A diaphragm pump has a first fluid-operated valve which opens when the diaphragm performs a suction stroke and a second fluid-operated valve which opens when the diaphragm performs a compression stroke. The volumetric efficiency of the pump is enhanced by constructing at least one of its valves in such a way that the central portion of a resilient disc-shaped valving element, whose marginal portion bears against a seat when the valve is closed, abuts a supporting surface having a diameter selected in dependency on the diameter of the valving element, the thickness of the valving element and the Shore hardness of the material of the valving element in such a way that the selected frequency of the diaphragm in actual use of the pump induces a resonant frequency of the valving element. This also contributes to a reduction of noise and renders it possible to reduce wear upon the valving element and the adjacent parts of the respective valve.

The invention relates to fluid flow machines in general, and more particularly to improvements in pneumatic or hydraulic pumps (or compressors) which employ one or more fluid-operated valves. The invention also relates to improvements in fluid-operated valves for use in hydraulic or pneumatic pumps, compressors and like machines.
French Pat. No. 627,573 to Ingersoll-Rand Company discloses a valve which can be used in an air compressor and employs a washer-like valving element normally overlying a seat to seal a series of passages for the flow of air. The flowing air can deform the valving element against the convex surface of a fixedly mounted stop. A very large central portion of the valving element is clamped between the stop and the median portion of the seat by a threaded bolt. Valves employing such valving elements can generate considerable noise and the movement of the marginal portion of the valving element against the convex surface of the stop takes up a relatively long interval of time. Therefore, the volumetric efficiency of such valves is not entirely satisfactory.
French Pat. No. 1,346,409 to Etablissements Blancher discloses a valve which can be utilized in the compressor of a refrigerator and is similar to the valve described in French Pat. No. 627,573. Thus, a washer-like valving element can be deformed by the conveyed fluid so that its marginal portion bears against a convex surface of a stop. The major central portion of the valving element is clamped between the stop and the median portion of the seat for the marginal portion of the valving element. The drawbacks of this valve are the same as those enumerated hereinbefore in connection with the compressor valve of French Pat. No. 627,573.
French patent of addition No. 93,448 to Etablissements A. Guiot discloses a fluid-operated valve with an axially movable washer-like valving element which is biased against its seat by a coil spring. The valving element is designed to undergo deformation at elevated temperatures so that it can be flexed away from the seat; however, the valving element is displaced in its entirety at lower temperature when its material can resist deformation by the conveyed fluid.
British Pat. No. 551,275 to The British Thomson-Houston Company, Limited et al. discloses a valve assembly which can be used for air and gas compressors and comprises a washer-like valving element deformable against the convex underside of a curved plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,136 to Karlberg discloses a compressor valve wherein the valving element is a thin flat metal disc. The valving element and its seat are replaceable.
Swiss Pat. No. 58,481 to Escher, Wyss & Cie. discloses a cylinder for use in pumps or compressors. A flexible disc-shaped valving element is employed to yield when a piston performs a forward stroke to permit a compressed fluid to escape from the cylinder chamber.
Published German patent application Ser. No. 1,960,337 of Lavon discloses a compressor valve. A relatively narrow marginal portion of a disc-shaped valving element can be flexed by flowing fluid to bear against a substantially frustoconical stop opposite a seat which is engaged by the marginal portion of the valving element when the valve is closed.
A drawback which is shared by all of the aforediscussed fluid flow machines and their fluid-operated valves is that the volumetric efficiency of the machine cannot be varied, especially improved, that the valves generate a substantial amount of noise and that the valving elements and/or other parts undergo extensive wear. Such problems are particularly acute in diaphragm pumps or other piston pumps which are used to convey gaseous or other fluids and are equipped with pairs of fluid-operated valves, one for admission of a fluid medium into the pumping chamber when the diaphragm or another piston is caused to perform a suction stroke and the other to permit discharge of fluid from the chamber when the diaphragm or another piston performs a compression stroke. The valving element of one of the valves moves away from its seat in response to the establishment of a pressure differential at its sides, and the same holds true for the valving element of the other valving element. The valving elements are installed in stressed condition so that they tend to move against their seats and to thus close the respective valves. An important advantage of the just described fluid flow machines with fluid-operated valves is that the valving elements are deformable and/or otherwise movable by the conveyed fluid. Thus, one can dispense with mechanical and/or other means for moving the valving elements between open and sealing positions. As a rule, a mechanism for moving a valving element must be lubricated and the lubricant is likely to come in contact with the conveyed fluid which may be detrimental to the fluid and/or to the lubricant. Moreover, the conveyed fluid is likely to attack the material of component parts of the mechanism which is used to move a valving element between open and sealing positions.
An additional drawback of presently known pumps, compressors and other fluid flow machines which employ fluidoperated valves is that their volumetric efficiency is not entirely satisfactory, especially if the piston (e.g., a diaphragm) is moved at a high frequency. The volumetric efficiency can be improved by satisfying two conflicting or non-compatible requirements, namely by ensuring longer opening times for the fluid-operated valve or valves and by ensure abrupt (short-lasting) movements of valving elements to their sealing positions.

Fluid-operated valve for pumps and the like


An endoscope instrument shaft is provided with a bendable distal end piece, the position of which relative to the instrument shaft can be altered by means of at least one tension wire which is actuable proximally of the endoscope and is guided through a guide tube which is fixed at both ends. That side of the end piece, which side has the larger radius of curvature when the end piece is bent is constructed as a return spring and the side of the end piece having the smaller radius of curvature when the end piece is bent is pliable to facilitate bending of the end piece.

The invention relates to an endoscope having an instrument shaft having a controllable distal end piece, the position of which relative to the instrument shaft can be altered by means of at least one tension wire, which is actuable proximally of the instrument shaft and is guided through a guide tube fixed at both ends with respect to the instrument shaft.
An endoscope of the smallest practicable external diameter, may have in addition to optics and photoconductors, a probe canal, and a distal end piece which is deflectable at least to one side. The small external diameter of such endoscopes, enable diagnosis and therapy to be carried out in parts of the body and organs thereof which are difficult to access, for example, in the bile duct, in the ureter or in a blood vessel.
German patent application No. 2,402,886 discloses a flexible fibre endoscope having a deflectable distal end. Bending of said distal end is effected by means of tension wires which are actuable proximally of the endoscope. To this end, the tension wires are threaded through rings, which loosely surround the bundle of fibres of the endoscope. The rings extend in a direction parallel to the axis of the endoscope with two orientation extensions lying diametrically opposite to each other. The orientation extensions of adjacent rings slide in opposite apertures therein to provide orientation articulation. The said extensions of the rings are shaped as circular segments, with the apertures being correspondingly shaped.
German patent specification No. 2,150,595 discloses a similar endoscope having a deflectable distal end, to that disclosed in German patent application No. 2,402,886.
There is disclosed in German patent specification No 1,766,809 also, an endoscope having a deflectable distal end. The endoscope has a distal end piece formed substantially from a helically wound strip, which is surrounded by a flexible sleeve. The helically wound strip is connected at one end to the lens attachment of the endoscope, the other end of said strip being connected to a flexible tube extending in the proximal direction. Bending of the distal end piece is effected by means of tension wires secured to the lens attachment and extending in the proximal direction to a handle part of the endoscope, which has a tension wire actuating device. The tension wires are surrounded by closely helically wound wires, the ends of which are secured, on the one hand in the actuating device and on the other hand at the distal end of said flexible endoscope tube, thereby to provide what is in structure and effect a Bowden cable. There are also provided, reinforcement wires secured to the lens attachment and in the proximal direction inside the flexible bending region of the end piece, in order to counteract contraction of the bending region upon actuation of the tension wires, and in order to prevent, as far as possible, breakage of the distal end piece, which is preferably constructed so as to be very thin, being in the form of a helically wound strip as mentioned above.
The teaching of German patent application No. 2,402,886 and German patent specification No. 2,150,595 that the deflectable distal end piece should comprise elements connected together for articulation, for example,. rings, has the disadvantage that the connections needed for providing the articulation, necessitate that the bendable shaft has so large an external diameter that the endoscope cannot be used for treating said parts of the body which are difficult of access. If, however, said external diameter is kept small enough to enable said use, at the expense of reducing free the passage of the endoscope, the space therein, for example, for auxiliary instrument canals, is undesirably restricted. If, however, according to the teaching of German patent specification No. 1,776,890 the distal outer shaft consists of helically wound wire, then in order to avoid material failure upon the desired bending of the deflectable end region, additional reinforcement devices, for example, reinforcement wires, must be provided. The structure of the instrument is, therefore, undesirably complex and the free passage for auxiliary instruments or flushing and suction canals is reduced in this case also.
A distal endoscope end piece, which is deflectable by means of a Bowden cable, has the disadvantage that under the load of the tension wire, the Bowden cable rests thereon in a wave form, thereby increasing the friction between the cable and the tension wire and also shortening the endoscope shaft as a whole. Optimum bending of the distal end piece is thereby prevented.

Endoscope having a controllable distal end piece


A process and an apparatus for performing a UV nano-imprint lithography are provided. The process uses a polymer pad which allows a uniform application of pressure to a patterned template and an easy removal of a residual resin layer. The apparatus includes a tilt and decentering corrector which allows an accurate alignment of layers during the nano-imprint lithography process.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to nano-imprint lithography, and more particularly to a process and an apparatus for ultraviolet nano-imprint lithography, which accomplishes an accurate layer-layer alignment and an easy removal of residual layers after imprint processes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Photolithography techniques have been used to make most microelectronic devices. However, it is believed that these methods are reaching their limits in resolution. Sub-micron scale lithography has been a critical process in the microelectronics industry. The use of sub-micron scale lithography allows manufacturers to meet the increased demand for smaller and more densely packed electronic components on chips.
There are emerging applications of nanometer scale lithography in the areas of optical electronics and magnetic storage. For example, photonic crystals and high-density patterned magnetic memory of the order of terabytes per square inch require nanometer scale lithography.
For making sub-50 nm structures, photolithography techniques may require the use of very short wavelengths of light (e.g., about 13.2 nm). At these short wavelengths, many common materials may not be optically transparent and therefore imaging systems typically have to be constructed using complicated reflective optics. Furthermore, obtaining a light source that has sufficient output intensity at these wavelengths may be difficult. Such systems may lead to extremely complicated equipment and processes that may be prohibitively expensive. It is believed that high-resolution e-beam lithography techniques, though very precise, may be too slow for high-volume commercial applications.
Since around 1995, a nano-imprint lithography (NIL) technology has been noted as an efficient and economical pattern forming technology. In the nano-imprint lithography, a Si02 concave-convex pattern (a patterned template or a mold) formed on silicon (Si) is press-transferred to a resist.
By means of this technology, it has become possible to form an ultra-micro pattern on a larger area.
Nano-imprint lithography processes have demonstrated the ability to replicate high-resolution (sub-50 nm) images on substrates using templates that contain images as topography on their surfaces. It is believed that nano-imprint lithography may be an alternative to optical lithography for use in patterning substrates in the manufacture of microelectronic devices, such as MOSFET, MSM, a diffraction grid, optical electronic devices, patterned magnetic media for storage applications. Nano-Imprint lithography techniques may be superior to photolithography, because the former enables a transfer of a total pattern, while the latter does not.
In the nano-imprinting technology, a mold pattern is directly transferred to a substrate using a press. Further, unlike the photolithography process which requires several steps to produce a desired substrate, the nano-imprinting technology, in which a pattern is directly transferred to a substrate by a relatively small number of steps. Thus, this technology appears to be very effective lithography, especially when forming a multi-structure.
In the earliest nano-imprint lithography process, a thin layer of imprint resist (thermoplastic polymer) is spin coated onto a sample substrate. Then the mold, which has predefined topological patterns, is brought into contact with the sample and they are pressed together under certain pressure. When heated up above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, the pattern on the mold is pressed into the melt polymer film. After being cooled down, the mold is separated from the sample and the pattern resist is left on the substrate. A pattern transfer process (Reactive Ion Etching, normally) can be used to transfer the pattern in the resist to the underneath substrate. This process is named Hot Embossing or Thermal Imprint Lithography.
However, the thermal imprint lithography employs high pressure and heat, which require complicate and expensive equipment, causing increase in the cost of manufacture. Also, the thermal imprint lithography is difficult to perform on a large substrate and the substrate is may be distorted or damaged due to the high pressure.
As an alternative to the thermal imprint lithography, an UV assisted Imprint Lithography has been proposed. In the UV assisted Nanoimprint Lithography, a photo (UV) curable liquid resist is applied to the sample substrate and the mold is normally made of transparent material. After the mold and the substrate are pressed together, the resist is cured in UV light and becomes solid. After mold separation, a similar pattern transfer process can be used to transfer the pattern in resist onto the underneath material. This method, which was proposed by C. G. Willson and S. V. Sreenivasan of Texas University, can be carried out a pressure as low as below the normal pressure.
Further, since the curing is performed by the UV treatment, a transparent mold made of quartz material should be used. This method includes a number of advantages over the conventional imprint method, but it is considerably difficult to engrave the nano-size pattern on the quartz mold, and thus the cost for manufacturing the mold is very high. Also, when contacting the curable liquid resist to the mold, air bubbles are trapped to cause defects of the products. Control of such defects can increase costs. Currently, the two imprint methods are dividedly used in the fields of the art, and applied to different technical fields depending on their advantages and disadvantages.
Recently, three topics are emerging with respect to the NIL operation: a first topic is related to a larger area process; a second one is an effective removal of residual layers; and a third one is an alignment of layers. Additionally, there are many efforts to cleanly separate the mold from the substrate and to lower the pressure and the temperature used.
First, with respect to a larger area process, it has been frequently reported that, the process for 4-inch area could be successfully performed without the defects. However, with respect to a wafer larger than that size, there has not been reported that the pattern transfer to such a wafer was completely performed in a single process. It is because the application of the uniform pressure to such a larger area is difficult and because the process is not economic owing to the expensive mold.
Accordingly, in the recent days, the step-and-repeat method is being widely used, in which an imprint field (die) which is typically much smaller than the full wafer nanoimprint field, is repeatedly imprinted to the substrate with certain step size. In such a method, a wafer having an area over 8 inches in diameter can be theoretically subjected to the process without causing troubles.
Second, the residual layer following imprint appears a universal problem in the molding process. To remove the residual layers, an etching process is needed. This seems to be aggravated particularly in a region with less than 100 nanometers in size. Accordingly, there are needs to effectively remove residual layers.
Third topic is the alignment of layers. In the photolithography processes, the light-exposure process is performed in a non-contact manner, the alignment of layers is not a big issue Therefore, the photolithography process is advantageous when applied to a curved surface or a multi-layered structure. The nano-imprint lithography process, on the other hand, when applied to a curved surface or a multi-layered structure, may not be advantageous because there is higher probability of failing to transfer pattern to the substrate and an accurate alignment of contact (or very close) layers. Use of an alignment marker has been proposed to improve the alignment of layers. The precision currently obtained using such an align marker is a degree of a few hundreds nanometer and there still are needs to improve the alignment.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process and apparatus for ultraviolet nano-imprint lithography


A drive section which moves a head above an information storage medium and a control section are provided, and each track on the information storage medium is made up of alternating first regions for writing in and reading out user information and second regions that store information for the positioning of the head. The control section is provided with a feedback control value determining section for eliminating the difference between the head position and the representative position of the first region, which is an access object, a performing control value determining section for determining the performing control value for the performing control by finding the logical control value associated with the first region where the feedback control value is determined and adding the feedback control value to this logical control value and a performing control section for actually controlling the drive section.

In recent years, techniques relating to apparatuses built into computers and peripheral apparatuses connected to computers from the outside have been developing rapidly, in accordance with the development of computer technique. One such technique relates to information storage devices having a flat information storage medium, such as a magnetic disc, which store information by writing in information in the information storage medium.
Some information storage devices record information in an information storage medium and reproduce (access) information from the storage medium by moving a head which functions to record and reproduce information over the information storage medium while the latter is rotated. A hard disc device (HDD) is a typical example of such an information storage device. In most information storage devices in which a head accesses an information storage medium, a number of data regions for writing in and reading out user information (hereinafter simply referred to as "data") handled by the user and a number of servo regions for storing information for positioning the head (hereinafter simply referred to as "position information") are formed as different regions on the information storage medium in the device, so that the respective data regions can be identified by means of the position information stored in the servo regions. When the head reads out position information from the servo regions, the control section, which controls the head, identifies the position of the head over the storing medium, so that the head can be positioned above a desired data region. Thus, information storing media where data regions and servo regions are regularly aligned according to a predetermined positional relationship are ideal information storing media for positioning the head.
Here, servo regions and data regions are described more specifically citing a magnetic disc built into a hard disc device (HDD).
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an ideal magnetic disc 1000, where data regions and servo regions are regularly aligned according to a predetermined positional relationship.
As illustrated in this figure, data regions 1002 in stripe-shaped, each of which is provided between two servo regions 1001, extend straight in the direction of the circumference of the magnetic disc 1000 (horizontal direction in figure). The head moves the right in the figure relative to the magnetic disc 1000 when the magnetic disc 1000 rotates (that is, the magnetic disc 1000 moves to the left when rotating), and records/reproduces (accesses) information in the magnetic disc 1000 while moving. Here, pairs of servo regions 1001 and data regions 1002 to the right are referred to as sectors, and sectors aligned in the direction of the circumference of the magnetic disc 1000 and running around the center of the disc form tracks 1005. The respective servo regions 1001 store information on the position on the magnetic disc 1000 for each servo region 1001, and this information identifies the position of the head (specifically, the position of the reproducing element or recording element in the head for accessing information), namely, at which track the head is, at which sector, or how far from the center position of the servo regions 1001 in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc 1000. Data regions 1002 and servo regions 1001 are provided with magnetic regions formed of a magnetic material, and data information and position information are recorded in a form of magnetization direction of magnetization formed in the magnetic regions of the data regions 1002 and the servo regions 1001. Here, nonmagnetic regions 1003 formed of a nonmagnetic material (material having extremely low susceptibility) are provided in the top and bottom side of the data regions 1002 in the figure, and thus, the data regions 1002 are discretely aligned in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc 1000 (vertical direction in figure) with servo regions 1001 in between, so that the data regions can be clearly distinguished in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc 1000 when the head stores/reproduces (accesses) information. Here, the servo regions 1001 are illustrated as being aligned in the vertical direction, and perpendicular to the direction in which the tracks extends (horizontal direction in figure) in the figure. This is because only a part of the configuration of the magnetic disc 1000 is illustrated, and the servo regions 1001 are actually aligned slightly diagonally relative to the direction in which the tracks extend (horizontal direction in figure) when the magnetic disc is viewed in its entirety (see FIG. 7 below) This is the same in the following FIGS. 2 and 3.
In the work of forming the regions in the magnetic disc 1000 as illustrated in FIG. 1, first a number of annular regions to be the basic form of tracks and run around the center of the disc are formed in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc with nonmagnetic regions in stripe-shaped which run around the center of the disc in between. Next, a number of line regions are formed so as to extend in lines from the center of the magnetic disc toward the edge of the magnetic disc and divide the annular regions. Here, annular regions sandwiched between two line regions become the data regions 1002 in FIG. 1. Each line region is divided into unit storage regions for storing position information indicating the position on the magnetic disc, and position information is recorded in each unit storage region. The unit storage regions, where position information is recorded, are the servo regions 1001 illustrated in FIG. 1.
As described above, in ideal magnetic discs 1000, data regions 1002 in stripe-shaped extend straight in the direction of the circumference of the magnetic disc 1000 (horizontal direction in figure). In addition, in ideal magnetic discs 1000, the centers of the servo regions 1001 adjacent to respective data regions 1002 aligned in the horizontal direction in the figure are in the same position relative to the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc 1000 (vertical direction in figure), and furthermore, are in the same position as the center of respective adjacent data regions 1002 relative to vertical direction in the figure. The center positions S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 and S7 of the seven servo regions 1001 second from the top are in the same position in the vertical direction in the figure, and in the same position as the center positions D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 and D7 of the data regions 1002 adjacent to respective servo regions in the vertical direction in the figure.
When the head accesses information, the position of the head is controlled on the basis of the information on the position of the head at that time as read out by the head from the servo regions 1001, so that the position of the head (specifically, the position of the reproducing element or the recording element in the head) becomes the center position of respective servo regions (for example the center positions S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 and S7 in FIG. 1). Specifically, the feedback control is executed so that the difference between the head position and the center position of the servo region 1001, which is identified by readout of the servo region 1001 at the time when the head region passes through the servo region 1001, becomes zero. And thereby, the head position coincides with the center position of each servo region 1001. As a result of this control, the head accesses information along the center line, which passes through the center of each data region 1002 adjacent to each servo region 1001 (for example the dotted line in FIG. 1) in ideal magnetic discs 1000, and thus, precise recording/reproducing of information is realized.
In reality, however, it is difficult to provide a magnetic disc where the data regions 1002 extend straight in the direction of the circumference of the magnetic disc 1000 and the center position of respective servo regions coincides each other in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc 1000, as in ideal magnetic discs 1000, as illustrated in FIG. 1. This is because errors easily occur in the manufacture of magnetic discs. For example, the annular regions sometimes become undulated in the process of forming the annular regions, and as a result, data regions undulate. In addition, in the step of dividing the line regions into the unit storage regions (that is, the servo regions) position information in the respective unit storage regions into which the line regions are divided, the position where position information is recorded may shift, and as a result, the center positions of two servo regions adjacent to the same data region may shift to each other in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a magnetic disc 2000 where the data regions undulate and servo regions shift in position.
In the magnetic disc 2000 illustrated in FIG. 2, the respective data regions 2002 do not extend straight in the direction of the circumference of the magnetic disc 2000 in FIG. 2 (horizontal direction in figure), and thus undulate. In addition, the center positions are different from each other for the respective servo regions 1001 aligned in the horizontal direction in the figure.
When the position of the head is controlled so that it comes to the center positions of the respective servo regions 1001 with respect to the magnetic disc 2000, where the data regions undulate and the center position of the servo regions shifts in position as described above, the track of the head deviates from the data regions and enters into the nonmagnetic region 2003. When the head moves to the right in FIG. 2 relative to the data region 2002 second from the top in the magnetic disc 2000 in FIG. 2 in order to access information, for example, the head moves in such a manner that the center positions P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7 of the seven servo regions 1001 becomes the position of the head, and the track 5101 largely undulates in the vertical direction, as illustrated in FIG. 2. At this time, the data regions 2002 undulate, and thus, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the track 5101 of the head largely deviates from the data regions 2002 and enters deep into the nonmagnetic region 2003 in some portions. In this state, it is difficult to record/reproduce information with precision.
In order to prevent this, a new region where position correcting information is recorded to indicate the amount of position shift in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc between the center position of the data region and the center position of the servo region is provided between servo regions and data regions, and an HDD for correcting the position of the head on the basis of the amount of position shift as read out from this region has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-031846).
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a magnetic disc 3000 having regions where position correcting information is stored, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the control of positioning of the head in an HDD which adopts this magnetic disc 3000.
In the magnetic disc 3000 adopted in the HDD in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-031846 illustrated in FIG. 3, correction information regions 3004 are provided between the date regions 3002 and the servo regions 3001 in FIG. 3. In this magnetic disc 3000, sets of servo regions 3001, correction information regions 3004 and data regions 3002 form individual sectors, and these sectors are aligned in the direction of the circumference of the magnetic disc 3000 and run around the center of the disc, and thus, tracks are formed. Position correcting information indicating the amount of position shift in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc 3000 between the center position of the data region 3002 adjacent to a correction information region 3004 and the center position of the servo region 3001 adjacent to this correction information region 3004 is recorded in the same correction information region 3004. In the correction information region 3004a in the center in FIG. 3, for example, position correcting information indicating the amount of position shift ho between the center position Do of the data region 3002 to the right of this correction information region 3004 and the center position So of the servo region 3001 to the left of the same correction information region 3004a is recorded in the correction information region 3004a in the center in FIG. 3. In the HDD in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-031846, a table for correcting the position (position correcting table) which illustrates the amount of position shift as read out from the respective correction information regions 3004 corresponding to the data regions 3002 adjacent to the respective correction information regions 3004 is prepared when the magnetic disc 3000 is incorporated in the HDD and stored in the memory 4000d in FIG. 4.
In the HDD in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-031846, a system in which feedback control is carried out so that the difference between the position of the head and the center position of the data region 3002 in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc 3000 becomes zero is adopted instead of the system where feedback control is carried out so that the difference between the position of the head and the center position of the servo region 3001 in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc 3000 becomes zero. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, first, the difference s (s=rs−y) between the distance y between the center of the magnetic disc and the position of the head at that time and the distance rs between the center of the magnetic disc and the center position of the servo region 3001 is read out from this servo region 3001. Next, a feed forward (FW) control section 4000c finds the difference h (h=rd−rs) between the distance rs between the center of the magnetic disc and the center position of the servo region 3001 and the distance rd between the center position of the data region 3002 facing this servo region 3001 and the center of the magnetic disc with the correction information region 3004 intervening in between using the position correcting table stored in the memory 4000d in the feed forward control section 4000c and transfers the difference h to a correction adder 4000a. The correction adder 4000a adds the transferred difference h to the difference s between the distance y to the position of the head and the distance rs to the center position of the servo region 3001, and thus, the difference t (t=s+h=rd−y) between the distance y to the position of the head and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002 is found. Next, the feedback (FB) control section 4000b finds the feedback control value u for feedback control which makes the difference t zero, and a voice coil motor which moves the head is controlled using this feedback control value u. The feedback control value u is, specifically, a value of a current supplied to the voice coil motor. When the voice coil motor is controlled in this manner the head moves to a position at a distance y from the center of the disc. In this figure, the voice coil motor and the head are collectively represented as a plant 5000, and the plant 5000 outputs the distance y when the feedback control value u is inputted in the flow of control. After the head has moved, it reads out the servo region 3001 for destination so as to find a new difference s between a new distance y to the position of the head and a new distance rs to the center position of the servo region 3001, and the same control as described above is carried out on the basis of this difference. When this control is repeated, the position of the head y approaches the center position rd of the data region 3002 as time elapses.
As a result of this control, the head moves, drawing a track following the data regions 3002 aligned in the horizontal direction in FIG. 3 without entering deep into the nonmagnetic region 1003, as the track 5102 in FIG. 3, even when the data regions 3002 undulate.
In the system described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-031846, however, it takes time to make the difference t between the distance y to the position of the head and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002 zero through feedback control in magnetic discs 3000 where the difference h between the distance rs to the center position of the servo region 3001 and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002 is largely different in each data region 3002, that is, in magnetic discs 3000 where the distance between the position of the servo region 3001 and the position of the data region 3002 fluctuate in a high frequency in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc, and as a result, the position of the head cannot sufficiently be prevented from fluctuating at the time of access.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the effects of correcting the position using a position correcting table in the case where the difference h between the distance rs to the center position of the servo region 3001 and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002 fluctuates with a period of one fifth of the length of the track in this position, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the effects of correcting the position using a position correcting table in the case where the difference h between the distance rs to the center position of the servo region 3001 and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002 fluctuates with a period of one tenth of the length of the circumferential length of the track in this position.
For the sake of simplicity, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the results of simulation in the case where only the data regions undulate and there is no shift of position in the center position of the servo regions, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the magnetic disc.
Part (a) of FIG. 5 and part (a) of FIG. 6 are graphs illustrating how the difference t (hereinafter referred to as position error t) between the distance y to the position of the head and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002 changes in magnetic discs 3000 where 220 data regions 3002 are aligned per track in the direction of the circumference of the disc (that is, in magnetic discs 3000 where the number of sectors per track is 220) with the number of sectors defined in the lateral axis. Here, the position error t is the ratio (%) relative the width of the track.
In the graphs of part (a) of FIG. 5 and part (a) of FIG. 6, solid lines represents the position error t in the case where no position correcting table is used, and dotted lines represents the position error t in the case where the position is corrected using the respective position correcting tables illustrated in part (b) of FIG. 5 and part (b) of FIG. 6.
The position correcting tables in part (b) of FIG. 5 and part (b) of FIG. 6 respectively correspond to the graphs for the change in the difference h between the distance rs to the center position of the servo region 3001 (the distance rs has a constant value in this simulation) and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002, and illustrate the position correcting values for the respective sectors that are included in the position correcting table with the ratio (%) relative to the track width as the unit.
As illustrated in part (a) of FIG. 5, in the case where the difference h between the distance rs to the center position of the servo region 3001 and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002 fluctuates in a high frequency with a period of one fifth of the circumferential length of the track in that position, the graph having dotted lines, where the position is corrected using the position correcting table, fluctuates with a slightly smaller amplitude, than in the graph having solid lines, where the position is not corrected, and thus, it can be seen that the device can be improved, though only slightly, by correcting the position using the position correcting table.
In addition, as illustrated in part (a) of FIG. 6, in the case where the difference h between the distance rs to the center position of the servo region 3001 and the distance rd to the center position of the data region 3002 fluctuates in a high frequency with a period of one tenth of the circumferential length of the track in that position, the graph having dotted lines, where the position is corrected using the position correcting table fluctuate with a larger amplitude, than in the graph having solid lines, where the position is not corrected, and thus, it can be seen that the head actually ends up fluctuating more when the position is corrected using the position correcting table. This is because the feedback control cannot follow promptly enough in when vibrating with a high frequency, and therefore, the feedback control to amplify the oscillation instead of suppressing it.
As described above, the position of the head cannot sufficiently be prevented from oscillating when the head accesses information in the magnetic disc 3000, where the distance between the position of the servo region 3001 and the position of the data region 3002 fluctuates in a high frequency in the direction of the radius of the magnetic disc in the system described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-031846, and thus, a problem arises, such that it is difficult to record/reproduce information with precision.
Though an HDD is exemplified for the description above, the problem described above is not limited to HDD, and could arise with other general information storage devices in which the position of the head is determined by reading out information from servo regions.


Disclosed herein is an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a user contact member, a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, and a slide. The user contact member has a first extending arm. The first extending arm includes a first cam projection. The housing has a first arm slot. The first arm slot receives the first extending arm. The plurality of electrical contacts are mounted in the housing. The slide is positioned between the first extending arm and the second housing. The slide includes a first cam slot and a second cam slot. The first cam slot receives the first cam projection. The second cam slot is adapted to receive a second cam projection of a mating electrical connector. The electrical connector is configured to receive at least one wire between the housing and the user contact member.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electrical connector and, more particularly, to an electrical connector having a mate assist system for mating to another member.
2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,407 discloses a mechanical assist cam slide device for connecting two electrical connectors to each other.
There is a desire to provide a push-pull mate assisted connector that acts in the connector mating direction and also serves as the wire dress cover.


An apparatus disclosed herein includes a downhole tool having a body defining an interior bore and an exterior surface. The example apparatus also includes first and second fluid ports to provide respective fluid paths between the exterior surface and the interior bore. The first fluid port is to receive wellbore fluid from an annulus of a wellbore in which the downhole tool is to be disposed and the second fluid port is to receive formation fluid extracted from a subterranean formation. The formation fluid is to mix with the wellbore fluid to form an output mixture in the interior bore. The example apparatus also includes a controller to control a concentration of the formation fluid in the output mixture.

Formation fluid is often extracted from a subterranean formation to test and/or analyze characteristics of the formation fluid. A drill string including a downhole tool or a formation sampling tool may be disposed in a borehole. During a sampling operation, the formation fluid extracted from the subterranean formation enters the formation sampling tool. After the formation fluid is tested and/or analyzed, the formation fluid may be stored in the tool and/or discarded into an annulus region between the outside of the drill string and the wall of the borehole. Also, during the sampling operation, wellbore fluid may be pumped into an interior of the drill string. The wellbore fluid may flow downwardly through the drill string and may exit the drill string via ports in a drill bit. The wellbore fluid may then circulate upwardly through the annulus region.


A treatment device for subjecting food products to a temperature treatment comprises a housing, at least one conveyor, on which the food products can be conveyed along a helical conveying path, as well as air-circulation throughout the treatment device sufficient for causing conditioned air to circulate through the device, an air-conditioning device, in which device, according to the invention, air-distribution device that will allow for distributing the conditioned air via only part of the inside of the helical conveying path are provided on the inside of the conveying belt, which air-distribution device that will be connected to the air-circulation portion of the treatment device. In the device according to the invention, the conditioned air is blown over the products from a limited open area of the air-distribution device on the inside of the helical conveying path.

The invention relates to a treatment device for treating food products with conditioned air, comprising a housing, at least one conveyor means for conveying the products through the housing along a helical conveying path, air-circulation means for causing a flow of air to flow through the housing, as well as air-conditioning means for conditioning the flow of air.
A treatment device of this nature, in the form of a climate chamber, is known from EP-B-0 333 565. This known device comprises a housing containing a helical conveyor belt which can move around the axis of the spiral, means for causing a conditioned gas or vapour to circulate inside the housing and around each product which is situated on the conveyor belt, first and second support means being provided in order to support the inner and outer edges, respectively, of the conveyor belt. In an embodiment of this known device, a circulation of air is generated in the housing, with conditioned air being blown onto the conveyor belt from the entire circumference of the drum around which the conveyor belt is moving, which conditioned air is then sucked in next to the conveyor belt and, following conditioning in the air-conditioning means, is blown back into the drum. In another embodiment of this device, the air is directed, by means of suitable baffle plates, towards a limited air-inlet area on the outside of a helical conveyor, from where the air flows horizontally over the conveyor belt, and the air is split into two and is removed on the other side opposite the air-inlet area. In further embodimentsxe2x80x94aiming to reduce the pressure drop across the device and to improve the heat transfer xe2x80x94the air, after it has been guided over the conveyor belt, leaves the helical conveyor at one or both of its axial ends. In this case, the air may be guided over the products either from the inside or from the outside of the conveyor belt, after which the air flows through the turns of the conveyor belt towards one or both axial ends.
It should be noted that in this description (helical) conveyor is understood to mean the assembly of a central column or shaft and the conveyor means which is guided around it along a helical path, as well as the associated support means for supporting the conveyor means.
Furthermore, EP-A-0 804 878 has disclosed a furnace for preparing food products which comprises a housing as well as a helical conveyor which is disposed therein and on which the food products can be accomodated, as well as heating means and so-called xe2x80x9cboosterxe2x80x9d means for generating a flow of hot air through the housing with a view to heating the food products which lie on the belt. In this housing, guide means for guiding the flow of hot air over the conveyor belt are disposed in such a manner that the products are heated uniformly in the transverse direction of the belt. According to the embodiment described in this European Patent application, air is blown onto the food products on the conveyor belt from the outside. A number of features are provided for guiding and directing the flow of hot air, which features are disposed on the outside of the helical conveyor and between the turns of the latter.
One of the drawbacks of this known device is that the conditioned air flows along the inside of the wall of the housing of the oven, which wall forms a large heat-exchanging surface with the environment, resulting in the loss of energy before the flow of hot air is directed onto the products in order to subject them to a temperature treatment. A further drawback is that the hot air is guided over the products from the outside of the conveyor belt, where the product density on the conveyor belt is less than on the inside of the conveyor belt, so that the highest intensity of heat is available at a location where there is no need for this intensity to be so high. It is thus impossible for a uniform temperature treatment to take place. The guide means, which extend between the turns, in addition give rise to an accumulation of contamination, such as fat and the like in the case of meat products, for example, which cannot easily be removed owing to the limited accessibility of the helical conveyor which is caused by these guide means being present between the turns. Also, the presence of the guide means on the outside of the helical conveyor interferes with a compact structure of the device. Furthermore, two so-called xe2x80x9cbooster meansxe2x80x9d per spiral are required to obtain any form of controlled air flow. The devices known to date are designed in such a way as to subject all types of products to a temperature treatment which is virtually identical for each type of product, possibly designed with different compartments for different temperatures. However, each type of product requires specific preparation conditions, such as time-dependent temperature, air flow and moisture conditions, which are connected with the microstructure of the product type. For example, the heating of the inside of a product in order to bring about the desired change in proteins and flavourings is different for each type of product. For example, a fatty product transmits temperature from its outside to its inside differently from a product with little fat. Consequently, different treatments would be required for optimum preparation of different types of products. The shape of a product also plays a role in this context. However, in practice, the starting point is average conditions for all types of product together, so that it is not possible to achieve optimum preparation which is oriented to a specific type of product.
One object of the present invention is to provide a treatment device for treating food products, in particular meat products with conditioned air, which device does not present the abovementioned drawbacks, or presents them to a lesser extent.
More particularly, one object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature in which conditioned air is brought into contact with the products to be treated in a controlled manner in order to create conditions which are adapted to the product.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature in which energy loss to the environment is considerably reduced.
Yet another object is to reduce environmental pollution caused by the device.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature which is easily accessible for cleaning and/or maintenance work, while the device still has a compact structure and thus takes up little space.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device in which various preparation methods can be combined, in particular a treatment device in which a treatment with steam is followed by a different preparation method, such as cooking or grilling.
The treatment device according to the invention of the type mentioned above is, to this end, characterized in that air-distribution means for distributing the flow of air via only part of the inside of the helical conveying path are disposed on the inside of the helical conveying path, which air-distribution means are connected to the said air-circulation means.
In the device according to the invention, conditioned air is fed to air-distribution means which are disposed in the helical column and which are designed to distribute the flow of conditioned air over the turns of the helical conveyor via a limited inlet area. Blowing the air in centrally via the air-distribution means reduces the energy losses, since the heat is transferred directly to the products which are to be treated. Furthermore, the product density on the conveyor belt directly adjacent to the central column is greater than on the outer edge, so that blowing hot air onto the products on the inside provides the highest energy intensity at the location where this is required. In order to enable the treatment conditions for each product to be as uniform as possible, the air is made to flow out over the turns of the helical conveyor from only a part of the inside of the helical conveying path. The air which has been distributed into layers then flows partially in cocurrent and partially in countercurrent over the turns of the helical conveyor. The nature of the conveyor belt is such that the flow of air through the belt is relatively low compared to the flow of air which passes over the belt in cocurrent and countercurrent. This directed flow is, in addition to the only partially open air-distribution means, also controlled by the air-circulation means which suck the air in and then send it to the air-conditioning means. The layered distribution makes it possible to control the conditions around each product at any desired time and any desired location, so that a product-specific treatment can be carried out. In principle, the intensity, i.e. volume, velocity and/or the temperature of the conditioned air can be controlled for each turn.
It should be noted that in the present application, the term conditioned air is understood to mean air whose temperature and/or moisture content and/or velocity/volume is controlled. A high air velocity or air volume in combination with a high temperature provides the possibility of rapidly searing the surface of a product. Furthermore, the temperature is important for cooking products, while the air humidity is important in connection with products being dried out in a warm environment. Air to which steam is added may also be used as the treatment medium. In this case, the air-conditioning means comprise, for example, one or more steam nozzles which are connected to a steam generator or the like. Treatment processes in which these parameters play a role include, inter alia, cooking, precooking, steaming, grilling and baking/frying of food products, in particular meat products, which are prepared ready to eat. Other processes include drying, cooling and freezing.
The treatment device can be controlled using fuzzy logic, in order for it to be possible to carry out. the treatment in the optimum possible way with regard to specific product preparation conditions and energy loss.
With a view to further reducing the energy loss, the housing may be in the form of a cylinder which substantially corresponds to the outer circumference of the helical conveyor.

Treatment device for treating food products with conditioned air


The present invention relates to a conveyor belt which is comprised of a carry cover layer, a reinforcement layer which is situated below the carry cover layer, and a pulley cover layer which is situated below the reinforcement layer, wherein the carry cover layer is comprised of neodymium polybutadiene rubber.

In a multitude of commercial applications, it is common to employ a heavy-duty conveyor belt for the purpose of transporting product and material. The conveyor belts so employed may be relatively long, for example, on the order of miles, and represent a high cost component of an industrial material handling operation. For instance, conveyor belts are widely used for moving minerals, coal, and a wide variety of manufactured products from one point to another. Heavy duty conveyor belts used in mining operations can extend over distances of many miles and represent a high cost component of an industrial material handling operation. For instance, such conveyor belts are often used in typical mining applications to transport minerals below the ground in mines as well as above ground.
Conventional conveyor belts which are used in heavy duty applications are typically comprised of a cured rubber as a top layer, a cured rubber as a bottom layer, and a fabric reinforcement layer (a carcass) which is sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer. Conveyor belts used in mining operations can be as large as ten feet wide and up to about three inches thick. The prominent material used in such conveyor belts generally is a moderately flexible elastomeric or rubber-like material, and the belt is typically reinforced by a plurality of longitudinally extending fabric reinforcements or metal cables or cords which are positioned within the belt and extend along the length thereof.
All conveyor belts are, of course, susceptible to normal wear and tear as well as damage from the material being transported and/or harsh environmental conditions. Unfortunately, conveyor belts which are used in mining operations are particularly susceptible to damage from the material transported thereon and a rip, slit, cut or tear may develop on the surface of the belt which comes in contact with the material being transported (the carry cover surface of the belt). For instance, sharp edges of the material being transported, such as iron ore and copper ore which are particularly abrasive, can gouge the surface of the belt and that can result in a rip developing and propagating deeper into the body of the belt. Such damage can ultimately result in belt failure. In the event the conveyor belt suffers catastrophic damage or otherwise becomes inoperable, the costs of repairing the conveyor belt, cleaning up the spilt material, and related downtime can be substantial. In any case, a long service life without the need for continual maintenance and damage repair is highly desirable from the standpoint of cost reduction and efficient utilization of personal and equipment.
Over the years, some improvements have been made in the wear resistance of the rubber cover materials used in manufacturing conveyor belts for transporting highly abrasive materials that quickly wear away conventional rubber conveyor belt covers. However, these improvements have generally only been incremental by virtue of being based upon blends of standard general purpose elastomers, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), natural rubber, and polybutadiene rubber. In spite of these developments, there remains a long felt need in the mining industry for a premium belt with significantly improved abrasive resistance in order to prolong belt life, reduce mine down-time, and improve productivity. It is also important for such an improved conveyor belt to also retain all other needed performance characteristics to be commercially viable.
One approach to attaining improved abrasion resistance is to incorporate a carry cover layer having improved abrasion characteristics into the conveyor belt. However, it is critical for such a carry cover layer to be capable of being built into the belt in a manner whereby it does not delaminate from the carcass of the belt. In other words, it is critical for such an abrasion resistant material used in making the carry cover layer to exhibit good adhesion to the body of the conveyor belt so that it does not delaminate during the service life of the belt. It is also important for the elastomeric material employed in the carry cover layer to be capable of being compounded in a conventional manner and to be capable of being processed on conventional rubber processing equipment thereby avoiding major capital expenditures. It is also, of course, important for the material to be capable of being used without causing health, safety, and/or environmental issues.


The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a compound of formula XVII, comprising: (1) contacting a compound of formula XIV with a compound of formula 3 to obtain a compound of formula 2; and (2) contacting the compound of formula 2 with a compound of formula 4 to obtain a compound of formula XVII. The method is low toxicity, cheap, easy to get, environmentally and friendly, and is economical and industrially applicable.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors are efficient anti-cancer drugs that act on tumours with variations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) such as an EML4-ALK translocation. About 4-7% of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) have EML4-ALK translocations.
The second-generation compound alectinib (RG-7853; AF-802; CH5424802; RO5424802) has been found to be a potent and selective ALK inhibitor. Roche and its subsidiary Chugai have developed alectinib (trade name Alecensa). The product is indicated in Japan for the oral treatment of advanced, recurrent or unresectable ALK fusion gene-positive NSCLC. In September 2014, alectinib was launched in Japan for the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC. In July 2014, a phase III trial for ALK-positive NSCLC began in the US. In October 2014, the company was planning to file marketing applications in the US and Europe post 2017. Initial studies required eight capsules per dose, however a new higher-strength formulation had been developed by May 2014.
CH5424802 is described chemically as 9-ethyl-6,6-dimethyl-8-(4-morpholinopiperidin-1-yl)-11-oxo-6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[b]carbazole-3-carbonitrile, and has the structural formula shown as Formula 1:

Compound XIV, compound 2, compound 3, compound XVII and compound XVIII, the intermediates for preparing CH5424802, have the structural formulas shown as below:

There are two different ways of preparing CH5424802 product (compound 1) and the intermediates thereof, described in Drug of the Future, 2013, 38(12), 799-805, and Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2012, 20(3), 1271-1280, and the international patent application Publication No. WO2010/143664, all of which are incorporated by references.
In the prior art of scheme 1, the synthetic route of CH5424802 is shown below.

In the above-scheme 1, the intermediate 6-bromo-7-methoxy-1,1-dimethyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2(1H)-one reacts with 3-hydrazinylbenzonitrile to occur cyclization, and further isomeric separation by crystallization proceeds on cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) to obtain 9-bromo-8-methoxy-6,6-dimethyl-11-oxo-6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[b]carbazole-3-carbonitrile, and then compound VII is obtained.
Compound VII is condensated with 4-(piperidin-4-yl)morpholine, and then expensive and harmful heavy metal palladium is used as catalyst to obtain CH5424802.
In the prior art of scheme 2, the synthetic route of CH5424802 is shown below.

In the above scheme 2, the intermediate compound XIV firstly cyclizes with 3-nitrobenzonitrile (compound XV) to obtain compound XVI, and then the condensation reaction of compound XVI with 4-(piperidin-4-yl)morpholine fragment, sodiobis(trimethylsilyl)amine (NaHMDS) and (NHC)Pd(allyl)Cl proceed in strictly anhydrous environment to obtain compound XVII, and subsequently the resultant compound XVII is subjected to deprotection reaction to get compound XVIII. Finally, cyclization occurs to obtain CH5424802.
For schemes 1 and 2, both reactions are carried out before the cyclization with 3-hydrazinylbenzonitrile or 3-nitrobenzonitrile, then followed by the condensation reaction with 4-(piperidin-4-yl)morpholine fragment to obtain CH5424802 finally. The routes are too long and the methods above need isomeric separation, expensive heavy metal palladiun as catalyst which is harmful to the environment. The use of heavy metal in these two reactions results in a greater amount of solid waste having a great influence on the final product of metal residues.

Synthesis of intermediates in the preparation of ALK inhibitor


The present invention relates to a process for preparing an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising: preparing a dispersant co-polymer of a monomer mixture (M) by polymerising the monomer mixture (M) in a reaction medium which is substantially free from organic solvents and/or substantially free from monomers which are not soluble in water, the monomer mixture (M) comprises at least one cationic vinyl monomer (m3) and at least one monomer (m4) which is tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, or a monomer of the general formula (I):

Aqueous dispersions of cationic polymers are, for example, used as retention aids in paper manufacturing industry. Other uses are, for example, as flocculants for treating wastewater, as thickeners, and soil improving agents. Generally, these polymer dispersions comprise a dispersed polymer and a dispersant in which the dispersant usually is a polymeric dispersant. These polymer dispersions can be prepared by polymerising a reaction mixture of water-soluble monomers in the presence of a salt. Finished polymer will precipitate from the aqueous salt solution and, by using a suitable dispersant, form a polymer dispersion.
There are a number of criteria that the polymer dispersion should fulfil to give good results in the final application and be of commercial interest. Such criteria are, for example, the process viscosity, active content, stability, good retention properties, and easiness of preparing the polymer dispersion including preparing the dispersant. Also, criteria such as environmental and safety aspects are of importance.
By process viscosity is meant the viscosity of the reaction mixture when producing the polymer dispersion. The viscosity should be kept low and viscosity peaks should be avoided, or at least reduced as much as possible, during the production of the polymer dispersion. EP 0330909 B1, discloses a process for preparing a dispersion of a water-soluble polymer comprising polymerising a water-soluble monomer in an aqueous reaction mixture containing a salt.
The shelf life of the dispersion, i.e., the stability of the polymer dispersion over time, is an important property. An efficient dispersant is needed for keeping the polymer particles stable in dispersion without settling as sediment. U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,957 discloses an aqueous saline polymer dispersion where the dispersant is based on a cationic polymer containing hydrophobic units. According to the document, the reason for imparting hydrophobic units is to. increase the viscosity of the dispersant polymer, which is said to improve the stability of the dispersion. However, a too high viscosity of the polymer dispersion is not beneficial to the end-application. Also, the inclusion of hydrophobic units in the dispersant polymer requires the dispersant to be produced in organic solvents such as ketones, alcohols and ethers. These solvents have to be removed before using the dispersant in aqueous. polymer dispersions, which requires additional processing steps. The organic solvents have also environmental drawbacks and can be inflammable which is negative from a safety point of view.
A further important factor to consider Is the active content, i.e., the amount of dispersed polymer in the polymer dispersion. A higher active content gives lower transportation costs and easier handling at the end-application. By using an efficient dispersant, dispersions with a higher active content can be obtained at the same time the viscosity can be kept low. However, it may be difficult to combine a high active content with good performance in retention and dewatering in a papermaking process.
The cationic charge of a dispersed polymer effects its ability to form stable dispersions. There exist reasons for providing stable polymer dispersions with a comparatively low cationic charge. Such reasons are, for example, FDA limits of cationic monomers for certain use, cost, risks of overcharging the cellulosic suspension when used in papermaking.
During preparation of a polymer dispersion, deposits of polymer may form and stick to the reaction vessel and stirrer. This leads to time consuming cleaning procedures of the reaction equipment.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for preparing a polymer dispersion in which the process viscosity is kept low and smooth during preparation without any large viscosity peaks, and which gives no deposits. There is a further object of the present invention to provide a polymer dispersion having high stability, high active content with comparatively low cationic charge, and which at the same time gives good retention when used in papermaking processes.

Process for preparing a polymer dispersion

Abstract: wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl, R2 is hydrogen or C1–C2 alkyl, R3 is hydrogen, C1–C4 alkyl, phenyl, or benzyl, n=1 to 4, and x=1 to 50, and then, polymerising one or more water-soluble monomers (m) in an aqueous solution of a salt in the presence of the obtained dispersant polymer. The invention also relates to an aqueous polymer dispersion, use of the dispersion and a process for the production of paper.


Apparatus, kits, and methods for sharpening electric shavers having rotary and reciprocating-type cutting members are disclosed. A sharpening apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an applicator tray or other applicator means, and an abrasive material configured to abrade and sharpen the cutting surfaces of the electric shaver, when actuated.

Electric shavers for use in personal hygiene applications generally comprise a rotary or reciprocating drive shaft that drives a movable cutting member against a stationary screen. A spring or other biasing mechanism biases the cutting member against the inner surface of the screen, forcing the cutting member into engagement with the screen. The relative motion of the cutting member against the stationary screen acts as a shear plane, cutting the hair as it is received through several slots or openings formed on the screen. After repeated use, the cutting edges and surfaces of the electric shaver become dull. When this occurs, the efficacy of the electric shaver to obtain a close shave consequently decreases.
Numerous sharpening processes have been proposed as an alternative to replacement of the cutting member and screen. Such processes generally include providing a honing surface such as a disc or plate that can be rotatably engaged against the cutting edges of the movable cutting member. In one such process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,689 to Voll, an apparatus for sharpening a rotary shaver includes a sharpening disc having an abrasive surface that can be brought into contact with the cutting edges of the movable cutting member. Insertion of the sharpening disc requires the operator to manually disassemble the shaver housing prior to sharpening the cutting edges with the disc. Since the sharpening disc sharpens only the cutting edges of the movable cutting member and not the cutting surface formed by the stationary screen, replacement of the screen may still be required to return the electric shaver to its original working condition.


A method of generating data for controlling an operation of a gaming machine is provided. The gaming machine includes a reel, a first driver for driving the reel, a rendering device, and a second driver for driving the rendering device. A data sheet including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns is provided. Columns include a trigger field, a reel field being predefined to be associated with the first driver, and an effect field being predefined to be associated with the second driver. When a first command for controlling the first driver is input to in the reel field of the first set of rows, and at least one second command for controlling the second driver is input to the effect field of the first set of rows, the second command is executed in synchronization with the first command.

(a) Field
The present invention generally relates to a data generating method, a gaming method, and a gaming machine.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A gaming machine executes a game to rearrange symbols marked on a plurality of reels, and awards a benefit to the player according to a result of the rearranged symbols. Various gaming machines have been developed to meet players' various preferences, so various features such as symbol patterns, side effects such as background sound and additional visual display, and reel spinning schemes have been varied.
The gaming machine should synchronize the various features to efficiently provide the various features. That is, when a particular reel spinning scheme is rendered, the background sound should be output or an image should be displayed in synchronization with the particular reel spinning scheme. However, it is difficult to synchronize the various features since the various features are rendered in various objects of the gaming machine such as the reels, backlight units of the reels, a speaker, and a display. Accordingly, a user that is not a programming expert cannot program and debug the various features. Further, since the various features are rendered by a single complied program, the user cannot reuse some of the various features in other gaming machines.

Data generating method, gaming method, and gaming machine


A tailgate handle assembly in a housing including a flush-mounted handle and an adjacent key cylinder. The housing is spaced apart from a tailgate latch mechanism. A laterally extending lever is slidably actuated on the housing from a locked mode to an unlocked mode manually by rotation of the key cylinder, or electrically via a power actuator, and then pivoted by manual lift-pulling on the handle, to thereby lift a latch rod extending between the lever and the latch mechanism to actuate the latter. An electrical limit switch is mounted on the handle assembly, adapted to being actuated by one slidable movement of the lever to unlock the latch of an upwardly pivotable tailgate window.

Childs et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,672 and Lira U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,233 disclose deck lid release mechanisms wherein the key cylinder and actuator apparatus are located with the latch near the bottom of the deck lid.
Pastva, Jr. et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,202 and Pelcin U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,812 each disclose a key cylinder and a handle in the same housing with a latching bolt.
Bertolini U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,413 discloses a handle pivotally mounted in a recess in a front plate. Manual movement of the handle operates through oppositely disposed pairs of links to pivot a laterally extending lever about an intermediate pin, with an end of the lever adapted to actuate latch opening linkage.
Sandor U.S. Pat. No. 3,587,259 discloses a handle, pin, and lever rotatable as a unit.
None of these tailgate release arrangements includes an integrally mounted window lift switch, adapted to being actuated during one of the operational steps of the release mechanism.

Tailgate handle assembly with window release switch


The present invention discloses a transient voltage suppression (TVS) device and a manufacturing method thereof. The TVS device limits a voltage drop between two terminals thereof not to exceed a clamp voltage. The TVS device is formed in a stack substrate including a semiconductor substrate, a P-type first epitaxial layer, and a second epitaxial layer stacked in sequence. In the TVS device, a first PN diode is connected to a Zener diode in series, wherein the series circuit is surrounded by a first shallow trench isolation (STI) region; and a second PN diode is connected in parallel to the series circuit, wherein the second PN diode is surrounded by a second STI region. The first STI region and the second STI region both extend from an upper surface to the second epitaxial layer, but not to the first epitaxial layer.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a transient voltage suppression (TVS) device and a manufacturing method thereof; particularly, it relates to such TVS device and manufacturing method thereof, which mitigates a side-wall capacitance and a parasitic transistor effect.
2. Description of Related Art
A transient voltage suppression (TVS) device is an electro-static discharge (ESD) protection device, which includes a Zener diode and at least one PN diode. Please refer to U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,511 and US 2007/0073807 as related art. The prior art TVS device has a high capacitance, which delays the response time of the TVS device. In particular, in an operation range of a relatively lower clamp voltage, the high capacitance does not only delay the response time, but also causes the clamp voltage of the TVS device to be unstable.
In view of the above, the present invention proposes a TVS device and a manufacturing method thereof to mitigate a side-wall capacitance and a parasitic transistor effect therein.

Transient voltage suppression device and manufacturing method thereof


A header has a middle section disposed on a main frame, at least two side sections adjacent to the middle section, a rear panel extending perpendicularly to the main frame, a flexible finger bar extending across a width of the header and a conveyor device disposed behind the finger bar. The conveyer device is designed on the side sections as a continuous conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the middle section in order to transport crop cut by the finger bar laterally in the direction of the middle section. The side sections are formed as a plurality of supporting arms swivellably disposed on the main frame that support the finger bar. Each side section has a plurality of supporting elements for supporting the conveyor belt. Each of the supporting elements is supported in a bearing point to be displaceable in the axial direction relative to the main frame.

The invention relates broadly to a header with a middle section disposed on a main frame and at least two side sections disposed adjacent to the middle section, a rear panel extending substantially perpendicularly to the main frame, a flexible finger bar extending across the width of the header and at least one conveyor device disposed behind the finger bar, where the at least one conveyor device is designed, on the respective side sections, as at least one continuous conveyor belt and where the conveyor belt(s) is/are disposed adjacent to the middle section in order to transport crop cut by the finger bar laterally in the direction of the middle section.
Header of this type are used to smoothly feed lame quantities of crop harvested and picked up by the header across large working widths to a harvesting machine for processing. In order to achieve good ground tracking by the header on uneven terrain, a plurality of supporting arms, which jointly carry the finger bar and the belt, are disposed on the main frame of the header such that these supporting arms can execute a wave-shaped motion, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the header, in order to track the ground contour.
Such a known header is known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,937,920 B2. The header comprises a frame formed of transverse and longitudinal carriers and having middle section and at least two side sections, on each of which conveyor belts placed in order to convey crop. A supporting arm is disposed on the particular longitudinal carrier in a manner permitting rotation about a horizontal axis, wherein this supporting arm extends toward the front, perpendicularly to this longitudinal carrier. At the front end thereof, the supporting arms are connected to a flexible finger bar, which extends across the width of the header. Rollers, which lie in the same plane as the supporting arms and which are used to drive the belt, are disposed on the end of the particular side section. The rollers are supported by the directly adjacently disposed supporting arms. The conveyor belt wraps around the rollers as well as the supporting arms.
In order to track the ground contour, the supporting arms are deflected in the vertical direction and, therewith, the finger bar and the conveyor belt (both of which are supported by the supporting arms). In response to a deflection of the supporting arms, the finger bar tracks the ground contour in a wave-shaped motion, while the conveyor belt tightens between mutually adjacent supporting arms and follows a linear course. The belt guidance and the belt sealing are made difficult as a result. For example, gaps can form between the conveyor belt and sealing elements on the front side of the header, through which gaps crop enters the space between the top side and the underside of the conveyor belt. In addition, the conveyor belt is exposed, at some points, to greater loads due to friction and deformation, thereby increasing the wear on the conveyor belt.

Header with a conveyor belt having conveyor belt supports configured for improved sealability

CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH


A building construction framing system utilizes studs and joining members which are respectively extruded and molded from a composite plastic/wood flour material. Along its length, each stud has a central web with transverse outer edge flanges and an intermediate transverse flange that defines with the outer edge flanges a separated pair of longitudinally extending lateral pockets on each side of the web. A series of first studs are arranged in a spaced apart, parallel relationship with their opposite ends abutting parallel, spaced apart second and third studs. The joining members are positioned at the opposite ends of the first studs, are recessed in the lateral pockets of the first, second and third studs, and are secured to their adjacent studs using suitable fastening members.

The present invention generally relates to building construction systems and the elements therein and, in a preferred embodiment thereof, more particularly relates to a building construction system in which specially configured extruded composite plastic/wood studs are transversely secured to one another using specially configured molded composite plastic/wood joining members.
Conventional wood framing structures, such as those used for walls in houses and other buildings, are typically formed from a spaced series of vertical solid wood studs which have rectangular cross-sections and are nailed at their opposite ends to horizontal top and bottom studs (typically referred to as top and bottom xe2x80x9cplatesxe2x80x9d) which are also of a solid wood construction and have rectangular cross-sections. After a framing structure of this type is supported in its final orientation (for example vertically for a wall structure) a wall-finishing material such as drywall may be suitably secured to its opposite sides.
While this conventional type of wooden stud framing structure has been used for many years, and is generally suitable for its intended purpose, it is subject to a variety of well known problems, limitations and disadvantages. For example, solid wood studs are relatively heavy, are becoming increasingly expensive, are subject to warpage due to loss of moisture content, are susceptible to moisture and fire damage, and are also subject to the predation of various types of insects such as termites. Additionally, of course, the expanding use of solid wood construction as population increases further depletes vital forest areas. Moreover, the joints in this type of solid wood stud construction are typically formed by toenailing two transversely abutting studs together. AS is well known, this type of conventional stud joining technique forms a relatively weak joint one that is particularly susceptible to damage from twisting forces applied to the joint.
As can readily be seen from the foregoing, a need exists for an improved wood-based building construction system which eliminates or at least substantially reduces the above-mentioned problems, limitations and disadvantages commonly associated with building construction systems incorporating solid wood studs as generally described above. It is to this need that the present invention is primarily directed.
In carrying out principles of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, a specially designed construction system is provided which is representatively in the form of a framing assembly in which a spaced series of parallel stud members are transversely and abuttingly anchored at their opposite ends to a spaced pair of similar stud members using specially designed connection members.
According to a feature of the feature of the present invention, each of the stud members and connection members, in preferred embodiments thereof, are formed from a mixture of a plastic material and a non-plastic filler material, with the stud members preferably being and the connection members preferably being injection moldings.
Illustratively, the plastic/non-plastic mixture used to form the studs is a mixture of a polyethylene material and wood flour having a representative constituent weight ratio of about 60 percent polyethylene and about 40 percent wood flour, with the mixture also preferably including a suitable fire retardant material.
Each of the extruded stud members, in a preferred embodiment thereof, has a special configuration in which the stud member has, along its length, a cross-section defined by a substantially planar rectangular web having opposite side edges, first and second substantially planar transverse flanged formed on the opposite side edges, and a third substantially planar transverse flange formed on a central portion of the web and being parallel to the first and second flanges. The first, second and third flanges have first outer side edges lying in a first plane on a first side of the web, and second outer side edges lying in a second plane disposed on the second, opposite side of the web. The first, second and third flanges define first and second parallel, separated lateral pocket areas extending along the first side of the web, and third and fourth parallel, separated lateral pocket areas extending along said second side of the web.
In a preferred embodiment thereof, the connection members are also provided with special configurations. Each connection member has a base portion from which a connection portion transversely extends, the connection portion having an outer end surface through which a slot inwardly extends, the slot defining on the connection portion a parallel pair of tabs disposed on opposite sides of the slot.
At each transverse abutting stud joint in the overall construction system a preferred embodiment thereof, first and second ones of the extruded composite plastic/wood flour stud members are disposed in a transverse relationship with an end of the second stud member abutting the first stud member, and with the first pocket area of the first stud member being aligned with and facing the first and third pocket areas of the second stud member, and the second pocket area of the first stud member being aligned with and facing the second and fourth pocket areas of the second stud member.
The base portion of the first connection member is closely received in the first pocket area of the first stud member and is anchored to its web, and the tabs of the first connection member are closely received in and extend along the first and third pocket areas Of the second stud member and are anchored to opposite sides of its web.
The base portion of the second connection member is closely received in the second pocket area of the first stud member and is anchored to its web, and the tabs of the second connection member are closely received in and extend along the second and fourth pocket areas of the second stud member and are anchored to opposite sides of its web.
Illustratively, the connection members are anchored to the webs of their associated studs using self-tapping wood screws. However, other types Of anchoring means, such as nails or plastic weldments, could be used if desired. Due to the cooperatively configured shaped of the studs and the connection members, the connection members are conveniently recessed entirely within their associated studs.
The composite plastic/wood studs of the present invention provide in the overall construction system a variety of advantages over conventional solid wood studs used in this type of framing operation. Specifically, the extruded composite plastic/wood studs weigh less than solid wood studs of the same size, are fire retardant, do not absorb appreciable moisture, are highly resistant to insect damage, are straighter and less expensive than solid wood studs, and are environmentally friendlier due to their ability to use recycled plastic and wood.

Composite plastic/wood flour building construction system


A device for processing objects is provided which comprises a series of processing stations and coil means for transporting objects to be processed wherein the axis of the coil is vertically disposed above each of the series of processing stations. The processor further comprises means for rotating the coil about its central axis wherein, when the coil is rotated, the object to be processed is transported in the axial direction of the coil. The coil transport means further comprises one or more deviations in its shape capable of vertically displacing the object to be processed from its axial direction of travel when the coil is rotated. The shape of the coil and its deviations are such that the object is capable of being successively transported to and lowered into one or more of the series of processing stations.

The present invention relates generally to devices for the automatic transport and processing of objects and more specifically to devices for the immersion of objects including film such as dental X-ray film chips in one or more fluid filled tanks.
Various devices are known for automatic transport and processing of solid objects in fluid baths. Of interest is Siebach, U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,860, which discloses a geared apparatus for transporting articles to be cleaned through a plurality of processing stations. The items to be transported are affixed to a continuous length of corrugated ribbon along a closed loop path and are transported to a plurality of processing stations including solution tanks. Other devices for processing of objects in fluid baths include those such as disclosed by Gutrie, U.S. Pat. No. 2,214,925 and Hightower, U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,710.
Devices specifically known in the art for processing of X-ray film chips include those such as disclosed by Schafler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,467. Schafler relates to an X-ray film developer comprising a plurality of fluid containing tanks, each of which has a rotatably mounted drum therein, each drum being provided with a spiral belt accepting groove. The device further comprises a continuous, flexible, resilient belt which is wound around each of the drums and which contains slits for holding X-ray film chips. As the belt is rotated, it drives each of the rotating drums, and film chips attached thereto are sequentially exposed to the fluid baths and to a drying chamber.
Zwettler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,525, discloses a film processor for dental X-ray film comprising a pair of laterally disposed, vertically spaced parallel walls of tracks forming a continuously curved channel with three loops. The downwardly extending curved portions of the loops extend into tanks comprising film processing chemicals in the development compartment of the processor. The inside surfaces of the pair of walls are provided with a pair of vee-grooves which form a pathway for engaging the opposite sides of a film chip. Film chips to be processed in the apparatus are permitted to drop by gravity along the downwardly extending portions of the path and are pushed by synchronized rotating bars along the upwardly extending portions of its path. Brooks, U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,852, discloses a dental film carriage useful for conveying odd sized dental film chips in the device of Zwettler.
Mears, U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,821, discloses a device for transporting dental film chips comprising two driven gears having pivotally attached cranks at pivot points maintained at the same elevation as the gears rotate. The upper ends of the cranks are attached to a horizontal moving guide bar. Film chips are transported by the mechanism along a fixed guide plate having a number of spaced vertical slots from which film chips advance into developing tanks.
Wilson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,036, relates to a film processing device having a rotating vertical column having a spiral groove for raising and lowering an annular hub and arms (see FIG. 4, Nos. 40, 48).
Despite the various devices for processing solid objects which are known to the art, there remains a need for a reliable, mechanically simple device for carrying out automatic processing of small solid objects.