A flashing safety warning light in which a superluminescent light-emitting diode (SLD) light source is driven by an oscillatory drive signal at a visually imperceptible but highly efficient operating frequency, the oscillatory drive signal preferably being a pulse signal of 1 to 5 KHz to cause the SLD to be illuminated and extinguished at the oscillatory drive signal frequency, such that extinction of the SLD is not visually perceptible. The oscillatory drive signal is in turn gated on and off in accordance with a gating signal at a low, highly visually perceptible frequency in the range of 3 to 12 Hz with a pulse duty cycle of between 10 to 60% in order to cause the SLD to be visually perceived as flashing on and off at the gating signal frequency in an attention-getting manner. An implementation of the flashing safety warning light for use as a bicycle safety flasher is described, and offers enhanced warning visibility with extended battery life.

The present invention is related in general to flashing warning lights, and, more particularly, to the provision of a high luminous intensity flashing warning light using superluminescent light emitting diodes for improved visibility and lower power consumption than conventional devices.
Flashing (i.e. intermittently or periodically illuminated) lights have long been used to provide visual warnings, and a considerable body of research has been compiled in the fields of psychology and engineering (and more recently in that hybrid field known as "human factors engineering") concerning human perception of flashing light (i.e. the ability of people to perceive and respond to flashing light). From such research and study, a large number of factors have been identified and suggested as involved in the human perception of and reaction to flashing light, and although much knowledge on the subject is theoretically based and remains to be confirmed, there have presently been suggested certain factors which may be applied to the provision of a flashing warning light for improving the visibility of a flashing light, that is, for making a flashing light visible at a greater distance (i.e. "visibility"), and for enhancing the probability that people will not only perceive (i.e. see) the flashing light but will also react consciously thereto (i.e. "attention-getting").
It is suggested for example from the study of human factors that human visual perception of flashing light appears greatest when the light is flashed at a flash rate or frequency in the range of 3 to 10 flashes per second, with a flash duration of at least 0.05 seconds being recommended. Further, for the flashing of a light to be perceived as discrete flashes, the flash rate or frequency must be below the so-called "flicker-fusion" frequency, that is the frequency above which a flashing light appears as a steady light (i.e. due to the phenomenon of "persistence of vision"), this critical frequency being considered to be approximately 24-30 flashes per second.
For simplicity, hereinafter flash rate or frequency will be described in terms of "flashes-per-second" (fps).
Research has revealed other factors to be pertinent concerning perception of light in general, and flashing light in particular. For example, according to Fechner's Law the sensation of light as produced by the eye varies logarithmically with the intensity of the stimulus. Further, it has been found that at low intensities of light, colors cannot be distinguished ("twilight vision"). It has also been found that at low luminous intensities, before twilight vision, there is a distinct shift of the maximum in the visibility curve towards a shorter wavelength, this phenomenon being known as the Purkinje effect. This shift of the spectral visibility curve tends to make color sensations variable quantities.
With respect to the human perception of flashes of light, a number of psychosensory phenomena of interest have been indicated. It has been suggested for example that a number of different "channels" and "systems" of visual perception are present in humans, and that the perception of flashing light stimulus depends upon the action and interaction of these channels in receiving visual stimuli from the rods and cones of the retina of the eye and in transmitting these stimuli to sensory and motor centers of the brain where the stimuli are "perceived" and responded-to. Further, experimental results have suggested that rod and cone signals elicited by a single flash combined in an excitatory fashion. The results of other experimental work have suggested that light flashes of short duration favor one visual sensory channel, while longer duration flashes favor another visual sensory channel. Still further, with respect to the dynamic range of visual sensory perception in humans, it has been found that short (e.g. 4-msec) test flashes presented on backgrounds appear to have less dynamic range (between above and below threshold) than long (e.g. 300-msec) test flashes. Decreasing the intensity of a short flash has surprisingly little effect until a final small adjustment makes a comparatively brig-ht flash suddenly disappear. Dimming a 300-msec flash is more predictable; the flash grows dimmer until it disappears. It has further been found that, incidentally, short test flashes tend to appear as abrupt bursts, whereas long test flashes are frequently seen as in distinct smudges that drift on, then off.
Luminance discrimination has also been experimentally studied, with regard to what psychosensory mechanisms are involved in discerning or seeing light flashes and in discriminating luminance differences between light flashes, in an attempt to establish psychometric curves for these functions. For example, it has been attempted to demonstrate that there are two discrete detection channels, one for long flashes and one for short flashes. Experiments have shown that different slopes are obtained for psychometric curves measured with short and long flashes. The explanation favored is that the visual system is not homogenous; there are at least two detection channels with inherently different slopes, and it is believed that these can be differentially tapped by varying test flash parameters. Results of some experiments tend to confirm this, and suggest that whereas the long flash detection channel is photometrically subtractive or subadditive, the short flash detection channel is photometrically additive and has a much steeper psychometric function slope than the long flash detection channel. It is further suggested that the psychometric function slopes of the different visual sensory channels vary differently as a function of wavelength, and it has been adduced that all three channels of the visual system do not have the same gain but rather differ in spectral sensitivity.
An interesting question concerns the relationship between the light detection and the flicker threshold. When flashes are supplied within a certain interval, they are perceived as being fused and are indistinguishable from continuously supplied light. It has been almost 150 years since it was shown that, under fused circumstances, the mean intensity over time is independent of the actual light-dark ratio. A further question concerns how many extra quanta of light must be added to flashes perceived as fused at the absolute threshold of vision to perceive a flickering light again, or more precisely, in order to see a regular high-frequency flickering light again (since fused light at threshold level is perceived as irregular flickering light). It has been previously shown that the visual perception system's processing of quantal effects at low luminance levels is essentially nonlinear. Flicker can be detected either by the "on response" or by the "off response" of the visual system to a flash of light. In the case of the on response, extra light quanta have to be supplied so that the threshold set by the adaptational state induced by the previous stimuli is exceeded. A larger interval between flashes leads to a lowering of the adaptational state (because of a decrease of the flux) and thus to lower thresholds. In the case of the off response, the excitation state has to decrease by a certain amount in order to exceed the decrement threshold. If flashes last long enough for a stable adaptation level to be reached, then the threshold no longer depends on the actual flash duration. Experimental results have shown that after 100 msec this stable level can be reached and maintained by a constant intensity in the flashes.
With regard to critical fusion frequency as a function of mean intensity at low luminance levels, it is has been suggested that the critical fusion frequency increases from 6 to 25 Hz with increasing stimulus size. It has also been found that, at higher luminance levels, brief flashes need a longer interval to elicit flicker perception than do long-lasting flashes.
Behavioral studies have shown that when attention is directed towards a point in space, stimuli occurring at or near that location receive facilitated processing. This voluntary control over the spatial focus of attention, which can occur even while the eyes remain stationary, has been described metaphorically as an attentional "spotlight". Some authors have suggested that the attentional spotlight has discrete boundaries and that stimuli falling within this "zone of facilitation" show an "all-or-none" enhancement of processing. Other research suggested that the spotlight is probably flexible, changing its size as a function of task demands.
Recent work, however, has indicated that the spatial distribution of attention in many cases takes the form of a "gradient", such that the falloff of enhanced processing in regions surrounding an attended location is gradual rather than all-or-none. The bulk of evidence supporting the gradient concept has come from studies of simple reaction time (RT) in humans; in general, RT was prolonged as a function of target distance from the attended locus. However, a simple RT measurement does not readily distinguish between a facilitation of sensory processing and the biasing of response and decision processes in this type of task. Thus, gradient effects in RT may have been due to response delays resulting from higher decision criteria for events occurring at a distance from the attended location. An additional confounding factor is that the RT method may cause the subject's attention to be partially diverted and divided rather than strictly focused on the to-be-attended stimulus.
Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) have been used in an attempt to evaluate the spatial distribution of visual attention to possibly provide a partial solution to problems in prior attempts. It has been well established in the study of visual-spatial attention in humans that stimuli at an attended location elicit higher-amplitude ERP components between 80 and 250 msec post-stimulus. There is good reason to believe that these enhanced ERP amplitudes reflect a facilitation of early visual processing in the sensory pathways (i.e. channels). The ERP methodology employed in a particular case examined how human observers distribute their sensory processing capacity among the various elements of a visual display during fully focused attention, to investigate whether a spotlight or gradient effect could be detected. Stimulus in the left, right and midline visual fields were used. Attentional gradients were seen as progressive decrements in amplitudes of the ERPs to the lateral stimuli when attention was directed in turn to evoking stimulus, to the midline, and to the opposite-side stimuli.
In summary, it may be concluded that simple flashes of light elicit a whole range of complex responses from the visual system relating to retinal potentials, subcortical potentials, primary-visual-cortex and associated area potentials, and generalized non-specific responses of the cortex.
Various different types of flashing lights have been known to be used for providing visual alert or warning lights, and have employed incandescent lamps, rare gas discharge lamps and, more recently, light emitting diodes as an illumination means, with some associated control circuitry. However, each of these previous types of illumination means has its disadvantages. Further, the design and operation of such previous types of flashing lights did not take into account the various factors such as flash rates and durations for optimizing the psychosensory perception of flashing light. Still further, the previous flashing light devices could not provide effective light output with low power consumption (i.e. efficiency) at desirable high flash rates, or could not do so without severly sacrificing device power consumption and reliability of the light source, and thus could not provide reliable low power operation and were thus not suitable for use in portable lightweight battery powered equipment.
For example, while incandescent light sources have commonly been used in flashing warning lights, there is the problem that, typically, incandescent light sources are not able to come to full brightness and to then cool off to extinction (i.e. turn on and off) within the higher optimum flash rate frequencies for attracting attention; the flashing character of tungsten-filament lamps is typically degraded significantly above flash rates of 9 fps. Furthermore, because of the inherent thermal inertia of incandescent light sources (once turned sufficiently on to emit light, there is a significant delay in extinction to the off state) as shown in FIG. 1, such light sources cannot provide flashes of relatively short duration, nor can such light sources provide adequate on-off contrast when operated at higher flash rates. As a consequence, incandescent light sources are not suitable for use as warning lights at those flash rates and flash duration periods to which human visual perception is most sensitive but are constrained to use at lower frequencies and longer flash periods.
Still further, incandescent lamps are inefficient due to their emission of considerable energy at wavelengths outside the visual spectrum, and suffer inherent increased power loss, thermal inertia and filament degradation when operated at higher intensity and/or flash rates. An incandescent flashing light with adequate intensity for outdoor use usually requires larger size batteries to compensate for the excessive power loss in the form of heat, thus rendering it impractical for applications requiring reasonably small size and light weight necessary for portability. Durability of incandescent flashing lights is also degraded due to the thermal stress on the filament and mechanical shocks received by the filament.
Rare gas discharge lamps (e.g. Xenon, Argon flash tube lamps and strobes), while- capable of operation at higher flash rates are, however, limited to extremely short flash durations which cannot be lengthened. Thus, such light sources are incapable of longer flash duty cycle operation. Furthermore, rare gas discharge lamps are relatively expensive and must necessarily be energized with high voltages and currents, and thus flashing warning lights of this type require complex charging and discharging circuits and consume considerable power. Furthermore, a large amount of energy is required to produce the flashing action of a rare-gas lamp; it tends to deplete ordinary batteries quickly if flashed at an optimal frequency of 3 to 12 Hz continuously such as that required by a warning light. Therefore, rare-gas discharge lights for extended flashing time are only feasible where a large power source is available, such as the utility power, or a power generator, but not in a portable application. Furthermore, being glass-encased, gas discharge flash tubes are susceptible to mechanical shock damage and to gas leakage rendering them inoperative.
Ordinary light emitting diodes (LEDs) are relatively durable mechanically and electrically (as long as their current supply is properly limited) and most readily lend themselves to low voltage-low current operation and electronic control for both flash rate frequency and duration. However such ordinary LEDs as have previously been used as light sources in flashing warning lights were of insufficiently low light intensity output. Hence the use of such low luminosity light emitting sources in visual warning devices has been of limited effectiveness, being restricted to subdued light environments such as for indoor activities, or where the ambient or background light level is quite low so that sufficient contrast can be obtained with the relatively dim illumination intensity of ordinary LEDs to render them visible against a background. Thus, ordinary LED flashers have only found wide application in toys, jewelry and other devices where visibility requirements are not critical. Examples of such prior devices are found disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,786,246 and 3,812,614 (flying disc type toys); U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,572 (clothing ornament); U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,036 (jewelry); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,244 (skate wheel).
In order to be both effective and practical, a portable warning light should satisfy at least the following requirements:
1. Adequate visibility, and in an attention-getting manner. This involves considerations of various factors such as: the luminous intensity as well as the on-off contrast ratio of the light source; flash rate/frequency; and flash duration/period.
2. Controllability. This involves the relative ease of controlling the light source for effective flash rate frequency and flash duration.
3. Extended operating battery life. This is a critical factor and requires balancing the interdependent factors of the power available, the light output intensity, and the permissible weight of the device.
4. Durable. This requirement concerns the reliability of the device.
5. Light weight and small size. This requirement constrains the use of large and/or heavy batteries and thus affects the available power, limiting permissible power consumption in order to achieve adequate operating life.
6. Cost. This is often of paramount concern since complex devices not only adversely affect economy in manufacture, but also the applicability of such devices to use by consumers.
Unfortunately, although numerous prior flashing light devices are known, these prior devices have failed to meet or satisfy all of the above-noted requirements for use in a portable flashing warning light.
Portable warning flashers have wide usefulness, one particularly useful application of a portable flashing warning light being as a bicycle or jogger warning signal flasher for alerting vehicular traffic to the presence of bicycles and joggers. Bicycles are frequently ridden on or alongside heavily traveled motor vehicle thoroughfares. Similarly, joggers often run alongside roads and bicycle and jogging paths are often established alongside roads and highways, and may cross roads frequently. In metropolitan areas where traffic is heavy and fast moving during morning and evening rush hours, joggers, pedestrians and bicycle riders are frequently found on and alongside streets, roads and highways during periods of heavy traffic since at these times children may be making their way to and from school, people may be commuting to and from work on bicycles, and joggers often prefer to run during the morning and early evening hours due to cooler conditions at those times. Concomitant with the presence of pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists along vehicular roadways during the early morning and early evening is the fact that, especially during the darker winter months, the risng or setting sun is relatively low on the horizon at such times so that natural outdoor ambient light levels may be low while still not being so dark as to require vehicle drivers to have their headlights on, making it difficult for drivers of motor vehicles to actually discern bicyclists, pedestrians and joggers until they are quite close. Similarly, at dawn and twilight, vision is difficult because of low natural light levels and because of the eyes' difficulty in adapting quickly to the changing from dark to light and vice versa, along with the above-noted shifting of the eyes' spectral response at such times. Such factors, combined with the concentration demands placed upon drivers during heavy traffic conditions, make it difficult for drivers to see bicyclists, joggers and pedestrians along roadways during those times when it is most likely that they will be present, and thus there is a great need for a means of effectively alerting drivers to the presence of bicyclists, joggers and pedestrians along roadways during darkness and semi-darkness.
To be effective, such an alert device should attract a driver's attention at as great a distance as possible from the bicyclist, jogger, etc., given the line of sight situation, so that the driver will have adequate notice and may take appropriate precaution while still approaching and before arriving upon the bicyclist or jogger. This requires first and foremost that the alert signal attract the driver's attention, i.e. be visible, perceptible and noticeable so that the driver will be made aware thereby of the bicyclist's or jogger's presence as early as possible.
Various prior safety flasher light devices have been proposed along these lines. Exemplary of such prior devices are those safety lights disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,423,473 and 4,451,871. In these devices, a penlight battery power supply is coupled to an ordinary LED mounted within a lensed refelector housing by means of a position sensitive mercury switch, so that, when the device is worn or carried, the position sensitive switch will on account of sensing the wearer's movements connect power to the LED to cause intermittent bursts of light to be emitted thereby. It is described that because power is supplied only intermittently to the LED, the light source LED may be operated from a battery source which provides current to the light source LED in excess of its maximum current rating to provide light of greater intensity than is normally producible from such light source (i.e. an ordinary low luminosity LED). Such a device however does not produce flashes at any particular effective flash rate (apart from being responsive to the rhythm of the wearer's motions sensed thereby), nor of any particular flash duration and thus is not optimal for attracting attention, nor reliable since it regularly will subject the LED to an overcurrent condition which, while perhaps brief, risks damaging the LED junction nevertheless should the mercury switch connection remain on for too long. Another motion-switched intermittently flashed safety light device is disclosed from U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,392.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,258 there is disclosed a safety belt with flashing LEDs for joggers in which an array of LEDs arranged along a reflective belt are connected to a battery-powered oscillator circuit including two separate oscillators, one oscillating at <1 to 5 Hz, and another oscillating at 3 Hz. Sets or subsets of the LEDs in the array are alternately driven by connecting these oscillators to opposite nodes of the array, such that one oscillator forwardly biases the LEDs and the other oscillator reversely biases the LEDs, such that LEDs of different sets are driven only when forwardly biased and thus flash alternately. However, such a device is only suitable for low ambient light conditions.
In U S. Pat. No. 4,819,135 there is shown a bicycle lighting device in which strings of LEDs are mounted along the frame tubes of a bicycle and flashed in sequence to provide a broadside flashing triangular slow moving vehicle signal to motorists. U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,230 shows a string of LEDs adapted to be secured to the spokes of a bicycle wheel.
Other portable safety flasher lights are known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,153,745; 3,840,853; and 4,323,879. Flashing or blinking signal light devices for bicycles and other vehicles are also known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,661,406; 3,764,976; 3,916,377; 3,974,369; 3,987,409; 4,019,171; 4,388,559; 4,550,305; 4,598,339; and 4,692,736.
Devices using flashing LEDs are also known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,737,722; 4,228,484; and 4,228,485. U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,408 discloses an array of LEDs mounted on a reflectorized substrate to form a colored light source, for use in signs. U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,629 discloses a vehicle marker light for end-of-train equipment use having arrays of LEDs which are driven to be flashed at prescribed or different flash repetition rates at night or during other low visibility conditions.
However, none of the known devices satisfactorily meet the myriad requirements for an effective portable safety warning flasher of high attention-getting visibility at low power consumption and light weight with low cost and high reliability, and thus there has remained a need for a device which can satisfy these requirements.

Battery-powered flashing superluminescent light emitting diode safety warning light


Described herein is apparatus for the mixing of explosive materials utilising a static mixer (26) for combining pre-mix explosive material and hardener prior to introducing the combined mixture into any ordnance (38).

Traditional methods used for filling ordnance with polymer bonded explosive (PBX) utilize a filling process based on the combination of usually two materials, namely an explosive mixture (pre-mix) and hardener, which are mixed together immediately prior to use in filling the chosen ordnance.
In a typical application of the mixing and filling process, a pre-mix of explosive such as, for example, PBX is produced and typically mixed with a hardener (i.e., IPDI), the combined mixture being mixed together in a high shear mixer.
Once mixed, the bowl of the high shear mixer containing the fully mixed PBX composition is fitted with a pressure plate apparatus and cover, then raised to an appropriate filling height on a specialized bowl lift.
Once elevated into position, the bowl of fully mixed PBX composition is pressurized using an inert gas (i.e., nitrogen) for the purposes of aiding the dispensing of the fully mixed PBX composition through a system of pipes to the ordnance filling position.
Ordnance to be filled is typically placed in a vacuum chamber and a filling attachment from the bottom outlet valve of the mixer bowl containing the fully mixed PBX composition is attached to the chamber. Typically, the vacuum will be evacuated to <100 millibars.
The vacuum provides the physical motivation for the fully mixed PBX composition to flow into the ordnance when the valve from the bottom outlet of the mixer bowl is released. The quantity of fully mixed PBX composition introduced to the cavity within the ordnance is usually judged visually, and when sufficiently filled, the vacuum to the chamber is released and the filled component removed ready for the introduction of the next ordnance component to be filled.
The traditional method of filling ordnance as described above suffers from a number of problems associated with the finite 'pot life' time of the fully mixed PBX composition and the fact that once the various chemicals have been combined, the 'pot life' time defines the period within which the filling process must be completed before the PBX composition cures and can no longer be used in the process (i.e., would solidify within the pipe work).
The 'pot life' is typically in the order of two hours and in instances where there are no problems associated with a particular batch of components, then the mixing of PBX and hardener (IPDI) in a bowl and the subsequent dispensing of the fully mixed PBX composition into ordnance can be achieved relatively quickly. However, if for any reason (for example, mechanical breakdown, etc.) the filling process has to be interrupted or indeed suspended, then the whole of the fully mixed PBX composition has to be purged from the mixing and filling apparatus, the purged material being lost to waste.

Apparatus for mixing explosive materials and for filling of ordnance


The invention provides a process for injection blow molding an article, said process comprising injecting into a mold cavity a composition, comprising at least one ethylene-based polymer and less than, or equal to, 1000 ppm of a mold release agent, based on the total weight of the composition. The invention also provides a composition comprising a blend, wherein the blend comprises at least one high molecular weight (HMW) ethylene-based polymer, and at least one low molecular weight (LMW) ethylene-based polymer, and wherein the blend has an unsaturation level, as determined by IR, and expressed as vinyls per 1000 carbon atoms, less than, or equal to, 0.5 vinyls per 1000 carbon atoms, and wherein the high molecular weight (HMW) ethylene-based polymer has a density from 0.925 to 0.950 g/cc.

The invention relates to a process for injection blow molding an article, in which a composition, containing at least one ethylene-based polymer and little or no mold release agent, is injection blow molded.
Injection blow molding (IBM) is a process typically used to make bottles for pharmaceutical and personal care packaging, which require threaded sections with precise dimensions. The IBM process consists of three main steps: injection, blowing and ejection. During the blowing stage, sections of the pre-form may remain adhered to the core rod resulting in non-inflated or partially inflated parts. Thus, mold release agents, such as erucamide or zinc stearate (ZnSt), are commonly compounded with the polymer during polymer production, or added as "salt and pepper" blends at the time of injection blow molding, in order to prevent the polymer from sticking to the core rod. Thus, these mold release agents facilitate the release of the molded article from the mold cavity. The mold release agents typically migrate to the polymer surface, where they provide a medium between the polymer matrix and the core rod/mold surface. This migration can be problematic, because the mold release agents can result in the contamination of the contents placed inside the molded article. Typically, polyethylene resins extruded without mold release agents require more restrictive extrusion conditions. Generally, lower melt temperatures, cooler blowing conditions, and longer cycle times are required to produce an acceptable part. These restrictive conditions can result in lower quality parts and increased production costs.
Extrusion blow molding (EBM), injection stretch blow molding (ISBM), and injection blow molding are the primary blow molding processes used to fabricate plastic containers. While EBM is the most prevalent process to produce polyethylene bottles, IBM comes into play when containers with consistent weight, volume and greater detail in the neck (threaded) area need to be fabricated. Other IBM benefits include more efficient use of resin, as there is no de-flashing, trimming, re-granulation or re-mixing of scrap resin. However, there is a need for an injection blow molding process that uses a composition that requires none or minimal mold release agent. There is a further need for an injection blow molded process that produces articles of various geometries and sizes, in a wide mold/core rod temperature range.
International Publication No. WO 2008/012319 discloses the manufacture of polyethylene based wall articles with improved color and processing conditions by the use of a specific combination of stabilizers. A significant amount of zinc stearate (3000 ppm) is used in some of the formulations as a demolding or release agent.
U.S. Publication No. 2006/0155058 discloses a polyethylene composition with multi-modal molecular mass distribution, which is suitable for blow molding of small containers. The composition has a density in the range of from 0.955 to 0.960 g/cm3, and an MFR190/5 in the range from 0.8 to 1.6 dg/min. It comprises from 45 to 55 percent by weight of a low-molecular-mass ethylene homopolymer A, from 20 to 35 percent by weight of a high-molecular-mass copolymer B made from ethylene and from another 1-olefin having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and from 20 to 30% by weight of an ultrahigh-molecular-mass ethylene copolymer C. Calcium stearate (0.1 wt %) is used in an additive package.
U.S. Publication No. 2007/0129496 discloses multimodal polyethylenes having a density from 0.940 to 0.965 g/cm3, and an I21 from 4 to 20 dg/min, and comprising a low molecular weight ethylene copolymer having a weight average molecular weight from 5,000 amu to 50,000 amu, and a high molecular weight ethylene copolymer having a weight average molecular weight from 60,000 amu to 800,000 amu. Both components having a desirable balance of short chain branching, making the multimodal polyethylene suitable for films, pipes, rotomolding applications and blow molding applications. Zinc stearate (1000-1500 ppm) is used in an additive package of some granular resins.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,646 discloses a tinted bottle formed by injection blow molding a high density polyethylene. The bottles are injection blow-molded from a mixture containing a high gloss, high density polyethylene resin, a slip agent such as zinc stearate or calcium stearate, and a colorant. The mixture preferably contains about 2-6 percent by weight colorant and about 1-3 percent slip agent with the balance being high density polyethylene resin.
U.S. Publication No. 2005/0037166 discloses an injection blow molded, single layer, hollow packaging, comprising essentially a metallocene-produced polyethylene. The hollow packaging has an external and internal gloss of at least 30, and the metallocene-produced polyethylene has a density of from 0.910 up to 0.966 g/cm3 or up to homopolymer densities, and a melt index MI2 of from 0.5 to 2.5 g/10 min.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,285 discloses blown films and blow molded objects, prepared using a polyethylene composition comprising a unimodal metallocene catalyzed polyethylene copolymer. The polyethylene copolymer is disclosed as having a high melt flow rate and good melt strength, allowing it to be useful in both extrusion and injection blow molding.
Additional polyethylene compositions and/or molding processes are disclosed in the following: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,747,594; 5,773,106; 6,787,608; 6,077,922; 6,822,051; 5,408,015; 6,713,561; 7,250,473; U.S. Publication Nos. 2007/0021567; 2005/0222338; 2008/0051538; 2008/0114131; 2006/0281867; 2008/0015318; 2003/0113496; 2005/0261435; International Publication Nos. WO 2007/003530; WO 2006/138084; WO 2008/008829; WO 2006/036348; WO 2008/016815; WO 2007/130515; WO 2008/051824; European Patent Application No. EP1655333A1; European Patent No. EP1040158B1; and Japanese Patent Application JP3092327A (abstract).
As discussed, there remains a need for an injection blow molding process that uses a composition that does not require the use of a mold release agent, or requires minimal use of a mold release agent. There is a further need for an injection blow molded process that can produce articles of various geometries and sizes with a wide mold/core rod temperature range. In addition, there is a need to produce such articles by reducing cycle time, increasing production rate, decreasing set times, and increasing the temperature at which injection molded parts are produced. Injection blow molded articles with a good balance of properties, such as, stiffness; environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), and water vapor transmission barrier are also desired. These needs and others have been met by the following invention.

Processes and compositions for injection blow molding


Some examples described herein provide for dynamically reconfiguring a base address register (BAR) of a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) configuration space. In an example, information relating to a BAR of a PCIe configuration space is written to a PCIe extended configuration space of the PCIe configuration space, which is read, by a dynamic BAR module. Respective values are written, by the dynamic BAR module, to bits of the BAR based on the information. After writing by the dynamic BAR module, a set value is attempted to be written to each of address bits of the BAR. Writing the set value to an address bit of the BAR is prevented when the address bit is set to a predefined value. After attempting to write, a read value is read from the bits of the BAR. A base address of memory is written to the BAR based on the read value.

Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) is a high-speed serial expansion bus standard. PCIe is based on point-to-point topology, with separate serial links connecting devices to the root complex (e.g., host). A PCIe bus link can support full-duplex communication between any two endpoints, with no inherent limitation on concurrent access across multiple endpoints. PCIe devices communicate via a logical connection called an interconnect or link. A link is a point-to-point communication channel between two PCIe ports allowing both ports to send and receive PCI requests (e.g., configuration, I/O or memory read/write) and interrupts. At the physical level, a link is composed of one or more lanes.

Dynamic base address register (BAR) reconfiguration using a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) extended configuration space


Methods and systems relating to solid state light sources for use in industrial processes.

The inventive subject matter disclosed herein relates to light sources for use in industrial processes, such as for causing material transformation. The following description relates to one representative use of a solid-state light source. In certain aspects, the inventive subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems and methods directed to techniques for providing a fluid flow in association with a work surface that is the subject of a reactive process in the presence of light energy. Other aspects of the inventive subject matter are disclosed in the attached Appendix.
Light can be used to initiate various chemical reactions. Such light-initiated processes are a critical part of a number of industrial processes. The applicability of light as part of a particular process depends on several key properties of the light source, including, as examples, total optical power emitted by the source, wavelength(s) emitted by the source, source coherence, radiance of the source (power/area×steradian), degree of collimation, and power stability.
A particular application of light that has significant economic implications in today's industrial application is the polymerization, curing or other reaction as to adhesives and other light sensitive materials. The application of light may contemplate that the materials be irradiated through low transmittance layers. The application of light may contemplate that one or more specific wavelengths be employed. The application of light may contemplate that the light catalyze the reaction. The application of light generally contemplates that the light be absorbed by one or more materials employed in the process (e.g., adhesive). The application of light tends to also contemplate that the light either not be absorbed by one or more materials employed in the processed and/or, if absorbed undesirably, that any thermal or other undesirable aspects of that absorption be addressed (e.g., mitigation of undesirable heating of a work object). In any case, the application of light in association with the material that is to be bonded, sealed, or chemically altered by a polymerization or other reaction (e.g., with or without catalysis) presents a significant hurdle, and opportunities for advancement, in a number of industrial applications today.
In some chemical reactions, the presence of oxygen is detrimental to the chemical reaction. The detrimental effect of oxygen is well known in the industry. For example, a paper entitled "Nitrogen Inerting Benefits Thin UV Coating Cure," by Dr. L. Misev of Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc., proposes that:
The presence of oxygen during the UV cure process can have a detrimental effect on the cure response of free radical systems. Oxygen reacts with the free radical and forms peroxy radicals by reaction with the photoinitiator, monomer or propagating chain radical. The reactivity of the peroxy radicals is insufficient to continue the free radical polymerization process, leading to chain termination and an under cured system.
Thin coatings, typically printing inks and overprint varnishes, are particularly affected because oxygen replenishment is most effective in the few micrometers below the film surface. This counteracts the increased photoinitiator radical formation resulting from highest UV light intensity at the film surface. Therefore, when UV curing takes place in air the degree of double bond conversion does not depend only on the light intensity distribution within a coating according to the Beer-Lambert law.
The degree of benefit from inerting, typically by nitrogen purging of the UV exposed ink or coating surface, depends on various factors and can be best determined under the specific processing conditions.
According to Dr. Misey, a technique for overcoming the problem of oxygen-inhibited cures is by removing the oxygen by smothering the coating surface with an oxygen-free gas, such as nitrogen.
Certain inerting techniques are proposed in other technical literature. For example, a paper entitled "Progress in Organic Coatings, Overcoming oxygen inhibition in UV-curing of acrylate coatings by carbon dioxide inerting: Part II," by K. Studer et al proposes:
The most effective way to overcome oxygen inhibition is to work in an inert atmosphere, by flushing the UV oven with nitrogen [6,7] or carbon dioxide [8]. The latter gas being heavier than air, it can be easily maintained in a container. As described by K. Studer et al., then, a common technique for inerting is to flush a container, apparently to immerse a work object in an inert atmosphere of nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
References to other technical literature appears to indicate that certain nitrogen-inerting techniques are known. See, for example, "DYNAMIC MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF UV-CURABLE COATINGS WHILE CURING," by R. W. Johnson, DSM Desotech Inc., Elgin, Ill. 60120; R. Muller, in: Proceedings of the RadTech Europe Conference, 2001, p. 149 (referenced in Studer et al. as [6], as set forth above); and T. Henke, in: Proceedings of the RadTech Europe Conference, 2001, p. 145 (referenced in Studer et al. as [8], as set forth above.
In some circumstances, it is either unsafe or impractical to immerse a work object in an oxygen-depleted, inert atmosphere. For example, when the work object is in an environment that must be shared with people, such inerting would be unsafe to those people. In other situations, immersion inerting might be impractical, for example, when the work object is part of, or moved by, a fast-moving mechanical assembly. In these other situations, the moving machinery will tend to undesirably mix, distribute, or disperse the inerting atmosphere (e.g., mixing the inert atmosphere with oxygen, tending to be work at odds with the depletion function), and/or may require adaptable gaskets and seals for effective isolation (i.e., with attendant-ramifications, e.g., expenses, maintenance, etc.).
Such a situation is encountered when curing adhesives used for bonding materials together to form optical storage media. Representative of such media are a compact disk (CD) or digital versatile/video disk (DVD). A CD or a DVD (CD/DVD) is generally formed from two disc-shaped transparent pieces of material. The flat surface of one or both of the discs is typically coated with a reflective surface, which is typically formed from a metal. The coated, flat pieces are conventionally bonded together using a UV-curable adhesive resin.
FIGS. 2A-2C respectively depict cross-sectional views of three exemplary conventional DVDs 210, 220 and 230. Such conventional DVDs have a cross-section that is similar to a conventional CD. In particular, FIG. 2A depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of a one-sided single-layer disc 210, which is commonly referred to as a DVD-5. A DVD-5 can contain up to 4.38 GBytes of data. As shown in FIG. 2A, DVD 210 includes two layers 211 and 212 of polycarbonate (PC) material that are each typically 600 microns thick. Sandwiched between polycarbonate layers 211 and 212 are a UV-curable resin layer 213 that is typically 20-50 microns thick and an aluminum layer 214 that is typically 45-60 nm thick. FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of a single-sided dual-layer disc 220, which is commonly referred to as a DVD-9. A DVD-9 can contain up to approximately 7.95 GBytes of data. Disc 220 includes two layers 221 and 222 of polycarbonate material that are each typically 600 microns thick. Sandwiched between polycarbonate layers 221 and 222 are an aluminum layer 223 that is typically 50-60 nm thick, a UV-curable resin layer 224 that is typically 40-70 microns thick, and a layer 225 formed from silicon, silver or gold that is typically 10-15 nm thick. FIG. 2C depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of a dual-sided DVD disc 230, which is commonly referred to as a DVD-10. A DVD-10 can hold up to 8.75 GBytes of data with 4.38 GBytes on each side. Disc 230 includes two layers 231 and 232 of polycarbonate material that are each typically 600 microns thick. Sandwiched between polycarbonate layers 231 and 232 are a first aluminum layer 233 that is typically 50 nm thick, a UV-curable resin layer 234 that is typically 40-70 microns thick, and a second aluminum layer 235 that is typically 50 nm thick. These are representative optical storage discs and it is contemplated that these and other constructions vary depending on various factors (the factors including, e.g., the type and production facility). For example, in the constructions above, the reflective layer is sometimes chosen to be silicon.
A central aspect of the construction of optical storage media is that the components thereof are bonded together with adhesives. This aspect is understood to remain even though the materials or other nature of the components may change (e.g., as the industry moves to other standards like Blue Ray and HD-DVD (High Density Digital Versatile/Video Discs).
In a CD/DVD, the UV-curable adhesive resin directly between the two polycarbonate layers preferably is isolated from oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere and, therefore, the adverse effects caused by the presence oxygen may be eliminated. Even in that case, when the two polycarbonate layers are placed together with the UV-curable resin disposed in between, some of the resin may seep from, flow out of or otherwise be established outside the two polycarbonate layers and, therewith, form a bead on or along one or more circumferential edges of the polycarbonate layers (e.g., on or along the outside edge). The bead of resin on or along the edge may tend to be exposed to oxygen during the curing process. Depending on the particular resin used and the exposure to oxygen, incomplete curing may occur, producing an undesirable, "tacky" edge of the resulting CD/DVD.
The machinery used to manufacture CD/DVDs is complex and includes rapidly moving parts. Accordingly, this machinery is understood to be generally incompatible with immersion inerting, as proposed in the technical literature.
Another problem associated with CD/DVD manufacture is thermal loading of the polycarbonate layers when the adhesive resin layer between the polycarbonate layers is cured. Thermal loading of the polycarbonate layers may lead to deviations, or distortions, of the resulting CD/DVD (e.g., in the axial, lateral and thickness dimensions) that, in turn, generally leads to poor read/write characteristics of the resulting CD/DVD. Thermal loading may also result in undesirable chemical properties of the materials involved (e.g., modification of those properties). Additionally, as the CD/DVD industry migrates towards lower initiator concentrations and shorter wavelengths (higher energy radiation) for reading and writing information on CD/DVDs, two different power densities may be employed during adhesive curing operations: one power density for an aerobic environment (i.e., the oxygen-present environment at the edge of a CD/DVD) and another power density for an anaerobic environment (i.e., the oxygen-reduced or oxygen-lacking environment internal to the CD/DVD).
In other cases of curing, the desired results may be characterized and have parameters other than those desirable to manufacture of CD/DVD. As an example, in curing acrylate inks in digital graphics, the desired finish is to be dry and should have a high gloss. This can be achieved by dissipating a large amount of energy into the polymer ink formulations and/or by inerting methods. The print media tends to be composed of a variety of materials, and some can be addressed by a higher energy method, which methods generally are incompatible with other materials, e.g., plastics like polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, as well as various heat sensitive substrates.
The aforementioned challenges and problems in manufacturing optical storage media and digital graphics are representative of problems and challenges in industrial processing, particularly processing in the presence of light. Accordingly, there is a need for methods and systems that provide improved environmental conditions so as to foster such processing. Without limiting the more general need set forth above, as illustrated via the representative problems identified above, there is a need for inerting selected portions of a work piece or substrate. As an example, such inerting may be at a surface or edge of a work piece or substrate (e.g., a rapidly moving work piece or substrate) having associated therewith, or comprising, light curable materials, which materials may include UV-curable materials, such as inks, coatings, or adhesives, such that, a reaction is properly effected (e.g., the reaction initiates, proceeds and/or is completed without or substantially without detrimental effects, such as those caused by the presence of oxygen or other inhibitor, or other impurity, contaminant or material, if present or present at or above a particular metrics, will be at odds with the reaction).
Additionally, a technique is needed for providing light in the context of the above inerting. Additionally, a technique is needed for providing variable light attributes during a photoreaction for a substrate or work piece that has different, environmental, physical or chemical properties, for example, a work piece or substrate having an aerobic environment and an anaerobic environment.
What is needed is a technique for enabling a reaction at or below a surface of a work piece, in which a fluid flow is provided in association with such surface of the work piece and, in the context of the work piece being exposed to a light, the reaction is fostered at or below the surface of the work piece. In additional, what is needed is a technique for enabling a reaction, as stated above, wherein the reaction is a photoreaction relating to the light exposure.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Automatically adjusting parameters of a lifting device for a material to be lifted. An interrogator module reads data from a data tag attached to an object. The data includes an identifier associated with the object. A database module retrieves a value from a memory area based on the read identifier. The value corresponds to the parameter of the lifting device. An adjustment module adjusts the parameter of the lifting device as indicated by the retrieved value. Adjusting the parameters of the lifting device for a particular material improves handling of the material thereby reducing waste of the material and delay in processing the material.

Raw materials such as rolls of nonwoven, film, and paper materials are commonly used in the production of many articles. For example, disposable diapers may employ rolls of breathable cover materials, highly porous inner linings, hook and loop materials for fastening systems, elastomeric components, tissue webs, and other webs for their manufacture. For any material, the properties and/or form of the material may vary from batch to batch, or even within a single batch. For example, the roll size, mass, and basis weight may vary. In addition, there may be defects present in different areas of different rolls.
In some manufacturing systems, standard settings used in the processes that employ the material typically are not adapted to prevent difficulties that might arise from variability in material properties. In intelligent manufacturing systems, event-based information obtained during the production of goods can be used in a feed-forward process control system to adapt operating conditions to reduce waste and delay (see, for example, US Patent Publication No. U.S. 20030155415-A1, "Communication between Machines and Feed-Forward Control in Event-Based Product Manufacturing," published Aug. 21, 2003 by Markham et al.). However, extensions of such concepts for improved manufacturing and material handling are desired.
For example, material handling equipment or other lifting devices such as forklifts or hoists move materials to needed locations in a manufacturing facility. Some of the lifting devices that move the materials have a variety of adjustments that an operator presently makes manually. Several problems are encountered in handling the materials due in part to the wide variety of weights that may be encountered (e.g., depending on the grade of material) and the need to make such changes manually. For example, the material weight may be greater than anticipated, resulting in damage to the material (e.g., dropping) as the lifting device operator makes manual adjustments to handle the particular material.
Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods that automatically and accurately determine and adjust parameters of the lifting device to improve raw material handling.

Automatically adjusting parameters of a lifting device by identifying objects to be lifted


Methods and systems for automatically deploying an autonomous drone from a vehicle in response to a triggering event or accident so that data associated with the triggering event or accident may be automatically obtained are described. In one embodiment, a method for deploying an autonomous drone in response to a triggering event is described. The method includes providing an autonomous drone in a vehicle. The method also includes detecting a triggering event associated with the vehicle. Upon detection of the triggering event, the method includes automatically deploying the autonomous drone from the vehicle. The method further includes implementing, by the autonomous drone, a plurality of automatic actions, including recording data associated with the vehicle in which the autonomous drone is provided.

The present embodiments relate to autonomous drone vehicles in general, and more particularly, to methods and systems for automatically deploying an autonomous drone vehicle in response to a vehicle accident or other triggering event.
Vehicle traffic accidents are responsible for significant costs due to damage to property and infrastructure, as well as other direct and consequential losses and injuries. When an accident occurs, the parties involved may take photos of the resulting damage, and may also have recorded video images, sounds, and other data associated with the accident that can be provided to the police or other authorities in order to determine fault and liability. The accident information may also be provided and used by the insurance companies of the parties involved in the accident to determine fault and other information relevant to submitting a claim for the accident.
Conventional techniques for providing this type of information relies on the parties involved in the accident to take sufficiently useful photos and to provide the data associated with the accident, such as from on-board data recorders and/or dash cameras in the vehicle. However, these conventional techniques may not provide the needed information to properly resolve a claim, and, in some cases, for example, hit-and-run situations, the information and data available may be minimal.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system and method that addresses these shortcomings discussed above.

Automatically deployable drone for vehicle accidents

United Services Automobile Association (USAA)


An NMR system that enables multiplex resonance measurement includes a superconductivity reception coil, a transmission coil, and four electric current loops. The NMR system also includes an additional coil in which directions of currents that flow in an inner loop and an outer loop are opposite to each other. The additional coil and the transmission coil are arranged such that a direction of a high frequency magnetic field that is developed in the center of the additional coil when electricity is fed to the additional coil is substantially identical with a direction of a high frequency magnetic field that is developed in the center of the transmission coil when electricity is fed to the transmission coil. The electric current loop of the transmission coil is arranged substantially in the middle of the inner loop and the outer loop of the additional coil in which directions of electric currents that flow in the inner loop and the outer loop are opposite to each other.

The present invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system that enables multiplex resonance measurement which generates a plurality of frequencies at the same time and measures the resonance of a plurality of nuclears.
For the purpose of enhancing the resolution of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, there has been developed the NMR system that is capable of supplying a high frequency signal with a high resonance frequency under a uniform high magnetic field (B0). In order to generate a high magnetic field of 10 or higher tesla (T), a superconductivity magnet is generally employed. Currently, there has been developed a high magnetic field NMR system mainly intended for structural analysis of protein material, and an NMR system of 21.6 T (920 MHz) is produced. In order to achieve analysis with high precision, it is necessary to enhance the uniformity of a magnetic field intensity, and it is desirable that a variation of the magnetic field intensity in a region where a sample to be measured exists is 10−9 or less.
On the other hand, a high sensitivity is demanded for a probe that receives a free induction decay (FID) signal generated according to a supplied high frequency pulse. This is because in the case where the amount of sample is small as with protein material, the FID signal intensity is particularly low, and a long period of time is required for measurement. The main noise in the probe is derived from an electric resistance of the probe that constitutes a resonator, and depends on the temperature and the high frequency loss resistance of the material. In order to reduce the noise, a probe coil and a preamplifier are located at a low temperature, and there is used a high temperature superconductivity material that is lower in the high frequency loss resistance than normal metal such as copper by two figures or more, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,256.
An example using the high temperature superconductivity material for the probe coil is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,723. A thin film is used as the superconductivity material, and a film surface is required to be arranged in parallel with a direction of a static magnetic field. This is because when the film surface of the superconductivity material is located in a direction orthogonal to the static magnetic field, the uniformity of the static magnetic field intensity is deteriorated by a full diamagnetic characteristic of the superconductivity material.
Also, it is necessary that the probe coil is arranged in such a manner that the high frequency magnetic field is orthogonal to the static magnetic field when an electricity is fed to the probe coil. Since a sample tube into which a sample to be measured is incorporated is inserted in a vertical direction, the following arrangement is used.
In the following description, an NMR system using the superconductivity magnet that generates a static magnetic field in a horizontal direction is called "horizontal NMR system", and an NMR system using the superconductivity magnet that generates a static magnetic field in a vertical direction is called "vertical NMR system".
FIGS. 1A to 1C show a conventional horizontal NMR system, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a superconductivity solenoid coil 11, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a saddle coil 12, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the superconductivity solenoid coil 11 and the saddle coil 12.
FIGS. 2A to 2C show a conventional vertical NMR system, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a superconductivity solenoid coil 21, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a saddle coil 22, and FIG. 2C is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the superconductivity solenoid coil 21 and the saddle coil 22.
In the horizontal NMR system whose static magnetic field direction 3 is horizontal, the solenoid coil 11 shown in FIG. 1A is used as a reception probe coil. In the vertical NMR system whose static magnetic field direction 3 is vertical, the saddle coil 21 shown in FIG. 2A is used as the reception probe coil.
In the case where the probe coil is made of normal metal, there are many cases in which the probe coil transmits and receives the high frequency magnetic field.
On the other hand, in the case where the probe coil is formed of a superconductivity thin film, there are many cases in which the probe coil is used for only receiving the high frequency magnetic field since the superconductivity thin film does not withstand a large high-frequency current. In this case, a saddle coil is disposed outside of the probe coil for transmission of the high frequency magnetic field.
From the above-mentioned restrictions, in the horizontal NMR system, the reception probe coil 11 and the transmission probe coil 12 are arranged as shown in FIG. 1C. In the vertical NMR system, the reception probe coil 21 and the transmission probe coil 22 are arranged as shown in FIG. 2C. In order to prevent the reception coil from electromagnetically interfering with the transmission coil, it is necessary to dispose the probe coil so that the high frequency magnetic fields that are developed in the centers of the respective reception coil and transmission coil when electricity is fed to those coils are orthogonal to each other.


An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a development device that develops an electrostatic latent image as a toner image using a toner, a density sensor that irradiates a controlling image and detects reflection from the controlling image, and a controller that forms controlling images on the image bearing member. The controller decides whether a mode for correcting toner density is performed or not according to both detection results of a first controlling image formed by developing the electrostatic latent image with the development device, the electrostatic latent image formed by exposing a surface of the image bearing member by an exposure device, and a second controlling image formed by developing with the development device without substantially performing exposure to the surface of the image bearing member by the exposure device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an image forming apparatus in which toner is frictionally charged to develop a latent image on a photoreceptor, a charging amount of the charged toner is not always constant, the toner is naturally neutralized when an image forming apparatus body is not operated and is left, and the charging amount of the toner is gradually decreased. For this reason, after the image forming apparatus body is turned off, when the image forming apparatus body is operated after time elapses to some extent, the charging amount of the toner is decreasing, and thus an image density increases.
In a conventional image forming apparatus, at the time of power-on, a predetermined patch image is formed on an intermediate transfer member or a photoreceptor, and an image density thereof is read using an optical reflection detection sensor or the like. When the image density deviates by the extent equal to or more than a predetermined degree, tone correction is performed. Specifically, a patch having a plurality of density levels is formed, and a tone density is corrected based on a density of a plurality of patch images.
As the image density, there are density correction based on a digital patch and density correction based on an analog patch (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-117297). Here, the digital patch means a patch image formed by performing exposure based on an exposure unit and development based on a development unit after an image bearing member is charged. The analog patch means a patch image formed by changing a difference between a development voltage of the development based on the development unit and a charging potential of the image bearing member without performing the exposure based on the exposure unit.
A latent image potential of the photoreceptor, particularly, a bright potential is changed according to a temperature and a durable state. For this reason, in detection of the change of the image density based on the digital patch, when a potential sensor capable of measuring the potential of the photoreceptor is mounted, it is possible to form the patch image at a constantly accurate development contrast, and thus it is possible to accurately detect the density change. However, when the potential sensor is not mounted, the patch image is formed at a slightly different image contrast each time. As a result, although an actual digital patch density is temporarily changed but the density is not changed essentially, it may be detected that the density is changed.
In the detection of the change of the image density based on the analog patch, since the density change is detected in a state where there is no bright potential, it is possible to detect the change of the actual density purely based on the change of the charging amount of the toner without receiving an influence of the change of the bright potential. However, generally, when the analog patch is output, image density unevenness easily occurs due to mechanical change since the analog patch is output at a contrast smaller than a contrast of the digital image. When the image is actually output, the image is formed on a predetermined screen in a digital manner but not an analog manner. For this reason, the change of the image density may be different from the change of the image density actually output onto a sheet.
As described above, even when the change of the image density is performed at any of the analog manner and the digital manner, it may be erroneously detected that the image density is changed even when the change of the density does not actually occur, and image density correction adjustment (tone correction) may be performed. When the image density correction adjustment (the tone correction) is performed on all density tones and all screen patterns, a lot of time and toner are consumed. For this reason, in such detection of the change of the density, it is preferentially required to detect that the density is actually changed.

Image forming apparatus having tone density correction


A tamper-evident closure including a spout and a cap. The spout includes an upwardly extending neck defining a neck opening, an annular cap-engaging retainer extending radially outwardly from the neck, and a fulcrum interconnecting the cap-engaging retainer and the neck. The cap selectively seals the neck opening and includes a top, an annular skirt depending from the top, and a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to a lower end of the annular skirt. The tamper-evidencing band has a radially inwardly extending spout-engaging retainer. The cap-engaging retainer is adapted to engage the spout-engaging retainer when the cap is removed from the neck to limit upward movement of the tamper-evidencing band with respect to the neck. A method of using the tamper-evident closure is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new and improved tamper-evident closure and method of making the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a spout having a tamper-evident ring for engaging a cap and methods for their use.
2. Description of Related Art
Containers used for dispensing beverages often include a fitment to provide both a tamper-evident and resealable closure. For example, containers having fitments are often used for distributing and dispensing juice, milk and other beverages. A fitment generally includes a spout which is attached to the container and a resealable cap which is selectively engagable with the spout.
An exemplar of a conventional container having a fitment is U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,486 to Moore et al. which shows a container having a tamper-evident pull ring pour spout. U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,300 to Kishikawa et al. shows a pouring plug for a liquid paper-container. Although the pour spout disclosed by the Moore patent includes a pull ring and the pouring plug disclosed by the Kishikawa patent discloses a lid having a pull ring, neither patents discloses a tamper-evidencing device capable of indicating that the cap has been removed from the pour spout or the pouring plug, respectively.
What is needed is a new and improved tamper-evident closure which overcomes the above and other disadvantages of known fitments.

Tamper-evident closure and method of making same


A medical device for simultaneously cutting tissue with a heating element, cauterizing the tissue with sealing elements, and stapling the tissue together. The heating elements comprise bipolar RF electrodes.

Many surgical procedures require that body lumens and other tissue be cut and sealed. It is sometimes desirable to close the lumen ends with staples or clips and then to cauterize the tissue at or near the incision to prevent bleeding.
These procedures are frequently used in laparoscopic surgery. For example, one bowel resection procedure involves stapling each end of the colon closed, cutting the colon with a razor or scalpel, and then cauterizing the closed ends with heating elements. Various procedures and devices have been created to perform these tasks more efficiently.
Yates, Hemostatic Surgical Cutting or Stapling Instrument, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,452 (Apr. 29, 1998), discloses a laparoscopic stapler that uses two rows of staples aligned parallel to each other, with each series of staples aligned parallel to its jaw members. A razor is disposed between the rows of staples, to cut the tissue, and two parallel heating elements are disposed to either side of the razor to cauterize either side of the wound.
For operations which require dividing and stapling large body vessels, such as the colon, bleeding can be greatly reduced vis-à-vis the stapler and cutter of the above references with the devices and methods disclosed below.

Combined dissecting, cauterizing, and stapling device


A catheter-based imaging system includes a catheter having a telescoping proximal end, a distal end having a distal sheath and a distal lumen, a working lumen, and an ultrasonic imaging core. The ultrasonic imaging core is arranged for rotation and linear translation. The system further includes a patient interface module including a catheter interface, a rotational motion control system that imparts controlled rotation to the ultrasonic imaging core, a linear translation control system that imparts controlled linear translation to the ultrasonic imaging core, and an ultrasonic energy generator and receiver coupled to the ultrasonic imaging core. The system further includes an image generator coupled to the ultrasonic energy receiver that generates an image.

The present invention generally relates to ultrasound imaging catheters. The present invention further relates to transesophageal echocardiographic catheters for the purpose of guiding cardiac interventions. The present invention still further relates further to intracardiac echocardiographic catheters for the purpose of guiding cardiac interventions.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the United States and other developed countries. Nearly two (2) million individuals in the United States have AF. Catheter ablation is increasingly selected therapy for AF. Radiofrequency ablation is the most common form of AF ablation.
AF ablation procedures are however not without serious risks. Such risks include the formation of atrio-esophageal fistulas and thrombus. Successful outcome of RF ablation procedures depends in part on the contiguity and transmurality of the ablative lesions and is largely dependent on the skill of the operator.
Image guidance techniques such as fluoroscopy, electroanatomic mapping (EAM), and echocardiography facilitate such procedures. These existing technologies however have important limitations. Fluoroscopy provides a two-dimensional view of external structures, has poor soft tissue contrast, requires the injection of contrast, and exposes the patient and staff to radiation. EAM is useful for mapping the electrical properties of the left atrial wall and pulmonary veins in order to determine the location of the susceptible substrates and focal triggers that support AF. EAM is often combined with catheter tracking technologies to facilitate catheter positioning. However, EAM is time consuming, complex, and does not provide real-time imaging of cardiac tissue. Further, registration can be lost due to cardiac motion. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is the most commonly used ultrasound-based technique for AF ablation image guidance. However, ICE catheters are practically limited to imaging from the right atrium due to their relatively large size. This leads to relatively poor image performance, particularly for key cardiac structures such as the left pulmonary veins. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enables imaging of the left atrium from the esophagus. However, relatively poor near-field resolution of current TEE probes makes imaging of important cardiac structures difficult, such as the left atrium posterior wall. Further, TEE often requires general anesthesia due to patient discomfort from large probe size.
In view of the limitations to image guidance technologies for AF ablation noted heretofore, there is a need in the art for real-time visualization of the left atrium posterior wall and pulmonary veins, pre-intervention mapping of susceptible substrates, ablation lesion assessment, and the ability to mitigate complications.

System and catheter for image guidance and methods thereof


The present invention relates to a sealable laminated film which contains a copolymer consisting of ethylene and .alpha.-olefine, wherein the MPE copolymer is characterized as follows:. polymerised with metallocene catalysts, PA1 crystallite melting point less than 110.degree. C., preferably less than 105.degree. C., PA1 melt index MFR from 0.5 to 10 g/10 min, PA1 molecular weight distribution M.sub.w /M.sub.n less than 3, preferably less than 2.5.

Numerous products are packaged in films. Processing on packaging machines frequently necessitates films which are sealable. Great importance is attached to the sealing layer, since it predominantly determines the processing conditions on packaging machines. The strength, the commencement of sealing and the hot tack properties of the film layer are of particular importance here. Not all the requirements imposed on a packaging material can normally be fulfilled by one polymer. Polymers of different kinds are therefore combined. The use of similar polymers is desirable in order to improve the re-use of the film material.
Many films contain sealing layers based on polyethylene or copolymers thereof. Sealing is generally effected by one or two heated sealing jaws, which press the areas to be sealed together for a defmed period. The advantage of a polyethylene sealing layer, amongst others, is its low sealing temperature compared with other polymers.
A description and an analysis of the operations during sealing have been given by MEKA/STEHLING (Heat Sealing of Semicrystalline Polymer Films I; J. Appl. Polymer Sci., Vol. 51 (1994), pages 89-103). The sealing curve is described by these authors, amongst other features, by the sealing initiation temperature T.sub.Si, the temperature at the start of the sealing plateau T.sub.pi, and the sealing strength in the region of the sealing plateau SS.sub.p. In a further article (Heat Sealing of Semicrystalline Polymer Films II; J. Appl. Polymer Sci., Vol. 51 (1994), pages 105-119), STEHLING/MEKA discuss different polymers as sealing layers. They deal in particular with the physical properties of the polymers and their effect on sealing behavior. Thus STEHLING/MEKA state that there is a correlation between the yield point of the film samples obtained and their sealing strength. It is therefore to be expected that sealing layers with high yield points result in high sealing strengths and sealing layers with low yield points result in low sealing strengths. STEHLING/MEKA also state that the sealing initiation temperature for polyethylene can be reduced by the addition of comonomers. However, the yield point, and thus the sealing strength SS.sub.p also, is reduced by the introduction of a comonomer.
According to GNAUCK/FRUNDT (Einstieg in die Kunststoffchemie Introduction to the Chemistry of Plastics!, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich, 3rd Edition, 1991, pages 59 et seq.), conventional ethylene copolymers rarely contain long-chain branches, and are therefore classed as linear polymers. Their mechanical and thermal properties vary approximately linearly as a function of their density and crystallinity. The properties and uses of these olefin copolymers substantially correspond to those of ethylene homopolymers.
Polyethylene, and copolymers which consist of ethylene and .alpha.-olefine, have quite recently been polymerized in the presence of highly stereospecific catalysts. Catalysts such as these are to be found in the group comprising metallocenes, for example. Metallocene catalysts comprise a catalyst system which consists of a soluble metal complex with a defmed structure which is fixed on a support material, and the activator (alumoxan). A fundamental definition of this class of substances is given by BEYER/WALTER (Lehrbuch der organischen Chemie Textbook of Organic Chemistry!; Hirzel Verlag Stuttgart 1991, 22nd Edition, page 65 et seq.). A survey of the use of metallocene catalysts in the polymerization of polyolefins is given by MUHLHAUPT (Nachr. Chem. Tech. Lab 41 (1993) No. 12, pages 1341-1351). Amongst other topics, the effect of different metallocene catalysts on the polymerization process is described, using polypropylene as an example. Polymers produced with conventional Natta-Ziegler catalysts frequently contain higher concentrations of .alpha.-olefines in the low molecular weight fractions. In a further publication (Die angewandte Makromolekulare Chemie Applied Macromolecular Chemistry!227, (1995), No. 3981, pages 159-177) HUNGENBERG ET AL. deal with the synthesis of olefin oligomers and polymers, and with their molecular weights and melting points.
A film consisting of linear polyethylene of low density is described in WO 94/14855. This film consists of ethylene which contains a copolymer and of an .alpha.-olefin with 3 to 10 carbon atoms. The density varies from 0.9 to 0.929 g/cm.sup.3 ; the melt flow index measured at 190.degree. C. according to ASTM D-1238, Condition F, varies from 15 to 25 g/10 min; the molecular weight distribution M.sub.w /M.sub.n varies from 2.5 to 3.0, and the crystallite melting point varies from 95.degree. to 135.degree. C. The opacity of the film according to ASTM D-1003 is between 3 and 20. The sealing properties of the film are not mentioned. The catalyst used contains a support material, aluminium oxan, and at least one metallocene.
EP 0572034 describes an ethylenic copolymer and an ethylenic copolymer composition. The melt index MFR is between 0.1 and 30 g/10 min, the density is between 0.88 and 0.94 g/cm.sup.3. The catalyst used for the production of the polymers contains metallocenes. The sealing temperatures of flat film specimens are mentioned. Sealing seam strengths and hot tack measurements are not mentioned.
WO 94/26816 describes a copolymer consisting of ethylene and a C.sub.4 to C.sub.12 comonomer with a narrow molecular weight distribution, and describes the production and use thereof, particularly as a stretch film. The catalyst used for the production of the polymers contains metallocenes. Sealing properties and hot tack measurements are not mentioned.
EP 0598626 describes an ethylene/.alpha.-olefin copolymer. The catalyst used for the production of the polymers contains at least two specific metallocenes. The polymer composition is characterised by its good thermoforming capacity, its high transparency and its adhesion to polar materials. Sealing properties and hot tack measurements are not mentioned.
Selected ethylene copolymers and ionomers were compared by J.R. DE GARAVILLE (TAPPI Proceedings: 1993, Polymers, Lamination & Coating Conference, pages 525-538) with an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer and with some linear polyethylenes of different densities. A copolymer consisting of ethylene and an .alpha.-olefin with 4 carbon atoms, which was produced with metallocene catalysts, was also included in the investigation. The results of this study by DE GARAVILLE show that ionomers and acid-modified ethylene copolymers are the most suitable polymers for flexible packaging as regards sealing properties and hot tack performance. The ethylene copolymer produced with metallocene catalysts was distinguished from conventional linear polyethylenes by a broader sealing range coupled with lower sealing strengths. However, a sealable film is desirable which is based on polyethylene and which is compatible with polyethylene. This is not obtained in all cases with ionomers. The object therefore arises of providing a sealable film which corresponds to the following requirements:
1. film consisting of polyethylene or copolymers thereof: PA1 2. low sealing temperature: PA1 3. high sealing strength: PA1 4. high sealing strength directly after sealing: PA1 5. optical requirements: PA1 polymerized with metallocene catalysts, PA1 crystallite melting point less than 110.degree. C., preferably less than 105.degree. C., PA1 melt index MPR from 0.5 to 10 g/10 min, PA1 molecular weight distribution M.sub.w /M.sub.n less than 3, preferably less than 2.5.
a polyethylene film is wanted, since polyethylenes are widely used standard plastics. The copolymers used should also predominantly consist of olefins and should be compatible with polyethylene. The concept of the standardization of material is thus addressed.
low sealing temperatures are generally desired, to ensure that packaging materials and filling materials are treated gently. An assessment corresponding to this requirement profile can be made by means of the sealing initiation temperature T.sub.si. PA2 The sealing layer should not only seal at low temperatures but should also exhibit high sealing strengths. The height of the sealing plateau is a measure of the sealing strength; the higher the plateau, the higher the mechanical loading to which the sealing seam can be subjected. PA2 A high sealing strength when the sealing seam is still warm is required for a multiplicity of packaging solutions. An examination of the hot tack is a suitable assessment criterion. PA2 The packaging must not adversely affect the presentation of the contents. A transparent film is generally required. The contents must be visible through the film as true to nature as possible. A suitable assessment criterion for this purpose is the absorption of visible light (haze).
The following definitions are valid within the scope of the invention:
All the cited polymers are commercially available products. For mixtures, the concentration of the individual polymers are given in % by weight unless indicated otherwise. The quoted densities are determined according to ISO 1183 at 23.degree. C. The melt flow index MFR is measured according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 190.degree. C. and using a bearing weight of 2.16 kg, unless indicated otherwise. The polymers are abbreviated according to the agreed convention. Different polymers of the same class are distinguished by a hyphen and a number (example: LLDPE-2).
The outer layer of the film with the lowest melting point is designated as the "sealing layer". If the outer layers contain polymer mixtures, the outer face of the film which contains the lowest melting component is designated as the sealing layer. The sealing layer is written on the right when quoting film structures, unless indicated otherwise.
Polyethylene of low density which falls within the density range from 0.86 to 0.93 g/cm.sup.3 is designated as "LDPE". LDPE molecules are characterised by a high degree of branching.
Linear polyethylenes of low density, which in addition to ethylene contain one or more .alpha.-olefins with more than 3 C atoms as comonomers, are designated as "LLDPE". Butene-1, hexene-1, 4-methylpentene-1 and octene-1 can be cited as representatives of .alpha.-olefins here. The polymerization of the said substances results in the molecular structure which is typical of LLDPE, and which is characterised by a linear main chain with side chains suspended thereon. The density varies between 0.86 and 0.935 g/cm.sup.3. The melt flow index MFR is usually between 0.3 and 8 g/10 min. In some publications, linear ethylene/.alpha.-olefin copolymers are subdivided into VLDPEs or ULDPEs according to their density. However, since according to GNAUCK/FRUNDT (Einstieg in die Kunststoffchemie, Hanser Verlag 1991, page 58) the properties, processing and use of these copolymers substantially correspond to those of ethylene homopolymers, a more precise distinction is dispensed with here.
The term "MPE" here designates an ethylene copolymer which was polymerized by means of metallocene catalysts. An .alpha.-olefin with four or more carbon atoms is preferably used as the comonomer. Polymers produced with conventional Natta-Ziegler catalysts frequently contain higher concentrations of .alpha.-olefins in the low molecular weight fractions. Metallocene centres, which have a very uniform catalytic action, result in narrow molecular weight distributions, and a very uniform incorporation of .alpha.-olefins is observed on fractionation, both in the high and in the low molecular weight fractions. The density is preferably less than 0.92 g/cm.sup.3. The molecular weight distribution M.sub.w /M.sub.n is less than 3, preferably less than 2.5.
Copolymers consisting of ethylene and acrylic acid are designated as "EAA", and copolymers consisting of ethylene and methacrylic acid are designated as "EMAA". The ethylene content is preferably between 60 and 99 mole %.
Copolymers consisting of ethylene and vinyl acetate are designated as "EVA". The ethylene content is preferably between 60 and 99 mole %.
The layer or layers situated between the outer faces of the film are designated as "intermediate layer", "bonding layer" or "middle layer". The layers of a film are separated by a "/" stroke. Polymer mixtures are characterised by a "+", the polymers concerned being combined in round brackets. The quantitatively predominant component is named first.
There follows an example of the specified method of writing film structures. The three-layer structure LDPE/LLDPE/(MPE+LLDPE) has LDPE and the mixture (MPE+LLDPE) as its outer layers and LLDPE as its intermediate layer. The sealing layer is the mixture (MPE+LLDPE), wherein the MPE component predominates in relation to the LLDPE component.

Sealable laminated film containing copolymers produced with metallocene catalysts


The present invention provides a gaming machine with a trunnion mounted display. In addition to a video display, the trunnion mounted display includes a first trunnion bracket attached to the video display, the first trunnion bracket having a first trunnion disposed thereon at a center horizontal rotating axis of the video display, and having a first hole and a second hole disposed therein. The trunnion mounted display also includes a second trunnion bracket attached to the video display, the second trunnion bracket having a second trunnion disposed thereon at the center horizontal rotating axis, the second trunnion projecting outward from the second trunnion bracket in a horizontal direction opposite the first trunnion. Two trunnion supports having apertures disposed therein to receive the first and second trunnion, and a pull pin mounted in the first trunnion support, enable the trunnion mounted display to be pivoted into a maintenance position.

Gaming machines providing games such as electronically driven video slots, video poker, video blackjack, video keno, video bingo, video pachinko, video lottery, and mechanically driven reel slots, etc., are well known in the gaming industry. Generally video gaming machines are configured with a main video display for displaying video game images including video images representing game play outcome (e.g., simulated reel symbols in the case of a slot game, simulated cards, simulated numbers, etc.). Mechanical spinning reel slot machines, on the other hand, generally include a main reel display area configured to allow a player to view a reel symbol array provided by the stopped mechanical spinning reels.
Recently, many video gaming machines and mechanical spinning reel gaming machines began including secondary displays (e.g., a top box video display) to enable a number of game enhancements such as bonus games, interactive tournament games, progressive jackpot games, etc. Such secondary displays are typically implemented as video displays or LED displays; however, mechanical displays (e.g. a wheel, dice) are also utilized.
Whether configured as a video gaming machine with one or more video displays or as a mechanical reel spinning slot machine with an additional video display, operator access to the electrical and mechanical components mounted behind, and on the side of, the video display is desirable. For example, operator access may be required to perform a manual screen adjustment to the video display via a video display controller board mounted on a side of the video display.
Numerous prior art methods of accessing the electrical and mechanical components mounted behind, and on the side of, the video display often require removal of the video display from the gaming machine. Removal of the video display from the gaming machine may result in damage to the video display, damage to the electrical and mechanical components mounted behind, and on the side of, the video display.

Gaming machine with a trunnion mounted display


A support assembly for supporting a retrofit roof to be installed above an existing roof made of preformed panels. Elongated support assembly members are positioned along the roof line to provide additional points of attachment for the new roof, while at the same time forming a substantially even plane for new rood panels. Some of the support members fit in the channels between the ridges of the preformed panels, which can be R-panels or standing seam panels. Transverse top members secure the channel-mounted members in place, while strapping members positioned atop the top members form additional lateral support for the new roof.

This invention relates to roofing systems, and, more particularly to a support assembly for retrofitting a roof made of preformed panels in order to improve wind pressure resistance of a new roof.
The typical roof in a high wind weather condition is degraded and eventually destroyed because one or more roofing panels and/or the ridge caps are lifted off of the structure. When this happens, the entire roof is quickly peeled off of the building and the rest of the building is exposed to the weather. Older roofs, especially those constructed according to the earlier building codes, are particularly susceptible to wind pressure because there are not enough points of attachment of the roof panels to the underlying roof support structure, such as a plywood deck, rafters or purlins.
Rapid changes in the roofing systems bring new concepts to the roofing material development. For instance, preformed metal panels may replace standing seam roof or vice versa, and single-ply membrane may replace the old-fashioned built-up roof or vice versa. Preformed metal panels are often made of galvanized steel with the panel lengths between 6 and 40 feet and panel widths in the order of 26-38″. The preformed metal panels may have different patterns, or profiles, wherein the high ridges of the panel are integrally formed with low-profile drain channels. The panels are typically attached along the drain channels at spaced intervals according to the manufacturer's specifications.
In the geographic areas where hurricanes happen every year, the screw-down preformed metal roofs often fail, when high velocity winds rip off the roof from the building. Often times, water and wind enter under the edges of the roof panels and ridge cap thus exposing the building interior to the inclement weather. The purpose of this invention is to provide a retrofitting assembly for standard roof with pre-formed metal roofing panels, standing seam, or other that would increase the roof's resistance to winds of extreme force. With roofing panels, the present invention will confer resistance to all winds, not depending on thru fasteners or flashing with caulk.


A train trip assembly for automatically stopping a train is substantially composed of non-conductive material. The train trip assembly includes a trip arm that activates an actuator on a train moving along a track, which in turn causes a braking system on the train to automatically stop the train. The train trip assembly also includes a base including a clamp, which permits the train trip assembly to be secured to the track.

In modern railway systems, constant maintenance of the rail lines is an important aspect of maintaining the smooth operation of railways. With the rise of mass transit commuting, which supports millions of passengers each day, maintenance becomes especially important for providing long lengths of service with minimal delays in train arrival and departure times. Maintenance workers may be deployed whenever a track section is to be repaired or upgraded. Because maintenance workers work on track sections that are actively used by trains, they are susceptible to accidents in which trains unexpectedly travel along a track section currently under maintenance. One method for preventing accidents is through the use of train trips. Train trips provide a safety mechanism to automatically stop trains before they enter a work area. However, conventional train trips are often unwieldy and heavy. As such, there remains a need for more convenient train trips.