Disclosed is a compound comprising three or more moieties of the formula

Disclosed herein are colorant compounds. More specifically, disclosed herein are colorant compounds particularly suitable for use in hot melt or phase change inks. One embodiment is directed to a compound comprising three or more moieties of the formula
wherein (A) each R1, independently of the others, is (i) an alkyl or alkylene group, (ii) an aryl or arylene group, (iii) an arylalkyl or arylalkylene group, (iv) an alkylaryl or alkylarylene group, (v) a silyl or silylene group, or (vi) a siloxy group, (B) each R2, independently of the others, is (i) an alkyl or alkylene group, (ii) an aryl or arylene group, (iii) an arylalkyl or arylalkylene group, (iv) an alkylaryl or alkylarylene group, (v) a silyl or silylene group, (vi) a siloxy group, or (vii) a group of the formula
wherein r and s are each, independently of the other, integers representing a number of repeat —CH2— groups, (C) each R3, independently of the others, is (i) an alkyl group, (ii) an aryl group, (iii) an arylalkyl group, or (iv) an alkylaryl group, (D) each X, independently of the others, is (i) a direct bond, (ii) an oxygen atom, (iii) a sulfur atom, (iv) a group of the formula —NR40— wherein R40 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, or an alkylaryl group, or (v) a group of the formula —CR50R60— wherein R50 and R60 each, independently of the other, is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, or an alkylaryl group, and (E) each Z, independently of the others, is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a halogen atom, (iii) a nitro group, (iv) an alkyl group, (v) an aryl group, (vi) an arylalkyl group, (vii) an alkylaryl group, (viii) a group of the formula
wherein R70 is an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an alkylaryl group, a silyl group, or a siloxy group, (ix) a sulfonyl group of the formula —SO2R80 wherein R80 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an alkylaryl group, a silyl group, or a siloxy group, or (x) a phosphoryl group of the formula —PO3R90 wherein R90 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an alkylaryl group, a silyl group, or a siloxy group; said moieties being bonded to a central atom, monomeric group of atoms, oligomer, or polymer. Another embodiment is directed to a phase change ink comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound comprising three or more moieties of the formula
said moieties being bonded to a central atom, monomeric group of atoms, oligomer, or polymer.
In general, phase change inks (sometimes referred to as "hot melt inks") are in the solid phase at ambient temperature, but exist in the liquid phase at the elevated operating temperature of an ink jet printing device. At the jet operating temperature, droplets of liquid ink are ejected from the printing device and, when the ink droplets contact the surface of the recording substrate, either directly or via an intermediate heated transfer belt or drum, they quickly solidify to form a predetermined pattern of solidified ink drops. Phase change inks have also been used in other printing technologies, such as gravure printing, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,879 and German Patent Publications DE 4205636AL and DE 4205713AL, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference.
Phase change inks for color printing typically comprise a phase change ink carrier composition which is combined with a phase change ink compatible colorant. In a specific embodiment, a series of colored phase change inks can be formed by combining ink carrier compositions with compatible subtractive primary colorants. The subtractive primary colored phase change inks can comprise four component dyes, namely, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, although the inks are not limited to these four colors. These subtractive primary colored inks can be formed by using a single dye or a mixture of dyes. For example, magenta can be obtained by using a mixture of Solvent Red Dyes or a composite black can be obtained by mixing several dyes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,560, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,761, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,852, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, teach that the subtractive primary colorants employed can comprise dyes from the classes of Color Index (C.I.) Solvent Dyes, Disperse Dyes, modified Acid and Direct Dyes, and Basic Dyes. The colorants can also include pigments, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,335, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,022, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses the use of a specific class of polymeric dyes in phase change ink compositions.
Phase change inks have also been used for applications such as postal marking, industrial marking, and labelling.
Phase change inks are desirable for ink jet printers because they remain in a solid phase at room temperature during shipping, long term storage, and the like. In addition, the problems associated with nozzle clogging as a result of ink evaporation with liquid ink jet inks are largely eliminated, thereby improving the reliability of the ink jet printing. Further, in phase change ink jet printers wherein the ink droplets are applied directly onto the final recording substrate (for example, paper, transparency material, and the like), the droplets solidify immediately upon contact with the substrate, so that migration of ink along the printing medium is prevented and dot quality is improved.
Compositions suitable for use as phase change ink carrier compositions are known. Some representative examples of references disclosing such materials include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,653,932, 4,390,369, 4,484,948, 4,684,956, 4,851,045, 4,889,560, 5,006,170, 5,151,120, 5,372,852, 5,496,879, European Patent Publication 0187352, European Patent Publication 0206286, German Patent Publication DE 4205636AL, German Patent Publication DE 4205713AL, and PCT Patent Application WO 94/04619, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. Suitable carrier materials can include paraffins, microcrystalline waxes, polyethylene waxes, ester waxes, fatty acids and other waxy materials, fatty amide containing materials, sulfonamide materials, resinous materials made from different natural sources (tall oil rosins and rosin esters, for example), and many synthetic resins, oligomers, polymers, and copolymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,747 (Carlini et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for preparing dianthranilate compounds which comprises (a) admixing reactants as follows: (1) a diol of the formula R1(OH)2, wherein R1 is an alkylene group having at least about 20 carbon atoms, and wherein the —OH groups are primary or secondary, (2) isatoic anhydride, present in an amount of at least about 2 moles of isatoic anhydride per every one mole of diol, (3) a catalyst which is 1,4-diazabicyclo(2.2.2)octane, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine, or a mixture thereof, said catalyst being present in an amount of at least about 0.2 mole of catalyst per every one mole of diol, and (4) a solvent; and (b) heating the mixture thus formed to form a dianthranilate compound of the formula
Also disclosed is a process for preparing diazopyridone colorants which comprises (I) preparing a dianthranilate compound by the aforementioned method, (II) reacting the dianthranilate compound with nitrosylsulfuric acid to form a diazonium salt, and (III) reacting the diazonium salt with a pyridone compound to form a diazopyridone compound.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,713,614 (Carlini et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses compounds of the formula
The compounds are useful as colorants, particularly in applications such as phase change inks.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,703 (Wu et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound of the formula

U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,902 (Banning et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound of the formula

U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,082 (Banning et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses compounds of the formula
The compounds are useful as colorants, particularly in applications such as phase change inks.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,696,552 (Mayo et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for preparing substituted pyridone compounds which comprises (a) admixing in the absence of a solvent (1) an amine of the formula R1—NH2 wherein R1 is an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, or an alkylaryl group, and (2) a first ester of the formula
wherein R2 is an electron withdrawing group and R3 is an alkyl group; (b) heating the mixture containing the amine and the first ester to form an intermediate compound of the formula
(c) admixing the intermediate compound with (1) a base and (2) a second ester of the formula
wherein R4 is an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, or an alkylaryl group and R5 is an alkyl group, said second ester being present in a molar excess relative to the intermediate compound, said base being present in a molar excess relative to the intermediate compound, and (d) heating the mixture containing the intermediate compound, the second ester, and the base to form a pyridone compound of the formula
or a salt thereof. Also disclosed is a process for preparing diazopyridone colorants which comprises preparing a pyridone compound by the above process and reacting the pyridone compound with a diazonium salt to form a diazopyridone compound.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,748 (Carlini et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a process for preparing a diazopyridone compound which comprises (a) preparing a first solution comprising (1) either (A) a dianiline of the formula
or (B) an aniline of the formula
and (2) a first solvent mixture comprising (I) a solvent, (II) acetic acid, and (III) an optional second acid, said acetic acid being present in the solvent mixture in an amount of at least about 95 percent by weight of the solvent mixture, said first solution being at a temperature of about +15° C. or lower; (b) adding to the first solution nitrosylsulfuric acid, thereby forming a diazonium salt either (A) of the formula
or (B) of the formula
(c) preparing a second solution comprising (1) a second solvent mixture comprising water and an organic solvent soluble in or miscible in water, (2) either (A) a pyridone of the formula
or (B) a dipyridone of the formula
(3) a base present in an amount of at least about 3 molar equivalents of base per mole of pyridone moiety, and (4) an optional buffer salt, and (d) combining either (A) the second solution containing the dianiline and the first solution containing the pyridone, or (B) the second solution containing the aniline and the first solution containing the dipyridone to form a third solution and effect a coupling reaction to form a diazopyridone compound either (A) of the formula
or (B) of the formula

U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,111 (Carlini et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses compounds of the formula
The compounds are useful as colorants, particularly in applications such as phase change inks.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,139 (Wu et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound of the formula

European Patent Publication 1 125 990 A1 and PCT Patent Publication WO 01/09256 A1, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses an aqueous ink for ink jet recording which contains at least a water-insoluble coloring matter, water, and a resin as main components and which takes the form of an emulsion, which is characterized by containing at least one yellow hue coloring matter selected from the group consisting of a quinophthalone compound represented by the formula (1)
wherein each of R1 to R3 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, —CONR4R5, or —COOR6 (in which each of R4 to R6 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group) and all of R1 to R3 are not a hydrogen atom at the same time, and a pyridone azo compound represented by the formula (2)
wherein each of R7 to R11 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy group, an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, an unsubstituted or substituted aryloxy group, a hydroxyl group, —NR14R15 (in which R14 and R15 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, or an aralkyl group), —COX1 (in which X1 represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy group, an unsubstituted or substituted aryloxy group, or —NR16R17 (in which each of R16 and R17 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, an aralkyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group)), —COO(CH2)n—COX2, —OCOX3, or —NHCOX4 (in which each of X2 to X4 independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, an unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy group, or an unsubstituted or substituted aryloxy group, and n is an integer of 1 to 3), R12 represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, and R13 represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, an aralkyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group. The ink is for ink jet recording having excellent light resistance and storage stability, and enables formation of a high quality image without blotting, and the obtained recording image is excellent in water resistance.
PCT Patent Publication WO 01/21714, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses compositions comprising a solvent and at least one compound of the formula
in which R1 represents H, an optionally substituted C1-8 carbyl derived group, or a group of the formula
where C is from 2 to 6, R3 represents optionally substituted C1-8 carbyl derived group, R4 and R5 independently represent an optional substituent, R2 represents an optionally substituted C1-8 carbyl derived group, X, Y, and Z independently represent H or an optional substituent, M represents H or a cation, and m and n independently represent 0, 1, or 2. Also disclosed are compounds of the above formula providing that at least one of R1, R2, X, Y, or Z comprises a group of formula SO3M or PO3M2. These compositions and compounds are useful as the colorants to prepare color filters for displays.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,456 (von Brachel et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses water-insoluble monoazo dyes of the formula
wherein R is the residue of a benzene, naphthalene, diphenyl, diphenylmethane, or heterocyclic diazo compound which is free from water solubilizing groups, produced by reacting a diazotized amine of the benzene, naphthalene, diphenyl, diphenylmethane, or heterocyclic series which is free from water solubilizing groups with the appropriate 6-hydroxy-2-pyridone and the utility thereof for the dyeing and printing of synthetic fabric materials to yellow to red shades having excellent fastness to light and sublimation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,749 (von Brachel et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses water-insoluble monoazo dyes of the formula
produced by reacting a diazotized amine of the benzene, naphthalene, diphenyl, diphenylmethane, or heterocyclic series which is free from water solubilizing groups with the appropriate 6-hydroxy-2-pyridone and the utility thereof for the dyeing and printing of synthetic fabric materials to yellow to red shades having excellent fastness to light and sublimation.
Japanese Patent Publication JP 05331382, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a specific pyridone azo pigment which is bright yellow and highly soluble in a solvent, absorbs light of long wavelength, and is useful for a thermal transfer sheet. The pyridone azo pigment is represented by the formula
wherein R is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or optionally substituted phenyl, and ring A is a benzene ring optionally having a nonionic group. The pigment is prepared by diazotizing an aniline compound and coupling the resulting diazo compound with a pyridone compound. Having a good solubility in an organic solvent and a good dispersibility in water, the pigment facilitates the preparation of an ink containing a high concentration of the pigment homogeneously dissolved or dispersed. The prepared ink enables the preparation of a thermal transfer sheet coated with the ink uniformly in a high density.
British Patent 1,559,001 (Harvey et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a hydrophilic textile material colored with a dyestuff of the formula
wherein D is the residue of a diazo or tetrazo component; R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, chloro, acetamido, benzamido, carbamoyl, or an N-substituted carbamyl, for example —CONHBr, group or, preferably, a cyano group; R2 is an alkyl group, especially methyl, optionally substituted with a chlorine atom, a phenyl group, optionally substituted with an alkyl or alkoxy group, or a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester group; or R1 and R2 together with the carbon atoms in the 3- or 4-position of the pyridone ring may form an alicyclic or aromatic ring system so that, for example, R1 and R2 together may be a tri- or tetra-methylene group forming with the pyridone of penteno (c) or hexeno (c) pyrid-2-one, or R1 and R2 may form together with the adjacent carbon atoms of the pyridone ring a benzene ring giving a benz (c) pyrid-2-one; R3 is an aryl group carrying one or more substituents selected from —NO, —SO2R1, —COR1, —COOR1, —CF, or —CN, wherein R1 is an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group; and n is an integer which may be 1 or 2.
German Patent Publication DE 19646430, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses dye mixtures comprising at least two structurally different dyes, each corresponding to formula
wherein R1 is C1-C4 alkyl; R2 is the (CH2)nO—R5 radical; R5 is, independently of R1, C1-C4 alkyl or phenyl (which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, hydroxy, or halogen); and n is 2 or 3, which dye mixtures are suitable for dyeing or printing textile fibre materials (e.g. polyester materials), giving dyeings having good around fastness properties.
German Patent Publication DE 19646429, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses dye mixtures comprising at least two structurally different dyes, each of which has the formula
in which R1 is C1-C4 alkyl and R2 is isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl; or C1-C3 alkyl which is substituted by phenyl or phenoxy; or R1 is phenyl (which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, or halogen), C1-C4 alkoxy-C1-C3 alkylene, phenoxy-C1-C3 alkylene, or C1-C3 alkyl which is substituted by phenyl (which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, or halogen) and R2 is C1-C10 alkyl (which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl, OCOR3, or phenoxy, where the phenyl ring in phenoxy is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, or halogen) and the alkyl chain in C1-C10 alkyl from C2 can be interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms; phenyl (which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, or halogen); or C5-C7 cycloalkyl; and R3 is C1-C4 alkyl, are suitable for dyeing or printing textile fibre materials (e.g. polyester materials) and give dyeings with good allround properties.
German Patent Publication DE 19647869, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a dye mixture containing at least 2 dyes with different structures, each of formula
where R1 is a 1-4C alkyl; and R2 is a linear 1-3C alkyl. Also claimed is hydrophobic fibre material, preferably polyester textile material, dyed or printed with the mixture.
PCT Patent Publication WO 99/43754, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses compounds of the formula
and salts and tautomers thereof, wherein: R1 and R2 each independently is H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, or optionally substituted arylalkyl; each W and each X independently is —COOH, —SO3H, —PO3H2, or alkyl substituted by one or more groups selected from —COOH, —SO3H, and —PO3H2; each Y and each Z independently is a substituent other than those defined for W and X; a and d each independently is 1 to 5; b and c each independently is 0 to 4; (a+b) has a value of 5 or less; and (c+d) has a value of 5 or less. Also claimed are inks containing a compound of this formula, an ink jet printing process using the inks, substrates printed with the inks, and ink jet printer cartridges containing the inks.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,218 (Lee et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses pyridone-based yellow monoazo dyes used in thermal transfer having following formula which have good stability and hue
wherein R1 is hydrogen atom; unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms with alkoxy or aryl; or unsubstituted or substituted aryl group with alkoxy or halogen, and X is hydrogen atom; alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; alkoxy group; or halogen; R2 is selected from the following groups;
wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from groups consisting hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen, alkyl carboxylate, and carbonyl group; R3-R4 is noncyclization with R3 and R4 and selected respectively from the above substituents (R3 and R4); or saturated or unsaturated cycloalkyl of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, Z is nitro, halogen, alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy, sulfonyl, carbonyl, carboxyamide, sulfonamino, cyano, hydroxy, or hydrogen atom.
European Patent Publication EP 0 706 679 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,929 (Campbell), and PCT Patent Publication WO 95/00885, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, disclose colored cyan toner for electroreprography and laser printing based on Solvent Blue 70, and a trichomatic set of coloured toners based on Solvent Blue 70, benzodifuranone red dyes, and azo pyridone yellow dyes of the formula
wherein X is halogen, nitro, or a group —COOR5, R9 is C1-4 alkyl, R10 is C1-12 alkyl, R5 is C1-8 alkyl or a group of formula —(C1-3-alkylene)-(CO)q-Z wherein q is 0 or 1 and Z is —OR6 or —NR6R7 when q=1 or Z is —OR8 when q=0, R6 is selected from optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C1-8 alkoxy-C1-8 alkyl, and a second group represented by R5 in which R6 is optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C1-8 alkoxy-C1-8 alkyl, R7 is selected from H and optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl, and R8 is selected from optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C1-8 alkoxy-C1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl sulfonyl or carbonyl, and optionally substituted phenyl sulfonyl or carbamoyl.
European Patent Publication EP 0 247 737, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a thermal transfer printing sheet suitable for use in a thermal transfer printing process, especially for the conversion of a digital image into a visible print, comprising a substrate having a coating comprising a dye of the formula
wherein Ring A is unsubstituted or carries, in the 2- or 4-position with respect to the azo link, at least one group selected from —CX3, X1, CN, NO2, —OCO.Y, —CO.Y, —CO.H, —OSO2.Y, and —SO2.Y, provided that A is substituted when Z is CH3 and R is C2-4-alkyl; X and X1 are each independently halogen; Y is selected from R1, —OR1, SR1, and —NR1R2; R1 is selected from C1-12-alkyl, C1-12-alkyl interrupted by one or two groups selected from —O—, —CO—, O.CO—, and —CO.O—, C3-7-cycloalkyl, mono- or bi-cyclic aryl, and C1-3-alkylene attached to an adjacent carbon atom on Ring A; R2 is selected from H, C1-12-alkyl, C3-7-cycloalkyl, and mono- or bi-cyclic aryl; Z is C1-12-alkyl or phenyl; and R is selected from C2-12-alkyl unbranched in the alpha-position, C2-12-alkyl unbranched in alpha-position and interrupted by one or two groups selected from —O—, —CO—, O.CO—, and —CO.O—, phenyl, C1-4-alkylphenyl, biphenyl, and biphenyl interrupted by a group selected from —O—, —CO—, O.CO—, and —CO.O—, each of which is free from hydrogen atoms capable of intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,413 (Evans et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a yellow dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprises a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a mixture of yellow dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, at least one of the yellow dyes having the formula
wherein: each R1 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group of from about 5 to about 7 carbon atoms; a substituted or unsubstituted allyl group; an aryl group of from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms; a hetaryl group of from 5 to 10 atoms; acyl; arylsulfonyl; aminocarbonyl; aminosulfonyl; fluorosulfonyl; halogen; nitro; alkylthio; or arylthio; or any two adjacent R1's together represent the atoms necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered fused ring; n represents an integer from 0-4; R2 represents hydrogen; a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, allyl, aryl or hetaryl group as described above for R1; cyano; acyl; alkylsulfonyl; arylsulfonyl; or alkoxycarbonyl; Z represents cyano; alkoxycarbonyl; acyl; nitro; arylsulfonyl or alkylsulfonyl; Y represents hydrogen; a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, allyl, aryl or hetaryl group as described above for R1; amino; alkylamino; arylamino; acylamino; or sulfonylamino; and at least one of the other of the dyes having the formula
wherein R3 represents the same groups as R1 above; R4 and R5 each independently represents hydrogen, R3; cyano; acyloxy; alkoxy of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; halogen; or alkoxycarbonyl; or any two of R3, R4 and R5 together represent the atoms necessary to complete a 5- to 7-membered ring; R6 represents the same groups as R3; G represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or allyl group as described above for R3, NR7R8 or OR9; R7 and R8 each independently represents hydrogen, acyl or R3, with the proviso that R7 and R8 cannot both be hydrogen at the same time; or R7 and R8 together represent the atoms necessary to complete a 5- to 7-membered ring; R9 represents the same groups as R3; X represents C(R10)(R11), S, O or NR10; R10 and R11 each independently represents the same groups as R3; or R10 and R11 together represent the atoms necessary to complete a 5- to 7-membered ring; and J represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring which may be fused to another ring system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,418 (Lienhard et al.), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses azo dyestuff sulfonic acid salts of the formula
wherein A represents a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aromatic radical, B represents an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic amine, X represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl group, Y represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, a nitro, cyano, acyl, sulfonic acid, arylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, sulfamoyl or carbamoyl group, Z represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or an aryl radical, m and n are 1 or 2; said dyestuffs salts having good solubility in organic solvents and functioning to color solutions of film forming polymers in yellow to orange shades.
German Patent Publication DE 3538517 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,964 (Moser et al.), the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, disclose sulfonic acid group-free basic azo compounds, which correspond in one of the possible tautomeric forms to the formula
their preparation and their use for dyeing paper.
Japanese Patent Publication JP 03192158, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses obtaining a yellow dye exhibiting high dyeing speed and degree of exhaustion in dyeing a textile material, leather, pulp, paper, etc., as well as excellent brightness and fastness to water by selecting a compound wherein a pyridopyridinium salt is linked to diphenylfluorene through azo groups. A cationic compound of the formula
wherein R1 is H or 1-4C alkyl; R2 is H, 1-4C alkyl, or alkoxy; and A− is an anion which has a structure wherein a tetrazo compound, of 9,9′-bis(4-anilino)fluorene is coupled with a pyridone derivative is selected as a yellow dye, which is useful for dyeing an unsized pulp or paper (e.g. a napkin, table cloth, or sanitary paper). The dyeing with the dye is carried out at a pH of 4-8, preferably 5-7, and at 10-50° C., preferably 15-30° C.
British Patent Publication GB 2 008 606, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses water-insoluble yellow monoazo dyes suitable for dyeing hydrophobic synthetic fibres, particularly polyesters, having the formula
in which X represents OR3 or NHR3, NR3R4 (R3, R4 together optionally forming with N a ring having 5 to 6 carbon atoms), NHR5; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, (CH2)2OH or (CH2)3OR3; R2 represents CN, COOR3, CONHR3, CONR3R4 (R3, R4 together optionally forming with N a ring having 5 to 6 carbon atoms); R3 and R4 represent alkyl groups having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and R5 represents a cycloalkyl having 5 or 6 carbon atoms. The dyes may be prepared by the reaction of
with Hal-CH2—CO—X in which Hal represents Cl or Br.
"Preparation and Evaluation of Yellow Pigments Based on H-Pyridone and Esters of Aminoterephthalic Acid," P. Slosar et al., CHEMagazin, Vol. 9, No. 6, pp. 8-11 (1999), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses yellow pigments based on H-pyridone and esters of aminoterephthalic acid wherein the color strength, brilliance (purity), and deepening of greenish shade were the larger the smaller alkyl is in the carbalkoxy group in o-position towards the azo group and the greater alkyl is in the carbalkoxy group in m-position towards the azo group.
Of potential background interest with respect to the present invention are the following references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,919,839; 5,827,918; 4,889,560; 5,372,852; "Synthesis, Morphology, and Optical Properties of Tetrahedral Oligo(phenylenevinylene) Materials," S. Wang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 120, p. 5695 (2000); "Syntheses of Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers Containing a Conjugated Block and Their Self-Assembling Properties," H. Wang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 122, p. 6855 (2000); "Crystal Engineering of Conjugated Oligomers and the Spectral Signature of π Stacking in Conjugated Oligomers and Polymers," A. Koren et al., Chem. Mater., Vol. 12, p. 1519 (2000); "The Chemistry of Isatoic Anhydride," G. M. Coppola, Synthesis, p. 505 (1980); "Isatoic Anhydride. IV. Reactions with Various Nucleophiles," R. P. Staiger et al., J. Org. Chem., Vol. 24, p. 1214 (1959); "Investigation of the Reaction Conditions for the Synthesis of 4,6-Disubstituted-3-cyano-2-pyridones and 4-Methyl-3-cyano-6-hydroxy-2-pyridone, " D. Z. Mijin et al., J. Serb. Chem. Soc., Vol. 59, No. 12, p. 959 (1994); "Synthesis of Isoquinoline Alkaloids. II. The Synthesis and Reactions of 4-Methyl-3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and Other 4-Methyl-3-substituted Pyridines," J. M. Bobbitt et al., J. Org. Chem., Vol. 25, p. 560 (1960); "Synthesis and Dyeing Characteristics of 5-(4-Arylazophenyl) azo-3-cyano-4-methyl-6-hydroxy-2-pyridones, " J. Kanhere et al., Indian Journal of Textile Research, Vol. 13, p. 213 (1988); "Synthesis of Some Pyridone Azo Dyes from 1-Substituted 2-Hydroxy-6-pyridone Derivatives and their Colour Assessment," C. Chen et al., Dyes and Pigments, Vol. 15, p. 69 (1991); German Patent Publication DE 3543360; Japanese Patent Publication JP 2001214083; German Patent Publication DE 3505899; Indian Patent Publication 147527; European Patent Publication EP 0 524 637; European Patent Publication EP 0 529 282; European Patent Publication EP 0 083 553; Japanese Patent Publication JP 2000 62327; Japanese Patent Publication JP 85152563; "Synthesis of 3-Cyano-6-hydroxy-5-(2-(perfluoroalkyl)phenylazo)-2-pyridones and their Application for Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer Printing," Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1993, Vol. 66, Iss. 6, Pp. 1790-4; European Patent Publication 0 844 287; European Patent Publication 0 404 493; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,902,841; 5,621,022; 5,006,170; Chinese Patent Publication CN 1115773; German Patent Publication DE 3447117; Japanese Patent Publication JP 5331382; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63210169; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63199764; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63199763; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63199762; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63199761; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63199760; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63071392; Japanese Patent Publication JP 61181865; Japanese Patent Publication JP 61036366; Japanese Patent Publication JP 60152563; Japanese Patent Publication JP 60112862; Japanese Patent Publication JP 60112861; Japanese Patent Publication JP 58149953; Japanese Patent Publication JP 56092961; Japanese Patent Publication JP 56026957; Japanese Patent Publication JP 55099958; Japanese Patent Publication JP 96 11443 (JP8011443); Japanese Patent Publication JP 93169849 (JP5169849); Japanese Patent Publication JP 93 51536 (JP5051536); Japanese Patent Publication JP 90185569 (JP2185569); European Patent Publication 0 319 234; European Patent Publication 0 314 002; European Patent Publication 0 302 401; U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,349; Japanese Patent Publication JP 87290762 (JP62290762); Japanese Patent Publication JP 86244595 (JP61244595); Indian Patent Publication IN 147868; Spanish Patent Publication 475254 (Equivalent of Italian Patent Publication IT 1088895); German Patent Publication DE 2727809; "Colour and Constitution of Azo Dyes Derived from 2-Thioalkyl-4,6-Diaminopyrimidines and 3-Cyano-1,4-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-2-pyridone as Coupling Components," L. Cheng et al., Dyes and Pigments, Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 373-388 (1986); European Patent Publication 1 168 046; U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,058; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63039380; Japanese Patent Publication JP 54102328; Japanese Patent Publication JP 54070337; "Trends in Modern Dye Chemistry. Part 10," N. R. Ayyangar and K. V. Srinivasan, Colourage, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 29-30 (Jan. 16, 1990); European Patent Publication EP 0 172 283; Japanese Patent Publication JP 05169854; Japanese Patent Publication JP 04292988; Japanese Patent Publication JP 63161060; Japanese Patent Publication JP 61244595; Korean Patent Publication KR 119563; European Patent Publication EP 0 142 863; European Patent Publication EP 0 023 770; Japanese Patent Publication JP 00239549 (JP2000239549); Japanese Patent Publication JP 11269402; Japanese Patent Publication JP 09041267; Japanese Patent Publication JP 08039941; U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,564; Japanese Patent Publication JP 06294909; Japanese Patent Publication JP 06122829; Japanese Patent Publication JP 05255602; Japanese Patent Publication JP 05051536; Japanese Patent Publication JP 04235093; European Patent Publication EP 0 468 647; European Patent Publication EP 0 063 275; U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,145; and German Patent Publication DE 2606506; the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference.
While known compositions and processes are suitable for their intended purposes, a need remains for new yellow colorant compositions. In addition, a need remains for yellow colorant compositions particularly suitable for use in phase change inks. Further, a need remains for yellow colorants with desirable thermal stability. Additionally, a need remains for yellow colorants that exhibit minimal undesirable discoloration when exposed to elevated temperatures. There is also a need for yellow colorants that exhibit a desirable brilliance. In addition, there is a need for yellow colorants that exhibit a desirable hue. Further, there is a need for yellow colorants that are of desirable chroma. Additionally, there is a need for yellow colorants that have desirably high lighffastness characteristics. A need also remains for yellow colorants that have a desirably pleasing color. In addition, a need remains for yellow colorants that exhibit desirable solubility characteristics in phase change ink carrier compositions. Further, a need remains for yellow colorants that enable phase change inks to be jetted at temperatures of over 135° C. while maintaining thermal stability. Additionally, a need remains for yellow colorants that enable phase change inks that generate images with low pile height. There is also a need for yellow colorants that enable phase change inks that generate images that approach lithographic thin image quality. In addition, there is a need for yellow colorants that exhibit oxidative stability. Further, there is a need for yellow colorants that do not precipitate from phase change ink carriers. Additionally, there is a need for yellow colorants that do not, when included in phase change inks, diffuse into adjacently printed inks of different colors. A need also remains for yellow colorants that do not leach from media such as phase change ink carriers into tape adhesives, paper, or the like. In addition, a need remains for yellow colorants that, when incorporated into phase change inks, do not lead to clogging of a phase change ink jet printhead. Further, there is a need for yellow colorants that enable phase change inks that generate images with sharp edges that remain sharp over time. Additionally, there is a need for yellow colorants that enable phase change inks that generate images which retain their high image quality in warm climates. Further, there is a need for yellow colorants that enable phase change inks that generate images of desirably high optical density. Additionally, there is a need for yellow colorants that, because of their good solubility in phase change ink carriers, enable the generation of images of low pile height without the loss of desirably high optical density. A need also remains for yellow colorants that enable the use of substantially reduced amounts of colorant in, for example, an ink without decreasing the color and the spectral properties (L*a*b*) of the ink or jeopardizing the optical density or color of the prints generated with the ink. In addition, a need remains for yellow colorants that enable cost-effective inks.

Multi-chromophoric azo pyridone colorants

Abstract: said moieties being bonded to a central atom, monomeric group of atoms, oligomer, or polymer. Also disclosed is a phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound comprising three or more moieties of the formula


Method and apparatus for forming a shaped meat product by cutting under compression. Male and female die assemblies carried by dual conveyers are loaded with meat components and brought together in compression to define a die. The assemblies are formed with arrays of blade receiving slits and are conveyor transported to a cutting station. At the station, carriage mounted dynamic blades are maneuvered into the slits from the outward sides of the die assemblies to form any of a broad variety of geometric-shaped meat products.

The retail food industry, particularly those organizations providing convenience or fast food to the consumer, continue to call upon meat processing entities to produce products having a variety of controlled shapes. Each product should exhibit a specified shape in support of improved marketability to the public. Additionally, the product supplied should be uniform in terms of such shape as well as in weight to facilitate its efficient cooking. These geometric criteria also are referred to as "template requirements." Such requirements attend to the esthetic appearance of the meat product on the plate or support upon which it is placed. Production formation of the products also should avoid undesirable meat components such as zones normally exhibiting an excessive fat content.
While variety of meat products have been contemplated or have been purchased with such specialized processing, over the somewhat recent past, substantial interest has occurred in connection with the breast portion of poultry. This interest has been the result largely of consumer demand attributed to the recommendations of medical groups that red meat should be substituted with poultry or fish having a relatively lower percentage of saturated fat. Initial breast of poultry products were of cutlet size either plated by restaurants or finding their way between sandwich bun halves. Less valuable trim from these cutlets typically has been ground and fashioned of formed, nugget-like products.
A variety of mechanisms were developed for carrying out the task of apportioning poultry breast into cutlets. For the most part they unreliably cut meat portion margins and failed to accommodate for the inherent orientation memory of muscle fibers. The former separation defect required hand trimming to achieve an acceptable profile, while the latter defect resulted in uneven cooking attributes.
In 1995, Smith introduced a controlled volume poultry breast apportioner which exhibited the advantages of carrying out very reliable separation and which functioned to accurately overcome orientation memory to achieve both uniform thickness from portion-to-portion and contribute to improved cooking attributes. Described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,070, issued Oct. 29, 1996, the apportioner employs a blade containing an upper cutting head die wherein the blade is combined with a rearwardly disposed compression surface. This upper die cooperates with a sequence of platens each of which incorporates a boundary slot for receiving the die blade and an associated bearing surface configured to engage the compression surface. This combination achieves highly reliable severing. The apparatus further incorporates a thickness defining compression component which both reduces orientation memory and controls the shape of the resultant meat product. The Smith device efficiently prepares poultry breast cutlets from breast having weights ranging from about 7 ounces to about 28 ounces.
More recently, chicken producers in the United States have been called upon to grow larger birds which, in turn, provide larger breasts ranging in weight from about 16 to about 24 ounces. To accommodate for these larger sizes, some producers have "horizontally" severed the breast in half prior to submitting them to apportioning systems. When so severed in half, the thinner tapering rearward region of the breast is unavailable for forming primary cutlets, the weight-based value of which is comparatively higher. Correspondingly, a substantial portion of the original breast is consigned to less profitable forms of meat which, as noted above are ground.
In 2002, Smith developed a method for apportioning these larger poultry breasts which provides a substantially improved yield of higher quality products intended for plate or bun utilization. Employing an adaptation of the earlier Smith apportioning apparatus, the method utilizes dual conformance paddle assemblies having compression surfaces. One such assembly is used to form with a platen mounted forward containment wall, a forward breast portion of uniform thickness t1. A second such conformance paddle assembly is utilized in conjunction with a platen mounted rearward containment wall to form a rearward compressed breast portion of uniform thickness, t2 which is selected to be about one half the thickness, t1. A die assembly then is utilized to complete the product peripheral definition with a trimming action. Then, the peripherally defined, uniformly thick forward portion is severed "horizontally" to derive two or more quality meat products. Typically, each of these forward products will exhibit a thickness, t1/t2.
Retail food marketing entities now have turned their attention to more elaborate poultry breast configurations. For instance, chicken tenders have found popularity. However, the availability of these tenders from meat processor sources is quite limited. Thus, a call has been made for tender-like cuts of poultry breast meat. Marketing entities have also looked to other shapes of unground breast products such as having a generally rectangular shape. For all such shapes, purchasers have specified that the resultant breast meat product may not contain high fat content peripherally disposed rib meat.
Heretofore, the finger-like tender emulating shapes have been produced by resort to quite expensive and somewhat labor intensive water jet cutting systems. These systems evolve inherently lower yield do, inter alia, to the loss of meat representing a saw-like "kerf" as a part is defined. Further, there is little, if any, three dimensional stabilization over the meat product during its formation to provide control over voids. Accordingly, new systems and attendant machinery are called for which exhibit a necessary flexibility for accurately forming a variety of three dimensionally stable meat product shapes while remaining cost effective.


A semiconductor device in which a chip 10 is mounted on a board, includes: a pad group A provided on the chip 10 and electrically connected to an internal circuit in the chip 10; and a test pad pattern B provided on a region of the chip 10 except for a region of the chip 10 where the pad group A is provided. The pad group A includes: pads 12a formed on a principal surface of the chip 10; bumps 16a respectively formed on the pads 12a with a barrier metal layer interposed therebetween, and electrically connected to the board. The test pad pattern B includes: test pads 12b formed on the principal surface of the chip 10; test bumps 16b respectively formed on the test pads 12b with a test barrier metal layer interposed therebetween, and interconnects 11b electrically connecting adjacent ones of the test pads 12b.

A conventional semiconductor device will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a chip in the conventional semiconductor device.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, pads 102 are arranged in an array on the principal surface of a chip 100 to be electrically connected to an internal circuit in the chip 100. Bumps 106 are respectively formed on the pads 102 with a barrier metal layer (not shown, and denoted by reference numeral 105 in FIG. 14) interposed therebetween.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the chip in the conventional semiconductor device. Specifically, FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the pads 102 are formed on an interlayer insulating film 100x. A first protective film 103 is formed over the interlayer insulating film 100x and the pads 102. The first protective film 103 has openings 103a in which the upper surfaces of the pads 102 are exposed. A second protective film 104 is formed on a region of the first protective film 103 except for a region on which the pads 102 are formed. The barrier metal layer 105 is formed on the pads 102 to fill the openings 103a. The bumps 106 are formed on the barrier metal layer 105.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the conventional semiconductor device. Specifically, this cross-sectional view illustrates a configuration of the semiconductor device in which the chip with the configuration shown in FIG. 13 is mounted on the board. The cross-sectional view of the chip shown as the upper chip in FIG. 15 is the cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 13.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, the chip 100 is connected to the board 200 having terminals 201 via the bumps 106. The gap between the board 200 and the chip 100 is filled with resin 202. In this manner, the chip 100 is mounted on the board 200.
The chip 100 and the board 200 greatly differ in thermal expansion coefficient. Thus, when thermal stress is applied to the pad 102-bump 106 portion sandwiched between the board 200 and the chip 100 in mounting the chip on the board, for example, reliability of the connection between the pad 102-bump 106 portion and the board 200 is reduced (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-153747).


This invention provides a method for stabilization of lead smelter slag and matte subject to acid and water leaching tests or leach conditions by addition of stabilizing agents into the smelter feed such that leaching of lead is inhibited to desired levels. The resultant waste after stabilization is deemed suitable for on-site reuse, off-site reuse or disposal as RCRA non-hazardous waste.

Heavy metal bearing smelter slag and matte produced during lead smelting and recovery may be deemed "Hazardous Waste" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) pursuant to 40 C.F.R. Part 261 and also deemed hazardous under similar regulations in other countries such as Japan, Switzerland, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, European Countries, India, and China, and deemed special waste within specific regions or states within those countries, if containing designated leachate solution-soluble and/or sub-micron filter-passing particle sized lead (Pb) above levels deemed hazardous by those country, regional or state regulators.
In the United States, any solid waste or contaminated soil can be defined as Hazardous Waste either because it is "listed" in 40 C.F.R., Part 261 Subpart D, federal regulations adopted pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), or because it exhibits one or more of the characteristics of a Hazardous Waste as defined in 40 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart C. The hazard characteristics defined under 40 CFR Part 261 are: (1) ignitability, (2) corrosivity, (3) reactivity, and (4) toxicity as tested under the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). 40 C.F.R., Part 261.24(a), contains a list of heavy metals and their associated maximum allowable concentrations. If a heavy metal, such as lead, exceeds its maximum allowable concentration from a solid waste, when tested using the TCLP analysis as specified at 40 C.F.R. Part 261 Appendix 2, then the solid waste is classified as RCRA Hazardous Waste. The USEPA TCLP test uses a dilute acetic acid either in de-ionized water (TCLP fluid 2) or in de-ionized water with a sodium hydroxide buffer (TCLP fluid 1). Both extract methods attempt to simulate the leachate character from a decomposing trash landfill in which the solid waste being tested for is assumed to be disposed in and thus subject to rainwater and decomposing organic matter leachate combination . . . or an acetic acid leaching condition. Waste containing leachable heavy metals is currently classified as hazardous waste due to the toxicity characteristic, if the level of TCLP analysis is above 0.2 to 100 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per millions (ppm) for specific heavy metals. The TCLP test is designed to simulate a worst-case leaching situation . . . that is a leaching environment typically found in the interior of an actively degrading municipal landfill. Such landfills normally are slightly acidic with a pH of approximately 5±0.5. Countries outside of the US also use the TCLP test as a measure of leaching such as Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, and Canada. Thailand also limits solubility of Cu and Zn, as these are metals of concern to Thailand groundwater. Switzerland and Japan regulate management of solid wastes by measuring heavy metals and salts as tested by a sequential leaching method using carbonated water simulating rainwater and de-ionized water sequential testing. Additionally, U.S. EPA land disposal restrictions prohibit the land disposal of solid waste leaching in excess of maximum allowable concentrations upon performance of the TCLP analysis. The land disposal regulations require that hazardous wastes are treated until the heavy metals do not leach at levels from the solid waste at levels above the maximum allowable concentrations prior to placement in a surface impoundment, waste pile, landfill or other land disposal unit as defined in 40 C.F.R. 260.10.
Suitable acetic acid leach tests include the USEPA SW-846 Manual described Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and Extraction Procedure Toxicity Test (EP Tox) now used in Canada. Briefly, in a TCLP test, 100 grams of waste are tumbled with 2000 ml of dilute and buffered or non-buffered acetic acid for 18 hours and then filtered through a 0.75 micron filter prior to nitric acid digestion and final ICP analyses for total "soluble" metals. The extract solution is made up from 5.7 ml of glacial acetic acid and 64.3 ml of 1.0 normal sodium hydroxide up to 1000 ml dilution with reagent water.
Suitable water leach tests include the Japanese leach test which tumbles 50 grams of composited waste sample in 500 ml of water for 6 hours held at pH 5.8 to 6.3, followed by centrifuge and 0.45 micron filtration prior to analyses. Another suitable distilled water CO2 saturated method is the Swiss protocol using 100 grams of cemented waste at 1 cm3 in two (2) sequential water baths of 2000 ml. The concentration of lead and salts are measured for each bath and averaged together before comparison to the Swiss criteria.
Suitable citric acid leach tests include the California Waste Extraction Test (WET), which is described in Title 22, Section 66700, "Environmental Health" of the California Health & Safety Code. Briefly, in a WET test, 50 grams of waste are tumbled in a 1000 ml tumbler with 500 grams of sodium citrate solution for a period of 48 hours. The concentration of leached lead is then analyzed by Inductively-Coupled Plasma (ICP) after filtration of a 100 ml aliquot from the tumbler through a 45 micron glass bead filter.
The present invention provides a method of reducing the solubility of Pb slag and matte in an in-furnace manner. Pb is controlled by the invention under TCLP, SPLP, CALWET, MEP, rainwater and surface water leaching conditions as well as under regulatory water extraction test conditions as defined by waste control regulations in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands and under American Nuclear Standards for sequential leaching of wastes by de-ionized water. Unlike the present invention, prior art has focused on reducing solubility of Pb outside of the smelter furnace after slag and matte production. These previous methods fail to benefit from in-line Pb stabilization thus avoiding costs of waste handling, permitting, monitoring and stabilization post-slag and matte generation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,033 describes an in-situ method for decreasing Pb TCLP leaching from solid waste using a combination of solid waste additives and additional pH controlling agents from the source of phosphate, carbonate, and sulfates.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,479 discloses a method for treating highly hazardous waste containing unacceptable levels of TCLP Pb such as lead by mixing the solid waste with a buffering agent selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, reactive calcium carbonates and reactive magnesium carbonates with an additional agent which is either an acid or salt containing an anion from the group consisting of Triple Superphosphate (TSP), ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, phosphoric acid, boric acid and metallic iron.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,640 discloses a method and mixture from treating TCLP hazardous lead by mixing the solid waste with an agent selected from the group consisting of reactive calcium carbonate, reactive magnesium carbonate and reactive calcium magnesium carbonate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,381 discloses a process for treating industrial wastewater contaminated with battery plant waste, such as sulfuric acid and heavy metals by treating the waste waster with calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium hydroxide to complete a separation of the heavy metals. However, this is not for use in a solid waste situation.

Method for stabilization of lead smelter slag and matte


A contraflow gas/liquid contactor tower having a gas diffuser to provide uniform gas flow in the tower, a set of partial helical membrane sheets running generally parallel to the tower axis and the gas flow, supported between an upper liquid distributing hub and a lower support hub, and a mist extractor pack with liquid direction control.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention described herein pertains to the processing of natural gas for removal of contaminants such as liquid particles, solid particles, water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide or other undesirable components by absorption into a suitable liquid. The field of search was 261 "GAS AND LIQUID CONTACT APPARATUS", with possible subclasses 19 "Fluid Distribution", 20 "Systems", 75 "Contact Devices", 94 "Porous Mass", 100 "Porous Sheet", 101 "Surface Contact", 106 "Liquid Flow", and 112 "Film". The invention is believed to fall in the category 261.20.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Contactor devices, including contactor towers have been used for several years as a means for removing undesirable elements from natural gas streams. Contactor towers are pipes through which gas is circulated and liquids or solids are put into contact with the gas to absorb or react with unwanted components. Towers can be roughly divided into four categories, liquid filled, random packing, trays, and structured packing.
Random packing is an application of thin film technology and typically consists of balls, shapes, rings, etc. which are dumped into a tower for a bed over which a suitable liquid is poured. The liquid will theoretically spread out into a thin film covering the packing and giving a large surface area of liquid exposed to the gas which passes up through the bed.
Liquid towers are tanks filled with a liquid chemical solution through which the gas bubbles. These units are relatively large, heavy, and can have significant carryover problems with higher flow rates. If the liquid is not regenerated, the resultant mixture may be considered as hazardous waste and may present disposal problems.
Tray towers consist of one or more trays having various openings through which the gas flows upwards and the liquid passes down from tray to tray. Typical problems with tray type towers are plugging of the openings, channeling of the gas through the trays, loss of downcomer seal, and carryover due to foaming. Foaming is a particular problem because many of the chemical solutions in use have a tendency to foam and the bubbling action of the gas as it passes through the trays creates ideal conditions for foam formation. Due to the inefficiency of the trays, the towers tend to be relatively large and heavy, particularly when higher operating pressures are involved.
Structured packing is an attempt to provide a thin film approach similar to that provided by the random packing but with control over the path of both the gas and the liquid. Most of the structured packing elements in use should be considered as semi-random packing since they do not truly allow for control of the gas flow through the unit. Structured packing also tends to be hard to fabricate and may have a tendency to plug up if there is any amount of debris in the gas stream or the gas has components which may tend to plate out on contact surfaces.
In most practical applications of random packing, tray towers and structured packing, both the gas and the liquid tend to find preferred paths through the bed and full utilization is not achieved.


To provide a vehicle electronic control unit including a first microcomputer (2, 3) and a second microcomputer (3, 2) capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the first microcomputer. One of the first microcomputer and the second microcomputer outputs a PWM signal to the other microcomputer (3, 2). The other microcomputer detects an on-time of the PWM signal, performs a self diagnosis according to the detected on-time, and outputs a self diagnosis result to the one microcomputer. The one microcomputer diagnoses the other microcomputer based on the self diagnosis result.

In recent years, in ECUs (Electronic Control Units) for a vehicle, the importance of a microcomputer (hereinafter, "micom" where appropriate) included therein has been increasing along with the enhancement of electronic control in vehicles.
For example, in a vehicle electronic control unit, a target command value is obtained in a micom and various devices related to an engine or the like are driven based on the obtained target command value. Accordingly, monitoring of operations of a micom has been proposed to ensure operations of these devices.
In Patent Document 1, a question signal 20 is transmitted from a monitoring circuit 2 to a micom 1, the micom 1 performs a self-function check calculation according to the content of the question signal 20 and transmits its calculation result back to the monitoring circuit 2 as a response signal 10. The monitoring circuit 2 then compares the content of the response signal 10 transmitted from the micom 1 to a correct answer so as to monitor whether the micom is operating normally. The question signal 20 and the response signal 10 are transmitted and received by serial communications.


The present invention relates to a polylactic acid resin film which has excellent flexibility, mechanical properties, stability, and transparency while having a specific biodegradability of the polylactic acid resin, and is useful as a packaging material.

Most conventional polymers derived from petroleum resources such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyolefin and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, have been used for materials for a wide range of applications such as packaging materials. However, these polymers are resistant to biodegradation and related to environmental issues like carbon dioxide gas, which causes the global warming on the waste treatment processes. In addition, there have been wide studies on the use of biomass-based resins showing biodegradability, polylactic acid resin representatively, following the depletion of petroleum resources.
However, as polylactic acid derived from plants is lower in heat resistance, mechanical properties, and the like than petroleum-based resins, there have been limitations of the fields and applications to which it is applicable. Particularly, attempts have been made to use polylactic acid resins as packaging materials such as packaging films, but they have failed due to the poor flexibility of polylactic acid resins.
In order to overcome the problems of polylactic acid resins, it has been suggested that low-molecular weight flexibilizers or plasticizers be added to polylactic acid resins, or plasticizers produced by addition polymerization of polyether-based or aliphatic polyester-based polyol be applied to the polylactic acid resins.
However, there is little improvement of flexibility in most of the packaging films comprising polylactic acid resins which are produced according to these methods. Moreover, the films are unsuitable for packaging materials because the films show poor stability as the plasticizers bleed out and contaminate the packaged contents over time. Furthermore, the packaging films have the disadvantages of an increase in haze together with a decrease in transparency. In most cases of conventional methods, the films are unsuitable as packaging materials because an improvement in flexibility of the films results in a great decrease in mechanical properties or anti-blocking properties.
Accordingly, there is a continuous demand for a packaging film which has optimized properties such as excellent flexibility, mechanical properties, stability, and transparency as well as biodegradability.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polylactic acid resin film, comprising a polylactic acid resin including a hard segment comprising a specific polylactic acid repeating unit, and a soft segment comprising a polyurethane polyol repeating unit in which a specific polyether polyol repeating units are linearly linked via a urethane bond, wherein the total Young's modulus in both machine direction and transverse direction of the film is 350 to 750 kgf/mm2, and the total initial tensile strength in both machine direction and transverse direction of the film is 20 kgf/mm2 or more.


A system and pupil position acquisition method and a device containing computer software for executing the same are provided. The system includes a shooting module, a scanning module, a signal transformation module, and a signal analysis module. The shooting module shoots an eyeball image using an image shooting device, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The scanning module scans the eyeball image to acquire an eyeball signal. The signal transformation module performs a wavelet transform on the eyeball signal. The signal analysis module analyzes the eyeball signal after the wavelet transform to acquire a signal interval, and analyzes and acquires a position of a pupil with respect to the eyeball image according to the signal interval.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pupil position acquisition system and method and a device containing computer software for executing the same, and more particularly to a pupil position acquisition system and method and a device containing computer software for executing the same which use the wavelet transform to analyze an eyeball image signal so as to acquire a pupil position.
2. Related Art
The pupil tracking method is a technique used widely in the field of medicine, which is mainly applicable to the patients with severe disabilities, an extreme disability such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or severe cerebral palsy deprive them of the use of their limbs and facial muscles. If eye motion is unaffected, the patient could rely on a pupil tracking method to attain or regain some degrees of independent living and control in conjunction with equipments having a human-machine interface.
However, in the conventional pupil tracking technique, for example, a cornea and pupil reflection, a camera receives the light reflected from the eye to form an eye image as different parts of the eye have different reflectivities to the light, and then the movement and the position of the eye are determined through image processing. In the cornea and pupil reflection, binary images are processed, and the Hough transform technique or circular sample is applied to look for or contrast a boundary of the pupil circumference based on the image processing technique, and thus it is time consuming when acquiring the threshold value of the pupil and the noise interference is easily generated, resulting in undesirable accuracy of the acquired pupil position.

Pupil position acquisition system, method therefor, and device containing computer software


The electrical plug-in connector for electric leads comprises a cable plug and a chassis receptacle. The cable plug and chassis receptacle each have a housing with preferably flat contacts. The contacts of the cable plug are arranged at inner surfaces of legs of a U-shaped or frame-shaped part of the housing, which inner surfaces face one another. A wedge-shaped receiving space is cut out in the chassis receptacle for receiving this U-shaped or frame-shaped part. A nose-shaped projection is provided at one of the converging side surfaces of this receiving space, this nose-shaped projection projecting across from the other side surface. Contacts are arranged at the boundary surfaces of the latter which are disposed at right angles to the opposite side surface. The front side of this nose-shaped projection is arranged at a distance from the adjacent side surface.

a) Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to an electrical plug-in connector for electrical leads, particularly having a cable plug and chassis receptacle each having a housing with preferably flat contacts which contact one another when the plug-in connection is produced.
b) Description of the Related Art
According to the currently applicable EU regulations of the so-called Low-Voltage Directive, all plug-in connectors which carry peak voltages above a certain limiting value or which can effect currents above a determined threshold load resistance must be constructed so as to protect against electrical shock. This applies particularly, for example, to plug-in connectors which connect audio power amplifiers with loudspeakers. For example, insofar as such a power amplifier is capable of delivering more than 70 Watts to a loudspeaker with an impedance of 8 Ohms, the entire connection must be constructed so as to protect against electrical shock. A connection of this kind generally comprises a chassis-type receptacle at the amplifier and loudspeaker and a cable plug at both ends of the connection cable. Power plugs are not suitable, nor are they allowed, for this purpose because of the hazard of erroneous connection.
A low-voltage signal plug connector, especially for connecting amplifiers to loudspeakers must essentially have the following characteristics:
high reliability of contact PA1 high current-carrying capacity (up to 30 A) PA1 protected against electric shocks as currently prescribed PA1 noninterchangeable with other plug-in devices or nonreversible PA1 robust and economical PA1 enables simple and reliable locking of the cable plug in the chassis receptacle.
In this respect, reference is had to the arrangement for carrying and taking off current in installed apparatuses according to DE-PS 845 068. Current is supplied through current-conducting contact bars which are mounted so as to be isolated from one another such that they afford protection against electric shocks and are arranged in housings or strips comprising insulating material. Current is removed through springing or rigid contact faces which are arranged at the current take-off means such as handle parts, sockets or the like. The contact surfaces arranged at the current take-off means are mounted so as to be displaceable in the current-carrying contact bars. Known measures with respect to contact bars of this kind are not usable for electrical plug-in connectors and cannot be transferred to such electrical plug-in connectors.
DD-PS 141 380 further discloses a connection device for coupling with an identical connection device for an electrical connection. It comprises a frame part of insulating material which is arranged in a housing, wherein one end of the frame part is formed by a quantity of projecting fingers of electrically insulating material. Each of these fingers, with the exception of at least one, is provided, on the side facing the latter finger, with a contact member whose contact surface is smaller than the surface of the above-mentioned side. Intermediate spaces are arranged between each finger provided with a contact member and the finger toward which the contact member of such finger faces. The height of these intermediate spaces corresponds to the thickness of the fingers, so that the fingers of one connection device fit into the intermediate spaces of a complementing connection device. For this purpose, the contact members terminate at a distance from the free end of the respective finger, this distance being in a ratio to the height of the intermediate space such that the contact members cannot be touched by the user. The manner in which this connection device is to be realized in practice is not disclosed in this reference. This reference also does not show how the connection devices which are connected with one another could be mechanically locked with one another. Also, no specifics are given concerning the electrical cutoff protection whose function is to protect the current-loaded contact members from burning when the connection device is opened while carrying a current load.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,099 shows and describes an electrical connector with a cable clamp which is movably arranged at the connector. This cable clamp is freely pivotable in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the cable, but is locked in its longitudinal direction. The contact elements arranged in the housing are swiveled slightly through the special support of the cable clamp during the manufacture of the electrically conducting plug-in connector. However, this reference does not point to a construction of a plug-in connector which satisfies the requirements listed above.


Embodiments of the present invention feature devices and methods for analyzing the absorbance spectra of a sample, and a method of making such device. The device comprises a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines a chamber having an input opening and an exit opening defined by rims. The input opening has a first geometric shape and the exit opening has a second geometric shape. Any point about the rim at the input end can be connected by a straight line to any point on the rim of the exit end. The interior surface end of the chamber corresponds to the sum of these lines from the rim of the input opening, to the rim of the exit opening.

In optical detector systems, such as those used in liquid chromatography, sample constituents of interest are identified and quantified by characteristic spectral absorbance or fluorescence. A typical detector device will have a flowcell. The flowcell has a housing defining a chamber for receiving sample. The chamber has an entrance end and a exit end. The entrance end has a entrance opening having a rim. Similarly, the exit end has an exit opening having a rim. The rims separate the exterior of the housing from the one or more walls of the interior surface of the chamber. The openings may have optical windows or lenses. The chamber defines a vessel for receiving a sample.
Sample, held in the chamber, is subjected to light entering the chamber about the entrance opening. Light is discharged at the exit end. The spectrum is analyzed to determine absorption indicative of a chemical. To effect this, a monochromator or spectrograph must co-operate with the sample chamber of the flowcell.
The size and shape of an absorption chamber for a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) ultraviolet (UV) to visible (Vis) light detector is a compromise. High light flux passing through the cell is important to achieve a high signal-to-noise-ratio measurement. The cell volume must be kept low to prevent peak spreading and loss of chromatographic resolution. For a given cell volume and optical throughput, the cell path length should be as long as possible to maximize sample absorption. The dimensions of a typical chamber of a conventional HPLC-UV-Vis absorption flowcell are 10 mm long, and 1 mm in diameter. The total volume is about 8 micro liters.
The shape of the chamber is dictated by manufacturing limitations. The typical flowcell chamber is cylindrical or somewhat conical, with a circular cross-section. These chambers can be machined with straight or tapered reamers. The best optical throughput is obtained when one end of the chamber or flowcell is conjugate with the light source and the other end is, or is conjugate with, the primary aperture stop of the optical system.
A further consideration is dictated by the optical system in which the flowcell is used. When a flowcell is incorporated into a spectrometer system, the light beam which passes through the flowcell must also pass through a grating monochromator or a spectrograph. Good spectral resolution in a compact format, requires the use of a narrow slit. The best optical throughput through the monochromator or spectrograph is achieved if the two primary stops of the optical system are imaged, or conjugate with, the grating and slit. Thus the slit ends up being conjugate with (or coincident with) one end of the flowcell and the shape of the other end of the cell corresponds to the beam shape at the grating.
This has led to a problem matching the optics of the most efficient and compact spectrometer to the most efficient flowcell. Typically, one end of the flowcell (round) is imaged onto the spectrometer slit (tall and narrow), and light is lost on the sides of the slit. Alternatively, one end of the round flowcell is the slit. The result is either poor spectral resolution, or low light throughput.
It is desirable to avoid complicated arrays of mirrors and fiber optics to address the problems of matching the optics of the flowcell to the monochromator or spectrograph.

Apparatus and process for measuring absorbance in fluid samples


An ocean current measurement method, includes: acquiring three-dimensional coordinates measured by four GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning modules on the surface drifting buoy and attitude data of the surface drifting buoy measured by an attitude sensor; correcting the three-dimensional coordinates measured by the four GNSS positioning modules based on the attitude data; optimizing the corrected three-dimensional coordinates of the four GNSS positioning modules according to the mounting positions; converting the optimized three-dimensional coordinates of the four GNSS positioning modules into latitude and longitude coordinates; and calculating coordinates of the surface drifting buoy, an instantaneous flow velocity and flow direction of ocean current and sea surface elevation through the latitude and longitude coordinates of the four GNSS positioning modules. The coordinates with higher precision can be obtained, and the flow velocity, flow direction and sea surface elevation of the sea area where the buoy is located can be measured.

A surface drifting buoy is a small marine data buoy developed according to the needs of ocean survey, environmental monitoring and scientific experiment, which is mainly used to measure surface current of sea water by using a Lagrange method. The positioning accuracy of the buoy is the main factor affecting current measurement accuracy. At present, the positioning accuracy of the surface drifting buoy is 10 m, which cannot meet high-precision flow measurement requirements at present. In terms of the types of current measurement data, the current surface drifting buoy can only provide average flow velocity measured by the Lagrange method, and cannot provide measurement functions of data such as an instantaneous flow velocity, a flow direction and sea surface elevation, and cannot perform observation with a higher resolution on ocean current fields.

Ocean current measurement method based on surface drifting buoy

FIRST INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY, MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES


A metal layer (102) is formed on an insulating substrate (101), and a first transparent conductive layer (103) containing fluorine is formed on the metal layer (102). The metal layer (102) and the transparent conductive layer (103) are electrically divided by laser irradiation to prepare lower electrodes. A photoelectric conversion layer (105) is formed on the first transparent conductive layer (103), and a second transparent conductive layer (106) is formed on the photoelectric conversion layer (105). The transparent conductive layer (106) is electrically divided by laser irradiation to form upper electrodes. Then, lower and upper electrodes adjacent to each other are electrically connected by laser irradiation. According to this method of fabricating a photovoltaic element array, the resistivity of a connecting portion which electrically connects the lower and upper electrodes can be decreased. When the connecting portion is made narrow not to decrease a light-receiving area, an increase in resistance value of the connecting portion can be prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photovoltaic element array and a method of fabricating the same and, more particularly, to a photovoltaic element array in which the resistance value of a connecting portion for connecting photovoltaic elements in series is decreased, and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of Related Art
An integrated solar battery is known in which a large number of photovoltaic elements are formed on a single substrate and connected in series in order to increase the output voltage of the solar battery. As a method of forming a large number of photovoltaic elements on a single substrate, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,092 discloses a technique of dividing a transparent conductive layer and a photoelectric conversion layer formed on a substrate by using a laser, i.e., a laser scribing technique. U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,041 discloses a technique of electrically connecting the upper electrode of a photovoltaic element and the lower electrode of an adjacent photovoltaic element by using a laser.
In addition, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,372 discloses a technique of effectively returning light leaking from a semiconductor layer to this semiconductor layer by arranging a transparent conductive layer between a metal layer serving as the lower electrode of a photovoltaic element and the semiconductor layer.
In order not to decrease a light-receiving area in a photovoltaic element array having photovoltaic elements connected in series, a demand arises to minimize the width of an electrical connecting portion between the upper and lower electrodes. This demand however results in an increase in resistance value of the electrical connecting portion and an increase in series resistance of the photovoltaic element array.
In a structure obtained by sequentially stacking an insulating layer of silicon carbide (SiC), a metal layer of aluminum (Al), and a transparent conductive layer of zinc oxide (ZnO) on a metal substrate, a high laser beam intensity is required to form a groove which divides the lower electrode, i.e., the metal layer and the transparent conductive layer because zinc oxide has a high transmittance with respect to a laser beam. The insulating layer is damaged by the laser beam causing short circuits with the metal substrate. Also in a structure obtained by stacking a metal layer and a transparent conductive layer on a substrate of an insulating resin film such as a polyimide film, the resin film substrate may be damaged by the energy of the laser beam.
When aluminum is used for a metal layer and zinc oxide is used for a transparent conductive layer, the transparent conductive layer conducts heat generated by laser irradiation, oxygen in zinc oxide is entrapped by aluminum, and zinc remains. As a result, the light transmittance of the transparent conductive layer is undesirably decreased. Further, when a groove which electrically divides the upper electrode, i.e., a second transparent conductive layer on a light incident side is to be formed by a laser beam, a semiconductor layer (photoelectric conversion layer) formed below the second transparent conductive layer is damaged by heat.
Further, in connecting the upper and lower electrodes using a laser, the semiconductor layer and the upper and/or lower transparent conductive layer may peel off due to the energy of the laser beam.

Photovoltaic element array and method of fabricating the same


A device for transferring two-wheel motorbike into three-wheel vehicle includes a rectangle frame directly connected to the frame of the two-wheel motorbike and two side frames are connected to two ends of the rectangle frame. Two wing rods ARE connected to the two side frames respectively and an arm is pivotably connected to each of the side rods. A cushion means is connected between the side frame and the arm. A differential frame is connected between the two side frames so as to be connected with a differential which has an input end connected to an output shaft of an engine, and an output end of the differential is connected to two transmitting shafts which are connected to two rear wheels. The rear wheels each have a brake mechanism.

A conventional two-wheel motorbike generally includes a frame with an engine, a gear box connected with the engine, two wheels connected to two ends of the frame, a handlebar and an outer casing. The engine is fixed to the frame and the output power of the engine is transferred to the real wheel by a chain. The handlebar is able to change the direction of the front wheel. A three-wheel vehicle includes a differential and two transmitting shafts connected with two rear wheels. Obviously, the two-wheel motorbike cannot directly transfer to three-wheel vehicle by the existed frame of the two-wheel motorbike. Therefore, there is no way to use the structure of the two-wheel motorbike to be transferred into a three-wheel vehicle. The user has to order a new three-wheel vehicle and all of the parts of the two-wheel motorbike become useless.
The present invention intends to provide a device that can be directly connected to the frame of the two-wheel motorbike and the engine and a differential are connected to the device, and two transmitting shafts are connected to two rear wheels such that the most of the parts of the two-wheel motorbike can be used for the three-wheel vehicle.

Device for transferring two-wheel motorbike into three-wheel vehicle


A stroller system includes a stroller frame and a seat system. The stroller frame includes first and second frame supports spaced apart from each other, at least one third frame support attaching the first frame support to the second frame support, and wheels rotatably attached to one or more of the frame supports. The seat system is removably attached to the stroller frame and includes a seat support having first and second end portions, and first and second end connectors disposed on the corresponding first and second end portions of the seat support. Each end connector includes a connector body having first and second end portions, where each end portion defines a recess configured to receive one of the frame supports. The recesses arranged substantially in opposition to engage the received support in substantially opposing directions.

A stroller is generally a chair-like carriage, often collapsible, with four wheels for transporting a baby or child. A baby or child generally sits or reclines in a seat of the stroller as a user (e.g., parent) propels the stroller in a desired direction. Strollers typically include a single seat for receiving a single passenger for transporting. However, some strollers include two seats, either side-by-side or forward and aft of each other, and are typically used for twins or two children still of age in need of the stroller. However, when a second seat is no longer needed or desired, the stroller may become no longer functional for its new purpose of transporting a single child. Conversely, a single seat stroller may no longer be desired when there exists a need to transport two children at once.


A PDLC modulator is fabricated using at least one a selection of specially-formulated UV curable organic hard coatings as a protective layer on the exposed side of polyester (Mylar) film. The hard coatings of various related types show good adhesion on a polyester film substrate, superior hardness and toughness, and have a slippery top surface, which minimizes unnecessary wear. The coating as applied on the modulator surface significantly reduces scratch damage on modulators caused by unexpected particles on the panels under test. In addition, the slip surface will reduce stickiness to particles and therefore also reduce the possibility of panel damage.

This invention relates to liquid crystal modulators and more particularly to polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) modulator structures. (PLDC may be a mixture of hydroxyl polyacrylate with the TL-series of liquid crystal, where the hydroxyl group is crosslinked by polyisocyanate.)
PDLC modulators are used to test thin film transistors in the liquid crystal display (LCD) industry. Modulator lifetime improvement is one of the major objectives in PDLC modulator research and development. Due to the close proximity of components relative to panels under test, PDLC modulator structures are subject to damage in normal use, which severely curtails useful life.
An existing 131 mm square PDLC modulator build on BK-7 optical glass is known wherein the active surface is protected by a thin film (about 6 μm) of polyester (such as Mylar film from Dupont of Wilmington, Del.). Due to the softness of the polyester film, its surface is prone puncture and scratch damage, so that the modulator lifetime has become an issue. The major modulator damage modes include 1) pellicle peeling, 2) particle penetration, and 3) scratching. These damage modes render the modulators useless after relatively short periods of time. As use of PDLC modulators increases, it has become urgent to develop a more robust modulator structure.
Prior solutions have been developed which have proved inadequate. Two specific modes of interest are:
Mechanical Polishing of Glass. This technique involves deposition of dielectric mirror material onto a glass substrate. The glass was then laminated onto NCAP (nematic curvilinear aligned phase) material with the mirror coating in a sandwich contact with the NCAP material. The glass is then mechanically polished back, leaving a very thin structure. The resulting thin film shows weak mechanical strength (which is thus easy to break) when the finished modulator is used in an applicable system.
Direct Dielectric Mirror Coating. In this technique, dielectric mirror material is deposited by physical vapor deposition directly onto NCAP or PDLC material. While this approach could potentially provide a hard but thin surface on the top of modulator, no data related to modulator durability is available. Moreover, attempts at fabricating such a structure have faced technical challenges, including poor yield.
What is needed is a dielectric-based PDLC modulator that is resistant to damage and a method of manufacture.

Scratch and mar resistant PDLC modulator