An organic layer deposition apparatus including: a deposition source configured to discharge a deposition material; a deposition source nozzle unit arranged at a side of the deposition source and including a plurality of deposition source nozzles; a patterning slit sheet facing the deposition source nozzle unit and including a plurality of patterning slits, the patterning slit sheet being smaller than the substrate in at least one of a first direction or a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a blocking member configured to be disposed between the substrate and the deposition source to block at least a portion of the substrate; and a heating member on the blocking member and configured to heat the blocking member, and the substrate is spaced apart from the organic layer deposition apparatus by a predetermined distance, and the substrate or the organic layer deposition apparatus is movable relative to the other.

1. Field
Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to an organic layer deposition apparatus and a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus by using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic light-emitting display apparatuses typically have a larger viewing angle, better contrast characteristics, and a faster response rate than other display apparatuses, and thus have drawn attention as a next-generation display apparatus.
Organic light-emitting display apparatuses generally have a stacked structure including an anode, a cathode, and an emission layer interposed between the anode and the cathode. The apparatuses display images in color when holes and electrons, injected respectively from the anode and the cathode, recombine in the emission layer and emit light. However, it is difficult to achieve high light-emission efficiency with such a structure, and thus intermediate layers, including an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, a hole transport layer, a hole injection layer, etc., may be optionally additionally interposed between the emission layer and each of the electrodes.
However, it is very difficult to form fine patterns of an organic thin layer such as an organic light emitting layer or an organic intermediate layer, and red, green, and blue luminous efficiency varies according to the organic thin layer. Thus, it is very difficult to pattern the organic thin layer in a large area by using a conventional organic layer deposition apparatus, and a large-sized organic light-emitting display apparatus having satisfactory driving voltage, current density, brightness, color purity, luminous efficiency and life-span may not be manufactured.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology 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.

Organic layer deposition apparatus and method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display apparatus by using the same


The present disclosure provides a method that embodies a simple and effective route to remove homogeneous catalysts from solutions wherein NMR/MRI signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) or parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) is performed. A method for recovering a homogeneous SABRE/PHIP catalyst for reuse is also described.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging method not only because of its ability to distinguish anatomical boundaries of soft tissues without ionizing radiation but also because of its potential to spectrally discern among different biochemical species and physiological states [Kurhanewicz et al., 2011; Weissleder, 2006]. However, the need for much greater detection sensitivity for dilute species has led to growing interest in hyperpolarization [Nikolaou et al., 2015; Hovener et al., 2018; Kovtunov et al., 2018], the generation of highly nonequilibrium population distributions of nuclear spins to dramatically increase the detectable magnetization. Various methods for hyperpolarization have been developed with an eye toward biomedical applications, including spin-exchange optical pumping [Walker and Happer, 1997; Goodson, 2002], dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization [Ardenkjaer-Larsen et al., 2003; Comment, 2016; Lee et al., 2014; Ardenkjar-Larsen, 2016], parahydrogen-induced polarization [Bowers and Weitekamp, 1987; Bowers, 2007; Duckett and Mewis, 2012], and signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) [Adams et al., 2009 (Science); Adams et al., 2009 (J Chem Phys); Rayner and Duckett, 2018]. In particular, SABRE along with its microtesla variant dubbed "SABRE-SHEATH" (for SABRE in shield enables alignment transfer to heteronuclei) [Theis et al., 2015; Truong et al., 2015; Shchepin et al, 2015; Barskiy et al., 2017 (ChemPhysChem); Shchepin et al., 2017 (ChemPhysChem)] have garnered increasing attention because they are rapid and inexpensive to perform, scalable, and do not require major instrumentation. A growing range of biomolecules is amendable to SABRE-SHEATH [Hovener et al., 2018; Colell et al., 2017]. However, reliance on a heavy-metal (Ir-based) catalyst to mediate polarization transfer to a biocompatible substrate presents an obstacle to envisioned clinical applications because of that catalyst's presence in the same solution as the hyperpolarized (HP) agent. Efficient removal of the catalyst while preserving the HP state of the substrate is thus likely necessary before studies with human subjects can be considered.
Generating a pure HP substrate via SABRE necessitates that the catalyst is either heterogeneous (enabling ready separation of the catalyst from the dissolved substrate) or that the homogeneous catalyst is removed somehow from the solution after hyperpolarization transfer to target nuclei. Although progress has been made [Shi et al., 2014; Shi et al., 2015; Kovtunov et al., 2017; Iali et al, 2017; Manoharan et al., 2018; Mewis et al., 2015], each approach demonstrated so far has drawbacks and none have enabled the production of catalyst-free solutions with agents possessing nuclear spin polarizations of several percent. Indeed, such approaches are further complicated by the necessity of the HP nuclei to retain their HP state during (and following) catalyst removal, enabling it to survive all of the way through separation, agent administration, and ultimate MM detection. The present work is thus motivated by the desire for simple methods to efficiently remove standard SABRE catalysts from solution while retaining the HP state of the substrate.

Removal of homogeneous catalysts from NMR/MRI agents hyperpolarized via sabre or PHIP

Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University

The Regents of the University of California


Systems and methods are provided for viscous and/or chemically erosive flow machining of work pieces. In certain examples, a tool for flow machining may be disclosed. The tool may include a cavity configured to receive a work piece and one or more inlets and outlets for viscous media flow. Viscous media and/or chemically erosive media can be flowed into the cavity and, via a media flow path, can be used to machine the work piece.

Aircraft components often include complicated geometries with stringent surface finish requirements. High throughput and low cost are also desirable in the manufacturing of such components. Abrasive flow machining can be used to surface smooth interior channels, but can round sharp edges, build up residue in bends, swell the component due to pressure, and currently can only be used to machine interior surfaces and not exterior surfaces.

Closed chamber abrasive flow machine systems and methods


A stacked semiconductor device includes a plurality of stacked wiring substrates each having connection electrodes and wires connected to the connection electrodes and each mounted with a semiconductor device, a plurality of conductive via boards each interposed between adjacent two wiring substrates and having an opening for enclosing the semiconductor device, an uppermost wiring substrate formed on the top of the stacked wiring substrates and having wires connected to the connection electrodes, and a lowermost wiring substrate formed under the stacked wiring substrates and having wires connected to the connection electrodes, wherein heat radiation/shield conductive layers are formed on the uppermost and lowermost wiring substrates.

The present invention relates to a stacked semiconductor device in which a plurality of wiring substrates each mounted with a semiconductor device are stacked to constitute a package and a semiconductor system in which the stacked semiconductor device is loaded.
For the purpose of attaining high packed density of semiconductor devices, a plurality of wiring substrates each mounted with a semiconductor device are often stacked one on another to constitute a stacked package. A conventional stacked package is constituted as disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publications Nos. 9-219490, 10-135267 and 10-163414.
The conventional package is constituted as follows. First, individual packages such as a TSOP (thin small outline package), a TCP (tape carrier package) and a BGA (ball grid array) are each assembled completely. Then, the respective packages are stacked one on another through spacers with external terminals thereof being faced one another. These packages are thus formed integrally as a single stacked package. Finally, they are electrically connected to one another.
The conventional stacked package described above necessitates a processing step of stacking the individual packages in addition to a step of assembling the individual packages. Such a stacked package is manufactured by a sequential method in which the number of steps increases by the number of packages. This-method causes serious problems of increasing manufacturing cost and materials cost of spacers used for stacking a plurality of packages. FIGS. 12A to 13B illustrate a conventional stacked-type semiconductor device. Individual packages 104 and 106 each mounted with a semiconductor device, such as a TSOP, a TCP and a BGA, are assembled completely. These packages 104 and 106 are then soldered to a wiring substrate or module substrate 103 such as a printed board to complete a module. In the individual package 104 such as a TSOP, for example, an external terminal 105 of the semiconductor device is soldered to a metal wiring on the module substrate 103, and the substrate 103 is attached to an external device 110 constituted of a semiconductor system comprising semiconductor devices. In the case of FIG. 13B, the individual package 103 is mounted and connected on the substrate 103 by means of solder balls 107.
The external device 110 includes a spring terminal 101 made of a flat spring plate mounted on a substrate 100 which is further mounted on a base 102. The module substrate 103 is fitted to the external device 110 such that a connection terminal 108 of the substrate 103 contacts the spring terminals 101 of the external device 110.
The above example, however, has the problem that a soldering portion deteriorates as time passes due to a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the package 104 or 106 and the module substrate 103. The connection terminal 108 is provided on the surface of the substrate 103 except where the package 104 or 106 is mounted, so that the entire module includes a package mounting section and a connection terminal section. It is thus too large as a module of a portable storage medium for use in small-sized personal computers, portable terminals, and voice recorders.
Once a module is mounted on a system, melting solder of a connecting portion by heat and replacing the module with another module is required, which is like to cause poor connection. In the prior art structure, it is impossible to remove only a desired module from the system and insert another therein.
The foregoing prior art semiconductor device has the problem that it does not produce an electric field shielding effect sufficiently.
As a semiconductor device increases in density and decreases in thickness and is used widely in IC cards and cellular phones, for example, a thin stacked package which is suitable for a semiconductor chip having a thickness of about 30 xcexcm to 200 xcexcm will be required in the future.
The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above situation and its object is to provide a stacked semiconductor device which is thin, high in heat radiation, excellent in shield effect and easy to attach/detach to/from an external system, and a semiconductor system mounted with the stacked semiconductor devices.
A stacked semiconductor device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of stacked wiring substrates each including a plurality of via-holes in which connection electrodes are buried and wires electrically connected to the connection electrodes, an uppermost wiring substrate stacked on a top of the stacked wiring substrates and including a plurality of via-holes in which connection electrodes are formed and wires electrically connected to the connection electrodes, a semiconductor device mounted on each of the wiring substrates and electrically connected to the wires thereof, a plurality of conductive via insulation substrates each having a chip cavity which is larger than the semiconductor device enclosed therein and each including a plurality of via-holes in which connection electrodes are buried, each of the conductive via insulation substrates being inserted between two wiring substrates, and a plurality of conductive layers formed on a top surface of the uppermost wiring substrate and/or a bottom surface of a lowermost wiring substrate formed under the stacked wiring substrates, wherein the wiring substrates, the uppermost wiring substrate, and the conductive via insulation substrates are electrically connected to each other by the connection electrodes.
The conductive layers can be used as external connection terminals. Each of the external connection terminals may have a diameter of 1 mm or more and an area of 1 mm2 or larger.
At least one of the connection electrodes of the wiring substrates, the uppermost wiring substrate, and the conductive via insulation substrates can be connected to a ground line, and at least one of the conductive layers can electrically be connected to the ground line through the connection electrodes. At least one of the conductive layers may serve as a heat radiation layer. The area of the conductive layers occupying one of the uppermost wiring substrate and the lowermost wiring substrate may range from 50% to 95% of the whole surface area of the uppermost or lowermost wiring substrate. The via-holes of the wiring substrates, the uppermost wiring substrate, and the conductive via insulation substrates can be exposed to sides of the substrates, in such a manner that the connection electrodes buried in the via-holes are exposed to side walls of the substrates. The connection electrodes exposed to the side walls of the substrates may serve as external connection terminals. The semiconductor device may have a thickness of 30 xcexcm to 200 xcexcm.
The plurality of conductive layers formed on the top surface of the uppermost wiring substrate and the underside of the lowermost wiring substrate are used as heat radiation layers, external connection terminals and shield layers. When the conductive layers are used as external connection terminals, they are connected to the connection electrodes connected to a signal line in the package. When the conductive layers are used as shield layers, they are connected to a ground line. The shield layers and the external connection terminals can be arranged on one of the uppermost or undermost wiring substrate, and the shield layers and the external connection terminals can be used also as the heat radiation layers. The conductive layers can be used only as the heat radiation layers.
A semiconductor system according to another aspect of the present invention comprises external connection terminals of the semiconductor device including spring terminals made of flat spring plates. The plurality of conductive layers are formed on the top surface and/or the bottom surface of the uppermost or lowermost wiring substrates. A stacked semiconductor device of the present invention, which is thin, high in heat radiation, excellent in shield effect, and easy to attach/detach to/from the external device, can thus be attained, and so can be mounted to a semiconductor system easily.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Stacked semiconductor device and semiconductor system


A wine barrel having a rigid external reusable frame with replaceable wooden side panels and substantially identical upper and lower wooden ends assembled within the rigid external frame to provide a wooden enclosure for the wine. A liquid tight container is provided; the wine exposed only to wooden surfaces. Panels can be replaced in the frame with new panels or existing panels having an unused side can be removed, reversed, and reused. Assembly of the barrel is straightforward requiring only minimum tools and skills without the need for the hand-fitting expertise required in constructing a traditional barrel. When assembled, the rigid frame, and not the wood panels, supports all the external and internal loads of the wine barrel. For introduction of a caramel taste to the wine the wood panels can be initially placed in an oven with the degree of caramelization controlled by the oven temperature and exposure time.

The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to barrels and other containers in general, and particularly to a rigid framed wine barrel having replaceable wooden panels.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wine barrels have long been commonly constructed of oak material since the oak wood has been found to provide desirable wine making characteristics such as aiding in the maturing of the wine as well as imparting a distinctive oak and tannin flavoring to the wine. Thus, to produce quality wine that is rich in the oak and tannin taste, winemakers age the wine in oak barrels.
During the aging process, the wine obtains a suitable amount of oxygen and tannin through the pores of the oak to obtain the desired taste. However, over time the amount of tannin received by the wine from inside of the wood pores is detrimentally decreased eventually requiring replacement of the barrels. Traditional oak barrels having a capacity of 225 liters are generally used only about 2 or 3 times before requiring replacement.
Thus, since the desired oak flavoring characteristics degrade with repeated use requiring barrel replacement after limited use, this, combined with the rather expensive original cost of oak barrels, has established a need for an alternate wine barrel concept. Attempts have been made to provide alternate wine barrel configurations with the objective of reducing costs and usage of timber, one of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,565 issued to Brian J. Croser on 21 Mar. 1989. Croser discloses a wine cask having a circular metal base and a circular metal end cover with a plurality of oak staves arranged circumferentially and lying edge to edge clamped by a circumferential clamp that retains the staves in a cylindrical configuration. A tension clamp extends on an axial direction between the circular metal base and circular metal end cover and clamps the staves between them. While this method permits introduction of oxygen to the wine, it is to a much lesser extent due to the top and bottom metal end plates. Furthermore, this configuration does not lend itself to stacking of the barrels. For instance, if it is desired to stack barrels end to end, problems are created since the wood staves float between the gaskets at each end and if weight is put on these ends the gaskets are compressed. Removal of the weight results in leakage. Further, this type of barrel cannot be rolled during transport because of the clamps on the outside of the barrel.
Another alternate wine barrel configuration is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,461 issued to Stephen T. Sullivan on 29 Dec. 1992. Sullivan discloses a stainless steel wine barrel body having a circumferential stave holder secured to the inside surface of the barrel for supporting oak staves thereon, with the intention to thereby impart oak characteristics to the wine as it matures. The oak staves are inside of a stainless steel body with one removable end to replace the staves after use. There is a problem in that the stainless steel body will not permit oxygen to be introduced to the wine to augment the aging process and to provide the desirable characteristics to the wine. Thus, stainless steel tanks are not used for quality aging of wine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,268 issued to Stephen T. Sullivan on 15 Jul. 1997 discloses apparatus for use with standard wine barrels wherein small oak staves are inserted through a bung-hole in the barrel to thereby impart oak characteristics to wine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,960 issued to Stephen T. Sullivan on 09 Jan. 1996 discloses an infusion tube for use with standard wine barrels for imparting oak characteristics to wine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,381 issued to DePeaux et al. on 08 Oct. 1991 discloses another wood insertion method for use with standard wine barrels.
The above related art are illustrative of the various approaches made to satisfy the existing need for different ways of imparting oak characteristics to wine without using the traditional solid oak barrels. However, the related wine barrel concepts remain limited in this regard. The present invention satisfies the existing need by providing a wine barrel having a rigid frame enclosing replaceable uniform oak panels. The panels are straight and symmetrical and after 2 or 3 uses can easily be removed, turned inside out, and replaced within the frame to be used again. This procedure makes better use of the oak wood thereby reducing the barrel cost substantially without compromising quality. Furthermore, once both sides of the wood panels have been used they can be replaced within the rigid frame with new panels. This is relatively easily done without the need for the skilled labor required when making traditional wood barrels.
Additionally, the load carrying ability of the traditional wood barrel is established by the thickness of the staves. For instance, the traditional 225-liter barrel has appropriate wall thickness to provide adequate oxygen to the wine while providing sufficient load carrying ability to allow stacking of the barrels. Larger barrels require increased thickness for load carrying ability; however, this decreases oxygen passage through the pores of the wood to the wine to the detriment to the wine aging process. The present invention does not have this constraint since the frame, and not the wood panels, carries the load, thus enabling the winemaker to specify wood thickness depending on the amount of oxygen he wishes to introduce to the wine without concern for stacking of the barrels. Also, as constructed, the outside rigid frame does not come in contact with the wine, the wine only in contact with interior oak wood, and once both sides of the wood panels have been exhausted, the frame can be used repeatedly with new wood panels.
Further, winemakers often introduce a caramel taste to the wine by burning the inside of the traditional barrel during the process of making the barrel. This procedure requires skilled labor to provide the degree of caramelization desired by the winemaker. In contrast, with the present invention the wood panels can be burned in an oven with the degree of caramelization controlled by the oven temperature and time.
It is thus an aspect of the invention to provide a reduced cost wine barrel assembly having a re-useable rigid barrel frame that eliminates cooperage skill and time that is required to produce traditional barrels.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a barrel assembly having replaceable oak components in abutting arrangement within a rigid frame sealed in a manner to prevent leakage of the maturing wine.
It is still further an aspect of the present invention to provide a reduced cost barrel assembly having a re-useable rigid barrel frame that provides varied position stacking strength.
It is also an aspect of the present invention to provide a barrel assembly having replaceable oak components whereby the wine comes only in contact with the wood of the barrel.
Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views.

Rigid framed wine barrel with replaceable wood panels


A binder cover with a spine or binding section which has a pleated expandable center section with a first folding section and a second folding section on either side and each connected to the binder cover. The first folding section and the second folding section define a channel to receive the documents to be contained within the binder. Fasteners, such as staples, are positionable through the first folding section and the second folding section to secure the documents therein. The fasteners may include, for example, staples, thread, cable, posts and screws, clamps or glue. Adhesive is available to secure the first folding section in its second or closed position and the second folding section in its second or closed position.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a binders or a cover system for securing and holding materials such as documents or an inner folder between covers and, more particularly, to a binder with an expandable portion for securing materials such as documents of a varying preselected thickness.
2. State of the Art
A wide variety of binders have been devised to receive documents which are secured therein by any desired fastening means, such as staples, screws and posts, brads, clips and the like. For example, a seminar presentation could include a small booklet with an outline and other presentation materials. The booklet could be formed by assembling the pages (documents) and securing them between protective covers selected for the purpose. In some applications, it is desired that access to the fastening means is to be restricted for esthetics or for other reasons.
FIG. 1 shows one form of prior art binder 10 having a front cover 14 and a back cover 16 joined by a center region 18 that extends the length of the front cover 14 from one end 17 to the other end 19. Center region 18 is comprised of sections 22, 24, 26, and 28, which extend between the ends 17 and 19. A first crease 34 is formed between the front cover 14 and the section 22. A second crease 36 is formed between sections 22 and 24. A third crease 38 is formed between sections 24 and 26. A fourth crease 40 is formed between sections 26 and 28. A fifth crease 42 is also formed between back cover 16 and section 28. Because of the perspective view of the binder 10 in FIG. 1, only very small portions of section 22 and section 26 are shown. Documents of just about any kind or description including, for example, newspaper material, magazines, computer print outs and traditional eight by ten paper may be positioned in various assemblies in a groove 46 defined by sections 24 and 26. The documents may be fastened into the groove by, for example, staples that are positioned through sections 24 and 26 as well as the documents in the groove 46. The front cover 14 and the rear cover 16 are moved to expose the sections 24 and 26. That is, for example, a stapler (not shown) may be inserted in a groove 50 created by sections 22 and 24, while the other side of the stapler may be inserted in a groove 52 formed by sections 26 and 28. Thereafter, the stapler may be operated to secure the documents or whatever in the groove 46.
An adhesive 58 (shown as dots) is applied to section 28. Adhesive 58 may be covered with a piece of protective coating to keep it from sticking until the binder 10 is ready for assembly with documents or whatever. Once the tape is removed, adhesive 58 is used to adhere section 26 to section 28. An adhesive (not shown) is also applied to section 22. The adhesive may be covered with a piece of tape to keep it from sticking. Once the tape is removed, the adhesive is used to adhere section 22 to section 24.
With section 22 adhered to section 24 and section 26 adhered to section 28, staples that hold documents in groove 46 are not visible.
A disadvantage of binder 10, however, is that it can only hold documents having a thickness 47 that is limited. That is, documents having a thickness of, for example, one half an inch, should often be difficult to assemble. There is, therefore, a need for a binder with the features of binder 10, but that can hold documents or other objects of substantial thickness as well as documents over a wide range of thicknesses.


The present invention is a data-processing device used for a chromatograph which continuously performs a series of analyses for components in each sample while sequentially introducing a plurality of samples into a column. The device includes: an input section configured to allow for input of information into a schedule table for a plurality of analyses, the schedule table describing an analysis condition including a combination of the values of a plurality of control parameters, the order of execution of the plurality of analyses, and information for identifying a sample to be subjected to each analysis; a chromatogram creating means configured to receive data sequentially collected during two or more analyses and create a joint chromatogram from the data if the two or more analyses have been continuously performed for the same sample according to the schedule table; and a display means configured to display the joint chromatogram.

In a chromatographic analysis, a mobile phase (which may also be called an "eluate") and a sample injected into the mobile phase are passed through a column. The components in the sample are thereby separated from each other due to their difference in the interaction with the stationary phase (which may also be called a "packing material") and the mobile phase in the column, and are eventually detected with a detector. Based on the data collected with the detector, a chromatogram is created, with the horizontal axis indicating the retention time of each component isolated by the column and the vertical axis indicating the relative intensity (concentration) of each component detected with the detector. A peak which corresponds to a component appears on the chromatogram for each component in the sample.
Such a chromatographic analysis is performed using the most suitable analyzing system and according to a previously determined analysis method which is the most suitable for the components contained in the sample. For example, the analysis method is determined by the kind of mobile phase, flow velocity of the mobile phase, temperature of the column oven and other relevant factors, while the analyzing system is determined by the type of column, for example. If the most suitable analysis method and analyzing system vary from one component to another contained in the sample, analyses using different analysis methods and different analyzing systems are performed for the same sample. An example of such an analysis is an analysis of monosaccharides, polyols and sterols in a biological sample which is performed using a high-performance liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer for the purpose of screening specific kinds of diseases caused by inborn errors of metabolism. Those monosaccharides, polyols and sterols need to be individually analyzed by different analysis methods and different analyzing systems. In other words, three analysis methods and three analyzing systems are used.
Another example is a quantitative analysis of the D-forms and L-forms of amino acids, in which columns that are suitable for optical isomer analysis are used, such as the CROWNPAK CR-I columns of Daicel Corporation. More specifically, two columns having different separation characteristics, CROWNPAK CR-I(+) and CROWNPAK CR-I(−), are used for the analysis. That is to say, two analyzing systems are used for the analysis.
Still another example is an analysis called the "method scouting", which is performed to search for optimum analysis conditions for a sample in an analytical technique using a high-performance liquid chromatograph. In the method scouting, an analysis for the same sample is continuously performed for a considerable period of time while variously changing both the analyzing system (column) and the analysis method (kind of mobile phase, flow velocity of the mobile phase, temperature of the column oven, and other factors).
A system named the Twin Line GC-MS System (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) has been commercially offered as a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer in which the exit ends of a plurality of columns having different separation characteristics are attached to the mass spectrometer to allow for the switching of the columns during an analysis while maintaining the degree of vacuum in the mass spectrometer. With this system, an analysis using a plurality of columns (analyzing systems) for the same sample can be continuously performed.
In any of the previously mentioned analyses, an automatic sample introduction device, such as an auto-sampler, is used to continuously perform the analysis by sequentially collecting a predetermined amount of sample from each of the prepared sample containers and introducing the collected sample into the mobile phase. For such an analysis, a schedule table which describes the identification number of the sample, analysis method, analyzing system, order of execution of the analysis and other related information is normally prepared. The analysis is performed multiple times while the introduction of the sample as well as the switching of the analysis method and the analyzing system are automatically performed according to the schedule table (Patent Literature 1). The analysis result obtained each time is collected as chromatogram data and contained in one data file created for each execution of the analysis of each sample. The file is stored in a storage device.
The beginning point of the chromatogram data is normally set at the point in time of the injection of the sample (or a point in time which is later than the point in time of injection by a specific length of time). Conventional LC data-processing devices continuously collect chromatogram data until the end of a predetermined data-collection period from the point in time of the beginning point, and compiles the data into one set to be contained in one data file. Accordingly, in such a conventional data-processing device, if the sample is injected N times, a total of N data files will be created even in the case where an analysis with different analyzing systems is continuously performed for the same sample, as in the Twin Line GC-MS System mentioned earlier.

Data-processing device for chromatograph


A method for manufacturing a reflector (5) for X-ray radiation (2, 3, 10, 11) which is curved in a non-circular arc shape, along a first cross-section (13) in a plane (XZ) which contains a x-direction, wherein the reflector (5) is also curved along a second cross-section (14) in a plane (YZ) which is perpendicular to the x-direction, is characterized in that the reflector (5) has a curvature along the second cross-section (14) which also differs from the shape of a circular arc. This makes the design of X-ray mirrors and the beam profile of reflected X-ray radiation more flexible, facilitates production of X-ray mirrors and at the same time provides high reflection capacity and good focusing properties for X-ray mirrors.

The invention concerns a reflector for X-ray radiation which is curved in a non-circular arc shape along a first cross-section in a plane containing an x-direction (tangential curvature), wherein the reflector is also curved along a second cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the x-direction (sagittal curvature).
An X-ray mirror of this type is disclosed e.g. in DE 44 07 278 A1.
X-ray radiation is electromagnetic radiation as is visible light. Due to the higher energy on the order of keV, the interaction between X-ray radiation and matter is significantly different than with visible light. Considerable difficulties were found in providing effective optical structural elements such as mirrors or lenses for X-ray radiation. The structural elements realized up to now are based mainly on Bragg diffraction and total reflection, both under grazing incidence.
In a flat embodiment, an X-ray mirror on the basis of the Bragg diffraction can only reflect a very small portion of the incident divergent X-ray radiation, since the Bragg condition requires relatively accurate angles of incidence. To solve this problem, curved mirror surfaces and also a locally variable planar separation were suggested. The curvature of the mirror surface and the planar separation may thereby vary along a first direction x which corresponds approximately to the main propagation direction of the X-ray radiation (under grazing incidence). For normal dimensions of X-ray analysis devices, the local radius of curvature is on the order of meters and usually has a parabolic or elliptical shape. It is technically relatively easy to produce. To realize a variable planar separation, a multi-layer mirror design has been used. This type of X-ray mirror is referred to as a "Goebel Mirror" (DE 44 07 278 A1).
The reflectivity of the Goebel mirror is limited in that the divergence of the beam perpendicular to the x-direction in the mirror plane cannot be satisfactorily taken into consideration. Two-dimensional focusing is feasible through a rotationally symmetrical design i.e. a second circular arc-shaped mirror curvature in the plane perpendicular to the x-direction. For typical dimensions of X-ray analysis devices, the mirror must have radii of curvature perpendicular to the x-direction in the millimeter range. It has not been previously possible to produce such a strongly curved X-ray mirror with sufficient accuracy, since sufficiently precise reduction in the surface roughness and waviness of such a strongly curved mirror is difficult. Moreover, it has not been possible up to now to prevent layer thickness errors for multi-layer mirrors in the region of large radii of curvature (i.e. at the mirror edge) using conventional coating techniques (sputtering, molecular beam epitaxy etc.), with a reasonable degree of effort. These coating errors reduce the reflectivity of the X-ray mirrors for the desired X-ray wavelength and introduce scattered rays of other wavelengths.
To still obtain two-dimensional focusing, two one-dimensionally focusing Goebel mirrors, which are rotated relative to each other through approximately 90°, must be used in series. This causes considerable intensity loss.
Another disadvantage of rotationally symmetrical Goebel mirrors is the circular annular beam profile of the reflected X-ray radiation outside of the focus. Either the sample or the detector is usually in the focus and therefore either the detector or the sample must be disposed in the region of the annular beam profile. This reduces the intensity, and the optical path of such an X-ray analysis device lacks flexibility due to the annular beam profile.
Rotationally symmetrical total reflection mirrors with two-dimensional focusing are also known. Due to the reduced light collecting capacity, the very small maximum angle of incidence, the associated adjustment difficulties, and the lack of monochromatization, total reflection mirrors are no practical alternative.
In contrast thereto, it is the object of the present invention to make the design of X-ray mirrors and the beam shape of reflected X-ray radiation more flexible, to facilitate production of X-ray mirrors with high efficiency (i.e. high reflection capacity and good focusing properties).

Method for manufacturing a reflector for X-ray radiation


The present invention is an anchoring device for joining three boards. It includes a substantially flat horizontal top element having a top view configuration which includes two sides and has a first predetermined width as measured wide to side at its maximum width between the two sides. There is at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element along an imaginary center line and extending downwardly from the top element for a predetermined length, which has two sides and a second predetermined width as measured at its maximum width. There is a substantially flat horizontal bottom element with two sides and has a third predetermined width at its maximum width. The first predetermined width is greater than the second predetermined width and the third predetermined width, and the third is greater than the second.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an improved anchoring device for joining adjacent boards, e.g. decking systems, more specifically, the invention is an anchoring device, as well as a system containing an anchoring device and decking boards in combination. The system provides the ability for pre-setting distances between adjacent boards and attaching to at least one joist board while securing at least one adjacent board. Thus, the anchoring device physically joins two adjacent boards in the same plane to a third, supporting board.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The following patents are representative of the state of the art for wood joining devices, equipment and methods:
U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/184,080 to D'Arcy describes a structure of the class described, the combination of frame pieces disposed at an angle to each other and plate-like corner irons having angularly disposed flanges, said corner irons being arranged in opposed pairs on the sides of and secured to the ends of meeting frame pieces with their flanges engaging the inner edges thereof in overlapping telescoping relation to each other, the inner flanges having vertical nail slots therein and brads on their edges driven into the frame pieces, the outer flanges having nail perforations opposite the nail slots, there being nails disposed through the said perforations and slots and driven into the frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,332,081 to G. M. Hunt et al is directed to a wooden panel. It is described as a panel comprising wooden strips joined along their edges with glue, each strip having at least one groove in its edge matching groove in the edge of the adjoining strip, an asbestos millboard spline fitted in the matching grooves and bridging the joint between the strips, crossbands covering the strips on both sides of the panel, and veneers covering the crossbands.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,362,252 to Ellinwood describes a wall structure of the character described comprising a pair of adjacent wallboard panels having meeting edges, each of said panels being formed with a groove opening into its meeting edge, the groove in each panel providing an outer lip and an inner lip, said outer lips being in abutting relation, a joining strip permanently secured to the under surface of said outer lips, said inner lips being spaced, a T-shaped connecting member movably positioned in said groove and having a base in spaced relation to said inner lips, and means for anchoring said connecting member to a structural element.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,398,603 to Soderberg describes a joining staple, comprising a metal body having at least two portions extending at right angles to each other and at least two teeth carried upon each of said portions, each of said teeth consisting of a flat substantially rectangular body having a cutting edge extending substantially parallel to its body portion of the cutting edges of all of said teeth being located in one plane, each of said portions having another cutting edge extending between the teeth of that portion, the second mentioned cutting edges being also located in one plane.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,406,387 to Lank describes the method of constructing a plurality of wooden posts each of which has a connector element incorporated therein adjacent each end thereof which method comprises forming a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves in one side of each of a pair of wooden blanks from which the posts are to be formed, forming a transverse groove adjacent each end of said side of each of said blanks with the transverse grooves intersecting the longitudinal grooves, providing a pair of connector retaining members with a plurality of seats for receiving connector elements, the number and spacing of said seats in each of said connector retaining members conforming to the number and spacing of the longitudinal grooves in each of said blanks, placing connector elements in each of said seats, positioning said blanks with their grooved sides together and with said connector retaining members in said transverse grooves, bonding said blanks together, and severing the thus bonded assembly along longitudinal lines intermediate said longitudinal grooves.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,988 to Ganner is directed to a fitting for releasably joining two structural components. It is illustrated for releasably joining two structural components particularly plate-shaped structural components which extend at a right angle relative to one another, a fitting has a preferably cylindrical locking element which can be inserted either directly in a bore in the first structure component or it can be inserted indirectly in a housing, and a holding piece with a holding projection anchored in the second structural component. In the assembled position, the holding projection & abuts against one or two gripping surfaces of the locking element which gripping surfaces are of, for example, eccentric shape, and the holding projection is pulled toward the locking element when the locking element is turned. The holding piece is constructed plate-shaped and is insertable in a slot in the second structural component.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,458 to Sparrow describes a floor composed of parallel spaced beams having flanges and blocks of polystyrene foam which are laid on the flanges to bridge the gaps between the beams. Boards are laid on the polystyrene blocks, and are supported by the blocks, which form load-bearing members of the floor. The blocks may have flanged portions extending over the beams, so as to provide heat insulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,027 to Legler et al illustrates a biscuit joiner. It is described as a biscuit joiner for cutting semi-elliptical slots in opposing edges of workpieces which are to be joined along those edges includes a housing adapted to be mounted upon the quill of a multi-purpose woodworking tool, which housing encloses a rotary saw blade adapted to be attached to a spindle projecting from the quill on which the housing is mounted. A spring loaded guide projects from the front face of the housing and has a slot therethrough, so that when the front face of the guide is engaged by an edge of a workpiece to be slotted the guide can be pushed inwardly against spring pressure, allowing the rotary saw blade to be exposed and form a slot in the edge of the workpiece. Adjustable stops are provided on the guide so that a desired depth of cut will automatically be made after adjustment. An alternative construction of this biscuit joiner is especially adapted for use in conjunction with a conventional drill press, with the arbor which carries the saw blade being clamped in the chuck on the drive spindle of the drill motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,280 of Turner describes a sheet metal connector that is provided for use with timber building components of the type that has nails to be driven through the sheet metal into the timber. The connector has substantially U-shaped cuts in the sheet metal to define nailing tongues. The nailing tongues have a deformation for use in providing a nail entry point so that a nail driven therethrough will serve to drive the nailing tongue into the timber.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,211 to Gilb describes a connector for securing a wood railing to a wood post by fasteners which are in shear in relation to all forces imposed upon the railing. The connector is a single piece sheet metal member formed in a generally triangular cross section with openings provided for the insertion of the fasteners. The connector is placed on the underside of the railing to eliminate all top nailing or driving of screws through the top side of the rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,891 to Slocum describes a flooring construction which is provided having a unitary construction with a top layer providing a finished flooring surface and an insulation layer adjacent the top layer. The flooring panel includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a larger dimension than the lower portion and extends outwardly beyond the lower portion. A recessed portion between the upper portion and the lower portion defines a channel. A plurality of interlock support elements having a vertical web and an upper horizontal flange are arranged so that the horizontal flange extends into the channel. The vertical web extends below the lower portion to raise the flooring.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,996 to Hiller et al describes a connecting element for connecting two parts generally in a connection plane has a first portion for connecting the element relative to a first of the parts and second portion for connecting the element relative to the second part. The second portion includes actuation members which on relative movement of the parts substantially along the connection plane urge the parts forcefully towards each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,732 to Fujii et al illustrates a wood joining structure and method thereof. It is described as a technique is provided for joining wood members. A plurality of slits are formed on the end portions of wood pieces desired to be joined, and the end portions are abutted with corresponding slits in alignment to form a common surface. Each of the abutted wood end portions is fixed by temporary fixing means to a desired joining state. Thereafter, an adhesive agent is applied into the interior surfaces of the slits. Connecting plates, e.g., made of a reinforced plastic material coated with the adhesive agent, are inserted into the aligned slits. The adhesive agent is then hardened.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,649 to Gilb describes an intermediate rail to post connection including a sheet metal connector for attaching a wood intermediate rail to a wood post is disclosed. The sheet metal connector is preferably formed with a base member, an integral seat member and a post engaging flange. Preferably four fasteners which may be either screws or nails are inserted through suitable openings in the sheet metal connector. Two of the fasteners pierce the sheet metal connector, the intermediate rail and the post in such a way as to be in double shear. The other two fasteners are inserted through the sheet metal connector directly into the wood post. The sheet metal connector is placed on the underside of the intermediate rail and all fasteners are therefore inserted from the underside of the intermediate rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,433 to Stastny explicates a biscuit and joint made using same. It is described as a biscuit having octagonal outer periphery is used to form a joint between first and second workpieces. The biscuit fits within arcuate slots formed in the workpieces, with glue placed in the slots and/or on the biscuit before the joint is put together. The biscuit is made of an anhydrous compressed wood.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,117 to Fleming, III describes a bracket for mounting a rotary lock member in the frame of a panel which is provided. The bracket is a preferably U-shaped body having a base and two legs extending therefrom. The inner dimension of the bracket is chosen to allow insertion of a rotary lock member therein. Panel engaging steps and protrusions are located on the outside surface of each leg for engaging the frame material. The legs of the bracket are biased inwardly towards one another, such that when a locking member is inserted therein, the legs are pressed outwardly, driving the protrusions into the frame material. A number of bores are located in the bracket to allow supplemental locking members to lock the bracket to the frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,428 to Bischof is directed to a metallic structural element for connecting workpieces consisting of wood, woodworking material or plastic. It is described as a metallic structural element for connecting workpieces consisting of wood, woodworking material or plastic, consisting of a lamellar part, which provides the non-positive connection with the first workpiece provided with a groove and a transverse hole, and a bolt-like part which, through screwing or pinning, realizes the non-positive connection with the second workpiece provided with a longitudinal hole. The lamellar part has, in the center, a hole which is at right angles to the plane of the lamella and is intended for fixing in the groove of the workpiece. Variants having a wing-like long or rectangular short lamellar part and a bolt-like part in the form of a conical wood screw, cylindrical screw, screw having a metal thread, threaded sleeve or pin. Accessories: screwing tool and drilling template.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,1248 to Callies describes a construction hanger for supporting a joist, rafter or the like to a support beam, in which the hanger is provided with a holddown tab for insuring proper seating of the joist to hanger during the installation process. The invention also relates to a method of making such a hanger.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,580 to Leek et al describes a positive fastener-angling device for positioning an elongated fastener with respect to the face of a sheet metal connector and a wood member only at a preselected angle which is substantially less than 90 degrees by forming a slit-cut in the sheet metal connector by means of a die which progressively at the same station, forms a fastener guideway in the shape of a half cone. The fastener opening and the guideway are dimensioned so that the fastener can only penetrate the sheet metal connector at a preselected angle set at the factory.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,016 to Erwin et al describes an extruded plastic decking plank for mounting to an underlying support structure, the plank having a rigid foam core, a resilient outer plastic shell, and a clamping portion for securing the plank to the support structure. The top surface of the plank can be provided with a non-slip surface. The invention also includes an attachment system for securing such decking planks to a support structure by engaging the clamping portions of the decking planks onto clamps or hold down blocks which are secured onto the support structure, and which permit relative motion between the planks and the structure in the planks lengthwise direction to prevent: stress and buckling caused by uneven expansion.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A collapsible display device for displaying cards comprising of a base, a vertical support member extending vertically from the base, an array of shelves spaced longitudinally along the length of the vertical support member, and a securing means for retaining the cards on the display device. The array of shelves are supported by the vertical support member while the display device is in the expanded position. In the preferred embodiment, the securing means is a plurality of apertures disposed in the array of shelves for receiving a portion of the cards and so that the remainder of the card is visually available. In an alternative embodiment, a serpentine shelf orbits about the vertical support member from top to bottom. The display device of the present invention collapses so that the shelves are in a compact and flat condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to collapsible displays. This invention more particularly pertains to a collapsible tree shaped display device for displaying cards for sentimental and other occasions such as Christmas.
2. Description of the Background Art
Presently, most commercially available card displays are permanent fixtures that typically require large amounts of space for the presentation of cards. Also, these known displays are the property of the particular storekeeper. Smaller or more portable card displays are not aesthetically designed for either commercial or home use. Thus, until now, only card stores could focus on the displaying of cards.
In response to the realized inadequacies of these earlier known card displays, it became clear that there is a need for a collapsible card display which has been aesthetically designed to resemble a tree. With the present invention, even stores which do not specialize in the selling of cards, may instantly have a tree like display capable of being positioned anywhere in the store. The card display of the present invention may be strategically located in a store to attract the consumer's attention. On the other hand, the card display of the present invention may be moved about a store to multiple locations. Moreover, the present invention allows storekeepers to have a card display set up for only those times, such as holidays, which he desires. The remainder of the time, the card display can be collapsed and stored until another holiday.
In addition, the card display of the present invention may be used by consumers to display cards in their homes. For example, during Christmas time, cards received from relatives and friends could be positioned on the card display of the present invention in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing display of the cards that were received for Christmas. Further, at the end of the holiday, the card display of the present invention could be stripped, collapsed and conveniently stored for use for the next occasion.
Therefore, the principal object of this invention is to provide an improvement that overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement that is a significant contribution to the advancement of card display devices.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible display device that has all the advantages and none of the disadvantages of the earlier card displays.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible card display that is easily manufactured.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a card display that is easily sold in conjunction with cards.
Still a further objective of the present invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing tree shaped design for card display.
Yet a further objective is to provide a collapsible display device for displaying cards comprising a base; a vertical support member having a first and a second end, said first end coupled to said base and said vertical support member extending vertically from said base; an array of longitudinally extensible shelves spaced longitudinally along the length of said vertical support member and carried thereby, said array of shelves being longitudinally collapsible to a position where said array of shelves are substantially level with one another; and securing means for retaining the cards on the display device, said securing means disposed upon said array of shelves such that the cards are displayed in a uniform manner from about the display device.
A further objective is to provide a collapsible display device for displaying cards comprising a base; a vertical support member having a first and a second end, the first end coupled to the base and the vertical support member extending vertically from the base; a serpentine shelf orbiting about the vertical support member, the serpentine shelf having a first end and a second end, the second end of the serpentine shelf coupled to the second end of the vertical support member and the first end of the serpentine shelf coupled to the base; and securing means for retaining the cards on the display device, the securing means disposed upon the serpentine shelf such that the cards are displayed in a uniform manner from about the display device.
The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the summary of the invention, and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A folding book support including a main support member having an attachment jaw which flexes to allow it to be affixed to the edge of a flat surface such as a table or desk. A pivoting cross-member is provided to extend the support diameter of the device. The cross-member is folded to a position colinear with the main support member for storage and transport. An optional support leg is provided f or use when the edge of a suitable flat surface is not available to affix the holder.

Readers often have a need for a device which will support a book that the user is reading without requiring the use of the reader's hands. This is particulary true in the case of students.
Students often need to take notes while reading, and it is thus an inconvenience to have to hold the book upright. Moreover, students are often put in a position where they are required to read with a limited amount of surface space available, such as at a classroom desk, or in a crowded library.
The prior art has many examples of devices which have been created to aid users in holding their books upright. However,, the devices found in the prior art are somewhat bulky and/or complex, and are therefore not easy to store and transport.


A dispenser for rolled sheet material includes an openable housing having a front opening, a parallel-spaced pair of guide slots being supported proximate opposite sides of the housing, each guide slot having a generally vertically oriented first segment, a generally horizontally oriented second segment intersecting the first segment, and a generally vertically oriented third segment intersecting the second segment in offset relation to the first segment, the first segment having a bottom extremity below the second segment. A dual mandrel of the dispenser has a parallel-spaced pair of mandrel portions for receiving respective rolls, and a bridge portion rigidly connecting the mandrel portions. The dual mandrel, when loaded with the rolls, is locatable with opposite ends of each mandrel portion guidable within respective ones of the guide slots: from a first position wherein a lowermost of the mandrel portions is in a first dispensing position at the bottom extremity of the first segment, the other mandrel portion being in a reserve position within the first segment; and, following substantial consumption of the sheet material from the lowermost mandrel, to a second position wherein the lowermost of the mandrel portions is in an expended position at a bottom extremity of the third segment of the guide slot, and the other mandrel portion is in a second dispensing position within the first segment. A holder member is biasingly coupled to the housing for retaining the lowermost of the mandrel portions in the expended position.

The present invention relates to fixtures for dispensing sheet material from rolls, and more particularly to dispensers that are adapted for feeding from a presented roll, and from a spare roll following exhaustion of the presented roll, as in toilet tissue dispensers and the like.
Dual roll sheet dispensers are well known, being disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,387,902 to Perrin et al., 3,770,222 to Jespersen, 4,422,584 to Dashnier et al., and 4,422,585 to Schultz et al. Typically, such dispensers have one roll supported in a first dispensing position, and an additional roll is held in a reserve position and moved to a second dispensing position (which in some cases is the same as the first dispensing position) following or upon exhaustion of the first roll. Perrin et al. disclose a U-shaped mandrel assembly having mandrel components that are movable in a rigid yoke member, the assembly being loadable with rolls having split cores. Once the mandrel assembly is loaded into the dispenser, the respective rolls are locked in respective dispensing and reserve positions until the dispensing roll is exhausted, whereupon its core is burst automatically by spring action of the mandrel assembly, whereupon the assembly is allowed to fall to a lower position within the dispenser, whereby the mandrel components for the exhausted roll move to an exhausted position and the remaining roll moves from the reserve position to a secondary dispensing position.
Jespersen discloses a roll paper dispenser having a pair of generally L-shaped guide channels for opposite ends of a pair of mandrels, with movable members of the dispenser permitting downward movement of the mandrels in a prescribed manner, with the dispensing position shifting in response to consumption of the lower roll until the respective mandrel becomes disengaged from the guide channels, whereupon the upper mandrel is released from the reserve position.
Dashnier et al. disclose a dispenser having a pair of oppositely cantilevered mandrels that are pivotally supported on a common axis in a manner permitting limited relative angular movement, the upper mandrel being detented in the reserve position until dislodged therefrom by movement of the lower mandrel, such movement being blocked until the lower roll is nearly consumed. Shultz et al. disclose a similar dispenser wherein first and second mandrels are each cantilevered from respective guide blocks that slide in respective legs of an L-shaped track. The first mandrel is retained in the reserve position by interference between the blocks until the roll on the second mandrel is nearly exhausted.
The roll sheet dispensers of the prior art have not been entirely satisfactory for at least some of the following reasons:
1. They are wasteful in that they do not provide for complete consumption of one roll before initiating consumption of the reserve roll; PA1 2. They are not versatile in that they require special or proprietary roll configurations; PA1 3. They are awkward to use in that partially consumed reserve rolls must be removed from their mandrels and either discarded or reloaded onto a different mandrel, and the loaded mandrels must be carefully guided into engagement with tracks or other supports; and PA1 4. They are expensive to provide and difficult to maintain in that they incorporate complex mechanisms and interlocks. PA1 (a) providing a dispenser having a dual mandrel and a housing, the housing including a base portion and an openable cover portion having a closed position, opposite guide slots being formed between respective guide surfaces of the base portion and the cover portion in the closed position thereof for defining respective first and second dispensing positions, a reserve position, a pinch position, and an expended position for the rolls, the pinch position defining a restricted passage for the roll in a mostly expended condition thereof and being in a path between the first dispensing position and the expended position, the expended position defining clearance for free rotation of the roll in the mostly expended condition; PA1 (b) loading a pair of the rolls on respective portions of the mandrel; PA1 (c) opening the cover portion to an orientation wherein the guide surfaces thereof are upwardly facing; PA1 (d) lowering the mandrel into engagement with the guide surfaces of the cover portion; and PA1 (e) closing the cover portion with the rolls in the first dispensing and reserve positions thereof. PA1 (a) unrolling and separating sufficient material from the roll having the first dispensing position to attain the mostly expended position; PA1 (b) moving the mandrel until a portion thereof is in the expended position, the roll in the reserve position being thereby moved to the second dispensing position; and PA1 (c) retaining the roll in the second dispensing position.
Thus there is a need for a sequential roll sheet dispenser that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

Dispenser for feeding sheet material from sequential rolls


An active pixel for use in an imaging array and formed in a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type. The active pixel comprises: a pinned photodiode formed in the semiconductor substrate; a transfer well having a second conductivity type formed in the substrate, the transfer well being adjacent to the pinned photodiode; a transfer gate adjacent the transfer well, the transfer gate for controlling the flow of a signal charge from the pinned photodiode through the transfer well and under the transfer gate; and an output well adjacent the transfer gate for receiving the signal charge and routing the signal charge to output circuitry.

Integrated circuit implementations of imaging arrays have undergone significant development over the past twenty years. One widely used technology in the pixels of imaging arrays is the charged coupled device (CCD). The CCD device has been made popular by its oftentimes superior performance characteristics. However, one drawback of the CCD image sensor is that signal processing elements cannot be manufactured using the same process that is used to manufacture CCD devices. Therefore, signal processing circuitry must be located in a separate integrated circuit.
Another class of image sensors are the active pixel sensors. As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,210 to Lee et al. ("the '210 patent), an active pixel sensor refers to electronic image sensors within active devices, such as transistors, that are associated with each pixel. The active pixel sensor has the advantage of being able to incorporate both signal processing and sensing circuitry within the same integrated circuit. Conventional active pixel sensors typically employ polysilicon photocapacitors or photodiodes as the active image sensing elements.
A device known as a pinned photodiode has gained favor for its ability to have good color response for blue light, as well as advantages in dark current density and image lag. While the '210 patent provides a method for using a pinned photodiode and an active pixel sensor, the design taught in the '210 patent suffers from the drawback of manufacturing complexity. In particular, as seen in the diagrams of the '210 patent, the manufacturer of such an apparatus requires multiple masking and photolithography steps.
Thus, what is needed, is a method of manufacturing a device having the advantages of an active pixel pinned photodiode as in the '210 patent with a minimum number of photolithography and masking steps. Alternatively stated, what is needed is a new pinned photodiode active pixel structure that can be more easily manufactured.


In a dental articulator having articulator arms which extend forwards in their working position, of which one is mounted in two swivel/sliding joints to pivot about a swivel axis extending at right angles to the vertical longitudinal centre plane, said joints being arranged on both sides of the vertical longitudinal centre plane as mirror-images and being each formed by an articular recess in an articular housing and a spherical head that engages through an opening in the articular recess, and the articular recess has a sagittal guide surface, a Bennett guide surface and a lateral guide surface, and associated with each swivel/sliding joint is a locking device with a locking element for locking the associated swivel/sliding joint in its 0-position (final biting position), and the locking element can be adjusted between a locking position and a releasing position allowing sliding movements in the associated swivel/sliding joint, a form-locking connection is provided between the locking element and the spherical head for an attachment between the lower part and the upper part that is effective in the longitudinal direction of the swivel axis.

A dental articulator is a movement simulator with which lower jaw movements can be simulated, which is necessary for the manufacture of tooth replacements, e.g. dentures or bridges.
The main parts of an articulator that are significant in this respect are the lower part and the upper part which carry the lower jaw tooth model and the upper jaw tooth model, and which are joined together in a rotating/sliding joint of which the axis of rotation in the final biting position extends at right angles to the vertical centre plane of the articulator. About this axis of rotation of the rotating/sliding joints, present on both sides in the articulator, the thus formed artificial set of teeth can be opened and closed by swivelling the upper part in the vertical centre plane. Furthermore, protrusive movements, laterotrusive movements and mediotrusive movements can be carried out, such as are made possible by the human jaw bone joint.
There are articulators in which the articular sphere is arranged on the lower part and the associated sliding joint guide is arranged on the upper part. An articulator of this kind is called an "arcon articulator". In contrast a non-arcon articulator is one in which the articular spheres are arranged on the upper part and the sliding joint guide is arranged on the lower part.
Known articulators are distinguished on the one hand between kinds which differ from one another with regard to their principle movement. With most articulators, the lower jaw movement is simulated by moving the upper part and thus the upper jaw.
In a known articulator the swivel/sliding joints are provided as articular heads directed upwards, which are arranged on upright supporting limbs of the articulator and engage in articular recesses open on the underside in articular housings arranged on the upper part. With this known configuration the spherical heads are held in the O-position by means of screws pushing against them.
A similar configuration is provided with another known articulator. In this known configuration the spherical heads are pushed by means of the screws obliquely inwards, at the same time against the lateral guide surface and the Bennett guide surface of the associated articular recess.
The two known configurations are disadvantageous for several reasons. One disadvantage is that the Bennett movement is restricted or at least does not correspond to the anatomical factors of the human body. On the other hand, due to the presence of the screws, very complicated operation is inevitable, e.g. when the articulator is to be adjusted or the upper part is to be dismounted from the lower part. Furthermore these known configurations are unsuitable for adjustable articular guide surfaces, e.g. the lateral guide surface or the Bennett guide surface. In both cases adjustments of the guide surfaces lead to positional differences between the lower part and the upper part.


An electronic component suppresses stray capacitance and exhibits a high electromagnetic shielding effect, and eliminates flowing of a conductive agent into inappropriate areas and occurrence of a poor electrical connection. Electronic-component devices are mounted on an insulating substrate having input and output electrodes and a ground electrode. Then, a metallic cap is bonded and sealed onto the substrate via an insulating layer having holes formed therein so as to cover the electronic-component devices. A conductive layer connected to the ground electrode is disposed on part of the cap-mounting portion of the substrate and positioned at a level higher than the insulating layer so that the metallic cap is electrically connected via the conductive layer to the ground electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electronic components and, more particularly, to surface mount-type electronic components.
2. Description of the Related Art
A surface mount-type electronic component previously developed by the present inventor is a piezoelectric component illustrated in FIG. 1. This piezoelectric component is a capacitor-integrating piezoelectric oscillator having one oscillator R and two capacitors C.sub.1, and C.sub.2 for use in a Colpitts oscillator circuit. The electric circuit of this component is shown in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 1, this piezoelectric component includes an insulating substrate 20, an oscillator device 40, a capacitor device 50, and a metallic cap 60. The substrate 20 is a substantially rectangular thin sheet preferably made from alumina ceramics, and three band-like electrodes 22, 23 and 24 are preferably provided on the upper surface of the substrate 20 and arranged substantially parallel to the widthwise direction of the substrate 20. The electrodes 22, 23 and 24 serve as an input electrode, a ground electrode and an output electrode, respectively. Both ends of the electrodes 22 through 24 respectively extend to recesses or through-holes 20a formed on the side edge surfaces of the substrate 20 and are connected to the electrodes disposed on the lower surface of the substrate 20 via the electrodes formed on the inner surfaces of the recesses 20a.
A frame-shaped insulating layer 25 preferably made from a resin base paste or a glass base paste is provided on the top portion of the substrate 20 on which the cap 60 is bonded. The thickness of the insulating layer 25 is desirably determined to be within a range, for example, from about 20 to 40 .mu.m, in order to reduce a level difference or difference in vertical height or location created by the electrodes and also to sufficiently insulate the electrodes from the cap 60 which will be explained in greater detail below. The insulating layer 25 is baked or cured after it has been printed.
Bonded onto the substrate 20 is a laminated block formed by integrating the oscillator device 40 and the capacitor device 50 via materials 30 through 32 which have both conducting and adhering functions, such as a conductive adhesive.
The oscillator device 40 is a thickness shear vibration-mode device in which an electrode 42 is disposed to cover an area beginning at a first end of the device 40 and extending about two thirds along a length of a top surface of a piezoelectric ceramic substrate 41 while an electrode 43 is disposed to cover an area beginning at a second end of the device 40 and extending approximately two thirds of a length of a bottom surface of the substrate 41. The inner ends of the electrodes 42 and 43 overlap each other at the intermediate portion of the device 40 across the piezoelectric substrate 41 so as to form a vibrating section. The outer ends 42a and 43a of the electrodes 42 and 43 are routed in a roundabout manner to the bottom surface of the piezoelectric substrate 41 via the respective edge surfaces of the substrate 41.
Moreover, the capacitor device 50 has a dielectric substrate 51 (for example, a ceramic substrate) preferably having the same length and width as the oscillator device 40. Two individual electrodes 52 and 53 are disposed on a top surface of the dielectric substrate 51 so as to extend from both ends towards a center portion of the substrate 51, while one opposing electrode 54 is provided on a bottom surface of the substrate 51 to opposedly face the individual electrodes 52 and 53. Two capacitors C.sub.1, and C.sub.2 are formed in the opposing portion between the opposing electrode 54 and the individual electrodes 52 and 53. The outer ends 52a and 53a of the electrodes 52 and 53 are routed in a roundabout fashion to the bottom surface of the substrate 51 via the respective edge surfaces of the substrate 51.
The bottom surface of the oscillator device 40 and the top surface of the capacitor device So are bonded at both ends via materials 33 and 34 having-both conducting and adhering functions, such as a conductive adhesive. Simultaneously, a space for vibration can be formed between the vibrating section of the oscillator device 40 and the capacitor device 50 by virtue of the thickness of the materials 33 and 34. In this manner, one electrode 42 of the oscillator device 40 and one individual electrode 52 of the capacitor device 50 are connected, while the other electrode 43 of the oscillator device 40 and the other individual electrode 53 of the capacitor device 50 are coupled. It should be noted that resin-containing, frequency-adjusting damping materials 35 and 36 are applied onto both ends of the top surface of the oscillator device 40.
After the oscillator device 40 and the capacitor device 50 are integrally attached to each other, the bottom surface of the capacitor device 50 is bonded onto the substrate 20 via materials 30 through 32. Then, the outer end 52a of one individual electrode 52 of the capacitor device 52 is connected to the input electrode 22; the outer end 53a of the other individual electrode 53 is coupled to the output electrode 24; and the opposing electrode 54 is connected to the ground electrode 23.
The cap 60 is fixed at its opening onto the substrate 20 with an adhesive 61 to cover the oscillator device 40 and the capacitor device 50. The adhesive 61, which is preferably an epoxy-type adhesive, is applied to the bottom surface of the opening of the cap 60 which is then bonded to the insulating layer 25. Then, the adhesive 61 is cured.
In the piezoelectric component described above using the metallic cap 60, it may be preferred to that the cap 60 is electrically grounded in order to inhibit stray capacitance and to shield electric noise entering from the exterior.
As one of the methods for grounding the cap 60, the following technique is available. After the cap 60 is attached to the substrate 20, a conductive paste 70 is applied with a dispenser, as shown in FIG. 3, to connect the outer surface of the cap 60 to the ground electrode 23 of the substrate 20, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the cap 60 and the ground electrode 23.
However, this method presents the following problems. The application of the conductive paste 70 with a dispenser is time-consuming, and also, additional work, i.e., the application of the paste 70, is required after the piezoelectric component has been completed, thereby lowering productivity. Further, the adhesive 61 forms a fillet or bump seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 on the exterior of the cap 60 to bond the cap 60 to the substrate 20, and it is necessary that the conductive paste 70 be applied to a position or vertical level higher than the fillet in order to electrically connect the cap 60 to the ground electrode 23. It is very difficult, however, to apply the paste 70 to a position higher than the fillet while preventing the paste 70 from flowing into the recessed portion 20a of the substrate 20. In practice, the conductive paste 70 flows into the recessed portion 20a, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to disadvantageously lower solderability and create a poor electrical connection between the cap 60 and the substrate 20, as shown in FIG. 5.