Ink-jet printing systems and methods are presented for decurling cut sheet print media for ink-jet printing, in which the cut sheets are transported along a path with a moisture source directing water droplets or mist toward all or a portion of a first side of the sheets in a moisturizing zone extending across the path to decurl the sheets prior to transportation past an ink-jet printing head with the first side of the cut sheets facing the printing head to receive ink droplets ejected by the printing head.

The present exemplary embodiment relates to ink-jet printers and more particularly to decurling apparatus and techniques for flattening or decurling cut sheet print media prior to transportation past an ink-jet printing head. Printing using ink-jet printing heads requires precise control over the spacing between the printing head and the print media on which ink-based images are to be printed. The desired spacing between the print head and the media, moreover, is typically very small, such as on the order of 50 to 100 um. Thus, media handling is a challenge for ink-jet printers to prevent the print media sheets from impacting the ink-jet head and to attain good image registration while placing ink droplets precisely on the sheet. Because the distance between the print head and the media support/transport mechanism is so small in ink-jet printers, reliable insertion of the sheet into the printing gap is important for cut sheet systems. This situation is aggravated by fed media being curled prior to insertion into the printing gap. The leading edge of the cut sheet is particularly susceptible to contacting the printing head when a fed sheet is curled upward before introduction into the printing gap. Thus, there is a need for improved ink-jet printers and methods to mitigate contact between ink-jet printing heads and cut sheet printable media while allowing proper image registration and image quality control.

Ink-jet printer and method for decurling cut sheet media prior to ink-jet printing


Movement timing stimulator systems and methods that aid in the relief of the symptoms of neurological movement disorders are provided. In one embodiment, a method of improving a patient's gait is provided. The method includes producing a plurality of stimulation prompts at a plurality of stimulation points using multiple stimulation channels. The plurality of stimulation points is located symmetrically on each leg. The method further includes applying the plurality of stimulation prompts in a timed periodic fashion across the plurality of stimulation points and activating a return electrode whenever one of the multiple stimulation channels on an associated leg is active. The plurality of stimulation prompts are not synchronized with the patient's gait. Each of the multiple stimulation channels is associated with a stimulation electrode at one of the plurality of stimulation points.

A movement disorder is a neurological disturbance that involves one or more muscles or muscle groups. Movement disorders include Parkinson's disease, Huntington's Chorea, progressive supranuclear palsy, Wilson's disease, Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, and various chronic tremors, tics and dystonias. Different clinically observed movement disorders can be traced to the same or similar areas of the brain.
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects approximately one percent of the population over age 50 and up to two and a half percent of the population over age 70. The hallmarks of the disease are its motor features—resting tremor, rigidity, and akinesia/bradykinesia (inability to initiate movement and slowness of movement, respectively) and postural instability. These hallmark features result in gait and postural disturbances that impair performance during everyday tasks, such as walking, cooking, eating, personal hygiene and exercise.
Gait abnormalities in PD are characterized by start hesitation, freezing, festination, reduced stride length and reduced velocity. The preferred walking speed is much lower for PD patients, as compared to controls, and this deficit can be accounted for by reduced stride length. (Morris, et al, 1994).
PD is characterized by movement dysfunction resulting from selective neurodegeneration of dopamine producing neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Accordingly, the mainstay of therapy involves pharmacologic interventions that replace dopamine, such as, levodopa and dopamine agonists. Surgical interventions, such as pallidotomy or deep brain stimulation (DBS) have been employed when symptoms can no longer be effectively treated with medication. Interestingly, postural instability improved with DBS in one small (n=6) study while instability was exacerbated by levodopa (Rocchi, et al, 2002).
While treatments for PD are primarily pharmacological, studies examining basal ganglia dysfunction in PD have led to the development of physical rehabilitative approaches for the treatment of motor symptoms, especially those related to the initiation and timing of motor acts (lansek, 1999). For example, one notable feature of PD is that the deficits associated with akinesia and bradykinesia are more pronounced during self-initiated actions in contrast to stimulus-initiated movements. The common scenario of 'paradoxical kinesia', where PD patients can move normally with correct external sensory cueing, is empirical evidence that even PD patients with advanced disease have the potential to execute normal movements (Glickstein & Stein, 1991).
Auditory cues have been successfully employed for physical therapy and home based gait training (Freedland, et al, 2002; Enzensberger, et al, 1997; Morris, et al, 1994; Thaut, et al, 1996; Marchese, et al, 2000). Interestingly, periodic patterns of 0.625 hertz were most effective. Visual and electrical cutaneous cues have also been employed to improve gait and to initiate movement ((Morris, et al, 1994; Burleigh-Jacobs, et al, 1997). Patients frequently alleviate symptoms using external visual and auditory cues. These may include verbal commands given by a caregiver, auditory cues from a metronome, visual cues from laser pointers or floor tile patterns or the placement of masking tape at equally spaced intervals to serve as a visual target for enhancement of stride. These non-pharmacological areas, however, remain in their infancy. Despite the use of physical therapies and other adaptive "tricks" by PD patients, there is a crucial need for systematic development of evidence-based physical treatments that will complement pharmacological (as well as neurosurgical) treatment strategies (Hildick-Smith, 1999).
Postural stability is impaired in PD with abnormal postural sway in stance, reduced compensating force production in response to external perturbation, and higher tonic EMG background activity. Treatment with levodopa has been show to actually increase postural sway in the mediolateral direction (Rocchi, et al, 2002). This effect on postural sway, and, hence, postural instability, may not be detected ordinarily in clinical assessments of antiparkinsonian treatments since postural stability in this direction is not evaluated in the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) (Fahn & Elton, 1987), the accepted clinical scale for rating motor deficits in PD. PD patients fail to produce adequate force to compensate for large amplitude translational perturbations. These deficits are also accompanied by improper bursting of the antagonist muscle and increased tonic background activity (Horak et al, 1996).
Postural instability and gait abnormalities may also be influenced by a hyper stretch reflex. PD patients demonstrate a centrally mediated hyper long latency stretch reflex to both passive and volitional reaction to an external displacement (Lee & Tatton, 1975; Johnson, et al, 1991). It has been suggested that this abnormal reflex may have a role in reducing stride length and force production, by truncating the action of the agonist while facilitating the antagonist.
Further, magnetoencephalography (MEG) analysis has shown cortical oscillation at tremor frequency and double tremor frequency continuously present in the PD cortex (Volkmann, et al, 1996; Llinas, et al, 1999; Timmerman, et al, 2003). These oscillations do not always present themselves as rest tremor upon clinical exam and it has been suggested that they may have a role in bradykinesia by forcing movement to synchronize and fit within the temporal window of these oscillations. Thus, large amplitude excursions would be truncated at the start of the next tremor cycle limiting range of motion and force production. These oscillations may also be responsible for bursting seen in quiet stance EMGs.
Habituation is often a problem with conventional transcutaneous stimulation resulting in a reduction of perceived stimulation intensity. Conventional techniques used to minimize this habituation include bi-phasic stimulation pulses and amplitude modulation of the pulse. Amplitude modulation provides a pulse that appears to change in intensity; thus, the CNS continues to attend to this changing intensity. Lower pulse repetition rates (higher pulse periods) also reduce susceptibility to habituation. Conventional transcutaneous stimulation periods are typically 5-10 milliseconds.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for improvements in techniques to provide patients affected with neurological movement disorders relief from the symptoms.

Systems and methods for treating movement disorders


An assembly includes a base that has a planar top surface, an outer edge and decorative members conjoined to the top surface that have a solid core for stabilizing the assembly. An anchor rod is provided with tapered ends, has a bore formed therein, is conjoined to the base top surface, has an outwardly flanging shoulder, and has a hollow interior. First and second connector rods have a greater length than the anchor rod, and are telescopically adaptable with each other. The second rod has slots randomly formed in an outer surface thereof and has a hollow interior. Each slot has an inverted U-shape and has a central tab formed with the second rod outer surface. Arms have a first end positioned through the slots and anchored to the second rod interior. The first ends are provided with a groove interfitted with the tabs.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to support stands and, more particularly, to a stand for supporting Christmas accessories and the like.
2. Prior Art
It has been common practice for many years now to hang one's Christmas stockings along the mantle of your fireplace for all to see. Although this practice helps to promote the holiday spirit associated with Christmas, it poses a number of serious problems. One particular draw back of displaying Christmas stockings on a fireplace mantle is the fact that one can no longer use the fireplace, since the stockings, which are usually made of wool or other such fabric, might catch on fire.
Placing stockings along the fireplace mantle also requires a person to remove other items that might normally de displayed there. This practice unfortunately increases the chances of such an item becoming misplaced, which can become costly if valuable items are lost. Another drawback of using a fireplace mantle for displaying Christmas stockings is the fact that one has limited space to work with. If the number of family members exceeds the amount of space available, some stockings might have to be displayed apart from the majority of stockings. This is usually aesthetically unappealing, and can cause some family members to feel left out and unimportant.
Accordingly, a need remains for a stand for supporting Christmas accessories and the like in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a support stand that has an attractive and festive design, and is easy to use and display. Such an apparatus is positionable throughout the home to provide an attractive means to display Christmas stockings. The support stand also provides an ornate decoration that garners a great deal of attention and enlivens the entire room, while allowing family members to engage in the cherished holiday tradition of hanging their stockings. This effectively creates a holiday ambiance throughout the home, and makes the holiday so much more enjoyable. The support stand also frees up the fireplace mantle such that additional decorations may be placed there instead.

Stand for supporting Christmas accessories and the like


A machine tool having a base unit, a table mounted on the base unit, at least one workpiece support member mounted on the table having a work support surface disposed at an angle to the horizontal, devices for removeably securing a workpiece on the work support surface and a tool operatively engageable with a workpiece secured on the workpiece support surface for performing a work function thereon.

Computer numerical controlled machine tools such as routers used in the woodworking, plastics and nonferrous metal industries, typically consist of a base unit, a stationary or moveable workpiece support table mounted on the base unit, a stationary or moveable gantry mounted on or adjacent to the base unit, and a toolhead assembly mounted on a transversely disposed bridge member of the gantry. Either the table or the gantry is displaceable relative to the base unit longitudinally or along an x-axis, the toolhead assembly is displaceable transversely or along a y-axis and a tool is displaceable vertically or along a z-axis. The table or gantry, the toolhead assembly and the tool are displaced along their respective axes by feedscrews driven by servomotors. The motions of the various components of the machine are controlled by a controller which operates the various servomotors of the machine according to instructions of a program inputted into the machine.
Workpieces to be machined are positioned on the table of the machine and located in predetermined locations by the use of pop-up pins provided on the table or other means, and are held down by various means including clamps and vacuum systems. Vacuum systems may consist of conventional systems which are suitable for large production runs, and universal systems which are more suitable for short production runs. A conventional vacuum system generally includes a vacuum port provided in the workpiece support table, connected to a vacuum pump, and a vacuum fixture positioned on the workpiece support table about the vacuum port on which the workpiece is positioned. The fixture is provided with a peripheral rubber seal engaged by the workpiece positioned thereon, which permits the evacuation of air between the fixture and the workpiece to hold the workpiece in place. A universal vacuum system generally includes a table having a lower rigid plate, an intermediate plate having a recessed upper surface arranged in a grid pattern, an upper spoilboard formed of a porous material such as particleboard, closing the recess grid pattern in the intermediate board to form a plenum and a vacuum pump operatively connected to the plenum. As a vacuum is applied to the plenum, air is drawn through the particleboard to produce a low pressure zone on the surface of the particleboard, which functions to hold a workpiece positioned on the particleboard.
In machines of the type described, the workpiece support surface is normally horizontal and the axis of rotation of the tool is vertical. Consequently, machining operations on a workpiece positioned on the table of the machine normally can be performed only on a single face of the workpiece. To perform machine operations on additional faces of the workpiece, a separate toolhead having a different, dedicated angle of rotation of the tool, a separate pivotable toolhead or an adapter for a toolhead which displaces the angle of rotation of the tool must be made available, or the workpiece must be reoriented on the table to present a different face to be machined. The requirement of additional tools obviously is disadvantageous because of increased capital expense, and the requirement of a tool change or a reorientation of the workpiece along with attendant fixturing also is disadvantageous because of an increase in machine cycle times resulting in increased production costs. The use of additional toolheads or adapters has the additional disadvantage of having limitations in terms of positioning the tool bit close to the workpiece support surface without the table interfering with the toolhead assembly, as when drilling a horizontal hole in a side edge of a workpiece of shallow depth, and risking crashing the toolhead onto the table. Also, the orientation of workpieces on the table has the additional disadvantage of a limitation of the height of an elongated workpiece positioned on an end thereof due to the upper limit of travel of the tool. Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a machine tool of the type described which is readily capable of machining different faces of a workpiece without the requirement of additional or special toolheads or adapters for conventional toolheads, or any extensive or unworkable orientation of the workpieces.

Machine tool having improved means for holding workpieces


A time-dividing circuit including a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a current source for charging the first capacitor, circuitry for distributing the charge of the first capacitor to the second capacitor in a predetermined ratio, a compare for comparing the voltages on the first and second capacitors and producing a comparison output signal, circuitry for discharging the charges on the first and second capacitors, and a control circuit for producing control signals for controlling the time-dividing circuit. The time-dividing circuit can be utilized in an automatic white balance control circuit for a color television receiver.

This invention relates to time-dividing circuits for dividing the period of an input signal having a periodicity, and particularly to a time-dividing method and circuit suitable for use in extracting only a particular time-divided timing in the automatic white balance control circuit of color television.
When it is desired to divide the period of an input signal in synchronism with the period, a PLL (phase locked loop) using a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) is generally used. The conventional technique for the PLL circuit of this kind is described in, for example, "Bipolar Integrated Circuit", pp 218-229, published by Kindaikagakusha in Japan (1984).
This PLL circuit can be used to produce an output having the period of the input signal divided by N, but generally it is a large circuit scale. Also, if only a particular time-divided timing is necessary, a counter circuit must be added.
Other conventional technical papers showing the background of the invention are as follows:
"Basics and Applications of PLL" pp 60-97; PA1 HITACHI, AKB IC pp 1-19; and PA1 ECN 2511 Application Guide pp 1-12.
The above prior art is widely used and excellent, but has the problem that the circuit scale is too large to be economical when a particular time-divided timing is necessary.

Time-dividing method and circuit, and television white balance control utilizing such circuit

Hitachi Video & Information Systems, Inc


A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of pixels on a display line. A set of drivers drives a set of pixels, the set of drivers receiving display data and providing video signals to the set of pixels. A clock provides a clock signal to the set of drivers to latch the display data based on a frequency of the clock signal, and receives a feedback signal from the set of drivers prior to an end of the display data received by the set of drivers. A delay circuit stops the clock signal to the set of drivers, based on the feedback signal, after delaying for a first time period that is no less than a predetermined time period between the feedback signal and the end of the display data received by the set of drivers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a broadcasting method and a broadcast system for broadcasting a signal from a broadcasting station etc. for reception and viewing at the home etc., more particularly relates to a data transmission method and a data transmission system enabling the receiving end to combine the received signal with a signal from a game equipment or another signal processor, an information processing method and an information processing system for processing information in a desired manner using such a setup, a data transmitter used for such a system, a signal processor serving as home end terminal apparatus of such a system, and a content data processing method and a data serving method applied to such a system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a television game systems have rapidly become popular. Their performance has also become very high. For example, there are now even television game systems provided with 64-bit or 128-bit high speed processors as the signal processors, provided with DVD drives as the storage systems, and provided with a special processors for high speed graphics. Such high performance game systems enable more realistic video and audio output and more complicated signal processing and therefore enable more interesting and fun games.
Further, advances in communication technologies have made possible diverse types of broadcasting systems. In Japan, for example, in addition to the usual ground wave broadcasts, there are now several satellite broadcast systems and cable television systems. Further, satellite digital broadcasts and ground wave digital broadcasts will soon be offered. These new systems not only make possible improved quality of video and audio signals, but also the broadcasting of various information in addition to the main audio and video signals. Further, two-way systems enabling individual homes to communicate with the broadcasting station in response to the broadcasted programs etc. are being realized.
Summarizing the disadvantages to be solved by the invention, even in such recent television game systems and television broadcasting systems, there are several disadvantages which have to be resolved in order to enable more effective and more convenient use. Further improvement is therefore desired.
First, usual television games are played by running software off of different media. Various situations and scenes are successively generated. Even in complicated games, however, there is a limit to the situations, scenes, etc. Once the player experiences the series of situations and scenes and watches the video etc., he or she then ends up rapidly losing interest, that is, becomes bored. This characteristic of television games is the same no matter how high the performance the television game system becomes. This is one of the main disadvantages with television game systems.
Further, software for television games takes a long time to develop. Therefore, it is difficult to incorporate the latest news, fashions, etc. such as obtained from television broadcasts. Namely, it is very difficult to provide timely contents closely related to the real world.
Further, some television game software become very popular and sell millions of copies. Also, some purchasers play them over the television monitor for relatively long hours. Accordingly, this makes them very attractive as advertisement media. Up until now, however, there have been few examples of effective usage as advertisement media. The reason for this seems to be that, as mentioned above, television game software is not updated daily or weekly like the programs of television broadcasts, newspapers, or magazines, but takes a long time to develop making it difficult to place timely advertisements in it. Further, game software tends strongly to be considered as an integral work of art. The creators of these games are therefore said to be averse to the placement of advertisements in their game software.
On the other hand, programs of television broadcasts lack the interactivity and unpredictability taken for granted in television games, so lacks interestingness.
The same can be said for the advertisements as well. Each viewer is simply shown the same advertisement every time. Namely, there are no commercials enabling the viewer to select information of interest from among several options or unpredictably changing the information given every time. Further, present television broadcasts do not enable interested viewers to obtain more detailed information or to actually order product catalogs or the products themselves.
Further, the same television monitor is used for both watching television broadcasts and playing television games. Up until now, however, this has been done by switching the mode of the television monitor. In other words, the television broadcasts and the television games have formed completely separate systems. There has never been a system which combines these to provide some sort of service or new sound or picture.
As a system resembling this, there is the television broadcasting system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 11-27649. In this system, the viewer operates the game system or the like to create content for a program and transmits the same to the broadcasting station. The broadcasting station then creates a program for actual broadcasting based on the transmitted content and broadcasts it. This enables the creation of new types of programs such as viewer participation programs and programs showing games being played with the participation of a plurality of viewers.
In this system, however, the content viewed by the viewer is in the final analysis created by the broadcasting station. The system is therefore no different from conventional broadcasting systems. Namely, it is not a system that combines content obtained by television broadcasting and content obtained from television game systems in some form for use at the home.
Further, this system cannot be realized without an uplink line to the broadcasting station.

Data transmission method and system of same, information processing method and system of same, data transmitter, signal processor, content data processing method, and data serving method


The invention relates to a method for the production of tubes from a prefinished pipe element, by pressing of heated plastic blanks to form a multi-layer tube head, with simultaneous bonding of the tube head to the pipe element. According to the invention, each layer of the multi-layer tube head is produced individually, by pressing of a newly introduced plastic blank in each case, where the next blank for the subsequent layer is not introduced and pressed until after the layer previously produced is stable in shape. The invention also relates to a tube made of a pipe element (1) having at least one plastic layer, and a multi-layer tube head (2) molded on by pressing heated plastic blanks, with a neck part (8) opening out centrally in a dispensing opening (9) with an outside thread (11) to screw on a closure cap, where according to the invention, each layer (3, 6, 5) of the multi-layer tube head (2) is pressed in individually, layer by layer, onto the upper end of the pipe element (1).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for the production of a tube made of a pipe element having at least one plastic layer and a multi-layer tube head molded by pressing of heated plastic blanks, with a tube neck opening out centrally in a dispensing opening, and with an outside thread to screw on a closure cap.
2. The Prior Art
Such a method and such a tube are known from EP-A-59281. The tube is produced in that two plastic blanks are issued above one another from two nozzle openings arranged above one another, and jointly brought to a press mold. The press mold consists of a mandrel, the free end of which reproduces the inside shape of the tube head, onto which a pre-finished pipe element is placed, and a die which reproduces the outside shape of the tube head. By applying pressure, the blanks are pressed to produce a layered tube head, which is simultaneously bonded to the pipe element. It is true that two layers can be obtained in this way, but they do not have a uniform arrangement, since even with slight variations in the viscosity or the temperature of the blanks, different flow velocities occur, which result in different distribution of the two blanks in the press mold. Therefore only tubes with two layers in the tube head can be produced. However, there is also a need to produce a tube with three layers, for example, one of which is supposed to be a barrier layer. Plastics with a barrier effect are usually difficult to combine with other plastics, and/or are not allowed to come into contact with the contents of the tube, so that additional covering layers are required as covering and/or insulating layers.

Method for the production of a tube with a multi-layer tube head and a tube made of a pipe element having at least one plastic layer and a multi-layer tube head


A transfer case includes an input shaft driven by the output of an engine and transmission, a first output shaft connected to a first driveline, a second output shaft connected to a second driveline, and a power transfer mechanism for transferring drive torque from the input shaft to at least one of the output shafts. The power transfer mechanism includes a gear reduction unit driven by the input shaft and a range clutch operable for engaging the gear reduction unit to establish high-range and low-range drive modes between the input shaft and the first output shaft. A transfer case shift control system controls actuation of the range clutch during motive operation of the motor vehicle, thereby permitting on-the-move shifting of the transfer case between its high-range and low-range drive modes. The transfer case shift control system includes a mode selector for generating a mode signal, a relay circuit interconnected between the engine's fuel and ignition systems and a powertrain control module of the motor vehicle, and a transfer case control module receiving the mode signal and vehicle input signals from the powertrain control module. The transfer case module generates a control signal based on the mode signal and the input signals and, if necessary, sends the control signal to the relay circuit for varying characteristics of the vehicle's fuel and ignition systems to reduce the amount of engine torque delivered to the input shaft independent of the powertrain control module. Thereafter, the transfer case control module generates a shift signal for actuating the range clutch to establish the selected one of the high-range and low-range drive modes.

The present invention relates generally to two-speed transfer cases for use in four-wheel drive vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control system for shifting the transfer case on-the-move between high-range and low-range drive modes.
The drivetrain in many light-duty and sport-utility vehicles includes a transfer case for transmitting drive torque from the engine and transmission to all four of the wheels, thereby establishing a four-wheel drive mode of operation. To accommodate differing road surfaces and conditions, many transfer cases are equipped with a gear reduction unit which can be selectively shifted by the vehicle operator to establish four-wheel high-range and low-range drive modes. In many instances, however, the transfer case can not be shifted between its four-wheel high-range and low-range drive modes unless the vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in neutral. Unfortunately, the need to stop the vehicle prior to such "range" shifting is inconvenient, particularly upon encountering road conditions or surface terrains where continuation of the vehicle's rolling momentum would assist in overcoming the conditions encountered.
To alleviate this inconvenience, some gear reduction units are equipped with synchronizer clutches which permit the vehicle operator to shift from the four-wheel low-range drive mode into the four-wheel high-range drive mode without stopping the vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,335 discloses a transfer case equipped with a synchronized range shift arrangement for on-the-move shifting of a layshaft-type gear reduction unit. Alternatively, commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,442 discloses a transfer case having a synchronized range shift arrangement for on-the-move shifting of a planetary-type gear reduction unit. In addition, commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,986 discloses a transfer case equipped with a planetary-type gear reduction unit which permits synchronized shifting into and out of the high-range drive mode and low-range drive mode.
In addition to the above-noted mechanically synchronized range shift system, it is also known to electronically control the drivetrain to provide on-the-move range shifting of transfer cases. For example, an electronically-shifted two-speed transfer case is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,777 as having a transfer case control module which receives input signals from the engine control module relating to the current transmission gear, engine speed and vehicle speed. The transfer case control module uses these input signals to generate control signals that are sent back to the engine control module for use in regulating vehicle operation to accommodate on-the-move range shifting. Specifically, the engine control module will control the engine fuel system to modify engine speed and/or shift the transmission gear to match the rotary speed of the transmission output to that of the transfer case output prior to actuation of the range shift mechanism. However, the requirement to integrate such a transfer case control system into the existing circuitry of conventional engine control modules increases the cost and complexity of the four-wheel drive system.
In view of the substantial interest in transfer cases equipped with on-the-move range shift systems, a recognized need exists to develop electronically-controlled range shift systems for use with four-wheel drive transfer cases that further advance the current technology.

Transfer case shift control system using automatic shutdown relay circuit


A heat-resistant chocolate or chocolate-like composition is prepared by mixing a polyol, such as sorbitol or glycerine, with a flowable chocolate or chocolate-like composition through an increased apparent viscosity phase. Upon continued mixing, the mixture returns to a reduced apparent viscosity (fluid) phase. The mixture is subsequently handled in the same manner as an unmodified composition. Upon aging and stabilization, the modified chocolate or chocolate-like composition demonstrates a reduced tendency to deform at elevated temperature, is less prone to stick to packaging or fingers, and maintains the desired flavor, texture, mouth feel, and other characteristics of ordinary chocolate. The heat-resistant chocolate or chocolate-like composition of the invention is suitable for use in the same manner and for the same purposes for which ordinary chocolate and chocolate-like compositions are used, with the additional benefit of heat-resistance.

The present invention is directed toward a method of forming a heat-resistant chocolate or chocolate-like composition and more particularly, toward modified products that demonstrate reduced apparent viscosity in the molten phase. As a result of this reduced apparent viscosity, these products may be handled in the same manner as unmodified compositions. Such products have a reduced tendency to melt or to deform at elevated temperatures and have a tendency to stick to fingers or packing materials.
Chocolate products are typically mixtures of liquid cocoa, cocoa butter, sugar, lecithin, and possibly milk and flavoring substances. Chocolate-like products contain substantially the same ingredients as a chocolate composition and also use any number of vegetable fats, cocoa butter replacers and/or extenders. Since the resulting fat content of these products is relatively high, the corresponding melting point is a function of the melting point of the fat contained therein.
Ordinary chocolate and chocolate-like products characteristically tend to melt at temperatures as low as 30xc2x0 C. As a result, chocolate candies, and chocolate-like coatings for biscuits, cookies, and confections quickly lose their original appearance, and are no longer suitable for consumption when they have been exposed to high temperatures.
Many processes have been proposed to avoid some of the disadvantages normally associated with ordinary chocolate products. The products obtained by these various methods, which may have more heat-resistance than their ordinary counterparts, often have an unpleasant taste or texture (xe2x80x9cmouth feelxe2x80x9d), are expensive to produce commercially, require the production of separate ingredients, cannot be produced within established manufacturing processes, or are beyond the current legal definition for chocolate.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,166,806 discloses a product and method for preventing the separation of oils, specifically in peanut products, so that such peanut products, for example, peanut butter, will have a reduced tendency to segregate. This patent describes the addition of glycerine, a polyol, to the peanut product, in an amount upward of one-tenth of one percent, and as high as twenty percent. However, the products and processes disclosed in this patent apply only to peanut products. The potential uses with chocolate and chocolate-like compositions are not addressed. It must be noted that the fat in peanuts is substantially liquid at ordinary temperature (20xc2x0 C.) and, therefore, has no bearing on or any reference to melting. A disadvantage to this process is that the peanut product to be modified thickens rapidly and allows little time for further use of the product. Also, additional equipment is needed to incorporate the glycerine at the latest possible time before further processing to prevent premature setting. Furthermore, the elevation of viscosity and yield value of the modified peanut product and its impact on the product""s commercial production are not addressed.
European Patent No. 459,777 discloses a structured fat emulsion for incorporation into a confectionery coating as the fat ingredient. A disadvantage involved with this process for producing a confectionery coating containing a structured fat emulsion is that the emulsions described are inherently unstable and are therefore difficult and expensive to produce and store. Furthermore, the machinery required to produce the emulsion is alien to chocolate manufacture, thus significant additional capital investment would be required. Another disadvantage is that the preferred fat is partially hydrogenated fat. Such fats are thought to engender physiological properties that are currently thought to be undesirable, and are, therefore, less commercially desirable. Additionally, the use of such fats is not allowed as they are beyond the current legal definition for chocolate.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,149,560; 4,446,166; 4,081,559; 4,045,583; and 2,904,438 and Swiss Patent Nos. 410,607 and 409,603 demonstrate the use of water or moisture in chocolate compositions. Products produced by the methods described in these patents are prone to suffer an effect known as xe2x80x9csugar bloomxe2x80x9d and initiate a progressively increased coarse mouth feel as the water evaporates and the sugar crystallizes. Other disadvantages may include: a lack of heat-resistance below the immediate surface of the chocolate, the need for expensive thermal treatments, controlled humidity and difficult and costly storage conditions, and deficient quality of the finished products.
Swiss Patent Nos. 399,891 and 489,211 describe methods of incorporating amorphous sugars into a chocolate composition during manufacture. The sugars form a lattice structure that prevents collapse of the mass when the temperature exceeds the melting point of the chocolate fat. Such a structure is delicate, unstable, and difficult to incorporate in a commercial setting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,166 describes a chocolate composition containing a water-in-fat emulsion which provides a product containing at least 20% of the fat in solid form. The water-in-fat mixture, however, does not remain in liquid form during processing. Also, the presence of such solid materials may result in an undesired rough texture or mouth feel.
Other methods of moisture inclusion or fat immobilization have been attempted. A disadvantage described in subsequent literature has been the elevation of chocolate viscosity and yield value that occurs as a result of the employment of these methods.
It is known that Newtonian liquids (e.g., water) flow as soon as force is applied. Viscosity remains constant regardless of the rate of shear. Viscosity refers to the measure of the internal friction of a fluid that provides resistance to shear (motion) when a fluid is stirred or poured. The greater the forces of internal friction (i.e. the greater the viscosity), the less easily the fluid will flow.
Non-Newtonian liquids are liquids whose viscosities vary according to the rate at which they are stirred (also known as xe2x80x9cshear ratexe2x80x9d). They include plastic, dilatant, and pseudoplastic liquids, characterized by the way a fluid""s viscosity changes in response to variations in shear rate.
1. Plastic. This type of fluid will behave as a solid under static conditions. Prior to the inducement of any flow, a minimum force is required to start the liquid moving.
2. Dilatant. The viscosity increases with an increasing shear rate.
3. Pseudoplastic. The viscosity decreases with an increasing shear rate.
Yield value is the minimum force required to start a non-Newtonian liquid moving. When the yield value upon a non-Newtonian liquid is achieved and exceeded, fluidity results. The higher the yield value, the more resistant the material is to flow. xe2x80x9cPlastic Viscosityxe2x80x9d is a measurement relating to the amount of energy required to keep certain non-Newtonian liquids moving once they have started to move.
Molten chocolate is a non-Newtonian fluid, but is typically referred to as a pseudoplastic fluid, demonstrating unique rheological characteristics. Viscosity measurements of chocolate in the molten state may be referred to as xe2x80x9capparent viscosityxe2x80x9d, as variations of shear rate will affect the measured viscosity. Typically, apparent viscosity is a function of applied shear rate and shear stress without regard to yield value. See, Nelson and Beckett, Industrial Chocolate Manufacture and Use, 1988; Instruments and Control Systems. vol. 32, No. 6, June 1959; and xe2x80x9cMore Solutions to Sticky Problemsxe2x80x9d, Brookfiled Engineering Laboratories, Inc., 1985.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,927 discloses a method for increasing the viscosity of a chocolate composition so that the composition will be non-flowable at temperatures well above the normal melting point of the cocoa butter (or in the case of imitation chocolates, the melting point of vegetable fats and the like). This patent describes adding a liquid polyol, for example, glycerine, sorbitol, or mannitol of 0.2 to 5.0 wt % to a chocolate composition after tempering. A perceived disadvantage of this process is that the chocolate product to be modified sets rapidly, i.e., between 15 to 60 seconds, and allows little time for further processing of the chocolate, for example, molding or enrobing. Another disadvantage of this method is that special additional equipment may be needed to incorporate the polyol at the latest possible time before further processing of the chocolate to prevent premature setting of the chocolate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,110 discloses a heat-resistant chocolate which comprises mixing of a polyol gel in particulate form with a flowable chocolate or a flowable mixture of ingredients for preparing chocolate and chocolate-like compositions. The polyol gel is formed by the use of gelling agents such as pectin, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, kappa-carrageenan agar, sodium alginate, gelatin, and iota-carrageenan. Other gelling agents, such as polysaccharides, for example, glucomannan, are suggested for use to form a firm gel around a polyol. A disadvantage of this method is that such gelling agents are not permitted in chocolate by regulation in many countries, and therefore such compositions may not labeled as xe2x80x9cchocolate.xe2x80x9d
U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,110 also provides a gelation method by which a dry polyol mixture containing up to 95% by weight of water is used. A disadvantage of this method and process is that the product produced may have an undesirable taste and/or texture (xe2x80x9cmouth feelxe2x80x9d) due to the presence of a high amount of water in the chocolate. In addition, the patent further provides a method for forming and dispersing a particulate polyol gel by xe2x80x9c. . . freezing the polyol gel from about xe2x88x92170 C. to xe2x88x92200 C. and then grinding it in a cold grinder . . . xe2x80x9d A disadvantage of this method and process is the cost prohibitive use of refrigerants such as liquid nitrogen needed to achieve low temperatures. Such a technique is alien to commercial chocolate production.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,843 discloses a process for improving the heat resistance of chocolate or chocolate-type products with a reduced tendency to deform at elevated temperatures including the step of mixing a polyol encapsulated within an edible lipid, for example, fat or oil, and added in particulate form to a flowable chocolate composition. The resultant chocolate product is described as having a slower xe2x80x9csetting timexe2x80x9d when compared to other methods. A disadvantage of this process is that in a commercial setting, it may be difficult to maintain the required xe2x80x9cgentle mixingxe2x80x9d of the composition. That is, pumps, mixers, and other operations in a commercial chocolate production setting may apply more mechanical energy than allowed by this patent.
Furthermore, commercial chocolate is best stored at about 40xc2x0 C. See, R. B. Nelson and S. Beckett, Industrial Chocolate Manufacture and Use (1988). In addition, commercial chocolate is typically melted to 60xc2x0 C.; lowered to between 46 and 49xc2x0 C.; and pumped at a temperature between 43.5 and 49xc2x0 C. prior to tempering. See, D. Hawk, et al., National Confectioner""s Associationxe2x80x94All Candy Expo educational session xe2x80x9cChocolate Handling, Problems and Solutions,xe2x80x9d (Jun. 12, 1997). Handling of modified chocolate beyond the parameters set by U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,843 may cause premature setting of the modified chocolate and, in a commercial setting, may result in disastrous consequences. Other disadvantages of this process are that the encapsulated particulate must be produced as a separate ingredient, and the particulate must be stored so as to remain in a solid form during the mixing and processing of the chocolate composition to prevent a premature setting.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,843 provides the following example:
xe2x80x9c5 parts of the encapsulated glycerol as prepared . . . are mixed with 100 parts of a flowable mixture of conched chocolate at 30 degrees C. for 15 minutes. The chocolate remains flowable for several minutes without setting . . . xe2x80x9d
It is well known to those skilled in the art that molten chocolate in a commercial setting must remain flowable for many hours.
It has been described and demonstrated in the prior art discussed above that the increase in viscosity of a chocolate composition by polyol or water inclusion would render certain methods impractical or unusable in a commercial setting. The prior art teaches that chocolate and imitation chocolate compositions which exhibit high viscosity in their fluid phases are to be avoided. It is also self-evident to those skilled in the art that a method to produce heat-resistant chocolate compositions considered typical to chocolate manufacturing would be preferred over the use of special processing equipment. Furthermore, special handling of ingredients and/or finished products, for example, high humidity or low temperature storage is not a preferred approach.
The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a modified chocolate or chocolate-like composition with reduced apparent viscosity in the molten state, which has the taste, texture, and mouth feel of traditional chocolate or chocolate-like compositions.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method for manufacturing a heat-resistant chocolate or chocolate-like composition that is little or no more complicated than the traditional method of manufacturing chocolate.
The present invention involves a method of adding a polyol to a flowable chocolate or chocolate-like composition. The elevation of viscosity normally associated with the introduction of the polyol is overcome by continued mixing of the composition through a stage of high apparent viscosity until the composition returns to a reduced apparent viscosity and flowable state.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.
In accordance with the present invention, 0.5 to 20-wt. % of a liquid polyol, for example, glycerine, is added to a flowable chocolate or chocolate-like mixture before or after the mixture is tempered. The liquid polyol is mixed with the chocolate or chocolate-like composition at normal processing temperatures, for example approximately 100xc2x0 F. The composition is mixed through a phase of increased yield value and apparent viscosity, exhibiting reduced-flow characteristics, e.g., a xe2x80x9cplastic phase,xe2x80x9d for a time, until the composition has returned to a flowable composition. The viscosity of the modified composition exhibits increased yield value. However, the apparent viscosity is substantially the same as or lower than the unmodified composition. The modified composition is handled in substantially the same manner as an unmodified composition, and may remain flowable for between several hours and several days.
After such a modified composition is produced and held for a time, the composition will demonstrate improved heat-resistance. (The term xe2x80x9creduced apparent viscosityxe2x80x9d refers to the viscosity of the composition when it has been modified yet is still in its molten state as compared to an unmodified composition.) Upon returning to the flowable state, the modified chocolate or chocolate-like composition may be tempered, deposited, molded, or used as a coating, and when allowed to age and stabilize, develops heat resistance. The modified chocolate composition has an extended xe2x80x9cworking timexe2x80x9d of a length sufficient for subsequent handling in the same manner as traditional chocolate. In addition, the modified chocolate composition may be produced without the costly methods and ingredients described in the prior art.
In carrying out the process of the present invention, the chocolate composition which is to be modified may be a milk chocolate, a semi-sweet chocolate, a white chocolate, or any composition known as a xe2x80x9ccompound,xe2x80x9d xe2x80x9cconfectionery,xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cpastelxe2x80x9d coating. The coating may contain any edible fat or oil. Ordinarily, the fats used are animal or vegetable in origin and are edible. However, synthetic materials having substantially similar chemical compositions to fats and oils may also be used. The preferred fats and oils are lower melting point fats that exhibit some tendency to flow at ambient or slightly elevated temperatures. This includes cocoa butter, other butter products, peanut oil, and vegetable oils. However, substantially any fat or oil can be converted into a product and rendered useable, i.e., mixed through to a flowable state by using the method of the present invention.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention is particularly applicable to products containing low melting point fats or oils, for example, chocolate or imitation chocolate products. Polyols that may be used are straight or branched-chained hydrocarbon compounds containing at least two hydroxyl groups on the carbon skeleton. Compounds which include other functional groups, for example, double bonds or carboxyl groups, may also be used, provided that at least two hydroxyl groups are present. There is no upper limit to the number of carbon atoms or hydroxyl groups that may be present on the structure.
Polyols are not generally soluble in fats or oils, and as a result, those that occur naturally as liquid are preferred. Glycerine, for example, is preferred as a matter of convenience, although other polyol materials that readily form solutions having a substantial concentration of the polyol are acceptable, for example, sorbitol. Other materials that can be utilized in the invention include mannitol and corn syrup, for example, 42 D.E., 55 D.E.
Continued mixing may be carried out during chocolate making or after chocolate making. If mixing occurs after chocolate making, it may be before tempering, after tempering, or during tempering of the chocolate. Continued mixing may be low shear, such as in a planetary mixer, or high shear, such as in a scraped surface heat exchanger. Continued mixing may be carried out at low speed or high speed.
In the production of modified chocolate and chocolate-like compositions, any conventional chocolate or chocolate-like formulation may be employed. Such formulations normally include chocolate liquor, milk solids, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa butter replacers, lecithin, and flavors. Other ingredients, all of which are known by those skilled in the art, may also be used. Typically, the ingredients used to make a chocolate or chocolate-like composition are mixed, refined, conched, and standardized as to viscosity, tempered, and utilized to form a finished product or to enrobe or coat a pre-formed center. The finished product is then typically cooled or refrigerated after it is put into its final form.

Method of making heat-resistant chocolate and chocolate-like compositions with reduced apparent viscosity


A seat lifter device includes: an output shaft; a support unit that supports the output shaft; an input unit; a ratchet-type feed unit configured to transmit rotation of the input unit to the output shaft; a lock unit configured to lock rotation of the output shaft relative to the support unit; a friction generation unit configured to apply a friction force between a rotation member and the support unit in response to an operation of the input unit rotating in a direction in which the seat is lowered; and a slippage preventing unit. When the input unit rotates in the direction in which the seat is lowered and the output shaft rotates preceding to the feed unit against the friction force to slip, the slippage preventing unit is fitted to the support unit by an elastic force in response to slippage of the output shaft to stop the slippage.

A vehicle seat disclosed in JP-A-2016-78850 includes a seat lifter device that can adjust a seat surface height of a seat cushion. Specifically, the seat lifter device transmits an operational movement amount of an operation handle as a feed rotation movement amount of a gear by pulling the operation handle upward and pushing the operation handle downward to raise and lower the seat surface height by a certain amount each time. When the operation of the operation handle is released, the seat lifter device locks the rotation of the gear in its position and returns the operation handle to a neutral position before the operation by biasing the operation handle, so that the seat lifter device returns to an initial state in which the operation handle can be re-operated.
The feed rotation of the gear accompanying the operation of the operation handle is performed by pushing a feed claw meshed with the gear in the operation direction of the operation handle. The rotation of the gear is locked as follows when the operation of the operation handle is released. That is, a lock pawl, which includes a pair of symmetrical structures meshed with the gear, has a ratchet meshing structure in which one symmetrical structure is unmeshed accompanying the operation of the operation handle and the other symmetrical structure releases the rotation in the feed direction and bites in the opposite direction. When the operation of the operation handle is released, the other symmetrical structure stops the rotation of the gear in its position.
Similar to the lock pawl, the feed claw that performs the feed rotation of the gear includes a pair of symmetrical structures to allow the movement of returning the operation handle to the neutral position when the operation of the operation handle is released. The feed pawl has a ratchet meshing structure in which one symmetrical structure is unmeshed from the gear accompanying the operation of the operation handle and the other symmetrical structure meshes with the gear to transmit power in the feed direction and releases rotation in the opposite direction.


A walk behind powered apparatus having a mobile structure, a work implement drive system coupled to the mobile structure, a power device driving the work implement, and a handle structure coupled to the mobile structure. The handle structure includes a cam slot having a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is orthogonal to the first portion. A bail member is pivotally coupled to the handle structure and includes a pin extending therefrom. The pin cammingly engaging the slot such that when the bail member is in a first position the pin is disposed in the first portion of the slot and when the bail member is in a second position the pin is disposed in the second portion of the slot. A switch device is coupled to the work implement drive system and selectively actuates the work implement drive system in response to the movement of the bail member between the first position and the second position. A biasing member biases the bail member into the first position to prevent inadvertent actuation of the switch device.

As is known in the art, walk behind powered equipment is often used in a wide variety of applications, such as lawn mowers, greens mowers, roto-tillers, aerators, snowblowers, and the like. Walk behind powered equipment typically includes an engine, either an internal combustion engine and/or electric motor, that is used to power a drive system and/or implement disengagement systems to propel the unit and operate the device, respectively. In the interest of safety, it is well known to use an operator presence system that must be triggered by an operator to ensure positive control of the powered equipment.
To this end, many known operator presence systems utilize a two stage detection system. For example, with regard to drive systems, a first stage includes actuation of a bail member into a retained position—typically by a gripping motion by the operator. Once the bail member has been gripped and retained, the drive lever is then unlocked and, thus, may be actuated by the operator to command forward or reverse movement. Alternatively, some systems employ a lockout lever that must first be actuated by the operator before a bail member can be squeezed to command movement or implement engagement.
Unfortunately, these prior art designs often suffer from a number of disadvantages. Specifically, known operator presence systems often require cumbersome actuation—that is, the simultaneous actuation of multiple levers to command a single drive movement or implement engagement. Such cumbersome actuation of the controls may inhibit the efficient use and controllability of the equipment. Additionally, such prior art designs often require extensive and complicated mechanical or electrical systems. Over time, these complex systems invariably suffer from failure and/or increased maintenance. Still further, the added complexity of these systems often lead to increased production costs.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide an operator presence system for powered equipment that is capable of simply and reliably detecting the presence of an operator before permitting commanded operations. Furthermore, there is a need in the relevant art to provide an operator presence system for powered equipment that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

Method of operator presence control on walk behind powered equipment


A method, apparatus and article of manufacture is disclosed for eliminating periodic noise detected by a magnetic read head. In particular a time varying signal electrical signal is provided by a magnetic read head. The signal is sampled and stored in memory. Samples known not to contain a desired signal are used to extract a waveform representative of a single period of periodic noise. The representative waveform is synchronized with samples containing the desired signal and used to compensate the samples containing the desired signal in order to minimize, reduce, cancel or remove the effects of the periodic noise on samples containing the periodic noise. The compensated samples are then processed to obtain information from the desired signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to identifying a periodic noise signal and removing the noise signal from a received signal stream when a desired signal is present. More particularly, it relates to a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for removing display interference from signals received from a magnetic head associated with a magnetic ink character reader.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Magnetic Ink characters are characters or symbols which are printed on a document in magnetic ink. Documents containing magnetic ink characters are typically bank checks, deposit slips and other documents. The magnetic ink characters may be printed in a standardized format or font (e.g., "E13B" or "CMC7" font) and are typically located near an edge of a document.
The magnetic ink characters are read by a magnetic head as the head moves across the document or the document is caused to move pass the head. The magnetic signals "picked up" by the head are converted to electrical signals which are processed by a magnetic ink character recognition unit which outputs the characters typically in ASCII or EBCDIC format.
Document processing systems with a MICR capability can be affected by magnetic interference which slows or prevents magnetic ink characters from being read. Magnetic coils such as for example electromagnetic coils generate magnetic fields resulting in interference relative to the magnetic information stored in the magnetic ink portion of a document. These interference signals may arise from nearby equipment such as displays, scanners, the MICR processing system itself, or motors and other electromechanical devices that may be used to move documents, etc.
This is particularly a problem in Point-of-Sale (POS) environments where MICR readers are typically located very near a check out display and where MICR information is obtained from checks tendered by customers. Due to lack of aisle space or the desire to more efficiently utilize floor space POS systems deployment usually result in the MICR or MSR device in close proximity to a CRT or other POS peripheral devices. This is particularly important when a MICR read head is located close to a display device because the display interference caused by the flyback or the retrace signal from the operation of the CRT. The coil from the CRT produces a significant source of noise to the MICR read head. Most POS systems also permit the display to be moved which changes the noise picked up by the magnetic read head.
One prior art solution to this problem is to use shielding. The source of the radiation, such as a display or coil, is shielded or the magnetic read head itself is shielded or partially shielded. Shielding can be used on the source or the pickup or a combination of both can be utilized. Because complete shielding is not possible, shielding does not eliminate the interference problem but, merely reduces the interference signal picked up by the magnetic read head. Furthermore, shielding is costly to implement given the high cost of the metal shielding material used and the extra steps required to apply shielding during the manufacturing process. Shielding can also cause other problems such as heating or overheating of components.
Another prior art solution is to add a second magnetic read head that is used to measure the magnetic interference signal. The electrical signal generated by the second magnetic read head can then be subtracted from the signal containing both the magnetic interference and the MICR characters. This solution requires a second read head and a means for subtracting one signal from the other. Additionally, this technique is imperfect because the two read heads cannot occupy the same physical space so that the interference signal pickup by the second read head may be substantially different then the interference picked up by the first magnetic read head. This is because the magnetic interference signals are different at the two locations. Thus, the use of two heads can result in self-interference.
These unresolved problems and deficiencies are clearly felt in the art and are solved by the invention in the manner described below.

Method, and apparatus and article of manufacture for filtering periodic noise from a magnetic read head

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory cell. The memory cell comprises a word line, a pair of bit lines crossing the word line, a resistance having a first side connected to a high power source and a second side connected to a first connecting node, a first FET connected between the first connecting node and a low power source and having a gate connected to a second connecting node, a second FET connected between the second connecting node and the low power source and having a gate connected to the first connecting node, a third FET connected between the first connecting node and one of the pair of bit lines and having a gate connected to the word line to control the operation of the third FET by changing the potential of the word line, and a fourth FET connected between the second connecting node and the other of the pair of bit lines and having a gate connected to the word line to control the operation of the fourth FET by changing the potential of the word line.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor memory cell which is capable of easily forming a read-only memory (ROM) cell from a random access memory (RAM) cell.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A gate array method as a design method or a development method for various kinds of custom LSIs is widely used because this gate array method has a short development period.
In the gate array method, a plurality of basic cells are arranged and secured to a chip. These basic cells are used for designing various kinds of random logic LSIs to reduce the development period.
In the gate array method, there are two methods of designing memory circuits which are commonly used.
In the first method, the basic cells are wired by using mask patterns (which have been registered in a library) to form various types of memory cells. The RAM and ROM cells can be formed as memory cells with different configurations because the memory cells used in the first method are a general purpose type memory cell.
However, the required areas of the RAM and ROM on the chip are increased because the configurations of the RAM and the ROM cells are wasteful and the wiring required in the RAM and ROM is relatively long.
Therefore, it is difficult to design an LSI by using the first method.
In the second method, special memory cells for various memory circuits are registered in the library, and a memory cell is designed by using the special memory cells.
By using the second method, the problems inherent in the first method (wasted area in the RAM and ROM cells) can be eliminated. However, the special memory cells such as the RAM cells and the ROM cells must be registered because the functions of the RAM and ROM cells are different.
Moreover, differrent capacity memory cells must be registered for the RAM cells and the ROM cells in the sercond method. There are, therefore, more kinds of memory cells than in the first method.
When a custom LSI incorporating memory circuits is designed by using the second method, special memory cells for required functions must be developed or the memory cells having such functions must be registered beforehand in a library, so that the design cost is increased.

Semiconductor memory cell farming a ROM cell from a RAM cell


A multicore fiber has a plurality of cores formed at predetermined distances and surrounded by a cladding. A bundle structure includes optical fibers joined in a close-packed arrangement. Specifically, one optical fiber is arranged at a center, and six optical fibers are arranged around the optical fiber arranged at the center. Accordingly, cores of the optical fibers are arranged at equal distances. The optical fibers are bonded together with an adhesive. Accordingly, claddings of adjacent optical fibers are in contact with each other either directly or via the adhesive. The adhesive also fills spaces between the optical fibers.

The transmission capacity of single-core optical fibers that are currently used is approaching its limit due to the rapidly increasing volume of optical communication traffic. In response to this situation, a multicore fiber in which multiple cores are formed in one fiber has been proposed as a means for increasing the communication capacity.
One example of such a multicore fiber has a plurality of core portions formed inside a cladding portion, and a part of the circumference of the cladding portion has a flat portion that is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (Patent Document 1).
To use a multicore fiber as a transmission path, it is necessary to connect each core portion of the multicore fiber to a corresponding core portion of another multicore fiber, a different optical fiber, an optical device, or the like in order to send and receive transmission signals. A method of connecting such a multicore fiber to a single core fiber has been proposed in which the multicore fiber is connected to a fiber bundle including single-core optical fibers arranged at positions corresponding to core portions of the multicore fiber in order to send and receive transmission signals (Patent Document 2). A method of producing such an optical fiber bundle is also proposed in which a plurality of single-core fibers is bundled together by bonding or the like at predetermined distances (Patent Document 3).

Method for producing bundle structure including a plurality of optical fibers, method for connecting optical fibers, bundle terminal structure comprising capillary and optical fibers, and fiber connection structure comprising bundle terminal structure comprising capillary and optical fibers


The present invention provides a compound having the structure ##STR1## wherein S* is S.dbd.O or O.dbd.S.dbd.O; and wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of (C.sub.1 -C.sub.9) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) cycloalkyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.7) cycloalkenyl, and (C.sub.6 -C.sub.20) aryl substituted with halogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.18) alkyl; and wherein R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.9) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.8) cycloalkyl, (C.sub.5 -C.sub.7) cycloalkenyl, and (C.sub.6 -C.sub.20) aryl substituted with halogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.18) alkyl. Also provided are various methods of using the compositions of the present invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the fields of chemistry and antineoplastic pharmacology. More specifically, the present invention relates to competitive inhibitors of glyoxalase I and methods of generating such competitive inhibitors inside tumor cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent advances in understanding methylglyoxal metabolism suggest that the glyoxalase pathway might be a reasonable target for antitumor drug development (1). The apparent physiological function of this pathway is to remove cytotoxic methylglyoxal from cells as D-lactate via the sequential action of the isomerase glyoxalase I (GlxI) and the thioester hydrolase glyoxalase II (GlxII), FIG. 1. Methylglyoxal appears to arise primarily as a by-product of the interconversion of intracellular triosephosphates, as well as from other sources (3,4). High concentrations of exogenous methylglyoxal exhibit selective inhibitory activity toward rapidly proliferating tumor cells versus nonproliferating normal cells in vitro (5-8). The molecular basis of methylglyoxal toxicity is not clearly understood, but may involve inhibition of DNA and protein synthesis (5,9). Indeed, methylglyoxal is known to form adducts with nucleic acids (10). Supporting a detoxification role for the glyoxalase pathway is the demonstration that transfected murine NIH3T3 cells that overexpress the gene for GlxI are exceptionally resistant to the cytotoxic effects of exogenous methylglyoxal (11).
Vince and Daluge suggested that inhibitors of GlxI might function as antitumor agents by inducing elevated levels of methylglyoxal in cells (12). Although numerous GSH-based competitive inhibitors have been described, a method for efficiently delivering these compounds into cells has not been available (2). Importantly, Lo and Thornalley reported that the competitive inhibitor S-p-bromobenzylglutathione can be indirectly delivered into human leukemia (HL60) cells as the [glycyl, glutamyl] diethyl ester prodrug, and that this compound is both cytostatic and cytotoxic to these cells (13). This prodrug strategy functions on the basis that after the diethyl ester diffuses into the cells, nonspecific esterases catalyze the deethylation of the diethyl ester to give the inhibitory diacid. The same laboratory reported that S-p-bromobenzylglutathione diethyl ester is toxic to a range of different human tumor cell lines in culture.
In any event, this prior art prodrug strategy is limited in at least two respects. First, the diffusion of the diethyl esters into cells is a relatively slow process. For example, the apparent first order rate constant for diffusion of 2Et).sub.2 into L1210 cells in vitro is only 0.04 min.sup.-1 at 37.degree. C. This probably reflects the fact that 2Et).sub.2 is a cationic species under physiological conditions, with limited solubility in the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. Second, in contrast to human plasma, the plasma of most common strains of tumor-bearing laboratory mice contain high levels of plasma esterases which catalyze rapid deethylation of the diethyl ester prodrugs, T.sub.1/2 <30 sec. Therefore, costly esterase-deficient tumor-bearing mice are required in order to evaluate the in vivo antitumor activities of the diethyl ester prodrugs.
The prior art is deficient in the lack of effective means of delivering competitive inhibitors of the methylglyoxal-detoxifying enzyme glyoxalase I into cells. The present invention fulfills this longstanding need and desire in the art.

Competitive inhibitors of glyoxalase I and method of generating such competitive inhibitors inside tumor cells

University of Maryland at Baltimore County


A roll for a paper machine, in particular for a paper drying device, including an axle on whose support the roll revolves, and a surface construction connected to the axle by support members. The openness of the surface construction of the roll is higher than about 10%, preferably higher than about 20%, so that when the roll an effect is produced that sucks air inward into the roll whereby a flow of air through the roll arises. Also, a single-wire draw dryer group for a paper machine having two contact-drying cylinders and one reversing roll wherein a web to be dried is guided on support of a drying wire meandering from one drying cylinder onto the reversing roll and then onto the other drying cylinder so that on the drying cylinders, the web remains between the cylinder face and the drying wire and on the reversing cylinder, the web is situated at the side of the outside curve. The reversing roll in the dryer group is an open roll having a surface construction with an openness higher than about 10%, preferably higher than about 20%, so that the flow of air traveling along with the wire passes through the open surface construction of the roll into the interior of the roll and is discharged further out along with the wire as an air flow through the open surface construction of the roll.

As known in the prior art, in multi-cylinder dryers of paper machines, twin-wire draw and/or single-wire draw is/are employed. When employing twin-wire draw, a group of drying cylinders comprises two closed (endless) wires, fabrics or belts which press the web, one from above and the other one from below, against heated cylinder faces of drying cylinders arranged in rows. Between the rows of drying cylinders, which are usually horizontal rows, the web has free and unsupported draws which are susceptible to fluttering and may cause web breaks, in particular in drying stages in which the web is still relatively moist and, therefore has a low strength. For this reason, in recent years, ever increasing use has been made of the single-wire draw in which each group of drying cylinders includes only a single closed (endless) drying wire on whose support the web runs through the entire group so that the drying wire presses the web on the drying cylinders against the heated cylinder faces thereof, whereas on the reversing cylinders or rolls between the drying cylinders, the web remains at the side of the outside curve and is subjected to negative pressure as it runs over the reversing cylinders in order to maintain the web on the wire. Thus, in single-wire draw, the drying cylinders are arranged outside the wire loop, and the reversing cylinders or rolls are arranged inside the wire loop.
In a so-called normal dryer group with single-wire draw, known in the prior art, the heated drying cylinders are placed in an upper row and the reversing cylinders or rolls are placed in a lower row below the upper row of drying cylinders, which rows are typically horizontal and parallel to one another. In a so-called inverted dryer group, the heated drying cylinders are placed in a lower row and the reversing cylinders or rolls are placed in an upper row above the lower row of drying cylinders. In the following, when the terms "normal (dryer) group" and "inverted (dryer) group" are used, what is meant is expressly groups with single-wire draw in multi-cylinder dryers, of the type mentioned above.
In prior art drying devices, the drying wire and the paper web come from a preceding drying element, for example a contact-drying suction cylinder, onto a reversing suction cylinder or equivalent as a joint straight run. In this case, a closing wedge space is formed between the drying wire and the face of the reversing suction cylinder, which wedge space is, in the following, also called an inlet nip. The moving drying wire and the face of the reversing suction cylinder tend to induce a pressure in the wedge space. This produces a difference in pressure acting upon the paper web placed on support of the drying wire, which difference in pressure attempts to separate the paper web from the drying wire and causes problems of runnability, wrinkles, and even web breaks. On the other hand, in order to improve the efficiency of dryer sections, there is a need to use ever more compact dryer sections in which the contact-drying cylinders and suction cylinders are placed as close to one another as possible. All of these factors, together with the increasing web speeds, increase the problems of the pressure induced in the inlet nip.
As known in the prior art, in single-wire draw, the transfer of the paper web from a reversing suction cylinder onto a contact-drying cylinder usually takes place so that the web is supported on the wire by means of a field of vacuum produced by a blow box or equivalent web-adhering arrangement. The current assignee markets blow boxes with the trade mark UNO-RUN-BLOW-BOX.TM., and with respect to the principle of operation of such blow boxes, reference is made to the current assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,330 (corresponding to Finnish Patent No. 65,460), incorporated by reference herein. By means of these blow box constructions, the paper web can be passed from a drying cylinder onto a reversing suction cylinder at the paper machine running speeds of less than about 1600 meters per minute currently in use.
In the prior art constructions, attempts have also been made to eliminate the problem related to the pressure peak induced in the inlet nip by means of suction in rolls, suction in sectors of rolls, and by means of suction boxes of different types as well as by means of combinations of rolls and suction boxes. However, by means of such arrangements, it has, however, not been possible to eliminate the pressure peak formed in the inlet nip.
In the prior art, it is known that, in order to hold the web in contact with the face of a reversing cylinder or roll, a vacuum is sufficient that overcomes the force arising from the centrifugal force. This required pressure can be calculated by means of the equation: ##EQU1## wherein:
p=pressure (N/sq.m),
Pv=basis weight of web (kg/sq.m),
U=circumferential speed (meters per second),
r=radius of cylinder (meters).
Depending on the running speed of the machine and the weight of the web, the requirement of pressure is of an order of from about 100 Pa to about 200 Pa. Thus, a problem has been the control of the pressure formed in the inlet nip.
It has also been possible to reduce the detrimental pressure induced in the inlet nip by means of grooves and bores on the roll. However, by means of these structural modifications, it has not been possible to provide a substantial solution for the problems arising from the pressure induced in the inlet nip.
With respect to the prior art related to the present invention, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,961 which describes a cell construction that produces a pressure in the inlet nip because it comprises walls arranged perpendicular to the movement of rotation.
Further, reference is made, for example, to the current assignee's U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,202,113 and 4,441,263 (both of which are incorporated by reference herein) and Finnish Patent Nos. 93,876 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,393, incorporated by reference herein) and 83,680 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,022,163 and 5,172,491, incorporated by reference herein), which describe devices in dryer section of paper machine but which, do not suggest a fully adequate solution for the problems arising from the pressure formed in the inlet nip.

Roll for a paper machine, in particular for a paper drying device, and dryer group for a paper machine


A device for feeding film-blowing air into the plastic tube and film bubble of a blowing head is connected to the film-blowing head and includes between the foot side and head side outlets thereof, with at least one intake device and at least one further outlet in spaced relationship and with matched flows to stabilize the tube and the neck formed between the tube and the expanding bubble.

A blowing head for producing plastic film generally has an annular orifice from which a tube of thermoplastified synthetic resin is extruded so that, at a location downstream from the orifice this tube can be expanded or blown into a bubble or balloon, thereby reducing the wall thickness and forming a tube of the thermoplastic film.
It is known to provide a tubular device which can be affixed to the blowing head and which withdraws the blowing and cooling air through the inner tube while the film-blowing air is fed to the clearance between the device and the thermoplastic tube through a jacket or outer tubular member, being supplied to the latter from a source of the film-blowing air.
In the course of film blowing (see, for example German Patent Document DE-PD 38 20 530), a neck is formed between the film balloon and the plastic tube which is comparatively long and whose stability depends upon rheological and aerodynamic conditions.
In practice, it has been found that the neck region and tube tend toward instability when, for example, the device as described in the above-mentioned patent document has outlets for the film-blowing air only at the foot side of the device proximal to its connection to the blowing head and at its head side, i.e. remote from the blowing head.
The stabilization is here effected by balancing the amount of blowing air supplied with that which is withdrawn through the inner tube but in many cases, especially where the neck is comparatively long, instabilities still arise and improvement is required.

Apparatus for blowing a film of thermoplastic synthetic resin

Reiffenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik


A novel self-adhesive silicone rubber composition is disclosed which gives a cured silicone rubber capable of being firmly bonded to the surface of various kinds of substrate materials even without the pre-treatment of the substrate surface with a primer so that the composition is useful as a coating material in the preparation of a silicone rubber-coated cloth advantageous in respect of the firm adhesion of the cured silicone rubber layer to the substrate cloth. The composition is characterized by the formulation of a unique component which is an organosilane compound having an isocyanato-containing group and a hydrolyzable group in a molecule such as 3-isocyanatopropyl trimethoxy silane.

The present invention relates to a self-adhesive silicone rubber composition or, more particularly, to a silicone rubber composition capable of firmly adhering to the surface of various kinds of substrate materials such as metals, glass, ceramics, plastics, fibers, rubbers and the like even without the pre-treatment of the surface with a primer as well as to a silicone rubber-coated fabric web prepared by coating a fabric web with the silicone rubber composition and curing the same.
Silicone rubber compositions in general have surface-releasability more or less so that firm adhesive bonding usually cannot be obtained between a cured silicone rubber composition and the surface of a substrate material, such as metals, glass, ceramics, plastics, fibers and fabric webs, rubbers and the like, on which the silicone rubber composition has been cured. This disadvantage can be solved at least partly by treating the substrate surface with a so-called primer before the substrate surface is contacted with an uncured silicone rubber composition.
On the other hand, silicone rubber-coated fabric webs, i.e. woven cloths, knit cloths and non-woven cloths, are prepared by coating a fabric web with a silicone rubber composition and curing the silicone rubber composition so as to have the silicone rubber composition cured on and firmly adhering to the substrate surface. Such a silicone rubber-coated fabric web is widely used as an electric insulating material, diaphragms, sealing material, material of air bags, tenting sheet, duct hose and the like. Proposals have been made in Japanese Patent Publication No. 42-2687 and Japanese Patent Kokai No. 55-152863 for the use of a silicone rubber-coated fabric web as a material of medical use or clothing use. A problem in these silicone rubber-coated fabric webs is that firm adhesive bonding can hardly be obtained between the cured silicone rubber layer and the surface of the fabrics as the substrate, in particular, when the fabric web is formed from synthetic fibers having polar groups such as amide groups of the formula --CO--NH-- as is the case in nylons, aromatic polyamide fibers and the like.
The treatment with a primer is indeed effective in improving the adhesive bonding between a cured silicone rubber composition and various kinds of substrate surfaces. Practically, however, the primer treatment has several disadvantages as an industrial process even by setting aside the troublesomeness of the molding process which must be preceded by the primer treatment. Since primers are usually used in the form of a solution in an organic solvent, for example, vapor of the organic solvent causes a serious problem of environmental pollution necessitating expensive facilities for ventilation along with an adverse influence on the health of workers. When a strong shearing force is added to the primer-coated substrate surface as in the injection molding, in addition, the primer layer sometimes causes a plastic flow eventually to be removed from the substrate surface leading to an uneven priming effect.
In this regard, so-called self-adhesive silicone rubber compositions have been developed which can be cured into a cured silicone rubber firmly adhering to the substrate surface on which the composition has been cured even by omitting the primer treatment of the substrate surface. Self-adhesive silicone rubber compositions of a class are prepared by admixing a silicone rubber composition with an alkylperoxy silane compound as an adhesiveness-imparting agent including, for example, vinyl tris(tert-butylperoxy) silane, triphenyl tert-butylperoxy silane, trimethyl tert-butylperoxy silane, methyl vinyl di(tert-butylperoxy) silane and the like. Further, it is known that a silicone rubber composition can be imparted with self-adhesiveness by the admixture of a so-called carbon-functional silane coupling agent such as vinyl trimethoxy silane, vinyl triethoxy silane, 3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxy silane, 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane and the like. It is also known that a benzoate compound having a vinyl-substituted silyl group such as tert-butylperoxy-4-vinyl dimethylsilyl benzoate and the like serves simultaneously as an adhesiveness-imparting agent and as a curing agent since the compound is an organic peroxide.
The above described silicone rubber compositions are not quite satisfactory as a self-adhesive rubber composition. For example, the alkylperoxy silane compounds cannot impart the silicone rubber composition with sufficiently high self-adhesiveness. The silicone rubber composition compounded with a silane coupling agent is also not quite satisfactory in respect of the self-adhesiveness and the durability of adhesive bonding. The benzoate compound is practically not advantageous in respect of the cost for the compound due to the difficulty in the synthetic preparation thereof as well as in respect of the low durability of the adhesive bonding at an elevated temperature between the substrate surface and the cured silicone rubber layer prepared by the admixture of the same.

Self-adhesive silicone rubber composition and silicone rubber coated-fabric material


The invention relates to a catalyst component for olefin (co)polymerization, to preparation thereof, to a catalyst comprising the same, and to use thereof in olefin (co)polymerization. The catalyst component of the invention comprises magnesium, titanium, halogen, inner electron donor compound, and alkoxy group derived from a surface modifier, wherein the content of the alkoxy group derived from the surface modifier is in a range of from 0.01 to 3 percent by weight, based on the weight of the catalyst component.

High-activity supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts are widely used in olefin polymerization. A conventional process for preparing such high-activity supported catalysts is co-precipitating process, wherein a magnesium halide is dissolved in a solvent system to form a homogeneous solution, which is then treated with titanium halide to precipitate active magnesium halide, and at the same time and/or thereafter, active titanium component is supported on the active magnesium halide. U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,983 discloses a catalyst system for olefin (co)polymerization comprising (a) a titanium-containing solid catalyst component, (b) an alkyl aluminum compound, and (c) an organic silicon compound. The (a) component is obtained by dissolving a magnesium halide in a solvent mixture consisting of an organic epoxy compound and an organic phosphorus compound to form a homogeneous solution; mixing the solution with a titanium tetrahalide or its derivatives; precipitating a solid in the presence of an auxiliary precipitant selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid anhydrides, carboxylic acids, ethers and ketones; treating the solid with a polycarboxylic acid ester to support the polycarboxylic acid ester onto the solid; and treating separated solid with titanium tetrahalide or a mixture of titanium tetrahalide and an inert diluent. When used in propylene polymerization, the catalyst exhibits high activity, and the resultant polymer has a high isotacticity and a high bulk density.
Patent Application CN1229092 discloses a process for preparing a catalyst similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,983, wherein in the step of dissolving magnesium halide to form a homogeneous solution, ethanol is added to modify the magnesium halide. Such prepared catalyst exhibits greatly enhanced activity when used in ethylene polymerization, however, said catalyst is not applicable to the production of polypropylene and copolymer of ethylene and propylene.

Catalyst component for olefin (co)polymerization, preparation thereof, a catalyst comprising the same and use thereof

Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry