An apparatus including:. a funnel comprising a housing operably connected to a particulate source at one end and extending downwardly therefrom to a receiver member at the other end, the funnel being adapted to permit a flow of powder therethrough, and wherein the inner wall of the funnel is adapted with a porous member which provides a boundary layer of gas between the porous member and the powder.

This invention relates generally to filling a container with material, and more particularly concerns a fill nozzle for controlling the flow of powders such as toner from a fill tube to a toner container.
Currently when filling powders, for example toners into toner containers, toner is transported from the toner supply hopper into the container by a rotating auger. The auger is a spiral shaped mechanical part which pushes particles of toner inside a fill tube by direct mechanical contact. The nature of this mechanical contact process creates substantial limitations on accuracy and productivity of the toner filling operation. The speed of the toner movement in the fill tube is proportional to the speed of rotation of the auger and is limited by heat release due to auger/toner friction. High auger speed will cause the toner to melt, particularly for low melt toner such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,460 to Mahabadi et al. the relevant portions thereof incorporated herein by reference.
To provide for productive efficient toner containers, typically, the rotating augers used to transport the toner from hoppers are relatively large. The large augers provide for high volume toner flow and thus improve productivity in a fill line. When utilizing such fill lines for small, low cost copiers and printers, difficulties occur in that the openings in the toner containers utilizing such small copiers and printers include a small toner fill opening that may have an irregular shape and have a fill opening that is not centrally located in the container. Problems are thus associated with fitting the large filling tubes and augers with the small toner fill openings.
Problems with filling containers with toner are exacerbated in that the small low cost copies are produced in higher quantities necessitating very efficient toner filling operations.
Problems with efficient toner filling are also apparent in small and medium cost multi-colored highlight or full color printers and copiers. The toner containers for color toner typically are smaller than those for black toner and also more typically have an irregular shape. Further, color toners have been developed with smaller particle size of for example 7 microns or less. These smaller toners are more difficult to flow through toner hoppers and are more difficult to be translated along augers.
Toner containers for small low cost printers and copiers typically have a small opening into which the toner is to be added. Furthermore, the toner containers often have irregular shapes to conform to the allotted space within the copying machine. Therefore it becomes difficult to fill the toner container because of the small tube required to fit into the small toner container opening and secondly for all the toner within the container to completely fill the remote portions of the container before the container overflows.
The problems associated with controlling the filling of toner containers are due primarily to the properties of the toner. Toner is the image-forming material in a developer which when deposited by the field of an electrostatic charge becomes the visible record. There are two different types of developing systems known as onecomponent and two-component systems.
In one-component developing systems, the developer material is toner made of particles of magnetic material, usually iron, embedded in a black plastic resin. The iron enables the toner to be magnetically charged. In two-component systems, the developer material is comprised of toner which consists of small polymer or resin particles and a color agent, and carrier which consists of roughly spherical particles or beads usually made of steel. An electrostatic charge between the toner and the carrier bead causes the toner to cling to the carrier in the development process. Control of the flow of these small, abrasive and easily charged particles is very difficult.
The one-component and two-component systems utilize toner that is very difficult to flow. This is particularly true of the toner used in two component systems, but also for toner for single component systems. The toner tends to cake and bridge within the hopper. This limits the flow of toner through the small tubes which are required for addition of the toner through the opening of the toner container. Also, this tendency to cake and bridge may cause air gaps to form in the container resulting in partial filling of the container.
Attempts to improve the flow of toner have also included the use of an external vibrating device to loosen the toner within the hopper. These vibrators are energy intensive, costly and not entirely effective and consistent. Furthermore, they tend to cause the toner to cloud causing dirt to accumulate around the filling operation.
Also, difficulties have occurred in quickly starting and stopping the flow of toner from the hopper when filling the container with toner in a high speed production filling operation. An electromagnetic toner valve has been developed as described in U.S. patent applications, Ser. Nos. 08/540,993 and 08/690,412, assigned to the same assignee as this application, the relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. The electromagnetic valve is limited for use with magnetizable toner such as that described for use with one component development systems.
Attempts have been made to fill toner containers having small toner fill openings by utilizing adapters positioned on the end of the toner filling auger which has an inlet corresponding to the size of the auger and an outlet corresponding to the opening in the toner container. Clogging with toner, particularly when attempting to increase toner flow rates and when utilizing toners with smaller particle size, for example, color toners having a particle size of 7 microns or less, has been found to be a perplexing problem. The adapters that are fitted to the augers, thus, tend to clog with toner. The flow rates through such adapters is unacceptably low.
Further, the use of these adapters may create problems with maintaining a clean atmosphere free of toner dust at the filling operation.
The following disclosures may be relevant to various aspects of the present invention:


A coupling sleeve (1) for a hydraulic coupling has a member to receive and arrest a coupling plug. To open the plug valve of the coupling plug, a switching pin (16) is provided which passes through the valve body (9) of the coupling sleeve (1). In the open position, the pin (16) projects beyond the end face (12) into the receiving means (6). If the switching member (30) is opened by mistake, and it is to be returned to its closed position, the switching pin (16) must move into the starting position against the pressure in the sleeve chamber (37). To accomplish this movement, the switching pin (16) has an opening valve. The opening valve has an opening valve body (21) arranged in a through-channel (17) in the switching pin (16). The through-channel effects a connection between the receiving means (6) and the sleeve chamber (37) when the switching member (30) is returned into a closed position. Thus, the switching member (30) is able to return against the pressure building up in the sleeve chamber (37).

The invention relates to a coupling sleeve for a hydraulic coupling. The coupling sleeve comprises receiving means to receive and arrest a coupling plug. The coupling plug includes a plug valve. The coupling sleeve further comprises a valve seat and a valve body. The valve body may be moved relative to the valve seat along a longitudinal axis into an open position or closed position. Towards the closed position, the valve body is loaded by a closing spring. A switching pin opens the plug valve. The switching pin passes through the valve body in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The switching pin leaves the body through a through-bore in the valve body in the direction of receiving member. The plug valve also includes a sleeve valve. A sleeve chamber is positioned between the sleeve valve and the valve seat of the valve body. A switching member is pivotably settable between two positions to establish a connection between a pressure agent connection at the sleeve end and the coupling plug. The switching member, with the coupling plug arrested in the receiving means, sets the valve body against the force of the closing spring. In order to switch the sleeve valve into the open position, the switching member is rotated to move the switching pin into the receiving member against the force of an opening spring to open the plug valve. The switching member, in an open position and with the coupling plug in the uncoupled position, enables automatic transfer to the valve body and sleeve valve into a closed position.
A coupling sleeve is described in DE 43 18 840 C2. Here, in case a coupling plug is unintentionally pulled out of the coupling sleeve with the valve body in the open position, or in case of unintentional actuation of the switching member, the coupling sleeve is transferred from the closed position into the open position, with the coupling plug in the uncoupled position, the oblong hole in the switching member provides a closed position for the valve body relative to the valve seat in the coupling sleeve. To close the sleeve valve and subsequently return the switching member into the closed position, it is difficult because the switching pin has to be moved against the prevailing system pressure in the sleeve chamber. This procedure is particularly complicated if, in the supply pipe in front of the sleeve valve, a blocking valve or a similar switching valve is present in a locked position. Thus, an enclosed volume exists which cannot be compressed. Under such pressure conditions, the pressure existing in the sleeve chamber cannot be reduced.
The unpublished DE 196 19 839 C1 reference describes a way to facilitate moving the valve body into an open position. Here, the shaft portion, which has one or several grooves on the outer face, is moved out of the valve body through the through-bore towards the receiving chamber to receive the coupling plug. The grooves extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. Also, the portion may include a stepped diameter. The grooves and stepped diameter ensure, provided the switching pin is in the correct position relative to the through-bore, that the pressure agent can escape from the sleeve chamber into the receiving chamber. According to a further solution described by the above reference, a metallic seal is provided in the form of a conical seat which comes to rest against a corresponding edge of the through-bore in the valve body when the coupling sleeve is in the closed position. However, if the switching pin is moved out of its closed position into the open position, pressure agent may escape from the sleeve chamber between the wall of the through-bore and the outer circumference of the sleeve chamber. This is also the case if the coupling sleeve is unintentionally opened when the coupling plug has been removed, with the switching pin in its forward position. Admittedly, the above-described measures facilitate the coupling operation, but the assembly is no longer leak-proof. This enables the pressure agent contained in the sleeve chamber to escape. Accordingly, since pressure agent quantities are in the region of several cubic centimeters, the escape constitutes an undesirable quantity.


Retainer grooves are formed widthwise at a constant pitch on the external surface of a timing belt to retain the lead terminals of an electronic component therein. A magnet is mounted to a rail for guiding the timing belt to attract the lead terminals of the electronic component to the retainer grooves. The electronic component can be prevented from falling off or being displaced due to an inertia force generated at the time of intermittent feed so as to be stably conveyed not only horizontally but also in vertical or circular arc directions.

The present invention relates to a conveyor apparatus for continuously conveying workpieces at a constant pitch, and more particularly to conveyor equipment suitable for carrying out a plurality of working processes in a production facility. Specifically, the present invention relates to a conveyor suitable for carrying out characteristic measurement, selection, taping, and other processes on a small workpiece such as an electronic component conveyed by means of an automatic mechanism.
Conventionally when producing a taped type electronic component whose wire type lead terminals are held on a base tape formed with notches beforehand, an electronic component element is attached to the lead terminals to complete the electronic component on the base tape as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,207. Electronic components produced as described above are subjected to characteristic measurement and selection processes while being conveyed, held on the base tape, and further to a taping process. The above-mentioned method has the advantage that the electronic component is stably held on the base tape while being conveyed; however, since the electronic component cannot be removed directly upward from base tape, the taping operation is difficult and the base tape cannot be used again after the taping operation is completed.
After completing an electronic component having plate type lead terminals by attaching an electronic component element to lead terminals (lead frame) formed from a hoop material, the electronic component is separated from others and transferred to a conveyor. A base tape, as described above, cannot be used. In order to convey an electronic component with plate type lead terminals, a conveying method is used in which workpiece holders with recess portions opening upward are attached at a constant pitch to an endless chain, driven intermittently, and electronic components are put in each of these recess portions.
However, since the electronic component is merely put in, the recess portion of a workpiece holder, it can be displaced or fall off the workpiece holder due to an inertial force at the time of intermittent feed. Furthermore, when the electronic component is conveyed vertically or in a circular arc direction, the electronic component cannot be prevented from being displaced or falling off the workpiece holder. For the above reasons, the workpiece conveyance direction is limited to almost horizontal directions; this allows little latitude with regard to the workpiece conveyance direction.
Conventionally when a plurality of processes having different processing times are included in a production facility, the processing speed of the entire production facility is generally adjusted to the process requiring the longest time. Therefore, another process requiring a short processing time cannot start its operation until the process requiring the longest processing time is completed; this results in slow processing speed and low efficiency of the entire production facility. Particularly when processing times of processes differ extremely, the above-mentioned problem becomes much more acute.
Furthermore, in view of the recent growing trend of multi-sort small-quantity production, when a component requiring a different processing time is transferred to the production facility line, or when the processing time of the process requiring the longest processing time is changed, the processing time of the entire production facility must be changed; this results in requiring a significant amount of time for adjustment procedures.


A recording method, wherein, when a certain portion of main data is recorded by being encoded by a first encoding method and the other portions of the main data is recorded by being encoded by a second encoding method, an encoding process is performed by the first encoding method so that, when data which is recorded in such a manner that the data encoded by the first encoding method is decoded by a decoding method corresponding to the first encoding method, and thereafter, is further encoded by the second encoding method, is decoded by a decoding method corresponding to the second encoding method, the sum value of DC components per unit time increases.

Since CDs (Compact Discs) are easy to manufacture, are inexpensive, and are also easy to handle, they are widely used as recording media for storing various kinds of data such as digital audio data and image data, and computer programs.
In recent years, as the performance of personal computers-has improved and CD-R (CD Recordable) discs that enable additional recording and CD-RW (CD ReWritable) discs that enable data to be rewritten have appeared, the current situation is that digital data recorded on a CD can be easily copied onto such CD-R discs and CD-RW discs. Copying onto CD-R discs, etc., in this manner is generally illegal copying in which copyright is ignored. Therefore, the protection of digital data which is stored on a CD is required.
In view of the above, the present invention aims to enable an original CD to be distinguished from a copied CD, and aims to prevent a copied CD from being played back or read. In the following descriptions, it is assumed that CDs include CD-DA (CD Digital Audio) discs and CD-ROM discs.

Digital data recording medium, recording method, recording device, reproduction method, and reproduction device


There is provided a semiconductor device with a configuration in which a dummy silicide area 11 is provided in the vicinity of a non-silicide area 2 to easily capture residual refractory metals, resulting in an improved yield by preventing the trapping of residual refractory metals into a non-silicide area and thereby reducing a junction leakage within the non-silicide area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which is directed to a reduced junction leakage failure caused by a residual refractory metal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken in a direction of longitudinally of a resistor in a conventional semiconductor device. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the separated state of the diffused resistor shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken in an orthogonal direction to the direction of longitudinally of the diffused resistor shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the diffusion resistor shown in FIG. 8.
Referring to the figures, a non-silicide area 2 is deposited on a substrate (n-well) 1 of a semiconductor device, and the non-silicide area 2 forms a diffused resistor portion (resistive element) on both ends of which silicide areas 3 are deposited as terminals on which contact holes for conduction with an upper wiring are formed.
Accordingly, the non-silicide area 2 constitutes one resistor 4 having silicide areas 3 as two terminals on both ends thereof. Herein, since for instance, an A/D converter, a D/A converter and so on require a plurality of resistors 4 according to the number of gradation sequence thereof and the circuit composition thereof as shown in FIG. 7, these resistors 4 are uniformly provided in a parallel arrangement, to thereby improve the circuit accuracy. By the way, in recent portable devices, there has been a trend in which the resistor 4 is configured to have a length of 100 microns or more in order to obtain a large resistance value.
An isolation dielectric 5 (isolation oxide) is deposited on both the ends of the non-silicide area 2 on the substrate 1, and separates the resistor 2. A protective oxide 6 (SiO2) is deposited over the surface of the non-silicide area 2. The protective oxide 6 is formed by separating the non-silicide area 2 to become a diffused resistor portion on the substrate 1 and silicide areas 3 on both the ends of the non-silicide area 2, thereby preventing the silicide-formation reaction of the non-silicide area 2 to be expected as a diffused resistor portion on the substrate 1.
Herein, the method of separating and forming the non-silicide area 2 and silicide area 3 will be described. First of all, after depositing the protective oxide 6 all over the surface of the non-silicide area 2 except a wiring-connecting portion 2a (Refer to FIG. 9) on both the end portions thereof, a cobalt layer 7 is deposited all over the surface of the protective oxide 6 which spans the surfaces of the wiring-connecting portion 2a and the isolation dielectric 5, followed by annealing as they are. During annealing, Co chemically reacts with Si, to thereby form the silicide area 3 on the wiring-connecting portion 2a. On the other hand, unreacted Co remains on the surfaces of the protective oxide 6 and the isolation dielectric 5. Then, selectively removing the unreacted Co by use of an acid-mixture (H3PO4/CH3COOH/HNO3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produces the silicide area (COSi2) 3 only within the wiring-connecting portions 2a.
Referring to FIG. 8, a residual Co 7a (residual refractory metal) remains after removing the unreacted Co, and is observed by means of measurement by the total reflection fluorescent X-ray and the like, the residual quantity being very small (about 5E12-1E10 atom/cm2). This residual Co 7a diffuses into the inside of the substrate 1 by annealing afterwards. However, that Co is usually trapped within a micro defect layer existing in the boundary between the silicide layer of CoSiO2 and Si, and at a gettering site provided in the inside of the substrate 1.
In addition, referring to FIG. 6, contact holes 9 are provided on the side of both the ends of a contact interlayer dielectric 8, and corresponds to the silicide areas 3; upper aluminum wirings 10 are connected to the silicide areas 3 through the contact holes 9.
Since the conventional semiconductor device is configured as mentioned above, there has been the following drawback therein. That is, in a high-tech process where a microfabrication technique has been advanced, temperature-lowering and time-shortening of S/D annealing have been developed, and there might exist a microdefect caused by ion implantation damages within a normal junction. The microdefect existing within the junction presents no problem in electrical characteristics. However, when the residual Co 7a remaining on the protective oxide 6 and isolation dielectric 5 is trapped in the microdefect, that Co causes a silicide reaction. Thereby, the microdefect not only expands by the volume expansion thereof, but also the expanded microdefect grows up with an accelerating speed by the silicide reaction, when a new residual Co is trapped in the expanded microdefect. Before long, the expanded defect becomes a huge defect portion spanning the junction, and results in junction leakage in electrical characteristics. In other words, there has been a drawback that the residual refractory metal becomes a critical defect for the device. Particularly, the product equipped with a highly accurate A/D and D/A converter uses a lot of diffused resistors. When the semiconductor device requires a layout in which the active zone to be non-silicide is enlarged, there has been a problem that the residual Co easily combines with the microdefect of non-silicide area 2, rendering a factor of reduced yield.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Capture of residual refractory metal within semiconductor device


A data storage device having, for example, a disk array comprising a plurality of independent disks, an array controller for controlling the array and an auxiliary memory device connected to the disk array and array controller for temporarily storing data being moved within the array or being changed from a first data storage type to a second data storage type within the array.

Computer systems typically include one or more computers, referred to as hosts. Where multiple computers are used, the computers are usually interconnected by a network that allows them to share data. Typically, such networks also include one or more data storage devices to provide additional data storage capacity for the networked computers. A common data storage device is a disk array, also sometimes referred to as a Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks (RAID). A disk array or RAID is two or more hard drives or similar disks that provide data storage for connected hosts.
Redundant Arrays of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks are intended to provide storage with better performance and reliability than individual disks. In the pursuit of better performance or better reliability, numerous RAID types have been devised. Each of these RAID types has different reliability and performance characteristics.
For example, one RAID Type-is called Type-1. With a Type-1 RAID, data that is written to one disk is simply mirrored to another, second disk. Thus, data stored in a Type-1 RAID is very reliable because all the data is stored twice and is, therefore, automatically backed up against inadvertent error or corruption.
In a Type-1 disk array with N disks, there are N/2 disks worth of data storage space, and up to N/2 different input or output operations (I/O) can be accommodated at any given time (one I/O per 2 disks in the array). Thus, a Type-1 RAID sacrifices storage capacity to a certain extent in favor of higher reliability and performance.
Another RAID Type-is called Type-5. In Type-5 RAID, one disk's worth of parity information is calculated from the other disks in the array. Parity refers to an integer's property of being odd or even. Parity checking is used to detect and correct errors in binary-coded data, including data stored on a disk array, such as a RAID.
Therefore, in a Type-5 disk array with N disks, there are N-1 disks worth of data storage space. However, when a write command is entered into a Type-5 array, the array must first read from two disks as part of the parity calculation and then write to two disks afterward. As a result, a Type-5 array can only handle about half as many input/output commands in a given amount of time as a Type-1 array. Thus, a Type-5 array has a larger storage capacity for a given number of disks at the sacrifice of some input/output speed.
Given this general information, it becomes apparent that each RAID Type- has its own strengths and weaknesses. A Type-5 array can fit more user data onto a given number of disks than can a Type-1 array. However, a Type-5 array processes input/output commands at a rate only about half that of a Type-1 array.
The strengths and weaknesses of individual RAID types have given rise to the hierarchical storage array. In a hierarchical storage array, data is moved from RAID Type-to RAID Type-based on certain criteria in order to try to obtain more of the strengths and less of the weaknesses than each of the individual RAID types offer by themselves.
For example, consider a hierarchical storage array that could keep a small subset of its data in Type-1 RAID system and the rest of its data in a Type-5 RAID system. If the data in the system is manipulated to ensure that all of the I/Os coming into the system are only going to Type-1 storage, then the array would have the I/O performance of a Type-1 RAID. However, the array has more storage capacity than a typical Type-1 RAID with the same number of disks because data that is not used in an active I/O is transferred to, and kept in, the higher capacity Type-5 portion of the system. The key to this advantage is the data manipulation. Data must be moved from Type-1 storage to Type-5 storage when it is no longer being accessed, and data that is being accessed regularly must be moved to Type-1 storage from Type-5 so that all future accesses will be at the higher I/O rate that a Type-1 RAID provides.
In the current art, the way that data has its RAID type changed is by physically relocating it from one location to another. In other words, each location in the array is designated as being part of the Type-1 system or part of the Type-5 system. A single disk may have both Type-1 and Type-5 locations, but each location on each disk of the array is dedicated to either the Type-1 or the Type-5 system.
When data is to be exchanged from the Type-1 to the Type-5 system, or vice versa, the data is physically moved from a location of the first type to another location within the array of the second type. This strategy works well unless the array is at or near data storage capacity. If the array is full or very close to full, there may be no free location of the second storage type to which data of a first type can be moved. When this occurs, data manipulation must stop and the array can no longer function in a hierarchical fashion providing both Type-1 and Type-5 advantages.

Manipulating data in a data storage device using an auxiliary memory device

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A removable stent for implantation into a lumen in a human body. The stent is made from a soft, flexible fiber having an outer surface. An outer bioabsorbable/degradable coating is applied to the outer surface of the filament causing it to become rigid. The coating softens in vivo through absorption and/or degradation such that the stent is readily passed or removed from the lumen as a softened filament after a pre-determined period of time through normal flow of body fluids passing through the lumen or by manual removal.

The field of art to which this invention relates is medical devices, in particular, removable stent devices having bioabsorbable or biodegradable polymer coatings.
The use of stent medical devices, or other types of endoluminal mechanical support devices, to keep a duct, vessel or other body lumen open in the human body has developed into a primary therapy for lumen stenosis or obstruction. The use of stents in various surgical procedures has quickly become accepted as experience with stent devices accumulates, and the number of surgical procedures employing them increases as their advantages become more widely recognized. For example, it is known to use stents in body lumens in order to maintain open passageways such as the prostatic urethra, the esophagus, the biliary tract, intestines, and various coronary arteries and veins, as well as more remote cardiovascular vessels such as the femoral artery, etc. There are two types of stents that are presently utilized: permanent stents and temporary stents. A permanent stent is designed to be maintained in a body lumen for an indeterminate amount of time. Temporary stents are designed to be maintained in a body lumen for a limited period of time in order to maintain the patency of the body lumen, for example, after trauma to a lumen caused by a surgical procedure or an injury. Permanent stents are typically designed to provide long term support for damaged or traumatized wall tissues of the lumen. There are numerous conventional applications for permanent stents including cardiovascular, urological, gastrointestinal, and gynecological applications.
It is known that permanent stents, over time, become encapsulated and covered with endothelium tissues, for example, in cardiovascular applications. Similarly, permanent stents are known to become covered by epithelium, for example, in urethral applications. Temporary stents, on the other hand are designed to maintain the passageway of a lumen open for a specific, limited period of time, and preferably do not become incorporated into the walls of the lumen by tissue ingrowth or encapsulation. Temporary stents may advantageously be eliminated from body lumens after a predetermined, clinically appropriate period of time, for example, after the traumatized tissues of the lumen have healed and a stent is no longer needed to maintain the patency of the lumen. For example, temporary stents can be used as substitutes for in-dwelling catheters for applications in the treatment of prostatic obstruction or other urethral stricture diseases. Another indication for temporary stents in a body lumen is after energy ablation, such as laser or thermal ablation, or irradiation of prostatic tissue, in order to control post-operative acute urinary retention or other body fluid retention.
It is known in the art to make both permanent and temporary stents from various conventional, biocompatible metals. However, there are several disadvantages that may be associated with the use of metal stents. For example, it is known that the metal stents may become encrusted, encapsulated, epithelialized or ingrown with body tissue. The stents are known to migrate on occasion from their initial insertion location. Such stents are known to cause irritation to the surrounding tissues in a lumen. Also, since metals are typically much harder and stiffer than the surrounding tissues in a lumen, this may result in an anatomical or physiological mismatch, thereby damaging tissue or eliciting unwanted biologic responses. Although permanent metal stents are designed to be implanted for an indefinite period of time, it is sometimes necessary to remove permanent metal stents. For example, if there is a biological response-requiring surgical intervention, often the stent must be removed through a secondary procedure. If the metal stent is a temporary stent, it will also have to be removed after a clinically appropriate period of time. Regardless of whether the metal stent is categorized as permanent or temporary, if the stent has been encapsulated, epithelialized, etc., the surgical removal of the stent will resultingly cause undesirable pain and discomfort to the patient and possibly additional trauma to the lumen tissue. In addition to the pain and discomfort, the patient must be subjected to an additional time consuming and complicated surgical procedure with the attendant risks of surgery, in order to remove the metal stent.
Similar complications and problems, as in the case of metal stents, may well result when using permanent stents made from non-absorbable biocompatible polymer or polymer-composites although these materials may offer certain benefits such as reduction in stiffness.
It is known to use bioabsorbable and biodegradable materials for manufacturing temporary stents. The conventional bioabsorbable or bioresorbable materials from which such stents are made are selected to absorb or degrade over time, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent surgical procedures to remove the stent from the body lumen. In addition to the advantages attendant with not having to surgically remove such stents, it is known that bioabsorbable and biodegradable materials tend to have excellent biocompatibility characteristics, especially in comparison to most conventionally used biocompatible metals in certain sensitive patients. Another advantage of stents made from bioabsorbable and biodegradable materials is that the mechanical properties can be designed to substantially eliminate or reduce the stiffness and hardness that is often associated with metal stents, which can contribute to the propensity of a stent to damage a vessel or lumen.
However, there are disadvantages and limitations known to be associated with the use of bioabsorbable or biodegradable stents. The limitations arise from the characteristics of the materials from which such stents are made. One of the problems associated with the current stents is that the materials break down too quickly. This improper breakdown or degradation of a stent into large, rigid fragments in the interior of a lumen, such as the urethra, may cause obstruction to normal flow, such as voiding, thereby interfering with the primary purpose of the stent in providing lumen patency. Alternatively, they take a long time to breakdown and stay in the target lumen for a considerable period of time after their therapeutic use has been accomplished. There is thus a long-term risk associated with these materials to form stones when uretheral stents made from longer degrading biodegradable polymers.
Accordingly, there is a need in this art for novel, temporary stents, wherein the stents remain functional in a body lumen for the duration of a prescribed, clinically appropriate period of time to accomplish the appropriate therapeutical purpose, and, then soften and are removable as an elongated string-like member without producing fragments, which may cause irritation, obstruction, pain or discomfort to the patient, and without the need for a surgical procedure.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temporary stent readily passes out of the body, or is removed as, a limp, flexible string-like member, and irritation, obstruction, pain or discomfort to the patient is either eliminated, or if present, is minimal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stent for insertion into a body lumen which is manufactured from a flexible filament member, such as a suture, and then coated with a biodegradable or bioabsorbale polymer such that the member is formed into a relatively rigid stent, and when in the body, softens back into a flexible filament member which is easily passed or removed from the body lumen after a specific therapeutic period of time.
Therefore, an implantable stent is disclosed for use in body lumens, wherein such lumens exist as part of the natural anatomy or are made surgically. The stent is an elongate, hollow member having a helical or coiled structure, and in a preferred embodiment has a helical structure having a plurality of coils. The structure has a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal passage. The coils have a pitch. The structure is made from a flexible, limp filament or fiber, such as a surgical suture, having an exterior polymeric coating. The polymeric coating is a bioabsorbable or biodegradable polymer, or blend thereof. At body temperature, the coating is solid, and of sufficient thickness to effectively cause the flexible, limp member to be maintained in a substantially rigid, fixed state as a structure. The rate of degradation or absorption of the coating in vivo is sufficient to effectively soften or be removed from the outer surface of the filament within the desired therapeutic period. This effectively provides that as the coating degrades, softens or is absorbed in vivo, it loses its mechanical integrity. This allows the filament to revert to its natural, flexible limp state, causing the stent structure to effectively collapse, and the filament may be removed or eliminated from the lumen.
Upon in vivo exposure to body fluids, the progressively degrading and/or absorbing coating causes the stent to soften and collapse into a flexible filament that can readily pass out of the body lumen, either by manipulation or through natural expulsion with body fluids, thereby minimizing the possibility of causing obstruction, pain or discomfort.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is the above-described stent made from a fiber which is radio-opaque.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of using the stents of the present invention in a surgical procedure to maintain the patency of a body lumen. A stent of the present invention is provided. The stent is an elongate, hollow member and in a preferred embodiment has a helical structure having a plurality of coils. The member has a longitudinal axis. The coils have a pitch. The structure is made from a flexible, limp filament or a fiber, having an outer surface and an exterior polymeric coating. The stent is inserted into a body lumen. The exposure to in vivo body fluids causes the exterior coating to absorb and/or degrade and soften, thereby causing the stent structure to collapse and return to a limp, flexible filament that can then be either eliminated by the passage of body fluids or manually removed.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and examples, and accompanying drawings.


To provide an X-ray detector facilitating the installing and replacement work of a module while reducing the possibility of breakage. An X-ray detector 50 detecting X-ray image data for each detection module includes: a detection module 7 provided with a protruding frame on a back side of a detection device detecting X-rays; and a guide frame 12 fitting into the protruding frame and removably supporting the detection device, wherein the guide frame 12 fixes the position of the detection device relative to the guide frame 12 by fitting. Therefore, fitting the protruding frame 8 into the guide frame 12 enables precise and easy installation/removal of the detection module. That is a detection module can be newly installed onto the guide frame without interfering each other with adjacent detection modules already installed while minimizing a space therebetween.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an X-ray detector detecting X-ray image data for each module.
Description of the Related Art
A single-photon counting-type detector was originally used as a point sensor in order to verify the presence or absence of X-rays while discriminating energy. In such a detector, information about the incidence direction and position of X-rays was obtained by moving the sensor itself. In the early days, the arrangement of a large number of point sensors involved technical difficulties. However, the progress in semiconductor mounting technologies has made it possible to linearly (one-dimensionally) or planarly (two-dimensionally) arrange sensors and its readout circuits.
Until now, as a radiation detector in place of an X-ray film or an imaging plate, a flat panel detector using a CMOS image sensor, a CCD detector using multiple CCD devices, and the like have been usually used as a detector with a large detection surface. However, each of these is a charge storage type detector in which a detection pixel has a relatively simple structure.
The single-photon counting type detector, unlike the charge storage type detector, can discriminate an incident photon with respect to a specific energy. The single-photon counting type detector is effectively used in particular in analytical methods using X-ray diffraction because it has advantages of no background noise and a wide dynamic range.
In contrast, by two-dimensionally configuring such a detector through the use of a large number of fine pixels, the information about the position, angle and direction of incident X-rays can be extracted as the positional information on the detector without moving a detection sensor. Because of this, a data read rate (frame rate) can be improved significantly.
As the method of configuring such a detector by using multiple pixels, a hybrid method is known. In the hybrid method, for example, a pixel output terminal of each detection element of a semiconductor device and a pixel input terminal of a readout circuit are connected to each other one by one. This connection is typically made by bump bonding by using a fine solder ball. Thus, the detection element and the readout circuit are produced as separate elements and the both are connected to constitute the detector.
In such a hybrid type detector, for either the detection element or the readout circuit, the semiconductor area that can be formed is limited, and thus it is difficult to integrally form a detection surface having a large area. This is due to the influence of the yield in semiconductor manufacturing, the limit of the available wafer size, and the like. Therefore, by fabricating a detection module of a manufacturable detection area and arranging a plurality of these detection modules, a method is employed for securing a required detection area.
In the hybrid type detector, usually, a detection element and a readout circuit are bump-bonded to each other and the size of a solder ball forming a bump is also extremely small. Therefore, the detector is susceptible to an impact. Moreover, if a detection element surface has a scratch, accurate detection cannot be performed, and thus the detection element surface itself needs to avoid the handling causing a scratch or the like. Furthermore, since wire bonding may be performed on the readout circuit, for example, a special care needs to be taken for handling at the time of assembling with respect to a detection portion.
As such a hybrid type detector, US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0218500 specification (Patent Document 1) discloses a detector, in which an X-ray detection module is held by a frame. This frame is provided with equally spaced rails for the purpose of securing the flatness of the detection region and securing a relative position with regard to the arrangement of each individual module. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 7,514,688 (Patent Document 2) refers to a sensor module made up of N×M array of photo detection diodes and N×M array of readout unit cells and to an imaging device in which these modules are arranged in a V×W array.
However, when attempting to arrange N×M detection modules on the frame described in Patent Document 1, the work load increases. For example, in installing the modules starting from a module at a corner of the top end, each of the adjacent modules has to be installed while being positioned.
Moreover, in replacing a module located in the middle, only this module cannot be removed. After starting to remove modules from one end and once removing a large number of modules, a target module has to be removed. Also in this case, naturally, after the removal and replacement of a module, another module has to be removed while positioning the same again.
Even the detector described in Patent Document 2 cannot resolve the above-described problem. Patent Document 2 does not clearly state a specific method of installing each module. Therefore, in the conventional art, in arranging and installing N×M modules at the beginning and in removing and reinstalling any module after the arrangement, the workability decreases significantly.
In contrast, the detection region in such a detection module is a photodiode surface of a semiconductor, and is usually subjected to metal evaporation in order to apply an electric field for detection. Examples of typical metals used in evaporation include aluminum. The photodiode itself is thin (typically, several hundred μm) and is susceptible to a mechanical stress. Although bump bonding may be performed between a photodiode and a readout element, each individual bump itself in this case is extremely small (typically, several ten μm) and is also is susceptible to a mechanical stress.
In view of such circumstances, great care is required in handling a portion from a detection region to a readout element. In the detector described in the above-described Patent Documents, neither a countermeasure to protect the detection surface of a module during installing work of the module nor a countermeasure in terms of mechanism for avoiding breakage or failure caused by bringing the modules into contact with each other is implemented.


A portable wire feeder for providing welding wire and welding current to a welding operation includes an input electrically connected to a power source. An output is selectively electrically connected to the input to receive welding current delivered to the input from the power source and to provide the welding current and welding wire to the welding operation through a guide hose. A contactor includes a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a conductive bridge member for selectively electrically connecting the input to the output. The first electrical terminal is electrically connected to the input. The second electrical terminal is electrically connected to the output. The conductive bridge member is movable between the first position in which the bridge member electrically connects the first electrical terminal to the second electrical terminal and a second position wherein the bridge member is separated from at least one of the first and second electrical terminals to electrically isolate the terminals from one another. At least one of the first electrical terminals, the second electrical terminal and the bridge member is independently removable from the contactor for servicing or replacement. A motorized wire feeding system includes a motor and a feed roll driven by the motor to direct the welding wire from a wire supply to the output for provision of the welding wire to the welding operation through the guide hose.

1. Field of the Invention
Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to electric arc engine welders, including those employing a welding gun for use in a welding operation and a wire feeder for supplying a consumable welding wire electrode to the welding gun. More particularly, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved contactor assemblies for welding wire feeders. The embodiments find particular application as (or in) portable electric arc engine welders, often used when the location of the welding operation is not expected to remain constant, such as, for example, welding operations at job sites which change regularly or welding operations covering large areas at a single job site. It is to be appreciated, however, that the exemplary embodiments discussed herein are also amenable to other like applications.
2. Discussion of the Art
Electric arc engine welders are generally well known. Typically, in electric arc welders, a power source passes current between an electrode and a work piece. Often, the electrode is a continuous welding wire drawn from a supply of welding wire, such as a drum or reel, which is passed through a contact tip or gun on its way to being melted and deposited onto the work piece. The gun can be provided with a selectively operable switch for applying welding power from the power source to the electrode (i.e., the wire) for establishing an arc between an exposed portion of the electrode and the work piece. Wire feeders are often used to advance the welding wire, preferably in a consistent and controllable manner, to the welding gun for use in the welding operation. Welding wire feeders can be manufactured in several forms, each optimized for a specific application. Common classifications of wire feeders include robotic wire feeders, portable wire feeders, tractor wire feeders and bench mount wire feeders.
Portable wire feeders are often used when the location of the welding operation or operations is likely to change or does not always remain constant (e.g., shipyards). This might include, for example, welding operations at job sites that change day-to-day or welding operations that cover a large area at a single job site. Examples of portable wire feeders are generally taught in the following U.S. patents: Bellefleur U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,300; Rybicki U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,375; Kroll U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,954; Chandler U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,596; Miller U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,126; Grimm U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,539; and Luo U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,563, all expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Preferably, portable wire feeders are able to supply their respective welding operations with welding wire in a manner much like that of a conventional stationary wire feeder. This is often more difficult in the portable wire feeder because it is likely to be subjected to repeated movement and used in connection with a wide range of work environments, many of which can be severe. In contrast, conventional stationary wire feeders are often used in controlled and unchanging environments, such as a work shop or factory floor. In addition to functioning like a stationary wire feeder, the portable wire feeder is preferably compact and lightweight enabling it to be more easily moved and used in confined work areas. Other desirable characteristics of portable wire feeders are ruggedness and durability.
In one conventional welding arrangement, a portable wire feeder is connected to a remotely positioned power source through a power source cable, also known as an electrode cable. The wire feeder is additionally connected to a welding gun by a guide hose. A motorized feeding system in the wire feeder employs rollers to advance or pay welding electrode wire from a supply of wire (often a spool of wire) through the guide hose to the welding gun. For this purpose, the guide hose can include an internal tube for transporting the wire from the feeder to the gun, in addition to electrical wiring for providing power (such as control circuitry) to the gun. Optionally, the guide hose can further include passageways for transporting shielding gas to the gun and/or for circulating cooling fluid through or to the gun.
More particularly, portable wire feeders typically include a housing or enclosure with an input crimp or lug terminal for connecting the power source cable to a bus bar, and an output connected to the guide hose to which welding power from the power source is provided together with the welding wire driven by the motorized wire feeding mechanism. Portable wire feeders, including the motorized wire feeding system and control circuitry thereof, can be powered by the arc current from the power source. Portable feeders typically include a means for switching the arc current to the welding guide hose, such as a contactor. A trigger on the gun closes a switch to initiate the welding operation, which causes the contactor to provide welding current to the guide hose and also starts the motor for feeding wire to the guide hose. The welding arc current flows through and is switched on and off by the contactor of the portable wire feeder.
Over time, contacts of the contactor, also referred to herein as an electromechanical switch, deteriorate from the arcing and from heating. When this occurs, heretofore the whole contactor was replaced as a complete unit. This had been considered desirable in the past because of the reduced inventory of parts required to service a wire feeder and the simplification of the replacement process. However, there is a sizable segment of the wire feeder market that has the skills necessary to do a contactor repair on a part-by-part basis and/or is willing to stock replacement parts, including the several parts that comprise a contactor assembly. Often, these users are sensitive to the replacement costs of the contactor assembly and are continuously looking for cost savings.
Thus, for example, when the contacts of a contactor assembly are worn, and the remainder of the contactor assembly is in good condition, it may be desirable to replace only the contacts. Typically, the coil and frame of the contactor assembly have longer useful lives than the contacts and may not necessarily require replacement when the contacts initially fail. Thus, there is a need for improved portable wire feeders and contactor assemblies therefore to facilitate replacement of selected parts of the contactor assembly. This would enable a customer to replace only select components of the contactor assembly when it fails, rather than replacing the entire contractor assembly as a unitary component. Advantages to be gained include the lowering of replacement costs associated with failing contactor assemblies, as well as reducing environmental waste.


A manually-operable automotive seat adjustment mechanism equipped with a traveling seat belt buckle anchor arrangement is disclosed. The traveling seat belt buckle anchorage arrangement is adapted to transfer vertically directed separation loads imparted on the seat belt buckle through a sliding hook-type load bracket and into the vehicle floor pan via a specially configured stationary riser. The riser is configured to maintain an interlocked relationship with respect to the sliding load bracket throughout the entire range of longitudinal fore and aft seat adjustment. In addition, the seat belt buckle anchorage arrangement includes an elongated reinforcement bracket secured to the sliding load bracket for sliding longitudinal movement therewith and which is adapted to inhibit excessive pivotable excursions of the seat belt anchor. Finally, the present structure includes a reinforced latching mechanism including primary and secondary shear plates releasably engageable with a pivotable locking arm for permitting selective fore and aft seat adjustment and which is operable for transferring shear loads to the vehicle's floor pan through the stationary riser.

The present invention relates generally to automotive vehicle seating and, more particularly, to an automotive vehicle seat assembly equipped with a manually operable seat adjustment mechanism incorporating a traveling seat belt anchor arrangement therein.
As is known, the use of occupant impact protection or "restraint" systems is mandated for virtually all passenger-type motor vehicles. Traditionally, such restraint systems typically include a seat belt assembly for restraining the seat occupant during an emergency situation, such as during heavy braking or a vehicular collision. In many instances, the retractable seat belt and seat belt buckle are anchored directly to the floor pan of the motor vehicle along opposite lateral sides of the seat assembly. Therefore, when the seat occupant adjusts the horizontal position of the seat assembly in either of a fore or aft direction (i.e. via selectively actuating a manually operable seat adjustment mechanism) with the seat belt fastened, the seat belt tends to tighten or loosen relative to the seat occupant depending on the direction of adjustment. As a result, the seat occupant is required to re-adjust the seat belt assembly to provide the proper restraint and comfort.
In light of recent consumer demand, most automobile manufacturers have found it necessary to offer enhanced seat adjustment capabilities on even the least expensive motor vehicles. Since the cost and weight penalties associated with conventional power seat adjustment systems make their application on smaller, less expensive vehicles generally impractical, the use of a manually operable seat adjustment mechanism is largely dictated for such applications.
In order to avoid the inconveniences associated with adjustable seat systems having floor mounted seat belt buckles, it is desirable to anchor the seat belt buckle to the seat adjustment mechanism for movement with the seat assembly during fore and aft positional adjustment. However, in order to incorporate the traveling seat belt buckle into a conventional slide-type seat adjustment mechanism it is required that such systems strictly comply with stringent strength requirements to ensure adequate occupant restraint during vehicle emergency or impact conditions. During such conditions, increased loading is imposed on the seat belt buckle which is then transferred to the seat adjustment mechanism. Therefore, a seat adjustment mechanism incorporating a traveling seat belt buckle arrangement must be designed to carry and distribute sufficient anchorage loads to ensure against vertical separation (i.e. peeling) of the upper sliding track or carriage from the lower floor-mounted stationary track section. Concomitantly, the seat adjustment mechanism must inhibit forward excursions of the occupied seat assembly by securely retaining the horizontal fore/aft position of the upper sliding track with respect to the lower stationary track.
While a plethora of manually operable seat adjustment mechanisms incorporating traveling seat belt buckles have been proposed, there remains a need for continued development of a traveling buckle anchor arrangement that meets the stringent strength mandates, is relatively simple in design and construction and therefore inexpensive to manufacture, is durable, and yet is light in weight, quiet and easy to operate. Unfortunately, conventional seat adjustment mechanisms equipped with traveling seat belt anchorage arrangements have confronted the stringent load carrying mandates by incorporating extremely complicated and/or cumbersome anchorage components. Accordingly, there is a continuing need to provide an improved traveling seat belt buckle anchorage arrangement possessing the necessary structural and functional characteristics and which can be manufactured in a highly cost effective manner.

Automotive seat adjustment mechanism with traveling seat belt buckle arrangement


The invention relates to a therapy device for the specifically local treatment and curing of colds in the region of the nose, frontal sinus and throat area in human beings. The external appearance of the therapy device can resemble that of a common hair dryer or face sauna, but the therapy device also contains a means for reducing or suppressing HF radiation (electrosmog) which is normally emitted towards the external environment. According to the invention, a body made of crystallized salt, especially from a natural source, resulting in negative ionization of the heated air flow, is arranged in the region of the heated air flow prior to the exit thereof from the small, handy device. The body is cross-flown by the heated air flow or is at least touched thereby. The treatment of colds with the aid of said therapy device is based on the fact that cold viruses, i.e., primarily rhino viruses and corona viruses, can be eliminated by active treatment with a heated air flow.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a device for the treatment and cure of symptoms of illnesses caused by colds in humans, more particularly within the nasal cavities, the frontal sinuses and the throat region.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a result of considerable virological research it has, already since about 1971, been accepted that the rhinovirus, which even then was known to be the cause of common colds, is not capable of replication at normal body temperatures of 37° C. Although all viruses causing infectious illnesses are cell specific, the rhinovirus was revealed to be unique by the fact that it can only exist within the epithelial layers of the nasal and throat passages, i.e. in body regions which, because of the inflowing air when inhaling, have a lower temperature than that of the inner body, and especially lower than the temperature of the human central body. The feasibility of curing common colds was not entertained at that time or at least not researched further in respect of any treatment processes, for the simple reason that it was not known what percentage of all colds were caused by either the rhinovirus or, as the case may be, the coronavirus. In the case of the latter type, it was likewise established that it was similarly sensitive to heat, in the same way as the rhinovirus.
In a study carried out in 1980 at the Harbord Hospital in Salisbury, England, Larson, Reed and Thyrell established that approximately 90% of all colds were caused by these two above-mentioned viruses, whereby the rhinovirus accounted for about 70% and the coronavirus for about 20%. Furthermore, it is known that the coronavirus consists of only two sub-types; whereas, at the moment there are 89 sub-types of the rhinovirus that have been categorised, and it is possible that there are several hundred additional sub-types still to be researched. It is important to realized that all sub-types of the rhinovirus and the coronavirus are incapable of survival at temperatures above 37° C. The human body itself makes use of the advantage of the susceptibility to heat of the rhino and corona viruses in its defense against colds. The typical epithelial swelling of the nasal cavities caused by the increased histamine production makes it impossible for a person suffering from a cold to breathe through the nose for the very reason that the body automatically tries to prevent the inflowing air from cooling the epithelium. The replication of the viruses is thereby retarded and within 3 to 4 days the production of interferon by the body attains a level which then makes it possible for the invasive viruses to be overcome. Normally, the regulation of the temperature of the nasal channels and the secondary nasal cavities is effected by means of the inflow of cool air and the discharge of heat via the brain. The closing of the nasal passages against inflowing air gives rise to the well-known and rather unpleasant over-heating of the brain. This explains the drowsiness that is felt by many people suffering from a cold.
The increased production of mucus is a further defence mechanism of the body in its attempt to rid itself of the virus. This process dehydrates the body by an unusually high amount of water being directed to the nasal passages. As a consequence of this dehydration, there is an increased accumulation of lactic acid and other "waste products" often causing pain to be felt across the whole body. However, in consideration of these reactions of the body to colds, it becomes apparent why conventional nasal sprays and other means that open the nasal passages temporarily are rather counter-productive and serve only to prolong the cold. The drying up of the mucus, the reduction of the swelling and the renewed inflow of cold air interferes with the defence mechanism of the body and thus increases the chances of survival of the viruses.
The above-mentioned discovery of the sensitivity to heat of the rhino and corona viruses led to various applications of heat in the treatment of colds. These made use of the knowledge that the above-mentioned viruses die off within minutes at air temperatures of between 50 and 53° C. Thus, certain so-called face saunas, for the isolated treatment of the head region, were developed for treating colds. Also, for a long time now, at least in Europe, dry saunas have been recommended by so-called holistic therapists.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,136 a device is known which is constructed in the form of a hand-held hair dryer for the localised hypothermic treatment of colds whereby a heated air current of, for example, between 41 and 44° C., impinging the breathing region of the face, is additionally charged with a proportional amount of remedial medication that is admixed by means of a spray device.
Whilst these already disclosed therapies on repeated use are able to cause the symptoms of colds to disappear, they nevertheless have a few serious disadvantages. In the first place, any treatment in a dry sauna can normally only be endured once a day. However, it is impossible to kill all the viruses with just one application of hot air per day because, for one thing, incubated and crystallised viruses will then not be destroyed. Localised heated air hyperthermia using added aerosol-applied remedial medication is cost-intensive because of the comparatively large amount of remedial medication used and is almost never free of side effects. Dry saunas and steam inhalation can, in fact, afford some relief but never effect a cure. Inhalation of steam has the added disadvantage that it moistens the epithelium externally and thus prompts the body to reduce its own mucus production that serves as part of its defence. Face saunas and steam inhalations both have the disadvantage that that they cause the proportional distribution of Chi in the body. In other words, the equilibrium of biochemical and bioelectrical correlations can be thrown off-balance by overheating the whole of the head, and thus also, from the point of view of traditional Chinese holistic medicine, interfere with the Yin, in other words the fluid balance of the body, and reduce the effectiveness of blood-specific curative powers.
It is the task of the invention, on the basis of this briefly described technical background, to create a reasonably priced and easily manipulated device for the therapeutic treatment and cue of colds.

Therapy device for local treatment of colds


Packaging for a ratchet tool is disclosed. The packaging comprises a display structure, a ratchet retaining portion and a securement portion. The display structure may be arranged to be mounted for display. The ratchet portion retaining structure may be configured to engage a ratchet portion of the tool in a manner that prevents rotation of the ratchet portion. The securement portion may be configured to secure the tool to the display structure to prevent removal of the tool from the display package, while permitting movement of a handle portion of the tool relative to the ratchet portion while the ratchet portion is fixed from movement by the retaining structure.

Display packaging is widely used to mount articles for point of purchase displays. For a consumer, the packaging serves to provide information about the article. For instance, a customer may rely on information included on the packaging, such as depictions of the functions and features of the article in order to make an informed purchasing decision. The display of such information on the packaging may also aid the manufacturer and the retailers of the article; increasing the likelihood of a sale through the consumers informed purchasing decision. Additionally, the packaging of an article may be useful for marketing purposes, and may serve as a marketing platform. The coloring of the packaging, and the use of trademarks and other branding, may increase the likelihood of sale through brand recognition.
In some display packages, articles may be mounted so that one or more features of the article may be accessed by a consumer. Such a mounting is often accompanied by attention grabbing verbiage on the package, such as "Try Me," indicating that a consumer is able to and should attempt to experiment with the functionality of the product. This degree of accessibility may be desirable, since it may attract consumer attention by allowing consumers to both see and experience the operation of the article. The resulting attraction may convince the consumer to purchase the article in lieu of another article. Among other things, the present application relates to a unique ratchet tool display package that allows consumer access to the handle of the ratchet tool, while allowing the user to test the ratcheting action.


An electronic module (10) includes a housing having a longitudinal body portion and a mounting portion extending rearward from the body portion, with a channel (1221) defined in a top or bottom section of the mounting portion; an ejector mechanism including a slider member (61) accommodated in the channel of mounting portion and an actuator member (62) pivotally engaged with the mounting portion, said actuator member further linked to the slider member for pushing the slider member forwardly moving along the channel; and a spring member (8) arranged between the slider member and the mounting portion and capable of pushing the slider member rearward moving along the channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electronic module, and more particularly to an electronic module with an auto-return ejector mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable), X-SFP and QSFP are all modules for fiber optic transmission or ordinary signal transmission. All of the modules are of small size or form factor which is important. The smaller the form factor of the module, the less space taken on a printed circuit board to which it couples. A smaller form factor allows a greater number of modules to be coupled onto a printed circuit board to support additional communication channels. However, the smaller form factor makes it more difficult for a user to handle.
When such a module embedded in a system fails, it is desirable to replace it, particularly when other communication channels are supported by other modules. To replace a failed module, it needs to be pluggable into a module receptacle. While, plugging in a new module is usually easy, it is more difficult to remove the failed module because of other components surrounding it. Additionally, a user should not attempt to pull on cables of the module in order to try and remove a failed module or else the user might cause damage thereto.
A typical release method for a pluggable module is to push in on the module itself and then pull out on the module to release it from a cage assembly or module receptacle. It has been determined than this method is not very reliable with users complaining of the difficulty in removing pluggable modules in such manner. Users often complain that traditional methods offer little leverage in getting a sufficient grip on the module when attempting to pull it out of a module receptacle. Another complaint is that traditional actuators used to remove modules are inaccessible or invisible. Other users complain than once released by the traditional method, it is difficult to withdraw the module out of its cage or module receptacle.
Therefore, designers developed different solutions to solve above problems accounted by the users, such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,744,963, 6,851,867, 6,749,448, 6,884,097, 6,908,323, 7,052,306, 6,824,416 and 7,090,523. The theories of theses patents are substantially the same, that is each module is received in corresponding cage or module receptacle and comprises a pair of sliders with forward ends engaging with tabs of the cage, and a bail or lever capable of rotating to actuate the sliders linearly to separate forward ends of the sliders from the tabs. The action theory of theses patents successfully solve the problems mentioned above. However, for returning to original position, the latch mechanisms usually adopt bias elements which provide elastic restore force to the latch mechanism. The present invention provides an electronic module with an improved ejector mechanism having self spring back function.

Electronic module with ejector mechanism


A selected wordline that is coupled to cells for programming is biased with a programming voltage. The unselected wordlines that are adjacent to the selected wordline are biased at a first predetermined voltage. The remaining wordlines are biased at a second predetermined voltage that is greater than the first predetermined voltage. The first predetermined voltage is selected by determining what unselected, adjacent wordline bias voltage produces a minimized Vpass disturb in response to the selected wordline programming voltage.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and flash memory.
Flash memory devices have developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices typically use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Common uses for flash memory include personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and cellular telephones. Program code and system data such as a basic input/output system (BIOS) are typically stored in flash memory devices for use in personal computer systems.
Two common types of flash memory array architectures are the "NAND" and "NOR" architectures. These architectures are named for the resemblance that the basic memory cell configuration of each architecture has to a basic NAND or NOR gate circuits, respectively.
In the NOR array architecture, the floating gate memory cells of the memory array are arranged in a matrix. The gates of each floating gate memory cell of the array matrix are connected by rows to word select lines (wordlines) and their drains are connected to column bitlines. The source of each floating gate memory cell is typically connected to a common source line. The NOR architecture floating gate memory array is accessed by a row decoder activating a row of floating gate memory cells by selecting the wordline connected to their gates. The row of selected memory cells then place their stored data values on the column bitlines by flowing a differing current if in a programmed state or not programmed state from the connected source line to the connected column bitlines.
A NAND array architecture also arranges its array of floating gate memory cells in a matrix such that the gates of each floating gate memory cell of the array are connected by rows to wordlines. Each memory cell, however, is not directly connected to a source line and a column bit line. The memory cells of the array are instead arranged together in strings, typically of 8, 16, 32, or more each, where the memory cells in the string are connected together in series, source to drain, between a common sourceline and a column bitline. The NAND architecture floating gate memory array is then accessed by a row decoder activating a row of floating gate memory cells by selecting the word select line connected to their gates. In addition, the wordlines connected to the gates of the unselected memory cells of each string are also driven. However, the unselected memory cells of each string are typically driven by a higher gate voltage so as to operate them as pass transistors and allowing them to pass current in a manner that is unrestricted by their stored data values. Current then flows from the sourceline to the column bitline through each floating gate memory cell of the series connected string, restricted only by the memory cells of each string that are selected to be read. This places the current encoded stored data values of the row of selected memory cells on the column bitlines.
FIG. 1 illustrates a column of a typical prior art NAND flash memory device. The selected wordline for the flash memory cells being programmed is typically biased at a voltage that is greater than 16V. The illustrated wordline 100 of the cell to be programmed is biased at 19V. The unselected wordlines for the remaining cells are typically biased at approximately 10V. As NAND flash memory is scaled, parasitic capacitance coupling 101-104 between the selected wordline and adjacent floating gates (FG) and control gates (CG) becomes problematic. Because of the parasitic coupling, the adjacent cells are more prone to Vpass disturb than the other cells that also share the common bitline with the cells being programmed.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a way to minimize programming induced Vpass and adjacent wordline stress between a selected wordline and adjacent unselected wordlines.

Minimizing adjacent wordline disturb in a memory device


The subject invention pertains to systems and methods that facilitate development and debugging of calculations in a multidimensional data environment or model. Data cube calculation scripts, including those provided in MDX (Multidimensional Expressions), can be executed or applied incrementally. Breakpoints can be set with respect to a calculation script and the cube state can be viewed and queried via a user interface. Users are enabled by the subject systems and methods to step through calculation scripts, identify the effects on a cube, and alter the script if the desired results failed to occur. In addition to debugging, the systems and methods can be employed for initial development of scripts.

Data warehousing and online analytical processing (OLAP) are widespread technologies employed to support business decisions and data analysis. A data warehouse is a nonvolatile repository for an enormous volume of organizational or enterprise information (e.g., 100 MB-TB). These data warehouses are populated at regular intervals with data from one or more heterogeneous data sources, for example from multiple transactional systems. This aggregation of data provides a consolidated view of an organization from which valuable information can be derived. Though the sheer volume can be overwhelming, the organization of data can help ensure timely retrieval of useful information.
Data warehouse data is often stored in accordance with a multidimensional database model. Conceptually in multidimensional database systems, data is represented as cubes with a plurality of dimensions and measures, rather than relational tables with rows and columns. A cube includes groups of data such as one or more dimensions and measures. A dimension describes an entity by which a user wants to analyze their data. A dimension is a collection of attributes that source the dimension's hierarchies and member properties. Accordingly, data can be viewed at different levels of detail. Measures represent real values, which are to be analyzed.
There are at least two primary reasons for the existence of multidimensional databases. First, the multidimensional model is optimized to deal with large amounts of data. In other words, it has a fast query response over large data volumes. Furthermore, the multidimensional model is business user friendly. This enables users execute complex queries on a data cube. OLAP is almost synonymous with multidimensional databases.
OLAP is a key element in a data warehouse system. OLAP describes a category of technologies or tools utilized to retrieve data from a data warehouse. These tools can extract and present multidimensional data from different points of view to assist and support managers and other individuals examining and analyzing data. The multidimensional data model is advantageous with respect to OLAP as it allows users to easily formulate complex queries, and filter or slice data into meaningful subsets, among other things. There are two basic types of OLAP architectures MOLAP and ROLAP. MOLAP (Multidimensional OLAP) utilizes a true multidimensional database to store data. ROLAP (Relational OLAP) utilizes a relational database to store data but is mapped so that an OLAP tool sees the data as multidimensional. HOLAP (Hybrid OLAP) is an amalgam of both MOLAP and ROLAP.
Data cube cells (and similarly members and the like) can include either fact data or functions (also referred to as calculations, expressions . . . ). Cells that include functions are called calculated cells. The value of these cells is defined by an expression in terms of one or more other cells and mathematical operations. The actual values of such cells are not known until runtime when the expressions or calculations are resolved. The formulas or expressions are defined and assigned to cells utilizing a calculation script, for example specified in a multidimensional language such as MDX (MultiDimensional eXpressions)
Even in simple OLAP applications, there can be several intersections of calculations in the multidimensional space. When these intersections occur, it is generally not clear which formula wins; such is the nature of multidimensionality. Heretofore, the process of building and debugging calculations scripts has been a difficult, time-consuming process that even the most advanced users consider to be tedious. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for novel systems and methods to facilitate development and debugging of cube calculations scripts, among other things.

Data cube script development and debugging systems and methodologies


Disclosed are styrenic polymers made by a mass or solution process, where the amount of trimer consisting of styrene and/or acrylonitrile is less than about 0.50 weight percent. Also disclosed is a method of minimizing the amount of trimer consisting of styrene and/or acrylonitrile in styrenic polymers made by a mass or solution process. The method includes the steps of lowering the temperature of the polymerization reaction mixture and including more than one initiator in the polymerization reaction mixture.

Polymers prepared from vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers, such as styrene, are used in a number of polymeric systems, including foams, packaging (food packaging), medical, electronic, optical, appliance and automotive applications. In certain applications the glass transition temperature of homopolymers of vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers is lower than required for the applications. Examples of styrenic polymers include, for example, general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS)
Polymers of vinyl or vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers do not exhibit great chemical resistance and modified polymers containing vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers have been developed to improve the chemical resistance. Some modified polymers may be copolymers such, as for example, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN). Other modified polymers may also include butadiene-based rubber, for example, copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile modified with polybutadiene rubber, commonly referred to as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).
Trimer formation during synthesis of styrenic polymers such as those described above, by mass or solution processes reduces the Vicat of the polymer, which diminishes the application window of the polymer. One method for increasing the Vicat of a resin is through addition of N-phenyl maleimide as a co-monomer. However, use of N-phenyl maleimide is costly, requires multiple additions and leads to discoloration and lower ductility of the resultant polymer.
Thus it would be desirable, where N-phenyl maleimide is used to increase Vicat, the amount employed may be reduced or eliminated using a method such as mass or solution process which will result in cost savings and superior polymer properties. Thus, there is a need for styrenic polymers, which may include N-phenyl maleimide at reduced concentrations, having improved properties using a cost effective method.

Styrenic polymers having reduced trimer content


An optical disk according to the present invention has thereon an uninterrupted preformed groove adjoining a track. The address information of the track and sectors is prerecorded by variations in the preformed groove in a radial direction of the optical disk. An optical disk drive converts a detection signal, that is generated when the spot of a light beam crosses the track, into a binary signal in accordance with the comparison between the detection signal and two different slice levels, whereby a correct track crossing number is obtained. Another optical disk has thereon index marks that are prerecorded by partially varying the width of the preformed groove. Another optical disk drive detects the index mark on a specific track line, whereby formatting data with respect to address information is generated. The optical disks and optical disk drives are thus compatible with writing of the address information by means of soft-formatting.

On a conventional optical disk, generally, information (hereinafter referred to as address information) indicating the addresses of track and sectors is prerecorded in the forms of bumps and pits at manufacture (the bumps and pits providing the address information, hereinafter referred to as address marks). The allocation of data thus prerecorded on an optical disk is called pre-format or hard-format. Recording, reproduction and erasing of desired information are carried out while optically detecting the address information with an optical head of an optical disk drive and identifying a desired track address and sector address.
Regarding the address marks, as illustrated in FIG. 27, marks 2 may be intermittently formed on the track provided between preformed grooves 1 on the optical disk. Also as illustrated in FIG. 29, marks 4 may be formed by partially interrupting grooves 3.
A desired location on the optical disk is accessed by access process including track seeking and sector searching operations. In the track seeking operation, the optical head is moved in a radial direction of the optical disk towards a desired location. In the following sector searching operation, the optical head waits for a specified sector to come to a projection position of a light spot on the optical disk by rotation.
On the optical disk disclosed in the Japanese Publication for Unexamined Patent No. 64-60823/1989, address marks are formed separately from the preformed grooves. In this configuration, during track seeking, the number of tracks crossed by a light spot is counted in accordance with a crossing signal which is detected when the light spot crosses the preformed groove. Then, the optical head is moved in a radial direction of the optical disk towards a location on the optical disk, calculated according to the numerated data.
However, as illustrated in FIG. 27, when the marks 2 are written between the preformed grooves 1, sometimes the light spot of a laser light beam 5 emitted by the optical head crosses not only the preformed groove 1 but also the mark 2 as shown by arrow .alpha. during track seeking. This causes a signal that is generated as the light spot 5 crosses the mark 2 to be added to a track crossing signal EE (see FIG. 28). As a result, three pulses are generated as shown by the dotted line instead of two expected pulses that correspond to two preformed grooves 1 adjoining the mark 2. Moreover, when the intervals between the preformed grooves 1 and the mark 2 are small, only one pulse as illustrated by the solid line may be generated with respect to the two preformed grooves 1 and mark 2. Such incorrect numbers of pulses cause errors in counting of the track crossing number.
Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 29, when the marks 4 are formed by the intermittent preformed grooves 3, sometimes the light spot 5 crosses a blank area containing no mark as shown by arrow .alpha.. This causes a problem that a track crossing signal EF (see FIG. 30) is not detected even when the light spot 5 crosses the track.
With the above-mentioned method, since the address information of track and sectors are prerecorded as address marks in the form of bumps and pits, the format is inflexible. Therefore, the user can not freely change the format of the optical disk after manufacturing, and consequently the use of the optical disk is limited.
On the contrary, information such as address information is magnetically written on a conventional floppy disk after the floppy disk is manufactured. This method is hereinafter called soft-formatting. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32, a floppy disk 6 is provided with an index hole 7 for determining the start or reference position of soft-formatting. When the index hole 7 is detected by a photo-interrupter 8 (a detector incorporating a light emitting element and light receiving element) of a floppy disk drive, an index hole detection signal U is sent to an information recording and reproducing circuit 10. According to the detection signal U, the information recording and reproducing circuit 10 determines the start or reference position of soft-formatting. Then, a recording signal V is sent to a magnetic head 11, whereby address information is recorded on the floppy disk 6.
When soft-formatting used for the floppy disk 6 is adopted by an optical disk, the following problems are presented. Specifically, the recording density of the optical disk is substantially twenty times to some hundred times that of the floppy disk 6. Therefore, in determining the recording location on the disk, the optical disk requires substantially twenty times to some hundred times the accuracy of that required by the floppy disk. Thus, even when the optical disk is provided with the above-mentioned index hole 7, it is impossible to ensure sufficiently high-accuracy in determining the recording location.

Optical disk formatting system using index mark detecting circuit


A battery structure including a cathode, a lithium metal anode and an electrolyte disposed between the lithium anode and the cathode utilizes a thin-film layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride overlying so as to coat the lithium anode and thereby separate the lithium anode from the electrolyte. If desired, a preliminary layer of lithium nitride may be coated upon the lithium anode before the lithium phosphorous oxynitride is, in turn, coated upon the lithium anode so that the separation of the anode and the electrolyte is further enhanced. By coating the lithium anode with this material lay-up, the life of the battery is lengthened and the performance of the battery is enhanced.

This invention relates generally to batteries, and relates more particularly, to the structure and methods of construction of rechargeable lithium batteries.
Heretofore, the life and performance of lithium batteries have been limited by two major factors. The first of such factors relates to the occurrence of a chemical reaction between the liquid organic or polymer electrolyte and the lithium anode so that a resistive film barrier forms upon the anode. This film barrier increases the internal resistance of the battery and lowers the amount of current capable of being supplied by the battery at the rated voltage.
The second of such factors relates to the undesirable consequences which can result from repeated cycling of the battery. More specifically, battery cycling is at least partly responsible for the dendritic growth of Li on the anode and the formation of a passivating powder-like substance commonly referred to as "dead" lithium at the surface of the lithium anode, either of which can adversely affect the efficiency of the battery. In addition to reducing efficiency, the Li dendrites may grow large enough to touch the cathode through the electrolyte and thereby short the battery.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved lithium battery structure which circumvents the aforedescribed limitations and an associated method of making the battery.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a battery having a structure which reduces the likelihood of the occurrence of an undesirable chemical reaction between the electrolyte and the lithium anode of the battery.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a battery having a structure which prevents the formation of Li dendrites or passivating "dead" lithium at the anode surface.

Protective lithium ion conducting ceramic coating for lithium metal anodes and associate method


In various embodiments, vibro-acoustic transducer arrangements in accordance herewith are optimized for sensing and transducing acoustic phenomena occurring within a patient's body, and manifesting themselves at the skin surface with frequencies ranging from 0.001 Hz to 10 kHz. Strategies for effectively coupling to the skin include judicious mismatching of mechanical impedance, the use of impedance-matching gels or liquids, a shaped (e.g., domed) pickup, material selection, and/or a peripheral leaf-spring arrangement permitting relative movement between inner and peripheral diaphragm portions. The spring stiffness or spring compliance of the leaf springs may be selectively chosen to optimize the frequency response of the sensor.

The stethoscope was invented in France in 1816 by René Laennec for the purpose of auscultation, i.e., listening for sounds produced within the body mainly to assess the condition of organs and vessels including the heart, lungs, aorta, and intestines. Fetal heart tones can also be monitored during pregnancy by auscultation with specialized stethoscopes. Blood flow in blood vessels can also be auscultated. Auscultation performed with the unaided ear is called immediate or direct auscultation, and when a stethoscope is used it is called mediate auscultation.
The electronic stethoscope is the updated version Laennec's concept where a skin-contact diaphragm creates an acoustic chamber in which airborne sounds are converted to electrical signals. These signals are amplified, filtered or otherwise processed, and played through, e.g., a loudspeaker or earpiece. A significant amount of bodily sound information is in the frequency band 0.001 Hz to 100 Hz, and because the threshold of audibility rises sharply below 100 Hz, the amplification of the electrical signals to make them audible becomes difficult if not futile. Few current systems, even electronic stethoscope systems, have been designed for accurate and effective amplification within this range.


The present invention relates to a temperature device for a heated rotary member. The device has a temperature detecting element, a supporting member for support it, and an electrically insulating tape for covering the support member and temperature detecting element. The insulating tape is wound in the direction along the rotating axial direction of the heated rotary member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a temperature detecting device for a heated rotary member, adapted for use in an image fixing device of an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic apparatus or an electrostatic recording apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
An image fixing device, employing a heating roller heated by a heater, is widely used in image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the thermal fixing device, wherein provided are a heating roller 1 with a therein; a pressure roller 2; a temperature detecting device 8 for detecting the temperature of said heating roller 1; and a plate spring for maintaining the temperature detecting device in contact with the heating roller 1.
FIG. 4 is a magnified view of the heating and pressure rollers and the temperature detecting device, wherein, on an electric circuit board 5, there is adhered rubber sponge 4 in which a thermistor is embedded and which is covered by an insulation tape 7, wound in the circumferential direction of the heating roller. Such device, however, may show significant deformation of the sponge 4 as shown in FIG. 6, whereby the temperature detecting element 3, such as a thermistor, is displaced from the designed position. Consequently, the detecting element 3 may lose contact with the heating roller 1 or may contact said roller with a pressure lower than the designed value, thereby making precise temperature detection difficult.
Recently, it is considered to apply a bias voltage to the heating roller, in order to prevent toner offsetting in electrostatic manner. It is however difficult to maintain a sufficient circumferential distance between the surfacial position of the heating roller where said bias voltage is applied and the thermistor.

Temperature detecting device for heated rotary member