The present invention provides an unique improvement in foot cushioning constructs and shock absorbing systems for a constructed article of footwear to be worn by a person. The invention employs a deformable and re-formable elastic stretchsole joined as a planar sheet to the perimeter edge of the shoe upper and forms an elastic end closure for the shoe upper; and includes not less than one pre-positioned median cavity able to receive at least a part of the deformed elastic stretchsole layer and cushion the compression forces generated thereon by a person's foot. The foot cushioning construct and system provides a trampoline effect that will lessen the impact on the foot and create greater comfort for the wearer of the shoe.

A conventional shoe made today typically has three major components, as follows.
(1) The upper: This component entity is an assembly which holds and conforms to the shape of the person's foot. The traditional purpose of the shoe upper is to fit the foot properly, comfortably, and snuggly. Ideally, this upper portion of the shoe will also be aesthetically pleasing, be comfortable, and be highly durable.
(2) The Outsole: This component entity is the lower exterior and bottom component of the shoe; and is typically joined to the exterior surface of the shoe upper directly using adhesives or other bonding techniques. The outsole typically is constructed of a durable material or combination of different materials such as rubber or rubber derivatives, and whose purpose is to provide both traction and exterior protection for the wearer's foot.
(3) The insole: This component entity, sometimes referred to as a "sock liner", is a layer of material inserted into the interior of the upper shoe assembly; is visible to the naked eye when viewing the interior of the footwear; and typically is the exposed surface and material layer upon which the person's foot is physically placed. The purpose and function of the insole is to provide an additional layer of shock absorbing material directly under the foot within the upper and/or to provide some arch support for the foot while wearing the shoe.
In addition, certain shoes, such as athletic shoes, are considered to contain a "midsole." Although technically a modified portion of the outsole, this portion is commonly considered as though it were a separate component located above the outsole and below the upper of the shoe. The midsole is normally constructed from such materials as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyurethane (PU). Its primary function is to create a resilient and shock-absorbing layer to the footwear.
Shoes are typically constructed on a "last," which is a solid form, usually made of plastic, over which the shoe upper is made. It is the last that determines the size, shape and certain style features of the shoe. The last is removed from the finished shoe prior to packing and then is re-used repeatedly in the construction of another shoe as part of the manufacturing process.
Within the footwear industry, it has long been recognized that a primary purpose and function of a shoe is to protect and support the human foot while the person performs his normal activities. Also, the increasing popularity of athletic sports, be it on a competitive or exercise level, has been accompanied by an ever-increasing number of new shoe designs and constructions that are intended to meet the needs of the individual when performing in the these events. Thus, a shoe such as an athletic shoe typically includes an outer sole to provide traction and foot protection; a midsole to provide cushioning; a shoe upper that is stitched or glued to the periphery of the outer sole and an insole to provide additional cushioning and support. The upper is intended to hold the foot of the wearer to the substance of the outer sole in order to provide a tight and comfortable fit and to prevent any sliding of the foot within the shoe interior.
The recent increase in shoe designs and modes of construction has particular value for persons involved in athletic endeavors, as well as for those engaging merely in walking and running for health and exercise purposes. Typically, it is understood within the footwear industry that when a person walks or runs one foot is on the ground in a "stance mode" while the other foot is moving through the air in a "swing mode". Equally important, when in the stance mode, the person's foot recognizably moves through three successive movement phases when touching the ground. These movement phases are: the heel strike, the mid stance, and the toe off. Thus even in the stance mode, devices for cushioning should protect the human foot and shock absorption in order to control the compression forces generated by the person's foot upon the shoe.
The concept of providing cushioning and shock absorption for the foot is well known and often used, particularly within athletic footwear, to decrease the intense and repetitious impact which occurs during short time intervals in these activities. In addition, however, it is recognized also that foot cushioning systems can and often are beneficially incorporated into other types of footwear articles, including dress shoes, boots, sandals, as well as for athletic shoes, to provide better foot protection.
A wide variety of devices have been created in the footwear industry either to cushion the foot and/or to absorb the shock of the foot striking the ground. One early approach for impact absorption utilized blocks of compressible padding material; and many kinds of footwear have been constructed using cotton padding, horse hair padding, rubber, plastic foam, and the like as cushions. Within these designs, the inherent resilience of the compressible padding material is utilized to absorb and disperse the impact of the foot striking the ground. These compressible padding materials, however, present multiple problems. First, these materials are relatively inefficient in their ability to absorb shock and cushion the foot. Second, the materials typically become compacted after repeated use and often lose their cushioning properties. Third, with severe foot impact uses, these designs allow a full compression of the material and "bottom out" quickly, thereby transmitting the severe impact forces to the wearer's foot and body. In addition, when made thicker to avoid this third problem, these materials often become unstable, can become cumbersome and heavy, and typically interfere with the foot in performance of the exercise or physical routine.
More recently, manufacturers of athletic and running shoes have added other kinds of materials to cushion the person's foot when standing, walking, or running. Initially, foam of varying chemical composition was added to the shoe for cushioning and shock absorption purposes. Subsequently, shoe manufacturers developed other alternatives to foam-based cushioning systems because it was recognized that foam became permanently compressed with repeated use and thus ceased to perform the cushioning function. Other alternative designs for shock absorption and foot cushioning were also utilized with varying degrees of success. These included the use of compressed gas as the means to cushion the wearer's foot; the use of polyurethane elastomers as the cushioning material; a construction design having multiple layers of air cushioning; and the use of thermoplastic hollow tubes encapsulating a fluid or gas such as a freon.
Still other attempts to cushion the foot housed within a shoe are illustrated by the following: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,070,629 and 5,561,920 describing an energy return system using a rigid frame construction and torsional rigidity bar in the mid foot area which provides cushioning and stability; U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,714 which describes the use of a plurality of elastic strips running at an angle across the shoe from one side to the other as a resilient return portion for shock absorption; U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,010 which discloses a shock absorbing cushioning device comprised of a compressible insert encapsulated within an elastomeric barrier member positioned within the outsole; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,195,915 and 6,330,757 which describe an outsole which is operative to store and release energy resulting from compression forces generated by the person's weight and is intended to be joined to standard footwear uppers.
The flaw in all of these conventionally available technologies and footwear designs is that each of these modifications concern themselves solely with the conventional outsole of the shoe to compress more efficiently; but none of these design modifications allow the upper of the shoe to assist in either a deceleration of the compression forces and shock upon the foot or in a cushioning the foot itself. Instead, all of the conventional footwear designs are structured and manufactured to hold the person's foot in a static position while the outsole, and possibly the midsole, of the shoe contorts to lessen the impact shock. Thus, the conventional footwear constructions are dedicated completely to materials and designs intended for compression within the outsole/midsole of the shoe; and none of the conventional footwear constructions allow the person's foot to either move or decelerate within the upper of the shoe in order to cushion the foot and to absorb the impact shock.

Foot cushioning construct and system for use in an article of footwear


Sensor and Measurement Method A turbidity sensor and method of measuring turbidity is provided. The turbidity sensor (100) comprises first and second optical detectors for detecting a respective optical response of each optical signal. The first optical detector (20) may be arranged in direct view of the emitter (10) and the second optical detector (30) may be arranged in indirect view of the emitter (10). The two detectors collect light emitted from the emitter (10) when directed through a fluid sample during two optical tests run in very close succession. Firstly, a control sample is illuminated to determine a calibration factor for the control sample with known turbidity. Then, the calibration factor is used to determine the turbidity of a fluid sample with unknown turbidity. Advantageously, background radiation during the data collection process is ignored because the transient behaviour during each optical test is negligible. The approach is more convenient over known turbidity sensors and measurement methods, particularly in light of the calibration step.

Turbidity is commonly used as a measure of water quality and gives an indication of how clean water is. It is commonly measured by illuminating a sample with a light source and measuring the response through the sample by a turbidity sensor. The turbidity sensor measures the amount of light scatter in the sample by the particles within the sample. Although a high particle concentration generally results in a high scattered signal, high particle concentrations can also give lower scattered signals once absorption becomes dominant and the light is attenuated.
When a turbidity measurement is made, the signal produced by the detector is composed of two components; the signal due to the scattered light through the sample and the signal due to the background light. Therefore, traditionally any background light must be subtracted from the total measured signal in order to isolate the actual output from the light source. When measurements are conducted in an uncontrolled environment, the background radiation will vary over time which means that traditionally the background radiation must be subtracted each time a measurement is taken. This is time consuming and laborious. Variations in background light will cause the result of the measurement to change, thus changing the apparent turbidity of a sample. At low levels, the background light can form a significant part of the total measured signal. The effect of background variation becomes even more significant if there is a difference between the background light when a calibration is made to when the measurement is made. The need to account for background radiation is inconvenient and is one of the reasons that makes calibration of instruments for turbidity measurements difficult. Furthermore, many calibration procedures require a measurement to be made with a calibration sample that is as close to 0 NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit, the unit of measurement of turbidity) as possible (pure water is around 0.018 NTU). However, such a sample is difficult to obtain and the measurement of such a sample will still be significantly affected by the background light levels.
It is therefore desirable to provide a turbidity sensor and method of measuring turbidity that removes the need to account for background radiation. Therefore an alternative solution to accurately collecting turbidity measurements is desired. A more convenient solution that provides a high level of performance is advantageous in order to achieve an accurate and fast acquisition of data collection. Ultimately, the aim is to provide a better turbidity sensor and method that is more user-friendly in order to overcome the disadvantages and drawbacks associated with conventional turbidity sensors.

Turbidity sensor and method for measuring turbidity


A method and apparatus for controlling the data transfer rates of data sources in an asynchronous transfer mode-based network utilizing intelligent marking to identify those data sources with a data transfer rate exceeding a marking threshold and to direct those thus-identified data sources to reduce their data transfer rates, and to identify those data sources with a data transfer rate lower than a marking threshold and to direct those thus-identified data sources to increase their data transfer rates when the maximum data transfer rate at a communications switch exceeds a first threshold When the maximum data transfer rate at the communications switch exceeds a second thresholds directing all data sources to reduce their data transfer rates. The first and the second thresholds are based on a congestion indicator of available bit rate traffic stored in a buffer in the communications switch. The marking threshold equals a first function of at least a communications switch maximum data transfer rate multiplied by a second function of at least a first congestion indicator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling data transfer rates of data sources by guaranteeing that a marking threshold is a good estimate of the fair share of the available bandwidth to which data transfer rates are supposed to converge, in order to provide available bit rate service in asynchronous transfer mode networks.
2. Description of Related Art
A service category, called available bit rate (ABR), has recently been introduced in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks to support applications that cannot be addressed efficiently by existing constant bit rate (CBR), variable bit rate (VBR), and unspecified bit rate (UBR) services. The introduction of ABR services has been motivated by the need for supporting traffic generated by highly-bursty data applications, where data packets are segmented into ATM cells. Most of these applications cannot predict their own traffic parameters, but have well-defined cell loss requirements, in order to avoid throughput collapse due to packet retransmission For these applications, a static allocation of resources at call setup time, as is used in CBR and VBR, would either be wasteful or inadequate. In ABR, only lower and upper bounds on the bandwidth of a connection are specified at call setup, and the ABR service guarantees a cell loss rate only to those connections whose source dynamically adapts its traffic in accordance with feedback received from the network. One issue with this service is to ensure fairness among the connections
The definition of the congestion control scheme used to generate feedback information from the network to dynamically regulate the cell generation process of each virtual connection (VC) relies on the use of special control cells called resource management (RM) cells, which are used to convey control information to the end points. Each data source regularly sends forward RM cells every NRM (where NRM is the number of data cells corresponding to the RM cell, e.g. 32) data cells. When the destination receives forward RM cells, it returns the RM cell to the data source as a backward RM cell. The switches in the network can also directly generate backward RM cells to communicate congestion to the source. The RM cell contains data transfer information that instructs the source to either increase or decrease its rate. In particular, RM cells contain a bit called a congestion indication (CI) bit, which is used to have a source increase or decrease its rate by some predefined amount, and a field, called the ER field, to carry a 16-bit floating-point number representing the explicit rate, which is an upper bound on the rate that a connection is allowed to transmit. The RM cells also contain a field, called the current cell rate (CCR) field, which is set by the source to its current allowed cell rate (ACR) when it generates a forward RM cell.
Each switch in the network that receives ATM traffic, controls congestion by implementing at least one of three methods: 1) EFCI marking, where the switch only marks a control bit in the data cells to indicate congestion, and relies on the destinations to convey information back to the sources by properly marking RM cells; 2) relative rate (RR) marking, where the switch uses RM cells to provide binary feedback on its state of congestion to each source; or 3) explicit rate (ER) marking, where the switch uses RM cells to explicitly provide the allowed rate to each source.
Many methods that can be implemented at the switches to control the data rates of the connections have been devised. Such existing methods, however, either do not perform satisfactorily, or have high implementation complexity Thus, a method and apparatus that achieves good performance by guaranteeing fairness and control on the buffer size and is simple to implement is desired.

Method and apparatus for controlling data transfer rates using marking threshold in asynchronous transfer mode networks


A hanger and support system for suspending a tubular body from an overhead support is disclosed. The support takes the form of a thick-walled plastic pipe, suitably PVC, with two end caps adhesively joined thereto. An upper end cap is secured to an anchor in the overhead support by means of a bolt extending through a hole in the closed cap end and is adhesively joined to a pipe end. A second end cap at the other pipe end likewise is provided with a downwardly extending bolt arranged for attachment to a hanger and that second end cap is adhesively joined to the lower pipe end. The hanger is in the form of a generally circular band having overlapping superposed ends with a hole drilled therethrough for attachment to the downwardly extending bolt.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to improvements in pipe support and hanger systems of the kind used to support liquid lines, electrical conduits and similar duct work in buildings and industrial installations.
More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in pipe support and hanger systems which have special advantage for use in corrosive environments.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pipe support and hanger systems of the prior art typically comprise a support means attached at its upper end to an overhead beam or other structural member and fixed at its lower end to a band or hanger which cradles a pipe, duct or conduit. In most instances, it is desirable and often necessary that the support means be of adjustable length in order to accommodate different elevations of overhead support structures and to allow for the provision of a flow gradient to a supported pipe.
The support means employed by typical prior art pipe hanger systems comprises a rod member which may be exteriorly threaded at each end as is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,935 to Rumble or it may comprise a similar rod exteriorly threaded over its entire length as shown by the Breeden et al patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,115. As is shown by the Rumble patent, the band or hanger which attaches to the lower end of the rod member can take the form of an elongated metal band bent into a generally oval shape with the ends thereof configured to register with the thread pattern of the support rod and to be held in engagement therewith by a ferrule adapted to wedge downwardly over the ends of the band. Another type of pipe hanger comprises a single loop of wire having legs extending from a bight portion of the loop with each leg configured to engage the other leg and to attach to a support rod as is shown by the Breeden et al patent. Another form of pipe hanger is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,600 to Perjes. That hanger comprises a metal strip bent over at its extremities with a buckle arranged to receive the end of a threaded rod and the bent over ends of the metal strip. The end of the threaded rod is inserted through the buckle and is secured thereto by means of a nut which compresses the strip ends between the nut and the buckle. Yet another form of pipe hanger is shown in the Katis patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,778. Katis describes a pipe hanger including a metal strip having enlarged apertured ends bent so as to be in a parallel relationship with the apertures superimposed. A cylindrical flange member is threaded onto a support rod and the apertured hanger ends are fixed onto the rod against the lower flange end by means of a nut threaded onto the support rod.
In some instances, pipe support and hanger systems are placed in wet and otherwise corrosive environments, particularly in industrial and residential construction at coastal sites where the hanger system may be exposed to salt spray. Metal support rods and pipe hangers corrode rapidly in such environments requiring costly maintenance and frequent replacement. It has been proposed to provide pipe support and hanger systems fabricated entirely of plastic materials which are, by nature, corrosion resistant. One such system is described in the Albro patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,206. the system shown in that patent includes a support rod or tube fabricated of a plastic material and being helically threaded over its entire length. The pipe hanger itself includes a split cradle within which a pipe is held and to which is attached an end of the threaded support rod. The end portions of the cradle are formed as a pair of semi-conical, truncated bosses having sloping exterior surfaces and axially threaded interior surfaces matching the threading of the support rod. The boss portions of the split cradle are secured to the support rod by means of a keeper member which wedges onto the sloping exterior boss surfaces thus maintaining the inner boss surfaces in mating threaded relationship with the support rod. Another pipe hanger system comprising a plastic rod and ring combination is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,273,837.
There have also been attempts to produce corrosion resistant pipe hanger systems by substituting plastic materials, typically glass fiber reinforced resins, for the metal components of the traditional pipe support and hanger systems. Such substituted materials have so far proven to be structurally inferior and far more costly than the metal systems which they replace.
It can be appreciated that a pipe support and hanger system combining the structural strength and rigidity of a metal system while providing resistance to corrosive environments would provide substantial advantage in the art.

Pipe support and hanger system and method of making


A wafer-like alert unit is disclosed which is affixed to a body surface in a private and discrete manner and provides a private or silent stimulus such as a vibrational signal to the user at selected time intervals to remind the user to flex adjacent muscle groups or to perform isometric exercise. The alert unit is designed to be worn imperceptibly to the public and provide a private and discrete way to maintain an exercise regimen without any wires or bulky control boxes. The alert unit is mounted directly to the body using adhesive or alternatively fitted in a self-adhesive pouch or pocket which is then secured to the body. The alert unit may also be inserted into a fabric pouch that is sewn into an undergarment which is then worn in the normal manner. The alert unit includes a power source such as a battery, a motor which creates a vibrational signal, a power switch, a timer, and means for inputting variable interval settings to allow the user to tailor his or her exercise regimen as needed. At selected time intervals the alert unit sends a vibrational signal to the adjacent body surface, which reminds the user to flex the muscles for a given number of repetitions. Several alert units can be combined into a system in which different body surface are exercised at different intervals or different times.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to physical fitness training, and specifically to a device or plurality of independent devices affixed to selected body parts for privately and discretely signaling to a user at predetermined intervals to flex or contract the muscles at the selected body part for the purposes of improving or maintaining muscle tone and strength.
2. Description of Related Art
One's physical fitness and appearance are of great concern to most of the population. A person's physical appearance influences the style of clothing one wears, one's physical activities, affects one's confidence and mental outlook. To improve one's physical appearance through weight loss, many turn to exercise. Often a person's appearance and the desire to improve one's physical strength or stamina can be to some a source of embarrassment or modesty, and those who are embarrassed may forego exercising rather than exercise in public. This is one reason for the proliferation of home exercise machines, that is, the idea that one can exercise in one's home without being subjected to the view of others.
It has been shown that one way to improve one's fitness and physical appearance is through a consistent exercise regimen along with a proper diet. While most people can maintain a new diet program without significant disruption of their daily routine it is very difficult to initiate or maintain an exercise regimen without significantly rearranging one's daily schedule. One must also have the discipline to execute and maintain a fitness regimen, which for most people is difficult. For this reason, many people quit most exercise programs before they have a chance to be effective or have difficulty finding or making the time to exercise regularly. Without some consistent form of exercise, one can suffer from weak or lack of overall body muscle tone and strength. Other factors such as age, stress, improper posture, pregnancy, childbirth, disability or simply a sedentary lifestyle usually contribute to less than desirable body muscle tone. Poor muscle strength can inhibit one from beginning a fitness regimen. Furthermore, a lower body ratio of muscle-to-fat can slow the body's metabolism and reduce its aptitude for burning excess fat. Conversely, a higher ratio of muscle-to-fat can increase the body's ability to burn excess fat and provide more energy for exercising. Therefore, there are many benefits to exercise.
One way to improve or maintain muscle tone and thereby improve one's appearance and aptitude for physical fitness is through muscle strengthening exercises and weight training. Typically, one must set aside time for this form of exercise in sessions of twenty to forty minutes two or three times per week in order to achieve results. Additionally, one must usually use special equipment such as machines or weights specifically designed for this purpose. Hence, one is again faced with the problem of rearranging one's schedule in order to maintain a regimen. Another less strenuous way to improve or maintain muscle tone is through muscle contraction and flexing exercises, also known as isometric or isotonic exercises. Isometric exercises using one's own body for resistance has proven to be very effective. Isometric exercise and muscle flexing also has the added benefit in that one can perform this activity while at work, school, or while traveling without disrupting one's ordinary schedule. Repeated contraction and flexion of varied and multiple muscle groups several times throughout the day, all day, can significantly increase the body's overall muscle tone and improve the elasticity of the muscles and skin, particularly for muscle groupS that are typical problem areas for most people such as shoulders, back, abdomen, and buttocks. This activity can be done without the notice of others, and therefore provides an advantageously discreet method for improving one's appearance and aptitude for fitness.
The difficulty in maintaining a consistent flexing schedule is that people become preoccupied with events and occurrences that make-up each day, and most people do not have the focus or memory to maintain regimen throughout the day. Telephone calls, meetings, various interruptions, and so on prevent a person from keeping a regular flexing schedule throughout the day. Moreover, people simply tend to forget to perform the flexing exercises, and after a while the program is relinquished.
There also exists a need for muscle flexion and exercise by patients recovering from injury or surgery. Often times a physician will recommend to his patient in a cast or otherwise immobilized that various extremities require flexing so that the muscles do not atrophy. This admonition is usually ignored or not heeded because the patient forgets to exercise the muscles throughout the day. Some patients employ expensive physical therapists to ensure that the muscle groups in question are exercised at regular intervals throughout the recovery period.
What the art needs is a device which will privately and unobtrusively signal a person to flex particular muscle groups at pre-selected intervals during the day, every day. A consistent signal would also serve to establish a "habit" of flexing.
Some have proposed alerts which can serve some of the objects of the present invention, although there are still serious drawbacks to the devices of the art. Most notably, Zigenfus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,921 proposes a control unit which secures to a user's belt, and includes leads which attach to the stomach area. Signals are sent from the control unit to the leads to remind the user to flex the stomach muscles. The disadvantages of the Zigenfus reference include the requirement of a control device which is bulky and cannot be concealed easily, thereby removing an element of privacy from the user. Others would likely be aware that the user was wearing the device, which would discourage many people from using it. Also, the Zigenfus device, because of its structural arrangement, is limited to one muscle group per wire set. Use of more than two wires as shown would not be practical since it would lead to problems such as tangling, bulkiness, discomfort, and less privacy. Additional wires would also affect one's choice of apparel in order to conceal the wires from a casual observer. Moreover, location of the alerts on the body is limited in the Zigenfus device. The practical application of the device is limited to regions adjacent the control unit, such as the stomach or pelvic regions because of the length of wire necessary to reach other areas. As a result, other important muscle groups such as the calves, arms, neck, and so forth cannot be "alerted" discretely by the Zigenfus device.
The prior art lacks a device and system for discretely, privately, and periodically signaling a user to flex a muscle group and which does not suffer from the drawbacks identified above.

Private alert system for muscle flexing regimen


A method for direct electrical detection of proteins, peptides and the like, and their interactions includes an electrode arrangement, a current/voltage provider, and a circuit analyzer. The electrode arrangement has an interdigitated electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. Coupled to the electrode arrangement is a signal generator adapted to provide a signal (e.g., an alternating current or voltage) having a selected range of frequencies. The analyzer is coupled to the electrode arrangement and is operative to analyze an electrical parameter of the circuit as the signal is applied. An analytic method includes measuring changes in one or more parameters of the circuit over the range of frequencies. By such measurement, the device can determine whether a target moiety has been bound by a probe attached to the electrode(s). The device can also specifically identify the intermolecular system detected, i.e., by “fingerprinting” the electrical response of each molecule or intermolecular complex.

The present invention is related to the field of bioelectrical circuit analyzers, and more specifically to bioelectrical circuit analyzers capable of identifying and categorizing various biomolecules and biomolecular complexes by electrical parameter analysis thereof.
Detection of antigens such as viruses and bacteria is critical for medical diagnoses. Currently, the commonly used methods for immunological tests include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). However, these multi-step techniques tend to be tedious and expensive. Hence, there is considerable effort directed towards development of microsensors, in particular immunosensors that can allow quick and precise detection of molecules.
Identification of biomolecular complexes also is advantageous in research, e.g. pharmaceutical research and development. As one example, a gene regulatory protein can be identified by its ability to bind to a specific deoxyribonucleic acid sequence. Current methods for detecting such complexes include radiometric, fluorometric and chromogenic assays. Such assays provide only a binary yes-no answer and cannot provide more advanced data, such as differentiation among different binding species.
Electrical detection methods have been based on potentiometric, piezoelectric, and capacitive systems. Potentiometric systems measure the variation in the surface potential of an electrode or change in drain current of a transistor. These measurements tend to be non-specific. Piezoelectric systems measure the change in the mass of molecules bound to a quartz surface, but suffer from instabilities and problems with calibration.
Capacitive measurements have been used for detection of DNA and cell structures, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,630 (Eggers et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,394 (Frazier et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,708 (Hollis et al.). In these studies, the substrates have consisted of Si/SiO2 or metal electrodes coated with insulating material. These approaches further have focused on determination of a unique "resonance frequency" for a given molecule or complex.
Capacitive detection of antibodies and antigens bound to a sensor surface has been reported. However, these electrical detection approaches have employed only a fixed frequency to detect relative changes in the dielectric constant due to binding to the sensor surface.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Method for direct electrical detection of molecules and molecule-molecule interactions


Floats including a central chamber, a peripheral chamber, and a ballast matter. The peripheral chamber is radially spaced from the central chamber proximate a radial periphery of the float in a substantially common plane with the central chamber. The ballast matter is disposed in either the central chamber or the peripheral chamber. The float is buoyant and configured to float on an external liquid surface in a substantially horizontal plane. The ballast matter operates to maintain the center of gravity of the float proximate to the geometric center of the float when the float tilts relative to the horizontal plane.

The present disclosure relates generally to floating barriers, also known as floats. In particular, floats with leveling ballast matter chambers are described.
Known floats are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing floats are prone to tilting and flipping over when subject to environmental factors like wind or waves. In addition, conventional floats can become stuck in a vertical orientation after being tilted by wind or waves. Floats designed to be horizontally oriented cover less area and are less effective as a barrier when they are stuck in a vertical orientation.
The limitations of conventional floats discussed above often result from ballast matter within the float being free to move within the floats and shifting the center of gravity to the periphery of the float. The unconstrained movement of ballast matter within the float often leads to the ballast matter collecting on one side of the float and shifting the center of gravity to one side of the float. The weight of matter collecting on one side of a float encourages the float to tilt downwards on the side where the matter has collected and to tilt upwards on the side the matter has vacated. The weight of the matter collected on one side of the float after it tilts can cause the float to become relatively stable in the tilted or vertical orientation.
Thus, there exists a need for floats that improve upon and advance the design of known floats. Examples of new and useful floats relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing needs is provided in the detailed description below. Examples of references relevant to floats include U.S. Patent References: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,299,846, 4,155,323, 4,270,232, 6,571,789, 8,099,804, and 8,342,352; and patent application publications 20080000903, 20020086605, 20150059079. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Floats with leveling ballast matter chambers


The continuous oven for baking planar works according to the present invention comprises an oven main body, a work lifting unit for conveying works upward inside the oven main body in a sequential manner; a work lowering unit for conveying works downward inside the oven main body in a sequential manner; whereby the works are baked while being conveyed by the work lifting and lowering units in a substantially vertical direction. Thus, the works are conveyed vertically most of the time during the stay in the oven, and the floor space area necessary for the installation of the continuous oven can be therefore minimized. In particular, by arranging the works one over the other, typically in a mutually spaced relationship, in the work lifting and lowering units, it is possible to minimize the dead space inside the oven. Also, by avoiding the profile of the oven from becoming elongated in any particular direction, it is possible to reduce the surface area of the oven main body for a given internal volume of the oven. This obviously is highly desirable in terms of the economy of thermal energy.

The conventional continuous oven typically consists of a so-called tunnel oven in which works typically consisting of planar electronic component parts are carried by a belt conveyor from an inlet end of the oven, and are discharged from an outlet end of the oven after being heated inside the oven while being thus conveyed. According to this conventional continuous oven, a plurality of works are conveyed in a single row, and are required to be kept inside the oven for a sufficient period of time. Therefore, in order to achieve a sufficient throughput, the overall length of the oven is required to be substantial, and a corresponding large floor space is required for the installation of the continuous oven.


This invention relates to a process for reducing the sulfane chain length of bis(silylorganyl)polysulfanes, in which these compounds are reacted with an anhydrous sulfide and a haloalkylsilane compound.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for reducing the sulfane chain length of bis(silylorganyl)polysulfanes by reacting these compounds with a sulfide and a haloalkyl-silane.
2. Prior Art
Polysulfanes of this type have long been known (DE-PS 2255577) and are widely used as reinforcing additives in rubber vulcanisates containing silica, in particular in the tyre sector. Bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfane (Si 69, Degussa AG) has in particular become established in such applications (c.f. Wolff, 129.sup.th Meeting of the Rubber Division, American Chemical Society, Apr. 8-11, 1986, NY).
The processing advantages of corresponding disulfanes have recently been described in various publications. These compounds should be incorporated into the rubber compositions as the purest possible compounds according to EP-A-0732 362 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,919) or alternatively in the form of mixtures (DE-OS 197 0246.1).
However, according to the prior art, disulfanes are produced under unpleasant conditions as mercaptosilanes must be oxidised with manganese dioxide (EP-A 0718 302).

Process for reducing the sulfane chain length of bis(silylorganyl) polysulfanes


A particle counter and classification system including an imaging subsystem configured to determine the size and morphology of particles above a predetermined size in a fluid in a sample cell. A first stage magnetometer sensor subsystem is tuned to detect and determine the size of ferrous and/or conducting particles. An optional second stage magnetometer sensor subsystem is tuned to detect the overall ferrous particle content of the fluid. A processor subsystem is configured to calculate and report the number of particles in the fluid in a plurality of size ranges, their morphology, their classification as a particular particle type according to their characteristic morphology, the number of ferrous and/or conducting particles, and the overall ferrous content of the fluid.

The number of particles in a fluid sample, their size, and shape (morphology) can be determined by an imaging apparatus as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,572,320; 7,385,694; 5,627,905; 5,959,668; 6,049,381; 6,104,483; 6,501,504; 6,873,411; 7,019,834; 7,184,141; 7,307,717; 7,385,694; 7,921,739; 8,056,400 and 8,079,250 all incorporated herein by this reference. There is typically, however, no differentiation made between magnetic and non-magnetic particles. This information is important to maintenance personnel.
Magnetometers can be used to determine the overall percent of ferromagnetic particles in oil, or to provide information regarding the size and magnetic nature (ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic) of individual particles greater than a certain minimum size threshold. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,001,424; 5,315,243; 5,444,367; 5,404,100; 5,811,664 and 6,051,970 all incorporated herein by this reference. Such devices, however, do not classify the magnetic particles according to morphology. In addition, such devices typically either supply an overall ferromagnetic percent or information regarding individually observed particulate, but not both.

Particle counter and classification system


The multi-speed boat transmission for propulsion systems having a basic transmission for transmitting the motor power to a fixed propeller or water jet has, in addition to a preferably single-speed basic transmission (2), a separate front-mounted transmission (1) for flange-mounting to the basic transmission (2) and stepping-up parts (7, 8, 12), the countershafts (5) being distributed around the periphery of the main shaft (10) of the basic transmission in a manner such that no additional forces act upon the main shaft (10).

The invention relates to a multi-speed boat transmission.
In conventional,boat transmissions, a fixed propeller is driven by a motor via a transmission having a constant ratio. The consequence of this construction is that the propulsion system can be optimally coordinated only for one operating point.
However, there are often situations in which such constructions have an unfavorable effect: when, e.g. the propulsion system is designed for a final speed as high as possible, the motor is pressed relative to the rotational speed when the boat resistance is increased as a result of weather conditions, cargo, etc. whereby only one part of the total power of the motor is available. Besides, the acceleration properties are poor and the thermal load of the motor is high. This also results in the production of soot.
On the other hand, if the propulsion system is designed for an acceleration as high as possible or for driving with elevated resistance, the nominal rotational speed of the motor under normal conditions is achieved without delivering full power in the process. This has a negative effect on the final speed obtainable.
It thus becomes necessary to optimize the propulsion device so that it is adaptable to different conditions of operation whereby the motor can always work in an optimal rotational speed range.
To that end, a variable-pitch propeller has been proposed. But this solution mechanically requires much expenditure and, consequently, is expensive and unusual in yachts/speed boats. A variable-pitch propeller also has poor efficiency.
DE 196 24 913 A1 discloses a marine propeller system having one motor, one shifting mechanism and one programmable electronic control device with a shifting parameter matrix. The electronic control device monitors the motor load and the revolution rate and produces a control signal which controls the shifting operations. Since this system forms one unit, it is not possible to change over already existing transmissions of the conventional kind mentioned above. On the contrary, new transmissions must be developed according to those requirements.
DE 31 02 556 A1 discloses a two-step transmission for boat propeller systems in which a planetary transmission is used. This transmission has a direct gear with a 1:1 ratio shiftable by a friction clutch for the cruising drive, while for a drive at highest speed a high speed gear is provided which is formed by the planetary transmission and a hydraulic clutch, and gears up the rotational speed.
With this construction, it is not possible to implement any small speed ratio changes for the high-speed range: likewise a simple change of the ratio is not possible. Furthermore, losses occur in the highest speed range.
Therefore, the problem on which this invention is based is to make a power shiftable boat transmission available which, in combination with a fixed propeller or water jet, allows a variable adaptation to different operating conditions.
Accordingly, on an already existing basic transmission, it is proposed to flange mount a separate front-mounted transmission having at least two countershafts wherein the countershafts are distributed around the periphery of the main shaft of the basic transmission in a manner such that no additional forces act upon the main shaft. The front-mounted transmission can be flange mounted on different transmission designs of boat propelling families without having to develop entirely new transmissions, therefore, the possible uses are multiple.
In addition, the front-mounted transmission is modularly built so that it can be coordinated by adapting a few parts to different operating conditions without having to develop new transmissions.
Besides, the stepping-up parts are configured in such a way that, via a provided plug-in system, it is possible to prepare both a gear up and a gear down ratio, with identical parts, but by a different assembly. Moreover, by varying the number of individual stepping-up parts teeth, different ratio ranges can be implemented. Moreover, by varying the number of individual stepping-up parts teeth, different ratio ranges can be implemented.
All this requires only a small assembly expenditure wherein almost arbitrary ratios can be implemented and, in particular, small ratio changes are also possible, unlike in a planetary transmission.
The construction proposed is of reasonable cost, since in most cases only a different assembly of identical parts is needed. It also offers a high measure of flexibility in regard to different requirements.


A device, system, and method for activating and initializing an in vivo imaging device with an RF radiation signal. Functionality of the in vivo imaging device is tested and results may be reported to a user. The in vivo imaging device may include an RF switch to facilitate powering or deactivation of one or more electrical components of the device. The initialization system may include an optical artifact testing unit, a field of illumination testing unit, and a transmission/reception testing unit. The activation system may comprise an in vivo device association unit which may relate a designated device to a single data recorder or to a single controller.

In-vivo sensing devices, such as for example ingestible in-vivo imaging capsules, may include an autonomous power source such as, for example, a battery whose power may last for a limited period of time in use. To conserve power, it may be preferable to turn on the in-vivo sensing device only a short time before the device is ingested or swallowed. Typically, the battery and all other components of the in-vivo sensing device may be sealed in the in-vivo sensing device during manufacturing to ensure, for example, durability and water-tightness of the in-vivo device. Such a sensing device may not accommodate a manual or externally accessible switch or mechanism for operating the device after it is sealed. Quality control standards may still require that each in-vivo sensing device be tested prior to its use/ingestion, where the testing may require that the device be activated and deactivated possibly several times prior to an in-vivo operation.
Different types of activation switches of in vivo sensing devices are known. Magnetic switches similar to the switch described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,295,226 to Meron et al. may be used. However, when an external magnet creates a magnetic field near the device after activation, the device may be accidentally switched off. For example, during magnetic maneuvering of the in vivo device by an external magnetic field, an activation method of the in vivo device which is not interfered with by the external magnet may be required.
Temperature switches are also known, for example as described in US Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0045792, which discloses activating a capsule based on, for example, a change in temperature at the time of introduction into the inside of the body of a subject from the outside of the body of the subject, thereby preventing actuation of the capsule apparatus outside the body of the subject. However, such temperature switches may accidentally be actuated outside of the body, for example during storage or transportation periods, in cases of high environmental temperatures such as 38-40° Celsius, which are not uncommon in extensive regions of the globe.
In-vivo imaging devices may include RF switches to activate the device prior to use. RF switches, for example as disclosed in US Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0129602, may require an activating unit to create an electromagnetic (EM) signal which may activate and/or deactivate the RF switch.
In vivo imaging procedure activation methods may include light correction, identification of a specified mark, white balance calibration, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,295,226 to Meron et al.
In some cases, for example in hospitals or clinics, several patients may undergo in vivo procedures at the same time, thus multiple in vivo devices may be operating during the same time period. A single recording device may receive data sent from more than one in vivo device. In case of two-way communication between the in vivo device and a data recorder or a controller, a single in vivo device may receive control data from more than one controller. For example, US Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0255635 discloses associating a specific in vivo sensing device to images received in a data recorder.
It would be beneficial to provide a system and procedures for testing the potential quality of images captured by in vivo imaging devices prior to the ingestion thereof, because light reflections, which may be caused by imprecise optical system alignment or by roughness of an optical window, and artifacts that may be caused by scratches and other defects that may obstruct portions of captured scenes, may degrade the quality of captured images.

Device, system and method for activation, calibration and testing of an in-vivo imaging device


A method for making metal injection molded medical devices is disclosed. The method comprises melt blending, inject ion molding, and sintering a granulated hardenable metal feedstock.

Jaws used for applying clips, grasping, dissecting and otherwise manipulating tissue are known. They are generally formed in the multistep process of machining metal blanks.
Similarly, surgical stapling instruments are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,499,591; 3,490,675; and 3,079,606, all of which are incorporated by reference, describe surgical stapling instruments for applying multiple rows of metal staples sequentially to body tissue.
Typically, such instruments employ a metal anvil member to form or crimp the staples. The anvil member possesses an upper surface with staple crimping depressions, or "pockets." When the staples are driven into the anvil the legs of the staple enter the pockets and are crimped, thereby securing the body tissue.
The anvil member is generally machined from a surgically acceptable strong metal alloy such as stainless steel. Then the staple pockets generally are coined into the finished anvil with a press. Finally the pockets are coated to make the pocket more suitable for interaction with the staple. This is an expensive multistep procedure which is not without fallouts in manufacturing anvils.
Alternatively, the pockets may be formed by electrical discharge machining. This process involves burning the pockets into the anvil with a copper electrode. This too is an extremely cost inefficient process. In order for the electrode to burn the pocket in the blank anvil, the electrode must be heated to a temperature that also causes the electrode itself to burn, requiring a new electrode for every anvil manufactured.
An anvil typically experiences pronounced forces when staples are advanced into contact with the staple forming surface thereof Anvils adapted for use with linear staplers of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,675, for example, may tend to bend, splay or otherwise move out of cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge in response to such forces. Steps have been taken to strengthen the anvils to resist such forces, e.g., by increasing wall thicknesses and the like, and/or to provide alignment means as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,899.
However, the options available to manufacturers of surgical staplers which employ anvils become even more limited when the stapler is adapted for endoscopic use. In such cases, the anvil must be configured and dimensioned to pass through an endoscopic guide tube which typically has an inside diameter of 5 to 15 mm. Thus, the anvil typically exhibits a half-moon cross section and may be adapted to form one or more staple lines, e.g., from 15 to 60 mm in length. Such anvils must exhibit tremendous strength and be manufactured to close tolerances.


A soft sided insulated cooler bag has a base and side panels. The base includes a rigid or semi-rigid reinforcement or batten that serve to provide a relatively hard or stiff edge about which the bag can be panel folded over on itself. The upper edge of the bag has a length that is as great as half the periphery of the bottom panel. The bag can be collapsed to a flat position and then panel folded to a storage position. Retainers are provided to keep the bag in the storage position.

Collapsible insulated containers have been known for some years. They are typically used as containers for carrying cold drinks, and other cool refreshments, but can also be used to keep foods or beverages warm or hot.
Certain sizes and shapes of coolers are better for some purposes than others. Some collapsible coolers can be folded to a collapsed position, but the folding process may tend to require relatively strong hands, since the insulated panels may be of fair thickness, and may have a resilience that tends to resist folding. These containers tend to unfold easily, but tend to be rather more difficult to fold back into the collapsed or storage position. In the folded position, the front and rear walls remain in generally parallel planar orientation while the bottom panel is folded up in half, and the side panels are folded inward as shown in my issued U.S. Pat. No. Des. 382,771. This kind of cooler is secured in the folded position (a) by a hook-and-eye fabric strip securement between the overfolded lip of the lid portion of the cooler and the front face of the cooler and (b) by side fastening straps that retain the bottom portions of the front panel relative to the back panel, typically by wrapping at least partially around the back panel and being secured thereto with hook-and-eye strips. Coolers of this nature tend to be generally cubic in shape with rectangular sides forming, typically, a six sided box shaped structure when unfolded. A cooler of this type may also tend to require more manufacturing steps than a more bag-like cooler, and may therefore be more costly and time consuming to produce.
Rolling up a collapsible cooler, in the manner in which a sleeping bag is sometimes rolled up, may tend not to be particularly satisfactory in all circumstances. Users may tend to roll up the insulated material too tightly, either damaging the material, or tending to give it a permanent set. This tight rolling approach may also tend to favour persons with relatively strong hands.
It may be that a different kind of cooler is desired that may be somewhat more convenient for rapid use, that may be more quickly and easily folded, or that may provide greater ease of manufacture that may tend to pack efficiently for shipment, or that may present a relatively easily displayed product.
It may also be that it would be preferable to have a cooler that folds in a continuous direction, or that folds back and forth, on a folding panel basis rather than in a continuous tight roll like a sleeping bag.
In the view of the present inventor, there is a need for a foldable insulated container, or bag, that is more easily constructed than the more box shaped type of cubic collapsible insulated container, that may tend to require fewer, or simpler, manufacturing steps, or that may tend to provide an easily displayed and relatively convenient insulated container for everyday use.


The slide fastener has a separable bottom end stop, and the separable bottom end stop has at least an insert pin and a box pin. The insert pin has an escape portion provided with an inclined surface or a curved surface along which the thickness dimension of the insert pin decreases in the direction of the tape width toward the side edge that faces the box pin, the escape portion being positioned in the front-end corner portion of a first-surface of the insert pin, the corner portion being positioned along the edge that faces the box pin. This allows the escape portion of the insert pin to function as an interference prevention means, efficiently prevent chain failure in an element row when the slide fastener is bent into a U-shape, and maintain stable engaging.

Conventionally, a synthetic resin fastener element formed one by one by injection molding a synthetic resin to a fastener tape, a continuous fastener element formed by molding a mono filament in a coil shape or in a zigzag shape, a metal fastener element formed by caulking a metal element material exhibiting an approximately Y-shape to a fastener tape, and the like are known as a fastener element used in a slide fastener.
The synthetic resin fastener element is generally molded so as to stride across a tape front surface that is a first surface of the fastener tape and a back surface that is a second surface of fastener tape and has an element upper half portion disposed to a tape front surface side of the fastener tape and an element lower half portion disposed to a back surface side of the fastener tape.
Further, although in many cases the synthetic resin fastener elements are molded so that the element upper half portion and the element lower half portion are formed in a symmetric shape, the element upper half portion and the element lower half portion may be formed in an asymmetric different shape to improve, for example, beauty and a feeling of touch (property perceived by touch) of a fastener element.
An example of the fastener element having the shape in which the element upper half portion is different from the element lower half portion as described above is disclosed in, for example, WO 2010/082294 A (Patent Document 1), and the like.
Here, the synthetic resin fastener element described in Patent Document 1 will be explained referring to FIG. 9. Note that, in the following explanation, a tape length direction of the fastener tape is prescribed as a front/back direction. Further, a tape width direction of the fastener tape is prescribed as a right/left direction, and a tape front/back direction of the fastener tape is prescribed as an up/down direction.
A fastener element 60 of Patent Document 1 has an element upper half portion 61 disposed to a first surface side of a fastener tape 70 and an element lower half portion 62 disposed to the second surface side of the fastener tape 70. The element upper half portion 61 includes a first tape sandwiching portion 61a for sandwiching the fastener tape 70 between the first tape sandwiching portion 61a and the element lower half portion 62, and a first head portion 61b in a tapered form extending from the first tape sandwiching portion 61a toward external of the tape.
The first tape sandwiching portion 61a in the element upper half portion 61 and a part of the first head portion 61b are provided with front and back taper portions 61c, which gradually decrease a dimension of the element upper half portion 61 in a front/back direction toward upward, on front and back side surfaces. The disposition of the front and back taper portions 61c can cause an outside appearance of the fastener element 60 to be viewed as if it is a metal fastener element 60 when the fastener element 60 is viewed from a front surface side. Further, since the provision of the element upper half portion 61 with the front and back taper portions 61c can more increase a dimension of the first tape sandwiching portion 61a at its lower end in an up/down direction (element width dimension) than its upper edges, a fixing strength of the fastener element 60 to the fastener tape 70 can be increased.
Further, the first head portion 61b in the element upper half portion 61 is formed in a taper shape so that a dimension of the first head portion 61b in the tape length direction gradually decreases from a base end portion joined to the first tape sandwiching portion 61a toward an forefront portion. With the configuration, the outside appearance of the fastener element 60 can be made further closer to the metal fastener element 60.
The first head portion 61b is configured to swell in the front/back direction than a neck portion 62b to be described later of the element lower half portion 62. With the configuration, even when the right/left fastener elements 60 receives a force for pushing them up from a lower direction to an upper direction, since the first head portion 61b can support the element lower half portion 62 (in particular, a second head portion 62c to be described later) that is a engagement opponent, an occurrence of the engagement failure (also referred to as chain failure) can be prevented from being occurred and a engaged state of the fastener element 60 can be kept stable.
Further, the element upper half portion 61 is formed with an upper taper portion 61d, which inclines downward to gradually decrease a height dimension of the fastener element 60 in the up/down direction toward an forefront portion of the first head portion 61b, as an interference avoiding portion to be described later.
The element lower half portion 62 of the fastener element 60 is formed integrally with the element upper half portion 61. The element lower half portion 62 includes a second tape sandwiching portion 62a for sandwiching the fastener tape 70 between a second tape sandwiching portion 62a and the first tape sandwiching portion 61a of the element upper half portion 61, the neck portion 62b extending from the second tape sandwiching portion 62a toward external of the tape and having a shape narrowed in the front/back direction, and the second head portion 62c disposed at an forefront portion of the neck portion 62b and swelling in the front/back direction.
Note that, in Patent Document 1, when the right/left element rows are engaged, since the right/left fastener elements 60 are engaged with each other only in the element lower half portion 62, engaging strength becomes weak as compared with an ordinary type fastener element having a shape in which the element upper half portion 61 is in symmetry with the element lower half portion 62.
Since the slide fastener according to Patent Document 1 which is configured such that the synthetic resin fastener elements 60 having the configuration described above are disposed to the fastener tape 70 side by side exhibits an outside appearance as if the respective fastener elements are metal fastener elements 60 when viewed from the front surface side, the slide fastener is excellent in outside appearance quality and a design property.
Further, in the slide fastener, the upper taper portion 61d described above is formed to the element upper half portion 61 of the fastener element 60 of each of the fastener elements as an interference avoiding portion. Accordingly, when the slide fastener is bent to the tape first surface side so that the element upper half portions 61 approach each other in the engaged state of the fastener element 60, the first head portions 61b of the respective fastener elements 60 can be prevented from interfering with the element upper half portions 61 of the engagement opponent.
To explain more specifically, when the slide fastener is bent in a direction where the element upper half portions approach each other in the engaged state of the fastener element at, for example, the time that the upper taper portion 61d as in Patent Document 1 is not disposed to the element upper half portion 61, the first head portion of the element upper half portion interferes with the element upper half portion of a engagement opponent side, and the element lower half portions of the fastener elements adjacent to each other on the engagement opponent sides are turned in a direction where they are away from each other using the interfering portion as a fulcrum. As a result, a large expansion of the interval between the second head portions of the fastener element causes the right/left fastener elements to disengage, from which a problem arises in that chain failure occurs.
In contrast, in Patent Document 1, the disposition the upper taper portion 61d to the element upper half portion 61 of the fastener element 60 prevents the element upper half portion 61 of the engagement opponent side from interfering with the first head portion 61b of the fastener element 60 when the slide fastener is bent to the tape first surface side as described above.
In the case, since the element upper half portions 61 adjacent to each other in the tape length direction come into contact with each other before the right/left fastener elements 60 are released from a engaged state, so that a bent amount of the slide fastener can be regulated. Accordingly, in the slide fastener according to Patent Document 1, even if the slide fastener is bent in an U-shape, since the second head portions 62c of the fastener elements 60 can be prevented from being away from each other until the fastener elements 60 are released from the engaged state, a problem that the chain failure occurs to the element row as described above can be overcome.
Incidentally, also known as the conventional slide fastener are a type of a slide fastener which can be opened from both end sides of an element row in a length direction and a type of a slide fastener which can be closed from both end sides of an element row in addition to an ordinary slide fastener of a type in which the slide fastener can be opened or closed from an end side toward other end side of an element row in a length direction.
For example, in the ordinary slide fastener, a separable bottom end stop is composed of an insert pin attached to an end of a fastener stringer and a box pin and a box attached to an end of the other fastener stringer. Hereinafter, the separable bottom end stop will be called a one side separable bottom end stop.
In contrast, the slide fastener which can be opened from both the end sides of the element row is disclosed in, for example, JP 2006-346364 A (Patent Document 2) and the like, has two sliders slidably disposed along an element row with rear ports facing each other, an insert pin attached to an end of a fastener stringer, and a box pin attached to an end of the other fastener stringer, and a separable bottom end stop is composed of the two sliders, the insert pin, and the box pin. Hereinafter, the separable bottom end stop will be called a both sides separable bottom end stop.

Slide fastener with separable bottom end stop