Device and method for packaging a material web roll, having a longitudinal axis, with a packaging sheet. The device may include a carrier positioned to carry the material web roll, a packaging sheet dispenser positioned to be movable parallel to the longitudinal axis and to dispense the packaging sheet onto at least a portion of a longitudinal extend of the material web roll to form an acute angle between a dispensing direction of the packaging sheet and the longitudinal axis, and a positioning sensor positionable to determine an axial position of the material web roll on the carrier. The method may include substantially continuously determining an axial position of the material web roll during the helical wrapping and controlling an axial advance of a packaging sheet dispenser in accordance with a momentary determined axial position of the material web roll.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for packaging a material web roll with a packaging sheet. The device includes a packaging sheet dispenser that is movable parallel to an axial direction of the material web roll and that dispenses a packaging sheet to at least one part of the axial length of the material web roll at an angle to the axial direction of the sheet or web roll. The angle being acute with respect to a lateral direction of the material web roll. The device also includes carrier rolls positioned such that the material web roll rests on the carrier rolls.
The present invention also relates to a method for wrapping a material web roll with a packaging sheet such that the packaging sheet is wrapped around the material web roll along a helical line.
2. Discussion of Background Information
A device and a method similar in general to that discussed above are known from, e.g., GB 1 429 445, in which a plastic sheet is wrapped in a helical line around a material web roll. At the axial ends of the material web roll, an angle between the packaging sheet dispenser and the material web roll is aligned to 90.degree. and the sheet is further wound around the material web roll to create end packaging. Once provided with circumferential packaging, the material web roll is guided through a heating furnace to shrink-wrap the plastic sheet onto the material web roll.
Packaging a material web roll within a packaging sheet guided along a helical line around a longitudinal axis of the material web roll has the advantage that a plurality of material web rolls having varying widths can be wrapped with a single width of packaging sheet. Thus, this arrangement simplifies the supply and the handling because the packaging sheet can be narrower than the material web roll. Further, its weight is correspondingly lighter.
However, using plastic wrap as the packaging sheet may present certain disadvantages with respect to environmental problems. However, the use of packing paper as the packaging sheet causes other problems. The body packaging wrapped around the material web roll along the helical line must be separated from each end packaging on the axial ends of the material web roll by cutting through the packaging sheet running in the circumferential direction. Then the packaging sheet must be realigned to the material web roll and fastened thereto, e.g., as discussed in DE 195 35 746 A1.
It has been observed that the material web roll also has a tendency for axial migration during production of the body packaging. That is, during the helical wrapping of the material web roll with the packaging sheet, the material web roll may migrate or move, e.g., one or more centimeters, in its axial direction. This migration may be caused by the fact that, during production of the body packaging, the material web roll exhibits a larger diameter on one end of the roll than on the other. With each rotation, the roll thus migrates slightly in a direction of the larger diameter. Because several rotations of the material web roll occur during the packaging procedure, a correspondingly great migration results. Thus, when the packaging sheet dispenser is placed in a new position, under certain circumstances, the end packaging may not be attached at the desired location, but, rather, unintentionally axially displaced along the length of the material web roll.


A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (104) about which seat belt webbing (18) is wound. The spool (104) is supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction and in an opposite belt retraction direction. A vehicle sensitive sensor (180) is responsive to at least one sensed vehicle condition for preventing rotation of the spool (104) in the belt withdrawal direction. The retractor (10) also includes a mechanism (200) for controlling the vehicle sensitive sensor (180). The mechanism (200) includes a ring gear (212) and a control lever (246). The ring gear (212) has internal gear teeth (234) and an external surface (236) having a cam profile. The external surface (236) of the ring gear (212) actuates the control lever (246) to enable and disable the vehicle sensitive sensor (180).

Many vehicle seat belt retractors include a vehicle sensitive sensor. The vehicle sensitive sensor is responsive to certain vehicle conditions, such as vehicle deceleration and tilt, for preventing rotation of a spool of the retractor in a belt withdrawal direction.
It is common in some vehicles to locate the seat belt retractor in the backrest portion of the seat. When a seat belt retractor that is mounted in the backrest portion of the seat includes a vehicle sensitive sensor, the reclining or folding of the backrest portion of the seat may result in the vehicle sensitive sensor preventing rotation of the spool in a belt withdrawal direction. The spool of the retractor, however, may still rotate in the belt retraction direction to retract seat belt webbing. If the seat belt webbing retracts into the retractor when the backrest portion of the seat is in a folded or reclined condition and the vehicle sensitive sensor prevents rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction, the seat belt webbing is prevented from being withdrawn from the retractor, which may prevent the backrest portion of the seat from being returned to an upright position.
Similarly, prior to or during installation into a vehicle, the vehicle sensitive sensor of a retractor may be actuated to prevent rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction. If, while the vehicle sensitive sensor is in the actuated condition, enough seat belt webbing is retracted into the retractor to pack the spool of the retractor solidly, the vehicle sensitive sensor may be prevented from returning to an unactuated condition. The seat belt webbing may thus be prevented from being withdrawn from the retractor.
A mechanism for disabling the vehicle sensitive sensor under certain conditions is desired. Such a mechanism, however, should not hinder the proper operation of the vehicle sensitive sensor when the seat belt webbing is being used for restraining an occupant in a vehicle seat.

Retractor having vehicle sensitive sensor disabling mechanism


Viscometer shaft coupling with upper shaft assembly (12) and lower shaft assembly (14), with overlapping flat ends thereat a diametral plan and constrained by a slidable sleeve (16) overlapping the shafts.

The present invention relates to rotary viscometers and like instruments, tools and machines with high speed rotation of a load (such as a spindle, suspended at a shaft end), at variable torque that have frequent changes and more particularly to a drive shaft split longitudinally into two parts, an arrangement enabled by the combination of parts set forth below.
Rotary viscometers are a class of viscosity measuring instruments that have a shaft (usually vertically arranged) suspending a spindle or other measuring end piece such as a spindle or disk in a fluid whose viscosity is to be measured. The spindle or the like is rotated by the shaft at high speed and creates a torque loading (dependent on fluid viscosity) transmitted through the shaft to a transducer for generating an output reading or control signal.
Often, multiple, quick changes of the spindle or the like are required and the need is met inadequately by threading parts on and off, chucks or like state of the art artifacts.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new approach that meets the need more effectively.

Spindle quick-connect and rotary viscometer


The present invention discloses a method for marking an electronic substrate without the splatter or debris defect which can be carried out by first providing a tape, then creating a cavity or a mark through the tape by a high-intensity energy beam or any other suitable mechanical means such that the tape can be laminated to a top surface of the substrate and exposed to an etchant until a similar mark in the substrate is reproduced by the etching process. After the tape is removed, the mark is reproduced in the surface of the electronic substrate.

In the fabrication of semiconductor devices, marks of numerical or alphanumerical numbers are frequently placed on surfaces of semiconductor substrates for identification purpose. The identification marks are provided such that different lots of semiconductor substrates can be tracked in the numerous fabrication processes. For instance, the identification marks can be used for identifying a defectively manufactured batch of substrates when a quality problem or defect has been discovered. The identification marks may also be used to conveniently identify different lots of semiconductor substrates that have different characteristics or properties.
Traditionally, identification marks on semiconductor substrates, such as silicon wafers, are provided by using a laser scribing technique wherein an identification mark is directly scribed into a top surface layer of a silicon wafer. During such scribing process, dots or spots are generated in the surface of a silicon wafer by melting the silicon material with a high-intensity energy beam such as laser. The high-intensity, focused laser beam is absorbed very close to the wafer surface. The: degree of absorption is dependent upon the wavelength of the laser used, the type of the laser used, the pulse length and many other factors. When laser is used to make a mark in silicon, the laser beam pause heats up the material until it melts. A crater is thus formed which has a circular ridge around a dot or bulge in a melted zone.
Contamination problems are frequently caused by a laser scribing process conducted in a silicon surface. For instance, debris can be generated when the liquified silicon material is ejected as droplets and then propelled by the expansion of the vapor formed. The liquid droplets fall to the surface of the wafer and then solidify into splatter debris. In a later processing step, when the wafer surface is pressed down by a wafer holding device such as a clamp ring, the splattered debris shatters and separates from the wafer surface becoming contaminating particles.
In a semiconductor fabrication process based on silicon wafers, an ideal time to mark the wafer for achieving a debris-free marking is to perform the task on a bare silicon surface, prior to the deposition of any other material layers on top. In practice, however, present fabrication process prefers to mark the wafer with a lot number after one or more wafer processing steps have been performed on the bare silicon. For instance, after a gate oxide layer or a silicon nitride insulating layer has been deposited on top of the bare silicon. A delayed marking, process on a silicon wafer enables a more flexible fabrication process to be carried out on a production line by keeping work-in-progress wafer inventory down. Another reason for delaying the marking of wafers is that once the wafer is marked, it is dedicated to a specific chip design or to a customer.
An undesirable side effect of delaying the wafer marking process is that it becomes more difficult to obtain a splatter-free or a debris-free mark on the wafer, since the various deposited layers on the silicon surface have different laser absorption characteristics and thus, melt or disintegrate differently under a high-intensity laser beam. Furthermore, due to the thickness of the additional material layers on top of the silicon surface, more splattered material is generated which presents opportunities of producing more contaminating particles when such splattered material is later crushed by a wafer holding device.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a splatter-free, debris-free wafer marking method that does not have the drawbacks or shortcomings of the conventional wafer marking methods.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a debris-free marking method for electronic substrates wherein a high-intensity energy beam is not used to scribe directly into a substrate surface.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a debris-free marking method for electronic substrates by utilizing a tape of polymeric material and marking the tape with an identification mark by a high-intensity energy beam.
It is another further object of the present invention to provide a debris-free marking method for a silicon wafer by first marking a polymeric tape with an identification mark and then adhering the tape to the wafer surface and carrying out an etching process.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a debris-free marking method for a silicon wafer by first marking a polymeric tape within an identification mark and then adhering the tape to the wafer surface for exposing to a dry etchant in a reactive ion etching process.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a debris-free marking method for a silicon wafer by first marking a polymeric tape within an identification mark and then laminating the tape to a wafer surface and exposing the wafer to a wet etchant in a wet dipping process.
It is still another further object of the present invention to provide a debris-free marking method for a silicon wafer by first marking a polymeric based tape, adhering the tape to the silicon wafer and then exposing the wafer to a first etchant effective in etching through a first insulating layer, and then exposing the wafer to a second etchant effective in etching through a second insulating layer for reproducing the identification mark.
It is yet another further object of the present invention to provide a debris-free marking method for a thin film transistor substrate by first marking a polymeric tape with an identification mark, gluing the tape to the substrate and then reproducing the mark in the substrate surface by an etching process.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A temperature sensitive circuit interrupting arrangement includes a temperature controlled relay that will open to disconnect a load, such as a common household appliance or utensil, from a power source when the amount of heat produced by any one of a plurality of electrically conductive items coupling power from the power source to the load causes a sensed temperature to rise above a pre-determined safety limit temperature. The rise in the sensed temperature may be due to a poor (resistive) contact, an over-current condition due to a malfunction of the load, or other common causes. The circuit interrupting arrangement may be incorporated in many forms of electrical devices including male plugs, female sockets, switches, dimmers, multi-outlet power strips, power cords, and ground fault interrupters.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical safety device. More particularly, the invention relates to a temperature sensitive and controlled circuit breaking device that is arranged to electrically disconnect a load from a power source with the occurrence of an over-temperature event associated with the delivery of power from the power source to the load.
2. Background and Objects of the Invention
The cross-referenced patents listed above to Kopelman disclose safety devices that will monitor the current flowing through a hot or supply conductor, essentially via a sensed temperature (associated with the current flow). The devices are configured with a temperature sensitive relay (and or over-current sensitive device) that is operable between a closed position or closed state when the relay is sufficiently cool, and an open position or open state when the temperature of the relay, or equivalently packaging the relay is housed in, is above a predetermined limit temperature. An over-temperature event of these devices may require manual resetting to again enable power to be coupled to a load, or alternately, may reset automatically by sufficient radiational cooling (over a sufficient temporal period). Each of the cross referenced patents, as listed above, is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
However, in the preferred embodiments of the above discussed inventions, the temperature controlled relay may only be electrically and or mechanically coupled to a `hot` or power sourcing conductor. Accordingly, there is a possibility that heat generated by other conductors (or related structures and current carrying means) may not be appropriately sensed due to their physical location and possibly due to the nature of the electrical connections of the temperature controlled relay. It is important to understand that when referring to the sensing of heat produced by the flow of current (possibly due to an excessive `over-current`), such sensing may be realized in several possible ways. Namely, either by indirect thermal conduction through convection or heat flow through a non-current carrying thermal conductor (say via a suitable thermal conduction means, such as air or an appropriate potting material) or through a direct coupling (say via the thermal conduction along an electrical conductor or one or more metal parts such as a plug prong).
Therefore, when considering prior art circuit interrupters, there is currently lacking a simple and cost effective arrangement to thermally sense and monitor the heat produced by any of a plurality of current carrying means (e.g., wires, conductors, etc.) to determine if the temperature of any one of said means has risen above a predetermined limit. For example, an elevated temperature level may be caused by a poorly formed resistive contact and or an excessive current flow of a neutral conductor or even a ground conductor.
Objects of the present invention are, therefore, to provide new and improved temperature controlled circuit interrupters having one or more of the following capabilities, features, characteristics, or advantages:
arranged to effect the coupling of a load to a suitable power source, or alternately, to disconnect the load from the power source should an `over-temperature` (and or over-current) event associated with the delivery of power from the power source to the load occur; PA1 employs at least one temperature controlled relay, possibly employing temperature sensitive `bi-metal` heat (and or current) responsive contact means; PA1 configurable as self or automatic resetting interrupters, or alternately, may be arranged to require manual resetting; PA1 resetting of the interrupter may be effected by disconnecting the power source for a sufficient temporal period to effect suitable cooling of the temperature controlled relay, thereby causing the resetting of the circuit interrupter; PA1 may employ a position and proximity arrangement to enable the temperature controlled relay (via air and convection) to be thermally coupled to a portion of each of a plurality of the current carrying conductors (and or other current carrying means) to sense an over-temperature event (due to the heating of any of a number of the current carrying means); PA1 may employ a volume of a thermally conductive potting material, or a functional equivalent, to thermally couple at least a portion of each of a plurality of the current carrying conductors (and or other current carrying means) to the temperature controlled relay for sensing thereby; PA1 may be employed with 2 pole/single phase power sources or multi-pole/multi-phase power sources; PA1 configurable as self-contained, compact, in-line devices, such as plugs, (duplex) outlet sockets, switches, dimmers, multi-outlet power strips, cords, etc.; and PA1 simple low cost embodiments using many off-the shelf components.
The above listed objects, advantages, and associated novel features of the present invention, as well as others, will become more apparent with a careful review of the description and figures provided herein. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings and the associated description are illustrative and exemplary only, and variations are certainly possible.

Temperature controlled circuit interrupter


Disclosed is a temporary pavement marker for pavement surface treatment of existing pavement. The temporary pavement marker may include a base configured to be placed against the existing pavement. An upright section may be connected to the base. The upright section may include a bridge connected between a first upright and a second upright to form a treatment passageway. The bridge, the first upright, the second upright, and the base may be positioned around the treatment passageway.

1. Field
The information disclosed in this patent relates to pavement markers utilized during pavement surface treatment.
2. Background Information
Pavement is a durable surface material laid down on an area intended to sustain automobile traffic. Paved roadways and parking lots utilize road surface markings to provide guidance and information to drivers and pedestrians. Striping lines are a typical form of road surface markings. Permanent reflective pavement markers also delineate roadways.
Overtime, asphalt and other pavements mature due to traffic and the weather. For example, continued exposure to the elements may cause pavement surfaces to erode and the oils in the asphalt to oxidize. This oxidation may cause the asphalt to become brittle, at which time it may lose its flexibility and water-sheeting properties.
Slurry sealing is a cost-effective maintenance procedure intended to extend the life of mature asphalt pavements that are still structurally sound. Slurry seal is applied in a viscous, thick, flowing coat over the original roadway surface. This may extend the life of the pavement by protecting it from damaging elements, while at the same time filling in minor irregularities in the pavement surface and improving its appearance with a finished black surface.
After the slurry seal is applied, the finished black surface of the slurry seal covers and hides the existing pavement striping lines. New striping lines then may be added to the new pavement surface. Rather than resurvey the roadway or parking lot to locate positions for the new striping lines, pavement marking companies place temporary markers over the top of the existing traffic lines before applying the slurry seal. The temporary markers provide identifiable physical locations of the existing striping lines. The temporary markers then are used after the slurry seal covers the existing striping lines to locate and add new striping lines over the now covered striping lines. Once the new striping lines are added, the temporary markers may be removed.
Removing the temporary markers is difficult. Often, a large chunk of slurry is pulled up with a temporary marker, leaving a void in the slurry surface that requires repair. To circumvent this, some construction maintenance contracts prohibit the use of temporary markers and require the pavement marking company to resurvey the pavement for striping application. Surveying is an expensive process that either raises the bid of the pavement marking company or reduces the amount of profit made by the pavement marking company. What is needed is an apparatus and process to address these and other issues.


A communication receiving device includes a clock data recovery circuit, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a channel evaluating circuit, a first equalizer, and a selector. The clock data recovery circuit is configured to generate a clock signal according to a first digital signal. The ADC is coupled to the clock data recovery circuit, and configured to convert a first analog signal to a second digital signal according to the clock signal. The channel evaluating circuit is configured to analyze the second digital signal to output a selection signal. The first equalizer is coupled to the ADC, and configured to equalize the second digital signal to generate a third digital signal. The selector is coupled between the first equalizer, the ADC, and the clock data recovery circuit. The selector is configured to output the second digital signal or the third digital signal as the first digital signal according to the selection signal.

As the data transmission becomes faster and faster, the inter-symbol interference (ISI) in the signal becomes worse. Therefore, the clock data recovery becomes more important. However, the operations of the clock data recovery become harder because of the ISI in the signal, and the efficiency of the clock data recovery gets worse.

Communication receiving device and clock data recovery method

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


An approach is described for automatically tagging a single image or multiple images. The approach, in one example embodiment, is based on a graph-based framework that exploits both visual similarity between images and tag correlation within individual images. The problem is formulated in the context of semi-supervised learning, where a graph modeled as a Gaussian Markov Random Field (MRF) is solved by minimizing an objective function (the image tag score function) using an iterative approach. The iterative approach, in one embodiment, comprises: (1) fixing tags and propagating image tag likelihood values from labeled images to unlabeled images, and (2) fixing images and propagating image tag likelihood based on tag correlation.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
With the popularity of digital cameras, it becomes much easier for people to take pictures. However, organizing a large number of pictures is hard. As a result, many people have thousands of photos sitting on their hard disk in some miscellaneous folder. Annotating images with tags is an effective way to organize images. Manual annotation is time consuming, while automatic approaches are not always reliable due to the semantic gap between low level visual features and high level semantic concepts.

Image tag pair graph for image annotation


A trailer for housing a mobile MRI system has magnetic shielding in the form of a plurality of sheets of magnetic material which are supported within the trailer, by a rigid supporting structure or frame. The layers are arranged in a stacked or laminar configuration with the laterally longest layer disposed inward of the remaining layers, such that the width of the gap between that layer and the exterior walls of the trailer at the lateral extremities of the shielding is greater than its width in a central area. The rigid frame maintains the gap and prevents contacting of the shielding and the trailer walls.

The present invention is directed to a magnetic shielding arrangement for a mobile MRI system which is mounted in a transportable housing, such as a trailer or prefabricated structure.
Magnetic shielding of a trailer for carrying a mobile MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) system must meet the following criteria: it must contain the magnetic field in accordance with applicable regulations for stray field; adherence to the static site shim specifications must be maintained; and the trailer shielding must not compromise the short-term field stability of the MRI system through bulk movement of the shield.
Measurements of field strength for a known MRI system installed in a mobile trailer indicated that the system suffered from field instabilities, resulting from movement of the shielding steel mounted to the walls of the trailer. In particular, temporal effects on the magnetic field have been attributed to movement of the shielding steel caused by differential thermal expansion across the trailer—differences in expansion coefficients between the outer walls and shield steel—and mechanical wind coupling. All such effects can be increased due to twisting of the trailer when mounted on uneven ground. Such effects are known to limit the performance of such mobile MRI systems.
One object of the present invention is therefore to provide magnetic shielding for a trailer, or other deformable housing such as a prefabricated building, for housing an MRI system, which meets all of the above requirements.
Another object of the invention is to provide magnetic shielding for an MRI system based on, and a deformable housing for, an MRI system, with significant improvements over conventional designs.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a transportable MRI system and housing, in which the MRI system exhibits improved magnetic field stability in the case of deformation of the housing due to the effects of terrain and the environment.
These and other objects and advantages are achieved by the shielding arrangement according to the invention, in which in order to de-couple the shielding from the trailer walls and roof, the trailer is constructed with the shielding mounted to a stiff structure such as a rigid support frame, independent from the outer walls. In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement of the steel shielding layers is reversed compared to conventional shielding, in a manner explained hereinafter.
To determine the effectiveness of these measures, the inventors first measured the movement of the magnetic shielding of an MRI system having conventional shielding mounted to the walls of a road trailer, and correlated this movement to the magnetic field drift. The system according to the invention was then tested, and it was shown that the field stability had been improved by a factor of approximately twenty-five over previous measurements (conventional shielding according to the prior art), and was inside the static installation specification for field stability of drift. Measurements indicated that the mobile system had no imaging performance limitations compared to a similar system installed at a static site.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


In a gas-burning apparatus, such as a furnace, a device for reducing NOx emissions includes a cup member mounted proximate to an inlet to a combustion chamber of the apparatus and a perforate member attached to the cup member and located in the combustion chamber at a predetermined distance inwardly from the inlet. The perforate member has a plurality of holes to define a mesh pattern through which the flame and other products of combustion are constrained to pass within the combustion chamber. The perforate member acts as a heat sink to reduce the flame temperature, thereby inhibiting NOx production.

This invention relates generally to gas-burning apparatus, such as furnaces, and in particular to a device for reducing NOx emissions in gas-burning apparatus.
The formation of nitrous oxide (NOx) occurs when nitrogen is oxidized during the burning of a gaseous fuel. The higher the flame temperature, the greater the amount of NOx that is produced by the burner flame. Air quality standards in some states (e.g., California) require that NOx emissions from gas furnaces not exceed 40 nanograms per Joule (ng/J).
Devices for reducing NOx emissions in a gas furnace are known in the art. Such devices typically include target or impingement plates, located just inside the combustion chamber in proximity to the furnace burner, for quenching the flame and reducing the temperature thereof. Devices of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,244,381 and 5,961,320. Another type of NOx reduction device uses a baffle member located in a gas furnace combustion chamber, which enhances mixing between the flame and the secondary combustion air downstream of the baffle member, as shown in U.S. Pat. No 5,472,339.
In accordance with the present invention, a device for lowering NOx emissions from a gas-burning apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a combustion chamber with an inlet and an outlet, a burner proximate to the inlet for burning a combustible mixture of gas and primary combustion air to produce a relatively gas-rich flame, and a blower for drawing the gas-rich flame along with secondary combustion air into and through the combustion chamber. The device includes a perforate member located in the combustion chamber at a predetermined distance from the inlet thereof.
In accordance with a feature of the invention, the perforate member has a generally cylindrical configuration, which extends along the direction of flow of the flame in the combustion chamber a sufficient amount to ensure that the flame makes a plurality of passes through the perforate member as it is drawn through the combustion chamber. By ensuring such plurality of passes, the dwell time of the perforate member in the flame is sufficient to quench the flame and inhibit NOx production.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the perforate member has a plurality of holes which are sized and spaced apart at sufficient distances to provide sufficient porosity to allow ample mixing of products of combustion, while still providing sufficient flame quenching.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the perforate member is attached to a cup member by means of at least one elongated mounting arm. The cup member is located proximate to the inlet of the combustion chamber and is tapered inwardly toward the perforate member to enhance mixing between the gas-rich flame and the secondary combustion air and to direct the flame down the center of the combustion chamber in the direction of the perforate member.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the perforate member is located in the combustion chamber about two inches inwardly from an innermost edge of the cup member and has a length of about 1.375 inches along the combustion chamber. The perforate member preferably has a diameter of about one inch. Each of the holes in the perforate member preferably has a diameter of about 0.125 inch and the holes are spaced apart at intervals of approximately 0.188 inch.
In operation, the gas-rich flame produced by the burner is drawn into the combustion chamber along with secondary combustion air. The tapered configuration of the cup member mixes the secondary combustion air with the gas-rich flame to provide a relatively compact flame near the center of the combustion chamber. When the flame encounters the perforate member, it makes multiple passes therethrough, whereby turbulence is increased to enhance mixing of the products of combustion. The perforate member also acts as a heat sink to reduce the temperature of the flame and inhibit NOx production.


Embodiments of the invention include methods and structures for controlling developer critical dimension (DCD) variations across a wafer surface. Aspects of the invention include an apparatus having developer tubing and an internal cam. The internal cam is coupled to a fixed axis. A flexible divider is positioned between the developer tubing and the internal cam. The flexible divider is coupled to the internal cam such that rotation of the internal cam about the fixed axis is operable to change an inner diameter of the developer tubing.

The present invention generally relates to fabrication methods and resulting structures for semiconductor devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to developer critical dimension control with pulse development.
The effort to build integrated circuits with faster semiconductor devices has a resulted in a continued shrinking of device geometries. The smallest possible device geometry or feature size that can be fabricated using a given fabrication process is known as the device critical dimension. Fabrication processes having smaller critical dimensions tend to produce a higher performance or faster switching transistor.
In conventional lithographic techniques, the surface of a silicon substrate wafer is coated with a light sensitive photoresist material that is then exposed to a high intensity light source using a photo mask. The photoresist is developed using a developer, and the excess or unwanted photo resist is removed. The remaining photoresist forms a patterned mask over the surface of the substrate. The patterned photoresist mask then acts a barrier during subsequent etch processes used in the formation of semiconductor or interconnect features in an integrated circuit.
The smallest possible feature size that can be transferred into a patterned photoresist mask is known as the developer critical dimension (DCD), also known as the after-development critical dimension. The uniformity of DCD across a substrate, known as critical dimension uniformity, directly limits the smallest critical dimension of devices formed using a given lithographic technique. In other words, these factors effectively define the resolution limit of photoresist materials.

Developer critical dimension control with pulse development

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus for automatically locking ship containers. The apparatus has a housing having a pair of housing halves which are symmetrical to each other, an operating element having a pair of operating element halves which are symmetrical to each other and assembled with each other in the housing, and upper and lower lockers which are assembled with each other in the operating element. By operating the upper and lower lockers using a weight of a container, it is possible to lock and unlock containers loaded on a ship to and from each other.

As well known to those skilled in the art, containers designed for easy loading and unloading of freight are transported by a trailer or a ship. A trailer used for transporting containers is provided with a locking apparatus for fixedly maintaining the containers. Also, containers to be transported by a ship are provided with locking apparatuses so that the containers are locked to and unlocked from each other at their corner portions.
An apparatus for automatically locking containers to be transported by a trailer is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2000-4080 filed on Jan. 27, 2000 and entitled "Apparatus for Automatically Locking Trailer Containers". The patent application was granted a patent on Mar. 21, 2002, and the present applicant is registered on a register of that patent as one of the joint inventors.
Hereafter, the conventional apparatus for locking ship containers will be described with reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b. The apparatus includes a housing 1 which has a center opening, a rotating body 2 which is rotatably inserted through the center opening of the housing 1, upper and lower locking heads 3 and 4 which are respectively formed integrally with upper and lower ends of the rotating body 2, and a handle 5 which is coupled to a middle portion of the rotating body 2 to rotate the rotating body 2. Adjacent to a lower end of the upper locking head 3, a groove 6 is defined on an outer surface of the rotating body 2. Adjacent to an upper end of the housing 1, an insertion groove is defined on an inner surface of the housing 1. A spring 13 and a ball 14 are inserted into the insertion groove in a manner such that the ball 14 is biased by the spring 13 in a direction where the ball 14 is engaged into the groove 6 of the rotating body 2.
In the conventional locking apparatus constructed as mentioned above, in a state wherein a first container C1 is loaded on the bottom of a ship, a second container C2 is loaded on the first container C1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1a, the locking apparatus is fitted into a first corner casting 61a which is provided on a lower surface of the second container C2. Then, the handle 5 which is directed forward is rotated rightward by a predetermined angle. By this, the rotating body 2 is slightly rotated rightward, and at the same time, the upper and lower locking heads 3 and 4 are integrally rotated rightward.
By this operation, the upper locking head 3 is partially placed on a first shoulder which is formed in the first corner casting 61a provided on the lower surface of the second container C2.
In this state, the second container C2 is lifted using a crane and loaded on the first container C1 which is already loaded on the bottom of the ship. At this time, the lower locking head 4 which is held slightly rotated through rotation of the handle 5 is fitted into a second corner casting 61b which is provided to an upper surface of the first container C1.
Thereupon, the handle 5 which is held slightly rotated is further rotated rightward, whereby the upper and lower locking heads 3 and 4 are completely placed on their respective first and second shoulders of the first and second corner castings 61a and 61b which are provided to the second and first containers C2 and C1. At this time, the ball 14 which is biased outward of the insertion groove by the spring 13 is engaged into the groove 6 of the rotating body 2 to prevent unintentional rotation of the rotating body 2.
In this way, the first and second containers C1 and C2 loaded on the ship are securely fixed to each other.
However, the conventional container-locking apparatus suffers from defects in that, since the entire locking operations are manually conducted, a great deal of time and energy are required. That is, the manual locking operations lengthen the container loading time. Also, due to the laborious and time-consuming nature of the locking operations, costs increase. Further, since a worker conducts the locking operations while on the container, a safety issue is roused.
Moreover, if the containers are not completely locked to each other, accidents may occur.

Apparatus for automatically locking the ship container


An adjustment device (1) for a chassis of a vehicle. The adjustment device includes at least one spindle (2), at least one slide-block (3), an axial guide (5) for the slide-block (3) and at least one connecting element (4, 17). The connecting element (4) is arranged, on the one hand, in a rotationally fixed manner on the spindle (2), and, on the other hand, is connected to the slide-block (3). The adjustment device (1) has an articulated joint (21) provided between the connecting element (4) and the slide-block (3).

One objective of chassis development is to produce assemblies which are as robust and as little prone to wear as possible.
From the prior art, adjustment devices with slide-blocks are known, in which the slide-blocks are connected in a fixed manner, i.e. without any degree of freedom for relative movement, to the spindle and are guided by guiding means along the spindle axis (axial guiding). The disadvantage of this is that strict demands are made on the tolerances of the connection. Otherwise the system tends to bear down on its edges, causing continual wear thereof and increasing play. As an example of this EP 1 911 660 A1 can be mentioned, from which a connection of the slide-block to the spindle by means of a screw joint is known.
An alternative connection of the prior art provides a connection by means of adjusting springs, wherein the spindle is formed in several parts. The disadvantage here is that assembly thereof is very time-consuming and complicated. Furthermore the joint tends to stick and is also disadvantageous in terms of noise emission.

Adjustment device for a vehicle chassis, comprising a sliding pad


The present invention provides Dab9 derivatives of amphomycin-type lipopeptide antibiotics that display antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, methods and intermediates for synthesizing such compounds, and methods of using the compounds in a variety of contexts, including in the treatment and prevention of infections.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to derivatives of lipopeptide antibiotics of the amphomycin type, methods and intermediates for their preparation and methods for their use as pharmacologically active substances, in particular against infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.
2. Description of the Related Art
Secondary metabolites from microorganisms are successfully employed for the treatment of infectious diseases. Secondary metabolites are low molecular weight compounds produced by "biosynthetic one-way streets" which branch off from the primary metabolism. The function of the secondary metabolites for the particular producer is unclear. To date, about 8000 secondary metabolites isolated from cultures of various microorganisms (especially fungi and bacteria of the genus Streptomyces) are known.
These secondary metabolites are mainly used to treat infectious diseases. One important class of such secondary metabolites is the amphomycin-type lipopeptide antibiotics. The amphomycin-type lipopeptide antibiotics display their antibiotic activity against Gram-positive bacteria, such as, for example, Streptococci, Staphylococci and Enterococci and consist of a macrocyclic peptide "core" acylated at its N-terminus with a lipophilic fatty acid. The amphomycin-type antibiotics are generally produced as mixtures of compounds that differ with respect to the structures of their macrocyclic peptide cores and/or their fatty acid moieties. Examples of such amphomycin-type lipopeptide antibiotics include: amphomycin (glumamycin) Heinemann et al., 1953, Antibiot. Chemother. 3:1239–1242; Fujino et al., 1965, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jap. 38:515; Bodanszky et al., 1973, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 95:2352; Shibata et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,561); aspartocin (Shay et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,057,779; Shay et al., 1960, Antibiotics Ann. 194; Hausman et al., 1964, Antimicrob. Ag. Chemother. 352; Hausman et al., 1969, J. Antibiotics 22:207; Martin et al., 1960, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2079); crystallomycin (Gauze et al., 1957, Antibiotiki 2:9–14); antibiotic A1437 (Hammann et al., EP 0 629 636 B1; Hammann et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,383; Lattrell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,288); friulimycin (Vertesy et al., 2000, J. Antibiotics 53:816); tsushimycin (Shoji et al., 1968, J. Antibiotics 21:439; Nishimura et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,420); and zaomycin (Hinuma, 1954, J. Antibiotics 7(4):134–136; Kuroya, 1960, Antibiotics Ann. 194; Kuroya, JP 8150).
Owing in part to the wide spread use of antibiotic therapies, many strains of bacteria have developed resistance to these and other classes of antibiotic compounds. Strains of the genera Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus are proving to be particularly problematic organisms to control efficiently because of developed resistance to conventional antibiotics (for example β-lactam antibiotics and/or glycopeptide antibiotics such as, for example, vancomycin and teicoplanin). Another group of microorganism strains that have developed resistance include the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains ("MRSA" strains). It is now known that these MRSA strains are often resistance to other antibiotics (for example, quinolones) in addition to methicillin.
Given the rampant rise of strains of microorganisms that are resistant to current antibiotic therapies, there is a continuous need for the development of novel antibiotics and antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action. The present invention meets such needs, and further provides other related advantages.


In a method for wireless exchange of device data between a control unit of a motor vehicle and a vehicle-external computing device, a mobile radio connection is established between a mobile radio module of the motor vehicle and a mobile radio cell of a radio station coupled with the computing device. The device data are transmitted via the mobile radio connection. The radio station provides a private mobile radio cell which is different from all mobile radio cells of public mobile radio networks able to reach the motor vehicle. To establish the mobile radio connection in the motor vehicle, the mobile radio module is reconfigured for registering with the private mobile radio cell by using a SIM card.

The invention relates to a method for wireless exchange of device information between a control unit of a motor vehicle and a vehicle-external stationary computing device by establishing a mobile radio connection between a mobile radio module of the motor vehicle and a radio station of a mobile radio cell coupled to the computing device and transmitting the device data over the mobile radio connection.
The following discussion of related art is provided to assist the reader in understanding the advantages of the invention, and is not to be construed as an admission that this related art is prior art to this invention.
The ability to flexibly configure systems in motor vehicles has in conjunction with the continually falling cost of semiconductor memory led to a shift in the tasks from development to production of a motor vehicle in the following manner: While different variants of control units were initially developed for the various applications, modern control unit concepts provide a universal hardware basis, which can be flexibly configured for the particular application by using a suitable device. In this context, one differentiates between three different possibilities, namely encoding, parameterizing and flashing. With encoding, software switches are set to activate or deactivate certain parts of the application stored in the control unit or to inactive. Parameterizing includes loading of parameter lists and/or characteristic curves. Finally, with flashing of control units, either the complete application or parts thereof are loaded into the control unit and stored therein.
This approach significantly simplifies the provision of parts in production through logistics, because a smaller staging area is required at the assembly line and the worker needs to install a smaller number of variants. This reduces the likelihood of errors, and a control unit can be configured automatically, avoiding that workers are occupied with these tasks.
However, the fault-free operation of complex electronic systems requires the elimination of mistakes during the assembly process. This requirement is generally not met for manual assembly processes. In other words, there is a potential risk for installation errors. In order to still achieve the required quality targets, such processes must be protected by suitable tests.
This vehicle diagnosis is therefore performed in a wired configuration by using multichannel diagnostic communication. The communication with the higher-level host computer, i.e. with a central computing device for supplying the test device occurs wirelessly, for example via WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) for the IT infrastructure of production, i.e. in particular its data network. The exchange of data on this radio connection is directed in particular to the vehicle equipment data, test programs including test parameters and the test result data for quality and statistical systems.
It is known in the art to establish a wireless connection to an internal vehicle module for data exchange of device data of vehicle control units. This eliminates the need for connecting a diagnostic device with a WLAN module to the motor vehicle. However, by using a radio connection, the transmission capacity disadvantageously depends on a current utilization of the radio cell and is therefore unreliable. An integration of this transmission technology in a manufacturing and/or servicing process of a motor vehicle is therefore risky.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to obviate prior art shortcomings and to provide an improved method and device for reliably exchanging wirelessly in a service facility and/or on factory premises device data between control units of motor vehicles and a vehicle-external central computing device of the service facility and/or the factory premises.

Servicing control units of motor vehicles via mobile radio


A cut-resistant glove with a hanging system including a hanging loop attached to the interior of the glove adjacent the edge of the opening thereof for attaching the glove to a hook. A protective flap is attached to the interior of the glove and extends over and substantially covers the hanging loop to prevent the hanging loop from catching or snagging the fingers of the user during donning and to prevent the hanging loop from accidentally extending out of the glove during use.

Cut-resistant utility gloves are designed to protect the hand and fingers from sharp objects and blades often encountered in the food handling and other industries. The gloves are manufactured with a relatively thick weave of strong fibers which inhibit punctures and cuts.
As a result of the method and materials employed in their manufacturing, the cut-resistant gloves are expensive as compared to standard cotton, plastic, or other non-cut-resistant gloves. Therefore, commercial organizations with employees using the cut-resistant gloves have a strong interest in extending the useful life and minimizing the loss of the gloves.
In addition, the food-handling industry in particular requires a high level of cleanliness. Therefore, contact of the gloves with soiled surfaces should be minimized. The gloves require periodic washing after which air drying is preferred.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and efficient means to extend the useful life of and minimize the loss of cut-resistant gloves while providing a means to maintain the cleanliness of the gloves while not in use or while air drying after washing.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a new and improved cut-resistant glove is made from a specially woven fabric which resists cutting and tearing and which glove has a body and finger portions, preferably including an elastic cuff with a reinforced or bound edge. A hanging loop is attached to the bound cuff edge. The loop is preferably normally oriented to project into the cuff along its interior surface. The hanging loop is useful for suspending the glove on a hook in a predetermined location during periods of non-use and/or when drying.
Also attached to the bound edge of the cuff is a protective flap, advantageously a product label, which is superimposed upon the hanging loop. As with the hanging loop, the protective flap is preferably oriented to extend inwardly, along the interior surface of the cuff.
The protective flap serves to prevent the hanging loop from being accidentally snagged and possibly torn by a finger when donning the glove. In addition, the protective flap inhibits the hanging loop from extending outwardly from the cuff, to reduce the possibility that the hanging loop will unintentionally catch or snag exterior objects.
The protective flap and hanging loop can be attached to the bound cuff edge by sewing, gluing or other fastening means, either simultaneously or separately. The hanging hook useable with the glove can be of any type, advantageously a molded plastic hook with pressure-sensitive adhesive backing.

Cut-resistant glove with hanging loop system


The copolymers include a hydrophobic monomer and an acryloyl or methacryloyl ester of a propylene glycol monomethyl ether, also referred to as 1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl acrylate (“MMOEA”). The combination of the hydrophobic monomer and the MMOEA monomer advantageously provides desired mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and drug permeability in the copolymers. The copolymers can advantageously be used on medical devices.

1. The Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for manufacturing polymeric coatings for implantable medical devices. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to methods for manufacturing copolymers that include a 1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl moiety and methods for using the polymers on medical devices.
2. The Related Technology
Implantable medical devices, including stents, can be coated with polymers to give the implantable device beneficial properties when used in living tissue. Implant coatings, particularly stent coatings, typically need to simultaneously fulfill many criteria. Examples of desirable properties for implant coating properties include: adhesion to the implant (e.g., adhesion to stent struts) to prevent delamination; adequate elongation to accommodate implant deformation without buckling or cracking; sufficient hardness to withstand crimping operations without excessive damage; sterilizability; ability to control the release rate of a drug; biocompatibility including hemocompatibility and chronic vascular tissue compatibility; in the case of durable or permanent coatings, the polymer needs to be sufficiently biostable to avoid biocompatibility concerns; processability (e.g. production of stent coatings that are microns thick); reproducible and feasible polymer synthesis; and an adequately defined regulatory path.
Many methacrylate polymers exhibit several of the forgoing properties. However, most, if not all, methacrylate homopolymers lack a desired property or a combination of desired properties. For example, homopolymers of methyl methacrylate and ethyl methacrylate are too brittle. Homopolymers of n-butyl methacrylate (PBMA) are typically too hydrophobic for adequate drug elution (water absorption is only 0.4%).
Recently, efforts have been made to copolymerize methacrylate polymers with other monomers to achieve a copolymer that has the benefits of known methacrylate homopolymers and overcomes their deficiencies. The challenge with developing novel methacrylate copolymers has been achieving the desired mechanical properties while maintaining biocompatibility and useful drug permeability. Good biocompatibility is required for patient safety, device efficacy and for obtaining regulatory approval to use the polymer on an implantable medical device.

Methods for manufacturing copolymers having 1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl moieties and use of same


A computer system which receives non-incremental computer source code which is created and generated from a non-incremental computer system and which places the received non-incremental source code in a parse tree arrangement, thereby enabling the received source code to be developed, compiled, and/or executed with an incremental computer and to be selectively and communicatively exported to a non-incremental computer system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a technique encompassing a methodology and an apparatus for allowing non-incremental computer source code to be compiled and to operate within an incremental type of computer system. In one embodiment, the technique of this invention allows Java.RTM. type computer source code to be compiled and made to operate within a Smalltalk.TM. type computer system.
2. Discussion
Incremental computer systems, such as those which utilize the conventional and known Smalltalk.TM. software programming language, are widely known and used within the computer industry. At the outset it should be realized that the terms "system" and/or "computer system" as used in this Application mean the cooperative combination of software and/or hardware and/or firmware which cooperatively and functionally allow a software program to be developed and to executed in order to achieve its various certain objectives. Moreover, as used in this Application, the term incremental language is meant to refer to a language which is utilized by a computer system which allows individual subroutines (e.g. methods, procedures, and/or functions) to be compiled and/or modified while the program is executing and/or running. A non-incremental language refers to a language which is utilized by a computer system which requires the computer program to be stopped from executing before subroutines are modified and/or compiled.
These incremental types of computer systems are favored, by many software developers and programmers, over non-incremental computer systems since they allow for method level compilations under which single methods or portions of the developed computer program may be sequentially and singularly compiled, run, modified, and/or analyzed. This allows the software methodology or program to be changed on a method by method basis, thereby allowing the programmer and/or software developer greater control over and greater flexibility in programming. These incremental software development systems also allow the program behavior to be modified while the program is operating or "running". These features, as are known to those of ordinary skill in the computer programming art, allow for enhanced error analysis of the programming code since one may inspect the various objects and data within a program as that program is executing or "running" instead of stopping the program. Moreover, these features also allow one to evaluate the software program's response (or the response of part of the program) to arbitrary expressions, such as the known "do-it" type expressions, thereby allowing a software program developer to evaluate the program's response to a known and/or preselected set of inputs or to different modifications, thereby increasing and/or enhancing program development efficiency as well as facilitating error analysis. These incremental program features also reduce overall compiler and/or development time since methods and/or program portions may be compiled separately and the program need not be "restarted" every time a change occurs to the program's source code such as, without limitation, for testing purposes. Hence, these incremental types of computer systems allow relatively effective incremental compilation, interactive and/or dynamic "debugging", and program browsing capabilities.
While these known incremental software programming languages and/or systems have many advantages, they are not as widely used as are many of the non-incremental systems, perhaps due to the fact that the non-incremental programming languages and/or non-incremental computer systems pre-date the incremental systems and that these two systems are so different that relatively few of the non-incremental program developers desire to so drastically change the type of computer system that they employ to develop computer programs. Accordingly, non-incremental software programming languages and/or non-incremental types of computer systems, such as Java.RTM., are widely used in many applications, such as and without limitation, Internet access. Moreover, such non-incremental systems usually require less memory and have relatively fast execution speed. In particular, Java.RTM. type systems have many advantages for use in a networked environment including, but not limited to, a byte code checking algorithm which allows for secure execution within a receiving computer and reduces the probability of viral destruction, and enhanced means for representing a graphical user interface in a platform independent manner. Accordingly, there exist some inherent advantages to the use of a non-incremental system and particularly a Java.RTM. type system. Therefore, each of the incremental and non-incremental systems, such as the Java.RTM. type system, has some unique advantages, depending upon the type of computer application program which is being developed. However, because there is such a great dissimilarity between these two computer systems there is and has been no motivation on the part of those skilled in the art to actually combine these systems. Applicants have recognized the utility in combining these systems as more fully explained in this Application and particularly have recognized the utility of including Smalltalk.TM. and Java.RTM. system features.
There is therefore a need, as Applicants have recognized, for a computer system which allows and receives software programs developed and/or written by means of one or more non-incremental software languages and which contains the characteristics and advantages of the incremental computer systems. There is further a need for an integrated software development environment which is substantially similar to an incremental development environment and which may be used to create and/or develop non-incremental computer source code. Applicants' invention(s) address these needs but should not construed as being limited in this manner. Rather, as more fully set forth below, Applicants have found that combining the advantages of each of these dissimilar computer development systems (incremental and non-incremental development systems) yields surprising, innovative, and unexpected results and advantages over the prior art. These results allow for relatively efficient software creation and/or development.

Computer system to compile non-incremental computer source code to execute within an incremental type computer system


A bra assistive device is provided. The present invention allows disabled individuals who lack the use of one of their arms to put a bra on in a convenient and efficient manner. The present invention consists of a base that is designed to be secured between an individual's knees or thighs, a shaft extending from the base, a first connector integrally affixed to the shaft, a second connector removably positioned on the shaft, and an adjustable strap having a first end and a second end connected to the second connector. The present invention allows individuals who only have a single operative arm to clasp the opposing ends of a bra strap together, which generally requires two operative arms, and thereby put a bra on.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bra accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to aids for assisting users in putting a bra on.
Putting on a conventional bra is a very onerous task for women who lack the ability to fully use one of their arms. Conventional bras are designed to be put on by the user reaching behind her back and clasping the ends of the back bra strap together using both arms simultaneously. This design makes conventional bras very difficult to use for women who cannot use both of their arms because the clasping mechanism was not designed with their handicap in mind.
Some bras attempt to address these issues by having an extra strap or cord attached to a portion of the bra, which helps women with one arm position the opposing side of the bra that they are otherwise unable to reach. However, this forces these women to only purchase this specific type of bra. Bras designed to be put on using only one hand is a relatively niche market, thus women forced to use these types of bras have fewer options available to them. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for a bra assistive device that allows users who have only one arm or who otherwise lack the requisite level of dexterity in one arm to put on a conventional bra.
A device for assisting users in putting on conventional bras using only one hand is provided. The present invention comprises a base portion that can be secured between a user's knees or thighs for additional support, an elongated shaft portion supporting an integrally-attached first connector and a strap adjuster portion, and a strap extending through the strap adjuster and connected at one end to a second connector. The device is used by securing one of the free ends of the bra strap in each of the connectors. The second connector, along with the free end of the bra strap secured by that connector, is disconnected and the user then uses his operative arm to place the strap over her head and around her opposing shoulder and arm so that the bra is positioned behind the user around her waist. In this position, the bra clasp is situated directly in front of the user. The user can then grasp the free end of the bra strap held by the second connector and clasp it with the opposing free end of the bra strap, which is conveniently held securely in position before the user by the first connector. Once the two free ends of the bra strap are connected together, the bra can then be rotated about the user's torso and pulled up in position by the user. The present invention thereby provides a simple and convenient means for clasping a bra for users that only have the use of one of their arms.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to clothing or clothing accessories designed for disabled individuals. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to articles of clothing that have cords, allowing them to be more easily pulled into position. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
One such device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,568 to Blanckmeister, which discloses a therapeutic bra designed to be easily put on by partially disabled individuals. Blanckmeister comprises a standard bra design with a draw tape detachably connected to the bra's back strap. Blanckmeister provides a bra that can be put on without the individual having to reach beyond her back and requires only a minimal amount of dexterity to use. The present invention, on the other hand, provides a stand that can be used to put any type of bra on and does not restrict the user to the specific type of bra disclosed in Blanckmeister.
Another such device is JP 2007209723 to Iwahara, which discloses a detachable aid for putting on socks, comprising a pair of straps that have clips disposed at one end and are attached to a handle at the other end. The present invention also utilizes a strap that has a detachable connector at one end, but the strap of the present invention is adjustable and the present invention further utilizes a base to which the user can apply her to weight to for further assistance in putting her bra on.
DE 283730 to Retzlaff further discloses a strap having a removable connector and a cord, but as with Iwahara, it fails to disclose a base portion and is not adapted for use with a bra.
The present invention provides a bra assistive device that aids users who only have the use of one of their arms in putting a conventional bra on. The present invention can be used with any type of bra and does not require that users alter their bras in any way or purchase a specific type of non-conventional bra. The present bra assistive device comprises a base portion that has a contour or contours adapted to receive a user's knees or thighs, a shaft portion extending therefrom, a first connector integrally attached to a vertical position on the shaft, a strap adjuster, a strap extending through the strap adjuster, and a second connector disposed at one of the ends of the strap. Furthermore, an overlay is preferably disposed on the strap adjacent to the second connector. The overlay is designed to hold the second connector in an upright position against the shaft when the strap is pulled through the strap adjuster up to the edge of the overlay. The connectors are designed to accept opposing free ends of a bra strap. The second connector is removable from the shaft, allowing the portion of the bra connected to it to be positioned around the user's back while the other portion of the bra strap is held in place by the first connector. Once the second connector is in position, the free end of the strap held within the second connector can then be secured to the opposing free end of the bra strap, which is conveniently held before the user by the first connector. Once the opposing free ends of the bra strap are connected together, the bra can then be repositioned as normal. The present invention may further comprise a recessed portion disposed at the top of the base portion for holding the strap component when not in use. The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing clothing assistive devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.


A combine harvester comprises a threshing and separating mechanism mounted to a main frame, which includes a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis, and a separating concave assembly. The arrangement further includes a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in the chamber and comprising a generally cylindrical rotor body with a separating section associated with the separating concave assembly. The separating mechanism further comprises a beater assembly arranged behind the concave assembly for receiving threshed and separated crop material therefrom and projecting it rearwardly. The beater assembly comprises a transverse guide mounted behind the separating concave assembly and below the rotor body, and a transverse beater rotor. The chamber comprises a curved guide plate arranged behind the separating concave assembly and above the guide. This guide plate distributes the separated crop material over the full width of the guide in order to minimize the chance that material starts accumulating in the one or other corner and the separating system gets plugged.

The present invention relates to agricultural harvesters and, more particularly, to axial flow combine harvesters having a threshing and separating unit with at least one generally longitudinally arranged rotor for advancing crop material along a generally helical path. In particular it relates to the discharge means provided adjacent the discharge end of the threshing and separating unit.
In axial flow combines the harvested crop is threshed and separated as it is conveyed between a longitudinally arranged rotor and the inner surface of an associated chamber comprising threshing and separating concaves. The straw is conveyed along a helical path along the inner surface of the chamber until it reaches the end thereof. Commonly, the chamber ends before the outlet of the combine and the paddles mounted to the rear end of the rotor throw the straw downwardly, in the direction of the sieves of the cleaning system.
In order to prevent the accumulation of straw on the upper sieve, the threshing and separating system usually is provided with a beater rotor to which the threshed straw is fed via a guide plate and which ejects the straw through the outlet of a rear hood onto the field. Such structure is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,669,122 and 3,916,912.
However, most of the straw which is released by the rotor and the chamber tends to concentrate at one side of the combine harvester, i.e. near the side where the helical flow path reaches the end of the chamber and the crop starts following a straight, downward trajectory.
When the crop starts accumulating on the guide plate to the beater, its rearward flow may be hampered and the area between the chamber outlet and the beater may quickly get plugged. Finally the crop flow through the chamber itself is halted and the threshing and separator rotor will get stuck, unless the operator takes immediate action and clears the plugged rear area.
Accordingly there is a need for a means that reduces the chances that crop material starts accumulating in the area above the guide plate to the beater.
According to the present invention, there is provided a combine harvester comprising:
a main frame;
a threshing and separating arrangement mounted to said main frame and including:
a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis and comprising a separating concave assembly; and
a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in said chamber and comprising a generally cylindrical rotor body with a separating section associated with said separating concave assembly; and
a beater assembly arranged behind said concave assembly for receiving threshed and separated crop material therefrom and projecting it rearwardly, said beater assembly comprising a transverse guide means mounted behind said separating concave assembly and below said rotor body, and a transverse beater rotor;
characterised in that said chamber comprises a curved guide plate arranged behind said separating concave assembly and above said guide means for distributing the separated crop material over the full width of said guide means.
The curved guide plate minimizes the chances that material starts accumulating in the one or other corner and the full separating system gets plugged.
Preferably the guide plate has an outlet edge which is oriented in a direction which is generally transverse to the direction of the crop flow. So the edge intersects the helical flow at an angle. In a preferred embodiment, the curved guide plate has a generally triangular shape with its base adjacent the separating concave and the tip adjacent the rear end of the chamber. The guide plate may have an upper edge extending at the level of the axis of the cylindrical chamber.
This arrangement provides for a simple yet effective flow spreading dividing structure. It may be used advantageously in a harvester having a pair of juxtaposed cylindrical chambers. Then the guide plates for each chamber may be linked together to form one guide element providing two guide surfaces.
The guide element may be used in combination with a threshing and separator rotor having adjacent its rear end a plurality of generally longitudinally arranged paddles for assisting in discharging the crop. The rotor further may be provided with a plurality of longitudinal elements having a leading, generally longitudinally arranged crop engaging face, and a plurality of transverse elements having a generally transversely arranged crop engaging edge.

Discharge means for a threshing and separating unit in a combine harvester


According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first drain electrode, a first insulating film which is organic, a first metal electrode in contact with the first drain electrode in a first through-hole of the first insulating film, a second insulating film which is organic, a first transparent electrode in contact with the first metal electrode in a second through-hole of the second insulating film and formed of a transparent conductive material, a third insulating film which is inorganic, a pixel electrode in contact with the first transparent electrode in a third through-hole of the third insulating film and a metal wire located between the first insulating film and the second insulating film and formed of a material identical to that of the first metal electrode.

In recent years, various types of display devices containing a touch sensor built therein are proposed. For example, such a display device is disclosed, that when a plurality of electrodes formed in the display panel are in a touch-sensing mode, they function as sensor electrodes, whereas when in a display mode, they function as common electrodes. As the touch-sensing mode, either a mutual capacitance mode or a self-capacitance mode is applied. In the touch-sensing mode, sensing is performed by applying touch drive voltage to a sensor electrode through a signal line.


A control system includes: image forming apparatuses at least one of which is installed in each of a plurality of areas in a building; a management apparatus; and alarms that are each provided for each of the areas, respectively. The management apparatus manages security of the building including the plurality of areas, detects an abnormal high temperature occurrence area by identifying the area in which the image forming apparatus from which the abnormal high temperature is detected is installed when the abnormal high temperature is detected in the image forming apparatus, and transmits a report command notification for reporting that the abnormal high temperature has occurred in the area in which an alarm is provided to the alarm which is provided in the abnormal high temperature occurrence area.

The present disclosure relates to a control system, a management apparatus, and an image forming apparatus and more particularly to control when an abnormality occurs in an image forming apparatus.
A technique for detecting an abnormality which occurs near an image forming apparatus and preventing a secondary accident has been proposed. For example, as a general technique, an image forming apparatus that has an abnormality detecting function, transmits abnormality information to the outside at the time of occurrence of an abnormality and switches a power supply of the apparatus to a secondary battery or turns off the power supply is known.
An image forming apparatus is provided with a fixing temperature sensor that detects a temperature of a fixing device. An image forming apparatus may be provided with an internal temperature sensor that detects an internal temperature or an external temperature sensor that detects an external temperature.

Control system, management apparatus, and image forming apparatus that perform control when abnormality occurs in image forming apparatus


The present invention relates to methods and systems for maintaining application programs on a client computer in a client-server network environment. The task of dynamically upgrading components in the application program running on a client is greatly simplified by rendering control to the individual client rather than to a central server. The version updating procedures of the present invention further provides steps to ensure speedy and error-free transfer of the required files and components through an open network environment, such as the Internet.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for maintaining components of application programs in a client/server network environment. A client is a personal computer or a workstation that operates on a network to execute various application programs. A server is typically a larger, centralized computer on the network which services the clients by providing programs, files and data, and by controlling hardware devices shared by the clients.
An application program typically comprises a number of components each of which exists as a separately addressable file, and where each component is identified by a version number, perhaps indicating its creation date. An application program may typically undergo numerous revisions and updates throughout the course of its operational existence on the client. In the network environment, an application program on the client can be kept current by replacing one or more of such components, or by adding or deleting components. The components having the latest version numbers can be maintained on the central server and distributed from the server to each individual client as needed through a standard file transfer protocol.
In the prior art systems, the version upgrading or component upgrading procedures are driven by the central server through complex interactions between the server and client systems.

Systems and methods for automatic application version upgrading and maintenance


A method for preventing or reducing the marine life buildup on a submerged surface by applying to the surface an antifouling coating composition comprising a combination of a silicone fluid and a silicone resin.

Maritime vessels require a coating on the submerged section of the vessel to prevent buildup of "sea growth", including algae, larvae, and spores from marine animals and plants. The accumulation of this type of growth on the vessel results in an increase in friction, i.e., greater surface area, between the hull and the surrounding water. Increased friction will be manifested by slower movement and increased energy consumption to propel the vessel through the water. Buildup of growth on a ship hull occurs most often when the ship is docked or moored, particularly in marinas or ports where water is not moving and thereby containing a higher concentration of marine organisms.
This buildup is obviously undesirable and the coatings normally employed by the industry to reduce or prevent marine life buildup up are called "antifouling paints". These paints contain inorganic and organic compounds that slowly leach out of the coating into the water surrounding the hull. The active components of the antifouling paints are typically heavy metal sulfides or oxides of nickel, manganese, iron, zinc, cadmium, cobalt, lead and mercury. Organic tins or pesticides are often included within the coating substrate. These heavy metals leach out of the ship coating forming a thin, highly concentrated laminar layer several microns thick surrounding the ship hull. The high percentage of the thousands of types of microorganisms that come in contact with this environment are killed by the complexation of these heavy metals with their proteins and enzymes. Any microorganism or animal that does succeed in attaching to the hull may eventually die after continued exposure to these purported toxins. Over time many of the heavy metals such as tin will hydrolyze and slough off with the top layers of the coating, taking with them any attached dead marine growth. This procedure results in a freshly exposed coating surface with more toxins able to leach from the surface. The antifouling coating must be reapplied new to the hull of a ship at the beginning of every boating season. The effective life of the coating is typically 9 to 12 months.
The problem confronting the industry is that the antifouling paints by the very nature of their efficacy contain materials that are considered to be toxic to the marine environment. Marine organisms and micro- organisms that have died as a result of the interference of these heavy metals with their metabolic pathways will be passed into the food chain in the marine environment.
This problem is most evident in small inlet waterways, lakes and streams where bottom samples and fish samples have shown increasingly high levels of these inorganic materials in recent years. Many of these waterways used for recreational boating activities also serve as reservoirs for potable water. Legislation has been proposed in many countries limiting or banning the use of antifouling paints in freshwater and sweetwater areas.
All maritime paints used as coatings for ship hulls contain these organic and inorganic substances as part of their antifouling mechanisms. Other types of technology have been introduced to reduce marine buildup on piers and oil platform pilings; these silicone rubbers and elastomers although reducing buildup have proved difficult to clean, which make them unusable as coating materials for boats. With the proposed restriction and potential banning on conventional antifouling paints, new technologies must be developed to fulfill the demanding requirements of this application. To date, no viable technologies have been introduced to the market as a potential replacement for inorganic and organic containing antifouling coatings.

Use of silicone resins and fluids to retard marine life buildup on submerged surfaces


A power harvesting device comprising at least one rotor mounted rotatably on a corresponding fixture on a base structure is disclosed. The device is at least partially submerged in a moving fluid and arranged to convert tangential components of fluid dynamic forces of the moving fluid into a first torque component onto the rotor through rotor vanes. In addition, rotor blades are arranged on or between the first rotor vanes to deflect axially moving fluid into a tangential direction to create a second torque component onto the rotor in the same direction as said first torque component. A system comprising a plurality of power harvesting devices with common power transfer means is also disclosed.

A turbine is typically defined as any of various types of machines in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted into mechanical energy by causing a bladed rotor to rotate. The moving fluid may be water, steam, air, combustion products of a fuel, etc. The traditional turbine however depends on a specific moving direction of the fluid.
Related prior art is disclosed in WO2014175613, KR20130085769, GB2498973, KR1020040055534, GB840543, US2008226451A, KR1020130027183A, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,037,268A, 4,720,239, and US2010296944.


Briefly stated, the invention is directed to retrieving a semantically matched knowledge structure. A question and answer pair is received, wherein the answer is received from a query of a search engine. A question is constraint-matched with the answer based on maximizing a plurality of constraints, wherein at least one of the plurality of the constraints is a similarity score between question and answer, wherein the constraint matching generates a matched sequence. For one or more answer sequences, a subsequence is found that are not parsed as answer slots. Query results are obtained from another search engine based on a combination of the answer or question, and the non-answer subsequence. And a KB based is refined on the query results and the constraint matching and based on a neural network training, for a further subsequent semantic matching, wherein the KB includes a dense semantic vector indication of concepts.

Natural language processing, including computational semantics and knowledge representation, has become an important component of modern user interfaces. However, systems and methods developed for computational semantics and knowledge representation can be difficult and time consuming to build (often by hand), and may be fragile and not scale well to large corpora and web based scaled language processing. A drawback with current natural language processing systems, including symbolic and subsymbolic approaches is that they are generally resource heavy both in processing and memory. Even with modern computing, fast networks and cheap memory, these systems can take hours, or days to train, and the knowledge base and rules (whether in symbolic or subsymbolic form), may be in the order of gigabytes.

Refining training sets and parsers for large and dynamic text environments


An electrical connector (1) includes four pieces of insulative housing segments (21) having a number of electrical contacts (3) received therein. Each insulative housing segment includes two engaging edges (213) for attaching with another adjacent two insulative housing segments, the at least one engaging edge having at least one connect portion (215) formed thereon. At least one joining member (4) connects the connect portions of the at least two insulative housing segments.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the art of an electrical connector, and particularly to an electrical connector for electrically connecting an electrical package, such as electrical package, with a circuit substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB).
2. Description of Prior Arts
An electrical connector for electrically connecting an electrical package to a PCB is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,073 issued on Apr. 19, 2005. The electrical connector includes a frame defining a window, a plurality of housing segments received in the window and combined together as an unitary one via the frame. Each housing segment includes a frame edge for engaging with the frame. The housing segment defines a plurality of passageways for accommodating the electrical contacts.
As is described above, the housing segments are combined as an unitary structure via the frame, that would complicate the assembly of the electrical connector and waste a lot of material.
Hence, it is desirable to provide an improved electrical connector to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.


A computer implemented method and apparatus for acquiring sentiment analysis information based on user reactions to displayable content. The method comprises receiving reaction data of at least one individual user viewing portions of displayable content, wherein the reaction data of each user includes indications representative of at least one of a time-varying emotional state of the user and a time-varying level of interest of the user captured during viewing of the displayable content; and performing sentiment analysis on the reaction data by at least one of: categorizing portions of the displayable content based on one of the reaction of one user or aggregated reactions of a plurality of users, and identifying at least one portion of the displayable content having one of a more favorable and a less favorable reaction by the at least one user, by comparison to one of a baseline and reactions to other portions of the displayable content.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to sentiment analysis and, more particularly, to techniques for and analyzing the reactions of multiple users to the same portions of the same displayable content.
Description of the Related Art
Currently, users rate displayable content comprising video, as a whole. The ratings submitted by individual users of a community of users may be aggregated and shared with subsequent users of the same displayable content. The rating submitted by an individual user is typically a generic "like" or "dislike". However, realistically, a user does not like an entire video or dislike an entire video. Rather, a user likes one or more portions of the video while disliking other portions of the video. In fact, the user may like one portion of the video more than another portion. However, requesting that a user spend time rating portions of video is intrusive and time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for identifying a level of interest for multiple portions of a video based on user reactions.

Method and apparatus for performing sentiment analysis based on user reactions to displayable content


An electrolytic processing jig configured to perform an electrolytic processing on a processing target substrate includes a base body having a flat plate shape; an electrode provided at the base body; three or more terminals provided at the base body, each having elasticity and configured to be brought into contact with a peripheral portion of the processing target substrate; and a detecting unit configured to electrically detect a contact of at least one of the terminals with the processing target substrate.

An electrolytic process (electrolytic processing) is a technique used in various kinds of processings such as a plating processing and an etching processing. For example, the electrolytic processing is performed in a manufacturing process for a semiconductor device.
The aforementioned plating processing is conventionally performed by a plating apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example. In the plating apparatus, a semiconductor wafer is placed to face an anode electrode with a plating target surface thereof facing downwards. Further, a supporting member configured to support the semiconductor wafer constitutes a cathode electrode connected to the semiconductor wafer. By flowing a plating liquid toward the plating target surface of the semiconductor wafer through the anode electrode, the plating processing is performed on the semiconductor wafer.
Further, the plating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an ultrasonic oscillator, and by delivering an ultrasonic wave generated from this ultrasonic oscillator to the plating liquid, the plating liquid is agitated, so that uniformity of the plating processing is improved.

Electrolytic processing jig and electrolytic processing method


An ultra-wideband receiver system includes an intelligent-preselector stage to up-convert received signals to signals within a first IF frequency-range with stepped first oscillation signals, a first down-converting stage to down-convert the signals within the first IF frequency-range to signals within a second IF frequency-range with a fixed second oscillation signal, and a second down-converting stage to down-convert the signals within the second IF frequency-range to signals within a third IF frequency-range with stepped third oscillation signals. The center frequency of the first IF frequency-range may be at least 30% to 35% higher than a highest frequency in the receive-frequency range to provide an image frequency far from (e.g., more than twice) the highest frequency in the receive-frequency range. The receiver may also include a synthesizer to generate the first, second and third oscillation signals with half-integer frequency dividers based on a master reference signal.

Many conventional wideband receivers initially down-convert received signals from a wide frequency range to a low intermediate frequency (IF). One problem with such conventional wideband receivers is that the components required to initially down-convert to and/or process such a very low IF frequency tend to be larger, bulkier and usually heavier. This makes some wideband receivers difficult to employ in applications with size, space and/or weight limitations. Another problem with such conventional wideband receivers is that the initial down-conversion may result in an image frequency that is close to or within the receive-frequency range. These images are difficult to reject, especially in wideband applications, and usually require additional front-end circuitry, which further contributes to the size, space and/or weight of the receiver. Furthermore, such image signals may result in improper and/or false signal detection.
Thus, there are general needs for an improved wideband receiver and method at higher frequencies. There are also needs for a wideband receiver and method that is smaller, less-bulky and/or lighter that a conventional wideband receiver. There are also needs for a wideband receiver and method that may be more suitable for applications with size, space and/or weight limitations. There are also needs for a wideband receiver and method in which the image frequency is outside the receive-frequency range. There are also needs for a wideband receiver and method that may reduce improper and/or false signal detection, especially for high-resolution wideband receivers.

Ultra-wideband fully synthesized high-resolution receiver and method