A parts distribution apparatus having a funnel hopper to receive parts dropped from above and a flexible distribution chute to deliver parts through a discharge opening into a storage hopper, where said distribution chute is rotated to vary the discharge location, with the distribution chute being pulled across the top surface of the pile of parts deposited within the storage hopper so that the discharge opening remains on the top surface regardless of the height of the top surface within the storage hopper.

This invention relates generally to the field of material handling equipment used to deliver discrete parts or items, and in particular relates to such equipment where the parts are received into a bin, hopper or container for subsequent controlled distribution. Even more particularly, the invention relates to such equipment for use in applications where the parts are relatively fragile or susceptible to damage during the handling process, such that placement and distribution within the bin must take into account the need to preclude rough handling of the parts.
In many material handling operations, large amounts of material, discrete parts, items or objects must be transferred or conveyed from one source or location to another for further processing, packaging or the like. It is often necessary to provide intermediary temporary storage means so that the rate of parts delivery into the temporary storage means does not need to equal the rate of removal from the storage means. For example, where large numbers of relatively small parts or items must be handled, it is common to find a temporary storage means consisting of a relatively large bin or hopper with a large top opening and a small, controlled distribution opening or mechanism. The parts are deposited into the bin from above and a reserve supply of parts is maintained within the bin such that parts are always available for removal from the bin as needed. The rate of discharge of parts from the bin is completely independent of the rate of deposition of parts into the bin. A typical set-up for this type of equipment may comprise a storage bin with sloped sides to funnel the parts into a chute for further distribution, with the parts dropped into the bin from a conveyor belt or chute located above the bin.
Such material handling equipment is suitable for many types of material or parts, but the typical apparatus is not optimally designed for circumstances where the parts are susceptible to damage during the handling operation, such as with precision parts or parts composed of fragile material. It is therefore desirable to provide an improved material handling equipment apparatus or system where the parts being handled are manipulated gently so that the potential for damage is dramatically reduced.
It is an object of this invention to provide a material handling apparatus or system where fragile parts or parts susceptible to damage are handled in a manner which precludes damage to the parts, and in particular it is an object to provide such an apparatus which receives parts in a controlled manner and gently distributes the parts within a temporary storage bin for later distribution as needed. It is a further object to provide such an apparatus which provides means to receive large numbers of discrete parts concurrent with means to direct and evenly distribute the parts into a storage bin to accumulate a number of parts therein. These objects and other objects not expressly stated will be made clear from the disclosure which follows.


The invention provides a method of packaging one or more articles, the method comprising the steps consisting in:

The technique of making sleeves of a heat-shrink plastics material and of shrinking them onto one or more articles became available about 30 years ago.
In order to control the process of shrinking a heat-shrink sleeve onto an article, it was found that thermal questions played a considerable role, and that in particular it was found that any temperature gradient between the inside and outside faces of the film for shrinking degraded the quality of the shrinking of the sleeve on the article. Steps were then taken to organize prior heating of the sleeve for shrinking so as to establish a uniform temperature through the wall of the sleeve and avoid as much as possible any influence from the outside face of the article to be wrapped. The Applicant has in particular made proposals for blowing air between the inside face of the sleeve and the outside face of the article, the blanket of air thus provided serving to establish optimum thermal conditions through the thickness of the wall of the sleeve for shrinking at the time when said wall reaches the softening temperature of the heat-shrink film constituting said sleeve.
Those shrinking techniques are nowadays thoroughly mastered and have given rise to numerous patent applications by the Applicant.
The articles that are packaged by such packaging techniques using heat-shrink sleeves are frequently containers. When they are bottles, in particular glass bottles, present techniques are not completely satisfactory, particularly if the bottles already contain the associated liquid, since the article to be wrapped constitutes a thermal barrier that is very restricting during the process of shrinking the sleeve. It will readily be understood that heating the glass wall, as is necessary for achieving temperature equilibrium on reaching the softening temperature of the film, is not generally compatible with the nature of the liquid. This applies in particular when the liquid is a fizzy or highly carbonated beverage. This problem of a thermal nature arises more generally whenever the container is cold, regardless of whether it is full or empty.
That is why, until now, heat-shrink sleeve means have not been used for packaging bottles that are very cold and/or full, in particular glass bottles containing gassy liquids such as mineral waters or sparkling wines.
The state of the art is also illustrated by the documents mentioned below.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 3,110,554 illustrates covering a metal food can in order to provide it with durable labeling. To do that, a heat-shrink sleeve is put into place on a can and the can-and-sleeve assembly is raised to a temperature of about 85° C. for three to six minutes, thereby simultaneously sterilizing the food contained in the can and shrinking the sleeve onto said can, said sleeve having as its main function protecting the can against corrosion, in particular at the bonding seam line. In a variant, a first sleeve with printing on its outside face is formed on the can, then the can is filled, sealed, and sterilized, and a second sleeve constituting an outer protective sleeve that is identical to the first is put into place and shrunk by subjecting the can and both sleeves to a temperature of 90° C. for five minutes. Such a technique makes use of thermal processes of long duration and remains restricted to metal food cans.
Document DE-A-16 07 932 describes making a belt out of one or two layers, which, on being shrunk onto a thin-walled receptacle of synthetic material, creates prestress that opposes the stress to which the wall of the receptacle will be subjected under the effect of pressure from its content, thereby preventing it from rupturing under the effect of internal pressure. The function provided by the one-or two-layer belt is a hooping function specific to the field of synthetic material bottles containing liquids under pressure.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,168 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,934 describe shrinkable sleeves having two stuck-together layers, which are thus shrunk as a single layer.
Document US-A- 2003/0068453 also describes a multilayer heat-shrink sleeve.
Finally, document US-A-2003/0021918 describes a heat-shrink sleeve having a wall that is coated internally with a layer of varnish and a metallized layer.

Method of packaging articles by means of heat-shrink sleeves

Abstract: a) putting a first sleeve of heat-shrink material into place on the article(s) to be packaged;

Abstract: b) using a thermal process to shrink the first sleeve onto said article(s);

Abstract: c) putting a second sleeve of heat-shrink plastics material on the article(s) covered in said shrunk-on first sleeve; and

Abstract: d) using a thermal process to heat the wall of the shrunk-on first sleeve in order to obtain thermal equilibrium with the wall of the second sleeve as put into place, and then shrinking said second sleeve onto said first sleeve.

Abstract: The invention also provides a wrapper for packaging one or more articles, the wrapper comprising two superposed sleeves of heat-shrink plastics material.


A vehicle having a chassis frame and a single front and single rear wheel aligned on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and retractable side wheels on opposite sides of the frame. A basic linkage transmits force to the side wheels for extending and retracting them in response to operator activation. The linkage may employ two hanging foot pedal levers and two independently rotatable lateral torque tubes to enable independent actuation of the left and right side wheels. The side wheels further comprise pivotally or caster-mounted side wheels in combination with a mechanism for asymmetrically limiting the range of pivotal side wheel motion, as well as lean compensation springs for controlling caster side wheel position as the lean angle of the vehicle changes. A locking mechanism is further disclosed for locking the caster side wheels in a straight-ahead position.

The subject disclosure relates to a motor vehicle of the type having a chassis frame elongated in a fore and aft direction, a single front and a single rear wheel, and retractable side wheels on opposite sides of the frame.
It is an object of my invention that the side wheels serve the following functions:
(a) Hold the vehicle upright when it is stopped or moving slowly. PA1 (b) Create a righting force to aid the vehicle driver in the transition to and from the position in which the vehicle is held upright by side wheels to dynamically-balanced driving. PA1 (c) Permit a maximum lean angle equal to the optimum tire traction loss lean angle. PA1 (d) Provide various optimal configurations for assisting the operator to manipulate the side wheels while maintaining operator feedback information on side wheel position and force required to hold the vehicle upright. PA1 (e) Catch the vehicle in a three-wheel driving mode when tire traction is lost at the optimum tire traction loss lean angle. PA1 (f) Right the vehicle from the maximum static lean angle. PA1 (g) Minimize effort required to manipulate the side wheels and to right the vehicle from the maximum static lean angle. PA1 (h) Provide independently actuable side wheels. PA1 (i) Provide caster side wheels and, more particularly, to provide limited-pivot-angle caster side wheels. PA1 (a) Automobile comfort and safety. PA1 (b) Driving enjoyment akin to that experienced with a motorcycle, economy, ease of maintenance, providing a vehicle qualifying for diamond lane privileges, and providing a vehicle of lower ecological damage compared with other feasible vehicle alternatives. PA1 (a) To provide side wheels replacing the rider's feet to hold the vehicle upright at stops and at low speed, the wheels to be retracted at other occasions. PA1 (b) To permit 40 degrees or more vehicle lean to either side up to the optimum tire traction loss lean angle when the side wheels are retracted. PA1 (c) To operate the side wheels by reasonable foot pressure. PA1 (d) To provide a down lock for the side wheels for parking. PA1 (e) To provide rollover, side impact, and other crash protection. PA1 (a) A leg-powered retractable side wheel system is substituted for the direct use of the driver's feet to touch the ground to balance the vehicle during low speeds and stops. PA1 (b) When a rider uses a motorcycle, he learns to position the motorcycle in a balanced condition as it sets into motion. My vehicle is operated somewhat differently in this regard. Leg power is still used, but through foot pedals and mechanical advantage or by a power assist system. My vehicle could be driven in a dynamically-unbalanced condition at any speed, but it is desirable to transition to the dynamically-balanced mode at 5-10 mph. The faster the vehicle is driven, the more force is required to correct the vehicle if it is in an undesirable disposition. PA1 (c) Seating the driver high in a motorcycle is disadvantageous compared to the low seating position in my vehicle. The lower position of the weight of the driver (in a vehicle in which his weight is a significant portion of overall vehicle/occupant weight) leads to more responsive handling and safety due to a lower center of gravity.
Prior vehicles of this type have lacked the ability to retract side wheels far enough to allow the vehicle to lean up to the optimum tire traction loss lean angle. A side wheel retraction system which limits lean angle to only 25 degrees, for example, means the structure involved in the side wheels, even when retracted, will strike the ground when the vehicle rounds turns at moderate speeds. An inspection of currently-produced, nonside wheel, high-performance motorcycle and motor scooter products will demonstrate the ability to lean 40 degrees or more to either side of vertical. This is a standard design feature, and for good reason.
A two-wheeled vehicle in motion, like a motorcycle, is dynamically balanced, and to turn a corner it will lean at an angle determined by the radius of the corner and the velocity of the vehicle, which will define a safe condition as long as tire adhesion to the road surface is maintained. While 40 degrees lean is more lean than the average operator will plan to normally use, misjudgment of a corner's sharpness will require more lean on occasion to safely turn the corner than normally desired. This extra margin to lean (safety margin) must be designed into the vehicle. For this same reason automobiles are capable of rounding corners at far higher speeds than planned daily use requires. Emergency conditions and the unexpected may require a sharper than a normally desired turn. If the maximum lean angle is much less than 40 degrees, the vehicle has an unsafe turn radius limitation, which forces a wider turn than would be allowed with a greater maximum lean angle. In an unexpected condition, if the lean angle is limited and a sharper turn is attempted than the vehicle maximum lean angle will allow, the vehicle will be forced into a wider turn, out of its intended lane of travel, and cross either into the adjacent lane or the road shoulder, depending upon the direction of the turn. Thus, the vehicle could be forced into a lane of oncoming traffic or off the road, both of which would involve unacceptable risk.
A problem particularly addressed in this disclosure is that of tire scrubbing. Side wheel tire scrubbing in a midvehicle-mounted, nonsteering side wheel system creates an inconsistent rolling/sliding function when turning the vehicle in the "held-up by side wheels" driving mode. The major problem caused by this inconsistent rolling/sliding friction is that it induces vehicle lean angle instability. The lean angle instability is most bothersome while transitioning from "held-up by side wheel" driving to "dynamically-balanced" driving while turning a corner, because the driver is attempting to manipulate the side wheels to hold the vehicle at a desired lean angle, leaning into the corner during this transition, while, at the same time, turning the vehicle. A good percentage of starts from stop in a motor vehicle involve such a direction change.
It is a further object of my invention to provide means to right the vehicle when stationary or moving, from a lean angle as much as about the optimum tire traction loss lean angle by force applied by the feet of the driver on pedals, within the normal levels of strength of grown people. The greater the lean angle, the greater the force required to right a vehicle.
Further objectives include:
Automobile comfort is achieved by providing basically an automobile-type seat and seating position, as contrasted to motorcycle seats and driving positions. It is an objective to provide glass and body screening such as may be found in a convertible, as opposed to the wind buffeting and noise found in a motorcycle. A heater can be provided.
Automobile safety can be enhanced by a seat belt and a shoulder harness, by a tubular steel cage and a roll cage, or by a comparable safe body construction. Use of a driving helmet is preferable. An air bag passive restraint could also be provided.
Motorcycle-type ride enjoyment is created because operating the vehicle is like operating a very responsive motorcycle, with an exception that the feet never have to touch the pavement during use. Motorcycle economy is inherent in the small and efficient motorcycle-like motor, the vehicle's low weight, and the provision of low drag with the two wheels. Maintenance is easier due to fewer and less complicated parts. Small and efficient power plants burn less gas and create less emissions.
According to an aspect of the subject invention, a basic linkage for raising and lowering side wheels may employ independently-pivoting first and second lateral torque tubes with independent foot-activation means in order to provide independent lowering and raising of side wheels by either foot.
Further according to the subject invention, a limited-pivot-angle caster side wheel system eliminates the problem of tire scrubbing and lean angle instability during start-up turns. During the turn, as the proper lean angle for "dynamically-balanced" driving is approached, proper side wheel manipulation finishes the task of placing the vehicle at a lean angle where the side wheel carries little or no weight, dynamic balance is then achieved, and the side wheels are retracted for single-track driving.
An additional improvement to the limited-pivot-angle caster side wheel system is the addition of means to influence the side wheel swivel position as a function of the lean angle of the vehicle, such that the caster side wheels will track properly at all lean angles regardless of pivot pin lean angle.
The technology exists to develop my vehicle. Although somewhat similar vehicles were proposed starting as early as about 1924, apparently full-scale production has not been achieved. One difficulty may have been the failure to create a system for righting the vehicle within the strength capabilities of normal drivers. It is an objective of my invention to provide a family of mechanisms to right this vehicle.
It is another objective of my invention:
Vehicle operating conditions are much like that of a motorcycle with certain exceptions:

Single-track vehicle with independently actuable and limited-pivot-angle caster side wheels


An unencapsulated bobbin-mounted coil is associated with a stator wherein the stator, in cooperation with other parts of a mold, define a mold cavity. Encapsulating material is injected through gates in one of the other mold parts into the defined mold cavity to encapsulate the coil and bobbin in their entirety, including attachments of the finish lead ends of the coil wire to bobbin-mounted electrical terminals that extend axially away from the bobbin and coil, except for distal end portions of the terminals. The process simultaneously joins the encapsulated coil and bobbin with the stator.

From commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,128, it is known to injection-mold encapsulating material around an electromagnetic coil, thereby creating an encapsulated coil, and then to use the encapsulated coil in the solenoid of a solenoid-actuated valve, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,083,747 and 5,102,095, also commonly assigned.
From pending, commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 07/614,463, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,221, it is known to support an electromagnetic coil on a holder that contains electrical terminals to which terminations of the coil have been attached, to injection-mold encapsulating material around the coil and holder except for distal end portions of the electrical terminals, thereby creating an encapsulated coil, and then to use the encapsulated coil in a solenoid.
When an electromagnetic coil is used in a solenoid-actuated valve, it is typically associated with a stator. Often epoxy is employed to join the two together by adhesive bonding, a process that may be relatively costly, messy, and time-consuming, and occasionally ineffective in achieving a desired degree of bonding.
An encapsulated coil may be associated with a stator by inserting one into the other, in which case dimensional control of the encapsulation must be carefully practiced in order to assure that proper insertion will be attained.
The present invention relates to a new and improved means and method for associating an encapsulated electromagnetic coil with a stator. Briefly, and in a general way, the invention comprises disposing an unencapsulated bobbin-mounted coil in association with a stator wherein the stator, in cooperation with other parts of a mold, define a mold cavity, and then injecting encapsulating material through gates in one or more of such other mold parts into the mold cavity to simultaneously encapsulate the coil and bobbin in their entirety, including attachments of the finish lead ends of the coil wire to bobbin-mounted electrical terminals that extend axially away from the bobbin and coil, except for distal end portions of the terminals, and join the encapsulated coil and bobbin with the stator.
By uniting an unencapsulated bobbin-mounted coil and a stator together in this manner, it may be possible to attain improved flow of encapsulating material into the mold cavity and thicker encapsulation covering the coil in comparison to the prior method described above of first encapsulating the coil and thereafter inserting it into the stator.
The invention possesses additional features that are beneficial to the overall fabrication process. They relate to separating the assembly from the mold after the encapsulating step and to the fabrication of the bobbin. Further features, advantages, and benefits of the invention will be seen in the ensuing description and claims which should be considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate a presently preferred embodiment of the invention according to the best mode contemplated at this time for carrying out the invention.

Method of making a coil molded into a magnetic stator


The present invention is directed to the field of implants that include soft tissue. More particularly, the present invention is directed to processes for treating implants that include soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, and to implants produced by such processes. The present invention is also directed to processes and apparatus for improved processing of implants that include soft tissue, by applying kinematic restraint, preferably tension, to the implant or specific portions of the implants during the treatment, and to implants produced by such processes and apparatus. The present techniques yield soft tissue implants having superior structural, mechanical, and/or biochemical integrity.

Implants comprising soft tissues may be implanted into a recipient to replace and/or repair existing soft tissues. For example, hereditary defects, disease, and/or trauma may damage soft tissues such that replacement and/or repair is desirable. These implants may be allografts, autografts, or xenografts, and the recipients may be human, mammal, or animal recipients. Implants are frequently used where the recipient is a human patient. Implants comprising soft tissues have been used, including in human patients, to replace heart valves, ligaments, tendons and skin, among other tissues.
It is desirable to treat implants, particularly autografts, allografts, and xenografts, to remove one or more undesirable components or to instill one or more desirable components. For example, implants may be passivated, or treated to remove or inactivate bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens and antigenic constituents.
It is also well known to treat implants including implants comprising soft tissues with cleaning agents and/or gamma radiation. However, existing techniques suffer from one or more disadvantages. Undesirable results from radiation can include formation of radicals, hydrogen, and low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons; increased unsaturation; discoloration; and oxidation. The use of some chemical sterilizing agents (for example, glutaraldehyde) increases the risk that a toxic response will be evoked. Furthermore, some chemical sterilizing agents (for example, peroxides) may damage the implant, particularly soft tissues, which tend to be somewhat more fragile than bone and hard tissues. A particular concern with the passivation of implants comprising soft tissues is that treated soft tissue may suffer from increased laxity, reduced stiffness, reduced strength, or reduced biocompatibility, which can lead to variable performance of the implant. It is desirable to have treatment processes, including a process for passivation, that does not cause excessive laxity or reduction in stiffness or strength or biocompatibility of the soft tissue.
There is a continuing need in the art for a method of passivating implants comprising soft tissues that minimizes the possibility of immune rejection or infection. Further, there is a need in the art for a method of passivating implants comprising soft tissues which does not excessively damage the soft tissues. There is also a need for a method of passivating soft tissues that is quick, efficient, and results in a soft tissue with acceptable performance characteristics. U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,735 ("the '735 patent") (LifeNet)—"Process and composition for cleaning soft tissue grafts optionally attached to bone and soft tissue and bone grafts produced thereby," is directed to a method and composition for cleaning cadaveric soft tissue optionally attached to bone to produce soft tissue grafts optionally attached to bone suitable for transplantation into a human. The method involves removing bone marrow elements, blood deposits and any bacteria, virus or fungi contamination, from the donor bone and/or associated soft tissues. The '735 patent discloses a process in which bone graft and associated soft tissue is contacted with a first solvent that may include an alcohol, and a second solvent that may include hydrogen peroxide or an alcohol (col 14, line 65 to col. 16, line 34, and col. 17, line 53 to col. 18, line 56). Optional components (including hydrogen peroxide) may be added to either the first, second, third, or any subsequent solvents. (Id.) However, this process does not address damage from peroxide nor does it teach any method of protecting the tissues from such damage. Furthermore, the '735 patent states: "The order of use of solvents and the particular compositions of a particular solvent used in the present process is not critical as long as the first solvent used is a solvent containing one or more detergents." (col. 17, lines 13-16).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,871 ("the '871 patent") (LifeNet)—"Ultrasonic Cleaning of Allograft Bone," is directed to a method for cleaning cadaveric donor bone to produce bone grafts suitable for transplantation into a human, as well as the bone grafts produced thereby. The method involves removing bone marrow potentially containing bacteria, virus or fungi, from the donor bone by sonicating the bone in a solvent containing one or more detergents to produce bone grafts essentially free from bone marrow. The solvent may contain, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: sterile water; saline; a detergent; an alcohol, for example, ethanol and/or isopropanol, solvents, a combination of solutes desired to facilitate solubilization of bone marrow; chelating agent; virucidal agent; bactericidal agent; antimycotic agent; sodium hydroxide or similar strong base, organic and/or inorganic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The '871 patent also discloses the use of decontaminating agents including, but not limited to, one or more of an antibacterial agent; an antiviral agent; an antimycotic agent; an alcohol for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and/or t-butyl; trisodium phosphate; sodium hydroxide; hydrogen peroxide; and/or any detergent. The '871 patent states that soft tissue debridement is not an essential element of the bone cleaning technology, but the '871 patent does not state that its cleaning method is suitable for cleaning soft tissues, nor does it address the issue of sterilant damage to soft tissues, not does it discuss methods of protecting soft tissue from such damage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,893 ("the '893 patent") (Shah) (which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,428) discloses an apparatus and method for inducing growth of soft tissues including skin, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and spinal cord which includes a tensioned spring causing the application of force on the soft tissue in the direction of the desired growth. The device also includes means for attaching the tensioned spring to the tissue and means for maintaining tension on the spring as the tissue grows. Further, a monitoring and control device can be included which can monitor and control the amount of growth.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,357 ("the '357 patent") (Arthrex)—"Method For Preparing A Bone-Tendon-Bone Core Graft", discloses a method for preparing a bone-tendon-bone core graft. A bone core is harvested from a patient and divided into two separate bone core halves. The bone core halves are inserted onto holding pins which are movably spaced along a work station. A harvested tendon is secured with suture onto the bone core halves, with the tendon extending therebetween to form the bone-tendon-bone core graft. The holding pins are supported by blocks which are moved apart along the work station to tension the bone-tendon-bone graft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,626 ("the '626 patent") (Cryolife)—"Preparation of Bone for Transplantation", relates to a method of preparing bone for transplantation by maintaining the internal matrix of the bone to be implanted, preferably at high pressure, in the presence of a decontaminating agent, preferably polyvinyl pyrrolidine-iodine (PVP-I) optionally in the presence of a detergent, in solution. The '626 patent discloses a variety of other decontaminating agents which have been found to inactivate a wide range of infectious agents including bacteria, fungi, parasites and virus: hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, ozone, ethylene oxide, irradiation and mixtures thereof and with PVP-I. Although the '626 patent discloses that its procedure may be applied to bone blocks with attached connective tissue, it states that the connective tissue should not be subjected to the cleaning procedures: "If bone blocks with attached connective tissue are to be cleaned, the connective—tissue tendons, ligaments, menisci, for example—should be covered with a sterile covering such as plastic wrap or sterile drape during the cleaning procedure." (col. 5, line 41-45).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,970 ("the '970 patent") (Culp)—"Plasticized bone and soft tissue grafts and methods of making and using same," is directed to a plasticized dehydrated or freeze-dried bone and/or soft tissue product. Water in the molecular structure of the bone or soft tissue matrix is replaced with one or more plasticizers. Permeation enhancers such as isopropanol may be used to facilitate permeation of plasticizer into bone or soft tissue. (col. 7, line 17).
Tissue sterilization methods known in the art have undesirable attributes. Gamma irradiation, in order to ensure destruction of pathogens, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has been used at doses that result in tissue destruction (e.g. 3.5 Mrad; see, for example, Rasmussen, et al., J. Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, 10(2):188-197, (1994); Goertzen, et al., British Soc. of Bone and Joint Surg., 77:204-211 (805); Loty, et al., International Orthopaedics, 14:237-242, (1990)). Use of ethylene oxide has been found to result in implants that produce inflammatory responses (Kudryk, et al., J. Biomedical Materials, 26:1477-1488, (1992); Thoren, et al., Clin. Orthopaedics, 318:259-263, (1995); Simonian, et al., Clin. Orthopaedics, 302:290-296, (1994); Jackson, et al., Am. J. Sports Medicine, 18:1-9, (1990)). Standard chemical solution treatments, while effective in sterilizing surfaces with which the solutions are brought into contact, tend to be insufficiently penetrating to reach the interstices of tissues, where potentially pathogenic organisms may reside. With regard to sterilization of soft tissue, the potential for damage to the soft tissue by irradiation, ethylene oxide, or chemical solution treatment is of particular concern, because soft tissue are more susceptible to damage than bone tissue. Even milder sterilants such as peroxides may cause damage due to swelling of the tissues and the presence of residual reaction byproducts.
A desirable treatment process includes one or more of the following features: Effective removal or inactivation of a wide range of bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens; absence of graft toxicity; retention of desirable tissue characteristics, such as biomechanical strength or growth-inducing properties; effectiveness across a wide range of operating modifications and for a wide variety of tissue types; ability to conclude the process in a final implant tissue container, to ensure sterile packaging and delivery for implantation; ability to apply automated control and monitoring systems and develop an automated and validated process.

Process and apparatus for treating implants comprising soft tissue


A method for determining the complex response of a permeable stratum at the bottom of a producing well, the well comprising a well head fitted with an outlet valve and the bottom of the well comprising a height-adjustable pressure and flow rate sensor, comprising the following steps: periodically altering the degree to which the outlet valve is open, and, while the alteration is in progress: —measuring the pressure and flow rate in the well at the top/bottom of the stratum for a certain number of periods of alteration, after a certain delay; and —measuring the pressure and the flow rate in the well at the bottom/top of the stratum for a certain number of periods of alteration, immediately after the positioning of the sensor.

The present invention relates to methods and devices for determining the hydraulic potential of a porous permeable stratum at the bottom of a well to assess the level of production of a deposit, especially of an oil deposit. "Stratum" here designates any portion of a deposit from which an effluent originates, emerging into a well inside of a continuous interval having a height smaller than or equal to the total height of the deposit.

Method for determining the complex response of a permeable stratum


An attachment device for a personal electronic device is provided in a pair of cooperating plates with a first plate, hereinafter referred to as an outer plate, of the pair of cooperating plates being affixed to the personal electronic device and a second plate, hereinafter referred to as an inner plate, of the pair of cooperating plates configured for removable adhering to the outer plate via a magnetic coupling. Accordingly, the outer plate and the inner plate are sided to enable the cooperative features of the device.

Within today's world one of the most common items found on any one person is a personal electronic device, such as a mobile phone. This personal electronic device is often used for a variety of tasks, including, but not limited to, communication, photography, Internet access, social media, tele/video conferencing, and entertainment. As this personal electronic device has become so prevalent, users of these devices are continually searching for new and improved ways for storing and securing these devices on their person.
One such solution is the use of a case having a clip or holster for the personal electronic device. These clips or holsters, as they are sometimes called, are useful, but do have several disadvantages. First, they generally restrain the device to a belt or waistline region of user. Second, they are generally utilized to restrain the device while the device is not in use and generally are not configured to enable use of the device whilst the device is restrained. Third, these devices may position the device in an uncomfortable position when the wearer is in a seated position.
Yet another solution is an elastic type holder constructed of extensible materials. Typically, these holders are generally described as arm bands or bands and generally include an adjustable strap member coupled to pocket sized to receive the personal electronic device. This pocket usually includes a transparent window enabling a user to view the screen of the device and otherwise operate the device through this transparent window. These elastic type holders, although useful, have several disadvantages. First, it is difficult to place the devices into and out of the holder during use. Second, the transparent window tends to distort images on the phone and makes the device difficult to use.
Still yet another alternate solution, is for users to place the personal electronic device into a pocket within a clothing item. However, this solution has several disadvantages as well. First, the user may not be wearing clothes a pocket large enough or convenient enough for securing the device. Second, if a pocket is present within the clothing item, this pocket may be too small for the device is placed in an uncomfortable position and does not provide adequate storage while the device is in use.
Therefore, there is a need within the marketplace for an improved solution for holding a personal electronic device during use and when not in use. Preferably this solution is useful for any type and style of device, is applicable for attachment to any type of clothing, and is configured to support the device while it is in use.

Attachment device for personal electronic device


It is an object of the present invention to provide a pyrene derivative represented by the general formula (1) that is unlikely to crystallize and is superior in quality in the case of forming a film

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pyrene derivative that emits light efficiently, has great heat resistance, permits an uniform film to be formed, and is morphologically stable, and further relates to a light-emitting element that has an anode, a cathode, and a layer including an organic compound from which luminescence can be obtained by applying an electric field (hereinafter, referred to as "a layer including a luminescent layer").
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic compounds include more varied material kinds of materials in comparison with inorganic compounds, and have a possibility that a material that has various functions can be synthesized by an appropriate molecular design. Also, they have features that a molded article such as a film is flexible and excellent workability is provided by polymerization. Based on these advantages, photonics and electronics utilizing functional organic materials have been attracting attention recently.
For example, examples of a photoelectric device utilizing an organic semiconductor material as a functional organic material include a solar cell and a light-emitting device (also referred to as an organic electroluminescent device), which are devices utilizing an electric property (carrier transporting property) and an optical property (light absorption or light emission) of the organic semiconductor material, and, among them, the light-emitting device has been showing remarkable progresses.
The light-emitting device has a light-emitting element interposing a layer including a luminescent material between a pair of electrodes (an anode and a cathode), which is said to have the light emission mechanism that a hole injected from the anode and an electron injected from the cathode are recombined in the luminescence center of the layer including the luminescent material to form an excited molecule in an excited state when a voltage is applied between the both electrodes and energy is released to emit light while the excited molecule moves back toward the ground state. As the excited state, a singlet excited state and a triplet excited state are known, and luminescence is said to be possible through any of the singlet excited state and the triplet excited state.
In order to manufacture a full-color display by using the light-emitting element, it is necessary to arrange pixels that emit light of three primary colors of red, green, and blue. As a method for that purpose, there are various applicable methods. However, blue luminescence is indispensable in any method, and it is desired to provide a blue light-emitting element that is high in luminance, efficiency, and color purity.
Meanwhile, as a conventional blue light-emitting element, a light-emitting element using 1,3,6,8-tetraphenylpyrene or a derivative thereof as a luminescent material is known (refer to Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document1, for example). However, since a thin film of the luminescent material is likely to undergo crystallization, there is a problem that it is difficult to keep the film morphologically uniform and obtain stable light emission for a long stretch of time. Further, the luminous efficiency is insufficient.
(Patent Document 1)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-118682
(Non-Patent Document 1)
Wataru Sotoyama, et al., 2003 SID International Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, Vol. 34, 1294–1297 (2003)

Pyrene derivative, light emitting element, and light emitting device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A split load cradle for conveyor belts comprised of two pipes (1 and 2) is disclosed. The longer pipe (1) incorporates vertical arms (3, 4 and 5) having an upper ends obliquely facing each other wherein the end rolls (11) of the load cradle (10) are pivoted. Between the shorter arm (5) and the shorter arm (4) an intermediary roll (12) is also pivoted between. The second shorter pipe (2) is just like the first longer pipe (1). Both longer and shorter pipes (1 and 2) are longitudinally split in their lower part by a narrow slot (6) and fit said pipes around and axially into another pipe (7) having a lower diameter. This arrangement is attached to the structure (8) of the conveyor belt (T).

It is known by those skilled in the art, that conveyor belts are moved on tubular rolls supported by transversely disposed structures under said conveyor belt wherein said structures called cradles are fixed to the steel frame that supports the conveyor belt by means of bolts. In spite of the large use, said arrangement brings forth a substantial difficulty and provides a relevant idleness to the conveyor belts when they have to be removed in order to perform preventive or corrective maintenance services on the load rolls disposed under the conveyor belts.
To replace the rolls which are encased in the cradles it is necessary preliminary to stop the conveyor belt so that it may be possible to remove the bolts attaching the cradles to the steel frame, and than the cradle must be tumbled for replacing the load rolls (rollers). At least two operators are required to carry out this replacement.
The roll replacement becomes even more complex when it is carried out in a small and/or in other hard-to-reach areas.
The shutdown of the conveyor belt, for example, in an ore processing industry, when necessary for the roll maintenance requires the shutdown of the pelletizing step and discontinuing the production, what is too detrimental.
In addition, it should de emphasized that there is a great lack of safety in the removal of the cradle, since the mechanician is continuously exposed to the risk of accident.


A fastener apparatus and system for fastening an article through an opening in a mounting plate (501) includes a retaining nut (101) with a head portion (103) having a face surface (105), and a barrel portion (107) emanating from the face surface (105). The barrel portion (107) has a radially threaded surface (109) disposed on an interior portion (111) thereof commencing at a first position (113) proximate the face surface (105) and terminating at a second position (115) apart from the face surface (105). At least one longitudinal aperture (117) is disposed through a wall (119) of the barrel portion (107) commencing at the second position (115) and terminating at a third position (121), apart from the first position (113). The at least one longitudinal aperture (117) has a geometry that that relieves stress caused by force radially-applied to the head portion (103) of the retaining nut (101) when it is tightened around a mating threaded post.

Physical objects, such as antennas must have provision for field installation. In particular, in a radio-based system, such as a G.P.S. (Global Positioning System) a radio portion is typically installed inside a vehicle. An antenna needs to be mounted on the exterior of the vehicle so it is able to receive signals from satellites. Since these G.P.S. systems are often installed in the field, rather than in a factory environment where assembly can be controlled precisely, the antenna mounting mechanism and method needs to be intolerant to improper installation. Typically, the antenna is installed through a hole in vehicle's trunk, or elsewhere through a sheet metal or fiberglass body panel. Since the operating environment of a vehicle can include wide temperature excursions, and high intensity shock and vibration, the antenna must be fastened securely to survive and remain attached to the mounting location.
A standard technique is to affix the antenna through the vehicle's body panel using a fastener. During installation the fastener is progressively tightened by applying a radial force. As the radial force is applied, the antenna and the fastener clamp around the body panel. To withstand the severe vehicular environment the fastener needs to be radially torqued to a prescribed torque rating. One common problem with this is that a special wrench with a torque indication must be used to ensure that the proper torque rating is applied.
As a practical matter many field installers of these G.P.S. antennas do not use a torque wrench and often tighten the fastener without regard to the actual force applied to the fastener. For that matter installers rarely reads installation instructions where recommendation on torque are stated. These situations rarely result in a properly torqued fastener, and often results in an over-torqued fastener because the installer wants to make sure the antenna is securely mounted. Since the antenna fasteners are typically threaded, quite often the threads are stripped, especially in the case of thermoplastic based fasteners and antennas. If stripped the antenna and fastener need to be replaced. This is not only costly but very inconvenient for the field installer. Moreover, if the fastener threads are partially fatigued due to excessive application of force the installer may not detect it, and the antenna-fastener assembly can fail later in the field. So field reliability is also a major concern.
On the other hand, if the fastener is not torqued enough, the antenna can fall off.
What is needed is an improved fastening system that is easy to install, and is reliable independent of the field installation abuse.

Fastener apparatus and system with self-setting torque and over-torque protection


Disclosed herein is a width control device which automatically controls the width of an armrest, provided in a seat of a vehicle, in response to the body type of a passenger, thus enabling the passenger to sit in a comfortable position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to width control devices of armrests for vehicles and, more particularly, to a width control device of an armrest for a vehicle which controls the width of the armrest, which is provided in a seat of the vehicle.
2. Background Art
Generally, armrests, provided on consoles in vehicles or provided on rear seats, are an accessory in the vehicle that allows passengers who sit in the corresponding seats to place their arms thereon, thus providing the passenger with a comfortable ride.
Armrests that are provided on the consoles are stationary types, and are thus unmovable. However, as shown in FIG. 1, an armrest 7, that is provided on a rear seat 5, is freely rotatable. Therefore, when the armrest 7 is not in use, it is placed in an upright state, and, when use of the armrest 7 is desired, it is rotated downwards and maintained in a horizontal state.
Such a conventional armrest for rear seats has been developed so that the height is suitably adjustable so as to avoid an inconvenience that may be caused when the height of the seated passenger is considerably large or small compared to an armrest.
Generally armrests are designed preferably such that only the height is adjustable in response to the height of the passenger seated in the rear seat, and further without taking into account whether the user is thin or fat.
Accordingly, the conventional armrest, provided in the rear seat, is adjustable only in height but has no means for adjusting the width.
As such, the conventional armrest for rear seats has a fixed width and does not take various body types of passengers, that is, whether the passengers are thin or fat, into account. Therefore, there is a problem in that it may be inconvenient for a passenger to place his/her arm on the armrest.
The above information disclosed in this the Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Width control device of armrest for vehicles


Embodiments of a shunt tube connector assembly generally include a jumper tube assembly and a cooperative shroud assembly. In one embodiment, the jumper tube assembly includes a jumper tube having two tube connectors slideable thereon, where the tube connectors are fluidly connectable to shunt tubes. In one embodiment, the shroud assembly includes shroud segments, and corresponding shroud connection collars that include openings for shunt tubes and a transverse dove tail in the surface thereof, where shroud segments have a dove pin extending inwardly therefrom and adapted to engage a collar dove tail. Embodiments of a method for connecting and shrouding connectable pipe segments equipped with exterior shunt tubes generally include providing fluidly connected pipe segments having collars comprising an exterior surface opened dove tail, fluidly connecting shunt tubes, and attaching shroud segments around at least a portion of each said pipe segment by engaging a dove pin with the dovetail.

Down-hole drilling operations commonly require filter screens to restrain flow of sand and particulates existing in the well environment from entering pipe openings. In a common application, shunt tubes are utilized exterior of a base pipe to provide fluid communication downhole independent of flow through a base pipe.
As presently practiced, jumper tubes are provided at connections of the base pipe sections. Jumper tubes provide fluid connection of a shunt tube on a pipe section to a corresponding shunt tube attached to an abutting pipe section. Jumper tubes are installed after connection of pipe sections.
Generally, for adjoining pipe sections, shunt tube ends are aligned when pipe sections are connected. The jumper tube is inserted between respective shunt tube ends. The jumper tube has a connector at each end comprising a telescoping tube section slideable on the jumper tube. Each telescoping tube section is extended to cover a corresponding shunt tube end. Seals are provided intermediate the telescoping sections and corresponding jumper tube sections, and intermediate telescoping sections and corresponding shunt tube ends to provide a contained fluid flow path from a shunt tube through a jumper tube to the next corresponding shunt tube. Set screws are used to retain a telescoping tube section to a corresponding shunt tube end and to retain a telescoping tube end to a corresponding jumper tube.
Split covers are used to encase the jumper tube assemblies for protection downhole. As commercially practiced, split covers comprise a tubular assembly cut longitudinally into two sections. Split covers are hinged along one pair of adjoining edges to allow the cover to open and close longitudinally. After connection of jumper tubes, split covers are positioned external of the pipe joint and jumper tubes, and closed to provide a concentric cover and attached at abutting edges distal the hinge with screws or locking bolts.
Exemplary shunt tube systems are described in, among others, U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,991 to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,394 to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,516 to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,989 to Setterberg, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,056 to Dybevik, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,957,141 to Rouse, et al.
Exemplary jumper tube connectors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,267 to Setterberg, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,886,819 to Setterberg, Jr.

Shunt tube connector assembly and method


In an electromagnetically operable engine valve assembly including a controller for an internal combustion engine, a stable initialization is achieved which suppresses a collision of a movable element against an electromagnet to cope with a viscosity of a lubricating oil during an engine start under an engine low temperature. A supplied current value is feedback controlled in accordance with a position of movable element when an initialization control such that a current is continuously supplied to one of electromagnets is executed. At this time, the feedback control gain G1 is, first, set to a relatively small value and is, thereafter, switched to a relatively large value at a gradual pace for each execution of the initialization control until the initialization control has succeeded in moving the movable element to an initial position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus and method for controlling an electromagnetically operable engine valve assembly in which a movable element is driven to move through a control over a current flowing through one of a pair of electromagnets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technology which enables the use of a technique which corresponds to an increase in resistance due to a viscosity of an engine lubricating oil when a position of the movable element is initialized during an engine start under an engine low temperature region so that a collision between the movable element and the electromagnet can stably be suppressed and a contribution to a reduction in a power consumption can be made.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, an adoption of the, so-called, electromagnetically operable engine valves as intake and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine with an electromagnetic actuator as a power device has been discussed.
In this kind of engine valve, such an initialization control that a movable element rested on a neutral position is moved to an initial position (namely, a position corresponding to a valve closure state) is carried out during an engine start.
To achieve the initialization control, such a technique as to utilize a pendulum motion of a spring-mass oscillation system constituting the spring and movable element and to alternatingly supply a power to a pair of electromagnets disposed on upper and lower parts of the movable element at a timing which is coincident with a specific oscillation frequency of the movable element.
According to the above-described technique, the resonance in the oscillation system is induced, the movable element rested is gradually oscillated widely (an amplitude of the oscillation is gradually increased) so that the movable element can be moved to the initial position.
Japanese Patent Application First Publications No. Heisei 9-195736 published on Jul. 29, 1997 and Heisei 10-288014 published on Oct. 27, 1998 exemplify the initialization control described above.
However, in such a case where the engine is started under the low temperature region (especially, under an extremely low temperature region between xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. and xe2x88x9220xc2x0 C., a viscosity of the engine lubricating oil in a movable section (including the movable element and its surrounding portion) is increased. To perform the initialization utilizing such a pendulum motion as described in the BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (hereinafter, referred to as a resonance initialization), a current value for the one of the electromagnets required to develop the resonance initialization becomes remarkably increased.
As described above, the resonance initialization is not only disadvantageous under the engine low temperature region but also may cause the movable element to be landed onto the one of the pair of electromagnets which is energized to attract the movable element at a high velocity since an electromagnetic force acted upon the movable section becomes excessive when a large current is, at the first time, supplied to the attracted side electromagnet if the resonance initialization is tried to be executed even under the low temperature region. Such a violent collision of the movable element against the corresponding electromagnet is a problem to be avoided from the standpoint of vibration, noise, and durability of the movable element and valve body.
To solve such a problem as described above, a software control technique utilizing a detected position information of the movable element to reduce a landing velocity has been proposed.
According to the proposed software control technique, a highly accurate control of the landing velocity can be achieved by using a model constant (for example, mass, friction, and spring constant) related to the electromagnetically operable engine valve which is a controlled system. Thus, the collision of the movable element against each of the electromagnets can be suppressed.
However, it is difficult to always perform a stable control even if such a software control technique as described above is applied to the electromagnetically operable engine valve. This is because a friction (representing a magnitude of a friction force based on a viscosity of the lubricating oil of the movable section) which is the object of the above-described model constant is largely varied in accordance with a temperature variation and its value is uncertain under the low temperature region.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide control apparatus and method for the electromagnetically operable engine valve which are capable of executing the initialization control which can stably suppress the collision of the movable element against each or one of the pair of electromagnets and can reduce the power consumption as low as possible under the low temperature region which would make it difficult to execute a favorable resonance initialization due to the increase in the viscosity resistance.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electromagnetically operable engine valve assembly for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a movable element; a spring element to bias the movable element at a neutral position; an electromagnet unit faced against the movable element; a control apparatus to control a current supplied to the electromagnet unit to drive the movable element so as to regulate a displacement of a valve body associated with the movable element, the control apparatus comprising: an initialization control section that executes an initialization control such that the current is continuously supplied for the electromagnet unit to move the movable element rested at the neutral position to an initial position; a position detector enabled to detect a position of the movable element with respect to the electromagnet unit; a first current supply control section that performs a feedback control of the current supplied to the electromagnet unit during the execution of the initialization control by a feedback control gain on the basis of the position of the movable element detected by the position detector; and a feedback control gain varying section that varies the feedback control gain in such a manner that as the movable element becomes nearer to the initial position, a velocity of the movable element to arrive at the initial position becomes reduced when the initialization control section executes the initialization control repeatedly until the initialization control has succeeded in moving the movable element to the initial position during an engine start.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electromagnetically operable engine valve assembly for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a movable element; a pair of springs to bias the movable element at a neutral position; a pair of electromagnets, each electromagnet being faced against the movable element; a control apparatus to control a current supplied to one of the pair of electromagnets to drive the movable element so as to regulate a displacement of a valve body associated with the movable element, the control apparatus comprising: an initialization control section that executes an initialization control such that the current is continuously supplied to one of the pair of electromagnets to move the movable element rested at the neutral position to an initial position; a position detector enabled to detect a position of the movable element with respect to one of the pair of electromagnets; a first current supply control section that performs a feedback control of the current supplied to one of the pair of electromagnets during the execution of the initialization control by a feedback control gain on the basis of the position of the movable element detected by the position detector; and a feedback control gain switching section that switches the feedback control gain in such a manner that as the movable element becomes nearer to the initial position, a velocity of the movable element to arrive at the initial position becomes reduced when the initialization control section executes the initialization control repeatedly until the initialization control has succeeded in moving the movable element to the initial position during an engine start.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method applicable to an electromagnetically operable engine valve assembly in an internal combustion engine, the electromagnetically operable engine valve assembly comprising: a movable element; a spring element to bias the movable element at a neutral position; an electromagnet unit faced against the movable element; and a control apparatus to control a current supplied to the electromagnet unit to drive the movable element so as to regulate a displacement of a valve body associated with the movable element, and the method comprising: executing an initialization control such that the current is continuously supplied for the electromagnet unit to move the movable element rested at the neutral position to an initial position; detecting a position of the movable element with respect to the electromagnet unit; performing a feedback control of the current supplied to the electromagnet unit during the execution of the initialization control by a feedback control gain on the basis of the detected position of the movable element; and varying the feedback control gain in such a manner that as the movable element becomes nearer to the initial position, a velocity of the movable element to arrive at the initial position becomes reduced when executing the initialization control repeatedly until the initialization control has succeeded in moving the movable element to the initial position during an engine start.
This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all necessary features so that the invention may also be a sub-combination of these described features.

Apparatus and method for controlling electromagnetically operable engine valve assembly


A method for mapping an element of an engineering schematic into a schematic element database is provided. The method electronically scans a schematic to recognize a plurality of elements visually represented in the schematic, wherein each of the plurality of elements is associated with predefined schematic element visual attributes; and maps each of the plurality of recognized elements to any one of a plurality of saved database elements, based on common visual attributes.

A vehicle health management model provides the capability to import existing design data, service procedures and maintenance records for use in development of automated monitoring, diagnostic, prognostic and maintenance support systems. Since most of this data is located in multiple manuals, complex engineering drawings, control block diagrams, and the like, it is necessary to have a mechanism to import all of them quickly and accurately into the model. Although it is a relatively simple task to import textual data into a vehicle health management model, it is a challenge to electronically scan all required engineering schematics to quickly and accurately extract component information for the model.
Accordingly, it is desirable to use an algorithm to scan existing engineering schematics and to extract schematic element data from engineering schematics. In addition, it is desirable to automatically link the schematic element data to previously defined schematic elements in the model. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Methods and apparatus to map schematic elements into a database


According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a sound absorbing device utilizing a Helmholtz resonator, and a hinged exterior cover operable to open and close relative to the apparatus body. The hinged exterior cover is a hinged cover configured to pivot about a pivot shaft arranged at a lower end portion of the hinged exterior cover. At least a part of the hinged exterior cover has a multiplex structure made by overlaying a plurality of plate-like members on one another. The sound absorbing device is formed by utilizing space between two plate-like members of the plurality of plate-like members making up the multiplex structure as a cavity of the Helmholtz resonator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an image forming apparatus including a sound absorbing device utilizing a Helmholtz resonator.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus typically emits, when forming an image, sounds including operating sounds of various drive units and rotational sound of a polygon mirror. Example configurations for absorbing sounds emitted during image formation are disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2000-235396 and Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2001-11745, each disclosing an image forming apparatus including a sound absorbing device utilizing a Helmholtz resonator.
A Helmholtz resonator is made of a cavity having a certain volume and a port portion connecting the cavity to the outside air. Frequency f of sound to be absorbed by a sound absorbing device utilizing a Helmholtz resonator is given by Equation (1) below
                    f        =                              c                          2                            π                                                                    S                              V                                                  (                                      H                    +                                          Δ                                                                                r                                                        )                                                                                (        1        )            where V is the volume of the cavity, S is opening area of the port portion, H is the length of the port portion in the direction in which sounds come in, c is the speed of sound, and Δr is open end correction.
Some type of image forming apparatuses includes a hinged exterior cover operable to open and close relative to an apparatus body so as to expose a consumable, which can be a toner bottle and/or a process cartridge, when a user replaces the consumable. Such a hinged exterior cover is typically arranged in one side surface, which faces a user operating a control panel of the image forming apparatus, of side surfaces of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, if sound leaks out of the apparatus from the side surface facing the user, the sound is likely to be perceived as objectionable noise.
One type of such a hinged exterior cover of an image forming apparatus is a double-door hinged cover hinged on the right and left, an example of which is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2000-235396. However, recent image forming apparatuses generally employ a hinged exterior cover of a vertically-pivotable type configured to rotate about a pivot shaft arranged at a lower end portion of the hinged cover from a closed state to an open state in a manner to tilt toward near side (outer side). Such a vertically-pivotable hinged exterior cover is advantageous in that even if an operator who is opening the hinged exterior cover releases his/her hand therefrom, the hinged exterior cover can rotate under its own weight to the open state. However, the hinged exterior cover can be damaged by a shock imparted thereto when, after rotating under its own weight, the hinged exterior cover stops rotating suddenly at a position where the hinged exterior cover is in the open state. For this reason, a hinged exterior cover is required to have greater strength than such a double-door hinged cover as that disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2000-235396.
Thus, there is a need for an image forming apparatus capable of reducing leakage of sound from a side surface, in which a vertically-pivotable hinged exterior cover configured to pivot about a pivot shaft arranged at a lower end portion of the hinged exterior cover is provided, of the image forming apparatus while simultaneously increasing strength of the hinged exterior cover.

Image forming apparatus having a sound absorber


A method and apparatus for preventing the loss of a remote control input device used with a stationary device provides the stationary device with a transmitter and a signal generator that generates signals transmitted by the transmitter. The remote control input device communicates wirelessly with the stationary device, and has a wireless signal receiver that receives the signals from the signal generator, and a distance warning circuit. A distance warning output signal is produced by the distance warning circuit when the input device is beyond a specified distance from the stationary device, as a function of the signals received by the wireless signal receiver. The remote control input device also has an indicator that produces a human-perceptible distance warning signal in response to the production of the distance warning output signal by the distance warning circuit. This alerts a person carrying the remote control input device beyond a specified distance from the stationary device that the remote control input device is being moved out of range of the stationary device, and thereby helps to prevent the permanent loss of the remote control input device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of wireless remote control input devices, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for preventing the loss of a remote control input device.
2. Description of Related Art
Remote control input devices have become commonplace in the modern world. The remote control input devices normally provide input data or control signals in a wireless fashion to a stationary device. Examples of stationary devices that are used in conjunction with remote control input devices include Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs), televisions, digital satellite systems, personal computers (when used with a wireless keyboard), stereos, etc.
The freedom provided by the wireless communication between the stationary device and the remote control input device, with the mobility of the remote control input device, makes the likelihood of the loss of the remote control input device at some point in time very high. Loss of the remote control input device for any period of time causes an inconvenience for the operator of the stationary device, and if the loss is permanent, a financial cost is exacted on the owner of the stationary device. Also, the remote control input device may be difficult or impossible to replace, thereby making the operation of the stationary device burdensome.
An attempt to prevent loss of a remote control of a television or a VCR was provided by Magnavox. In the Magnavox system, a button located on the VCR or television was depressed by a person desiring to locate a remote controller that was temporarily misplaced. The VCR or television would transmit a signal and the remote control device would respond to that signal by emitting an auditory location signal. A person listening for the sound of the auditory location signal emitted by the remote control would be able to then find the misplaced remote control.
Although such a finding system for a remote control is helpful in locating a temporarily misplaced remote control that is near the stationary device, this solution does not help when the remote control device is beyond the range of the transmitted signal from the stationary device. For example, if the television or VCR were located in the basement of a home, and the remote control input device was placed in a nightstand in the third floor bedroom, it is possible that the location signal transmitted by the stationary device could not be picked up by the distantly located and misplaced remote control device. In other words, the remote control device could be located beyond the range of the transmitted signal.

Auto-finder and distance warning method and apparatus for a remote control input device


Methods for the identification of microorganisms or infectious disorders are disclosed, comprising obtaining a suitable sample from sources such as persons, animals, plants, food, water or soil. The methods also comprise providing tailored nucleic acid substrate(s) designed to react with a type 1 topoisomerase from one or more microorganism(s) or infectious agent(s), and incubating said substrate with said sample, or extracts or preparations from the sample, so that the substrate is processed by said topoisomerase if said microorganism(s) or infectious agent(s) is present in the sample. Microfluidic-implemented methods of detecting an enzyme, in particular a DNA-modifying enzyme, are also provided, as well as methods for detecting a cell, or a microorganism expressing said enzyme. The enzyme is detected by providing a nucleic acid substrate, which is specifically targeted by that enzyme.

According to WHO, the prevalence of malaria is between 300-500 million cases worldwide, while approximately 30% of the human population is expected to be infected with tuberculosis. While malaria primarily affects the poorest regions of the world, tuberculosis (TB) is more widespread in both developing and developed countries. Tuberculosis is a global disease, which pose such a big problem that the World Health Organization in 1993 ruled disaster alarm. The majority of tuberculosis sufferers are found in the third world countries, in particular Africa and Southeast Asia, but there are also cases of tuberculosis in western countries, both among natives and immigrants. The global mobility of tuberculosis is increased due to global traffic and tourism, and the problems of the global prevalence of tuberculosis is underscored by the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis that can not be treated with traditional medicine, in particular the Baltic countries.
On a world wide scale, about two to three million people die every year, in particular children and young people. WHO estimated in 2000 that approx. 33% of the world population (about 2 billion people) is infected with tuberculosis; of these, approx. 5-10% develop the disease at some point in their lifetime.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by inhalation of tuberculosis bacteria (Mycobacteria tuberculosis). These bacteria attack primarily the lungs, and cause a slight infection during the first six weeks without any serious symptoms. From the lungs, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream to other organs, although still without necessarily doing any damage at first. In many cases, the infection is fought, if the infected person has a good immune system, however, months or years later, the disease may break out in both lungs and other organs if the immune system is weakened for various reasons. Today, outbreak of tuberculosis often occurs in connection with immune system weakening associated with HIV infection, in particular on the African continent. If tuberculosis is spread further in western countries, tuberculosis outbreak are likely to occur also among cancer patients and other patients, where the immune system is challenged.
A person with active tuberculosis infects on average 10 to 15 other people. Infection occurs through the air with tuberculosis bacteria in saliva droplets from cough or sputum from the patient being inhaled by others. Symptoms of tuberculosis such as heavy coughing and spitting does at least in the initial phases of the disease appear very alarming. The danger of infection is especially high in highly populated areas. The increasing global urbanization combined with increased migration is therefore an important factor in the rising number of tuberculosis cases worldwide.
Among the most important factors in fighting the spread of tuberculosis are effective and rapid methods of diagnosis so that persons with active and infectious tuberculosis can be isolated and subject to treatment. Already after fourteen days of antibiotic treatment, the risk of further transmission of the disease is prevented. To halt the spread of antibiotic resistant tuberculosis bacteria and to curb the spread of infection, WHO recommends a treatment strategy to reduced the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course) which provides control and monitoring of patients and as such requires a safe, effective and rapid diagnosis of the disease. One of the problems when it comes to slow the spread of tuberculosis is that it has not yet succeeded in developing diagnosis methods that meet the necessary criteria, such as efficient at-bed-side diagnostic tools. Current diagnosis of TB relies on advanced instrumentation and facilities. Furthermore, diagnostics involve a several day long procedure. The method of the present invention, by contrast, is based on simple technology and can be performed and read-out at the bed-side within a few hours, provided that suitable platform development is achieved. When considering that each untreated TB patient on average transfers the infection to 10-15 other persons, early diagnosis allowing early treatment, which immediately prevents transfer of the disease, is of utmost importance.

System for identification of microorganism and detection of infectious disease


Various semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture are employed. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a MOS-compatible semiconductor device exhibits high channel mobility and low leakage. The device includes a channel region having a high-mobility strained material layer and a tunneling mitigation layer on the strained material layer to mitigate tunnel leakage. The strained material has a lattice structure that is strained to match the lattice structure of the tunneling mitigation layer. An insulator layer is on the tunneling mitigation layer, and an electrode is over the insulator and adapted to apply a voltage bias to the channel region to switch the device between conductive and nonconductive states. Current is transported in the conductive state as predominantly facilitated via the mobility of the strained material layer, and wherein tunneling current in the nonconductive state is mitigated by the tunneling mitigation layer.

Semiconductor device applications have experienced significant scaling (reduction in size) over recent years, with continued scaling desirable for a multitude of applications. Often, a reduction in size of semiconductor devices has presented challenges to the performance of such devices. For instance, the drive current is often lower than that required at power-supply voltages for small (e.g., sub-45 nm) nodes. Addressing issues such as the short-channel effect and subthreshold leakage current often requires tight control of intricate vertical and lateral channel doping profiles, often involving heavy doping, shallow source/drain junctions and ultrathin gate dielectrics. Such approaches to addressing such issues can adversely affect carrier mobility, subthreshold swing and series resistance.
Many semiconductor devices generally exhibit channel regions that are switched by an electrode to facilitate the flow of current. Generally, high mobility in the channel region is desirable for such current flow. In addition, low power consumption and small size have also been desirable for a variety of applications.
High-mobility materials like Germanium, Germanium-rich (Ge-rich) materials, InSb (Indium Antimonide), InAs (Indium Arsenide), strained Germanium and strained Silicon-Germanium materials (e.g., SixGe1-x) have been considered as desirable for their mobility. However, most higher mobility materials have a significantly small bandgap relative, for example, to Silicon and correspondingly suffer from relatively high tunnel current leakage (e.g., via band-to-band-tunneling, or BTBT) and short-channel effects. Such tunneling current tends to limit the scalability of semiconductor devices.
These and other characteristics have been challenging to the design, manufacture and use of semiconductor devices.

Semiconductor device with high on current and low leakage

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


A double-inverted wheeled passenger carrier (WPC) that is actively stabilizing on two or more axially-spaced wheels through a controller that senses and adjusts three degrees of freedom that allows the WPC to actively stabilize itself to keep a passenger essentially upright during movement, including traversing stairs and the like. The WPC (10) includes a wheel assembly (12) having at least two axially-spaced wheels (14), each wheel having an axis of rotation (15), a frame (16) having a first pivot (18) and second pivot (22), and a chair (20). The frame (16) is attached to the wheel assembly (12) at the first pivot (18). The chair (20) is attached to the frame (16) at the second pivot (22), allowing the chair (20) to rotate independently of the wheels (14).

Stairs, curbs, steep ramps, and irregular terrain have long been challenging for wheelchair users to navigate. Despite changes in U.S. federal law to make public buildings and work places more wheelchair accessible, there is a need for wheelchairs that can traverse stairs, curbs and the like. Attempts have been made to design wheelchairs that are capable of climbing stairs, and the like, although the prior art has addressed this problem through mechanical devices, such as cat-tracks, telescoping/manipulating legs, treadmills, articulated axles, and various other mechanical methods including ramps, cable hoists, and low center of gravity designs. Many of the commercial embodiments of such mechanical devices are too heavy and too expensive for the average wheelchair user. In addition, many of these inventions are cumbersome and require some mechanical adjustments, such as laying cat-tracks, to traverse stairs, and, as such, require some dexterity and a degree of physical strength on the part of the wheelchair user. There still exists a need for a relatively lightweight and inexpensive stairclimbing wheelchair, that does not rely on the physical capabilities of the user.
An object of this invention is to provide a relatively lightweight and inexpensive motorized wheeled passenger carrier (WPC) that uses an electronic controller to actively stabilize the WPC and which is capable of traversing stairs and the like, without regard to any physical capabilities of the passenger.

Stabilizing wheeled passenger carrier capable of traversing stairs


A dark web monitoring, analysis and alert system comprising a data receiving module configured to receive data collected from the dark web and structured; a Structured Data Database (SDD) connected with the data receiving module, the SDD configured to store the structured data; a Text Search and Analytic Engine (TSAE) connected with the SDD, the TSAE configured to enable advanced search and basic analysis in the structured data; a Knowledge Deduction Service (KDS) connected with the TSAE, the KDS configured to deeply analyze the collected data; the deep analysis comprises extracting insights regarding dark web surfers behavioral patterns and interactions; a Structured Knowledge Database (SKD) connected with the KDS, the SKD configured to store the deep analysis results; and an Alert Service connected with the TSAE and the SKD, the Alert Service configured to provide prioritized alerts based on the deep analysis.

The Dark Web is a term that refers specifically to a collection of websites that are publicly visible, but hide the IP addresses of the servers that run them. The dark web forms a small part of the Deep Web, the part of the Web not indexed by search engines. Thus they can be visited easily by any web user, but it is very difficult to work out who is behind the sites and search engines cannot find them.
The dark nets which constitute the dark web include small, friend-to-friend peer-to-peer networks, as well as large, popular networks like Freenet, I2P, and Tor, operated by public organizations and individuals. Users of the dark web refer to the regular web as the Clear net due to its unencrypted nature. The Tor dark web may be referred to as Onion land, a reference to the network's name as "the onion router."
Almost all sites on the so-called Dark Web hide their identity using, for example, the Tor encryption tool. Tor can be used to hide your identity, and spoof your location.
To visit a site on the Dark Web that is using Tor encryption, the web user needs to be using Tor. Just as the end user's IP is bounced through several layers of encryption to appear to be at another IP address on the Tor network, so is that of the website.
Because of the nature of the Dark Web and the illegal activities it enables, there is a long felt need for a system that monitors the Dark Web, analyses harvested data and provides alerts according to defined parameters.

Dark web monitoring, analysis and alert system and method


An atherectomy device comprising cannula systems having lumens adapted for insertion of a blood filter and an atherectomy catheter useful for performing atherectomy directly on a patient's cardiovascular tissue. Other embodiments include a lumen for arterial perfusion useful in providing oxygenated blood to the aorta during cardiopulmonary bypass. The distal end of the atherectomy catheter includes an assembly that comprises a pincer, a loop with or without a mesh, laser, hydraulics, or other suitable mechanism adapted for removing atheroma from a cardiac or vascular tissue. Methods of using the systems for vascular atherectomy are also disclosed herein.

Arteriosclerosis, generally known for thickening and hardening of the arterial wall, is responsible for the majority of deaths in the United States and most westernized countries. Atherosclerosis, one type of arteriosclerosis, is the cause for disorder of the larger arteries that underlies most coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysm, arterial disease of the lower extremities, and cerebrovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is characterized by an accumulation of lipid-filled smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and fibrous tissues, commonly known as atheroma or plaque, in focal areas of cardiovascular tissues, especially the aorta.
Numerous approaches for treating the diseased aorta have been proposed, including balloon angioplasty, laser angioplasty, and atherectomy. Removal of the atheroma is generally performed percutaneously through insertion of medical devices, e.g., a catheter and/or imaging probe, through a peripheral artery, such as the femoral artery. The devices are then advanced to the region of interest through the aorta.
Unfortunately, there are several disadvantages associated with these approaches. First, inserting and manipulating devices through the aorta may cause significant aortic trauma, resulting in aortic dissection, aortic wall hematoma, and/or embolization of calcium plaque from the aortic wall. Embolization of aortic plaque is a common cause of cerebral infarction or ischemia. Second, patients who have significant aortic atherosclerosis often have diseased peripheral arteries. Insertion of medical devices through the stenotic femoral arteries is often difficult and risky, because distal embolization and occlusion of the lower extremities can arise as a result of manipulating the diseased femoral artery. Thirdly, mechanical manipulation of the aorta during cardiothoracic surgeries, either in open thoracotomy or minimally invasive procedures, is a common cause for dislodgment of plaque, causing embolic stroke. Excision of high-risk atheromatous plaque from the aorta or cardiac tissues prior to cardiothoracic surgeries is therefore desired. The percutaneous approach requires an additional incision on a peripheral artery and therefore involves additional risk of vascular trauma and embolization.
New devices and methods are therefore needed that provide direct access to a patient's cardiovascular tissue for removal of atheromatous plaque(s) prior to or during cardiovascular surgeries, and that minimize the risk of peripheral embolization.


A recording disk drive includes a shroud wall spaced from a peripheral end of the recording disk by a gap equal to or smaller than 0.5 mm. A rectification groove is formed in the shroud wall at a position adjacent an area opposed to the peripheral end of the recording disk. Reduction in gap between the peripheral end of the recording disk and the shroud wall serves to reduce the amplitude of the flutter to be induced in the rotating recording disk. Moreover, as the gap gets smaller, the flutter reduces at a higher rate in response to increase of the depth of the rectification groove. Specifically, if the gap between the peripheral end of the recording disk and the shroud wall is set equal to or smaller than 0.5 mm, the groove can be made shallower so as to still efficiently suppress the flutter of the rotating recording disk.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording disk drive such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and in particular, to a recording disk drive comprising a recording disk and a shroud wall spaced from the peripheral end of the recording disk.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known in the field of HDDs that turbulence within the enclosure of the magnetic recording disk causes a flutter of the rotating magnetic recording disk. Such turbulence is usually induced by the rotation of the magnetic recording disk. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 53-57009 discloses an annular plate surrounding the magnetic recording disk so as to reduce the flutter. The disclosed technique suggests that the outer periphery of the magnetic recording disk is spaced apart from the inner wall of the annular plate by 1.0 mm. Reduction of the flutter is in general required to avoid collision of the flying head slider against the surface of the rotating magnetic recording disk in the HDD.
The magnetic recording disk has got smaller in size. Reduction in size of the magnetic recording disk is accompanied with reduction in the amplitude of the flutter. In addition, the behavior of the flying head slider has got a higher stability, which serves to avoid variation in the flying height of the flying head slider above the surface of the magnetic recording disk. Accordingly, less probability can be found in collision of the flying head slider against the magnetic recording disk in the HDD in recent years.
There is still a greater demand for. a higher storage density to a magnetic recording disk. The storage density can be improved by reducing spaces between the adjacent recording or data tracks on the magnetic recording disk. Reduction in spaces between the data tracks cannot be considered without taking flutter of the rotating magnetic recording disk into account. Flutter induces sway of the magnetic recording disk at the outer periphery in the direction orthogonal to the surface of the disk, namely, the longitudinal direction. Such sway induces not only the collision of the flying head slider against the magnetic recording disk but also the lateral shift of the data tracks which leads to failure in positioning the flying head slider above the target data track. Specifically, the flutter of the rotating magnetic recording disk is a factor to obstruct reduction in spaces between the adjacent data tracks. Heretofore, no consideration has been made on appropriate conditions for effectively reducing the flutter of a smaller magnetic recording disk such as a 3.5 inches or 2.5 inches magnetic disk in an HDD.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a recording disk drive comprising a shroud wall capable of effectively reducing the flutter of a recording disk.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording disk drive comprising: a recording disk; a shroud wall spaced from an peripheral end of the recording disk by a gap equal to or smaller than 0.5 mm; and a rectification groove formed in the shroud wall at a position adjacent an area opposed to the peripheral end of the recording disk.
The present inventors have found out that reduction in gap between the peripheral end of the recording disk and the shroud wall serves to reduce the amplitude of the flutter to be induced in the rotating recording disk. Moreover, as the gap gets smaller, the flutter reduces at a higher rate in response to increase of the depth of the rectification groove. Specifically, if the gap between the peripheral end of the recording disk and the shroud wall is set equal to or smaller than 0.5 mm, the groove can be made shallower so as to still efficiently suppress the flutter of the rotating recording disk.
The rectification groove preferably has a depth equal to or smaller than 2 mm. The present inventors have found from their unique observation that a rectification groove of a depth larger than 2 mm hardly serves to reduce the flutter of the rotating recording disk.
The recording disk drive may further comprise an enclosure enclosing the recording disk, and a shroud member inserted into the enclosure to define the shroud wall with the rectification groove. According to the arrangement, it is unnecessary to form the rectification groove directly on the enclosure, so that the process of producing the recording disk drive may be simplified.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording disk drive comprising: a recording disk; an enclosure enclosing the recording disk; a shroud member inserted into the enclosure so as to keep a gap equal to or smaller than 0.5 mm to an peripheral end of the recording disk; and a rectification groove formed in the shroud member at a position adjacent an area opposed to the peripheral end of the recording disk.
A recording disk drive of the second aspect may achieve the aforementioned advantages in the same manner as the first aspect. In addition, the shroud member employed in the second aspect may serve to facilitate the process of producing the recording disk drive.
Furthermore, a method of assembling the aforementioned recording disk drive, may comprise: preparing an enclosure of a recording disk; forming a groove on an inner surface of a tubular material having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the recording disk, the groove extending in a circumferential direction of the tubular material; cutting an annular member off the tubular material, the annular member including the groove formed on its inner surface; and setting the annular member in the enclosure so as to oppose the inner surface of the annular member to a peripheral end of the recording disk by a predetermined gap. The peripheral end of the recording disk is opposed to the inner surface at an area adjacent the groove.
It should be noted that the present invention may be applied not only to a magnetic recording disk drive such as a hard disk drive, for example, but also to an optical recording disk drive employing an optical recording disk such as a compact disk (CD, CD-R, CD-RW) and a digital video disk (DVD), as well as a magneto-optical disk drive employing a magneto-optical disk (MO).

Recording disk drive and method of assembling the same