A machine and method for wrapping cylindrical workpieces such as rolls of bathroom tissue and paper towel. The machine includes a workpiece infeed conveyor, a wrapping paper feeder, a rotating carousel having a plurality of pockets, and a discharge conveyor. A piece of wrapping paper supplied by the paper feeder is perforated and burst into a single sheet. The sheet and a workpiece are directed into a pocket in the rotating carousel whereby the sheet is banded around the periphery of the workpiece by a clamping plate, underfolder plate, and brush. Next a pair of stuffer spindles driven by a barrel cam and a pair of rotating star wheels whose compound motion is derived from geneva wheels fold and tuck the wrapping paper around the parallel sides and into the center tube of each workpiece. The wrapped workpieces are ejected from the rotating carousel onto a discharge conveyor. Alternative folder mechanisms include folding fingers. The method of wrapping is also disclosed.

In the past packaging or wrapping machines for cylindrical workpieces, such as rolls of bathroom tissue and paper towels, have suffered many drawbacks. For example, some packaging machines have not been able to package the bathroom tissues rolls or paper towel rolls as fast as these products are manufactured. This is especially true when only a small number of rolls are packaged together or when each roll is wrapped separately.
A holding area or accumulator is typically established between the paper winder that forms the rolls and the wrapping machine to hold the overflow of rolls or workpieces waiting to be wrapped. The accumulator is used for two primary reasons. First, if the wrapping machine malfunctions or must be shut down for repair, the winder can continue to wind paper rolls from the parent or material roll and does not have to be shut down. The wound rolls are stored in the accumulator until the wrapping machine is running again. Second, when it is necessary to install a new parent roll in the winder, the winder is typically run faster before it is shut down. This quickly fills the accumulator with wound rolls and the wrapping machine can continue to operate and wrap the paper rolls stored in the accumulator while the parent roll is changed. A parent roll change takes approximately 20 minutes. The goal is to change the parent roll, restart the winder and begin producing wound paper rolls again before the wrapper has wrapped all of the rolls in the accumulator. If the goal is achieved, the wrapping machine does not have to be shut down each time the parent roll is changed.
Additionally, many prior art wrapping machines utilize glue. For example, prior art single roll wrapping machines often require that glue be applied on either the wrapping paper or on the wound roll so that the leading edge of the wrapping paper can be adhered to the wound roll. The wound roll is then rotated to draw the wrapping paper around the outer periphery of the roll. Besides adding extra expense to the machine and the wrapped product, glue is typically messy and can easily clog in the wrapping machine.
Prior art wrapping machines also suffer from a not insubstantial amount of down time and a fairly high scrap rate. Scrap rate is commonly defined as the amount of product which is not suitably wrapped and therefore cannot be sold. Scrap must be either rewrapped or disposed of. While some prior art machines are capable of wrapping at substantially the same rate as our wrapping machine, they are less reliable. An unreliable machine can produce many scrap pieces before the wrapping machine can be stopped and the problem fixed. If the wrapping machine is down for a period of time greater than the time it takes for the winder to fill the accumulator, the winder must be shut down as well.
Additionally, even if the prior art machines are functioning normally and/or operating at a rate of production equal to our wrapping machine they will still have a scrap rate that is higher than the scrap rate of our invention.
In the industry, the reliability of a wrapping machine is typically judged by the number of rolls wrapped per day, excluding scrap. Our invention comprises a wrapping machine for wrapping rolls of bathroom tissue or paper towels that can wrap the product at a much faster rate when compared with prior art machines having the same reliability. Our machine is highly reliable and has a very low scrap rate. Unlike known high rate machines, our wrapping machines does not require any glue to perform the wrapping process.
A major difference between our wrapping machine and some prior art wrapping machines is that in our machine the wound paper roll is not rotated. Our wrapper utilizes a rotating carousel having a plurality of pockets. The wrapping paper and wound roll or workpiece are sequentially fed into each pocket as the carousel rotates and the wrapping process occurs as the carousel makes one complete revolution. A fully wrapped workpiece is ejected near the end of the revolution and another piece of wrapping paper and workpiece are inserted. The workpieces are not rotated, relative to the carousel, when wrapped; only the carousel is rotated.
It is an object of our invention to provide a wrapping machine that wraps cylindrical workpieces reliably at a high rate of speed with little or no scrap produced. It is an object of our invention to provide such a wrapping machine that utilizes clamping and underfolding devices to snugly wind and hold the wrapping paper against the workpiece while it is wrapped. It is a further object to provide such a wrapping machine that utilizes a pair of geneva wheel driven star wheels along the outer edges of each pocket and a pair of stuffer spindles to neatly and securely fold the wrapping paper over the outer parallel sides of the workpiece and tuck the wrapping paper into the workpiece center tube. It is another object of our invention to apply the wrapper around the workpiece in a neat and secure fashion such that the wrapper fits snugly about the workpiece and there are no gaps between the wrapper and the workpiece. It is yet another object of our invention to provide a wrapping machine that is compact, can be easily moved, and is flexible with respect to the location of its infeed and exit conveyors.
These and other objects of our invention will become apparent in the descriptions that follow. We know of no prior art that teaches or discloses our invention.


A catheter introducer which allows a dilator member and a sheath member to be engaged with and disengaged from each other promptly and smoothly. The catheter introducer includes a sheath member consisting of a sheath portion and a sheath hub and a dilator member consisting of a dilator portion and a dilator hub and a locking mechanism operatively connecting the sheath member and dilator member during the insertion of the catheter introducer into the body of the patient. The dilator hub includes one or more flange members associated therewith and the flange member is rotatable with respect to the sheath hub to selectively engage the sheath hub in a first position and disengage the sheath hub in a second position.

A preferred non-surgical method for inserting a catheter involves the use of the Seldinger technique which includes an access needle that is inserted into the patient's vein. A guidewire is then inserted through the needle and into the vein. The needle is then removed and a dilator and sheath combination are then inserted over the guidewire. The dilator and sheath combination are then inserted a short distance into the tissue to dilate the incision and the dilator is then removed and discarded. The catheter is then inserted through the sheath into the vein in the desired location.
In a device to introduce a catheter into a blood vessel such as for angiography, hemodialysis or other vascular access procedures, a catheter introducer is used. As shown in FIG. 1, symbol 1 denotes a catheter introducer in general. The catheter introducer 1 includes a sheath member 2, a dilator member 3, a sheath hub 4, a sheath portion 5, a female hole 6, a dilator hub 7, a dilator portion 8, a male prism 9, and an optional side tube 10.
As can be seen in the drawing, the prior art catheter introducer 1 of FIG. 1 is composed of the sheath member 2 consisting of the sheath portion 5 and the sheath hub 4 and the dilator member 3 which consists of the dilator portion 8 and the dilator hub 7. The catheter introducer 1 has the dilator member 3 positioned in the sheath member 2, and is inserted into a blood vessel over a guide wire in the manner briefly described above.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrations showing how the prior art catheter introducer of FIG. 1 may be used. In the drawings, symbol 11 denotes an optional three-way stop cock, a guide wire is designated by symbol 12, subcutaneous tissue is designated by symbol 13, and symbol 14 designates a blood vessel. When the catheter introducer 1 is used, a hollow needle (not illustrated) with an inner needle inserted through it is introduced into the blood vessel 14, and after removing the inner needle, the guide wire 12 is inserted through the hollow needle. The hollow needle is subsequently removed, to leave only the guide wire 12 in the blood vessel. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the catheter introducer 1 with the dilator member 3 inserted in the sheath member 2 is inserted into the blood vessel 14 with the guide wire 12 operating as a guide. The catheter introducer 1 is introduced until the sheath portion 5 of the sheath member 2 is at least partially inserted into the blood vessel 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the dilator member 3 and the guide wire 12 may be subsequently removed. Then, a catheter is inserted into the sheath member 2 which operates to guide the tip of the catheter through the incision and into the blood vessel 14 to complete the insertion of the catheter. Subsequently, as desired, the three-way stop cock 11 may be actuated to supply a medicine, etc. into the blood vessel through the sheath member 2 or the sheath portion 5 of the sheath member 2 may be split or torn into two sections as the sheath member 2 is removed from around the catheter as described below.
During insertion of the catheter introducer 1 into the blood vessel 14, the sheath member 2 is typically held near the surface of the skin of the patient and gently twisted as the catheter introducer 1 is inserted through the subcutaneous tissue and into the vein of the patient. However, to achieve this, a mechanism for mutually arresting the movement of the dilator member 3 and the sheath member 2 is desired to prevent the relative rotation between the dilator member 3 and the sheath member 2 as well as to prevent the longitudinal displacement of the dilator member 3 relative to the sheath member 2.
To prevent the relative rotation and longitudinal displacement of the dilator member 3 with respect to the sheath member 2, several prior art devices have been disclosed. For example, the device as shown in FIG. 1 is disclosed in PCT Application No. US93/00437 and includes a female polygonal hole 6 formed in the sheath member 2 and a male prism 9 formed in the dilator member 3. The male prism 9 of the dilator member 3 is inserted in the female hole 6 of the sheath member 2 to prevent the relative rotation between the dilator member 3 and the sheath member 2. Furthermore, the female polygonal hole 6 has a groove 6a formed and the male prism 9 has a rib 9a formed so that when the male prism 9 of the dilator member 3 is inserted in the female polygonal hole 6 of the sheath member, the rib 9a of the male prism 9 is fitted in the groove 6a of the female polygonal hole 6 to resist the axial displacement of the dilator member 3 and the sheath member 2.
FIG. 4 shows a further prior art device disclosed in the PCT patent application. The male engaging part 15 of the dilator member 3 and the female engaging part 16 of the sheath member 2 are tapered and hexagonal in cross section. The tapered engagement between the dilator member 3 and the sheath member 2 can prevent the axial displacement and the relative rotation between the sheath member 2 and the dilator member 3.
The prior art device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is also disclosed in the PCT patent application. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the end of the sheath member 2 with a female taper portion 17 with recesses 18 and FIG. 6 is a side view showing the dilator member 3 with a male taper portion 19 with protrusions 20. The male taper portion 19 of the dilator member is inserted into the female taper portion 17 of the sheath member to prevent the axial displacement by the taper portion 17, and to prevent the relative rotation by the engagement between the protrusions 20 and the recesses 18.
The prior art device shown in FIG. 7 is also shown in the PCT patent application. In this device, a spiral protrusion 21 is formed around the end 2a of the sheath member and a recess 22 to be engaged with the protrusion 21 of the sheath member is formed on the end 3a of the dilator hub 7 for fastening the dilator member 3 and the sheath member 2 together.
Finally, an example of a further prior art catheter introducer device is shown in FIG. 8. This prior art device is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention and is more fully shown in Design U.S. Pat. No. 318,733. This type of catheter introducer device includes a pull apart sheath and may be used with oval or round catheters and dilators.


According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes memory modules, a measuring module, a determination module, and a controller. The measuring module initializes the memory modules when the apparatus has been booted and an operating system of the information processing apparatus has not yet been started, measures a temperature of the memory modules at a time of the initialization, and measures a maximum temperature of each of the memory modules when the operating system is running. The determination module determines a first memory module, which has the least difference between the temperature at the time of the initialization and the maximum temperature at the time when the operating system is running, and a second memory module which has the lowest temperature at the time of the initialization. The controller maps memory addresses allocated to the first memory module in the second memory module, based on the temperatures.

In general, an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer, includes a memory module for temporarily reading and executing an operating system (OS) and various applications. Since a load is applied to the memory module in accordance with the transfer rate of data that is to be read, the temperature of the memory module rises. If the temperature of the memory module rises to a high degree, the operation of the computer may be affected. To address this problem, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2005-18329, for example, discloses a technique of executing control to prevent the temperature of a memory module from reaching a preset threshold by lowering the transfer rate of the data that is to be read in the memory module, when the temperature has reached a predetermined threshold.
However, in the technique of KOKAI Publication No. 2005-18329, since the control is executed to prevent the temperature of the memory module to reach the preset threshold by lowering the transfer rate of the data that is to be read in the memory module, the transfer rate of data decreases and the performance of the computer lowers.

Information processing apparatus and memory control method


An elevator system includes a group control device controlling a plurality of elevators as a group, a security gate mounted with a personal identification device that identifies a passing user and issues identification information, an access control device that issues validation information based on the information about the user included in the identification information, a communication device transmitting a service floor call registration request for each user to the group control device based on the validation information, an assignment controlling function that is provided on the group control device to determine the elevator assigned pursuant to the service floor call registration request for each user, and issue assigned elevator information for each user, and an assigned elevator notification device installed on the security gate to notify each user of the assigned elevator information.

As a conventional elevator system, there has been known a system, in which, to enhance the security and to improve the operation efficiency, an elevator group control device for controlling a plurality of elevators as one group is provided; a validation device is mounted at a security gate provided at the building entrance; and after this validation device has accomplished validation, the security gate is opened to allow the user to move into an elevator hall on an entrance floor, including a validation information transmitting means for transmitting validation information to a corresponding bank among a plurality of banks in the elevator hall based on destination floor validation information of the validation device; a car assigning means for assigning a car to each destination floor of passenger based on the validation information; and a service floor displaying means for displaying service floors for each assigned car in the entrance floor hall, wherein an operation inherent in the user (for example, a disabled person operation) based on the individual validation information of the validation device is selected, or the car is caused to wait, while the car door is open, in the hall in the case where the distance from the security gate to the hall is long (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).
Also, there have conventionally been known a system in which information including a desired destination floor is stored in a card-type information transmitter carried by the user; the destination floor information is transmitted from this card-type information transmitter to a recognition device via wireless communication, whereby a call registration is made based on this destination floor information; and the result of assignment to this call registration is displayed on a display or the like provided near an input device such as a ten-key pad provided in a hall to make call registration (for example, refer to Patent Literature 2), and a system in which when a sensor of an entrance gate provided so as to correspond to each zone including a plurality of floors detects a user, the call to the zone corresponding to that entrance gate is registered, and the assignment result is displayed for the user at the outlet of the entrance gate (for example, refer to Patent Literature 3).

Elevator system having remote call registration request


An on-line gas chromatographic liquid inject valve which comprises (a) a sampling shaft having a channel defined therein which is reciprocal between a sampling position wherein a liquid stream flows across the shaft and through the channel and an inject position wherein the channel traverses a length of a seal and delivers a liquid sample carried from the liquid stream in the channel to a gas chromatograph for analysis, (b) a fluid-driven piston- or plunger-type arrangement at an outer end of the shaft for causing the sampling shaft to reciprocate between the sampling position and the inject position, (c) a seal around the sampling shaft and between the liquid stream and the gas chromatograph in use of the valve, and (d) a fluid-driven piston having a central opening defined therein in which the sampling shaft reciprocates, and which bears against the seal for placing and maintaining a constant pressure against the seal as the seal wears from frictional contact between the sampling shaft and the seal.

The present invention relates to shaft seals, and more particularly to on-line liquid inject valves and the shaft seals provided in these valves.
Those skilled in the on-line process analysis art are well familiar with these valves, in which a sampling shaft having a channel defined transvesely therein reciprocates between a sampling position wherein a liquid stream flows across the shaft and through the channel, and an inject position wherein the channel traverses a length of a seal and delivers a liquid sample carried in the channel to, e.g., a gas chromatograph for analysis. In the best commercially-available valves, the seals around the sampling shaft have a fairly limited useful life (e.g., 50 or 60 thousand strokes in moderate service) before elements of the liquid stream to be analyzed begin to leak into the gas chromatograph because of the frictional wear between the sampling shaft and the seal.
In efforts to maintain an effective seal around the sampling shaft in these commercially-available valves as the seal is worn, several manufacturers provide a spring or springs to compress the seal and to force the seal into better sealing engagement with the reciprocating sampling shaft. As the seal is worn in these devices, however, the springs relax and exert less force on the seal, which creates an increasing susceptibility of the valve assembly to leaks into the gas chromatograph. An additional disadvantage of this type of construction is that the amount of force which can be exerted by a spring on a seal is limited. Still another disadvantage is that the springs provide a minimal level of flexibility in terms of adjusting the pressure to be placed on a given seal, and changing the pressure to be placed on the seal requires taking the valve apart.


An electronic circuit having: a substrate with an upper surface; a lower level wiring made of conductive material and disposed on the substrate; an insulating cover film covering the surface of the lower level wiring; an interlayer insulating film formed on the substrate, covering the insulating cover film; an opening formed through the interlayer insulating film and the insulating cover film at an interlayer contact region extending from an area corresponding to the inside region, as viewed in the in-plane layout of the substrate, of the lower level wiring to an area corresponding to the outside region of the lower level wiring; and a higher level wiring disposed on a partial region of the interlayer insulating film and in the interlayer contact region, the higher level wiring being electrically connected to the lower level wiring in the interlayer contact region. The connection reliability between a lower level wiring layer and a higher level wiring layer in the connection region can be improved while maintaining the insulation reliability therebetween in the insulation region.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic circuit device with multi-layer wiring and its manufacture, and more particularly to an electronic circuit device having an interlayer insulating film formed on an insulating film covering the surface of the underlying wiring layer.
b) Description of the Related Art
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing the connection portion between a lower level wiring layer and a higher level wiring layer of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel with thin film transistors (TFTs).
On the surface of a glass substrate 100, a gate insulating film 101 is formed. In the region where a TFT is formed, a polysilicon film is formed between the glass substrate 100 and gate insulating film 101. In this polysilicon film, a channel region, a source, and a drain region of TFT are formed. Since FIG. 8 shows the connection portion between the lower and higher level wiring layers, the polysilicon film is not shown in this portion.
A gate wiring line 102 of aluminum is formed on the gate insulating film 101. The gate wiring line 102 is patterned at the same time when the gate electrode of TFT is patterned. The surface of the gate wiring line 102 is covered with an anodic oxide film 103 formed through anodic oxidation of aluminum. An interlayer insulating film 104 is formed over the substrate including the surface of the anodic oxide film 103.
A drain wiring line 105 of aluminum is formed on the interlayer insulating film 104. The drain wiring line 105 is deposited and patterned at the same time when the drain electrode of TFT is deposited and patterned. The gate wiring line 102 and drain wiring line 105 are disposed in a lattice shape in the area where pixels are formed. Both the wiring lines are electrically insulated at their cross points by the interlayer insulating film 104. The anodic oxide film 103 improves the insulation reliability between the gate wiring lines 102 and drain wiring lines 105.
In some cases, in an LCD with built-in peripheral circuits, an output signal of one transistor of the peripheral circuit drives another transistor, by connecting the drain wiring line of the one transistor at the preceding stage to the gate wiring line of the other transistor at the succeeding stage.
In connecting the gate wiring line and drain wiring line, a contact hole 106 is formed in the interlayer insulating film 104 and anodic oxide film 103 before the drain wiring layer is deposited. The contact hole 106 in the interlayer insulating film 104 is formed through anisotropic etching.
The anodic oxide film 103 is etched by isotropic wet etching using, for example, chromium mixed acid (CrO.sub.3 .multidot.HNO.sub.3 .multidot.H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 .multidot.CH.sub.3 COOH+nH.sub.2 O), because there is no etching gas having a large etching selection ratio to the gate wiring layer 102. Therefore, the anodic oxide film 103 is side etched, leaving a hollow 107 at the lower side wall of the contact hole 106.
After the contact hole 106 is formed, the drain wiring layer is deposited over the whole surface of the substrate by sputtering or the like. Since the hollow 107 is formed at the lower side wall of the contact hole 106, step coverage of the drain wiring line at the contact hole lowers so that breakage or disconnection of the drain wiring line becomes likely to occur. The anodic oxide film for preventing a short circuit between the gate wiring line and drain wiring line in the region where pixels are formed, makes it difficult to connect the gate wiring line and drain wiring line at the region where peripheral circuits are formed.
As above, although the surface of the gate wiring layer is formed with an anodic oxide film in order to improve the insulation reliability between the gate wiring line and drain wiring line in the pixel forming region, this anodic oxide film lowers the connection reliability between the gate and drain wiring lines in the region where the peripheral circuits are fabricated.

Electronic circuit device with multi-layer wiring


A mulitfunction container has a rigid hull made of a plastic material. The hull has an opening on the back part thereof, an upper part, a front, a base, and a top release button on the upper part. The shape of the hull resembles a boot. The front of the hull has the shape of the tip of a shoe, with the opening being located at the back of the hull opposite to the shape of the tip of the shoe. The hull is able to receive a pair of boots in an upright position. An external handle is provided in the hull for carrying the hull. An access shutter is hinged to the hull so as to be capable of tilting backwards from a position closing the opening to a position that exposes the opening. An upper bent end of the access shutter terminates in a fastening tongue cooperable with the top release button. The clog on the base of the hull engages the ground, the clog having small holes and forming a space internal to the container. Sponge material is located in the hull at a position corresponding to the clog and separated from the remaining internal space in the hull by an extractable grid fixed internally of the hull.

In the prior art, ski boots, ice skates and roller skates are known. These are essentially characterized by a structure that is somewhat heavy and undoubtedly of a certain dimension, which is the source of various problems.
Firstly, transport to and from the place destined for the exercise of the sporting activity is a problem. Users with cars certainly feel less objective discomfort. However, they are mostly obliged to pick up the boots from the basement and introduce them, as they are and higgledy piggledy, into the trunk of the car. Having arrived at the destination, they have to take the shoes and put them on, which in the meantime, not being heated by the internal heating of the car, will have reached a temperature close to that of the environment.
A first drawback, therefore, is the sudden displacement of the shoes, which being rigid, besides causing noise during the drive and therefore distraction of the driver, can be the cause of slight damage to the internal parts of the trunk or to other objects contained therein.
Secondly, the necessity of being able to put the shoe inside the trunk at least at a lukewarm temperature is known to all. In order to facilitate the fitting and shaping of the shoe, an operation that should be carried out is removing the shoe and introducing it into the cabin of the car, separated by the hull. However, because of the discomfort and complexity of the operation, as both the extraction and the reintroduction is difficult, the majority of people do not do it, adapting themselves instead to wearing the shoes as they are.
Regarding the phase following use, the main drawback is dictated by the fact that the boots are introduced into the trunk of the car dirty and full of snow, notwithstanding that they may be shaken to remove the more consistent parts. If the support surface of the shoe is soaked, one will have persistent humidity on the inside of the ski boot along with the emission of bad odors. This will also take place in the trunk of the car, and also will wet the surrounding objects.
A solution has been proposed by the use of well known technical bags supplied with ski boots or placed on the market as promotional articles. These are formed of a soft container, obtained by sewing a fabric or cloth that is externally elasticized. It is provided, on an upper part, with two robust grip handles and a zipper, generally placed in the center, that allows the total opening of the bag. The necessity of using the bag is dictated above all in those transfers carried out by the use of public transport, e.g. a bus, where the boots can be separated by other luggage amassed in common.
A first drawback is that, because of the stacking of bags together, with the jerks of the bus breakage can be caused, at times irreparable, at least with respect to the cloth of the bags. Secondly, at the end of the use, the boots placed in the bag impregnate at least internally the fabric, contributing to the formation of humidity that persists also inside the boots. Finally, the traditional type of bag, due to the material used, is subjected to getting dirty somewhat frequently, one not being able to clean it with ease.
Regarding storage of the boots during periods of non-use, and not only seasonal periods, one prefers as a rule a tidy arrangement on common shelves or other shelves in general found in the basement of the house. This does not allow, notwithstanding personal attention, the prevention of the shoes from getting dusty. Unavoidably during the period of non-use, dust will form, not only on the outside, but also, and above all, on the inside.
An alternative can consist in providing a suitable cloth or sheet, for example wholly wrapping the row of boots of an average family.
A second and more effective alternative consists in rearranging the boots on the inside of the original packaging. This concerns, in more detail, cardboard boxes of great thickness, obtained by convenient blanks, which realize two half-hulls hinged on one side, the other side providing tabs to allow locking. Along one side of the structure, a retractable handle of plastic material is additionally provided, which facilitates transport.
The drawbacks of this solution consist essentially in the excessive dimensions of the cardboard boxes, as they are structured to accommodate the couple of boots in a position that is extended and opposite according to the more traditional scheme. Secondly, the material of which they are formed does not allow for ordinary transport of the shoes, because wet or even only damp shoes cannot be introduced, requiring the boots therefore to be perfectly dried.
The same drawbacks can be verified for other sporting activities, such as those in which an internal shoe is provided. This is case for example for single blade roller skates or ice skates, e.g. ice hockey, artistic skating, and other activities, where it is common to carry one's own equipment.
In both cases the drawbacks, if compared to the transport solution of the ski boot, are greater, as, when carried in a bag of the traditional type, or one not even rigid, the shoes because of their substructure, will engage on the bottom of the bag in a non-uniform way, stressing only a minimum part of the base of the bag. This naturally causes an incorrect distribution of the load, which above all is free to move on the inside of the bag. In addition to the drawbacks already detected, a recurrent wear of the parts more stressed will result, and because of irregular tension, frequent breakage results, even of the handles.
CH-A-547 066 discloses a multifunction container comprising a hull that is rigid, aerated and formed of plastic material, and a closable access shutter hinged to the hull and provided with locking means and having a handle. This container is realized as a parallelepiped case opening like a suitcase and being able to contain a pair of boots, placed on the same plane, one opposite the other, divided by a diagonal diaphragm to avoid position difficulty. This solution is, however, bulky and not practical, because the boots:
are difficult to insert and remove, because of the opposite placement; and PA1 must be placed or removed from above, increasing the difficulty.

Multifunction container, particularly for ski boots, ice skates or roller skates of the single wheel type


A nasal dressing holder consisting of an elastic band positionable under the nose for holding a nasal dressing and packing in place, a pair of non-stretchable straps on either side of the band positionable across the cheeks, and a pair of thin elastic loops which are positionable around the ears for holding the device in place. A double-sided hook tab is positionable between a folded end of the strap and another portion of the strap and is releasably attachable to loop material on the strap, to enable releasable and adjustable attachment of the device to a patient. The tension applied to the dressing and packing can be varied by adjusting the folded connection between the strap and the loop.

This invention concerns a device for holding a nasal dressing and nasal packing in position, and more particularly a holder which is adjustable, easy to use, and does not cause skin irritation or pain.
Presently, in any surgery which involves the nasal or sinus areas, a 4.times.4" gauze dressing, sometimes called a moustache dressing, is folded and placed against the nostrils to catch drainage. Typically, this dressing is necessary for 2-3 days. On the first day, this dressing may have to be changed as often as eight times, depending on the amount of drainage.
In current practice, these dressings are typically held in place with tape. This tape is applied to the face, even though the patient's eyes, nose, and face are swollen and extremely sensitive. Every time the dressing is changed, the tape must be lifted off the skin, causing pain to the patient. In addition, the use of tape can cause tape burns, and possibly increase edema and redness of the face, as well as cause allergic reactions in some patients.
Another known practice is to stretch a rubber band under the nose and tape both ends of the band to the face. However, this does not avoid the problems of using tape and may not hold the dressing or packing securely.
Thus, a need exists for a nasal dressing holder which does not cause further irritation and pain to the patient.
Often times after surgery, nasal packing is put in each nostril to apply pressure and promote closure of the wound. The amount of time the packing remains in the nose varies depending on the type of surgery. A need exists to provide pressure to hold the packing in place, without causing the patient further irritation and pain.
Other problems which a nasal dressing holder should solve are preventing the dressing from falling down as it gets wet, and holding the dressing and packing securely in place when the patient moves his head from side to side.
It would also be desirable to reduce the nursing time required to change the dressing. Because of the frequency of changes required during a patient's stay in the post anesthesia recovery unit, the changing procedure should be kept as convenient and short as possible.
Still further, almost all nasal surgery patients go home with the dressing applied and are given extra supplies and instructions for changing the dressing at home. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a dressing holder which can be easily and properly used by the patient himself.
These problems are solved by the nasal dressing holder of this invention.


A smart portable lighting device including: at least one or a plurality artificial light sources having a high light output, the artificial light source or each of the artificial light sources being provided with an voltage-to-current electricity converter, which is capable of modulating the output of the light sources according to a given set value; a self-contained power source having a rechargeable battery for supplying electricity to the artificial light source(s) via the voltage-to-current electricity converters, characterized in that the device includes an electronic management casing, which includes a digital processing unit with attached circuits to which the converter(s) of the light source(s) and the self-contained power source are connected, the electronic management casing being configured so as to establish the main lighting phase by programming the desired lighting duration determining a constant light output, or by programming a constant light output determining the available lighting duration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a smart portable lighting device.
It applies in particular, to a smart portable lighting device that is lightweight, powerful and durable, designed to be immediately operational without any maintenance even in cases of prolonged non-utilization, ready to be connected to the electric power grid or having its own electric power source in the form of rechargeable batteries, and capable of illuminating, depending on the users' requirements, large areas of diverse activities, during various operations such as security or rescue interventions (for example interventions by emergency personnel on accident sites, rescue operations for persons involved in natural disasters making all classic routine communications impossible), or for work requiring good lighting that is self-contained and constantly available for at least several hours, in case of a breakdown of the power grid or if it impossible to gain access to said power grid.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
In numerous circumstances, it is indispensable to provide temporary artificial lighting installations on diverse intervention sites, so as to obtain lighting for action scenes, so that the intervening personnel may be able to accomplish the tasks requiring good vision of the environment, so they can operate under the best conditions of visibility possible.
Public authorities sometimes make such equipment mandatory which must be available at any moment and be put in operation very rapidly, depending on the cataclysmal circumstances, and this even if this equipment has been stored over long periods with oftentimes non-existing maintenance during those periods.
These temporary electric lighting installations are transported to the sites of utilization, for example on light vehicles or pack animals, but it is advantageous to be able to have them easily carried by a single person with minor drudgery in cases where circumstances are such that cataclysms preclude the utilization of other means to quickly bring powerful and long-lasting light sources to disaster sites.
To meet the afore-mentioned needs, and especially on public works sites, self-contained, portable lighting installations are routinely used which use various sources of energy and consist of:                Gas lighting devices, operating with gas bottles;        Electric lighting devices consisting of conventional projectors powered by electric generators;        Electric lighting devices powered by lead batteries using discharge lamps, for example Xenon lamps.
The major disadvantages of these lighting devices are as follows:                They are heavy and cumbersome and cannot easily be carried by a single person, so that several persons are needed for carrying a portion of this lighting device. Under these conditions its re-assembly on the site will take longer and it is not very advantageous to mobilize several persons for a single device;        Most of them consume fossil fuels in significant quantities which continue to be more and more costly and for which storage conditions become more and more strict and regulated;        They poorly support prolonged storage periods of non-utilization, so that they often require maintenance operations just when they are needed, making their availability unreliable and most of the time not instant;        Their light output is not or only slightly adjustable, thereby limiting, when in self-contained use, the possibility to prolong the lighting duration by reducing the light output;        The lighting duration and more precisely the remaining light duration is unknown or modifiable when the energy source is limited in self-containing utilization;        When the power source is self-contained and nearly exhausted, light output diminishes rapidly and uncontrollably, and can create grave situations in case of total darkness of the area while critical operations are still on-going in said area. The remaining lighting duration determined as of the moment when lighting diminishes does not allow alerting the users sufficiently early to that they can proceed with securing the area before complete extinction of lighting;        They do not offer any or only very little possibility to be connected to another power source, for example the power grid when this is available, and in any case do not offer the possibility of changing the power source instantly and automatically when the major power source becomes suddenly unavailable.
Only the use of a number of lighting systems would minimize the risk of a sudden lack of light in the area in question and/or of having to face insufficient durations of lighting for completing the works or interventions in progress. This is perfectly conceivable on specific and planned sites, but cannot be envisaged for disaster situations where availability of several systems in a single intervention area may be impossible to provide at the scale of several hours or even several days.
Also known are lightweight self-containing lighting devices consisting of LED hand lamps for single hand use and powered by rechargeable or not rechargeable batteries providing relatively strong lighting. But these systems have limited operating capabilities due to the weight of the battery for being carried by hand Most of the disadvantages mentioned are therefore found in the state of the art described above.
Such a system is shown schematically in FIG. 1 illustrating the present state of the art and according to which the energy source consisting here of a rechargeable battery is directly connected to the light sources through voltage-to-current converters of electric energy capable of adapting the voltage/current characteristics of the rechargeable battery to the operating specificities in voltage and/or current of the light sources. But there is, in this case, no possibility of smart management of the lighting, especially with respect to the duration of the lighting.
It is known that light sources such as LED lamps have, among others, three major advantages:                Very significant light output (capable today of outputs above 100 lumen/Watt), identical to or even above those of Xenon lamps or other discharge lamps;        Low voltage operation;        Capability of modulating the luminous intensity through voltage-to-current converters of electric energy which are known as such, directly connected to the energy source, intended to deliver the voltage/current characteristics required for supplying power to the light source and appropriate for performing a task (between 0 and 100% for example), allowing to modulate this luminous intensity, which is all but impossible to obtain with discharge lamps.
The applicant has, incidentally, developed a whole range of high energy rechargeable batteries for professional use, together with a range of distinct portable electric tools, each possessing its own operating characteristics, a system described for example in document FR-2.920.683.
Document GB 2 476 466 describes a battery management device for a portable lighting apparatus.
The battery control device described in this document:                does not feature an electronic management housing to which are connected both the battery and also one or even several light sources;        does not feature a device that is configured to establish, while the system is in operation, a main lighting phase by programming the desired lighting duration, determining a constant lighting output;        does also not allow programming a constant lighting output determining the available lighting duration.
Overall, the purpose of the device described in this document is also to manage the end of useful life of the battery, a well-known solution. For example, in the case of selecting a lighting time where the user wants to ensure a constant light output, the battery will not necessarily be at the end of its useful life at the end of this time, even while providing the maximal output of the lamps during this period.
The device described in the GB 2 476 466 document limits itself in effect to adapting the light output of the LEDs depending on the end of the charge of the battery, in order to preserve the overall assembly. One finds oneself in the typical and familiar case of a flash light the brightness of which declines towards the end of the charge of its battery, with the user having no control over this duration. The system described in this document makes the light source communicate in this sense, integrating a smart energy conversion system, and a battery integrating also its own smart system. One is dealing here with a somewhat sophisticated flash light which will only alert the user at the end of the discharge of the battery, without the user being able to know the duration separating him from the next alarm point.
The system according to GB 2 476 466 does not feature intermediary electronic management housing capable of managing, and thus communicating to the user, the lighting duration remaining or to modulate a constant output depending on the duration desired by the user, guaranteeing him a constant brightness during this time.
Document WO-2010/057138 discloses an energy saving system comprising at least one light source powered by solar panels and/or batteries. According to this document, this system actively manages the available energy and controls the output or energy delivered to the load so as to enable said light sources and/or other devices to function efficiently and to supply the users even on days, weeks or months of weak solar luminosity.
The preferred adaptations actively manage the battery charge and actively manage the output delivered to the load, in contrast to the conventional control methods where the system is passively controlled by the load. Thus, the preferred implementations prevent the system batteries from discharging below their low operating threshold, even when operating during prolonged periods of weak sunshine, whereas the conventional methods of control let the load use more energy than is available in the storage of the system/battery and frequently results in the disconnection (shut-off) of the load and damages the battery.
On the other hand, the device described in WO-2010/057138 document proposes to manage a network of electric consumers (street lights, traffic lights, WiFi terminals, . . . ) using energy sources such as solar panels and rechargeable batteries, by managing the outputs delivered according to a predictive mechanism depending on phenomena such as ambient brightness, the seasonal day/night effects or the climatic conditions on the basis of mathematical models established according to meteorological histories.
Document WO-2010/057.138 therefore does not describe a portable lighting system, but one could consider that it features an electronic management casing featuring a smart system concerned with modulating the energy sources in order to ensure the priorities even of the minimum energy supplies to the different consumers according to a predictive model. This smart system does not seek to guarantee a constant lighting output, for example during a given length of time, because it depends on the other consumers of the network and the meteorological conditions. This system seeks instead, as does the one described in the GB 2 476 466 document, to protect the battery from overloads and over-discharges which can lead to its rapid degradation over time. This is a stationary application where the characteristics of the battery are calculated with wide safety margins in order to ensure its functioning over several years while taking basic predictive models into account.


A circuit capable of detecting natural gas at a wide range of concentrations is disclosed. The gas detection circuit includes a catalytic Wheatstone bridge circuit and an analyzing Wheatstone bridge circuit. A circuit for detecting natural gas, which includes placing a device containing the circuit described above in an area in which the air has a potential of containing natural gas, and monitoring the output signal for indications of the presence of natural gas is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for detecting gas leaks. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an electronic circuit that can detect natural gas at any level.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the natural gas distribution industry, there is a need to detect and test for natural gas at several concentrations. Natural gas detection at part per million concentrations is required to locate leaks in piping and around equipment connections. Higher levels of natural gas can lead to explosive reaction. The concentration of natural gas can build to such levels over time if a leak occurs in an enclosed area. For this reason, it is necessary to measure natural gas in enclosed areas where leakage can occur and concentrations may build to levels capable of explosive reaction in order to provide warning of an explosive hazard. Natural gas concentrations beyond the explosive range can be caused by leakage into small closed volumes, such as around a buried gas pipe or in regulator pits. Natural gas concentration readings in these instances may be used to precisely locate leaks, thereby reducing the cost to repair lines by limiting the excavation necessary to expose the leaking section.
The preferred natural gas detection method can vary depending on the concentration of natural gas anticipated. For example, if part per million or explosive concentrations of natural gas are anticipated, a catalytic detector can be used. For natural gas concentrations beyond the explosive range, a detector based on thermal conductivity methods of measurement may be used.
Examples of catalytic gas detectors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,678,489 to Scherban et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,699 to Timoshenko et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,353 to Nicholas et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,578 to Isenstein. U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,050 to Makel et al. discloses the use of a catalytic gas detector from Det-Tronics, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Examples of Det-Tronics detectors are Det-Tronics Model 226530-01 and CGS Detector.
Catalytic detectors typically react to a combustible gas which may come from a variety of sources with oxygen from the surrounding air. The reaction between combustible vapors and air is promoted by the catalytic material on the surface of one of two elements. The elements are electrically and thermally matched, temperature sensitive, resistive elements. The combustion reaction on the catalytically-coated element releases heat, raising the temperature of that element and, therefore, its resistance, with respect to the matching element which is not catalytically coated. This resistive imbalance is measured in a Wheatstone bridge circuit with the signal output derived being connected to additional electrical components to perform a variety of functions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,269 to Palumbo et al. discloses this type of detector.
Another type of gas leak detector used to detect high concentration gas leaks is based on an acoustic detection system where microphones are used to xe2x80x9clistenxe2x80x9d for the sound of gas leaking from a pipe, fitting, or valve. Such acoustic methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,676 to Chang; U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,724 to Savic; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,943 to Powell et al. These methods have a drawback in that in order for a leak to be audible, it must be significant. Therefore, early detection is not provided.
An expensive method developed for natural gas detection is based on the use of infrared absorption. U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,558 to Bonne and U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,076 to Bonne et al. disclose methods of selective natural gas detection utilizing absorption of infrared radiation. These methods are limited primarily to low concentration detection.
Still another method for detecting natural gas is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,943 to Chou et al. This method involves a solid state electrolytic cell sensor that causes the dissociation of the gas into charged species, such as ions and complex ions. This method also utilizes a heater, which can be dangerous and is limited as to how low the detection limit for natural gas can be.
There remains a need for a safe and inexpensive means for detecting natural gas at any concentration.
The present invention is directed to a unique circuit capable of detecting natural gas at a wide range of concentrations. The gas detection circuit includes a catalytic Wheatstone bridge circuit and an analyzing Wheatstone bridge circuit. The catalytic Wheatstone bridge circuit includes an active element and a reference element on a first half of the catalytic Wheatstone bridge circuit and a first fixed resistor and a second fixed resistor on a second half of the catalytic Wheatstone bridge circuit. The analyzing Wheatstone bridge circuit includes the active element and the reference element in series, acting as a single element in series with a third fixed resistor on a first half of the analyzing Wheatstone bridge circuit. A second half of the analyzing Wheatstone bridge circuit includes a fourth fixed resistor and a fifth fixed resistor, which balance the first half of the analyzing Wheatstone bridge circuit.
The catalytic Wheatstone bridge circuit and analyzing Wheatstone bridge circuit are powered by maintaining a fixed voltage difference across the respective Wheatstone bridge circuits. An output signal is taken from the midpoint of the half bridge at the juncture of the active element and the reference element for comparison to the voltage at the midpoint of the two matched balancing resistors, which are the first fixed resistor and the second fixed resistor. The intensity of the signal is proportional to the concentration of natural gas.
The present invention is also directed to a method of detecting natural gas. The method includes placing a device containing the circuit described above in an area in which the air has a potential of containing natural gas and monitoring the output signal for indications of the presence of natural gas.
These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the description of the preferred embodiment taken together with the attached drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.


The components used in this invention has never been utilized in this special type of arrangement ever before. This new “Noise Reducing Valve for Toilet Systems” does not exist and cannot be found anywhere.

A common problem when using a toilet is the loud noise level that comes from the unit after the flushing. This noise is so loud and even embarrassing, that during late hours of the night when people are enjoying their sleep time, it will awake many light sleepers and specially babies.
Once a person awakes at night it will take them some time to go back to deep sleep or in some cases this will not even be possible as some people have difficulties falling sleep again.
I personally have experienced the need to use my toilet more than once at night, and after flushing it, my wife had awaken and later was difficult for her to go back to deep sleep. To make matters worse the next morning she was tired and sleepy, but still needed to go to work.
I believe this noise problem can be fixed, so people can rest better without having to be awakened by noisy toilets.
All the above motivated me to find a solution and to help others with this common problem that we all suffer.

Abstract: Once available to the public it will be very useful and will help many light sleeper to have a better change of getting a good sleep at night, as they will not have to listen to loud toilet noises at night, on whenever they take a sleep.


The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, a solid-state imaging device, and a camera device capable of making white flaws unnoticeable even with a reduced cell size.

Solid-state imaging devices using charge-coupled devices (CCDs) are known as examples of solid-state imaging devices.
A CCD solid-state image sensor includes multiple photosensor units using photoelectric transducers, that is, photodiodes (PDs) configured to generate and store signal charge of an amount corresponding to the amount of received light, which are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The signal charge is generated and stored on the basis of light signals from a subject incident on the photodiodes of the multiple photosensor units. The stored signal charge is transferred in the vertical direction by a vertical transfer register arranged for each column of the photosensor units and transferred in the horizontal direction by a horizontal transfer register having a CCD structure. The signal charge transferred in the horizontal direction is output as image information of the subject from an output unit having a charge-voltage converter.
A solid-state image sensor has multiple pixels composed of multiple photosensor units that are photodiodes arranged in horizontal and vertical directions, reading units, and vertical transfer channels, for example.
Each photosensor unit includes a signal charge storage part and a hole accumulation region formed in a p-type semiconductor well region of a substrate made of an n-type semiconductor.
The signal charge storage part is formed by an n-type impurity region. The hole accumulation region is formed by a p-type impurity region (p+) and formed on the surface of the signal charge storage part.
Each vertical transfer channel is formed in the n-type impurity region at a predetermined distance from the photosensor units. In addition, a p-type impurity region (p) is formed between a vertical transfer channel and a photosensor unit to be read on one side thereof and functions as a reading unit. Furthermore, a horizontal element isolation unit made of a p-type impurity region (p+) is formed between the vertical transfer channel and a photosensor unit that is not to be read on the other side thereof. Furthermore, vertical element isolation units made of p-type impurity regions (p+) are formed at both ends of a photosensor unit.
The horizontal element isolation units isolate the respective photosensor units in the horizontal direction, and the vertical element isolation units isolate the respective photosensor units in the vertical direction. The vertical element isolation units, the horizontal element isolation units, and the reading units are each formed in contact with the vertical transfer channels.
First transfer electrodes and second transfer electrodes are formed alternately above the reading units and the vertical transfer channels with an insulating film therebetween. The vertical transfer channels, the first transfer electrodes, and the second transfer electrodes constitute the vertical transfer registers.
As a method for forming vertical transfer registers in a microcell, a technology of allowing the line widths of vertical transfer channels to be reduced and suppressing occurrence of potential barriers in potential distribution of the vertical transfer channels to improve the efficiency of transferring signal charge has been proposed (refer to Patent Document 1, for example).

Solid-state image sensor, solid-state imaging device, and camera device

Abstract: The solid-state image sensor includes: a register unit formed as an n-type impurity region extending in a first direction; a reading unit configured to read charge from the photoelectric conversion unit into the register unit and formed as a p-type impurity region extending in the same direction as the register unit; a horizontal element isolation unit configured to prevent leakage of charge from the photoelectric conversion unit and formed as a p-type impurity region extending in the same direction as the register unit; and multiple transfer electrodes configured to apply voltage for changing potential distribution of the register unit, wherein a total amount of n-type impurity forming the register unit below a low-level electrode having a standby voltage of a predetermined low value among the transfer electrodes is smaller than a total amount of n-type impurity forming the register unit below a middle-level electrode having a standby voltage higher than the predetermined low value.


An In-Plane switching mode liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes: lower and upper substrates; gate and data lines crossing each other on the lower substrate to define a pixel region; a plurality of first common electrodes diverging in the pixel region at fixed intervals; a first pixel electrode in the pixel region between the first common electrodes; second common electrodes and second pixel electrodes on the upper substrate respectively corresponding to the first common electrodes and the first pixel electrodes on the lower substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the lower and upper substrates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and more particularly, to an In-Plane switching mode liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As an information society develops, so does the demand for various types of displays. Recently, efforts have been made to research and develop various types of flat display panels, such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Plasma Display Panel (PDP), Electroluminescent Display (ELD), Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), and the like. An LCD is widely used as a substitution for a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) because the LCD has the characteristics or advantages of high quality image, light weight, shallow depth, compact size, and low power consumption. An LCD is applicable for use in devices that receive display signals, such as a television, computer monitor, and the like. Various technical developments for different types of LCD have been made such that LCDs play a role as an image display in various fields. However, in order for an LCD to be used as a general display device in a variety of various fields, the LCD needs to realize a high quality image that has high resolution, high brightness, and wide screen, as well as, maintain the characteristics of light weight, shallow depth, compact size, and low power consumption.
In general, an LCD device includes an LCD panel for displaying a picture image, and a driving part for applying a driving signal to the LCD panel. The LCD panel includes first and second glass substrates that are bonded to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a liquid crystal layer positioned in the gap between the first and second glass substrates. The first glass substrate (TFT array substrate) includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of pixel electrodes, and a plurality of thin film transistors. The plurality of gate lines are formed on the first glass substrate at fixed intervals. The plurality of data lines are formed at fixed intervals and are perpendicular to the plurality of gate lines. The plurality of pixel electrodes, arranged in a matrix-type configuration, are respectively formed in pixel regions defined between the plurality of gate and the plurality of data lines. The plurality of thin film transistors are switched in accordance with signals on the gate lines such that signals on the respective data lines are transmitted to the respective pixel electrodes.
The second glass substrate (color filter substrate) includes a black matrix layer that excludes light from specific regions except for the pixel regions of the first substrate. An R/G/B color filter layer for displaying various colors is positioned in the black matrix layer. A common electrode is also positioned on the second glass substrate (color filter substrate) to obtain the picture image.
The LCD device is driven according to optical anisotropy and polarizability of the liquid crystal. Liquid crystal molecules have directional orientation characteristics because each of the liquid crystal molecules has a long thin shape. An applied electric field can control the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. The alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is controlled by the electric field such that the light is refracted along the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules by the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal, thereby displaying a picture image.
There are various types of liquid crystal displays. In particular, an Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AM-LCD) contains thin film transistors that are respectively connected to pixel electrodes. The pixel electrodes, which are on one substrate, are arranged in a matrix and confront a common electrode, which is on the other substrate. The pixel electrodes and common electrodes drive liquid crystal molecules by applying an electric field between the substrates in a direction vertical to the substrates. The AM-LCD provides excellent resolution for displaying moving images.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a general twisted nematic (TN) mode LCD device of the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, the TN mode LCD device includes a lower substrate 1 and an upper substrate 2 bonded to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. A liquid crystal layer 3 is positioned in the gap between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 2. More specifically, the lower substrate 1 includes a plurality of gate lines 4, a plurality of data lines 5, a plurality of pixel electrodes 6, and a plurality of thin film transistors T. The plurality of gate lines 4 are formed on the lower substrate 1 in one direction at fixed intervals. The plurality of data lines 5 are formed in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of gate lines 4 at fixed intervals. A plurality of pixel regions P are defined between the plurality of gate lines 4 and the plurality of data lines 5. A plurality of pixel electrodes 6 are respectively formed in the pixel regions P. A plurality of thin film transistors T are respectively formed at crossings of the plurality of gate lines 4 and the plurality of data lines 5. The upper substrate 2 includes a black matrix layer 7 that excludes light from specific regions except for the pixel regions P, R/G/B color filter layer 8 for displaying various colors, and a common electrode 9 for displaying a picture image.
The thin film transistor T includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer (not shown), an active layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The gate electrode for the thin film transistor T projects from the gate line 4. The gate insulating layer (not shown) is formed on an entire surface of the lower substrate. Then, the active layer of the thin film transistor T is formed on the gate insulating layer above the gate electrode. The source electrode for the thin film transistor T projects from the data line 5, and the drain electrode is formed opposite to the source electrode. The aforementioned pixel electrode 6 is connected to the drain electrode and is formed of transparent conductive metal having great transmittance, such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO).
In the aforementioned LCD device, liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 3 positioned on the pixel electrode 6 are aligned in response to a signal applied via the thin film transistor T. Light transmittance is controlled according to alignment of liquid crystal, thereby displaying a picture image. In other words, an LCD panel drives the liquid crystal molecules by an electric field perpendicular to the lower and upper substrates. This method obtains great transmittance and high aperture ratio. Also, it is possible to prevent liquid crystal cells from being damaged by static electricity since the common electrode 9 of the upper substrate 2 serves as the ground. However, by driving the liquid crystal molecules with an electric field that is perpendicular to the lower and upper substrates, it is difficult to obtain a wide viewing angle.
In order to overcome this narrow viewing angle problem, an In-Plane switching mode LCD device is used. A related art In-Plane Switching (IPS) mode LCD device will be described with reference to the FIGS. 2–6. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating electric field and alignment direction of liquid crystal in a related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device.
In the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device, as shown in FIG. 2, a common electrode 13 and a pixel electrode 15 are formed on the same plane of a lower substrate 10. Then, the lower substrate 10 is bonded to an upper substrate 20 with a predetermined gap therebetween. The liquid crystal 3 is positioned in the gap between the lower substrate 10 and the upper substrate 20. The liquid crystal 3 is driven by an electric field formed between the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 on the lower substrate 10.
FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate the alignment direction of liquid crystal when a voltage is turned off/on in the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device.
FIG. 3A illustrates the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device when the voltage is turned off. That is, an electric field, which is parallel to the lower and upper substrates, is not applied to the common electrode 13 or the pixel electrode 15. Accordingly, there is no change in alignment of the liquid crystal 3.
FIG. 3B illustrates the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device when the voltage is turned on. That is, an electric field, which is parallel to the lower and upper substrates, is generated between the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15. Accordingly, alignment of the liquid crystal 3 is changed. In more detail, the alignment of the liquid crystal 3 is twisted at 45° as compared to the alignment of liquid crystal when the voltage is turned off. During the on state, the twisted direction of liquid crystal adjacent to the lower substrate is identical to the horizontal direction of the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15.
As mentioned above, the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device has the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 on the same plane. Thus, it has advantageous characteristics, such as a wide viewing angle. For example, along a front direction of the In-Plane switching mode LCD device, a viewer can have a viewing angle of 70° in all directions (i.e., lower, upper, left, and right directions). Furthermore, the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device has simplified fabrication process steps, and reduced color shift. However, the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device has the problems of low light transmittance and low aperture ratio since the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 are formed on the same substrate.
In the meantime, the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device forms the different electric fields according to arrangement of the respective electrodes. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate the electric field according to arrangements of the respective electrodes.
Referring to FIG. 4A, the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 are positioned at a predetermined interval so as to be completely in between the lower and upper substrates (not shown). When a voltage signal is applied to the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 so as to generate a voltage difference between the two electrodes, an electric field, parallel to the substrates, having no distortion is generated directly between the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15.
Referring to FIG. 4B, the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 are formed on only one of the lower and upper substrates (not shown) at a predetermined interval therebetween so as to leave a space between the electrodes and the other substrate. When a voltage signal is applied so as to generate a voltage difference between the two electrodes 13 and 15, an electric field parallel to the substrate above the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 have curved distortions at portions adjacent to the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15.
The arrangement of the respective electrodes shown in FIG. 4A is ideal for the drive of liquid crystal in the In-Plane switching mode LCD device. However, the arrangement of the electrodes shown in FIG. 4A has difficulties in the manufacturing process, such as positioning the liquid crystal in the gap between the substrates. That is, when forming the two electrodes according to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A, it is impossible to inject the liquid crystal between the lower and upper substrates. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4B, in case of the general In-Plane switching mode LCD device forming the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 on any one of the lower and upper substrates, a great voltage difference between the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 is required to form the electric field parallel to the lower and upper substrates adjacent to an upper substrate from which the electrodes are separated, thereby causing the problem of increased power consumption.
Hereinafter, alignment of liquid crystal before and after applying the voltage to the electrodes of the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device will be described as follows. FIG. 5 is a plane view illustrating the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating alignment of liquid crystal before and after applying the voltage along the line I—I′ of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device includes a lower substrate 10, an upper substrate 20 facing the lower substrate 10, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the lower substrate 10 and the upper substrate 20.
Referring to FIG. 5, a gate line 11 and a data line 12 cross each other on the lower substrate 10 to define a pixel region. Then, a common electrode 13 and a pixel electrode 15 are formed at a predetermined interval within the pixel region. A thin film transistor TFT is formed within the pixel region on the lower substrate 10. The thin film transistor TFT includes a gate electrode 11a, a gate insulating layer (for reference, '14' of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B), a semiconductor layer 18, a source electrode 12a and a drain electrode 12b. The gate electrode 11a projects from the gate line 11. The gate insulating layer is formed on an entire surface of the lower substrate 10 including the gate electrode 11a. The semiconductor layer 18 is formed overlapping the gate electrode 11a. The source electrode 12a projecting from the data line 12 is formed at a predetermined interval from the drain electrode 12. The source electrode 12a and drain electrode 12b are formed at both sides of the semiconductor layer 18. The drain electrode 12b of the thin film transistor TFT is connected with the pixel electrode 15.
The common electrode 13 is formed at a predetermined interval from the pixel electrode 15. The common electrode 13 may be simultaneously formed when forming the gate line 11 or the data line 12. In the drawings, the common electrode 13 is formed in the same layer as the data line 12. Furthermore, a passivation layer 16 is formed between the data line 12 and the pixel electrode 15. The passivation layer (for reference, '16' of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B) is formed of the same material as the gate insulating layer 14, such as an inorganic insulating layer of SiNx or SiOx, or an organic insulating layer of acryl, polyimide, BenzoCycloButene (BCB) or photo polymer.
Subsequently, a first alignment layer 17 is formed on the entire surface of the lower substrate 10 including the passivation layer 16 and the pixel electrode 15. Thus, when the common electrode 13 receives a voltage signal from a common line 19, and a voltage signal is applied to the pixel electrode 15 through the drain electrode 12b, an electric field parallel to the substrates is generated to drive the liquid crystal.
The upper substrate 20 includes a black matrix layer 21, a color filter layer 22, and a second alignment layer 23. The black matrix layer 21 is formed to correspond to specific regions of the lower substrate except for the pixel regions, thereby preventing light leakage in the specific regions. A color filter layer 22 is formed within the black matrix layer 21 to obtain R/G/B color throughout the pixel regions. The second alignment layer 23 is formed to so as to define initial orientation of the liquid crystal.
The first alignment layer 17 and the second alignment layer 23 are respectively formed on the entire surfaces of the lower substrate 10 and the upper substrate 20 to define the initial orientation of the liquid crystal. Accordingly, liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the first alignment layer 17 and the second alignment layer 23 are oriented in accordance with the alignment direction of the first and second alignment layers.
Referring to FIG. 6A, before applying the voltage, the orientation of the liquid crystal is determined by the rubbing direction of the first alignment layer 17 and the second alignment layer 23, respectively formed on the lower substrate 10 and upper substrate 20. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6A, the liquid crystal molecules positioned along the vertical direction of the common electrodes 13 and pixel electrodes 15 have similar round shapes. As shown in FIG. 6A, before applying the voltage, the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device operates in a Normally Black, whereby it is impossible to perform light transmission.
Referring to FIG. 6B, when the voltage is applied to the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15, the electric field generates between the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 formed on the same substrate. Thus, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned along the electric field formed between the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15. In this case, the liquid crystal molecules positioned along the vertical direction to the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15d have a long elliptical shape in this view rather than the circular shape of the original form of liquid crystal molecule since the direction of the liquid crystal molecules has been changed.
After applying the voltage to the general In-Plane switching mode LCD device, the light is transmitted so that a white state is displayed. Since there are liquid crystal molecules positioned where the electric field divides adjacent to the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15, it is difficult to move the liquid crystal molecules to the predetermined direction by applying the voltages to the electrodes. Thus, in the display mode, disinclination generates at the portions of the electrodes where the electric field divides. To address this disinclination, the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15 are formed of metal or ITO/metal alloy to prevent light leakage through the common electrode 13 and the pixel electrode 15.
However, the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device has the following disadvantages. In the related art In-Plane switching mode LCD device, the liquid crystal is driven by the electric field parallel to the lower and upper substrates between the common electrode and the pixel electrode. At this time, the common electrode and the pixel electrode are formed on any one of the lower and upper substrates. Accordingly, the electric field parallel to the lower and upper substrates is only generated adjacent to the one substrate having the common and pixel electrodes thereon. That is, in order to drive the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the other substrate having no common and pixel electrodes thereon, it is necessary to greatly increase voltage difference to the common and pixel electrodes, thereby causing the problem of increase in power consumption.

In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device comprising common electrodes and pixel electrodes on both substrates and method of manufacturing the same


A ratchet-type spoolable connector for coupling coiled tubing to tools or other coiled tubing. A mandrel is engaged by a ratchet to the inside of a body and slips abut the end of the body and engage the mandrel. The alternate application of tension and compression across the connector ratchets the mandrel into wedging engagement with the slips for gripping the coiled tubing.

The present invention is directed to connecting lengths of well coiled tubing or connecting tools to coiled tubing.
Coiled tubing is a continuous conduit without joints used in an oil/gas well carried on a spool or reel at the well surface. The coiled tubing can be lowered into an oil and/or gas well and is of a small diameter, for example, one to two inches. Coiled tubing can be used for installing and operating a variety of well accessories, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,166. Interconnection of the coiled tubing with other links of coiled tubing and well tools has been accomplished in the past, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,657, by providing a connector gripping the exterior of the coiled tubing. However, such connectors inherently provide an outside diameter which is greater than the outside diameter of the coiled tubing. This provides difficulty in allowing the coiled tubing and connector to sealingly and freely pass through the injector chains, around the gooseneck, and onto the coiled tubing spool or reel. Furthermore, such connectors are not spoolable. That is, they cannot be wound up on the spool or coiled tubing reel a number of times without losing pressure and tensile integrity.
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus which internally grips and connects to the coiled tubing by an internal ratchettype spoolable connector which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art connections by being spoolable, will sealably pass through packoffs, by having an outer body size no greater than the outside diameter of the coiled tubing, and can withstand a number of cycles of being spooled and unspooled without losing pressure or tensile integrity.

Apparatus for internally connecting to coiled tubing


Provided is a blown molding die to obtain a film having excellent properties and good appearance in blown film forming of a thermoplastic resin manifesting anisotropy in molten state. The blow molding die has a simple structure compared with a conventional spider die, and can be produced easily and at low cost.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a blow molding die which is useful in forming a blown film from a thermoplastic resin manifesting anisotropy in molten state, and a method for producing a blown film thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among typical examples of thermoplastic resins manifesting anisotropy in molten state, so-called liquid crystal polymers are liquid crystal polyesters. This liquid crystal polyester is generally called a melting type liquid crystal (thermotropic liquid crystal) polymer and, does not cause entangling even in molten states owing to rigidity of the molecule, forms polydomain having liquid crystal property and reveals behavior that the molecular chain is significantly aligned to flow direction by low shear strength, unlike liquid crystal polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate. The liquid crystal polyester has merits that it has excellent melt flow property, it can provide easily a thin wall molded article having about 0.2 to 0.5 mm thickness, and further this molded article shows high strength and high rigidity, owing to the above-described specific behavior.
On the other hand, a liquid crystal polyester is a polyester having feature that the molecule is oriented in molten state due to strong intermolecular mutual action, from the standpoint that it is a raw material of a film. Further, because of strong intermolecular mutual action and molecular orientation, the liquid crystal polyester has been expected to be used industrially as a film raw material having functions such as gas barrier property and the like in addition to well-known properties such as high strength, high elasticity and high heat resistance.
However, a liquid polyester has demerit that anisotropy is extremely high. Further, since a liquid crystal polyester does not cause entangling even in molten state and the molecule chain is significantly aligned to flow direction due to rigidity of the molecule as described above, it reveals behavior that melt viscosity decreases even by slight shear strength and melt tension in molten state is extremely low. Therefore, it is very difficult to keep form of a liquid crystal polyester in molten state, further properties of longitudinal and transverse directions are not easily balanced since the molecule is oriented, and in the extreme case, the liquid crystal polyester is torn along molecule orientation direction, leading to large problem that applicability in fields such as film forming, blow molding and the like is poor. Therefore, a liquid crystal polyester film utilizing functions of a liquid polyester has not been put into practical use to date.
Regarding such a liquid crystal polyester, trials have been made of a method for producing a film by blown film forming. In the blown film forming, a rein which has been melted and kneaded in an extruder is extruded to form cylindrical resin through an annular slit (resin flow route) of a cylindrical blow molding die, a certain amount of air is blown into the resulting cylindrical resin to expand the resin, and the expanded resin is continuously wound up with cooling to obtain a tubular film.
As a method for producing a film by such blown film forming, there is known for example that descried in Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-B) No. 9-2635383. A blow molding die used in the method for producing a liquid crystal polyester film described in this publication has an inner lip, outer lip, inner mandrel and die body and further, an aeration hole for introducing air, and a polymer flow route utilizing a spiral mandrel for uniformalizing flow rate of polymer materials.
A liquid crystal polyester has properties that it has lower viscosity and flows easily as compared with polyethylene and polypropylene. Therefore, in the above-described conventional technologies, a part of a resin does not flow between spiral projections (spiral groove) formed on a spiral mandrel, but flows to upper direction passing through directly between the projections and the die body. Therefore, pressure dispersion effect by a spiral groove is not obtained, resin flow becomes ununiform along peripheral direction, as a result, weld line, unevenness in thickness and the like occur in the resulted film, accordingly, properties and appearance of the resulted film are not fully satisfactory.
On the other hand, among conventional blow molding methods are methods using a so-called spider die in which a mandrel is supported on a die body by a plurality of supporting means, other than a blow molding die comprising a spiral mandrel as described in the above-described conventional technology, so-called spiral die. However, this spider die has not been often used since flow controlling property is poor because a plurality of supporting means interrupt flow of a resin, resin flow along peripheral direction becomes ununiform as described above and therefore this die has not been believed to be suitable for a liquid crystal polyester having anisotropy.
The object of the present invention is to provide a blow molding die which makes it possible to obtain a film having excellent properties and good appearance in blown film forming of a thermoplastic resin manifesting anisotropy in molten state, and a method for producing such a film.
The present inventors have intensively studied, and as a result, found that a molten liquid crystal polyester can be allowed to flow through a resin flow route in a spider die with low pressure since this polyester has low viscosity and flows easily, and in this case, it is possible to support a mandrel on a die body in the view point of strength even if dimension of supporting means is made small or the number of supporting means is reduced.
Namely, the present invention provides a blow molding die used in forming a blown film from a thermoplastic resin which manifests anisotropy in molten state, wherein the die comprises a die body having a hollow portion, a mandrel placed in the hollow portion of the die body, a plurality of supporting means which are placed in an annular resin flow route formed in gap between the die body and the mandrel and support the mandrel on the die body and an aeration route for passing a gas to expand cylindrical resin extruded through a die gap (resin outlet part of the resin flow route), and the total maximum horizontal cross section of the plurality of supporting means in the resin flow route is one-fifth or less of the horizontal cross section of the resin flow route at any placing position of the plurality of supporting means.

Blow molding die for producing blown film


A toner set, including: a transparent toner including a binder resin a, a releasing agent a and no colorant; and one or more color toners, each including a binder resin b, a colorant b and a releasing agent b, wherein the binder resin a includes a non-crystalline resin α and a crystalline resin α, the binder resin b includes a non-crystalline resin β and a crystalline resin β, the releasing agent a has an average particle diameter as a long diameter of 0.2 μm to 2.0 μm, and there is a relationship of 1<A/B<1.5, where A is an area of the releasing agent a in a transparent toner cross-section from a surface thereof to a ⅓-depth of a volume-average particle diameter, and B is an area of the releasing agent b in a color-toner cross-section from a surface thereof to a ⅓-depth of a volume-average particle diameter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toner set, a developer set, and an image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
For an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of recent years, there have been increasing demands for saving of energy during toner fixing and for an image forming apparatus capable of high-speed processing, and a toner itself is required to have a property to melt at a low temperature. There are also large demands for high-quality image, and for a demand of high-definition image formation such as photographic image, it has been known that a vivid high-gloss image may be provided by imparting gloss on a surface of a recording medium such as recording paper.
For example, a method of disposing a transparent toner in a non-image area without a color toner is disclosed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid Open (JP-A) No. 04-278967). In this method, in electrophotography used in an image forming apparatus such as recording laser printer, dry electrostatic copier and so on, a surface of the image bearing member such as photoconductive layer is uniformly charged. Subsequently, the surface of the image bearing member is exposed, and gloss differences between an area with a color toner and an area without a color toner of exposed areas on a medium, or a transparent toner is disposed on a whole surface of a recording medium.
However, a method for manufacturing the toner includes a step for polymerizing by polyaddition reaction of a polyester prepolymer having an isocyanate group with an amine in a reaction system in which an organic solvent and an aqueous medium co-exist. In a case of this method and a toner obtained by this method, high temperature-resistant offset property improves, but there are problems of inhibiting low-temperature fixing property and reducing gloss after fixing.
Also, a method first to print and fix a gloss area and second to print and fix a non-gloss area is proposed (see JP-A No. 04-338984). It is possible to obtain different glosses on an identical recording medium according to these methods.
In this method, to improve low-temperature fixing property, crystalline polyester is introduced to a toner obtained by a polymerization method. However, a dispersion having a small particle diameter may not be obtained in a stable manner, and as a result, there is a problem that toner particle size distribution degrades.
Also, as an electrophotographic method for forming different glosses on an identical recording medium, a method to control gloss by a number-average molecular weight of a resin used for a toner is proposed (see JP-A No. 08-220821). In this method, a polyester resin having a number-average molecular weight of about 3,500 is used as a transparent toner, and a polyester resin having a number-average molecular weight of about 10,000 is used as a color toner. Because of the transparent toner having a melting point lower than the color toner, smoothness increases, and glossiness of a portion of the transparent toner becomes partially high.
However, the transparent toner is formed at a top of an image, and it contacts directly with a fixing machine. Thus, it is required to have higher hot-offset resistance than the color toner. At the same time, since the transparent toner is formed on a color-toner image, a toner layer becomes thick. There is a problem that color toner lacks stability unless it has high cold offset property.
Also, a method of forming a transparent toner image after fixing a color toner and reducing a fixing temperature so as to decrease gloss is proposed (see JP-A No. 2009-109926). However, in this method, a melt viscosity of the toner reached in a fixing nip during second image formation is configured higher than that in the fixing nip during a first image formation. Therefore, there is a problem that gloss falls because the transparent toner image prepared during the second image formation does not sufficiently melt.

Toner set, developer set, and image forming apparatus