In a multi-session disc including both audio session and data session, the data session is correctly recognized and accessed. The reproducing apparatus is a reproducing apparatus of a multi-session disc mixing a session of first type recording first data and a session of second type recording second data different from the first data, comprising an optical pickup for accessing the session of first type and the session of second type, a judging unit for judging a type of the session accessed by the optical pickup, and a limiting unit for limiting the session of first type to a reproducible session when the session of second type judged by the judging unit is present at an access position after the session of first type.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to reproduction of a multi-session disc.
2. Background Art
A compact disc (CD) was formerly the media in which the user could not write data. At the present, write-enable media are developed, such as compact disc recordable (CD-R) or compact disc rewritable (CD-RW). Such media can be manufactured and reproduced by disc recording and reproducing apparatus for the media.
A disc recording and reproducing apparatus can manufacture CD-R and CD-RW not only as ordinary single-session CD but also as multi-session CD. A "session" is a recording unit formed on a disc. FIG. 5 shows a data layout example of a disc recorded in a single session. The single-session disc is composed of one lead-in LI, a program area PA, and a lead-out LO. As index information, table-of-contents information (hereinafter referred to as TOC information) is recorded in lead-in LI. A conventional CD and compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) are single-session CDs. A multi-session CD is a CD composed of plural sessions manufactured by once recording partially on a CD-R or CD-RW, and adding sessions after the recorded portions. FIG. 6 shows a data layout example of a disc recorded in multiple sessions. The multi-session disc shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of sessions (M pieces (k=1 to M)) composed of lead-in LI (k), program area PA (k), and lead-out LO (k). In each lead-in, contents information is recorded as TOC information. The TOC information in each lead-in area LI of multi-session CD includes, aside from the position information of the own session, start time information of program area PA of next session. This is different from the TOC information of single-session CD.
In a multi-session CD, data and audio (CD-DA) can be recorded in each session. These sessions are called data session and audio session. In a multi-session CD, data sessions and audio sessions can be mixed and recorded in a same disc.
FIG. 7 shows an example of composition of multi-session CD including an audio session in the last place. On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows an example of composition of multi-session disc including an intermediate audio session. Generally, a multi-session CD is manufactured in a procedure comprising the steps of recording one or plural tracks in program area PA of each session, recording an ISO 9660 file system, and recording track information of corresponding session and start timer information of program area of next session in lead-in area LI of the same session. In this process, if additional writing is not allowed in the disc, start time information of program area of next session is not recorded in lead-in area LI.
When recording computer-readable data on a disc, generally, an ISO 9660 file system is used. What is recorded by using this system is a data session. The ISO 9660 file system manages the data in the file unit, and builds up a hierarchical structure by using a directory. In a multi-session CD composed of plural data sessions, the ISO 9660 file system information described in the data session at the inner peripheral side can be added to the ISO 9660 file system information of next data session. Accordingly, by analyzing the ISO 9660 file system of the final session of the multi-session CD, it is allowed to access all files in the multi-session CD. For example, in the multi-session CD shown in FIG. 6, if all of session 1 to session M are data sessions, by analyzing the ISO 9660 file system of the final session M, it is possible to access all files in the multi-session CD.
However, as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, when audio sessions are recorded on a same disc, the ISO 9660 file system information described in the data sessions at the inner peripheral side thereof cannot be added to the ISO 9660 file system information of next audio session. Therefore, if the ISO 9660 file system of the final session of the multi-session CD is analyzed, all files in the multi-session CD cannot be accessed. In the examples in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, it is impossible to refer to the sessions before the final session (session 5).
Next, operation of conventional disc reproducing apparatus is explained. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional disc reproducing apparatus 60. A reproducing unit 2 for reproducing data from a disc can be loaded with a disc 1 to be reproduced, and comprises mechanical units such as a pickup for reproducing data from the loaded disc 1. Reproducing unit 2 detects start position information of program area from the lead-in area at the innermost peripheral side, and transfers the optical pickup to this position, and detects a signal from the program area. A signal processing unit 5 demodulates (decodes) the data from reproducing unit 2 from data format of recording format. A data storage unit 10 temporarily stores the demodulated reproduction data. A control unit 4 controls the general operation of the disc reproducing apparatus. For this purpose, control unit 4 incorporates a program for controlling a general operation of the disc reproducing apparatus. Control unit 4 controls to store the reproduction data outputted from signal processing unit 5 temporarily in data storage unit 10.
Generally, when reproducing a multi-session CD by conventional disc reproducing apparatus 60, first of all, disc reproducing apparatus 60 sequentially inspects the lead-in area of the multi-session CD, recognizes the final session, and starts operation for reproduction. More specifically, the procedure is as follows. That is, when a multi-session CD (FIG. 6) is inserted into disc reproducing apparatus 60, control unit 4 positions an optical pickup (not shown) in lead-in area LI (1) of first session of the disc innermost peripheral portion, and recognizes the start address of program area PA (2) of second session. In succession, the pickup is moved to program area PA (2) of second session, and it is inspected if data is recorded or not. At this time, when data is read out from program area PA (2), the pickup is moved again in the direction of inner periphery of CD to read the start address of program area PA (3) of next third session from the position of lead-in LI (2) of second session. Further, the pickup is moved to program area PA (3), and it is inspected again to see if data is recorded or not. In this manner, disc reproducing apparatus 60 inspects the state of each session while repeating up to the final session of session M.
In this period of repeated inspection, when it is known that next session start time information is not recorded in lead-in area LI (k) of session k, or that data is not recorded in program area PA (k+1) of session k+1, at this moment, disc reproducing apparatus 60 judges that session k is the final session, and moves the pickup to a region or area before session k having recorded data, and starts analysis of ISO 9660 file system.
In succession, the procedure of reproducing music data on disc is as follows. Control unit 4 demodulates data signal from data storage unit 10 into analog music signal in an audio demodulation amplifier 11, and outputted as a sufficiently large electrical signal from a speaker 12. For controlling general operation of the disc reproducing apparatus, control unit 4 once reads out the TOC information in the lead-in area at the inner peripheral side of disc 1 through a signal processing unit 5 and a sub-code detecting unit 6, and stores in a TOC information storage unit 7. By first reading the TOC information and displaying the track information on disc 1 in a display unit, disc reproducing apparatus 60 urges the user to select a desired tune to be performed. When the user selects tune, control unit 4 fetches start address information of the track to be reproduced from within the program area, and moves the optical pickup to this position, and reads out the music data signal. Control unit 4 operates in this way according to the specified program.
Therefore, when a disc is loaded into disc reproducing apparatus 60, disc reproducing apparatus 60 moves the pickup to lead-in area LI in order to read in the TOC information. For this operation, it is required that the present pickup position should be recognized. The pickup position can be recognized, for example, by making use of the detection voltage of the potentiometer changing depending on the pickup position. More specifically, by driving a stepping motor, linear motor or the like depending on the detection voltage of the potentiometer, the optical pickup can be moved at high precision. However, the potentiometer and linear motor are expensive and elevate the cost. Instead of the position sensor such as potentiometer, therefore, it is known to use an inexpensive push switch for detecting position which is turned on only when the optical pickup is positioned nearly on the innermost periphery. FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C show a configuration of an inexpensive mechanism employing this technique.
Referring to FIG. 11, the following is the explanation of reproducing a multi-session CD (FIG. 6) recording only data session loaded in disc reproducing apparatus 60 (FIG. 9). FIG. 11 is a flowchart of reproduction of multi-session CD data by disc reproducing apparatus 60. In the mechanism of disc reproducing apparatus 60 (FIG. 9), when a multi-session CD is loaded, control unit 4 (FIG. 9) cannot always recognize the position of the optical pickup. Accordingly, control unit 4 first moves the traverse incorporating the optical pickup in the inner peripheral direction in order to position the optical pickup nearly on the innermost periphery of disc 1 (step 21). When the optical pickup comes nearly to the innermost periphery of the disc, the traverse is moved in the outer peripheral direction for a specific time, and is stopped (step 22). When the optical pickup accesses the first lead-in LI (1), by reading the sub-code, the TOC information is read in (step 23), and this session is judged to be data session or not (step 26). If it is not data session (NO at step 26), it is judged to be an audio session, and CD-DA signal is processed (step 35). In the case of data session (YES at step 26), on the other hand, it is judged to be a multi-session or not depending on whether program area start position information of next session is present or not in the TOC information (step 27).
If there is no program area start position information of next session in the TOC information, and it is judged not to be a multi-session disc (NO at step 27), it is included to be a single-session disc, and the process corresponding to the single-session is executed (step 34). On the other hand, if there is program area start position information of next session in the TOC information, it is judged to be a multi-session disc (YES at step 27), and accessed the next session (step 28). The TOC information of sub-code of next session is read in (step 29), and it is judged if this session is the final session or not (step 32). It is judged at this step 32 by detecting that program area start address of next session is not recorded in TOC information of present session, or that next session is not actually recorded if program area start address of next session is recorded.
As a result of detection, if judged not to be final session (NO at step 32), it means that a next session is present, and the process returns to step 28, and the process at step 28, step 29, and step 32 is repeated. If judged to be final session (YES at step 32), the present session (for example, session M in FIG. 6) is regarded as final session, and the multi-session process for accessing the specified multiple sessions is executed (step 33).
In disc reproducing apparatus 60 (FIG. 9), when reproducing a multi-session disc (FIG. 7), disc reproducing apparatus 60 accesses up to session 5 in an attempt to acquire the address of next session. However, address information of next session does not exist, and hence it is attempted to analyze the file system, assuming session 5 as final session. Session 5 is an audio session, and audio data (CD-DA) is recorded, and there is no file system information about data session of session 1 to session 4. As a result, an inaccessible phenomenon occurs in the data for reproduction of session 1 to session 4.
Also in disc reproducing apparatus 60 (FIG. 9), when reproducing a multi-session disc (FIG. 8), disc reproducing apparatus 60 accesses up to session 4 in an attempt to acquire the address of next session. However, address information of next session does not exist, and hence it is attempted to analyze the file system, assuming session 4 as final session. Session 4 is an audio session, and audio data (CD-DA) is recorded, and there is no file system information about data session of session 1 to session 3. As a result, an inaccessible phenomenon occurs in the data for reproduction of session 1 to session 3.
Therefore, in the conventional disc reproducing apparatus 60, if the ISO 9660 file system of final session is analyzed, information of data session of inner side than audio session cannot be acquired, and it was impossible to access the data section of the inner side.
The conventional disc reproducing apparatus 60 (FIG. 9) involved one more problem. That is, in disc reproducing apparatus 60, when reproducing the disc recorded in multiple sessions, if the data quantity stored in the first session is small, the data not intended to be reproduced was sometimes reproduced by mistake. The reason is that, owing to the small capacity of data stored in the first session, the access for reading the TOC information of the first session has surpassed the recorded portion of the first session to get into lead-in of next session 2. As a result, the TOC information of other session is read and stored. A radical reason of such malfunction is that most commercial music audio CDs are recorded in single session, not in multiple sessions, and hence disc reproducing apparatus 60 is designed to reproduce single-session discs only.
It is more specifically described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing data composition of multi-session disc including audio sessions. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detailed data composition of left end portion of FIG. 12 (the portion of session 1 and session 2). As shown in FIG. 13, in session 1 of this disc, a very short audio session of 20 seconds is recorded. When this disc is reproduced by the conventional disc reproducing apparatus 60 (FIG. 9), at step 22 (FIG. 11), surpassing session 1 (audio session), it gets into lead-in L1 (2) of session 2. When the TOC information is read at step 23 (FIG. 11), only the portion after session 2 is recognized, and the CD-DA process (step 35) of session 1 to be executed may not be executed.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A computer program for a user in a wireless communication system to communicate on the system. The communication protocol embodied in the computer program enables the user to acquire a channel on a base station in the system and register with a base station on the system. The communication protocol embodied in the computer program also enables the user to place and receive calls on the communication system. The computer program is comprised of a main controller task and various other tasks, also called subtasks, which are activated by the main controller task. These subtasks are each designed to perform a protocol function for the user on the communication system.

1) Field of the Invention
The field of this invention pertains to communications and, more particularly, to a method for transferring information within a mobile communication system.
2) Description of the Related Art
Digital communication systems have become increasingly popular for many applications. One class of digital communication systems provides wireless data communication connections for stationary or mobile (e.g., handset) end users. Examples of such wireless mobile communication systems include public safety radio systems, cellular telephone systems, and personal communication systems (PCS). A wireless communication system may include a number of base stations for completing communication paths with the end users, or, as more generally denoted herein, mobile stations. The base stations may be connected to a network, either directly or via a switch.
In operation, signaling information is passed among various components of a communication system. Signaling information can comprise control messages relating to the operation of the communication system. An example of signaling information is a message from a mobile station to a base station indicating that the mobile station wishes to acquire a channel on the base station for use as a communication link within the communications system.
New features and functionalities are being added to wireless communication systems at an alarming rate. One of the problems associated with the addition of these new features and functionalities is the need to continuously modify the computer programs which handle the signals for utilizing these features and functionalities. It is time consuming and cumbersome to have to modify and recompile the entirety of a computer program that handles the transfer of messages and signals when only one function of the software is actually impacted by the new functionality.
It would therefore be advantageous to have a wireless communication system software program that facilitates the addition of new functionalities.
It would be advantageous to provide a mobile communication system with an improved communication protocol for handling communications by various mobile stations.

Communication control for a user of a central communication center


The character printing apparatus according to the present invention, in which an input character string is printed on a print medium, includes: eligible-subject-component-character displaying means for displaying an eligible subject component character; subject-component-character selecting means for selecting a desired subject component character out of the eligible subject component characters; display control means for storing the desired subject component character, and causing a display portion to display a control symbol representing that the desired subject component character is inputted and an input position for an object component character in such a manner that the input position for an object component character is located immediately after the control symbol; judging means for judging, when a character to be combined with the subject component character is inputted, whether or not the input character is a character allowed to be combined with the subject component character; composing means for preparing a composite symbol by causing, when it is judged that the input character is a character allowed to be combined with the subject component character, the character thus judged to be displayed at the input position for an object component character as an object component character, and developing both a dot pattern of the subject component character stored in the input buffer and a dot pattern of the object component character in the same font developing area; and composite-symbol printing means for printing the composite symbol thus prepared.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a character printing apparatus in which input characters or symbols are printed on a tape or the like. The present invention is preferably applied to a character printing apparatus having a function of printing visual symbols, such as pictographs and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
A tape printing apparatus, which is one of character printing apparatuses, is designed to facilitate preparation of a label originated by the user which is to be attached on a spine cover of a file or the like.
A conventional tape printing apparatus has a key which is provided on an operation panel and adapted to input characters so that a desired character string can be previously inputted by operating the key.
Also, the conventional tape printing apparatus has a tape feeding mechanism by which a tape can be fed and discharged through a tape discharging outlet.
Further, the conventional tape printing apparatus has a printing mechanism, including a thermal head, and a tape cutting mechanism provided in this order on the path for allowing the tape to be fed.
In the tape printing apparatus, when a print instruction key is operated, control means controls the tape feeding mechanism to feed the tape at a predetermined speed, and controls the tape printing mechanism to print the previously inputted character string on the tape thus fed.
Also, when printing of the character string is completed, the control means further controls the tape feeding mechanism to vacantly feed the tape (i.e., to feed the tape without performing printing on the tape) until a portion of the tape on which printing is completed is entirely positioned outside the tape printing apparatus, then causes the feeding of the tape to be stopped.
After the feeding of the tape is stopped, the tape portion on which the character string is printed is cut off by the tape cutting mechanism which is driven by the user.
Thus, a label originated by the user having thereon a desired character string can be obtained.
Meanwhile, in the tape printing apparatus, since the print medium on which printing is performed is a label, visual symbols, such as pictographs, are frequently used as characters or symbols to be printed, compared with the other character information processors. As such visual symbols, composite symbols each obtained by combining a character or symbol with another character or symbol are often used. It should be noted that hereinafter a character or symbol serving as one component of the composite symbol will be often referred to as "subject component character" while a character or symbol serving as the other component of the composite character will be often referred to as "object component character".
In many conventional tape printing apparatuses having a function of preparing a composite symbol, the composite symbol once prepared cannot be altered with respect to each of the subject and object component characters. Specifically, in some conventional apparatuses, the composite character is displayed in the form of a finished composite symbol, i.e., in the form of one indivisible unitary character incorporating both of the subject and object component characters, and accordingly the subject and object component characters cannot be altered independently. In other conventional apparatuses, the subject and object component characters are displayed separately, but they are not allowed to be altered independently. Thus, in many conventional apparatuses, the subject and object component characters cannot be altered independently. Consequently, in conventional apparatuses, the following problem arises. Specifically, if the user deletes the object component character with an intention to alter only the object component character, the subject component character is also deleted at the same time, that is, the object component character cannot be altered solely. Eventually, the subject and object component characters must be inputted again from the beginning.
Further, in the conventional apparatuses of the type in which the subject and object component characters are displayed separately, the following problem occurs. Specifically, assuming that the desired composite symbol is a symbol having a circle incorporating a numeric character therein, such as "4", since the symbols " " and "4" are merely displayed sequentially, the user cannot judge whether the input symbol " " serves as a subject component character or only as an ordinary character.

Character printing apparatus having judging means


A locking assembly for a vehicle includes a striker mounted to a first vehicle part movable between a first position and a second position, a ratchet rotatably mounted to a second vehicle part for selectively receiving the striker and locking the first vehicle part in the first position, a pawl rotatably mounted to the second vehicle part for selectively engaging the ratchet to prevent rotation of the ratchet and thereby lock the ratchet and striker together, an anti-rattle lever rotatably mounted to the second vehicle part for engaging the striker to prevent rattling of the ratchet on the striker and a spring mounted to the second vehicle part to urge the anti-rattle lever into engagement with the striker when the ratchet is locked to the striker. The spring is arranged to maintain locking of the ratchet onto the striker in the event that the anti-rattle lever fails.

Various types of locking assemblies are known for locking a first vehicle part to a second vehicle part. Typically, a striker is mounted to a first vehicle part and some type of locking ratchet is mounted to a second vehicle part. One or both of the vehicle parts can be movable relative to the other unless the ratchet is latched or locked onto the striker. In one example, a pawl can be used to maintain the locked position of the ratchet until the pawl is rotated to release the ratchet and thereby release the striker to unlock the vehicle parts from one another.
In one known arrangement, a striker is mounted to one of a vehicle seat and a vehicle body portion to which the vehicle seat is lockable and a ratchet is mounted to the other of the vehicle seat and the vehicle body portion with a pawl also mounted to the same vehicle part as the ratchet for selectively maintaining the ratchet in a locked position on the striker. One common problem associated with this type of locking assembly is rattling of the ratchet and striker relative to one another. Another problem associated with this type of locking assembly is ensuring that any anti-rattling countermeasures are effective even in the event of a vehicle crash where the anti-rattling feature is damaged and/or disabled.


The present invention provides a conductive paste and a conductor and a ceramic substrate using the conductive paste which, when used as a conductive material for a ceramic substrate, can prevent cutting of the conductor in a through hole and peeling of the conductor from the through hole side wall during burning, thereby improving the yield and reliability of through hole conduction. The conductive paste contains Cu powder, Ni powder, glass frit and an organic vehicle, the amount of the Ni powder being about 1 to 20% by weight relative to the total amount of the Cu powder and the Ni powder, and the amount of the glass frit being about 1 to 40% by weight relative to the total amount of the Cu powder, the Ni powder and the glass frit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to conductive paste useful to make a conductive material for a ceramic substrate, and particularly as a conductive material for through hole conduction, and a conductor and a ceramic substrate comprising the conductive paste.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional system for forming through hole conduction in a ceramic substrate, as shown in a sectional view of FIG. 1A, a conductive paste 1 comprising Ag/Pd, Ag/Pt or the like is coated by a screen printing method in a through hole 2 having a diameter of 0.3 to 0.5 mm and formed by a mold or laser, and then burned to form a conductor thick film 3 on the side wall of the through hole 2.
Miniaturization of electronic parts and an increase in the density thereof have recently been demanded, resulting in systema in which the diameter of the through hole is decreased to about 0.1 mm, and the through hole is filled with conductive paste, as shown in a sectional view of FIG. 1B.
Electrodes formed on the surface of the ceramic substrate are mainly Cu electrodes having a low resistance value, and excellent reliability such as the resistance to migration. The Cu electrode is formed by burning in a reducing atmosphere.
When the Cu electrode is used as an electrode on the surface of the ceramic substrate, and when Ag/Pd or Ag/Pt is used as a conductor in the through hole, there is a problem in that the conductor in the through hole and the electrode formed on the surface of the ceramic substrate cannot be burned simultaneously, thereby decreasing the yield per unit of time of usable product. Therefore, the demand for using a Cu electrode as the conductor in the through hole has increased.
However, when the through hole having a diameter of about 0.1 mm is filled with Cu paste and burned, there is a problem in that the conductor in the through hole is cut (see FIG. 2A) due to shrinkage or the conductor peels off (see FIG. 2B) the side wall of the through hole, during burning of the paste, thereby lessening the yield and reliability of through hole conduction.

Conductive paste and conductor and ceramic substrate comprising the same


Communications method including the procedures of modulating a second generation carrier signal, with a first generation Baseband bandwidth signal, when transmitting to first generation devices, and, modulating the second generation carrier signal, with a second generation Baseband bandwidth signal, when transmitting to second generation devices, wherein the first generation Baseband bandwidth signal, is shaped so as to recreate a first generation signal, when up-sampled and modulated with a second generation carrier signal.

Networked devices communicate using signals sent over common physical media networks, which can be either wired or wireless. Such a network interconnects devices of different generations having different communication parameters. Backward compatibility of new generation devices with older generation devices, is a desired quality. Compatibility implies co-existence, such that new generation devices do not interfere with old generation transmissions. Compatibility may further imply interoperability, such that new generation devices and old generation devices, are able to communicate there between.
Such devices may be connected in a point-to-point architecture, wherein only two such devices are connected, or in a networked architecture, wherein a plurality of devices share the same physical communication medium and intercommunicate there between.
Conventional communication standards employ several methods in order to ensure backward compatibility. One type of such methods is called "Fall-back". "Fall-back" methods artificially degrade the capabilities of the later generation device, forcing them to be comparable with those of prior generation devices. A network which is composed of both prior and later generation devices, operates according to the communication standard of the prior generation devices, even for communication between two later generation devices.
Another type of such methods is called self-describing frame format methods. In these methods, when two later generation devices communicate, later generation data formatted transmission is encapsulated, such that the header of the transmission is in prior generation format. The header can include information related to the generation of the data encapsulated thereafter or information related to a destination node. A prior generation device, receiving such data, after decoding the header portion of the data, shall determine that this data is not intended therefor and hence shall ignore the rest of the data. A later generation device, receiving the same transmission, after decoding the header, will decode the rest of the data, using the newer communication standards.
A further method of providing backwards compatibility, is by adding a component, to each prior generation device, which will provide translation capabilities, of later generation standards, to those recognizable by the prior generation device, and vice versa. Such devices allow communication across the network to be conducted, using later generation technology, while allowing prior generation devices, to participate in the data exchange across the network.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,051, entitled "High-data-rate supplemental channel for CDMA telecommunications system", issued to Odenwalder et al., is directed to a method for transmitting a supplemental high rate data channel in tandem with existing data channels over a CDMA over-the-air transmission. This is accomplished by providing a quadrature-phase channel, orthogonal to the in-phase channels used to transmit normal-rate CDMA data, in such a way as to avoid interfering with the in-phase channel. Thus, normal rate capable CDMA devices, which are unable to detect the quadrature-phase channel, are not influenced by the high rate data. The method thus illustrated ensures compatibility of the high-rate capable devices with the normal rate devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,807, entitled "Method and apparatus for transmitting data in a high rate, multiplexed data communication system", issued to Castagna et al., is directed to a method and apparatus for determining synchronization and loss of synchronization in a high rate multiplexed data system. The method employs a backwards compatibility flag that allows the apparatus to operate with older systems. By using the backwards compatibility flag to detect if an incoming transmission is initiated in an older system, and activating relevant circuitry accordingly, the apparatus is able to maintain compatibility with older systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,068, entitled "Method and apparatus for enhanced communication capability while maintaining standard channel modulation compatibility", issued to Cassia et al., is directed to a method for enhancing communication capabilities. The method modulates a first communication signal, using a standard modulation technique, onto a carrier signal, thereby producing a first transmission signal. The method further modulates a supplemental communication signal onto the first transmission signal, thereby producing a combined transmission signal, which is then broadcast. The standard modulation scheme for the first communication signal, is differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK). When the combined transmission signal is demodulated using DQPSK, the first communication signal is extracted there from. When a receiving device is aware of the enhanced modulation scheme used in the combined transmission signal, it demodulates the signal accordingly, extracting both the first communication signal, and the supplemental communication signal. When a receiving device is not aware of the enhanced modulation scheme it demodulated the combined transmission signal using DQPSK demodulation, extracting the first communication signal. Thus compatibility is ensured when transmitting to a device unaware of the enhanced modulation scheme used.
IEEE Standard 802.3 details the standards for the Ethernet local networking interface and protocol. The 802.3 standard encompasses technologies of various communication rates, namely 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps. In order to ensure backwards compatibility between newer high-rate devices and older low-rate devices, the standard details an auto-negotiation implementation. Accordingly, high-rate devices detect a transmission from a low-rate device, infer a connection to such a device, and reduce the communication rate accordingly. Such a rate reduction ensures backward compatibility with the low-rate communication device.
A family of communication specifications which exhibit backward compatibility, is known as Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HPNA). The first generation, HPNA-1, defines transmission around a carrier frequency FHPNA-1, with Pulse Position Modulation.
The second generation defines transmission around a carrier frequency FHPNA-2, but with Frequency Diverse/Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (FDQAM/QAM). An HPNA-2 device which communicates with an HPNA-1 device, transmits an HPNA-1 format pulsed transmission around FHPNA-1 using an HPNA-1 transmitter incorporated into the HPNA-2 device. In the presence of HPNA-1 devices, an HPNA-2 device which communicates with a non-HPNA-1 device, commences a transmission with an HPNA-1 format pulsed like header, encapsulating information which causes HPNA-1 devices to discard the rest of the transmission.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2002/0015404, entitled "Extended Bandwidth HomePNA System Compatible with HomePNA 2.0", by Fisher et al., is directed to a method for using an extended bandwidth HPNA system, compatible with the HPNA 2.0 standard, in such a way as to cause HPNA 2.0 systems to ignore transmissions not intended for those systems. The system uses a transmission signal centered on 10 MHz, having a 12 MHz bandwidth, to communicate between extended bandwidth systems. In order to allow for compatibility with HPNA 2.0 systems, the proposed system produces a training sequence that an HPNA 2.0 system is able to train on and determine that the incoming packet is not intended for the HPNA 2.0 receiver. The training sequence is produced by zero padding a 2 MBaud symbol sequence to an 8 MBaud sequence (up-sampling the signal), and then modulating the 8 MBaud sequence on to a 1 MHz carrier. This modulation shift the spectrum of the 8 MBaud sequence by 1 MHz. The shifted signal is then modulated on the 10 MHz carrier. The portion of the modulated signal between 4 MHz and 10 MHz is identical to an HPNA 2.0 signal, thus allowing an HPNA 2.0 receiver to train on the training sequence.

Method and system for communication spectral backward compatibility


A vehicle bumper and a method of manufacturing, and a vehicle having, the same. In one embodiment, the bumper includes: (1) an elongated bumper body having a recess and a mount that allows the bumper body to be affixed to a service vehicle and (2) a lid hingedly coupled to the bumper body proximate the recess to form a compartment, the lid rotatable between an open position in which the compartment is exposed to allow access to an object therein and a closed position in which the object is retained in the compartment during movement of the vehicle.

The recent introduction of mobile oil change operations to service automotive fleets has met with phenomenal acceptance. Therefore, the construction and use of a mobile lubricant recovery and delivery system is described in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/036,748, filed on Mar. 9, 1998, entitled "Integrated Lubricant Delivery and Retrieval Pallet and Method of Manufacture Thereof," commonly assigned with the present application and incorporated herein by reference. Not addressed in the co-pending application is the need for storage of the various tools and supplies necessary to perform the oil change. One skilled in the art will understand that a variety of tools are required to be aboard the servicing vehicle, e.g., wrenches, screwdrivers, a hydraulic or pneumatic jack, etc. Most typically, the largest of these tools is the hand operated, automotive hydraulic jack, also commonly known as a service jack or floor jack. A service jack is used to raise at least part of the serviced vehicle from the parking lot surface to accomplish the oil change. A system of this nature is necessary to provide the service attendant with access to remove and replace the oil drain plug, and sometimes the oil filter, of the serviced vehicle and to provide room for the oil catch basin during the oil draining operation. In order to have the service jack available at the service site, a location on or within the servicing vehicle must be designed to accommodate its storage during vehicle transit between servicing sites. Even the smallest service jack capable of lifting a nominal 21/2 tons weighs a minimum of about 30 pounds. Therefore, some provision must be made to secure the jack within the servicing vehicle to prevent the jack from moving when the vehicle is in motion, lest some equipment be damaged. Thus in the prior art, a specific storage location over the rear wheel well within the service vehicle has been designated and equipped to secure the service jack. With the service jack secured within the cargo compartment of the service vehicle, it must be removed from the vehicle to the normal use location on the parking lot surface. The traditional approach is for the jack to be lifted into and out of the cargo compartment by the service attendant. Although 30 pounds is well within the normal lifting capacity of an adult service attendant, the repetitive nature of loading and unloading the jack into the service vehicle introduces a significant hazard for improper lifting techniques which can cause injury to the back of the attendant or the possibility of dropping the jack on the attendant's foot. The deeper the storage location for the jack is within the cargo compartment of the service vehicle, the higher is the risk of back injury to the attendant. The current location available for the service jack storage, i.e., over the rear wheel well, increases the hazard of improper alignment of the spine and possible injury. The attendant must lean substantially over the rear bumper and into the cargo compartment of the service vehicle. Additionally, the storage of the jack within the cargo compartment takes up space that might otherwise be used for storage of oil filters, air filters, or other supplies.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is a more efficient way of storing and securing a service jack or other objects on or within a mobile oil service vehicle.

Vehicle bumper with integral jack method of manufacture thereof


A resource indication processing method is disclosed, and is applied to a wireless local area network that uses an OFDMA technology. The method includes: sending or receiving a trigger frame, where the trigger frame includes information (I1) used to indicate whether the trigger frame allows random access transmission.

With development of the mobile Internet and popularity of intelligent terminals, data traffic increases rapidly. A wireless local area network (WLAN) becomes one of mainstream mobile broadband access technologies due to advantages of a high rate and low costs.
To significantly increase a service transmission rate of a WLAN system, in a next-generation Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax standard, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technology is further used based on an existing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology. In the OFDMA technology, radio channel communication resources are divided into a plurality of orthogonal communication resource blocks (RB). The RBs may share time, but are orthogonal in frequency domain.
The OFDMA technology allows a plurality of nodes to simultaneously send and receive data. When an access point needs to transmit data to a station, resources are allocated based on an RB or an RB group. Different channel resources are allocated to different STAs at a same moment, so that a plurality of STAs efficiently access channels, thereby increasing channel utilization. The OFDMA-based WLAN system needs to efficiently indicate a communication resource to a STA.

Resource indication processing method, processing apparatus, access point, and station


This disclosure describes techniques for software-defined service insertion. The techniques include a method of configuring a network for service insertion. The techniques include processing a master policy correlating an endpoint group pair, of source endpoint group and destination endpoint group, to a service graph. The service graph indicates a template service chain, and the template service chain indicates an ordering of a plurality of services. Processing the master policy includes disaggregating the master policy into at least one location specific policy, each of the at least one location specific policy corresponding to a separate location in the network and including traffic steering directives corresponding to a portion of the plurality of services associated with the separate location. The techniques further include causing each of the at least one location specific policy to be stored in association with the separate location to which that location specific policy corresponds.

Service insertion, one example of which is known as service function chaining (SFC), is a technique that uses software-defined networking (SDN) capabilities to create a chain of connected network services, such as L4-L7 services like firewalls, network address translation (NAT), and intrusion protection. For example, draft-ietf-sfc-control-plane-08, "Service Function Chaining (SFC) Control Plane Components & Requirements," dated Oct. 23, 2016 describes techniques for service chaining.
Network operators can use service chaining to set up various options of network pathways through which certain network traffic is to travel. For example, a network pathway may designate a particular combination of connected services, depending on requirements of the network traffic itself or of the network. For example, requirements may include improving security, improving latency or improving quality of service.
Service chaining is being included in many SDN and network functions virtualization (NFV) use cases and deployments, including data centers (chaining together virtual or physical network functions), carrier networks (services for S/Gi-LANs), and virtual customer edge (including virtual customer premises equipment) deployments.
Service chaining may allow for automated provisioning for network applications for which network traffic processed by and/or generated by an application has characteristics different from network traffic processed by and/or generated by a different application. For example, streaming applications, such as video or voice-over-IP applications, may be more demanding of network resources than basic web browsing applications. Network service chaining can be configured such that network traffic processed by and/or generated by each of these network applications is handled differently in the network, which may help to ensure that network applications are provided the proper network resources and are behaving as expected, such as having encryption applied and operating at an expected quality of service.
It may be desirable to optimize network resource utilization in the course of implementing service insertion, as well as simplifying the infrastructure for and process of service insertion management.

Software-defined service insertion for network fabrics


Provided are sealing member for electronic valve, electronic valve with sealing member, electronic valve with static sealing structure, and electronic valve with double sealing structure. The sealing member has inlet end connected to valve core and outlet end connected to connecting pipe; the electronic valve includes valve body, valve cover, flow rate control device, and the connecting pipe; the flow rate control device includes the valve core; the valve body is provided therein with valve core accommodating chamber and connecting pipe connection port; the valve core is disposed in the valve core accommodating chamber; the connecting pipe is welded to end of the connecting pipe connection port on the valve body. The electronic valve further includes the above sealing member, and the sealing member is located between the connecting pipe and the connecting pipe connection port. Meanwhile, the electronic valve includes static sealing structure and/or double sealing structure.

The electronic valve products are configured to control a flow direction and flow rate of a fluid medium circuit in a new energy cooling system.
It was found in studies:
after the electronic valve is used for a long time, a valve core and a valve body frictionally erode against a sealing surface significantly, and a sealing position between a sealing member and the valve core and a sealing position between the sealing member and the valve body are prone to unreliable sealing, and a fluid medium in the valve body leaks out, thus causing the electronic valve to fail.

Double sealing structure of electronic valve, sealing structure of electronic valve, and electronic valve with static sealing structure


The present invention discloses compositions containing lecithin and/or bactericidal compounds, and hydrophobic materials which form, upon application to dental surfaces, adhesive, protective and bacteria-inhibiting barriers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to oral hygiene and specifically to methods of treating the oral cavity with a dental delivery system, such as a dental floss or toothpick, with improved cleaning, conditioning and antimicrobial properties, which provides the teeth with an impervious protective barrier. The present invention also relates to compositions and dental delivery systems having improved cleaning, conditioning, and antimicrobial properties, which provide the teeth with an impervious protective barrier. The present invention also relates to novel cationic surfactants especially suited for use in the present compositions, methods, and dental delivery systems.
2. Description of the Background
The oral care industry and health research communities have looked for many years for a way to interdict the attachment, propagation, growth or colonization of bacteria on teeth since adhered bacteria are the start of a pernicious chain of events leading to formation of home care-resistant plaque, calculus, and ultimately, tooth-loss. As people in developed countries live longer, dental care plays a larger role in overall health, and developing countries are becoming more aware of the importance of oral hygiene.
Dental plaque results when cariogenic bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus mutans) collect in colonies and form deposits on tooth surfaces. The presence of the bacteria and deposits is extremely detrimental to the health of the tooth for, if left unchecked, they may result in infected gingival tissue, the formation of dental caries and possibly periodontal disease. In extreme cases their presence may even result in the loss of teeth. Many attempts have been made to control or prevent both the occurrence of dental caries and the formation of dental plaque. For example, fluoride solutions or gels have been used. Treatment with these materials is typically performed in a dental office at periodic, but not frequent, intervals. Such treatments are primarily intended to render tooth enamel more resistant to the acid action caused by plaque. They do not, however, result in plaque control for an extended period since plaque reestablishes itself on the teeth shortly after ingestion of food.
Even when the frequency of application of such solutions and gels is increased only partial control has been shown. For example, studies wherein a fluoride-containing solution (1% fluoride concentration) was applied four to five times in the course of a year have demonstrated that this technique had only limited success due to the rapid reestablishment of plaque in the oral cavity. Moreover, the daily application of a fluoride gel by means of a custom-fitted polyvinyl mouthpiece for a period of twenty-one months also showed no substantial change in plaque formation among treated and untreated patients (see "Clinical Anticaries Effect of A Repeated Sodium Fluoride Application by Mouthpiece," Journal of the American Dental Association, vol. 75, no. 3, September, 1967, pages 638-644).
Proper use of dental floss is necessary to clean the considerable area on the interproximal surfaces of teeth, which cannot be reached by the bristles of a toothbrush.
The purpose of using dental floss is:
1. to dislodge and remove any decomposing food material that has accumulated at the interproximal surfaces that cannot be removed by brushing; and PA1 2. to dislodge and remove as much as possible the growth of bacterial material (plaque) upon the teeth or the superimposed calculus that has accumulated there since the previous cleaning. PA1 (a) 1 to 20 wt. %, based on the total weight of (a) and (b), of a transfer agent; and PA1 (b) 80 to 99 wt. %, based on the total weight of (a) and (b), of a barrier material to teeth results in a prolonged reduction in the ability of bacteria to adhere to teeth. PA1 I. Application of a composition of the present invention to teeth provides a continuous, hydrophobic, inert barrier which prevents acids, staining materials, (FIG. 9 shows several staining materials on an untreated surface on the left, 9a, compared with the same materials on a surface treated with a composition of the present invention on the right, 9b), food particles, bacteria and all other materials from gaining access to the treated dental surface and thus provides protection against all of the usual destructive processes--including the loss of fluorine by elution. In addition, these deleterious substances attach themselves less readily to the barrier than they do to unprotected tooth surfaces. PA1 II. Any bacteria or other debris which do attach to the protective barrier are easily removed by toothbrushing, pressure water cleaning, flossing and even, probably, by vigorous mouth rinsing since the amorphous barrier is easily cleaved or sheared, removing the outermost material but leaving some of its protective barrier remaining. Without such protection, bacteria which have attached themselves to the tooth surface soon become impossible to dislodge by toothbrushing or flossing and must be professionally removed. Since bacterial attachment begins to take place soon after each meal, the barrier is of great prophylactic significance. PA1 III. The barrier material readily fills and thus seals pits, fissures and cracks which are the favorite venues for bacteria colonization and plaque development. The barrier remains in place until mechanically removed from these pits, etc. and thereby provides protection which is even more extended in the vulnerable areas, since the barrier material is not removed from pits, fissures, etc. as easily as it is from smoother tooth surfaces in the ordinary course of abrasive action by the tongue, mastication of food, toothbrushing, etc. PA1 IV. By the addition to the barrier composition of an antibacterial material, 5-amino-1,3-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-5-methylhexahydropyrimidine, which is obtainable from Angus Chemical Co. under the trade name Hexetidine being an example of a most especially preferred active agent, bacterial attachment to the barrier surface is reduced by an estimated 90% or more, compared to the number and density of bacteria which attach to unprotected tooth surfaces. Of course, those bacteria which do attach are still easily removed by typical consumer activities such as toothbrushing and flossing. In addition, it appears that the hexetidine migrates or diffuses from the barrier material onto tooth surfaces which the barrier didn't reach, providing some protection to these hard to reach and most vulnerable areas. PA1 V. Importantly, the benefits of the present invention can be delivered by a broad range of application methods, e.g., dental floss and tape, Q-tips.RTM.-like swabs, toothpicks, interdental appliances like Stimudents.RTM., pre-coated toothbrushes, and any other applicators for consumer or professional use that one wishes to use. The only criterion is that it must be able to bring a waxy material into contact with dental surfaces.
The concept of the use of dental floss for cleansing interproximal spaces appears to have been introduced by Parmly in 1819 ("Practical Guide to the Management of the Teeth," Collins & Croft, Philadelphia Pa.). Parmly suggested the use of waxed silk to clean teeth of persons subject to gingival inflammation. Numerous types of floss were developed and used for cleaning, until finally in 1948 Bass established the optimum characteristics of dental floss (Dental Items of Interest, vol. 70, pp. 921-34, (1948)). Most floss sold at retail today is also "waxed" to assist penetration to interproximal regions; as the "cord" effect described by Bass makes the floss bundle difficult to force between closely spaced teeth.
From 1960 through 1962, numerous clinical studies reported that there is no clinical difference as to plaque removal and gingivitis scores between waxed and unwaxed dental floss. O'Leary in 1970, and Hill et al. in 1973, found no difference in the interproximal cleansing properties of waxed or unwaxed dental floss. This was reconfirmed in 1982 by Lobene et al. (Clinical Preventative Dentistry, Jan-Feb (1982)) who showed no significant clinical difference on plaque and gingivitis scores. Similar results. i.e., no clinical difference between waxed and unwaxed floss with respect to reduced gingival inflammation were shown by Finkelstein in 1979 (J. Dent. Res., vol. 58, pp. 1034-1039 (1979)). No differences in gingival health were shown by Wunderlich in 1981 (J. Dent. Res., vol. 60A, p. 862 (1981)). No differences in plaque removal were reported by Schmidt et al. in 1962 (J. Dent. Res. (1962)) with flosses of various types. Stevens in 1980, studied floss with variable diameters and showed no difference in plaque and gingival health. Carter et al., Va Dent. J., vol. 52, pp. 18-27 (1975), studied professional and self-administered waxed and unwaxed floss and found that both significantly reduced gingival bleeding of interproximal and gingival sulci. Unwaxed floss appeared slightly, but not significantly more effective.
In view of this clinical work, it is not surprising that most of the dental floss sold today is bonded and/or waxed. The "bonding" in the yarn industry today is used more to facilitate processing and production during floss manufacture and packaging than for "flossing" reasons. Since clinical tests show no difference between waxed and unwaxed floss, the floss industry has been comfortable with the yarn industry's propensity to use bonding agents in floss.
In any event, most people in the world do not floss their teeth. Instead, sticks or toothpicks are often used to clean their teeth.
Maetani et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,504,228, describe a metallic dental casting coated with a PTFE coating. The PTFE coating is applied from a solution. The PTFE may also be applied from a suspension (an organosol) that may include other resins as well, such as, for example a silicone.
Lorch in U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,358 describes a flossing tape that carries its own supply of a dentifrice. The tape may be made of a confronting pair of laminae films that are microporous. The dentifrice is positioned between confronting surfaces of the two laminae, and the longitudinal opposite edges of the two laminae are sealed together. In use, the dentifrice flows out through the pores of the laminae. The laminae may be films of PTFE. The dentifrice is conventional, generally a commercially available material,
Blass in U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,056 describes coating a dental floss or tape with a mixture of wax and PTFE powder.
La Rochelle in U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,386 discloses a lozenge which coats the surfaces of the teeth and which contains fluoride ion, a polishing agent, and a vegetable oil.
Gaffar et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,641 discloses a dentifrice containing an antibacterial agent, an antibacterial enhancing agent, a polishing agent, and a solubilizing agent. The antibacterial enhancing agent is an anionic film-forming material thought to attach to tooth surfaces thereby preventing bacterial attachment and enhancing delivery of the antibacterial agent to tooth surfaces.
Raaf et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,885 discloses a filled capsule which has an outer hydrophilic active substance and an inner core containing a hydrophobic substance, a fluoride source and an antimicrobial substance. Upon consumption of the capsule, the hydrophilic substance is believed to fix the hydrophobic active substance to the teeth.
Hill et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,913 discloses dental floss which contains a surfactant, silicone and a chemotherapeutic agent. The chemotherapeutic agent is delivered upon splaying of the floss. The surfactant and the silicone are believed to coat the teeth, provide a smooth feeling to the user, and prevent the attachment of bacteria.
Chang in U.S. Pat. No. Re 31,787 discloses an elution reducing dentifrice containing a membrane-forming material. Application of the membrane-forming material is believed to inhibit the elution of a previously applied therapeutic agent (i.e., fluoride).
Curtis et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,182 and Crawford et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,353 disclose an antiplaque dentifrice composition containing a quaternary ammonium compound, a betaine surfactant, polyethylene glycol and an abrasive. The presence of the betaine surfactant is believed to increase the foaming of the dentifrice and to prevent the deactivating of the quaternary ammonium compound.
However, none of these approaches has proven to be satisfactory. Thus, there remains a definite need in the art for improved methods, compositions, and dental delivery systems which are effective for the prevention of bacterial adhesion to teeth and exhibit antimicrobial properties.
There also remains a need for compositions which can be effectively applied to teeth using a toothpick or dental stick and result in improved antimicrobial properties.

Methods, compositions, and dental delivery systems for the protection of the surfaces of teeth


Embodiments of electrostatic blower system for use in computer systems or other electronic device, e.g., in inkjet printers for cooling or drying operations, are disclosed. An exemplary method may include arranging a plurality of electrostatic blowers together to increase output pressure. The method may also include positioning the arranged electrostatic blowers directly adjacent a point of use in a printer device. The method may also include directing and accelerating airflow using a corona discharge in each of the plurality of electrostatic blowers for cooling or drying operations in the printer device.

Blowers and fans find application in a wide variety of computer systems and other electronic devices. For example, blowers and fans may be implemented to help dissipate heat generated during operation of the computer system and other electronic devices. If not properly dissipated, heat generated during operation can shorten the life span of various electronic components and/or generally result in poor performance of the computers or other electronic devices. Various blowers are available, and when used for thermal management of computer systems and other electronic devices, these blowers are typically positioned to blow air across a heat sink and out an opening formed through the computer housing to dissipate heat into the surrounding environment.
Blowers and fans are also commonly used in ink jet printers to help dry the ink faster so that the pages can be laid down on top of one another or picked up by the user without smudging or smearing the ink on the paper.
Sizing the blower is important during development of these systems. However, developers also have to consider cost, size constraints, and acoustics (e.g., noise generated by the blower). In large rack-based computer systems, the number and/or size of fans needed to cool all of the components can make the room so noisy that technicians only enter the room on an as-needed basis (e.g., to make repairs, upgrades, etc.). Similarly, most consumers do not want to hear the noise created by a blower in their inkjet printer, which is usually located on or near their workspace.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A high reliability battery contact assembly (100) for use in an electronic device includes a battery contact block (103) comprised of a plurality of cantilevered contacts (105, 107, 109). A redundant ground contact (111) is connected to the metallic housing of the electronic device (101) and positioned adjacent to the battery contact block (103). The cantilevered contacts include a primary power contact (105), a sensing contact (107) and a ground contact (109). The battery contact assembly (100) is advantageous in that it requires a very limited amount of surface area while still working to prevent a reset condition of an electronic device that might occur due to a loss in electrical continuity during adverse conditions.

Electronic portable devices typically use some form of removable battery pack for powering the device. Cantilever spring battery contacts are often used to bring power from the removable battery pack to a printed circuit (PC) board located in the device. Based on a range of design tolerances, these springs have a minimum beam length and height. Due to the nature of the springs these contacts can take up valuable PC board space. An example of this type of electronic device is a two-way radio transceiver.
One problem associated with battery packs of this type occurs when they are subjected to adverse conditions such as a fall or drop onto a hard surface. This subjects the battery pack and its associated electrical contacts to such high "g" loads that the impact often temporarily disconnects the battery from the electronic device. This, inturn, can cause a condition often referred to as "reset" where information stored in static memory may be lost during the time this discontinuity occurs. Moreover, in situations where these types of batteries are used in public safety applications, such as a two-way radio transceiver for police and fire personnel, the transceiver may be in an "off" state where the user is unaware of this situation and important communications could be missed. Although redundant battery contacts have been used in battery packs of the prior art, this solution often requires a great deal of physical space making the battery contact area larger than can be accepted for required design parameters.
Accordingly the need exists for a battery contact assembly having high reliability that requires a limited amount of surface area for preventing reset conditions of an electronic device in adverse conditions.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

High reliability battery contact assembly and method of forming same


A method for immunological assay of an autoimmune disease related antigen in a human body fluid by use of antibodies to IgG Fc-binding protein, and a kit for use in this method.

Autoimmune disease is caused by an immune response to the antigen of one's own tissue. Alternatively, it occurs when an exogenous organism inhabiting one's body, or a product of the organism, is recognized as an antigen, and an immune response is induced to it. A hidden antigen which normally does not appear in the circulating blood, but is separated from immunocompetent cells, such as cerebral tissue, lens, thyroglobulin or sperm, may be released into the bloodstream by some trigger. Although being one's own body constituent, such a hidden antigen induces an immune response, eventually causing a pathologic state. Autoantibodies can easily develop against many intracellular constituents, but antibodies do not pass through the cell membrane, and thus do no harm to the tissue. Generally, the body is immunologically tolerant to self constituents, and undergoes no autoimmunity. Upon breakdown of immunological tolerance, however, autoantibodies may develop or cellular immunity to self may occur, causing a disease state. Many diseases have now been found to be such autoimmune diseases.
To treat autoimmune disease, corticosteroids or immunosuppressants are effective. To enhance the therapeutic effect of these drugs, early diagnosis of the disease is crucial. With ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, endoscopic examination is required for final diagnosis, and a simpler and safer method of diagnosis is demanded. A method by which the pathophysiology or progression of the disease can be known easily over time, if any, would be highly useful.
In autoimmune disease, production of various autoantibodies is considered an important phenomenon characterizing the disease. The mechanism which recognizes various antigens making up self's constituents and produces antibodies corresponding to them has not been thoroughly clarified yet. However, there have been attempts to use this mechanism for the diagnosis of autoimmune disease and the elucidation of its pathophysiology or etiology. Up to now, a considerable number of autoantibodies have been pointed out as having relation to particular autoimmune diseases. For the diagnosis of a certain type of autoimmune disease, screening for the corresponding autoantibodies is an inevitable test. Examples in actual practice are diagnosis of collagen disease using antinuclear antibodies, diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus using anti-dsDNA antibodies, diagnosis of scleroderma using autoantibodies to topoisomerase I, and diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis using antibodies to mitochondria-derived constituents.
The presence of IgG Fc binding protein, a protein binding specifically to the Fc region of immunoglobulin G or IgG, (Fc.gamma.BP: May be described as Fc.gamma. Binding Protein or IgGFcBP) has been reported by Kobayashi, one the present inventors, and colleagues (Kobayashi, K. et al., J. Immunol., 143:2567-2574, 1989). Specific binding of this protein to the IgG Fc region has been confirmed using a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled material. That is, Fc.gamma.BP binds only to the Fc region of IgG, but does not bind to IgGFab, IgA or IgM. Nor does Fc.gamma.BP cross-react with anti-Fc.gamma. receptor :, II or III antibodies. Kobayashi et al. further partially purified Fc.gamma.BP from human large intestine epithelial cells, and prepared mouse monoclonal antibodies using it as an antigen. They confirmed these antibodies to bind to mouse IgG as well as to Fc.gamma.BP (Kobayashi, K. et al., J. Immunol., 143:2567-2574, 1989; Kobayashi, K. et al., J. Immunol., 146:68-74, 1991). Morikawa, one the inventors, and colleagues cloned cDNA for Fc.gamma.BP with the use of monoclonal antibodies to Fc.gamma.BP, and clarified the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding Fc.gamma.BP (Japanese Patent Application No. 109927/95). To date, however, no reports have boon made of the relation between Fc.gamma.BP and autoimmune disease.
As described above, autoantibodies are important for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship between various autoimmune diseases and the corresponding autoantibodies is not absolute, and the antibody positive rates of these diseases are various. In some of the diseases, they are low. One kind of antibody may be detected in some diseases. Thus, to diagnose autoimmune diseases reliably, it is desirable to base their diagnosis on combinations of a plurality of autoantibodies, factors potentially regulating their amounts, and clinical findings.

Method of assaying antigens related to autoimmune diseases


Disclosed is a twist mop having a shaft, an operating member a rotatable with respect to the shaft, a mop element, and a device for releasably restricting relative rotation of the shaft and the operating member to one direction during the wringing operation. The device comprises an indexing surface disposed on the shaft at least over a portion of the shaft and at least one indexing arm which projects radially inwardly from the operating member to engage the indexing surface.

Numerous mops and cleaning implements are known in the art. Conventional string mops comprise an elongate shaft having a mop element, which can include numerous strands of a liquid absorbent material at one end of the shaft, and an operator gripping portion at the other end of the shaft. Such mops require a wringer bucket or other wringing mechanism to expel liquid from the mop element. More recently, one trend in the mop art has been towards "self-wringing" mops, which are mops that themselves include a wringer or wringing mechanism of one type or another to enable a user to wring the mop without the need for a separate wringer bucket. For example, the prior art has provided roller sponge mops, butterfly sponge mops, shaft-type sponge mops, flat mops, and the like. In some commercially available mops, the mop element may be twisted around the shaft to thereby expel the liquid which has been absorbed during use of the mop from the mop element. Such mops are known in the art by the generic term "twist mops." Many manufacturers today sell numerous twist mop variations.
Some twist mops having a shaft, an operating member, which is axially displaceable and rotatable relative to the shaft, and a mop element, which can be wrung out by rotating the shaft elative to the operating member. It is desired to prevent the operating member from untwisting when one manually releases the operating member. The prior art has provided numerous efforts to address this problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,869, for example, discloses a twist mop which comprises a shaft, an operating member, which is an axially displaceable and rotatable relative to the shaft, and a mop head with cord-like cleaning elements which have their bottom ends fastened at the bottom end of the shaft and have their top ends fastened at the bottom end of the operating member. Each cleaning element forms a bight when the operating member is in a mopping position. This mop has a pawl device comprising a ring arranged on the shaft and from which resilient elements project in radially outwardly. The operating member is provided with ribs in the top region on its inner circumference. To wring the mop (i.e. to expel liquid from the mop element), the actuating sleeve is drawn axially away from the bottom mopping position. The resilient elements and the ribs together form a ratchet which permits rotation in the wringing direction but prevents rotation in the opposite direction. To return the mop element to a mopping position following the wringing operation, the operating member is advanced to thereby disengage the resilient elements and ribs.
A similar approach is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,728 in which another twist mop is described. This mop has a ratchet device which device comprises a pawl which projects radially inwardly from the actuating sleeve into a through-passage opening of the actuating sleeve and which engages a corresponding rib structure on the shaft.
It is a general object of the invention to provide a twist mop.


A flow of fluid is switched on and off by diverting the flow to an alternative path. In a preferred application an abrasive cutting jet, formed by a flow of abrasive slurry fed via a conduit to a cutting jet nozzle, is switched on and off by diverting the flow at a three way changeover valve to a conduit and bypass nozzle. Valves control the connection to a flow of clean auxiliary water to respective outlet ports of the changeover valve to reduce pressure differentials during operation of the changeover valve and to provide clean backflows which hydraulically divert the flow of abrasive slurry at the changeover valve and allow the changeover valve to open and close on a clean, largely abrasive-free flow.

The invention has application to the control of fluid flow and particularly the control of fluids containing abrasive material which can cause blockages and undesirable wear and erosion of control valve parts.
The use of abrasive materials in a fluid jet is well known, for example for machining operations such as cutting, drilling and surface finishing. In one known arrangement, a high pressure carrier fluid, for example water, is pumped into a vessel containing a slurry of abrasive particles to force a mixture of the carrier fluid and abrasive particles through a nozzle which forms a well-defined abrasive jet.
Various applications require the jet, or at least the abrasive content in the jet, to be repeatedly switched on and off. For example, in the sequential drilling of multiple holes the jet, or at least the abrasive content in the jet, is switched off during repositioning of the nozzle over the work piece and then switched on again to drill the next hole.
It is not practical to achieve this by simply repeatedly switching the high pressure pump on and off. The time taken for the alternating depressurisation and repressurisation of the abrasive slurry vessel delays the cessation and re-establishment of the abrasive flow at the jet and limits the jet switching frequency.
Also, when the fluid flow is halted the abrasive particles, which are suspended in the moving flow, can settle and cause blockages, for example in the flow conduits and nozzle. These blockages prevent the easy re-establishment of the abrasive fluid flow and can cause excessive down time while parts are de-pressurised, dissassembled, flushed to clear the blockages, re-assembled and re-pressurised. When the outlet nozzle is blocked, the pressure vessel through which the flow is passed to entrain the abrasive particles must be depressurised through an alternative route, usually a valve connected to the pressure vessel. This valve is subject to a high degree of wear because it is exposed to the full pressure differential across its seat as it opens and because small fines of abrasive from the vessel can pass through the valve.
Furthermore, the use of valves to control the abrasive flow is difficult due to the abrasive nature of the fluid which causes excessive valve wear. Present valves are not entirely suitable for opening and closing against a high-pressure abrasive flow, or for maintaining a pressure differential across the valve during the opening and closing operations.
One prior art two way wiping action valve operates with slurries at low pressures for turning a 'mostly' abrasive-free water jet on and off. This type of valve is self-lapping so that as it wears it continues to maintain a seal. However, when controlling high pressure abrasive flows, the valve will quickly become damaged as it nears closing because the high pressure abrasive slurry discharging through the reducing gap will erode the valve.
This latter problem is addressed in the prior art WO 99/14015 and WO 02/087827 which describe the use of small diameter flow outlets to cope with the large pressure differentials, and a controlled jet pump to ensure the flow is relatively abrasive free before actuating the valve. This valve design relies on halting the abrasive flow then shutting the jet, and flow, off completely. For abrasive suspension jets pressurised by piston pumps, stopping and starting the flow is a problem, as is the resultant clogging of the abrasive material in the conduits or hoses if the flow is halted. Furthermore, the small diameter valve outlets make this arrangement unsuitable for larger flow requirements.


A control valve assembly includes a first control valve and a second control valve longitudinally mounted to the first control valve. A first check valve and a second check valve respectively disposed in the first control valve and the second control valve such that the leakproof effect of the control valve assembly is doubled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control valve assembly, and more particularly to a control valve assembly for a faucet.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional control valve in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 9 comprises a seat (80) having a controller (81) rotatably received therein. A check valve (82) is mounted to a top portion of the seat (80). The controller (81) is rotated to selectively open the outlet. The water pushes the check valve (82) and passes through the check valve (82) when the outlet is opened. The passed water pushes back the check valve (82) for closing the outlet when the outlet is closed. However, the check valve (82) may be folded and leaks when a siphon phenomenon is occurred in the faucet.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional control valve.


Embodiments of systems and methods that can filter acoustic energy from sources remote from the valve. These embodiments utilize signals from sensors that manifest acoustic energy from various locations on and/or about the valves. In one embodiment, the system includes sensors at locations proximate the valve and locations spaced apart from the valve. The system can further process the signals from these locations and, in one example, combines samples of data to form an energy signature of the valve that is effectively free of noise that emanates from upstream and/or downstream of the valve.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to signal processing and, in one or more embodiments, to systems and methods to remove and/or filter acoustic energy from signals that monitor operation of valves in a process facility.
Valves in process facilities can exhibit various types of failure modes that can result in serious economic consequences and can pose a safety risk. Cavitation is one failure mode that occurs when the pressure drop across the valve causes the pressure of the working fluid to drop below the vapor pressure. This pressure drop causes gas bubbles to form. Collapse of these bubbles can damage the valve and piping. In another mode, the valve fails to close completely, which causes the working fluid to leak through the valve. Such leaks can indicate numerous problems with the valve. These problems may include damage to the components (e.g., the plug and/or the stem), the presence of debris that blocks and/or prevents full actuation of the plug, as well as failure of the actuator to provide enough force to fully close the valve.
Process facilities may employ several methods to detect these failure modes, as well as other problems with the valves. Examples of these methods often look for deviations in flow or pressure, e.g., downstream (and/or upstream) of the valve. In another example, the method monitors noise emitted by the valve. These methods are particularly useful because some mechanical failures (e.g., in the stem, the plug, the seat, and/or the valve actuator) may cause vibrations. Valves that are nearly closed often emit vibrations that indicate the presence of a leak in the valve. Detecting the acoustic energy of these vibrations and comparing the acoustic energy to the spectra of known leaking valves can help to detect the presence of leaks.
Although acoustic methods can detect leakage in pipelines, these methods are difficult to apply in a process plant because the valves in the process plant are subject to many acoustic sources that can interfere with the technique. Some methods overcome the problem with interference by restricting the detected frequency to the ultrasonic range. These frequencies are less influenced by energy that emanates from acoustic sources that are distant from the valve. Other methods measure ambient acoustic noise and directly subtract this measure from the signal that measures the acoustic energy at the valve. However, this method does not eliminate noise that can occur along the pipe. To further address the noise along the pipe, other methods have utilized multiple acoustic sensors; but, these methods have used the arrival times of the acoustic energy at the sensors to locate the "position" of the acoustic source in space rather than for the elimination of noise at the event.

System and method for filtering noise from acoustic energy from a valve


A decoder unit for determining a substance or material structure of a detected object based on signals of a capacitive sensor comprises a distribution determination device arranged to determine a detected distribution relation based on signals of the at least one capacitive sensor; a comparison device arranged to compare the detected distribution relation with at least one predetermined distribution relation, the at least one predetermined distribution relation corresponding to a substance or a material structure and an output device arranged to indicate the result of the comparison carried out by the comparison device.

In many technical fields, capacitive sensors are used to detect the presence of certain substances. Generally, the capacitive sensor is arranged to measure a certain capacitance. If a substance is brought close to the sensor or in contact with the sensor, the dielectric conditions and the capacitance close to the sensor change, giving rise to a change in the capacitance value detected by the sensor. Based on the measured capacitance value, it thus is possible to e.g. detect the presence of fingertip brought close to the capacitors of the sensor. It is well known to use such capacitive sensors e.g. for the touch screen of computer terminal or a mobile device. Similarly, capacitive sensors are used e.g. as input devices for inductive heaters, e.g. modern cooking plates.
It is known from WO 2009/058359 A1 to use a plurality of capacitance sensors to determine the nature of a substance. The document U.S. Pat. No. 7,260,987 B2 describes the use of alternating voltage signals of differing frequencies for a capacitive fill level measurement.

Decoder for determining a substance or material structure of a detected object based on signals of a capacitive sensor and method for determining a substance or material structure of a detected object based on signals of a capacitive sensor


An adjustable leg for tables and other platforms includes elevating mechanism in the form of a plurality of screw members which are appropriately rotated and also includes rotation preventing mechanism telescopingly extending through the hollow portion of the screw members to hold the lower screw member non-rotatable so that the leg can move in extension and retraction. In this way, the leg solves the problem of having a sufficiently low elevation for the table when the legs are retracted and a sufficiently high elevation for the table when the legs are extended.

Vertically adjustable tables, thus requiring vertically adjustable legs, are known and used typically as computer stands, drafting tables, physical therapy tables, etc. Although a single leg may be adjusted, typically all legs are interconnected and adjusted simultaneously an equal amount thereby moving the tabletop up or down as desired.
Known tables have non-rotatable, hollow, telescopic leg members. A threaded nut is fixed near the inside top of the lower member. A threaded rod is threaded through the nut and extends into the hollow portion of each of the leg members. A sprocket is fastened at the top of the threaded rod and is driven by a common chain which drives similar sprockets on all legs. The upper leg member is fastened to the tabletop, and it prevents the lower leg member from rotating, when the threaded rod is rotated, by cooperation between a keeper and keeper slot in the lower and upper leg members, respectively. The Assignee of this application presently markets a physical therapy table of this type. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,721,106 and 3,587,482 disclose variations of a similar table.
The problem with the legs on these known tables is that the range of height adjustment is too limited when the lowest level is maintained at an advantageous low level. Particularly with respect to a physical therapy table, greater height adjustment is advantageous when the lowest level is no greater than the height of the seat surface of a wheelchair. To achieve greater height adjustment with the known design, the threaded rod must be longer, but that requires the lowest level of the table to be too high.


The disclosure pertains to a method and apparatus for controlling microbial growth in air handling systems employing heat exchanging coils, water pans, or the like, exposed to moisture and subject to microbial contamination. Condensation apparatus located within a chamber defined in an air handling system is disinfected by temporarily interrupting normal air flow, sealing the chamber with respect to the air handling system, introducing an anti-microbial growth gaseous disinfectant into the chamber, removing the anti-microbial gas from the chamber after disinfecting the condensation apparatus and then restoring normal air flow through the chamber. The preferred anti-microbial gas is produced by using an ozone generator in conjunction with an auxiliary air flow system.

2. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to systems for disinfecting condensation and moisture producing apparatus within air handling systems by the periodic exposure of the apparatus to an anti-microbial gas.
Apparatus producing condensation moisture within air handling systems is subject to contamination by the growth of microorganisms existing on the moist surfaces of the apparatus. Such situations occur in air conditioners, dehumidifiers and other air cooling systems wherein air passing through heat exchanging coils is rapidly cooled and the moisture within the air condenses on the coils and falls into a drip pan or other apparatus for removing moisture.
Microbial growth is common on surfaces where moisture, minerals and organic substances are present, and the growth of such microorganisms on condensing apparatus surfaces reduces the heat exchange efficiency and the overall performance of the apparatus. Additionally, microbial growth produces microorganisms which can become airborne during the operation of the air handling system, therein contaminating ducts and occupied spaces. Such contamination of indoor air has been widely documented, and is a major cause of illness among individuals within office buildings and the like having sealed windows wherein air circulation is only through central cooling and heating units. Contaminated air conditioning systems are known to cause "sick building syndrome", Legionnaire's disease, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
The problem of contamination of air handling systems such as those used in commercial buildings, private dwellings and vehicles is particularly acute in warm climate areas that require lengthy air conditioner operation without the opportunity to permit the moisture producing coils, drip pans, and the like to dry. In an effort to control contamination of air handling systems by microbial growth on condensation apparatus, various techniques have been employed. For instance, condensation collecting drip pans are designed to remove the majority of moisture as quickly as possible from the air handling system, but residual moisture will remain. Further, it is recommended that the condensation producing apparatus of air cooling equipment be regularly manually cleaned and disinfected. However, such regular and routine maintenance is often overlooked, and the use of conventional disinfecting techniques creates problems because of the dissipation of disinfectants into the air flowing through the system. Accordingly, air cooling systems are not usually regularly maintained and cleaned to avoid the microbial contamination which occurs and many occupants of buildings and vehicles having contaminated air systems are subject to allergies and illnesses difficult to trace and diagnose.
2.
Description of Related Art
The aforementioned problems with respect to microbial growth within air handling systems has long been recognized, but has not been effectively solved. It is known that the treatment of air within air handling systems by ultraviolet light frequencies can be helpful in controlling microbial growth, and apparatus for doing so is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,628,083 and 3,100,679. Likewise, an ultraviolet device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,313 which would be suitable for use with domestic air cooling systems.
Ozone is known as a strong oxidant and an effective sterilant, and has been used to purify or sterilize refrigerated air, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,248,713 and 3,421,836.
While the aforementioned patents propose to deal with the problem of the microbial contamination of air cooling systems, ultraviolet light devices have not proven effective to sufficiently sterilize the air and surfaces within air handling systems to control microbial growth, and while those systems using ozone more readily disinfect inaccessible surfaces than can be achieved with the ultraviolet systems, the exposure of humans to ozone is considered detrimental.

Method and apparatus for controlling microbial growth on condensation coils


A tape measure includes a housing assembly having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. The housing assembly defines a cavity, and the peripheral wall defines a bottom surface and a tape port. A measuring tape is rotatably supported by the housing. At least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity. The measuring tape extends and retracts from the cavity through the tape port. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. A first lamp is coupled to the housing assembly and is oriented to illuminate a portion of the measuring tape.

The present invention relates to measurement devices, and in particular, the invention relates to a tape measure.
Tape measures are used for a variety of measuring tasks, and in various environments. In order to take accurate measurements, a user must compare the item being measured to indicia printed onto the tape. The indicia may be difficult to read where there is little ambient light.


An accordion-structured welded bellows for a semiconductor-manufacturing device is characterized in that a plurality of annular bellows plates having curved surfaces in a radial direction are connected in an alternating fashion on the outside-diameter side and the inside-diameter side, wherein the annular bellows plates have a processing-side bellows plate and a non-processing-side bellows plate, a gas layer is interposed between the two bellows plates, the processing-side bellows plate is configured as a thick plate, and the non-processing-side bellows plate is configured as a thin plate. The welded bellows is less likely to be damaged by foreign matter and to be able to use the non-processing-side bellows plate to compensate for any damage to the processing-side bellows plate.

Accordion-shaped welded metal bellows having sealing properties and flexibility can be compressed until the bellows plates closely contact one another, and therefore are used for sealing moving members of a variety of instruments. For example, a welded metal bellows used for sealing a gate valve with which an opening in a vacuum processing chamber used in a manufacturing step of a semiconductor-manufacturing device can be opened and closed in an airtight manner is used to seal off a vacuum side and an atmosphere side. As shown in FIG. 4, individual bellows plates 50 are connected by being welded on the inside-diameter side and the outside-diameter side into a bellows shape, and the bellows is repeatedly extended and contracted over a period of several million strokes at a high speed (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art 1"). A problem of this type of bellows is that when a foreign matter present in the vacuum atmosphere, such as a metal particle 51, enters between the bellows plates 50 in the manner shown in FIG. 4(a), the bellows plates 50 undergo bending deformation during contraction according to the lever principle, as shown by the dashed and dotted lines; cracks appear in the bellows plate 50 near the metal particle 51 during repeated extension and contraction, as shown in FIG. 4(b); and the bellows eventually fails, resulting in a shorter-than-designed service life and making the bellows unusable.
A variety of welded metal bellows have been proposed in the past. For example, a welded metal bellows 60 such as the one shown in FIG. 5 is known as one having excellent corrosion resistance and operating spring properties (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art 2"; for example, see Patent Document 1). The bellows plates 61 from which the accordion-structured structure of the bellows 60 according to Prior Art 2 is configured are shaped in two layers in which austenite stainless steel plates 62 are arranged to the sealing fluid side, spring steel plates 63 are arranged to the non-sealing fluid side, and the plates are joined together by welding on the inside-diameter side and the outside-diameter side.
Additionally, a welded metal bellows 70 such as the one shown in FIG. 6 is known as one that provides a bellows capable of withstanding great pressure without sacrificing the flexibility of the bellows (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art 3"; for example, see Patent Document 1). The bellows plates 71 from which the accordion-structured structure of the bellows 70 according to Prior Art 3 is configured are shaped in two layers in which two circular plates 72, 73 of uniform thickness are joined by welding on the inside-diameter side and the outside-diameter side. The plates are configured so that air holes 74 are provided to the circular plate 72 on the atmospheric side, and there are no gas pockets present between the circular plates 72, 73.
However, Prior Art 2 shown in FIG. 5 provides a welded bellows having excellent corrosion resistance and operating spring properties and has no countermeasures in place against repeated bending deformation due to the ingress of foreign matter. A resulting problem is that the two bellows plates 62, 62 undergo repeated bending deformation when foreign matter 64 enters between the bellows plates 62, 62 on the sealing fluid side, and the two bellows plates fail one after the other or both at the same time.
Prior Art 3 shown in FIG. 6 provides a bellows capable of withstanding significant pressure without sacrificing flexibility. Air holes 74 are formed in the bellows plates 72 on the atmospheric side. A resulting problem is that the bellows can no longer maintain sealing action when the bellows plates 73 on the side opposite from the atmospheric side fail as a result of repeated bending deformation due to the ingress of foreign matter, and the same service life is ultimately obtained as in the case of single bellows plates.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Welded bellows for semiconductor manufacturing device