Several small-size mustache shaving devices, each grippable between a user's forefinger and thumb, for enabling the user to precisely shave and edge his own mustache to a desired shape, and related trimming accessories, are disclosed. Each device 10! is lightweight and has as an elongated narrow body having a forward head portion 11! and an integral offset rear fingertip-grip portion 12!. Each device has a small elongated razor blade strip 16! mounted upon the head portion 11!. The blade's razor sharp edge 17!, which in some designs is straight and in other designs is curved, extends laterally outwardly from the head portion 11!. The razor-sharp blade edge 17! of the device is placed by the user against his skin adjacent the periphery of the desired mustache line and then, through fingertip movement, shaves and shapes the hairs of the user's mustache. An optional removable cover 25! fits over the head portion 11! and encases the blade sharp edge 17! and is frictionally held upon the head portion 11! for manual removal and replacement.

It is a common practice to trim the hair forming a mustache with scissors or with an electric mustache trimmer device. However, it is difficult to shape the upper and lower peripheral edges of a mustache with either a scissors or an electric trimmer. The devices currently available are usually large and cumbersome, and tend to block the view of the mustache edge, thereby making a clean straight cut difficult. The typical shaver or trimmer currently available is gripped in a manner which requires manipulation of the wrist and/or arm in order to effect movement of the device, thus, making meticulous trimming of the mustache inherently difficult. Further, many of these devices are relatively complex and expensive. Even for those mustache trimming devices which are simple and/or do not obscure the field of view, it is very difficult to cut a clean straight line along the periphery of the mustache.
Thus, there has been a need for some simple, inexpensive, light-weight device for enabling an individual to easily and accurately shape his own mustache or sideburns by manipulating the device between the forefinger and thumb, and to do so even when the hair is wet and lathered. In addition, it would be desirable to have an instrument which is sufficiently inexpensive so that it may be discarded and replaced when the blade becomes inefficient (i.e., dull). This would enable the user to always have a device with a sharp razor edge whenever it is used, thereby providing optimum cutting and trimming performance.
A number of devices have been designed to shave the face or trim the mustache. Representative U.S. Patents include the following: U.S. Pat. No. 778,388 to Warren teaches a razor device with a handle for shaving the face. This disclosure teaches a device for holding a standard safety razor secure to facilitate honing or stropping the blade. U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,448 to Shead discloses a retractable razor blade holder to hold a standard safety razor, thereby serving as a replacement for the straight razor commonly used by barbers and hair cutters. U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,003 to Grange discloses a razor that has an improved handle to improve ergonomics and hand control.
There are other razor blade disclosures, beyond those disclosed above, that also disclose a device for shaving and cutting of hair. However, common amongst all of them of which I am aware is a lack of precise control that is needed to safely and conveniently distinctly shape and form the exterior edges of a hairline on a mustache or sideburn.
There are currently many devices that trim and cut hair by using a comb-like device with a sharpened edge interposed between the fingers of the comb. The following patents are representative. U.S. Pat. No. 1,976,290 to Motley teaches a comb type trimmer that has a blade exposed through the teeth of the comb portion. U.S. Pat. No. 2,568,368 to Sayer discloses a haircutting device that has teeth portions to guide and aid in cutting the hair. U.S. Pat. No. 1,217,288 to Donnelly discloses still another comb type safety razor holder that can be used to trim hair while keeping the blade away from the skin by the use of fingers or recesses. While all the aforementioned comb-like devices are sufficient for hair cutting, these devices also lack the ability to come in direct contact with the skin and shave off the hair at the surface of the face. Further, similar to the shavers discussed above, these aforementioned devices are large and cumbersome making minute manipulation very difficult.
Thus, there has been a need for some simple, inexpensive, lightweight device for enabling an individual to easily and accurately shape his own mustache and to do so even when the mustache hair is wet and lathered. The device must be able to effectively remove hair from the mustache at the peripheral edges and be capable of minute manipulation. In addition, it would be desirable to have an instrument which is sufficiently inexpensive so that it may be discarded and replaced frequently.
Further, there is a need to be able to trim the hair of the mustache with precision to form a uniform mustache line at the lip and above the mustache. This requires being able to not only trim the mustache hair but also be able to shave the hair at the skin line.
Therefore, there is still a need for a mustache shaving device which allows a user to precisely shave and shape the hair of his own mustache hair its peripheral edges, and to easily trim the remaining mustache hairs precisely to any desired length.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a class of mustache shaving devices which meet the foregoing needs and overcome the limitations of earlier mustache shaving or trimming devices.
An object of this invention is to provide a simplified, sharp edged, device which is small in size and lightweight and formed so as to be easily held between the user's thumb and forefinger and easily manipulated by the user for precisely shaving his mustache.
Another object is to provide a small, lightweight fingertip shaver that has a fingertip grip portion positioned to allow the user to see what he is trying to shave and also to be able to shave or trim the hairs of his mustache without having his fingers, which are manipulating the device, come in contact with the face by the hand.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a cutting device that utilizes a miniature razor blade which is considerably smaller than the standard 11/2 inch (3.8 cm) long razor blade and that allows the user to have a much more sensitive touch when trying to shave the perimeter of his mustache.
Still yet another object of this invention is to provide a shaving device having a miniature cutter head, in which is mounted a thin metal strip having a razor sharp edge, and an integral handle portion which may be gripped between the user's fingertips, and a manually removable and replaceable, plastic cover which fits over, and is frictionally held upon, the cutter head for encasing the sharp edge.
One more object is to provide an accessory for a mustache shaving device which allows a user to easily manually trim his mustache hairs to one of a plurality of lengths predetermined by the size and arrangement of the accessory on the device.

Mini-shaving device for grooming facial hair


A movable contact piece support structure for a seesaw switch including guide portions formed in walls of the seesaw switch and slits formed by cutting the movable contact piece and bending back a pair of flaps to make a pair of bent portions. The size and shape of the guide portions and the angle at which the bent portions are bent are chosen so that the movable contact piece rests on the guide portions and on a central contact with the bent portions in contact with the guide portions. The guide portions are further shaped such that bent portions slide smoothly on the guide portions as the movable contact piece rocks back and forth between on and off positions of the seesaw switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the support structure for a movable contact piece of a seesaw switch which performs a switching operation by rocking the movable contact piece.
2. Description of the Related Art
A seesaw switch which performs a switching operation by rocking a movable contact piece is widely used as a power window switch or a power seat switch of an automobile and so on. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the support structures of the movable contact pieces in conventional seesaw switches. A movable contact piece 1 shown in FIG. 6 is bent at its center and symmetrically formed in the shape of the letter V. One of inclined portions 1a of the movable contact piece 1 is formed with slits 2. On the other hand, a guide strip 3 is provided to project upward from an inside bottom of a case of the switch. A slit 5a having a width longer than the distance between the slits 2 of the movable contact piece 1 is formed by press working in the center of the leading end of the guide strip 3, and projections 5b and 5b are formed on both ends of the leading end of the guide strip 3 by the slit 5a. In the seesaw switch having the support structure shown in FIG. 6, the movable contact piece 1 rocks on the leading end of the guide strip 3 serving as a fulcrum while the projections 5b of the guide strip 3 are engaged with the slits 2 of the movable contact piece 1, respectively. The movable contact piece 1 is positioned in its longitudinal direction by the engagement of the slits 2 and 2 and the projections 5b, and a switching operation is performed by the contacting and separation of an unillustrated fixed contact and the movable contact piece 1.
In the support structure of a movable contact piece 1 shown in FIG. 7, engaging strips 6 extend from both sides in the center of the movable contact piece 1 to project outward. On the other hand, concave portions 8 are formed on both side walls 7 of the case of the switch. As shown in FIG. 7, while the engaging strips 6 of the movable contact piece 1 are fitted in the concave portions 8 on the side walls 7 and the movable contact piece 1 is positioned in its longitudinal direction, the movable contact piece 1 rocks on a central terminal 10 which projects deviating slightly from the center of the movable contact piece 1, and a switching operation is performed by the contacting and separation of an unillustrated fixed contact and the movable contact piece 1.
The structures of the movable contact pieces 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are formed by press working. Slits 2, slit 5a, and engaging strips 6 are formed by breaking out sections of material. The slide between the slits 2 of the movable contact piece 1 and the slit 5a of the guide strip 3, or the slide between the engaging strips 6 of the movable contact piece 1 and the concave portions 8 of the side walls 7 is performed through broken-out sections formed by press working. Burrs on the broken-out section may prevent the slide from being stably performed, resulting in unstable rocking. Furthermore, the burrs also cause abrasions, and thus there is a problem with respect to the durability of the switch.

Movable contact piece support structure of a seesaw switch


The present invention provides a portable camp stove and barbecue grill which includes both a propane-fueled barbecue grill and a propane-fueled camp stove within the same unit. The unit stores compactly within its own case for ease of transportation and opens to cooking positions whereby both barbecue grill and camp stove sections can be used simultaneously. A metal smoker plate is substituted for lava rock in the barbecue section to facilitate compact storage, and a storable heat shield is provided which in its operating position underlies the barbecue section to keep the supporting surface cool.

Previously, portable gas-fired cooking devices have generally been one of two types, a barbecue grill of the type in which the gas element heats the food indirectly by utilizing briquettes known as "lava rock" to absorb and radiate heat to the food, or a camp stove in which the gas element heats the food on the stove directly in a frying pan or the like. Each type of cooking device has its own advantages and drawbacks. The former type of device is more suitable for the barbecuing of meats as it allows fat from the meat to drop onto the lava rock where it is burned off, adding flavor to the cooked meat without making the cleaning of the cooking device overly difficult. However the lava rock barbecues are slow to heat and cannot concentrate the heat on a small area and so are not particularly efficient for boiling water for coffee or the like. Also the presence of the lava rock makes this type of device less desirable for carrying on a camping trip.
The latter type of device, the camp stove having one or more gas-fired burners adjacent the grill, is efficient for concentrating heat on a coffee pot or frying pan. Such stoves cannot, however, serve to usefully barbecue meats.
Various attempts have been made to combine the advantages of the portable gas-fired barbecue with the portable gas-fired camp stove in one unit. For example Canadian patent no. 1,221,286 issued May 5, 1987 to Camper Delight Sales Corp. discloses a portable cooking device which includes both a camp stove and a gas-fired barbecue in one portable unit. In this device, the housing has two concave cooking sections hinged together, one of the cooking sections housing a gas-fired cooking element for a camp stove, and the other section containing a gas-fired barbecue. The barbecue section consists of a curved heat reflector dish which is spaced from the sides of the walls of the barbecue by a heat deflector plate, a gas-fired burner tube located centrally within the reflective dish, flame shields above and below the burner tube, and a support frame for supporting lava rocks above the burner. The stove section also has a heat reflector pan under the dual elements. This design is too heavy and bulky too be practical as a portable camp stove.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,846 issued May 8, 1984 to Columbia Industries Corp. discloses another combination camp stove and barbecue in which two grate modules are provided so that the barbecue and stove operations can be conducted simultaneously side by side. This design also incorporates lava rocks and so shares the same disadvantages as lava rock barbecues in respect of bulkiness and lack of portability, and further has restricted space for cooking due to the division of the sole cooking area.
There is therefore a need for a compact and convenient portable camp stove design which incorporates both a gas-fired barbecue and a standard camp stove.


An air dryer system including two substantially identical canister-type air dryer units. Each includes a moist air inlet, a first desiccant, a dry air outlet, and means for supplying dry air to a storage facility. The system also includes a bleed valve supplying a small portion of the dry air to regenerate a second desiccant, and a first moist air purge valve. The system operates in the opposite mode and supplies air to a storage facility. Located between the moist air inlets and the desiccants are a pair of air-oil separators. In these, upwardly directed air flows through a housing, striking a deflector plate, and escapes beneath a vertically extending fence and through vents containing a filter medium.

The present invention relates generally to air dryer assemblies, and more particularly to a twin tower type desiccator having two spin-on dryer cartridges each containing a volume of desiccant within a bag, and which includes a novel air-oil separator and valves which may be readily changed.
The unit has particular application in buses and railroad cars, as well as other applications wherein the duty cycle of the air compressor may be continuous. Another feature of the invention is ease of maintenance, so that little if any downtime is required. This is achieved by having spin-on cartridges, accessible valves and an oil separator which may be removed and replaced easily.
The unit operates, basically, by drying incoming compressed air in one cartridge while simultaneously regenerating the opposite cartridge with a portion of previously dried air. Control over the cycles is achieved with a so-called MLT (micro-logic timer) and associated valve which controls the cycling of the apparatus.
The reason for having dry air is that the air brake systems do not tolerate liquid water, nor even air which is relatively high in water vapor content. Consequently, it is highly desirable to use air that has been virtually completely dried. The problem of moisture in compressed air systems is well-known. It is known, for example that the reason that compressed air contains a great deal of moisture is that the process of compressing the air concentrates the same amount of moisture in a much smaller volume, thus raising the relative humidity of the compressed air.
Consequently, with air operating at a high degree of compression, there is a substantial increase in the relative humidity. If air, for example, is compressed at or above 200 psi, the relative amount of moisture therein can become very great. Accordingly, it is necessary when operating brakes or the like which have a requirement for dry air, to use some means of drying incoming or ambient air until its relative humidity is close to zero.
In addition to being dry, the air used in air brakes, for example, should be finely filtered to remove as many solid contaminants as possible, for obvious reasons, and should also contain means to separate oil from the air. Such an oil-air separator is a valuable feature of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved air dryer.
Another object is to provide such a unit with an air-oil separator of a novel design.
A still further object is to provide an air-oil separator which is disposed in unit so as to induce turbulent flow in incoming air, and to have the air undergo a direction-reversal before passing through a screen and filter on its way to the desiccant canisters.
Another object is to provide a pair of valves having small orifices therein through which air may flow even when these valves are closed, such air being used to pass in a reverse direction to strip moisture from, and thus regenerate, the desiccant cartridge.
Another object of the invention is to provide an air dryer having dual towers, each of which contains a desiccant in a cartridge of the spin-on variety of facilitate changing the desiccant when necessary.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cartridge which provides a filter for particulate materials and a tortuous path for the air which is to be directed to and through the desiccator.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an air dryer wherein the desiccant is contained in bags which are in turn contained in a cylindrical housing, which means the desiccant may be very finely subdivided for maximum effectiveness, and yet not be subject to leaking from its container.
A further object of the invention is to provide an air dryer containing twin towers in which, when one tower of the dryer is serving to dry incoming air, the other tower uses a minor portion of that air to regenerate the desiccant contained in the second tower.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a simplified, spin-on system of cartridge removal and replacement, which may be used only every year or two.
A further object of the invention is to provide a system wherein all essential elements of the air dryers are positioned so as to be readily available for maintenance, replacement, and/or repair.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a dual cartridge dryer which achieves economy and which is adaptable to specialty equipment and a large variety of other applications.
A further object of the invention is to provide an air-oil separator having a filter medium which is surface active and which therefore adsorbs oil and moisture, and which therefore can be regenerated by drier air passing over the separator in a reverse direction.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a separator containing an aramid or equivalent adsorbing filter adhesively attached to a portion of the separator structure.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in practice by providing a dual cartridge desiccator system wherein air is subjected to oil separation by a novel device used in conjunction with a well or like housing for reversing the direction of air flow, adsorbing the oil in the air stream, passing the air through a filter and through the exterior of a desiccant cartridge, and thereafter passing it down and through the desiccant cartridge, and having it exit by way of a valve to an outlet port. The other cartridge is simultaneously regenerated by a controlled amount of bleed air entering the cartridge and flowing backwards through the desiccant contained in that cartridge and ultimately out a drain port controlled by a valve opened by air pressure. This operates the cycle in an opposite direction, all without causing an interruption or a loss of air pressure to the main supply.
The invention also achieves its objects by providing an electrically operated timer in the same device including a novel oil separator, whereby air pressure is directed to a control for an exhaust or purge valve for wet air and also to the inlet valve for air to be dried, while also providing certain auxiliary functions.
The manner in which the invention achieves its objects and other objects which are inherent in the invention will become more clearly apparent when reference is made to the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention set forth by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout.

Dual cartridge air dryer with oil separator and readily changeable valves


A method for forming openings in an underlayer includes: forming a photoresist layer on an underlayer formed on a substrate; exposing the photoresist layer; forming photoresist patterns by developing the exposed photoresist layer, the photoresist patterns covering regions of the underlayer in which the openings are to be formed; forming a liquid layer over the photoresist patterns; after forming the liquid layer, performing a baking process so as to convert the liquid layer to an organic layer in a solid form; performing an etching back process to remove a portion of the organic layer on a level above the photoresist patterns; removing the photoresist patterns, so as to expose portions of the underlayer by the remaining portion of the organic layer; forming the openings in the underlayer by using the remaining portion of the organic layer as an etching mask; and removing the remaining portion of the organic layer.

In semiconductor, contacts can form in openings (or vias) in a dielectric layer to electrically connect contacts above and/or below the dielectric layer to implement internal connections among different layers such as metal layers in an integrated circuit. When critical dimension (CD) in the integrated circuit becomes smaller and smaller, the size of the contacts become smaller. Mask defect and flare effect can occur, when a positive tone developer is used to develop a positive tone photoresist, a pattern of which is used to make contacts.

Method for forming vias and method for forming contacts in vias

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.


Improved process for manufacturing ring-type metal joints for high pressure ducts, characterized because it presents the following steps: a) oval bar manufacturing and b) ring-type metal joints manufacturing, wherein the oval bar manufacturing comprises the following steps: submitting a round metal bar to a sharpening treatment before it is drawn through a die and forming the oval bar; cutting, rolling, and bending the oval bar and welding the profile; submitting the joint to an electrolytic coating treatment.

Field of the Invention
The manufacturing of ring-type joints started with high pressure and high temperatures applications mainly for the oil industry in the drilling field and other termination equipments. Currently, they are also used in valve devices as well as pipes for high pressure containers requiring good integration.
Said joints are well known in the oil industry both in the production as well as in the refining stages. They are manufactured under the following standard: API specification 6A and ASME specification B16.20.
These joints are used in high pressure lines, both for high and low temperature, including sour gas and corrosive atmospheres. The surface finishing and the hardness are important factors for this type of joints which have to be softer than the flange material that is to contain them, in order to ensure an effective seal.
Different techniques are known to manufacture metal joints for high pressure ducts, for example, DAN-LOC and LAMDN'S joints in the USA and Francis B Will Mott LTD and FLEXITALLIC LTD in England.
Practically, all conventional design of ring-type joints have the same oval shape, FIG. 4, and particularly, octagonal shape. When starting from a round bar, said bar is machined into an oval shape, FIG. 3, and if a square or rectangular bar is used, it is machined as well. In general, in all the cases, the same basic procedure is used, but the difference is the use of rectangular or square bar, FIG. 3, depending on the market availability, since the annual volume sales for some models, does not justify special manufacturing at the mill.
The disadvantages of the abovementioned process is that because it starts from a rectangular or square bar, FIG. 3, there is a lot of waste in the form of burr, the machining times are longer and there is a higher wear of the machine tools.

Process for manufacturing ring-type metal joints for high pressure ducts


A semiconductor device includes at least one thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer that has a crystalline region including a channel region, a source region and a drain region, a gate insulating film disposed at least on the channel region, the source region and the drain region of the semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode arranged so as to oppose the channel region via the gate insulating film. At least a portion of the semiconductor layer includes a catalyst element capable of promoting crystallization, and the semiconductor layer further includes a gettering region that includes the catalyst element at a higher concentration than in the channel region or the source region and the drain region. The thickness of the gate insulating film on the gettering region is smaller than that on the source region and the drain region, or the gate insulating film is not disposed on the gettering region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including thin film transistors (TFTs), and a method for manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a semiconductor device including thin film transistors in which the semiconductor layer (active region) is formed from a crystalline semiconductor film obtained by crystallizing an amorphous semiconductor film, and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention can suitably be used in active matrix liquid crystal display devices, organic EL display devices, contact image sensors, and three-dimensional ICs, and other suitable devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, attempts have been made in the art to form high-performance semiconductor elements on an insulative substrate such as a glass substrate or an insulating film, aiming at realization of liquid crystal display devices and organic EL display devices having larger sizes and higher resolutions, contact image sensors operating at higher speeds with higher resolutions, three-dimensional ICs, etc. Particularly, a type of liquid crystal display device having the pixel section and the driving circuit on the same substrate is finding its use in various household appliances, in addition to a monitor of a personal computer (PC). For example, liquid crystal displays are used as television sets, replacing CRTs (Cathode-Ray Tubes), and front projectors are used for home entertainment applications such as for watching movies and for playing video games. Thus, the market for liquid crystal display devices has been growing at a remarkable rate. Moreover, system-on-panel devices have been developed actively, in which logic circuits such as a memory circuit and a clock generation circuit are formed on a glass substrate.
Displaying high-resolution images means an increase in the amount of data to be written to pixels, and the data needs to be written within a short time. Otherwise, it is not possible to display a moving picture that has a very large amount of data for high-definition display. Therefore, TFTs used in a driving circuit are required to operate at a high speed. In order to achieve high-speed operations, there is a demand for forming the TFTs using a crystalline semiconductor layer having a desirable crystallinity, with which it is possible to obtain a high field-effect mobility.
The present inventors have developed a method for obtaining a desirable crystalline semiconductor layer on a glass substrate. In this method, a metal element capable of promoting crystallization is added to an amorphous semiconductor layer, which is then subjected to a heat treatment. With this method, a desirable semiconductor film having a uniform crystal orientation can be obtained through a heat treatment performed at a lower temperature and for a shorter time than other conventional methods.
However, when a silicon film crystallized with a catalyst element is used as is for the semiconductor layer of a TFT, the TFT will have an abrupt increase in the off-state current. The catalyst element irregularly segregates in the semiconductor film, and the segregation is significant at crystal grain boundaries. It is believed that the segregation of the catalyst element creates leak paths for a current, resulting in the abrupt increase in the off-state current. Therefore, after the formation of the crystalline silicon film, it is necessary to reduce the catalyst element concentration in the semiconductor film by moving the catalyst element out of the semiconductor film. The step of removing the catalyst element will be hereinafter referred to as a "gettering process". Moreover, the action of moving (attracting) the catalyst element will be hereinafter referred to as "gettering action", and the element capable of attracting the catalyst element will be hereinafter referred to as "gettering element".
Various types of gettering processes and methods have been proposed in the art.
For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-213317 discloses a technique of forming an amorphized region in a silicon material that has been crystallized by using a catalyst element, and subjecting the silicon material to a heat treatment so that the catalyst element is moved (gettered) into lattice defects in the amorphized region. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-213317 attempts to simplify the manufacturing process by using the source/drain region of the TFT as the gettering region. However, the method requires an additional step of activating the source/drain region with laser light, or the like, since an amorphous region as is cannot function as a source/drain region.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-330602 discloses a method that utilizes the gettering action of phosphorus. In the method, an active region (semiconductor layer) is formed by using a silicon material crystallized by using a catalyst element, and the source/drain region of the n-channel TFT is doped with phosphorus while the source/drain region of the p-channel TFT is doped with phosphorus and with boron at a higher concentration than that of phosphorus. Then, the structure is subjected to a heat treatment so as to getter the catalyst element to the source/drain regions.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-270363 discloses a technique of selectively introducing a group VB element such as phosphorus into a portion of a silicon material that has been crystallized by using a catalyst element, and subjecting the silicon material to a heat treatment at a temperature that does not exceed the deformation point of the substrate so that the catalyst element is moved (gettered) into the region where the group VB element has been introduced (gettering region). According to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-270363, the gettering region is formed outside the island-shaped semiconductor layer (TFT active region), and the gettering region is removed after the gettering heat treatment. Then, the region where the catalyst element concentration has been lowered (hereinafter referred to also as "lightly-doped region") is used to form the active region of the semiconductor element (TFT).
The conventional gettering processes, including those disclosed in the three publications mentioned above, have various problems such as the need for additional steps for the gettering process, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases the manufacturing cost. One solution to this problem is to remove the catalyst element from the channel region by moving the catalyst element into regions of the semiconductor layer that are to be the source/drain regions, instead of removing the catalyst element from the entire semiconductor layer of the TFT. However, various studies by the present inventors revealed that the techniques disclosed in the publications mentioned above have other problems as follows.
When a group VB element capable of moving a catalyst element is introduced into a region of a silicon film, as in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-330602 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-270363, the solid solubility of the region for the catalyst element is increased, thereby gettering the catalyst element (the first type of gettering action). In contrast, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-213317, a catalyst element is gettered by utilizing crystal defects of an amorphous region as localized segregation sites for trapping the catalyst element (the second type of gettering action). Since the free energy of the catalyst element is lower in an amorphous region than in a crystalline region, the catalyst element is likely to diffuse into the amorphous region.
In order to increase the gettering capability of a gettering region, it is necessary to sufficiently affect the first type of gettering action and the second type of gettering action. However, it is difficult to achieve in a source region or a drain region of a thin film transistor. An effective way of increasing the gettering efficiency is to introduce a large amount of a gettering element into a source region and a drain region, which function as gettering regions, while amorphizing the regions. However, it will then significantly increase the resistance of the source region and the drain region so that they will no longer function as a source region and a drain region.
When a large amount of a gettering element is ion-implanted into a region of a crystalline semiconductor layer, the crystalline structure of the region is destroyed and the region is amorphized. The amorphization proceeds starting from the upper surface of the semiconductor layer, and when it reaches the lower surface of the semiconductor layer, the crystallinity of the semiconductor layer can no longer be recovered even by a heat treatment. With conventional methods in which the source region and the drain region are used as gettering regions, the crystallinity of the doped regions needs to be recovered at least to some degree by a subsequent heat treatment so as to reduce the resistance of the regions. Thus, with these methods, the dose cannot be increased beyond a maximum level at which the crystallinity can later be recovered, and it is difficult to increase the gettering efficiency by implanting a large amount of a gettering element. On the other hand, a sufficient gettering capability cannot be obtained with a small dose of a gettering element. Thus, with these methods, the most difficult problem is how to appropriately control the dose of a gettering element. When such a technique was actually applied to a liquid crystal display device integrated with a driver (driving circuit), the source region and the drain region in some regions of the substrate were amorphized and the resistance thereof was increased, thereby resulting in defective TFT on-state characteristics and thus a driver defect. In some other regions, the dose of the gettering element was insufficient, resulting in insufficient gettering, thereby increasing the off-state leak current, resulting in line defects and point defects. Thus, these methods have a very small process margin, and are difficult to use for mass production.
The method disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-213317 requires an additional step of activating the source/drain region with laser light, or the like, since an amorphous region as is cannot function as a source/drain region. However, a laser irradiation apparatus is expensive and complicated in structure, and has a poor maintainability, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost and reducing the production yield. Moreover, with only the laser irradiation process, crystal defects occurring at the junction between the channel region and the source/drain region cannot be recovered, thereby resulting in a poor reliability and an increase in the off-state leak current.
Moreover, when the present inventors actually produced TFT elements in an experiment using these conventional methods, defective TFTs with abnormal levels of TFT off-state leak current at a defect rate on the order of 0.1% were produced. An analysis has confirmed that the defective TFTs had masses of a silicide of the catalyst element at the junction between the channel region and the drain region. Thus, with the conventional techniques of the publications mentioned above, the catalyst element is not gettered sufficiently. Even though these conventional techniques are capable of producing some high-performance TFTs, with such high defect rates and poor reliabilities, they cannot be used for mass production. The problem with insufficient gettering of the catalyst element and its resultant problems were not recognized previously in the art.
The increase in the TFT off-state leak current due to the presence of a catalyst element is caused primarily by segregation of the catalyst element at the junction between the channel region and the drain region. With a method in which the source region and the drain region are used as gettering regions, the junction between the channel region and the source/drain region is also the junction between the gettering region and the non-gettering region. Therefore, with such a gettering method, it is difficult to completely prevent the increase in the TFT off-state leak current due to the presence of a catalyst element.
In addition, according to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-213317, the amorphous gettering regions (the source region and the drain region) are eventually crystallized. Then, the gettering effect will be small thereafter, whereby the catalyst element that has been moved away in a heat treatment may later come back in a reverse flow (diffusion into the channel region) in a subsequent step. Moreover, even if such a reverse flow of the catalyst element is prevented from occurring during the manufacturing process, heat is generated in no small measure from driving the TFT, and the catalyst element that has been once moved into the gettering region may come back to the channel region in a reverse flow when driving the TFT, thus resulting in a reliability problem. Therefore, in a case where the gettering region is provided in the active region (semiconductor layer) of the TFT, it is preferred that the gettering capacity of the region is kept even after the completion of the TFT so as to keep the same level of gettering capability as that during the gettering process.
Furthermore, with such a method as that of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-270363, in which a gettering region is formed outside of an island-shaped semiconductor layer (TFT active region) and is removed after gettering the catalyst element thereto, no gettering region is present in the final TFT, whereby the catalyst element may come back to the channel region in a reverse flow when driving the TFT, thus resulting in a reliability problem.
Moreover, in the method of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-270363, a gettering region is formed outside of an island-shaped semiconductor layer, thereby requiring additional steps of forming a mask, implanting a gettering element, performing a gettering heat treatment, etc. Moreover, since the distance required for gettering is relatively long, the gettering heat treatment may take a long time or may fail to provide sufficient gettering efficiency.

Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same


The invention relates to the embodiment of panel loudspeakers 10 working according to the bending wave principle. Such loudspeakers 10 generally consist of an acoustic panel 11 and drivers 12, whereby the drivers 12 are connected to the acoustic panel 11. For the formation of bending waves in the acoustic panel 11, it is essentially important that the drivers 12 do not unnecessarily rigidize the acoustic panel 11. This has led to the arrangement of the drivers 12 at a distance from the acoustic panel 11 in a separate frame. In view of the complexity of such an arrangement, the invention aims at providing a connection between the drivers 12 and the acoustic panel 11 that can be supported directly on the acoustic panel 11 and which does not impede the propagation of the bending waves. This is achieved by connecting the drivers to the acoustic panel only at very few points 24 or by providing elastic member 25 in the fixing area of the drivers. A combination of both embodiments is also described.

The invention concerns the construction of devices for the dynamic excitation of panel loudspeakers, particularly the connection of drivers to the acoustic panel in panel loudspeakers which operate according to the bending wave principle.
Sound reproduction devices which operate according to the bending wave principle are known in the state of the art. Such devices, which are also called multiresonance panel loudspeakers, are essentially composed of an acoustic panel and at least one drive system in the form of a driver, where the acoustic panel is made to vibrate when electric sound signals are sent to the drivers. It is characteristic for such sound reproduction devices that a xe2x80x9cbending wave radiationxe2x80x9d becomes possible from a critical lower cut-off frequency, where the bending waves in the plane of the respective panel lead to a sound radiation with a frequency-dependent direction. In other words, a cut through an established directivity diagram shows a principal lobe whose direction is frequency-dependent. These relationships apply to endlessly expanded panels, while the relationships of the multiresonance panels treated in this application are clearly more complex because of the strong edge reflexes. This complexity of multiresonance panels comes from the fact that the cited principal lobe is superimposed by a number of other such principal lobes in a frequency-dependent direction, so that a widely fanned out directivity diagram is created which is also very frequency-dependent. But the multiresonance panels treated here have in common that their directivity diagrams on the average point away from the mid-perpendicular. This behavior causes the room to be more involved in the sound wave projection.
The acoustic panel is constructed according to the sandwich principle, where each of two superimposed surfaces of a very light core layer are connected to a thin cover layer, for example by bonding. For the acoustic panel to have good sound reproduction characteristics, the material of the cover layer must have an especially high dilatational wave speed. Suitable materials are for example thin metal foils or also fiber-reinforced plastic foils.
Special demands are also made on the core layer. It is therefore necessary for the applicable materials to have low mass density and low damping. The core layer materials must furthermore have as high a shear modulus as possible, vertically to the surfaces which are connected to the cover layers. Finally it is necessary for the materials to be used as core layers to have a very low modulus of elasticity in the direction in which the core layer made of these materials has its greatest expansion later on. These two premises, which at first sight seem to be contradictory with respect to the last two requirements, are best fulfilled by a core layer with a perforated structure of openings that preferably have a small cross section, located between the two surfaces provided with the cover layers. In addition to the core layer with the perforated structure, rigid foams can also be used as core layer materials, because they still have suitable shear and elasticity moduli in spite of their isotropic material characteristics. In this connection it must also be mentioned that when rigid foams are used as the core layer material, the cover layers must provide the required anisotropic behavior of the acoustic panel.
In order to radiate sound waves by means of an above described acoustic panel, it is necessary to connect the acoustic panel to at least one driver, which then produces vibrations in the acoustic panel vertically to the plane of the cover layers by means of time-variable power effects. To that end the state of the art generally uses electrodynamic drive systems such as are also used in principle to drive conventional loudspeakers. The drivers are usually equipped with corresponding braces so that these drive systems produce the necessary deformation of the acoustic panel to create bending waves. These braces can be formed for example by a support structure which is arranged at a distance from one of the two cover foils and contains the drive systems. Aside from the fact that such a support structure not only increases the structural depth and the weight of such devices, these support structures also require a considerable production effort. It can therefore be envisioned to directly connect the support structures, which are used as braces for the drive systems, to the acoustic panel. However it is a disadvantage that the support structures connected to the acoustic panel make the generation of bending waves more difficult due to unfavorable changes in the spot impedances.
The object of the invention is therefore to present a panel loudspeaker or better yet a holder for drivers of multiresonant panel loudspeakers, which are connected to the acoustic panel but do not, or only insignificantly, impede its deformation despite the connection to the acoustic panel.
This object is achieved by a device for the dynamic excitation of panel loudspeakers with an acoustic panel which comprises a core layer and at least one cover layer, with at least one electromagnetic driver which has a magnet system, and a holder which connects the driver to the acoustic panel, wherein a ring made of an elastic material is provided as the holder of the respective driver, which concentrically surrounds the magnetic system and is connected thereto, and the ring is arranged in a tube and is connected thereto, while the tube in turn is connected to the acoustic panel.
If the holder of the respective driver is connected in at least three places to the acoustic panel, on the one hand the driver is attached to the acoustic panel, and on the other the free mobility of the acoustic panel is considerably improved, in contrast to the otherwise usual or imaginable connections. Four or more places whereby the driver is connected to the acoustic panel lead to more extensive damping even though better mobility is still provided, compared to conventional connections.
The same result is obtained when the driver is connected to the acoustic panel with a holder containing an elastic member, since this type of connection also ensures that the bending waves which are impressed by the driver on the acoustic panel are able to propagate freely therein.
It is particularly advantageous when the holder, which is only connected at three points to the acoustic panel, is additionally equipped with elastic members, because these strengthen the decoupled connection between the driver and the acoustic panel, since low frequency tuning is required in all cases, i.e. the lowermost natural resonance of the system""s driver plus holder must clearly be lower than the lowest (reproduced) frequencies of interest.

Device for dynamic excitation of panel loudspeakers


Managing a sharing relationship of tables. A super schema is formed incorporating a plurality of tables in a database according to data types of respective columns of the plurality of tables. A free storage capacity of the super schema is evaluated according to holes not occupied by any table in the super schema. A sharing relationship of the plurality of tables is determined according to the free storage capacity of the super schema. The sharing relationship of a large number of tables in a database can be managed effectively, so as to design or optimize the sharing solution among the tables.

One or more aspects of the present invention relate to a database, as well as to tables in the database, and more specifically, to managing a sharing relationship of the tables.
With the development of information technology and the Internet, resource sharing becomes a trend. For instance, in the field of databases, a plurality of users may share a same database so as to realize the maximum possible resource sharing with a deployment of high-density and to save hardware and software costs. Each user does not own the shared database exclusively, so such a user is usually called a "tenant" which is indicative of a logic entity that uses the database service. On the other hand, in the mean time of sharing, it needs to isolate data of respective tenants from each other considering safety needs and to satisfy individual requirements of respective tenants. Therefore, as for a database that supports multiple tenants, a balance is needed between sharing and isolating.
More specifically, isolating of data usually means that different tenants use tables of different schemas to store the respective data. However, sharing of data means that to some extent, a plurality of tenants need to keep some consistency on the schema so as to share the tables at least partially. There are some prior art of dealing with the requirement of schema diversity using a PIVOT table, a private table, Pre-allocated fields, custom columns, chunk folding and some schema mapping techniques to realize sharing of data. However, the solutions for dealing with the requirement of schema diversity still has some drawbacks, like sparse data, extra expensive join effort, extra predicates and hard usage of index on customized columns. Some solutions are logically shared schema with physically isolated tables. Some solutions are native support of a physically shared table, but they need extra operations and cost like data dictionary lookup, table descriptor mapping, data type mapping, field pointer linking, etc. for realizing sharing.

International Business Machines Corporation


A tool for removal of rivets includes three main sections--a tubular body section, a base, and a drive shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly includes an upper portion to be received in the chuck of a rotational source of power and a lower portion to be received in the bore of the tubular body. An internally threaded drill receiving socket is disposed at a lower end of the lower portion of the drive shaft. The body section includes a coil spring for retracting the drill and a drill stop bushing for limiting the depth of penetration of the drill bit into the rivet. The base includes an upper disc and a larger diameter lower disc and three equally spaced tubular legs connect the upper disc to the lower disc. The bottom of the base includes a non-slip polymeric pad for contacting a work surface surrounding the rivet and stabilizing the cutting path of the drill.

Riveting is a commonly used process for fastening parts together. There are several rivet head styles commonly utilized including flush (countersunk head), round head and universal head. The majority of rivets are produced from a ductile metal and consist of a head and a solid cylindrical shank. To fasten two or more parts together, the shank portion of a rivet is inserted into two or more properly sized, concentrically aligned holes. The rivet is then upset or squeezed to make installation permanent.
Rivets are generally installed with the intent of securing parts together for the duration of the parts' life cycle. However, parts frequently must be refastened or removed and replaced for a number of reasons including: replacing faulty component parts, replacing loose rivets, deformation or open seams between components and bulging due to trapped drill shavings or other foreign matter.
Flush rivets, in particular, pose a significant challenge for removal and replacement. The most common method for removal involves drilling through the head of a rivet then driving the shank portion out of the hole with a pin punch. Traditional techniques of rivet removal require a highly skilled drill operator in order to avoid elongation of the holes. If the holes are elongated, the holes must be enlarged to accept oversized fasteners. In many cases, parts must be scrapped because the edge distance after oversizing is not sufficient for the application. Elongation occurs because it is difficult to center and orient a drill with flush rivets.
In many hole drilling operations performed by hand drilling machines it is accepted practice to use a drill guide surrounding the cutting end of a twist drill for the purpose of stabilizing the drilling operation. Examples include the tools described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,023,002; U.S. Pat. No. 2,296,087; U.S. Pat. No. 2,360,942; U.S. Pat. No. 2,372,398; U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,635; U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,811 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,39.
On aircraft panels fastened with flush rivets, using a type of bit guide that seats adjacent to the perimeter of the rivet head is undesirable as it may scar and degrade the material in the countersunk region. Additionally, such a device does not control the path of the drill since it does not orient the drill perpendicular to the rivet head. On the exterior of aircraft, flush heads are commonly shaved and blended to match the skin contour. For these rivets a seam does not exist, thus it is not possible to seat a bit guide around the periphery. Since the prior art does not provide a reliable tool for establishing perpendicularity of a drill with respect to these rivet heads, a removal opening is likely to be drilled on an angle such that the periphery of the existing holes is damaged. The present invention overcomes these limitations by adapting and improving the use of drill guides.


A level shifter circuit includes a pull-up unit configured to pull up an output node to a second voltage level being higher than a first voltage level in response to an input signal swinging with an amplitude of the first voltage level, a pull-down unit configured to pull down the output node in response to the input signal, and a protection unit connected between the output node and the pull-down unit to prevent a voltage of the output node from being applied to the pull-down unit.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device having a level shifter circuit.
Generally, semiconductor ICs (e.g., semiconductor memory devices) are not supplied with all operating voltages from the outside, but rather are supplied with only typical operating voltages, such as a power supply voltage (VDD), a ground voltage (VSS), etc. Therefore, semiconductor ICs may be provided with internal voltage generators to generate various levels of driving voltages.
In semiconductor ICs, the voltage swing levels may be different from one another within blocks that perform the same function. Specifically, the swing level of an input signal may be different from that of an output signal.
In this regard, a circuit configured to shift a swing level of an input signal is commonly referred to as a level shifter. A level shifter may be used to lower the swing level of an input signal, and is also widely used to boost the voltage level of an input signal. A semiconductor memory device may include a level shifter configured to shift the swing level of a signal swinging between a ground voltage (VSS) and a power supply voltage (VDD) and output a signal swinging between a ground voltage (VSS) and a high voltage (VPP).
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional level shifter circuit.
Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional level shifter circuit includes an inverter INV1, an NMOS transistor TN1, an NMOS transistor SN1, a PMOS transistor TP1, a PMOS transistor TP2, and an inverter INV2. The inverter IV1 is configured to invert an input signal IN. The NMOS transistor TN1 has a gate connected to an output terminal A1 of the inverter INV1, a source connected to a ground voltage (VSS) terminal, and a drain connected to a node A3. The NMOS transistor SN1 has a gate connected to a power supply voltage (VDD) terminal, a source connected to a node A1, and a drain connected to a node A2. The PMOS transistor TP1 has a source connected to a high voltage (VPP) terminal, a drain connected to the node A2, and a gate connected to the node A3. The PMOS transistor TP2 has a source connected to the high voltage (VPP) terminal, a drain connected to the node A3, and a gate connected to the node A2. The inverter INV2 is configured to invert a signal of the node A3 and output the inverted signal as an output signal OUT.
The inverter INV1 uses the power supply voltage VDD as its pull-up voltage, and the inverter INV2 uses the high voltage VPP as its pull-up voltage. That is, the input signal IN swings between the ground voltage VSS and the power supply voltage VDD, and the output signal OUT swings between the ground voltage VSS and the high voltage VPP.
The operation of the conventional level shifter circuit will now be described briefly.
In one case, when the input signal IN has a logic high level (corresponding to the VDD level), the node A1 has the ground voltage (VSS) level. In this case, since the power supply voltage (VDD) level is applied to the gate of the NMOS transistor SN1, the NMOS transistor SN1 is turned on. Thus, the node A2 approaches the ground voltage (VSS) level, and the PMOS transistor TP2 is turned on. Since the NMOS transistor TN1 is in a turned-off state, the node A3 has the high voltage (VPP) level, and the PMOS transistor TP1 is turned off, thereby preventing an increase in the voltage level of the node A2. The resulting output signal OUT has a logic low level (corresponding to the VSS level).
On the other hand, when the input signal IN has a logic low level (corresponding to the VSS level), the node A1 has the power supply voltage (VDD) level. As a result, the NMOS transistor TN1 is turned on so that the node A3 is discharged. When the voltage level of the node A3 drops below the threshold voltage (Vt) of the PMOS transistor TP1, the PMOS transistor TP1 is turned on and drives the node A2 to the high voltage (VPP) level. Since the NMOS transistor SN1 is in a turned-off state, the PMOS transistor TP2 is turned off when the voltage level of the node A2 increases above the threshold voltage, thereby preventing the increase in the voltage level of the node A3. The resulting output signal OUT has a logic high level corresponding to the high voltage (VPP) level.
Meanwhile, since the high voltage VPP is applied to the PMOS transistors TP1 and TP2, the PMOS transistors TP1 and TP2 are implemented with thick transistors, which have a large gate insulation film thickness (Tox), in order to guarantee the reliability of the semiconductor device. The NMOS transistor SN1 is implemented with a slim transistor, which has excellent current driving capability and a low threshold voltage. Since the high voltage VPP may be applied to the drain of the NMOS transistor TN1, the NMOS transistor TN1 is also implemented with a thick transistor, which has a large gate insulation film thickness (Tax).
In the case of DRAMs, there is no great difference in the versions of the DRAMs. However, the power supply voltage (VDD) level tends to be gradually lowered in order to meet the low power requirement. Specifically, the power supply voltage (VDD) level has been lowered as the version of DRAMs have evolved (e.g., DDR1 (2.5 V), DDR2 (1.8 V), DDR3 (1.5 V), DDR4 (1.2 V-1.0 V)). However, there has been almost no difference in the high voltage (VPP) level, which has been in a range of 3.3 V to 3.0 V.
Such a trend towards a dropping power supply voltage VDD and an increasing high voltage VPP causes unstable operation of the level shifter circuit as illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a timing diagram showing input/output waveforms of the conventional level shifter circuit of FIG. 1 in a low power supply voltage environment (e.g., VDD=0.94 V) for various voltage levels of high voltage VPP. It is clear from FIG. 2 that the operation slows down when the level shifter circuit is enabled, and the voltage level is not fully pulled down to the ground voltage VSS when the level shifter circuit is disabled.
This result occurs for the following reason. The NMOS transistor TN1, which is configured to pull down the output node A3 of the conventional level shifter circuit, has a large gate insulation film thickness and a high threshold voltage. Therefore, as the logic high level (corresponding to the VDD level) of the node A1 is lowered, a longer time is taken to turn on the NMOS transistor TN1 so that the output node A3 is discharged to the ground voltage (VSS) level. When the power supply voltage (VDD) level drops even further, the current driving capability of the NMOS transistor TN1 becomes lower than that of the PMOS transistor TP2. As a result, the output node A3 fails to be sufficiently driven to the ground voltage (VSS) level.
Meanwhile, when the input signal IN having a logic low level is inputted in an environment where the power supply voltage VDD drops gradually, the logic level of the node A1 changes to a logic high level and a voltage equivalent to the power supply voltage minus the threshold voltage (VDD−Vt) is applied to the node A2. The lowered gate voltage of the NMOS transistor TN1 (also the voltage of node A1) reduces the amount of current flowing through the NMOS transistor TN1. Therefore, due to the operations of the PMOS transistors TP1 and TP2, which are cross-coupled to pull up the output node A3 to the high voltage (VPP) level, the output node A3 cannot be fully pulled down to a logic low level. Hence, the operation of charging the node A2 to the high voltage (VPP) level is hindered. This increases the delay in which the output node A3 changes from the high voltage (VPP) level to the ground voltage (VSS) level, and also increases the delay until the output signal OUT changes from the transition time point of the input signal IN. When the low power supply voltage (VDD) environment is severe, the amount of change of the output node A3 when the NMOS transistor TN1 is turned on becomes too small to control the PMOS transistor TP1. In this case, since the node A2 also fails to change from a logic low level to a high voltage (VPP) level, the PMOS transistor TP2 fails to be turned off. Thus, the output node A3 fails to change to a level which is recognizable as a logic low level. Consequently, the output signal OUT does not have a required output level.
FIG. 3 illustrates another conventional level shifter circuit.
The level shifter circuit of FIG. 3 is designed to overcome the above-mentioned concerns regarding the level shifter circuit of FIG. 1 which occur in the low power supply voltage (VDD) environment. Compared with the level shifter circuit of FIG. 1, the level shifter circuit of FIG. 3 further includes an inverter INV11 and MOS transistors TN11, TN12, TN13, and TN14, and the gate insulation film thicknesses of some transistors are modified.
For reference, PMOS transistors TP11 and TP12 and NMOS transistors TN11, TN12, TN13, and TN14 are implemented with thick transistors having a large gate insulation film thickness, and NMOS transistors SN11 and SN12 are implemented with slim transistors.
Since the basic operation of the level shifter circuit of FIG. 3 is substantially identical to that of the level shifter circuit of FIG. 1, a description thereof will be omitted for conciseness.
The proposed level shifter circuit may address the above-mentioned operational concerns of the level shifter circuit of FIG. 1 which occur in the low power supply voltage (VDD) environment, but is its circuit area is at least doubled by the increase in the number of transistors used therein. In addition, when the NMOS transistors TN13 and TN14 are turned on, the high voltage VPP is applied to the NMOS transistors SN11 and SN12 which are implemented with the slim transistors. This may degrade the reliability of the semiconductor device.

Level shifter circuit and semiconductor device having the same


An elastic band for ligating tissue within a living body comprises an inner tissue engaging surface which, when in an operative position within the body, surrounds and directly contacts the tissue. At least a portion of the inner tissue engaging surface defines a plurality of discontinuities formed by one of projections and depressions. A method of ligating tissue within a living body using such a ligating band comprises the steps of positioning the elastic band, which has been stretched to increase the size of a central opening extending therethrough, adjacent to a portion of tissue to be ligated. The tissue to be ligated is then drawn through the central opening of the elastic band and the elastic band is released so that the size of the central opening decreases to grip the tissue received therein.

Physicians have used elastic ligating bands to treat lesions, including internal hemorrhoids and mucositis and for performing mechanical hemostasis.
The object of ligation is to position a ligating band over the targeted lesion or blood vessel section by stretching the band beyond its undeformed diameter drawing the tissue to be ligated within the band and then releasing the band so that it contracts, applying inward pressure on the section of tissue caught within the band. The effect of the inward pressure applied by the band is to stop all circulation through the targeted tissue, thereby causing the tissue to die. The body then sloughs off the dead tissue or the dead tissue may be aspirated into an endoscope or a similar device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,416 to Chu et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,844 to Zaslavsky et al., both of which are incorporated herein by reference, describe ligating band dispensing devices including cylindrical support surfaces over which elastic ligating bands are stretched. The cylindrical support surfaces are typically attached to the distal end of an endoscope which is advanced into the body to a target area. A user then applies suction through the endoscope to draw the tissue to be ligated into the cylindrical support surface and then releases a ligating band to contract around the tissue.
There are two problems inherent with the type of ligating bands typically used with the above-described devices. The first is that the bands have a tendency to slip off the targeted tissue before the tissue is completely ligated. One reason why a ligating band may slip off targeted tissue is because tissue contained within a ligating band is effectively "pinched" by the ligating band, creating an outward pressure on the band. Specifically, the bulb-shaped projection of tissue which has been drawn under suction into the lumen of a cylindrical support surface is pulled away from the surrounding tissue creating tension within the projection which draws the tissue of the projection back toward the its natural position. Thus, the tissue is urged to slip out of the ligating band as the band contracts. In addition, blood and fluid within the body can make the surface of the targeted tissue slick, thereby decreasing the coefficient of friction between the ligating band and the targeted tissue. Also, if the targeted tissue is an active blood vessel the "pulsing" effect of blood moving through the vessel can cause the ligating band to slip off of the targeted tissue.
A second problem with current ligating bands is that the bands are not adjustable once they have been dispensed from the ligating band dispenser. Therefore, if a band is improperly placed around a section of ottissue, or if the physician placing the ligating band should wish to draw more tissue within the band, there is no effective way to adjust the band.

Method of using a textured ligating band


The present disclosure provides a composition. The composition includes a silanol functionalized polyolefin; an anhydride-free brominated flame retardant; antimony trioxide; and the composition has an antimony (Sb) to bromine (Br) molar ratio (Sb:Br molar ratio) from 0.37 to 1.05. The present disclosure also provides a coated conductor. The coated conductor includes a conductor and a coating on the conductor, the coating including a composition. The composition includes a silanol functionalized polyolefin; an anhydride-free brominated flame retardant; antimony trioxide; and the composition has an antimony (Sb) to bromine (Br) molar ratio (Sb:Br molar ratio) from 0.37 to 1.05.

Known are halogenated flame retardant compositions, such as those containing brominated flame retardants in combination with antimony trioxide, for applications such as wire and cable. Halogenated flame retardant compositions can be formulated to provide sufficient flame retardancy, but they typically require high loadings of flame retardants. High loadings of flame retardants adversely affect the processability and mechanical performance, such as elongation and impact strength, of the compositions.
A need exists for a flame retardant composition that contains a low amount of flame retardant.
A further need exists for a flame retardant composition that meets the VW-1 burn rating and/or passes the horizontal burn test.


Apparatus and methods related to image taking and processing are provided. For example, some embodiments may contain a front facing camera and a back facing camera and can be used for including the image-taker as part of the images taken by the image-taker, for verifying authorship of the image, for creating documentary style still or moving images combining the images of the person creating the documentary and the images of the subject or the scene being documented, and for creating a wide field of views of still and moving images.

1. Technical Field
This document relates to apparatus and methods involved in image taking and processing.
2. Background Information
Various camera-containing apparatus, such as a digital still camera, a digital video camera, or a mobile phone equipped with a camera, are used for taking still or moving images. The images are taken by an image-taker, oftentimes a real person, with cameras facing away from the real person and toward a scene, who views the scene being taken as images from behind a viewfinder.


A press-fit assembly apparatus for pressing to join two frames includes a base, a moving mechanism, and a rolling-and-pressing device. The base is used for supporting the two frame stacked thereon. The moving mechanism includes a movable mount. The rolling-and-pressing device includes a fixed mount and a roller. The fixed mount is fixed on the movable mount. The roller is connected to the fixed mount. During a movement of the movable mount in a direction relative to the base, the roller can keep moving apart from the base substantially by a distance. Thereby the roller can touch one of the frames corresponding to two engagement portions of the two frames and roll and press the one frame for achieve the purpose of joining the two frames. Therefore, the invention improves the yield of the joining process for the two frames by the above rolling and pressing.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a press-fit assembly apparatus, and especially relates to a press-fit assembly apparatus joining two frames by rolling and pressing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a general assembly process of a liquid crystal display monitor, after a display module is assembled to a back casing of the monitor, the back casing needs to be joined with a front frame. If an operator joins the front frame directly to the back casing by hands, because such joining needs the operator to apply a proper force on the front frame and the back casing, the degree of fatigue of the operator increases after a long time operation. The applied force by the operation will be unsteady, leading to failure in the joining. Especially if a displaying panel of the display module is located close to where the back casing and the front frame are joined, the failure in joining may also induce cracks in the displaying panel, which increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, in a method of using fixtures to join the back casing and the front frame, e.g. applying a vertical force directly on the front frame by use of a press plate of the fixture for joining the front frame to the back casing, for completely joining the back casing and the front frame, the press plate of the fixture usually horizontally presses down the front frame in a fixed stroke. The press plate cannot press down in coordination with the actual joining situations of the back casing with the front frame. It leads to that when an inexact alignment of the back casing with the front frame occurs due to operation or manufacturing variation, a direct and vertical pressing by the press plate may induce an incomplete join of the back casing to the front frame or cracks at some joined portions. Furthermore, when the inexact alignment is worse, forcing the press plate to press down may not only damage the back casing or the front frame but also indirectly induce cracks in the displaying panel. For example, a constant stroke may induce an excessive large pressing force of the press plate; a damaged structure of the back casing or the front frame may indirectly induce cracks in the displaying panel.


A method for producing insulating profiles comprises manufacturing a profile body and a first functional element separately, and the profile body and the first functional element are supplied to an ultrasonic welding device, wherein the profile body and the functional element are connected to one another by a material bond by formation of a welded joint. The profile body and the functional element are brought together into a predetermined first cross-sectional geometry during formation of the welded joint and are thereafter guided in this cross-sectional geometry until the plastics material of the welded joint solidifies to such an extent that the profile body and the first functional element are fixed in the predetermined cross-sectional geometry.

The invention relates to a method for the production of an insulating profile, in particular, for the production of window, door and facade components and also to the insulating profiles produced by the method. The insulating profile that is to be manufactured comprises an insulating bar manufactured from a first polymer material which comprises a profile body as well as a first functional element which both extend in the longitudinal direction of the insulating profile, wherein the first functional element is connected to the insulating bar in a contact region by a material bond.
In particular, the insulating profiles mentioned hereinabove are employed in diverse manners for the production of metal-plastics composite profiles wherein the insulating profiles serve for heat insulating and/or sound-proofing of the composite profiles and typically connect two metal profiles to one another.
Furthermore, the insulating profiles produced in accordance with the invention find use as so-called chicanes which function as sills, e.g., in the sliding systems of large sized windows or doors. Finally, the insulating profiles in accordance with the invention are suitable as facade spacers which are used in particular in order to hold neighboring glass window panes or other facade panels spaced from each other in the case of facades and glass roof structures and, if necessary, to fill any gaps occurring between them.
Until now, the insulating profiles mentioned hereinabove have usually been manufactured in accordance with the special geometrical requirements of the customers. To this end, high-priced extruding tools are made utilising complex methods with which the sought-for contours of the insulating profile demanded by the customer can then be produced exactly.
Apart from the high tooling costs, a further disadvantage of this classical method is the missing flexibility on the part of the manufacturer to be able to react to particular requests for alterations in regard to adaptations of the geometry of the composite. Thus for example, one cannot simply increase the visible width of the metal-plastics composite while maintaining the insulating profile without losing out on the insulating effect.

Method for the production of an insulating profile


This invention relates to a foaming enzyme composition and delivery method useful for the cleaning and maintenance of moist conditions of the surfaces of soiled instruments, utensils and other devices prior to final cleaning and/or sterilization. The aqueous composition preferably consists of a combination of: (1) an enzyme cleaning solution, (2) foam-building ingredients; (3) a corrosion inhibitor; and (4) an antimicrobial agent. The composition may be dispensed from a pump spray as a stable foam which covers the surfaces of the instrument to be cleaned, and remains on the surface of the instrument for at least 30 minutes, and preferably until the instruments are finally cleaned and sterilized. The composition and delivery method of the present invention is particularly useful for the pre-cleaning of complex medical instruments such as endoscopes.

There exists in the prior art many aqueous cleaning solutions for industrial and commercial uses which contain a mixture of enzymes, as well as surfactants, detergents and other components. Enzymatic cleaning solutions have also been used in the past to clean various instruments, particularly medical instruments that have been soiled by exposure to materials and microorganisms present in the body cavities, tissues and blood of the surgical patient. Enzymes taught to be useful in such cleaning applications include one or more protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase and pectinase enzymes, which serve to attack or degrade organics, such as proteins, starches, fats, cellulose and pectins.
Medical and dental instruments are typically immersed in enzyme cleaners for the removal of gross soils prior to cleaning and disinfecting/sterilization. In order to effectively disinfect and/or sterilize these instruments, they must be scrupulously cleaned. The introduction of flexible glass fiber endoscopes and their growing use has created a challenge to effective cleaning. These instruments are complicated in design and contain a number of different materials. Typically the endoscopes utilize narrow lumens to transport air, liquids and surgical instruments to the interior of the human body, thereby making the instrument very difficult to clean.
Current methods of pre-cleaning medical instruments involve rinsing the instrument with water or cleaning solutions immediately after patient use. The instruments are then soaked in an enzyme solution until delivery to a central cleaning area where the instrument is disinfected and sterilized, usually by an autoclave. The enzyme soaking solution keeps the instrument moist in addition to digesting the proteinaceous, cellulosic, fat and other tissue adhering to the instrument surfaces. If the surfaces of the instrument become dry prior to cleaning, incomplete cleaning can result, which in turn may adversely impact subsequent disinfecting and/or sterilization.
There are several major drawbacks to using current immersion cleaning solutions to pre-clean complex modern medical instruments such as endoscopes. First of all, there is the tendency of the solution to splash during transport to the central cleaning area. Secondly, current enzymatic cleaning solutions typically lack antimicrobial agents to prevent growth of organisms introduced into the solution by the soiled instruments. In addition, continued use of a soaking solution tends to promote corrosion due to the variety of different materials utilized in the manufacture of the endoscopic instruments.
The present invention relates to a novel method and composition for pre-cleaning medical instruments and other devises that need to be kept moist to facilitate a final cleaning. In its preferred embodiments, a unique enzymatic cleaner is applied and maintained as a foam directly on the instrument surfaces without the need for immersion or heating.
The following are examples in the patent literature of several prior art cleaners and methods which utilize them:
Metesky et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,607, Method of Cleaning Using A Foamed Liquid, teaches the use of an aqueous solution containing a surfactant and enzymes which is heated to create a foam via ebullition. This cleaner is useful for cleaning industrial equipment which has been soiled by lubricants.
Disch et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,832, Process For Cleaning And Disinfecting Heat And Corrosion Sensitive Medical Instruments, teaches the use of a cleaning solution for endoscopes which contains a low-foaming nonionic surfactant, a proteolytic enzyme, a complexing agent and an aldehyde disinfectant in water having a specific hardness. The endoscope is immersed in the cleaning solution and heated to 55.degree. C. to 65.degree. C. for one to fifteen minutes, after which the instrument is rinsed and dried.
Disch et at, U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,166, Preparation And Processes For Cleaning And Disinfecting Endoscopes, is directed to a composition which is useful in the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,832.
Benson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,531, Combined Two Stage Method For Cleaning And Decontaminating Surgical Instruments, describes a method for cleaning and decontaminating soiled surgical instruments by immersing the instruments in an enzyme cleaning solution and then adding a germicidal detergent microbiological decontaminating solution.
Van Duzee et al., U.S.Pat. No. 5,576,278, Stable Liquid Enzyme Compositions And Methods of Use, teaches the cleaning of contact lenses by immersion in compositions containing opthalmically acceptable enzymes of high purity.

Foaming enzyme spray cleaning composition and method of delivery


A microchip handling system has a pair of probes with suction cups for handling microchips. An improved microchip holding device is used in lieu of the suction cups to pick up and hold microchips. The microchip holding device has a head accommodating an annular sleeve that retains the microchip in spaced holding relationship relative to a body. The sleeve establishes a large annular space whereby the vacuum force has a large surface area for holding the microchip in engagement with the sleeve.

Automated object handling and assembly machines are equipped with robot arms operable to pick up and transport objects to a precise location. Microchip handling equipment have movable probes carrying cone-shaped suction cups for picking up microchips and moving them to desired locations. The probe is lowered to place the outer edge of the suction cup into physical contact with the microchip. A vacuum force applied to the inside of the suction cup causes the microchip to adhere to the cup. The cone-shaped cup has an annular flexible flange with a central opening to allow air to be withdrawn from under the flange. The vacuum causes the flexible flange to draw down on the microchip leaving only the small surface area of the central opening for the vacuum force holding the microchip on the cup. This vacuum force must be sufficient to prevent movement and separation of the microchip from the suction cup. The microchip can be damaged and cracked when subjected to high vacuum forces and impact forces. Examples of probes for microchip handlers having cone-shaped suction cups are disclosed by E. Takagi in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,012 and N. Shigekazu et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,435.


An improved structure of a speaker comprises a speaker frame disposed with a yoke at a lower end, the yoke is disposed with a magnet that is sleeved with a voice coil pipe; a lower damper is sleeved onto the voice coil pipe through a hole, with an outer edge of the damper attached to the outer edge of the bottom inside the speaker frame; a washer is overlapped at the outer edge of the lower damper, then an upper damper is sleeved onto the voice coil pipe through a hole, with its outer edge attached to the washer; two cones are hooked up and attached to each other with a hole of the two cones sleeved onto the voice coil pipe, and an outer edge of a cone surround is attached to a rim of the speaker frame to form the improved structure of the speaker.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved structure of a speaker, more particularly, to an improved structure of a speaker in which a join of a voice coil pipe is strengthened to effectively increase strength and reduce distortion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Please refer to FIG. 1 for a sectional view of a traditional speaker, which mainly comprises:
a speaker frame 1, the speaker frame 1 is connected with a yoke 11 at its lower end, a magnet 12 is disposed in the yoke 11, and a rim 13 extends from an outer edge of the speaker frame 1;
a voice coil pipe 2, the voice coil pipe 2 comprises a paper pipe 21 and a coil 22, the coil 22 is wound at the lower end of the paper pipe 21, the voice coil pipe 2 is sleeved onto the outside of the magnet 12 of the speaker frame 1;
a damper 3, the damper 3 comprises a hole 31 opened at a center thereof, the damper 3 is sleeved onto to the voice coil pipe 2 through the hole 31, the outer edge of the damper 3 is attached to the outer edge of the bottom inside the speaker frame 1, and the hole 31 of the damper 3 is attached to the voice coil pipe 2 through the colloid;
a cone 4, the cone 4 comprises a surround 41 formed on the outer edge thereof, and a hole 42 opened at a center of the cone 4, the cone 4 is sleeved onto the voice coil pipe 2 through the hole 42, the outer edge of the surround 41 is attached to the rim 13 of the speaker frame 1 through the colloid, and the hole 42 of the cone 4 is attached to the voice coil pipe 2 through the colloid;
a diaphragm 5, the diaphragm 5 wraps up the upper end of the voice coil pipe 2; and
a traditional speaker is formed by assembling the above components, however, since the traditional voice coil pipe 2 is held by the damper 3 and the cone 4 at two points on the voice coil pipe 2, the strength of the join of the voice coil pipe 2 is weak; when the voice coil pipe 2 is vibrating upward and downward in high speed, it is easy to cause the voice coil pipe 2 to shift horizontally and to cause the cone 4 to deform in the long term.
Therefore, the traditional speaker still presents some shortcomings to be overcome.
In view of the above, the inventor of the present invention has put a lot of efforts in studying the deficiencies in the traditional speaker; after years of constant research, the inventor has proposed an improved structure of a speaker in the present invention.


A shower cubicle panel comprises a main panel element (14) of composite construction with at least two layers of different material, and means for interconnecting the cubicle panel (10) to an adjacent panel (10) and a shower tray (80). A connector for adjacent shower cubicle panels comprises a first part (36), a second part (38). The first part (36) has a first elongate channel portion (22b) for receiving an edge of a first shower cubicle panel, and a male connector portion (42). The second part (38) has a second elongate channel portion (22b) for receiving an edge of a second shower cubicle panel, and a female connector portion (50) substantially complementarily shaped to receive the male connector portion (42). A sealing element (40) is interposable between the first and second parts (36, 38) for preventing their disengagement.

Present shower cubicles are reasonably complex and time-consuming to erect. The associated panels are heavy, cumbersome and unwieldy, making assembly problematic. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an easy to assemble shower cubicle which is, at least in part, prefabricated, and also to provide shower cubicle panels which are easy to handle and interengage.


A liquid crystal device has a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal composition comprising a discotic mesomorphic compound and a rod-shaped mesomorphic compound. The discotic mesomorphic compound and the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound are essentially mutually different in molecular structure and refractive index anisotropy and are co-present in the liquid crystal layer in a mutual phase separation state, thus improving a light-scattering performance of the liquid crystal device.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device for use in light-valves for flat panel displays, paper displays, projection displays, printers, etc. The present invention also relates to a mesomorphic functional material suitable for constituting the liquid crystal device and a liquid crystal apparatus including the liquid crystal device.
The most popular and extensively used display may be CRTs (cathode ray tubes) which have been heretofore used for displaying motion pictures of television and video tape recorders or as monitor displays for personal computers. Based on the operation characteristic, however, the CRT is accompanied with difficulties such that the recognizability of a static image is lowered due to flickering and scanning fringes caused by an insufficient resolution, and the fluorescent member is deteriorated due to burning or sticking. Further, the CRT has generally consumed a larger electric power, thus beoing required to reduced its power consumption. Further, the CRT structurally has a large rearward space behind the display surface to restrict facilitates for information equipment having the CRT, so that the space economization in offices at home may be obstructed thereby.
As a type of device solving such problems of the CRT, there has been known a liquid crystal device, including a type using a twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal as disclosed by M. Schadt and W. Helfrich, xe2x80x9cApplied Physics Lettersxe2x80x9d, Vol. 18, No. 4 (Feb. 15, 1971), pp. 127-128.
By using a liquid crystal material of the TN-type, VA (vertical alignment)-mode, IPS (in plane switching)-mode, etc., an active (TFT)-type liquid crystal device has been developed and commercialized in recent years, wherein each pixel is provided with and driven with a TFT (thin film transistor). As a result, the problem of crosstalk has been solved. Further, along a rapid progress in production technology in recent years, TFT-type display panels using such a liquid crystal device of 1-13 inch-size have been produced with good productivity.
However, the above-mentioned liquid crystal devices are ordinarily used as a display panel in combination with a backlight (device) by optically modulating a transmitted light passing through the liquid crystal device. Accordingly the backlight for the liquid crystal device is required to emit a strong light. Further, a consumption power of liquid crystal display apparatus is largely occupied by the backlight. Even when a lithium ion-secondary battery is used for such a liquid crystal display apparatus a continuous (successive) operation time for, e.g., mobile computing is approximately several hours at the best. Thus, if backlight devices for various liquid crystal devices can be omitted, low power consumption for many information equipment and office equipment is realized, thus leading to suppression of global warming and a terrestrial enviroment proctection.
In the circumstances, a low power consumption-type reflection liquid crystal device without using a backlight has been developed but still leaves room for improvement in its characteristics at present. Further, various products using a projection-type liquid crystal device as a projector have been commercially available from electrical equipment manufacturers as a large picture-size display. In the field of such a liquid crystal projector, however, a further improvement brightness (luminance) and/or contrast is required.
In order to provide a high-brightness liquid crystal device without using a polarizer, light scattering-type liquid crystal devices, such as one of a polymer-dispersed type and one of a polymer network-type have been developed and proposed (e.g., xe2x80x9c""93 Eurodisplayxe2x80x9d, p. 397-). However, these liquid crystal devices are still desired to improve driving characteristics, scattering performance and other characteristics.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) 09-243984 describes a light scattering-type liquid crystal device using a combination of dendrimer or a discotic mesomorphic compound with a rod-shaped mesomorphic compound. However, the discotic mesomorphic compound and the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound have mutually similar chemical structures, thus providing an insufficient phase separation state. As a result a light-scattering performance largely affected by the phase separation state is liable to become insufficient and a switching (optical response) ability of the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound is liable to be impaired.
In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal device of low power consumption, high brightness and high performance as an optical modulation device or a display device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mesomorphic functional material excellent in properties and suitable for a liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal device.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal apparatus including the liquid crystal device.
As a result of our study, we have found that it is possible to realize a liquid crystal device providing a high light-scattering state effectively utilizing a difference in refractive index characteristic between a discotic mesomorphic compound and a rod-shaped mesomorphic compound (as described later as to Table 1) by placing the mesomorphic compounds in such a state that the discotic mesomorphic compound and the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound essentially having mutually different molecular structures leading to different refractive index anisotropies are co-present in a phase separation state.
Herein, the term xe2x80x9cphase separation statexe2x80x9d means a state such that under observation through an optical, polarizing microscope, mutually phase separated extures of the liquid crystal layer is observable or confirmable. Specifically, this condition is fulfilled when a domain size of each phase is at least a light wavelength level, typically 1-2 xcexcm or larger. In some cases, the phase separation state may also be confirmed by effecting thermal analysis using, e.g., a DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) with respect to respective mesomorphic phases to determie an individual phase transition behavior.
According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal device, having a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal composition comprising a discotic mesomorphic compound and a rod-shaped mesomorphic compound, wherein the discotic mesomorphic compound and the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound are co-present in the liquid crystal layer in a mutual phase separation state.
In a preferred embodiment, in order to provide the above-mentioned phase separation state, a polymeric discotic mesomorphic compound having a recurring unit comprising a discotic mesomorphic molecular unit is used as the discotic mesomorphic compound.
In another preferred embodiment, in order to form a high light-scattering state, directors of the discotic mesomorphic compound and the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound in the liquid crystal layer are oriented in an identical direction in at least one alignment state.
In a further preferred embodiment, as the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound, a mesomorphic compound having a memory characteristic or nematic phase or a mesomorphic compound in a polymerized state (polymeric mesomorphic compound) is used.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a liquid crystal composition or mixture as a liquid crystal material for forming the liquid crystal layer in the above-described preferred embodiments.
In this case, as a preferred liquid crystal material, a liquid crystal mixture comprising a polymerizable discotic mesomorphic compound and a rod-shaped mesomorphic compound is used.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal apparatus comprising the above liquid crystal device and a drive means for driving the liquid crystal device.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Liquid crystal device, mesomorphic functional material and liquid crystal apparatus