article to release the absorbent core.
A diaper having a detachable and flushable portion of the topsheet is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,838 to D. A. Gellert. This patent discloses a disposable diaper comprising an absorbent pad between a liquid permeable top liner and a liquid impermeable backsheet. The top liner includes perforations to remove a portion of the top liner to flush. The patent discloses that diaper remainder is not flushed and is disposed separately, which includes the "strong" absorbent pad bonded to the backsheet. The patent teaches against a "weak" absorbent pad that may be released and flushed after detaching the top liner, disclosing that the invention "eliminates the need to have a weak water-dispersible absorbent pad".
A diaper pad that is intended to be completely disposed of in a toilet is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,147 to P. O. Pherson et al. discloses. The diaper pad includes a paper web outer wrapper, absorbent core comprising wood pulp fluff pads, and paper reinforcing strips. The outer wrapper encases the absorbent core. The absorbent core includes parallel embossed channels to distribute fluids. The wrapper and absorbent core are joined along waist-side edges and embossed using the paper reinforcing strips to form a rigid waist band that is strong enough to permit the use of safety pins. The outer wrapper is also embossed to the absorbent core longitudinally to allow the diaper to be folded along the parallel channels to contour the diaper with pleats that are embossed in place. After use, the user begins tearing at the embossed paper reinforcing strip of the waist band and along tearing lines formed from the absorbent core's inner parallel channels. The patent does not disclose that the outer wrapper includes ripping features. Further, the invention design inhibits detaching the outer wrapper from the insert, and inhibits releasing the absorbent core, since the absorbent core is embossed to the waist band and to the outer wrapper along the longitudinal channels, as well as confined inside the pleated folds.
These attempts to provide disposable articles that are detachable and flushable have not been entirely successful. Some of the disposable articles are complex and involve multiple steps to detach and flush the various components. Other articles are ineffective at significantly reducing the amount of materials disposed in the landfill. The disposal process has the potential of being unsanitary on the user's hands while handling the flushable components after use. With articles using high-absorbency materials, there exists potential to clog the toilet depending on the article's size and the toilet's flushing capability. In addition, contamination of the water supply may occur when flushing high-absorbency materials made from synthetic or inorganic materials. Further, many of these absorbent articles use elaborate designs requiring additional components to provide features that allow the articles to be detached and flushed. The additional components include: removable flushable inserts, fastening adhesives for inserts, elastic pouches for inserts, customized reusable diaper covers for the accompanying inserts, absorbent dams for inserts, channels to distribute fluids, pleats to form absorbent barriers, removable covers, and secondary absorbent bodies. The addition of these features presents numerous difficulties that increase the expense and complexity of production.
The production of disposable absorbent articles is generally considered a capital-intensive business. This is a consequence of the complex machinery required to manufacture product from incoming material streams at economically-feasible production rates. Any innovation that adds components or materials to the product produced, consequently increases material costs and complexity of production, which corresponds to increasing per-article costs for the manufacturer, and consequently, this additional cost is passed on to the consumer.


This invention provides methods for using liquid junction potentials to control the transport of charged particles in fluid streams that are in laminar flow within microfluidic channels. Applications of the methods of this invention include sample preconditioning (removal of interfering substances), electrophoretic separation (fractionation) of charged particles, enhanced or delayed mixing of charged particles across a fluid interface relative to diffusion only, focusing charged particles in a fluid stream in one or two dimensions, and concentration of charged reactants at a fluid interface.

Control and manipulation of charged particles in microfluidic systems is very useful for such applications as sample preconditioning (removal of interfering substances), electrophoretic separation (fractionation) of charged particles, enhanced or delayed mixing across a fluid interface, focusing particles in a fluid stream in one or two dimensions, and concentration of charged reactants at a fluid interface.
Microfluidic systems and methods of use have been described in detail (Verpoorte, E., Electrophoresis, 2002 23(5), 677–712; Lichtenberg, J., et al., Talanta, 2002.56(2), 233–266; Beebe, D. J., et al., Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, 2002,4, 261–286; Wang, J., Electrophoresis, 2002, 23(5), 713–718; Becker, H. and L. E. Locascio, Talanta, 2002, 56(2), 267–287; Chovan, T. and A. Guttman, Trends in Biotechnology, 2002.20(3), 116–122; Becker, H. and C. Gartner, Electrophoresis, 2000, 21(1), 12–26; McDonald, J. C., et al., Electrophoresis, 2000, 21(1), 27–40; Weigl, B. H. and P. Yager, Science, 1999, 283(5400), 346–347; and Shoji, S., Microsystem Technology in Chemistry and Life Science, 1998, 163–188.) The behavior of fluids under laminar flow, a hallmark of microfluidic technologies, allows contacting of two miscible fluids in a microchannel such that mixing only occurs through diffusive transport, which may be augmented by an imposed field, as in the H-filter (Brody, J. P., et al., Biophys J 1996, 71, 3430–3441; Weigl, B. H., et al., Science 1999, 283, 346–347) and T-sensor (Kamholz, A. E., et al., Anal Chem 1999, 71, 5340–5347; Kamholz, A. E., et al., Biophys J 2001, 80, 155–160; Kamholz, A. E., et al., Biophys J 2001, 80, 1967–1972).
Methods for controlling the flow (transport) of particles in microfluidic systems have also been described, and include the use of electrophoresis, transverse electrophoresis, and hydrodynamic focusing, among others.
Flow cytometry, or the analysis of individual particles in a fluid, requires the single-file alignment of the particles in an analysis region. Flow cytometers in microfluidic systems rely on the use of sheath fluids to hydrodynamically focus particles in a stream.
Transverse electrophoresis requires the application of an external electric field across a microchannel to drive electrophoretic transport across the microchannel, and effectively separate charged species contained in the fluids in the microchannel. While effective, microfluidic electrophoresis adds complexity to the design of a microfluidic device by requiring additional fabrication techniques and steps for the incorporation of metal electrodes into the microfluidic channel. In addition, a microfluidic device incorporating traditional techniques of transverse electrophoresis requires an external voltage source.
The formation of an electrical potential at the interface of two fluids that have different ionic compositions, the liquid junction potential (LJP), is a phenomenon that has been well studied experimentally and theoretically since the late 1800's (MacInnes, D. A., The Principles of Electrochemistry, Reinhold Publishing, New York 1939; Planck, M., Ann. Phys. Chem. 1890, 40, 561–576; Jahn, H., Z. Phys. Chem. 1900, 33, 545–576; Henderson, P., Z. Phys. Chem. 1907, 59, 118–127; Henderson, P., Z. Phys. Chem. 1908, 63, 325–345; Lewis, G. N., Sargent, L. W., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1909, 31, 363–367.; MacInnes, D. A., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1915, 37, 2301–2307; Lamb, A. B., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1920, 42, 229–237; MacInnes, D. A., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1921, 43, 2563–2573; Harned, H. S., J. Phys. Chem. 1926, 30, 433–456; Roberts, E. J., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1927, 49, 2787–2791; Taylor, P. B., J. Phys. Chem. 1927, 31, 1478–1500; Guggenheim, E. A., J. Phys. Chem. 1929, 33, 842–849; Guggenheim, E. A., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1930, 52, 1315–1337; Christiansen, T. F., IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 1986, 33, 79–82; Forland, K. S., et al., J. Stat. Phys. 1995, 78, 513–529.) Methods of predicting the magnitude of the liquid junction potential as well as ways to compensate for it have been developed (MacInnes, 1939; MacInnes, 1921; Guggenheim, 1929; Guggenheim, 1930; Cobben, P. L. et al., Anal Chim Acta 1993, 276, 347–352; Lvov, S. N., et al., J Electroanal Chem 1996, 403, 25–30; Borge, G., et al., J Electroanal Chem 1997, 440,183–192). Detailed mathematical analysis and modeling of the underlying phenomena have also been pursued (Henry, J., et al., Asymptotic Anal 1995, 10, 279–302; Skryll, Yu., PCCP Phys Chem Chem Phys 2000, 2, 2969–2976; Samson, E., et al., J Colloid Interface Sci 1999, 215, 1–8). When an electrolyte, or ion concentration gradient exists between fluids flowing in adjacent laminar flow in a microfluidic channel, differential rates of diffusion of the ionic species can lead to a microscopic separation of charge, generating an electric potential. This potential is referred to as the liquid junction potential. This effect has been studied extensively in the presence of a selective barrier between two fluid phases, which often serves to accentuate the differences in transport of the chemical species. Although its effects often go overlooked (Demas, J. N., et al., Appl Spectrosc 1998, 52, 755–762; Greenlee, R. D., et al., Biotechnol Prog 1998,14, 300–309), the LJP could cause significant problems in many microfluidic systems by inducing spurious electrophoretic transport of analytes.
Borge (Borge, G., et al., J Electroanal Chem 1997, 440,183–192) discloses the use of LJP for the potentiometric measurement of equilibrium constants of systems displaying acid/base equilibrium. Beyond this application, the LJP has not to date been exploited as a tool due to its relatively low magnitude and the short distances over which it acts.
All references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

Use of liquid junction potentials for electrophoresis without applied voltage in a microfluidic channel


A connecting device includes an inner tube having a plurality of elongate holes and a plurality of oval-shaped beads are movably engaged with the elongate holes. A plurality of openings are defined in an inner surface of the inner tube and communicate with the elongate holes respectively. A valve unit is movably located in the inner tube and includes a collar which removably closes the openings. An outer tube is movably mounted to an outer surface of the inner tube. An inlet member is connected to a first end of the inner tube. A part in short axis of each of the beads protrudes beyond the opening of the inner tube so as to provide a larger contact area with the head of hose when the head of hose is inserted into the inner tube to push the collar away from the openings.

A conventional connection device 9 for quickly connecting hose head 96 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and generally includes an inner tube 91 which includes a top opening and an inlet member 93 is threadedly connected to the bottom of the inner tube 91. The inlet member 93 includes a valve unit 931 located in the inner tube 91. A first spring is connected between the valve unit 931 and the inlet member 93. An outer tube 92 is movably mounted to the inner tube 91 with a second spring 95 connected between the inner tube 91 and the outer tube 92 which is pushed and positioned at a first position by the second spring 95. A plurality of holes 911 are defined through a wall of the inner tube 91 and a bead 94 is movably engaged with each of the hole 911. The beads 94 are pushed inward by moving the outer tube 92 downward from the first position to a second position as shown in FIG. 6. When a head 96 of a hose is inserted into the top opening of the inner tube 91, the outer tube 92 is pulled downward and the valve unit 931 is pushed so that paths are formed to allow air or the like to be introduced via the hose, the inner tube 91 and the inlet member 93. After the head 96 of the hose is inserted into the inner tube 91, the outer tube 92 is released and pushed by the second spring 95 pushes the outer tube 92 upward so that the inside of the outer tube 92 pushes the beads 94 inward to be engaged with a groove in the outer surface of the head 96 to position the head 96. In order to ensure that the part of the head 94 protrudes beyond the opening 912 of the hole 911 so as to be engaged with the groove of the head 96, and to ensure that the bead 94 does not drop from the opening 912 of the hole 911, the diameter "L1" of the bead 94 can only be slightly larger than a width "L2" of the opening 912. The inner surface of the opening 912 is easily worn out by frequent movement of the bead 94, and the spherical bead 94 contacts the head 96 only at one point "P". The point "P" is suffered by huge pressure and is easily worn out. Once the bead 94 and/or the opening 91 are worn, the head 96 is not well positioned. Shaking and leakage become the most concerns of the connection of the head 96 and the connection device 9.
The present invention intends to provide a connection device which includes oval-shaped beads which provide larger contact areas when contacting against the head of hose and the length of the beads is longer than the length of the holes in the inner tube so that the beads are not affected by the wearing.

Connection device for quickly connecting pneumatic hose


Sealing members, such as rolling bearing seal and oil seal, which are not only satisfactory in the fundamental properties required of them, such as sealing performance, heat resistance, mechanical strength and oil resistance, but also excellent in creep and PAG resistances. The member has an elastic part and is made by molding a modified nitrile rubber comprising a butadiene-acrylonitrile-acrylate copolymer and containing an organic peroxide as a vulcanizer, a metal oxide as a vulcanization aid, and a basic silicate as a reinforcing filler.

As far as sealing members, such as roller bearing seals and oil seals, which are used in sealed bearings and the like to prevent the rotary shaft lubricating oil from leaking and for the like purposes are concerned, various contrivances have been made for their sealing property which is their primary function, and for maintaining its property. To roller bearing seals and oil seals for rotary shafts to be used in automotive components, household electrical appliance parts and the like, heat resistance enabling long-term service as well as durability and oil resistance at the surface of contact is essential in order that the sealing property may be maintained for a long time.
The roller bearing seals and oil seals which are used in the automotive engine and related equipment, e.g. the transmission, axles, etc., are generally maintained at 120 to 130.degree. C. while the automobiles are running. However, when the car stops because of a traffic congestion, for instance, the effect of air cooling diminishes, allowing the seal temperature to exceed 150.degree. C. at intervals. Therefore, heat resistance is an important requisite for assuring the mechanical strength. The water pump bearing seal, alternator bearing seal, wheel system seal, etc. are liable to be exposed to rain water (in some instances, salt water and muddy water), radiator water (LLC-containing water), etc., hence sufficient water resistance is essential.
In the case of bearing seals and oil seals to be used in the automotive transmission, transaxle, differentials and the like, not only functionally sufficient mechanical strength but also high heat resistance is required in order that they may serve the purpose continuously in the lubricating oil environment of 130 to 140.degree. C. at the maximum. Furthermore, a contrivance is required for preventing contaminants in the lubricating oil from entering the bearings and further for reducing seal lip abrasion due to the contaminants. Thus, in addition to said mechanical strength and heat resistance, good creep resistance (CS) is essential.
In the case of sealing members to be used in automotive power steerings and the like, still higher mechanical strength is essential for resisting the high internal pressure, in addition to the above-mentioned heat resistance.
In the case of bearing seals and oil seals to be used in the automotive crankshaft, cam shaft and the like, a low-aniline-point performance is essential for resisting the engine oil or fuel oil which has the property to swell rubber, in addition to the above-mentioned heat resistance.
In the case of the bearing seal or oil seal for the compressor as a component of the automotive air conditioner, household or office air conditioner, refrigerator or the like, those conventional machine oils for compressor use which are based on mineral oils are being switched over to a synthetic lubricating oil polyalkylene glycol (PAG), from the viewpoint of compatibility with a substitute fluorocarbon, which has recently been used as a heating medium in lieu of the fluorocarbon which tends to destroy the ozone layer. Thus, Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-3-160186 discloses a technology of improving compressors using PAG as the lubricating oil and Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-3-281688 discloses a technology of using PAG as a synthetic lubricating oil in the refrigerating machine. PAG may gasify (as a volatilized oil or a mist) during use. In that case, the gasified PAG and air come into simultaneous contact with the bearing seals or oil seals, so that it is essential that these have sufficient PAG resistance.
Meanwhile, nitrile rubbers (NBRs) having good oil resistance have so far been used as the material for the above-mentioned bearing seals or oil seals. However, NBRs fail to satisfy the heat resistance requirement. For instance, they are not suited for use in the vicinity of an engine where the temperature may rise to about 150.degree. C. The use of hydrogenated NBRs (HNBRs) as alternatives was considered. However, they are expensive, hence the use thereof presents a problem from the economic viewpoint.
Therefore, the use of acrylic rubbers (ACMs) or fluoro rubbers (FKMs) has been proposed. However, ACMs are disadvantageous from mechanical strength and oil resistance viewpoints and FKMs have drawbacks in that they are expensive and, hence, uneconomical.
A technology of incorporating a certain amount of a (meth)acrylate in butadiene and acrylonitrile which are components of the NBRs, to give modifiled nitrile rubbers with improved processability is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,395,017. Japanese Kokoku Publication Sho-47-21579 discloses a technology of copolymerizing butadiene, acrylonitrile, chloroacrylonitrile and an alkyl acrylate to give a modified nitrile rubber with improved heat resistance. Japanese Kokoku Publication Sho-60-11744 discloses a technology of copolymerizing a conjugated diene, an unsaturated nitrile and an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid ester and incorporating a specific additive in the copolymer to provide the same with heat resistance.
In Japanese Kokoku Publication Sho-62-59138, there is disclosed a technology of incorporating a vulcanization agent and a crosslinking agent in a modified nitrile rubber with a limited Mooney viscosity as obtained by specifying the proportions of the constituents, namely butadiene, acrylonitrile and a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, to thereby insure processability.
In the case of sealed roller bearings, which support rotating shafts in compressors, too, attention has so far been paid only to the use, as the material for sealing plates, of a material excellent from the lubrication and heat resistance viewpoints. Thus, from the cost viewpoint as well, the use of acrylic rubber materials and the like, for instance, has been preferred.
The grease so far used as a lubrication medium in bearings is composed of a poly-.alpha.-olefin base oil and, as a thickening agent, diurea. Therefore, EPDMs or chlorinated polyethylene (CM), though resistant to PAGs, has not been regarded as being suited as the sealing plate material mentioned above.
When a PAG is used as the lubricating oil in a compressor, for example in a swash type rotary compressor (FIG. 2), the lubricating oil PAG sealed in a cavity 11 of a sealed vessel 10 contributes to lubrication of the swash plate during rotation. However, at high temperatures encountered, for instance, when the compressor is used in an automotive air conditioner, the PAG is gasified and the gas goes through the clearance within the vessel and arrives at the roller bearing 12 on the rotary shaft 13. Once the PAG gas has arrived at the roller bearing 2 (FIG. 1), the sealing plates 5 and 6 which seal the roller bearing 2 are in contact with air at all times, and the sealing plates 5 and 6 come into a state of simultaneous contact with air and PAG gas.
Under such circumstances, due to simultaneous contact of the sealing plates with air and PAG gas, the sealing plates made of an acrylic rubber, which has previously been used for a urea-type grease, have presented problems, namely corrosion and deterioration.
To solve the above problems, an attempt was made to use nitrile rubbers (NBRs), which have a PAG-resistant characteristic, as materials for the sealing plates mentioned above. NBRs are also resistant to mineral oil-based greases, hence are suited for that purpose. However, their heat resistance, as determined in a heat aging test in air, is at most about 125.degree. C. Thus, there is a problem that NBRs cannot be used in automotive air conditioners where a heat resistance of 130 to 150.degree. C. is required.
It is conceivable to use hydrogenated NBRs in lieu of NBRs. However, though they solve the heat resistance problem, they raise the cost markedly, hence they can hardly be put to practical use.


A front fork includes an inner cylinder disposed inside an inner tube, a piston rod moving with an outer tube, a piston attached to a lower end portion of the piston rod and sectioning an oil chamber in the inner cylinder into a lower oil chamber and an upper oil chamber and a damping force generating portion at an outside of the inner tube having a first damping force generating portion generating resistance in working oil flowing in one direction in an external flow path, a second damping force generating portion disposed in series with the first damping force generating portion in the external flow path to generate resistance in working oil flowing in the other direction, and a pressurization portion having an oil reservoir chamber communicated to an intermediate oil chamber and pressurizing working oil in the intermediate oil chamber.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a front fork arranged between a vehicle body and a wheel of a motorcycle and so on.
2. Related Art
There is proposed, in related art, an apparatus as a front fork applied to vehicles such as a motorcycle, in which a flow path is formed in a piston moving in an axial direction of a cylinder and oil (working oil) is circulated in the flow path to thereby obtain damping force.
For example, there is disclosed, in Patent Literature 1 (JP-A-2012-92944), a front fork in which a piston device includes two pistons which are a first piston and a second piston respectively provided in two positions along an axial direction of a piston rod, the first piston defines a first main oil chamber between the first piston and a first rod guide, the second piston defines a second main oil chamber between the second piston and a second rod guide, and an intermediate chamber sandwiched by the first piston and the second piston is provided in the cylinder and is always communicated to a reservoir.


In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed. The method includes defining a first privacy setting related to a user. Communicating the first privacy setting using a first radio communication network to a server. Storing the first privacy setting related to the user on the server. Applying the first privacy setting when analyzing an image to determine the user in the image. Determining to apply a second privacy setting related to the user. Defining the second privacy setting related to the user and communicating the second privacy setting to another device of a second user using a second radio communication network.

The popularity of social networks coupled with increased functionality from portable electronic devices provides opportunities to share and distribute information instantly. Accordingly, there is a need to provide improved devices having increased capabilities which facilitates a better user experience.
The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined as follows:
eNB EUTRAN Node B (evolved Node B)
EPC evolved packet core
E-UTRAN evolved UTRAN (LTE)
CDM code division multiplexing
LTE long term evolution
MAC medium access control
MM/MME mobility management/mobility management entity
Node B base station
O&M operations and maintenance
PDCP packet data convergence protocol
PHY physical
RLC radio link control
RRC radio resource control
RRM radio resource management
S GW serving gateway
UE user equipment
UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network

Method and apparatus for privacy protection in images


A sample-information extracting unit acquires a fall signal indicating whether a storage device is falling, conducts a sampling in response to the fall signal, and sequentially extracts sample information including either one of first information indicating a falling state and second information indicating a non-falling state. A retraction determining unit determines whether to retract the head, based on features of an array of the extracted sample information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for retracting a head on a storage medium by detecting a fall of a storage device, with a capability of precisely conducting a head retraction.
2. Description of the Related Art
A magnetic disk drive is mainly used as an auxiliary storage device of a general-purpose computer and for a business-purpose device that requires high-capacity random access data recording. Furthermore, use of the magnetic disk drive as a general household appliance has increased recently, with an advance of digitalization of household appliances and an increase of applications to record data such as audio-visual data as digital data (for example, a hard disk video recorder and a portable music reproducing device).
However, when the magnetic disk drive receives a strong impact due to a fall, a head collides with a disk surface and the disk surface gets scratched, and data reading and writing may become impossible. Particularly, falls of the magnetic disk drive while it is in operation cause the magnetic disk drive to become easily out of order. Therefore, when handling a product that includes a magnetic disk drive for a portable application, an attention had to be paid to avoid giving a strong impact to the product.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-8336 discloses a technology that uses a fall sensor to prevent damages caused by falls of the magnetic disk drive and retracts the head from the disk surface when a free fall of the magnetic disk drive is detected.
However, with the conventional technology, the performance of the magnetic disk drive may be degraded because of erroneous detections of the falls caused by sudden disturbances and periodic vibrations, which always leads to a retraction of the head from the disk surface.

Control apparatus, storage device, and head retracting method


A glass wiring board is provided with an analog duplexer including an inductor and a capacitor, and includes: a core wiring board provided with the coil-shaped inductor having through electrodes and wiring patterns provided in a glass substrate via an inorganic adhesive layer, and with a land pattern connected to an outer layer; the capacitor having a structure with a dielectric layer sandwiched between upper and lower electrode patterns on an insulating resin layer covering the core wiring board; and a wiring pattern for connecting to an external component such as an external substrate.

In mobile (cellular) communication, the advent of innovative technologies such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and carrier aggregation has increased the need for installation of more analog duplexers (diplexers) with higher accuracy that include an inductor component and a capacitor component.
Diplexers have been conventionally fabricated using a substrate formed of a ceramic material, but the rapid development of electronic devices such as smartphones nowadays has also accelerated the need for diplexers that filter higher frequencies. However, it is challenging to reduce the size and improve the characteristics of diplexers made of traditional ceramic substrates. This is because the capacitor has surface irregularities that cause variation in characteristics, and an inductor wiring formed of a conductive material has surface irregularities that cause high electrical resistance on the skin part thereof.
In recent years, attention has centered on development of a high-frequency filter substrate obtained by applying wiring technology to a silicon substrate or a glass substrate. Such silicon or glass substrates can improve the characteristics of diplexers. This is because the irregularities of the wiring surface and thus the electrical resistance of the skin part can be reduced by smoothing the surfaces of capacitor electrodes in a manner to follow the smoothness of the substrate, and forming the inductor wiring by electroplating.
The high-frequency filter substrate may also have through electrodes referred to as through-silicon vias (TSVs) or through-glass vias (TGVs), which are formed by making fine through holes in the substrate and filling the holes with a conductive substance. The through electrodes and wirings that electrically connect the through electrodes can be used to form a coil shape and also provide inductor wiring that has a 3D structure having the substrate material as the core.
The characteristics of the capacitor are allowed to be controlled by forming an optimum dielectric material on a high-frequency filter substrate by vacuum deposition used in semiconductor technology and flat panel technology, and providing upper and lower electrodes arranged to hold the dielectric material between them.
Silicon wiring boards and glass wiring boards will now be compared with each other. Silicon wiring boards are more suitable to micromachining than glass wiring boards, and have wiring processes and TSV formation processes that have been already established. However, silicon wiring boards have the drawback of being costly because of an inability to take them from the circumferential part of an inevitably circular silicon wafer and an inability to produce them in batches from a large wafer.
In contrast, glass wiring boards allow batch production from a large panel and may also be produced in a roll-to-roll process, leading to a significant cost reduction. The through holes in a glass wiring board are formed by electrical discharge machining, laser processing, and hydrofluoric acid processing, whereas the through holes in a silicon wiring board are formed by gas etching. The longer processing time and wafer thinning process cause higher cost.
In terms of electrical characteristics, silicon substrates are semiconductor materials. To form wiring, silicon substrates need the formation of SiO2 or other dielectric films, which have insulation properties. Thus, attention has centered on forming a diplexer with a glass substrate, which is an insulating material.
As described above, a glass substrate allows a glass wiring board to be produced inexpensively. However, as dimension designs for inductor coils require thinner and thinner glass substrates, the glass substrates disadvantageously become more breakable in handling while being manufactured.
The glass substrate used for a glass wiring board has a thickness of 50 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. In this range, the range of 400 μm or more and 1000 μm or less is typically used for flat-panel displays. A glass wiring board with such a thickness has a structure in which a wiring pattern is laminated on one side of the glass substrate. The glass wiring board can be handled in a stable manner by holding edges or suction on the reverse side of the glass substrate.
Semiconductor packages for glass wiring boards are required to be smaller and thinner. Accordingly, there is a growing need for glass wiring boards having thicknesses of 50 μm or more and 400 μm or less, and wiring patterns are required to be laminated on both sides of a glass substrate.
A thinner glass substrate bends more under its own weight. Furthermore, handling a thinner glass substrate is challenging. For example, after a distortion occurs, the glass substrate may break from a crack, if any. A glass wiring board has through holes with a diameter of 10 μm or more and 200 μm to some hundreds of micrometers or less formed in a glass substrate with a thickness of 50 μm or more and 400 μm or less. The through holes have conductive through electrodes formed in them, whereas the glass substrate has wiring patterns formed on the front and back surfaces, and the through electrodes and the wiring patterns are electrically connected to form a wiring circuit board.
The wiring patterns may be formed of conductive metal thin films such as sputtered films. In other cases, to reduce the wiring resistance, the wiring patterns may be formed of electrolytic copper plating for thicker wiring.
When a wiring pattern is formed on a glass substrate, an inorganic adhesive layer having adhesion to the glass substrate is formed, and the wiring pattern is formed on the inorganic adhesive layer (e.g., see Patent Literature 1). The inorganic adhesive layer may be titanium, chromium, or chromium-copper alloy, which has good properties of adhesion to the glass substrate.
[Citation List] [Patent Literature] [PTL 1] JP 2006-60119 A

Wiring board, semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing wiring board


A waste liquid container is detachably mounted on a mounting unit which includes a discharge portion discharging a waste liquid and a projection to which a substrate connection portion is joined. The waste liquid container includes: a containing portion that is able to contain the waste liquid; a connection concave portion that is opened in a mounting direction; a circuit substrate that includes connection terminals electrically connected to the substrate connection portion and is joined to the connection concave portion; and a waste liquid introduction portion that is connected to the discharge portion. In the connection concave portion, one pair of guide portions guiding the projection is formed so that the connection terminals are interposed therebetween in a width direction intersecting the mounting direction. Of the pair of guide portions, one guide portion is disposed between the connection terminals and the waste liquid introduction portion in the width direction.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer and a waste liquid container, an attachment, and a waste liquid collection unit applied to the liquid ejecting apparatus.
2. Related Art
As an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, there is an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink from nozzles formed in a liquid ejecting head. In order to prevent or resolve clogging of the nozzles in such a printer, the ink is discharged as a waste liquid from the nozzles and the discharged waste liquid is contained in a waste liquid container detachably mounted on a mounting mechanism in some cases. A waste liquid container includes a container member that can contain the waste liquid, a circuit substrate that stores various kinds of information regarding a capacity or the like of the waste liquid, a connection terminal of the circuit substrate, and a guide portion that positions an apparatus-side connection terminal at the time of the mounting on the mounting mechanism (for example, see JP-A-2013-216010).
The waste liquid container includes a waste liquid introduction portion which is opened upward. When the waste liquid container is mounted on the mounting mechanism, the waste liquid flowing down from the vertically upper side of the waste liquid container is introduced into the container member via the waste liquid introduction portion. When the waste liquid is introduced via the waste liquid introduction portion opened toward a lateral side, it is possible to obtain the advantage that the height of the waste liquid container can be reduced, compared to the case in which the waste liquid is introduce from the waste liquid introduction portion opened upward.
When a discharge portion of the mounting mechanism is connected to the waste liquid introduction portion with the mounting of the waste liquid container on the mounting mechanism, it is possible to simplify an operation of mounting the waste liquid container on the mounting mechanism. However, in order to connect the discharge portion to the waste liquid introduction portion with the mounting of the waste liquid container, there is a problem that the waste liquid container has to be mounted while the connection terminal of the circuit substrate is positioned to the connection terminal of the apparatus side and the waste liquid introduction portion is also matched with the discharge portion.
This problem is not limited to only the waste liquid container detachably mounted on the printer, but is nearly common to waste liquid containers detachably mounted on mounting units.

Waste liquid container, attachment, waste liquid collection unit, and liquid ejecting apparatus


A lock for a firearm or weapon is disclosed that enables the weapon when control is established by a user while the weapon is in a storage location or holding device. The weapon remains operable as long as the user continuously remains in control but is disabled until returned to the storage location or device if the user relinquishes control. Storage and user zones are defined by weapon location or input devices such as a grip safety. Mechanical devices or signals transfer the zone determinations to a logic device. When the logic device, which may be mechanical, electronic or implemented in other way, determines that the weapon is considered to be both in the storage zone and the user zone and it causes transition to an operable state. The logic device causes transition to an inoperable state if the weapon is determined not to be in either zone.

The field of the present invention is firearm safety devices.
Many people wish to have firearms readily available for self defense. When there is no perceived threat, a hand gun may be stored in a specific place from which it may be taken to be used after a threat appears. The storage places vary greatly. Some may be rooms deemed secure, others may be locked storage devices such as quick opening safes and still others may be as close to the user as a holster strapped to the user's body. Such a gun is typically desired to enter a state of increased readiness when it is taken from the storage place into the direct control of the user. A safety system that arms a gun when the gun is removed from the storage place is desirable.
But, at a later time the user may put the gun down from his hand or otherwise relinquish direct control of the gun and for various reasons not return the gun to the safe place of storage. Or the gun may be taken from the user and used by another person as an additional threat. A safety system that disarms a gun when the direct control of the gun's user is released is also desirable.
A typical situation where these two goals interact occurs when a person awakens to a unrecognized sound at night and takes a gun from a quick opening storage safe. After searching for the source the person lays the gun down and returns to bed. If there are children in the house, a child may find the gun and a tragic accident may result. Such situations are commonly reported in the media. In another possibility, the homeowner may be surprised by an intruder, the gun knocked out of the homeowner's hand and a struggle may ensue. It is desirable that the intruder not be able to use the gun against the homeowner.
Smart guns which use various means to specifically identify the user have met with substantial resistance in the market place. Many people fear that such guns will be mandated by governmental authorities if they become available or commonplace or that governmental authorities will take control of the guns with some overriding technical means. Many gun dealers have refused to sell smart guns.
There is a need for a system of protection from use of a gun by an unauthorized person by means that are broader than identification of the user.
Operative control of the ability of a firearm to discharge by means of a wireless link is well known to persons skilled in the design of smart guns. One system for implementing such control is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,232 A to Rhoden, which is hereby incorporated by reference and herein referred to as Rhoden.
This and all other referenced patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
Operative control of the ability of a firearm to discharge on the basis of the location of the weapon is well known to persons skilled in the design of smart guns. U.S. Pat. No. 8,166,693 B2 to Hughes herein referred to as Hughes describes one such system and is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference. Hughes differs from the present invention in several ways. In particular, Hughes contemplates the control of a weapon by means of a logical device with an external data input combined with the presence of the weapon in a defined location called a zone. Hughes does not contemplate the control of a weapon by the presence of the weapon simultaneously in two separately designated zones.

Apparatus and methods for safe use and storage of firearms and weapons


A mechanical enclosure provides a mechanism for coupling a storage device to a computer system. The mechanical enclosure can be removably coupled to the computer system and can allow for coupling of the storage device to the computer system without using specialty cables and connectors. The mechanical enclosure can allow the storage device to be coupled to computer system without significantly degrading the speed at which the data stored within the storage device is downloaded onto the computer. The storage device can be inserted into the mechanical enclosure which couples the storage device to the mechanical enclosure. The mechanical enclosure can be inserted into the computer system which similarly couples the computer system to the mechanical enclosure to effectively couple the storage device and the computer system. Once the storage device is effectively coupled to the computer system, the data stored within the storage device can be downloaded onto the computer without the need for specialty cables and connectors.

The United States Media and Entertainment Industry is the largest in the world. The United States Media and Entertainment Industry represents a third of the global media and entertainment industry which delivers events, such as musical events, theatrical events, sporting events, and/or motion picture events, to spectators for their viewing pleasure. Presently, venues, such as music venues and/or sporting venues to provide an example, use high-resolution cameras to record these events. These high-resolution cameras often record significant amounts of data onto removable storage devices to record these events.

Enclosure for coupling storage device to a computer


The present invention relates to an agricultural machine for harvesting plant matter including: a mobile frame; a draw bar connected to the mobile frame; a harvesting mechanism having two conditioning units, each one provided with two contra-rotating conditioning members; and transmission members intended to impart movement to the conditioning units and including a transmission box equipped with a first output shaft and with a second output shaft. The inner end of each first conditioning member is supported by the corresponding first output shaft, and a transmission device of each second conditioning member couples an end thereof to the corresponding second output shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine for harvesting plant matter including:
a mobile frame, PA1 a draw bar intended to connect said agricultural machine for harvesting plant matter to a towing vehicle and itself connected to the frame by means of an articulation in such a way that it can pivot about an upward-directed axis of pivoting, PA1 a harvesting mechanism connected to the mobile frame and including: PA1 transmission members intended, among other things, to impart movement to the conditioning units and comprising a transmission box extending between the two conditioning units and including for each of these: PA1 the coupling connecting the inner end of the first conditioning member of one conditioning unit to the corresponding first output shaft of the transmission box is an elastic coupling especially allowing impacts to be absorbed and vibrations of said first conditioning member and of said first output shaft to be filtered; PA1 the transmission device of each second conditioning member of one conditioning unit includes a pivoting lateral casing situated at the outer end of said second conditioning member; PA1 said transmission device of each second conditioning member of one conditioning unit additionally includes a transmission shaft coupling the corresponding second output shaft to the pivoting lateral casing; PA1 said transmission shaft is coupled to the corresponding second output shaft by means of an elastic coupling especially allowing impacts to be absorbed and vibrations of said transmission shaft and of said second output shaft to be filtered; PA1 the pivoting lateral casing includes an endless transmission the driving wheel of which is coupled to the transmission shaft and the receiving wheel of which is coupled to the second conditioning member; PA1 the endless transmission of the pivoting lateral casing is a chain drive; PA1 the longitudinal axis of said transmission shaft is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding second output shaft; PA1 the pivoting lateral casing can pivot substantially about the longitudinal axis of the corresponding second output shaft so as to allow the second conditioning member to move away from the first conditioning member while maintaining drive to said second conditioning member; PA1 the pivoting lateral casing is a substantially leaktight casing containing a lubricant so as to reduce the maintenance of the endless transmission; PA1 the second conditioning member of one conditioning unit is connected at its inner end to a pivoting arm capable of pivoting about an axis of pivoting extending close to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding second output shaft and substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis so as to allow said second conditioning member to move away in an at least substantially parallel manner from the first conditioning member; PA1 the articulation defining the axis of pivoting of the pivoting arm is an elastic articulation especially making it possible to absorb impacts and to filter out vibrations coming from said second conditioning member; PA1 the pivoting of the second conditioning member of one conditioning unit allowed by the pivoting lateral casing and the pivoting arm takes place against the action of an elastically deformable member the intensity of the return action of which can be altered using an adjustment device, and this allows the second conditioning member to move away from the first conditioning member and to return to its initial position depending on the amount of cut plant matter passing between said conditioning members; PA1 the elastically deformable member consists of two coaxial torsion bars extending one in the extension of the other and the common longitudinal axis of which is coincident with the axis of pivoting of the pivoting arm; PA1 just one adjustment member is provided per conditioning unit and this acts on the adjacent ends of the corresponding two torsion bars; PA1 the transmission box includes: PA1 the transmission box includes a driveshaft coupled to the first single output shaft by means of a first pair of bevel gears and of an endless transmission, and to the second single output shaft by means of a second pair of bevel gears; PA1 the first pair of bevel gears and the second pair of bevel gears have their driving bevel gear in common, and this is borne by the driveshaft; PA1 the driving wheel of the endless transmission of the transmission box is coupled to the receiving bevel gear of the first pair of bevel gears while the receiving wheel of said endless transmission is coupled to the first single output shaft; PA1 the endless transmission of the transmission box is a chain drive; PA1 the driving wheel of the endless transmission of the transmission box and the receiving bevel gear of the first pair of bevel gears form a set which is coaxial with the second single output shaft but not rotationally connected thereto; PA1 the transmission box includes a third output shaft intended to drive the cutting mechanism; PA1 the driveshaft is coupled to the third output shaft by means of a third pair of bevel gears; PA1 the first pair of bevel gears, the second pair of bevel gears and the third pair of bevel gears have their driving bevel gear in common, and this is borne by the driveshaft, which especially allows having a less cumbersome transmission box; PA1 a transmission casing is provided and receives movement from the third output shaft and drives, from above, at least one of the cutting members of the cutting mechanism; PA1 the cutting member(s) driven by the transmission casing is (are) situated substantially in the vertical mid-plane of the machine directed in the direction of travel during work; PA1 the transmission box additionally includes an input casing with an input shaft coupled to the driveshaft by means of a pair of input bevel gears; PA1 the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft is directed upward; PA1 the input casing can occupy several positions by pivoting about the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft; PA1 the various angular positions that the input casing can occupy correspond to various positions that the draw bar can occupy by pivoting about the axis of pivoting defined by the articulation which connects the draw bar to the frame; PA1 the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft is substantially parallel to the axis of pivoting defined by the articulation connecting the draw bar to the frame; PA1 the input shaft of the input casing is coupled to a line of shafts which is at least partially borne by the draw bar; PA1 the transmission box includes: PA1 the second compartment has a drip pan for recovering the oil contained in the second compartment and splashed up by the endless transmission in order to transfer it into the first compartment; PA1 the first compartment has a communication with the second compartment allowing the oil contained in the first compartment to return to the second compartment; PA1 the transmission box additionally includes a pump pumping the oil contained in the first compartment into the input casing, the latter having a communication allowing oil contained therein to return to the first compartment; PA1 the elastic coupling coupling the transmission shaft of a second conditioning member to the second single output shaft includes a flange connected to said second single output shaft, the flange of the coupling of one of these second conditioning members being fixed to the corresponding end of said second single output shaft, while the flange of the coupling of the other second conditioning member is mounted so that it can slide on the corresponding end of said second single output shaft, such an arrangement makes it possible to attach these second conditioning members to the second output shaft even if these members are further apart than anticipated; PA1 the harvesting mechanism additionally includes a carrying structure and the transmission box is connected to said carrying structure by means of three elastic articulations especially making it possible to absorb impacts and to filter out vibrations coming from said harvesting mechanism or from said transmission box in order to protect these latter components; PA1 the harvesting mechanism additionally includes a carrying structure and the outer end of each first conditioning member is supported by said carrying structure by means of an elastic bearing especially making it possible to absorb impacts and filter out vibrations coming from said carrying structure or from the first conditioning member; PA1 the articulation connecting the draw bar to the frame extends substantially in the vertical mid-plane of the machine which plane is directed in the direction of travel during work; PA1 each second conditioning member extends substantially above the corresponding first conditioning member so that during work, the cut plant matter passing between the conditioning members is thrown out at the back of the agricultural harvesting machine.
a cutting mechanism comprising cutting members intended to cut the plant matter, and PA2 a conditioning device comprising two conditioning units extending substantially in the extension of one another and each equipped with two contra-rotating conditioning members which can move apart and between which the plant matter cut by the cutting members is intended to pass in order to be treated, PA2 a first output shaft connected, by means of a coupling, to the inner end of the first conditioning member close to the transmission box, and PA2 a second output shaft coupled, by means of a transmission device, to the second conditioning member. PA2 a first single output shaft each end of which forms the first output shaft of the corresponding conditioning unit and PA2 a second single output shaft each end of which forms the second output shaft of the corresponding conditioning unit; PA2 a first compartment containing the first pair of bevel gears, the second pair of bevel gears and, as appropriate, the third pair of bevel gears, and PA2 a second compartment containing the endless transmission;
2. Discussion of the Background
Such an agricultural machine for harvesting plant matter is known from American patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,349 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,865.
This known agricultural machine for harvesting plant matter includes a harvesting mechanism comprising a carrying structure to which is attached a cutting mechanism and a conditioning device.
The cutting mechanism includes two pairs of cutting members suspended from the carrying structure and placed one beside the other. The cutting members are driven in rotation by means of transmission members in such a way that the direction of rotation of two cutting members forming a pair converge, so as to form a windrow of cut plant matter.
The conditioning device includes two conditioning units each extending behind a pair of cutting members and substantially in the extension of one another. Each conditioning unit is equipped with two contra-rotating conditioning members which can move apart and between which the plant matter cut by the corresponding two cutting members is intended to pass in order to be treated. For this, two pairs of arms, each extending backward and downward and fixed to the carrying structure are provided.
Each conditioning member is connected at each of its ends to a corresponding arm by means of a cylindrical connection.
The conditioning units are also driven by means of the transmission members. For this, a transmission box is provided and this extends behind the cutting mechanism between the two conditioning units. The transmission box has a first output shaft and a second output shaft. Each end of the first output shaft is connected to the inner end of the first conditioning member of a corresponding conditioning unit by means of a cardan transmission shaft and each end of the second output shaft is connected to the inner end of the second conditioning member of a corresponding conditioning unit by means of another cardan transmission shaft.
This known agricultural machine for harvesting plant matter does however have some drawbacks.
This is because, to ensure that the conditioning members can move apart correctly to allow greater or lesser amounts of plant matter cut by the cutting members to pass through, it is necessary for the cardan transmission shafts to be of a certain length, and this requires a large amount of space between said conditioning units and means having to have conditioning units which are fairly narrow.
Such a design of an agricultural machine for harvesting plant matter does not allow optimum treatment of the cut plant matter because all of said cut plant matter has to be treated by the two fairly narrow conditioning units.
Furthermore, as described earlier, each conditioning member is connected at each of its ends to a corresponding arm by means of a bearing.
Bearing in mind the fact that there are a number of conditioning members, this construction is fairly expensive.

Agricultural machine for harvesting plant matter, with two conditioning units


This disclosure includes an anchor configured to maintain a portion of a therapy delivery element within a desired location of a patient. The anchor comprises a body forming a lumen configured to compressibly engage the outer surface of the therapy delivery element to hold the anchor in place about the therapy delivery element. The anchor may be stretched such that the lumen becomes larger than the cross-section of the therapy delivery element to facilitate positioning the anchor about the therapy delivery element. The body forms two or more channels that facilitate radial stretching of the anchor using a pronged tool. Radially stretching the body via the channels using the pronged tool reduces a holding force of the anchor on the therapy delivery element to facilitate adjusting a position of the anchor relative to the therapy delivery element.

Therapy delivery elements such as implantable medical catheters and leads may be used for a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Precise placement of therapy delivery elements may result in improved therapeutic efficacy or reduced side effects. Anchors may be attached to a therapy delivery element during implantation and sutured to subcutaneous tissue of the patient to secure a portion of the therapy delivery element in place.

Repositionable therapy delivery element anchor


Systems and methods which utilize one or more social networking systems when creating, funding, and/or notifying a party of a transaction are provided. In accordance with one aspect, a money transfer transaction may be staged by a user whereupon a link corresponding to the staged transaction may be posted to one or more social networking services in order to allow for multiple users to access and fund the staged transaction. Additionally, in some aspects a user of a social networking service may generate a comment or post which then automatically triggers the staging of a money transfer transaction. Moreover, social networking services may be utilized to provide various notifications regarding money transfer transactions.

Generally speaking, money transfers are real-time transactions in that a transaction begins when a sender initiates the transaction at the time the money is to be sent to a receiving party. For example, a money transfer may be utilized in an emergency setting such as when a receiving party has an immediate need for funds. In such a transaction, a sender initiates a money transfer transaction with a money transfer service, such as with a local agent located within a MoneyGram® location. When the transaction information is gathered and the structure of the transaction is finalized, the sender provides the funds to a money transfer agent at or before the time that the funds of the transaction are actually transferred.
Once the funds are received at the time of the transaction, the agent may then provide a transaction code or some other form of transaction identifier to the sender. The sender will then provide the transaction code or identifier to the receiver. With this code the receiver may enter an agent location and complete the transaction and receive the transferred funds.
As can be seen, money transfer transactions typically only involve a sending party, receiving party, and intermediary money transfer service. This has been historically true due to the nature of customer needs (e.g. privacy concerns, the need to utilize cash, etc.) and the need to control for transaction security (e.g. to provide more certain authentication in order to mitigate fraud). As personal electronic devices have become more prevalent, portions of money transfer transactions have become more automated. However, such automated portions of transactions often still tightly control where transaction information is received and sent, thereby maintaining the primary contact between the sender/receiver and money transfer service. For example, a single sending party may utilize a device to provide transaction information to a money transfer service entity via a web portal or application administered by the money transfer entity, whereupon the money transfer service entity will stage/execute the transaction and possibly notify the receiving party at the receiving party's electronic device.

Decentralized systems and methods for transferring information between subsystems of communication networks


An airflow system for a waste conveyor, having a conveyor enclosure with a bottom side configured for being mounted above a conveyor surface. One or more air flow unit enclosures are mounted to the conveyor enclosure. Each air flow unit enclosure has a divergent channel with a channel intake end fluidly connected to the air exhaust and a channel discharge end configured for providing a stream of air (Q) toward the conveyor surface. The divergent channel has a widening cross section (Xd) in a downstream air direction (D) between the channel intake end and the channel discharge end of the divergent channel, and is arranged at an angle (α) larger than 0° and smaller than 45° degrees with respect to the bottom side of the conveyor enclosure.

Prior art waste handling and sorting systems may utilize conveyor belts for transporting waste items from one location to another. However, in many cases the transport speed of conveyor belts is limited as contact of the waste items with conveyor belts may be lost due to air resistance, leading to suboptimal system performance or even malfunction. Loss of traction on waste items is particularly problematic for light weight waste items such as plastic or paper waste items. As the transport speed of waste items is limited, overall system capacities and throughput remains limited as well.
International patent publication WO03/61858 discloses a method and apparatus for identifying and sorting objects, such as (plastic) waste, wherein a flow of objects is transported by a conveyor belt.
US patent publication US2015/0375267 discloses a sorting system of automobile shredder residue allowing recovery of recyclable materials, using an air sorting system in which shredded material is subjected to a laminar air flow for carrying material bits to bins positioned at varying distance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,667 discloses a stabilizing system that stabilizes articles carried on conveyors for automated bulk processing equipment. In a preferred embodiment, a flow of gas (e.g., air) is projected along a conveyor belt in a direction generally parallel to that in which articles are carried by the belt.

Air flow system for waste treatment systems