A flexible, gussetted package having an interior for holding some particulate material product, under vacuum, and which includes a mouth to be opened to provide access to the contents of the package. The package is formed of a flexible material and includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposed side gussets and a pressure equalizing valve. The valve is arranged to operate in a first mode of operation wherein any gasses within the package are allowed to vent to the exterior of the package, while the ambient atmosphere is precluded from entering into the interior of the package. The valve also operates in a second, transitory, mode wherein it allows a small amount of the ambient atmosphere to gain ingress into the interior so that the package's walls give a smooth appearance. The valve then enters into its third mode of operation wherein it isolates the interior of the package from the exterior.

This invention relates generally to flexible packages, and more particularly to flexible packages for holding products in a hermetically sealed condition, e.g., isolated from the ambient atmosphere, while allowing a controlled amount of air into the package in order to provide a smooth aesthetically appearing surface.
Various types of flexible packages for holding particulate materials under vacuum therein have been disclosed in the patent literature and are commercially available today. Examples of packages for holding ground or whole bean coffee are found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,576,285, 4,705,174, and 4,913,561.
The major advantages of flexible packaging, as compared to relatively rigid packaging, e.g., cartons, are that until the flexible package is filled it takes up very little volume, and after it is emptied of its contents it readily collapses, thereby reducing its volume to approximately that of the unfilled package. The former characteristic is a significant advantage insofar as storage is concerned, while the latter characteristic is a significant advantage from the standpoint of disposability. One common type of flexible package for holding goods under vacuum until the package is opened is the so-called "gussetted" package or bag. Typically such a package is formed from a web of flexible stock material, e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, metal foil, and combinations thereof in single or multiple plies, into a tubular body, having a face panel, a back panel, and a pair of gussetted sides. Each gussetted side is formed by a pair of gusset sections and a central fold edge interposed between a pair of outer fold edges. The lower end of the bag is commonly permanently sealed, e.g., heat sealed, along a line extending transversely across the width of the bag close to its bottom edge. The top of the bag is commonly sealed transversely across the entire width of the bag in a number of ways to maintain the contents under vacuum until the bag is opened. Such action is frequently accomplished via a readily openable mouth, which when opened provides access to the contents of the bag.
One-way degassing valves are typically included in flexible packages to enable any gasses produced by the particulate material within the package to exit from the package, while preventing air from entering into the package through the valve. Examples of such one-way degassing valves are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,595,467, 3,799,427 and 4,420,015.
One drawback of many commercially available vacuum sealed flexible packages is the fact that when the package is filled, sealed and evacuated the material forming the walls of the package intimately engages the particulate material disposed therein, thereby resulting in an uneven, bumpy, pebbly or otherwise less than satisfactory aesthetic appearance. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,706, which is assigned to the same assignee as this invention, there is disclosed a package which exhibits the advantages of hermetically sealed flexible packaging, yet provides a smooth aesthetically pleasing appearance. That package basically comprises an inner bag and an outer bag. The inner bag is formed of a flexible sheet material which is resistant to the passage of gas therethrough. The outer bag is also formed of a flexible sheet material. The outer bag is secured to the inner bag by adhesive areas which define passageways therebetween through which air from the ambient atmosphere may flow to enter the space between the outer and inner bags. The inner bag is arranged to be filled with a particulate material and then the bag vacuumized and sealed, whereupon the walls of the inner bag closely conform to the surface of the particulate material. The air space between the inner and outer bag enables the outer bag to have a smooth aesthetically pleasing appearance even though the inner bag may be in close conformance to the contents of the package.
It is not an uncommon practice by producers of other types of hermetically sealed flexible packages to perforate the package to release trapped air for stacking and shipping. This practice allows the air within the package to be expelled from the package to prevent the package from "pillowing." As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such pillowing is undesirable, particularly with relatively large packages, e.g., approximately twenty five pounds or more, since it can adversely affect the package's ability to be stacked in a stable manner, one on top of another. The disadvantage with perforating the hermetically sealed package is that it reduces, if not destroys, the effectiveness of the hermetic seal.
For many applications, e.g., packaging of agricultural chemicals or other industrial particulate materials, the hermetically sealed package can exhibit a pebbly or unsmooth appearance resulting from its evacuation and concomitant close conformance to its particulate contents, yet still be acceptable, since appearance of the packaging is typically not a factor in industrial applications. Where, however, relatively large packages of particulate materials are intended for personal or home use, e.g., large bags of dry pet foods, the appearance of the package becomes important insofar as marketability is concerned.
Accordingly, a need exists for packaging which is simple in construction, relatively low in costs, and which provides the advantages of conventional hermetically sealed packaging, while providing an aesthetically pleasing smooth external appearance.

Pressure vacuum release hermetic valve for flexible packages


A compact mechanical toy is provided. The toy is a multi-sided game including multiple sides and a plurality of moveable pieces. The toy includes a first part including one side having a cavity shaped to fit any one of the plurality moveable pieces at one time. The toy further includes a second part rotatably coupled to the first part, the second part including a complex cavity in each of the multiple sides, the complex cavity shaped to fit each of the plurality of moveable pieces in a certain order. The object of the game is to move each of the plurality of pieces from a first side in the second part to a second side in the second part.

The game called the Towers of Hanoi was invented by the French mathematician Edouard Lucas in 1883 and since then it has been both a popular puzzle and a well-known mathematical problem that is an excellent illustration of the general concept of recursion. This puzzle is known by most mathematicians and a very large number of people who like either puzzles or elementary mathematical problems.
The original Towers of Hanoi puzzle is illustrated in FIG. 1. The Towers of Hanoi consists of seven disks 110A-110G of different sizes which during the solution of the puzzle are arranged in three stacks 120, 130, 140. When the game starts, all of the disks 110A-110G are in a single stack 120 arranged by size, so that largest disk 110G is at the bottom of the stack 120. The goal of the puzzle is to move all of the disks 110A-110G to the third stack 140. This must be achieved by observing the following rules:
(1) one move consists of taking the topmost disk from a stack and putting it on another stack--either starting a new stack or placing it on top of other disks on the second stack. PA1 (2) the move described in (1) can be performed only if all of the disks in the second stack are larger than the disk being moved--i.e. a larger disk can never be placed on top of a smaller disk.
The actual realization of the puzzle usually consists of a base 150, three pegs 120, 130, 140, and disks 110A-110G that can be put on the pegs 120, 130, 140. Puzzles constructed this way are available in some toy stores.
Unlike other mechanical puzzles, like Rubik's cube, or Lloyd's 15, this puzzle requires the player to observe some rules, which are not guaranteed by the mechanics of the puzzle. It is possible to cheat or make mistakes and get to the solution in an easier way, without destroying or taking apart the mechanical structure of the puzzle. This is a disadvantage, since some of the potential players, e.g. children do not like to memorize and observe rules. Some of the attraction of mechanical puzzles is the mechanical structure that forces the rules on the player. This is missing in the prior art implementations of this game.


A valve accommodating hole (11), and each of a supply port (20), discharge ports (21 and 22), and output ports (23 and 24) connected to the valve accommodating hole are formed in a valve casing (15), and a valve shaft (12) is attached to the valve accommodating hole (11) so as to be reciprocable in the axial direction. Circular rubber elastic valve elements (51 and 52) are attached to the valve shaft (12) and used for switching between a communication state where either one of the elastic valve elements is spaced away from an inner peripheral sealing surface of the valve accommodating hole (11) such that the supply port (20) and the respective output port (23 or 24) communicate with each other and a shut-off state where either one of the elastic valve elements comes in contact with the inner peripheral sealing surface such that the communication is shut off. Composite valve elements (61 and 62) each equipped with a circular reinforcement ring (63) and a rubber elastic seal (64) integrally provided to the reinforcement ring are attached to the valve casing (15), and each of the composite valve elements (61 and 62) switches between a communication state where the respective valve shaft output port (23 or 24) and the respective discharge port (21 or 22) communicate with each other and a shut-off state where the communication is shut off.

A directional control valve is a valve for switching between a state where fluid flows and a state where the flow is shut off, or for switching the flow direction of the fluid from one port to another port. For example, in a pneumatic circuit for supplying compressed air from an air pressure source to a pneumatically actuated device, a directional control valve is used for switching between a state where compressed air is supplied from the air pressure source to the pneumatically actuated device and a state where supply of compressed air to the pneumatically actuated device is stopped to discharge the compressed air returned from the pneumatically actuated device.
Such a directional control valve has a valve casing in which a valve shaft is accommodated so as to be reciprocable in the axial direction, and a supply port, an output port, and an air discharge port are formed in the valve casing so as to communicate with the valve accommodating hole in which the valve shaft is accommodated so as to be movable in the axial direction. The air supply port is connected to an air pressure source, the output port is connected to a pneumatically actuated device, and the air discharge port is open to the atmospheric air directly or via an air discharge channel. A directional control valve provided with each type of the above-described ports is called a 3-port valve, and a directional control valve provided with one air supply port, two output ports, and two air discharge ports is called a 5-port valve.
The driving methods of the valve shaft include a direct actuation method in which the valve shaft is directly driven by an electromagnet and an indirect actuation method in which the valve shaft is actuated by compressed air. The indirect actuation method includes an external pilot type in which compressed air is supplied to a pilot valve from outside and an internal pilot type in which compressed air is supplied to a pilot valve from inside of the directional control valve. Furthermore, the driving methods of the valve shaft include a mechanical method in which a valve shaft is driven by a cam or a link mechanism and a manual operation method in which a valve shaft is driven manually.
Directional control valves of an indirect actuation type include a single solenoid type in which the valve is driven by one solenoid and a double solenoid type in which the valve is driven by two solenoids. The single solenoid type is a type in which, when electricity supplied to a solenoid is stopped, the valve shaft is returned to the original position, wherein the returning force is applied to the valve shaft by a spring or an air pressure. On the other hand, the double solenoid type is a type in which, even when electricity supplied to a solenoid to which electricity has been supplied is stopped, the valve shaft keeps the position at the time when the electricity is supplied.
As an example of the directional control valve, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2826460, the directional control valve of a spool type having a valve shaft to which a plurality of rubber elastic valve elements each comprising an O ring are attached is used, wherein when mutual communication between ports is to be shut off, the respective elastic valve element is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve accommodating hole between the ports. Each of the elastic valve elements is attached to a circular groove formed in the valve shaft. As described in the publication, the type of a directional control valve in which elastic valve elements are attached to a valve shaft has an advantage that sealing performance can be enhanced with low cost in comparison with a metal seal structure in which a valve element made of metal is brought into contact with a valve accommodating hole with a slight gap. On the other hand, there is a limit on the pressure of compressed air for performing switching control of the flow.
That is, the type of a directional control valve in which elastic valve elements are attached to a valve shaft is generally used in a pneumatic circuit to which compressed air with a pressure of about 0.7 to 1 MPa is applied. However, it is found out that, when the directional control valve is used in a pneumatic circuit to which compressed air with a pressure higher than that is supplied, the valve life is shortened due to damage or deformation of the elastic valve elements. As a result of the investigation for the cause thereof, it is found out that, while deformation or damage does not occur in the elastic valve element for switching between a state where an air supply port and an output port are communicating and a state where the communication is shut off even when the directional control valve is used over a long period of time, the elastic valve element for switching between a state where the output port and the air discharge port are communicating and a state where the communication is shut off is deformed or damaged in a comparatively short period of time.
In such a circumstance, as a result of the observation for the switching state of the channel in the directional control valve used in a high-pressure pneumatic circuit of about 2 MPa, it is found out that, when the both ports are communicating, the elastic valve element for switching the state of the output port and the air discharge port between a communication state and a shut-off state is spaced away from the bottom surface of the groove formed in the valve shaft and elastically deformed and extended outwardly in the radial direction. This phenomenon is not found in the elastic valve element for switching the state of the air supply port and the output port between a communication state and a shut-off state. Such phenomenon occurs probably for the reason that, when the output port and the air discharge port are in a communication state, the elastic valve element comes to the position corresponding to the discharge port, therefore, the elastic valve element is blown out by the air which flows into the valve accommodating hole through the output port and then flows toward outside in the radial direction through the air discharge port. When the elastic valve element in a communication state is elastically deformed due to the blowing-out phenomenon such that the radius thereof is extended by the air flowing toward outside and the elastic valve element is moved to attain a communication shut-off state while the above-described state is maintained, an outer peripheral portion of the elastic valve element is sometimes pinched between the inner peripheral edge of the valve hole and the valve shaft. If the blowing-out phenomenon is repeated, the elastic valve element is damaged, thereby shortening the life of the directional control valve and deteriorating the durability thereof. In order to prevent the blowing-out phenomenon, an attempt that the material of the rubber of the elastic valve element is changed to that having an increased hardness is made. However, when the hardness is increased, attachment performance of the elastic valve element to the valve shaft is deteriorated.
An object of the present invention is to provide a directional control valve which can prevent the blowing-out phenomenon of a valve element for switching ports.
Another object of the present invention is to improve the durability of the valve element, thereby providing a directional control valve having a long product life.
Another object of the present invention is to prevent increase in size of a valve casing even when an attachment hole for attaching the valve casing to another member is provided in the valve casing, thereby providing a small size directional control valve.


There is provided a substrate processing method which is capable of suitably etching a boron-doped silicon. According to the present invention, a wafer W including an SiB layer made of boron-doped silicon is exposed to a fluorine gas and an ammonia gas, and the wafer W mounted on a stage is heated.

In recent years, studies on positively using boron-doped silicon (hereinafter, referred to as "SiB") in the process of manufacturing a semiconductor device have been conducted. In particular, since SiB has a good gap-fill property, using such a SiB to fill a via hole and trench in, for example, a three-dimensional mounting device has been studied. In this case, it is necessary to etch and remove surplus SiB that seeps out from the via hole or the trench.
Incidentally, in general, a boron-doped material is known as a material that is hard-to-etch. For example, on the basis that a boron-doped material is a hard-to-etch material, there has been proposed a technique that uses a hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas to etch a boron-nondoped silicon oxide film with respect to a boron-doped silicon oxide film with high selectivity (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
As a method of etching a boron-doped material, for example, there has been proposed a method of using HF gas and ammonia (NH3) gas as a cleaning gas to remove an unnecessary film adhering to a BSG film (boron glass film) formed by TEOS (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Substrate processing method and method for removing boron-doped silicon


A tape cartridge including a base plate, first and second tape reels, a magnetic recording tape, a driving belt, and a roller. The magnetic recording tape winds around the first and second tape reels. The driving belt moves the magnetic recording tape. The roller is provided on the base plate rotatably around an axis of the roller and guides the driving belt. The roller includes an end surface slidable on the base plate. The end surface includes at least one groove and at least one sliding surface which contacts the base plate. The at least one sliding surface has a width of at least 0.1 mm along a radial direction of the roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a belt-driven recording tape cartridge and a roller therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Belt-driven recording tape cartridges are widely used because of their convenience and large storage capacities. They are used in, for example, computers in order to record and retrieve data.
Belt-driven recording tape cartridges are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,255 (hereinafter referred to as the "'255 patent"), entitled "Belt Driven Tape Cartridge"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,564 (hereinafter referred to as the "'564 patent"), entitled "Belt For Belt-Driven Recording Tape Pack"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,189 (hereinafter referred to as the "'189 patent"), entitled "Method Of Making A Belt For Belt-Driven Recording Tape Pack"; and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) 8-63,936 (hereinafter referred to as the "'936 publication"), entitled "Tape Cartridge." The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In the tape cartridges disclosed in the '255 patent, the '564 patent, and the '189 patent, a tape cartridge has first and second tape reels. Each of the first and second tape reels is rotatable around respective axis. A magnetic recording tape is wound around the first and second tape reels to form first and second tape packs. A driving belt is in contact with the magnetic recording tape at both the first and second tape packs. Accordingly, the driving belt moves the recording tape through friction between the driving belt and the recording tape.
In this tape cartridge, stabilizing contact between the magnetic recording tape and the magnetic head of a drive improves the reliability of the tape cartridge.
In the tape cartridge disclosed in the '936 publication, a base plate and a cover surround first and second tape reels, a magnetic recording tape, a driving belt and rollers which guide the driving belt. Rough surfaces are formed at portions of the cover and/or the base plate which contact roller end surfaces which are perpendicular to axes of the rollers. The rough surfaces include many concave and convex portions. Accordingly, in this tape cartridge, a lubricant is retained in the concave portions. However, a problem arises in that a torque for rotating the roller is not stabilized, because the convex portions break the thin layer of the lubricant formed on the cover and/or the base plate. Therefore, the tape tension of the magnetic recording tape cannot be stabilized.

Belt-driven recording tape cartridge and roller for the same


A new distinct variety of grapevine named ARRASIX abundantly forms attractive medium-to-large seedless berries (with seed traces) having a Greenish/Creamy skin coloration in medium-to-large clusters. The fruit displays a sweet aromatic flavor and is firm in texture. The fruit commonly is ready for harvesting during July in San Joaquin Valley of Central California, U.S.A., and displays good eating qualities as a table grape. The fruit firmness renders the fruit well amenable for handling, shipping, and storage.

A breeding program was initiated during the late 90's near Bakersfield in San Joaquin Valley of Central California. In 2001, during this breeding program, a new variety of Vitis vinifera was created by deliberate cross breeding of two parent plants by emasculation of the pollen bearing organ of the male and introducing pollen from another male origin. The female parent of the new variety was the GAW3 which is a juicy, creamy green, obtuse shaped grape variety with rudimentary seed information (non-patented in the United States). The male parent (i.e. the pollen parent) of the new variety was the Thompson seedless grape variety (non-patented in the United States).

Agricultural Research and Development Limited Liability Company


In a selectable data recording mode for setting freely selectable character data and for recording them on a photographic film concurrently with photographing, an array of characters is displayed as data to be revised. One of these characters is designated to be changed by shifting the position of blinking along a linear display. Thereafter, upon depression of a key, a plurality of character groups of various kinds are displayed from one kind to another in a predetermined sequence. When a desired kind of character group is displayed, a desired one of character groups of this kind is selected by another key, and a character to be set is selected from among the one group. Each time a character to be set is selected, the character is temporarily stored in a memory, and the character data to be revised are displayed so as to designate the next character to be changed and, thereafter, the character groups are displayed so as to permit selecting a new character to be set. When the data revision is completed, the new character data are stored until revised.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of, and an apparatus for, displaying recordable data in a camera. The present invention relates especially to a method of, and an apparatus for, displaying recordable data composed of characters which can be selectively set by the photographer, so as to record on a photograph information about the photograph.
2. Prior Art
It is conventional to record photographic data, typically the date of the photograph, on a photographic film in a camera, so as to indicate that date on the prints. Recently, there have been cameras wherein not only the date or time of the photograph but also a predetermined caption, such as "Merry Xmas", "Happy New Year" or the like, can be recorded along with the picture, by previously memorizing data on those captions.
An example of such types of conventional cameras is shown in FIG. 11, which has a display panel 1 for displaying the recording data, that is, photographic data and/or a caption. The display panel 1 is disposed on a rear cover 3 of a camera body 2. Below the display panel 1, there are disposed a mode change key (hereinafter referred to as an M key) 6 and a selection key (hereinafter referred to as an S key) 7. Designated by 15 and 16 are a viewfinder and a shutter button, respectively.
In this camera, the M key 6 is intended to display one of a plurality of predetermined photographic modes, such as a date recording mode, a time-of-day recording mode, or a caption recording mode, on the display panel 1. These modes are changed one after another in cyclic fashion upon each depression of the M key 6. For example, upon depression of the M key 6 in the time-of-day recording mode, the caption recording mode is set, and thus the first caption 60, e.g. "Merry Xmas", is displayed on the display panel 1. Upon depression of the S key 7 in the caption recording mode, the second caption 61, e.g. "'90 ", which means "'90 New Year's Day", is displayed in Japanese, using the cursive Kana and Chinese characters. Upon the next depression of the S key 7, the third caption 62, e.g. "'90 ", which means "'90 An Athletic Meet", is displayed in Japanese, using the Katakana characters. Upon each depression of the S key 7, the first to fifth captions 60 to 64 are displayed one after another on the display panel 1, so that a selected one of these captions can be photographically recorded as data on a photographic film upon depression of the shutter button 16. Even when the display panel 1 displays one of the captions 60 to 64, if the M key 6 is depressed, the camera proceeds from the caption recording mode to the date recording mode, or another mode.
However, the variety of captions that can be recorded by the conventional cameras is limited to a predetermined range, for example five variations as in the camera of FIG. 11.
To solve this problem, a camera has been proposed wherein the photographer can arrange an array of characters as data relating to an individual picture frame, the data being recorded on a photographic film. Although such a camera broadens the range of options for recording data, the conventional recording data selection is time consuming, because respective characters to be displayed and recorded must be selected while cyclically displaying a series of characters in each display position of the display panel 1.
If, for example, the photographer intends to record as photographic data "zoo 9/18", as shown in FIG. 12, because a character "z" must be displayed in the first display position 1a, it is necessary successively to display all the alphabet characters "a, b, c, d . . . " in the first display position 1a so as to select the last letter "z". As for the other display positions, it is necessary to repeat a similar display sequence until desired characters are displayed. This is obviously cumbersome and boring, especially in the case where many characters, e.g. 10 characters in FIG. 12, are necessary to compose a desired recordable text.
Furthermore, considering the above cumbersome selection operation, the range of kinds of characters available for optional character recording is narrower than that of the conventional predetermined captions, for example, to alphabetical and numerical characters. Therefore, the variety of character arrangements, and thus the variety of recordable data, is insufficient.

Method and apparatus for displaying recordable data in a camera


An optical article includes an optical thin film laminated on a surface of a substrate. The optical thin film includes atoms of at least one selected from the group consisting of krypton, xenon and radon. The optical thin film is a film of oxides or fluorides and the content of the atoms is within 0.5 atomic ppm to 1 atomic %.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an optical article such as a lens or a mirror, an exposure apparatus or optical system such as a stepper having it, and a process for producing the optical article. More particularly, the invention relates to an optical thin film for an optical article suitably applicable to an exposure apparatus or optical system using an excimer laser, and a process for producing it.
2. Related Background Art
Optical articles, including lenses, mirrors, and optical filters, are used, for example, in optical apparatus such as cameras, telescopes, and microscopes. These optical articles have an antireflection film or a reflection-enhanced film on the surface thereof for prevention of reflection or for enhancement of reflection.
An exposure apparatus is a kind of an optical apparatus equipped with such an optical article. The exposure apparatus is used in the fabrication steps of semiconductor integrated circuits or photomasks for fabricating them. A typical example of an exposure apparatus in this field is an exposure apparatus called a stepper.
An illumination light source in such an exposure apparatus, conventionally used, was a super-high pressure mercury lamp, a xenon-mercury arc lamp, or the like for emitting the g-line (435.8 nm), the h-line (404.7 nm), and the i-line (365 nm). However, an attempt has recently been made to use lasers emitting far-ultraviolet rays (200 to 260 nm) or emitting a beam of high power and narrow spectral width in order to realize high exposure processing capability per unit time (throughput) and uniform illumination characteristics on an exposed body such as a wafer. Among others, an excimer laser is one of desirable light sources, because it emits light in a very narrow spectral width and at high output power.
One of known optical articles for an excimer laser is the one having an antireflection film deposited by vacuum vapor deposition as disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 63-113501 or Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 63-113502.
However, for example, if a lens having sufficient optical characteristics in the optical system for visible light was used in an optical system for an excimer laser, it was sometimes difficult to maintain optical characteristics sufficient to be applied to practical use. Specifically speaking, transmission characteristics, particularly, of the optical thin film provided over the surface of a lens or mirror were not sufficient to make the best use of the advantages of the excimer laser, and there was a problem in the durability thereof.
In addition, since the optical articles for an exposure apparatus were required to have a surface formed at very high accuracy, strict control of temperature conditions was necessary in forming the optical thin film. Thus, film forming techniques generally regarded as being preferable were not able to be used as they were in fabricating such optical articles.
As explained above, in order to fabricate an optical article that is durable against the use of an excimer laser, the optical article must be designed based on a novel idea and a novel approach.

Optical articles and devices with a thin film containing krypton, xenon, or radon atoms


An unmanned vehicle line and cable string apparatus is provided and the method of use thereof. A small drone has a shot line canister loaded with an inside wound shot line string spool. Shot line is strung between power line towers wherein the inside shot line string end is attached to a remotely controlled released shot line sinker. The sinker is deployed near the proximate tower, the drone is directed to the distal tower deploying shot line from the shot line canister. The shot line canister, having a remotely controlled jettison mechanism and an end of shot line detection mechanism, is jettisoned at the distal power line tower. As shot line is dispensed, the vehicle loses weight thereby extending the flying time, distance, and maneuverability particularly as the vehicle approaches the distal tower. Because the shot line is deployed and not dragged, the impact of inclement weather conditions is minimized.

Stringing power lines, particularly between widely spaced high tension towers, can be challenging especially when the ground between the towers is inaccessible as is the case over a canyon or waterways. Various techniques for stringing power lines between the towers are utilized depending upon the terrain. For example, when the ground between the towers is accessible, the power line can be reeled out by truck between the towers. If the ground between the towers is inaccessible or otherwise obstructed, other means for stringing the power lines is necessary. One alternate stringing technique is accomplished by first routing a lightweight string or lead line between the proximate and distal towers. The lightweight line is next attached to a heavier rope or cable that is pulled over a pulley mounted on the distal tower, replacing the lightweight lead line. The heavier rope, capable of withstanding the tension required to pull the power line or cable, is now attached to the power line or cable and pulled to route the power line or cable into place. The challenge is routing the lightweight string or lead line between the towers.
Helicopters are often utilized to pull lightweight rope or lead lines between the towers when the power line weight to be strung exceeds the helicopter load ratings; however, helicopter installations are typically costly and their use is limited by weather conditions. Because downed power lines are a common occurrence during storms, the use of helicopters to string power lines during inclement storm conditions is often restricted thereby preventing their use. Regardless of the weather conditions, the cost of helicopter installations is high.
Alternatively, line throwing guns are utilized wherein a smooth bore gun fires a metal slug projectile having a shot line string attached to the slug and shot from the proximate tower to the distal tower. The distal end of the shot line is then attached to a heavier rope and so on. Line throwing guns have significant limitations. Line throwing guns are difficult to use in stormy weather, have poor accuracy, have distance limitations particularly in wet or windy weather conditions, and are prohibited for use in built up areas.
Drones have been utilized to drag a lead line from the proximate tower to the distal tower. However, a large drone is required because while dragging a lead line and the distance increases from the proximate tower, the weight of the lead line being dragged by the drone increases thereby also significantly increasing the power and lift required by the drone. Consequently, large drones are required to provide the necessary lift and travel distance to overcome the drag from the lead line. Unfortunately, large drones are difficult to maneuverer amongst guy lines and other features on the towers and are generally complicated to deploy due in part to licensing and FAA restrictions. Therefore there is a need for an improved line and cable stringing apparatus and method for installing power lines between towers at distance and having inaccessible ground between them. In particular there is a need for a system to string power lines during inclement weather conditions over inaccessible ground.

Unmanned aerial vehicle line and cable stringing system


Embodiments of a coating composition and coating method for seeds are described, the coating including molybdenum and a sulfur-containing component and being for improving seed and seedling performance. The preferred molybdenum source is molybdenum trioxide, and the preferred sulfur source is gypsum. After planting, the seed coating provides protection for the seed during dry spells until moisture is received and seed growth is established. During the establishment period for legumes, the invented seed coating serves as a protective coat for the seed under adverse growing conditions, such as temperature and moisture extremes. Within a few days of emergence of legume seedlings, the invented coating stimulates and/or feeds the Rhizobium bacteria that is in place on the seed and speeds up formation of the Rhizobium, which fixes/feeds nitrogen to the plant. The coating and method may also include inoculation with Rhizobium, and, optionally, other nutrients, pesticides, or herbicides and a binder.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, in general, to increasing legume crop production by coating legume seeds with a protective and nutritive composition. More specifically, this invention relates to compositions and methods for a seed coating for legume seeds which protect seeds after planting and stimulate plant growth after emergence of the seedlings.
2. Related Art
Seed coatings have been used as means for protecting and enhancing the environment next to the natural seed coat, to control seed germination and/or improve seedling survival and growth rate. Toward these ends, coatings have been used as carriers for a variety of components: agrochemicals, Rhizobium bacteria, nutrients, beneficial elements, and plant growth regulators. Such components can be effective in improving seed germination and seedling survival and growth in the face of diseases, insects, low soil pH, and poor soil fertility. By including these components in seed coatings or pellets, the components are placed at the interface between seed and soil. This close proximity to the interface between seed and soil maximizes the effect of the components and reduces waste and environmental impact compared to the method of broadcasting such components over a field containing uncoated seeds.
Several seed coatings have been described in the patent literature that are intended for protective and/or nutritive purposes. For example, Schreiber (U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,133, issued Oct. 17, 1972) discloses the use of a multiple-layer coating, including an inner, porous, water-permeable coating and an outer polymer layer having a controlled permeability to water. The Schreiber coating is intended to control moisture permeation and delay germination until climatic conditions are satisfactory for continued crop growth. Watts (U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,996, issued Apr. 6, 1976) controls germination by coating seeds with a film-forming composition comprising a water-insoluble polymer and polyvinyl alcohol having an oxygen transmission high enough to maintain viability of the seed. Dannelly (U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,343, issued Feb. 10, 1981) discloses a temporary, disintegrating microgel coating for protecting seeds from mechanical and environmental damage and for carrying fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides.
In other literature, molybdenum is shown to be a micronutrient for legumes. See, for example, Gupta and MacKay ("Crop Response To Applied Molybdenum and Copper on Podzol Soils", Can. J. Soil Sci., Vol. 48, 235-242 (1968)). Gupta and MacKay reports increases in yields of cauliflower, spinach, barley, timothy and alfalfa after application of Mo and Cu to the soils.
In acidic soils, lime coatings for seeds have been shown to be beneficial to seedling performance. The presence of the lime coating is believed to improve nodulation in soils with pH ranging from about 5.0-5.6. Kunelius and Gupta ("Effects of Seed Inoculation Methods with Peat-Based Rhizobium Meliloti On Alfalfa", Can. J. Plant Sci. 55: 555-563) discusses the performance of alfalfa seed inoculated with Rhizobium meliloti (with and without molybdenum-treating), compared to lime-coated alfalfa seed inoculated with Rhizobium meliloti (with and without molybdenum-treating). Kunelius and Gupta show superior results from the seeds with a lime coating, compared to those without the lime coating. Kunelius and Gupta report that treating with molybdenum did not always increase the alfalfa dry matter yields, the nitrogen content of the alfalfa tissue, or the nodulation of the alfalfa, compared with the results of corresponding seed treatments without added molybdenum. Thus, Kunelius and Gupta conclude that lime coating may be advantageous to vigorous alfalfa stands when broadcasting of limestone onto acidic soils is not practical or desirable.
Gypsum has been suggested as a seed coating. See, for example, McGraw and Bailey, "Efficacy Of Seed Coating To Improve Seedling Survival", a published industry report. In this article, gypsum is listed along with "clays, lime . . . phosphate rock, organic materials, etc.," as a possible seed coating.
Examples of other nutrients and additives for improving plant growth and/or crop production are described in several U.S. patents. Compositions for broadcasting and mixing with soils are described, as well as in vitro culture media. Coke (U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,434, issued Jul. 9, 1996), Yamashita (U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,729, issued Aug. 27, 1996), and College, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,811, issued May 13, 1997) are examples of such nutrients and additives.
Coke discloses a basal nutrient medium for in vitro cultures of loblolly pines. The medium includes nitrate, ammonium, potassium, phosphorate, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, chlorine, sodium, borate, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, iodine, molybdenum oxide, cobalt, thiamine and EDTA. Coke discloses use of this medium, comprising many ingredients, for the purposes of asexual propagation, rejuvenation, virus elimination, and genetic transformation.
Yamashita discloses a composition for stimulating growth of plants comprising a long list of preferred ingredients: a carbon skeleton/energy component (typically a sugar or mixture of sugars such as molasses); a macro-nutrient component providing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium and preferably also magnesium and sulfur; a micro-nutrient component providing zinc, iron and manganese, and preferably also copper, boron, molybdenum and cobalt; and preferably a vitamin/cofactor component, an enhancement component, and a buffer. Yamashita teaches that the most important nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium, zinc, iron and manganese. Yamashita lists thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, cyanocobalamin, phosphatidylcholine, inositol, and para-minabenzoic acid as vitamin/cofactors. Yamashita lists as enhancement components such materials as complexing agents, gums, and growth regulators, including seaweed extract, citric acid, Katy-J complexing agent, and Xanthan gum. Yamashita discloses that the media may be applied in the form of an aqueous solution, sprayed at intervals at different stages of the plant growth, or in a form suitable for coating seeds or pollen.
College, et al. discloses a plant-growth enhancement method intended for ameliorating acid soils. In the College method, 0.05 to 20 percent by weight of flue gas desulfurization by-product is mixed into the soil. The flue gas desulfurization by-product consisted of 80-99 wt-% of gypsum and 1-20 wt-% of magnesium hydroxide.
Still, there is a need for improved compositions and methods of protecting and enhancing legume seeds and seedling survival and growth, in order to increase plant vigor and crop production. These is a need for economical and convenient compositions and methods for such seed treatments that can reliably improve seedling performance.

Seed coating composition of gypsum with molybdenum


A vehicle brake booster apparatus includes a housing and a power piston positioned within the interior of the housing to divide the interior into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, with the power piston being movable in response to a pressure difference between the second pressure chamber and the first pressure chamber. An axially movable input rod extends outwardly from the power piston and is adapted to be operatively connected to a brake pedal. An axially movable output rod extends outwardly from the housing and is adapted to be operatively connected to a master cylinder. An axially movable valve plunger is mounted within the power piston and is operatively connected to the input rod. A control valve is disposed within the power piston and controls the pressure difference between the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. A reaction device is also provided between the housing and the input rod for applying the reaction force produced by the master cylinder to the input rod.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,125 discloses a vehicle brake booster apparatus which has a reaction plate disposed between an output rod and a power piston. This apparatus also includes a valve mechanism which is arranged in the power piston. The valve mechanism controls the pressure differential between a constant pressure chamber and a variable pressure chamber and generates a control force of a master cylinder. The apparatus receives a reaction force from the master cylinder which is then transmitted to the power piston and the input rod in a predetermined ratio with a reaction mechanism (reaction disc).
The apparatus generates a correct brake pedal stroke in response to the piston stroke movement of the master cylinder. Further, the apparatus generates a reaction force of the brake pedal and a boosted force in response to the output of the reaction mechanism.
In brake boosters of this type, it is often desirable to improve the control response of the brake booster. One way of improving the control response is to design a large clearance and/or a large space in the control valve. However, in this apparatus, the reaction mechanism restrains the operation of the control valve and cannot produce a quick operation.
A need exists therefore for an improved brake booster apparatus that is able to overcome the above drawbacks.
It would be desirable to provide a brake booster apparatus which is able to produce a precise reaction force of the brake pedal in response to the amount pedal stroke operation.
It would also be desirable to provide a brake booster apparatus which can produce desirable output characteristics in response to the pedal stroke amount.
It would be further desirable to provide a brake booster apparatus possessing a large clearance between the atmospheric air and the negative pressure chamber.


A sensor unit is supported on a stationary ring which does not rotate even when it is in use, and the rotation of the rotary ring can be detected by a rotation detecting sensor held within the sensor unit. Within the sensor unit, besides the rotation detecting sensor, there are disposed other sensors such as a temperature sensor and a vibration sensor, thereby being able to detect the rotation speed and the rotation number of the wheel supported on the rotary ring, and the other car driving conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wheel rotation detecting device which detects the rotation speed (or rotation number) of a wheel of a car supported on a suspension and also detects the conditions of a rolling bearing unit portion supporting the wheel of the car, such as the temperature or vibration thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
To obtain the rotation speed of a wheel in order to be able to control an antilock brake system (ABS) or a traction control system (TCS), in the related art, there are known various kinds of wheel supporting rolling bearing units with a rotation speed detecting device each structured such that a rotation speed detecting device is incorporated into a rolling bearing unit used to support the wheel on a suspension of a car. Here, as an example of a wheel supporting rolling bearing unit with a rotation speed detecting device which is used for the above purpose, FIG. 19 shows a wheel supporting rolling bearing unit which is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2838701.
An outer ring 1, which corresponds to a stationary ring, is supported on a knuckle forming a suspension by an outward-facing-flange-shaped mounting portion 2 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 1 and, even when the rolling bearing unit is in use, the outer ring 1 is not rotatable. A rotary ring 3 is disposed on the inside diameter side of the outer ring 1; and, the rotary ring 3 is structured such that an inner ring 5 is fitted into and fixed to the inner end portion of a hub 4 (here, the term "inner side with respect to the axial direction" means the width-direction central side of the rolling bearing unit with respect to a car; and, in FIGS. 1, 14 and 19, on the right side). Between outer ring raceways 6, 6, which are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 1 and respectively serve as stationary side raceways, and inner ring raceways 7, 7 which are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the hub 4 and inner ring 5 and respectively serve as rotary side raceways, there are interposed two rows of rolling elements, that is, balls 8, 8 each row including a plurality of rolling elements in such a manner that they are rollable while they are held by their respective retainers 9, 9.
The above-structured rotary ring 3 is rotatably supported on the inside diameter side of the outer ring 1. On the outer end portion (here, the term "outer side with respect to the axial direction" means the width-direction end portion side of the rolling bearing unit with respect to a car; and, in FIGS. 1, 14 and 19, on the left side) of the hub 4 forming the rotary ring 3, there is disposed a flange 10 which is used to support a wheel (not shown). Also, seal rings 11, 11 are interposed between the inner peripheral surfaces of the two end portions of the outer ring 1 and the middle portion outer peripheral surface of the hub 4 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner end portion of the inner ring 5; and, these seal rings 11, 11 shut off a space 12, in which the balls 8, 8 are disposed, from the outside, thereby being able to prevent grease enclosed in the space 12 from leaking out therefrom to the outside, and also to prevent a foreign substance floating in the outside from moving into the space 12.
Also, an encoder 13 is fitted with and fixed to the outside of the middle portion of the hub 4, namely, the portion extending between the two rows of balls 8, 8 in an interference fit manner. The encoder 13 is formed of magnetic metal material such as soft steel into a circular-ring shape; and, on the outer peripheral surface of the encoder 13, there are formed gear-shaped uneven portions (composed of recessed portions and projected portions) to thereby cause the magnetic characteristics of the present outer peripheral surface to vary alternately and at regular intervals with respect to the circumferential direction. On the other hand, in the middle portion of the outer ring 1, a rotation detecting sensor 14 is inserted into and supported by a mounting hole 15 which is formed in such a manner that it can bring the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the outer ring 1 into communication with each other; and, a detecting portion, which is formed in the leading end face (in FIG. 19, the lower end face) of the rotation detecting sensor 14, is disposed near to and opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the encoder 13.
When the above-structured wheel supporting rolling bearing unit with a rotation speed detector of the related art is in use while it is assembled between the suspension and wheel, in case where this wheel is rotated, the recessed portions and projected portions existing on the outer peripheral surface of the encoder 13 pass alternately through the detecting surface of the rotation detecting sensor 14. As a result of this, the density of magnetic flux flowing in the rotation detecting sensor 14 varies, whereby the output of the rotation detecting sensor 14 varies. A frequency, at which the output varies, is in proportion to the rotation speed of the wheel and, therefore, in case where the output signal of the rotation detecting sensor 14 is sent to a control unit (not shown), the ABS or TCS can be controlled properly. Also, the rotation number of the wheel can be obtained from the number of times of the variations of the output of the rotation detecting sensor 14. Thanks to this, recently, the output signal of the rotation detecting sensor 14 has been used as a signal to control not only the ABS and TCS but also a car navigation system and an ITS (Intelligent Transport System).
In the case of the above-mentioned wheel supporting rolling bearing unit with a rotation speed detector of the related art, the rotation speed and rotation number of the wheel can be detected but the other conditions of the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit cannot be detected. On the other hand, due to the rapid progress of a car technology in recent years, there arises the need to obtain more pieces of information from the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit.
For example, in case where it is possible to know the temperature of a wheel supporting rolling bearing unit portion of a car, an increase in the temperature of the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit portion and the overheated condition of a brake portion of a car can be detected. The increase in the temperature of the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit portion not only provides important data in knowing the life of the present wheel supporting rolling bearing unit itself but also can show the overheated condition of the brake portion to thereby give a warning to a driver before a dangerous condition such as vapor lock occurs. By the way, in case where a speed signal from a rotation detecting sensor is combined with a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, generation of heat due to the friction loss of the present rolling bearing unit can be corrected. Therefore, even in a moving body such as a vehicle in which the temperature always varies according to variations in the rotation speed, the accuracy of detection of the temperature in the abnormality of the present rolling bearing unit can be enhanced. Also, by measuring the magnitude of the vibrations and the wavelengths of the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit portion and by analyzing the frequencies thereof, there can be obtained important data in knowing the life of the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit in addition to the conditions of the road surfaces and the conditions of the air pressures of tires. In case where proper knowledge of the road conditions is obtained, the automatic change of the damping force of a damper attached to the suspension can be executed properly; and, in case where the tire air pressure can be estimated, it is possible not only to give a warning when the tire air pressure is abnormal but also to increase or decrease the tire air pressure. This can prevent an accident such as tire burst which may occur when a vehicle runs at a high speed with a low tire air pressure. Further, a proper knowledge of the life of the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit can tell the driver the remaining life thereof before the car becomes impossible to run any further and thus can give a warning to the driver in such a condition that the driver can drive the car up to a garage.
To know the above-mentioned temperatures and vibrations, a temperature sensor and a vibration sensor (an acceleration sensor) may be assembled to a portion of the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit. However, in case where these sensors are assembled independently of the rotation detecting sensor, the weight and assembling space of the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit increase, and the number of assembling man-hour increases to thereby increase the manufacturing cost of the car unfavorably.


A roller leveler is provided having a substantially uniform pitch of leveling rolls arranged in a zigzag manner. The roller leveler has a first roll group with first leveling rolls at a pitch “P1”, a second roll group with second leveling rolls at the pitch “P1”, a first retract mechanism for retracting the middle first leveling rolls, and second retract mechanisms for retracting pairs of end second leveling rolls. The second roll group also has third leveling rolls at the pitch “P1” with respect to the outermost second leveling rolls.

Conventionally, a roller leveler has been widely utilized in which a steel plate rolled by a rolling mill is flattened while being carried. A roller leveler in this type has been known which is capable of flattening both of a thick steel plate and a thin steel plate whose thicknesses are different from each other by changing a pitch of leveling rolls which are used for flattening the steel plate (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-57350 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 62-203616).
The roller leveler described in Hei 5-57350 and Sho 62-203616 is provided with six pieces of upper leveling rolls, which are arranged in a constant pitch on an upper side of a pass line where a steel plate is passed, and seven pieces of lower leveling rolls which are arranged in the same pitch as the upper leveling rolls on a lower side of the pass line. The upper leveling rolls and the lower leveling rolls in the roller leveler are arranged in a zigzag manner so as to sandwich the pass line, and a pitch between the upper leveling rolls and the lower leveling rolls in a carrying direction of the steel plate is set to be a half of the pitch of the upper leveling rolls. Further, the roller leveler is provided with a retract mechanism by which three upper leveling rolls disposed at every other rolls of the six upper leveling rolls are moved upward to retract from the pass line, a retract mechanism by which three lower leveling rolls disposed at every other rolls of the seven lower leveling rolls are moved downward to retract from the pass line, and a moving mechanism by which the seven lower leveling rolls are moved to an upstream side or a downstream side in the carrying direction of the steel plate.
In the roller leveler described above, a pitch of the leveling rolls which are used for flattening a steel plate is changed as follows. In other words, in the roller leveler, first, three of the six pieces of the upper leveling rolls are moved upward to retract from the pass line and three of the seven pieces of the lower leveling rolls are moved downward to retract from the pass line by the retract mechanism. In this state, a pitch in the carrying direction between the upper leveling rolls and the lower leveling rolls which are not retracted becomes non-uniform and the steel plate may be unable to be adequately flattened. Therefore, in the roller leveler, after retracted, the seven pieces of the lower leveling rolls are moved in the carrying direction of the steel plate by a half of the pitch of the upper leveling rolls by the moving mechanism. In this manner, the pitch in the carrying direction between the upper leveling rolls and the lower leveling rolls which are not retracted is set to be uniform.
A retract mechanism for retracting the leveling rolls from the pass line has been known which is provided with a wedge on a fixed side (fixed side wedge), which is fixed on an upper face or an under face of a holding member rotatably holding plural pieces of backup rolls that are arranged in an axial direction of the leveling roll, and a wedge on a movable side (movable side wedge) with which a cylinder is connected (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,968). In this retract mechanism, the fixed side wedge and the movable side wedge are formed in a rectangular triangle shape when viewed in the carrying direction of the steel plate and their slant faces are abutted with each other. Further, when the movable side wedge is moved in the axial direction of the leveling roll, some of the upper leveling rolls and the lower leveling rolls are moved to the pass line side and retracted from the pass line.


A method and apparatus for file operation comprise a file operation method which enters, prior to the file operation, processing methods for exceptional events which are expected to occur during the file operation, a file operation method which, at the occurrence of an exceptional event during a file operation, holds the file operation, saves information pertinent to the held file into a memory, and inquires the user of the processing method of the held file for the exceptional event, and a file operation method which displays a list of hierarchically organized files at multiple levels so that multiple files can be designated as objects of operations.

This invention relates to a file operation method for operating files stored in a storage unit of a computer or the like.
In conventional personal computers and word processors, texts created by the user are stored in the form of files in the internal storage unit (memory, hard disk, floppy disk, etc.) as shown JP-A-61-198360 filed on Feb. 28, 1985 by Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. Generally, files are stored in the storage unit by being grouped and organized on the basis of hierarchical structure. On this account, besides data files for storing data of texts and dictionaries, there exist specific files called "directories" for storing such information as file names of files in groups. Since directories can also be grouped as files, all files can be organized hierarchically.
Generally, it is possible for the user to copy or move files to another storage unit, delete files, change the name of files, and so on (these file operations will generically called "file operations" hereinafter). These file operations are mostly implemented in two operations which include designation of an object file (will be termed "object designation") and specification of the type of operation such as copy, move, etc. (will be termed "function specification"). The user takes these operations and thereafter responds to the prompt by the system, which depends on the function specification, to have another operation (e.g., the designation of destination for the copied or moved file). Some methods allow to designate a plurality of files in one operation so that the files are operated at once.
There are several methods for the object designation operation. For example, names of stored files or pictorial symbols of files (will be termed "icons") are displayed on the display unit, and the user is prompted to enter the file name or associated number, etc. through the keyboard or move the cursor onto the file name or icon by operating a pointing device such as a mouse or the cursor keys on the keyboard.
In many of the methods, when an exceptional event occurs during the process of a function specified by the user, a message is displayed thereby to inquire the user of a subsequent process to proceed. An example of exceptional events is the case in which a copy operation detects that a file with the same file name as that of the file to be copied already exists in the copy destination. The user's option against the inquiry on the above-mentioned exceptional event includes the abortion of the copy operation, copying the file after deleting the existing file, etc.
In the file operation mentioned above, the following problem will arise in case of operations for multiple files. Namely, during an operation for multiple files, if any exceptional event occurs in the process of one file, the system displays a message to inquire the user of the proceeding process. The system follows the user's response to proceed to the remaining process for the immediate file and the process for the remaining files. However, if the system inquiry accompanied by message display takes place frequently, the user will be busy in monitoring the message uninterruptedly in a state of readiness for response. Generally, the user has a multiple-file operation in expectation of less awkwardness than handling files individually. Therefore, a growing intricacy of the user's operation as in the above-mentioned case is conceived to be a significant problem.
Moreover, the hierarchical file system is not considered for the designation of object files at multiple levels among hierarchically organized files.


A discharge device and method actively discharge a main capacitor in an electric-power system of an electric-drive vehicle. The discharge device comprises a discharge branch of a circuit that is connected in parallel to the main capacitor and includes a discharge transistor that is biased to “conduction” mode when the main capacitor is required to be discharged. A control device is connected to a “gate/base” terminal of the discharge transistor and commands the discharge transistor, biasing the discharge resistor to “conduction” mode when the main capacitor is required to be discharged. The control device includes a safety capacitor that is interposed between the “gate/base” terminal and a power supply and charges when the discharge transistor is in the “conduction” mode, causing a progressive decrease of current at the “gate/base” terminal, until the discharge transistor is biased to the “non-conductive” state.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to, in general, a discharge device and, in particular, such a device and discharge method to actively discharge a capacitor in an electric-power system of an electric-drive vehicle ["electric-drive vehicle" meaning either a vehicle with electric drive only (i.e., free from other types of mechanical-energy sources) or hybrid vehicle provided with electric drive and thermal drive].
2. Description of Related Art
Electric drive combined with traditional thermal drive for making hybrid drive is becoming increasingly more popular in road vehicles. Electric drive includes using a three-phase (typically, synchronous and of the "permanent magnet" type), reversible rotating electric machine (i.e., capable of working either as an electric motor by drawing electricity and generating a mechanical drive torque or electric generator by drawing mechanical energy and generating electricity) that, on one side, is mechanically connected or connectable to the drive wheels and, on the other side, electrically connected to an electronic power converter that exchanges electricity with a storage system consisting of electrochemical cells working at high-voltage, (of the order of 400-600 volts). A filter capacitor is present immediately downstream of the storage system. The filter capacitor is installed in the electronic power converter and connected in parallel to the terminals of the storage system and has a high capacity and the function of absorbing/supplying high-frequency electricity. In other words, the storage system supplies/absorbs the "average value" of the exchanged electricity while the filter capacitor supplies/absorbs the pulse variations of the exchanged electricity (this extends the life of the electrochemical cells of the storage system, which rapidly decay when they must exchange impulsive energy).
When needed (e.g., whenever the vehicle is turned off at the end of traveling by the starter key or is case of maintenance intervention or accidents), the storage system is galvanically isolated from the rest of the electric circuit by an isolating switch to ensure the disconnection of electricity from the electric circuit. However, the filter capacitor is arranged downstream of the insulating switch of the storage system, and, by remaining charged, it maintains the electric system live for a very long time. It is, therefore, necessary to discharge the filter capacitor whenever the isolating switch of the storage system is opened. How to discharge a capacitor in a passive manner (i.e., by a discharge resistor that is permanently connected in parallel to the capacitor) or active manner (i.e., by biasing a discharge resistor to "conduction" mode to create a discharge branch in parallel to the capacitor by which the capacitor charge is dissipated) is known.
The passive discharge system is highly safe because it always works (at least until mechanical integrity of the system is ensured), but it requires a very long time (of the order of several minutes) to take the residual voltage of the capacitor to safe levels and provides a permanent energy dissipation by "Joule effect." On the other hand, the active discharge system may rapidly discharge the capacitor (in a few seconds) and only dissipates energy when it is used (therefore, it has an absolutely negligible energy dissipation). But, on the other hand, it may not be activated in case of malfunction of the control system that must activate the discharge transistor.
Thus, it is the object of the invention to provide a discharge device and method to actively discharge a capacitor used in an electric-power system of an electric-drive vehicle. More specifically, it is the object of the invention to provide such a discharge device and method that are free from the above-described drawbacks while being easy and cost-effective to be implemented.

Device and method to discharge a capacitor for use in the electric power system of an electric drive vehicle


Disclosed is a method of extracting, from the patient's own blood, enriched platelet factors, or EnPLAF, storable supernatant, void of live blood cells, utilized for treatment of said patient's medical conditions, including but not limited to pain management, aesthetic rejuvenation, bone, muscle and soft tissue healing.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section, and are disclosed for the sole purpose of enriching the understanding of the origins and the background of the present invention.
The present invention focuses on harnessing the beneficial biological factors from patients' own blood cells, called platelets. Platelets represent the smallest components of the human blood that assist in blood clotting. Specifically, platelets are fragments of cytoplasm that are derived from the megakaryocytes of the bone marrow. The formation of platelets is governed by the amount of oxygen in the blood and the presence of nucleic acid derivatives from injured tissue. A normal platelet count in a human body ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
The beneficial biological factors secreted by platelets known to be important in healing, regeneration and pain reduction include: 1) platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), benefiting the collagen production, repair and generation of new blood cells; 2) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), contributing to the growth and generation of new vascular endothelial cells; 3) fibroblast growth factor (FGF), contributing to tissue repair, cell growth and collagen production; 4) epidermal growth factor (EGF), contributing to the growth of the epithelial cells, promotion of new blood cells and wound healing process; 5) transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-B), promoting healing of wounds, and contributing to the growth of epithelial and endothelial cells; 6) keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), contributing to the growth and generation of new keratinocytes cells (the predominant cells in the outer layer of skin).
The regenerative properties of platelets have been utilized widely—with varying results—in treatment of various physical conditions, including arthritis, pain management, ligaments, muscle, bone and soft tissue injuries. One of the most popular treatments, currently available on the market, is the platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment.
The PRP treatment, as the name implies, combines the blood plasma with high levels of platelets, derived from the patient's own blood. The PRP is given to patients through an injection, which could be quite painful. Another drawback of the PRP treatment is its limited shelf life. The limited shelf life of PRP is attributed to the live cells present in the PRP, and also because it clots easily. This drawback requires the patients to undergo the treatment soon after the PRP is prepared; and in circumstances where multiple doses of the PRP are required, forcing the patient to undergo multiple blood draws to complete the PRP treatment.
The present invention addresses the above-defined drawbacks by creating a new treatment supernatant, rich in growth platelet-based factors, but void of any live blood cells—commonly referred to as the enriched platelet factors (EnPLAF). Similarly to the PRP, the EnPLAF supernatant is also created from the patient's own blood. Unlike the PRP, the EnPLAF treatment injections are painless and the EnPLAF supernatant can be easily stored for extended periods of time, even frozen, allowing patients to receive multiple treatments from a single blood draw.
The therapeutic applications of the EnPLAF treatment include: 1) orthopedics and pain management; here, the EnPLAF treatment may accelerate repair and restoration of worn-out joints, soft tissue injuries and reduce pain associated with arthritis, tendinitis, including acute and/or chronic muscle pains; 2) podiatry and wound healing; here, the EnPLAF treatment may alleviate ankle pain, spurs, diabetic ulcers, and accelerate post-surgery recovery times; 3) aesthetic medicine; here, the EnPLAF treatment may contribute to rejuvenation of facial skin, neck, hands, breasts and hair restoration; 4) sexual health; here, the EnPLAF treatment may improve sexual dysfunction as well as increase performance for males when used as an intra-cavernous injection and for females when used as an intra-vaginal injection; 5) dentistry; here, the EnPLAF treatment may accelerate the curative process associated with dental implants, bone grafts, tooth extractions and other periodontal treatments.

Method of extracting from the patient's own blood enriched platelet factors (EnPLAF) and application thereof in treatment of various medical conditions


An anchor plate mounting structure of a vehicle seatbelt includes an anchor plate that is provided on a mounting portion provided on a surrounding portion of a vehicle seat, and has a belt connecting portion to which an end portion of a lap belt of the vehicle seatbelt, the lap belt corresponding to a waist of an occupant, is fastened; a fastening portion that is provided in a position away from the belt connecting portion, and by which the anchor plate is fastened to the mounting portion; and a rotation-stopping portion that is provided in a position away from both the belt connecting portion and the fastening portion, and by which the anchor plate engages with a mounting portion side. An alignment direction of the belt connecting portion and the fastening portion intersects with an alignment direction of the fastening portion and the rotation-stopping portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an anchor plate mounting structure of a vehicle seatbelt.
2. Description of Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-203305 (JP 10-203305 A) describes a structure that stops a seatbelt anchor from rotating, by a protruding bead formed bent upward on a portion of a floor panel of a vehicle.
However, in the example described above, it is possible that an anchor plate may end up riding over the protruding bead due to a load input to the anchor plate at the time of a vehicle collision. If the anchor plate rotates, the position of a connecting point on the anchor plate where a lap belt is connected will change. As a result, a load (tension) on the lap belt from an occupant may temporarily decrease, and the amount of movement of the waist of the occupant may increase.

Anchor plate mounting structure of vehicle seatbelt


A composition useful for the fueling and refueling of electrochemical devices is described. The composition comprises an ion-conducting medium such as an electrolyte, and catalyst nanoparticles. Unlike traditional electrodes, such as those typically used in electrolyzers and fuel cells, the inventive composition may be quickly drained from the device and refilled to maintain maximum cell performance. In addition, the electro-catalytic charging composition can be stored as a solid for safe handling; for example in a portable cartridge.

1. Technical Field
The inventions disclosed herein generally relate to a composition used for the fueling and re-fueling of electrochemical devices.
2. Related Art
A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy. They typically operate with higher efficiencies than traditional combustion engines. In addition, emission of greenhouse gasses from fuel cells is reduced or eliminated. The prospect of affordable, clean fuel for stationary and transportation applications are several of the driving forces behind the Hydrogen Economy, where the energy infrastructure is based on hydrogen instead of oil. Liquid hydrocarbon fuels, such as methanol, are also advantageous in fuel cells. Fuel cell electrodes and devices have been previously described in U.S. Ser. No. 60/896,722. The disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference.
Devices that are configured to electrochemically convert reactants, for example water, into products such as hydrogen and oxygen when energy is applied are generally known as electrolyzers. For an electrolyzer to operate with high efficiency, the amount of product produced during reaction should be maximized relative to the amount of energy input. In many conventional devices, low catalyst utilization in the electrodes, cell resistance, inefficient movement of electrolyte, and inefficient collection of reaction products from the electrolyte stream contribute to significant efficiency loss. In many cases, low efficiency is compensated for by operating the cell at a low rate (current). This strategy does increase efficiency; however, it also lowers the amount of products that can be produced at a given time. The electrolyzer described in the preferred embodiments can operate both at high rates and efficiencies. Electrolysis electrodes and devices have been previously described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/716,375. The disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference.
Platinum is highly catalytic for hydrogen or hydrocarbon oxidation and oxygen reduction in gas diffusion electrodes for a variety of fuel cells, or splitting of reagents such as water in electrolysis cells. However, this noble metal is a rapidly depleting non-renewable resource and is consequently expensive. Current price for bulk platinum black is $75.00/gram. The associated cost of a platinum deposited electrode, typically loaded anywhere from 2-8 mg/cm2, is widely considered to be a hurdle to widespread commercialization. With the gaining demand for alternative energy sources by consumers, efficient catalysts, new fuel cell electrodes and designs must be discovered to alleviate the demand and expense of platinum. Based on this, considerable effort is being dedicated to find an alternative catalyst which can match or exceed platinum's electrical performance. Method of synthesis of metal nanoparticles has been previously described in U.S. Ser. No. 10/840,409, as well as their use in air cathodes for batteries in U.S. Ser. No. 10/983,993.
A fluidized bed reactor (FBR) is designed to carry out chemical reactions that take place between materials solids, and liquids and/or gasses. In this type of reactor, a gas or liquid is passed through catalyst particles such that the catalyst particles are supported by an upflow of gas. The gas should have a significant enough velocity such that the catalyst particles remain suspended. The FBR is widely used in the chemical industry because of excellent heat and mass transfer characteristics. However, the use of FBRs is relatively unexplored in conjunction with electrochemical cells, and has not been previously demonstrated with catalyst nanoparticles. Because the catalyst particles can be suspended in a liquid electrolyte, it is possible to re-fuel the electrochemical FBR when the electrolyte is depleted or the catalyst becomes inactive.


Embodiments of the disclosure include a method for data mining shape based data, the method includes receiving shape data for each of a plurality of data entries and creating a first abstract from the shape data for each of the plurality of data entries. The method also includes organizing the first abstracts into a plurality of groups based on a criterion and creating a second abstract for each data entry in the plurality of groups based on the criterion and information derived from the first abstract.

The present invention relates to data mining, and more specifically, to data mining shape based data.
There are many data analysis applications where shapes based data may provide important information, such as data associated with design specifications, layouts, plans, routes, traces or maps. Data analysis can be enhanced by depicting data as shapes for the analysis or including layout information in the analysis, such as critical path analysis or diagnostics data analysis for yield learning. Currently, for diagnostics data analysis, tests are performed on devices, such as semiconductor integrated circuit wafer tests, to detect possible errors in the devices. Some of these tests are diagnosable and produce diagnostic data that relate to possible errors in the devices. Diagnostic data are typically stored in a database and reviewed in an attempt to identify possible causes or similarities in the detected errors. The diagnostic results may include large amounts of associated shape based layout data. As a result of the large quantity of data produced, reviewing the diagnostic data to detect the presence of systematic errors or defects in the devices is a difficult and time consuming task.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


The process rules for manufacturing semiconductor devices such as MOSFET""s are modified to provide dual work-function doping following the customary gate sidewall oxidation step, greatly reducing thermal budget and boron penetration concerns. The concern of thermal budget is further significantly reduced by a device structure which allows a reduced gap aspect ratio while maintaining low sheet resistance values. A reduced gap aspect ratio also relaxes the need for highly reflowable dielectric materials and also facilitates the use of angled source-drain (S-D) and halo implants. Also provided is a novel structure and process for producing a MOSFET channel, lateral doping profile which suppresses short channel effects while providing low S-D junction capacitance and leakage, as well as immunity to hot-carrier effects. This also affords the potential for reduction in the contact stud-to-gate conductor capacitance, because borderless contacts can be formed with an oxide gate sidewall spacer. As a result, the S-D junctions can be doped independently of the gate conductor doping, more easily allowing a variety of MOSFET structures.

The present invention is generally directed to the manufacture of semiconductors and, more particularly, to the manufacture of MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) devices.
It has been found that, in practice, the ability to scale known MOSFET structures and processes is complicated by numerous concerns and competing factors. Frequently, the need to develop a structural or process enhancement to solve a particular problem leads to the creation of other problems which previously had not been an issue. For example, halo implant doping is often used to provide a region of enhanced channel doping at the perimeter of the source-drain (S-D) diffusions (e.g., boron halos are often used around the N+S-D diffusions of NMOSFETs). In practice, however, the need for high channel doping (including high halo implant doping) to suppress short channel roll-off can lead to increased junction leakage, high junction capacitance, and hot-carrier degradation. As another example, the increasing need for dual work-function gate conductors can lead to additional process integration complexity (in order to avoid boron penetration through the gate insulator).
Still other issues are caused by the higher aspect ratios of the spaces between adjacent gate conductors which have more recently become increasingly desirable. The need for higher aspect ratios is driven by the higher gate conductor stacks, which are required to achieve a low sheet resistance, as well as constantly shrinking device dimensions. A high aspect ratio tends, however, to limit the ability to use angled S-D and halo implants, and also tends to complicate dielectric gap fill processes. To fill such high aspect ratio gaps, a reflow of dielectrics (such as borophospho-silicate glass or BPSG) is required. But such reflow tends to add to an already critical thermal budget, which in turn makes it necessary to contain the thermal budget to realize a scaling of doping profiles and also to avoid boron penetration through the gate insulator.
Still further complications are caused by difficulties in containing gate conductor sheet resistance because of the reduced cross-sectional area which is encountered. To reduce this gate conductor wiring resistance, higher level xe2x80x9cstitchedxe2x80x9d wiring is used (e.g., stitched wordlines). Stitched wiring tends to increase design complexity.
Therefore, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved structure and process for producing semiconductor devices, such as MOSFET""s, for purposes of reducing thermal budget and boron penetration concerns. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the aspect ratios which can be achieved, while maintaining a low sheet resistance. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved MOSFET channel structure which can implement such improvements. A still further object of the invention is to provide a MOSFET with improved electrical characteristics, including reduced short channel effect, lower junction capacitance, reduced junction leakage, and improved hot-carrier reliability.
These and other objects which will become apparent are achieved in accordance with the present invention by modifying the process for manufacturing semiconductor devices such as MOSFET""s to provide dual work-function doping following the customary gate sidewall oxidation step of the manufacturing process, greatly reducing thermal budget and boron penetration concerns. The concern of thermal budget (i.e., contributed to by BPSG dielectric reflow) is farther significantly reduced by a novel device structure which allows a reduced gap aspect ratio while maintaining low sheet resistance values. This reduced gap aspect ratio also relaxes the need for highly reflowable dielectric materials and also facilitates the use of angled S-D and halo implants, if desired.
Further provided is a novel structure and process for producing a MOSFET channel, lateral doping profile which suppresses short channel effects while providing low S-D junction capacitance and leakage, as well as immunity to hot-carrier effects. Yet another feature of the present invention is the potential for reduction in the contact stud-to-gate conductor capacitance, because the process of the present invention will allow a borderless contact to be formed with an oxide gate cap and oxide sidewall spacers.
An important feature of the process and the structures of the present invention is that the S-D junctions can be doped independently of the gate conductor doping which is performed. Such a process more easily allows the embodiment of N+gated p-type field effect transistors (PFET""s) and P+gated n-type field effect transistors (NFET""s), in addition to the standard N+gated NFET""s and P+gated PFET""s. Thus, the process and structures of the present invention achieve a variety of MOSFET structures. This flexibility is of significant value to product designers.

Transistors having independently adjustable parameters

International Business Machines Corporation


An image forming apparatus includes light source having multiple light-emitting portions, rotating polygonal mirror which deflects a beam that is emitted from light source, and photosensitive member which is exposed by beams in an image period that is included in one scanning cycle of the beam. One scanning cycle of the beam includes an image period and a non-image period. This apparatus includes selection unit which selects one or more light-emitting portions to be used in image period from among multiple light-emitting portions, and driving unit which drives selected light-emitting portions to emit a beam in a non-image period that is immediately before image period. This apparatus further includes control unit which executes auto light power control for one or more light-emitting portions to be used in image period according to light power of beams detected by beam detection unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs light exposure using a light source that has a plurality of light-emitting portions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, semiconductor lasers that can perform direct intensity modulation by drive current have been employed in optical scanning apparatuses that are mounted in image forming apparatuses. It is known that there is a significant difference with respect to the drive current/light output characteristics between each light emitting device. Also, it is known that even for the same light emitting device, these characteristics vary according to the environmental temperature or the device temperature. Therefore, APC (auto power control) is employed. In APC, the light power of a semiconductor laser is monitored and light power control is carried out so that the light power keeps a target value.
A multi-beam optical system is also known. The system can form a plurality of lines with one scan by using a plurality of light sources. A method has been proposed that performs light power control of each light source in a multi-beam optical system by causing all the light sources provided in the multi-beam optical system to emit light in a sequential order in a non-image period within one scanning cycle (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 7-12709).
A method has also been proposed that feeds a bias current of a level that does not emit light to a laser in order to improve the responsiveness of the laser (Japanese Patent No. 3255295). In order to decide this bias current, light power control is required for each light source.
The number of light sources used in multi-beam optical systems tends to increase as the result of demands for faster print speeds and higher image quality in recent years. For the same reasons, the number of mirror planes of rotating polygonal mirrors is also increasing and the rotating speed is being sped up. As a result, a non-image period included in a single scanning cycle is becoming shorter than heretofore.
On the other hand, it is necessary to execute not only APC for adjusting the light power when the light is on but also APC for adjusting the bias current for each light source in the non-image period. However, since a period of from several microseconds to several tens of microseconds is generally required as the execution time for these APCs, the shorter the non-image period becomes, the more difficult it is to accurately execute the APC. In particular, it is becoming difficult to execute APC in a single non-image period for all light sources comprised by an optical system.

Image forming apparatus, optical scanning apparatus, and auto light power control method


A method and apparatus for enabling a user to access media objects, such as images, from a website without requiring the user to enter the website. In one embodiment, a search engine searches for websites that match a submitted search term. A selected URL to one of the resulting websites is submitted to a harvester that accesses a web page of the selected website and identifies a media object of the web page. The harvester determines the characteristic(s) of the media object, such as a dimension, an aspect ratio, a proximity to other media objects, etc. The harvester determines a second media object with substantially the same characteristic(s). The determined media objects, or subportions, are rendered in a client user interface. Relationships are mapped between a selected media object and projects that use the object. Manipulating a rendered portion causes a related operation on the whole media object.

Internet users often use search engines to search for content based on keywords submitted to the search engine. The search engines generally return a list of web pages that include at least one of the submitted keywords or are somehow related to the submitted keywords. The search engines also typically return a snippet of the content text that includes, or is near the submitted keywords. To obtain further content from a resulting web page, a user generally selects a uniform resource locator (URL) link associated with the listed web page. The web page content is then retrieved and displayed in the user's browser.
Some search services, such as the Ben Franklin search service provided by Vivisimo, Inc., include a preview button next to each listed search result. Selecting the preview button causes a pane to appear below the listed search result. The pane displays the web page of that listed search result. The user can scroll through the web page within the pane. The web page is displayed within the list of search results, so that the user can still see the other listed search results.
Users can also search for images, videos, and audio content with keywords. For example, when searching for images, search engines usually return a list of thumbnail images. Each thumbnail image is accompanied by a URL that the user can select to access the full image and/or a web page that contains the image. One technique for determining a relevant image in a web page is to detect an image file that is surrounded by, or partially embedded within text that includes one or more of the salient keywords. In the above searches, the search results comprise a sample of web page content, and the user generally must access and review the entire page to determine other content. It would be useful to preview and obtain additional content that is relevant to the keywords or other search criteria. For example, many 'gallery' style pages contain more than just a single relevant image; so a user may wish to preview all images within a web page that are related to the search keywords. Alternatively, the user may wish to preview more complete portions of text that are related to the search keywords, rather than just the snippet that is generally provided by current search engines. The user may also wish to obtain a copy of those images, text, or other media content without having to access and review a whole web site. It is with respect to these and other issues that the present invention is directed.

Harvesting of media objects from searched sites without a user having to enter the sites


An alarm device that includes a temperature sensor placed in the tube of a trach tube and which is adapted to activate an audible alarm when predetermine low temperature has been detected.

The disconnection of tracheotomy tubes can cause death through asphyxiation if the trach opening is closed or cannot be reopened because a tracheotomy tube has been fully pulled out. It would be desirable, therefore, to have an alert device which would sense the temperature of the interior or exterior of the trach tube and which would provide an audible alarm for alerting care givers that the trach tube is working its way out of the trach opening and/or the body temperature of the patient has fallen below a safe level.