Methods of inhibiting corrosion comprising providing a corrosive environment; adding a corrosion inhibitor comprising a reaction product of a thiol compound and an aldehyde compound. Methods of acidizing a near well bore region of a subterranean formation comprising isolating a zone of interest along a well bore; and placing an acidizing solution in the zone of interest wherein the acidizing solution comprises an acid and a corrosion inhibiting compound comprising the reaction product of a thiol compound and an aldehyde compound.

The present invention relates generally to corrosion inhibitors, and more particularly to corrosion inhibitors comprising reaction products of a thiol compound and an aldehyde compound and methods of using such inhibitors.
Metals such as carbon steel alloys, copper and its alloys, chrome alloys, and nickel alloys are commonly used in subterranean application equipment (such as in drilling pipes and mixing tanks) and installations (such as gravel pack screens, tubing, and casings). Oftentimes, these metals are subjected to corrosive fluids during subterranean operations.
One such corrosive fluid is an acidizing fluid. Subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formations penetrated by well bores are commonly treated with aqueous acid solutions to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons therefrom. One such treatment known as "acidizing" involves the introduction of an aqueous acid solution into the subterranean formation under pressure so that the acid solution flows through the pore spaces of the formation. The acid solution reacts with acid soluble materials contained in the formation thereby increasing the size of the pore spaces and the permeability of the formation. Another production stimulation treatment known as "fracture-acidizing" involves the formation of one or more fractures in the formation and the introduction of an aqueous acid solution into the fractures to etch the fracture faces whereby flow channels are formed when the fractures close. The aqueous acid solution also enlarges the pore spaces in the fracture faces in the formation. Some commonly used acids include hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, citric acid, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid ("EDTA"), and combinations thereof.
In carrying out acidizing and fracture-acidizing treatments in wells and other similar treatments using aqueous acid solutions, the corrosion of metal tubular goods, pumps, and other equipment is often a problem. The expense associated with repairing or replacing corrosion damaged metal tubular goods and equipment can be very high. In a well treatment utilizing an aqueous acid solution, the corrosion of metal surfaces in tubular goods and equipment results in at least the partial neutralization of the aqueous acid solution before it reacts with acid-soluble materials in the subterranean formation to be treated. Also, the presence of dissolved metals in the aqueous acid solution can bring about the precipitation of insoluble sludge when the aqueous acid solution contacts crude oil which can in turn severely damage the permeability of the subterranean formation being treated.
Another commonly used corrosive fluid is heavy brine. Heavy brines are often used in the drilling of a well bore into a subterranean formation. It is necessary to cool the drill bit as it cuts into the formation and to remove the drill cuttings from the well bore. Normally, a drilling fluid is circulated downwardly through the drill pipe within the well bore and outwardly through nozzles or openings in the drill bit. The drilling fluid then passes upwardly through the well bore annulus to the surface. Commonly employed drilling fluids are high-density aqueous brine solutions. For example, calcium chloride solutions can be produced having a density up to about 11.7 pounds per gallon of solution. Calcium bromide can be used to produce aqueous brines having a density of up to about 14.2 pounds per gallon. The incorporation of solid calcium chloride pellets in the brine permits a fluid having a density of about 15 pounds per gallon to be formed. When heavy brine solutions having a density greater than 15 pounds per gallon are required, aqueous solutions of zinc halides, such as zinc chloride or zinc bromide, normally are employed, either individually or as blends with calcium halides. Most of the heavy brine solutions are highly corrosive to metals and, therefore, require the addition of expensive inhibitors to the solutions to protect metal surfaces contacted by the fluids.
Many corrosion inhibitors are useful only at selected temperature levels or pH ranges for the various heavy brines and dilution, temperature changes or any change which affects the pH of the brine often results in loss of the corrosion inhibition. Particular problems arise in the selection of corrosion inhibitors for use in zinc halide-containing heavy brine solutions. Many common corrosion inhibitors, such as organic thiophosphates, quaternized amines, polyphosphate esters, filming amines, and the like form precipitates or are ineffective when admixed with zinc halide-containing heavy brine solutions.
A variety of metal corrosion inhibiting formulations for use in aqueous acid solutions have been developed and used successfully heretofore. Many of such corrosion inhibiting formulations have included quaternary ammonium compounds as essential components, particularly in high temperature applications. However, problems have been associated with the use of quaternary ammonium compounds in that they are generally highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Further, the quaternary ammonium compounds that achieve high degrees of metal corrosion protection at high temperatures are those that have relatively high molecular weights and high degrees of aromaticity. Those quaternary ammonium compounds are not readily available commercially and are very expensive to produce.


The present invention features an electrical and electronic connector module having six degrees of freedom. The connector module is particularly useful in advanced electrical and electronic wiring systems, such as multiplexed wiring systems, wherein many electrical functions or signals share common wire pathways. The connector module comprises a male header containing a plurality of male connector elements. A plurality of female connector elements disposed in a receptacle assembly is designed to align and mate with respective ones of the male connector elements disposed in the male header. The header and receptacle align by means of a pair of header shoulder bolts that seat within apertures disposed on distal ends of the receptacle. The mating of the male-female connectors is assured by reason that the receptacle is allowed to float within a housing, which forms part of the receptacle assembly.

In the past few decades, automobiles have become increasingly more complex with the introduction of computer controls, anti-lock braking systems, electronic dashboards, etc. This sophistication has increased the demands upon the electrical and electronic wiring systems of these automobiles. Current automotive electrical-electronic systems comprise a diverse system of integrated and stand-alone components. It is contemplated that future automotive systems will integrate many diverse functions such as: torque-demand powertrain control; vehicle dynamics including braking, steering and suspension; electric power management including new power generating components; load management controls; traction control based on combined powertrain control and anti-lock braking; multi-purpose soft switching and shared displays featuring driver information; climate control and entertainment functions; and advanced collision avoidance and navigational systems.
All of the above electrical and electronic integration will require greater computing power and more robust and versatile electrical and electronic wiring and connections.
Connectors that would traditionally be useful in complex computer systems will not suffice in automotive environments where temperatures vary between -40 to 150 degrees Centigrade. Also, automotive connectors, unlike their computer connector counterparts, are subject to corrosion from automotive solvents such as anti-freeze, gasoline, brake fluid, battery acid, lubricants, etc.
At the same time that automotive systems are becoming more complex, the competition to obtain market share has forced manufacturers to extend the automobile warranty. Therefore, specifications of system connections are becoming increasingly more stringent. The specifications for connectors are rapidly approaching the criticality associated with space and aeronautical applications.
Electronic packaging in the advanced integrated systems will utilize multiplexing. This multiplexing will require that a variety of signals and a host of data pathways be shared over common wires. The multiplexed architecture will make integration not only more feasible, but more effective as well. By virtue of the newly introduced complexities, connector modules for such systems will be required to have greater versatility and be more robust. Therefore, it follows that the integrity and effectiveness of these advanced electronic and electrical automotive systems will be enormously dependent upon the success and design of the wiring connections and connector modules.
The present invention provides a new connector module designed to fulfill some of the aforesaid objectives for advanced automotive electrical and electronic systems.
The connector module of this invention comprises a sturdy unit that will provide blind mating of connector elements. Utilizing a novel floating receptacle design, the connector module of the current invention can accommodate misalignments in six degrees of movement (i.e., both in dimensional and rotational axes). The ability to function with misaligned mating parts along every axis of movement provides a connector module that will meet rigid specifications and tolerances for the new age of automotive electronics.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,094, issued to Humphrey on Sep. 4, 1990, for "Sliding Gimbal Connector," a gimballed connector is illustrated for providing a looseness of fit in dimensional as well as rotational axes.
The current invention is designed with a floating receptacle that can be adjusted both dimensionally and rotationally with respect to a mating header connector member, wherein all the possible misalignments are obviated. In other words, the male and female mating elements of the connector module will always align in all six dimensional and rotational axes.

Connector module having six degrees of freedom


A lithographic apparatus can include an illumination system that conditions a radiation beam, a patterning device that modulates the radiation beam, a substrate table that supports a substrate, and a projection system that projects the modulated radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic apparatus can also include a substrate handler that loads and/or unloads a substrate on/from the substrate table. The substrate handler supports the substrate in a support plane and can include a conveyor device for moving the substrate in a direction substantially parallel to the support plane. The conveyor device can include a gripping device configured to push or pull the substrate in the indicated direction and a driving device for driving the gripping device in the indicated direction.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a lithographic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a device.
2. Background
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate or part of a substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of flat panel displays, integrated circuits (ICs) and other devices involving fine structures. In a conventional apparatus, a patterning device, which can be referred to as a mask or a reticle, can be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of a flat panel display (or other device). This pattern can be transferred on (part of) the substrate (e.g., a glass plate), e.g., via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate.
Instead of a circuit pattern, the patterning means can be used to generate other patterns, for example a color filter pattern, or a matrix of dots. Instead of a mask, the patterning device can comprise a patterning array that comprises an array of individually controllable elements. An advantage of such a system compared to a mask-based system is that the pattern can be changed more quickly and for less cost.
A flat panel display substrate can be rectangular in shape. Lithographic apparatus designed to expose a substrate of this type can provide an exposure region that covers a full width of the rectangular substrate, or that covers a portion of the width (for example half of the width). The substrate can be scanned underneath the exposure region, while the mask or reticle is synchronously scanned through the projection beam. In this way, the pattern is transferred to the substrate. If the exposure region covers the full width of the substrate then exposure can be completed with a single scan. If the exposure region covers, for example, half of the width of the substrate, then the substrate can be moved transversely after the first scan, and a further scan is typically performed to expose the remainder of the substrate.
For loading and/or unloading a substrate on the substrate table on which the substrate is supported during exposure of a pattern on the substrate, the known lithographic apparatus comprises a substrate handler. A substrate handler for a lithographic apparatus comprises a robot which places the substrate on the substrate table. As it is undesirable to contact the substrate at the upper side, the substrate table is provided with lifting pins that can be moved in and out of the substrate table in a substantial vertical direction. In a retracted position the pins are retracted in the substrate table so that the substrate can rest on a support surface of the substrate table. In a lifted position of the lifting pins a substrate can be held in an exchange position, in which the forks or other holding elements of a robot can be placed under the bottom side of the substrate, so that the substrate can be taken over by the robot, or vice versa, without contacting the top side of the substrate.
In this known substrate handler separate lifting means have to be provided in the substrate table in order to make exchange of a substrate possible. It is undesirable to have a loading/unloading mechanism on the substrate table, since such additional means on the substrate table can have a negative influence on the final product quality. Furthermore, the use of lifting means requires a considerable amount of space above the substrate table, which space is required for other components of the lithographic apparatus, such as in particular a lens column.
Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that provide a substrate handler for loading and/or unloading a substantially flat substrate on/from a substrate table, where the substrate table comprises relative small adaptations for the loading and unloading of substrates. Another aspect of the invention is to provide a substrate handler that requires a relatively small space above the substrate table to load and/or unload a substrate on/from substrate table.

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method utilizing a flat panel display handler with conveyor device and substrate handler


An SOI integrated circuit includes ESD protection on an SOI chip. A first power domain and a second power domain are provided in the SOI chip. In one embodiment, a charge modulation network in the SOI chip between the first power domain and the second power domain mitigates accumulation of electrical charge in an electrically isolated region of the SOI chip. In another embodiment, an ESD protection device in the SOI chip electrically connects the first power domain and the second power domain via a low metal layer to provide a discharge path for accumulated charge.

Charge damage from plasma processes can degrade yield and reliability of integrated circuits. For devices fabricated on bulk Si, a charge differential can develop between the gate electrode and the substrate, resulting in large current flow through the gate dielectric, and hence damage to the gate dielectric. As a result, gates in bulk Si devices are often connected to protect diodes, that equalize charge between the gate and substrate during plasma processing, thereby protecting the gate dielectric from plasma damage.
For devices fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates, the device Si is generally isolated from the substrate. However, charge damage can occur in SOI devices if the gate charges to a different potential than the diffusions. Such differential charging can occur if the gate and diffusions are connected to different power or ground networks. Power and ground networks for different macros within a large integrated circuit are generally not connected until the upper wiring or metal layers because of hierarchical design practices. This differential charging can result in damage to the gate dielectric, and reduces yield.
At present, there is no method to protect devices on SOI from differential charging when gates and diffusions are connected to different power or ground grids.
As electronic components are getting smaller and smaller along with the internal structures in integrated circuits, it is getting easier to either completely destroy or otherwise impair electronic components from charge buildup during semiconductor processes.
Charge buildup from plasma etching can lead to destruction of semiconductor components. In SOI technology, there is no natural path to the substrate because of the buried oxide (BOX) region. Charging issues which are normally not a concern in bulk CMOS can become an issue in SOI technology.
A key issue is the problem of a power grid which is isolated or disconnected. In a wafer environment, a segmented section of a power grid can be isolated from a second segment. In an RF SOI chip, eight different power supplies are possible with different power grid domains. Different domains can exist in voltage islands, and as well as other implementations where the power grids are isolated.
In semiconductor processing, SOI technology is becoming increasingly important since it permits the formation of high-speed integrated circuits. In SOI technology, a relatively thin layer of semiconducting material, e.g. Si, overlays a layer of insulating material (buried oxide region). This relatively thin layer of semiconducting material is generally the area wherein active devices are formed in SOI devices. Devices formed on SOI offer many advantages over their bulk Si counterparts, including higher performance, absence of latch-up, higher packing density and low voltage applications.
Despite the advantages obtained using SOI technology, SOI circuits, like other electronic devices, are susceptible to electrostatic discharge (ESD), i.e. a surge in voltage (negative or positive) that occurs when a large amount of current is applied in the circuit. Moreover, the handling of SOI devices themselves may lead to charging of the substrate.
To discharge electrostatic impulses, ESD protection schemes need a low voltage turn-on and a high current drive (the ability to generate or sink a large amount of current before a large amount of negative or positive voltage is developed). Traditional bulk overvoltage protection schemes, such as diodes, do not work well on SOI because of the presence of the relatively thin diffusion over the buried oxide layer. That is, conventional diodes on SOI devices have small current drivability because the current is carried laterally (limited by the thickness of the semiconductor material).
One approach for protecting SOI circuitry from ESD is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,057 to Lu. The Lu reference discloses a gated diode, which could be used for ESD design. The gate diode disclosed in Lu consists of a floating-body SOI transistor, with the gate connected to a signal pad. Although the diode disclosed in Lu can provide some ESD protection, the disclosed diode does not allow for obtaining ideal diode characteristics. Some reasons preventing ideal diode characteristics with the diodes disclosed in Lu include: (1) alignment tolerance of the substrate causes large process-induced variations; and (2) the conventional diode structure
may be a polysilicon diode, which receives extensions and halo implants (implants normally utilized in deep sub-micron MOSFETS) that degrades the ideal characteristics on SOI.
Other ESD protection schemes for the front side of the SOI wafer are also known. Common to each is that the energy developed across prior art ESD protection schemes can be substantial. Thus, the heat generated by such ESD protection schemes must be dissipated by the relatively thin semiconducting layer. In cases wherein the heat becomes too excessive, destruction of the SOI circuit may occur.
In view of the above drawbacks with prior art ESD protection schemes, there is a need for developing new and improved ESD protection schemes that can be used for dissipating electrostatic charge from the substrate of an SOI wafer.

Charge modulation network for multiple power domains for silicon-on-insulator technology

International Business Machines Corporation


For the production of sandwich structure elements comprising non-cellular polyurethane layers and polyurethane foamed layers which are produced on a substrate by the application of layers to a substrate, it is proposed that at least the non-cellular polyurethane layers contain 15 to 55% by weight of mica. Sandwich structure elements are obtained which are particularly dimensionally accurate and which adhere well. The effect is believed to be based on a non-homogeneous curing reaction of the mixture which reacts to form polyurethane, due to the presence of mica.

The present invention relates to a self-supporting sandwich structure element comprising at least one solid polyurethane layer and at least one polyurethane foamed layer.
It has already been proposed, according to WO 94/14587, that sandwich structure elements comprising two-component reaction plastics be produced by the spray application in layers of corresponding reactive mixtures on to a substrate. Polyurea and mixtures of polyurea and polyesters are described as the reaction plastics. Structural elements such as these may consist of two solid reaction plastic layers and of a reaction plastic foamed layer situated therebetween. The advantages of producing sandwich structure elements by spray application in layers of two-component reactive systems result from the rapid reaction time of these systems, their processability at ambient temperature and the insignificant demands made on the mold or on the substrate. In addition, they can be produced from a homogeneous material, wherein the reactive mixture merely has to be modified by the addition of a foaming agent in order to produce the intermediate foamed layer.
It has also already been proposed, according to European patent 589,343, that sanitaryware articles, the visual and usable surfaces of which consist of polymethyl methacrylate ("PMMA"), be provided with a supporting polyurethane sandwich structure, application of the layers being effected directly on to the premolded polyurethane substrate, in layers, by means of a two-component mixing nozzle.
One problem which is addressed in the '343 reference is the adhesion of the polyurethane sandwich structure to the PMMA layer. It is proposed according to the '343 reference that the PMMA substrate be treated with a solution of an uncrosslinked, elastic polymer resin having a strong crystallization tendency. Other proposals aimed at solving the problem of adhesion between polyurethane and PMMA are referred to as prior art in the '343 reference.
A further problem associated with rapidly reacting polyurethane systems is the heat evolved during the polyisocyanate addition reaction, which cannot be dissipated rapidly enough due to the rate of the reaction and due to the thermal insulation properties of the foamed layers which are built up with the sandwich. Temperatures of 150.degree. C. or more can easily be reached, depending on the layer structure of the sandwich. This temperature increase during the curing of the sandwich structure is particularly disadvantageous when the sandwich structure is applied to a thermoplastic material; the temperature during the coating of PMMA must not exceed 80.degree. C., for example.
In principle it should be possible to develop mixtures which react to form polyurethane which cure more slowly due to a reduced content of catalyst. In systems such as these, however, the commencement of the reaction would also be slowed down, so that the initial flow behavior would be altered, with the effect that run-off would occur when applying the mixtures to vertical surfaces or surfaces sloping in relation to the horizontal.
Another problem, particularly during the manufacture of sandwich structure elements of large surface area, is that of distortion defects, which are due to shrinkage effects during the curing of the mixture which reacts to form polyurethane. When structural elements are produced in layers, shrinkage within the layers occurs at different times.

Polyurethane sandwich structure element and process for production thereof


An accessory for an electronic device includes a plug connector that is configured to connect to an electronic device when the electronic device is received by the accessory. The accessory also includes a receptacle connector at an exterior surface for coupling the accessory to a charging system when a mating connector is received within a receiving cavity of the receptacle connector. A bracket electrically and mechanically couples the plug connector to the receptacle connector. A ground spring is coupled to an exterior metallic shell of the receptacle connector and has a pair of spring arms that each have a distal end positioned within the receiving cavity such that when a mating plug connector is received within the receiving cavity a low-impedance ground path is formed between the mating connector and the plug connector.

A wide variety of electronic devices are available for consumers today and are expected to operate in an ever increasingly "noisy" electronic environment. More specifically, with the increasing electromagnetic interference generated by the growing number of electronic devices and wireless features, electronic devices must meet demanding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. EMC requirements may include both regulating electromagnetic emissions from the electronic device and electromagnetic susceptibility of the electronic device to emissions from other devices.
Many of these electronic devices have a plurality of external electronic connectors that facilitate communication with and/or charging of a corresponding device. A reduced ground impedance between the external electronic connectors can improve EMC performance of the electronic device. New electronic connector assemblies that reduce the ground impedance between connectors are needed.

Connector assembly having a low-impedance ground connection


An airbag equipped garment and deployment system for a motorcycle rider includes an inflatable garment shaped member for encompassing an upper body of a motorcycle rider and a mass of compressed gas. The system includes a first sensor for detecting the separation of the rider from the motorcycle and a second sensor for detecting the tilt of the cycle and deploying the gas when the rider separates from the motorcycle or the tilt exceeds a pre-selected value. A separate sensor senses a collision for deployment of gas in the event of a collision while a separate sensor deactivates the system until the speed of the motorcycle has reached a predetermined speed.

The risk for injury to a motorcycle rider in the event of an accident is well known. In fact, a number of U.S. Patents have addressed this issue. For example, a U.S. Patent of Crane, U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,852 relates to an inflatable suit for cyclists. The suit comprises a body part enclosing covering means including an effectively hollow body-part-contoured inflatable bag provided with ingress port means and exterior inflating tube means communicating the ingress port means and pressurized gas supply means. Normally closed ingress valve means are provided for injecting pressurized gas into the inflatable bag in response to forced abrupt separation of a motorcyclist body from a motorcycle as a result of an accident. The rapid discharge of compressed gas into the inflatable bag brings about abrupt inflation thereof in a body-protecting manner. An inflating tube is provided with controllable manually engageable and disengageable coupling means for allowing selective mounting and dismounting of a motorcyclist without causing abrupt inflation of the inflatable bag.
A second U.S. Patent of Kincheloe, U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,469 discloses motorcycle safety apparel which may be made in stylish and unencumbered designs to encourage regular use by motorcycle riders. In the event of an impending or actual accident the apparel will inflate to provide a protective enclosure for the parts of the body most susceptible to critical or fatal injury. In the motorcycle application, the apparel is coupled to an umbilical cord to a container of compressed or liquefied gas with a much shorter pull cord being coupled between the rider and the valve of the container to rapidly inflate the apparel on separation of the rider from the motorcycle prior to separation of the umbilical cord. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparel is in the form of a jacket which includes a pleated hood like portion normally folded and resting under the jacket collar, and a pleated lower portion so that on inflation the hood will expand upward and then forward around the top and sides of the head and the lower portion will inflate and expand downward below the knees.
A more recent development in protection systems for motorcycle riders is disclosed in the U.S. Patent of Alaloof, U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,478. As disclosed therein, a protection system includes a garment shaped inflatable member for surrounding at least upper portions of the body of a rider of a motorcycle. Apparatus for exposing the interior of the inflatable member to a pressurized gas source for rapidly inflating the inflatable member in response to a sudden separation of the rider from the vehicle by at least a predetermined distance is also provided. The inflatable member has a garment-shaped configuration when in a non-inflated orientation. However, when inflated it has an expanded generally bulbous configuration such that large magnitude concentrated forces experienced on impact with an object subsequent to the sudden separation of the rider from the vehicle are prevented thereby protecting the surrounded upper portions of the rider's body from serious injury.
Notwithstanding the above, it is now believed that there may be a large market for an improved protective system for a motorcyclist in accordance with the present invention. There should be a market for such systems since they deploy gas into an inflatable suit in the event of a motorcyclist becoming separated from the motorcycle, or if the motorcycle tilt is sufficient to cause an accident. In addition, the system includes a sensor for sensing the speed of the motorcycle and activating the inflatable means only when the speed of the motorcycle exceeds a predetermined amount. Further, the system includes means for rapidly deploying gas into the inflatable garment in the event of a collision and irrespective of the speed of the motorcycle. Also, it is believed that such systems can be manufactured at a reasonable cost, are durable, and reliable. Further, the systems in accordance with the invention include a garment which is relatively unobtrusive prior to inflation so that they are more likely to be accepted by motorcycle riders.

Airbag equipped garment and deployment system


A filter apparatus includes a fluted filter element in a filter housing having a first open end and a second closed end. The filter element includes fluted filter media coiled into a cylindrical shape and may include an end cap for support and fluid control. Fluid flows into the open end and either around the filter to the closed and back through the filter element or through the filter element to the closed end and then back through a central opening in the filter element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a filter apparatus, and in particular, to a liquid filter apparatus having fluted filter media.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Filters which are used for filtering gases or liquids are well known and are commonly utilized for many types of filtering applications. Although prior filter devices are able to satisfactorily filter a substantial portion of the particulate and other materials from the fluids, still further improvements are possible. Filter density has become more critical as greater performance is required, while minimizing weight, volume and cost. A longer filter service interval without loss of efficiency has also gained importance.
A common problem with filter designs is inadequate filter surface area. For liquid filters, such as fuel filters, water, oil or coolant filters, the effective filtering surface area for a given volume of filter has not been entirely satisfactory. Pleated filters are commonly used which utilize a pleated filter media. A common liquid filter design which utilizes pleated filter media with radially inward flow is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such filters utilize a pleated filter cartridge which typically mounts in a metal spin-on canister. Although this type of filter does remove a substantial amount of particulate and other matter, it has several disadvantages. A large portion of the internal volume of the filter is wasted space which is not utilized for filtration. The wasted space is due to the manner in which the filter media is pleated and positioned around a perforated central core. The hollow central core is needed to support the filter media and to allow an area for filtered fluid to collect and be directed out of the filter element after passing through the filter media.
Another problem with the pleated filter design is that the nature of pleated filters provides an upper limit as to the amount of filter media which may be positioned around the central core. The smaller the inner diameter of the filter and the center core, the more difficult it becomes to package the media in this manner. The number of pleats becomes too great and the pleats touch at an inner portion. This configuration limits the amount of filter media that can be put in a given volume, thereby causing uneven loading of contaminants on only some portions of the filter media and increasing the pressure drop across the filter. As today's automobiles require longer service intervals, pleated filters are often unable to operate over the extended interval without sacrificing efficiency. In addition, even though the pleats are spaced very tightly at their inner diameter, the pleats are very widely spaced at their outer diameter, as shown in FIG. 2. The gaps are required with the nature of the prior art design and require large space which cannot be used for filter media.
Another drawback to the pleated filter design is that with wide gaps between pleats, it is difficult for the pleats to maintain their positions so that as the filter loads with contaminants, the pleats may shift or bunch. This may cause pressure drop across the filter to increase and may result in failure of the filter. To overcome this problem, filters of this type often have to utilize hot melt beads, wraps of string, or other materials to help maintain the widely spaced pleats in position. However, these measures increase the complexity, weight and costs of such filters.
In addition to the drawbacks of the filtering efficiencies and volume required, conventional fluid filters are relatively complex and require a high number of parts, adding to the component and manufacturing costs. Problems associated with manufacturing include the steps of pleating the filter media prior to positioning around the center core, packing into a cylindrical shape, and forming a seal where the pleats connect. In addition, the center core must provide substantial support to the pleated filter media to withstand the pressure differential which tends to collapse the filters when loading with contaminant. To add additional support, the ends of the filter media generally must be potted with a plastisol material and inserted into metal end caps. Other supports may be placed around the outer diameter of the pleats such as hot-melt beads, wrapping strings or outer liners. A spring is typically utilized in the bottom of a spin-on canister to hold the filter cartridge tightly against an upper seal at the opening to prevent contaminated fluids from bypassing the filter.
It can be seen then that a new and improved liquid filtering apparatus is needed. In particular, the filtering apparatus should be structurally self-supporting to reduce support required for the filter media. In addition, such an apparatus should provide increased filter media for a given volume, thereby decreasing the pressure drop across the filter and the total volume required for the filter. Such a filter should also provide for flexibility in the flow path through the filter element within a canister and decrease the central area within the filter media. Such a device should also reduce the total number of parts and manufacturing complexity of a filter. The present invention addresses these as well as other problems associated with liquid filters.


Transaction management for financial institution-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management approach involves the processing of financial aspects of transactions for a plurality of buyers using transaction rules associated with each buyer for automatically auditing each transaction (for each buyer) and any associated invoices. When a transaction or series of transactions are approved for payment for a particular buyer, the payment is automatically facilitated on behalf of the particular buyer. A fee is then assessed for each transaction or series of transactions, to one or more of the particular buyer, involved seller (or sellers), and a sponsor of the buyer that sponsors the buyer's participation.

Operational management of contractual and transactional interactions between buyers, sellers, financial institutions and others involved in the exchange of products for purposes of commerce have typically been labor and time intensive. Generally, the processes of managing transactions between business entities have been unduly burdensome and inefficient.
For many organizations, managing and tracking transaction financing functions such as those related to accounts payables and/or accounts receivables can be particularly burdensome and costly. When a particular organization contracts and otherwise does business with a large number of suppliers/sellers, the organization typically must interact with each supplier/seller on an individual basis. As the diversity of these interactions increases, the burden and cost associated with managing and tracking finance-based business functions is exacerbated.
Individual interactions between buyers and sellers are often characterized by specific contracts, payment rules and other financial processing characteristics. For example, certain sellers may require payment terms such as a net payment due within a particular time period, payment to a particular financial institution or payment in a particular currency. In addition, certain sellers may require different payment terms for different contracts. Entity-specific and transaction-specific variances in payment terms can be particularly difficult to manage and track. Buyers, on the other hand, may prefer payment terms that may be inconsistent with those required (or desired) by sellers.
In addition, when a transaction reaches the payment step, financial institutions for different parties to the transaction must interact with each other. This interaction typically involves complex agreements and associations that facilitate the transfer of funds. At times, there can be delays in payment or disputes regarding terms of payment. In addition, this process is highly susceptible to error. Interaction complexity, delay and error, as well as a multitude of other characteristics of transaction payment can cost one or more parties to a transaction (including financial institutions) a significant amount of funds.
Most industries are quite competitive and any cost savings are therefore important. Administrative costs are targeted for reduction as no revenue is directly generated from administrative functions. However, administrative costs associated with commercial transactions have been difficult to reduce in the current business environment with widely diffused data.
The above and other difficulties in the management and coordination of business transactions have presented administrative and cost challenges to business entities involved in various aspects of transactions, including accounts payable aspects and others.

Transaction payables processing system and approach


A thermal head is moved in a sub scan direction relatively to a recording paper, the thermal head having a plurality of heating elements disposed along a main scan direction. The length of each heating element along the main scan direction is longer than its length along the sub scan direction. While the thermal head moves by a distance corresponding to the width of a picture cell, drive time of each heating element, in which each heating element is driven continuously or intermittently, is controlled to change the recording area of wax type ink dot transferred to the recording paper. Adjacent ink dots in the main scan direction are displaced by a predetermined distance in the sub scan direction. If a thermal head is intermittently moved by a unit movement amount, the unit movement amount is set smaller than the width of the heating element in order to achieve a high gradation. In printing a color image using at least three types of inks including cyan, magenta, and yellow, the recording positions of the color inks are displaced. In order to prevent hue change and color moire of an image, the picture cell density is set different in the sub scan direction at least between cyan and magenta.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermal wax transfer printing method suitable for printing a half tone image.
2. Description of Related Background Art
A thermal transfer printing method includes a thermal wax transfer type printing method and a sublimation type printing method. With the thermal wax transfer type printing method, the back surface of an ink film is heated with a thermal head, and melted or softened ink is transferred to a recording paper. With the sublimation type printing method, dye is sublimated into an image reception layer of the recording paper. The former method cannot adjust the amount of ink transfer according to heat energy, so that it is used for printing a binary value image such as characters and lines. The latter method can adjust the amount of dye according to heat energy, so that it is used for printing a half tone image.
Although the conventional thermal wax transfer type printing method cannot print a half tone image, it has various advantages. Namely, there is left only a small trailing line after a printed line as compared to the sublimation type, the trailing line resulting from a thermal hysteresis of a thermal head. The stability of a printed image is large as compared to the sublimation type. Paying attention to the advantages of the thermal wax transfer type printing method, the inventors of this invention developed an improved printing method capable of printing a half tone image having a high gradation by using a plurality of heating elements or resistive elements disposed in the disposing direction or a main scan direction, and by changing the length of a recorded ink dot in a sub scan direction perpendicular to the main scan direction in accordance with the density of a picture element to be recorded.
This improved printing method has been found, however, unsatisfactory. Namely, since the length of a heating element in the sub scan direction is a minimum recording width, it is necessary to narrow the length of a heating element to improve the gradation of a printed image. However, there is a limit in narrowing the length of a heating element in view of the durability and manufacturing cost, resulting in a hardship of high gradation.
Furthermore, with the above-described improved printing method, virtual picture cells each capable of being printed with an ink dot of a maximum size are arranged in a matrix. Therefore, if one line in the main scan direction is recorded in the same density, a plurality of rectangular ink dots each having the same size are printed, thereby forming a line extending in the main scan direction. Therefore, a plurality of conspicuous parallel lines extending in the main scan direction are included in a printed image depending upon the type of an image pattern of an original. An original image having a plurality of parallel lines, particularly, a rattan blind, will produce moire because of a superposition of original parallel lines and the above conspicuous parallel lines. If an original image has oblique lines, the oblique lines will have notches.
In printing a color image by using the above-described improved printing method, a plurality of color ink dots are recorded superposed one upon another in each picture cell as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C. In FIGS. 10A to 10C, virtual three picture cells in the main scan direction and virtual two picture cells in the sub scan direction are shown by broken lines, totaling six picture cells. The density or size of the picture cell of each color in the main and sub scan directions is set for example to 100 lines/inch (8 ink dots/mm), and the size of a picture cell is for example 125.times.125 .mu.m. FIG. 10A shows cyan ink dots recorded in all six picture cells 2a to 2f as indicated by hatched portions. FIG. 10B shows magenta ink dots recorded in all six picture cells 3a to 3f. FIG. 10C shows yellow ink dots recorded in picture cells 4a, 4b, 4e, and 4f among six picture cells 4a to 4f. If color registration is complete, i.e., if there is no alignment error of colors, for example, picture cells 2a, 3a and 4a take the same position on a recording paper so that the recorded ink dots are superposed one upon another to form a half tone through the subtractive mixture. If color registration is complete, it is possible to print a color hard copy having a high image quality. However, if there occurs a shear of color registration in the sub scan direction, it has been found that the hue of an image will change. For example, the color of a face changes between yellowish and pinkish. Such hue change becomes maximum if the shear of color registration in the sub scan direction is as large as a half (pitch) of a picture cell multiplied by an integer. In order to eliminate hue change and reproduce an original image with high fidelity, the shear of color registration should be suppressed several .mu.m or smaller if a picture cell is 125.times.125 .mu.m. However, a thermal wax transfer type color printing apparatus presently available is difficult to obtain a highly precise alignment of colors.


The techniques described herein allow a more efficient transmuxing operation for transferring data from a synchronous domain (e.g., SONET) to a plesiochronous (e.g., PDH) domain as compared to the prior art, in which extraction of data streams, jitter filtering and stuff bit generation are processed separately. The techniques described herein include extraction of data from the plesiochronous data stream without complete extraction of the underlying native data stream. Filtering is performed based on synchronous timing, which results in a simpler filter design.

Historically, voice communications systems have been based on a plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH) in which transmitting devices and receiving devices nominally operate at the same rate, but the transmitting and receiving devices may not be perfectly synchronized. In North America, the PDH includes 64 kbps (DS0), 1.544 Mbps (DS1), 6.312 Mbps (DS2) and 44.736 Mbps (DS3) signals. Signals used in Europe and Japan are slightly different.
Service providers are increasingly using synchronous optical network (SONET) equipment to transmit data using fiber optic technologies. Various components of the SONET and PDH standards are described in Telcordia Technologies, "Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) Transport System: Common Generic Requirements, GR-253-core," Issue 3, September 2000, Telcordia Technologies, "Transport System Generic Requirements (TSGR): Common Requirements GR-499-core," Issue 2, December 1998, and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) T1.105.03, "Synchronous Optical Network (SONET): Jitter at Network Interfaces," 1994.
Increasing use of SONET equipment results in integration of PDH and SONET networks. This integration can result in situations in which PDH traffic is carried by SONET equipment where processing (e.g., multiplexing) of signal is performed on PDH signals. Various techniques have been developed to perform these operations. However, some current techniques are inefficient.

Boundary processing between a synchronous network and a plesiochronous network


An air freshener device is disclosed herein of multilayer construction which, when laminated or joined together, provides a strong reinforced unitary structure for holding a scented member between two snap-locked layers defining an internally closed cavity that provides a moisture barrier for at least a message or picture card forming a part of the unitary structure. The device includes a pair of thin members having preformed islands, receptacles and pins which, when aligned, may be snap-locked together. A scented member is held in the central cavity defined between the snap-locked members and a plurality of passageways interconnects the central cavity with peripheral vents to release the fragrance exteriorly of the device. Message, photographic or graphic representations are carried on display cards secured to the opposite sides of the snap-locked members which are isolated from the moisture of the scent carried on the scent carrier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of novelty items, and more particularly to a novel air freshener device having means for holding a scented member in a fixed position within an enclosed cavity so as to prevent moisture from the fragrance or scent from contacting message or pictorial display cards carried on the device, and which further employs multi-layered construction to obtain structural strength and rigidity.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
It has been the conventional practice to employ postcards for communicating good cheer, messages, pictorial subject matter or the like from one person to another, utilizing the postal system. However, problems and difficulties have been encountered when using such conventional cards, which stem largely from the fact that the attention characteristics of the card are limited to the visual aspects and do not pertain to other physical senses.
Attempts have been made to augment such cards by employing a variety of means for carrying fragrances or scents so that the released scent will be associated with the subject matter of the card.
Problems and difficulties have been encountered with the conventional approaches, which stem largely from the fact that any fragrance or scent liquid normally absorbs into or onto improperly protected graphic material, especially cardboard or related materials used to communicate the visual message, photograph or graphic representation. Also, the conventional devices employ materials which may be referred to as having a heavy wall, wasteful material and, employment of injection molded structural materials whose function and strength is derived from employment of heavy, resin intensive structural parts. Therefore, such prior devices are heavy and not protective from moisture or other fluids used as the fragrance.
Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a novel air freshener device using a liquid fragrance incorporated into a carrier medium which is isolated from absorbant mediums carrying display indicia. Also, the device should be composed of lightweight materials as individual and separate components which, when combined, provide a reinforced and rigid unitary construction.


A process for surface pasteurization/sterilization of particulate food products. Water uptake and qualitative changes of food products are minimized and pasteurization or sterilization conditions are optimized when food products are used preheated, wherein product temperature is selected a few degrees below the evaporation temperature of the pasteurization/sterilization system, in that the preheating temperature of food products is selected lower than the saturated steam temperature, preferably a few degrees below the saturated steam temperature at a predetermined pressure, in that treatment is performed in a moist, air-free atmosphere, wherein pasteurization occurs at temperatures between 55 and 99° C. at a low pasteurization pressure, or sterilization occurs at temperatures between 100° C. and 140° C. at a higher sterilization pressure, in that heat treatment occurs for 1 to 30 mins, and in that the water of condensation is removed from the surface of food products by a subsequent vacuum drying at a further reduced pressure.

The invention relates to a method for the surface pasteurization or surface sterilization of pieces of food products, in particular, oleaginous seeds, such as almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, as well as peanuts, bran, cereals, coffee, cocoa and the like.
By nature, agricultural products and foods are loaded with harmless and potentially pathogenic micro-organisms. In most cases, agricultural products are processed fresh, or are made durable with the aid of suitable technological means. Among the various industrially employed preservation methods are, inter alia, sterilization or pasteurization by means of heat, irradiation with ionizing rays, and gassing with lethally-acting gases. The two last-mentioned methods, in particular, can only be employed in a limited manner because the use of these methods is strictly regulated by law.
Lately, several cases of contamination of raw almonds with salmonella have been reported. To increase the safety of almond products, U.S. authorities have ordered that, starting in autumn of 2007, the entire almond harvest be pasteurized or heat-treated to a sufficient degree. The pasteurization of almonds and other oleaginous seeds imposes special demands on the methods to be used. The water content of the almonds is not allowed to be increased to an appreciable degree by and during treatment, because both the storage capability and the integrity of the almonds are harmed. Moreover, raw almonds tend to lose the skin around the seed, thereby decreasing quality.
For this reason a heat-deactivation method is presented here, which is suitable to considerably reduce the microbial surface contamination of almonds, oleaginous seeds and other pieces of food having a medium or low water content, without changing the qualitative properties of the products (water content, appearance, aroma and taste, texture). In accordance with the regulations of U.S. authorities, in the case of raw almonds, it is possible to speak of pasteurization in connection with a reduction of the micro-flora by 5 log-units.
Efficient heat-deactivation of micro-organisms is achieved in an atmosphere with increased water activity. In contrast thereto, micro-organisms are only reduced to a small extent by dry heating. For this reason, heat-pasteurization and sterilization methods employed on an industrial scale require a large amount of water content of the products. This relates in particular to sterilization and pasteurization methods employed in the preserved food and beverage industries, or for preserving milk and milk products.
Above all, pasteurization or sterilization is problematic in connection with pieces of products showing a low water activity of less than 0.8 and which, in the case of heat treatment, cannot be subjected to a greater water content. This applies in particular to almonds, nuts and other oleaginous seeds, but also to spices and other pieces of food products. The treatment of raw, unblanched almonds in particular is difficult because, on the one hand, changes in aroma and color progress rapidly in the course of heat treatment in a moist atmosphere and, on the other, a release of the skin around the seed, such as is provoked by the application of water, must be absolutely avoided. It is thus possible to consider that pasteurization of raw almonds is something that is in high demand.
For example, methods are employed for heat-deactivation of dry spices, in which the spices are charged for a short time with saturated or super-saturated steam in a pressure chamber, and the pressure is subsequently released (Gysel, 1990). The sudden pressure release leads to a separation of micro-organisms from the surface and to the bursting of bacterial cells. The joint action of moist heat and a mechanically-acting pressure-release process leads to directed and rapid deactivation of micro-organisms.
However, methods operating in accordance with this principle are not suited to the surface pasteurization of almonds and other oleaginous seeds. On the one hand, the water content is greatly increased by the application of saturated or superheated steam at a pressure of >1 bar (temperatures above 100° C.) because of the occurring condensation. This considerable water intake, such as arises from such treatment, makes subsequent drying necessary and leads to a reduction of the quality and the shelf-life of the products. On the other hand, the integrity of the products is damaged, in particular because of the retention of a large proportion of surface water and because of the occurring mechanical forces in the course of pressure relaxation. In the case of raw almonds or other non blanched seeds, in particular oleaginous seeds, the skin comes off, which is detrimental to quality.
The CFP Power Pasteurization System of the Ventilex Company (West Chester, Ohio) is explained in the website www.nutpasteurization.net and was especially developed for the pasteurization of almonds. This method consists of a continually conveying fluid chamber, into which almonds are placed, and are treated under overpressure with superheated steam. Subsequently, the nuts are dried in a continuously-conveying chamber by warm air, and are then cooled. Because of the enormous condensation during treatment, the Ventilex method increases the water content of the almonds to a considerable extent from approximately 5% up to 10%, which impairs the quality of the pasteurized almonds to a substantial degree and leads to the detachment of parts of the skin during subsequent hot-air drying. Moreover, the high treatment temperatures lead to undesired changes in the color and aroma of the almonds.
in accordance with the JSP-I Jet Stream@ Almond Surface Pasteurization System of the firm FMC Technologies (Sandusky, Ohio), almonds are heated to a preset temperature by means of steam; the almonds are then subsequently pasteurized in moist air. Pasteurization takes place in a continuous chamber in moist air, wherein the dew-point temperature of the air is considerably higher than the temperature of the introduced almonds (Gunawardena and Weng, 2006). The moist air condenses on the almond surface which, together with the effect of the heat, leads to the desired deactivation of micro-organisms. This method, too, leads to a large amount of water condensation, so that, subsequent to pasteurization, the water must be dried off by means of hot air. As a result, almond quality is greatly impaired by the large absorption of water during heating with steam and pasteurization in moist air, as well as subsequent drying.
Clark (2007) has described further modifications of steam-treating methods. The Safesteril method of the ETIA company, F-Compiègne (Antonini, 1993) is a continuous method for the treatment of pieces of goods and powders with steam. Here, a product flow is transported by means of a heated screw through a closed chamber and is charged with steam in it. Since this treatment takes place at normal pressure, steam is condensed out until the material has reached a temperature of 100° C. Here, heating the product by means of the screw is intended to prevent an excessive condensation of steam on the product, which, in the end, is a function of the heat introduction via the heated screw. Because of the mechanical action by means of the screw transport, but mainly because of the distinctive water introduction, this method is not suitable for the heat treatment of raw almonds and oleaginous seeds.
Further methods employ a saturated steam atmosphere under reduced pressure. Kozempel et al. (2003) describes a vacuum-steam-vacuum method for pasteurizing food surfaces. In this process, pieces of material are alternatingly subjected to a vacuum and charged with steam. The alternating application of vacuum and steam is intended to assure that condensation reaches all pore openings and depressions in the surface.
The method of Steam Lab Systems (CH-Bottmingen) (Blaha, 2003) represents a method derived from this. With this method, the product is subjected, as described, to a cycle of vacuum and steam treatment. The introduction of water vapor following a vacuum step takes place until atmospheric pressure has been reached. On the basis of the varying pressure conditions it must be assumed that water vapor condenses until normal pressure conditions have been reached, which again leads to a relevant absorption of water. In addition, temperature conditions, such as those that prevail on the surface in the course of the process, are insufficiently defined, which is also detrimental to the safety of the process.
Thus, all pasteurization methods for almonds and other piece-sized goods known and described here have in common the following:                that the treatment is performed in a moist atmosphere under normal or overpressure conditions or, respectively in the case of the vacuum methods, until the occurrence of normal pressure conditions; it can therefore be assumed that with complete provision of an equilibrium the surface temperature is 100° C. or more; in this case reactions which negatively affect product quality proceed very rapidly;        that, based on intentional heat introduction they lead, because of condensation, to a significant increase of water content of more than 2%; a (temporary) increase of water content in said amount is very detrimental to the quality of the pasteurized product because cooking aromas are developed and the surface structures, such as the skins of almonds, for example, disintegrate and are destroyed;        that, because of large absorption of water, hot air drying becomes necessary; in the course of drying in hot air, degenerative changes occur, such as browning reactions, from which a relevant loss of quality and a considerable loss of authenticity of the product results;        that the pasteurization conditions can only be insufficiently reproduced because the surface temperature remains constant only after reaching the equilibrium temperature (100° C. under normal conditions); the absence of constant pressure conditions leads to inaccurately defined pasteurization conditions on a product surface.
It is therefore the object of the invention to create a method, of the type mentioned at the outset, with which water absorption and qualitative changes of the food products are minimized and pasteurization or sterilization conditions are optimized.
In accordance with the invention, this is achieved in that the food products are employed after having been pre-warmed, wherein the product temperature is selected to lie a few degrees below the evaporation temperature of the pasteurization or sterilization systems, that the pre-warming temperature of the food products is selected to be lower than the saturation temperature, preferably a few degrees below the saturated steam temperature at a preset pressure, that treatment is performed in a moist atmosphere free of air, wherein pasteurization is performed at temperatures between 55 and 99° C. at low pasteurization pressure, or sterilization at temperatures between 100° C. and 140° C. at a higher sterilization pressure, that the heat treatment is performed in the course of 1 to 30 mins, and that the condensation water is removed from the surface of the food products by means of subsequent vacuum drying under further reduced pressure.
The novel method consists of three steps:
1) preheating the food products,
2) pasteurization or sterilization in a pure steam atmosphere, wherein the surface temperature corresponds to the evaporation temperature at the system pressure set,
3) drying of the surface condensation water under vacuum.
So that all other pieces of food products, such as nuts, oleaginous seeds, grains, spices and the like can be optimally pasteurized or sterilized, the following basic rules should be observed:
1. To reduce losses in quality, it is necessary to optimally select and adjust the surface pasteurization or sterilization temperature. By means of matching the system pressure it is possible to set the evaporation temperature, and thereby the condensation temperature, in a directed and reproducible manner. The system pressure can be maintained constant in a range between 0.15 to 4.0 bar, by means of which it is possible to realize pasteurization temperatures of 55 to 99° C. and sterilization temperatures of 100° C. to 140° C.
2. Since water absorption and subsequent drying definitely contribute to the reduction of the quality of the food products an unnecessary or excessive absorption of water is avoided. This is achieved in that the food products are intentionally pre-warmed by 0 to 8° C. below the evaporation temperature. In this way, it is possible to limit the water absorption required for warming to less than 0.5%, which makes subsequent hot air drying superfluous.
3. A small remaining amount of water present on the surface can be removed in a short time by reducing the system pressure. Moreover, the food products are immediately cooled by the evaporation of surface water, so that the action of the heat can be rapidly terminated.
The basic rules are followed by the characteristics detailed in the dependent claims in that they are observed during the three method steps.
1. Pre-warming. Pre-warming of the food products takes place preferably in an apparatus in which the food products are rapidly warmed to the intended temperature for preventing the premature removal of water. For example, pre-warming can take place in a continuous infrared drum by means of hot air or microwaves. The method also does not exclude pre-warming by other energy transmission possibilities. The pre-warming step is used for conditioning the food products and at best makes a negligible contribution to the deactivation of micro-organisms on the surface of the material. The pre-warming temperature is selected to be such that during the subsequent steam treatment the evaporation temperature is 0 to 8° C. higher than the pre-warming temperature. In this way, it is possible to avoid an excessive condensation of water vapor on the product surface and an excessive water absorption by the food products during the subsequent steam treatment. Thus, the pre-warming temperature can lie in the range between 50 to 144° C. The range between 55 and 99° C. can preferably be selected for pasteurization, and the range between 100 to 140° C. for sterilization. For pasteurizing almonds, the pre-warming temperature preferably lies between 70° C. and 90° C.
2. Pasteurization in a Steam Atmosphere. Heat deactivation (pasteurization or sterilization) takes place at temperatures between 50 and 140° C. Customarily only pasteurization is achieved with treatments below 100° C., while temperatures up to 144° C. must be reached for sterilization (complete deactivation even of thermostable endospores). In this case, the treatment temperature is determined by the steam pressure prevailing or set in the system. With treatment temperatures below 100° C., the system pressure becomes less, at treatment temperatures above 100° C., the system pressure becomes greater than the atmospheric pressure.
System pressures below atmospheric pressure are realized in that the pressure in the treatment chamber is reduced by means of a vacuum pump. As soon as the set system pressure falls below the set value, the steam supply valve opens and steam supply is started. Steam supply takes place via a regulating valve, which maintains the system pressure in the treatment chamber constant. For example, the treatment of almonds takes place at an absolute pressure of 0.1 to 0.95 bar, preferably at 0.2 to 0.8 bar.
After filling, the product temperature lies 0 to 8° C. below the evaporation temperature of the system. The temperature of the material rapidly rises to the evaporation temperature because of the condensation of small amounts of water. Then, water can no longer condense on the product surface; the system is in equilibrium. As a function of the steam saturation temperature, the amount of time (1 to 30 mins) of heat application must be selected in such a way that a sufficient deactivation of micro-organisms is achieved.
3. Removal of Surface Water. At the end of the treatment, the steam supply is shut off, while the vacuum pump continues to run. By means of further reduction of system pressure to between 0.15 to 0.01 bar (absolute pressure), the amount of water picked up because of temperature equalization can be dried off again in a short length of time of 2 to 20 mins, so that the pasteurized sterilized food products do not show an increase in water content.

Method for the surface-pasteurization and-sterilization of pieces of food


The present invention relates to methods of treatment of menstrual cycle induced disorders and symptoms with cathinone, particularly methods employing 3-methyl methcathinone (3-MMC). The present invention also relates to kits comprising 3-MMC for use in the treatment of subjects suffering from menstrual cycle induced disorders and symptoms. In particular, methods and kits for therapy of menstrual cycle induced disorders and symptoms with 3-MMC for a variety of disorders and/or conditions, including PMS, PMDD and perimenstrual disorders are provided.

Menstrual symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and significant perimenstrual mood disorders (Premenstrual Syndrome-PMS, Premenstrual Dysphoria Disorder-PMDD), are common gynecologic conditions. In addition to the common somatic symptoms, common menstrual cycle-induced behavioral/mood changes include depression, angry outbursts, irritability, crying spells/jags, anxiety, confusion, social withdrawal, reduced concentration, insomnia, fatigue, changes in libido (Amer Coll. Obstet. And Gynaecol FAQ-PMS, 2015). When asked, between 22.5% and 35% of women considered their menstrual bleeding heavy, and 34-94% experience pain during their menstrual period. Menstrual symptoms have a significant impact on quality of life. Furthermore, they account for substantial healthcare use. Annual costs for patients with heavy menstrual bleeding are estimated to exceed $2000 per patient, mainly owing to work absence and lost productivity. Depending on the national regulations on sick leave, the costs of absenteeism may vary between countries. In younger women, menstrual symptoms may result in absence from school or lower levels of performance. Absences of adolescent girls who do not attend school because of dysmenorrhea range from 7.7% to 57.8%, whereas 21.5% report missing out on social activities.
Despite the large influence on women's lives, collectively and individually, several studies have shown that most women with dysmenorrhea do not seek help, highlighting the public health impact of menstrual problems, including reduced quality of life and high medical and societal costs. Although little is known about the prevalence of menstrual symptoms in the general nonselected population, a recent study (Schoep et al, 2019 Am J Obs Gyn 220:569) reported a high prevalence of dysmenorrhea (85%), behavioral and mood complaints (77%) and significant somatic complaints (50%) among more than 40,000 women interviewed. Nearly 40% of the respondents reported overall impaired activity during their menses.
Typical treatment options for symptoms of perimenstrual conditions are wide-ranging, including diet, life-style changes for mild-moderate symptoms to medical and non-conventional solutions for more severe forms. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends exercise and dietary changes (e.g. complex carbohydrates and calcium rich foods), calcium supplementation and improved sleep for mild to moderate perimenstrual symptoms. Pharmacological solutions for severe symptoms (hormonal contraceptives, diuretics, NSAIDS) mostly address somatic aspects, while anti-depressants, dopamine agonists, anxiolytics, and other psychoactive drugs are prescribed for behavioral/mood symptoms. However, the pharmacologically active agents currently used to treat menstrual cycle-induced symptoms are less than ideal, being costly and having significant side effects. Drugs such as serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine and sertraline (both FDA approved for PMDD), anti-inflammatory agents, anxiolytics, hormones, dopamine agonists, and diuretics are sometimes suggested for treatment of PMS, but cost, efficacy and side effects of these treatments are significant concerns. (Most antidepressants have rather serious side effects such as heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, and more).
Other proposed remedies for menstrual cycle-induced symptoms include, inter alia, alpha-tocopherol-omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid combinations, nerve growth factor, 2C 5-HT receptor agonists, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, GABA-A receptor agonists, pyridoxine, pindolol, magnesium, oxytocin-releasing agents, phosphatidyl-L serine and magnesium combinations (see US Patent Application Publications 2014/0356424; 2016/0058428; 2013/0171269; 2008/0262071; 2008/0160083; 2007/0255278; 2007/0203078; 2007/0098819; 2006/0241172; 2006/0241176; 2004/0127409; 2004/0048919; 2019/0099399; 2016/0367614).
Psychostimulants and 3-MMC:
Certain psycho-active drugs have been suggested for alleviation of behavioral and mood-related menstrual cycle-induced symptoms and disorders. Traditional psychostimulants such as amphetamine, cocaine or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) all primarily target monoaminergic systems, leading to increased extracellular levels of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and/or noradrenaline (NA). Experience with MDMA and cycloserine, as well as other psychoactive compounds has suggested benefit for mood and behavioral disorders, but has also revealed their shortcomings for therapeutic use. In general, amphetamines are associated with risk of amphetamine-psychosis, depression and cognitive impairment. In particular, serotonergic drugs such as MDMA, by stimulating an excess release of serotonin (and therefore possibly also triggering down-regulation of serotonin receptors in the brain), can create a rebound serotonin depletion and decreased sensitivity to the neurotransmitter following it's use, experienced by the user as depression and often lasting several days or more (for a review, see Danforth et al, Prog Neuro-Psych and Biol Psych, 2016, 64:237-249, or Amoroso et al, J. Psychopharm 2016, 30:595-600).
The present invention relates to the use of 3-methyl methcathinone (3-MMC) for menstrual cycle induced symptoms. The cathinones are substituted amphetamines, differing in the character and location of the side residues around the central ring. All of 2-, 3- and 4-Methyl-methcathinone (2-, 3- and 4-MMC) are psychoactive drugs, producing increased alertness, wakefulness, euphoria and appetite suppression. Therapeutic use of 4-MMC as a psychostimulant has been proposed in US Patent Publications 2011/0207718; 2010/0172916, 2016/0000815. Therapeutic use of 3-MMC has been proposed in PCT Publication 2019/026019.

Treatment of menstrual cycle-induced symptoms


There are disclosed novel compounds, liquid crystal compositions, polymers, optically anisotropic producgs, and optical or liquid crystal elements that have large refractive index anisotropy, mix easily with other liquid crystals, have advantageous stability against light, and exhibit absorption at practically short wavelength in the ultraviolet region. The compounds are represented by the formula (1) and have a phenylacetylene structure, wherein difference ΔE in energy of HOMO of parts (1-1), (1-2) and (1-3) calculated by the method of molecular orbitals is not less than 0.3 electronvolt, and the polarizability anisotropy Δα of a molecule represented by the formula (1) calculated in the same way is not lower than 500 A.U.:

Improvement in performance of liquid crystal display elements has become an essential issue with the recent development in information-oriented society. For higher processing speed and performance, liquid crystal compositions must contain a component having large refractive index anisotropy.
Tolan compounds are known as liquid crystal having relatively large refractive index anisotropy (Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., Vol. 23, p233 (1973)). However, the refractive index anisotropy of this compound is about 0.2, which is not yet large enough.
There have also been developed compounds represented by the following formulae and disclosed in JP-2-83340-A and JP-9-216841-A:
(wherein "Alkyl" stands for an alkyl group)
(wherein R stands for an alkyl group; Y stands for R, a fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom, or a cyano group; H1 to H12 each stands for a hydrogen, fluorine, or chlorine atom, provided that at least one of H1 to H12 stands for a fluorine or chlorine atom).
The refractive index anisotropy of these compounds is larger than that of the tolan compounds, but is yet as small as about 0.4. In the second compound, when the hydrogen atoms are substituted with halogen atoms such as fluorine atoms for improved compatibility, the refractive index anisotropy becomes still smaller, e.g. about 0.3. Under such circumstances, development of liquid crystalline compounds with larger refractive index anisotropy is demanded.
However, if the improvement in refractive index anisotropy is sought by extending the conjugated pi-electron systems in such compounds, peaks of the absorption spectrum of the compounds in the ultraviolet and visible regions shift to the longer wavelength side, sometimes resulting in undesirable coloring of the compound.
There have been discussed possible application of liquid crystalline materials not only to a switching element of displays for switching the display modes such as TN or STN mode, but also to retarders, polarizers, polarizing prisms, beam splitters, reflectors, holographic elements, color separators, or various optical filters, which make use of the optical anisotropy of the materials such as alignment and refractive index. Improvement in performance of display elements has also become an essential issue with the recent development of the information-oriented society.
As techniques for production of optically anisotropic products from such liquid crystalline materials, there are known, for example, methods of photopolymerizing a liquid crystalline compound having a polymerizable functional group, or a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing such a compound, by irradiating the compound or the composition in a liquid crystal state with ultraviolet or visible irradiation. These methods intend, in other words, to produce polymers wherein the liquid crystal molecules aligned in the liquid crystal state are semipermanently fixed for achieving stable optical functions.
Recently known liquid crystalline compounds having a polymerizable functional group are disclosed in JP-A-11-116534 and JP-A-11-80090, the former proposing mainly a compound having a phenylbenzoate core, and the latter a compound having a core including phenylbenzoate, cyclohexylphenyl, and tolan. Neither of the compounds, however, has a core exhibiting particularly large refractive index anisotropy (Δn).
It is known that a substituent may be introduced into a dibenzothiophene compound through a process disclosed in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1948, 70, 1748, or in Heterocyclic Chem., 1985, 22, 215. However, by these processes, it is hard to introduce two highly reactive substituents selectively into the 3- and 7-positions of a dibenzothiophene compound.

Dibenzothiophene oxide compound, and process for producing the same

Abstract: P1—H  (1-2)P2—H  (1-3)(A1 to A4: H, F, alkyl or alkoxy group of C1 to C10 optionally substituted with F; P1, P2: structure fulfilling the conditions of HOMO energy and polarizability).


An apparatus is provided. Transmission line cells are formed in a first region. A first metallization layer is formed over the transmission line cells within a portion of the first region. At least a portion of the first metallization layer is electrically coupled to the plurality of transmission line cells. A second metallization layer is formed over the first metallization layer with an interconnect portion, and overlay portion, and a first balun. The interconnect portion at least partially extends into the first region, and the overlay portion is within the first region. The first balun winding is electrically coupled to the overlay portion and partially extends into a second region. The first region partially surrounds the second region. A third metallization layer is formed over the second metallization layer having a second balun winding within the second region, where the second winding is generally coaxial with the first balun winding.

Transmission lines employing transmission line units or elements within integrated circuits (ICs) are well-known. Typically, different heights for these transmission line units can vary the characteristics of the cell (and transmission line). Namely, the impedance is inversely proportional to the height. However, there is typically a tradeoff between impedance and space (layout) specifications. Additionally, many components, such as balun, use different input impedances.
One example of a conventional transmission line unit can be seen in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/888,208, which is entitled "LOW IMPEDANCE TRANSMISSION LINE," which was field on Sep. 22, 2010, and which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. As shown, a transmission line is coupled to a balun, but this transmission line is substantially linear and is spaced apart from the balun so as to not interfere with the characteristics. As a result, area is wasted. Therefore, there is a desire for a transmission line for use with a balun that does not interfere with its characteristics and uses less area.

Balun with integrated decoupling as ground shield


A desk-top three-dimensional object scanner includes a camera body, a base, a retractable lever arm connecting the camera body and the base, and a compensation lighting device disposed at a bottom end of the lever arm. The camera body accommodates therein a sensor that employs lines as sensing points so that the image scanned has better resolution.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a scanner, and more particularly to a three-dimensional object scanner that has enhanced scanning effects.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIGS. 1 and 1A show a conventional scanner which utilizes lines as points of sensing. A document is put into the scanner and the contents are scanned in a memory to be processed by the computer.
FIG. 2 shows another conventional type of scanner, which utilizes surfaces as points of sensing and is capable of scanning three-dimensional objects. In use, a three-dimensional object is placed on a flat surface and, by means of "surface sensing," the image of the object is scanned into the memory to be processed by the computer.
These two types of scanners have individual problems. The first type of scanner is not capable of scanning three-dimensional objects and therefore cannot meet the demands of today's users. In the second type, as it uses surfaces as points of sensing, the resolution of the image obtained is not good and the words scanned cannot be processed by the computer. Besides, good models of scanners cost much.

Desk-top three-dimensional object scanner

8F-5, No. 6, Lane 609, Chung Hsing Rd., Sec. 5, Sanchung


A method for encoding a bit stream to meet a minimum bit transition requirement includes providing uncoded bits, determining whether the uncoded bits meet the minimum bit transition requirement, and replacing selected bits in the uncoded bits with replacement bits that meet the minimum bit transition requirement if the uncoded bits do not meet the minimum bit transition requirement, thereby encoding the uncoded bits into encoded bits that meet the minimum bit transition requirement.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional disk drive 100. The disk drive 100 performs data storage and retrieval functions for an external host computer 102. The disk drive 100 includes a disk 104, a transducer 106, an actuator assembly 108, a voice coil motor (VCM) 110, a read/write channel 112, an encoder/decoder (ENDEC) 114, an error correction code (ECC) unit 116, a data buffer 118, an interface 120, a servo unit 122 and a disk controller 124.
The disk 104 includes one or two disk surfaces (not shown) which are coated with magnetic material capable of changing its magnetic orientation in response to an applied magnetic field. Data is stored digitally in magnetic-polarity transitions (frequently referred to as pulses in cells) within concentric tracks on the disk surface(s). The disk 104 is rotated at a substantially constant spin rate by a spin motor (not shown) that is speed-controlled by a closed-loop feedback system. Instead of the single disk 104, the disk drive 100 can include multiple disks 104 each mounted on a single spindle and serviced by one or more separate transducers 106.
The transducer 106 transfers information to and from the disk 104 during read and write operations. The transducer 106 is positioned over the disk 104 by the actuator assembly 108 that pivots about an axis under the power of the VCM 110. During a write operation, a polarity-switchable write current is delivered to the transducer 106 from the channel 112 to induce magnetic-polarity transitions onto a desired track of the disk 104. During a read operation, the transducer 106 senses magnetic-polarity transitions on a desired track of the disk 104 to create an analog read signal that is indicative of the data stored thereon. The transducer 106 is commonly a dual element head having a magneto-resistive read element and an inductive write element.
The VCM 110 receives movement commands from the servo unit 122 for properly positioning the transducer 106 above a desired track of the disk 104 during read and write operations. The servo unit 122 is part of a servo loop that uses servo information from the disk 104 to control the movement of the transducer 106 and the actuator assembly 108 in response to commands from the disk controller 124.
During a read operation, the channel 112 receives the read signal from the transducer 106 and processes the read signal to create digital data representative of the data stored on the disk 104. The channel 112 includes detection circuitry and a read clock for deriving timing information from the read signal.
The ENDEC 114 encodes data transferred from the host computer 102 to the disk 104, and decodes data transferred from the disk 104 to the host computer 102. Data written to the disk 104 is encoded for a number of reasons, including timing and detection. The ENDEC 114 imparts a run length limited (RLL) code on data written to the disk 104 to ensure that the transition frequency in the bit stream does not exceed or fall below predetermined limits. RLL coding ensures that enough transitions exist in the read data to maintain an accurate read clock.
The ECC unit 116 adds redundant information to user data from the host computer 102 before the data is encoded by the ENDEC 114 and written to the disk 104. The redundant information is used during subsequent read operations to discover error locations and values in the decoded read data. Read data errors can result from (1) noise from disk defects, (2) random noise from the transducer, cabling and electronics, (3) poor transducer placement reducing signal amplitude and/or increasing adjacent track noise during the read operation, (4) poorly written data due to disk defects or poor transducer placement, (5) foreign matter on the disk, and (6) disk damage. The ECC unit 16 corrects up to a predetermined number of errors in a data block (sector). If more than the predetermined number of errors exist, then the ECC unit 16 will not correct the errors but may still identify that errors exist within the data block. The ECC functionality is implemented by hardware and software.
The data buffer 118 temporarily stores data (1) to permit different data rates between the disk drive 100 and the interface bus between the disk drive 100 and the host computer 102, (2) to allow the ECC unit 116 to correct data errors before the data is sent to the host computer 102, (3) for temporary parameter storage for the disk controller 124, and (4) for data caching.
The interface 120 establishes and maintains communication between the disk drive 100 and the host computer 102. The transfer of information into and out of the disk drive 100 takes place through the interface 120.
The disk controller 124 is a microprocessor that controls the operation and timing of other components in the disk drive 100. In addition, the disk controller 124 may perform the functions of some of these components. For example, the disk controller 124 may perform the correction computation of the ECC unit 116 if the errors exceed the capability of the ECC unit 116.
Disk drive encoding and decoding schemes have drawbacks. Clock information is embedded in data stored on the disk 104, and detected data includes clock phase error information that the channel 112 uses for clock extraction. RLL codes ensure adequate and timely clock information for clock extraction.
RLL codes are d,k codes, where d is the minimum run length between magnetic-polarity transitions and k is the maximum run length between magnetic-polarity transitions. The d,k codes are also the minimum and maximum number of 0's between two 1's, respectively. Data representation conventions include NRZ (non-return to zero) and NRZI (non-return to zero, change on ones). With NRZ, a magnetic-polarity transition occurs when a sequence (one or more) of 0's changes to a sequence of 1's, or vice-versa. With NRZI, d,k becomes (d+1,k+1), a magnetic-polarity transition occurs each time a 1 appears and 0's appear otherwise. While either convention is acceptable and supported by the present invention, NRZ will be illustrated below. Under either convention, d is the minimum number of bits that must exist between magnetic-polarity transitions, and k is the maximum number bits that may exist between magnetic-polarity transitions. The constraint d controls pulse crowding effects, and the constraint k ensures clock extraction and to facilitate error event length control in certain sequence detectors. Viterbi detectors and the like usually permit the minimum run length constraint d to be 0.
ENDEC 114 implements RLL code by logically complete, immutable and unambiguous mapping between uncoded symbols (data symbols and ECC symbols) and encoded symbols (to be stored on the disk) to ensure that the encoded symbols meet the run length constraints. The encoded symbols include more bits than the uncoded symbols because symbols (words) that do not satisfy the run length constraints are discarded.
The number of bits in the uncoded symbol is M, and the number of bits in the encoded symbol is N. The code rate M/N is less than one in conventional systems. Encoders exhibiting code rates of 8/9, 16/17 and 24/25 are typical for disk drives.
With a code rate of 8/9, one of 28=256 possible uncoded symbols may be mapped to one of 29=512 possible encoded symbols. However, of the 512 possible encoded symbols, those symbols that fail to meet the run length constraints (and other excess symbols) are discarded, and only 256 of the 512 possible encoded symbols are used.
Because encoding requires uncoded symbols with M bits to be mapped to encoded symbols with N bits, overhead is added to the disk drive 100. For example, with an 8/9 code rate, 1/9th of the user data space on the disk 104 is occupied by unproductive overhead. Similarly, for a 24/25 code rate, 1/25th of the user data space on the disk 104 is occupied by unproductive overhead. To minimize RLL code overhead, encoders have been designed with higher code rates which implies larger M and N values so that the code rate asymptotically approaches, but never reaches, the value 1 (zero code overhead).
However, increasing M and N to achieve higher code rates also increases decoder error propagation that degrades ECC performance. When errors occur in detecting the encoded symbols, errors increase from mapping the encoded symbols to uncoded symbols because any one encoded error bit may map to one or more decoded error bits, and thus to multiple uncoded symbols recognized by the ECC unit 116. There is a strong correlation between error propagation and the size of M and N. The larger M and N are, the greater the average error propagation seen by the ECC unit 116.
More ECC symbols compensate for increased error propagation. However, more ECC symbols create more ECC overhead, thereby lowering the ECC code rate defined as data symbols/(data symbols+ECC symbols). Decreasing the ECC code rate also degrades the combined code rate defined as RLL code rate×ECC code rate. Thus, increasing M and N eventually decreases the combined code rate.
Further, if M is not an exact multiple of the ECC symbol size, or if the ECC symbols and the uncoded symbols do not share the same boundaries whenever possible, then additional error propagation occurs because certain uncoded symbol errors may affect more symbols than necessary due to poor mapping.
Large M and N also degrade format efficiency due to inflexible sector sizes. Format efficiency is greatest when the sum of data bytes, CRC bytes, and ECC bytes is an exact multiple of M. However, as M becomes larger, format efficiency suffers which creates problems similar to increased code overhead.
Concatenated recording codes provide both run length constraints and redundancy information (parity codes, turbo codes, etc.). The redundancy information permits signal extraction at reasonable error rates despite poor signal-to-noise ratios. However, the run length constraints may limit the redundancy information.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved encoding and decoding of data to be recorded in a data storage device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Rate-1 coding for increasing timing information in recording data