A sheet post-process apparatus has a standby tray for putting a sheet delivered from an image forming apparatus on standby, a process tray arranged under the standby tray for stacking the sheet dropped from the standby tray or the sheet delivered from the image forming apparatus not through the standby tray, a matching mechanism for matching a lateral direction of the sheet stacked on the process tray by a lateral matching plate to form a sheet bundle, a post-process mechanism for post-processing the sheet bundle matched by the matching mechanism, and a delivery tray for delivering the sheet bundle post-processed by the post-process mechanism, in which the process tray and the standby tray are arranged so as to make a height of an upper end of the lateral matching plate of the process tray higher than a height of a lower end of the standby tray.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet post-process apparatus or the like which conducts a post process of a sheet, such as a sheet of paper, etc., to be discharged from an image forming apparatus, such as a composite apparatus of a copying machine, a printer, a multi function peripheral (MFP), and so on.
2. Description of the Related Art
A post-process apparatus (finisher) which conducts a process (staple process) for bundling and fixing a plurality of sheets printed by the MFP, is known. The finisher sequentially conveys the sheets fed from the MFP to a process tray, binds the sheets by a stapler, and delivers the stapled sheets to a delivery tray.
Since a binding process by the stapler exists in this post process of the finisher, it needs a delaying mechanism for absorbing a process speed in the MFP. Therefore, a technology for lengthening a conveying path is known (refer to Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-99070). For this reason, it has been difficult to sufficiently reduce the size of the apparatus.
Furthermore, an apparatus for delivering a sheet to an accumulation tray is known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 10-279160, but the apparatus is not sufficient.


A multifunction watch provides plural worlds, each world supporting one or more modes of operation within the world. Separate configurations can be maintained for each world and separate navigation menus can be provided for each world. Modes of operation may be configurable. Duplicate worlds and duplicate modes within worlds are provided. In certain embodiments a desired world can be selected by manipulating a bezel. In some embodiments the bezel rotates to engage and activate one of a plurality of switches, thereby selecting a corresponding world. Each world operates independently of other worlds and some functions can be shared between worlds and between modes within worlds. An example is described in which a multimode watch provides four worlds including TIME, RIDE, COMPASS and SPEED.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to watches and more particularly to multifunction watches.
2. Description of Related Art
Watches are commonly available that provide a variety of modes of operation. For example, digital watches generally include time-of-day, alarm clock and stopwatch functions. However, most watches have limited input and display capabilities due to limited space and limitations of user dexterity. In order to expand watch functionality, crude menuing systems are often implemented to allow users to sequentially select parameters for configuring watches. However, current menuing techniques bring limited benefit when complex and diverse functions must be programmed and navigation of resulting menus is increasingly time-consuming, overly complex and non-intuitive.


A command-processing server provides natural language processing services to applications. The command-processing server stores a set of code blocks, each code block being able to interpret a set of corresponding natural language expressions. The command-processing server accepts natural language expressions and identifies the code blocks that are capable of interpreting those expressions by attempting to parse the natural language expressions using the code blocks. The command-processing server then provides a list of the identified code blocks to the developers, who can then incorporate the code blocks into their applications.

When developing software applications, a software developer typically relies on code developed by others. Specifically, in the field of natural language processing, software applications use particular programming code to interpret and respond to complex linguistic inputs, such as user queries or other expressions in a natural language (whether specified as text or as speech). Implementing such interpretation code in a usable, accurate, and efficient manner is typically highly complex and requires a sophisticated understanding of computational linguistics and learning the specifics of a development environment—things that are often beyond the skills of a typical application developer. For example, a developer of a natural language interface to a shopping application, a music player, or a calendaring application may not have any prior knowledge or experience in developing natural language processing code. Hence, instead of developing such interpretation code themselves, most such software developers would benefit by using an established interpretation engine and a corresponding repository of interpretation code developed by a third party. Such a repository contains preexisting units of natural language interpretation code (hereinafter referred to as "code blocks") that, when executed by the interpretation engine, will parse certain set of input natural language expressions. In this scenario, when a developer's application needs to perform a particular interpretation task, such as to interpret a user's natural language expression of a desired period of time (e.g., "schedule a meeting for next Saturday afternoon,"), of desired products to locate (e.g., "I want a black jacket, size 5"), or the like, the developer will need to search and examine the code repository for an existing code block that is designed to interpret expressions of the desired type.
However, identifying the most appropriate code blocks for interpreting a given type of expression is difficult. For example, a developer could search the repository according to the given names of the code blocks, e.g., searching for a code block named "Date" when attempting to locate a code block that can properly interpret a date expression. However, searching by name burdens the developer with guessing the name of the desired code block. Many of the code blocks may have different names, and hence searching by name will cause developers to overlook many relevant code blocks. For example, searching for a block named "Date" would not discover code blocks that do in fact interpret the desired expression but are named "Day". Further, even when searching by name locates code blocks that are generally in the desired semantic area, the located code blocks still typically fail to capture more subtle variations. For example, searching for the name "Date" might locate many code blocks that interpret straightforward expressions such as "Apr. 5, 2015," but would fail to interpret more indirect expressions, such as "next Easter," which, in some application contexts, would be the preferred choice.

Identification of code for parsing given expressions


Devices and methods of providing performance measurements (PMs) for Network Function Virtualization are generally described. A Virtual Network Function (VNF) PM job is scheduled at a VNF and VNF PM data received in response. From the VNF PM data, it is determined that virtualized resource (VR) management may be a cause of poor VNF performance. A VR PM job is scheduled and results in VR PM data. The VR PM and VNF PM data are analyzed to determine whether to increase the VR at the VNF. If an increase is determined, a request for the increase is transmitted from an element manager to a VNF manager or the VNF PM and/or VR PM data are provided to a Network Manager (NM) for the NM to request the increase by a Network Function Virtualization Orchestrator (NFVO).

With the vast increase in number and diversity of communication devices, the corresponding network environment, including routers, switches, bridges, gateways, firewalls, and load balancers, has become increasingly complicated. To add complexity to the variety of services provided by the network devices, many physical implementations of the network devices are propriety and may be unable to incorporate new or adjusted physical components to compensate for different network conditions. This has led to the development of Network Function Virtualization (NFV), which may provide a virtualized environment able to provide any network function or service able to be delivered on proprietary, application specific hardware as software applications called Virtual Network Functions (VNFs).
The use of NFV may provide flexibility in configuring network elements, enabling dynamic network optimization and quicker adaptation of new technologies. It would be desirable to provide virtualized resource performance measurements to optimize the VNF performance and NFV infrastructure (NFVI).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Devices and methods of using network function virtualization and virtualized resources performance data to improve performance


A reclining chair is provided which includes a base frame, a support linkage assembly pivotally supported from the base frame, a seat back operably coupled to the support linkage and a chair frame, including a seat frame, secured to the support linkage. A longitudinal link is operably interconnected to the support linkage assembly. A recline linkage assembly is operably coupled to the longitudinal link and to the base for controlling movement of the longitudinal link from an upright position to at least one reclined position. A rotatable drive shaft is journally supported by the longitudinal link. The reclining chair further includes a leg rest assembly supported from the longitudinal link and operably coupled to the drive shaft for movement from a retracted position to an extended position in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The support linkage further operates to recline the seat assembly between an upright position and a fully reclined position. The reclining chair optionally incudes a swivel base which provides a rotational degree of freedom between the chair frame and the floor.

The present invention relates generally to a reclining chair and, more specifically to a reclining chair having a compact modular chair frame supported on a swivel base and an all-linkage reclining mechanism.
Reclining chairs are known within the art, and are becoming increasingly popular as it becomes more desirable to integrate comfort and reclining functions into various articles and styles of furniture including chairs, love seats and sofas. Many of the first developed designs were based upon all-linkage mechanisms. However, these all-linkage mechanisms typically did not provide a smooth reclining motion and were extremely large. As such the articles of furniture which utilized this mechanism were oversized. Moreover, these chairs required a large amount of free space to enable operation thereof. The all-linkage reclining chair mechanisms known within the art also did not provide adequate adjustment features for accommodating seat occupants of varying stature.
To overcome this problem, alternate reclining mechanisms were developed such as wall proximity reclining mechanisms utilizing track and roller assemblies which provided a smoother reclining motion. Presently, the reclining mechanisms utilizing track and rollers are fairly complex, require numerous components of varying types such as links, tracks and rollers, and are thus relatively expensive to manufacture. An exemplary reclining chair mechanism which was developed to provide a smoother reclining motion is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,220, entitled "Chair Mechanism," which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention and the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. This mechanism utilizes a short inclined track and roller to provide the recline-away motion of the wall proximity reclining chair. While this chair mechanism achieved the goal of providing smoother reclining operation, the design of this mechanism presents several disadvantages. First, this mechanism is limited to only two operative positions, namely the upright position, and the fully-reclined position. Additionally, this chair design does not allow the chair arms to move along with the seat assembly. Thus, this chair design requires a chair frame having more forwardly extending arm rests for providing adequate support when the chair mechanism is in the fully reclined position.
Another exemplary wall proximity reclining chair is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,276, entitled "Chair Mechanism," and which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention and the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. This chair mechanism design provides several improvements over those mechanisms known within the art. However, this mechanism also relies upon a track and roller system for providing smooth reclining motion. Additionally, this chair is also limited to only two reclining positions, and requires manual actuation via a hand operated lever. Accordingly, this design limits the types of furniture within which this mechanism can be integrated.
Yet another type of wall proximity reclining chair is that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,526, entitled "Method for Assembling A Modular Wall Proximity Reclining Chair," which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention and the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. This chair was developed for reducing the complexity of the reclining mechanism, and its method of assembly. This chair mechanism overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art designs by providing a side frame and arm rest assembly that moves in conjunction with the seat assembly for providing adequate arm rest support. However, this mechanism design also relies upon a full length track and roller assembly for providing the desired smoothness in the reclining operation. The requirement for a bearing-based roller assembly also increases the cost of the mechanism. Additionally, the design of this mechanism limits this chair to a single reclining chair and further prevents this mechanism from being used in larger articles of furniture, such as love seats, sofas and modular sofa assemblies.
In view of the growing popularity of reclining chairs and the increasing desire to use reclining chairs in a more formal setting, there is a increasing need to develop a reclining chair mechanism which can be utilized with various types of furniture, including compact reclining chairs, at a considerably lower cost and that provides the comfort features demanded by consumers. As such, it is desirable to provide an all-linkage reclining chair which delivers smooth reclining motion, which includes an adjustment feature for accommodating various sized seat occupants, and which is readily assembled into various sizes and styles of chairs. It is also desirable to provide an all-linkage reclining chair mechanism which is designed to be primarily gravity driven with the assistance of a spring biasing mechanism, rather than manually driven through the use of an externally mounted operating handle. Such a design would simplify the operation of the chair. It is further desirable to provide a reclining chair mechanism in which the leg rest assembly can be fully extended by actuating a compact trigger release assembly, and can be retracted by the occupant merely moving the leg rest assembly back into the chair mechanism by leaning forward and placing a small amount of force onto the leg rest assembly. It is also desirable to provide a reclining mechanism in which the leg rest assembly can be replaced in the field, if damaged during use, without disassembling the entire chair and its associated reclining mechanism. It is further desirable to provide an all-linkage reclining mechanism which moves the associated chair frame forwardly as the seat assembly is reclined, thereby allowing for uninhibited operation when the chair is placed in close proximity to a wall.

Swivel base reclining chair with linkage reclining mechanism


A multi-color powder coat paint recovery apparatus that permits rapid color changes in a powder coat operation comprises a rotatable paint booth positioned adjacent to a painting station, with the booth having a plurality of individual paint color chambers angularly spaced around the periphery of the booth. Each chamber has an open outer side and a filter mechanism at an inner side, with the inner side being in communication with an exhaust outlet from the interior of the housing. The chamber further has primary and secondary paint hoppers positioned below each filter mechanism. An air circulating mechanism draws air inwardly from the painting station through the open outer side of the chamber, through the filter mechanism, out of the housing through the air outlet, and then returns the air through a filtered outlet in a plenum chamber behind the paint applicator. Each color chamber corresponds to a separate paint color. Colors can be changed by rotating the booth until the chamber for the desired color is positioned opposite the painting station. Excess paint is drawn downwardly into the paint hopper for each color and is recycled by a vacuum that conveys the paint back to a recycling apparatus for reuse in the system. The parts are painted while they are hot so as to increase paint retention on the parts.

The present invention relates to powder coat paint recovery apparatus wherein color changes can be made quickly, paint is recovered effectively for reuse, and air is recirculated to create a desirable air flow.
In a powder coat paint operation, charged particles of solid paint are deposited on an oppositely charged product to be painted and the product is heated to fuse the paint to the product surface. This operation is well known and provides a high quality paint finish to a product without the use of volatile solvents.
While the finish on a powder coated product is desirable, the painting operation used in the application of powder coat paints has some drawbacks. The paint particles not deposited and retained on the product are difficult to control and recover, with the particles tending to settle on and coat the objects and equipment in the paint booth. The particulate matter suspended in the air also causes a health hazard to paint booth operators. There is also a substantial amount of paint loss with powder coated painting operations.
Because of the difficulty in controlling powder coat paint, it is very difficult to change colors in a powder coat painting operation. Usually it is necessary to clean all of the equipment and all of the hoses very thoroughly before colors can be changed. This can take hours. In a high speed operation wherein products are painted with a number of different colors, this drawback precludes the use of powder coat paints, notwithstanding their benefits.
An object of the present invention is to provide multi-color powder coat painting apparatus that permits quick color changes and provides for a high rate of paint recovery for recycling, while at the same time providing highly filtered air and a positive air flow across the parts being painted.

Multi-color powder coat paint recovery apparatus


A semiconductor device in which a salicide structure is applied to a buried gate transistor to largely reduce a difference of level or height in a element and to reduce the resistance of a gate electrode and a source/drain structure, thus enabling reliable high speed operations while maintaining high performance. For manufacturing the semiconductor device, a silicon substrate is formed with a groove for a buried gate. A gate insulating film is formed on the bottom surface of the groove. Then, side-wall insulating films are formed on both side surfaces of the groove in a large thickness as compared with that of the gate insulating film. Next, after a gate electrode is formed from a polycrystalline silicon film, a source/drain structure is formed in the silicon substrate through the gate electrode and the side-wall insulating film. Then, a Ti film is formed and annealed to form silicide layers on the gate electrode and on the source/drain electrodes, thus completing a salicide structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including an element, for example, a MOS transistor which has a so-called buried gate electrode, and to a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
With recent development in miniaturization and integration of semiconductor devices, techniques for reducing the resistance of electrodes and a variety of wires have been considered for increasingly miniaturized and highly integrated semiconductor devices. One of promising techniques is a so-called salicide method which forms a silicide layer on each of a gate electrode and source/drain electrodes of a transistor. This method forms a refractory metal film such as a Ti film or the like overlying a gate electrode and a source/drain structure, and reacts the refractory metal film with the gate electrode and the source/drain electrodes by a heat treatment to form a silicide layer.
On the other hand, a buried gate transistor has been proposed for reducing a difference of level or height in a semiconductor device to achieve further miniaturization and integration. Specifically, the buried gate transistor is fabricated by forming a strip-like groove in a semiconductor substrate, and filling a conductive material into this groove to form a gate electrode.
In the buried gate transistor having a salicide structure as mentioned above, if source/drain electrodes are formed with a small junction depth, for example, as is the case of an LDD structure, silicide layers are formed to intrude into the semiconductor substrate so that the silicide layers extend deeper than the junction depth of the source/drain electrodes, thus causing a fear of short-circuiting with the semiconductor substrate.
JP-A-2-46775 discloses a semiconductor device which has a silicide layer formed on a portion of the surface of a buried gate electrode as a contact with an upper electrode.
Although, according to JP-A-2-46775, the disclosed technique does eliminate the problem of the silicide layer formed deeper than the junction depth of the source/drain electrodes, another problem arises as follows. In a buried gate transistor, an insulating film for isolating a gate electrode from a semiconductor substrate is formed by thermal oxidization on the inner wall of a groove together with a gate insulating film. Although this insulating film has substantially the same thickness as the gate insulating film, reliable separation of a silicide layer on the gate electrode from a silicide layer on source/drain electrodes is difficult for the insulating film of such a thickness to achieve. In this case, therefore, the resultant transistor will inevitably suffer from significant degradation in characteristics.
JP-A-7-30104 in turn discloses a semiconductor device which has a side-wall insulating film formed inside of a groove for forming a gate electrode therein so as to physically and electrically separate a silicide layer on the gate electrode and silicide layers on source/drain electrodes by this side-wall insulating film in a silicide forming step.
This side-wall insulating film, however, does not cover a side wall of the gate electrode, so that the gate electrode is located in a close proximity to the source/drain electrodes only with an intervening gate insulating film, thus incurring a danger of leading to possible short-circuiting therebetween and an increase in parasitic capacitance.
Further, JP-A-8-32063 discloses a semiconductor device which has a silicon oxide film formed on the bottom surface of a groove for forming a gate electrode therein, and a titanium film deposited thereon, with the silicon oxide film and the titanium film being thermally treated to form a titanium silicide film on the interface therebetween.
In this semiconductor device, however, no silicide films are formed on source/drain electrodes. Neither is there formed a side-wall insulating film for covering the side wall of the gate electrode.

Semiconductor device having buried gate electrode with silicide layer and manufacture method thereof


A process for the continuous mass-production of chemical pulp from cellulose raw materials without adversely affecting the environment involves digesting the cellulose raw materials at 130.degree. to 200.degree. C. with a cooking liquor containing an alkali, hydrogen peroxide, a chelating agent, an anthraquinone and water. A pulp waste liquor and unbleached pulp are obtained by subjecting the digested cellulose raw materials to solid-liquid separation. The pulp waste liquor is concentrated and burned to obtain an alkali metal carbonate. Calcium oxide is added, if necessary, to the aqueous solution of sodium or/and potassium carbonate for causticization, and hydrogen peroxide, a chelating agent, and an anthraquinone are added to the alkali solution to regenerate the cooking liquor.

Heretofore, a number of processes have been developed with the object of chemically producing pulp from cellulose raw materials. Many processes have been weeded out so far; the processes which are currently available for the preparation of chemical pulp are the AP method (alkali method), SP method (sulfite method), KP method (kraft method) and variants thereof.
The AP method employs a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (consisting of two components) as a cooking liquor. This method offers the advantages that no malodorous substances are produced, unlike the KP method, and that the chemicals can be recovered from the pulp waste liquor with relative ease. However, it suffers from the disadvantages that the removal of lignin does not readily occur in the process of pulping so that the resulting pulp is poor in strength and the kappa value (an indicator of the content of lignin in pulp having the relationship: lignin (%)=kappa value.times.0.15) is so remarkably high that a large quantity of chemical is required for bleaching. Hence, this method is not usually applied to the pulping of wood and it is utilized, in part, only for pulping cellulose raw materials derived from non-wooden materials.
The SP method employs an acidic, neutral or alkaline solution of a sulfite as a cooking liquor, and the acidic SP method is particularly superior in its ability to elute lignin so that the unbleached SP pulp is low in kappa value and refining and bleaching are readily carried out; however, the strength and the yield of the pulp are poor. Hence, this method is practically applied for the preparation of dissolution pulp from needle-leaved trees and some broad-leaved trees; however, the demand for such pulp is extremely low. Further, the SP method is not suited for pulping general broad-leaved trees or those needle-leaved trees which are difficult to digest, and the treatment of pulp waste liquor and recovery of the chemical substances used are not easy, so that this method is currently applied only in an extremely small sector of the industry.
The KP method uses an aqueous solution of sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide (consisting of three components) as a cooking liquor and can pulp various kinds of needle-leaved trees and broad-leaved trees. The resulting pulp is tough and the kappa value is relatively low; however, its bleaching is not so easy. Generally, five- to seven-step bleaching gives a bleached pulp having a high degree of whiteness. Further, this method offers the advantages that sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide can be recovered for reuse in the cooking liquors by concentrating pulp wastes, burning them in a reducing atmosphere and subjecting them to causticization. In addition, the energy used in burning can also be recovered. For the foregoing reasons, the KP method is today generally used to a remarkably wide extent, and more than 70% of total production of pulp and more than 95% of production of chemical pulp in Japan is by the KP method.
It is to be noted, however, that recent and more severe requirements for protection of the environment and conservation of earth resources, are difficult to meet with the KP method, thus creating an increasing demand to develop a new method for the preparation of pulp, which can serve as a substitute for the KP method currently prevailing in this industry. In other words, while the KP method is superior to the other conventional methods in terms of utilization of resources of cellulose, because the KP method can pulp a wider variety of needle-leaved and broad-leaved trees, the KP method is not suited for pulping so far unavailable trees including many kinds of tropical trees, ceders, deciduous trees and the like and for bleaching pulp therefrom. Further, this method can utilize only a limited number of raw materials, i.e. it is inappropriate for pulping a large number of non-wooden materials including rice plant straw, bagasse, tow, fibers of banana and the like. In addition, the KP method causes by-production of malodorous substances including sulfurous substances such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and the like in exhaust gases resulting from the digestion of pulp, thereby causing air pollution. Furthermore, the bleaching of unbleached KP requires a large quantity of chlorinated bleaching chemicals so that a large amount of organic chlorinated compounds are formed and their presence in waste water from the bleaching step is a huge source of pollution. It should be further noted that, as the purity of product pulp prepared by the XP method is high, a large majority of impurites contained in the cellulose raw materials, such as silica, calcium, magnesium, iron and the like, are eluted out in the digesting step and contaminate the pulp waste liquor; however, no appropriate technique capable of separating and removing those impurities has yet been developed. Therefore, if the chemicals are recovered from the pulp waste liquor and utilized, these impurities are further concentrated, thereby leading to incapability of treating the pulp waste liquor itself. Hence, some cellulose raw materials such as rice plant straw, parts of tropical trees, which are rich in ash components, particularly in silica, can be digested by the KP method; however, the resulting waste liquor cannot be treated in an effective way so that it must be discharged without sufficient treatment. In these respects, the KP method presents many defects as a total system. Accordingly, the pulp industry has been incapable of development notwithstanding an enormous quantity of resources of cellulose that is not yet utilized and a sufficient demand of paper pulp.
Research on new methods for pulping can be broken down into three main groups: (1) methods for preparing pulp by reducing cellulose raw materials in a mechanical way by a disc refiner or the like or in combination with a light degree of chemical treatment; (2) methods for preparing pulp by decomposing non-fibrous materials in the cellulose raw materials by the aid of bacteria or by means of enzymatic treatment; and (3) methods or increasing yield of pulp by adding a small quantity of an auxiliary agent to a cooking liquor to be employed in a conventional chemical pulping method.
The methods (1) for the mechanical preparation of the pulp include the GP method. This method produces a high yield of the pulp but requires a large quantity of energy consumption. Further, the pulp prepared by this method still contains a Considerably large amount of lignin so that a large quantity of a bleaching agent is required for bleaching. The unbleached pulp is too poor in quality to be employed as is. Hence, in recent years, a variant has been adopted which comprises chemically treating the cellulose raw materials to a light extent by using the cooking liquor as employed in the AP method, the SP method, the KP method or the like, or an alkali solution of hydrogen peroxide, in combination with mechanical treatment. This variant method can provide a pulp of quality better than the GP method, in a yield higher than chemical pulp; however, it still has many problems left unsolved, in that it consumes a large quantity of electric power in the preparation of the pulp, a large amount of chlorinated bleaching agent in bleaching, treatment of pulp waste liquor and the like.
The methods (2) for isolating cellulose by biochemical means are recently being extensively studied because the pulp can be produced at ambient atmosphere and temperature or at temperatures close thereto. However, a big problem left unsolved, is that only lignin is separated and removed in an extremely short time without decomposition of cellulose by using a microorganism or an enzyme extracted therefrom.
The methods (3) attempt an increase in the yield of pulp by adding an auxiliary agent such as AQ (anthraquinone) or the like to the cooking liquor employed in the conventional methods, and it is reported that the yield of the pulp can be increased by approximately 0.5% by adding AQ in the KP method, the SP method and the AP method. However, further improvements in the yield are not easy to accomplish.
The present invention has as its object to provide a process and a comprehensive system to produce pulp of good quality in a high yield, which pulp is high in quality and in degree or whiteness and capable of being easily bleached, from a wide range of cellulose raw materials, including wooden and non-wooden materials, and to recover energy and chemicals from the waste liquor in a ready and continuous way, in order to solve the problems with natural resources and with the environment, which are now obstacles to development of the pulp industry.

Process for preparing pulp using potassium-based alkaline solution


An improved structure of a quick-connect pipe fitting, and particularly a structure for a quick-connect pipe fitting used to connect a pressure pipe or a hydraulic tubing in a system comprises a compression member on top of a lock washer such that the compression member is fitted and secured in a base. When a pressure pipe is inserted into the pipe fitting, the compression member is screwed on but remains loose. In disconnecting the pressure pipe, the compression member is pushed downward, against the lock washer so as to disengage the inner teeth thereof from the pipe. The pressure pipe is no longer locked and may be pulled out easily. In addition, the quick-connect pipe fitting may include a connecting member which is used to install an air valve. Such air valve comprises a seal ring, a vent valve having vent holes, a connecting base and a spring. When the pressure pipe is inserted into the pipe fitting, it pushes the vent valve down such that the vent holes are opened and the fitting body allows air to flow therethrough. The spring normally pushes against the vent valve such that the vent holes are closed by the seal ring to form an air-tight seal.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to an improved structure of a pipe fitting, and particularly to the structure of a quick-connect pipe fitting for connecting piping or hydraulic tubing.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
A conventional quick-connect pipe fitting is shown in FIG. 6. Such fitting mainly includes a quick-connect fitting body 10, a seal washer 20, a lock washer 30, a base 40 and a pressurized washer 50. The fitting is used for connecting a plastic pipe 60 in a pressurized or hydraulic system. The lock washer and the seal washer lock and seal the pipe connection in an air-tight system. To disconnect this conventional pipe fitting, the pressurized washer 50 has to be pushed down to touch the lock washer and open up the inner teeth of the lock washer. Since the diameter of the ring-shaped pressurized washer 50 is very small, and the lock washer has a very high locking strength, it is not easy to push down the pressurized washer. The pressing is uncomfortable for the fingers. In addition, a majority of the pressurized washers today are made out of plastic materials, and they tend to lock dead after a period of time due to the teeth marks on the inner wall of the pipe. Pushing the pressurized washer down with too much force can crack or break the plastic washer making it necessary to shutdown the pressurized system to replace the pipe fitting.
In addition, the above conventional quick-connect pipe fitting is directly connected to a vent tube through the threads at the end of the fitting body. Therefore, air flow can always pass through the pipe fitting to the vent tube. The conventional pipe fitting does not provide a mechanism to close the air flow. After the conventional quick-connect pipe fitting is connected to a pressure pipe, the valve has to be opened for servicing. This is inconvenient. Moreover, when a main pipe is branched out to several service locations, all the quick-connect pipe fittings have to be connected on both sides before the main valve can be opened for servicing. The addition of an individual shutoff valve to each line with a quick-connect pipe fitting is costly and creates more work in operation.

Improved structure of a quick-connect pipe fitting


A device and a method are provided for regulating the lift characteristic of a charge cycle valve of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a controllable drive unit having an actuator element for actuating the charge cycle valve, two energy storage means acting on the charge cycle valve in opposite drive directions and a regulating means for controlling the drive unit. The regulating unit controls the drive unit according to a stored setpoint path, on the basis of which the charge cycle valve is transferred from a first end position into a second end position and vice versa. The setpoint path is designed so that it maps the ideal transient characteristic of the energy storage-drive element-energy storage system of the device without taking any additional ambient influences into account.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for regulating the lift characteristic of a charge cycle valve of an internal combustion engine.
In traditional combustion engines, the camshaft is driven mechanically by the crankshaft via a control chain or a control belt. To increase engine power and reduce fuel consumption, it is very advantageous to control the valves of the individual cylinders individually. This is possible through a so-called fully variable valve drive (variable control times and variable valve lift), e.g., a so-called electromagnetic valve drive. With a fully variable valve drive, an "actuator unit" is allocated to each valve and/or each "valve group" of a cylinder. At the present point in time, different basic types of actuator units are being researched.
With one basic type (so-called lift actuators), an opening magnet and a closing magnet are allocated to a valve or a valve group. The valves may be displaced axially, i.e., opened and/or closed, by supplying the magnets with electric power.
With another basic type (so-called rotary actuator) a control shaft is provided with a cam, whereby the control shaft is pivotable back and forth by an electric motor.
German Patent Document DE 101 40 461 A1 describes a rotary actuator device for controlling the lift of a charge cycle valve. The lift is controlled here by an electric motor, which is itself controlled by an engine characteristics map, a shaft with a control cam connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner being arranged on the rotor of said electric motor. During operation of the internal combustion engine, the motor pivots, i.e., swings back and forth, and the control cam periodically forces the charge cycle valve into its open position via a roller-lever actuator. The charge cycle valve is closed by the spring force of a valve spring. In order for the electric motor not to have to overcome the total spring force of the valve spring in opening the charge cycle valve, an additional spring is mounted on the shaft. The forces of the valve spring and additional spring are such that in periodic operation of the rotational actuator device according to the position of the charge cycle valve, the kinetic energy is either stored in the valve spring or in the additional spring. As a result of this measure, the power consumption during operation of the rotary actuator device is reduced. One disadvantage of the rotary actuator device described here is the high power consumption at low rotational speeds.
German Patent Document DE 102 52 991 A1 describes a further embodiment of such a rotary actuator device. The existing rotary actuator device is expanded here by a second actuator element (second control cam) in the opposite direction of rotation and with a smaller lift than that of the main cam. This second actuator element does not open the valve completely and is used only for small lifts in the range of low engine rotational speeds. At low rotational speeds of the internal combustion engine, the rotary actuator device receives electric power, so that the shaft pivots only in the direction of the second actuator element, whereas at high rotational speeds, the motor is swiveled only in the direction of the first actuator element. Due to the small lift, the rotary actuator device advantageously consumes less electric current at a low rotational speed.
The object of the present invention is to create a device for regulating the lift characteristic of a charge cycle valve that ensures an improvement with regard to electric power consumption by an actuator device.
According to this invention, this object is achieved by the totality of features of the independent claims.
The inventive device for regulating the lift characteristic of a charge cycle valve comprises a regulating device (so-called setpoint path regulator) which controls a drive unit (e.g., the electric motor of a rotary actuator or the electromagnet(s) of an electromagnetic lift actuator or the drive mechanism of a slewing actuator) according to a stored setpoint path, whereby the setpoint path is such that it maps the ideal transient characteristic of the energy storage-drive element-energy storage system (spring-mass-spring system) of the actuator device (plus the valve unit to be driven with the charge cycle valve and the closing spring). Stored setpoint path(s) in the sense of this invention include setpoint paths (data) stored once in a memory as well as stored calculation procedures on the basis of which such a setpoint path can be calculated online. This device is to be used to advantage in a rotary actuator device according to German Patent Document DE 101 40 461 A1, where it should reduce the power consumption of the electric motor used here by regulating the rotational characteristic of the rotor of the drive motor according to the ideal setpoint path of the oscillating system of the rotary actuator device as determined here. On the basis of this regulation, a regulating behavior is then established, in which the electric motor smoothes out ambient influence such as friction and gas backpressure that deviate from the ideal (calculated) oscillating system by supplying additional driving power.
An ideal transient characteristic in the sense of this invention is characterized in that the oscillating behavior is free of friction losses and ambient influences such as gas pressures and gas backpressures. Ideally, an ideal oscillating behavior corresponds to the calculated oscillating characteristic of the system, free of any type of losses. The present invention advantageously relates to a spring-mass-spring system (according to German Patent Document DE 101 40 461 A1) having a valve restoring spring and/or opening spring (spring 1), an opening spring (spring 2) that counteracts the valve restoring spring and the mass moving between the springs in this system (e.g., rocker lever, drive cam plus driveshaft and rotor of the driven electric motor, mass components of the opening spring acting on the drive cam in the opening direction as well as the charge cycle valve plus amounts by weight of the moving closing spring).
In a particularly preferred refinement of the present invention, the device includes a rotary actuator device according to German Patent Document DE 103 58 936 which was not published previously. DE 103 58 936 is herewith incorporated with its full content in the disclosure of the present patent application in particular with regard to the design of a rotary actuator (but here in particular with regard to the arrangement and design of the opening spring as a rotary rod spring).
In another refinement of this invention, the rotary actuator is designed according to German Patent Document DE 102 52 991 A1 with an actuating element in the form of a so-called double cam driven by an electric motor. With regard to the special embodiment of a double cam having two such control paths, the content of German Patent Document DE 102 52 991 A1 is herewith also incorporated in the disclosure content of the present patent application.
To further reduce the energy demand by a rotary actuator, a plurality of so-called ideal setpoint paths are stored, each setpoint path describing a different valve lift. In one embodiment, at least one setpoint path with a maximum lift and one setpoint path with a reduced lift by comparison are stored as fixed setpoint paths (stored trajectory or corresponding calculation procedure). In a refinement, any curve characteristics required between these at least two fixed setpoint paths are formed by interpolation between the stored setpoint paths. Further refinements of the present invention relate to the design of the actuator device as a rotary actuator according to German Patent Document DE 101 40 461 A1 and according to German Patent Document DE 103 58 936.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Device for controlling the lift of a gas exchange valve in an internal combustion engine

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


An optical fiber holding device for holding optical fibers includes an assembling member and a base. The assembling member includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, a front surface, and a rear surface opposite to the front surface. The front surface and the rear surface are interconnected between the top surface and the bottom surface. The front surface defines a number of receiving holes for receiving front portions of the optical fibers. The base includes an assembly portion and a support portion connecting the assembly portion. The assembly member is detachably mounted on the assembly portion. The support portion supports main portions of the optical fibers.

An optical fiber coupling connector includes a number of light emitting modules, a number of light receiving modules, an optical fiber holding device for holding optical fibers, and an optical coupling lens coupled with the optical fiber holding device. The optical fibers are optically coupled with the light emitting modules and the light receiving modules via the optical coupling lens. The optical fiber holding device includes multi-fiber (MT) ferrule and fiber jumper types. The MT ferrule is a standard component and can be used in many occasions. The fiber jumper is cheap for simple manufacturing procedures.

Optical fiber holding device and optical fiber coupling connector


A vented bag includes a length of tubular gas-impervious material sealed to closure at at least one end thereof by a plurality of spaced apart seal lines each including a discontinuity proximate one end thereof. The discontinuities in adjacent ones of the seal lines are disposed proximate opposite ends of the lines so that the discontinuities, the lines and the adjoining material form a tortuous channel providing communication between the interior of the bag and the exterior of the bag.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to commodity bags, and more specifically to a sealable commodity bag including a venting means allowing for air to escape from the bag after closure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Commodity bags are widely used in industry for storing a variety of dry powdery or granular products. Food products such as powdered milk and the like require a closure that resists moisture and contaminants from entering the bag. Most of the commodity bags commonly used for dry foods include an interior plastic bag or liner combined with several outer plies of paper. Such bags are formed by folding flat material into a tube with overlapping margins and sealing the margins together with heat seals or glues, then folding and sealing one end of the tube to form a bag, which is then similarly folded and sealed at the other end after filling. The multiple plies of paper with the plastic result in a very strong and burst resistant container that may be air tight.
One problem that arises from this type of container is that air and possible other gasses may be easily trapped within the bag along with the contents. Several condiment bags have been developed that allow air to escape after closure. Some of the methods used in these designs somewhat discourage moisture and contaminants from entering the bags.
Perry (U.S. Pat. No. 3,302,859) discloses a method allowing air to pass through crescent shaped holes in a bag. The most effective version of this bag locates the cuts, or vents, along the margin of overlapping materials and between two heat seals wherein the vents formed through one layer of the overlapping margins are misaligned with the vents formed through the opposing layer. The intention is that the opposing layer of material will lie against and thereby are off the vents once air is pressed from the bag. This design is problematic in that the flexibility and distortability of the plastic material, and the repeated handling of the bag all effect the reliability of this method especially where the contents can easily pass through the vents.
Kenan (U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,153) discloses an improvement in venting where a strip of paper or filter like material is sealed within the margin between two seals. The filter material is then incorporated into the end seals thereby creating a filtered path for air to pass. The practicality of this design comes into question as well as the ease of manufacturing. This design may also encourage moisture to enter the bag if the filter is absorbent.
Keppel (Pat. No. 4,550,441) provides a more practical and practiced method wherein channel formed between two heat seals along overlapping margins include distally separated vent holes formed through each of the overlapping layers, wherein one of the vent holes is formed through the inner layer (into the bag interior) and the other vent hole is formed through the outer layer. Air, contents, and contaminants must travel a course through the channel to enter or exit the bag. The relative effectiveness of this method is proven in practice, though the vent holes must be punctured through the bag, and the puncture holes are small and easily obstructed.
By careful examination of these methods, it should be clear that the further the distance that separates the vent holes, the more effective the method. It can also be concluded that the effectiveness of these methods to inhibit or prevent the entry of contaminants and moisture and the re-entry of air can be influenced by the distortions, movement, turning and positioning of the bag relative to gravitational and other forces to which the bag and it""s contents may be subjected.
What is needed is an improved vented bag that does not require punctured or cut holes through the bag surface.
What is also needed is a sealed bag with an improved means of venting which discourages or greatly inhibits the movement of moisture and particles through the venting means especially where the bag may be subjected to turning, handling and forces of nature.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vented bag that does not require punctured or cut holes through the bag surface.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a sealed bag with and improved means of venting the bag where a plurality of seals are included along the length of overlapping margins, and where the seals are non-continuous in that strategically located open spaces along the seals cause the seals to form a maze-shaped channel with at least one open space providing communication with the interior of the bag and at least one open space providing communication with the exterior of the bag.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vented bag with a maze-shaped channel, or tortuous path, to allow communication between the interior and exterior of the bag wherein the maze-shaped channel forms a relatively long and multi-directional path which discourages or greatly inhibits the movement of moisture and particles through the channel especially where the bag may be subjected to turning, handling and forces of nature.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bag such as a commodity bag that includes a relatively long and narrow maze-shaped channel allowing for the evacuation of air from the bag wherein the bag interior layer and included channel are manufactured from flexible plastic film and wherein the layers of film forming the channel will, in their natural state and after the evacuation of air from the channel, tend to lie flatly together thereby closing the channel to the re-entry of air into the channel.
Yet another object of the present invention is to disclose a method of manufacturing a vented bag with a plurality of non-continuous seals specifically spaced to form a maze-shaped channel that provides communication between the interior and the exterior of the bag. These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following drawings and description.
Briefly, a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a vented bag including at least one rectangular sheet of substantially gas-impervious material having a top edge, a bottom edge opposite said top edge, and a first side edge folded over an opposite second side edge to form a tube. The tube has a longitudinal seam including at least first and second overlapping sheet portions joined together along a plurality of seal lines extending longitudinally from said top edge of said sheet to said bottom edge of said sheet. The bag is sealed to closure at one end of said tube. Each of the plurality of seal lines includes a discontinuity proximate one of the top and bottom edges of the sheet. The discontinuities in adjacent ones of the seal lines are disposed proximate opposites ones of the top and bottom edges of the sheet such that the plurality of seal lines, the discontinuities, and the first and second overlapping sheet portions form a tortuous channel providing communication between the interior of the bag and the exterior of the bag.
In an alternative embodiment, the starting material for the bags are tubular and the tortuous channel is disposed in the closure formed in at last one end thereof.
An important advantage of the present invention is that the maze-shaped channel, or tortuous path, allows communication between the interior and exterior of the bag wherein the maze-shaped channel discourages or greatly inhibits the movement of moisture and particles through the channel especially where the bag may be subjected to turning, handling, and forces of nature.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment which makes reference to the several figures of the drawing.


An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate; an organic light emitting unit formed on the substrate; and a sealing unit which seals the organic light emitting unit, wherein the sealing unit is formed by alternately stacking at least one first thin film and at least one second thin film, the first thin film being formed to surround a portion of the second thin film.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an organic light emitting display device, and more particularly, to an organic light emitting display device capable of preventing penetration of vapor such as moisture or oxygen.
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic light emitting display (OLED) devices using OLED elements typically have faster response speeds than liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, which are currently in wide commercial use, and thus, can provide excellent images of rapid motion. Furthermore, OLED devices are emissive, have wide viewing angles, and have high brightness. Thus, OLED devices are expected to be next generation display devices.
An OLED element includes a pixel electrode and a facing electrode facing each other, and a light emitting layer including an organic material interposed between the pixel electrode and the facing electrode. The OLED element is sensitive to moisture, oxygen, and light. Accordingly, if the OLED element is exposed to moisture, oxygen, and light, the OLED element can be easily degraded. In addition, when moisture or oxygen diffuses into and entered into an organic material layer, an electrochemical charge transfer reaction occurs on the interface between the electrode and the organic material layer, thereby generating an oxide. Also, the oxide separates the organic material layer and the pixel electrode or the facing electrode, causing a phenomenon such as dark spot, thereby reducing the life of the OLED element. Since the OLED element has a relatively low threshold for thermal damage, when temperature increases to from about 30° C. to about 60° C., the life of the OLED element is shortened by approximately 20 times. Therefore, a sealing technology is generally used in the OLED element to prevent external moisture, oxygen, and light from entering the OLED element.


A liquid crystal display panel includes a color filter substrate, a TFT substrate, a loop-shaped sealant formed along the peripheries of the substrates, a loop-shaped seal barrier formed along the sealant in the interior of the sealant, and a liquid crystal layer surrounded by the seal barrier. The seal barrier includes an inclined face in the sealant side.

The process of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel includes a step of filling a liquid crystal material into a panel. A method for filling the liquid crystal material includes a dipping method and a dispense method. These methods employ a scheme in which a pair of substrates are joined to each other with a sealant interposed; a liquid crystal material is filled through an opening of the sealant by utilizing capillarity and pressure difference; and then, the opening is sealed. In association with upsizing the screens, however, a problem arises that the tact time for filling the liquid crystal material is longer.
As another method of filling the liquid crystal material into the panel, a one drop fill method (it may be called ODF or a drop joining method) has been developed. The one drop fill method is a method in which the liquid crystal material is dropped within a seal pattern frame of which seal pattern has no opening and which is formed on one of the substrates before bonding and the sealant is cured after the pair of substrates are joined to each other under reduced pressure. The one drop fill method can cope with upsizing of the screens and can shorten the tact time for filling the liquid crystal material remarkably.
In one drop fill method, however, an uncured sealant, which is the sealant before being cured, is in contact with the liquid crystal material to invite contamination of the liquid crystal layer with the components of the sealant. This leads to unstable state of liquid crystal orientation, smear, irregularity, flicker, and the like to degrade the display quality of the liquid crystal panel.
A technique for preventing the uncured sealant from being in contact with the liquid crystal material in the one drop fill method is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Specifically, they discloses that a seal barrier is provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the sealant to prevent the uncured sealant from being in contact with the liquid crystal material.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 2002-350873    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 2004-233648

Liquid crystal panel seal barrier and method of manufacturing the same


A left foot accelerator pedal device which allows persons lacking sufficient functionality of the right foot or right leg to operate a motor vehicle accelerator pedal using their left foot. The device incorporates an accelerator pedal activator which engages the motor vehicle accelerator pedal and is operably attached by a main shaft to a left side accelerator pedal. The main shaft is supported by a base unit which is removably attached to a base plate affixed to the vehicle floor. By depressing left side accelerator pedal a person lacking functionality of the right foot may operate the vehicle while the device may be easily removed from base plate allowing a person of normal functionality to operate the vehicle.

The invention relates generally to vehicles having accelerator pedals typically engaged by an operator""s right foot. More specifically, the invention relates to a device that permits engagement of an accelerator pedal via an operator lacking functional use of their right foot. More specifically, the device is configured to permit easy removal from the vehicle such that the accelerator pedal is easily engaged by an operator""s right foot.
The automotive industry has long designed and employed devices permitting remote accelerator pedal engagement. These devices include combination accelerator pedal and brake pedal arrangements that permit remote engagement of both pedals from the side of a vehicle opposite that of the driver. Combination pedals such as these have long been installed and used in vehicles used to teach student drivers how to operate a motor vehicle. The student actually operates the vehicle from the standard position, yet the instructor has the ability to assume control of the vehicle in an emergency situation. In some cases, these vehicles can also be equipped with a supplemental steering wheel placed in front of the instructor. Examples of patents generally directed to these types of devices include Speckman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,799,181; Garcia, U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,310; and Barresi, U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,246.
Another type of remote pedal operation includes extensions used to change the effective vertical position of the pedal. These extensions permit operation of the pedal by a person having, for example, shorter than average legs. With the increasing popularity of vehicles equipped with passive restraint systems such as air bags, there is a growing concern over drivers who sit too close to the steering wheel. Vertical pedal extensions can permit such drivers to sit a safe distance from the steering wheel yet still comfortably and effectively engage the accelerator and brake pedals. Examples of patents describing pedal extensions include Ross, U.S. Pat. No. 3,626,785; and Upton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,939.
Yet another type of remote pedal operation involves operation of an accelerator pedal by the left foot. Typically, modem automobiles and other similar vehicles are designed such that the accelerator and brake pedal are both engaged by the operator""s right foot. If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, the clutch is typically engaged by the operator""s left foot. While a certain minority of drivers operating vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions use their left foot for the brake and their right foot for the gas, the vehicles are designed for normal right foot engagement of both pedals.
Various devices have been devised to permit left foot operation of a vehicle""s accelerator pedal. Patents describing such devices include, for example, Fisher, U.S. Pat. No. 2,253,850; Wilcox, U.S. Pat. No. 2,829,539; Ewer, U.S. Pat. No. 2,914,961; Kaul, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,199,369 and 3,543,606; DeRose, U.S. Pat. No. 3,224,293; Gresham, U.S. Pat. No. 3,224,294; and Richhart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,317.
In addition to the devices described in the patents discussed herein, several commercially available devices also exist. These devices typically include a mounting plate or base that attaches to the vehicle floor, as well as a main body or cover that fits over the mounting plate. This main body or cover typically supports an elongated shaft that serves to operatively connect a left foot gas pedal with the vehicle accelerator pedal. These devices also include mechanisms that permit removal of the main body when not needed.
FIG. 4 partially illustrates one such device 400 having a main body 402 and a mounting plate 410. The main body 402 is seen as supporting a main shaft 420 that would continue to the left, operatively supporting a left foot gas pedal while the main shaft 420 would, at the right periphery, support an accelerator pedal actuator of some form.
The main body 402 is releasably attached to the mounting plate 410. Spring guide shaft 450 extends parallel with the main shaft 420 and is biased towards the left (as drawn) via a biasing spring 455 that partially surrounds the spring guide shaft 450. Two mounting tabs 430 and 432 are secured to the spring guide shaft 450 and interact with two mounting flanges 440 and 442, respectively, that are formed within the mounting plate 410. In the position shown in the Figure, this interaction substantially prevents movement of the device 400 in either a vertical or horizontal fashion.
The spring guide shaft 450 is movable from a secured position (as shown) in which the mounting tabs 430 and 432 cooperate with mounting flanges 440 and 442, respectively, to prevent movement of the main body 402 in relation to the mounting plate 410 to a release position (not shown) in which the mounting tabs 430 and 432 have moved sufficiently to the left (with the spring guide shaft 450) to clear the mounting flanges 440 and 442.
The mounting plate 410 includes a number of mounting apertures 415 suitable for bolting the mounting plate 410 to the floor of an automobile or other similar vehicle. Since typical vehicles have carpeted floors, it is possible that debris such as carpet fibers could interfere with operation of device 400; in particular, interfere with the interaction between mounting tabs 430 and 432 and mounting flanges 440 and 442, respectively. The location of the spring guide shaft 450 is such that it could conceivably be accidentally moved into a release position by an operator""s foot, possibly with dire consequences.
Another commercial device is seen in FIG. 5, which partially shows a device 500 having a main body 502 and a mounting plate 510. This device 500 is believed to be an embodiment of Fujimori, U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,771. A main shaft 525 is supported by the main body 502 and extends from an accelerator guard plate 550 on the left (as shown) to a left foot gas pedal (not shown) on the right hand side. The mounting plate 510 is presumably secured to the floor of an automobile or similar vehicle by bolting through a mounting slot 515.
The main body 502 is releasably attached to the mounting plate 510. Seen at the left end of the mounting plate 510 is a latch mechanism 530 that includes a latch pin aperture 532 that can receive a latch pin 520 seen on the bottom surface of the main body 502. The latch mechanism 530 also includes several latch tabs 534 that cooperate with latch tab slots 544 present in the main body 502. The latch pin 520 is biased in its illustrated position by an unseen biasing spring that runs parallel to the main shaft 525. The unseen biasing spring is compressed by moving the accelerator guard plate 550 to the right as illustrated. The latch pin 520, which engages latch pin aperture 532, moves the latch mechanism 530 such that latch tabs 534 are retracted.
Once the mounting plate 510 is secured to a vehicle floor, the main body 502 can be releasably attached. The device 500 is tipped such that latching brace 560 of the first end of the device 500 engages the end 565 of the mounting plate 510. Then, the other end of the device 500 is lowered downward. While this can be done with the latch pin 520 biased in a release position, it is preferable that the second end of device 500 simply be pushed down into a latched position. Since the latch tabs 534 are angled, they will partially retract themselves sufficiently to permit installation of the main body 502. Once the main body 502 is fully seated, the latch tabs 534 will snap back into their latched position and will secure the main body 502 to the mounting plate 510.
To release the main body 502 when not needed, the accelerator guard plate 550 is moved laterally towards the (unseen) left foot gas pedal, thereby moving the latch pin 520 in the same direction. The latch pin 520 engages the latching mechanism 530 and forces the latching mechanism 530 into retracting the latch tabs 534. This end of the main body 502 can then be pulled upward away from the mounting plate 510. The other end of the main body 502 is then easily released as well.
While mounting plate 510 appears to mount directly on the floor of an automobile or similar vehicle, it serves to elevate the latch mechanism 530 and the corresponding latch pin 520 to avoid possible entanglements with carpet fibers and other debris. However, this results in a mounting plate that extends vertically from the vehicle floor and therefore presents an elevated profile. Further, it appears possible to release the main body 502 from the mounting plate 510 using only one""s foot to kick the accelerator guard plate 550 in a direction towards the left foot gas pedal.
Accordingly, a need remains for a left foot gas pedal device that is easy to install and remove, yet is securely positioned without possibility of accidental disengagement.
The invention involves a device that permits an individual who is lacking sufficient functionality in their right foot or right leg to operate a vehicle accelerator pedal using their left foot. This device, when installed, prevents inadvertent engagement of the original vehicle accelerator pedal without engaging the left side pedal. The left foot gas pedal described herein can be installed easily and securely into an automobile or related vehicle yet is easily removable for vehicle use by a driver having the full use of their right leg and/or foot.
We have discovered that such a device can be constructed by altering how the main body is secured to the mounting plate. We have discovered that a device in which the release mechanism functions in a direction that is perpendicular to the main shaft is significantly less susceptible to inadvertent disengagement. We have discovered that a release mechanism requiring a pulling action is less susceptible to accidental release than one requiring a pushing action.
Accordingly, the invention is found in a left foot gas pedal assembly that includes a mounting assembly and a main body that is releasably secured to the mounting assembly. The pedal assembly described herein also has a left foot gas pedal that is operatively connected through a main shaft to an existing vehicle accelerator pedal, wherein the main shaft is rotatably supported by the main body. The assembly also has a locking mechanism that includes a locking tab moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position in a direction perpendicular to the main shaft, wherein the locking tab engages a slot in the mounting assembly when in the locked position.
These and other features as well as advantages that characterize the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings.


A computer workstation-associated call handler uses hooking and sub-classing techniques to modify actions executed by an underlying call handler application program to automatically trigger various call handler actions. These actions may include playback of pre-recorded personal response type phrases or other pre-defined actions at various instances during a call, in response to the call agent's interactions with personalized response system-based, and forms-based software in the course of servicing telephone calls. This obviates the need to change the source code of the target application.

As described in the above-referenced '920 application, substantially all service facilities that are accessible by a telecommunication link, such as but not limited to a phone line, steer incoming calls to a computer workstation that is attended by an individual typically known as a call handler. Running on the workstation or an associated server is one or more application programs used by the call handler, call agent, operator and the like (hereafter referred to simply as a call handler), to process calls in a manner that is efficient and satisfying to the calling party.
As a non-limiting example, in the case of a catalog order center, a 'target' application program will typically graphically display an order or business 'form' on the call handler's terminal display. The displayed form contains respective information fields, through which the call handler sequentially 'tabs' and which are filled in by the call handler, based upon answers to a series of questions (such as name, address, phone number, item number, quantity, etc.), which the call handler speaks to the calling party. Because this repeated interactivity on the part of the call handler for multiple calls tends to be monotonous, and labor intensive, adversely affecting call handling efficiency, call handling facilities are continuously seeking schemes that will allow as much of the call handler's workload as possible to be automated.
One scheme that has enjoyed widespread usage throughout the telecommunication industry for providing relief for a call handler or operator servicing incoming calls at an operator position is embodied in a device known as a 'personalized response system', and is the subject of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,697,282 and 4,623,761, assigned to the assignee of the present application and the disclosures of which are herein incorporated. In accordance with this personalized voice message retrieval and playback device, an operator will prerecord commonly used phrases in a controllably accessible voice message storage and retrieval (VMSAR) mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a VMSAR mechanism. These phrases are then available for playback to a calling party (and simultaneously heard by the operator via the operator's headset) in the course of the operator's handling of a call. Playback may occur automatically, in response to initial signaling information contained in the incoming call, or manually by the operator manually invoking one or more inputs to the playback device. Because the prerecorded voice messages are played back in the voice of the operator, the calling party proceeds through the call in a straightforward and expeditious manner, perceiving that it is always the operator who is speaking.
Although the patented VMSAR mechanism works very well for its originally intended usage, and in a limited scope of additional applications, it has been found that as the number of messages and degree of complexity of the operator's responsibilities increase, especially with the use of personal computer-based workstations running multiple windows-type programs, it becomes more difficult for the call handler to remember all the sets of keystrokes which access the various messages. While a list of keystroke combinations could be provided, having the operator look up which keystrokes are to be used would inherently delay the processing of the call. Even if the operator knows or can find what keystroke combination is to be used, there is the possibility of an incorrect or unintended key operation, which may cause either no message or the wrong message to be played back. Realistically, therefore, the call handler cannot be expected to remember and use more than a relatively small number of keystrokes before confusion becomes an inhibiting factor.
Pursuant to the invention disclosed in the '920 application, problems associated with conventional call handler workstations are effectively obviated by a call handler-interactive mechanism, that automatically triggers playback of selected voice messages that have been pre-recorded via a personalized response system-based voice message storage VMSAR mechanism, in response to a call handler performing a prescribed interaction, such as a tab keystroke or mouse click, with one or more elements, such as 'control objects' displayed on a GUI of the call handler's terminal. To provide voice communication connectivity with an external network, the workstation may be coupled to a private branch exchange (PBX) or switch. The PBX or switch is also coupled to the VMSAR mechanism through the voice terminal.
The GUI generated on the workstation display may comprise, for example, a 'windows' type user interface, generated by an underlying call handling application program that may be running on the workstation's computer or on a separate server. The GUI typically contains a plurality of fields, buttons, and the like, in which information may be keyboard entered by the call handler, in the course of servicing a call, such as one placed to a catalog order center. The '920 invention reduces the workload on the part of the call handler, by integrating with or into the target program software a GUI-associated, event-driven VMSAR mechanism.
The GUI is continuously monitored for the occurrence of prescribed events—corresponding to the call handler performing a prescribed interaction with a selected control object in the target program. As non-limiting examples, such GUI interaction may include placement of the display screen cursor arrow anywhere within the perimeter of the control object and a click of the 'left' mouse button, depression of the 'enter' key on the keyboard when a displayed reticle is placed upon a control object, operation of the 'tab' key that moves the cursor from object to object in the GUI, and the like.
When a desired event is raised, a digital (voice message playback) control message packet is generated, to specify a message number of a selected voice message to be played back by the VMSAR mechanism to the calling party. Each personalized voice message is predefined in accordance with the respective control objects of the displayed business form to be completed by the call handler. In large majority of instances, the phrases are brief questions that prompt the calling party to provide information to be entered into a particular field of the GUI.
In order to expedite the processing of a call, a respective control message packet is transmitted to the VMSAR mechanism immediately in response to a desired interaction of the call handler with a GUI control object. In a typical case, the control object of interest would be an empty information field, so that the VMSAR mechanism would be immediately triggered to generate the voice message associated with that field. However, the field of interest may already contain alpha-numeric text, such as may be obtained from calling ID capability of the telecommunication service provider, that has allowed the call handler application program to have already preliminarily entered text information in one or more fields prior to the call handler beginning a dialogue with the calling party. In this case, the call handler may simply confirm the accuracy of the filled-in information with the party. It will then be up to the call handler to either speak to the party, or interactively advance the cursor, for example, to the next empty field, which raises an event that triggers an associated voice message playback from the VMSAR mechanism.
In addition to triggering the playback of a prescribed voice message by the VMSAR mechanism, the '920 invention may also cause the words of that voice message to be displayed in a preselected dialogue/text box within the GUI, to confirm to the call handler that the intended message has been played back to the caller. A visual indication of the state of a control object may also be supplied, by means of a label, such a solid color region, placed immediately adjacent to the control object, to indicate the presence of an associated voice message. When the VMSAR mechanism is triggered, the background (e.g., color) of the label is changed, to indicate that the message has been played back. The label may then act as a button to be selectively triggered by the call handler.

Automated business form information aquisition system


An adjustable support leg is disclosed having an elongated outer member having a pair of elongated parallel walls separated by a space, the elongated outer member having a bottom end and an open top end. An elongated inner member is contained within the outer member. A series of horizontal slots are formed on each of the parallel walls. The inner member has upper and lower cam members. The cam members each consist of a flat member having first and second pairs of opposite sides. The first opposite sides project outwardly so as to engage the slots when the elongated inner member is rotated into a first position. The second opposite sides are configured to clear the elongated parallel walls such that the cams do not engage the slots when the elongated inner member is rotated out of the first position.

There are many circumstances where an existing working surface or a storage unit is required to be positioned at a specific height, in accordance to the practical use, esthetical preference or the ergonomic considerations. There are also multiple solutions already in use for such requirements. The majority of the current solutions utilize a system of tubes of the same shape and various dimensions, allowing one to slide inside the other and being typically secured in the desired position with a metal pin protruding through pre-drilled holes in both tubes.
The existing solutions are limited in terms of design options and require more interdependent components to interact in the process of height adjustment. They also present alignment challenges and typically require multiple people or complicated lifting devices to perform the adjustment operation.
The present invention provides an elegant solution that minimizes the number of moveable components (only two), creates an esthetically pleasing assembly and makes the adjustment extremely easy (no additional tools required) and user friendly (very intuitive).


The disclosed technology includes tiered void cells which provide protection, comfort, and stability during compression. The tiered void cells may be arranged in vertically stacked columns and include a stroke whereby tiers of a void cell can telescope into adjacent tiers of that void cell, as well as telescope into adjacent tiers of adjacent void cells in a column. Implementations described and claimed herein include a cushioning system comprising an array of tiered void cells, wherein each tiered void cell includes a base portion, a plunger portion, the plunger portion to collapse into the base portion under compression of the cushioning system, and a living hinge elastically connecting an inner perimeter of the base portion to an outer perimeter of the plunger portion.

Cushioning systems are used in a wide variety of applications including comfort and impact protection of the human body. A cushioning system can be placed under a portion of the body and provides protection, comfort and stability. For example, a pocketed spring mattress contains an array of close-coupled metal springs that cushion the body from a bed frame. Similarly, footwear, chairs, couches, etc. may each include a cushioning system that provides a barrier between a portion of the body and one or more objects.
A variety of structures are used for cushioning systems. For example, an array of close-coupled, closed-cell air and/or water chambers often constitutes air and water mattresses. An array of close-coupled, helical, metallic springs often constitutes a conventional mattress. Further examples include open or closed cell foam and elastomeric honeycomb structures.


The present invention discloses an electrode structure of a light emitted diode and manufacturing method of the electrodes. After formed a pn junction of a light emitted diode on a substrate, a layer of SiO2 is deposited on the periphery of the die of the LED near the scribe line of the wafer, then a transparent conductive layer is deposited blanketly, then a layer of gold or AuGe etc. is formed with an opening on the center of the die. After forming alloy with the semiconductor by heat treatment to form ohmic contact, a strip of aluminum (Al) is formed on one side of the die on the front side for wire bonding and to be the positive electrode of the LED. The negative electrode is formed on the substrate by metal contact. Another form of the electrode structure of the present invention is making both the positive and negative electrodes on the front side of the LED by etching the p-type semiconductor of the pn junction and forming a strip of negative electrode on the n-type semiconductor, the positive electrode is formed on the p-type semiconductor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device manufacturing method and more particularly, to a method for wet etching of high k thin film at low temperature.
2. Description of Relative Prior Art
The recent development of semiconductor such as CMOS logic device or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), is preferable to increase the integration, increase the capacity, decrease the driving voltage etc., to meet the requirement of high speed, less delay. The design rule is more and more quickly reduced. It is a result that the thickness of the gate oxide is decreasing and approaching 60A or less. The fabrication process is more difficult to control. In a capacitor of a DRAM, a silicon dioxide insulator or an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) can not satisfy the need of the memory charge capacity, it is a trend that high dielectric film is used as the insulating film of a capacitor to replace the silicon dioxide or ONO. Recently, as the design rule approach 0.18 μm, there are lots of gate dielectric material can be used. The main requirement is: high dielectric, low leakage current, easy to etch and less contamination to the active area, etc. The most preferred material is Hafhium oxide (HfO2) or Zirconium oxide (ZrO2). Although they have an idea dielectric constant of 15-25, and more stable that they do not diffuse into the silicon active area, and the leakage current is less, but it is not easy to be etched. The experiment data is shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1ChemicalEtch rate of HfO2 (A/min)Pure HClO40.3Pure H2SO4(at 160° C.)1.25-5.25Pure H3PO4(at 80° C.)0BOE20Pure (COOH)20-2Pure HCl  0-0.9Pure HBr2.5-10 Pure HI0Pure HF101Pure H2O20TMAH0.4
From Table 1, we know that etching with Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) need to heat up to 160° C. and the etch rate is only 5A/min, the others like Phosphoric acid (H3PO4), acitic acid (COOH)2, Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Hydro Bromide acid (HBr), Hydro iodine acid (HI), and pure HClO4, has etch rate near zero. Although BOE and HF has etch rate of 20A/min and 100A/min respectively, but cannot be used since they also etch silicon dioxide. Poor selectivity of dry etching causes leakage current, which due to defects on the surface of the source/drain. So it needs to develop a new technique to replace wet etching by hot sulfuric acid and dry etching techniques.
FIG. 1 shows the cross section view before etching the gate dielectric of a CMOS device using Hafnium oxide (HfO2) as the gate dielectric. Isolation 4 is formed on a silicon wafer 1 by LOGOS or STI, then using lithography and ion implantation to form a p-well 2 and n-well 3, after deposited Hafnium oxide film 5, poly-Si 6 and tungsten silicide or other silicide 7 formed a gate 9, the Hafnium oxide is now using as the etch stop. Then by using lithography and ion implantation to form a lightly doped n− source/drain area 10 and p− source/drain area 11. Refer to FIG. 2, by using lithography and ion implantation technique to form heavily doped n+ and p+ source/drain 12,13, thus form a LDD structure. Now the hafnium oxide has not etched away and is used as the buffer layer of ion implantation to prevent defects form on the surface of silicon. Finally, by using dry etching to remove the hafhium oxide above the source/drain area. The un-doped silicon glass (USG) and the silicon above the source/drain may form defects 14 since the selectivity is not high enough. After the process is completed the leakage current of the device will increase. The same reason is applied to the etching of the dielectric film of a DRAM, it may hurt the lower electrode and inter-metal-dielectric (IMD). Alternatively, if we use wet etching by hot sulfuric acid, the selectivity is good, but the etch rate is very low and need high temperature endurable equipments. It is preferred to develop a wet etch method at low temperature to improve the yield of production.

Method for wet etching of high k thin film at low temperature

Grand Plastic Technology Corporation Taiwan


A winch having a brushless DC motor, the brushless DC motor having a fixed, non-rotating shaft and a rotating housing; and a rotating drum mounted to the rotating housing, wherein the rotating housing is fully encased within the rotating drum.

This invention relates generally to the field of motorized winding or reeling drums, usually referred to as winches, and more particularly relates to such winches that utilize DC motors as the power source. Even more particularly the invention relates to such winches wherein the DC motor is a brushless motor.
Powered winches for winding, spooling, retrieving or the like are well known devices, the winches commonly comprising a motor means rotating a shaft on which a drum or spool is mounted. For use where AC electrical power is not available, it is known to provide battery powered DC motors to drive the winch. DC powered motors may be classified as brush or brushless. In a brush motor, a spinning armature, the rotor, is mounted between permanent magnets, the stator. The armature contains an electromagnet which creates a magnetic field when electrical current is provided. The magnetic field attracts and repels the permanent magnets of the stator. In order to keep the rotor spinning, the poles of the electromagnet must be changed. This is accomplished by providing brushes which make contact with two spinning electrodes attached to the armature. Drawbacks to a brush DC motor are that the brushes wear out, sparking and electrical noise can result when the connections are made and broken, the brushes limit the maximum speed of the rotor, positioning the electromagnet in the center of the motor makes it harder to cool, and the number of poles available for the rotor are limited.
Because of these shortcomings, brushless DC motors have been developed that utilize relatively inexpensive computers and power transistors in place of the brush structure. In a brushless motor, the permanent magnets are mounted on the rotor and the electromagnets are positioned on the stator. In an in-runner brushless DC motor, the permanent magnets are mounted on a rotating shaft and the electromagnets are mounted in the housing. In an out-runner brushless DC motor, the permanent magnets are mounted on a rotating can or housing and the electromagnets are mounted on a fixed shaft. The rotor is kept spinning by alternating the polarity of the electromagnets. Advantages of a brushless motor include more precise speed control and more efficiency because of the computer control, there is no sparking and less electrical noise, there are no brushes to wear out, and the design allows for a large number of electromagnets on the stator.
Winches, especially portable winches, are often used in non-ideal conditions where dirt, debris, water or similar contaminants can cause damage to the motor. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a winch powered by an out-runner brushless DC motor, wherein the motor is fully encased within the winch drum and wherein the shaft is fixed and the drum is mounted to the rotating housing. In this manner appropriate seals and bushings prevent ingress of contaminants into the motor.

Winch with drum-encased brushless DC motor


An automatic train operation device includes: a step command start position determining unit to determine whether a train passes through a step command start position that is a position a certain distance before a target stop position of the train; a deceleration command generating unit to generate a deceleration command to control braking force of a braking device in a section from the step command start position that the train passes through to the target stop position at which the train stops; and a travel history storage unit to store travel state information and the deceleration command for the section as a plurality of travel histories. When the step command start position is determined by the step command start position determining unit, the deceleration command generating unit generates the deceleration command by using the travel histories.

Conventional automatic train operation devices detect the current train velocity with a velocity generator for detecting a train wheel's rotational velocity and then calculate the train's current position by integrating the train velocity. Controlling a train such that it automatically stops at a target stop position is called fixed position stop control. A conventional automatic train operation device generates a target velocity pattern that enables stopping at the target stop position with a target deceleration on the basis of the remaining travel distance to the target stop position calculated by using the current train position and the current train velocity. The conventional automatic train operation device then outputs a drive control command and a braking control command, which are discrete command values, in order to cause the current train velocity to follow the target velocity pattern. The drive control command and braking control command are referred to as notch commands. A conventional automatic train operation device adjusts the braking control command on the basis of evaluation items, for example, stopping accuracy at the target stop position, ride comfort during the stop control, and punctuality until the train stops. However, a conventional automatic train operation device has a disadvantage in that, when the ability to follow the target velocity pattern is enhanced to ensure stopping accuracy and punctuality, the number of switchings of the notch command increases, which deteriorates the ride comfort.
Patent Literature 1 proposes a method for stopping at a fixed position that ensures stopping accuracy while inhibiting the number of notch switchings to no more than necessary by using fuzzy control to determine whether to switch the notch command.