A memory stores graph information representing a graph that includes nodes and inter-node edges. The nodes include a first plurality of nodes each associated with node information and a first node. Each of the inter-node edges has a weight. A processor extracts, in accordance with the node information, two or more nodes and transforms the two or more nodes into an aggregate node. The processor generates an aggregate inter-node edge between the aggregate node and the first node. The aggregate inter-node edge is associated with a weight based on two or more weights associated with two or more inter-node edges between the two or more nodes and the first node. The processor estimates first node information to be associated with the first node based on transformed graph information representing a transformed graph including the aggregate node and the aggregate inter-node edge.

Massive graphs including a large number of nodes and edges connecting them are sometimes generated to enable various analysis tasks. Some graph analysis tasks are designed to estimate unknown node information based on a graph in which some nodes are given node information, such as classification labels, while others are not. In such graph analysis tasks, node information of the other nodes is calculated by stochastically propagating the node information given to the former nodes between nodes according to weights assigned to edges. In some cases, for example, entities such as companies are represented by nodes and the strengths of relationships between the entities are represented by weighted edges to estimate, from known information on some entities, unknown information on other entities.
There are known technologies of applying semi-supervised machine learning over a graph where nodes with node information and those without node information are mixedly present, while deeming the node information of the former nodes as training information. There is also a proposed technology of classifying labeled sample data sets and unlabeled sample data sets into a plurality of clusters. There is another proposed technology of propagating identification information of some nodes to others based on inter-node edges and clustering a plurality of nodes based on the propagated identification information. There is yet another proposed technology of estimating, based on the relationship between posts with language labels and each post without a language label, a language of the latter unlabeled post.
Related arts are disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2014-59754, International Publication Pamphlet No. WO 2014113281, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2015-115066, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2016-181252, and Xiaojin Zhu, Zoubin Ghahramani and John Lafferty, "Semi-Supervised Learning Using Gaussian Fields and Harmonic Functions", Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Machine Learning, pp. 912-919, 2003-08-21, for example.
In a graph analysis task of estimating unknown node information, known node information is propagated through edges, which allows calculation per connected subgraph (connected component) in which all pairs of a plurality of nodes are connected by edges. However, there remains a problem that a task of analyzing a graph involves high computational effort and therefore takes a long time if huge connected subgraphs with a large number of nodes exist in the graph.

Node information estimation method and information processing apparatus


A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, a first polymer layer on passivation of the semiconductor chip, patterned first under barrier metal (UBM) layers on the first polymer layer and chip pads exposed by the first polymer layer and the passivation, a copper redistribution pattern on the first UBM layers, said copper redistribution pattern electrically connected to the chip pads, a barrier metal on the copper redistribution pattern, a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer and the copper redistribution pattern, and external connecting electrodes on portions of the copper redistribution pattern exposed by the second polymer layer. The barrier metal is chrome (Cr), nickel (Ni), or nickel-chrome (Nixe2x80x94Cr) in one or more layers. The barrier metal may further include a metal inner complex formed by reacting the surface the Cr or Ni layer with a silane or an azole group solution. The semiconductor device further includes second under barrier metal (UBM) layers under each of the external connecting electrodes. Further, a method for fabricating the above-described semiconductor device plates the copper redistribution pattern and the barrier metal onto the device using the same mask for both plating processes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a redistributed chip size package and a wafer-level method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Arts
A goal of the electronic industry is the miniaturization of semiconductor devices. This goal is important in semiconductor packaging. A semiconductor package is a structure including an IC chip sealed in a plastic resin or a ceramic with external terminals that allow connection and use of the chip in an electronic device. Such packages are typically much larger than the chips, and engineers have made great efforts to reduce IC packages to almost the same size as IC chips. An advancement in packaging technology is the Chip Scale Package (also called a Chip Size Package, CSP). A Wafer Level CSP (WL-CSP) is characterized in that multiple packages are collectively assembled and manufactured at the wafer level.
The WL-CSP typically uses flip chip bonding. For the flip chip bonding, a redistribution technique connects aluminum pads on the chip to bigger xe2x80x9creroutedxe2x80x9d pads at different positions. External connecting electrodes such as solder balls are on respective rerouted pads. In redistributing the pads and forming the solder balls, a series of processes for manufacturing packages are performed at wafer level.
As known well, a semiconductor wafer commonly includes multiple integrated circuit chips formed on a semiconductor substrate, e.g., a silicon wafer. FIG. 1 schematically shows a wafer 10, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion xe2x80x9cAxe2x80x9d of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each chip 20 has a plurality of chip pads 22 on an upper surface, and scribe lines 14 are between integrated circuit chips 20 on the wafer 10. Passivation layer 24 covers the upper surface of the chip 20 except for the chip pads 22.
FIG. 3 shows a plurality of chip size packages 30 manufactured at the wafer level. External connecting electrodes 36 of FIG. 3, which electrically connect to the chip pads 22 of the chips 20 of FIG. 2, have positions that differ from those of chip pads 22. As described above, the position of each pad for the external connecting electrode 36 is offset from the corresponding chip pad 22 through the rerouting. Sawing the wafer 10 of FIG. 3 along the scribe lines 14 separates individual packages 30.
FIG. 4 show a cross-section of a portion of the conventional wafer level chip size package 30. As shown in FIG. 4, a chip pad 22 and the passivation 24 are on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 12. A first polymer layer 31 that absorbs stress and serves a dielectric function is on the passivation 24, and under barrier metal (UBM) layers 32 are on the chip pads 22 and the first polymer layer 31. A redistribution pattern 33 is on the UBM layers 32, and a second polymer layer 34 is on the redistribution pattern 33. The second polymer layer 34 protects the redistribution pattern 33 from external environmental stresses. An external connecting electrode 36 connects to a portion of the redistribution pattern 33 via other UBM layers 35.
Usually, the redistribution pattern 33 is copper (Cu), which has a high electrical conductivity. However, oxygen (O2) in the atmosphere oxidizes or reacts with copper, particularly at high temperature such as used when curing the polymer layer 34. These characteristics of copper reduce the adhesive strength to other materials. Particularly, in the structure of the wafer level chip size package 30 of FIG. 4, oxidation of the copper reduces the adhesive strength between the copper redistribution pattern 33 and the second polymer layer 34, and therefore degrades the reliability of the package.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the adhesive strength between a copper redistribution layer and a polymer layer is increased to improve the reliability of a WL-CSP package.
In one embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, a first polymer layer, one or more first under barrier metal layers, a copper redistribution pattern, a barrier metal, a second polymer layer, and external connecting electrodes. The semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate, a passivation formed thereon, and a plurality of chip pads exposed through the passivation. The first polymer layer is on the passivation. The first under barrier metal (UBM) layers form a pattern on the chip pads and the first polymer layer. The copper redistribution pattern is on the first UBM layers and electrically connected to the chip pads. The second polymer layer is on the first polymer layer and the copper redistribution pattern,. The barrier metal is on the copper redistribution pattern. The external connecting electrodes are on portions of the copper redistribution pattern or the barrier metal that the second polymer layer exposes.
The barrier metal includes a chrome (Cr), a nickel (Ni), or a nickel-chrome (Nixe2x80x94Cr) layer, and preferably has a thickness between approximately 0.1 xcexcm and 50 xcexcm. The barrier metal may further include a metal inner complex formed by reacting the surface of the Cr, Ni, or Nixe2x80x94Cr layer with a silane or an azole group solution. Typically, the semiconductor device further includes second under barrier metal (UBM) layers under each of the external connecting electrodes. The first and the second polymer layers are typically selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polybenzoxazole (PBO), benzocyclobutene (BCB), and epoxy.
In another aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for fabricating semiconductor devices. The method includes (A) providing a semiconductor wafer that includes a semiconductor substrate, a passivation thereon, and a plurality of chip pads exposed through the passivation, (B) forming a first polymer layer on the passivation, (C) forming first under barrier metal (UBM) layers on the chip pads and the first polymer layer, (D) forming a patterned copper redistribution pattern on the first UBM layers, said copper redistribution pattern being electrically connected to the chip pads, (E) forming a barrier metal on the copper redistribution pattern, (F) removing a portion of the first UBM layers that the patterned copper redistribution pattern exposes, (G) forming a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer and the copper redistribution pattern, and (H) forming a plurality of external connecting electrodes on a portion of the copper redistribution pattern exposed through the second polymer layer.
The step (E) can include plating chrome (Cr) or nickel (Ni), or nickel (Ni) and chrome (Cr) in order. After plating, the step (E) can further include reacting the surface of the Cr or Ni layers with a silane or an azole group compound solution to form a metal inner complex. The silane compound is selected from the group consisting of vinyltriacetoxy silane, vinyltrichloro silane, vinyltrimethoxy silane, vinyltriethoxy silane, vinyltris (xcex2-methoxy ethoxy) silane, N-xcex2(amino ethyl)xcex3-amino propyl methyl dimethoxy silane, N-xcex2(amino ethyl)xcex3-amino propyl trimethoxy silane, N-xcex2(amino ethyl)xcex3-amino propyl triethoxy silane, xcex3-amino propyl trimethoxy silane, xcex3-amino propyl triethoxy silane, N-phenyl-xcex3-amino propyl trimethoxy silane, and xcex3-chloro propyl trimethoxy silane. The azole compound is selected from the group consisting of polybenzimidazole, benzotriazole, 8-azaadenine, and 5-carboxylic benzotriazole. Before and after forming the external connecting electrodes, the method of the present invention can further include forming a second under barrier metal (UBM) layers under each of the external connecting electrodes and dividing the semiconductor wafer into individual packages by sawing.

Method for fabricating a semiconductor device


An apparatus for enclosing an electronic component to a base comprising, an enclosure attached to a base and surrounding an electronic component. The enclosure divided into a first portion and a second portion along a first plane substantially parallel to the base. The second portion of the enclosure is attached to the base. The first portion of the enclosure is attached to the second portion of the enclosure. The enclosure including one or more extruding elements on an exterior surface of the enclosure. The one or more extruding elements on the exterior surface of the enclosure increases an exterior surface area of the enclosure facilitating dissipation of heat from the electronic component.

Typical electronic components, such as semiconductors, can operate in various high and low power printed circuit boards (PCB). Such operating conditions, allow for the semiconductors to produce various amounts of heat during normal operating conditions. Typically, a high power semiconductor can transfer the heat through an attached heat sink, which then allows for heat to be dissipated into the surrounding environment. A typical low power semiconductor may not even require an attached heat sink since the exposed surface of the low power semiconductor can sufficiently dissipate heat into the surrounding environment. When a semiconductor is being manufactured, the final stage of the semiconductor fabrication is known as integrated circuit (IC) packaging. It is in this final stage of manufacturing that a supporting case is fabricated encasing the semiconductor preventing physical damage and corrosion. The supporting case remains in contact with the surrounding environment thus typically being the main source of heat dissipation for the semiconductor.
The supporting case can be made of various different materials but typically it is of a metallic or plastic material. With ever changing technology and the desire to make such IC packaging smaller, space allotted for the dissipating heat is typically limited.

Integrated circuit package for heat dissipation

Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A printing paper is provided having the appearance of uncoated paper and improved printability properties approaching those of coated papers. Also provided are a surface treatment formulation having a variable viscosity and a method for producing a printing paper having the appearance of uncoated paper and improved printability properties approaching those of coated papers.

It has been common practice to apply aqueous coatings, consisting of pigments, binders/adhesives, and various functional additives, to paper to produce printing paper. The coatings cover the fibrous paper sheet surface and create an interface for printing inks that is smoother and less absorbent than the uncoated surface.
Prior to coating, the uncoated paper web exhibits many "micro" depressions. The topography of the micro depressions can be seen in FIG. 1. The micro depressions are often the result of open areas between individual fibers and fiber bundles in the paper. The dimensions of these open areas determine the roughness of the paper surface and the amount of coating required to completely fill in the depressions. The micro depressions on the rough sheet surface can vary in depth from as little as 5 microns to as much as 25 microns (1 micron=1.times.10.sup.-6 inch). The average depth of the micro depressions is 10 microns.
The bulk-to-weight ratio of typical coating layers in the prior art is approximately 1.00 micron per lb. of coating of applied, per side, per ream of paper. As used herein a "ream" equals approximately 3,300 ft.sup.2 of paper. Application of one lb. of conventional coating per side, per ream of paper will generally result in a layer of coating on the surface of the paper that is 1 micron thick.
FIG. 2 illustrates the topography of a typical paper sheet surface when a coating is applied to the surface by a blade coater, a coater commonly used for applying aqueous coatings for the production of printing paper. To completely fill in the micro depressions on the surface of a paper web, prior art processes will apply 5-25 lbs. of coating per side, per ream of paper web. The amount of coating needed will depend on the formation of the paper web, its absorbent properties, and on the roughness of the particular paper web. For instance, 25 lbs. of coating per side, per ream of paper web may be needed to completely fill in the micro depressions on the surface of a very rough, absorbent paper web.
Although greatly improving print properties, the amount of coating used in coated papers of the prior art significantly alters the appearance of the paper. Coated papers, whether glossy or matte in finish, have an appearance that is much different than that of uncoated premium papers, such as text and cover paper. This difference is considered undesirable by many paper consumers who prefer the appearance of uncoated paper but need the printability properties of coated paper.
Uncoated paper typically can be lightly coated, but the amount of coating is less than 5 lbs. per side, per ream of paper. This lower amount of coating does not alter the desirable uncoated appearance of the paper. However, prior art uncoated papers of this type have never achieved the printability properties of coated paper. Thus, there is great interest in the development of a printing paper which combines the desirable appearance of uncoated paper with the printability properties of coated paper.
Several techniques have been developed in attempts to utilize existing size press equipment to manufacture coated paper. Size presses are typically used in the art to make uncoated paper and are normally used to apply coatings having low viscosities of less than 100 centepoise ("c.p.s.") (Brookfield, 100 r.p.m.). One such technique, known as "film coating" or "wash coating," utilizes existing size press equipment to achieve a slight improvement in the printing paper over uncoated offset paper grades without the capital expense of normal coating treatments. The resulting paper is, however, a lower quality coated paper and often exhibits undesirable characteristics, such as mottle (galvanized gloss) and roll film split pattern.
Another technique involves the use of microspherical particle pigment, which has been used to promote gloss and opacity in coated paper. For instance, Kowalski et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,836) relates to a process for manufacturing water-insoluble, heteropolymer, microspherical particles, which may be used as an opacifier or thickener when incorporated in a paint or on aqueous coating.
Vassiliades, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,816,169 and No. 3,822,181) disclose spherical microcapsules that may be used as an opacifier when incorporated in or coated on a paper web. These patents concern the opacifying and/or brightening of the paper web with no regard for printability. The patents do not disclose any specific formulations that could be used to coat the paper. Nor do the patents discuss how such formulations could be applied.
Rohm and Haas Company manufactures Ropaque.RTM., a pigment for use on paper, which is composed of polymeric, hollow, spherical particles ranging in diameter from 0.3-1.0 micron. These particles enhance printability of paper and have a high bulking capability. The particles may be combined with typical binders, such as starch binders, and other ingredients, to create coatings having a greater thickness at a lower weight than typical coatings. When these coatings are applied at low viscosity (less than 100 c.p.s., Brookfield, 100 r.p.m.) using the "wash" or "film" coating techniques described above, the resultant paper exhibits a marginal improvement in printability and opacity.

Text and cover printing paper and process for making the same


A method and apparatus (50, 70, 90) for making a back glass substrate (24) for a plasma display panel (20) by forming hot sheet glass G heated above its annealing point and embodied either as a continuous ribbon (60) or discrete sheets (74). The hot forming provides the hot sheet glass G with gas discharge troughs (38) spaced by barrier ribs (40). The hot forming of the sheet glass G heated above its annealing point can be performed by a rotatable forming member (62) having curved projections (66) or by a press member (78) having elongated projections (84). The constructed plasma display panel (20) has a front glass substrate (22) and a back glass substrate (24) with the gas discharge trough and barrier rib construction made by hot forming above the annealing point. The gas discharge troughs (38) can be hot formed with bottom surfaces (95) that have an undulating shape along their lengths to enhance luminescence of phosphors (48), and the barrier ribs (40) can have distal ends with openings (98) that provide communication between the gas discharge troughs (38) and that are located adjacent peaks (100) of the trough bottom surfaces (94) remote from the location of discharge.

Plasma display panels are currently expected to replace cathode ray tubes for many uses such as televisions, monitors, and other video displays. One important advantage of plasma display panels is that a relatively large display area can be provided with relatively minimal thickness as compared to cathode ray tubes.
The general construction of plasma display panels includes generally sheet like front and back glass substrates having inner surfaces that oppose each other with a chemically stable gas hermetically sealed therebetween by a seal between the substrates at the periphery of the panel. Elongated electrodes covered by a dielectric layer are provided on both substrates with the electrodes on the front glass substrate extending transversely to the electrodes on the back glass substrate so as to thereby define gas discharge cells or pixels that can be selectively energized by an electrical driver of the plasma display panel. The panels can be provided with phosphors to enhance the luminescence and thus also the efficiency of energizing the panels. The phosphors can also be arranged in pixels having three subpixels or gas discharge cells for respectively emitting the primary colors red, green, and blue to provide a full color plasma display panel.
The conventional construction of back glass substrates for plasma display panels has elongated gas discharge troughs and barrier ribs that space the troughs from each other so as to thus generally isolate each column of pixels within each trough from the columns of pixels on each side thereof and thereby provide good color separation and pixel definition. The gas discharge trough and barrier rib construction can be inexpensively provided by a known thick film printing technique utilizing thick film electrodes typically made of silver, nickel or aluminum paste and covered by dielectric paste for electrical insulation. However, this thick film printing technique, although relatively inexpensive, is difficult to apply to large areas requiring fine patterning due to deformation of print screens and the substrate itself.
Another way in which the back glass substrate gas discharge trough and barrier rib construction can be provided is by first applying thick film electrodes on the substrate and then applying a thick film dielectric glass layer that is typically then fired. A thick film barrier material film frit is then applied and dried. Thereafter, a photoresist film is laminated on the dried frit layer. The photoresist layer is then patterned by a conventional photolithographic process to provide a protecting layer prior to sandblasting that removes material to provide the gas discharge trough and barrier rib construction that is then heated to provide sintering.

Method for making back glass substrate for plasma display panel


A system and method for generating storm warnings which are precisely tailored automatically for a particular individual or business user's geographic location of interest. The user establishes an individualized user profile, in which the user may define a particular location of interest and a contact address to which a personalized storm warning is to be delivered. The user may also establish a storm profile defining characteristics of a storm for which the user desires a storm warning to be provided. A detailed and accurate storm track is generated. Generated storm tracks are compared to individual user profiles. Personalized storm warnings are generated for user profiles defining locations of interest within a predicted storm track, if the storm track characteristics of the storm meet the characteristics specified in the storm profile established by the user, and may be delivered to users via e-mail, cell phone, pager, etc.

Most of the current weather and weather forecast information used by individuals and businesses is obtained by them from weather reports provided by local television and radio stations. Such reports are typically prepared by meteorologists at a television or radio station serving a particular geographical area, e.g., a large city and surrounding environs. The reports are based on current weather information available to the meteorologists, which may be provided by various local (e.g., local radar) and national (e.g., NEXRAD radar and weather satellite) weather information sources. A meteorologist may also employ computer implemented weather forecasting models in preparing a weather forecast report. A meteorologist may prepare and/or update such reports throughout the day, and such reports may be provided as part of periodic radio and/or television broadcasts. A person who is interested in the current or forecast weather conditions for a geographic location accesses such a weather report by tuning in to the television or radio broadcast of the report at the designated time.
If severe weather threatens a particular area, an emergency radio or television broadcast may be made to provide such information to the public immediately and, if necessary, continuously. For example, a television station may provide a graphic indication of the general location (e.g., county) and nature of severe weather (e.g., tornado and thunderstorm warnings, etc.) as part of its television broadcast, throughout the period during which severe weather threatens an area. Such severe weather or storm warnings may be generated from various different weather information sources and provided in various different manners to the public. For example, a television station may subscribe to National Weather Service weather wire information, which includes weather warning bulletins authored by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, and other related government agencies. The weather warning bulletins include tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, flash flood warnings, and the like. This information is typically employed by WxWarn, or other systems, for displaying the warning bulletins, e.g., as an overlay on a television broadcast.
NEXRAD weather radar weather information is also obtained from the government by many television stations. NEXRAD information includes a storm attributes table which defines storm cells and provides detailed information concerning the cells, including the characteristics of the cells (e.g., hail and vortex intensity and location, rain fall intensity, speed, etc.) as well as the position, direction, and speed of movement of the cells. A storm cell tracking and display system employed by the television station may use such NEXRAD data to determine the position of a storm and to derive a predicted storm path therefrom. Such a derived storm track may be displayed to viewers, e.g., as part of a severe weather update television report. Such a report may include a display indicating the time that a selected storm or storms is predicted to arrive at a particular city or town, based on the storm track derived from NEXRAD storm attribute information.
Government-provided NEXRAD radar data includes detailed information on storm cells, including detailed information on the characteristics of the cells, including their speed and direction of movement, contents (e.g., hail or tornadoes), etc. This detailed information is obtained by the NEXRAD radar system by performing a volumetric radar scan of the atmosphere. A weather tracking and display system can expect to receive updated NEXRAD weather information no more often than every six (6) minutes. The speed and direction of movement of a severe weather cell can change significantly during this relatively long period between NEXRAD updates. Thus, storm warnings based on the predicted track of a storm cell will become increasingly inaccurate between NEXRAD updates, if NEXRAD information alone is relied upon to determine the predicted track of a storm cell. Local or remote live radar systems perform a much more rapid scan of the atmosphere, and are, therefore, able to provide more up-to-the-minute information on the current location of a severe storm weather cell. Since such live radar systems are significantly less expensive than NEXRAD radar systems, many television news and weather operations have their own live local radar systems, in addition to access to government provided NEXRAD data, which provides much more detailed storm attribute information. U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,747, entitled Weather Tracking and Display System and Method, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application, describes a system and method for employing such live radar information to update the detected position of NEXRAD defined storm cell attributes between NEXRAD updates. Such a system combines the detailed information describing the characteristics of a storm, provided by NEXRAD, with the up-to-the-minute information on the current location of a storm, provided by live radar, to provide more accurate storm warnings.
A limitation of conventional weather reports and storm warnings is that they are generalized over a relatively large geographic area. For example, a typical storm warning may indicate that severe weather, e.g., a tornado, thunderstorm, etc., is present or expected to arrive in a geographic area such as a county. Of course, such severe weather will arrive at different locations in the county at different times, and some areas of a county under a weather warning may not receive any severe weather at all. A county-wide storm warning, therefore, does not provide sufficient information for an individual to know whether or when to expect severe weather at his home, place of work, or other specific location of interest within the county. Televised weather reports which provide expected arrival times of severe weather at specific cities or other populated areas are also of limited value for many individuals. Such reports, which may employ NEXRAD information or NEXRAD information in combination with live radar information to provide accurate storm cell tracking, typically only provide arrival time information for a handful of populated areas in the path of a storm. Those in rural areas and smaller towns in the path of a storm must attempt to estimate on their own, from the graphics provided in the televised weather warning broadcast, if severe weather will reach their area and, if so, when. What is desired, therefore, is a system and method which provides personalized storm or other severe weather warnings to individuals or businesses which indicate whether or not a storm will reach an individual's location of interest and, if so, when.
Another limitation of conventional televised or radio broadcast storm warnings is that such warnings provide information only on the types of storms which are deemed significant by the television or radio station providing the broadcast. If a televised storm warning provides information on all severe weather conditions (e.g., thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, etc.) occurring in a television station's service area, a viewer may be overwhelmed with information, and miss the particular severe weather information in which he is interested (e.g., a tornado headed toward his home). Alternatively, if a broadcast storm warning report includes information on only selected severe weather conditions, an individual may not be provided with storm warning information which would be valuable to him, and which is available to the television or radio station, but which is not provided in a storm warning report which is directed to a more general audience. Furthermore, conventional televised or radio broadcast storm warnings provide an amount of advanced storm warning which is selected by the television or radio station to satisfy a general audience. This may be too much or too little for any individual interested in when a storm will reach the individual's location of interest. What is desired, therefore, is a system and method which allows an individual to select the particular types of severe weather conditions for which the individual desires a storm warning to be provided, and an amount of advanced warning which such a report will provide.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,699, to Baron, Sr. et al. describes a weather alert manager which receives meteorological data, e.g., NEXRAD data, which includes weather information defining storms within a relevant geographic area. The current position and predicted path of a storm is determined from the data and combined with a geographical grid to produce a storm profile indicating storm severity and if a storm is in or is likely to enter any geographical grid area. The storm profile may be distributed to remote units located within a particular grid area to provide storm warnings to individuals in such areas. For example, the remote unit may be a cellular phone or pager which is associated with a particular area, and which receives the storm profile to provide the appropriate warning when a storm is in or approaching that area. Such a system, however, does not allow an individual user to identify a particular location of interest for which the user desires storm warnings to be provided, nor does it allow a user to select the particular storm conditions, advanced warning time, etc. for such a location for which a storm warning is to be provided.
Advances in computer connectivity technology have allowed television and radio station meteorologists to provide access to their latest weather condition and forecast reports via computer over the internet at any time desired. Thus, an individual need not try to catch the local television or radio broadcast of a weather report to get the latest weather information. An individual may be able to access weather reports or other outdoor information for both local and remote geographic locations via computer over the internet. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/547,195, entitled System and Method for Providing Personalized Weather Reports and the Like, filed Apr. 12, 2000, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, describes a system and method for providing accurate personalized weather reports to individuals or businesses for individual user locations of interests. Such personalized weather reports may be delivered to users over the internet, via e-mail, via a pager or cellular telephone, etc. Such a system employs a highly accurate weather forecasting model to provide detailed weather forecast information for particular user locations of interest, from which the personalized weather reports are generated periodically, e.g., twice a day. However, a system which also provides personalized up-to-the-minute storm warnings to individuals and businesses during rapidly developing severe weather conditions using, e.g., timely weather radar information, is also desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for providing personalized storm warnings


A radiation-sensitive composition includes a radically polymerizable component, initiator composition, a radiation absorbing compound, and a polymeric binder having recurring units that are derived from various ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers provided that at least 40 mol % of the recurring units have a tertiary carbon atom in the backbone and the rest of the recurring units have a secondary or quaternary carbon atom in the backbone. This composition can be used to provide negative-working imageable elements that can be imaged and developed to provide lithographic printing plates that have desired imaging speed and excellent run length without the need for a post-exposure backing step.

Radiation-sensitive compositions are routinely used in the preparation of imageable materials including lithographic printing plate precursors. Such compositions generally include a radically polymerizable component, radiation-sensitive component, an initiator system, and a binder, each of which has been the focus of research to provide various improvements in physical properties, imaging performance, and image characteristics.
Recent developments in the field of printing plate precursors concern the use of radiation-sensitive compositions that can be imaged by means of lasers or laser diodes, and more particularly, that can be imaged and/or developed on-press. Laser exposure does not require conventional silver halide graphic arts films as intermediate information carriers (or "masks") since the lasers can be controlled directly by computers. High-performance lasers or laser-diodes that are used in commercially-available image-setters generally emit radiation having a wavelength of at least 700 nm, and thus the radiation-sensitive compositions are required to be sensitive in the near-infrared or infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, other useful radiation-sensitive compositions are designed for imaging with ultraviolet or visible radiation.
There are two possible ways of using radiation-sensitive compositions for the preparation of printing plates. For negative-working printing plates, exposed regions in the radiation-sensitive compositions are hardened and unexposed regions are washed off during development. For positive-working printing plates, the exposed regions are dissolved in a developer and the unexposed regions become an image.
Various radiation compositions and imageable elements containing reactive polymer binders are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,603 (Furukawa) and EP 1,182,033A1 (Fujimaki et al.). The reactive polymer binders include reactive vinyl groups that are pendant to the polymer backbone. Other IR-sensitive compositions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,792 (Hauck et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,797 (Munnelly et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,281 (Tao et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,994 (Huang et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0118939 (West et al.), and EP 1,079,276A1 (Lifka et al.) and EP 1,449,650A1 (Goto).
Various negative-working imageable elements containing urethane polymers or polymers with ethylenically unsaturated side chains are described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,595 (Fujimaki et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,437 (Fujimaki et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,044 (Fujimaki et al.), Japanese Kokai 2000-187322 (Mitsubishi Chemical Co.), and U.S. Patent Application Publications 2004/0131972 (Fujimaki et al.), 2005/0031986 (Kakino et al.), 2006/0068328 (Aimura et al), 2006/199097 (Oda et al.).
Other imaging compositions and elements are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,858,373 (Kunita) and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0043325 (Shibuya et al.).
Problem to Be Solved
The various radiation sensitive compositions of the art can readily be used to prepare negative-working imageable elements but they generally require the use of a post-exposure baking step ("pre-heat" step) to enhance good adhesion and run length. Omitting the post-exposure baking step can result in complete image failure following development with alkaline developers or during on-press development. During long print runs, they may show a loss of highlight dots long before solid image areas show signs of wear or degradation.
It would be desirable in the industry to have highly sensitive negative-working imageable compositions and elements that provide good run length but that can also be prepared for use without a post-exposure baking step.

Negative-working imageable elements and methods of use


A tilting inversion exerciser includes a table rotatably supported on a supporting stand for supporting a user and having one or more hand grips attached to the table and rotated in concert with the table relative to the supporting stand, for being grasped by the user to pull the user's body upwardly against gravity force, when the user is suspended above the ground. The table includes two opposite side edges each having a trunnion for rotatably attaching to the supporting stand. The table includes two hanger bars for supporting the trunnions, and the hand grip includes an end panel for securing to the trunnion with one or more fasteners.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tilting inversion exercise table, and more particularly to a tilting inversion exercise table having a hand grip attached thereto and rotated in concert therewith for being held by the user while conducting the tilting inversion exercises.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical tilting inversion exercise tables comprise a base or table pivotally or rotatably supported on a lower support, for supporting a user thereon, and for allowing the user to tilt or to incline the table relative to the lower support, in order to conduct the typical tilting inversion exercises.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,660 to Chen discloses one of the typical tilting inversion exercisers also comprising a base or table pivotally or rotatably supported on a lower support, a handle secured to a lever which is pivotally coupled to the table and coupled to a bracket of the table with a cable, for pulling the feet of the user, in order to straighten the spinal column.
However, the table and the user may be tilted or inclined relative to the lower support and the ground only, and may not be freely or vertically supported on the lower support, and also may not be completely perpendicular to the ground, such that the user may not be freely suspended above the ground to comfortably conduct the tilting inversion exercises.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,956 to Teeter discloses another typical tilting inversion exerciser also comprising a base or table pivotally or rotatably supported on a lower support, a keeper arm biased to lock the table to the lower support, and an ankle holder for anchoring or securing the feet of the user to the table, and thus for allowing the table and the user to be vertically supported on the lower support and to be completely perpendicular to the ground, such that the user may be freely suspended above the ground to comfortably conduct the tilting inversion exercises.
However, the table has no handle secured or attached thereto, and the user may not be easily moved or pulled or adjusted relative to the table, particularly when the user is freely and vertically suspended above the ground, such that the user may only be vertically supported on the lower support or freely suspended above the ground, but may not exercise his spinal column.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional tilting inversion exercise tables.

Hand grip for tilting inversion exercise table


A porous β-tricalcium phosphate material for bone implantation is provided. The multiple pores in the porous TCP body are separate discrete voids and are not interconnected. The pore size diameter is in the range of 20-500 μm, preferably 50-125 μm. The porous β-TCP material provides a carrier matrix for bioactive agents and can form a moldable putty composition upon the addition of a binder. Preferably, the bioactive agent is encapsulated in a biodegradable agent. The invention provides a kit and an implant device comprising the porous β-TCP, and a bioactive agent and a binder. The invention also provides an implantable prosthetic device comprising a prosthetic implant having a surface region, a porous β-TCP material disposed on the surface region and optionally comprising at least a bioactive agent or a binder. Methods of producing the porous β-TCP material and inducing bone formation are also provided.

Bone tissue in the human body comprises the largest proportion of the body's connective tissue mass. However, unlike other connective tissues, its matrix consists of physiologically mineralized, tiny crystallites of a basic, carbonate-containing calcium phosphate called hydroxyapatite distributed in an organized collagen structure. Repair of this tissue is a complex process involving a number of cellular functions directed towards the formation of a scaffold and mineralization of the defect followed by an eventual remodeling of the defect site to attain the original structure.
Implantations of calcium phosphate based biomaterials have been found to be generally compatible and conducive to bone repair. Bone repair is influenced by a number of physico-chemical variables associated with calcium phosphate such as the calcium to phosphate molar ratio. Hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate are widely used in bone implants. Hydroxyapatite has the chemical formula Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, and the ratio of calcium to phosphate is about 1.67. Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) has the formula of Ca3(PO4)2, and the ratio of calcium to phosphate is about 1.5. Tricalcium phosphate has biological properties of being non-reactive and resorbable. It acts as a scaffolding for bone ingrowth and undergoes progressive degradation and replacement by bone (Lange et al., Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science, 16, pp. 467-472 (1986)). TCP is degraded 10-20 times faster than hydroxyapatite. A TCP implant generally results in superior remodeling than hydroxyapatite during the final stage of bone formation. It is noteworthy that TCP is resorbed by osteoclast cells, whereas, the much slower resorption of hydroxyapatite is effected mainly by foreign-body giant cells. The giant cells have a limit as to the amount of hydroxyapatite they will resorb.
Porous ceramic material is often selected as the matrix for bone implants. When such material is embedded at the implant site, the porous material is resorbed by osteolytic cells which infiltrate the pores. Simultaneously, the bone tissue is regenerated by osteoblasts. A certain pore size is required for osteoblasts to invade the pore of the implant material. Parameters such as crystallinity, solubility, particle size, porosity, pore structure and pore size of the implanted material can greatly influence bone compatibility and bone integration. An inappropriate combination of the above parameters can lead to improper bone repair.
The use of porous ceramics having interconnected pores as an implantable solid material for bone substitutes has been described (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,720; see also Frayssinet et al., Biomaterials, 14, pp. 423-429 (1993)). Such porous ceramics, however, are brittle and are not capable of being easily shaped by the practitioner during an operation.
Excessively large pore size and high porosity of the ceramic material can lead to excessive resorption rates, thus, preventing the matrix from providing a scaffold for the newly synthesized bone. When the rate of resorption is faster than the rate of bone growth, it often leads to an inflammatory response. Small pore size and low porosity of the ceramic material will lead to low resorption rates causing encapsulation of matrix particles in the new bone.
It would thus be desirable to identify a biomaterial which can be applied to a defect site and which can greatly enhance the regenerative process, particularly when used with other bioactive agents such as bone morphogenic proteins and other related factors. In addition, it would be desirable to identify and use a matrix which acts as a mechanically durable carrier for the bioactive agents and is a well-tolerated bone replacement material that favors healing.

Method of forming bone with porous βtricalcium phosphate granules


An image processing device, an image processing program and an image processing method for forming a composite image by superimposing an overlay image on a base image. Fixed length compressed image of the base image fixed length compressed data of the overlay image are formed by dividing data of the base image and data of the overlay image respectively into a plurality of blocks and by encoding a statistical parameter of each block, including a gray level representing the block, and quantization levels of respective pixels in the block. Then, while the fixed length compressed data is being checked in a block-by-block manner, the fixed length compressed data of the base image is taken in if the gray level of the block of the overlay image is 0, and the fixed length compressed data of the overlay image is taken in if the gray level of the block of the overlay image is not 0.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing program and an image combining method, and more particularly to an image processing device, an image processing program and an image combining method for forming a composite image by superimposing an overlay image on a base image.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, with respect to image data which is stored to be printed or for other purposes, various kinds of image data compressing methods for reducing the volume of the stored data have been suggested. Also, various kinds of methods for combining two or more images have been suggested.
An example of forming and printing composite images is inset printing, in which changeable overlay images (for example, seat numbers) are superimposed on a fixed base image (for example, a theater ticket), and the formed composite images are succesively printed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 2003-46738 (Reference 1), 6-164950 (Reference 2), 2002-271791 (Reference 3) and 7-336675 (Reference 4) disclose data encoding methods of GBTC type. In these methods, image data is divided into a plurality of blocks, and for each block, a statistical parameter, such as a gray level representing the block, and quantization levels of the respective pixels in the block are encoded to form compressed data with a fixed length.
Reference 4 discloses a method for forming a composite image by superimposing an image B on an image A. In this method, if a block of the image B completely covers a block of the previously written image A, the encoded data of the block of the image A is updated (see paragraph 0007 of Reference 4).
In other words, in the method disclosed by Reference 4, since the image B has priority over the image A, in the region of the image B, the image A is completely deleted. Therefore, if the image A and the image B are of the same size, the base image A will be wholly deleted.
In the case of the above-mentioned inset printing, if the base image and the overlay image are of the same size, or if the overlay image is relatively large, according to the method disclosed by Reference 4, the entire or a large part of the base image A will be deleted.

Image processing device, image processing program and image composing method


A mobile communication device comprises an internal antenna device for receiving low-band signals of operating frequency band below 1 GHz, and the internal antenna device can be connected in series or parallel with an external antenna such as an earphone. The mobile communication device of the invention uses the internal antenna device for receiving low-band signals, enabling radio alarm function and timed recording of radio programs without plugging in an external earphone.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a mobile communication device, and in particular relates to a mobile communication device with an internal antenna capable of receiving low-band signals without plugging an external earphone.
2. Description of the Related Art
Design goals for personal mobile communication devices or wireless terminal equipment focus on light weight, thinness, compact profile and good communication quality. Mobile phones, for example, feature small streamlined models with multiple functions and applications, and low cost.
Wireless communication apparatus requires more than one antenna such that multiple communication systems can be integrated and applied. Hence, it becomes a design issue and a critical problem to arrange the antennas in the wireless communication equipment and determine dimensions of antennas. In mobile phones or handsets, GSM systems of 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, WCDMA or CDMA2000 system, Bluetooth system and wireless LAN of 2400 or 5200/5800 MHz may be integrated into a single mobile phone, requiring more than 3 antennas. Fortunately, GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, Bluetooth and wireless LAN systems all operate in a frequency band around or above 1 GHz, such that necessary antennas can be configured in the mobile phone with great effort by designing the antennas based on ¼ wavelength antenna.
FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication apparatus with plural wireless communication units (or systems) integrated therein. The wireless communication apparatus 100, for example, a handset or a mobile phone, comprises a transceiver/RF unit 101 for processing communications with a base station, a baseband unit 102, a FM/AM unit 103, a DTV (Digital TV) unit 104, a Bluetooth unit 105, a Wi-Fi unit 106 and GPS unit 107. It is noted that HF, VHF and UHF units, such as the FM/AM unit 103 and DTV unit 104, operate in the frequency band below 1 GHz, therefore requiring antennas with greater length and dimension when using ¼ wavelength antennas. Because the dimension of the antenna for the FM/AM unit 103 or DTV unit 104 is too large to be configured into the handset or mobile phone, manufacturers configure either HF, VHF or UHF antenna outside the housing of the handset, or enlarge dimensions of the handset to enclose large HF, VHF or UHF antenna, hence inevitably degrading elegant profile of the handset (or mobile phone) and increasing production costs.
FIG. 2 shows a conventional handset (or mobile phone) 200 with FM/AM unit 201. External earphone 202, plugged into an earphone jack 203, serves as an antenna for receiving FM/AM signals. FM/AM signals are input to an antenna terminal 204 of the FM/AM unit 201, and the FM/AM unit 201 outputs stereo audio signals Ste_R and Ste_L to the external earphone 202 or speakers Sp_R and Sp_L through amplifiers 205. However, it is inconvenient for users to prepare earphones to listen FM/AM radios. Functions for setting FM/AM alarm clocks and timed recording of FM programs cannot be obtained without plugging the external earphone.

Mobile communication devices with internal antennas


There is provided a working vehicle including: a hydraulic pump unit including a hydraulic pump main body operatively driven by a driving power source, and a pump case accommodating the hydraulic pump main body and having an inner space capable of storing oil; a hydraulic motor unit spaced apart from the hydraulic pump unit so as to operatively drive a corresponding driving wheel, the hydraulic motor unit including a hydraulic motor main body fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump main body so as to form an HST in cooperation with the hydraulic pump main body, and a motor case accommodating the hydraulic motor main body and having an inner space capable of storing oil; an auxiliary pump unit including an auxiliary pump main body operatively driven by the driving power source; a circulation line for fluidly connecting the auxiliary pump main body, the pump case and the motor case so that at least a part of oil, which has been discharged from the auxiliary pump main body, returns to a suction side of the auxiliary pump main body through the inner spaces of the pump case and the motor case; and an oil cooler interposed in the circulation line so as to be positioned. between the auxiliary pump main body and the pump case or the motor case.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a working vehicle including a hydraulic pump unit operatively driven by a driving source, and a hydraulic motor unit spaced apart from the hydraulic pump unit, the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit being fluidly connected to each other so as to form a traveling system HST.
2. Background Art
The working vehicle including a hydraulic pump unit operatively and rotatably driven by a driving power source, and a hydraulic motor unit spaced apart from the hydraulic pump unit so as to be arranged in proximity to a corresponding driving wheel, and configured to drive the driving wheel with variable speeds by means of a traveling system HST formed by the hydraulic pump main body of the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor main body of the hydraulic motor unit is conventionally known (see e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-291674).
The thus configured working vehicle includes a working vehicle of a wheel motor type in which the hydraulic motor unit is provided for each driving wheel, a working vehicle of a mechanical differential type in which an output of the hydraulic motor unit is differentially transmitted to a pair of right and left driving wheels via a mechanical differential gear device, and a working vehicle of a hydraulic differential type in which a pair of hydraulic motor main bodies corresponding to the pair of right and left driving wheels are fluidly connected to each other via a pair of motor-side operation fluid lines and a hydraulic pump main body is fluidly connected to the pair of motor-side operation lines via a pair of operation fluid lines.
The working vehicle could enhance the degree of freedom in design in comparison with the working vehicle in which the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit are integrated to each other, since the hydraulic motor unit is arranged in proximity to the corresponding driving wheel while being spaced apart from the cooperating hydraulic pump unit.
However, cooling of the hydraulic motor unit is not sufficiently taken into consideration in the conventional working vehicle in which the hydraulic pump unit and the hydraulic motor unit are disposed away from each other.
That is, the hydraulic motor main body is rotatably driven by the hydraulic fluid pressure from the hydraulic pump main body. In this operation, the temperature of the hydraulic pump main body and the hydraulic motor main body rises due to the influence of friction and the like.
The rise in temperature of the hydraulic motor main body causes rise in temperature and the like of the HST hydraulic fluid, resulting in worsening the transmission efficiency of the HST.
Similarly, cooling of the hydraulic pump unit is not sufficiently taken into consideration in the conventional working vehicle.
The rise in temperature of the hydraulic pump main body also causes rise in temperature and the like of the HST hydraulic fluid, resulting in worsening the transmission efficiency of the HST.
In view of the conventional art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a working vehicle including a hydraulic pump unit operatively and rotatably driven by the driving power source and a hydraulic motor unit spaced apart from the hydraulic pump unit, where the cooling efficiency of the hydraulic motor unit could be enhanced.
Another object of the present invention is to also enhance the cooling efficiency of the hydraulic pump unit in the working vehicle of the above type.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a working vehicle including a hydraulic pump unit operatively and rotatably driven by the driving power source, and a hydraulic motor unit spaced apart from the hydraulic pump unit, the hydraulic pump unit including a PTO clutch mechanism operatively and rotatably driven by the driving power source, where the cooling efficiency of the hydraulic motor unit and the PTO clutch mechanism could be enhanced.


Cyanoacrylate-containing compositions that include, in addition to the cyanoacrylate component, an anhydride and a maleimide-, itaconimide-, or nadimide-containing compound, are provided. Cured products of the inventive cyanoacrylate compositions demonstrate improved moisture and/or heat resistance.

1. Field
This invention relates to cyanoacrylate-containing compositions that include, in addition to the cyanoacrylate component, an anhydride and a maleimide-, itaconimide-, or nadimide-containing compound. Cured products of the inventive cyanoacrylate compositions demonstrate improved humidity and/or heat resistance.
2. Brief Description of Related Technology
Cyanoacrylate adhesive compositions are well known, and widely used as quick setting, instant adhesives with a wide variety of uses. See H. V. Coover, D. W. Dreifus and J. T. O'Connor, "Cyanoacrylate Adhesives" in Handbook of Adhesives, 27, 463-77, I. Skeist, ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 3rd ed. (1990). See also G. H. Millet, "Cyanoacrylate Adhesives" in Structural Adhesives: Chemistry and Technology, S. R. Hartshorn, ed., Plenun Press, New York, p. 249-307 (1986).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,794 (Attarwala) is directed to an improved cyanoacrylate monomer adhesive formulation, where an effective amount, for enhancing the thermal resistance of the polymerized adhesive, of a mono, poly or hetero aromatic compound characterized by at least three substitutions on an aromatic ring thereof, two or more of the substitutions being electron withdrawing groups, is provided. Examples of the aromatic compound are given as 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene; 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene; 2,4-difluoronitrobenzene; 3,5-dinitromaleimide-, itaconimide-, or nadimide-containing compound; 2-chloro-3,5-dinitromaleimide-, itaconimide-, or nadimide-containing compound; 4,4′-difluoro-3,3′-dinitrophenyl sulfone; pentafluoronitrobenzene; pentafluoromaleimide-, itaconimide-, or nadimide-containing compound; α,α,α-2-tetrafluoro-p-tolunitrile and tetrachloroterphthalonitrile.
Prior to the discovery in the '794 patent, numerous attempts have been made to improve the thermal stability of cyanoacrylate adhesive bonds.
For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,334 is directed to the addition of maleic anhydride, which is reported to produce cyanoacrylate adhesives having increased thermal resistance (when cured) while preserving fast cure speed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,271 is directed to tri-, tetra- and higher carboxylic acids or their anhydrides, which are reported to be useful for improving heat resistance of cured cyanoacrylate adhesives.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,265 is directed to the use of phthalic anhydride to improve heat resistance of cyanoacrylate adhesives. More specifically, the '265 patent is directed to and claims an adhesive composition comprising a polymerizable constituent the major part of which comprises at least one ester of 2-cyanoacrylic acid, characterized in that the composition additionally comprises a proportion of phthalic anhydride effective for favorably influencing the strength and/or durability of adhesive bonds formed from the composition, under exposure to moisture or elevated temperature. The effective amount is reported as 0.1% to 5.0%, such as 0.3% to 0.7%, by weight of the composition. The '265 patent reports the superiority of phthalic anhydride over compositions where no additive was used, and where maleic anhydride was used (though less pronounced in the case of stainless steel lapshears than in those of aluminium).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,293 is directed to the use of benzephenonetetracarboxylic acid or its anhydride and is said to provide a superior heat resistance for cyanoacrylate adhesives.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,515 is directed to cyanoacrylate compositions containing certain maleimide or nadimide compounds to improve hot strength properties.
Notwithstanding the state of the art and the efforts to date to improve the heat resistance of cyanoacrylate compositions, there remains a long felt, yet unmet, need to provide such moisture and/or heat resistance to cured reaction products of such cyanoacrylate compositions, particularly without compromising other physical properties like fixture time, stability or color of the cyanoacrylate compositions themselves. Until now.


The present invention relates to the use of an α,α-disubstituted carboxylic acid ester of the general formula (I) wherein the variables are as defined in the claims and the description, or of mixtures of two or more of these α,α-disubstituted carboxylic acid esters or of a stereoisomer thereof or of a mixture of two or more stereoisomers thereof as aroma chemicals; to the use thereof for modifying the scent character of a fragranced composition; to an aroma chemical composition containing an α,α-disubstituted carboxylic acid ester of the general formula (I) or a mixture of two or more of said α,α-disubstituted carboxylic acid esters or of a stereoisomer thereof or of a mixture of two or more stereoisomers thereof; and to a method of preparing a fragranced composition or for modifying the scent character of a fragranced composition. The invention further relates to specific mixtures of α,α-disubstituted carboxylic acid esters of the general formula (I).

Aroma chemicals, especially fragrances, are of great interest especially in the field of cosmetics and cleaning and laundry compositions. Fragrances of natural origin are mostly expensive, often limited in their available amount and, on account of fluctuations in environmental conditions, are also subject to variations in their content, purity etc. To circumvent these undesirable factors, it is therefore of great interest to create synthetic substances which have organoleptic properties that resemble more expensive natural fragrances or which have novel and interesting organoleptic profiles.
Despite a large number of already existing synthetic aroma chemicals (fragrances and flavorings), there is a constant need for new components in order to be able to satisfy the multitude of properties desired for extremely diverse areas of application. These include, firstly, the organoleptic properties, i.e. the compounds should have advantageous odiferous (olfactory) or gustatory properties. Furthermore, aroma chemicals should also have additional positive secondary properties, such as e.g. an efficient preparation method, the possibility of providing better sensory profiles as a result of synergistic effects with other fragrances, a higher stability under certain application conditions, a higher extendability, a better higher substantivity, etc.
However, since even small changes in chemical structure bring about massive changes in the sensory properties such as odor and also taste, the targeted search for substances with certain sensory properties such as a certain odor is extremely difficult. The search for new fragrances and flavorings is therefore in most cases difficult and laborious without knowing whether a substance with the desired odor and/or taste will even actually be found.
Some α,α-disubstituted carboxylic acid esters are commercially available.
For example isomer mixtures of vinyl esters of highly branched C9- and C10-carboxylic acids are commercially available from the company Hexion under the brand name VeoVa™ 9 monomer and VeoVa™ 10 monomer. They are used as monomer building blocks for the manufacture of polymers and help to impart a low glass transition temperature and good chemical and UV resistance.
It was the object of the present invention to provide new aroma chemicals. These should have pleasant organoleptic properties. It was a further object of the present invention to provide substances which can be used as an aroma chemical in ready-to-use compositions. In particular, odor-intensive substances having a pleasant odor are sought. Furthermore, they should be combinable with other aroma chemicals, allowing the creation of novel advantageous sensory profiles. In addition, these aroma chemicals should be obtainable from readily available starting materials, allowing their fast and economic manufacturing, and should be free of toxicological concerns.
A further, specific object of the present invention was to provide specific compounds or compound mixtures, which have a berry odor note (such as blueberry and/or redberry odor note) and/or a spicy odor note.
This object is achieved by the compound of formula (I) as shown below or mixtures thereof or stereoisomers thereof.

α, α-disubstituted carboxylic acid esters for use as aroma chemicals


An improved processing system (10) for video signal processing. The system uses only one newer version scan-line video processor (12) at nearly maximum efficiency, with a digital input that is at a common rate. The processor performs motion detection, motion adaptive scan conversion, horizontal and vertical scaling and applies sharpness control within a limited amount of instruction space, and applies these functions to four different video formats.

Related Applications
This application is filed concurrently with "Improved Video Processing Using Scan-Line Video Processors", and "Sharpness Control for Digital Displays,".
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to display systems, more particularly to display systems that use digital processing of the video signals.
Background of the Invention
The current majority of display systems involve cathode ray tube (CRT) displays which have scanning guns that "spray" electrons onto the phosphors on the back side of the display screen. Due to the nature of the scanning guns, broadcast video signals are sent in an interlaced format. Each frame of data is divided into two fields, one containing the odd-numbered lines of the frame, the other containing the even-numbered lines.
Certain technologies are moving to the forefront of the display market, however, that cannot use this type of format. One example is spatial light modulators, which normally consist of an array of individually selectable elements over addressing circuitry that is addressed to make the selection. The addressing circuitry of these modulators is typically organized in rows and columns, making the selection of all of the odd-numbered lines or the even-numbered lines awkward, slow and costly.
Methods have been developed to alter the format of this data to a progressively scanned format, where the entire frame of data is formed. Often times this formation occurs by interpolating the missing field using previous fields to estimate the pixel values of the missing fields. This interpolation process can be expensive and computationally demanding, driving up the system performance requirements and the cost.
Another adaptation that must be made is the ability of the system to display different formats of incoming data. Typically, in CRT systems the incoming format remained an analog input and the guns just adjusted to the new dimensions. With the individual elements in the arrays, there is sometimes a one-to-one correspondence between the pixels on the image and the elements. For example, a system with 640 pixels per line and 480 lines would require a device that had 640 elements per line and 480 lines of elements, not including any scaling possibilities.
The incoming data is typically digitized at a rate equal to the pixels per line dimension in these types of systems. The 640 pixels per line would be digitized at 640 samples per line. The processor, therefore, must be able to adjust not only for displaying more than one format on a fixed number of elements in the array, but to have a sampling rate that is compatible with any given format.
One new advance in the video processing area is the scan-line video processor. These processors have several advantages that allow the solutions to the above problems. However, the first versions of these processors had an extremely limited instruction space, requiring the use of several processors in a display system. The newer versions of these processors have more instruction space, and are priced competitively when compared with the previous version.
Therefore, a system using the newer versions of scan-line video processors is needed that uses the fewest possible processors while still allowing the full functionality mentioned above.

Video processing system with scan-line video processor


A method and an apparatus are disclosed to detect and isolate faults in a rotary machine having a rotor and at least two stator windings. The method comprises generating an input signal and applying the input signal to a set of stator windings while the rotor is locked at a rotor position, measuring output signals and processing the output signals by Fourier transform to obtain a frequency response, testing the rotary machine at discrete rotor positions to obtain a frequency response function of the rotor position, applying Fourier transform to the frequency response function to obtain a two-dimension frequency response in frequency and spatial frequency domain, comparing the two-dimension frequency response with a reference, determining that there is a fault in the rotary machine if the difference exceeds a threshold number. The apparatus is designed to test a rotary machine using the inventive method.

An electric rotary machine can be an electric motor or a generator.
Electric motors are widely used in both industrial and consumer products such as pumps, compressors and fans. It is important to identify and isolate any potential faults in an electric motor and maintain it in good health. The failure modes of an electric motor include stator turn-turn short, broken stator windings, stator-frame insulation breakdown, deteriorated rotor eccentricity, broken rotor bars, rotor bar-bar short, shifted shaft, and bearing defects.
Fault detection techniques of a rotary machine mainly fall into two categories, online test and offline test. Online test is to measure dynamics of a rotary machine while the rotary machine is in operation. Online test typically requires various types of sensors and the output is also vulnerable to noise. Additionally, online test equipment is bulky and expensive. Offline test is to measure statics of a rotary machine and it is more immune to noise. Offline tests can be low voltage, medium voltage or high voltage test. High-voltage offline test can potentially deteriorate the rotary machine. Low-voltage or medium-voltage offline test is less invasive and safe to perform, which is especially preferred in a harsh industrial environment. In addition, low-voltage or medium-voltage test equipment is easy to carry and less expensive.
One offline test for an electric motor, according to the prior art, is to collect stator winding inductance measurements by applying a sinusoidal signal to the stator winding while the rotor is being rotated at a constant speed or at discrete steps. An inductance waveform versus rotor position or time is generated. This inductance waveform is compared to that measured on a healthy motor. Any significant deviation from the healthy motor waveform is an indication of a motor fault. There are also a few variants of this test method based on the same principle in the prior art. However, there are several disadvantages of this method. It is a space-domain or time-domain based analysis and is susceptible to noise. As a result, it requires a higher threshold and lowers the sensitivity. In addition, some signals in the measurement data such as low magnitude high-frequency signals are not obvious and ignored, which also reduces the sensitivity. Furthermore, the judgment is often subjective, which results in erroneous conclusions and false alarms.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,107,861 B1 discloses a method to detect faults in a rotary machine based on frequency responses. In the disclosure, the frequency responses of the stator windings are measured while the rotor is locked at a rotor position. Derived quantities are formed from the frequency responses to be independent of the rotor position. These derived quantities are compared with the corresponding reference quantities. If the difference between them is above a set threshold, it indicates a fault in the rotary machine. The reference quantities can be the derived quantities obtained at a different rotor position, or the derived quantities obtained on the same rotary machine in a different time period, or the derived quantities obtained on a healthy rotary machine. This method removes the rotor position dependency in the test and significantly simplifies the test. It does not require continuous rotor rotation during the test. Additionally, it is a frequency-domain analysis and is less affected by noise.
When a fault is detected by performing the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,107,861 B1, it is not always easy to isolate what type of faults in the rotary machine. Additional tests may be needed to isolate the faults. Fault isolation is important to find the failing part and have the rotary machine repaired quickly. Thus, there remains a considerable need for methods and apparatus that can reliably and conveniently isolate faults in a rotary machine.

Method and apparatus to detect and isolate faults in rotary machines


A multiplexing and transmission apparatus including a transmitter and a receiver is provided. The transmitter includes a control pulses generating circuit generating control pulses having different phases; channel-frame generating circuits each outputting low-speed frame signal in synchronization with the control pulse; and a multiplexing circuit multiplexing the low-speed frame signals into the high-speed serial signal. The receiver includes a demultiplexer demultiplexing high-speed serial signal into low-speed frame signals; channel-frame synchronization circuits each generating a frame pulse corresponding to the low-speed frame signal; a switching circuit switching each of the low-speed frame signals to an appropriate port of the channel; and a switch controller circuit controlling the switching circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiplexing and transmission apparatus for transporting signals in the Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) regime. In particular, the present invention relates to a very high—speed multiplexing and transmission apparatus beyond 10 Gbit/s.
This application is based on patent application number 2000-180928 filed in Japan, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
Given the rapid increase of data traffic demand, as can be seen in the well-known situation of the Internet, transmission systems have to provide transmission capacities of the order of Tera bit/s in the near future. To satisfy the huge demand, combined use of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is indispensable because this combination effectively uses fiber bandwidth. Here we focus on TDM technology for the next generation systems.
In the Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) regime, where low speed signals are multiplexed into a high-speed data stream, the traditional approach is to configure a new high-speed digital frame in the transmitter side. FIG. 1 shows an operation example in an Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) multiplexing apparatus (transmitter). As shown in this figure, frame phase is adjusted when configuring the new high-speed digital frame.
In the receiver side, after detecting the high-speed frame's start position (which is called delimiter) by pattern matching, each channel is identified from its assigned time-position relative to the frame's start position. This operation is shown in FIG. 2 taking the receiver side of the SDH multiplexing apparatus as an example.
The channel identifier of TDM is not manifested on each channel, unlike Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) where the channel identifier is the wavelength of each optical channel, or unlike Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) where the channel identifier is directly written into the VPI (Virtual Path Identifier) field defined in the cell header.
As one example of a TDM application, 10 Gbit/s transmission systems use the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) format as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, more exactly the STM-64 frame specified as the international standard in ITU-T G.707. The receiver detects the start position of the STM-64 frame by special pattern matching at high-speed data rate, and after that each channel is demultiplexed into appropriate tributary port by controlling the demultiplexing circuit: e.g., the byte right after the framing byte is recognized as channel 1, the next byte is for channel 2, and so on. It is common to call the detection of the frame start position as frame synchronization, and, the processing of the frame synchronization for a high-speed serial frame often requires the clock speed to be lowered by serial to parallel conversion. In general, increasing the number of parallel lines results in complex and large-scale circuits. The conventional approach to frame synchronization leads to the following problem.
When the bit rate exceeds 10 Gbit/s, for example 40 Gbit/s, the clock speed is close to the limit of electronic circuits. This complicates the realization of the intelligent processing operations needed such as pattern matching and demultiplexing circuit control required. For a 10 Gbit/s system, frame synchronization is executed at the clock rate of 1.25 GHz or 622 MHz after serial-parallel conversion where the parallel number is usually 8 or 16. Frame synchronization processing in 10 Gbit/s systems is difficult to achieve, even if we use compound semiconductors with large speed margins.
If we use the similar parallel number for frame synchronization in 40 Gbit/s systems, the processing clock rate should be 5 GHz or 2.5 GHz and the intelligent pattern matching processing involved would demand excessive circuit development cost. If we want clock rates of 1.25 GHz or 622 MHz, the parallel number should be 32 or 64, which leads to very complex and large-scale circuits. Moreover, the demultiplexing circuit for a 40 Gbit/s system would consist of several chips, e.g., 1:16 demultiplexer consisting of 1:2 demux, two 1:2 demux and four 1:4 demux. This is because a completely integrated 1:16 demultiplexer is not practical at the clock rate of 40 Gbit/s. The reason to use several chips is that high clock rate devices tend to support only very simple functions, on the other hand, devices suitable for integration operate at low clock rates. Controlling such multi-chip configurations is not practical, because each device has a different interface and timing margin.
For the line rate of 40 Gbit/s, two frame synchronization functions have been standardized: the conventional scheme for SDH in G.707 and that for the Optical channel Transport Unit (OUT)3 (part of the Optical Transport Network (OTN)) in ITU-T G.709. Apparatuses that comply with these international standards is not available today and will be expensive for several years after its introduction.
When we consider even higher data rates, for example 100 Gbit/s, we must accept that electronic circuits will have to be replaced by optical circuits as demultiplexers. In that case, conventional frame synchronization is not feasible, because optical circuits are limited to very simple functions.
A recent trend is to use the SDH interface in various new ways since the cost-effectiveness of hundred-Mbit/s-class SDH interfaces is very attractive to end-users. Thus, an increasing number of manufacturers are configuring their own sub-networks around SDH functionality. They often use the Section Overhead (SOH) for their own purposes and do not worry about complying with standard specifications. Therefore, network carriers that support those sub-networks are required not to terminate the proprietary SOH of users. Therefore, transparency of client overhead is a key requirement for today's transmission equipment.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A videophone includes an interface that enables communication between a videophone and another type of device, such as a speech-only telephone. In one embodiment, a signal processing circuit processes video and another type of information, respectively, in parallel data paths and operates in either a non-video mode or a video mode in response to whether or not another communicatively-coupled terminal represents that it is not operable as a compatible videophone. A two-way converter circuit coupled between the signal processing circuit and the communication channel transceives the video and the other type of information as processed in the parallel data paths with the signal processing circuit, and transceives the video and the other type of information with the communication channel.

It has been desirable to transmit and receive not only the voices of parties to a telephone conversation, but also their faces and other images. Early attempts to transmit images involved sending and receiving still images using standard telephone lines. More recently, data compression technology has facilitated the transmission of moving images using standard telephone lines. These compression techniques have also been used to compress audio information, such as speech. Compressing both audio and video information allows the information to be sent within the bandwidth constraints of conventional telephone lines. As a result, it is possible to transmit and receive telephone-quality speech and video images of adequate quality.
Many conventional speech-only telephones, on the other hand, transmit speech as analog signals rather than as compressed digital signals. With videophones and speech-only telephones employing different transmission techniques, it has been difficult for videophones to communicate with speech-only telephones. As a result, use of videophones has been largely limited to communication with compatible videophones. The lack of compatibility between videophones and conventional speech-only telephones has hampered the proliferation of videophones.

Videophone interface arrangement and method therefor


A process for producing an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor, in which water is used as a forming auxiliary agent and kneading an pulverizing steps are omitted to improve production efficiency, and a process for producing an electric double layer capacitor employing such a electrode, are provided. In a first mixing step, an activated carbon and a carbon black are mixed by a grinder containing a grinding medium. As the grinder containing a grinding medium used in this first mixing step, a commonly used ball mill can be used. In the second mixing step, a mixture is taken out from the grinder containing a grinding medium of the first mixing step, and moved into a second mixer prepared separately. Then, polytetrafluoroethylene as a binder and water as a liquid lubricant are added and the materials are mixed again. Thereafter, a calendar forming is carried out. The mixture obtained by the second mixing step is not a clumpy body of clay state or rubber state but a product which can be easily turned into grains of 1 to 2 mm, by simple means such as a wire sieve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor and to a process for producing an electric double layer capacitor employing such an electrode, in particular, to a process for producing an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor, wherein water is used as a forming auxiliary agent and kneading and pulverizing steps are omitted to improve production efficiency, and to a process for producing an electric double layer capacitor employing such an electrode.
2. Discussion of Background
In recent years, electric double layer capacitors, using an electric double layer formed at the interface between a polarized electrode and an electrolyte, particularly those having a coin shape, are increasingly demanded for power sources for memory backup. Meanwhile, for applications requiring large capacities such as power sources for electric automobile use, development of electric double layer capacitors of large capacity per a unit volume, low internal resistance, high energy density and high output density, is desired. Further, for the electric double layer capacitors for memory backup use, reduction of internal resistance is desired.
Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of vertical cross-sectional view of an electric double layer capacitor. Further, FIG. 6 shows a construction view of its element assembly.
In FIGS. 5 and 6, in a single cell 50 of the electric double layer capacitor, an element assembly 1 of column shape impregnated with an electrolytic solution (not shown) is accommodated in an outer casing 21 of cylindrical shape having a bottom portion 21a, and an opening 21b of the outer casing 21 is sealed with a sealing plate 31.
Here, the element assembly 1 is constituted by laminating a pair of electrode bodies 3A, 3B of long strip shape for forming electric double layers at the interfaces between the electrode bodies and the electric solution, and separators 5A, 5B disposed between the electrode bodies 3A, 3B. These electrode bodies 3A, 3B and the separators 5A, 5B are wound to form the element assembly 1. Here, one of the electrode bodies 3A, 3B constitutes a positive electrode, and the other one of them constitutes a negative electrode.
Further, the electrode bodies 3A, 3B have electric collector foils 7A, 7B respectively of long strip shape made of metal, and electrode layers 9A, 9B formed on surfaces of the electric collector foils 7A, 7B respectively. The electrode layers 9A, 9B are composed of a carbonaceous material mainly contributing to exhibit electrostatic capacitance, and a conductive material mainly functioning to increase conductivity, and the electrode layers 9A, 9B are each formed into a sheet shape of about at most 1 mm thick by employing a binder such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The electrode layers 9A, 9B are employed as they are bonded to the electric collector foils 7A, 7B.
As the material contributing to exhibit electrostatic capacitance, a carbonaceous material such as an activated carbon or a polyacene having a specific surface area of a few hundreds to about 3,000 m2/g, are mainly employed. As the conductive material for mainly increasing conductivity, a carbon black having a specific surface area of about 500 to 1,500 m2/g, is mainly employed.
As a method for producing sheet-shaped electrodes, an extrusion molding method has been known, in which a carbonaceous material, a binder and a liquid forming auxiliary agent are mixed, kneaded, and formed into a plate shape of a few millimeters thick by an extrusion method, and the product is rolled into a thin sheet shape (refer to JP-A-63-107011 and JP-A-11-283887).
Or else, a calendar forming method has been known, in which a carbonaceous material, a binder and a liquid forming auxiliary agent are mixed and kneaded, and thereafter, an obtained mixture of clay state or clumpy rubber state is preformed into a stick shape or pulverized into grain state or powder state, and the mixture is passed between two opposing rolls to be directly formed into a sheet shape (refer to JP-A-2001-307964, JP-A-2-235320, JP-A-2001-85280, JP-A-2001-35756 and Japanese Patent No. 3693254).
Among these forming methods, a calendar forming method is more excellent than an extrusion molding method in that it can mold the mixture directly into a thin sheet shape of at most about 1 mm thick. On the other hand, in the extrusion molding method, strong sheering force exerts to the mixture when it is extruded, which promotes unification of the mixture, while in the calendar forming method, sheering force exerted to the mixture at the time of forming is so small that homogenization of the mixture is scarcely promoted. To cope with this problem, in a case of forming the electrode sheet by the calendar forming method, it is considered to be necessary to sufficiently uniformly mixing the carbonaceous material, the binder and the forming auxiliary agent in advance.
The conductive material such as a carbon black is essential to reduce the resistance of an electric double layer capacitor to exhibit its performance, particularly high-output performance. As characteristics of a carbon black for efficiently imparting conductivity, 1) highly developed structure, 2) large specific surface area, 3) small primary particle size, 4) highly developed crystal structure, and 5) small amount of functional groups capturing π electron, are listed (source: Saishin Carbon Black Gijutsu Daizenshu; edited by Technical Information Institute Co., Ltd.). As a commercially available conductive carbon black, it has been known that Ketjenblack (manufactured by Ketjenblack International) has a characteristically large specific surface area and shows excellent conductive performance.
However, a conductive material having such a large specific surface area has a large surface energy, small grain size and small bulk density, and thus, such a material tends to agglomerate together, and it has been difficult to uniformly mix such a material with a material such as an activated carbon exhibiting static electric capacitance by a common mixing method. When such an insufficient dispersion occurs, the conductive material becomes to be easily peeled off from an electrode sheet, which may cause deterioration of durability of the electric double layer capacitor or deterioration of working environment, such being not preferred. To cope with this problem, in order to prevent such an insufficient dispersion of conductive material and to uniformly mix such a material, employment of wet-type kneading step using a liquid forming auxiliary agent (kneading auxiliary agent) has been considered to be necessary.
Further, in order to form kneaded product of clay state or rubber clumpy state by the calendar method, a step of pulverizing such a kneaded product to make its grain size uniform is required, which makes production process complicated. Further, as the kneading auxiliary agent, it has been desired to employ water from a viewpoint of minimizing environmental impact, but since a carbon black as a conductive material is hydrophobic, the carbon black tends to agglomerate at a time of kneading to cause insufficient dispersion.
In order to solve such problems, heretofore, methods of mixing a carbonaceous material, a conductive material and a binder as uniform as possible before forming them into a sheet shape, have been proposed.
For example, JP-A-2001-307964, JP-B-7-44127 and JP-A-2001-85280 propose methods of employing an organic solvent as a forming auxiliary agent. However, when such an organic solvent is employed, impact on environment increases or an explosion-proof type facility should be necessary in an organic solvent removal step in the process of producing electrode sheets, and thus, a method requiring minimum organic solvent has been desired.
Meanwhile, Japanese Patent No. 3028560 and JP-A-2003-225547 propose a dry type forming method not employing an auxiliary agent. However, in such a method, since an activated carbon, a carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene have significantly different physical properties, in a case where a rotating blade or a bar shaped tool is employed, the carbon black significantly tends to be suspended and the carbon black hardly be mixed into portions where mixing or compression occurs, and thus, it has not been possible to produce a long sheet having uniform characteristic and sufficient strength.
Further, for the forming step, methods of mixing and kneading a carbonaceous material such as an activated carbon, a conductive material such as a carbon black, a binder such as polytetrafluoroethylene and a forming auxiliary agent in advance to carry out forming, have been proposed (refer to JP-A-2001-35756 and Japanese Patent No. 3693254). However, since this method uses a kneading machine such as a kneader and the kneaded product becomes to be in a state of clumpy body, a step of pulverizing such clumpy bodies becomes required to deteriorate productivity or causes mixing of impurities from production equipment. Further, if too large sheering force is applied to such clumpy bodies by a kneading machine such as a kneader, PTFE as a binder is excessively fibrillated, which makes the sheet brittle and which may cause significant loss.

Process for producing electrode for electric double layer capacitor and process for producing electric double layer capacitor employing the electrode