Provided is an electric connector mounted on a circuit board, including: a housing including a fitting portion fitted to a mating connector; a plurality of terminals disposed on the fitting portion; and lock metal fittings including an elastic portion and preventing separation of the mating connector, wherein the housing includes accommodating portions at both ends of the housing in the arrangement direction of the terminals to accommodate the lock metal fittings in the accommodating portions, and each of the lock metal fittings includes a fixed portion formed at one end of the lock metal fitting and fixed to the circuit board, a preventing surface formed at the other end of the lock metal fitting and preventing separation of the mating connector, a first folded portion extended from the preventing surface and folded in a substantially U shape, a second folded portion extended in the separation direction of the mating connector from the fixed portion, folded in a substantially U shape, and coming into contact with the first folded portion in the process of fitting of the mating connector, and a pair of projecting portions provided at the distal end of the first folded portion or in the vicinity of the distal end of the first folded portion, projecting in a direction crossing the arrangement direction of the terminals, and coming into contact with contact surfaces formed on the accommodating portion of the housing on the side in the separation direction of the mating connector.

The present invention relates to an electric connector mounted on a circuit board and connected with a mating connector. There is a type of electric connector mounted on a circuit board and provided with a locking function for preventing unintended separation of a mating connector. For example, a male connector and a female connector may be connectable in the fitting direction crossing the circuit board at right angles. According to the technology, the male connector has a male reinforcing metal fitting, while the female connector has a female reinforcing metal fitting. The male reinforcing metal fitting and the female reinforcing metal fitting catch each other in the fitting direction to prevent unintended separation of the connectors.
According to this type of electric connector, however, the fit between the connectors may be separated when shock or the like is applied thereto at the time of drop. This separation of the fit may cause unintended separation of the connectors.


This invention utilizes the nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to experimentally measure thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, specific heat, specific absorption rate, thermal power, heat transfer coefficient, heat of reaction and the membrane permeability in substances and systems.

The physical, thermophysical and transport properties of the substances are important in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, polymer science, food science, materials science, thermal science and engineering. This invention involves the experimental measurements of thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, specific heat, specific absorption rate, thermal power, heat transfer coefficient, heat of reaction and the membrane permeability in substances by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This invention is applicable to a wide range of substances and objects and the advantages of the present invention are:
The NMR method is a non-contact and non-invasive method. Measurement of thermal diffusivity in substances is important to a number of applications ranging from medicine to chemistry and engineering. The applications of this method in medicine are in thermal treatment of tissues (normal or abnormal) and tumors (benign or malignant) in oncology (human or animal patients). The method can be used in monitoring the diffusion of thermal energy during the treatment of tumors. The method is also applicable to materials science, chemistry and engineering. The method allows for measurement of thermal diffusivity in very small quantities of substances.
The measurement of thermal conductivity is important in a number of applications in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, materials science and engineering. The non-contact and non-invasive measurement of thermal conductivity can be used during the thermal treatment of tissues and tumors in oncology. The method also finds a number of applications in materials science, chemistry and engineering. The method allows for the measurement of thermal conductivity in very small quantities of substances.
The measurement of specific heat and specific absorption rate is important to materials science, chemistry, physics, medicine and thermal science. The measurement of specific heat allows for the measurement of specific absorption rate in substances subjected to electromagnetic radiation. This method is applicable to characterization of tissue absorption rates in radiology and oncology. The method has a number of applications in chemistry, biochemistry, materials science and engineering. The method also provides means for the measurement of specific heat and specific absorption rate in small quantities of the substances.
The heat transfer coefficient is important in a number of applications ranging from medicine to food science and engineering. The non-invasive and non-contact NMR method of measuring heat transfer coefficient can improve the thermal treatment of tissues and tumors in oncology. The method also finds applications in food science where food is frequently subjected to thermal treatment in aseptic processing. The other applications are in measurement and characterization of biological and thermal systems.
The heat of reaction is important in a number of applications in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, medicine, thermodynamics and materials science. NMR provides a non-invasive and a non-contact method to measure the changes in thermal energy in substances. The NMR calorimeter method can be used in measurement of heat of reaction in chemistry, biochemistry and biomedical applications. The method can also be used to measure the thermal power in thermal science, medical and biomedical application.
The measurement of membrane permeability is important to research in various disciplines. The mechanism of water and ion transport through membranes can be studied and quantitative measurements characterizing the membrane systems can be made using nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The differences between the membranes can be seen using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and the apparent membrane permeability can be measured experimentally in membrane and solution systems.

Measurement of thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, specific heat, specific absorption rate, thermal power, heat transfer coefficient, heat of reaction and membrane permeability by nuclear magnetic resonance


An image forming apparatus forms a stamp image with a stamp image developer having a color developing temperature at a color erasing temperature of an image forming developer, and forms a mask image with a mask image developer having a color re-developing temperature at a temperature not lower than a color re-developing temperature of the image forming developer. Accordingly, when a confidential document is color-erased, the stamp image develops color, and when the color-erased confidential document again develops color, it can not be read.

In recent years, from the demand for resource saving, an image forming apparatus in which an image is formed with color erasable developer and a color erasing apparatus are introduced. In this color erasing apparatus, heat or light is applied to a recording medium, on which an image is formed with color erasable developer, to erase the color of the developer, and erases the image. Accordingly, the recording medium after the color erase can be re-used.
Here, there arises a problem in handling when an image of a confidential document is formed by the above image forming apparatus. This is because when the color erasable developer is cooled to a very low temperature, color development can again occur. Besides, this is because there is a risk that a readable state occurs even if color development does not again occur.
In this point, an image forming apparatus is proposed in which an image of identification information indicating confidential document is formed on a confidential document, and when the recording medium is reused, when the image forming apparatus detects this identification information, it is used for control of copying.

Image forming apparatus and image forming method


The present disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and provides a display panel and a display assembly. The display panel includes a front surface, a back surface arranged opposite to the front surface, and a side surface between the front surface and the back surface. The front surface includes a display region. At least one first clamping structure is arranged at the side surface of the display panel. The first clamping structure includes a first protrusion and a first elastic structure, and the first protrusion is arranged on the corresponding first elastic structure.

As a display device capable of displaying paintings, a painting display device is used to simulate the paintings. The painting display device includes a painting display panel for display, and the painting display panel is assembled with a wood frame which seems like a photo frame, so the painting display device is more like a painting as a whole.


The present invention is directed to a method for detecting the presence or absence of any specific target nucleic acid sequence contained in a sample. The target sequence can be present in the sample in a relatively pure form or as a component of a member of a mixture of different nucleic acids. The method of the invention utilizes a novel primer design. The sequence of the novel primer is composed of two portions, the 3' portion is a primer specific for the desired nucleic acid sequence and the 5' portion is complementary to preselected nucleic acid sequence. Extension of the 3' portion of the primer with a labeled deoxynucleosides triphosphate yields a labeled extension product if, but only if, the template includes the target sequence. The labeled extension product is detected by hybridization of the 5' portion to the preselected sequence. The preselected sequence is preferably bound to a solid support as one member of a grid having a group of sequences.

The genome of an organism is unique. Not only do the genomes of different species differ, but the genomes of different individuals within a species differ (with the exception of identical twins or clones). These differences provide individual and species specific characteristics which can be used for identification by nucleic acid biochemical techniques such as hybridization and polymerase mediated reactions, both dependent for their specificity on precise base pairing.
The goal of nucleic acid based diagnostics is the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences. This goal often requires the detection of a specific sequence in the presence of other sequences. In certain cases it is necessary to discriminate between closely related sequences, even sequences which differ by only a single nucleotide. Prior art methods for doing so are described in various publications. For example, the use of allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) hybridization probes for the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences has been described (Wu et al., DNA 8:135-142 (1989); Thein, et al., Br. J. Haematol. 70:225-231 (1988); Connor, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:278-282 (1983); Studencki, et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet. 37:42-51 (1985); Pirastu, et al., N.Engl.J.Med. 309:284-287 (1983); Orkin, et al., J.Clin.Invest. 71:775-779 (1983); Thein and Wallace, The use of synthetic oligonucleotides as specific hybridization probes in the diagnosis of genetic disorders. In Human genetic diseases: A practical approach. K. E. Davies, ed. (Oxford; IRL Press), pp. 33-50 (1986)). This approach allows the discrimination between nucleic acids which differ by as little as a single nucleotide (e.g., alleles). Individual hybridization reactions are required for each allele to be detected. Erlich, et al., Eur.J.Immunogenet. 18:33-55 (1991) and Zhang, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19:3929-3933 (1991) have recently described the use of immobilized ASO probes. In this method, a set of ASO probes is immobilized on a membrane and hybridized with labeled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Under appropriate conditions hybridization is allele specific. Each hybridization can analyze only a single amplification reaction. The present invention allows for the detection of specific sequences in a sample. Because the template specific step and the detection step are each controlled by specific but independent base pairing requirements, the overall process allows detection of multiple templates and multiple samples simultaneously.
The concept of in vitro DNA amplification was first proposed by Khorana and coworkers in 1971 (Kleppe, et al., J.Mol.Biol. 56:341-361 (1971)). Realizing that total chemical synthesis of a gene would result in a finite amount of product, a procedure for in vitro replication was proposed. Their procedure was based on extensive studies of the repair replication reaction, the in vitro replication of a DNA template using a complementary primer (Kleppe, supra). Their proposal was as follows: "The DNA duplex would be denatured to form single strands. This denaturation step would be carried out in the presence of a sufficiently large excess of the two appropriate primers. Upon cooling, one would hope to obtain two structures, each containing the full length of the template strand appropriately complexed with the primer. DNA polymerase will be added to complete the process of repair replication. Two molecules of the original duplex should result. The whole cycle could be repeated, there being added every time a fresh dose of the enzyme." More recently, this in vitro amplification process has been further developed into the polymerase chain reaction (Mullis, et al., Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 51:263-273 (1986); Saiki, et al., Science 230:1350-1354 (1985); U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202). Although template amplification improves detection of a particular sequence because a larger amount of template is available for analysis, post amplification steps are often required to detect specific sequences within the amplified product. For example, ASO hybridization has been combined with PCR amplification for the specific detection of various disease alleles (Impraim, et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 142:710-716 (1987); Saiki, et al., Nature 324:163-166 (1986); Farr, et al., Proc.Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 85:1629-1633 (1988); Saiki, et al., N.Engl.J.Med. 319:537-541 (1988); Chehab, et al., Nature 329:293-294 (1987)). The present invention provides an alternative for the analysis of PCR amplification products to determine the presence or absence of specific sequences.

Method of detecting and discriminating between nucleic acid sequences


A surgical clip may be configured to ligate tissue. The surgical clip may include first and second leg members. The first leg member may have a proximal portion, a distal portion, a convex first inner surface, and a convex first outer surface. The first leg member may also include an inner portion at least partially defining the first inner surface and an outer portion at least partially defining the first outer surface. The inner and outer portions may be joined at first and second portions of the first leg member and separated by a channel. The second leg member may include a proximal portion, a distal portion, a second inner surface, and a second outer surface. The first and second leg members may be movable relative to each other between open and closed configurations, and the first and second inner surfaces may be configured to ligate the tissue when in the closed configuration.

The ligation of tissue (e.g., blood vessels, lymph nodes, nerves, fallopian tubes, or cardiac tissue) is a common practice of many surgical procedures. For example, ligating blood vessels (e.g., veins or arteries) is often required during the resection of the blood vessels, for example, to remove an aneurysm. Ligation of tissue may be performed by closing the vessel with a ligation clip, or by suturing the vessel with surgical thread. The use of surgical thread for ligation requires complex manipulations of the needle and suture material to form the knots required to secure the vessel. Such complex manipulations are time consuming and difficult to perform, particularly in endoscopic surgical procedures, which are characterized by limited space and visibility. By contrast, ligation clips are relatively easy and quick to apply. Accordingly, the use of ligation clips in endoscopic as well as open surgical procedures has grown dramatically.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A fuel supply device includes a low-pressure fuel pump, a high-pressure fuel pump, an accumulator for accumulating the pressurized fuel, fuel injection valves, a relief valve for restricting an upper limit value of a fuel pressure in the accumulator, a high-pressure fuel pressure sensor, and a control unit for setting a target fuel injection pressure, controlling the high-pressure fuel pump so that the fuel pressure in the accumulator reaches the target fuel injection pressure, and regarding the present target fuel injection pressure as a detection value of the high-pressure fuel pressure sensor and setting the high-pressure fuel pump in an operational state with a maximum discharge amount or a non-operational state when detecting an abnormality of the high-pressure fuel pressure sensor.

In a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine, a high injection pressure is required to atomize a spray of fuel. Accordingly, there is known a fuel supply device for pressure-feeding fuel in a fuel tank by a low-pressure side electromagnetic fuel pump (low-pressure pump), accumulating this low-pressure fuel in a common rail after highly pressurizing it by a high-pressure side mechanical fuel pump (high-pressure pump) and injecting the fuel into a combustion chamber by an injection pulse corresponding to a fuel pressure (fuel injection pressure) in the common rail. A feedback control is generally performed based on a detection value of a pressure sensor to keep the fuel injection pressure at a target injection pressure set according to an operating state of the internal combustion engine.
If the pressure sensor (high-pressure fuel pressure sensor) for detecting the fuel injection pressure does not indicate an accurate value due to disconnection or the like in the fuel supply device as described above, the fuel injection pressure cannot be accurately controlled.
Accordingly, in JP10-077892A issued in 1998 by the Japan Patent Office, a high-pressure pump is controlled to be in a maximum discharge amount state and a fuel injection pressure is estimated to be a maximum value in mechanism when a high-pressure fuel pressure sensor experiences disconnection or the like.

Fuel supply device and fuel supply control method for internal combustion engine

Abstract: This enables the fuel to be injected with an appropriate injection pulse width corresponding to an actual fuel pressure even if the high-pressure fuel pressure sensor experiences disconnection.


A brake actuating device for use in a tape recorder such as a video cassette tape recorder and a digital audio tape recorder includes a supply brake resiliently biased by an elastic member, a brake actuating mechanism for actuating the supply brake, a reel driving mechanism for driving a supply reel and a take-up reel, selectively, a take-up reel rotation-restricting member for preventing the rotation of take-up reel in a tape unloading operation, and a restricting member for restricting the reel driving mechanism not to drive the take-up operation, thereby making it possible to prevent the tape from being excessively unwound and thus being damaged, by loading and unloading the tape with a proper tensional force.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a brake actuating device for use in a tape recorder such as a video cassette tape recorder, a digital audio tape recorder and the like, which perform recording and reproducing functions by use of a magnetic recording tape and more particularly, to a brake actuating device for allowing a tape loading operation to be performed in a state that a proper tensional force is applied to a tape by rotating a supply reel while applying a proper braking force to the supply reel and restraining the rotation of a take-up reel during a tape loading operation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional brake actuating device for use in a tape recorder is illustrated in FIG. 1. A cam 63 is rotatably mounted at the rear side of a supply reel 61 and a take-up reel 62 and between the supply reel 61 and the take-up reel 62, a pair of main brakes 64 and 65 are pivotably mounted which are actuated by a first lever 66. And, a center gear 67 is rotatably mounted in front of the main brakes 64 and 65, which is engaged with a first gear 69 having an operational member 68. A second lever 70 is pivotably mounted which is interlocked with the operational member 68 of the first gear 69 and a first soft brake 71 is pivotably mounted which is interlocked at its one end with the second lever 70 and is adapted to apply a braking force to the supply reel 61 depending upon the pivotal operation of the second lever 70. In addition, a second gear 72 is provided to be engaged with the cam 63 and a second soft brake 73 is provided which is adapted to apply a braking force to the supply reel 61 in response to a rotational torque of the second gear 72. Also, a cam lever 74 is pivotably mounted which is interlocked at its one end with the cam 63 and at its other end with a third lever 75 which is adapted to actuate the second lever 70.
In such a conventional brake actuating device, when a tape is loaded, the main brakes 64 and 65 are pushed by the first lever 66, which is actuated by a separate power source(not shown), so as to be separated from the supply reel 62 and the take-up reel 63, respectively, and the cam 63 rotates clockwise, thus rotating the second gear 72 counterclockwise. As a result, the second soft brake 73 is rotated clockwise by the rotational torque of the second gear 72, thereby being separated from the supply reel 61. Meanwhile, the center gear 67 is rotated counterclockwise by a separate power source to rotate the first gear 69, and by the rotational torque of the first gear 69, the second lever 70 is rotated clockwise to rotate the first soft brake 71 so that the first soft brake 71 applies a braking force to the supply reel 61. That is, since the supply reel 61 is locked so as not to be rotated while the braking force is released from the take-up reel 62, in the course of loading a tape, the take-up reel 62 can be rotated freely by the releasing force of tape.
On the other hand, under the tape unloading operation, the center gear 67 is rotated in clockwise and the first gear 69 is rotated in counterclockwise so that the second lever 70 is rotated in counterclockwise by the rotational torque of the first gear 69. As a result, the first soft brake 71 is separated from the supply reel 61. At this moment, since the cam 63 rotates in counterclockwise, the second gear 72 is rotated in clockwise so that the second soft brake 73 applies a braking force to the supply reel 61, thereby the supply reel 61 is in a locked-state.
Accordingly, such a conventional brake actuating device requires two soft brakes 71 and 73 to apply a braking force to the supply reel 61. That is, in the interval of releasing the second soft brake 73, the supply reel 61 is braked by the first soft brake 71 while in the interval of releasing the first soft brake 71, the supply reel 61 is braked by the second soft brake 73.
However, such a conventional device has disadvantages in that since the number of required brakes is large and a number of levers are required for actuating the brakes at predetermined times, the whole mechanism is complicated and the cost becomes high.

Brake actuating device for tape recorder


An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit adapted to form images of a plurality of colors in a manner in which a predetermined pattern of a predetermined color is registered thereon and superimpose those images to form a color image, a controller configured to control the image forming unit so as to form a patch image of each color for density detection, and a detector configured to detect the density of each of the patch images. The controller controls the image forming unit so as to superimpose the predetermined pattern of the predetermined color upon the patch image of a predetermined color and not to superimpose the predetermined pattern of the predetermined color upon the patch images of the other colors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer for transferring a toner image formed on an image bearing member, for example, by an electrophotographic process to a recording material, and thereafter fixing the toner image to thereby obtain a permanent image on the recording material.
2. Description of Related Art
As a color image forming apparatus capable of outputting a full-color image, there has heretofore been put into practical use one having a construction in which at a first transferring region, formed in the portion of contact between the surface of an image bearing member and the surface of a transfer material carrying member, a first transferring bias is applied to a first transfer member disposed on the back of the transfer material carrying member to thereby once transfer, i.e., primary-transfer, a toner image on the surface of the image bearing member to the surface of the transfer material carrying member. Then, the transfer material is passed to a second transferring region, formed in the portion of contact between the transfer material carrying member and a second transfer member, and a second transferring bias is applied to thereby again transfer, i.e., secondary-transfer, the toner image on the surface of the transfer material carrying member to the transfer material.
In the above-described image forming apparatus, color reproduction is effected with toners of four colors, i.e., yellow, cyan, magenta and black, superimposed one upon another. Therefore, unless the density of the toner images of the four colors is accurately adjusted, good color balance cannot be obtained.
Accordingly, in many color image forming apparatuses, there is carried an image density control mechanism for automatically adjusting image forming conditions such as charging potential, an exposure amount and a developing bias. A popular method for this image density control is as follows.
First, a predetermined image for density control (hereinafter referred to as the patch) is formed on the image bearing member or the transfer material carrying member, and the density of the toner image is detected by an optical sensor (density sensor) comprising a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The image forming conditions are then adjusted in conformity with the detected density of the toner image.
FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings is an example of a schematic view of the above-mentioned patch for density detection. In FIG. 2, Y1-Y4 are test patches for detection when a developing bias for yellow was set to four stages, i.e., −100V, −150V, −200V and −250V, and density was changed. Each of these patches is of a size of 2 cm square. Likewise, M1-M4 are test patches for the detection of magenta, C1-C4 are test patches for the detection of cyan, and K1-K4 are test patches for the detection of black. The patches for density detection are formed so as not to overlap one another, and the arrow in FIG. 2 indicates the direction of movement on the image bearing member or the transfer material carrying member.
Discretely from the above-described density detection, in such an image forming apparatus, in order to further improve the quality of the final image, a minute toner image of a dot-type (a shock band preventing pattern) formed by a yellow toner or the like can be additionally formed on the image bearing member, besides a toner image of an image pattern desired by a user (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-052758).
This is because when a toner image formed on the surface of the image bearing member is primary transferred to the surface of the transfer material carrying member (intermediate transfer belt), a minute fluctuation of rotation sometimes occurs to the image bearing member and this may cause uneven exposure to a laser beam. In such a case, an image streak occurs to a toner image subsequently formed on the surface of the image bearing member. In order to prevent the occurrence of such an image streak, the minute toner image is formed.
A dot toner image pattern of an arrangement shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings is formed as a dot toner image pattern. A box in these figures represents 600 dpi, and the data of pixels indicated by black in the figures is defined as FFh, whereby a minute dot toner image is formed at the relevant position.
The dot toner image pattern shown in FIG. 3 comprises dot toner images of the size of a pixel arranged at intervals of 0.46 mm in each of a main scanning direction (the rotational direction of the image bearing member) and a sub-scanning direction (the rotational direction of the transfer material carrying member).
Also, FIG. 4 shows dot toner images of the same size arranged at an oblique angle of 45° with respect to the main scanning direction, and the dot interval in the sub-scanning direction is 0.34 mm. The toner image by any one of these patterns is formed in overlapping relationship with the entire area of a toner image of an image pattern desired by the user.
The average printing rate when such a dot toner image is formed on a photosensitive drum as the image bearing member differs in its appropriate value from one image forming apparatus to another, depending on the contacting force of a primary transfer roller with the photosensitive drum, the difference in surface peripheral speed between the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt as the transfer material carrying member, etc. But, in such an image forming apparatus, design is made such that the printing rate is of the order of 0.05-1% relative to the toner printing rate of a solid image portion of each color on the photosensitive drum. This is because when the printing rate is too low, the fluctuation of the rotation of the photosensitive drum cannot be suppressed, and when the printing rate is too high, a level which can be visually confirmed by the user results.
Further, a conventional image forming apparatus has the feature that there is formed a pattern (a forgery discriminating pattern) representative of the follow-up information of the image forming apparatus such as, for example, the manufacturing number, manufacturer and date of manufacture of the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-41445).
According to such a construction, the aforementioned image streak can be prevented. On the other hand, when a bill, a negotiable instrument or the like has been forged by the use of an image forming apparatus, the dot size or arrangement of dot toner images formed on the forged matter can be researched to thereby specify the image forming apparatus. In such a manner, it becomes possible to obviate the forgery of a bill, a negotiable instrument or the like.
FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of the pattern of the dot toner images. A box in the figure represents 600 dpi, and the data of pixels indicated by black in the figure is defined as FFh, whereby a minute dot toner image is formed at the relevant position. In this pattern, a dot toner image of a size of 1 pixel (main scanning direction)×4 pixels (sub-scanning direction) forms a pattern representative of the follow-up information of the image forming apparatus. Also, this dot toner image is formed in overlapping relationship with the entire area of a toner image of an image pattern on a bill, a negotiable instrument or the like.
However, the final image obtained by the above-described image forming apparatus causes the following inconvenience of image density.
In the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, when density control is effected, the above-mentioned shock band preventing pattern or forgery discriminating pattern is not superposed on each of the yellow, magenta, cyan and black patches. On the other hand, when an actual image is formed, the image is formed with a pattern superposed thereon and therefore, image density has sometimes been fluctuated. The cause of the problem of this fluctuation of image density will hereinafter be described.
The above-mentioned shock band preventing pattern and forgery discriminating pattern generally use the yellow color, and if the above-described pattern is imprinted on the entire surface, it is difficult to see by the human eyes, but it affects the density of an actual toner image (the density becomes high), and particularly in a high light portion (low density portion), noise and the yellowishness of the texture become conspicuous. Also, the above-described pattern is singly difficult to see, but it will sometimes be visualized if it is mixed with a toner of other color by subtractive color mixture.
Even if in order to obtain an optimum quality of image, the above-described density control is effected to thereby correct image density, the above-described shock band preventing pattern and forgery discriminating pattern overlap the actual toner image over the entire area thereof. If at this time, the toner density is high, there is little or no contribution by the above-described pattern overlapping the actual toner image. But, when the toner density is low, that is, in the high light portion, the contribution of the above-described pattern becomes great, and the difference between the density obtained by the result of the density control and the density of the actual toner image is remarkably seen.

Image forming apparatus employing a forgery discrimination pattern


The present invention comprises a device for anatomically orienting at least one tissue specimen, comprising a dispenser for carrying and selectably dispensing at least one pre-labeled specimen orientation tag. The dispenser comprises a vessel separable along its equator into an inferior base segment and a superior cover segment. The inferior base segment and superior cover segment enclose a dispensing ring that includes at least one set of paired radially projecting retaining prongs, which paired prongs define at least one dispensing bay, in which the specimen orientation tag is disposed for selective dispensation through at least one aperture radially arrayed along the equator of the dispsenser.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to pathologic evaluation of tissue specimens and in particular to the identification of the anatomic orientation of tissue specimens submitted for pathologic evaluation.
2. Related Art
Tissue specimens removed during surgery must be anatomically oriented with respect to structures from which they have been excised and the body of the patient in order for pathologists to make a proper pathological diagnoses.
By medical consensus and convention, anatomic orientation is made with respect to a standard anatomic position in which a human being stands erect with his or her arms supinated. With respect to the standard anatomic position, the head is superior or cephalad and the feet are inferior or caudad. The chest is anterior or ventral and the back is posterior or dorsal. The arms are lateral and the heart is medial.
In keeping with this convention, if for example, a tissue specimen is removed from the lobe of a patient's lung in the approximate form of a cube, the faces of the cube may be identified as: superior or cephalad; inferior or caudad; anterior or ventral; posterior or dorsal; lateral; and, medial.
Should the exemplary cube of tissue be found by a pathologist to contain a tumor, the orientation of the tumor with respect to the lung from which it has been removed will be critical to the surgical treatment of the patient. Accordingly, surgeons removing tissue specimens for pathological and histopathological diagnoses, and excising tissues until they are assured by a pathologist of tumor-free resection margins, must label the tissue specimens in a manner that unambiguously orients them with respect to the anatomical structure and person from which they are excised.
Such labeling is typically accomplished by passing a suture through as many faces or aspects of a tissue specimen as are required to orient it unambiguously. For example, a surgeon may place a short black silk suture along a medial aspect of a tissue specimen, and a long black silk suture along an inferior aspect of a tissue specimen. Alternatively, a surgeon may identify a lateral aspect of a tissue specimen by passing a double loop of suture through its lateral margin, and may identify an inferior margin by passing a single loop of suture through its inferior margin. Margins, aspects, or faces of a tissue specimen may also be distinguished and identified with respect to anatomical orientation by passing sutures of different colors.
In each case, the suture length, suture configuration (i.e., single loop, double loop, etc.) or suture color that establishes an anatomic orientation for a tissue specimen is dictated aloud to another health care provider in the operating room, such as, for example, a circulating nurse. The circulating nurse typically prepares a written legend that correlates each suture with the dictated anatomic orientation. The written legend accompanies tissue specimens to the pathology laboratory, where its anatomic orientating information is used in the pathologic evaluation of the tissue specimens. For example, after checking the orienting sutures against the legend, pathology laboratory personnel will know how each tissue specimen was originally seated prior to its removal. This information is essential to accurate pathologic descriptions of the specimen and its surrounding tissues.
Establishing the anatomic orientation of a tissue specimen by the use of sutures of different lengths, colors or configuration is confusing and prone to errors. For example, sutures may unravel and the foregoing legend may be transcribed improperly or may be poorly legible.
Accordingly, there exists a need for the efficient, convenient and unambiguous anatomic orientation of tissue specimens for purposes of pathological diagnoses, and pathologically-guided surgical resections.


A flange bearing comprises a housing having a body with a reinforcing member encased therein. The housing provides strength and resistance to stress fracturing without the use of heavy materials, such as cast iron, or the use of ribs and recesses which can harbor contaminates. The bearing is preferably lightweight and easily cleaned. Also, a leveler constructed in accordance with the present invention provides similar advantages.

The present invention relates generally to assembly lines and conveyor systems, and, in particular, to a flange bearing for supporting a rotatable shaft.
In manufacturing, assembly lines and conveyor systems commonly utilize flange bearings to support cylindrical shafts upon which manufactured products are transported. The bearings are mounted to a support structure which forms a track or bed along which the products are conveyed. Each shaft is received in a bearing insert of a housing for the flange bearing. The flange bearing might comprise a square housing mounted using four bolts, one at each corner. Alternatively, the flange bearing might comprise an eye-shaped housing utilizing two bolts for mounting.
Cast iron was the common material used for manufacturing early flange bearing housings which were mounted by either two or four bolts. A solid body was formed which easily withstood the stresses imparted by the heavy and/or cyclic loads from the shaft supported therein. Further, the cast iron housing was usually either metal-plated or painted to resist corrosion from exposure to water, cleaning chemicals, spilled products or other contaminates, especially in the food processing industry. However, the housing exterior would eventually deteriorate or become unsightly, especially since stringent cleaning was required to meet sanitation specifications in the aforementioned industry.
A more recent type of flange bearing comprises an injection-molded plastic housing. In particular, if the housing is injection molded in the form of solid plastic, the housing would disadvantageously shrink and deform unpredictably upon cooling. In order to provide an injection-molded housing of the equivalent strength of cast iron with repeatable dimensional stability, it is necessary to increase the overall geometry slightly for strength and incorporate a ribbed structure for dimensional stability. The result is an "engineered plastic" housing providing the desired positional geometry incorporating ribs and cavities. In an engineered plastic housing, the ribs provide strengthening to resist stress fractures of the housing from the shaft loading, while maintaining the desired shape during the molding process.
In addition, the cavities of the engineered plastic housing are more difficult and time consuming to clean satisfactorily than a solid body housing. Plugs created to fill the cavities, thereby making cleaning easier, tend to settle after time and during temperature changes so that the outer surface of the housing body is no longer flush, and the same cleaning difficulties remain. Plugs are often made of a different material than the housing and consequently expand and contract at a different rate than the housing causing undesirable cracks, crevices and uneven surfaces.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists for an improved bearing housing that overcomes the problems mentioned.

Flange bearing having reinforced molded housing


A system and method for managing a complex information process. The system includes an interface for allowing a user to manipulate identifiers indicative of respective information processes to create a user-defined process order; and a processor responsive to the interface for compiling the information processes in accordance with the user-defined process order to define a complex information process. The method includes the steps of manipulating identifiers indicative of respective information processes to create a user-defined process order; and compiling the information processes in accordance with the user-defined process order to define a complex information process.

Information processes that manipulate information in a data source are known. Common examples are SQL processes, which are run on SQL-type databases to modify, manipulate or obtain information in the database, amongst other functions. In particular, many information processes obtain data from one location, and export that data to a further location. Useful information processes are often included as functionalities of software applications, for example applications that assist in the administration and interrogation of a database.
Often, it is valuable to use a plurality of information processes in conjunction with each other. For example, using a first information process to obtain a first table of information, a second information process to obtain a second table of information, and a third information process to compare these tables of information and perform further action based on the comparison.
For the purpose of this document, an information process defined by a plurality of information processes being performed in conjunction with each other is referred to as a "complex information process". The task of defining a complex information process becomes more complicated in scenarios where the desire is to combine information processes that are performed on different information sources. As such, the generation of complex information processes is typically not suitable for end users who often have an inaccurate or incomplete understanding of the sources.
Developing a complex information process is often relatively complicated, particularly when part of the process involves loading data into one or more software applications. That is, some information processes require information to be fed into a particular application. This often necessitates a further information process to identify the relevant information and format it in accordance with the demands of the particular application. The technical nature of such a task is typically beyond the skill of an average end user.
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

System and method for managing information


A process for the preparation of coated polymer particles containing superparamagnetic crystals, said process comprising reacting porous, surface-functionalized, superparamagnetic crystal-containing polymer particles of diameter 0.5 to 1.8 μm with at least one polyisocyanate and at least one diol or at least one epoxide.

Magnetic polymer particles are of general utility in various medical and biochemical fields, for example as transport vehicles for the delivery of pharmaceutical products, for diagnostic purposes, for separation and for synthetic purposes. Such particles rely upon their magnetic properties in order to perform these functions. In diagnostic assay applications, for example, application of a magnetic field to a sample containing an analyte bound to magnetic polymer particles allows the isolation of the analyte without the use of centrifugation or filtration and in therapeutic applications, for example, application of a magnetic field to the patient may serve to target drug-carrying magnetic polymer particles to a desired body site.
By magnetic is meant herein that the polymer particles contain superparamagnetic crystals. Thus the magnetic polymer particles are magnetically displaceable but are not permanently magnetizable. Many processes for preparing magnetic polymer particles are known, a large number of which involve preparing maghemite- or magnetite-containing polymer particles from pre-formed magnetic iron oxides, e.g. magnetite. Some of processes involved are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,267 (Ugelstad) the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Thus U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,267 outlines a number of limitations with regard to the processes which preceded it; these include difficulty in obtaining magnetic particles of similar size and/or of homogeneous or uniform magnetic properties, as well as a more general problem relating to the difficulty of incorporating magnetic material inside the cavities of porous polymer particles.
With deposition taking place principally on the surface, or in large open cavities, leaching of magnetic particles, which shortens the useful lifetime of magnetic polymer particles in the applications to which they are put, was consequently problematic.
In order to overcome these disadvantages, U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,267 proposed a preparative method whereby, in its simplest form, porous polymer particles are impregnated with solutions of iron compounds whereafter the iron is precipitated, for instance by raising the pH value. The precipitated iron compounds may then be converted to superparamagnetic iron oxide crystals by heating.
To produce porous magnetic polymer particles having magnetic material disposed within the polymer pores, U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,267 advocated the use of porous polymer particles having surface functional groups which serve to draw the iron ions into the polymer particles. These functional groups could either result from the use of functionalized comonomers in the production of the polymer or from post-polymerization treatment of the polymer to introduce the functional groups, e.g. by coupling to or transformation of existing groups on the polymer surface.
Whilst the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,267 does in part solve the problem of producing magnetic polymer particles which have more homogeneous magnetic properties, the problem of leaching of the superparamagnetic crystals from the polymer particles remains.

Process for the preparation of coated polymer particles


A control interface for an aircraft electric taxi system (ETS) may be incorporated in a housing positioned in a flight deck of the aircraft. The control interface may include an actuator, an electronic control sensor interconnected with the ETS to provide speed and direction signals to the ETS and an extendable shaft interposed between the actuator and the electronic control sensor. The actuator may be configured to rotate around an axis of the shaft between a first rotational position, in which the actuator is stowed within the housing, and a second rotational position in which the actuator is outside of the housing.

The present invention generally relates to a control interface for an electric taxi system (ETS) on an aircraft.
ETS systems on aircraft allow motive power for aircraft during taxi operations to be supplied by electric motors powered by an auxiliary power unit (APU) instead of through the aircraft main engines. This may lead to increased fuel efficiency. There is a need for intuitive pilot controls for ETS which will not interfere with other aircraft controls,
Pilots may have to divide their attention during taxi operations between communications with an air traffic control tower, watching the runway through windows and cameras, and other tasks. Having an intuitive ETS control which allows the pilot to activate an ETS control interface, choose a desired speed, arm the ETS system, and/or take other actions without having to physically look at the ETS control may ease pilot fatigue, and allow the pilot to focus his/her visual attention on another task or control system. An ETS control which prevents inadvertent movement may also assist a pilot in performing all of the tasks inherent in taxi operations.
Many existing aircraft are not presently equipped with an ETS. A large number of such aircraft are employed on relatively short air routes. In this context, the short-route aircraft may experience a need for taxiing during a significant fraction of their respective engine running time. Consequently, these existing short-route aircraft could benefit from being retrofitted with an ETS.
As can be seen, there may be an ongoing need for an ETS control interface which is unobtrusive and/or intuitive. Moreover, there is a need for such a control interface that can be readily installed in an existing aircraft as part of an ETS retrofit.

Aircraft electric taxi control interface and system


A molecular probe includes a detector molecule specific to a target molecule, and at least one label linked covalently or non-covalently to the detector molecule. The label includes a catalyst for generating electrons and/or mediators from a solution. The catalyst includes a nanomaterial, an enzyme, a metal, and/or a metal complex. The mediators can accumulate in the solution for a period of time. The detector molecule and the target molecule interact with each other by a protein based or nucleotide sequence based interaction. The mediators participate in a chemical reaction that generates a signal that may be a change in optical, electromagnetic, thermodynamic or mechanical properties. Generation efficiency of the mediators is enhanced by providing an energy to the solution. The molecular probe may be used with a molecular detection assay performed on a surface. A method for assaying the target molecule using the molecular probe is also provided.

Conventional immunoassays, as illustrated in FIG. 1, utilize the ability of a pair of capture antibody and detection antibody to recognize and bind a target molecule to detect the presence of the target molecule in a solution, and have been a useful tool for laboratory tests and medical diagnosis, as well as food and environmental testing. To quantify the target molecule, the detection antibody is typically linked to a detectable label that can or can be induced to illuminate, emit radiation, or produce color change or to a catalyst that can cause any of the detectable changes to generate a measurable signal in response to the binding of the antibody to the target molecule.
Under such mechanistic setting, however, the detection of one target molecule corresponds to only one measurable signal at a time (for example, in luminescent immunoassays, one horseradish peroxidase (HRP) can only react with one luminol molecule at a time to generate one photon, which fades away immediately after generation), thus resulting in weak signal intensity and poor detection sensitivity and accuracy. Consequently, a significant percentage of conventional immunoassays have known to cause misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Molecular probe for signal amplification and kit and assay using the same


A microtiter method for assaying the wash performance of new enzymes and/or new detergent formulations is described.

Enzymes are a necessary part of many of the detergent compositions that are currently on the market and the inclusion of enzymes in detergent compositions will undoubtedly increase in the future. One of the most important challenges facing a detergent manufacturer today is the identification of new and improved enzymes and detergent compositions. New enzymes can and commonly do include variants of known enzymes.
Several factors can affect the determination of the "improvement" of a new enzyme over an precursor enzyme, i.e., the enzyme itself, the wash conditions, and the detergent composition that the enzyme is to be mixed with. For example, an enzyme that performs well in one detergent composition may not perform as well in another. Similarly, an enzyme and/or detergent composition may perform well under one set of wash conditions, i.e., Japanese, but not another, i.e., North American. However, identifying a new and improved enzyme or detergent composition can be a time consuming task. For example, in the wake of improved technology that can allow a researcher to produce large numbers of variants in a very short time, it has become critical for the researcher to be able to assay those variants rapidly, efficiently and effectively.

Method of assaying wash performance of enzymes on a microtiter plate


In a projection type video display apparatus comprising a light source lamp and a light valve for controlling the intensity of output light of the light source lamp, a projection type video display apparatus comprises a light source lamp cooling fan for cooling the light source lamp; judgment means for judging the brightness of an image on the basis of an image signal; first control means for controlling the luminescent intensity of the light source lamp on the basis of the results of the judgment by the judgment means; and second control means for controlling the rotational speed of the light source lamp cooling fan on the basis of the results of the judgment by the judgment means, the first control means controlling the luminescent intensity of the light source lamp such that the brighter the image is, the higher the luminescent intensity of the light source lamp becomes, and the second control means controlling the rotational speed of the light source lamp cooling fan such that the brighter the image is, the higher the rotational speed of the light source lamp cooling fan becomes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projection type video display apparatus such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projector or a DLP (Digital Light Processor) projector.
2. Description of the Background Art
In projection type video display apparatuses utilizing display devices such as LCDs and DLPs as light valves, a system for controlling the brightness of a light source lamp depending on the characteristics of an image to be displayed to improve a visual contrast feeling has been proposed. Specifically, a system for detecting the peak value of an image signal or the average video level of the image signal, to judge the characteristics of an image and control the brightness of a light source lamp depending on the results of the judgment has already been developed (see JP-A-06-160811 and JP-A-03-179886).
Furthermore, as a system for controlling the light source lamp within the projection type video display apparatus and a cooling fan for cooling optical components and so on, a method of sensing the internal and external temperatures of the projection type video display apparatus using a temperature sensor and controlling the rotational speed of the cooling fan on the basis of the sensed temperature has already been developed (see JP-A-2002-72170).
As the light source lamp in the projection type video display apparatus, ultra-high pressure mercury lamps called a UHP (Ultra High Pressure) lamp and a UHE (Ultra High Efficient) lamp have been generally used. The lamps are characterized in that they have high luminescent efficiency. In order to maintain the high luminescent efficiency of the lamp as well as to keep the life thereof long, however, it is important to manage the temperature of a luminescent portion. In an example of a certain lamp, a burner must be managed such that the temperature thereof is 950±50°. Even if the temperature is increased or reduced too much, the life is liable to be shortened.
In a general projection type video display apparatus, the brightness of the light source lamp is always kept constant. By fixing the rotational speed of the cooling fan for cooling the light source lamp to the most suitable value depending on the internal and external temperatures of the projection type video display apparatus, therefore, the temperature of the luminescent portion can be relatively simply managed.
On the other hand, in the projection type video display apparatus for controlling the brightness of the light source lamp depending on the characteristics of an image to be displayed, when the rotational speed of the cooling fan for cooling the light source lamp is fixed depending on the internal and external temperatures of the projection type video display apparatus, cooling is insufficient in a case where the light source lamp is controlled in the direction in which it is brightened, while being excessive in a case where it is controlled in the direction in which it is darkened, thereby causing the life of the light source lamp to be shortened.


The present approach relates to providing targeted content to a user (e.g., employee) of an enterprise. In certain implementations, the present techniques involve receiving filter data (e.g., data identifying an employee) from a user and providing content in the form of knowledge blocks to a user based on metadata of the knowledge blocks that is associated with the filter data. In other implementations, the present techniques involve receiving trigger data (e.g., data of an employee satisfying a condition) and providing a set of activities (e.g., social activities or work related) to a user based on the trigger data.

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for conveying relevant information to individuals or groups across an enterprise. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to systems and methods for identifying relevant information within a larger set of available information and displaying the selected information to an individual or group associated with an enterprise.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
An enterprise or organization may include different departments (e.g. human resources, information technology, accounting, and so forth) and each department typically includes members having different roles (e.g., managers, assistants, associates, and so forth). Further, the enterprise or organization may operate in different locations (e.g., cities, states, countries). An employee of the organization may have an inquiry, such as related to benefits, training, compensation, and so forth, but each department, member, and/or location may have different policies regarding the subject of interest. Thus, coordinating the dissemination of relevant information with respect to a given individual can be a resource intensive task.

Systems and methods for generating and transmitting targeted data within an enterprise


A planter box for installation on the top of a narrow horizontal surface such as the top of a movable room partition or panel includes a lower surface with at least one pair of side-by-side, circular depressions. Each depression includes serrations around its periphery. A rectangular connector with serrations complementary to the serrations of a respective depression at its short ends, and a downwardly depending peg, is frictionally inserted in each depression at an angle such that, when the box rests on the top of the panel, one peg extends downwardly on each side of the panel in close relation, but not contacting the panel. A wedge member is provided for each peg, each wedge member including a block with a friction surface to contact a respective panel side, and a slanted slot to receive a respective peg, such that as each wedge member is slid along a respective peg in a direction parallel to the panel top, the friction surface of each wedge member will be brought into frictional contact with a respective panel side to hold the planter box in place.

My invention relates to a structure which functions as an elevated stand and container for floral arrangements and plants. More particularly, the present invention, hereinafter referred to as the panel planter, relates to a box which holds flower or plant arrangements while reversibly fastened to the top of a, for example, free standing wall panel, room partition, or any generic wall member. In the preferred embodiment the box interior contains circular raised areas on which to place potted plants, so they can drain properly after being watered. However, these features are not a requirement and objects other than plants and flowers can be placed in the box.
There has been a long-standing need in the floral industry for a modular flower or plant display stand for indoor and outdoor environments. My panel box is easily engaged by a wedge and peg attachment mechanism, so it is easily moved from panel to panel. There are also constraints of weight, costs and rigidity of existing planters and boxes which cannot easily be moved, grouped or rearranged individually within practical cost and time constraints.
My panel planter is easily engaged by devices, hereinafter referred to as attachments, these attachments further comprised of wedge members and peg members. Using these attachments, a planter box is easily tightened to fit the contour of a panel or other narrow horizontal surface of any generic wall member.
Others have suggested numerous display devices for holding plants or flowers securely atop a fence or panel. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,545 (Stankowitz) discloses a support bracket designed to be mounted between and supported by wall partitions. The support bracket is incapable of supporting anything except the lightest of objects, such that heavy plants could not be placed in the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,091 (Wolff) discloses a plurality of wall partitions joined together at their vertical edges. A beam member is supported at each of its end edges with a hanger which is inserted between the wall partitions where they join together. Various kinds of racks are designed to be securely suspended from one or more beams. However, the racks project a substantial distance from the partition walls and would make already crowded work conditions deteriorate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,738 (Helfman) discloses three prototypes of a planter: (1) one which attaches to the top of a partition wall by a groove in the bottom surface of the planter; (2) one which attaches to the top by brackets; and (3) one which hangs from the partition by means of brackets or an extension of the planter designed to hook over the top of the partition wall.
However, the numerous prototypes of Helfman's brackets lack the flexibility, adaptability, and strength of my novel attachment. In the preferred embodiment my invention is comprised of two freely movable parts made of clear lucite or polyethylene. My invention comprises no brackets of any kind whatsoever.
By locking a peg member into a wedge member, this unique structure, hereinafter referred to as the attachment, in turn fits into the serrated(comprised of ridges and valleys)surface of the bottom of the planter. Four of such attachments, when strategically placed in the preferred embodiment, can grasp the top of any wall member, such as a railing, partition, or shelf. However, for an elongated or differently shaped planter, more or fewer attachments are within the scope of this invention.
My panel planter is rigidly fastened, but it can be easily removed and relocated. In the preferred embodiment the cost of my panel box is economical, being made of lightweight plastic and clear rigid polypropylene attachments. However, other materials are suitable, such as plastics, wood and metals. These materials are also within the scope of my invention, especially for use of the panel planter in an outdoor environment.
In sum, none of the foregoing display structures have attachments, comprising peg and wedge members, which easily and rigidly support a series of flower pots atop a panel or fence or other wall member. With my invention, the rectangular box can hold several flower or plant arrangements in a leakproof, watertight manner. My box also allows drainage so that roots emanating from the holes at the bottom of flower pots can reach the appropriate level of moisture.
Alternatively, the box can be filled with soil or water and the plants and/or flowers need not be confined to pots.
The above summarizes the preferred embodiment of my invention. In another embodiment, there is a specially graded circular template system. The attachments are easily adjustable to any width for a surface of a wall member: between approximately four and one quarter inches and approximately one and one quarter inches in the preferred embodiment. This template system correlates the orientation of the attachments to the width of the wall member, as described in more detail below.
In sum, coding templates for positioning the attachments are also within the scope of my invention. The templates correspond to serrations(ridges and valleys), on the lower surface of the planter box. The coding system of the templates brings the attachments to within approximately one eighth of an inch of a respective side of a wall member.


A flexible heat-sealable web is shaped continuously into a tubular cross-sectional shape, e.g. as an intermediate stage in the production of infusion bags comprising severed and sealed lengths of the tubular shape. The web is drawn along a shaped shoe and side margins of the web are folded over opposite sides of the shoe by rollers and fingers to place the opposite side edges of the web in overlapping relationship against the shoe. The overlapped edges pass between a roller mounted in the shoe and an external heated roller to be pressed between the two rollers in order to lap weld the edges together as the web travels along the shoe. The shoe continues to form the web downstream of the welding station into a flattened tube.

This invention relates to the formation of tubular webs of material, in particular of heat-sealable material.
It is known to package products by placing discrete quantities of the product at intervals along the length of a generally flat web of material, folding over and sealing together the side margins of the web and then dividing and sealing the web transversely between the successive quantities of the product to enclose them in separate packets. It is also known to use a web of a heat-sealable material so that the seals are made by welding. Thus the flat web carrying doses of the product has its side margins folded over and the edges pinched together and heated by a pair of rollers on substantially vertical axes to produce a raised seam weld.
In most instances it is necessary to press the raised seam weld flat, especially if a number of the packets are to be packaged together in an orderly arrangement as is often the case with infusion packets such as tea bags, so an additional operation is needed to complete the formation of the tube. A further and sometimes more significant feature of the known method is that the width of material employed in the seam weld does not add to the capacity of the packet.
It is an object of the present invention to avoid both these disadvantages.

Thomas J. Lipton Co., Divison of Conopco, Inc.


According to the present invention, drive voltage pulses are applied between a pair of electrodes by driving a first power source having a specific voltage from a state in which the electrodes are maintained at the potential of a reference power source that is different from the potential of the ground power source, and then returning it to the reference power source. As a result, the gas discharge current or capacitance charging and discharging current accompanying the application of the drive voltage pulses is prevented from flowing to the first power source line. The above-mentioned gas discharge current or capacitance charging and discharging current resulting from the application of the drive voltage pulses flows to the first power source or the reference power source electrically separated from the ground power source, and does not flow to the ground power source line, so no noise is generated on the first power source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display panel device that performs display by utilizing plasma discharge to emit light, and to a method for driving this device, and more particularly relates to a plasma display panel device in which malfunctions are reduced by decreasing the power source noise caused by generation of the discharge current, and to a method for driving this device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Plasma display panel devices (hereinafter referred to as PDP devices) are attracting notice as flat displays that have a large screen and a wide viewing angle. In particular, the three-electrode type of surface discharge AC drive PDP devices which have been developed recently allow full-color displays, and are expected to be very popular in television sets, computer display devices, and so forth.
A PDP device generates a discharge between a pair of electrodes by application of a discharge voltage between the electrodes, and the desired display is achieved through the generation of light from a fluorescent material that accompanies this discharge. In order to apply this discharge voltage, discharge voltage pulses are applied to at least one of the electrodes. The application of discharge voltage pulses is accompanied by the application of a high voltage between the electrodes, which generates a discharge, and excess discharge current flows from one of the electrodes toward the other electrode during the generation of this discharge.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the drive waveform of a conventional three-electrode surface discharge AC-PDP device. FIG. 24A illustrates a first example, and FIG. 24B a second example. A three-electrode surface discharge AC-PDP device has an address electrode A on one substrate, and has on another substrate an X electrode and a Y electrode disposed perpendicular to the address electrode. The drive method is as shown in simplified fashion in the figure, and comprises a reset period RST in which full writing W and full erasure E are performed, an address period ADD in which discharge is performed selectively according to the display data, and a sustaining discharge period SUS in which sustaining discharge is performed for an illuminated cell in the address period.
In both examples, the reference potential of the various electrodes is the ground potential, and when voltage pulses are applied, the specified voltage is applied from the ground potential, and the potential returns to its original ground level after a specific period of time. In the reset period, the Y electrodes are kept at the ground potential while high-voltage write pulses WP are applied to all of the X electrodes. The application of these write pulses WP causes all of the cells to light up and enter more or less the same state. After this, the X electrodes are kept at the ground potential while erase pulses EP are applied to all of the Y electrodes, so that all of the cells are lighted and then erased. As a result, no wall charges are stored in any of the cells.
In the subsequent address period ADD, negative scan pulses SCP are successively applied to the Y electrodes, and address pulses ADP are selectively applied to the address electrodes according to the display data in synchronization with the above-mentioned SCP application. As a result, the combined voltage of the two pulses SCP and ADP is applied between the address electrodes and the Y electrodes, generating an address discharge. Wall charges are stored in the lighted cells as a result of this. Then, in the sustaining discharge period, sustaining discharge pulses SUSP are applied alternately to the X electrodes and Y electrodes, which generates sustaining discharges a plurality of times for the above-mentioned cells in which walls charges are stored. The brightness of the cells is controlled by the number of these sustaining discharges. In example 1 in FIG. 24A, the sustaining pulses SUSP are positive voltage pulses, whereas in example 2 in FIG. 24B, the sustaining pulses SUSP are negative voltage pulses.
As mentioned above, in the sustaining discharge period, sustaining voltage pulses SUSP are alternately applied between the X electrodes and Y electrodes serving as the display electrodes. With a conventional drive method, the application of the sustaining voltage pulses SUSP maintains the X electrodes or Y electrodes at the ground potential, which is the reference potential, the potential is driven from this ground potential to the sustaining discharge voltage, that is, to the level of a positive voltage +Vs or the level of a negative voltage −Vs, and upon completion of the pulse period, the potential is returned to the ground potential level. When this sustaining discharge voltage is applied, excess discharge current flows between the X and Y electrodes, and the path thereof is a loop going from the sustaining discharge voltage power source of voltage +Vs or −Vs, to a switch circuit on the source side, one of the electrodes, a discharge space, the other electrode, a switch circuit on the sink side, and then the ground power source, and finally returning to the ground terminal of the sustaining discharge voltage power source.
This sustaining voltage pulses Vs are high-voltage, high-speed pulses with a voltage of approximately 200 V and a rise time of just a few hundred nanoseconds, and a peaked discharge current instantly flows as soon as the pulses are applied. Such a peak current is called a panel capacitance charging and discharging current, or a gas discharge current. When this large peaked current flows to the ground power source line, the voltage thereof is lowered by the impedance component had by the ground power source line, and a noise component, namely, a fluctuation in the ground potential, is generated. This noise component of the ground potential can become admixed in surrounding control circuits, disrupt the waveform of the control signals, and lead to malfunction. Or, even if a malfunction does not occur, distortion can occur not only in the control signals but also in the drive waveform itself, leading to the generation of a high-frequency component. The generation of a high-frequency component is a cause of electromagnetic wave noise being radiated to the surrounding area, and is also a cause of interference with external electrical devices.
These problems similarly occur in the application of write pulses between the X electrodes and Y electrodes in the reset period. Gas discharge current is generated during rise when the write pulses WP are applied, and a charging and discharging current is generated during fall at the completion of the application of the write pulses WP.
A separate problem is that when sustaining pulses SUSP of positive polarity are applied to the X and Y electrodes, if the address electrode A is maintained at the ground potential, then the address electrode side will have negative polarity, and a positive charge will be stored on the surface of the address electrode. This stored charge has a polarity that is added to the address voltage during the address period, so an excessively large address discharge is generated, which can lead to excess discharge to adjacent cells. This excess discharge is a cause of variance. Furthermore, if the address electrode side has an extremely negative voltage with respect to the X and Y electrodes, positive charges may collide with the fluorescent material provided on the address electrode, shortening the service life of the fluorescent material.
To solve such problems, as shown in FIG. 24A, it has been proposed that an intermediate voltage of Va be applied to the address electrode during the sustaining discharge period. In this case, however, if spiked noise is superimposed on the output side of the drive circuit of the address electrode as a result of capacity coupling or the like accompanying the application of the sustaining pulses, then the potential thereof will be at a level that is higher than the power source voltage level, there will be no margin with respect to the withstand voltage of the drive circuit, and adequate reliability cannot be ensured.


Assessing a consumer's risk of harms related to a data breach includes determining, for the particular data breach, a data breach score, referred to as a Breach Clarity™ (BC) score, indicative of the risk of harm related to the particular breach. A data structure pairs a breached information element with at least one potential harm. Algorithms assign a harm risk score to the harm, determine an element risk score for the information element-harm pair, and determine a BC score using the harm risk and element risk scores, and an exposure rating. The BC score can be modified by a scaling algorithm to generate a relative BC score. The system identifies and rank orders mitigation actions for the breach and outputs these with the BC score to the consumer. A consumer's demographic and/or behavioral characteristics can be factored into the exposure rating and ranking of the mitigation actions.

Data breaches and data compromises are very different from one another with regard to both total relative risk and the specific nature of that risk to a consumer-victim of the breach, and as a result require prioritized and unique action steps be taken by a consumer-victim in response to notification of a breach or compromise of the consumer-victim's data. Presently, data breach victims only have access to overly-broad fraud-protection advice or solutions, which can include inappropriate advice or solutions. The advice available to a data breach victim can be a distraction because it may not be possible for even the most qualified individual human advice-giver to compute recommendations that precisely mine, e.g., include and reflect, the expertise of a wide range of fraud-prevention and identity-protection experts.


An IGBT includes at least one first type transistor cell, including a base region, a first emitter region, a body region, and a second emitter region. The body region is arranged between the first emitter region and the base region. The base region is arranged between the body region and the second emitter region. The IGBT further includes a gate electrode adjacent the body region and dielectrically insulated from the body region by a gate dielectric, and a base electrode adjacent the base region and dielectrically insulated from the base region by a base electrode dielectric. The base region has a first base region section adjoining the base electrode dielectric and a second base region section arranged between the second emitter region and the first base region section. A doping concentration of the first base region section is higher than a doping concentration of the second base region section.

An IGBT is a bipolar transistor device that can be used as an electronic switch for switching an electrical load. An IGBT can be implemented with a voltage blocking capability of up to several kilovolts (kV).
An IGBT includes a gate electrode adjacent a body region and dielectrically insulated from the body region by a gate dielectric. The body region of a second doping type separates a first emitter region (source region) of a first doping type from a base region (drift region). The IGBT further includes a second emitter region (drain region) of a second doping type complementary to the first doping type. In an on-state of the IGBT, the gate electrode generates a conducting channel in the body region along the gate dielectric so that the first emitter region injects charge carriers of a first type through the conducting channel into the base region, and the second emitter region injects charge carriers of a second type into the base region. The charge carriers of the first type and the second type form a charge carrier plasma in the base region. This charge carrier plasma results in a relatively low on-resistance of the IGBT. For example, in the on-state the voltage between a first emitter terminal and a second emitter terminal of an IGBT with a voltage blocking capability of about 1200V is only between 1V and 3V.
When the IGBT switches from the on-state to an off-state, the gate electrode interrupts the conducting channel in the body region. This allows an electrical potential of the second emitter region to increase relative to an electrical potential of the first emitter region. However, as the electrical potential of the second emitter region increases, a capacitance (often referred to as feedback capacitance) between the gate electrode and the second emitter region (which corresponds to a capacitance between the gate electrode and the base emitter region) may cause the gate electrode to be charged such that the IGBT again switches on in an undesired way.
There is therefore a need to provide an IGBT with a reduced feedback capacitance.


A pipe joint is composed of a connection portion, two coupling handles and two auxiliary handles. The coupling handles and the auxiliary handles are fastened pivotally with two pivoting seats of the connection portion such that the coupling handles and the auxiliary handles are arranged side by side, and that the auxiliary handles can be actuated by the coupling handles in motion, and further that the auxiliary handles serve to avert the loosening of the connection portion at such time when the coupling handles are caught accidentally by a moving object or actuated accidentally by a person.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pipe joint A of the prior art is composed of a connection portion B and two coupling handles C. The connection portion B is provided in the interior thereof with a center through hole D and in the periphery thereof with two pivoting seats E opposite in location to each other. The pivoting seats E are provided respectively with a pivoting hole F and are fastened pivotally with the coupling handles C. The coupling handles C are fastened pivotally with the pivoting seats E such that the retaining portions G of the coupling handles C are slightly extended into the center through hole D so as to facilitate the coupling of the pipes by means of the coupling handles C.
Such a prior art joint as described above is defective in design in that the coupling handles of the pipe joint are prone to be caught accidentally by a moving object to cause the loosening of the connection portion. Such an incident can turn out to be a serious or even deadly mishap if the pipe line is used to convey the gas, the toxic chemicals, etc.


An improved thermosiphon solar heater is disclosed. The thermosiphon solar heater includes a substantially planar collector including a plurality of heat exchanger channels that are positioned next to one another in a parallel relationship. The thermosiphoning solar heater also includes a pair of headers fluidly coupled to the collector. A first header is disposed at a top end of the collector. A second header is disposed at a bottom end of the collector. The thermosiphoning solar heater further includes one or more exposed storage tanks fluidly coupled to the header and positioned in a side by side relationship next to the collector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to solar heaters. More particularly, the present invention relates to thermosiphoning solar heaters with side mounted storage tanks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Solar heater systems are designed to capture heat from the sun and to store the solar heat until the heat is needed. In solar water heaters, the heat is ultimately transferred to water. Solar water heaters, which typically include a collector and storage tank, come in various forms including both active and passive systems.
In active systems, the collector is typically a flat plate collector, which includes a rectangle box, tubes that extend through the box and a transparent cover that covers the box. The tubes help capture heat and transfer the heat to water inside the tubes. A pump is used to circulate water from a storage tank through the collector and back to the storage tank (typically located in the house). The pump essentially pumps the hot water from the collector into the tank and the colder water out of the tank and into the collector. The pump is typically controlled by a control system that activates the pump when the temperature in the collector is higher than the temperature in the storage tank. The control system may also deactivate the pump when the temperature in the collector is lower than the temperature in the storage tank. In some cases, the storage tank may double as a hot water heater in order to back up the solar heating, i.e., it can heat the water when the temperature of the water in the collector is low. One advantage of active systems is that they provide better control of the system and therefore they can be operated more efficiently than other systems. Furthermore, using the control system, active systems can be configured to protect the collector from freezing in colder climates.
In passive systems, the heated water is moved via natural convection or city water pressure rather than using pumps. Although passive systems are generally less efficient than active systems, the passive approach is simple and economical. Compared to active systems, the passive system does not require controls, pumps, sensors or other mechanical components and therefore it is less expensive to operate and further it requires little or no maintenance over its lifetime. Passive systems come in various forms including batch and thermosiphon systems.
Batch systems such as breadbox solar water heaters or integrated collector storage systems are thought of as the simplest of all conventional solar water heaters. In batch systems, the storage tank is built into or integrated with the collector, i.e., a self contained system that serves as a solar collector and a storage tank. Batch systems typically consist of one or more storage tanks, which are disposed in an insulated enclosure having a transparent cover on one side. The side of the storage tanks facing the transparent cover is generally colored black to better absorb solar energy. Batch systems use water pressure from the city source (or well) to move water through the system. Each time a hot water tap is opened, heated water from the storage tank is delivered directly to the point of use or indirectly through an auxiliary tank (e.g., hot water heater). One advantage of batch systems is that the water does not have to be stored separately from the collector. Furthermore, due to the large mass storage, batch systems typically do not encounter freezing problems in colder climates.
Thermosiphon systems, on the other hand, include a flat plate collector and a separate storage tank. The flat plate collector may be similar to the flat plate collector used in the active system. However, unlike the active system, the storage tank is mounted above the collector to provide natural gravity flow of water, i.e., the heated water rises through the collector to the highest point in the system (e.g., top of storage tank) and the heavier cold water in the storage tank sinks to the lowest point in the system (e.g., bottom of collector) thereby displacing the lighter heated water. Most literature on the subject discusses placing the storage tank at least 18 inches above the collector in order to prevent reverse thermosiphoning at night when the temperatures are cooler.
Referring to FIG. 1, a thermosiphon system 10 will be described in greater detail. The thermosiphon system 10 includes a collector 12 and a storage tank 14 mounted above the collector 12. The collector 12 includes an inlet 16 at its lower end for receiving water from a lower portion of the storage tank 14 and an outlet 18 at its upper end for delivering heated water to an upper portion of the storage tank 14. As the sun shines on the collector 12, the water inside the collector 12 is heated. Due to natural convection, the heated water in the collector starts moving upwards. As it moves upwards, the heated water is moved to the top of the storage tank 14 and the colder water in the bottom of the storage tank 14 is moved to the bottom of the collector 12 thereby replacing the heated water that was moved upwards to the storage tank 14. Furthermore, the storage tank 14 typically includes an inlet 20 at the lower portion of the storage tank 14 and an outlet 22 at an upper portion of the storage tank 14. The inlet receives 20 water directly from a city water source (or well), and the outlet 22 delivers heated water to an auxiliary tank such as a hot water heater or point of use whenever the hot water tap is opened.
Unfortunately, thermosiphon systems such as these suffer from several drawbacks. For one, these systems can freeze in colder climates. The collector typically has low thermal mass especially when compared to the storage tank and therefore the liquid contained therein is susceptible to freezing. Counter measures such as drainage systems and heat exchangers typically must be implemented in order to correct the freezing problem. Unfortunately, these add complexity and cost to the system (which is supposed to be simple and economical). For another, most thermosiphon systems are bulky devices formed from large, awkward and heavy parts and therefore they are difficult to manage and install. This is especially true on roofs and for do it yourselfers with limited support. In some cases, due to the weight of the storage tank when filled, the roof underneath the storage tank must be made more structurally sound (e.g., the load of the storage tank is not evenly distributed). Furthermore, because these systems are large and heavy, the costs of shipping these products are exorbitantly high. In fact, in some cases, the cost of shipping may be higher than the cost of the product itself. Another drawback with thermosiphon systems is that they tend not to be aesthetically pleasing. While the collector typically follows the roof line, the storage tank does not and therefore it sticks out like a sore thumb, i.e., the storage tank protrudes higher than the collector. In some cases, this is the main reason people do not purchase thermosiphon systems.
Based on the foregoing, an improved solar heater and more particularly an improved thermosiphoning system is desired.

Thermosiphoning system with side mounted storage tanks


A patient movement, repositioning and transport device, including a substantially rectangular sheet, a continuous pattern of woven reinforcing members within the rectangular sheet, and a plurality of handles.

In emergency situations, first responders and caregivers frequently move, reposition and transfer patients from accident sites to ambulance gurneys and from gurneys to treatment beds in emergency rooms. The nature of moving an incapacitated patient, of course, introduces a number of potential issues. Patient safety necessitates requires support of substantial weight and awkward limbs during transfer to avoid dropping or harming the patient. Movement and lifting devices also contain and absorb potentially harmful bodily fluids. While patient safety is paramount, other considerations for design of transfer devices pertain to first responders and caregivers. For example, repetitive moving and repositioning in dangerous and precarious environments causing injuries may result in increased downtime and workers compensation claims.
Many of the devices currently used for patient movement suffer from similar deficiencies. There are a number of devices for patient lifting that require combination of a sling and mechanical movement, repositioning using a mechanical apparatus. Any such sling must first be manipulated under the patient, causing potential discomfort. The patient is then moved and repositioned. In some examples, boards may be inserted under the patient. Both types of techniques involve extra patient movement and a secondary apparatus and places the patient at an increased level to exacerbate injuries. Such techniques are neither simple nor compatible with ambulance and gurney operations. While simple patient slings are known, very few have strength appropriate to accommodate the full range of patients.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a strong and ergonomic patient movement, repositioning and transport device also designed to reduce injuries, and increase safety to first responders and caregivers.

Safety movement, repositioning and transport device