A method for reducing interference from a wireless communications system. The interference threshold is set based on a quality criterion that can be measured during operation of the system. The quality criterion is measured during system operation. Preferably, a separate quality criterion measurement is performed for each of an uplink and a downlink of the wireless communications system. The quality criterion is compared to the information containing the set interference threshold. A breach of the interference threshold for the uplink or the downlink is determined when the measurement indicates that the measured quality criterion is sufficiently poor that operation of the system should be modified. Upon determination of an interference breach in either the uplink or downlink, the system initiates an asymmetric enhanced mode operation in which redundant data transmission is established over the link exhibiting the interference breach, while standard, non-redundant transmission continues on the other link.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to wireless digital communication systems. In particular, the invention discloses a technique for increasing the performance of a wireless communication link operating in the presence of an external source of intermittent interference.
2. Background
Cordless telephones have become increasingly popular in recent years. As improved technology is incorporated into cordless telephone designs, their sound quality and reliability have greatly improved, leading to the increasing proliferation and acceptance of cordless telephone devices in residential, and even commercial, environments.
However, as cordless telephones (which operate via a wireless radio frequency (RF) communication link established between the phone handset and a base unit) and other wireless devices have become more popular, the electromagnetic spectrum over which such devices communicate has, in turn, become increasingly crowded. Additionally, increasing numbers of other electronic devices are being used throughout society. Many such devices radiate electromagnetic energy that "pollutes" the spectrum over which wireless devices must communicate. As a result of these spurious transmissions and radiated noise, wireless devices commonly experience crosstalk and interference that inhibits the accurate and reliable transmission of signals.
In order to reduce the crowding of the electromagnetic spectrum designated for use by cordless telephones and other personal wireless devices, numerous frequency domain interference avoidance techniques, such as dynamic channel allocation, have been developed. Such techniques typically involve altering of the radio frequencies corresponding to the "channels" over which a wireless device communicates in an attempt to avoid externally generated radiated electromagnetic energy.
In devices that use dynamic channel allocation technique interference is detected by measuring quality criteria such as Received Signal Strength Indication "RSSI", packet, bit and synchronization errors. For a given channel, if RSSI, a number of synchronization, packet and/or bit loss errors are more then some specified threshold values, the channel will be qualified as bad. An algorithm implemented in the device will choose a new replacement channel and information about replacement of the channel will be communicated between link ends.
Also, additional frequency bands have been allocated for personal wireless communications devices, thereby spreading out device traffic and reducing the potential for interference.
Systems known in the art utilize many techniques to avoid the effects of RF interference that occur in a device's communication band. Many such techniques involve changing the system's frequency domain RF transmission characteristics. For example, calls may be handed off to a different carrier frequency, or noisy channels in the hopping pattern of a frequency hopping spread spectrum system may be substituted for different channels. Such channel substitution techniques are particularly effective in avoiding continuous narrowband sources of interference, such as may be generated by other cordless telephones.
A simple known multiple access system uses non-overlapping frequency bands for different communication links. Signals from two transceivers can be simultaneously transmitted without interfering with each other as presented in FIG. 7. User1 70 will occupy channel F1 71 spaced apart by using Guard Band 72 from channel F2 73 that is occupied by User2 74. Several users, User1 70, User2 74, User 3 75 and User4 76 utilize a portion of frequency spectrum at the same time. In this method multiple access capabilities are achieved in the frequency domain and method is called Frequency Division Multiple Access "FDMA".
Similarly, instead of using different channels that are assigned to different users, signals can be transmitted at different time slots T1 80, T2 81, T3 82 and T4 83 in a round-robin fashion, as shown on FIG. 8. Signals from two transceivers will occupy same channel F 84 but will be separated based on time of arrival. Multiple access is achieved in the time domain, and the method is referred to as Time Division Multiple Access "TDMA".
The 2.4 GHz ISM band has become popular for use by cordless telephones and other wireless devices. Telephones operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band commonly employ a communication protocol that is based on the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications ("DECT") standard, as defined in European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) standard ETS 300 175, September 1996 edition. Due to the characteristics and regulation of the 2.4 GHz band, devices operating thereon may offer increased range and/or bandwidth compared to other available frequency bands.
The DECT standard is being widely adopted throughout the world for wireless applications including cordless telephones, wireless offices and wireless telephone lines to the home. The DECT standard allows for multiple communication links, multiple accesses, between devices on a single RF carrier frequency through the use of time domain multiplexing. Following the success of DECT in Europe, Africa and South America, a variant of DECT has been developed for the North American market called Worldwide Digital Cordless Telecommunications ("WDCT"). The WDCT standard is currently becoming popular for use at the 2.4 GHz ISM band.
DECT utilizes a TDMA variant called Multi Carrier, Time Division Multiple Access, Time Division Duplex "MC/TDMA/TDD", as presented in FIG. 10. Ten channels are allocated from 1.880 GHz to 1.900 GHz. In the time domain, spectrum is subdivided into 10 ms wide TDMA frames 101 and 162. Each frame is divided in 24 sub-frames called "timeslots". Timeslots 103 and 104, which are spaced apart by 5 ms, can form one full duplex communication link, called a "bearer". The bearer shown has a downlink 105 that is associated with time slot 103, where the downlink direction is from a fixed part "FP" to a portable part "PP". A link direction from PP to FP that is associated with time slot 104, is called an uplink. The first 12 timeslots in one TDMA frame are used for downlink 105, while the rest of the slots are used for uplink 106.
There are three types of bearers used in standard DECT system: Dummy, Traffic and Connectionless bearer. "Dummy" 107 bearer is established in downlink direction to all PPs, and is used to keep all PPs synchronized with FP and to support continuous broadcast of signalling information to all users all the time. "Traffic" 108 bearer is a full duplex bearer between a PP and an FP. A primary use for a traffic bearer is to support voice or other user related information exchange between two link parties. Typically, in the DECT system, two bearers are established between PP and FP link parties that communicate by voice: a Dummy and a Traffic bearer. Each of the two bearers can be on different channels.
Yet another commonly used access method is presented in FIG. 9, known as Code Division Multiple Access "CDMA". In the example shown, different users can be separated in time and frequency domains using a particular version known as Frequency Hopping CDMA "FH-CDMA".
Combining FH-CDMA with TDMA creates a more cost-effective access method, called Frequency Hopping TDMA "FH-TDMA", as presented in FIG. 11. An example of such an FH-TDMA system can be found in current VTECH® 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz cordless telephones based on WDCT, FH-TDMA/TDD. In frame n−1 117, Traffic bearer 110 is established over downlink 113 and uplink 114 time slots at channel F1 115. Frequency hopping in this system is done on a "frame-by-frame" basis, performing a channel change for the traffic bearer in each frame. In frame n 118 the same Traffic bearer 110 is established in the same downlink 113 and uplink 114 time slots, over a different channel F2 116. In every other frame the channel changes. According to FCC regulations, for one traffic bearer, frequency hopping is performed from a sequence of 75 pseudo-randomly selected channels from a pool of 95 channels. Instead of frame-by-frame frequency hopping, in other known systems half-frame-by-half-frame frequency hopping is used, with change in channels at the half frame boundary.
However, one substantial difficulty faced by designers of electronic equipment utilizing the 2.4 GHz ISM band is interference generated by operation of a common household microwave oven. During their operation, microwave ovens generate substantial levels of RF energy throughout the 2.4 GHz frequency range. Therefore, when a microwave oven is in operation, a nearby, active 2.4 GHz cordless telephone of prior art design would commonly experience substantial interference. Such interference would degrade the sound quality of the telephone call to an objectionable, if not unusable, level. The impact of microwave oven radiation on cordless telephone operation is particularly significant when users place the cordless telephone base unit directly on top of a microwave oven. In certain circumstances, it is possible that a cordless telephone call conducted in the presence of microwave oven generated interference would be dropped altogether.
Prior art frequency domain interference avoidance techniques are of limited effectiveness in the presence of an interference source that emits interfering energy over a substantial portion of a communication band. It is estimated that a microwave oven may radiate substantial levels of interfering RF energy on a majority of the frequency channels defined in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a method that can be used in conjunction with a wireless communications system to avoid electromagnetic interference radiated by a microwave oven, or similar source.
Another technical problem that this invention addresses is a problem of multi-path fading, superposition of the reflected signals at the receive side of the link. This problem impacts audio quality especially in frequency hopping systems, since for one communication connection a plurality of channels is used, all having different wavelengths. Therefore, a received signal is often faded and corrupted, resulting in a voice mute or unpleasant tone being received. This is more noticeable when amplitudes of the reflected and direct signals are similar, which is typically the case when link parties are further away, close to the end of an operational range.
Prior art frequency domain interference avoidance techniques can help reduce this problem by switching bad channels. However, audio corruption is still a problem, since there is time delay between when a channel is detected as bad until it is physically replaced by another channel. Until successful replacement of the bad channel, a user will experience a degradation in sound quality. Since the user can move together with a handset while continuing a conversation, an environment and position of reflected objects can change, creating paths with different lengths. Consequently, dynamic changing of channels may not be sufficient to provide a highest voice quality. Another disadvantage of using dynamic change of channels to avoid multi-path fading is in increased processing power and signaling throughput required for processing of channels quality and associated communication link commands.
Some prior art systems use antenna diversity in order to solve this problem. A principle of operation is based on a difference in physical paths between two antennas. A receive event will start by using a first antenna. During that time, a quality criteria can be measured such as receiver signal strength "RSSI" and/or ability of the receiver to synchronize on a preamble, alternating a one and zero pattern at the beginning of the transmission. After a specified period the receive event will be continued by using a second antenna, and the same quality measurement as used for the first antenna is performed. At some specified point in time, comparison of two quality measurements is performed, and a receiver is switched to use the antenna that exhibits better measurement results, so that the better antenna can be used to receive the rest of the data associated with the time slot.
A problem with the above method is that estimation of the quality criteria is performed over a short period of time that may not accurately represent channel quality for the duration of the whole time slot.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method that can be used in conjunction with a wireless communications system to avoid interference radiated as a result of multi-path fading.
Yet another technical problem is avoidance of interference produced by other nearby frequency hopping wireless systems. Known frequency hopping wireless systems often transmit over one channel for a short period, typically insufficient to trigger frequency domain interference avoidance. Since a first frequency hopping wireless system can corrupt different channels often used in a hopping sequence of a second system, voice quality of the second system can be degraded.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method that can be used in conjunction with a wireless communications system to avoid radiated interference from other wireless systems that utilize frequency hopping.
In addition to reliability and sound quality, power efficiency of a cordless telephone handset is an important consideration in cordless telephone design. Cordless telephone customers demand telephones with extended battery life, such that talk time and time between required charging of the telephone handset needs to be as great as possible. However, consumers also desire compact and light weight portable telephone handsets, which, in turn, limits the physical size and, in turn, the electrical capacity of the battery that may be incorporated. While compact, high energy density battery technologies are one solution, they tend to be expensive, thereby increasing the cost of a cordless telephone that uses high density batteries to extend talk time. Therefore, it is highly desirable, and therefore it is an object of this invention, to provide a cordless telephone design that is power efficient.
Finally, some advanced wireless communications systems utilize multiple communication links over a single time domain multiplexed data frame. For example, advanced cordless telephone base units may support multiple portable handsets; wireless data communications may involve multiple devices on different time slots of a common carrier; and Wireless Local Loop technology may provide wireless telephone line service to a plurality of handsets in one or more homes using a common RF carrier. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an interference avoidance technique that efficiently utilizes the capacity of a communications channel.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the invention described herein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for asymmetric enhanced mode operation in a digital communication system


To improve electric characteristics of an electronic device. An electronic device includes a semiconductor device and a three-terminal capacitor mounted on the upper surface of a mounting substrate, the semiconductor device includes a power supply pad and a ground pad, the power supply pad and the ground pad are electrically connected with a power supply land and a ground land, respectively, and the power supply land and the ground land are allocated to a land line in an outermost periphery of the semiconductor device, Then, the power supply land and the ground land are electrically connected to the three-terminal capacitor by wirings formed on the upper surface of the mounting substrate.

The present invention relates to an electronic device mounting a plurality of electronic components (semiconductor device and capacitor) over a wiring substrate (mother board), for example.
An electronic device constituting an electronic circuit mounts a plurality of capacitors (capacitor elements) together with a semiconductor device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-305642 (Patent Literature 1) discloses an electronic device mounting a microcomputer (corresponding to the above semiconductor device) on a principal surface of a multilayer circuit substrate (corresponding to a mounting substrate to be described below). The rear surface of the multilayer circuit substrate mounts a three-terminal capacitor for reducing unnecessary radiation noise, and an auxiliary capacitor (two-terminal capacitor or three-terminal capacitor) for suppressing voltage fluctuation. The microcomputer is electrically connected with the three-terminal capacitor and the auxiliary capacitor via a via-hole of the multilayer circuit substrate.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-249412 (Patent Literature 2) discloses an electronic device coupling a first three-terminal capacitor to a first wiring layer formed on a principal surface of a multilayer wiring substrate (corresponding to a mounting substrate to be described below), which is an IC (corresponding to a semiconductor device to be described below) mounting surface, and coupling a second three-terminal capacitor to a second wiring layer formed on the rear surface opposite to the principal surface. Input terminals of the first and second three-terminal capacitors are electrically connected with a power supply circuit, output terminals are electrically connected with a power supply terminal of IC, and ground terminals are electrically connected with a ground layer disposed between the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer of the multilayer wiring substrate and further to a ground terminal of IC via a via. Patent literature 2 describes that, since the first and second three-terminal capacitors are grounded in common, an electromagnetic compensation effect by noise flowing in the ground layer is caused, and ESL (Equivalent Series Inductance) is reduced and thus the noise is caused to flow easily in the ground layer.


An image forming apparatus for performing an image forming operation is disclosed that includes an image carrier on which a toner image is formed, an intermediate transfer member configured to transfer the toner image to a recording medium, the intermediate transfer member having a toner image forming area including an output image forming area and a non-output image forming area located outside of the output image forming area, the toner image forming area being wider than the output image forming area, and a detecting part configured to measure a physical quantity regarding an image quality of a first reference image formed in the output image forming area and a second reference image formed in the non-output image forming area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic type image forming apparatus and an image forming method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image quality of output images formed by recent image forming apparatuses has significantly improved. Thus, demands for higher image quality control by the user are becoming greater. Nevertheless, image forming apparatuses of an electrophotographic type using an electrostatic process face a problem of changes of image quality due to, for example, environmental changes (e.g., temperature, humidity) and degradations with age (e.g., degradation of toner). Particularly, change of toner density is a problem in a case of forming monochrome images. Furthermore, in addition to change of toner density, change of color reproduction, change of gradation, and change in the amount of color registration are problems in a case of forming color images.
As a commonly used method for resolving such changes of image quality, there is, for example, a method of forming an output image based on image data dedicated for printing along with forming an image based on a relatively small pattern(s) dedicated for image quality management (hereinafter also referred to as "reference image") on a photoconductor and/or a image transfer medium, measuring a physical quantity (e.g. amount of adhered toner, gradation, amount of color registration) regarding the image quality of the reference image by using a sensor, and controlling image forming conditions (e.g., electric potential for charging a photoconductor, amount of light to be emitted to the photoconductor, developing bias, amount of development toner to be supplied) based on values obtained by the measurement of a physical quantity. With this method of controlling image quality, changes of image quality can be precisely controlled with high accuracy. In a case where the image quality controlling method using the reference image is performed by an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a plain paper (cut-sheet) sheet by sheet such as on A4 size paper, the reference image is formed in an area between output images on a photoconductor drum or a transfer belt, to thereby measure the physical quantity and control various image forming conditions (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 7-181795). On the other hand, in a case where the image quality controlling method using the reference image is performed by an image forming apparatus that forms an image on continuous form paper, the reference image is formed in an area outside of an output image forming area (non-output image forming area) since the output image forming area is constantly used for printing an output image (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,732).
In a case where an output image is continuously formed, for example, a case of forming an image on continuous form paper on an intermediate transfer belt, the surface conditions of the intermediate transfer belt vary between its output image forming area and its non-output image forming area. The output image forming area of the intermediate transfer belt is constantly in contact with a recording medium (sheet) and subject to friction and changes of charge, whereas the non-output image forming area does not contact a recording medium (sheet) and is subject to relatively moderate conditions. Therefore, in a case of forming the same image in the output image forming area and the non-output image forming area, the image formed in the output image forming area and the image formed in the non-output image forming area may not have the same image quality depending on the operating state of the image forming apparatus. Thus, in a case where there is a significant difference of measured image quality between the output image formed in the output image forming area and the reference image formed in the non-output image forming area, the image quality of the output image formed in the output image forming area cannot be sufficiently controlled even if control efforts are based on data of the physical quantity obtained from the reference image formed in the non-output image forming area.
When forming (printing) an image on a continuous paper where its image quality is controlled by forming a reference image in an output image forming area for controlling image quality with high precision, it becomes necessary to interrupt the continuous printing process. This interruption of the printing process lowers printing efficiency particularly in a case of printing large amounts of continuous paper at high speed.
Therefore, in a case of forming large amounts of images on a continuous paper at high speed, it is difficult to achieve both precise monitoring of image quality of an output image being printed and forming a reference image used for the image quality monitoring while forming the output image.

Image forming apparatus and image forming method on measured physical quantity


The present invention provides a curable antistatic agent polymer excellent in water resistance which is obtained by polymerizing a mixture of polymerizable monomer components comprising two components of a polymerizable vinyl monomer (I) having a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof as a substituent and a monomer (II) represented by the following formula (II) or a mixture of these two components and an additional polymerizable monomer component in a water-miscible organic solvent or a mixed solvent comprising a water-miscible organic solvent and water in the presence or absence of a resin soluble in said solvent: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

The present invention provides a material usable as antistatic agent for film. Since it is excellent in transparency and water resistance, when it is coated, for example, on the surface of support of film photosensitive materials, there is provided good antistatic properties before and after development treatment without giving adverse effects on the characteristics of photosensitive materials and thus, this antistatic agent can be suitably used for general film photosensitive materials which utilize silver salts.
Hitherto, various antistatic agents have been available. Some of them can exhibit antistatic properties of a certain degree at the stage before development treatment by introducing them, for example, into gelatin which constitutes photosensitive materials, but these are all poor in water resistance and when they are merely mixed with gelatin and the mixture is coated and dried, they usually fall away from the photosensitive materials after subjected to development.
Importance of antistatic agent in photosensitive materials is inhibition of generation of static marks, troubles in conveyance caused by static sticking of the photosensitive materials, and statical sticking of dusts before development. Similarly, for films after subjected to development, if no antistatic agent is present, there may be also serious problems such as defects in images caused by sticking of dusts in contact printing to PS plate in the case of films for plate making.
In an attempt to solve these problems by providing an antistatic layer having water resistance, a method has been proposed for enhancing water resistance of antistatic film by adding a polyfunctional aziridine to an antistatic polymer into which a carboxyl group is introduced and crosslinking them as disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai (Laid-Open) Nos. Sho 55-84658, 56-92535, 61-174542, and 61-174543. However, aziridine compound is unstable and, when added to a coating solution, causes change of properties of the coating solution with time and besides, the compound has the problem of toxicity. Thus, this compound has various difficulties in use at the production site.
Furthermore, effects of the antistatic agent on characteristics of photosensitive materials are also important and direct introduction of antistatic agent in photosensitive layer often causes reduction of sensitivity and fogging of background.


A foldable handheld net having a handle portion defining a first end of the lobster net, a net frame assembly with a first and second frame members forming at least a portion of the handle portion and each having magnets or another fastener disposed thereon, wherein the first and second frame members have a meshed net attached thereto and are operably configured to selectively rotate and selective couple with respect to one another and be retained in a folded position along a frame translation path with the magnets or fasteners. Additionally, the handle portion may have tickling stick selectively removably coupled thereto for detachment and use by the user.

Whether for sport, enjoyment, and/or commercial reasons, many users utilize handheld nets in water for capturing and retaining a fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic life. Many of these known nets are relatively expensive and often times cumbersome to transport around when not in use. Furthermore, many of these known nets are prone to breaking and/or being damaged when not in use. To facilitate in locating and capturing crustaceans, namely lobsters, many users also utilize what is known as a "tickling stick" or "tickler," which is a substantially rigid and slender stick, often with a curved or angled end, that enables a user to move object(s) around in order to draw out a lobster for capturing. As such, the known nets do not enable users to effectively and efficiently carry around (both while the net is in use or otherwise) the tickling stick.
Some known nets are foldable, such as the nets disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,857,098 and 4,492,052, but these nets fail to teach effective, quick, and efficient use and storage of the net and other components utilized by users therewith, much less effective and efficient coupling of a tickling stick. For example, the rotatable frame of these known nets is prone to dislodgement and breaking when the net or frame is subjected to weight that exceeds approximately 2-4 lbs (or approximately 2-3 lobsters).
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.


A slingshot with handle guard and palm plate is disclosed. The slingshot includes a handle, a pair of forward facing arms with band attachment devices, an arm brace and a retaining clip for securing the arm brace to the handle. The handle includes a plurality of grooves adapted to receive a palm plate at various locations along the length of the handle. The handle further includes a groove formed therein for engaging one end of a handle guard as well as a recess for receiving the other end of the handle guard, which is secured by the retaining clip. The handle further includes a bore formed therethrough for accessories, such as stabilizers, dampeners, storage containers and the like.

The present invention relates generally to slingshots and, more particularly, to a slingshot with handle guard and palm plate.
Slingshots commonly are used for recreation and for hunting. Although slingshots have existed for centuries, the basic design and mechanics have remained constant over time. Quite simply, a traditional slingshot comprises a handle and a pair of arms extending divergently upward from the handle. An elastic band is attached between the arms. Typically, centered on the elastic band is a pouch designed to hold a projectile.
After a projectile is placed in the pouch, the pouch is pulled backwards, away from the arms, thereby extending and stretching the elastic band to create potential energy. When the pouch is released, the potential energy of the elastic band is transformed to kinetic energy which is transferred to the projectile through the pouch. The projectile then is thrust forward, out of the pouch, and away from slingshot shooter and toward a desired target.
Various design enhancements have been made over the years in an attempt to improve the functionality and performance of slingshots. For example, such improved slingshot devices include arm and wrist braces to help stabilize shots, foldable designs to make devices more portable, aiming mechanisms to improve accuracy, multi-band designs to improve band life and increase shot speed and pulley assemblies to produce maximum projectile velocity with minimum force exertion by the user.
One such improved slingshot design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,323 to Saunders et al., the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. Saunders discloses an arm-braced slingshot having a handle, a hook assembly, a pair of elastic bands, a pouch, an arm brace and a retaining clip. The arm brace comprises a generally U-shaped collar having an intermediate yoke portion which is dimensioned to be received in a peripheral recess of the handle. The distal ends of the collar are provided with an arm strap extending therebetween which extends over the user's forearm when the handle is gripped in the normal manner during use of the slingshot.
The slingshot disclosed in Saunders has been updated and improved over time with respect to the types of bands, pouches and connection mechanisms used with the slingshot. Modern variations of the Saunders slingshot design utilize flat bands, quick-snap band connection/replacement mechanisms and unique pouch designs, among other features. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,868 to Saunders, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference, discloses a collapsible locking slingshot having a quick-release interchangeable band system that uses clips that matingly engage grooves formed at the ends of the slingshot arms.
Another known slingshot design combines features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,323 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,868. This prior art slingshot 100, depicted in FIG. 1, includes a handle 101, a pair of forward facing arms 102, a band 103, a pouch 104, an arm brace 105 and a retaining clip 106 for securing arm brace 105 and arms 102 to handle 101.
However, instead of using tubular bands and a hook assembly, the prior art device depicted in FIG. 1 uses a quick-release interchangeable band system having adapters 107 mounted to the ends of arms 102, the adapters 107 having grooves with which clips 108 are matingly engaged in order to secure the ends of band 103 to arms 102. Such a device is sold by Saunders Archery Company, in Columbus, Nebr. under the brand name "Falcon-2™."
Despite all of the innovations in slingshot technology, room still exists for improvement. In particular, slingshot handle designs can be improved to provide for additional functionality, improved usability, the addition of protective equipment and the addition of accessories. Such improvements would permit slingshots to become more usable, accurate and enjoyable.
What is needed, therefore, is a slingshot having an improved handle design. Preferably, such a slingshot comprises a handle adapted to receive a palm plate, the palm plate configured to engage a user's palm when the slingshot is shot and the palm plate being adjustably mountable to the handle to accommodate different sized hands. More preferably, such a slingshot comprises a handle adapted to receive a handle guard, the handle guard configured to prevent the band from contacting the handle (and the user's hand holding the handle) during recoil. More preferably yet, such a slingshot comprises a handle adapted to receive accessories, such as stabilizers, dampeners, storage containers and the like. The present invention satisfies this need.

Slingshot with handle guard and palm plate


A washing machine and a method of manufacturing a door thereof are provided. The washing machine may include a door rotatably coupled to a cabinet, and a door ring positioned on the cabinet at an external circumference of the door to reinforce a rigidity of the cabinet and to improve an external appearance of the washing machine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing machine, especially, to a washing machine and method for manufacturing door thereof reinforcing the rigidity of a cabinet as well as improving a fine view around a door as installing a door ring on a cabinet around a door, and preventing the glaring as well as improving a fine view of a door as forming a decoration part which is continued by reflection/irreflection or intaglio/relief patterns on the front surface of a door.
2. Description of the Conventional Art
Generally, a washing machine is a machine which removes dirt, etc. stuck on the clothes as providing a mechanical action as using electricity; a drum washing machine has effects which hardly damage the laundry, the laundry does not get tangled, and a strike and rub washing effect.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view that a drum washing machine is illustrated in accordance with the conventional technique, FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view that a drum washing machine is illustrated in accordance with the conventional technique, and FIG. 3 is a plane cross-sectional view according to the A-A line of FIG. 2.
As illustrated on the FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional drum washing machine is composed as including: a cabinet (2), forming the external aspect of a washing machine; a tub (4) installed to be hung by a spring (3) in the inside of a cabinet (2); a drum (5) installed on the inner aspect of the tub (4) and the laundry is washed; a lift (6) installed on the inner aspect of a drum (4) and drags the laundry up to be fell on a certain height by gravity; a motor (7) which is installed on the rear part of the tub (4) and occur a power; a cabinet cover (17) installed on the front and a laundry entrance (18) capable of inputting and taking out of the laundry is formed on the center; a door (20) as installed on the cabinet cover (17) capable of opening and closing the laundry entrance, preventing the laundry breaking out of the laundry entrance.
Between a tub (4) and a door (20), a gasket (8) which is moderating the impulse from the rotation of a drum (5) as well as being a packer preventing the washing water flooding to outside is installed.
And, a top plate (9) and a base (10) which are formed of a superior surface and a inferior surface are installed on the upper part and lower part of the above-mentioned washing machine; a draining pump (11) and a draining hose (12) which drain or circulate the washing water are installed on the lower part of a tub (4); a water supply hose (13), a water supply valve (14), and a detergent box (15) which supply the washing water and the detergent into the inner part of a tub (4) are inner packed on the lower side of a top plate (9).
Also, a door (20) of a drum washing machine in accordance with the conventional technique is composed as including: a ring-shaped door frame which is installed to be possible to be rotated; a door hinge (24) that each of either ends are installed on a door frame (21) and a cabinet cover (17), and supporting a door frame to be rotated; a door glass (25) installed on the opened center hole (21a) of a door frame(21) so as to look at the inner situation of a drum (5).
A door frame (21), generally, is an injection of a plastic quality, and composed of: a front door frame (22) placed on the front and has a handle (29) on an aspect; a rear door frame (23) installed on the rear surface of a front door fame (22), one of the ends of the door hinge (24) is placed. A hook is formed protruded on an aspect on a rear door frame (23), a hook hole (28) to be united with a hook (27) is formed on a cabinet cover (17).
On a door glass (25), an edge part is fixed between a front door frame (22) and a rear door frame (23), so a center hole (21a) of a door frame (21) is installed to be closed.
On the other hand, recently, as the design has become an important element deciding the marketability of a product besides the performance and endurance; developing a new model as giving a suitable specific gravity for contour, colors, and texture when developing a new product so as to satisfy the consumer's aesthetical desire has been becoming a trend.
However, a drum washing machine in accordance with a conventional technique, a door frame (21) is an injection of plastic quality, so it becomes an occasion declining the marketability of a product as unable to give the consumers an impression of high classic on a fine view.
Also, recently, gradually being large-sized of the drum washing machines has been becoming a trend, the above-mentioned laundry entrance (18) and a door (20) become large-sized. Accordingly, a door frame (21) has to be formed with an enough strength to support the load of an enlarged door glass (2), but because a door frame (21) is an injection molded with a plastic quality, the insurance of the strength isn't easy.
To improve the above-mentioned problems; forming a door frame (21) with a metallic texture which is capable of creating a high classic image and has an excellent strength is possible; but in this case, the material cost is increased, the total weight of a door is increased, and the surface processing to improve the texture is difficult.
Especially, a door (20) is installed on a cabinet cover (17) which is composing a cabinet (2) so as to be opened and closed; because any particular intermediate member isn't installed around a laundry entrance (18) on a cabinet cover (17), the insurance of the enough strength to support the gradually enlarged doors is difficult.
Also, because the front surface of a cabinet cover (17) is usually formed as a single plane structure, there is a limit on improving the whole of front external aspect of a washing machine.

Washing machine and method for manufacturing door thereof


A 3D stereo display method and a device thereof. Two sets of shutters are disposed in a display. The shutters are complimentarily interlaced with each other. The opening/closing of the two sets of shutters are controlled by time interval concept. When the display frequency is odd frequency, one set of shutters is activated. When the display frequency is even frequency, the other set of shutters is activated. The two sets of shutters are continuously opened and closed according to the variation of the frequency so that in odd and even frequencies, the left and right eyes can respectively see independent images formed of different subpixels. Therefore, a 3D display effect is presented to bare eyes without reducing resolution.

The present invention is related to a 3D display technique, and more particularly to a 3D stereo display method and a device thereof. Two sets of shutters are disposed in the display. The shutters are complimentarily interlaced with each other. The two sets of shutters are continuously opened and closed according to the variation of the frequency. The visions of the left and right eyes are separated to achieve 3D display effect without reducing resolution.
The existent 3D display technique can be substantially divided into two types. The first type is glasses-type 3D technique. The principle is that through an LCD shutter glasses, the images of left and right eyes are alternately produced to present a 3D image effect on a plane display. Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 454155 discloses such technique. However, it is necessary for a user to wear a pair of specific 3D glasses so that it is relatively inconvenient in use. Moreover, the system is complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased.
The second type is bare-eye 3D technique. The principle is that by means of a shutter design, the images of the left and right eyes are separated to present 3D image on the plane display. Referring to FIG. 4, a TN shutter 81, a display panel 82 and a backlight element 83 are disposed in a liquid crystal display module 8. When the TN shutter 81 is to be transparent, the liquid crystal display module 8 serves as a common liquid crystal display. When the TN shutter 81 is to be opaque, the TN shutter 81 will shade a part of sight. Therefore, the left and right eyes will see different subpixels to achieve 3D visual effect.
However, the shutter will reduce the resolution. With a drawing file with 128×160 original image exemplified, the left eye will see a 64×160 figure and the right eye will see another 64×160 figure. As a whole, the presented 3D image is simply a 64×160 picture. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a measure for solving the problem of reduction of resolution.


Apparatus and method for the precision aiming of a radiation beam for treating an internal cancer tumor in a patient. The method of treatment includes introducing at least one reference marker into the patient in a defined and locatable position in relation to the cancer tumor. A defined point in the cross section of the beam is located by a sight that is compared to the position of the reference marker and adjusted to ensure that the treatment beam is directed precisely at the cancer tumor before the remaining doses of radiation are given to the patient. The device according to the invention includes equipment for emitting a treatment beam, a sight arranged in the path of the beam to define a point in the cross section of the beam, and a device to read the beam arranged to receive the beam that has passed through the patient and visualize the position of the at least one said reference marker and the position of the sight.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an arrangement and a reference means for the precision aiming of a radiation beam for treating an internal cancer tumor.
2. Description of Related Art
During the last 40 years, radiation therapy of localized prostate cancer has been used as one of a number of treatment methods. The levels of radiation considered suitable for treatment fall within the interval 65-70 Gy. However, the occurrence of viable cancer cells even after such a level of treatment has been demonstrated. One way of dealing with these remaining cells is to increase the level of treatment, known as scaling up the dose, initially to the interval of 76-80 Gy or more.
However, because of the lack of precision of current techniques, radiation treatment also carries with it an increased risk of affecting organs adjacent to the tumor. In the area around the prostate, this means primarily an increased risk for side effects seen as damage to the rectum and the urinary bladder as these are normally found in the radiation field. The risk for damage is especially pronounced with high doses of radiation.
The preparations for the radiation treatment of prostate cancer can be described briefly in the following way. The patient undergoes computer tomography to determine the geometry and location of the prostate. The position of the prostate is shown by markings on the skin of the patient. These markings then constitute the directional points for the beams used in treatment.
Even if the geometry of the prostate is known, problems can arise during radiation treatment because the position of the prostate is not constant in relation to the pelvis or, for that matter, to the skin where the markings have been made. The patient""s subcutaneous fat means that the markings can be displaced in relation to the pelvis, and different muscle contractions, such as those in the area around the prostate, can displace the prostate up to one centimeter in relation to the pelvis. Furthermore, variation in the contents of the intestine and the bladder can affect the position of the prostate. When added together, this has the effect that the field of radiation must have a margin of 1.5-2 cm around the determined position of the prostate, which means that the rectum and bladder can be subjected to radiation, thus limiting the possibility of giving very high doses of radiation.
Even though the problem has initially been described in connection with the treatment of prostate cancer, it should be emphasised that many aspects of the problem are common to the treatment of cancer tumors in other organs. This is especially true for tumors of the cervix, urinary bladder, stomach, intestinal tract, pancreas, mouth, throat, etc.
During radiation therapy, a treatment beam is emitted from equipment used for the treatment. Depending on the shape of the object to be treated, a cross-section of the treatment beam is chosen so that the treatment is restricted to a specified treatment area. If the treatment area is to be reduced to a size approximately the size of the object to be treated, it is of great importance that the beam strikes its target, the tumor, with great precision.
One objective of the present invention is to achieve the precise aiming of the direction of a treatment beam during the radiation treatment of internal cancer tumors so that the margins of the treatment beam can be reduced, thereby minimizing the effect on adjacent organs and tissue.
This objective is achieved with an arrangement and a reference device including equipment for emitting a treatment beam, a sight arranged in the path of the beam and a device to read the location of a sight relative to a reference marker located in the patient.
By using the invention, it is possible to describe the geometry of an organ based on one or more reference points that always occupy the same position with reference to the organ. In addition, the possibility to repeatedly direct the treatment beam with precision in relation to at least one said reference point so that the beam always strikes the cancer tumor with precision, is also achieved. As such, the beam does not need as large a safety margin as has been required until now, but can be assigned a profile that is more or less exactly identical with that of the object to be treated.
Before each treatment occasion, it is thus possible to check, adjust and verify that the cancer tumor really is in the path of the treatment beam.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made evident by the following detailed description of one preferred embodiment of the invention, which constitutes one example and as such does not limit the area of protection of the invention. Embodiments of the invention have further applications within general internal radiation treatment of cancer, as will be made evident below. To simplify understanding, the text contains references to the enclosed drawings, in which equivalent or similar parts are assigned the same designation.

Arrangement and reference means to direct a beam in radiation therapy


A stackable integrated circuit package system is provided forming a first integrated circuit die having an interconnect provided thereon, forming an external interconnect, having an upper tip and a lower tip, from a lead frame, mounting the first integrated circuit die on the external interconnect with the interconnect on the lower tip and below the upper tip, and encapsulating around the interconnect with an exposed surface.

Modern consumer electronics, such as smart phones, personal digital assistants, and location based services devices, as well as enterprise electronics, such as servers and storage arrays, are packing more integrated circuits into an ever shrinking physical space with expectations for decreasing cost. Numerous technologies have been developed to meet these requirements. Some of the research and development strategies focus on new package technologies while others focus on improving the existing and mature package technologies. Research and development in the existing package technologies may take a myriad of different directions.
One proven way to reduce cost is to use package technologies with existing manufacturing methods and equipments. Paradoxically, the reuse of existing manufacturing processes does not typically result in the reduction of package dimensions. Existing packaging technologies struggle to cost effectively meet the ever-demanding integration of today's integrated circuits and packages.
In response to the demands for improved packaging, many innovative package designs have been conceived and brought to market. The multi-chip module has achieved a prominent role in reducing the board space used by modern electronics. However, multi-chip modules, whether vertically or horizontally arranged, can also present problems because they usually must be assembled before the component chips and chip connections can be tested. That is, because the electrical bond pads on a die are so small, it is difficult to test die before assembly onto a substrate. Thus, when die are mounted and connected individually, the die and connections can be tested individually, and only known-good-die ("KGD") that is free of defects is then assembled into larger circuits. A fabrication process that uses KGD is therefore more reliable and less prone to assembly defects introduced due to bad die. With conventional multi-chip modules, however, the die cannot be individually identified as KGD before final assembly, leading to KGD inefficiencies and assembly process yield problems.
Numerous package approaches stack multiple integrated circuit dice or package in package (PIP) or a combination. Other approaches include package level stacking or package on package (POP). Both concepts include stacking of two or more packages. KGD and assembly process yields are not an issue since each package can be tested prior to assembly, allowing KGD to be used in assembling the stack. But stacking integrated devices, package-in-package, package-on-package, or combinations thereof have assembly process difficulties caused by leaded packages having limited input and output (I/O) which limits its role 3D packaging. Current leaded packages also do not provide the flexibility to support the various integration and stacking options described earlier with the higher I/O count support.
Thus, a need still remains for a stackable integrated circuit package system providing low cost manufacturing, improved yields, reduction of integrated circuit package dimensions, and flexible stacking and integration configurations. In view of the ever-increasing need to save costs and improve efficiencies, it is more and more critical that answers be found to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Stackable integrated circuit package system with multiple interconnect interface


A universal controller supports multiple different computer protocols to enable endpoint communications between two or more electronic devices according to a desired protocol. Controller firmware modules embedded in an integrated circuit identify a particular protocol in a data communication received from a first external device, select from among multiple protocol drivers embedded in the modules a protocol driver corresponding to the particular protocol identified, and transmit content of the received data to one or more second external devices according to the particular protocol. The universal controller includes a bus translator module parsing bit streams received from the first external device into protocol data, status data, and content data, a protocol firmware module providing multiple different protocols drivers, and a control interface selecting, responsive to protocol data parsed, a particular protocol driver to establish data communication with a second external device according to the desired communication protocol. Data communication may originate from any of multiple second external devices, and different protocols may be transmitted simultaneously for multi-channel or redundant communication between the external devices.

1. Field
The invention, relates generally to a computer system interface for effecting digital communication protocols. More specifically, the invention relates to a universal controller module that enables a computer to communicate with external devices using multiple different communication protocols.
2. Background
Currently in advanced industries, electronic communication between different electronic devices is essential. The ordered way of communicating between two (or more) electronic devices to allow data transfer can be described as a computing protocol.
A computing protocol (hereinafter "protocol") is a set of standard rules that controls or enables the connection, communication, and data transfer between two computing endpoints. The rules specify the syntax, semantics, and synchronization of data being communicated, for example, to allow for automated systems monitoring, testing or control. Protocols may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of the two to ensure reliable interchange of data over an imperfect communication channel so that the system works properly.
There are many different protocols in use today, most of which are defined by an industry standard such as IEEE, CAN and MIL-STD. Each of these standards typically requires a special instrument, special cabling, or a specific electronic device designed to support the protocol. For example, a common protocol in use today is the RS-485 protocol using the High Level Data Link Controller (HDLC). To employ this protocol, a specially made PC card, VXI card, PXI card, or a VME card must be purchased or manufactured, then programmed by the end user for its intended purpose. This is a typical requirement for most protocols, as almost every protocol known in the industry requires a designated interface card that is manufactured as a standalone unit.
For more complex systems that employ multiple protocols, designated interface cards add to the cost and complexity of the system. For example, in a system that employs RS-485/HDLC, GPIB, and ARINC-429 protocols, the end user must purchase device hardware to support three different protocols. Where restrictive spatial constraints exist, having to accommodate hardware to support multiple protocols complicates the packaging problem. A universal controller is needed to cope with the proliferation of protocol standards.


Flexographic printing plates are produced by exposing the photopolymer plates to a light source and washing out (developing) the masked out, non-exposed areas with a solvent. The invention provides substituted benzene solvents suitable for use in the development of photopolymer printing plates. The solvents, which include substituted benzene alone or mixed with co-solvents and/or non-solvents, are effective in developing a large number of different photopolymer printing plates and can produce images superior to those obtained with commercially available solvents currently used in such applications.

Washout processes for the development of photopolymerizable flexographic printing plates are well known and is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,815 which is incorporated herein by reference. Ordinarily, exposed plates are washed (developed) in a developing solvent that can remove the unpolymerized material while leaving the polymerized (cured) material intact. The solvent typically used in such processes include: (a) chlorohydrocarbons, such as trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene or trichloroethane, alone or in a mixture with a lower alcohol, such as n-butanol; (b) saturated cyclic or acyclic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum ether, hexane, heptane, octane, cyclohexane or methylcyclohexane; (c) aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene or xylene; (d) lower aliphatic ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone or methyl isobutyl ketone; and (e) terpene hydrocarbons, such as d-limonene.
One important disadvantage of the known solvents and the procedures for their use is that the solvents being used as developers may act too slowly, cause swelling of the plates and/or cause damage to the fine detail in the plate by undercutting and/or pinholing. Moreover, when non-chlorinated solvents are used in the washout process, long drying times may be necessary. Furthermore, many of these solvents have flashpoints of less than 100° F., so that the process can only be operated in special, explosion-protected plants. Many of the prior art solvents are considered Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPS), and are subject to stringent reporting requirements. When chlorohydrocarbons and other toxic chemicals are used, their toxicity also gives rise to disposal problems and worker safety issues.
An essential step to any photopolymerizable relief printing process is the development of the printing plate after the image is formed through imagewise exposure of the photopolymerizable plate to light. The image is formed by polymerizing and crosslinking of the photopolimerizable material that is exposed while the unexposed portion remains unpolymerized. Ordinarily, development is accomplished by washing the exposed plate in a solvent which can remove the unpolymerized material while leaving the polymerized (cured) material intact. Since such plates can be formed from a variety of materials, it is necessary to match a specific plate with an appropriate solvent. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,323,636, 4,323,637, 4,423,135, and 4,369,246, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose a variety of photopolymer printing plate compositions based on block copolymers of styrene and butadiene (SBS) or isoprene (SIS). These compositions can be utilized to produce printing plates which can be developed by a number of aliphatic and aromatic solvents, including methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, xylene, d-limonene, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethane, methyl chloroform, and tetrachloroethylene. These solvents may be used alone or in a mixture with a "non-solvent" (i.e. a substance that cannot dissolve unpolymerized materials), for example, trichloroethane with ethanol. In any case, during the development step, the solvent can be applied in any convenient manner such as by pouring, immersing, spraying, or roller application. Brushing, which aids in the removal of the unpolymerized or uncrosslinked portions of the composition, can also be performed to facilitate the processing of the plate.
Similarly, UK 1,358,062, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses photosensitive compositions consisting of a nitrile rubber with an addition of photopolymerizable tri- or tetra-unsaturated ester derived from acrylic or methacrylic acid combined with an addition polymerization initiator activated by actinic radiation. Plates made from this composition can be developed by organic solvents including aliphatic esters such as ethyl acetate, aliphatic ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, d-limonene, halogenated organic solvents, such as chloroform, methylene chloride, CFC 113 or blends of such solvents. Brushing or agitation can be used to facilitate the removal of the non-polymerized portion of the composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,074, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a photosensitive composition containing a high molecular weight butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymer which contains carboxyl groups, a low molecular weight butadiene polymer which may or may not contain carboxyl groups, and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, combined with a free-radical generating system. This composition is also used as the polymer layer of a flexographic printing plate and requires processing with such organic solvents as methyl ethyl ketone, benzene, toluene, xylene, d-limonene, trichloroethane, trichlorethylene, methyl chloroform, tetrachloroethylene, or solvent/non-solvent mixtures, e.g., tetrachloroethylene and n-butanol. The composition may also be processed with water-soluble organic solvents in an aqueous basic solution, such as sodium hydroxide/isopropyl alcohol/water; sodium carbonate/isopropyl alcohol/water; sodium carbonate/2-butoxyethanol/water; sodium borate/2-butoxyethanol/water; sodium silicate/2-butoxyethanol/water; sodium borate/2-butoxyethanol/water; sodium silicate/2-butoxyethanol/glycerol/water; and sodium carbonate/2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol/water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,279, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a photosensitive composition containing a high molecular weight butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer which contains carboxyl groups, and a high molecular weight butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymer which does not contain carboxyl groups, combined with ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a free radical generating system. That composition, which is also used as the polymer layer of a flexographic printing plate, requires processing by blends of tetrachloroethylene and a non-solvent. The composition may also be processed in mixtures of sodium hydroxide/isopropyl alcohol/water; sodium carbonate/2-butoxyethanol/water; sodium silicate/2-butoxyethanol/water; sodium carbonate/2-butoxyethanol/glycerol/water; and sodium hydroxide/2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol/water.
As can be seen from the foregoing examples of the prior art, the solvents needed for image development will vary depending on the composition of the polymer layer of the plate. The need for different solvent systems is particularly inconvenient, especially if different photopolymer systems are being processed at the same facility. Furthermore, many of the solvents used to develop the plates are toxic or suspected carcinogens. Thus, there exists a real need for solvent systems which can be used with a greater degree of safety. In addition, there exists a need for solvent systems which can be used in a variety of plates. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,806,452 and 4,847,182, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose solvent developers for flexographic plates containing terpene hydrocarbons such as d-limonene which are effective on a variety of plate types. These terpene hydrocarbon-based developers are also non-toxic. However, they have proven to be hazards in the workplace because of their tendency to spontaneously combust thereby causing fires. The terpene hydrocarbons also have low flash points compared to the terpene ethers, e.g., the flash point of d-limonene (tag closed cup method (TCC)) is 120° F., whereas the flash point of terpinyl alkyl ether (TCC) is >200° F. which increases the safety of the terpene ethers.
Therefore, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,248,502 and 6,582,886, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, solve the drawbacks of terpene by using terpene esters and methyl esters as substitute developing solvents. Because terpene ester has a higher flash point, the fire risk is greatly decreased. However, terpene esters tends to breakdown through repeated distillation which limits the recyclability of the solvent.
Another drawback of the prior art developing solvent is the lack of an inexpensive method to reclaim the solvent for subsequent use. Reclamation and recycling of current solvents generally require distillation which is energy and labor intensive.
The present invention relates to a developing solvent that offers significant improvement over the prior art. The present invention offers an environmentally friendly, low odor developing solvent that can simply be reclaimed and separated from the polymer inexpensively through centrifugation.

Substituted benzene developing solvent for photopolymerizable printing plates


A silacyclohexane compound of the formulas (I) ##STR1## wherein R represents an organic residue, ##STR2## represents an unsubstituted or substituted silicon-containing cyclohexylene group or a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, ##STR3## represents an unsubstituted or substituted phenylene, an unsubstituted or substituted silicon-containing cyclohexylene group or trans-4-sila-1,4-cyclohexylene group, or a 1,4-cyclohexylene group provided that at least one of these residues represents a silicon-containing cyclohexylene group, j, k and l are, respectively, 0 or 1, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2, respectively, represent H or F, m and n are, respectively, 0, 1 or 2 provided that m+n=2, 3 or 4, and X represents H, F or Cl. A liquid crystal composition comprising the silacyclohexane compound of the above formula is also described, along with a liquid crystal device comprising the composition.

1. Field of The Invention
This invention relates to novel silacyclohexane compounds and the preparation thereof. The invention also relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising the silacyclohexane compound or compounds, and to devices comprising the compositions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The liquid crystal display devices utilize optical anisotropy and dielectric anisotropy of liquid crystal substances. Depending on the mode of display, different types of display systems are known including those of a twisted nematic type (TN type), a supertwisted nematic type (STN type), a super birefringence type (SBE type), a dynamic scattering type (DS type), a guest/host type, a type of deformation of aligned phase (DAP type), a polymer dispersion type (PD type), and an optical mode interference type (OMI type). The most popular display device is one which is based on the Schadt-Helfrich effect and has a twisted nematic structure.
Although the properties of the liquid crystal substances used in these liquid crystal devices depend, more or less, on the type of display, it is commonly required that the liquid crystal substances have a wide range of temperatures working as a liquid crystal and that they be stable against moisture, air, light, heat, electric field and the like. Moreover, the liquid crystal substances should desirably be low in viscosity and should ensure a short address time, a low threshold voltage and a high contrast in cells.
Liquid substances which can satisfy all the requirements have never been known when used singly. In practice, several to ten and several liquid compounds and/or latent liquid crystal compounds are used in the form of a mixture. To this end, it is important that constituent components be readily compatible with one another.
Among the various types of display modes, the twisted nematic mode which is driven with an active matrix (AM) using a TFT (thin film transistor) element array or an MIM (metal insulator metal) element array has now been in extensive use owing to its high image display qualities including high definition, high contrast and high response speed. This is because the DRAM making techniques in the industry of silicon semiconductors have been applied to and developed in the liquid crystal panel making techniques, thus leading to reduction of costs and promoting the advancement of the techniques.
The nematic liquid crystal substances employed in the active matrix liquid crystal devices (AM-LCD) should have not only the above-mentioned properties, but also a signal voltage holding or retaining characteristic which is essentially required for the drive system of the devices. This signal voltage holding characteristic indicates a degree of lowering of the signal voltage applied to TFT pixels including the liquid crystal within a given frame period. Accordingly, when the signal voltage does not drop at all wherein the voltage holding rate is 100%, the liquid crystal molecules are kept as they are in arrangement and any lowering of contrast does take place. The voltage holding characteristic is, more or less, influenced by the environment in which the liquid crystal is used. More particularly, in environments where the liquid crystal is exposed to light of high intensity such as in liquid crystal panel projectors or it is exposed to high temperatures such as in on-vehicle liquid crystal panels, the life characteristic is liable to be shortened.
From this point of view, compositions of liquid crystal compounds which have a positive value of dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon.) and a core structure constituted of a cyclohexane ring or rings and a benzene ring or rings have been proposed for use in AM-LCD, for example, in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Nos. 4-226589, 4-505477, 4-504880, 5-331464, 5-500680, 5-500681, 5-500682 and 6-501520.
Liquid crystal compounds which contain a fluoroalkoxy group as a polar group are known, including those compounds shown below: ##STR4## wherein R represents H or an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, A.sup.1 and A.sup.1, respectively, represent hexylene or phenylene, Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2, respectively, represent --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2, receptively, represent H or F, X represents H, F, Cl or C.sub.x H.sub.(2x+1-y)F.sub.y wherein x=1 to 5 and 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2x+1, and m is 0, 1 or 2 as set out in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 6-40988; ##STR5## wherein R, A.sup.1, Z.sup.1, A.sup.2, Z.sup.2, L.sub.1, L.sub.2 and m are, respectively, as defined above, L.sub.3 represents H or F, n is 0 or 1 as set out in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 6-329573; and ##STR6## wherein R, A.sup.1, Z.sup.1 and m are, respectively, as defined above, A represents hexylene or phenylene, W represents O or COO, Q represents O or --CH.dbd.CH--, Y represents F, Cl, CF.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, CHF.sub.2, OCHF.sub.2, or OCH.sub.2 F, n is 0, 1 or 2, o is 0, 1 or 2, r is an integer of 1 or 2, and t is a value of 0 to 7 provided that n+o.gtoreq.2 as set out in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 6-501959.
As liquid crystal display devices have now wider utility in various fields, the characteristic properties required for liquid crystal materials become severer. Especially, with portable liquid crystal devices whose electric power is based on batteries, reduced consumption power is essential. To this end, it is beneficial to lower a drive voltage of liquid crystal devices.
The increase in dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon.) of liquid crystal materials enables one to permit lower voltage drive. However, the liquid crystal materials whose dielectric anisotropy is great are deficient in that their nematic-isotropic transition temperatures (T.sub.NI) are commonly low.
The lower drive voltage or lower threshold voltage results in a lower voltage holding rate. Thus, existing liquid crystal compositions are inevitable with a sacrifice of either a lower threshold voltage or a lower voltage holding rate to an extent.

Silacyclohexane compounds, preparation thereof, liquid crystal compositions comprising the same, and liquid crystal devices comprising the composition


Methods of coating a stent subsequent to mounting or crimping of the stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly are disclosed. One method includes forming a sacrificial layer on a balloon of a catheter assembly; followed by mounting a stent on the balloon, the stent including struts separated by gaps; followed by forming a stent coating on the stent; and followed by removal of the sacrificial layer. Another method includes mounting a stent on a balloon, the stent including struts separated by gaps; followed by forming a sacrificial layer on the balloon in the areas of the gaps between struts of the stent; followed by forming a coating on the stent; and followed by removing the sacrificial layer, wherein the coating remains on an outer surface of the stent.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to methods for coating stents. In particular, the methods are directed to coating a stent mounted on a balloon of a catheter assembly.
2. Description of the Background
Stents are being modified to provide drug delivery capabilities. A polymeric carrier, impregnated with a drug or therapeutic substance is coated on a stent. The conventional method of coating is by, for example, applying a composition including a solvent, a polymer dissolved in the solvent, and a therapeutic substance dispersed in the blend to the stent by immersing the stent in the composition or by spraying the composition onto the stent. The solvent is allowed to evaporate, leaving on the stent strut surfaces a coating of the polymer and the therapeutic substance impregnated in the polymer. The dipping or spraying of the composition onto the stent can result in a complete coverage of all stent surfaces, i.e., both luminal (inner) and abluminal (outer) surfaces, with a coating. However, having a coating on the luminal surface of the stent can have a detrimental impact on the stent's deliverability as well as the coating's mechanical integrity. Moreover, from a therapeutic standpoint, the therapeutic agents on an inner surface of the stent get washed away by the blood flow and typically can provide for an insignificant therapeutic effect. In contrast, the agents on the outer surfaces of the stent are in contact with the lumen, and provide for the delivery of the agent directly to the tissues. Polymers of a stent coating also elicit a response from the body. Reducing the amount to foreign material can only be beneficial.
Briefly, an inflatable balloon of a catheter assembly is inserted into a hollow bore of a coated stent. The stent is securely mounted on the balloon by a crimping process. The balloon is inflated to implant the stent, deflated, and then withdrawn out from the bore of the stent. A polymeric coating on the inner surface of the stent can increase the coefficient of friction between the stent and the balloon of a catheter assembly on which the stent is crimped for delivery. Additionally, some polymers have a "sticky" or "tacky" consistency. If the polymeric material either increases the coefficient of friction or adherers to the catheter balloon, the effective release of the stent from the balloon after deflation can be compromised. If the stent coating adheres to the balloon, the coating, or parts thereof, can be pulled off the stent during the process of deflation and withdrawal of the balloon following the placement of the stent. Adhesive, polymeric stent coatings can also experience extensive balloon sheer damage post-deployment, which could result in a thrombogenic stent surface and possible embolic debris. The stent coating can stretch when the balloon is expanded and may delaminate as a result of such shear stress.
Accordingly, it is advantageous to eliminate the coating on the inner surface of the stent. Post crimping coating processes have been proposed for elimination of the coating on the inner surface of the stent. Briefly, subsequent to the mounting of the stent on the balloon, the stent can be dipped in the coating composition or the composition can be sprayed on the stent. Even though application of coating on the inner surface of the stent is eliminated, the coating is also deposited on the surface of the balloon between the stent struts. With this type of coating, the problems of adhesion of the stent to the balloon and formation of coating defects upon expansion, deflation and withdrawal of the balloon are not eliminated, and in effect, such problems could be further exasperated.
Coating of the stent prior to mounting of the stent on the balloon can also damage the coating on the outer surface of the stent. Stent crimping tools can cause coating defects on the stent by applying too much pressure at various directions to a soft polymeric coating. Harder or brittle polymers can have coating failure or crack under crimping pressure. Stent crimping is a critical step in manufacturing in that stent retention depends on it. Stent crimping is the act of affixing the stent to the delivery catheter or delivery balloon so that it remains affixed to the catheter or balloon until the physician desires to deliver the stent at the treatment site. Current stent crimping technology is sophisticated. A short time ago, one process used a roll crimper. This damaged many polymer coatings due to its inherent shearing action. Next came the collet crimper using metal jaws that are mounted into what is essentially a drill chuck. The jaws move in a purely radial direction. This movement was not expected to shear the coating, because it applied forces only normal to the stent surface. But some stent geometries require that stent struts scissor together during crimping. In those geometries, even if the crimper imposes only normal forces, the scissor action of the stent struts imparts shear. Finally, the iris or sliding-wedge crimper imparts mostly normal forces with some amount of tangential shear.
To use a roll crimper, first the stent is slid loosely onto the balloon portion of the catheter. This assembly is placed between the plates of the roll crimper. With an automated roll crimper, the plates come together and apply a specified amount of force. They then move back and forth a set distance in a direction that is perpendicular to the catheter. The catheter rolls back and forth under this motion, and the diameter of the stent is reduced. The process can be broken down into more than one step, each with its own level of force, translational distance, and number of cycles. With regard to a stent with a drug delivery coating, this process imparts a great deal of shear to the stent in a direction perpendicular to the catheter or catheter wall. Furthermore, as the stent is crimped, there is additional relative motion between the stent surface and the crimping plates. As a result, this crimping process tends to damage the stent coating.
The collet crimper is equally conceptually simple. A standard drill-chuck collet is equipped with several pie-piece-shaped jaws. These jaws move in a radial direction as an outer ring is turned. To use this crimper, a stent is loosely placed onto the balloon portion of a catheter and inserted in the center space between the jaws. Turning the outer ring causes the jaws to move inward. An issue with this device is determining or designing the crimping endpoint. One scheme is to engineer the jaws so that when they completely close, they touch and a center hole of a known diameter remains. Using this approach, turning the collet onto the collet stops crimps the stent to the known outer diameter. While this seems ideal, it can lead to problems. Stent struts have a tolerance on their thickness. Additionally, the process of folding non-compliant balloons is not exactly reproducible. Consequently, the collet crimper exerts a different amount of force on each stent in order to achieve the same final dimension. Unless this force, and the final crimped diameter, is carefully chosen, the variability of the stent and balloon dimensions can yield stent coating or balloon damage.
Furthermore, although the collet jaws move in a radial direction, they move closer together as they crimp. This action, combined with the scissoring motion of the struts, imparts tangential shear on the coatings that can also lead to damage. Lastly, the actual contact surfaces of the collet crimper are the jaw tips. These surfaces are quite small, and only form a cylindrical surface at the final point of crimping. Before that point, the load being applied to the stent surface is discontinuous.
In the sliding wedge or iris crimper, adjacent pie-piece-shaped sections move inward and twist, much like the leaves in a camera aperture. This crimper can be engineered to have two different types of endpoints. It can stop at a final diameter, or it can apply a fixed force and allow the final diameter to float. From the discussion on the collet crimper, there are advantages in applying a fixed level of force as variabilities in strut and balloon dimension will not change the crimping force. The sliding wedges impart primarily normal forces, which are the least damaging to stent coatings. As the wedges slide over each other, they impart some tangential force. But the shear damage is frequently equal to or less than that of the collet crimper. Lastly, the sliding wedge crimper presents a nearly cylindrical inner surface to the stent, even as it crimps. This means the crimping loads are distributed over the entire outer surface of the stent.
All current stent crimping methods were developed for all-metal stents. Stent metals, such as stainless steel, are durable and can take abuse. When crimping was too severe, it usually damaged the underlying balloon, not the stent. But polymeric coatings present different challenges.
The methods of the present invention provide for a solution by coating the outer surfaces of the stent post crimping or mounting of the stent to the balloon.

Methods for manufacturing a coated stent-balloon assembly


A servo-valve for a fuel injector equipped with a pressure booster whose working chamber is separated from a differential pressure chamber by a booster piston in which an actuator can connect a control chamber to a first low-pressure return and the differential pressure chamber can be connected to a second low-pressure return or to a return system in which the returns are connected to each other. A first servo-valve piston has a first sealing seat, and a second piston, embodied as a sealing sleeve, is accommodated on the first servo-valve piston and, together with a valve housing, constitutes a second sealing seat. When the pressure in the control chamber is relieved, this second sealing seat is closed with a shorter stroke, sooner than the first sealing seat. When the control chamber is subjected to pressure, the second sealing seat opens only after the first sealing seat is closed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved servo-valve, and more particularly to such a valve useful in a fuel injector equipped with a pressure booster.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Known stroke-controlled high-pressure accumulator injection systems (common rail) can be used to inject fuel in direct-injecting internal combustion engines. These injection systems are distinguished by the fact that the injection pressure can be adapted to the load and speed of the engine. A high injection pressure is required in order to reduce emissions and to achieve high specific outputs. Since the achievable pressure level in high-pressure fuel pumps is limited for strength reasons, a further pressure increase in high-pressure injection systems (common rail) can be achieved by means of pressure boosters in injectors.
DE 101 23 913 has disclosed a fuel injection apparatus for internal combustion engines, having a fuel injector that can be supplied from a high-pressure fuel source. A pressure boosting device that has a movable pressure booster piston is connected between the fuel injector and the high-pressure fuel source. The pressure booster piston divides a chamber that can be connected to the high-pressure fuel source from a high-pressure chamber connected to the fuel injector. The fuel pressure in the high-pressure chamber can be varied by filling a return chamber of the pressure boosting device with fuel or by emptying fuel from the return chamber. The fuel injector has a movable closing piston for opening and closing injection openings; the closing piston protrudes into a closing pressure chamber. Fuel pressure can be exerted on the closing piston to produce a force that acts on the closing piston in the closing direction. The closing pressure chamber and the return chamber are constituted by a combined closing pressure/return chamber; all of the partial regions of the closing pressure/return chamber are permanently connected to one another to permit the exchange of fuel. A pressure chamber is provided for supplying fuel to the injection openings and for exerting a force on the closing piston in the opening direction. The high-pressure chamber is connected to the high-pressure fuel source so that aside from pressure fluctuations, at least the fuel pressure of the high-pressure fuel source can continuously prevail in the high-pressure chamber. The pressure chamber and the high-pressure chamber are constituted by a combined injection chamber whose partial regions are permanently connected to one another to permit the exchange of fuel.
In fuel injectors, servo-valves can be used as on/off valves, which have a one-piece servo-valve piston whose control cross sections are embodied in a seat/slider design. In servo-valves of this kind, a significant amount of wear on the slider surfaces can occur since only short overlap lengths can be achieved. In addition, in servo-valves with a seat/slider design, high demands are placed on manufacturing precision, particularly with regard to the position of the control edges of the servo-valve piston in relation to each other.

Control valve for a fuel injector comprising a pressure exchanger


A modular field planting system adapted for installation on a roof surface includes an arrangement of substantially identical tray members with each tray member containing two tray compartments. An array of first tray members is positioned on the roof surface with the tray members being in contiguous relationship and oriented in a first direction. A second tray member positionable in overlying relationship with respect to the first tray and rotated 90° with respect to the first direction, is nestably seated within corresponding tray compartments in each of two adjacent first tray members. A wicking material in the first tray member is placed in communication with a wicking material in the second tray member when the respective first and second tray members are seated. The first tray member is adapted to provide a reservoir for water and the second tray member is adapted to retain a growth medium whereby the wicking material provides continuous moisture migration for hydrating the growth medium.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to plant husbandry and especially to sheet or field planting suitable for urban environments.
In particular, the invention concerns a modular field planting system suitable for a rooftop garden.
2. Description of Related Art
The integration of living plants within an urban environment can provide aesthetic, ecologic and economic benefits. For example, rooftop gardens, also known as green roofs, have been found to reduce air and noise pollution, recycle carbon dioxide, control building heating and cooling costs, absorb roof rain runoff and eliminate water pooling, prolong roof life by avoiding direct exposure to solar energy, and prevent blockage of roof drainage systems by trapping debris. Furthermore, roof top vegetation can prevent and/or retard the spread of fire through the roof structure. Additionally, rooftop gardens can create new recreational space which is of particular significance within a crowded urban environment.
Rooftop gardens are typically designed by placing a layer of ordinary soil spread onto a roof surface. A distinct problem of this arrangement is that the structural integrity of the roof may be compromised unless the roof is reinforced for the additional deadload. Another shortcoming of rooftop gardens is that the roots from the vegetation can penetrate and damage the roof surface. Furthermore, the roof surface must be adequately waterproofed to prevent leakage as a result of drainage from the overlying soil. The aforementioned rooftop garden systems also require professional installation and maintenance and can present difficulties if there is a need to access the underlying roof surface.
Another more easily maintainable roof gardening arrangement involves freestanding planters, pots and/or containers. However, this arrangement does not readily provide continuous coverage of the roof surface. Rectangular planters may provide improved coverage however a disadvantage of rectangular planters is that the top edges of the several adjacent planters are visible and it does not create the appearance of a unitary field planting. Another problem with growing plants in pots, planters, or containers, is that the restricted space for lateral root spread can result in detrimental loss of nutrients and water necessary to sustain the plants. A further limitation is that planters and the like, placed on a roof surface are subject to over-turning due to wind forces and are particularly unstable on sloped roof surfaces. Another disadvantage of independent planters is that they must be separately watered and with shallow potting systems water retention is of particular concern.
Previous planter devices have attempted to provide a self-contained water source such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,179. Although the patented device describes a water reservoir, it does not rely upon a wicking medium for delivering constant moisture. Furthermore, the patented concept does not involve an expansive growth pattern as in field planting. The wicking system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,967 is intended for use with a flowerpot or planter and does not contemplate incorporation within a field planting system as in the present invention.


A device for holding and covering a gas pilot used to ignite a gas burner includes a rigid bracket for holding the pilot and a rigid cover over the pilot. The bracket includes a bifurcated plate that grips the pilot and holds it in fixed relation to the gas burner. The cover extends over the pilot to protect it from being misaligned by heavy objects and from being extinguished by drafts and by materials heated over the burner. The device increases the reliability of the gas burner.

This invention relates to a shield for an ignition device, particularly a shield for a gas pilot used to ignite a gas burner. Use of the shield extends the useful life of the pilot and reduces gas stove maintenance.
Gas burners, especially on cook stoves, are used intermittently. The supply of gas to such a burner can be completely shut off by the operator to extinguish the burner. When a pilot flame is located near the burner, reapplication of the supply of gas to the burner is sufficient to reignite the burner. Thus, intermittent operation of the burner is made possible by directing a continuously lit pilot jet toward the burner. When the pilot is misaligned or extinguished, intermittent operation of the burner is not possible and there is an increased risk of unexpected combustion and explosion. Accidental misalignment and extinguishment of the pilot can arise in several ways.
Accidental misalignment of the pilot in relation to the burner occurs when the operator carelessly allows a heavy object to strike the pilot. For example, if the burner is used for heating materials in a vessel, the pilot can be misaligned, damaged, or extinguished when the vessel comes in contact with the pilot. The vessel is usually separated from the burner by a grate so that the vessel is heated by a cushion of air rather than by the flames from the burner. The pilot can be misaligned, damaged, or extinguished when the grate is allowed to strike the pilot. Proper cleaning of commercial cook stoves often requires the frequent removal and replacement of the grate, consequently increasing the risk of harmful contact between the grate and the pilot.
Accidental extinguishment of the pilot can occur suddenly or over the course of time. Sudden changes in the air flowing around the pilot can extinguish the pilot. For example, when an exhaust hood which is operated over the burner is turned on or off, the sudden change in air flow can extinguish the pilot. When materials that spatter are heated over the burner, the spattered particles and droplets can enter the orifices of the pilot and suddenly extinguish the pilot, or burn and leave deposits that eventually foul an orifice, rendering the pilot inefficient or unable to ignite the burner. During maintenance of the burner, cleaning solutions can enter an orifice in the pilot and later form deposits within the pilot that obstruct and extinguish it. Removal of deposits is often more difficult than replacement of the pilot and its gas feeder tube. Replacement of the pilot necessarily interrupts commercial use of the burner and is costly in labor and materials.
Operation of the pilot near the burner can interfere with use of the burner to provide even heating. Because the pilot flame is directed toward the burner for ignition, the heat of the flame can create a hot spot on the vessel located over the burner. Undesirable uneven heating of the vessel and its contents results.
Covers for pilot jets have been disclosed in the prior art. Typical of such devices are those wherein the cover is used to sense heat or to conduct heat to a sensing device. The sensing device usually acts to shut off the supply of gas to the pilot and the burner to prevent gas from escaping from an extinguished pilot or burner. In this art, the size and orientation of the cover is not sufficient to protect the pilot from being extinguished.
Another implementation of a pilot igniter and gas burner in the prior art is adapted for use as an oven burner in a gas cooking range. The typical implementation uses a constant first pilot from a range top burner in communication with a flash tube to ignite a second pilot near the oven burner supplied with gas only when the oven burner is to be used. A sudden change in air flow caused by opening or closing the oven door may extinguish the second pilot which is then relit by the first pilot via the flash tube. In such an implementation, the second pilot is not protected from being extinguished by draft or obstruction.
To help prevent extinguishment of a pilot due to drafts, including the draft caused by the sudden ignition of a burner, pilots have been disclosed wherein an orifice in the pilot is formed as a slot rather than as a circular hole. Such a pilot typically consumes more fuel than a pilot having a circular orifice. In one implementation, the fuel supply to the pilot is maintained at a low standby level until ignition of the burner is desired, whereupon the gas supply to the slotted pilot is increased prior to supplying gas to the burner. In many applications, a slotted pilot would consume fuel at a cost that outweighs the convenience and simplicity of a continuous standing pilot.
In place of a continuous pilot, an electrostatic igniter has been used to ignite a gas burner for a gas barbecue grill. In the typical arrangement, a high voltage cable is terminated in the vicinity of a ground conductor so that a spark between the termination and the conductor ignites gas escaping from the burner. Operation of the igniter depends upon maintaining proper position of the igniter in relation to the burner and also upon maintaining the cleanliness of the termination and conductor in spite of grease drippings and other deposits incident to barbecuing. In one implementation, an igniter enclosure includes means to hold the high voltage wire within the enclosure and in juxtaposition to one wall of the enclosure. The wall of the enclosure serves as the ground conductor. In another implementation, a similar igniter enclosure is shown with adjustable means for maintaining the position of the housing in relation to the burner. Such implementations do not provide the structural integrity required for a commercial cook stove or the like. And, although the termination and one wall of the enclosure are protected from deposits that interfere with ignition, deposits can collect within the igniter enclosure on surfaces that are not accessible for cleaning to meet standards for cleanliness that apply to commercial cook stoves and the like.
Thus, there remains a need for a simple device that protects a gas pilot igniter in a manner suitable for use on commercial cook stoves and the like.