A stranded cable that includes a plurality of brittle load bearing wires and a means for maintaining the stranded arrangement of the brittle wires. Because the load bearing wires are brittle, they cannot be sufficiently deformed during conventional cable stranding processes in such a way as to maintain their helical arrangement. Therefore, the means for maintaining the helical arrangement of the stranded wires allows the stranded cable to be conveniently provided as an intermediate article or as a final article. When used as an intermediate article, it may be later incorporated into a final article such as overhead power transmission cables. The maintaining means may be a tape, an adhesive tape, or a binder applied to the stranded wires.

The present invention relates generally to stranded cables and their method of manufacture. In particular, the invention relates to stranded cables comprising helically wound brittle wires and their method of manufacture. Such stranded cables are useful in power transmission cables and other applications.
Cable stranding is a process in which individual wires are combined, typically in a helical arrangement, to produce a finished cable. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 5,171,942 and 5,554,826. The resulting stranded cable or wire rope provides far greater flexibility than would be available from a solid rod of equivalent cross sectional area. The stranded arrangement is also beneficial because the stranded cable maintains its overall round cross-sectional shape when the cable is subject to bending in handling, installation and use. Such stranded cables are used in a variety of applications such as hoist cables, aircraft cables, and power transmission cables.
Such helically stranded cables are typically produced from metals such as steel, aluminum, or copper. In some cases, such as bare overhead power transmission cables, the helically stranded core could comprise a first material such as steel, for example, and the outer power conducting portion could comprise another material such as aluminum, for example. In this case, the core may be a pre-stranded cable used as a input material to the manufacture of the larger diameter power transmission cable.
Helically stranded cables may comprise as few as 7 individual wires to more common constructions containing 50 or more wires. Prior to being helically wound together, the individual wires are provided on separate bobbins which are then placed in a number of motor driven carriages of the stranding equipment. Typically, there is one carriage for each layer of the finished stranded cable. The wires of each layer are brought together at the exit of each carriage and arranged over the central wire or over the preceding layer. During the cable stranding process, the central wire, or the intermediate unfinished stranded cable which will have one or more additional layers wound about it, is pulled through the center of the various carriages, with each carriage adding one layer to the stranded cable. The individual wires to be added as one layer are simultaneously pulled from their respective bobbins while being rotated about the central axis of the cable by the motor driven carriage. This is done in sequence for each desired layer. The result is a helically stranded cable which can be cut and handled conveniently without loss of shape or unraveling. This attribute may be taken for granted but is an extremely important feature. The cable maintains its helically stranded arrangement because during manufacture, the metallic wires are subjected to stresses beyond the yield stress of the wire material but below the ultimate or failure stress. This stress is imparted as the wire is helically wound about the relatively small radius of the preceding layer or central wire. Additional stresses are imparted at the closing die which applies radial and shear forces to the cable during manufacture. The wires therefore plastically deform and maintain their helically stranded shape.
There have been recently introduced useful cable articles from materials that are brittle and thus cannot readily be plastically deformed to a new shape. Common examples of these materials include fiber reinforced composites which are attractive due to their improved mechanical properties relative to metals but are primarily elastic in their stress strain response. Composite cables containing fiber reinforced polymer wires are known in the art, as are composite cables containing ceramic fiber reinforced metal wires, see, e.g., WO 97/00976.
In the case of fiber reinforced polymer matrix wires, the individual wires in the cable can be thermally set after stranding to maintain a helical arrangement. In such an arrangement, the helically wound cables do not need some means to maintain the helical arrangement. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,167 describes a process for the manufacture of a fiber reinforced plastic armored cable. In this process, long reinforcing fibers are impregnated with an uncured thermosetting resin and formed into a predetermined shape to obtain a plurality of rod-like members with the thermosetting resin held uncured. Then the uncured rod-like members are passed through a die of a melt extruder, by which the rod-like members are each coated with a thermoplastic resin layer. The coated layers of the rod-like members are immediately cooled to simultaneously form a plurality of fiber reinforced plastic armoring wires with the thermosetting resin held uncured. The armoring wires thus obtained are wound around a cable which is fed while being rotated. The cable having wound thereon the wires is passed through a die portion of a melt extruder, by which the cable is sheathed with a thermoplastic resin layer that is immediately cooled and solidified. The sheathed cable is guided into a curing tank using a liquid as a heating medium to cure the thermosetting resin in the armoring wires.
Tapes are wrapped around stranded cables for various reasons: as electrical shielding, as protection from the environment such as water or moisture, as an electrically insulating material particularly in underground or insulated overhead conductors, as a protective armor layer, or as a thermally insulating layer for high temperature applications. Japanese Patent Application HEI 3-12606 teaches an aerial power cable that has fiber reinforced plastics (xe2x80x9cFRPxe2x80x9d) as the core strength member. The background of the ""606 application says that fiber reinforced plastic cables have been previously suggested as a strength member for aerial power cables for increasing current and reducing sag but has the shortcomings that the fiber reinforced plastic has low heat resistance and low bend and impact resistance. The patent seeks to overcome these limitations by wrapping a fiber Is reinforced plastic wire with a metal tape or a heat resistant coating. The ""606 application discloses an embodiment in which a metal casing made of a metal tape is formed around the FRP wire. The metal tape is reported to function as a buffer layer and to reduce brittleness of the FRP wire upon bending or under impact. The ""606 application reports that at the same time, thermal deterioration of the resin inside can be effectively prevented and an aluminum cable reinforced with FRP having long-term reliability can be produced. The ""606 application also proposes an embodiment to protect the individual fiber reinforced plastic wires by wrapping each plastic wire with a metal tape (shown in FIG. 4) or coating it with a heat resistant binder.
WO 97/00976 describes in one embodiment an arrangement of fiber reinforced composite wires that forms a core. The core is surrounded by a jacket of monolithic metal wires that serve as a conductor for a power transmission cable. See FIGS. 2a and 2b of the ""976 publication. The wires in the core comprise a metal matrix of polycrystalline xcex1-Al2O3 fibers encapsulated within a matrix of substantially pure elemental aluminum, or an alloy of elemental aluminum and up to about 2% copper. These wires are brittle and not susceptible to significant plastic deformation.
While many of the above approaches enjoy some degree of success, it is desirable to further improve the construction of the helically stranded core and its method of manufacture. For example, it is desirable to provide a helically stranded cable that includes brittle wires. It is desirable to provide a convenient means to maintain the helical arrangement of the brittle wires prior to incorporating the core into a subsequent article such as a power transmission cable. Such a means for maintaining the helical arrangement has not been necessary in prior cores with plastically deformable wires or with wires that can be cured or set after being arranged helically.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a stranded cable. The cable comprises a plurality of brittle wires in which the brittle wires are stranded about a common longitudinal axis. The brittle wires have a significant amount of elastic bend deformation. The cable also includes adhesive means for maintaining the elastic bend deformation of the wires. In one preferred embodiment, the maintaining means comprises an adhesive tape wrapped around the plurality of brittle wires. The adhesive tape may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. In another preferred embodiment, the maintaining means comprises a binder. The binder may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an alternative embodiment of a stranded cable. The stranded cable comprises a plurality of brittle wires stranded about a common longitudinal axis. The brittle wires have a significant amount of elastic bend deformation. The stranded cable also includes maintaining means for maintaining the elastic bend deformation of the wires, in which the outer diameter of the stranded cable including the maintaining means is no more than 110% of the outer diameter of the plurality of stranded brittle wires excluding the maintaining means. In one preferred embodiment, the maintaining means comprises a tape wrapped around the plurality of brittle wires. Preferably, the tape comprises an adhesive tape. In another preferred embodiment, the maintaining means comprises a binder adhered to the plurality of brittle wires. Preferably, the binder comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.
In either or both of the above two embodiments of stranded cables, the following embodiments may be employed:
In one preferred embodiment, the brittle wires each comprise a composite of a plurality of continuous fibers in a matrix. The matrix preferably comprises a metal matrix. More preferably, the metal matrix comprises aluminum and the continuous fibers comprise polycrystalline xcex1-Al2O3.
In another preferred embodiment, the brittle wires are continuous and at least 150 m long. More preferably, the continuous brittle wires are at least 1000 m long.
In another preferred embodiment, the brittle wires have a diameter of from 1 mm to 4 mm.
In another preferred embodiment, the brittle wires are helically stranded to have a lay factor of from 10 to 150.
In another preferred embodiment, there are at least 3 stranded brittle wires. More preferably, the cable includes a central wire, and the stranded brittle wires are stranded in a layer about the central wire. Still more preferably there are at least two layers of the stranded brittle wires.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an electrical power transmission cable comprising a core and a conductor layer around the core, in which the core comprises any of the above-described stranded cables. In one preferred embodiment, the power transmission cable comprises at least two conductor layers. In another preferred embodiment, the conductor layer comprises a plurality of stranded conductor wires. In another preferred embodiment, the electrical transmission cable comprises an overhead electrical power transmission cable.
In still another aspect, the present invention provides another alternate embodiment of a stranded cable. The stranded cable comprises a plurality of brittle wires. The brittle wires are stranded about a common longitudinal axis and have a significant amount of elastic bend deformation. The stranded cable also includes a maintaining means for maintaining the elastic bend deformation of the wires. In this embodiment, the stranded cable is free of electrical power conductor layers around the plurality of brittle wires. Provided this embodiment is free of electrical power conductor layers around the plurality of brittle wires, any of the preferred embodiments described above may be employed with this embodiment.


Various embodiments provide a method for processing a carrier, the method including changing the three-dimensional structure of a mask layer arranged over the carrier so that at least two mask layer regions are formed having different mask layer thicknesses; and applying an ion implantation process to the at least two mask layer regions to form at least two implanted regions in the carrier having different implantation depth profiles.

In general, various methods may be utilized for doping a carrier, or for example doping a silicon wafer. One method for doping a region in a carrier may be ion implantation, wherein the ions enter the carrier material due to their high kinetic energy. To define the regions to be doped, a mask is applied to protect specific areas from ion implantation and to allow ion implantation in specific areas. Manufacturing electronic devices or integrated circuits may generally include a large number of lithographic processes, e.g. more than 20 for example, to generate the patterned photoresist layers as masking layers for defining all necessary doped regions in the carrier. Applying various lithographic processes in series may be prone to errors due to the limited overlay accuracy in lithographic processes.

Method for processing a carrier, a carrier, an electronic device and a lithographic mask


An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body; a terminal disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead body; a single electrode disposed at the distal end of the lead body; a conductor extending along the lead body and electrically coupling the terminal to the single electrode; and an adjustable sheath disposed over a portion of the lead body to cover a selected portion of the single electrode by displacing the sheath forwards or backwards relative to the single electrode to control a size of a portion of the electrode exposed for stimulation of tissue. Another electrical stimulation lead has a low-profile distal portion that has a smaller lateral width in at least one direction than a remainder of the lead body. Yet another arrangement includes a guidewire with a mapping electrode to map a region around a peripheral nerve prior to implantation of an electrical stimulation lead.

Implantable electrical stimulation systems have proven therapeutic in a variety of diseases and disorders. For example, spinal cord stimulation systems have been used as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of chronic pain syndromes. Sacral nerve stimulation has been used to treat incontinence, as well as a number of other applications under investigation. Peripheral nerve stimulation can be used to treat a variety of disorders in the extremities, face, neck, head, abdomen, pelvis, trunk, and other portions of the body including, but not limited to, pain, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, headache, migraine, tremor, and the like.
Stimulators have been developed to provide therapy for a variety of treatments. A stimulator can include a control module (with a pulse generator), one or more leads, and an array of stimulator electrodes on each lead. The stimulator electrodes are in contact with or near the nerves, muscles, or other tissue to be stimulated. The pulse generator in the control module generates electrical pulses that are delivered by the electrodes to body tissue.

Systems and methods for making and using an electrical stimulation system for peripheral nerve stimulation

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC NEUROMODULATION CORPORATION


A high toughness and high strength casting of an aluminum alloy, has comparatively thick portions with a thickness of 20 mm or more, 4-6% Si, 0.2-0.6% Mg, less than 0.15% Fe, not more than 0.4% Mn, by weight, residual aluminum and unavoidable impurities; Si(%).times.Mg(%) having a value of 1.2-2.8. In forming the casting, the aluminum alloy is under an atmosphere of more than atmospheric pressure during solidification and subsequently a T6 heat treatment is applied to casting.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an aluminum alloy casting having partially thick portions and being used for members having excellent toughness and high tensile strength together with requiring high strength such as aluminum wheels or other casting parts for a suspension system of an automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
As far as an aluminum casting used as strength-requiring member for an automobile or the like is concerned, both strength and safety are important, in addition, excellent mechanical properties such as soundness, toughness, in particular high elongation, high 0.2% yield strength, and high tensile strength are required.
As to an alloy having such mechanical properties, there is an AC4CH (JIS) alloy of Al--Si--Mg alloy system. The AC4CH alloy usually comprises about 7% Si, 0.3% Mg and 0.2% (usually 0.15%) Fe, and have an excellent castability. In particular, when a low temperature of molten metal(s) or alloy(s) is casted into a mold, or at portions casted at high cooling rate of the temperature, for example, at thin skin portions, resulting castings will have rather good mechanical properties. As a result, the AC4CH alloy has been used for castings such as aluminum wheel, cross member and knuckle housing as a suspension apparatus part for an automobile, each of said members or parts require both strength and toughness.
Automobile parts, such as aluminum wheel, cross member, steering knuckles or the like, contain complicated figure of parts therein. Therefore, castability thereof is ensured by increasing the temperature of metal mold for casting at least 200.degree. C., preferably 300.degree. C. or more. Such a high metal mold temperature is liable to cause casting defects as well as to produce coarse crystallized substance in thick portions thereof wherein cooling rate of the temperature is rather slow. FIG.13 shows an example of crystallized substance comprising coarsed crystallized grains at the grain boundary, wherein the grain components are selected from the group consisting of at least two kinds of elements of Al, Si, Fe and Mg. In FIG.14(A) through FIG.14(D) there are shown enlarged scale of various forms of crystallized substances. FIG.14(A) shows an acicular crystallized substance (Al--Si--Fe alloy system), FIG.14(B) a skeleton-like crystallized substance (Al--Si--Fe alloy system), FIG.14(C) an Al--Si--Mg--Fe alloy system of crystallized substance, and FIG.14(D) a feather-like crystallized substance (Al--Si--Ti alloy system.). In the case such crystallized substances are formed there are easily occurred casting defects such as shrinkage holes, pin holes and the like as well as decreased mechanical properties especially in elongation.
As mentioned above, in a portion having a thick section, such as thick portion of an aluminum alloy casting, its cooling rate is slow so as to obtain inferior mechanical properties.
It is intended in the present invention to provide an aluminum alloy casting comprising the problems to be solved in the prior art as mentioned above, less decreased chemical properties and excellent toughness even under the condition of less cooling rate at the thick portion thereof as an automobile part such as aluminum wheel, suspension apparatus part or the like.

High toughness and high strength aluminum alloy casting


A fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device includes a fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor, a data acquiring unit, and an emission detection unit. The fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor includes a light source that emits an excitation light of a predetermined wavelength, and a photodetection unit that detects fluorescence emission and phosphorescence emission excited from the paper sheet by the excitation light. The data acquiring unit acquires a time-series waveform of a signal outputted from the fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor in response to the detection of the emission in the photodetection unit. The emission detection unit detects the fluorescence emission from the time-series waveform of a period in which the excitation light is emitted from the light source and detects the phosphorescence emission from an attenuation curve appearing on the time-series waveform of a period in which emission of the excitation light from the light source is stopped.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device, a fluorescence and phosphorescence detection method, and a paper-sheet processing device equipped with a fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device capable of detecting fluorescence emission and phosphorescence emission that are excited on a paper sheet in order to recognize the paper sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a security mark having a certain optical property is used for authenticating a paper sheet. For example, such a security mark is prepared with a special material that does not emit light when irradiated with a visible light but emits light only when irradiated with an excitation light of a predetermined wavelength. By arranging such a security mark on a paper sheet, it is possible to authenticate the paper sheet based on an emission state of the security mark when the security mark is irradiated with the excitation light. Moreover, a plurality of such security marks having different emission properties can be provided on a single paper sheet. For example, one security mark may show fluorescence emission in which the security mark performs emission only while it is being irradiated with the excitation light, and another security mark may show phosphorescence emission. In the phosphorescence emission, the security mark continues emitting even after the irradiation of the excitation light thereon has been stopped, but the emission intensity gradually attenuates as time passes.
Japanese Patent No. JP4048121 discloses a method of detecting the phosphorescence emission from a security mark. This method involves to determine the presence/absence of the phosphorescence emission based on one emission intensity measured while the security mark is being irradiated with an excitation light and the other emission intensity measured after the irradiation of the excitation light is stopped. Japanese Patent No. JP5172066 discloses a method of signal processing that allows to determine the presence/absence of the phosphorescence emission with high precision. This method involves detection of the phosphorescence emission using previously prepared reference emission function corresponding to the phosphorescence emission, that is, normalizing the reference emission function and a measurement emission function obtained by measuring the actual phosphorescence emission, and comparing the normalized functions.
Even for the same fluorescence emission, depending on the composition of the ink that performs the emission, the wavelength band or the emission intensity of the excited fluorescence can be different. International Patent Publication No. WO2011/114455 discloses a method of detecting a plurality of emissions by using a single sensor having four photodetection elements. In this method, a visible light of a first wavelength band is detected in a first photodetection element among the four photodetection elements, and a visible light of a second wavelength band, which is different from the first wavelength band, is detected in a second photodetection element. Accordingly, two inks that excite different emissions can be distinguished based on the measurement results obtained for different wavelength bands in the first photodetection element and the second photodetection element. In this structure, the remaining third photodetection element and the fourth photodetection element detect a visible light of the entire visible wavelength band, including the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band. The measurement results obtained from the first photodetection element and the second photodetection element are corrected by using the measurement results obtained from the third photodetection element and the fourth photodetection element. This structure allows detection of each of the two inks with high precision.
However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, it is difficult to measure with high precision both the fluorescence emission and the phosphorescence emission by one sensor. Specifically, even if the same excitation light is used, the emission quantities of the excited fluorescence emission differs from the excited phosphorescence emission greatly. Accordingly, if the conventional method that takes into account either the fluorescence emission or the phosphorescence emission is applied as it is, it is difficult to detect each emission with high precision. Therefore, there was a need for an inexpensive and small fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device capable of detecting the fluorescence emission and the phosphorescence emission with high precision.

Fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device, fluorescence and phosphorescence detection method, and paper-sheet processing device


A tape cartridge for use in a thermally printing device of the type having a cartridge receiving cavity, a thermal print head and a platen in which the cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply of double sided adhesive laminating tape and a supply of direct thermal imaging tape.

1. Field of the Art
The present invention relates generally to a thermal imaging tape cartridge for use in a label or strip printer or the like, and more particularly to a thermal imaging tape cartridge having a spool of thermal imaging tape with the view side facing outwardly and a spool of double sided adhesive laminating film for application to the substrate side of the thermal imaging tape.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A great number of supply cartridges exist for use in connection with label or strip printers or the like. These cartridges are exemplified by and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,927,278; 4,983,058 and 5,419,648. These patents all disclose a cartridge housing, a supply of printing or image carrying tape, a supply of ink or transfer ribbon, and a supply of double sided adhesive or laminating tape to be applied between the image carrying tape and the substrate after printing. All of the cartridges disclosed in the above patents are characterized by the existence of an ink or transfer ribbon for transferring a desired image from the ink ribbon to the printing tape.
Supply cartridges also exist which contain a supply of printing tape in which an image is formed directly onto the tape via thermal imaging techniques. This type of cartridge is exemplified by and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,474,968; 5,494,365; 5,518,328, and 5,435,658. In these cartridges, the tape is housed within the cartridge on a spool in which the view side of the tape faces inwardly so as to protect the thermal sensitive portion of the tape from heat or light. The image in these cartridges is also formed right side up on the top or view side of the tape. The tape in such cartridges generally includes a peel off adhesive which enables the printed image carrying tape to be applied to a substrate at a desired position. When this is done, however, the view side of the tape upon which the image is formed is exposed to the environment and normal handling. Thus, it is subject to being scratched, smudged, and simply worn away over time. Although attempts have been made such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,968 to provide a protective layer on the thermal sensitive layer to provide the image layer with protection, there continues to be a need to improve upon this process.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a tape supply cartridge having an image carrying tape of the thermal imaging type without the need for an ink transfer ribbon in which the image is provided with improved protection against scratches, abrasions and other normal wear.


A topical composition for delivering an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable drug, including laureth-4, propylene glycol, dimethylsorbide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent is described as an improved drug delivery composition. Further, a method of transepithelial delivery of a drug to a human by topical application to the skin of a human of a composition including laureth-4, propylene glycol, dimethylsorbide, a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent of water and ethanol and an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable drug has beneficial delivery effects.

The present invention relates, in general, to a drug delivery composition and method, and, in particular, to a drug delivery composition and method for topical delivery of drugs, such as retinoids, which must be applied diligently and consistently to achieve optimal and reliable drug efficacy.
It is to be understood that the citation of art contained herein is in no way to be construed as an admission that said art is suitable reference against the present patent application nor should this citation act as a waiver of any rights to overcome said art which may be available to the applicant.
The topical application of many active agents is desirable to achieve effective concentrations of the agents at the target site. From a practical standpoint, however, skin preparations are often not applied conscientiously by the user for a variety of reasons, and thus the optimal results are frequently not achieved. Lack of user acceptance often results from the oiliness, tackiness, excessive film formation, odor, etc. that accompany many topical preparations. In addition, repeated exposure to certain topical delivery systems results in irritation or drying of the skin.
The continuous, i.e. daily, long-term, month-to-month, and consistent topical application of at least one specific agent has recently been reported to result in a reversal of photoaging of the skin. The agent, tretinoin (all trans-retinoic acid) was earlier reported to be beneficial in the treatment of acne, seborrhea and psoriasis. Most recently Weiss and his co-workers have reported that tretinoin can improve the effects of photoaging including wrinkling, sallowness, roughness and mottled pigmentation characteristic of photoaged skin when applied as a 0.1% cream daily for sixteen weeks. Weiss, J. S., et al., Topical Tretinoin Improves Photoaged Skin: A Double-blind Vehicle Controlled Study, JAMA, 259:527532, 1988. Similarly, Voorhees and co-workers have reported further and extended beneficial results may be achieved from the consistent and continuous application of the 0.1% cream for a period in excess of fourteen months. FDC Reports, Vol. 9, No. 50, Dec. 12, 1988; Weiss, J. S., et al., Topical Tretinoin in the Treatment of Aging Skin, J. Am. Acad. Dermatol., 19:169-175, 1988. However, these researchers reported that most patients experience dermatitis as a result of treatment with the tretinoin cream. The initial dermatitis, which is associated with xerosis, peeling and subjective irritation, lasts from two weeks to three months while a second inflammatory phase, presumably of subclinical actinic keratosis, is experienced by some patients in which the erythema is more punctate or reticulate.
While the dermatitis reported by Weiss et al. and Voorhes appears to result from the tretinoin itself, the results underscore the need for a vehicle which enhances the absorption of the active agent so that the desired end result can be achieved using a dose of the agent less likely to cause irritation, as well as a vehicle which is favorably accepted by the user so as to encourage and assure consistent, diligent and continuous use as directed.
Most topical drugs are administered on an outpatient basis. Thus, it is required that the patient apply the drug several times daily for the drug to have its optimal effect. Because the drug is topically applied, it must be administered periodically due to washing or wearing off. Most prior art delivery systems for topical drugs are not as pleasant as they could be to the patient; in that the delivery vehicle itself, or its effect upon the skin, is shiny, oily, tacky, drying, constricting, sweaty, greasy or malodorous. Because the drug delivery system is not pleasant, patients tend to stop using the drug, or do not use it according to the proper schedule. When the drug is not applied in the optimal manner, because of the unpleasant delivery system, then the condition for which the drug is applied is not optimally treated.
Thus, there is a need for a topical delivery system for drugs and other active agents that will encourage the consistent and continuous application needed to achieve optimal and reliable efficacy, and that can be comfortably used to deliver materials to the skin surface for the purpose of providing epidermal, dermal and/or subcutaneous benefits.
The drug topical drug delivery composition and method of the present invention provides a method and composition that promotes a high degree of patient compliance in encouraging their conscientious daily application of active agents over months and years which produces more reliable and assured therapeutic results.
The topical drug delivery composition and method of the present invention also provides a new composition for delivering drugs and other active agents that has several desirable advantages in delivering materials to the skin surface for the purpose of providing epidermal, dermal, subcutaneous and system benefits.
The composition and method of the present invention permits the delivery vehicle to be imperceptible and invisible after application, thus eliminating the initial and residual oiliness, greasiness, tackiness, odor, color, shine and subjective annoyances and irritations of prior art vehicles.
The topical drug delivery composition of the present invention also permits the skin of the patient to become softened and smoothed rather than suffer from clinical problems often associated with other prior art topical delivery vehicles, such as dry, cracked, red, irritated skin.
The composition of the present invention also permits the efficient and continuous release of active agents onto the surface of the skin and may enhance penetration into the epidermis and underlying dermal and subcutaneous tissues.
Thus, the present invention relates in general to a drug delivery composition comprising: i) an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable surface tension reducing agent; ii) an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable skin hydrating agent; and iii) an effective amount of a hydrophilic-lipophilic coupling agent. In addition, the present invention may optionally contain a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a topical preparation comprising the above-described delivery composition and an amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable retinoid sufficient to reverse the effects of aging such as wrinkling of skin.
The present invention further relates to a method of topically delivering a drug to the skin of an animal or human comprising the steps of
a) preparing a topical delivery composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable surface tension reducing agents;
ii) an effective amount of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable skin hydrating agents;
iii) an effective amount of one or more hydrophilic-lipophilic coupling agents; and
iv) an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable drug; and
b) applying the topical delivery composition to the skin of the animal or human.
The topical delivery composition of the method of the present invention provides a means with which to deliver a pharmacologically effective amount of one or more active ingredients. Furthermore, the topical delivery composition can contain an additional pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a topical drug delivery composition that promotes patient compliance by encouraging continuous and conscientious application of active ingredients on a schedule as directed, thus producing more reliable and assured therapeutic results.
It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a topical drug delivery composition wherein the vehicle is imperceptible and essentially invisible after application, thus eliminating initial and residual oiliness, greasiness, excessive film formation, tackiness, odor and shine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a topical drug delivery composition that softens and soothes the skin and reduces clinical problems often associated with topical delivery vehicles, such as dry, cracked, red, irritated skin without becoming aesthetically less desirable to the person using the formula.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of effecting the efficient and continuous release of active ingredients into and within the surface of the skin and, where desirable, further penetration into the epidermis, and into the underlying dermal and subcutaneous tissues.
It is another object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions suitable for topical delivery of retinoids which significantly reduce the art-recognized problems associated with retinoid-containing compositions.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.
Thus, the present invention relates to a drug delivery composition comprising: i) an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable surface tension reducing agent; ii) an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable skin hydrating agent; and iii) an effective amount of a hydrophilic-lipophilic coupling agent. In addition, the present invention may optionally contain a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
The components of the topical drug delivery composition are preferably colorless, clear or nondeleteriously tinted or colored and nonmalodorous, however, the final preparation may be colored, tinted or clear, as well as being scented or unscented as desired. Such aspects as color and scent of the final product can be selected such that the product""s aesthetic appeal is enhanced. The invention further relates to topical preparations containing an active agent in association with such a delivery composition.
The surface tension reducing agent of the invention include anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants known in the art that are, when incorporated into the vehicle and applied to the skin, essentially clear, colorless and non-malodorous, and that are dermatologically safe and compatible with the active agents as well as the other vehicle ingredients. The surface tension reducing agents can be used singly or in combination in a concentration ranging from approximately 0.001 to 5.0% w/v, advantageously, in the range of approximately about 0.05 to 1.5%. Suitable surface tension reducing agents include, but are not limited to, laureth-4, octoxynol-9, cocoamphocarboxyglycinate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and benzethonium chloride.
The skin softening agents of the invention include such agents known in the art that are, when incorporated into the vehicle and applied to the skin, essentially clear, colorless, non-malodorous, and that are dermatologically safe and are compatible with the active agents as well as the other vehicle ingredients. The skin softening agents can be used singly or in combination in a concentration ranging from approximately 0.01 to 10.0% w/v, advantageously, in the range of from approximately 0.05 to 5.0%. Skin softening agents suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, glycerin, propylene glycol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, pantothenol and its derivatives and related moieties, and hyaluronic acid and related moieties.
The hydrophilic-lipophilic coupling agents of the invention include such agents known in the art that are when incorporated into the vehicle and applied to the skin essentially clear, colorless, non-malodorous, and that are dermatologically safe and compatible with the active, and other vehicle, ingredients. The hydrophilic-lipophilic coupling agents can be used singly or in combination in concentrations ranging from approximately 0.01 to 5.0% w/v, advantageously, in the range of approximately 0.05 to 2.5%. Hydrophilic-lipophilic coupling agents include, but are not limited to, dimethylisosorbide, diisopropyl adipate, dioctyl maleate, propylene carbonate, diisopropyl sebacate and 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one (See U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,816) (Sold under the tradename Azone, Nelson Research and Development Company, Irvine Calif.).
The solvents and carrying agents of the invention include such agents known in the art that are when incorporated into the vehicle and applied to the skin clear, colorless, volatile, non-malodorous and comfortable, that are dermatologically safe, and that are compatible with the active agents and other vehicle ingredients. The solvents and carrying agents can be used singly or in combination in concentration ranges suitable to bring the vehicle and active components up to the desired final strength. Solvents and carrying agents suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, ethyl alcohol, partially or fully deodorized alcohols and iso-alcohols, suitable denatured alcohols, methanol, water ketones, esters, ethers and the like. Advantageously, the alcohols are used at concentrations that are close to or below their minimal, antimicrobial inhibitory concentrations, because, at such concentrations, they possess better subjective qualities and minimal adverse skin acceptance problems, such as stinging. Thus, for example, concentrations of ethyl alcohol in the range of approximately 30% to 45% v/v are advantageous.
The drug delivery composition of that invention can also contain agents that chemically, physically and/or microbiocidally stabilize the active and other ingredients, agents that introduce aesthetically pleasing characteristics, and/or agents that protect the skin from ultra-violet and other radiation, free radicals and other internal and external insults. Such agents include preservatives, antioxidants, ultra-violet and radiation absorbing agents, free-radical inhibiting, quenching or neutralizing agents (for example tocopherol or derivatives thereof), colors, fragrances and the like. Effective concentrations of such agents are well known in the art or can readily be determined by one skilled in the art.
Active ingredients that can be included in the above-described delivery composition include, but are not limited to, retinoids, including trans and 13-cis retinoic acids, retinol, retinyl esters, and other physiologically active retinoid derivatives such as etretinate; steroidal, non-steroidal, retinoidal and other anti-inflammatories, such as hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, betamethasone and other steroids; non-steroidal antiinflammatories including ibuprofen and indomethacin; antibiotics such as erythromycin, ampicillin and clindamycin; antiviral agents such as acyclovir; agents such as antifungals, antimitotics, anesthetics, antihistamines, antibacterials, antipsoriatics, keratolytic, depigmenting and emollient; and agents that either stimulate, normalize or beneficially modify cellular formation and differentiation.

Topical drug delivery composition and method


The machine for manufacturing a construction panel has a plurality of clamping mechanisms (32) for holding fixed a subassembly including a plate-shaped heat insulating core (12) and upper and lower wire meshes (18,24) with predetermined gaps between them; a reciprocating carriage (44) mounted slidably in a longitudinal direction on a main frame (30); carriage driving mechanism (46) for moving the carriage (44) on the main frame (30) including a driving motor (140), an electromagnetic clutch (142) and a ball screw (144); a subassembly guide (34) for maintaining the predetermined gaps; first and second supporting member feeding and inserting mechanisms (36,38), each of which include feeding units (82) having hoppers (86) for discharging one-by-one a plurality of pre-cut first and second supporting members (26,28) and a plurality of inserting units (84), each of the inserting units including a pneumatic cylinder (92) having a piston rod (94) and a plunger (96) connected to the piston rod (94); and upper and lower electric welding mechanisms (4) for spot welding the longitudinal wires of the upper and lower wire meshes (18,24) with the first and second supporting members (26,28) to form a finished construction panel (10).

The present invention relates to a machine for manufacturing a panel for use in construction and, more particularly, to a machine for manufacturing a panel including two wire meshes made of wire consisting of a thin rod, a flat heat insulating core disposed between the wire meshes, first supporting members passing through the wire meshes and the core inclined in one direction, and second supporting members passing through the wire meshes and the core inclined in a direction opposite to the first supporting members, the supporting members being welded to the wire meshes to form a three-dimensional panel for use in construction.
Generally, the light plastics including formed synthetic resins and expanded plastics, such as urethane and polystyrene, have the proper characteristics required in walls and ceilings, i.e., light weight, low heat conductivity, anti-abrasive, low water permeability, acoustic shielding property and the like. However, they are weak with regard to their structural strength. Therefore, they are coupled with a structurally strong reinforcing frame, when used as a construction material.
Examples of this type of panel are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,305,991; 3,555,131 and 4,226,067.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,991 describes a manufacturing process in which a complete frame is separately manufactured and inserted into a fabricating vessel and a fluid is also poured into the fabricating vessel so that the frame is immersed in the fluid to form a certain gap between the bottom of the frame and the bottom of a foamed panel to be formed. A film forming fluid is poured into the fabricating vessel to form a film on the inner surface of the fabricating vessel and a liquid foam material is poured into the fabricating vessel. Then curing is carried out so as to form a reinforced panel for use in construction.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,131 discloses a device and a method for assembling this type of panel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,067 deals with an assembled panel manufactured by a process in which a foamed plastic is fitted between two truss-shaped side frames and a plurality of them are laterally combined in close contact with each other. Then, the upper and lower portions of the side frames are spot welded to unite the side frames, to provide an assembled reinforced panel with reinforcing core.
The method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,991 requires an enormous amount of investment in the manufacturing facility, since it uses the manufacturing device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,131, which is an expensive special device for manufacturing an integrated frame. Furthermore, the foamings must be carried out one-by-one in the fabricating vessel and therefore it is impossible to produce the foamed panel in a mechanized manner. Also, it is not only difficult to maintain a constant gap between the surface of the foamed resin and the surface of the integrated frame, but also irregularity occurs on the surface of the foamed resin, and the position of the foamed resin is not made in an accurate way. Furthermore, the foamed body is actually contacted with the external frame at many places and therefore, when finishing, is carried out with a cement mortar; the placing of the united frame cannot be perfect.
In accordance with the method of U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,067, small gaps between the heat insulating cores which are filling members arranged in a lateral direction can occur. Therefore, the heat insulating and acoustic shielding characteristics are reduced and the manufacturing process is complicated.
Korean Patent21,625 describes improvements in the device described hereinabove. U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,027 describes an additional improvement in the manufacturing machine for making a heat insulating panel described in Korean Patent 21,625. Korean Patent 21,625 discloses a manufacturing machine in which the upper and lower wire meshes are disposed above and below the heat insulating core with certain gaps therebetween and are fitted into a jig. The jig is intermittently moved a certain distance, and at the same time wires which are to serve as supporting members for the wire meshes and the heat insulating core are continuously inclinedly inserted and cut off. Then, the contacts between the cut supporting members and the upper and lower wire meshes are spot welded so as to a form three-dimensional construction panel.
Usually, the construction panels have a width of 1.22 m (4 feet) and a length of 2.44 to 4.26 m (8-14 feet). Due to this large size, it is advantageous to produce the panels near the consuming location rather than to transport them a long distance.
Korean Patent 21,625 describes a machine having the advantage that a panel having a heat insulating core of superior heat insulating characteristics and acoustic shielding characteristics can be mass produced with it. However disadvantageously the means for supplying the inclined wires is very complicated and consumes a large amount of energy. The size of this means is too large and it has too many parts, so that it is difficult to carry them to the consuming place. Also, this results in repair and maintenance difficulties. The process for assembling the upper and lower wire meshes and the heat insulating cores to maintain certain gaps between them is very troublesome and causes a decrease in productivity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,027, which was issued to an inventor of the subject matter disclosed herein, describes a machine for manufacturing an insulating panel which is an improvement of the machine described in the aforementioned Korean Patent 21,625.
In the manufacturing machine described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,027 the panel subassembly in which the lower wire mesh, the insulating core and the upper wire mesh are stacked with predetermined gaps between them on spacer angles attached at predetermined intervals to the conveyor intermittently driven by a stepping motor, the supporting members which have been cut in advance to a predetermined length are moved toward the fixed feeding and inserting mechanism and then the supporting members are applied to the aforesaid panel subassembly by the feeding and inserting mechanism, and the longitudinal wires of the upper and lower wire meshes and the contacting portions of the inserted supporting members are spot welded by the electric welding mechanisms spaced from the feeding and inserting mechanisms so as to manufacture a three-dimensional panel for use in construction.
Since the manufacturing machine described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,027, moves the panel subassembly toward the fixed supporting member feeding and inserting mechanism and the electric welding mechanism, it should have a length of four times more than a length of the construction panel to be manufactured. Thus it has not been possible to decrease the entire magnitude and weight of the manufacturing machine.

Machine for manufacturing construction panels


A semiconductor device with a transistor for supplying a current to a pixel comprising an EL element, that can supply an accurate current without the influence of variations even when a small signal current, is provided. A precharge voltage is supplied in advance for the current supply to a pixel and subsequently, the signal writing is completed quickly. The precharge voltage is outputted from a circuit for supplying voltage and current that supplies a current to a current source circuit for supplying a current to the pixel. As the precharge voltage, a gate voltage of a transistor for supplying a current to the current source circuit is supplied to the pixel. Optimum precharge voltage can be supplied in the case where W/L of a transistor in the pixel and W/L of a transistor for supplying current in the circuit for supplying voltage and current are approximately equivalent to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which is provided with a function of controlling a current supplied to a load by a transistor, and more particularly to a semiconductor device comprising a pixel comprising a current drive type light emitting element whose luminance varies with current, and a circuit for supplying a signal to the pixel.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a display device using a self-light emitting element typified by an organic light emitting diode (OLED, which is also referred to as an organic EL element, an electroluminescence (EL) element, and the like), there are two types: a passive matrix and an active matrix according to a driving method thereof. The passive matrix display device has a simple configuration while it has a difficulty in realizing a display with a large size and high luminance. In recent years, an active matrix display device in which a current supplied to a light emitting element is controlled by a thin film transistor (TFT) provided in a pixel circuit has been developed.
The active matrix display device has a problem in that a current supplied to a light emitting element varies due to variations in current characteristics of driving TFTs, leading to luminance variations. That is, a pixel circuit adopts a driving TFT for driving a current supplied to a light emitting element, and thus the current supplied to the light emitting element varies as characteristics of such driving TFTs vary, so that luminance varies. In view of this, various circuits are proposed, in which luminance variations are suppressed without changing a current supplied to a light emitting element even in the case where characteristics of driving TFTs vary among pixel circuits (e.g., refer to Patent Documents 1 to 4).
(Patent Document 1)
Published Japanese translation of PCT international publication for Patent Application No. 2002-517806
(Patent Document 2)
PCT International Publication for Patent Application No. WO01/06484 pamphlet
(Patent Document 3)
Published Japanese translation of PCT international publication for Patent Application No. 2002-514320
(Patent Document 4)
PCT International Publication for Patent Application No. WO02/39420 pamphlet
Disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are circuit configurations for preventing the fluctuation of a current value supplied to a light emitting element due to variations in characteristics of driving TFTs among pixel circuits. Such a configuration is referred to as a current write type pixel or a current input type pixel. In Patent Document 4, a circuit configuration for suppressing fluctuation of a signal current due to variations of TFTs in a source driver circuit is disclosed.
FIG. 6 shows a first configuration example of a conventional active matrix display device disclosed in Patent Document 1. A pixel in FIG. 6 comprises a source signal line 601, first to third gate signal lines 602 to 604, a current supply line 605, TFTs 606 to 609, a storage capacitor 610, an EL element 611, and a current source 612 for inputting an image signal.
An operation from a signal current writing to a light emission is described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7E. In FIGS. 7A to 7E, reference numerals denoting respective parts conform to those shown in FIG. 6. FIGS. 7A to 7C schematically show current paths. FIG. 7D shows a relationship between currents flowing through respective paths during the signal current writing. FIG. 7E shows a voltage accumulated in the storage capacitor 610 during the signal current writing, namely a gate-source voltage of the TFT 608.
Firstly, a pulse is inputted to the first gate signal line 602 and the second gate signal line 603 to turn ON the TFTs 606 and 607. A current flowing through the source signal line 601 at this time, namely a signal current is referred to as Idata here.
The current Idata flows through the source signal line 601, therefore, the current separately flows through paths I1 and I2 in the pixel. The relationship between I1 and I2 is shown in FIG. 7D. It is needless to say that Idata=I1+I2 is satisfied.
At the moment in which the TFT 606 is turned ON, a charge is not yet held in the storage capacitor 610, thus the TFT 608 is OFF. Accordingly, I2=0 and Idata=I1 are satisfied. That is to say, only a current due to an accumulated charge in the storage capacitor 610 flows at this time.
Then, charge starts to be accumulated in the storage capacitor 610 gradually to cause a potential difference between both electrodes (FIG. 7E). When the potential difference between both electrodes reaches Vth (point A in FIG. 7E), the TFT 608 is turned ON, generating I2. Since Idata=I1+I2 is satisfied as mentioned above, the amount of I1 gradually decreases while a current continues flowing and charge is accumulated in the storage capacitor 610.
In the storage capacitor 610, the charge accumulation is continued until the potential difference between both electrodes, namely the gate-source voltage of the TFT 608 reaches a desired voltage, that is a voltage (VGS) that allows the TFT 608 to flow a current of Idata. When the current accumulation is completed (point B in FIG. 7E), the current I1 stops flowing and a current corresponding to VGS at this time flows through the TFT 608, thus Idata=I2 is satisfied (FIG. 7B). A steady state is achieved in this manner and a signal writing operation is completed. At the end, the selection of the first gate signal line 602 and the second gate signal line 603 is completed to turn OFF the TFTs 606 and 607. The above operation is referred to as a setting operation here.
Subsequently, a light emitting operation starts. A pulse is inputted to the third gate signal line 604 to turn ON the TFT 609. Since the storage capacitor 610 holds VGS that has been written, the TFT 608 is ON and a current of Idata flows therethrough from the current supply line 605. Accordingly, the EL element 611 emits light. At this time, in the case where the TFT 608 is set to operate in a saturation region, Idata can continue flowing even when the source-drain voltage of the TFT 608 varies.
Such an operation of outputting a set current is referred to as an outputting operation here. By using the current write type pixel, a gate-source voltage required for flowing the current Idata is held in the storage capacitor 610, so that a desired current can be supplied to the EL element 611 accurately even in the case where the TFTs 608 have a variations in characteristics and the like. Consequently, luminance variations due to characteristic variations of TFTs can be suppressed.
The abovementioned example relates to the technology for correcting the change in current due to variations of driving TFTs among pixel circuits, however, the same problem occurs in a source driver circuit. Patent Document 4 discloses a circuit configuration for preventing the change in signal current due to the manufacturing variations of TFTs in a source driver circuit.
(Patent Document 5)
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2003-66908
Patent Document 5 discloses a configuration in which a voltage source is additionally provided as well as a current source for controlling gray scale, and a charge of floating capacitance is instantaneously changed by the voltage source at the beginning of a row selection period by a power source switching means for switching two power sources to input to a source signal line, and then a gray scale display is performed by the current source for realizing desired luminance.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


The fluorine-containing epoxy(meth)acrylate resin of the invention is represented by the following general formula (I). ##STR1## wherein R.sub.f is selected from the group consisting of --.phi.--C(CF.sub.3).sub.2 --.phi.--(where .phi. stands for ##STR2## --C(CF.sub.3).sub.2 --.phi.'--C(CF.sub.3).sub.2 --(where .phi.' stands for and --CH.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.6 CH.sub.2 --; n is zero or a positive interger; and X is hydrogen or methyl group. The resin of the invention may be prepared by reacting a diglycidyl ether of a fluorine-containing hydrocarbon (R.sub.f) with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Further provided is an adhesive composition comprising the aforementioned fluorine-containing epoxy(meth)acrylate resin and a photo-polymerization initiator, which can be cured at room temperature within a short time by irradiation with UV rays to form a cured product having a refractive index N.sub.D.sup.20 ranging from 1.434 to 1.532. The adhesive composition of the invention has a particular utility when used to form a part or zone contacting with a quartz glass or glass fibers, since it is improved in matching of the refractive index with those of the quartz glass and optical fibers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel fluorine-containing epoxy acrylate resin and fluorine-containing epoxy methacrylate resin (hereinafter referred to inclusively as "fluorine-containing epoxy(meth)acrylate resin"), a process for preparing the same and an adhesive composition containing the fluorine-containing epoxy(meth)acrylate resin. More particularly, the adhesive composition provided by this invention has a refractive index which may be controlled to a desired value, and a cured mass excellent in adhesiveness and mechanical properties. A more characteristic merit of the adhesive composition of the invention resides in that the fluorine-containing epoxy(meth)acrylate resin contained as a curable component is cured at room temperature within a short time under irradiation with UV (ultraviolet) rays.
2. Prior Art Statement
With the progress of the optical communication systems, epoxy resins have been increasingly used in the instruments used in such systems. To improve the adaptability of the epoxy resins for such applications, it is requested that the epoxy resins used for such purpose should have the following properties:
(1) The resin should have a low refractive index to match with the refractive index of an optical member made of glass or a like material; and PA1 (2) The resin could be cured at a low temperature to obviate adverse influences of heating on the optical members otherwise occurred if the resin would be cured at a high temperature during the operation for curing the resin for binding the optical members
U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,627 discloses an adhesive composition composed of a fluorine-containing epoxy resin, a reactive diluent containing fluorine and a hardner or curing agent containing fluorine. The adhesive composition taught by this prior patent has a refractive index which may be discretionally selected within a range of from 1.415 to 1.57, and is improved in thermal stability and adhesiveness. The merit achieved by the use of the composition as an adhesive for binding optical members, such as glass fibers or optical glasses, is remarkable due to its adaptability for matching the refractive index with those of the associated optical members. However, the adhesive composition taught by this reference cannot be cured at room temperature, the condition required for curing the same being 90.degree. C. for 4 hours or 60.degree. C. for 15 hours. On the other hand, it has been known in the art that an epoxyacrylate resin introduced with an ethylenically unsaturated group is excellent in adhesiveness and resistance to heat. It is also known that such a known epoxyacrylate resin has a photosensitivity due to the presence of the ethylenically unsaturated group, and may be cured at room temperature upon irradiation with UV rays. Making use of this advantageous property, the epoxy acrylate resins introduced with ethylenically unsaturated groups have been used as photo-curable adhesives or in photo-curable paints However, these known epoxy acrylate resins have refractive indices of from 1.53 to 1.60 which are substantially equivalent to those of the ordinary epoxy resins containing no fluorine atoms.

Fluorine-containing epoxy(meth)acrylate resin adhesive cured in presence of photoinitiator

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system for allocating power in a MU-MIMO communicating system are described. In some embodiments, an apparatus of a base station in the MU-MIMO communication system may comprise: a power calculating logic to calculate a power for each user of a plurality of users communicating with the base station in the MU-MIMO system, based upon an average power and a power increment. The power calculating logic may further comprise an average power logic to calculate the average power among the plurality of users based upon a total power for the base station to communicate with the plurality of users, and a power increment logic to determine the power increment for the each user based upon at least one of a fairness algorithm and a throughput algorithm, and wherein different users of the plurality of users having different long-term signal to interference plus noise ratios (SINRs) are calculated with different powers. The apparatus may further comprise a power allocating logic to allocate the power to the each user.

Multi-user multiple-input and multiple-output (MU-MIMO) communication system is a set of advanced multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) technology that exploits effective usage of communication resource (e.g., time-frequency resource). A widely known scheme of MU-MIMO is Space-division multiple access (SDMA) that allows a base station (BS) to receive or transmit signal from or to multiple users in a same resource block (e.g., a time-frequency block).
Currently, for MU-MIMO communication system, an equal-power allocation scheme is used for the BS to allocate power among the multi-users in the same resource block, namely, each user in the resource block is allocated with the same power to communicate with the BS.

Method and apparatus for allocating power in a MU-MIMO communication system


A scroll type fluid handling apparatus, such as a refrigeration compressor, has co-rotating driver and idler scroll members supported for rotation about offset, generally parallel axes. The idler scroll member has a support shaft which is supported on the compressor housing by a pivot bushing having an eccentric pivot axis which permits radially compliant movement of the idler scroll along a line of action which is predetermined to provide a component of a resultant force acting between the scroll members which will urge the idler scroll wrap into engagement with the driver scroll wrap under a wide range of operating conditions to enhance the contact line seal between the scroll wraps. The idler scroll support shaft may have a bearing bore sleeved over a bearing surface on the pivot bushing and the pivot bushing supported on a stub shaft of the housing, or the idler scroll support shaft may be disposed in a bearing bore formed in the bushing which, in turn, is mounted for limited rotation in a bearing bore formed in the housing stub shaft part. Cooperating stop surfaces between the pivot bushing and the housing stub shaft limit the radial excursion of the idler scroll and its support shaft with respect to the driver scroll. The idler scroll support shaft may also be mounted in a bushing disposed in a channel or supported on an elongated trunnion which provides for linear translation of the bushing, the support shaft and the idler scroll along the line of action and responsive to the resultant force.

Scroll apparatus for fluid compression or expansion are characterized by two opposed interfitting spiroidal wraps, typically generated as involute spiroids about respective axes. Each spiroidal wrap is mounted on an end plate and has a tip disposed in contact or near contact with the end plate of the other wrap and each wrap further has flank surfaces which adjoin the flank surfaces of the other wrap to form a plurality of moving fluid compression or expansion chambers.
In one relatively well developed configuration of scroll apparatus, one of the scrolls is fixed with respect to a support housing and the other scroll is connected to a drive shaft, in the case of a compressor, or a power output shaft in the case of an expander, and relatively complex linkage is provided for conversion of orbital motion of the movable scroll to rotary motion of the shaft. Such mechanism includes an eccentric driving member and coupling mechanism, such as an Oldham type coupling, to permit orbital motion of the movable scroll without allowing rotation of same with respect to the machine housing. Alternatively, one of the scroll members, commonly referred to as the idler scroll, may be connected to the driving or driven scroll member through an Oldham coupling and both members are rotated to provide coaction between the scroll wraps to develop the moving compression or expansion chambers. This type of scroll apparatus is typically referred to as a co-rotating or co-rotational type.
Co-rotating scroll expansion or compression apparatus is inherently less complicated, mechanically, generates less mechanical vibration and usually generates less noise than the so-called fixed scroll type apparatus. The latter two advantages of co-rotating scroll apparatus are particularly important in applications of scroll apparatus as compressors used in commercial as well as household vapor compression air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
A significant factor in providing an efficient and mechanically reliable scroll apparatus is the assurance of proper sealing engagement between the cooperating opposed scroll wraps to prevent unwanted fluid leakage from the expansion or compression chambers. Leakage may occur at the contact lines along the flank surfaces of the cooperating scrolls as well as at the axial side edges or tips of the scroll wraps if precise dimensioning and positioning of the wraps cannot be obtained and/or forces tending to separate the scroll flanks cannot be overcome due to deflection of the machine components and machining tolerances, for example. Although contact between the scroll flank surfaces of the respective scroll wraps is desired to minimize fluid leakage, the contact force should be limited so as to minimize wear between the scroll wraps. On the other hand, it is necessary in fluid handling apparatus wherein liquid slugs may be passed through the compression or expansion chambers from time to time to allow some momentary separation of the wraps to prevent mechanical damage to the scrolls. This is particularly important in compressors used in vapor compression refrigeration systems wherein a lubricating oil is injected into the moving chambers to aid in the sealing function, to reduce compression work and to provide a lubricant for the scroll wraps and other components in the system.
Radial compliance mechanisms have been developed for so-called fixed scroll type fluid handling apparatus to overcome the above-mentioned problems in providing adequate sealing while allowing movement of the scroll wraps relative to each other to handle fluid slugs and to reduce starting torque of machines, such as compressors. However, in co-rotational scroll type apparatus it has been determined that it is more desirable to provide for limited radial movement between the driving or driven scroll and the rotating idler scroll by permitting movement of the idler scroll center of rotation or central axis with respect to the axis of the driving or driven scroll. Providing a radial compliance mechanism which allows limited movement of the center axis of the idler scroll provides a mechanically simpler and more reliable apparatus than is possible by utilizing prior art radial compliance mechanisms connected to an orbiting type driving or driven scroll. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

Radial compliance mechanism for corotating scroll apparatus


An optical reader which is compatible with every environment irrespective of installation and usage environments, thereby enabling uniform manufacturing, satisfactory reading reliance, and operative safety and user-friendliness. The optical unit is mounted on the stage, and there is provided an inclination apparatus which inclines the stage at a desired angle. Thereby, without changing a preset optimal scanning pattern, only its emitting direction becomes freely changeable.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical readers, and more particularly to an optical reader that changes a light scanning direction. The optical reader of the present invention is especially suitable for barcode scanners which optically read a barcode put on merchandises in POS systems and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, barcode scanners have become more frequently used for cashiers in supermarkets, discount stores, home centers, etc. In general, operators who use a barcode scanner fixed onto a cashier table move a merchandise on which a barcode is printed, whereby the merchandise may pass across a scanning pattern emitted in a predetermined direction from a read window of the barcode scanner.
The scanning pattern is usually fixed to one pattern, and its emitting direction is preset and fixed in accordance with the installation and usage environments of the scanner at the time of manufacturing. The xe2x80x9cinstallation environmentxe2x80x9d, as used herein, means a direction in which the read window is to be installed in a cashier table; more concretely, whether the read window is arranged parallel or perpendicular to the cashier table. The former barcode scanner is called a lateral type, and the latter a longitudinal type. The xe2x80x9cusage environmentxe2x80x9d, as used herein, means a moving path of a merchandise onto which a barcode is printed; for example, whether the merchandise is to be moved from right to left or left to right, even in the same lateral type. The usage environment depends upon each operator""s height, experience and the like. The emitting direction is usually preset and inclined by a predetermined angle relative to a direction perpendicular to the read window, toward an upper stage from which a merchandise comes (for instance, which is a right side if the merchandise moves from right to left).
With the spread of barcode scanners, prompt reading of barcodes and efficient manufacturing of the barcode scanners has been strongly demanded.
However, the conventional longitudinal and lateral barcode scanners are different in manipulation and optimal scanning-pattern emitting directions. Even in the same lateral type, a proper emitting direction is different between one which moves merchandise from right to left, and another which moves merchandises from left to right. Therefore, in an attempt to install and use the conventional barcode scanners each store has ordered apparatuses having a different pattern emitting directions which correspond to their installation and usage environments.
A change of the emitting direction requires a change of inclination of an optical system that generates a scanning pattern and/or an arrangement of optical element(s). Consequently, each barcode scanner even for the same type, should be manufactured differently in emitting direction for every business type of different installation and usage environments, causing inefficient manufacturing and price increasing. On the other hand, primarily for manufacturing purposes, there have been proposed apparatuses having a fixed emitting direction while the installation and usage environments are ignored, but these apparatuses cannot generate an optimal pattern to achieve an object of prompt reading.
On the other hand, the actual prompt reading depends, in addition to the scanning pattern, upon a moving path of merchandise (or barcode) by an operator. Even in a barcode scanner in which the scanning pattern is fixed to the optimal pattern for the installation and usage environments, a moving path slightly different among operators depending upon their heights, experiences, skillful hands, habits, etc. Disadvantageously, each operator must adjust a barcode moving path and spend a long time to master the operating skill.
To eliminate these problems, applicant has proposed, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 9-16705, a barcode reader that generates a plurality of scanning patterns by making mirrors movable in the optical system, extending a scan area, and selecting one frequently used scanning pattern from them. Nevertheless, this invention was disadvantageous because it has a low reading reliance and does not always meet operative safety requirements.
The scanning pattern frequently used in this reference is not the actual optimal scanning pattern that has a high barcode-reading reliability. The optimal scanning pattern is one determined as a result of simulation taking into account the arrangement between a laser source and a light receiving element, while minimizing optical noises caused by mirror angles and the light amount of the laser beam. A scanning pattern including optical noises, even though hitting a barcode, cannot properly read the barcode data. For instance, a certain mirror angle puts the reflected light over the store""s light as a noise, and the light receiving element receives a large amount of incident light. A laser beam reflected at an edge or the like of the reflection mirror also causes a large amount of light incident to the light receiving element. In this way, a plurality of scanning patterns which have been generated only by taking into account the usage environment without paying attention to the optical noises would lower the reading reliance and delay the reading time. It is preferable to maintain the optimal scanning pattern that is set at the time of manufacturing.
In addition, as seen in the International Standard IEC and the U.S. Standard CDRH, which take care of human eyes subject to a laser beam, the laser safety standards define certain restrictions regarding the light amount of an incident laser beam. However, the light amount of an arbitrarily changed scanning pattern would not necessarily meet the above standards, thereby endangering safety.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful optical reader in which the above disadvantages are eliminated.
More specifically, it is another object to provide an optical reader which enables uniform manufacturing irrespective of the installation and usage environments.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an optical reader that is user-friendlier than the conventional ones.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical reader which maintains the optimal scanning pattern and has a high reading reliance.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an optical reader that meets the laser safety standards and secures safety.
In order to achieve the above objects, an optical device of the present invention comprises an optical unit which generates a predetermined scanning pattern, emits the predetermined scanning pattern to an optically readable medium, and receives light reflected from the medium, a stage which mounts an optical system at least necessary to generate the predetermined scanning pattern from among the optical unit, and an inclination apparatus which inclines the stage.
Another optical device of the present invention comprises an optical device which includes a housing having a plurality of reading windows, a plurality of optical units accommodated in said housing, the number of the optical units corresponding to the number of reading windows, each optical unit generating a predetermined scanning pattern, emitting the predetermined scanning pattern to an optically readable medium, and receiving light reflected from the medium, a stage, accommodated in the housing, which mounts an optical system at least necessary to generate the predetermined scanning pattern from among the optical unit, and an inclination apparatus, accommodated in the housing, which inclines the stage.
Still another optical device of the present invention comprises an optical unit which generates a predetermined scanning pattern, emits the predetermined scanning pattern to an optically readable medium, and receives light reflected from the medium, a stage which mounts an optical system at least necessary to generate the predetermined scanning pattern from among the optical unit, an inclination apparatus which inclines the stage, and a controller connected to the inclination apparatus, the controller controlling the inclination of the stage by the inclination apparatus.
A scanning method of the present invention comprises the steps of generating a predetermined scanning pattern to read out an optically readable medium, changing an emitting direction of the predetermined scanning pattern to a desired direction while maintaining the predetermined pattern, emitting the predetermined scanning pattern to the desired direction, and reading out light reflected from the medium based on the predetermined pattern.
An optical device of the present invention comprises an optical unit which generates a predetermined scanning pattern, emits the predetermined scanning pattern to an optically readable medium, and receives light reflected from the medium, and an inclinable stage which mounts an optical system at least necessary to generate the predetermined scanning pattern from among the optical unit.
Thus, the optical readers and scanning method of the present invention may change a scanning-pattern emitting direction while maintaining the predetermined scanning pattern.
Other objects and further features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

Optical reader having inclinable stage which mounts optical unit thereon


Dielectric gas mixture including a binary pair of gases with electric strengths in uniform or quasi-uniform fields which are higher than that for either component of the gases alone. Such binary pairs include (a) SF.sub.6 and CF.sub.3 CFCF.sub.2, (b) SO.sub.2 and CF.sub.3 CFCF.sub.2, and (c) SO.sub.2 and SF.sub.6.

The present invention relates to a dielectric gas mixture for use in electrically insulating a conductor.
When high voltages exist between the conductors of electrical apparatus (e.g., transformers, circuit breakers, or switches), arcing or sparking may take place. To prevent this phenomenon, dielectric fluids (gas or liquid) or solids are conventionally used to insulate the conductors.
One well-known dielectric gas is sulfur hexafluoride (SF.sub.6). While possessing good arc interrupting properties it is relatively expensive and suffers from relatively low vapor pressure at low temperatures and a comparatively high freezing point. Many dielectric gas mixtures have been suggested, such as illustrated in Mears et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,461.
Efforts have been made to improve the cost-effectiveness of circulating SF.sub.6 gas in power transmission lines and substations by diluting the SF.sub.6 with nitrogen. Such dilution has been found to result in a substantial cost reduction but with a small reduction in the uniform-field electric strength. This reduction in electric strength is consistent with a linear addition of the net ionization and attachment coefficients of the two gases. This rule or formula was proposed first by A. Wieland, ETZ-A, 94 (1973), pages 370-373. A similar, but less marked effect, occurs with SF.sub.6 and He. This assumption that ionization and attachment coefficients add linearly in gas mixtures had been assumed to be accurate by authors in the field.

Dielectric gas selected from binary mixtures of SF.sub.6, SO.sub.2 and CF.sub.3 CFCF.sub.2


A method for casting cast parts in which a casting mould is provided. The casting mould is enclosed in a housing, forming a filling space between an inner surface section of the housing and an associated outer surface section of the casting mould. The filling space is then filled with a free-flowing filling material and molten metal is poured in the casting mould. As a consequence a binder of the mould material begins to vaporise and combust disintegrating the casting mould. During the filling of the filling space, the filling material has a minimum temperature, starting out from which the temperature of the filling material rises, to beyond a boundary temperature at which the vaporising binder ignites and combusts.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for casting cast parts in which a molten metal is poured into a casting mould which encloses a cavity forming the cast part which is to be produced, wherein the casting mould, designed as a lost mould, consists of one or more casting mould parts or cores. The casting mould parts or casting cores are thereby formed of a mould material which consists of a core sand, a binder and, optionally, one or more additives for adjusting particular properties of the mould material.
Description of Related Art
In conventional methods of this kind, the casting mould forming the cast part is usually provided first, the casting cores and mould parts of which have been prefabricated in separate working operations. The casting mould can thereby be composed, as a so-called "core package", of a plurality of casting cores. Equally, it is possible to use casting moulds which are, for example, composed of only two mould halves consisting of mould material, in which the mould cavity forming the cast part is formed, wherein here too mould cores can be present in order to form recesses, cavities, channels and similar in the cast part.
Typical examples of cast parts which are produced by means of a method according to the invention include engine blocks and cylinder heads. For larger engines subject to high loads, these are manufactured of cast iron by means of sand casting.
In the field of iron casting, quartz sands, mixed with bentonites, lustrous carbon formers and water are usually used as mould material for casting mould parts forming the outer closure of the casting mould. The casting cores forming the interior cavities and channels of the cast part are, in contrast, usually formed of commercially available core sands, which are mixed with an organic or inorganic binder, for example with a synthetic resin or water glass.
Irrespective of the type of core sands and binders, the basic principle behind the manufacture of casting moulds formed of mould materials of the aforementioned type is that, after forming, the binder is hardened by means of a suitable thermal or chemical treatment, so that the grains of the core sands adhere together and the stability of form of the relevant mould part or core is ensured over a sufficient duration.
Particularly when casting large-volume cast parts made of cast iron, the internal pressure exerted on the casting mould following the pouring of the molten metal can be very high. In order to absorb this pressure and reliably prevent the casting mould from bursting, either thick-walled large-volume casting moulds must be used or supporting structures must be used which support the casting mould on its outer side.
One possible form of such a supporting structure consists of an enclosure which is placed over the casting mould. The enclosure is usually designed in the form of a jacket which surrounds the casting mould on its peripheral sides but which has on its upper side a sufficiently large opening to allow the melt to be poured into the casting mould. The enclosure is thereby so dimensioned that, after it is placed in position, a filling space remains between the inner surfaces of the enclosure and the outer surfaces of the casting mould, at least in the sections decisive for the support of the casting mould. This filling space is filled with a free-flowing filling material, so that a support of the relevant surface sections over a wide area by the enclosure is guaranteed. In order to ensure as even as possible a filling of the filling space, an equally even contact between the casting mould and the filling material and a correspondingly even support of the fragile mould material, as a rule fine-grained, free-flowing filling materials such as sand or steel shot are used which have a high bulk density. After filling, the filling material is additionally compacted. The aim here is to create the most compact possible filling mass which, acting like an incompressible monolith, ensures the direct transmission of the supporting forces from the enclosure to the casting mould.
The molten metal is poured into the casting mould at a high temperature, so that the casting mould parts and cores of which the casting mould is composed are also heated strongly. Consequently, the casting mould begins to radiate heat. If the temperature of the casting mould exceeds a certain minimum temperature, then the binder of the mould material begins to vaporise and combust, releasing further heat. This causes the binder to lose its effect. As a result of this decomposition of the binder, the cohesion of the grains of the mould material of which the casting mould parts and cores of the casting mould are made is lost and the casting mould and its parts and cores made of mould material collapse into individual fragments.
It is known in practice that this effect can be used for the demoulding of the cast parts from the casting mould. Thus, heat treatment methods for cast parts are for example known from EP 0 546 210 B2 or EP 0 612 276 B2 in which the casting mould together with the cast parts are, in a continuous process sequence, transferred from the casting heat into a heat treatment furnace. While passing through the furnace, the casting mould and the cast parts are exposed over an adequately long duration to a temperature at which the condition of the cast parts is achieved which is the objective of the heat treatment. At the same time, the temperature of the heat treatment is so selected that the binder of the mould material decomposes. The fragments of the casting mould consisting of mould material which then automatically fall away from the cast part are collected in a sand bed in the heat treatment furnace itself. They remain there for a certain period in order to further encourage the disintegration of the fragments of the casting mould parts and cores. The fragmentation of the mould material falling from the casting mould can be supported in that the sand bed is fluidised by blowing in a hot gas flow. The sufficiently disintegrated mould material fragments are finally fed to a processing facility in which the core sand is reclaimed so that it can be used for the manufacture of new casting mould parts and cores.
The known procedure for the demoulding and processing of the casting moulds required for the casting of cast parts has proved effective in practice in the casting, in large quantities, of parts for internal combustion engines made of aluminium. However, this requires a furnace of considerable construction length and a handling of the casting moulds and cast parts which in the case of high-volume parts or casting moulds, requiring additional support through an enclosure of the type described above, proves complicated. This applies in particular to cast parts which are to be manufactured in small and medium-sized quantities from cast iron.

Fritz Winter Eisengiesserei GmbH & Co. KG