In the enclosure inserting apparatus comprising structure for conveying an envelope along a flap unfolding path to an enclosure inserting location, structure for unfolding the flap of the envelope as the envelope is conveyed along the flap unfolding path to the enclosure inserting location, structure for holding the flap-unfolded envelope open at the enclosure inserting location, and structure for moving an enclosure along an enclosure feed path to the held-open envelope and inserting the enclosure into the held-open envelope, wherein the flap unfolding structure comprises structure for engaging the flap of an envelope moved therepast, and the flap unfolding path includes a gap having a width determined by a distance between the envelope conveying structure and the engaging structure, the improvement comprises a flapper blade adjustably mounted to the engaging structure for adjusting the width of the gap.

The invention disclosed herein relates to apparatus for inserting documents or enclosures into envelopes, and more particularly to such apparatus which unfolds the envelope flap and feeds the enclosure or enclosures into the "flapped" envelope.
The mailing process involves a number of operations including feeding, assembly and insertion of mail items into an envelope, moistening the envelope flap, sealing the envelope, weighing the envelope, applying postage, etc. Automation of such operations typically includes moving an envelope into and through a station to complete the insertion operation. With respect to the document feeding operations, see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,169,341 (Roether et al.), 4,570,923 (Hooper et al.), 4,619,101 (Havey, Jr., et al.), and 4,775,140 (Foster). The disclosures of those patents, which are assigned to the assignee of the present application, are hereby incorporated by reference. Frequently, rollers and belt conveyors are used to move the envelope within a station while the particular mailing operation is carried out.
As the throughput of modern mailing apparatus increases, envelope jamming has occurred more frequently requiring more frequent operator intervention and longer overall machine down time. In addition to the rate that the envelopes are handled, the size, design and weight of the envelopes have an effect on the jam frequency.
Typically, the inserting operation includes an envelope feeder and an envelope "flapper" which unfolds or "flaps" envelope flaps open so that documents may be inserted into the "flapped" envelope at a queuing station. such is the case with U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,140 noted above, which discloses a pivoting frame assembly to provide jam-clearing access to the envelope feed path through the envelope flapper. U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,825 (Mrozinski), assigned to the assignee of the present invention, also discloses a flapping and inserting apparatus which comprises jam-clearing access to the enclosure feed path and the upstream end of the queuing station.
Typically, the inserting apparatus includes a flapper that is suitable for flapping a limited variety of envelope types, or styles, appropriate for the particular use of the inserting apparatus. Problems generally occur because the gap between the flapper and the means for feeding the envelope past the flapper is fixed with little tolerance for handling a variety of envelopes. If the gap is too large for a particular type of envelope, it will pass by the flapper without having the flap opened. If the gap is too narrow, the flap of the envelope may jam or become crimped by the flapper.
Although it is known to adjust the gap between the flapper and the means for feeding the envelope, such an adjustment typically requires a service technician and includes a repositioning of the entire flapper. Furthermore, this becomes a more difficult and sensitive adjustment on inserting apparatus expected to handle envelopes of all sizes, designs and weights. For flappers extending the length of the envelope flap, adjustments in the gap are more sensitive to tolerance across the length of the flapper because problems such as jamming can occur anywhere along the entire length of the flapper. As a result, adjustments of the flapper position to correct the size of the gap can be repetitive and time consuming.


A novel method for manufacturing a contact lens in which wearing comfort and stability in the circumferential direction that are aimed at can be achieved consistently with a high degree of accuracy irrespective of a profile of an optical zone. An optical zone provided in a center of a lens has a concave rear surface optical zone substantially matching a surface profile of a cornea and has a convex front surface optical zone imparting required spherical diopter power and geometrical center thickness, and a face of either the rear surface optical zone or the front surface optical zone is designed to impart thereto cylindrical power and axial angle required for a toric surface. Furthermore, a junction thickness is established in a joint zone that connects the optical zone with a peripheral zone at multiple sites in a circumferential direction about a geometrical lens center axis of the optical zone. Position of the joint zone is determined on the circumference from profiles established on the rear surface optical zone and the front surface optical zone so as to connect points satisfying the junction thickness thusly established.

Contact lenses of soft or hard type (hereinbelow collectively designated as "contact lenses") are typically furnished in the center part of the lens with an optical zone that affords certain optical characteristics, and a peripheral zone provided about the circumference of the optical zone, for stabilizing lens shape. The optical zone and the peripheral zone are connected by a joint zone.
In the case of toric contact lenses for correcting astigmatism, it will be necessary to prescribe a lens provided not just with the required spherical diopter power, but also with appropriate cylindrical power and cylindrical axial angle depending on the slope of the astigmatic axis of the wearer. Accordingly, in the case of contact lenses such as those used to correct astigmatism, the optical characteristic of the optical zone will need to be established in a manner inclusive not only of spherical diopter power, but also of elements requiring positioning in the circumferential direction, such as cylindrical power and cylindrical axial angle.
Where the required optical characteristics of contact lenses in the circumferential direction must vary depending on the wearer, the profiles of the optical zone must vary as well. Thus, there will be disparities in the circumferential distribution of a junction thickness in the joint zone. For example, in the case of a toric lens with a cylindrical axial angle of 90°, when worn in the eye the two horizontal edges of the optical zone will be thicker, whereas in the case of a toric lens with a cylindrical axial angle of 180° the two vertical edges of the optical zone will be thicker. Consequently, it will be more difficult to achieve good wear comfort and circumferential stability with a 180° cylindrical axial angle lens as compared with a 90° cylindrical axial angle lens. Further, in the case of a lens having a cylindrical axial angle of 45° for example, irregular torque will tend to arise due to the asymmetrical sideways profile, and circumferential stability will tend to be poor. Thus, for a lens having given spherical diopter power and cylindrical power, appreciable disparities in the circumferential distribution of the junction thickness in the joint zone may arise due, for example, to different cylindrical axial angles. Depending on the individual, such differences may result in the problem of inability to achieve the desired level of wear comfort and circumferential stability. Additionally, as progressively greater levels of cylindrical power are established, the difference in curvature ratio between the optical zone and the peripheral zone will become greater as well, so the joint zone will tend to inflect, which tends to result in diminished wear comfort.
To address such problems, Patent Citation 1 (Japanese PCT Republication No. JP-A-2001-519046) for example discloses a method whereby an appropriate optical zone diameter is selected according to the cylindrical power in order to minimize disparities in thickness dimension among lenses of differing cylindrical power. However, with contact lenses like that taught in Patent Citation 1, disparities in the circumferential location of thickness will arise among lenses with different cylindrical axial angle settings, for example. As noted, differences in circumferential location of thickness have appreciable effect on differences in wear comfort and circumferential stability, and thus with the method taught in Patent Citation 1 there is a risk that, depending on the cylindrical axial angle, inability to achieve the desired level of wear comfort and circumferential stability will be a problem.
Patent Citation 2 (Japanese Patent No. 2695056) discloses a contact lens with reduced inflection of the joint zone by forming within the joint zone a transition portion that affords smooth connection between the optical zone and the peripheral zone. However, the contact lens taught in Patent Citation 2 merely has reduced inflection in the joint zone, and as in Patent Citation 1, such a lens will still entail differences in circumferential location of thickness of the sort discussed previously. Thus, as in Patent Citation 1, with the contact lens of Patent Citation 2, an inability to achieve the desired level of wear comfort and circumferential stability may be a problem.
Further, Patent Citation 3 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,728) discloses a contact lens in which an optical zone anterior face and an optical zone posterior face having specific profiles are combined in such a way as to provide improved wear comfort and circumferential stability. However, as in Patent Citations 1 and 2, the contact lens of Patent Citation 3 will still entail differences in circumferential location of thickness arising for disparities in the cylindrical axial angle for example. Thus, depending on the setting location of the cylindrical axial angle, an inability to achieve the desired level of wear comfort and circumferential stability may be a problem.    Patent Citation 1: Japanese PCT Republication No. JP-A-2001-519046    Patent Citation 2: Japanese Pat. No. 2695056    Patent Citation 3: U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,728

Contact lens and method of manufacturing the same


An adjustable armrest for a vehicle includes a molded shell and a blocking member, both rotatably mounted to a pivot pin that is attached to a vehicle such as to the seat. The shell houses a linearly operating control mechanism that allows the armrest to be adjusted to a variety of positions, yet remember an initially selected position. The blocking member has an abutment surface that is positioned to normally engage a stop pin that is fixedly mounted to the vehicle for limiting the range of rotational movement of the armrest. In the preferred embodiment, the control mechanism has a first end including an interlocking member adapted to normally interengage the blocking member, and a second end opposite the first end that may be actuated by the user to selectively release the interengagement between the blocking member and the interlocking member.

The present invention pertains to an adjustable armrest for a seat and one which can be used in a vehicle such as an automobile.
Vehicle armrests are of various constructions and include a wide range of user-friendly features. Known adjustable armrests typically include some type of manually controlled mechanism for allowing the user to adjust and lock the armrest at a desired position. This is useful when multiple drivers/passengers will be using the vehicle because, for example, while one person may prefer driving with their seat in an upright position, another person may enjoy a more reclined driving arrangement. Even if only one individual is using the vehicle, that individual may want to adjust the seat depending on, for example, the length of the trip and, therefore, may want to position the associated armrest accordingly.
The control mechanisms of known adjustable armrests typically incorporate some type of complex linkage or ratchet system that controls the engagement of, for example, two interlocking parts that allow the user to rotate the armrest and lock the armrest at a desired position. Not only are these known armrests complex, they are difficult to adjust, expensive to manufacture, and, typically, provide only a few positions at which they may be set.
Further, if the user wants to move the armrest from a selected "favored" position to a secondary position, e.g., when the user wishes to move the armrest out of the way to reach an article in the backseat, the user usually must operate the control mechanism. This operation is cumbersome, inconvenient and inefficient. Also, while various armrest constructions provide desirable armrests for their intended purposes, adjustable armrests that allow the user to selectively change the "favored" position are awkward and difficult to manipulate, typically requiring some type of threaded rod mechanism to adjust the armrest. Further, because the control mechanisms of known adjustable armrests are expensive and complicated, an armrest is desired that incorporates a control mechanism which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and intuitive to operate.


The invention is directed towards a composition comprising the formula LMX(Xxe2x80x2)n wherein n equals 0 or 1; X and Xxe2x80x2 are independently selected from the group consisting of halides, hydride, triflate, acetates, borates, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert; M is selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, and platinum and L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand with more than two nitrogen atoms. The composition possesses a tetrahedral or pseudo-tetrahedral structure. The invention also provides a method for using the composition in conjunction with an activating cocatalyst to form short chain xcex1-olefins.

The invention is directed towards a pseudotetrahedral late transition metal catalyst complex and its use in forming xcex1-olefins.
The chemical industry uses xcex1-olefins as intermediates in a variety of processes. In particular, linear xcex1-olefins are used in the formation of polyolefins such as ethylene butylene copolymers. Other products formed from xcex1-olefins include surfactants, lubricants and plasticizers. Paraffin wax cracking, paraffin dehydrogenation and alcohol dehydration processes can be used to produce xcex1-olefins; however, most of the short chain linear xcex1-olefins currently used in the chemical industry are produced by ethylene oligomerization. Ethylene oligomerization is a desirable route due to the availability and low cost of ethylene. Additionally, the product quality is also acceptable for most applications.
In recent years, the chemical industry has employed the use of organometallic catalysts to produce polymers. While many advances in organometallic catalyst technology have been made, researchers continue to seek superior catalyst compositions. In fact, very recently, novel late transition organometallic catalysts have been discovered which are very effectively used in polymerization processes. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,297 to Stibrany et al., herein incorporated by reference, details group IB (Cu, Ag and Au) containing catalyst compositions that are useful in polymerization processes.
Organometallic catalyst technology is also a viable tool in oligomerization processes which produce linear xcex1-olefins for use as feedstock in various other processes. However, one problem often encountered when using many of these catalyst systems is the propensity to produce xcex1-olefins with very low selectivity (i.e., a Schulz-Flory type distribution with high k values). For instance, many of the linear xcex1-olefins made today utilize a neutral nickel (II) catalyst having a planar geometry and containing bidentate monoanionic ligands. While these planar nickel (II) catalysts do produce linear xcex1-olefins, these catalysis systems exhibit a Schulz-Flory type of distribution over a very wide range (i.e., C4-C30+).
To address Schulz-Flory distribution problem, chromium metal based catalysts have become popular for use in certain oligomerization processes. More precisely, chromium complexes have been used to oligomerize ethylene in order to form linear xcex1-olefins with improved distributions. In fact, there has been a report of a specific chromium catalyst which selectively trimerizes ethylene to 1-hexene. These techniques employ the use of a chromium compound in conjunction with aluminoxane along with one of a variety of compounds such as nitrites, amines and ethers. Unfortunately, while these techniques have been able to selectively produce xcex1-olefins, polymer is formed as a co-product. Of course, when polymer is co-produced, the yield of desirable product decreases accordingly. Also, as a practical matter, polymer build-up in the reaction vessel can severely hamper production efficiency thereby limiting the commercial use of such processes.
As discussed above, the organometallic catalyst technology now being used to produce xcex1-olefins has two major disadvantages. First, many of the organometallic catalysts produce xcex1-olefins with a Schulz-Flory type distribution. Unfortunately this Schulz-Flory type distribution is not ideal when short chain xcex1-olefins are desiredxe2x80x94in other words, the selectivity is not good enough to maintain efficient processes. Because xcex1-olefins are used as inter-mediates for specific products, xcex1-olefins with certain chain lengths are desired. For instance, the following are examples of xcex1-olefin chain lengths that would be desirable as feeds for certain product types: C4 to C8 for comonomer in ethylene polymerization; C10 for lube quality poly-xcex1-olefins; and C12 to C20 for surfactant products. Thus, considerable inefficiency and waste is present when significant amounts of xcex1-olefins produced having chain lengths outside of the range required for production of a particular chemical. Second, while some of the current organometallic catalysts may improve selectivity, most also produce polymer co-product. This lowers the yield of desired product and can also accumulate in the reaction vesselxe2x80x94both of which make commercial use less attractive and inefficient. Hence, there is still a need for improving the selectively and efficiency of linear xcex1-olefin production.
The instant invention provides a late transition metal catalyst composition having a pseudotetrahedral geometric structure and its use in forming xcex1-olefins. The instant invention can be used to selectively produce short chain xcex1-olefins without producing a significant percentage of polymer co-product. Thus, the two problems noted above with regard to current oligomerization processes are overcome.
In one embodiment, the invention is a composition having the formula LMX(Xxe2x80x2)n wherein n equals 0 or 1; X and Xxe2x80x2 are independently selected from the group consisting of halides, hydride, triflate, acetates, borates, C1 through C12 alkyl, C1 through C12 alkoxy, C3 through C12 cycloalkyl, C3 through C12 cycloalkoxy, aryl, thiolates, carbon monoxide, cyanate, olefins, and any other moiety into which a monomer can insert; M is selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, and platinum and L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand with more than two nitrogen atoms.
In another embodiment, the invention is a catalyst composition comprising the reaction product of a composition having the formula LMX(Xxe2x80x2)n, as described above, and an activating cocatalyst. This embodiment of the invention is particularly useful in oligomerization chemistry.
Also provided for is a method for selectively and efficiently producing short chain linear xcex1-olefins. The method includes contacting olefinic monomers under oligomerization conditions with a catalyst composition comprising a composition having the formula LMX(Xxe2x80x2)n, as defined above, and an activating cocatalyst.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying FIGURE.

Late transition metal catalyst complexes and oligomers therefrom

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company


A telephone messaging system with active security feature is disclosed. In one form of the invention, a telephonic security and recording system includes a cordless telephone security base including electronics operable to provide telephonic and security features. The electronics a telephonic and security processor operable to process security and telephonic based processes, a memory device coupled to the processor and operable to store information associated with providing telephonic and security features. The cordless telephone security base further includes a display coupled to the processor and operable to display telephonic and security information and at least three telephonic line transceivers operable to communicate with an analog telephonic network. A wireless handset transceiver is operable to wirelessly couple the analog telephonic network to a wireless handset and at least three read/write optical compact disk drives operable to record security and telephonic information are provided. The telephonic security and recording system further includes a digital memory card port sized to receive a digital memory card and a cordless telephone handset wirelessly coupled to the cordless telephone security base.

The home security industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that offers a staggering variety of security products, systems and services for protecting home an individual's home, property and family. However, most conventional security systems are complex and require skilled technicians to install hardware components. For example, typical home security systems may consist of several components that are integrated together to form a home security network. Such a network may include a control panel for activating and deactivating an alarm, motion sensors for detecting movements within a room, security cameras and/or video monitors for video recording hallways, rooms, entryways, grounds, etc. Most home security systems also include home monitoring services for remote security monitoring of a home or premises in the event of a break in.
One drawback to a home security system that includes remote monitoring is that the system can be costly to install, maintain, and monitor. For example, some security monitoring services charge an upfront fee for installing a security systems and further require a user to sign an annual or semi-annual contract with monthly installment fees. Such an arrangement may not be desired by some homeowners, renters, or businesses that do not want to make an investment in a security system that is permanently installed at a location. As such, what is needed is a flexible and inexpensive security system that allows for easy installation and operation.

Telephone messaging system with active security feature


A vibration resistant mounting is described formed of a membrane on which an electronic device is mounted. The membrane is formed of a sheet material made of a suitable rubber such a solid silicone rubber and which is supported by a frame. The electronic device can be mounted to the membrane in various ways to provide vibration isolation that is a significant improvement over conventional mountings for small light weight electronic devices such as electronic oscillators.

Techniques for vibrationally isolating electronic devices have been extensively described. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,907,986 (1933) to Little a piezo-electric crystal holding device is employed to prevent interference with frequency characteristics. The crystal is mounted inside a frame with a silk chord placed within a plane that has a particular relationship with orientations of the faces of the crystal and with the touch points of the chord selected to be at nodal points for minimum impact on the performance on the crystal. A spring loaded device is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,059 to Holzinger.
In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,046,423 to Wolfskill et al a vibration resistant mounting for a piezo-electric crystal is described. The mounting uses wire members, which are preferably resonant to the frequency of the crystal or some multiple or submultiple thereof. A spring type mounting for a wafer shaped piezo-electric device is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,069,572 to Dick et al. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,991 to Massa et al. a bilaminar crystal plate is supported within a frame structure by resilient pads attached to the nodal points of the crystal. An anti shock and vibration mounting is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,459 to Harton.
A foam mounting for an oscillator is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,096 to Fowks. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,022 to Stahl vibration and shock resistance for an oscillator is obtained by suspending the oscillator from a wire. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,397 to Nakayama et al an oscillator element is mounted on a resonant leaf spring. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,076 a tubular piezo-electric element is elastically supported by a torsionally displacing support within a vacuum inside a casing. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,510 to Bradford an electrostatic sensitive package is suspended between opposing films, capable of discharging a static charge, and peripherally suspended between opposing parts of a package to protect against damage from electrostatic discharges and physical abuse.
Crystal oscillators are required to deliver a pure sine wave for optimum performance. In practice their performance is influenced by factors such as temperature and vibrations. Vibrations typically induce undesirable sidebands, called phase noise, and it is important to be able to reduce phase noise to very low levels for maximum effectiveness. For example, an oscillator mounted on a typical prior art vibration isolation mounting may exhibit a sensitivity to vibrations by producing side bands near the center frequency of the oscillator within 130 db or less of the peak oscillator signal. Conventional vibration resistant mountings typically exhibit sideband spikes because of resonances or other mounting characteristics and are also sensitive to high physical displacements at low vibrational frequencies.

Mounting for reducing vibration-induced side bands


System for connection of pneumatic and/or hydraulic hoses (11) on composite electrodes (12) for arc furnaces, the electrodes (12) comprising, at least one hollow adapter (13) associated at their lower part with a replaceable graphite element (14), the electrode (12) cooperating with an electrode-holder arm (15) and being displaceable axially in relation to that electrode-holder arm (15), the hoses (11) being associated at one end with a first connection assembly (18a) associated with a support (17), the adapter (13) including a solidly attached second connection assembly (18b) mating functionally with the first connection assembly (18a), the first (18a) and second (18b) connection assemblies comprising mating connecting elements (19a, 19b) equipped with elements to interrupt the flow of the fluid which can be temporally actuated, the a support (17) associated with the first connection assembly (18a) having a first inactive position temporally solid with the electrode-holder arm (15) and a second working position released from the electrode-holder arm (15) and temporally solid with the second connection assembly (18b) associated with the adapter (13), the transition from the first inactive position to the second working position of the support (17) taking place according to the position of the electrode (12) in a defined position of engagement/disengagement.

This invention concerns an automatic system for connection of pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on composite electrodes for arc furnaces.
To be more exact, the automatic connection system according to the invention is employed for the connection of the hoses conveying cooling and actuation fluids to the cooled adapter element on electrodes of a composite type used in electric arc furnaces.
The invention is used both in electric arc furnaces fed with direct current and those fed with alternating current.
The system according to the invention assists, accelerates and automates the operations of connection/disconnection of the hydraulic and pneumatic hoses during the steps of removal and replacement of the electrodes.
Moreover, the system according to the invention does not cause any impediment to the vertical movement of the electrodes during the operational steps of the furnace in that, at least during these operational steps, the connection assembly of the hydraulic and pneumatic hoses is integrated with the electrode and moves vertically with the same.
The state of the art includes composite electrodes formed with a hollow cylindrical adapter made of a metallic material and secured to the respective electrode-holder arm; to the lower end of the adapter element is fixed a consumable cylindrical graphite element from which the electric arc strikes.
The electrode of a composite type provides various advantages as compared to those made entirely of graphite; the adapter in a furnace fed with direct current may have the function of an auxiliary reactor, thus reducing the size and complexity of the external reactors normally used in the plant that supplies such furnaces.
The adapter, appropriately dimensioned, in a furnace fed with alternating current enables the currents circulating in the three phases to be balanced, thus reducing the drawbacks of the state of the art arising from an unbalanced system.
A further advantage provided by the use of composite electrodes is that they may not require previous processing for adaptation of the graphite element, for such processing is necessary, instead, for electrodes made completely of graphite; the reason for this is that the electrode is supported by the electrode-holder arm at the adapter and not at the graphite element.
The lack of previous processing makes possible a great saving of material, costs and processing times.
On the other hand, such composite electrodes require a system for cooling the adapter so as to prevent the latter being capable of being damaged owing to the high temperature of the furnace.
The cooling of the adapter is normally carried out by circulating within it a cooling fluid, normally air or water, which is fed through external hoses.
According to the state of the art these hoses are free and flexible and are secured at one end to the upper part of the adapter.
However, it is known that the electrodes during the working cycle have to be able to slide axially in relation to the electrode-holder arm so as to adjust the height of the electrodes in relation to the bath of molten metal according to the wear of the graphite segment and also have to be capable of being readily dismantled quickly so as to make possible the normal operations of maintenance and replacement of the graphite segment.
The cooling hoses form a great hindrance as they have to be disconnected to perform the operations of removal of the electrode.
In fact, while the adjustment of the axial position of the electrode is possible, the dismantling of the electrode is especially difficult since the disconnection of the hoses has to be carried out by hand.
Moreover, to perform that operation, the machine operator has to clamber onto the electrode-holder arm and thus exposes himself to the risk of accidents and contravenes the specific safety rules in force.
So as to avoid this problem, the hoses are equipped with a connection means to suit the axial position of the electrode.
According to this embodiment the hoses are connected to a first connection assembly, which includes a plurality of elements connecting the hoses and is fixed solidly to the electrode-holder arm.
The adapter element of the electrode includes a second connection assembly, which is solidly fixed to the upper part of the adapter and mates with the first connection assembly and is connected to the cooling conduits located within the latter.
Both the connection assemblies include automatic closure means, which prevent the fluid contained therein from emerging from the hoses when the connection assemblies are disconnected.
When the electrode is lowered to its working position, the second connection assembly located on the electrode cooperates with the first connection assembly positioned on the electrode-holder arm, thus allowing the cooling fluid to circulate within the adapter.
Viceversa, when the electrode is raised to its inactive position, the two connection assemblies are disconnected and release the electrode.
This embodiment makes possible a ready dismantling of the electrode for carrying out maintenance and replacement of the graphite segment but does not make possible the adjustment of the axial position of the electrode inasmuch as every displacement of the electrode causes disengagement of the connection assemblies from each other and the resulting interruption of the circulation of cooling fluid.
EP-A-0167485 shows a device, substantially of the type described above, which serves to assist and accelerate the connection of the cooling water hoses after every replacement of the electrode.
This device comprises a connection assembly which is attached stationary to the electrode-holder arm; the assembly is connected on one side to the hoses which deliver the cooling water and on the other side includes apertures for the insertion of conduits for the supply of water, these conduits being connected to the adapter of the electrode.
There is also included a guide element, attached to the adapter, by means of which the conduits for the supply of water are guided inside the connection assembly, during the step of positioning the new electrode, until the conduits are connected with the delivery hoses.
This embodiment, if it does on the one hand assist the operations of connecting the various elements every time the electrode is changed, does not allow the electrode to be vertically moved, once the connections have been made, so as to adjust the length of the electrodes in the course of the melting process inside the furnace.
This is because the connection assembly is fixed on the electrode-holder arm and therefore cannot move with the electrode and follow its vertical movements of adjustment.

Automatic system for connection of pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on a composite electrode for arc furnaces


The present invention provides antibodies and immunologically functional fragments thereof that specifically bind Dkk-1 polypeptides. The subject antibodies and fragments bind with high affinity to a conformational epitope located in the carboxy region of the Dkk-1 protein. Methods for preparing such antibodies or fragments thereof as well as physiologically acceptable compositions containing the antibodies or fragments are also provided. Use of the antibodies and fragments to treat various diseases including bone disorders, inflammatory diseases, neurological diseases, ocular diseases, renal diseases, pulmonary diseases and skin diseases are also disclosed.

Living bone tissue exhibits a dynamic equilibrium between deposition and resorption of bone. These processes are mediated primarily by two cell types: osteoblasts, which secrete molecules that comprise the organic matrix of bone, and osteoclasts, which mediate the dissolution of the bone matrix and solubilization of bone salts. In young individuals with growing bone, the rate of bone deposition exceeds the rate of bone resorption, while in older individuals the rate of resorption may exceed deposition leading to net loss of bone mass. The latter situation can lead to increased risk of bone fracture and slow or incomplete repair of broken bones. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie these processes is critical to the development of therapeutics for the treatment of bone diseases. Human genetics has played a major role in the elucidation of these mechanisms and has enabled the identification of multiple factors involved in both catabolic and anabolic bone activity (Janssens and Van Hul, Hum Mol Gen, 11(20):2385-93, 2002; Ralston, J Clin Endocrin Metab. 87(6):2460-66, 2002).
Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) is a member of the dickkopf family of proteins that have been shown to be negative regulators of the canonical Wnt-signaling pathway, which has a central role in bone development and formation (see, for example, Glinka et al., Nature 391:357-62 (1998); Fedi et al., J Biol Chem 274(27):19465-72 (1999); Zorn, Curr Biol 11:R592-95 (2001); and Krupnik et al., Gene 238: 301-13 (1999)). Dkk-1 inhibits Wnt signaling through its interaction with the Wnt co-receptors LRP5 or LRP6 and the kremen proteins (see, for example, Bafico et al., Nature Cell Biol 3:683 (2001); Mao et al., Nature 411(17):321 (2001); Mao et al., Nature 417:664 (2002); and Semënov et al., Curr Biol 11:951-61 (2001). By binding LRP5 (LRP6) and kremen proteins, Dkk-1 prevents LRP5 or LRP6 from associating with members of the Wnt pathway and thus prevents Wnt-mediated signal transduction, which in turn results in the inhibition of bone formation.
LRP5 is a key protein in regulating bone mass (see, for example, Gong et al., Cell 107:513-23 (2001); Patel, N Eng J Med 346(20):1572 (2002)). An autosomal recessive disorder characterized by low bone mass (osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome, or "OPPG") has been identified as being caused by loss-of-function mutations in LRP5 (Gong et al., 2001). In addition, gain-of-function mutations in LRP5 have been shown to result in autosomal dominant high bone mass in humans (Little et al., Am J Human Genetics. 70(1):11-19, 2002). The same mutations in LRP5 that result in high bone mass can interfere with the ability of Dkk-1 to inhibit LRP5 signaling (see, for example, Boyden et al., N Eng J Med. 346(20):1513-1521, 2002). Thus, Dkk-1 is appropriately characterized as being a negative regulator of bone deposition.
In view of the involvement of Dkk-1 in the regulation of bone formation and its role in various other diseases that are associated with bone loss (e.g., cancer and diabetes), there is a need for improved anti-Dkk-1 antibodies for therapeutic use and for other purposes.


Disclosed is a stable organic thin film transistor having good switching property and a process for manufacturing an organic thin film transistor by a simple method. The organic thin film transistor comprises a substrate and provided thereon, at least a source electrode, a drain electrode, an organic semiconductor connecting the source electrode and the drain electrode, a gate electrode, and an insulating layer composed of a plurality of layers, the insulating layer being provided between the gate electrode and the organic semiconductor, wherein the organic thin film transistor comprises a mercapto group-containing compound represented by the following formula (I),(R)n—Si(A)3-n-(B)  Formula (I)wherein R represents an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of not more than 8; A represents an alkoxy group or a halogen atom; B represents a substituent containing an SH group; and n is an integer of from 0 to 2.

In recent years, an organic thin film transistor (organic TFT, i.e., Organic Thin Film Transistor OTFT) draws attention as a next general flat panel display device with high quality and low price or a switching element for driving pixels of an electronic paper.
An organic thin film transistor has substantially the same structure as a silicon thin film transistor, but is different from a silicon thin film transistor in that it employs an organic substance in the semiconductor active layer. The organic thin film transistor can be manufactured without employing a vacuum apparatus according to an ink jet method or a printing method, and therefore, the organic thin film transistor can be manufactured simply and at low cost as compared with a silicon TFT. The organic thin film transistor has advantages that it is suitably applied to an electronic circuit board which is not broken by impact, and can be bent and folded. An organic thin film transistor having such advantages is useful in the case where an element with a wide area is manufactured, a low temperature manufacturing condition is required or a product with high resistance to folding is required, and is desired as an element for driving a matrix of a large size display or an element for driving an organic EL or an electronic paper. Many companies have developed the organic thin film transistor.
Operation principle of an organic thin film transistor is to control resistance by voltage. The gate voltage being controlled, the insulating layer works to generate an accumulation layer in a carrier in a contact interface between the organic semiconductor layer and the insulating layer, whereby current between the two ohm contacts is controlled.
Conventionally, the source electrode, the drain electrode, the gate electrode, the contact electrode or the pixel electrode of an organic thin film transistor has been formed by a vacuum method such as a sputtering method, resulting in cost increase due to the vacuum method.
In order to solve the above problems, an ink jet method (see Patent Document 1 below) or a screen printing method (see Patent Document 2 below) have been investigated as an electrode formation method without employing a vacuum method.
Techniques disclosed in the Patent Documents described above have been studied in detail. As a result, it has been found that in the method disclosed in the Patent Document 1, in which a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed via an ink jet method, controlling affinity of ink to a substrate, additives in the ink remain in the electrodes, which adversely affects transistor performance.
It has been also found that the method disclosed in the Patent Document 2, which forms a source electrode and a drain electrode via a screen printing method employing a silver paste, does not provide source and drain electrode with high resolution nor a transistor with high speed and low power consumption.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2003-318190    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2005-72188

Organic thin film transistor and organic thin film transistor manufacturing process


An end block defining a part of a slider of a linear motion guide unit is provided. The end block includes a rib structure fabricated in a desired shape from a first resin material by injection molding. The rib structure is provided with a rib system including a plurality of ribs, preferably, arranged in the form of a grid to thereby define a plurality of void spaces or recesses and also with at least one curved connecting path section of an endless circulating path provided in the guide unit. A filing material preferably of a second resin material is provided in at least one of the plurality of recesses. The second resin material preferably has a viscous characteristic after hardening.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a linear motion guide unit and in particular to improvements in an end block of a linear motion guide unit.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A linear motion guide unit is well known in the art and it generally includes a rail extending over a length, a slider slidably mounted on the rail and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the rail and the slider. One prior art example of such a linear motion guide unit using rollers as the rolling members is illustrated in FIG. 10 and another prior art example using balls as the rolling members is illustrated in FIG. 11 . That is, as shown in FIG. 10 , a linear motion guide unit includes a rail 5 extending over a desired length and provided with a pair of inner guide grooves, formed on its opposite side surfaces, a slider 1 slidably mounted on the rail 5 and formed with a pair of outer guide grooves each located opposite to and spaced apart from a corresponding one of the pair of inner guide grooves of the rail to thereby define a pair of guide channels and a plurality of rollers 7. The linear motion guide unit shown in FIG. 10 is of the so-called indefinite type so that a pair of endless circulating paths is provided in the slider 1, each, of which is filled with a plurality of rollers 7. In the structure shown in FIG. 10, the rollers 7 are arranged in the so-called crossed roller arrangement so that any two adjacent rollers 7 are oriented such that their rotating axes extend perpendicular to each other when viewed in the direction of advancement.
Since the slider 1 is provided with a pair of endless circulating paths, the rollers 7 may roll along each of these circulating paths indefinitely as long as the rail 5 extends. As well known in the art, each of the endless circulating paths includes a load path section, which corresponds to a guide channel defined between a pair of associated inner and outer guide grooves, a return path section and a pair of curved connecting path sections connecting the corresponding ends of the load and return path sections.
The slider 1 typically has a three-part structure,
6 and a pair of front and end blocks 4 located at the front and rear ends of the center block, respectively. In the structure shown in FIG. 10, an end cover plate 19 is fixedly attached to each of the front and rear end blocks 4' and a grease nipple 15 is provided in the rear end block 4 for allowing to supply grease into a desired location inside the slider 1. The linear motion guide unit illustrated in FIG. 11 is similar in many respects to the linear motion guide unit illustrated in FIG. 10 excepting the fact that use is made of balls 8 in place of rollers 7.
Since the slider 1 has basically a three-part structure as described above, the center and end blocks 6 and 4 are separately fabricated and then they are assembled together as the slider 1. The front and end blocks 4 are fabricated substantially identical in structure. As best shown in FIG. 12, the end block 4' either front or rear, is formed with a curved connecting path section 2 of an endless circulating path. Thus, the rollers 7 may move from the load path section to the return path section or vice versa through each of the pair of curved connecting path sections 2.
Such an end block is typically fabricated from a resin material, for example, by injection molding. In such a case, however, in order to attain a desired accuracy in manufacture, it is desired that the end block 4 be uniform in thickness as much as possible. However, since the end block 4 must be formed with a curved connecting path section of an endless circulating path as described above, the end block 4 is typically constructed to have a grid-shaped rib structure 13 as best shown in FIG. 1. Because of the provision of such a grid-shaped rib structure 13, a number of recesses 3 are defined.
However, the provision of such a number of recesses 3 tend to degrade the structural integrity of the end block 4 and in the worst case the end block 4 may distort or suffer damage under severe use conditions, such as application of a relatively large load. In addition, these recesses 3 have been found to be a source of relatively large noise which is created when the slider 4 slides along the rail 5. In particular, when the rollers 7 or balls 8 roll along the curved connecting path section of an endless circulating path, the rattling noise appears to be amplified due to the presence of such a large number of recesses 3.


A toy vehicle includes an inner body having a plurality of apertures formed therein and having an interior cavity. A plurality of body panels are formed to be received upon the inner body to form an outer body and are releasibly secured thereto in a snap-fit attachment. A pressure tank and pump are supported within the inner body to provide a reservoir of compressed air secured by a releasible trigger latch. The trigger latch is operated in response to impact against the vehicle front whereupon the latch is released and the pressurized air within the pressure tank rapidly pressurizes the inner body driving the body panels from it in all directions and creating a loud bang.

Toy vehicles are well known in the art and have been produced in a virtually endless variety. Thus, practitioners in the toy arts have provided toy vehicles which are unpowered and which comprise freely rolling toys. Other toy vehicles are self-powered relying upon internal battery and electric motor power mechanisms or other devices such as spring-driven wind-up mechanisms to propel the toy vehicle. Still other toy vehicles have been provided which employ different types of crash features, most of which are responsive to impact with an object or another toy vehicle. These crash features have included toy vehicles which are formed of flexible materials and which deform upon impact. Also familiar in the art are toy vehicles which upon impact with an object undergo an abrupt flip or roll action. Still other toy vehicles having crash features utilize some type of simulation of explosion upon impact. Typically, the toy vehicles so equipped utilize a plurality of outer body parts which are coupled to spring-loaded mechanisms triggered in response to an impact.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,757,482 issued to Brown, et al. sets forth a SELECTIVELY SELF-WRECKING TOY VEHICLE having a chassis supporting rolling wheels and a plurality of body components resting thereon. A plurality of impact trigger spring-loaded mechanisms eject the body parts upon a triggering impact.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,669 issued to Parker sets forth a TOY SIMULATED EXPLODING VEHICLE having a battery-powered drive mechanism together with an impact responsive pivotal lever. A portion of the frontal body of the toy vehicle is removable and is impacted and sent flying by the pivotable lever within the interior of the car.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,197 issued to Kulesza, et al. sets forth an IMPACT RESPONSIVE TOY VEHICLE having front and rear vehicle portions joined by a spring-loaded release. The spring-loaded release is triggered by impacts on the front of the car and is operative to allow the car to separate into two pieces following impact.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,890 issued to Myers sets forth a REMOTELY-CONTROLLED TOY VEHICLE WITH WATER EJECTION CAPABILITIES having a tractor-like vehicle supporting an internal water reservoir and a pressurizing pump. A nozzle is coupled to the pressurized reservoir and is directed forwardly and upwardly to produce a correspondingly directed stream of water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,231 issued to Brovelli sets forth a TOY THAT DISASSEMBLES UPON AN IMPACT having a toy vehicle body supporting a plurality of removable components. A plurality of spring mechanisms are operative in combination with a plurality of latches to captivate the body parts against the chassis in a spring-loaded latch attachment. Upon impact, a latch release member trips each latch whereupon the springs operate to eject the body parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,137 issued to Vine sets forth a SELF-UPSETTING TOY VEHICLE having a chassis, a body and a plurality of rolling wheels. The front bumper of the toy vehicle is movable in response to impacts and is spring biased toward an extended frontal position. A spring-driven arm is controlled by a latch and supported on the underside of the toy vehicle. In response to an impact, the latch is released and the lever strikes downwardly flipping the toy vehicle over.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,256 issued to Symons sets forth an AMUSEMENT DEVICE PROPELLED BY AN ECCENTRIC APPARATUS which responds to remotely transmitted communication.
While the foregoing described prior art devices have improved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, they have nonetheless fallen short of providing the degree of excitement and realism which one would expect in a so-called exploding toy vehicle. Accordingly, there remains a continuing need in the art for evermore realistic, entertaining and exciting explosion simulating toy vehicles.