The present invention aims to provide an optical head and an optical disk device capable of suitably detecting tracking error signals for different types of optical discs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical head including a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths and adapted to optically record or reproduce information on or from information recording media such as a plurality of types of optical discs, and an optical disc device including such an optical disc.
2. Description of the Background Art
In recent years, Blu-ray discs (hereinafter, BDs) which are high-density and large capacity optical information recording media (hereinafter, also referred to as "optical discs") having the same size as CDs (Compact Discs) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) have been put to practical use as blue-violet semiconductor lasers have been put to practical use. This BD is an optical disc whose protective substrate is about 0.1 mm in thickness and on or from which information is recorded or reproduced using a blue-violet semiconductor laser beam source having a wavelength of about 400 nm and an objective lens whose numerical aperture (NA) is increased to 0.85.
HD DVDs whose protective substrate is about 0.6 mm in thickness and on or from which information is recorded or reproduced similarly using a blue-violet semiconductor laser beam source having a wavelength of about 400 nm and an objective lens whose numerical aperture is 0.65 have been also put to practical use. These optical discs on or from which information is recorded or reproduced using blue-violet light sources are collectively called high-density optical discs.
There has been proposed an optical head compatible with optical discs whose protective substrates differ in thickness and capable of recording or reproducing information on or from information recording surfaces of these optical discs by focusing laser beams having different wavelengths using one objective lens.
A construction example of such an optical head is shown in FIG. 23. In FIG. 23, an optical head 130 includes a light source 101 for emitting a blue-violet laser beam, a beam splitter 102, a relay lens 103, a hologram element 104, a dichroic prism 105, a collimator lens 106, an objective lens 107, a diffraction grating 108, a two-wavelength light source 111 for emitting a red laser beam and an infrared laser beam, and a light receiving element 112. Further, a BD 60 is an optical disc whose protective substrate is 0.075 to 0.1 mm in thickness.
Here, an operation of the conventional optical head 130 to record or reproduce information on or from the BD 60 is described. A blue-violet laser beam emitted from the light source 101 is reflected by the beam splitter 102 and passes through the relay lens 103 to be converted into a divergent beam having a larger divergence angle. The blue-violet laser beam having passed through the relay lens 103 is converted into a substantially parallel beam by the collimator lens 106 after passing through the hologram element 104 and being reflected by the dichroic prism 105. The blue-violet laser beam converted into the substantially parallel beam is focused as a light spot on an information recording surface of the BD 60 through the protective substrate by the objective lens 107. The laser beam reflected by the information recording surface of the BD 60 passes through the objective lens 107 and the collimator lens 106 again to be reflected by the dichroic prism 105, and passes through the beam splitter 102 to be introduced to the light receiving element 112 after passing through the hologram element 104 and the relay lens 103.
Here, when the laser beam passes through the hologram element 104, a 0th-order diffracted light and ±1st-order diffracted lights are generated. The ±1st-order diffracted lights of the laser beam on the outward path emitted from the light source 101 are blocked by an aperture (not shown) arranged immediately before the objective lens 107 and, therefore, do not reach the BD 60. On the other hand, the ±1st-order diffracted lights of the laser beam on the return path reflected by the BD 60 are detected by specified light receiving areas of the light receiving element 112 and are mainly used for the generation of a servo signal.
Here, a focus error signal can be detected using a so-called astigmatism method of obtaining the focus error signal by a four-divided light receiving pattern after astigmatism is given to a laser beam on the return path, for example, by means of a detection lens (not shown) arranged between the beam splitter 102 and the light receiving element 112. It should be noted that a tracking error signal is described later.
Next, an operation of the optical head 130 in the case of recording or reproduction on or from a DVD 70 which is an optical disc whose protective substrate is 0.6 mm in thickness or a CD 80 which is an optical disc whose protective substrate is 1.2 mm in thickness is described with reference to FIG. 24. A red laser beam having a wavelength of 655 nm or an infrared laser beam having a wavelength of 785 nm emitted from the two-wavelength light source 111 is split into a main beam, which is a 0th-order diffracted light, and sub-beams, which are ±1st-order diffracted lights, by the diffraction grating 108. The main beam and the sub-beams pass through the dichroic prism 105, are converted into substantially parallel beams by the collimator lens 106, and are focused as light spots on an information recording surface of the DVD 70 or CD 80 through the protective substrate by the objective lens 107. The main beam and the sub-beams reflected by the information recording surface of the DVD 70 or CD 80 pass through the objective lens 107 and the collimator lens 106 again, are reflected by the dichroic prism 105, and pass through the hologram element 104, the relay lens 103 and the beam splitter 102 to be introduced to the light receiving element 112 for the generation of an information signal and a servo signal.
Here, focus error signals used for recording or reproduction on or from the DVD 70 and the CD 80 can be detected using an astigmatism method or the like similar to the focus error signal used for recording or reproduction on or from the aforementioned BD 60. Further, a tracking error signal is detected by a so-called three beam method or a differential push-pull method (DPP method) using the main beam and the sub-beams generated by the diffraction grating 108.
It should be noted that the objective lens 107 has a diffraction structure for focusing a blue-violet laser beam for recording or reproduction on or from the BD 60, a red laser beam for recording or reproduction on or from the DVD 70 and an infrared laser beam for recording or reproduction on or from the CD 80 as minute light spots utilizing wavelength differences.
Accordingly, by using such an optical head 130, information can be recorded or reproduced by focusing laser beams having different wavelengths on different types of optical discs by means of one objective lens 107.
Next, the tracking error signal used for recording or reproduction on or from the BD 60 is described in detail.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-281026 (prior art 1) discloses an optical disc device for recording or reproduction on or from a high-density optical disc having a plurality of information recording surfaces like the BD 60. FIG. 25 is a schematic construction diagram of another conventional optical head in the case of recording or reproduction on or from a BD.
In an optical head 230 of FIG. 25, a blue-violet laser beam emitted from a light source 201 and reflected by an information recording surface of a BD 60 passes through a beam splitter 202 to be incident on a hologram element 204 after passing through an objective lens 207 and a collimator lens 206, whereby a plurality of beams are generated. The plurality of beams generated by the hologram element 204 are received by a light receiving element 212 after astigmatism is given thereto while passing through a detection lens 203.
The hologram element 204 has seven kinds of areas 204a to 204g to split the incident laser beam into a 0th-order diffracted light and ±1st-order diffracted lights. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a beam splitting pattern of the hologram element 204 of the conventional optical head 230. The 0th-order diffracted light x0 is generated by the areas 204a to 204g; the +1st-order diffracted light xa by the area 204a; the +1st-order diffracted light xb by the area 204b; the +1st-order diffracted light xc by the area 204c; the +1st-order diffracted light xd by the area 204d; the +1st-order diffracted light xe by the area 204e; the +1st-order diffracted light xf by the area 204f; and the +1st-order diffracted light xg by the area 204g.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a state of a laser beam reflected by the BD 60 and reaching the light receiving element 212 of the conventional optical head 230 with respect to the pattern of the light receiving areas. The light receiving element 212 includes a total of ten light receiving sections 212a to 212j.
The light receiving sections 212a to 212d are used to detect a focus error signal and a signal used to reproduce information recorded on an optical disc (BD 60).
On the other hand, the light receiving sections 212e to 212j are used to detect a tracking error signal. The optical head can be miniaturized and the number of operation steps upon assembling the optical head can be reduced by forming the light receiving sections 212a to 212d for detecting the focus error signal and the light receiving sections 212e to 212j for detecting the tracking error signal on the same semiconductor substrate.
The light receiving sections 212a to 212j output current signals I212a to I212j corresponding to amounts of received lights. A focus error signal FE is obtained by a calculation: FE=(I212a+I212c)−(I212b+I212d). Further, a tracking error signal TE is obtained by a calculation: TE=(I212e−I212f)−k(I212g+I212h−I212i−I212j).
Here, a 0th-order diffracted light x0 is received by the light receiving sections 212a to 212d; a +1st-order diffracted light xa by the light receiving section 212e; a +1st-order diffracted light xb by the light receiving section 212f; a +1st-order diffracted light xc by the light receiving section 212g; a +1st-order diffracted light xd by the light receiving section 212h; a +1st-order diffracted light xe by the light receiving section 212i; and a +1st-order diffracted light xf by the light receiving section 212j. It should be noted that a +1st-order diffracted light xg is received by none of the light receiving sections. By adopting such a construction, the variation of the tracking error signal occurring when the position, width and depth of a groove formed in the optical disc (BD 60) vary or when information is recorded on a track can be reduced.
This construction also functions to avoid the incidence of unnecessary lights on the light receiving sections used to detect the tracking error signal when the optical disc (BD 60) has a plurality of information recording surface.
The 0th-order diffracted light x0 and +1st-order diffracted lights xa to xg are generated when the laser beam reflected by the information recording surface of the optical disc is incident on the hologram element 204. However, since the optical disc (BD 60) has two information recording surfaces 60a, 60b (not shown), a beam reflected by the information recording surface 60b different from the information recording surface 60a actually used for recording or reproduction is also incident on the hologram element 204 to generate diffracted lights. A 0th-order diffracted light y0 and +1st-order diffracted lights ya to yg are diffracted lights generated when the laser beam reflected by the information recording surface 60b is incident on the hologram element 204. The 0th-order diffracted light y0 is generated by the areas 204a to 204g; the +1st-order diffracted light ya by the area 204a; the +1st-order diffracted light yb by the area 204b; the +1st-order diffracted light yc by the area 204c; the +1st-order diffracted light yd by the area 204d; the +1st-order diffracted light ye by the area 204e; the +1st-order diffracted light yf by the area 204f; and the +1st-order diffracted light yg by the area 204g.
When the laser beam collected by the objective lens 207 is focused on the information recording surface 60a, there is a large defocus on the information recording surface 60b. Thus, the 0th-order diffracted light y0 and +1st-order diffracted lights ya to yg are also largely defocused on the light receiving element 212. Here, it is designed such that the 0th-order diffracted light y0 and +1st-order diffracted lights ya to yg are incident on none of the light receiving sections 212e to 212j. This is because, if the 0th-order diffracted light y0 and the +1st-order diffracted lights ya to yg are incident on the light receiving sections 212e to 212j, the tracking error signal varies according to the degree of incidence, with the result that a stable tracking control cannot be executed.
The area 204g is defined in a central part of the hologram element 204 shown in FIG. 26, and the +1st-order diffracted light xg generated by the area 204g is not used for the generation of the tracking error signal. Here, the +1st-order diffracted light xg is diffracted in a direction normal to a diffracting direction of the +1st-order diffracted lights xa to xf. Thus, the light receiving sections 212e to 212j can be formed at positions where the +1st-order diffracted light xg will not be incident.
It should be noted that −1st-order diffracted lights formed at positions conjugate with the +1st-order diffracted lights are not incident on the light receiving sections 212e to 212j, either.
International Publication Pamphlet 2004/068480 (prior art 2) discloses an optical head designed to obtain a stable tracking error signal by arranging light receiving sections for 1st-order diffracted lights in such a manner as not to overlap a maximum or minimum range of divergence of a 0th-order diffracted light from a recording layer different from a recording layer, on or from which information is to be recorded or reproduced, for a plurality of types of optical discs each including a multitude of layers.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H01-62838 (prior art 3) describes an optical head in which an objective lens and a hologram element are united and this united part of the objective lens and the hologram element is movable independently of a light source. FIG. 28 is a schematic construction diagram showing still another conventional optical head in the case of recording or reproduction on or from a DVD.
In an optical head 330 of FIG. 28, a laser beam emitted from a light source 301 is focused on an information recording surface of an optical disc (e.g. DVD 70) by a hologram element 304 and an objective lens 307. The laser beam reflected by the information recording surface of the DVD 70 passes through the objective lens 307 again and is diffracted by the hologram element 304 while passing the respective areas of the hologram element 304 and is introduced to a light receiving element 312.
An actuator 370 executes a tracking control to drive the objective lens 307 so that a light spot focused by the objective lens 307 follows an information track formed in the information recording surface of the DVD 70 in accordance with a tracking error signal obtained from the light receiving element 312. Here, the hologram element 304 is united with the objective lens 307 and driven together therewith by the actuator 370.
Since the hologram element 304 and the objective lens 307 are united, the laser beam reflected by the DVD 70 hardly moves on the hologram element 304 even if the objective lens 307 moves at the time of the tracking control. Accordingly, even if the optical axis of the objective lens 307 is deviated from that of a laser beam emitted from the light source 301 upon detecting a tracking error signal by a one-beam push-pull method, no offset is generated in the tracking error signal.
Such a construction is useful in the case where the one-beam push-pull method is applied to an optical system, whose information track pitches are relatively larger than light spots and a reflected light from which has a small diffraction angle, such as a DVD-RAM.
Prior art 1 discloses the construction of the optical head capable of detecting tracking error signals suitable for high-density optical discs such as BDs. Prior art 3 discloses the construction of the optical head capable of detecting tracking error signals suitable for optical discs whose information track pitches are relatively larger than light spots such as DVD-RAMs. Further, prior art 2 discloses the construction of the optical head capable of detecting a stable tracking error signal for a plurality of types of optical discs each including a multitude of layers.
However, these prior arts mention neither the beam splitting pattern of the hologram element nor the light receiving pattern of the light receiving element, which enables the detection of tracking error signals suitable for all the types of optical discs in the case of an optical head compatible with the recording or production of both high-density optical discs such as BDs and DVDs and CDs.

Abstract: A polarizing hologram element includes a first area and a second area adjacent to the first area in an area where a beam reflected and diffracted by a BD passes. The first area includes a first transmission area for transmitting many 1st-order diffracted lights from the BD, a second transmission area adjacent to the first transmission area and closer to an optical axis than the first transmission area, and a third transmission area adjacent to the first and second transmission areas. The second area includes a fourth transmission area for transmitting many 1st-order diffracted lights from the BD, a fifth transmission area adjacent to the fourth transmission area and closer to the optical axis than the fourth transmission area, and a sixth transmission area adjacent to the fourth and fifth transmission areas.


An unloading auger for an agricultural harvester includes an inner auger having an outer end and a first coupler at the outer end. The first coupler includes a first engagement cog. An outer auger is pivotally attached to the outer end of the inner auger. The outer auger has an inner end and a second coupler at the inner end. The second coupler includes a second engagement cog. The first coupler or second coupler includes at least one engagement assistor configured to rotate the outer auger prior to engagement between the first engagement cog and the second engagement cog.

An agricultural harvester such as a combine includes a head and a feeder housing which remove the crop material from the field, gather the crop material and transport the crop material to a separator. The separator removes the grain crop material from the non-grain crop material. The grain is cleaned and deposited in a grain tank. When the grain tank becomes full, an unloading auger which is positioned alongside the combine during harvesting is moved to the unloading position in which the auger extends approximately perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the combine. The combine drives alongside a vehicle into which the grain is to be unloaded, such as a semi-trailer, and the unloading auger is actuated to discharge the grain into the vehicle.
A trend in agricultural machines is for the size of the machines to become larger. One example is the width of the head (such as a bean head) on a combine. Since the combine drives alongside the vehicle into which the grain is to be unloaded, and a larger head means that the body of the combine is a further distance from the vehicle, the length of the auger must also be increased.
It is known to provide a folding unloading auger including an inner auger which folds alongside the combine, and an outer auger which folds around the rear of the combine and rests in a cradle during use. A folding unloading auger prevents the auger from extending an undesirable distance behind the combine when not used during unloading. The outer auger is manually removed from the cradle and moved to the unfolded and engaged position for an unloading operation. The outer auger is locked relative to the inner auger in the unfolded position using a manually operable latch arrangement.
What is needed in the art is a folding unloading auger which can be automatically moved between a folded and unfolded position, is held in the desired position, and positively engages the outer auger at a desired orientation.

Folding unloading auger engagement assistors


A small hand-held optical scanning device for the accurate and precise scanning of lines of text characters is described. The scanner does not require any mechanical means of providing tachometer-like or encoder-like scanning signals in order to establish an accurate reproduction of the scanned text. An auxiliary single element detector samples the scanned text at an advanced (retarded) position relative to the main one dimensional scanner of the device. This advanced detector sensor, together with appropriate and disclosed software algorithms, permits the accurate correction of baseline imperfections as well as corrections for scan-speed non-uniformities and basic scan-speed errors. The processed scanner output is sufficiently faithful to the scanned text that optical character recognition (OCR) software can precisely interpret the scanned images and subsequently provide an accurate ASCII representation of the scanned text. Arbitrary characters, such as Kanji symbols, can be scanned accurately, which also permits the application of optical character recognition (OCR) software which is dedicated to such text characters.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to optical scanners, and more specifically to devices that are designed to scan single lines of text characters.
2. Description of Prior Art
Early patents in the field of optical scanners that were designed for scanning single lines of text either addressed the use of two dimensional imaging detectors or did not discuss the problem of scan speed or speed uniformity when a one dimensional scan detector array was employed.
Scanners employing two dimensional array detectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,817,185 by Yamiguchi et.al, 4,158,194 by McWaters et.al., and, 3,947,817 by Requa (deceased) et.al.
One dimensional array "free running" scanners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,256,866 by Conversano et.al, and, 4,497,261 by Ishikawa et.al. As discussed below these patents do not address the situation of accurately reproducing the text image in a computer.
With the development of sophisticated optical character recognition (OCR) software the necessity of having an accurate image reproduction of the scanned text became apparent; i.e. the image of the text had to have the proper aspect ratio in order that the OCR software could function efficiently (aspect ratio is the ratio of the text height to the text width). If the aspect ratio was not precisely represented in the stored image of the text, then the OCR would be unable to accurately recognize a large percentage of the scanned characters, leaving an unacceptable number of characters to be manually processed.
With this insight concerning OCR software limitations, the next generation of text scanners, which employed one dimensional linear detector arrays that were to be linearly scanned along a line of text, employ an independent wheel or ball to roll along the surface of the document being scanned. This wheel is employed to provide tachometer-like information so that the detector array could be commanded to scan the document at preset and rigidly uniform distances along the line of text. Thus, for example, a scan could be initiated every 1/300 of an inch and the resultant text image would have an image resolution of 300 dots per inch (provided that the detector array had such resolution itself). This action is variously described as "tachometer", "synchronized", "commanded", or "encoded" scanning methodologies. Such scanner devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,595,445 by Bobry, 5,301,243 and 5,574,804 by Olschafskie et.al, 5,430,558 by Sohaei et.al, 5,175,422 by Koizumi et.al., 5,083,218 by Takasu et.al, 5,012,349 by deFay, and 4,797,544 by Montgomery et.al. One of the major problems with such encoder devices is that it is difficult to ensure that they track along the substrate, that is, the surface upon which the text characters reside, in a reliable and reproducible manner, i.e. they frequently slip or skip along the substrate and thereby fail to reliably reproduce an accurate text image. Also, continued use tends to produce a "dirty" encoder wheel/ball mechanism due to pick up of debris from the substrate. This requires continued attention and cleaning in order to provide an accurate encoding system. These are significant problems that are circumvented by this disclosure.
Of these patents, those by Olfschafski et.al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,243 and 5,574,804) describe the most compact of such devices in that the described scanner is pen-shaped and pen-sized. It retains a small ball shaped roller in the scanner nose piece which is employed as a scan encoder. That the encoder mechanical components are so small means that the problems of failure to track accurately and debris dirtying of the mechanism will be more of a problem for this device than for the other, larger systems.
One of the primary claims in the Olschafskie et.al. patents is for a scanner which has a transparent nose piece that permits intimate observation of the text being scanned and thus permits more precise scanning.
An additional problem which is present in "free hand" scanning is that the scanner is generally not precisely aligned with the baseline of the text being scanned. This is known as baseline "skew". Additionally, the scan baseline is usually not a straight line, but rather is curved or wavy.
One approach to compensating for both of these problems is addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,466 by Rokusek. The approach disclosed in this patent is very careful and is quite complex in application. In our work we discuss a relatively much simpler methodology for baseline corrections that prove quite adequate for the situation in which text of a known (or readily determined) height is being scanned.

Device and method for optical scanning of text


A release apparatus for a pull-type friction clutch wherein the coupling between the parts on the engine and the parts on the power train of a motor vehicle is automatically deactivated in response to separation of the engine from the power train, and is automatically reestablished during reassembly of the engine with the power train. The coupling employs a detent in the form of a resilient split wire ring which is carried by the parts on the engine or by the parts on the power train, and a complementary undercut member which is carried by the parts on the power train or by the parts on the engine and form-lockingly engages the detent when the two sets of parts assume predetermined axial positions relative to each other. A releasing device is provided on one set of parts to depress the detent into a socket in response to movement of the engine and the power train away from each other to thus deactivate the coupling.

The invention relates to improvements in so-called pull-type friction clutches. A pull-type clutch is constructed and assembled in such a way that it is disengaged to interrupt the transmission of torque between its input and output elements by pulling the clutch engaging/disengaging part or parts in a direction away from the clutch disc or clutch plate and against the resistance of one or more springs or other biasing means. In many pull-type friction clutches, the clutch engaging/disengaging means and the biasing means constitute a single part, particularly a diaphragm spring. The prongs of the diaphragm spring are affixed to a connecting device, such as a dished or disc-shaped element, which must be subjected to a pull in order to disengage or deactivate the friction clutch. The radially outer portion of the diaphragm spring engages the cover or another part of the friction clutch, and a radially inner portion of the diaphragm spring engages an axially moveble pressure plate of the friction clutch. The situation is analogous in so-called lever-actuated pull-type friction clutches wherein the biasing means and the engaging/disengaging means constitute separate parts.
Pull-type friction clutches exhibit a number of important advantages over the so-called push-type friction clutches. However, when a conventional pull-type friction clutch is used in a motor vehicle to serve as a means for establishing or interrupting a torque transmitting connection between the output element (e.g., a crankshaft) of an internal combustion engine and the input element of a power train (such as the input shaft of a variable-speed transmission), the establishment and interruption of an operative connection between the engine and the power train are much more complicated than in the case of a push-type friction clutch.
German Pats. Nos. 26 13 952 and 26 39 766 propose the establishment of a connection between a pull-type friction clutch on the one hand, and the engine and the power train of a motor vehicle on the other hand. The power train carries a guide member which can be tracked by an axially movable follower. An antifriction bearing is installed between the clutch disengaging means (constituted by the prongs of a diaphragm spring) and the follower. The bearing has a first race which rotates with the diaphragm spring and a second race which does not rotate and is mounted on the follower. The patented pull-type friction clutches further comprise at least one connector between the disengaging means and the guide member. The latter is an elongated tube which is carried by the power train, and the follower is a sleeve which is shiftable along the tube by a forked actuator. The patents also propose to employ a follower which constitutes the piston of a hydraulic motor whose cylinder constitutes the guide member.
The means for connecting the engine with the power train comprises at least one male coupling member which can be caused to penetrate into a recess or space and to engage a retaining member which cooperates with the male coupling member to prevent separation of first clutch components on the engine from second clutch components on the power train. The first components can be mounted on the engine, and the second components can be mounted on the power train before such first and second components are coupled to each other. The male coupling member can comprise a split ring, one or more spherical parts or one or more spreadable jaws or claws, and this coupling member is constructed and mounted in such a way that it automatically engages the retaining member or members in response to movement of the engine and power train to predetermined positions relative to each other or in response to the application of an external force, such as by the forked actuator of the clutch disengaging means. The aforementioned patents fail to disclose or suggest a system which would facilitate repeated rapid and convenient separation of the engine and the power train from each other or repeated rapid and convenient reconnection of the engine and of the power train to one another.
A modified system for assembling a pull-type friction clutch between an engine and a power train is disclosed in published French patent application No. 2 588 337 and in published European patent application No. 0 164 871. The engine and the power train can be automatically coupled to each other in a manner as disclosed in the aforediscussed German patents. The connecting or coupling means comprises a ring which can be caused to snap into a groove or recess. The disengagement or uncoupling can be carried out automatically and involves axial movement of a sleeve in a direction counter to that which is required to disengage the friction clutch. Otherwise stated, uncoupling of the engine from the power train must be preceded by a movement of the sleeve in the direction of movement of the sleeve in response to wear upon the friction linings and/or other parts of the clutch plate which is installed between the flywheel and the pressure plate of the friction clutch. This entails a number of serious drawbacks. For example, if the force which is applied to connect the engine with the power train (such force must be applied in the direction of the application of force to disengage the assembled friction clutch), the parts to be connected to each other are likely to advance beyond their intended positions with the result that the actual coupling is immediately followed by uncoupling. The published French patent application proposes a coupling which can be used to reconnect immediately following disconnection without any interference from the outside. However, such interference is necessary in accordance with the proposal which is disclosed in the published European patent application. Thus, if the connection between the clutch components on the engine and the clutch components on the power train is interrupted, the engine and the power train must be fully separated from each other prior to reestablishment of a connection between the two sets of components. Unintentional separation can take place in the motor vehicle while the vehicle is in actual use, for example, as a result of pronounced vibrations and/or other undesirable stray movements. This can result in excessive movement of certain parts between the two sets of clutch components beyond their operative positions (as seen in the direction of engagement of the friction clutch). Such excessive movement can also take place when the clutch pedal is permitted to perform certain snap-type movements or when the foot of the operator happens to slip off the clutch pedal. The inertia of those parts which are caused to move as a result of the just described improper or unintended manipulation of the clutch pedal is likely to cause excessive movements of the coupling elements beyond their optimal positions to thus initiate accidental uncoupling of clutch components on the engine from the clutch components on the power train. The consequences of accidental uncoupling are or can be so serious that the just described pull-type friction clutches have failed to gain acceptance in the relevant industries.
A further mode of installing a pull-type friction clutch between the engine and the power train of a motor vehicle is disclosed in published European patent application No. 0 044 691, in published French patent application No. 2 540 585 and in published German patent application No. 35 39 889. A tubular guide is employed to effect radial displacements of coupling elements in response to movement of the engine and the power train relative to each other. The coupling elements are connected to each other in response to movement of the engine and the power train nearer to one another, and the connection between the coupling elements is interrupted when the engine and the power train move apart. A drawback of the just outlined proposals is that the parts to be connected to one another must assume accurately determined positions of axial alignment with one another. At the same time, the engine and the power train must be moved with reference to each other. The forked disengaging element and one group of components must be moved against the other group of components and must be maintained in accurately determined positions in order to ensure that the coupling elements can actually and properly engage one another. If the movements are not completed with a very high degree of accuracy, the aforementioned tubular member prevents the movements of the engine and the power train toward each other, and the application of additional force can result in damage to parts of the engine, power train and/or friction clutch. Another drawback of the just discussed proposals is that the forked actuator must perform large pivotal movements in order to shift the components to be coupled sufficiently close to each other before the engine and the power train are moved toward one another. As a rule, there is no room for such extensive pivotal movements of the fork. An additional drawback of the systems which are disclosed in the European patent application No. 0 044 691 and in the French patent application 2 540 585 is that the coupling elements engage the tubular guide during uncoupling of the engine from the power train; this results in the development of extensive friction and pronounced wear.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,039 granted Oct. 18, 1988 to Thomas Eliasson for "Friction clutch having premounted release bearing and premounted release mechanism" discloses a cylinder housing for an annular sleeve-like piston. A clutch release bearing carries a lock ring for attachment to a diaphragm spring before the engine and the gearbox are coupled to each other. The cylinder housing, the piston and a supporting tube for the piston are secured to the gearbox. The coupling mechanism is installed between the piston and the supporting tube. Prior to coupling of the gearbox to the engine, the piston is moved to a fully retracted position and is arrested in such position by a sleeve in cooperation with two stops. At such time, the sleeve is held on the supporting tube in a predetermined axial position by being confined between the two stops. When the connection of the engine and the gearbox to each other is completed, the piston is displaced from the retracted position in response to admission of a pressurized fluid into a chamber of the cylinder housing whereby the sleeve advances into a space within an annulus of rollers to push the rollers radially outwardly and to thus permit a wire ring to couple a flange to a shoulder. The sleeve continues to move axially in response to admission of additional fluid into the cylinder chamber to complete the establishment of a connection between the piston and the disengaging means. The connection between such parts remains intact as long as the engine and the gearbox remain connected to each other. During dismantling, i.e., during movement of the engine and the gearbox away from each other, the clutch release bearing remains attached to the diaphragm spring and causes the wire ring to pull the piston back to its retracted position. In the next step, one of the stops moves the sleeve away from the space within the rolling elements so that these elements can move radially inwardly, together with the wire ring, to thus complete the separation of clutch components on the engine from clutch components on the gearbox.
A drawback of the proposal of Eliasson is that uncoupling of the two halves of the friction clutch cannot be immediately followed by reconnection of such parts. The reason is that the one stop cannot reassume its original position and, therefore, the sleeve is also incapable of moving back to the locking position. The reestablishment of a proper connection between the two sets of parts is possible only by fully separating the engine from the gearbox and by thereafter fully dismantling the cylinder housing and the supporting tube.

Release apparatus for pull-type friction clutches


A method for forming a flexographic plate includes providing a halftone image; detecting an edge region of image features and an interior region of image features; applying fine pixel mask pattern to the edge regions; applying coarse pixel mask pattern to the interior regions; combining the fine patterned edge and the coarse patterned interior into a patterned image; and imaging the flexographic plate.

In graphic arts technology, a number of well-established printing processes utilize image carriers with three-dimensional (3D) representation of data, the most popular of them being flexographic printing, which uses flexible relief plates or sleeves. The relief is composed of the raised features on the plate such as the features labeled 204, 208, and 212 in FIG. 2. It is the relief that accepts and transfers ink to the substrate. In a traditional flexographic prepress process with chemical etching there is no possibility of fine control of relief properties other than depth of relief 216.
Flexographic printing uses a flexible relief plate to print on a wide variety of substrates including paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal films. A simplified diagram of a flexographic printing press is shown in FIG. 1. Ink 10 in a fountain pan is taken up by a rubber roller 12 and transferred to the surface of the Anilox roller 14. The surface of the Anilox roller is composed of an array of indented cells that allow careful metering of the ink volume. A doctor blade 16 removes any excess ink from the roller before the ink is transferred to the printing plate cylinder 18. Mounted on the plate cylinder is a flexographic printing plate 20. The final step transfers the ink from the plate to the substrate 22 with the impression cylinder 24 supplying support for the substrate.
The process used to produce an image on flexible relief plate usually comprises the following steps:
Exposing the back of the plate to UV light;
Exposing an intermediate film to the desired image;
Laminating the film to the top of the plate;
Exposing the plate though the film using UV light;
Removing the film;
Using a solvent to wash away the unexposed plate material;
Applying additional exposure to harden the plate; and
Drying the plate to remove as much of the solvent as possible.
The back exposure is used to establish the floor of the plate. The intensity of the exposure decreases as the illumination penetrates the plate because of absorbers added to the plate material. Once the intensity drops below a threshold value, there is insufficient cross linking in the polymer comprising the plate and the remaining under-exposed polymer can be washed away. This is usually the top 0.5 mm of the plate. To form the relief, the front of the plate is exposed, through an image layer with enough intensity that sufficient cross linking occurs all the way down to the plate floor.
For every opening in the image layer, a cone of UV light with an angle of about 40 degrees from a normal to the plane propagates through the plate forming cone shaped relief dots. A cross-section of a plate 200 is shown in FIG. 2. The following features are depicted in the cross-section 200: a solid area 204; an isolated dot 208; and an array 212 of closely spaced dots created by a halftone screen. The height of the plate relief is shown by numeral 216 and plate floor by numeral 220.
Ink uniformity and density can be improved if a surface pattern or texture is applied to the flat tops of the relief as shown in the FIG. 3. The stretched checkerboard pattern 304 is composed of 5×10 micron rectangles and works well for process inks printed on a paper substrate.
Such a fine pattern has an additional advantage in that it allows the edges of printing features to be well defined. The pattern does have its limits. When printing on plastic substrates, voids can appear in large features due to air entrapment. The pattern also performs poorly if large volumes of ink need to be transferred to the substrate. To eliminate these problems, a coarser pattern is required. However, a coarser pattern will compromise edge definition.
In flexographic printing, large solid areas of relief can suffer from a number of artifacts. The ink deposits unevenly, resulting in a reduction in color density and in a mottled appearance to the solid. Ink can be squeezed off the relief near edges resulting in low ink density just inside the edge and high density just outside the edge. Air bubbles trapped between the plate and substrate can cause voids to appear at the trailing edge of large features. Prior art exists to mitigate some these problems as described below.
Early flexography printing relied on a flat, smooth surface for the relief. FIG. 4 shows a section of halftone with a smooth relief. In large solid regions of image, the ink deposition was uneven resulting in a reduction in measured ink density. With high impression force, ink often squeezed out at relief edges reducing ink density just inside the edge with a ring of high density ink just outside the edge.
One method of improving the performance of the plate is to apply a very fine pattern 504, shown in FIG. 5, to the surface of the relief. This creates a texture that is smaller than the resolution of the flexographic printing method. The stretched checkerboard of FIG. 5 is one such example.
The dimensions of the pixels shown in FIG. 5 are 5.3 by 10.6 microns. The pixels that form on the plate are slightly smaller, creating small gaps between pixels at the corners. The edges of the pixels fall off at an angle of about 40 degrees to a valley floor, 3 to 4 microns below the relief surface. This shape allows ink to settle in the valleys and to migrate between valleys at the pixel corners. The result is a more even deposition of ink on the substrate.
Some imaging devices used to make flexographic plates do not have sufficient resolution to image very fine textures. For these devices, another method using coarser textures was developed. The problem with coarser textures is that the dot edge can be compromised. To avoid this, patterning is suppressed a set distance from the dot edge (the keep-away). FIG. 10 shows one implementation of this method. A coarser pattern 1004 is used in the interior of the relief and a 2 pixel keep-away 1008 is implemented at the edges. This keep-away 1008 conserves the shape of the dot.
The pattern shown in FIG. 10 is a regularly spaced pattern but this is not a requirement of the method. Stochastic screening methods have been used to randomly locate voids in the relief areas without violating the keep-away rule. An example of the stochastic method can be seen in the lower left corner of FIG. 3 identified as 'Traditional Plate Cell Patterning' 308.
To overcome the weakness of these methods, this invention combines a fine pattern at the edges of printing features with a coarser pattern in the interior of the features.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method for preparing a copper-clad laminated board for a printed circuit board which comprises: (a) preparing a prepreg by permeating a thermosetting resin into a fabric and then drying the resulting material to a half-hardened state, (b) laminating a both-side roughened copper foil on both sides or one side of the prepreg or a plurality of prepregs bonded together, (c) placing the resulting laminate from step (b) between both press plates of a press machine, (d) placing a polyamide film having a melting point equal to or higher than 170.degree. C. between the exposed side of the both-side roughened copper foil of the laminate and a press plate, (e) pressing the laminate with the press plates of the press machine at a temperature of 170.degree. C. or higher, a pressure of 10 kgf/cm.sup.2 or higher for a time of 60 minutes or longer, (f) separating the laminate from the press machine and (g) peeling the polyamide film from the laminate to obtain the copper-clad laminated board. The copper-clad laminated board can be used for a printed circuit board.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a copper-clad laminated board for a printed circuit board, which uses a mold releasing film, such as a polyamide-type film.
Methods of producing a copper-clad laminated board (hereinafter abbreviated as "CCLB") for a multi-layered printed circuit board (hereinafter abbreviated as "MLPCB") include press molding of a both-side roughened copper foil (hereinafter abbreviated as "BSRCF") placed on a single prepreg therewith, and press molding of BSRCFs placed on both sides of a lamination of multiple prepregs therewith. The roughening of a copper foil is performed to improve the bonding between the copper foil and the prepreg.
However, a BSRCF has a shortcoming that when it is pressed with a prepreg, the fine ruggedness on the roughened surface of the copper foil, which is pressed with a press plate, is likely to be crushed.
To prevent the crushing of the ruggedness on the surface of the BSRCF, a metal film such as a copper foil or aluminum foil, or a conventionally used organic film such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, triphenylpentene or TEDRA (trade name of a resin film made by Du Pont) is placed between a press plate and a BSRCF at the time of press molding.
Hereupon, prepregs were acquired by permeating a thermosetting resin, such as phenolic resin, an epoxy resin, a polyimide resin, an epoxy modified polyimide resin or a cyanate ester resin, in a fabric or nonwoven fabric of a glass fiber, an aramid fiber, a polyester fiber, a carbon fiber, or paper, and drying the resultant structure.
However, when a metal foil is used, when there is a resin powder or the like remaining on the press plate, the metal foil stick on the press plate at that remaining portion and remains as foreign matter on the press plate, producing so-called stamping marks. Besides, when the aforementioned plastic film is used, it does not have the desirable property of separation from the press plate. Also, even when the plastic film is peeled off from the BSRCF, printing of that film surface on the surface of the BSRCF would be seen on the electron microscopic level due to cleavage fracture of the film used. This printing will have a bad effect upon the subsequent process of the molded CCLB.

Method of producing copper-clad laminated board


A reclosable package includes a pair of opposing walls, a reclosable seal and a barrier partition. The pair of opposing wall panels are joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridges the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom. The reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing reclosable elements. The first and second reclosable elements are releasably engageable to each other. The barrier partition comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The barrier partition extends substantially across the pair of opposing wall panels in the receptacle space.

The present invention relates generally to reclosable packages with barrier properties. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of particular materials as partitions that are substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Reclosable packages or bags are very common, especially in the food industry. Such packages are typically made to be reclosable via the use of a reclosable element or fastener such as a resealable adhesive seal or a reclosable zipper. Such zippers may be opened and closed either by pressure or by the use of an auxiliary slider mechanism.
Reclosable packages are a great convenience to consumers, especially for products such as luncheon meats and cheeses where, typically, only a portion of the product is used at any given time. One problem with these reclosable packages, however, is that the packages are not substantially impermeable to various gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. These gases may enter into the packages from the external atmosphere causing food spoilage.
One attempt to address this problem has involved encapsulating the reclosable feature by extending the wall panels of the package. One disadvantage of this type of package is that the extended wall panels may interfere with the operation of opening and closing the package, resulting in customer dissatisfaction. Another disadvantage includes higher product costs involved with using additional resins for extending the wall panels. This type of package also involves an additional step for the customer of removing a tear strip or manually cutting the wall panels to gain access to the package.
A need therefore exists for packages or bags being substantially impermeable to gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon without having the above-noted disadvantages.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a reclosable package includes a pair of opposing walls, a reclosable seal and a barrier partition. The pair of opposing wall panels are joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridges the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom. The reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing reclosable elements. The first and second reclosable elements are releasably engageable to each other. The barrier partition comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The barrier partition extends substantially across the pair of opposing wall panels in the receptacle space.
According to another embodiment, a reclosable package includes a pair of opposing walls, a reclosable seal and a barrier partition. The reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing tracks. The first and second tracks include respective first and second profiles. The first and second opposing tracks are releasably engageable to each other. The first and second tracks are connected to the respective opposing wall panels. The first and second profiles include at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The barrier means are proximate to upper edges of the respective first and second profiles. The barrier means are substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
According to another embodiment, a reclosable package includes a barrier partition comprising at least a first layer that includes a material selected from the group consisting of vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, polyester, ethylene vinyl dichloride, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, modified polyolefins with barrier properties, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitriles copolymers, polyacetal, cellophane or combinations thereof.
According to a further embodiment, a fastener of the present invention includes first and second opposing elements, a first fin portion and a second fin portion. The first and second opposing reclosable elements are releasably engageable to each other. The first fin portion extends downward from the first reclosable element. The first fin portion comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The second fin portion extends downward from the second reclosable element. The second fin portion comprises at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The second fin portion and the first fin portion are joined to each other.
According to a yet another embodiment, a fastener of the present invention includes first and second opposing tracks that are releasably engageable to each other. The first and second opposing tracks have a first and second profile, respectively. The first and second profiles comprise at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
According to one process of the present invention, a coating is applied to a reclosable bag. The provided reclosable bag comprises a pair of opposing wall panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the opposing sides to create a receptacle space having a mouth end opposite the bottom. A reclosable seal extends along the mouth end and includes first and second opposing tracks. The first and second tracks include respective first and second profiles. The first and second opposing tracks are releasably engageable to each other. The first and second tracks are connected to the respective opposing wall panels. The process also includes applying a coating to at least a portion of the first and second tracks. The coating includes at least a first layer that is substantially impermeable to at least one of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Reclosable packages with barrier properties


The clamping apparatus comprises a first coupling element and a second coupling element that can be releasably attached thereto. The first coupling element is provided with four at least partially conical centering pins that are adapted to engage four grooves correspondingly arranged on the second coupling element. Both coupling elements have stop surfaces serving as Z references, cooperating upon clamping together the two coupling elements to determine the position of the second coupling element with regard to the first coupling element in Z-direction once they are clamped together. The centering pins are, in relation to the grooves, designed such that each centering pin rests only on one flank of the associated groove. Thus, a gap remains between the centering pin and the other flank of the groove. Out of the overall eight groove flanks of the four grooves, the centering pins rest on in each case two pairs of diametrically opposite flanks, while they do not rest on the two further pairs of oppositely located flanks.

The present invention refers to a clamping apparatus, comprising a first coupling element provided with at least three centering pins having at least partially conical shape and a second coupling element adapted to be releasably attached to said first coupling element. The second coupling element is provided with a number of grooves corresponding to the number of the centering pins provided on the first coupling element such that the centering pins provided on the first coupling element engage the grooves when the second coupling element is attached to the first coupling element.
The first and second coupling elements both are provided with Z reference stop surfaces adapted to cooperate such as to determine the position of the second coupling element with regard to the first coupling element in Z-direction when the second coupling element is attached to the first coupling element.
Such clamping apparatuses are preferably used for clamping a coupling element provided with a workpiece or with several work-pieces in a well-defined position in the machining area of a machine tool. The one coupling element provided with the workpiece is usually designated as workpiece carrier or pallet, while the other coupling element, fixed in the machining area of the machine tool, is usually designated as chuck.
In known clamping apparatuses, one of the coupling elements, i.e. the chuck, is provided with four centering pins, each comprising two conical lateral surfaces. The other coupling element, i.e. the workpiece carrier or pallet, is provided with four grooves, corresponding to the four-centering pins as far as position and shape is concerned. During the operation of clamping the workpiece carrier to the chuck, the centering pins engage the grooves and align the workpiece carrier with regard to the chuck in X- and Y-directions as well as with regard to its angular position around the Z-axis. A fundamental disadvantage of such known clamping apparatuses may be seen in the fact that the centering pins may jam or seize in the grooves upon clamping the workpiece carrier to the chuck.


A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. The panels may be constructed from blow-molded plastic and a first pattern may be disposed on one surface and a second pattern may be disposed on an opposing surface. One or more points of intersection may be located where the first pattern and the second pattern overlie, and a depression may be disposed at the points of intersection. The depressions are preferably sized and configured to increase the strength and/or rigidity of the panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to enclosures and, in particular, to modular enclosures.
2. Description of Related Art
Many types of enclosures are used for storing various items such as tools, machines, lawn care equipment, recreational equipment, athletic equipment, supplies and the like. Conventional storage enclosures often include walls, a door, a floor and a roof. The walls, door, floor and roof of typical storage enclosures often include one or more parts that are interconnected. The walls, door, floor and roof may then be attached to form the enclosure.
A well known type of storage enclosure is a shed. Conventional sheds are typically relatively small structures that may be either freestanding or attached to another structure, and sheds are often used for storage and/or shelter. Disadvantageously, conventional sheds often require a substantial amount of time, labor, skill and effort to build and construct. Conventional sheds may include one or more windows or vents to allow light and air to enter the shed. The windows and vents of many conventional sheds, however, often require a number of interconnected components and are difficult to manufacture and install. Additionally, many conventional sheds are difficult to repair, modify, change or rearrange because the sheds may be difficult or impossible to disassemble or dismantle. Accordingly, it is often impractical or unfeasible to move or reconfigure many conventional sheds.
Conventional sheds are often constructed from wood. Wooden sheds, however, are relatively heavy and require a large amount of time to construct and assemble. In particular, wooden sheds are frequently constructed from a large number of support beams, trusses, sidewalls and roof panels that are connected by a large number of screws or bolts. These numerous parts typically increase the costs of the shed and require a large amount of time and effort to construct the shed. In addition, wooden sheds typically deteriorate over time and often require continual maintenance. For example, conventional wooden sheds may be damaged by rotting or otherwise deteriorating when exposed to the elements. In addition, the wood may warp or decay over time. In order to help protect the wood from being damaged, conventional sheds must be periodically painted, stained or otherwise finished. Undesirably, this may result in significant maintenance costs.
Known sheds may also be constructed from metal. For example, the roof and walls of conventional metal sheds may be constructed from sheet metal. Disadvantageously, the sheet metal is often flexible and easily damaged. In particular, the sheet metal walls may be damaged by forces being applied to either the inner or outer walls of the shed. In particular, this may cause the walls to undesirably bow inwardly or outwardly and, in some circumstances, may create an opening in the wall. Significantly, the damaged sheet metal may be more susceptible to rust or corrosion and the damaged sheet metal may be very difficult to repair or replace. In addition, conventional metal sheds often require a plurality of screws or bolts to assemble the shed, which may increase manufacturing costs and the time required to assemble the shed. Moreover, metal sheds often have a tendency to rust and deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to the elements. Thus, metal sheds may have to be painted or otherwise protected from rusting or oxidation.
The materials used to construct conventional sheds are often heavy and bulky. For example, many conventional sheds have a length of 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.7 meters), and a width of 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.7 meters). In particular, known sheds are often 8 feet by 8 feet (2.4 by 2.4 meters), 8 feet by 10 feet (2.4 by 3 meters), 8 feet by 12 feet (2.4 by 3.7 meters), 10 feet by 12 feet (3 by 3.7 meters) or 12 feet by 12 feet (3.7 by 3.7 meters). Thus, the components used to constructed these sheds are often elongated and may have a length of 6 feet (1.8 meters) or more and a width of 2 feet (0.6 meters) or greater. Accordingly, many of the components are large and bulky. In addition, if these components are constructed from wood or metal, then the components may be very heavy. Thus, the components of conventional sheds may be large, awkward, heavy and generally unwieldy.
Many conventional sheds are shipped in an unassembled configuration because of their large size in the assembled configuration. The weight of the components, however, may result in significant shipping expenses and those expenses may be compounded every time the shed is transported or shipped. For example, there may be significant costs when the manufacturer ships the shed to the retailer, which the consumer may ultimately have to pay. Many consumers may have to pay more to have the shed delivered from the retailer because of the weight of the packaging. In addition, many consumers may be unwilling or unable to purchase these conventional sheds because they have no practical way of taking the shed home. Specifically, many consumers are unable to lift or move the packaging of many conventional sheds. In particular, the consumer may also have to rent or borrow a forklift to load and unload the shed from the vehicle. Accordingly, these large costs and difficulties in transportation may discourage many potential consumers from purchasing conventional sheds.
In addition to conventional sheds being constructed from heavy and bulky materials and components, conventional sheds are often shipped in very large and heavy boxes. These gigantic shipping boxes often will not fit in a typical retail consumer's vehicle. Accordingly, the consumer may have to rent or borrow a vehicle, such as a truck, to take the shed home.
In greater detail, a conventional shed having a width of 10 feet (3 meters), a length of 8 feet (2.4 meters) and a height of 7 feet (2.1 meters) that is constructed from polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastic is shipped in a box having a length of 96 inches (2.4 meters), a width of 48 inches (1.2 meters) and a height of 36 inches (0.9 meters). Thus, the packaging has a volume of 96 cubic feet (2.7 cubic meters). Another known shed, which is constructed from blow-molded and injection-molded plastic, has a width of 7 feet (2.1 meters), a length of 7 feet (2.1 meters) and a height of 8 feet (2.4 meters) is shipped in a box that has a length of 78 inches (2 meters), a width of 48 inches (1.2 meters) and a height of 32 inches (0.8 meters). This packaging has a volume of 69.3 cubic feet (2 cubic meters). Still another known shed, which is constructed from roto-molded plastic and plastic coated aluminum, has a width of 7 feet (2.1 meters), a length of 7 feet (2.1 meters) and a height of 8 feet, 8 inches (2.6 meters) is shipped in a box that has a length of 100 inches (2.5 meters), a width of 55 inches (1.4 meters) and a height of 50 inches (1.27 meters), and this packaging has a volume of 159.1 cubic feet (4.5 cubic meters) and a weight of 540 pounds (245 kilograms) including the packaging. Still yet another known shed, which is constructed from injection-molded plastic, has a width of 7 feet (2.1 meters), a length of 7 feet (2.1 meters) and a height of 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) is shipped in a box that has a length of 96 inches (2.4 meters), a width of 48 inches (1.2 meters) and a height of 46 inches (1.17 meters). This packaging has a volume of about 69.3 cubic feet (1.9 cubic meters) and a weight of 350 pounds (159 kilograms) including the packaging. A further known shed that is constructed from blow-molded plastic has a width of 7 feet (2.1 meters), a length of 15.5 feet (4.7 meters) and a height of 6.5 feet (2 meters) is shipped in a box that has a length of 96 inches (2.4 meters), a width of 48 inches (1.2 meters) and a height of 48 inches (1.2 meters), and this packaging has a volume of 128 cubic feet (3.6 cubic meters) and a weight of 548 pounds (249 kilograms) including the packaging. Another conventional shed is constructed from roto-molded plastic and it has a width of 5.5 feet (1.7 meters), a length of 6 feet (1.8 meters) and a height of 6.5 feet (2 meters). This known shed is shipped in packaging having a length of 77 inches (1.96 meters), a width of 38 inches (0.96 meters), a height of 12 inches (0.3 meters) and a weight of 248 pounds (112 kilograms). Still another conventional shed is constructed from extruded polypropylene and it has a width of 8 feet (2.4 meters), a length of 6 feet (1.8 meters) and a height of 7 feet (2.1 meters). This shed is shipped in packaging having a length of 78 inches (2 meters), a width of 30 inches (0.76 meters), a height of 33 inches (0.84 meters) and a weight of 318 pounds (144 kilograms). Yet another conventional shed is constructed from thermo-formed ABS plastic and it has a width of 8 feet (2.4 meters), a length of 8 feet (2.4 meters) and a height of 6 feet (1.8 meters). This shed is shipped in packaging having a length of 66 inches (1.68 meters), a width of 39.5 inches (1 meter), a height of 15 inches (0.38 meters) and a weight of 325 pounds (147 kilograms). Accordingly, the size and weight of many known sheds is substantial, which may greatly complicate and increase the costs of shipping.
Because conventional sheds are shipped in boxes that have such a large size and volume, fewer sheds may be shipped in standard shipping containers or in commercial trailers. Accordingly, the shipping costs per shed (such as, from a supplier to a retailer) can be significantly increased. Also, because these packaged sheds are so large and heavy, many shippers may find it difficult to efficiently deliver the sheds and may refuse to ship the sheds. In addition, because many conventional packaged sheds are so large and heavy, they typically must be shipped to consumers using freight shippers, which may charge even more for these heavy, large and awkward boxes. In some instances, this cost may be simply too large for a customer to justify the purchase.
Known storage sheds are also typically constructed of a variety of awkwardly shaped components, which can be difficult to ship and can be susceptible to damage if shipped. In order to ship and protect these awkwardly shaped components, large amounts of packaging materials may be required. The packing material, however, takes additional space in the packaging and the packing material increases the shipping costs. In addition, because the components may be awkwardly shaped, custom packing materials may be required and the packing material may be irreparably damaged during shipping. Thus, the packing material may not be reusable and may create a significant amount of waste. Further, it may require a significant amount of time to prepare these awkward components for shipping, and this may increase labor costs and decrease manufacturing efficiency. Finally, the awkwardly shaped components often consume a large amount of area, which may increase the overall volume required to ship the shed and that may correspondingly increasing shipping costs.
Conventional sheds are also often constructed from a variety of interconnected components that form a number of joints or seams. Disadvantageously, these seams or joints are often susceptible to leaks. For example, the seams or joints may allow water to enter the shed and the water can damage whatever is stored within the shed.
In addition, many sheds are subjected to a variety of adverse weather conditions and some conventional sheds may be damaged if they are constructed from weak materials or poorly assembled. For example, conventional sheds may be damaged by heavy winds. Known sheds may also have a flat or slightly sloped roof, which may allow snow to collect on the roof. Undesirably, the snow may damage the roof and, in extreme circumstances, may cause the roof to collapse. The flat roofs may also allow water and other objects to collect on the roof, which may damage the roof and/or leak through the roof and into the shed.


A web session may be shared between two or more browser clients both viewing the same content on the same web content server. By providing a proxy device on the server side of the network, bandwidth may be utilized effectively. As one example, a help session may be initiated via a proxy device on the server side of the network. Session sharing may be provided with an additional server side browser. The server side browser may be manned by help desk personnel who may communicate with the user of a client browser at the same time both the user and the help desk personnel are viewing the same web page.

This invention relates generally to establishing web sessions.
A session is a data stream from a content server. Conventionally, a client, connected over a network such as the Internet, accesses web pages on a web server. The client does this by making a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) request to a server that responds with the requested information. As a result, a web session is established which conventionally is a private session between a single browser client user and the addressed web server.
Users may need help in connection with various web sites or web pages. Generally, when the user needs help, the user may operate a soft help button and receives, in effect, pre-prepared information. Alternatively, the user may contact the web site provider, for example, over a telephone or electronic mail link. In many cases, the web site provider has a large number of web pages and may be uncertain exactly which web page the user has concerns about. In many cases, the web site provider provides assistance to the web page user without viewing the web page or without a complete understanding of the precise nature of the user's problem.
The quality of the service provided and the amount of time needed to help the user may suffer because the web site provider may not have a clear understanding of the exact issue raised by the user. In some cases, the web site provider can attempt to work through the web pages starting from the home page to attempt to recreate the situation plaguing the user. However, in some cases, the user may not remember exactly how the user arrived at a given page. In other cases, it may take an extended amount of time for the web site provider to arrive at the same location in the web site currently creating the problem for the user.
Thus, the private nature of a web session between a client browser and the server may create problems. One instance of these problems arise with the provision of online help services because the help service provider may be unable to see what the user sees.
Other problems that arise from the private nature of web sessions include the inability of a plurality of users to communicate effectively while viewing a web page. Again, the private nature of the Internet access protocol generally limits the number of users that may participate in a given session.
Thus, there is a need for a way to share a particular web session among users.

System for sharing a browser session between two clients with one of the clients on server side of a client server communication protocol


The present invention relates to a developer mixture for a thermal recording material, which comprises a mixture of the first organic developer comprising a condensate or a condensed composition represented by the formula (I):

In general, a thermal recording material (thermal recording medium) is obtained by pulverizing and dispersing a basic dye which is colorless or pale at ambient temperature and an organic developer as ultrafine particles, mixing them, mixing them with a binder, a filler, a sensitizer, a lubricant, other additive and the like, applying the resulting coating solution to a support such as paper, film plastic and the like, and drying to form a heat-coloring layer, wherein the heat-coloring layer of the thermal recording material is heated with a thermal head, a thermal pen, a laser beam and the like to afford developed color records. The basic principle of this recording method is considered to be based on the chemical contact of an electron donative dye and the organic developer in the heat-coloring layer, which changes the dye to a chromoplast. Since this recording method (i.e., thermal recording method) is characterized in that it does not require complicated treatments such as development, fixing and the like, as compared to other recording techniques (recording methods) now in practice, recording can be done in a short time at a comparatively low cost with a simple recording apparatus (recording means), maintenance is not necessary, noise does not occur during recording, and the obtained color is highly clear, it has been widely used as a recording method for printers for computer output, calculator and the like, recorder for medical measurement, facsimile, automatic ticket machine, labeling field, copying machine and the like. In recent years, however, the required quality of thermal recording materials (thermal recording media) is becoming higher as versatile and high performance apparatuses of those mentioned above have been developed and, for example, since the thermal energy of thermal heads of recording apparatuses tends to become very small as high speed recording and miniaturization of apparatuses proceeds, thermal recording materials (thermal recording media) are requested to have sensitivity enabling formation of high density and clear color image even with a small thermal energy.
As developer to be contained in the heat-coloring layer of thermal recording materials, various compounds having a phenolic hydroxyl group have been conventionally proposed (e.g., JP-B-40-9309, JP-B-43-4160, JP-B-45-14039, JP-B-51-29830, JP-A-56-144193 etc.). Of these, bisphenol compound, 4-hydroxybenzoate and the like have been practically used alone or in combination of several kinds thereof. However, thermal recording materials formed using such conventionally proposed developers have many problems of, for example, low heat response, insufficient color density obtained by high speed recording, uneven colors, time course changes in color image density after recording, discoloration during preservation, degraded heat-stable color of non-image areas, white powdery surface precipitation (so-called blooming), low reprintability and the like.
Hence, JP-A-9-278695, JP-A-2001-96926 and the like recently disclose methods using trisphenol compounds as developer or color degradation inhibitor. According to the study of the present inventors, however, addition of these compounds to the heat-coloring layer failed to afford sufficiently high color sensitivity. In addition, as developers, JP-A-58-181686 discloses a method comprising use of a 2,2′-methylenediphenol compound, WO02/098674 discloses a method comprising use of a condensate of a 2,2′-methylenedi-t-butylphenol compound and a condensed composition thereof, and WO03/029017 discloses a method comprising use of a condensate of a 2,2′-diphenol compound and a condensed composition thereof. However, use of the phenolic compounds described in these publications as developers failed to afford sufficiently high color sensitivity, and image stability such as heat resistance, moisture resistance, weatherability and the like was not sufficient. Moreover, JP-A-2003-154760 and JP-A-2003-154761 tried to improve image stability by a combined use of the aforementioned phenolic compounds (developer) with a stabilizer and a particular sensitizer, but these methods also failed to afford sufficient color sensitivity to meet the recent high-speed recordation and low energy consumption. As the situation stands, a thermal recording material sufficiently satisfying the recent requirement for high sensitivity as well as good image stability has not been obtained yet.
In view of the above-mentioned situation, the problem of the present invention is to provide a novel embodiment of a developer enabling to afford a thermal recording material sufficiently satisfying the recent requirement for high sensitivity, and good preservation stability of color image and non-image areas (particularly heat resistance and moisture resistance) and a thermal recording material using the developer, which has good preservation stability (particularly heat resistance and moisture resistance) of color images and non-image areas.

Developer mixture for thermal recording materials and thermal recording materials

Abstract: wherein R is a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group, n is an integer of 0 to 5, and X and Y are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group, andthe second organic developer other than the first organic developer (except 2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane), a developer mixture for a thermal recording material, and a thermal recording material having a heat-coloring layer containing the developer mixture. Using the developer mixture for a thermal recording material of the present invention, a thermal recording material sufficiently satisfying the recent requirement for high sensitivity, and having superior preservation stability of color images and non-image areas can be realized.


A data bus controller is provided. The data bus controller comprises an ingress interface that receives single data streams of encoded data. A multiplexer is connected to the ingress interface and combines the single data streams into a broadcast data stream of encoded data. An egress interface connected to the multiplexer transmits the broadcast data stream. An arbiter is connected to the multiplexer. The arbiter generates control data for controlling the multiplexing of the single data streams and transmits control data to the multiplexer.

Modern telecommunications system typically utilize digitally encoded data instead of analog data. If analog data is used, it is converted to digital data for the purposes of switching the data between conducting media. Switching of data occurs at large telecommunications switches, which may receive and process hundreds or thousands of data channels.
In the process of being switched, two or more individual data streams may be combined to form a single data stream. When two or more data streams are combined, the total amount of data being transmitted, or bandwidth, of the combined data stream equals the sum of the bandwidths of each of the individual data streams. Accurate control is required when combining the two or more individual data streams into a single data stream in order to prevent corruption of data on the data bus.
Although it is common to combine two or more data streams into a single data stream with equal bandwidth, it is not unusual for data transmission errors to be created when such combinations are created. Such errors prevent additional data processing from being performed on the two or more data streams while they are being combined, as the additional data processing would make such errors difficult or impossible to detect.

System and apparatus for telecommunications bus control


An organic semiconductor device includes a organic semiconductor layer with carrier mobility formed between a pair of opposing electrodes. The device also includes a buffer layer that is inserted between at least one of the pair of electrodes and the organic semiconductor layer in contact therewith. The buffer layer has a value of a work function or an ionization potential between a value of a work function of the electrode in contact and a value of an ionization potential of the organic semiconductor layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic semiconductor device comprising an organic semiconductor layer made of an organic compound having a marked characteristic of carrier mobility.
2. Description of the Related Art
An inorganic semiconductor, e.g., silicon plays a major role in semiconductor devices such as diodes, and transistors that perform switching and amplifying functions necessary for signal processing, because such devices require multiple performances such as a high carrier mobility, a low dark current, a low driving voltage, and a complicated device structure and the like.
In the field of organic semiconductors, organic electroluminescent devices utilizing the photoelectric conversion characteristics thereof are under development. Furthermore, when an electric field is applied on an organic semiconductor thin-film, a carrier density is increased. Accordingly, when a pair of electrodes is disposed on an organic semiconductor thin-film, an electric current is flowed therebetween. For example, provided that a source electrode and a drain electrode are disposed on an organic semiconductor thin-film and a gate electrode is disposed therebetween so as to apply a voltage across a thickness direction of the thin-film, a switching over the electric current that flows in a direction of the organic semiconductor thin-film can be achieved. Accordingly, organic transistors are also under study, and the organic semiconductors are being utilized in the technology such as information transfer, processing, recording and display that utilize electric signals and control, at a junction interface (metal-organic semiconductor, organic semiconductor-organic semiconductor), carriers (electrons and holes) in the organic semiconductor.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show examples of bottom contact type and top contact type structures of an organic MOS-FET that uses an organic semiconductor thin-film. The organic MOS-FET is provided on a substrate 10 with gate electrode 14, gate insulating film 12, source electrode 11 and drain electrode 15, and organic semiconductor layer 13. As the gate electrode 14, Ni, Cr and the like are used; as the gate insulating film 12, inorganic materials such as oxides or nitrides of metals such as SiO2 and SiN and resins such as PMMA; and as the organic semiconductor layer 13, pentacene and the like. Furthermore, for the source electrode 11 and the drain electrode 15, a single layer film of Pd, Au and the like is used.
However, when a current flows from a source electrode through an organic semiconductor layer to a drain electrode, at the respective interfaces, potential barriers are generated owing to differences between work functions of the source electrode and the drain electrode and an ionization potential of the organic semiconductor layer. As a result, a higher driving voltage is required.


A projection type image display device superior in reliability and also superior in both repairability and maintainability is to be provided at a low cost. Support members disposed between liquid crystal panels and a prism are made of a thermoplastic polymer material, and the liquid crystal panels and the support members are fixed to each other by heat-fusion of the support members. When it is necessary to remove a liquid crystal panel which is at fault for example from the corresponding support member, the fused portion on the support member side which less expensive is cut off, thereby permitting the liquid crystal panel which is expensive to be taken out re-utilizably without any damage thereto.

The present invention relates to a display device which projects an image onto a screen with use of light valve elements such as liquid crystal panels. In particular, the present invention is concerned with a projection type image display device such as an LCD projector or a rear projection type display device.
A projection type image display device such as an LCD projector or a rear projection type display device has heretofore been known. In such a projection type image display device, light emitted from a light source such as an electric bulb is subjected to light intensity modulation for conversion of the light into light and shade for each image in accordance with an image signal by means of light valve means such as liquid crystal panels to form an optical image and the optical image is projected as image on a larger scale onto a screen or the like.
Many of the projection type image display devices available recently operate as follows. Light emitted from a light source is split into light rays of plural colors (e.g., three colors) by a light splitting means, and the light rays are then modulated by light valve means taking charge of the respective colors (in the following description the light valve means are assumed to be liquid crystal panels for convenience' sake). The modulated light rays are passed through a synthesizing prism so that light having plural color components is obtained, the light obtained thus is then projected through a projection lens to the exterior of the device and is displayed as image.
In this case, it is necessary for the synthesizing prism and the liquid crystal panels to be in a positional relation such that the plural components, e.g., three-color components, are all fixed. If even one of the three liquid crystal panels is displaced, a color shift or a focal shift will occur in the synthesized display image, with the result that the quality of the image is impaired.
In a conventional manufacturing process for a projection type image display device using liquid crystal panels as light valve means, when the liquid crystal panels are to be mounted around a synthesizing prism, a so-called convergence adjustment is performed. This convergence adjustment involves adjusting the posture and position of the liquid crystal panels and making sure that three-color components' images are coincident in the projected image. After the convergence adjustment, the liquid crystal panel is fixed at the respective positions relative to the synthesizing prism by bonding for example.
A conventional method wherein liquid crystal panels are fixed after adjusting their postures and positions relative to a synthesizing prism is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent laid-open No. 2002-372750. This publication describes a method wherein liquid crystal panels are mounted through a mounting member around a cross dichroic prism (hereinafter referred to simply as "prism" unless there arise any doubt) which serves as a synthesizing prism for synthesizing three-color components. Japanese Patent laid-open No. 2002-268032 discloses a construction wherein liquid crystal panels are screwed to sheet metal members and the screw portions are fused to molded members mounted in upper and lower positions of a prism. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 11-84196 discloses a construction wherein liquid crystal panels are secured to sheet metal members as support members and are thereafter bonded to a prism and a base which supports the prism. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2000-105434 discloses a construction wherein metallic frames attached to liquid crystal panels and a support frame attached to a prism are fused using a heat-fusing material and are mounted thereby.