A fuser member having a substrate, an outer layer with a fluoropolymer, and a release agent material coating on the outer layer, wherein the release agent material coating contains (a) a blend with a mercapto functional release agent having the following formula II:

Herein are described fuser members useful in electrostatographic apparatuses, including printers, copiers, image-on-image, digital, and other apparatuses. More specifically, described are compositions and processes which are effective in minimizing or eliminating volatile emissions from the heated fuser oil composition during thermal and/or pressure fusing operations. The compositions which are particularly effective as volatile emission inhibitors or suppressants and as release agents for a variety of metal, elastomeric, or composite fuser substrates contain blends comprising a mercapto functional release agent and a polydimethylsiloxane fuser agent comprising fluoro-functional groups.
The use of polymeric release agents having functional groups, which interact with a fuser member to form a thermally stable, renewable self-cleaning layer having good release properties for electroscopic thermoplastic resin toners, is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,029,827; 4,101,686; and 4,185,140, the disclosures each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,827 is the use of polyorganosiloxanes having mercapto functionality as release agents. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,101,686 and 4,185,140 are directed to polymeric release agents having functional groups such as carboxy, hydroxy, epoxy, amino, isocyanate, thioether and mercapto groups as release fluids. U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,747 discloses the use of fluorine-containing silicone oils for use on fixing rollers with outermost layers of ethylene tetrafluoride perfluoro alkoxyethylene copolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyfluoroethylenepropylene copolymer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,320 discloses the use of fluorosilicone polymers for use on fixing rollers with outermost layers of perfluoroalkoxy and tetrafluoroethylene resins.
Examples of release agents for fuser members are nonfunctional silicone release oils, mercapto-functional silicone release oils, and amino-functional silicone release oils. However, depending on the type of outer layer of the fuser member chosen, there may be several drawbacks to using nonfunctional, mercapto-functional, or amino-functional silicone oils as release agents. For example, for silicone rubber outer layers, the silicone release agents provide adequate wetting of the silicone rubber surface. However, the nonfunctional and functional silicone release agents can swell the silicone rubber coating. Swelling shortens roll life because it weakens the silicone, resulting in rapid mechanical wear. High viscosity (13,000 cS) nonfunctional fluids are currently used with silicone rolls, because these fluids do not swell the rolls as much as lower viscosity (100-350 cS) oils. However, high viscosity oils present fluid management problems and do not wet the fuser as efficiently.
On the other hand, fluoroelastomers used as an outer coating for fuser members are more durable and abrasion resistant than silicone rubber fuser members. Also, fluoroelastomer outer coatings do not swell when contacted by nonfunctional or functional silicone fluids. Therefore, fluoroelastomers are the current desired outer fuser member coating.
Various compositions have been proposed for treating fuser roll and belt substrates to impart release properties thereto. However, many of these compositions, in particular those comprised of organopolysiloxanes and various derivatives thereof, suffer from thermal instability when heated to fusing temperatures, for example about 150° C. and above for short periods of time of, for example, about 0.5 seconds and longer. Thermal degradation of organopolysiloxane release agents, such as dimethylsilicone oils and related derivatives may result in the generation of volatile byproducts, for example, formaldehyde (CH2═O), formic acid (HCO2H), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), methanol (CH3OH), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), trifluoropropionaldehyde (CF3CH2CH═O), and the like, which byproducts have potentially objectionable odor and may be mucousal irritants in the ambient environment of an operating xerographic machine. The byproducts may also be harmful to machine components and subsystems, such as photoreceptor or fuser members, promoting premature failure. Further, the byproducts may remain dissolved in the release agent oil and may promote continued or accelerated degradation of the silicone release agent oil composition thereby leading to undesirable changes in release agent viscosity, release properties, and perhaps negatively impacting optimal fusing performance of the fusing subsystem. The volatile emissions also have an unpleasant odor and are potentially hazardous to machine operators or passersby, particularly with prolonged exposure. Volatile emissions from fused copy or prints, that is volatiles that are dissolved in the release agent oil, may become imbibed into paper fibers, synthetic receiver sheet materials, or fixed toner images, and may outgas over time and may further pose an objectionable odor or irritation problem which may lead to reduced customer acceptance and satisfaction.
Other sources of volatile emission components include residuals from preparative reactions or purification processes residing in the oil itself, such as solvents, monomers, initiators, impurities, and the like; and degradation products arising from various oil performance additives. Commercial manufacturers and suppliers of silicone release agent oil products routinely employ additional processing steps to purposely "devolatilize" their products in recognition of volatile emissions being a problem for corrosion or contamination of mechanical and electrical machine components.
Antioxidant additives for silicone fluids are known. J. M. Nielsen in "Stabilization of Polymers and Stabilizer Processes", Advances in Chemistry Series, Vol. 85, American Chemical Society, Washington D.C., 1968, provides an early account of antioxidant additives for silicone fluids including, for example, redox metal complexes and soaps which are however disadvantaged by producing haze, gels or sludge on storage and or during use, and interfering with copy quality and color print fidelity.
T. S. Heu in Journal of the Korean Rubber Society, Vol. 18, No. 1, pages 21 to 29 (1983) describes the stability and degradation prevention of silicone oils and rubbers. Silicone compound stability is categorized into oxidation stability and thermal stability. Oxidation stability refers to resistance of the silicone compound to react with oxygen which reactions lead to intermolecular cross-linking and increased viscosity for silicone liquids and hardening for silicone rubbers. Thermal stability refers to the resistance of the silicone compound to undergo intramolecular cleavage of siloxane bonds (Si—O—Si) by heat, which reactions produce lower molecular weight products and leads to reduced viscosity for silicone oils and softening of silicone rubbers. Resistance to both pathways of degradation is called thermal oxidation stability. Homologous hydrocarbon structural derivatives of dimethyl polysiloxanes such as ethyl, propyl, butyl, and the like, generally possess lower thermal stability than the dimethyl compound. Certain structural derivatives of polysiloxanes have enhanced thermal stability, for example, phenyl methyl siloxane, but these derivatives are disadvantaged by their higher cost and thermal degradation liberates benzene. Thermal stability for silicone oils having the same repeat unit is generally higher for the oil with the greater molecular weight.
Additives made from, for example, salts of organometallic acids are commonly used to improve the thermal oxidation stability of silicone oils. However, these salts chemically react with the silicone oil in a multitude of ways as part of the stabilization mechanism and therefore unpredictably lead to oils having significantly altered physical, for example, viscosity and performance, for example, release properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,827, to Imperial et al, discloses polyorganosiloxanes having functional mercapto groups, which are applied to a heated fuser member in an electrostatic reproducing apparatus to form a thermally stable, renewable, self-cleaning layer having superior toner release properties for electroscopic thermoplastic resin toners.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,837 discloses a release agent having functional groups.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,772 discloses a fuser member with a hybrid polymeric network outer layer comprising a haloelastomer, coupling agent, functional polyorganosiloxane and crosslinking agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,277, to Martin, discloses compositions containing organopolysiloxanes and thiofunctional polysiloxanes having at least one mercaptan group, which are effective as corrosion inhibitors and as release agents for metal substrates.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,884 to Field et al, discloses a method of fusing by providing a silicone elastomer fusing surface, heating the fuser member to fuse toner particles to the receiver substrate, applying directly to the silicone elastomer fusing surface in non-emulsified form an unblended polydimethylsiloxane having a viscosity of about 7,000 to about 20,000 centistokes, and contacting the toner image on the substrate with the toner release agent which includes an unblended polydimethyl siloxane.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,725 to Bluett, et al, discloses use of mercapto-functional fuser agent to non-mercapto release agent to reduce formaldehyde emissions, wherein the non-mercapto release agent may be amino-functional, phenyl-methyl siloxane, trifluoropropyl-functional, or non-functional polydimethylsiloxane release agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,989 B1 to Furukawa et al. discloses a fluorine-containing organic silicone compound represented by a formula.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,214 to Kato et al. discloses a method for forming color images by applying a compound which contains a fluorine atoms and/or silicon atom to the surface of electrophotographic light-sensitive elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,747 to Uneme et al. discloses a fluororesin coated fixing device with a coating of a fluorine containing silicone oil.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,320 to Ebisu et al. discloses a fixing device coated with a fluororesin, and having a fluorosilicone polymer release agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,012 to Uneme et al. discloses a fixing device having a fluororesin layer surface, and using a fluorine-containing silicone oil as a repellant oil.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,000 to Yamazaki et al. discloses a fixing method having a silicone oil coated on the surface of the heat member, wherein the silicone oil is a fluorine-containing silicone oil and has a specific formula.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,780 to Nishimori et al. discloses a fixing member having a fluorine-containing silicone oil coated thereon, wherein the silicone oil has a specific formula.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,239 to Furukawa et al. discloses a stain proofing oil for heat fixing, wherein the fluorine-containing oil has a specific formula.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,766 to Kendziorski discloses a fluorosilicone polymer for coating compositions for longer bath life.
In electrostatic and xerographic applications, it is desirable to use release agent oils which are cost effective; clear; colorless; odorless or nearly so at room temperature and at fuser operating temperatures; free of additives such as acids, bases, peroxides, heavy metals, and the like, that can interfere with the fusing and sheet release performance of the fusing system and associated hardware; and free of or produce minimal volatile emission component(s) over the service life of the release agent oil.
A mercapto functional release agent has been found, which decreases or eliminates the production of formaldehyde byproducts. In fact, U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,725 to Bluett, et al., described above, teaches the addition of mercaptopropyl functional fuser agent to polydimethyl siloxanes and aminopropyl-substituted polydimethyl siloxanes to inhibit the formation of formaldehyde.
In the case of fluorofunctional organopolysiloxane fuser release fluids, there remains a need for improved oxidative or thermal stability to minimize or eliminate the emission of potentially hazardous volatile compounds, such as fluoroaldehydes, at fuser operating temperatures. It is desirable to achieve the need without diminishing the release properties of the oil or compromising the print quality.

Stabilization of fluorinated silicone fuser release agents using mercapto functional silicones

Abstract: wherein A represents —R4—X, wherein R4 represents an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 10 carbons, X represents —SH; R1 and R2 are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, an aryl having from about 4 to about 10 carbons, and an arylalkyl; R3 is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, an aryl having from about 4 to about 10 carbons, an arylalkyl, and a substituted diorganosiloxane chain having from about 1 to about 500 siloxane units; b and c are numbers and are the same or different and each satisfy the conditions of 1≦b≦10 and 10≦c≦1,000 d and d′ are numbers and are the same or different and are 2 or 3, and e and e′ are numbers and are the same or different and are 0 or 1 and satisfy the conditions that d+e=3 and d′+e′=3 and (b) a fluorinated silicone release agent having the following Formula I:

Abstract: wherein m is a number of from about 0 to about 25 and n is a number of from about 1 to about 25; x/(x+y) is from about 1 percent to about 100 percent; R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, and alkylamino groups; and R3 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylamino, a polyorganosiloxane, and a fluoro-chain of the formula —(CH2)o—(CF2)p—CF3 wherein o is a number of from about 0 to about 25 and p is a number of from about 1 to about 25.


The roller bar chains of a continuous press for producing pressed board provided sufficient play for the roller bars relative to the link chains by having the journaling pins for the link chains extending through bushings which articulate the overlapping link plates together, so that the outer diameters of the pins within these bushings are less than the inner diameters of the bushings. The result is that the roller bar chain has only a single guide plane in the press region between the two press plates.

In the production of pressed board, for example, oriented strandboard (OSB), medium density fiberboard (MDF), chip board, particle board and fiberboard generally, it is a common practice to utilize a continuous press to compact the mass of wood material, usually with a thermally activatable binder.
The press can have an upper part and a lower part, each of which is provided with an endless steel press belt. The material to be pressed is passed between the belts and respective roller bar chains are interposed between the belts and the upper and lower press plates.
The roller bar chains themselves comprise link chains on opposite sides of the roller bars and engage the roller bars at their ends. The link chains can have outer link plates, inner link plates and pins which hinge the link plates together.
With such continuous presses, generally in addition to the link pins, roll pins are often required with guide rolls which ride upon special rails.
The inner link plates may be provided with slots in which pins of the roller bars engage. Centering springs may be provided between those link plates and the roller bars (see German Patent DE 43 15 122 A1).
In another known embodiment, rollers and guide rails are likewise provided (see DE 34 32 548 C2) and a certain play is developed between the link chain and the roller bars.
In German Patent DE 37 43 665, the ends of the roller bars have roller bars journaling pins which engage in the chain and which are axially shift able relative to the roller bar. Here again rails are required laterally of the pressing region. A double cone sleeve arrangement is required for centering. The journaling pins must be composed of spring steel.

Continuous press with roller bar journaling pins

Siempelkamp Maschinen-Und Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG


A system and method for providing a rotation sensor for use in a fiber optic gyroscope including a centrally-located cylindrical hub having an improved slip interface positioned there around. The central hub has a substantially planar mounting flange extending from one of its ends, where the axis of rotation of the central hub is orthogonal to the plane of the mounting flange. A sensor coil comprising a plurality of layers of coaxial turns of optical fiber embedded in a potting material is formed around an outer surface of the interface. The interface allows the potted coil to expand or contract along the axial direction of the central hub due to thermal expansion while maintaining a constant thermal and mechanical connection between the interface and the potted coil. In this manner, the present invention maintains the integrity of the potted coil and its connection to the interface during thermal expansion of the potted coil, thus minimizing temperature-induced Shupe bias errors in the rotation sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a slip interface between sensor coils for fiber optic gyroscopes and mounting hubs, and specifically to an arrangement for supporting a potted sensor coil that minimizes temperature-induced Shupe effect due to fiber stressing.
2. Description of Related Art
An interferometric fiber optic gyroscope (IFOG) includes the main components of a light source, a beam splitter, a fiber optic sensing coil made of either polarization maintaining (PM) fiber or a low birefringence (standard telecommunications) fiber, a polarizer (sometimes more than one), and a detector for light from a light source which is split by loop beam splitter into counter-propagating waves traveling in the sensing coil. The associated electronics measure the phase relationship between the two interfering counter-propagating beams of light that emerge from opposite ends of the coil. The difference between the phase shifts experienced by the two beams is proportional to the rate rotation of the platform to which the instrument is fixed, due to the well known Sagnac effect.
Environmental factors can affect the measured phase shift difference between the counter-propagating beams, thereby introducing an error, such environmental factors include variables, such as temperature, vibration and magnetic fields. In general, such factors are unevenly distributed throughout the coil. These environmental factors induce variations in the optical light path that each counter-propagating wave encounters as it travels through the coil. The phase shifts induced upon the two waves are unequal, producing an undesirable phase shift which is indistinguishable from the rotation-induced signal.
Past approaches to reducing some of the sensitivities arising from environmental factors, have involved the use of a potting compound to pot the windings of the sensor coil within a matrix of an adhesive material. Such an approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,593 for xe2x80x9cSensor Coil for Low Bias Fiber Optic Gyroscopexe2x80x9d, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,482 for xe2x80x9cPotted Fiber Optic Gyro Sensor Coil for Stringent Vibration and Thermal Environmentsxe2x80x9d, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, both disclosures being incorporated herein by reference. Careful selection of the potting material (particularly in terms of elasticity) results in reduction of vibration-induced bias, coil cracking, degradation of h-parameter and temperature-ramp bias sensitivity. In these arrangements, the coil is formed on a spool of carbon composite material whose coefficient of expansion approximates that of the overlying fiber windings. By closely matching the thermal expansion characteristics of the spool and the fiber windings as well as properly selecting the coil potting material, the Shupe-like bias caused by thermal stress that would be otherwise exerted by a standard metallic spool is minimized.
While the use of adequate potting and spool materials will tend to minimize bias environmental sensitivities, conventional support and spool designs, which feature a substantially-cylindrical hub sandwiched between a pair of end flanges, are difficult to xe2x80x9cmatchxe2x80x9d to the potted coil. This is due to the asymmetry of expansions of such coils in response to temperature change. The coefficients of thermal expansion of a potted coil in the axial direction is often on the order of one-hundred (100) times that of the radial direction. Unfortunately, a corresponding asymmetry does not exist with regard to the supporting spool. Rather, spools of conventional design and material composition exhibit isotropic thermal expansion characteristics. This relative imbalance introduces bias errors through coil stressing and creates bonding and cracking problems with the potting material in the potted coil. For example, in a spool-and-coil arrangement in which the material of the hub of the spool closely approximates the radial coefficient of the thermal expansion of the potted coil, the axial expansion of the coil will exceed that of the hub. As a result, significant axial compression of the coil can occur when the temperature rises since axial expansion of the potted coil is limited by a relatively xe2x80x9cfixedxe2x80x99 separation distance between the spool""s end flanges. Further, the stressing due to differential thermal expansion coefficients at the coil-hub interface can result in either rupture or in coil cracking. On the other hand, in a spool fabricated of material closely matching the axial coefficient of thermal expansion of the potted coil, one may expect the relatively-greater radial expansion of the hub in response to temperature change to degrade performance by squeezing the fiber of the coil whose radial dimension is relatively fixed.
In order to address the thermally-induced Shupe bias that results from the aforementioned thermal incompatibility of conventional spool designs with the asymmetric radial and axial thermal expansion coefficients of potted sensor coils, there have been attempts at designing spools with a single mounting flange and an interior hub. In these arrangements, the coil is mounted on the hub with its central axis traverse to the plane of the flange so that the coil is free to expand axially without the constraint of a second flange on the opposite side of the potted coil from the single mounting flange. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,892 of Bilinski et al., entitled xe2x80x9cGyro Sensor Coil with Low-Friction Hub Interfacexe2x80x9d, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a single mounting flange and central hub assembly having the central hub coated with a non-adhesive material. The non-adhesive coating provides a relatively friction-free surface upon which the innermost layer of the potted coil is free to slide to accommodate its significant axial expansion when subject to heating. The disclosure of this reference is hereby incorporated by reference.
Although this approach of using a non-adhesive coating on the central hub allows the potted coil to expand axially in response to temperature changes, the potted coil is not mechanically connected to the central hub and can become physically separated from the surface of the non-adhesive coating when the potted coil experiences thermal expansion or compression due to certain temperature changes. This mechanical separation causes the potted coil to become thermally disconnected from the central hub, which can result in sudden changes in the Shupe-driven bias behavior of the IFOG. Further, the separation of the potted coil from the central hub subjects it to vibration-induced bias effects that result from the free-standing arrangement of the potted coil relative to the spool. Such bias effects can become particularly acute in an environment that includes vibrations at the resonant frequency of the potted coil. Moreover, the operative mechanism of such device for overcoming the effects of axial coil expansion relies upon the ability of the potted coil to slide freely upon the surface of the hub. Even slight imperfections in the coating on the hub can on occasion cause a deleterious so-called xe2x80x9cstick and slipxe2x80x9d phenomenon. This effect can cause irregular and quasi-periodic stressing of the coil fiber resulting in unpredictable bias errors in the gyro output.
The foregoing shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art are alleviated by the present invention that provides a rotation sensor for use in a fiber optic gyroscope including a centrally-located cylindrical hub having an improved hub-to-coil slip interface positioned there around. The central hub has a substantially planar mounting flange extending from one of its ends, where the axis of rotation of the central hub is orthogonal to the plane of the mounting flange. A sensor coil comprising a plurality of layers of coaxial turns of optical fiber embedded in a potting material is formed around an outer surface of the slip interface. The slip interface allows the potted coil to expand or contract along the axial direction of the central hub due to thermal expansion while maintaining a constant thermal and mechanical connection between the interface and the potted coil. In this manner, the present invention maintains the integrity of the connection of the potted coil to the slip interface during thermal expansion of the potted coil, thus minimizing temperature-induced Shupe bias errors in the rotation sensor.

System and method for providing an improved IFOG hub to coil thermal and mechanical slip interface


An integrated heat exchanger assembly comprises a first header tank, a second header tank, a first heat exchanger core extending between the first header tank and the second header tank, a second heat exchanger core extending between the first header tank and the second header tank, and a third heat exchanger core extending between the first header tank and the second header tank. The first heat exchanger core is in fluid communication with a liquid coolant and a refrigerant, the second heat exchanger core in fluid communication with a first portion of a flow of air and the refrigerant, and the third heat exchanger core in fluid communication with a second portion of the flow of the air and the liquid coolant.

It has become increasingly common for multiple heat exchangers associated with operation of a motor vehicle to be integrated into a single assembly in order to reduce a packaging size of the heat exchangers within the motor vehicle. The heat exchangers forming the integrated heat exchanger assembly may be associated with a variety of different heat exchanging fluids such as the ambient air, a refrigerant circulating through a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the motor vehicle, and a coolant associated with regulating the temperature of various components of the motor vehicle such as the electrical components thereof.
In order to further reduce the packaging size of the heat exchanger assembly, many integrated heat exchanger assemblies include the stacking of multiple air-passed heat exchanger cores in a flow path of the ambient air through the cooling module. Unfortunately, such stacking in the air flow direction detrimentally leads to all air passing through the downstream arranged heat exchanger core having a lowered heat exchange capacity by virtue of the air having already exchanged heat energy with the upstream heat exchanger core, thereby tying the effectiveness of the downstream heat exchanger core to the instantaneous heat exchange capacity of the upstream heat exchanger core.
However, avoiding the aforementioned stacked configuration of the heat exchanger cores forming the integrated assembly negatively leads to an increasing of the air flow area that must be occupied by the non-stacked heat exchanger cores. This increased air flow area results in the packaging size of the integrated heat exchanger assembly being increased along a plane arranged perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air through the integrated heat exchanger assembly, thereby reducing the available configurations suitable for receiving the integrated heat exchanger assembly when installed relative to the remaining components of the motor vehicle.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to create an integrated heat exchanger assembly that maintains a desired heat exchange capacity while reducing a packaging size thereof.

Integrated liquid air cooled condenser and low temperature radiator


A fishhook remover includes a tubular housing for retaining a cylindrical plunger biased toward the bottom of the fishhook remover by a compression spring bearing against the plunger in a handle end, capped by a knob. A T-shaped handled mounted on the plunger allows the fisherman to reciprocate the plunger within the tubular housing. A grabber hook extending from the working end of the plunger is used to grab the embedded fishhook by the shank. Pulling the handle toward the knob at the top of the device causes the fishhook to become aligned with fishhook aligning means consisting of a downwardly extending flange portion of the tubular housing and into a V-shaped notch in the flange portion. Further, a pair of opposed slots in the lower portion of the tubular housing allow the curved shank portion of the hook to slide through the slots as the fishhook is drawn into the lower portion of the housing and thereby the fishhook is withdrawn from the fish along the same path it took when it entered the fish.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to an apparatus for removing a fishhook from a fish without causing significant additional injury to the fish so that the survival rate of hooked fish is greatly increased. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus or device that allows even a swallowed hook to be extracted from the fish without further injury to the fish by invariably rotating the fishhook so that it is removed from the fish along the same path that it hooked the fish.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 C.F.R. Sections 1.97-1.99.
Fish often swallow fishhooks deep into their throats or other parts of their bodies that are difficult for a fisherman to reach. When this happens, removing the hook without immediately killing the fish in the process is extremely difficult, if not impossible. If the fish is so killed, it is useless for any conventional purpose. Obviously, the fish cannot be returned to the waters to live and be caught another day. Nor can the fish be eaten in the normal course of the fishing experience because dead fish decompose very quickly. If such a fish were to be eaten, the fisherman would immediately have to stop fishing, clean and eat the fish on the spot. This is not usually possible or desireable. Therefore, many fish are inadvertently killed when the fisherman does not want to kill the fish.
This problem has led to efforts at solutions, some of which have led to issued United States Patents, some of which are discussed below.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,507,083, issued to Anderson on May 9, 1950 (Anderson '083), discloses a "Fishhook Extractor" comprising a tubular device having a central shaft that reciprocates within a housing and carries a notch at the end of the shaft for engaging a fishhook. A lip formed on the forward end of the tubular housing clamps the hook between the housing and the notch in the rod. This device does not rotate the hook, but merely grips it, much as pliers would. This device may retrieve a fishhook, but at the expense of seriously increased trauma to the fish by ripping through the tissues engaged by the hook.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,578,289, issued to Danielson on Dec. 11, 1951 (Danielson '289), discloses a "Fishhook Remover" comprising a tubular housing holding a reciprocating shaft having an exposed compression spring for holding the handle or knob in an extended position away from the housing. The shaft includes a T-shaped handle at the top. The lower end of the housing tubing includes a notch that aligns with a similarly shaped trapezoidal notch in the shaft. The fishhook is gripped between the housing and the shaft when the shaft is depressed. The fishhook is not rotated into position, but is simply gripped, as by pliers. Like Anderson, '083, Danielson '289 seriously increases trauma to the fish.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,795,887, issued to Lockert on Jun. 18, 1957 (Lockert '887), discloses a "Fish Hook Extractor" comprising an exterior cylindrical housing having a knob handle on one end and containing a slide member connected to a T-shaped handle for reciprocal movement within the housing. A compression spring biases the slide member downward. The slide member has a hook in the end opposite the knob. The working end of the tubular housing includes inclined or beveled edges providing a rounding bearing surface. The slide member is flat and moves from one side of the housing to the other as the hook is extracted. The eye end of the fishhook is pried against the soft tissues of the fish in order to disengage the hook, which further injures the fish.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,797,523, issued to Dillard on Jul. 2, 1957 (Dillard '523), discloses a "Fishhook Extractor" comprising a tubular housing having a T-shaped handle and an inner tube held in place by a compression spring and having a knob at its end for reciprocal movement within the housing tube. A stripper element is also moveable within the housing and draws the fishhook into the housing. The stripping operation thereby removes the hook from the fish, drawing the hook toward the housing.
U.S. Pat. No.3,451,157, issued to Jones on Jun. 24, 1969 (Jones '157), discloses a "Fishhook Remover" comprising a main tubular member or housing having a crosswise handle secured at one of its ends and a slidable rod inside the housing operated by a sleeve or finger handle which causes a fishhook engaging hook at the bottom of the rod to engage the lower end of the housing. The fishhook is grasped between the hook at the end of the rod and an undercut projection at the end of the housing. The purpose of this device is to remove the fishhook from the fish with no regard to further injury to the fish. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a weighted filler of lead or the like "for use as a hammer for killing a landed fish." Accordingly it is clear that Jones '157 is primarily concerned with retrieving the fishhook and is not in any sense concerned with reducing injury or death to the fish.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,702, issued to Chestnutt on May 27, 1986, (Chestnutt '702), discloses a "Fishhook Removing Tool" comprising an elongated tubular housing holding a telescoped pull member having a plunger handle at the end and held in the closed position by a compression spring seated inside the housing. A T-shaped handle on the housing allows the fisherman to actuate the plunger. A hook engaging member similar to the eye of a needle, but with a small opening along the eye, on the end of the rod engages the hook and pulls it against the end of the housing, thereby clamping the hook between the housing and the removal hook of the tool. Then, the tool may be pushed downwardly relative to the fish to displace the hook from the fish. Chestnut '702 also simply rips the hook from the fish, thereby increasing the injury and trauma to the fish.
Each of the above references discloses a fishhook remover or extractor and each comprises a cylindrical body having a reciprocating rod within the body or housing. The use of a spring to bias the rod toward a closed position or upright position is disclosed in Danielson '289, Lockert '887, Dillard '523, Jones '157 and Chestnutt '702. The use of a guide at the end of the tubular housing for assisting in gripping a hook is disclosed in Anderson '083, Danielson '289, Lockert '887 and Dillard '523. Lockert '887 includes a cam surface on the edge of the housing. Most of these references merely grip the hook, as pliers would and do not claim to reduce injury or death to the fish. They simply allow the fisherman to retrieve his hook.
Therefore, a need exists for a fishhook remover that allows the fisherman to remove a hook from a fish easily without tearing tissues of the fish, even when the fish has "swallowed the hook" or hooked its gills.


A collapsible container formed from a single sheet of foldable material. The container includes a bottom portion and a number of side walls extending upwardly therefrom. The side walls are provided with fold lines which permit such to be compressed onto the bottom portion prior to use. The fold lines are positioned in a manner which eliminates the need for leak-inducing cuts in the sheet for the side walls to be easily compressed or extended. A top portion extending upwardly from the side walls provides means for closing the container as well as carrying it.

Disposable bags are commonly used to collect refuse and subsequently transport it to a landfill or incinerator. Because these bags do not support themselves in an open position when they are being filled, they must often be fastened to a rigid support like a trash can during use. Permanently retaining trash cans and other bag supports in certain locations, a confined garage for example, can be a burdensome waste of space. A need, therefore, exists for a low-cost, self-supporting product for gathering and toting refuse which requires minimal storage space prior to use.


The pattern material with substantially spherical filler particulates is used to produce investment cast components with improved surface quality, reduced finishing costs, and reduced core breakage. The pattern material comprises substantially spherical particles within the particle size range of about 10 microns to about 70 microns particle diameter, the use of which reduces the number of random, localized surface depressions and pits to improve pattern surface texture and uniformity. Patterns so formed inpart the same improvements to the surface of subsequent investment cast components. The resulting castings exhibit improved as-cast surface finish and reduced random, localized surface pitting, thereby reducing or eliminating expensive post casting surface finishing operations. Moreover, the spherical morphology of the filler particulates reduces injection pressures to fill a pattern die cavity as compared to non-spherical filler particulates. The lower injection pressures eliminate or reduce breakage of ceramic cores positioned in the die cavity for manufacture of hollow cast components, such as internally cooled turbine blades and vanes.

Investment casting is widely used in the manufacture of myriad cast components including complex gas turbine engine components, such as blades and vanes made of nickel or cobalt base superalloys. In the investment casting process, a wax or other disposable pattern of the component to be cast is made typically by injecting molten wax into a pattern die cavity and solidifying the material in the die cavity. Ceramic mold material then is coated on or invested about the pattern to form a casting mold upon selective removal of the pattern by heating (melting), chemical dissolution or other conventional pattern removal technique. The ceramic investment mold typically is fired to develop mold strength, and then molten metal is cast into the mold and solidified to form the cast component, which will have the configuration of the pattern employed to make the mold.
Existing wax pattern materials normally contain a stable, solid filler material, such as for example only 4,4-isopropylidene diphenol available as Bisphenol A (BPA) or cross-linked polystyrene, which results in wax properties that limit dimensional distortion, reduce visual defects, control shrinkage, and improve dewax capabilities. Presently used filler material is a mechanically ground material that is characterized by angular surface configuration, such as an acicular particle configuration and/or fiber-like particle configuration. This filler morphology creates significant undesirable side effects which include rough and pitted casting surfaces that require extensive post-casting finishing operations and increased wax injection pressures into the pattern die cavity during pattern fabrication. Such increased wax injection pressures in the pattern die cavity can break fragile ceramic cores positioned in the die cavity and about which the wax is injected in the manufacture of wax/core pattern assemblies for use in casting hollow components, such as internally cooled turbine blades and vanes.
An object of the present invention is to provide an investment casting method conducted in a manner to improve as-cast surface of the cast component and to reduce the extent of post-casting surface finishing operations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pattern material and pattern for use in forming a refractory casting mold for use in investment casting methods.

Investment casting with improved as-cast surface finish


The present invention relates to endoscopic clips with multiple independently-controlled legs. The present invention also relates to a method for using a clip with multiple independently actuated legs. The clips and methods of the present invention may be used, for example and without limitation, for repairing tears and other defects endoscopically.

Less invasive surgical procedures can reduce patient trauma, and as a result, may reduce the length of hospital stays, as well as hospital and medical costs. Endoscopic surgery recently has provided a significant opportunity to reduce the invasiveness of numerous surgical procedures. This type of surgery involves the use of an endoscope, an instrument that permits the visual inspection and magnification of cavities within the body. Endoscopes may be flexible, semiflexible, or rigid. An endoscope may be inserted through a small surgical incision to view organ structures in a body cavity or through a natural orifice such as the mouth, anus, bladder, and vagina to view lumen-containing organs in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genital and urinary tracts. Endoscopes have channels for irrigation, suction, and the insertion of accessory instruments when a surgical procedure is performed
During a surgical procedure, surgeons often are required to repair or reconstruct a tear or defect or otherwise approximate or fixate tissue or other material by suturing. However, the ability to suture through an endoscope technically is limited. In response to this problem, surgeons have sought alternatives to conventional suturing techniques that are more appropriate for use through an endoscope. Among these alternatives include the use of endoscopic clips.
While the use of endoscopic clips has alleviated some problems associated with suturing through the end of an endoscope, there is still room for improvement in their design and use. For instance, as presently used, the "legs" of clips are joined at their proximal ends. This configuration requires the distal ends of the legs to have a fixed distance and relationship between them. These fixed relationships limit a surgeon's ability to position the clip appropriately in relation to a particular tear or defect or other area in need of treatment. For instance, these clips may not be able to address a tear or defect with certain curves or angles and may not be able to span the width of a larger tear or defect. Further, because the proximal ends of the legs are joined, a surgeon may not be able to adjust the positioning of one leg of the clip without affecting the positioning of the second leg. Positioning also may be limited because the clip may not be properly oriented when it is placed within the actuating jaws of the cannula, or the clip may slip out of alignment during application. Finally, the legs of presently-used clips must be actuated and anchored at the same time. If unequal pressure is applied to the legs during anchoring, scissoring of the legs may occur and further tissue damage may result.

Endoscopic device with independently actuated legs


A model-based compression codec applies higher-level modeling to produce better predictions than can be found through conventional block-based motion estimation and compensation. Computer-vision-based feature and object detection algorithms identify regions of interest throughout the video datacube. The detected features and objects are modeled with a compact set of parameters, and similar feature/object instances are associated across frames. Associated features/objects are formed into tracks and related to specific blocks of video data to be encoded. The tracking information is used to produce model-based predictions for those blocks of data, enabling more efficient navigation of the prediction search space than is typically achievable through conventional motion estimation methods. A hybrid framework enables modeling of data at multiple fidelities and selects the appropriate level of modeling for each portion of video data.

Video compression can be considered the process of representing digital video data in a form that uses fewer bits when stored or transmitted. Video compression algorithms can achieve compression by exploiting redundancies and irrelevancies in the video data, whether spatial, temporal, or color-space. Video compression algorithms typically segment the video data into portions, such as groups of frames and groups of pels, to identify areas of redundancy within the video that can be represented with fewer bits than the original video data. When these redundancies in the data are reduced, greater compression can be achieved. An encoder can be used to transform the video data into an encoded format, while a decoder can be used to transform encoded video back into a form comparable to the original video data. The implementation of the encoder/decoder is referred to as a codec.
Standard encoders divide a given video frame into non-overlapping coding units or macroblocks (rectangular regions of contiguous pels) for encoding. The macroblocks are typically processed in a traversal order of left to right and top to bottom in the frame. Compression can be achieved when macroblocks are predicted and encoded using previously-coded data. The process of encoding macroblocks using spatially neighboring samples of previously-coded macroblocks within the same frame is referred to as intra-prediction. Intra-prediction attempts to exploit spatial redundancies in the data. The encoding of macroblocks using similar regions from previously-coded frames, together with a motion estimation model, is referred to as inter-prediction. Inter-prediction attempts to exploit temporal redundancies in the data.
The encoder may measure the difference between the data to be encoded and the prediction to generate a residual. The residual can provide the difference between a predicted macroblock and the original macroblock. The encoder can generate motion vector information that specifies, for example, the location of a macroblock in a reference frame relative to a macroblock that is being encoded or decoded. The predictions, motion vectors (for inter-prediction), residuals, and related data can be combined with other processes such as a spatial transform, a quantizer, an entropy encoder, and a loop filter to create an efficient encoding of the video data. The residual that has been quantized and transformed can be processed and added back to the prediction, assembled into a decoded frame, and stored in a framestore. Details of such encoding techniques for video will be familiar to a person skilled in the art.
H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (advanced video coding), hereafter referred to as H.264, is a codec standard for video compression that utilizes block-based motion estimation and compensation and achieves high quality video representation at relatively low bitrates. This standard is one of the encoding options used for Blu-ray disc creation and within major video distribution channels, including video streaming on the internet, video conferencing, cable television and direct-broadcast satellite television. The basic coding units for H.264 are 16×16 macroblocks. H.264 is the most recent widely-accepted standard in video compression.
The basic MPEG standard defines three types of frames (or pictures), based on how the macroblocks in the frame are encoded. An I-frame (intra-coded picture) is encoded using only data present in the frame itself. Generally, when the encoder receives video signal data, the encoder creates I frames first and segments the video frame data into macroblocks that are each encoded using intra-prediction. Thus, an I-frame consists of only intra-predicted macroblocks (or "intra macroblocks"). I-frames can be costly to encode, as the encoding is done without the benefit of information from previously-decoded frames. A P-frame (predicted picture) is encoded via forward prediction, using data from previously-decoded I-frames or P-frames, also known as reference frames. P-frames can contain either intra macroblocks or (forward-)predicted macroblocks. A B-frame (bi-predictive picture) is encoded via bidirectional prediction, using data from both previous and subsequent frames. B-frames can contain intra, (forward-)predicted, or bi-predicted macroblocks.
As noted above, conventional inter-prediction is based on block-based motion estimation and compensation (BBMEC). The BBMEC process searches for the best match between the target macroblock (the current macroblock being encoded) and similar-sized regions within previously-decoded reference frames. When a best match is found, the encoder may transmit a motion vector. The motion vector may include a pointer to the best match's frame position as well as information regarding the difference between the best match and the corresponding target macroblock. One could conceivably perform exhaustive searches in this manner throughout the video "datacube" (height×width×frame index) to find the best possible matches for each macroblock, but exhaustive search is usually computationally prohibitive. As a result, the BBMEC search process is limited, both temporally in terms of reference frames searched and spatially in terms of neighboring regions searched. This means that "best possible" matches are not always found, especially with rapidly changing data.
A particular set of reference frames is termed a Group of Pictures (GOP). The GOP contains only the decoded pels within each reference frame and does not include information as to how the macroblocks or frames themselves were originally encoded (I-frame, B-frame or P-frame). Older video compression standards, such as MPEG-2, used one reference frame (the previous frame) to predict P-frames and two reference frames (one past, one future) to predict B-frames. The H.264 standard, by contrast, allows the use of multiple reference frames for P-frame and B-frame prediction. While the reference frames are typically temporally adjacent to the current frame, there is also accommodation for the specification of reference frames from outside the set of the temporally adjacent frames.
Conventional compression allows for the blending of multiple matches from multiple frames to predict regions of the current frame. The blending is often linear, or a log-scaled linear combination of the matches. One example of when this bi-prediction method is effective is when there is a fade from one image to another over time. The process of fading is a linear blending of two images, and the process can sometimes be effectively modeled using bi-prediction. Some past standard encoders such as the MPEG-2 interpolative mode allow for the interpolation of linear parameters to synthesize the bi-prediction model over many frames.
The H.264 standard also introduces additional encoding flexibility by dividing frames into spatially distinct regions of one or more contiguous macroblocks called slices. Each slice in a frame is encoded (and can thus be decoded) independently from other slices. I-slices, P-slices, and B-slices are then defined in a manner analogous to the frame types described above, and a frame can consist of multiple slice types. Additionally, there is typically flexibility in how the encoder orders the processed slices, so a decoder can process slices in an arbitrary order as they arrive to the decoder.
While the H.264 standard allows a codec to provide better quality video at lower file sizes than previous standards, such as MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 ASP (advanced simple profile), "conventional" compression codecs implementing the H.264 standard typically have struggled to keep up with the demand for greater video quality and resolution on memory-constrained devices, such as smartphones and other mobile devices, operating on limited-bandwidth networks. Video quality and resolution are often compromised to achieve adequate playback on these devices. Further, as video resolution increases, file sizes increase, making storage of videos on and off these devices a potential concern.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A panel carrier system and method for coating panels with the carrier system are disclosed. The carrier comprises a base and protective cover with an enclosure that protects the base when coating compositions are applied to the panels. The carrier system and coated panels may be transported to a curing location, followed by removal and evaluation of the coated panels.

Application and evaluation of various types of coatings are performed in many industries. For example, in refinish operations, selected coating formulations are applied to panels for evaluation. Current refinish color lab processes use manual techniques for performing the steps of mixing coating compositions, spraying test panels with the coating compositions, transporting the sprayed test panels, curing the panels and measuring the characteristics of the cured coatings on the panels. Panels to be sprayed are mounted on a fixture, and in some applications, masking tape may be applied to the fixture to eliminate build up of overspray paint. A spray gun may be loaded with the desired paint formulation, followed by spraying of the panels with the coating composition. A technician may then manually remove the freshly sprayed panels from the fixture and place them on a rack to flash or set up for a short period of time, e.g., 60 seconds. The panels may then be placed into a curing oven to fully cure the coatings, followed by cooling to room temperature. This process may be repeated when applying multiple coatings on panels, e.g., a base coat and a clear coat. The coated panels may then be evaluated, for example, using a spectrophotometer to characterize the color of the panel.


A pants construction comprises an undergarment having a drawstring, elastic band or other securing mechanism on the waistband. The undergarment is attached to the inside of a pair of pants or shorts with a hook and loop type fastener, buttons, zippers, snaps, tie strings, temporary glue or the like. The attachment is concealed; and is arranged such that at least some of the upper portion of the undergarment is revealed above substantially the entire circumference of the waistband of the pants, and the waistband of the pants is below the waist of the wearer. This conveys a perception that the pants are far below the waist. A securing mechanism associated with the undergarment stabilizes the pants to prevent them from falling down.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of clothing; and more particularly, to a pants construction stabilized by an integral undergarment wherein the pants are perceived to be worn below the waist.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Styles change over the years. A recent trend for persons of all ages is to wear their pants down below their waist such that their undergarment is revealed. When worn in such a fashion, the pants are sometimes secured by tightening a belt around the lower hips of the wearer. Often, however, such an attempt is fruitless, and the wearer often finds himself constantly using one or both of his hands to hold his pants in place so they do not fall down. The problem is particularly troublesome when the wearer is participating in athletics or exercising, each of which activities exerts additional forces on the pants. Use of one's hands to keep one's pants from falling down is burdensome and frustrating. Such use of the hands, and the distraction caused thereby, may hinder the performance of the wearer during many activities, including basketball, football, skateboarding, and other athletic sports.
Pants having two waistbands and pants having a waistband that is below the waist of the wearer are known in the art. However, the prior art lacks the salient features and advantages of the present invention as described herein. The following is a summary of the relevant prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,034,312 to Rubin discloses a garment for boys. The garment comprises, among other components, a construction whereby trousers and the corresponding articles of underwear, may be supported from the waist and from the hips. More particularly, there is disclosed an arrangement whereby two such garments may be maintained and associated for ready assembly and disassembly, and may be supported from the hips and the waist and readily removed therefrom as a unit while in such associated relation. The respective waistbands of the boys' trousers and drawers line up such that they remain at the same level along the waistband of the wearer. The undergarment is not visible when the two garments are in their associated relation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,842 discloses pants having two waistbands. The pair of pants comprises pants defining a first waistband, the first waistband being made substantially of a first material. A second waistband is made substantially of a second material having elastic properties. Connecting means made substantially of a third material secure the second waistband to the pants. The wearer has the option of having the second waistband hidden behind the pants or visible above the first waistband. The pants taught by the '842 patent do not include an undergarment. The "sag" style, which specifically includes the visibility of the upper portion of the undergarment, in addition to the waistband of the undergarment, is not disclosed by the '842 patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,832 discloses sagging double bottom pants. The sagging double bottom is an added separate layer of matching fabric material overlying the rear surface areas of the trousers or pants. The added layer of fabric material covers the seat portion of the trousers or pants, as well as preferably the rear surface portions of the upper end portion of each leg. The added fabric layer is attached to the trousers or pants along the side seams and along the inseams up to and including the center seam in the crotch area. The '832 patent teaches that the sagging bottom only covers the rear seat portion of the pants and ends at the side seams where it is attached to the pants. The top waistline of the sagging bottom is unattached to the pants such that the added fabric layer extends downwardly in an arcuate configuration by the force of gravity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,220 to Rhoden discloses drop crotch pants such that when such pants are worn with a garment such as a shirt or blouse, the lower edge of the shirt or blouse serves to obscure the portion of pants above the false waistband, thereby creating the illusion that a traditional pair of single-waistband pants are being worn at a level below the waist. Similar to the '832 patent discussed hereinabove, the '220 patent discloses drop crotch pants wherein the material above the false waistband matches the material below the false waistband. This configuration is not in style, especially when wearing pants without a shirt or a shirt that falls above the false waistband or is tucked-in because the preferred style is to have the undergarment of the wearer visible above the sagging pants waistband.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,338 to Caldwell discloses trouser suspenders wherein the extenders are attached directly to the undergarment preferably at the undergarment waistband, such that the waistband forms the waist strap for the trouser suspenders. Fasteners are attached to the lower end of the extenders which attach to the trousers. The '338 patent comprises trouser suspenders which comprise two extenders which are visible and reside along the outside of the visible portion of the undergarment.
Because the '338 patent relies on only two extenders to support the entire load of the pants, their support is ineffective. High load concentrations extant at the points where the extenders attach to the waistband of the undergarment tend to produce localized sagging of the waistband of the undergarments at these locations. The result can be dangerous. Physical activity can lead to the unexpected falling down of the undergarment/pants union, exposing the private parts of the user.
There remains a need in the clothing art for a pants construction which solves the problems associated with wearing one's pants below the waist so that the undergarment is revealed. Especially advantageous would be a pants construction which addresses these problems, such as the tendency for the pants to fall down, while at the same time providing a stylish ensemble suitable for people of all ages and either sex.

Pants construction stabilized by integral undergarment


A calcium formate composition for oral administration to an individual for the purpose of inhibiting gastrointestinal absorption of phosphorus is disclosed. A method of inhibiting gastrointestinal absorption of phosphorus, comprising administering orally the composition, preferably close in time to food and beverage consumption is also disclosed.

Phosphorus retention plays a major role in chronic renal failure in the development of both secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteodystrophy. Bricker, N., S. et al., Archives of Internal Medicine 123:543-553 (1969); Rubini, M. E. et al., Archives of Internal Medicine 124:663-669 (1969); Slatopolsky, E., et al., Journal of Clinical Investigation 50:492-499 (1971); Bricker, N. S., New England Journal of Medicine 286:1093-1099 (1972); Slatopolsky, E. S., et al., Kidney Int. 2:147-151 (1972).
Antacids are often used to bind dietary phosphorus to prevent phosphorus retention and prevent its absorption. This process is referred to as phosphorus binding and appears to be a chemical reaction between dietary phosphorus and the cation present in the binder compound, which is usually albumin or calcium. The binding results in the formation of insoluble and unabsorbable phosphate compounds, adsorption of phosphorus ions on the surface of binder particles, or a combination of both.
Presently-used antacids are inefficient at binding phosphorus in vivo. For example, a recent study by Ramirez, et al., noted that even though aluminum-containing or calcium-containing antacids were administered in large excess, they bound only 19-35 percent of dietary phosphorus. Ramirez, J. A., et al., Kidney Int. 30:753-759 (1986). Similar conclusions can be derived from data presented in earlier studies. Kirsner, J. B., Journal of Clinical Investigation, 22:47-52 (1943); Clarkson, E. M., et al., Clinical Science 43:519-531 (1972); Cam, J. M., et al., Clinical Science and Molecular Medicine 51:407-414 (1976); Man, N. K. et al., Proceedings of the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association 12:245-55 (1975).
Antacids are used widely, often in large quantities, for indigestion, heartburn or peptic ulcer disease. Despite their consumption in large amounts and often over long periods of time, phosphorus depletion is uncommon in these settings. This fact is additional evidence of the inefficiency of antacids as phosphorus binding agents.
The inefficiency of commonly used phosphorus binders creates a clinical dilemma. The dose of the binder must be increased to control hyperphosphatemia, but increased risk of toxicity of the binder results from the increased dose. This toxicity includes bone disease and aluminum dementia from aluminum-containing antacids and hypercalcemia and soft tissue calcification from calcium-containing antacids. These risks are particularly problematic in patients with chronic renal disease.
It would be very useful to have a phosphorus binder available which does not have the risks associated with ingestion of presently available binders. The binder should be more efficient in binding phosphorus and, thus, would not have to be consumed in the large quantities necessary, for example, when calcium carbonate-containing compositions are used. Such a phosphorus binder would be particularly valuable for administration to individuals with chronic renal failure, in whom phosphorus retention is a serious concern and the risk of toxicity from consumption of presently-available binders is greater than in individuals in whom kidney function is normal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,105 addresses these concerns by disclosing a calcium acetate phosphorus binder. However, it would be advantageous to find a binder with a smaller anion and, hence, a smaller effective dose.
The present invention relates to a method of binding phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract and, thus, reducing phosphorus absorption from the intestine. It also relates to a method of reducing serum phosphate levels because phosphorus bound in the gastrointestinal tract results in lower phosphorus absorption than would otherwise occur. It is particularly useful in the treatment and prevention of hyperphosphatemia in individuals with renal disease or other disease in which the ability to excrete phosphorus from the body (e.g., in the urine) is impaired.
The method of the present invention comprises orally administering to an individual a composition which includes calcium formate in sufficient quantity to effectively bind phosphorus, preferably present in food and beverages consumed by the individual, and prevent its absorption in the intestine. In an advantageous form of the invention, the calcium formate is administered at a dose of between 0.5 and 10.0 grams.
The present invention is also a pharmaceutical composition comprising calcium formate in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 0.5 grams of calcium formate per capsule or tablet. In another preferred embodiment, the composition comprises calcium formate and at least one additional therapeutic ingredient. In a most preferred embodiment, this therapeutic ingredient is a vitamin D compound, typically cholecalciferol.
It is a feature of the present invention that the amount of calcium-containing compound sufficient to inhibit gastrointestinal phosphorus absorption is 10% lighter than therapeutically equivalent amounts of previously known calcium acetate compounds.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one of skill in the art after review of the specification and claims.
The present invention relates to a calcium formate composition for oral administration to an individual. The composition is useful in reducing phosphorus absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Calcium formate is shown below to be effective in inhibiting phosphorus absorption when administered orally in in vivo tests and has been shown to prevent the absorption of ingested phosphorus at a lower dose than other calcium-containing binders. As a result of these discoveries, calcium formate, alone or in combination with other materials, can be used to bind phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract, thus reducing the percentage of an amount of phosphorus consumed (i.e., of a given xe2x80x9cdosexe2x80x9d of phosphorus) which is absorbed. Preferably, this dose would be 0.5-10.0 grams when adjusted to doses intended for human patients.
The present invention also relates to a method of inhibiting gastrointestinal phosphorus absorption. The method of the present invention is based on the demonstration that calcium formate is an effective binder of phosphorus when administered orally to an individual. The method comprises orally administering a quantity of calcium formate sufficient to bind with phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract. Preferably, this dose is between 10-200 milliequivalents of calcium and is preferably present in either tablet or gelatin capsule form. In a most preferable form of the present invention, the oral dose is ingested at mealtimes.
As a result of the present invention it is possible to administer calcium formate to reduce absorption of dietary phosphorus, which has the net effect of reducing the risks of adverse effects (e.g., bone disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism) observed in individuals (e.g., chronic renal patients) in whom the ability to excrete phosphorus in the urine is impaired.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cphosphorusxe2x80x9d includes phosphorus and phosphate in its various forms (e.g. HPO4xe2x88x92, PO4xe2x88x923, etc.).
According to the method of the present invention, calcium formate is administered, alone or in combination with other substances (e.g., in a hard gelatin capsule; along with materials necessary to form a tablet or caplet as a delivery vehicle for the calcium formate; or along with a second phosphorus binder or other pharmaceutically useful substance) in sufficient quantities to reduce phosphorus absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The calcium formate is administered orally, preferably close in time to food and beverage consumption. By xe2x80x9cat mealtimesxe2x80x9d we mean within 30 minutes of a meal.
In one embodiment, 0.5-10.0 grams of anhydrous calcium formate (11-44 milliequivalents calcium) is taken prior to food consumption (e.g., meal time) and a second dose of 0.5-10.0 grams of anhydrous calcium formate is taken after food consumption. The dose or quantity to be taken at a given time varies on an individual-by-individual basis and can be adjusted as needed (e.g., by monitoring serum concentration of phosphorus and calcium).
The present invention is also a pharmaceutical composition comprising calcium formate in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the calcium formate is present in an amount between 0.5-1.0 grams. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises calcium formate in amount suitable to inhibit gastrointestinal absorption of phosphorus, provides between 11 and 44 milliequivalents of calcium, and is 10% lighter than the corresponding calcium acetate dose. By xe2x80x9ccorrespondingxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ctherapeutically equivalent,xe2x80x9d we mean a dose that is equally effective.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the pharmaceutical composition essentially comprises only calcium formate and at least one pharmaceutically carrier, wherein the calcium formate is present in an amount sufficient to produce between 11 and 44 milliequivalents of calcium. By xe2x80x9cessentially comprisesxe2x80x9d we mean that calcium formate is the only active ingredient in the pharmaceutical composition.
The present invention is also a pharmaceutical composition comprising calcium formate in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier combined with other therapeutic agents, preferably a vitamin D compound. Most preferably, the calcium formate is combined with vitamin D is cholecalciferol in a range of 125 IU to 400 IU in a tablet or capsule.


An arrangement and method for parallel alignment of propeller shafts in a first and a second underwater housing arranged on the hull of a vessel, which underwater housings are arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation which is angled in relation to the propeller shafts arranged in each underwater housing, which arrangement includes a servo motor arranged for each underwater housing, which servo motor is arranged to rotate said underwater housing. A position sensor arranged for each servo motor, which position sensor is arranged to detect an angular position of the underwater housing. A control unit in which a reference angular position of the underwater housing is arranged to be stored during a calibration of the position of the underwater housing; and a calibrator of the position of the underwater housings by storing output signals from the position sensors in the control unit during a parallel alignment of propeller shafts in two underwater housings arranged on the hull of a vessel.

In order to achieve planing speedboats, it is often necessary to install several drives in one hull. One type of boat which is driven at planing speeds consists of boats with a V-shaped hull designed for planing. With such a hull, a drive is suspended on each side of the center line of the hull. The drives comprise an underwater housing projecting downwards from the outside of the hull, which housing can be rotated in relation to the hull. An at least essentially vertical drive shaft is mounted in the underwater housing in such a way that it can rotate. The drive shaft drives an at least essentially horizontal propeller shaft via a bevel gear comprised in the underwater housing. Such a type of boat is known through, for example, SE-9402272-0.
For maneuvering such boats, the angle of rotation of the underwater housing around the axis of rotation of the underwater housing is set via a servo motor. The servo motor is controlled by a control unit which, in addition to an input signal corresponding to the required position of the underwater housing, receives an input signal from a position sensor arranged to detect the set angular position of the underwater housing.
In order to be able to obtain good operating economy and performance and to reduce wear on bearings incorporated in the drives, it is important that the propeller shafts can be aligned in a parallel position. It is therefore important to calibrate the position sensors in a reference position when the propeller shafts are aligned parallel to each other and to the keel line of the boat.
Conventionally, the position sensors are calibrated by the output signal from the position sensors being stored in a control unit after the propeller shafts have been placed in a parallel position. The parallel alignment is verified by the use of a mechanical tool which is fitted onto the respective propeller shaft or underwater housing. The mechanical tool comprises two mechanically-connected adapters which are fitted onto their respective underwater housing into a docking module arranged for the purpose. The fitting can only be carried out when the propeller shafts are parallel, as the mechanical tool consists of a rigid measure. Such a method for parallel alignment and such a tool for parallel alignment have considerable disadvantages. Firstly, a tool must be produced for each type of boat, as the tool cannot be used for boats of different dimensions. In addition, the underwater housing and tool can be subjected to large forces if the tool is fitted onto the underwater housings or the propeller shafts when they are in a position that is not completely parallel. In addition, after such an incorrect fitting, the tool can be deformed, so that it can no longer be used for parallel alignment of the propeller shafts.

Arrangement and method for parallel alignment of propeller shafts and means for parallel alignment


A fuel injection valve comprises. a valve unit 3 which includes a hollow valve body 9, a valve seat 11 provided at an end of the valve body and having an injection nozzle 10, a valve 12 movable in the valve body to come into contact with and separate from the valve seat 11 so that the injection nozzle 10 is opened and closed, and PA1 a swirler 13 which is arranged around the valve 12 to support the same in a slidable manner and which provides a swirling force to fuel flowing through the injection nozzle 10, wherein the swirler 13 has outer circumferential surface portions 19a which are in contact with an inner circumference of the valve body 9 to regulate the position with respect to the valve body 9; flow passage portions formed between adjacent outer circumferential surface portions 19a to define fuel passages for passing fuel in the axial direction, and swirling grooves 25 formed in the end surface which faces the valve seat 11 in the axial direction so as to be at an eccentric position with respect to the center axis of the swirler 13, and PA1 wherein an annular groove 24 is formed in the swirler 13 at an inner circumference of the end surface of the swirler facing the valve seat 11, and PA1 the swirling grooves 25 have respectively one end connected to one of the flow passage portions and the other end extending tangentially to the annular groove.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel injection valve, in particular, to a cylinder injection type fuel injection valve. In more particular, it relates to a fuel injection valve of such a type that a swirling energy is given to a fuel stream by means of a swirling means so that fuel is injected through a fuel injection nozzle.
2. Discussion of Background
Heretofore, several kinds of fuel injection valve which inject highly pressurized fuel with high efficiency have been proposed. In particular, a cylinder injection type fuel injection valve of such a type that a swirling energy is given to a fuel stream to inject fuel through a fuel injection nozzle directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, has been proposed. Such fuel injection valve is generally provided with an injection valve body comprising a valve (such as a needle valve, a spherical valve or the like) and a valve seat, a housing including a solenoid for operating the valve and a swirler which gives a swirling energy to a fuel stream.
However, publications concerning the proposed fuel injection valves have failed to describe in detail the shapes of the swirler, the valve seat and the fuel injection nozzle. Namely, the publications do not clearly show numerical values and relations of the shapes of the swirler which provides a desired pattern of fuel spray, the valve seat and the fuel injection nozzle. In particular, the publications do not clearly show structures of an injection valve which form a shape of fuel spray or the optimum combustion of fuel in a cylinder type injection engine.


A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a piston having a head slidably received in the slot. A pin is positioned between the piston head and an end of the slot. The mold further includes actuating means for actuating the piston in the slot when the mold is closed.

Creation of internal grooves in the shoulder area of a tire that are oriented axially may have several advantages. First, the axial grooves may decrease the heat generation in the tire that is built up when the tire is rolling. Second, the grooves may evacuate the water by the tire side during operation on a vehicle, which may improve the visibility of drivers behind the vehicle. The grooves also provide tire flexibility in the shoulder area which may improve tire performance. The grooves may also be used to mount temperature sensing devices to monitor the shoulder temperature. The grooves may be also used to install retractable stud pins for enhanced winter driving.

Tire mold and tire with internal grooves in shoulder area


According to one embodiment, a display device includes a display panel configured to hold a liquid crystal layer between a first substrate and a second substrate, a cover member positioned at a side of the second substrate of the display panel, a first optical element positioned at an outer surface side of the first substrate, and a second optical element positioned between the second substrate and the cover member, bonded to an inner surface of the cover member but not bonded to the second substrate.

Flat-panel display devices such as liquid crystal display devices and organic electroluminescent (EL) display devices have been utilized in various fields. Recently, a display device having a protective plate bonded to a display surface of a display panel has been in practical use. As an example of the liquid crystal display device, a display device having a structure in which a polarizer is bonded to a display surface side of the display panel, and the display panel and the protective plate are bonded to each other via a resin layer has been proposed. However, when the display panel and the protective plate are bonded to each other, a foreign substance is often deposited on the resin layer or air bubbles are often mixed into the resin layer, which may cause lowering of yields.
Thus, a display element which comprises a transparent protective plate having an optical film applied onto a region corresponding to a display area, a display panel arranged to allow the optical film to intervene between the transparent protective plate and the display panel, and a resin layer formed in the region corresponding to the display area, between the optical film and the display panel, has been proposed.

Display device and manufacturing method of the same


A clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a body member having a bore with a longitudinal axis, a plunger mounted in the bore for sliding movement relative to the body member and a handle pivotally mounted on the body member and operative to drive the plunger in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The body member is mounted on a bracket for rotation relative thereto about the longitudinal axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clamp. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a clamp for exerting a pushing force on a workpiece.
2. Discussion of the Known Art
An example of a clamp for exerting a pushing force on a workpiece is that sold by Halder Norm+Technik under the model number 2323. This clamp has a clamping lever with a spiral eccentric that engages one end of a plunger. The plunger is provided at its other end with a workpiece-engaging jaw. Swinging the lever through an arc of approximately 180.degree. drives the plunger in the direction of its longitudinal axis, so clamping the workpiece.
A disadvantage of the clamp described above is that because the position of the clamping lever cannot be adjusted, As can sometimes obstruct operation of a machine tool on which the clamp is mounted, particularly if the clamp is not fully applied. Also, in certain applications, the camping lever may be rather awkwardly placed for convenient use.
A further disadvantage is that travel of the plunger is relatively small, with the result that it can become necessary to reposition the clamp for each workpiece, if the dimensions of the workpieces vary significantly. This is inefficient and time consuming.


According to one embodiment, an information management device includes a Bloom filter generator configured to generate a Bloom filter based on information on a revoked certificate; a data distributor configured to send the Bloom filter to an authentication device, the authentication device authenticates a device with a certificate provided by the device; and an examiner configured to determine, when an examination request is received from the authentication device, whether an certificate designated by the examination request has been revoked based on revocation management information that contains information on the revoked certificate, and to send an examination result indicating whether the designated certificate has been revoked to the authentication device.

Conventionally, there is a verification server that checks whether or not a certificate has been revoked each time an authentication server requests to verify validity of the certificate. A problem with the verification server is that as the number of certificates to be verified increases, a communication load between the authentication server and the verification server increases.
Moreover, there is a technique in which a Bloom filter is generated from a list of revoked certificates (revocation list) and distributed to an authentication server. In this case, the Bloom filter is used to verify whether or not a certificate has been revoked. Due to characteristics of a Bloom filter, a false positive is possible in which it is determined that a certificate has been revoked even though the certificate has actually not been revoked. To prevent occurrence of a false positive, each time a revoked certificate is added to a Bloom filter, it is verified whether or not any certificate resulting in a false positive arises. When such a certificate arises, another certificate that does not result in a false positive is reissued. This causes a problem that a processing cost increases.

Information management device to set expiration dates of bloom filters


An infrared source and a gas sensor, a first layer and a second layer effecting bandpass filter characteristics for an operating frequency range.

Devices are known for the detection of radiation signals which may be used, for example, to determine the gas concentration, using infrared absorption. Interfering gases in a gas volume, such as in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, are, for example, CO2, CO, H2O or even CH4, the carbon dioxide CO2 originating from especially the air breathed by people located in the gas volume and also from CO2 air conditioning systems. Such interfering gases are detected by generally known gas detectors. Such detectors for the selection of gases, based on the principle of radiation absorption in the measured gas, are usually made up of a radiation source and one or more wavelength-specific radiation detectors. For sensors which measure the absorption in the medium infrared range, such as in the range of wavelengths of 3 μm to 25 μm, such as sensors for the detection of carbon dioxide CO2, usually thermal radiators are used as the source. In this connection, there are infrared sources in the form of incandescent lamps or in the form of microstructured devices that function as thermal radiators. Wavelength-specific radiation detectors are made up of a filter unit which transmits the wavelength to be measured and a broad-band infrared detector. Interference filters are used in this connection, for example. Simple interference filters have the property of also transmitting harmonics of the desired wavelength. This may be rectified, first, by a more complicated and, thus, more cost-intensive construction of the interference filter, or also by putting a simple broadband filter before the actual detector. If such a broadband filter is used, this conditions a costly construction of the detector, since in that case two filters have to be mounted.


An apparatus for correcting a time base of a video signal includes a first memory having a capacity of one line of a video signal and a second memory having a capacity of N lines of the video signal connected to the first memory. A video signal is written in the first memory according to a first control signal generated based on synchronizing information in the video signal and first clock pulses synchronized with the synchronizing information, the video signal written in the first memory is read from the first memory and written in the second memory according to a second control signal generated based on second clock pulses, and the video signal written in the second memory is read from the second memory based on a reference signal generated based on the second clock pulses.

This invention relates to a signal processing apparatus for correcting a time base variation of a video signal output by an image producing apparatus.
In magnetic recording/reproducing apparatuses such as a VTR or image reproducing apparatuses such as a video disk apparatus, a time base variation in the reproduced video signal occurs due to a variation in the relative position between a signal detecting medium such as a magnetic head or a pickup head and a recording medium such as a magnetic tape or disk. When the time base variation is moderate, a gentle change of the time base will cause a jitter in the reproduced picture. On the other hand, when the time base is subjected to rapid changes, a vast change of the time base will cause a skew in the reproduced picture.
As described above, those reproducing apparatuses have a intrinsic drawback of notably impairing the stability of the reproduced images.
As a reproduced video signal processing apparatus to correct the time base variation, a video signal processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has been well-known and is described, for example, in Japan Broadcast Publishing Co., Ltd., Hoso Gijutsu Sohsho Vol. 5: VTR Technology, Chapter 6.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates an input terminal of a video signal having time base variations and 20 indicates an output terminal of the video signal in which the time base variations have been corrected. Reference numeral 1 indicates an A/D converter circuit to convert an input video signal into a digital signal, 2 a RAM (a memory which permits quick direct access to a memory location for reading or writing data at any time). Reference numeral 4 indicates a synchronizing separation circuit, which extracts horizontal synchronizing signals containing time base variations from the composite video signal. The horizontal synchronizing signals are supplied to a write clock generator circuit 40 and a write address control circuit 70.
Synchronized with the above-mentioned horizontal synchronizing signals, the write clock generator circuit 40 generates write clock pulses timed with the time base variations of the input video signal from terminal 10. The write address control circuit 70 outputs a write address in step with the above-mentioned write clock pulses. The video signal having the time base variations coming from the terminal 10 is converted into a digital signal successively by the A/D converter circuit 1 in step with the write clock pulses, and is written at specified addresses in the memory 2.
On the other hand, stable reference synchronizing signals without time base variations are applied to a terminal 30. A read clock generator circuit 90 generates read clock pulses synchronized with the reference synchronizing signals. A read address control circuit 80 outputs a read address in step with the read clock pulses mentioned above. Therefore, digital data of the video signal stored in the memory 2 is read sequentially from the specified read addresses mentioned above. The digital data which has been read is converted sequentially into an analog signal in step with the read clock pulses by a D/A conversion circuit 3. As a result, a stable video signal without time base variation is output from terminal 20.
As mentioned earlier, the memory 2 is generally formed by a RAM, and if the number of samples of the input video signal in one horizontal scanning period (hereafter referred to as 1 H) is denoted by n, a correction amount of the time base variation by .+-.kH and the number of bits of the A/D converter circuit 1 by m, then the memory 2 requires a capacity of at least n.times.(2.times.k).times.m bits, and it is necessary to control N.times.(2.times.k) addresses. The address control is done by a counter, for example, and the control method is so complicated that the circuit has to be large in size, which has been a problem.
Above all, in write address control, the write addresses are controlled by the write address control circuit 70 according to the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals included in the input video signal and also in step with the write clock pulses mentioned above. However, it is necessary to make considerable contrivances in designing the circuit to make up for lost vertical and horizontal and synchronizing signals to carry on specified write address control to store digital data from the A/D converter circuit 1 in the specified address area of the memory 2 when any of the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals is lost. The signal processing method is complicated so that the circuit size has to be large, which has been another problem.
There is still another problem that if the synchronizing information which has dropped out fails to be interpolated, the specified signal processing mentioned above will be disturbed substantially.

Video signal processing apparatus for correcting time base of video signal


A method of manufacturing a photodetecting device, by providing a first wafer that includes a photosensitive layer made of a semiconductor material and a second wafer that includes a circuit layer of electronic components, with one of the photosensitive layer or the circuit layer incorporating a field isolation layer; bonding the first and second wafers to form a structure comprising successively the circuit layer, the field isolation layer and the photosensitive layer; and forming electrically conductive vias to electrically connect the photosensitive layer to at least some of the electronic components of the circuit layer. Also, photodetecting devices prepared by these methods.

Several kinds of structural configuration of photodetecting devices have been proposed. As disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,568, a first known photodetecting device has a horizontal configuration, i.e., each photosensitive unit (or pixel) comprises on its surface, side by side, a photosensitive element and an electronic element, separated by a field isolation layer.
FIG. 1 a illustrates such a pixel 100, having a photodiode 10 (composed here, for example, of a p-type layer 10a and a n-type layer 10b), able to convert the received photons (hv) in electronic charges and, beside, a transistor 20 (surrounded by a field isolation layer 30) able to receive the electronic charges from the photodiode 10a.
As shown on FIG. 1b, which represents a front view of the photoreceiver pixel surface 100, the latter comprises a photosensitive part 10 and a non-photosensitive part 25. Typically, the photosensitive surface represents 30% to 60% of the entire pixel surface. Consequently, the photosensing is not optimized, since a part of the photons arriving on the pixel are lost.
One solution to this would be to reduce the size of the electronic part 20. But such miniaturization has its own technical limits. Furthermore, even if the electronic part is drastically reduced in size, the surface of the pixel 100, in such a horizontal configuration, will not be dedicated to photosensing by 100%.
It was proposed to add a lens over each pixel for focusing the entire light, arriving on the pixel, to the photosensitive element; as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,591. But this solution is not desirable, due to its high cost and to its insufficient efficiency.
A second kind of known, photosensitive device is the so-called "back-illuminated" device. FIG. 2a illustrates this device which initially comprises a doped substrate (for instance a p+-type) covered by a top layer 1a having another type of doping (for instance a p−-type), and an electronic circuit layer 2 (including a plurality of transistors 20). The substrate is then selectively back-etched, such as to preserve the periphery 1b, and thus forming a central opening 15. The periphery 1a of the substrate then holds a thin structure comprising the top layer 1a and the circuit layer 2. This structure allows the thin top layer 1a to receive the photons coming from the "back" (i.e., passing through the opening 15) and delivering an electronic signal associated with this photon illumination to the transistors 20 included in the overlying circuit layer 2.
From FIGS. 2b and 2c, which represent respectively front views of the surface of a pixel 100 and of the opposite surface, it appears that this device does not have the drawbacks of the first photodetecting device, as the transistor 20 is not on the photoreceiving surface, the latter being then close to 100% dedicated to photosensing. However, the manufacturing of this second photodetecting device is high and implies the loss of an important part of the back substrate during the etch-back process.
A third known photodetecting device has a vertical configuration, i.e., the electronic part is buried under the photosensitive part, as disclosed for instance in European Patent Application 964,570 or in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,831,264, 6,252,218, and 5,084,747. FIG. 3 illustrates such photodetecting device which is fabricated from a substrate 9 from which an electronic circuit layer 2 is formed (by crystal growth, doping, plating, deposition, . . . ). This circuit layer 2 usually comprises a circuit central part 22 including the transistors 20 of each pixel and a peripheral part 21 comprising electronic components dedicated to addressing (i.e., collecting the signals from the pixels and sending them to readout means). The circuit layer 2 is covered by an isolation layer 3, mainly of a dielectric material with a shielding 31 on the periphery for protecting the peripheral part 21 from illumination. The isolation layer 3 comprises electrical conductor channels (not shown), so called "via hole", so as to electrically link the photosensitive part to the electronic part.
A doped photosensitive layer 1 (for instance a PiN structure composed of a p-type layer 1a, an intrinsic layer 1b and a n-type layer 1c) is formed on the isolation layer 3. Due to the non-crystallinity of the isolation layer 3, a crystal growth of the photosensitive layer 1 is not possible. So, the photosensitive layer 1 is formed by deposition, and has an amorphous structure. Now, an amorphous layer comprises many charges traps able to immobilize electrons and holes during a time, so called "time of relaxation". These trapped charges slow down the reception and interfere with the next detections. The average number of electrons generated by incoming photons is then lower for non crystalline layers, from which it follows a lower efficiency for this type of device and leads to a less sensible detector.
Accordingly improvements in these type detectors are needed, and these are now provided by the present invention.

S.O.I. Tec Silicon on Insulator Technologies