A vacuum system is provided including a vacuum source and plurality of suction cups coupled to the vacuum source, wherein at least one of the suction cups is coupled to the vacuum source using a non-constricted fitting, and wherein at least one of the suction cups is coupled to vacuum source using a fixed orifice fitting. The vacuum system is configured to pick a top printing plate from the stack of printing plates, such that each suction cup coupled to the vacuum source using a non-constricted fitting is configured to always engage the top printing plate.

The present invention is in the field of imaging systems. More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for picking printing plates of various sizes.
In external drum imaging systems, a movable optical carriage is commonly used to displace an image exposing or recording source in a slow scan direction while a cylindrical drum supporting recording media on an external surface thereof is rotated with respect to the image exposing source. The drum rotation causes the recording media to advance past the exposing source along a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the slow scan direction. The recording media is therefore advanced past the exposing source by the rotating drum in a fast scan direction.
An image exposing source may include an optical system for scanning one or more exposing or recording beams. Each recording beam may be separately modulated according to a digital information signal representing data corresponding to the image to be recorded.
The recording media to be imaged by an external drum imaging system is commonly supplied in discrete, flexible sheets and may comprise a plurality of plates, hereinafter collectively referred to as xe2x80x9cplatesxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cprinting plates.xe2x80x9d Each printing plate may comprise one or more layers supported by a support substrate, which for many printing plates is a plano-graphic aluminum sheet or a polyester support. Other layers may include one or more image recording (i.e., xe2x80x9cimageablexe2x80x9d) layers such as a photosensitive, radiation sensitive, or thermally sensitive layer, or other chemically or physically alterable layers. Printing plates are available in a wide variety of sizes, typically ranging, e.g., from 9xe2x80x3xc3x9712xe2x80x3, or smaller, to 58xe2x80x3xc3x9780xe2x80x3, or larger.
A vacuum system, comprising a plurality of suction cups coupled to a vacuum source, is often employed to lift, or xe2x80x9cpick,xe2x80x9d the top printing plate from a stack of printing plates, prior to the top printing plated being fed to the external drum of an imaging system. One cost-effective method of simultaneously distributing a vacuum to the plurality of suction cups involves the use of a single venturi vacuum pump. An example of such a vacuum system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, the vacuum system 10 includes a vacuum pump 12 for generating a vacuum, a plurality of suction cups 14A-14F, tubing 16, and identical, non-constricted (i.e., xe2x80x9cstraight-throughxe2x80x9d) fittings 22 for coupling the suction cups 14A-14F in parallel to the vacuum pump 12 via tubing 16. In this configuration, a vacuum provided by the vacuum pump 12 is simultaneously applied and distributed to each of the plurality of suction cups 14A-14F.
As depicted in FIG. 2, the vacuum system 10 may be used to pick the top printing plate 18 off of a stack 20 of printing plates. When the top printing plate 18 has a width Wp greater than the effective width WSC of the plurality of suction cups 14A-14F sufficient vacuum is available at each of the suction cups 14A-14F to allow the top printing plate 18 to be lifted from the stack 20 of printing plates.
Problems may occur, however, when the vacuum system 10 is used to pick up a printing plate 18 having a width WP substantially narrower than the effective width WSC of the plurality of suction cups 14A-14F. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, only two of the suction cups (i.e., suction cups 14C and 14D) fully engage the top printing plate 18 in a stack of printing plates 20. The remaining suction cups 14A, 14B, 14E, and 14F, do not fully engage the top printing plate 18 and remain open to the atmosphere. As such, due to substantial vacuum leakage through the open suction cups 14A, 14B, 14E, and 14F, there is often insufficient remaining vacuum generated at suction cups 14C and 14D to enable the smaller printing plate 18 to be picked up and held by the vacuum system 10.
To accommodate a variety of different size printing plates, and to avoid the vacuum leakage problems detailed above, available vacuum systems often employ a manifold-type vacuum system, wherein a manifold is configured to selectively apply a vacuum to a plurality of suction cups based on the size of the printing plate to be picked up. Although quite effective, such manifold-type vacuum systems typically have a complex structure, and are expensive to implement, operate, and maintain.
A need therefore exists for simple and inexpensive vacuum system, such as the vacuum system illustrated in FIG. 1, that is capable of picking various size printing plates while controlling the leakage flow through the suction cups that do not engage a printing plate during the picking process.
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for picking printing plates from a stack of printing plates.
Generally, the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising:
a vacuum system including a vacuum source and plurality of suction cups coupled to the vacuum source, wherein at least one of the suction cups is coupled to the vacuum source using a non-constricted fitting, and wherein at least one of the suction cups is coupled to vacuum source using a fixed orifice fitting; and
a stack of printing plates;
wherein the vacuum system is configured to pick a top printing plate from the stack of printing plates, and wherein each suction cup coupled to the vacuum source using a non-constricted fitting is configured to always engage the top printing plate.
The present invention also provides a method, comprising:
providing a vacuum system including a vacuum source and plurality of suction cups coupled to the vacuum source;
coupling at least one of the suction cups to the vacuum source using a non-constricted fitting;
coupling at least one of the suction cups to the vacuum source using a fixed orifice fitting; and
picking a top printing plate from a stack of printing plates using the vacuum system, wherein each suction cup coupled to the vacuum source using a non-constricted fitting is configured to always engage the top printing plate.
The present invention further provides a method for picking and holding an object, comprising:
providing a vacuum system including a vacuum source and plurality of suction cups coupled to the vacuum source;
coupling at least one of the suction cups to the vacuum source using a non-constricted fitting;
coupling at least one of the suction cups to the vacuum source using a fixed orifice fitting; and
picking and holding an object using the vacuum system, wherein each suction cup coupled to the vacuum source using a non-constricted fitting always engages and holds the object, wherein zero or more of the suction cups coupled to the vacuum source using a fixed orifice fitting engage and hold the object, and wherein vacuum leakage through any suction cups that do not engage the object does not substantially affect a vacuum level within the suction cups that do engage the object.

Apparatus and method for picking printing plates of various sizes


A two-compartment container in which the first compartment has an upper layer and a lower layer and contains a first component that is to be added to the second compartment. Above the first compartment is a dome that is bowed upward and is flexible. Depressing the dome by pushing downward on it causes the lower layer of the first compartment to be ruptured without cutting or rupturing the upper layer, releasing the first component into the second compartment.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to packages and containers, and in particular, pertains to containers having two compartments and that may be used to keep two components separate until use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many different types of packages have been designed to enable product components to be kept separate until use and, in some cases, to allow one component to remain sterile until use of the product. In one type of two-compartment package, a stopper or other means is placed in the hole between the two compartments. For example, the two-compartment container of Halm (U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,321) comprises a one-piece container having two compartments assembled one upon another interlinked by a stoppered opening. The disclosure of all patents referred to herein is incorporated herein by reference.
Other two-compartment packages utilize a perforating unit to allow the two previously separated components to mix. See, for example, the patents of Goncalves (U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,888 which has a glass defining a first compartment, which is provided with a neck upon which is mounted a bottle defining a second compartment, with a membrane between the two compartments that is perforated when a perforating unit is displaced relative to the glass, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,916 which has two units separated by a cover perforatable as a result of the manipulation of a mixing perforator). The two-part container of Wiegner (U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,772) has a frangible partition of coated aluminum foil dividing the compartments and a piercing member mounted on a resilient portion transversely directed toward the partition. In the patent of White (U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,934) rigid penetrating means are used to penetrate a compartment closing diaphragm to allow nursing liquid to flow from the compartment to a communicating, attached nipple.
Two compartment packages have also been previously developed which have an opening container attached to the top of the package and are provided with a screw cap and a cylinder jacket shaped supporting ring. The cylinder jacket shaped supporting ring is attached to the top of the package by means of a fixing flange externally surrounding the opening disc and is provided on its inner surface with a raised thread. The ring surrounds the external thread of the plastic screw cap. A cutter is integrally molded onto the free edge of the screw cap, and is provided with a front cutting edge which passes at an angle through the free edge.
For such products as two-part epoxy glues, two compartments are also needed to keep the products from reacting, as in the patent of Wilkinson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,279).
The dispenser of Renault (U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,600) has two compartments separated by a sealing member sealed against a seat, so that movement of one of the containers relative to the other causes the sealing member to move away from the seat and form an annular passage between the sealing member and the seat.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,209,718, 6,105,760, 6,513,650 and 6,786,330 disclose a two-compartment package, which keeps a first component separate from a liquid component until use, so that the first component does not become wetted until just before use. The two-compartment package keeps at least one of the components sterile until just before use, at or before which time, the two components may be easily mixed. The prior invention can thus be used for containers for the separate packaging of dried microbial cultures which are to be added to a food, liquid nutrition, medicine, or beverage product just before consumption, for the separate packaging of carbonation tablets from a liquid until just before consumption, and for separate packaging of vitamins or other unstable components before addition to a beverage, liquid nutrition, medicine or beverage before consumption.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,795 discloses a container and means for adding a selected component to a main package, thus forming a two-compartment container that keeps a first component, which may, for example, be moisture sensitive, from a second component, preferably a liquid, until a selected time before use. The delivery package, preferably containing a second component in a compartment inside a cavity in the delivery package, may be mountable on the outside surface of a main package. A puncture means is provided for cutting through the compartment and the main package to gain access to the main package, for example, to release the first component from the compartment into the main package. Alternatively, the main package may be a bag, such as an enteral bag in the preferred use of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment of the invention, the main package preferably is for holding a liquid beverage, and the delivery package is attached to the main package during the manufacturing process.
In some cases, such as with aseptically-filled bottles or cartons, there is a need to provide a means for adding a selected separate first component to a package after manufacture of the package and/or at a location on the package, which component may vary in concentration and/or composition, depending, for example, on the patient's history and diagnosis. Providing a means of attaching a first compartment to a package after both the first compartment and package have been manufactured allows a user to select both a particular first component to add to a package and the time and place of addition of the first component to the package. There is also need to have the capability to add beverage additives, particularly degradable or moisture-sensitive or oxygen-sensitive components (for example, vitamins) to liquid beverage bottles at or just before the time the beverage is consumed.
The types of structures used for many prior two-compartment containers are complicated and often subject to leakage. Thus, there remains a need to have two-compartment packages which keep a first component separate from a liquid component until use, so that the first component does not become wetted until just before use, that keep at least one of the components sterile until just before use, and in which the two components may be easily mixed just before use, and which has minimal or no leakage prior to mixing of the components and once the components have been mixed. For example, there is a need for such containers for the separate packaging of dried microbial cultures which are to be added to a food, liquid nutrition, medicine, or beverage product just before consumption, for the separate packaging of carbonation tablets from a liquid until just before consumption, and for separate packaging of for example vitamins, flavoring or coloring agents or other unstable components before addition to a beverage, liquid nutrition, medicine or beverage before consumption.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a two-compartment container that keeps a first component, which may be moisture sensitive, from a second component, preferably a liquid, until a selected time before use, and that then the separation between the components may be removed without utilizing a puncturing structure.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a two-compartment container that has improved manufacturability and decreased leakage.
Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from the following disclosure and appended claims.

Two-compartment container having depressible flexible dome for rupturing layer between compartments


One aspect of an embodiment of the display support mechanism for rotating a display housing having a flat panel display about a horizontal axis of rotation. The display support mechanism comprises a first member and a second member. The first member is pivotally coupled to a back display panel of the display housing. The second member is pivotally coupled to the back display panel of the display housing. The second member is substantially coplanar to the first member when the display housing is placed in a first position by rotating the display housing about a horizontal axis. When the display housing is placed in a second position, the second member becomes substantially in parallel with the first member.

Over the past decade, there has been increased demand for laptop computers, especially in light of their enhanced data processing capabilities. Operating from either external or portable power sources, conventional laptop computers feature a display housing pivotally connected to a body case. Typically, the display housing includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) while the body case includes a keyboard and a secondary input device, such as a roller ball or a touch pad for example.
In order to access the keyboard and view displayed content on the LCD, a user places the body case on a surface (e.g., the user's lap or a fixed surface) and opens the computer by pivoting the display housing away from the body case. As a result, the user is able to access the keyboard and secondary input device as well as to read the displayed content. Similarly, to close the computer after use, the user pivots the display housing toward the body case and secures the display housing thereto.
Recently, due to the growing popularity of personal digital assistants, laptop computers have been configured to alternatively operate as a tablet computer, with a stylus pen operating as the input device. This requires the display housing to be inverted, namely the LCD is positioned to be viewable and resting against the body case. The inverting and pivoting of the display housing has been previously accomplished by a shaft attached to a bottom portion of the display housing. The shaft provides a vertical center axis to allow the display housing to be rotated horizontally 180 degrees about this center axis before it is rotated vertically in a downward direction toward the user. This structure, however, possesses a number of disadvantages.
For instance, one disadvantage is that a substantial amount of force is exerted on the shaft which, over prolonged use, may cause the shaft to break prematurely. Another disadvantage is that the shaft merely provides a single point of contact, which tends to provide an unacceptable amount of instability for the display during adjustment and normal usage. Yet another disadvantage is that a brake hinge may be adapted to a rear surface of the display housing. Thus, the thickness of the electronic device cannot be reduced beyond the sizing of the hinge mechanism itself.


A joint structure for connecting framing components such as sash members for a window is disclosed having separate functional and decorative junctions between adjacent framing components. The functional junction between components may be formed between opposing and abutting mitered mating surfaces defined at adjacent ends of the component, and a separate squared flange and cooperative recess may be formed on interior surfaces of the components for overlapping the mating surfaces and providing a decorative junction, for example, having the appearance of a mortise and tenon joint. The joint structure is particularly suited for use in custom or replacement applications whereby lineal extruded members formed of a heat weldable material may be cut to size having the aforementioned surfaces, and then heat welded together to form a custom sized framing structures such as a sash or frame for a window or door.

Many technological improvements in window and door design have been made available over the last several years. For instance, the insulating properties of newer window constructions are greatly improved over older window constructions, which can often provide significant energy cost savings to property owners. Consequently, a significant need has developed for replacing windows and doors during remodeling of older homes and buildings with newer, more efficient components.
However, most conventional windows, doors, patio doors, etc. are currently built to standardized dimensions. Since different sizes of windows and doors require differently sized components, it is common practice for manufacturers to offer only a limited number of standardized sizes of windows and doors, which reduces the overall manufacturing complexity and cost of these structures based upon the efficiencies obtained through economies of scale.
Many older windows and doors do not conform to standard sizings, and often it is difficult to find replacement windows which exactly fit the rough-in dimensions of a window or door to be replaced. Therefore, since standard sizes of windows and doors are often not acceptable substitutes as replacement windows, some replacement applications may require custom built windows or doors, which typically require individual components to be separately manufactured to size. Consequently, custom window construction often does not obtain the benefits of economies of scale, e.g., high volume production of structures using standardized parts. Thus, many custom windows and doors are significantly more expensive than their standardized counterparts.
Therefore, a need exists for a modular system for manufacturing windows and doors of custom sizes and shapes which offers less complex and expensive manufacture of structures such as windows and doors. In particular, such a need exists for replacement applications where standardized components are often not compatible.
A need has also developed for improved joint structures for joining framing components such as used for window sashes, window frames, door frames, etc. For example, windows typically require joint structures for sashes which are used to retain a window glass assembly within a frame. A window glass assembly is typically a single pane of glass, or alternately, a self-contained multi-paned insulated glass unit whereby two or more panes are stacked and sealed about their perimeters, with a partial vacuum and/or an insulating gas such as argon disposed in the sealed spaced between panes.
Generally, a sash used to retain a window glass assembly includes framing components which are generally L-shaped in cross-section. A silicone sealant is layered along the inside of the frame, and then the window glass assembly is placed in the frame against the silicone sealant. A glazing bead is then installed around the open side of the sash to retain the window glass assembly therein.
It is also known to include spacer blocks sandwiched between the edges of the window glass assembly and the L-shaped channel in the sash, which forms a condensation channel and centers the pane in the sash. Further, by constructing the sash members of a heat weldable plastic, it is known that custom sashes may be constructed by miter cutting individual sash members to size, then butt welding the mitered ends of the sash members together.
However, there are several drawbacks to this type of construction. First, curing of the silicone sealant often adds significant delays to the manufacturing process. Typically, the sealant must cure at least 20 minutes before the sash and window glass assembly may be handled since the window glass assembly is not adequately held within the sash until the sealant at least partially cures. Furthermore, the assemblies typically may not be shipped until the sealant has fully cured, which may take up to eight hours or more. Second, installation of the glazing bead requires an additional manufacturing step, as well as an additional component, which increases the complexity and cost of the custom constructions.
One process which offers improved performance over many conventional custom construction processes is disclosed in German Application No. 3318684 A1.
The German reference generally discloses a sash having a plurality of grooved sash members which include U-shaped glass receiving channels that receive and support the window glass assembly therein. The individual sash members are formed of a preformed plastic which is compatible with heat welding. Each of the sash members is miter cut at a 45.degree. angle, then the sash members and window glass assembly are arranged generally in a plane with the sash members oriented around the periphery of the assembly. Next, individual heating platens are interposed between the mitered edges of the sash members, and the members are forced against the heating platens to heat and plasticize the mitered edges. The sash members and platens are next withdrawn, and then the sash members are forced together under pressure with the window glass assembly retained within the glass receiving channels thereof until the plasticized mitered edges are heat welded to one another. Finally, a silicone adhesive sealant is applied to both sides of the glass receiving channels to provide an air and water seal for the window as well as to secure the window glass assembly in place in the sash.
Several advantages are obtained by the process disclosed in the German reference. For example, the completed sash and window glass assembly may typically be handled immediately after the heat welding operation, as well as after the silicone adhesive is applied, since the window glass assembly is sufficiently held in place within the glass receiving channels even prior to curing of the adhesive. Furthermore, the glazing bead is no longer used or needed. Consequently, there are significant savings in cost and manufacturability offered by the German process.
Several drawbacks nonetheless exist with the German process. First, the manufactured sashes often don't have the same decorative appearance of many older windows. In particular, many older wood frame windows utilize mortise and tenon joint structures. In windows with mortise and tenon joint structures, vertically extending stile sash members are joined to horizontally extending rail sash members. At each joint, one of the members includes a flange disposed at its end, and the other member includes an aperture formed on a side surface thereof for receiving the flange. The appearance of the mortise and tenon joint structure is defined by the squared edge extending across one of the members.
The aforementioned German process, on the other hand, produces sashes with mitered joints. Since many older windows utilize other joint structures, any replacement windows constructed with the German process would not precisely match the windows which were replaced. Further, if only a few of the windows in a building were replaced, the replacement windows would not match the remaining windows in the building.
Second, heat welding a plastic material to form the joints between sash members typically creates flashing which diminishes the decorative appearance of the joint. Often, the flashing is removed along the mating surface between the members. However, it is often difficult to remove all of the flashing material from the decorative surfaces of the sash. The German process attempts to reduce the amount of flashing by providing bevels along the mitered surfaces. However, some amount of flashing will typically still be formed along the opposing decorative surfaces of the sash.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a window assembly process whereby sash members may be assembled around a window glass assembly in a faster, less expensive, and less complex manner, while having improved decorative appearance. Furthermore, there is a need for a window assembly process which may utilize different styles of architectural or decorative joint structures, in particular so that a replacement window may be constructed having a similar architectural style as that of the replaced window.

Joint structure and method of manufacture


The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of dialkoxyorganoboranes, in particular to a process for the synthesis of dialkoxyorganoboranes by an ester exchange reaction. Moreover, the invention relates to a process for the synthesis of organo-oxazaborolidine catalysts (organo-CBS) and of trialkylboroxins. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods of using dialkoxyorganoboranes for the preparation of organo-CBS catalysts and in Suzuki-type coupling reactions.

Dialkoxyorganoboranes are versatile reagents for organic syntheses and have for example been employed in so diverse fields as in the synthesis of antibiotics, insecticides and organoborohydrides. Dialkoxymethylboranes can potentially be used for the synthesis of methyl-substituted chiral oxazaborolidines (known as MeCBS named after Corey, Bakshi and Shibata. c.f. Corey, E. J. et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 37, 1986-2012 (1998)), which are powerful enantioselective catalysts for ketone reductions. Another potential use for dialkoxyorganoboranes is in Suzuki-type coupling reactions to introduce an organo group into a molecule under formation of a new C—C-bond (Miyaura, N.; Suzuki, A., Chem Rev. 95, 2457-2483 (1995)).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,131 describes the preparation of dialkoxyalkylboranes by reacting excess trialkyborates with diborane in the presence of an olefin, e.g.:4B(OR)3+B2H6+6C2H4 - - - →6Et-B(OR)2 (R is alkyl)
Of course, dialkoxymethylboranes cannot be prepared by that method.
Another method for the manufacture of dialkoxyalkylboranes comprises esterification of alkylboronic acids (Brown, H. C. et al., Organometallics 2(10), 1311-1316 (1983), Brown, H. C. et al., Organometallics 2(10), 1316-1319 (1983)) or trialkylboroxins (Dahlhoff, W. V. et al., Liebigs Ann. Chem. 8, 807-810 (1990)) with an appropriate alcohol.R—B(OH)2+2R′OH - - - →R—B(OR′)2+2H2O(R—BO)3+6R′OH - - - →3R—B(OR′)2+3 H2O (R, R′ is alkyl)
Water is generated in these reactions, which very often disturbs further application of the product, even if only traces of water remain.
Water is especially detrimental to the function of the alkyl-CBS catalysts, which can be prepared from dialkoxyalkylboranes. For this reason Corey proposed the use of bis(trifluoroethoxy)alkylboranes for the synthesis of ethyl- and n-butyl-CBS derivatives to avoid the formation of water as a by-product (Corey, E. J. et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 33(29), 4141-4144 (1992)). The use of bis(dialkylamino)alkylboranes for the synthesis of alkyl-CBS catalysts has also been described (Chavant, P. Y. et al., J. Organomet. Chem. 455, 37-46 (1993), but these are quite expensive reagents.
It was one object of the present invention to provide a simple and efficient process for the preparation of dialkoxyorganoboranes. The formation of water or other by-products, that might be difficult to handle or to remove, should be avoided during the process. It was another object of the present invention to establish a process for the production of organo-oxazaborolidine catalysts (organo-CBS) using dialkoxyorganoboranes. In addition, a new and efficient method for the preparation of trialkoxyboroxins should be developed.

Process for synthesis of dialkoxyorganoboranes


A gas bearing for rapidly rotating parts, particularly in textile machines, including two support members mounted on a base plate, thin foils attached to each of the support members by means of clamping plates such that the foils partially embrace a rotor shaft or other part to be positioned, and a drive belt which rotates the rotor shaft and maintains the shaft positioned against the foils. Additionally a movable hose is attached to a foil whereby gas can be introduced between the rotor shaft and the foil by means of perforations in the foil. A similar supporting gas film is created at an end of the rotor shaft. Centrally located axial passages in the rotor shaft and a positioning magnet introduce gas into the shaft and through radial ducts in the shaft to provide a thin gas film for supporting the shaft. According to a further embodiment a gas bearing is provided for use with a shaft which is driven independently of the bearing.

The invention relates to a gas bearing for rapidly rotating parts in textile machines, and particularly to a gas bearing for the positioning of rotating parts such as spinning rotors, spinning rings, and spinning spindles in textile machines. In the prior art gas bearings utilizing thin foils as bearing elements are known, for example, as described in the book "Gas Film Lubrication" by W. A. Gross, at pages 138-141 (1962).


An improved electrophotographic copying apparatus is described, which permits, during automatic copying of a desired number of copies from the same original document, the setting of the number of repeated uses of the same latent electrostatic image, thus obviating the lowering and unevenness of image quality of the copies. In another embodiment of the improved electrophotographic copying apparatus, the timing of the formation of successive latent images of the same original document is controlled in accordance with the total number of copies to be made of the same original document so that the number of repeated uses of each respective latent image is made approximately equal. Also, in the latter embodiment, a signal indicating the timing for the exchange of successive original documents is generated at the time of formation of the last electrostatic image from the prior original document.

This invention relates to an electrophotographic copying apparatus, and more particularly to an electrophotographic copying apparatus which permits the making of a plurality of copies from one latent electrostatic image.
In general, the electrophotographic copying method employing a visible image transfer, is known using a series of steps consisting of the sensitizing of a photoconductor by electrical charging, the exposing of the photoconductor to form a latent electrostatic image, the developing of the latent image with a developer, the transferring of the developed visible image to a recording sheet or other materials, the electrical quenching of the photoconductor, and the cleaning of the photoconductor. Usually, this process is performed by rotating a drum-shaped or belt-shaped photoconductor so as to move the peripheral surface of the photoconductor in one direction.
In this specification, the electrophotographic copying method of the above-mentioned type is referred to as the copying method by single-copy process.
The latent electrostatic image formed on the photoconductor is stable for a comparatively long period of time in the dark. A copying method utilizing this characteristic of the latent image is known, which permits obtaining of copies from the same latent image by repeating both development of the latent image and the transferring of the developed image, once the latent image is formed. The copying method of this type is referred to as the copying method of multicopy process in this specification.
Since it is possible to adopt selectively both the copying method by single-copy process and the copying method by multi-copy process in the same copying apparatus by changing the control system of the copying apparatus, an electrophotographic copying machine, which permits selection of both the copying methods, has already been known.
The advantage of the copying method by multi-copy process is that since a plurality of the same copies can be obtained by a single exposure, and accordingly, since the number of cleanings can be reduced, the power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, since from the second copy on, development and image transfer can be performed by use of the already formed same latent image, the copying time can be shortened significantly.
Naturally, an unlimited number of copies cannot be obtained from the same latent electrostatic image. With the increase in the number of repeated uses of the latent image, the image quality obtained is lowered. At the present technique level, approximately 30 copies from the same latent electrostatic image are practically usable in the case of line copying, and in the case of large, solid-image area copying, approximately 15 copies are practically usable.
In the case of the line copy work, for example, when 50 copies are required from the same original, they can be obtained in the following manner using the copying method by multi-copy process. First, the counter for use in multicopy is set for the maximum 30 copies, and initially 30 copies are made. Then the above-mentioned counter is set for 20 copies, and the remaining 20 copies are made.
However, in the case where all of these copies are to be used commercially, all the copies do not have a sufficient copy quality to be acceptable as a commercial product.
Out of 30 copies obtained by the multi-copy process from the same electrostatic image, if 10 copies have a sufficient image quality to qualify as a product to be commercialized, and 50 copies having such image quality are required from the same original, the multi-copy process has to be repeated five times by setting the copy counter for 10 copies each time when the conventional copying apparatus is utilized.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when 10 l copies can be obtained from the same latent image, but 12 copies from the same original are required, the latent image is formed at the first copy and at the tenth copy. However, the electric potential of a latent image is decreased in proportion to the number of repeated uses of the latent image. Therefore, the image density and resolution of the teeth copy is significantly lower than those of the first copy and the eleventh copy since with the increase of the number of repeated uses of the latent electrostatic image, the image quality of the copies is successively lowered. Also, the quality of the copies becomes uneven.
Furthermore, when the original is replaced with a subsequent original after the formation of the last latent image, the smaller in number the copies to be made after the final formation of the same latent image, the less the time allowed for replacing the subsequent original before the end of copying of the prior original, so the more the total copying time, causing a waste of time.

Electrophotographic copying apparatus for the production of multiple copies from a single latent electrostatic image


A multi-chip-module (MCM) architecture allows direct access to a chip with minimum cost in space, yield, and signal delay. A first chip of the MCM is connected to a second chip via corresponding I/Os, but only the first chip has I/Os are directly accessible off the MCM. A coupling circuit, responsive to a control signal, which passes signals in the directly accessible I/Os of the first chip to the I/Os of the second chip.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to multi-chip-modules (MCMs) in which two or more integrated circuit (IC) chips are wired to the module and, more particularly, to an MCM architecture which requires access to all chips on the MCM for purposes of burn-in, test and debug operations.
2. Background Description
Often, when two or more chips are wired to a multi-chip-module (MCM), direct access to one chip is blocked by another chip. This complicates burn-in, test and debug operations on the module. As but one example, consider an MCM containing a microprocessor chip and an in line level 2 (L2) cache chip, although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the problem, and the solution according to the invention described below, is not limited to this combination. In this particular type of design, most of the MCM input/outputs (I/Os) are wired directly to the L2 cache only. There is no way to get direct access to the microprocessor. Without direct access to the microprocessor, the L2 cache must be used functionally to provide a means of getting data to and from the microprocessor. This limits the ability to burn-in, test, and debug all the chips on the MCM.
In the above example for the case of burning-in, the L2 cache and the microprocessor may require different types of burn-in stress due to differences in logic chip and memory chip fabrication processes. Also, on an MCM it is difficult to exercise the L2 cache and the microprocessor separately.
For the case of manufacturing testing, it is difficult to generate test patterns. A simulation model of both chips may be required, and this would be very time consuming and expensive. A boundary scan approach can be used to make the test easier, but this often adds a substantial amount of circuitry and functional signal delay.
For the case of MCM debugging, it is difficult to determine which of the chips is failing without direct access to both chips independently. Since most of the interface between the microprocessor and the L2 cache is bi-directional, it is not possible to use any conventional techniques of pin pass through using the L2 cache drivers and receivers without extensive directional control from the microprocessor. Because of the difficulties involved in MCM debugging, MCM rework may not be accurate and thus more expensive.

Pass through mode for multi-chip-module die

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention provides active and passive immunization methods for preventing and treating Clostridium difficile infection, which involve percutaneous administration of C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, C. difficile toxoids, or combinations thereof. Also provided by the invention are C. difficile toxoids, C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin, and methods of identifying subjects that produce C. difficile toxin-neutralizing polyclonal immune globulin.

This invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing and treating Clostridium difficile disease.
Clostridium difficile, a toxin-producing gram positive bacterium, invades the intestinal tracts of patients whose normal intestinal flora is suppressed due to treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics. The bacterial toxins cause varying degrees of damage to the large intestinal (i.e., colonic) epithelium, and cause a spectrum of illnesses, ranging from mild diarrhea to severe colitis. Because antibiotic treatment induces the onset of C. difficile disease, the associated syndromes are named antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis (LaMont, Bacterial Infections of the Colon, Textbook of Gastroenterology, second edition, 1897-1903, 1995).
Three clinical syndromes caused by C. difficile are recognized, based on severity of the infection. The most severe form is pseudomembranous colitis (PMC), which is characterized by profuse diarrhea, abdominal pain, systemic signs of illness, and a distinctive endoscopic appearance of the colon. The case-fatality rate of PMC may be as high as 10%. Antibiotic-associated colitis (AAC) is also characterized by profuse diarrhea, abdominal pain and tenderness, systemic signs (e.g., fever), and leukocytosis. Intestinal injury in AAC is less than in PMC, the characteristic endoscopic appearance of the colon in PMC is absent, and mortality is low. Finally, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is the mildest syndrome caused by C. difficile, and is characterized by mild-moderate diarrhea, lacking both large intestinal inflammation (as characterized, e.g., by abdominal pain, tenderness) and systemic signs of infection (e.g., fever). These three distinct syndromes occur in an increasing order of frequency. That is, PMC occurs less frequently than AAC, and AAD is the most frequent clinical presentation of C. difficile disease.
The populations affected by C. difficile are principally hospitalized, elderly patients and nursing home residents who have received broad spectrum antibiotics. Old age, length of hospital stay, underlying illness, and use of antibiotic therapy are recognized risk factors for C. difficile infection (McFarland et al., J. Infect. Dis. 162:678-684, 1990; Bennett, Aging, Immunity, and Infection, 216-229, 1994). A frequent complication of C. difficile infection is relapsing disease, which occurs in up to 20% of all subjects who recover from C. difficile disease. Relapse may be characterized clinically as AAD, AAC, or PMC. There are no specific risk factors or predisposing factors for relapse, but patients who relapse once are more likely to relapse again.
C. difficile produces two exotoxins, Toxin A and Toxin B, which mediate the disease process caused by C. difficile. Toxin A and Toxin B are large (.about.300 kDa) extracellular proteins, the active forms of which are believed to be homodimers. The toxins are stably expressed in approximately equivalent amounts from a single chromosomal locus (Mitty et al., The Gastroenterologist 2:61-69, 1994). The toxins have nearly 50% amino acid sequence homology, but are immunologically distinct. The 100 kDa carboxyl-termini of the two toxins contain repetitive oligopeptides, and are involved in carbohydrate receptor binding in vivo. Receptor specificity is believed to mediate tissue and host specificity of toxin action. This region is also more immunogenic than the amino terminus. The amino terminal 200 kDa region contains the enzymatic domain, which is believed to glycosylate the GTP binding proteins Rho, Rac, and Cdc42, thereby preventing their phosphorylation, and leading to a loss of actin polymerization and cytoskeletal integrity (Eichel-Streiber, Trends Micro. 4:375-382, 1996). As a result of the cytoskeletal changes, tight junctions between epithelial cells are lost. The epithelial damage in conjunction with local inflammatory events causes fluid exudation into the gut, manifested as diarrhea (Mitty et al., supra).
By virtue of their inhibition of cytoskeleton structure, both toxins cause the rounding of cells in tissue culture at very low concentrations. The dose that causes morphologic change in 50% of cells (MC.sub.50) for Toxin A on IMR90 cells is 0.4 ng/ml and for Toxin B is 3.5 pg/ml (Torres et al., Infect. & Immun. 63:4619-4727, 1995). Toxin A is an enterotoxin that causes fluid accumulation in ligated animal intestinal loops. Although Toxin B does not induce fluid secretion in animal intestinal loops, both it and Toxin A elicit inflammatory changes in vivo and in vitro (Mitty et al., supra). Both toxins are lethal to animals when administered systemically.

Passive immunization against Clostridium difficile disease


One embodiment of an anti-thrombogenic device includes a substrate, an attachment compound including a first end directly, mechanically secured to the substrate a second end positioned opposite the substrate, and an anti-thrombogenic species bonded to the second end of the attachment compound.

Medical devices may be implanted or placed in live beings, such as human patients, for a variety of medical reasons. In many cases the medical device will not function optimally if it does not include anti-thrombogenic, i.e., anti-clotting, properties. Accordingly, a device that includes anti-thrombogenic properties will provide beneficial medical functionality.

Anti-thrombogenic device and method of manufacturing the same


A dietary supplement for use as a probiotic and for alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, comprising freeze-dried aloe, fructo-oligosaccharides, and dahlia inulin juice mixture and optionally vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) manganese and L-glutamine. An additional alternate embodiments specifically for alleviation of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including in the base formula bromelain and papain. Also for specific probiotic functions the following friendly bacteria: Lactobacillus bulgaricus, lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum could be added to the base formula.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dietary supplement and method for use as a probiotic(immuno-stimulant) and for alleviating the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of dietary supplements for alleviating specific symptoms associated with particular human health problems is well known. Going back to ancient times, references are made to various dietary foods, herbs, and other naturally produced substances that are associated with improving the human health condition.
Many times, a person has poor health conditions based on dietary deficiencies, such as vitamins, minerals, and other natural elements that are essential for good human health. Many times, the dietary supplements available can supply missing dietary minerals and vitamins that are essential for proper metabolism and function of the human body. Therefore, it is well known that improvements to human health and well-being can be achieved using dietary supplements, especially if they provide for deficiencies in a person's diet. The use of daily or weekly supplements supplying missing natural dietary elements such as vitamins and minerals can alleviate symptoms for improvement related to specific maladies of human health.
The human condition known as irritable bowel syndrome can best be defined as a chronic disorder of the bowels, resulting in variable abdominal discomfort or pain, constipation, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, belching, excess flatus, spasm, abdominal distention, tired and weak feeling, and mechanical irritation of the bowel. Medical treatment has traditionally entailed bland diet, mild sedatives, hydrophilic colloid laxatives, anti-cholinergics, and anti-diarrhea agents and are often associated with numerous side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, visual disturbances, and food intolerances.
Aloe is a tropical or subtropical plant with thick lance-shaped leaves with jagged edges and has been known for centuries for its medicinal and therapeutic properties useful in treating many different human conditions.
The aloe plant and extracts from aloe, aloe vera, and various specific aloe extracts from the natural plant can alleviate symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome as shown in the following literature.
Title or Subject Authors Date Reference "The Small Intestines Chikalo, I. & Sept. Quoted in "The Function Affected by Bolovyeve, V. 1966 Aloes of Aloe Extract" Ukraine Tropical Africa and Madagascar" by Reynolds, G. W. "Aloe Vera Gel in Blitz, J., 1963 J. Amer. Peptic Ulcer Therapy; Smith, J., & Osteopathic Preliminary Report" Gerard, J. Assoc. 62 731- 735 Aloenin and Aloe-Ulcin Yamamoto, I. 1970 J. Med. Soc. From A arborescens Toho Jpn. 17 Inhibit Gastric 361 Secretion Aloe-Ulcin Equals Mg Hirata, T. & 1977 Naturforsch 32c Lactate Suga, T. 731 Aloenin and Aloe-Ulcin Hirata, T. & 1978 Bull. Chem. From A arborescens Suga, T. Soc. Jpan. 51 Inhibit Gastric 842 Secretion "Effect of Orally Bland, J. 1985 Preventive Consumed Aloe Vera Medicine, Juice on March/April Gastrointestinal Function in Normal Humans" "Effects of Aloe Salto, H., 1989 Jpn. Yakugaku Extracts Aloctin A on Imanishi, K., Zasshi 109 (5) Gastric Secretion and Okabe, S. 335-339 on Experimental Gastric Lesions in Rats" "A Double-Blind Trial Odes, H. S. & 1991 Digestion -49 of a Celandin, Aloe Madar, Z. (2) 65-71 Vera and Psyllium Laxative Preparation in Adult Patients with Constipation"
Freeze-dried aloe and extract from the natural aloe plant have been determined to have a positive influence as a dietary supplement and probiotic to improve the overall health and condition of a person. Specifically, freeze dried aloe and aloe extracts have been found to have antibacterial and antiviral properties.
The following information is from UK Patent No. GB 2245143B, describing a freeze-dried aloe process that could be used to prepare aloe for use in the present invention. Aloe has been extensively used as medicine. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,033 to Silverman, the soothing action of aloe vera extract was disclosed and utilized in an topical anti-inflammatory composition. In addition, the Silverman patent reported inulin, an ingredient in Applicant's present invention, as being an activator in the immune system and the root extract demonstrating anti-viral activity against influenza, herpes and vesicular stomatis viruses. Reference to aloe powders is also made in the Japanese Pharmacopeia. Certain low, medium, and high molecular weight compounds have been separated from aloe. For example, it is known that aloe arborescens var. natalensis (referred to hereinafter as "Kidacki aloe") contains polysaccharides such as aloetin, alcenin, aloeursin or D-mannose, aloemannan or aloe albonacite; that aloe vera contains polysaccharides; and that Cape aloe contains anthraquinonic ingredients such as aloin or aloe-emodin. Bioactive factors were separated from freeze dried aloe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,796 to Shand. Mixtures of these active chemical substances identified, isolated, and stabilized from aloe vera leaves have been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,735,935; 4,851,224; 4,917,890; 4,957,907; 4,959, 241; and 4,966,892. One group of these active chemical substances has been referred to as aloe vera mucilaginous polysaccharides, which are comprised of oligomers and polymers of carbohydrates. The pharmaceutical application of these mucilaginous polysaccharides and uses of aloe products have been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,106,616; 5,118,673; 5,308,838; 5,441,943; and 5,443,830.
Intensive attempts have been made to process aloe into medicines. Presently, as an officially allowed health food, food products prepared from Kidachi aloe have been extensively commercialized in Japan. Most of these products, however, are prepared by drying aloe leaves under the sun or by hot air and, at the time of tableting, up to about 10% of an additive such as Avicel.RTM. microcrystalline cellulose or cornstarch, is added as a binder to facilitate tableting.
It is noted that most ingredients isolated and purified from the aloe and found to be medically efficacious to animals by animal experiments, are polysaccharides, glycoproteins, or enzymes, all of which may exhibit activity in a stable condition through purification at lower temperatures. For this reason, it is generally thought to be desirable to apply as little heat as possible for the preparation of a health food or medicine from aloe.
However, since the products now available on the market are prepared by drying aloe leaves under the sun or by circulation of hot air, the polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and enzymes in them will have been thermally degraded or oxidized in the course of drying.
Furthermore, the additives for facilitating tableting, such as Avicel.RTM. or cornstarch, are added in an amount of several to tens of percents in the conventional aloe tablet products. Since a small amount of water is added under heating to knead the additives with the dried aloe mass, the resulting product undergoes further thermal degradation by such heating.
Soluble fiber in the diet is well known for its salutary effects on gastrointestinal health and for being a very good fermentation substrate for intestinal flora. Such salutary effects include providing bulk to the stool, decreasing the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, producing volatile fatty acids, decreasing intestinal transit time, and beneficially influencing various blood parameters. Dietary fiber has also been shown to have a beneficial effect on cholesterol and lipid metabolism that results in decreased serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids and an improved (increased) HDL to LKL ratio. A study on laboratory animals showed that adding fiber to the diet decreases the incidence of bacterial translocation, i.e. corrsing the intestinal barrier and entering systemic circulation. C. Palacio et al., Dietary Fiber: Physiologic Effects and Potential Applications to Enteral Nutrition, in Clinical Nutrition: Enteral and Tube Feeding (2d. ed., 1990). Nutritional and epidemiological studies have indicated that a general increase in the consumption of dietary fiber may play a role in preventing deleterious effects of oxygen free radicals that have been involved in such processes as aging, inflammation, and some disease processes. R. Kohen et al., Prevention of Oxidative Damage in the Rat Jejunal Mucosa by Pectin, 69 Br. J. Nutrition 789 (1993).
Inulin is a naturally occurring soluble fiber, a fructo-oligo saccharide composed of a mixture of oligomers of varying degrees of polymerization or molecular weights that occurs in numerous plants, including the dahlia tuber. It is not digested in the small intestine, but is fermented in the colon. The main effects of inulin on the digestive system are a decrease in the duration of the intestinal transit, a decrease in the level of glycemia, a decrease in the lipid content in the blood, a decrease in the pH in the colon, a decrease in the constipation phenomenon and a bifidogenic effect, for example. Thus, inulin can be fermented by bifidobacteria, which has the consequence of increasing the concentration of these bacteria at the level of the intestinal flora and of decreasing the concentration of enterobacteria, in particular Clostridiae, at the level of the intestinal flora.
While prior art formulas as dietary supplements containing soluble fiber or aloe extracts are known and are generally suitable for their limited purposes, they possess certain inherent deficiencies that detract from their overall utility in restoring and maintaining gastrointestinal health. For example, a dietary supplement containing soluble dietary fiber without aloe extracts lacks antibacterial and antiviral activity. Similarly, a dietary supplement containing aloe without soluble dietary fiber lacks means for providing bulk to the stool, decreasing the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, producing volatile fatty acids, decreasing intestinal transit time, beneficially influencing various blood parameters, beneficially influencing cholesterol and lipid metabolism, decreasing the incidence of bacterial translocation, preventing deleterious effects of oxygen free radicals, and favoring the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Further, such prior art formulas fail to provide living intestinal bacteria that are beneficial for gastrointestinal health by providing an inhibitory effect on the growth of pathogenic bacteria, reducing the levels of toxic amines, and lowering the pH of the gastrointestinal tract.
In the prior art the production of inulin from plant materials such as Jerusalem artichoke, dahlia and chicory tubers is normally accomplished by using the following general procedure:
1. Washing the tubers; PA1 2. Chopping, grinding or slicing the tubers; PA1 3. Extracting the inulin from the tubers with water; PA1 4. Treatment with Lime and Carbon Dioxide; PA1 5. Filtering; and PA1 6. Recovering the inulin by evaporation or precipitation.
The inulin may be subjected to heat and/or pH adjustment at some stage in the process to denature inulinase.
The biology, chemistry and analysis of inulin and related substances is reviewed in "Science and Technology of Fructans", M.Suzuki and N. J. Chatterton, Eds., CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. 1993. A review of technology relating to inulin is found in "Inulin and Inulin-containing Crops", S. Fuchs, Ed., Elsevier Science Publishers B. V., Amsterdam, 1993. In particular, see Vogel, "A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF INULIN AND ITS HYDROLYSIS PRODUCTS FROM PLANT MATERIAL", pp. 65-75.
It is also known that the maintenance of a balance between the various bacteria that constitute the enterobacterial flora is closely related to man's health and, when pathogenic bacteria which are usually in the minority in the intestines become predominant, the systems of a disease develop. A typical example is diarrhea which occurs as a result of the disappearance of Bifidobacterium bifidum or the action of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus. Bifidobacterium bifidum is also closely related to infant health. More specifically, Bifidobacterium bifidum is predominant in the enterobacterial flora of healthy infants. It is known that the feces of a dysenteric infant have a markedly lowered Bifidobacterium bifidum content and the relative proportions of the various bacteria in the enterobacterial flora is considerably out of balance.
On the basis of these various known facts, a typical well-balanced enterobacterial flora is now considered to be such that Bifidobacterium bifidum, which has excellent staying and proliferation potencies in the intestines, is most predominant at all times.
In view of the useful activities of Bifidobacterium bifidum, various kinds of Bifidobacterium bifidum-containing preparations and dairy products have recently been developed for the purpose of increasing the amount of Bifidobacterium bifidum in the intestines.
It is considered that the most essential factor for the proliferation of Bifidobacterium in the intestines is saccharides.
Recent, studies found that fructooligosaccharides are effective in promoting the proliferation of Bifidobacterium bifidum. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are natural substances composed primarily of fructose molecules. They belong to a group of carbohydrates that occur in many different plants. FOS are indigestible oligosaccharides that are members of the inulin subclass of fructosans, polymers composed of fructose residues. Specifically, inulins are glucofructosans, carbohydrate polymers consisting of a chain of fructose resides linked by glycosidic bonds. FOS are not hydrolyzed in the small intestine and pass through without being digested, reaching the large intestine where intact they are selectively fermented and utilized many intestinal microorganisms. FOS can be utilized efficiently by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, species of bacteria that are beneficial for human health (Hidaka et al. "Fructooligosaccharides: Enzymatic Preparation and Biofunctions", Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry 10(4): 509-522, 1991). Selective fermentation of FOS by Bifidobacterium leads to an increase in the presence of these bacteria and to the production of acetic acid and lactic acid as fermentation endproducts, resulting in a lower pH in the digestive tract and providing a means to prevent the overgrowth harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile. (Hidaka et al., supra.) Hikada et al., also state that fermentation of FOS can also lead to an increase in the presence of short chain fatty acids and the suppression of undesirable microorganisms such as Clostridium perfringens, C. difficile, or E. coli and the toxins they produce. FOS can be utilized most efficiently by bifidobacteria, which are believed to be highly beneficial organisms (Hidaka, et al.), but cannot be utilized by certain undesirable as E. coli and putrefactive bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens or Clostridium difficile. It has also been shown, H. Hidaka et al., Effects of Fructooligosaccharides on Intestinal Flora and Human Health, 5 Bifidobacteria Microflora 37-50 (1986), that administration of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) enhances growth of the bifidobacteria population in the intestine, suppresses production of putrefactive factors, improves blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemia patients and provides relief from constipation.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) can be produced enzymatically through chemical techniques or by extraction from natural substances. FOS occur in nature in many kinds of plants, including onions, dahlias, garlic, shallots, artichokes, wheat, rye, bananas, asparagus and tomatoes, that are commonly part of a human diet (Speights et al., "Fructooligosaccharides-A Low Caloric Bulking Agent And More From Sucrose", Carbohydrates in Industrial Synthesis, ed. M. A. Clarke, Proceedings of the Symposium of the Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, 1992).
It has been shown, A. Hata, The Influence of Neosugar on the Lipid Metabolism of Experimental Animals, Proc. 1.sup.st Neosugar Res. Conference, Tokyo (1982), that fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) in the diet of experimental animals cause reduction of blood sugar, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids; significant improvement in the HDL/LDL ratio; an increase in free fatty acids; and significant decreases in total cholesterol in lipidemia cases.
Animal toxicology studies have shown no evidence of toxicity, mutagenicity, or carginogenic effects due to FOS (Clevenger et al., "Toxicological evaluation of neosugar: genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and chronic toxicity", Journal of the American College of Toxicology 7:643-622, 1988). Indigestible oligosaccharides such as FOS can be added to a nutritional product to create an environment in the gastrointestinal tract that is not conducive to the growth of microbial pathogens. Such a nutritional product can also be useful in the prevention of diarrhea caused by these pathogens. FOS is used in Japan in many food products and has been added to infant formula (Fructooligosaccharide Information Package, Coors Bio Tech, Inc. May 1990).
Certain bacteria have also been shown to be beneficial to human gastrointestinal health. The intestinal flora of the human gut contains some 100.times.10.sup.9 viable bacteria, representing 100 or more different species. The major bacteria of the intestine can be roughly divided into three groups: (a) lactic acid bacteria, including lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and streptococci; (b) anaerobic bacteria; and (c) aerobic bacteria.
Bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus have been used for several hundred years for treating various illnesses. Lactobacilli found in the human intestinal tract include L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. fermentum, L. salivaroes, L. brevis, L. leichmannii, L. plantarum, and L. cellobiosus. In recent years, L. acidophilus has been shown to be exceptionally useful in treating conditions such as antibiotic-induced imbalances in the gastrointestinal microflora, hypercholesterolemia, vaginal infections, E.coli infection, oral contraceptive failure, depressed immunity, cancerous tumors, chronic granulomatous disease, and lactose indigestion. A. G. Shauss, Method of Action, Clinical Application, and Toxicity Data, 3 J. Advancement Med. 163 (1990). In vitro studies have shown L. acidophilus to have an inhibitory effect on the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Campylobacterpylori, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Sarcina lutea. K. M. Shahani et al., Natural Antibiotic Activity of Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bulgaricus, 11 Cultured Dairy Products J. 14 (1976).
The beneficial effect of L. acidophilus is further illustrated by preliminary evidence that L. acidophilus inhibits the toxic activities of bacteria in patients with chronic kidney failure. M. L. Simenhoff et al., Biomodulation of Uremic Pathophysiology in Man, abstract presented at Am. Soc. Of Nephrology Meeting, Baltimore, 1992. Such patients often have toxic levels of amines in their blood due to bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel. Consumption of high levels of freeze dried bacteria drastically reduces levels of these toxic amines. These results demonstrate the ability of L. acidophilus to exert a positive effect on the microflora of the intestines.
Bifidobacteria are also known to exert a beneficial influence on human health. These bacteria exert antimicrobial activity in the human intestine by producing lactic acid and acetic acid as a result of carbohydrate metabolism. These acids lower the intestinal pH, thereby inhibiting overgrowth of gastrointestinal pathogens. Therapeutic applications of bifidobacteria are indicated for the management of diarrhea and constipation, and the management of hepatic encephalopathy with hyperammonemia. Additional benefits include the production of B vitamins and breakdown of carginogenic N-nitrosamines.
Bifidobacteria can be significantly reduced in elderly ispeople due to a reduction of secreted gastric juices. The bifidobacteria population in adults is much more stable, however, changes in the diet, administration of antibiotics, exposure to gamma radiation or x-rays, disease, stress and other disturbances can result in overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria, decrease in beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria), and in the gut is associated with various forms of diarrhea, susceptibility to systemic infections, constipation, vague and acute abdominal symptoms, fatigue, dyspepsia, and presence of carcinogenic metabolites. Reestablishment of a normal balance of gastrointestinal flora can be accelerated, and such normal balance maintained, with dietary administration of lactobacilli and/or bifidobacteria such as in the present invention. Even when the Bifidobacteria have become temporarily predominant in intestines, its influence may readily change. Thus, it is preferred to promote the growth of not only Bifidobacteria but also other useful bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria in order to stably obtain the effect of improving intestinal floras. In other words, the influence of lactic acid bacteria and so forth may also be increased together with that of Bifidobacteria.
Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria produce organic acids that reduce intestinal pH and thereby inhibit the growth of acid-sensitive undesirable bacteria. Lactobacilli produce lactic acid, hyrdrogen peroxide, and possibly acetic and benzoic acids. Bifidobacteria produce short chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acids, as well as lactic and formic acids. The most plentiful short chain fatty acid produced by bifidobacteria is acetic acid, which has a wide range of antimicrobial activities against yeasts, molds and other bacteria. Additionally, short chain fatty acids support normal gastrointestinal function by increasing colonic blood flow, stimulating pancreatic enzyme secretion, promoting sodium and water absorption, and potentiating intestinal mucosal growth. Bifidobacteria are also known to deconjugate bile salts to free bile acids, which are more inhibitory to susceptible bacteria than are the conjugated forms. Further, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are able to produce other antimicrobial substances, such as bacteriocins, that inhibit the growth and proliferation of harmful bacteria in the gut.
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a composition for alleviating irritable bowel symptoms and for improving and maintaining gastrointestinal health comprising aloe, that has antibacterial and antiviral activity, and soluble dietary fibers such as fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin, that provide the typical advantages of dietary fiber and additionally are low in calories, does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels, further including beneficial/friendly bacteria which favor the growth of other beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract while at the same time inhibiting the growth of potentially pathogenic or harmful microorganisms would be a significant advancement in the art.

Dietary supplement and method for use as a probiotic, for alleviating the symptons associated with irritable bowel syndrome


The present invention discloses a two-step enzyme method for preparing 7-aminocephalosporanic acid from cephalosporin C, wherein D-amino acid oxidase used is purified D-amino acid oxidase mutant of yeast Trigonopsis variabilis, having a specific activity of 105% higher than that of parent D-amino acid oxidase. The method has no need of addition of hydrogen peroxide, β-lactamase inhibitor, catalase inhibitor, catalase and the like commonly used in the prior art. The productivity of the method can reach more than 93%. Thus, the method is simple, low in cost and high in productivity.

The core of many semi-synthetic cephalosporins, 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA), can be manufactured chemically from cephalosporin C(CPC). The chemical process uses many chemical reagents that are highly toxic and heavily pollute the environment and is low in conversion rate and high in cost. Enzyme methods offer attractive alternative for production of fine chemicals without using toxic reagents and are high in conversion rate. The bioconversion of CPC to 7-ACA is conducted in two steps (FIG. 1): (1) CPC is first oxidized by D-amino acid oxidase to glutaryl-7-ACA; (2) glutaryl-7-ACA is in turn converted to 7-ACA by glutaryl-7-ACA acylase.
One of the major obstacles for large scale production of 7-ACA is the low yield and high cost of production of D-amino acid oxidase and glutaryl-7-ACA acylase. Current reports on the production level of D-amino acid oxidase is low, about 2,300 U/L fermentation medium (Pollegioni, L. et al., 1997, J. Biotechnol. 58, 115-123) and 800 U/L fermentation medium (Molla, G. et al., 1998, Protein Exp. Purif. 14, 289-294). The production level of glutaryl-7-ACA acylase production level is also low, about 129-2,500 U/L fermentation medium (Ishiye, M. and Niwa, M., 1992, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1132, 233-239; Yang, Y. L. et al., 2001, CN1301813A; Xu, G. and Zhu, M. 2003, CN1428424A). Therefore, it is critical to produce these two enzymes for industrial production of 7-ACA at low cost.
Another obstacle for large scale production of 7-ACA resides in that existing manufacturing procedures are complex and expensive. For example, the procedures of related products by Roche Diagnostics (CC2 Twin Enzyme Process: D-AOD, product number: 1462865; Gl-Ac, product number: 1464213, Roche Diagnostics) are complicated (FIG. 1). Besides the reactions catalyzed by D-amino acid oxidase and glutaryl-7-ACA acylase, extra steps are needed: (1) due to the impurity of the D-amino acid oxidase used, a high proportion of α-ketoadipyl-7-ACA is not converted to glutaryl-7-ACA after the oxidation, thus an exogenous addition of hydrogen peroxide is required to complete the conversion; and (2) exogenous addition of catalase is required to degrade remaining hydrogen peroxide, for hydrogen peroxide can inactivate D-amino acid oxidase and oxidize CPC and glutaryl-7-ACA, thus reducing the final yield of 7-ACA.
In addition, a method to prepare 7-ACA has been published in CN1104255. In that method, since the expression vector used contained ampicillin resistance gene, the fermentation product contains β-lactamase, which significantly reduces the yield of 7-ACA and β-lactamase inhibitor is therefore required in the process. Furthermore, the host cell employed in that method produces catalase, which degrades hydrogen peroxide, therefore exogenous additions of hydrogen peroxide and catalase inhibitor are required. Consequently, the manufacturing procedures are complex and highly cost.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Two-step enzyme method for preparing 7-aminocephalosporanic acid


Fetal growth is promoted and fetal growth retardation is reduced in mammals by increasing in a maternal host during pregnancy the active concentration of IGF-1 and /or IGF-2 and/or analogues thereof. The active concentration of IGF-1 and/or IGF-2 and/or analogues thereof may be increased either by directly administering to the maternal host IGF-1 and/or IGF-2 and/or analogs thereof or by administering another compound which, upon being so administered, causes an increase in the active concentration of IGF-1 and/or IGF-2 and/or analogues thereof in the maternal host.

Fetal growth retardation is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality both in farm animals and in man.
In man, intrauterine growth retardation is a major cause of perinatal death either due to late abortion, stillbirth or neonatal death particularly in prematurely delivered infants. No effective intrauterine therapy is known even though its diagnosis in utero by ultrasound for example is routine. The main therapy is bedrest. Growth retarded infants who survive have a far greater risk of asphyxial brain damage leading to sensory defects, cerebral palsy, learning disorders, epilepsy, or intellectual retardation. They also may exhibit severe and continuing growth failure.
In farm animals, intrauterine growth retardation leads to a greater risk of perinatal loss particularly from stillbirth or from hypothermia (due to insufficient metabolic fuel available after birth). Growth retardation often persists and is seen as the "runt" which causes a large economic loss to farmers. Such runts are common in sheep, cattle, goats, deer, and particularly in pigs. No effective therapy or prophylactic approach other than selective breeding is known. The "runt problem" has limited the ability for new breeds of high fecundity (e.g. the Boroola merino sheep) to be economically introduced.
In one publication (Blair et al., Endo 123: 1690-1692, 1988) experiments where described wherein three lines of mice where derived by genetic selection based on their levels of IGF-1 secretion. These were termed "control" mice and "high line" and "low line" IGF-1 mice. It was found that mice secreting higher amounts of IGF-1 had larger placentae and fetuses than the conrol and low-line mice.
However, the above study did not define whether the observation that larger fetuses were born to high-line IGF-1 mice was a coincidence based on the experimental design, or whether it was due to a difference in fetal, placetal or maternal IGF-1 secretion.
Contemporary publications indicate that IGF-1 does not cross the placenta (Davenport et al., i Endo. 127: 1278-1287, 1990). Thus, it appeared unlikely that the increase in fetal size was due to an increase in maternal IGF-1 secretion. In light of this, there has been no interest in the potential for maternally administered IGF-1 to affect fetal development.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method and/or medicament for reducing fetal growth retardation which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and/or medicament for promoting fetal growth which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

IGF-1 and related compounds in pregnancy


A voltage converter to convert a high voltage to a low voltage is provided. The voltage converter comprises: a current mirror, a current bias, a plurality of loads and a low voltage output. The current mirror comprises a first PMOS and a second PMOS, wherein the source of the first PMOS and the second PMOS receive a high voltage input which is a supply voltage of the current mirror, and the gate of the first PMOS is connected to the drain of the first PMOS. The current bias is connected between the drain of the first PMOS and a ground potential. The plurality of loads are parallel connected between the drain of the second PMOS and the ground potential. And the low voltage output connected to the drain of the second PMOS.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a voltage converter. More particularly, the present invention relates to a voltage converter to convert a high voltage to a low voltage.
2. Description of Related Art
In current integrated circuit design, some circuits have only high voltage power supply input. In order to provide the low voltage modules with less area in the integrated circuit an accurate reference voltage, i.e. a low voltage, a voltage converter is necessary to transfer the high voltage power supply into a lower voltage. However, the additional module to generate the reference voltage will certainly make the area of the integrated circuit larger. Also, the semiconductor devices with different fabrication process tend to affect the accuracy of the transferred voltage.
Accordingly, what is needed is a voltage converter to generate an accurate low voltage from a high voltage with a small area to overcome the above issues. The present invention addresses such a need.


Compositions containing at least 60% by weight of at least one copolymer (A) of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin with 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and no more than 40% by weight of at least one copolymer (B) based on ethylene and at least one anhydride of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, characterized in that:. (i) copolymer (A) has a density between 0.850 and 0.890, PA0 (ii) copolymer (B) contains at least 80 mol-% of units derived from ethylene and at least 0.1 mol-% of units derived from the anhydride of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and PA0 (iii) at least one of copolymers (A) and (B) is modified by means of an effective amount either of a free-radical initiator if the modification involves copolymer (A), or of at least one compound capable of reacting with the anhydride functions of copolymer (B).. The procedure for their preparation is comprised of creating a homogeneous mixture of copolymer (A), copolymer (B) of the initiator and/or compound capable of modifying copolymer (A) and copolymer (B), respectively, in a mixer at a temperature between about 150.degree. and 290.degree. C.. Industrial articles obtained by transformation of the aforementioned composition.

The present invention pertains to compositions containing, on the one hand, copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefin(s) and, on the other hand, copolymers of ethylene and polar comonomer(2) in which at least one of the copolymers is modified by means of a suitable chemical agent.
The copolymers of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin have been known for many years and have undergone a noteworthy development such that the more recent the development, the lower is their density. They are generally known under the name of "low-density linear polyethylene" if their density is between circa 0.915 and 0.945, under the name of "very-low-density linear polyethylene" if their density is between circa 0.890 and circa 0.915, and under the name of "ultra-low-density linear polyethylene" if their density is between circa 0.850 and circa 0.890.
It is known that the density and the degree of crystallinity of the copolymer decrease as the alpha-olefin(s) content increases. This is accompanied for the copolymer by an increasingly pronounced elastomeric behavior with correlatively decreasing thermoplastic characteristics.
The copolymers of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin that have a very low density or, to an even greater extent, those with an ultra-low density are therefore suitable for use in applications which had previously been reserved for completely amorphous elastomers such as the ethylene and propylene rubbers known under the name EPR and the ethylene, propylene and diene rubbers known under the name EPDM.
In the context of the research that resulted in the present invention, it was particularly envisioned to effect the transformation of very-low- or ultra-low-density copolymers of ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin into wear-intensive pieces (industrial articles with good resistance to abrasion) such as shoe soles, paving slabs, and pipes for transporting abrasive products. It was discovered that it was not possible for a copolymer of given density to simultaneously obtain good resistance to abrasion and good alternating bending performance. Thus, the very-low-density linear polyethylenes have good abrasion resistance but no alternating bending performance (they break after several hundred cycles). Most of the ultra-low-density linear polyethylenes have better alternating bending performance, although it is insufficient for certain applications, but poor resistance to abrasion.
Thus, the problem to be resolved by the present invention is the development of a modification of low-density or ultra-low-density copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefin(s) which makes it possible to obtain industrial articles that simultaneously have good resistance to abrasion and good alternating bending performance (preferably at least 100,000 bendings). This problem is resolved by the present invention which will now be presented in detail.

Compositions containing ethylene copolymers and resultant products


Disclosed herein are methods of providing location-based information with respect to a topological map. A method may include (a) receiving a query for location-related information, (b) optionally generating data representing the topological map, (c) accessing the location-related information in a map-to-scale, (d) optionally determining an association between one or more points (or links) in the map-to-scale and one or more corresponding points (or links) in a topological map, (e) identifying one or more points (or links) in the map-to-scale that relate to the location-related information and that correspond to one or more points (or links) in the topological map, (f) optionally determining a relative position of the location-related information with respect to the identified one or more map-to-scale points (or links), and (g) displaying the location-related information with respect to the corresponding one or more points (or links) in the topological map.

Computer-based devices, platforms, or systems are available that provide users with various navigation-related functions and features. Such devices, platforms or systems (referred to collectively herein as "navigation systems") include mobile phones, smart phones, personal navigation devices ("PNDs"), vehicle navigation systems, personal digital devices (PDAs), tablets, etc., and general computing devices, such as personal computers, on which a navigation-related software application is installed. Some navigation systems are able to determine an optimum route to travel along a road and/or a pedestrian pathway from an origin location to a destination location in a region. Using input from a user, and optionally from equipment that can determine the user's location (such as a GPS system), the navigation system can examine various potential routes between the origin and destination locations to determine the optimum route.
The navigation system may then provide the user with information about the optimum route in the form of guidance that identifies the driving and/or walking maneuvers required to be taken by the user to travel from the origin to the destination location. The guidance may take the form of visual and/or audio instructions that are provided along the way as the user is traveling the route. Some navigation systems are able to show detailed maps on displays outlining the route, the types of maneuvers to be taken at various locations along the route, locations of certain types of features, and so on.
In order to provide these and other navigation-related functions and features, navigation systems may use geographic data. The geographic data may be in the form of one or more databases that include data representing physical features in the region. The database includes information about the represented geographic features, such as the positions of the roads, speed limits along portions of roads, address ranges along the road portions, turn restrictions at intersections of roads, direction restrictions, such as one-way streets, and so on. The geographic data may also include information about points of interest, such as restaurants, hotels, airports, gas stations, stadiums, police stations, and so on.
While navigation systems provide useful information to users, there continues to be room for new features and improvements.


This invention relates in general to the handling of mail and, in particular, to an improved document transporter for use in a forwarding address system for mail sorting machines.

The volume of mail and other documents handled daily by large businesses, institutions and governmental entities has steadily increased through the years. For example, credit card companies, utilities, mail order houses and other advertisers send and receive huge quantities of mail daily. Typically, the documents or envelopes containing the material to be mailed are addressed and then sorted into common groups for mailing. Similarly, mail received by such entities is commonly sorted into groups based upon the subject matter of the received material. A third category of such envelopes are the returned mail category the creation of which is primarily due to the addressee having moved from a particular address resulting in the envelope being undeliverable. The present invention is a system directed to the solution of this latter type of problem, namely, the correction of the address that will permit its proper delivery.
Several different types of machines have been developed to assist in the handling of such mail, other than manual review and correction by the individual mail carrier. These prior art devices typically comprised an envelope feeder, a read station, a selection of label station where a supply of labels permitter selection of an appropriate label and its application to an envelope, and a sorting and storage means.
None of these prior art machines and systems proved satisfactory since they were large unwieldly machines that required not only a large amount of space but also required frequent replenishment of a vast array of pre-printed label supplies and applicating equipment.
The contemplated system provides a unique computer- operator controlled system with a plurality of unique stations that are suitable for use with conventional mail sorting machines as well as other document handling equipment.
The system includes a feeder module wherein incoming documents or envelopes are separated from each other and delivered to a unique transport module. The present invention relates to that unique transport module which moves the individual envelopes or documents sequentially to a plurality of "read" stations; observation means, then can be audible, visual, or tactile, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, conveniently disposed for operator observation; and correction means, such as an input keyboard means tied to a main computer data source, for use and control by an operator.
Observation of indicia by the operator and selective input into the keyboard means results in an electable response by the operator, the elected information then being sent to a print module for use in creation of an appropriate corrective means.
The unique transport module generally includes a plurality of stations in each of which the operator has an unobstructed view of the entire side surface of the envelope while reading the address or other identifying data thereon. Once the address or zip code has been ready by the operator, the operator makes a codified entry which is processed by the computer, with which the machine is associated, and into which computer the changes of address have been introduced on a frequent periodic basis. If the limited information introduced by the operator is applicable to more than one individual addressee, alternatives will be displayed to the operator for the operator to choose from. The information so chosen is then forwarded to the next module and the envelope or document released for movement along the various stations in the transport module and thence out of the operators visual range serially into the next module.
Another object of the invention is to provide a document forwarding system of the type contemplated that includes this improved transport module within the system that will reliably operate over extended time parameters with minimal down times, as well as being relatively simple and economical to construct and operate.
Other and further objects of this invention, together with all of the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.

Document transporter for use in forwarding system


A composite expanded sheet reinforcing material especially useful as a stiffening, vibration and sound dampening, reinforcing laminate, and methods of manufacturing such sheet reinforcing material and of reinforcing articles therewith are disclosed. Formable sheet material having a layer of a foamable adhesive laminated thereon is passed through an expanding apparatus which forms rows of spaced, longitudinally staggered slits through the laminated sheet to form a series of elongated strands integrally joined at their ends by a series of joints or bonds. The slit material is expanded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the slits, causing the adhesive-coated surfaces of the strands and joints to be inclined at an acute angle to the principal plane of the formed reinforcing sheet. The formed reinforcing sheet may then be laminated onto a surface which is to be reinforced by placing the adhesive-coated surface of the strands and joints in juxtaposed relation to the surface and activating the adhesive.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved expanded sheet reinforcing material and more particularly to an expanded formable sheet material having a layer of a foamable adhesive adhered to selected surfaces, to methods of manufacturing such expanded sheet material, to methods of reinforcing articles and articles reinforced with such sheet reinforcing material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Expanded formable sheet material is well-known and widely used for a variety of purposes and apparatus is commercially available for making such expanded sheet material either in a continuous or intermittent operation. In the continuous type of expanding apparatus, an elongated sheet or strip of formable material, for example sheet plastic, steel, aluminum, copper, or other formable material sometimes referred to hereinafter generally as structural sheet material, is fed past a slitting station where a series of parallel, laterally spaced, longitudinally off-set rows of slits are formed through the sheet. The slit sheet is then expanded, or stretched, in a direction transverse to the direction of movement through the apparatus to separate or open the slits. The expanded sheet material may then be coiled or cut into individual sheets, as desired.
The intermittent process, widely used in the production of expanded sheet metal, involves the use of a die having a plurality of spaced shearing sections or teeth which form the slits by shearing the sheet transverse to its width and simultaneously press the sheared portions of the metal downwardly out of the plane of the unsheared sheet to expand the metal. After each shearing and forming stroke, the die is retracted and either the die or the sheet is moved laterally and the sheet is indexed forward before the next shearing and expanding stroke of the die. This intermittent sheet expanding method, preferred in the practice of the present invention, is generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,448,109 and 1,561,272.
Various configurations of the die can be used in the intermittent apparatus to provide various shapes of openings as well as different configurations of the strands and joints in the expanded material, though the conventional expanded metal is formed with generally diamond-shaped openings defined by substantially straight-sided strands and joints. In the description of the present invention, the openings will be referred to as generally diamond-shaped, it being understood that the exact configuration is not critical and that such description is intended to include openings of various configurations defined by the interconnected strands and joints.
It is known to employ expanded sheet metal as a stiffener or reinforcing laminate for articles made of sheet metal by attaching the expanded material directly to a surface of the sheet. This concept is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,349,907 wherein flat-rolled expanded sheet metal is spot welded to one surface of a thin sheet metal structural element such as the inner surface of a door panel of an automobile to provide a composite structure having increased stiffness and higher strength than available from flat sheet metal of equal weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,820,228 discloses the use of expanded metal to reinforce and stiffen the bottom of a drawn sheet steel bathtub. The reinforcing is rigidly secured to the outer surface of the bottom panel by welding before the usual enamel coating is applied. Again, the expanded metal reinforcing material is rolled to lie flat against the bottom of the tub, and the two metal components are stated to be preferably rigidly joined throughout substantially their entire contact area, although the patent also states that spot welding can be used if the spot welds are sufficiently close to preclude relative movement upon flexing of the bottom of the tub.
While flat-rolled expanded metal has been used as a reinforcing and stiffening laminate for thin sheet metal as disclosed in the above mentioned patents, substantial bending strength, or stiffening ability, may be lost by rolling the expanded metal to the flat state. This may be particularly true for expanded sheets in which the width of the individual strands, i.e., the distance between successive shear lines formed in the material, is substantially greater than the thickness of the original sheet material. When unflattened or unrolled expanded metal is laminated onto a smooth surface, the strands and joints are disposed at a relatively large, acute angle to the cover sheet making the effective thickness of the laminated structure substantially greater than the combined thickness of the cover sheet and the thickness of the sheet material from which the expanded sheet was formed.
Expanded sheet material, as formed on commercial expanding equipment generally has not met widespread use as a stiffening or reinforcing laminate for continuous thin sheets. This is believed to be due, at least in part, to the configuration of the expanded metal which only permits a very small surface area contact between such an expanded sheet and a continuous surface. Such contact is limited to the inclined sheared edges of the joint portion of the expanded metal only, with the edges of the individual strands being spaced from the continuous surface. This limited contact makes effective spot welding or joining by other conventional means very difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,371,754 discloses the concept of stiffening a lightweight, thin sheet material by attaching a uniform pattern of wire to one surface of the sheet of material This patent discloses various forms of welding for attaching the reinforcing wires to the surface of the sheet, and also suggests cementing the wire to the sheet; however, neither the nature of the cement contemplated nor the manner of applying it are disclosed. It is noted, however, that the reinforcing wires are fused together where they are crossed so that, as in the case of the flat-rolled expanded sheet, the wires lay in direct surface-to-surface contact with the sheet metal throughout their full length.

Expanded reinforcing sheet material, its method of manufacture, and sheet material reinforced therewith