A capacitive load driving circuit that supplies driving voltage to a capacitive load includes a driving voltage waveform generating unit. The driving voltage waveform generating unit, at times of charging or discharging of the capacitive load, generates a driving voltage waveform in which potential applied to the capacitive load varies stepwise from a first potential to a second potential during a predetermined time period.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a capacitive load driving circuit and driving method and a liquid drop ejecting device, and in particular, to a capacitive load driving circuit and driving method and a liquid drop ejecting device in which the amount of generated heat can be suppressed.
2. Related Art
There has been proposed a liquid drop ejecting device which applies an electric signal to a recording head having a piezoelectric element, converts the electric signal into a pressure wave, and ejects a liquid drop due to the pressure wave. The piezoelectric element provided at the recording head of the liquid drop ejecting device has electrostatic capacity in the same way as a capacitor. Therefore, when a large number of piezoelectric elements are driven simultaneously, Joule heat is generated from the resistance, and heat energy is lost.
Thus, a method of driving a liquid jetting recording head has been known, in which the voltage pulse which is applied to a piezoelectric element is plural, continuous, rectangular pulses P1, P2, . . . Pn−1, Pn of a given peak value V1 in a predetermined time period T1, and at least some of the intervals of applying the pulses P1, P2, . . . Pn−1, Pn and/or the pulse widths are made to be different.
However, when the interval or the pulse width at which the voltage pulses are applied is changed, there is the concern that it may be difficult to form a highly-detailed image. Thus, the amount of generated heat must be suppressed without changing the interval or the pulse width at which the voltage pulses are applied.
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing the structure of a conventional piezoelectric element driver circuit. FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the on signal inputted to the conventional piezoelectric element driver circuit, and the output waveform. When the on signal is low level, a PMOS is on, and 20 (=HV1) V is applied to a piezoelectric element 40. On the other hand, when the on signal is high level, an NMOS is on and the piezoelectric element 40 is 0 V.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the amount of heat generated at each point in shown in FIG. 11. Note that the electrostatic capacity of the piezoelectric element 40 is C, and the time at each point, i.e., the time constant, is 2 μs. In this way, heat of (½)C(HV1)2 [J] is generated in charging or discharging of one time. Accordingly, if an attempt is made to drive a large number of the piezoelectric elements 40 simultaneously, there is the problem that the amount of generated heat also increases in accordance therewith.

Capacitive load driving circuit and method, and liquid drop ejecting device


A discharge muffler includes a muffler container. In the muffler container, refrigerating machine oil is separated from refrigerant gas containing the refrigerating machine oil, and the refrigerating machine oil is stored in a lower space. An inlet of an outlet pipe connected to the muffler container opens in the lower space.

Conventionally, a discharge muffler has been known, which cancels noise of refrigerant gas discharged from a compressor and containing refrigerating machine oil. As described in Patent Document 1, as the discharge muffler of this type, there is a discharge muffler including an oil return pipe for discharging refrigerating machine oil accumulated in the discharge muffler.
The discharge muffler is provided on an outlet side of a high-pressure compression mechanism in an intermediate-pressure dome type two-stage compressor (i.e., a two-stage compressor in which an inside of a casing of the compressor is under a discharge pressure of a low-pressure compression mechanism). The discharge muffler includes an elongated cylindrical volume portion (muffler container) which is closed at upper and lower ends, and a supply pipe (inlet path), a discharge pipe (outlet path), and the oil return pipe are connected to the volume portion.
An inlet end of the supply pipe is connected to the outlet side of the high-pressure compression mechanism, and an outlet end of the supply pipe is positioned in an upper space inside the volume portion with the supply pipe penetrating an upper surface of the volume portion. An inlet end of the discharge pipe is positioned in a lower space inside the volume portion, and an outlet end of the discharge pipe is positioned outside the volume portion with the discharge pipe penetrating the upper surface of the volume portion. An inlet end of the oil return pipe is connected to an opening provided in a bottom surface of the volume portion, and an outlet end of the oil return pipe is connected to an opening provided in the casing of the two-stage compressor.
In the discharge muffler, refrigerant gas discharged from the high-pressure compression mechanism and containing refrigerating machine oil flows into the upper space inside the volume portion through the supply pipe. The refrigerant gas flowing into the upper space flows toward the lower space inside the volume portion while turning along an inner circumferential surface of the volume portion. While the refrigerant gas flows toward the lower space, noise of the refrigerant gas is canceled, and the refrigerating machine oil contained in the refrigerant gas is separated from the refrigerant gas by centrifugal force caused due to the turning of the refrigerant gas. Then, the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerating machine oil is separated flows out from the volume portion through the discharge pipe. The refrigerating machine oil separated from the refrigerant gas is temporarily stored in the lower space, and then is discharged to the casing of the two-stage compressor through the oil return pipe.

Discharge muffler and two-stage compressor including the same


A system for stabilizing the heart via a helical needle, providing access to the interior of the heart via an introducer sheath, and forming a purse string suture using suture delivered by the helical needle. A helical needle projects distally from the device and terminates in a sharp distal tip. The helical needle is advanced into the heart wall, and is used to stabilize the heart and to pass a purse string suture through the heart tissue. An access port provides access to the interior of the heart via an opening passing through the heart wall in an area circumscribed by the helical needle. The helical needle may have a deflection segment adjacent the distal tip that is more flexible than the rest of the helical distal portion of the helical needle.

The heart is a hollow muscular organ of a somewhat conical form; it lies between the lungs in the middle mediastinum and is enclosed in the pericardium. The heart generally rests obliquely in the chest behind the body of the sternum and adjoining parts of the rib cartilages, and typically projects farther into the left than into the right half of the thoracic cavity so that about one-third is situated on the right and two-thirds on the left of the median plane. The heart is subdivided by septa into right and left halves, and a constriction subdivides each half of the organ into two cavities, the upper cavity being called the atrium, the lower the ventricle. The heart therefore consists of four chambers; the right and left atria, and right and left ventricles, with one-way flow valves between respective atria and ventricles and at the outlet from the ventricles.
Heart valve repair and/or replacement may be indicated when there is a narrowing of a native heart valve, commonly referred to as stenosis, or when the native valve leaks or regurgitates, such as when the leaflets are calcified. Repairing a valve may include reshaping the valve annulus using, e.g., an annuloplasty ring, and/or repairing/replacing chordae tendinae, and/or repairing valve leaflets. When replacing the valve, the native valve may be excised and replaced with either a biologic or a mechanical valve.
Conventional heart valve surgery is an open-heart procedure conducted under general anesthesia, and is a highly invasive operation. The first 2-3 days following surgery are usually spent in an intensive care unit where heart functions can be closely monitored. The average hospital stay is between 1 to 2 weeks, with several more weeks to months required for complete recovery.
In recent years, advancements in minimally-invasive surgery and interventional cardiology have encouraged some investigators to pursue percutaneous repair and/or replacement of heart valves. Percutaneous Valve Technologies ("PVT"), formerly of Fort Lee, N.J. and now part of Edwards Lifesciences of Irvine, Calif., has developed a plastically- or balloon-expandable stent integrated with a bioprosthetic valve. The stent/valve device, now called the Edwards Sapien™ Heart Valve, is deployed across the native diseased valve to permanently hold the valve open, thereby alleviating a need to excise the native valve. The Edwards Sapien™ Heart Valve is designed for delivery with the RetroFlex™ delivery system in a cardiac catheterization laboratory under local anesthesia using fluoroscopic guidance, thereby avoiding general anesthesia and open-heart surgery.
Some researchers propose implanting prosthetic heart valves at the valve annulus using a direct-access transapical approach. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0074484. For replacing an aortic valve, access can be gained via the left ventricular apex (LVA), which is directed downward, forward, and to the left in the patient's chest (from the perspective of the patient). The apex typically lies behind the fifth left intercostal space (or between the fourth and fifth), 8 to 9 cm from the mid-sternal line, and about 4 cm below and 2 mm to the medial side of the left mammary papilla. Access to the left ventricle may therefore be attained through an intercostal incision positioned over the fifth left intercostal space. Such an approach is often termed a "mini-thoracotomy," and lends itself to surgical operations on the heart carried out using one or more short tubes or "ports"—thus, the operations are often referred to as "port-access" procedures.
Dehdashtian in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007-0112422 discloses a port-access delivery system for transapical delivery of a prosthetic heart valve including a balloon catheter having a steering mechanism thereon that passes through an access device such as an introducer. The surgeon forms a puncture in the apex with a needle, advances a guidewire, then a dilator, and finally the introducer. Purse string sutures are pre-installed around the puncture to seal against blood leakage around the various devices and provide a closure after the procedure. During the procedure the doctor/assistant is able to apply tension to the purse-string-suture, which prevents inadvertent blood loss. After the deployment of the heart valve, the purse sting-suture is then used to permanently close the opening of the heart by drawing concentric tension on the suture ends, and tying a secure knot. The aforementioned Edwards Sapien™ Heart Valve may be inserted transapically with the Ascendra™ delivery system, much like the system disclosed in Dehdashtian.
Often, direct- or port-access techniques are conducted or proposed for off-pump, aka "beating heart" procedures, in which the heart remains beating as opposed to the patient being placed on a cardiopulmonary bypass system. Challenges remain in stabilizing various instruments used during these procedures, as well as in stabilizing targeted patient tissues and/or organs. For example, a number of devices are available that directly contact the heart muscle for stabilizing an area around a cardiac artery for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures. These systems typically include a soft contact member having suction that brackets a coronary artery, or grabs and manipulates an area of the heart for better access. These systems are mostly concerned with holding still a discrete surface area of the heart for direct operation thereon, and are not designed for operations carried out by instruments that extend within the beating heart, i.e., for intracardiac procedures.
What has been needed is a system and method for stabilizing the heart and the operating instruments, providing access to the heart interior, and sealing tissue punctures at the conclusion of the procedure. The current invention meets these needs.


Substituted cyclohexylcarboxylic acid amide compounds, processes for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and the use of substituted cyclohexylcarboxylic acid compounds for producing pharmaceutical compositions for treating conditions or disease states associated with the opioid receptor system and/or with noradrenalin and/or serotonin re-uptake.

The present invention relates to substituted cyclohexylcarboxylic acid amide compounds, to processes for their production, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and to the use of cyclohexylcarboxylic acid compounds for producing pharmaceutical compositions.
The treatment of chronic and non-chronic pain conditions has great importance in medicine. There is a worldwide need for effective methods of treating pain. The urgent need for action for patient-oriented and purposeful treatment of chronic and non-chronic pain conditions, this being taken to mean the successful and satisfactory treatment of pain for the patient, is documented in the large number of scientific papers which have recently appeared in the field of applied analgesics and fundamental research work on nociception.
Conventional μ-opioids such as morphine are very effective in the treatment of strong to very strong pain and are of great importance for the treatment of pain. However, it may be advantageous if, in addition to the μ-opioid receptor, other opioid receptors, in particular the ORL1 receptor, are affected since the pure μ-opioids also exhibit undesired side effects such as obstipation and respiratory depression, but may also lead to dependency. The opioid receptors δ, κ and ORL1 are also involved in the occurrence of pain (Opioids: Introduction, pp. 127-150, Further Opioid Receptors, 455-476 in: Analgesics—From Chemistry and Pharmacology to Clinical Application, Wiley VCH, 2002).
It is also known that influencing of serotonin and/or noradrenalin re-uptake can be beneficial to the effects and side effects of opioids (Example: Tramadol, cf. Opioids with Clinical Relevance: Tramadol, 228-230 in: Analgesics—From Chemistry and Pharmacology to Clinical Application, Wiley VCH, 2002).
The ORL1 receptor is also involved in the regulation of further physiological and pathophysiological processes. These include inter alia learning and memory formation (Manabe et al., Nature, 394, 1997, pp. 577-581), Hörvermögen [Hearing capacity] (Nishi et al., EMBO J., 16, 1997, pp. 1858-1864) and numerous further processes. In a synopsis by Calo et al. (Br. J. Pharmacol. 129, 2000-1261) there is an overview of the indications or biological procedures, in which the ORL1 receptor plays a part or could highly probably play a part. Mentioned inter alia are: analgesia, stimulation and regulation of nutrient absorption, effect on μ-agonists such as morphine, treatment of withdrawal symptoms, reduction of the addiction potential of opioids, anxiolysis, modulation of motor activity, memory disturbances, epilepsy; modulation of neurotransmitter release, in particular of glutamate, serotonin and dopamine, and therefore neurodegenerative diseases; affecting the cardiovascular system, triggering an erection, diuresis, anti-natriuresis, electrolyte balance, arterial blood pressure, water-retention diseases, intestinal motility (diarrhoea), relaxation of the respiratory tract, micturation reflex (urinary incontinence). The use of agonists and antagonists as anoretics, analgesics (also when administered with opioids) or nootropics will also be discussed.
Structurally related compounds are known from the prior art (WO 02090317) which have an affinity with the ORL1 receptor. An effect on noradrenalin and serotonin re-uptake has not previously been described for this structural class.


An efficient algorithm is presented for selecting an agent to service a task in a skills-based routing system. A set X is determined of all states of the boolean variables that contain the required skills for a task. A resume table of available agents is built, organized by the states of the N variables; each agent is represented in each state that includes all skills possessed by the agent. All available and qualified agents are determined from the resume table; those agents associated with a state of the resume table outside of the set X are disqualified. An agent is selected from those remaining. Preferably, an agent is selected having a minimum qualification level to service the task. One preferred way of doing this is to subtract from the number of terms in a canonical form of the required skills expression a number equal to the number of times the agent appears in the set of states X and picking an agent with the lowest result. In the preferred embodiment, however, proficiency levels of each required skill are taken into account in making the final selection.

There are many known algorithms which have been used to route tasks, such as incoming calls, to agents within a group or groups in call and service centers. Recently, operators have realized the importance of task routing based on the skills of agents as compared to the needs required to adequately service individual tasks. For instance, a telephone caller may require expertise in a particular software or hardware system, or expertise in a particular sector of the financial market, or a specific company. The same is true of a person requesting assistance by e-mail. Further, a caller may speak only a specific language and therefore require an agent fluent in that language. The list of possible skills goes on and on, and are defined by the owners of the individual service centers according to the purposes of the service centers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,869, issued to Brooks et. al. On Oct. 20, 1998, describes a system for skill-based routing of telephone calls. Brooks attempts to select agents whose proficiency in specified skills are closest to the required proficiency levels of one or more required skills. However, Brooks describes no algorithm for actually performing the calculations and logic to make the selection. Therefore, it must be presumed that Brooks performs a brute-force method in which all available agents are evaluated in a straight-forward manner and then the results compared to finally select an agent. Prior versions of IBM's CallPath products performed a similar brute-force manner of agent selection. However, such methods of agent selection are very inefficient, especially for service centers that experience high levels of traffic.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for skills-based task routing

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.


An alcohol fuel burner which comprises a fuel container having a base and a side wall, a cover for the upper portion of the container, the covering having a plurality of inlet apertures as well as a central aperture, draft control means to control the amount of air permitted through the air inlet apertures, an inner chimney extending upwardly from the centrally located aperture and an outer chimney extending upwardly from the fuel container with the outer chimney being spaced from the inner chimney. The device permits efficient burning of the fuel in the container.

The use of small alcohol fuel burners for heating pots and/or pans containing food is well known in the art. Typically, these types of alcohol burners are widely used for heating fondu types of foods. There are also occasionally used in other situations where heating is required.
While these devices are well known and generally function satisfactorily, it is desirable to have a device which minimizes turbulence about the flame.


A method of manufacturing a high-strength aluminum alloy extruded product which excels in corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance, and is suitably used in applications as structural materials for transportation equipment such as automobiles, railroad carriages, and aircrafts. The method includes extruding a billet of an aluminum alloy containing 0.5% to 1.5% of Si, 0.9% to 1.6% of Mg, 0.8% to 2.5% of Cu, while satisfying the following equations (1), (2), (3), and (4),3≦Si%+Mg%+Cu%≦4  (1)Mg%≦1.7×Si%  (2)Mg%+Si%≦2.7  (3)Cu%/2≦Mg%≦(Cu%/2)+0.6  (4)and further containing 0.5% to 1.2% of Mn, with the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, into a solid product by using a solid die, or into a hollow product by using a porthole die or a bridge die, thereby obtaining the solid product or the hollow product in which a fibrous structure accounts for 60% or more of an area-fraction of the cross-sectional structure of the product.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a high-strength aluminum alloy extruded product excelling in corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a high-strength aluminum alloy extruded product excelling in corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance which is suitable in application as structural materials for transportation equipment such as automobiles, railroad carriages, and aircrafts.
2. Description of Background Art
In recent years, emission regulations have been tightened from the viewpoint of protection of the global environment. In the field of manufacture of structural members and components for transportation equipment such as automobiles, the reduction of vehicle weight has been vigorously pursued to save fuel consumption and hence to decrease the emission of carbon dioxide and other noxious gases. An effective means to reduce the vehicle weight is the use of aluminous materials instead of conventionally used ferrous materials.
The 6000 series (Al—Mg—Si) aluminum alloys as represented by an AA6061 alloy and AA6063 alloy are widely employed in practical applications in transportation equipment components due to excellent workability, easiness of production, and excellent corrosion resistance. However, since the 6000 series alloys have disadvantages in strength in comparison with high-strength aluminum alloys such as the 7000 series (Al—Zn—Mg) alloys and the 2000 series (Al—Cu) alloys, an increase in the strength of the 6000 series aluminum alloys has been attempted. For example, an AA6013 alloy, AA6056 alloy, AA6082 alloy, and the like have been developed.
These alloys possess improved strength in comparison with the conventional AA6061 alloy or the like. However, further progress in the reduction of the vehicle weight is making requirements for thinner and lighter materials even more demanding. Since there still have been cases where the above alloys are not wholly satisfactory in terms of strength, corrosion resistance, and stress corrosion cracking resistance, there is proposed an aluminum alloy comprising 0.5 to 1.5% of Si, 0.9 to 1.5% of Mg, 1.2 to 2.4% of Cu, wherein the composition of Si, Mg, and Cu satisfies the conditional equations 3≦Si %+Mn %+Cu %≦4, Mg≦1.7×Si %, and Cu %/2≦Mg %≦(Cu %/2)+0.6, and further comprising 0.2 to 0.4% of Cr, while limiting Mn as an impurity at 0.05% or less, with the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-269608).
However, this aluminum alloy is mainly used as a sheet material and has the disadvantage of inferior extrudability and inferior characteristics of extrusions in extrusion application, particularly when extruded into a hollow profile by using a porthole die or a spider die. In order to overcome this problem, one of the inventors of the present invention, together with other inventors, reviewed the above composition and proposed an Al—Cu—Mg—Si alloy extruded product for application in structural members of transportation equipment (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-306338). This aluminum alloy extruded product is excellent in extrudability into a hollow profile and is characterized in that, when a tensile test is conducted for the weld joints inside the extruded hollow cross section by applying a tensile stress in the direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction, the aluminum alloy extruded product fractures at locations other than the weld joints.
However, if the above aluminum alloy extruded product is used in a reduced thickness, the aluminum alloy extruded product is not entirely capable of providing the required strength. In order to improve the characteristics of the above Al—Cu—Mg—Si alloy extruded product, one of the inventors of the present invention together with other inventors further proposed to add Mn to the Al—Cu—Mg—Si alloy and to control the thickness of the crystal layer of the Al—Cu—Mg—Si alloy extruded product, thereby providing a high-strength alloy extruded product having excellent corrosion resistance (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-11559). However, this aluminum alloy exhibits poor extrudability in comparison with conventional alloys such as the AA6063 alloy due to high deformation resistance. In particular, when successive billets are supplemented for a continuous extrusion of a solid product, it is necessary to provide a flow guide at the front of the solid die. However, this aluminum alloy suffers from deficiencies such as extrusion cracking occurring at the corners of the extruded product and a tendency for forming a coarse surface grain structure, thereby causing a deterioration in strength as well as in stress corrosion cracking resistance.
Moreover, in the case where a hollow product is extruded by using a porthole die or a bridge die, this aluminum alloy also presents problems such as extrusion cracking and a tendency for forming a coarse grain structure along the joints, thereby causing a deterioration in strength, corrosion resistance, and stress corrosion cracking resistance.
The present invention has been achieved after extensive experiments and investigations conducted in an attempt to solve the above-described problems associated with high-strength aluminum alloy extruded products, including studies concerning the relationship between the characteristics of the extruded product and dimensions of the die as well as various parts of flow guides, applicable when a solid product is extruded using a solid die alone or using a solid die together with a flow guide attached thereto, and studies concerning the relationship between the characteristics of the extruded product and the difference in flow speeds of the aluminum alloy inside the extrusion die, applicable when a hollow product is extruded by using a porthole die or a bridge die. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing an aluminum alloy extruded product excelling in corrosion resistance, stress corrosion cracking resistance, and strength, as achieved by effectively preventing the occurrence of extrusion cracking or formation of a coarse grain structure in the extruded product.

Method of manufacturing high-strength aluminum alloy extruded product excelling in corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance


An independent suspension for a vehicle includes a spring-link suspension structure which is made from a fibrous composite material, is substantially U-shaped when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Ends of upper and lower members are secured to the vehicle body or a carrier connected thereto. At least one of these securements has no rotational degree of freedom about an axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, while a wheel hub is connected to the base of the U-shaped spring-link suspension structure in order to secure a vehicle wheel. At least one of the members is secured to the vehicle body or to the carrier in a substantially rigid manner i.e. aside from low levels of elasticity, and no further wheel guiding suspension link is provided that substantially extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, in order to achieve a desired toe-in increase when braking, a recess is provided in at least one of the members. The recess extends from the point at which the wheel hub is secured to the base and across only a subregion of the member in the longitudinal direction thereof.

The invention relates to an independent suspension of a vehicle having a spring-link (control arm) structure which is constructed from a composite fiber material and which is constructed so as to be substantially U-shaped when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An upper member and lower member are secured at the end side to the vehicle body structure or a carrier which is connected thereto. At least one of these securings does not have any degree of rotational freedom about an axis which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, while a wheel hub is connected to the base of the U-shaped spring-link structure in order to secure a vehicle wheel. With regard to the prior art, in addition to DE 10 2008 043 330 A1, reference may be made to DE 102 16 244 A1 (having U.S. counterpart U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,159 B2).
Lightweight construction is becoming increasingly important in vehicle construction, in particular in passenger vehicles. In particular, a lightweight construction is particularly important in the field of vehicle chassis. In this context, wheel guiding elements may be constructed from composite fiber material and, consequently, in addition to a wheel-guiding function which has previously been performed by so-called wheel guiding links, also perform the function of a carrier spring which has previously been constructed in most cases as a helical spring and via which the vehicle body is proportionately supported on the respective wheel which is guided by the wheel guiding element. The two documents mentioned in the introduction disclose examples of such wheel guiding elements which are referred to in this instance as a spring-link (control arm) structure.
Based on DE 102 16 244 A1 mentioned above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a functionally advantageous independent suspension, which is distinguished by a small spatial requirement.
This and other objects are achieved in that at least one of the upper and lower members is substantially, that is to say, with the exception of low levels of elasticity, rigidly secured to the vehicle body or to the carrier mentioned. No additional wheel guiding link is provided which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, for which reason, in order to achieve a desired increase of toe-in during braking, there is provided in at least one of the members a recess. The recess extends from the securing of the wheel hub to the base only over a part-region of the member in the longitudinal direction thereof.
According to the invention, unlike the prior art mentioned, no wheel-guiding longitudinal link or the like is provided, but instead the respective vehicle wheel is guided exclusively by the said spring-link structure which comprises a composite fiber material and which is U-shaped when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This, of course, minimizes the spatial requirement of an independent suspension according to the invention. To this end, at least one of the members is ultimately substantially rigidly secured to the vehicle body (where applicable, with the interposition of a carrier which will no longer be mentioned below for reasons of simplicity) so that this member of the spring-link structure can also perform the longitudinal guiding of the wheel. Ideally, a support base which is relatively wide or as wide as possible is intended to be provided between the member and the vehicle body, which will be discussed in greater detail below.
However, first explained herein is another inventively significant feature which is proposed in particular for use of such an independent suspension on the rear axle of a two-track vehicle, which axle is intended to be constructed as known in such a manner that the wheel during braking, that is to say, under the action of a braking force, moves increasingly in the direction of toe-in. Accordingly, in at least one of the members (and preferably in the upper member), there is provided a recess which extends from the base only over a part-region thereof in the longitudinal direction thereof, whereby starting from a "full cross-section" which is closed in the region of the connection of the member to the vehicle body, there are formed quasi two link portions which are separate from each other and which extend as far as the securing location of the wheel hub on the base of the U-shaped spring-link structure. When viewed in the opposite direction, consequently, starting from the securing location of the wheel hub to the spring-link structure according to the invention, on which securing location, for example, there may be retained a so-called wheel carrier on which the wheel hub is supported in a suitable manner, two mutually separate link portions of the spring structure lead in at least one of the members as far as a location at which these two link portions in a state adjacent to each other are combined to form a member portion which forms a full cross-section without any recess and which is then continued as far as the securing of this member to the vehicle body.
If the upper member of a spring-link structure according to the invention is now constructed in the manner described, there is (also) produced on this upper member under the action of a braking force which acts on the wheel and which is supported as a torque on the spring-link structure, a torsion moment. The torsion moment inwardly deforms in a downward direction the front link portion thereof when viewed in the travel direction in the region of the recess, and deforms outwardly in an upward direction the rear link portion thereof when viewed in the travel direction. This results in a desired increase of the toe-in of the wheel which is guided by the spring-link structure.
The effect which has just been described can be reinforced by the two members being substantially, that is to say, with the exception of low levels of elasticity, rigidly secured to the vehicle body or to the carrier mentioned and the recess being constructed in both members so as to be coherent over the base.
It has already been briefly mentioned that the securing of the "free" end(s) of the member(s) to the vehicle body is intended to form a support base which is relatively wide or as wide as possible in order to be able to achieve good longitudinal guiding of the wheel by the proposed spring-link structure. It is proposed as a preferred embodiment that the securing which is substantially, that is to say, with the exception of low levels of elasticity, rigid be constructed in the manner of a tongue and groove connection having a groove which extends substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction in one of the elements which are intended to be connected to each other, and in which a connection structure of the tongue and groove connection, which structure is connected in an appropriate manner to the other element or which is provided thereon, engages in a positive-locking manner, with a resilient layer being interposed, and is retained in an appropriate manner. The resilient layer which is located therebetween is not only used for a desired acoustic decoupling between the wheel and vehicle body, but is also proportionately advantageous for a desired longitudinal resilience, that is to say, resilient action of the wheel suspension in the vehicle longitudinal direction (for example, with respect to occurrences of unevenness such as transverse joints or the like).
It is further optionally proposed that at least one of the members when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, at the side thereof facing the vehicle front or at the front link portion, have a smaller thickness when measured in the direction of the vehicle vertical axis than at the side thereof facing the vehicle rear or at the rear link portion. The guided wheel thereby moves increasingly into toe-in under the action of lateral forces, as desired.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In all of the Figures, identical elements are indicated using the same reference numerals.

Independent vehicle suspension having a spring-link suspension structure made from a fiber composite material

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A horological mobile component, including around an axis, a first element including a first shoulder and a second element including a second shoulder which cooperates by friction with a third shoulder that is included by a third element interposed between the first element and the second element, this third element includes a fourth shoulder cooperating by friction with the first shoulder or being driven onto this first shoulder, and the diameter of the third shoulder is at least double the diameter of the fourth shoulder, and the second element includes a main hollow defining at least two bearing surfaces each including one or two bearing sectors belonging to the second shoulder.

Friction devices are routinely used in horology for mechanisms for correcting display, such as setting, or other. These devices have a certain number of well-known disadvantages:                poor stability of the friction, and poor control of the friction, in particular in mechanisms with small dimensions, which affects the sensitivity of the system;        the mounting interface is often unfavourable, when this friction relates to the usual case of bearing of a plate on a hub, and problems can be related to the presence of burrs, to the flatness defect of the plate, to a deformation of the plate, or other, which manifests itself as irregular and non-reproducible phenomena and, in the worst case, by a pollution of the horological movement by detachable particles;        the case of a functional friction on a small diameter is always more complicated, because of low friction, and a greater dispersion than in mechanisms with larger dimensions, for which the geometric constraints are lesser and in which the values of friction torque can be much higher than those of the other rubbing torques in the movement. These small diameters are very common in women's watches, and of course in miniature movements, but they are not rare in the other watches, since designers make themselves limit the volume taken up inside a movement by such friction adjustments.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 417,644 on behalf of HUNTER describes a snap-on cannon-pinion and a sleeve arranged for its fastening onto an arbor, which are arranged to cooperate through an elastic link.

Horological mobile component with element maintained by friction


A press roll for a paper or board machine, a method for manufacturing a roll for a paper or board machine and a coating composition for a roll which enable the roll to endure difficult corrosion conditions. An adhesion/corrosion-protection layer having a thickness of from about 150 .mu.m to about 300 .mu.m is applied onto the frame part of the roll by a high-velocity flame spraying technique. The adhesion/corrosion-protection layer contains a nickel-chromium alloy. A tight-ceramic layer having a thickness from about 50 .mu.m to about 150 .mu.m is applied onto the adhesion/corrosion-protection layer by a high-velocity flame spraying technique and includes from about 50% to about 100% of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and optionally includes up to about 50% of TiO.sub.2 and/or any amount of Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5. A porous ceramic layer is applied onto the tight ceramic layer. The tight-ceramic layer may include only Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 instead of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, with or without TiO.sub.2.

In a press section of early paper and board machines, a roll was used which was commonly made of granite. In spite of the excellent surface properties of granite rolls, rolls having a ceramic coating have been gradually substituted for granite rolls. In prior art rolls with metal, metal-ceramic and ceramic coatings, however, corrosion of various degrees has occurred in particular in more severe conditions, which corrosion causes corroding of the roll, delamination of the coating, and wear of the roll so that it becomes unusable.
These types of rolls are coated by means of thermal spraying, in which case the coating unavoidably remains porous, and the roll face susceptible to corrosion. In view of corrosion, the process conditions in paper industry have become more and more severe because, for reasons of protecting the environment, process water is recirculated to an ever greater extent, and the rolls also must operate under ever more corroding conditions. For this reason, it is necessary to renew the coatings on rolls and/or to replace the rolls quite frequently which, of course, causes high expenses.
Attempts have been made to improve the resistance of rolls to corrosion by means of a variety of different methods.
In Finnish Patent Application No. 853544, a method for coating a roll is described in which a metallic core of a roll has been coated fully or partly with a metal, such as stainless steel, and in which the proportion of chromium is from about 9% to about 35%. It has been believed that the presence of chromium in the steel expressly increases the resistance of steel to corrosion.
In Finnish Patent No. 89,950, the metal core of a roll has been coated with molybdenum- and nickel-based metals, such as nickel-chromium alloys, nickel-chromium aluminum alloys, etc., in order to improve the resistance of the roll to corrosion. This intermediate layer is applied onto the roll by means of flame spraying or plasma spraying. The thickness of the intermediate layer is from about 100 .mu.m to about 500 .mu.m. Between this porous metal layer and the core of the roll, it is further possible, by means of flame spraying or plasma spraying, to apply a tight metal film that inhibits corrosion and that has a thickness of about from about 100 .mu.m to about 500 .mu.m. Metals suitable for this are nickel, aluminum alloy, copper, stainless steel, etc., and the particles that are used for the spray coating material are very small.
In Finnish Patent No. 86,566, a roll coating is described including a corrosion-protection layer on the roll core and which has a thickness of at least about 0.5 mm. The tightness of the corrosion-protection layer is higher than about 96% and, if necessary, the corrosion-protection layer may have been sealed by means of laser, induction, plasma, flame, or electron-jet melting, or it may also have been produced by means of thermal spraying. The corrosion-protection layer consists of stainless steel whose chromium content is from about 10% to about 29%, and it is placed between the core mantle of the roll and the ceramic outer layer.
In Finnish Patent No. 82,094, a coating for a Yankee cylinder in a paper machine is described, whose resistance to corrosion permits manufacture of special papers in acid solutions, in which the pH can be in the range from about 3 to about 5. The coating has been made of a mixture of a metal powder and a carbide or nitride.
In Finnish Patent No. 84,506, a press roll for a paper machine is described in which the roll core has been coated with an intermediate layer which consists of a composite compound made of a ceramic and a metal, so that the ratio of the components in the composite compound is different in different parts of the intermediate layer in the direction of the radius of the roll. The intermediate layer is then coated with a ceramic material over the intermediate layer.
In European Patent Application No. 0 657 237, coating of a roll with tungsten carbide and chromium carbide by means of thermal spraying is described. The function of this coating is also, among other things, to improve the resistance to wear of the carbide coatings on rolls.
In European Patent Application No. 0 481 321, a press roll is described in which an intermediate layer made of a molybdenum-based or nickel-based alloy has been applied onto the metal core, for example, by means of plasma spraying. A ceramic layer is applied onto this layer by means of the plasma spraying method, which ceramic layer consists of metal oxides or mixtures of same. The roll is then coated with an organic polymer to fill the pores in the porous ceramic coating.
In the prior art methods and in the coatings that are used currently on the rolls in a paper machine, particularly the center roll of a press section of a paper machine, a problem is the softness of the polymer coating or the porosity of the ceramic coating. As a result, the medium that produces corrosion of the roll frame, such as moisture and other corroding materials, can penetrate through the small pores through the coating to the roll frame. In this connection, corrosion arises, which deteriorates, among other things, the adhesion of a ceramic coating to the roll and promotes damage to the metal core of the roll. In particularly difficult corrosive environments, such as rolls that operate under highly acid or alkaline conditions, very rapid corroding has been noticed in spite of a metallic corrosion-protection layer that has been applied underneath a ceramic coating by means of plasma spraying or high-velocity flame spraying (HVOF) and whose thickness is from about 200 .mu.m to about 300 .mu.m. In such a case, the coating layer of the roll often falls apart partially, i.e., delamination takes place, and the roll is unusable.

Press roll with a ceramic coating, method for manufacturing the same and coating composition


Systems and techniques, including computer-implemented techniques, can be used to receive a base schedule that includes multiple rotations that each include one or more segments. A set of itineraries can be generated based upon the segments in the base schedule, and each itinerary can include an origin, a destination, and one or more segments linking the origin and the destination. The set of itineraries can be automatically analyzed to identify one or more valid itineraries within the set of itineraries, such that each valid itinerary complies with one or more constraints.

This description relates to schedule and route planning, and more particularly to developing a schedule that results in an improved allocation of transportation resources.
Commercial airlines typically have significant numbers of aircraft and serve dozens, if not more, of geographically diverse markets. Day-to-day operations require coordination of a variety of different business functions, including crew scheduling, maintenance, equipment scheduling, purchasing, and the like. Because many of the different business functions are interdependent, changes to one aspect of the operations can have an effect on other parts of the overall business. The logistics behind coordinating operations is further complicated by the geographic distribution of markets.
Generally, most of the operations of a commercial airline are centered around flight schedules. As with the coordination of day-to-day operations, the design of the overall flight schedule for a commercial airline involves complex interactions of numerous factors. Schedule design must take into account consumer demand, the ability to make connecting flights, maintenance requirements, gate availability, flight times and distances, airport restrictions and curfews, the number of available aircraft, and the like. Because of these various factors and the need to coordinate other business functions with the overall flight schedule, changes to a schedule design are generally performed weeks or even months in advance of implementing a change. The need for such advance planning limits the flexibility of commercial airlines in adapting to an evolving business environment, increasing efficiency, or otherwise modifying the overall flight schedule.


A controller includes a low power processor to couple to a sensor, the low power processor configured to receive data from the sensor and apply rules to the received data and provide an interrupt in accordance with the applied rules. A high power processor is coupled to receive interrupts from the low power processor in a sleep mode, to wake upon receipt of the interrupt, and to receive and process the data to determine actions to take based on the data, wherein the high power processor initiates the actions.

Unattended sensor systems are routinely deployed to collect readings when it is not economical or safe to deploy humans. For example, geologists may deploy sensors on an active volcano to record seismic and temperature readings. Police forces deploy sensors to detect movement through an intersection during a red-light. Security forces use sensors to detect movement into 'no go' zones.
These sensor systems are collecting data continuously (or near continuously) but only rarely need to take an action. For example, a seismic sensor may record activity constantly, but only if the vibration exceed a threshold will the system send out an alert. Furthermore, these sensor systems are often deployed in areas without access to the power grid and are thus 'power limited.' In these cases, there is a requirement to limit power consumption during routine data collection, but a need to take complex action if a threshold is met.

Low power event processing for sensor controllers


A garment configured for detecting leakage from an absorbent article underlying the garment and methods of detecting leakage from an absorbent article using such a garment are disclosed. The garment can include a substrate and a wetness detection system. The wetness detection system can include a first wetness detection mechanism disposed at a first detection zone on the substrate. The wetness detection system can further include a second wetness detection mechanism disposed at a second detection zone on the substrate. The second detection zone can be different than the first detection zone. In preferred embodiments, the first wetness detection mechanism and the second wetness detection mechanism can be configured to sense wetness electronically.

Absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, swim undergarments, and the like, conventionally include a liquid permeable body-side liner, a liquid impermeable outer cover, and an absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is typically located between the outer cover and the liner for taking in and retaining liquids (e.g., urine) exuded by the wearer. The absorbent structure can be made of, for instance, superabsorbent particles. For a variety of potential reasons, some absorbent articles will leak urine or other body fluids. These potential reasons can include body position, movement, amount of urine and/or other exudates already in the product, body geometries of wearers, and other potential reasons. It is typically difficult to determine where, when, and how an absorbent article has leaked urine or other bodily fluids, especially when the absorbent article is being worn by a newborn or other very young wearers. In a similar fashion, it is equally difficult to predict how changes in designs of various features of absorbent articles may affect potential leakage considerations.
Various types of moisture or wetness indicators have been suggested for use in absorbent articles. The wetness indicators include various passive indicators such as indicator strips, printing, or other devices within each absorbent article. Wetness indicators can also include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet absorbent article condition early on. Wetness-sensing bed pads are also available to indicate when urination has reached bedding. However, none of these indicators are designed to indicate leakage from the absorbent article itself and that can provide information as to the location and timing of the leakage. Additionally, sensors in bed mats can provide significant delay in detecting leakage, or may altogether not detect leakage of the absorbent article, due to additional layers that the body exudates must pass through between the absorbent article and the bed mat.
In view of the above, a need currently exists for a garment that includes a wetness detection system that can be used to determine when and where an absorbent article leaks.

Garment for detecting absorbent article leakage and methods of detecting absorbent article leakage utilizing the same


‘PMA Tib 2’ is a new variety of Tibouchina plant that is suitable for planting in gardens, containers, and in landscaping having mauve/purple flowers that darken through maturity, a domed and dense plant habit, and medium-sized flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Tibouchina plant, botanically known as Tibouchina mutabilis and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'PMA Tib 2'.
The new and ornamental variety was selected by the breeder as a result of an ongoing breeding program that has been conducted by the inventor for more than thirty years at the inventor's nursery in Victoria Point, Queensland, Australia. The purpose of the breeding program is to produce novel varieties of Tibouchina in varying plant sizes, flower colors, and which are well-suited to a range of climate zones. 'PMA Tib 2' is a hybrid plant derived from the deliberate controlled cross-pollination of the unpatented female parent, an individual plant of Tibouchina mutabilis, named 'Noelene', and the unpatented male parent, an individul plant of Tibouchina mutabilis named 'Jazzie'. The inventor emasculated flowers of the female parent and applied pollen that was freshly collected from the male parent in 2003. The parent plants were isolated to prevent open pollination. In 2005, the inventor selected 'PMA Tib 2' as a seedling that had been raised from the cross-pollination described herein. Selection was based on the criteria of habit, flower color, and plant dimensions. The plant was then propagated in 2008 via vegetative cuttings to produce a new generation for final evaluation.
Further, asexual reproductions of 'PMA Tib 2' in Victoria Point, Queensland, Australia has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retained and reproduced true to type through more than six successive generations of asexual reproduction.
The color references made herein are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticulture Society of London, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used.
The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variation in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to basic characteristics of 'PMA Tib 2' which, in combination, distinguish this Tibouchina plant as a new and distinct cultivar:                1. Medium-sized shrub with a domed plant habit at maturity;        2. Dense plant habit;        3. Pale mauve/purple flowers that change to medium mauve/purple towards the margin when the flowers first open—the flowers turn completely medium mauve/purple at maturity;        4. Medium flower size;        5. Large volume of flowers; and        6. Woody, long-lived shrub.
The new variety differs from 'Noelene' and 'Jazzie' in its smaller, mature plant size. Additionally, the flower color change of 'PMA Tib 2' as aging occurs is more distinct than with 'Noelene'.
When compared to 'PMA Tib 1' (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/815,685), 'PMA Tib 2' has a smaller flower size and plant dimensions. The petals do not overlap as significantly with 'PMA Tib 2'.
When 'PMA Tib 2' is compared to 'Chameleon' (unpatented), the distinct margin color and predominately white petal color of a newly opened flower are not as prominent as 'PMA Tib 2'. Further, 'Chameleon' exhibits more upright mature plant dimensions than 'PMA Tib 2'.


A combination package of an adjustable height candle holder jar and poured wax candle therein comprising a plurality of stacked, removable rings forming an adjustable height jar atop a closed bottom ring, and with a too ring. The jar is filled with scented candle wax with a typical wick in the center.

Tall jars of scented wax candles are popular gift and decorating items. In operation, the wick is simply lighted within the jar in which it was purchased as the wax is adhered to its interior. When the candle is relatively new, it is easy to light and keep burning since the flame is near the open top end. As the candle is used on several occasions, the wax level inside the jar gets lower making the wick more difficult to light unless long matchsticks or gas lighters are used. Also, the flame does not glow as brightly since the exposure to oxygen enriched air is more limited as the level goes down.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,960 of Hardy relates to a layered glass candle holder with a plurality of glass layers. As the candle within is consumed, ring layers can be removed to place the wick closer to the top open surface, but this is not the intent of the invention. Hardy's candle holder is mainly a decorative device which may have layers of different colors permitting the consumer to rearrange these at will. The candle is preferably spaced away from the inner walls of the ring layers, and there is no notion of a cohesive jar having compression fitted rings which can be factory filled with scented wax, except for a glued, non-adjustable alternate embodiment in Hardy's device. Hardy's joints are preferably complementary knobs and recesses, which would hold the rings laterally, but would not be as tight in the vertical axis as interchangeable compression friction fitted joints or threaded joints between the rings.
The prior art does not reveal an adjustable candle holder jar which can be factory filled with scented wax, sealed with a cover and have stacked compression fitted friction or threaded fitted rings in stages which can be removed to form an adjustable height candle holder.


The invention relates to a high-precision digital image stabilization of an image recording with a CCD sensor utilized in a moving or flying carrier. For the digital image stabilization, the movements of the carrier are detected with the aid of an inertial sensor and stored. Then, a correction of the image data is carried out based on the detected movements.

Stabilization systems known up to now operate in accordance with the electromechanical principle with a cardanic suspension of the sensor while driving the positioning motors via an inertial sensor; or, CCD sensors are utilized when making aerial image recordations without stabilization. Here, a migration of the images must be accepted for a line sensor between the lines or between frames with an area sensor. This image migration is caused by disturbing movements of the carrier.
Generally, it is possible to provide image stabilization on board or in a ground station. In the first case, there is an on-line stabilization for display on a monitor and, in the second case, there is an off-line image evaluation. As a rule, the on-line stabilization is carried out. This takes place with area sensors in camcorders. An on-line correction is carried out and analog signal processing takes place.
For example, European patent publication 0,543,394 discloses that, for an area sensor, the movements occurring at the time point of the exposure are corrected on-line in a frequency range of 1 to 12 Hz. The correction takes place via an optical element. The correcting signals are determined via two sensors which each measure the angular acceleration or the angular velocity.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,286 discloses the determination of vibrations in the horizontal and vertical directions. Here, an on-line correction is made either via readdressing or reading out from a storage register at a lower frequency than for writing.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,725 discloses a very complex circuit for correcting the video signal of an area sensor while performing an evaluation with accelerometers.
However, all known solutions of the state of the art cannot be characterized as optimal with respect to their commercial effectiveness because of the high cost associated therewith.

Instrument and method for digital image stabilization


Provided are a computer program product for generating suggestions for an input string. A determination is made of strings in a user selected data source having at least a substring matching an input string, from a computer implemented user interface, comprising at least one character for use by a computer implemented process. The determined strings are provided to the user interface and selection is received of one of the determined strings from the user interface to provide to the computer implemented process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer program product, system, and method for providing search suggestions from user selected data sources for an input string.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a user enters characters for an input string for purposes such as a search, the computer program may provide the user a completed search string from a dictionary or other source to auto-complete the string the user is entering. For instance, when a user enters a search string in a search box on a web page, such as the GOOGLE® search box at the GOOGLE® web site, the GOOGLE® search engine may display to the user search suggestions to complete the search string. The suggestions GOOGLE® provides may be based on popular searches performed by other users. Other programs, such as word processing programs, email and text message programs may provide auto-complete suggestions based on a dictionary. (GOOGLE is a registered trademark of Google Inc.)

Providing search suggestions from user selected data sources for an input string

International Business Machines Corporation


An underwater vehicle including a housing, an internal guidewire dispenser for storing and deploying a guidewire, and a splice cavity defining a storage space, for carrying and deploying a splice between the internal guidewire and an external guidewire and excess guidewire resulting from splicing the internal and external guidewires.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to underwater vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to use a wire command link to connect an underwater vehicle to its launch platform to provide an exchange of information between the underwater vehicle and the launch platform. The wire command link comprises a copper guidewire which is payed-out from the underwater vehicle as it moves through the water.
The command link comprises two interconnected spools of guidewire, one of which is mounted on the underwater vehicle and the other of which is mounted on the launch platform. The spool of guidewire on the launch platform may pay-out through a weighted metal hosepipe which falls, due to gravity, to a position below the launch platform to prevent entanglement of the guidewire with the structure and/or propulsion system of the launch platform. The spool of guidewire on the underwater vehicle unwinds and pays-out from the rear of the underwater vehicle.
Prior to launch of the underwater vehicle using a command link within a hosepipe, the hosepipe is neatly coiled within a launch tube in the launch platform and is connected by a weak link to the rear of the underwater vehicle which is also located within the launch tube. During the launch phase, the underwater vehicle pulls the hosepipe out of the launch tube until fully deployed, when the weak link separates and the hosepipe falls to a position below the launch platform. The guidewire then pays-out from both spools as the underwater vehicle and the launch platform operate and/or manoeuvre independently.
In other underwater vehicle configurations where a command link within a hosepipe is not used the guidewire may pay out directly the launch sequence of the underwater vehicle is commenced.
Whilst copper guidewire is very robust and can be easily jointed and insulated using conventional techniques, there is a move to replace copper guidewire with optical fibres or microcables. Such optical fibres and microcables are, however, quite fragile, and have bend radius limitations. Such optical fibres and cables require a specialised jointing process such as fusion splice techniques.
In fusion splice techniques, lengths of optical fibres or microcables between 0.5 and 1 m are required on each optical fibre or microcable to be available so that the fusion splice technique can be carried out effectively and efficiently. This means that, after the joint has been made, up to 2 m of optical fibre or microcable remains outside the coils of fibre or cable stored in the spools of guidewire in the underwater vehicle and the launch platform where it is vulnerable to damage due to its fragility.
International patent application number PCT/GB02/05789 discloses a means for providing storage, in the form of a splice chamber, between the launch platform and the underwater vehicle for the fusion splice joint and any excess fibre or cable of a command wire having a hosepipe. The splice cavity also provides protection for the fusion splice joint during the launch phase. The splice chamber is mounted between the outboard end of the hosepipe connected to the launch platform and to an underwater vehicle. During the launch sequence the splice chamber containing the splice and the excess optical fibre or microcable is released from the underwater vehicle and splits in two, falling clear of the underwater vehicle, allowing the optical fibre or microcable guidewire to pay out from both the spool in the launch platform and the spool in the underwater vehicle.
However, it is not always desirable to release an object from the underwater vehicle, during the launch sequence due to the potential for fouling on the underwater vehicle, the launch platform or any other object.


A lumber trimmer is disclosed wherein only one pair of parallel spaced-apart trim saws is mounted at one or both ends of a shaft. Each pair of trim saws is laterally movable along the shaft parallel to the longitudinal axis of lumber in the lumber trimmer. Each saw of the pair of trim saws is operably coupled with an actuator such that each saw is selectively vertically movable to trim the lumber. The pair of trim saws may be mounted to a carriage. A second actuator is operably coupled with the pair of trim saws for selectively laterally translating the pair of trim saws along the shaft.

A lumber trimmer contains multiple, independently vertically actuable drop saws used to cut lumber into a variety of lengths. The drop saws are fixed in their position along the trimmer. One movable trim saw may be mounted at or near one end of the trimmer. The movable trim saw is vertically and horizontally actuable to trim an end of a board as it passes through the trimmer. In particular, the movable trim saw is a single circular saw that is horizontally incrementally movable so as to trim the end of a board at a point closest to the desired increment. Where the single movable trim saw may be translated laterally over a distance of for example 24 inches, it will be appreciated that the time interval to move the saw from a minimum first end trim (that is, trimming only a small amount off the end of the board) to a second maximum end trim (in the given example ten trimming twenty-four inches off the end of the board) may be relatively lengthy compared to the available time between boards in light of lug speeds approaching 200 lugs per minute typically experienced in conventional lumber handling chain conveyors.
In the prior art applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,955 which issued Sep. 1, 1992, to Hale for a Lumber Cutter for Removing End Defects and Sawing to Desired Lengths. This application discloses a unitary drop trim saw mounted at the root edge of a lumber conveyor. The drop trim saw may be selectively vertically articulated into or out of the path of lumber carried by the conveyor. The trim saw is horizontally slidable into the lumber path in ½ inch increments over a 24 inch distance, in order to cut defects from the end of a board.
The present invention includes selective lateral translation of a pair of independently actuable end trim saws, mounted for concurrent co-axial transverse reciprocal movement at the end of a trimmer, thus minimizing the horizontal translation distance of the saws from a first minimum trimming position to a second maximum trimming position. The time required for lateral translation between these two positions is thereby reduced, which increases efficiency, for example by avoiding a reduction in lumber handling speeds.
In the current invention, the trim saws has a fixed spacing between them of, for example, 12 1/16 inches, and are vertically actuable by suitable pneumatic means so as to selectively cut lumber to the desired length as it passes through the trimmer. For example, when cutting a 16-foot board, the most valuable use is to cut it into custom stud lengths, such as 92⅝ inches. Using trim saws of fixed spacing, two 8-foot boards are normally produced as the larger board passes through the trimmer. A stud is produced at the 'lumber' line end of the trimmer where a movable precision end trim saw is employed. The 8-foot (96 inch) length remaining on the opposite 'clear' line end remains as a dimensioned lumber piece unless further trimming is available. The substitution of the last two saws in a 16-foot trimmer with a pair of laterally movable trim saws, such as those of the present invention, allows for greater flexibility in the lumber trimming process. In sawmills where metric and other lumber sizes are produced, laterally movable trim saws provide ease of trimming to the required length.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lumber trimmer with at least one pair of laterally movable, independently actuable trim saws positioned at one or both ends of the trimmer to facilitate additional trimming of the lumber.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lumber trimmer which can produce a variety of lumber lengths irrespective of the fixed trim saw spacing.


An improved system for controlled aerial distribution of substances such as chemicals upon crops in a select field, including coordinating the simultaneous independent application of two different substances. The system may include a pair of sub-systems, one of which includes a computer controlling a variable flow valve capable of varying the release of a substance from the first subsystem. There may also be a second subsystem having a pump activated by a lever that also opens and closes the fluid communication of the first subsystem, in this basic version of the invention, manually positioning the lever to open the spray valve also commences continuous release of a second substance from the second subsystem at a constant rate, until the lever is positioned to close the first fluid communication. In more sophisticated versions, the second sub-system may include a second computer controlling a second variable flow valve capable of varying the release of a substance from the second subsystem, or the second variable flow valve may be controlled by a separate output from the first computer.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the field commonly known as crop dusting, more particularly known as aerial application of fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides or other substances affecting the yield of a crop. However, the present invention need not be limited to aircraft such as airplanes or helicopters; aerial distribution may be considered distribution by any vehicle that disperses a substance over desired substratum via air rather than essentially directly upon the substratum. More specifically, the invention disclosed herein relates to a system for controlling the distributions of at least two different substances, independently of each other.
The invention is essentially an improvement to existing aerial application (crop dusting) systems for the delivery of chemical(s) or other substance(s) to fields. Traditionally, aerial applications by airplanes or helicopters utilize a tubular boom underneath the primary wing or rotor, supporting a row of first nozzles or other valves governing release of fertilizer, fungicide, pesticide or another substance transported within the boom; for the sake of convenience, such substances will be referred to merely as a substance, which may include one or more solitary substance(s) as well as combination(s) and/or mixture(s) of the same, in whatever form that is capable of such combination(s) and/or mixture(s) (primarily liquid or solid). The desired concentration of first substance is typically supplied from a first tank on board the aircraft, then pressure-pumped through the boom and out of the first nozzles as the aircraft flies over the desired field. When more than one substance is desired to be distributed over the same field, the aircraft traditionally had to spray the field two or more times using the same first set of nozzles.
The improved system disclosed herein applies two separate substances, independent in amount (or rate of distribution) and/or application pattern (or timing of distribution), in one pass over the field, using two essentially independent subsystems of tanks, pumps and nozzles. This system can project a second substance into the airstream flow of a first substance, while the first substance is being released from a nearby first nozzle of the first subsystem. The invention disclosed herein will also allow a second substance (that may not be legally mixed with a first substance within the same tank) to essentially be mixed in the air outside the aircraft, and applied at a rate and pattern separate from the first substance, according to the desired chemical distribution prescription for the field.
Although the present invention has a number of embodiments, it essentially comprises a means of transporting a second substance to a second set of dispersion nozzles, separate from the transport and dispersal of a first substance. The invention may also include a means of independently maintaining the constancy of dispersion of the second substance, despite any variation in dispersion of the first substance. Alternatively, the invention may include a means of independently controlling variation of dispersion of the second substance, despite any variation in dispersion of the first substance.
(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. Modern aerial application of agricultural substances requires precision in the geographic positioning and piloting of the aircraft, and control of the system used to distribute the substance(s). Such precision agriculture practices therefore require various technologies that allow agricultural personnel to use information management tools to optimize agriculture production. These technologies allow aerial application pilots to improve application accuracy and efficiency, which saves time and money for the farmer and the pilot. Several types of precision agriculture technologies include global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), soil sampling, yield monitoring, nutrient management field mapping, aerial photography, variable rate technology, and pulse width modulation.
Variable rate technology facilitates distribution of a desired amount of crop production substance in a variable pattern or amount on a field; variable rate technology is used in agricultural operations such as fertilizer application, seeding and chemical applications. Variable application rates typically change according to a preset map, or through information gathered by sensors. Major advantages of using variable rate technology include conservation of fuel, and minimizing excessive spraying of chemical on crops; both advantages save farmers money.
A global positioning system provides the location information to enable the variable rate equipment to adjust the flow rate for different sections of the field. GPS operates through a system of satellites, computers and receivers that is able to determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on earth, by calculating the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receive. GPS enables agricultural pilots to more easily track the acres that have been sprayed, track the spray application rate and log the data.
Another modern technology for aerial application is a geographic information system, which is essentially a computer based collection of information that can be displayed in the form of maps. GIS provides lots of useful information such as field borders, soil types, buildings, pesticide-sensitive areas and pest populations, all of which can be displayed using interactive maps. GPS and GIS can be integrated, allowing a pilot to successfully maneuver while efficiently spraying a field using variable rate equipment.
Pulse width modulation allows independent control of nozzle flow rate and operating pressure during an application. This means flow rate can be adjusted to maintain a desired amount of gallons per acre (of fluid substances), without significantly changing droplet size. Alternatively, droplet size can be changed to reduce drift while not affecting the flow rate (gallons per acre).
There are many aerial distribution systems that distribute chemicals and other substances at a fixed rate and steady pattern, which are standard on crop dusting airplanes and helicopters. More recently, there have appeared aerial distribution systems that distribute a substance at variable rates and/or variable distribution patterns on a particular target area. These systems typically utilize onboard computers and GPS transceivers to receive relevant data and coordinate the release of substance on the target area. The following is a representative example of such a known system. (For the sake of convenience and clarity, to distinguish elements that may appear separately in two systems (also known as subsystems), the element of the first subsystem may include a "first" in its identification whereas the element of the second subsystem may include a "second" in its identification.)
As a prelude to going airborne to apply chemicals or other substances, the owner of the target field (or the pilot or other agricultural personnel) often collects relevant information such as IR imagery, yield data, grid samples, the amount of substance to be applied to the target field, the geographical coordinates of the target field and the location of portions of the target field to receive more (or less) of the substance, and the current wind speed and direction. Some of that information is saved in a format for recognition by a computer, such as (for example) on a field-specific "prescription card" in machine readable language. The onboard computer may also be programmed to govern a variable flow control valve, and the computer also receives flight-in-progress data such as the location of the target area and the aircraft, the ground speed and direction of the aircraft, and the volume of the first substance passing downstream of the flow control valve.
The first tank is filled with the first substance through the infill end of the first infill line, often located at a midpoint along the aircraft fuselage. The first infill line often extends forward to fill the first tank (often in front of cockpit). Often with the assistance of a pump, the first substance exits the bottom of the first tank (often underneath the front nose of the aircraft), through a relatively large pipeline that is often opened and closed via mechanical linkage, often from a cockpit lever operated by the pilot. The pilot typically pushes the lever forward (upon approach to the target field) to open the spray valve within the pipeline, to ready the system for allowing the computer to commence distribution of the substance as directed by the prescription. (Pulling the lever aft closes the spray valve, causing the substance to return to the tank; this usually occurs as the aircraft is leaving the target field, or in the event it becomes necessary to manually override the automated distribution of substance.)
The first substance flows aft through the pipeline to a flow control valve (such as, for example, the IntelHow® control valve marketed by Del Norte Technology, Inc.); the flow control valve has sensors that allows the onboard computer to essentially compare the volume of the first substance that has already passed aft versus the volume of the first substance prescribed at that time by the prescription card, then determine whether that amount that actually passed through satisfies the prescribed amount (given the aforementioned aircraft and field data). Depending upon that comparison, the flow control valve does one of the following: (a) permits all of the first substance to flow through the downstream flowline into a distribution channel such as a hollow boom; (b) partially blocks the downstream flowline, allowing only some of the first substance to flow through the downstream flowline to the boom; or (c) totally blocks the downstream flowline, preventing any of the first substance from flowing through the downstream flowline to the boom.
A first duct, off of the downstream flowline, diverts a sample of the first substance to a first pressure meter, which determines whether there exists the threshold pressure needed for starting the distribution of the first substance through the first nozzles spaced periodically along the hollow boom affixed beneath the aircraft wing or rotor. The boom fills with the first substance and, when the boom pressure of first substance exceeds the nozzle release threshold, the first substance sprays out of the first nozzles in a spraystream.
Once the pilot positions the aircraft to approach the target area at an acceptable altitude and speed, and opens the pipeline spray valve using the cockpit lever, the computer controls the amount (rate) and pattern (timing) of the first substance released from the first nozzles and thereby applied to the target area, until the pilot closes the pipeline upon leaving the target area.
The pilot then re-positions the aircraft to spray another swath of the field with the first substance. To the extent desired (especially as directed by the prescription card), the computer may vary the amount and/or pattern of the first substance released in each swath.
For first substances that are powdered or granulated, the boom and first nozzles may be replaced by a bin and an exit grate having gates; traditionally the pilot controlled the timing and amount of gate opening and closing using a hand lever (with a stop) similar to that used to control the fluid application system. More recently, gate control may be automated and computerized, such as (for example) with the system manufactured by Houma Avionics, Inc. under the name AutoCal. Such automatic gate controllers may be interfaced with and governed by an onboard computer such as that previously described.
Some systems have patents. Known in the art are the following, arguably related to the patentability of the present invention:
U.S. Pat. No.1st InventorDate of Patent3,933,309OdegaardJan. 20, 19763,994,437KittermanNov. 30, 19764,055,303BrownOct. 25, 19774,703,891JacksonNov. 3, 19875,915,377CoffeeJun. 29, 19995,915,377CarltonNov. 2, 19995,003,782KimDec. 21, 19996,871,796JonesMar. 29, 2005
U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,309 issued to Odegaard appears to disclose a spray boom including separate internal compartments, each having a row of nozzles running the length of the underside of the boom; each compartment receives respective spray material through an infeed port in the compartment wall adjacent a respective feeder tank. The nozzles for each compartment have ball valves that are spring-biased closed, opening when air pressure in the compartment exceeds the spring biasing. There is a common air pump that pressurizes the feeder tanks, which have piping running through control valves en route to the respective compartments. When the pilot opens a control valve, pressurized spray material in a feeder tank flows into the respective compartment, under pressure in excess of the air pressure existing in the compartment; when it exceeds the spring biasing, the ball valve opens and allows the material to spray out of the nozzle.
The Odegaard patent discloses that it is intended to provide a spray boom with "improved control over the rate of discharge of the spray material so that the same or different materials can be applied at selectively different rates." (Column 1, lines 43-47.) It also discloses that it is intended to provide a spray boom "which is capable of having the spray pattern selectively varied while in flight to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of distribution of the material to be sprayed and to provide better control of the patterns so that material will not be sprayed on areas it should not be sprayed". (Column 2, lines 3-9.) However, the Odegaard patent discloses that the "controls for admitting material to compartments . . . form no part of this invention, nor does the means for controlling the pressure within the compartments to control the opening and closing of the ball valves". (Column 4, lines 47-51.) Shortly thereafter, this patent discloses that the "controls may be such that each compartment has the same or a different rate of discharge". (Column 4, line 62-63) Later, the Odegaard patent discloses that the "separate compartments also permit the use of different types of nozzles which can discharge at different rates or provide a different character of discharge therefrom, such as in the size of the droplets". (Column 5, lines 15-17.) At one place, this patent discloses that the nozzles can have special arrangements to "accomplish some special result, such as overlapping strips of sprayed materials". (Column 5, lines 21-22.) More often however, this patent indicates that the rows of nozzles are staggered so that "material discharged from the openings of one compartment fall on an area not covered by the material discharged from the openings of the second compartment." (Column 6, lines 35-38.)
Notably, the Odegaard patent does not disclose a second substance dispersal system having a second (independent) charging pump, and a second set of nozzles serviced by essentially separate conduits for almost instantaneous precision discharging. Neither does this patent disclose a GPS receiver, or computer hardware and software converting the wind speed and the aircraft's speed, altitude and direction, to accomplish dispersion of different substances in accordance with a predetermined dispersion prescription for a particular field. Moreover, although the Odegaard patent mentions separate dispersal systems allowing simultaneous dispersion of two different chemicals, one at a constant rate and the other at a different variable rate and/or pattern of dispersion, this patent does not disclose anything enabling anybody to accomplish those ultimate results.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,796 issued to Jones et al. discloses a spray boom including a liquid supply conduit having a row of nozzles, the conduit being rotatable around a longitudinal axis to vary the angulation of the nozzles; there is also a flow shut-off valve approximately midway along the conduit, allowing the pilot to stop the supply of liquid spray material to the conduit nozzles nearest the wingtips. This patent also discloses use of a "ground positioning system", and a computer program that performs such functions as selecting a desired nozzle performance, determining the nozzle angle required for achieving that performance at a measured wind speed, adjusting the nozzle angle, and actuating the flow shut-off valve in response to deviation from the predetermined flight path.
The Jones patent does not disclose a second chemical dispersal system that is separate and independent from the first chemical dispersal system, having a second chemical reservoir, independent charging pump, and set of nozzles serviced by essentially separate conduits for almost instantaneous precision discharging. And except for nozzle angulation, this patent does not disclose computer hardware and software converting the wind speed to accomplish dispersion of the chemicals in accordance with a predetermined dispersion prescription for a particular field.

System for controlled aerial distribution of substances


In a packaging unit for articles to be packed in a sterile condition, in order to reduce the risk of damage and, at the same time, to decrease the material requirement, it is proposed that it comprise an inner bag sealed in a gastight manner which surrounds the article to be packed and encloses the article in a tight manner due to evacuation, a closed outer bag which receives the inner bag, and a shape-retaining frame which holds the outer bag immovably and is insertable into a shape-retaining storage container.

Parts of implants and other articles used in the medical field must be packed in a sterile condition. It is known to package the articles to be packed in a sterile condition in films and to hold these films in place by means of padding or shaped inserts in storage packages. In other cases, the articles are placed in deep-drawn blisters, and the fixing in storage packages is brought about, on the one hand, by the stiffness of the deep-drawn parts and, on the other hand, by padding or shaped inserts. In all cases, the packages have to be precisely adapted to the articles to be packed. In addition, the resulting packages are bulky because of the different materials used and these are, therefore, also difficult to recycle.

Packaging unit for articles to be packed in sterile condition


The present technology relates to compositions, assemblies, and methods for the brewing of ground coffee bean particles, where the ground coffee bean particles have been separated on the basis of size to provide a truncated Gaussian distribution of particle sizes of coffee particles.

Historically, ground roasted coffee beans have been brewed with hot water by any one variety of at least four different methods. Depending upon how the water is combined with the ground coffee, these methods and common names associated with the methods include (i) boiling and decoction, e.g. cowboy coffee, (ii) steeping or infusion, e.g., French press coffee, (iii) gravitational filtration, e.g., drip and percolator coffees, and (iv) pressurized filtration, e.g., espresso coffee. Each of these methods includes variations and, for producing an acceptable to good tasting coffee beverage, requires coffee beans ground to different average particle sizes. For example, boiled cowboy coffee utilizes coarse grounds (approximately 1 mm or greater diameter) where the grounds settle rapidly to the bottom of the pot. Boiled Turkish or mud coffee in the Middle East utilizes a finely ground coffee (less than 0.4 mm diameter) that is brought to a rapid boil with or without sugar one or more times and allowed to settle slowly to the bottom of the pot. Steeped French press coffee also utilizes a coarse ground coffee (1-1.5 mm diameter) in which a tall cylinder fitted with a metal and/or nylon mesh filter-plunger is used to move suspended coffee grounds to the bottom of the cylinder, enabling the filtered coffee to be poured out for drinking. Gravity filtration brewing methods include the drip process in which the coffee particles rest in an open filter with a filter support holder, and are typically bathed with hot water that is manually or automatically dispensed onto the coffee grounds for a few minutes before the coffee is poured. The filtration and percolator methods utilize a regular grind (approximately 1 mm diameter) or drip grind (approximately 0.75 mm diameter). With percolator brewing, boiling water is forced upward into a brewing chamber where, like drip brewing, simple gravity moves the water downward through the grounds. Unlike the drip method, percolator brewing passes the water upward and then downward over the grounds repeatedly. By contrast, classical pressurized filtration methods exemplified by the espresso and "moka pot" methods rely on highly pressurized hot water that is forced upward or downward a single time, through finely ground coffee grounds (approximately 200 microns or 0.2 mm diameter). While a moka pot may generate only about 1 bar (14-15 psi) of pressure, an espresso machine generally operates at ten times that pressure, forcing heated water at approximately 200° F. through a packed bed or "puck" of coffee grounds to produce between 1 and 2 ounces of highly concentrated coffee.
General information on matching approximate coffee particle size to the coffee brewing method being used is available. A certain amount of information can found on the web at for example: http://www.coffeegeek.com/pdfs/Baratza%20Grinders%20%20SM.pdf and http://www.coffeechemistry.com/grinding/grinding-fundamentals.html. The latter reference cites T. Lingle, "The Coffee Brewing Handbook", Specialty Coffee Association of America (1996) for information on coffee particle size. These references are all in agreement, indicating that the typical coffee particle size for French press grind ranges up to approximately 1.3 mm, while coffee "regular grind" should average approximately 1.0 mm, drip grind approximately 0.7-0.8 mm, fine grind approximately 0.3-0.4 mm, and espresso grind 0.2-0.25 mm (200-250 microns).
Over the past twenty years, inventors at the Keurig Corporation have been awarded approximately 30 patents relating to (i) disposable beverage filter cartridges configured and adapted to store and subsequently brew ground coffee or tea particles, and (ii) automatic brewing machines designed to accommodate these filter cartridges and deliver individual servings of freshly brewed hot beverages. The filter cartridges are generally sized to provide single servings, and the machines are designed to deliver predetermined amounts of low pressure heated water, e.g., between 4 and 12 ounces of water at a temperature of approximately 192° F. Duffy et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,200 describes in considerable detail the controlled operation of a typical automated Keurig-type beverage brewing system. One of the control systems employs sensors that control and limit air pressure delivering heated water through a brewing cartridge (holding coffee grounds or tea leaves, for example) to a range of between approximately 1.5 and 7 psi (between 0.1 atm and 0.5 atm or bar of pressure). Sylvan et al. describes an improved beverage filter cartridge in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,765 for use in an automatic brewing machine. Such brewing machines that are adapted to hold disposable filter cartridges are described in a number of other patents assigned to Keurig, Inc., such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,063 by Beaulieu et al. The filter cartridge of Sylvan et al. is small and compact, yet allows a high water flow rate. Aiding in achieving their objectives, a highly permeable coffee filter is provided. The filter can be formed from a synthetic non-woven and water-permeable material such as polypropylene or polycarbonate fibers, selected to be strong and self-supporting when wet. The cartridge is generally hermetically sealed above and optionally below the dry coffee or tea held in the filter so as to preserve product freshness. At the time of use, the upper cartridge sealing membrane (and lower sealing membrane, if present) are typically punctured by a sharp and rigid hollow tube device as the lid of the brewing machine is closed. The hollow tube delivers low-pressure hot water that subsequently enters and exits the cartridge. A gasket positioned around the water injection tube contacts the cartridge's upper sealing membrane to establish a pressure seal. This seal allows adequate water pressure, e.g., between 0.1 and 0.5 bar, to be maintained over and through the bed of coffee grounds and support filter to push the coffee beverage out of the cartridge.
Many patents have been directed to the design of single use coffee filter cartridges and accompanying automatic brewing machines. However, the literature is lacking a description of the engineering and tailoring of coffee grounds for use in single serving coffee filter cartridges. There is little information available on suitable coffee particle size for use in single serving filter cartridges that are brewed in coffee machines such as Keurig's B70 Platinum single cup brewing system (Keurig Corporation, Reading, Mass.). This method of brewing coffee required development of single serving filter cartridges containing ground coffee (U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,765 by Sylvan et al.) and an accompanying automatic brewing machine (U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,063 by Beaulieu et al.). To the extent that the filter cartridge brewing process has both similarities and differences from the drip and the espresso methods, it is difficult to predict what size of coffee particle is suitable for filter cartridge coffee brewing.
The present technology is directed to overcoming these and other deficiencies in the art.

Truncated gaussian distribution of coffee particles, cartridge assemblies, and uses thereof