A 4,4′-Bis(carbazol-9-yl)-biphenyl (CBP) based silicone compound and an organic electroluminescent device using the CBP based silicon compound have excellent blue light emission characteristics and hole transfer capability. The CBP based silicon compound may be used as a blue light emission material or as a host material for various phosphorescent or fluorescent dopants emitting red, green, blue, or white light. Therefore, the organic electroluminescent device using the CBP based silicon compound has excellent characteristics such as a high efficiency, a high luminance, a long life span, and a low power consumption.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a 4,4′-Bis(carbazol-9-yl)-biphenyl (CBP) based silicone compound and an organic electroluminescent device using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a CBP based compound that may be used as a host material for various phosphorescent or fluorescent dopants emitting red, green, blue, or white light, and an organic electroluminescent device using the CBP based compound which has enhancements such as, for example, high efficiency, high luminance, long life span, and low power consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electroluminescent devices (EL devices) are self emission type display devices that have advantages such as a wide viewing angle, superior contrast, and fast response speed.
The EL devices are classified into inorganic EL devices and organic EL devices according to the material utilized in a light-emitting layer. The organic EL devices have advantages over the inorganic EL devices, such as high luminance, low driving voltage, fast response speed, and multi-coloration.
Generally, the organic EL devices have a sequentially stacked structure of an anode, a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer, and a cathode on a substrate. The hole transport layer, the light-emitting layer, and the electron transport layer are organic films comprising an organic compound.
The organic EL devices having the above-described structure are driven in accordance with the following principle.
When a voltage is applied to the anode and the cathode, holes from the anode migrate toward the light-emitting layer via the hole transport layer. On the other hand, electrons from the cathode are injected into the light-emitting layer via the electron transport layer. Thereafter, the electrons and the holes recombine with each other at the light-emitting layer to generate excitons. When the excitons are converted from an excited state to a ground state, a fluorescent molecule of the light-emitting layer emits light, which displays an image. Here, light emission through conversion from a singlet excited state to a ground state is called "fluorescence", and light emission through conversion from a triplet excited state to a ground state is called "phosphorescence." With respect to fluorescence, the proportion of singlet excited state is 25% (the proportion of triplet excited state is 75%), and thus, there is a limitation on light emission efficiency. On the other hand, with respect to phosphorescence, the triplet excited state and the singlet excited state may be used. Therefore, a theoretical internal quantum efficiency may reach 100%.
By way of an example of an organic electroluminescent device using phosphorescence, a highly efficient, green and red-emitting organic electroluminescent device may use a CBP based host, and a phosphorescent dopant such as Ir(ppy)3 (ppy is phenylpyridine) and PtOEP (platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin) having heavy elements with significant spin-orbit coupling such as Ir and Pt in the center thereof may be utilized. However, the organic electroluminescent device has a short life span of 150 hours or less since CBP has a low glass transition temperature of less than 110° C. and is easily crystallized, which makes it difficult to provide a commercially suitable product.
As another example of an organic electroluminescent device using phosphorescence, an organic electroluminescent device uses a blue phosphorescent dopant (4,6-F2ppy)2Irpic with a fluorinated ppy ligand structure. The energy band gap between the triplet state and the ground state of CBP is high enough to provide an energy transition for green and red phosphorescent dopants, but is smaller than the energy band gap of a blue phosphorescent dopant. Therefore, it is reported that a very inefficient endothermic energy transition, not an exothermic energy transition, occurs even when a material such as (4,6-F2ppy)2Irpic with photoluminescent (PL) peaks at 475 nm and 495 nm is used. For this reason, the CBP based host cannot provide a sufficient energy transition for a blue phosphorescent dopant, thus causing problems such as low-efficiency blue light emission and a short life span.
In addition, U.S. patent application Laid-Open Publication No. 2002/0125818 A1 discloses an organic electroluminescent device using a CBP based compound.
Recently, a mCP (1,3-Bis(carbazol-9-yl)-benzene) compound having a triplet energy band gap higher than CBP has been used. However, the mCP compound has problems such as a molecular weight that is too small and a low stability. In this regard, to obtain high-efficiency blue light emission characteristics exhibiting a long lifetime, it is very beneficial to develop a host material with a triplet energy band gap that is larger than the triplet energy band gap of CBP for efficient energy transition for a blue-emitting dopant and which has a high glass transition temperature (Tg).

4,4′-Bis(carbazol-9-yl)-biphenyl based silicone compound and organic electroluminescent device using the same


In an information recording/reproducing apparatus, there is provided a mechanism for opening/closing a shutter of a cartridge having a case for storing a recording medium. The shutter is adapted to be slidable in a recess portion on a case surface. The cartridge is held by a holder. A shutter opening/closing device is arranged on an upper surface of the holder so as to open/close the shutter of the cartridge. A projection is formed in front of the shutter opening/closing device in an insertion direction of the cartridge with respect to the holder, on the inner surface of the holder facing the cartridge.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information recording/reproduction apparatus which comprises a shutter opening/closing mechanism on the upper surface of a cartridge holder.
2. Related Background Art
A conventional disk cartridge which stores a recording medium therein has a shutter which is free to open/close. An information recording/reproduction apparatus for performing recording, reproducing, and erasing of information with respect to a recording medium has a shutter opening/closing mechanism. This mechanism opens the shutter of a disk cartridge when the cartridge is inserted in a disk cartridge device, and closes the shutter of the cartridge when the cartridge is ejected from the device.
In particular, as a loading method of a disk cartridge for the information recording/reproduction apparatus, a method of moving a disk cartridge inserted in the device in a direction perpendicular to the disk surface is used. However, in order to meet recent requirements for a low-profile information recording/reproduction apparatus, a method of moving a spindle motor is proposed. In this method, the disk cartridge is not moved in the direction perpendicular to the disk surface, but a spindle motor for moving the disk is moved with respect to the loaded disk.
This method will be explained below using an information recording/reproduction apparatus (a magnetooptical recording/reproduction apparatus) shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B. FIGS. 1A and 2A show a state before a disk cartridge is inserted in a device, and FIGS. 1B and 2B show a state upon completion of loading of the disk cartridge.
A magnetooptical disk 1 is stored in a disk cartridge 2. A shutter 3 is arranged on the disk cartridge 2 to cover the opening portion of the disk cartridge 2 to be free to open/close it. Furthermore, a cartridge holder 4 guides the cartridge 2 inserted in the device to the operation position, and is fixed to a frame. Cam grooves 5 and 6 are formed on the upper surface of the cartridge holder 4, and the two ends of a shutter opening/closing lever 7 are respectively guided along these cam grooves 5 and 6. A guide pin 8, which can engage with the cam groove 5, is formed on one end of the shutter opening/closing lever 7, and a shutter opening/closing pin 9 projects from the other end of the lever 7. The shutter opening/closing pin 9 engages with an end portion 3a of the shutter 3, and is guided along the cam groove 6.
A torsion spring 10 has the following arrangement. One end portion 10b of a coil portion 10a of the spring 10 is supported by the upper surface of the cartridge holder 4, and the other end portion 10c engages with an upright portion 7a of the shutter opening/closing lever 7. For this reason, the shutter opening/closing lever 7 is biased to a position shown in FIG. 1A when no cartridge is inserted. Note that a bias magnet 11 applies a bias magnetic field, and is fixed and supported on the upper surface of the cartridge holder 4.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion near a shutter opening/closing lever 7. In FIG. 4, a guide pin 18 is constituted by a columnar portion engaging with a cam groove 15 and a flange portion 18a for preventing the guide pin 18 from disengaging from the cam groove 15. A ring-shaped collar 14 is rotatably arranged on a portion, engaging with a cam groove 16, of a shutter opening/closing pin 19. A stop ring 13 prevents the shutter opening/closing pin 19 from disengaging from the cam groove 16. Since the collar 14 arrangement is provided, the frictional force acting between the shutter opening/closing pin 19 and the cam groove 16 is reduced, thus preventing wear.
One end of a pivot plate 21 is supported by the frame to be pivotal about pins (shafts) 42a and 42b. A spindle motor 22 for rotating the disk 1, and alignment pins 27a to 27d for aligning the cartridge 2 are fixed on the pivot plate 21. Note that, in addition, a driving system having a linear motor, an optical head (not shown), and the like are fixed to the frame.
Guide rollers 23a and 23b are pivotally arranged on the side surfaces of the pivot plate 21. A slide cam 24 is arranged to be slidable in a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the cartridge. Cam grooves 25 engaging with the guide rollers 23a and 23b are formed on upright portions of the slide cam 24 to be located at the two sides of the guide rollers 23a and 23b. Each cam groove 25 is defined by a horizontal portion 25a and an inclined portion 25b.
The slide cam 24 has guide grooves 24a and 24b, which slidably engage with guide pins 26a and 26b projecting from the frame. The slide cam 24 is always biased toward a front panel 30 having a cartridge insertion hole 29 by torsion springs 28a and 28b.
A detection lever 35 is supported to be pivotal about a shaft 36 projecting from the frame, and is biased in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 1A by a torsion spring 37. In the state shown in FIG. 1A, a recess portion 35a of the detection lever 35 engages with a lock pin 38 formed on the slide cam 24 and holds the slide cam 24 at a position separated from the front panel 30 against the biasing force of the torsion springs 28a and 28b.
When the cartridge 2 is inserted in the device, an end portion 35b of the detection lever 35 is pushed by the front end of the cartridge 2, and the engaging state between the recess portion 35a and the lock pin 38 is released. For this reason, the slide cam 24 moves toward the front panel side by the biasing force of the torsion springs 28a and 28b.
An eject motor unit 39 is constituted by a rotary disk 40 rotated by the motor, and a pin 41 arranged near the outer periphery of the rotary disk 40. When the cartridge is to be ejected, the pin 41 rotates in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 1A, and pushes a projection 24e, contacting the pin 41, of the slide cam 24, thereby moving the slide cam 24 backward.
An operation upon loading of the cartridge will be described below. FIGS. 1A and 2A show a state before loading of the cartridge 2. When the disk cartridge 2 is inserted into the device from the state shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the shutter opening/closing pin 9 of the shutter opening/closing lever 7 contacts the end portion 3a of the shutter 3. When the cartridge 2 is further inserted, the shutter opening/closing lever 7 pivots in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 1A to open the shutter.
When the shutter opening/closing pin 9 of the shutter opening/closing lever 7 is guided to a linear portion 6a of the cam groove 6, the shutter 3 is opened completely, and thereafter, the cartridge 2 is pushed into the device while the shutter 3 is kept open. Immediately before the cartridge 2 reaches a position shown in FIG. 1B, the side surface of the cartridge 2 contacts the end portion 35b of the detection lever 35. When the cartridge is further pushed to the end, the detection lever 35 is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow, and the engaging state between the recess portion 35a and the lock pin 38 is released, as shown in FIG. 1B. When this engaging state is released, the slide cam 24 moves to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 2B by the biasing force of the springs 28a and 28b.
Before loading, the guide rollers 23a and 23b of the pivot plate 21 are located in the horizontal portions 25a of the corresponding cam groove 25 of the slide cam 24, and the free end side of the pivot plate 21 is located at the lower position. For this reason, the spindle motor 22, and the alignment pins 27a to 27d do not disturb the insertion of the cartridge 2. Upon movement of the slide cam 24, the guide rollers 23a and 23b are guided along the inclined portion 25b of the cam grooves 25. In this case, the pivot plate 21 is pivoted about the shafts 42a and 42b, and contacts a contact surface 4a of the cartridge holder 4. With this operation, the spindle motor 22 and the alignment pins 27a to 27d move upward, and respectively achieve clamping of the disk and the alignment of the cartridge.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cartridge 2 with the shutter 3 which is fully opened. The shutter 3 is supported to be slidable in a recess portion 2b of the cartridge 2. Since both a bridge portion 2a of the cartridge 2 and a portion 3b of the shutter 3 are formed to have substantially the same thickness as that of the disk 1, the cartridge 2 will not contact the bias magnet 11 and an optical head (not shown) if the shutter 3 is quickly opened as in this example.
An operation upon ejection of the cartridge is performed as follows. Upon reception of an eject command, the rotary disk 40 of the eject motor unit 39 begins to rotate from the position shown in FIG. 1B in the direction of the arrow, and the pin 41 pulls the slide cam 24 backward against the biasing force of the springs 28a and 28b. Since the guide rollers 23a and 23b, which are located in the inclined portions 25b of the cam grooves 25 of the slide cam 24, are guided to the horizontal portions 25a of the cam grooves 25 upon movement of the slide cam 24, the free end portion side of the pivot plate 21 moves downward, as shown in FIG. 2A. Therefore, the spindle motor 22 and the alignment pins 27a to 27d also move downward, thus allowing ejection of the disk cartridge 2.
In the state shown in FIG. 1B, since the lock pin 38 of the slide cam 24 contacts a linear portion 35c of the detection lever 35, the detection lever 35 cannot be pivoted. However, when the slide cam 24 moves to almost the end, the lock pin 38 is separated from the linear portion 35c, and the detection lever 35 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow by the biasing force of the torsion spring 37. By the pivoting force of the detection lever 35, the cartridge 2 is ejected from the cartridge holder 4. The state shown in FIG. 1A is attained when the pin 41 of the eject motor unit 39 reaches a position A. However, when the eject motor is stopped in this state, the slide cam 24 cannot move forward upon execution of the next loading. For this reason, the eject motor is rotated by half a revolution, and is stopped at a position B using a limit switch (not shown), and the like.
As described above, since the plate on which the spindle motor is attached moves upward/downward upon loading and ejection of the disk cartridge, the device space can be efficiently utilized.
However, in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 4, since the flange portion 18a of the guide pin 18 is arranged at the inner side of the cartridge holder 4, the flange portion 18a contacts the cartridge 2. FIG. 3 shows a state immediately before the shutter of the disk cartridge is almost fully opened upon insertion of the cartridge 2 in the cartridge holder 4. In this state, the flange portion 18a is located immediately above the recess portion (hatched portion) 2b of the cartridge 2. When the cartridge 2 is further pushed, the flange 18a moves along the cam groove 5 and passes an edge 2c of the recess portion 2b. However, since the flange portion 18a slightly projects into the cartridge holder 4, the flange portion 18a passes the edge 2c while climbing over it.
Therefore, when cartridge insertion is repeated, the edge 2c is worn. In some cases, the flange portion 18a may be caught by the edge 2c. If the cartridge is pushed by force into the cartridge holder while caught by the edge 2c, since the force directly acts on the cartridge 2 and the shutter opening/closing lever 7, the cartridge 2 and the shutter opening/closing lever 7 may be damaged (e.g., disengaged due to deformation) if the cartridge is handled carelessly.

Information recording/reproduction apparatus with shutter opening/closing mechanism on upper surface of cartridge holder


A field emission display FED is manufactured by a method for manufacturing the FED comprising the steps of forming successively a conductive coating and first photoresist coating on a transparent insulating substrate; exposing the first photoresist coating to the light and removing it except a part where a microtip is formed; etching in a predetermined depth the conductive coating using the first photoresist pattern as a mask to form a plurality of columns; depositing an insulating coating on the etched and exposed conductive coating and removing the remaining first photoresist pattern by a lift off method; depositing and patterning a second photoresist coating on the exposed column and the insulating coating to form a second photoresist pattern in order that the thickness of the remaining second photoresist coating becomes smaller than that of the exposed column; etching the column through a selective isotropic or anisotropic etching process using the second photoresist pattern as the mask to form the sharp end of the microtip; and depositing a gate layer on the insulating coating and removing the remaining second photoresist pattern. As a result, the end of the microtip is formed under the surface of the gate so as to be less influenced by an ion bombardment thereby reducing the abrasion of the microtip.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a field emission display (below FED) and, more specifically a method for manufacturing a field emission display which can obtain good light emission characteristics by forming cathodes simply and in the uniform height.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A field emission display FED is a kind of flat display provided with tip-type or wedge-type, cathodes and anodes with a layered phosphor. An electron emitted from a certain cathode strikes the phosphor, so that the phosphor is excited to emit the light thereby displaying patterns, characters or signs. Also, despite minimum voltage consumption, color patterns with high resolution and brightness can be displayed.
A conventional FED of microtip-type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,539 and JP unexamined Publication No. Sho 61-221783 will be described in connection with FIG. 3.
Gates 3 of the rows of electrodes which are divided by cathode patterns 2 and insulating coatings 4 and have a plurality of holes 30 are disposed on a back glass substrate 1 in the cross shape. A plurality of cells 5 are formed on the cross parts. In the cell 5, the same number of microtips 6 as that of holes 30 are formed on the cathode pattern 2. Spacer 7 covering each cell 5 is disposed on the top side of the cell 5. In the meantime, an Indium Tin oxide ITO transparent conductive coating 9 forming an anode electrode and a phosphor coating 10 are formed on the bottom side of a front glass substrate 8.
FIG. 4 describes in an enlarged sectional view the above FED cell 5. As shown in this figure, the microtip 6 is a cathode of a cool cathode using a high electric field emission. Its end is pointed as a tip-type. Even though a lower voltage is applied to the tiny area, electrons are emitted from the end of the tip-type cathode thereby exciting the phosphor 10 facing the cathode.
Namely, electron emission is solicited from a plurality of microtips 6 formed on the cathode pattern 2 and electrons therefrom strike the phosphor 10 through the gates 3 converging the electric field. So, the phosphor 10 is stimulated so as for electrons to be excited. Using the light generated therefrom, the needed picture display can be performed.
In the meantime, the above FED microtip is formed by a process comprising steps shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F.
As shown in FIG. 5A, on the back glass substrate 1, the cathode pattern 2, the insulating coating 4 and the gate 3 are successively formed. As shown in FIG. 5B, a certain portion of the gate 3 is etched by a dry etching to form a hole of the diameter of about 1.4 .mu.m. As shown in FIG. 5C, the insulating coating 4 is etched by a silica etching to form a cavity 40 under the hole 30. As shown in FIG. 5D, with the rotation of the back glass substrate 1, the electron beams are deposited in the projecting angle of 5.degree.-25.degree. to form a nickel layer 11. As shown in FIG. 5E, as well as FIG. 5D, with the rotation of the back glass substrate 1, Mo is deposited on the inner surface of the cavity 40 of the insulating coating 4 to form the microtip 6. After that, as shown in FIG. 5F, Mo deposition 12 with the Ni layer 11 formed on the top of the gate 3 is removed.
Also, a spacer 7 is formed on the whole area of the gate 3 of the back glass substrate 1 except the cell part 5. On the top side of the spacer 7, the front glass 8 on which the transparent conductive film 9 and the phosphor coating 10 are formed are disposed, thereby completing the FED.
However, the microtip 6 formed therefrom, can be easily damaged due to an ion bombardment that, when the electron emitted from the tip excites the phosphor, the positive ion abrades the cathode. As a result, according to the abrasion, the efficiency of electron emission becomes reduced so as not to maintain the stable picture quality thereby shortening the useful life.
Also, when depositing the Ni layer 11 on the gate 3, because the projecting angle of a depositing device (not shown) is modulated with rotating the glass substrate 1, the projecting angle of the depositing device is changed according to the position on the substrate, resulting in the non-uniform tip shapes.
Accordingly, the electron emission force formed on the tip portion becomes non-uniform resulting in the non-uniform brightness. Also, this method has difficulties in forming a plurality of tips at the appropriate uniform height due to the necessary high technology during manufacturing process as well as performing the complicated process.
The above problems act as a big defect when manufacturing a large FED. The combining force of the cathode tip exciting the electron emission with the cathode electrode is weak because, during the manufacturing process of the FED, in each etching step, the etchant is penetrated into the contacting portion of the cathode tip and the cathode electrode, so that, at the time of driving, the cathode tip is dropped out resulting in the reduced manufacturing efficiency.

Method for manufacturing field emission display


Disclosed is the characterization and purification of DNA encoding a numerous polypeptides useful for the stimulation of glial cell (particularly, Schwann cell) mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel polypeptides which may have use in stimulating glial cell mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Methods for the synthesis, purification and testing of both known and novel polypeptides for their use as both therapeutic and diagnostic aids in the treatment of diseases involving glial cells are also provided. Methods are also provided for the use of these polypeptides for the preparation of antibody probes useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic use in diseases involving glial cells. The present invention is specifically directed to methods of using said polypeptides to induce myelination and to treat multiple sclerosis.

This invention relates to polypeptides found in vertebrate species, which polypeptides are mitogenic growth factors for glial cells, including Schwann cells. The invention is also concerned with processes capable of producing such factors, and the therapeutic application of such factors.
The glial cells of vertebrates constitute the specialized connective tissue of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Important glial cells include Schwann cells which provide metabolic support for neurons and which provide myelin sheathing around the axons of certain peripheral neurons, thereby forming individual nerve fibers. Schwann cells support neurons and provide a sheath effect by forming concentric layers of membrane around adjacent neural axons, twisting as they develop around the axons. These myelin sheaths are a susceptible element of many nerve fibers, and damage to Schwann cells, or failure in growth and development, can be associated with significant demyelination or nerve degeneration characteristic of a number of peripheral nervous system diseases and disorders. In the development of the nervous system, it has become apparent that cells require various factors to regulate their division and growth, and various such factors have been identified in recent years, including some found to have an effect on Schwann cell division or development.
Thus, Brockes et al., inter alia, in J. Neuroscience, 4 (1984) 75–83 describe a protein growth factor present in extracts from bovine brain and pituitary tissue, which was named Glial Growth Factor (GGF). This factor stimulated cultured rat Schwann cells to divide against a background medium containing ten percent fetal calf serum. The factor was also described as having a molecular weight of 31,000 Daltons and as readily dimerizing. In Meth. Enz., 147 (1987), 217–225, Brockes describes a Schwann cell-based assay for GGF.
Brockes et al., supra, also describes a method of purification of GGF to apparent homogeneity. In brief, one large-scale purification method described involves extraction of the lyophilized bovine anterior lobes and chromatography of material obtained thereby using NaCl gradient elution from CM cellulose. Gel filtration is then carried out with an Ultrogel column, followed by elution from a phosphocellulose column, and finally, small-scale SDS gel electrophoresis. Alternatively, the CM-cellulose material was applied directly to a phosphocellulose column, fractions from the column were pooled and purified by preparative native gel electrophoresis, followed by a final SDS gel electrophoresis.
Brockes et al. observe that in previously reported gel filtration experiments (Brockes et al., J. Biol. Chem. 255 (1980) 8374–8377), the major peak of growth factor activity was observed to migrate with a molecular weight of 56,000 Daltons, whereas in the first of the above-described procedures activity was predominantly observed at molecular weight 31,000. It is reported that the GGF dimer is largely removed as a result of the gradient elution from CM-cellulose in this procedure.
Benveniste et al. (PNAS, 82 (1985), 3930–3934) describe a T lymphocyte-derived glial growth promoting factor. This factor, under reducing conditions, exhibits a change in apparent molecular weight on SDS gels.
Kimura et al. (Nature, 348 (1990), 257–260) describe a factor they term Schwannoma-derived growth factor (SDGF) which is obtained from a sciatic nerve sheath tumor. The authors state that SDGF does not stimulate the incorporation of tritium-labelled TdR into cultured Schwann cells under conditions where, in contrast, partially purified pituitary fraction containing GGF is active. SDGF has an apparent molecular weight of between 31,000 and 35,000.
Davis and Stroobant (J. Cell. Biol., 110 (1990), 1353–1360) describe the screening of a number of candidate mitogens. Rat Schwann cells were used, the chosen candidate substances being examined for their ability to stimulate DNA synthesis in the Schwann cells in the presence of 10% FCS (fetal calf serum), with and without forskolin. One of the factors tested was GGF-carboxymethyl cellulose fraction (GGF-CM), which was mitogenic in the presence of FCS, with and without forskolin. The work revealed that in the presence of forskolin, inter alia, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) was a potent mitogen for Schwann cells, PDGF having previously been thought to have no effect on Schwann cells.
Holmes et al. Science (1992) 256: 1205 and Wen et al. Cell (1992) 69: 559 demonstrate that DNA sequences which encode proteins binding to a receptor (p185erbB2) are associated with several human tumors.
The p185erbB2 protein is a 185 kilodalton membrane spanning protein with tyrosine kinase activity. The protein is encoded by the erbB2 proto-oncogene (Yarden and Ullrich Ann. Rev. Biochem. 57: 443 (1988)). The erbB2 gene, also referred to as HER-2 (in human cells) and neu (in rat cells), is closely related to the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF). Recent evidence indicates that proteins which interact with (and activate the kinase of) p185erbB2 induce proliferation in the cells bearing p185erbB2 (Holmes et al. Science 256: 1205 (1992); Dobashi et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 89: 8582 (1991); Lupu et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 89: 2287 (1992)). Furthermore, it is evident that the gene encoding p185erbB2 binding proteins produces a number of variably-sized, differentially-spliced RNA transcripts that give rise to a series of proteins, which are of different lengths and contain some common peptide sequences and some unique peptide sequences. This is supported by the differentially-spliced RNA transcripts recoverable from human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) (Holmes et al. Science 256: 1205 (1992)). Further support derives from the wide size range of proteins which act as (as disclosed herein) ligands for the p185erbB2 receptor (see below).

Glial mitogenic factors, their preparation and use


An outdoor unit capable of promptly discharging dew condensation water dropped from a heat exchanger to an exterior is provided. A drainage port is formed in a bottom frame of an outdoor unit below a heat exchanger. A base leg of the bottom frame is formed to have a U shape section by upper plates abutted with a lower surface of the bottom frame, lower plates fixed to an installment surface, and standing plates connecting the upper plates and the lower plates, and further includes a first part and a second part with respect to the longitudinal direction. The first part is formed to have a U shape section opening outward in the horizontal direction with the lower plate thereof being fixed to the installment surface. The second part is provided at least at a position corresponding to the drainage port with respect to the longitudinal direction of the base leg, and formed to have a U shape section opening inward in the horizontal direction, the second part having a structure where the upper plate thereof avoids a lower region of the drainage port.

Patent Literature 1 below discloses an outdoor unit of an air conditioning device. Devices forming a refrigerant circuit such as a heat exchanger and a compressor are disposed on a bottom frame of this outdoor unit, and base legs to be fixed to an installment surface are provided on lower surfaces of a front edge and a rear edge of the bottom frame below the heat exchanger. Each of the base legs is formed to have a U shape section by a lower plate in contact with the ground, an upper plate in contact with the lower surface of the bottom frame, and a standing plate extending perpendicularly from the upper plate to the lower plate. The base leg provided in the front edge of the bottom frame is formed in a U shape opening forward, and the base leg provided in the rear edge of the bottom frame is formed in a U shape opening rearward.

Condensation removal in an outdoor unit of an air conditioning device


In a terminal, an SRS drop control unit drops a portion of partial bands from among a plurality of partial bands in a case where transmission power for reference signals generated using a plurality of sequences having a sequence length that corresponds to a partial band exceeds a threshold value. Furthermore, a radio transmission unit transmits the reference signals by means of the remaining partial bands other than the portion of partial bands that are dropped from among the plurality of partial bands.

In the standardization of 5G, new radio access technology (NR: new RAT) that does not always have backward compatibility with LTE/LTE-Advanced is being discussed by the 3GPP.
In LTE, a terminal (sometimes also referred to as a "UE" (user equipment)) transmits a reference signal referred to as sounding reference signal (hereinafter referred to as "SRS") by means of a radio resource allocated from a base station (sometimes also referred to as an "eNB" or a "gNB"). The base station estimates uplink quality in a transmission band for the SRS by measuring the reception quality of the SRS. The base station carries out frequency scheduling for the terminal or link adaptation (adaptive modulation and coding) using an estimated value for the uplink quality.
Furthermore, SRSs in LTE are generated using one Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence per component carrier (CC: a predetermined system band). The sequence length of the ZC sequence is decided according to the SRS transmission bandwidth. Furthermore, SRSs in LTE are transmitted in contiguous bands in order to suppress an increase in the CM/PAPR (cubic metric/peak to average power ratio). SRSs in LTE are generated using one ZC sequence and therefore have a benefit in that the CM/PAPR can be reduced.
Meanwhile, in NR, consideration is being given to multiple partial band-based SRSs (hereinafter referred to as "multi-PB SRSs") in which SRSs are transmitted at the same time by means of a plurality of partial bands (for example, see NPL 1). Multi-PB SRSs are generated using one or more sequences (for example, ZC sequences) having a sequence length that corresponds to the size of one partial band. That is, the sequence length of a multi-PB SRS is decided according to a bandwidth that corresponds to a partial band not the entire transmission bandwidth, and an SRS having a transmission bandwidth that is wider than one partial band is generated using a plurality of sequences (namely, a plurality of partial bands).

Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America


The present disclosure relates to a lithium-sulfur battery cathode. The lithium-sulfur battery cathode comprises a carbon nanotube sponge and a plurality of sulfur nanoparticles. Wherein the carbon nanotube sponge comprises a plurality of micropores. The plurality of sulfur nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in the plurality of micropores. The present disclosure also relates a method for making the lithium-sulfur battery cathode and a lithium-sulfur battery using the lithium-sulfur battery cathode.

Demands for new energy sources are increasing, and development in new secondary batteries with high energy density and high specific capacity is progressing rapidly. A lithium-sulfur (Li—S) battery has been widely considered as one of the most promising candidates due to its high theoretical energy density (2600 W h kg−1) and specific capacity (1675 mA h g−1). Furthermore, elemental sulfur has advantages of natural abundance, environmental benignity, and low lost. However, commercial applications of the Li—S battery are still hampered by the following challenges. Firstly, volume variations of sulfur can be as high as 80% during a lithiation/delithiation process. Such variations can easily damage an overall structure of the battery, thereby affecting an overall performance of the battery. Secondly, an insulating nature of elemental sulfur and its discharge products (Li2Sx, x=1-8) results in the fairly low electrical conductivity of the sulfur cathode. Shuttle effects, caused by a dissolution and migration of soluble intermediate polysulfides, can cause severe active material loss and eventually fast capacity decay of the Li—S battery.
Several approaches have been put forward to solve the challenges discussed above, including unique nanostructured sulfur cathodes, functional interlayers or separators, modified electrolyte, and novel lithium anode design. All these methods show enhanced electrochemical performances to some extent. Most of the challenges of the Li—S battery are related to the sulfur cathode. Optimizing the sulfur cathode seems to be the key to an efficient and effective Li—S battery.
What is needed, therefore, is to provide a battery with an improved cathode.

Lithium-sulfur battery cathode, method for making the same and lithium-sulfur battery using the same


A pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising an aqueous emulsion of a copolymer consisting essentially of. (a) 10-40 wt % vinyl acetate,. (b) 5-30 wt % ethylene,. (c) 5-50 wt % alkyl acrylate,. (d) 5-40 wt % dialkyl maleate or fumarate,. (e) 1-5 wt % hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate,. (f) 0.1-1 wt % (meth)acrylamide, and. (g) 1-5 wt % alpha,beta ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Most currently available pressure sensitive adhesive emulsions do not meet the performance requirements for vinyl applications in the adhesive market. Most of the adhesive products that are presently used for vinyl applications are solvent based. Needless to say the use of solvent based adhesives leads to environmental and workplace emissions problems.
For a pressure sensitive adhesive to be suitable for vinyl applications, i.e. the base stock is polyvinyl chloride which is most likely plasticized, the copolymer adhesive must have the following properties:
loop tack of greater than 1.5 pli (pounds per linear inch),
24 hour peel adhesion buildup of at least about 4 pli,
high cohesive strength of at least 30 hours (PSTC-7) standard creep resistance, and
suitable moisture resistance.
Of particular importance is the need for greater than about 4 pli peel adhesion buildup, for otherwise the vinyl base stock will peel off the substrate. Permanency is needed so that the vinyl base stock will be destroyed rather than peel off the substrate.
In the pressure sensitive adhesive art, cohesive strength is measured by shear strength or shear (creep) resistance, which is the resistance of adhesive joints to shear stresses and is measured as the force per unit area sheared at failure. Shear is parallel to the adhesive joint.
Peel or peel strength is measured by drawing an adhesive applied to a substrate at some angle to the substrate, usually 90.degree. or 180.degree..
Tack or loop tack is the resistance offered by the adhesive film to detachment from an adhered surface. It is a measure of stickiness of an adhesive, or the ability to form an instant bond when brought into contact with a substrate to which adhesive is to be adhered.
Although many attempts have been made to enhance the shear strength of adhesive polymers, the tack and peel values of the resulting adhesive generally lessen with an increase in shear strength.
European Patent Application 0 225 541 discloses pressure sensitive adhesives comprising terpolymers of ethylene, vinyl acetate and di-2-ethylhexyl maleate or di-n-octyl maleate or the corresponding fumarate.
DE 3,531,601 discloses an aqueous pressure sensitive emulsion whose polymer comprises
(a) 40-89 wt % vinyl ester,
(b) 10-45 wt % ethylene,
(c) 0.5-4 wt % unsaturated carboxylic and,
(d) 0.5-10 wt % hydroxyalkyl acrylate,
(e) 0-25 wt % alkyl acrylate, and
(f) 0-10 wt % ethylenically mono-unsaturated or polyunsaturated comonomers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,516 discloses pressure sensitive adhesive emulsion copolymers comprising
(a) 10-30 wt % ethylene,
(b) 29-69 wt % acrylic acid esters of alcohols,
(c) 20-55 wt % vinyl acetate,
(d) 0.2-8 wt % (meth)acrylamide, and
(e) 0-12 wt % other olefinically unsaturated comonomers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,429 discloses a pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising a polymer of an acrylate ester and/or vinyl ester, an olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid comonomer, and a polyolefinically unsaturated comonomer. The acrylate ester may be a diester of an alpha, beta-olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,664 discloses pressure sensitive adhesives which are polymers of a diester of fumaric acid, an alkyl acrylate, an alkyl methacrylate and, desirably, a crosslinkable carboxylic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,957 discloses an aqueous emulsion for bonding nonwoven fabrics containing a vinyl ester, 10-30 wt % ethylene, 15-40 wt % dialkyl maleate and 1-5 wt % N-methylol containing comonomer.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,563,944 discloses the copolymerization of vinyl acetate with acrylates, acrylic acid, maleates and fumarates to provide an emulsion especially useful in a paint formulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,257,478 discloses pressure sensitive adhesives comprising vinyl acetate. octyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and maleic anhydride. In addition, crosslinkable monomers such as N-methylolacrylamide are included.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,213 discloses a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a polymer base of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid and a mixed vinyl ester of an alkanoic acid containing 10-12 carbon atoms.
U.S Pat. No. 3,697,618 discloses an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive consisting of a vinyl ester of a saturated monocarboxylic acid, e.g. vinyl acetate, and an alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,292 discloses a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising an alkyl acrylate, an alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid such as acrylic acid, a vinyl ester, e.g. vinyl acetate, and a plasticizer such as dibutyl phthalate. Emulsion polymerization techniques are employed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,050 discloses a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a terpolymer of an alkyl acrylate, a vinyl ester and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid.

High performance pressure sensitive adhesive emulsion


An object is to provide a CaSR agonist agent that has excellent CaSR agonist effects, and particularly, a pharmaceutical product that can prevent or remedy diabetes or obesity by the effect of CaSR activation. The aforementioned object is achieved by a composition that contains a compound represented by the following General Formula (I) or a salt thereof (refer to the Description for the definitions of the symbols used in the formula).

Energy metabolism in the body is controlled by insulin produced by pancreatic beta-cells. Insulin plays an important role in controlling the blood sugar level by affecting and promoting the peripheral tissues or cells to take up sugar from the blood. However, insulin sensitivity of the cells is reduced by continuous intake of high caloric diet, an increase in the blood sugar level as well as oversecretion of insulin proceed at the same time. As a result, pancreatic beta-cells are worn out and thus become dysfunctional, thereby causing diabetes or obesity.
Secretion of insulin is regulated by various hormones. In particular, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), produced and secreted in the gastrointestinal tract, is considered important. GLP-1 is a peptide hormone with a molecular weight of about 4,000, which is mainly produced in L cells in the small intestine. GLP-1 has been found to have an effect of promoting insulin secretion by beta-cells, effects of suppressing peristalic movement, digestion and absorption of the stomach, effects of suppressing on appetite and overeating, and else, and thus effective in preventing or treating diabetes or obesity. Since diabetes and obesity decreases GLP-1 production capacity, promotion of GLP-1 production in these pathological conditions is expected to result in prevention or treatment of diabetes or obesity. Although production of GLP-1 in L cells is promoted by intake of various nutrients such as carbohydrate, fat, protein and the like, it is a rare case to apply a compound such as a peptide having a certain component as a GLP-1 secretion promoter.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone having a molecular weight of about 4,000, which is mainly produced in L cells of the duodenum and small intestine and which promotes secretions of bile and pancreatic digestive juice. CCK has physiological effects such as an effect of suppressing gastric emptying of food, an effect of promoting pancreatic enzyme secretion and an effect of suppressing food taking due to a sense of fullness (Non-patent documents 1 and 2). Furthermore, CCK is also known to have an effect of promoting secretion of insulin, i.e., a blood sugar regulating hormone (Non-patent documents 3 and 4). CCK having such effects is considered to be promising for treating or preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes or obesity.
In order to apply peptides GLP-1 and CCK to treatment, intravascular administration such as injection is employed, which is impractical in terms of complication caused by daily administration and large expense. Meanwhile, to make use of the mechanism where endogenous GLP-1 and CCK are secreted from GLP-1- and CCK-producing cells in the small intestine mucosa seems to be worthy of consideration. Specifically, development of a compound or the like that has an effect of promoting GLP-1 and CCK secretions has been awaited.
The calcium receptor, also called the calcium sensing receptor (also referred to as "CaSR"), was cloned from bovine thyroid in 1993 as G-protein coupled seven-transmembrane receptor (G-protein coupled receptor; GPCR) that senses extracellular calcium (Ca2+) (Non-patent Document 5). The calcium receptor has a function of altering the intracellular Ca2+ concentration by sensing extracellular Ca2+, thereby regulating production of hormones or the like involved in Ca2+ metabolic regulation, as typified by parathyroid hormone.
Recently, cinacalcet (CCT), a calcium receptor agonist, was found to have an effect of suppressing secretion of parathyroid hormone by acting on the calcium receptor of parathyroid to enhance Ca2+ sensitivity of the calcium receptor (Non-patent Document 6), and it has been marketed as a therapeutic drug for secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients (Non-patent Document 7).
In addition, the calcium receptor was also found to be expressed in kidney, brain, thyroid, bones and gastrointestinal tracts, and thus considered to be involved in various diseases.
As compounds having a CaSR activating effect, for example, gamma-glutamyl peptide derivatives are known (Patent Documents 1 and 2), which have also been reported to be effective as a therapeutic agent for diabetes or obesity (Patent Document 3).
These compounds, however, are structurally different from the alkylamine derivatives of the present invention.
On the other hand, a gamma-glutamyl anilide derivative, among the alkylamine derivatives, is known to be used as a substrate for enzymatic activity (Non-patent Document 8) as well as for its application as an antimicrobial agent or an anti-allergic agent (Non-patent Document 9 and Patent Document 4) and its application as an analytical reagent (Non-patent Documents 10 and 11). Moreover, an L-2-amino-3-N′-substituted ureidopropanoic acid derivative is known for its application as a synthetic intermediate of an asparagine analog employed as an anticancer agent (Non-patent Document 12). The alkylamine derivative is known as a leukotriene A4 inhibitor for application against inflammatory diseases (Non-patent Document 13). The alkylamine derivative is also known for its application as an anticancer agent (Non-patent Document 14).
The above-mentioned compounds, however, have not been known for their applications as pharmaceutical agents having a CaSR agonist effect, in particular, an effect of promoting GLP-1 and CCK secretions.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diabetes or obesity


A drive unit for driving and starting a motor in the form of an internal combustion engine designed for driving a traction generator coupled to the motor.

It is known from the prior art that the starting of a powerful motor in the form of an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine, for instance, which is used for driving a machine, such as, for example, in traction applications for trains or agricultural machines, is often realized using an additional, but in return significantly smaller, that is to say less powerful, auxiliary motor, which obtains its starting energy via an additional battery connected to the auxiliary motor, a so-called starter battery. Such an arrangement is found in motor vehicles, for example. In that case a starter battery embodied as an accumulator supplies the electric current for the starter of the motor in the form of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle. Besides the task of providing a specific energy potential or voltage level for starting the motor, however, the starter battery is often supplementarily used to support the supply of the on-board electrical network and diverse loads—connected thereto—of the vehicle.
A similar method for starting a motor is described in WO 2012/091831. In that case, a motor is connected to an alternator and an additional auxiliary motor. The alternator generates the necessary traction energy for the drive of the vehicle. The additional auxiliary motor is fed by a battery in order to provide the required torque for launching and starting the motor.
The methods known from the prior art for starting a motor, with a starter battery, have various disadvantages, however. Often the energy potential provided by the battery is insufficient during the process of starting the motor if the battery is designed for example only to provide a relatively low supply voltage of 24 volts. In such a case, an additional component part such as a step-up converter, for example, has to ensure that the energy potential provided by the battery is raised to a higher energy potential Moreover, the relatively low voltage provided by the battery brings about high battery currents during the process of starting the motor.
A further disadvantage concerning the use of a starter battery consists in the temperature-dependent performance thereof. However, this disadvantage is generally shared by all batteries. The performance of a battery decreases all the more here, the lower the ambient temperature to which the battery is exposed.


An airfield visibility monitoring system may include a measurement unit to emit one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation along an aircraft glideslope associated with a runway and detect backscattered radiation from the glideslope associated with the emitted pulses. The measurement unit may further determine round-trip times between emission of the one or more pulses and detection of the backscattered radiation. The system may further include a controller. The controller may determine values of a visibility metric for multiple distances from the measurement unit along the glideslope based on the detected backscattered radiation and round-trip times, determine values of the visibility metric for multiple altitudes based on the values of the visibility metric along the glideslope, and direct an airfield communication unit to broadcast values of the visibility metric for at least some of the altitudes.

Atmospheric visibility at or near a runway is one of the main factors in determining the viability of an approach for landing an aircraft. For example, different classes of instrument approaches are defined based on runway visual range (RVR) measurements taken at one or more locations along a runway. Further, pilots must typically visually identify the landing environment of a runway by a decision height before executing a landing. However, visibility and associated RVR measurements may be highly location-specific and may vary significantly, even along the runway. RVR measurements taken along the runway may thus provide only limited information to a pilot and do not provide an indication of actual visibility along a glideslope of a landing approach (e.g., a glidepath or an approach slope) in assessing whether the landing environment is expected to be visible at the decision height.
Further, atmospheric visibility is typically governed by scattering and/or absorption of light by the atmosphere or additional particles such as clouds, smoke, haze, and the like. Aircraft may thus include instrumentation to provide additional data to a pilot that may provide enhanced visibility beyond human vision. For example, an enhanced vision system (EVS) may include cameras and/or sensors to provide a pilot with a video display to supplement a view from the cockpit. An EVS may utilize electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength such as, but not limited to, visible, infrared, or radio-frequency (RF) wavelengths to provide visualization data. In the case of visible wavelengths, an EVS may use visible-wavelength instrumentation that is more sensitive than a human eye. In the case of non-visible wavelengths (e.g., wavelengths not visible to the human eye), an EVS may provide enhanced visualization capabilities. An EVS may thus provide enhanced visibility beyond what RVR measurements along a runway may suggest. However, visibility based on an EVS on an aircraft may not be verifiable by an airport and may not always be relied on during an instrument approach.


An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a manufacturing method thereof to improve a luminous character are provided. The OLED display device includes a first transistor, a second transistor and an OLED. An image is displayed by applying a driving current to OLED through the first transistor and the second transistor. The thickness of the gate insulating layers of the first and the second transistor are different. The OLED is provided with the sufficient driving current to improve the luminous character without decreasing emissive area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transistor for an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional OLED includes an organic light emitting layer disposed between two electrodes. When an electron and a hole are respectively injected into the organic light emitting layer from the two electrodes, the electron and the hole couples to form an exciton. The organic light emitting layer generates light when the energy level of the exciton changes from an excitation state to a ground state. The OLED display device can be categorized as an active matrix type and a passive matrix type. The active matrix type OLED display device drives each OLED pixel using a transistor formed in the pixel.
The transistor of the conventional OLED display device is often fabricated based on a polysilicon structure which produces superior electrical properties to amorphous silicon structure. However, the transistor formed of polysilicon has several drawbacks. For example, the transistor may have a complicated structure, which causes low yield of the transistor fabrication and extended manufacturing time.
Accordingly, an OLED display device using amorphous silicon has been proposed. In order to be employed in the OLED display device, the amorphous silicon transistor should improve its electrical performance. For instance, the poor electron mobility of amorphous silicon limits the increase of luminescence of OLED display. The size increase of the transistor controlling the current flowing to OLED pixel may solve this problem, but decreases the size of display area. Thus, there is a need for increasing the luminescence without reducing the display area.

Organic light emitting diode display device and fabricating method thereof


A mouthguard assembly is provided. The mouthguard assembly includes a generally curved mouthguard for insertion into a user's mouth having an outer portion and inner portion, a channel formed within the outer or inner portion of the mouthguard, and an attachment means housed within the channel. The user can extend the attachment means out of the channel to temporarily attach the mouthguard assembly to clothing or apparatus of the user for storage of the mouthguard when it is not used.

The present invention relates to a mouthguard for use in athletics and more particularly, to a mouthguard that can temporarily be stored by a user on their clothes or apparatus.
Mouthguards have been developed and sold for several years for protecting the mouth and teeth of an athlete from injuries that may result from impact collisions and blows during athletic competition. Mouthguards have been used in several contact sports including football, basketball, ice hockey, soccer and lacrosse where collisions between players are common. Mouthguards generally consist of a somewhat U-shaped device that fits around the upper and lower teeth of the user and are historically categorized as custom fit or non-custom fit. Custom fit mouthguards generally provide better protection for athletes, but are expensive and require a dentist for proper fabrication and fitting. Non-custom fit mouthguards are designed to fit generally for most users and are commonly used, however, these mouthguards are often inadequate for various reasons such as improper fit, uncomfortable teeth and jaw positioning, and a lack of temporary storability which can lead to a risk of infection. In particular, athletes typically remove mouthguards during breaks in athletic competition and carry their mouthguard in their hands and then reinsert it into their mouth immediately before athletic competition resumes. Holding a mouthguard in the user's hand can lead to germs coming into contact with the mouthguard before it is placed back into the user's mouth.
To address concerns such as storability and essentially the risk of infection, various mouthguards have been designed with a strap or a tether attached to the front of the mouth guard on a tab. For example, in football, mouthguards with straps connected to the face mask of a football helmet have been designed and utilized. Such a design eliminates the problem of having to carry a mouthguard in the user's hand or squeezing it into a portion of a football helmet for temporary storage because the mouthguard hangs down from the helmet when it is not used. However, while solving one problem, this strap design presents a possibly even greater problem. During the violent collisions which occur when football is played, a player's helmet is sometimes knocked off. If the player is using the mouthguard and the helmet is knocked off the player's head, the player's teeth can be severely damaged or knocked out depending upon the force exerted on the mouthguard from the impact to the helmet. Straps and tethers also present other problems for athletes. Players prefer not to have a loose, dangling mouthguard tethered to their helmet as the loose movement of the mouthguard is annoying or uncomfortable. Players also find straps and tethers unfavorable as they can limit the range of motion for the athlete as they move their heads in different positions.
Accordingly, a need exists for a mouthguard that properly fits with the teeth and jaw of a user to provide protection to the mouth and teeth of the user while also reducing the likelihood of contamination or loss during periods of non-use.


The invention relates to a horizontal transverse sealing unit, in particular for a horizontal tubular bag machine for sealing at least one tubular film around at least one object to be packaged, having a first and a second rotational axis (18a, 20a) which are parallel to each other and at least two sealing jaw pairs (26a, 28a and 30a, 32a) which are each formed by at least one sealing jaw (26a, 30a) rotating around the first rotation axis (18a) and at least one sealing jaw (28a, 32a) rotating around the second rotation axis (20a), such that, during a sealing process, the sealing jaws (26a, 28a) of a sealing jaw pair (26a, 28a) approach each other and material layers can be sealed between the sealing jaws (26a, 28a) under exertion of pressure. According to the invention, at least two independently drivable sealing drives of the horizontal transverse sealing unit are provided to drive at least two sealing jaw pairs (pair 26a, 28a and pair 30a, 32a) independently of each other.

The prior art already discloses horizontal transverse sealing units for horizontal tubular bag machines for sealing at least one tubular film around at least one object to be packaged, having a first and a second rotational axis which are parallel to each other and at least two sealing jaw pairs which are each formed by at least one sealing jaw rotating around the first rotational axis and at least one sealing jaw rotating around the second rotational axis, such that, during a sealing process, the sealing jaws of a sealing jaw pair approach each other and material layers can be sealed between the sealing jaws under the exertion of pressure. A sealing drive drives the sealing jaws synchronously. During sealing processes, the sealing jaws are moved at a packaging speed synchronized with the tubular film. During periods of time between the sealing processes, the sealing jaws can be accelerated and/or decelerated by means of a limping movement (an irregular movement). A deviation in the lengths of packages to be formed from a path length, along which the sealing jaws are moved, can thus be compensated. In the case of a common sealing drive which synchronously drives all of the sealing jaws, the limping movement can only take place during the time period in which no sealing jaw is carrying out a sealing process. The resulting short time period that is available for the limping movement causes high acceleration rates and/or a reduced efficiency of the horizontal transverse sealing unit. Deviations in the package lengths from a package length adapted to the path length of the sealing jaws are only possible to a limited extent.


An improved fluorescent ballast circuit for 277 volt commercial application is disclosed utilizing a resonant circuit mechanism to generate high open circuit voltage (OCV) during lamp starting. The result is an energy efficient effective lighting system for commercial buildings.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improved ballast circuitry for high wattage, high LPW (lumens per watt) fluorescent lamps.
2. Discussion of Background
New higher efficiency compact lighting systems are becoming available in home use, however the design of comparable higher efficiency compact systems for fluorescent office and commercial lighting fixtures has been hindered by the lack of practical circuits for starting and operating high wattage commercial fluorescent light switch operated from a 220-347 volt line. These new higher wattage lamps can generate a lumen per watt of between 80 and 100 LPW but thus far the development of an efficient and effective lighting system for commercial buildings has been hindered by a lack of sufficient practical and efficient starting and operating circuitry.
The use of a 277 volt open circuit (OCV) used in the U.S. or a 347 volt (OCV) as in Canada does not provide an efficient positive lamp starting unless large energies are supplied by starting circuitry. These large energies defeat attempts to utilize such lamps in an efficient system.
The present invention provides the necessary voltage in an efficient manner for positive lamp starting for high wattage, high LPW fluorescent lamps in an industrial configuration.

Lamp arrangement employing a resonant circuit formed from an autotransformer and a capacitor where the capacitor is switched out of the resonant circuit and into a power factor correcting circuit when the ignition of the lamp is sensed


A travel preparedness system that generally comprises four components: a multifunction configurable case with multiple compartments, including at least one detachable compartment, with a carrying strap that can be attached to either the configurable case or the detachable compartment; a thermally insulated container; a plurality of commercially available resealable containers and an array of commercially available preparedness articles useful or necessary for a traveler. The preparedness articles are selected from a group of articles intended to aid a traveler to recover from a multitude of adversities, injuries or maladies, that also includes articles useful for entertainment and for the preparation, consumption and storage of food stuffs. The four components cooperate and, together with a method, prepare a traveler for emergency and non-emergency travel situations.

The present invention relates generally to travel supplies, and more specifically it relates to a travel preparedness system which includes a configurable case with various compartments and supplies useful for travel. Hundreds of millions of people travel the world annually and whether a retired baby-boomer, a young adult, a parent vacationing with children or a business person, sometimes things go wrong and solutions are not readily available. Travel problems are not generally anticipated, in that, when preparing for a vacation, the average traveler is focused on the lure of a vacation experience and not the myriad of things that may go wrong, while a business traveler is generally focused on the business at hand, rather than preparing for potential disruptions. A traveler often does not anticipate problems that can occur when traveling and has difficulty responding to unexpected calamities. A traveler needs to be prepared, but few have the forethought to be prepared for all of the things that can go wrong.
Prior art reveals various collections of articles, generally contained within a case, commonly known as "kits," (which include first aid kits, emergency kits, rescue kits, safety kits and others). Kits found in prior art tend to contain items useful for emergencies related to vehicle, boating, camping, sporting events and other outdoor situations. Such kits generally contain items useful for more serious emergencies, while non-emergency travel kits tend to contain items useful for personal grooming or hygiene needs. Prior art and commercial advertising has not heretofore revealed any kit, pack or system or combination of articles that specifically addresses the multitude of minor problems that could affect a traveler. Neither has prior art revealed any kit, pack or system that includes a configurable multi-function case that is provisioned with a broad array of preparedness articles to aid a traveler recover from a broad range of non-emergency situations which may otherwise cause inconvenience, disruption or discomfort, nor any that also include articles intended to enhance a travel experience.
Travel kits have been the subject of prior art that has been improved for many years. In 1926, U.S. Pat. No. 1,625,547 was granted to Kessler for a travel emergency kit. Later in 1964, Brewer et al was granted U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,849, further improving said travel emergency kits. Recently Miller has claimed a first aid emergency preparedness kit, US Patent Application 20110062051. More recently, Holstein was granted U.S. Pat. No. 8,302,775, for a rapid deployment first aid kit. The components claimed by Miller and Holstein represent a wide array of first aid, germ control articles and medications included to assist with medical emergencies, but do not address the broad scope of non-medical problems.
Holstein includes a collection of emergency preparedness articles but does not include an electronic device power charger or a container suitable for food products or playing cards or dice. Holstein also includes water purification tablets suitable for outdoor survival, but does not provide devices or materials suitable for minor non-medical situations such as a sewing repair, broken eyeglasses or a damaged suitcase. Miller envisioned a broad range of activities for his emergency preparedness kit, but did not anticipate the needs of a traveler.
The concept of a soft-sided insulated container has been a regular subject of prior art covering hundreds of US Patent and US Patent Applications. Melvin Mogil holds many such patents and with U.S. Pat. No. 8,348,510 he defines a soft-sided insulated cooler bag that is collapsible. However, Mogil and all like prior art cases are not known to include features to assist a traveler, such as configurable, multiple use, resealable containers, nor does Mogil include a detachable compartment that acts as an independent case that is clipped to a belt or luggage strap or configured as a waist pack or shoulder bag. Hence, Mogil, Miller, Holstein and all others fail to include a configurable case provisioned with a broad array of travel preparedness articles as are herein below defined.


A phase comparator which eliminates jitter in a clock signal extracted in a phase locked loop. The phase comparator includes: a flip-flop circuit which inputs input data and the clock signal and stores the input data in response to the clock signal; a delay circuit which inputs the input data and delays the input data by a predetermined angle of 0xc2x0 through 180xc2x0; a first logic gate which inputs the input data and an output signal of the flip-flop circuit and which outputs an output signal by taking an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR thereof; and a second logic gate which inputs the data and the output signal of the delay circuit and which outputs an output signal by taking an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a phase comparator provided in a phase locked loop (referred to as a PLL hereinafter) used for extracting a clock signal that identifies and regenerates a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) receiving signal in a receiving circuit for use in transmitting a digital signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following literature are available which describe the conventional techniques relating to the above field.
Publication (1): Dan H. Wolaver, xe2x80x9cPhase-Locked Loop Circuit Designxe2x80x9d, 1991, PTR Prentice Hall, Prentice Hall, Inc., A Paramount Communications Company, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 07632, P. 222
Publication (2): Vincent von Kaenel, Daniel Aebischer, Christian Piguet and Evert Dijkstra, xe2x80x9cA 320 MHz, 1.5 mW @ 1.35 V CMOS PLL for Microprocessor Clock Generationxe2x80x9d, IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS, 31 [11] (US), 1996, PP. 1715-1722
FIG. 1 shows a structure of a general PLL circuit.
This PLL circuit includes a phase comparator 10 which detects a phase difference between data Si having a phase of xcex8i(t) and an output signal So having a phase of xcex8o(t), and which generates an output voltage Vp proportional to the detected phase difference. A loop filter 30 is connected to an output terminal of the phase comparator 10, and an output terminal of the loop filter 30 is connected to a voltage controlled oscillator (referred to as VCO hereinafter) 32. The loop filter 30 is a circuit which smoothes out the output voltage Vp and extracts a control voltage Vc: proportional to the phase difference. The loop filter includes, for example, a low-pass filter having a resistor R and capacitor C. The VCO 32 is a circuit in which the oscillation frequency is controlled by the control voltage Vc output from the loop filter 30 so as to output the output signal So having the phase of xcex8o. This output signal So is fed back to the phase comparator 10.
In the PLL circuit, the response mode and the response speed are determined by a characteristic of the loop filter 30. In the closed-loop operation of the PLL circuit, in order to seek a stable state (locked state) such that the difference between the phase xcex8i(t) of the input data Si and the phase xcex8o(t) of the output signal So becomes constant (that is, xcex8i(t)xe2x88x92xcex8o(t)=constant), the phase xcex8o(t) of the output signal So automatically approaches that of the output signal Si. If there is no input data Si, the control voltage Vc output from the loop filter 30 is 0, so that the VCO 32 oscillates at a free running frequency fo. When the data Si having the frequency fi is inputted, the phases of the frequency fi and the frequency fo are compared by the phase comparator 10. Then, the output voltage Vp corresponding to the phase difference is inputted to the loop-filter 30 and applied to a control terminal of the VCO 32, so that the phase difference is controlled so as to be a constant value. When the oscillating frequency fo of the VCO is sufficiently close to the frequency fi of the data Si, the frequency fo will be locked to the frequency fi, so that the phase difference becomes constant and there will be no frequency difference.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the phase comparator described in the publication (1) and shown in FIG. 1.
The comparator includes an input terminal 11 which inputs data Si, and an input terminal 12 which inputs the output signal So from the VCO 32. An inverter 13 which inverts the output signal So is connected to the input terminal 12. Delayed flip-flop circuits (referred to as D-FF hereinbelow) 14 and 15 are connected to the input terminal 11 and the inverter 13, respectively. 2-input exclusive OR gates (referred to as EXOR hereinafter) 16 and 17 are connected to the output sides of the D-FF 14 and 15, respectively.
The D-FF 14 includes a data input terminal D connected to input terminal 11, a clock input terminal CK connected to the input terminal 12, and an output terminal Q outputting the data. The D-FF 14 is a circuit which detects the data Si inputted to the data input terminal D at a positive edge (rising edge) of the output signal So inputted from the clock input terminal CK and stores the inputted data Si. The output terminal Q of the D-FF 14 is connected to one of the input terminals of the EXOR gate 16. The D-FF 15 includes a data input terminal D connected to the output terminal Q of the D-FF 14, a clock input terminal CK which inputs an inverted signal obtained after the output signal So was inverted by the inverter 13, and an output terminal Q outputting the data. The D-FF 15 is a circuit which detects the output signal of the D-FF 14 at a positive edge of the inverted signal of the output signal So inputted to the clock input terminal CK and stores such the output signal of the D-FF 14 . This output terminal Q of the D-FF 15 is connected to one of input terminals of the EXOR gate 17.
The EXOR gate 16 is a circuit which takes the EXOR of the data Si inputted to the two input terminals and the output signal of the D-FF 14, so as to output the output signal S18 from the output terminal 18. The EXOR gate 17 is a circuit which takes the EXOR of the output signal of the D-FF 14 inputted to the two input terminals and the output signal of the D-FF 15, so as to output the output signal S19 from the output terminal 19. The output terminals of the EXOR gates 16 and 17 are connected to the output terminals 18 and 19, respectively.
FIGS. 3A through 3C are timing charts showing the operation of the phase comparator shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3A is a timing chart where the phase of the data Si matches that of the VCO output signal So. FIG. 3B is a timing chart where the phase of the VCO output signal So is delayed compared to that of the data Si. FIG. 3C is a timing chart where the phase of the VCO output signal So is ahead of that of the data Si. Next, the operation of the phase comparator shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C.
For example, let us consider a case where the data Si repeat in a sequence of 0, 1, 0, 1, . . .
Referring to FIG. 3A where the phase of the data Si matches that of the VCO output signal So, the output terminals 18 and 19 are outputted by repeating the pulses of the same pulse width (output signals S18 and S19) alternately at the period of the VCO signal So.
Referring to FIG. 3B where the phase of the VCO output signal So is delayed compared to that of the data Si, the output terminal 18 generates a pulse (output signal S18) having a pulse width broader by the phase-delay amount.
Referring to FIG. 3C where the phase of the VCO output signal So is ahead of that of the data Si, the output terminal 18 generates a pulse (output signal S18) having a pulse width narrower by the amount by which the phase is ahead. Thus, the difference between the time average of the output signal S18 and the time average of the output signal S19 becomes a value proportional to the phase difference in the range of xe2x88x92xcfx80 to +xcfx80, so as to carry out the operation of the phase comparator.
Moreover, when the data Si are a sequence of 0, 0, 0, . . . or 1, 1, 1, . . . , the output signals S18 and S19 become 0. Thus, in the case where the data Si having the same repeated values are inputted in a continuous manner as above, the phase comparator outputs biased output signals S18 and S19, so as to be able to prevent jitter in the PLL circuit. In this manner, the phase comparator can be used in the PLL circuit for use in extracting the clock signal that identifies and regenerates the receiving signal from the NRZ-signal data Si.
FIG. 4 shows a conceptual diagram of the conventional charge pump provided at the output side.
This charge pump is a circuit which calculates the time average of the pulses in the output signal S18 and S19 outputted from the output terminals 18 and 19 in the phase comparator shown in FIG. 2, and which charges a capacitor C of the loop filter connected thereto. The charge pump circuit includes input terminals 21 and 22, constant-current sources 23 and 27, switches 24 and 26 such as transistors and the like that operate to switch ON and OFF by the output signals S18 and S19, and an output terminal 25 which outputs the output voltage Vp. The constant-current source 23, switch 24, output terminal 25, switch 26 and constant-current source 27 are connected between the power supply potential Vdd and the ground. Upon supply of the output voltage Vp outputted from the output terminal 25, the loop filter 30 including the resistor R and the capacitor C is charged.
Next, the operation of this charge pump circuit will be described.
The switch 24 switches to ON when the output signal S18 is at xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level, so that the current flows into the loop filter 30 from the constant-current source 23. When the output signal S19 is at xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level, the switch 26 switches to ON, and the current is pulled out of the loop filter 30 by the constant-current source 27. As a result, the output voltage Vp output from the output terminal 25 is smoothed out by the loop filter 30, so that the control voltage Vc is outputted from the output terminal 31 so as to be supplied to the VCO 32.
However, there is the following problem to be solved in the conventional phase comparator 10 (FIG. 1) having the structure shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.
For example, consider a case where the phase of the data Si matches that of the VCO output signal So in the charge pump shown in FIG. 4. Since the output signals S18 and S19 having the same pulse width are outputted alternately from the output terminals 18 and 19 so as to be inputted to the charge pump shown in FIG. 4, an average value of the current supplied to the loop filter 30 becomes 0. However, the control voltage Vc outputted from the loop filter 30 oscillates at Rxc2x7Icp at the period of the VCO output signal So, wherein Icp is the current supplied from the charge pump. The frequency of the output signal So of the VCO 32 thereby fluctuates, so that a problem is caused in that a jitter is generated in the clock signal extracted in the PLL circuit.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a phase comparator which overcomes the above drawbacks of the related art.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a phase comparator comprises: a flip-flop circuit which inputs input data and a clock signal and stores the input data in response to the clock signal; a delay circuit which inputs the input data and delays the input data by a predetermined angle of 0xc2x0-180xc2x0 where a data input of the flip-flop circuit is connected to a data input of the delay circuit; a first logic gate which inputs the input data and an output signal of the flip-flop circuit and which outputs a first output signal by taking an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR of the input data and the flip-flop output signal; and a second logic gate which inputs the input data and an output signal of the delay circuit and which outputs a second output signal by taking an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR of the input data and the delay circuit output signal.
By implementing the above structure, the input data are stored in the flip-flop circuit in response to the clock signal. The first logic gate takes an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR of the input data and the flip-flop outputs signal so as to output the first output signal. On the other hand, the input data are delayed by the delay circuit by a predetermined angle. The second logic gate takes an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR of the input data and the delay circuit output signal so as to output the second output signal.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a phase comparator which comprises: a flip-flop circuit which inputs input data, inverted data thereof and a clock signal, and which stores the input data and the inverted data in response to the clock signal; a delay circuit which inputs the input data and the inverted data, and which delays the input data and the inverted data by a predetermined angle of 0xc2x0 through 180xc2x0; a first transfer gate which inputs the input data, the inverted data and an output of the flip-flop circuit, and which transmits an output of the flip-flop circuit when the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level; a second transfer gate which inputs the input data, the inverted data and an inverted output of the flip-flop circuit, and which transmits the inverted output of the flip-flop circuit when the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level; a first logic inversion circuit which inputs outputs of the first and second transfer gates, and which outputs an first output signal by inverting a summed-up value of two outputs of the first and second transfer gates; a third transfer gate which inputs the input data, inverted data and an output signal of the delay circuit, and which transmits the output signal of the delay circuit when the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level; a fourth transfer gate which inputs the input data, the inverted data and an inverted out-put signal of the delay circuit, and which transmits the inverted output: signal of the delay circuit when the input data is at a logic xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level; and a second logic inversion circuit which inputs outputs of the third and fourth transfer gates, and which outputs a second output signal by inverting a summed-up value of the two outputs of the third and fourth transfer gates.
By implementing the above structure, the input data and the inverted data are stored in the flip-flop circuit. When the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level, the output signal of the flip-flop circuit is outputted via the first transfer gate. When the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level, the output signal of the flip-flop circuit is outputted via the second transfer gate. After the output signals of the first and second transfer gates are summed up, the summed-up output signal is inverted by the first inverter. On the other hand, the input data and the inverted data are delayed by the delay circuit by a predetermined angle. When the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level, the output signal of the delay circuit is outputted via the third transfer gate. When the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level, the inverted output signal of the delay circuit is outputted via the fourth transfer gate. After the output signals of the third and fourth transfer gates are summed up, the summed-up output signal is inverted by the second inverter.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above first and second aspects of the present invention there is further provided a converter which includes: a third logic gate which inputs the first output signal and the second output signals, and takes exclusive OR or exclusive NOR of the two signals; a first output circuit which inputs the first output signal and an output signal of said third logic gate, and detects whether or not said two signals match, so as to output a phase-delay signal in the event that said two signals match; and a second output circuit which outputs the second output signal and an output signal of said third logic gate, and detects whether or not said two signals match, so as to output a phase-forward signal in the event that said two signals match.
By implementing the above structure, the third logic gate takes an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR of the first output signal and the second output signal outputted from the first logic gate and the second logic gate, respectively (or, outputted from the first logic inversion circuit and the second logic inversion circuit, respectively) according to the above first and second aspects of the invention. The first output circuit detects whether or not the first output signal from the first logic gate and the output signal of the third logic gate match, and outputs the phase-delay signal when the two signals match. The second output circuits detects whether or not the second output signal from the second logic gate and the output signal of the third logic gate match, and outputs the phase-forward signal when the two signals match.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above third aspect of the invention each output circuit (of the first output circuit and the second output circuit) includes a logic gate which performs an AND or NAND of data applied at the data input terminals of that output circuit. Thereby, the logic gate takes an AND or NAND of the first output signal and the output signal of the third logic gate, while the logic gate takes an AND or NAND of the second output signal and the output signal of the third logic gate.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above first and second aspects of the present invention there is further provided a converter which includes: a first logic circuit, which inverts the first output signal or inverts the inverted first output signal; a second logic circuit, which inverts an output signal of the first logic circuit or inverts the inverted signal so that a phase-delay signal is produced; a third logic circuit which inverts the second output signal or inverts the inverted second output signal; a fourth logic circuit which inverts an output signal of the third logic circuit so that a phase-forward signal is produced; a first switching element which is switched by the first output signal so as to set an output signal of said third logic circuit to a constant potential; and a second switching element which is switched by the second output signal so as to set the first output signal to a constant potential.
By implementing these structures, the first output signal outputted from the first logic gate (or the first logic inversion circuit) according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, is inverted, or this inverted first output signal is inverted. The first output signal outputted from the second logic gate (or the second logic inversion circuit) according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, is inverted, or this inverted first output signal is inverted. For example, when the first output signal is at a xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level, the first switching element is switched ON, so that the output signal of the third logic circuit is set to a constant potential. Moreover, when the second output: signal is at a xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level, the second switch is switched ON, so that the output signal of the first logic circuit is set to a constant potential. The output signal of the first logic circuit is inverted by the second logic circuit or this inverted output signal is inverted, so that the phase-delay signal is outputted. The output signal of the third logic circuit is inverted by the fourth logic circuit or this inverted output signal is inverted, so that the phase-forward signal is outputted.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a phase locked loop circuit which comprises: a phase comparator which includes: a flip-flop circuit which inputs input data and a clock signal and stores the input data in response to the clock signal; a delay circuit which inputs the input data and delays the input data by a predetermined angle; a first logic gate which inputs the input data and an output signal of the flip-flop circuit and which outputs a first output signal by taking an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR thereof; a second logic gate which inputs the data and the output signal of the delay circuit and which outputs a second output signal by taking an exclusive OR or exclusive NOR thereof; a converter which generates pulses proportional to the phase of the input data and the phase of a voltage controlled oscillator; a charge pump circuit, connected to the converter, which calculates a time average of pulses outputted from the phase comparator; the PLL circuit further comprising: a loop filter, comprised of a resistor and a capacitor and connected to an output side of the charge pump circuit, and which smoothes the output voltage and extracts a control voltage proportional to the phase difference; and the voltage controlled oscillator which controls an oscillation frequency by the control voltage outputted from the loop filter, whereby the output signal is fed back to the comparator so as to serve as the clock signal.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a phase locked loop circuit which comprises: a phase comparator which includes: a flip-flop circuit which inputs input data, inverted data thereof and a clock signal, and which stores the input data and the inverted data in response to the clock signal; a delay circuit which inputs the input data and the inverted data, and which delays the input data and the inverted data by a predetermined angle of 0xc2x0 through 180xc2x0; a first transfer gate which inputs the input data, the inverted data and an output of said flip-flop circuit, and which transmits an output of said flip-flop circuit when the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level; a second transfer gate which inputs the input data, the inverted data and an inverted output of the flip-flop circuit, and which transmits the inverted output of the flip-flop circuit when the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level; a first logic inversion circuit which inputs outputs of the first and second transfer gates, and which outputs a first output signal by inverting a summed-up value of two outputs of said first and second transfer gates; a third transfer gate which inputs the input data, inverted data and an output signal of said delay circuit, and which transmits the output signal of said delay circuit when the input data are at a logic xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level; a fourth transfer gate which inputs the input data, the inverted data and an inverted output signal of said delay circuit, and which transmits the inverted output signal of said delay circuit when the input data is at a logic xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level; and a second logic inversion circuit which inputs outputs of said third and fourth transfer gates, and which outputs a second output signal by inverting a summed-up value of the two outputs of said third and fourth transfer gates; a converter, connected to the first logic conversion circuit and the second logic conversion circuit, which generates pulses proportional to the phase of the input data and the phase of a voltage controlled oscillator; and a charge pump circuit, connected to an output side of said converter, which calculates a time average of pulses outputted from the converter; the PLL circuit further comprising: a loop filter, comprised of a resistor and a capacitor and connected to an output side of said charge pump circuit, and which smoothes the output voltage and extracts a control voltage proportional to the phase difference; and the voltage controlled oscillator which controls an oscillation frequency by the control voltage.

Phase comparator for identifying and returning a non-return-to-zero receiving signal


The invention relates to a machine for shaping, filling and closing expanded polymer containers, comprising a lower unwinder (1) for an expanded polymer web (4), a preheating station (3) for preheating the web, a container thermoforming station (5), a filling area (6) for filling the containers, an upper unwinder (7) for a closing film for closing shaped containers, a container closing station (10), a cutting station (11) and a drag system (12) for dragging the web (4) along the different stations.

The packaging of different products in expanded polystyrene containers or the like is increasingly frequent, especially for perishable products, due to the preservation conditions which this type of containers can offer. The containers are generally obtained in the form of trays by means of shaping installations and are supplied to the packager, who will carry out the operation of filling and closing the container. This system involves a series of drawbacks, such as the need for the packager to transport and store the containers, having to adapt to beverage containers offered by the container manufacturer, the possibility of contamination of the container from its manufacture to its filling and closing, etc.
To solve this drawback, application PCT WO 2005/030471 describes a machine which allows continuously shaping the container, from an expanded polymer web, filling the container and closing and supplying it for its sale.
The machine is formed by an assembly of reel-carrier axes and an unwinding unit for unwinding the expanded polymer web, a preheating unit for preheating the web, a molding unit in which the containers are shaped, a closing and sealing unit for closing and sealing the containers, printing units, a lengthways cutting unit and another crossways cutting unit. The machine is completed with a drag system for dragging the sheet, which system stops the forward movement of said sheet while the different operations in the different stations are being carried out, and causes the forward movement thereof once these operations have ended.
Although this machine provides for the manufacture of containers, the filling and closing thereof, all of this in a continuous manner, it has certain drawbacks, fundamentally in the constitution and operation of the preheating station, the thermoforming station and the closing station for the containers.
The preheating station does not allow suitable regulation of the preheating temperature according to the speed or rate of movement of the web along the different stations.
The thermoforming station has the risks of unwanted deformations occurring in the wall of the container.
As regards the sealing station, the manner in which this operation is carried out, after the creation of an inert atmosphere inside the container ensuring the preservation of the contained product, is not provided.
With respect to the cutting stations, since two cutting stations, a lengthways cutting station and another crossways cutting station are arranged consecutively, the length of the machine increases the cost thereof.

Machine for shaping, filling and closing expanded polymer containers