The washing machine includes a cabinet, a drum installed inside the cabinet, and a fan assembly to guide heated air into the drum. A fan assembly includes a shroud provided with an air inlet hole, a hub rotated by a driving motor, a plurality of blades provided along a circumferential direction of the hub to guide the air introduced through the air inlet hole in the circumferential direction of the hub, and a scroll guiding the air guided in the circumferential direction of the hub into the drum. A partition wall prevents the air guided in the circumferential direction of the hub from being re-introduced into the air inlet hole. The blade includes a shroud contact portion in contact with the shroud and a hub contact portion in contact with the hub. An inflection point is formed between the shroud contact portion and the hub contact portion.

Generally, a drying and washing machine is an apparatus capable of drying of wet objects in a drum by rotating the drum which accommodates the wet objects to be dried and allowing hot and dry air to pass through the inside of the drum.
The drying and washing machines are classified into an exhaust type and a circulation type according to a method of treating moisture absorbed from objects to be dried.
An exhaust type drying and washing machine discharges humid air flowing out from a drum to the outside through an exhaust duct.
A circulation type drying and washing machine uses a method of removing moisture by passing humid air flowing out from a drum through a heat exchanger and then circulating the air back into the drum.
Although the circulation type drying and washing machine cannot use gas as a heat source and mainly uses electricity because the flow of air forms a closed loop, and thus a relatively much maintenance cost is required, the circulation type drying and washing machine has an advantage in that an exhaust duct is not required because air circulates between objects to be dried in the drum and a heat pump type drying apparatus.
In the case of a drying and washing machine in which a heat pump type drying apparatus is used, a sirocco fan with fixed pressure characteristics is mainly used because the circulating air should pass through an evaporator and a compressor in a limited space and thus the flow path resistance is high.
The sirocco fan that includes a plurality of blades rotates inside a scroll to generate a pressure change to form a flow field.
In the case of the sirocco fan, the distribution of air flow changes due to the shape of the blades, thereby affecting the efficiency, drying performance, and noise generation of the sirocco fan.

Fan assembly and washing machine having the same


A fuel injector employs at least one sensing device for sensing changes in the thermodynamic properties of the fuel within the injector to thereby monitor injector performance during usage. In some embodiments, advantageously placed temperature sensors are employed to detect the release of thermal energy which occurs when the potential energy of a fuel at high-pressure is suddenly converted into kinetic energy by lowering the pressure of the fuel. Other embodiments of the instant invention employ advantageously placed pressure sensors to detect sudden changes in fuel pressure which occur during the course of the injection cycle. Whereas the sensing devices of the instant invention can be placed at a variety of locations, they are preferably placed to detect changes in the thermodynamic properties of the fuel flowing within an injector where such changes are appreciably large during injector usage. Preferably, injectors of the instant invention are compatible with microprocessor-based fuel-injection control systems to maintain near-ideal injector performance.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved fuel injector for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine and methods of controlling the improved fuel injection nozzle. Accordingly, the general objects of the present invention are to provide novel and improved methods and apparatus of such character.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Fuel injection nozzles for supplying fuel to internal combustion engines are well known in the art. Such injectors typically employ an injector body which is affixed to an internal combustion engine such that a nozzle end thereof extends into an engine cylinder. The injector body defines an interior cavity which is fluidly connected with a fuel supply and includes a needle valve which cooperates with the injector body to selectively permit fluid received from the fuel supply to pass through the interior cavity of the injector body and into the engine cylinder. Since most internal combustion engines employ a plurality of cylinders, it is common to employ one or more of such injectors with each engine. Recent developments have focused on supplying fuel to these multiple injectors from a common fuel supply rail which is maintained at very high-pressure, e.g., about 20,000 psi or about 1,380 bars.
One of this type of common rail injector is shown in FIG. 1, during the non-injection phase of the injection cycle. The injector 10 of FIG. 1 employs a hydraulic force imbalance scheme wherein a power piston 12 employs a hydraulic force imbalance scheme wherein a power piston 12 disposed at one end of a needle valve assembly 14 cooperates with other components to control the net system forces acting upon the needle valve 14. In the design shown, a control chamber 16 which lies adjacent one end of the power piston 12 contains a volume of high-pressure fuel during the non-injection phase of the injection cycle. The force of this high-pressure fuel acts downwardly on the power piston 12 to overcome the opposed upward force of the high-pressure fuel acting on annular surface 17 and to thereby urge an opposite end 20 of the needle valve 14 into sealing engagement with apertured nozzle 21 of an injector body 24. In this non-injection phase of operation, the fuel supplied to the injector 10 via inlet 11, is not permitted to pass into the engine cylinder. However, for the injection phase, the pressure within the control chamber 16 can be relieved by energizing a solenoid actuator 33 to move a valve 26 and open a spill path 28 from the control chamber 16 to low-pressure fuel region 52 thereby decreasing the pressure in the control chamber 16. When the pressure within the control chamber 16 drops to a predetermined level, based on the geometry of various injector components, the needle valve 14 moves upwardly to permit fuel to flow through the apertured nozzle 21 of the injector body 24 and into the engine cylinder. De-energizing the solenoid actuator 33 closes the fuel spill path 28. The pressure within the control chamber 16 then increases until it overcomes the upward force acting on the surface 17 and the needle valve 14 is again urged into its initial position. With the fuel injection cycle thus completed, it can be repeated as desired.
Fuel injectors of the type discussed above suffer from a number of deficiencies which tend to limit overall performance. Injector performance can deviate from the ideal due to a wide variety of performance variables and conditions. For example, limitations on manufacturing tolerances can result in the production of injectors which deviate from nominal design specifications. Moreover, changes in fuel viscosity can have a substantial impact on injector performance even in perfectly manufactured injectors. A difference in fuel viscosity can, for example, result from the use of different fuel types and grades. Additionally, ambient environmental conditions such as temperature can cause further fuel viscosity variations. Another factor impacting injector performance characteristics is physical wear and deterioration of injector components occurring over the field-life of the injector. Finally, changes in the electrical characteristics of the actuators employed with such injectors can result in still further deviations from ideal performance. These and other factors all contribute to injector performance characteristics which can deviate measurably from those originally intended.
In order to compensate for such deviations, microprocessor-based fuel injector control systems have been developed. Such control systems more precisely regulate the fuel injection timing and/or quantity by improving the electrical control of electrical actuators used with such injectors. One example of such a control system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,792 dated Apr. 14, 1992 and entitled "Processor Based Fuel Injection Control System", the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. While injection control systems such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,792 have resulted in marked improvements in injector performance, further improvements are still possible. In particular, the more directly and rapidly a dedicated sensor can detect the moment at which injection begins (BOI), the more precisely the control system can regulate timing and quantity of the fuel passing through an injector.

Sensing and control methods and apparatus for common rail injectors


A bracket assembly for tool-less mounting in a raceway including a pair of substantially identical brackets, mated together, including a first bracket and a second bracket. Each bracket includes a support body, at least one lockable protrusion connected to the support body, at least one protrusion lock connected to the support body and at least one snap connecting mechanism connected to the support body, the at least one connecting mechanism for connecting with a structural member. The at least one lockable protrusion of the first bracket is engaged with at least one protrusion lock of the second bracket to thereby prevent relative movement of the first bracket with the second bracket.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting brackets for an electrical system assembly, and, more particularly, to an electrical system assembly with mounting brackets for tool-less installation in a raceway.
2. Description of the Related Art
The modern office environment often consists of a large open area of floor space that is divided into separate and distinct work areas by way of a modular wall panel system. Modular wall panels can be moved about with relative ease, to change an entire office floor plan. Contained in the modular wall panels are modular power distribution systems, which may include a wiring harness that is connected with a modular electrical device such as an electrical receptacle. The wiring harness typically includes a plurality of wires, which are associated with line, neutral and ground conductors of the power distribution system.
Associated with the modular power distribution system are mounting brackets that are connected to the modular wall panels by way of fasteners. A wiring harness is installed in a modular wall panel using tools to install the fasteners provided by the manufacturer. To electrically reconfigure the wiring harness of a modular wall panel system, tools are used to remove the fasteners holding the wiring harness in place.
What is needed in the art is a relatively easy way to connect a wiring harness to a modular wall panel.

Electrical system assembly with mounting bracket


An apparatus and method for custom blending and fabricating lipstick to the specific demands of individual customers. The present invention provides a kit which enables a user to blend various pigments to arrive at a very specific shade, and then blend the desired shade with a specific base to result in a desired consistency of lipstick, and which also allows the blended bases and pigments to be heated to a liquefied form and poured into a mold for hardening. Upon cooling and hardening, a conventional lipstick case can be attached to the lipstick for removal from the mold and use by the customer. The present invention therefore not only allows a user to quickly attain the specific shade and consistency of lipstick desired, but also eliminates the time consuming and unsatisfactory process of visiting multiple stores having expansive inventories of variously shaded and textured lipsticks.

When a person is desirous of purchasing cosmetics, he or she is often confronted with a time consuming and very often unsatisfactory process. Retail outlets often carry only a limited number of manufacturers and their product lines, and if a customer cannot find the particular shade or consistency of lipstick desired, he or she will be required to visit additional retail outlets in search of another manufacturer and its product line which may or may not provide the particular shade or consistency of lipstick desired. Even after finding an acceptable lipstick, it is often shortlived in that the manufacturer may discontinue production of the desired type.
Alternatively, the customer can resort to catalogs or other written material which will provide the customer with an expansive list of information and possibly the particular shade and consistency of lipstick desired. However, the shade as it appears in printed form on the advertisement may be quite different from the shade when worn and viewed in ambient lighting conditions as opposed to the printed conditions of the catalog.
Such a system is not only frustrating and unsatisfactory to the client, but can also be unsatisfactory to the retailer and manufacturer. The retailer is required to maintain an expansive line of lipstick in inventory which may or may not turn over in profitable fashion, which necessarily limits the retailer to carrying only the best selling lines, or most cost-effective lines. The retailer will therefore not be able to fully satisfy all the needs of his or her client base. From the manufacturer standpoint, such a system is unsatisfactory in the sense that its product lines will be only carried in a few retail outlets which necessarily limits the total client base to which the manufacturer can extend its goods.
Certain areas of the cosmetics industry have therefore recognized this deficiency in the current system and devised alternatives to more closely tailor cosmetic products to the specific desires of the given customer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,764, issued to Meador, et al, discloses an apparatus for designing personalized perfume by providing a system of tapered strips along with a family of fragrances. An individual is therefore able to use the apparatus of Meador '764 to design customized perfume or cologne in relatively quick fashion.
However, while systems such as the Meador '764 patent do provide a system by which personalized perfumes and colognes can be created, no system currently exists to create personalized or specially tailored cosmetics corresponding to the exact demands of each customer, and more specifically to the focus of the present invention, no system or method currently exists to allow specific shades, consistencies and textures of lipsticks to be created based on the specific demands of each customer. It therefore follows that no system currently exists to allow for customized lipstick creation in a relatively short time frame, without relying on a system of ordering and waiting for delivery from an off-site warehouse.

Apparatus and method for blending and fabricating personalized lipstick


A processing system capable of connecting to a computer device comprising a second processing unit is provided. The processing system comprises a first processing unit and a first storage unit. The first storage unit is coupled to the first processing unit for storing at least a first programming code and a second programming code. At a first time point, the first processing unit accesses the first programming code from the first storage unit to set the processing system. At a second time point after the first time point, the first processing unit receives an instruction from the second processing unit and transfers the second programming code to the second processing unit in response to the instruction. The second processing unit controls the processing system with the second programming code.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a processing system and an operating method thereof, and more particularly to a processing system capable of reducing the number of storage units and an operating method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multiplex technology has been widely used in the processing system of electronic device. Particularly, in an electronic device capable of connecting to a computer device, the processing system must be capable of processing the operation of the electronic device itself and the operation between the electronic device and the computer device. In general, the electronic device itself has an independent processor, and the computer device has another independent processor.
Conventionally, the processing system of an electronic device operates multiplex processors independently, and normally has corresponding memories for the processors to store necessary programming codes. Suppose the storage device is a hard disc, a solid state disc, or an optical disc drive of an electronic device. The storage device comprises two memories: one stores the data of the storage device and accesses a programming code required for the operation of the system, and the other stores a programming code required for communicating with the computer device. However, as the variety of processors is getting more and more diversified, the number of corresponding memories increases, hence increasing the manufacturing cost and design difficulty of the processing system.
Therefore, how to provide a technology capable of reducing the number of memories has become a prominent task for the industries.

Processing system of electronic device and operating method thereof with connected computer device


A cover assembly is disclosed. The cover assembly may cover a gap between a first container and a second container. The cover assembly may have a first rigid element. The cover assembly may also have a second rigid element. Further, the cover assembly may have an elastic body. The elastic body may be positioned between the first rigid element and the second rigid element. The cover assembly may also have a bolt. The bolt may connect the first rigid element with the second rigid element.

Containers, such as intermodal containers, are widely known to transport goods in a standardized way and are generally used for transportation of goods by marine vessels, trucks or railways. These containers are generally made out of steel, are cuboid shaped, and commonly manufactured in lengths of 20 or 40 feet.
These containers may alternatively be used to create a housing, for example, for assemblies with an engine and a generator. These engine-generator assemblies, also called gensets, may be housed inside one container, or multiple containers that may be positioned around the genset to create the walls of a housing. To protect the genset a roof may be set on top of the walls.
When using such containers as walls for container housings, it may be necessary to cover the gaps between the containers to shield the inside of the containers from weather elements and from animals.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.


A system for identifying probe cards including a prober which accepts a number of interchangeable probe cards, each carrying a transponder tag; a magnetic coupling antenna supported above the probe card when it is in use, the transponder tag being substantially located within a magnetic field generated by the magnetic coupling antenna; and circuitry connected to the magnetic coupling antenna for receiving signals emitted by the transponder tag, for deriving data therefrom, and for communicating the data to a central computer which holds information on the probe cards in a memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to automatic identification of articles by means of attached tags, enabling non-contact automatic identification. In particular, the invention relates to identification of probe cards in a semiconductor integrated circuit manufacturing environment.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In a factory environment, tracking the progress of product lots is often required in order to know where a particular lot is and what processing has been performed on that lot. An example is in the processing of lots of semiconductor wafers into integrated circuits.
Preferably, this tracking is computer controlled, and performed automatically. Systems exist whereby all processing machinery is connected by a communications link to a central computer, which then stores information on the process steps that have been performed on each product lot. Data on lot progress may be entered by a machine operator. Alternatively, and preferably, a system of automatically identifying lots using tags is used. For example, radio transponder tags may be encapsulated into boxes containing semiconductor wafers. Although commonly known as `radio transponder tags`, communication to and from the tags is performed using a modulated magnetic field, rather than radio transmission.
Boxes containing the transponder tags are passed in proximity to magnetic coupling antennae, which read information from the tags.
FIG. 1 shows such a system. A box 10 containing wafers 20 has arrived at a work location 25, such as an oven 30. A transponder tag 40 is integrated into the box. The tag is normally a cylindrical glass capsule, about 20 mm.times.4 mm.times.4 mm, which contains a non-volatile memory, holding an identification symbol, a small magnetic coupling antenna and control circuitry. The tag is powered by an externally applied magnetic field. The non-volatile memory is typically EEPROM. The ;control circuitry allows reading and, possibly, writing of the memory contents.
Upon arrival at the work location 25, the box 10 passes in proximity to a magnetic coupling antenna 50. The arrival of the box may be automatically detected, or signaled by operator input. A master controller 60 causes an interrogating signal to be emitted by antenna 50. In response to the interrogating signal, the transponder tag 40 emits an identification signal, containing the identification symbol. The identification signal is received by antenna 50, decoded by the master controller 60, and transmitted over a communications network 70 to a central computer 80. The master controller 60 may also emit an identification symbol of its own to the central computer, in the same transmission. The transponder tag's identification symbol typically contains a sequence of, for example, 8 bytes, indicating that the tag is in a box, and including a box identification number. The central computer 80 is programmed with a relationship between each box identification number and the lot number of the wafers 20 in the corresponding box. Thus, the central computer receives a message such as "Box 153A6 at work location 25", which it easily interprets as "Product type ST16243, Lot No. AG94, arrived at oven 30". Similar arrangements are made at other work locations 85,. 95, 105. Several antennae may be installed on one machine, all connected to a same master controller, to monitor the progress of a lot through the machine.
Optionally, at each work location, an operator input/output data terminal 106 may be installed, and connected to master controller 60. The machine operator may wear a badge 108 or a bracelet 109, carrying a transponder tag. This will be read by master controller 60, using antenna 50, to ensure that the person about to operate the machine is a qualified operator.
It is thus easy for computer 80 to control the progress of product lots through the factory.
In a semiconductor manufacturing environment, many different types of integrated circuits are produced concurrently. All are produced on identically sized wafers, contained in boxes of identical appearance. It is imperative that the correct processing is applied to each lot of wafers, corresponding to the required integrated circuit product. As the central computer knows which lot is awaiting processing on which machine, it can automatically load processing instructions customized to that particular lot onto that machine. If a lot arrives at a work location out of sequence, or has already been processed at that location, an alarm may be activated.
Such lot monitoring systems for semiconductor fabrication applications are marketed, by Fluoroware Inc., under the name `Fluorotrac`, which includes an identification system from Texas Instruments sold under the name `TIRIS`. Typically, in such applications, the communications are performed in a frequency band just below 150 kHz, although other frequencies could be used.
Identifiers other than transponder tags may be used, but have drawbacks. Bar-code and optical character recognition (OCR) systems allow cheap tags to be used, but require careful orientation of the tag on an object, and of the object itself, to allow reading. Readers of bar-codes, and OCR readers are bulky. Such bar-code and OCR tags may become illegible after long service life.
Infra-red emitters require a battery to be included in the tag, which needs to be replaced at regular intervals.
Small, electrically powered modules may be used, but these require direct electrical connection to be made to read the identification symbol. The orientation of the object during read operations becomes critical. Corrosion of exposed electrical contacts is also likely in an industrial environment.
The transponder tag is relatively omnidirectional, and so is indifferent to object orientation. The transponder tags are sealed, and usually embedded in the objects which they identify, require no maintenance, and should not degrade with time or exposure to harsh environments. They do not require a battery.
FIG. 2 shows a probing work location. This may correspond to work location 105 of FIG. 1. Here, completed or partially completed wafers are electrically tested.
A prober, controlled by a host computer (not shown) comprises test instruments (also not shown), connected to a test head 110 and a platen 120 which defines the range of movement of a chuck 130, provided with wheels 132 or propelled by a linear motor. The chuck carries a wafer under test 140. Above the platen 120, a support 150 includes a hole 152. At the lower extremity of hole 152, a support ring160 protrudes into the hole 152. A probe card 170 is supported by the support ring 160. The probe card itself may have a circular hole 172 in its center, with probe pins 180 protruding down through hole 172. Alternatively, the probe card 170 may have no hole, and have probe pins 180 suitably attached to the underside of the probe card. The chuck 130 moves the wafer under test 140 horizontally and vertically, to bring selected contact pads on the wafer into electrical contact with probe pins 180.
An annular sprung contact ring 190 is placed above the probe card 170, and is held *in place by an annular clamping ring 200. The test head 110 is above, and brought into proximity with the sprung contact ring l90. Sprung contact pins 205 are embedded in the sprung contact ring 190. These sprung contact pins 205 protrude from each planar surface of the sprung contact ring 190. Pairs of sprung contact pins 205, placed directly opposite each other, one on each planar surface of the sprung contact ring 190, are electrically connected together. These pairs of sprung contact pins 205 serve to electrically connect together pads on the probe card 170 and corresponding pads on the test head 110, to allow test signals to be passed to the wafer under test 140, under control of the host computer.
When a probe card with a hole is in use, the hole in the sprung contact ring 190 allows a visual check of the alignment of probepins 180 to contact pads on the wafer under test 140 to be made, using a microscope 207 installed through the test head 110. Use of probe cards with no hole requires arrangements to be made to view the probes from below the probe card.
As described above, a lot of wafers 20 arriving at the probe work location 105 is identified by tag 40 in the box 10, by master controller 60, using antenna 50.
During probing operations, the probe pins 180 are brought repeatedly into contact with the wafer under test. This causes wear to the probe pins, which are very fine. Each probe card must therefore be serviced after a certain number of wafers have been tested.
As different integrated circuits are of different sizes, the number of test operations per wafer will depend on what integrated circuit is present on the wafer. Each different integrated circuit requires a specific test program, to test the specific functions of that circuit. The pattern of contact pads may be specific to the circuit under test.
Thus, before attempting to test a wafer, one must be sure that:
1. the correct probe card 170 is installed on the prober; PA1 2. the correct test program is about to be run; and PA1 3. the probe card 170 is not yet due for servicing. PA1 the infra red emitters and the required receivers are relatively bulky, and so will not fit into the available space; they require batteries to be included, which need to be regularly replaced (although it could be possible to provide a power supply via certain sprung contact pins 205); PA1 electrically powered modules require relatively complex reading arrangements, may require modifications to be made to the prober and/or the test head, and may be too large to fit in the available space; PA1 bar code and optical character recognition systems, although providing inexpensive tags, require large readers which will not fit into the available space.
At least the first and third of.these requirements are usually checked by an operator, who enters data into the host computer indicating the type of integrated circuit to be tested, and a probe card identification, as written on the probe card 170. This system is imperfect, as it is often difficult to read the card identification when the card is already installed on the machine. Operators may erroneously enter a particular card identification, even though a different card may actually be installed.
Outfitting existing probers with the alternative identification apparatus to transponder tags described above has drawbacks:
Although transponder tags 40 are very small, the magnetic coupling antennae 50 required are relatively large. An antenna cannot be placed at a distance from the probe card, as the card is encased by test head 110 and support 150, which. are typically metal, and which would block a modulated magnetic field. There is also not enough space under support 150 to install an antenna, as this would risk collision with the moving chuck 130.
It is therefore desired to devise an automatic probe card identification system. This would operate in conjunction with the above described, known, system for identifying boxes.

Probe card identification for computer aided manufacturing


3-Piperidin-4-yl-1H-indole and 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole derivatives are disclosed. Methods of using the derivatives and compositions containing the derivatives in the prevention and/or treatment of serotonin disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are also disclosed. Additionally, processes for the preparation of 3-piperidin-4-yl-1H-indole and 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole derivatives are disclosed.

Major depressive disorder affects an estimated 340 million people worldwide. Depression is the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric disorder and, according to the World Health Organization, is the fourth greatest public health problem. If left untreated, the effects of depression can be devastating, robbing people of the energy or motivation to perform everyday activities and, in some cases, leading to suicide. Symptoms of the disorder include feelings of sadness or emptiness, lack of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, and feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt. In addition to the personal costs of depression, the disorder also has been estimated to result in more than $40 billion in annual costs in the United States alone, due to premature death, lost productivity, and absenteeism.
Pharmaceuticals that enhance serotonergic neurotransmission have had success in preventing and/or treating many psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. The first generation of non-selective serotonin-affecting drugs operated through a variety of physiological functions that endowed them with several side-effect liabilities. A class of more recently-developed drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have had significant success in preventing and/or treating depression and related illnesses and have become among the most prescribed drugs since the 1980s. Although they have a favorable side effect profile compared to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), they have their own particular set of side effects due to the non-selective stimulation of serotonergic sites. They typically have a slow onset of action, often taking several weeks to produce their full therapeutic effect. Furthermore, they have generally been found to be effective in less than two-thirds of patients.
SSRIs are believed to work by blocking the neuronal reuptake of serotonin, increasing the concentration of serotonin in the synaptic space, thus increasing the activation of postsynaptic serotonin receptors. Although a single dose of an SSRI can inhibit the neuronal serotonin transporter, and thus would be expected to increase synaptic serotonin, long-term treatment is usually required before clinical improvement is achieved. It has been suggested that the delay in onset of antidepressant action of the SSRIs is the result of an increase in serotonin levels in the vicinity of the serotonergic cell bodies. This excess serotonin is believed to activate somatodendritic autoreceptors, i.e., 5-HT1A receptors, reduce cell firing activity, and, in turn, decrease serotonin release in major forebrain areas. This negative feedback limits the increment of synaptic serotonin that can be induced by antidepressants acutely. Over time, the somatodendritic autoreceptors become desensitized, allowing the full effect of the SSRIs to be expressed in the forebrain. This time period has been found to correspond to the latency for the onset of antidepressant activity. [Perez, et al., The Lancet, 1997, 349:1594–1597].
In contrast to the SSRIs, a 5-HT1A agonist or partial agonist acts directly on postsynaptic serotonin receptors to increase serotonergic neurotransmission during the latency period for the SSRI effect. Accordingly, the 5-HT1A partial agonist buspirone and gepirone [Feiger, A., Psychopharmacol. Bull., 1996, 32: 659–665, Wilcox, C., Psychopharmacol. Bull., 1996, 32: 335–342], and the 5-HT1A agonist flesinoxan [Grof, P., International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 1993, 8: 167–172], have shown efficacy in clinical trials for the treatment of depression. Furthermore, such agents are believed to stimulate the somatodendritic autoreceptors, thus hastening their desensitization and decreasing the SSRI latency period. Indeed, buspirone augmentation to standard SSRI therapy has been shown to produce marked clinical improvement in patients initially unresponsive to standard antidepressant therapy [Dimitriou, E., J. Clinical Psychopharmacol., 1998, 18: 465–469].
There is still an unfulfilled need for a single agent with a dual mechanism of antidepressant action, i.e., one that not only inhibits or blocks serotonin reuptake (to increase levels of serotonin in the synapse) but also antagonizes the 5-HT1A receptors (to reduce the latency period). The present invention is directed to these, as well as other important ends.

Piperidinyl indole and tetrohydropyridinyl indole derivatives and method of their use


A novel multi-port network transceiver having an LED interface supporting parallel and serial LED modes. The LED interface has a pair of LED pins for each port. In the parallel LED mode, one pin of this pair represents status of a 10 Mb/s communication, whereas another pin represents status of a 100 Mb/s communication. In the serial LED mode, status information for all ports is transferred using 3 pins supplying a serial data stream, a frame signal and a clock signal. The serial data stream is composed of frames, each of which represents various events for the multiple ports. The frame signal is used to identify the boundary between the frames. The transfer of the serial data stream is synchronous to the clock signal.

The present invention relates to network interfacing, and more particularly to a novel network transceiver having a Light Emitting Diode (LED) interface operable in parallel and serial modes in accordance with user requirements.
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a communication system that provides a connection among a number of independent computing stations within a small area, such as a single building or group of adjacent buildings. One type of network structure uses one or more repeaters in a star topology, with each repeater having several ports. A data packet received at one port is retransmitted to all other ports of the repeater. Each repeater in turn restores timing and amplitude degradation of data packets received at one port and retransmits the packets to all other ports.
Traditional Ethernet networks (10 BASE-T) operate at 10 Mb/s Ethernet protocol, as described by IEEE Standard 802.3, the majority of Ethernet interfaces currently operate at this data rate. However, a newer Ethernet standard, under IEEE standard 802.3 u, accomplishes the faster operation of 100 BASE-T systems, at a 100 Mb/s data rate (i.e., a 125 Mb/s encoded bit rate) using unshielded twisted pair (UTP) physical media. The 100 BASE-T standard defines operation over two pairs of category 5 UTP (100 BASE-TX) or category 3 UTP. The 100 BASE-FX network medium, covered by the 100 BASE-T standard, allows operation over dual fiber optic cabling.
Ethernet protocol provides for a Media Access Control (MAC), enabling network interface devices at each network node to share accesses to the network medium. One type of connection, termed a Media Independent Interface, or MII, connects the MAC to a physical layer (PHY) transceiver configured for a particular network medium, e.g., 10 BASE-T, 100 BASE-FX, or 100 BASE-TX. The physical layer transceiver is configured for converting the MII protocol signals output by the MAC into analog network signals, such as Multiple Layer Transition-3 (MLT-3) signals for 100 Mb/s Ethernet networks, or Manchester-encoded signals for 10 Mb/s Ethernet networks.
The transceiver may be provided with a Light Emitting Diode (LED) interface for connecting to LEDs that indicate network status and events, such as link status, collision status, receive and transmit activity, etc. However, for some transceiver applications, users need to continuously monitor LED information on multiple aspects of network activities, whereas other transceiver applications require only basic status information.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide the transceiver with ability to configure the LED interface so as to support various LED modes depending on user requirements.
The invention provides a novel network transceiver having multiple ports for supporting data communications with multiple data communication devices in a local area network, such as one conforming to Ethernet protocol. The transceiver comprises an indication interface having at least a pin per port for providing connection to indication devices, such as LEDs. An indication interface configuration circuit configures the indication interface to operate in a parallel indication mode to provide parallel output of status data for the multiple physical ports, or in a serial indication mode, in which status data for the multiple physical ports is being outputted sequentially in a serial data stream.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the physical ports support data communication at first and second data rates. In the parallel indication mode, the indication interface comprises a first pin for each port to indicate status of data communication at the first data rate, and a second pin for each port to indicate status of data communication at the second data rate.
In the serial indication mode, the indication interface may be configured to have a data pin, a frame pin and a clock pin. The data pin is provided for shifting out a serial status data stream composed of status bits representing statuses of data communication via the multiple physical ports. The serial status data stream comprises multiple frames, each of which indicates a plurality of events representing the multiple physical ports at a given time period. The frame pin is used for transferring a frame signal that indicates the boundary between the frames. The clock pin transfers a clock signal that synchronizes the transfer of the serial status data stream.
Preferably, the indication interface configuration circuit is programmable to configure the indication interface in the parallel mode in response to a first control signal, and to configure the indication interface in the serial mode in response to a second control signal.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in the parallel indication mode, the indication interface presents a single event at a time for each port; and in the serial mode, the indication interface presents a plurality of various events for each port sequentially in a serial data stream.
Various objects and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of a specific embodiment thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Network transceiver having a LED interface operable in parallel and serial modes


There is provided a fixed type electrode tip removal device capable of reliably removing an electrode tip and realizing full automation of the removal device. The fixed type electrode tip removal device for removing an electrode tip from the shank is made up of a take-out claw member provided with a substantially semi-circular claw for being brought into contact with an end face of the shank and an end face of the electrode tip in a gap between a large diameter portion of the shank and the electrode tip, the take-out claw member being disposed at the tip end of the removal device, wherein the end face of the electrode tip is pressurized by the claw in the direction of an axis of the electrode tip to remove the electrode tip from the shank, the take-out claw member being made up of a fixed take-out claw member fixed to a base plate and a movable take-out claw member movable relative to the base plate, a driving unit fixed to the base plate, a wedge connected to a pressure application rod from the driving unit, the wedge having a flat face at one side and a tapered inclined face at the other side, and an inclined face formed on the movable take-out claw member contacting the inclined face of the wedge.

There is a fixed type electrode tip removal device for removing an electrode tip taper-engaged on a shank from the shank, which is, for example, disclosed in Japanese utility model Laid Open Publication No. 2001-347380, wherein a take-out claw member provided with a substantially semi-circular claw which is brought into contact with an end face of the shank and an end face of the electrode tip in a gap between the large diameter portion of the shank and the electrode tip, and the take-out claw member is disposed at the tip end side of the removal device, and the end face of the electrode tip is pressurized in the direction of an axis of the electrode tip by the claw to remove the electrode tip from the shank.
Meanwhile, the prior art set forth above relates to a movable electrode tip removal device for removing an electrode tip by allowing the electrode tip removal device to approach a fixing portion of the electrode tip of a welder, and turning a handle of the electrode tip removal device up and down at a predetermined position to pressurize the tip end of the electrode tip in the direction of the axis thereof to remove the electrode tip. As a result, it takes time and labor for removing the electrode tip so that neither a labor savings nor full automation can be realized.


A multi-purpose distillation column reactor is disclosed which may be used for the production of tertiary amyl methyl ether from the reaction of the isoamylenes contained in a light naphtha with methanol. Two reaction distillation zones are disposed above a stripping section. The stripping, in addition to removing the TAME product, also removes the C.sub.6 and heavier components. The first reaction distillation zone contains a hydrotreating catalyst for removing diolefins and mercaptans. The second distillation reaction zone contains an acid cation exchange resin for the etherification reaction and the entire column serves to fractionate the multiple component reaction system (reacts, inerts, products and contaminants) concurrently with the multiple reactions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-purpose catalytic distillation column and the use of the column to produce an ether from the reaction of an isoolefin with an alcohol. More particularly the invention relates to the production of tertiary amyl methyl ether by the reaction of the isoamylenes contained within a cracked naphtha stream with methanol in a distillation column reactor which removes the C.sub.6 + fraction, sweetens the feed by removing mercaptans, removes the nitriles in the feed, selectively hydrogenates the dienes in the feed and reacts the isoamylenes with methanol to produce tertiary amyl methyl ether.
2. Related Art
The C.sub.5 refinery cut is valuable as a gasoline blending stock or as source of isoamylene to form an ether by reaction with lower alcohols. Tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) is rapidly becoming valuable to refiners as a result of the recently passed Clean Air Act which sets some new limits on gasoline composition. Some of these requirements are (1) to include a certain amount of "oxygenates", such as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), TAME or ethanol, (2) to reduce the amount of olefins in gasoline, and (3) to reduce the vapor pressure (volatility).
In most C.sub.5 cuts the isoamylene suitable for the production of TAME is frequently present in small quantities, e.g. less than 15%, whereas there are other C.sub.5 olefin isomers and enough dienes and acetylenes to inhibit the etherification process. It is an advantage of the present invention that the contaminants such as the diolefins, acetylenes, mercaptans and nitriles are removed before the etherification in the single distillation column reactor. It also an advantage that the stream recovered from the column containing the ether is suitable without further treatment to be used as an octane blending stock. These and other advantages and features of the present invention become clear from the following descriptions.

Multi-purpose catalytic distillation column and eterification process using same


A hinged structure for an armrest, table or shelf, e.g. in a motor vehicle or a rail vehicle, in which a body is connected by the hinge with a support and a disengaging element on the body is cammed out of engagement with the hinge arm when the body is swung upwardly with force exceeding a predetermined limiting force.

A hinge structure of the aforedescribed type, in the form of an armrest for a motor vehicle is described in DE 199 57 523 C2. The armrest is swingable relative to a fixed part or support and can be arrested in different use positions by appropriate abutments. These positions can include a horizontal position of the armrest and a vertical position. In the latter position, the armrest is out of the way to allow a user of the vehicle to utilize, for example, a bench seat or to move past the armrest without impingement. In the horizontal position, the armrest can be used for the comfort of passengers seated to either side.
The abutments can include an abutment or stop at the end of the maximum range of rotation of the armrest. Generally the length of the pivotal member, namely, the armrest, is significantly greater than the length of the arm or arms of the hinge and thus provides a significantly longer lever so that when the body is swung from an end, for example, and a stop engages the hinge, considerable force can be produced between the body and the hinge and damage can occur to the pivotal body or the hinge.

Swingable armrest with unlocking element


The subject invention concerns novel vectors for the rapid and robust selection for cDNA sequences that encode secreted or membrane-bound proteins. The invention also pertains to methods for cloning secreted or membrane-bound proteins, including proteins encoded by novel members of gene families.

Proteins destined for transport into or across cell membranes are usually translated with a signal sequence that directs the newly synthesized protein to the appropriate membrane translocation system. The primary structure of signal sequences is highly variable among different proteins. Signal sequences that target proteins for export from the cytosol generally contain a short stretch (7–20 residues) of hydrophobic amino acids. In most cases, the signal sequence is located at the amino terminus of a nascent protein and is proteolytically removed on the trans side of the membrane (e.g. lumen of endoplasmic reticulum, bacterial periplasm, intercisternal space of mitochondria and chloroplasts), although examples of mature proteins containing uncleaved or internal signal sequences have been described. Export signal sequences may be interchanged among different proteins, even proteins of different species of organisms.
Many secreted proteins interact with target cells to bring about physiological responses such as growth, differentiation and/or activation. These activities make secreted proteins biologically interesting molecules that are potentially valuable as therapeutics or as targets for ligands. Of the estimated 60,000 to 100,000 human genes, about 25% carry a signal peptide and about 4% are secreted extracellularly. Clearly, approaches to rapidly and accurately identifying secreted proteins are important components of gene-based drug discovery programs.
With advances in techniques for sequencing cDNAs, many expressed sequence tags (ESTs) have been generated which have enhanced the process of identifying novel secreted proteins as compared to the conventional reverse genetics approaches. However, ESTs are small random cDNA sequences and thus it becomes hard to identify secretion signal sequence that is normally present in the 5′ end of cDNA encoding secreted protein. Moreover, after an EST carrying a potential secretion signal sequence is identified based on the homology search, it has to be authenticated in a functional assay. Thus a means for selection for the biochemical function of the proteins encoded by inserted cDNA would greatly simplify the process of obtaining novel secreted genes.
Secretion signal trap is one such method to clone 5′ ends of cDNAs encoding secreted proteins from a random cDNA library. Generally, signal trapping relies on secretion of a reporter polypeptide by signal sequences present in a cDNA library. The secreted reporter polypeptide may then be detected by a variety of assays based upon, for example, growth selection, enzymatic activity, or immune reactivity. Examples of signal trap cloning procedures include those in U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,637 and Klein et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 7108–13 (1996), which describe signal trap cloning in yeast using the yeast invertase polypeptide as a reporter. Furthermore, Imai et al. J. Biol. Chem. 271, 21514–21 (1996) describes signal trap cloning in mammalian cells using CD4 as a reporter and identifying signal sequences by screening for surface expression of CD4 antigen. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,486, Shirozu et al. Genomics 37, 273–80 (1996) and Tashiro et al. Science 261, 600–03 (1993) describe signal trap cloning in mammalian cells and identify signal sequences by screening for surface expression of IL-2 receptor fusion proteins. None of these references teaches cloning in prokaryotic cells.
Signal sequence trapping using mammalian cells has disadvantages, including low transfection efficiency, relatively expensive culture medium, and difficult recovery of vector-borne cDNA sequences from cells that have been transfected. Signal sequence trapping using yeast cells also has the disadvantage of slow growth time as compared to bacterial cells. Further, methods for molecular cloning in yeast cells are generally more complicated than bacterial methods. By contrast, bacterial cells have the advantages of fast doubling times, high transformation efficiencies, and ease of use, as compared to both mammalian and yeast cells, accommodating a wider range of experience levels in the laboratory.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,760 describes signal trap cloning in Bacillus using α-amylase and β-lactamase as reporter genes. This patent teaches vectors for identifying secretory signal sequences from DNA fragments of unicellular microorganisms. It does not teach identifying signal sequences in complex eukaryotic organisms.
Sibakov et al. (1991) Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57: 341–48 and Chubb et al. (1998) Microbiology 144: 1619–29 describe cloning of prokaryotic signal sequences using β-lactamase fusions. Sibakov, et al. and Chubb, et al. do not describe a screening strategy for detection of eukaryotic signal sequences using selection in a prokaryotic system.
Kolmar et al. (1992) J. Mol. Biol. 228: 359–365, Seehaus et al Gene 114: 235–37, Sutter et al. Mol. Microbiol. 6: 2201–2208, and Palzkill et al. (1994) J. Bacteriol. 176: 563–68 utilize β-lactamase fusions in the study of specific biological processes rather than as a means of cloning novel cDNAs on a large scale.
Chen and Leder (1999) Nucleic Acids Res. 27: 1219–22 and Lee et al. (1999) J. Bacteriol. 181: 5790–99 utilize color change from alkaline phosphatase activity during colony formation as a screening mechanism. Thus, a subjective determination of color changes is required for selection using these systems.
Although many of the above references describe the utility of fusions of various cDNA sequences to a β-lactamase sequence, none present a library-screening strategy for detection of eukaryotic signal sequences using selection in a prokaryotic system. Further, none of the aforementioned systems incorporate a single, degenerate primer-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy designed to clone novel gene family members.
Thus, there is a need to develop alternative approaches for rapid and accurate identification of novel secreted eukaryotic proteins using bacterial host cells.

Vector system for selection of genes encoding secreted proteins and membrane-bound proteins


A base for a plastic container is disclosed. The base includes a central vertical axis; an outer supporting annular portion for supporting said container on a surface; a central portion of the base, the central portion provided about said central vertical axis; and a base portion. The base portion extends between the annular portion and the central support portion of the base. The base portion includes at least two lugs that extend radially from a position adjacent the annular portion towards the central portion, the lugs including at least two stepped segments.

Today, a great number of plastic containers are filled with liquids and other contents. However, contents, including those involving carbonation or elevated temperatures, can subject the container to very high internal pressures. Containers have been designed to attempt to resist such pressure and to prevent undesired structural deformation. Dimensional stability is particularly important in the portions of the base that are intended to support the container with respect to an underlying surface. Consequently, there is a desire for base structures for plastic containers that provide improved support and/or dimensional stability.


The invention concerns a method of operating an internal-combustion engine, in particular a vehicle engine, in which air is fed to the combustion chambers through an induction manifold in which different induction-pipe lengths and/or volumes for resonance-mode or pulse-mode supercharging can be included, a switchover unit monitoring operation and initiating corrective measures in the event of an out-of-adjustment condition occurring.

The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, especially in a motor vehicle.
To enable efficient operation of internal combustion engines with as little pollution as possible, especially in motor vehicles, their control sophistication is being continuously increased. Thus, among other things, ignition control and fuel metering are becoming more and more complicated and the induction systems are being improved. It is known by DE-A-35 29 388, for example, that to achieve good filling of the combustion chambers over the rpm range of the internal combustion engine, an induction manifold can be provided, in which--in the lower rpm and load range--long induction pipes (tuned induction pressure charging [resonance mode]) and--in the upper rpm range--short induction pipes take effect with an increased induction volume. Switching over in the form of throttle valves generally takes place depending on rpm and/or depending on induction pipe pressure. However, it is of decisive importance that these measures for improving the power and efficiency with favorable pollutant values interact without problems.
In addition, by virtue of DE-A-39 04 412, an induction system is known with an air flow rate and--associated with it--fuel metering, on the one hand, which are controlled via a main throttle valve, and in the idle range are controlled via a bypass system which bypasses the main throttle valve. There is a memory which stores a numerous reference values of the pressure in the induction area which are derived in agreement with the engine rpm and the degree of opening of the throttle valve. Furthermore, there is a pressure transducer for sampling the pressure in the induction port, and an engine rpm sensor. A throttle valve position transducer samples the degree of opening of the throttle valve; another position transducer determines the degree of opening of the valve in the bypass. To monitor the systems, there are comparator means which compare the pressure value measured by the pressure transducer to a reference pressure derived from the memory and which deliver an error signal when the sampled pressure does not match the computed reference pressure. The error signal can thus lead, for example, to cutoff of fuel feed.

Method for operating an internal combustion engine


To provide a coating material capable of forming a solar cell module excellent in the weather resistance, the power generation efficiency and the design, a cover glass, a solar cell module comprising the cover glass, and an outer wall material for building. The cover glass of the present invention is a cover glass comprising a glass plate and a layer containing a fluorinated polymer having units based on a fluoroolefin, on at least one surface of the glass plate, which has an average visible reflectance of from 10 to 100%, and an average near infrared transmittance of from 20 to 100%.

Buildings on the rooftop or the roof of which solar cell arrays are installed are increasing. Particularly for zero emission buildings, it is important to secure the power generation amount. The energy consumption increases as the building becomes taller, whereas the area of the rooftop or the roof of the building does not change, and accordingly it has been studied to install solar cell arrays on a wall surface or windows of a building.
Patent Document 1 discloses a solar cell module having an anti-glare film containing a fluorinated polymer, silica and the like, to prevent reflection of sunlight.

Coating material, cover glass, solar cell module and outer wall material for building


A dental implant assembly for supporting a dental prosthesis. The assembly comprises a dental implant and an abutment. The dental implant comprises a body portion, a collar portion and a central bore. The body portion is located at a distal end of the dental implant and is configured to lie at least substantially below a crest of a patient's jawbone. The collar portion is located at a proximal end of the dental implant and forms an abutment mating surface which defines an outer edge that has a generally scalloped shape. The central bore extends through the collar portion and into the implant body portion. The central bore includes a threaded portion and a post portion. The abutment comprises a post configured to fit within the post portion of the central bore and an implant mating surface that is configured to mate with the abutment mating surface of the dental implant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to dental implants and, more particularly, to an improved dental implant system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Implant dentistry involves the restoration of one or more teeth in a patient's mouth using artificial components. Such artificial components typically include a dental implant and a prosthetic tooth and/or a final abutment that is secured to the dental implant. Generally, the process for restoring a tooth is carried out in three stages.
Stage I involves implanting the dental implant into the alveolar bone (i.e., jawbone) of a patient. The surgeon first accesses the alveolar bone through the patient's gum tissue and removes any remains of the tooth to be replaced. Next, the specific site in the alveolar bone where the implant will be anchored is preparing by drilling and/or reaming to accommodate the width of the dental implant to be inserted. Then, the dental implant is inserted into the hole, typically by screwing, although other techniques are known for introducing the implant in the jawbone.
After the implant is initially installed in the bone, a temporary healing cap is secured over the exposed proximal end in order to seal an internal bore of the implant. The patient's gums are then sutured over the implant to allow the implant site to heal and to allow desired osseointegration to occur. Complete osseointegration typically takes anywhere from three to ten months.
During stage II, the surgeon reaccesses the implant fixture by making an incision through the patient's gum tissues. The healing cap is then removed, exposing the proximal end of the implant. Typically, an impression coping in attached to the implant and a mold or impression is then taken of the patient's mouth to accurately record the position and orientation of the implant within the mouth. This is used to create a plaster model or analogue of the mouth and/or the implant site and provides the information needed to fabricate the prosthetic replacement tooth and any required intermediate prosthetic components. Stage II is typically completed by attaching to the implant a temporary healing abutment or other transmucosal component to control the healing and growth of the patient's gum tissue around the implant site. In a modified procedure, an abutment or other transmucosal component is either integrally formed with the implant or attached to the implant during stage I. In such a procedure, stages I and II are effectively combined in to a single stage.
Stage III involves fabricating and placement of a cosmetic tooth prosthesis to the implant fixture. The plaster analogue provides laboratory technicians with a model of the patient's mouth, including the orientation of the implant fixture and/or abutment relative to the surrounding teeth. Based on this model, the technician constructs a final restoration. The final step in the restorative process is replacing the temporary healing abutment with the final abutment and attaching a final prosethesis to the final abutment.
The dental implant is typically fabricated from pure titanium or a titanium alloy. The dental implant typically includes a body portion and a collar. The body portion is configured to extend into and osteointegrate with the alveolar bone. The top surface of the collar typically lies flush with the crest of the jawbone bone. The final abutment typically lies on the top surface and extends through the soft tissue, which lies above the alveolar bone. As mentioned above, the abutment supports the final prostheses. Typically, the coronal or crown portion of the collar and the portions of the final abutment that extend through the soft tissue have a machined or polished surfaces. This arrangement is believed in the art to prevent the accumulation of plaque and calculus and facilitates cleaning.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An endoscopic shaft having multiple endoscopic elements set in a polymer common housing. The endoscopic elements may be drawn with the common housing to manufacture a component, called an EndoFiber, which forms the length of the endoscopic shaft. A second structure, called an Endocap, may be provided that includes optical elements and which is attached to the end of the EndoFiber to form the shaft.

Rapid advances in technological innovation over the past decade have transformed the average health care consumer into a buying agent with very high levels of expectation. Concurrent with this consumer trend is the trend in ever increasing health care costs and the regulatory push to contain them. Smaller, quicker, cheaper, more efficacious, and higher quality medical technologies are being sought to replace what have often been highly invasive, costly, and risky procedures in the past. In concert with this overall trend, physicians are seeking new and improved tools for gaining access to various organs and internal channels of the body with using the least invasive means possible. One such tool is the endoscope: a device used to examine and treat the interior of the body without making large incisions or without making an incision at all. Most procedures performed today using endoscopy were open surgical procedures until the equipment was developed to enable an endoscopic treatment.
An endoscope typically includes a shaft having endoscopic elements, such as imaging guides, light guides, or lumens (hollow channels) extending along its length. Contemporary fiber-based endoscopes utilize glass fibers for the imaging guides and light guides.
Current endoscopic technology is limited by a number of inherent weaknesses, which are seriously hampering the evolution in endoscopic evaluation and treatments. Some of the weaknesses associated with current endoscopes are directly linked to the use of glass fibers as endoscopic elements, and include the large size of the endoscopes, low durability, low flexibility, limited functionality, non-portability of reprocessing equipment, high cost of both the endoscope and the reprocessing equipment and, of critical importance, their non-disposability.
Large Size—A major limiting factor in many endoscopic procedures today is the size of the puncture or natural body opening, required to introduce the endoscope shaft. Reducing the size of the required opening makes it much easier on both the patient and the doctor. This also minimizes patient trauma and complications, thereby shortening the recovery time and reducing hospital cost.
Low Durability—Glass is crystalline, which makes it susceptible to fractures and breaks. Flexible glass imaging guides often have dark pixels (broken fibers) even when new; through use, more pixels go dark. Additionally, the fragile, complicated, multi-component construction of the rest of the endoscopic elements housed in the shaft and on the distal end often leads to other failures. Most breaks occur during procedures, which may cause complications, since the physician must switch endoscopes.
Low Flexibility—The bend radius of glass imaging guides is typically about three hundred times its diameter for repetitive bending. The bend radius of most materials is directly related to the size of that material. The larger diameter of the current endoscopes limits their flexibility (bend radius). High flexibility is required in many endoscopic procedures, such as examination of the biliary duct. Many applications would be easier to perform and new procedures realized by alleviating the bend limitations.
Limited Functionality—Most endoscopes are currently limited in what functions they may perform.
High Cost—Costs associated with the fabrication of an endoscope shaft are: the cost of imaging guides and light guides, the shaft housing cost, the cost of the other endoscopic elements, and the cost of assembling these components. A technology that would significantly lower cost would be very beneficial.
Non Disposable—The main reason endoscopes are not currently disposable is economic: they are just too expensive. Substantially reducing the cost of endoscopes, enabling the endoscope shaft to be disposable is desirable. There are numerous drawbacks associated with reusable endoscopes, which are described in the following paragraphs.
Patient-to-patient transfer of infections is a big problem with reusable endoscopes. There have been numerous reports and papers concerning patient-to-patient transfer of infections. In response, the CDC and FDA have issued a Public Health Advisory on this subject. An Apr. 8, 2002 article in USA Today has brought renewed public attention to this problem. The article cited and discussed several incidences of large-scale patient-to-patient transfer of infections and recent New York State Legislation action concerning endoscopes' safety.
Another problem with reusable endoscopes is staff exposure to hazardous chemicals. The chemicals used in reprocessing endoscopes, such as glutaraldehyde, may be extremely harmful to staff members. Regulations involved in working with these chemicals continue to grow more complex and elaborate.
Reusable endoscopes also have hidden costs, such as the long turnaround time between uses, and the corresponding effect on staff efficiency. Hidden costs include staff time, downtime between patients, endoscope repairs, backup endoscopes, chemicals, and cleaning equipment. These play a big part in the cost of endoscope ownership. Cleaning equipment may be difficult to operate, may not quite work right, and may leak cleaning fluid.
Repairs may be expensive on reusable endoscopes. Small flexible endoscopes break often (once during every ten procedures on average). Often the failures occur with the imaging guide (because of the fragile nature of the glass imaging guide) or other problems associated with the endoscopic elements housed in the shaft or on the distal end.
Another associated problem with reusable endoscopes is the non-portability of the components used to make the endoscopes reusable. Currently endoscopic use in the field (temporary military unit or remote hospital) is limited due to the size and the cost of equipment required to reprocess endoscopes between patients.
Reusable endoscopes also have a high cost of ownership; i.e. expense of breakage, maintenance, sterilization, risk of infection, etc. Cleaning chemicals are relatively expensive and the related equipment is very costly to purchase and maintain. For example, a STERRAD cleaning unit costs over a hundred thousand dollars to purchase. It is estimated that the cost (excluding capital equipment) of reprocessing an endoscope between patients to be $50-$150, depending on the type of endoscope.


A zinciferous plated steel sheet which comprises a steel sheet, at least one zinciferous plating layer formed on at least one surface of the steel sheet, and an Fe--Ni--O film as an uppermost layer formed on the zinciferous plating layer. The total quantity of metallic elements in the Fe--Ni--O film is within a range of from 10 to 1,500 mg/m.sup.2, and the oxygen content in the Fe--Ni--O film is within a range of from 0.5 to under 30 wt. %. The ratio of the iron content (g/l) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (g/l) and the nickel content (g/l) in the Fe--Ni--O film is preferably within a range of from over 0 to under 1.0.

Because of the various excellent advantages, zinciferous plated steel sheets are widely applied as various rust-preventive steel sheets. In order to use these zinciferous plated steel sheets as rust-preventive steel sheets for automobile, it is important for these steel sheets to be excellent in press-formability, spot-weldability, adhesiveness and chemical treatability as properties required in the manufacturing step of automobile bodies, in addition to corrosion resistance and painting adaptability.
The zinciferous plated steel sheet is however defective in that it is low in press-formability in general as compared with a cold-rolled steel sheet. This is attributable to a large sliding resistance between the zinciferous plated steel sheet and a die of a press as compared with sliding resistance between the cold-rolled steel sheet and a die of a press. More specifically, since the zinciferous plated steel sheet has a large sliding resistance, it becomes difficult for the zinciferous plated steel sheet to flow into the die of the press at a portion where sliding resistance between a bead of the die of the press and the zinciferous plated steel sheet is very large, and fracture tends to easily occur in the zinciferous plated steel sheet.
A method which comprises applying a high-viscosity lubricant oil onto the surface of a zinciferous plated steel sheet is commonly used as a method for improving press-formability of the zinciferous plated steel sheet. This method has however drawbacks in that the high-viscosity of the lubricant oil causes a defective degreasing, which results in a painting defect in the painting step, and lack of the lubricant oil during the press-forming causes unstable press-formability. There is therefore a strong demand for improvement of press-formability of the zinciferous plated steel sheet.
During the spot-welding of the zinciferous plated steel sheet, on the other hand, a copper electrode reacts with molten zinc, and this tends to form a brittle alloy phase. A problem in the zinciferous plated steel sheet is therefore that wear of the copper electrode is serious, leading to a short service life thereof, and as a result, the zinciferous plated steel sheet is poorer in continuous spot-weldability than the cold-rolled steel sheet.
In the manufacturing step of an automobile body, furthermore, various adhesive agents are used for the purposes of rust prevention and inhibition of vibration of the automobile body. Recently, however, adhesiveness of the zinciferous plated steel sheet has been found to be lower than that of the cold-rolled steel sheet.
As a method for solving the above-mentioned problems, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 53-60,332 published on May 30, 1978 and Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2-190,483 published on Jul. 26, 1990 disclose a technology for improving weldability or workability of a zinciferous plated steel sheet, which comprises subjecting the zinciferous plated steel sheet to an electrolytic treatment, a dipping treatment, an application/oxidation treatment or a heating treatment, thereby forming an oxide film mainly comprising zinc oxide (ZnO) on the surface of the zinciferous plated steel sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "prior art 1").
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 4-88,196 published on Mar. 23, 1992 discloses a technology for improving press-formability and chemical treatability of a zinciferous plated steel sheet, which comprises dipping the zinciferous plated steel sheet in an aqueous solution containing sodium phosphate in an amount within a range of from 5 to 60 g/l and having a pH value within a range of from 2 to 6, or spraying said aqueous solution onto the surface of the zinciferous plated steel sheet, or subjecting the zinciferous plated steel sheet to an electrolytic treatment in said aqueous solution, thereby forming an oxide film mainly comprising phosphorus oxide on the surface of the zinciferous plated steel sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "prior art 2").
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 3-191,093 published on Aug. 21, 1991 discloses a technology for improving press-formability and chemical treatability of a zinciferous plated steel sheet, which comprises subjecting the zinciferous plated steel sheet to an electrolytic treatment, a dipping treatment, an application treatment, an application/oxidation treatment or a heating treatment, thereby forming a nickel oxide film on the surface of the zinciferous plated steel sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "prior art 3").
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 5-867,885 published on Apr. 22, 1983 discloses a technology for improving corrosion resistance of a zinciferous plated steel sheet, which comprises subjecting the zinciferous plated steel sheet, for example, to an electroplating treatment or a chemical plating treatment, thereby forming a metallic film of nickel and/or iron on the surface of the zinciferous plated steel sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "prior art 4").
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 3-17,282 published on Jan. 25, 1991 discloses a method for causing the substitution/precipitation of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel and cobalt on the surface of a zinciferous plated steel sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "prior art 5").
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 6-063,394 published on Apr. 11, 1985 discloses a method for applying an aqueous solution containing ingredients of an inert film on the surface of a zinciferous plated steel sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "prior art 6").
The above-mentioned prior arts 1 to 6 have however the following problems:
(1) In the prior art 1, since an oxide film mainly comprising zinc oxide (ZnO) is formed on the surface of the zinciferous plating layer by any of the various treatments as described above, ordinary weldability, i.e., joinability between welded sheets, and workability except for press-formability of the zinciferous plated steel sheet, are improved, whereas the reducing effect of sliding resistance between the die of the press and the zinciferous plated steel sheet is slight. It is therefore difficult to improve press-formability of the zinciferous plated steel sheet, and the existence of an oxide film mainly comprising zinc oxide on the surface of the zinciferous plating layer, causes degradation of adhesiveness of the zinciferous plated steel sheet. PA1 (2) In the prior art 2, an oxide film mainly comprising phosphorus oxide is formed on the surface of the zinciferous plating layer. Therefore, while press-formability and chemical treatability of the zinciferous plated steel sheet are improved, spot-weldability and adhesiveness thereof are degraded. PA1 (3) In the prior art 3, a film of a single phase of nickel oxide is formed on the surface of the zinciferous plating layer. While, therefore, press-formability of the zinciferous plated steel sheet is improved, adhesiveness thereof is degraded. PA1 (4) In the prior art 4, a metallic film of nickel or the like is formed on the surface of the zinciferous plating layer. This improves corrosion resistance of the zinciferous plated steel sheet. However, because of the strong metal properties of the film described above, there is unavailable a sufficient improving effect of press-formability and spot-weldability of the zinciferous plated steel sheet. In addition, the prior art 4 poses another problem in that a low wettability of the metal to an adhesive agent makes it difficult to obtain a sufficient adhesiveness of the zinciferous plated steel sheet. PA1 (5) In the prior art 5, a metallic film substitution-precipitated on the surface of the zinciferous plated steel sheet has only a low wettability to an adhesive agent, thus making it difficult to obtain a sufficient adhesiveness of the zinciferous plated steel sheet. Because of the strong metal properties of the film described above, there is available only a slight improving effect of press-formability and spot-weldability of the zinciferous plated steel sheet. The aqueous solution for forming the metallic film has a low pH value and a low efficiency of substitution/precipitation. A sufficient quantity of deposited metal cannot therefore be ensured. In order to ensure a sufficient quantity of deposited metal, therefore, it is necessary to increase a temperature of the aqueous solution, resulting in such problems as an increased manufacturing cost including an increased consumption of energy and an installation of heating facilities of the aqueous solution. PA1 (6) In the prior art 6, an inert film is formed on the surface of the zinciferous plated steel sheet. Chemical treatability and adhesiveness of the zinciferous plated steel sheet are degraded as a result. PA1 a steel sheet, at least one zinciferous plating layer formed on at least one surface of said steel sheet, and an Fe--Ni--O film as an uppermost layer formed on said at least one zinciferous plating layer; PA1 a total quantity of metallic elements contained in said Fe--Ni--O film being within a range of from 10 to 1,500 mg/M.sup.2 ; and PA1 an oxygen content in said Fe--Ni--O film being within a range of from 0.5 to under 30 wt. % (hereinafter referred to as the "zinciferous plated steel sheet No.1 of the present invention"). PA1 the ratio of the iron content (wt. %) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (wt. %) and the nickel content (wt. %) in said Fe--Ni--O film being within a range of from over 0 to 0.9 (hereinafter referred to as the "zinciferous plated steel sheet No. 2 of the present invention"). PA1 the ratio of the iron content (wt. %) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (wt. %) and the nickel content (wt. %) in said Fe--Ni--O film being within a range of from 0.05 to under 1.0 PA1 the ratio of the iron content (wt. %) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (wt. %) and the nickel content (wt. %) in said Fe--Ni--O film being within a range of from 0.05 to 0.9, and the oxygen content in said Fe--Ni--O film being within a range of from 0.5 to 10 wt. % PA1 the total quantity of said metallic elements contained in said Fe--Ni--O film being within a range of from 10 to 1,200 mg/m.sup.2, and the ratio of the iron content (wt. %) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (wt. %) and the nickel content (wt. %) in said Fe--Ni--O film being within a range of from 0.1 to 0.3 PA1 a ratio of an iron content (g/l) relative to a total quantity of the iron content (g/l) and a nickel content (g/l) in said aqueous solution being limited within a range therefrom over 0 to 0.9 PA1 the ratio of the iron content (g/l) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (g/l) and the nickel content (g/l) in said aqueous solution being limited within a range of from 0.05 to under 1.0 PA1 the ratio of the iron content (g/l) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (g/l) and the nickel content (g/l) in said aqueous solution being limited within a range of from 0.05 to 0.9 PA1 the ratio of the iron content (g/l) relative to the total quantity of the iron content (g/l) and the nickel content (g/l) in said aqueous solution being limited within a range of from 0.1 to 0.3
An object of the present invention is therefore to solve the above-mentioned problems involved in the prior arts 1 to 6, and to provide a zinciferous plated steel sheet, particularly a zinciferous plated steel sheet which is excellent in press-formability, and furthermore, is excellent in at least one of spot-weldability, adhesiveness and chemical treatability, depending upon the use.
Another object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems involved in the prior arts 1, 3, 5 and 6, and to provide a method for manufacturing a zinciferous plated steel sheet, particularly a zinciferous plated steel sheet which is excellent in press-formability, and furthermore, is excellent in at least one of spot-weldability, adhesiveness and chemical treatability, depending upon the use.

Zinciferous plated steel sheet and method for manufacturing same