An Any Which Way Check Acceptance method and apparatus is provided, which allow a set of checks to be deposited in a stack, where each check can be oriented in any of sixteen different ways. In one embodiment of the invention, the ATM check reader has an MICR and OCR scanner/reader. When a set of checks is deposited, each check is subjected to a MICR scan and an OCR scan. If the check is aligned correctly and right side up, then the check is processed based on the MICR scan information. If the check is not aligned correctly or is upside down, then the MICR read fails because the magnetic stripe on the check is not where it is expected to be. Rather than rejecting the check at this point, the invention uses the OCR scan information from both the front and back of the check to process the check.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to check processing. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for a check reader to process checks that are not aligned correctly or are upside down.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Check depositing in automated banking machines are known in the prior art. Automatic banking machines are used to carry out transactions of value. A popular type of automated banking machine is an automated teller machine (ATM). Other types of automated banking machines are used to count and dispense cash. These machines are often used by tellers or customer service representatives in banking and other transaction environments. Other types of automated banking machines are used to make or receive payments, to dispense or receive tickets, travelers checks, scrip, cash, or other documents or items of value, or to electronically check or transfer funds.
Some ATM machines have the capability of receiving checks and other negotiable instruments. Such machines may include a device such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,467. Devices of this type can be used to cancel and produce electronic images of checks which are deposited into an ATM machine. The canceled checks are stored in the machine for later removal by bank personnel.
While such automated banking machines have been available for awhile and have experienced improvements, there still are some drawbacks. There still is not available a convenient and efficient technique for allowing an entire stack of checks to be deposited, regardless of the orientation of each of the checks in the stack.
A discussion on some of the prior art of currency and document orientation and sorting follows. For example, M. Owens, H. T. Graef, J. Eastman, M. Harty, and A. Junkins, U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,638, Automated Banking Machine with Currency Recycling Canisters (Dec. 26, 2000) discuss an automated banking machine identifying and storing documents, such as currency bills deposited by a user. The machine then selectively recovers such documents from storage and dispenses them to other users. The machine includes a central transport wherein documents deposited in a stack are unstacked, oriented, and identified. Such documents are then routed to particular storage areas in recycling canisters. When a user subsequently requests a dispense, documents stored in the storage areas are selectively picked therefrom and delivered to the user through an input/output area of the machine.
As another example, M. Force, T. H. Graef, R. Bowser, J. Eastman, M. Harty, A. Junkins, M. E. Lindroos, M. Owens, M. Ryan, A. Looney, and R. Shirah, U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,939, Method of Operating a Self-Auditing Automated Banking Machine (Jun. 8, 2004) similarly discuss an automated banking machine that identifies and stores documents such as currency bills deposited by a user. The machine selectively recovers stored documents and dispenses them. The machine includes a central transport wherein documents deposited in a stack are unstacked, oriented, and identified. Such documents are then routed to storage areas in. Documents in the storage areas are selectively picked therefrom and delivered to a user. Each canister includes a memory which holds information concerning the number and type of documents housed in the canister as well as other information concerning the hardware and software resident on the canister. The memory also includes data representative of individuals responsible for loading and transporting the canister. The machine conducts self-auditing activities to verify that the documents held in the storage areas correspond to the information stored in memory and indicate discrepancies.
In a third example, D. C. McGlamery, K. G. Harrington, R. M. Parsons, and R. G. Belchler, U.S. 2005/0139671, Method and System for Exception Processing of MICR Documents (Jun. 30, 2005) discuss a system and method for exception processing of MICR documents. MICR documents are read and sorted to a destination pocket for processing subject to a determination that an exception does not prevent the routing of the document. In example embodiments, for example, an error does not prevent the routing of the document if it is not related to the routing/transit field. In the case of digit errors, an optical character recognition (OCR) process is performed on the stored, electronic image of the document to correct digit errors in the stored data read from the documents. If a determination is made that correction or other exception processing cannot be handled through the OCR process, the image and corresponding MICR data is displayed on a user terminal, for manual verification or correction by reference to an image of the document, rather than the document itself.
As can be gleaned from the above, while there has been some development and progress in the handling of recycling currency or other sheets or documents representative of value received from a customer, or MICR line exception processing, such teachings nevertheless still lack the contemplation of allowing a set of checks to be deposited as a stack where each check can be oriented in sixteen different ways, without having to later re-orient any check.
It would therefore be advantageous to allow a set of checks to be deposited as a stack where each check can be oriented in sixteen different ways without having to later re-orient any check.

Method and apparatus for any which way check acceptance


A leakproof washer includes a resilient annular base and a rupturable annular capsule secured on a top face of the annular base. The base and the capsule have inner peripheral walls which cooperatively confine an axial through opening. The capsule contains a hardening agent therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a washer, more particularly to an improved leakproof washer.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional washer (2) when incorporated on a screw fastener (1). The washer (2) is a resilient annular member with a predetermined thickness and serves to insure tightness and prevent leakage. In use, the washer (2) is sleeved on a threaded shank (11) of the screw fastener (1). When the screw fastener (1) is driven into a member (3), as shown in FIG. 2, the washer (2) is compressed such that the thickness thereof is reduced, while the diameter of the same is increased. The washer (2) is provided tightly between the member (3) and the head portion (12) of the screw fastener (1), thereby enabling the washer (2) to prevent water from leaking into the member (3) via the screw fastener (1). The washer (2) is indispensable in the construction industry especially when it is necessary to provide the screw fastener (1) with waterproofing capabilities. However, deformation and cracking of the washer (2) can occur after prolonged exposure of the latter to rain and sunshine, thereby preventing the washer (2) from accomplishing its purpose. Referring once more to FIG. 2, after the screw fastener (1) has been driven into the member (3) so as to force the washer (2) tightly against the latter, the washer (2) is unable to seal a clearance (D) formed between two adjacent screw threads (11) of the threaded shank (11). Therefore, when the washer (2) cracks and deforms, rain water can easily leak into the member (3) via the clearance (D). The washer (2) is thus unable to accomplish its purpose, thereby resulting in some construction problems.
Since the conventional washer (2) is unable to provide adequate protection against leakage, it has been known to provide a hardening agent (such as silicone) to enclose the head portion (12) of the screw fastener (1). The hardening agent cures upon contact with air and prevents leakage of water into the member (3). However, application of the hardening agent requires additional manpower, thereby increasing the labor costs incurred and prolonging the construction period.

Jen-Mei Tsuen, Niao-Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien


A pulse generator, which is configured to generate a burst pulse formed by burst oscillation signals oscillated in a predetermined time period, includes a burst oscillation circuit configured to generate the burst oscillation signals of different frequencies; and a control circuit configured to control the burst oscillation circuit so as to select the frequencies of the burst oscillation signals from at least two different frequencies or to stop the burst oscillation signals.

Recently, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication system or an UWB radar have been sought and various technical solutions have been studied. For example, in the UWB communication system, a data transmission rate has been increased in accordance with a time width of a pulse (burst pulse), since a band width is enlarged in accordance with shortening of the time width of the burst pulse.
So as to realize data transmission of the UWB communication system, a burst oscillation circuit for generating a short pulse has been used as a signal source.
For example, in a wireless data transmission method using the short pulse as the signal source, a short pulse of which time width corresponds to data is generated and band-limited by a band-pass filter, and then a signal (burst pulse) corresponding to the data is output.
Further, in a wireless data transmission method using the burst oscillation circuit, the burst oscillation circuit is turned on/off control based on the burst control signal, and burst oscillation signals (burst pulse) are generated by operating a burst oscillation circuit in a predetermined time period.
As described above, the systems of using a short pulse as a signal source or of using a burst oscillation circuit have been used to perform the data transmission by the UWB communication.
Incidentally, in a wireless data transmission method using a burst oscillation circuit, so as to increase a transmission speed of data (data transmission rate), it is preferable to shorten a burst oscillation time (pulse width of the burst pulse). For example, in a pulse communication using frequencies of a 57 GHz to 66 GHz band allowed for a specified low-power radio station, an available bandwidth may be widened to at most 9 GHz band width.
In this case, since a pulse width of approximately 110 ps which is a reciprocal number of the bandwidth may be used as a pulse width, in a manner of transmitting data by on/off of the burst oscillation circuit (burst pulse), a 9 Gbps data transmission may be realized in accordance with the frequency band width occupied by the burst pulse.
However, in existing semiconductor devices, particularly, in highly versatile CMOS elements, it is difficult to shorten the time width of the burst pulse to 110 ps. Such a problem is not only included in the specified low-power radio stations of the 57 GHz to 66 GHz band, but, for example, UWB (mainly, for a user terminal) using a 3 GHz to 10 GHz band, and a mission-critical wireless communication using a 70 GHz to 80 GHz band and an 80 GHz to 90 GHz, and the like.
Specifically, in the above described wireless data transmission method, it is not possible to effectively use the bandwidth, and it is difficult to sufficiently secure the data transmission rate.
Conventionally, various techniques for a pulse generator applied to a UWB communication or UWB radar, or techniques for transmitting data by frequencies in correspondence with data have been proposed.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-174087
Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. S62-028908
Non-Patent Document 1: Tuan-Anh Phan et al., "A 18-pJ/Pulse OOK CMOS Transmitter for Multiband UWB Impulse Radio," IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Vol. 17, No. 9, September 2007

Pulse generator, semiconductor integrated circuit, and wireless data transmission method


A seismometer comprising a pressure sealed enclosure; an electrical component; an axis mechanics assembly having moving components, the axis mechanics assembly being in electrical communication with the electrical component; and a thermally insulating assembly mechanically supporting and surrounding the axis mechanics assembly for minimizing heat flow from the pressure sealed enclosure to the axis mechanics assembly and for enabling transmission of a seismic signal to the axis mechanics assembly, wherein the pressure sealed enclosure encloses the axis mechanics assembly, the thermally insulating assembly, and the electrical component.

Temperature has a noticeable effect on the performance of high precision electromechanical instruments such as seismic sensors (also termed seismometers). For some instruments an active temperature control system involving heaters, coolers and insulation is employed to stabilize the temperature within the instrument. As the precision of the instrument increases, the climate control system must maintain the temperature over an ever narrower range. At some point it becomes impractical to use an active climate control system to maintain a stable operating temperature. Active climate control systems do not control temperature with sufficient stability to be of much practical use for seismic sensors.
Conventional approaches include placing the seismic sensor in a temperature stable environment such as an underground vault, with no active climate control system, and placing insulation around the entire seismic sensor. These approaches rely on the seismic sensor making use of ground temperature to maintain temperature stability.
Another more complex approach of maintaining temperature stability in seismic sensors includes placing the mechanical components of the sensor in an externally insulated and evacuated bell jar while keeping the main electrical component outside the bell jar. While this approach is more effective at maintaining temperature stability, it comes at a cost. It is expensive and complex to implement and maintain.
There is a need to provide thermal stabilization solutions that reduce both internal and external temperature disturbances in seismic sensors and that can be realized relatively economically inside the seismic sensor.

Seismic sensor with thermal stabilization


A container-bundler includes a transporter having an alignment section with infinitely revolving single-station conveyor elements drivable in the transport direction with a controllable rotation element. An actuatable adjustment element is arranged in an alignment section. The controllable rotation element interacts with the adjustment element. A partitioning and/or compressing unit is downstream of the alignment section.

It is known to combine articles into a group of articles and from the groups of articles to produce firm and/or transportable storage and transport units or bundles by using shrink films. However, a disadvantage of shrink films is that the films used, and the need to use heat or other forms of energy for shrinking-on of the films causes considerable expense. U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,464 provides an example of this approach.
It is also known to produce transportable bundles by strapping containers together into a bundle, for example by using strapping that encompasses the container group in the manner of a loop. This is a particularly inexpensive and simple way of producing bundles or transport and storage units. The strapping can also be bonded with the containers. DE102009025824, DE10209044271, and DE4126212 provide examples of this approach.
One disadvantage of strapping however, is that when a container is first removed from such a bundle, the remaining containers in the bundle are no longer held together by the strapping. This is the case not only when the strapping is removed or cut but also when one removes a container from the pack without severing the strapping.
Moreover transporting such bundles on a belt conveyor often presents the danger that cylindrical or chiefly cylindrical articles, such as cans, bottles or containers, assume a nesting position, i.e. slip into a gap in the adjacent row, due to vibration, impacts etc. With known packs, a very high tension must be applied to the strapping in order to avoid this.
DE102006037105 teaches combining of bottle packets in which a rotary star wheel that presses bottle necks into clips on flat carriers is provided on both sides of a track. The bottle packet is also wrapped with a film, such as a tape or an envelope.
According to DE2331193, an adhesive is applied to containers in narrow surfaces or rows, with contiguous surfaces that are not provided with adhesive being intended to facilitate a gripping of the packing for carrying purposes. The containers stick to one another at the adhesive points. EP 2096039 also relates to containers being provided with an adhesive, with a shrink film also being disposed around the bottle packet however.

Device and method for forming packaging units


A system includes an electromagnetic logging tool that transmits an electromagnetic signal as the tool is conveyed along a borehole through a formation. The system further includes a processing system that measures a first signal level in response to the tool being at a first measured depth, determines a first conductance based on the first signal level, measures a second signal level in response to the tool being at a second measured depth greater than the first measured depth, the second measured depth and the first measured depth defining a formation interval there between, determines a second conductance based on the second signal level, and assigns a uniform resistivity value to the formation interval based on the first conductance and the second conductance.

In the field of well drilling and logging, resistivity logging tools are frequently used to provide an indication of the electrical resistivity of rock formations surrounding an earth borehole. Such information regarding resistivity is useful in ascertaining the presence or absence of fluids, such as hydrocarbons. A typical electromagnetic propagation resistivity logging tool includes at least one transmitting antenna and multiple receiving antennas located at different distances from the transmitter antenna along the axis of the tool. The transmitting antenna generates electromagnetic fields in the surrounding formation, which in turn induce a response in each receiving antenna. Due to geometric spreading and absorption by the surrounding earth formation, the responses in the receiving antennas have different phases and amplitudes. Examples of such resistivity logging while drilling (LWD) tools include Sperry Drilling's EWR, and ADR services. However, in some drilling operations, it may be economically infeasible for operators to run such tools in every well, leaving them without any direct measurements of formation resistivities around the borehole.
It should be understood, however, that the specific embodiments given in the drawings and detailed description thereto do not limit the disclosure. On the contrary, they provide the foundation for one of ordinary skill to discern the alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications that are encompassed together with one or more of the given embodiments in the scope of the appended claims.

Conductivity-depth transforms of electromagnetic telemetry signals


A touch panel including a substrate, plural first electrode strings, plural second electrode strings, plural insulating patterns, and plural first optical matching patterns is provided. The substrate has plural bridge areas and a non-bridge area connected to the bridge areas. The first electrode strings and the second electrode strings are disposed on the substrate and staggered in the bridge areas. The insulating patterns are located in the bridge areas, and each of the insulating patterns is located between one of the first electrode strings and a corresponding second electrode string respectively. Each of the first optical matching patterns is located in one of the bridge areas respectively and located between a corresponding first electrode string and a corresponding second electrode string. Each of the insulating patterns is respectively disposed on a surface of one of the first optical matching patterns facing away from the substrate.

Technical Field
The invention relates to a panel. Particularly, the invention relates to a touch panel.
Related Art
Touch panel generally includes a substrate and a plurality of electrode strings disposed on the substrate in stagger. A material of the electrode strings is generally a transparent conductive material with a good light transmittance, so as to improve a light transmittance of the touch panel. Since a reflectivity difference between an area where single layer electrode strings are located and staggered positions of the electrode strings is very large, when a user uses the touch panel, it is easy for the user to see a bridge trace at the staggered positions of the electrode strings, which influences a visual effect of the touch panel. Although some amelioration has been made according to the existing techniques, the amelioration cannot effectively improve the visual effect of the touch panel.


A procedure for producing a speed reference signal for a crane motor control when the converter feeding the motor is controlled by means of at least one manually operated controller. To allow the speed reference signal to be changed, the controller has a control position in which the value of the speed reference signal is changed as a function of time. In order to facilitate more accurate manual control of the motor speed, when the speed of the motor is above a predetermined minimum value, the time derivative of the speed reference signal is changed during acceleration of the motor.

One known way of controlling the lifting and traversing motions of a crane is to use push-button controllers to give control commands. When the motor driving the crane is powered via a converter, the push-button controllers are used to give the converter a motor speed reference signal, on the basis of which the converter adjusts the motor speed to the desired value. A known system for controlling the motor speed, using push-button controllers, is presented in publication GB A 2171863 (Int. Cl. H02P 7/42), which provides, for each direction of motion, a two-position push-button to determine both the direction and speed of the motion. A first push-button position determines the direction of rotation of the motor and causes acceleration of the motor to a crawling speed (or, when the motor is already running, the maintenance of the speed already reached), while a second position causes the motor to accelerate to the maximum allowed speed. When the button is completely released, the motor speed is reduced at a constant rate of deceleration.
When this type of two-position push-button control is used in connection with a traversing motor, its speed of rotation is accelerated to the maximum in about three seconds. This is generally sufficient for the operator to be able to adjust the motor speed by returning the button to the first position to maintain a desired speed. In the case of the lifting motions, however, the acceleration and deceleration times are shorter, typically 0.5 to 1.5 s. In a practical situation, it is difficult to accurately adjust the speed because it is determined on the basis of a short push-button activation time. In the case of the shortest, 0.5 s acceleration times, this means that if the motor is to be operated at 1/3 of its maximum speed, for example, the push-button will have to be held at the 2nd step for about 0.2 s and then returned to the 1st step. This time interval is too short to allow the operator to have a direct feel of the speed, in direct contrast to the so-called joystick control, where the joystick position is proportional to the speed.

Method for producing a speed reference signal for crane motor control


The present invention relates to automatic elevator call control, and belongs to the field of elevator intelligent control technologies. An automatic elevator call system provided in the present invention calculates duration information from the moment when the personal mobile terminal leaves coverage of the wireless signal to the moment when the personal mobile terminal enters the coverage again, and when the duration information is less than or equal to a preset time threshold, causes the personal mobile terminal to be incapable of automatically sending an elevator call request command in a time period from the moment when the personal mobile terminal enters the coverage again to the moment when the personal mobile terminal leaves the coverage again. The present invention can effectively avoid invalid or abnormal elevator call request operations, and the elevator system achieves high running efficiency.

In an elevator system, an elevator call request operation that fails to reflect a real elevator-taking service requirement of a passenger will affect the efficiency of the elevator system. Especially, repeated abnormal elevator call request operations in a short time period will significantly affect the efficiency of the elevator system.

Automatic elevator calling system and a method for controlling automatic calling elevator


An apparatus, system and method for attaching a lid to a beverage container is provided. In one embodiment a lid is positioned over the container opening and fastened to a first bead located around the opening. The lid also fastens to a second bead that is either located on the container, or located on a collar that is positioned adjacent to the first bead. The collar may extend around the container, or it may only extend partway around the container. The collar may be removable and may also include a handle. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Most parents of infants and young children are very familiar with drinking cups often referred to as "sippy" or "sip" cups. Sip cups as currently known in the art typically comprises a cup portion which is fabricated from a plastic material and formed in the same general shape as a conventional paper drinking cup. In addition to this cup portion, the sip cup includes a lid which is engageable with the top rim of the cup portion. The lid itself typically includes an elongate spout which protrudes from a peripheral portion of the top surface thereof and includes a flow opening therein which fluidly communicates with the interior of the sip cup. In certain sip cups, the lid is threadably engaged to the cup or to a collar holding the cup. In other sip cups, the lid is frictionally engaged to the cup portion or to an annular collar holding the cup. Unfortunately, these lids are expensive to make and often do not provide an adequate fluid seal. In take-out eating establishments such as coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, amusement park concession stands, etc., beverages are often provided in a paper or plastic drinking cup. The drinking cup is typically provided with a plastic lid enclosure on one end thereof to contain the liquid within the cup, the lid enclosure including a short spout for drinking. If held by hand, the temperature of the drink can make the person's hand uncomfortably hot, or cold, as the case may be. If a holder is provided, it must usually be disposable or else it risks becoming soiled with use. But disposable cup holders are expensive and create liter. There is thus a need for a way to hold disposable drinks in a cost effective manner.
A number of coffee shops sell refillable cups, especially to regular customers who buy coffee or other drinks on a regular basis. But the coffee or other beverages leave a residue in the cup and thus require cleaning. There is thus a need for a cup holder that reduces the need for cleaning.
It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the elements shown. The Figures are provided for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention with the explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Container lid and holder and system and method for attaching a lid and holder to a container


Examples of systems and methods for providing a cursor for a touch-screen at a client device are disclosed. An apparatus may comprise a remote view module configured to generate a remote view based on display output from a remote server, a local view module configured to generate a cursor, the cursor including a finger pad and a pointer, configured to monitor movements of a user's finger on a local display at a local client device, configured to move the finger pad and the pointer together on the local display to track movements of the user's finger, configured to receive user inputs to the cursor from the local display, and configured to facilitate sending coordinates of the pointer and the received user inputs to the remote server, and a display module configured to provide, to the local display, a composite view comprising the cursor and the remote view.

A client device may access remotely an application running on a remote server. However, a remote application may be designed for a desktop environment for a large screen, which can make it very difficult for a user at a client device having a small screen to interact with the remote application.
Instead of remotely accessing a desktop application from a client device, the application may be rewritten to run on the client device. However, client devices are typically slower and have limited resources compared with servers (e.g., desktop computer). As a result, rewriting an application on a server to run on a client device can be a huge undertaking requiring a large investment and long development time. For example, it can be very difficult to port existing code from an operating system of a server to a client device (e.g., smartphone). In many cases it is not practical to rewrite an application from scratch to match the native functionality and user interface of a client device.
Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods that facilitate user interaction with an application running on a server from a client device and provide an improved experience for users at the client device.

Custom pointer features for touch-screen on remote client devices


An improved wastewater treatment apparatus is provided. The waste treatment apparatus illustratively follows a primary treatment system such as, for example, a septic tank, a primary clarifier, a lagoon, or an activated sludge process.

The present invention relates to wastewater treatment systems and improvements thereto. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,132,599 and 6,974,536 and PCT International Publication No. WO 00/67876 are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The illustrated waste treatment apparatus is a pre-packaged, attached-growth packed bed filter that contains the components of the technology in a single container. The system is designed to be installed in an excavation, connected to inlet and outlet piping, provided with power, and to begin operating. The system produces the high-quality effluent of a sand filter, and retains the simplicity of operation and maintenance of the recirculating sand filter, but reduces overall construction time and cost significantly.
The illustrated waste treatment apparatus uses a proprietary textile chip media that has a very large surface area for attachment of microorganisms, and very high porosity for natural aeration. The tank is illustratively constructed of precast concrete, fiberglass or other suitable material. Alternatively, larger units can be cast-in-place concrete or constructed on-site using precast concrete panels. Smaller systems resemble septic tanks and are installed in the same manner.
The illustrated waste treatment apparatus follows a primary treatment system that removes excess biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), settleable solids, scum, and FOG. The primary treatment system may include a septic tank, primary clarifier, lagoon, or an activated sludge process. For subdivisions and community systems, a septic tank effluent collection system (STEP or STEG) provides both cost-effective collection and primary treatment.
Incoming wastewater is illustratively stored in the bottom of the tank in a recirculation chamber below the filter bed underdrain. Treated wastewater from the filter falls through a porous underdrain and mixes with the incoming wastewater in the recirculation chamber. The system is designed so that a certain percentage of the filtered effluent is directed back into the recirculation basin, and a portion of the treated effluent is directed to discharge, which determines the recirculation ratio.
The wastewater in the recirculation chamber is directed to internal submersible pumps and is distributed across the filter bed using a series of fixed spray nozzles. The spray nozzles uniformly distribute the wastewater over the filter bed and provide aeration of the wastewater. The entire structure is illustratively installed below grade with only the air vents and control panels showing above ground. Since the entire system is below grade, the wastewater temperature stays uniform throughout the year, which provides better microbial treatment.
In one illustrated embodiment, the portion of the treated effluent not directed back to the recirculation chamber is stored in an internal treated effluent dosing chamber. Internal submersible pumps discharge the treated effluent from the dosing chamber to final disposal, or optionally, back to the primary treatment system for additional recirculation. The dosing pumps may be programmed to provide timed dosing or may operate based on water levels in the tank. When using subsurface wastewater disposal, an additional pump station is typically not required for pressure dosing, thereby reducing overall system costs.
In another illustrated embodiment, the portion of the treated effluent that is not directed back to the recirculation chamber is filtered by a filter media in a dosing chamber and then removed from the dosing chamber through a perforated discharge tube or sloped underdrain collection area for final disposal. In this embodiment a solid slab or floor located beneath the dosing chamber discharge tube prevents treated wastewater from the dosing chamber from returning to the recirculation chamber.
Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the presently perceived best mode of carrying out the invention.


An electromagnetic wave shielding filter 10 comprises a transparent substrate 1, and a mesh layer 3 containing an electrically conductive layer 2, formed on the transparent substrate 1 with a transparent adhesive layer 9. A transparent colored resin layer 4 containing a coloring agent is formed on the mesh layer 3, with a transparent barrier layer 5 interposed between the two layers. An anticorrosive layer 6 and a blackening layer 7 are formed on the electrically conductive layer 2 in the mesh layer 3. The transparent colored resin layer 4 also serves as an adhesive layer, and a functional layer 8, such as an optical filter, a protective sheet, or a display front substrate, is further laminated to the transparent colored resin layer 4.

There have been known electromagnetic wave shielding filters that are mounted on the front of a variety of displays, such as PDPs (plasma display panels) and CRT (cathode ray tube) displays, in order to shield electromagnetic waves that the displays generate. The electromagnetic wave shielding filters to be used for this purpose are required to have not only electromagnetic wave shielding properties but also light transmission properties. However, this requirement cannot fully be satisfied by an electromagnetic wave shielding filter produced by forming an ITO (indium tin oxide) film on the entire surface of a transparent substrate (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example). Accordingly, there has been proposed an electromagnetic wave shielding filter comprising metal foil, such as copper foil, laminated to a transparent resin film substrate by an adhesive, etched into a mesh (see Patent Document 3, for example).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 278800/1989,
Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 323101/1993, and
Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 210988/2001.
Further, front filters or the like to be mounted on the front of displays are sometimes required to have not only the function of shielding electromagnetic waves but also other functions such as the function of shielding unwanted light that displays radiate (for example, when mounted on PDPs, light with wavelengths around 590 nm produced by neon emission) to compensate for the color tone of displayed images for enhancing color reproducibility, the function of preventing unwanted reflection of extraneous light, and the function of suppressing unwanted radiation of infrared rays from displays to avoid malfunction of infrared ray equipment. Furthermore, the front filters are also required to be light in weight and small in thickness. Therefore, when an electromagnetic wave shielding filter has only the function of shielding electromagnetic waves, it is often made into a composite filter, for practical use, by integrally laminating it to a filter having another function, such as an antireflection filter, a coloring filter, or an infrared absorption filter (see Patent Documents 2 and 3, for example).
In the case where a coloring filter containing a coloring agent is laminated to an electromagnetic wave shielding filter for the purpose of shielding unwanted visible light and infrared rays that a display itself radiates, or unwanted light such as extraneous light (reflection), no problem has occurred as long as a coloring filter with a transparent substrate is simply laminated to a mesh layer in an electromagnetic wave shielding filter by an adhesive such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, with the transparent substrate of the coloring filter facing to the mesh layer. FIG. 7(A) shows an example of a conventional electromagnetic wave shielding filter 20 having the above-described structure, that is, an electromagnetic wave shielding composite filter 20 in which a functional layer 8, such as an optical filter, composed of a transparent substrate 8B and a functioning layer 8A formed on the transparent substrate 8B is laminated to a mesh-laminated sheet 21 composed of a transparent substrate 1 and a mesh layer 3 laminated to the transparent substrate 1 with an adhesive layer 22 containing no coloring agent, with the transparent substrate 8B of the functional layer 8 facing to the mesh layer 3 of the mesh-laminated sheet 21. The functioning layer 8A is, for example, a transparent resin layer in which a near infrared absorber has been incorporated so that the layer has the function of absorbing near infrared rays, and, in this case, the functional layer 8 serves as a near infrared absorption filter.
In this structure, the functioning layer 8A is isolated from the metal mesh layer 3 by the transparent substrate 8B and the adhesive layer 22. Therefore, even if the functioning layer 8A has the possibility that it might undergo a change in color when it interacts with the mesh layer, no such interaction actually occurs due to the transparent substrate 8B and the adhesive layer 22.
However, in order to make the electromagnetic wave shielding composite filter lighter in weight and smaller in thickness, and to decrease the number of the constituent layers of the composite filter (which leads to decrease in cost and haze and to improvement in light transmission properties), if the adhesive that is applied when the electromagnetic wave shielding filter and the functional layer such as the above-described coloring filter are laminated is colored with a coloring agent so that the adhesive layer can also serve as a coloring filter, another problem has newly occurred. Namely, it was found that an adhesive colored with a coloring agent undergoes a change in color (discolors or fades) with time.
FIG. 7(B) shows an example of a conventional electromagnetic wave shielding filter 20 having the above-described structure, that is, an electromagnetic wave shielding composite filter 20 in which a functional layer 8, such as an optical filter, composed of a transparent substrate 8B and a functioning layer 8A formed on the transparent substrate 8B is laminated to a mesh-laminated sheet 21 composed of a transparent substrate 1 and a mesh layer 3 laminated to the transparent substrate 1 with a transparent colored resin layer 4 serving also as an adhesive layer, made from a transparent resin to which a coloring agent serving as a neon light absorber, for example, has been added so that the resin layer has the function of cutting neon light, with the transparent substrate 8B of the functional layer 8 facing to the mesh layer 3 of the mesh-laminated sheet 21. The functioning layer 8A is, for example, a layer of a transparent resin in which a near infrared absorber has been incorporated so that the layer has the function of absorbing near infrared rays, and the functional layer 8 thus functions as a near infrared absorption filter. In this case, it was found that the neon-light-cutting properties deteriorate with time, or that unfavorable coloring (discoloration) occurs.
It was also found that the coloring agent tends to cause color deterioration especially when a transparent adhesive layer 9 is present between the transparent substrate 1 and the mesh layer 3, or when the mesh layer 3 contains a blackening layer 7, as shown in FIG. 7(C).


An induction heating cooker includes an induction heating unit having an induction heating coil, a top plate made of a glass and mounted over the induction heating unit so that an object to be heated is placed on the top plate, and a light-emitting display section formed in the top plate for displaying an output state of the induction heating unit. The light-emitting display section includes a light-emitting element disposed below the top plate, and the top plate includes a portion corresponding at least to the induction heating coil and the light-emitting element. The portion is coated with a light transmissible thin film including a semiconductor, metal or metallic oxide and having such a light-transmittance characteristic that light emitted by the light-emitting element is viewed above the top plate.

Induction heating cookers comprise a top plate and induction heating means including an induction heating coil disposed below the top plate and an inverter supplying a high-frequency current to the induction heating coil. Some induction heating cookers are provided with another type of heating means such as nichrome wire coils (radiant heater). Appearances of the induction heating cooker are reduced when the heating means are viewed through the top plate from outside. In view of this, for example, JP-B-6-2389 discloses an induction heating cooker including a top plate made of a white ceramic glass or a transparent glass with an underside to which a heat-resistant paint is applied.
Induction heating cookers have recently been provided with a display in the top plate so that an output state of the heating means can readily be confirmed. The display comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes provided below the top plate and energized so that the output state of the heating means is displayed. However, when the top plate made from the white ceramic glass or the transparent glass with the underside coated with the heat-resistant paint as described above, the top plate cannot transmit light emitted by the light-emitting diodes of the display.
In view of the aforesaid problem, when the top plate is made of a transparent glass coated with paint, part of the applied paint corresponding to the display is removed so that the top plate transmits the light emitted by the light-emitting diode transmits the light. However, in the case where the paint is partially removed from the top plate, components of the light-emitting diode are viewed through the paint-removed part of the top plate even when the light-emitting diode is turned off, whereupon the appearances of the induction heating cooker is reduced. Further, light emitted by the light-emitting diode leaks through the paint-removed part of the top plate or the interior of the cooker below the top plate can be viewed when illuminated by external light. In particular, since the induction heating coil does not generate heat by itself, the display is disposed near the induction heating coil in order that heating by the induction heating coil may definitely be indicated. Accordingly, when paint is removed from the part of the top plate corresponding to the display, the induction heating coil is viewed through the paint-removed part, whereupon the appearances of the induction heating cooker are reduced.
Further, the light-emitting diode comprises one emitting red light and the top plate is made of a colored glass. The colored glass allows light with the wavelength longer than the red one to pass therethrough but cuts off visible light. In this construction, the interior of the cooker below the top plate is hard to view. However, the color and color tone are limited in this top plate. In particular, metallic color tones which have recently been used by preference cannot be obtained from the colored glass. Accordingly, even when the color and color tone of the induction heating cooker body is diversified, the top plate cannot be matched with them.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an induction heating cooker which is provided with a display in the top plate and in which the color and color tone of the top plate can be diversified without reducing the appearances of the cooker.


The present disclosure relates to a material reducing machine including a rotary reducing component positioned at least partially within a reducing chamber. A sizing screen defines a portion of the reducing chamber and extends at least partially around the rotary reducing component. Material catches are disclosed for preventing elongated strips of material from snaking longitudinally through the sizing screen without being adequately reduced in length.

Material reducing machines are used to reduce waste materials such as trees, brush, stumps, pallets, root balls, railroad ties, peat moss, paper, wet organic materials and the like. Two common types of material reducing machines include grinders and chippers. Grinders are typically configured to reduce material through blunt force impactions. Thus, the reduced material product generated by grinders generally has a ground, flattened texture with relatively high fines content. This type of reduced material is typically used as mulch. In contrast to the blunt force action used by grinders, chippers reduce material through a chipping action. The reduced product generated by chippers preferably has a relatively small percentage of fines. This type of chipped reduced product can readily be used as fuel for a burner since the material is more flowable than ground reduced material and can easily be handled by the material processing equipment used to feed fuel to a burner.
Two common types of grinders include tub grinders and horizontal grinders. Example horizontal grinders are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,461,832; 7,441,719; 5,975,443; 5,947,395; 6,299,082; and 7,077,345. Example tub grinders are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,803,380; 6,422,495; and 6,840,471. Example wood chippers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,692,548; 5,692,549; 6,290,115; 7,011,258; 5,005,620; 3,542,302; and 3,861,602.
Grinders typically include reducing hammers on which replaceable grinding cutters (i.e., grinding tips or grinding elements) are mounted. Grinding cutters generally have relatively blunt ends suitable for reducing material through blunt force impactions. In contrast to the grinding cutters used on grinders, chippers typically include relatively sharp chipping knives configured to reduce material through a cutting/slicing action as opposed to a grinding action. An advantage of grinders is that grinders are generally suited to better tolerate wear than chippers without unduly negatively affecting the performance of the grinders and quality of the product output by the grinders. An advantage of chippers is that the sharpness of the chipping knives allows certain materials (e.g., trees) to be processed more rapidly with less power than would typically be required by a grinder.
The reduced products generated by chippers and grinders can be used for a variety of applications. For example, the reduced product is often used as mulch and is also used as fuel for a burner. For at least some of these applications, it is desirable for the reduced material to have pieces of generally uniform size.

Material reducing apparatus having features for enhancing reduced material size uniformity


In an aspect, an apparatus and method are provided for creating an illusion of animation of a subject shape. The apparatus includes a screen, an intermediate body, a plurality of lights, and a controller in electronic communication with the plurality of lights. The controller is operable to turn the plurality of lights on and off in at least one of: a selected order, a combination, and a simultaneous operation of all of the lights. The intermediate body and the plurality of lights are positioned relative to said screen such that the intermediate body is positioned between the screen and the plurality of lights and such that said plurality of lights are operable to project a plurality of unique outlines of at least portions of the intermediate body onto the screen to generate an illusion of animation of the subject shape.

Several means have been proposed over the years for creating the illusion of animation in the faces of toy characters in order to provide an enriched user experience for the user. For example, small displays have been used for such a purpose. However, such displays can be expensive and complex to incorporate into such toys and can render the toy less resistant to breakage. It would be advantageous to provide a toy or any other device that at least partially addressed one or more of these problems.

Apparatus and method for generating an appearance of animation


A light gas tank with a safe inlet device includes a ring fixed on an upper surface of a light gas tank. The ring has a center fuel inlet hole, and an inverted L-shaped gas inlet on one side of the wall and an inverted L-shaped passageway on the other side of the wall. An L-shaped air tube is located in a hollow interior of the tank, having its upper end welded with a vertical portion of the gas inlet and air holes in a lower portion. An air pumping device can pump air into an inlet nozzle, the gas inlet of the ring and the L-shaped air tube, and then out of the air holes into the fuel stored in the tank to fuse with the fuel to become fuel gas for use through a control valve fixed on the tank. The pumping device is operated only when fuel gas is to be used, so no large gas pressure is produced in the tank, diminishing potent danger of explosion.

This invention relates to a light gas tank with a safe inlet device, particularly to one not storing a large quantity of fuel gas to produce strong pressure in interior, and thus diminishing potent danger of explosion to a safe level.
A gas tank for cooking stored in a home may be well said a bomb possible to explode at any time, because of fuel in compressed state filled in the gas tank. And common gas tanks used in homes have the following disadvantages:
1. Inner pressure in a gas tank is very strong, so gas therein may flow out to cause an explosion, if the control valve is broken by some accident.
2. Gas in a gas tank may leak out if the control valve is not tightly closed up.


A vehicle barrier for positioning on a roadway or the like includes a support plate adapted for placement across a roadway, a plurality of tread supports formed in series on the support plate with a space between adjacent tread supports, a rod having a row of spikes attached thereto and being rotatably disposed across the support plate so that the spikes are movably received between respective spaced tread supports, a tensioning device for maintaining the row of spikes in a first, upwardly extending position and a device for lowering the row of spikes into a second position between the space tread supports. With this vehicle barrier, a vehicle approaching the barrier from one direction can cause the row of spikes in the first position to rotate downwardly to the second position when its tires impact a spike. But, the row of spikes are maintained in their first upwardly extended position by the tensioning device when impacted by a vehicle approaching from an unauthorized direction thereby puncturing the tires of that vehicle.

A vehicle barricade is a device disposed across a roadway or the like in order to control passage therethrough. Conventional barricades can be a temporary structure (e.g., a line of orange cones; or a concrete Jersey wall) which serves to prevent any traffic passage, or, a more permanent structure (e.g., retractable gates; pivotable barrier walls) which is selectively operable for vehicle passage. Barricades to be employed at the gate of a secured area or at the entrance and exit points of a vehicle parking area must be movable in order to permit authorized entry or exiting, while preventing unauthorized passage.
Numerous barricades have been proposed for preventing unauthorized access to a facility by transit along a roadway. Generally, such barricades include a barrier which is pivotal between a passage blocking position and a retracted passage position. This barrier is usually pivoted by a mechanical mechanism, such as an hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and piston, which can be activated by a guard at an observation booth remote from the barricade.
Likewise, an occupant of a vehicle can operate mechanisms of a barrier blocking his entrance into a parking lot, for example, by inserting a magnetic card or obtaining a mechanically dispensed ticket indicating the time of his entrance into the facility. These barrier gates are often placed adjacent a parking attendant's booth to prevent patrons from exiting without paying. However, while these barrier gates deter a significant number of parking lot users from exiting without paying, they cannot withstand the impact force of an onrushing vehicle. Accordingly, an unauthorized exit from such a facility can occur if the vehicle's driver is so inclined.
Known barrier gate arms are usually of a lightweight material (e.g., wooden or hollow) and thus, any damage to a speeding vehicle is minimal. Further, if the entrance of a parking facility is remote from a guarded exit and does not have some sort of barrier, vehicles can slip out the entrance without being detected. This type of unauthorized passage of a vehicle is even more detrimental to the security of a parking facility or an automobile storage area (e.g., a car rental agency or dealership garage or lot).
In an attempt to prevent vehicles from being stolen or from exiting an entrance, barriers with teeth or spikes have been installed which can be retracted enabling cars to cross safely in one direction but display a plurality of spiked ends projecting menacingly toward vehicles travelling in the wrong direction. If a driver ignores this visible warning and attempts to leave through such a barricaded exit, the tires of his vehicle are severely punctured immediately resulting in flat tires and thus, preventing the vehicle from leaving the facility. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,101,235; 4,318,079 and 4,367,975 illustrate and describe conventional traffic controller barriers of this type. However, these barriers employ complicated mechanical and electronic control equipment for actuating and/or retracting spike like obstructions. Further, it is known to couple ground level barriers with gate barriers which are more visible to drivers; however, larger motors and more complicated circuitry is required to operate the two barriers in unison.
Other known spiked barriers have individually mounted teeth which can flatten out under the weight of a vehicle moving in the authorized direction. While expensive and complicated electrically operated motors are not required to retract individually pivotable teeth, either an excavated recess or above grade bump is required to house the individual springs and other mechanisms necessary to manually activate the teeth individually. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,016,379; 4,158,514; and 4,325,651 are representative of these one-way manually actuated devices.
Unfortunately, these spike barricades occasionally puncture the tires of an entering vehicle after they have cleared the barricade. Moreover, they require excavation of a roadway or the presence of a bump. A further disadvantage to these unattended spike barricades is that the damaging spikes could be rendered ineffective by the weight of an adult person or by an object such as a pillow. Thus, the problem of unauthorized entry and exiting of a facility is not overcome by known barricades with spiked ends, especially those installed at locations remote from an attendant.
Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need for an inexpensive pivotal barricade for use in areas remote from an attendant's booth which inhibits unauthorized entry or exiting in one direction, but permits safe passage of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, as well as a simple motorized barrier system for controlling vehicle traffic.


A method and apparatus for efficient access to multiple lines of image data using a memory device with at least one memory module, wherein each memory module has at least one bank with multiple rows. The method includes the step of maintaining address information of a current row for each bank within each memory module. Next, the method receives a request for an incoming row. Finally, the method determines if the incoming row matches the current row based on the address information and if so, immediately accesses the current row without closing and reopening the current row.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to image processing. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving the performance of an SDRAM-based memory buffer in imaging applications that require efficient access to multiple lines of an image bitmap.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image processing algorithms frequently modify pixels within an image to effect some desired improvement or to detect some characteristics of the image. Most of these algorithms are based on the nearest neighbors of each particular pixel, requiring calculations for several lines of the image data. Access to neighboring pixels on multiple lines of the image can be slower when the image is stored in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) due to the functional characteristics of the memory devices. For DRAM and SDRAM, pixel data in a common row in memory can be accessed very efficiently, but accessing pixel elements in other rows can be quite inefficient.
DRAM devices support a "page mode" operation whereby, once a particular row of the memory array is accessed, subsequent accesses to the same "open" row can be immediate. However, accesses to pixel data in other rows of the memory array require that the current row be "closed" and the new one "opened" before actual data access cycles can take place. SDRAM devices typically have four separate internal memory arrays, each of which may have a current open row. This improves performance in that four regions of memory can be accessed efficiently without opening and closing rows. For example, if an image processing algorithm required access to four lines of the image data, and each of those lines resided in a different memory array, then efficient access is possible. Unfortunately, many algorithms will require access to a greater number of lines of the image, so some of the accesses will require opening and closing a row for each pixel read or write.
In environments where more lines must be accessed than there are separate memory arrays available, and the controlling device must open and close rows of the array for some accesses, the controlling device must either: a) open and close each row for every access; or b) be knowledgeable of which rows must be opened and closed in which memory array based on the address of the target data.
For these reasons, many image processing hardware implementations are based on static random access memory, either within an ASIC device or based on external SRAM devices. The SRAM devices are efficient due to the non-multiplexed nature of their address bus, but are more expensive, less dense and reduced in capacity. Image processing hardware implementations that operate on large, high-resolution images and implement algorithms based on many lines of the image are severely restricted by the smaller capacity of the SRAM devices. These implementations either hold only a small portion of the image in SRAM memory, or are very costly when large amounts of SRAM are implemented. The more cost effective, dense DRAM or SDRAM devices lack only in the bandwidth available due to the overhead cycles required to open and close rows of the arrays while accessing multiple lines of the image (for these types of nearest-neighbor algorithms).
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,075, Stracovsky discloses a method of speeding up access to a memory page using a number of M page tag registers to track a state of physical pages in a memory device having N memory banks where N is greater than M. However, Stracovsky does not address the improvements that can be achieved when sophisticated controller structures and features are complemented with dynamic addressing schemes that improve the probability that a desired set of items will be located within a single page of memory.

SDRAM controller that improves performance for imaging applications


An apparatus and method for checking alignment of a lighting fixture comprising a lighting fixture with a housing, reflective surface in the housing, light source in the housing, and a glass lens over an opening into the housing. A marking or indicia is placed on the glass lens in a known orientation with structure inside the housing that is visible from outside of the housing. By line of sight viewing of the marking or indicia, even from a distance away, an alignment of the marking or indicia with the structure inside the housing, the alignment or aiming orientation of the fixture can be determined. This can be used to check alignment of individual fixture, or can be used to check alignment of an array of fixtures, if the array has a known reference correlation to the fixture with the marking or indicia.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lighting fixtures that produce high intensity, controlled, and concentrated light beams for use at relatively distant targets. In particular, the invention relates to such lighting fixtures, their methods of use, and their use in systems where a plurality of such fixtures are used in combination, usually elevated on poles, to compositely illuminate a target area energy-efficiently, with reduced glare and spill light. One primary example is illumination of a sports field.
B. Problems in the Art
Illumination of sports fields is generally called sports lighting. FIGS. 1A–1G illustrate one such sports lighting configuration. Football field 5 of FIG. 1A is illuminated by a set of arrays 1 of light fixtures 2 elevated on poles 6 (see FIG. 1A). As is well known in the art, there are known methods to design the number, type, and position of poles 6 and fixtures 2 to provide a desired or required amount and uniformity of light for the field. There are usually pre-designed lighting quantity and uniformity specifications to follow.
In recent times, sports lighting has also had to deal with the issue of glare and spill light. For example, if light travels outside the area of the sports field, it can spill onto residential houses near the sports field. Also, the high intensity of the lamps can cause glare to such homeowner or create safety issues for drivers on nearby roads. Some communities have enacted laws regulating how much glare or spill light can be caused by sports lighting or other wide-area outdoors lighting. While a number of attempted remedies exist, many result in blocking, absorbing, or otherwise reducing the amount of light going to the field. This can not only increase cost of the lighting system because of the glare or spill control measures, but in some cases requires additional fixtures to meet minimum light quantity and uniformity specifications. More cost might therefore be incurred, to make up for the light lost in glare and spill control measures. In some cases, it can even require more costly and/or additional poles to support the additional fixtures. Arrays can be more quickly and efficiently erected on poles if at least partially factory pre-assembled and the fixtures are either pre-aimed or are aimable prior to elevating the pole. All that would remain is to ensure the rotational position of the pole is accurate. However, this is not a trivial task. What might otherwise be considered a small departure from the correct rotational position could mean a significant departure from the desired or planned uniformity and intensity of light on the target. It also could mean significant light is shifted or spilled outside the target, than if vertical plane of the array is correctly oriented to the target by the correct rotational position of the pole around its vertical axis.

Field aiming light fixtures by using imprinted ring on fixture lens


The present invention provides a method of preparing a toner for electrostatic charge image development comprising the steps of a liquid mixture preparation process for preparing a liquid mixture by mixing at least a resin particle dispersion prepared by dispersing resin particles in a solution including a dispersing agent having a polarity, and a coloring agent particle dispersion prepared by dispersing coloring agent particles in a solution including a dispersing agent having a polarity, an aggregated particle dispersion preparation process for preparing an aggregated particle dispersion by forming aggregated particles in the liquid mixture, and a fusion process for fusing the aggregated particles by heating, wherein the first dispersing agent and the second dispersing agent have the same polarity, a toner for electrostatic charge image development obtained by the method, an electrostatic charge image developer containing the toner and a carrier for electrophotography, and an image forming method comprising the steps of a process for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrying member, a process for forming a toner image by developing the electrostatic latent image by a developer layer on a developing carrying member, and a transfer process for transferring the toner image onto a transferring member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of efficiently preparing a toner for electrostatic charge image development having excellent characteristics including charging properties, preferably used in image formation in the electrophotographic method, a toner for electrostatic charge image development prepared by the method, an electrostatic charge image developer containing the toner for electrostatic charge image development, and an image forming method using the toner for electrostatic charge image development.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, methods for visualizing image information via an electrostatic charge image, such as the electrophotographic method are widely used in various fields. In the electrophotographic method, an electrostatic charge image is formed on a photosensitive member by a charging process, an exposing process, and the like, and is then visualized by developing the electrostatic image with a developer containing toner particles, and by a transfer process, a fixing process, and the like.
As the developer, a two-component type developer containing toner particles and carrier particles, and a one-component type developer containing magnetic toner particles or nonmagnetic toner particles, are known. The toner particles in the developer are, in general, produced by a kneading pulverizing method. The kneading pulverizing method is a method for producing desired toner particles by melting and kneading a thermoplastic resin and the like together with a pigment, a charge controlling agent, a releasing agent such as a wax and the like, then cooling the mixture, finely pulverizing the molten kneaded product, and classifying the same. To toner particles produced by the kneading pulverizing method, inorganic/organic fine particles can be further added to the surface as needed in order to improve the flowability, the cleaning properties, and the like.
In the case of toner particles produced by the kneading pulverizing method, in general, the shape thereof is amorphous, and the surface composition thereof is not homogeneous. Although the shape or the surface composition of the toner particles may change slightly according to their pulverizing properties of the material and the conditions of the pulverizing process, it is difficult to intentionally control them to a desired degree. In particular, in the case of toner particles produced by the kneading pulverizing method using a material with a high pulverizing properties, it is often the case that the particles become finer or form a different shape due to various kinds of mechanical force such as shearing force in the developing device. As a result, problems arise such as with a two-component type developer, the finer toner particles adhere to the carrier surface to accelerate charge deterioration in the developer, or with a one-component developer, the particle size distribution is enlarged so that the image quality is deteriorated by the finer toner particles being scattered, or the developing properties deteriorate due to the toner shape change.
In cases where the toner particle shape is amorphous, problems remain such as even if a flowability adjuvant is added thereto, the flowability is insufficient to prevent fine particles of the flowability adjuvant moving to concave portions of the toner particles and being buried therein by mechanical forces such as shearing force to lower the flowability, or deteriorate the developing properties, the transfer properties, the cleaning properties, and the like as time passes. Moreover, if such a toner is recovered by a cleaning treatment to be returned to the developing device for reuse, the problem of it being liable to deteriorate the image quality arises. In order to prevent these problems, it is conceivable to add more flowability adjuvant, however, problems such as the generation of black dots on the photosensitive member or particle scattering of the flowability adjuvant arise in this case.
On the other hand, in the case of a toner containing a releasing agent such as wax, the releasing agent may be exposed on the toner particle surface depending on the combination with a thermoplastic resin. In particular, in cases involving a toner comprising a combination of a resin endowed with elasticity due to a high molecular weight component making it not easily pulverized, and a brittle wax such as polyethylene, polyethylene exposure is often observed on the toner particle surface. Although such a toner is advantageous in terms of its releasing properties at the time of fixation, and cleaning of untransferred toner from the photosensitive member, problems arise such as since the polyethylene on the surface of the toner particles drops away from the toner particles due to mechanical forces such as shearing force in the developing device and easily transfers to the developing roll, the photosensitive member, the carrier, and the like, these members can be easily contaminated to ruin their reliability as developers.
Under such circumstances, recently, an emulsion polymerization aggregation method has been proposed as a means for preparing a toner with a particle shape and a surface composition intentionally controlled in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open (JP-A) Nos. 63-282752 and 6-250439. The emulsion polymerization aggregation method includes a mixing process where a coloring agent dispersion, prepared by dispersing a coloring agent in a solvent, is mixed with a resin dispersion, formed from an emulsion polymerization, an aggregating process where aggregate particles corresponding to the size of the toner particles are formed, and a fusion process where the aggregate particles are fused through being heated. According to the emulsion polymerization aggregation method, by selecting the heating temperature conditions, the toner shape can be optionally controlled from the amorphous to the spherical.
However, in the case of the emulsion polymerization aggregation method, since the degree of dispersion of the pigment in the toner particles is low with a scattered distribution, and the size of dispersed particles is large compared with the kneading pulverizing method, the colorizing ability of the toner particles obtained is low and thus problems arise in terms of color reproductivity, OHP transmission properties, and the like, particularly in case where a color toner is thus obtained.
In the conventional emulsion polymerization aggregation method, in general, toner particles are obtained by mixing a resin particle dispersion containing an ionic surfactant and a pigment dispersion containing an ionic surfactant of the opposite polarity, so as to form aggregated particles of the toner size by generating hetero aggregation, and fusing the aggregated particles by heating the same to a temperature over the glass transition point of the resin comprising the resin particles.
In this case, however, since the charge of the particles are neutralized and the hetero aggregation is generated at the time of mixing of the resin particle dispersion and the pigment dispersion, it takes time from mixing both dispersions until the liquid mixture becomes homogeneous so that pigments with a neutralized charge are aggregated at the same time, and thus the degree of dispersion of the pigment in the toner is lessened. As a result, the problem arises that the coloring properties of the obtained toner is insufficient.
On the other hand, in order to maintain and perform the toner functions stably under various kinds of mechanical stresses in the electrophotographic process, it is necessary to restrain the releasing agent exposure on the toner particle surface, to improve the surface hardness of the toner particles, and to improve the smoothness of the toner particle surface. Although the releasing agent may cause various problems when it is exposed on the toner particle surface, it is preferable that it exists in the vicinity of the toner particle surface in consideration of the toner functions at the time of fixation.
These days, a higher image quality is called for, and particularly in color image formation, there has been a marked trend to smaller sized toner particles in order to realize high resolution images. However, even if a smaller particle size is achieved, if the conventional toner particle size distribution remains as it is, problems such as the carrier or the photosensitive member becoming contaminated or the toner scattering become significant due to the existence of toner at the finer side of the particle size distribution so that it is difficult to realize a high image quality and a high reliability at the same time. In order to realize a high image quality and a high reliability at the same time, it is necessary to sharpen the particle size distribution of the toner as well as reduce the size of the particles.

Method of preparing toner for electrostatic charge image development, toner for electrostatic charge image development, electrostatic charge image developer, and image forming method


An eyepiece adapter mechanism for providing a quick positive engagement to an interfacing instrument such as a B-styled endoscope. The adapter mechanism comprises a rigid back plate for providing a permanent attachment for the mechanism. A C-clip retainer positioned within a circumferential chamber of the back plate acts as a locking ring under the elastic force of the C-clip material itself to provide a grip around the interfacing instrument when installed into the back plate. An outwardly protruding portion of the C-clip, acting as a lever, releases the interfacing instrument when the level is moved toward a fixed post located a predetermined distance from the lever to facilitate single handed operation. An alternate embodiment provides a quick attach/release adapter without an eyepiece and employing a C-clip retainer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an adapter for an optical instrument and in particular to an adapter that provides for a quick attachment and release of an eyepiece from a B-mount instrument.
2. Description of Related Art
Eyepieces are associated with a number of optical devices including, as examples, endoscopes and boroscopes. The term "endoscope" generally denotes a class of optical devices used for examining the internal cavities of the human body. The term "borescope" generally denotes a class of analogous devices for examining internal cavities in machinery or other nonhuman areas. Endoscopes and boroscopes, have the same basic structure. Each contains an objective lens for gathering an image, one or more intermediate relay lenses or fiber optics for relaying the image through an elongated tube and eyepiece optics for allowing an individual to view the image directly.
The eyepiece optics in endoscopes and boroscopes generally have a similar basic construction. Typically eyepiece optics include an eyepiece housing with a central cavity for any optical elements required by the eyepiece. Externally the eyepiece housing has a neck portion for attachment to an elongated tube from the endoscope or borescope. A frusto-conical or other conoidally-shaped housing section then flares from its distal end to a proximal end and terminates at a cylindrical peripheral flange portion. During direct viewing, an individual places his or her eye at this peripheral flange portion, that may or may not contain a viewing window.
Eyepieces differ by having diverse diameters and by having specially shaped conoidal or flared housing surfaces. These differences may result from requirements of the optical elements contained in the eyepiece or merely from an aesthetic design consideration. Even frusto-conical or flared housing sections of different eyepiece housings may vary for a given diameter eyepiece among eyepieces supplied by different manufacturers.
In many applications it is highly desirable to connect another device to the eyepiece. These devices may include photographic or television cameras or beam splitters for permitting two or more individuals to view an image simultaneously or to allow one individual to view the image directly while a television camera records the image simultaneously. Sometimes an individual has a preference for an eyepiece of a particular size that differs from the size of the eyepiece associated with the endoscope, borescope or the like. In both situations it is desirable to have an adapter that will attach the eyepiece of the desired size or a coupler that will attach a diverse optical device to an eyepiece associated with the endoscope or borescope. In the following discussion the term "coupler" is meant to include any such coupling devices or adapters.
Several couplers have been proposed for mechanically coupling an optical device to an eyepiece including those disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,066,330 (1978) Jones PA1 4,305,386 (1981) Tawara PA1 4,318,395 (1982) Tawara PA1 4,740,058 (1988) Hori
The Jones patent discloses an endoscope eyepiece with an opto-mechanical coupler. A spring-biased cam ring mounted on the coupler rotates to retract retaining studs and integral heads radially outward. When the studs are retracted the eyepiece can pass between the heads for connection to or separation from the eyepiece. When the cam ring is released, a spring biases it to a stable position and thereby moves the studs radially inward until the heads engage the flared surface of the eyepiece housing. This action clamps the eyepiece to and centers the eyepiece on the coupler.
The Tawara patent ('386) discloses an endoscope accessory mounting device, or coupler, with a spring-biased cam ring that controls the position of axially aligned, radially extending plate cams. When the cam ring is rotated, the eyepiece can freely pass into or separate from an eyepiece receiving socket in the accessory mounting device. When the eyepiece is located in the socket and the cam ring is released, springs displace the cam ring to its stable position and the cam plates rotate into engagement with the flared surface of the eyepiece thereby to clamp and center the accessory mounting device with respect to the eyepiece.
The Tawara patent ('395) also discloses an endoscope coupler with spring-biased axially aligned cam plates that are biased against a radially acting spring biased plunger. In this coupler the eyepiece snaps into the coupler by driving the cam plates away from a central axis and compressing the springs on the cam plates. When the eyepiece seats in a socket, the springs drive the cam plates against the flared surface of the eyepiece to clamp and center the coupler with respect to the eyepiece. An individual compresses the radially acting, diametrically opposed plungers to move the cam plates to an open position when it is desired to separate the coupler from the eyepiece.
The Hori patent ('058) discloses an optical mechanical coupler with a C-shaped clamping member that is axially displaced from a clamping surface and operated by a locking ring or clamp member. When the clamp member rotates to one extreme position it axially displaces the C-shaped clamping member from the clamping surface. An eyepiece can then be inserted from the side. A reverse rotation of the clamp member displaces the C-shaped clamping member into the eyepiece thereby to clamp and center the coupler with respect to the eyepiece.
Over the years the use of these and other mechanical couplers for eyepieces have led to the establishment of a number of desirable coupler criteria. Specifically, the attachment and separation processes must be simple and be capable of being performed with one hand. It should be possible to rotate the coupler with respect to the eyepiece. The coupler must be easy to clean and, in the case of endoscopes, be easy during use to sterilize. It must be inexpensive to produce, and reliable in use. Further, it should be possible to attach a single coupler to eyepieces of a given nominal diameter having diverse cross-sections or forms through the flared housing portions.
Prior art couplers have exhibited some of these criteria, but not all of them. For example, The Tawara patent ('395) coupler enables one-handed operation. The Jones and Tawara patents permit rotation between the eyepiece and the coupler. However, each of the above-described structures requires the assembly of a large number of components in the form of cam plate studs, springs, rotatable control members, plungers and other elements. These structures are complicated, increase the manufacturing complexity and are subject to failure when debris accumulates in the operative mechanism during normal use, particularly in medical applications. Such couplers can not readily be repaired on site. A customer must maintain an inventory of such couplers or must be capable of operating whenever one of these couplers is at the factory for repair. With particular respect to endoscopes, the sterilization process is complicated because the mechanisms can trap solution making it difficult to assure that all the sterilizing solution has been evaporated or removed. Thus none of these couplers exhibit all the desirable criteria. Moreover, none of these couplers incorporate a simple, reliable structure.


A catalyst support material useful in a membrane electrode assembly is presented. The support catalyst material is elongate electrically anisotropic particles of flexible graphite, and the membrane electrode assembly includes a pair of electrodes, an ion exchange membrane having opposed surfaces positioned between the electrodes and a catalyst material on the inventive support, at least a portion of an opposed surface of the ion exchange membrane being adjacent the catalyst which is supported on the elongate electrically anisotropic particles of flexible graphite sheet.

An ion exchange membrane fuel cell, more specifically a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, produces electricity through the chemical reaction of hydrogen with oxygen in the air. Within the fuel cell, electrodes denoted as anode and cathode surround a polymer electrolyte. A catalyst material stimulates hydrogen molecules to split into hydrogen atoms and then, at the membrane, the atoms each split into a proton and an electron. The electrons are utilized as electrical energy. The protons migrate through the electrolyte and combine with oxygen and electrons to form water.
A PEM fuel cell is advantageously formed of a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between two graphite flow field plates. Conventionally, the membrane electrode assembly consists of random-oriented carbon fiber paper electrodes (anode and cathode) with a thin layer of a catalyst like platinum or a platinum group metal coated on isotropic carbon particles, such as lamp black, bonded to either side of a proton exchange membrane disposed between the electrodes. In operation, hydrogen flows through channels in one of the flow field plates to the anode, where the catalyst promotes its separation into hydrogen atoms and thereafter into protons that pass through the membrane and electrons that flow through an external load. Air flows through the channels in the other flow field plate to the cathode, where the oxygen in the air is separated into oxygen atoms, which joins with the protons through the proton exchange membrane and the electrons through the circuit, and combine to form water. Since the membrane is an insulator, the electrons travel through an external circuit in which the electricity is utilized, and join with protons at the cathode. The air stream on the cathode side removes the water formed by combination of the hydrogen and oxygen. Combinations of such fuel cells are used in a fuel cell stack to provide the desired voltage.
One possible limiting factor to the more widespread use of PEM fuel cells is the cost of the catalyst material and the relatively high resistivity of the isotropic carbon support material. In conventional fuel cells, the catalyst material is bonded to the PEM or the electrodes in a non-selective manner. That is, the catalyst material is distributed relatively uniformly on the opposed surfaces of the PEM, with result that catalyst deployment is not as efficient as possible.
Unlike the carbon materials conventionally used as a catalyst support material, graphites are made up of layer planes of hexagonal arrays or networks of carbon atoms. These layer planes of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms are substantially flat and are oriented or ordered so as to be substantially parallel and equidistant to one another. The substantially flat, parallel equidistant sheets or layers of carbon atoms, usually referred to as basal planes, are linked or bonded together and groups thereof are arranged in crystallites. Highly ordered graphites consist of crystallites of considerable size: the crystallites being highly aligned or oriented with respect to each other and having well ordered carbon layers. In other words, highly ordered graphites have a high degree of preferred crystallite orientation. It should be noted that graphite exhibits anisotropy because of its inherent structure and thus exhibit or possess many properties that are highly directional e.g. thermal and electrical conductivity and fluid diffusion.
Briefly, graphites may be characterized as laminated structures of carbon, that is, structures consisting of superposed layers or laminae of carbon atoms joined together by weak van der Waals forces. In considering the graphite structure, two axes or directions are usually noted, to wit, the "c" axis or direction and the "a" axes or directions. For simplicity, the "c" axis or direction may be considered as the direction perpendicular to the carbon layers. The "a" axes or directions may be considered as the directions parallel to the carbon layers or the directions perpendicular to the "c" direction. The graphites suitable for manufacturing expanded graphite possess a very high degree of orientation.
As noted above, the bonding forces holding the parallel layers of carbon atoms together are only weak van der Waals forces. Graphites such as Kish graphite and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, but especially natural graphite, can be treated so that the spacing between the superposed carbon layers or laminae can be appreciably opened up so as to provide a marked expansion in the direction perpendicular to the layers, that is, in the "c" direction and thus form an expanded or intumesced graphite structure in which the laminar character of the carbon layers is substantially retained.
Graphite flake which has been greatly expanded and more particularly expanded so as to have a final thickness or "c" direction dimension which is as much as about 80 or more times the original "c" direction dimension can be formed without the use of a binder into cohesive or integrated flexible graphite sheets of expanded graphite, e.g. webs, papers, strips, tapes, or the like. The formation of graphite particles which have been expanded to have a final thickness or "c" dimension which is at least about 80 times the original "c" direction dimension into integrated flexible sheets by compression, without the use of any binding material is believed to be possible due to the excellent mechanical interlocking, or cohesion which is achieved between the voluminously expanded graphite particles.
In addition to flexibility, the sheet material, as noted above, has also been found to possess a high degree of anisotropy with respect to thermal and electrical conductivity and fluid diffusion, comparable to the natural graphite starting material due to orientation of the expanded graphite particles substantially parallel to the opposed faces of the sheet resulting from compression, e.g. roll pressing. Sheet material thus produced has excellent flexibility, good strength and a very high degree of orientation.
Briefly, the process of producing flexible, binderless anisotropic graphite sheet material, e.g. sheet, web, paper, strip, tape, foil, mat, or the like, comprises compressing or compacting expanded graphite under a predetermined load and in the absence of a binder. The expanded graphite particles, which generally are worm-like or vermiform in appearance, once compressed, will maintain the compression set and alignment with the opposed major surfaces of the sheet. The density and thickness of the sheet material can be varied by controlling the degree of compression. The density of the sheet material can be within the range of from about 0.08 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc) to about 2.0 g/cc.
The flexible graphite sheet material exhibits an appreciable degree of anisotropy due to the alignment of graphite particles parallel to the major opposed, parallel surfaces of the sheet, with the degree of anisotropy increasing upon roll pressing of the sheet material to increased density. In roll pressed anisotropic sheet material, the thickness, i.e. the direction perpendicular to the opposed, parallel sheet surfaces comprises the "c" direction and the directions ranging along the length and width, i.e. along or parallel to the opposed, major surfaces comprises the "a" directions and the thermal, electrical and fluid diffusion properties of the sheet are very different, by orders of magnitude, for the "c" and "a" directions.
When electrically anisotropic flexible graphite sheet material is shredded and milled to provide elongate particles sized predominantly about 2 to 50 microns in length, the particles are anistropic with respect to electrical resistivity, with the resistivity along the length of the particles being very low compared with the resistivity transverse to its length, making the particles uniquely effective as a fuel cell catalyst support. In addition, the sheet-like nature of the elongate particles bring about better particle to particle connectivity, and hence better electrical conductivity, compared to more spherically shaped conventional carbons.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The invention relates to a process for the preparation of pigment paste resins for cathodically depositable coating compositions, wherein diepoxide compounds which contain polyoxyalkylene structures and alkyl and/or alkylene and/or hydroxyalkyl radicals having more than 3 carbon atoms are first reacted to form epoxy resin/amine adducts and final products with oxazolidine structures are obtained by a partial or complete reaction of secondary amino groups with formaldehyde.

Pigment paste resins are an important component of cathodically depositable coating compositions and exert substantial influence on the bath parameters and on physical and chemical characteristics of the paint films.
Pigment paste resins based on epoxy resins are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,405 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,275. These patents are directed to cationic water-thinnable polymers which are obtained by the reaction of polymers containing 1,2-epoxide groups, especially of polyglycol-modified epoxy resins, with amine salts and with mixtures of phosphine acids and sulphide acids giving rise to onium groups.
Similar products to those obtained in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,936,405 and 4,035,275 which are crosslinked by transurethanization are disclosed in DE-PS 2,634,211, DE-OS 2,634,229, or DE-OS 2,928,769. Pigment wetting of resins crosslinkable by transesterification can be enhanced by the introduction of quaternary ammonium groups, and their use as pigment grinding resins is thereby made possible. This variant is disclosed, for example, in DE-OS 3,322,781. To improve the stability of these pigment pastes, DE-OS 3,622,710 suggests formation of quaternary ammonium groups in the presence of the pigment powder.
Pigment paste resins which yield coatings with improved corrosion resistance are obtained, according to EP-Al-0,107,088, by reacting monoepoxides, such as alkylene oxides, glycidyl esters or glycidyl ethers, with long-chain tertiary amines in the presence of an acid and/or water with the formation of quaternary ammonium groups. According to EP-Al-0,107,098, higher pigment loading is possible if these systems additionally contain amide groups. EP-B1-0,107,089 discloses that polyepoxides can be reacted in the same manner whereby processing using higher proportions of pigments is made possible.
Pigment paste resins based on alkylphenol-modified epoxy resins containing sulphonium groups, such as those disclosed in EP-A2-0,251,772, are alleged to permit formation of thicker films.
In another type of a pigment paste resin disclosed in EP-Al-0,199,473, an epoxidized polybutadiene is reacted with a secondary amine, and the addition of an acid and a monoepoxide leads to the introduction of quaternary ammonium groups.
Pigment paste resins based on epoxy resins, comprising oxazolidine groups, are disclosed, for example, in AT-PS 365,214 and AT-PS 380,264. Resins of this type exhibit good general characteristics and are commercially used in spite of having poor dispersibility characteristics in the bath material.
It is apparent from the voluminous literature in the field of pigment paste formulations for cathodically depositable coating compositions that this is a problem area for which there is still no completely satisfactory solution in spite of research which has extended over a number of years and in spite of numerous suggestions.

Pigment paste resins for cathodically depositable coating compositions